THAT YOUNG PREACHER IN THAT OLD BUILDING ...
Stories Behind Songs of Inspiration.
by
An American Original
BROTHER LEE HALL
 
Full of vim, vigor, and vitality, Chuck was just one year old since his conversion to CHRIST and his decision to follow after HIM. Those who knew Chuck were as stricken with his zeal, as they were impressed with his doctrine. But, in spite of his somewhat unorthodox ways, the group of people who spent time listening to him preach grew to the point where getting a building for a meeting house became the first order of business.

Two major obstacles stood in the way:  Not enough money nor a suitable vacant building. But our young preacher friend was undaunted. He gathered up what money he could and leased and old, dilapidated, vacated iron foundry and set out to turn it into a tabernacle for THE LORD. The building was rusty, smelly and echoing. But the young reverend proceeded to prepare the grounds for their first-ever evangelistic meeting, which was to be held on, of all days, EASTER SUNDAY. All labor was done. Chuck had even written a special resurrection song to give to the people, if any one came.

Would people come? It's one thing to enjoy the preaching of someone set on the fires of HEAVEN, and immersed in the power of GOD in a respectable place, but .... it is altogether a different story to expect some people to follow them into an abandoned foundry. And , would they like the song? Would they sing it robustly, with fervor and enthusiasm? Well, as they saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. A large crowd gathered to hear the new preacher and they sang that song with the rafter-lifting glory he had hoped.

We can't always judge spiritual content by architectural standards nor evangelistic effectiveness by age and experience. For you see, the preacher was none other than Charles Wesley on the occasion of his first meeting in 1739, and the song was:
 

"CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY"
... And that was almost 260 years ago!
 


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