The Influence of One Good Man

Many men want to influence the world, at present in England they are voting again for a new prime minister as the last one only lasted 45 days, making her the shortest serving prime minister in the history of the UK. Johnstone, Truss and Trump want to influence the world just like President Xi Jinping does gaining a historic third term in China. In history we read of one young man who did influence the world. Many years ago in the 1840’s Henry Moorehouse was born in Manchester, England. His parents were quiet people, of humble circumstances, who, by their thrift and hard work lifted themselves above many of their neighbours. Sadly, their son was not of the same caliber as them and he wasted many opportunities that life presented to him. When very young he was enticed from home with foolish companions and spent his young days in riotous living. By the age of sixteen he was an expert pickpocket, gambler, gang-leader, thief and petty criminal having already served time in prison and gained a long record of imprisonment. He caused great sorrow to his parents for the life he was living. Whilst yet a youth he joined the army and tried the life of a soldier. However, that disciplined lifestyle was not for him and he was bought out by his father at considerable cost. Life was disappointing for him, so much so that he attempted suicide by poison, but God’s eye looked graciously on the lad. One evening when he was nearly twenty years old Richard Weaver was preaching in the Alhambra circus, in the busy city of Manchester. Henry, hearing a noise, and thinking a fight was going on, buttoned his coat, eager to join in the melee. However, as he entered he heard one word that stopped him in his tracts. The glorious name of Jesus shot from the preacher’s lips, and went like a bullet to the heart of the wayward youth. He stayed to hear what the preacher had to say and heard the blessed gospel of grace, simply and earnestly preached. Upon hearing the message and the love of Christ for men and women, Henry Moorehouse trusted Jesus as his Saviour. He repented of his sinful living and looked to Christ for forgiveness of his sins and disobedience to God. He immediately started preaching in public places, trying to reach his former friends with the message of God’s love. Even though he had no formal training he preached with such conviction that many people trusted God. In 1867 he had the opportunity to hear the famed American preacher DL Moody and he introduced himself to him at the close of the meeting. Moorehouse expressed a desire to travel to America and preach in Moody’s church. Moody was reluctant to let him preach but when he arrived a few months later he gave him the opportunity to speak at a Friday evening meeting when Moody himself was away. Moody did not believe that this young man could preach so he warned his colleagues to only allow him to speak once. However, when Moody returned he asked his wife how the meeting had went, and she said “He preaches different from what you do. He tells the people God loves them.” Moody’s church was packed with people coming to hear the young Englishman. That night Moody sat in to hear Moorehouse preach and his message so touched his heart that it changed him. Moorehouse is known as “the man who moved the man who moved the world”. DL Moody was the man who moved the world with his preaching but Moorehouse was the man who changed the style of preaching of Moody. The continued success of Moody was related to hearing this young Englishman preach. The favourite text of Moorehouse was John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He preached on it more than 1000 times and influenced many men to change their lives and trust in God. P. Pilgrim pilgrimway101@yahoo.com