This is the day that … George Truett was born in 1867.

He entered the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, when it had 700 members – and concluded his pastorate in the same Church 47 years later with 7,800;  the largest Baptist Church at that time in the world.

“All evangelical preaching points to Christ,” he wrote.  “The primary work of the Church is to point people to Him Who saves” (Prince of the Pulpit, biography of G. Truett, by J. Burton, page 16).

He had been converted at the age of 19 and ordained to the ministry 11 years later. Interesting anecdotes of this pulpit giant abound.  He was out of his pulpit “40% of the time” each year.  He consulted none of his Church officers about “what or when he was to do anything”.  It is estimated that he preached 17,000 sermons, an average of one a day for 47 years.

And, oh yes, he shot the Dallas Chief of Police!  It was during a hunting trip together that Truett moved his gun from one shoulder to the other and the gun discharged.  Captain J.C. Arnold, his close friend, died a few days later.

For a while he determined to give up preaching.  But when he returned to the pulpit, we are told there was “a new tenderness, a new depth of sincerity and a new power.  The legend grew, however, that he never smiled again” (Tales of Baptist Daring, by B. Browne, page 133).

Dr Truett died on 7 July, 1944.