“ J O H N T. J O H N S O N”

Wednesday, August 04, 2021

The story is told of John T. Johnson that at the age of thirty-five his health failed and he was at the point of death. A doctor called upon him and informed him that the use of tobacco was destroying his health and that if he expected to live he must give up the habit. At the time Johnson had a plug of tobacco in his pocket. Going alone into the parlor, he pulled the tobacco out of his pocket, held it in his hand, and soliloquized: “John T. Johnson is sick – unfitted for business – and is, in fact, dying. What is killing him? The use of this poisonous weed I hold in my hand.” He laid the plug of tobacco down on the mantel, and fixing his eyes upon it, continued: “You have been and are now my mortal enemy; today we part forever. Remain where you are, I adjure you. I will never touch you again – never, God being my help.” From that day forward John T. Johnson never touched tobacco.

Johnson was one of the outstanding preachers of his time. When someone asked a companion of Johnson to describe his style of preaching, the reply was: “Imagine the largest cannon you can think of, loaded to the muzzle and fired at creation, and you will have an idea of how he preaches.” It is said that Johnson could picture hell so graphically that people in his audience became frightened. On other occasions, he could be very tender and loving and move the audience to tears.
    Earl West Gospel Advocate 6/22/1950

(John T. Johnson was a member of the United States Congress from Kentucky. When he left congress he devoted his life to preaching the gospel. It was said that after he began preaching his wife saw less of him than when he was a congressman. His brother, Richard T. Johnson served as Vice President under Martin Van Buren.)
    Source: Winder, GA Bulletin

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