A Joyful Christian
You have probably never heard of Billy Bray, but he was one-of-a-kind, the type you never forget.
Mr. Bray was an eccentric 19th century preacher known for his lively sermons that often included outbursts of singing and dancing. He loved God, life and people.
He would shout, “Glory!” whenever he heard that someone was saved.
He was blessed with an extra amount of energy. And he put it to good use, helping others whenever possible.
How did this man become such an unusual, extraordinary Christian leader?
He was born in Cornwall, England on June 1, 1794. He grew up poor and got little schooling. He became a tin miner and was known for drunken, violent, and life-of-the-party antics.
Probably nobody expected that he would ever amount to anything special, but God had a different view: He saw that Billy’s energy and personality could be a gift to the cause of Christ if Billy could channel it in the right direction.
His wife, Joanna, began to pray that Billy would become a Christian. Their home was made difficult by Billy’s alcoholism.
In 1823 a frightful mining accident occurred when 40 tons of rock collapsed on the very spot where he had been standing. He instinctively ran and his life was spared. Joanna seized the opportunity to urge him to consider giving his life to God. He started reading the Bible, Christian books, and Wesley’s hymns. After several days, he gave his life to Jesus, and he found a joy he had never known.
His conversion was real. Meeting a stranger, he was not afraid to ask, “How is your soul?” He built three chapels, generously gave to the poor, adopted two orphans, and preached to crammed churches wherever he went. Some felt that his exuberance was improper, but he kept on, knowing that he had every reason to be overjoyed as a redeemed son of the King of Kings. He passed away at age 73.
By Barry Kimbrough, pastor of Cave Junction, Brookings, and Gold Beach Seventh-day Adventist churches