T. T. Talmage

Thomas De Witt (T. T.) Talmage (1832-1902) accepted a call to pastor a church in Brooklyn, New York, in 1869. His offer letter was signed by seventeen people, the total number of members of this dying city church. He preached to a cavernous sanctuary of empty pews and a few stalwart souls on his inaugural Sunday. It didn’t stay this way for long. Word got out about this passionate, enthusiastic preacher, and people flocked to hear his sermons. He used his vivid imagination and dramatic delivery to good advantage, challenging listeners to embrace the extravagant claims of the gospel. His serious-minded clergy colleagues criticized his style as clownish and unministerial. They became jealous of his success and slandered his personal life. The rumors were picked up by the press, and the story became front-page news. The following Sunday, reporters showed up for worship, expecting T. T. to respond publicly to the personal attacks. He spoke not a single word about the rumor mill. He went right on preaching the gospel in his own inimitable style, and the reporters took down his entire sermon to publish in their newspapers. T. T. took to heart Paul’s admonition, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12.21 NIV). He wrote of the verse, “It is always easier to respond in kind to those who attack by their words and actions, but God demands of us a different response. In fact, it is often the Lord who uses a ‘softer word’ to convict both the one who attacks our character as well as a tremendous example to those outside the immediate situation. Jesus told us to bless those who say all kinds of evil against you. Let the faithful do that and leave the outcome to God.” Today, inspired by T. T.’s example, we join in praying the words of Romans 12.17-21: