The Unnamed Faithful

I am reading Robert Baker's work on Texas Baptist history entitled, "The Blossoming Desert" in which a most amazing account stands out in my mind.  As Christians were faithfully working to spread the gospel across the plains of the new land of Texas there were many great names that arose in the Baptist work.  Men like Byars, Burleson, Buckner, and Carroll accomplished much to start churches and schools to expand the Christian witness.  They won the souls and support of such great men as Bowie, Travis, and Houston.  I admire each of these men but there were many who remain unnamed.

One account is told of a missionary preacher who gave it all for the sake of the gospel.  Texas missionaries faced the threats of Indians, bandits, malaria, yellow fever, and countless other trials.  Since there were few bridges many creeks and rivers had to be crossed in their missionary efforts.  Many times they had the choice of swimming icy creeks during freezing weather or turning back and leaving souls unsaved.

In May, 1849, J.W.D. Creath records the fate of an unnamed preacher who was so determined to preach the gospel at Clarksville that he crossed a frozen creek during an intensely cold winter.  Creath's account of the unnamed man,
"He was found dead in an old house by the roadside frozen.  He attempted to swim the creek in a buggy.  In the effort his horse was drowned, and he fatigued by his exertions to extricate himself from the flood, wet and chilled, turned into this old house, being unable to go further."

I continue to think of the countless unnamed people who have lived with such a burden for the souls of others that they have been willing to extend themselves even unto death so that people would know Jesus.  My prayer is that God would continue to send laborers into the harvest who cherish the words of Jesus, "whoever loses his his life for My sake will find it."  Although many of us will go unnamed in the books of men we know that our names are written in the Book of Life.  When the roll is called up yonder we will be there and hear the great words of our Lord, "well done, good and faithful servant."  Let us work to this end.