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He began doing one
thing - and ended by doing the opposite. A pretty tough guy born in
Indiana in 1827, he had a share of fighting in the Mexican War and
in the American Civil War Though he became a major-general, he had
a flair for politics and travel -but he was happiest when writing
books. He began writing a book after talking with a friend. "
Who can believe in all the nonsense they teach in churches?" he
demanded. " Nobody," his friend agreed, adding, " You
ought to write a book to prove that no such man as Jesus Christ ever
lived. It would make you famous." So the tough guy sat down and
wrote the first four chapters of a book to prove that Christianity
is a myth and while he wrote his wife was praying that her husband
would see the light of truth. Late one night her husband opened the
door and said, " Christ did live -and Christ does live!"
Then he rewrote the first four chapters, and wen,t on to finish the
book, " Ben-Hur." Strange that Lew Wallace should scorn
Christ, and that in trying to prove that the Saviour was a myth he
succeeded in enthroning Him not only in his own heart but in the
hearts of others !
From "The Friendship Book of Francis Gay" Tuesday August 21 1962
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