Every time you switch on a light, start up a computer or turn on a television, you do it because of discoveries related to the work of Michael Faraday. In a swimming pool you will be guarded from disease because of liquid chlorine in the water: this is because Michael Faraday first liquefied chlorine.
Faraday built the very first electric motor and later the first generator and transformer of electricity. This was to change long distance communication across the earth leading to the ability to talk to astronauts far out in space. His work on electromagnetism is included in Melvyn Braggs’ book on 12 books that changed the World.
But Michael Faraday also suffered from a disorder known as dyslexia. This meant that he had difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols. Faraday however, overcame this problem to become one of the greatest public lecturers in history.
The interesting thing is that alongside all the amazing discoveries and brilliant experiments there was something more important in Michael’s life. He deeply loved and followed the Lord Jesus. On one occasion after a brilliant public lecture he had given at the Royal Institution, the house “rocked” with enthusiastic applause. The Prince of Wales rose to congratulate the great Professor. The thunders of applause however, were followed by a strange silence. Everybody waited for Michael Faraday’s reply, but the lecturer had vanished! Where was he? Faraday had slipped away to a prayer meeting.
Faraday believed that his great purpose in life was to read, as he put it, “the book of nature … written by the finger of God”. Few people in history have read that book more accurately and applied it more helpfully.
Charles Spurgeon : Prince of Preachers
Charles Spurgeon began was a simple country lad who went on to become one of the best-known preachers in London, Europe and the world.
Caught in a snowstorm one night Charles snuck into the back pew of a dusty country chapel. He had no idea that as well as escaping the freezing temperatures outside he would be faced with the most important decision of his life.
A wrinkled old man started to preach. Charles thought it would be a thoroughly boring service – but with the words “Look unto Jesus and be saved!” a cold and grumpy teenager began to realise that God’s word can change you, completely!
The simple country lad became a man who mixed with princes and beggars. He spoke words that touched the hearts of rich and poor alike. His fame became so widespread that it is reputed that even Queen Victoria attended one of his sermons. The Queen of England came to listen to the Prince of Preachers. But Charles was more concerned about the King of Kings – Jesus Christ.