There is an old "preacher story" about the traveling evangelist who had a flair for the dramatic. His sermons were flamboyant and intensely theatrical. His ability to turn a phrase and masterfully create "word pictures" captivated his listeners almost to the point of hypnosis. He was a strong portion.

After accepting an invitation to preach in a little country church, he went out early one afternoon to familiarize himself with the church and its appointments. Among other things, he observed that the sanctuary had a relatively low ceiling to allow for a loft overhead. He also noticed that the ceiling, not having been repaired in recent years, had some rather large cracks in it. He began to think. In time, his thought was interrupted by a young farm boy who had ambled into the church to lig…