III. ~ Excerpts from The Sound of Boldness, by Dr. L. L. Morriss
Publication Information:
The Sound of Boldness, by L. L. Morriss
Nashville, Broadman Press, 1977
From the dustjacket:
~ L. L. Morriss is recognized as one of Texas Baptists’ great leaders. In his strategic role as director, Evangelism Division, Baptist General Convention of Texas, he is responsible for leading in Christian outreach. Before coming to his present position, he was for many years the forceful and popular pastor of Midland’s First Baptist Church. This church is widely know for its leadership in many areas, including a vigorous Sunday School program.
~ Dr. Morriss was awarded the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedom Foundation in 1962. He served as a chaplain during World War II. He attended East Texas Baptist College, Baylor University, and Southwestern Baptist Seminary. Both East Texas and Baylor have honored him with Doctor of Divinity degrees. He has preached overseas in Europe, the Holy Land, South America, and Japan. An experienced writer, he has published in a wide variety of periodicals. The Sound of Boldness is his first book.
From the Foreword by W. A. Criswell:
~ We need a book like this to awaken our evangelical forces and to arrange us in powerful array against the attacks of Satan. We have lost souls to win to Christ. We have families to introduce to Christ. We have churches to revive. We have God’s kingdom to proclaim. We have the good news of salvation to announce, and we must never be hesitant or afraid in making known our hope in Christ Jesus. With hearts filled with gratitude we receive this volume from the hands of Dr. Morriss and share the desire of our Christian people that it be circulated by the thousands among all of our preachers, teachers, leaders, and Christian cohorts.
~ Now may God bless the eyes that look upon the pages, and may God bring renewed conviction and courage as we read “The Sound of Boldness.” –W. A. Criswell, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas
From the Preface:
The silence of the eastern sky was disturbed by the swirling sound of the slingshot as David took aim and let the flying missile go at the precise moment, enabling the smooth stone to make its way to its target. There was a low thud as Goliath, the giant, fell to the ground. At that moment, Israel’s fears were quelled and the voice of opposition was silenced. David became a hero, and the Lord God was recognized.
~ When egotistical giants roar their defiant challenges, as they do today, there is again the need for the swirling sound of spiritual slingshots–the sound of boldness.
~ David prepared by taking five smooth stones from the brook. Here are five smooth stones, any one of which could well defeat the giants of opposition on today’s horizon. They will fit into your spiritual slingshot. Use them, and may the sound of boldness again be heard in the land.