One of the large, early earthquakes in American history occurred on this day in 1811. Its epicenter was under the Mississippi River, but it was felt as far away as Boston.

Jacob Bower, living in Kentucky at the time, was so startled by the quake that he cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us; we shall all be sunk and lost, and I am not prepared. O God, have mercy on us all.” Although raised in a Christian home, Jacob was not stirred by the Holy Spirit until his early twenties. Throughout the fall of 1811, his conviction of sin and judgment grew. When the quake hit the spiritual struggle intensified. For six or eight weeks before the Lord gave to Jacob the peace which is found in the faith of Jesus Christ. He was baptized in March, after which he joined the Hazel Creek Baptist Church.

In 1814 Jacob Bower preached his first sermon. After his ordination he pastored three churches in Kentucky before moving to Illinois where he started and pastored two churches at the same time. When the accidental discharge of a rifle mangled one of his feet, he became a missionary. From 1832 to 1848 he traveled 40,925 miles, preached 2,931 sermons and helped to organize 14 churches and to ordain 12 ministers.

Like the Philippian jailor, it took an earthquake to get the attention of Jacob Bower. The Lord has many implements in His toolbox.