William Harris most likely would not be called “a great preacher.” He wasn’t an orator, or filled with lots of education, or even blessed with a good imagination. But he was always close to his Saviour, and he was blessed with the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Brother Harris and his family moved to Bedford County, Virginia, when there were only a few rural settlers nearby. He worked with his hands and his heart during the week and worked with his heart and his tongue on the Lord’s day. He spent his life pastoring eleven different churches, five of which he planted himself. It is said that a “barn, forest, or open space would serve (him) for a temple; a stump or stone or level earth for a pulpit; and where (he) could find sinners to hear him, he had a call to preach.”
Bedford County became known as the birthplace of outstanding preachers, including J. B. Jeter, whom Elder Harris had helped toward assurance of salvation. Under Harris’ ministry multitudes were converted, and by his hands many were immersed as a testimony of their salvation. During one year he baptized 250 and throughout his entire ministry, it is estimated that he baptized at least 3,000. And it should be remembered that this was a period in Baptist history when the candidate for baptism was required to give a clear statement of their conversion to Christ. Remember, also, that this was taking place in a sparsely settled wilderness.
William Harris passed away on this day in 1865, after a year of failing health. Following a series of strokes, he was confined to his bed, but he still insisted that his family gather around him to read the scriptures and to pray. On the morning before his death, unable to speak, he merely pointed upward. One of his grandsons said to him, “I suppose you are now going home?” With an affirmative gesture he agreed, and quietly William Harris fell asleep in Jesus.