In February of 1913 Benajah Harvey Carroll, Baptist preacher and president of Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, became seriously ill. Recovery seemed unlikely. During this time, his friends J. B. Cranfill and F. M. McConnell paid him a visit. During the visit, Carroll said the following words, which Cranfill published in The Baptist Standard. The words were later republished in other Baptist newspapers (below is quoted as published in Baptist and Reflector, Thursday, March 6, 1913, p. 9).
“Although I have suffered much and am still suffering greatly, my spiritual vision was never as unclouded as it is today. I know that Jesus is mine. Death has no terrors for me. I do not fear the river of death. When I shall press my feet up its shores the waters will divide, and I will go over dry shod. I know that God’s Book is true, that heaven is real, that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and that He will welcome me into the Father’s house on high.”
Bad though it was, Carroll recovered from this illness. He did not die until over a year and a half later – November 1914. Nevertheless, his thoughts on the Bible, heaven, and Jesus were a blessing to many. Furthermore, these thoughts on the Bible, heaven, Jesus did not change between February 1913 and November 1914.
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