Alfred’s wife asked him a fair question. What had angered him that Easter morning was a radio preacher. Alfred had heard the man say, “You know folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ is risen or not.” Alfred Ackley to shout at the radio: “It’s a lie!” Hearing a fellow minister blatantly misrepresent the centerpiece of the Christian faith caused Rev. That experience came a few days after an incident following a sermon Alfred had preached. A Jewish student had asked him, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” Alfred had answered, “He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now!” He had gone on to say, “I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.”Īlfred Henry Ackley was born in Spring Hill, Pennsylvania, in 1887. He loved music, as did his older brother, Bentley, who was 15 years his senior. Both went on to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. While Bentley devoted his life to playing and writing music, Alfred entered the preaching ministry. He attended Westminster Theological Seminary. In 1914, he was ordained into the Presbyterian Church. By then, Bentley was serving as pianist for Billy Sunday’s evangelist crusades.īoth brothers were prolific in contributing to gospel hymnody. Bentley is credited with adding music to at least 3,000 songs. Alfred wrote the words to over 1,000 hymns. Decades after their deaths, it’s Alfred’s gut-felt response to the young Jewish man and the liberal radio preacher that is most remembered today.Īlfred dedicated his life to preaching the gospel message. He pastored churches in Pennsylvania and California. Alfred believed and proclaimed the Apostle Paul’s declaration, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile you are still in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:17).
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