John Linton
1888 - 1965

"Some men are called to be evangelists and others, teachers. But the aim and object of both ministries should be the saving of the lost. What teacher could be content to dispense truth to the saints and not apply that truth to the sinners in his audience? He needs no special gift for this, any more than a man needs to be eloquent to raise an alarm of fire."

The story of John Linton is another of those sagas that shine with the wonder-working grace of God.

One of twelve children, this immigrant boy from Scotland gravitated to the life of a wastrel, a wanderer. This wicked youth seemed to be destined to a life of cheating, lying and stealing. But God moved in when John was thirteen. He had left home, had lied to suspecting police, had hid in barns; then finally he was taken in by a Christian woman and mothered. Here John learned the sweet lesson of the Heavenly Father's patience, tenderness and forgiveness to an erring child. So he confessed Christ and claimed His forgiveness. This was the turning point in his life.

Shortly he emigrated to Canada. And at James Street Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ontario, John Linton heard God's call to preach the Gospel. He attended Gordon Bible College in Boston. Under the consecrated teaching there, Linton "grew like a hothouse plant." His pastor persuaded him to go to a Baptist college in Woodstock, where he could finish high school work as well.

College life became a geographical game of musical chairs-Boston, Woodstock, Toronto, Manitoba. All the while he was preparing to be a "good preacher," he was busy "practicing preaching."

He graduated with a master's degree, married a childhood sweetheart and became a pastor. It was during his pastorate at High Park Baptist Church, Toronto, that he became vitally interested in revival and evangelism.

Linton entered evangelism-and God blessed-across Canada, across America, until his decease in 1965.

John Linton is not normally listed among the elite of the evangelists in this century: Moody, Sunday, Bob Jones, Sr., Appelman, John Rice. But he was not some lesser light. God mightily moved through his ministry. He left a trail of converts to Christ as well as revived, restored, rejoicing churches. His gospel soundness, his compelling delivery, his Scotch brogue and his devotion to our Lord made him widely acceptable.

He died at age 77 in the pulpit while conducting evangelistic services.