A while ago I read a short biography about a man by the name of Dutton Lane. Dutton Lane was born November 7, 1732, near Baltimore, Maryland. His father (Richard Lane) was a devoted Anglican and an ardent enemy of the Baptists. One day Dutton’s older brother Tidence went to hear, out of curiosity, the renowned Baptist preacher Shubal Stearns. From this encounter, meaning hearing the Word of God being preached and the Spirit of God convicting his heart, Tidence received Jesus Christ as his Savior, and was baptized by Shubal Stearns. Subsequently, Tidence, like Andrew of the New Testament, went to tell his brother Dutton of his conversion. Dutton was moved by Tidence’s testimony and he went to hear pastors Daniel Marshall and Shubal Stearns preach. Having heard the Word of God and being convicted by the Holy Spirit, Dutton also received Jesus Christ as his Savior, and was also baptized by Shubal Stearns.
Shortly after, Dutton Lane was impressed by the Holy Spirit that he was to preach the gospel – and Dutton surrendered to this call to proclaim the glories of God’s redeeming love. A revival broke out in that region and several of Dutton’s friends and neighbors were converted. In 1760, the Dan River Church was organized and Dutton Lane was called as their pastor. Dutton did not have the advantage of a strong education, but he is described as a man having a strong constitution, a commanding voice, and fervent spirit. His zeal for the Savior was so great that he was often persecuted for the gospel. Among the first to persecute him was his own father! Discovering that Mrs. Lane had gone to hear her son preach, Richard Lane became so enraged that he struck his wife and swore an oath to kill his son for becoming a Baptist. He believed his son had renounced his family and God. His wife interceded and challenged him to at least hear Dutton preach once. Richard reluctantly agreed and sat through one service, and fell under conviction and was himself gloriously converted. Richard was subsequently baptized by the son he intended to kill. (It should be noted here that it is recorded that Dutton would later face many other times of persecution and objections by those who did not want to hear this Baptist preacher preach the Word of God. But for many of those objectors who did hear him preach, they too came under conviction after hearing the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit and received Jesus Christ as their Savior.) It is stated that Dutton Lane continued to preach almost to the day of his death, and his Christian life was always beyond reproach.
As I read this biography I was reminded of what God’s Word states will happen in the end times. In the Gospel of Mark we read where the disciples were asking Jesus for clarification and signs as to when the end would come.
Jesus responded in Mark 13:5-13,
“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Now from that time forward, there have been many instances throughout history where those who stood for the Lord and preached His Word were persecuted. But what is our zeal in our labor unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [today]? Are we willing to be zealous at all cost?
