Confront and conquer temptation at the beginning, not at the end. In other words, the best and most effective tactic against temptation is to deal with it from a position of strength, before it has an opportunity to weaken you. Better to take steps up front to eliminate temptation altogether (if possible), than to deal with it later when your defenses are down.
Sam Storms

Cyrus Ingersoll Scofield

Cyrus Ingersoll Scofield

Cyrus Ingersoll Scofield
1843-1921
American pastor and Bible teacher. Cyrus Ingersoll Scofield was born near Clinton, Michigan, but his family soon moved to Tennessee, where he received his early education. While preparing to enter the University of Virginia, the Civil War broke out, and Cyrus joined the Confederate Army as a boy of 17. He was cited for bravery in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and was awarded the Confederate Cross of Honor.

When the war was over, he studied law in St. Louis, after which time he moved to Kansas, where he was admitted to the bar in 1869. He served in the Kansas State Legislature, and at the age of 29 was appointed United States District Attorney for Kansas. In 1874 he returned to St. Louis and reentered law practice. During this time he began to drink heavily. However, this passion for drink was completely removed when he was led to a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through the efforts of Thomas S. McPheeters, a Y.M.C.A. worker.

Scofield immediately became active in Christian work. During this time, he met D.L. Moody, and a friendship was formed which lasted their entire lives. Scofield was ordained in Dallas, Texas, in October, 1883, and began his ministry as a pastor of the First Congregational Church there. He published the Scofield Bible Correspondence Course in 1890, and in 1902 he began his work on the famous Scofield Reference Bible, which he presented to the public in January, 1909. He died on Sunday morning, July 24, 1921, at Douglaston, Long Island.