The hypocrite (Greek- hupokrites) was originally an actor. Theatrical make-up in those days took the form of a mask which the actor wore. On it would be painted the character and the mood which the actor portrayed. It might be a smiling face which hid the sad heart of the actor behind it. It might be a face of virtue which hid behind it a life of vice. In acting there can be a great discrepancy between the part which is played and the reality of the life which lies behind it… The same can be true of faith. We can profess much and possess little. Indeed there is always the temptation in Christian fellowships to pretend to be something other than what we are.
Sinclair Ferguson

Melvin Ernest Trotter

Melvin Ernest Trotter

Melvin Ernest Trotter
1870-1940
Rescue mission worker. Mel Trotter was born in Orangeville, Illinois, the son of a godly mother and a drunken father. His mother tried to teach him to pray, but he followed in the footsteps of his father and became a drunkard. He left home at the age of 17 and, after years of drink and sin and on the verge of self-destruction, Mel ventured into the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, where he heard the Gospel. That night he responded to the invitation to receive Christ as his Saviour, and his life was transformed. Later he entered the ministry, and was ordained a Presbyterian minister.

After conducting some evangelistic meetings, he was called to be superintendent of a rescue mission in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His unusual burden for the spiritual needs of the down and out prompted him to establish 67 rescue missions from Boston to San Francisco. He was known as the man who “raved about Jesus.”