Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951)

Henry Allen ’ Harry’ Ironside was a Canadian -American Bible preacher, theologian, pastor and author who pastored Moody Church from 1929-1948.

Harry was a twin. When he was born they thought he was dead. His sister, Sophia, was seriously ill so they concentrated on her. 40 minutes after his birth a pulse was detected and they resuscitated him. Date 14 October 1876.

From a very young age he showed a strong interest in Christianity. When the family moved from Canada to Los Angeles, California on 12th December 1886 the new church had no Sunday School. Aged 11 he started his own.

With his new friends they sewed old burlap bags together and made a tent big enough to hold 100. Harry became their teacher. Attendance averaged 60 children and a few adults each week.

In 1888 Dwight I. Moody came to preach at Hazard’s pavilion - it held 4,000 people. Harry dreamed of preaching at such a gathering but in 1889 evangelist Donald Monro came and told Harry he was nor ‘born again’. For 6 months he gave up Sunday school.

February 1890, aged 13, he accepted Christ.I rested on the Word of God and confessed Christ as my Saviour. He returned to preaching. Teased by his schoolmates he was determined in his mission to win souls.

When he left school in the daytime he worked full time at a photography studio: at night he preached at Salvation Army (SA) meetings.

Aged 16 he preached full time and a Commissioned Lieutenant in the SA… He preached 500 sermons a year around Southern California. Aged 18,his gruelling schedule took his toll on his health and he entered Beulah Rest Home to recuperate

In 1896, aged 20, he moved to San Francisco and again associated with the Plymouth Brethren. While helping at Henry Varley meetings he met and married pianist Helen Schofield. His mother died in 1898.
1900 family moved to Oakland (1900-29). He resumed a nightly preaching schedule.

1903 accepted his first East Coast preaching invitation.

Established Western Book and Tract Company (1914-192 ?)
Preached almost 7,000 sermons to 1,25 million listeners (1916-1929).

1924 he began to preach under the direction of the Moody Bible Institute.
1926 turned down full time faculty position at Dallas Theological Seminary
but became visiting lecturer (1925-43)

1929 preached at Moody Church in Chicago. Invited to serve a trial for one year, he stayed (1929-1948). Preached nearly every Sunday with 4,000 auditorium filled to capacity.

In 1938 toured G.B. , preached 142 times to crowds of 2,000+.

1942 became president of Africa Inland Mission

In 1948 Harry and Helen their celebrated golden wedding anniversary.
They had 2 sons Edmund Henry and John Schofield.

Helen died 1st May 1948
He married Annie Turner Hightower 9th October 1949

Following eye surgery he toured New Zealand.
15th January 1951 Harry died there, aged 74.

And the beggar died also
Source used
Wikipedia