[marshmallow]

Paisley will be remembered primarily for his contribution to British politics. He spent 40 years as a Member of Parliament, 37 years as Democratic Unionist Party leader, 25 years as an MEP and 13 years as a member of the Northern Island Assembly.

That doesn't leave much time for ministry.

[.45 Long Colt]

I don’t care how he’s remembered by the world, Protestants should remember that he preached thousands of sermons and somehow found time to found the Free Presbyterian Church. He served as its moderator from around 1950 until only a few years ago. Under his leadership the FPC spread throughout Northern Ireland. It has congregations in the U.S. (there are FReepers who are members), Scotland, England, Canada, and Australia. The FPC has a college, a seminary, and it supports foreign missionaries in India, Africa, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and various European countries. For a guy supposedly all about politics he sure did a lot for the cause of Christ.

[Agamemnon]

Paisley will be remembered primarily for his contribution to British politics. He spent 40 years as a Member of Parliament, 37 years as Democratic Unionist Party leader, 25 years as an MEP and 13 years as a member of the Northern Island Assembly. That doesn't leave much time for ministry.

Marshmallow, respectfully I think all you're really telling us all is how much time you must waste all by yourself every day.

By your own telling of it Paisley had already had a 20 year career as a minister -- founder of a Presbyterian denomination no less -- prior to being elected to Parliament, and while in Parliament managed his time in such a way as to continue to lead his denomination for the next 38 years.

Like Congressmen, members of Parliament likely have ample amounts of time to do other things than show up for debates and to vote.

You can remember what you want to remember about Dr. Paisley. Among other things I have recounted, I'll choose to remember him as someone who inscribed my Bible on August 8, 1970 after having the privilege of having dinner with him and his family, and as someone who had more back bone and stamina to uphold Biblical truth and political conservatism at a time when one could literally catch a bullet for having done so.

I rank him up there with other faithful followers of Christ from that era who I also had the privilege to meet and to hear: Dr. Richard Wurmbrand (founder of "Voice of the Martyrs" and author of "Tortured for Christ" ), Nikki Cruz (author, "The Cross and the Switchblade" and "Run, Baby, Run"> ) and Corrie Ten Boom (author, "The Hiding Place" ).

May you someday be found accountable as one was as comparably faithful.

FReegards!