As one of the greatest evangelists in American history, Moore preached in ten different states and it is estimated that in so doing he traveled enough to have circled the globe twice. It behooves us to consider his words prior to his death, “I have finished my course, the doctrines that I have tried to preach are the stay and comfort of my heart..."

Born June 7, 1746 in Prince William County, Virginia, Jeremiah Moore was for twenty- five years a member of the established church. When converted, Moore chose the faith of the Baptists, his first step being to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism. The ordinance was administered by Elder David Thomas, a distinguished minister among the early Baptists of Virginia. Thomas remarked upon the occasion “I think I have this day baptized a preacher.” The remainder of Moore’s life proved the pastors prophecy to be accurate.

Taylor, in his book Virginia Baptist Ministers said “Moore commenced a work in which he was engaged for nearly forty-five years. Through difficulties and trials, with a zeal and ability that have fallen to the lot of few.” With the laws of the land against him, Moore was arrested three times and imprisoned for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1773, Moore was committed to jail by one of his Majesty’s justices having been told “You shall lie in jail until you rot.” His “spare time” during this “life sentence” was put to good use as he preached through the door to those on the street. After his release, this tireless labourer never ceased to preach and teach Jesus. In 1802, he established the first Baptist church in Washington, D.C. and, in 1803, he established the first Baptist church of Alexandria, Virginia. This was a personal victory for him since this was the city in which he was imprisoned thirty years earlier.

As one of the greatest evangelists in American history, Moore preached in ten different states and it is estimated that in so doing he traveled enough to have circled the globe twice. Moore died in 1815 and is buried in Vienna, Virginia. When thinking of this fruitful ministry, it behooves us to consider his words prior to his death, “I have finished my course, the doctrines that I have tried to preach are the stay and comfort of my heart: I know in whom I have trusted. There is one thing, and only one, that gives me the least uneasiness, and that is, that I have not traveled more, preached more, and written more, and in all things been more industrious in the best of causes.” God give us those who, like Jeremiah Moore, are “zealous of good works.”