Rhetoric
As a Speech Communications major at the University of Pittsburgh in the mid-1970s I was introduced to the subject of Rhetoric by Dr. Theodore “Ted” Windt, Jr. One of the more popular professors in the department, Windt was best known for his class on Presidential Rhetoric in which he acquainted students with some of the greatest speeches from our nation’s leaders. In particular, the Lincoln Gettysburg Address; Roosevelts’ “Fear Not” address to Congress following the attack on Pearl Harbor; and Kennedy’s inaugural address to name just a few.
In addition to presidential oratory, Windt also spent a great deal of time helping students analyze speeches from other historical figures. One individual in particular being Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
I was reminded of Dr. King’s speech recently when I came across an address by Rev. Dr. S. M. Lockridge (1913-2000) the former Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, CA.
One of Lockridge’s best-known sermons entitled Amen (an hour-long sermon), concludes with a six and a half minutes description of Jesus Christ.
The sermon’s postscript, often referred to as - That’s my King! is a reference to the repeated refrain throughout the message. Over the years, That’s my King! has been reproduced with various video and musical backdrops with user views reaching into the multi-millions.
If you’re not familiar with Dr. Lockridge, I’ve provided the link to this powerful soliloquy in the hope that it’s an encouragement to you today.
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