On this day, 12th November, (1615) the famous Puritan preacher Richard Baxter was born. After the restoration of King Charles, Baxter assisted his friend Dr. William Bates in the St Dunstan’s church in London. The church was very old and one Lord’s Day, as Baxter was preaching, a great noise could be heard in the steeple as bricks tumbled down. The crash terrified the people and in panic many began to rush out. The church was in confusion but Mr. Baxter, without any indication of having been disturbed, sat down in the pulpit chair. When the hurry was over, and the congregation started to come back in he resumed his discourse. "We are in the service of God, to prepare ourselves, that we may be fearless at the great noise of the dissolving world, when the heavens shall pass away, and the elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works therein shall be burnt up."

If noise startles men now, what shall it do to mankind in that great day?