Mr. Floyd Rose in the article you wrote “Community deserves an answer from city council.”

You have made it very clear that you want a street name changed. You speak of a man named Nathan Bedford Forrest. There is no proof that this Forrest Street was named after him. What is troubling to me is that you are willing to do or say anything to get this street name changed.

It is true that he, Nathan Bedford Forrest was chief among sinners. But it should not be about who he was, but what he became.

Information by Shane Kastler “When the Devil Got Saved: The Christian Conversion of Nathan Bedford Forrest.”

Mr. Forrest in the fall of 1875, found himself sitting next to his wife listening to Rev. Stainback preach from Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27. V. 24: Therefore, whosoever hearth these sayings of mine, and doth them. I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. V. 25. And the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. V. 26. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. V. 27. And the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell and great was the fall of it.

Nathan’s heart was crushed and his spiritual eyes were opened.

After the service, he pulled Rev. Stainback aside and as Rev. Stainback later recounted: Forrest suddenly leaned against the wall and his eyes filled with tears, ‘sir, your sermon has removed the last prop from under me, he said. I am the fool that built on the sand; I am a poor miserable sinner.

The next night Rev. Stainback went by to visit with Forrest, and they fell to their knees and prayed together. Forrest said that he had put his trust in the redeemer and that his heart was finally at peace.

Do not remember this man for who he was; but rejoice in the man he became through Jesus Christ. A child of the King. For he built his house upon the Rock! And the Rock is Jesus Christ! Matthew 18:11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. For you oh Lord Jesus is worthy to be praised! Hallelujah and amen!

Deanna M. Lindsey,

Valdosta