Scottish-American Peter Marshall (1902-1949) served as the U.S. Senate Chaplain and pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.
Initially a coal miner in Scotland, he moved to the U.S. in 1927 for theological training and graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1931.
He held pastor roles in Georgia before shifting to D.C. in 1937.
His early death at 46 from a heart attack inspired his widow, Catherine, to write a bestselling biography, “A Man Called Peter”, later adapted into a film and play.
She continued to publish over 220 books until her death in 1983.
See also: Caroline Myss Quotes and Sayings [Anatomy of the Spirit] and Ravi Zacharias Quotes.
In this article I have picked the best quotes by Peter Marshall.
Top 10 Peter Marshall Quotes
“Enthusiasm is not contrary to reason; it is reason – on fire.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“A different world cannot be built by indifferent people.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“If you hug to yourself any resentment against anybody else, you destroy the bridge by which God would come to you.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“The resurrection never becomes a fact of experience until the risen Lord lives in the heart of the believer.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
Famous Peter Marshall Quotes
“God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“God hasn’t given up on you. He can still do great things for you, in you, and through you. God is ready and waiting and able. What about you, and me?” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Anarchism as a political philosophy seeks to dissolve all forms of authority and power, and if possible, wishes their complete abolition.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live – time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to know each other.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“The use of the right word, the exact word, is the difference between a pencil with a sharp point and a thick crayon.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Give according to your income lest God make your income according to your giving.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
Best Peter Marshall Quotes
“Most of us know perfectly well what we ought to do; our trouble is that we do not want to do it.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“The proof of how real Jesus knew hell to be is that He came to earth to save us from it.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
“Christianity is a power religion. Christ has the power to recreate men from the inside out, as every man who has ever met Him knows.” ~ (Peter Marshall).
So these are the best quotes from Peter Marshall for you.
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Short Biography of Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall was a Scottish-American preacher known for his role as a pastor in Washington, D.C., and as the U.S. Senate Chaplain.
His life story gained fame through his widow’s biography, “A Man Called Peter,” and its film adaptation.
Born in Scotland in a mining community, he pursued theological studies in the U.S. after initial training in electrical engineering.
He led churches in Georgia and Washington, D.C., married Catherine Wood, and they had a son who also became a preacher.
| Full Name | Peter Marshall |
| Born | May 27, 1902 |
| Place of Birth | Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Died | January 26, 1949 (aged 46) Washington, DC |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Alma Mater | Columbia Theological Seminary |
| Spouse | Catherine Marshall (m. 1936–1949) |
Marshall’s sudden death came at 46, but his legacy lives on through his sermons, the schools named after him, and the continued interest in his life’s work, as evidenced by archival collections and adaptations of his wife’s biography.
Quick Facts about Peter Marshall
- Peter Marshall was born on May 27, 1902, in Scotland.
- He moved to the U.S. in 1927 with help from a cousin.
- Marshall graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1931.
- His first pastorate was in Covington, Georgia.
- In 1933, he became pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
- Peter met Catherine Wood in Atlanta; they married in 1936.
- They had one son, Peter John Marshall.
- In 1937, Marshall became pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in D.C.
- He was appointed U.S. Senate Chaplain in 1946.
- Marshall died of a heart attack in 1949 at age 46.
- He is buried at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Maryland.
- Catherine Marshall wrote his biography, “A Man Called Peter.”
- The book was a hit and made into a movie in 1955.
- The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography.
- Peter’s early life was in a poor coal-mining community in Scotland.
- He studied electrical engineering before pursuing ministry.
- His ministry training in the U.S. was due to limited opportunities in Scotland.
- Peter’s son ran Peter Marshall Ministries in Massachusetts.
- Peter John Marshall wrote several books on Christian faith in the U.S.
- Marshall’s sermons were integral to the 1955 film about his life.
- Historic recordings of his sermons were released by Caedmon Records.
- The story of Marshall’s life was also adapted into a stage play in 1955.
- The Presbyterian Historical Society holds transcripts of Catherine’s biography and Marshall’s sermons.
- Agnes Scott College holds a collection of Marshall’s papers and recordings.
- Catherine donated audio recordings of Peter’s sermons to the U.S. Library of Congress.
- Marshall was known for his captivating sermons in Washington, D.C.
- His life story has inspired Christians across the U.S.
- The Dr. Peter Marshall School in Anaheim, California, is named after him.
- Marshall’s journey from Scotland to the U.S. Senate Chaplaincy is a tale of determination and faith.
- His legacy continues through his son’s ministry and the ongoing influence of his sermons and life story.
Top Questions about Peter Marshall
A: Peter Marshall was a Scottish-American preacher and pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.
A: His story was popularized by the biography “A Man Called Peter” written by his widow, Catherine Marshall, and its film adaptation in 1955.
A: He was born in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, in a poor coal-mining community, and was raised by his mother and stepfather.
A: He studied electrical engineering at Coatbridge Technical School from 1916-1921.
A: In 1927, a cousin offered to pay for his trip to the U.S. where he could receive proper ministerial training.
A: He was the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Covington, Georgia.
A: He married Catherine Wood on November 4, 1936.
A: Peter John Marshall ran a national ministry, Peter Marshall Ministries, and wrote many books on the Christian faith in the United States.
A: His tenure ended suddenly due to his death from a heart attack on January 26, 1949.
A: He is buried at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland.
A: Dr. Peter Marshall School in Anaheim, California is named after him.
A: It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
A: Richard Todd played Peter Marshall in the film.
A: It holds an undated carbon copy transcript of Catherine Marshall’s biography of him, “A Man Called Peter,” with penciled annotations, along with a collection of his sermons.
A: It holds a large collection of papers donated by Catherine Marshall’s estate, including correspondence from Peter Marshall, photographs, and recordings of his sermons.
