During the American Revolution there lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a faithful gospel preacher named Peter Miller. Nearby lived a man who violently opposed him and openly abused both Miller and his followers.
Subsequently Miller's enemy was found guilty of treason, and sentenced to be hanged. No sooner was the death sentence passed, however, than Miller set out on foot for General Washington's headquarters to intercede for the man's life. But he was told that his request for his friend could not be granted.
"My friend! He is not my friend!" exclaimed Peter Miller. "I have not a worse enemy living than that man."
"What!" said Washington, "You have walked sixty miles to save the life of your enemy? That in my judgment, puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon."
The pardon was written, signed by the general and handed to Miller to deliver. He immediately proceeded on foot, with all possible speed to the place—fifteen miles away—where the execution was to take place. He arrived just as the condemned man was being led to the scaffold.
When the traitor spotted Miller in the crowd, he exclaimed: "Why, there's old Peter Miller! He has come all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hanged."
The words were scarcely spoken before Miller stepped forward, and produced the pardon. The life of his worst enemy was spared.