March 4, 1881 was a beautiful spring day in Washington D.C. James Garfield stood on the Capitol steps, placed a hand on the Bible, another on his heart, faced a crowd of thousands, and was sworn in as the 20th President of the United States. Like every Inauguration, it was a day ripe with patriotism, pride, and power. After the ceremony was over, a curious listener came up to James Garfield and asked, "Mr. President, what does it feel like to have the most honorable job in the world?" Garfield shook his head and said, "Sir, to be honest with you, I feel like I've been demoted." The man was confused and asked, "But Mr. President, what do you mean? You're the most powerful man on the face of the earth. You're the commander-in-chief of the United States of America. How in the world have you been demoted?" Garfield responded, "Sir, before I became the President, I was a gospel preacher, and there is nothing more honorable than that." When the 20th President of the United States grabbed the presidential anvil, he felt like he had stepped down.
Whitworth, Michael. Fit for the Pulpit: The Preacher & His Challenges (pp. 43-44). Start2Finish Books. Kindle Edition.