CAMBRIDGE – When he was just a boy growing up in Delaware, the Rev. John Moore was an admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King. That’s when he began to memorize and share with others the speeches and dreams of Dr. King. Today Martin Luther King, the martyred Civil Rights hero has a chapter or two in American History books, a Memorial on the National Mall, and a date in January in our national calendar. He also has a special place in the hearts of lovers of freedom.

On Friday evening, in celebration of Black History Month, Rev. Moore visited the Dorchester Center for the Arts at the invitation of the Dorchester Banner and the auspices of Chesapeake Utilities. The program, which he has performed at schools, churches, jails, and even at the inauguration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington D.C., included a biography, followed by delivery of Dr. King’s famous speeches.

It was stirring, even beautiful, to hear Rev. Moore present Dr. King’s famous speeches and sermons in the voice he has been training for years. The actual process of memory was challenge enough, but he also needed for maturity to deepen his voice. He has added the musical, small trill that you hear in Dr. King’s original recordings. Rev. Moore’s voice can also roar with the power of Dr. King’s message which he says is just as relevant today as it was in the 50s and 60s.

Not only did Dr. King’s voice range from melodious to thunderous, his choice of words, his cadence, his images are brilliant American oratory. The phrase, “the stale bread of hatred, the spoiled meat of racism’’ is an example of the King oratorical style. The audience is caught up by the masterful words delivered. But what Rev. Moore is emphasizing is the message made urgent by the style.

Rev. Moore has been called an impersonator, but he is really a guardian of the message. Rev. Moore aspires to keep the spirit of the “I have a dream” speech alive, especially with young people. He was pleased to see a group of 10 African-American children join the audience of adults and dignitaries on Friday night.

The children got special attention as Rev,. Moore interacted with them. Said one young girl, “We came to listen to the Black History program.” Amaya Covington, a student at Mace’s Lane, called the program “powerful, like theater” and found the Friday evening hours they had spent there worthwhile, pronouncing Rev. Moore “a good man.”