God's Generals Roberts Liardon

God's GeneraIs
0nless otheiwise inuicateu, all Sciiptuie quotations aie taken fiom the Kinq }omes
version of the Bible.
6oJ's 6enerols
Wby Tbey SucceeJeJ
onJ Wby Some IoileJ
ISBN 188uu8-947-S
Copyiight 1996 by
Robeits Liaiuon
P.0. Box Su71u
Laguna Bills, Califoinia 926S4
4th Piinting, 1997
Publisheu by ALB0RY P0BLISBINu
P.0. Box 47u4u6
Tulsa, 0klahoma 74147-u4u6
All possible effoits weie maue by ALB0RY P0BLISBINu to secuie peimission anu insuie
piopei cieuit was given foi eveiy entiy within this book.
Piinteu in the 0niteu States of Ameiica. All iights ieseiveu unuei Inteinational Copyiight
Law. Contents anuoi covei may not be iepiouuceu in whole oi in pait in any foim
without the expiess wiitten consent of the Publishei.
Endorsements
The stiength anu powei of the bouy of Chiist touay uiu not come by acciuent. Tiue, it
is a woik of the Boly Spiiit, but the Boly Spiiit anoints faithful anu humble seivants to
biing about Bis puiposes. In this book, Robeits Liaiuon has uone a masteiful job of
opening new winuows of insight upon the lives of some of the gieatest heioes of the faith.
6oJ's 6enerols will encouiage you anu stiengthen you to succeeu in whatevei puipose
uou has foi you in Bis kinguom.
Bi. C. Petei Wagnei
Authoi anu Piofessoi of Chuich uiowth, Fullei Theological Seminaiy
Pasauena, Califoinia
A pioject which combines the stoiies of gieat twentieth centuiy Pentecostal
pieacheis into one book has been much neeueu, anu I am suie this publication will be
gieatly appieciateu. I am glau my mothei, Aimee Semple NcPheison, has been incluueu
among uou's othei ueneials, foi she seiveu wholeheaiteuly as a pioneei in the fiont line
tienches foi the gieatest of all ueneials, hei Loiu }esus Chiist. I appieciate the tiibute this
book has given hei.
Rolf K. NcPheison
Piesiuent, Inteinational Chuich of the Fouisquaie uospel
Los Angeles, Califoinia
0ntil Robeits Liaiuon came along, veiy few people heie hau heaiu of }ohn Alexanuei
Bowie, Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei, }ack Coe, anu the likes. Bis teachings have impacteu the
young chuiches of Asia in a veiy piofounu way. The lessons we can leain fiom the gieat
ievivalists of the twentieth centuiywhat attiibuteu to theii successes anu failuiesaie
absolutely vital to piopel an emeiging geneiation to gieatei spiiitual heights as we entei a
bianu new millennium.
Bee Kong
Pastoi, City Baivest Chuich; Piesiuent, City Baivest Bible Tiaining Centie
Singapoie
I've known Robeits Liaiuon since he was a teenagei. I met him when he was
seaiching foi infoimation about my fathei, }ack Coe Si., who is one of the twelve ueneials
stuuieu in this book. I was impiesseu with Robeits' uiligence then, anu am happy to see the
fiuit that has been boin fiom his life anu ministiy touay. I iecommenu this book foi not
only its histoiical value, but foi the insight into what it takes to caiiy the veiy powei of uou.
5
C O L . C L . L I . L .
}ack Coe }i.
Inteinational Evangelist; Piesiuent, Chiistian Fellowship
Ballas, Texas
Robeits Liaiuon is one of Ameiica's leauing expeits on the uynamic healing ministiies
of the nineteenth anu twentieth centuiies. Baving spent almost two uecaues ieseaiching
anu stuuying the most significant spiiitual leaueis whose lives have been chaiacteiizeu by
signs, wonueis, anu miiacles, Liaiuon piesents a poweiful anu inspiiational panoiama of
theii ministiies. This is the fiist compiehensive volume to biing togethei a thoiough
suivey of these giants of the faith. It is chuich histoiy at its best.
Paul u. Chappell, Ph.B.
Bean of uiauuate School of Theology, 0ial Robeits 0niveisity
Tulsa, 0klahoma
uou's pioneeis aie contioveisial figuies. They often get things wiong, peihaps,
because few if any have been this way befoie. Robeits Liaiuon has uone an excellent job in
pioviuing well ieseaicheu mateiial on uou's ueneials, the pioneeis of Pentecostal anu
Chaiismatic histoiy. Thiough ieauing this book youi faith will be inspiieu, anu you shall
leain a few lessons along the way.
ueialu Coates
Pioneei Inteinational
We neeu to ieuiscovei oui Pentecostal heiitage. As we seek to tap into the puie
stieam of Pentecost that stietches fiom the pages of the New Testament to the ievivals of
this centuiywe will see uou take us to oui full potential in Bim. Robeits Liaiuon has
iecognizeu the impoitance of honoiing those who have gone befoie us, leaining fiom theii
mistakes, anu uiawing inspiiation fiom theii testimonies. I know fiom heaiing Pastoi
Robeits' piesentation on the mateiial in this book, that the yeais he has spent stuuying the
lives of these gieat men anu women of uou have iesulteu in a iesouice that will encouiage,
exhoit, anu teach many in this geneiation. I give it my highest iecommenuation knowing
that it will change lives anu ie-intiouuce to us an element of Pentecostal living with which
many aie unfamiliai.
Colin Bye B. B
Pastoi, Kensington Temple
Lonuon, Englanu
6
Dedications
I want to ueuicate this book to thiee gioups of people:
To my Associate Pastois, Laiiy anu Kathy Buiuen, anu to my congiegation at
Embassy Chiistian Centei in Iivine, Califoinia. I want to especially thank you foi all of youi
faithfulness, youi loyalty, anu youi tiustwoithiness. I want you to know that I iecognize
you as one of the best gifts I have in the call of uou.
To Pastois Bee anu Sun Kong anu the congiegation in City Baivest Chuich in
Singapoie, I want to especially thank you foi the encouiagement anu the veiy special
fiienuship that we shaie togethei. Youi fellowship is a veiy impoitant pait of my life. It's
gieat to be an official membei of youi chuich, even though I am thousanus of miles away!
To Pastois Richaiu anu uail Peiinchief anu theii congiegation at Spiiit Life Chiistian
Centei in Floiiua, I want to especially thank you foi youi loyal fiienuship thiough the
yeais. Anu I want to thank you foi the uniqueness that we seem to have in oui heavenly
callwe always seem to enu up pieaching togethei in the same nation, at the same time!
It's wonueiful to ministei thioughout the nations with you, as well as being counteu as
youi fiienu.
Ny fiienus, we must nevei quit in oui puisuit to ieach the high call of uou!
7
Contents
Foreword..............................................................................................11
PreIace..................................................................................................13
Acknowledgments................................................................................15
Introduction..........................................................................................17
1: John Alexander Dowie"The Healing Apostle"............................19
2: Maria Woodworth-Etter"Demonstrator oI the Spirit".................43
3: Evan Roberts"Welsh Revivalist".................................................71
4: Charles F. Parham"The Father oI Pentecost"...............................97
5: William J. Seymour"The Catalyst oI Pentecost".......................123
6: John G. Lake"A Man oI Healing"..............................................151
7: Smith Wigglesworth"Apostle oI Faith".....................................177
8: Aimee Semple McPherson"A Woman oI Destiny"...................205
9: Kathryn Kuhlman"The Woman Who Believed in Miracles"....241
10: William Branham"A Man oI Notable Signs and Wonders"....277
11: Jack Coe"The Man oI Reckless Faith"....................................311
12: A. A. Allen"The Miracle Man"................................................339
9
Foreword
I want to commenu my ueai fiienu anu fellow ministei, Robeits Liaiuon, foi this
contiibution to making known the histoiy of the gieat moving of uou thiough the ministiy
of Bis tiue ueneials. This book will show you theii stiengths anu theii weaknesses.
It is cleai that this is not the woik of a man, but of the Boly Spiiit of the living uou. It
will show you that it is not what we aie, oi what we possess in ouiselves that uou is
uepenuing on, but what Be can make of us!
As you ieau this most inspiiing book, you will be stiiieu to iemembei that the uou of
Elijah is youi uoujust as Be was the uou of Bis othei past ueneials. So take youi Bible
now anu ieau Bebiews 11:1-12:2 befoie you embaik on this histoiic jouiney, anu you will
see that "all tiuth is paiallel."
uou has always hau Bis ueneials"Foi many aie calleu, but few aie chosen"
(Natthew 22:14). uou woulu not have us to foiget this as we see many new ueneials
emeiging on the battlefielus touay. So always let us look to "}esus the authoi anu finishei of
oui faith" (Bebiews 12:2).
This liteiaiy woik is uestineu to be a spiiitual classic. It will show you that even the
smallest, seemingly insignificant peison can be useu by uou. Robeits' commentaiy is
poweiful anu piactical, anu will leave you with gieat hope to succeeu.
uou's ueneials weie uiamonus in the ioughmostly unsophisticateu, uneuucateu by
man's stanuaiusyet vessels uou iecognizeu who possesseu the unique chaiacteiistics
that Be coulu use if they woulu suiienuei theii call.
Will you.
Bi. Noiiis Ceiullo, Piesiuent
Noiiis Ceiullo Woilu Evangelism
San Biego, Califoinia
11
Preface
Robeits has always hau a hungei to unueistanu the calls of gieat men anu women of
uou. As his mothei, I saw his spiiitual hungei uevelop in two ways.
Fiist, as a veiy young boy, Robeits' inteiest giew because my mothei tolu him so
many stoiies about gieat ministeis anu theii camp meetings, of which she hau been a pait.
Bei uesciiptions weie lively anu viviu, anu with almost eveiy stoiy, she woulu have a
lesson to pieach.
Seconu, when Robeits was twelve yeais olu, the Loiu appeaieu to him anu instiucteu
him to stuuy the lives of the gieat men anu women of uou. The Loiu tolu Robeits that this
intensive stuuy woulu be an impoitant pait of his tiaining foi the ministiy.
Immeuiately aftei that visitation fiom the Loiu, Robeits began to stuuy. In oui house
theie was alieauy an atmospheie conuucive to stuuy. I spent many yeais puisuing my
euucation while the chiluien weie giowing up, anu I myself hau a well-uevelopeu libiaiy.
The combination of my mothei's influence anu my uiligence to stuuy seemeu to impait
into Robeits what he neeueu foi that houi. I iemembei many nights when each of us
woulu sit aiounu the table, pouiing ovei anu highlighting books.
Robeits began to uig into eveiy book he coulu finu that hau to uo with a move of uou.
If he came upon a name in the book, he woulu ieseaich eveiything he coulu about that
peison. If in his ieseaich he uiscoveieu that the peison hau uieu, he seaicheu until he
founu the closest living ielative oi fiienu. uou's favoi on Robeits' life was so eviuent. Be
woulu always be gianteu inteiviews with these people anu inevitably was able to uevelop
peisonal ielationships with them. These people seemeu to give Robeits whatevei he
askeu foi, whethei it was aitifacts, pictuies, oi books.
Theie nevei seemeu to be any feai oi inhibitions about Robeits' puisuits. I iemembei
one paiticulai inciuent when he was in junioi high school. I hau come home fiom woik to
finu that somehow, Robeits hau maue contact with someone oveiseas who was eagei to
help him uo ieseaich on the ievivalists anu iefoimeis like Evan Robeits anu }ohn Wesley.
The moie he stuuieu, the moie the uoois woulu open to him. Be was obeying uou, so the
uoois hau to open. When othei people who weie puisuing the same enu as Robeits woulu
heai of the success that he hau in obtaining mateiials they woulu ask, "Bow uiu you get
these things." Be woulu answei simply, "I just askeu."
I was a stuuent anu staff membei at 0ial Robeits 0niveisity uuiing the yeais Robeits
was ieseaiching the lives of the ueneials. Robeits spent a gieat ueal of time theie stuuying
the ieseaich mateiials at the Boly Spiiit Reseaich Centei. In fact, he woikeu theie foi two
13
C O L . C L . L I . L .
summeis, volunteeiing as they neeueu him. When the 0R0 staff uiscoveieu all the
memoiabilia that Robeits himself hau obtaineu, they weie veiy suipiiseu. They offeieu to
buy it. Be actually consiueieu the offei, but I put my foot uown. Touay, those mateiials aie
in the Refoimeis anu Revivalists Libiaiy at his Bible college.
Robeits' uesiie to know anu unueistanu the lives of these men anu women was as
puie as it was uiligent. I uistinctly iemembei that when Robeits fiist steppeu into the
pulpit at age sixteen, his ieseaich was complete. Be hau fulfilleu his assignment foi that
houi. Be hau no foimal tiaining, no connections, anu no expeitise. Be just obeyeu uou. Be
was faithful to what was put befoie him, anu that faithfulness matuieu into an
inteinational call. To me that is such a testimony of someone who not only unueistoou the
season of his life, but also completeu it.
Robeits will piobably always continue to ieseaich the lives of uou's ueneials. It is still
pait of his call. Now, the ministiy has a ieseaich uepaitment iesponsible foi continuing on
with the ieseaich wheie Robeits left off when he steppeu into his call to help piepaie the
nations foi the ietuin of the Loiu.
Caiol N. Liaiuon, B.S., N.L.S.
Executive vice Piesiuent, Robeits Liaiuon Ninistiies
Iivine, Califoinia
14
Acknowledgments
I want to peisonally thank two people:
Ny Euitoi, Benyse Cummings, anu my Reseaich Biiectoi, Lauiel NcBonalu. As a
team, we waueu thiough enuless ieseaich, inteiviews, wiitings, anu euits, to put this book
togethei anu make it woik. You two have helpeu me to fulfill a vital pait of my call in the
eaith. Thank you, my fiienus.
15
Introduction
When I was almost twelve yeais olu, the Loiu appeaieu to me in a vision. In this
vision, Be tolu me to stuuy the lives of the gieat pieacheis, to leain of theii successes, anu
of theii failuies. Fiom that uay on, I gave a laige poition of my life to the stuuy of chuich
histoiy.
When piominent people in the seculai woilu uie, people begin to look at theii natuial
accomplishments. But when leaueis in the bouy of Chiist uie, I believe }esus woulu have us
look at not only what was accomplisheu in the natuial woilu thiough theii lives, but at
what they also accomplisheu within the bouy of Chiist. The puipose of theii iemembiance
is not to piaise oi ciiticize the leaueis, but to see him oi hei as an example foi oui own
lives.
The "ueneials" that aie wiitten of in this book weie human. Theii stoiies iepiesent a
collaboiation of the way life is. I have not maue anyone out to be supeihuman oi bionic. I
have tolu of theii teais, theii laughtei, theii successes, anu theii failuies. They weie all
peisecuteu, lieu to, betiayeu, slanueieu, as well as honoieu, auoieu, anu suppoiteu.
But most impoitantly, I have attempteu to ieveal the seciets of the powei in theii
inuiviuual calls to the ministiyhow they opeiateu, what they believeu, anu what
motivateu them to CBANuE each of theii geneiations foi uou.
The failuies that took place in the lives of these gieat men anu women will attempt to
take place again. But theii successes also challenge us, anu aie waiting to be giaspeu again.
Theie is nothing new unuei the sun. If theie is something new to you, it is because you aie
new unuei the sun.
It takes moie than a uesiie to fulfill the will of uou. It takes spiiitual stiength. As you
ieau these chapteis, allow the Spiiit of uou to take you on a jouiney that points out the
aieas in youi life which neeu to be focuseu oi subuueu. Then, ueteimine that youi life anu
ministiy will be a spiiitual success in this geneiation that will bless the nations of the eaith
to the gloiy of uou.
Robeits Liaiuon
17
C H A P T E R U N E
Jobn AIexander
DowIe
1: }ohn Alexanuei Bowie"Tbe Eeolinq Apostle"
IL IL.LI.C .IO.LL
ill be dare pray for rain?...If be does and no rain comes,
tben be's not Eli|ab. If be doesn't, tben be's afraid to-
and tbat's almost worse.'
"At last tbe preacber dropped on bis knees bebind tbe pulpit. Never
before bad an audience followed bis prayers witb more strained attention.
'...Cod, our Fatber, we bave seen tbe distress of tbis land...look upon it now
in Tby mercy and send rain....'
"Suddenly tbe Ceneral Uverseer stopped...tben said, 'Cet to your
bomes quickly, for tbere is sound of abundance of rain.' But be was too late.
)ust as tbe multitude turned to go, rain
descended in torrents."
1
Few in oui geneiation touay know of the
fascinating anu uiamatic ministiy of }ohn Alexanuei
Bowie. 0nuoubteuly, this man succeeueu in shaking the
woilu at the tuin of the centuiy. Be biought to the
foiefiont of society, the visible Chuich of the living uou
piimaiily in the aiea of uivine healing anu
iepentance. Whethei one agieeu with Bi. Bowie oi not,
the fact iemains that his incieuible stoiy is one of
unflinching faith anu poweiful vision. }ohn Alexanuei
Bowie's iecoiueu conveits numbeieu in untolu
millions. Although the enu of his ministiy is a tiagic one,
iaiely has theie been a mission containing moie stiength anu vitality. Bis apostolic
ministiy was woilu-changing. Fiom coast to coast it single-hanueuly challengeu anu
tiiumpheu ovei the gieat apostasy anu lethaigy of his time, uemonstiating sounuly that
}esus Chiist is the same yesteiuay, touay, anu foievei.
Against hypociitical, opposing cleigy, fieice anu slanueious tabloius, muiueious
mobs, anu ielentless city officials, Bi. Bowie woie his apostolic calling as a ciown fiom
uou, anu his peisecution as a bauge of honoi.
.OIL I.. OILI..I
}ohn Alexanuei Bowie was boin Nay 2S, 1847, in Euinbuigh, Scotlanu. Bis Chiistian
paients, Ni. anu Nis. }ohn Nuiiay Bowie, nameu him what they hopeu he woulu giow up
to be: "}ohn," meaning "by the giace of uou;" anu "Alexanuei," "a helpei of men."
21
Aqoinst bypocriticol,
opposinq clerqy, fierce onJ
slonJerous tobloiJs,
murJerous mobs, onJ
relentless city officiols, Br.
Bowie wore bis opostolic
collinq os o crown from
6oJ, onJ bis persecution
os o boJqe of bonor.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Boin in poveity, one woulu have to see thiough the eyes of faith to evei believe what
was to come in the futuie foi this small chilu. Although his school attenuance was iiiegulai
uue to fiequent illness, young Bowie poitiayeu biilliance anu enthusiasm. Bis paients
tiaineu anu helpeu him because they hau hope foi his call. Young Bowie was an active pait
of theii piayei meetings anu Bible stuuies. They nevei left him out of the ministiy anu
loveu him ueaily. This paiental secuiity piouuceu a key element in his eaily founuation.
At the meie age of six, young Bowie ieau the Bible thiough fiom covei to covei.
Beeply convicteu by what he hau ieau, he uevelopeu an intense hatieu foi the use of
alcoholic beveiages. A Tempeiance Novement was on the iise in Scotlanu at the time, anu
without even iealizing the hanu of uou upon him, he campaigneu against alcohol abuse
anu signeu a petition to nevei paitake of it.
Bowie continueu to ieau the Bible anu accompany his fathei as much as possible on
"pieaching jouineys." 0n one such jouiney he came upon a humble stieet pieachei by the
name of Beniy Wiight. As young Bowie listeneu to the uetails of the uospel, he gave his
heait to }esus Chiist.
At the tenuei age of seven, Bowie ieceiveu his call to the ministiy. But he uiun't yet
know how to answei.
At the age of thiiteen, }ohn anu his paients left Scotlanu foi a six-month jouiney to
Austialia. 0nce situateu in this new countiy, }ohn began to eain his living by woiking foi
his uncle in the shoe business. Be soon left his uncle anu began woiking at vaiious othei
places, always in menial positions. Anu even then, his
peeis noticeu that he was a "moie than oiuinaiy"
young businessman. Bowie soon became the assistant
to a fiim's paitnei in a business that giosseu moie than
$2 million a yeai. Thiough these yeais of "climbing the
occupational lauuei," uou continually spoke to him. Bis
heait was constantly tuggeu towaiu full-time ministiy.
Be iealizeu theie weie many tiuths in the Bible that
hau been neglecteu by the cleigy of that uay. 0ne such
teachinguivine healinghau been iealizeu at his
own expense. Bowie hau been a sickly chilu. Anu he
suffeieu fiom "chionic uyspepsia," a seveie inuigestion
pioblem that plagueu him in his teen yeais. But, aftei
ieauing the will of uou conceining healing, Bowie petitioneu the Loiu anu was
"completely ueliveieu of the affliction."
2
Anu this uivine manifestation was only a token of
the ievelation that was to come in his life.
Finally, at the age of twenty-one, Bowie maue an absolute uecision to answei the call
of uou. Be woulu take the money he hau saveu fiom his occupation anu begin stuuying
unuei a piivate tutoi to piepaie foi the ministiy. Fifteen months latei, he left Austialia to
enioll in Euinbuigh 0niveisity, to stuuy in the Fiee Chuich School. Najoiing in theology
anu political science, he was not iegaiueu as a mouel stuuent because of his uisagieements
22
...6oJ continuolly spoke to
bim. Eis beort wos
constontly tuqqeJ toworJ
full-time ministry. Ee
reolizeJ tbere were mony
trutbs in tbe Bible tbot boJ
been neqlecteJ by tbe
clerqy of tbot Joy.
John Alexander Dowie"The Healing Apostle"
with the piofessois anu theii uoctiine. Be challengeu theii lethaigic inteipietations
biilliantly. }ohn Bowie hau an incieuible hungei anu thiist foi the Woiu of uou. Be ieau
constantly, anu hau a photogiaphic memoiy. This establisheu him fai beyonu his
supeiiois in substance anu accuiacy.
While in Euinbuigh, Bowie became the "honoiaiy chaplain" of the Euinbuigh
Infiimaiy. It was theie that he hau the unique oppoitunity to sit unuei the famous
suigeons of his uay, compaiing theii uiagnoses with the Woiu of uou. But as patients lay
helplessly unuei chloiofoim, Bowie heaiu these suigeons lectuie on theii meuical
inauequacies. It was then that he iealizeu these suigeons coulu not heal, anu that they
coulu only iesoit to iemoving the uiseaseu oigans, hoping foi a cuie. Be watcheu many
suigeiies enu with ueauly iesults. As he heaiu fiom the lips of these meuical piofessois the
confession that they weie only guessing in the uaik, anu witnesseu theii expeiiments,
Bowie uevelopeu a stiong antipathy to suigeiy anu meuicine.
S
Nany touay still accuse Bowie of conuemning the meuical fielu. But I want to point
out that in his time, the meuical piactice was veiy piimitive. Anu he was one of the
piivilegeu few who saw behinu the scenes. Be witnesseu how the physicians of his uay
offeieu gieat hope to patients, but confesseu in piivate that they knew nothing. Be saw
pooi victims paying untolu amounts of money in the hope foi a cuie, while ieceiving the
woist of iesults. Be uespiseu falsehoou, so, he seaicheu foi an answei. Anu when he began
to publicly come against theii ueceiving methous, his accusations pioveu tiue.
While stuuying at Euinbuigh 0niveisity, Bowie ieceiveu a cablegiam fiom his fathei
in Austialia. In iesponse, he maue a hasty ietuin home to fiee himself fiom any
inheiitance in the family business because of his love foi the ministiy. Because he uioppeu
eveiything anu ietuineu home so quickly, he was unuei a tiemenuous financial stiain. But,
he iesolveu that this setback woulu not hinuei him anu voweu that he woulu fulfill the
mission of his life. Be woulu be an ambassauoi foi uou in full-time ministiy.
Soon Bowie accepteu an invitation to pastoi the Congiegational Chuich in Alma,
Austialia. Bis uuties weie uiviueu among seveial chuiches. Anu as was to be expecteu, his
bolu pieaching sent uneasy iifts thioughout the chuich. Peisecution quickly aiose against
him anu iesentment was openly voiceu because of his penetiating methou of ministiy.
Bowie was a visionaiy, but uespite his iepeateu enueavois, he was unable to aiouse the
people fiom theii lethaigy. Although he neeueu the chuich financially, he chose to iesign
the pastoiate because he felt it a waste of time to continue with them.
}ohn Alexanuei Bowie was a iefoimei anu a ievivalist. This kinu of calling hux to xee
rexultx because of the passion foi uou that buins so stiongly within them. Be loveu
people, but his commitment to the tiuth causeu him to focus only on gioups that woulu
iesponu.
Soon aftei his iesignation, he was askeu to pastoi the Congiegational Chuich in Nanly
Beach. Be was waimly ieceiveu. But, once again, he was uistiaught ovei theii lack of
iepentance anu sensitivity to the Woiu of uou. Still, Bowie iemaineu with this pastoiate.
23
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Bis congiegation was small anu it gave him the time to puisue his stuuies anu gain
uiiection.
As time passeu, Bowie continueu to have a tossing iestlessness in his spiiit. Be knew
he was a man on a mission, but he hau no iuea of wheie oi how his mission woulu be
accomplisheu.
Be began to long foi laigei congiegations, anu an oppoitunity soon openeu to pastoi
a laigei gioup in Newton, a subuib of Syuney. So in 187S, Bowie moveu again. 0nknown
to him at the time, this move woulu take him into the ievelation that woulu launch his
ministiy into woiluwiue acclaim.
OI, CO.L . O.CL' ..I I. LI.C....
While pastoiing in Newton, a ueath-wieaking plague swept
thiough the iegion, paiticulaily in the outskiits of Syuney.
People weie uying at such a high iate that the population was
totally paialyzeu with feai anu uieau. Within a few shoit weeks
at his new appointment, Bowie hau piesiueu ovei foity funeials.
Sickness anu ueath seemeu to be waiting at eveiy coinei. The
tiageuy of it all stiuck the heait of Bowie to such an extieme,
that he sought foi immeuiate answeis. Anu he knew those
answeis weie available in uou's Woiu. Listen to the sense of
tiageuy the young pastoi wiote in his own woius:
"I sat in my study in tbe parsonage of tbe Congregational Cburcb, at
Newton, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. My beart was very beavy, for I bad
been visiting tbe sick and dying beds of more tban tbirty in my flock, and I
bad cast tbe dust to its kindred dust into more tban forty graves witbin a
few weeks. Wbere, ob wbere, was He Wbo used to beal His suffering
cbildren? No prayer for bealing seemed to reacb His ear, and yet I knew
His band bad not been sbortened.... It seemed sometimes as if I could
almost bear tbe triumpbant mockery of fiends ringing in my ear wbilst I
spoke to tbe bereaved ones tbe words of Cbristian bope and consolation.
Disease, tbe foul offspring of its fatber, Satan, and its motber, Sin, was
defiling and destroying ...and tbere was no deliverer.
"And tbere I sat witb sorrow-bowed bead for my afflicted people, until
tbe bitter tears came to relieve my burning beart. Tben I prayed for some
message.... Tben tbe words of tbe Holy Cbost inspired in Acts 10:38, stood
before me all radiant witb ligbt, revealing Satan as tbe Defiler, and Cbrist as
tbe Healer. My tears were wiped away, my beart was strong, I saw tbe way
of bealing...I said, 'Cod belp me now to preacb tbe Word to all tbe dying
around, and tell tbem bow 'tis Satan still defiles, and )esus still delivers, for
He is |ust tbe same today.'
24
Ee knew be wos o
mon on o mission,
but be boJ no iJeo
of wbere or bow bis
mission woulJ be
occomplisbeJ.
"A loud ring and several loud raps at tbe outer door...two panting
messengers wbo said, 'Ub, come at once, Mary is dying, come and pray.' ...I
rusbed from my bouse and ran batless down tbe street, and entered tbe
room of tbe dying maiden. Tbere sbe lay, groaning, grinding ber teetb in
tbe agony of tbe conflict witb tbe destroyer...I looked at ber and tben my
anger burned....
"In a strange way it came to pass...tbe sword I needed was still in my
bands...and never will I lay it down. Tbe doctor, a good Cbristian man, was
quietly walking up and down tbe room.... Presently, be stood at my side
and said, 'Sir, are not Cod's ways mysterious?' 'Cod's way!...No sir, tbat is
tbe devil's work and it is time we called on Him Wbo came to "destroy tbe
work of tbe devil.'"
4
0ffenueu by the woius of Bowie, the uoctoi left the ioom. Bowie tuineu to Naiy's
mothei anu askeu why she hau sent foi him. Leaining that she wanteu the piayei of faith,
Bowie boweu by the giil's beu anu ciieu out to uou. Instantly the giil lay still. The mothei
askeu if hei uaughtei was ueau, but Bowie ieplieu, "No...sbe will live. Tbe fever is
gone."
5
Soon, the young giil was sitting up in beu
anu eating. She apologizeu foi sleeping so long
anu exclaimeu how well she felt. Anu as the
small gioup thankeu the Loiu, Bowie went into
the ioom of hei biothei anu sistei, piayeu foi
them, anu they weie instantly healeu.
6
Fiom that moment on, the plague was
stayeu as fai as Bowie's congiegation was
conceineu. Not anothei membei of his flock
uieu of the epiuemic. Anu as a iesult of this
ievelation, the gieat healing ministiy of }ohn
Alexanuei Bowie was launcheu.
`LLLI.C LLLL.
Soon aftei his iemaikable ievelation of
uivine healing, Bowie began to think about a
possible mate. When he uiu, he founu he was in
love with his fiist cousin, }eanie, anu that he
coulu not be happy without hei. Aftei many
contioveisial uiscussions with family membeis,
it was agieeu that the two shoulu maiiy. So at the age of twenty-nine, on Nay 26, 1876,
}ohn Bowie maiiieu }eanie anu the two began theii incieuible mission togethei.
Theii fiist son, ulaustone, was boin in 1877. But Bowie hau misjuugeu ceitain
25
Irom riqbt to left: }obn, 6loJstone, }eonie,
onJ Fstber Bowie
C O L . C L . L I . L .
peisons in financial matteis anu founu himself in gieat financial haiuship. So }eanie anu
ulaustone weie sent to live with hei paients until the situation coulu be woikeu out.
Neeuless to say, such a uecision causeu an even gieatei tuimoil, uue to the in-laws'
mistiust of theii son-in-law. Bowevei, even thiough these shaky haiuships, Bowie
iemaineu a man of uivine vision. In the miust of the chaos, he helu fast to the woik befoie
them anu wiote this to his beloveu wife: "...I can see tbat future far more clearly tban I
can solve tbe mysteries of tbe immediate present."
7
Eveiy ministiy has a futuie. But we must believe in that futuie oi we will nevei take
the fiist step. Like Bowie, we must ueteimine to holu fast to the Woiu of uou anu fight foi
what is ouis in the eaith. Setbacks aie always piesent, but we ueteimine if the pioblem is
to iemain peimanent. Even though we aie calleu, we still have to wai against spiiitual evils
that aie sent to uestioy oui vision anu to uiscouiage us. uou's angels can help, but the wai
foi oui uestiny is a peisonal iesponsibility that we must win.
NU MURE RELICIUN!
Buiing this tiying time, Bowie maue an unpieceuenteu uecision to leave the
uenomination he was a pait of. Be coulun't unueistanu oi opeiate with the colu, lethaigic
state of theii leaueiship. Anu he buineu with a passion to pioclaim the message of uivine
healing thioughout the city. Bis congiegations hau giown to ovei twice the size of the
otheis. But his success spoke to ueaf eais, anu he was constantly fighting thiough the
politics anu "lettei of the law" theology that thieateneu to uampen his faith.
Because of the hostility piesenteu by uenominational leaueis, he founu himself
constantly on the uefensive. In a lettei to his wife pioclaiming his uecision to begin an
inuepenuent ministiy, Bowie wiote that the political system of his uenominational chuich:
"...killed initiative and individual energy, made men denominational
tools, or worse, caused tbem to become worldly-minded, and left tbem
bigb and dry and useless for tbe most part-good sbips, but badly steered
and terribly overladen witb worldliness and apatby."
8
Bowie hau come to iealize that ievival was possible if the chuich coulu be awakeneu.
Be consiueieu the vast oppoitunities that lay aheau of him. Be stuuieu the lethaigic siue of
the chuich, then he stuuieu the unchuicheu. Be maue the uecision that ieaching the vast
numbei of the unchuicheu woulu iesult in a gieatei feivoi foi }esus Chiist. Anu he ueciueu
to stop his laboiings among the cynical. So he ueteimineu that his mission woulu ieach the
uncaieu foi anu peiishing masses of the city with the ievelation that Chiist was the same
yesteiuay, touay anu foievei.
In 1878, Bowie bioke fiee fiom his uenomination anu secuieu the Royal Theatie in
Syuney to begin an inuepenuent ministiy. Bunuieus flooueu the theatie to heai his
poweiful messages. But, once again, a lack of funus halteu his woik. Though the ciowus
weie laige, many hau no financial income. The only answei Bowie coulu see was to sell his
home anu fuinishings, put the money into the woik, anu move to a smallei iesiuence. Aftei
26
Bowie uiu this, the woik flouiisheu. In a message uesciibing his uecision, he saiu:
"My beautiful furniture and pictures were
gone, but tbere came in place of tbem men and
women tbat were brougbt to tbe feet of )esus by
tbe sale of my eartbly goods."
9
In Bowie's passion, he hau no thought foi the stiong
opposition that aiose against him. Be vehemently uenounceu
the evils of the uay anu foimeu a gioup to uistiibute liteiatuie
city-wiue. violent peisecution, mostly fiom local pastois, aiose
fiom these pamphlets. Still Bowie was meiciless in uealing with
the lethaigic cleigy. Be uiun't mince his woius, iesponuing that
he "did not recognize tbeir rigbt to request any information
of bis actions, nor did be bave any respect for tbeir
|udgment." Be answeieu one ministei:
"I consider your |udgment to be as feeble and incapable as your
ministry.... I wisb I knew wbo distributed tbese 'obnoxious tracts' among
your flock, I would certainly commend bis cboice of a field...."
10
Pait of Bowie's call was to ueal with moial evils. A stiong stance on moials usually
goes with a stiong healing ministiy. (Sin causes much of the sickness anu uisease.) But
Bowie paialyzeu his ciitics with such astute shaipness, that it leu them to consoit anu plan
in piivate to uestioy him. Anu so the stage was set foi the seemingly invincible }ohn
Alexanuei Bowie.
.I.IL.LI.C IL C.LL
Bowie was an apostle who uiun't have the complete unueistanuing of that office. The
anointing he caiiieu pieiceu the ieligious theociacies of his uay, but theie weie few who
unueistoou him, incluuing himself. As a iesult, he misunueistoou seveial auministiations
that came with the passion of his office. 0ne passion was in the aiea of politics.
Bowie's leaueiship was gaining a stiong national influence. So seeing his potential
anu knowing his stanu, the Tempeiance Society askeu him to iun foi Pailiament. At fiist,
he opposeu the iuea. But he latei changeu his minu, thinking he coulu possibly influence
moie in the political aiena anu ueciueu to entei the iace.
But Bowie suffeieu a sounu uefeat in the elections. The local newspapeis that hau
been so uamageu by his ministiy, wageu an all-out attack against him. The politicians anu
alcoholic beveiage inuustiy paiu untolu amounts of money to see him slanueieu anu
uefeateu. Aftei the election, Bowie hau wounueu his chuich, anu uisgiaceu his ministiy.
Bowie was moveu by such stiong spiiitual yeainings that he sought to fulfill them in
the natuial. I can only speculate why he maue this move. It coulu have been because the
chuich woilu wasn't giasping the tiuth fast enough to satisfy him. Whatevei his ieason, he
27
...be JetermineJ tbot
bis mission woulJ
reocb tbe uncoreJ
for onJ perisbinq
mosses of tbe city
witb tbe revelotion
tbot Cbrist wos tbe
some yesterJoy,
toJoy, onJ forever.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
misieau the timing anu plan of uou foi his ministiy.
We neeu to unueistanu that uou has a cential point fiom which eveiy aspect of oui
lives opeiate, whethei inuiviuually oi coipoiately. That aiea is calleu "timing." Fiom the
opeiation of that one woiu, lives can move foiwaiu with uou oi be hinueieu. Nations can
auvance spiiitually, oi iegiess. Life in the spiiit iealm has a timing to it just as life in the
natuial. Theiefoie, it is vitally impoitant foi us to follow the leauing of oui spiiit. We must
leain that it's not always iight to move into action because it seems like the thing to uo.
This kinu of obeuience only comes fiom seasons of piayei anu inteicession.
Politicians anu the political aiena have nevei changeu the woilu, chuich-wise oi
goveinment-wise. 0nly a people whose heaits aie changeu by the uospel can tiansfoim
civil laws anu iegulations. Politics aie meant foi compiomise to please people as a whole.
The apostolic office piesents the Woiu of the Loiu, then it is up to the people to confoim to
anu follow it. The apostolic anu political uon't mix. Bowie with his calling, shoulu have
nevei iesoiteu to a political lifestyle.
While campaigning foi office, Bowie also neglecteu his commanument to pieach
uivine healing. Be simply steeieu away fiom his calling to puisue a peisonal goal, thinking
he coulu ieach a gieatei mass of people. Anu as a iesult, the iest of his time in Austialia
was spent in uaikness anu futility.
ILOILL C..L IIO. L`LIÌLIL
Bowie finally iepenteu anu in 188u ietuineu to the message of uivine healing, with
gieat physical anu spiiitual blessings coming to him as a iesult. The gifts of the Spiiit began
to manifest in his life anu ievelation abounueu like nevei befoie. Because of his spiiitual
obeuience, thousanus weie healeu unuei his ministiy. Peisecution abounueu, even to the
point that his enemies in oiganizeu ciime once schemeu to plant a bomb unuei his uesk.
The bomb was set to exploue uuiing the late houis Bowie kept, but he heaiu a voice that
saiu "Aiise, go!" The thiiu time he heaiu it, he giabbeu his coat anu went home to finish his
woik. Within minutes aftei aiiiving safely home, the bomb exploueu unuei his uesk,
seveial blocks away.
In 1888, Bowie senseu the unction to come to Ameiica, then possibly on to Englanu.
Bis unction became ieality in }une of that yeai as he passeu unuei the uoluen uate Biiuge
in San Fiancisco. Newspapeis caiiieu the stoiy that Bowie was heauing foi Ameiica, anu
that people weie coming fiom all paits of Califoinia to be healeu. Fiom moining until
evening, halls woulu oveiflow with people waiting foi an auuience with Bowie, anu he
woulu piay foi only one peison.
The iefoimei hau a unique way of piaying foi the sick. Be feivently believeu no one
coulu come foi healing unless they weie boin again anu hau iepenteu of any lifestyle
contiaiy to the uospel. Be was usually inuignant if he senseu woiluliness on someone who
came foi healing. As a iesult, he piayeu foi veiy few people eaily in his ministiybut the
ones he uiu piay foi weie instantly healeu.
28
FURSAKINC THE DIVINE
Soon Bowie began healing ciusaues up anu uown the coast of Califoinia. It was uuiing
this time that he met Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei, the gieat woman healing evangelist. But
theie aiose a conflict between them, anu Bowie uenounceu hei methou of ministiy. I
believe this was a tiagic mistake on his pait.
In oui lives, we have many ielationships, casual
anu sometimes intimate. But the most significant ones
to the kinguom of uou aie "uivine ielationships." In
eveiy call, whethei seculai oi ministeiial, uou senus
uivine ielationships to help stiengthen youi walk with
Bim. We may have many casual ielationships, but
uivine ielationships aie veiy few. They can usually be
counteu on one hanu.
I believe Bowie anu his family misseu a
tiemenuous oppoitunity to have a uivine ielationship with Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei. But
foi some ieason, possibly a "manly-ministeiial" piiue, Bowie ciucifieu Ettei eveiy chance
he got. 0nce he attenueu hei meeting, took the stage, anu pioclaimeu hei to be of uou. But
he foisook that leauing of the Spiiit, anu latei ienounceu hei.
Ettei's methou of ministiy maue Bowie uneasy, because he uiun't unueistanu it. But
he nevei took the time to speak with hei piivately about it, heait to heait. Bis ministiy
"piefeience," oi favoiite style of ministiy, causeu him to cut Naiia off. Ettei also hau a
ievelation of uivine healing, but she was moie expeiienceu in coopeiating with the Spiiit.
Anu she hau the spiiitual stiength to speak into Bowie's life. She coulu have instiucteu him
on how to live out of his spiiit while iesting his bouy at the same time. Bowie hau a
pioblem in this aiea. Be sometimes woikeu foity-thiee houis stiaight in his passion.
Thiough Naiia, he coulu have befiienueu otheis of like faith anu call, fuitheiing his own
ministiy. But he uiun't.
As a iesult, Bowie expeiienceu only casual ielationships with ceitain followeis, iathei
than the kinu of uivine ielationship he coulu have hau with othei fellow leaueis.
I think it's inteiesting to note that Bowie inteivieweu the gieat impostoi of his uay,
}acob Schweinfuith, who claimeu to be }esus Chiist.
11
Be also challengeu the famous
atheist, Robeit Ingeisoll, to a confiontation.
12
But he nevei gave Sistei Ettei the couitesy of
a conveisation.
Bon't miss youi uivine ielationships in life. Theie will always be fellow laboieis, but
uivine ielationships aie few anu fai between.
II..LL . IO.L
Peisecution fiom envious ministeis began to iise feveiishly against Bowie. But by this
29
Tbe qifts of tbe Spirit
beqon to monifest in bis life
onJ revelotion obounJeJ
like never before. Becouse
of bis spirituol obeJience,
tbousonJs were beoleJ
unJer bis ministry.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
time, he hau become a veteian in the ait of facing opposition. Peisecution biought out his
biilliance anu stiength anu he nevei gave those biinging it thought unless they weie in the
immeuiate way of his mission.
Bowie touieu the iegions of Ameiica anu eventually chose to settle in Evanston,
Illinois, outsiue of Chicago. The Chicago newspapeis bitteily attackeu him, calling him a
false piophet anu impostoi. They boluly ueclaieu that he was not wanteu in Chicago. But
none of theii attacks causeu Bowie to flinch. Be iemaineu wheie he hau chosen, anu
ministeieu wheievei he felt leu to go.
0nce while speaking at a uivine healing convention in Chicago, he was summoneu to
piay foi a lauy uying fiom a fibioiu tumoi. At the time, Chicago was the seconu laigest city
in Ameiica. Theie weie stiong, evil spiiitual influences iuling Chicago, anu Bowie was veiy
inteiesteu in establishing his heauquaiteis theie. So he took this woman's iequest foi
healing as a test as to whethei oi not he shoulu begin a woik in the city. The woman's
tumoi was iepoiteuly the size of a coconut that hau giown into vaiious paits of hei bouy.
When Bowie piayeu foi hei, she was instantly healeu. In fact, the healing was so
iemaikable that seveial Chicago newspapeis ian the stoiy. Now he was convinceu, anu
Bowie maue his woiluwiue heauquaiteis within the city. Bis enemies uiun't like it, but
Bowie uiun't caie.
The Woilu's Faii was to open within a mattei of months, so Bowie built a small
woouen "hut" outsiue its gates. Fiom the top of the hut nameu, "Zion Tabeinacle," hung a
flag with the woius, "Chiist is All." Seivices went on uay anu night. Though the beginning
was small, the ciowus giew steauily, anu soon people hau to stanu outsiue in the snow to
get a glimpse of the miiaculous healings taking place insiue.
As was tiue in Austialia, Bowie hau openeu the uoois to the
city of Chicago by way of uivine healing. Nevei befoie oi since
has one man so captuieu a city. Still, Bowie expeiienceu the fight
of his life in those eaily yeais. Be uemonstiateu uou's Woiu in
powei, anu by so uoing, the meuical piofession anu the ieligious
chuiches suffeieu financially. So the newspapeis fiantically
foimeu a list of allies, incluuing ministeis, to pull out all the stops
to paialyze his ministiy. But none coulu tainish his woik. To
theii uismay, the constant aiticles anu unielenting slanuei only
causeu his woik to inciease.
..OILI IO.L1.IL'
By now, hunuieus of people flooueu the city of Chicago to attenu Bowie's seivices. As
a iesult, louging was uifficult to come by, so Bowie openeu seveial laige iooming houses
calleu "Bealing Bomes." Beie, the sick who hau come foi healing coulu finu sheltei anu
iest between the seivices helu at Zion Tabeinacle. 0nce theie, they weie able to ieceive
constant ministiy fiom the Woiu until theii faith mounteu to the place of complete
manifestation. But the newspapeis, mainly the Cbicoqo Bispotcb, weie meiciless, calling
30
...Bowie built o smoll
wooJen "but"
outsiJe its qotes.
Irom tbe top of it
bunq o floq..., "Cbrist
is All."
the homes "Lunatic Asylums" anu continueu to piint eveiy lie imaginable.
1S
Because of these healing homes, Bowie's enemies thought they hau founu a
vulneiable spot. So eaily in 189S, they aiiesteu him on the chaige of "piacticing meuicine
without a license." 0bviously untiue, Bowie woulu have been the last peison to allow
meuicine into his homes. Be hiieu a biilliant attoiney, but he only kept Bowie auviseu of
the legal matteis. So Bowie chose to iepiesent himself in couit because no one else coulu
aiticulate his call as accuiately as himself.
Bowie's supeiioi intellect was not enough to oveiiule the evil juiisuiction of the couit.
Bespite his piofounu aiguments, the couit fineu him. But they nevei uieameu he woulu
take the case to a highei couit, costing much moie money than the fines they hau issueu.
When he uiu, the highei couit uenounceu the evil of the lowei couit, anu ieveiseu the
uecision.
The city hopeu Bowie woulu get uiscouiageu if they continueu to aiiest anu fine him.
So befoie the yeai was ovei, he hau been aiiesteu one hunuieu times. Although seveiely
peisecuteu, he was nevei uiscouiageu. Peisecution biought out gieat iesiliency in his
chaiactei. Be actually thiiveu on his peisecutoi's affliction anu inteiiogation.
Evil will always tiy to peisecute the powei of uou. But Bowie was supei-natuially
secuie anu anchoieu in his gouly authoiity. The supeinatuial nevei bows to the natuial.
LL.`L. OI IL.LI.C
Baving foileu the legal system, his enemies then plotteu to take away his mailing
piivileges. By 1894, Bowie's newslettei, leoves of Eeolinq, hau a weekly woiluwiue
ciiculation. It was filleu with teachings anu healing testimonies. Neeuless to say, the
newslettei was veiy ueai to his heait. Bowie fonuly spoke of it as the "Little White Bove."
Tiue to his foim, Bowie nevei minceu woius in his wiitings. Be feivently uenounceu
sin anu exposeu evil inuustiies. Anu those who weie the most huit by the publication saw
it as anothei oppoitunity to enu his ministiy. leoves of Eeolinq also waineu its ieaueis
of lethaigic anu contiolling uenominations.
People loveu Bowie's uiamatics anu stiaightfoiwaiu talk. Nany wanteu to say the
same thing themselves, so they lookeu to him as theii voice. Even those who uespiseu him
ieau the newslettei to see what he hau to say. As a iesult, ciiculation incieaseu iapiuly.
Nuch of his suppoit anu ministiy was attiibuteu to this publication.
The Postmastei ueneial of Chicago was a uevout Catholic. So to take his mailing
piivileges, Bowie's enemies gave one of his seimons that ienounceu the infallibility of the
Pope to this man. The Postmastei was instantly offenueu anu ievokeu his seconu-class
mailing piivileges, foicing Bowie to pay fouiteen times the usual cost!
But Bowie coulu not be outuone. Be paiu the inciease anu soliciteu his ieaueis to
wiite Washington, B.C., to tell of this injustice. Bis suppoiteis came out in full foice, anu he
31
C O L . C L . L I . L .
was gianteu an immeuiate auuience with the Postmastei ueneial in Washington. 0nce
Bowie shaieu his stoiy anu showeu the malicious lies piinteu in the Chicago newspapei,
both the euitoi anu the papei weie uenounceu by the 0.S. goveinment. In fact, by 1896,
this paiticulai euitoi, one of Bowie's gieatest peisecutois, was put in piison on a sepaiate
chaige anu was maue a public spectacle, foievei iuineu.
While in Washington, Bowie was also gianteu an auuience with Piesiuent William
NcKinley. Be assuieu the piesiuent of his piayeis while in office anu the piesiuent waimly
thankeu him. While leaving the White Bouse, Bowie commenteu to his staff that he feaieu
foi NcKinley's life. Be latei askeu his followeis to piay foi the safety of the piesiuent
because he was not piopeily guaiueu.
14
But in spite of Bowie's piophetic wainings,
Piesiuent NcKinley was shot in Buffalo, New Yoik, on Septembei 6, 19u1. Be uieu eight
uays latei, being the thiiu 0.S. piesiuent to be killeu by an assassin.
7IO. I.. CO.L
By the enu of 1896, Bowie hau gaineu gieat influence ovei the city of Chicago. Bis
enemies weie eithei ueau, in piison, oi silent. The local police, who hau once aiiesteu him
a hunuieu times, weie now his fiienus anu piotecteu him at a moment's notice. The
political officials, incluuing the mayoi, hau all been voteu in by Bowie's people. Bivine
healing was pieacheu on eveiy stieet coinei. Bowie hau sectioneu off the uistiicts of the
city, anu sent teams calleu "The Seventies" pioclaiming the
uospel into each aiea.
Soon, theie was scaicely a peison in Chicago who hau not
heaiu the uospel message. Now Bowie was piaying foi
thousanus eveiy week to ieceive uivine healing. Sauie Couy,
niece of Buffalo Bill Couy, was miiaculously healeu, having fiist
ieau a copy of leoves of Eeolinq. Among othei notable
healings weie Amanua Bicks, cousin of Abiaham Lincoln; Bi.
Lillian Yeomans; Rev. F. A. uiaves; }ohn u. Lake's wife; anu the
wife of a 0.S. congiessman.
Thiough his apostolic mantle, }ohn Alexanuei Bowie liteially iuleu the city of Chicago
foi }esus Chiist. Be leaseu the laigest auuitoiium in Chicago foi six months, anu moveu the
gieat Zion Tabeinacle into the builuing, filling its six thousanu seats at eveiy seivice.
Now Bowie was finally able to puisue the uieam he hau long helu in his heaitto
oiganize a chuich on apostolic piinciples. It hau been his lifelong uesiie to biing back the
teachings anu founuation of the eaily chuich founu in the book of Acts. So, in }anuaiy, he
helu his fiist confeience anu laiu the giounuwoik. The woik was nameu "Chiistian
Catholic Woik," with the name "Catholic" meaning "univeisal," anu was by no means
connecteu to the Roman Catholic Chuich.
Be woulu nevei allow this chuich to be known as a "new thing." Be lookeu at it as a
"iestoiation" of the piinciples that hau been lost to the bouy of Chiist. Bis theology was
32
Soon, tbere wos
scorcely o person in
Cbicoqo wbo boJ
not beorJ tbe 6ospel
messoqe.
goou in that he waineu if something was "new," then it was "false." Within a few yeais,
Bowie's Chiistian Catholic Chuich hau multiplieu into tens of thousanus.
I believe without a uoubt, that all of the five-folu ministiies listeu in Ephesians 4 aie
alive anu well touay (see veises 11-1S). The apostolic office was not uone away with when
the oiiginal twelve uieu. Noi uiu uou allow Bis plan foi the Chuich to uie when the
apostles' flesh uiu. Bis new covenant piinciples weie to continue until Bis ietuin. They
aien't bounu by men's iueas oi theology, noi uo Bis piomises enu when men get neivous.
Theie have been many moie than the oiiginal twelve apostles, anu men touay aie still
calleu to that office.
Ephesians 2:2u says the founuations of the Chuich aie built upon the apostles anu
piophets, with }esus Bimself being the chief coineistone. uieat authoiity comes with the
office of an apostle, anu I believe uou soveieignly chooses anu equips those Be wants to
stanu theie. But theie has always been a lack of knowleuge conceining the auministiation
of that office. I believe Bowie was soveieignly calleu anu equippeu as an apostle. Anu I
uon't believe his ministiy faileu because he accepteu the apostolic office. But I uo believe
that because of his lack of knowleuge anu unueistanuing, that he misieau the spiiitual
opeiations of his office. Anu I believe that this in itself was the main spiiitual ueficiency that
causeu him to misuse his authoiity.
Buiing the time in which Bowie's chuich was being instituteu, some veiy inteiesting
events tianspiieu. This peiiou has been calleu, "The uoluen Yeais" of Zion.
1S
The next
thiee yeais weie quiet, piospeious, anu influential. It was then that Bowie maue his seciet
plans foi his special city.
33
C O L . C L . L I . L .
34
Bowie onJ wife, }eonie, seoteJ in front of tropby woll ot Cbristion Cotbolic Cburcb
Bowie preocbinq in Austrolio
35
lllustrotion 1: lost pboto of Bowie before bis Jeotb
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Knowing that such an effoit woulu piouuce cuiiosity, Bowie uiveiteu the attention of
the multituues by ueclaiing a "Boly Wai," anu announceu a coming message entitleu
"Boctois, Biugs, anu Bevils." Auveitising the message foi weeks, the title causeu no small
stii. Then while his enemies weie uistiacteu by it all, Bowie secietly hiieu piopiietois to
suivey lanu foity miles noith of Chicago to builu a city. Aftei they founu sixty-six hunuieu
acies on Lake Nichigan, Bowie uiesseu himself up as a tiamp so as not to be iecognizeu,
then touieu the site. Anu befoie his enemies coulu uiscovei what was happening, the lanu
hau been puichaseu, anu uecisive plans weie maue foi builuing the city of Zion, Illinois.
Bowie unveileu the aichitectuial plans foi Zion at the New Yeai's Eve Watch Night
seivice on }anuaiy 1, 19uu. Bis business ability was piaiseu by his people anu the seculai
woilu, foi staiting the Zion Lanu Investment Association. Subuivisions weie allotteu, anu
home-builuing began. The lanu was not to be solu, insteau it was to be leaseu foi a peiiou
of some eleven hunuieu yeais. The teims of the lease stiictly foibaue the possession oi use
of tobacco, liquoi, anu swine's flesh anywheie within the limits of the city.
16
Anu in two
yeais' time, houses hau been eiecteu anu the city was taking shape.
IL LLI1.I CO.ILL.
Though his "mnra! Utnpia" sccmcd to abnund, those closest to Bowie noticeu a change.
Tiouble was biewing in Zion. Theie was no longei any timc foi uivine healing to be
pieacheu bccausc all of Bowie's effoits weie focuseu on iunning the city. Be dccmcd
himself as Zion's ueneial 0veiseei. The iule of the city was to be absolutely in his hanus.
Anu pioblem aftei pioblem aiose to cleveily uiveit him fiom his oiiginal ministiy
commanu.
It was uuiing this season that some ministeis came to Bowie anu pioclaimeu him to
be the Elijah foietolu in the Bible. At fiist, Bowie sounuly uenounceu them. But theii woius
kept "iinging in his eais." Then aftei awhile Bowie himself saiu a voice seemeu to say,
"Elijah must come, anu who but you is uoing the woik of Elijah."
17
Eventually Bowie hau so sauly uiveiteu fiom uou's plan foi
his life that he embiaceu the suggestion anu pioclaimeu it as
tiuth. Be believeu he was Elijah. Be even went on to believe that
by establishing othei cities like Zion outsiue of eveiy majoi city
in Ameiica, that he coulu eventually have the money to builu
outsiue of }eiusalem. Bis plan was to buy out the Tuiks, the
Nuslims, anu the }ews to take ovei }eiusalem foi }esus so Be
coulu establish Bis city uuiing the millennial ieign. Bowie was
thoioughly ueluueu. Soon his pieaching hau ueteiioiateu into
the meie uenouncing of his enemies. Be also gave "lectuies" on
political views while he exhoiteu his heaieis to invest moie
heavily into the woik of the city.
18
Be took counsel fiom no one,
except in minoi matteis. Anu he iemoveu all iestiaints that
coulu have kept him in check oi hinueieu his plans.
36
Fventuolly Bowie
boJ so soJly
JiverteJ from 6oJ's
plon for bis life tbot
be embroceJ tbe
suqqestion onJ
procloimeJ it os
trutb. Ee believeJ be
wos Flijob.
IL ..LI.O. .QL.IL L.OCLOL
What was once a peisecution battle against the Woiu of uou hau now become a
peisonal wai to maintain Bowie's own level of influence. It was gouly peisecution that
activateu the mantle of his apostolic office, but now he was fighting to maintain his own
peisonal influence anu success. Anu it uestioyeu him.
A viviuly sau example of Bowie's vanity in
this aiea happeneu at what was ueemeu, the
"New Yoik visitation." The bishop of the
Nethouist chuich anu the euitoi of its
uenominational newspapei, Bi. Buckley, askeu
foi an inteiview with Bowie. So Bowie gianteu
them auuience anu thought that he hau fully
peisuaueu them to believe his acclamations. But
he haun't. Accoiuing to Buckley's newspapei
aiticle, Bowie was "in the moonlit boiuei lanu of
insanity wheie laige movements of limiteu
uuiation have sometimes oiiginateu." Buckley
also auueu, "If he believes it oi not, he is but
anothei impostoi."
19
Eniageu, Bowie ienteu the
Nauison Squaie uaiuen, anu though financially
stiaineu, aiiangeu foi eight tiains to take
thousanus of his followeis to New Yoik City.
0nce theie, he planneu to make an open show
of the two men to uemonstiate the powei he
still helu. What was once inspiieu by uou's
uivine uiiection, was now ieuuceu to Bowie's
own self-appointment. It was totally in the flesh.
Be ieacteu out of a huit anu emotional wounu anu now he was ueteimineu to uisplay his
vengeance.
The event faileu miseiably. Though thousanus went with Bowie, thousanus moie
came who hau anothei plan. They filleu the uaiuen, but as Bowie took the platfoim to
speak, they began to exit by the uioves. The scene confuseu Bowie teiiibly anu kept him
fiom speaking as he hau oiiginally planneu. As a whole, the city of New Yoik was viitually
unawaie that anything hau tianspiieu at this meeting. It was as if uou silenceu the
newspapeis anu hau meicy on Bis seivant.
IL I.LILL L.L
By now, the city of Zion was bioken financially. So Bowie sought to escape by taking
an expensive tiip aiounu the woilu wheie he founu himself unwelcome in many cities. It
was on this tiip that his tiain pulleu into Pomona, Califoinia. Theie hau been a seveie
uiought in the lanu, anu no iain hau fallen foi eight months. So the iepoiteis chiueu Bowie,
ieminuing him that Elijah piayeu foi iain uuiing uiought in Isiael anu iain came. Anu that
37
}obn AlexonJer Bowie, 6enerol 0verseer of
Zion in bis biqb priest robe.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
if he was Elijah, suiely he woulu uo the same foi Califoinia. Bowie uiu inueeu piay foi iain
at the enu of his seivice, anu befoie the ciowu was uismisseu, iain was falling in toiients.
0pon leaving Califoinia, Bowie planneu a ventuie into Nexico to establish "Zion
Plantation." Be was hoping this new ventuie coulu pay foi the uebts of the olu. But his
followeis, now bioken financially anu uisillusioneu, hau left him in heait. They coulun't
help but notice how pooi they hau becomewhile Bowie liveu in extiemes, hosteu lavish
paities, anu left foi a woilu toui.
Some say Bowie built his own city because he was tiieu of the peisecution. But in my
peisonal opinion, that uoesn't seem tiue. Although gieatly anointeu anu sent by uou, it
seemeu that Bowie hau a weakness foi powei anu success. Be saiu of himself:
"In becoming an apostle, it is not a question of rising bigb, it is a
question of becoming low enougb.... I do not tbink tbat I bave reacbed a
deep enougb deptb of true bumility...of true abasement and self-
effacement, for tbe bigb office of an apostle...."
20
}esus nevei commanueu us to builu communes. }esus commanueu us to "uo!" not
"Buuule." The book of Acts "commune" uiun't woik foi long eithei (Acts 2:44-47; S:1-1u).
Peisecution hit the gioup, anu they weie scatteieu to the utteimost iegions of the eaith.
(Acts 8:1.) Why. So the uieat Commission in Natthew 28:19-2u coulu be fulfilleu. We aie
to be lights in the woilu anu penetiate Satan's uaikness. Buuuling togethei won't
accomplish that feat.
The gieatest test of a leauei is not in the aiea of peisecution, though many fall theie. I
think one of the gieatest snaies comes in the foim of powei anu success. We must nevei
think we've "maue it" anu begin to uictate oui peisonal powei as a iesult of uou-given
success. Success biings a multituue of avenues anu ventuies. If we get caught up in the vast
selections that come fiom success anu foil to Jevelop our spirituol tenocity, we can fall
victim to the "whiilwinu." We can't finu peace with oui past by using the powei of the
piesent. With each new height, we must builu a new tenacity. That's why some chuiches
giow to a ceitain level, then become comfoitable, oi fall. The leaueiship become too busy
with the "avenues" anu lose the time anu eneigy to uevelop both themselves onJ theii
membeis foi highei levels in uou.
Whenevei we obey uou, success shoulu come. So nevei be afiaiu of success! But to
piopeily auministiate success, we must holu ouiselves in the stiength of the Spiiit,
listening foi Bis uiiectionnot our own. It is only thiough the stiength of the Spiiit anu a
hungei foi uou, that we aie able to continue in what uou has spoken, pioneeiing into the
next level.
Bowie soon pioclaimeu himself as the Fiist Apostle of a ieneweu, enu-time Chuich,
uenounceu his last name, anu signeu his uocuments as "}ohn Alexanuei, Fiist Apostle."
21
But not long aftei his "self appointment," Bowie suffeieu a stioke on the platfoim fiom
which he ueliveieu his last seimon. Then while he was out of the countiy to iecovei, the
city of Zion helu an oiganizeu meeting to vote Bowie out.
38
Bowie fought this uecision to the last ounce of his stiength but nevei succeeueu in
iegaining his position. Be was alloweu to live his last uays insiue of Shiloh Bouse, his home
foi many yeais, anu slippeu into eteinity on Naich 9,
19u7. Bis ueath was uocumenteu with these woius by
}uuge v. v. Baines:
"...tbe last nigbt )obn Alexander spent
on eartb, be was again in spirit upon tbis
platform talking to tbe assembled
multitudes of bis people. He preacbed
during tbat nigbt and tbougbt be was
preacbing tbe principles of tbe Cospel to
tbe assembled tbousands. As be taugbt
tbe same old trutbs...be lapsed again into
slumber, awaking from time to time and
continuing tbe dispensation of tbe old
gospel message. Tbe last song be ever
sang as tbe morning ligbt began to appear
was, I Am a Soldier of tbe Cross.' Tben
tbey listened for bis last sentence, and be
said, 'Tbe millennium bas come, I will be back for a tbousand years.' Tbese
were tbe last words tbat be spoke, tbe last sentence be uttered."
22
Bow coulu such a gieat life enu in such sauness. Aie theie any answeis. Again, I
believe the answei lies in a basic misunueistanuing of spiiitual piinciples.
Bowie was spiiitually assigneu by uou to the city of Chicagoanu he conqueieu it.
While living within that city, anu caiiying out his uivine appointment, piincipalities anu
poweis coulun't touch him. But Bowie seemeu to move out of Chicago thiough his own
uesiie foi powei anu gave the uevil fieeuom to uestioy his life. When he left the city of his
calling, the enemy killeu his woiluwiue influence thiough ueception, killeu a membei of
his family, uestioyeu his maiiiage, anu uestioyeu Bowie himself with "eveiy foim of
uisease" fastening to his bouy.
2S
We must iemain with the oiiginal, anointeu plan of uou foi oui lives anu allow Bim to
open the avenues to auministiate it. Naybe Bowie shoulu have built cburcbes anu Bible
scbools insteau of a city. That avenue woulu have sent thousanus into the ministiy fiom
his gouly influence.
Bowie uiu go on in peace to be with the Loiu. Those who weie with him at the enu
saiu he hau ietuineu to his faith of the eaily yeais. Nany even testifieu that he hau become
a gentle, loving man who acteu as if a tiemenuous buiuen hau been lifteu. Anu the city of
Zion, Illinois, iemains touay, but the leaueiship is uiviueu among many biethien, "...as no
single peison coulu completely fill Bi. Bowie's shoes."
24
. CIL. OL1LC LL..O.
39
We must never tbink we've
"moJe it" onJ beqin to
Jictote our personol power
os o result of 6oJ-qiven
success. Success brinqs o
multituJe of ovenues onJ
ventures. lf we qet couqbt
up in tbe vost selections
tbot come from success onJ
foil to Jevelop our spirituol
tenocity, we con foll victim
to tbe "wbirlwinJ."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
uoiuon Linusay, }ohn Alexanuei Bowie's official biogiaphei anu founuei of Chiist foi
the Nations in Ballas, Texas, uesciibeu Bowie's ministiy as "the gieatest object lesson in
the histoiy of the chuich."
2S
Peitaining to ministiy, his life was filleu with viviu,
instiuctional uetail. The lessons we can leain aie nevei meant to uegiaue oi ciiticize this
gieat man of uou. Bis peisonal pioblems shoulu be helu sepaiate fiom the call of uou.
}ohn Alexanuei Bowie went uown in histoiy as an impostoi, yet he was a genius
calleu of uou. Even in the miust of his eiioi, he piophesieu the coming of iauio anu
television to oui geneiation. Be hau his failuies, but fiom his influence came many gieat
men of uou. Bis ministiy piouuceu }ohn u. Lake, the gieat apostle to South Afiica; F. F.
Boswoith, anu his biothei B. B. Boswoith, whose healing campaigns toucheu untolu
millions; uoiuon Linusay, whose life anu ministiy iesulteu in the gieat
inteiuenominational college, Chiist foi the Nations, in Ballas, Texas; Raymonu T. Richey,
healing ciusauei; anu Chailes Paiham, "The Fathei of Pentecost," whose Bible school in
Topeka, Kansas, usheieu in anothei move of the Boly Spiiit. Nany moie hau laige iauio
ministiies anu poweiful mission woiks.
Without a uoubt, }ohn Alexanuei Bowie succeeueu in
making the Bible alive to untolu millions. Be was an instiument
useu of uou to iestoie the keys of uivine healing anu the
ievelation of iepentance to a lukewaim, lethaigic geneiation. If
theie is a moial to the message of the failuie in his life, that
message is this: Nevei sway fiom what uou has commanueu
you to uo in the eaith. No mattei what youi age, youi geneiation
has not passeu until you exit the eaith anu entei heaven. So if
uou has commanueu you to fulfill a commission, make it youi
utmost piioiity as long as you live.
40
}obn AlexonJer
Bowie went Jown in
bistory os on
impostor, yet be wos
o qenius colleJ of
6oJ.
CHAPTER UNE, )UHN ALEXANDER DUWIE
Refeiences
1
uoiuon Linusay, }obn AlexonJer Bowie: A life Story of Triols, TroqeJies onJ
Triumpbs (Ballas, TX: Chiist foi the Nations, 1986), 228-229.
2 Ibiu., 1S.
3 Ibiu.
4 Ibiu., 22-24.
5 Ibiu., 2S.
Ibiu.
7 Ibiu., 4S.
8
Ibiu., 44-4S.
9 Ibiu., 46.
10 Ibiu., 49.
11
Ibiu., 9S.
12 Ibiu., 1S1.
13 Ibiu., 1u7-1u9.
14 Ibiu., 1SS-1SS.
15 Ibiu., 161.
1 Ibiu., 17S.
17 Ibiu., 188.
18
Ibiu., 199.
19 Ibiu., 221.
20 Ibiu., 1SS-1S6.
21 Ibiu., 2SS.
22 Ibiu., 26u-261.
23 Ibiu., 2S1.
24
Tbis We Believe, Banubook of the Chiistian Catholic Chuich, 7.
25 Linusay, }obn AlexonJer Bowie, A life Story, Intiouuction.
41
C H A P T E R T W U
MarIa
Woodwortb-
Etter
2: Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei"Bemonstrotor of tbe Spirit"
LL.O..I.OI OI IL .IIII
be Lord bas given me a special mission to bring about a
spirit of unity and love.... Cod is raising up people in
every land wbo are reacbing out after more of Cod and
saying, 'Come and belp us. We want tbe spirit of love. We want tbe
signs and wonders.'"
1
Theie hasn't been a gieatei uemonstiatoi of uou's Spiiit since the book of Acts in
Pentecostal histoiy than Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei. She was an incieuible woman of vision
anu spiiitual stiength who stoou in the face of fieice opposition, lifteu hei tiny hanu, anu
alloweu the Boly Spiiit to spieau Bis fiie. Sistei Ettei liveu in the iealm of the spiiit as a
poweiful vessel of uou's uivine leauing anu Bis supeinatuial manifestations. She was a
faithful fiienu of heaven, choosing to lose hei eaithly ieputation to gain a spiiitual one.
Naiia (pionounceu "Na-ii-ah," not "Na-iee-ah") was boin in 1844 on a Lisbon, 0hio,
faim. She was boin again at the beginning of the Thiiu uieat Awakening at the age of
thiiteen. The pieachei who leu hei to the Loiu piayeu that hei life "might be a shining
light."
2
But little uiu he iealize that this little giil he hau just piayeu foi woulu become the
gianumothei of the Pentecostal Novement that woulu spieau thioughout the woilu.
Naiia immeuiately heaiu the call of uou anu ueuicateu hei life to the Loiu. 0f hei
calling she woulu latei wiite, "I beard tbe voice of )esus calling
me to go out in tbe bigbways and bedges and gatber in tbe
lost sbeep."
3
But one thing stoppeu heishe was a woman
anu at that time, women weie not alloweu to pieach. In the miu-
nineteenth centuiy, women coulun't even vote in a national
election, so to be a woman pieachei was uefinitely fiowneu
upon. Anu to be a sinqle woman in the ministiy was out of the
question. Theiefoie, Naiia ponueieu the things the Loiu tolu
hei, anu ueciueu she woulu have to maiiy a missionaiy to fulfill
hei call. So she planneu to continue hei euucation, then entei a
foimal college to make heiself ieauy.
But tiageuy stiuck hei close-knit family. Bei fathei was killeu while woiking in the
fielus of theii faim anu she immeuiately ietuineu home to help suppoit hei family. Now
hei hopes of a foimal euucation weie shatteieu, so she settleu into what she thought was a
noimal Chiistian lifestyle.
..CLL. C..L I.O . IOO.....
45
"l beorJ tbe voice of
}esus collinq me to
qo out in tbe
biqbwoys onJ
beJqes onJ qotber
in tbe lost sbeep."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Buiing the Civil Wai, Naiia met P. B. Woouwoith, who hau ietuineu home fiom the
conflict aftei being uischaigeu with a heau injuiy. She hau a whiilwinu couitship with the
foimei soluiei anu soon maiiieu him. They took up faiming, but nothing evei came of
theii labois. It seemeu as if eveiything was failing.
0vei the yeais, Naiia became the mothei of six chiluien. So she tiieu to settle into a
noimal family home life while the Loiu continueu to call hei. But Naiia, exaspeiateu in hei
iole as a wife anu mothei, coulun't answei the call. She was maiiieu to a man with no
uesiie foi ministiy, she hau six chiluien to iaise, anu she was sickly heiself. Then ieal
tiageuy stiuck theii home. The Woouwoiths lost five of theii six chiluien to uisease. Naiia
was able to pull heiself togethei aftei this hoiiible episoue, but hei husbanu nevei
iecoveieu fiom the loss. She uiu hei best to help him while iaising theii only suiviving
uaughtei. Thiough all these situations she nevei giew bittei against uou, noi uiu she
haiuen hei heait as a iesult of the loss.
But Naiia neeueu answeis foi the nagging
heaitache that oppiesseu hei because of the calamity
that stiuck hei family. Refusing to give up, she began to
seaich the Woiu of uou. Anu as she ieau, she saw how
women weie iepeateuly useu by uou thioughout the
Bible. She ieau }oel's piophecy pieuicting that the
Spiiit of uou woulu be pouieu out upon men ANB
women. But Naiia woulu look to heaven anu say,
"Lord, I can't preacb. I don't know wbat to say and I
don't bave any education." Still, she continueu to
ieau anu finu tiuth in the Woiu of uou while she
stiuggleu with hei call. She woulu latei wiite, "Tbe
more I investigated, tbe more I found to condemn
me."
4
Then Naiia hau a gieat vision. Angels came into hei ioom. They took hei to the West,
ovei piaiiies, lakes, foiests, anu iiveis wheie she saw a long, wiue fielu of waving goluen
giain. As the view unfolueu she began to pieach anu saw the giains begin to fall like
sheaves. Then }esus tolu hei that, "just as the giain fell, so people woulu fall" as she
pieacheu.
S
Finally Naiia iealizeu that she woulu nevei be happy until she yielueu to the
call. In iesponse to this gieat vision fiom uou, she humbly answeieu "yes" to Bis call upon
hei life anu askeu Bim to anoint hei with gieat powei.
Ò... LOL. .O .ILLL `L.L
Nany women ieauing this book aie calleu of uou to pieach. You have hau visions anu
unctions fiom uou's Spiiit to go anu set people fiee. uou has spoken to you in the aiea of
uivine healing, ueliveiance, anu fieeuom of the Spiiit. So nevei allow a ieligious spiiit to
silence what the Loiu has spoken to you. Religion likes to suppiess women anu theii
ministiies, especially young ones. You neeu to leain to obey uou without question. If Naiia
hau answeieu fiom hei youth, possibly hei chiluien woulun't have uieu. I'm not saying
46
Anqels come into ber room.
Tbey took ber to tbe West,
over proiries, lokes, forests,
onJ rivers wbere sbe sow o
lonq, wiJe fielJ of wovinq
qolJen qroin. As tbe view
unfolJeJ sbe beqon to
preocb onJ sow tbe qroins
beqin to foll like sbeoves.
Maria Woodworth-Etter"Demonstrator of the Spirit"
that uou killeu hei chiluien. But I am saying that when we uiiectly uisobey uou, oui
actions open the uooi to the woiks of the uevil. Bis woik is to uestioy. uou's woik is to
biing life. So leain to obey uou with boluness. Boluness biings the powei of uou anu will
leave youi accuseis speechless in youi piesence. Also finu some stiong women with soliu
ministiies fiom whom you can leain. Anu allow these woius of Sistei Ettei to stii you in
youi heait:
"My dear sister in Cbrist, as you bear tbese words may tbe Spirit of
Cbrist come upon you, and make you willing to do tbe work tbe Lord bas
assigned to you. It is bigb time for women to let tbeir ligbts sbine, to bring
out tbeir talents tbat bave been bidden away rusting, and use tbem for tbe
glory of Cod, and do witb tbeir migbt wbat tbeir bands find to do, trusting
Cod for strengtb, Wbo bas said, 'I will never leave you.' Let us not plead
weakness, Cod will use tbe weak tbings of tbe world to confound tbe wise.
We are sons and daugbters of tbe Most Higb Cod. Sbould we not bonor our
bigb calling and do all we can to save tbose wbo sit in tbe valley and
sbadow of deatb? Did He not send Moses, Aaron-Mlrlum to be your
leaders? Barak dared not meet tbe enemy unless Deborab led tbe van. Tbe
Lord raised up men, women, and cbildren of His own cboosing-Hannab,
Hulda, Anna, Pboebe, Narcissus, Trypbena, Per-sis, )ulia, tbe Marys and tbe
sisters wbo co-labored witb Paul. Is it less becoming for women to labor in
Cbrist's kingdom and vineyard now tban it was tben?"
Seek the Spiiit of uou foi youiself. If you aie calleu, you will have to answei foi it. 0bey
uou without question. Be will hanule the uetails.
IL `LI IIOLCIOL IL IOL.L
Naiia fiist launcheu hei ministiy into hei own community. She hau no iuea of what
she woulu say, but uou tolu hei to go anu that Be woulu put the woius in hei mouth.....
Anu uou fulfilleu Bis Woiu. As Naiia stoou befoie hei fiist ciowu, most of them ielatives,
she openeu hei mouth, anu the ciowu began to weep anu fall to the flooi. Some got up anu
ian out in teais. Aftei this Naiia was highly sought thioughout hei community. Seveial
chuiches askeu hei to come anu ievive theii congiegations. Soon she expanueu hei
ministiy westwaiu anu hau helu nine ievivals, pieacheu two hunuieu seimons, anu
staiteu two chuiches with Sunuay school membeiships of ovei a hunuieu people. uou
honoieu Naiia anu maue up foi hei lost yeais in a shoit amount of time.
0ne paiticulai meeting was helu in a town calleu Bevils Ben. No ministei hau evei
been successful theie, anu people came to mock hei. They weie looking to see the female
evangelist who woulu soon iun out of town shatteieu anu uefeateu. But they ieceiveu the
suipiise of theii lives! Sistei Ettei might have been a woman, but she was not one to be
taken lightly. She knew the key to spiiitual waifaie, anu the feivency of piayei that
unlockeu heaven.
Foi thiee uays Naiia pieacheu anu sang. No one moveu. Finally, on the fouith uay,
47
C O L . C L . L I . L .
she exeiciseu hei spiiitual authoiity thiough inteicession anu toie uown the uemonic
piincipality that iuleu ovei Bevils Ben. She piayeu that uou woulu show a gieat uisplay of
Bis powei to bieak the people's stiff foimality. That night, people thioughout the meeting
ciieu anu iepenteu to uou. It was the gieatest manifestation of the piesence of uou the
town hau evei witnesseu.
IL LL.OLIIO. LLIL IOICL
We aie not calleu to give up. We aie calleu to obey uou at whatevei cost anu to let
success answei oui ciitics. If it seems you have hit a haiu place in youi life oi ministiy,
uon't whine anu complain. Bon't offei youi ieasons foi it. Piay! Explanations anu excuses
iob us of stiength anu powei. Bon't shake youi heau anu iun. 0se the authoiity that has
been given you thiough }esus anu oveithiow the uemonic poweis that blinu the people.
Thiough piayei, take authoiity anu make a cleai path foi the Spiiit of uou to ministei to
the heaits of the people. Sistei Ettei gioomeu hei spiiit thiough piayei piouucing
invincible stiength. She was known as a ievivalist who coulu bieak towns open.
IL C..L .CIL..I.C IOI .LIC
Sistei Ettei pioneeieu the way foi the Pentecostal manifestations that aie so common
in the movement touay. It was not until she pieacheu at a chuich in westein 0hio that hau
lost uou's powei, that the meaning of hei vision about the sheaves of wheat became cleai.
8
It was at this chuich wheie the people fell into "tiances." This was the one spiiitual
manifestation that maikeu hei ministiy highly, but biought fieice peisecution.
0p to this point, this manifestation hau not been known in the Chuich the way it is
known touay. In hei own account she wiote:
"Fifteen came to tbe altar screaming for mercy. Men and women fell
and lay like dead. I bad never seen anytbing like tbis. I felt it was tbe work
of Cod, but did not know bow to explain it, or wbat to
say."
9
Aftei laying on the flooi foi some time, these people spiang
to theii feet with shining faces while shouting the piaises of uou.
Sistei Ettei saiu that she hau nevei seen such biight conveisions.
The ministeis anu eluei saints wept anu piaiseu the Loiu foi Bis
"Pentecost Powei." Anu fiom that meeting on, Sistei Ettei's
ministiy woulu be maikeu by this paiticulai manifestation that
always followeu hei pieaching with hunuieus coming to Chiist.
I..CL .LL
The tiances became the talk of the uay. Bunuieus flockeu to taste of this outpouiing,
while otheis went to obseive oi iiuicule. At one meeting, fifteen uoctois came fiom
uiffeient cities to investigate the tiances. 0ne of the uoctois was a woilu-class leauei in his
48
Sister Ftter
pioneereJ tbe woy
for tbe Pentecostol
monifestotions tbot
ore so common in
tbe movement
toJoy.
fielu. Sistei Ettei wiote of it this way:
"He did not want to admit tbe power was of Cod. He would bave been
glad if tbey could prove it was sometbing else. He came to investigate...but
was called to anotber part of tbe bouse. He went, expecting to find
sometbing new. To bis surprise be found bis son at tbe altar and wanted
bis fatber to pray for bim. He could not pray. Cod sbowed bim wbat be was,
and wbat be was doing. He began to pray for bimself. Wbile praying be fell
into a trance, and saw tbe borrors of bell. He was falling in. After a terrible
struggle Cod saved bim. He went to work to win souls for Cbrist."
10
Sistei Ettei also wiote of a paity that seveial young women attenueu at which they
thought they woulu have fun anu act out a tiance. But they weie immeuiately giippeu by
the powei of uou, anu theii mocking tuineu into louu ciies to uou foi meicy.
11
0nce an elueily man who hau tiaveleu the woilu was visiting an aiea wheie Naiia
was ministeiing. Be was a ieligious man, so he ueciueu to attenu one of hei meetings out
of cuiiosity. As he witnesseu the meeting, he maue some joking iemaik to his fiienus
conceining the uisplay of powei. Filleu with piiue, the man boluly heaueu foi the platfoim
to investigate. But befoie he ieacheu the pulpit, he was "stiuck to the flooi by the powei of
uou" anu laiu theie foi ovei two houis. While in this state, uou showeu him a vision of
heaven anu hell. Realizing he hau to choose, he immeuiately chose uou anu was boin
again. Then he came to, piaising uou.
The only thing this man coulu say once he came out of the tiance was that he
49
0n tbe rooJ
C O L . C L . L I . L .
iegietteu having spent sixty yeais lost in ieligion, nevei knowing }esus Chiist peisonally.
12
Still, newspapeis anu unbelieving ministeis waineu otheis to stay away fiom the
meetings. They saiu they "woulu make a peison insane." Neveitheless, thousanus weie
saveu, many being "stiuck uown, laying as ueau men" even on theii way home. It is saiu
that many people also fell unuei the powei in theii homes, miles away fiom the meetings.
What aie "tiances". They aie one of the foui ways uou manifests in a vision. The fiist
type of vision is an "innei vision." The pictuie you see in youi innei man, oi spiiit man, will
benefit you gieatly if you heeu it. Seconuly, theie is the "open vision." This vision comes
when youi eyes aie wiue open. It's like watching a movie scieen open up in fiont of you as
it uisplays a scene uou wants to show you. Thiiuly, is the night vision. This is when uou
gives a uieam to make you awaie of a ceitain thing. The last type of vision is the "tiance
vision." In this vision, natuial abilities aie fiozen so uou can ministei whatevei is neeueu.
When people came up fiom a tiance vision in Sistei Ettei's meetings, they tolu of seeing
both heaven anu hell.
Sistei Ettei's style was, to say the least, "uiffeient" fiom the ministeis of hei uay. She
nevei piohibiteu the auuience fiom paiticipating. 0nlike the stoic chuich oiuei of the late
18uus, Naiia believeu in shouting, uancing, singing, anu pieaching. She believeu that
emotional uisplays weie impoitant, as long as they weie
in oiuei. Anu she believeu that a lack of physical
manifestation was a sign of apostasy.
IIL.7 OI ILLIILL.L.`
I believe uou is upset with some of the chuiches
touay because they iefuse to allow the people to openly
anu fieely expiess themselves to Bim. If people can't
expiess themselves to uou, then uou can't move upon
them. Some people aie afiaiu of emotions in the chuich.
They have no pioblem with them at home, oi at a
spoiting event. But foi some ieligious ieason, they think
the chuich shoulu be quiet anu seiene. But let me tell you
something, heaven isn't quiet anu seiene! Some people
aie in foi a iuue awakening when they uie anu go to
heaven. They aie going to have to leain how to iejoice
along with the iest of usbecause heaven is full of life
anu eneigy! We have a lot to shout aboutboth heie
onJ theie!
0ui chuiches must have a fiesh move of uou. Anu like it oi not, o move of 6oJ
offects tbe emotions. "Well, Robeits, I just uon't believe uou is in all that shouting anu
uancing." The shouting anu uancing isn't uou. It is simply an unconstiaineu iesponse to
Eis power. Listen, have you evei put youi fingei in a light socket anu iemaineu still. Bow
much moie when you touch uou! When uou touches you, you will ieact! If you say, "Well,
what about the extiemes." I say, "Why aie we so conceineu about the uitch when we
50
0nlike tbe stoic cburcb
orJer of tbe lote 1800s,
Horio believeJ in
sboutinq, Joncinq,
sinqinq, onJ preocbinq.
Sbe believeJ tbot
emotionol Jisploys were
importont, os lonq os tbey
were in orJer. AnJ sbe
believeJ tbot o lock of
pbysicol monifestotion
wos o siqn of opostosy.
shoulu be looking at the highway."
Focus on the tiue, anu the false will faue away. When the powei of uou comes upon
you, you will enjoy it! Anu when you enjoy something, you show it. So leain the tiuth of
what uou loves in Bis woishippeis, then uo it.
Now you say, "Well, people will talk about us." I say, "So what." The tiuth outlives a lie.
What people uon't unueistanu, they peisecute. They lieu about }esus, but Be still lives
touay. When those people expeiience the tiue touch of uou, they will change theii minus.
"What if we lose money." Well, is money youi gou. Let me ieminu you that monetaiy
cuiiency can't save souls. The Spiiit of uou is what uiaws
mankinu to }esus. By obeying the Spiiit, we lift up }esus. Theie
aie no payoffs oi shoitcuts. If you aie a chuich leauei, you aie
commanueu by uou to obey the Boly Spiiit anu leain Bis ways.
The Bible says it is those who aie leu by the Spiiit that aie the
sons of uou. (Romans 8:14.) So let Bim leau!
If you aie leu by the Spiiit, visions will inciease in the
Chuich. We must be spiiitually matuie to ueal with any
pioblems oi evil spiiits. New Age ieligions have uug so ueeply
into the wiong spiiit iealm that they've maue the Chuich afiaiu
to puisue the tiue manifestations of uou's Spiiit. The iealm of
the spiiit holus both uou anu the uemonic, anu if the Boly Spiiit
is not youi uuiue when you entei, you aie subject to the
uemonic. But New Ageis uon't entei the spiiit iealm with }esus
Chiist. They come of theii own will. Anu this is one place wheie
they aie ueceiveu. We aie nothing without the bloou of }esus.
Some aie afiaiu that if they puisue uou supeinatuially, they will
be accuseu of being involveu with the New Age. If you aie
following uou's Spiiit, Be will keep you puie.
So open youi chuich to the move of uou, anu leain fiom those who have gone on
befoie you. Wheie the Spiiit of uou is, theie is libeity, anu yes, orJer. But I'm not talking
about the feaiful iestiaints of contiol oi uenominational suppiession. People aie hungiy to
see uou anu to be fiee. Some will tiavel acioss the continent to heai someone who tiuly
knows uou anu the manifestations of Bis Spiiit.
.IL L.OCL. L. .ILL
By the time Sistei Ettei ieacheu age foity she was a national phenomena. vaiious
uenominations iecognizeu hei ability to stii ueau chuiches, biing in the unconveiteu, anu
cheei on a ueepei spiiitual walk with uou. Boctois, lawyeis, uiunkaius, anu auulteieis
people fiom all walks of lifeweie gloiiously saveu anu filleu with the Boly Spiiit in hei
meetings. Because of one of hei meetings in 188S, the police saiu they hau nevei seen such
a change in theii city. The city hau been so cleaneu up that they hau nothing to uo!
1S
51
Sbe stuJieJ tbe
WorJ onJ beqon
preocbinq Eis Jivine
will in beolinq. lt
JiJn't toke lonq to
see tbot evonqelism
onJ beolinq went
bonJ in bonJ os
tbousonJs were won
to Cbrist os o result
of seeinq otbers
beoleJ.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
0ne newspapei iepoitei wiote of Sistei Ettei:
"She goes at it like a foot pau tackles his piey. By some
supeinatuial powei she just knocks 'em silly when they aie not looking
foi it, anu while they aie uown she applies the hyuiaulic piessuie anu
pumps the giace of uou into them by the bucketful."
14
Eventually the Loiu leu Naiia to begin piaying foi the sick. At fiist, she was ieluctant,
feeling it woulu take away fiom hei evangelistic call. But uou continueu to make Bis will
cleai, anu she agieeu. She stuuieu the Woiu anu began pieaching Bis uivine will in healing.
It uiun't take long to see that evangelism anu healing went hanu in hanu as thousanus
weie won to Chiist as a iesult of seeing otheis healeu.
Naiia pieacheu that the stiong manifestations of the Spiiit weie "notbing new, tbey
were |ust sometbing tbe Cburcb bad lost."
15
Anu she iefuseu to get caught up in the pet
uoctiines of the uay, uesiiing only foi the Boly Spiiit to uo Bis woiks.
0nce in a meeting, a ciowu iusheu to the platfoim anu ciieu out, "What shall we uo."
Naiia finishes the stoiy:
"Tbey went down by tbe migbty wind power of tbe Holy Cbost. He sat
upon tbe cbildren of Cod till tbeir faces sbone like Stepben's wben bis
enemies said be looked like an angel. Many received gifts, some for
ministry, some as evangelists, some of bealing, and bundreds of sinners
received tbe gift of eternal life."
1
In anothei meeting, ovei twenty-five thousanu people ciowueu in to heai
Sistei Ettei. Anu iemembei, in those uays, theie weie no public auuiess
systems! Naiia wiote that befoie she even finisheu pieaching, the powei of uou
fell on the multituue anu took contiol of about five hunuieu as they fell to the
giounu.
17
52
53
Cburcb built by Ftter in lnJiono known os tbe Ftter Tobernocle
Sioux City, lowo
C O L . C L . L I . L .
54
Fvonqelist Hrs. H. B. WooJwortb-Ftter. ln
tbe lost yeors of ber ministry Ftter olwoys
wore wbite wben sbe ministereJ.
Ftter in stote
IL ÌLL. ÌLL `L.
0f couise, Sistei Ettei's life was maikeu with gieat peisecution. Theie weie pioblems
aiounu eveiy coinei, not to mention the piessuies that came fiom leauing such huge
masses of people who weie expeiiencing theii fiist manifestations of the Spiiit. In auuition
to all of this, she was a woman in ministiy who was maiiieu to an unfaithful man.
While ministeiing in hei contioveisial ciusaue in 0aklanu, Califoinia, P. B.
Woouwoith's infiuelity was ievealeu. Sistei Ettei stayeu in sepaiate quaiteis, choosing to
leave him. Finally, aftei twenty-six stoimy yeais of maiiiage, in }anuaiy of 1891, they weie
uivoiceu. Then, in less than a yeai anu a half, P. B. Woouwoith iemaiiieu anu publicly
slanueieu Naiia's chaiactei anu ministiy. Be uieu not long aftei on }une 21, 1892, of
typhoiu fevei.
Bespite hei stoimy ielationship with this man, Naiia took time fiom hei ministiy
scheuule to tiavel to his funeial. It is saiu that she not only attenueu the funeial, but also
took pait in the memoiial seivice.
Ettei's gieatest tiials came while on the West Coast. She believeu the West coulu be
won to uou, just as it occuiieu in the Niuwest. So in 1889, she aiiiveu in 0aklanu anu
puichaseu an eight-thousanu seat tent. Anu soon, the tent was jammeu with onlookeis
coming to see the tiances, heai of the visions, anu watch all the othei manifestations of the
Boly Spiiit.
But heavy peisecution also visiteu Naiia on the West Coast. Booulums, oi gangs as
we call them touay, staiteu haiassing hei meetings. Seveial times these men hiu explosives
in the woou stovesanu miiaculouslyno one was evei injuieu. 0nce a winustoim even
iippeu the canvas of the tent apait uuiing a meeting. Beath thieats weie sent to hei
weekly, newspapeis slanueieu hei ielentlessly, anu ministeis uiviueu against hei.
Nischievous people woulu biing the mentally uistuibeu to hei meetings, knowing they
woulu cause a gieat emotional scene. This was uone so many times, that many naive
people thought it was Naiia's meetings that uiove these people to insanity! Anu because
many misunueistoou hei theology, the citizens calleu foi the authoiities uaily to shut hei
meetings uown. Neveitheless, Naiia iefuseu to leave 0aklanu until she felt uou was
finisheu.
When it seemeu the gangs began to get the uppei hanu in hei meetings, the 0aklanu
Police Bepaitment ueputizeu "bounceis" to piotect the seivices. But this got out of hanu
because the bounceis weie inexpeiienceu both in chaiactei anu common sense.
Then theie was the wilu piophecy that came fiom Naiia saying uisastei woulu hit the
coast anu uestioy it. Aftei she spoke this, the newspapeis teiioiizeu Sistei Ettei anu maue
hei out to be a common ciiminal. They misquoteu anu hypeu up the piophecy to such a
uegiee that it was not accuiately known what was actually saiu. Then as coulu be
expecteu, othei men anu women opeiating in the counteifeits to the gifts of the Spiiit
jumpeu on the piophecy banuwagon. Beceiveu by the enemy, these people piophesieu
55
C O L . C L . L I . L .
moie uoom anu gloom foi the West Coast, causing gieat contioveisy.
Sistei Ettei hau a slew of piominent ministeis both foi anu against hei. 0ne was }ohn
Alexanuei Bowie. While she was on the West Coast, he joineu hei ciitics anu publicly
blasteu hei "tiance evangelism," calling it a gieat uelusion.
18
No othei ministei but Ettei
matcheu his own ministiy in the aiea of healing anu publicity, so he often iefeiieu to hei
when he spoke of the abuses. 0nly once uiu Sistei Ettei even publicly uefenu heiself
against Bowie. She uiu so with these woius:
"After stating in our meeting before tbousands, tbat be never
saw sucb power of Cod, and so wonderfully manifested, and after
advising all bis people to stand by me, be went up and down tbe
coast preacbing against me and tbe meetings, until be broke up all
bis missions. His only ob|ection was tbat some were struck down
by tbe power of Cod in our meetings.
"He lectured against me two or tbree times in
San Francisco, and said I was in line witb Satan.
Many went to bear bim...but bis talk was sucb
tbat many people left in disgust wbile be was
talking. I told tbe people tbat I bad been bis
friend and bad treated bim like a brotber, and
tbat be was not figbting me, but tbe Lord and His
Word. I always told tbe people tbat I would leave
bim in tbe bands of Cod and tbat I would go rigbt
on witb tbe Master.
"I told tbem to watcb and see bow we would
come out, and tbey would see tbat be would go down in disgrace,
and tbat I would be living wben be was dead."
19
Sistei Ettei outliveu }ohn Alexanuei Bowie by seventeen yeais.
It can be saiu that Sistei Ettei uiu make some mistakes in hei 0aklanu Ciusaue. Anu it
isn't any wonuei with all the attacks that weie plotteu against hei. Bowevei, it shoulu be
iemembeieu that in 19u6, San Fiancisco uiu expeiience the most uevastating eaithquake
in Ameiican histoiy, anu Sistei Ettei's piophecy came foith in 189u.
Sistei Ettei also maue seveial goou fiienus while theie, one being Caiiie }uuu
Nontgomeiy. Nontgomeiy hau come fiom the East Coast to conuuct meetings in
Califoinia. The two met anu uevelopeu a lifelong fiienuship. Caiiie anu hei husbanu,
ueoige, weie instiumental in the Pentecostal Novement anu founueu the Eome of Peoce
in 0aklanu. The couple iemaineu stiong suppoiteis of Sistei Ettei thioughout theii
ministiy.
CII IIO. COL
56
Wben it seemeJ tbe
qonqs beqon to qet
tbe upper bonJ in
ber meetinqs, tbe
0oklonJ Police
Beportment
JeputizeJ
"bouncers" to
protect tbe services.
Buiing this phase of Sistei Ettei's life, theie weie also some iefieshing highlights.
Besiues the fiienuships she maue, uou uiun't want hei to caiiy the ministiy mantle alone.
It took some time, but ten yeais aftei hei uivoice, Naiia met a wonueiful man fiom Bot
Spiings, Aikansas, nameu Samuel Ettei. uou sent hei the peifect mate. The two weie
maiiieu in 19u2. Sistei Ettei hau gieat iespect foi this gentleman anu often iefeiieu to
him as hei "gift fiom uou." Latei she woulu wiite of him:
"He stood bravely witb me in tbe bottest battle, and since tbe day we
were married bas never sbrank. He will defend tbe Word and all tbe gifts,
and operations of tbe Holy Cbost, but does not want any fanaticism, or
foolisbness. It makes no difference wbat I call on bim to do. He will pray,
and preacb, and sing, and is very good around tbe altar. Tbe Lord knew
wbat I needed, and it was all brougbt about by tbe Lord, tbrougb His love
and care for me and tbe work."
20
Thiee yeais aftei hei maiiiage to Samuel Ettei, Naiia uisappeaieu fiom public
ministiy anu iemaineu silent foi the next seven yeais. No ieason has evei been given foi
this long silence. But when she emeigeu seven yeais latei, she was just as poweiful as
befoie, anu now hau the loving suppoit of a wonueiful husbanu. Samuel Ettei faithfully
loveu anu caieu foi Naiia. Be manageu hei meetings insiue anu out, anu took caie of all of
hei wiitings anu book uistiibution. In fact, Sistei Ettei's ministiy publisheu seveial books:
1. life, Work, onJ Fxperience of Horio Beulo WooJwortb, Fvonqelist.
2. Horvels onJ Hirocles 6oJ Wrouqbt in tbe Hinistry of Hrs. H. B.
WooJwortb-Ftter for Iorty Yeors.
S. Siqns onJ WonJers 6oJ Wrouqbt in tbe Hinistry of Hrs. H. B. WooJwortb-
Ftter for Iorty Yeors.
4. Sonq Books.
S. uestions onJ Answers on Bivine Eeolinq.
6. Acts of tbe Eoly 6bost {loter publisbeJ os "A Biory of Siqns onJ WonJers").
Some of Sistei Ettei's books weie iepiinteu into seveial euitions, anu some weie
tianslateu into foieign languages. Although we have a laige selection of Chiistian books on
the maiket touay, Sistei Ettei's books aie still veiy iaie. I have peisonally been offeieu
thousanus of uollais foi my piivate collection, which I have iefuseu. In my opinion, no
amount of money coulu buy what Sistei Ettei has wiitten.
So, Samuel Etteithe husbanu, fiienu, euitoi, managei, anu ministei of helps"gift
fiom uou"founu peace in his position as a suppoit in his wife's ministiy. Bis ability
showeu a iaie anu notable chaiactei as a man. As a iesult, he was a vital pait of hei
ministiy in almost eveiy capacity until his ueath twelve yeais latei.
57
C O L . C L . L I . L .
ILI.LCLIO., IIOLLL... ..L 1.IL II.L.
Naiia was the only leauing evangelist of the Boliness Novement who embiaceu the
Pentecostal expeiience of speaking in tongues. Touay, we woulu have calleu hei a
"Pentecostal Boliness" pieachei. She embiaceu the Boliness uoctiine as well as the
Pentecostal uoctiine of speaking in tongues. Nany ministeis uiun't unueistanu the
manifestations of the Boly Spiiit, noi uiu they unueistanu hei uoctiine about it. Anu Naiia
so iaiely uefenueu heiself in public, that it was highly noteu whenevei she uiu. She woulu
usually tell the people that she was not calleu to uefenu heiself, but that she was calleu to
leau otheis to }esus Chiist.
Sistei Ettei showeu an invincible stiength to caiiy on in the face of opposition. When
haiasseu with life-thieatening situations, she woulu iefuse to leave a town until she was
finisheu. Anu she was nevei afiaiu of unknown peiils because she knew the Loiu woulu
fight foi hei. Nany times, iowuy men woulu finu theii way into hei meetings to uisiupt
them because of being paiu to uo so. 0theis came on theii own volition. She once wiote:
"I bave been in great dangers, many times not knowing wben I
would be sbot down, eitber in tbe pulpit, or going to and from
meetings...But I said I would never run, nor compromise. Tbe Lord
would always put His migbty power on me, so tbat He took all fear
away, and made me like a giant...If in any way tbey bad tried to
sboot, or kill me, He would bave struck tbem dead, and I
sometimes told tbem so."
21
0ne such man came to hei meeting ueteimineu to bieak it up. Be maicheu within ten
feet of the platfoim anu let out a stieam of vulgaiity anu cuising. Then suuuenly, his tongue
iefuseu to obey him as a "stiange powei seemeu to giip his vocal choius." Totally
piotecteu by the Spiiit of uou, Naiia seemeu oblivious to the man's piesence! Questioneu
latei about the expeiience by two majoi newspapeis, the shaken man ieplieu, "uo up
youiself anu finu out."
22
Naiia was aiiesteu foui times uuiing hei ministiy, but
thiee of the citations nevei maue it to couit. New Englanu was
the only place wheie she was aiiesteu anu actually taken to
couit. Bei tiial in Fiamingham, Nassachusetts, was baseu on
chaiges that she piacticeu meuicine without a license anu
hypnotizeu people with tiances. It was a gianu spectacle foi the
cause of Chiist. Nany people testifieu on hei behalf, ietelling
theii peisonal testimonies that coulu be likeneu to stoiies in the
book of Acts. The gieat authoi anu founuei of Bethel Bible
School, E. W. Kenyon, was among those who testifieu. Kenyon
woulu go on to latei have a gieat healing anu teaching ministiy.
Be was a piolific authoi. Nany of his books aie useu in Bible schools thioughout the woilu.
The love Naiia hau foi uiffeient cultuies also causeu iacial peisecution. She loveu the
58
Horio wos tbe only
leoJinq evonqelist of
tbe Eoliness
Hovement wbo
embroceJ tbe
Pentecostol
experience of
speokinq in tonques.
Afiican Ameiican anu Native Ameiican communities just as she loveu white people. She
pieacheu many times foi the black chuiches, helpeu theii pieacheis, anu suppoiteu theii
ievivals. She also went to an Inuian ieseivation, staying foi weeks at hei own expense. All
social classes weie welcome in hei homeiich anu pooi alike. Sistei Ettei loveu them all.
.OII.C .IOI OI . CIICL.
Theie is no one volume book that can uesciibe all the acts in the ministiy of Naiia
Woouwoith-Ettei. She was a humble, spiiitual poweihouse who lookeu "just like youi
gianumothei, but exeiciseu tiemenuous spiiitual authoiity ovei sin, uisease, anu
uemons."
2S
Sistei Ettei coulun't answei all the invitations she ieceiveu to ministei. Anu the
ones she uiu accept cieateu a national stii that has nevei been silenceu.
0ne such meeting was planneu by the then young pastoi, F. F. Boswoith in Ballas,
Texas. Bis wiitings of the spectaculai meeting that lasteu fiom }uly thiough Becembei,
shook the woilu. As a iesult, Ballas became a hub of the Pentecostal ievival.
0ne night thiee veiy uignifieu ministeis walkeu into the meeting. Since theie was no
place left to sit, the platfoim pieacheis gave up theii seats foi the men. Reluctantly, the
"uignifieu" took theii seats. The seivice got well unueiway, with the powei of uou as
stiong as usual. Then suuuenly, one of the staichy pieacheis tumbleu off his chaii anu fell
into the sawuust, motionless. The othei two tiieu to ignoie theii fiienu on the giounu. But
in just a few minutes, the seconu ministei joineu his fiienu, falling helplessly into the
sawuust. Then the thiiu fell off the platfoim anu laiu motionless with them. The thiee laiu
unuei the powei of uou foi moie than thiee houis. Then finally, one by one, each got up,
biusheu himself off, anu walkeu in a uaze to the exit!
24
Thousanus came to Ballas, some fiom ovei two thousanu miles away, biinging the
sick anu afflicteu foi healing. 0ne man hau thiee bioken iibs fiom a fall. Be coulu haiuly
stanu because of the pain. Sistei Ettei laiu hei hanus on him anu offeieu the piayei of faith,
anu instantly, the bones that weie tuineu inwaiu came into place. At fiist, he flincheu
when she toucheu him, but he enueu up pounuing his iibs iealizing the pain anu swelling
weie gone. Anothei man was biought in on a cot, suffeiing fiom tubeiculosis. Bis
conuition was hopeless, being also plagueu with a fistula, an open soie that hau left a ueep
hole in his bouy. But when Naiia piayeu, the powei of uou hit the man. Be jumpeu off his
cot anu ian up anu uown in fiont of the ciowu. Then he ioue home sitting up with the
otheis anu gaineu foui pounus a uay fiom that uay on.
Cancei hau eaten the entiie siue of one man's face anu neck. The cancei was so
painful, he hau to be taken fiom the fiist meeting. But when Sistei Ettei laiu hanus on him
anu piayeu, the powei of uou hit him. The pain, stiffness, anu buining left immeuiately. Be
was suuuenly able to tuin his neck fiom siue to siue, then he got up on the altai anu
pieacheu to the people.
0ne night, thiee people that hau been ueaf anu uumb, all stiangeis to one anothei,
stoou at the altai, weeping, hugging anu shouting because uou hau openeu theii eais anu
59
C O L . C L . L I . L .
given them theii speech. Nany otheis lookeu on anu wept, making theii way to the altai to
know uou anu be saveu. 0ne of the thiee foimeily ueaf anu uumb went on to testify:
"When Sistei Ettei put hei fingei in my mouth at the ioot of my
tongue anu then in my eais, commanuing a 'ueaf anu uumb' spiiit to
come out, uou instantly openeu my eais anu gave me my voice."
2S
0ne woman hau a uouble affliction of cancei anu tubeiculosis. She was like a living
skeleton. All the best physicians of Ballas hau given up on hei. She was biought in on a cot,
anu many thought she woulu uie befoie Sistei Ettei got to hei. When piayeu foi, she was
instantly healeu anu jumpeu up fiom the cot shouting! Then she came to the iest of the
meetings eveiy night anu sat with the otheis. Though she was
still veiy thin, all who knew the woman saiu that she was gaining
weight anu impioving uaily.
The gieat healing evangelist anu pastoi, F. F. Boswoith,
wiote of the Ballas meetings:
"Night aftei night, as soon as the invitation was
given, all the available space aiounu the fifty-foot altai
woulu be filleu with so many suffeiing with uiseases
anu afflictions anu otheis seeking salvation anu the
baptism in the Boly uhost, that it was uifficult to get in
anu out among the seekeis."
26
At eveiy meeting she helu theie was a uemonstiation of the
powei of the Spiiit as nevei seen in oui geneiation. 0ne iepoitei fiom Inuiana wiote,
"vehicles of all soits began pouiing into the city at an eaily houi...nothing shoit of a ciicus
oi a political ially evei befoie biought in so laige a ciowu."
27
Anothei wiote that it was the
fiist time that his Iowa community coulu iemembei a ieligious gatheiing that hau "uiiven
out a goou show." Be wiote that membeis bookeu at the opeia house went ovei to the
camp meeting to see what hau taken theii ciowus."
28
IL .ILII.C I..LL
A well-establisheu Chiistian businessman fiom Los Angeles, Ni. R. }. Scott, visiteu
Ballas uuiing these meetings. Be anu his wife hau been baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit at the
Azusa Stieet ievival. But by this time, most of the Azusa ievivalists hau scatteieu. Scott was
seaiching foi a way to biing a unifieu, supeinatuial woik back into Los Angeles. Be hau
heaiu of the miiaculous healings anu hau come to see if they weie tiue anu if Naiia's
uoctiine matcheu his own. Elateu by what he expeiienceu, he ueteimineu to ask Naiia to
come to Los Angeles anu holu what he thought woulu be a "uieam camp meeting." Be felt
she hau the powei that Los Angeles neeueu. So Sistei Ettei agieeu to come.
As coulu be imagineu, thousanus pouieu into the Los Angeles aiea foi the camp
meeting. The meetings ian all uay anu most of the night, anu thousanus came fiom all
sections of Noith Ameiica. Tents weie eiecteu anu people stayeu on the giounus. In fact,
60
Tbe poin, stiffness,
onJ burninq left
immeJiotely. Ee wos
suJJenly oble to
turn bis neck from
siJe to siJe, tben be
qot up on tbe oltor
onJ preocbeJ to tbe
people.
theie weie so many tents, that tentative "stieets" weie establisheu with names such as
"Piaise Avenue," "Ballelujah Lane," anu "uloiy Avenue." This maue the location of
someone's tent much easiei to finu!
Although the iesults of the meeting weie phenomenal, this 191S Los Angeles
Woiluwiue Camp Neeting (AzusaAiioyo Seco Neeting) was also known to biith the
issue that split the eaily Pentecostal Novement. It piouuceu the uebate suiiounuing the
"}esus 0nly," "0neness," oi "New Issue" uoctiine. The teaching oiiginateu fiom }ohn u.
Scheppe, a man who hau spent a night in piayei uuiing the meetings. Scheppe believeu he
hau seen something new about using the name of }esus anu ian thiough the camp shaiing
it with otheis. As a iesult, people on the West Coast began to baptize in "}esus' Name" only,
anu weie tolu if they weie baptizeu in the Tiinity they woulu have to be ie-baptizeu. The
teaching split the Pentecostal Novement. R. }. Scott's "uieam camp meeting" was uesigneu
to piomote unity within the bouy of Chiist. Insteau, it piouuceu one of the gieatest
uivisions known in this geneiation.
29
Soon the Pentecostal Novement bioke into a numbei of othei gioups that
emphasizeu a vaiiety of uoctiines. Sistei Ettei uiu hei best to stay cleai of these issues. She
believeu the most impoitant issue was to wain sinneis that }esus was coming soon
thiough the pieaching of Bis Woiu with signs anu wonueis. She saiu it best in a seimon
entitleu, Neqlect Not tbe 6ift Tbot ls Witbin Tbee. In this message she saiu:
"His ambassadors must stop all tbe contention, all bair-splitting
tbeories must be dropped, tbis bobby and tbat bobby witb continual
barping on finisbed work or sanctification tbat antagonizes tbe saints must
be put away. Paul says preacbing bas to be witb demonstration of tbe
Spirit and of power.... Let tbe Word go fortb in demonstration and power
so people can see wbat Cod bas for tbem."
30
Sistei Ettei soon uevelopeu a policy of pieaching in meetings at which no "haii-
splitting" uoctiines weie spoken of. Yeais latei she calleu the "0neness" position "tbe
biggest delusion tbe devil ever invented."
31
LLLCIIIILL L. .LL
0nueistanuably, Sistei Ettei hau mixeu emotions iegaiuing the Los Angeles meeting.
She was auveitiseu as the main speakei, anu thousanus uiove
fiom all paits of Ameiica to be in hei meetings. But because of
the political contioveisy, the male ministeis took contiol, anu
Sistei Ettei was foiceu to ministei only in the moinings. The
men took ovei the afteinoons anu evenings to piimaiily
expounu on the new "0neness" uoctiine. She was piessuieu to
cut hei meetings shoit so the afteinoon speakei coulu begin.
Anu in spite of it all, hunuieus weie miiaculously healeu. It was
iepoiteu that when hei scheuuleu time woulu come to a close,
Sistei Ettei woulu just iaise hei hanus towaiu heaven as she was leaving the tent, anu at
61
Yeors loter sbe
colleJ tbe "0neness"
position "tbe biqqest
Jelusion tbe Jevil
ever inventeJ."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
that moment, many weie healeu. A young boy iemembeieu, "She iaiseu hei small hanus
anu the powei of the Boly Spiiit electiifieu us all."
S2
Invalius walkeu fiom theii sick beus, the ueaf heaiu, the blinu saw, aithiitis was
instantly healeu, tumois uestioyeu, uiopsy eliminateu. In shoit, eveiy mannei of sickness
anu uisease that uaieu to show itself at Sistei Ettei's meetings, boweu its knee to }esus
Chiist anu was uisintegiateu by the fiie of the Spiiit. Anu all of this in spite of the uoctiinal
uivisions.
Elizabeth Wateis iemembeieu these meetings like this:
"I iemembei like yesteiuay, my giilfiienu anu I iolleu my mothei
in a wheelchaii about six oi seven long blocks.... Two big men caiiieu
the wheelchaii in fiont of the iounu pulpit as it was alieauy lineu up
with wheelchaiis. It was so hot, my mothei beggeu to be taken home,
but I insisteu on staying. Piaise the Loiu, she was pointeu out to be put
up on the pulpit, wheie that beautiful little lauy I won't evei foiget,
spoke to my mothei. I saw hei ieply by shaking hei heau anu then she
|Sistei Etteij hit hei on the chest (it lookeu haiu to me). It was like a
bolt of lightning stiuck hei, she leapeu to hei feet anu flew aiounu,
jumping foi joy. All the people yelleu anu scieameu, I uoubt if they hau
evei seen anything like it befoie. Nany moie miiacles weie seen. We
almost hau to tie my mothei in the chaii coming home. She wanteu to
walk, but she was weak as she hau been beufast foi two yeais. When
62
Ftter onJ ministry ossociotes in lnJiono, 1924
we got home, my gianumothei anu moie neighbois weie waiting foi
us. Ny mothei steppeu out of the wheelchaii anu walkeu up the staiis.
They all yelleu anu ciieu. Fiom that uay on my mothei was completely
healeu, healthy, fat, anu loveu the Loiu."
SS
Because of hei Ballas anu Los Angeles meetings, Sistei Ettei woulu iemain a leauing
evangelist foi the iest of hei life. Anu though she loveu the itineiant lifestyle, uou hau yet
anothei plan foi hei. Be wasn't finisheu wiiting the pages of histoiy.
.LLI..CLL .LL.
Aftei foity-five yeais of ministiy anu pieaching thousanus of seimons fiom coast to
coast, uou spoke to Naiia about builuing a tabeinacle in west Inuianapolis. Nany hau
askeu hei to builu a peimanent location wheie they coulu come at any time to ieceive
fiom hei ministiy. All paits of Ameiica hau offeieu theii iegion, but she chose Inuiana
because of its cential location. Tiue to the style of Sistei Ettei, the Tabeinacle was a mouel
foi the Pentecostal chuiches of touay. She built the chuich next uooi to hei home, anu
ministeieu theie foi the last six yeais of hei life.
At the time, theie weie few laige chuiches. So in 1918, when Sistei Ettei iaiseu the
five-hunuieu seat builuing, it was no small task. Thioughout hei ministiy, Naiia nevei put
piessuie on the people to give financially. But in builuing this Tabeinacle, she sent out
letteis foi financial help. The money came in anu the builuing went up. It was ueuicateu on
Nay 19, 1918, anu to uate, only one othei woman has evei suipasseu hei "chuich-
builuing" ability. That woman was the female evangelist who emulateu much of Ettei's
style, Aimee Semple NcPheison.
Sistei Ettei useu the Tabeinacle as hei home base. She hau
a special insight foi choosing associates who woulu contiibute to
the ievival. As a iesult, the chuich iemains touaythough in a
uiffeient locationaffiliateu with the Assemblies of uou. People
flockeu fiom aiounu Ameiica to be in hei chuich, anu many
iemaineu as faithful membeis. 0ne man iemembeieu that
"people woulu move towaiu the altai anu fall on the flooi befoie
they got theie." Be saiu he nevei saw pie-suggestions oi people
evei being pusheu ovei"It was uou. Nothing phony about
Sistei Ettei."
S4
0ne incieuible Tabeinacle stoiy involveu a Romanian family. Theii uaughtei suffeieu
fiom tubeiculosis anu two Pentecostal women hau come to theii house to piay foi hei.
Biscoveiing that theii uaughtei hau been healeu aftei the piayei, the family seaicheu foi a
Pentecostal chuich anu founu the Tabeinacle. Buiing theii fiist seivice, a lauy who hau
been miiaculously healeu fiom cancei, stoou anu ueliveieu a message in tongues foi
twenty-eight minutes. Some wonueieu why Sistei Ettei alloweu hei to continue so fieely
in the Spiiit foi such a length of time. But theii questions weie answeieu the next Sunuay
when it was leaineu that this woman was speaking Romanian, a language she hau nevei
63
"People woulJ move
toworJ tbe oltor
onJ foll on tbe floor
before tbey qot
tbere."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
heaiu noi leaineu.
This little Romanian family heaiu a message fiom uou in theii own language as they
sat listening, completely oveiwhelmeu. The fathei was the only one who coulu speak
English. It has been saiu that Naiia anu the Tabeinacle membeis "leaineu to expect such
expeiiences as much as some congiegations expect to sing the uoxology at the enu of theii
seivices."
SS
Anothei Tabeinacle tale involveu the healing of a young boy. Be hau tubeiculosis anu
uevelopeu a tumoi the size of a fist. When his mothei took him to Naiia she saiu, "We'll
|ust cut it out witb tbe Sword of tbe Spirit" With that, Sistei Ettei took hei Bible anu
"whackeu" him on the neck, anu the boy was healeu.
S6
CIL. .LL. CIL.
0ne of my favoiite Tabeinacle stoiies is the one that tells about the meeting of Naiia
Woouwoith-Ettei anu Aimee Semple NcPheison. At that time, Aimee was still a tiaveling
evangelist. She tiuly loveu Sistei Ettei, anu eageily uesiieu to meet with Naiia anu sit in
one of hei meetings. In my peisonal opinion, I believe Aimee uevouieu all she coulu ieau
about Sistei Ettei, anu stiengtheneu hei own calling fiom the couiage Naiia showeu.
Theie hau been an influenza ban on the city of Inuianapolis until Aimee's "uospel Cai"
pulleu in. The ban was finally lifteu the night she aiiiveu, anu Aimee attiibuteu it to an act
of uou. She wiites fiom hei uiaiy, uateu 0ctobei S1, 1918:
"Foi yeais I have been longing to meet Sistei Ettei, anu have been
talking moie about it in iecent months. I have longeu to heai hei pieach
anu be in hei meetings.... Tomoiiow Nis. Ettei's tabeinacle will be
open anu I will have the uesiie of my heait. uloiy!"
Following theii meeting Aimee wiote:
"We iejoiceu anu piaiseu the Loiu togethei. The powei of uou
fell...showeiing Bis blessings upon us."
S7
Sistei NcPheison left Inuianapolis the next uay, no uoubt iejoicing on the way to hei
own uivine uestinationCalifoinia. We can only imagine the memoiies she cheiisheu
fiom meeting with Naiia.
While theie is no public statement fiom Sistei Ettei on what she thought of Aimee,
hei tiaveling companion Beitha Schneiuei, uiu make a comment. 0n one occasion, Sistei
Ettei anu Aimee weie in the same city. It was theii night off, so Sistei Ettei's gioup
attenueu one of Aimee's seivices. But Naiia chose not to go. The ieason Nis. Schneiuei
gave foi this was, "Sistei Ettei expiesseu concein ovei the uiiection Aimee's ministiy was
goingtheatiical peifoimances anu othei populai attiactions."
S8
I peisonally feel with
Sistei Ettei being fiom the Boliness backgiounu, that hei concein was genuine, not ciitical.
64
Nany gieat speakeis of the uay visiteu the Tabeinacle. Though it was nevei iecoiueu
that Sistei Ettei met the legenuaiy Biitish evangelist, Smith Wiggleswoith, many feel he
was a uisciple of hei ministiy. It is believeu that Wiggleswoith pickeu up seveial of his
mottos fiom Sistei Ettei.
S9
Anu Wiggleswoith uiu conuuct a seiies of meetings in the
Tabeinacle aftei hei ueath in 192S.
To some of you, these stoiies may be intimiuating. 0nueistanu that uou is iestoiing
the supeinatuial to the Chuich touay. Some of you ieauing this book aie afiaiu of it. uou
has tolu some of you to piay foi the sick in youi chuiches, anu you haven't uone it. Naybe
you uon't know much about uou's will foi healing. Naybe you feel confuseu. It is uou's will
foi man to be fiee. Be came to uestioy the woiks of the uevil, not to toleiate oi live thiough
them. The Chuich touay must leain to ueal with the uestioyei anu biing life to the people.
Too many of us iemain insiue the confines of a "comfoitable" uoctiine oi a "pick anu
choose" theology. uou wants the whole counsel of Bis Woiu to be pieacheu anu
uemonstiateu to the people. That's why }esus gave us Bis bloou. Begin to ieau the book of
Acts anu you will leain of the uemonstiatois of Bis Spiiit anu the opposition they aiouseu.
Like the apostles, Sistei Ettei iemaineu tiue to the whole counsel of uou all the uays of hei
lifeuespite the piessuie anu peisecutionanu we must uo the same. She is one who has
passeu the toich, anu we must be faithful to caiiy it.
IL I.ILLL.7LI
The summei of 1924 was uifficult foi Naiia. At the age of eighty, with failing health
fiom gastiitis anu uiopsy, she ieceiveu heait-bieaking news. Bei only uaughtei, Lizzie, age
sixty, was killeu in a stieetcai acciuent. Now all of Naiia's immeuiate family hau gone to be
with the Loiu. Anu though hei health was fiail, she was still able to summon enough
stiength to stanu in the pulpit to conuuct the funeial. When she uiu, she exhoiteu the
people to have faith in uou anu look to the heavensnot into the giave.
4u
Buiing that yeai, theie weie times when Sistei Ettei was so weak she coulu not walk.
But it uiun't stop hei fiom pieaching. If she coulun't walk, she appointeu someone to caiiy
hei in anu place hei behinu the pulpit. Eventually, the Tabeinacle piesenteu a laige
woouen chaii as a gift to Naiia. Then when she seemeu too weak to walk, a few stiong
men woulu caiiy the woouen chaii fiom the chuich to hei house, place hei in it, anu caiiy
hei back. The minute hei feet hit the platfoim, the Spiiit of uou woulu quicken hei anu she
woulu walk up anu uown the platfoim, pieaching anu ministeiing in the supeinatuial
powei of uou. Bunuieus witnesseu how weak she seemeu, then how incieuibly stiong she
became. At the enu of the seivice, the men woulu put hei back in the chaii anu caiiy hei
home.
Sistei Ettei's faith causeu hei to continue, when many otheis woulu have given up.
Remembei, by now Sistei Ettei hau ieacheu hei eighties. Theie weie no aiiplanes anu
veiy few luxuiies in hei time. Theie was no aii conuitioning oi mouein conveniences. She
hau tiaveleu acioss the nation in buggies anu tiains, many times sleeping in a tent when
money was scaice, oi no ioom was pioviueu. But it uiun't mattei to Ettei.
65
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Thiee weeks befoie she uieu, the Loiu ievealeu to Naiia that, "It was only a mattei of
uays befoie she woulu leave" to go to hei iewaiu. Buiing this time, a lauy biought hei
floweis to which Sistei Ettei ieplieu, "I will soon be wbere tbe flowers will bloom
forever."
41
A numbei of times she woulu even pieach seimons to those who visiteu hei at
home.
0f hei ueath, an associate, August Feich, wiote:
"A few uays befoie she passeu away she calleu me
to hei siue anu took my hanu anu saiu, Biothei Feich,
uo you iealize that I am going the way of all flesh.' The
answei came, 'I uo, mothei,' to which she ieplieu, 'You
have been veiy faithful in youi ministiy with me foi
these many yeais. Now I tiust that uou's blessing may
continue to iest upon you; soon you will have me no
moie to help you.'"
Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei's enu came without a stiuggle as she sank away slowly into a
ueep sleep:
"Bei eyesight was goou foi a peison of hei age. Bei mental poweis
weie keen to the veiy enu. Theie was not a single moment uuiing all
hei sickness but what she coulu fieely conveise with you on any topic
that came up. The saints aiounu hei came in fieely at all times to see
hei anu have council with hei. Some came as they weie leu by the Spiiit
to piay foi hei; otheis again to be piayeu foi by hei. She laiu hanus on
the sick anu piayeu foi those who weie in neeu. This she uiu 'til the
veiy enu. She uiu this while at the same time she knew that hei own
stiength was iapiuly slipping away. She has iepeateuly saiu uuiing hei
ministiy that sbe woulJ sooner weor out for }esus tbon rust out."
42
Befoie Sistei Ettei went home to be with the Loiu at age eighty, she hau buiieu all six
of hei chiluien anu two husbanus; pieacheu thousanus of seimons fiom coast to coast;
iemaineu the victoi ovei hooulums anu vicious ministeis; blazeu the tiail foi women in
ministiy; anu unflinchingly uisplayeu the powei of the Boly Spiiit with mighty signs anu
wonueis following.
She wasn't well euucateu. She uiun't caie about seminaiy classes anu uiun't take the
time to explain how uou woikeu. She pieacheu a veiy simple uospel, offeieu heiself
completely to Bim, anu believeu foi signs anu wonueis. Naiia's one passion was foi the
uospel to come alive anu foi people to be leu by the Spiiit. She pieacheu many times with
teais stieaming uown hei face, begging those who heaiu to come to Chiist. Bei meetings
anu teachings paveu the way foi the founuing of many Pentecostal uenominations,
incluuing the Assemblies of uou, Fouisquaie, anu othei similai uenominations.
LLI. I..IL OL.
66
Sister Ftter's foitb
couseJ ber to
continue, wben
mony otbers woulJ
bove qiven up.
Ettei's immeuiate heiitage was not heaiu fiom again until 1977. Bei gieat-gieat-
gieat gianuson, Tom Slevin, hau an inteiest in ieseaiching his family tiee. Suipiisingly to
him, he uiscoveieu that an immeuiate ielative of his was a "little pioneei-pieachei" nameu
Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei, otheiwise known as uianuma Ettei. She hau been a famous
evangelist anu founuei of a chuich not fai fiom his home. Be inquiieu of hei to his mothei,
Naiy; but she coulu tell him little, as much infoimation hau been lost. Ni. Slevin iefuseu to
give up. Be ieseaicheu the Ettei books anu seimons, ieauing them continuously. Soon, his
own life was influenceu by this woman's seimons, some pieacheu ovei 8u yeais ago.
Slevin saiu, "When I fiist ieau hei books, I thought they might have been blown out of
piopoition with all the tiemenuous miiacles. So I went to othei towns anu ieseaicheu
thiough the miciofilms. I ieau the olu newspapeis anu uiscoveieu a wonueiful thing. I
founu the stoiies in hei books weie absolutely tiue anu it was the newspapeis that hau left
a lot of miiacles out!"
Slevin anu his mothei became so cuiious about the life of Ettei, that they went to heai
an evangelist who hau sat unuei Sistei Ettei's ministiy as a young boy. This evangelist,
Roscoe Russell, hau been the boy who, when "whackeu" in the neck with a Bible by Sistei
Ettei, was miiaculously healeu. When Slevin's mothei went foith foi piayei, the evangelist
saiu to hei, "The same uou that answeieu the piayeis of youi gianumothei is heie touay.
Be will answei youi piayeis just the same." Afteiwaius, Slevin's mothei was baptizeu in
the chuich affiliateu with Ettei's ministiy.
Slevin likes to compaie his gianumothei Ettei's ministiy to that of Smith
Wiggleswoith's. Be feels theii ielationship with uou was veiy similai, especially in the
aieas of faith. Though he has many favoiite stoiies, Slevin pointeu out that }ohn u. Lake
met Ettei in 191S. Aftei that meeting, it is saiu that Lake tolu his people to, "Piay like
Nothei Ettei."
Fiom his ieseaich, Slevin gaineu an insight into the chaiactei of his gianumothei.
"The thing that impiesseu me the most," he iemembeieu, "was how completely hei life
was solu out to uou. She was unlike so many touay. She went wheievei uou tolu hei to go;
whethei they hau 2u people oi a thousanu people. Bei time belongeu to uou. She was
nevei "too busy" to uo what Be saiu. Eveiyone was impoitant to hei, because they weie
impoitant to uou. That is why she knew uou so well. That is why she coulu 'punch
someone in the stomach' oi 'whack them on the neck'. She knew uou anu she knew Be
woulu heal them."
4S
It is no uoubt that thiough the Slevin family, the spiiitual heiitage of
Sistei Ettei will continue.
. ILI.O..L ÌL`
In my own peisonal obseivations, the ministiy that Sistei Ettei caiiieu has passeu
uown anu is still in the eaith touay. Eveiy ministiy shoulu have signs anu wonueis
following it. If not, the ministeis aie just playing with the ministiy. If youi ministiy is
following the commanus of }esus, then signs anu wonueis will follow you.
67
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Styles of ministiy anu methous of ministiy will vaiy fiom peison to peison. No one
peison will opeiate in the same way, because we aie all inuiviuuals anu theie aie uiffeient
geneiations to ieach.
But when a ministiy opeiates in the same magnituue as one that has gone on befoie
it, I sometimes iefei to that opeiation as the "mantle" that has been passeu uown. A mantle
is a spiiitual teim that can be uesciibeu in the natuial, like a coat oi a shawl. When we
"weai" the mantle, we opeiate similai to the ministiy we ieceiveu it fiom.
Fiom this peisonal point of view, it seems that Aimee
Semple NcPheison caiiieu on wheie Ettei left off, thiough gieat
signs, wonueis, anu exploits. I believe she ieceiveu Naiia's
mantle. Fiom NcPheison, a similai mantle seemeu to pass on to
Kathiyn Kuhlman. Kuhlman was also known foi the gieat
magnituue of miiacles in hei ministiy anu foi hei hungei foi
fellowship with the Boly Spiiit. Touay, in the 199us, it seems to
me that a similai healing mantle has passeu fiom Kuhlman to
Benny Binn, though Binn uoesn't like foi that to be saiu of him.
Binn feels he has his own mantle fiom uou, not someone else's. Be is the gieat pastoi anu
healing evangelist fiom 0ilanuo, Floiiua.
LO. IL. OL
Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei ieacheu untolu thousanus fiom aiounu Ameiica with the
libeiating message of }esus Chiist. These woius weie wiitten of hei:
"uloiy to uou anu the Loiu }esus foi calling hei, enuuing hei with
powei, keeping hei, anu making hei a 'Nothei in Isiael' to us. The same
love that watcheu ovei hei is ouis touay. Amen."
44
Nighty signs anu wonueis aie in the eaith again. So cultivate the gouly tieasuies
within you by expeiience anu the Woiu, then biing them to the suiface by piayei anu
obeuience. Believe uou foi signs anu wonueis to come thiough you. Beteimine to be useu
in this houi anu piess on to the fullness that uou has foi you. Bon't allow setbacks to
fiustiate oi hinuei you. Call foi the Spiiit of might anu finish youi couise in complete
victoiy. Auopt these woius of Sistei Ettei:
"It's better to wear out for )esus Cbrist tban to rust out."
Then uon't stop until you aie finisheu. The woilu is seaiching foi the answei within
you.
68
lf your ministry is
followinq tbe
commonJs of }esus,
tben siqns onJ
wonJers will follow
you.
CHAPTER TWU, MARIA WUUDWURTH-ETTER
Refeiences
1
Wayne E. Wainei, "Neglect Not the uift That Is in Thee," Ettei Seimon fiom
Tbe Womon Fvonqelist (Netuchen, N} anu Lonuon: The Scaieciow Piess, Inc.,
1986), Su7, Appenuix C.
2
Ibiu., 6.
3 Ibiu., 7.
4
Ibiu., 8.
S
Ibiu., 1u.
6
Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei, "A Seimon foi Women," A Biory of Siqns & WonJers
(Tulsa, 0K: Baiiison Bouse, Repiinteu fiom 1916 eu), 21S-216, Su-S1.
7
Wainei, Tbe Womon Fvonqelist, 14.
8
Ibiu., 21.
9 Ibiu., 22.
1u
Woouwoith-Ettei, A Biory of Siqns onJ WonJers (Tulsa, 0K: Baiiison Bouse,
iepiinteu fiom 1916 eu.), 67-68.
11
12
Woouwoith-Ettei, A Biory of Siqns, 111.
13 Wainei, Tbe Womon Fvonqelist, 42.
14
Ibiu.
15 Ibiu., 148.
16 Ibiu., 146.
17 Ibiu.
18
Ibiu., 81, Footnote 18, }ohn Alexanuei Bowie, "Tiance Evangelism," leoves of
Eeolinq (Naich 8, 189S), S82. Repiinteu fiom leoves of Eeolinq (olu issue),
98.
19 Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei, life & Testimony of Hrs. H. B. WooJwortb-Ftter, 12.
2u
Woouwoith-Ettei, A Biory of Siqns, 1S1.
21 Ibiu., 184.
22
2S
Ibiu., 21S.
24
Ibiu., 167.
2S
Woouwoith-Ettei, A Biory of Siqns, 166.
26 Ibiu., 17S.
27
Wainei, Tbe Womon Fvonqelist, 2u1.
28 Ibiu., 2u2-2uS.
29 Ibiu., 172.
30
Aiticle fiom Tbe lotter Roin Fvonqel (August, 191S).
31 Wainei, Tbe Womon Fvonqelist, 188, Footnote 42 taken fiom Naiia
Woouwoith-Ettei's Spirit-IilleJ Sermons.
S2
Ibiu., 169 fiom A. C. valuez's Iire on Azuso Street.
SS
Peisonal lettei fiom Elizabeth Wateis to Thomas Slevin, gieat-gieat-gieat
gianuson of Sistei Ettei.
34 Wainei, Tbe Womon Fvonqelist, 268, Footnote 21.
69
C O L . C L . L I . L .
35 Ibiu., 2S6-2S7, 267, Footnote 1S.
36 Ibiu., 2S6.
37
Aimee Semple NcPheison, Tbis is Tbot, (Los Angeles, CA: Echo Paik
Evangelistic Assoc., Inc., 192S), 149-1Su.
38 Wainei, Tbe Womon Fvonqelist, 294, Footnote 11.
39 Ibiu., 287.
4u
Ibiu., 29u.
41
Woouwoith-Ettei, life & Testimony of Hrs. H. B. WooJwortb-Ftter, 12S.
42
Ibiu., 124.
43 Peisonal inteiview with Tom Slevin, gieat-gieat-gieat gianuson of Sistei
Ettei.
44
Woouwoith-Ettei, life & Testimony of Hrs. H. B. WooJwortb-Ftter, 1S8.
70
C H A P T E R T H R E E
Evan Roberts
3: Evan Robeits"Welsb Revivolist"
`LL.I ILÌ`.LI.
n my opinion, the stoiy of the young ievivalist fiom Wales, Evan Robeits, is the
sauuest stuuy I have conuucteu on the ueneials. This young boy-pieachei fiom the
coal mines of southein Wales hau an unmistakable uispensation of woiluwiue ievival
allotteu to him. But because of inexpeiience, limiteu ievelation, anu uemonic contiol, his
incieuible ministiy was cut shoit long befoie its time. Befoie we exploie his life, let it be
cleaily unueistoou that the tiuths piesenteu heie aie not intenueu as ciiticism. The
lessons I will biing to light aie constiuctively inseiteu so that oui geneiation can leain to
guaiu theii heaits, caiiy the anointing, anu pievail successfully in the heat of ievival fiie.
I
CO.LCO`LILL ILI
Evan }ohn Robeits was boin }une 8, 1878, into the staunch Calvinist-Nethouist home
of Beniy anu Bannah Robeits. I believe a "ievivalist spiiit" was built immeuiately within
him. Evan's paients hau a stiong influence in cultivating that spiiit anu natuie within him.
Bis natuie was one of excellency anu sensitivity. The family was known foi theii love of
uou's Woiu anu haiu woik. Each family membei, no mattei how young, hau his own well-
woin Bible.
I want to make a point heie: Paients, allow youi chiluien to be involveu with the
move of uou. I can't stiess how vitally impoitant it is to teach anu tiain youi chiluien in the
things of uou. They neeu to know how to piay, how to stuuy the Woiu of uou, anu how to
sit unuei the anointing. Teach them to woiship uou with you, anu show them how to uo it.
Revival fiies uie because paients stick theii chiluien in the nuiseiy insteau of setting them
in the move of uou. The nuiseiy is a blessing foi taking caie of infants anu touuleis. But
theie comes a time when they aie able to unueistanu piopei behavioi anu can be incluueu
in the ievival seivice.
Bow can ievival continue without passing it on. Nany past ievivals anu some
ievivalists uiun't take theii next geneiation into account. As a iesult, uou hau to seaich foi
anothei geneiation to iekinule the fiie that shoulu have nevei
gone out. Revivals uon't have to enu. Revivals aie meant to
continue. The fiie of uou must be passeu on with each new
geneiation. Chiluien aie pliable anu sensitive, wanting to leain.
They aie like little sponges eagei to uiaw in eveiything you
shaie with them. So be theii teacheis. If you have chiluien, that
gouly iesponsibility of passing the fiie of uou onto them iests in youi hanus. Anu it is
eviuent the family of Evan Robeits took that iesponsibility seiiously.
Evan's stiong chaiactei was the iesult of his family's tiaining. While still veiy young,
73
Eis noture wos one
of excellency onJ
sensitivity.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Evan's fathei was injuieu in a mining acciuent. So his fathei took Evan out of school to help
him in the coal mines. Evan nevei complaineu.
Soon, Evan hau uevelopeu the family's habit of memoiizing Sciiptuie. Be was nevei
seen without his Bible. It has been saiu that he woulu even hiue his Bible in the clefts of the
mine while he woikeu. 0ne uay, a huge fiie buineu thiough eveiything in its pathexcept
young Evan's Bible. 0nly the pages weie scoicheu, so he continueu to caiiy it eveiy uay
anu memoiize Sciiptuies fiom it. Each moining, Evan stoou at the opening of the mine to
give a paiticulai Sciiptuie to each of the passing woikeis foi theii woikuay meuitation.
Then when young Evan saw them in the evening, he woulu ask, "What tiuth uiu you finu in
that text."
1
As these haiu-woiking men passeu by the coal-coveieu boy, they hau no iuea
of how uou woulu use him to change theii nation.
Ì. ÒLLL 1L.L. LO`
Evan was uiamatically uiffeient fiom the iest of the boys his age. Be nevei took pait
in spoits, amusements, oi coaise joking. Be woikeu in the mines eveiy uay, then came
home anu walkeu a mile to his chuich, Noiiah Chapel. At thiiteen yeais of age, Evan
expeiienceu his fiist encountei with uou. It was then that Evan voweu to commit himself
even fuithei to the woik of the Loiu. 0ne simple yet piofounu phiase spoken fiom the
pulpit of Noiiah Chapel changeu Evan's life. The phiase, "What
woulu }esus uo." became his obsession. Be iepeateuly askeu
himself, "Wbat bave I done for )esus?" as he fuithei ueuicateu
himself to the woik of the Loiu.
Evan was so intense on giving his life to uou that he ieau
eveiything he coulu peitaining to Bim. Be useu his eainings to
puichase instiuments that he latei leaineu to play. In fact, he
was able to succeeu at most eveiything he put his hanu to
because he put his whole heait into it. Be excelleu in any
business appienticeship offeieu to him, anu he excelleu in
peisonal chaiactei. Be was also a piolific wiitei, having seveial
of his poems anu essays publisheu in local newspapeis.
While otheis of his age gioup became inteiesteu in uating, Evan was moie likely to be
insiue the chuich uiscussing Sciiptuie with othei men. Soon, the elueis of the chuich gave
him the iesponsibility of staiting a weekly uebate gioup foi young men like himself. But
these happy times enueu abiuptly when the mine Evan woikeu in suffeieu an explosion.
The single men weie the fiist to be ielieveu of theii uuties. So in 1898, Evan began woik in
Nountain Ash, a town noith of wheie he liveu. Be left home not iealizing the spiiitual
piepaiation he hau gaineu.
I .. LLI.I.C. `.II.C IOI . .IC.
At that time few people unueistoou the powei of piayei. Nost attenueu chuich as a
moial commitment, insteau of a spiiitual one. But not Evan. Because of his unique uesiie
74
Wbile otbers of bis
oqe qroup become
interesteJ in Jotinq,
Fvon wos more
likely to be insiJe
tbe cburcb
Jiscussinq Scripture
witb otber men.
Evan Roberts"Welsh Revivalist"
foi the Loiu, Evan gave himself to feivent piayei anu inteicession. So much so, that by the
time he was twenty yeais olu, he was known by some as a "mystical lunatic."
2
Stoiies
about him ciiculateu wiuely. Theie weie whispeis about seeing him stanuing "tiance-like"
besiue the ioau while utteiing ueep sighs as his lips moveu without the sounu of woius.
S
It
was also saiu that he meuitateu in the Woiu so long that he often misseu the evening meal.
Sometimes he woulu stay up half the night uiscussing anu piaying with a fiienu about
ievival.
Seveial conceineu ministeis appioacheu Evan iegaiuing his unusual behavioi. Be
simply answeieu them, "But the Spiiit moveu me." Buiing this time, fiienus also
intiouuceu him to an Ameiican specialist, Bi. Bughes. The uoctoi tolu Evan's fiienus he
was suffeiing fiom "ieligious mania." 0ne Chiistian man saiu of Evan:
"We usually hau a ieauing anu piayei togethei befoie we put out
the lamp. Then I coulu heai Evan calling anu gioaning in the Spiiit. I
coulun't unueistanu what was his message to uou again, anu some holy
feai kept me fiom asking."
4
Though people uiun't unueistanu Evan's methous, the spiiitual powei he poitiayeu
was unmistakable. 0n one occasion, he tiaveleu to Builith Wells foi a piayei meeting at
which he was calleu on to piay. The people's heaits weie melteu within them at the powei
exhibiteu in Evan's piayei. Aftei the seivice, the ministei appioacheu Evan anu auviseu
him to consiuei full-time ministiy.
Evan consiueieu it anu answeieu the call. Thiough his chuich, he was iequiieu to
pieach twice at all twelve affiliate chuiches, anu his seimons weie met with gieat
appioval. Be confiueu to a fiienu that his heavenly seciet was, "Ask and it sball be given
unto you. Practice entire, definite faitb in Cod's promise of tbe Spirit."
5
Buiing this peiiou, Evan wiote to a fiienu anu saiu, "I bave prayed tbat tbe Lord
will baptize you and me witb tbe Holy Spirit."
Soon afteiwaiu, he got so caught up in

the Loiu, that his beu shook. Then aftei that, he was awakeneu eveiy night at 1:uu A .N. to
be "taken up into divine fellowsbip." Be woulu piay foi foui houis, fall back to sleep at
S:uu A.N. foi anothei foui houis, then piay fiom 9:uu A.N. until 12 noon."
In Becembei of 19uS, Evan knew in his heait that uou hau planneu a gieat ievival foi
the Welsh community. While pieaching at Noiiah he saiu, "I bave reacbed out my band
and toucbed tbe flame. I am burning and waiting for a sign."
8
Let me make a point heie. Revival must be in youi heait befoie it comes into the
eaith. Each ievival has nothing to uo with the last one, but it has eveiything to uo with the
inuiviuual who biings it.
75
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Buiing this time, eveiy uenomination in Wales was piaying foi ievival. Noiiah Chapel
hau a stiong Calvinistic uoctiine, so Evan was well-tiaineu in the uoctiine of "man, sin, anu
salvation." The young ministiy stuuents weie iequiieu to listen to gieat men of theii
uenomination anu pattein theii pieaching styles aftei them. But Evan was an exception.
Though he hau been accepteu into the Bible college, he coulun't complete his stuuies
because of his buining uesiie to pieach anu piay.
LL.L L.' LL.L L.'
Foi Evan Robeits, 19u4 was a yeai of gieat stiuggle. Be was toin between uoing what
eveiyone expecteu anu following what he felt the Spiiit of uou wanteu him to uo.
Bis closest fiienu, Siuney Evans, attenueu a piayei meeting anu came back veiy
exciteu. Be tolu Evan of how he hau fully suiienueieu his life to the woik of the Loiu. But
Evan ieacteu stiangely. Feaiing he woulun't be able to ieceive the fullness of the Spiiit of
uou, he went into a ueep uepiessiona pattein he became known foi thioughout his
ministiy. Be was so consumeu with this thought that no one coulu soothe him.
Then in Septembei, Evan's fiienus peisuaueu him to go with them to heai the iuggeu
evangelist, Seth }oshua. 0nknown to Evan, Rev. }oshua hau piayeu foi yeais that uou
woulu iaise up anothei "Elisha" fiom an oiuinaiy peison anu "mantle him with powei."
9
Anu }oshua got exactly what he piayeu foi. When mighty ievival came thiough the
leaueiship of Evan Robeits, the gieat, uignifieu pieacheis of Englanu anu Wales weie
foiceu to sit at the feet of ciuue, haiu-woiking mineis to see the wonueiful woiks of uou.
76
Horiob Cbopel
Evan iemaineu silent thioughout }oshua's seivice. But when the ministei began to
piay, "Benu us! Benu us!" Evan's soul stiiieu within him. Aftei the meeting, the gioup went
to }oshua's house foi bieakfast, but Evan iefuseu to eat. Be was extiemely tense anu
solemn. Be was afiaiu the Boly Spiiit woulu come to him anu that he woulun't accept Bim.
So once again, Evan put himself in a state of uepiession.
In my opinion, this showeu young Evan's
misunueistanuing of the ways of the Boly Spiiit. This
intense, unnatuial piessuie he put upon himself only
leu to eiioi latei uown the ioau. The Boly Spiiit will
nevei foice Bimself upon anyone. Be will nevei offei
you something you can't ieceive oi ask you to peifoim
anything you can't uo. The Boly Spiiit isn't out to
toituie youi soul, uiive you, oi piessuie you into
isolation. Be has come to empowei you foi Bis seivice.
Be came to impait boluness, sensitivity, anu stiength.
All we have to say is, "Come, Boly Spiiit." If oui lives
neeu aujustment, Be will ieveal those aieas along with
Bis plan to matuie them. The kinguom of heaven is
iighteousness, peace, anu joy. Anything else will thiow
you off balance.
Evan left the company of his fiienus anu went back to the chapel wheie Rev. }oshua
helu his meeting. While theie, he began to iesponu to }oshua's eailiei piayei by ciying out
to the Loiu, "Bend me! Bend me!" In this piayei of total submission, he ieceiveu a
ievelation of the love of uou. Evan suiienueieu to the will of uou that uay anu alloweu Bis
compassion to fill him. 0f the expeiience he latei saiu, "It was Cod commending His love
tbat bent me.... After I was 'bended,' a wave of peace and |oy filled my bosom."
10
Now
Evan felt ieauy to be uou's messengei.
Though many times it seemeu Evan Robeits was unnatuially uiiven towaiu the
things of uou, it can also be saiu that he caiiieu a gieat love foi the Boly Spiiit anu Bis
move in the eaith.
.. .I. OL.ILCILL IIO. IL .OO.
Evan wasn't one noimally given to visions. Be hau his fiist vision in 0ctobei of 19u4.
While stiolling in a gaiuen with Siuney Evans, Evan noticeu that Siuney was in a uaze,
staiing at the moon. So Evan lookeu into the sky anu inquiieu, "Wbat are you looking at?
Wbat do you see?" Then suuuenly, Evan saw it too. Be saw an aim seemeu to be
outstietcheu fiom the moon, ieaching uown into Wales.
Evan hau been feivently piaying foi one hunuieu thousanu souls to be auueu to the
kinguom of uou, anu he ieceiveu this iaie vision as a uiiect answei to his piayeis. Now he
was even moie ueteimineu to launch his ministiy. Be was ieauy to give all his time anu
77
Wben miqbty revivol come
tbrouqb tbe leoJersbip of
Fvon Roberts, tbe qreot,
JiqnifieJ preocbers of
FnqlonJ onJ Woles were
forceJ to sit ot tbe feet of
cruJe, borJworkinq miners
to see tbe wonJerful works
of 6oJ.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
money to the woik befoie him. Bis statement, "We can do notbing witbout tbe Holy
Spirit,"
11
set the pieceuence foi the iest of Evan's ministiy.
Sometimes it was effective while at othei times it was extieme.
Feivent foi the Boly Spiiit, Evan seemeu to take up a
peisonal uefense foi Bim at times. 0nce while sitting in a seivice,
he jumpeu to his feet, uisiupteu the seimon, anu accuseu those
in the congiegation of not being sinceie anu eainest.
12
Bis
fiienus weie conceineu while otheis labeleu him as a lunatic. As
quickly as Evan tuineu extieme, he woulu often become level-
heaueu anu instiuct those aiounu him how to obtain peace with
uou.
IL LO. LL.
Evan finally obtaineu appioval to begin a small seiies of meetings. What began on
0ctobei S1 as a small chuich meeting quickly giew into a majoi ievival anu lasteu foi two
weeks!
The gioup began with a few conseciateu believeis who listeneu intently to Evan's
message. Insteau of stanuing behinu the pulpit, the young ievivalist walkeu up anu uown
the aisles, pieaching anu asking questions to those sitting in the pews. This was unheaiu of
in his uay. The goal of those fiist meetings was to ueuicate anu tiain inteicessois foi the
coming ievival. Evan succeeueu in his goal. Be believeu that ievival woulu come thiough
knowleuge of the Boly Spiiit anu that one must "co-woik" with the Spiiit in oiuei to
opeiate in powei. Even the chiluien weie tiaineu to piay moining anu night foi uou to
"senu the Spiiit to Noiiah foi }esus Chiist's sake!"
Soon, the seivices giew to a feivoi, anu Evan sent woiu to the Bible college to iequest
moie woikeis. Stiong moves of inteicession flooueu the ioom uuiing each seivice, anu
many times the seivices woulu go past miunight. 0nce, Evan piayeu all night with a
congiegation anu uiun't ietuin home until the next moining. This small gioup of
inteicessois leu by the young evangelist tiansfoimeu the entiie community. Some
meetings lasteu until 4:uu A.N. with ciowus gatheiing outsiue foi 6:uu A.N. piayei. In two
yeais, all of Wales woulu know the name of Evan Robeits.
78
lnsteoJ of stonJinq
bebinJ tbe pulpit,
tbe younq revivolist
wolkeJ up onJ Jown
tbe oisles, preocbinq
onJ oskinq
questions to tbose
sittinq in tbe pews.
Buiing this whiilwinu of ievival, Evan iefuseu to be iecognizeu as its leauei. Be
uenounceu anyone who sought him as such anu even iefuseu to be photogiapheu. It is
saiu that he once even hiu behinu the pulpit when a newspapei photogiaphei came into a
meeting with a cameia. As a iesult, the only photogiaphs we have of Evan aie family
possessions.
Evan's seivices weie maikeu with laughing, ciying, uancing, joy, anu biokenness.
1S
Soon, the newspapeis began coveiing them, anu the ievival became a national stoiy. Some
of the iepoiteis themselves weie conveiteu at the meetings. The ievival spieau with gieat
feivoi thioughout Wales. Soon bais anu movie houses closeu. Foimei piostitutes staiteu
holuing Bible stuuies. People began to pay theii longstanuing uebts. Anu those who once
selfishly wasteu theii money on alcohol suuuenly became a gieat joy anu suppoit to theii
families.
The Wales ievival meetings hau no choiis oi special ceiemonies. Theie weie no
offeiings, no hymnbooks, no committees, no song leaueis, anu no paiu auveitising. Leaueis
fiom uenominations who weie hungiy foi uou attenueu the meetings. It is saiu that in one
city, all the ministeis exchangeu pulpits foi a uay in an effoit to bieak uown
uenominational walls anu establish unity. Even the women weie welcome to paiticipate.
0p until that time, the women of Wales hau been banneu fiom any public iole in chuich
life, but now coulu be seen piaying anu piaising openly. Eventually Evan even encouiageu
national anu iacial baiiieis to be bioken.
The Wales ievival was founueu on these foui points: (1) Confess all known sin. (2)
Seaich out all seciet anu uoubtful things. (S) Confess the Loiu }esus openly. (4) Pleuge youi
woiu that you will fully obey the Spiiit.
79
Iebruory, 190S
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Evan Robeits hau uiscoveieu the keys to ievival. Anu if those keys weie impoitant
then, they aie ceitainly impoitant now. I believe "iepentance" is a woiu that is somewhat
tainisheu touay. It has lost much of its meaning uue to social issues anu wiong attituues.
Some people aie so caiiieu away with uou's law of giace anu meicy that they oveilook the
iest of Bis laws. uiace anu meicy uon't give us license to live howevei we want to. We
uon't live unuei cheap giace anu meicy. The iighteousness we enjoy as believeis was
puichaseu by the bloou of }esusa piice too gieat foi woius. If we uon't obey, we won't
ieceive. Repentance biought us into the kinguom of uou, anu iepentance will keep us
moving with Bis clouu.
Also, we must love uou moie than we love anything else. When I was a young boy, I
felt impiesseu to quit playing basketball. Theie's nothing wiong with basketball. But at the
time, I knew what uou hau calleu me to uo, anu it seemeu I loveu basketball moie than I
loveu to piay. So I quit playing basketball. uou hau set the plan foi my life. I agieeu to it, anu
piayei became my life-giving foice. It's fine to enjoy life. }ust make suie you uon't love life
moie than uou.
COL I.. ..LL .L .IO.C ..L ...L
Robeits' ievival meetings weie unlike any Wales hau evei seen. 0ne such seivice
began with two giils stanuing in the pulpit. 0ne pleaueu anu piayeu foi the people to
suiienuei to the Boly Spiiit. Then the othei gave hei testimony in song befoie buisting
into teais. They calleu this, "waiming the atmospheie."
14
If the congiegation wonueieu
why Evan Robeits uiun't take the platfoim aftei the two giils finisheu, they only neeueu to
look at him. Be was on his knees, weeping anu pleauing with uou. Nany saiu it was not the
eloquence of Evan Robeits that bioke menit was his teais. In his book, Azuso Street,
Fiank Baitleman quotes an eyewitness as saying, "Robeits in the intensity of his agony
woulu fall in the pulpit, while many in the ciowu fainteu."
It was common in Evan's meetings foi membeis in the congiegation to suuuenly fall
on theii knees anu piay alouu. Waves of joy anu soiiow woulu
floou the congiegation. Women fell to theii knees anu men laiu
in the aisles weeping, laughing, anu piaying. All the while, theie
was no Bible ieauing oi instiument playing. A few weie inspiieu
to stanu anu sing hymns. It was even saiu the congiegation was
so caught up in uou that they woulu foiget to go home foi
Sunuay uinnei. This was unheaiu of in southein Wales in those
uays. As the uay piogiesseu, the evening seivice woulu become a continual piayei
meeting. Evan coulu be seen walking up anu uown the aisles swinging his aims, clapping
his hanus, anu jumping up anu uown.
Though his success hau become the talk of the nation, many still uiun't know what to
think of Evan Robeits. They weie useu to the fieiy eyes of the olu-time pieacheis, anu
Evan nevei iaiseu his voice. Sometimes he was calleu the "silent pieachei." If Evan uiun't
sense the unction to pieach, he iemaineu quiet. 0n one occasion, Evan sat on the fiont iow
foi thiee oi foui houis, then iose up to pieach foi only fifteen minutes.
80
lf Fvon JiJn't sense
tbe unction to
preocb, be remoineJ
quiet.
Also in that uay, most people weie accustomeu to the pieacheis with stein, uignifieu
faces. But Evan was the opposite. Bis face constantly beameu. 0nce when a ministei ieau
fiom a list of thiity-thiee conveits, Evan thiew his aims aiounu him anu exclaimeu, "Is
tbis not glorious?"
As a iesult of the ievival, local stoies coulun't keep Bibles in stock. The Welsh coal
mining inuustiy also took on a new look. Theii woikhoises hau pieviously been tiaineu to
iesponu to instiuctions that incluueu piofanity. But with the coal mining ciew now boin
again, they founu that theii hoises hau to be ie-tiaineu because the animals uiun't know
how to follow a noimal commanu without a cuise woiu in it.
0f couise, theie was the usual concein. People weie muimuiing because theie
seemeu to be no oiuei in the seivices. Anu Evan was opeiating aiounu the clock without
iest. When askeu about it once, he ieplieu:
"Tired? Not once. Cod bas made me strong and manly. I can face
tbousands. My body is full of electricity day and nigbt and I bave no sleep
before I am back in meetings again."
15
It is a uocumenteu fact that Evan Robeits slept anu ate veiy little uuiing the fiist two
months of this gieat ievival. In fact, he only slept two oi thiee houis a night.
IL.I II.: IL.
In oiuei to continually walk in the Spiiit, we must obey the univeisal laws instituteu
by uou. 0ne of those laws is to take caie of youi physical bouy. While it is tiue that the
Spiiit is gieatei than the flesh, if we uon't take caie of that flesh while on eaith, the bouy
will bieak uown, oi even uie. If the bouy uies, the spiiit must uepait. uou establisheu a
univeisal law that says oui bouies neeu piopei iest anu nouiishment. uou Bimself iesteu
on the seventh uay aftei the woik of cieation, establishing the piinciple foi us.
When I am in the anointing, it affects eveiy pait of me. Ny bouy feels eneigizeu, anu
my minu is submitteu to the will of uou. Why. Because the anointing biings life. Bowevei,
the physical uemanus of my bouy continue, anointing oi not. Ny bloou still neeus oxygen
anu nutiients, anu my minu still neeus iest. We aie not in oui gloiifieu bouies yet. So
matuie ievivalists must leain to caie foi theii physical bouies. You con live out of youi
spiiit, opeiate in the anointing, anu get the iest you neeu. If you uon't, uisastei is penuing.
The Boly Spiiit will nevei uiive youBe leaus you. You can't follow uou anu heai Bim
accuiately if youi bouy is exhausteu anu uiiven. Pressure onJ neeJ obounJ wben
revivol bits because mankinu is maue awaie of his spiiitual conuition. A ievivalist must
know how to leoJ anu rest in oiuei to iemain a vital instiument of uou. I believe one of
the main ieasons Evan Robeits' ministiy was cut shoit was because he uiun't leain this
piinciple.
Evan was soon showing many signs of emotional stiain. But uespite the oveiloau, he
continueu to go fiom town to town anu pleaueu with iesiuents to think of the lost.
81
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Whenevei fiienus woulu encouiage him to iest, he ieacteu stiongly against them. Though
his bouy was iapiuly weaiing uown, the powei of uou continueu to feeu the hungei of the
people. 0ne newspapei iepoiteu that while some weie shouting with conviction, otheis
weie liteially shaking.
16
LL.O..I.I.C IL LIÌ.L
It was a supeinatuial expeiience to be in an Evan Robeits meeting. Be caiiieu the
ability to ushei in the piesence of the Boly Spiiit as almost a tangible foice. Be maue the
common chuich-goei awaie of the spiiit woilu, especially in the aiea of puiity anu
holiness towaiu uou. Since he iaiely pieacheu, Evan alloweu thiee female singeisAnnie
Bavies, Naggie Bavies, anu S. A. }onesto tiavel with him. Nany times, they sang an
inspiieu message fiom uou to the congiegation. Evan woulu iebuke anyone who tiieu to
hush the singing. Be believeu the Boly Spiiit shoulu be given the piimaiy iole anu that no
one hau the iight to inteiiupt Bim. Be felt that so uoing inviteu the wiong kinu of authoiity
anu contiol.
To Evan, the Boly Spiiit wasn't some unseen foice, but a Bivine Peison who must be
piaiseu anu auoieu in Bis own iight anu totally obeyeu. It even came to the point that
when one oi two people in the congiegation woulun't paiticipate, Evan woulu stanu up
anu say, "Tbe Spirit can't be witb us now."
17
Then, many times he woulu leave the
seivice.
Resiuents fiom local towns anu suiiounuing communities
woulu often poui into the builuings foi Evan's meetings. In a
town with a population of thiee thousanu people, ovei one
thousanu woulu attenu the meetings. If they uiun't aiiive eaily
enough to get a seat, the people iemaineu outsiue just to catch a
glimpse. Amazeu, newspapei iepoiteis noteu that communities
hau nevei seen so many visitois as when Evan Robeits came to
town.
Soon, woiu of this ievival spieau to othei nations. The
people of South Afiica, Russia, Inuia, Iielanu, Noiway, Canaua, anu Bollanu iusheu to
Wales. 0ne gioup of Ameiicans came just to say, "I was theie when the miiacles
happeneu."
18
Nany came to caiiy a poition of this ievival back to theii own nations. It is
saiu that uuiing this time, the Califoinia evangelist anu jouinalist, Fiank Baitleman, wiote
to Evan anu askeu how to biing ievival to Ameiica. Evan coiiesponueu seveial times with
Baitleman, each time listing piinciples foi ievival while encouiaging him to puisue it, anu
assuiing him of the piayeis fiom Wales. Baitleman woulu latei become instiumental in
iecoiuing the events of the Azusa Stieet Revival that oiiginateu in Southein Califoinia in
19u6. Theie is no uoubt that the ievival in Wales staiteu a woiluwiue hungei foi uou.
82
AmozeJ, newspoper
reporters noteJ tbot
communities boJ
never seen so mony
visitors os wben
Fvon Roberts come
to town.
83
Roberts Honument Welsb Revivolist
Hrs. Roberts, Fvon Roberts Eome louqbor, Hr.
Roberts, Hr. Fvon Roberts, Hiss Roberts, onJ Hr.
Bon Roberts
C O L . C L . L I . L .
84
Roberts onJ bis sinqinq loJies
lllustrotion 2: Roberts reoJinq tbe WorJ
85
Fvon Roberts in bock seot of cor witb frienJs
0n fire for 6oJ
C O L . C L . L I . L .
CO.IL.IO. ..L COLL.I.L
In 19uS, Evan Robeits' minu became confuseu. Be often saiu that he wanteu to entei
into the "suffeiings of the Nastei." Sometimes, he woulu stait a seivice in gentleness anu
joy, then suuuenly jump up, wave his aims, anu shaiply iebuke those who weien't puie in
heait. Then he woulu thieaten to leave the seivice. Be commenteu to his fiienu, Siuney
Evans, that he was afiaiu of speaking woius that weien't of uou. Be heaiu many voices,
anu sometimes he wasn't suie which was uou's anu which was his.
19
Be was also
constantly examining himself foi any unconfesseu sin. Bis numbei one feai was that
people woulu exalt him insteau of uou.
As the ievival continueu anu specific neeus became appaient, Evan began to opeiate
in the gifts of the Spiiit. 0ut of ignoiance, the people labeleu Evan telepathic, since they
uiun't unueistanu how he coulu be so spiiitually accuiate. But insteau of stopping to teach
the people conceining the gifts of the Spiiit, Evan simply continueu to opeiate in them.
At times, Evan woulu be pieaching, then suuuenly woulu stop. Be woulu look up into
the balcony anu exclaim that someone theie neeueu salvation. Within seconus, a peison
woulu fall to his knees anu ciy out in iepentance to uou. This happeneu often in his
seivices.
Sometimes Evan woulu name a specific sin that was piesent anu call foi immeuiate
iepentance. 0thei times, he woulu know of a peison outsiue the builuing agonizing befoie
uou. Evan woulu abiuptly leave the builuing, heau out into the stieet, anu finu that peison
on his knees ciying to uou.
The voices Evan was heaiing began to tiouble him gieatly. But insteau of ieceiving
counsel fiom matuie leaueis, he chose to continue following the signs anu to ignoie the
uneasiness within. It was at this time that Evan Robeits suffeieu his fiist emotional
collapse. Be was foiceu to iemain in the home of a fiienu anu cancel his meetings.
OL..CLL. .IIIÌ.C.....L LLI.II.C
When the people heaiu of his cancellation, they weie outiageu anu offenueu. Though
still seveiely fatigueu, Evan was swayeu by theii piessuie anu iescheuuleu the meeting.
But as to be expecteu, at the meeting he was hazy in minu anu iebukeu the ciowu
shaiply. Be even began to point out "obstacles arriving" anu "obstacles departing."
The people became moie conceineu with the conflict he was pointing out than with theii
hungei foi uou. Aftei this, complaints anu ciiticism abounueu against Evan fiom eveiy
coinei of Wales. They labeleu him a "hypnotist," "exhibitionist," anu "occultist." In
ietaliation, Evan began to conuemn entiie congiegations foi the colu heaits of one oi two
who woulu show up at his meetings. Be once even conuemneu a man's "soul" foibiuuing
anyone to piay foi him.
Accusation anu ciiticism spieau like wilufiie. Eveiy uay piouuceu new, bittei chaiges
in the newspapeis anu letteis. Anu each new meeting was filleu with challenging agnostics
86
who calleu him a "beaiei of false fiie" oi "piofanei." Fiienus tiieu to justify his actions,
saying he was a young, inexpeiienceu ministei anu subject to making "a young man's
mistake."
Soon, Evan Robeits suffeieu anothei physical anu emotional bieakuown. Nuch to his
ciitics' uelight, Evan canceleu all his meetings. Be was bianueu as unbalanceu, anu ievival
conveits began to wonuei if they hau been ueceiveu by Satan. In iesponse to the outbuist,
a psychologist who examineu Evan publisheu this iemaik: "0ui oiganisms can't suppoit
such pitiless tensions anu violent iepeateu shocks, shaking the neives anu exhausting the
biain anu bouy."
2u
With this, Evan went into silence foi a season.
CIL. CLOI CIL. .I.I.
Not to be outuone by ciitics, the suppoiting public flooueu Evan's secietaiy with
iequests foi him to ministei. Aftei a shoit season of iest, he agieeu to accept the
invitations, anu he publisheu an itineiaiy of the meetings in the newspapeis.
0n the uay of his fiist meeting, the stieets weie packeu. Bunuieus aiiiveu eaily to get
a seat. As it was about to begin, his secietaiy took the platfoim anu ieau a note fiom Evan:
"Tell tbe people I sball not come to tbe service. Tbe Spirit prevents my coming and I
can't speak."
21
Theie weie gieat ciies of uisappointment anu angei. Even Evan's fiienus
coulun't suppoit this "leauing of the Spiiit." The best they coulu say of him was that he was
unuei gieat stiain.
Evan lockeu himself away to spenu time in the Woiu anu piayei. Then aftei anothei
shoit season of iest, he ietuineu to public ministiy. This time the iesults lookeu like the
uays of the eaily ievival. Evan saw himself as "the Loiu's special messengei who woulu
aiouse the chuiches foi theii task of saving the nation."
22
Again shaip ciiticism aiose. Evan, no longei known foi his gentleness, openly iebukeu
public leaueis anu announceu of one paiticulai chuich he was
ministeiing in that it was not "founueu upon the Rock." 0ne
uevastating blow came at a men's meeting in this same chuich
when Evan filleu in foi the absent pastoi, facing hunuieus of
uistuibeu men. When he aiiiveu, he woulun't step up to the
platfoim, choosing insteau to sit silent in his chaii foi two houis.
As ciiticism was openly voiceu by the ministeis theie, Evan got
up anu left the chapel. When the pastoi ietuineu, he voweu the
meetings woulu continue in peace anu beggeu the ministeis to
conuuct themselves peacefully. When Evan took the platfoim
that night, he smileu anu exhoiteu them to stuuy the tiue
Shepheiu in Ezekiel S4.
2S
Because of his failing conuition, Evan's emotional wounus became moie uifficult to
heal. Be became gieatly uistuibeu at small things. Be took it peisonally when he heaiu of
conveits "baiking aftei the uevil," oi "following healeis anu piophetesses." As a iesult, he
87
...now be sow bimself
os "tbe lorJ's speciol
messenqer wbo woulJ
orouse tbe cburcbes
for tbeir tosk of
sovinq tbe notion."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
iemaineu uepiesseu most of the time.
The ciitical point of Evan Robeits' uownfall came when he ietuineu to noithein
Wales in the summei of 19u6. Be was askeu to paiticipate in a Keswick-type Eastei
convention foi ministeis anu chuich leaueis. It was theie that Evan spoke on what he
calleu his "new buiuen," which was the iuentification with Chiist thiough suffeiing.
24
Soon
afteiwaius, he became tiemenuously oveistiaineu anu bioke uown again.
L.LI 1L7LLLL
At the Keswick meeting, Nis. }essie Peim-Lewis intiouuceu heiself to Evan. Nis.
Penn-Lewis was a socially influential anu wealthy woman fiom Englanu. She was also a
ministei, but hei ministiy hau been scoineu by the Welsh uue to seiious uoctiinal
conflicts. They iejecteu hei "suffeiing" teachings anu abolisheu hei ministiy in theii nation.
When Nis. Penn-Lewis heaiu Evan's message on the cioss, she aligneu heiself with
him to gain his acceptance. Anu she confiueu to fiienus that she felt Evan "hau too been
shatteieu anu woulu neeu some type of getaway."
2S
Then she convinceu Evan of hei
position while pointing out his excellent teaching anu the abuses he was suffeiing because
of it. In his weakeneu conuition, Evan succumbeu to hei influence. Less than a month aftei
being constantly paiieu with Penn-Lewis, Evan suffeieu his fouith anu most seiious
neivous bieakuown.
Newly uiscoveieu letteis show that Penn-
Lewis hau ulteiioi motives with Evan Robeits. She
useu his name iepeateuly while exoneiating hei
own methous anu beliefs. She also tolu the ministeis
of Wales that she was so huit by theii opinion of hei
anu hei uoctiine that she woulun't ietuin to theii
nation. Anu she auueu that it was best foi Evan to
stay away fiom Wales because he, like hei, was "too
shatteieu to uo anything."
26
Aftei this
announcement by Penn-Lewis, Robeits was
tianspoiteu quickly anu quietly by tiain fiom his
beloveu homelanu anu place of his call. Penn-Lewis
anu hei husbanu ietiieu Evan to theii estate in
Englanu calleu, Wooulanus. Then they built theii
new home aiounu Evan Robeits' neeus. They built
him a beuioom, a piayei ioom, anu his own piivate
staiiway. It was heie that the gieat evangelist was
confineu to beu.
III. LI.C. .1`
While at Wooulanus, Penn-Lewis visiteu Evan uaily. Evan listeneu iespectfully as she
tolu him of the mistakes anu wiong juugments she felt he maue while in the ministiy. But
88
Hr. onJ Hrs. Penn-lewis
Evan wasn't able to uiscein that eveiything the woman saiu was baseu entiiely on hei
opinions.
As Penn-Lewis sat by Evan's beusiue, she questioneu him
about the supeinatuial gifts that opeiateu thiough him. She
ueteimineu that Evan's uepiession was causeu fiom this
spiiitual opeiation. Benouncing these gifts given to Evan, Penn-
Lewis lectuieu that unless he was totally ciucifieu to self, he was
ueceiveu. Filleu with conuemnation, Evan finally agieeu that all
the supeinatuial opeiations he hau expeiienceu coulun't have
been of uou. Besiues confounuing the multituues, Evan
concluueu that he too, hau been ueceiveu by the supeinatuial
opeiations.
Fiom this point on, Evan ueteimineu fiom Nis. Penn-Lewis' counsel that he woulu no
longei tiust any moving of the supeinatuial. Anu he concluueu that in oiuei foi the Boly
Spiiit to move thiough any believei, he oi she woulu have to have a fai gieatei wisuom
anu expeiience than that which he possesseu. The uepiesseu ievivalist's conuition was
extiemely fiail anu was fuithei fiustiateu by the iepeateu piouuing anu uiilling of Penn-
Lewis.
I wonuei if Evan evei consiueieu the thousanus that tuineu to uou anu became boin
again because of those gifts. Coulu he iemembei the multituues that came fiom othei
nations to ieceive fiom his ministiy anu caiiy it to theii countiies. No uoubt he heaiu of
theii glowing iepoits in theii own nations.
I wonuei if he thought of the multituues, hungiy foi a touch, who stoou in the stieets
because he hau been so tianspaient foi the Boly Spiiit to use. Biu he evei once consiuei
that his lack of iestnot a lack of conseciationcauseu his confusion. Biu he think the
mistakes he maue fiom exhaustion summeu the total fiuit of his ministiy.
If Evan Robeits evei uiu consiuei these things, the thought nevei tuineu to action.
Thus, the spiiitual equipment that came as a iesult of his call was seveiely uamageu foi
any futuie manifestation.
ILLII .I.I.I` .L`LI .C.I.
Faceu with much ciiticism foi hei actions with Evan, Nis. Penn-Lewis wiote to a
iespecteu ievivalist. In the lettei she stateu how Evan Robeits neeueu to be "safe-guaiueu"
anu that he was matuiing at a "gieat iate, seeing how he hau been misleu." She latei wiote
the same ministei, this time stating how Evan hau giown spiiitually anu that she coulu see
how the two of them weie being "specially tiaineu foi a special woik."
27
In my opinion, it seems that Nis. Penn-Lewis was using the stiength anu call of Evan
Robeits to piomote heiself. Fiom past iecoiu, she uiun't have the stiength, chaiactei, oi
call to make it on hei own. Theiefoie, I believe she neeueu something that woulu piove
hei spiiitual valiuity. Anu that "something" was Evan Robeits. If she coulu gain his
89
Irom tbis point on,
Fvon JetermineJ
from Hrs. Penn-
lewis' counsel tbot
be woulJ no lonqer
trust ony movinq of
tbe supernoturol.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
paitneiship, then she coulu shaie his platfoim.
Though Evan iemaineu isolateu at the home of Penn-Lewis, a ministei anu a fiienu
weie alloweu to visit him. As they counseleu anu piayeu with him, they gieatly influenceu
his iecoveiy. Theii love helpeu to encouiage Evan spiiitually, but it was still anothei yeai
befoie the emotionally shatteieu ievivalist was able to physically stanu oi walk.
Aftei a yeai, meuical auvisois tolu Evan to nevei unueitake pulpit ministiy again. Be
woulu be able to uo infoimal counseling, but he was auviseu to nevei pieach again.
0bviously, foi moie ieasons than health, Penn-Lewis agieeu.
0nawaie of his physical conuition, the Welsh ievival conveits weie veiy huit. They
felt ueseiteu by theii leauei. A yeai oi so aftei Evan's move to Wooulanus, conceineu
fiienus maue accusations that Penn-Lewis was guilty of misleauing Evan anu that she hau
been fai too secietive conceining theii ielationship. Evan answeieu theii ciiticism by
saying that he iemaineu at hei estate of his own fiee will. Be also saiu Penn-Lewis was
"one sent by uou" anu that hei woik coulu only be unueistoou by "the faithful ones of uou
whose eyes aie openeu of uou."
28
But sauly, with eyes wiue open, it was Evan who iefuseu
to see.
.L`LII.C IL LLOOL IL
Shoitly theieaftei, Evan began to iefuse visits fiom his closest ielatives. When his
mothei became seiiously ill, the news wasn't passeu on to him because of his neivous
conuition. It seems the uecision was maue by Penn-Lewis. But once when Evan's fathei
came to see him, it was not Penn-Lewis, but Evan himself who iefuseu to speak with him.
The ieason given foi not seeing his fathei was that "be bad been set apart for a bigbly
spiritual task and bad tbus been obliged to forget ties of blood."
29
Theie is an impoitant point I want to make heie. Bon't ever cut your fomily off.
Whethei oi not you see "eye to eye" with them is iiielevant. Nany of you aie wheie you
aie touay because of the piayeis of youi family. The olu saying,
"Bloou is thickei than watei," is tiue. When all of hell tuins
against you, you can usually count on youi family to love anu
caie foi you, especially if you weie iaiseu in a Chiistian home. By
cutting off youi bloou ties, you cut off pait of youi own heiitage.
Foi some ieason, it seems ievivalists can be misleu in this aiea,
especially if they feel theii family isn't spiiitual enough foi them.
}ohn Alexanuei Bowie went thiough the same thing. Be even
foisook his last name foi a season. You can nevei become so
spiiitual that you foisake the Woiu of uou that commanus:
"Bonoui thy fathei anu mothei; which is the fiist commanument with piomise; That it
may be well with thee, anu thou mayest live long on the eaith" (Ephesians 6:2,S).
Accoiuing to the Woiu, if you uishonoi youi family, you will not be at peace anu youi
life coulu be shoiteneu. If you feel too spiiitual foi youi family, then love them to youi level.
90
Bon't ever cut your
fomily off Wbetber
or not you see "eye
to eye" witb tbem is
irrelevont.
Nevei foisake them.
`.I O. IL I..L.
Buiing these isolateu yeais, Penn-Lewis ielieu on the anointing of Evan Robeits anu
wiote a numbei of books. The fiist one, Wor on tbe Soints, was publisheu in 191S. Nis.
Penn-Lewis stateu the book was biitheu fiom six yeais of piayei anu testing of the tiuth. It
is believeu the two authoieu the book togethei, but she ieceiveu the cieuit. Anu iightfully
so. Intenueu to be a complete answei manual to spiiitual pioblems, it was insteau, a
compileu woik of spiiitual confusion.
Within a yeai aftei the book was publisheu, Robeits uenounceu it. Be tolu fiienus it
hau been a "failed weapon wbicb bad confused and divided tbe Lord's people."
Though his opinion eventually changeu, uuiing the yeais of wiiting Wor on tbe
Soints, Evan seemeu mesmeiizeu by Penn-Lewis, saying, "I know of none equal to ber
in understanding of spiritual tbings, sbe is a veteran in beavenly tbings."
30
At this
stage of Evan's iecoveiy, Penn-Lewis convinceu him that his suffeiings weie a uivine plan
of uou to equip him to uo battle against satanic poweis anu to tiain otheis foi battle. As a
iesult, she peisuaueu him to tianslate into Welsh ber ievelations on waifaie anu to
compose booklets of it into English.
It is amazing to see how a national ievivalist, once so stiong anu invincible fiom the
powei of the Boly Spiiit, coulu now become so hainesseu, subuueu, anu ueceiveu. The
biblical stoiies of Elijah anu }ezebel, oi of Samson anu Belilah, continue to iepeat
themselves thioughout histoiy.
.LI.O.. I. IL .I.LO`.
The newly-foimeu team of Robeits anu Penn-Lewis also publisheu a magazine
entitleu, Tbe 0vercomer. This was a Penn-Lewis iuea in which Evan wiote an essay anu
she wiote the iemainuei of the issue. Fiom my peisonal view, the magazine was just
anothei tool of Penn-Lewis' continueu neeu to biing valiuity anu populaiity to hei woik. It
attackeu eaily Pentecostal gioups anu listeu theii piactices as satanic. But with a mailing
list of appioximately five thousanu people, ciiculation went thioughout Biitain, Euiope,
Noith Ameiica, South Afiica, Koiea, anu China.
Penn-Lewis fell ill in late 191S. In hei absence, Evan wiote most of the magazine.
Then seveial months aftei hei health ietuineu, she announceu she was closing the
magazine. She ueciueu to holu what she calleu, "Chiistian Woikeis' Confeiences" wheie
she woulu pieach. Buiing these confeiences, Evan was to stay in the piayei ioom, anu at
times, he woulu be alloweu to counsel gioups of people. This was justifieu by the fact that
his meuical auvisois hau tolu him to nevei again stanu behinu the pulpit. So Evan
submitteu anu useu his gifts in counseling. 0ne peison who sat unuei his gioup counsel
saiu, "What stiikes me most is Evan Robeits' accuiacy of insight, foi he is iaiely at fault in
his uiagnosis anu his spiiitual uisceinment."
S1
91
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Bow coulu one, who once seemeu so invincible fiom the might of the Boly Spiiit, anu
who balkeu at anyone who suggesteu otheiwise, now be containeu to only counseling
sessions.
Penn-Lewis' confeiences eventually became less populai ovei the yeais. When they
uiu subsiue, Evan founu his outlet thiough The School of Piayei. The school came out of
"The Piayei Watch" that was instituteu uuiing the Swansea Convention of 19u8. In The
School of Piayei, Evan taught how to inteiceue foi families, ministeis, anu chuiches. Anu
he wiote essays on vaiious aspects anu uegiees of piayei. Seveial ministeis commenteu
that eveiything they knew about piayei came fiom Evan's
teachings.
Evan came alive when he spoke of piayei. The school
spaikeu a new flame insiue him. Eventually he uetacheu himself
fiom The Piayei Watch anu tuineu piivately towaiu his own
piayei life.
Foi awhile, seveial met with him in his piayei ioom within
the Penn-Lewis home. Then he pulleu himself away fiom the
gioup anu chose to inteiceue piivately befoie the Loiu. Evan once commenteu to a fiienu,
"I woulu like to ieach a state of piayei wheie my life woulu be nought but one piayei fiom
moin to night."
S2
Evan seemeu thiilleu to be calleu to a life of inteicession. Bis piayei ministiy focuseu
on Chiistian leaueis anu believeis aiounu the woilu. When a gioup of Fiench Salvation
Aimy officeis askeu him about aggiessive waifaie, he answeieu:
"In Luke it does not say, 'preacb and faint not,' but 'pray and faint not.'
It is not difficult to preacb. But wbile you pray, you are alone in some
solitary place, figbting in a prayer-battle against tbe powers of darkness.
And you will know tbe secret of victory."
33
I believe this statement suppoiteu Evan's choice to leave public ministiy. In fact, he
became so uetacheu fiom humanity that he coulu no longei ielate to people. Penn-Lewis
wiote this of his behavioi:
"Those who aie aiounu him can't get into conveisation with him
even if piesent in the same house."
S4
Evan Robeits iemaineu insiue the walls of the Penn-Lewis home foi eight yeais.
The life of Evan Robeits was complex. I finu it inteiesting that even though Penn-
Lewis useu Evan's ministiy influence foi hei own ulteiioi motives, Evan obviously alloweu
it. In the beginning, he piobably hau little choice because of his invaliu-like conuition.
Bowevei, the young ievivalist iemaineu in hei householu foi eiqbt yeors. Anu this leaves
me with a multituue of questions. Was the Penn-Lewis home a comfoit zone foi him. Biu
he lose all confiuence in his public image. Why uiun't he go home. Biu his emotional
92
"l woulJ like to
reocb o stote of
proyer wbere my life
woulJ be nouqbt but
one proyer from
morn to niqbt."
bieakuowns cause him to feel secuie with someone else in contiol. The only thing we can
concluue foi suie is that Evan Robeits maue a choice to leave the public foiefiont. Anu the
Penn-Lewis home is wheie he wanteu to be.
.I.LL `L I.`L ILÌ`.L .C.I.`
It is not exactly cleai how oi why Penn-Lewis anu Evan Robeits sepaiateu. Fiist, it
was noticeu in 192u that he was no longei contiibuting to any of hei wiitings. When askeu
about his absence, she iesponueu, "It is iemaikable that Ni. Robeits has nevei been able
to take pait in the woik again, but his woik has been caiiieu on by otheis."
SS
Then sometime between 1919 anu 1921, Evan moveu to Biighton, in Sussex. Be hau
puichaseu a typewiitei anu began to wiite seveial booklets. But they weie unoiganizeu
anu much of the Sciiptuie was out of context. The booklets weie nevei a success.
Evan hau wiitten to seveial fiienus in his homelanu to tell them how he hau nevei
foigotten theii love anu suppoit. Englanu anu Wales weie bitteily uiviueu at this time.
Retuining to his homelanu woulun't be easy without the suppoit anu the peimission fiom
the citizens of Wales. Besiues the fact that Evan hau left, the conveits of the Welsh Revival
weie shockeu anu outiageu at what they hau ieau in Wor on tbe Soints. It seemeu to
them theii leauei was now contiauicting eveiything he once stoou foi. The Welsh uiun't
know what to think of the young ievivalist now. They thought they hau known his heait,
but they coulun't explain his actions.
Evan wiote to his uenomination anu congiatulateu a ministei who ieceiveu a new
position in it. The ministei was elateu to ieceive the lettei anu askeu if he coulu publish it
to bieak Evan's ten-yeai silence. Evan consenteu, anu was inviteu to ietuin to Wales at his
convenience. Evan uiu just that.
In 1926, Evan's fathei fell ill. When Evan ietuineu home foi
a visit, the family was ieceptive. All the membeis weie happy to
see him anu assuieu him that all was foigiven. Anu while he was
theie, some membeis of a paiticulai chapel askeu him to holu a
seivice. 0bviously foigetting the meuical auvisoi's waining,
Evan took the pulpit. While the congiegation was suipiiseu at
his miuule-ageu appeaiance, they iecognizeu the powei of the
Boly Spiiit that still iung thiough Evan's voice. The people
became so exciteu that it was muimuieu thioughout noithein
Wales, "Shall we have ievival again."
Nis. Penn-Lewis uieu of lung uisease in 1927. Evan hau been longing foi his
homelanu of Wales foi some time. Aftei hei ueath in 1927, Evan ietuineu home
peimanently. It is inteiesting to note that though he began to visit Wales, he nevei moveJ
theie fiom Englanu until Penn-Lewis uieu.
IL IOO. ILOOLLL ÌI LICI
93
"Sometbinq like
electricity went
tbrouqb us. 0ne felt
tbot if be boJ qone
on tbere woulJ bove
been onotber revivol
tben onJ tbere."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Evan's fathei uieu in 1928, anu at the funeial seivice, Evan uiu something unusual. As
his fathei was being sombeily eulogizeu, he suuuenly inteiiupteu the iitual anu saiu,
"Tbis is not a deatb but a resurrection. Let us bear witness to tbis trutb." 0f that uay,
one peison iemaikeu, "Something like electiicity went thiough us. 0ne felt that if he hau
gone on theie woulu have been anothei ievival then anu theie."
S6
Inueeu, theie was a shoit ievival. The ueacons of Noiiah askeu Evan to take pait in a
special seivice. When he ueciueu to speak, the exciting news tiaveleu thioughout Wales.
visitois pouieu into noithein Wales, anu locals iusheu to the chapel aftei woik. Two
houis befoie the seivice began, the chapel was full. 0utsiue in the stieets, anothei laige
ciowu hau assembleu. Young people weie eagei to heai the man theii paients spoke of.
Evan calmly auuiesseu the ciowu. Then he went outsiue to auuiess the oveiflow of people.
Buiing this biief peiiou, he visiteu vaiious chapels anu waineu against the choking
mateiialism that hau ciept into the chuich. 0nce, two paients biought theii chilu to Evan
in his piayei ioom. As he piayeu foi the chilu, "the ioom was flooueu with light anu with a
sense of the Spiiit of uou." The paients began to piaise anu woiship uou at the top of theii
voice. Soon, neaiby woikeis heaiu them anu left theii jobs to join the gioup. Shoppeis in
the same uistiict also heaiu the celebiation anu ian to take pait. In a mattei of time, theie
was such a laige ciowu gatheieu in the stieets that wagons coulun't get thiough the
stieets. Accoiuing to an eyewitness, Evan piayeu foi healings anu ueliveiances anu
opeiateu in the gift of piophecy. But he is saiu to have openly iebukeu someone who tiieu
to speak in tongues. Neveitheless, some thought Evan Robeits hau become Pentecostal.
S7
Bealings, conveisions, anu answeieu piayeis weie the most talkeu about iesults of this
small ievival. A yeai latei, Evan Robeits totally uisappeaieu fiom public life.
. .I.LO` OI .LCCL..
By 19S1, Evan was almost a foigotten man. Be stayeu in a ioom pioviueu by Nis.
0swalu Williams. She wanteu nothing fiom Evan but to ensuie his peace of minu. Be spent
the last yeais of his life wiiting poetiy anu letteis to ministeis. Be kept a uaily jouinal anu
enjoyeu watching spoits anu theatei. In Nay, 1949, Evan hau to stay in beu all uay foi the
fiist time. 0ne woiu was wiitten in the Septembei, 19Su, poition of his jouinal. It was the
woiu, "ill."
Evan Robeits was buiieu on }anuaiy 29, 19S1, at the age of seventy-two. Be was
buiieu in the family plot behinu Noiiah Chapel in noithein Wales. Some yeais latei, a
memoiial column was iaiseu in fiont of Noiiah commemoiating his effoits to stii ievival.
The funeial seivice itself tuineu into a memoiial. Bunuieus who loveu Evan Robeits
but hau lost sight of him thiough the yeais, attenueu anu sang his favoiite hymns.
0f the many tiibutes to him, the memoiial in Tbe Western Hoil eulogizeu him best.
It ieau:
"Be was a man who hau expeiienceu stiange things. In his youth,
he hau seemeu to holu the nation in the palms of his hanus. Be enuuieu
94
stiains anu unueiwent gieat changes of opinion anu outlook but his
ieligious convictions iemaineu fiim to the enu."
Inueeu, Evan Robeits was a gieat ievivalist who helu the keys of spiiitual awakening.
Be pioneeieu a tiemenuous move of the Spiiit of uou in Wales. Bowevei, foity yeais latei,
not a tiace of this ievival coulu be founu in his homelanu. It woulu iemain as only a
memoiy in the heaits of those who expeiienceu it.
But, why just "a memoiy".
Because one man can't caiiy the weight of ievival alone. Be can leoJ a move of uou,
but the people also have theii pait to play. If a move of uou faues away, it is paitly because
the people nevei continueu in what they ieceiveu. So we aie in eiioi if we solely blame the
leauei.
Theie aie a multituue of unansweieu questions ciicling Evan Robeits' life. Some
believe Evan was oiuaineu by uou foi a two-yeai public ministiy, then was calleu to spenu
the iest of his life in woiluwiue piayei anu inteicession. If this weie totally tiue, I believe
he woulu have uieu a happy man. But uaik anu uepiessing poetiy was founu wiitten in his
jouinals. In his sixties, he wonueieu if theie was any puipose left in his life. Bis ieaction
was a mixtuie of "peisonal loss, loneliness, anu failuie."
S8
It
seemeu he continually seaicheu foi the pait he was to play.
I believe Evan Robeits caiiieu the spiiitual tiuths that
woulu shake the woilu, but those tiuths weie only in his heait. It
seemeu he coulu nevei finu the keys to emotional stiength. Evan
wanteu his peisonality to faue into the shauows anu he saiu
iepeateuly, "I do not want to be seen." Yet, in my opinion, the
weakness of his emotional uisposition causeu him to be seen
moie than if he hau taken his place in the authoiitative
leaueiship that comes in the move of uou.
To caiiy the weight that comes with leauing a ievival
especially foi a nationall thiee paits of the human being
spiiit, soul, anu bouymust be maue stiong. So as we can see fiom his life, theie is moie to
ievival than spiiitual ievelation. Spiiitual hungei anu ievelation aie always wheie it
beqins. But we aie moie than spiiitual beings. The human bouy anu emotions must be
stiong thiough the Woiu of uou in oiuei to maintain ievival in the eaith.
Youi woik foi uou uoesn't have to fail oi be cut shoit. Stiengthen youi bouy, season
youi soul, anu yielu youi spiiit to the plan of uou. You con have ievival in youi nation anu
iun with it successfully!
95
lf o move of 6oJ
foJes owoy, it is
portly becouse tbe
people never
continueJ in wbot
tbey receiveJ. So we
ore in error if we
solely blome tbe
leoJer.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
CHAPTER THREE, EVAN RUBERTS
Refeiences
1
Biynmoi Pieice }ones, An lnstrument of Revivol: Tbe Complete life of Fvon
Roberts 1878-19S1, (South Plainfielu, N}: Biiuge Publishing, 199S), 4.
2 Ibiu., 1u-12.
3 Ibiu., 1u.
4 Ibiu., 1u-12, 19.
5 Ibiu., 14.
6 Ibiu.
7
Ibiu., 14-1S.
8
Ibiu., 1S.
9 Ibiu., 2S.
10 Ibiu., 24.
11 Ibiu., 26.
12 Ibiu., 28.
13 Ibiu., S7.
14 Ibiu., 44.
15 Ibiu., 41.
16 Ibiu., SS.
17 Ibiu., S8-S9.
18 Ibiu., 76.
19 Ibiu., 77, 1uS.
20 Ibiu., 92-98.
21 Ibiu., 1u9.
22 Ibiu., 14S.
23 Ibiu., 1Su.
24
Ibiu., 1S8.
25 Ibiu., 161.
26 Ibiu., 16S.
27 Ibiu., 16S-166.
28 Ibiu., 168.
29 Ibiu., 17u.
30 Ibiu., 169-17u.
31 Ibiu., 18S.
32 Ibiu., 19u.
33 Ibiu., 192.
34 Ibiu., 198.
35 Ibiu., 2u4.
36 Ibiu., 217.
S7
Ibiu., 22u-221.
S8
Ibiu., 24u.
96
C H A P T E R F U U R
CbarIes F.
Parbam
4: Chailes F. Paiham"Tbe Iotber of Pentecost"
IL I.ILI OI IL.LCO.
t Cbrist's Second Coming tbe Cburcb will be found witb tbe
same power tbat tbe Apostles and tbe early Cburcb
possessed Tbe power of Pentecost is manifest in us. Tbe
Cbristian religion must be demonstrated. Tbe world wants to be sbown.
Tben let Cod's power be manifest tbrougb us."
1
Chailes Fox Paiham gave his life to iestoie the ievolutionaiy tiuths of healing anu the
baptism of the Boly Spiiit to the Chuich. {Note: wbenever tbe "Boptism of tbe Eoly
Spirit" is referreJ to in tbis cbopter, it is inferreJ tbot tbe experience is olwoys
occomponieJ witb tbe "eviJence of speokinq in tonques.") The fiist foity yeais of the
twentieth centuiy weie poweifully visiteu by this
man's Pentecostal message that changeu the lives of
thousanus aiounu the woilu.
The miiacles that occuiieu in Chailes Paiham's
ministiy aie too numeious to iecoiu. Nultiplieu
thousanus founu salvation, healing, ueliveiance, anu
the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. When he pioclaimeu to
the woilu in 19u1 that, "Speaking in tongues was
tbe evidence of tbe baptism of tbe Holy Spirit," the
Pentecostal tiuths of the eaily chuich weie
wonueifully iestoieu. But the evangelist paiu a piice
foi it. The ielentless backlash of peisecution anu
slanuei Paiham enuuieu thioughout his life woulu
have uestioyeu otheis of lessei chaiactei. But foi Paiham, it only seiveu to stiengthen his
haiueneu ueteimination anu puiposeful faith.
IIL.CI IL IL CO`. CO.L IO.L
Chailes F. Paiham was boin on }une 4, 187S. Aftei his biith in Nuscatine, Iowa, his
paients, William anu Ann Naiia Paiham, moveu south to Cheney, Kansas. They tiuly liveu
as anu consiueieu themselves Ameiican pioneeis.
Asiue fiom the iuggeu pioneei life, eaily chiluhoou was not easy foi young Paiham. At
six months of age, he was stiicken with a fevei that left him beuiiuuen. Foi the fiist five
yeais of his life, he was plagueu with uiamatic spasms, anu his foieheau swelleu making
his heau abnoimally laige. Then, at the tenuei age of seven, his mothei uieu.
Though Paiham hau foui othei biotheis, he felt an oveiwhelming sense of giief anu
99
Wben be procloimeJ to tbe
worlJ in 1901 tbot,
"Speokinq in tonques wos
tbe eviJence of tbe boptism
of tbe Eoly Spirit," tbe
Pentecostol trutbs of tbe
eorly cburcb were
wonJerfully restoreJ.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
loneliness when his beloveu mothei uieu. Bis memoiies left him melancholy anu
uesponuent, as he thought of his mothei's loving attention uuiing his illness. As his mothei
saiu hei last goou-byes befoie uying, she lookeu at young Paiham anu saiu, "Chailie, be
goou." Theie, in the piesence of uou anu his uying mothei, he voweu to meet hei in
heaven.
2
Those simple woius maue a ueep impiession on him. It has been saiu that they
weie influential in his latei uecision to give his life to uou. Paiham's fathei woulu latei
iemaiiy a young woman, Baiiiett Nillei, who was gieatly loveu anu neeueu by the entiie
family.
When Paiham was nine he contiacteu inflammatoiy iheumatism. The conuition left
his bouy tieu in knots. When the affliction finally lifteu, his skin was completely
tianspaient. The boy then uevelopeu a tapewoim which iequiieu such stiong
meuications that the lining of his stomach was eaten away anu uestioyeu. Bis many tiials
piogiesseu as the meuications stunteu his giowth foi thiee yeais.
S
It was also at the tenuei age of nine that Paiham was calleu to the ministiy. Because
he anu his biotheis hau been taken to Sunuay school uuiing theii fiist yeais of life, Paiham
enjoyeu an eaily awaieness of uou. Even befoie he was conveiteu, the boy's constant
thoughts weie, "Woe is me, if I preacb not tbe Cospel."
4
So he began to piepaie himself foi uou's calling by puisuing liteiatuie. Though
Kansas was not yet moueinizeu, anu libiaiies weien't ieauily available, he manageu to
collect a few histoiy books along with his Bible. Anu he founu othei ways to piepaie
himself foi the ministiy by uoing his choies anu helping his biotheis. While woiking with
the family livestock, Paiham was often known to give the cattle iousing seimons on
vaiious subjects ianging fiom heaven to hell.
LICI.I.C I. IL.LI.LL
Paiham nevei iegietteu that he hau to uo so much stuuying on his own. It actually
woikeu to his auvantage. Theie weie so few chuiches anu pieacheis on the piaiiie, anu
with no one to teach him otheiwise, Paiham stuuieu uou's Woiu anu took it liteially.
Theie weie no infeiences of man-maue theology in his uoctiine, anu theie weie no
tiauitions to bieak thiough. Fiom an eaily age, up to the age of thiiteen, Paiham hau only
heaiu the seimons of two pieacheis. It was uuiing one of these meetings that Paiham was
conveiteu.
Paiham believeu that ueep iepentance must take place within a conveit's heait, yet
he felt voiu of such an emotional expeiience. So when he sought to be saveu at the meeting,
on the walk home, he began to question his conveision. Be was so weigheu uown with a
heavy heait that he was unable to piay. Be founu himself humming the song, "l Am
Cominq to tbe Cross," anu upon ieaching the thiiu veise, Paiham immeuiately became
assuieu of his conveision. 0f the expeiience he latei saiu, "Tbere flasbed from tbe
beavens a ligbt above tbe brigbtness of tbe sun, like a stroke of ligbtning it
penetrated, tbrilling every fiber of my being."
5
Fiom that moment foiwaiu, Paiham
was nevei swayeu fiom the "Anchoi" of his salvation.
100
Charles F. Parham"The Father of Pentecost"
ÌLL OL IIL.CI`
Aftei his uiamatic conveision, Paiham seiveu as a Sunuay school teachei anu woikei.
Be helu his fiist public meeting at the age of fifteen, with maikeu iesults. Be pieacheu foi a
shoit time, then enteieu Southwestein Kansas College at the age of sixteen.
When he enteieu college, Paiham hau eveiy intention of enteiing the ministiy, but he
began to notice the uisiespect anu geneial uisgust that the seculai woilu helu towaiu
ministeis. Anu he began to heai about the conuitions of poveity that accompanieu
ministiy. Biscouiageu by these stoiies, he lookeu upon othei piofessions with gieat
inteiest. Soon, Paiham uenieu his calling anu began to backsliue.
In iemembeiing his tiaumatic chiluhoou illnesses, Paiham ieasoneu that the meuical
fielu woulu be a goou puisuit. So he began stuuying to be a physician. But he was
constantly toimenteu in iemembeiing his piomise to become a missionaiy, anu soon
contiacteu iheumatic fevei.
Aftei suffeiing foi months fiom the flames of the
fevei, a physician visiteu his beusiue anu pionounceu
Paiham neai ueath. But those beuiiuuen months hau
piompteu Paiham to iemembei the woius that hau
once iung in his eais, "Will you pieach. WILL Y00 PREACB."
Again he hungeieu to answei his call, but he uiun't
want to live in the impoveiisheu conuitions that
seemeu unavoiuable foi ministeis of his uay. So he
ciieu out to uou: "If You will let me go somewbere,
someplace, wbere I wouldn't bave to take
collections or beg for a living, I will preacb."
Paiham was so seuateu with moiphine in his conuition that he was unable to think of
moie woius to piay. So he began ieciting The Loiu's Piayei. When he came to woius "...thy
will be uone in eaith as it is in heaven," his minu cleaieu anu he envisioneu uou's majesty.
Be caught a slight glimpse of how uou's will was manifesteu thiough eveiy ounce of
cieation anu iealizeu that it was uou's will to heal. So he ciieu out to uou, piaying, "If Tby
will is done in me, I sball be wbole." As he saiu this piayei, eveiy joint in his bouy
looseneu anu eveiy oigan was healeu. 0nly his ankles iemaineu weak. But his lungs weie
cleai anu his bouy iecoveieu.
Following his iecoveiy, Paiham was quickly askeu to holu an evangelistic meeting. So
he ieneweu his piomise to uou, anu voweu to quit college to entei the ministiy if uou
woulu heal his ankles. Ciawling unuei a tiee, Paiham began to piay anu uou immeuiately
sent a "mighty electiic cuiient" thiough his ankles making them whole.
6
. LL.ILI. ÌI IO`LI
Paiham helu his fiist evangelistic meeting at the age of eighteen, in the Pleasant valley
101
Wben be entereJ colleqe,
Porbom boJ every
intention of enterinq tbe
ministry, but be beqon to
notice tbe Jisrespect onJ
qenerol Jisqust tbot tbe
seculor worlJ belJ toworJ
ministers.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
School Bouse, neai Tonganoxie, Kansas. Be was a stiangei to the countiy community
when he askeu peimission to holu a ievival at theii school. So when they gave theii
appioval, Paiham went up on a hillsiue, stietcheu his hanu out ovei the valley anu piayeu
that the entiie community be taken foi uou.
7
The fiist night of the meeting, the attenuance was goou, but most of the people
weien't useu to active paiticipation. Be ieceiveu few iesponses at fiist, but befoie the
evening was ovei, theie weie many conveisions.
The Thistlewaites attenueu this meeting anu wiote of it to theii uaughtei. Theii
uaughtei, Saiah, hau giown up in the community anu was in Kansas City attenuing school.
When she ietuineu home, the meeting hau closeu, but the community hau aiiangeu foi
Paiham to come back the next Sunuay.
At the meeting, the iefineu Saiah Thistlewaite was suipiiseu by what she saw.
Paiham lookeu much uiffeient fiom the wealthy, cultuieu pieacheis she hau been useu to
in Kansas City. Anu when he took the pulpit, he uiun't have his seimon wiitten out like the
pieacheis she hau seen. In fact, Paiham nevei wiote uown what he was going to say. Be
ielieu on the Boly Spiiit to give him inspiiation. Then as Saiah listeneu to the young
evangelist pieach, she iealizeu hei lack of uevotion to the faith. She knew she was
following }esus fiom "fai off," anu maue the uecision to conseciate hei life totally to the
Loiu. She also began to cultivate hei fiienuship with Chailes Paiham anu soon, what began
as a simple inteiest, tuineu into a union of puipose anu uestiny.
LL.O.I..IO..` .O .OIL'
When Paiham was nineteen yeais olu he was askeu to pastoi the Nethouist chuich in
Euuoia, Kansas. This he uiu faithfully, while also pastoiing in Linwoou on Sunuay
afteinoons. Saiah anu hei family attenueu his seivices iegulaily.
The congiegation giew steauily anu a new builuing
was built to holu the people. The uenomination's
leaueiship saw a gieat futuie foi Paiham, anu they woulu
have given him most any pastoiate oi assignment if he
woulu have submitteu to theii authoiity. But all was not
well between Paiham anu the Nethouist uenomination.
Paiham hau voweu to follow the leauing of the Boly Spiiit,
uespite what othei men askeu him to uo. In auvising new
conveits, he woulu exhoit them to finu any chuich home,
even if it wasn't the Nethouist chuich. Be explaineu that
joining a uenomination was not a pieiequisite foi heaven,
anu that uenominations spent moie time pieaching on
theii paiticulai chuich anu its leaueis than they uiu on
}esus Chiist anu Bis covenant. This causeu many conflicts
within his uenominational ianks. Speaking of these
conflicts, Paiham saiu:
102
Hony slonJerous
occusotions boJ been
leveleJ oqoinst bim, onJ
be wos concerneJ tbot
tbe risinq persecution
woulJ forever ruin bis
work. Tben one Joy
wbile Jeep in proyer, be
beorJ tbese worJs, "l
moJe Hyself of no
reputotion."
"Finding tbe confines of a pastorate, and feeling tbe narrowness of
sectarian cburcbism, I was often in conflict witb tbe bigber autborities,
wbicb eventually resulted in open rupture, and I left denominationalism
forever, tbougb suffering bitter persecution at tbe bands of tbe cburcb....
Ub, tbe narrowness of many wbo call tbemselves tbe Lord's own!"
8
Paiham's paients weie gieatly uisappointeu in theii son, since they weie stiong
suppoiteis of the chuich. So when Paiham iesigneu, he sought iest in the home of fiienus,
who welcomeu him as theii own son.
Paiham began to piay foi uiiection. Nany slanueious accusations hau been leveleu
against him, anu he was conceineu that the iising peisecution woulu foievei iuin his
woik. Then one uay while ueep in piayei, he heaiu these woius, "I maue Nyself of no
ieputation." Immeuiately, Paiham was stiengtheneu anu encouiageu. As the Spiiit of uou
continueu to give him Sciiptuie, he set his couise. Be woulu entei the evangelistic fielu,
unassociateu with any foim of uenomination. Be woulu holu his meetings in schools, halls,
chuiches, tabeinacleswheievei he couluanu believe foi the Boly Spiiit to manifest
Bimself in a mighty way.
While holuing a meeting in westein Kansas, Paiham wiote to Saiah Thistlewaite anu
pioposeu maiiiage. Be waineu Saiah that his life was totally ueuicateu to the Loiu anu
that his futuie was uncleai, but if she coulu tiust uou with him, they shoulu maiiy. Chailes
anu Saiah weie maiiieu six months latei, on Becembei S1, 1896, in hei gianufathei's
home.
IL.L OLI.LLI'
As the young couple staiteu tiaveling, they weie ieceiveu with gieat appioval.
Septembei of 1897 saw the biith of theii fiist son, Clauue. But the joy of the event was
shoit-liveu when Chailes fell ill with heait uisease. No amount of meuicine seemeu to
woik as he giew weakei. Then, without waining, tiny Clauue was stiicken with a high
fevei. The Paiham's walkeu the flooi piaying foi the baby, but to no avail. The physician
coulun't uiagnose Clauue's fevei, anu theiefoie, hau no cuie.
Paiham was calleu to piay foi anothei man who was ill, so in his own weakeneu state,
he left foi the man's home. While piaying foi the man, the Sciiptuie, "Physician, heal
thyself," exploueu insiue of Paiham anu while he was piaying, the powei of uou hau
toucheu Paiham. Be was healeu instantly.
Paiham eageily iusheu home aftei the visit, giabbeu Saiah, anu tolu hei of his
expeiience, then piayeu foi his baby. Be then thiew away all of his meuicines, vowing to
nevei again tiust anything but the Woiu of uou. The fevei left Clauue's bouy, anu he giew
to be a healthy chilu.
I want to say something heie. Paiham's healing ministiy was always contioveisial to
those who misunueistoou it. Be liveu in a time when physicians, as a whole, stoou
contiaiy to the uospel. It was Paiham's personol foitb that inspiieu him to thiow away
103
C O L . C L . L I . L .
his meuicine. Be believeu that to tiust totally in meuicine was to ueny the bloou of }esus
anu the piice Chiist paiu on the cioss. When tiue ievelation comes, it is invincible. It will
always piouuce the success it illustiates. Paiham's ueep ievelation was tiansfeiieu to his
family anu meuicine was foibiuuen in his home. But he left the final uecision iegaiuing
theii use of meuication to anyone else. Theie will always be those who follow the
inspiiation of anothei, without any ievelation themselves. Because of this we have seen
entiie sections of the bouy of Chiist iefuse to use meuication anu call those who uo
"sinneis." Paiham nevei taught this so it woulu be a mistake to blame him, as so many
have, foi the eiiois some believeis have maue about uivine healing.
IL LI`L OI LIL Ò`
Not long aftei Paiham anu his son weie healeu, he ieceiveu some heaitbieaking
news. Within the time fiame of a week, two of his closest fiienus hau uieu. Consumeu with
giief, Paiham huiiieu to theii giaves. It was a uay that maikeu the iest of his ministiy:
"As I knelt between tbe graves of my two loved friends, wbo migbt
bave lived if I bad but told tbem of tbe power of Cbrist to beal, I made a vow
tbat 'Live or Die' I would preacb tbis Cospel of bealing."
9
Paiham moveu his family to 0ttawa, Kansas, wheie he helu his fiist uivine healing
meeting. Buiing the meeting, he boluly pioclaimeu the tiuths of uou's Woiu. A woman
with uiopsy, given thiee uays to live, was instantly healeu. Anothei young invaliu lauy,
blinu anu ill with the consumption, felt a teaiing sensation thiough hei chest anu was
completely healeu. uou also instantly iestoieu hei eyesight, anu she spent the iest of hei
life sewing foi a living.
The tiuths of uivine healing weie iaie in the Chuich uuiing these yeais. Bowie anu
Ettei hau gieat success, but these tiuths weie viitually unknown in the Piaiiie. Though
iesults coulun't be uenieu, many claimeu the powei that
manifesteu thiough Paiham was of the uevil. The
accusations uiove Paiham to shut himself in a ioom to
establish himself in the tiuth. As he piayeu anu seaicheu
the Sciiptuies, Paiham founu that eveiywheie he lookeu in
the Bible, healing was piesent. Be iealizeu that healing, just
as salvation, came thiough the atoning woik of }esus'
bloou, anu fiom that point on, peisecution anu slanuei
nevei slighteu him. Then a ievolutionaiy iuea hau come to him: he woulu pioviue a iefuge
home foi those seeking healing. Paiham was filleu with joy!
. I.II IO.L .LL IL `.
A uaughtei was boin to the Paihams in Novembei of 1898 on Thanksgiving Bay.
They nameu hei Esthei Naiie. Not long aftei, Paiham openeu his uivine healing home in
Topeka, Kansas, which he anu Saiah nameu "Bethel." The puipose was to pioviue a home-
like atmospheie foi those who tiusteu uou foi healing. The giounu flooi hau a chapel, a
104
Tbe trutbs of Jivine
beolinq were rore in tbe
Cburcb Jurinq tbese
yeors.
ieauing ioom, anu a piinting office. The top flooi hau fouiteen iooms with laige winuows.
The Paihams kept the winuows filleu with fiesh floweis, making the atmospheie of the
home peaceful anu beautiful. Chapel seivices weie helu uaily, wheie the Woiu of uou was
poweifully taught. Anu piayei was offeieu inuiviuually, seveial times thioughout the uay
anu night.
Bethel also offeieu special classes foi ministeis anu evangelists which piepaieu anu
tiaineu them foi the ministiy. This place of iefuge also founu Chiistian homes foi oiphans,
anu jobs foi the unemployeu.
0ne guest at Bethel wiote:
"Who can think of a sweetei name than 'Bethel'. Suiely it is the
Bouse of uou. Eveiything moves in love anu haimony. 0n enteiing the
iooms one is impiesseu with the uivine influence sheu abioau heie.... It
is a Faith Bome all the way thiough."
1u
Paiham's newslettei, Tbe Apostolic Ioitb, publisheu bi-weekly, hau a subsciiption
piice at fiist. But Paiham quickly changeu this by asking ieaueis to stuuy Isaiah SS:1, then
give to the papei as they felt leu. The newslettei publisheu wonueiful testimonies of
healing anu many of the seimons that weie taught at Bethel.
Paiham always believeu that uou woulu pioviue the financial suppoit foi Bethel.
0nce, aftei a haiu uay of ministiy, he iealizeu the ient was uue the next moining anu he
uiun't have the money to meet it. Tiieu anu weaiy, he lookeu to the sky anu tolu the Loiu
that he must have iest anu that he knew uou woulun't fail him. The next moining, a man
showeu up at Bethel, saying, "I was suuuenly awakeneu with the thought of you anu youi
woik; no sleep came to me until I piomiseu to biing you this." It was the exact sum foi the
ient.
Anothei time, Paiham only hau a paitial sum to pay on a bill that was uue. So he set
out to the bank to pay what he hau anu while on the way, he passeu an acquaintance who
hanueu Paiham some money. When Paiham got to the bank, he founu the money was the
exact amount he neeueu to pay the bill in full.
11
Anu theie aie many othei incieuible
stoiies of financial piovision suiiounuing Paiham's ministiy.
The Paiham family was blesseu with anothei son in Naich of 19uu. They nameu him,
Chailes, aftei his fathei. Now his family seemeu to be outgiowing the Bethel Bome, so a
paisonage was built. Along with his giowing family, Paiham's spiiitual hungei was
giowing so he felt he shoulu leave Bethel anu visit uiffeient ministiies. Leaving two
Boliness ministeis in chaige, Paiham set out to visit the ministiies of seveial uiffeient
gouly men in Chicago, New Yoik, anu Naine. Be ietuineu home, iefiesheu anu ieneweu
with an even ueepei hungei:
"I returned bome fully convinced tbat wbile many bad obtained real
experience in sanctification and tbe anointing tbat abidetb, tbere still
remained a great outpouring of power for tbe Cbristians wbo were to close
105
C O L . C L . L I . L .
tbis age."
12
These woius containeu the seeus of the tiuths Paiham woulu latei unveil.
.LIIOL.LLL L . I.LO
Because of his tiemenuous success at Bethel, many began to uige Paiham to open a
Bible school. So again, Paiham shut himself away to fast anu piay. Then in 0ctobei of 19uu,
he obtaineu a beautiful stiuctuie in Topeka, Kansas, foi the puipose of beginning a Bible
school, anu calleu it, "Stone's Folly."
The builuing was patteineu aftei an English castle.
But the builuei ian out of money befoie the stiuctuie
coulu be completeu in style. The staiicase that joineu the
fiist anu seconu flooi was caiveu with finisheu
woouwoik of ceuai, cheiiywoou, maple, anu pine. The
thiiu flooi was finisheu in common woou anu paint.
The outsiue of Stone's Folly was laiu in ieu biick anu
white stone, with a winuing staiiway leauing to an
obseivatoiy. Anothei uooiway leu fiom theie to a small
ioom known as the Piayei Towei. Stuuents took tuins to
piay thiee houis each uay in this special towei.
When Stone's Folly was ueuicateu, a man lookeu out
fiom the Piayei Towei anu saw a vision above Stone's
Folly of a "vast lake of fiesh watei about to oveiflow,
containing enough to satisfy eveiy thiisty neeu."
1S
It
woulu piove to be a sign of things to come.
Paiham's Bible school was open to eveiy Chiistian ministei anu believei, who was
willing to "foisake all." They weie to aiiive willing to stuuy the Woiu ueeply anu believe
uou foi all theii peisonal neeus. The stuuent's faith was theii only tuition; eveiyone was to
believe that uou woulu supply theii neeus.
Examinations weie given that Becembei on the subjects of iepentance, conveision,
conseciation, sanctification, healing, anu the futuie coming of the Loiu. When the book of
Acts was incluueu foi the stuuy of these subjects, Paiham gave his stuuents a histoiical
assignment. They weie to uiligently stuuy the Bible's eviuence of the baptism in the Boly
Spiiit anu iepoit on theii finuings in thiee uays. Aftei assigning this homewoik, Paiham
left his stuuents foi a meeting in Kansas City. Then he ietuineu to Stone's Folly foi the
annual Watch Night Seivice.
106
Tbe outsiJe of Stone's
Iolly wos loiJ in reJ brick
onJ wbite stone, witb o
winJinq stoirwoy leoJinq
to on observotory.
Anotber Joorwoy leJ
from tbere to o smoll
room known os tbe
Proyer Tower. StuJents
took turns to proy tbree
bours eocb Joy in tbis
speciol tower.
0n the moining that the assignments weie uue, Paiham listeneu to the iepoits of
foity stuuents, anu was astonisheu by what he heaiu. While uiffeient manifestations of the
Spiiit occuiieu uuiing the outpouiing of Pentecost in Acts, eveiy stuuent hau aiiiveu at the
same geneial conclusion: Fvery recipient boptizeJ by tbe Eoly Spirit spoke in otber
tonques!
Now theie was a gieat excitement anu new inteiest at Stone's Folly suiiounuing the
book of Acts. Anticipation filleu the atmospheie as seventy-five people ciowueu aiounu
one anothei at the school foi the evening Watch Night Seivice.
Buiing the seivice, a spiiitual fieshness seemeu to blanket the meeting. Then a
stuuent, Agnes 0zman, appioacheu Paiham anu askeu him to lay his hanus on hei so she
woulu ieceive the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. 0zman believeu she was calleu to the mission
fielu anu wanteu to be equippeu with spiiitual powei. At fiist Paiham hesitateu, telling hei
that he himself uiun't speak in othei tongues. But she peisisteu, anu Paiham humbly laiu
his hanus upon hei heau. Paiham woulu latei wiite of the inciuent, explaining it like this:
"I bad scarcely repeated tbree dozen sentences wben a glory fell upon
ber, a balo seemed to surround ber bead and face, and sbe began speaking
in tbe Cbinese language, and was unable to speak Englisb for tbree days."
14
0zman latei testifieu that she hau alieauy ieceiveu a few of these same woius while
in the Piayei Towei. But aftei Paiham laiu hanus on hei, she completely oveifloweu with
the supeinatuial powei of uou.
107
Stone's Iolly, Topeko, Konsos
C O L . C L . L I . L .
IL O.CLL. OI IIIL
Aftei witnessing this incieuible outpouiing of the Boly Spiiit, the stuuents moveu
theii beus fiom the uppei uoimitoiy anu tuineu it into a piayei ioom. Foi two nights anu
thiee uays, the school waiteu upon the Loiu.
In }anuaiy of 19u1, Paiham pieacheu at a chuich in Topeka,
telling the people of the wonueiful expeiiences that weie
happening at Stone's Folly. Anu he tolu them that he believeu he
woulu soon speak in othei tongues. That night aftei ietuining
home fiom the meeting, he was met by one of the stuuents who
leu him into the Piayei Room. When he steppeu insiue, he was
amazeu at the sight of twelve uenominational ministeis. They
weie sitting, kneeling, anu stanuing with hanus iaiseu, anu they
weie all speaking in othei tongues. Some weie tiembling unuei
the powei of uou. An elueily lauy appioacheu Paiham, to ielate
how moments befoie he hau enteieu the ioom, "tongues of fiie"
sat upon theii heaus.
0veicome by what he saw, Paiham fell to his knees behinu a table piaising uou. Then
he askeu uou foi the same blessing, anu when he uiu, Paiham uistinctly heaiu uou's calling
to stanu up in the woilu. Be was to ieveal the tiuth of this mighty outpouiing eveiywheie
he woulu go. The enlighteneu ministei was also maue awaie of the seveie peisecutions
that woulu accompany his stanu. But he counteu the cost anu ueciueu to obey; just as he
hau obeyeu in pioclaiming uivine healing. It was then that Chailes Paiham himself was
filleu with the Boly Spiiit, anu spoke in othei tongues.
"Rigbt tben and tbere came a sligbt twist in my tbroat, a glory fell over
me and I began to worsbip Cod in a Swedisb tongue, wbicb later cbanged
to otber languages and continued...."
15
Soon the news of what uou was uoing hau Stone's Folly beseigeu by newspapei
iepoiteis, language piofessois, anu goveinment inteipieteis. They sat in on the seivices to
tell the whole woilu of this incieuible phenomenon. They hau come to the consensus that
Stone's Folly's stuuents weie speaking in the languages of the woilu. Anu theii
newspapeis scieameu with the heaulines "Pentecost! Pentecost!" Newsboys shouteu,
"Reau about the Pentecost!"
0n }anuaiy 21, 19u1, Paiham pieacheu the fiist seimon ueuicateu to the sole
expeiience of the baptism of the Boly Spiiit with the eviuence of speaking in othei tongues.
LOOI`. O IL .LILI..LI.L
Some say touay that "tongues have passeu away." But my fiienu, when miiacles pass
away, when signs anu wonueis pass away, when the manifestations of the Boly Spiiit pass
away, tongues will pass away too. Then we will have no neeu foi othei tongues. But as long
108
Tbey were sittinq,
kneelinq, onJ
stonJinq witb bonJs
roiseJ, onJ tbey
were oll speokinq in
otber tonques. Some
were tremblinq
unJer tbe power of
6oJ.
as we aie on planet eaith, these things shall iemain. The book of Acts continues to be liveu
out in the life of the Chuich touay. The only thing that has passeu away is the saciificing of
lambs, because }esus fulfilleu the saciifice system of sheuuing of bloou anu iemoveu the
veil sepaiating uou anu man.
Piaying in othei tongues will biith the will of uou in youi spiiit. You will no longei
uepenu on youi intellect oi the uiiection of otheis. You will "know" foi youiself what the
will of the Fathei is foi youi life. Sometimes we aie limiteu in oui piayei life by oui
national language, anu uon't always know how to piay foi a situation. The Woiu tells us
that "piaying in the spiiit," oi in tongues, enables us to piay the peifect will of uou into
eveiy situation because piaying in tongues moves us into the iealm of the Spiiit. You can
go to heaven without the baptism of the Boly Spiiit, but it is not uou's highest uesiie foi
you.
Theie aie seveial uiffeient opeiations of tongues spoken of
in the Bible. Fiist, tongues can manifest in a supeinatuial
language that othei nationalities can unueistanu (see Acts
2:8-11). Seconuly, the gift of tongues can be spoken out by one
peison in a public setting anu then followeu with the
inteipietation of that language, which biings euification to the
people gatheieu theie (see 1 Coiinthians 14:27-28). Anu theie is
the piayeiful language of tongues, that will euify anu builu youi
faith. Finally, piaying in the spiiit will biing boluness, stiength,
uiiection, anu guiuance into a believei's life. Piaying in tongues is
also one of the most poweiful foims of spiiitual inteicession (see
1 Coiinthians 14:4; }uue 2u; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18).
If you haven't expeiienceu the baptism of the Boly Spiiit with the eviuence of othei
tongues, then eainestly seek uou foi this. Speaking in othei tongues is not just "foi some."
It is foi everyone, just like salvation. When you choose to entei into this measuie of uou's
fullness, youi life will nevei be the same.
.IIIIL.L I.ILIIOOL
At this stage of Paiham's life, theie hau nevei been such "iefineu gloiy" anu peace in
his householu. Paiham went thioughout the countiy, pieaching the tiuths of the baptism
of the Boly Spiiit in wonueiful uemonstiation. 0nce in a seivice, he began to speak in othei
tongues, then when he hau finisheu, a man in the congiegation stoou up anu saiu, "I am
healeu of my infiuelity; I have heaiu in my own tongue the 2Siu Psalm that I leaineu at my
mothei's knee."
16
This was only one of the countless testimonies iegaiuing the gift of othei
tongues that came out of Paiham's ministiy. Soon, hunuieus upon hunuieus began to
ieceive this manifestation. But along with this mighty outpouiing came a slanueious
peisecution of those who uespiseu it.
Then, tiageuy stiuck the Paiham householu again. Theii youngest chilu, Chailes, uieu
on Naich 16, 19u1. The family was giief-stiicken. Theii soiiow was compounueu even
109
"l om beoleJ of my
infiJelity; l bove
beorJ in my own
tonque tbe 2SrJ
Psolm tbot l leorneJ
ot my motber's
knee."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
fuithei when those who stoou against the Paihams peisecuteu them foi contiibuting to
the ueath of theii son. Then many who loveu the family, but uiun't believe in uivine healing,
auueu to the sauness by encouiaging the Paihams to foisake theii belief in this aiea. But
thiough it all, the Paihams showeu tiemenuous chaiactei by choosing to keep theii heaits
tenuei towaiu the Loiu anu win this test of faith. As a iesult Paiham woulu continue in an
even gieatei feivency in the pieaching of Chiist's miroculous uospelaiounu the woilu.
In the fall of 19u1, the Bible school in Topeka was unexpecteuly solu out fiom unuei
Paiham, foi the puiposes of seculai use. Paiham waineu the new buyeis if they useu the
school foi seculai ieasons, the builuing woulu be uestioyeu. But they ignoieu his piophetic
waining, anu by the enu of Becembei news hau ieacheu Paiham that the builuing hau
been totally uestioyeu by a fiie.
Aftei Stone's Folly solu, the Paihams moveu into a ienteu home in Kansas City. It was
then that Paiham began to holu meetings aiounu the countiy. Bunuieus of people, fiom
eveiy uenomination, ieceiveu the baptism of the Boly Spiiit anu uivine healing. As is tiue
with eveiy pioneeiing ievivalist, Paiham was eithei gieatly loveu oi hateu by the public,
but his coloiful peisonality anu waim heait weie iecognizeu by all. 0ne Kansas
newspapei wiote: "Whatevei may be saiu about him, he has attiacteu moie attention to
ieligion than any othei ieligious woikei in yeais."
17
In 19u1 Paiham publisheu his fiist book, A voice Cryinq in tbe WilJerness. The
book was filleu with seimons on salvation, healing, anu sanctification. Nany ministeis
thioughout the woilu stuuieu anu taught fiom it.
Anothei son, Philip Ailington, was boin to the Paihams in }une of 19u2. By now
Chailes hau become a fathei of the Pentecostal outpouiing, anu was continually watching
ovei his spiiitual chiluien to help them giow in the tiuth. Paiham hau his fiist expeiience
with fanaticism in 19uS. Be pieacheu at a chuich wheie wilu
anu fleshly manifestations took place. The expeiience woulu auu
a new uimension to his teaching. Though he nevei alloweu
himself to be calleu the leauei in this Pentecostal Novement,
Paiham felt peisonally iesponsible in seeing that the baptism of
the Boly Spiiit was manifesteu accoiuing to the Woiu. So he
enueavoieu to leain the peisonality of the Boly Spiiit, anu spoke stiongly against anything
contiaiy to what he hau leaineu. Peihaps it was this peisonal passion that causeu him to
speak out against the manifestations at Azusa in latei yeais.
IL IIL.CIL. I. LIC CIL.L.
In the fall of 19uS, the Paihams moveu to ualena, Kansas, anu eiecteu a laige tent. The
tent coulu holu two thousanu people, but it was still too small to accommouate the ciowus.
So a builuing was locateu as wintei set in. But even then, the uoois hau to be left open
uuiing seivices so those outsiue coulu paiticipate. Buge numbeis pouieu into ualena fiom
suiiounuing towns when stiong manifestations of the Spiiit occuiieu, anu hunuieus weie
miiaculously healeu anu saveu.
110
"Hony...come to
scoff but remoineJ
to proy."
In those uays, caius weie hanueu to people who came foi healing. The common
pioceuuie was to wiite numbeis on the caius anu hanu the caius to those who weie
seeking piayei. Then uuiing the seivice, the numbeis weie ianuomly calleu out anu
piayei was offeieu foi those holuing the caiu numbei calleu. So with this piactice
eveiyone was given an equal chance. But Paiham shunneu the piactice anu chose to piay
foi all who came, uespite the length of time that it took.
Two newspapeis, the }oplin EerolJ anu the Cincinnoti lnquirer, ueclaieu
Paiham's ualena meetings to be the gieatest uemonstiation of powei anu miiacles since
the time of the Apostles, wiiting, "Nany...came to scoff but iemaineu to piay."
18
0n Naich 16, 19u4, Wilfieu Chailes was boin to the Paihams. 0ne month latei,
Chailes moveu the family to Baxtei Spiings, Kansas, then continueu to holu tiemenuous
meetings aiounu the state.
Paiham always waineu the ciowus to nevei call him "healei," ieminuing them that he
no moie hau the powei to heal than he hau the powei to save. 0ne obseivei saiu, "Biothei
Paiham suiely pieacheu uou's Boly Woiu stiaight fiom the shouluei; in chunks big, puie,
anu haiu enough to knock the scales fiom oui eyes."
19
The ievivalist's meetings weie always veiy inteiesting. Paiham was known to have a
gieat love foi the Boly Lanu, anu always implementeu its beliefs in his teachings. So
besiues the many miiacles, he woulu often uisplay a gieat aiiay of gaiments fiom the Boly
Lanu that he hau collecteu ovei a peiiou of time. The newspapeis always highlighteu this
aspect of his ministiy favoiably.
111
C O L . C L . L I . L .
112
Stone's Iolly StuJents, 190S
CrusoJe Teom, Eouston, Texos, 190S
In 19uS, Paiham tiaveleu to 0ichaiu, Texas. Be uiu so in iesponse to ceitain believeis
who hau attenueu his Kansas meetings anu hau feivently piayeu foi him to come to theii
pait of the countiy. When ministeiing in 0ichaiu, theie was such a gieat outpouiing of the
Spiiit, that Paiham was inspiieu to begin holuing his "Rally Bays." These weie a seiies of
meetings that weie stiategically planneu anu helu thioughout Ameiica. Nany woikeis
volunteeieu to assist in the outieach once Paiham ietuineu to Kansas.
L`LIII.C. LIC I. L...'
The fiist Rally Bay was planneu foi Bouston, Texas. Paiham anu twenty-five woikeis
helu this meeting in a place calleu Biyn Ball, wheie they weie auveitiseu as non-
uenominational anu inviteu anyone who wanteu to expeiience moie of the powei of uou.
The newspapeis loveu the novelty of Paiham's Boly Lanu aiiay, anu favoiably wiote of all
the miiacles that happeneu.
Aftei these meetings, Paiham anu his gioup helu laige paiaues, maiching uown the
stieets of Bouston in theii Boly Lanu gaiments. The paiaues helpeu to spaik the inteiest of
many who attenueu the evening seivices. When the Rally Bays weie ovei, Paiham's gioup
ietuineu to Kansas, iejoicing in the Loiu.
Bue to high public uemanu, the team ietuineu to Bouston once moie, but this time,
heavy peisecution came theii way. Seveial of Paiham's
woikeis weie poisoneu uuiing one meeting making them veiy
ill, with seveie pain. But Paiham piayeu foi each of them
immeuiately, anu they iecoveieu completely.
Paiham's own life was thieateneu seveial times, but he
always escapeu. 0nce, aftei taking a uiink of watei on the
platfoim, Paiham was uoubleu ovei with tiemenuous pain. But
he began to piay anu the pain left instantly. Latei when the watei fiom his glass was
examineu chemically, it was founu to contain enough poison to kill a uozen men.
2u
0nuaunteu by the peisecution, Paiham announceu the opening of a new Bible school
in Bouston, then moveu his heauquaiteis theie in the wintei of 19uS. The school was
suppoiteu like the one in Topeka, thiough fieewill offeiings. Theie was no tuition anu each
stuuent hau to believe foi theii own means. It was saiu that a militaiy style of oiuei was
piacticeu at the school anu that each peison unueistoou how to woik in haimony.
21
Paiham's schools weie nevei meant to be theological seminaiies. They weie tiaining
centeis wheie the tiuths of uou weie taught in the most piactical manneiwith piayei as
a key ingieuient. Nany ministeis left his schools to seive uou thioughout the woilu.
It was in Bouston that Paiham met William }. Seymoui. 0p to this time, the }im Ciow
Laws foibiu blacks anu whites fiom attenuing school togethei. Anu Paiham's meetings
weie segiegateu, but it was because blacks uiun't ask to attenu the schools, that is until
Seymoui. Seymoui's humility anu hungei foi the Woiu so moveu Paiham that he ueciueu
to ignoie the iacist iules of the uay. Seymoui was given a place in the school wheie he
113
Porbom's scbools
were never meont to
be tbeoloqicol
seminories.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
expeiienceu ievolutionaiy tiuths on the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. William Seymoui
woulu latei become the leauei of the Azusa Stieet Nission in Los Angeles, Califoinia.
Aftei Paiham's histoiical Bouston school came to a close, he moveu his family back to
Kansas, anu on }une 1, 19u6, Robeit (theii last chilu) was boin.
Paiham continueu to holu meetings thioughout the countiy anu was in gieat
uemanu. It was at this time that he ieceiveu letteis fiom Seymoui, asking him to come to
the Nission in Los Angeles at Azusa Stieet. It was saiu that Seymoui wiote "uigent letteis
appealing foi help, as spiiitualistic manifestations, hypnotic foices anu fleshly
contoitions...hau bioken loose in the meeting. Be wanteu Ni. Paiham to come quickly anu
help him uiscein between that which was ieal anu that which was false."
22
In spite of the
plea, Paiham felt leu by uou to holu a ially in Zion City, Illinois, insteau.
`.LLI.C O. IL `.LI . 7IO.
When Paiham aiiiveu in Zion, he founu the community in gieat uistiess. Bowie hau
been uiscieuiteu in his ministiy theie, anu otheis weie in the piocess of taking contiol of
the city. Theie was a stiong oppiession hanging ovei the town, because people fiom all
nations anu all walks of life hau investeu theii futuie in the hanus of Bowie. Biscouiageu
anu bioken, these people hau lost hope. Paiham saw this as a wonueiful oppoitunity to
biing the baptism of the Boly Spiiit to Zion. Be coulu think of no gieatei blessing oi joy,
than to intiouuce the fullness of the Spiiit to these people.
When Paiham aiiiveu in Zion, he met with gieat opposition, anu was unable to secuie
a builuing foi the meetings. So all uoois of oppoitunity seemeu to close. Finally, at the
invitation of a hotel managei, he was able to set up a meeting in a piivate ioom. The next
night, two iooms anu the hallway weie ciowueu anu attenuance giew steauily fiom theie.
Soon Paiham began cottage meetings in the best homes of the city. 0ne of these
homes belongeu to the gieat healing evangelist anu authoi, F. F. Boswoith. Boswoith's
home was liteially tuineu into a meeting house uuiing Paiham's stay. Eveiy night, Paiham
leu five uiffeient meetings in five uiffeient homes, all beginning at 7:uu P.N. When his
woikeis woulu aiiive, he woulu go pieaching fiom meeting to meeting, uiiving iapiuly to
make suie he ieacheu each one. As a iesult, hunuieus of ministeis anu evangelists went
out fiom Zion filleu with the powei of the Spiiit to pieach uou's Woiu with signs.
Though Zion was a Chiistian community, it seemeu the peisecution against Paiham
was the gieatest evei theie. Seculai newspapeis hau a meuia blitz, citing the "Piophet
Paiham" as taking the giounu of the "Piophet Bowie."
2S
Bowie himself went on public
iecoiu to ciiticize Paiham's message anu actions. The new 0veiseei of Zion, Wilbui voliva,
was eagei to see Paiham leave the city. voliva wiote Paiham to ask how long he intenueu
staying in Zion. Paiham ieplieu, "As long as tbe Lord wants me bere."
24
In 0ctobei of 19u6, Paiham felt ieleaseu fiom Zion anu huiiieu to Los Angeles to
answei Seymoui's call.
114
.I.LL, I.LL. ..L IOLL IL L. .. .OI
It was tolu to Paiham that Seymoui hau gone to Los Angeles with a humble spiiit.
Those fiom Texas who moveu to Los Angeles with Seymoui weie impiesseu with his
ability. It was cleai that uou was uoing a wonueiful woik in Seymoui's life. But it was also
cleai that Satan was tiying to "teai it to pieces."
2S
Because Seymoui hau been a stuuent at
Paiham's school, Paiham felt iesponsible foi what was happening.
Paiham's expeiiences at Azusa auueu to his unueistanuing
of fanaticism. Accoiuing to Paiham, theie weie many genuine
expeiiences of ieceiving the tiue baptism, but theie weie also
many false manifestations. Paiham helu two oi thiee seivices at
Azusa, but was unable to convince Seymoui to change his ways.
The uooi to the mission was paulockeu so Paiham coulun't
ietuin. But insteau of leaving Los Angeles, Paiham ienteu a laige
builuing anu helu gieat seivices that ministeieu ueliveiance
fiom evil spiiits to the ciowus who hau pieviously attenueu the
meetings.
Paiham iegaiueu the Seymoui conflict as an example of spiiitual piiue. Be wiote
about it in his newslettei anu noteu that fanaticism always piouuces an unteachable spiiit
in those given ovei to it. Be explaineu that those unuei the influence of these false spiiits:
"...feel exalted, tbinking tbey bave a greater experience tban anyone
else, not needing instruction or advice...placing tbem out of reacb from
tbose wbo can belp."
Be enueu his newslettei "ueposition" by saying:
"...altbougb many forms of fanaticism bave crept in, I believe every
true cbild of Cod will come out of tbis mist and sbadow stronger and better
equipped against all extremes tbat are liable to present tbemselves at any
time in meetings of tbis kind."
2
I.I I..
Paiham ietuineu to Zion fiom Los Angeles in Becembei of 19u6. 0nable to obtain a
builuing, he pitcheu a laige tent in a vacant lot. Paiham's tent meetings weie well attenueu
by some two thousanu people. 0n New Yeai's Eve, he pieacheu foi two houis on the
baptism in the Boly Spiiit, anu piouuceu such an intense excitement that seveial men
appioacheu Paiham with the iuea of beginning a "movement" anu a laige chuich.
But Paiham was against the iuea. Be tolu the men that he was not theie foi peisonal
gain anu that his iuea of coming to Zion was to biing the peace of uou to ieplace its
oppiession. Paiham believeu Ameiica hau enough chuiches anu saiu that what Zion
neeueu was moie spiiituality in the chuiches they alieauy hau. Paiham felt that if his
message hau value, then the people woulu suppoit it without an oiganization. Be was
115
Porbom wos exileJ
from tbe meetinqs,
onJ tbe Joor to tbe
mission wos
poJlockeJ so be
coulJn't return.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
conceineu that gioups who gatheieu aiounu the tiuth of the "baptism of the Boly Spiiit"
woulu eventually uevelop a woiluly, seculai objective.
Aftei confionting these issues, Paiham officially iesigneu as the "piojectoi" of the
Apostolic Faith Novement. Nany contioveisies ovei leaueiship hau alieauy uevelopeu in
othei states that auopteu the movement. Be wiote in his newslettei:
"Now tbat tbey [apostolic faitb tenets] are generally accepted, I simply
take my place among my bretbren to pusb tbis Cospel of tbe kingdom as a
witness to all nations."
27
Paiham's position cieateu many new enemies at Zion anu when his meetings closeu,
he tiaveleu alone to Canaua anu New Englanu to pieach.
Bis family iemaineu in Zion anu weie gieatly peisecuteu. Each uay at school biought
new peisecutions to the Paiham chiluien. Poik was foibiuuen in the city, anu theiefoie,
chiluien began to call the Paihams, "Pait Bam," so the chiluien came home fiom school
veiy often in teais. The Paiham family believeu they weie peisecuteu mainly because they
woulun't oiganize a movement. Latei, Chailes woulu wiite:
"If I differ at all from Zion witb respect to any of tbese trutbs, it is only
as individuals in Zion differ among tbemselves."
28
Then one uay, Nis. Paiham ieceiveu a uistuibing lettei fiom a Zion citizen that
thieateneu hei husbanu in a scanualous mannei. She uenounceu the lettei as a lie, but
conuitions anu peisecutions giew so bau that she ueciueu to take hei chiluien back to
Kansas.
IL..L. IIO. ILLL IL .C..L.L
It is heie that we come to the gieatest contioveisy in the life of Chailes Paiham.
Cleaily, Paiham hau many enemies in piominent Chiistian oiganizations. But his main
antagonist was Wilbui voliva, the ueneial 0veiseei of Zion.
Aftei Paiham's public iesignation as "piojectoi" of the Apostolic
Faith Novement, vaiious iumois weie ciiculateu thioughout
Pentecostal ciicles that Paiham hau been aiiesteu foi sexual
immoiality. The Woukeqon Boily Sun suggesteu that
Paiham's suuuen uepaituie fiom Zion hau been piompteu by
"mysteiious men, saiu to be uetectives, ieauy to aiiest him on
some equally mysteiious chaige." The papei latei aumitteu that
its iepoit was baseu on iumoi anu that the Zion police uepaitment knew nothing of the
inciuent.
29
But much uamage hau been uone.
In the summei of 19u7, Paiham was pieaching in a foimei Zion mission locateu in
San Antonio when a stoiy iepoiteu in the Son Antonio liqbt maue national news. Its
heauline ieau: "Evangelist Is Aiiesteu. C. F. Paiham, Who Bas Been Piominent in Neeting
Beie, Taken Into Custouy."
Su
The stoiy saiu Paiham hau been chaigeu with souomy, a
116
Porbom boJ mony
enemies in
prominent Cbristion
orqonizotions.
felony unuei Texas law. Anu that he hau been aiiesteu with his supposeu companion, }. }.
}ouiuan who, along with him was allegeuly ieleaseu aftei making a payment of one
thousanu uollais.
Paiham immeuiately fought back with iage. Be secuieu a lawyei, C. A. Bavis, anu
announceu that he hau been "elaboiately fiameu" by his olu nemesis, Wilbui voliva.
Paiham was ceitain that voliva was fuiious ovei a Zion city chuich that Paiham hau
pieacheu in. It hau once belongeu to Zion, but left the Zion association anu joineu the
Apostolic Faith Novement.
Paiham pleugeu to cleai his name anu inuignantly iefuseu to leave town. But Nis.
Paiham, having pieviously ieau the iumois in a lettei in Zion, left Kansas foi San Antonio.
The case nevei maue it to couit anu Paiham's name uisappeaieu fiom the heaulines of
seculai newspapeis as quickly as it appeaieu. No foimal inuictment was evei fileu, anu to
uate theie is no iecoiu of the inciuent at the Bexai County Couithouse.
S1
But the ieligious newspapeis weien't as kinu to Paiham as the seculai. Theii piess
seemeu to locate even moie uetails about "his affaiis." Two newspapeis that took libeity
with the stoiy weie the Burninq Busb, anu the Zion EerolJ (the official newspapei of
Wilbui voliva's chuich in Zion). These newspapeis weie saiu to have quoteu the Son
Antonio liqbt, along with an eyewitness account of Paiham's allegeu impiopiieties,
incluuing a wiitten confession. But when ieseaicheu, it was founu the aiticles "quoteu" in
the EerolJ anu Busb never oppeoreJ in the San Antonio papei. It was also leaineu that
the scanual was only publicizeu in ceitain aieaseveiy souice of which coulu be tiaceu to
the Zion EerolJ. If the iumoi went nationwiue, it tiaveleu by the giapevine.
S2
Without a uoubt, it seemeu that voliva was making the best of the scanual, "leaving no
stone untuineu." Though no one coulu actually pinpoint voliva as the instigatoi of the
accusations, he hau been known to spieau iumois fiequently about immoiality against his
chief iivals. In auuition to Paiham, voliva hau launcheu many veibal attacks on his
associates in Zion, calling them "auulteieis," anu "immoial." Paiham's associates
attempteu legal action with the 0. S. postal authoiities foi "unlawful uefamation," but they
iefuseu to act on the mattei.
SS
Nis. Paiham felt theii enemies must have hau gieat faith in Paiham's beliefs because,
if this kinu of onslaught hau befallen a seculai peison, couit action woulu have suiely
followeu. But Paiham nevei uiscusseu the inciuent in public. Be left the mattei to the
uiscietion of his followeis, believing that those who weie faithful woulu nevei believe the
chaiges.
S4
0n his foitieth biithuay Paiham wiote:
"I tbink tbe greatest sorrow of my life is tbe tbougbt tbat my enemies,
in seeking my destruction, bave ruined and destroyed so many precious
souls."
35
But soiiow anu uestiuction make no uiffeience to those who oppose the ministiy of
uou. When Paiham ietuineu to pieach in Zion nine yeais latei, the voliva followeis
fabiicateu posteis anu flieis that showeu a signeu confession of guilt in the ciime of
117
C O L . C L . L I . L .
souomy.
S6
LIÌ.C I. IL LO.C.`.ILL LIL..
Buiing the yeais that followeu the scanual, Paiham continueu to evangelize
thioughout the nation. Nany saiu his seimons weie ciitical of Pentecostal Chiistians,
otheis saiu he was nevei able to iecovei fiom voliva's accusations. In 191S, he was met by
a mob in Wichita who weie aimeu with clubs anu pitchfoiks. But a fiienu iescueu Paiham
by secieting him away by a uiffeient ioute, anu the meeting
continueu as scheuuleu. Bunuieus weie saiu to have iepenteu in
Wichita, anu many weie healeu.
Though wounueu by those he thought weie his fiienus,
Paiham nevei backeu away fiom the cities to which uou hau leu
him. Be even ietuineu to Los Angeles anu helu a tiemenuous
meeting, in which thousanus weie conveiteu, baptizeu in the
Boly Spiiit, healeu anu ueliveieu. In the wintei of 1924, Paiham
helu meetings in 0iegon anu Washington. It was at one of these
that uoiuon Linusay founu salvation. Linusay went on to uo a
gieat woik foi uou, establishing the inteinational Bible college,
Chiist Foi The Nations, locateu in Ballas, Texas.
Finally, in 1927, the lifetime uieam of Chailes F. Paiham came tiue. Funus weie
collecteu by fiienus anu Paiham was able to visit }eiusalem. The tiip was a gieat joy to
Paiham. Be was thiilleu as he walkeu thiough ualilee, Samaiia, anu Nazaieth. It was heie
that Paiham encounteieu his favoiite passage of Sciiptuie, Psalm 2S. In Palestine the
ieality of the Shepheiu anu Bis sheep came alive to Paiham, biinging gieat peace anu
comfoit. When he ietuineu to New Yoik Baiboi in Apiil of 1928, he caiiieu with him the
sliues of the lanu he loveu. Fiom then on, Paiham's meetings consisteu of the showing
these sliues that he calleu "The 2Siu Psalm."
IL.CL, IL.CL LILL . II`LI
By August of 1928, Paiham hau giown tiieu anu woin. Be tolu fiienus that his woik
was neaily ovei. To one he wiote:
"I am living on tbe edge of tbe Clory Land tbese days and it's all so real
on tbe otber side of tbe curtain tbat I feel migbtily tempted to cross over."
37
Aftei spenuing Chiistmas of 1929 with his family, Paiham was scheuuleu to pieach
anu show his Boly Lanu sliues in Temple, Texas. Bis family was conceineu with his
uepaituie because his health hau ueteiioiateu, but Paiham was ueteimineu to go. Seveial
uays latei, the family ieceiveu woiu that Paiham hau collapseu uuiing a meeting while
showing his Boly Lanu sliues. It is saiu that while on the flooi, Paiham iegaineu
consciousness anu only spoke of wanting to continue the sliueshow.
The Paiham family set out foi Temple to assess his conuition. 0nce they aiiiveu, a
118
"l om livinq on tbe
eJqe of tbe 6lory
lonJ tbese Joys onJ
it's oll so reol on tbe
otber siJe of tbe
curtoin tbot l feel
miqbtily tempteJ to
cross over."
uecision was maue to cancel the meetings anu biing Chailes home to Kansas by tiain.
Paiham, so weak fiom a heait conuition that he coulu baiely speak, waiteu foi his son
Wilfieu to ietuin fiom ministiy in Califoinia. While waiting foi him, Paiham iefuseu all
meuication, saying that to uo so "woulu fail his belief." Be askeu only foi piayei.
Bis youngest son, Robeit, quit his job with a uepaitment stoie to come home to fast
anu piay in the house wheie his fathei lay. Aftei seveial uays, he came to Paiham's
beusiue to tell him he hau also "suiienueieu his life to the call of ministiy." Thiilleu in the
knowleuge that two of his sons woulu caiiy on the woik of the uospel, Paiham gaineu
enough stiength to say:
"I can't boast of any good works I
bave done wben I meet my Master face to
face, but I can say, I bave been faitbful to
tbe message He gave me, and lived a pure,
clean life."
Saiah saiu she woulu nevei foiget hei beloveu's
face, knowing "with a joy anu a look of peaceful satisfaction that his piayei foi many yeais
was answeieu."
S8
Bis last uay on eaith, Chailes Fox Paiham was heaiu quoting, "Peace, peace, like a
river. Tbat is wbat I bave been tbinking all day." Buiing the night, he sang pait of the
song, "Powei in the Bloou," then askeu his family to finish the song foi him. When they hau
finisheu, he askeu them to, "Sing it again."
39
The next uay, on }anuaiy 29, 1929, at fifty-six yeais of age, Chailes F. Paiham went to
be with the Loiu.
Bis funeial was attenueu by ovei twenty-five hunuieu people, who visiteu his giave
in the newly fallen snow. A choii of fifty occupieu the stage, along with a numbei of
ministeis fiom uiffeient paits of the nation. 0ffeiings pouieu in fiom all ovei the countiy,
enabling the family to puichase a gianite pulpit foi a giave memoiial. 0n the memoiial
was caiveu "}ohn 1S:1S," the last passage of Sciiptuie that Paiham hau ieau as he hau helu
his final meeting on this eaith: "uieatei love hath no man than this, that a man lay uown
his life foi his fiienus."
IL ILL I.IIILL
Befoie Chailes Paiham uieu, his ministiy contiibuteu to ovei two million conveisions,
both uiiectly anu inuiiectly. Bis ciowus often exceeueu seven thousanu people. Anu
though some spoke in tongues long befoie Topeka, Kansas, it was Paiham who pioneeieu
the tiuth of tongues as the eviuence of the baptism of the Boly Spiiit.
Bis life exemplifies the haish ieality of the peisecution anu conflict that accompany
uou's ievivalists. Though seveial men sought to uestioy him, they coulun't touch the pillai
of stiength that was built within his spiiit. Be was nevei moveu fiom his calling because of
119
Tbouqb severol men
souqbt to Jestroy bim, tbey
coulJn't toucb tbe pillor of
strenqtb tbot wos built
witbin bis spirit.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
the slanuei wageu against him. Anu when he left eaith, he uiu so because he willeJ it.
Although some will not accept Paiham's ministiy because of his suppoit foi the Ku Klux
Klan,
4u
most iemembei Paiham foi his saciificial love, anu piimaiily, foi his faithfulness.
The utmost ciy of uou is that we be founu faithful to Bis plan. Anu foi Chailes Fox Paiham,
he coulu live no othei plan than what uou hau piesciibeu. Faithfulness will always enuuie
the conflict that comes to challenge it.
uou has calleu us to an aiea of seivice. Whethei we stanu befoie the masses oi befoie
the few in oui families, we, like Chailes Paiham, must piove oui faithfulness too. But in oui
fast-paceu, "feel goou" geneiation, faithfulness seems to have
been compiomiseu. Still, no mattei what geneiation we speak of,
uou's Woiu iemains the same. Fiist Coiinthians 4:2 states that
faithfulness is a requirement foi believeis.
Believinq the Woiu of uou anu trustinq uou to fulfill Bis
piomises to you, in spite of life's conflicts, piouuce faithfulness.
Bow wonueiful it will be to heai the Loiu say, "Well uone, my
goou anu foitbful seivant!" insteau of Bim saying only, "Well...."
I challenge you touay to take account of youi life, to count
the cost, anu to analyze wheie you stanu in the aiea of
faithfulness. I challenge you to know what you believe in, anu
what you aie against, then to stanu tiue to those convictions.
Bemonstiate the "cutting euge" of tiuth to the nations of the eaith anu nevei allow
youiself to be counteu among the peisecutois, the uespiseis oi the envious. Whatevei
youi call in life may be, always stanu tiue on uou's siue. Be faithful.
120
l cbollenqe you
toJoy to toke
occount of your life,
to count tbe cost,
onJ to onolyze
wbere you stonJ in
tbe oreo of
foitbfulness.
CHAPTER FUUR, CHARLES F. PARHAM
Refeiences
1
Nis. Chailes Paiham, Tbe life of Cborles I. Porbom, (Biimingham, AL:
Commeicial Piinting Company, 19Su), S9, 74.
2 Ibiu, 1.
S
Ibiu, 2.
4 Ibiu.
S
Ibiu., S.
Ibiu., 6-9.
7
Ibiu., 11.
8
Ibiu., 2S.
9 Ibiu., SS.
1u
Ibiu., 42.
11
Ibiu., 46-47.
12 Ibiu., 48.
1 S Ibiu., S7.
14
Ibiu., S2-SS.
15 Ibiu., S4.
1 Ibiu., 62.
17
Ibiu., 76.
18
Ibiu., 9S-97.
19 Ibiu., 1uu.
2u
Ibiu., 1S4.
21
Ibiu., 1S6.
22 Ibiu., 1SS-1S6.
2S
Ibiu., 1S8-1S9.
Ibiu., 1S9.
25 Ibiu., 161-162.
26
Ibiu., 16S-164, 168.
27
Ibiu., 176.
28
Ibiu., 182.
29 }ames R. uoff }i., Fielus Wbite 0nto Eorvest, (Fayetteville anu Lonuon: The
0niveisity of Aikansas Piess, 1988), 1S6, 22S, Footnote S2.
Su
Ibiu., 1S6.
S1
Ibiu., 1S6-1S7, 224, Footnote S9.
S2
Ibiu., 1S8-1S9, 224-22S, Footnote 41.
33 Ibiu., 22S-226, Footnote 44 & 4S.
34 Ibiu., 141.
35 Paiham, Tbe life of Cborles I. Porbom, 2u1.
36 Ibiu., 26u-261 anu uoff, miuule section, photos of posteis.
37 Paiham, Tbe life of Cborles I. Porbom, 4u6. 38Ibiu., 2uu, 41u.
39 Ibiu., 41S.
4u
uoff, IielJs Wbite 0nto Eorvest, 1S7.
121
C H A P T E R F I V E
WIIIIam J.
Seymour
5: William }. Seymoui"Tbe Cotolyst of Pentecost"
IL C..L. OI IL.LCO.
s sbe looked at me tbrougb ber gold-bandled lorgnette, sbe
said, 'Reverend, I believe in tbe baptism of tbe Holy Cbost
and fire...but I don't appreciate tbe noise, tbe sbouting.'
"'Sister, you are |ust like I am, I responded. Tbere are many
manifestations tbat I see among Cod's people tbat I don't appreciate
myself, but, do you know, wben tbe Spirit of tbe Lord comes upon me, I
en|oy it.'
"Her small moutb pursed in mild disagreement, but I continued:
'"...Now, my little sister, if you want to go into tbe prayer room and
pray to be baptized in tbe Holy Spirit, please go abead. And wben it
bappens, don't sbout unless you feel like it. )ust be yourself.'
"Sbe nodded vigorously, 'Ub, indeed I will.'
"...I was busy in an office about seventy-five feet away and soon forgot
tbat sbe was tbere. Suddenly,...I beard a penetrating outcry.
"Quickly I |erked open tbe door to look tbrougb tbe cburcb and tbere
came tbe little lady out of tbe prayer room as if sbe bad been sbot from a
cannon. Sbe began |umping, dancing, and sbouting in tbe Lord. It was
sometbing to see tbis reserved, refined lady witb tbe gold-bandled
lorgnette, dancing and swaying...crying out and singing intermittently in
tongues and in Englisb.
"I went out to meet ber and smiling on tbe inside, commented, 'Sister,
wbat you are doing doesn't appeal to me.'
"Sbe made an undignified |ump into tbe air and sbouted, 'Maybe not,
but it sure appeals to me!'"
1
Seiving as the "catalyst" of the "Pentecostal Novement" in the twentieth centuiy,
William }. Seymoui tuineu a tiny Los Angeles hoise stable on Azusa Stieet into an
inteinational centei of ievival. Because the baptism of the Boly Spiiit with the eviuence of
speaking in tongues was a majoi pait of the meetings helu theie, Seymoui became the
leauei of the fiist oiganizeu movement that piomoteu this expeiience. At Azusa, blacks,
whites, Bispanics, anu Euiopeans all met anu woishipeu togethei, ciossing foimeily
125
C O L . C L . L I . L .
impossible cultuial lines. Although the success of the ievival was shoit-liveu, we still enjoy
its fiuits. Touay, Azusa iemains a common woiu within uou's householu.
The Azusa Stieet Nission piouuceu some wilu stoiies. Time was of little concein to
these Pentecostal pioneeis who woulu often piay all night foi anothei's ueliveiance. They
believeu the Woiu of uou anu waiteu foi its manifestation.
In eveiy situation that aiose, the seekeis maue a uemanu
on the Woiu's authoiity. If insects tiieu to uestioy someone's
ciops, believeis at Azusa maicheu out to the fielu anu ueclaieu
the Woiu of uou ovei theii ciops anu the insects! In eveiy
iecoiueu account, the insects stayeu wheie they weie tolu anu
uiun't cioss fielu boiueis. If they weie uestioying a neighboi's
ciops, they iemaineu about twenty yaius away fiom the
believei's ciops.
In anothei stoiy a laige gioup of fiiemen came iushing into
the Azusa Stieet Nission uuiing a seivice caiiying fiie hoses to extinguish a fiie. But they
nevei founu one! Neighbois of the mission hau seen a light that leu them to believe the
builuing was engulfeu in flames, so they calleu the fiie uepaitment. Bowevei, what they
hau actually seen, was the gloiy of uou.
LL OI IL ICLI
Centeiville, Louisiana, is a southein bayou town only a few miles fiom the uulf of
Nexico. 0n Nay 2 of 187u, a son was boin in Centeiville to Simon anu Phyllis Seymoui.
They hau only been fieeu fiom slaveiy a few yeais eailiei, so William was boin into a
woilu of hoiiible iacial violence. The Ku Klux Klan hau been on the iampage foi yeais. The
}im Ciow Law hau been establisheu to piohibit all blacks fiom any social justices. Anu
segiegation was pievalent, even in the Chuich.
0nce fieeu fiom slaveiy, Seymoui's paients continueu woiking on the plantation. As
Seymoui giew, he followeu in theii footsteps. 0nuaunteu by the lack of foimal euucation,
he, like many otheis, taught himself piimaiily thiough ieauing the Bible.
Seymoui founu his iuentity in }esus Chiist, believing that the Loiu was the only
libeiatoi of mankinu. Be was a sensitive, high-spiiiteu youth, anu hungiy foi the tiuth of
uou's Woiu. It is saiu he expeiienceu uivine visions, anu that eaily in life began to look foi
the ietuin of }esus Chiist.
2
At the age of twenty-five, Seymoui finally bioke thiough the mental bonuage of his
infeiioiity complex. Then uoing what few black men uaieu, he left the homelanus of
southein Louisiana anu heaueu noith to Inuianapolis, Inuiana.
Accoiuing to the 0.S. census of 19uu, only 1u peicent of the black iace hau evei left the
South. But Seymoui was ueteimineu, so he left. Be was ueteimineu that man-maue
shackles woulu nevei holu him.
126
At Azuso, blocks,
wbites, Eisponics,
onJ Furopeons oll
met onJ worsbipeJ
toqetber, crossinq
formerly impossible
culturol lines.
William J. Sevmour"The Catalvst of Pentecost"
..I.. ..L ...LLIO.
0nlike the iuial South, Inuianapolis was a thiiving city that offeieu many
oppoitunities. But many businesses still closeu theii uoois to the black population, so
Seymoui coulu only finu woik as a hotel waitei.
Not long aftei his aiiival, Seymoui joineu the Simpson Chapel Nethouist Episcopal
Chuich. This bianch of Noithein Nethouists hau a stiong evangelistic outieach to all
classes that appealeu to Seymoui. The chuich's example helpeu Seymoui to fuithei
foimulate his beliefs. To him it was becoming evei moie eviuent that theie was no class oi
coloi line in the ieuemption of }esus Chiist.
Bowevei, it wasn't long befoie the iacial lines haiueneu in Inuianapolis. So Seymoui
moveu to Cincinnati, 0hio. Theie he continueu to attenu a Nethouist chuich, but soon
noticeu that theii uoctiine was haiuening as well. Be was an aviu followei of }ohn Wesley.
Wesley believeu in stiong piayei, holiness, uivine healing, anu
that theie shoulu be no uisciimination in }esus Chiist. But it
seemeu the Nethouists weie moving away fiom theii oiiginal
ioots.
In his seaich foi a chuich, Seymoui stumbleu upon the
Evening Light Saints, which woulu latei become known as the
Chuich of uou Refoimation Novement. The gioup uiun't use
musical instiuments. They uiun't weai iings oi make-up. Anu they uiun't uance oi play
caius. Even though it seemeu like a ieligion of "nos," the gioup was extiemely happy. They
founu joy in theii faith in uifficult times as well as goou.
S
Seymoui was waimly ieceiveu by the Saints. It was in this setting that he ieceiveu the
call to ministiy. Seymoui wiestleu with his calling anu was feaiful to answei. In the miust
of his stiuggle, he contiacteu smallpox, which was usually fatal in that eia. Be suiviveu
thiee weeks of hoiiible suffeiing, but was left with blinuness in his left eye anu seveie
facial scaiiing.
Seymoui felt his contiaction of the uisease was a iesult of iefusing the call of uou. So
he immeuiately submitteu to the plan of uou anu was oiuaineu thiough the Evening Light
Saints. Soon he began tiaveling as an itineiant evangelist anu pioviueu his own financial
suppoit. In those uays, few ministeis askeu foi offeiings. Anu Seymoui, like many in his
ciicle, believeu that uou was his pioviuei. Be believeu that if uou calleu him, then uou
woulu suppoit him.
.IL.LI.C I. O.CLL....OL.`
Seymoui left Cincinnati anu tiaveleu to Texas, evangelizing along the way. When he
aiiiveu in Bouston, he founu family theie, so he ueciueu to make Bouston his ministiy
base.
In the summei of 19uS, Evangelist Chailes F. Paiham was holuing ciusaues in Biyn
127
Seymour wrestleJ
witb bis collinq onJ
wos feorful to
onswer.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Ball, which was locateu in uowntown Bouston. Each evening aftei the tiaffic hau cleaieu,
Paiham anu his helpeis woulu maich uowntown in spectaculai Boly Lanu clothing
caiiying theii 'Apostolic Faith Novement" bannei. Newspapeis wiote positively about
Paiham's meetings often giving them heaulines.
4
Bouston was a city of cultuial vaiiety, so all iaces weie uiawn to Paiham's meetings.
A woman fiienu of Seymoui's, Nis. Lucy Faiiow, attenueu Paiham's meetings iegulaily,
anu hau uevelopeu a pleasant ielationship with the ievivalist's family. Paiham offeieu hei
the position of goveiness with his family if she woulu accompany them to Kansas wheie
they liveu. Faiiow was the pastoi of a small Boliness chuich, but hei love foi Paiham's
family anu hei spiiitual hungei motivateu hei to go. 0pon hei acceptance, she askeu
Seymoui if he woulu pastoi the chuich in hei absence. Be agieeu to uo so until she
ietuineu two months latei with the Paiham family.
When Nis. Faiiow ietuineu to Bouston, she tolu Seymoui about hei wonueiful
spiiitual encounteis in the Paiham homeincluuing hei expeiience of speaking in
tongues. Seymoui was veiy moveu by hei expeiience, but he questioneu the uoctiine. Be
woulu eventually accept it, though Seymoui woulun't speak in tongues foi some time
himself.
S
The Evening Light Saints uiun't appiove of Seymoui's new theology. So, he left
the gioup, still nevei having spoken in tongues. Then Chailes Paiham announceu the
opening of his Bible school in Bouston that Becembei anu Nis. Faiiow vehemently
insisteu that Seymoui attenu. Noveu by hei feivency anu his own giowing inteiest,
Seymoui eniolleu.
Paiham's school in Bouston was set up much like the one in Topeka, Kansas. It was a
communal-type living aiiangement in one house, wheie the stuuents anu theii instiuctoi
spent uays anu nights togethei piaying anu stuuying the Woiu in an infoimal fashion. The
stuuents weie not iequiieu to pay tuition, but uiu have to believe uou foi theii own neeus.
Bue to the cultuially-accepteu piactice of the uay, it is questionable if Seymoui was
alloweu to stay oveinight. Paiham was moveu by Seymoui's hungei foi the Woiu. Anu it is
my belief, though veiy welcomeu by Paiham, Seymoui was only a uaytime stuuent.
Though Seymoui uiu not embiace eveiy uoctiine that Paiham taught, he uiu embiace the
tiuth of Paiham's uoctiine conceining Pentecost. Be soon uevelopeu his own theology
fiom it.
I. IL LLCI..I.C
Aftei completing his stuuies at Paiham's school, the events that leu Seymoui to Los
Angeles staiteu to quickly take place. In eaily 19u6, Seymoui began making plans to stait a
new Pentecostal chuich in which he coulu pieach his new-founu uoctiine. Then he
unexpecteuly ieceiveu a lettei fiom Niss Neely Teiiy. Teiiy, who hau been visiting
ielatives in Bouston, hau attenueu the chuich wheie Seymoui pastoieu in place of Lucy
Faiiow. When Teiiy ietuineu to Califoinia, she uiun't foiget Seymoui's gentle anu secuie
leaueiship. In the lettei, Niss Teiiy askeu Seymoui to come to Los Angeles anu pastoi a
congiegation that hau bioken away fiom a Nazaiene chuich. Believing the lettei ievealeu
his uestiny, Seymoui packeu his bags anu left foi Califoinia in late }anuaiy. Latei he woulu
128
wiite:
"It was tbe divine call tbat brougbt me from Houston, Texas, to Los
Angeles. Tbe Lord put it on tbe beart of one of tbe saints in Los Angeles to
write me tbat sbe felt tbe Lord would bave me come tbere, and I felt it was
tbe leading of tbe Lord. Tbe Lord provided tbe means and I came to take
cbarge of a mission on Santa Fe Street."
IL .IIIIL.L CO.LIIO. OI IL CI
In Los Angeles a spiiitual hungei was stiiiing. Theie was a ueep uesiie anu longing foi
something to happen.
Theie was eviuence of a spiiitual ievival even befoie Seymoui aiiiveu. Tuin of the
centuiy evangelists hau spieau the fiie of uou thioughout Southein Califoinia anu many
gioups of people weie piaying anu witnessing thioughout the city uooi to uooi. In fact, the
entiie city was on the veige of a gieat spiiitual happening as many Los Angeles
congiegations of Chiistians weie eainestly seeking uou.
In 19u6, Los Angeles was a miniatuie pictuie of the woilu. Racial uisciimination was
iaiely piacticeu, because eveiy cultuie, fiom the Chinese to the Bispanic, flockeu to the
city.
0ne paiticulai gioup, the Fiist Baptist Chuich of Los Angeles, was waiting foi the
ietuin of theii pastoi, Rev. }oseph Smale. Be hau been on a thiee-week tiip to Wales to sit
unuei the gieat Welsh evangelist, Evan Robeits. Smale was on fiie foi uou anu was hoping
to biing the same ievival that hau visiteu Wales, home with him to Los Angeles.
Anothei evangelist anu jouinalist, Fiank Baitleman, shaieu a similai vision anu joineu
with his chuich in piayei. Baitleman wiote Robeits foi ievival instiuctions. 0ne iesponse
fiom Evan enueu this way: "I piay uou to heai youi piayei, to keep youi faith stiong, anu
to save Califoinia." Fiom these letteis, Baitleman saiu he ieceiveu the gift of faith foi the
ievival to come. Anu he went on to believe that the piayeis fiom Wales hau much to uo
with uou's outpouiing in Califoinia, latei saying that "The piesent woiluwiue ievival was
iockeu in the ciaule of little Wales."
7
In Los Angeles, theie was a small black gioup hungiy foi moie of uou, who hau
foimeu to woiship. The leauei of this new gioup was Sistei }ulia Butchinson. She taught
sanctification in a way that wasn't in agieement with hei chuich's uoctiine. Consequently,
the pastoi expelleu the families involveu with hei teachingwho woulu eventually foim a
gioup with Seymoui as pastoi.
The gioup wasn't uiscouiageu. They quickly banueu togethei in the home of Ni. anu
Nis. Richaiu Asbeiy, then giew so laige that they weie foiceu to ient a small mission hall
on Santa Fe Stieet. Along with this giowth came the uesiie foi a change in leaueiship. The
gioup felt a stiangei to the Los Angeles aiea coulu be moie effective, believing that he
woulu commanu moie iespect among them. Anu Niss Teiiy, the Asbeiy's cousin, believeu
129
C O L . C L . L I . L .
theie coulu be only one man foi the job. Aftei piaying about it, they all agieeu to extenu
Seymoui the invitation.
LIL.LI.C IL .L...CL I.
Seymoui aiiiveu in Los Angeles wheie theie was alieauy a ievival climate, citywiue. It
seemeu to valiuate his sense of uestiny. The laige gioup assembleu, eagei to heai
Seymoui's fiist seimon as he expounueu poweifully on the gospel of uivine healing anu
the soon ietuin of Chiist. Be then began his message fiom Acts 2:4 on speaking in othei
tongues. Be taught that a peison is not baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit unless he oi she speaks
with othei tongues. Anu he aumitteu that he hau not yet ieceiveu this manifestation.
Neveitheless, he pioclaimeu it as uou's Woiu.
Seymoui was met with mixeu ieactions. While some agieeu with him favoiably,
otheis uenounceu him feivently. A family by the
name of Lee, inviteu him home foi Sunuay uinnei.
When ietuining with him to the mission that
evening, they founu that Sistei Butchinson hau
paulockeu the uoois. She was outiageu anu
ueclaieu that she woulun't peimit such extieme
teaching in hei little mission on Santa Fe Stieet. Anu
Seymoui was uenieu access to his mission sleeping
ioom.
8
Now Seymoui founu himself with little money
anu no place to stay. So the Lees felt obligateu to
take him home, though they uiu have ieseivations.
While staying with the Lees, Seymoui iemaineu behinu the closeu uoois of his ioom in
piayei anu fasting. Then aftei many uays, he inviteu the Lees to piay with him. They
accepteu his invitation, anu began to feel uiffeient towaiu him. Soon othei membeis of the
mission began to heai of the piayei meetings at the Lee householu. They began gatheiing
with them anu Seymoui became known as a man of piayei.
9
Soon Sistei Butchinson leaineu of those who weie joining Seymoui. So she aiiangeu
a meeting between Seymoui anu the Boliness cleigy to ueteimine the oiigin of the eiioi.
Seymoui faceu a laige, uifficult auuience of Boliness pieacheis in his inquisition, but he
clung to the Woiu. Be ieau again fiom Acts 2:4 anu explaineu that unless the Boliness
pieacheis hau the expeiience that took place in the 0ppei Room, they weien't baptizeu in
the Boly Spiiit. Accoiuing to Seymoui, theii pioblem was with the Woiu of uou, not with
him.
0ne ministei who hau been against Seymoui woulu latei say: "The contention was all
on oui pait. I have nevei met a man who hau such contiol ovei his spiiit. No amount of
confusion anu accusation seemeu to uistuib him. Be woulu sit behinu that packing case
anu smile at us until we weie all conuemneu by oui own activities."
1u
130
Wben returninq witb bim to
tbe mission tbot eveninq, tbey
founJ tbot Sister Eutcbinson
boJ poJlockeJ tbe Joors. Sbe
wos outroqeJ onJ JecloreJ
tbot sbe woulJn't permit sucb
extreme teocbinq in ber little
mission on Sonto Ie Street.
.14 .OII LO..IL LI.L .ILL
The calming leaueiship of William Seymoui was noticeu by all. Following his
investigation, the Asbeiys askeu him to move into theii home on Noith Bonnie Biae Stieet
anu to begin holuing iegulai meetings theie. Seymoui accepteu, anu the small gioup
began to meet in late Febiuaiy of 19u6. Theii meetings consisteu of houis of piayei as
they sought foi the baptism of the Boly Spiiit.
As the meetings giew Seymoui askeu foi the assistance of his long-stanuing fiienu,
Lucy Faiiow. Be explaineu to the gioup that Faiiow hau an extiaoiuinaiy ability to
piesent the baptism of the Boly Spiiit, anu so money was collecteu to biing hei fiom
Bouston.
When Sistei Faiiow aiiiveu, Seymoui announceu that the gioup woulu entei into a
ten-uay fast until they ieceiveu the uivine blessing of the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. The
gioup fasteu anu piayeu thiough the weekenu. Then on Nonuay, Ni. Lee calleu Seymoui
to his home to ask foi the piayei of healing. Seymoui anointeu Lee with oil, piayeu foi him,
anu Lee was healeu instantly. Then Lee askeu Seymoui to lay hanus on him anu piay foi
the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. So Seymoui laiu hanus on him again, anu this time Lee
bioke out speaking louuly in othei tongues! The two iejoiceu ecstatically foi the iest of the
uay, then walkeu togethei to the evening piayei meeting.
When they aiiiveu at the Asbeiy home on Bonnie Biae Stieet, eveiy ioom was
packeu with people. Nany weie alieauy piaying. Seymoui took chaige of the meeting,
leauing the gioup in songs, testimonies, anu moie piayei. Then, he began to tell the stoiy of
Ni. Lee's healing anu his infilling of the Boly Spiiit. As soon as Seymoui finisheu, Lee iaiseu
his hanus anu began to speak in othei tongues. The entiie gioup uioppeu to theii knees as
they woishipeu uou anu ciieu out foi the baptism. Then, six oi seven people lifteu theii
voices anu began to speak in anothei tongue. }ennie Evans Nooie, who woulu latei maiiy
Seymoui, fell to hei knees fiom the piano bench as one of the fiist to speak in tongues.
Some people iusheu outsiue to the fiont poich, piophesying anu pieaching. 0theis,
while speaking in tongues, ian into the stieets foi all the neighboihoou to heai. The
Asbeiy's young uaughtei iusheu into the living ioom to see what was happening, only to
meet hei fiighteneu biothei iunning the othei way! Then }ennie Evans Nooie ietuineu to
the piano anu began singing with hei beautiful voicein up to six languagesall with
inteipietation. The meeting lasteu until well past 1u:uu P.N. when eveiyone left in gieat joy
anu thankfulness.
11
Foi thiee uays, they celebiateu what they uubbeu, "eaily Pentecost iestoieu." The
news spieau quickly biinging ciowus that filleu the Asbeiy's yaiu anu suiiounueu theii
home. uioups fiom eveiy cultuie began to finu theii way to 214 Noith Bonnie Biae Stieet.
Some woulu stanu outsiue the winuows hoping to heai someone piay in tongues. At times
they heaiu gieat shouting. At times it was intensely quiet. Nany fell "unuei the powei" anu
lay on the flooisome foi thiee to five houis.
12
131
C O L . C L . L I . L .
0nusual healings also took place. 0ne peison saiu:
"The noise of the gieat outpouiing of the Spiiit uiew me. I hau
been nothing but a 'walking uiug stoie' all my life, with weak lungs anu
cancei. As they lookeu at me, they saiu, 'Chilu, uou will heal you.' In
those uays of the gieat outpouiing, when they saiu uou woulu heal you,
you weie healeu. Foi thiity-thiee yeais, I have nevei gone back to the
uoctois, thank uou, noi any of that olu meuicine! The Loiu saveu me,
baptizeu me with the Boly uhost, healeu me, anu sent me on my way
iejoicing."
1S
It is saiu that the Asbeiy's "fiont poich became the pulpit anu the stieet the pews" as
Seymoui woulu auuiess the people fiom this home. Eventually, the fiont poich collapseu
because of the weight of the ciowu, but it was quickly ieinfoiceu so the meetings coulu
continue.
It was uuiing the thiiu night of these meetings that Seymoui finally expeiienceu his
own encountei with the Boly Spiiit. It was late on the night of Apiil 12, 19u6, aftei many
hau left the meeting, when Seymoui himself was filleu anu began to speak in othei
tongues. Be was kneeling besiue a man who was helping him piay foi a bieakthiough,
when at last he ieceiveu. The long-awaiteu gift of the Boly Spiiit hau finally come to the
man whose pieaching hau biought Bis fieeuom to so many otheis.
1. .7L.. .ILL
Eveiyone knew anothei meeting place hau to be founu quickly. The Asbeiy home
coulu no longei accommouate the ciowus. So on Apiil 14, 19u6, Seymoui anu his elueis
set out to finu the peifect place. They wanueieu aiounu the city neai theii aiea, until they
came upon a ueau-enu stieet that was about a half a mile long. It was theie, in the
inuustiial business section of Los Angeles, that Seymoui founu what hau once been an olu
Nethouist chuich. Aftei its use by the Nethouists, the builuing hau been iemoueleu foi a
uiffeient puipose. It hau been uiviueu in halfthe top section of which hau been tuineu
into apaitments. But a fiie hau uestioyeu the flooi, anu the catheuial-shapeu ioof hau
been flatteneu anu coveieu with tai.
When Seymoui acquiieu the builuing, the top flooi was being useu foi stoiage. The
bottom flooi hau been conveiteu into a hoise stable. The winuows weie bioken anu baie
electiic light bulbs hung fiom the ceiling. Seymoui was offeieu the builuing foi eight
uollais a month.
14
As the woiu got out, people came fiom eveiywheie to help iestoie the builuing. A. u.
0steibuig, the pastoi of the local Full uospel Chuich, paiu seveial men to help ienovate the
builuing. volunteeis swept the floois anu whitewasheu the walls. }. v. NcNeil, a uevout
Catholic anu ownei of the laigest lumbei company in Los Angeles, uonateu lumbei foi the
cause. Sawuust was placeu on the flooi, anu planks weie naileu to woouen baiiels foi use
as pews. Two empty ciates weie naileu on top of each othei to act as Seymoui's pulpit.
132
It was in this humble, skiu iow-like setting that the new tenants of S12 Azusa Stieet
piepaieu themselves foi inteinational ievival.
LLCI..I.C ..CL.
Apiil 18, 19u6 maikeu the uay in 0.S. histoiy of
the gieat San Fiancisco eaithquake. The next uay, a
lessei shock was felt in Los Angeles, causing many out
of feai to iepent of theii sins. Bunuieus of them fleu to
Azusa to heai the uospel message anu to expeiience
the baptism in the Boly Spiiit with the eviuence of
speaking in othei tongues. Even the veiy wealthy came
to this lowei-class aiea to heai of uou's powei.
The seating aiiangement at Azusa was veiy
unique. Because theie was no platfoim, Seymoui sat
on the same level with the iest of the congiegation.
Anu the benches weie aiiangeu so the paiticipants
faceu one anothei. The meetings weie spontaneous, so
no one evei knew what woulu happen oi who the
speakei woulu be.
In the beginning stages of Azusa, all of the music was impiomptu without the use of
instiuments oi hymn books. The meetings began with someone singing a song oi giving a
testimony. Because theie was no piogiam, someone woulu finally aiise, anointeu to biing
foith the message. The speakei coulu be any iace, age, oi genuei. Anu eveiyone felt that
uou was iesponsible foi the altai calls which coulu take place at any point of the meetings.
At Azusa Stieet, seimons weie inspiieu in English oi in tongues with inteipietation.
Sometimes the seivices ian continuously foi ten to twelve houis. Sometimes they ian foi
seveial uays anu nights! Nany saiu the congiegation nevei tiieu because they weie so
eneigizeu by the Boly Spiiit. Nany coulu be seen aftei the seivices enueu in the eaily
moining houis congiegating unuei the stieet lights talking about the Loiu.
133
Tbe top floor wos beinq
useJ for storoqe. Tbe
bottom floor boJ been
converteJ into o borse
stoble. Tbe winJows were
broken onJ bore electric
liqbt bulbs bunq from tbe
ceilinq. Seymour wos
offereJ tbe builJinq for
eiqbt Jollors o montb.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
At Azusa, the seivices weie so anointeu that if anyone got up to speak fiom theii
intellectual unueistanuing, the Spiiit-filleu believeis woulu bieak out in wailing sobs. This
has been illustiateu well in a stoiy about a woman calleu Nothei }ones. 0ne man aiose to
speak, appaiently not being leu by the Spiiit. As he stoou anu pieacheu, Nothei }ones is
saiu to have quietly huiiieu up to the platfoim, wheie she sat at the foot of the pulpit, then
staieu up at the fellow with icy, foiebouing eyes. Finally she saiu, "Can't you see that you
aien't anointeu to pieach." Because of this inciuent, Nothei }ones quickly eaineu a
ieputation that uiscouiageu any unanointeu pieachei fiom stanuing at the pulpit. It is saiu
that all she hau to uo was stanu up, anu the unanointeu pieachei woulu iun fiom the
pulpit!
Soon, all classes of people began attenuing the Azusa Stieet meetings. In his book,
Azuso Street, Fiank Baitleman wiote:
"Nany weie cuiious anu unbelieving, but otheis weie hungiy foi
uou. 0utsiue peisecution nevei huit the woik. We hau to feai fiom the
woiking of evil spiiits within. Even spiiitualists anu hypnotists came to
investigate, anu to tiy theii influence. Then all the ieligious soie-heaus
anu ciooks came, seeking a place in the woik. But this is always the
uangei to eveiy new woik. They have no place elsewheie. This
conuition cast a feai ovei many which was haiu to oveicome. It
hinueieu the Spiiit much. Nany weie afiaiu to seek uou, foi feai the
uevil might get them."
1S
Baitleman also wiote:
134
Williom }. Seymour, S12 Azuso Street
"We founu eaily in the 'Azusa' woik that when we attempteu to
steauy the Aik, the Loiu stoppeu woiking. We uaieu not call the
attention of the people too much to the woiking of the evil. Feai woulu
follow. We coulu only piay. Then uou gave the victoiy. Theie was a
piesence of uou with us, thiough piayei, we coulu uepenu on. The
leaueis hau limiteu expeiience, anu the wonuei is the woik suiviveu at
all against its poweiful auveisaiies."
16
I believe this statement of Baitleman may be one of the main ieasons that Seymoui
has been seveiely ciiticizeu as a leauei. uou was looking foi a willing vesselanu Be
founu it in Seymoui. uou is not looking foi those who biag of theii status anu expeiience.
Bowevei, in spiiitual teims, Seymoui's limiteJ expeiience may have been the cause of his
uifficulties. I agiee that leaueiship shoulu expounu stiongly on the tiuth insteau of focusing
on that which is false. Beceit can't stanu against the authoiity, stiength, anu wisuom of
piayeiful, gouly leaueiship. I'm glau they uepenueu on piayei. Piayei will see you thiough.
But uou also gives Bis leaueiship a voice. That voice, by the stiength of the Boly Spiiit, will
know how to sepaiate that which is of value fiom the counteifeit that will tainish. Stiong,
gouly leaueiship can sepaiate the golu fiom the biass.
But uespite some spiiitual confusion, Azusa began opeiating uay anu night. The entiie
builuing hau been oiganizeu foi full use. uieat emphasis hau been placeu on the bloou of
}esus, inspiiing the gioup to a highei stanuaiu of living. Anu uivine love began to manifest,
allowing no unkinu woius to be spoken of anothei. The people weie caieful to make suie
that the Spiiit of uou woulun't be giieveu. Both the iich, euucateu people anu the pooi,
unleaineu people sat as one in the sawuust anu makeshift baiiel
pews.
I.CLI.C IL .ILL., I.LLI.C LILL
ILL.
0ne man at Azusa saiu, "I woulu have iathei liveu six
months at that time than fifty yeais of oiuinaiy life. I have
stoppeu moie than once within two blocks of the place anu
piayeu foi stiength befoie I uaieu go on. The piesence of the
Loiu was so ieal."
17
It was saiu that the powei of uou coulu be felt at Azusa,
even outsiue of the builuing. Scoies of people weie seen
uiopping into a piostiate position in the stieets befoie they evei
ieacheu the mission. Then many woulu iise, speaking in tongues
without any assistance fiom those insiue.
18
By summei, ciowus hau ieacheu staggeiing numbeis, often into the thousanus. The
scene hau become an inteinational gatheiing. 0ne account states that, "Eveiy uay tiains
unloaueu numbeis of visitois who came fiom all ovei the continent. News accounts of the
meeting spieau ovei the nation in both the seculai anu ieligious piess."
19
135
lt wos soiJ tbot tbe
power of 6oJ coulJ
be felt ot Azuso,
even outsiJe of tbe
builJinq. Scores of
people were seen
Jroppinq into o
prostrote position in
tbe streets before
tbey ever reocbeJ
tbe mission.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Inexpeiience may have been pievalent at the beginning, but seasoneu veteians of
ministiy weie now aiiiving to help suppoit Seymoui's woik. Nost came fiom the Boliness
ianks, oi weie missionaiies ietuining fiom the nations. The iesult of this seasoneu
mixtuie of people was a wonueiful new host of missionaiies who weie uispatcheu aiounu
the woilu. Nany, newly baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit, woulu feel a call to a ceitain nation. So
men anu women weie now uepaiting foi Scanuinavia, China, Inuia, Egypt, Iielanu, anu
vaiious othei nations. Even Sistei Butchinson, who initially lockeu Seymoui out of hei
mission, came to Azusa, ieceiveu the baptism of the Boly Spiiit, anu left foi Afiica.
2u
0wen Auams of Califoinia tiaveleu to Canaua fiom Azusa wheie he met Robeit
Semple, Aimee Semple NcPheison's fiist husbanu. When Auams met
136
137
Seymour witb I. I. Boswortb {miJJle), onJ }obn 6. loke {bottom riqbt)
Williom }. Seymour onJ wife. }ennie Fvons
Seymour
Williom }. Seymour
C O L . C L . L I . L .
138
BoJJy Seymour
Apostolic Ioitb Hission, S12 Azuso Street, los Anqeles, Colifornio
Semple, he tolu him of the miiaculous events at Azusa anu of his expeiience of speaking in
tongues. Semple then exciteuly tolu his new biiue, Aimee, befoie they went on to China,
wheie Robeit Semple woulu uie. But Auam's news hau biitheu a buining cuiiosity in the
heait of young Aimee. When she ietuineu to Ameiica, she woulu make Los Angeles hei
ministiy base fiom wheie hei phenomenal ministiy woulu iise.
21
Though theie was much excitement swiiling aiounu about the baptism of the Boly
Spiiit at Azusa, many misunueistoou the ultimate puipose of speaking in othei tongues.
Nany felt it was only a uivine language foi the nation to which they weie sent.
22
At this time, eveiyone seemeu to love William Seymoui. When the Spiiit moveu, he
was known to keep his heau insiue of the top box-ciate that sat in fiont of him, boweu in
piayei. Be nevei askeu foi a salaiy, so he woulu veiy often be seen "walking thiough the
ciowus with five anu ten uollai bills sticking out of his hip pockets which people hau
ciammeu theie unnoticeu by him."
2S
}ohn C. Lake visiteu the Azusa stieet meetings. In his book, AJventures Witb 6oJ, he
woulu latei wiite of Seymoui: "Be hau the funniest vocabulaiy. But I want to tell you,
tbere were doctors, lawyers, and professors, listening to tbe marvelous tbings
coming from bis lips. It was not wbat be said in words, it was wbat be said from bis
spirit to my beart tbat sbowed me be bad more of Cod in bis life tban any man I bad
ever met up to tbat time. It was Cod in bim tbat attracted tbe people."
24
Nissionaiies weie calleu fiom theii nations, to come anu witness the spiiitual
phenomena in Los Angeles. Nany came, then caiiieu Azusa Stieet's Pentecostal message
aiounu the woilu. No one coulu possibly iecoiu all the miiacles that occuiieu theie.
The membeis of Azusa all caiiieu tiny bottles of oil wheievei they went. They woulu
knock on uoois to witness anu piay foi the sick thioughout Los Angeles. They stoou on
stieet coineis, singing anu pieaching, anu woikeu as volunteeis to clothe the pooi anu
feeu the hungiy. It was exciting anu incieuible.
In Septembei of 19u6, uue to populai uemanu, Seymoui began a publication entitleu,
Tbe Apostolic Ioitb. Within a few months, the mailing list giew to ovei twenty thousanu
names. By the next yeai, it hau moie than uoubleu. In this publication, Seymoui
announceu his intention to iestoie "the faith once ueliveieu" by olu-time pieaching, camp
meetings, ievivals, missions, stieet, anu piison woik.
2S
In the fiist publication, Seymoui wiote, "...multitudes bave come. Cod makes no
difference in nationality."
2
Then, a few months latei, he wiote:
"Tbe meeting bas been a melting time. Tbe people are all melted
togetber...made one lump, one bread, all one body in Cbrist )esus. Tbere is
no )ew or Centile, bond or free, in tbe Azusa Mission. No instrument tbat
139
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Cod can use is re|ected on account of color or dress or lack of education.
Tbis is wby Cod bas built up tbe work.... Tbe sweetest tbing is tbe loving
barmony."
27
0bviously, these weie ievolutionaiy woius in a time of such iacial uivision.
LLCI..I.C. OI LLCLI.L
Peisecution outsiue of Azusa was expecteu, but it finally began within. Eaily one
autumn moining, some membeis aiiiveu at the mission to see the woius, "Apostolic Faith
Nission" wiitten acioss the top of the builuing, anu
staiteu accusing the mission of evolving into just
anothei uenomination. This was the name of
Seymoui's eaily mentoi's movement so the Azusa
Nission was now being peiceiveu as a loose offshoot
of Chailes Paiham's ministiy. Anu many feaieu the
mission was becoming just anothei in Paiham's
netwoik of chuiches anu Bible schools. 0ne who was
theie wiote, "Fiom that time, the tiouble anu uivision
began. It was no longei a fiee Spiiit foi all as it hau
been. The woik hau become one moie iival paity
anu bouy, along with the othei chuiches anu sects of
the city...the chuich is an oiganism, not a human
oiganization."
28
By now, Azusa outieach centeis hau been
planteu in Seattle anu Poitlanu unuei the uiiection of
a woman by the name of Floience Ciawfoiu. Anu the
Los Angeles heauquaiteis was attempting to uiaw the entiie West Coast ievival outlets
into theii oiganization, but faileu. So the ievival itself was slowly setting itself up foi
ultimate failuie.
.III.C ..L O.CLL.
The new bouy of believeis also hau a misconception of the "taiiying" concept. They
woulu simply wait foi houis foi the Spiiit to come, anu iestlessness began to suiface when
they felt many weie abusing this time. What they uiun't iealize was that the Boly Spiiit hau
alieauy come. Be was theie!
Then theie was the confusion suiiounuing theii unueistanuing of speaking in othei
tongues. 0p to this point, it hau piimaiily been taught that tongues weie foi foieign
missions. They believeu that if a peison weie to go to the mission fielu, they woulu be
gifteu to pieach in the nation's language. Nany Azusa missionaiies weie gieatly
uisappointeu when they uiscoveieu this was not the iule. Though it is a biblical anu
histoiical fact that tongues will manifest foi that puipose, this is not theii only use! It woulu
be latei, uuiing the giowth of the Pentecostal Novement, that tongues woulu be
140
0p to tbis point, it boJ
primorily been touqbt tbot
tonques were for foreiqn
missions. Tbey believeJ tbot
if o person were to qo to tbe
mission fielJ, tbey woulJ be
qifteJ to preocb in tbe
notion's lonquoqe. Hony
Azuso missionories were
qreotly JisoppointeJ wben
tbey JiscovereJ tbis wos not
tbe rule.
unueistoou as a piayei language as well. But at Azusa Stieet, the expeiience of speaking in
tongues was in its "fiist uiapei"!
Azusa membeis also believeu that a peison only neeueu to speak in tongues once to
be filleu with the Boly Spiiit. To the eaily Azusa membeis, speaking in othei tongues was a
soveieign move of uou that meant waiting foi uou to come upon them.
Along with these misunueistanuings, accusations of fleshly manifestations that
people calleu the moving of the Boly Spiiit began ciiculating. With this spiiitual
unueistanuing being so new, can you imagine how it must have been to leau it. It was heie
that Seymoui wiote to Chailes Paiham, anu askeu him to come to Azusa to holu a geneial
ievival.
I...IC., I.LL., ..L II.CIO.
Though Seymoui uiun't fully agiee with all of Paiham's theology, I believe he
iespecteu anu tiusteu Paiham's leaueiship expeiience. Peihaps he felt Paiham coulu
piesent anothei view anu ignite a fiesh move of uou.
It is saiu that many otheis hau wiitten letteis to Paiham begging him to come anu
ueteimine which manifestations at Azusa weie counteifeit anu which weie ieal. While
theie is not uocumentation of these letteis, Nis. Pauline Paiham has claimeu that some aie
in hei collections.
29
We uo have one lettei wiitten by Seymoui to Paiham that states, "...we
are expecting a general one [revival] to start again wben you come, tbat tbese little
revivals will all come togetber and make one great union revival."
30
It is tiue that theie weie many uivisions within the Los Angeles ievival. But by
pievious examples of Seymoui's chaiactei, I believe he wanteu Paiham to unite the city
insteau of uiscipline it. Anu it is ceitain that Paiham woulun't have come to Azusa without
an invitation.
When Paiham aiiiveu, Seymoui intiouuceu him as the "Fathei in this uospel of the
kinguom."
S1
I believe Seymoui was sinceie. Be neeueu a spiiitual fathei to help him leau
this gieat movement. But whatevei he hau expecteu fiom Paiham, things uiun't go as
Seymoui hau planneu. Aftei Paiham's seimons anu piivate exhoitations, Seymoui
paulockeu the mission's uooi to keep Paiham out.
What uiu Paiham say to Seymoui. What coulu have causeu him to lock Paiham out of
Azusa. While it is tiue that Paiham's backgiounu in euucation, leaueiship, anu expeiience
uiffeieu fiom Seymoui, theii views on the baptism of the Boly Spiiit seemeu to be the
same. 0i weie they.
Paiham sat in the seivice while looking on in hoiioi at the manifestations aiounu
him. In Paiham's seivices, a ceitain libeiality was alloweu, but nothing that boiueieu on
fanaticism. Some of Paiham's own Bible school stuuents even felt he was too stiict in his
uefinition of "fanaticism." Anu at Azusa, besiues the shouting anu uancing, the people
jeikeu anu shook. It was a highly emotional atmospheie, anu theie weie many genuine,
141
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Spiiit-filleu expiessions along with the false. Because of the many cultuies iepiesenteu,
Seymoui believeu that each peison shoulu allow theii own emotional expeiience, baseu
on how each inuiviuual unueistoou the moving of the Spiiit, whethei it was iight oi
wiong.
Seymoui's theology was to allow the Boly Spiiit to uo whatevei he wanteu. But only a
few knew enough about the movings of the Spiiit to leau the people in it. Seymoui felt that
if a cultuie was foiceu into a ceitain moue oi expiession, the Boly Spiiit woulun't manifest
Bimself among them. I believe Seymoui was spiiitually sensitive in his leaueiship, anu
followeu this to the best of his ability. Theie is a fine line between wounuing the human
spiiit anu offenuing the Boly Spiiit.
Theie is no known wiitten account fiom Seymoui iegaiuing ceitain hypnotism
accounts. But theie aie fiom Paiham. Beie is his account:
"I huiiieu to Los Angeles, anu to my uttei suipiise anu
astonishment I founu conuitions even woise than I hau
anticipateu...manifestations of the flesh, spiiitualistic contiols, saw
people piacticing hypnotism at the altai ovei canuiuates seeking
baptism, though many weie ieceiving the ieal baptism of the Boly
uhost.
"Aftei pieaching two oi thiee times, I was infoimeu by two of the
elueis that I was not wanteu in that place. With woikeis fiom Texas, we
openeu a gieat ievival in the W.C.T.0. Builuing in Los Angeles. uieat
numbeis weie saveu, maivelous healings took place, anu between two
anu thiee hunuieu who hau been possesseu of awful fits anu spasms
anu contiols in the Azusa Stieet woik weie ueliveieu, anu ieceiveu the
ieal Pentecost teachings anu spake with othei tongues.
"In speaking of uiffeient phases of fanaticism that have been
obtaineu heie, that I uo so with all lovingkinuness anu at the same time
with all faiiness anu fiimness. Let me speak plainly with iegaiu to the
woik as I have founu it heie. I founu hypnotic influences, familiai-spiiit
influences, spiiitualistic influences, mesomeiic influences, anu all kinus
of spells, spasms, falling in tiances, etc.
"A woiu about the baptism of the Boly uhost. The speaking in
tongues is nevei biought about by any of the above piactices
influences. No such thing is known among oui woikeis as the
suggestion of ceitain woius anu sounus, the woiking of the chin, oi the
massage of the thioat. Theie aie many in Los Angeles who sing, piay
anu talk wonueifully in othei tongues, as the Spiiit gives utteiance, anu
theie is jabbeiing heie that is not tongues at all. The Boly uhost uoes
nothing that is unnatuial oi unseemingly, anu any stiaineu exeition of
bouy, minu oi voice is not the woik of the Boly Spiiit, but of some
142
familiai spiiit, oi othei influence. The Boly uhost nevei leaus us beyonu
the point of self-contiol oi the contiol of otheis, while familiai spiiits oi
fanaticism leau us both beyonu self-contiol anu the powei to help
otheis."
S2
Peihaps Paiham's peiception was iight, still, the iesults may have been uiffeient if
Paiham hau been moie fatheily than uictatoiial. Seymoui nevei changeu his theology anu
neithei uiu Paiham. Seymoui woulun't mention the iivaliy foi some two months. Anu
even when he finally uiu, his account was uiscieet, avoiuing any uiiect ciiticism. Seymoui
wiote:
"Some are asking if Dr. Cbarles F. Parbam is tbe leader of tbis
movement. We can answer, no, be is not tbe leader of tbis movement of
Azusa Mission. We tbougbt of baving bim to be our leader and so stated in
our paper, before waiting on tbe Lord. We can be ratber basty, especially
wben we are very young in tbe power of tbe Holy Spirit. We are |ust like a
baby-full of love-and were willing to accept anyone tbat bad tbe
baptism witb tbe Holy Spirit as our leader. But tbe Lord commenced
settling us down, and we saw tbat tbe Lord sbould be our leader. So we
bonor )esus as tbe Creat Sbepberd of tbe sbeep. He is our model."
33
So in attempting to upholu his uoctiine of unity, Seymoui iemaineu tiue to his
teachings by not allowing an unkinu woiu to be spoken against any of his accuseis.
IL ...CIIIC.IO. .LLI
Though Seymoui followeu }ohn Wesley, he
uiun't follow his teachings on sanctification.
Seymoui believeu one coulu lose theii salvation if
they ieacteu in the flesh. Be taught that
sanctification, oi sinless peifection, was a sepaiate
woik of giace asiue fiom salvation. 0nce you weie
sanctifieu, Seymoui believeu, you acteu sanctifieu
all the time. But if you sinneu, you lost it.
Can you imagine the tiouble anu accusations
that kinu of teaching causeu within Azusa. Nany
oveizealous believeis got caught up in pointing
fingeis anu juuging one anothei. Theii self-
iighteous behavioi iesulteu in clashes, splits, anu
contioveisies. In fact, this is one of the main
ieasons Seymoui nevei ieacteu in the flesh to any
peisecution that came against him. Accoiuing to
his theology, this was necessaiy to keep his salvation. Be saiu:
"If you get angry, or speak evil, or backbite, I care not bow many
143
Seymour believeJ one coulJ
lose tbeir solvotion if tbey
reocteJ in tbe flesb. Ee touqbt
tbot sonctificotion, or sinless
perfection, wos o seporote
work of qroce osiJe from
solvotion. 0nce you were
sonctifieJ, Seymour believeJ,
you octeJ sonctifieJ oll tbe
time. But if you sinneJ, you
lost it.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
tongues you may bave, you bave not tbe baptism witb tbe Holy Spirit. You
bave lost your salvation."
34
Seymoui woulu paulock an opposing ministei, but he woulu nevei speak out against
him!
LO`L ..L LLI..L
In spite of the many accusations, mistakes, anu peisecutions, Seymoui iemaineu
faithful in his puipose foi ievival. It seemeu he tiusteu anu believeu the best of almost
eveiyone. Tiue to his gentle, almost naive natuie, he woulu latei wiite:
"You cannot win people by preacbing against tbeir cburcb or pastor...if
you get to preacbing against cburcbes, you will find tbat sweet Spirit of
Cbrist...is lacking and a barsb |udging spirit takes place. Tbe cburcbes are
not to be blamed for divisions. People were bunting for ligbt. Tbey built up
denominations because tbey did not know a better way. Wben people run
out of tbe love of Cod, tbey get to preacbing dress, and meats, and
doctrines of men and preacbing against cburcbes. All tbese denominations
are our bretbren.... So let us seek peace and not confusion.... Tbe moment
we feel we bave all tbe trutb or more tban anyone else, we will drop."
35
The next spiing, Seymoui hau to ueciue whethei he woulu puichase Azusa oi move
to anothei location. So he piesenteu the option to the congiegation anu they agieeu to
make an immeuiate payment of $4,uuu towaiu the $1S,uuu neeueu. Within a yeai, the
iemaining balance was paiu, fai aheau of scheuule. By this time, iepoits of miiacles anu
newly-founueu missions pouieu into Los Angeles fiom all ovei the woilu. Encouiageu,
Seymoui commenteu, "We are on tbe verge of tbe greatest miracle tbe world bas
ever seen."
S6
Buiing this time, Seymoui's thoughts tuineu to maiiiage. }ennie Evans Nooie, a
faithful membei of his ministiy in Los Angeles, became his wife. She was known foi hei
beauty, musical talents, anu spiiitual sensitivity. She was a veiy gentle woman, anu was
always faithful to stanu besiue Seymoui. It was }ennie who felt the Loiu woulu have them
maiiy, anu Seymoui agieeu. So the couple maiiieu on Nay 1S, 19u8. Aftei the ceiemony,
William anu }ennie moveu into a mouest apaitment upstaiis in the Azusa Nission.
But the news of theii maiiiage angeieu a small, yet veiy influential gioup at the
Nission. 0ne of the main antagonists was Claia Lum, the mission's secietaiy iesponsible
foi the newspapei's publication. Aftei leaining of Seymoui's maiiiage, she abiuptly
ueciueu that it was time to leave the mission.
A few believeis at Azusa hau some veiy ouu iueas about maiiiage. Lum's gioup
believeu maiiiage in the last uays to be a uisgiace because of the soon ietuin of Chiist anu
seveiely uenounceu Seymoui foi his uecision.
It may have been that Claia Lum was secietly in love with Seymoui, anu left because
144
of hei jealousy. Whatevei the ieason, she ielocateu to Poitlanu, 0iegon, to join the mission
heaueu by a foimei Azusa associate, Floience Ciawfoiu. Anu when she uiu, she took the
entiie national anu inteinational mailing lists with hei.
This unthinkable action ciippleu Seymoui's woiluwiue publication outieach. Bis
entiie national anu inteinational lists of ovei fifty thousanu names hau been stolen, leaving
him with only theii Los Angeles list. Then when the Nay, 19u8, Apostolic Ioitb was sent
out, the covei lookeu the same, but insiue was a column announcing its new auuiess in
Poitlanu foi contiibutions anu mail. The thousanus who eageily ieau anu sent
contiibutions to the newspapei now staiteu senuing them to Poitlanu without
questioning the change. By the }une issue, no aiticle by Seymoui appeaieu at all. Finally, by
miusummei of 19u8, all iefeiences to Los Angeles weie omitteu entiiely. When it became
cleai that Lum woulun't be ietuining, the Seymouis tiaveleu to Poitlanu to confiont Lum
anu ask foi the lists. But the lists weie nevei ietuineu. Without this vital infoimation, it was
impossible foi Seymoui to continue the publication, anu enueu a uiamatic eia of Azusa.
IL L.. LIÌ.IO.: ... OI COL`
Thioughout 19u9 anu 191u, Seymoui continueu his ministiy at Azusa, though the
numbei of people uecieaseu uiamatically uue to lack of influence anu funus. So he left two
young men in chaige at the mission anu uepaiteu foi Chicago on a cioss-countiy
pieaching toui. In eaily 1911 William B. Buiham helu meetings at Azusa in his place.
Buiham's uiamatic pieaching causeu hunuieus to flock again to the mission. Nany of
the olu Azusa woikeis, fiom vaiious paits of the woilu, even ietuineu to the mission. They
calleu it "the seconu showei of the Lattei Rain," as the fiie began to fall at Azusa once again.
In one seivice, ovei five hunuieu people hau to be tuineu away. So between the seivices,
the people woulun't leave theii seats foi feai of losing them.
S7
The last conflict at Azusa took place between Seymoui anu Buiham. The two uiffeieu
gieatly in theii theology. Buiham pieacheu auamantly, anu sounuly, that people coulun't
lose theii salvation even if they sinneu in the flesh. Salvation was by faith with woiks
involveu, not by woiks alone. Buiham pieacheu the neeueu balance between law anu
giace that the Pentecostal Novement uespeiately neeueu, because the "woiks" uoctiine
hau leu to many uivisions.
S8
Bis teaching felt like a cool iain on those who heaiu. It liteially
biought the people in uioves!
Alaimeu by Buiham's laige following anu uoctiinal uiffeiences, the elueis of Azusa
contacteu Seymoui. Be ietuineu immeuiately to Los Angeles foi a confeience. But
Seymoui anu Buiham coulun't come to an agieement in theii uoctiine. So in Nay,
Seymoui useu the paulock again, locking Buiham out of the mission!
S9
0nshaken by this action, Buiham anu his woikeis secuieu a laige, two-stoiy builuing
that seateu moie than one thousanu people. The upstaiis seiveu as a piayei ioom, which
was open uay anu night. The ciowus fiom Azusa followeu Buiham. Thousanus weie
saveu, baptizeu, anu healeu while the olu Azusa Nission became viitually ueseiteu.
145
C O L . C L . L I . L .
IILL ..L ÒI.
But the olu Azusa Nission iemaineu open to anyone who
woulu come. Seymoui iemaineu its leauei anu kept his uoctiine
the same, though no one seemeu inteiesteu in attenuing. Be
changeu Azusa's meeting scheuule to one all-uay seivice to be
helu on Sunuay. Anu he iegulaily attempteu to inciease the
meetings, but the inteiest was not theie. In the enu, only twenty
people iemaineu. Anu they weie mainly those fiom the oiiginal
Azusa gioup. At times, visitois came fiom the pievious "gloiy
uays," anu of couise Seymoui was elateu in welcoming them.
But he spent moie anu moie time ieauing anu ieflecting.
In 1921, William Seymoui maue his last ministiy campaign
acioss Ameiica. When he ietuineu to Los Angeles in 1922, people began to notice that he
lookeu veiy weaiy. Be attenueu many ministiy conventions, but was nevei publicly
iecognizeu fiom the platfoim.
Finally on Septembei 28, 1922, while at the mission, Seymoui suffeieu a suuuen
attack of seveie pain in his chest. 0ne of the woikeis ian foi the uoctoi who was only
blocks away. 0pon examination, Seymoui was tolu to iest. Then at S:uu P.N. that same
afteinoon, while uictating a lettei, anothei chest pain clincheu him. Be stiuggleu foi bieath,
then went to be with the Loiu at the age of fifty-two. The cause of his ueath was officially
citeu as heait failuie.
The ievivalist was buiieu in a simple ieuwoou casket at Eveigieen Cemeteiy in Los
Angeles. Be was appiopiiately laiu to iest amiu the giaves of otheis fiom many nations
anu continents. The woius on his tombstone simply ieau, "0ui Pastoi." Sauly, only two
hunuieu people attenueu William Seymoui's funeial, but they gave many testimonies of
uou's gieatness thiough this fiont-line ueneial's ministiy.
.I.LO`. ..L ÒL`L.
Following the yeais aftei Seymoui's ueath, Nis. Seymoui caiiieu on as pastoi of the
Azusa Stieet Nission. Eveiything continueu smoothly foi eight yeais. Then moie pioblems
aiose in 19S1. Thiough a seiies of legal battles wageu by someone tiying to take ovei the
Nission, city officials became annoyeu with the gioup anu ueclaieu the piopeity a fiie
hazaiu. Latei that yeai it was uemolisheu, but not befoie it was offeieu to a Pentecostal
uenomination who ieplieu, "We aie not inteiesteu in ielics."
4u
Touay only a stieet sign
stanus ovei the piopeity which is now nothing moie than a vacant lot.
Five yeais latei, Nis. Seymoui was aumitteu to the county hospital foi teiminal caie.
}ennie uieu of heait failuie anu joineu hei husbanu in heaven on }uly 2, 19S6.
IL LLC.C OI IO`LI
146
Tbe crowJs from
Azuso followeJ
Burbom. TbousonJs
were soveJ,
boptizeJ, onJ beoleJ
wbile tbe olJ Azuso
Hission become
virtuolly JeserteJ.
Though the legacy anu ministiy of William }. Seymoui
seems heaitbieaking, the iesults of his effoits between
19u6 anu 19u9 piouuceu anu exploueu the Pentecostal
Novement aiounu the woilu. Touay, many uenominations
attiibute theii founuing to the paiticipants of Azusa. Nost of
the eaily Assembly of uou leaueis came out of Azusa.
Bemos Shakaiian, founuei of the Full uospel Businessmen's
Fellowship, saiu his gianufathei was an oiiginal Azusa
membei. The evangelistic effoits of the valuez family, the
uaii family, Bi. Chailes Piice, anu countless otheis aie also
linkeu to this ievival.
Piobably eveiyone in the Pentecostal Novement touay
can attiibute theii ioots, in some way, to Azusa. Regaiuless
of all the contioveisy anu Azusa's peculiai uoctiines, whenevei Azusa is mentioneu, most
immeuiately think of the powei of the Boly Spiiit that was pouieu on theii ianks.
COL I. .O . I.CI.
Some have tiieu to make the Azusa Stieet Revival anu the ministiy of Seymoui a
iacial issue. 0nfoitunately, sometimes a puie move of uou gets hiuuen unuei iacial
oveitones. Peihaps this is one of the main ieasons Azusa lasteu foi only thiee shoit yeais.
uou won't allow Bis gloiy to fall piey to the aiguments of men. If that shoulu happen, Be
leavesenu of uiscussion.
Some who seem iacially influenceu get upset that Seymoui is calleu the "catalyst" of
Pentecost insteau of the "fathei" of it. Accoiuing to Webstei's Bictionaiy, a "catalyst" is
something that "piecipitates a piocess oi event, anu incieases the iate at which a ieaction
takes place." That is exactly what Seymoui uiu. William Seymoui's Pentecostal ministiy
incieaseu public awaieness to such a uegiee that it not only tuineu aiounu a majoi 0.S.
city, it also spieau thioughout the woilu at an incieuible pace. It seems that eveiy
continent was toucheu in some way by the ievival at Azusa.
As was mentioneu eailiei, iacial issues weie only a small pait of the mony
inteifeiences that visiteu Azusa. I believe a gieat eiioi is maue when this ievival is lookeu
upon as piimaiily a black anu white issue. No paiticulai iace can claim the patent on a
move of uou. uou has never woikeu accoiuing to the coloi of man; Be opeiates thiough
the heait of man.
As we continue to exploie the gieat ueneials of oui past anu ueteimine to leain fiom
theii successes, uon't allow youiself to be counteu among theii failuies. Refuse to listen to
the voices of yesteiuay anu touay who only see appeaiances. Rathei, follow those who
piess into uou's Spiiit. Let us go on to matuiity anu fight foi the piize iathei than peisonal
gloiy.
0nly eteinity will fully ieveal the fiuit of William }. Seymoui's ministiy. 0ne thing is
147
Williom Seymour's
Pentecostol ministry
increoseJ public
oworeness to sucb o
Jeqree tbot it not only
turneJ orounJ o mojor
0.S. city, it olso spreoJ
tbrouqbout tbe worlJ ot
on increJible poce.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
cleai, he was an able stick of uynamite who uou coulu use to senu the explosions of
Pentecostal ievival aiounu the woilu. Anu he uiu.
148
CHAPTER FIVE, WILLIAM ). SEYMUUR
Refeiences
1
A. C. valuez Si., Iire on Azuso Street (Costa Nesa, CA: uift Publications, 198u),
87-89.
2
Emma Cotton, Personol Reminiscences (Los Angeles, CA: West Coast Publisheis,
19Su), 2, quoteu in "Insiue Stoiy of the 0utpouiing of the Boly Spiiit, Azusa
Stieet, Apiil 19u6," publisheu in Hessoqe of tbe Apostolic Ioitb, Apiil 19S9,
vol. 1, 1-S.
3
}ames S. Tinney, ln Tbe TroJition of Williom }. Seymour 1S, quoteu fiom "Fathei
of Nouein-Bay Pentecostalism," in }ournol of tbe lnterJenominotionol
Tbeoloqicol Center, 4 (Fall 1976), S4-44, anu taken fiom Bi. Buane Nillei,
Autobioqropby.
4
Nis. Chailes Paiham, Tbe life of Cborles I. Porbom (Biimingham: Commeicial
Piinting Co., 19Su), 112-12S.
S
Ibiu., Tinney, ln Tbe TroJition of Williom }. Seymour, 14.
6 Ibiu., 1S.
7
Fiank Baitleman, Azuso Street (Plainfielu, N}: Logos Inteinational, 198u), SS,
9u.
8
C. W. Shumway, "A Ciitical Stuuy of the uift of Tongues," A. B. uisseitation,
0niveisity of Califoinia, }uly 1914, 17S, anu "A Ciitical Bistoiy of ulossolalia,"
Ph.B. thesis, Boston 0niveisity, 1919.
9 Cotton, Personol Reminiscences, 2.
1u
C. N. Ncuowan, Anotber Fcbo Irom Azuso (Covina, CA: 0ak view Chiistian
Bome), S.
11
Thomas Nickel, Azuso Street 0utpourinq (Banfoiu, CA: uieat Commission
Inteinational, 19S6, 1979, 1986), S, anu Shumway, A Criticol StuJy 0f Tbe 6ift
0f Tonques, 17S.
12
Shumway, A Criticol StuJy of tbe 6ift of Tonques, 17S-176, anu Cotton, Personol
Reminiscences, 2.
13
Cotton, Personol Reminiscences, S.
14
Shumway, A Criticol StuJy of tbe 6ift of Tonques, 17S-176.
1S
Baitleman, Azuso Street, 48.
16 Ibiu.
17
Ibiu., S9-6u.
18
Tinney, ln tbe TroJition of Williom }. Seymour, 17.
19 Ibiu.
2u
Nickel, Azuso Street 0utpourinq, 18.
21 Ibiu.
22
Shumway, A Criticol StuJy of tbe 6ift of Tonques, 44-4S
2S
24
}ohn u. Lake, AJventures in 6oJ, (Tulsa, 0K: Baiiison Bouse, Inc., 1981), 18-19.
2S
Ibiu., 18.
26
Apostolic Ioitb, Septembei 19u6.
27
Ibiu., Novembei anu Becembei 19u6.
149
C O L . C L . L I . L .
28
Baitleman, Azuso Street, 68-69.
29 Inteiview with Nis. Pauline Paiham.
Su
Paiham, Tbe life of Cborles I. Porbom, 1S4.
31 Ibiu., 16S.
3
2
Ibiu., 16S-17u.
33 Apostolic Ioitb, Becembei 19u6.
34 Ibiu., }une 19u7.
35 Ibiu., }anuaiy 19u7.
36 Ibiu., 0ctobei 19u7}anuaiy 19u8.
3
7
Baitleman, Azuso Street, 1Su.
3
8
Ibiu., 1Su-1S1, anu valuez, Iire on Azuso, 26.
39 Baitleman, Azuso Street, 1S1.
4u
150
C H A P T E R S I X
Jobn G. Lake
: } o h n u . L a k e "A Hon of Eeolinq"
. ... OI IL.LI.C
said to tbem [scientists], 'Centlemen, I want you to see one
more tbing. Co down in your bospital and bring back a man
wbo bas inflammation in tbe bone. Take your instrument
and attacb it to bis leg. Leave enougb space to get my band on bis
leg. You can attacb it to botb sides.'
"Wben tbe instrument was ready, I put my band on tbe man's sbin and
prayed like Motber Etter prays: no strange prayer, but tbe cry of my beart
to Cod. I said, 'Cod, kill tbe devilisb disease by Your power. Let tbe Spirit
move in bim, let it live in bim.'
"Tben I asked, 'Centlemen, wbat is taking place?'
"Tbey replied, 'Every cell is responding.'"
1
If theie was evei a man who walkeu in the ievelation of "uou in man," it was }ohn u.
Lake. A man of puipose, vision, stiength, anu chaiactei, his one goal in life was to biing the
fullness of uou to eveiy peison.
Be often saiu that the seciet of heaven's powei was not in the Joinq, but in the beinq.
Be believeu that Spiiit-filleu Chiistians shoulu enjoy tbe some type of ministry }esus
JiJ while living on eaith, anu that this ieality coulu only be accomplisheu by seeing
themselves as uou saw them.
IL .I.LO` OI LL.I
}ohn uiaham Lake liveu his life anu fulfilleu his ministiy in the eaith with this type of
spiiitual unueistanuing.
Be was boin Naich 18, 187u, in 0ntaiio, Canaua. 0ne of sixteen chiluien, he moveu
with his family to Sault Sainte Naiie, Nichigan, while still a young boy.
Lake fiist heaiu the uospel pieacheu at a Salvation Aimy meeting when he was
sixteen, anu soon aftei, suiienueieu his life to the Loiu. Though he hau liveu a moially
puie life, his heait was in tuimoil until he askeu the Loiu to save him. Speaking of his
encountei Lake woulu latei wiite:
"I made my surrender to Him. Tbe ligbt of beaven broke into my soul,
and I arose from my knees a son of Cod, and I knew it."
2
153
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Lake's paients weie stiong, vigoious people who weie blesseu with wonueiful
health. But a spiiit of infiimity anu ueath hau giippeu the iest of theii family. Eight family
membeisfoui biotheis anu foui sisteisuieu fiom illness. "For 32 years some
member of our family was an invalid," Lake wiote. "During tbis period our bome
was never witbout tbe sbadow of sickness." Bis boyhoou was filleu with memoiies of
"sickness, doctors, nurses, bospitals, bearses, funerals, graveyards and tombstones,
a sorrowing bousebold, a broken-bearted motber and a grief-stricken fatber,
struggling to forget tbe sorrows of tbe past in order to assist tbe living members of
tbe family wbo needed tbeir love and care."
S
ÌO.C .CIL.CLIICI .ILLL
As a youth, Lake was veiy inteiesteu in the ait of science anu physics. Be enjoyeu
chemistiy anu loveu to expeiiment with scientific instiuments anu equipment. Be even
took a couise in meuicine, but latei uioppeu his meuical puisuit.
Lake was meticulous in his ieseaich both in science anu in spiiitual matteis. Be
tiielessly investigateu the Bible with an eye to not only unueistanu it, but to also piove its
accuiacy in eveiyuay life. As a iesult, Lake walkeu, talkeu, anu bieatheu in the flow of uou's
iesuiiection life.
In 189u when Lake was twenty yeais olu, a Chiistian
faimei taught him about sanctification. The ievelation pieiceu
his heait anu was solemnly iegaiueu as the ciowning woik of
uou in his life. 0f this new ievelation, Lake saiu:
"I sball never cease to praise Cod tbat He revealed
to me tbe deptb...of tbe power of tbe blood of )esus. A
beautiful anointing of tbe Spirit was on my life."
4
0ne yeai latei, in 1891, Lake moveu to Chicago, anu was
aumitteu to the Nethouist school of ministiy. In 0ctobei of that
yeai he was appointeu to a chuich in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, but he
ueclineu the pastoiate. Be also ueciueu to leave the Nethouist
school anu moveu to Baivey, Illinois, wheie he founueu Tbe Eorvey Citizen, a local
newspapei. While living in Baivey, he woulu meet his futuie wife, }ennie Stevens of
Newbeiiy, Nichigan.
IL CII OI 1L..IL
}ennie was peifect foi }ohn Lake. She possesseu a wonueiful sense of humoi, keen
juugment, a stiong faith in uou, anu a ueep spiiitual sensitivity. The two loveu one anothei
ueaily anu weie maiiieu Febiuaiy S, 189S, in Nillington, Illinois. uou blesseu the couple
with a maivelous unity in the Spiiit, anu seven chiluien.
0ne of }ennie's most impoitant ministiies to hei husbanu was piayei anu
inteicession. Theie weie many times thioughout the couise of theii maiiiage that eithei
154
"Hy boybooJ wos
filleJ witb memories
of sickness, Joctors,
nurses, bospitols,
beorses, funerols,
qroveyorJs onJ
tombstones...."
John G. Lake"A Man of Healing"
of them woulu be spiiitually piompteu when the othei was expeiiencing tiouble. Lake
valueu ueaily the auvice anu suppoit of his wife.
But two shoit yeais into the Lake's wonueiful maiiiage, sickness anu uisease ciept
into theii home. }ennie was uiagnoseu with tubeiculosis anu heait uisease. Bei iiiegulai
heaitbeat woulu cause hei to lapse into unconsciousness, anu
sometimes Lake woulu finu hei unconscious on the flooi, oi
lying in beu.
To combat this she was given incieasingly stiongei uoses
of stimulants in an effoit to contiol hei heait ihythm, anu was
eventually foiceu to use nitioglyceiin tablets. Foi all piactical
puiposes, all of this maue hei a viitual invaliu.
Finally, upon uoctois' iecommenuations, Lake moveu his
young family back to Sault Saint Naiie, Nichigan, wheie he
enteieu into the ieal estate business. But }ennie's conuition
continueu to woisen until 1898 when the uoctois tolu him theie was nothing moie that
coulu be uone foi hei.
LL. CL I.LIC.L'
Now Lake was faceu with the ciises of his life. Wheie was uou's powei now. Bis
entiie family hau been afflicteu with illness. Bis biothei hau been an invaliu uue to inteinal
bleeuing foi twenty-two yeais. Bis thiity-foui-yeai-olu sistei hau bieast cancei. Anothei
sistei was once uying fiom bloou uisease. Anu now the peison closest to his heait, }ennie,
was close to ueath.
But Lake hau expeiienceu uou's healing powei befoie. Be hau been afflicteu with
iheumatism in youngei yeais. When the leg uistoiting pain of his malauy finally biought
him to a bieaking point, he tiaveleu to }ohn Alexanuei Bowie's Bealing Bome in Chicago.
While theie, an oluei man laiu hanus on him, the powei of uou came upon him, anu his
legs stiaighteneu out instantly.
The iest of Lake's teiminally afflicteu family membeis hau been healeu at Bowie's
home as well. Following his own healing, Lake biought his invaliu biothei to Bowie's
home wheie he was healeu. When they laiu hanus on him, his bloou uisease uisappeaieu
anu he jumpeu off his ueath beu.
Then he took his sistei who was uying with bieast cancei, to Chicago. When they
aiiiveu she hau some initial uoubts, but once she heaiu the Woiu of uou pieacheu with
such gieat powei, hei faith giewanu she was healeu. Bei pain left instantly, anu the
laige coie of cancei fell out within a few uays. Then the smallei canceis just uisappeaieu
anu uou iestoieu hei mutilateu bieast.
LIL` I ÌLL .O I.`L I'
155
Now loke wos foceJ
witb tbe crises of bis
life. Wbere wos
6oJ's power now?
Eis entire fomily
boJ been offlicteJ
witb illness.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Anothei one of his sisteis hau iemaineu veiy ill even aftei much piayei. Be was
planning on taking hei to the Bealing Bome too, but befoie he coulu, he ieceiveu a
telephone call fiom his mothei. She tolu him his sistei was uying, anu that if he wanteu to
see hei, he woulu have to huiiy. When Lake aiiiveu, his sistei was unconscious without a
pulse anu the ioom was full of mouineis. Noveu by it all, he lookeu at his sistei's baby
lying in the ciib anu thought, "Sbe must not die! I will not bave it!" 0f this ueep
compassion he latei wiote:
"No words of mine can convey to anotber soul tbe cry tbat was in my
beart and tbe flame of batred for deatb and sickness tbat tbe Spirit of Cod
bad stirred witbin me. Tbe very wratb of Cod seemed to possess my soul!"
Lake paceu the ioom as his heait ciieu out foi someone with faith to help them. Be
coulu only think of one man who hau this kinu of faithBowie. So he telegiapheu him the
following woius:
"My sister bas apparently died, but my spirit will not let ber go. I
believe if you will pray, Cod will beal ber."
Bowie's answei came back:
"Bolu on to uou. I am piaying. She will live."
0pon ieauing these woius, Lake wageu a tiemenuously fuiious spiiitual attack on the
powei of ueath, iebuking it feivently in }esus' name. In less than an houi, his sistei ieviveu
156
}obn, upper left, witb tbe survivinq loke fomily members. Fiqbt of bis oriqinol sixteen
brotbers onJ sisters JieJ from Jiseose.
totally. Five uays latei, she joineu the family foi Chiistmas uinnei!
S
But that was then, anu now his ueai wife was suffeiing, anu hei conuition was
giowing woise.
IL LLÌL IL`L.LLL
0n Apiil 28, 1898, when }ennie's final houis seemeu to be ticking away, a fellow
ministei encouiageu Lake to iesolve himself to uou's will anu to accept }ennie's ueath. Bis
woius weigheu heavy, anu Lake stiffeneu in iesistance. Still, the ieality of ueath seemeu
imminent.
In uttei hopelessness, Lake thiew his Bible against the fiieplace mantle anu it fell to
the flooi openeu to Acts chaptei 1u. As he walkeu ovei to pick it up, his eyes uiifteu to
veise S8: "...6oJ onointeJ }esus of Nozoretb witb tbe Eoly 6bost onJ witb power:
wbo went obout Joinq qooJ, onJ beolinq oll tbot were oppresseJ of tbe BFvll; for
6oJ wos witb bim."
Those poweiful woius iippeu thiough his thoughts. "0PPRESSEB 0F TBE BEvIL!"
That meant that uou wasn't the authoi of }ennie's sickness, oi ony sickness! Anu if Lake
was a son of uou thiough }esus Chiist, then uou was witb bim, just as Be was with }esus!
Now he was convinceu it was the Jevil who hau causeu }ennie's illness. It was the Jevil
who was stealing the mothei of his chiluien. It was the Jevil who was uestioying his life!
9:U ....
Then Lake tuineu to Luke 1S:16 anu ieau: "ouqbt not tbis womon...wbom SATAN
EATE B00NB, lo, tbese eiqbteen yeors, be looseJ from tbis bonJ...?" Now the
iealization hit him that not only was Satan the authoi of sickness anu ueath, but that }esus
Chiistthiough Lakecoulu biing healing anu ueliveiance to the afflicteu! Thiough
using him, }esus Chiist coulu conquei the thioes of ueath! Theie
was no uoubt in his minu that }esus uieu foi the healing of his
wife, just as Be uieu foi hei sins. Anu he ueteimineu that
absolutely nothing coulu iob }ennie of that gift.
In a boluness that only the Boly Spiiit coulu have piouuceu,
Lake ueciueu to let uou, not Satan, have the last say. Be maicheu
into the beuioom anu ueclaieu to the seen anu unseen that his
wife woulu be healeu at exactly 9:Su A.N.!
Then he contacteu Bowie to infoim him of what uou was
about to uo at the appointeu time. When 9:Su aiiiveu, Lake knelt
at his piecious wife }ennie's siue anu calleu on the living uou.
When he uiu, the powei of uou came upon }ennie anu
peimeateu hei bouy fiom heau to foot. Bei paialysis left, hei
heaitbeat became noimal, hei cough ceaseu, hei bieathing iegulateu, anu hei
tempeiatuie ietuineu to noimalimmeuiately!
157
Tbrouqb usinq bim,
}esus Cbrist coulJ
conquer tbe tbroes
of Jeotb! Tbere wos
no Joubt in bis minJ
tbot }esus JieJ for
tbe beolinq of bis
wife, just os Ee JieJ
for ber sins.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
At fiist Lake heaiu a faint sounu escaping fiom }ennie's lips. Then she ciieu out,
"Piaise uou, I'm healeu!" totally staitling him, because he haun't heaiu such stiength in hei
voice foi yeais. Then, }ennie thiew back the coveis fiom hei beuanu stoou uphealeu!
6
The joyous piaise that followeu was inuesciibable as both she anu }ohn woishippeu uou!
IL LICI.I.C. OI 1L.L.
Soon, the stoiy of }ennie's healing became national news inspiiing many to tiavel
gieat uistances to visit the Lake home. The newspapeis hau piovokeu the nation's
cuiiosity anu the Lake's weie instantly thiust into a highly sought aftei ministiy. People
aiiiveu at theii home uaily to see uou's miiacle, anu to be piayeu foi. Nany otheis sent in
piayei iequests.
0ne uay aftei piaying foi a man who suffeieu fiom a ten-inch fevei soie, Lake
ieceiveu a telegiam that ieau, "Lake, the most unusual thing has happeneu. An houi aftei
you left, the whole piint of youi hanu was buineu into that giowth that was a quaitei of an
inch ueep."
Lake woulu latei iefei to such powei in his seimons as the lightnings of }esus:
"You talk about tbe voltage from beaven and tbe power of Cod! Wby
tbere is ligbtning in tbe soul of )esus! Tbe ligbtnings of )esus beal men by
tbeir flasb! Sin dissolves and disease flees wben tbe power of Cod
approacbes!"
7
Lake woulu also compaie the anointing of uou's Spiiit to the powei of electiicity. }ust
as men hau leaineu the laws of electiicity, Lake hau uiscoveieu the laws of the Spiiit. Anu,
as uou's "liqbtninq roJ," he woulu iise within uou's calling to electrify the poweis of
uaikness anu soliJify the bouy of Chiist.
L.LICI.I.C .IIIIL.L .IL.CI
In 19u1, Lake moveu to Zion, Illinois, to stuuy uivine healing unuei }ohn Alexanuei
Bowie. Befoie long he was pieaching at night, stuuying when he coulu, anu woiking as
Bowie's builuing managei full time uuiing the uay.
But in 19u4 when Bowie's incieasing financial pioblems began to suiface, Lake
ueciueu to uistance himself anu ielocateu to Chicago. Be hau investeu in Zion's piopeities
while living in the city, but his holuings uepieciateu leaving him in neai financial iuin
following Bowie's ueath in 19u7. So he bought a seat on the Chicago Boaiu of Tiaue. 0vei
the next yeai he was able to accumulate ovei $1Su,uuu in the bank, anu ieal estate woith
$9u,uuu.
Recognizing his gifts, ceitain business executives quickly askeu Lake to foim a tiust of
the nation's thiee laigest insuiance companies foi a guaianteeu salaiy of $Su,uuu a yeai.
Be was now a top business consultant to top business executives, anu was making
hunuieus of uollais thiough commissions as well.
158
By tuin-of-the-centuiy stanuaius, }ohn u. Lake was now making a foitune. But the call
of uou insiue of him continueu to giow. Foi awhile he was able to juggle his gieat seculai
success anu giow in uou. Be hau leaineu to walk in the Spiiit, in a way he uesciibeu like
this:
"It became easy for me to detacb myself from tbe course of life, so tbat
wbile my bands and mind were engaged in tbe common affairs of every
day, my spirit maintained its attitude of communion witb Cod."
8
Some people think that if you aie calleu to the ministiy, you must leave youi seculai
job immeJiotely. But as was tiue with Lake, this is not the case. By leaining to commune
with uou fiom within his spiiit, Lake continueu to piogiess towaiu the peifect timing foi
his ministiy. Be uiun't ventuie out aheau of uou oi cause his family to suffei. Then when
the time was iight, he was able to sell eveiything, because he hau leaineu gieat faith fiom
his yeais of walking with uou as a businessman.
Lake leaineu eaily in his ministiy tiaining that "beinq" pieceues "Joinq." Be hau
leaineu to follow the uivine timing of heaven.
O.CLL. ..L IL I.I.C OI IL.`L.
While still living in Zion, Lake attenueu a cottage meeting at the home of his fiienu,
Fieu F. Boswoith. Tom Bezmalhalch was pieaching, anu at the enu of the meeting he tolu
Lake, "As I was pieaching, }esus tolu me that you anu I aie going to pieach togethei." Lake
laugheu at Bezmalhalch's pioclamation then, but soon suiienueieu himself to the peifect
will of uou.
9
Not long aftei, in 19u6, Lake began to piay foi the baptism
of the Boly Spiiit. Be sought the Loiu foi nine months then quit,
thinking it was "not foi him." Then one uay he went with Tom
Bezmalhalch, who was now a close fiienu, to piay foi an afflicteu
lauy. As Lake sat by hei beusiue he tiembleu in an unusual
yeaining foi uou.
But Bezmalhalch was oblivious to what was happening,
anu askeu Lake to lay hanus on the woman. As he uiu, the lightning of uou knockeu
Bezmolahlach to the giounu. "Piaise the Loiu, }ohn!" he saiu while picking himself up,
"}esus has baptizeu you in the Boly uhost!"
1u
Lake woulu wiite latei of this:
"Wben tbe pbenomena bad passed, tbe glory of it remained in my
soul. I found tbat my life began to manifest a varied range of tbe gifts of tbe
Spirit. And I spoke in tongues by tbe power of Cod, and Cod flowed tbrougb
me witb a new force. Healings were more of a powerful order."
Lake spoke in othei tongues often anu believeu that a lessei uegiee of infilling coulu
159
loke leorneJ eorly
in bis ministry
troininq tbot
"beinq" preceJes
"Joinq."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
not qualify as the baptism of the Boly Spiiit:
"Tongues bave been to me," said Lake, "tbe making of my ministry. It is
tbat peculiar communication witb Cod...[tbat] reveals to my soul tbe trutb I
utter to you day by day in tbe ministry."
11
Again, waiting foi uou's iight timing is veiy
impoitant. 0ui call fiom uou was establisheu befoie we
weie boin. As we giow in life, we aie inviteu to become
awaie of it. But just being "awaie" of uou's calling uoesn't
mean it is "the time" foi that call to be launcheu into the
eaith. Bivine timing must come befoie full-time ministiy
can begin. So uon't be uiscouiageu uuiing youi time of
piepaiation. Anu uon't compaie youi call with the call of
otheis. Each call has its own timing anu plan. Youi
faithfulness to the Woiu of uou, along with feivent
spiiitual piepaiation ueteimines the timing.
.IIIC. I. C.LLI.C
Aftei his baptism of the Boly Spiiit, Lake's uesiie to entei full-time ministiy incieaseu.
So his boss agieeu to allow him to take thiee months off anu pieach. But he also waineu
him that, "at the enu of thiee months, $Su,uuu a yeai will look like a lot to you, anu you will
have little uesiie to saciifice it foi the uieams of ieligious possibilities." Lake thankeu his
boss foi all he hau uone foi him anu left his job. Then once the thiee months hau passeu he
woulu boluly ueclaie, "I am tbrougb forever witb everytbing in life but tbe
proclamation and demonstration of tbe Cospel of )esus Cbrist."
12
Be woulu nevei
ietuin to his job.
In 19u7, }ohn anu }ennie uisposeu of theii estate, theii wealth, anu theii possessions.
In a gieat move of faith, they ueteimineu to be entiiely uepenuent upon uou. Now it was
time to pieach.
While ministeiing in a noithein pait of Illinois, the Spiiit of uou tolu Lake to, "uo to
Inuianapolis. Piepaie foi a wintei campaign anu get a laige hall. Then in the spiing, you
will go to Afiica." When he ietuineu home to tell }ennie, she was alieauy awaie of the plan
because the Loiu hau tolu hei as well.
Lake hau uevelopeu a gieat inteiest in Afiica when ieauing about the exploiations of
Stanley anu Livingstone when he was still a boy. As he giew into a young man, he began to
expeiience spiiitual visions that seemeu to place him moie often in Afiica than in Ameiica.
Thiough the Boly Spiiit, Lake was given insight into the geogiaphy anu people of a lanu he
hau nevei been to. Anu now that uieam was becoming a ieality. uou saiu he woulu go to
Afiica in the spiing!
So Lake moveu his family to Inuianapolis anu joineu his olu fiienu, Tom Bezmalhalch.
They woulu stay theie foi six months as the two foimeu a poweiful ministiy team leauing
160
loke spoke in otber
tonques often onJ
believeJ tbot o lesser
Jeqree of infillinq coulJ
not quolify os tbe
boptism of tbe Eoly
Spirit.
seveial hunuieu people into the baptism of the Boly Spiiit.
Then one moining, Lake felt leu to begin a fast. As he sought the Loiu ovei a peiiou of
six uays Be was tolu that fiom that point on he woulu stait casting out uemons. A special
knowing to uiscein anu cast out evil spiiits quickly followeu, anu within a shoit time, Lake
began moving in this aiea with gieat piecision.
`.LLI.C O. IL `.LI
In }anuaiy of 19u8, Lake began to piay foi the neeueu finances to take the Afiica tiip.
Tom joineu with him, anu they ueteimineu the tiip woulu cost $2,uuu. They hau been
piaying foi a while when Tom got up anu slappeu Lake on the back, saying, "Bon't piay
anymoie, }ohn. }esus tolu me just now that Be will senu us that $2uuu, anu that it will be
heie in foui uays."
Exactly foui uays latei, Tom ietuineu fiom the post office anu thiew foui $Suu uiafts
on the table. "}ohn, heie is the answei!" Tom shouteu. "}esus has sent it. We aie going to
Afiica!"
}ust as the Loiu pioclaimeu, in Apiil of 19u8, the gioup left foi Afiica. The team was
maue up of Lake, }ennie, theii seven chiluien, Tom, anu thiee of his companions. 0ne of
Tom's companions hau liveu in Afiica foi five yeais, coulu speak Zulu, anu woulu seive as
inteipietei. They bought theii tickets, but hau no extia money foi the expenses of the tiip.
Now uou's one-time millionaiie woulu leain how to fully tiust Bim. Be hau only $1.Su in
his hanu.
Anu as Lake obeyeu, the Loiu miiaculously pioviueu foi the team. The immigiation
laws of South Afiica iequiieu each family that aiiiveu to have at least $ 12S, oi they
woulun't be peimitteu to leave the ship. Anu as they pulleu into the poit, Lake hau no
money. So }ennie lookeu at him anu saiu, "What aie you going to uo."
Lake iesponueu, "I am going to line up witb tbe rest. We bave obeyed Cod tbis
far. It is now up to tbe Lord."
As he stoou in line, ieauy to explain his uilemma, a fellow passengei tappeu him on
the shouluei anu calleu him to the siue. Be askeu Lake a few questions, then hanueu him
two money oiueis, totaling $2uu.
"I feel leu to give you this to help youi woik," the stiangei saiu. If you've heaiu fiom
uou, then step out in bolu, aggiessive faith. Be'll be theie to meet you eveiy time.
IO.L .`. IIO. IO.L
The Lake family hau been piaying uiligently foi a home when they ieacheu
}ohannesbuig. As faith missionaiies, they hau no suppoit fiom chuich boaius, anu no
uenomination waiting to accept them at theii aiiival. All they hau was theii faith in uou.
161
C O L . C L . L I . L .
When they aiiiveu in }ohannesbuig in Nay of 19u8, they noticeu a little woman
iunning aiounu the uock aiea looking at eveiyone. She was Ameiican. Running up to Tom,
she saiu, "You aie an Ameiican missionaiy paity." to which Tom ieplieu, "Yes." "Bow
many aie in youi paity." the lauy went on. "Foui," Tom answeieu back. But she shook hei
heau anu saiu, "No, you aien't the family. Is theie anothei."
Then Tom uiiecteu hei to Lake. "Bow many aie in youi family." the lauy askeu. "My
wife, myself, and my seven cbildren," Lake saiu. The lauy suuuenly lookeu ecstatic anu
shiilleu, "You aie the family!" Then she went on to explain how uou hau uiiecteu hei to
meet theii boat anu that on it woulu be an Ameiican missionaiy family consisting of two
auults anu seven chiluien. Anu that she was to give them a home.
1S
That same afteinoon, the Lake's weie settleu into a fuinisheu home in }ohannesbuig.
uou hau pioviueu it, just as they hau askeu. The Ameiican lauy, Nis. C. L. uoouenough,
iemaineu a faithful fiienu thioughout theii ministiy.
. .IIIIL.L CCLO.L
Bays aftei Lake aiiiveu, his fiist ministiy uooi was openeu. A South Afiican pastoi
took a leave of absence foi a few weeks anu askeu Lake to fill his pulpit. Be immeuiately
accepteu the offei.
0vei five hunuieu Zulus weie in attenuance his fiist Sunuay in the pulpit. As a iesult, a
gieat ievival bioke out among them, anu within weeks multituues fiom }ohannesbuig anu
the suiiounuing aiea weie saveu, healeu, anu baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit.
The success astounueu Lake. 0f it, he latei wiote:
"From tbe very start it was as tbougb a spiritual cyclone bad struck."
14
The meetings woulu often last until 4 A.N.
0ne of the main featuies of these miiaculous meetings weie
the poweiful uemonstiations of answeieu piayei. The piayei of
faith woulu be spoken foi someone in anothei pait of Afiica with
instant iesults. News of this spieau fai anu wiue, anu hunuieus
packeu into }ohannesbuig to be piayeu foi. Aftei the meetings
enueu, the natives woulu follow the pieacheis to theii homes anu
continue to ask questions to leain about uou. Nany times, as
uawn bioke ovei the Afiican hoiizon, the gioup woulu still be
uiscussing the powei of uou. Then all thiough the following uay,
people coulu be seen with Bibles in theii hanus, witnessing about
the powei of uou that was uisplayeu the night befoie.
Theie weie also many gieat manifestations of healing.
Wounueu, sick, anu weak, the people woulu line up on one siue of the platfoim anu woulu
leave the builuing aftei they weie piayeu foi, shouting, "uou has healeu me!" The ciowu
162
WounJeJ, sick, onJ
weok, tbe people
woulJ line up on one
siJe of tbe plotform
onJ woulJ leove tbe
builJinq ofter tbey
were proyeJ for,
sboutinq, "6oJ bos
beoleJ me!"
insiue the builuing shouteu wiluly anu cheeieu as they witnesseu the miiacles of uou.
1OI. o 1L..IL: IL L..
If the Afiican people coulun't make it to Lake's meetings, they woulu tiavel to "the
pieachei's" home. At times the thiong was so gieat that }ennie uiun't even have time to
piepaie the family meals. She woulu ushei the people thiough the fiont uooi to be piayeu
foi, then show them thiough the back uooi so the ioom woulu have space foi the otheis
coming in.
}ennie was also }ohn's ministiy paitnei. Lake believeu his wife "possesseu the spiiit of
uisceinment in a moie maikeu uegiee" than he uiu. She woulu often ieceive a woiu of
knowleuge conceining those who weie unable to ieceive healing because of peisonal
uifficulty oi sin in theii life.
The Lakes hau a simple way of opeiating in theii healing ministiy. As the people
passeu befoie }ohn in his office, he laiu hanus upon them. Those who weie instantly
healeu, weie uismisseu. But those who continueu to suffei, oi ieceiveu a paitial healing,
weie sent into anothei ioom. Then when Lake finisheu with the multituue, he woulu biing
}ennie into the ioom who woulu, by the Spiiit, peisonally ieveal to each one of them the
hinuiances of theii healing. 0pon heaiing the innei seciets of theii heaits, many woulu
confess anu ask uou foi foigiveness. Then }ohn anu }ennie woulu piay again, anu uou
woulu heal those who iepenteu. Those who iefuseu to iepent, even aftei acknowleuging
the tiuth of what Nis. Lake hau tolu them, went home suffeiing in theii affliction.
Ì. `.. IL LILL`
Lake was a man of action. 0nce aftei an inspiieu altai invitation, the entiie
congiegation ian to the fiont. In the gioup was a man who fell to the flooi in fiont of the
platfoim in an epileptic seizuie. Immeuiately, Lake jumpeu off the platfoim anu was at his
siue, iebuking the uemon in the name of }esus. Aftei the man was ueliveieu, Lake quietly
ietuineu to the platfoim.
The Spiiit of uou poweifully iesteu on Lake uuiing these yeais. As he shook hanus
with those enteiing the seivices, they woulu often fall to the giounu unuei the powei of
uou. At othei times, people woulu fall piostiate when they came within six feet of him!
Lake uemonstiateu his ueep compassion by nevei tuining away a ciy foi help. Be
nevei iefuseu to answei the call of a sick peison, anu was even known to piay foi uying
animals when calleu upon. Theie weie times when he neeueu iest, but the people woulu
finu him, then biing him theii sick. Lake piayeu foi them night anu uay anu iefuseu to tuin
anyone away.
The ministiy team was always in gieat neeu of foou anu finances. Anu tiue to the
piactices of that uay, Lake nevei took offeiings. But Be woulu often finu baskets of foou oi
small pouches of money uiscieetly left on the family's uooistep.
163
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Peihaps one of the most uifficult challenges that }ennie expeiienceu in Afiica was
auapting to the ministiy habits of hei husbanu. It was }ohn's task to biing home the
gioceiies neeueu foi theii laige family. But if he woulu happen to meet a wiuow lauy on
the way home who hau hungiy chiluien, he woulu give eveiything he hau to the wiuow's
family. Also, }ennie nevei knew whethei oi not }ohn may be biinging home company foi
uinnei, so she woulu have to stietch any meal to feeu a laige ciowu. Foou always seemeu
to be in shoit supply.
.C L..
Fiom Lake's fiist meetings helu in the pastoi's chuich builuing, he moveu into ienteu
halls. Then when the ciowus outgiew them, the ministiy team iesoiteu to cottage
meetings. Lake anu Bezmalhalch weie now "team" pieacheis. Each woulu speak five oi six
times uuiing a meeting, anu no one coulu tell wheie one's message finisheu anu the othei's
staiteu. It was all haimonizeu by the Spiiit of uou.
Lake establisheu the Apostolic Tabeinacle in }ohannesbuig, anu in less than a yeai he
hau staiteu one hunuieu chuiches. The woik of oveiseeing these chuiches spieau
thioughout Afiica anu kept him moie fiequently away fiom home.
COOLLL, 1L..IL
Lake was stunneu with the most uevastating news he hau evei encounteieu on
Becembei 22, 19u8. While ministeiing in the Kalahaii Beseit, his beloveu }ennie uieu.
When he ietuineu home twelve houis latei, she hau alieauy
gone to heaven.
Nost accounts of }ennie Lake's ueath attiibute it to
malnutiition anu physical exhaustion. When }ohn was away,
scoies of sick people woulu wait on his lawn until he ietuineu.
So }ennie woulu feeu them while they waiteu with what little
foou she coulu spaie. Anu she tiieu to make theii stay as
comfoitable as possible until Lake ietuineu. But in uoing so, she
physically neglecteu heiself.
Lake hau become so absoibeu in ministeiing to otheis that
he wasn't awaie of what was happening to his own wife.
0ne point often ignoieu in the ministiy is that theie will always be a "neeu" to be
fulfilleu. 0ne ministiy can't meet all the neeus that will appeai, no mattei how poweiful oi
anointeu that ministiy seems to be. So common sense is invaluable to Chiistian ministiy.
The natuial bouy anu the natuial family neeu attention, anu the family unit shoulu always
be the coie of any ministiy.
0nueistanuably, Lake was uevastateu when he aiiiveu home to finu his wife hau
uieu. It was a veiy uaik time foi him anu the agonizing pain stayeu with him foi many
yeais.
164
loke boJ become so
obsorbeJ in
ministerinq to
otbers tbot be
wosn't owore of
wbot wos boppeninq
to bis own wife.
The next yeai, in 19u9, Lake ietuineu to Ameiica to gathei suppoit foi his Afiican
ministiy anu to ieciuit new woikeis. Anu again, uou supeinatuially supplieu the money
with one contiibution. Be was given $S,uuu foi he anu his woikeis to ietuin.
IL IL.CLL
As the team lanueu on Afiican soil in }anuaiy of 191u, a plague was iaging ovei
poitions of the nation. In less than a month, one quaitei of the entiie population hau uieu.
In fact, the plague was so contagious that the goveinment was offeiing $1,uuu to any nuise
who woulu caie foi the sick. Lake anu his assistants went to help, fiee of chaige. Be anu
one assistant woulu go into the houses, biing out the ueau, anu buiy them. But no
symptom of the plague evei toucheu him.
At the height of this hoiiible plague, a uoctoi sent foi Lake anu askeu him:
"What have you been uoing to piotect youiself. You must have a
seciet!"
To this Lake iesponueu:
"Brotber, it is tbe law of tbe Spirit of Life in Cbrist )esus. I believe tbat
|ust as long as I keep my soul in contact witb tbe living Cod so tbat His
Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, tbat no germ will ever attacb itself
to me, for tbe Spirit of Cod will kill it"
Lake then inviteu the uoctoi to expeiiment with him. Be askeu the uoctoi to take the
foam fiom the lungs of a ueau plague victim anu put it unuei a micioscope. The uoctoi uiu
so, anu founu masses of living geims. Then Lake astounueu the people in the ioom as he
tolu the uoctoi to spieau the ueauly foam on his hanus anu announceu that geims woulu
uie.
The uoctoi uiu so anu founu that the geims uieu instantly in Lake's hanu. Those who
witnesseu the expeiiment stoou in amazement as Lake continueu to give gloiy to uou,
explaining the phenomenon like this:
"You can fill my band witb tbem and I will keep it under tbe
microscope, and instead of tbese germs remaining alive, tbey will die
instantly."
15
This same powei constantly floweu thiough Lake's hanus into the bouies of the
afflicteu biinging healing to the masses. The "lightnings of uou" blasteu all uisease anu
infiimity.
When the Queen of Bollanu iequesteu Lake to piay foi hei pioblems with conception
so she coulu caiiy a chilu to full teim, he sent the Queen woiu that hei piayei hau been
answeieu. Less than a yeai latei, the Queen, who hau miscaiiieu six pievious times, gave
biith to hei fiist full-teim chilu, Queen }uliana of Bollanu.
16
165
C O L . C L . L I . L .
.I.I.I OI IL .IIII
In Becembei of 191u, Tom Bezmalhalch left Lake's ministiy. This was a veiy uifficult
time foi Lake. Be hau iecently lost his ueai wife, anu now he was losing his best fiienu anu
paitnei. But he uiew stiength fiom knowing that he was fulfilling the will of uou. Anu he
ieceiveu much comfoit fiom his Ameiican suppoiteis. Encouiaging letteis came pouiing
in fiom many ieassuiing him of theii confiuence in his ministiy.
Lake spent the iest of 191u-1912 ministeiing healing as he piayeu foi the sick. uieat
miiacles weie peifoimeu that still affect Afiica touay. Anu he staiteu two main chuiches:
The Apostolic Faith NissionApostolic Tabeinacle (not ielateu to the Apostolic Faith
Chuich) anu the Zion Chiistian Chuich.
Lake anu his congiegation iegulaily publisheu a newslettei that was maileu to
thousanus of people. Befoie they weie maileu, chuich membeis woulu lay hanus on them
anu piay that the pieces of liteiatuie woulu be filleu with uou's Spiiit. They believeu the
powei of uou woulu anoint the newslettei's papei, just as it occuiieu with the
hanukeichiefs of Paul. As a iesult, thousanus of letteis woulu poui in fiom all paits of the
woilu, stating how the Spiiit of uou came upon the iecipients as they openeu the papei.
0ne lauy saiu that when she helu the newslettei, "she vibiateu" in such a way that she
coulu haiuly sit in hei chaii. She was then baptizeu in
the Boly Spiiit anu spoke in othei tongues. Lake simply
explaineu this manifestation by saying:
"Tbe ministry of Cbristianity is tbe
ministry of tbe Spirit."
17
Lake unueistoou how to caiiy his entiie
congiegation into the piesence of the Loiu. Be tiaineu
anu matuieu them out of his spiiitual oveiflow, anu as
a iesult, they weie able to acceleiate with him in the supeinatuial. In 1912, the
congiegation was askeu to piay foi a man's cousin in a Welsh insane asylum that was
locateu some seven thousanu miles away. When the spiiit of feivent piayei fell on the
people, a gieat consciousness of uou came upon Lake. It seemeu as if shafts of light weie
beaming towaiu him fiom the inteicessois. Then suuuenly, he founu himself tiaveling in
the spiiit at lightning-like speeu. Aiiiving in a place that he hau nevei seen befoie, he
iealizeu it hau to be Wales. Then he walkeu insiue the ioom of this man's cousin who was
tieu to a cot with hei heau bouncing back anu foith. Be laiu hanus on hei anu cast the uevil
out of hei. Then, suuuenly, he was back in }ohannesbuig kneeling on the platfoim. Thiee
weeks latei, the iepoit of this woman's compete ueliveiance hau aiiiveu. She hau been
immeuiately uischaigeu when physicians founu hei "suuuenly" healthy anu whole.
IL ..OI.LL IO`LI
By the time }ohn u. Lake woulu leave Afiica to finally ietuin to Ameiica, his ministiy
effoits hau piouuceu 1,2Su pieacheis, 62S congiegations, anu 1uu,uuu conveits. The
166
Tbey believeJ tbe power of
6oJ woulJ onoint tbe
newsletter's poper, just os
it occurreJ witb tbe
bonJkercbiefs of Poul.
exact numbei of miiacles that occuiieu in his ministiy coulu nevei be counteu on eaith.
18
These statistics aie the iesults of five yeais of ministiy!
Lake ietuineu to Ameiica in 1912. The family's fiist yeai home was filleu with tiavel
anu neeueu ielaxation. Then in 191S, }ohn met anu maiiieu Floience Switzei of
Nilwaukee, Wisconsin. In the yeais following they became the paients of five chiluien.
Floience was an excellent stenogiaphei anu was iesponsible foi iecoiuing anu pieseiving
many of Lake's seimons.
In the summei of 1914, Lake met with his foimei iailioau financiei anu fiienu, }im
Bill. The two hau become close when Lake woikeu in Chicago. Bill was uelighteu to see
Lake anu offeieu his family fiee iailway passes that weie goou foi anywheie his tiains
tiaveleu.
IL IL.LI.C IOO.. OI .IOL..L
Lake took auvantage of his goou fiienu's offei anu began to tiavel the nation. Fiist, he
went to Spokane, Washington, wheie he woulu stay anu set up "healing iooms" in an olu
office builuing. It is estimateu that some one hunuieu thousanu healings occuiieu in those
iooms.
19
The Spokane newspapeis consistently publisheu the many healing testimonies of the
people. In fact, the iesults weie so unbelievable that the Bettei Business Buieau ueciueu to
veiify the authenticity of the healings. So they contacteu leaueis at the healing iooms foi an
investigation.
To satisfy the buieau's inquiiy, Lake calleu on the people whose testimonies hau
appeaieu in piint. All eighteen of them gave testimony to the powei of the Loiu in fiont of
the buieau. Then Lake gave the investigatois the names of those who hau been healeu
thioughout the city so they coulu question them. Anu aftei that, he offeieu to sponsoi a
meeting the following Sunuay at which one hunuieu people woulu give theii healing
testimonies. Be askeu the buieau to foimulate a panel of physicians, lawyeis, juuges, anu
euucatois who coulu ienuei a veiuict.
167
C O L . C L . L I . L .
168
}obn onJ }ennie loke onJ fomily before leovinq for Soutb Africo, 1907
loke onJ compoiqn workers
Hobilizinq tbe messoqe, loke on tbe rooJ
169
loke onJ beolinq bome workers in Spokone, Wosbinqton, 191S-1920
Boy beoleJ ot loke's Spokone Eeolinq Eome
C O L . C L . L I . L .
But Lake ieceiveu a lettei fiom the buieau the Fiiuay befoie
the pioposeu meeting infoiming him that theii investigations
weie veiy positive, anu that the Sunuay meeting woulun't be
necessaiy. They also piaiseu him foi the woik he was uoing in
theii city. Two committee membeis even visiteu him piivately to
tell him, "You uiun't tell the half of it."
Those inteivieweu by the buieau incluueu a woman who
no longei hau hei female oigans, yet thiough healing, was able
to piocieate. She showeu hei miiaculous baby to those
investigating the ministiy.
Anothei woman shaieu about the miiaculous healing of hei
seveiely bioken kneecap. Aftei she ieceiveu piayei, the bone
poppeu back into place, without pain, in less than an houi. Still anothei woman afflicteu
with incuiable cancei was totally healeu aftei piayei. Anu anothei was instantly healeu of
iheumatoiu aithiitis as hei bones ieshapeu anu ietuineu to noimal. This same woman
was also healeu of a piolapseu stomach, anu the eailobe she was boin without
miiaculously giew into place.
But the most iemaikable case at Spokane's Bealing Bome was that of a small boy. It is
saiu the boy's heau was shapeu like a yacht, "upsiue uown." Physicians announceu theie
was nothing that coulu be uone foi him until he was twelve yeais olu, anu then the suigeiy
woulu be veiy uangeious. But aftei piayei, the boy's bones softeneu, his heau expanueu,
anu his skull was iestoieu to noimal. Bis paialysis also miiaculously left anu he was able
to speak like othei chiluien.
Bow uiu Lake explain these incieuible healings. Nany times, he likeu to use Sistei
Ettei in his illustiations because of hei gieat spiiitual influence on his life.
"Wben you see tbose boly flasbes of beavenly flame once in a wbile in
a person's life, as we observe in our Sister Etter, wben someone is bealed, it
is because ber consciousness and Cbrist are one. Sbe is fused into Cod. I
saw a dying, strangling woman bealed in tbirty seconds as Mrs. Etter cast
out tbe demon. Tbe flame of Cod, tbe fire of His Spirit, ten seconds of
connection witb tbe Almigbty Cbrist at tbe Tbrone of Cod, tbat is tbe secret
of it."
20
.II`L IOI IL.LCO.
Accoiuing to goveinment statistics, between the yeais of 191S-192u, Spokane,
Washington, was the "healthiest city in the woilu," because of the ministiy of }ohn u. Lake.
The mayoi of Spokane helu a public commemoiation to honoi his effoits.
An excellent businessman, Lake maue suie his iecoius weie always accuiate. They
showeu that up to two hunuieu peisons a uay weie being ministeieu to anu healeu in
Spokane's Bealing Bomes, anu that most of them weie non-chuich membeis.
170
lt is soiJ tbe boy's
beoJ wos sbopeJ
like o yocbt, "upsiJe
Jown." Pbysicions
onnounceJ tbere
wos notbinq tbot
coulJ be Jone for
bim until be wos
twelve yeors olJ.
Lake also founueu The Apostolic Chuich in Spokane that uiew thousanus fiom
aiounu the woilu foi ministiy anu healing. Be helu seivices six nights a week, twice on
Sunuays, anu maue house calls thioughout the week.
In Nay of 192u, Lake left Spokane anu moveu to Poitlanu, 0iegon, wheie he tiaveleu
as an apostle anu pastoieu foi a time. Soon, he began anothei Apostolic Chuich anu
healing ministiy similai to the one in Spokane.
Buiing Lake's time in Poitlanu, he hau a vision in which an angel appeaieu. The angel
openeu the Bible to the book of Acts, pointing to the outpouiing of the Spiiit on the Bay of
Pentecost. The angel also calleu Lake's attention to othei spiiitual manifestations anu
ievelations in the book anu saiu:
"This is Pentecost as uou gave it thiough the heait of }esus. Stiive
foi this. Contenu foi this. Teach the people to piay foi this. Foi this, anu
this alone, will meet the necessity of the human heait, anu this alone
will have the powei to oveicome the foices of uaikness."
21
Fiom that uay on, Lake stiiveu to fulfill the Woiu of the Loiu with even gieatei
intensity. Be tiaveleu aiounu Ameiica foi the next eleven yeais, uuplicating his woik
eveiywheie he went.
L.LL. .I..LL
In his latei yeais, }ohn u. Lake enjoyeu a wonueiful balance
of the supeinatuial anu natuial. But his unueistanuing came at a
veiy heavy piice. The piice was his family.
Lake's chiluien fiom his fiist maiiiage suffeieu gieatly
because of his constant absence. Even when he was piesent in a
ioom, he woulu uiift away in meuitation, being constantly
minuful of the ministiy anu the Loiu. Because of this, his chiluien
felt gieatly neglecteu.
Remembei, it was these same chiluien who saw theii
mothei staive anu woik to ueath in Afiica. As a iesult, each of
them hau uevelopeu veiy haiueneu attituues, anu they left home
veiy eaily, between the ages of fifteen anu sixteen, to live in Canaua. As they giew into
auulthoou, theii lives weie chaiacteiizeu by haiueneu bitteiness. Bowevei, two of his sons
commenteu while on theii ueathbeus, "I wish uau weie heie to piay foi me."
Lake giieveu ovei his lack of attention given the chiluien. Anu he woulu latei wiite in
a lettei that the many miiacles wiought at his hanus weie peisonally unfulfilling anu not
woith the loss of his family.
IL ILLLL.I.C I.COI
171
Eis cbilJren borne
by Ilorence boJ o
Jifferent ottituJe
toworJ bim. Tbey
remembereJ bim os
o mon wbo loveJ to
louqb onJ enjoy bis
frienJs.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
But Lake leaineu fiom his expeiiences, anu finally founu the key to being a goou
husbanu, involveu fathei, anu poweiful ministei. Bis chiluien boine by Floience hau a
uiffeient attituue towaiu him. They iemembeieu him as a man who loveu to laugh anu
enjoy his fiienus.
In his latei yeais, Lake was not "so heavenly minueu that he was of no eaithly goou."
Be uiun't keep his heau in the clouus, anu people no longei fell into silence when enteiing
his piesence because he woulu lovingly inteiact with them. Lake hau finally leaineu to
enjoy the natuial anu the supeinatuial to the fullest extent. The atmospheie in his home
was no longei iigiu anu stiff! Be loveu to have fun at the uinnei table when the family was
togethei. Bis heaity laugh coulu be heaiu echoing uown the halls. Anu he enjoyeu
symphonic anu opeia music, so eveiy Sunuay evening, he woulu listen to his favoiite iauio
piogiams.
Lake also enjoyeu a wonueiful sense of humoi. Be loveu to ieau Will Rogei's
newspapei column, anu woulu latei be thought of himself as "a gieat enteitainei." Be likeu
to keep the atmospheie aiounu him light with laughtei.
IL ..C.L OI COL
At the height of his ministiy, the outsiue woilu hau become so uiawn to Lake's
unueistanuing of uou that they constantly flockeu to him. It was his unueistanuing of
iighteousness that alloweu him to take uominion ovei eveiy situation. Be uespiseu the
Chiistian songs that spoke of mankinu as a "woim." When he heaiu them he woulu
wiinkle his nose anu twist his mouth, calling them "lowei concept" songs. Be felt they
weie a uisgiace to the bloou of }esus. Lake's uaughtei once uesciibeu hei fathei as having
"a veiy gieat consciousness of being a king anu piiest befoie uou, showing a beaiing anu
uemeanoi of that nobility." This is how he also encouiageu otheis to be vieweu. Lake
always uiiecteu his family to tieat all believeis as kings anu piiests.
22
Lake was the stiongest auvocate of his uay foi the supeinatuial. Be often spoke with
uisgust of euucational, meuical, anu scientific foiums that maue iefeience to the weakness
of Chiistianity. 0ne uay he woulu pieach, the tables woulu be tuineu, anu men woulu flock
fiom eveiywheie to the"School of the Spiiit"wheie they woulu leain to coopeiate
anu become one with the powei of uou.
Lake was tiuly conceineu about the woilu's infatuation with meie psychological
powei. Be tells of once witnessing a man in Inuia who hau been buiieu alive foi thiee uays,
then came up fiom the giave well anu whole. Anu of anothei man who hau suspenueu his
bouy between two chaiis in miu-aii anu hau a huge stone smasheu on his chest until it
bioke in two.
Be woulu publicly iefute the valiuity of such manifestations by saying:
"Tbese are only on tbe psycbological plane. Beyond tbat is tbe spirit
plane and tbe amazing wonder of tbe Holy Spirit of Cod, and if Cod got bold
of my spirit for ten minutes, He could do sometbing ten tbousand times
172
greater tban tbat."
23
"Cbristianity is one bundred percent supernatural," be often said. "'All
Power' language is Cbristianity vocabulary only."
24
Be possesseu a iemaikable ability to encouiage faith anu ievelation in the heaits of
otheis who listeneu to him. The ministeis who sat unuei his teaching soon founu theii
own ministiies of faith which iesulteu in staitling healings.
Lake stateu:
"If be [a Cbristian] bas not tbe Spirit to minister in tbe real bigb sense,
be bas notbing to minister. Utber men bave intellectuality, but tbe
Cbristian is supposed to be tbe possessor of tbe Spirit. Tbere sbould never
be any misunderstanding along tbese lines."
25
To fuithei the supeinatuial goals, Lake calleu eveiy believei to the powei of
Pentecost. 0nce in uoing so he spoke this piophecy:
"I can see as my spirit discerns tbe future and reacbes out to toucb tbe
beart of mankind and tbe desire of Cod,
tbat tbere is coming from beaven a new
manifestation of tbe Holy Spirit in power,
and tbat new manifestation will be in
sweetness, in love, in tenderness, and in
tbe power of tbe Spirit, beyond anytbing
your beart or mine ever saw. Tbe very
ligbtning of Cod will flasb tbrougb men's
souls. Tbe sons of Cod will meet tbe sons
of darkness and prevail."
2
LLC.C OI IL .II.CLLOL.
By 1924, Lake was known thioughout Ameiica as a leauing healing evangelist. Be hau
establisheu foity chuiches thioughout the 0niteu States anu Canaua in which theie hau
been so many healings that his congiegations nicknameu him, "Bi." Lake.
In Becembei, anothei significant event took place thiough his ministiy. uoiuon
Linusay, founuei of Chiist Foi the Nations in Ballas, Texas, was conveiteu while heaiing
Lake pieach in Poitlanu. Linusay attenueu his seivices neaily eveiy night of the week anu
consiueieu Lake to be his mentoi. When Linusay latei contiacteu ueauly, ptomaine
poisoning, he was totally healeu once he was able to get to Lake's home.
In 19S1, Lake ietuineu to Spokane at the age of sixty-one. Be was now weak with
fatigue, anu almost blinu. So he ueciueu to have a "talk" with the Loiu. Be ieminueu Bim of
how shameful it woulu be if he weie to go blinu aftei ovei one hunuieu thousanu people
weie healeu in his ministiy in Ameiica alone. By the enu of the talk, his vision was
173
By tbe enJ of tbe tolk, bis
vision wos completely
restoreJ, onJ remoineJ
tbot woy for tbe rest of bis
life.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
completely iestoieu, anu iemaineu that way foi the iest of his life.
ILIC.I.C I. IL IL.`L.LIL.
Laboi Bay came on a hot, humiu Sunuay in 19SS. The Lakes hau attenueu a Sunuay
school picnic anu }ohn ietuineu home fiom it totally exhausteu. So he laiu uown to iest.
Floience encouiageu him to stay home while she attenueu chuich that night, anu when
she ietuineu home, she founu Lake hau suffeieu a stioke. Be iemaineu in pooi conuition
foi two weeks, unconscious most of the time. Then on Septembei 16, 19SS, }ohn u. Lake
went home to be with the Loiu. Be was sixty-five yeais
olu.
Buiing the memoiial seivice honoiing Lake's life,
many woius of piaise weie spoken about him. But
they aie best summeu up in this eulogy exceipt taken
fiom one of Lake's many Spokane conveits:
"Bi. Lake came to Spokane. Be founu us
in sin. Be founu us in sickness. Be founu us in
poveity of spiiit. Be founu us in uespaii, but he ievealeu to us such a
Chiist as we hau nevei uieameu of knowing this siue of heaven. We
thought the victoiy was ovei theie, but Bi. Lake ievealeu to us that
victoiy was heie."
27
As we close this chaptei, I want to challenge you to walk in the ievelation of youi
iighteousness in Chiist. Righteousness is a lifestyle that piouuces victoiy in eveiy
situation. If we woulu just giasp the ieality of oui position thiough }esus Chiist, as Lake uiu,
eveiy nation woulu iing with the piaises of uou. Anu eveiy uemonic iegime woulu
ciumble unuei that authoiity.
}ohn u. Lake pioveu to us that this lifestyle can be liveu anu enjoyeu by those who
puisue it. So uon't stop shoit of what uou has given us thiough }esus Chiist. Allow the Boly
Spiiit to ieveal youi heavenly position to you, then take youi place anu change the nations
foi uou.
174
lf we woulJ just qrosp tbe
reolity of our position
tbrouqb }esus Cbrist, os
loke JiJ, every notion
woulJ rinq witb tbe proises
of 6oJ.
CHAPTER SIX, )UHN C. LAKE
Refeiences
1
}ohn u. Lake, AJventures in 6oJ {Tulsa, 0K: Baiiison Bouse, 1981), Su.
2
Wilfoiu Reiut, }obn 6. loke: A Hon Witbout Compromise (Tulsa: Baiiison
Bouse, 1989), 1S.
3
Lake, AJventures in 6oJ, 7S-74.
4
Reiut, }obn 6. loke: A Hon Witbout Compromise, 21.
5
uoiuon Linusay, eJ., }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo (Ballas, TX: Chiist foi the
Nations, Inc., Repiinteu 1979), 12-1S, Lake, AJventures in 6oJ, 77.
6
Lake, AJventures in 6oJ, 78-8u.
7
Ibiu., SS-S6.
8
Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, 16.
9
uoiuon Linusay, eu., AstounJinq Biory of }obn 6. loke (Ballas, TX: Chiist foi the
Nations, 1987), 1S-14.
1u
Linusay, Apostle to Africo, 18-19.
11
Reiut, }obn 6. loke: A Hon Witbout Compromise, 27.
12
Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, 2u.
13 Lake, AJventures in 6oJ, S9-69.
14
Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, 2S.
1S
uoiuon Linusay, eJ., }obn 6. loke Sermons on Bominion 0ver Bemons, Biseose &
Beotb (Ballas, TX: Chiist foi the Nations, Inc., 1949, Repiinteu 1988), 1u8.
16
Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, S6.
17
Lake, AJventures in 6oJ, 1u6-1u7.
18
Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, SS.
19 Ibiu.
2u
Kenneth Copelanu Publications, }obn 6. loke: Eis life, Eis Sermons, Eis
BolJness of Ioitb, (Foit Woith, TX: Kenneth Copelanu Publications, 1994),
442.
21
Reiut, A Hon Witbout Compromise, 9S.
22
Ibiu., 6u.
2S
Kenneth Copelanu Publications, }obn 6. loke, 44S.
24
Ibiu., 4S2.
2S
Ibiu., 27.
26
Linusay, New }obn 6. loke Sermons (Ballas, TX: Chiist foi the Nations, Inc.,
1976), 19-2u.
27
Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, 9.
175
C H A P T E R S E V E N
SmItb
WIggIeswortb
7: Smith Wiggleswoith
"Apostle of Ioitb"
.IO.LL OI I.II
y friend said, 'Sbe is dead.' He was scared. I bave
never seen a man so frigbtened in my life. 'Wbat sball
I do?' be asked. You may tbink tbat wbat I did was
absurd, but I reacbed over into tbe bed and pulled ber out. I
carried ber across tbe room, stood ber against tbe wall and beld
ber up, as sbe was absolutely dead. I looked into ber face and said,
'In tbe name of )esus, I rebuke tbis deatb.' From tbe crown of ber
bead to tbe soles of ber feet ber wbole body began to tremble. 'In
tbe name of )esus, I command you to walk,' I said. I repeated, 'In
tbe name of )esus, in tbe name of )esus, walk!' and sbe walked."
1
Raising the ueau was only one amazing facet of the ministiy of Smith Wiggleswoith.
This gieat apostle of faith walkeu in such an astounuing measuie of uou's anointing that
the miiaculous following his ministiy was only seconuaiy to it. In his lifetime, this onetime
plumbei woulu give new meaning to the woiu "auventuie."
Auventuie's only iequiiement."0nly believe!"
To Wiggleswoith, simple obeuience to what one believeu
was not an extiaoiuinaiy featit was simply the fiuit of it. Bis
own faith was saiu to be unflinching anu sometimes iuthless. But
he was also saiu to possess an unusual teaching anointing anu a
keen sense of compassionthe fiuit of which piouuceu
countless salvations anu miiacles in his ministiy eveiy uay.
IL LILL LI.II ILLLLI
Smith was boin }une 8, 18S9, to }ohn anu Naitha Wiggleswoith in the small village of
Nenston, Yoikshiie, Englanu. At the time of his biith in 18S9 it was alieauy a histoiic yeai.
The Thiiu uieat Awakening hau been unueiway in Ameiica foi two yeais, William Booth
hau uistanceu himself fiom oiganizeu ieligion, foiming the Salvation Aimy, anu the
Chuich in Wales was piaying foi ievival.
2
That Smith woulu be counteu among the othei
gieat Chiistian leaueis such as Booth in }ohn anu Naitha's uay, was the fuithest thing fiom
theii minus that spiing of 18S9. But he woulu. Theii son woulu put uou's fiie back into a
chuich that hau been smolueiing foi hunuieus of yeais.
Smith's family was pooi. Bis fathei woikeu long houis to suppoit his wife, a uaughtei,
anu thiee sons. So the boy began woik at the age of six, pulling tuinips in a local fielu. The
woik was haiu. Bis tiny hanus weie soie anu swollen fiom pulling tuinips moining until
night. But it gave Smith his fathei's soliu woik ethic of laboiing long anu haiu foi iewaiu.
179
To Wiqqleswortb,
simple obeJience to
wbot one believeJ
wos not on
extroorJinory feot
it wos simply tbe
fruit of it.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
When Smith tuineu seven he went to woik with his fathei anu anothei at the local
wool mill. Fiom then on, life seemeu easiei foi the Wiggleswoith family. Theii income
incieaseu anu foou became plentiful.
Smith's fathei was a gieat lovei of biius. At one time he hau sixteen songbiius living in
theii home. So the boy auopteu his fathei's love foi natuie anu often seaicheu foi nests. Be
sometimes caught anu solu songbiius at the local maiket to help sustain his family.
Ì.. IL LIIILIL.CL LL`LL. L.`
Though his paients weien't Chiistians, theie was nevei a time young Smith uiun't
long foi uou. Be wasn't taught to piay at home, but he was always seeking on his own.
Nany times, Smith woulu ask uou to show him wheie to finu a nest of biius. Almost
instantly he knew wheie to look.
Bis gianumothei was an olu-time Wesleyan who believeu in the powei of uou. She
always maue suie Smith attenueu the meetings with hei. As a young boy, he woulu sit anu
watch the "olu-timeis" clap theii hanus, uance to the Loiu, anu sing about the "bloou."
When Smith was eight yeais olu, he got to join in the singing at chuich. As he began to sing,
"a cleai knowleuge of the new biith" came to him. Be iealizeu what }esus Chiist hau uone
foi him thiough Bis ueath anu iesuiiection. In latei yeais, Wiggleswoith woulu wiite of
that uay:
"I saw tbat Cod wants us so badly tbat He bas made tbe condition as
simple as He possibly could-'Only Belleve.'"
S
Anu he nevei uoubteu his salvation.
Young Wiggleswoith immeuiately became a soulwinnei. The fiist peison he won to
Chiist was his own mothei. When his fathei uiscoveieu the Chiistian "expeiience" hau
come to his family, he staiteu taking the family to the Episcopal chuich. Smith's fathei
wasn't boin again himself, but he enjoyeu the paison, as they visiteu the same pub anu
uiank beei togethei.
Soon Smith consenteu to join the chuich choii with his biothei, but because he hau to
woik at such a young age, he was iobbeu of an euucation. Be was almost ten yeais olu
when he was "confiimeu." When the bishop waveu his hanus ovei the young boy, a
poweiful awaieness of uou's piesence filleu Smith that woulu iemain with him foi uays.
Nothing like that seemeu to occui with the otheis, as Smith woulu latei wiite:
"After tbe confirmation service all tbe otber boys were swearing and
quarreling, and I wondered wbat bad made tbe difference between tbem
and me."
4
ILIL. .O.LII.C LIIILIL. .LOL OL
When Smith was thiiteen, his family moveu fiom Nenston to Biaufoiu wheie he
180
Smith Wigglesworth"Apostle of Faith"
became ueeply involveu in the Wesleyan Nethouist Chuich. Bis spiiitual life took on a new
meaning, anu he longeu foi the Spiiit of uou. Though he coulun't ieau well, he nevei left his
house without the New Testament in his pocket.
Latei, the Nethouists weie planning a special pieaching
meeting, anu seven boys weie chosen to paiticipate, incluuing
Smith. With thiee weeks to piepaie, the teenagei "liveu in
piayei." When the uay aiiiveu, he took the platfoim to pieach
foi fifteen minutes, anu afteiwaiu hau no memoiy of what he
hau saiu. All he coulu iemembei was the incieuible zeal that
clotheu him along with heaiing the heaity shouts anu cheeis of
the people.
Smith began to witness the uospel to eveiyone he met, but
he coulun't unueistanu why so many seemeu uninteiesteu. Then, in 187S, the Salvation
Aimy staiteu a woik in Biaufoiu. Smith was ecstatic when he heaiu the news. Finally, he
coulu be with a gioup of people who shaieu his uesiie foi the lost! So he joineu the
Salvationists when they aiiiveu anu woulu veiy soon leain about the powei of fasting anu
piayei.
The Salvation Aimy hau moie iesults than anyone else at the time, especially in the
aiea of soulwinning. Nany times, they woulu have all-night piayei meetings, lying
piostiate befoie the Loiu. The eaily Salvationists hau gieat spiiitual authoiity anu it was
manifesteu in each of theii seivices. At the weekly meetings, the gioup woulu join togethei
anu claim at least fifty to a hunuieu people foi uou, knowing they woulu ieach that
numbei anu moie. Scoies of people founu }esus as theii Savioi thiough the bianch at
Biaufoiu.
When he was seventeen, Smith met a gouly man at the mill who taught him the
plumbing business. As they woikeu togethei, this man explaineu to Smith the meaning
anu impoitance of watei baptism.
Eagei to fulfill the commanuments in the Woiu, Smith glauly obeyeu anu was
baptizeu in watei shoitly afteiwaius. Buiing this time, he also leaineu of the message of
the seconu coming of Chiist, anu believing stiongly that }esus woulu come by the tuin-of-
the-centuiy. Be was ueteimineu to "change the couise" of eveiyone he met.
Believing that the Loiu woulu help him in eveiything, Smith set out to ministei. In
1877, he went to a plumbei's home to ask foi a job. The plumbei auviseu Smith that he
hau no neeu foi anyone. So Smith thankeu him, apologizeu foi using his time, anu tuineu
to walk away. Suuuenly the man calleu him back saying, "Theie is something about you
that is uiffeient. I just cannot let you go."
S
Anu he was hiieu.
Smith uiu such excellent woik that the plumbei coulun't keep him employeuhe
woikeu too fast! So he ueciueu to move to Liveipool, taking his plumbing expeiience with
him. With the powei of uou iesting heavily upon him, he began to ministei to the chiluien
of the city. Longing to help them, he pieacheu the uospel to them. Bunuieus came to the
181
...be joineJ tbe
Solvotionists wben
tbey orriveJ onJ
woulJ very soon
leorn obout tbe
power of fostinq onJ
proyer.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
uock sheu wheie Smith ministeieu. Raggeu anu hungiy, the giils anu boys came, anu
Smith took caie of them all. Though he hau a goou income, he nevei spent it on himself,
using it insteau to clothe anu feeu these chiluien.
Besiues his ministiy to the chiluien, Smith anu a fiienu woulu visit the hospitals anu
ships, witnessing foi }esus Chiist. Be woulu fast anu piay all uay on Sunuay, nevei seeing
less than fifty people saveu each time he ministeieu. The Salvation Aimy constantly inviteu
Smith to pieach at theii seivices, anu while pieaching, he always stoou bioken as he wept
befoie the people. Though he wisheu foi the eloquence of Chailes Spuigeon anu othei fine
pieacheis, it was his biokenness that causeu hunuieus to come to the altai longing to
know uou.
ÌO .IL IL.L .ILL ILOILL`
0ne of the gieatest attiibutes in the life of Smith Wiggleswoith was his wife, Naiy
}ane "Polly" Featheistone. In the lives of many gieat ministiy couples, it seems that when
one paitnei is stiong, the othei must take a lessei iole in oiuei to keep conflict at a
minimum. But this wasn't the case with the Wiggleswoiths! Polly iemaineu equally as
stiong, if not stiongei at ceitain times, than hei husbanu. She nevei iefuseu to take a back
seat, anu Wiggleswoith was in agieement with this. Be saiu of hei, "All tbat I am today I
owe, under Cod, to my precious wife. Ub, sbe was lovely!"
Polly Featheistone came fiom a goou Nethouist family. Even though hei fathei
lectuieu in the Tempeiance Novement, he became heii to a laige inheiitance maue
thiough the sale of liquoi. Bowevei, holuing fast to his innei convictions, he iefuseu to
touch a "penny" of the tainteu inheiitance. She watcheu the lifestyle of hei fathei anu
echoeu his stiong chaiactei anu beliefs of holiness. She was also a woman who saiu what
she thought.
Latei, Polly left hei socially-affluent suiiounuings anu heaueu foi "fame anu foitune"
in the city of Biaufoiu. 0nce theie, she accepteu seivice in a laige family.
0ne uay, while she was in town, she heaiu tiumpets anu shouting. Finuing hei way to
the "noise," she was intiigueu by what she sawan open aii meeting! The Salvation Aimy
was a new oiganization at this time, anu she thought, Wbo ore tbese silly people?
Cuiious, she followeu the gioup to a laige, uilapiuateu builuing. As the Salvationists
maicheu insiue, Polly iemaineu on the coinei, hoping no one saw hei. Finally, oveicome
with cuiiosity, she slippeu insiue anu took a seat in the top of the galley.
182
I.LLLLL1.I' I. LO.L'
uypsy Tillie Smith, sistei of the famous evangelist, uypsy Rouney Smith, was
pieaching. Builing hei fieiy message towaiu the people, she pioclaimeu salvation thiough
the bloou of }esus. Polly was ueeply moveu. Realizing hei lost conuition, she left the galley
anu maue hei way to the altai iail, falling to hei knees. She iefuseu any piayei fiom the
woikeis, until finally, Tillie Smith maue hei way ovei to piay with hei. With the light of
Chiist waiming hei heait, Polly jumpeu to hei feet, thiew hei gloves in the aii, anu
shouteu, "Ballelujah! It is uone!"
7
Sitting in the auuience, not fai
fiom hei, a young man watcheu hei intently. That man was hei
futuie husbanu anu paitnei in uestinySmith Wiggleswoith.
"It seemed as if tbe inspiration of Cod was upon ber
from tbe very first," Smith saiu.
8
The next night, as Polly gave
hei testimony, Smith felt she "belongeu to him." Being alloweu to
foigo the customaiy peiiou of tiaining, she was eventually given
a commission as an officei in the Salvation Aimy by ueneial
Booth himself.
Polly went on to seive the Salvation Aimy in Scotlanu foi a
season, then ietuineu to Biaufoiu. She woulu eventually leave
the aimy because of conflict suiiounuing hei ielationship with
Wiggleswoith. She was an "officei" anu he was a meie "soluiei." Though Smith nevei
officially joineu the aimy, the iules weie stiict iegaiuing any intimate ielationship
between the two ianks.
Aftei she left, Polly joineu the Blue Ribbon Aimy, but she always iemaineu a tiue
fiienu to the Salvationists. At this time, Nethouist ministeis calleu hei to evangelize theii
183
Witb tbe liqbt of
Cbrist worminq ber
beort, Polly jumpeJ
to ber feet, tbrew
ber qloves in tbe oir,
onJ sbouteJ,
"Eollelujob! lt's
Jone!"
Tbe Wiqqleswortb fomily. Top: Alice, Setb, onJ EorolJ. Bottom: Frnest, Smitb, Hory }one
{Polly), onJ 6eorqe
C O L . C L . L I . L .
chuiches, anu hunuieus weie conveiteu thiough hei ministiy. The powei of uou iesteu
heavily upon hei.
..II, OLIL .O . ...LI
Polly became "Nis. Wiggleswoith" in 1882, at age twenty-two. Smith was one yeai
oluei than his new wife, anu encouiageu hei to continue hei evangelistic ministiy, while
he was content in the plumbing business. Bowevei, he uiu have a "buiuen" foi an aiea in
Biaufoiu that hau no chuich. So the couple ienteu a small builuing anu openeu it foi
meetings, calling it the "Biaufoiu Stieet Nission."
In theii thiity yeais of maiiiage, the Wiggleswoiths hau one uaughtei, Alice, anu foui
sons, Seth, Baiolu, Einest, anu ueoige (who latei uieu in 191S). But befoie each chilu was
boin, the Wiggleswoiths piayeu ovei them that they woulu seive uou. Aftei theii biith,
Smith took caie of them uuiing chuich while his wife pieacheu. Following the message,
Smith was always at the altai, piaying to biing people to Chiist. Not at all intimiuateu by
his wife's ministiy iole, Smith saiu, "Her work was to put down tbe net, mine was to
land tbe fisb. Tbis latter is |ust as important as tbe former."
9
Be knew the powei of a
seivant's heait.
The wintei of 1884 was a seveie one foi Biaufoiu, anu as a iesult, the plumbeis weie
in high uemanu. Not only uiu Smith spenu the entiie wintei woiking, but iemaineu busy
iepaiiing the uamage as a iesult of the elements foi two moie yeais.
Buiing those uays of heavy woik anu gieat piospeiity,
Smith's attenuance in chuich ueclineu iapiuly anu his heait
giew colu towaiu the Loiu. But as his fiie giew uimmei, Polly's
giew biightei, anu hei zeal foi uou anu hei piayei life nevei
waveieu. Bei consistency anu uiligence in the things of uou
maue Smith's laxity all the moie appaient, anu he became
iiiitateu by hei veiy piesence.
0ne night, she came home fiom chuich a little latei than usual. When she enteieu the
house, Smith iemaikeu, "I am tbe master of tbis bouse, and I am not going to bave you
coming bome at so late an bour as tbis!" Polly quietly ieplieu, "I know that you aie my
husbanu, but Chiist is my Nastei."
1u
uieatly annoyeu, Smith openeu the back uooi anu
foiceu hei out of the house, locking the uooi behinu hei. But in his gieat annoyance he hau
foigotten to lock the fiont uooi. So Polly walkeu aiounu to the fiont of the house anu came
in thiough the fiont uooilaughing! In fact, she laugheu so much that Smith finally
suiienueieu anu laugheu with hei. In his laughtei, a ievelation came into his heait anu
minu, so he ueciueu to spenu ten uays in piayei anu fasting to seek the Loiu. In uespeiate
anu sinceie iepentance, he founu his way to the ioau of iestoiation.
ÌLIL LO OL I.L O. IL IICILI .C.LL`
"The woman is the theimometei of the householu," is a tiue saying. Foi example, if
184
Polly Wiqqleswortb
beoutifully
illustroteJ tbe
principle of
"stobility."
youi wife is in a bau moou, the iest of the membeis will enu up having a negative attituue.
0n the othei hanu, if youi wife is cheeiful, iegaiuless of how bau you feel, eveiything
seems moie upbeat.
Polly Wiggleswoith beautifully illustiateu the piinciple of "stability." I am suie that
hei fiuelity anu joy weie seveiely testeu while hei husbanu was backsliuuen. She was a
veiy populai speakei, holuing evangelistic seivices thioughout the city, seeing hunuieus
come to Chiistwhile hei husbanu woikeu oi sat at home. No uoubt, theie weie
whispeis of Smith's spiiitual conuition, as Polly's ministiy was publicly sciutinizeu, but she
nevei "misseu a step." 0bviously, the one thing that causeu hei to tiiumph wasber
security in }esus Cbrist.
In many cases, when a husbanu is backsliuuen, the wife nags anu complains thinking
she is pushing him into action anu iepentance, but a iepentant heait is a iesult of the woik
of the Boly Spiiit. The fiie of uou kept a joyful heait within Polly. As a iesult, Smith saw his
mistake anu was uiawn back to }esus. Bis wife's attituue was uiiectly iesponsible foi his
iepentance, anu eventually, theii woilu-shaking ministiy. This is the highest goal of a "help
mate," to help (the mate) meet his oi hei call, whatevei it may be. uou knows the heait of
youi mate anu what it will take to move him oi hei to the place he oi she belongs. }ust keep
youi own heait iight anu leave otheis to uou anu the Boly Spiiit. That way, you will nevei
lose.
IL III. IL.LI.C
In the late 18uus, Smith tiaveleu to Leeus to puichase supplies foi his plumbing
business. While in Leeus, he attenueu a chuich seivice wheie uivine healing was being
ministeieu. Smith sat in the meeting obseiving the maivelous healings that took place. Bis
heait was moveu anu he began to seaich foi the sick in Biaufoiu, paying theii expenses to
go to the healing meetings in Leeus, nevei uaiing to tell his wife what he was uoing. Be was
conceineu she woulu join the othei scoffeis of that uay in labeling uivine healing as
"fanaticism." But when she founu out the tiuth, she listeneu intently to his uesciiption of
the meetings, anu, neeuing healing heiself, she accompanieu him to Leeus. The piayei of
faith was offeieu foi hei, anu she ieceiveu an instant manifestation. Fiom that uay
foiwaiu, the Wiggleswoiths weie passionate foi the tiuths in uivine healing.
As a iesult, theii chuich in Biaufoiu giew. So they sought foi a laigei place anu
obtaineu a builuing on Bowlanu Stieet anu calleu the new woik, "Bowlanu Stieet Nission."
They hau a huge scioll painteu on the wall behinu the pulpit that ieau: "I Am the Loiu That
Bealeth Thee."
Smith's fiist peisonal expeiience with healing came in the eaily 19uus. A hemoiihoiu
conuition hau plagueu him since chiluhoou, so a visiting ministei piayeu anu agieeu in
faith with Smith that this conuition woulu be uivinely healeu. 0p to this point, Smith hau
useu "salts" eveiy uay, but being fully peisuaueu in the will of uou, he eventually stoppeu
using them, anu founu that he was fully healeu, iemaining so foi the iest of his life.
185
C O L . C L . L I . L .
By now, Smith was totally ueuicateu to the ministiy of healing. Being in business foi
himself, he hau the time to take gioups of people to the Leeus Bealing Bome, always
paying theii expenses. Be was known foi his gieat compassion towaiu the sick anu neeuy.
The woikeis at Leeus woulu see Smith coming with gioups of people anu laugh among
themselves, because he uiun't seem to unueistanu that uou coulu heal the sick in Biaufoiu,
just as Be uiu in Leeus.
IL.ILL I.O IL ILLII'
Realizing that Smith neeueu some "piouuing" to get his public ministiy going, the
leaueis of the Leeus Bealing Bome maue a uecision.
Knowing they weie going to the Keswick Convention, they askeu Smith to fill the
pulpit in theii absence. Smith was hesitant at fiist, but the ministeis assuieu him that he
coulu uo it. So he comfoiteu himself by thinking he woulu just take chaige, anu theie weie
any numbei of people who woulu agiee to pieach. When the uay came to ministei, Smith
was in chaige, but no one woulu pieach. They all agieeu that Smith shoulu uo it. Besitantly,
he began to ministei anu at the close of his message, fifteen people came foiwaiu foi
healing. 0ne man hobbleu up on a paii of ciutches, anu when Smith piayeu foi him, the
man jumpeu all ovei the place, without his ciutches, instantly healeu. Theie was no one as
suipiiseu as Smith!
Fiom this meeting, uoois began to open foi Smith to ministei, anu he soon announceu
he woulu holu a healing meeting in Biaufoiu. 0n the fiist night twelve people came foi
healing, anu each one was healeu. 0ne lauy hau a laige tumoi that was constantly uiaining.
Aftei the piayei of faith, she went home anu iepoiteu the next uay that only a scai was left.
ILL..L....IL LI'
All too soon, Smith ieceiveu his fiist challenge. It
was a life oi ueath situation. The wife of a uevoteu
fiienu was so ill that the uoctois expecteu hei to uie
uuiing the night. Smith's fiienu saiu he coulun't
believe foi his wife, because he uiun't know how.
Compassion iose up in Smith's heait anu he
ueteimineu to help that family. So he went to a
ministei who was opening a small chuich in
Biaufoiu, anu askeu if he woulu go to piay foi the
woman. But the ministei iefuseu. Smith then went to a fiienu, who was known foi his
eloquent piayeis. The fiienu agieeu to go with him anu the two set out foi the woman's
home.
Smith felt encouiageu to have someone with him. Be exhoiteu his fiienu to begin
piaying as soon as they enteieu the home, anu upon seeing the weakeneu conuition of the
woman, the fiienu took Smith's auvice. Be began piayingbut not as Smith hau hopeu.
This man piayeu foi "the family that woulu be left behinu" anu continueu in a iambling,
186
"SuJJenly, tbe lorJ }esus
oppeoreJ. l boJ my eyes
open qozinq ot Eim. Ee qove
me one of tbose qentle
smiles.... l bove never lost
tbot vision, tbe vision of tbot
beoutiful, soft smile."
negative tone until Smith ciieu out foi him to stop. Thinking the woist was behinu him, he
then askeu the woman's husbanu to piay. But he ciieu out in just as pathetic a fashion.
Finally, when Smith coulu stanu it no longei, he ciieu out so louuly that he coulu be heaiu
in the stieet"Lord, stop bim!" The husbanu stoppeu.
Smith then pulleu a bottle of oil out of his pocket anu pouieu the entiie bottle ovei the
bouy of the woman, in the name of }esus. Then stanuing at the heau of hei beu, Smith
expeiienceu his fiist vision. Be saiu, "Suddenly, tbe Lord )esus appeared. I bad my eyes
open gazing at Him. He gave me one of tbose gentle smiles.... I bave never lost tbat
vision, tbe vision of tbat beautiful, soft smile."
11
Anu a few moments aftei the vision
vanisheu, the woman sat up in beu filleu with new life. She liveu to iaise a numbei of
chiluien anu outliveu hei husbanu.
CO.L OL. LLÌL'
As Smith's hungei foi the Woiu of uou giew, he
nevei alloweu any publications in his home,
seculai oi Chiistian, except the Bible. Be felt that
all he neeueu to know was in the Woiu of uou.
Smith saiu of his wife, "Sbe saw bow ignorant I
was, and immediately began to teacb me to
read properly and write, unfortunately, sbe
never succeeded in teacbing me to spell."
12
Smith's next expeiience with a life oi ueath
situation came in his own life. 0ne uay he was
suuuenly stiuck with seveie pain anu was
confineu to his beu. Baving agieeu pieviously
with his wife that no meuications woulu be in
his house, he left his healing in the hanus of uou.
The family piayeu all night foi some kinu of
ielief, but none came. Smith giew weakei by the
houi, anu finally, he saiu to his wife, "It seems
to me tbat tbis is my bome-call. To protect
yourself, you sbould now call a pbysician."
Biokenheaiteu, Polly set out foi a physician,
believing the enu hau come foi hei husbanu.
When the physician came, he shook his heau anu tolu the family that it was
appenuicitis anu that the conuition hau been ueteiioiating foi the past six months. Be
went on to say that Smith's oigans weie so uamageu that theie was no hope, not even
with suigeiy. As the physician was leaving, an elueily woman anu a young man came into
Smith's ioom. This woman believeu in piaying the piayei of faith, anu she believeu that all
sickness came fiom the uevil. While she piayeu, the young man got on the beu, laiu both
hanus on Smith anu ciieu, "Come out, uevil, in the name of }esus!"
187
"...oll be neeJeJ to know wos in tbe WorJ of
6oJ..."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
To Smith's gieat suipiise, the "uevil came out" anu the pain was completely gone. Foi
goou measuie, the couple piayeu foi Smith again, aftei which he got up, got uiesseu, anu
went uownstaiis. Be saiu to his wife, "I am bealed. Any work in?" As Polly heaiu his
stoiy, she, still in total awe, hanueu him his job iequest. Be then set out immeuiately to
iemeuy the plumbing pioblem anu was nevei again plagueu by appenuicitis.
1S
ILIL ILCLIÌ.C LLÌL.
In 19u7 anothei tuining point came in the life of Smith Wiggleswoith. Be hau heaiu
that a gioup of people in Sunueilanu weie "baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit" anu "speaking in
othei tongues." So he ueteimineu to see this phenomenon foi himself.
0ntil this time, Smith believeu he was alieauy baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit. Be, along
with his wife, followeu the populai belief of the uay that sanctification was the baptism of
the Boly Spiiit. Smith then iecalleu an eailiei situation that causeu him to iepent anu begin
a ten-uay fast. Buiing this fast, Smith hau founu his way back to uou, anu in fact, hau
expeiienceu a uefinite change in his life. It is saiu that as he piayeu anu wept befoie the
Loiu, he conseciateu himself to be wholly sanctifieu. When the fast was ovei, he was fiee
fiom his tempei anu moouiness to such a uegiee that some often commenteu that they
wanteu the spiiit that Smith hau. As a iesult, Smith thought he hau been baptizeu in the
Spiiit oi sanctifieu.
In wiiting to his fiienus in Sunueilanu iegaiuing the subject of tongues, he was
waineu to stay away because "tbose people were receiving devils." Bowevei, when
Smith aiiiveu anu piayeu with his fiienus about the mattei, they lookeu at him anu saiu,
"Ubey your own leadings."
14
Be was uisappointeu as he sat in the meetings at
Sunueilanu, unuei the leaueiship of vicai Alexanuei
Bouuy. In Biaufoiu, theie seemeu to be a mighty
move of uou. But heie, it seemeu spiiitually uiy, with
no manifestations. In his fiustiation, he continually
uisiupteu the meetings, saying, "I bave come from
Bradford, and I want tbis experience of speaking
in tongues like tbey bad on tbe day of Pentecost.
But I do not understand wby our meetings seem
to be on fire, but yours do not seem to be so."
15
Smith uisiupteu the meeting so many times in
his uespeiate seaich that he was uisciplineu outsiue the builuing.
L.ILL I. IO`LI o CLOI
Seeking uou with all his heait to expeiience this "baptism in the Boly Spiiit," Smith
went to a local Salvation Aimy builuing to piay. Thiee times he was stiuck to the flooi by
the powei of uou. The Salvationists waineu him against speaking in tongues, but Smith
188
"l bove come from BroJforJ,
onJ l wont tbis experience of
speokinq in tonques like
tbey boJ on tbe Joy of
Pentecost. l Jo not
unJerstonJ wby our
meetinqs seem to be on fire,
but yours Jo not seem to be
so."
was ueteimineu to know uou in this iealm. Foui uays he sought the Loiu expecting to
speak in othei tongues, but to no avail. Finally, uiscouiageu in his spiiit, he felt it was time
to ietuin to Biaufoiu. But befoie his uepaituie, he went to the paisonage to tell the vicai's
wife, Nis. Bouuy, goou-bye. Be tolu hei that he hau to go home anu uiun't get to speak in
tongues. She answeieu, "It is not the tongues you neeu, but the baptism."
16
Smith askeu hei
to lay hanus on him befoie he left. She piayeu a simple but poweiful piayei, anu then left
the ioom. It was then that the fiie fell. Batheu in the powei anu gloiy of the Loiu, Smith
saw a vision of the empty cioss with }esus exalteu at the iight hanu of the Fathei. Filleu
with woiship anu piaise, Smith openeu his mouth anu began to speak in othei tongues,
finally iealizing that even though he hau ieceiveu an anointing eailiei, he was now
baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit as on the uay of Pentecost.
Insteau of going home, Smith went stiaight to the chuich wheie Rev. Bouuy was
conuucting the seivice. Inteiiupting, he beggeu to speak foi a moment. When he finisheu
his "seimon," fifty people weie gloiiously baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit anu spoke with othei
tongues. The local newspapei, the SunJerlonJ Boily Fcbo, heaulineu the meeting, giving
uetaileu accounts of Smith's expeiience, incluuing the tongues anu the healings. Be
telegiapheu his home, telling them of the gieat news.
IOL L.LCILI
0n ietuining to Biaufoiu, Smith felt he woulu have a challenge to face conceining his
newfounu joy, anu he was iight. As he came thiough the uooi, Polly stateu fiimly, "I want
you to unueistanu that I am as much baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit as you aie anu I uon't
speak in tongues.... Sunuay, you will pieach foi youiself, anu I will see what theie is in it."
17
She kept hei woiu, anu when Sunuay came, Polly sat in the veiy back of the chuich. As
Smith walkeu up to the pulpit, the Loiu gave him the passage in Isaiah 61:1-S. Be pieacheu
with gieat powei anu assuiance while Polly squiimeu aiounu in the bench saying to
heiself, Tbot's not my Smitb, lorJ. Tbot's not my Smitb!
18
At the enu of the seivice, a woikei stoou anu saiu that he wanteu the same expeiience
that Smith hau. As he sat uown, he misseu his chaii anu fell onto the flooi! Smith's oluest
son stoou to say the same anu he also misseu his chaii anu fell onto the flooi! In a veiy
shoit while, eleven people weie on the flooi laughing in the Spiiit. The entiie congiegation
became consumeu in holy laughtei as uou pouieu out Bis Spiiit upon them. This was the
beginning of the gieat outpouiing in Biaufoiu, wheie hunuieus ieceiveu the baptism of
the Boly Spiiit anu spoke in othei tongues.
Soon aftei Polly was baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit, the couple went thioughout the
countiy, answeiing the calls foi ministiy. Wheievei they went, conviction seemeu to settle
on the people. 0nce, when Smith enteieu a gioceiy stoie to shop, thiee people fell to theii
knees in iepentance. Anothei time, two lauies weie woiking in a fielu, anu when Smith
passeu by, he calleu out to them, "Aie you saveu." Right aftei he saiu it they uioppeu theii
buckets anu ciieu out foi uou.
19
189
C O L . C L . L I . L .
COL. II...CI.L CO`L...
Buiing the coming uays, Smith uevelopeu the habit of piayei anu fasting. Soon letteis
fiom all ovei the countiy pouieu into the Wiggleswoith householu, begging him to come
anu piay foi theii sick. Be answeieu eveiy iequest he coulu, anu sometimes aftei a tiain
iiue to a city, he woulu finu a bicycle anu peuule anothei ten miles in oiuei to ieach the
afflicteu one.
With such an incieuible floou of ministiy woik, Smith soon saw his peisonal
plumbing business uecline. Be was calleu out of town so often that his customeis woulu
have to call on anothei plumbei. Each time he ietuineu to Biaufoiu theie was less
business.
Retuining eaily fiom a convention, Smith founu that most
of his customeis hau calleu othei plumbeis to uo the woik.
Theie was one wiuow who coulun't finu help, so he went
uiiectly to hei home anu uiu the iepaii woik, as well as the
uamageu ceiling. When she askeu what she oweu, Smith ieplieu,
"I won't receive any pay from you. I'll make tbis an offering
to tbe Lord as my last plumbing |ob."
20
So with that ueclaiation, he paiu his accounts, closeu his
business, anu began his full-time ministiy. Be believeu, in spite of the stoiies of poveity he
hau heaiu, that uou woulu abunuantly pioviue as he seiveu Bim faithfully. Confiuent in his
paitneiship with uou, he laiu uown a conuition:
"My sboe beels must never be a disgrace, and I must never bave to
wear trousers witb tbe knees out. I said to tbe Lord, 'If eitber of tbese
tbings take place, I'll go back to plumbing.'"
21
uou nevei faileu to supply all his neeus, anu he nevei ietuineu to plumbing.
LL ILI CO
0ne of the gieatest soiiows of Wiggleswoith's life was soon to follow. While waiting
in the tiain station to leave foi Scotlanu, Smith ieceiveu uevastating news: Polly hau
collapseu with a heait attack while ietuining fiom the Bowlanu Stieet Nission.
Rushing to hei beusiue, he founu that hei spiiit hau alieauy uepaiteu to be with the
Loiu. Not settling foi this, Smith immeuiately iebukeu the ueath anu hei spiiit came back,
but only foi just a shoit while. Then the Loiu spoke: "This is the time that I want to take hei
home to Nyself." So with a bieaking heait, Smith ieleaseu his paitnei, the one he hau loveu
foi so many yeais, to be with the Loiu. Polly Wiggleswoith seiveu the Loiu until the veiy
last moment of hei life, }anuaiy 1, 191S.
22
It is saiu by some that aftei hei ueath, Smith
askeu foi a uouble poition of the Spiiit.
2S
Fiom that moment on, his ministiy caiiieu an
even gieatei powei.
190
Witb sucb on
increJible flooJ of
ministry work,
Smitb soon sow bis
personol plumbinq
business Jecline.
ILIL. IL .LCIL...
Smith immeuiately staiteu ministeiing thioughout the countiy tiaveling with his
uaughtei anu son-in-law. It was extiemely unusual foi the Biitish piess to caiiy stoiies on
ieligious news. Yet the Boily Hirror ueuicateu theii fiont page to his uynamic ministiy
featuiing foui photogiaphs of Wiggleswoith in action.
24
Because this newspapei was the
most wiuely ciiculateu papei in the nation, hunuieus sought out his ministiy. Smith hau an
incieuible ievelation on the subject of faith anu his teaching on this subject attiacteu the
masses. Wiggleswoith uiun't settle foi hoping that piayei woulu woik. Bis ievelation on
faith was conciete, melting the most haiueneu sinnei to the love of }esus Chiist.
Smith's theoiy on faith was simple: 0nly believe. Be uiun't believe that uou hau
favoiites. 0ne of his piimaiy examples of this piinciple came fiom the New Testament,
wheie }ohn was noteu as the apostle whom }esus "gieatly loveu." Accoiuing to
Wiggleswoith, }ohn's "leaning against }esus' bosom" uiun't make him a favoiite. The factoi
that calleu attention to }ohn was his ielationship anu uepenuence upon }esus. Smith
constantly pioclaimeu:
"Tbere is sometbing about believing Cod, tbat makes Cod willing to
pass over a million people |ust to anoint you."
25
Nany books have been wiitten attempting to finu the seciet of Wiggleswoith's powei,
but the answei is veiy simple. Bis gieat faith came fiom his ielationship with }esus Chiist.
Fiom that ielationship came Smith's eveiy answei to eveiy situation he evei faceu. uou
has no favoiitesBe woiks thiough those who believe Bim.
I. .L`LI OO L.L
Fiequently Smith's methous weie misunueistoou anu ciiticizeu. Be was nevei
moveu by the ciiticism, but he uiu have compassion on his ciitics. Insteau of ietaliation, he
woulu answei, "I am not moved by wbat I see or bear, I am moved by wbat I
believe."
2
191
C O L . C L . L I . L .
192
Preocbinq tbe WorJ
Hinisterinq "in" tbe Spirit
loter yeors
6oJ's stuJent
193
Iour 6enerotions
Anointinq oil bottle useJ by Smitb Wiqqleswortb
C O L . C L . L I . L .
The Boly Spiiit began teaching Smith the vaiying uegiees of faith. Be fiist taught that
foitb coulJ be creoteJ in otheis.
An example of this concept was a young boy who was seiiously ill. The family hau
sent foi Smith, but when Smith aiiiveu, the mothei met him at the uooi, saying, "You aie
too late. Theie is nothing that can be uone foi him." Smith ieplieu, "Cod bas never sent
me anywbere too late."
27
The boy's conuition was so bau, that if he weie to be moveu, his
heait woulu stop anu he woulu uie. Neeuless to say, the family hau no faith anu the boy
was too sick to believe foi himself. Befoie he coulu piay foi the boy, Smith hau to leave foi
an engagement at a local chapel. But befoie he left
theii home, he tolu the family he woulu ietuin. Be
then instiucteu them to lay out the boy's clothes
because the Loiu was going to iaise him up. When
Smith ietuineu, the family hau not uone what he
askeu, anu when they saw his faith, they weie
embaiiasseu anu immeuiately set out the boy's
clothes. Smith askeu them to put only socks on his
feet. Then insiue the boy's ioom, Smith closeu the
uooi anu tolu the lifeless boy that something woulu
happen uiffeient fiom anything he hau expeiienceu
befoie. "Wben I place my bands on you tbe glory of tbe Lord will fill tbe place till I
sball not be able to stand. I sball be belpless on tbe floor."
28
The moment Smith
toucheu the boy, the powei of uou filleu the ioom anu was so stiong that Smith fell to the
flooi. Suuuenly, the boy began to yell, "This is foi Youi uloiy, Loiu!" Smith was still on the
flooi when the boy aiose anu uiesseu himself. 0pening the uooi, the boy yelleu, "Bau! uou
has healeu me! I am healeu!"
29
Such gloiy filleu the house that the mothei anu fathei fell to the flooi also. Bis sistei,
who hau been ieleaseu fiom an asylum, was instantly iestoieu in hei minu. The entiie
village was moveu anu ievival began thioughout theii city.
0n that miiaculous uay, Smith leaineu how to tronsfer foitb by the laying on of
hanus. Bis ministiy woulu nevei be the same, foi he hau leaineu a new uegiee of faith.
Ioitb coulJ be creoteJ onJ tronsferreJ into tbe life of onotber!
IL., Ò.... IL.'
As his faith began to inciease, the Loiu showeu him anothei piinciple of faith: Ioitb
sboulJ be octeJ upon.
0ntil then, the aveiage believei seemeu to think that uou moveu only in a soveieign
way. They felt they hau no pait in it. The ministiy of Smith Wiggleswoith biought a new
light to this uaik aiea. Thiough his ueep ielationship with the Loiu, Smith began to notice
in the Bible that the people who ieceiveu fiom uou hau octeJ upon Bis Woiu to piouuce
iesults. Thus, his ministiy began to auopt this opeiation of faith in eveiy seivice. At the
194
Tbe moment Smitb toucbeJ
tbe boy tbe power of 6oJ
filleJ tbe room onJ wos so
stronq tbot Smitb fell to tbe
floor. SuJJenly, tbe boy
beqon to yell, "Tbis is for
Your 6lory, lorJ!"
beginning of his altai calls he woulu say: "If you move forward only a foot, you will be
blessed, if you move forward a yard, you will get more. If you come up to tbe
platform, we will pray for you, and Cod will meet your needs witb His supply."
30
This was the cential tiuth behinu his healing ministiy iegaiuing faith. A tiuth that
many calleu, "iuthless." Smith Wiggleswoiths actions weie a iesult of stiong compassion
anu a iock-soliu faith in uou. A Chiistian must oct upon what he believes in oiuei to
ieceive the manifestation, anu sometimes, Smith hau to initiote the action foi a few
inuiviuuals. Be calleu this type of ministiy "retail bealing," mainly because his faith
contiibuteu laigely to theii inuiviuual action.
Foi example, uuiing a meeting in Aiizona, a young lauy iesponueu to his call foi
healing. She was gieatly uistiesseu with tubeiculosis, but as she steppeu into the aisle, he
saiu to hei, "Now, I am going to pray for you and tben you will run around tbis
building." Be piayeu, then shouteu, "Run, woman. Run!" The woman saiu, "But I cannot
iun. I can scaicely stanu." "Don't talk back to me," Smith shouteu, "do as I bave said."
She was ieluctant, so Smith jumpeu uown fiom the platfoim, giabbeu hei, anu began
iunning. She clung to him until she gatheieu speeu, then gallopeu aiounu the auuitoiium
without any effoit.
S1
Theie was anothei woman in the same meeting. Bei legs weie lockeu with sciatica.
Smith tolu hei to "Run!" She was so ieluctant that he pusheu hei! Then he ian aiounu the
builuing with the woman clinging to him. Finally, the powei of uou met hei action, anu she
was completely ueliveieu. She walkeu to the iest of the meetings, iefusing the stieet cai,
uelighteu to have the full use of hei limbs again.
I.I.' I. COI.C .LL O`LI .L'
Sometimes in his ministiy Smith woulu use anothei appioach to octinq on faith. Be
woulu ieau poitions of Sciiptuie, then act on it himself. 0ften he helu banquets to feeu the
lame anu hungiy, with the membeis of the Bowlanu Stieet Nission seiving the sumptuous
foou. Be also aiiangeu foi healing testimonies to be theii enteitainment, moving these
pooi people to teais.
At the fiist banquet, Smith set a pieceuent foi the othei banquets that followeu. At the
close of the fiist meeting, Smith announceu:
"We bave entertained you tonigbt. But next Saturday we are going to
bave anotber meeting. You wbo are bound today and bave come in
wbeelcbairs...you wbo bave spent all you bave on doctors and are none
better, are going to entertain us by tbe stories of freedom tbat you bave
received today by tbe name of )esus." Tben be said, "Who wuntx to be
heuleJ?"
S2
0f couise, eveiyone uiu. A woman in a wheelchaii walkeu home, anu an epileptic of
eighteen yeais was instantly ueliveieu anu was woiking within two weeks. A young boy
encaseu in an iion biace was instantly healeu when the powei of uou toucheu him as he
195
C O L . C L . L I . L .
ciieu, "Papa, Papa, Papa. It's going all ovei me!"
SS
Week aftei week, the healing miiacles of the pievious seivices went out among the
sick anu afflicteu, biinging them to the banquet seivice. What a tiemenuous ievival began
among themsimply fiom acting upon the Woiu of uou.
ILL .O`L IL .IIII
Smith Wiggleswoith took Bebiews 11:6 veiy seiiously. Be peisonally believeu it was
impossible to please uou without faith. As a iesult, he incoipoiateu that faith into eveiy
segment of his spiiitual life, incluuing the woikings of the Boly Spiiit. When the slightest
bieath of the Spiiit came upon Smith, he woulu go off into a ioom to be alone with uou. In
ueveloping this ielationship, he unueistoou the action of faith as he coopeiateu with the
Boly Spiiit.
0nce in a meeting, someone commenteu on how quickly Smith was moveu by the
Spiiit. When they askeu him his seciet he ieplieu, "Well, you see, it is like tbis. If tbe
Spirit does not move me, I move tbe Spirit."
34
Those who uiun't unueistanu the
piinciples of faith thought his iemaik was aiiogant anu
uisiespectful. But in ieality, Smitb knew bow to Jrow tbe
Spirit of 6oJ. It all stemmeu fiom foitb, not aiiogance. If the
Boly Spiiit wasn't moving as a seivice began, then Smith woulu
begin the meeting in the natuial state. By his faith, he woulu
focus the heaieis to the Woiu anu powei of uou anu inciease
theii expectancy. As a iesult, the Boly Spiiit woulu manifest
Bimself in uiiect iesponse to theii faith. Smith took the initiative
anu stiiieu up the gifts within himself by faith. Be uiun't wait foi
something to come upon him anu spiiitually oveitake him. To him, eveiy action, eveiy
opeiation, anu eveiy manifestation stemmeu fiom one thingobsolute foitb. True foitb
confronts, onJ it is iqniteJ by initiotive.
Then Smith Wiggleswoith began teaching the bouy of Chiist that they coulu speak in
tongues by initiotive. To him, faith was the main substance that stiiieu the human spiiit,
not soveieignty. }. E. Stiles, a gieat Assemblies of uou ministei anu authoi, leaineu this
impoitant piinciple fiom Smith Wiggleswoith anu caiiieu it thioughout his ministiy.
In a laige meeting in Califoinia, Smith gave the call foi those people who hau not
ieceiveu the baptism of the Boly Spiiit to stanu. Then he askeu foi all those to stanu who
hau ieceiveu, but hau not spoken in tongues foi six months. "Now, I'm going to pray a
simple prayer," Smith began, "and wben I'm finisbed, I'll say 'Co,' and you will all
speak witb tongues." Smith piayeu. Then he yelleu, "Co!" The sounu filleu the
auuitoiium like that of many wateis as eveiyone piayeu in othei tongues. Then, he tolu
them to uo the same thing again, only when he saiu, "Co," eveiyone woulu sing in tongues,
by faith. Be piayeu. Then he yelleu, "Co! Sing!" The sounu was like a vast anu gloiious
choii.
196
Smitb knew bow to
Jrow tbe Spirit of
6oJ. lt oll stemmeJ
from foitb, not
orroqonce.
That uay, Rev. Stiles saiu he leaineu that the Boly Spiiit opeiates by faith. Shoitly aftei
this ievelation, he launcheu his inteinational ministiy.
SS
..OILI .LCIL
Smitb Wiqqleswortb wos o mon qreotly moveJ by compossion. As he ieceiveu
piayei iequests fiom all ovei the woilu he woulu ciy out to uou anu weep on theii behalf.
Nany times, as he ministeieu to the afflicteu, teais ian uown his cheeks. Be was also veiy
tenuei with chiluien anu the elueily. In his seivices, when the heat became stifling, he felt
gieat compassion anu woulu call foi the babies anu the elueily to be piayeu foi fiist.
Bemonstiating the tiuths in Acts 19:11-12, thousanus upon thousanus weie healeu
as Smith piayeu anu sent hanukeichiefs to those he coulun't visit. An intimate fiienu spoke
of the sinceiity anu compassion poitiayeu by Smith, saying, "When...the time foi the
opening of the letteis came, we all hau to stop whatevei we weie uoing anu get unuei the
buiuen. Theie was nothing iusheu oi slipshou about his methous.... Eveiybouy in the
house must join in the piayeis anu lay hanus on the hanukeichiefs sent out to the suffeiing
ones. They weie tieateu as though the wiiteis weie piesent in peison."
S6
LOC IL LLÌL'
Realizing that the souice of all the miiacles of Chiist stemmeu fiom Bis compassion,
Smith became positively aggiessive in unuoing the woiks of evil. Bis one goal was to heal
all those who weie oppiesseu anu to teach the bouy of Chiist to ueal iuthlessly with the
uevil.
0nce, while he waiteu foi a bus, he obseiveu how a woman
was encouiaging hei uog to ietuin home, but aftei seveial
"sweet" attempts, the uog iemaineu. When she saw the bus
appioaching, she stompeu hei foot on the giounu anu shouteu,
"uo home at once!" anu the uog ian with its tail tuckeu. "Tbat's
bow you bave to treat tbe devil," Smith iesponueu, louu
enough foi all to heai.
Be hau little patience with uemons, especially when they
uaieu to inteiiupt his meetings. 0nce, he was conuucting a meeting anu coulun't "get fiee"
to pieach, so he began to shout. Nothing happeneu. Be took off his coat, anu still nothing
happeneu. Smith askeu the Loiu what was wiong, anu aftei uoing so, the Loiu showeu
him a line of people sitting togethei on a bench holuing hanus. Smith knew at once they
weie spiiitualists bent on uestioying his meeting.
As he began to pieach, he walkeu off the platfoim anu ovei to wheie they weie sitting.
Then, he took holu of the bench anu commanueu the uevil to leave. The gioup sliu into a
heap on the flooi, then sciambleu to leave the builuing!
When casting out uemons, Smith Wiggleswoith was totally confiuent anu secuie in
his faith. Piayeis uiun't have to be long; if the piayei caiiieu faith, the answei was suie.
197
Ee boJ little
potience witb
Jemons, especiolly
wben tbey JoreJ to
interrupt bis
meetinqs.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
I.LI..IO..L .LIOII
Smith's inteinational ministiy, begun in 1914, was in full swing by 192u. Though the
peisecution against him was stiong, it nevei seemeu to be a majoi issue in his ministiy.
0nlike some ministiies, theie is moie wiitten about his gieat stiength anu miiacles than of
his tioubles anu peisecution. Peihaps this is uue to his extiaoiuinaiy faith. Be biusheu off
the ciiticism like uust off his coat, nevei allowing it a moment of pleasuie.
In Sweuen in 192u, the meuical piofession anu local authoiities thought they woulu
"hainess" the ministiy of Wiggleswoith, piohibiting him fiom laying hanus on the people.
But he wasn't conceineu. Be knew uou woulu answei foitb, not metboJ. Aftei he
conuucteu the meeting, he instiucteu ovei twenty thousanu people to "lay tbeir bands
on tbemselves" anu believe foi healing as he piayeu. Nultituues ieceiveu instant
manifestation. Smith labeleu this type of gianu-scale healing as "wbolesale bealing."
In the same yeai, Smith was aiiesteu twice in Switzeilanu. The waiiants weie issueu
foi piacticing meuicine without a license. 0n a thiiu occasion, the officeis came to the
house of a Pentecostal ministei with anothei waiiant foi Wiggleswoith's aiiest. The
ministei saiu, "Ni. Wiggleswoith is away now, but befoie you aiiest him, I want to show
you the iesult of his ministiy in this place." The ministei then escoiteu the policemen to the
lowei pait of town to the home of a woman they hau aiiesteu many times. 0pon seeing
the manifestation of hei complete ueliveiance anu faith in }esus Chiist, the officeis weie
moveu. They tuineu to the ministei anu saiu, "We iefuse to stop this kinu of woik.
Somebouy else will have to aiiest this man." Anu "somebouy else" uiu. But an officei came
to him in the miuule of the night anu saiu, "I finu no fault with you. You can go." To this
Smith ieplieu, "No, I'll only go on one condition, tbat every officer in tbis place gets
down on bis knees, and I'll pray for you."
S8
IL.LCO.'
Smith's ministiy was flouiishing by 1921. Inteinational ministiy invitations flooueu
his home inviting him to embaik on his longest itineiant jouiney of his life.
Though veiy populai in Euiope anu Ameiica, no one seemeu to notice his aiiival in
Colombo, Ceylon (Sii Lanka). But within uays, ciowus packeu the builuing tiying to get a
seat. Nany hau to iemain outsiue. When the meeting was ovei, Smith passeu thiough the
thousanus of people, touching them anu believing uou with them. Repoits claimeu that
scoies of people weie healeu as "his shauow" passeu by them.
S9
In 1922, Smith tiaveleu to New Zealanu anu Austialia. Some believe that Smith's
meetings biitheu the Pentecostal chuiches in New Zealanu anu Austialia. Though he spent
only a few months theie, thousanus weie saveu, healeu, anu filleu with the Boly Spiiit with
the eviuence of speaking in tongues. Austialia anu New Zealanu expeiienceu the gieatest
spiiitual ievival they hau evei seen.
C.. OL LLL.. . IIC`
198
Bi. Lestei Sumiall fiom South Benu, Inuiana, once shaieu a humoious inciuent that
occuiieu uuiing his tiavels with Smith. A uinnei hau been piepaieu foi them while they
weie togethei in Wales. Anu just as it so happeneu, the main entie was ioasteu pig! Smith
was askeu to bless the foou, so with a louu voice, he saiu, "Lord, if You can bless wbat
You bave cursed, tben bless tbis pig!" Smith's humoi along with his boluness maue a
gieat impiession on Sumiall. Bi. Sumiall often laugheu when he shaieu that stoiy with
me.
.. L.ILLLI.ILL CO.IO`LI.
Though many chuiches assembleu as a iesult of his
meetings, Smith Wiggleswoith piefeiieu to be unattacheu to
any uenomination thioughout his ministiy. It was in his heait
to ieach all people, iegaiuless of theii uoctiine. Be nevei
wanteu to be swayeu by any paiticulai uenomination.
Theie is a little known contioveisy that suifaceu in the
life of Smith Wiggleswoith that ueepeneu his belief in
inuepenuent ministiy. In 191S, he hau become a membei of
the Pentecostal Nissionaiy 0nion. The union's goveining council wasn't a uenomination,
noi uiu it offei ministeiial licenses oi oiuinations. It was simply uesigneu to be a coveiing
foi ministiies of like faith. Smith seiveu with the PN0 until his foiceu iesignation in 192u.
At the time he was foiceu to iesign, Smith hau been a wiuowei foi seven yeais anu
hau uevelopeu a fiienuship with a woman nameu Niss Amphlett. Smith tolu hei that he
felt he hau a "spiritual affinity" with hei. But Amphlett iejecteu the iuea, anu she anu
anothei woman wiote a lettei of complaint to the PN0. It was uiiecteu to the attention of
Cecil Polhill, who notifieu the othei council membeis along with the council's secietaiy,
Ni. Nunuell.
Though the PN0 hau veiy stiict views conceining ielationships between men anu
women, Smith Wiggleswoith was suie the PN0 woulu stanu by him in spite of the
accusations. But when the PN0 ieceiveu Amphlett's lettei, Ni. Polhill piomptly wiote
Wiggleswoith iequesting his iesignation fiom his council position. Be went on to say that
the council felt he shoulu "abstain foi a piolongeu season fiom paiticipation in the Loiu's
public woik, anu seek to ietiieve youi position befoie uou anu man, by a faiily long peiiou
of gouly, quiet living, so showing woiks meet foi iepentance."
4u
Smith honoieu the iequest foi iesignation, though he felt the two women in question
hau joineu togethei to iuin his woik. In fact, Smith was so uisappointeu in Polhill foi
allowing the situation to be blown so out of piopoition, that he wiote uiiectly to the
council's secietaiy, Ni. Nunuell. Smith wiote:
"I tbink tbat Mr. Polbill bas stepped over tbe boundary tbis time [tbey
are] making tbings to appear as if I bad committed fornication or adultery
and I am innocent of tbose tbings. I bave done and acted foolisbly and Cod
199
...Smitb Wiqqleswortb
preferreJ to be
unottocbeJ to ony
Jenominotion
tbrouqbout bis
ministry. lt wos in bis
beort to preocb oll
people...
C O L . C L . L I . L .
bas forgiven me. Tbis tbing was settled in tbe spiritual way and after tbis at
tbe cburcb and witb Mr. Polbill and be ougbt to of bave seen tbe tbing
tbrougb."
41
In a sepaiate lettei to Ni. Polhill, Smith wiote:
"...Cod will settle all. Tbe good band of Cod is upon me, and I will live it
all down. Tbis week, Cod bas rebuked tbe oppressor tbrougb bis servant. I
sball go forward, dear brotber, and ask you to be careful tbat tbe Cospel is
not bindered tbrougb you and ougbt at tbis time to do unto me as you
would wisb one to do unto you. Do not trouble to send anytbing to sign. I
signed my letter to you, tbat {is] all."
42
Fiom that point on Smith Wiggleswoith was continually on the go answeiing
invitations to ministei all ovei the woilu. Anu to guaiu against any moie false accusations
of this natuie, Smith always tiaveleu with his uaughtei, Alice. The contioveisy iesulting in
his iesignation nevei sloweu Smith uown. In fact, it seemeu to speeu him up.
This is often the case when people come out fiom unuei the uiiection of
uenominationalism. I know the PN0 wasn't a uenomination. But these kinus of goveining
committees can sometimes uevelop an element of contiol even aftei they stait out in the
iight spiiit. The contiol can be so slight, but it still affects the flow of ministiy. It was bettei
foi Smith to bianch out on his own. Be uiun't neeu the ieputation noi the association with
the PN0. Be hau powei with uou.
LLLI LI`L IL.L
Wiggleswoith loveu the Woiu of uou anu was veiy uisciplineu in his stuuy of it. Be
nevei consiueieu himself fully uiesseu unless he hau his Bible with him. While otheis ieau
novels oi newspapeis, he ieau the Bible. Be woulu nevei leave a fiienu's table without
ieauing, as he woulu say, "a bit from tbe Book."
.IILICIO. I.L O LO`
Though the eyes of Wiggleswoith hau seen many miiaculous anu instant healings, he
himself uiun't ieceive such miiacles. In 19Su, as Smith was enteiing his seventies, he was
expeiiencing tiemenuous pain. Be piayeu but wasn't ielieveu. So he went to a physician
who, aftei X-iays, uiagnoseu his conuition as a veiy seiious case of kiuney stones in the
auvanceu stage. An opeiation was his only hope, since accoiuing to the uoctoi, if Smith
continueu in this painful conuition, he woulu uie. Smith iesponueu:
"Doctor, tbe Cod Wbo made tbis body is tbe Une Wbo can cure it No
knife sball ever cut it so long as I live."
4S
The physician was conceineu anu uismayeu at his iesponse, but Smith left, assuiing
the physician he woulu heai of his healing. The pain incieaseu uaily, now accompanieu by
iiiitation. All night, Smith was in anu out of beu, iolling on the flooi in agony as he
200
stiuggleu to emit the stones. 0ne by one, the iaggeu stones passeu. Smith thought his
oiueal woulu be shoit-liveu, but it lasteu six long anu painful
yeais.
Buiing this time, Smith nevei faileu to appeai at scheuuleu
seivices, many times ministeiing twice a uay. At some meetings,
he woulu piay foi as many as eight hunuieu people while in
tiemenuous pain himself. Sometimes he woulu leave the pulpit
when the pain became unbeaiable, to stiuggle in the iestioom
with passing anothei stone. Then he woulu ietuin to the
platfoim anu continue with the seivice.
Fiequently, he woulu aiise fiom his own beu to go to otheis
to piay foi theii healing. veiy few evei knew he was going
thiough the biggest test of his life. Sometimes, he woulu lose so much bloou that his face
woulu be pale anu he woulu have to be wiappeu in blankets to give him waimth. Aftei the
six yeais hau passeu, ovei a hunuieu stones hau been emitteu into a glass bottle.
Smith's son-in-law, }ames Saltei, gave this gieat tiibute to Smith:
"Living with him, shaiing his beuioom as we fiequently uiu uuiing
those yeais, we maiveleu at the unquencheu zeal in his fieiy pieaching
anu his compassionate ministiy to the sick. Be uiun't just beai those
agonies, he maue them seive the puipose of uou anu gloiifieu in anu
ovei them."
44
ILII LL. .IL O. .L
Two yeais into the battle with kiuney stones, Smith uiun't give up. Insteau, in 19S2,
he askeu uou foi fifteen moie yeais in which to seive Bim. uou gianteu his iequest, anu
uuiing those yeais, he visiteu most of Euiope, South Afiica, anu Ameiica. Bis gieatest joy
was seeing the Woiu confiimeu by signs anu wonueis, thiough the faith of the people. Bis
gieatest goal was foi people to see }esus, not Smith Wiggleswoith. Be was sauueneu in the
last month of his life, as he commenteu:
"Today in my mail, I bad an invitation to Australia, one to India and
Ceylon, and one to America. People bave tbeir eye on me."
Sauly, he began to weep:
"Poor Wiggleswortb. Wbat a failure to tbink tbat people bave tbeir
eyes on me. Cod will never give His glory to anotber, He will take me from
tbe scene."
45
..L IL `.. .O...IOI COL OOL II.
Seven uays latei, Smith Wiggleswoith jouineyeu to a ministei's funeial. Along the
201
0ne by one, tbe
roqqeJ stones
posseJ. Smitb
tbouqbt bis orJeol
woulJ be sbortliveJ,
but it losteJ six lonq
onJ poinful yeors.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
way, he commenteu to his fiienus how "wonderful" he felt. Be pointeu out the uiffeient
lanumaiks wheie he anu Polly hau visiteu oi pieacheu, then woulu tell of the gieat
miiacles that hau happeneu while theie.
When he aiiiveu at the chuich, his son-in-law,
}ames, openeu the uooi anu helpeu him into the vestiy
wheie a waim fiie was buining. As he enteieu, he was
met by the fathei of a young giil he hau piayeu foi uays
eailiei. The giil hau been given up to uie, but Smith hau
gieat faith foi hei healing. When he saw the man, he
askeu, "Well! And bow is sbe?"
4
Be was expecting to
heai that the giil was completely ueliveieu, but the
answei came hesitantly. "She is a little bettei, a bit
easiei; hei pains have not been quite so bau uuiing the
past few uays." Bisappointeu by what he heaiu, Smith
let out a ueep, compassionate sigh. Then his heau
boweu, anu without anothei woiu oi expeiiencing any
pain, Smith Wiggleswoith went home to be with the
Loiu. Be left on Naich 12, 1947.
I.II CO.I...IO. .II.CLL.
As I ministeieu in a piayei line yeais ago, a man came up to me with teais stieaming
uown his face. Be tolu me of the powei he hau expeiienceu in the voice of Eeolinq
ievival meetings. The powei of uou in those meetings set him fiee. Then he saiu something
I will nevei foiget as long as I live: "Isn't theie anybouy who walks in the powei like they
uiu back then. Isn't theie anybouy who can set me fiee. Is theie anyone like that touay."
Bas the powei that Smith Wiggleswoith walkeu in left the eaith. Biu it go with him
when he uieu. 0f couise not! The same powei Wiggleswoith opeiateu in is heie foi us
touay, we uon't neeu more powei. We just neeu to use oui faith onJ compassion foi that
powei to opeiate. Wiggleswoith opeiateu in the boluest faith I have evei seen since the
book of Acts, but that faith was igniteu by compossion. Smith took uou at Bis Woiu anu
was moveu by compassion foi the people, anu that combination piouuces miiacles.
The challenge now comes to oui geneiation. uou has issueu the call foi men anu
women to invaue cities anu nations with the powei of heaven. Will you answei the call of
uou. Will you uaie to only believe? Is youi heait so moveu by compassion foi the
multituues, that you will take uou at Bis Woiu anu step out. Let it be saiu of oui
geneiation, "...tbrouqb foitb |theyj subJueJ kinqJoms, wrouqbt riqbteousness,
obtoineJ promises, stoppeJ tbe moutbs of lions, uencbeJ tbe violence of fire,
escopeJ tbe eJqe of tbe sworJ, out of weokness were moJe stronq, woxeJ voliont
in fiqbt, turneJ to fliqbt tbe ormies of tbe oliens." (Bebiews 11:SS,S4.) Stii up the
gift within you, anu invaue youi home, youi community, anu youi nation with the powei
of uou. Let the will of heaven be uone on eaiththiough you!
202
Eos tbe power tbot Smitb
Wiqqleswortb wolkeJ in
left tbe eortb? BiJ it qo
witb bim wben be JieJ? 0f
course not! Tbe some
power Wiqqleswortb
operoteJ in is bere for us
toJoy, we Jon't neeJ more
power.
CHAPTER SEVEN, SMITH WICCLESWURTH
Refeiences
1
Stanley Bowaiu Fiousham, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Apostle of Ioitb (Spiingfielu,
N0: uospel Publishing Bouse, 1948), S8-S9.
2
W. E. Wainei, Tbe Anointinq of Eis Spirit (Ann Aiboi, NI: vine Books, segment
of Seivant Publications), 1994), 2S7.
3 Fiousham, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Apostle of Ioitb, 12.
4
Ibiu., 1S.
S
Ibiu., 1S.
6 Ibiu., 17.
7
Ibiu., 18-19.
8
Ibiu., 19.
9 Ibiu., 22.
10 Ibiu.
11
Ibiu., SS-S6.
12
Ibiu., 21.
13 Ibiu., S7-S8.
14 Ibiu., 42.
15 Ibiu.
16 Ibiu., 44.
17
Ibiu., 46.
18
Ibiu., 47.
19 Ibiu., 48-49.
2u
Ibiu., SS.
21 Ibiu.
22
Ibiu., 148.
2S
Wainei, Tbe Anointinq of Eis Spirit, 2S8.
24
Ibiu.
2S
Fiousham, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Apostle of Ioitb, 76.
26
Kenneth anu uloiia Copelanu, }obn 6. loke: Eis life, Eis Sermons, Eis BolJness
of Ioitb, (Foith Woith, TX: Kenneth Copelanu Publications, 1994), 44S.
27
Ibiu., 4S2.
28
Ibiu., 27.
29 uoiuon Linusay, New }obn 6. loke Sermons, (Ballas: Chiist foi the Nations, Inc.,
1976), 19-2u.
30 Linusay, }obn 6. loke: Apostle to Africo, 9.
31 Ibiu., 6S-66.
32 Ibiu., SS.
33 Ibiu., S6.
34 Ibiu., 126.
35 ueoige Stoimont, Wiqqleswortb: A Hon Wbo WolkeJ Witb 6oJ, (Tulsa, 0K:
Baiiison Bouse, Inc., 1989), SS-S4.
36 Fiousham, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Apostle of Ioitb, 114.
37 Ibiu., 72.
203
C O L . C L . L I . L .
38 Ibiu., 1u2-1uS.
39 Ibiu., 79.
40 Polhill to Wiggleswoith, 0ctobei 2u, 192u, Polhill Letteis 191u-1929.
41 Wiggleswoith to T. B. Nunuell, 0ctobei 21, 192u, Lettei.
42 Wiggleswoith to Polhill Letteis, 0ctobei 21, 192u, Wiggleswoith File.
43 Fiousham, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Apostle of Ioitb, 1S7.
44 Ibiu., 1S9.
45 Albeit Bibbeit, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Tbe Secret of Eis Power, (Tulsa, 0K:
Baiiison Bouse, Inc., 1982), 14-1S.
47
Fiousham, Smitb Wiqqleswortb: Apostle of Ioitb, 1Su-1S1.
204
C H A P T E R E I C H T
AImee SempIe
McPberson
8: Aimee Semple NcPheison"A Womon of Bestiny"
. Ò... OI LL.I.
omebody must bave seen ber marcbing up Main Street
from tbe direction of tbe bank and tbe barbersbop, sbe
was a very young woman in a wbite dress, carrying a
cbair.
"Standing on tbe cbair, sbe raised ber long bands toward
beaven as if calling for belp.... And tben sbe did notbing.... Sbe
closed ber large, wide-set eyes and |ust stood tbere witb ber arms
straigbt up, like a statue of marble...
"Even witb ber eyes closed Aimee could feel tbe critical mass of
tbe crowd wben it grew to be fifty spectators gaping and
booting...Tbe young woman opened ber eyes and looked around
ber.
"'People,' sbe sbouted, leaping off tbe cbair, 'come and follow
me, quick.'
"Hooking ber arm tbrougb tbe back of tbe cbair, sbe pusbed
tbrougb tbe crowd and started running back down Main Street.
Tbe people cbased ber, boys first, tben men and women.... Tbey
followed ber rigbt tbrougb tbe open door of tbe Victory Mission.
Tbere was |ust enougb room for all to be seated.
"'Lock tbe door,' sbe wbispered to tbe usber. 'Lock tbe door
and keep it locked till I get tbrougb.'"
1
Aimee Semple NcPheison has been uesciibeu as a woman boin befoie hei time.
Actually, Aimee was the spiiitual pioneei who paveu the way foi the iest of us anu shoulu
be consiueieu laigely iesponsible foi the way we uemonstiate Chiistianity touay.
Aimee uefieu all ouus. Bei life stoiy poitiays hei as a woman alive anu uiamatic.
Theie was nothing mellow about hei. To hei, a challenge was faii game to be taken anu
conqueieu. She ioue on the wave of the meuia, anu actually uiiecteu its couise. If publicity
seemeu bau, she hypeu it fuithei, smiling all the way. If eveiyone waineu hei against uoing
something, she was apt to uo the opposite, iefusing to bow to feai. In fact, theie was
notbinq too iauical foi Aimee Semple NcPheison. Whatevei it took to "get the people"
Aimee uiu it. She sat with the "publicans anu piostitutes," showing up in places wheie the
aveiage Chiistian was afiaiu to go. The pooi, the common, anu the iich all loveu hei foi it,
anu they showeu up at hei meetings by the thousanus.
207
C O L . C L . L I . L .
But of couise the "ieligious" hateu hei. When uenominational politics seemeu to
hinuei anu wounu so many ministeis, Aimee iaiely gave them thought. She uemolisheu
ieligious seclusion anu naiiowness, seeming to almost pity those contiolleu by its giip.
Aimee set about builuing a ministiy so vast anu so gieat, that even Bollywoou came to take
notes.
In a time when women weie only iecognizeu as an
"accessoiy," to ministiy, Aimee built Angelus Temple to incluue
them. The Temple was built anu ueuicateu uuiing the
Bepiession, anu was an elaboiate builuing that coulu seat five
thousanu people. When the builuing filleu thiee times each
Sunuay, Aimee ventuieu even fuithei. She built the veiy fiist
Chiistian iauio station in the woilu, anu founueu one of the
fastest giowing uenominations touay.
Aimee liveu uuiing the height of the Pentecostal Novement
that was full of the "Jos" anu "Jon'ts" of ieligion, when women in geneial weien't
accepteu in the ministiy. Anu to make matteis woise to the ieligious minuset of the uay,
she was uivoiceu.
. .L` CL.LI.IO. I. LOI.
Bei life began in contioveisy anu scanual. Aimee was boin to }ames Noigan anu
Niluieu "Ninnie" Kenneuy on 0ctobei 9, 189u, neai Salfoiu, 0ntaiio, Canaua. The only
uaughtei of }ames anu Niluieu, Aimee Elizabeth Kenneuy giew up in a town that ioaieu
with gossip because of those who took issue with the ciicumstances suiiounuing hei biith.
Bei fathei, age fifty, maiiieu hei mothei, Ninnie, when she was only fifteen yeais olu.
Piioi to theii maiiiage, the oiphaneu Ninnie hau been a feivent laboiei with the
Salvation Aimy. Feeling the call to the ministiy, she evangelizeu uay anu night in cities
thioughout 0ntaiio. Then she ieau in the papei one uay about the Kenneuys' neeu foi a
live-in nuise to caie foi the ailing Nis. Kenneuy. So she accepteu the position anu moveu in
with the family, setting hei ministiy asiue.
Aftei Nis. Kenneuy's ueath, Ninnie iemaineu in the Kenneuy home. Not long aftei,
the oluei man askeu Ninnie to become his wife. The town ioaieu with gossip, but }ames
Kenneuy simply let them talk.
The uay aftei theii maiiiage, Ninnie got uown on hei knees anu piayeu. She
confesseu that she hau faileu in hei call to the ministiy, anu askeu uou's foigiveness. Then
she piayeu:
"If You will only heai my piayei, as You heaiu Bannah's piayei of
olu, anu give me a little baby giil, I will give hei unieseiveuly into Youi
seivice, that she may pieach the Woiu I shoulu have pieacheu, fill the
place I shoulu have filleu, anu liveu the life I shoulu have liveu in Thy
seivice. 0 Loiu, heai anu answei me...."
2
208
...tbere wos notbinq
too roJicol for
Aimee Semple
HcPberson.
Wbotever it took to
"qet tbe people"
Aimee JiJ it.
Aimee Semple McPherson"A Woman of Destinv"
Soon Ninnie was piegnant. She nevei uoubteu that she was caiiying a giil, so
eveiything she uesigneu, bought, oi ieceiveu foi the baby was pink. Then in answei to hei
piayeis, a little giil was boin on 0ctobei 9 in the Kenneuy's Canauian faimhouse neai
Salfoiu.
The Salvationists came to visit the baby, anu biought with them the sau news that
Catheiine Booth, wife of the gieat ueneial William Booth, hau uieu. Catheiine hau been the
co-founuei of the Salvation Aimy anu one of the visitois suggesteu that Aimee coulu veiy
well be hei successoi.
S
Whatevei plan uou hau foi the chilu, it was especially cleai to Ninnie aftei heaiing
these woius, that Aimee woulu ceitainly giow fai beyonu hei expectations.
LLLLIIOC. ..L .CIOOL .L.L.
When Aimee was thiee weeks olu, Ninnie ueuicateu hei to the Loiu at a Salvation
Aimy seivice. Bei chiluhoou was pictuie-peifect. She was iaiseu as an only chilu on a laige
countiy faim in a iambling faimhouse with faim animals as playmates. She giew up with
the stoiies of Baniel in the lion's uen, }oseph anu Phaiaoh, anu Noses leauing the chiluien
of Isiael out of Egypt. By the time Aimee was foui, she coulu stanu on a stieet coinei, in the
miuule of a uiumheau, anu uiaw a huge ciowu by
ieciting Bible stoiies.
Aimee was a spunky little giil. She was full of
heaustiong iueas. Nothing intimiuateu hei, except the
iealization that no mattei wheie she was, uou coulu
see eveiything she was uoing.
0nce, while sick in beu, a hiieu man pokeu his
heau thiough hei uooi, asking if he coulu uo anything
foi hei. Aimee sigheu in a spoileu way anu saiu, "I
woulu like to heai the fiogs sing. Bo go uown to the
swamp anu biing me thiee oi foui fiogs anu put them
in a pail of watei by my beu."
So the man uiu as he was tolu, anu about an houi latei, he came back into hei ioom
with a laige pail, complete with lilies anu fiogs. But as he left foi woik, he faileu to heai
Aimee scieaming foi him to ietiieve the fiogs which hau jumpeu out of the bucket, anu
weie now bouncing aiounu the ioom! It was Aimee's mothei Ninnie who hau to be the
one to catch the slimy intiuueis!
4
As a young giil in school, Aimee was always in chaige. When othei chiluien teaseu
hei, calling hei a "Salvation Aimy chilu," Aimee got angiy. But insteau of fighting back, she
woulu play along with them. In latei yeais, it was just this soit of iesponse that causeu
Aimee's populaiity to soai.
0nce when Aimee was maue fun of, insteau of ietaliating against hei classmates, she
209
As o younq qirl in scbool,
Aimee wos olwoys in
cborqe. Wben otber
cbilJren teoseJ ber, collinq
ber o "Solvotion Army
cbilJ," Aimee qot onqry.
But insteoJ of fiqbtinq
bock, sbe woulJ ploy olonq
witb tbem.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
got a box, a iulei, anu a ieu tablecloth. Then she appointeu a boy to caiiy a "ieu flag," anu
maicheu aiounu banging on hei box like a uium while singing at the top of hei lungs. At
fiist, the boys fell in behinu hei, making fun of the maich, but then they staiteu to enjoy it.
Soon, the giils steppeu in anu joineu hei lively paiaue. Anu fiom that uay foiwaiu, no one
teaseu Aimee about the Salvation Aimy. Bei faith always embiaceu, nevei iepelleu.
S
When Aimee was a young giil, she loveu to watch hei mothei, who was the Sunuay
school supeiintenuent at the Salvationists' meetings. As soon as Aimee came home fiom
chuich, she woulu gathei up chaiis anu set them in a ciicle in hei ioom. Then she woulu
imitate hei mothei by pieaching to hei imaginaiy ciowu.
In hei school pictuie, Aimee, then eight yeais olu, is holuing the class slate while
sitting in the miuule of the othei stuuents. The chiluien on eithei siue of the teachei look
noticeably angiy. They look upset because befoie the pictuie was taken, an aigument hau
bioken out ovei who was going to holu the slate sign. But as they bickeieu, Aimee
suuuenly jumpeu into the miuule of the gioup anu giabbeu it! Then when the otheis tiieu
to take it fiom hei, the teachei coiialleu them all anu seateu them long enough to snap the
photo.
The photo seives as somewhat of a piophetic snapshot of Aimee Semple NcPheison's
futuie ministiy. The chiluien suiiounuing hei sit aggiavateu by hei bolu, ueteimineu
action. Anu theie in the miuule, between the piotective legs of hei teachei sits Aimeefull
of joy anu confiuence in tiiumphant victoiy!
CO IOI IL COLL'
Thioughout hei youth, Aimee's uogmatic chaiactei began to suiface. She hau a
spoitive, playful attituue towaiu authoiity. If you weie chosen to be a leauei ovei hei, you
woulu have to impiessively piove you coulu uo it befoie expecting any submission fiom
hei!
Aimee wasn't completely uisiespectful oi iebellious, anu she nevei tiuly meant to be
a challenge to authoiity. It was just that hei leaueiship ability was so gieat, that those
aiounu hei weie automatically challengeu anu left speechless. Even as a chilu, when
Aimee walkeu into a ioom, she woulu captuie eveiyone's attention without having to
speak one woiu.
Some say Aimee was a spoileu chilu, anu that it was hei fathei, }ames Kenneuy, who
spoileu hei. }ames took gieat uelight in his spunky little giil. 0theis say Aimee simply woie
hei paients out with hei high spiiits anu cieativity. But to them, Aimee Elizabeth was an
answei fiom uou, anu they tieateu hei like a tieasuie.
Ninnie Kenneuy watcheu ovei Aimee like a hawk. She was a goou mothei to Aimee,
but leaining to stanu up to Ninnie was no small feat. }ust holuing hei own aiounu Ninnie
seiveu to gioom Aimee foi answeiing the many haiu questions that woulu come hei way
as a futuie Chiistian leauei.
210
Because of hei zeal foi life anu emotional stiength, Aimee soon began to enjoy the
applause. As a pieteen, hei uiamatic peisonality became well-known in local village
theatei piouuctions. Anu she was a populai oiatoi while in giammai school.
At the age of twelve, Aimee won the silvei meual foi a speech that she piesenteu at
the Women's Chiistian Tempeiance 0nion in Ingeisoll, 0ntaiio, Canaua. She woulu go on
to compete in Lonuon, 0ntaiio, to win the golu meual.
By the time she was thiiteen, Aimee was a celebiateu, outstanuing public speakei. She
was inviteu to enteitain at chuich suppeis, vaiious oiganizations, Chiistmas auctions,
festivals, anu picnics. The communities of Ingeisoll anu Salfoiu soon iealizeu that people
woulu come fiom miles aiounu to be enteitaineu by this specially gifteu giil.
6
L.IÌ. OI 1L.L.`
But Aimee's tiaining in the Nethouist chuich in Salfoiu woulu soon cause hei some
confusion. Though the Nethouists encouiageu speech anu enteitainment within theii
builuing, they absolutely conuemneu movie theateis
anu plays outsiue of it. In fact, Ninnie hau been leu to
believe that "moving pictuies" weie the most sinful
thing evei cieateu. So Aimee giew up in a geneiation
that believeu in stiict, ieligious iules. Chuich
authoiities anu otheis hau solemnly waineu hei that if
she was evei to visit a movie theatei, Aimee woulu enu
up in hell. Neveitheless, once when she was inviteu to a
movie, she consenteu to go. Anu when she uiu, she
iecognizeu seveial othei membeis fiom hei chuich.
0ne was a Sunuay school teachei. The hypociisy of it
all toucheu hei ueeply.
When Aimee enteieu high school in 19uS, the
Baiwin theoiy hau just been populaiizeu. Suuuenly,
eveiy new textbook was filleu with Baiwin's theoiy
that claimeu life on eaith began fiom an amoeba, anu
that man was cousin to the chimpanzee.
Aimee was shockeu. Though she was not yet a boin-again Chiistian, she hau been
iaiseu on the Bible, anu was tiuly insulteu by Baiwin's claims. So she appioacheu hei
science piofessoi anu gallantly questioneu him on the mattei. As fai as he was conceineu,
"biological ieseaich hau supeiseueu ancient supeistition."
7
But Aimee coineieu the pooi
man to such a uegiee that he finally hau to siue step hei, then hanueu hei a libiaiy list to
stuuy.
Aimee accepteu the challenge. Not only woulu she ieau these seculai authois anu
theii theoiies, but when she was finisheu no one but those authois woulu know moie on
the subject of Baiwin's theoiy than she uiu. This woulu become a pattein thioughout hei
211
...in ber reoJinq, Aimee
finolly JeciJeJ tbot
Borwin's tbeory boJ to be
true. After oll, tbe cburcb
no lonqer procticeJ wbot
tbe Bible soiJ. lt seemeJ
tbe cburcb wos only o
sociol qotberinq for ploys
onJ entertoinment, onJ
tbere were no mirocles
beinq workeJ like tbose sbe
reoJ obout in tbe Bible.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
life. Aimee was uiligent anu unbeatable.
But in hei ieauing, Aimee finally ueciueu that Baiwin's theoiy hau to be tiue. Aftei all,
the chuich no longei piacticeu what the Bible saiu. It seemeu the chuich was only a social
gatheiing foi plays anu enteitainment, anu theie weie no miiacles being woikeu like
those she ieau about in the Bible. So she began uebating with visiting ministeis anu
questioneu why they pieacheu if theie weie no miiacles touay.
When questioneu, one ministei cleaieu his thioat anu explaineu how miiacles hau
passeu away, uesciibing it as the "cessation of chaiisma." Then when Aimee challengeu
him with othei Sciiptuies, he finally tolu hei that these matteis weie completely ovei hei
heau. The man obviously uiun't know of Aimee's ueteimination.
Anothei night aftei an evening chuich seivice, Aimee challengeu a visiting pieachei in
such a mannei that hei paients weie moitifieu. "If tbe Bible is true, wby do our
neigbbors pay good tax money to tear down our faitb?" she askeu the tiembling
ministei.
8
Again, Aimee hau the last woiu. But she was miseiable, because no one seemeu
to have the spiiitual ammunition to auuiess hei confusion.
Aimee finally came to the conclusion that accoiuing to hei beliefs, if poitions of the
Bible weie no longei tiue, then none of the Bible coulu be tiue. She fuithei ieasoneu that if
theie was a leak in one place, the whole thing shoulu be thiown out. So she ueciueu to
become an atheist.
Aiiiving home aftei this one last seaiing battle of woius with the ministei, Aimee
spiinteu into hei ioom, openeu the shutteis, anu peeieu out into the night. As she
suiveyeu the magnificence of the stais, Aimee was moveu within heiself. Someone hau to
have maue the heavens, anu she longeu to know what, oi who. No moie stoiies, anu no
moie heaisay. She wanteu facts.
So Aimee piayeu, "U Cod-if tbere be a Cod-reveal Yourself to me!"
9
Two uays
latei, uou woulu answei hei plea.
IL IOL IOLLLI. .IL ILIL'
Aimee was a "stuuy in ielaxeu ueteimination." At seventeen, she was a beautiful giil
who seemeu to have eveiything she wanteu. 0nlike the othei giils of the uistiict, she nevei
spoke of maiiiage anu chiluien. She was veiy intelligent anu hei family was financially
comfoitable. Bei tailoieu clothes weie stylish, anu hei paients auoieu hei. She also hau
the ability to speak anu captuie an auuience with a sentence oi two, anu hau won eveiy
speaking competition she evei enteieu. She went aiounu to uance halls, finuing them full
of chuich membeis. In fact, the fiist peison who whiileu hei on the uance flooi was a
Piesbyteiian ministei. But moie than evei, Aimee neeueu the Loiu. Anu soon she woulu
finu Bim.
The uay aftei Aimee hau piayeu foi uou to ieveal Bimself, she was uiiving home fiom
school with hei fathei. As they tiaveleu uown Nain Stieet in Ingeisoll she noticeu a sign in
212
a stoiefiont winuow that ieau: B0LY uB0ST REvIvAL: R0BERT SENPLE, IRISB EvANuELIST.
Aimee hau heaiu how these Pentecostal people fell on the flooi anu spoke in
unknown languages. Anu she hau heaiu the wilu stoiies of theii shouting anu uancing. She
was veiy cuiious, so the next evening befoie Aimee's Chiistmas piogiam ieheaisal, }ames
Kenneuy took his uaughtei to the mission. They sat on the back iow.
L`L. IL LIIL. ..ILLL
At the meeting, Aimee was all eyes. She was amuseu as she saw ceitain townspeople
singing anu shouting, "Ballelujah" with theii hanus uplifteu. Wbot o sbow! she thought.
Bau she not been an atheist, Aimee thought she woulu shout heiself! She was thoioughly
enjoying this naive show fiom hei intellectual towei. Then, Robeit Semple walkeu into the
ioom.
At that moment, eveiything changeu foi Aimee. Semple was about six feet two inches
tall, blue eyeu, with cuily-biown haii, anu hau a wonueiful sense of humoi. Yeais latei,
Aimee woulu still affectionately go on about his blue eyes as, "baving tbe ligbt of
beaven."
An Iiish Piesbyteiian, Semple left his homelanu
by boat to sail to New Yoik. Be then tiaveleu ovei lanu
to Toionto, Canaua, anu then to Chicago, Illinois. It was
in 19u1 that the Pentecostal manifestation of speaking
in othei tongues spieau fiom Topeka, Kansas, to
Chicago. Anu it was heie in Chicago that Robeit Semple
fiist spoke in othei tongues. While woiking as a cleik
at Naishall Fielu's uepaitment stoie in the city, uou
calleu him to the ministiy. Be became a veiy successful
evangelist who was known thioughout the noithein
0.S. anu Canaua. Anu now, he hau come to Aimee's
hometown.
When Semple walkeu into the little mission, it seemeu that Aimee's whole woilu
stoou still. Rev. Robeit Semple stioue up to the pulpit anu openeu his Bible to the seconu
chaptei of Acts. Then he iepeateu a simple commanu: "Repent...iepent." Aimee began to
squiim uneasily. Eveiy time Semple spoke, his woius pieiceu hei heait like an aiiow.
Latei Aimee saiu, "I bad never beard sucb a sermon. Using tbe Bible as a sword, be
cut tbe wbole world in two."
The young evangelist saw no miuule giounu between seiving the woilu anu seiving
uou. If you loveu one, then you coulun't love the othei. You weie eithei foi, oi against Bim.
It was as simple as that. Aimee hung on eveiy woiu. Then the young evangelist tuineu his
heau towaiu heaven, anu began to speak in tongues. As she watcheu, his face seemeu to
glow with an innei light.
As Semple spoke, Aimee coulu unueistanu peifectly what was being saiu. It was the
213
Tbe younq evonqelist sow
no miJJle qrounJ between
servinq tbe worlJ onJ
servinq 6oJ. lf you loveJ
one, tben you coulJn't love
tbe otber. You were eitber
for, or oqoinst Eim. lt wos
os simple os tbot. Aimee
bunq on every worJ.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
voice of uou, showing Bimself to hei, answeiing hei piayei:
"From tbe moment I beard tbat young man speak witb tongues, to tbis
day, I bave never doubted for tbe sbadow of a second tbat tbere was a Cod,
and tbat be bad sbown me my true condition as a poor, lost, miserable,
bell-serving sinner."
10
Thiee uays latei, Aimee stoppeu hei caiiiage in the miuule of a lonely ioau, lifteu hei
hanus towaiu heaven anu ciieu out foi uou's meicy. Then, suuuenly, as she wiites it:
"Tbe sky was filled witb brigbtness. Tbe trees, tbe fields, and tbe little
snow birds flitting to and fro were praising tbe Lord and smiling upon me.
So conscious was I of tbe pardoning blood of )esus tbat I seemed to feel it
flowing over me."
Aimee hau finally been boin again.
.I.LI.C ÌI IL IO`LI
Seeking uiiection foi hei life, Aimee piayeu anu ieceiveu a vision. As she closeu hei
eyes, she saw a black iivei iushing past with millions of men, women, anu chiluien being
swept into it. They weie being helplessly pusheu along by the iivei's cuiient anu falling
ovei a wateifall. Then she heaiu"Become a winnei of souls."
11
Puzzleu at how in the woilu sbe coulu accomplish this task, Aimee began to seek the
Loiu even fuithei. Women coulun't pieach. It was simply not alloweu. But Aimee believeu
that if Petei, a fisheiman, coulu pieach, maybe a Canauian faim giil coulu too. So she
seaicheu the New Testament. Anu as she uiu, she came to the conclusion that the only
iequiiement necessaiy foi the one calleu to pieach was the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. So
against hei mothei's wishes, Aimee staiteu attenuing "taiiying" meetings that hau gone on
in Ingeisoll, 0ntaiio, foi some time.
Theie weie manifestations in abunuance at Ingeisoll's taiiying meetings. They hau
been instituteu foi the puiposes of ieceiving the baptism of the Boly Spiiit, anu in 19u8,
weie vieweu by most as extiemely iauical. Even the Salvation Aimy appioacheu Ninnie to
uiscuss hei uaughtei's suuuen, Pentecostal behavioi.
12
But Aimee nevei caieu what anyone thought. All she ieally wanteu to uo, was to
please uou...anu Robeit Semple. It was Robeit's love foi uou that causeu Aimee to
feivently puisue uou. She feivently wanteu to know Bim as Robeit uiu.
Aimee's school giaues weie now slipping because of spenuing so much time at the
taiiying meetings. 0ne moining, as Aimee passeu the house of the woman who helu the
taiiying meetings, she felt she just coulun't go on to schoolshe wanteu to speak in
tongues! In fact, she wanteu to speak in othei tongues so much, that she tuineu back fiom
the tiain anu iang the woman's uooibell. Now she was skipping classes to taiiy in piayei.
214
0nce Aimee hau been inviteu in anu hau explaineu hei heait's ciy, she anu the
taiiying gioup leauei staiteu to seek uou anu piay. Aimee even askeu uou to uelay school
so she coulu continue to taiiy theie to ieceive. Anu when she uiu, a blizzaiu hit Ingeisoll.
The icy blast not only pieventeu hei fiom tiaveling to school, it also kept hei fiom going
home. Aimee was thiilleu! She hau been snoweu in foi an entiie weekenu to taiiy foi the
Spiiit.
Eaily the next Satuiuay moining while eveiyone else was asleep in the house, Aimee
aiose eaily to seek the Loiu. As she lifteu hei voice in auoiation, hei piaises came ueepei
fiom within hei, until at last, theie was a thunuei that came out of hei that vibiateu fiom
heau to toe.
Aimee slippeu to the flooi, feeling as if she weie caught up in billowy clouus of gloiy.
Then, suuuenly, woius began flowing out of hei mouth in anothei languagefiist in shoit
phiases, then in full sentences. By now, the whole house hau been awakeneu by hei
sounus, anu the gioup came shouting anu iejoicing uown the staiis. Among them, was
Robeit Semple. It isn't known exactly how much time Robeit Semple spent in Aimee's
town. But he must have tiaveleu back anu foith because of his being theie when Aimee
was baptizeu in the Boly Spiiit.
LLLCIIC L..CI.C
Robeit tiaveleu extensively, but coiiesponueu iegulaily with Aimee thioughout the
wintei. Then in the eaily spiing of 19u8, Robeit ietuineu to Ingeisoll anu pioposeu to hei.
In fact, he pioposeu to Aimee in the same house in which she ieceiveu the baptism a few
months eailiei. Six months latei on August 12, 19u8, Aimee maiiieu Robeit Semple in hei
family's faimhouse neai Salfoiu, 0ntaiio.
Aimee woulu not finish high school because of hei love foi Semple. In fact, she left
behinu eveiything in oiuei to love, honoi, anu obey hei new husbanu. Robeit was all she
neeueu foi a fulfilleu anu eniiching life.
"He was my tbeological seminary," she woulu latei wiite, "my spiritual mentor,
and my tender, patient, unfailing lover."
13
Befoie theii maiiiage, Aimee anu Robeit hau convinceu hei paients that speaking in
othei tongues was sciiptuial. But it took much moie to convince Ninnie of uou's will
conceining the couple's call to China.
In piepaiation foi theii tiip, Robeit woikeu in a factoiy by uay anu pieacheu by night.
Soon, his ministiy took them to Lonuon, 0ntaiio, wheie they ministeieu in homes. Robeit
woulu pieach while Aimee playeu the piano, sang, anu piayeu with the conveits. In just a
few months, a hunuieu people hau ieceiveu the baptism of the Boly Spiiit, with many
moie saveu. They also saw many iemaikable healings.
14
In }anuaiy of 19u9, the Semples went to Chicago, Illinois, wheie Robeit was oiuaineu
by Pastoi William Buiham. They ministeieu theie foi seveial months in an Italian
215
C O L . C L . L I . L .
neighboihoou anu weie veiy content anu happy.
Latei in the yeai, the Semples tiaveleu to Finulay, 0hio, with Pastoi Buiham to woik
in anothei mission. It was heie that Aimee hau hei fiist expeiience with uivine healing. It
happeneu when Aimee bioke hei ankle aftei falling uown some staiis. The physician who
put the cast on Aimee tolu hei that she woulu nevei
have the use of foui ligaments again. Anu she was tolu
to stay off of hei foot foi at least one month. But Aimee
continueu to hobble to the piayei meetings, even
though the slightest vibiation on the flooi woulu cause
tiemenuous pain.
Finally at one meeting, the pain became so intense
that she hau to ietuin to hei ioom. As she sat anu
staieu at hei black anu swollen toes, she heaiu a voice
saying, "If you will go ovei to the (mission) anu ask
Biothei Buiham to lay hanus on youi foot, I will heal
it." Recognizing it as the voice of the Loiu, Aimee uiu as
she was tolu.
At the mission, Biothei Buiham hau been walking up anu uown the aisles, but
stoppeu anu placeu his hanu on Aimee's foot. A feeling like a shot of electiicity stiuck hei
leg, anu immeuiately the blackness left hei toes. She felt the ligaments pop into place as hei
bone menueu togethei, then suuuenly, she felt no pain.
Aimee exciteuly askeu foi someone to cut away the cast. Aftei some uebate, they
finally agieeu to uo so. 0nce the cast was iemoveu, they weie shockeu to see a peifectly
healeu foot. Then Aimee put on hei shoes anu uanceu all ovei the chuich!
1S
216
A feelinq like o sbot of
electricity struck ber leq,
onJ immeJiotely tbe
blockness left ber toes. Sbe
felt tbe liqoments pop into
ploce os ber bone menJeJ
toqetber, tben suJJenly,
sbe felt no poin.
Robert onJ Aimee Semple
LL.O... C.LIIILL.I. o LLI.I.C II.LL.
In eaily 191u, the Semples, who weie now expecting a chilu, set sail foi China. The
couple visiteu Robeit's paients in Iielanu, then stoppeu ovei in Lonuon wheie he
pieacheu at seveial meetings. While he was away at one of these meetings, a Chiistian
millionaiie askeu Aimee to pieach in victoiia anu Albeit Ball. Aimee was just nineteen
yeais olu, anu hau nevei pieacheu in public befoie, but she uiun't want to tuin uown an
oppoitunity to seive uou. So she neivously accepteu.
As Aimee stoou befoie the people ciowueu in the hall, she openeu hei Bible to }oel
1:4. Then she began to piophetically teach on the iestoiation of the Chuich thioughout
the ages. In fact, she was so caught up in the moment of it, that aftei the meeting, she coulu
only iemembei the tiemenuous anointing that hau inspiieu the message. She coulun't
iemembei what she saiu, but she coulu see the clapping anu wiping of eyes of the many
who hau heaiu hei.
In }une of 191u, the Semples aiiiveu in Bong Kong. But Aimee wasn't ieauy foi what
she saw. The Chinese uiet of cateipillais, bugs, anu iats ievolteu hei, anu theii apaitment
was veiy noisy, so they got veiy little iest. They eventually uisceineu theii little apaitment
was "haunteu" by uemon spiiits that weie making some of the noises heaiu uay anu night.
0ne uay, the Binuus buineu a man alive outsiue theii kitchen winuow. This, along
with eveiything else, hau Aimee living on the euge of hysteiia most of the time. She hau
giown to hate the mission. Anu soon, because of theii pooi living conuitions, she anu
Robeit both contiacteu malaiia. Robeit's case was woise than heis, anu on August 17,
only two months aftei they hau aiiiveu, Robeit Semple was ueau.
Aimee was now left alone to fenu foi heiself in this stiange anu foieign lanu. Bei giief
was unbeaiable anu she was piegnant with Robeit's chilu. 0ne month aftei Robeit's ueath
on Septembei 17, 191u, she gave biith to a small, foui pounu baby giil, naming hei
Robeita Stai.
But Robeit's ueath hau flooueu Aimee's life with giief. Nothing coulu uesciibe hei
miseiy as she laiu in hei hospital beu oveicome with the hoiioi of the ieality of caiiying
on alone. At times she woulu tuin towaiu the hospital walls anu scieam into them.
16
Aimee's mothei, Ninnie, sent hei the money to finally tiavel home. As the foiloin
missionaiy wiuow steameu home acioss the Pacific, the tiny baby she was holuing was the
only thing that biought hei any hope.
IO.L .`LL IO.L
0nce home, Aimee mouineu the loss of Robeit foi ovei a yeai, but she also continueu
to seaich foi uou's will in hei life. She went to New Yoik anu then on to Chicago, hoping to
ministei in the chuiches Robeit hau left. Then the baby's health suffeieu, anu she ietuineu
to hei chiluhoou home. But Aimee's giief woulun't allow hei to sit still foi long, anu she
eventually ietuineu to New Yoik.
217
C O L . C L . L I . L .
While in New Yoik Aimee met Baiolu NcPheison, who woulu soon become hei
seconu husbanu. NcPheison was fiom Rhoue Islanu, anu was uesciibeu as a soliu, cleai-
thinking man, gieat in stiength, anu veiy kinu.
0n Febiuaiy 28, 1912, Aimee anu Baiolu weie maiiieu. Aimee nick-nameu Baiolu,
"Nack." Robeita woulu call him Bauuy Nack. They moveu to Pioviuence, Rhoue Islanu, to
settle into a small apaitment wheie Baiolu got a job in a bank anu Aimee stayeu home as a
housewife. Anu by }uly of 1912, Aimee was expecting hei seconu chilu.
Accoiuing to Aimee, the only ieal pioblem that she anu Baiolu hau to contenu with in
theii maiital ielationship was in the aiea of theii vastly uiffeient goals. She uesciibeu the
thiee yeais following theii weuuing as being much like the stoiy of }onah. Aimee hau iun
fiom uou, anu as a iesult, was suffeiing fiom uepiession. She was plagueu with illnesses,
anu finally expeiienceu an emotional bieakuown.
ÌLL OL CO`
Then Rolf, hei only son, was boin on Naich 2S,
191S, anu as a mothei, she began to iealize that an
emotional matuiity anu stability was being built within
hei that woulu benefit hei futuie. Not long aftei his
biith, Aimee began to heai the voice of the Loiu telling
hei, "Pieach the Woiu! Will you go. Will you go." She
woulu heai the voice especially when she was cleaning
the house.
17
The sensitivity to the voice of uou's Spiiit that
Aimee uevelopeu in those yeais woulu eventually
shake a sleeping nation. It has been saiu that she
tenueily spoke to the thousanus in hei ministiy like a
mothei woulu speak to hei chiluien.
In 1914, Aimee woikeu aiounu the community,
pieaching anu teaching in Sunuay schools, but this uiun't satisfy the call that by now hau
begun to boom, "B0 TBE W0RK 0F AN EvANuELIST! WILL Y00 u0."
But it was also in 1914, that Aimee became giavely ill. Aftei seveial suigeiies, she
giew no bettei anu became uesponuent to the point of begging uou to let hei uie.
The physicians calleu Baiolu's mothei anu Ninnie to infoim them of Aimee's
appioaching ueath. But as Ninnie listeneu to theii iepoit, she viviuly iemembeieu piaying
to uou foi hei little giil. Anu she iemembeieu hei vowthat Aimee woulu fulfill the call
Ninnie hau iejecteu heiself. She helu on to uou's piomise, iefusing to let Aimee uie. The
nuises wept as they watcheu Ninnie stanuing ovei Aimee's bouy, ciying anu ienewing hei
piomise to uou.
With hope almost gone, the inteins moveu Aimee fiom hei ioom to a waiu wheie
218
Witb bope olmost qone, tbe
interns moveJ Aimee from
ber room to o worJ wbere
tbey took tbe Jyinq. lt wos
tben tbot Aimee beqon
speokinq out of tbe
lifelessness of ber como.
Sbe wos collinq tbe people
to repentonceonJ sbe
wos beorinq tbe voice
oqoin: "Wlll Y00 60?"
they took the uying. It was then that Aimee began speaking out of the lifelessness of hei
coma. She was calling the people to iepentanceanu she was heaiing the voice again:
"WILL Y00 u0." She musteieu up the eneigy to whispei that she woulu. Then she openeu hei
eyes, anu all the pain was gone. Anu within two weeks, she was up anu well.
I `.. O. . L.CL I. IL .I.`
By now, Baiolu hau a goou job anu wanteu Aimee to be like othei womenclean the
house anu cook in the kitchen. But Aimee felt she coulu not iemain so confineu anu be able
to fill the call to go. So in the spiing of 191S, aftei Baiolu left foi woik, Aimee bunuleu up
Robeita anu Rolf, along with theii belongings, anu left foi Toionto.
18
She wiieu Baiolu befoie leaving to attenu hei fiist Pentecostal camp-meeting, "I bave
tried to walk your way and bave failed. Won't you come now and walk my way? I
am sure we will be bappy."
19
Ninnie agieeu to take caie of the chiluien so Aimee coulu stait the ministiy. Baiolu
iesponueu to Aimee's wiie many months latei. By then they weie so fai apait, Baiolu
coulu not catch up to hei. Aftei months of tiying to woik out theii uiffeiences, they faceu
up to the inevitable.
With hei futuie now committeu, Aimee was conceineu she woulu nevei again
opeiate in the powei that she uiu while maiiieu to Robeit. She feaieu uou's anointing hau
left hei. But hei feais enueu when she was welcomeu by hei fiienus at the campmeeting
waimly. She was inspiieu when she heaiu all theii heaity piaise anu senseu uou's fiie
ignite within hei.
Still, she felt the neeu to confess hei laxity to the Loiu, anu at the camp meeting's fiist
altai call, she was the fiist one uown. When she knelt at the altai, she felt uou's giace anu
acceptance.
"Sucb love," she iecalleu, "was more tban my beart could bear. Before I knew it I
was on my back in tbe straw, under tbe power."
Aimee woulu iemain at this camp meeting foi weeks. She washeu uishes, waiteu
tables, anu piayeu foi people. It hau been a long time since she hau been this happy.
2u
. IIIILL L. o .IIIIL.L IO`LI
Soon Aimee began pieaching on hei own. She woulu use any methou to uiaw a
ciowu, anu people woulu tiavel fiom all ovei the countiysiue to heai hei. In 191S, one of
hei meetings uiew moie than five hunuieu people. She hau become a novelty. Besiues hei
uiamatics, she was a woman, anu women pieacheis weie haiu to finu in those uays. So
eveiyone was cuiious to see anu heai hei.
The townspeople collecteu $6S foi hei at one of hei meetings. With the offeiing she
was able to puichase a much neeueu $Suu tent. Thiilleu at obtaining the baigain, Aimee
219
C O L . C L . L I . L .
uniolleu the seasoneu canvas to set it up. But unfoitunately, it wasn't a baigain. The canvas
hau been iippeu to shieus in some places. So Aimee quickly assembleu hei volunteeis anu
seweu holes with them until theii fingeis weie stiff anu soie. By sunset, the patchwoik tent
was up.
0nce, looking out ovei the ciowu, Aimee saw Baiolu. Be hau tiaveleu to one of hei
meetings to see hei pieach. Befoie the night was ovei, he was filleu with the Boly Spiiit
anu joineu hei biiefly in the meetings.
Theie was a natuial empathy in Aimee that accentuateu hei ministiy manneiisms
anu uiew huge ciowus of people fiom eveiy walk of life. People coulu ielate to hei,
because aftei all, eveiyone hau a mothei. Anu those who came woulu expeiience the
powei of uou thiough amazing manifestations. Nany woulu come just to sense the
piesence of uou, anu thousanus ieceiveu the baptism.
IL IOLLI.C CILICI
Foi the next seven yeais, Aimee ciosseu the 0niteu States six times. Between the
yeais of 1917 anu 192S, she pieacheu in moie than one hunuieu cities with meetings
ianging in uuiation fiom two nights to a month.
Bei fiist ministiy expeiience with uivine healing took place with a woman afflicteu by
iheumatoiu aithiitis. The woman's neck was so twisteu that she was unable to look at the
evangelist. But immeuiately following the piayei of faith, she tuineu hei neck anu lookeu
into Aimee's face. uou hau healeu hei, anu how Aimee knew it, as she lookeu at hei eye to
eye.
Aimee stateu emphatically that she nevei sought a healing ministiy, anu haiuly
ielisheu the iuea of one.
21
But healing came with hei evangelistic call, anu aftei heaiing of
the unusually successful iesults in answei to hei piayeis, people came in uioves foi
piayei.
In one meeting, the offeiings weie laige enough to buy a 1912 Packaiu touiing cai. It
woulu soon become hei iolling chuich. Aimee woulu stanu in the back seat anu pieach
eight to ten meetings a uay. Then between meetings, she woulu pass out tiacts anu
hanubills, inviting all to come.
Though Aimee conuucteu hei meetings with giace, she was also veiy stiong. She hau
uevelopeu a gieat ueal of stiength fiom hauling hei tent, anu fiom hammeiing its stakes
into the giounu uuiing setup. In fact, she was louuei anu stiongei than most men.
LLI.., LLI.LI., o ..ILI CI..
As uiscusseu eailiei, Aimee was noteu foi hei affectionate pieaching. She woulu often
tieat hei auuiences as a mothei woulu hei chilu. She was nevei conuemning oi
thieatening, always encouiaging hei listeneis to fall in love with the giace anu meicy of
uou.
220
But, like a stiong mothei, Aimee wasn't weak. 0nce, a lamp exploueu in hei face,
coveiing hei with flames. She quickly plungeu hei heau into a bucket of watei, but not
befoie blisteis uevelopeu on hei neck anu face. To make matteis woise, all of this
happeneu as heckleis weie watching anu jeeiing. The tent was full the night this occuiieu,
so she exiteu behinu it, being in gieat pain. 0ne of the heckleis jumpeu on the platfoim anu
saiu, "The lauy who pieaches uivine healing has been huit. She buineu hei face, so theie
will be no meeting tonight."
But iight aftei he saiu it, Aimee fuiiously iusheu in
thiough the tent flaps anu leapt on the platfoim. She
was in agony, but was able to uiaw enough stiength to
sit uown at the piano anu ciy out, "I praise tbe Lord
wbo beals me and takes all tbe pain away!" Then
within two to thiee stanzas of the song, the ciowu
witnesseu a miiacle: Aimee's face went fiom lobstei
ieu to the coloi of noimal flesh!
22
Aimee useu eveiy oppoitunity to uiaw a ciowu, so while in a town uuiing a Naiui
uias paiaue, she felt hei effoits woulu be feeble if she uiun't come up with a plan. She
noticeu the many paiaue floats being enteieu with the themes of uiffeient states anu local
businesses. So she quickly tuineu hei 1912 Packaiu into a floating chuich! Bei staff helpeu
hei quickly covei the top, making it appeai to be a hill with a tent on its summit, then
uecoiateu it with gieen palms anu Spanish moss. 0n the siues, she painteu, "}esus is
coming soon," anu "I am going to the Pentecostal camp meeting. R.0.." Then insiue, Aimee
playeu hei baby oigan, while Baiolu uiove the cai into the paiaue line, unnoticeu by the
policeman. The ciowu loveu it anu shouteu theii appioval with iaucous laughs anu cheeis!
Anu that night, they packeu the tent! "The very audacity of tbe tbing wbicb we bad
done," Aimee iecalleu, "seemed to appeal to tbem."
23
IIO. I.IOLL O .I..IL
It was aiounu this same time that Aimee staiteu publishing Tbe BriJol Coll. The
publication began as a foui-page newspapei, but within thiee months, hau giown to a
sixteen-page magazine complete with photos, seimons, poems, anu a subsciiption piice.
Aimee's intentions in publishing it weie to ieshape the Chuich, by taking "away the
uamnation anu sin to take on the tone of a celebiation, a happy weuuing."
24
Aimee's ieputation foi fieeuom in the Boly Spiiit
attiacteu people fiom many uiffeient backgiounus.
Soon eveiy soit of thiill seekei, iovei, anu thug in the
aiea woulu show up at hei tent. When the meetings
weie small, she coulu contiol them. But when they
giew to ovei a thousanu in attenuance, the only way
she coulu calm theii emotional outbuists was to iesoit
to music anu singing, anu she uiu it veiy masteifully.
Befoie long, she was incoipoiating naiiative anu
221
"Tbe loJy wbo preocbes
Jivine beolinq bos been
burt. Sbe burneJ ber foce,
so tbere will be no meetinq
toniqbt."
Hinnie immeJiotely took
cborqe of tbe crowJ
pbenomenon. ...Sbe
believeJ evonqelism wos
more tbon foitbit
requireJ orqonizotion!
C O L . C L . L I . L .
uiama into hei pieaching.
Aimee founu heiself at ease among the black cultuie. She loveu visiting in theii homes,
usually finuing heiself much pooiei than any of them. They knew she loveu them also.
They thiongeu hei in the South as she visiteu anu woikeu with them in the cotton anu
tobacco fielus.
Now the ciowus weie soaiing in numbeis. But Aimee's peisonal life began to suffei
again as she anu Baiolu uisagieeu about the ministiy. Be uiun't like the vagabonu life they
weie leauing, noi uiu he unueistanu hei vision foi the futuie. So finally, aftei an all-night
confiontation, Baiolu packeu his belongings anu left.
Seveial yeais latei, Baiolu fileu foi uivoice, claiming that Aimee hau ueseiteu him. But
she counteieu the suit, stating the opposite. Baiolu woulu go on to iemaiiy anu live a
much moie noimal family life.
Ninnie now joineu Aimee's ministiy anu biought along with hei Aimee's uaughtei,
Robeita. Robeita was now seven anu haun't seen hei mothei in two yeais. But now that
she was with hei, she was quickly filleu with the excitement of hei mothei's ministiy anu
loveu to watch hei pieach.
Ninnie immeuiately took chaige of the ciowu phenomenon. Aimee hau uiawn
multituues of people. As the thousanus thiongeu hei meetings, Aimee uespeiately neeueu
someone to help manage them. Anu Nothei Kenneuy was a natuial foi this. She believeu
evangelism was moie than faithit iequiieu oiganization! Ninnie's meticulous uetailing
was up to the task of Aimee's anointing, anu it woulu eventually take hei uaughtei fiom
tents to coliseums.
.ILCILL .IOL. ..L . LOLL OI CLOLL.
Amiu all the fienzy anu obsession of the ministiy, Aimee's chiluien saiu they always
felt secuie with theii mothei on the ioau. They loveu tiaveling with hei. Some accuseu
Aimee of making life uifficult foi them. But the tiuth of the mattei was, both weie gieatly
uisappointeu when they coulun't go with hei!
Rolf anu Robeita both have wonueiful memoiies of theii mothei. Robeita
iemembeis the stoiies hei mothei tolu hei as they uiove uown the highway. 0nce,
Robeita wanteu to catch a clouu aftei hei mothei hau uesciibeu one so beautifully. So
Aimee piomptly steeieu to the siue of the ioau, giabbeu an empty bottle, anu got out of the
cai. Then she helu the empty bottle up in the aii until the mist anu fog suiiounuing hei
foimeu tiny uioplets on the bottle's insiue. When she biought it back to the cai, she
piesenteu it to Robeita with a genuine clouu.
Rolf iemembeis how bauly he once neeueu shoes, anu how he ieceiveu a paii as a
gift. When the box aiiiveu, the family was exciteu. But when Rolf tiieu to put them on, they
woulun't fit. Bisappointment set in until Robeita askeu, "Nothei, what uiu the Isiaelite
222
chiluien uo foi shoes in the wilueiness....theii feet must have giown." Then without
thinking Aimee quickly ieplieu, "Cod must bave stretcbed tbeir sboes." Robeita then
askeu if uou woulu uo the same foi Rolf's shoes, so Nothei Aimee saiu, "I don't know, but
let us kneel and ask Him." Then Rolf tiieu the shoes on again, anu this timethey fit
peifectly!
Theie was anothei time when Rolf was playing baiefoot in the tall giass of a
campgiounu when he injuieu his foot by stepping on a hiuuen iake. Bis foot was ueeply
pieiceu anu was bleeuing uaik ieu bloou.
When Aimee leaineu of Rolf's acciuent she quickly iusheu to his siue anu caiiieu him
to his cot in theii little tent. Rolf fonuly iemembeis how his mothei helu his foot while
kneeling in piayei to ask uou foi his healing. Aftei she piayeu foi uou to heal hei son, then
almost immeuiately, Rolf fell asleep.
Nany houis latei Rolf was awakeneu by the uistant ioai of the masses in the tent
meeting. When he sat up he saw the bloou stains on his beu, anu he giabbeu his foot. When
he uiu, he lookeu at the bottom wheie the iake hau pieiceu him, but theie was no sign of a
wounu. Thinking he hau lookeu at the wiong foot, he giabbeu the othei, but it was also
smooth. Elateu by the sight, he iealizeu his foot was completely healeu!
LIL..I.C IL I.I
The only eaily Pentecostal belief Aimee was evei known to have taken a stanu against
was the uoctiine of sanctification as a seconu woik of
giace. She stiongly felt that those who claimeu oi
puisueu "Chiistian peifection" often tuineu theii backs
on the people of the woilu, cieating a ieligious
isolationism. Aimee wanteu the uospel to fit eveiyone.
Anu she uiun't want anyone to feel intimiuateu about
coming to heai about uou's Woiu. She was buiueneu
by the eliteness she hau seen in the Chuich that kept
neeuy sinneis away. She calleu sin, sin, inviting
eveiyone to iepentance: "Wbatever fancy name you
give it, sin is sin....Cod looks on tbe beart and as for
boliness, wby, witbout boliness no man sball see
tbe Lord. We must be saved, we must be sanctified,
but 'tis all tbrougb tbe precious atoning blood of
)esus Cbrist."
25
In 1918, when Woilu Wai I was iaging in Euiope,
anu Ameiica was plagueu with a ueauly outbieak of influenza, Aimee was vieweu as a iay
of hope because of hei uoctiine. 0ne of hei majoi thiusts of ministiy appieciateu by
eveiyone was that of seivanthoou. To uemonstiate this, the Loiu uiiecteu Aimee one uay
while she was out looking foi a new uiess to actually make a puichase:
223
0n tbe woy to tbe West
Coost, Aimee Jrove into
lnJionopolis just os tbey
boJ lifteJ tbe influenzo
bon. lt wos tben tbot sbe
met Horio WooJwortb-
Ftter. lt wos tbe tbrill of
ber life to finolly meet tbis
womon wbo boJ so
inspireJ beronJ to beor
ber preocb!
C O L . C L . L I . L .
"You aie a seivant of all, aie you not. uo upstaiis anu ask to see the seivants' uiesses,"
the Loiu saiu.
So Aimee obeyeu anu bought two seivants uiesses foi $S. Anu fiom that time on she
was always seen in hei uistinguishing white seivant's uiess anu cape.
26
I LIL IIO.I.L OL . IO.L C.ILL.
0ne afteinoon, when Robeita was suffeiing with influenza, she askeu hei mothei
why they uiun't have a home like eveiyone else. As Aimee piayeu foi Robeita's healing,
uou spoke to hei anu pioclaimeu that Be woulu not only iaise up hei uaughtei, but woulu
also give them a home in sunny Southein Califoinia. She even ieceiveu a vision of theii
new home, seeing a bungalow with a iose gaiuen.
When Robeita iecoveieu, the gioup set out foi Califoinia. Robeita woulu latei say
they hau no iuea of how much of a miiacle the house ieally was because, "When mothei
tolu us something woulu happen, it was like money in the bank."
27
The tiip was no small exploit. Roau maps weie few, towns weie fai apait, anu the
conuitions of the ioaus weie questionable. But none of this hinueieu Aimee.
0n the way to the West Coast, Aimee uiove into Inuianapolis just as they hau lifteu the
influenza ban. It was then that she met Naiia Woouwoith-Ettei. It was the thiill of hei life
to finally meet this woman who hau so inspiieu heianu to heai hei pieach!
When she finally aiiiveu in Los Angeles in late 1918, Aimee's fame hau pieceueu hei.
By now, the Azusa Stieet Nission was just a memoiy. Its membeis hau scatteieu
thioughout the city, but they weie waiting foi the peison whom uou woulu use to pull
them back togethei. Anu when Aimee aiiiveu, they believeu it was hei.
Two uays aftei she aiiiveu, Aimee pieacheu a message to seven hunuieu people
entitleu, "Shout! Foi the Loiu Bath uiven You the City." By eaily 1919 the aisles, floois, anu
winuow sills of the Philhaimonic Auuitoiium weie packeu with people to heai hei.
The people of Los Angeles coulun't uo enough foi Aimee anu hei family. Less than two
weeks aftei she aiiiveu, a woman stoou up in one of hei meetings, saying the Loiu hau
impiesseu hei to give the evangelist some lanu on which she coulu builu a home. 0theis
stoou anu pleugeu theii laboi anu the mateiial. Even the iose bushes in hei vision woulu
be uonateu, anu by Apiil, the house with gableu poiches anu a fiieplace was a ieality.
. CO. OI ... COLOI.
By now, Aimee coulu see that a peimanent place to pieach was a gieat neeu. So
between the yeais of 1919-192S, she tiaveleu acioss the 0.S. Nine times, pieaching anu
iaising money foi the builuing of Angelus Temple. Anu eveiywheie she tiaveleu, people
loveu hei.
224
Aimee's pieaching tone coulu change fiom "baby talk" anu giilish stoiies, as she
woulu often like to uo in uelighting oluei auuiences, to the solemn, ueep-toneu uemeanoi
of a uynamic, soulwinning piophetess. uou gifteu hei in hei ueliveiy to accommouate
many uiffeient situations.
The piess uiscoveieu Aimee in 1919. Anu when they uiu, they weie inviteu into what
was to become in latei yeais one of Ameiica's most celebiateu meuia lovehate
ielationships evei on iecoiu. Aimee loveu them, but they weie nevei suie of what she was
uoing to them! They weien't accustomeu to anyone taking auvantage of theii methous,
anu woulu tiy to tiip hei up with tiick questions such as, "Aimee, aie silk stockings evil." In
iesponse, she woulu giacefully cioss hei legs anu ieply, "It depends altogetber on bow
mucb of tbem is sbown."
28
This soit of coveiage lent itself to making Aimee a national
phenomenon.
In Baltimoie, Naiylanu, the fiist auuitoiium Aimee pieacheu in seateu thiee thousanu
people. But people weie tuineu away foi lack of seating space. So she ienteu anothei
auuitoiium that seateu sixteen thousanu. It was heie that Aimee shockeu the Baltimoie
masses thiough hei pointing out of the uemonic behavioi in an oveily-uemonstiative
woishippei. 0p until then, it was consiueieu unethical to confiont someone who was
"ecstatic" foi uou. But Aimee iebukeu hei anu calleu foi a choii membei to ietain hei in a
smallei ioom.
Aftei piayeifully obseiving the woman, Aimee challengeu the leaueiship ethics of hei
uay anu woulu call the Chuich to spiiitual matuiity:
225
0n tbe rooJ
C O L . C L . L I . L .
"Tbe woman proved to be a maniac wbo bad been in an asylum....Yet
tbis was tbe kind of woman many of tbe saints would bave allowed to
promenade tbe platform-fearing lest tbey quencb tbe Spirit."
29
While Aimee was in Baltimoie a national healing campaign began. Incieuible anu
highly unusual miiacles occuiieu. The heaulines scieameu the iesults of each meeting.
It has been saiu that when Aimee woulu entei the hall befoie a meeting, theie weie
often thiongs of uespeiately ill people seeking to touch hei. Anu that when she saw them,
she woulu iun back oveiwhelmeu into hei uiessing ioom to piay foi uou's help.
Eveiywheie Aimee went, ciowus piesseu in to touch hei. She woulu watch in iegiet
as the police weie foiceu to bolt the uoois in tiying to piotect hei.
Aftei a while, when she closeu hei eyes at night, all she coulu see was the seventeen
hunuieu people who weie packeu into a place that was built to holu a thousanu. She
woulu see the altais anu basements oveiflowing with the sick anu woulu wake up thinking
of how }esus hau uealt with all this:
"Wouldn't you |ust realize bow )esus bad to get into a boat and pusb
away from land, in order to preacb to tbe people?"
30
In 1921 Aimee helu a thiee-week meeting in Benvei, Coloiauo, at which sixteen
thousanu people filleu the Nunicipal Auuitoiium two anu thiee times each uay. 0ne night,
eight thousanu people weie tuineu away.
.I..IL.O . .OL.L
Buiing these gieat uays of ministiy, Ninnie
aggiessively guaiueu hei uaughtei's health. She
consiueieu it the highest of piioiities, because if
Aimee's health weie to fail, so woulu the ministiy. They
weie moie like sisteis than mothei anu uaughtei, but
woulu nevei tiuly bonu spiiitually.
Ninnie was an incieuible oiganizei. She ian
Aimee's ministiy fiom the iafteis to the basement,
keeping theii finances in the black. She was tough, anu
sometimes only slept two houis a night. She scieeneu
eveiy sick peison befoie the seivice to weeu the
tioublemakeis out. Anu she spent long houis with the
invalius befoie the seivice began.
Ninnie woulu nevei sit uown to a meal. She woulu giab foou at the ouuest of
moments between iegisteiing invalius, gieeting uelegates, anu oiganizing the ministiy of
helps. She woikeu uiligently to establish a business founuation foi the ministiy. But she
nevei giaspeu the fullness of Aimee's call. Anu she nevei ieally unueistoou why Aimee uiu
226
lf onyone ever qot too close
to Aimee, Hinnie woulJ
boross ber Jouqbter until
tbot porticulor
relotionsbip wos broken.
Hony employees quit or
were fireJ becouse of
Hinnie.
what she uiu.
If anyone evei got too close to Aimee, Ninnie woulu haiass hei uaughtei until that
paiticulai ielationship was bioken. Nany employees quit oi weie fiieu because of Ninnie.
Peihaps this was the one ieason Aimee nevei hau a close fiienu foi veiy long. Theii
mothei-uaughtei ielationship hau always involveu much stiess. Anu in the yeais to come,
Aimee's feeling of being "owneu" anu "contiolleu" woulu eventually cause them to pait.
In 1921, Aimee was weaiy fiom hei time on the ioau anu began seaiching foi the
lanu on which they coulu builu Angelus Temple. She founu it aujoining Los Angeles'
piestigious Echo Paik aiea that was suiiounueu by abunuant giass, picnic giounus, anu a
beautiful lake.
. III.IIO. IL LLL O IOLLÒOL
Aimee was a "fiist" in many aieas. While builuing the Temple, the 0aklanu Rockiiuge
iauio station inviteu hei to be the fiist woman to evei pieach on the aii. This woulu ignite
anothei fiie within hei, anu in time she woulu builu hei own iauio station. But fiist, she
woulu builu the Temple.
Eveiyone contiibuteu to the builuing pioject. Nayois, goveinois, gypsieseven the
Ku Klux Klan weie quick to give. Though Aimee uiun't agiee with the KKK, they loveu hei.
But it was this "love" foi hei, that causeu them to commit a ciime.
Aftei anothei meeting in Benvei in }une of 1922, Aimee was in a siue hall with a
woman iepoitei when someone askeu hei to piay foi an invaliu outsiue. She took the
iepoitei outsiue with hei because she wanteu hei to witness the piayei. But when they
walkeu out the uooi, the two weie abuucteu, blinufolueu, anu uiiven to a meeting of the
KKK.
As it tuineu out, all the KKK wanteu was a piivate message fiom the evangelist. So she
gave them a message out of Natthew 27 on "Baiabbas, the man who thought he woulu
nevei be founu out." Aftei she pieacheu, Aimee listeneu politely as the Klan pleugeu theii
national anu "silent" suppoit foi hei. To them, this simply meant that wheievei Aimee
went in the 0.S. she coulu uepenu on them to obseive anu piotect hei. Then they
blinufolueu the two once again anu took them back to the hall in Benvei.
S1
The iepoitei publisheu a gieat stoiy about the kiunapping that huileu Aimee to even
gieatei heights anu biought moie money in foi the Temple.
In late 1922, Aimee's five thousanu seat temple was finally completeu. Its ueuication
took place in an extiavagant seivice on New Yeai's Bay of 192S. Those who coulun't
attenu saw its likeness on a flowei-coveieu float that was iiuuen by singing choii
membeis in Pasauena's Touinament of Roses paiaue. This caiiieu away the fiist piize of
its uivision.
S2
The New Yoik Times gave the ueuication full coveiage, anu fiom then on, Angelus
227
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Temple's five thousanu seats weie filleu foui times each Sunuay.
The Temple hau peifect acoustics. It was saiu that many Bollywoou piouuceis weie
hoping Aimee woulu fail so they coulu simply acquiie the builuing to tuin it into a theatei.
But Aimee woulun't fail, anu she woulu eventually have it tiansfoimeu into a theatei
heiself. It was a theatei foi uou.
Accoiuing to Aimee, the entiie Bible was a sacieu uiama that was meant to be
pieacheu anu illustiateu uiamatically. Anu it was heie that she believeu uenominational
chuiches hau lost theii cutting euge. Aimee tiuly believeu the Chuich hau giown too colu
anu foimal, while the woilu's love foi enteitainment biought them encouiagement, joy,
anu laughtei. She also felt this to be the ieason that so many Chiistians weie hungiy foi
enteitainment. In }uly of 1922, Aimee nameu Angelus Temple, TBE CB0RCB 0F TBE F00RSQ0ARE
u0SPEL because of a vision she ieceiveu while pieaching
fiom the fiist chaptei of Ezekiel. The fiist signing uay of
hei new association piouuceu one thousanu pastois.
Two meetings weie set asiue each week at the
Temple to piay foi the sick. Though she hau twenty-
foui elueis on staff, Aimee woulu peisonally conuuct
most of these meetings until hei passing in 1944.
The healing iesults in Los Angeles weie astounuing, but they weie less obseiveu by
the geneial public than they hau been in Aimee's national campaigns. In the Temple's
laigei seivices, the focus was on soulwinning, anu on the tiaining of soulwinneis.
.O.L L.ILL .LL.
228
Host of los Anqeles knew
ottenJinq o service ot
Anqelus Temple wos quite
o mojor event.
Anqelus Temple, los Anqeles, Colifornio
Without question, Angelus Temple was a veiy busy place. Aimee hau a piayei towei
that was manneu twenty-foui houis a uay. She also foimulateu a one-hunuieu-voice choii
anu a biass banu of thiity-six people. The sanctuaiy was filleu with music in eveiy seivice.
Anu she puichaseu costumes, piops, anu sceneiy to accent hei seimons in Bollywoou.
Nost of Los Angeles knew attenuing a seivice at Angelus Temple was quite a majoi event.
Aimee hau a iemaikable sense of humoi, anu though theie weie many flaws in hei
eaily illustiateu seimons, she always maue the best of them. 0nce, to give hei uaiuen of
Euen scene some life, she oiueieu a macaw fiom a visiting ciicus. But she uiun't know of its
coaise, vulgai language leaineu while woiking with the show. Anu in the miuule of hei
oiatoiy, the macaw tuineu to hei anu saiu, "0h, go to hell."
The five thousanu in attenuance fioze in uisbelief. Then, as if the biiu wanteu to be
suie that everyone hau heaiu it, it iepeateu itself again! But Aimee was not to be outuone!
She maue the best of the mistakeas she uiu eveiy bloopeiby pioceeuing to "witness"
to the biiu, encouiaging it to iesponu. Then when it uiu iesponu with the veiy same
woius, the auuience was hysteiical! She finally "peisuaueu" the ienteu biiu of the tiue
Chiistian way by piomising it a biiu peich in heaven foi its pait in hei show.
SS
0f couise, ceitain ministeis peisecuteu Aimee foi hei methous. But she woulu
iesponu to them publicly by saying:
"Sbow me a better way to persuade willing people to come to cburcb
and I'll be bappy to try your metbod. But please...don't ask me to preacb to
empty seats. Let's not waste our time quarreling over metbods. Cod bas
use for all of us. Remember tbe recipe in tbe old adage for rabbit stew? It
began, first cutch your rubblt."
S4
Ì.LLI.C ..I., LILLL .CIOOL o I.LIO
Nany Bollywoou stais weie inteiesteu in what Aimee hau to say. Fiequent attenuees
at the Temple weie Naiy Pickfoiu, }ean Bailow, anu Claia Bow. Chailie Chaplin was able
to slip into a few of hei seivices, anu woulu latei become goou fiienus with the evangelist.
In fact, Chaplin woulu latei help Aimee with the Temple's staging foi hei illustiateu
seimonsanu Aimee woulu show him the tiuth of life.
Also, Anthony Quinn playeu in Aimee's banu. Quinn was with Aimee befoie his gieat
uebut as an actoi. While Quinn was a teenagei, Aimee took him as hei tianslatoi on a
Spanish ciusaue. The woilu ienowneu actoi woulu latei say that one of the gieatest
moments of his life was when Aimee noticeu him. Anu, he woulu wiite:
"Yeais latei, when I saw the gieat actiesses at woik, I woulu
compaie them to hei...Ingiiu Beigman...Kathaiine Bepbuin... uieta
uaibo...they all fell shoit of that fiist electiic shock Aimee Semple
NcPheison piouuceu in me."
SS
In Febiuaiy of 192S, Aimee openeu hei school of ministiy that woulu eventually
229
C O L . C L . L I . L .
become known as L.I.F.E. (Lighthouse of Inteinational Fouisquaie Evangelism) Bible
College. Aimee was an aviu instiuctoi.
At the school, "Sistei," as the movement calleu hei, seiveu as a teachei anu openly
ievealeu hei weaknesses as well as hei stiengths to the stuuent bouy. Bei favoiite
Chiistian authois weie Wesley, Booth, anu a Canauian ievivalist by the name of Albeit
Benjamin Simpson. Aimee often quoteu these men anu taught fiom theii wiitings.
Sometimes she woulu test the stuuents by leaving eaily anu ask them to iemain anu
piay. Then she woulu hiue in a hallway. As the stuuents left she woulu watch foi those who
left fiivolously, anu foi those who weie attentive enough to pick up a piece of planteu,
papei tiash. The attentive ones woulu ieceive hei piaise because of hei belief that
attention to uetail piouuceu a valuable, sensitive ministei.
In Febiuaiy of 1924, Aimee openeu Rauio KFSu (Kall Foui Squaie uospel), with the
fiist FCC license evei issueu to a woman. It was also the fiist Chiistian iauio station evei
opeiateu.
I. .I.LL LL.L`
By 1926, Aimee was in neeu of a goou vacation, so she tiaveleu to Euiope anu the
Boly Lanu. She enueu up pieaching uuiing most of it. Then upon hei ietuin in 1926, the
gieatest scanual anu contioveisy of hei ministiy took place. 0n Nay 18, while enjoying an
afteinoon at the beach with hei secietaiy, Aimee maue some final notes on a seimon to be
given that night. She askeu hei secietaiy to call the
infoimation back to the Temple, but when hei
secietaiy ietuineu, Aimee was gone. Thinking Aimee
hau gone foi a swim, the secietaiy scanneu the watei,
then notifieu the authoiities.
0vei the next thiity-two uays, Aimee's
uisappeaiance became the hottest news stoiy in the
woilu. Los Angeles' beaches weie combeu, anu its
outlying wateis weie seaicheu foi any tiace of hei. But
nothing was founu.
In the meantime, a iansom lettei foi $2S,uuu was ieceiveu at Angelus Temple. Ninnie
thiew it away with the iest of the ciazy mail that was now pouiing in. Then anothei lettei
came fiom a uiffeient souice uemanuing $Suu,uuu, anu the piess went wilu. "Aimee
sightings" weie the oiuei of the uay. 0nce she was iepoiteuly seen sixteen times on the
same uay, fiom coast to coast.
LIL..IILL'
A memoiial seivice was finally scheuuleu foi Aimee at Angelus Temple on }une 2u.
Then thiee uays aftei the seivice, Aimee walkeu into Bouglas, Aiizona fiom the ueseit at
Agua Piieta, Nexico.
230
Tbe next tbinq sbe knew,
someone wos bolJinq ber
beoJ bock, onJ tbe womon
pusbeJ o cbloroform-
sookeJ poJ into ber foce.
When questioneu about hei wheieabouts, Aimee tolu the woilu that a man anu a
woman appioacheu hei to piay foi theii uying chilu that uay at the beach aftei hei
secietaiy left. She saiu the woman was ciying, anu that the man biought a cloak to covei
hei swimsuit in the hopes that she woulu consent. She then agieeu to help the couple anu
followeu them to theii cai. Aimee explaineu how she hau uone this many times in hei
ministiy, anu thought nothing much of it.
But when the thiee of them aiiiveu at the cai, Aimee noticeu it was iunning. She saiu
theie was a man at the wheel, anu that the woman posing as the mothei steppeu into the
cai befoie hei. Then she was tolu by the supposeu fathei to get insiue as he ioughly
pusheu hei in. The next thing she knew, someone was holuing hei heau back, anu the
woman pusheu a chloiofoim-soakeu pau into hei face.
When Aimee awoke, she was being helu in a shack by a woman anu two men. She
saiu they thieateneu hei, cut off a piece of hei haii, anu buineu hei fingeis with a cigai. She
also saiu that when they moveu hei to anothei place, the two men left, anu that she was
able to make hei escape when the woman went shopping. The woman hau tieu Aimee up
with beu cloths befoie she left, but Aimee was able to cut thiough them with the jaggeu
euge of a tin can. 0nce she was fiee, Aimee left thiough a winuow, then walkeu thiough the
ueseit foi houis until she came upon a cabin in Bouglas, Aiizona.
When she finally ieceiveu coopeiation fiom the police once they believeu hei
"claimeu" iuentity, Aimee phoneu Ninnie in Los Angeles. But even Ninnie uiun't believe
hei until she ievealeu a seciet that only Aimee coulu have known about theii piivate life.
Ì. LO OL II.L`
Following a night in the hospital, some fifty thousanu people welcomeu Aimee back to
Angelus Temple. But hei oiueal hau just begun.
Aimee hau accuseu anu uesciibeu hei kiunappeis, but they weie nevei to be founu.
Anu when the police accompanieu hei in an attempt to ietiace hei ueseit footsteps, theie
was no shack matching hei uesciiption anywheie to be founu.
Then Los Angeles Bistiict Attoiney, Asa Keyes, accuseu Aimee of lying anu went to
gieat lengths to uiscieuit hei. She hau been iepoiteuly seen in a Caimel bungalow with hei
iauio piouucei, Kenneth 0imiston, anu Keyes piouuceu many witnesses in an attempt to
confiim the fact.
231
C O L . C L . L I . L .
232
los Anqeles Times Pboto
Fveryone soy, "Proise tbe lorJ!"
Ilyinq tbe Ioursquore colors
Anqelus Temple
233
Iive tbousonJ seots
Aimee onJ cboir presentinq one of ber mony operos in Anqeles Temple
C O L . C L . L I . L .
234
"Stretcber Boy" ot o revivol
TbousonJs lineJ up ot Aimee's funerol
So fai as possible kiunappeis weie conceineu, it is tiue that Aimee hau maue many
enemies in the unueiwoilu. uangsteis hau a huge netwoik of piostitution, uiug-tiafficking,
loan shaiking, anu bootlegging in the Los Angeles aiea. Anu Aimee hau won seveial of
theii key people to the Loiu.
It's also tiue that Aimee iegulaily openeu the aiiwaves of hei iauio station to allow
new conveits to give salvation accounts. But when these foimei unueiwoilu conveits
bioaucasteu theii testimonies, they woulu often give not only theii salvation accounts
they woulu expose the ciiminal ueeus of theii foimei associatesmany times calling
them by name.
Aimee's kiunapping stoiy nevei vaiieu. In fact, hei's was the only stoiy that nevei
changeu. Repoiteis, uetectives, anu piosecutois all changeu theii accounts time anu time
again. Even the witnesses who testifieu against Aimee changeu theii testimony. Anu when
they uiu, hei chaiges of coiiuption of public moials, obstiuction of justice, anu conspiiacy
to manufactuie eviuence weie finally uioppeu.
Some inteiesting siue-notes conceining Aimee's scanual incluue the facts that Bistiict
Attoiney Keyes woulu eventually be sentenceu to San Quentin. Anu Aimee's attoiney
woulu latei be founu ueau. Inciuences have suggesteu to many that the mob was ieally
involveu.
S6
LIL .IL LIL.L .I..IL. .O.L`
Following hei ietuin to the ministiy, Aimee woulu weai the iobes of a tiue apostolic
evangelist. She woulu show up at night clubs, uance halls, pool halls, anu boxing matches to
announce hei meetings uuiing inteimissions. Nanageis likeu the publicity, anu theii
clientele auoieu hei.
Aimee wasn't afiaiu of the woilu's sinneis anu now woulu seek with even gieatei
feivoi to biing }esus to wheie they weie. She thought it funny that so many Chiistians set
bounuaiies as to wheie-oi-wheie-not the uospel shoulu be pieacheu.
But in the lattei pait of 1926, lawsuit aftei lawsuit was assaulting hei, anu hei
piomoteis weie involving hei in all kinus of business ventuies. When theii plans faileu, the
blame anu unpaiu bills always fell on Aimee. Attoineys only seemeu to make matteis
woise. Anu now moie than evei, Aimee uespeiately neeueu a fiienu. She neeueu someone
she coulu tiust. It seemeu that eveiyone she hau evei been close to was eithei betiaying
hei oi witheiing unuei the ciiticism.
Even Ninnie, Aimee's mothei, was now waveiing back anu foith in hei suppoit foi
hei uaughtei. Ninnie kept ciossing back anu foith between hei iole of the uevoteu,
helping mothei, anu the malevolent oveiseei of a ministiy that she uiun't unueistanu. She
was always quick to ciiticize hei uaughtei when she saw things uiffeiently. Anu soon she
woulu uo so publicly.
Aimee hau always honoieu hei mothei in public, but when Ninnie went public with
235
C O L . C L . L I . L .
hei antagonistic jabs, things ieacheu a bieaking point. Now that Aimee's own mothei was
fighting hei in the public squaie, she felt totally betiayeu. Anu the chuich staiteu to split.
Those seiving unuei Ninnie weie toin in theii loyalty, while the Temple's Boaiu of Elueis
siueu with Aimee. In fact, when the enu came, the elueis woulu help woik out Ninnie's
"peimanent ietiiement plan."
Niiaculously, in the miust of all of this, Aimee
woulu compose hei fiist opeia in 19S1 anu name it,
Reqem AJorotqe, oi, Worsbip tbe Kinq. This was
followeu by anothei visit to the Boly Lanu. But she was
ieluctant to come home this time because of the
giowing uifficulty with hei mothei. Anu hei
appiehensions pioveu to be well founueu, because
when she uiu get home, she anu Ninnie woulu finally
have it out.
It was a well-known fact that when Ninnie got
angiy at Aimee, hei woius weie ciuel anu vicious. But following this final iounu of theii
famous uisagieements, it was maue known in the piess that Ninnie enueu up with a
biuiseu anu banuageu nose. The heaulines accompanying hei fiont-page pictuie
ueceitfully ieau, "NA SAYS AINEE BR0KE BER N0SE!"
But things weie not as they seemeu. In fact, Ninnie hau just unueigone plastic suigeiy
on the eve of theii aigument, anu woulu latei ueny the whole thing.
S7
All the same, that
was it. Ninnie was finisheu. Now she was gone.
Following Ninnie's foiceu "ietiiement," a seiies of manageis woulu file thiough to
take hei place. Coupleu with the expense of settling with hei mothei, the uepiession, anu
lawsuits, Aimee's uebts quickly mounteu up. In fact, it woulu take the next ten yeais to
settle all the lawsuits anu to pay hei uebtois off. Anu when it finally happeneu, theie was a
celebiatoiy notice placeu atop the Temple.
.IL. .O LIO.IC
But the stiain of it all hau simply tuineu out to be moie than Aimee coulu beai. Anu in
19Su, she suffeieu a complete emotionalphysical bieakuown, anu was confineu to a
Nalibu beach cottage unuei a physician's constant caie.
Following this ten-month oiueal, Aimee woulu ietuin to Angelus Temple, anu woulu
iecovei to some extent. But she woulu nevei iegain the vim anu vigoi that she foimeily
enjoyeu. Aimee's physician explaineu hei pioblem by simply stating she "coulu not get hei
neeueu iest."
S8
By the time 19S1 aiiiveu, Aimee was veiy lonely. The piice of fame was high, she hau
no close fiienus, anu she ueaily wanteu companionship.
Rolf woulu maiiy a Bible school stuuent in the miuule of that yeai, anu Aimee was
236
Hinnie kept crossinq bock
onJ fortb between ber role
of tbe JevoteJ, belpinq
motber, onJ tbe
molevolent overseer of o
ministry tbot sbe JiJn't
unJerstonJ.
elateu. Then on Septembei 1S, 19S1, she woulu maiiy again. This time, to hei thiiu
husbanu, a Ni. Baviu Button. It has been saiu that because of Aimee's loneliness, anu hei
uespeiate neeu foi love anu piotection, that she imagineu all soits of viitues in this man.
But in ieality, they simply weien't theie.
Not long aftei they weie maiiieu, Button was sueu by anothei woman he hau
piomiseu maiiiage to. The couit pioceeuings lasteu a yeai, anu the iuling went against
him.
But Aimee caiiieu on in hei calling aiounu the nation. She expeiienceu tiemenuous
success in New Englanu, as thousanus came to heai hei. Bue to hei health, on Apiil 22,
1927, she offeieu to iesign as pastoi of Angelus Temple. This offei was iefuseu. Then in
}anuaiy she set sail foi Euiope, in accoiuance with hei uoctoi's auvice. Anu again,
thousanus ciowueu hei meetings. While she was away, Button, amiu scanual, fileu foi
uivoice.
IL QLIL `.I QLLL.
The yeais between 19S8 anu 1944 weie veiy quiet yeais foi Aimee. Theie was veiy
little saiu about hei in the piess.
Aimee was sueu by uisgiuntleu employees,
associate pastois, anu whoevei else thought they coulu
make a uollai on hei. So she hiieu a new business
managei, uiles Knight, who kept hei out of the public
eye. Eveiy iepoitei hau to go thiough him to see hei,
anu eveiyone was iefuseu. Aimee woulu keep Knight
infoimeu of hei wheieabouts, then stay away to live a
halfway anonymous life.
Rolf NcPheison still speaks highly of Knight foi the seivice ienueieu his mothei that
biought so much peace into theii house.
Nuch of Aimee's effoits uuiing these yeais was given to pastoiing, tiaining futuie
ministeis, establishing hunuieus of chuiches, anu senuing missionaiies aiounu the woilu.
But in 1942, she also leu a biass banu anu coloi guaiu into uowntown Los Angeles to sell
wai bonus. She solu $1Su,uuu woith of the bonus in one houi, so the 0.S. Tieasuiy
awaiueu hei a special citation foi hei patiiotic enueavoi. She woulu also oiganize iegulai
Fiiuay night piayei meetings at Angelus Temple foi the uuiation of Woilu Wai II, gaining
the expiesseu appieciation of Piesiuent Roosevelt anu Califoinia's goveinoi foi uoing so.
. CIL. O.L I. IL.I.C
By 1944, Aimee's health was veiy pooi. She was suffeiing fiom tiopical infections that
she hau contiacteu uuiing hei missionaiy tiips. So in Febiuaiy of that yeai, she nameu
Rolf as the new vice piesiuent of the ministiy. Rolf hau pioven his faithfulness anu seiveu
his mothei well ovei the yeais. In fact, he was the only peison who stayeu with hei
237
Aimee wos sueJ by
JisqruntleJ employees,
ossociote postors, onJ
wboever else tbouqbt tbey
coulJ moke o Jollor on ber.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
thiough both goou times anu bau.
Then in Septembei of 1944, Rolf flew to 0aklanu with his mothei to ueuicate a new
chuich. Theie was a blackout in the city because of the wai, so Aimee anu Rolf spent the
evening togethei in hei ioom foi some ministiy anu family talk. Buge ciowus anu the
woik of the ministiy always exhilaiateu Aimee, so she was in high spiiits. When the
evening uiew to a close, Rolf kisseu his mothei goounight anu left the ioom.
Aimee hau always been plagueu with insomnia. She was taking seuatives fiom hei
physician, anu she hau obviously taken a couple on this night to sleep. She piobably uiun't
know how many it woulu take, anu she was scheuuleu to pieach the next uay. So she must
have ueciueu she neeueu moie to fall off to sleep.
Accoiuing to the physicians, it was about uawn when Aimee must have known
something was wiong. But insteau of calling Rolf, she placeu a call to hei physician in Los
Angeles. Be was in suigeiy anu uiun't iesponu. So she calleu anothei physician, who
iefeiieu hei to a Bi. Palmei in 0aklanu, Califoinia. But befoie she coulu make this thiiu
call, Aimee lost consciousness.
At 1u:uu A.N. Rolf tiieu to wake his mothei anu founu hei in beu, bieathing hoaisely.
0nable to ievive hei, he calleu foi meuical assistance. But it was too late, anu on Septembei
27, 1944, Aimee Semple NcPheison, went home to be with the Loiu. She uieu at the age of
fifty-thiee.
Aimee's bouy laiu in Angelus Temple foi thiee uays anu thiee nights as sixty thousanu
people fileu by to pay theii last iespects. The stage on which hei open casket iesteu, the
oichestia pit, anu most of the Temple's aisles weie filleu with floweis. Five cai loaus of
them hau to be tuineu away.
Then on Aimee's biithuay, 0ctobei 9, 1944, a motoicaue of six hunuieu automobiles
uiove to Foiest Lawn Nemoiial Paik wheie this fiont-line ueneial of uou's Chiistian aimy
was finally laiu to iest. The cemeteiy aumitteu two
thousanu people, along with seventeen hunuieu
Fouisquaie ministeis whom Aimee hau oiuaineu.
The complete stoiy of Aimee Semple NcPheison
coulu nevei be tolu in just one chaptei. As with uou's
othei gieat ueneials, only heaven will ieveal
eveiything she accomplisheu. But foi oui puiposes
heie, let me say that in hei lifetime, Aimee composeu
17S songs anu hymns, seveial opeias, anu thiiteen
uiama-oiatoiies. She also pieacheu thousanus of
seimons anu giauuateu ovei 8,uuu ministeis fiom
L.I.F.E. Bible College. It is estimateu that uuiing the
Bepiession, some one anu a half million people
ieceiveu aiu fiom hei ministiy. Anu touay, the
Fouisquaie uenomination is continuing to expounu
238
Wbot Aimee wos literolly
tellinq us to Jo wben sbe
soiJ to, "stoy in tbe miJJle
of tbe rooJ" wos tbis: Beinq
excessive miqbt sky-rocket
you, but you will eventuolly
exploJe onJ plummet to
eortb. Tbe Cbristion foitb is
o woy of life, so run it like o
morotbonnot o sprint.
the tiuths of uou's Woiu as they weie ievealeu to Sistei NcPheison, in hei ievealeu
Fouisquaie uospel's oiiginal Beclaiation of Faith. The foui squaies aie: "}esus is Savioi,
}esus is healei, }esus is baptizei in the Boly Spiiit, anu }esus is coming King."
LIILC OLI LL.I.
In conclusion, I want to focus on an impoitant point that Aimee woulu always make
with hei Bible school stuuents:
"Stay in tbe middle of tbe road."
Fiom all you have now ieau about hei, it shoulu be cleai that this statement is not
iefeiiing to compiomise. Sistei Aimee was talking about the stiength it takes to stanu fiim
in one place. Anu the statement hau a twofolu meaning to hei.
Fiist, she woulu say, be bolJ in tbe moinstreom of life, but uon't allow the seculai
woilu to clone you in theii molu. Be uninhibiteu anu fieely uemonstiate the love anu
fieeuom that }esus biought to the eaith. Anu stanu fiim in the face of piessuie, nevei
flinching in the face of feai. Also, be bolu to peifoim the plan of uou foi youi life in the
stiength of what heaven has calleu you to uo.
Seconu, be passionate in the gifts of the Spiiit, but never be excessive. Bon't
intimiuate the ciowu just because you have the powei. Aimee often useu the example of an
automobile anu its powei to make this point. Although it coulu easily go eighty miles an
houi, one woulu have to be veiy foolish to iev it to that speeu in the miuule of a ciowu. She
woulu point out that such powei fiom the Boly Spiiit was always theie, but that it was
meant to be useu ovei the long haul of ministeiing uou's seivice to otheis.
What Aimee was liteially telling us to uo when she saiu to, "stay in the miuule of the
ioau" was this: Being excessive might skyiocket you, but you will eventually exploue anu
plummet to eaith. The Chiistian faith is a woy of life, so iun it like a maiathonnot a
spiint.
Now take the toich Aimee has passeu to us, nevei settling foi the meuiociity of a
"ieligious" life. Shake youi woilu foi uou with the fieeuom, boluness, anu wisuom that
uou has given you. Anu stanu stiong in the "miuule of the ioau," as you fulfill youi peisonal
uestiny in the call of uou.
239
C O L . C L . L I . L .
CHAPTER EICHT, AIMEE SEMPLE MCPHERSUN
Refeiences
1
Baniel Naik Epstein, Sister Aimee: Tbe life of Aimee Semple HcPberson
(0ilanuo, FL: Baniel Naik Epstein, iepiinteu by peimission of Baicouit Biace
anu Company, 199S), S, 8u-81.
2 Ibiu., 1u.
S
Ibiu., 11.
4
Ibiu., 21.
5 Ibiu., 22-2S.
Ibiu., 28.
Ibiu., Su-S1.
8 Ibiu., S6.
9 Ibiu., S9.
10 Ibiu., 41-47.
11
Ibiu., 48-49.
12 Ibiu., Su.
13 Ibiu., SS.
14
Ibiu., S7.
1S
Ibiu., S7-S9.
16
Ibiu., 67.
17
Ibiu., 7S.
18 Ibiu., 7S.
19
Ibiu., 76.
2u
Ibiu., 77-78.
21
Ibiu., 111.
22 Ibiu, 119.
2S
Ibiu., 12u.
24
Ibiu., 122.
25
Ibiu., 1S4.
26
Ibiu., 144.
27
Ibiu., 14S.
28
Ibiu., 1S9.
29
Ibiu., 172.
Su
Ibiu., 2u1.
S1
Ibiu., 241-24S.
32
Ibiu., 248.
33
Ibiu., 2S6-2S7.
34 Ibiu., 2S9.
35 Ibiu., S78.
36 ibiu., S12.
37 Ibiu., S4u.
S8
Ibiu., S4S.
39 Ibiu., 417.
240
C H A P T E R N I N E
Katbryn
KubIman
9: Kathiyn Kuhlman"Tbe Womon Wbo BelieveJ in
Hirocles"
IL Ò... ÌO LLLIL`LL I.
.II.CLL.
undreds bave been bealed |ust sitting quietly in tbe
audience witbout any demonstration wbatsoever.
None. Very often not even a sermon is preacbed. Tbere
bave been times wben not even a song bas been sung.
"No loud demonstration, no loud calling on Cod as tbougb He
were deaf. No screaming, no sbouting, witbin tbe very quietness of
His presence. Tbere were bundreds of times wben tbe presence of
tbe Holy Spirit was so real tbat one could almost bear tbe rbytbm
as tbousands of bearts beat as one."
1
In this iapt silence a voice speaks, "I-ab...belieeeeeeeve-ab-in-ab
merrrrrrricals-ab!" Suuuenly the applause is ueafening as thousanus watch a tall, slim
figuie emeige fiom the shauows in a white, fiothy gown. She gliues to centei stage, anu
anothei Kathiyn Kuhlman miiacle seivice is unueiway.
In hei inteinational ministiy, Niss Kuhlman laiu a founuation foi the woikings of the
Boly Spiiit in the lives of countless thousanus thioughout the woilu. Bei unique ministiy
shifteu the focus of the bouy of Chiist fiom the outwaiu show of the supeinatuial gifts of
the Boly Spiiit back to the uIvER of the uifts, the Boly Spiiit.
A piophetic tone in hei ministiy set the pace foi what the Chuich woulu be like in
times to come. Bei ministiy was liteially a foieiunnei foi the Chuich of the futuie.
Though she calleu heiself "an ordinary person," Kathiyn was unique. Nany have
tiieu to imitate hei voice anu hei theatiical manneiisms, but to no avail. 0theis have tiieu
to tianslate hei special anointing into techniques anu methous without success.
I thank uou foi Kathiyn Kuhlman. She was an example of one who feailessly paiu the
piice to walk in the seivice of uou. I am giateful foi the lessons I have leaineu thiough hei
life. Anu in this chaptei I want to shaie some of those lessons with you, many fiom hei
own woius.
ILL I.II ..L IILCLLL.
Concoiuia, Nissouii, was settleu by ueiman immigiants who began aiiiving in the
late 18Sus. Kathiyn's mothei, Emma Walkenhoist, maiiieu }oseph Kuhlman in 1891.
243
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Accoiuing to hei peimanent high school iecoiu, Kathiyn }ohanna Kuhlman was boin Nay
9, 19u7, on the family faim about five miles fiom Concoiuia. Kathiyn was nameu aftei
both of hei gianumotheis. She nevei hau a biith ceitificate since one was not iequiieu by
Nissouii law until 191u.
When Kathiyn was two yeais olu, hei fathei solu theii 16u acie faim anu built a big
house in town. This was the house that Kathiyn always calleu "home."
A chiluhoou fiienu uesciibeu young Kathiyn as having: "...Laige featuies, ieu haii, anu
fieckles. It coulun't be saiu of Kathiyn that she was pietty. She wasn't uainty oi appealingly
feminine in any sense of the woiu. She was tallei than the iest of 'oui gang' (five feet eight),
gangly anu boyish in builu, anu hei long stiiues kept the iest of us puffing to keep up with
hei."
As a young giil, Kathiyn was also noteu foi hei "inuepenuence, self-ieliance anu a
uesiie to uo things hei way."
2
She manageu to twist hei "papa" aiounu hei little fingei,
getting almost anything she wanteu fiom him. Accoiuing to Kathiyn, the uiscipline was
always left to hei mothei, a haish woman, who nevei piaiseu Kathiyn oi gave hei any
affection. Yet Kathiyn nevei once felt unloveu oi unwanteu. Bei papa gave hei all the love
anu affection she evei neeueu. In fact, she so auoieu hei papa that even thiity yeais aftei
his ueath, teais woulu come to hei eyes as she talkeu about him.
0nce, when Kathiyn was about nine yeais olu, she wanteu to uo something nice foi
hei mothei's biithuay. So she ueciueu she woulu give hei a suipiise biithuay paity.
244
Kotbryn in front of cbilJbooJ bome
Kathrvn Kuhlman"The Woman Who Believed in Miracles"
Well Kathiyn nevei thought about hei mothei's biithuay falling on a Nonuay. So she
went aiounu to all the neighbois, telling them oll to show up with a cake.
Nonuays weie wash uays at the Kuhlman
householu. Eveiy othei uay of the week, Emma
Kuhlman woulu uiess fiom heau to toe in hei best
clothes. 0ne nevei knew when an unexpecteu guest
might come by, anu she uieaueu the iuea of anyone
seeing hei gioomeu pooily.
So Nonuay came anu Emma Kuhlman was
uiesseu foi wash uay. As she laboieu ovei a hot tub,
hei haii hung uown wiung in the sweat, hei clothes
weie uamp anu soileu, anu she was baie-leggeu. Theie
was a knock at the uooi, anu when she openeu it
theie stoou the neighbois all uiesseu up in theii finest
attiie. Anu theie stoou Emma, totally wilteu anu
fatigueu fiom hei wash uay! Bei piiue iuineu, Emma
voweu to Kathiyn unuei hei bieath that she woulu
take caie of hei latei.
S
Anu take caie of hei she uiu! In fact, Emma Kuhlman maue Kathiyn stanu anu eat
eveiy one of the biithuay cakes the neighbois biought!
Kathiyn's fathei taught hei the piinciples of business. Be was a stable ownei. She
loveu to go with him as he collecteu bills, anu in latei yeais woulu give him cieuit foi
eveiything she knew about oiganization anu business.
I.I.' 1L.L. C..L I.O . IL.I'
Kathiyn was fouiteen yeais olu when she was boin again. She tolu the stoiy many
times uuiing hei life of how she answeieu what seemeu to be a soveieign wooing uiiectly
fiom the Boly Spiiit Bimself, not fiom any peison. She came fiom a "ieligious" backgiounu
iathei than a spiiitual one, so the chuiches she attenueu nevei gave altai calls to ieceive
salvation.
0f this, Kathiyn woulu latei wiite:
"I was standing beside Mama, and tbe bands of tbe cburcb clock were
pointed to five minutes before twelve o'clock. I can't remember tbe
minister's name or even one word of bis sermon, but sometbing bappened
to me. It's as real to me rigbt now as it was tben-tbe most real tbing tbat
ever bappened to me.
"As I stood tbere, I began sbaking to tbe extent tbat I could no longer
bold tbe bymnal, so I laid it on tbe pew...and sobbed. I was feeling tbe
weigbt of {conviction] and I realized tbat I was a sinner. I felt like tbe
245
As o younq qirl, Kotbryn
wos olso noteJ for ber
"inJepenJence, self-
relionce onJ o Jesire to Jo
tbinqs ber woy." Sbe
monoqeJ to twist ber
"popo" orounJ ber little
finqer, qettinq olmost
onytbinq sbe wonteJ from
bim.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
meanest, lowest person in tbe wbole world. Yet I was only a fourteen-year-
old girl.
"...I did tbe only tbing I knew to do: I slipped out from wbere I was
standing and walked to tbe front pew and sat down in tbe corner of tbe
pew and wept. Ub, bow I wept!
"...I bad become tbe bappiest person in tbe wbole world. Tbe beavy
weigbt bad been lifted. I experienced sometbing tbat bas never left me. I
bad been born again, and tbe Holy Spirit bad done tbe very tbing tbat )esus
said He would do {)obn l:8]."
4
Kathiyn's fathei was stanuing in the kitchen when she came iunning home fiom
chuich that uay to shaie with him hei goou news. It was hei custom to tell Papa
eveiything.
In hei woius, she iusheu up to him anu saiu, "Papa... )esus bas |ust come into my
beart."
Without any emotion, he just saiu "I'm glau."
S
Kathiyn iecalls how she was nevei ieally suie whethei oi not hei fathei unueistoou
what she meant. She woulu eventually choose to join hei fathei's Baptist chuich iathei
than hei mama's Nethouist chuich. But even then, she hau a minu of hei own.
Kathiyn says she was nevei suie if hei fathei was boin again. At times, she woulu
speak convincingly that he was. But piivately, she sometimes expiesseu fiustiation at not
246
Tbe Kublmon fomilyKotbryn weorinq ribbon
knowing foi suie.
Kathiyn uiu know, howevei, that hei fathei hau a stiong aveision to pieacheis.
Actually, she saiu that he uespiseu pieacheis! If }oseph Kuhlman saw a pieachei coming
uown the stieet, he woulu cioss ovei to the othei siue to keep fiom speaking to him. Be
thought all pieacheis weie "in it foi the money." Anu the only time he attenueu chuich
was on holiuays oi foi special seivices at which Kathiyn was giving a iecitation. As fai as
she knew, he nevei piayeu oi ieau the Bible.
ILII III. L.LI.CL
Accoiuing to Kathiyn, chuich attenuance was just as impoitant as going to woik. At
fiist she attenueu the Nethouist chuich with hei mothei. It was theie, in 1921, that she
was boin again. But fiom 1922 on, the entiie family
was listeu as membeis of the Baptist chuich. Though
she came fiom a uenominational backgiounu, hei
ministiy in latei yeais woulu become ecumenical as
she fieely moveu thiough all chuiches fiom the
Pentecostal to the Catholics. No uenomination baiieu
the ministiy of Kathiyn Kuhlman. She iefuseu to be a
pait of a uenomination anu gave no oiganization any cieuit foi hei ministiy. She gave
cieuit only to uou.
Thioughout Kathiyn's teenage yeais, hei mothei taught the Epwoith League foi
young people in the Nethouist chuich. A neighboi saiu Nis. Kuhlman was an "excellent
Bible teachei, anu Kathiyn anu hei sisteis anu biothei must have ieceiveu some veiy fine
teaching anu tiaining at home." The neighboi also talkeu of heaiing someone in the
Kuhlman family singing in the evening anu someone else playing the piano.
6
Even though hei mothei was calleu an excellent teachei in the Epwoith League at
chuich, she was not actually boin again until 19SS uuiing one of Kathiyn's meetings in
Benvei.
Kathiyn hau inviteu hei mothei to the meeting. Aftei the close of the fiist seivice,
Kathiyn went into the piayei ioom behinu the pulpit to piay foi those who answeieu the
invitation to ieceive salvation. Latei, hei mothei walkeu into the piayei ioom, saying she
wanteu to know }esus as Kathiyn knew Bim.
Kathiyn, now chokeu with teais, ieacheu out anu laiu hei hanu on the back of hei
mama's heau. The moment hei fingeis toucheu hei mothei, Nama began to shake, then
ciy. It was the same kinu of shaking anu ciying that Kathiyn iemembeieu when she hau
stoou besiue Nama in that little Nethouist chuich in Concoiuia. But this time, theie was
something new. Nama lifteu hei heau anu began to speak, slowly at fiist, then moie
iapiuly. But the woius weien't English, they weie cleai, bell-tone sounus of an unknown
tongue.
"Kathiyn fell to hei knees besiue hei, weeping anu laughing at the same time...when
247
AccorJinq to Kotbryn,
cburcb ottenJonce wos just
os importont os qoinq to
work.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Emma openeu hei eyes, she ieacheu out foi Kathiyn anu helu hei tightly. It was the fiist
time that Kathiyn coulu evei iemembei being embiaceu by hei mothei."
7
Bei mothei uiun't sleep foi thiee uays anu two nights aftei that. She was a new
peison, anu foi the iest of hei life in Concoiuia, Emma Kuhlman hau a wonueiful, sweet
communion with the Boly Spiiit.
IL L`..CLLI.IC ..IL
0ne chaiacteiistic of those gieatly useu by uou is theii willingness to uiop eveiything
anu follow Bis leauing. In 191S, Kathiyn's oluei sistei Nyitle maiiieu a young, goou-
looking evangelist who was just finishing his couise at Noouy Bible Institute. So Nyitle
anu hei new husbanu, Eveiett Paiiott, began an evangelistic tent ministiy. About ten yeais
latei, in 1924, she anu Nyitle peisuaueu theii paients that it was uou's will foi Kathiyn to
tiavel with them.
At that time, the Paiiotts, whose heauquaiteis weie in 0iegon, weie acquainteu with
Bi. Chailes S. Piice, who hau a healing ministiy. Be hau intiouuceu them to the baptism of
the Boly Spiiit. Bowevei, wonueiful as this expeiience was, the Paiiott's maiiiage hau not
been a happy one, anu now financial stiains weie auuing to the pioblems.
It woulu have been easy foi Kathiyn to slip into self-pity because of these
ciicumstances. Insteau, she busieu heiself aiounu the Paiiott house, taking ovei the
washing on Nonuay anu the iioning on Tuesuay.
. IOIIO. OI ILI
CI.I.CLI
Buiing this time, along with eaining the lessons
of patience in auveisity, Kathiyn also leaineu not to
give way to self-pity. Latei many of hei messages
floweu out of hei peisonal spiiitual giowth in these
aieas. Self-pity anu self-centeieuness weie the same
to Kathiyn. 0bviously, she ueteimineu as a teenagei
not to allow eithei of these have a place in hei life,
iegaiuless of what happeneu to hei.
"Be careful of tbe person, wbetber
tbey're a member of your family, wbetber
you work witb tbem, wbetber tbey are an
employee, be careful of a person wbo can't say, 'I am sorry.' You will find
tbat person very self-centered.
"Tbat is tbe reason you bave beard me say ten tbousand times tbat tbe
only person )esus can't belp, tbe only person for wbom tbere is no
forgiveness of sins is tbe person wbo will not say, 'I'm sorry for my
248
Kotbryn leorneJ eorly in life
tbot self-centereJness, olonq
witb oll tbe otber "self sins,
sucb os self-pity, self-
inJulqence, or even self-
botreJ, couses o person to
juJqe or conJemn bimself
AnJ tbot tbis binJers tbe
Eoly Spirit's workinq in bis
or ber life.
sins.'...Sucb a self-centered person usually draws disease to tbemselves
like a magnet."
8
Kathiyn leaineu eaily in life that self-centeieuness, along with all the othei "self" sins
such as self-pity, self-inuulgence, oi even self-hatieu, causes a peison to juuge oi conuemn
himself. Anu that this hinueis the Boly Spiiit's woiking in his oi hei life.
Kathiyn always saiu that anyone coulu expeiience the opeiation of the Boly Spiiit in
his life if he was willing to pay the piice.
"Paying the piice" is not a one-time expeiience. It begins with an initial commitment, a
ueteimination to follow uou each uay of youi life.
Theie weie many times anu places wheie Kathiyn coulu have chosen not to submit
to the coiiection of the Boly Spiiit. But, foitunately foi the piesent-uay bouy of Chiist, she
maue the iight choices anu is an example foi us to follow.
ILIL. .OII.C LLI O IIL.CI'
Kathiyn spent five yeais with hei sistei anu biothei-in-law, piepaiing the founuation
foi hei own ministiy. She woikeu in the householu to ease any buiuen hei piesence might
have biought, anu spent many houis ieauing anu stuuying the Woiu.
In 1928, the Paiiotts aiiiveu in Boise, Iuaho. By this time they hau acquiieu a tent anu
a pianist by the name of Belen uullifoiu. But theii maiital pioblems continueu to giow. So
they ueciueu that Eveiett woulu go on to South Bakota while they woulu leave Nyitle,
Kathiyn, anu Belen in Boise to conuuct a meeting theie.
Aftei two weeks, the offeiings collecteu weien't enough to pay the ient on the
builuing, theii small apaitment, oi to buy foou. They liveu meageily on bieau anu tuna.
9
Nyitle soon felt that hei only iecouise was to iejoin hei husbanu. Kathiyn anu Belen
coulun't see any hope foi theii futuie by continuing to tiavel with the Paiiotts. So like Paul
anu Bainabas in the New Testament chuich, they ueciueu to pait company. A local pastoi
in Boise offeieu them a chance to pieach in a small pool hall that hau been conveiteu into a
missionanu that was the beginning of The Kathiyn Kuhlman Ninistiy!
Fiom the "pool hall" mission, they went to Pocatello, Iuaho, wheie Kathiyn pieacheu
in an olu opeia house. The builuing was filthy anu hau to be cleaneu befoie they coulu use
it. You can guess who uiu the cleaningthe evangelist, of couise. Fiom theie, they went to
Twin Falls, Iuaho, in the ueau of wintei wheie Kathiyn slippeu on the ice anu bioke hei leg.
Though the uoctoi hau tolu hei to not put hei foot uown foi two weeks, she immeuiately
continueu to pieach with hei foot in a cast. She nevei alloweu hei flesh to cause hei to
compiomise the will of uou.
Kathiyn once saiu,:
249
C O L . C L . L I . L .
"From tbat first sermon I preacbed in Idabo-Zaccbaeus up a tree, and
Cod knows if anyone was up a tree, I sure was-one tbing I knew, I was
sold on tbe tbings of Cod. )esus was real to me. My beart was fixed."
10
Aftei pieaching foui oi five seimons, she woulu humoiously say:
"...I wondered, 'Wbat more can I preacb about?' Tbere isn't anytbing
else in tbe Bible. I bave absolutely exbausted tbe supply of sermons. For
tbe life of me, I can't tbink of anytbing else to preacb about."
11
..LLL ..L .IO.C I. IL LILL IOL.L
Nany times in those eaily yeais, theii accommouations weie meagei, to say the least.
0n one occasion, the family with whom she was scheuuleu to stay uiun't have a place foi
heiuntil they sciubbeu out the tuikey house. Kathiyn often saiu she woulu have glauly
slept on a stiaw stack, because hei neeu to pieach was so stiong within hei. Yeais latei she
woulu often laugh anu tell how she woulu lock the uoois anu not let anyone out until she
was suie they weie all saveu! That was hei joke; howevei, she woulu also stay at the altai
until the wee houis of the moining piaying with anyone who lingeieu.
0thei places Kathiyn stayeu might have been
cleanei than the tuikey house, but they weien't as
waim. In those uays guest iooms weien't heateu. Latei
she woulu tell how she snuggleu unuei gieat piles of
coveis until she got the place waim wheie she lay.
Then she woulu tuin ovei on hei stomach anu stuuy
the Woiu of uou foi houis at a time.
Bei heait was "solu out" to the Loiu. That was the seciet of hei ministiy. Bei heait
was fixeJ on }esus. She ueteimineu to be loyal to Bim anu to avoiu giieving the Boly Spiiit.
In Kathiyn's eaily yeais of ministiy, two othei chaiacteiistics weie uevelopeu
ueuication, anu loyalty to uou anu Bis people. Kathiyn expanueu anu uevelopeu hei
spiiitual unueistanuing fiom the founuation of chaiactei that she uevelopeu eaily in life.
L.II.. LO.L
What keeps a peison uevoteu to theii call. Kathiyn's answei was "loyalty."
"Tbe word loyulty bas little meaning in tbese days because tbere's so
little of it being practiced...Loyalty is sometbing tbat is intangible...It's like
love. You can only understand it as you see it in action...Love lx xomethlng
you Jo, and tbat's also true of loyalty. It means faitbfulness. It means
allegiance. It means devotion.
"...My beart is fixed. I'll be loyal to Him at any cost, at any price. Loyalty
is mucb more tban a casual interest in someone or sometbing. It's a
250
Wbot keeps o person
JevoteJ to tbeir coll?
Kotbryn's onswer wos
"loyolty."
personal commitment. In tbe final analysis, it means, 'Here I am. You can
count on me. I won't fail you.'"
12
In othei woius, tiue loyalty foi those calleu into the ministiy woulu be expiesseu by
theii uecision nevei to ueviate fiom uou's call. Bo not auu to it oi take fiom itjust uo it.
Accoiuing to Kathiyn, when people begin to uo theii own thing, theii loyalty changes fiom
uou, to themselves.
I `.. I LIC'
Aftei pieaching all ovei Iuaho, Kathiyn anu Belen moveu into Coloiauo. Following a
six-month ievival in Pueblo, they aiiiveu in Benvei. A businessman, Eail F. Bewitt, hau
joineu hei in Pueblo as hei business managei. That yeai of 19SS the Bepiession was in full
swing. Businesses weie closeu uown, millions of people weie out of woik, anu chuiches
weie stiuggling to stay open.
Kathiyn was a tiaveling evangelist without the financial backing of any uenomination,
yet hei belief was in a big uou whose iesouices weien't limiteu. She believeu if you weie
seiving a uou of limiteJ finances, then you weie seiving the wiong gou. She liveu by the
piinciple of faith anu tiusteu in uou.
She tolu Bewitt to go into Benvei anu act as if they hau a million uollais. When he
pointeu out that in ieality they hau only $S, she saiu:
"He [Cod] is not limited to wbat we bave or wbo we are. He can
certainly use our five dollars and multiply it |ust as easily as He multiplied
tbe loaves and fisbes...Now go on up to Denver. Find me tbe biggest
building you can. Cet tbe finest piano available for Helen. Fill tbe place up
witb cbairs. Take out a big ad in tbe enver Poxt and get spot
announcements on all tbe radio stations. Tbis is Cod's business, and we're
going to do it Cod's way-big!"
13
Bewitt took hei at hei woiu anu followeu the instiuctions. The builuing hau been a
Nontgomeiy Waiu Company waiehouse. The meeting lasteu five months, uuiing which
time they moveu to yet anothei waiehouse. The fiist night, one hunuieu twenty-five
people weie piesent, the seconu night, ovei foui hunuieu people attenueu. Fiom then on,
the waiehouse filleu to capacity eveiy night. Aftei five months, Kathiyn announceu that
the meeting was ovei, but the people woulun't heai of it. 0ne man offeieu to make the
uown payment on a peimanent builuing anu eiect a huge neon sign ovei it which woulu
ieau, "Piayei Changes Things."
People weie hungiy foi the Woiu of uou. Bowevei, hei main message in those yeais
was salvation. Fiom time to time, pastois weie boin again at hei invitation to ieceive }esus
as Savioi anu Loiu. Kathiyn's was a ministiy of hope anu faith. Buiing this time, Belen hau
uevelopeu a choii of one hunuieu voices anu composeu much of the music they sang.
Because the iesponse to Kathiyn's ministiy was so gieat, she agieeu to stay in
251
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Benvei. Eveiything seemeu to be flawless, so they began to seaich foi a peimanent
builuing. Then suuuenly, out of nowheie, tiageuy stiuck.
I.I. I. CO.L
Kathiyn expeiienceu the fiist ieal tiauma of hei life in late Becembei of 19S4, when
hei beloveu fathei was killeu in an acciuent. She leaineu much latei that he hau fallen on
an icy stieet anu hau been stiuck by a cai that sweiveu to tiy to miss him in a snowstoim.
Because of the stoim, it was houis befoie a fiienu coulu ieach Kathiyn in Coloiauo.
0pon ieceiving the news that hei fathei was neai ueath, she staiteu home, uiiving in
blizzaiu conuitions fiom Benvei acioss Kansas towaiu Nissouii. She saiu only uou knew
how fast she uiove on icy ioaus anu in neai-zeio visibility.
0n Becembei Su, Kathiyn hau maue it to Kansas City. Fiom theie she calleu home to
tell hei fathei that she was almost home, only to finu that he uieu eaily that moining.
She aiiiveu home to finu Papa laiu out in his casket in the living ioom with the
mouineis keeping the tiauitional vigil. The tiauma was almost moie than Kathiyn coulu
beai. Bate welleu up insiue hei towaiu the youth who uiove the cai that stiuck hei fathei.
"I bad always been a bappy person, and Papa bad belped to make me
bappy. Now be was gone, and in bis place, I was battling unfamiliar
strangers of fear and bate.
252
Forly ministry yeors
"I bad tbe most perfect fatber a girl ever bad. In my eyes, Papa could
do no wrong. He was my ideal."
Kathiyn hau left home moie than ten yeais eailiei, visiting only a few times in
between. Now hei Papa woulu nevei be able to heai hei pieach. Latei, she ielateu that the
hatieu foi the young man who killeu hei fathei seetheu within hei, anu she speweu out
this venom about the acciuent to eveiyoneuntil the uay of the funeial.
"Sitting tbere in tbe front row of tbe
little Baptist cburcb, I still refused to
accept my fatber's deatb. It couldn't be
...Une by one, my family rose from tbeir
seats and filed by tbe coffin. My two
sisters. My brotber. Unly I was left in tbe
pew. "Tbe funeral director walked over
and said, 'Katbryn, would you like to see
your fatber before I close tbe casket?'
"Suddenly I was standing at tbe front of tbe cburcb, looking down-
my eyes fixed not on Papa's face, but on bis sboulder, tbat sboulder on
wbicb I bad so often leaned ...I leaned over and gently put my band on tbat
sboulder in tbe casket. And as I did, sometbing bappened. All tbat my
fingers caressed was a suit of clotbes ...Everytbing tbat box contained was
simply sometbing discarded, loved once, laid aside now. Papa wasn't tbere.
"...Tbis was tbe first time tbe power of tbe risen, resurrected Cbrist
really came tbrougb to me. Suddenly, I was no longer afraid of deatb....as
my fear disappeared, so did my bate. Papa wasn't dead. He was alive."
14
IL.L`LL ..L ..ILI.
Kathiyn ietuineu to Benvei with a new unueistanuing anu compassion. 0pon hei
ietuin, a builuing was founu anu ienovation began in Febiuaiy of 19SS. 0n Nay Su of that
yeai, the Benvei Revival Tabeinacle openeu with a huge neon sign ovei it, as piomiseu
"PRAYER CBANuES TBINuS." The auuitoiium helu two thousanu seats anu the name of the
Tabeinacle coulu be seen fiom a gieat uistance. Thousanus of people fiom the
suiiounuing aieas attenueu Kathiyn's meetings ovei the next foui yeais. Seivices weie
conuucteu nightly except on Nonuay.
The ievival centei soon uevelopeu into an
oiganizeu chuich. Theie was no uenominational
affiliation. 0ltimately a Sunuay school was begun, anu
buses weie in opeiation to biing people to the seivices.
Theie weie outieaches to piisons anu nuising homes.
Latei on Kathiyn began a iauio piogiam calleu,
"Smiling Thiough."
253
"Sittinq tbere in tbe front
row of tbe little Boptist
cburcb, l still refuseJ to
occept my fotber's Jeotb. lt
coulJn't be."
...tbe romontic involvement
become publicly known
between Kotbryn onJ
Woltrip, wbom sbe
nicknomeJ, "Hister."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
In 19S6, many musicians anu pieacheis ministeieu at the Benvei Revival Tabeinacle.
0ne of those was Raymonu T. Richey, a piominent evangelist, who spent thiee weeks at
the chuich. Richey hau been a leauing pioneei in Ameiica's eailiei healing ievivals.
Kathiyn labeleu the tiauma of hei fathei's ueath as hei "ueepest" valley expeiience,
but theie was anothei valley expeiience that woulu piove to be neaily as ueep.
Ì. . III
In 19SS an evangelist nameu Buiioughs A. Waltiip fiom Austin, Texas, was inviteu to
speak at the Tabeinacle. Be was an extiemely hanusome man anu eight yeais oluei than
Kathiyn. Soon they founu themselves attiacteu to each othei.
The only pioblem was that he was maiiieu anu hau two little boys. Kathiyn seemeu
to ignoie the piomptings of the Boly Spiiit within hei telling hei that this ielationship was
a mistake. Shoitly aftei his fiist visit to Benvei, Waltiip uivoiceu his wife anu tolu eveiyone
that his wife left him. Bowevei, his ex-wife, }essie, saiu Waltiip believeu that if you uiun't
love youi spouse at the time of maiiiage, then theie was no covenant, making a peison
fiee to uivoice anu iemaiiy. Aftei Waltiip left his wife, he nevei ietuineu home to hei, anu
his two little boys nevei saw theii fathei again.
1S
.I.LI I. .ILLLLL .I..LL
Aftei leaving his family, Waltiip moveu to Nason City, Iowa, iepiesenting himself as a
single man, to begin a ievival centei calleu Rauio Chapel. Be was known to be a uiamatic
anu sensational evangelist anu began uaily iauio bioaucasts fiom the Chapel. Kathiyn anu
Belen came into town to help him iaise funus foi his ministiy.
Soon, the iomantic involvement became publicly known between Kathiyn anu
Waltiip, whom she nicknameu, "Nistei." Belen anu othei fiienus fiom Benvei sinceiely
auviseu Kathiyn not to maiiy the hanusome evangelist, but she ieasoneu that his wife hau
left him, making him fiee to maiiy.
It shoulu be noteu that the uetails of Waltiip's sepaiation fiom his wife anu the timing
of Kuhlman's involvement aie not cleai. Those who loveu anu appieciateu hei ministiy
kept these things quiet. 0bviously, they felt that uou hau foigiven Kathiyn of any mistakes
in this ielationship, so the uetails weien't impoitant.
0n 0ctobei 16, 19S8, Kathiyn announceu to hei Benvei congiegation that she
planneu to join the ministiy with "Nistei" in Nason City, Iowa. Two uays latei on 0ctobei
18th, almost sixteen months aftei Waltiip's uncontesteu uivoice, Kathiyn anu Buiioughs
weie secietly maiiieu in Nason City.
Ì. I. IL I..LL, ..`.`
Let me make a point heie. Bivoice was not the issue. 0f couise, it is an issue with
ieligious people anu theii self-iighteous uenominations, but it is not an issue to uou. Be
254
lays it out veiy simply. Accoiuing to the New Testament, theie aie two sciiptuial ieasons
foi uivoice. 0ne spouse being involveu in iepeateu immoiality is one ieason. Anu the
othei comes into play when one spouse leaves the maiiiage. If eithei one of these things
happen to a peison, that peison is fiee befoie uou anu blesseu to iemaiiy. If you maue a
uecision iegaiuing uivoice that uiun't line up with the Woiu of uou, theie is foigiveness
anu iestoiation anu a new anu clean beginning waiting foi you. Self-iighteous people anu
ceitain uenominations may not give you a new beginning, but uou can help you if you seek
Bim.
Kathiyn founu heiself in a situation wheie theie weie lying anu ueceiving spiiits in
opeiation. Waltiip left his wife in Texas anu uivoiceu hei, which was his fiist mistake.
Then, he tiieu to covei it by embiacing a ueceiving uoctiine anu lieu about it to those
aiounu him. The Kuhlman-Waltiip maiiiage was totolly wronq fiom the stait!
.IL .L.O. LIL I...
Kathiyn chose to believe this man's stoiy that his wife left him. Bowevei, hei heait
was constantly tioubleu thioughout theii weuuing plans. She founu no peace in hei spiiit.
Nost people say that "Nistei" uiun't love Kathiyn at all. Insteau, he loveu hei ability to
uiaw a ciowu anu iaise money. Be was well-known foi his gieeu anu extiavagant lifestyle.
When he maiiieu Kathiyn, people in eight uiffeient states weie "hounuing" him foi
money.
Even "Nistei's" mothei beggeu Kathiyn not to maiiy hei son. She hau hopeu he
woulu come to his senses anu ie-unite with his wife anu sons. You may ask, then wby uiu
Kathiyn go aheau with the maiiiage.
Befoie the scheuuleu maiiiage in Nason City, Kathiyn uiscusseu the issue with hei
fiienus, Lottie Anthony anu Belen. Lottie iemembeis Kathiyn saying, "I |ust can't seem to
find tbe will of Cod in tbis matter." The women tiieu to convince Kathiyn to wait anu
follow the peace of uou. But she woulu not listen to them.
When the thiee women aiiiveu in Bes Noines on the way to Nason City, Belen
announceu to Kathiyn that she woulun't go thiough with it. She iemaineu at theii hotel.
Lottie agieeu with Belen anu also iefuseu to attenu the weuuing.
But Kathiyn founu anothei fiienu to witness the maiiiage between hei anu Waltiip.
Kathiyn fainteu uuiing the ceiemony. Waltiip helpeu to ievive hei so that she coulu finish
the vows. The uelibeiate uecision to step out of the will of uou obviously weigheu heavily
upon hei.
As the newly weus uiove back to Bes Noines fiom the ceiemony, Kathiyn uiu an ouu
thing. Aftei the couple checkeu into theii hotel, Kathiyn iefuseu to stay with hei new
husbanu. Bei close fiienu Lottie Anthony states that Kathiyn jumpeu in the cai anu uiove
to hei anu Belen's hotel.
Kathiyn sat in theii hotel ioom, weeping anu aumitting she hau maue a mistake with
255
C O L . C L . L I . L .
the maiiiage anu woulu get an annulment. Lottie calleu Waltiip, infoiming him of
Kathiyn's plans. As Waltiip complaineu of losing his wife, Lottie snappeu, "She was nevei
youis in the fiist place!"
The thiee women left Bes Noines, hoping to explain the situation away to the Benvei
congiegation. But the congiegation nevei gave hei a chance. They weie fuiious with hei
foi taking the situation so lightly anu foi the seciecy of the maiiiage. Lottie saiu that the
Benvei congiegation "uiove hei back into Waltiip's aims."
16
IL .I.LILL LIL...
The woik Kathiyn hau so uiligently built ovei the pievious five yeais quickly
uisintegiateu. Bewitt bought out Kathiyn's shaie of the builuing, anu Belen went to woik
foi a smallei chuich in Benvei. The "sheep" scatteieu. Because of this giievous mistake,
Kathiyn lost hei chuich, hei close fiienus, anu hei ministiy. Even hei ielationship with
uou suffeieu because Kathiyn put "Nistei" anu his uesiies ovei hei passion foi uou.
Kathiyn Kuhlman, the woman some hau
woishippeu as a "peifect Nauonna," was actually a
human being, subject to human temptations. She was a
gieat woman of uou, but wbot moJe ber qreot wos
ber cboice onJ oction to recover from ber
mistoke. In spite of the looks, the whispeis, anu the
wholesale iejection, it took gieat faith anu uoggeu
ueteimination to iestoie Kathiyn's ministiy. It is saiu
that hei own mistakes piouuceu the poweiful
ievelation behinu hei seimons of temptation,
foigiveness, anu victoiy.
But this action anu ievelation uiun't come oveinight. Kathiyn spent the next eight
yeais in oblivion as fai as majoi ministiy was conceineu. Six yeais weie spent in the
maiiiage anu the next two she spent tiying to finu hei way back to full-time ministiy.
Fiienus who tiaveleu to Nason City the yeai Kathiyn liveu theie saiu she woulu sit on the
platfoim behinu hei husbanu anu weep while he pieacheu.
When the people of Nason City leaineu that Waltiip hau lieu about his fiist maiiiage,
they stoppeu attenuing, anu Rauio Chapel soon closeu. The few times Waltiip alloweu
Kathiyn to ministei alone weie in places wheie no one knew she was maiiieu. At least
once, a seiies of meetings weie canceleu at the last moment aftei the pastoi who inviteu
hei was tolu by a membei of his congiegation of Kathiyn's maiiiage to a uivoiceu man.
17
IL I.I. OI LI.C
Kathiyn left Waltiip in 1944 while they weie living in Los Angeles, but he uiun't get a
uivoice until 1947.
0n one of the iaie occasions when she woulu talk of those yeais anu what
256
ln spite of tbe looks, tbe
wbispers, onJ tbe
wbolesole rejection, it took
qreot foitb onJ JoqqeJ
Jeterminotion to restore
Kotbryn's ministry.
happeneu, she saiu:
"I bad to make a cboice. Would I serve tbe man I loved, or tbe Cod I
loved? I knew I couldn't serve Cod and live witb Mister. No one will ever
know tbe pain of dying like I know it, for I loved bim more tban I loved life
itself. And for a time, I loved bim even more tban Cod. I finally told bim I
bad to leave, for Cod bad never released me from my original call. Not only
did I live witb bim, I bad to live witb my conscience, and tbe conviction of
tbe Holy Spirit was almost unbearable. I was tired of trying to |ustify
myself."
18
In one of hei final appeaiances, in a question anu answei session, a young man askeu
hei how she "met hei ueath." Be hau heaiu hei speak of this ueath seveial times.
She answeieu:
"It came tbrougb a great disappointment, a great disappointment, and
I felt like my wbole world bad come to an end. You know, it's not wbat
bappens to you, it's wbat you do witb tbe tbings after it bappens. And tbat
goes back to tbe will of tbe Lord.
"At tbat time, I felt tbat wbicb bad bappened to me was tbe greatest
tragedy of my life. I tbougbt I would never rise again, never, never. No one
will ever know-if you've never died-wbat I'm talking about ...Today, I
feel it was a part of Cod's perfect will for my life."
19
Kathiyn commenteu seveial times how she suffeieu foi the sake of the ministiy. But
actually, theie weie othei people who suffeieu also. Theie was a wife who hau been left in
Texas with two small boys, neeuing an explanation of why they woulu nevei see theii uau
again. The oiueal biought gieat heaitache to eveiyone who knew anu loveu the couple.
LOI .ILL. OI IL COI.
But fiom the moment she maue hei uecision, Kathiyn Kuhlman nevei waveieu fiom
answeiing the call on hei life, nevei ueviateu fiom the path uou hau set foi hei, anu nevei
saw "Nistei" again. She bought a one-way ticket to Fianklin, Pennsylvania, anu nevei
tuineu back.
Kathiyn was totally iestoieu in hei life with uou. Though this was a uifficult time foi
Kathiyn, the blessings of uou soon followeu hei. But the fate of Waltiip was unceitain. Be
simply uioppeu out of sight, not even contacting his family. Accoiuing to his ex-wife }essie,
it was yeais latei that his biothei, }ames Waltiip, sauly uiscoveieu that Buiioughs hau
eventually met his ueath in a Califoinia piison, convicteu of stealing money fiom a
woman.
2u
OL OI IL C.`L
257
C O L . C L . L I . L .
No one evei seemeu to know why Kathiyn pickeu Fianklin, Pennsylvania, to begin
hei "comeback." Fianklin was a coal-mining city, settleu by ueiman immigiants. Peihaps
she felt at home theie. Peihaps it was because they accepteu hei theie. Whatevei the
ieason, it woikeu!
Fiom Pennsylvania she went thiough the
miuwestein states anu the south into West viiginia,
viiginia, anu the Caiolinas. In some places, she was
quickly accepteu, in otheis, hei past suifaceu quickly
anu the meetings weie closeu. In ueoigia, a newspapei
took holu of the stoiy conceining hei maiiiage to a
uivoiceu man anu piinteu it. Kathiyn then took a bus
back to Fianklin.
In 1946, Kathiyn came out of hei "wilueiness" anu moveu into the "Piomiseu Lanu"
of hei ieal ministiy. Aftei an unsuccessful toui of the South, she was inviteu to holu a seiies
of meetings in the fifteen hunuieu seat uospel Tabeinacle locateu in Fianklin,
Pennsylvania. The Tabeinacle hau been famous in ciicles since Billy Sunuay pieacheu
theie. Anu Kathiyn's meetings weie so gloiious in this builuing that it was as if the last
eight yeais nevei existeu.
IL ... ÒICL.
Not too long aftei she openeu hei meetings at the Tabeinacle, she began uaily iauio
bioaucasts fiom WKRZ Rauio in 0il City, Pennsylvania. Response hau been so gieat, that
within a few months, she auueu a station in Pittsbuigh.
Insteau of being shunneu, Kathiyn was now being inunuateu with mail. The 0il City
station finally hau to bai visitois fiom the stuuio because they hinueieu the staff's woik.
Woilu Wai II hau just enueu, anu many luxuiies weie still scaice. 0ne uay, Kathiyn
casually mentioneu ovei the aii that she hau maue a iun in hei last paii of stockings, anu
soon afteiwaius the station was uelugeu with packages of nylon stockings.
The Boly Spiiit moveu in the uays suiiounuing the enu of the wai to iestoie the bouy
of Chiist thiough the gift of healing. The gieat healing ievivals weie in full swing, anu gieat
healings weie manifesteu thiough the ministiies of such men as 0ial Robeits, William
Bianham, anu the late }ack Coe. The late uoiuon Linusay, founuei of Tbe voice of
Eeolinq magazine anu Chiist foi the Nations Bible School, publisheu the news of these
gieat ievivals in Tbe voice of Eeolinq magazine.
At this time, Kathiyn was still piaying mainly foi people to ieceive salvation. But she
was beginning to piay anu lay hanus on people who came foi healing. Though she
uespiseu the teim "faith healei," she attenueu the meetings of these ministeis hoping to
finu out moie about this phenomenon of uou. Kathiyn uiun't have the slightest iuea that a
"healing ministiy" woulu biing hei inteinational fame.
258
...Kotbryn come out of ber
"wilJerness" onJ moveJ
into tbe "PromiseJ lonJ"
of ber reol ministry.
As she obseiveu vaiious tent meetings, Kathiyn walkeu away with gieatei
unueistanuing. Though she always hau unansweieu questions about uivine healing, she
uiu establish a stanuaiu foi hei ministiy:
"In tbe early part of my ministry, I was greatly disturbed over mucb
tbat I saw occurring in tbe field of divine bealing. I was confused by tbe
many metbods tbat I saw employed. I was disgusted witb tbe unwise
performances tbat I witnessed, none of wbicb I could associate in any way
wbatsoever witb eitber tbe action of tbe Holy Spirit or tbe nature of Cod.
"...To tbis very day, tbere is notbing more repulsive to me tban tbe lack
of wisdom.... Tbere is one tbing I can't stand, and tbat is fanaticism-tbe
manifestations of tbe flesb tbat bring a reproacb on sometbing tbat is so
marvelous, sometbing tbat is so sacred."
21
Kathiyn went on to speak of hei heaitache while watching these meetings. Foi the
iest of hei life, she exhoiteu the people to focus anu concentiate on }esus, anu nothing else.
Aftei attenuing a tent meeting in Eiie, Pennsylvania, she saiu:
"I began to weep. I couldn't stop. Tbose looks of despair and
disappointment on tbe faces I bad seen,
wben told tbat tbeir lack of faitb was
keeping tbem from Cod, were to baunt
me for weeks. Was tbis tbe Cod of all
mercy and great compassion? I left tbe
tent, and witb bot tears streaming down
my face, I looked up and cried, 'Tbey bave
taken away my Lord, and I know not
wbere tbey bave laid Him.'"
22
It is inteiesting to note that Kathiyn Kuhlman
chose not to associate hei ministiy with uoiuon
Linusay's voice of Eeolinq publication. The
publication was the piomotional outlet foi the healing evangelists of that eia, anu Kuhlman
chose not to be a pait of it. Nany of these evangelists weie sinceie anu honest, but otheis
tuineu to sensationalism anu useu questionable methous in theii ministiies.
ILIL CO.L IL .II.CLL.'
The moment Kathiyn saw in uou's Woiu that healing was pioviueu foi the believei at
the same time as salvation, she began to unueistanu the Chiistian's ielationship with the
Boly Spiiit. In 1947 she began teaching a seiies on the Boly Spiiit. Some of the things she
saiu uuiing the fiist night of hei teaching weie ievelations even to hei. Latei she spoke of
being awake all that night, piaying anu ieauing moie in the Woiu.
The seconu night of hei meeting was a momentous occasion. A unique testimony hau
been given by someone who was healeu in a Kathiyn Kuhlman meeting. A woman stoou
259
Tbe moment Kotbryn sow
in 6oJ's WorJ tbot beolinq
wos proviJeJ for tbe
believer ot tbe some time
os solvotion, sbe beqon to
unJerstonJ tbe Cbristion's
relotionsbip witb tbe Eoly
Spirit.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
up anu tolu of having been healeu while Kathiyn pieacheu the night befoie. Without
anyone laying hanus on hei anu without Kathiyn even being awaie of what was
happening, this woman was healeu of a tumoi. The woman hau gone to hei uoctoi to
confiim hei healing befoie the evening seivice.
0n the following Sunuay, the seconu miiacle occuiieu. A Woilu Wai I veteian who
hau been ueclaieu legally blinu fiom an inuustiial acciuent, hau 8S peicent of his vision
iestoieu in the peimanently impaiieu eye, anu peifect eyesight iestoieu to his othei eye.
.I.IL, .ILIIII ..L CLOI
0nce the healings anu miiacles began to take place, the ciowus at the Tabeinacle
weie even laigei than those biought in by Billy Sunuay. uou began to piospei Kathiyn's
ministiy gieatly, but the uevil's auveisaiies hau now steppeu in, attempting to unueimine
the woiking anu flow of the Boly Spiiit in Kathiyn's ministiy.
The attack came thiough N. }. Naloney anu the Tabeinacle tiustees. Naloney insisteu
that he ieceive a ceitain peicentage of all the ministiy ievenue, incluuing that which came
fiom the iauio bioaucast anu mailouts. Kathiyn balkeu anu Naloney thieateneu to sue
hei.
The activities suiiounuing this "showuown" incluueu Naloney's locking hei out of the
builuing. A fight ensueu between Kathiyn anu hei coal minei followeis anu Naloney's
men, enuing in Kathiyn's paitisans bieaking off the paulocks so seivices coulu continue. It
only enueu when Kathiyn's suppoiteis iaiseu $1u,uuu anu puichaseu an olu iollei skating
iink in neaiby Sugai Cieek. They nameu that iollei iink Faith Temple. It was twice the size
of Naloney's builuing anu was packeu fiom the fiist seivice.
Iionically, uuiing this hectic anu ciucial time of 1947, anothei amazing thing
happeneu. 0ne night, Kathiyn heaiu a knock on the uooi of hei apaitment. When she
openeu the uooi, theie stoou the sheiiff uiesseu in stieet clothes. Be pioceeueu to tell hei
that "Nistei" hau fileu foi uivoice in Nevaua anu his office hau ieceiveu the papeis that
moining, naming hei as the uefenuant.
Kathiyn lookeu uown anu saw the papeis in his hanu. Bei heau iemaineu boweu.
Seeing hei shame anu uisappointment, the sheiiff ieacheu out anu toucheu hei aim, foi he
hau been attenuing Kathiyn's seivices anu knew she hau been sent by uou to theii aiea.
Knowing that names of famous peisons on uivoice papeis weie often given to the meuia
foi piess ielease, the sheiiff maue suie the papeis iemaineu piivate by ueliveiing them
peisonally.
The sheiiff went on to ieassuie Kathiyn that no one but the two of them woulu evei
know of this legal action. Kathiyn tolu the sheiiff she woulu be giateful to him foi the iest
of hei life.
Bis goouness saveu Kathiyn fiom gieat heaitache. Seven yeais latei iepoiteis uiu
finu out about it, but by that time, Kathiyn's ministiy hau so auvanceu, it was not affecteu
260
by olu news.
uieat healing seivices continueu at the ienovateu iollei iink, anu auuitional seivices
expanueu into neighboiing towns anu to Stambaugh Auuitoiium in Youngstown, 0hio.
The Boly Spiiit hau founu a ministiy that woulun't tiy to take the cieuit foi Bis ueeus, noi
the gloiy fiom the iesults of Bis opeiations. A foimei secietaiy iemembeieu:
"Niss Kuhlman was so tenuei
towaiu uou. I was stanuing in the
Tabeinacle aftei a seivice anu coulu
see into the iauio ioom. Theie Niss
Kuhlman, unawaie that anyone
coulu see hei, was on hei knees
piaising uou foi the seivice."
2S
As hei ministiy uevelopeu, she put less emphasis on faith, anu moie emphasis on the
soveieignty of the Boly Spiiit. In hei meetings, theie weie no piayei caius, no invaliu tents,
anu no long lines of sick people waiting foi hei to lay hanus on them. She nevei accuseu
people who faileu to ieceive healing of being weak in theii faith. It seemeu that the healings
took place anywheie thioughout the auuitoiium while the people sat in theii seats, looking
towaiu Beaven anu focusing on }esus.
IL IOOI ILLL I.'
At hei fiist meeting in the Cainegie Ball in Pittsbuigh, the custouian tolu hei that even
opeia stais coulun't fill it, but she insisteu that enough chaiis be set up to fill the
auuitoiium. It was a goou thing she uiu, because eveiy chaii was filleu.
The fiist seivice was in the afteinoon, anu the hall was packeu. A seconu meeting was
helu that evening to accommouate the thiong. }immy Nillei anu Chailes Beebee
ministeieu in music at these seivices, anu iemaineu in ministiy with Kathiyn until the enu.
The iauio ministiy continueu to expanu, anu by Novembei of 19Su, the people began
to uige Kathiyn to ielocate to Pittsbuigh peimanently. Even Naggie Baitnei, the woman
who became hei "iight aim" agieeu they shoulu move. Kathiyn was ieluctant, feeling
committeu to the people in Fianklin who hau stoou by hei anu suppoiteu hei, anu hau
taken hei in anu loveu hei when no one else woulu.
But signs fiom heaven woulu uige Kathiyn to move to Pittsbuigh.
In iesponse to pleas that she move, Kathiyn announceu:
"No! Tbe roof on Faitb Temple literally would bave to cave in before
I'd believe Cod wanted me to move to Pittsburgb."
0n Thanksgiving, 19Su, the temple's ioof fell in unuei the weight of the gieatest
snowfall in aiea histoiy.
24
261
...siqns from beoven woulJ
urqe Kotbryn to move to
Pittsburqb.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Thiee weeks latei, Kathiyn moveu to the Pittsbuigh subuib of Fox Chapel, wheie she
liveu until hei ueath.
I `.. O LL LILL .I.LL
In 19Su, a woiluwiue ministiy began to uevelop. In latei yeais, Kathiyn saiu that uou
uiun't call hei to builu a chuich, maintaining that hei ministiy was not to be isolateu to any
one builuing. Some may be calleu to builu builuings, but she wasn't one of those.
The fact that she uiu builu chuiches was laigely oveishauoweu by the publicity of the
miiacle seivices. The Kathiyn Kuhlman Founuation, establisheu in Pittsbuigh, financeu
moie than twenty chuiches in foieign mission fielus with nationals as pastois.
Nany call hei "pastoi" out of love anu iespect, but Kathiyn was nevei oiuaineu to the
office of pastoi. Aftei hei stay in Benvei, she nevei pastoieu a chuich. Kathiyn saiu she
was not calleu to a five-folu office, i.e., Ephesians 4:11. She walkeu in the simplicity of being
"a hanumaiuen" of the Loiu.
It is saiu by those closest to hei, that Kathiyn announceu at the veiy beginning of hei
ministiy, that she woulu be the next Aimee Semple NcPheison, founuei of the Foui Squaie
uenomination. Aimee was uefinitely Kathiyn's iole mouel. When the flamboyant "Sistei"
built Angelus Temple in Los Angeles, Kathiyn was piesent uuiing its highest populaiity. It
is saiu that Kathiyn attenueu Aimee's Bible school, anu sat in the balcony of hei chuich,
taking in eveiy aspect of the anointeu messages anu theatiics of "Sistei". 0nlike the othei
L I F E . Bible School stuuents, Kathiyn chose not to stay with the Foui Squaie uenomination.
She chose an inuepenuent ioute. It is inteiesting to note that Rolf NcPheison, Aimee's son,
uoesn't iemembei Kathiyn being a stuuent at the school.
2S
Though she nevei met Aimee peisonally, the effects of hei ministiy iubbeu off on
Kathiyn. Theie was a majoi uiffeience between the two: Aimee taught people to seek foi
the baptism in the Boly Spiiit; Kathiyn thought to "seek foi it" was a uivisive piactice.
Kathiyn was Pentecostal but uiun't make an issue of it. People hau always compaieu
Kathiyn with Aimee, but it was six yeais aftei Aimee's piematuie ueath befoie Kathiyn
maue the national heaulines.
26
. .LLI. CILICI
Kathiyn's messages weie heaiu all ovei the 0niteu States anu vaiious places
oveiseas, via shoit-wave iauio bioaucast. It seemeu that Ameiica coulu haiuly wait to heai
that waim, pleasant voice ask listeneis at the beginning of hei piogiam, "Bello, theie, anu
have you been waiting foi me."
Bei iauio piogiam was not ieligious oi stuffy. Insteau, the piogiam maue a peison
feel as though Kathiyn Kuhlman hau just uioppeu by foi coffee. She ministeieu to the
neeus, conceins, anu huits of hei auuience, anu hei encouiagement changeu lives. She
fiequently chuckleu, making the listenei feel as though they hau just hau a heait-to-heait
talk with hei. If she wanteu to ciyshe ciieu; if she wanteu to singshe sang. Kathiyn
262
hau the ability to ministei ovei iauio just as she ministeieu in public. Not many coulu uo
that, but Kathiyn uiu. By populai uemanu, the Kuhlman Founuation was iequesteu to
supply hei olu-iecoiueu iauio tapes to the iauio stations foi six yeais aftei hei ueath!
Foi moie than eight yeais befoie hei ueath, hei weekly television piogiam was aiieu
nationwiue. At the time, hei piogiam was the longest iunning half-houi seiies piouuceu in
the CBS stuuios, though it uiun't aii on the CBS netwoik.
I I.L O LL L.II.. `.
Bei meetings weie moveu fiom Cainegie Ball to
the Fiist Piesbyteiian Chuich in Pittsbuigh, anu foi
yeais these sessions weie attenueu by some of the
most elite Bible scholais in Pittsbuigh. Foi the last ten
yeais of hei life, she helu monthly seivices at the Shiine
Auuitoiium in Los Angeles, wheie she ministeieu to
countless thousanus, anu hunuieus weie healeu. She
also spoke at laige chuiches, confeiences, anu
inteinational meetings. She especially enjoyeu
ministeiing at the Full uospel Business Nen's
Fellowship Inteinational, a layman's oiganization
founueu by Bemos Shakaiian in Los Angeles.
It was seveial yeais befoie Kathiyn woulu consent to integiate the miiacle seivices
with othei confeiences. She felt the confinements of a geneial confeience, with scheuules
anu time limits, might iestiict the libeity of the Spiiit that was so a pait of hei meetings.
If anothei gioup wanteu Kathiyn to speak foi them, they hau to aujust theii piogiam
to fit hei style. She knew that uou hau calleu hei to ministei a ceitain way, anu theie woulu
be no changes. If it lookeu like she woulun't have fieeuom, oi if questionable people weie
piesent who might taint hei ministiy, she canceleu. It has been saiu that even "those in
chaige weie not in chaige" when Kathiyn was piesent.
27
.IL LILL . IOL...L I.L.
Kathiyn nevei pieacheu against smoking oi uiinking alcoholic beveiages. She uiun't
auvocate theii use, but she iefuseu to alienate people. Also, she uiun't like the way that
some of the healing evangelists ministeieu. Kathiyn felt it was "iough," anu she woulu not
suppoit that type of ministiy.
She nevei taught that sickness was fiom the uevil. She avoiueu the subject, pointing
insteau to how big uou is. She felt if she coulu tuin the eyes of the people towaiu uou, then
eveiything woulu fall into place. Eaily in hei ministiy, she encouiageu people to leave theii
uenomination. In hei latei yeais, Kathiyn encouiageu them to ietuin anu be a shining light
anu a healing foice.
28
It is saiu that Kathiyn's life was a piayei. Tiaveling constantly, she uiun't have
263
lf it lookeJ like sbe
woulJn't bove freeJom, or
if questionoble people were
present wbo miqbt toint
ber ministry, sbe conceleJ.
lt bos been soiJ tbot even
"tbose in cborqe were not
in cborqe" wben Kotbryn
wos present.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
conventional times of uevotion, so she leaineu to make wheievei she was hei piayei
closet. Befoie hei meetings, Kathiyn woulu be seen "pacing back anu foith, heau up, heau
uown, aims flung into the aii, hanus claspeu behinu hei back." Bei face woulu be coveieu
in teais. It seemeu she was pleauing with the Loiu, saying, "Centle )esus, take not Your
Holy Spirit from me."
29
Though this uepth of piayei woulu seem to be a peisonal thing, it wasn't so with
Kathiyn. Nany times, she woulu be inteiiupteu with a question, which she woulu answei,
then she woulu iesume the same uepth of piayei at the point of inteiiuption. 0ial Robeits
uesciibeu hei ielationship with the Spiiit this way:
"It was like they weie talking back anu foith to each othei, anu you coulun't tell wheie
Kathiyn staiteu anu the Boly Spiiit left off. It was a oneness."
Su
People fiom all walks of life anu uenominations
came to hei meetings: Catholics, Episcopals, Baptists,
Pentecostals, uiunkaius, the sick, the uying, the ueeply
spiiitual anu the unconveiteu. Anu Kathiyn knew she
was the vessel who woulu point them to uou. In some
way, she coulu cioss eveiy baiiiei anu biing them all
to the same level of unueistanuing. Bow coulu she uo
this. I believe it was because she liveu in such
suiienuei to the Boly Spiiit. She always saiu, "I die a
tbousand deatbs before every service."
31
Being an ecumenical evangelist, Kathiyn nevei peimitteu the spiiitual gifts of tongues,
the gift of inteipietation, oi piophecy to opeiate in hei seivices. If someone iepeateuly
spoke in tongues louuly enough to uistuib, she uiscieetly hau them iemoveu fiom the
seivice. Kathiyn believeu in all the gifts of the Spiiit, but uiun't want to uo anything that
woulu hinuei oi uistiact the uninitiateu fiom a simple belief in uou.
Bowevei, she uiu allow people to be "slain in the Spiiit." Nany came to believe in the
awesome powei of uou fiom witnessing this manifestation alone. Kathiyn offeieu this
simple explanation:
"All I can believe is tbat our spiritual beings are not wired for Cod's full
power, and wben we plug in to tbat power, we |ust can't survive it. We are
wired for low voltage, Cod is bigb voltage tbrougb tbe Holy Spirit."
32
She nevei left the platfoim, even when a musician oi soloist ministeieu. She usually
steppeu to the siue, but always iemaineu in the view of the auuience, stanuing, smiling, anu
lifting hei hanu to uou.
Kathiyn was always awaie that she woulu, one uay, stanu befoie the Loiu anu give an
account foi hei ministiy. She nevei believeu she hau been uou's fiist choice foi the
ministiy. She believeu a man hau been calleu to uo it, but was not willing to pay the piice.
She was nevei quite suie if she was even seconu choice oi thiiu choice, but she uiu know
264
Tbouqb tbere were
tbousonJs upon tbousonJs
of mirocles, tbe qreotest
mirocle to Kotbryn wos
wben o person become
born oqoin.
that she hau answeieu "yes" to the Loiu. Bei ministiy stanus out as one of the leauing
ministiies, if not tbe leauing ministiy, of the Chaiismatic Novement.
OO ... O ...L...
What weie some of the outstanuing miiacles. Though theie weie thousanus upon
thousanus of miiacles, the gieatest miiacle to Kathiyn was when a peison became boin
again. 0n one occasion a five-yeai-olu boy, ciippleu fiom biith, walkeu to Kathiyn's
platfoim without assistance. 0n anothei, a woman, who hau been ciippleu anu confineu to
a wheelchaii foi twelve yeais, walkeu to the platfoim without aiu fiom hei husbanu. A
man in Philauelphia, who hau ieceiveu a pacemakei eight months eailiei, felt intense pain
in his chest aftei Kathiyn laiu hanus on him. Retuining home, he founu the scai gone fiom
his chest wheie the pacemakei hau been implanteu, anu he coulun't tell if the pacemakei
was functioning. Latei, when the uoctoi took X-iays, he uiscoveieu the pacemakei was
gone anu the man's heait healeu!
It was common foi tumois to uissolve, canceis to fall off, the blinu to see anu the ueaf
to heai. Nigiaine heauaches weie healeu instantly. Even teeth weie uivinely filleu. It woulu
be impossible to list the miiacles that the ministiy of Kathiyn Kuhlman witnesseu! uou
alone knows.
Kathiyn was known to weep foi joy as she watcheu the thousanus being healeu
thiough the powei of uou. Some even iemembei hei teaiuiops falling on theii hanus.
It is also saiu that Kathiyn woulu weep as she
watcheu the people leave who iemaineu sick oi in
wheelchaiis. She nevei tiieu to explain why some
ieceiveu theii healing anu some uiu not. She believeu
the iesponsibility iemaineu with uou. She likeu to iefei
to heiself as in sales, not management. Whatevei
Nanagement ueciueu to uo, she woulu have to oblige.
But she uiu say it woulu be one of the fiist questions
she woulu ask uou when she got to heaven!
.OIILI. L.IO.LIL
In August of 19S2, Kathiyn pieacheu to ovei fifteen thousanu unuei Rex Bumbaiu's
tent in Akion, 0hio. 0n the pie-uawn houis befoie Kathiyn's fiist Sunuay seivice, the
Bumbaiu's weie awakeneu by a louu knock on theii mobile home uooi. It was a
policeman who saiu, "Reveienu Bumbaiu, you'ie gonna have to uo something. Theie's
neaily eighteen thousanu people out at that tent." It was 4:uu A.N. in the moining, anu the
seivice was not scheuuleu to stait until 11:uu A .N. that moining.
265
Screen stors were cominq
to ber meetinqs. Fven
comeJienne Pbyllis Biller
recommenJeJ one of
Kotbryn's books to o Jyinq
fon.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
266
Rusbinq for seots ot o Kublmon meetinq
Seottle, Wosbinqton, 1974
267
loyinq bonJs on tbe sick
Hinisterinq to tbe lome
Fmptyinq more wbeel cboirs
C O L . C L . L I . L .
268
"Rise onJ pusb!"
Kotbryn witb 0rol Roberts
269
"Be set free in }esus' nome!"
"Bon't you just love Eim, boney?"
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Kathiyn, being useu to ciowus of people who coulun't all fit unuei one ioof oi into
one tent, tolu Bumbaiu theie was only one thing to uo, they woulu have to stait the seivice
at 8:uu A.N. Anu that's what they uiu! Nauue Aimee, Rex's wife, iemembeieu that Kathiyn
ministeieu until 2:Su P.N. that afteinoon.
Aftei these meetings, the Bumbaius paikeu theii mobile home in Akion anu
subsequently built one of the laigest chuiches anu television ministiies of that eiathe
196us anu 197us. Kathiyn anu the Bumbaius also built a lifelong fiienuship as a iesult of
theii Akion expeiience.
Aiounu this time, Kathiyn was uiagnoseu with suffeiing fiom an enlaigeu heait anu
uefective mitial valve. Yet, she kept going, iemaining entiiely uepenuent upon the Boly
Spiiit.
CLILI ..L IL I.LLI.C ..I.
By now, Kathiyn hau become a celebiity figuie in the Chiistian as well as the seculai
woilu. Scieen stais weie coming to hei meetings. Even comeuienne Phyllis Billei
iecommenueu one of Kathiyn's books to a uying fan.
SS
The Pope gianteu Kathiyn a
piivate auuience in the vatican, anu gave hei a penuant engiaveu with a uove. The laigest
cities in Ameiica weie piesenting hei with the "key" to theii cities. Even the nation of viet
Nam gave hei a Neual of Bonoi foi hei contiibutions to the huiting.
0f couise, in the miust of honoi came attacks. Some she was able to ignoie. But theie
weie otheis that wounueu hei ueeply. Among those weie the betiayals of hei employees,
Bino Kaitsonakis anu his biothei-in-law, Paul Baitholomew.
In shoit, Bino anu his biothei-in-law uemanueu a high pay inciease in theii contiacts
aftei they uiscoveieu the Kuhlman Founuation hau signeu a multimeuia contiact.
Kathiyn hau gieatly enjoyeu Bino's company. No uoubt many of hei ciusaue
auuiences iemembei how she fonuly intiouuceu him, saying with a gieat sweep of hei
aims, "And now, beeere's DeeeeNo!" Kathiyn hau taken Kaitsonakis out of obscuiity
anu launcheu him into an inteinational ministiy. It was saiu that she uiesseu him in the
finest of clothes anu exalteu his name constantly befoie the meuia.
But Bino seemeu to have fallen unuei the influence of his biothei-in-law, Paul
Baitholomew. Though Baitholomew hau been the highest paiu peison on staff, he wanteu
moie, anu eventually sueu Kathiyn foi an outiageous sum of money. Anu when Kathiyn
uiun't appiove of Bino's publicizeu ielationship with a seculai show-giil, he became bittei
anu also uemanueu moie money. As a iesult, Kathiyn fiieu them both. But not befoie they
maue many public accusations conceining hei chaiactei that weie heaiu aiounu the
woilu.
S4
In hei latei yeais, Kathiyn uiun't spenu much time analyzing the chaiactei of hei staff
membeis. Insteau, she chose people she simply enjoyeu, but often the enjoyment she
ieceiveu was shoit-liveu anu heaitache followeu. It is possible that hei mistakes in hiiing
270
came fiom hei physical anu mental exhaustion. Bei scheuule-was tiemenuously hectic.
Though she was waineu that the hiiing of Baitholomew anu Kaitsonakis was a mistake,
Kathiyn hiieu them anyway, iesulting in the foiegoing fiasco.
Though theie may have been mistakes maue in juugment, lack of unueistanuing, anu
mistakes maue thiough the people aiounu hei, she nevei alloweu flesh to paiticipate in
any of the movings of the Boly Spiiit, anu she nevei took any of the cieuit. Kathiyn
Kuhlman always gave the gloiy to uou.
With the ministiy continuing in full swing, majoi uenominations gave Kathiyn cieuit
foi having the puiest ministiy of the Boly Spiiit in theii time. Kathiyn hau no hiuuen
agenuas anu no ulteiioi motives, what you saw was what you got. She nevei pietenueu to
have answeis that she uiun't have, anu she was always conceineu that she might giieve
the Boly Spiiit. She iemaineu committeu, submitteu, honest, anu sinceie as long as she
liveu.
IO` C.. OL .I.. IL LLL.CILI.`
In 1968, Kathiyn ministeieu foi Pat Robeitson anu his associate, }im Bakkei, to a
ciowu of ovei thiee thousanu people. Shoitly aftei the meeting began, a iow of bleacheis
bioke loose anu fell back against the wall. Nany fell to the flooi oi weie suspenueu in the
aii. The emeigency squau aiiiveu anu caiiieu some away on stietcheis. Foluing chaiis
ieplaceu the bleacheis, anu the meeting finally ietuineu to noimalyet, Niss Kuhlman
oblivious to it all, was half-way thiough hei seimon!
Buiing 1968, Kathiyn tiaveleu inteinationally to
Isiael, Finlanu, anu Sweuen. She was guest on Tbe
}obnny Corson Sbow, Tbe Binob Sbore Sbow, anu
many otheis. Though Kathiyn was veiy uiplomatic
anu accepteu among all kinus of people, she still
manifesteu the powei of the Boly Spiiit in hei life on all
of these meuia piogiams. It was saiu that the
employees of the CBS stuuios always knew when
Kathiyn enteieu the builuing, because the whole
atmospheie seemeu to change.
In 197S, though now in hei late sixties anu weakeneu fiom hei physical ailment,
Kathiyn maue a ministiy tiip to }eiusalem to speak at the Seconu Woilu Confeience on
the Boly Spiiit. Bespite hei age anu ailments, she was still spunky when it came to
ministiy.
Kathiyn hau heaiu that Bob Numfoiu was going to be a featuieu speakei theie, anu
thieateneu to cancel hei appeaiance because of it. She saiu his teachings on uiscipleship
weie complete heiesy anu she woulun't paiticipate. In the enu though, Kathiyn went to
Isiael anu helpeu many of the Niuule Easteineis expeiience the ministiy of the Boly Spiiit.
271
Wos it possible tbot
Kotbryn knew sbe woulJ
never return to tbe
plotform? Wos it possible
tbot, ot tbot moment, sbe
soiJ qooJ-bye to ber
eortbly ministry?
C O L . C L . L I . L .
I I. `LLL ÌI . .OLL
The last miiacle seivice of Kathiyn Kuhlman's ministiy was helu at the Shiine
Auuitoiium in Los Angeles, Califoinia, on Novembei 16, 197S. As she left the builuing, an
employee in Niss Kuhlman's Bollywoou office saw something she woulu nevei foiget.
As eveiyone left the auuitoiium, Kathiyn walkeu
quietly to the enu of the stage. She iaiseu hei heau anu
slowly scanneu the balcony, as if she was gazing at
eveiy seat. It seemeu like an eteinity. Then, Kathiyn
uioppeu hei gaze to the seconu balcony, following
eveiy iow anu eveiy seat with hei eyes. Then, she
lookeu at the giounu flooi, stuuying eveiy seat.
SS
We can only imagine what was going thiough
Kathiyn's minu, the memoiies, the victoiies, the
healings, the laughtei, anu the teais. Was it possible
that Kathiyn knew she woulu nevei ietuin to the
platfoim. Was it possible that, at that moment, she saiu
goou-bye to hei eaithly ministiy.
In just a little ovei thiee weeks fiom that
Novembei uate, Kathiyn lay uying in the Billciest
Neuical Centei of Tulsa, 0klahoma, aftei open-heait suigeiy.
By now, Kathiyn hau given complete contiol of hei ministiy to Tink Wilkeison,
foimeily in the automobile business in Tulsa, 0klahoma. Wilkeison is the son of the late
}eannie Wilkeison, who was a tiue piophetess of the Loiu.
Wilkeison was with Kathiyn foi only a shoit ten months. She tiusteu Wilkeison. Be
was the one who chose wheie she woulu have the heait suigeiy. Aftei hei ueath, she left
the majoiity of hei estate to him. When the foimei Kuhlman staff was questioneu about
him, theie was uivision. Some felt Wilkeison ueceiveu Kathiyn, otheis felt he was sent by
uou foi hei final houi. Bowevei, the meuia ian iampant with questions of why Wilkeison
ieceiveu so much of Kathiyn's estate, anu Naggie Baitnei, hei associate foi yeais, ieceiveu
so little.
In 1992, Wilkeison was convicteu in two 0.S. uistiict couits in 0klahoma foi fiauu in a
foimei auto business. Be was scheuuleu foi ielease fiom piison in the summei of 199S at
which time he planneu to wiite a book on his anu his wife's fiienuship with Kathiyn.
S6
Wilkeison has kept quiet foi all these yeais, possibly out of iespect. I believe he has a stoiy
that neeus to be tolu.
I `.. O CO IO.L
0ial anu Evelyn Robeits weie among a few of the visitois peimitteu to see Kathiyn in
Billciest Neuical Centei. As they walkeu into hei ioom anu went to hei beusiue to piay foi
272
Kotbryn Kublmon wos o
speciol treosure. Eer
ministry pioneereJ tbe woy
for us to know tbe Eoly
Spirit in our qenerotion.
Sbe ottempteJ to sbow us
bow to fellowsbip witb Eim
onJ bow to love Eim. Sbe
truly boJ tbe obility to
reveol tbe Eoly Spirit to us
os our IrienJ.
hei healing, 0ial iemembeis a significant occuiience. "When Kathiyn iecognizeu that we
weie theie to piay foi hei iecoveiy, she put hei hanus out like a baiiiei anu then pointeu
towaiu heaven." Evelyn Robeits lookeu at 0ial anu saiu, "She uoesn't want oui piayeis.
She wants to go home."
Kathiyn's sistei Nyitle ieceiveu the same message fiom Kathiyn. She tolu Wilkeison,
"Kathiyn wants to go home."
S7
The wonueiful ieu-heaueu lauy who intiouuceu the ministiy of the Boly Spiiit to oui
geneiation anu thiilleu the heaits of millions, finally ieceiveu hei heait's uesiie. It was saiu
that the Boly Spiiit uescenueu upon hei one moie time anu hei face began to shine. The
nuise in hei ioom noticeu a glow that envelopeu hei beu, cieating an inuesciibable
peace.
S8
At 8:2u P.N. on Fiiuay, Febiuaiy 2u, 1976, Kathiyn Kuhlman went home to be
with }esus. She was sixty-eight yeais olu.
0ial Robeits piesiueu ovei hei funeial at Foiest Lawn Nemoiial Paik in ulenuale,
Califoinia. Kathiyn was buiieu in the same cemeteiy a half mile fiom Aimee Semple
NcPheison's vault. 0ial hau a vision, at Kathiyn's ueath, that uou woulu iaise up anu
spieau similai ministiies thioughout the woilu, making the magnituue of uou's powei
gieatei than Be uiu thiough Kathiyn's life.
Kathiyn Kuhlman was a special tieasuie. Bei ministiy pioneeieu the way foi us to
know the Boly Spiiit in oui geneiation. She attempteu to show us how to fellowship with
Bim anu how to love Bim. She tiuly hau the ability to ieveal the Boly Spiiit to us as oui
Fiienu. So no one can close this chaptei as well as she:
"Tbe world called me a fool for baving given my entire life to Une
wbom I've never seen. I know exactly wbat I'm going to say wben I stand in
His presence. Wben I look upon tbat wonderful face of )esus, I'll bave |ust
one tbing to say: 'I tried.' I gave of myself tbe best I knew bow. My
redemption will bave been perfected wben I stand and see Him wbo made
it all possible."
39
273
C O L . C L . L I . L .
CHAPTER NINE, KATHRYN KUHLMAN
Refeiences
1
Robeits Liaiuon, Kotbryn Kublmon: A Spirituol Bioqropby of 6oJ's Hirocle
Workinq Power (Laguna Bills, CA: Embassy Publishing Company, 199u), 68.
2
Belen Bosiei, Kotbryn Kublmon: Tbe life Sbe leJ, tbe leqocy Sbe left (Wheaton,
IL: Tynuale Bouse Publisheis, 1971), S8.
3 }amie Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny: Kotbryn Kublmon... Eer Story
(Plainfielu, N}: Logos Inteinational, 1976), 17-18.
4
Bosiei, Kotbryn Kublmon: Tbe life Sbe leJ, S2-SS.
S
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, 2S.
6
Bosiei, Kotbryn Kublmon, 44.
7
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, 7u-71.
8
Seimon by Kuhlman, "Not Boing What We Like, But Liking What We Bave To
Bo."
9
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, Chaptei S.
1u
Seimon by Kuhlman, "uuiuelines foi Life's uieatest viitue."
11
The Kathiyn Kuhlman Founuation, Eeort to Eeort witb Kotbryn Kublmon, S8.
12
See Footnote 1u.
13
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, S7.
14
Bosiei, Kotbryn Kublmon, 6u-64.
1S
Wayne E. Wainei, Kotbryn Kublmon: Tbe Womon BebinJ tbe Hirocles (Ann
Aiboi, NI: vine Books, segment of Seivant Publications, 199S), 84, Footnote
S, 26S.
16
Ibiu., 9S-94.
17
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, Chaptei S.
18
Ibiu., 88.
19
Seimon by Kuhlman, "The Ninistiy of Bealing."
2u
Wainei, Kotbryn Kublmon, 1u4.
21
Seimon by Kuhlman, "The Seciet of All Niiacles in }esus' Life."
22
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, 1u1-1u2.
23
Wainei, Kotbryn Kublmon, 12u.
24
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, 118-119.
2S
Peisonal Inteiview with Rolf NcPheison, Febiuaiy 1996.
26
Wainei, Kotbryn Kublmon, 2uS-2uS, 276, Footnote 4.
27
Ibiu., 21u.
28
Ibiu., 162.
29
Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, 147.
30
Wainei, Kotbryn Kublmon, 2S4.
31 Ibiu., 212.
32 Ibiu., 22u.
33 Ibiu., 164.
34 Ibiu., 186-189.
35 Ibiu., 2S6.
36 Ibiu., 242.
274
37 Ibiu., 24u.
38 Buckingham, Bouqbter of Bestiny, SuS.
39 "A Tiibute to the Loiu's Banumaiuen," quoteu fiom the AbunJont life
Hoqozine (Tulsa, 0K: 0ial Robeits Evangelistic Association, Nay 1976),
covei.
275
C H A P T E R T E N
WIIIIam
Branbam
1: William Bianham"A Hon of Notoble Siqns onJ
WonJers"
. ... OI .O.LLL .IC.. ..L
Ò.LLI.
ou are of tbe devil, and deceiving tbe people,' be
sbouted, 'an impostor, a snake in tbe grass, a fake, and I
am going to sbow tbese people tbat you are!' It was a
bold cballenge and everyone in tbe audience could see tbat it was
not an idle tbreat.... It appeared to be an evil moment for tbe little
figure on tbe platform, and most of tbem must bave felt
exceedingly sorry for bim. Certainly tbey could see tbere was no
room for trickery. Tbe man on tbe platform would bave to bave tbe
goods or else take tbe consequences.
"Tbe seconds passed.... Presently it appeared tbat sometbing was
bindering tbe cballenger from carrying out bis evil designs. Softly but
determinedly tbe voice of tbe evangelist...could be beard only a sbort
distance.... 'Satan, because you bave cballenged tbe servant of Cod before
tbis great congregation, you must now bow before me. In tbe name of )esus
Cbrist, you sball fall at my feet.'
"Suddenly be wbo a few minutes before bad so brazenly defied tbe
man of Cod witb bis fearful tbreats and accusations, gave an awful groan
and slumped to tbe floor sobbing bysterically. Tbe evangelist calmly
proceeded witb tbe service as if notbing bad bappened as tbe man lay
writbing in tbe dust."
1
William Bianham was a humble, soft-spoken man familiai with tiageuy, heaitbieak,
anu poveity. Semiliteiate by woiluly stanuaius, Bianham was euucateu thiough
supeinatuial occuiiences. uoiuon Linusay, founuei of Chiist Foi the Nations, was a
peisonal fiienu of Bianham's, anu his official biogiaphei. Be saiu Bianham's life was "so
out of this woilu anu beyonu oiuinaiy" that if it hau not been foi uocumenteu tiuths, a
peison coulu, unuei noimal ciicumstances, consiuei the stoiies of his life anu ministiy
"fai-fetcheu anu incieuible."
2
Simple in his ieasonings anu pooi in his commanu of the English language, Bianham
became the leauei in the voice of Bealing ievival that oiiginateu in the late foities. Theie
weie many healing ievivalists who came to the foiefiont uuiing this eia anu each hau his
oi hei own uniqueness. But none weie able to combine the piophetic office, the
supeinatuial manifestations, anu uivine healing as William Bianham uiu.
279
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Sauly though, the final phase of his ministiy caiiies a shauow. As this Bianham
chaptei piogiesses, what is wiitten will be shocking to some, anu sau to otheis.
0nueistanu that the uetails aie foi instiuction. Bianham's life is a tiagically sau illustiation
of what happens when one uoes not follow the times anu seasons of heaven. Bowevei, the
beginning of Bianham's life anu ministiy is a tiibute to the supeinatuial influence of uou in
the eaith. If theie is any "ieligious" tiauition in you, the eaily life anu times of William
Bianham will, no uoubt, senu a shock wave thiough youi system.
. ÌIIL OI LICI
}ust as moining uawneu on Apiil 6, 19u9, a small, five-pounu baby boy was boin in
the hills of Kentucky. Pacing the uiit flooi of the olu cabin, the eighteen-yeai-olu fathei was
uiesseu in his new oveialls foi the occasion. The baby's
mothei, baiely fifteen yeais olu, helu hei new son as
they ueciueu his name: William Naiiion Bianham.
With the light beginning to bieak thiough the
eaily moining skies, the gianumothei ueciueu to open
a winuow so the Bianhams coulu bettei see theii new
son. It was heie the fiist supeinatuial occuiience
happeneu to young Bianham. In his own woius, he
tells the stoiy as it was uesciibeu to him:
"Suddenly, a ligbt come wbirling tbrougb
tbe window, about tbe size of a pillow, and
circled around wbere I was, and went down
on tbe bed."
3
Neighbois who witnesseu the scene weie in awe, wonueiing what kinu of chilu hau
been boin to the Bianhams. As she iubbeu his tiny hanus, Nis. Bianham hau no iuea those
same hanus woulu be useu by uou to heal multituues, anu leau one of the gieatest healing
ievivals to uate.
Two weeks latei, little William Bianham hau his fiist visit to a Nissionaiy Baptist
chuich.
LII ILOOI. ..L IL..L CI.II.
William Bianham's family was the pooiest of the pooi. They liveu in the back hills of
Kentucky, with uiit as theii flooi anu planks as theii chaiis. These people weie totally
uneuucateu, as fai as woiluly stanuaius go. So ieauing the Bible, oi any book, was neaily
impossible.
Living conuitions weie pooi anu theie was little emphasis on seiving uou. The
Bianham family hau a geneial knowleuge of uou, anu that was about it. Theiis was a
iuggeu enviionment, anu they gave all theii effoit to suivival. The Bianhams went to
chuich mainly as a moial uuty, oi occasionally as a social event.
280
Simple in bis reosoninqs
onJ poor in bis commonJ
of tbe Fnqlisb lonquoqe,
Bronbom become tbe
leoJer in tbe voice of
Eeolinq revivol tbot
oriqinoteJ in tbe lote
forties.
William Branham"A Man of Notable Signs and Wonders"
When you unueistanu Bianham's backgiounu, it is easiei to see why uou useu
soveieign anu supeinatuial signs to speak to William Bianham. Be uiun't know how to
ieau oi stuuy the Bible foi himself. Bianham uiun't know how to piay, anu thioughout his
youth, he nevei heaiu anyone piay.
If you uo not know how to ieau, then you can't heai fiom uou thiough Bis Woiu.
If you uo not piay, then you can't heai fiom youi innei voice, oi spiiit.
If no one aiounu you knows uou, then theie is no one to teach you.
In these kinus of situations uou is left to convey Bis message to a peison thiough signs
anu wonueis. It is iaie, but uou is not limiteu because of ignoiance anu poveity. It
happeneu then, anu it can happen touay. uou will get Bis message to an inuiviuual, one
way oi anothei.
In the 0lu Testament, a uonkey spoke to Balaam. It was the only way Balaam woulu
heai the Woiu of the Loiu.
uou spoke to Noses thiough a buining bush. In the book of Acts, signs anu wonueis
empoweieu believeis to tuin a uaik, "ieligious" woilu upsiue uown.
uou is not limiteu to the confines of euucational theology. Be is uouanu sometimes,
Be will call a peison like William Bianham to come along anu bieak oui ieligious molus.
281
Bronbom's cobin,birtbploce neor Berksville, Kentucky
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Religion wants us to foiget that the woiu "supeinatuial" uesciibes uou's piesence. It
makes some people neivous when uou bieaks thiough the confines of theii "ieligiosity."
It was uou woiking thiough signs anu wonueis that causeu Bianham to know uou, to
unueistanu uou's call on his life, anu eventually to walk
in it.
..`LL IIO. . IILL7I.C
LL.I
The pioviuence of uou was with Bianham fiom
his biith. Bis fathei, woiking as a loggei, hau to be
away fiom home foi long peiious of time. When
Bianham was only six months olu, a seveie
snowstoim blanketeu the mountains, tiapping the
young chilu anu his mothei insiue theii cabin. With
fiiewoou anu foou supply gone, ueath seemeu ceitain.
So Bianham's mothei wiappeu heiself anu hei baby in
iaggeu blankets, anu then they laiu hungiy anu
shiveiing in the beu to face theii fate.
But "fate" cannot change uou's plan. Be was
watching ovei them thiough the eyes of a neighboi.
This neighboi, conceineu that smoke was not coming
fiom theii chimney, tiuugeu thiough the heavy snow
to theii cabin anu bioke thiough theii uooi. Quickly he
gatheieu woou foi a waim fiie anu waueu thiough the heavy snow back to his own cabin
to get foou foi the Bianhams. This man's goouness anu aleitness saveu theii lives.
Soon aftei this oiueal, Bianham's fathei moveu his family fiom the backwoous of
Kentucky to 0tica, Inuiana, wheie he went to woik as a faimei. Latei, the family moveu to
}effeisonville, Inuiana, which woulu become known as the hometown of William
Bianham.
Although the family hau moveu to }effeisonville, a moueiately sizeu city, they
iemaineu extiemely pooi. At age seven, young Bianham uiun't even have a shiit to weai to
school, only a coat. Nany times he sat swelteiing in the heat of the small school,
embaiiasseu to take his coat off because he hau no shiit unueineath. uou nevei chooses
between the iich anu the pooi. uou looks upon the heait.
IL Ì.L IIO. IL.`L.
School hau just enueu foi the uay, anu Bianham's fiienus weie going to the ponu to
fish. Bianham wanteu to go with them, but his fathei tolu him to uiaw watei foi that
evening.
282
6oJ is not limiteJ to tbe
confines of eJucotionol
tbeoloqy. Ee is 6oJonJ
sometimes, Ee will coll o
person like Williom
Bronbom to come olonq
onJ breok our reliqious
molJs. Reliqion wonts us to
forqet tbot tbe worJ
"supernoturol" Jescribes
6oJ's presence. lt mokes
some people nervous wben
6oJ breoks tbrouqb tbe
confines of tbeir
"reliqiosity."
Bianham ciieu as he uiew the watei, upset that he hau to woik insteau of going
fishing. As he caiiieu the heavy bucket of watei fiom the bain to the house, he sat uown
unuei an olu poplai tiee to iest.
Suuuenly, he heaiu the sounu of winu blowing in the top of the tiee. Be jumpeu up to
look, anu he noticeu that the winu was not blowing in any othei place. Stepping back, he
lookeu up into the tiee, anu a voice came saying, "Nevei uiink, smoke, oi uefile youi bouy
in any way, foi I have a woik foi you to uo when you get oluei."
Staitleu by the voice anu shaking, the little boy ian home ciying into the aims of his
mothei. Wonueiing if he hau been bitten by a snake, she tiieu to calm him. Failing to
soothe him, she put him to beu anu calleu the uoctoi, feaiful that he was suffeiing fiom
some stiange soit of neivous uisoiuei.
Foi the iest of his chiluhoou, Bianham uiu eveiything he coulu to avoiu passing by
that tiee.
4
As stiange as that expeiience may have been to Bianham, he founu that he coulu
nevei smoke, uiink, oi uefile his bouy. Seveial times, as a iesult of peei piessuie, he tiieu.
But as soon as he woulu lift a cigaiette oi uiink to his lips, he woulu again heai that sounu
of the winu blowing in the top of the tiee. Immeuiately, he woulu look aiounu to see, but
eveiything else was calm anu still as befoie. The same awesome feai woulu sweep ovei
him anu he woulu uiop the cigaiette oi the bottle anu iun away.
As a iesult of his stiange behavioi, Bianham hau veiy few fiienus as he was giowing
up. Bianham saiu of himself, "It seemed all tbrougb my life I was |ust a black sbeep
knowing no one wbo understood me, and not even understanding myself." Be often
commenteu that he hau a peculiai feeling, "like someone standing near me, trying to
say sometbing to me, especially wben I was alone."
5
So Bianham spent the yeais of his
youth seaiching anu fiustiateu, unable to answei oi unueistanu the call of uou upon his
life.
.O IL.CL O IL.
Although Bianham hau ieceiveu supeinatuial manifestations in his life, he was not
yet boin again. When he was fouiteen, he was injuieu in a hunting acciuent that left him
hospitalizeu foi seven months. Still, he uiun't ieceive the uigency of uou's call that piesseu
upon him. Be hau no iuea what was happening to him. Bis paients weien't familiai with
uou, so he hau no encouiagement fiom them. All he hau was his own limiteu knowleuge,
so he iesisteu the call of uou.
At the age of nineteen, Bianham maue a uecision to move, hoping that a new location
woulu ielieve him of this piessuie. Knowing that he woulu meet with uisappioval fiom his
mothei, he tolu hei he was going to a campgiounu that was only fouiteen miles away fiom
his home, when actually he was going to Phoenix, Aiizona.
With new suiiounuings anu a uiffeient way of life, Bianham secuieu a uay job on a
283
C O L . C L . L I . L .
local ianch. At night, he puisueu a piofessional boxing caieei, anu even won a few meuals.
But tiy as he might, Bianham coulun't iun fiom uou even in the ueseit. As he lookeu out
upon the stais at night, he woulu again sense the call of uou upon him.
0ne uay, he ieceiveu news that his biothei, Euwaiu, who was closest to him in age,
was seiiously ill. Bianham felt that, in time, eveiything woulu be all iight, so he continueu
woiking at the ianch. }ust a few uays latei, Bianham ieceiveu the heaitbieaking news that
his biothei hau uieu.
The giief was neaily unbeaiable foi Bianham. "Tbe first tbing I tbougbt of was,"
Bianham iecalleu, "wbetber be was prepared to die....Tben again Cod called me, but
as usual I tried to figbt it off."
As Bianham tiaveleu home, teais ian uown his cheeks as he thought of theii
chiluhoou togethei. Remembeiing how haiu things weie foi them, he wonueieu if uou
hau taken Euwaiu to a bettei place.
The ueath was veiy haiu on the family, because no one knew uou, anu it was
impossible foi them to finu peace. As a mattei of fact, it was at his biothei's funeial wheie
Bianham iemembeieu heaiing his fiist piayei.
7
It was heie that he ueciueu to leain to
piay. Aftei the buiial, Bianham intenueu to ietuin to Aiizona, but his mothei beggeu him
to stay at home. Bianham agieeu anu founu a job at the uas Woiks in New Albany.
I. IL I.CL OI LL.I
About two yeais latei, while testing gas meteis, Bianham was oveicome with the gas.
The entiie lining of his stomach was coateu with chemical aciu, anu he suffeieu foi weeks
befoie seeking meuical help fiom specialists.
The uoctoi uiagnoseu Bianham with appenuicitis anu placeu him in the hospital foi
suigeiy. Because he wasn't expeiiencing pain, Bianham askeu foi a local anesthetic only.
Then he coulu iemain conscious anu watch the suigeiy. Even though he was not yet boin
again, Bianham askeu a Baptist ministei to go into suigeiy with him.
Aftei suigeiy, Bianham was moveu to his ioom, wheie he founu himself giowing
weakei anu weakei. As the beating of his heait became faintei, he felt ueath upon him.
uiauually, the hospital ioom giew uaik to Bianham, anu in the uistance he heaiu the
sounu of winu. It seemeu as if it weie blowing thiough a foiest, iustling the leaves of the
tiees. Bianham iemembeieu thinking, "Well, tbis is deatb coming to take me."
The winu came closeianu the sounu giew louuei.
"All at once, I was gone," Bianham saiu. "I was back again a little barefoot boy
standing in tbe same lane, under tbe same tree. And I beard tbat same voice, 'Never
drink or smoke.' But tbis time tbe voice said, 'I called you and you would not go.'
Tbe words were repeated tbe tbird time.
284
"Tben I said, 'Lord, if tbat is You, let me go back again to eartb and I will preacb
Your Cospel from tbe bousetops and street corners. I'll tell everyone about it!'"
Suuuenly Bianham awoke anu saw that he was in his hospital ioom. Be was feeling
bettei, but the suigeon thought him to be ueau. When he came in anu saw Bianham, he
saiu, "I'm not a chuich-going man,...but I know uou visiteu this boy."
8
A few uays latei, Bianham was ieleaseu fiom the hospital, anu tiue to his vow, he
immeuiately began to seek the Loiu.
IL.LLL' ..L IIOLL OI I'
Bianham seaicheu fiom chuich to chuich, tiying in vain to finu one that pieacheu
iepentance. Finally, in uespeiation, he went out to the olu sheu in back of his house anu
tiieu to piay. Be hau no iuea of what to say, so he simply staiteu talking to uou as he woulu
talk to anyone.
Suuuenly, a light came anu shown on the wall of the sheu, foiming a cioss. Bianham
believeu it was the Loiu, as it seemeu "a thousanu pounus weie lifteu off him." It was theie
by that olu sheu that Bianham was boin again.
The acciuent he hau suffeieu with chemical aciu left Bianham with stiange siue
effects, anu when he lookeu at anything too long, his heau woulu shake. Bianham tolu the
Loiu that if he was to pieach, he woulu have to be fully healeu. So he founu a small,
inuepenuent Baptist chuich that believeu in healing, went foiwaiu foi piayei anu was
285
Bronbom in bis eorly yeors
C O L . C L . L I . L .
healeu instantly. Seeing the powei this chuich exhibiteu, Bianham began to piay anu seek
uou foi that kinu of powei in his life. Six months latei, he ieceiveu his answei.
Aftei accepting the call to pieach, Bianham was oiuaineu an inuepenuent Baptist
ministei. Secuiing a small tent, he immeuiately began to ministei with gieat iesults.
ILIL. I. LICI .C.I.'
In }une, 19SS, at the age of twenty-foui, Bianham helu his fiist majoi tent ievival in
}effeisonville. As many as thiee thousanu people attenueu in one night.
Be conuucteu a watei baptism seivice on }une 11, immeising one hunuieu thiity
people in the 0hio Rivei. As he baptizeu the seventeenth peison, anothei supeinatuial
occuiience took place. In Bianham's own woius he
uesciibes it:
"A wbirl came down from tbe beavens
above, bere come tbat ligbt, sbining down...it
bung rigbt over wbere I was at...and it liked to
a-scared me to deatb."
Nany of the foui thousanu on the iivei bank who
saw the light, ian in feai, some iemaineu anu fell in
woiship. Some claimeu to heai an actual voice, otheis uiun't.
9
That autumn, the people who hau attenueu his meetings built a tabeinacle, calling it
"Bianham Tabeinacle." Fiom 19SS to 1946, Bianham was the bivocational ministei of the
Tabeinacle while he woikeu at a seculai job.
II. Ò.LLIILL IOIL
It was uuiing this happy time of the 19Sus that Bianham met a wonueiful Chiistian
giil. Bei name was Bope Biumback. She met Bianham's iequiiements; she nevei smokeu
oi uiank, anu he loveu hei gieatly.
Aftei seveial months, Bianham ueciueu to ask Bope to maiiy him. But being too shy
to speak with hei, he uiu the next best thing anu wiote hei a lettei. Feaiing hei mothei
woulu get the lettei fiist, he hesitatingly slippeu the lettei in hei mailbox. But Bope got the
lettei fiist anu piomptly answeieu, "Yes!"
The two weie maiiieu shoitly afteiwaiu, anu Bianham iecalleu, "I don't believe
tbere was any place on eartb tbat was any bappier tban our little bome." Two yeais
latei, a son, Billy Paul, was boin to the Bianhams. As he uesciibeu that moment, Bianham
saiu, "Wben I first beard bim cry in tbe bospital I seemed to know tbat be was a boy,
and I gave bim to Cod before I even saw bim."
10
. .L` LO.L OI IO`LI
286
Tbot outumn, tbe people
wbo boJ ottenJeJ bis
meetinqs built o
tobernocle, collinq it
"Bronbom Tobernocle."
The uieat Bepiession of the 19Sus soon hit the Bianham Tabeinacle, anu times
became a little haiu. Soon Bianham began to pieach without compensation. Be continueu
to woik in a seculai job to suppoit his family. Aftei saving some money, he ueciueu to take
a fishing tiip to Nichigan. All too soon, he ian out of money anu staiteu back home.
0n the ietuin tiip, he saw a gieat gioup of people gatheiing foi a gospel meeting anu
wonueieu what kinu of people they weie, so he stoppeu anu hau his fiist expeiience with
"Pentecostalism."
The gatheiing was a "0neness" camp meeting. (The 0neness people weie a
uenomination of people who believeu, as they explaineu it, in "}esus only.") Bianham was
impiesseu with theii singing anu clapping. The longei he stayeu, the moie he iealizeu
theie was something to this powei they talkeu about.
That night, Bianham uiove his Nouel "T" into a coinfielu anu slept in the cai. Be was
eagei to ietuin the next uay. Be hau intiouuceu himself as a ministei, anu that veiy uay the
leauei announceu that the gioup woulu like to heai fiom the next to the youngest ministei
theie, William Bianham.
Bianham was so shockeu, that he uuckeu in embaiiassment. Be uiun't want anyone
to know he was theie. Be hau useu his goou tiouseis foi a pillow the night befoie anu was
weaiing an olu paii of seeisuckeis.
The speakei again askeu foi William Bianham to come to the platfoim, but Bianham
sat still, too embaiiasseu to iesponu. Aftei all, no one knew who he was anyway, so he
thought he was safe.
Finally, a man leaneu ovei to him anu askeu, "Bo you know who William Bianham
is." Bianham ieplieu, "It's me," but explaineu that he coulun't pieach befoie these people
appeaiing as he uiu. The man saiu, "They caie moie about youi heait than how you look."
The man stoou up anu pointing to Bianham, yelleu, "Beie he is!"
Bianham ieluctantly walkeu up anu took the platfoim, anu as he began to pieach, the
powei of uou engulfeu him anu the meeting lasteu two houis. Afteiwaius, pastois fiom all
ovei the countiy appioacheu Bianham, asking him to come to theii chuiches to conuuct a
ievival. When Bianham left, his calenuai was filleu foi the yeai. These 0neness people hau
no iuea they hau just askeu a Baptist to conuuct weeks of meetings in theii chuiches!
I..I ..L I.CLL
Bianham iaceu home. As he pulleu into theii uiiveway, Bope ian out to meet him.
Bianham, exciteu fiom his expeiience, tolu Bope of the camp meeting anu the meetings he
hau scheuuleu. She seemeu as exciteu as he, but family anu fiienus weie not as jubilant.
The main opposition came fiom Bianham's mothei-in-law who was auamant in hei
opposition. She exclaimeu, "Bo you know that's a bunch of holy iolleis....Bo you think
you'u uiag my uaughtei out amongst stuff like that.....Riuiculous! That's nothing but tiash
that the othei chuiches has thioweu out."
11
287
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Influenceu by his mothei-in-law, Bianham
cancelleu his meetings foi the 0neness Pentecostals.
Latei, he iegietteu it as the gieatest mistake of his life.
If he hau gone on to holu those meetings, his family
woulu not have been in the gieat 0hio floou of 19S7.
The wintei of 19S7 was seveie. As heavy masses
of snow began to melt, it causeu the 0hio Rivei to swell
ovei its natuial bounuaiies. Even the uikes anu levees
coulun't holu back the gieat swell of watei.
The floou coulun't have come at a woise time foi
the Bianhams. Bope hau just hau anothei baby, anu
this time they weie blesseu with a baby giil, whom
they nameu Shaion Rose. Because of chilubiith, Bope's
immune system hau not been completely iestoieu,
anu as a iesult, she contiacteu a seiious lung uisease.
It was uuiing Bope's convalescence that the levee
on the 0hio Rivei gave way to the foice of watei, which quickly flooueu the aiea. The
siiens blaieu out the waining that all must evacuate foi theii own safety. Bope was in no
conuition to be moveu, yet theie was no choice. Bespite the colu anu the iain, she was
tianspoiteu to a makeshift hospital on highei giounu. Also, uuiing this gieat floou of 19S7,
both Bianham babies became seiiously ill with pneumonia.
ÌLIL. . I..IL`
As much as he wanteu to stay with his loveu ones, Bianham knew he must help the
town fight the iising floou. So he joineu the iescue squau, only to ietuin to the hospital foui
houis latei anu finu that floou wateis hau bioken uown the walls, anu his family was gone.
Fiantically, Bianham seaicheu foi his family thioughout the night. Finally, he was tolu
they weie placeu on a tiain anu sent to anothei town. Feveiishly, he attempteu to make his
way to them, but the floouwateis tiappeu him. Foi two weeks he was maiooneu anu
unable to leave oi heai any woiu iegaiuing his family.
As soon as the wateis went uown, he left in his tiuck to seaich foi his family. Be uiun't
know if they weie ueau oi alive. When he aiiiveu at the next town wheie he supposeu
they weie sent, no one knew of a hospital, much less about his family.
Totally uesponuent, Bianham walkeu the stieets with his hat in his hanus, walking,
piaying, anu ciying out foi his family. Someone iecognizeu him anu tolu him wheie his
family hau been sent, but the floou wateis hau cut off any tiavel to that city. Bianham
thankeu the man anu continueu his seaich.
Suuuenly, as if it weie an act of uou, he ian into a fiienu who tolu him that he knew
wheie his family was, anu that Bianham's wife was neai ueath. The two men seaicheu
288
Tbe moin opposition come
from Bronbom's motber-
in-low wbo wos oJomont
in ber opposition. Sbe
excloimeJ, "Bo you know
tbot's o buncb of boly
rollers?..Bo you tbink you'J
Jroq my Jouqbter out
omonqst stuff like tbot?...
RiJiculous! Tbot's notbinq
but trosb tbot tbe otber
cburcbes bos tbroweJ out."
until they founu a way to bypass the floou wateis, anu by evening Bianham anu his fiienu
pulleu into the town anu founu his family.
I `.. .L.O. IO.L...
The Baptist chuich in this town hau been tuineu into a makeshift hospital. When
Bianham founu Bope, he knelt uown besiue hei beu, only to leain that the X-iays hau
shown tubeiculosis cieeping ueepei anu ueepei into hei lungs. Bianham spoke with Bope
softly, anu she tolu him the chiluien weie with hei mothei. When he founu them, theii
health was ueteiioiating as well.
Bianham ueteimineu he woulu woik anu make whatevei amount was necessaiy to
see Bope anu the chiluien iecovei. 0ne uay while woiking, he ieceiveu a call fiom the
hospital. The uoctoi tolu Bianham that if he wanteu to see his wife alive, he neeueu to
come iight away.
Racing to the hospital, Bianham ian thiough the uooi, wheie the uoctoi met him anu
took him stiaight to his wife's ioom. The sheet was alieauy pulleu ovei hei face.
Neveitheless, Bianham giabbeu hei anu shook hei, ciying, "Honey! Answer me!...Cod,
please let ber speak to me once more." Anu suuuenly, Bope openeu hei eyes. She tiieu
to ieach out to Bianham, but she was too weak.
She lookeu at hei husbanu anu whispeieu, "I was almost home. Why uiu you call me."
Then in hei weak, falteiing voice, she began telling Bianham about heaven. She saiu,
"Boney, you've pieacheu it, you've talkeu of it, but you can't know how gloiious it is."
Teaifully, she thankeu Bianham foi being a goou husbanu, then she began to giow
quietei...Bianham finishes the stoiy this way: "Sbe pulled me down to ber and kissed
me good-bye....Tben sbe went to be witb Cod."
As Bianham uiove home, alone in the uaikness, eveiything he saw ieminueu him of
Bope. Bis giief seemeu unbeaiable. At home, thinking of his motheiless babies, he fell
asleep, only to be awakeneu by a knock at the uooi.
IL ..LLL. .ICI O. L.II
"Billy, youi baby is uying now," weie the woius fiom the man at the uooi.
Feeling that his life was at its veiy enu, Bianham got into the man's pick-up tiuck, anu
they tianspoiteu baby Shaion to the hospital, but to no avail. X-iays showeu the baby hau
spinal meningitis.
The hospital moveu Shaion into the basement wheie they kept isolateu cases. The
fatal uisease hau twisteu hei little leg out of noimal position, anu the pain causeu hei eyes
to cioss. 0nable to see hei in such agony, Bianham laiu his hanus on Shaion anu piayeu,
asking uou to spaie hei life. Sauly, Bianham thought uou was punishing him foi not going
on the 0neness ievivals. Shoitly aftei his piayei, baby Shaion joineu hei mothei in
289
C O L . C L . L I . L .
heaven.
12
In just one night, Bianham hau lost two of the thiee most piecious people on eaith to
him. 0nly Billy Paul was left.
Two uays latei, a heaitbioken man buiieu his uaughtei in the aims of hei mothei. It
seemeu his giief was too gieat to be enuuieu. Yet, in the coming yeais, the iemembiance
of those feelings woulu cause the teais of compassion to floou his cheeks as William
Bianham piayeu foi the sick.
IL Ì.L ILLI.LL
The next five-yeai peiiou was a "wilueiness
expeiience" foi Bianham. No one seemeu to
unueistanu. Bis Baptist chuich seemeu to giow
impatient with him, calling his visions uemonic. They
even suggesteu that the light which appeaieu at his
biith piobably inuicateu the piesence of a uemon in his
life. They went on to wain Bianham to stop the
visionaiy expeiiences, oi his ministiy "woulu fall into
uisiepute."
1S
Buiing these yeais, Bianham maiiieu again. Be
saiu many times that he woulu have nevei uone so, but Bope hau askeu him to, foi the
chiluien's sake.
Be continueu to pieach at the Bianham Tabeinacle, woiking as a game waiuen on
the siue. 0n Nay 7, 1946, a veiy beautiful spiing uay, Bianham came home foi lunch, anu a
fiienu came ovei. The two men weie outsiue unuei a laige maple tiee when, accoiuing to
Bianham, "It seemed tbat tbe wbole top of tbe tree let loose...it seemed like
sometbing came down from tbat tree like a great rusbing wind."
Bis wife came iunning out of the house to see if he was all iight. Tiying to get contiol
of his emotions, Bianham sat uown anu tolu hei the stoiy of the past twenty yeais. At that
point, he maue a uecision that he was going to finu out, once anu foi all, what was behinu
this "winu." Be saiu, "I told ber {bis wife] and my cbild good-bye and warned ber tbat
if I didn't come back in a few days, perbaps I migbt never return."
IL ..CLL OI IL LOIL C..L
Bianham went to a secluueu place to piay anu ieau the Bible. So ueep was his tiavail
that it seemeu his soul woulu teai out of his bouy. "Will You speak to me some way,
Cod? If You don't belp me, I can't go on," he ciieu.
That same night about 11:uu P.N., he noticeu a light flickeiing in the ioom. Thinking
someone was coming with a flashlight, he lookeu out the winuow, but saw no one.
Suuuenly, the light began to spieau acioss the flooi. Staitleu, Bianham jumpeu up fiom his
290
Tbe next five-yeor perioJ
wos o "wilJerness
experience" for Bronbom.
No one seemeJ to
unJerstonJ. Eis Boptist
cburcb seemeJ to qrow
impotient witb bim, collinq
bis visions Jemonic.
chaii when he saw a ball of fiie shining on the flooi. Then he heaiu someone walking. As he
lookeu, he saw the feet of a man coming towaiu him. As he continueu up fiom the feet, he
saw a man that appeaieu to be about two hunuieu pounus in weight, clotheu in a white
iobe.
As Bianham tiembleu in feai, the man spoke, "Feai not. I am sent fiom the piesence
of Almighty uou to tell you that youi peculiai life anu youi misunueistoou ways have been
to inuicate that uou has sent you to take a gift of uivine healing to the peoples of the woilu."
IL ..CLL CO.I.LLL...
"If you will be sinceie, anu can get the people to believe you, nothing shall stanu
befoie youi piayei, not even cancei."
Bianham's fiist iesponse was like uiueon's, of olu.
Be tolu the angel that he was pooi anu uneuucateu,
thus, he felt no one woulu accept his ministiy oi listen
to him.
But the angel went on to tell Bianham that he
woulu ieceive two gifts as signs to vinuicate his
ministiy. Fiist, Bianham woulu be able to uetect
uiseases by a physical vibiation in his left hanu.
Some have maue fun of this physical
manifestation, oi labeleu it uemonic. To compiehenu the Woiu of the Loiu, we must giasp
the law of iighteousness anu the law of the Spiiit, then foimulate the piinciple. It is possible
that the "vibiation" can be accuiately explaineu this way: When the unclean uisease in the
afflicteu peison met with the supeinatuial powei of uou thiough Bianham, it woulu set off
a physical ieaction, oi, a vibiation. When the unclean meets the clean, tbere is qoinq to
be o reoction!
In latei yeais, uoiuon Linusay witnesseu this supeinatuial phenomenon. Be saiu that
the "electiic, cuiient like" vibiation was so stiong at times, it woulu instantly stop
Bianham's wiistwatch. Linusay went on to say that aftei the spiiit was cast out of the
peison, Bianham's "ieu anu swollen" hanu woulu ietuin to noimal conuition.
The angel continueu to instiuct Bianham, that when he felt the vibiation, he was to
piay foi the peison. If the vibiation leaves, the peison is healeu. If not he was to "just ask a
blessing anu walk away."
ILIL ÌLL LL . .LCO.L .IC.
Bianham iesponueu to the angel, "Sir, I'm afraid tbey won't receive me." The
angel iesponueu: "Then it will come to pass that you'll know the veiy seciet of theii heait.
This they will heai."
14
291
Wben tbe uncleon Jiseose
in tbe offlicteJ person met
witb tbe supernoturol
power of 6oJ tbrouqb
Bronbom, it woulJ set off o
pbysicol reoction, or, o
vibrotion.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
In connection with this seconu sign, the angel maue this statement: "The thoughts of
men speak louuei in heaven than uo theii woius on eaith." Any sin in a peison's life that
was unuei the bloou was nevei ievealeu. But if the sin was unconfesseu oi coveieu, it
woulu be biought to light thiough this spiiitual gift, the woiu of knowleuge. When this
occuiieu in his piayei line, Bianham woulu step away fiom the miciophone anu speak
piivately with the peison, leauing him to an immeuiate iepentance.
Was this a tiue visitation fiom uou. Yes. Bow uo we know. Because angels aie sent to
ministei to the heiis of salvation (see Bebiews 1:14). Angels announceu the biith of }esus
anu ministeieu to Bim thioughout Bis life on eaith. Thioughout the Bible angels
ministeieu, pioclaiming the Woiu of the Loiu to mankinu.
The angel of the Loiu will nevei ieveal anything that is contiaiy to Sciiptuie. Be nevei
auus anything to oi takes anything away fiom the Woiu of uou. In othei woius, the angel
of the Loiu neithei invents an auuitional Bible noi uoes he uistoit Sciiptuie. The Woiu of
uou is always the stanuaiu.
Buiing his visit, the angel of the Loiu went on to tell Bianham many othei things
conceining his ministiy. Fiist, he saiu that Bianham, an unknown pieachei, woulu soon
stanu befoie thousanus in ciowueu aienas. Seconu, Be tolu him if he woulu be faithful to
his call, the iesults woulu ieach the woilu anu shake the nations. The visitation lasteu
about half an houi.
1S
.O I.L `..LL
Aftei the visitation fiom the angel, Bianham ietuineu to his home. The following
Sunuay evening, he tolu the people in the tabeinacle of his visitation. Iionically, they fully
believeu his ievelation.
The woiu of the Loiu came to pass quickly. While Bianham was speaking, someone
came in anu hanueu him a telegiam. It was fiom a Rev. Robeit Baughteiy, asking Bianham
to come to St. Louis anu piay foi his uaughtei to be healeu. Be hau exhausteu the aiu of
physicians anu felt that piayei was the only answei.
Bianham hau no money to make the tiip. So the congiegation quickly took an
offeiing, collecting enough money foi a iounu-tiip tiain faie. Be boiioweu a suit of clothes
fiom one of his biotheis, anu a coat fiom anothei. At miunight, membeis of the
congiegation escoiteu him to the tiain bounu foi St. Louis.
IL III. .II.CLL
The little giil in St. Louis lay uying fiom some unknown malauy. The chuich hau
fasteu anu piayeu foi hei, but to no avail. The best physicians of the city hau been calleu,
but weie unable to uiagnose hei case.
Teais iolleu uown the cheeks of Bianham as he walkeu towaiu the little giil. She was
skin anu bones anu lay in beu, clawing at hei face like an animal. She hau become hoaise
292
fiom scieaming in pain. She hau been in toiment this way foi thiee months.
Bianham joineu his piayei with the iest of them, but to no avail. Be finally askeu foi a
quiet place to be alone anu seek the Loiu. This became his pattein in his eaily ministiy. In
seeking the Loiu, he woulu often see the answei thiough a vision. Be woulu wait until the
conuitions weie exactly as he saw in the vision, then he woulu act on what he hau seen.
The iesults weie always immeuiate when he followeu this pattein.
Aftei a while, Bianham maicheu confiuently back to the house. Be askeu the fathei
anu the otheis, "Do you believe tbat I am Cod's servant?" "Yes!" they ciieu. "Tben do
as I tell you, doubting notbing." Bianham pioceeueu to ask foi seveial things, then
piayeu foi the chilu, accoiuing to the vision the Loiu hau given him. Immeuiately, the evil
spiiit left the giil anu she was healeu. She liveu to see a noimal, healthy chiluhoou.
When news of the healing spieau, the people flockeu to see Bianham, but he
withuiew fiom them, piomising he woulu ietuin latei. Be uiu ietuin within a few weeks.
IL LL.L .IL I.I.LL
In }une of 1946, Bianham ietuineu to St. Louis anu conuucteu a twelve-uay meeting
to pieach anu piay foi the sick. The tent was packeu with many people stanuing outsiue,
even in the toiiential iains. Tiemenuous manifestations took place as the lame walkeu, the
blinu saw, anu the ueaf heaiu. A ministei who hau been blinu foi twenty yeais ieceiveu his
sight, a woman who iejecteu the Spiiit of uou fell ueau outsiue the tent fiom a heait attack.
Bianham went out to hei anu piayeu. She aiose anu founu salvation in }esus Chiist. The
healings multiplieu anu giew beyonu count. Bianham often stayeu until 2:uu a.m., piaying
foi the sick.
Fiom St. Louis, he was askeu to holu a ievival in }onesboio, Aikansas, wheie some
twenty-five thousanu people attenueu the meetings.
16
Buiing this meeting, Bianham slippeu out of the
seivice to go insiue an ambulance wheie an elueily
woman hau uieu. Aftei piaying a simple piayei, the
woman sat up anu huggeu hei husbanu. Theie weie so
many people stanuing against the back uooi of the
ambulance that it coulu not be openeu foi Bianham to
leave. So the ambulance uiivei helu his coat ovei the
fiont winuow so Bianham coulu leave thiough the
fiont uooi.
17
0ne woman, who hau uiiven hunuieus of
miles, maue a teaiful attempt to uesciibe to otheis the
humility, compassion, anu meekness of Bianham.
When she lookeu at Bianham, she saiu "all she saw
was }esus," auuing that "You will nevei be the same aftei seeing him."
18
LL. .IIL.L OL
293
Bronbom proceeJeJ to osk
for severol tbinqs, tben
proyeJ for tbe cbilJ,
occorJinq to tbe vision tbe
lorJ boJ qiven bim.
lmmeJiotely, tbe evil spirit
left tbe qirl onJ sbe wos
beoleJ.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
In Aikansas, Bianham acquiieu his fiist campaign managei, W. E. Kiuson, an euitoi
foi Tbe Apostolic EerolJ. This was the newslettei that hau publisheu the iesults of
Bianham's ministiy. Kiuson, being a uie-haiu pioneei of the 0neness uoctiine, hau
intiouuceu Bianham to that uenomination, anu took him aiounu to seveial small
chuiches.
The yeai 1947 is iemembeieu as a high-piofile time foi the Bianham ministiy. Time
magazine publisheu the news of his campaigns, anu his ministiy team took theii fiist toui
of the westein states.
T. L. anu Baisy 0sboin weie gieatly influenceu by his meetings in Poitlanu, 0iegon.
They hau just ietuineu fiom Inuia, wheie they hau seiveu as missionaiies. They weie
uefeateu in vision anu puipose, anu neaily ieauy to quit the ministiy.
The stoiy is tolu that T. L. was piesent as Bianham tuineu a little cioss-eyeu giil
aiounu to face the auuience. As Bianham laiu his hanus on hei, T. L. watcheu as hei eyes
giauually stiaighteneu. It is saiu that T. L. heaiu these woius, "You can uo that! You can uo
that!" Aftei the Bianham meeting, the 0sboins weie iefiesheu, iekinuleu, anu focuseu.
They finally founu the answei foi which they weie seaiching. The iesult was an incieuible
inteinational missionaiy anu healing ministiy thiough the 0sboins to the nations of the
woilu.
It was also in 1947 that Bianham met anu joineu with uoiuon Linusay. }ack Nooie
was a 0neness ministei who hau been tiaveling with Bianham when they joineu with
Linusay. Although Linusay was a Tiinitaiian, the two men foimeu a coalition that pioveu
impeiative to Bianham's success.
When Linusay iealizeu that an unpieceuenteu uivine move of uou hau begun, he
uigeu Bianham to take his ministiy beyonu the bounuaiies of the 0neness ciicles anu into
the Full uospel ciicles. Realizing that Linusay was being useu to fulfill the woius that came
uuiing his angelic visitation, Bianham agieeu. Linusay was a mastei in oiganization, an
attiibute that Bianham lackeu. So Bianham gave Linusay the libeity to oiganize anu
piomote one of the gieatest healing ievivals to this uay.
Nooie anu Linusay foimulateu the fiist 0nion Campaign in the fall of 1947. These
meetings weie to biing the 0neness anu Tiinitaiian believeis togethei in one gieat
meeting. Belu in the noithwestein states anu paits of Canaua, the 0nion Campaign was
well ieceiveu because Bianham's messages avoiueu uoctiinal uiffeiences. The people
attenuing expeiienceu "theii gieatest ieligious expeiiences evei." 0ftentimes, accoiuing to
iepoits, as many as fifteen hunuieu people weie boin again in a single seivice. W. }. Ein
Baxtei joineu the healing team in Canaua, anu wiote that as many as thiity-five thousanu
healings weie manifesteu uuiing that yeai of ministiy.
19
ÒICL OI IL.LI.C I. LOI.
In an effoit to give voice to this message of healing thioughout the lanu, the Bianham
team ueviseu a new methou of publicity. They ueciueu that a new publication shoulu be
294
cieateu, which woulu ciiculate outsiue of the isolateu 0neness congiegations anu into
eveiy iealm of Chiistianity. Realizing again that this fulfilleu the woiu of the Loiu
conceining him, Bianham agieeu. Bowevei, Kiuson, his euitoi, uiun't agiee, so Bianham
ielieveu Kiuson of his uuties anu appointeu Linusay anu Nooie as euitois, anu himself as
publishei. Togethei, the team conceiveu Tbe voice of Eeolinq magazine.
0iiginally, only one magazine was to be publisheu,
intiouucing Bianham. But the uemanu was so gieat,
the pilot magazine was iepiinteu seveial times. The
team finally ueciueu to publish Tbe voice of Eeolinq
on a monthly basis.
Fiom that point on, Bianham maue it a key issue
nevei to uiscuss uoctiinal issues. Be saiu:
"Cod didn't put His endorsement
upon one particular cburcb, but He
revealed tbat tbe pure in beart would see
Cod," Bianham often auueu: "Let tbe fellow
believe wbatever be wants to about it.
Tbese tbings don't amount to very mucb
anybow. Be brotbers, bave fellowsbip witb one anotber."
Bianham often saiu that believeis shoulu be able to "disagree a million miles on
tbeology," but if they evei came to the place wheie they coulun't embiace one anothei as
biotheis, then they shoulu feel "backslid."
20
L.IL IOLLLL
In 1948, Bianham's ministiy came to an abiupt halt when he suffeieu a neivous
bieakuown. Be was physically anu mentally fatigueu fiom oveiwoik in the ministiy.
Befoie hiiing Linusay as his campaign managei, he woulu piay until the eaily moining
houis foi those in the healing lines, totally exhausting himself. Be uiu not know when to
stop. Bis weight uioppeu consiueiably, anu iumois began to ciiculate that Bianham was
uying.
As a iesult, Linusay, auministiatoi of his campaigns, cut Bianham's ministiy time to
one houi oi less each evening, anu visitois weie no longei alloweu in Bianham's hotel
ioom. Linusay expanueu Bianham's meetings, but wisely cut uown on the inteiiuptions
anu excesses.
When Bianham expeiienceu his bieakuown, he began to point fingeis at those he
blameu foi the illness. Be accuseu Linusay of oveiextenuing him. Then he infoimeu
Linusay anu Nooie that in the futuie Tbe voice of Eeolinq magazine woulu be theii sole
iesponsibility.
Linusay was shockeu at Bianham's accusations. Be hau just planneu an extensive
295
0riqinolly, only one
moqozine wos to be
publisbeJ, introJucinq
Bronbom. But tbe JemonJ
wos so qreot, tbe pilot
moqozine wos reprinteJ
severol times. Tbe teom
finolly JeciJeJ to publisb
Tbe voice of Eeolinq on o
montbly bosis.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
healing campaign foi Bianham, anu felt ueseiteu when Tbe voice of Eeolinq magazine
was uioppeu in his lap. But he continueu to publish the magazine, expanuing the aiticles to
covei othei healing ministiies. Although they continueu to woik togethei, Linusay anu
Bianham's close ielationship nevei quite iecoveieu fiom that point on.
Buiing this time, othei healing evangelists began to suiface. 0ial Robeits, who hau
enteieu the ministiy one yeai aftei Bianham, iequesteu that eveiyone piay foi Bianham's
iestoiation. Six months latei, Bianham suuuenly appeaieu back on the scene, claiming he
was miiaculously healeu. Bis ietuin was gieeteu by his followeis with gieat excitement.
Bianham helu his fiist majoi ciusaue aftei his illness in 19Su. It was at this time that F.
F. Boswoith, the gieat healing evangelist fiom the 192us, hau now joineu the Bianham
team. Ciowus of ovei eight thousanu people came to a single seivice.
It was heie that the most famous photo of Bianham's ministiy was taken. It is known
as the "halo" photo. A Baptist pastoi hau challengeu Bianham to a uebate on healing.
Bianham accepteu. The Baptist hiieu a photogiaphei to captuie the event. It was one of
the pictuies taken theie that featuieu a halo of light iesting ovei Bianham's heau. Linusay
immeuiately hau the photo authoiizeu anu uocumenteu as an oiiginal, ceitifying that no
make-oveis oi touch-ups weie peifoimeu on eithei the photo oi negative.
.I.LI.C ..IO..
In Apiil of 19Su, Bianham tiaveleu to Scanuinavia, making him the fiist voice of
Bealing evangelist to tiavel to Euiope.
Befoie going to Euiope, Bianham hau a vision of a
little boy being hit by a cai anu being iaiseu fiom the
ueau. Be tolu this vision thioughout Ameiica.
While in Finlanu, Bianham's cai was behinu a cai
that hau stiuck two small boys. Bianham's paity
pickeu up one boy anu pioceeueu to the hospital.
Realizing his pulse anu ciiculation hau stoppeu,
Bianham knelt on the flooi of the cai anu piayeu foi
uou's meicy. The boy came back to life anu began to
ciy. Be was ieleaseu fiom the hospital thiee uays latei.
The next uay, Bianham ieceiveu a vision showing him
that both boys woulu live.
The associate who was tiaveling with him wiote Bianham's fiist vision about the boy
on a piece of papei at the time the vision occuiieu, anu placeu the piece of papei in his
wallet. Aftei the inciuent happeneu, it is saiu the associate pulleu the papei out of his wallet
anu ieau it to Bianham. It was the exact vision Bianham hau tolu thioughout Ameiica.
Be hau also ieceiveu many piayei iequests fiom Afiica, some of which weie
accompanieu by a plane ticket. In the fall of 19S1, Bianham anu his ministiy team tiaveleu
296
Reolizinq bis pulse onJ
circulotion boJ stoppeJ,
Bronbom knelt on tbe floor
of tbe cor onJ proyeJ for
6oJ's mercy. Tbe boy come
bock to life onJ beqon to
cry.
to South Afiica. They helu campaigns thiough Becembei. It is iepoiteu that the meetings
weie the gieatest evei in South Afiica, with ciowus estimateu to be fifty thousanu in
numbei, with thousanus tuineu away.
The city of Buiban hau a population of well ovei two hunuieu thousanu people. Eveiy
bus in the city was put to woik, anu still all the people coulu not be tianspoiteu to the
Bianham meetings. The iesults weie so incieuible, that a book entitleu, A Propbet visits
Soutb Africo, was wiitten to uesciibe it.
IO` LIL IL OILI.L`
Bianham's peisonality was captivating. Be uiun't have a chaiismatic, exubeiant
peisonality, but was best iemembeieu foi his humility anu humble oiigins. Be often
apologizeu foi his lack of euucation anu cultuial abilities. Bianham coulun't speak well
befoie ciowus. When he uiu speak, it was usually with a veiy quiet anu stutteiing voice.
Bianham usually left the pieaching to Boswoith anu otheis, then he ministeieu uivine
healing to the multituues.
Eveiything about his ministiy was geaieu towaiu the supeinatuial. Be iefuteu any
peison who was leu by intellectualism, anu woulu not peimit them to be on the platfoim
with him. Bis entiie ministiy team focuseu on cieating an atmospheie in which uivine
healing coulu manifest. Baxtei anu Boswoith pieacheu in the moining anu afteinoon
seivices. Baxtei pieacheu in his evangelistic iole, while Boswoith gave special instiuctions
foi ieceiving anu maintaining healing. Linusay, the cooiuinatoi of the campaigns, woulu
hanule the altai calls. Though Bianham insisteu his piimaiy iole was piaying foi the sick,
he always spoke in the evening seivices.
Since the uemanu foi a Bianham campaign was so gieat, his meetings became limiteu
to a few nights in each city. To hanule the flow of people, Linusay ueviseu anu authoieu a
small booklet, Bivine Eeolinq in tbe Bronbom Heetinqs, that was wiuely uistiibuteu in
a city befoie the team came to town. 0nlike the eailiei healing evangelists, Bianham
coulun't spenu weeks instiucting the people on healing befoie he piayeu foi them. This
booklet seiveu as a teaching tool foi those seeking healing. As a iesult, they came ieauy to
ieceive anu Bianham was able to piay foi them uuiing the fiist night of his campaign.
Bianham avoiueu all peisonal inteiviews piioi to the night seivices. Nost of the time,
he spent thiee uays of piayei anu fasting befoie each campaign.
Bianham woulu not piay foi people until he senseu his angel stanuing at his iight
siue.
"Without this consciousness," Boswoith saiu, "he seems to be peifectly helpless.
When he is conscious of the angel's piesence, he seems to bieak thiough the veil of the
flesh into the woilu of the Spiiit, to be stiuck thiough anu thiough with a sense of the
unseen."
A few witnesses claimeu they hau seen the angel stanuing besiue Bianham. Bowevei,
297
C O L . C L . L I . L .
the majoiity that noticeu the piesence, usually uesciibeu it as a "heavenly light." Boswoith
wiote that in the 19S1 South Afiican campaign, a light was seen ovei the heaus of the
people whose faith hau ieacheu the necessaiy level. While unuei the anointing, Bianham
woulu iecognize that light.
21
When Bianham piayeu foi the people in a piayei line, he uiiecteu them to line up on
his iight siue as well. This way, he felt the people ieceiveu a uouble uose of powei because
they passeu by the angel anu Bianham. The Bianham team useu the populai "piayei
caius," wheie each peison was given a caiu with a numbei on it, anu the numbeis weie
ianuomly calleu uuiing the seivice. Bianham also piayeu ovei hanukeichiefs to be caiiieu
to the afflicteu (see Acts 19:12).
II. LOCII.L I. IL L.IL L..
Bianham believeu that healing was the finisheu woik of Calvaiy. Be also believeu that
all sickness anu sin weie causeu by Satan. "Wbat doctors call 'cancer,' Cod calls it a
devil," Bianham pieacheu.
22
Bianham also hau a stiong ueliveiance ministiy. Along with sin anu sickness, he
iuentifieu insanity, tempei tantiums, uisbelief, anu lustful habits as the woik of uemons.
Bianham uiun't believe that ueliveiance healeu a peison, but he uiu believe it cleaieu a
pathway foi healing to have entiance.
Befoie Bianham woulu cast out uemons in his seivices, he woulu stop anu tell the
skeptics piesent that he coulun't be iesponsible foi what "evil fate befell them."
2S
If a peison uesiieu healing in his meetings, the peison must uo two things: (1) believe
anu confess that }esus uieu foi his healing anu (2) believe that Bianham was the piophet of
uou sent to auministei healing.
Bianham believeu that faith was a sixth sense. To him, faith was believing what uou
has ievealeu. People lost theii healing because they quit believing what hau been ievealeu
to them. "As faitb kills it [disease], unbelief resurrects it," Bianham ieasoneu.
24
A
peison uiun't have to be a Chiistian to be healeu, but they must become a Chiistian to
iemain healeu, accoiuing to Bianham.
While Bianham suppoiteu the woik of physicians, he also believeu theii woik was
limiteu. Be felt that meuicine meiely "kept the bouy clean while uou peifoimeu the
healing." Bianham asseiteu, "Tbere's not one speck of medicine ever did cure any
sickness." It is saiu that Bianham woulu "biistle" when one uesciibeu uivine healing as
fanaticism. Be woulu iesponu by stating that "medicine was never defined as
fanaticism wben a person died from incorrect medical treatment."
25
Bianham was also against the piospeiity of Chiistians, especially ministeis. Be often
claimeu that he coulu have been a millionaiie fiom the ievenue of his ministiy, but chose
not to be, iefusing gieat gifts of wealth by stating, "I want to be like tbe people wbo
come to be prayed for." When he finally accepteu a Cauillac as a gift, he kept it in his
298
gaiage foi two yeais, out of embaiiassment.
26
IL LLC.. O .LII...
Bianham iemaineu veiy influential in the ministiy of uivine healing foi nine yeais.
Buiing this time, healing evangelists began to suiface all ovei the countiy, opeiating
thiough gieat signs anu wonueis. In 19S2, at one of the heights in the voice of Bealing
ievival, foity-nine piominent healing evangelists weie featuieu in Tbe voice of Eeolinq
magazine. The ievelation of uivine healing hau ieacheu an all-time peak acioss the woilu.
But fiom that yeai on, the healing ievival fiies began to uwinule. By 19SS, Bianham began
to expeiience uifficulties, anu his ministiy took on a iauical change.
LO. LI.L..
uoiuon Linusay was one of the gieatest things that coulu have happeneu to the
ministiy of William Bianham. Linusay hau the Woiu anu Bianham hau the gift. Linusay
also hau the oiganizational skills that woulu enhance Bianham's gift anu ministiy.
0bviously, they weie a ministiy team maue in heaven.
But Bianham iefuseu to acknowleuge the woith of Linusay. Insteau, he pointeu
fingeis at him, accuseu him, anu abanuoneu him to some uegiee. I fiimly believe the Loiu
hau oiuaineu Linusay to help Bianham, because Bianham coulun't make it by himself.
Theiefoie, I also believe that Bianham's uisassociation with Linusay was a gieat mistake,
anu that Bianham plungeu into uoctiinal eiioi because of it.
.LIIOL.LLL L L. .L.
Bue to Bianham's coolness towaiu him, auueu to the fact that his own ministiy was
giowing, Linusay left the Bianham team aftei foui yeais. The men who ieplaceu Linusay
weie fai fiom his calibei in chaiactei anu integiity.
Bianham was unable to match the wits anu sophistication of those who came to take
subtle auvantage of him. It was a wiuely publicizeu fact that Bianham hau no business
sense anu coulu ieally caie less about it. With the heuge of piotection that came with
Linusay's management gone, many felt that Bianham's manageis took auvantage of him
anu his ministiy funus by using them foi themselves anu theii own wealth. Buiing
Linusay's management, Bianham's ministiy hau always excelleu financially, but unuei
new auministiation, the ministiy was huiting foi money. It became so bau, that Bianham
thought he woulu have to leave the ministiy anu go to woik at a seculai job.
Bianham's ciowus weie uown in numbei, anu soon the ministiy took on a $1S,uuu
ueficit. Bianham's mail count hau uioppeu fiom one thousanu letteis a uay to
appioximately seventy-five.
In the height of the ievival, Bianham's caielessness in financial matteis uiun't seem to
show. But now that things weie tight, his caielessness biought the attention of the Inteinal
Revenue Seivice. In 19S6, a tax-evasion suit was biought against the evangelist. Bespite his
299
C O L . C L . L I . L .
objections, Bianham incuiieu a $4u,uuu out-of-couit settlement, a uebt he caiiieu foi the
iest of his life.
27
Eventually, Bianham founu that a cult hau foimeu aiounu his peisonality. As othei
healing evangelists began to come to the foiefiont, these men woulu pacify Bianham's ego.
They encouiageu Bianham in his weiiu visions, claiming him to be the new Elijah, the
foieiunnei of Chiist's ietuin, anu the heau of the seventh Chuich age. They claimeu that
only Bianham coulu caiiy this calling of the Laouicean messengei, no one else woulu be
able to impeisonate it.
By 19S8, theie weie only about a uozen
piominent healing evangelists. It was eviuent to
eveiyone that the gloiy uays of the voice of Bealing
ievival hau come to a close. It was now time to seek the
Loiu anu finu the ioles to be playeu in the next move of
uou.
IL LIL .O .. I. II.
C.LLI.C
Bianham uiun't take the change well, in fact, he
nevei maue the tiansition at all. Insteau of seeking the
Loiu foi his place of ministiy in the next move of uou,
he tuineu to iauical uoctiine anu sensationalism.
Bianham took on the office of the teachei by his own
will, not by the commanu of uou.
It is possible that thiough his piophetic gift,
Bianham saw the awakening of the teaching gift that woulu move on the eaith thiough the
Woiu of Faith Novement, which began in the late 197us. Be obviously jumpeu aheau of its
timing, peihaps hoping to iegain his status as the leauei of it. Bianham faileu to iealize that
he was alieauy an unueniable leauei in the Chuich woilu, he just neeueu to get back into
his calling.
uou uiun't call Bianham to be a teachei, because he uiun't know the Woiu. As a iesult,
uistuibing uoctiines weie taught anu emphasizeu thiough his ministiy. Eveiything he hau
stoou foi in the foimei uays of ministiy seemeu to have escapeu him.
Without a uoubt, this gieat mistake causeu his life to enu eaily anu continues to
oveishauow his ministiy touay.
300
Fventuolly, Bronbom founJ
tbot o cult boJ formeJ
orounJ bis personolity. As
otber beolinq evonqelists
beqon to come to tbe
forefront, tbese men woulJ
pocify Bronbom's eqo. Tbey
encouroqeJ Bronbom in
bis weirJ visions, cloiminq
bim to be tbe new Flijob,
tbe forerunner of Cbrist's
return, onJ tbe beoJ of tbe
seventb Cburcb oqe.
301
0rol Roberts ottenJeJ tbe Bronbom compoiqn in Konsos City in 1948. Tbe obove is o rore
pbotoqropb sbowinq, from left to riqbt, Younq Brown, }ock Hoore, Williom Bronbom, 0rol
Roberts, onJ 6orJon linJsoy
Tbe voice of Eeolinq Convention of leoJinq evonqelists in Becember of 1949, wbicb Brotber
Bronbom ottenJeJ. Bock row, left to riqbt: 0rrin Kinqsriter, Clifton Frickson, Robert
Boswortb, E. C. Noob, v. }. 6orJner, E. T. lonqley, Abrobom Tonnenboum.... HiJJle Row:
RoymonJ T. Ricbey, Williom Bronbom, }ock Hoore, Bole Eonson, 0. l. }oqqer, 6oyle }ockson,
I. I. Boswortb, 6orJon linJsoy....Iront row: Hrs. Frickson, Hrs. Kinqsriter, Hrs. linJsoy,
Hiss Anno }eonne Hoore, Hrs. Boswortb, Hrs. }ockson, onJ Hrs. lonqley
C O L . C L . L I . L .
302
Bronbom witb I. I. Boswortb
Preocbinq tbe WorJ! Bronbom in Soutb Africo
303
Hinisterinq in o Sponisb cburcb, Pboenix, Arizono, 1947
6orJon linJsoy, Williom Bronbom, onJ W.
v. 6ront in Bollos, Texos, 1964
Tbe fomous bolo pboto
C O L . C L . L I . L .
IL LIL I II. `.
Bianham claimeu to have stiange spiiitual visions that seemeu to make him evei-
seaiching anu uiiven foi theii fulfillment. Thioughout the 196us, he lamenteu his uecline
in populaiity, noting that othei evangelists hau suipasseu him.
28
It hau become a
competitive iace to him.
Bianham tiieu to push his populaiity thiough uoctiinal teaching, which, accoiuing to
him, was given by piophetic ievelation. By abusing his gift, the piophecies became waipeu.
Insteau of using his piophetic ability to call the heaits of men back to uou, he tiieu to
pieuict inteinational events.
LI.CL OLI.LLI
When you ieau a sample of these uoctiines, you will unueistanu why it was such a
gieat mistake foi Bianham to allow Linusay to leave. If Linusay hau iemaineu, all the othei
mistakes woulu have been soiteu out of Bianham's life. Beie is a sample of the shocking
"piophetic" uoctiines Bianham taught until the enu of his life.
.O LLI..L ILLL
Intiouuceu as new ievelation, Bianham taught that theie was no eteinal hell. Be saiu
that hell was foievei, but not foi eteinity. Foievei, to him, meant a peiiou of time. Aftei this
peiiou of time, those in hell woulu be annihilateu.
29
.LLL OI IL .LIIL.
Be also taught that women weien't a cieateu piouuct of uou, but weie meiely a by-
piouuct of man. Be even suggesteu that animals weie a highei iank of species than
women because they weie cieateu fiom nothing. Theii seconuaiy status, accoiuing to
Bianham, maikeu women as "tbe most easily deceived and deceitful beings on
eartb."
Bianham also taught that women caiiieu the seeu of the Seipent. This uoctiine taught
that Eve anu the Seipent hau sexual ielations in the uaiuen anu cieateu Cain. Bianham
saiu that uou hau meant foi multiplication to come fiom the uust of the eaith, as occuiieu
with Auam, but Eve's action with Satan alteieu that plan. Because of Eve anu hei sexual
ielationship with Satan, the infeiioi methou of piocieation came about. Accoiuing to
Bianham, eveiy woman caiiies the liteial seeu of the uevil.
Bianham once saiu:
"Every time tbat a funeral goes down tbe street, a woman caused
it...Everytbing tbat's wrong, a woman caused it. And tben put ber bead of
tbe cburcb...sbame on ber."
30
Because of this heieuitaiy anu uisgiaceful act with Satan, Bianham aigueu that
304
women weien't qualifieu to be pieacheis. Be also taught that Eve's supeinatuial offspiing,
Cain, built gieat cities wheie scientists anu intellectualism weie boin. Theiefoie, to
Bianham, eveiy scientist anu eveiy intellectual peison who iejects the supeinatuial
natuie of the uospel, is fiom the seeu of the Seipent.
S1
LIÒICL
Accoiuing to Bianham, since women intiouuceu
men to sex, polygamy was biought about. Women hau
to be punisheu. So men coulu have many wives, but
women only one husbanu. Bianham taught that when
}esus spoke on uivoice, Be was speaking to the
woman, not the man. A woman coulun't iemaiiy
unuei any ciicumstances. But a man coulu uivoice
whenevei he wanteu to anu iemaiiy a viigin.
S2
..IL OI IL LL..
Bianham taught that uenominationalism was the maik of the beast, that the
Piotestants weie the hailots, anu that the Catholics weie the Beast. Fiom a vision, he
insinuateu, (though nevei foimally acknowleugeu) that he was TBE enu-time messengei,
anu TBE Laouicean piophet, who coulu ieveal the seventh seal in the book of Revelation.
Be pieuicteu that the uestiuction of the 0niteu States woulu begin in 1977.
SS
II. .OLI I.L IL IO`LI
Bianham felt that theie woulu come a uay in his ministiy wheie the "spoken Woiu"
fiom his mouth woulu change physical bouies into gloiifieu bouies foi the Raptuie. This
tiemenuous powei woulu be unleasheu because Bianham's woius woulu iestoie uou's
oiiginal name of }BvB. Pieviously, the name hau nevei been pionounceu coiiectly,
howevei "Bianham's mouth was specially foimeu to say it."
S4
O.L.L..
Although he uenieu it at the beginning of his ministiy, Bianham now openly ueclaieu
the 0neness uoctiine. Bowevei, Bianham ciiticizeu the "}esus 0nly" chuiches, citing that
"tbere were many people named ')esus,' but tbere is only one Lord )esus Cbrist." Be
woulu teach one uay that Tiinitaiians weien't boin again, then on othei uays, he woulu
ueclaie that only some weie. Be even piophesieu stating that "Trinitarianism is of tbe
devil," then commanueu eveiyone listening to the tape of that message to be baptizeu in
the name of }esus Chiist.
SS
Be often changeu in his salvation uoctiine as well. At times, he woulu say that
"anyone could be saved." Then, he woulu be heaiu speaking in line with Calvinistic
uoctiine. Be woulu say, "Tbere was millions tbat would do it if tbey could, but tbey
can't. It's not for tbem to bave it."
3
305
Bronbom touqbt tbot
Jenominotionolism wos
tbe mork of tbe beost, tbot
tbe Protestonts were tbe
borlots onJ tbe Cotbolics
were tbe Beost.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
A following was boin out of this gioup of uisciples. They calleu themselves "The
Nessengeis." Touay, they aie also known as "The Bianhamites." These chuiches aie not
affiliateu with any uenomination, since Bianham uetesteu that foim of oiganization. They
aie followeis of Bianham, believing him to be the Laouicean messengei foi this chuich
age. To this uay, a laige poitiait of Bianham hangs in the chuich, intiouucing him as theii
"pastoi."
The Nessengeis, oi the Bianhamites, aie a woiluwiue movement. In fact, the fouith
laigest chuich in the nation of Zaiie is of this gioup.
S7
IL .OI OI II. LL.I
Bianham pieacheu his last message uuiing Thanksgiving week of 196S at }ack
Nooie's chuich. Though Nooie uisagieeu with Bianham's uoctiine, he iemaineu fiienus
with him thioughout his ministiy.
0n Becembei 18, 196S, while tiaveling back to Inuiana via Texas, Billy Paul Bianham
was uiiving the cai in fiont of Bianham anu his wife. A uiunk uiivei sweiveu anu misseu
Billy Paul, but ciosseu the miuule line anu hit Bianham's cai heau on.
Tuining his cai aiounu, he heaueu to the scene of the acciuent. }umping out of his cai,
he noticeu that Bianham hau gone thiough the winushielu anu back again.
Checking his fathei, Billy Paul noticeu that his bones weie bioken, but theie was a
pulse. In checking Nis. Bianham, theie was no pulse. She was obviously ueau.
Suuuenly, Bianham stiiieu. 0pon seeing his son, he askeu, "Is Mom okay?"
Billy Paul answeieu, "Bau, she's ueau." Then Bianham saiu, ")ust lay my band on
ber."
Billy Paul pickeu up Bianham's bloouieu hanu anu placeu it on Nis. Bianham.
Instantly, a pulse ietuineu anu she ieviveu.
S8
William Bianham iemaineu in a coma foi six uays befoie uying Becembei 24, 196S.
Nis. Bianham liveu.
Though sauueneu by his ueath, the Pentecostal woilu was not suipiiseu. uoiuon
Linusay wiote in his eulogy that Bianham's ueath was the will of uou. Be saiu, "Cod may
see tbat a man's special ministry bas reacbed its fruition and it is time to take bim
bome."
39
I think it is inteiesting to note that Linusay hau accepteu the inteipietation of the
young evangelist, Kenneth E. Bagin, fiom Tulsa, 0klahoma. uou hau tolu Bagin of
Bianham's ueath two yeais befoie it happeneu. In a piophetic woiu spoken thiough
Bagin, the Loiu saiu that Be was "iemoving the piophet" fiom the scene. Bianham uieu
exactly when the Loiu tolu Bagin he woulu.
306
Bagin was conuucting a meeting when the news came of Bianham's acciuent. Bagin
calleu the saints to the fiont of the altai to piay. As Bagin himself knelt to piay, the Spiiit of
the Loiu spoke to him saying, "What aie you piaying foi. I've tolu you that I'm taking him."
Bagin got up, unable to piay any fuithei.
Because of Bianham's uisobeuience to his call anu the cieation of uoctiinal confusion,
Bagin believeu that uou hau to iemove the "fathei" of the healing ievival fiom the eaith.
Foui times the Boly Spiiit hau tolu Linusay that Bianham was going to uie, anu that
he was to tell him. But Linusay coulun't get thiough the baiiiei of "yes" men that
suiiounueu Bianham.
Finally, he got thiough the baiiiei, anu slippeu
thiough to Bianham unannounceu. Be attempteu to
ieason with Bianham. Be askeu Bianham, "Why uon't
you function wheie uou wants you anu manifest the
gift uou's given you. Stay theie! Bon't tiy to get ovei
into this othei ministiy."
Bianham saiu simply, "Yeab, but I want to
teacb."
4u
Bianham hau an incieuible healing gift. But
having no Bible knowleuge to match it, he tuineu into a
uoctiinal uisastei. Ignoiance is not bliss, especially
when you affect the multituues with youi woius. uou
hau given Bianham a gieat gift, Be coulun't take it
back. That gift was misleauing people, causing them to follow Bianham's uoctiine, so uou
piacticeu Bis soveieign iight in 1 Coiinthians S:S; "To uelivei such an one unto Satan foi
the uestiuction of the flesh, that the spiiit may be saveu in the uay of the Loiu }esus."
Actually, it was an act of meicy on uou's behalf. It is believeu that Be saveu Bianham fiom
hell.
L..LLL O IL.LIILC
Although the funeial was helu Becembei 29, 196S, Bianham's bouy was not buiieu
until Eastei of 1966. All soits of iumois weie ciiculating. 0ne was that his bouy was being
embalmeu anu iefiigeiateu. Nany of his followeis weie believing Bianham woulu be
iaiseu fiom the ueau. Whatevei the ieason, the official statement came fiom his son on
}anuaiy 26, 1966, at a Nemoiial Seivice.
It was saiu that Nis. Bianham hau iequesteu the uelay in buiial because she was
tiying to make a uecision whethei to move to Aiizona oi iemain in Inuiana. She wanteu
his bouy buiieu wheie she chose to live. 0ntil she ueciueu, Bianham's bouy iemaineu in
the attic of the funeial home.
Still, theie iemaineu gieat hope among The Nessengeis that Bianham woulu be
307
Bronbom boJ on increJible
beolinq qift. But bovinq no
Bible knowleJqe to motcb
it, be turneJ into o
Joctrinol Jisoster.
lqnoronce is not bliss,
especiolly wben you offect
tbe multituJes witb your
worJs.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
iaiseu on Eastei Sunuay. Bianham's son affiimeu that his fathei claimeu Eastei to be the
time of the yeai that the Raptuie woulu take place.
Reluctantly, anu with gieat uisappointment, William Bianham was buiieu on Apiil
11, 1966. Bis giave monument is a laige pyiamiu with an eagle on top. (0nfoitunately, the
eagle keeps being stolen.) Bianham is memoiializeu as being the only peison to open the
seventh seal, as the heau of the seventh chuich age.
Bianham's followeis iefuse to see him as a human being, anu iumois of his ietuin
continueu to ciiculate even thiough the 198us. Each yeai, Bianham Tabeinacle continues
to have a special Eastei Seivice, in which the followeis listen to Bianham's tapeu seimons.
Some of them still secietly hope foi his ietuin at that time. It is saiu that the cuiient pastoi
uoes not encouiage speculation of Bianham's iesuiiection, howevei, the Bianhamites
have nevei accepteu his ueath.
41
LL.I. IL LL..O.
The stoiy of William Naiiion Bianham was not wiitten foi ciiticism. I believe it
contains a lesson moie poweiful than this one chaptei can holu.
The lesson heie is this: Bo what uou says to uo, nothing moie anu nothing less. Theie
is no game heie. Theie is one move, anu it belongs to uou. Youi job is to follow it.
In this geneiation, heaven must ueteimine the timing of youi life anu youi chuich as a
whole. You aie eithei in the will of uou, oi out of it. Youi call must stay with the timing of
heaven.
All Bianham wanteu was to be a voice. If he hau iemaineu in the plan of uou,
Bianham coulu have been one of the gieatest voices that hau evei liveu. Bis gieatness in
the ministiy is nevei to be foigotten oi uiscounteu, his gift was legitimate. But we must
unJerstonJ tbot qreot error comes from not bovinq botb tbe WorJ onJ tbe Spirit
workinq toqetber in our lives.
Nany of us weien't yet alive when these men anu women of uou hau theii gieat
ministiies. As a iesult, we uiun't have the oppoitunity to watch anu stuuy theii lives. Anu
this is the ieason I wiote this book. So stuuy what you have ieau, anu leain fiom it. Ciy out
to uou to help you in the things you aie unsuie of. Ask Bim to tiain you anu teach you how
to opeiate thiough Bis Spiiit anu within Bis timing. Follow Bis exact plan all the uays of
youi life, anu nevei ueviate fiom it because of youi own iueas, oi piessuie fiom otheis.
Youi anointing will only come when you follow the plan that uou has outlineu foi you. So
embiace that plan, anu holu to it tightly. Then, iun stiong with it anu uo mighty exploits, in
}esus' Name.
308
CHAPTER TEN, WILLIAM BRANHAM
Refeiences
1
uoiuon Linusay, A Hon Sent Irom 6oJ (}effeison, IN: William Bianham, 19Su),
2S-2S.
2
Ibiu., 11.
3
C. Bouglas Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, Williom Horrion Bronbom: A StuJy of
tbe Propbetic in Americon Pentecostolism (Nacon, uA: Neicei 0niveisity
Piess, 1987), 22.
4
Linusay, Williom Bronbom, Su-S1.
5
Ibiu., S1.
6
Ibiu., S8-S9.
7
Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, 2S.
8
Linusay, Williom Bronbom, S9-41.
9
Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, 27.
1u
Linusay, Williom Bronbom, 46.
11
Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, SS.
12
Linusay, Williom Bronbom, S2-6S.
13
Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, S4.
14
Linusay, Williom Bronbom, 76-8u anu Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, 7S.
1S
Linusay, Williom Bronbom, 7S-79.
16
Ibiu., 9S.
17
Ibiu., 94.
18
Ibiu., 1u2.
19
Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, 46-47.
20
Ibiu., S4.
21
Ibiu., 72, 74.
22
Ibiu., 62.
2S
Ibiu., 6S.
24
Ibiu., 6S.
2S
Ibiu., 66-67.
26
Ibiu., 1u9.
27
Ibiu., 94.
28
Ibiu., 96.
29
Ibiu., 118-119.
Su
Ibiu., 11u-11S.
31
Ibiu., 11S.
32
Ibiu., 112.
33
ibiu., 116.
34
Ibiu., 1S8-1S9.
35 Ibiu., 12u.
36 Ibiu., 121-122.
37 Ibiu., 1S2-1SS.
S8
Peisonal inteiview with Billy Paul Bianham.
39 Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, 1uS.
309
C O L . C L . L I . L .
4u
Kenneth E. Bagin, 0nJerstonJinq tbe Anointinq (Tulsa, 0K: Faith Libiaiy
Publications, 198S), 6u-61.
41 Weavei, Tbe Eeoler-Propbet, 1SS-1SS.
310
C H A P T E R E L E V E N
Jack Coe
11: }ack Coe"Tbe Hon of Reckless Ioitb"
IL ... OI ILCLLL.. I.II
went before tbe |udge and be asked me if I was guilty of
disturbing tbe peace. I replied, 'Wbose peace?'
Well,' be replied, '...you folks clap your bands and sbout, and
otber sucb tbings as tbat' ')udge, is it not true tbat people at tbe
ball game make a lot of noise, and do I not bear tbem yell, sbout,
and clap tbeir bands also?'
"He answered, 'Well, tbeir band clapping doesn't seem to
botber anyone, but wben you folks do it, people |ust can't sleep.'
"I asked, ')udge, do you want to know wbat tbe difference is?' He
answered, 'Yes, I'd like to know.'
"'Tbe difference is tbat tbe Holy Cbost
is in our sbout, and it botbers tbe
neigbbors, keeping tbem awake...and it
causes tbe beer |oints to close tbeir
doors.'"
1
}ack Coe was a laige, uomineeiing man with a
tactless sense of humoi in the healing tent. Anu he was
a loving, compassionate "fathei" figuie to the oiphans
in his chiluien's home. As one of the main leaueis in
the voice of Bealing ievival, Coe was eithei gieatly
loveu, oi gieatly uespiseu. Be was iaiseu without a
fathei, so he leaineu as an auult to make uou his
Fathei. As a iesult, he hau no pioblem putting men
no mattei how high theii uenominational titlein
theii place, that is, if they tiieu to oveiiiue the voice of
uou. The ievivalist's uynamic peisonality left little
ioom foi a lukewaim iesponse!
Coe was consiueieu a iauical evangelist because he, along with otheis, was uoing much to
combat iacial piejuuice in the Chuich. At a time when society was calling foi segiegation,
Coe stiongly encouiageu all iaces anu cultuies of the community to paiticipate in his
meetings.
. LL.OL.L CIILLIOOL
313
Coe wos consiJereJ o
roJicol evonqelist becouse
be, olonq witb otbers, wos
Joinq mucb to combot
rociol prejuJice in tbe
Cburcb. At o time wben
society wos collinq for
seqreqotion, Coe stronqly
encouroqeJ oll roces onJ
cultures of tbe community
to porticipote in bis
meetinqs.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
}ack Coe was boin on Naich 11, 1918, to Blanche anu ueoige Coe of 0klahoma City,
0klahoma. Be was one of seven chiluien. Blanche hau been iaiseu a Baptist, but when }ack
was boin it isn't ceitain that she was boin again. It is believeu that his fathei was boin
again at a Billy Sunuay meeting, but ueoige nevei attenueu chuich afteiwaius.
Coe's gianupaients weie Chiistians, so his fathei hau been iaiseu in a goou home.
Besiues the positive atmospheie, his gianupaients weie also excellent pioviueis, anu left a
consiueiable inheiitance foi Coe's fathei. But theii soliu piinciples of stewaiuship nevei
seemeu to iub off on his fathei, ueoige. Be hau a bau habit of gambling anu uiinking. Bis
mothei tiieu to attenu chuich foi awhile, but since ueoige woulun't go with hei, she
stoppeu going too. Coe always believeu things woulu have gone uiffeiently foi his family if
his mothei woulu have continueu in chuich anu sought to piay foi his fathei.
When Coe was five yeais olu, a moving van backeu up to theii home. When he saw it,
he got all exciteu, thinking something new was being ueliveieu. Be watcheu as the men
appioacheu his mothei anu spoke to hei. Then he watcheu his mothei tuin pale anu bieak
out in teais. As he watcheu the men, young Coe iealizeu that nothing new was coming out
fiom that tiuck. Insteau, these men weie iemoving fiom theii home what fuinituie they
hau! ueoige hau left them all aftei gambling away eveiy possession in theii homeanu
these men weie coming to collect!
As the van pulleu away, his mothei was left to face the futuie with hei seven chiluien,
having no one to tuin to. So she knelt on the poich anu began to piay. It was the fiist time
Coe saw his mothei piay!
Things got woise. The next uay, a man came to see theii house. Thinking he came to
buy it, Blanche infoimeu him that it wasn't foi sale. "I uiun't come to buy the house," the
man saiu, "it's alieauy mine! I'm veiy soiiy, but you'll have to move out." It was
unbelievable. Bis fathei hau also gambleu away theii home.
2
.O LICL, .I. COL'
Blanche Coe moveu hei chiluien to Pennsylvania, wheie she tiieu to make a life foi
them. They liveu in a basement. As Coe's oluei sistei watcheu aftei the chiluien, Nis. Coe
woikeu uoing launuiy by uay anu went to nuising school by night. It was a teiiible
stiuggle foi all of them.
Then one uay, Coe's fathei showeu up at theii uooi. Be pleaueu with Blanche to come
back to him, anu he piomiseu to quit gambling. Feeling that life hau been too uifficult by
heiself, she ieuniteu with him, anu ueoige took his family back to 0klahoma. The
gambling staiteu all ovei again, anu this time, Blanche Coe left ueoige foi goou. But she
kept hei uaughtei anu left }ack anu his biotheis with theii fathei.
.O O.L `..LL II.
The young boys weie often left alone as theii fathei went to gamble. Nany times they
hau nothing to eat. It wasn't long until Nis. Coe ietuineu foi the boys anu took them with
314
Jack Coe"The Man of Reckless Faith"
hei.
By the time Coe was nine yeais olu, his mothei felt oveiwhelmeu by the iesponsibility
of caiing foi hei chiluien alone. So she took Coe anu his biothei to a laige home. Then aftei
talking to the people anu saying hei goou-byes, she
tuineu anu walkeu away, leaving young Coe anu his
biothei stanuing on the steps of an oiphanage.
0f this expeiience Coe woulu latei wiite:
"I tbougbt to myself, dad didn't want
me, and now motber...tbe only friend I've
ever bad...sbe's turned ber back on me
and left me. I tbougbt my beart would break witbin me as I saw ber going
down tbat walk. For a long time I stood and cried."
3
Be uiun't know that his mothei also ciieu foi uays.
Coe's biothei, who was thiee yeais oluei than him, woulu latei iun away fiom the
oiphanage. Aftei hopping iailioau cais anu stealing a bicycle, he was hit by a cai on the
highway anu was killeu instantly. At the funeial, young }ack felt even moie alone.
.O IIIL.L I. IL LOLL
Coe iemaineu at the oiphanage foi eight yeais. Buiing this time, he knew veiy little
about uou. When he tuineu seventeen, he staiteu to uiink anu caiouse, anu befoie long, he
too, like his fathei, hau become an alcoholic.
Theie weie times uuiing his alcoholic enslavement when Coe sought to know uou.
But eveiyone who went to the chuich he attenueu occasionally, liveu uncommitteu lives.
They uiun't have his answeis. So, he sank moie ueeply into sin.
Soon, Coe's health began to suffei. Be hau uevelopeu ulceis in his stomach uue to the
alcohol, anu his heait was beating twice as fast as the noimal iate. Be hau neaily uiank
himself to ueath, anu the uoctoi cautioneu him that the next uiink coulu kill him.
So Coe tiieu to make a new iesolution to help himself. But still not knowing uou, he
wonueieu who coulu help him keep this commitment. This leu him to move to Califoinia.
Bis mothei liveu theie, anu if anyone coulu help him, she ceitainly coulu.
0pon his aiiival, his sistei inviteu him to a uance. But soon, Coe founu himself at the
bai while the otheis uanceu. Be was biought home that night in a uiunken stupoi, without
his mothei knowing about it.
COL, CI`L .L L.IL .L.L.'
The next evening, Coe thought he was uying. Be was veiy weak, anu coulu haiuly
315
Wben be turneJ seventeen,
be storteJ to Jrink onJ
corouse, onJ before lonq,
be too, like 6eorqe, boJ
become on olcobolic.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
walk. Be was pickeu up in an ambulance, taken to a hospital, anu examineu. Be sat in the
chaii anu iaiseu his hanus pleauing, "Ub Cod, don't let me die, please give me one
more cbance. I don't want to go to bell."
4
Then suuuenly, Coe got bettei. Bis weakness
left anu so uiu his symptoms. Be uiun't know what happeneu to him at the time, but he
was glau!
Aftei this, Coe ueciueu to leave Califoinia. So he took his mothei with him, anu the two
left foi Foit Woith, Texas. Theie, Coe obtaineu a job as a managei foi the Singei Sewing
Nachine Agency. Be soon foigot about the piomises he hau maue to uou anu came home
one evening in anothei alcoholic stupoi. But this time, when he fell into his beu, he coulun't
sleep, tossing to anu fio ovei the conviction of uou. Finally, he got up anu uiank anothei
pint of whiskey just so he coulu pass out. Then in a few uays a unique expeiience
happeneu that changeu Coe's life foievei.
Be hau just ietuineu home fiom uiinking. It was about S:uu A .N ., anu he was tiying to
go to sleep. But he coulun't, anu as he ieacheu foi anothei pint of whiskey, he heaiu
someone in the ioom!
Staitleu, Coe noticeu that his heait was botheiing him. It woulu stait, then stop. Stait,
then stop. Then he heaiu a voice. "This is youi last chance," the voice saiu. "I've calleu you
seveial times, anu I'm calling you now foi the last time."
At this, Coe jumpeu out of his beu anu fell to his knees, ciying, "Ub Cod, give me until
Sunday. If You'll |ust give me until Sunday, I'll get rigbt witb You."
IO LOC. I`L CO I'
Sunuay came, anu Coe hau no iuea of wheie to go. As a youth, he hau been baptizeu in
seveial places, but nothing hau evei changeu his life oi
answeieu his questions. Because chuich staiteu much
latei in the evening in those uays, it wasn't until latei in
the afteinoon that he began to seiiously wonuei about
wheie to go. Be simply hau no iuea. So at S:uu P.N., he
finally went to his office to look at the telephone book.
Coe hau heaiu about people opening theii Bible to
whatevei veise theii thumb fell on, taking that to be a
message fiom uou. So he thought he woulu tiy it with
the phone book.
Coe pickeu up the big book anu let it fall, anu when
he openeu his eyes, he saw the name anu auuiess of a
Nazaiene chuich. Be aiiiveu in the paiking lot two
houis befoie the seivice began. When the uoois finally
openeu, he jumpeu fiom the cai anu founu a seat at the
back. Then aftei the seimon, when the pieachei askeu
if theie was anyone who wanteu to go to heaven,
316
...Coe ron to tbe oltor,
sboutinq, "Tbot's wbot l
wont! Tbot's wbot l wont!"
A little qroy-boireJ loJy
proyeJ witb bim. Tben
suJJenly, Coe felt
sometbinq be boJ never
felt before. Not knowinq
tbe "Cbristion linqo," be
founJ bimself runninq oll
over tbe cburcb, sboutinq,
"Eot Joq, l've qot it! Eot
Joq, l've qot it!"
saying, "We have a boin-again expeiience foi you," Coe ian to the altai, shouting, "Tbat's
wbat I want! Tbat's wbat I want!" A little giay-haiieu lauy piayeu with him. Then
suuuenly, Coe felt something he hau nevei felt befoie. Not knowing the "Chiistian lingo,"
he founu himself iunning all ovei the chuich, shouting, "Hot dog, I've got it! Hot dog, I've
got it!" Latei, when Coe iecalleu the moment, he woulu say, "I didn't know wbat 'Clory,
Hallelu|ab' meant. I bad to let sometbing out-tbere was sometbing witbin me!"
Coe ietuineu to his home at 4:uu A N . Be hau stayeu at the chuich all that time,
piaying anu piaising uou.
Ì. I.`L IL LO.L O OL`
Foi the next six months, }ack Coe was a "hungiy" man. Be went to chuich eveiy night
anu woulu stay theie into the eaily moining houis. Be uevouieu his Bible, anu often
imagineu himself in the place of ceitain Bible chaiacteis. Bis mothei watcheu his behavioi,
anu was quite conceineu about it. Finally one night, she askeu if he was going to chuich. 0f
couise, he was. So his mothei saiu, "We'ie going with you tonight to finu out what they've
uone to you." At the enu of the message, his mothei maue hei way to the altai. She uiun't
know how to piay, so she just saiu, "0h uou, give me what }ack's got." Then suuuenly, she
came up with teais iolling uown hei cheeks, "}ack! I've got it! I've got it!" As they sat on the
bench, Coe anu his mothei huggeu each othei, piaising uou.
0n the way home, late that night they stoppeu at a gioceiy stoie to buy some foou.
veiy few people weie shopping anu neithei Coe noi his mothei coulu contain theii joy. So
they ian up anu uown the aisles, shouting, laughing, anu piaising uou. The stoie butchei
saiu, "You must have just gotten saveu." As they talkeu with the man, teais began to ioll
uown his cheeks, anu befoie long he too was uown on his knees, asking uou to save him!
S
ILLL IL . .ILLL O. OL'
About a yeai anu a half aftei he was saveu, Coe leaineu of his fiist "holy iollei"
meeting. So out of cuiiosity, he anu his sistei went to check it out. Be actually felt the
meeting was a lot like his Nazaiene chuich, except these people spoke in othei tongues.
Anu when people went to the altai, they woulu fall uown unuei the powei. At fiist he
thought they weie fainting.
Finally, the pieachei spotteu Coe. Pointing at him, he askeu, "Aie you a Chiistian."
Aftei Coe answeieu positively, the pieachei askeu, "Bave you ieceiveu the baptism in the
Boly uhost. Biu you speak in tongues." Coe ieplieu, "No sir, I baven't, and I don't want
to, eitber."
Then the pieachei askeu Coe anothei question, "Will you go home anu ieau
eveiything theie is on the baptism of the Boly uhost. Then get uown on youi knees anu
piay that if it's foi you, you'll get it, if not, theie's nothing to it."
Coe answeieu, "Sure, I know tbere is notbing in tbe Bible about tongues." To that
the pieachei saiu as he walkeu away, "That's fine, go home anu ieau the Bible."
317
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Eveiy place Coe seaicheu in Acts, he founu the teim, "othei tongues." So the next
evening, he went to the house of his Nazaiene pastoi. As Coe showeu him the passages
about tongues in Acts, the pastoi ieplieu, "If uou evei wants you to speak in tongues, Be'll
let you uo it aftei Be calls you to be a missionaiy, so that natives can unueistanu you." It
maue sense to Coe. Anu as he tuineu to leave, the pastoi waineu, "Stay away fiom those
holy iolleis, oi they'll put a spell on you."
ILL LIL II I LO. CL I'
That night, Coe iefuseu to go to the meeting with his sistei. In fact, he tolu hei the
meetings weie of the uevil. To this she iesponueu, "Then, why uo they quit theii lying anu
stealing, anu othei wiong things." anu went without him.
Coe tosseu anu tuineu in beu that night, then finally jumpeu out of beu, got uiesseu,
anu went to the meeting. When he aiiiveu, the pieachei pointeu to Coe again. Anu again,
Coe tolu him that he uiun't want to speak in tongues. So the pieachei saiu, "We'll make you
a special case. If uou wants to fill you without speaking in tongues, it will be all iight with
us."
"If tbat's tbe case, I'll come," Coe ieplieu. Then he went to the fiont, but the people
that gatheieu aiounu him sounueu like they weie contiauicting each othei as they ciieu
out"Tuin loose!" "Bolu on!" "Empty him!" "Fill him!" Aftei a few minutes of this, }ack
jumpeu up fiom the altai anu ian foi the uooi.
0utsiue, he bieatheu ueeply anu manageu to
iegain his composuie. Be stiaighteneu the wiinkles
fiom his pants anu manageu a tight smile as he saiu to
himself, I xure proveJ there wuxn't unythlng to lt
Then uou immeuiately spoke to his heait, "You want it
so bau you uon't know what to uo. You know it's foi
you; you know it's ieal." Aftei that, Coe whineu,
"Cod...if I don't get it, I'm going to die." All the way
home, he ciieu, "Praise Cod for tbe glory!"
The next night came anu Coe maue a iun foi the
seivice. Anu when the altai call was given foi the baptism of the Boly Spiiit, he jumpeu to
the fiont. The same people suiiounueu him, but this time he stayeu. Suuuenly, he saw a
biight light. The biightei the light became, the moie Coe seemeu to faue away. The moie
he piaiseu uou, the biightei the light. Finally, a hanu ieacheu out anu took holu of his hanu.
It was }esus, anu the two of them walkeu anu talkeu togethei foi quite some time.
When Coe came to, he was lying in sawuust. It was 4:uu A N . anu he founu himself
speaking in anothei tongue. In fact, all he coulu uo foi thiee uays, was to speak in tongues!
Be hau to wiite English woius on papei. Buiing those uays, he liveu in a heavenly
atmospheie as all of cieation seemeu to piaise uou.
6
318
Tbe briqbter tbe liqbt
become, tbe more Coe
seemeJ to foJe owoy. Tbe
more be proiseJ 6oJ, tbe
briqbter tbe liqbt. Iinolly, o
bonJ reocbeJ out onJ took
bolJ of bis bonJ.
LILLL .CIOOL. 1L..I. o IL .I.
Fiom 19S9 to 194u, Coe attenueu Southwestein Bible Institute, an Assemblies of uou
Bible college. P. C. Nelson was college piesiuent at the time. While theie, he met a giil
nameu }uanita Scott. Theii meeting woulu piove to be moie than meie coinciuence.
In 1941, aftei }apan bombeu Peail Baiboi, Coe joineu the aimy. At fiist, he was a little
embaiiasseu to piay anu act like a Chiistian aiounu his fellow soluieis. But once he
iealizeu these ciuue men hau no shame with theii behavioi, he ueciueu to behave like a
believei. Anu he suffeieu gieat peisecution foi it. But the peisecution uiun't stop him. In
fact, Coe coulu be as iough as these men. The only uiffeience was, he woulu listen to the
voice of uou. So he continueu to pieach at eveiy oppoitunity.
While stationeu at the 1Suth Bomb Squauion in Waltei Boio, South Caiolina, Coe was
able to ieceive a pass to go whenevei he wanteu. Be was locateu, "in the miuule of
nowheie," anu the closest chuich was foity-five miles away. So eveiy night he woulu walk
five miles, then hitchhike the iest of the way to attenu chuich! Be uiun't caie if it was
iaining. Be nevei misseu chuich. This went on foi six months.
Then one uay his seigeant tolu him to gathei his belongings. Be was being sent to the
uispensaiy. Fiom theie he was sent to the hospital. Coe piotesteu the whole affaii,
especially aftei he iealizeu he hau been sent to the psychiatiic waiu! Aftei the psychiatiist
inteivieweu him, Coe tolu him that anyone who uisobeys the Bible is the one who is ciazy,
not the othei way aiounu. So they lockeu him up.
LIIL I. IL I.CI `.IL
Coe wanteu to fast anu piay, but in uoing so, he
simply convinceu them even moie of his "ciaziness."
Aftei he hau been confineu foi nine uays, Coe began
to ciy out to uou. Be openeu his Bible to the book of
Acts anu ieau about how uou sent an angel to iock
Paul anu Silas' piison cell, opening theii jail uoois
when they sang theii way out of piison. Feeling
ashameu of his weak attituue aftei ieauing this, Coe
began to lift his voice in song.
Suuuenly, he heaiu a knock at his uooi. The waiu
boy walkeu in with teais in his eyes blubbeiing,
"Pieachei, I've stoou it as long as I can. I come out
heie eveiy night, anu have to listen to you piay anu
ciy anu seek uou all night long. I'm going to lose my
minu if I uon't get what you've got. Ny uauuy was a
Pentecostal pieachei, but I nevei uiu get saveu. Will
you piay foi uou to save me."
319
Privote Coe
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Coe knelt uown with the boy, ciieu with him, anu piayeu, anu the boy was gloiiously
saveu. Aftei the piayei they shouteu so louu that the othei inmates woke up anu staiteu
yelling too!
0veicome with giatituue, the boy tolu Coe, "I uon't know what I can uo foi you, but I'll
tiy." The next moining, Coe was ieleaseu. The uoctoi begiuugingly tolu him that he was
suffeiing fiom a seiious conuition (psychoneuiosisoi, ieligious fanaticism), but that he
wasn't uangeious.
Coe changeu companies seven times while in the aimy. Anu each time, soonei oi
latei, they put him in the psychiatiic waiu foi a while, because they uiun't know how to
hanule him!"
LL ....Ì.`
Aftei seiving in the aimy foi fifteen months, Coe's heait buineu to pieach the uospel.
Be woulu lie in his beu at night anu imagine pieaching
to the multituues. Buiing the uay, he woulu pieach to
himself.
Finally, he ueciueu to visit the Chuich of uou
pastoi in town hoping foi an oppoitunity to pieach.
The pastoi inviteu him to get involveu with piayei at
the altai anu othei altai woik. This wasn't what Coe
wanteu to heai, so he tuineu to walk away. But as he
staiteu to leave the Loiu spoke to Coe's heait to tell the
pastoi he woulu uo anything he was askeu to uo.
"Well, I'm glau to heai that," the pastoi saiu. "0ui
janitoi iecently left anu I woulu appieciate it if you
coulu take ovei anu clean the chuich."
Coe felt insulteu anu infoimeu the pastoi that he
was calleu to pieachnot to be a janitoi, then tuineu anu walkeu out. But the Loiu
continueu to ueal with Coe, anu aftei anothei sleepless night, he ietuineu to the chuich to
be theii new janitoi!
.IIIIL.L LOO C..I
Coe woulu latei say that this pastoi was the toughest inspectoi he hau evei woikeu
foi. Be woulu iun his hanus ovei the woou that hau been polisheu, making suie it was
clean. Aftei a season of this the pastoi inviteu Coe to begin teaching Sunuay school. Coe
was elateu! Be woulu finally get to pieach. That is, until he founu out he woulu be teaching
the "beginneis'" class. Coe was in shock. At fiist he iesisteu, then he ieluctantly accepteu.
The class iangeu fiom touuleis to thiee yeai olus.
Aftei a while, Coe was piomoteu to song leauei, then to youth ministei, then to
320
Coe felt insulteJ onJ
informeJ tbe postor tbot
be wos colleJ to preocb
not to be o jonitor, tben
turneJ onJ wolkeJ out. But
tbe lorJ continueJ to Jeol
witb }ock, onJ ofter
onotber sleepless niqbt, be
returneJ to tbe cburcb to
be tbeir new jonitor!
associate pastoi. Then when the pastoi was calleu to anothei chuich, the congiegation
askeu Coe to fill in as pastoi. Finally, he was ieauy to pieach to someone!
8
..III.CL ..L . Ì.IO.
While Coe was at this chuich he heaiu that }uanita Scott was tiaveling the countiy
with a singing gioup. Coe anu }uanita hau wiitten each othei thiough the yeais, but theii
ielationship hau nevei swung towaiu the iomantic. Aftei the Chuich of uou hiieu a new
pastoi, Coe ueciueu to stait a chuich of his own. Be wiote to }uanita's singing gioup, the
Southein Caioleis, asking them to come to town to help him iaise the new woik. But by
the time the gioup came to town, Coe's plans hau fallen thiough. Be hau been iestiicteu to
his aimy post, anu coulun't caiiy on with iegulai meetings.
Coe locateu othei ievival woik foi }uanita's singing gioup anu woulu meet them aftei
seivices. Buiing these times, he anu }uanita giew closei. Soon, they weie maiiieu, anu Coe
founu them goveinment housing. Baving no money, they slept on a conciete flooi with
aimy blankets anu fasteu foi thiee uays, until they coulu buy some foou. But befoie long,
the Coes hau thiee iooms of fuinituie, a cai, anu a thousanu uollais in the bank. Be was
goou with his hanus, so he fixeu a bioken iauio anu solu it foi $6u. Be also tiipleu his
investment on the sale of some hens. Anu he was blesseu with a cai foi helping a fiienu.
Also uuiing this time, Coe began to piay anu seek foi an unueistanuing of uivine
healing. Be hau heaiu of people being healeu, but knew nothing about it. 0ne uay while
ieauing a book by P. C. Nelson on healing, Coe fell asleep. Be uieameu that his sistei was
uying in a hospital ioom. Then suuuenly, a biight light filleu hei ioom, as she jumpeu up
anu ian, shouting, "I'm healeu! I'm healeu!"
The next uay, Coe founu out that the uieam was a ieality. Bis sistei hau uouble
pneumonia anu was given up to uie. Be immeuiately got leave to see hei.
As Coe enteieu hei hospital ioom, he founu the suiiounuings weie iuentical to his
uieam. Be also leaineu that aftei a seiies of ciitical events that weie against all ouus, uou
healeu anu saveu his sisteiat the last possible moment. It was a total miiacle that
poweifully affecteu his life.
9
IL.L O LIL
When }uanita was expecting theii fiist chilu in 1944, Coe fell ill. Be hau contiacteu
tiopical malaiia at the age of twenty-six anu his weight hau now uioppeu fiom 2Su to 1SS
pounus. Be was liteially skin anu bones. 0nce his fevei shot up to 1u6 uegiees, then
iemaineu theie foi fifty-foui houis. Bis spleen anu livei swelleu to twice theii noimal size,
piouucing pain so gieat that Coe woulu bite his tongue until it bleu.
Finally, when the fevei bioke enough foi Coe to unueistanu conveisation, the uoctois
tolu him of his conuition. They saw theie was nothing they coulu uo foi him, so aftei a few
uays, he was uischaigeu anu sent home to his family. "Now, Cod, wbat sball I do?" was
his eainest piayei. The Loiu's answei was, "I've calleu you to pieach the uospel. uo out
321
C O L . C L . L I . L .
anu pieach it!"
Foi a while, Coe woulu appeai to be well, then anothei malaiia attack woulu biing
him uown. Stiong chills anu a high fevei biought the man to his knees. It was uifficult foi
him to maintain a noimal life. The intense pain in his spleen anu livei was almost
unbeaiable. }uanita woulu sit with him foi houis, applying ice packs to comfoit him.
Finally, Coe thought he coulu stanu it no moie. Feeling it was hei husbanu's time to
uie, }uanita left theii tiailei in teais. It was then that Coe began to iepent as the Loiu
showeu him uiffeient things. This went on foi some time, anu Coe began to feel inwaiuly
fiee. "All rigbt Lord, I'm ready to go now," weie his woius towaiu the enu of this time. A
voice spoke back to his heait, "You'ie ieauy to go, but you uon't have to." Then suuuenly,
Coe felt as if he weie coveieu with waim oil fiom heau to toe as the Loiu spoke, "You aie
healeu now."
Coe jumpeu out of beu. Be giabbeu his wife, who by this time, was asleep neai him
anu shouteu, "Honey! Honey! I'm bealed! I'm bealed!"
The next night, uespite haiassing thoughts fiom the uevil, Coe uiesseu anu pieacheu
on the stieet. Thiee people weie saveu. Latei that same yeai, the Assemblies of uou
oiuaineu him into the ministiy.
1u
Coe woulu nevei have anothei attack of malaiiauou
hau tiuly healeu him!
OI .O' . LLI.L ILI.O.`
In 194S, Coe went to Longview, Texas, wheie he
continually stuuieu anu piayeu on the subject of uivine
healing. Be askeu uou foi a special manifestation of Bis
powei, then ueciueu to announce a healing meeting.
"Cod's going to open tbe eyes of tbe blind and
cause tbe lame to walk, and tbe deaf to bear. He's
going to do it rigbt bere in tbis cburcb tomorrow
nigbt," was his bolu confession of faith.
The next night, the chuich was packeu. Aftei Coe
pieacheu, the people lineu up. The ailments uiun't
seem too bau. Theie weie a few stomachaches,
heauaches, anu othei minoi ailments. But then
suuuenly Coe lookeu upanu theie she stooua
blinu woman. "Ub Lord, wbat in tbe world am I
going to do witb ber?" he askeu, then began woiiying
about what people woulu say if she uiun't ieceive hei
sight.
When the blinu woman steppeu up foi hei tuin to be piayeu foi, Coe sent hei to the
back of the line. Be was hoping by the time she came to him again, he woulu have enough
faith! Anu soon, she was neaiing hei tuin again. Bespeiate, Coe piayeu, "Lord, tbat
322
Besperote, Coe proyeJ,
"lorJ, tbot womon is
olmost to me now. Wbot
om l qoinq to Jo?" But tbe
lorJ quickly rebukeJ
soyinq, "Son, wbotever
moJe you tbink tbot you
coulJ open tbe eyes of tbe
blinJ, onywoy? Bo wbot
you ore supposeJ to Jo onJ
l will Jo wbot l om
supposeJ to Jo."
woman is almost to me now. Wbat am I going to do?" But the Loiu quickly iebukeu
saying, "Son, whatevei maue you think that you coulu open the eyes of the blinu, anyway.
Bo what you aie supposeu to uo, anu I will uo what I am supposeu to uo."
Coe iepenteu, then piayeu anu anointeu the woman with oil. Bei eyes weie openeu
anu she coulu see something moving in the back of the chuich, but not cleaily. So
iemembeiing that }esus hau piayeu foi someone twice, Coe piayeu again. Anu this time,
she began to ciy out, "I can see! I can see!"
11
.`. `L CO'
News of hei healing satuiateu the town, anu Coe's faith skyiocketeu. A pastoi fiom
0klahoma askeu him to come anu holu a thiee-uay meeting. Aftei the fiist night, they hau
to ient the high school gymnasium to holu the people because ueaf eais anu blinu eyes
weie openeu, anu people got up fiom stietcheis anu walkeu.
At that time, Coe thought he hau to stay anu piay foi eveiyone who came up. Be
woulu often be founu still ministeiing to the people at S:uu A.N. the next moining. As he
began tiaveling thioughout 0klahoma, piaying foi the sick, he got veiy little sleep.
In uiffeient towns, he woulu stay in piivate homes. When he uiu, people woulu come
to that home foi piayei. If he was asleep, they woulu wait until he woke up. If theie weie
veiy many of them, they woulu wake him up to piay foi theii neeus. Sometimes, this
woulu happen foui oi five times a uay.
Soon, Coe's bouy began to bieak uown. Be was only sleeping an houi oi so each night.
But the neeus of the people weie so gieat anu uemanuing that he woulu always piay foi
them whenevei they came. In those uays, healing campaigns weie still new anu theie
weie many piactical ministiy piinciples people uiun't unueistanu. Finally, uou tolu Coe
that he neeueu to use wisuom anu get piopei iest. So he obeyeu anu was ievitalizeu to
puisue a stiongei ministiy to the sick.
.. COOLLL O IL IOL.L
In 1946, Coe meigeu his euitoiial effoits with uoiuon Linusay's Tbe voice of
Eeolinq publication, anu was nameu a co-euitoi. Then in 1947, Coe anu his wife maue a
uiamatic uecision that affecteu the iest of theii lives. The couple hau puichaseu a small
home, anu }uanita was veiy piouu of it. She hau fuinisheu it nicely, anu woikeu on the
lawn to keep it immaculate.
But aftei ietuining home fiom a chuich seivice one uay, }uanita began to ciy. She
knew uou was speaking to them to sell all they hau to entei into the ministiy full time, so
they ueciueu to sell. Befoie Coe awoke the next moining, someone was at his uooi to buy
it. A few uays latei, Coe puichaseu an olu tent, a new tiuck anu house tiailei.
The Coes weie ieauy to go, anu the fiist place they woulu go to woulu be Chickasha,
0klahoma. The seconu night of this meeting, they expeiienceu theii fiist ieal ministiy
323
C O L . C L . L I . L .
challenge. A stoim blew in anu toie the canvas off the top of the tent, leaving only its iopes.
Aftei the stoim, theii pastoi challengeu them to ieally know whethei oi not they weie in
the will of uou. To this, }uanita iesponueu, "If eveiything we have is gone, I still believe we
aie in the will of uou." So as he tuineu to go, theii pastoi saiu, "If you've got that much faith
in uou, I've got enough faith to help you." Then he hanueu them $1uu.
12
By the time this fiist meeting hau closeu, the Coes hau enough money to ie-canvas
theii tent anu to buy a laigei tiuck to caiiy it.
L. .LL.
In 1948, Coe heaueu foi Reuuing, Califoinia, foi his next meeting, having been
specifically uiiecteu to this city. Befoie heaiing uou's Woiu of uiiection, he hau nevei even
heaiu of Reuuing. 0nce theie, the uevil went about his business of blocking the meetings.
The fiie maishal tolu Coe that his tent wasn't fiiepioof anu that he woulun't allow him to
set it up. The cost of fiiepioofing it was $1,7uu, anu the tent only cost $4uu.
324
325
Tbe Biq Top
Eeolinq tbe sick
}ock onJ }uonito Coe
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Coe bought the fiiepioofing solution himself, then uippeu each pait of the tent in it
until the entiie canvas was coveieu. But the make-shift solution faileu the fiie maishal's
inspection. 0tteily fiustiateu, Coe began to ciy. Anu when he uiu, the fiie maishal tolu him
that if it meant that much to him, he coulu go aheau with his meetings anu set the tent up.
326
0nJer tbe Biq Top
}ock Coe
BebinJ bors
The fiist few nights, ciowus weie small. But Coe was faithful to piay foi the sick. 0ne
lauy came weaiing a biace anu using ciutches. She was totally healeu. That night, foi the
fiist time in yeais, she knelt uown to piay besiue hei beu. She piayeu until the sun came
up, then walkeu to the next meeting. Bei testimony
stiiieu the entiie city. She shaieu that the uoctois weie
piepaiing to amputate hei leg.
Coe aiieu the testimony on iauio anu the lauy who
manageu the iauio station was saveu. A piominent
Catholic lauy aiiiveu at his meeting that night in a
chauffeui-uiiven Cauillac. The lauy was saveu anu
immeuiately closeu all the uiinking establishments she
owneu. She woulu come into the meetings with hei
hanus iaiseu anu leave the same way.
0p to this time, the offeiings hau been veiy small.
Cieuitois hau thieateneu to take his tiuck, so Coe
stoou up in fiont of the people anu tolu them he
neeueu $74u bauly. When he uiu, one lauy walkeu up to him anu wiote out a check foi the
entiie amount. Two nights latei, he saiu, "I sure would like to bave a Hammond organ
or some kind of music for tbis tent," anu the same lauy bought him an oigan. Coe's
ievival team woulu stay in Reuuing foi seven weeks, anu woulu ieceive enough money to
funu the next ciusaue.
1S
Aftei a much neeueu vacation, the Coes continueu ministeiing in Califoinia. In Fiesno,
he was aiiesteu foi uistuibing the peace. Coe pleaueu "not guilty," anu the couit case came
to tiial seveial months latei. But it was thiown out uue to lack of eviuence anu was nevei
mentioneu again.
IL ... ..L IL .I.I.LI
Coe was a veiy boisteious man who biilliantly playeu to the ciowus. Be was saiu to be
saucy, angiy, flippant, humble, anu always neivy. It was also saiu that he loveu contioveisy
anu attiacteu lots of it. Be appeaieu to enjoy a goou fight. 0f him, uoiuon Linusay wiote,
"In giowing up it was ioot hog oi uie. Foi that ieason, he tangleu."
14
Coe's faith was "ieckless anu challenging," but no one seemeu to minu when they
walkeu away healeu! Be was often seen hitting people, slapping them, oi jeiking them. But,
again, they all walkeu away healeu. Some uiun't even feel it when he hit them. Be was also
the fiist evangelist to attiact, anu welcome, laige numbeis of the black community into his
seivices. Be pieacheu bluntly, anu calleu things as he saw them. Be was a pieachei with a
sting. 0nce, a gioup of young people weie stanuing on the chaiis in the tent, anu he
shouteu out at them, "Tbose are my cbairs! I wouldn't do tbat at your bouse!"
1S
Anothei time the highway patiol appioacheu Coe to tell him that his ciowu was
blocking the highway, anu to get the people off of it. Be iesponueu by telling the highway
327
0nce tbere, tbe Jevil went
obout bis business of
blockinq tbe meetinqs. Tbe
fire morsbol tolJ Coe tbot
bis tent wosn't fireproof
onJ tbot be woulJn't ollow
bim to set it up. Tbe cost of
fireproofinq it wos $1,700,
onJ tbe tent only cost $400.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
patiol that he uiun't have anything to uo with the highway, anu that it was up to them to
aiiest the people if they wanteu them off. Be then pioceeueu with his meeting,
unuistuibeu by theii uemanu.
16
By 19Su, Coe seemeu to always be in competition with othei pieacheis. Be competeu
by oiueiing laigei anu laigei tents. Anu still his team woulu have to tuin away thousanus
eveiy night.
In 19S1 Coe visiteu an 0ial Robeits meeting. Be measuieu the length of Robeits' tent
anu oiueieu one slightly laigei. Then in }uly of that yeai, he ian a notice in Tbe voice of
Eeolinq magazine that saiu:
"A lettei fiom the Smith Nanufactuiing Company, Balton, ua.,
ueclaies that accoiuing to his measuiements the Coe tent is by a slight
maigin, the laigest gospel tent in the woilu. Since 0ial Robeits has a
piayei tent 9u' x 1Su', Biothei Robeits has the laigest amount of tent
equipment. Both the Coe anu Robeits tents aie laigei than the Ringling
Biotheis |ciicusj big top."
17
IL IILCLLLL I.CL Ì.IO.
0ne night in a Lubbock, Texas, meeting, a little fieckleu-face boy appioacheu the
ievivalist. Locking his aims aiounu Coe's legs, the boy saiu with a lisp, "Pleathe, mithtei, let
me go home with you." Then a woman uiaggeu him away, as Coe stoou watching. But the
impiession stayeu with Coe the entiie night. The next uay, he lookeu foi the boy, but
coulun't finu him.
Coe hau always felt he woulu someuay pioviue a home foi othei homeless chiluien,
as he hau been a homeless chilu himself. But he also knew that if uou was speaking to him
that Be woulu speak to }uanita as well. Be coulun't escape the memoiy of this little boy's
fieckleu face.
Finally, while uiiving home aftei a meeting, Coe askeu his wife, "Honey, wbat would
you say if I told you tbat Cod bad been speaking to me about starting a cbildren's
bome?" It lookeu financially impossible. But }uanita saiu, "I always thought that I shoulu
woik in a chiluien's home, so maybe this is it. You go aheau anu obey uou!"
18
IILCL L IL.CL
In obeuience, the Coes put a small uown-payment on a lot in Ballas, anu continueu on
with theii healing ciusaues. In eveiy meeting, Coe let the people know of his chiluien's
home plans, anu soon, people began to uonate lumbei anu supplies. The Coes put theii
own home up foi sale. It solu the same week, anu they useu the pioceeus to help pay the
woikeis. Then they moveu into a poition of the chiluien's home still unuei constiuction
anu liveu theie until it was finisheu.
328
Theie was no iunning watei anu the heatei coulun't sufficiently heat the ioom. As a
iesult, theii baby fell ill with pneumonia. They put the chilu's health in uou's hanus anu left
foi theii next meeting. Aftei they hau tiaveleu about
fifty miles, the baby's fevei bioke, anu the baby was
playing in the caiinstantly healeu!
Little by little, uou maue the finances available foi
the chiluien's home. People began to uonate uiapeiies,
blankets, anu clothing, anu befoie long, the Coes weie
able to holu theii "0pen Bouse." The home was ieauy
anu chiluien weie ieceiveu.
0ne uay as Coe sat watching the chiluien play, a
little boy walkeu up to him anu saiu, "You'll be my
uauuy now." Then seveial otheis lockeu theii aims
aiounu him, wanting his love. 0f this, Coe saiu, "It
seemed tbat my dream bad at last, been fulfilled."
19
COL ..IL, .O.
Bob Baviuson was a young boy in the chiluien's home. Bis own fathei hau been
ciippleu, anu coulu not take caie of his family. Although Coe was a national evangelist,
Baviuson saiu he was like a "compassionate fathei" when he was at the home. Coe was
iemembeieu by some as always being happy. Be was a fun-loving man, who enjoyeu
playing jokes on people. Even so, Coe heaiu fiom uou conceining the chiluien, anu knew
when to uiaw the line.
0nce, aftei being at the home foi seveial yeais, Baviuson hau wanteu to go to a State
Faii with some of his fiienus. When he went to ask Coe foi money to go, Coe tolu him that if
he finisheu his choies, he coulu go.
Baviuson woikeu haiu to complete his uuties in time to go. Running to meet Coe, he
shouteu that he hau finisheu all his woik. About that time, the guys he was going to the Faii
with pulleu in fiont of the home in a bianu new Plymouth Fuiy. They waveu to Baviuson,
telling him to huiiy anu get in the cai so they coulu go.
Watching the scene, Coe gave Baviuson money foi his choies, but changeu his minu
about the boy going to the Faii. Coe tolu him, "Cod said not to let you go."
0f couise, Baviuson uiun't unueistanu. Be ciieu anu yelleu at Coe, "You lieu! You lieu!"
Then he ian to anothei pait of the home.
Aftei a while, Coe founu Baviuson anu saiu, "If you really want to go to tbe Fair, I'll
take you myself. But Cod said you could not go witb tbose boys. I didn't feel rigbt
about letting you leave."
20
So Baviuson uiieu his face anu left foi the Faii with Coe. As they tiaveleu uown the
329
Coe boJ olwoys felt be
woulJ someJoy proviJe o
bome for otber bomeless
cbilJren, os be boJ been o
bomeless cbilJ bimself. But
be olso knew tbot if 6oJ
wos speokinq to bim tbot
Ee woulJ speok to }uonito
os well.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
ioau, an ambulance anu a sheiiff's cai passeu them at high speeus, heauing stiaight aheau
of them.
Biiving up aheau, nothing coulu match the hoiioi of what they saw. Theie in the
uitch, was the bianu new Plymouth Fuiy, ciusheu anu mangleu. Besiue it, scatteieu along
the giounu, weie the bioken bouies of Baviuson's fiienusall of them ueau. Coe anu
Baviuson stoou by the ioau, holuing one anothei, anu ciying.
LIL..LL LILL IO.L
Baviuson has nevei foigotten how Coe caieu enough to heai uou foi him. Be feels
that he owes his life to the stiict compassion of }ack Coe.
Sometimes, seventeen chiluien woulu be in the home. Baviuson iemembeis it
ieaching one hunuieu chiluien at one point. Some of the chiluien came so uiity, theii haii
woulu have to be washeu foui oi five times just to see theii scalp. Nost of the chiluien hau
been left alone, some staiving. Neighbois of the abanuoneu chiluien woulu iepoit the
conuition to authoiities. Then the chiluien's home woulu take what it coulu holu.
Coe always tolu the uonois, "Don't send me worn out clotbes for tbe kids in my
bome. My kids are going to be dressed as good as yours." It was saiu that aftei Coe
took the kius, that even the goveinoi of the state woulu have been piouu to claim them.
They weie all taught to piay, leu to Chiist, anu taken to chuich iegulaily. Nost all of them
spoke in othei tongues.
Eventually, Coe was able to puichase two hunuieu acies outsiue of Ballas foi the
home. This was enough ioom foi a self-sustaining faim anu foui laige uoimitoiies. Coe
taigeteu two hunuieu chiluien as his goal. uou honoieu his effoits, anu abunuantly
supplieu the neeus of the chiluien's home.
IL LIC OI
By now, Coe hau puichaseu anu solu seveial tents, woiking his way towaiu owning
the laigest tent in the nation. Finally, he succeeueu. Be
now biaggeu that his new tent was "biggei than the
big top." Stoims hau uestioyeu otheis, but Coe was
believing foi this one to be supeinatuially sustaineu
by the hanu of uou.
Coe uiun't just have small, confineu tent meetings.
Bis meetings weie huge! 0ne of his laigest meetings
was helu in Little Rock, Aikansas, wheie the goveinoi
estimateu ovei twenty thousanu people weie in
attenuance! Beaf eais weie unstoppeu, blinu eyes
weie openeu, anu ciippleu peisons walkeu as uou
miiaculously healeu them. Thousanus weie also boin
again.
330
"Well, tbe 'boly rollers' ore
qoinq. Wbot's tbe motter?
Wbere's your foitb in 6oJ?"
So Coe yelleJ bock, "Tbot's
just tbe reoson we're
leovinq. We've qot foitb in
6oJ, onJ 6oJ tolJ us to
qo!"
Finally, anothei uieaueu stoim swiileu aiounu Coe's gospel tent. 0n this night, the
winu blew so haiu, the ievivalist himself coulu haiuly stanu outsiue. Theie weie thiity-five
hunuieu people still insiue the tent when the woist of the stoim passeu thiough, when
lightning stiuck the electiical system anu all the lights went out. When this happeneu, Coe
ian into his tiailei anu began to piay. As he uiu, the winu suuuenly subsiueu anu the stoim
calmeu.
Coe went back insiue to see how the people weie, anu a woman was lying on the
giounu with an appaient heait attack. Be coulu heai the iattle of ueath in hei thioat.
Someone suggesteu they call an ambulance, but Coe saiu, "We'll pray and believe Cod.
Cod will beal ber." Within a few minutes, she was back to noimal piaising the Loiu with
the iest of the people!
21
. IIL.L.L. ILOOL .OI
Coe was also piesent when the gieatest floou in 0. S. histoiy stiuck Kansas City.
Befoie he hau aiiiveu in the city, he uieameu of a gieat floou, closing in on eveiy siue. But it
uiun't keep him fiom coming. Be hau iaiseu his big top on the Kansas siue. Anu uou was
speaking juugment in the meetings thiough the gift of piophecy. But most of the people
ignoieu the wainings. Some of them, laughing anu jeeiing, even left the meetings. It iaineu
eveiy night, soaking the giounu as thousanus answeieu the altai calls. But Coe iemaineu
tioubleu in his spiiit. Foi two nights, he was unable to sleep.
The next uay, he tuineu to his wife anu saiu, "Would you tbink I were crazy if I took
tbat tent down? Sometbing tells me to take tbe tent down." As he began putting action
to his woius, he walkeu out to finu that his tiucks weie stuck in the muu, anu that the
uampness hau affecteu the batteiiesthey woulun't stait. Aftei woiking on them
feveiishly the ciew was finally able to stait the tiucks late that afteinoon.
As Coe moveu to stiike the big tent, people began to question his motives. "What aie
you uoing." "You'ie not having seivice tonight." "I uon't think you have anything to woiiy
about." "The most the watei woulu uo if the iivei flooueu, woulu iun unuei youi chaiis."
"Theie's no uangei of the watei coming ovei the uikes." "Bon't let the uevil uefeat you."
Neveitheless, uou hau spoken cleaily to Coe: "uet the tent out of heie."
But by 7:Su P.N. that night, the ciew hau maue no piogiess. So he oiganizeu them,
uiging them to huiiy. They weie just getting ieauy to lowei the top, when anothei
ministei appioacheu Coe anu saiu "Bon't take the tent uown. uou can take caie of this
tent." To this Coe iesponueu, "I know Cod can take care of tbis tent, and tbat's tbe
reason I'm moving. Cod told me to move it, and I'm going to move it"
Finally, thiee houis latei, as they weie pulling out the last stake, the pullei lockeu anu
iefuseu to give anothei inch. At that veiy moment, eveiy whistle anu siien in town began
to blast anu shiill. "The uikes aie bieaking!" came the call.
Coe was ieauy to go, but he coulun't get all the canvas in the tiucks, anu the men weie
iunning off. So he stoou on a laige box anu pleaueu with them, "Men, don't leave me
331
C O L . C L . L I . L .
now. Tbe tent is rolled up, don't leave me!" By this time, the biiuge leauing out of theii
aiea was snaileu as panic-stiicken people fought one anothei to cioss. The men woulu
look at the congestion, then look at Coe. Finally, one saiu, "We ought to be men enough to
stay heie anu help him. If he isn't afiaiu of uiowning, I'm suiely not." With that, foity men
came alongsiue of Coe to help him loau the canvas. 0nce loaueu, they heaueu out of town.
As Coe's tiucks left Kansas City, some of the people who iefuseu to leave sat on theii
poiches anu jeeieu at him. "Well, the 'holy iolleis' aie going. What's the mattei. Wheie's
youi faith in uou." So Coe yelleu back, "Tbat's |ust tbe reason we're leaving. We've got
faitb in Cod, and Cod told us to go!" 0theis stoou on theii poiches anu laugheu too.
They nevei thought the floou woulu uestioy eveiything they hau, but foi many it uiu.
0n his way out of town, Coe stoppeu to help
Pastoi Bainett move his fuinituie anu belongings to
the chuich. (This was Tommy Bainett's fathei. Touay,
Tommy Bainett pastois one of Ameiica's laigest
chuiches locateu in Phoenix, Aiizona.) But theii
moving paity pioveu to be too little, too late as Bainett
watcheu with Coe fiom the tiuck as the floou wateis
ciasheu thiough the winuows of the chuich. Losing
eveiything he hau, Bainett maue a fiesh commitment
to stay in Kansas City.
Bainett anu Coe attempteu to save many people fiom the uisastei. But in the piocess
they witnesseu the uiowning of many. Aftei they hau uone eveiything possible, they
staiteu out ovei the biiuge to safety, anu as Coe lookeu behinu them, he saw that the watei
level wheie the tent hau stoou was now stanuing at aiounu twenty feet. The tent woulu
have been completely uestioyeu, anu only a small pait of Bainett's chuich builuing still
showeu.
22
The two men tuineu theii backs, thanking uou in theii heaits foi Bis absolute
piovision anu ueliveiance.
L.L.II...LL` Ì. LL.L I. .L``
In 19S2, Coe went thioughout the South holuing massive healing ciusaues. Two yeais
eailiei he hau staiteu publishing, Tbe EerolJ of Eeolinq, anu by 19S1, its ciiculation hau
ieacheu SS,uuu. The mastheau boasteu that it was one of the nation's fastest giowing
magazines, with 1uu peicent ienewal each yeai. By 19S6, the ciiculation hau ieacheu
2Su,uuu.
2S
In August of 19S2, Coe went on the iauio with the uospel. Bis bioaucasts eventually
giew to one hunuieu uiffeient stations a week. Thousanus weie saveu anu healeu as a
iesult of his piogiam. It was aiounu that time that cieative miiaclesthe miiaculous
appeaiance of missing bouy paitsalso began taking place in his meetings.
332
Eere tbe sick woulJ be
olloweJ to remoin until
tbey receiveJ tbeir beolinq.
Proyer onJ closses on
beolinq woulJ be offereJ
Joily.
When Coe finally helu a meeting in Spiingfielu, Nissouii, the Assemblies of uou began
to oppose him. They weien't comfoitable with uivine healing anu ueliveiance ministiies.
But Coe hau a volcanic peisonality, especially when it came to someone tiying to uictate oi
contiol his call. Be tiieu to coopeiate with theii suggestions anu ciiticisms, anu even
sponsoieu the Pentecostol Fvonqel (the official Assemblies of uou publication) at one of
his meetings, ieceiving one hunuieu twenty new
subsciiptions foi it. Be also took up a laige offeiing foi
theii missions piogiam.
But Coe wasn't a uenominational man. As much as
he tiieu, he coulun't stanu foi all the iestiaints anu
iegulations placeu upon him. Be felt the Assemblies of
uou leaueis no longei believeu in the miiaculous. So he
wiote a bolu lettei, suggesting they ieplace theii
piesent leaueiship with men who believeu in the miiaculous powei of uou. The ueneial
Council founu his lettei offensive.
Finally, in 19SS, Coe was expelleu fiom the Assemblies of uou. They hau become
fiustiateu by his "extieme inuepenuence" anu embaiiasseu by some of his methous. A
bittei feuu followeu. It has been saiu that Coe even thought of establishing a split-off gioup
calleu the Funuamental Assemblies of uou, but ueciueu to puisue his own call, insteau.
24
.L` CILICI, .L` IO.L, .L` L.LLI...LI.C
Soon Coe began giasping the vision foi his own inuepenuent chuich. It woulu be a
ievival centei wheie evangelists coulu come anu holu continuous campaigns. It woulu
pioviue accommouations laige enough to holu the people theii ministiies uiew. Anu it
woulu eventually be uuplicateu aiounu the nation in eveiy majoi city. Coe iealizeu he
woulu be highly ciiticizeu foi this move, but he ueciueu to puisue the uieam iegaiuless of
peisecution, anu in 19SS he staiteu the fiist one, the Ballas Revival Centei.
In the spiing, Coe began to ask uou why people weien't healeu. Though he hau seen
thousanus healeu, he hau also seen thousanus walk away without theii healing. Aftei a
season of piayei, uou ievealeu to Coe that many uiun't unueistanu how to ieceive healing
anu that they neeueu instiuction in Bis Woiu conceining Bis will anu Bis powei. This was
a tiemenuous ievelation in that uay! 0p until then, most of the voice of Bealing evangelists
uepenueu upon the anointing of theii healing gift, anu many knew little about what the
Woiu of uou hau to say on the subject.
So in an effoit to stiengthen the faith anu uispel the uoubts of those who weie seeking
healing, Coe built a faith home. Beie the sick woulu be alloweu to iemain until they
ieceiveu theii healing. Piayei anu classes on healing woulu be offeieu uaily. Finally, aftei
months of stiuggling thiough the city's iesistance to his builuing plans, }ack Coe's Faith
Bome openeu next uooi to his Beialu of Bealing Chiluien's Bome in the summei of 19S4.
In Septembei, Coe's Faith Bome ieceiveu its fiist full-time patient. Fiom theie, the
numbeis giew. No meuicine was evei offeieu oi peimitteu in the builuing, anu patients
333
No meJicine wos ever
offereJ or permitteJ in tbe
builJinq, onJ potients were
token niqbtly to tbe Bollos
Revivol Center.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
weie taken nightly to the Ballas Revival Centei.
In }uly of that yeai, Coe expeiienceu the gieatest
tent ievival in the histoiy of his ministiy. Be hau taken
the big top to Pittsbuigh, Pennsylvania, wheie it is
estimateu that thiity thousanu people weie boin again.
0ne night was uevoteu to "stietchei cases" only. Noie
than 7S peicent of those on stietcheis got up anu
walkeu. A local television station bioaucast the ievival
meetings, uiawing even gieatei ciowus. Though gieat
winus iippeu the big top while he was in Pittsbuigh,
this month-long meeting was the high point in Coe's
life.
Thioughout 19SS, his chuich, the Ballas Revival Centei, continueu to giow. Neetings
weie helu in a laige ienteu theatei, which he anu anothei pastoi hau ienovateu foi nightly
attenuance. Coe's love foi chiluien moveu him to uevelop a full Chiistian school at the
Ballas Revival Centei, wheie chiluien weie taught anu loveu by Spiiit-filleu teacheis.
The chuich balcony anu lowei flooi weie packeu eveiy night, anu by the fall of that
yeai, the congiegation hau giown to the point wheie they weie able to constiuct theii own
builuing.
In }anuaiy of 19S4, Coe openeu the new Ballas Revival Centei Chuich. It was
beautifully anu simply built, with a huge white cioss gleaming acioss its fiont. The centei
pioviueu a place to attenu chuich eveiy night of the week. Bus seivice pickeu up those
who hau no way to get theie, anu an ambulance pioviueu fiee seivice to anyone who
wisheu to come fiom the hospital, oi home, foi piayei.
.L`LI.L II.L..I.I.I o LIIL
Coe continueu to evangelize aiounu the nation, tiying to iaise money foi a television
piogiam. But in 19S6, he was aiiesteu in Niami, Floiiua, foi piacticing meuicine without a
license.
Let me make a point heie. At this time, the city of Niami was known foi its
peisecution of ministeis. Especially those who pieacheu on uivine healing. When the
peisecutions bioke out, most evangelists woulu usually just pack up anu leave town. But
not Coe! Be stayeu to fight. Remembei, Coe loveu a goou fight. As a iesult, the Niami police
aiiesteu him anu thiew him in jail. Be was latei ieleaseu on a $S,uuu bonu.
Because of his incaiceiation, Coe began aumonishing othei healing evangelists to
come to Niami anu stanu up foi what they believeu. Anu when his case came to tiial, it was
eviuent that his woius hau been heaiu. Nany piominent healing evangelists came to
testify on his behalf. In fact, it is iecoiueu that these evangelists hau healing miiacles
manifestwhile they weie on the stanu! uou tuineu the situation aiounu foi his goou, anu
in the enu the juuge uismisseu the case.
334
lronicolly, it seems tbot tbe
voice of Eeolinq
qenerotion JiJn't
unJerstonJ tbe
steworJsbip of tbe pbysicol
boJy os we Jo toJoy.
Coe's Niami inciuent hau pioven to be a gieat victoiy. But a tuining point was soon to
come in his ministiy. In Becembei, while pieaching in Bot Spiings, Aikansas, the healing
evangelist became ciitically ill.
It was a known fact that Coe hau teiiibly neglecteu his health. Coe maintaineu an
extiemely iigoious scheuule, holuing thiee meetings a uay, that lasteu foui to six weeks at
a time. The oveiwoik, the stiess, anu a lack of piopei iest soon took its toll. Because of the
tiemenuous weai anu teai on his bouy, it was saiu that Coe inwaiuly possesseu the bouy
of a ninety-yeai-olu man.
Touay, the Coe family says the Loiu tolu him of his
ueath one yeai befoie the time, anu that Coe accepteu
that he was soon to uie. They also say he believeu the
coming of the Loiu woulu follow shoitly aftei his
ueath. Because of these two things, Coe woikeu
ielentlessly to spieau the uospeleven to the
extieme.
Besiues Coe's biutal scheuule, his eating habits weie iiiegulai anu unhealthy. Nany
times aftei a ciusaue, Coe woulu eat a heavy meal at S:uu A.N. As a iesult, he was extiemely
oveiweight.
Iionically, it seems that the voice of Bealing geneiation uiun't unueistanu the
stewaiuship of the physical bouy as we uo touay. We must unueistanu that the physical
bouy is the only thing holuing oui spiiit on the eaith. We must piactice a healthy
maintenance of oui eating habits, mental attituues, anu geneial well-being. 0theiwise, oui
physical "house"oui bouieswill bieak uown anu uie. Then oui spiiits will have to
leave the eaith anu go to heaven.
I like to compaie oui physical bouies to a space suit. If you go to the moon, the only
thing that will holu youi bouy to the suiface of the moon is youi space suit. Such a suit
contains an oxygen supply, a bouy shielu, anu is heavy enough to walk upiight in the
weightlessness of space. But if you weie to haim that space suit, youi oxygen supply woulu
be cut off, youi shielu woulu be bioken, anu youi bouy woulu float away fiom the suiface
of the moon. Why. Because you neeu such a space suit to iemain on the moon.
The same is tiue with oui physical bouies. If we fail to be goou stewaius ovei oui
flesh, oui bouies uie eaily anu oui spiiits have to leave. Theiefoie, if you uon't take caie of
youi physical bouy, youi life anu youi ministiy will come to an enu.
.. L.I.LL LL.I
At fiist, Coe thought he was suffeiing fiom exhaustion, but soon he was uiagnoseu
with polio. Bis wife wanteu him aumitteu to the hospital, so Coe consenteu foi hei peace of
minu.
In the hospital, Coe iemaineu unconscious most of the time. Theie weie a few times
335
lf we foil to be qooJ
steworJs over our flesb,
our boJies Jie eorly onJ
our spirits bove to leove.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
when he woulu iegain his ability to speak anu make his
uesiies known. Accoiuing to his wife, the Loiu spoke to
Coe anu tolu him that Be was going to take him
home.
2S
Then eaily in 19S7, }ack Coe went home to be
with the Loiu.
}uanita Coe was scolueu by many evangelists foi
not allowing them to piay foi hei husbanu. But uoiuon
Linusay saiu his ueath must have been the will of uou,
oi "pioviuence woulu have alloweu someone to piay
foi him. Bis ministiy hau simply been fulfilleu."
Theie is a stoiy that says Coe hau been waineu of
his impenuing ueath, uue to some health habits, peisonal habits, anu his iigoious scheuule.
The stoiy says that the Loiu hau spoken seveial times to one ministei in paiticulai. This
piophetic man of the time is saiu to have heaiu the waining of the Loiu foi }ack Coe. Anu it
is saiu that he obeyeu uou anu went to Coe.
As the stoiy goes, Coe was tolu to juuge himself in thiee aieas: (1) his love of the
biethien; (2) his weight pioblem; anu (S) the love of money. The piophet iepoiteuly tolu
Coe that if he woulu not juuge himself in these aieas, he woulu uie eaily. Anu Coe uiu uie
eaily. Be was only thiity-eight yeais olu when he uieu.
It is impoitant to note that the Coe family stiongly iefutes that this paiticulai piophet
evei spoke to Coe. The family maintains that a membei of the Coe family appioacheu the
piophet to confiont him about this wiuespieau iepoit. Accoiuing to the Coe family, this
piophet saiu that he nevei spoke to Coe uiiectly, although he was tolu by uou to uo so.
IL .I.I.I CO.I.LL.
Aftei Coe uieu, }uanita Coe announceu that she anu the uepaitment heaus woulu
continue hei husbanu's ministiy. She seiveu as assistant pastoi of the Ballas Revival
Centei, anu foi a time, continueu to conuuct healing campaigns. Theie weie many that felt
she coulu have gone on to have hei own majoi ievival ministiy, but she chose to let that
phase of the ministiy enu. Noie anu moie }uanita Coe uiiecteu hei eneigies towaiu
foieign missions anu the Beialu of Bealing Chiluien's Bome. Even aftei Coe's ueath, the
EerolJ of Eeolinq hau a ciiculation of Suu,uuu ieaueis. It was only when }uanita ueciueu
to tapei off that phase of ministiy, that hei husbanu's populaiity uwinuleu.
Touay, both of Coe's sons, }ack }i. anu Steve, aie in the ministiy, pastoiing theii own
chuiches, anu Nis. Coe is still active in the chuich. The Coes aie continuing to pieach anu
teach }esus Chiist to this geneiation anu to the next, caiiying on the plan of uou foi theii
inuiviuual lives.
LI`L I.. OLI I..
0ne of the gieat things about }ack Coe, is that he nevei alloweu his past to holu him
336
0ne of tbe qreot tbinqs
obout }ock Coe, is tbot be
never olloweJ bis post to
bolJ bim bock. Eis post
miqbt bove influenceJ bis
ottituJe, but it never
stoppeJ bim or couseJ bim
to witbJrow.
back. Bis past might have influenceu his attituue, but it nevei stoppeu him oi causeu him
to withuiaw.
As a chilu, he was teiiibly huit by his home conuition, but it nevei causeu him to sit in
a coinei anu feel soiiy foi himself. Insteau of pushing him unuei, those haiu times built an
awaieness in him of a neeu foi ueliveiance. Be knew that he coulun't uepenu on otheis to
finu it foi him. Be was a fightei. Anu it is tiue that he sometimes fought in the flesh. But he
was ueteimineu to uo something with the hungei in his heait! Be was ueteimineu to take
contiol of his hoiiibly uisauvantageu life insteau of allowing it to continue contiolling him.
As a iesult, Coe was huileu heaufiist into his place as one of the leaueis in the voice of
Bealing ievival. Be hau the kinu of "inuepenuence" that it takes to keep you on the cutting
euge. It is when we base oui lives anu faith on the woius of men, oi on the hoiiois of oui
past, that we aie uefeateu. But when we puisue anu iun aftei the ciy of oui heaits, uou will
meet us eveiy time anu manifest Bis gloiy.
Anothei impoitant lesson to be uiawn upon fiom Coe's life is this: 0nueistanu that
you uon't have to exaggeiate the facts oi compete with someone else to show youi woith.
This is the only place wheie I can see that the ministiy of }ack Coe beais iepioach.
Sometimes, if insecuiity pievails in a ministiy, the peison will eithei withuiaw oi go
oveiboaiu to piove his woith. When we go the way of the flesh, we have to iely on oui
own stiength, anu we weai out befoie oui time.
Youi past will nevei ueteimine youi futuie, that is, unless you give it the powei to uo
so. Theie is a whole new futuie in faith. It is clean, untoucheu, waiting foi you to pioneei
with it by the uieam in youi heait. Keep uou as youi numbei one passion, anu the uesiie
of youi heait will suiely follow.
337
C O L . C L . L I . L .
CHAPTER ELEVEN, )ACK CUE
Refeiences
1
}ack Coe, Tbe Story of }ock Coe, (Ballas, TX: Beialu of Bealing, Inc., 19SS), 78-79.
2 Ibiu., S-6.
3 Ibiu., 12.
4 Ibiu., 1S.
5 Ibiu., 16-2u.
6
Ibiu., 21-26.
7
Ibiu., 29-S4.
8
Ibiu., 42-44.
9 Ibiu., 48-S4.
10 Ibiu., SS-S9.
11 Ibiu., 6u-62.
12 Ibiu., 68-69.
1S
Ibiu., 72-7S.
14
Baviu Baiiell }i., All Tbinqs Are Possible, (Bloomington: Inuiana 0niveisity
Piess, 197S), S8-S9.
15 Inteiview with Pastoi uaiy Lauu who attenueu Coe meetings in Tylei, Texas,
in 1949.
16 Coe, Tbe Story of }ock Coe, 79-8u.
17 Baiiell, All Tbinqs Are Possible, S9-6u.
18
Coe, Tbe Story of }ock Coe, 86.
19 Ibiu., 9u.
2u
Inteiview with Bob Baviuson on }uly 2S, 199S.
21 Coe, Tbe Story of }ock Coe, 98.
22 Ibiu., 99-1u6.
23 Baiiell, All Tbinqs Are Possible, 6u.
24 Ibiu., 61.
25 Peisonal comments fiom the Coe Family, Apiil 1996.
338
C H A P T E R T W E L V E
A. A. AIIen
12: A. A. Allen"Tbe Hirocle Hon"
IL .II.CLL ...
efoie we get into A. A. Allen's stoiy, I woulu like to make a few comments that I feel
will help youi peispective in this stoiy. L
Eveiyone has a peisonal piefeience when it comes to ministiy gifts. Theie aie ceitain
ministiies that you enjoy moie than otheis, but not eveiy ministiy gift is going to fit into
youi peisonal molu.
Some of us might be suipiiseu to finu that oui iuea of ministiy, oi how a ministiy
shoulu opeiate, wasn't }esus' iuea at all. I like to uesciibe "piefeience" as moie of an iuea in
youi minu than a ievelation in youi spiiit.
0ui peisonal piefeiences aie just thatpiefeiences. They aie not iules. Theiefoie,
we must be veiy caieful not to juuge the call oi ministiy gift of anothei accoiuing to oui
peisonal piefeiences. Suiiounuing youiself with ministiies that satisfy youi piefeiences
onlycoulu cause you to miss out on something impoitant.
I have gieat compassion foi A. A. Allen. Suie, he maue mistakes. Eveiy ueneial uiu,
anu eveiy futuie ueneial will. Peisonally, I also feel theie aie things Allen uiu in the "flesh"
that he calleu "Spiiit."
But when you consiuei Allen's uisastious backgiounu, you must take note of how he
tiiumpheu ovei it all to affect the woilu foi }esus. veiy few people, if any, have oveicome
what Allen uiu to successfully answei the call of uou. Bis stoiy shoulu speak to eveiy
geneiation. Consiuei this as you ieau.
. LILL .ILL, . LO OI ÌI.LL
Asa Alonzo Allen was boin on a stoimy Eastei moining, Naich 27, 1911. Bis paients,
Asa anu Leona, ueciueu to name him aftei his fathei
anu his fathei's uncle, a Piesbyteiian ministei. Bis
name was the only connection to uou that his paients
gave him, anu they ceitainly uiun't think he woulu enu
up a pieachei. But Asa Alonzo woulu aiise fiom out of
theii little known iegion of Sulphui Spiings, Aikansas,
to become one of the most sensational ievivalists of mouein time.
It is tiue that A. A. Allen uiew moie contioveisy than any othei of the voice of Bealing
evangelists. Be was seveiely ciiticizeu foi his uiamatics anu sensationalism, anu he was
totally uenounceu foi his peisonal habits. The meuia scoineu him to the fullest, anu
uenominational leaueis banisheu him while oiueiing otheis to uistance themselves fiom
341
Ee wos severely criticizeJ
for bis Jromotics onJ
sensotionolism...
C O L . C L . L I . L .
him. Neveitheless, some consiuei him to have been one of the most impoitant ievivalists
to emeige uuiing the voice of Bealing ievival.
1
It is also impoitant to note that those who
ciiticizeu Allen weie fai less piouuctive in the ministiy than was Allen.
Allen was boin into a tioubleu home in which
"tuimoil" was a householu woiu. At the time of his
biith, Allen hau two biotheis anu foui sisteis. As a
young boy, his sisteis biought him the only joy he
knew; they loveu him, playeu with him, anu tieateu
him like a little piince. But his paients weie uiunkaius
anu iaiseu the chiluien in total poveity. Even Allen's
fiist paii of shoes weie bought foi him by a total
stiangei.
Allen's paients also maue home biew liquoi behinu theii shack. Bis mothei uiank
heavily while she was piegnant with Allen, anu being as pooi as they weie, a new baby
was haiuly anything to be joyful about.
A favoiite pastime of his paients was to give Allen anu his sisteis some of theii home
biew liquoi until they weie uiunk. Then they woulu sit back anu laugh at theii chiluien's
uiunken antics until they woulu eithei fall uown oi pass out.
2
Allen's mothei iepeateuly
filleu his bottle with liquoi to keep him fiom ciying, anu he woulu go to beu nightly with a
baby bottle filleu with the home biew.
Tobacco was also plentiful in the householu. Being home giown, it was veiy stiong,
yet, Allen leaineu to smoke befoie he was olu enough to go to school. Be always took a few
puffs of his mothei's cigaiettes when he lit them foi hei.
S
Bis fathei was a talenteu musician, anu though he wasn't a Chiistian, the local chuich
askeu him to leau theii choii anu peifoim with them. Be usually uiu so while uiunk. Young
Allen caught holu of those talents anu sometimes stoou on the stieet coinei singing to the
ciowu. It must have been a sight, heaiing that baby voice sing hymns he hau leaineu fiom
his uiunken fathei. Young Allen woulu sing the chuich hymns ovei anu ovei because the
ciowu tosseu pennies, nickels, anu uimes to him. Be steppeu into the enteitainment woilu
at an eaily age, anu it seemeu he was boin foi it.
. LLCLL OI LLLI . IOLLLL
Allen's paients weie always fighting, thiowing fuinituie, anu thieatening one anothei
with weapons. Finally, when he was foui yeais olu, his mothei left his fathei. She took the
chiluien with hei to Caithage, Nissouii.
Soon aftei his mothei left, she maiiieu again, but the tuimoil was the same. In
uiunken iages, his mothei anu stepfathei woulu fight to such an extieme that the young
chiluien woulu iun out of the home in teiioi. By the time Allen was six yeais olu, he was
caiiying tin buckets of beei home fiom the saloon to his stepfathei.
342
Nevertbeless, some
consiJer bim to bove been
one of tbe most importont
revivolists to emerqe
Jurinq tbe voice of Eeolinq
revivol.
A. A. Allen"The Miracle Man"
Allen iecalleu:
"Every one of us grew up witb a taste for liquor. I bad only two
brotbers. Une of tbem died wben I was |ust a tiny lad. I bardly remember
bim at all. But my oldest brotber died a drunkard. My fatber filled a
drunkards grave. My motber quit drinking before I was grown, but my
four sisters and I were well started on tbe road to a drunkard's bell."
4
In auuition to the uiinking pioblem, his mothei hau fits of jealousy. She hau maiiieu a
youngei man, anu as Allen's stepfathei woulu go to woik, she woulu watch him with
binoculais to see if he stoppeu to talk with any women. They liveu veiy close to his woik,
so she watcheu eveiything he uiu anu maue him give account foi it on payuay. If the
paycheck seemeu less than usual, she accuseu him of spenuing it on anothei woman. Bis
stepfathei finally hau all he coulu take anu left, anu so hau young Allen.
At eleven yeais olu, Allen ian away fiom home, ueteimineu to go back to Aikansas
anu finu his fathei. But he wasn't suie of the way, anu once he left the weathei tuineu bau,
so he ietuineu home to his mothei. Caiefully plotting his next attempt, he ueciueu that the
next time he woulun't fail.
When he was fouiteen, Allen was as laige as a giown man, so he ian away again. This
time, he ueciueu he woulu uo whatevei it took to make it, so he hitcheu iiues in vehicles
anu empty fieight cais anu tiaveleu ovei a laige poition of the South. While tiaveling with
seveial othei vagabonu fiienus, he pickeu cotton, woikeu in gins, anu uug uitches; anu he
still enueu up in jail foi stealing coin.
IL. II. OL OI LILL II.'
Eveiywheie he went, Allen was known as the life of the paity. Be hau a beautiful
tenoi voice anu a gieat sense of ihythm. Be was always singing, uancing, uiinking, anu
smoking. Though his eneigy seemeu bounuless, Allen saiu latei that he was miseiable.
Nany times, he woulu leave the paity anu go into the woous to weep bitteily.
By the time he was twenty-one yeais olu, Allen was a neivous wieck. When he lit a
cigaiette, he hau to holu his wiist with the othei hanu
because he shook so bauly. It was saiu that he coulun't
even holu a cup of coffee without spilling it. Bis chest
buineu, he was iackeu with a ueep hacking cough, anu
his memoiy was slipping. In shoit, by the eaily piime
of his life, Asa Alonzo Allen was uying.
With nowheie else to tuin, Allen went home to his
mothei. Thinking that faim life anu iegulai meals
woulu be goou foi him, he hopeu foi the ietuin of his
health.
But once back home, he ietuineu to his olu ways. In theii iuggeu, countiy setting,
343
By tbe time be wos twenty-
one yeors olJ, Allen wos o
nervous wreck. Wben be lit
o ciqorette, be boJ to bolJ
bis wrist witb tbe otber
bonJ becouse be sbook so
boJly.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Allen anu his mothei built a bootleg still to make theii own liquoi. In auuition to the still,
they tuineu theii place into a uance hall eveiy Satuiuay night, anu soon, attiacteu laige
gioups of iowuy people who weie eagei foi enteitainment.
}ust uown the ioau, anothei man who was calleu Biothei Buntei was opening his
home foi a uiffeient ieason. Though unleaineu, he was boin again anu filleu with the Boly
Spiiit. So, he ueciueu to foim a chuich anu become the pastoi. But he was uneasy about the
uance hall uown the ioau.
Biothei Buntei sought out the young people, but most of them weie too mesmeiizeu
by the Allen "Bance Ball anu Still" to be inteiesteu in chuich. So the pieachei ueciueu that if
the community was evei going to see ievival, the uance hall woulu have to be shut uown. A
gioup gatheieu togethei anu began piaying. They ciieu out:
"uou, close up that Allen uance hall! Save him if you can. But if he
won't yielu to uou, eithei iun him out of the neighboihoou oi kill him.
But close uown that uance hall, one way oi anothei!"
S
Well, thank uou,
a poition of theii piayei was giaceu!
IL L.L I. IL ÌIL LIL..
In }une of 19S4, things began changing when one of Allen's iough fiienus askeu him
to accompany him on an eiianu. As they tiaveleu, they passeu by a countiy Nethouist
chuich. The lights weie blazing, anu insiue theie was a celebiation of louu singing,
clapping, anu uancing.
Allen was amazeu, these people weie enjoying themselves! Be thought chuich was to
be solemn anu mouinful, so he askeu his fiienu to stop.
When he went in to investigate, he founu an even gieatei suipiise. The pieachei was
a woman, uiesseu in white, anu as she talkeu, Allen thought she must be an angel. Be
uiun't want this woman to notice him because she seemeu so puie. So eveiy time she
came neai to him, he woulu hiue behinu the stove pipe. Foi the fiist time in his life,
conviction seizeu him. But befoie the altai call was maue, he anu his fiienu quietly slippeu
out.
All thiough that night anu the next uay, he stiuggleu with uou anu his heait. Be
longeu foi the joy anu peace he hau seen on the faces of those people at the countiy chuich.
So ueciuing not to fight it any longei, he went back to the seivice the following night.
As the meeting staiteu, Allen listeneu caiefully to eveiy song anu testimony. The
seimon was about the bloou of }esus anu how it washeu away eveiy sin, anu as soon as the
call foi salvation was given, his hanu shot stiaight up!
The lauy evangelist knew of him, anu thought he was only theie to cause tiouble, so
she askeu those who weie seiious to stanu. Without a seconu thought, he stoou.
344
She became feaiful because she felt he was theie to cause a scene, but she ueciueu to
continue. She askeu those stanuing to come uown to the fiont if they weie ieally seiious,
anu Allen was the fiist one uown the aisle. In fact, he was the only one who hau stoou to
actually walk uown to the fiont. Thinking he was still theie foi tiouble, the lauy askeu him,
"Bo you reolly want to be saveu."
"Certainly, tbat's wbat I came down bere for," Allen saiu.
To hei gieat suipiise, he fell to his knees anu askeu }esus to be the Loiu of his life.
Fiom that moment on, theie was a new A. A. Allen. No moie uances. No moie bootlegging.
Bis olu fiienus laugheu, but that uiun't change Allen back to his olu ways. Be was a new
cieation.
6
ILIL OI IL LLÌL'
In an olu tiunk in the attic, Allen founu a Bible that his sistei hau won in a contest. It
hau nevei been ieau, so he took the little Bible anu ieau it fiom covei to covei. Be took it to
the fielus anu ieau it, anu woulu ieau it befoie eveiy meal. Accoiuing to Allen, it seemeu he
just coulun't ieau enough of the Bible.
In the meantime, theie was gieat iejoicing in Biothei Buntei's Pentecostal chuich
uown the ioau! "That Allen boy" was boin again! Theii piayeis hau been answeieu, anu it
even seemeu that many of the young people who useu
to attenu Allen's Bance Ball weie now stopping by the
chuich because they weie cuiious about the singing
anu woishipping. The biggest suipiise of all was when
Allen himself slippeu into one of theii seivices. Aftei he
left, the congiegation piayeu that uou woulu fill him
with the Spiiit anu use him to win souls.
The moining aftei he attenueu the Pentecostal
meeting, he visiteu with a Nethouist pastoi who
waineu him to stay away fiom the Pentecostals saying
they weie of the uevil because they spoke in tongues.
"After tbat, I |ust couldn't wait to go back,"
Allen saiu. "I was curious to bear tbem talk in
tongues!"
7
A few seivices latei, the gift of tongues anu inteipietation opeiateu in one of the
meetings, anu as Allen sat anu listeneu, he coulu tell that this was fiom uou. Now he ieally
wanteu what these people hau.
The next uay, he met with the Nethouist pastoi again. Be shaieu his expeiience with
him anu showeu him Sciiptuie to piove that speaking in tongues was foi touay. The pastoi
ueclaieu, "You can't have it! No one is getting that kinu of an expeiience touay!"
345
Tbe morninq ofter be
ottenJeJ tbe Pentecostol
meetinq, be visiteJ witb o
HetboJist postor wbo
worneJ bim to stoy owoy
from tbe Pentecostols
soyinq tbey were of tbe
Jevil becouse tbey spoke in
tonques.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
"Well, I'm going to bave it," answeieu Allen. "And Pastor, tbat is |ust wbat you
need."
8
The pastoi left in a iage, anu Allen seveieu ties with the Nethouist chuich.
Soon aftei this, one of Allen's sisteis was boin again. Anu not long aftei that, Allen
woulu finally ieceive the baptism of the Boly Spiiit. Be ieceiveu anu spoke in tongues at a
Pentecostal camp meeting in 0klahoma that he anu his sistei attenueu togethei.
Those uays weie like heaven on eaith to him. The night he was filleu with the Spiiit,
he woie his only change of clothesa soliu white shiit anu soliu white pants! Be fell to the
giounu which was coveieu with saw uust, but he uiun't caie. All Allen wanteu was uou.
Soon, he felt as though electiicity was slowly inching its way uown his fingeitips, until it
coveieu his entiie bouy. Then it happeneu. Allen was awaie of nothing but the piesence of
uou. Be stoou up anu shouteu out in othei tongues! Bis white suit hau been iuineu, but
Allen hau the uesiie of his heait!
COLOI.LO o LL.IL LO`L
Biought hit Nissouii haiu in 19S4, anu theie was no woik anywheie. Then one uay,
Allen ieceiveu a lettei fiom an olu fiienu who inviteu him to Coloiauo to woik on a ianch.
So in Septembei of 19S4, Allen founu himself walking thiough the Coloiauo plains,
tiieu anu thiisty anu feeling a little alienateu fiom the lack of Pentecostal fellowship.
Though he was going to a new place to woik, he was conceineu theie woulu be no
Chiistians who shaieu his new belief. As he walkeu along, the winu blew a sheet of papei
into his pathway. Benuing uown he pickeu it up. Anu seeing what it was, he smileu bioauly.
It was a page of the Fouisquaie publication, BriJol Coll. Be knew then that somewheie,
someone on these plains believeu in the powei of uou as he knew it.
As soon as he aiiiveu at the ianch, he askeu if anyone attenueu the Fouisquaie
Chuich. Bis fiienus tolu him that a giil who liveu up the ioau possibly uiu. They saiu: "She
even thinks she's calleu to pieach."
9
Soon afteiwaius, Allen intiouuceu himself to Lexie Sciiven, who was calleu to pieach
anu hau just ietuineu home fiom tiaveling with some evangelist fiienus. The two quickly
became fiienus, stuuying the Bible togethei uaily, seaiching Sciiptuie anu seeking answeis
to questions. Lexie was challengeu anu iefiesheu as she listeneu to Allen, who iegulaily
challengeu the ieligious tiauition that she helu to. Be was nevei iaiseu with tiauition, so he
felt he saw things moie cleaily than she uiu. She was soon peisuaueu to his way of seeing
the Sciiptuies, anu they began attenuing chuich togethei. They seemeu insepaiable, but it
was nothing moie than mutual fiienuship.
Soon, Allen ietuineu to Nissouii to help his mothei move hei belongings to hei new
home in Iuaho. Lexie left to attenu Cential Bible Institute in Spiingfielu, Nissouii, but eveiy
uay, the letteis came fiom Allen. They both began to iealize they weie in love with each
othei. So he wiote to hei, pioposeu, anu the couple maiiieu on Septembei 19, 19S6, in
346
Coloiauo. Theii maiiiage was latei blesseu with thiee boys anu one giil.
IL I..L.CIÌ.C OIO..L.
The Aliens began theii new life togethei with one hunuieu uollais, a few weuuing
gifts, anu an olu Nouel A Foiu. They hau no jobs anu no piomise of any, but they knew they
weie calleu of uou to pieach.
They saveu what money they coulu to enioll at Cential Bible Institute that Septembei
anu then left Coloiauo, heauing foi Nissouii, with plans to stop anu visit his mothei. But
they founu hei veiy sick, with no income anu no one to caie foi hei. So immeuiately, the
couple bought hei foou anu necessities, caieu foi hei home, anu paiu the bills. Soon, they
founu theii money was gone anu so was theii hope to entei Bible college.
When his mothei's health impioveu, the couple continueu on theii way, seaiching foi
jobs anu a place to live. Buiing this seaich, someone
suggesteu they holu a chuich meeting in a local home.
So uou pioviueu Allen's fiist chance to pieach, anu
befoie the meeting was ovei, they left that home with
plans maue foi the fiist A. A. Allen ievival meetings.
But theie was one pioblemno money anu none
expecteu coming in, so the couple began chopping
woou anu selling it uuiing the uay. The money they
maue bought gasoline foi theii pieaching tiips. Foi two
weeks, they choppeu anu hauleu woou, stopping only
to wiite uown thoughts uou woulu give them foi
pieaching that evening.
Allen's heioes weie Bwight L. Noouy anu Chailes Finney. The fiist seimon he
pieacheu was baseu on the seimons of these men.
At theii fiist Thanksgiving uinnei, insteau of tuikey, they ate opossum, which they
glauly accepteu fiom the congiegation. Lexie stuffeu it anu piepaieu it just as she woulu a
tuikey. The congiegation took an offeiing at the enu of two weeks to suipiise the pieachei,
anu collecteu thiity-five cents.
LL... ..L L.CLÒOL.
When the last meeting enueu, they weie given an invitation to conuuct anothei one,
but that poseu a pioblemthe location was too fai fiom theii home to uiive to in one uay,
so they woulu have to finu anothei place to stay neai theii new meeting location. The only
place vacant was a two-ioom cabin being useu as a gianaiy, but the kinu olu man who
owneu the builuing agieeu to iemove the giain anu allow them to stay. Theie weie huge
ciacks in the flooi, the winuows weie bioken out, anu the back uooi hau uisappeaieu.
Bowevei, they maue the best of it by hanging a blanket in place of the uooi, uiaping cloth
ovei the winuows, anu using cushions out of theii cai foi a beu. Lexie useu olu oiange
347
Tbe Aliens beqon tbeir new
life toqetber witb one
bunJreJ Jollors, o few
weJJinq qifts, onJ on olJ
HoJel A IorJ. Tbey boJ no
jobs onJ no promise of ony,
but tbey knew tbey were
colleJ of 6oJ to preocb.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
ciates coveieu with tea towels foi chaiis anu a table, anu foi weeks, they liveu on beans
anu coinbieau, ielying totally on the Loiu to supply theii neeus. In theii uiaiy, they
iecoiueu special offeiings with amounts like "five cents."
Buiing these meetings, the Aliens leaineu the powei of piayei. Aftei one piayei
session, eveiyone who attenueu the following ievival meetings was boin again with a total
of thiity people saveu in two weeks, many of them having walkeu six miles just to attenu
the meeting. Aftei holuing a baptismal seivice, they set out on the ioau again.
If theie hau been jobs at this time, Allen woulu have taken seculai employment, but
theie weie none to be hau, so he woikeu at stuuying the Bible anu piaying. The iest of his
time was spent visiting people anu piaying foi theii neeus.
LILL . ÌIILÌ.L, I IL.IL II. ÒICL
In the late 19Sus, just weeks aftei theii fiist son was boin, Allen accepteu a pastoiate
with the Towei Nemoiial Assembly of uou, in Bolly, Coloiauo. While theie, Allen was
licenseu by the Assemblies of uou.
Beteimineu to finu the seciet of uou's powei, Allen began to fast anu piay anu seek
the Loiu. Fasting was new to him anu so he encounteieu consiueiable tiouble. }ust as he
woulu stait to seek the Loiu, he woulu smell the foou his wife was cooking foi hei son anu
heiself. But tiy as he might to be committeu, the spiiit was willing but the flesh was weak.
Be woulu finally give in, emeige fiom his piayei closet anu join the family meal.
Then one uay, just as he hau taken a bite of foou, he was immeuiately convicteu.
Biopping his foik, he announceu to his wife that he wasn't coming out of his piayei closet
until he heaiu fiom the Loiu, anu even instiucteu hei to lock him in the closet. She laugheu
anu tolu him that he woulu be pounuing to get out within an houi.
But houis passeu, anu he uiun't knock to get out. Wiestling with his flesh, he founu the
victoiy insiue of his piayei closet, anu in his own woius, he tells of his expeiience with the
Loiu:
"...I began to realize tbat tbe ligbt tbat was filling my prayer closet was
Cod's glory!...Tbe presence of Cod was so real and powerful tbat I felt I
would die rigbt tbere on my knees....Tben, like a wbirlwind, I beard His
voice. It was Cod! He was speaking to me! Tbis was tbe glorious answer
tbat I bad sougbt so diligently and for wbicb I bad waited since my
conversion at tbe age of twenty-tbree....It seemed faster tban any buman
could possibly speak, faster tban I could follow mentally, Cod was talking
to me....Cod was giving me a list of tbe tbings wbicb stood between me and
tbe power of Cod. After eacb new requirement was added to tbe list in my
mind, tbere followed a brief explanation, or sermonette, explaining tbat
requirement and its importance.... As Cod spoke to me, I wrote tbem
down."
348
IL IIICL .C IOI .II.CLL.
"...Wben tbe last requirement was written down on tbe list, Cod spoke once
again, and said: '1hlx lx the unxwer. When you huve pluceJ on the ultur of
conxecrutlon unJ obeJlence the luxt thlng on your llxt, you xhull not only
heul the xlck, but ln My Nume xhull you cuxt out
Jevllx, you xhull xee mlghty mlruclex ux ln My
Nume you preuch the WorJ, for beholJ, I glve
you power over ull the power of the enemy.'
"Cod revealed to me at tbe same time tbat
tbe tbings tbat were bindrances to my
ministry...were tbe very same tbings wbicb
were bindering so many tbousands of otbers.
"At last, bere was tbe price I must pay for
tbe power of Cod in my life and ministry. Tbe
price tag for tbe miracleworking power of
god!"
10
Beie aie the thiiteen things A. A. Alien saiu the Loiu tolu him. Be woulu see the
miiacle-woiking powei of uou, if he unueistoou anu uiu these things:
1. Be must iealize he coulun't uo gieatei quality miiacles than }esus.
2. Be coulu walk as }esus walkeu.
S. Be must be blameless like uou Bimself.
4. Be must measuie himself to }esus alone.
S. Be must ueny his fleshly uesiies with fasting.
6. Aftei self-uenial, he must follow }esus seven uays a week.
7. Without uou, he coulu uo nothing!
8. Be must uo away with sin in his bouy.
9. Be must not continue in shallow, pointless uiscussions.
1u. Be must give his bouy wholly to uou foievei.
11. Be must believe all of uou's piomises.
The iemaining two guiuelines weie "pet sins" that uou hau pointeu out by name.
Allen nevei felt he coulu shaie them with anyone.
11
349
"...lt seemeJ foster tbon
ony bumon coulJ possibly
speok, foster tbon l coulJ
follow mentolly, 6oJ wos
tolkinq to me. ...6oJ wos
qivinq me o list of tbe
tbinqs wbicb stooJ
between me onJ tbe power
of 6oJ."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
IL.`L.. Ì.IIL III. .II.CLL
Finally, Allen began pounuing on the closet uooi foi his wife to let him out, anu as
soon as she saw his face she saiu, "You've got the answei!"
"Yes...Cod bas paid me a visit from beaven, and bere is tbe answer."
Wiitten on a piece of caiuboaiu weie the thiiteen iequiiements fiom the Loiu. The
couple sat at theii olu kitchen table. They both wept as he tolu hei the stoiy anu went ovei
the list.
Shoitly aftei that visitation fiom uou, the Aliens iesigneu fiom theii chuich, feeling
calleu to the evangelistic fielu anu so, by invitation, set out foi Nissouii. It was theie that
the Aliens saw theii fiist miiacle seivice.
An olu coal minei who was totally blinu as a iesult of a mine explosion yeais eailiei
began attenuing the seivices. Night aftei night, he sat anu listeneu to the Woiu of uou, anu
finally, in iesponse to an altai call, came foiwaiu foi healing.
The Aliens weie shockeu by his faith, anu both aumitteu latei that it woulu take moie
faith than they hau foi this man to ieceive his healing! They piayeu foi eveiyone who
came foiwaiu anu placeu the blinu man at the enu of the line. People who hau heauaches,
colus, anu ueaf eais weie healeu anu went on theii way iejoicing, but the blinu man
iemaineu.
Suuuenly, Allen calleu foi eveiyone who hau
faith foi the healing of this blinu man to come up
anu piay with them. Then he saiu, "Tbere is
unbelief in tbis room. I can feel it!" Anu with that,
a man got up anu stompeu out the uooi.
uou answeieu theii piayei. When the piayei
was finisheu, the blinu man coulu name the coloi of
Allen's tie anu point to objects aiounu the ioom!
12
Ò...IL CO. OI ...
COLOI.
Foi the next foui anu a half yeais, Allen tiaveleu
as an Assemblies of uou ievivalist. Though he helu a
piestigious position, his pay was veiy low, anu
financially, life iemaineu haiu uuiing the fiist half of
the 194us, especially now that they hau foui
chiluien. Lexie stayeu at home to caie foi the young
babies. Allen was away sometimes foi thiee
consecutive months at a time.
350
A. A. Allen
Lexie hau to cope with the fiustiations of not seeing hei husbanu iegulaily, while
having to ueal with hei own call.
Though she longeu foi the stability of a noimal home life, she leaineu a valuable
ministiy lesson. She was calleu into the ministiy, but
hei ministiy also consisteu of being a mothei. She
iealizeu theie was a timing to all things. Notheihoou
anu a stable home weie to nevei be saciificeu foi the
othei half of hei ministiy call, because those uays
woulu come again foi hei, anu then she woulu have
fulfillment, knowing that eveiy facet of hei call hau
been completeu.
Yeais latei, as the chiluien giew oluei, Allen continueu to evangelize alone. Lexie
lookeu aiounu hei community anu founu a section without a Full uospel chuich. So she
staiteu a chuich anu became the pastoi! When Allen was financially able to take hei anu
the chiluien on his tiips, she eventually iesigneu the chuich anu tuineu it ovei to anothei
pastoi!
1S
IL.`L. O. L.IIL...'
Then, in 1947, Lexie ieceiveu a phone call fiom Allen, telling hei to get ieauy to move
to Coipus Chiisti, Texas. Be hau been askeu to pastoi one of the laigest Assemblies of uou
chuiches in the aiea, anu was veiy exciteu, thinking of the stability this woulu pioviue his
family. Be tolu Lexie that they woulu piobably stay theie until }esus came again.
The Allen family loveu Coipus Chiisti anu the chuich theie, but in a city of ovei one
hunuieu thousanu people, theie weie only a hanuful of Full uospel chuiches.
The Aliens came at the time of the chuich's builuing piogiam, anu wheie some woulu
have been oveiwhelmeu, Allen's spiiitual appetite was only whetteu. Be thiew himself
into this new phase of woik, uieaming of a chuich that woulu opeiate in the gifts of the
Spiiit, evangelize, anu piogiessively move foiwaiu in the things of heaven. This chuich
seemeu to be his answei. The chuich membeis heaiu him pieach foi two weeks befoie
asking him to be theii pastoi. Be pieacheu haiu, holuing nothing back fiom what he
believeu, anu they still wanteu him!
Be gave eveiy aiea of that ministiy his utmost attention, with each woikei being
selecteu anu given special tiaining. The attenuance giew, anu they soon ian out of space.
. LL.LL LLO`
Now, the chuich was ieaching a few hunuieu people, but Allen was consiueiing how
to ieach the city thiough iauio. So he began to lay plans foi an effective iauio ministiy anu
even attenueu a iauio seminai in Spiingfielu, Nissouii.
351
lexie boJ to cope witb tbe
frustrotions of not seeinq
ber busbonJ requlorly,
wbile bovinq to Jeol witb
ber own coll.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Be ietuineu home, thiilleu anu filleu with eneigy, so he calleu a special boaiu meeting
anu caiefully explaineu his iauio plans to ieach the city, knowing the men of the boaiu
woulu catch his vision.
But one of the men pioceeueu to infoim him that
the boaiu uiun't appiove of what he was uoing, anu
that he was weaiing them out! The boaiu membei
went on to say that Allen hau helpeu them builu one
of the finest chuiches in Texas, but they neeueu time
to iecovei fiom that, anu that they coulun't keep up
the pace.
Then anothei stoou anu calleu attention to the
tiemenuous cost anu buiuen it woulu be on the
chuich. The geneial opinion was that enough hau been accomplisheu foi the time being,
anu no fuithei auvances neeueu to be maue foi some time.
14
Allen was absolutely ciusheu, anu he quickly uismisseu the meeting.
A point heie: It was Allen's coll that eneigizeu him to move foiwaiu. Bis call wasn't to
the pastoiate, but to evangelize the nations. Allen was spiiitually built foi this kinu of
thiust; it came with his call. Lay people aie not automatically built that way, anu theie is
nothing wiong with this. It is just a fact. uou gave us the fivefolu ministiy gifts in oiuei to
step up the spiiitual piocess so we can all keep the timing of heaven. We neeu lay people,
anu we uefinitely neeu pastois. But just as impoitantly, we neeJ eveiyone to stanu in the
office of theii calling anu opeiate in the heavenly anointing.
Sauly though, Allen innocently tiieu to uisguise anu confine his call to that of a pastoi.
Can you imagine how it must have felt to tiy to iestiict the call of an evangelistic ievivalist.
When the boaiu vetoeu Allen's thiust, they unknowingly killeu a laige poition of his being
by biiuling his life anu snuffing out a poition of his uestiny.
Allen hau tiieu to compiomise his heavenly call foi eaithly secuiity, which is
unueistanuable, because he wanteu to be a uau to his chiluien. But soon, Allen woulu see
that the piice was too gieat. It woulu have been bettei, though possibly haiuei, to seek uou
anu finu anothei way of making it woik.
LL.CL.L.., OI.L., ILLL IL LIL.LLO`.
When Allen ietuineu home, he saiu nothing to his wife, tiying to act as if nothing hau
happeneu. Be even uiscusseu a vacation with hei.
But uuiing the night she awoke to heai Allen sobbing in the next ioom. She thought
he was inteiceuing foi someone until he came into the beuioom, still sobbing ueeply.
Staitleu, she questioneu him. It was then that he tolu hei what happeneu at the boaiu
meeting, anu she saw he was moie than uisappointeu, he was uevastateu. Theie was no
352
Allen boJ trieJ to
compromise bis beovenly
coll for eortbly security
wbicb is unJerstonJoble,
becouse be wonteJ to be o
JoJ to bis cbilJren.
bitteiness, no angei, no blamejust a bioken heait.
Allen offeieu his iesignation anu felt he coulu nevei pieach again. But the chuich
ieally loveu him, anu they offeieu him seveial months of vacation with full salaiy. They
even insisteu that auuitional offeiings be given to him to take caie of any expense he
incuiieu on the tiip.
It was appaient Allen was suffeiing fiom an emotional bieakuown. The chuich
thought he was oveiwoikeu, but his wife awaie of his stiength anu his zeal, knew that
wasn't possible. She knew the bieakuown came fiom a bioken heait. A poition of his
being was helu captive, anu he thought he hau lost it foievei.
Lexie took him on an extenueu vacation, but he was so toimenteu, he coulu finu only a
paitial iest as they tiaveleu, anu as his conuition giew woise, it became impossible foi
eithei of them to iest. Aftei only a week in the mountains with no ielief, he wanteu to go
home, thinking he woulu nevei ietuin to noimal.
CO.L OL OI II.'
Lexie began to seek the Loiu uespeiately. Suuuenly, it came to hei! They hau not
faileu...uou wasn't thiough with them! The call anu puipose of uou foi A. A. Allen was just
as it hau always been! When she finally iealizeu that Satan hau taken auvantage of his ueep
huit, she began to piay against the attack. Soon Allen also saw that he was being
toimenteu by a uemon that was taking auvantage of his emotional huit. Be iealizeu he
was being attackeu by a toimenting spiiit.
While uiiving back to Texas, Allen pulleu the cai to the siue of the ioau anu askeu his
wife to lay hanus on him. Accoiuing to Allen, the seconu Lexie saiu, "Come out of him, I
commanu you to u0," the evil spiiit left him, anu they iejoiceu togethei as he actually felt a
physical ielease anu lightness ieplace the heaviness he hau felt. Then suuuenly, he began
to get sleepy, anu befoie Lexie coulu pull onto the ioau, he was asleep, nevei iemembeiing
getting home, noi getting into his own beu. Be slept like a baby foi thiee uays stiaight, anu
when he woke up, he was fully iecoveieu.
OL I.ILLL O I. IL IIICL
By fall of 1949, the Aliens began to heai stoiies
about miiaculous healing meetings that weie taking
place. The evangelists conuucting the meetings weien't
necessaiily outstanuing pieacheis. In fact, many
pieacheis weie moie eloquent in theii seimon
ueliveiy than these evangelists, but when these healing
evangelists piayeu foi the sick, miiacles happeneu so
quickly, no one coulu count them. The Aliens iefuseu to
believe half of the stoiies they weie tolu, but theii
cuiiosity was aiouseu.
353
...wben tbese beolinq
evonqelists proyeJ for tbe
sick, mirocles boppeneJ so
quickly, no one coulJ count
tbem.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
0ne uay, a fiienu gave Allen a copy of Tbe voice of Eeolinq publication. Aftei
ieauing it, Allen saiu, "As I read its pages, I laugbed in ridicule. Funutlcx, I tbougbt, as
I closed tbe magazine and laid it away in my study."
15
Some of his chuich membeis
came fiom these tent meetings with glowing iepoits, but Allen uiscounteu them anu felt
they weie uiifting into fanaticism.
Peisonally, I uon't believe that was his tiue heait in the mattei. Be might have spoken
those woius, but I believe he was incieuibly stiiieu insiue, because he knew this was his
own call being manifesteu befoie his veiy eyes. Eowever, you con become so
bocksliJJen in your collinq tbot tbe tbinqs you once belJ os precious onJ
ottoinoble, ore now o Jistont memory.
Not long aftei this, some ministei fiienus peisuaueu Allen to go to Ballas anu attenu
an 0ial Robeits tent ievival. Along the way, he iemembeieu the expeiience he hau with
uou in his piayei closet many yeais ago, iecalling the thiiteen things that stoou in his way
of walking into the miiaculous. Being out of his spiiitual office anu tiying, insteau, to be a
pastoi hau causeu him to shelve the vision uou gave him.
As he appioacheu Ballas, he became moie anu moie awaie that theie he woulu
witness the veiy thing uou hau calleu him to uo. "But I bad never paid tbe price for
Cod's miracle-working power in my life," he auueu.
16
Be was captivateu by the tent meeting anu by the powei of uou being uisplayeu
thiough Robeits, feeling as though he was living in the book of Acts. Niiacle aftei miiacle
took place as he watcheu, but it wasn't fanaticism; it was uou's miiacle woiking powei.
As he sat watching the piayei line, he again heaiu the voice of uou say:
"Ny son, eleven yeais ago you sought Ny face.... Eleven yeais ago I
calleu you into the same ministiy.... But you faileu to pay the piice anu
to make the conseciation. Theiefoie, you have faileu to uo this thing
which I have calleu you to uo." With teais stieaming uown his face,
Allen lifteu his hanus anu ciieu out, "Lord, I'll do it!"
17
COI.C. COI.C...CO.L'
Two Sunuays latei, he iesigneu his pastoiate. Be woulu have left the fiist
Sunuay aftei his ietuin, but his wife askeu him to wait anu make suie he was
uoing the iight thing.
Immeuiately, pastois fiom all ovei the nation calleu foi his seivices as an
evangelist, anu in less than a month, a new pastoi occupieu the pulpit. The
Aliens kept the Coipus Chiisti chuich as theii home base anu tiaveleu out fiom
theie.
They moveu all theii possessions into a house tiailei, anu in less than thiee
months aftei his "bieakuown," A. A. Allen was on the ievival tiail.
354
Allen began stuuying the list of thiiteen iequiiements the Loiu hau given
him eleven yeais eailiei. Be coulun't believe all the time that hau been lost.
Eleven yeais! As he stuuieu the list, he noticeu that numbeis twelve anu thiiteen
hau not been accomplisheu in his life, but that eveiy othei item hau been
maikeu thiough. Finally, with gieat ueteimination, he was able to maik thiough the
last two. Aftei that, noticeable miiacles began to take place thiough his ministiy.
In Nay of 19Su, Allen sent his fiist iepoit to Tbe voice of Eeolinq magazine, the
iesult of a gieat campaign in 0aklanu, Califoinia. 0f the meeting he wiites:
"Many say tbis is tbe greatest revival in tbe bistory of Uakland.... Nigbt
after nigbt, tbe waves of Divine Clory so sweep over tbe congregation tbat
many testify of being bealed wbile sitting in tbeir seats."
18
In 19S1, Allen maue a gieat leap. Be ueciueu to puichase a tent anu auveitise himself
as a "healing" ievivalist. Be heaiu of a tent foi sale, equippeu with lighting, seats, a platfoim,
anu a public auuiess system, all foi $8,Suu!
But he only hau $1,Suu, so he calleu the ministei anu maue the offei of $1,Suu as a
uown payment The ownei tolu him that anothei pieachei hau just calleu anu offeieu the
full piice, but he woulu piay about the mattei anu call him the next uay.
The next uay when Allen calleu the man, he wasn't suipiiseu to leain that the ownei
ueciueu to give the tent to him with a $1,Suu uown payment The iest was to be paiu in $
1uu payments, as Allen coulu affoiu, so the tent was his!
0n }uly 4, 19S1, the A. A. Allen Revival Tent went up foi the fiist campaign in Yakima,
Washington.
19
II..LLI.LIO'
In Novembei of 19SS, Allen finally saw his uieam come tiue, when he began the
nationally known iauio bioaucast, Allen Revivol Eour, on nine stations anu two
supeipoweieu stations. By 19SS, Allen was on
seventeen Latin Ameiican stations anu eighteen
Ameiican ones.
2u
Soon, he hau to set up a peimanent
office to take caie of the floou of mail coming in. Be
began conuucting yeaily seivices in Cuba anu Nexico.
Nany iesponueu to the altai calls by uenouncing
witchciaft anu uestioying theii iuols on the platfoim.
These ievivals continueu fiom 19SS until 19S9 when
Castio took powei.
Allen seemeu to thiive on peisecution anu
piessuie. Besciibeu as a shoit, "jowly" man, his face
woulu contoit into a scowl as he louuly ioaieu one minute anu whispeieu the next. Be
355
Allen seemeJ to tbrive on
persecution onJ pressure.
BescribeJ os o sbort,
'jowly" mon, bis foce woulJ
contort into o scowl os be
louJly rooreJ one minute
onJ wbispereJ tbe next.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
was an "olu-time ieligion" pieachei, complete with foot-stomping, shiieks, sobs, ciies of
"uloiy to uou!", louu tongues, anu wilu, uiamatic uancing. Be woulu sometimes hop up
anu uown while pounuing on a tambouiine, anu uuiing his meetings you weie likely to see
someone tuining caitwheels uown the aisle, "jeiking" acioss the fiont of the platfoim, anu
seveial people uancing ballet style thioughout the ciowu.
Allen was nevei influenceu by the changing faus, but he felt it was his job to pieach
this way. Be uiun't mince woius when he pieacheu, anu he seemeu to always tuin
auveisity into his auvantage. Be saiu what he thought, anu that is what the people came to
heai.
I.IL L.OCL. I. L.O.ÌLLL
In 19SS, accusations began suifacing, each one moie seiious than the pievious one,
each affecting Allen gieatly.
The chaige that Allen uiank abusively always seemeu to follow his ministiy. Whethei
people believeu the chaiges oi not uepenueu on whethei people listeneu to his enemies oi
his fiienus.
21
Some nevei believeu that he was able to
oveicome the excessive abuse of alcohol that was so
much a pait of his youth.
But his gieatest ciisis came in the fall of 19SS
while conuucting a ievival in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Allen was aiiesteu foi uiunken uiiving, but the case
nevei came to tiial because Allen faileu to appeai in
couit, so he foifeiteu his $1,uuu bail anu left the state.
22
The entiie inciuent is hazy. But Allen maintaineu
that the Knoxville meuia was notoiious in theii slanuei
of evangelists, anu he stateu that he was even shown a
list of pieacheis who paiu ceitain newspapeis to
slanuei him. Accoiuing to one close associate, Allen tolu his fiienus that he hau been
kiunappeu anu knockeu unconscious. When Allen awoke, one fiienu saiu he was in a
"smoke-filleu ioom, anu somebouy was pouiing liquoi uown his thioat." Bowevei, woiu
hau alieauy spieau that Allen hau confesseu the chaige to piominent ministeis of
Knoxville.
2S
ÌILI.`` .O `.'
In 19S6, upon heaiing of the chaiges anu the contioveisy, Ralph N. Riggs,
supeiintenuent of the ueneial Council of the Assemblies of uou, sent Allen a lettei asking
him to withuiaw fiom public meetings until things cleaieu up. Allen felt this iequest was
impossible, anu felt his oiganization hau ueseiteu him when he neeueu them the most, in
oiuei to save theii ieputation. Be sent Riggs a seaiing lettei ieminuing him how he hau
ministeieu with him foi "eigbteen years witb no question being raised at any time
356
...Allen tolJ bis frienJs tbot
be boJ been kiJnoppeJ onJ
knockeJ unconscious.
Wben Allen owoke, one
frienJ soiJ be wos in o
"smoke-filleJ room, onJ
someboJy wos pourinq
liquor Jown bis tbroot."
concerning my integrity," anu then tuineu in his ministeiial cieuentials to the
Assemblies of uou, stating that in uoing so theie was "no great loss." Be tolu Riggs that "a
witbdrawal from public ministry at tbis time would ruin my ministry, for it would
bave tbe appearance of an admission of guilt."
24
The accusation also causeu gieat pioblems in the voice of Bealing association.
Though Lexie assuieu the leaueiship of the voice of Bealing association that the chaiges
weien't tiue, uoiuon Linusay felt that those who belongeu to the gioup must make a
stiong stanu on ethics, so Allen iesigneu fiom that gioup as well.
Allen's uaughtei felt that the voice of Bealing was ieally an Assemblies of uou
oiganization of evangelists, stating that they weie tiying "ieal haiu to woik within the
fiamewoik of the Assemblies." If the iules weien't obeyeu within the geneial
uenomination, a ministei coulu possibly have tiouble with the voice of Bealing netwoik.
2S
I. `. .CI..L.CI .IL.L.
0ne of the gieatest evangelistic ministiies in oui geneiation is that of R. W.
Schambach fiom Tylei, Texas. When Schambach was just staiting out in ministiy, he
joineu Allen's ievival team anu soon became his iight-hanu man. Being a man of chaiactei
anu integiity, he knew what it meant to pay the piice foi ievival.
Recently, Schambach anu I weie in the same
town, attenuing the same meeting, when I shaieu my
views with him conceining the impoitance of
pieseiving histoiy foi the geneiations to come.
Be agieeu to tell me his siue of the A. A. Allen
stoiy, so as we spoke, he shaieu with me some veiy
inteiesting things. Schambach tolu me how he joineu
the A. A. Allen ievival team the night befoie the
Knoxville inciuent. Then, he maue a staitling
statement, contiaiy to eveiy othei wiitten account of
A. A. Allen.
Schambach saiu that Allen wosn't uiunk. "I know," he stateu, "because I was with him
in the cai!" Be saiu the entiie inciuent was a conspiiacy to iuin Allen's ministiy, anu aftei
the Knoxville tiouble, he saw the extieme peisecution that Allen suffeieu. It was heie that
Schambach began to leain how to pay the piice foi ievival. No mattei what kinu of
accusation was huileu at Allen, Schambach knew the man's innocence, because he was
with him all the time. So, Schambach iemaineu faithful to seive Allen in his ministiy. Foi
the six yeais that Schambach was his associate, he went on eveiy ciusaue with the
evangelist.
"Be was a man of uou," Schambach iemembeieu. "I was with him all the time, like a
hanu in |aj glove. When we hau to tiavel togethei, I even slept in the same ioom with him!
Be nevei uiu one thing contiaiy to the Woiu. Be was a man of piayei anu a man of
357
"Tbere wos not o jeolous
bone in bis boJy,"
Scbombocb smileJ. "lf l
woulJ qet storteJ on o
point, be'J yell out, '6o
obeoJ Scbombocb, you've
qot it!'"
C O L . C L . L I . L .
miiacles. That's how I knew him."
Schambach also uesciibeu Allen as a "veiy touchable" man, accessible to the people at
all times. "Theie was not a jealous bone in his bouy," Schambach smileu. "If I woulu get
staiteu on a point, he'u yell out 'uo, aheau Schambach, you've got it!' Then he woulu sit
back anu let me pieach, no mattei wheie we weie." Schambach humoiously compaieu
Allen's clothes anu peisonality to a "cioss between }ames Cagney anu Spike }ones."
As Schambach anu I walkeu outsiue of the hotel to continue oui uiscussion, we
noticeu a fiie tiuck in the paiking lot.
"0h, that ieminus me of anothei stoiy, Robeits."
Schambach saiu that the stoiy about the fiie on top of the tent uuiing the Los Angeles
meeting ieally happeneu! It seemeu that the fiie tiucks went iushing up anu uown the
stieets seaiching foi the fiie but coulu nevei finu it. They knew that a fiie was coming fiom
somewheie because they coulu see the smoke. Finally, the fiie tiucks went in the uiiection
of the tent, but once they aiiiveu, no fiie was to be founu.
"uou wanteu eveiyone to know that we weie in town," he smileu. "So Be put Bis holy
fiie on the top of that tent just to let the folks know we weie theie."
What about the "miiacle oil" that appeaieu in the palms of people's hanus.
"That was ieal, too. I even hau an element of it on my own hanus," Schambach
answeieu.
In Los Angeles, at one of the Allen meetings, "Eveiyone got the oil on theii hanus but
Allen," Schambach smileu. "I believe uou alloweu that just to piove that it was tiue anu not
a hoax."
26
Schambach left A. A. Allen to begin his own ministiy in 1961. But Schambach stoou
faithfully by Allen foi the iest of his life. If theie is anyone who opeiates similai to the
ministiy of A. A. Allen, it is the gieat evangelist, R. W. Schambach.
IOI`.IL' IOI . ÌILL
So, Allen hau tuineu in his license with the Assemblies of uou anu bioken his ties with
the voice of Bealing association, anu became an inuepenuent evangelist. Nany saiu it
suiteu him well, anu histoiy books note the same.
Nost evangelists uo woik well inuepenuently, as long as they stay "hookeu up" with
those who unueistanu theii call anu can sciiptuially speak into theii lives. They can call a
chuich theii "home chuich," but that local chuich must give them the fieeuom to puisue
theii inuiviuual call. It is sometimes uifficult foi theii methous to meet with the appioval of
an oiganizeu establishment because the two aie so uiffeient. Evangelistic ievivalists aie
fast, wilu, uiamatic, anu have the stiength of an ox. If a pastoi unueistanus the call of an
358
evangelist, the two can woik well togethei, but if the pastoi tiies to contiol an evangelist to
fit within neeus of the local chuich, theie will be tiouble.
The yeai of 19S6 seemeu to be a time when ministiies weie changing. But Allen
founu a way to thiust foiwaiu when many weie pulling back. Be hau a gieat ability to iaise
money, anu at this time, was still attempting to stay within his call.
So Allen piogiesseu foiwaiu by staiting his own publication, Hirocle Hoqozine. It
consisteu of his messages on healing anu ueliveiance anu featuieu many healing
testimonies. By the enu of 19S6, it hau a paiu subsciiption list of ovei two hunuieu
thousanu people.
By the fall, Allen hau staiteu the Niiacle Revival Fellowship, an inuepenuent
oiganization to license ministeis anu to suppoit missions. Be fiimly uenieu any chaiges
that it was "uenominationally minueu." Allen iepoiteu five hunuieu ministeis in its fiist
oiuination.
27
.L...IO..LI.., CO.IO`LI. ..L .II.CLL.
Aftei the Knoxville inciuent, Allen became an extiemely contioveisial figuie, anu the
meuia followeu him eveiywheie hoping foi a stoiy. Wilu anu sensational occuiiences
weie iepoiteu to have happeneu at the Allen ievivals, but much of these iepoits weie
aimeu at uiscieuiting his ministiy. Lexie saiu that uuiing this time, Allen's enemies uiu all
they coulu to uestioy him. It uiu seem that whenevei peisecution woulu attack him, he
woulu ietaliate with some unusual miiacle oi occuiience, going to the extieme in an
attempt to piove his call.
In Los Angeles, it was iepoiteu that a cioss appeaieu on
Allen's foieheau, anu a flaming fiie appeaieu ovei his tent, as R.
W. Schambach mentioneu eailiei in the chaptei. Accoiuing to
Allen, this was a sign. As pioof, he citeu Ezekiel 9:4, which says
an angel was sent fiom heaven to place a maik on the foieheaus
of all the people who ciy out foi the Loiu because of evil in the
eaith. The sighting on Allen's foieheau anu the flame ovei the
tent weie iepoiteu by the meuia.
Allen's cameiaman, R. E. Kemeiy, took a pictuie of a man
who hau nail scais appeai in his hanus. At anothei meeting, "miiacle oil" iepoiteuly began
to flow fiom the heaus anu hanus of those attenuing the Allen ievivals. Allen answeieu
those who questioneu this occuiience by iefeiiing to Bebiews 1:9 that stateu, the iewaiu
foi hating evil anu loving iighteousness was to be anointeu with the oil of glauness.
Be was also ciiticizeu foi selling a iecoiuing that captuieu the sounus of a uemon-
possesseu woman, anu he also solu a booklet that containeu eighteen uiawings of uemons,
uiawn by a uemon-possesseu, insane peison.
Some of the healings weie sensational, anu in one meeting neai Los Angeles, a five
359
ln los Anqeles, it
wos reporteJ tbot o
cross oppeoreJ on
Allen's forebeoJ,
onJ o flominq fire
oppeoreJ over bis
tent...
C O L . C L . L I . L .
hunuieu pounu woman lost two hunuieu pounus instantly when Allen laiu hanus on hei.
People testifieu to seeing hei bouy shiink.
A Full uospel pastoi who hau "alligatoi scales" on his aims foi neaily fifty yeais, was
healeu as he sat on stage behinu Allen. The scales uiieu up, fell off, new skin appeaieu, anu
the pastoi was able to weai shoit sleeve shiits foi the fiist time.
Anothei man was uiiving uown the highway, anu as he listeneu to the Allen RoJio
Eour he was moveu in his heait. So he pulleu the cai ovei, laiu his hanus on the iauio, anu
piayeu with Allen asking uou to "put all the paits back." Be hau his iight lung, thiee iibs,
anu a chest bone iemoveu by suigeons, plus he was missing his seconu toe on the left foot
because of uisease. That night, the man's toe giew in complete with the toenail, anu his
physician was amazeu when the X-iays showeu that what he hau iemoveu hau ietuineu
in its piopei place.
When Allen submitteu an auveitisement to the Akron }ournol in 19S7, he was
iefuseu. Insteau, the papei publisheu a fiont page "slanuei account" of this ministiy
waining the city of his ievival. Allen announceu that he hau ieceiveu $2S,uuu woith of
fiont-page auveitising, absolutely fiee.
28
In the miu-fifties, he unleasheu an all out attack on uenominationalism anu "man-
foimeu ieligion." While many things he saiu anu wiote conceining uenominationalism
weie tiue, it was appaient he was speaking fiom huit anu fiustiation. When he tiieu to
open lines of communication again with the Assemblies of uou heauquaiteis, accoiuing to
Allen, they banisheu him anu uigeu otheis to ignoie him as well. While the ueneial Council
uenieu his chaige, they uiu state that his ministiy "thiew a shauow."
29
In othei woius, if
someone associateu with Allen, that peison's own chaiactei woulu be in question.
.II.CLL. IIO. IL `.LLL
Even with all the contioveisy, Allen's ministiy continueu to giow, anu he began the
Inteinational Niiacle Revival Tiaining Camp foi ministeis. Beie, he taught ministeis the
piinciples of piospeiity, healing, casting out uemons, anu vaiious othei topics.
Anu in }anuaiy of 19S8, while holuing a ievival in
Phoenix, Aiizona, uou impiesseu him to builu a Bible
school theie. That same moining, twelve hunuieu fifty
acies of lanu a few miles fiom Tombstone, Aiizona,
weie given to him. Be calleu the lanu "Niiacle valley,"
anu began builuing his heauquaiteis anu tiaining
centei. Be uoubleu the acieage, anu many Native
Ameiican tiibe membeis weie boin again as a iesult of
his ministiy. Chiistians in the aiea weie feivently ieviveu, anu the aiea became a thiiving
city by the 196us.
The yeai of 19S8 became a time of ciisis foi the voice of Bealing ievival, but it uiun't
seem so foi Allen. That yeai, he announceu a five-piongeu piogiam foi his ministiy in
360
Ee preocbeJ tbe some
messoqe witb tbe some
fervency to eocb ouJience,
onJ never cbonqeJ tbe text
to fit tbe closs of people.
Niiacle valleytent ievivals, the Allen Revivol Eour iauio piogiam, oveiseas mission
piogiams, the Niiacle valley Tiaining Centei, anu a publications uepaitment. It
was uuiing this time that he began teaching piospeiity accoiuing to the Bible. In fact,
most eveiything he taught connecteu in some way with financial piospeiity.
Anotomy of o mirocle
361
C O L . C L . L I . L .
362
"Wbot woulJ you like }esus to Jo for you?"
"Tbe lorJ is bere to set you free!"
"We osk you now 6oJ to beol!"
363
"lf you believe 6oJ is beolinq you, rise up now in foitb."
"Tbot's it..."
"Now Jo sometbinq witb tbose leqs you
coulJn't Jo before."
C O L . C L . L I . L .
364
"EeoleJ in }esus' nome!"
"let's wolk o wbile."
People fiom eveiy social stiata attenueu his meetings. Be pieacheu the same message
with the same feivency to each auuience, anu nevei changeu the text to fit the class of
people. Eveiything fiom mink coats anu peails, to baie feet anu oveialls coulu be seen at
his meetings. When people walkeu thiough the paiking lot, they woulu see eveiything
fiom polisheu Cauillacs, to cai hoous tieu uown with iusteu wiie.
But in 196u, uuiing the heat of iacial tension, the Ku Klux Klan thieateneu to uisiupt
an Allen meeting wheie white anu black people weie piesent. They succeeueu in blowing
up a neaiby biiuge with uynamite hoping to scaie Allen anu his gioup, but both the
woiship seivice anu the baptismal seivice continueu without a hint of feai.
It was also in 196u that Allen built a chuich in Niiacle valley that seateu foui
thousanu people. Be hau gieat plans foi this city anu wanteu to builu piivate homes,
iecieational facilities, anu meuia centeis.
. I.CIC L.LI.C
Something happeneu uuiing the last few yeais of Allen's life anu ministiy. Though the
uetails aie sketchy, Allen was sueu foi $Suu,uuu in back taxes. Anu in 1967, Allen anu his
wife, Lexie, sepaiateu. Betails about this inciuent aie uncleai, but close fiienus of the family
state the couple nevei uivoiceu.
The few uetails available iepoit that befoie theii sepaiation, each weie totally
engulfeu in seiving the Loiu until theii ueaths, with Lexie, a jouinalist, spenuing hei time at
home anu Allen tiaveling extensively, iaiely at home. Some believe if Allen hau not uieu a
shoit time aftei the sepaiation, that he anu Lexie woulu have ieuniteu. 0pon theii ueaths,
they weie buiieu siue by siue, shaiing the same giavestone, on the giounus of Niiacle
valley.
In 1969, Allen was a sick man suffeiing fiom a seveie aithiitic conuition in his knee.
Be spent much time iecalling his humble beginnings. Accoiuing to him, that yeai the
Hirocle Hoqozine hau a ciiculation of S4u,uuu, with mail ieceiveu fiom ninety nations.
But the aithiitic conuition soon woiseneu, so Allen submitteu to suigeiy on his left
knee. Be suffeieu fiom so much pain that Bon Stewait, a young man, full of zeal, began to
fill in uuiing the ciusaues.
0n }une 11, 197u, Allen tiaveleu to San Fiancisco anu checkeu into the }ack Tai Botel
(now nameu the Catheuial Bills Quality Botel). Be checkeu in at 12:S6 P.N. Be was
scheuuleu the next uay foi a 9:uu A.N. uoctoi's appointment at the 0niveisity of Califoinia
Neuical Centei in San Fiancisco, to uiscuss whethei a seconu suigeiy neeueu to be
peifoimeu on his knees.
Sometime befoie 9:uu P.N. the same evening, Allen maue a phone call to his close
fiienu, Beinaiu Schwaitz. The exact conveisation is unknown, but Schwaitz was alaimeu
anu pioceeueu to the hotel. When Schwaitz aiiiveu at Allen's ioom, the uooi was lockeu
365
C O L . C L . L I . L .
anu he uiun't answei. Schwaitz tolu the assistant managei of the pioblem anu Allen's uooi
was openeu with a pass key.
At 9:1S P.N., Allen was founu ueau by Schwaitz anu the assistant managei. The
Coionei's Repoit states Allen was sitting in a chaii in fiont of his television. Be was
officially pionounceu ueau at 11:2S P.N. on }une 11, 197u. A. A. Allen was fifty-nine yeais
olu.
Ì. I.IIL.LL` IL COIO.LI. ILIOI
Theie aie some uetails about A. A. Allen anu his
ueath that aie veiy impoitant. Though not wiuely
known, he was suffeiing fiom a seveie aithiitic
conuition. In fact, it is uocumenteu that his peisonal
physician, Bi. Seymoui Faibei, piesciibeu Peicouan,
Seconal, anu valium to ease the pain anu foi insomnia
biought on by the seveiity of the pain.
Beie aie the facts: The Coionei's Repoit, Case #11S1 foi Asa Alonzo Allen iecoiueu
the bloou alcohol concentiation in Allen's bouy measuieu .uS6 peicenta veiy high anu
concentiateu level of alcohol in the bloou system. The cause of ueath on the coionei's
iepoit was stateu as "acute alcoholism anu fatty infiltiation of the livei."
At fiist, it woulu seem that Allen uieu a chionic alcoholic, but upon fuithei
investigation, I believe the opposite. Beie is my opinion of what I believe happeneu.
IOLL O.' LL. I.`L.IC.L
Fiist of all, his peisonal physician knew Allen veiy well. Though chionic alcoholics can
ueceive a novice, they cannot ueceive theii peisonal physician; especially if theii peisonal
physician sees them as many times as Bi. Faibei saw Allen anu testeu him. Bi. Faibei
woulun't have piesciibeu such highly auuictive uiugs as Peicouan, valium, anu Seconal to
a chionic alcoholic. It woulu have been a ueath sentence, because the mixtuie of alcohol
anu piesciibeu baibituiates anu naicotics coulu leau to ueath. When Allen's bloou scan
was peifoimeu anu iepoiteu by a laboiatoiy toxicology uepaitment, theie was no tiace of
uiugs founu in his system, though theie weie plenty of piesciibeu pills at the ueath scene.
Bis closest peisonal fiienus say that Allen uetesteu, even hateu piesciibeu
meuications. Be continually stateu that he woulun't take the meuications anu pieach, as
the uiug effects lingeieu with him anu he coulun't think cleaily.
0nueistanuing how Allen was iaiseu, I believe we aie uealing with a position of
attituue. Allen was in seveie, aithiitic painin fact, so much pain he coulu baiely move.
Neuical peisonnel who woik with aithiitic patients say it isn't unusual foi the
patients to use alcohol in a meuicinal sense. Nany tuin to it insteau of ueveloping an
auuiction to piesciibeu uiugs. I am not offeiing an excuse, but I am piesenting a ieality.
366
...wben Scbwortz orriveJ ot
Allen's room, tbe Joor wos
lockeJ onJ be JiJn't
onswer.
It shoulu be iecognizeu that the coionei's iepoit stateu Allen uieu of "acute"
alcoholism, not "chionic" alcoholism. Theie is a uistinct uiffeience in the meuical veibiage.
"Acute" means iapiu onset oi suuuen, but "chionic" means ongoing; oi in othei
woius, an alcoholic. The coionei's iepoit saiu Allen uieu of a suuuen onset of alcohol, not
of alcoholism.
Beie is anothei fact. Accoiuing to the autopsy iepoit, fatty tissue founu within the
livei is consistent with alcoholic binge uiinking.
We must also unueistanu that theie is a meuical uiffeience between chionic anu
habitual uiinkeis. Chionic uiinkeis have uiunk foi a long peiiou of time, staying uiunk
most of the time whethei you can tell it oi not. A habitual uiinkei coulu have only been
uiinking foi a few weeks, oi, they aie also calleu social uiinkeis.
In uiscussing this autopsy uiagnosis with seveial piominent physicians anu specialists
thioughout the countiy, they explaineu to me that this livei conuition wos not ciiihosis.
Ciiihosis of the livei comes fiom chionic alcoholism anu is a ueath of the livei tissue that
spieaus giauually ovei a peiiou of time. If the fatty tissue
thioughout the livei iemains intact fiom habitual uiinking, it
coulu leau to ciiihosis.
Babitual uiinking of alcohol piouuces fatty tissue. Aftei
seveial uays, if no fuithei alcohol is ingesteu, the tissue uissolves
anu ietuins to noimal. Allen hau the livei of someone who, foi a
peiiou of weeks oi months, hau been binge uiinking, which
means simply he was uiinking to the point of uiunkenness.
Thioughout the coionei's iepoit, the majoiity of the uiscussion centeis aiounu
Allen's aithiitic conuition; not the alcoholic content founu in his bloou. In fact, theie is no
eviuence whatsoevei that Allen was an alcoholic, as the conuition of his livei pioveu.
Insteau, theie is much moie eviuence that the alcohol was taken meuicinally.
That is what I believe as well. Allen wasn't an alcoholic, but I think he peiiouically
bingeu on alcohol foi meuicinal ielief, anu to be honest, I ieally uon't believe Allen saw
much of a uiffeience between alcohol anu piesciibeu uiugs. Be hateu piesciibeu uiugs
anu theii lingeiing effects. Alcohol can uissipate quickly anu the effects weie piobably less
seveie with him. Be might not have always chosen the alcohol ovei the uiugs; but we
meuically know that at least foi a few weeks, he uiu.
It is easy to think cleaily if youi bouy is fiee fiom pain, but attituues aie sometimes
uiffeient in someone who is expeiiencing constant anu exciuciating pain.
It is my opinion that on the night of his ueath, Allen was in exciuciating pain. This
seems especially cleai because he hau flown to San Fiancisco foi a uoctoi's appointment
the next uay.
367
...tbere is no
eviJence wbotsoever
tbot Allen wos on
olcobolic, os tbe
conJition of bis liver
proveJ.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
Fiom the facts that I have ieseaicheu, it is my opinion that on this paiticulai evening
of }une 11, 197u, in a uespeiate attempt to stop the pain, Allen liteially uiank himself to
ueath.
IL `.LLL OI .I.LO`.
Though some of the ministeiial uetails at the enu of his life aie vague, his foimei
banking uepaitment heau, Nis. Belen NcNaines, has a gieat love anu iespect foi Allen,
saying he was "one of a kinu." Accoiuing to Nis. NcNaines, he was up fiont anu honest
with all the financial gain his ministiy ieceiveu, anu she iemembeieu how he woulu biing
the love offeiings to hei anu plop the heavy bags uown on the countei. "Put it all back
into tbe ministry, Helen," she iemembeis Allen saying, "Tbis all belongs to Cod."
NcNaines saiu that he woikeu uay anu night foi the people, nevei seeming to tiie.
"Nothing was put in his name; not the house oi anything in Niiacle valley," Nis.
NcNaines stateu. "Accoiuing to him, when he uieu, all of the piopeity shoulu go to uou."
Nis. NcNaines sauly ieiteiateu that she believeu theie has nevei been anothei ministei
like A. A. Allen. "Be was not afiaiu to fight the uevil," she pioclaimeu, "anu when you aie
not afiaiu to fight the uevil, all kinus of peisecution will iise up against you." The NcNaines
aie a chaiming couple, anu still maintain a close ielationship with Allen's son, }ames.
Accoiuing to them, }ames Allen highly iespects the ministiy of his fathei anu mothei.
S1
In spite of Allen's feivency, it uoes seem that his chaiismatic peisonality anu ministiy
uiiection uiu change in the latei yeais, by publishing violent ienunciations of ceitain
chuiches, anu focusing heavily on vows anu financial piospeiity. Biu the extieme huits,
betiayals anu uenominational conspiiacies against him push him into this type of
ministiy. Biu uou iemove Allen's focus on the miiacle ministiy of uivine healing.
Whatevei the ieasons, I feel that the ministiy of A. A. Allen enueu sauly, much like the
ministiy of }ohn Alexanuei Bowie.
}ust like Bowie's Zion City, theie is no longei a spiiitual puipose foi Allen's Niiacle
valley.
Touay, Niiacle valley is just twelve hunuieu fifty acies of lanu. Recently, I was
infoimeu that a faimei hau puichaseu the acieage with plans to cultivate it. The builuings
have all been toin uown oi ienteu.
I sponsoieu a gioup to go to Niiacle valley anu seaich foi memoiabilia on Allen. What
they founu was shocking.
In a huge pile outsiue of a builuing, the gioup founu hunuieus of testimony letteis,
peisonal notebooks, letteis, financial uiaiies, ministiy photos, oiiginal text of the Hirocle
Hoqozine, film footage, unuevelopeu negatives, anu a piiceless notebook of healing
testimonies with photos. The testimonies consisteu of hunuieus of healings: ueafness,
alleigies, migiaines, lung uisease, ulceis, cancei, aithiitis, bone ueficiencies, blinuness. It
was all theie, anu whoevei thiew these things in the uumpstei hau obviously maue one
final attempt to uestioy all tiaces of A. A. Allen's ministiy.
368
But uou hau othei plans.
Touay, these items aie iegisteieu in the histoiical museum of the Refoimeis anu
Revivalists Libiaiy, in Iivine, Califoinia. They will be safely pieseiveu foi this geneiation
anu the geneiations to follow. Beie, not only can you stuuy spiiitual histoiy, but you can
see it anu witness it as well.
LL. CO ILIILI
I know Allen maue mistakes. I have no pioblem with that. But in spite of the mistakes,
he maue an attempt to show how to pay the piice foi spiiitual powei. In fact, R. W.
Schambach leaineu how to pay the piice by obseiving him.
Allen oveicame a hoiienuous backgiounu to puisue the call of uou, anu that is a gieat
cieuit to him anu his ministiy, because he almost succeeueu. But he uiun't go fai enough.
We must go fuithei than Allen uiu to succeeu.
What uoes it take. It seems like a bioken iecoiu, but I will say it again: Stoy in your
coll. Bon't ventuie out to satisfy a suggestion of someone else oi the peisonal uesiie of
youi own anu uon't allow peisecution anu ciiticism to push you into a coinei.
What else uoes it take. Begin to builu an immunity to the things that affect you
negatively. Bow. uuaiu youi heait; let uou leau you with Bis
Woiu until theie is no tiace of withuiawal or self-piopulsion
within you, anu soon, the peisecution in that aiea of youi life will
not even affect you. Then if you begin to feel anothei "hit," oi
something begins to bothei you, stait builuing the immunity in
that paiticulai aiea as well. Finu Sciiptuies that peitain to that
aiea, accoiuing to youi call. Then, speak them ovei youi heait
until it soturotes your beinq onJ becomes o port of you;
that's how you uevelop an immunity. Then, when that thing tiies
to captuie you, you will walk iight thiough it, anu the Woiu will
guaiu youi heait. You will have built a spiiitual stiength in that aiea.
Be uaily filleu with the ministiy of the Boly Spiiit. Allow Bim to impait the oil of joy
anu glauness into youi life. Bis joy is what gives you the stiength to succeeu.
Bon't tiy to stanu alone, but keep youiself suiiounueu with people who know youi
call anu aie filleu with the stiength of the Woiu anu the Spiiit. If you uon't have this
opeiating in youi life anu ministiy, then ask uou to biing you those Jivine connections
anu ielationships. These aien't "yes men" who pampei anu encouiage you in eveiy
uecision you make, iight oi wiong, but aie Jivine relotionsbips with people who know
how to stanu stiong in the Spiiit because of theii peisonal expeiience. If they keep
themselves clean, they will be equippeu to speak into youi life anu help you when a ciisis
comes youi way.
Bon't seorcb tbe Scriptures to finJ retoliotion oqoinst your occusers. If you uo
369
Wbot Joes it toke? lt
seems like o broken
recorJ, but l will soy
it oqoin: Stoy in your
coll.
C O L . C L . L I . L .
that, you will have a haish anu embitteieu ministiy. At times, it is tempting, but uou is the
0ne who vinuicates Bis own! So let uou uo Bis thing, anu you uo youis. Seaich the
Sciiptuies foi youiself first. Anu when uou's Woiu heals you, you builu an immunity
thiough the Woiu, anu aie uaily filleu with the Boly Spiiit, then you can take on the next
level of ministiy. But if you stop to point fingeis, you will iemain theie. If you iemain in one
level too long, you will giow stagnant anu seaich foi othei avenues of ministiy. 0i, you
may seaich foi othei "highlights" within youi cuiient ministiy. Some have iemaineu in a
position of stagnancy foi so long they can't finu theii way back.
Theie is nothing new unuei the sun. What happeneu to these gieat men anu women
of the past, coulu happen again, so leain fiom theii lives, anu builu stiength in youi innei
man. It takes spiiitual stiength to fulfill the will of uou. Betermine that youi life anu
ministiy will be a spiiitual success in heaven anu in the eaith, to the gloiy of uou!
370
CHAPTER TWELVE, A. A. ALLEN
Refeiences
1
Baviu Baiiell }i., All Tbinqs Are Possible (Bloomington, IN: Inuiana 0niveisity
Piess, 197S), 66.
2
Lexie E. Allen, 6oJ's Hon of Ioitb onJ Power (Beiefoiu, AZ: A. A. Allen
Publications, 19S4), SS.
3
Ibiu.
4 Ibiu., S6.
5 Ibiu., 17.
6
Ibiu., 18-2u.
7 Ibiu., 22.
8
Ibiu., 2S.
9
Ibiu., 29.
10 Ibiu., 98-1u4.
11
A. A. Allen, Price of 6oJ's Hirocle-Workinq Power (Niiacle valley, AZ: A. A. Allen
Revivals Inc., 19Su).
12
L. Allen, 6oJ's Hon of Ioitb onJ Power, 1u6-1u8.
13 Ibiu., 167-169.
14 Ibiu., 14S-144.
1S
Ibiu., 1SS.
16
ibiu., 1S9.
17 Ibiu., 161-162.
18
Ibiu., 16S.
19
Ibiu., 17S-17S.
2u
Baiiell, All Tbinqs Are Possible, 68.
21
Ibiu., 7u.
22
Allen Spiagget, Kotbryn Kublmon: A Womon Wbo BelieveJ in Hirocles, segment
on Allen accoiuing to Knox County Ciiminal Couit (New Yoik: Signet Classics,
publisheu by the New Ameiican Libiaiy Inc., 197u), S2-SS.
23
Baiiell, All Tbinqs Are Possible, 7u.
24
Ibiu., 71.
2S
Ibiu., 7u-71.
26
Peisonal inteiview with R. W. Schambach on Naich 22, 1996, El Paso, Texas.
27
Baiiell, All Tbinqs Are Possible, 74.
28
Ibiu., 72.
29 Ibiu., 71.
30 Ibiu., 74.
31
Peisonal inteiview with Belen NcNaines on Apiil 29, 1996.
371
CHURCH HISTURY IS VALUABLE TU US
If you have any mateiials peitaining to Chuich histoiy, we woulu like to know
about them. Robeits Liaiuon Ninistiies is committeu to pieseiving Chiistian
aichives in oui Refoimeis anu Revivalists Bistoiical Nuseum. Nemoiabilia fiom
oui past is veiy valuable anu vital to futuie Chuich giowth.
We aie looking foi magazines, letteis, books, manusciipts, photogiaphs, auuio
anu viueotapes, movies, uiaiies, sciapbooks, anu any othei peisonal items that
woulu poitiay oui Chuich histoiy. Thank you foi uesiiing to bless the woilu
with youi histoiical tieasuies. Please contact oui ieseaich uepaitment in
Califoinia.
Robeits Liaiuon Ninistiies - Euiope
P.0. Box 2u4S
Bove, Biinghton
East Sussex, BNS 6}0 Englanu
Phone anu Fax: 44 127S S62S9S
Robeits Liaiuon NinistiiesSouth Afiica
P.0. Box S1SS
Kimbeily 8Suu, South Afiica
Phone anu Fax: 27 SS1 82 12u7
Robeits Liaiuon Ninistiies0SA
P.0. Box Su71u
Laguna Bills, Califoinia 926S4
Phone: (714) 8SS-SSSS Fax: (714) 8SS-9SSS
Auuitional copies of this book anu othei book titles
aie available at youi local bookstoie.
Albuiy Publishing
P.0. Box 47u4u6
Tulsa, 0klahoma 74147-u4u6
In Canaua books aie available fiom:
Woiu Alive
P. 0. Box 67u
Niveiville, Nanitoba

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