The Apostolic Faith (May, 1908)
Ireland
Both Belfast and Bangor have been visited with Pentecost.
England
In the past year, news comes that probably 5OO people have received the Pentecost in England.
China
We hear from South China that about 1OO have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and they now have a paper in the Chinese called “Pentecostal Truths,” which is being scattered in China and Japan. it Is a blessed paper and one can feel the power in it even though unable to read it.
West Africa
Brother E. McCauley from Long Beach, California, opened a mission in Monrovia, Liberia. God has been blessing the work. Other missionaries are helping. Sister Harmon writes: “It is marvelous at times to see the manifestations of the Spirit and to feel the power. They shake like a person with a hard chill; they are in such earnest-ness when they pray and God does so bless them, until you can hear them a block away,”
Jerusalem
One native minister of Beyroute, Syria, came to Jerusalem to spend the winter. God has baptized him with the Holy Ghost
and he speaks with tongues. Praise God! God started this movement in A. D. 32 in this dear old city, and the “latter rain” Is falling in 19O8. Glory to God! Miss Elizabeth Brown of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, received her baptism more than two weeks ago. She had the real old-fashioned manifestations like many had St Azusa street. — The secret of the matter was she was so given up to God. Praise His name! She came to my room and requested me to lay bands on her for her baptism. She felt waves of fire passing through her head and face and then began to speak in tongues. She sings the heavenly chant. It is precious to hear her.-Lucy M. Leatherman, Jerusalem, Palestine, care of American consulate.
Sweden
The Holy Ghost is falling on the humble in Gottenberg. In one prayer meeting. they saw fire, and four persons were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues. They praised God until 5 o’clock in the morning. In a few days, more than twelve persons were baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues.
Eight little children have been filled with the Spirit, speaking in tongues. Some of them stand on a chair testifying for Christ.
Many sick have been healed, sinners saved and backsliders coming to the Lord. One day in February. Twenty-three were baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ. Nearly all of them had their Pentecostal experience. Many are seeking the power of God day and night.
One night the Lord sent a fisherman from an island near the city, using this dear brother in the healing of four sick people and two sisters gut their baptism of the Holy Ghost at the same time.
Many sinners have come to God in different parts of Sweden. There are Pentecostal companies here and there where the Lord is taking out a people for His name. A number of workers who received their baptism in Los Angeles are there being used of God. Address Brother Andrew G. Johnson, Backevick, 3 Hisingstad, Sweden.
India
In Panditla Ramabsi’s School at Mukti. Kedagon, India, God is working in power among the girls again. God is pouring out upon them such a spirit of prayer again. It is like the mighty roaring of the sea when they begin. The workers are looking for a great outpouring of His Spirit again upon Mukti. He has also been blessedly working among the Christian and Missionary Alliance people in Bombay.
Brother Max Wood Moorhead of Bombay, India, writes: “God is workiog mightily through the Bombay Presidency and there sre witnesses now at Bombay, Khamgaon, Okola, Amraoki, Dholka, Dharangson. Rhesqaon, Nasrapur, Pandharpur and Dhond. Praise God! Many natives are entering in, and how blessedly God uses these ignorant, lowly Indians as channels of blessing to their own people. A native boy of 19 was filled with the Holy Ghost in January and has been wonderfully healed of consumption and instrumental in winning souls to
Jesus. His heathen mother and a heathen lad, an old friend. He has also been a messenger or power to missionaries from the homeland. At Dolka, a station of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, where five missionaries have received Pentecost, six orphan lads are magnifying God in new tongues.”
PENTECOSTAL OUTPOURING IN SCOT-LAND
From “Confidence,” a free Pentecostal paper, to be obtained from the editors, 11 Park Lea Road, Sunderland, England.
Pentecost has fallen in Scotland at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dumfermilne, Sterling, Clydebank, Falkirk, Tarbert, Toll Cross. Banton by Kilsyth, Kirkintillock, Coatbridge and other places.
Some incidents are reported from Kilsyth. a small Scottish town twelve miles from Glasgow, and other points.
A fireman at the colliery, as he was leaning on his shovel at work, began to speak in tongues.
A pitman at Motherwell broke out in the face of the coal-that is, while filling his wagon or tub. He was singing. “How I love that sweet story of old.” He said he felt something go down and then come up. Then for two hours he sat on his coal pile speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave him utterance. The men near by working soon heard him, and one cried, “There’s Jock through in tongues and me no saved yet.”
A number have been converted just through hearing others speak in tongues. It was so with young H. He loved cycle racing. Etc., and kept away from the meetings; but when he heard his sister in the house “speaking mysteries” praising God in an unknown tongue. He was broken down. In the Mission Hall, from 3 one afternoon till 2 the next morning. he dealt with God and was saved. sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost with the Scriptural evidences.
In a village in this part of Scotland. the little chapel got on fire and about twenty received their Pentecost with signs following and thirteen have been soundly converted. They were holding a “fellowship meeting” for those who had been fully anointed. Outsiders hearing the vehement cries of praise slid the speaking in tongues, gathered around. A sympathetic policeman kept the dour (his wife and daughter. who had received the blessing were inside). At last he cried. “Lads, I can stand it no longer. here goes.” And he flung open the door, and putting down his helmet, was soon pleading with God for the full baptism of the Holy Ghost. And he received it then and there and came through speaking in tongues.
It is touching to see the boys at Kilsyth (quite a number have got their Pentecost) all with their Bibles in the meeting, and little girls too, speaking in tongues and giving out solemn messages.
In other places children have had to suffer. We have heard of one whose father in the drink kicked his little girl because she went to the meetings, and she looking up at him, and through her tears said, “Glory to Jesus!”
An engine driver at Kilsyth was making his way to the house, and his legs gave way. The power of God fell on him, and they supported him to Brother Murdoch’s kitchen where many have received the baptism, and he was soon “through,” singing as the Spirit gave him utterance, and has been singing ever since.
Many ‘have already traveled to Kilsyth from the east and west, the north and south. Some critical investigators arrived one day by train. They agreed to test this thing by putting questions to the first Kilsyth man they met. It was the porter who opened the carriage door.
“Any meetings being held here?”
“Aye, sir, there are.”
“Have you been to any of them?”
“Yes, I’ve been.”
“Is it true that some folks are speaking in tongues?”
“it’s true enough.”
“Do you know anyone?”
“Yes, I’m one myself.”
Scottish people know their Bibles. They are no fools, not carried away easily. But they know that God has appeared in their midst, and they praise Him and exalt the ever precious Blood by which victory is assured.
PENTECOST IN AUSTRALIA
The Lord has visited Australia in great power and souls have been baptized with she Holy Ghost and signs following.
In a cottage meeting, in February 19O7, in Melbourne, a young brother received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues. Some fell under the power of God and a great awe came over the meeting. The brother spoke and sang, “giving messages in the unknown tongue and also interpreting.
A few Christians stopped at the house on the way to church one Saturday night but said they would have a little time of prayer first. The Lord came down in such power that they could not go, and some spoke in tongues and sang heavenly music.
A sister was washing up the breakfast things, when the Lord called her to prayer, she immediately obeyed Him, and the Spirit soon led her off in praise to Him in an unknown tongue. She says, “I was simply lost I in His love.”
A few were waiting upon God one Friday night when the Holy Spirit fell upon a lad 19. He sang beautifully for over an hour about Jesus’ coming. Next morning while work he sang praises to God in an unknown tongue.
These great blessings have come on the lowly and humble. Many have seen visions of Jesus and of heavenly fire, and the interpretations speak of the soon coming of Jesus.
A Policeman Receives Pentecost
A policeman, John Barclay, 161 Elgin street, Carlton, Melbourne, received his Pentecost. The following is a part of his testimony:
On Easter evening, 19O7, at a Holiness camp about twenty-seven miles from Melbourne, we all gathered for our usual praise and prayer meeting. A brother read 1 Cor., 12th chapter. Then we all knelt down but no one seemed able to pray aloud. The only words I could utter were these: “Lord, reveal Thyself tonight.”
Presently some mighty. marvelous unseen power took hold of me, and I was thrown downward on the floor. Everything around me disappeared. The other friends were as if they never existed. I saw the heavens opened and my precious Jesus sitting on the throne. Oh the joy and beauty and glory! It is unspeakable. Then Jesus came right down into the room and I saw Him smile all around. But He looked so sadly at me, and His look condemned me for refusing before to yield myself fully up to Him. His loving but sad look broke my heart and I burst into tears, and cried:
“Lord, I yield my all to You to do with me as Thou wilt!” I just cried from my heart that verse, “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord” Then the Lord smiled again. During all this time I saw an innumerable host of angels in glory, and oh, such dazzling light and beauty. Whenever I cried, “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,” the dear Lord smiled on me and the angels waved pennons of white. It was simply celestial: no beauty on earth like it! No words on earth can describe what it was like. In visions He showed me that there is as much rejoicing in heaven over a fully surrendered soul as over a lost sinner returning from the wilds.
To come back to Easter Monday evening, I was for about an hour and a half conscious only of the Lord’s presence. When I returned to earth again and looked around, some were kneeling in silent prayer, others were lying prostrate on the floor. Presently a sister broke out in prayer entreating God to bless His children and save lost souls. Then she prayed in a strange tongue, which sounded like Chinese. Then she started singing in the same tongue. What heavenly music! It sounded very much like an angel’s voice coming rolling over the balconies of heaven. Of all the grand singers I have heard, I never heard anything so sweet. She gave messages from God to several Our meeting lasted till 4 o’clock In the morning.
On return in my work at home, I got so hungry to know more of the dear Lord that I began seeking in real deep earnest for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Satan had been giving me a very bad time by telling me that it was all false doctrine. I went into my bedroom and told the Lord to drive Satan away, that his assaults were more than I could bear. Then all once a beautiful cams and peace filled my soul. I was so happy that I could not even praise Him, but sat at His feet with my eyes closed looking into His dear face, when I saw a light shine from heaven far brighter than the noonday sun; It shone on my face brighter and brighter, until I had to cover my eyes with my hands.
That night I went to a meeting in a private house, and in this meeting Satan came to me with greater power, and I was of all men most miserable. About 1O:1O p. m., Satan did his best to get me to go home; but my Jesus kept me wailing on the Lord with others, some of whom were under the Spirit and speaking in tongues. About 1 o’clock a. m., a brother laid hands on me, and I received my baptism. My hands, arms, and whole body trembled greatly and I was thrown on the floor. All the others were praising the Lord. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. He baptizes with the Holy Ghost the same today as nineteen centuries ago. On that night week the Lord gave me the tongues, and since then I have spoken in four or five different languages. All glory to His Name!
People have told me that it is all of the devil; but the Jesus I serve and trust will not allow Satan to deceive me. It is now over six months since I received this baptism, and I know that Satan does not give the peace, joy, and happiness that I have got.
A burglar came to the altar at Azusa Mission, threw his skeleton keys under the bench (he had been plotting to rob a house). He got gloriously saved, soon he was sanctified. He was baptized down at the ocean, and shouted and jumped in the water and out of the water, he was so filled with the power of God. That afternoon he was baptized with the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues. He praises God and weeps as he tells of His wonderful love and mercy.
A sister finding there were some things hindering her from getting her baptism, shut herself in her room arid prayed practically all day and all night. She prayed through and got all her idols out of her heart and the power fell on her “like hail,” she says. She talked in tongues for a long time, though she said when she came to the mission that she did not want tongues. But God baptized her like all the rest.
A brother came from China to Los Angeles and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and went on his way to England, and writes that it was the most wonderful experience of his life and he is rejoicing in the fullness of the Spirit.
The leading man among the colored Freemasons in Indianapolis and who was also cartoonist for two newspapers was sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost speaking in divers new tongues. He resigned and had prayer with his members in the lodge room, and they were much touched. Some of his brethren have since received their Pentecost also.
What hath God Wrought? In two precious years since the Lord poured out the Pentecost In Los Angeles in a little cottage on Bonnie Brae street, He has spread it around ‘the world. Hallelujah. Many are rejoicing with joy unspeakable for the great blessings that God is pouring out in this latter rain. Many saved, sanctified, healed of disease and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. Many happy families filled with the Spirit and working for Jesus. Soon after the Pentecost fell, the saints rented the lower room in the old building on Azusa Street, which has been much blest of God. To Him be all the glory and praise. When the place was about to he sold so that the Mission would have to move, the saints agreed to purchase it with three years’ time to pay the $15,OOO, expecting the Lord to send the money all in before that time, and He has done it and answered our prayers in a wonderful way. We humbly thank God. We love to think of the blessed old “Manger Home” where so many of us have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Many saints love the spot and will rejoice that God has given to us.
Christ’s character is our pattern and His word is our discipline. We want to he Just like Jesus in His suffering, His passion, His death. He is our ideal. Glory to God!
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THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
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THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION
Stands for the restoration of the faith once delivered unto the saints-the old time religion of camp meetings, revivals, missions, street and prison work and Christian Unity everywhere,
Repentance-Mark 1:14, 15
Godly Sorrow for Sin, Example–Matt.9:13. 2 Cor. 7:9, 11. Acts 3:19, Acts 17: 30, 11.
Confession of Sin-Luke 15:21 and Luke 18:13,
Forsaking Sinful Ways-Isa. 55:7, Jonah 3:8. Prov. 28:11.
Restitution-Ezek. 33:15. Luke 19:8.
And Faith in Jesus Christ.
First Work-Justification is that act of God’s free grace by which we receive remission of sins. Acts 1O:42, 43. Rom, 3:25,
Second Work-Sanctification is the second work of grace and the last work of grace. Sanctification is that act of God’s free grace by which He makes us holy. John 17:15, 17.-“Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy work is truth.” 1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:21; Heb. 13:12; Heb. 2:11; Heb. 12:14.
Sanctification is cleansing to make holy. The disciples were sanctified before the Day of Pentecost. By a careful study of Scrip-tore you will find it is so now: “Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3: 13:1O); and Jesus had breathed on them the Holy Ghost (John 2O:21, 22). You know, that they could not receive the Spirit if they were not clean. Jesus cleansed and got all doubt out of His church before He went back to glory.
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a gift of power upon the sanctified life; so when we get it we have the same evidence as the Disciples received on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3, 4), in speaking in hew tongues. See also Acts 1O:45, 46; Acts 19:6; 1 Cur, 14:21. “For I will work a work, in your days which ye will not believe–though it be told you.”-Heb. 1:5.
Healing-We must believe that God is able to heal-Hz. 15:26:’ “1 am the Lord that healeth thee.” James 5:14; Psa. 1O3:3; 2 Kings 2O:5; Matt. 8:16,37; Mark 16; 16, 17, 18.
“Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?”-Jer. 22:27.
Too many have confused the grace of sanctification with the enduement of Power, or the baptism with the Holy Ghost; others have taken “the anointing that abideth” for the Baptism, and failed to reach the glory and power of a true Pentecost.
The Blood of Jesus will never blot out any sin between man and man they can make right; but If we can’t make wrongs right the Blood graciously covers. (Matt. 5:23, 24.)
We are not fighting men or churches, but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds and wild fanaticism with living, practical Christianity. “Love, Faith, Unity” are our watchwords, and “Victory through the Atoning Blood” our battle cry. God’s promises are true. He said: “Be thou faithful over a few things, and wilt make thee ruler over many.” From the little handful of Christians who stood by the cross when the testing and discouragement came, God has raised a mighty host.
Chinese Pentecostal Paper–The Lord laid it on my heart to get out a paper in the Chinese language. I put it before my Chinese brethren and they prayed over it and God put it at once on their hearts, and they began to translate pieces into Chinese. God has given us a Chinese brother who has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and is a good printer. The paper is already being scattered among the millions of China. Offerings to help the dear Chinese brethren, who are poor in this world’s goods, get out their paper and circulate this Gospel may he sent to Brother Mok Lai Chi. 5 Laddes St., Hong Kong, China.–Bro. McIntosh.
Word comes that Bishop Homer of the Holiness movement of Canada has been baptized with the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost. He had been claiming his baptism for twenty years and he says this is the greatest baptism he ever had.
Two Pentecostal papers in the Norwegian language are being published, the “Sandhedans Tolk,” published by Brother H. Langeland, Paulsbo, Wash., and “Byposten,” by Brother T. B. Barratt, Christiania, Norway.
The Lord had baptized a number in the little faith cottage back of the Mission. He has used our dear Sister Farrow whom He sent from Texas at the beginning of the outpuring of the Spirit in Los Angeles. In her room in the cottage, quite a number have received a greater filling of the Spirit and some have been healed and baptized with the Spirit since she returned from Africa.
ELECTRIC MESSAGES FROM THE FIELD
I can feel the breath of heaven, It’s coming. Perfect victory for our precious work.
This Gospel is sweeping like rain over the parched fields. Jesus is coming so soon, and the Lord is using those instruments that are given into His hands.
To think we have a part in this great Gospel, with persecutions. The blessed Christ is so near, even at our very door. O the rapture when He bursts the clouds and we hear the glad news, “Behold all things are ready, go ye out to meet Him.”
God is working and all hell cannot stop Him, so we need not fear but keep low at His feet and remember that He that is for Us is greater than they that he against us.
There is no one that can rob us of our power. We could easily sin and lose it, but we have learned the secret of abiding in His love, which is by keeping clean.
I praise God that He set me free. There are not men or devils enough to check this great river the Father for Jesus’ sake has put into my being. Bless His name. O let the Lord have His way with you, and be as free as heaven makes you.
Jesus brought the living, burning words of the Father into this old world, and bless His dear name, He has left them here for those that love Him and keep His commandments, and walk softly before Him. O to think He has given us this power and these words of the Father that bring instant healing, and rebuke demons and bring salvation to poor perishing souls.
We have been praying for the Apostolic power, and the Lord has been testing His Pentecostal people to see if we are pure gold, tried in the fire. He could not trust us without trying us first. The Lord wants soon to give the perfect gifts in the body, and He is going to give them to the true and tried ones only. He is getting us ready as fast as He can and as fast as we will let Him. Praise the name of our matchless Christ!
“Many are railed but few are chosen.” O I do want to be one of the few that shall walk Him in white. I feel if I can only sit in some corner of heaven and look on the stately form and face of my Christ who has done so much for it, it will be enough. My very soul is bowed down in humility as I even think of what He’s done for me. O may we keep at His lovely feet. May we see Jesus only. May we in this, last onslaught of Satan on the true children of God, in this last outpouring of the Spirit, stand as one man.
If we do faithfully the work God has called us to, in the face of all hell, we will see results. Many will preach a mere compromise but I will not do it. Can’t and be true to God. This old world has seen nothing but failure and weakness on the part of God’s people, and the time has cools to rise and shine, shake off the yoke. Bless His dear name! As soon as the saints get a little persecution for keeping things straight, they take to the background and say, May be I was too harsh.” But if we won’t be faithful in this age, the Lord will raise up those that will. We must have Peters and Pauls in this closing age as well as in the beginning of the church. If we can’t stand the evil report as well as the good. we need another dip in the Blood. My soul demands reality. We must be what we say we are. If we have the power of the Holy Ghost, we have something that can stand, and after doing all stand.-F. L. C.
Character and Work of the Holy Ghost. His character is love. If you find people that get a harsh spirit, and even talk in tongues in a harsh spirit, it is not the Holy Ghost talking. His utterances are in power and glory and with blessing and sweetness. The character of the Holy Ghost is precisely like Jesus the Word of truth, for the Holy Ghost is “the Spirit of truth.” He speaks always of the Word and makes everything like the Word. Jesus was the Son of God, the suffering Christ; and the Holy Ghost comes into the world to reveal this suffering Christ to us. He is a meek and humble Spirit–not a harsh Spirit. He is a Spirit of glory. When He comes into a believer, He comes to tell them all about Jesus’ salvation. He reveals Christ. He paints Him as the wonderful Son of God, the brightest gem the Father had in heaven –our only hope of salvation and reconciliation with the Father. How sweet it is to have the Holy Ghost come to you and show you Jesus through the Word. He witnesses and reveals through the Word, and never gets outside of the Word.
Every man born of the Spirit is born of Jesus Christ. The new birth puts you into the church and sin puts you out.
No wonder people get the missionary Spirit as soon as they get the baptism because they become partners with the Holy Spirit.
In the baptism of the Spirit, you are under the power of Spirit, and do not have to judge by what your eyes see and your ears hear but what the Spirit reveals.
SANCTIFIED ON THE CROSS
“I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy word is truth.” Jesus is still praying this prayer today for every believer to come and be sanctified. Glory to God! Sanctification makes us one with the Lord Jesus. (Heb. 2:11.) Sanctification makes us holy as Jesus is. Then the prayer of Jesus is answered, and we become one with Him, even as He is one with the Father. Bless His holy name.
He says again in I Thess. 4:3, For this is the will of God even your sanctification.” So it is His will fur every soul to be saved from all sin, actual and original. We get our actual sins cleansed away through the Blood of Jesus Christ at the cross; hut our original sin we get cleansed on the cross, It must be a real death to the old man. Rom. 6:6, “Knowing this that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin, might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin: for he that Is dead is freed from sin.” So it takes the death of the old man in order that Christ might be sanctified in us. It is not sufficient to have the old man stunned or knocked down, for he will rise again.
God is calling His people to true holiness in these days. We thank God for the blessed light that He is giving us. He says in Ii Tim. 2:21: “Ifs man therefore purge himself from these. he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use.” He means for us to be purged from uncleanness and all kinds of sin. Then we shall be it vessel unto honor, sanctified and inset for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Sanctification makes us holy and destroys the breed of sin, the love of sin and carnality. It makes us pure and whiter than snow. Bless His holy name!
The Lord Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Sanctification makes us pure in heart. Any man that is saved and sanctified call feel the fire burning in his heart, when be calls on the name of Jesus. O may God help men and women ‘every-where to lead a holy life, free from sin, for the Holy Spirit seeks to lead you out of sin into the marvelous light of the Sun of God.
The Word says. “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” So, beloved, when we get Jesus Christ our King of Peace in our hearts, we have the almighty Christ, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because He trusteth in Thee.” We shall have wisdom, righteousness and power. For God is righteous In all His ways and holy in all His arts. This holiness means perfect love in our hearts, perfect love that casteth out fear.
Brother Paul says in order to become holy and live a holy life, we should abstain from all appearance of evil. Then the apostle adds, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body he preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I These. 1: 22, 23.) “To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” ii Thess. 3:13.) Bless His holy name. O beloved, after you have received the light, it is holiness or hell. God is calling fur men and women in these days that will live a holy life free from sin. We should remain before God until His all cleansing Blood makes us holy, body, soul and spirit.–W. J. S.
Pentecost means a continual revival among God’s people.
Gifts cannot save us. We see that by the life of Jesus. Many people are going to hell trusting in gifts. The Word tells us that without love we are nothing. The Blood of Jesus Christ is our only salvation.
The Word of God is the standard in this wonderful salvation. If you get on board the Word of God, the train will take you straight through to glory; but if you take some other way, you will have trouble at the gate. We preach a clean cut Gospel, for we will have to give an account at the judgment.
Adam was a lifeless man of clay when the Spirit of God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and he became a living soul. So when the Spirit of God comes into a church or an individual, He wakes it up and it becomes a live body. The Holy Ghost has no dead churches. He brings life wherever He Is.
Just as angels could not remain in the kingdom of God when they sinned, so people cannot live in the kingdom of God, His church, if they sin. The only way to remain in unity with Christ and His Spirit flowing in our souls Is to be obedient subjects. Obedience keeps us in the body of Christ and: His love flowing like an ocean.
When the Lord heals us or saves us, He tells us to “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee.” As long as we walk in obedience to God, His blessings will fail upon our souls; but if we turn back to sin and break our covenant with God, our last state will be worse than the first. Let us walk in the light of His precious Word.
God’s ministers are “a flame of fire.” He wants men and women all on fire. He wants us not only saved from sin but on fire. The Holy Ghost is dynamite and fire in your soul. He wants us to have not only the thunder but the lightning. The Holy Ghost is lightning. He strikes men down with conviction, slays and makes alive.
I put everything on the altar, all I hoped for and longed for I gave to the Lord, and when I prayed, the fire came down and God sanctified me and made me holy. Then I went home and said, I have got another religion. Well, it was not another religion but the old Ishmael was cast out, the carnal nature was destroyed, and God filled me with love and then closed the door and left me in that state. Nothing could come in but love.
This Pentecostal blessing is so sweet. When you lay down at night, how He comes and blesses your soul and sings through you and preaches through you, and the first thing in the morning It is Jesus. There is glory shining in your soul and He seems to light up the room and everything in your soul cries out, “Its Jesus only.” It is the power of the Holy Spirit through your soul. When He comes into your heart, He doss not bring any trash but He comes to reveal Jesus.
We must remember that tongues never bought this salvation, but it is the blood of Jesus Christ that purchased salvation. God wants men to have every gift but not to be led by gifts but by the Word of God, by the precious Blood of Jesus. Glory to God “This is My beloved son, hear ye Him.” We want to know God above all. When we have the Christ of God in our hearts. we can stand before the very gatling guns of hell and tell them that the Blood cleanseth.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is power and understanding of the Word and the glory of God upon your life. Whenever the Lord wants to play His piano, He tunes up the harp and plays with His own fingers, speaking or singing in any language he wishes. The man that hears you speak a message right from the throne fails down and seeks God and gets up to report that God is in you of a truth. The baptism of the Holy Spirit makes you more humble and filled with divine love and the graces and fruits of the Spirit are manifest.
When you get the baptism with the Holy Ghost, you will surely go up into The mount with Christ. If you want to know what it is to praise God and have the joy of the Lord in your soul that flows like a mighty river ,tarry and get your personal Pentecost. He keeps the rivers flowing in your soul that you may be fit for irrigation wherever you go. Jesus said, “He that believeth on Me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit which they that believe on Him should receive.” (John, 7:38, 39.)
Honor the Holy Ghost. Someone may say, ” If you can speak in tongues, let me hear you.” Don’t you ever try to do that. The Holy Ghost will never speak in that way. It is not ye that speak but the Holy Ghost, and he will speak when He chooses. Don’t you ever try to speak with tongues or say that the power belongs to you. It is by My Spirit, saith the Lord. When singing or speaking in tongues, your mind does not take any part in it. He wants you to pray for the interpretation, so that you can speak with the Spirit and with the understanding also. (I Cor,. 14:16)
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THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
The Azusa standard of the baptism with the Holy Ghost is according to the Bible in Acts 1:5,8; Acts, 2:4 and Luke, 24:49. Bless His holy name. Hallelujah to the Lamb for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire and speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
Jesus gave the church at Pentecost a great lesson of how to carry on a revival, and it would be well for every church to follow Jesus’ standard of the ~ of the Holy Ghost and fire.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” O beloved, there is where the secret is: one accord, one place, one heart, one soul, one mind, one prayer. If God can get a people anywhere in one accord and in one place, of one heart, mind, and soul, believing for this great power, It will fall and Pentecostal results will follow. Glory to God!
Apostolic Faith doctrine means one accord, one soul, one heart. May God help every child of His to live In Jesus’ prayer: “That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me and I In Thee; that they all may be one to us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” Praise God! O how my heart cries out to God in these days that He would make every child of His see the necessity of living in the 17th chapter of John, that we may be one in the body of Christ, as Jesus has prayed.
When we are sanctified through the truth, then we are one in Christ, and we can get into one accord for the gift or power of the Holy Ghost, and God will come in like a rushing mighty wind and fill every heart with the power of the Holy Spirit. Glory to His holy name. Bless God! O how I praise Him for this wonderful salvation that is spreading over this great earth. The baptism of the Holy Ghost brings the glory of God In our hearts.
The Holy Ghost Is Power
There is a great difference between a sanctified person and one that is baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. A sanctified person is cleansed and filled with divine love, but the one that is baptized with the Holy Ghost has the power of God on his soul and has power with God and men, power over all the kingdoms of Satan and over all his emissaries. God can take a worm and thresh a mountain. Glory to God. Hallelujah!
In all Jesus’ great revivals and miracles, the work was wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost flowing through His sanctified humanity. When the Holy Ghost comes and takes us as His instruments, this is the power that convicts men and women and causes them to see that there is a reality in serving Jesus Christ. O beloved, we ought to thank God that He has made us the tabernacles of the Holy Ghost. When you have the Holy Ghost, you have an empire, a power within yourself. Elijah was a power in himself through the Holy Ghost. He brought down fire from heaven. So when we get the power of the Holy Ghost, we will see the heavens open sod the Holy Ghost power falling on earth, power over sickness, diseases and death.
The Lord never revoked the commission He gave to His disciples: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,” and He is going to perform these things if He can get a people in unity. The Holy Spirit is power with God and man. You have power with God as Elijah had. God put man over all His works; but we know that when Adam sinned, he lost a great deal of his power; but now through the Blood of Jesus, He says, “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy.” The Lord Jesus wants a church, when He comes back to earth, just like the one He started when He left the earth and organized it on the day of Pentecost.
Tarry in One Accord
O may every child of God seek his real personal Pentecost, stop quibbling and come to the standard that Jesus laid down for us in Acts 2: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and It filled all the house where they were sitting.” Glory to God! O beloved, if you wait on God for this baptism of the Holy Ghost just now, and can get two or three people together that are sanctified through the Blood of Christ, and all get into one accord, God will send the baptism of the Holy Ghost upon your souls as the rain falls from heaven. You may not have a preacher to come to you and preach the doctrine of the Holy Ghost and fire, but you can obey Jesus’ saying in the passage. “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” This is Jesus’: and if two or three are gathered together in His name and pray for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, they can have it this day or this night, because it is the promise of the Father’s glory and you will find it a truth In your own life. God’s promises are true and sure.
The Baptism Falls on a Clean Heart
Jesus is our example. “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit.” We find in reading the Bible that the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire falls on a clean, sanctified life, for we see according to the Scriptures that Jesus was “holy, harmless, undefiled,” sod filled with wisdom and favor with God and man, before God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and power. For in Luke, 2:40 we read. “Jesus waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him”; and in Luke, 2:52, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
After Jesus was empowered with the Holy Ghost at Jordan, He returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.” Glory to God! He was not any more holy or any more meek, but had greater authority. “And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.”
Beloved, If Jesus who was God Himself, heeded the Holy Ghost to empower Him for His ministry and His miracles, how much more do we children need the Holy Ghost today. O that men and women would tarry for the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire upon their souls, that the glory may be seen upon them just as It was upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost in the fiery emblem of tongues. The tongues of fire represented the great Shekina glory. So today the Shekina glory rests day and night upon those who are baptized with the Holy Ghost, while He abides in their souls. For His presence is with us. Glory to His name. I thank Him for this wonderful salvation. Let us ring His praises through all the world that all men may know that the Comforter has come. Bless His dear name!
Jesus’ First Sermon After His Baptism
“And He came to Nazareth where He was brought up: and as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the hook of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it is written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor: He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are blind, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke. 4:18, 19.) Hallelujah. Glory to God! This is Jesus’ sermon after His baptism with the Holy Ghost, preaching in the synagogue. He acknowledged that the Spirit of God was upon Him.
Jesus was the Son of God and born of the Holy Ghost and filled with the Holy Ghost from His mother’s womb: but the baptism of the Holy Ghost came upon His sanctified humanity at the Jordan. In His humanity, He needed the Third Person or the Trinity to do His work. And He could truly say that His fingers became instruments of the Holy Ghost to cast out devils.
The Holy Ghost Flows Through Pure Channels
If men and women today will consecrate themselves to God, and get their hands and feet and eyes and affections, body and soul, all sanctified, how the Holy Ghost will use such people. He will find pure channels to flow through sanctified avenues for His power. People will be saved, sanctified, healed and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost comes through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by faith in His word. In order to receive it, we must first he sanctified. Then we can become His witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth. You will never have an experience to measure with Acts. 2:4 and 16, 17, until you get your personal Pentecost or the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. (Matt., 13:11)
This is the latter rain that God is pouring out to His humble children in the last days. We are preaching a Gospel that measures with the great commission that Jesus gave His disciples on the day when He arose from’ the dead. (Matt. 28:19.2O-):
“Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and to, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen!” They received the power to measure with this commission on the day of Pentecost. (Acts, 2:4.) Bless the lord. O how I bless God to see His mighty power manifested in these last days. God wants His people to receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.
A MOTHER’S EXPERIENCE OF PENTECOST
This is my first writing to the dear Apostolic Faith. I will say that I am all under the Blood, and I have victory, complete victory. I do praise Him for convicting and converting my soul and sanctifying me wholly and giving me the blessed baptism of the Holy Ghost. I received it when I sought in earnest, over a year ago.
I was fearful that it was hypnotism till I got right hungry for it; and I just went to the seekers’ board and knelt there. I had with me my two month’s old baby, and four older ones. They were sleepy, so I just got the baby down on the bench asleep, and asked God to take care of the children, and He did. My husband had been away from home at work, but I had been praying for God to give him work here at home Whittier. So he was there when I got my baptism. But I did not know he was in the room. I believe God sent him right back to the meeting where I was seeking.
I just said to Jesus, “Here I am before You.” it seemed I could almost see myself lying on the altar. I said, “Lord, have your way; I don’t want to be deceived about this matter. Lord, just keep hack the powers of darkness and have your way with me, and quicken the Spirit, for you know my chance of coming to the altar. I don’t know that I will ever get another chance all those children and no help with them so do the work right now.” And I did believe. Praise His holy name! He wonderfully came to my rescue right then, and I spake in three different languages, and still do, O praise His holy name! Sister John Woodruff. Whittier, Cal.
WORTH TARRYING NOR
I was wonderfully converted on Scriptural lines, Dec. 14, 1884, for years have been a believer and seeker for Bible Holiness, obtained the experience at a Holiness campmeeting in June. 19O3, and have had several anointings and refreshings since, hut have always felt a real lack of power for effectual service.
On the night of Dec. 9th., last, while we waited upon our face at home, asking God to soon fulfill His promise, and give me the longing desire of my heart, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He answered back, “This is the night.” With great assurance, we stepped out into the storm and faithfully wounded our way to the little Mission, where we had given fourteen years of our life in service. Only one other hungry heart came out through the storm: but we two knelt before God and claimed the promise, and as our voices mingled together in intersession, suddenly I began to praise. And as I praised, prayer was left behind. All I could do was to praise Jesus, the Blessed Lamb of God. And as a great volume came welling out, it seemed to come from my very inmost being. All at once I felt a choking, gasping feeling in my throat and my vocal cords were manipulated in a peculiar way, and I knew the Holy Ghost had come to his temple within, which he had been preparing so long.
He now began to speak with the tongue yielded to Him, at first in a stammering way, finally flowing out in a clear, distinct language, which sounded like Chinese. He spoke twice in what seemed to be two languages. I rejoiced in the full Bible evidence. My soul was filled full of love as sweet as heaven. He shook and thrilled me over and over again. Oh, it was wonderful to me, a man of 60 years of age!
Now after thirty days have gone, the blessed love remains. The emotional part has cooled down, but the hunger has all gone and He satisfies me, and I find a new power for service. I am a new man with a new hook, and a new message, in a new tongue. It does satisfy my soul. It has been a help and inspiration to the few dear ones who are digging down deeper, that they may soon make the landing also.
Four days afterwards, eighteen miles from home, walking all alone in the snow, God gave me the gift of a tongue, what language I know not as yet, but I can use it at will. God has given me the interpretation of it, so I can glorify him as 1st Cor. 14:22, a sign to the unbelievers. It is worth tarrying fourteen months for, yea, for fourteen years. It is truly the fullness of the Holy Ghost coming in His full official character to empower for service as In Acts 1:8, and in Mark 16:17, 18.
I want to give just a little word to all honest seekers: look up, get hold upon God, do not be discouraged. He will come in His own way and surprise you when He does come (Hab. 2:3, last clause.) Be definite and personal in your prayers. Do not ramble all over and pray for others, but pray for yourself, and He will surely come to the joy of your hearts.–W. H. Standley, Watertown, N. Y.
Sanctification is a beautiful realm. You are saved from all Inherited sin, crucified with Christ: the resurrection life of Jesus Christ in your soul. You have faith for the healing of the sick and faith to get people saved and sanctified and the presence of the Lord is with you.
The Holy Ghost is the Teacher of teachers. He knows the word of God. You can talk with Him and ask Him for yourself. It is the sweetest thing to get alone with Him and let Him open the scripture to you. He is the interpreter of the word, the Spirit of truth to guide you into all truth.
PENTECOST AT A FUNERAL.
COCOANUT GROVE, Fla., Feb.19.
Last Monday afternoon I was called to preach the funeral sermon of a little child, the infant son of Mrs. Geo. Thompson of this place. The child was nearly three months old and the idol of its mother’s heart. The parents were both unsaved and their grief was almost unbearable. The mother especially was in a very critical condition, having cared for the little one in its sufferings and watched over it as only a loving mother can. With the father, she had watched it for days, as it seemed to hang between life and death.
I had talked with the father and he told me he could not ask God to spare it. Three times, he said, he had promised God if He would answer prayer and spare his loved ones, he would serve Him, and then had gone on in sin as before. “God Is not to he fooled with,” he said.
The heart-broken mother was unable to be in the service. Her strength was almost exhausted and she was prostrate on the bed. They brought her in to view the corpse for the last time, and it was a pitiful scene. It took three or four to get her back to the bed where she fainted away and was unconscious for some time during the burial service.
We went in to speak to her before leaving, and she called my wife to sing for her. They carried the little folding organ in by the bed, and she sang, “1 remember Calvary.” And the mother sprang up, knelt by the organ and cried, “Pray, Mrs. Eckert, I must get ready to meet my darling babe.” So after two prayers, she got back on the bed again and said, “Sing.” My wife sang three more songs, “Anchored in Jesus.” “Lean upon the arms of Jesus,” and “Mansion In Heaven,” and the mother joined in the last chorus, smiling and waving her hands. Then she raised up and they repeated the chorus again. Then, with the light of heaven in her face, she told us about those mansions in heaven and that she was going there to see Jesus and her darling babe.” She said, “Jesus Is here.” Then she began to sing, this time all alone; and as we listened to catch the words, we recognized the “voice divine,” and she was singing and speaking in a foreign language, just as they did on the day of Pentecost. (Acts, 2:4) Glory to God!
After singing and speaking for some time, she said. “Jesus is coming soon, He told me.” She also sang in English about the soon coming of our Lord then began telling us what God had done. She said. “How good God is, see how quick He done it! Why He just came down and washed me clean, took away all of my sorrow and pain, and then just came In Himself and filled me. Oh you don’t know how good He is!” Then she would sing and speak in tongues and praise God, and plead with her husband and other friends to pray.
We remained with them nearly two hours, and she spent all of that time shouting and praising God-Her strength was restored, and when we asked if she wanted nourishment, she said, “No, I am strong. I don’t need anything.” Several were present who had been very much opposed to the baptism with the Holy Ghost end the speaking in tongues, but they were convinced.
Last night she was at the cottage prayer meeting, and again we heard her tell her wonderful experience and sing and speak in tongues. We had prayed very earnestly for God to use the death of the child to save the parents; and before going to the funeral, I had gone off to my place of secret prayer and asked God to make it a Pentecostal funeral. And He answered In such a wonderful way that we were made to understand more fully what Paul meant in Eph., 3:20. Glory to God! What can be too hard for our Father?
We have a band of seventeen baptized saints here who speak in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Several hungry hearts are still seeking and people are being convinced of sin.–Clark Eckert. Pastor Holiness Church.
PROMISES TO THE OVERCOMER
In Revelations 2nd and 3rd chapters. Christ gives thirteen promises to the overcomer:
He shall eat of the tree of life. 2:7.
Shall have a crown of life. 2:10.
Shall not be hurt of the second death,2:11.
Shall eat of the hidden manna. 2:17.
Shall receive a while stone and a new name written therein. 2:17.
Shall have power over the nations. 2:26.
Shall have the Morning Star, which is Christ. 2:28.
Shall be clothed in white raiment. 3:5.
Shall not be blotted out of the Book of Life. 3:5.
Shall be confessed by Christ before God the Father. 3:5.
Shall be a pillar in the temple of God. 3:5.
Shall have written on him the name of God and the city of God. 3:12 .
Shall sit with Christ in His throne. 3:21 .
Paul was a full overcomer, for he said: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” May we be faithful unto death. How are we to overcome? Only by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Full overcomers will have part with Jesus in the first resurrection.
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CHINESE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pentecost has come to the South China Alliance Mission. Some of the missionaries attended meetings In Macao and received their Pentecost and came hack to Wuchow wonderfully filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Some of the Chinese Christians came back with the same experience. In a few days one of the missionaries in Wuchow received his Pentecost and also a number of the Chinese Christians. One missionary who bad been very poorly and had decided to return to the home land on that account received a wonderful baptism of power and was perfectly healed. Sister Ethel Landis at Kwei Peng, South China wrote: “A good many of the Chinese have received their Pentecost and are singing, praying, and praising in new tongues. The burden of it all is that Jesus is coming soon and we must prepare to meet Him, The best part is to see these dear Chinese Christians yielding fully to God and being filled with the blessed Holy Spirit.
THE LORD IS SENDING MISSIONARIES
Missionaries to Egypt-It is now almost a year and a half since I received my personal Pentecost. Since that time, I have been actively engaged in God’s mighty Pentecostal work. He has been graciously blessing. We expect to be in evangelistic work for a few months and then go to Egypt as missionaries. S G.S. Briesford, 110 N. Seventh Street. Colorado Springs, Co.
Los Angeles to Ceylon, India–Brother A. H. Post left Los Angeles Aug. 1, 19O7. The Lord graciously used him along the way. He writes: “I had the privilege in the will of God to visit Wales for over two weeks; and, praise be to our Lord, He is beginning a real Pentecost in that land, as also in many places in the British Isles, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, as well as England. In London, quite a number have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
Later he writes from Kandy, Ceylon, India: “The Lord directed me to this inland city shout seventy-five miles from Colombo, There are a few here who are definitely tarrying for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I feel sure the Lord will give victory and bring a Pentecostal revival to the island,”
Missionaries to Ireland–The last day we were at Spokane, Wash., we were staying with a couple of old ladies, and one of the ladies asked me to pray for her healing. When we prayed for her and anointed her and laid our hands on her for her healing, the power of God fell on her and she received her baptism and spoke in tongues a clear language. O glory to God! Victory through the precious Blood of Jesus. We expect to sail for Ireland about the middle of June.–Brother and Sister Thos. Griffin, Address 943 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL. (The above is a short extract from letters received from our precious brother and sister from Los Angeles; The Lord is using them on the way to Ireland.)
Missionaries to Johannesburg, South Africa–Eleven Apostolic Faith missionaries from Indianapolis have lately sailed for South Africa. Brother and Sister H. M. Turney from Los Angeles who have been in Honolulu are also on the way and have written from England. God is making them a blessing on the way.
From Johannesburg, Africa, where the missionaries are going, we received this letter: “A few days ago. I was much blest in having a couple of pages, in a very much-dilapidated condition, of The Apostolic Faith put into my hands. Both these pages have pieces torn from them, nevertheless I do just feel that God has put them into my hands to revive my heart. The paper is now setting afire the hearts of a few other Christians, and we now, praise God, have also been led to pray for the baptism of the Holy Ghost with fire. Both in Cape Town and Johannesburg, a few earnest Christians are now meeting daily, and waiting upon God with one accord and are trusting and believing that God will baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire.” May God send the “latter rain” in a deluge over that land. He is truly sending missionaries into a whitened field,
Missionaries to Palestine. Many souls in China have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost through the labors of Brother and Sister McIntosh at Macao and other places in China. The Lord told him to “go to Macaso” before he knew there was any such place but he looked It up on the map and found It. Of late he says the Lord told him to “go to Sharaaim, Palestine.” He did not know there was such a place till the Lord spoke to him. Now he is on his way there. Address him. Brother T. J. McIntosh. Jerusalem, Palestine, care of Thomas Cook & Son.
ITALIANS AND INDIANS RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST
Bro. A. H. Argus, of 299 St. Johns Ave., Winnipeg, Canada, has just Returned From A Pentecostal Trip and Writes This Blessed Letter.
The first place I visited was Toronto, at which place I did enjoy the fellowship of the saints. Pentecost has fallen in at least five missions there. From there, I went to Ottawa and then to Athens, where we held meetings and some real remarkable cases of conversation, sanctification and of the Pentecostal baptism were manifest. God truly, was with us in power and we all did rejoice in the marvelous way in which He poured out of His Spirit in the place. After sixteen days there, the lord permitted me to return home by way of New York City.
In that city, while I was there, twenty-five received the baptism in one week. Five of the saints were fasting for ten day’ and, no doubt God was there in a special way. Pentecost has fallen in other missions in that city, also in adjoining cities-Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C..
At the latter city I held two meetings for Sister Thomas, who has charge of the Pentecostal mission there. God truly is with a number of the saints in that place. I shall not soon forget the sweet fellowship we had together.
From there I went to Chicago, in which city Pentecost has fallen in thirteen or fourteen missions and hundreds have received this Pentecostal experience. Brother Durham has a strong work there. About a year ago, one or two Italians became convinced that this work was of God, and were saved, and pressed their way clean through to Pentecost: As a result, others followed and soon an Italian mission was opened, which is being run on Pentecostal lines. Many are being saved, sanctified and baptized two of their numbers have returned to their native country-Italy, they say to preach this Gospel. Truly these Italians appear to be under the anointing of the Spirit.
I also was at Zion City, where a number have received the baptism. On Sunday morning and evening, while I attended, there was a congregation of about 500 and seventy-five were at the altar. At St. Paul and Minneapolis, God is doing a great work.
Truly, the latter rain appears to be falling on every kindred, tongue and nation. While I was away, a number of Indians from the Reserve, about 2OO miles north heard of the work in Winnipeg and came in the city. Five of them received the baptism and others were saved and sanctified. Since they returned home, we have heard that other Indians have been saved. While the Indians were at the meetings in the city, two of the saints, under the power of the Spirit, spoke in other languages, which were understood by the Indians and one of the interpretations was, “Jesus Is coming soon.”
Truly, these are marvelous days. Reports are coming in from nearly every quarter of the globe of how the latter rain is failing In many places and, truly, It is encouraging to see that the God of Pentecost Is just the same today.
THE PENTECOSTAL REVIVAL
(From “Good Tidings,” published at 71O Wayne avenue, Dayton, OH.-Part of a letter by Miss E. Sisson.).
Esthonia, in Russia, brings us the story of a half-dozen or more little peasant girls upon whom came the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, and with it “the gift of tongues.” Several among them in a holy ecstasy speaking they understood not what; but to one among them was given “the gift of interpretation.” She said the burden of all they told was, “Jesus is coming soon. Prepare!” Take note, just here, beloved, that in all lands and all tongues, where God has thus spoken, this has been the first proclamation. “Jesus is coming soon. Make ready!”
“The Christians have seen their God.”
In one of the more recent accounts of revivals in Secunderabad, India, it is said the Holy Spirit came on them suddenly in the church prayer-meeting; the prayer of contrition was like the roar of a cataract. The heathen outside came running from every direction, looking in at every window, and watched the novel proceeding. As the Christians breaking through to God and coming out under the fiery baptism, lifted their rapt and ecstatic faces, the heathen went home to their villages, reporting with awe, “The Christians have seen their God!”
God Heals In India
From the second year of “The Revival” in Khassia Hills, India, a missionary writes it is spreading in such a wonderful way like a great prairie fire. Nothing is able to withstand it. It bursts out into a flame in the most unexpected places. Then follows account of the healing of a poor heathen woman of a most loathsome skin disease, because of which the heathen had thrust her from the village to die in the jungle. While on the roadside she stood listening to the preaching of the gospel and suddenly exclaimed, “God has given me medicine. He will heal me with this medicine,” and began rubbing her poor body with her hands when she exclaimed, “I am well!” It was so. The heathen around saw and were filled with awe.
This Gospel means a crucified life. We must take up our cross daily and follow Christ. The cause of so many losing the anointing of the Spirit is that they neglect to mortify and crucify self. He wants our eyes, our ears, and all our members kept unto Him, that we might live after the Spirit and not after the flesh. He is looking for people today that will die out to the flesh. How can our eyes revel to the things of this world and our ears listen to worldly music if they are consecrated to the, master’s use. People say this is fanaticism, but it is the teaching of the precious word of God. We must measure up to it. He wants us to have our ears closed to the world and open to heaven.
Cheng Ting Fu, Chih-ll, North China, is the address of Brother Bernstein, Brother and Sister Roy Hess, and ten other Pentecostal missionaries from Los Angeles and Chicago. The saints have been sending money to feed the starving there. Brother Hess says: “When I see the starving condition of this people and then look back where I came from and see them have so much. I feel like saying, O Christians, sell all your idols and hell! Send out missionaries.” Brother Bernstein writes: “We have our own regular meetings every night and the Holy Ghost is in our midst. Lately life has baptized my wife with the Holy Ghost and fire, and she spoke sod sang in other tongues. Glory to God In the highest! Our two boys, 11 and 8 years of age, were baptized some time ago, so we are a baptized company. God is working among the Chinese Christians here. There are some that are praying earnestly for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. We have meeting with them every morning in our home, besides we have a meeting with the people on the streets every day and give the hungry a little food daily. The people here in general are very poor. They want to sell their children for a few dollars, because they have nothing to feed them. It is a great opportunity to tell them of the love of God. We have rented a store on the main street for about $1.50 a month. Had the first meeting Sunday, many people coming and going. We have a blind man taken out from the beggars and have clothed him and are feeding him and giving him the Gospel. I told him about Jesus’ Blood that cleanses from all sin. He did not understand it, and I explained that when we used water to wash his face, it got clean. He answered at once, ‘Tomorrow I want to come and wash my heart in Jesus’ blood’.”
HEAVENLY VISITATIONS IN INDIA
DHOLKA. Gujerat, India, Feb.17.
No pen can fully describe what God is doing here, and we are only In the midst of things, not at the end of this wave of power. Praise God! Yet I cannot longer keep from you the blessed tidings.
Last week the Lord sent Miss Gardner and me front Bombay to this place, having said to us in tongues before leaving. “Ask for great things.” “Ask in the heavens above or in the depth below.” We found the missionaries here a prepared people earnestly desiring the full baptism of the Holy Ghost. Some of them had definitely prayed long for it. Brother Schoonmaker was already fully in the baptism and has been greatly used of God.
The second day, all with one accord began to tarry before the Lord, the missionaries deciding by the will of God in them, to lay aside all the work that could be laid aside, and God has graciously enabled the busy workers to attend all the meetings since. We have tarried each day from 3p. m. till about midnight, with an intermission for dinner.
The first day, the lord worked mightily and baptized one sister, accompanying the baptism with a new tongue. She was filled with joy and praise and has gone on by leaps and bounds ever since.
Friday was a day of testing. The meeting seemed full of the love of God but the power seemed much less than the day before. The Lord sent Miss G. and me out into a field during the intermission to find out what was the matter. We humbled ourselves before God and begged Him to reveal the cause of failure. I began to speak in a tongue and she to interpret, and He said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove. O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” And other verses about faith. O the blessed faithful God! Let no one say tongues are of no use. We ‘accepted the reproof from our great Master and sought faith. It was given and the power came back.
On Saturday and Sunday, the mighty work went on. He baptized a sister and gave her a new tongue. Anointed another and gave several of us another new tongue and gave Miss G. the interpretation of all. O praise God with me. By this time, He had the Holy Spirit as oil on the whole waiting company, and all mouths were filled with praise and prayer.
Monday was the most marvelous and glorious day of my whole life so far. At the beginning of the meeting, Jesus talked with me like this: “What do you think I ant going to do?” “I don’t know. Lord.” “What do you believe for?” “I think you will baptize someone.” “Do you not believe I will do more?” “I hope so.” “Will you believe I will do greater things today than any day before?” “Yes, Lord, I will believe. He spoke also to Miss G. in the same way, telling her He would do mighty things before midnight.
I said, “Lord, let me see fire on all these heads, do let me. Lord.” Then I began to speak in a tongue. I soon became aware that I was praying for a brother. Then I saw a great shower of blood fall all over him. Then the prayer went to another brother, and a reservoir of oil was poured over him. Next it was for a sister, and as she lay on the floor, her body was covered in flaming fire. Another deluged in a flood of water from above, another stamped all over visibly with seals. Before another there appeared a great heart that kept enlarging, then a white door in the top of the heart, and both settled lightly down on her breast. Another seemed gradually enveloped in a cloud. The first brother to receive his baptism was eclipsed In glorious white light. Miss G. who was in a trance was covered over with soft white stuff, something like snow or feathers. On me the rain was falling. I asked Jesus was the white stuff was. He said, “It is dew only I made it look white to be visible.” All this impressed me that the Holy Spirit in all His aspects rested upon us and will be manifest to us. Oh glory to Jesus!
When Miss G. came out of the trance, she had seen a part in vision as I in the revelation.
A brother immediately said that God had been telling him for two days to ask two of us to lay hands on him for the baptism. We did so, each praying in English, then in tongues. The interpretation was given, “I indeed baptize with waster, but He shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.” “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses unto the ends of the earth.” Then there came much praise in the tongues. Then the Spirit said that hands should be laid upon another brother. We obeyed and await the manifestation of the baptism upon these two.
Then the power fell. There were times when we were all shouting, screaming and laughing together under the power of the Spirit. The Spirit has definitely given discernment of spirits during these days and rebuked one and another of us, and is teaching us many things. We are looking for still greater things. Think what it will be to this mission station, to this Bible school and this orphanage to have all the missionaries baptized with the Holy Ghost.
O beloved, let it speak to other mission stations and churches all over the world that God has come to fully equip us for His service. Let waiting ones not try to pray for others but for themselves. Let companies of those baptized who are praying with others waiting on God keep the one object before those in the room, not introducing other subjects of intercession. There must be one accord and one purpose in order that the Spirit may have a clear channel in the fellowship of Jesus, Kate Knight, Bombay, India.
THE HOLY GHOST AND THU BRIDE
We read in Rev., 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say come.” O how sweet it is for us to have this blessed privilege of being a coworker with the Holy Ghost. He inspires us with faith in God’s word and endues us with power for service for the Master. Bless His dear name!
Every man and woman that receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost is the bride of Christ. They have a missionary spirit for saving souls. They have the spirit of Pentecost. Glory to God!
“And let him that heareth say, come: and let him that is athirst, come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” O what a blessed text. The bride of Christ is calling the thirsty to come to Jesus because this is His work of the Holy Ghost in the believer. He intercedes for the lost: He groans for them.
The Spirit also calls the believer to come to Jesus and get sanctified. He points the sanctified to Jesus for his baptism with the Holy Ghost. When you are baptized with the Holy Ghost, you will have power to call sinners to Jesus, and they will be saved, and sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. Amen!
Christ’s bride is pure and spotless. “Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee.” (Sol. Songs. 4:7.) Christ’s bride is clean, free front sin and all impurity. He gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Eph., 5:25,27).
Christ’s bride has but one husband. (2 Cor., 11:2.) She is subject to Him. (Eph., 5:25.) The Bridegroom is the Son of God. (2 Cor., 11:2.)
We are married to Christ now in the Spirit,(Rom., 7:2,4.) Not only when He comes are we married to Christ but right now, if you are sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, you are married to Him already. God has a people to measure up to the Bible standard in this great salvation. Bless His holy name. Amen! W. J. S.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
If you search the Scriptures carefully, you will find that when people get the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, they will speak in tongues and magnify God. (Acts 10:46.) We read in Acts 2:32,33: “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost. He bath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.”
So when you receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. His power will be seen and heard upon you. People will hear new songs and speaking in tongues. (Acts 2:4; Acts 2:16,17). We read also in Acts 2:11-13: “Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed and were in doubt saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine.” What was it that the people saw and heard? It was the Holy Ghost upon the disciples and the speaking in tongues.
This is the last Edition of the Azusa Street Mission Newspaper THE APOSTOLIC FAITH .
The Apostolic Faith (January, 1908)
Indianapolis, Ind.-Many souls have been baptized in Indianapolis, saved and sanctified.
Norwood, Ohio.-Our people are growing, fourteen baptized and interest increasing.-W.H. Cossum, 3952 Hazel avenue.
Colly, N.C.-The fire is still burning here in our midst and souls are being converted and sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost.-A.J. Bordeau.
Atlanta, Ga.-The meetings in the hall here have been blessed seasons of refreshing. For six months, every afternoon and night and all day on Sundays, the meetings have continued. Before this “latter rain” such revivals were unheard of. Souls are being saved, sanctified, and healed, and filled with the Holy Ghost. All glory to Jesus’ name! Let us follow on to know Him better. This is the beginning of great things.-“The Bridegroom’s Messenger,” 53 1/2 Auburn avenue.
Hill River, Minn.-I am thankful to God for what He has done for a small group of Christians here in the town of Hill River, where I live. Quite a few have received their Pentecost and others seeking it, and we are continuing to pray to God for His blessing in a greater degree.-Andrew Hausan, Fosston, Minn.
Utica, N.Y.-Blessed be the name of the Lord. Truly these days of the “latter rain” are days of Heaven upon the earth. We are a little band here but full of faith and pressing on. One by one, God is bringing our number into their Pentecost, and is opening other places where there are a few hungry believers longing for their inheritance.-Birdsell & Mason, 61 State street.
Concord Junction, Mass.-God is working in this place. Five of us have the baptism, speaking in tongues and others getting hungry. He came in to abide with me on Oct. 16th and spoke for Himself.-Everett E. Munroe, 397 Main street.
Strole, Va.-Pentecost has come here. Eight of us are speaking in tongues. We gamblers and drunkards have been saved. Praise the dear Lord. We are looking for dear Jesus every day and can hardly wait of see Him.-W.S. Woodworth, Caanan Faith Home and Full Gospel Mission.
Portsmouth and Richmond, Va.-Brother Seymour wrote from these places while he was visiting the missions in the East: “God is working in Portsmouth. Souls were baptized in Richmond and God is working in mighty power. The saints are just as sweet as can be. Glory to God for this Gospel. The saints are so simple here, that is the reason they receive the Pentecost so quickly. They are ready for the power.”
Philedelphia, Pa.-I have been helping in the Pentecostal work in one little meeting last Sunday and a number at the altar last Sunday and a number were slain under the mighty power of God. I had a letter from a sister in Danville, Va., a few days ago, and she says that God is blessing them there and that souls are being saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah! hallelujah!-W.M. Scott, 906 Filbert street, Dec. 4.
Swanton, Ohio.-Praise the Lord. A few have been baptized near home here and a few have been wonderfully healed and a great many more are hungry for more of God. We have had a few wonderful conventions here in Ohio the past summer. One of the most wonderful meetings was at the Annual Christian Alliance Convention at Cleveland. Some evenings there were perhaps from three to four hundred down at the altar, some remaining all night; and a great many were saved. Praise the Lord. Jesus is certainly soon coming!-Gideon Ziegler.
Baltimore, Ohio.-There is a little mission here where the leader and about ten people had been seeking for their baptism for seven months, but none of them came through until last night, when the leader came through gloriously and others have been under the power and some sanctified. Praise God!-Mary A. Yaegge, 1022 N. Eutaw street. (This sister is on her way to Switzerland, where the Lord is calling her to preach the Gospel.)
Denver, Colo.-Our meetings are being blessed of God. Souls are being saved, sanctified, baptized with the Holy Ghost and healed, and the interest is still increasing. All glory be to God for His wonderful works that He is bestowing upon His children, as He is pouring our His Spirit upon all flesh in these latter days; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The Lord has held us here and He has opened up an Apostolic Faith Mission on the corner of Lawrence and Twenty-fourth streets. The altar is filled with seekers.-E.S. Lee, 2305 Lawrence street.
Lynn, Mass.-We are now holding meetings in the mission at 260 Maple street. We commenced this work in a hall last February. One of our number, a girl born blind and blind for twenty-two years, healed and sanctified about eight years ago, received her personal Pentecost last March. She speaks, sings and preaches in different languages, has visions and prophecy. The Lord showed her this mission about two months before we had it. The Lord gave us the name of the mission, Apostolic Faith Mission. A number have been saved and sanctified, speak in new tongues and a number have been healed.-A.J. Rawson, Oct. 26th.
Dallas, Ore.-In the campmeeting here last summer about thirty were baptized with the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Many were saved and sanctified. Brother Earnest G. Hansen writes on Jan. 6th: “Since I last wrote, about eight backsliders have got back to the Lord, some have been sanctified, two have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. Meetings are grand.” They have a precious little paper there, clean and straight in doctrine, called “The Apostolic Witness.”
Portland, Ore.-At 224 Madison street, they have a blessed Apostolic Faith Mission. The saints are filled and overflowing with the Spirit and with love for souls, talking and singing in tongues. The hall is not nearly large enough. Altars are filled with seekers. We shall never forget the precious visit we had there. One secret of the power here is the prayer room where the workers drop in for silent prayer before the services-not to talk or visit. Souls were being saved, sanctified, and baptized. A bartender got wonderfully saved of God, and when he rose and tried to tell it, he broke down and fell on his knees and began to thank Jesus, and it filled everyone with joy. We have lately received some precious letters from Portland telling of God’s work there.
with * dear saints in New York. God is working there. Many are coming through. In one church,-a Baptist colored church of two thousand members,-God used us to give out these “latter rain” truths. The pastor who invited us became very hungry. He said he could not preach again till he was filled. Seven from his church received the promise of the Father, Acts 2:4. Hallelujah to Jesus! Went down to Norfolk, Va., and found quite a few baptized souls. God sent us up here to Baltimore and we found a little assembly here of baptized souls. We are out for God and wherever the Lamb goeth, we intend to follow.-Brother and Sister E.W. Vinton, 12 Leyden street, Medford, Mass.
Chicago, Ill.-God is wonderfully working here. Both the interest and power are increasing. we have stood by the simple Gospel from the very first, preaching only Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And as we have done this, the Holy Ghost has fallen on them that heard the Word, so that tongue can never tell what we have experienced. Praise the Lord!-Wm. H. Durham, 943 W. North avenue.
Sister Jennie E. Moore, who with two other precious sisters from Azusa Mission, Los Angeles, have been working in Chicago and other places, writes: “Truly, beloved, the mission at 943 W. North avenue is a blessed place-many Spirit-filled men and women and children. They have more children than at Azusa and they are filled. Beloved, I would you could see them.”
Winnipeg, Canada.-There was a great Pentecostal Convention in Winnipeg beginning November 15th. Preachers and workers from all parts of Canada were present. A band of workers who were in Portland at the time received a call from God to go to Winnipeg, and they were present at the convention: Sister Crawford and Mildred, Sister Neal, Brother Conlee and Brother Trotter. About twenty were baptized with the Holy Ghost and many were healed. The people brought handkerchiefs and aprons to be blessed as in Acts 19:12, and the Lord did wonderful signs through the simple faith of the dear ones that brought them. The Lord healed one young man of the tobacco habit, taking all the desire for the stuff away from him, through an anointed handkerchief, and he was saved in his own room. Demons were cast out of those bound by them. Our last published report from Winnipeg should have been signed, “The Apostolic Faith Mission, 501 Alexander Ave.”
Arcadia, Fla., and through the South.-Brother G.B. Cashwell and I are in the midst of a gracious revival in this town. The power is falling and saints are shouting. Bless God! Some have been saved, sanctified, and quite a number have received the Holy Ghost and speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance as in Acts 2:4. The altar is filled with seekers. God has kept me in Florida most all this year. Many saints have received the Holy Ghost in Florida with Bible evidence and many saved. A number of them have been baptized in water, buried in baptism, that is the Bible way.-F.M. Britton, Dec. 11.
Brother Cashwell writes from the South: “This truth in the South is spreading as never before and will keep spreading as Praise our God! Pray much and be true to Jesus. Many of us are now suffering much persecution, but our God is fighting our battles. Praise His dear name! Brother McIntosh writes me that seventy have received the Holy Ghost in thirty days after he arrived in Macao, China. O praise God for Pentecost. Salute all the saints for me in the love of Jesus!”-G.B. Cashwell, 53 1/2 Auburn avenue, Atlanta, Ga.
Stockton, Cal.-Five or six have been baptized with the Holy Ghost and several saved and several cases of healing.
Shenandoah, Iowa.-“Salvation has come. Hallelujah! God has come our way at last. Amen. Last Friday afternoon at Francis Jone’s a few of us were gathered pleading for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and He gave us the desire of our hearts at last. Glory, O glory. Two of us received our baptism, Sister Leyden and I. The rest are hard after Him. They were here at our house until after three this morning. There is quite a company of us Sister Leyden lay under the power for several hours and talked and sang in the Spirit and the Lord let me join in the song and sing too. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Blessed be the name of Jesus. The song was “Worthy is the Lamb,” and nearly the whole chapter. She interpreted it afterwards.”-Sister J.S. Jellison.
Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.-Wonderful outpouring of the Spirit here and at St. Paul. In five nights just passed in St. Paul alone, nine have received old time baptisms of the Holy Ghost and fire, speaking in many dialects and receiving wonderful visions from the Lord. Amen! Nine have been blessedly sanctified, some being for ******** woman dying with cancer-given up to die by three specialists, next morning after being prayed for arose and did her work, and has been doing it ever since-healed. I was in St. Paul last week and Brother Trotter was here, and in both places, the power was wonderful-yesterday especially, many being instantly healed and many saved. People were prostrated under the power of God at 11:30 last night. Many were heavily anointed for their baptism, and we expect a shower in the next few days. Glory is abiding in our hearts.-Florence Crawford, 1315 East 19th street, Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 6.
A later report written Jan. 13th, says: “I wish to report victory in both St. Paul and Minneapolis. Yesterday was a great day. We had the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Foot-Washing Saturday night, and saints from St. Paul all came over and participated with us. Some fell under the power and lay for several hours. We had a blessed time. We then invited St. Paul saints to worship with us on Sunday afternoon. Sister Crawford gave the message in the afternoon. I gave it in the morning; and Brother Trotter in the evening. People fell under the power all day. And when I left the hall at 5 p.m., they were lying all over the hall under the power. The hall was an altar from the stand to the door. So many are getting saved, and many that have been claiming to be sanctified are finding that they were just saved, and are now getting really sanctified. Greetings to the church at Azusa street.” J.R. Conlee, 1003 25th avenue, N.E., Minneapolis.
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FROM AZUSA MISSION.
Many souls have been saved, sanctified, baptized with the Holy Ghost and sick bodies healed all over the land and in many lands since our last paper. Souls have been sanctified, baptized and saved at the old mission home at 312 Azusa street, Los Angeles.
When Christ was born, it was in a barn at Bethlehem; and when He began sending the “latter rain” about two years ago, the outpouring of the Spirit, it was in a barn in Los Angeles; for the old Mission is like a barn in its humility and plainness. Its old beams and whitewashed walls have been ringing with the praises and songs of the children of God ever since. Many from here have gone out into the foreign fields and the home fields, and they write back that they remember the blessed old times; and the Lord has been pouring out the same Spirit wherever He has sent them. The Spirit falls on humble hearts and in humble missions and churches.
Azusa Mission is still giving forth the same truth, and the Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon His sons and daughters, and they are witnessing in burning testimonies that Jesus’ Blood does cleanse from all sin and He does sanctify and baptize with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues.
The holidays are special feast days at the Mission. The saints all gather-not to hear a program, for the Holy Ghost makes the program and the Father spreads the table with “the fatted calf” which represents Jesus, and we feed on Christ. Hallelujah! The Spirit sings the songs, some new and some old. Christmas was a blessed day at the Mission, also Watch Night and New Year’s Day. The meetings have been going on ever day since the work started and God’s word and the Holy Spirit are just as fresh and new as ever. The Lord provides for all the expenses. He has supplied all the needs of the workers, and when they come back they report that they have lacked nothing.
The devil is doing all he can to keep the saints from entering into the greater fullness of Christ; but we know God is raising up armies that will stand for the living God. Some went away from Azusa Mission because they thought the teaching on divorce was too straight; but God will not let us lower the standard. He wants a clean people and pure doctrine as a channel for this Pentecostal power. People everywhere are looking after this wonderful salvation that today is turning the world upside down, as it did in Paul’s time.
We look for a great outpouring of God’s Spirit in saving and healing power and power that fills with the Holy Ghost and fire in this year 1908. May all Christ’s people be stirred up over this salvation and sink down in deeper humility at the feet of Jesus.
“If we walk in the light as He is in the light, the Blood of Jesus Christ, His son, cleanseth us from all sin.” (I John 1, 7.) Bless His name forever and ever! It is the Blood that cleanseth, the precious Blood of Jesus. May we honor the Blood and keep under the Blood, and God will do mighty things for us. If the devil can get us on something outside of God, He will break our power. May we be watchful and ******keep under the Blood. The Lord wants the Blood preached as never before, and people will not have to wait so long to get the baptism. The Spirit follows the Blood. It is the Blood that saves us. We overcome by the Blood. Amen!
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FROM THE BIBLE SCHOOL IN MUKTI, INDIA.
It was noised one day, that some of the girls in the praying band were praying in different tongues. I had heard of the gift of tongues having been given to God’s children in other parts of the country, so was not surprised to hear our girls praying in new tongues. I did not go very near these girls, lest I should stumble them by taking too much notice of them, but quietly sat down and praised God.
One Sunday, as I was coming out of the church, after the morning service, I saw some girls standing near the door of a workers’ room. They seemed greatly excited and wondering, I soon found out the cause. A girl was praying aloud, and praising God in the English language. She did not know the language. Some of us gathered around her in the room, and joined her mentally in prayer. She was unconscious of what was going on, and was speaking to the Lord Jesus fluently in English. Before, I had heard her and some other girls uttering only a few syllables. Some repeated certain words over and over again. Some spoke one or more sentences, and some were simply groaning as if under a great agony of heart and mind, and carrying a great burden for souls.
“For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.”
The gift of prophecy was also given to many of the praying girls, so that they could give God’s message in very clear language, taught by the Holy Spirit. The believers and unbelievers were moved alike by these messages, and a deep spiritual work began in our midst.
They who have received the gift of tongues are not using them for delivering messages from the Scriptures, except those who have received the gift of interpretation. They pray and praise God, and sometimes sing hymns in unknown tongues.-Mukti Prayer Bell.
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Multitudes in India and China are starving on account of the failure of crops. Any who want to help the famine sufferers can do so by sending money to the “Apostolic Faith,” and it will be sent direct to the missionaries in those countries to feed and care for the starving people, especially the orphans.
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
312 Azusa Street
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Published by
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION
Headquarters, Los Angeles
Subscription Free
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This paper is free. We accept all donations toward it as free will offerings-not as subscription price.
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Notify us of any change in your address, so the papers will not be lost.
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Some have inquired how they could send money, as no name was given at the head of the paper. Money orders can be made payable to “The Apostolic Faith, 312 Azusa street, Los Angeles, Cal.”
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We are praising God for a free Gospel published free. All the work on the paper at the Mission is done freely and gladly by those who are baptized with the Holy Ghost, and who long to spread the glad tidings.
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We started this paper when we had not a dime in sight, and the means has always been freely donated. If not, we would not publish it. We expect the paper to stand just as it started.
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Many would like to get the paper oftener. Pray for the spread of the Gospel. If the saints unite in prayer, we believe God will greatly bless the publication on the Gospel this year. We hear of souls who have been baptized and saved through reading the paper.
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The cost of publishing and mailing this paper is much less when we print two papers at once, because they can be run off on the press and sent out for the same price as one paper. It cost about 1/2 cent for two papers, that is, when we print 40,000 at an issue. The postage is outside of that. So you can see that even a small offering will send quite a roll of papers, which may be read by many people, for they are often passed around and sometimes nearly worn out.
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The reason we put no name of editor at the head of this paper is because we want Christ exalted, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.
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Some have asked for the addresses of workers and missionaries. If you address them at 312 Azusa street, Los Angeles, we will forward letters directly to them.
******** saint to himself and admonish him in love and in the meekness of our blessed Christ, and he shall gain him. May you not grieve the Spirit in your souls.
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Indiana Missionary Convention.-There will be a missionary convention at 32 S. Senate street, from Jan. 24th to Feb. 2. A band of workers from Indianapolis and vicinity expect to start for South Africa soon after the convention. For further information, address, “The Apostolic Faith Mission, 32 S. Senate street, Indianapolis, Ind.” May there be a mighty outpouring of the Spirit at the convention. Workers from all over the country are expected. The large Missionary Hall has a seating capacity for a thousand people.
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Correction.-We want to correct some errors that were in the last published report from Portland. The Christian Alliance did not come into the work or discontinue their meetings, as might have been understood. It was stated that one hundred were baptized at the campmeeting. The saints believe there were no so many. No record was kept. The insane persons that were brought for healing were not fully healed, or else through lack in our faith and through weakness lost their healing. The saints want the simple truth stated about the work. Amen! May no one from any place send in a report that is overstated but rather let it be understated.
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PRESS TOWARD THE MARK.
The outward Court contains a throng
Of worshipers, who tarry long,
Instead of pressing on.
Knowing their Lord was crucified,
And that it was for them He died;
They praise His name in song.
Beyond, there lies the Holy Place,
Which all may enter by His Grace,
And there be sanctified.
The Bread of Heaven each need supplies,
In God’s clear light, the old life dies,
With Jesus crucified.
The Holiest now we enter in,
Life out of death has banished sin,
His glory is revealed.
Cleansed with the water of the Word,
Baptized with fire by Christ the Lord,
By God the Father sealed.
This is God’s purpose, this God’s plan,
To send forth such to sinful man:
To witness of His Grace,
To let the Light and Glory shine,
To manifest His life divine,
His love to all our race.
M.J.D.
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION.
Stands for the restoration of the faith once delivered unto the saints- the old time religion, of camp meetings, revivals, missions, street and prison work and Christian Unity everywhere.
Teaching on Repentance-Mark 1:14, 15.
Godly Sorrow for Sin, Example-Matt., 9:13. 2 Cor. 7: 9, 11. Acts 3:19. Acts 17:30, 31.
Of Confession of Sin-Luke 15:21 and Luke 18:13.
Forsaking Sinful Ways-Isa. 55:7. Jonah 3:8. Prov. 28:13.
Restitution-Ezek. 33:15. Luke 19:8.
And faith in Jesus Christ.
First work.- Justification is that act of God’s free grace by which we receive remission of sins. Acts 10:42, 43. Rom. 3:25.
Second Work.-Sanctification is the second work of grace and the last work of grace. Sanctification is that act of God’s free grace by which He makes us holy. John 17:15, 17.-“Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy work is truth.” 1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:12; Heb. 2:11; Heb. 12:14.
Sanctification is cleansing to make holy. The disciples were sanctified before the Day of Pentecost. By a careful study of Scripture you will find it is so now. “Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3; 13:10); and Jesus had breathed on them the Holy Ghost (John 20:21, 22). You know that they could not receive the Spirit if they were not clean. Jesus cleansed and got all doubt out of His church before He went back to glory.
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a gift of power upon the sanctified life; so when we get it we have the same evidence as the Disciples received on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3, 4), in speaking in new tongues. See also Acts 10:45, 46; Acts 19:6; 1 Cor. 14:21. “For I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe though it be told you.”-Heb. 1:5.
Seeking Healing-We must believe that God is able to heal.-Ex. 15:26; “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” James 5:14; Psa. 103:3, 2 Kings 20:5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16: 16, 17, 18. “Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too hard for Me?”-Jer. 32:27.
Too many have confused the grace of sanctification with the enduement of Power, or the baptism with the Holy Ghost; others have taken “the anointing that abideth” for the Baptism, and failed to reach the glory and power of a true Pentecost.
The Blood of Jesus will never blot out any sin between man and man they can make right; but if we can’t make wrongs right the Blood graciously covers. (Matt. 5:23, 24.)
We are not fighting men or churches but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds ***********Blood” our battle cry. God’s promises are true. He said: “Be thou faithful over a few things, and will make thee ruler over many.” From the little handful of Christians who stood by the cross when the testings and discouragements came, God has raised a mighty host.
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FULL OVERCOMERS
Rev. 14.
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.” -Rev. 14:1.
These 144,000 are the highest overcomers. Everyone that will reach the highest consecration in Jesus Christ can be a full overcomer and can go with Christ to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The rapture or catching away of the bride of Christ is liable to take place at any time; but we know that His revelation, or the coming of Jesus Christ when every eye shall see Him, cannot take place till the man of sin be revealed, that is the antichrist. II. Thess. 2:3.
The 12th of Revelations show where the overcomers are caught up to the throne of God. They are represented as the “man child” which was caught up unto God and to His throne. This child came from the church which is represented as a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. We read that “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it unto Himself a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”-Eph. 5:25, 27. Right out of this holy church is born the “man child.”
To have part in the rapture we must be sanctified and holy and live the life of a full overcomer. He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as Christ is pure. This is the blessed hope of the church, the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body that it may be like unto His glorious body. This is the first resurrection. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” We all have the privilege to be full overcomers. We can be numbered in to take part with this great company on Mount Zion.
“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb.”-Rev. 14, 4. “They are virgins,” this means sanctified souls, cleansed from spiritual fornication and physical fornication. “They follow the Lamb.” Let us go forth with Him. Let us get every thing we can in the word. In order to go with the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be filled with the blessed Holy Spirit.
“And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.”-Rev. 14:5. The Lord can get a people without fault in these days because He is able to save and keep us from falling and present us faultless before the throne. His prayer is still being heard in heaven today, “Sanctify them through Thy truth Thy word is truth.” He is praying for His church to be kept from evil. May God help us to claim every promise in His word.
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”-Rev. 14:6. It seems that after the rapture, or catching away of the bride, that the Gospel will still be preached on the earth to the people that will be left and were not ready to go in to the marriage supper. The angel proclaimed that, “The hour of His judgment is come.” We believe this is the great tribulation. The antichrist during this awful tribulation is going to compel men to serve him and bow down and call him god. But those who really know Jesus as the Christ and have the Blood in their hearts, are not going to bow down and accept the mark of the beast, but are going to prove faithful. Many of them are going to be martyrs and will be raised at the beginning of the millennium, but they will not be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
We read in Rev. 12,6 that the people that are left after the catching away of the “man child” will have a place prepared for them in the wilderness for them to flee to. The Lord will feed the church and protect her from the face of the serpent. “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.” The Lord is faithful.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever.”-* 14:9, 11. The Lord Jesus teaches *** very strongly in Revelations. *** worship antichrist are going *** day and night
“Here is the patience of the saints’ here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” They did not forfeit their faith, their hope in Christ. They kept the faith in spite of tribulations, and they were faithful unto death. And the next verse says, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. “Write, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.” There will be many during the tribulation that will die rather than give up their faith.
May we be numbered with the 144,000 on Mount Zion who were full overcomers and were ready for the rapture. He is soon coming, and none will be ready but those that are washed in the Blood, made holy and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ready when the trumpet sounds. Cor. 15:51, 52, and I Thess. 4:16. He does not come to the earth. He appears in the skies and we rise to meet Him. We shall be caught up together in the clouds “to meet the Lord in the air.” We shall be shut in with our God during the awful tribulation till the indignation be past. Isa. 26:20. Praise God. As the Lord shut Noah into the ark so He will shut us in. As the ark was borne up on the waters, so we will be lifted up with Him. And just as the ark came back and rested on the mount, so we come back with Him when His feet touch Mount Olivet.
The Lord Jesus is coming back with His bride on white horses from the marriage supper of the Lamb, to avenge His Blood on the antichrist and the false prophet.-Rev. 19:11, 14 and Jude 14, 15. The awful battle of Armageddon then takes place. Zechariah tells of this battle in the 14th chapter. Also we read in the last verse of this 14th chapter of Revelations, “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horses’ bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” Just think of 200 miles of blood up to the horses’ bridles.
Then the great millennium is ushered in when Jesus shall sit on His throne and reign from shore to shore. This is when, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.”-Isa. 65:25 and Isa. 11:6-9.
Then after we have reigned with Christ a thousand years, we shall sit on the judgment seat of Christ and judge men and angels. Then the justified and unrighteous will be raised to stand at the white throne judgment. The justified dead and those who lived during the millennium will be given everlasting life. That is the second resurrection.
Every full overcomer is going to be caught up when Jesus comes. O may God help His people that they all may meet Him in the skies. If you keep living this salvation moment by moment, you are going to be ready for the rapture, which is the coming of our Lord as a thief in the night to catch away His bride. Everyone that is not ready, like the foolish virgins, will be left to go through the awful tribulation that is coming on the earth.
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WHO MAY PROPHESY?
It is the privilege of all the members of the bride of Christ to prophesy, which means testify or preach. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:17, 18, and Acts 21:9.
Before Pentecost, the woman could only go into the “court of the women” and not into the inner court. The anointing oil was never poured on a womans head but only on the heads of kings, prophets and priests. But when our Lord poured out Pentecost, He brought all those faithful women with the other disciples into the upper room, and God baptized them all in the same room and made no difference. All the women received the anointed oil of the Holy Ghost and were able to preach the same as the men.
The woman is the weaker vessel and represents the tenderness of Christ, while the man represents the firmness of Christ. They both were co-workers in Eden and both fell into sin; so they both have to come together and work in the Gospel. (I. Cor. 11:8,9.) No woman that has the Spirit of Jesus wants to usurp authority over the man. The more God uses you in the Spirit, the more humbled and meek and tender you are and he more filled with the blessed Holy Spirit.
It is contrary to the Scriptures that woman should not have her part in the salvation work to which God has called her. We have no right to lay a straw in her way, but to be men of holiness, purity and virtue, to hold up the standard and encourage the woman in her work, and God will honor and bless us as never before. It is the same Holy Spirit in the woman as in the man.
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It was blood that saved the people from the awful destruction in Egypt, and it takes the Blood to save us today from sin. “And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” It takes the Blood of the immaculate, incarnate Son of God to save from sin *******and when the Father looks upon those pierced hands and the wounded side of His Son, He has compassion upon the sinner. The blood of goats, calves, and lambs could not take away sin, it was only the answer of a good conscious. But O praise God, it is the precious Blood of Jesus Christ that saves from sin.
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We are justified through the Blood of Jesus. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1. The second verse shows that through His Blood, we get standing grace in sanctification, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Bless His holy name. It is the Blood of Jesus that saves and keeps from sin, and as long as we trust the cross of Christ and not ourselves or anything else, we can live this life free from sin. Glory to Jesus.
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We expect God to do great things this year. There were 60 cities in Canaan to be taken after they crossed over Jordan. Those that get the baptism with the Holy Ghost need to settle down in the Word, keep clean, and live the highest consecration before God. O beloved, we want to get all the stones and trash out of the way. We do not want to live on theological chips, shavings, husks, and wind, but upon the treasures of this blessed Holy Spirit in the Word.
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Jesus Christ was the spotless Lamb of God nailed to the altar, and God accepted the offering to save and sanctify every soul that will receive Him. If he had not been spotless, His death would have profited nothing, but being made perfect He became the author of eternal salvation, unto all them that obey Him.-Heb. 5:9.
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Let us in this 1908 never read our Bible carelessly but prayerfully. Let us sing under the anointing of the Spirit and not for fancy, and when we speak, speak in the Spirit, and God is going to pour out His Spirit as never before.
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It is so sweet to have the Blood of Jesus in our hearts. It gives us victory over sin and over every power of the enemy. Everyone that gets the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is entitled to the great power of the Holy Ghost.
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A sister in Minneapolis while getting her baptism sang in the Spirit and interpreted the song in English:
“I am coming soon;
Be faithful, children
A little longer;
I am coming soon.”
“TO THE MARRIED.”
I Cor. 7.
In these last days, so many deceptive spirits are in the world, that we have felt impressed by the blessed Holy Spirit to write a letter on the seventh chapter of First Corinthians, that blessed letter which Paul has sent to the church.
The Corinthian church was one of Paul’s most gifted churches, and just as it is today, where a church is very gifted, the only safeguard from deceptive spirits is by rightly dividing the Word of God, to keep out fanaticism. We may let down on some lines and rise on others, but God wants everything to be balanced by the Word of God. Paul writing to Timothy (II Tim. 1:13, 14) says, “Hold fast the form of sound words which thou has heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” And again he says (II Tim. 3:14): “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” So the Lord God wants us to search and compare scriptures with scriptures.
This Corinthian church had run into freeloveism, and a good many isms. Great division had arisen in it; it had split into several parts, and Paul had to settle them down into the Word of God. He writes this letter to them, for they had got into awful trouble.
Paul tells them in the first verse of this chapter to avoid immorality. He says, “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.” (He does not mean a married man here, he means a man that is single, as verses 8 and 26 show.) He says in the 7th verse, “Every man hath his proper gift of God.” And to those that can receive this gift, Paul writes in verse 8, “I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.” That is to say, by living a single life, they would have more power in the Spirit. He writes this to the church, to any who are saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul thought it was best, but he showed that everyone had his proper gift of God. So he did not put any bondage upon the people of Christ, because he had no scripture for it.
He says in the second and third verses, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornification, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” This of course means conjugal intercourse between man and wife. “The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.” That is to say, that the husband has no authority to live separated, without the consent of his wife; and the wife has no authority of herself to live separated without the husband. Then he says in the 5th verse, “Defraud ye not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontenency.” That is to say that every wife and husband should abstain from impurity, and give themselves to fasting for a time. It should be by mutual agreement between the two to fast for power and blessing, and many times to avoid impurity. But he advised them to come again, “that Satan tempt you not for your incontenency.” Paul here does not make this a law, but as one that had the Holy Spirit, he gives them this advice. He adds in the 6th verse, “But I speak this by permission and not of commandment.” In Romans 1:26, 27, Paul shows there is a natural use for a wife, which is not lust. Speaking of the ungodly, he says, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.” May God help us to be clear teachers of His Word.
“I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner and another after that.” Paul is referring here to Matthew 19:12, where Jesus told the Pharisees that there were some men that were born eunuchs from their mother’s womb (that is to say, unable to have wives), some have been made eunuchs of men (for other advantages in life) and there were some eunuchs for the kingdom of Heaven’s sake. Men had prayed to God for this gift or blessing, just as Paul who said he wished all men were like him: he became no doubt a eunuch for the kingdom of Heaven’s sake. Jesus Himself said (Matt. 19:11), “All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.” So Jesus did not put any bondage on men and women, but a man today that has received the power to become a eunuch for the kingdom of Heaven’s sake can live a single life with all holiness and purity. Praise our God!
We must rightly divide the Scriptures and compare scripture with scripture so that there be no confusion and no deceptive spirit or wrong teaching may creep in.
Paul says in verses 29 to 31, “But this I say brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep as though they wept not; and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy as though they possessed not; and they that use the world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” Bless the Lord! Now Paul in speaking this, did not put any bondage on mothers to fear that they would not be able to meet Jesus in His coming, because they were bringing forth children. Mothers and fathers that are saved and sanctified, to whom the Lord has given this gift of bringing forth children can live a pure and holy life before God and be of the bride of Christ, just as the bishop that teaches this holy Gospel can be the husband of one wife and raise his children in the fear of God.
Married couples who are mutually agreed, having received from the Lord power over both body, soul and spirit, God does not ask them to desire; but may they live as God has called them. Many times God gives this power to the husband before to the wife. Many times the wife has it; but in order to save the husband she has to submit to the husband. For God is not the author of confusion. This brings us back to the third verse of this same chapter. Also in Ephesians 5th chapter and 22nd verse, we read, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord.” Please read on down to the 33rd verse. God does not make the husband the tyrant or cruel sovereign over the wife, neither does He make the wife to exercise tyranny over the husband, but He makes both one. God knows our hearts and our lives.
Someone may ask what Jesus meant in Matt. 24:19, “And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days.” Well, beloved, here Jesus’ heart was upon the people that would suffer in the awful tribulation that was coming to Jerusalem forty years after His ascension. He says to them, “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” Jesus was the Son of God but He was a man of prayer. He asked His disciples to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew that in the destruction of Jerusalem, if they prayed to God, the Father would not permit it to come to pass in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. He knew if it was on the Sabbath day, the Jews would be keeping the old Mosaic law (Col. 2:16) “Of new moons and of Sabbath days, which were a shadow of things to come, but the body of Christ.” (The greatest thing that people need in this day is Christ, and then all the days will come in their order and in their place.) Jesus knew if their flight occurred on the Sabbath day, all the gates of Jerusalem would be shut and the Christians could not get out, and the mothers could not escape; so His heart went out for the precious women. The Lord Jesus Christ knows all about our struggles. He knows all about our sufferings and our trials. He is touched with every infirmity and He remembers us. Bless His holy name.
May God help everyone that is getting saved to stay within the lids of God’s word and wait on God, and He will make all things right. Now we can give up anything that we see is really of self gratification. The Lord wants us to be temperate in all things. Bless His holy name. People that are desiring to get the victory over spirit, soul and body, can have it if they will trust God.
I have been asked so much on this question, and I can only give what God has revealed to me through His precious Word. Bless His holy name!
W.J.S.
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We read in I Cor. 14:20, “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people, and yet for all that, they will not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe but to them that believe not.” Tongues are a sign, for Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” We believe because we have received God’s word into our hearts and the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us; therefore the sign of speaking in tongues follows. The sign is to them that believe not, that is, it convinces the unbelievers.
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Dear loved ones, do not seek for tongues, but seek for the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and praise God and thank and bless Him, and He will manifest Himself. Everything we receive from God we receive by faith. When you have received the Word of God into your heart for the baptism of the Spirit, you must entertain the Holy Ghost by praising God and giving Him the glory for the Holy Spirit. Then He will manifest His power in the demonstration of speaking or singing in tongues, just as the Holy Ghost chooses. Hallelujah!
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This Gospel means a crucified life. We must take up our cross daily and follow Christ. The cause of so many losing the anointing of the Spirit is that they neglect to mortify and crucify self. He wants our eyes, our ears, and all our members kept holy unto Him, that we might live after the Spirit and not after the flesh. He is looking for a people today that will die out to the flesh. How can our eyes revel in the things of the world and our ears listen to worldly music if they are consecrated to the Master’s use. People say this is fanaticism, but it is the teaching of the precious word of God. We must measure up to it. He wants us to have our ears closed to the world and open to heaven.
PRAYER
Prayer is the Spirit making intercession through you. Sometimes it is in groanings that cannot be uttered. He takes your whole being and commences prevailing through you.
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God is listening when you are praying. He is right there to bless you. While you are making confession and supplication, Jesus comes down among us and breathes on us. O just think of the bright light that bursts on your face, when you are praying to your Almighty King.
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You first have to repent before you can pray to God, because you must have the Word of God in your heart. God heareth not sinners. But when one has Godly sorrow and repents to God and prays, he is no more a sinner. We must have Christ in us before we can have power with God. We only have power with God through Jesus. He puts the Spirit in us that He might recognize Himself. All we get from God we get through Jesus. Through that wonderful sacrifice that He has made, He freely gives us all things.
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Jesus is the door of salvation, and when we get into the Word, we have a chance to use the key of prayer. When Peter got into the Word, the Lord Jesus said, “Blessed art thou Simon, Son of Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but My Father which is in heaven.” So Peter was converted and Jesus gave him the key of the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 16:19. He was the first one converted under the ministry of the Lord Jesus, and the Lord recognized it and gave him the keys. So the Lord gives you the keys of the kingdom of heaven when you are converted.
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Many people get down and hollow to God and cry like the prophets of Baal and get nothing. It appears that they have a dead god. But those that have a living God, it does not take them long to get their petitions through, and He answers by fire.
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If you pray in the Spirit, you will strike he spring of living water and it will bubble up in you and you never get tired praying. It is not your words. You have joy in your soul. But some of you pray and do not have any joy. You keep begging God and when you get almost through you remind Him to be faithful and be sure and do it. It seems you have a god you fear will not do you justice.
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We ought not to stop till we pray through and get what we want from God. We should prevail with God till we get a witness. Elijah prayed for rain and sent his servant seven times till he got the witness, which was a cloud the size of a man’s hand. Then he arose and went to tell Ahab the rain was coming. Paul prayed thrice for a certain thing before God answered him. God heard the first time but he did not get the answer till he prayed three times. So we should press our claim before the throne till we get a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost. God will do just what He says He will.
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Many people pray their own thoughts and do not stop and wait for the mind of God. Honor God for the spirit of prayer. You cannot pray yourself. Let the Holy Ghost give you the mind of God. It is the Spirit’s work altogether. It is not our work.
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The Lord wants us to have more faith. When several are praying together for the same petition and one has prayed the prayer of faith, and the Holy Ghost has glorified Jesus by witnessing that the prayer is heard; then often someone will continue praying, just as they did for Peter after God had brought him out of the prison and he was knocking at the gate; and yet they would not believe that prayer could be answered so quickly. If you continue to pray, you grieve the Spirit by doubting, and show that you can hardly trust Him. The Lord wants us to know that He has heard us, and thank and praise Him, and it will help us a great deal in prayer. He does not want us to pray in doubt but in faith. “Believe that ye receive and ye shall have.”
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The Lord wants us to claim His promises, everything we see in the atonement. Since we have Christ, we own everything that He owns, so we ought to claim it. We should have all the purchase of the atonement wrought out in our lives, justification, sanctification, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and healing of our bodies.
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All prayer should be directed to the Father through Jesus. In casting out devils, it is through the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In laying hands on the sick, it is in His name. All prayer must be in the name of Jesus.
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O may God help us all this year to keep prayed up and read up and sung up. If there is too much reading the word without prayer, you get too argumentative, and if you pray too much without reading you get fanatical. One or two verses revive your heart. It is blessed to have God’s word. I could not live without the word.
CAME FROM CHINA TO AMERICA FOR PENTECOST.
As I am on my way back to China, I feel led to leave my testimony for the glory of God since he had manifested Himself. It is hard to express the wonderful way that He has led.
Five years ago a burden came on me for more of Him. I know I was sanctified years before but it did not satisfy me, and one night a brother came to my house. He did not say much, but I felt power in his words and that made me hungry to get something, and I called it the “melting power of the Holy Ghost,” and I kept pressing toward the mark. God wonderfully blessed me, and in 1904 I started for China. When I got there the burden became stronger yet, and I kept pressing on in prayer because I saw the need of God’s power to present His Gospel.
About December, 1906, I received the Apostolic Faith paper; and as I read it through in the spirit of prayer, I saw it was the thing that I had been looking for, and the first day of January I asked God as usual for a verse for that year, and He spoke plainly these words, “They shall be endued with power from on high.” That gave me such a wonderful faith!
After that I went to Shanghai with the intention of finding some one in the Centennial Missionary Conference that had the baptism of the Holy Ghost who could help me out. Instead of that I met opposition from every side, and one from Los Angeles that had attended the meetings denounced the whole thing as of the devil.
I went back to my station with a still stronger determination in my heart for the baptism. After I got home I received a letter from Chicago telling about the work going on in Chicago, and the writer herself had received her Pentecost. As my wife read the letter to me, this melting power that I had been praying for came upon me, and I fell down on the floor crying out “God’s wonderful mercy!”
From that time I felt the love of God in my soul stronger than ever before, but I was conscious that it was not the baptism. A desire came into my heart to go to America, but I did not dare to believe that it was God’s will that I should go. But as I prayed over it, that if it was His will He should open the way, He quickly did open the way, and I started and landed in Seattle, Wash., the 27th of August, just in time to meet a band of the Apostolic Faith people who were to go to Japan, Korea, India and China.
I went to their meetings and investigated the work carefully, and when I found out it wasn’t anything but Jesus that they exalted, I went right in among them to receive my baptism. As I got to the altar God’s blessing upon me was so great that I only shouted glory all the time. After the meeting was over I told the brethren that I could not understand how it was that I got so happy, because I thought I had something to do; but they said I could keep on praising Him, and that the Holy Ghost would come in that way.
As I told them the battles that I had had in China and that I had surrendered all, they satisfied me by saying that I was “prayed up” to date. I seemed too good for me to believe. I moved on to Oakland, Cal., and the same thing happened there, so I went to Los Angeles and the third day, on Sunday, Sept. 15th, He baptized me. I was under the power of God on the floor for more than two hours, and it seemed that every nerve in my body was charged and my jaws began to move, and I said to myself, “I could do that,” and I tried, but found out I could not do it mechanically, as it was done, and I was satisfied that it was on the Lord. Then my tongue began to move and a brother said to me, “Let the Holy Ghost have your voice.” I said to myself, “I am not going to obey man.” A short time after, the Holy Ghost said, “Give me your voice,” and I said, “I do not know what you mean.” Then such a power from within came forcing up, and I began to say a sentence, “Ya! ya!” I said, “This is my native language and I don’t want to fool the people, but it kept up for some time. So I began to praise God in English for the faithfulness of brothers and sisters around me, and they said, “Get your eyes on God.” I was fully convinced that it was all of God, and I shouted Glory! Then He began to speak through me in an unknown tongue, and I rose up under the power, going back and forth before the people preaching. I had no control of my body. I praise God for His manifestation and for the wonderful sweetness and joy that is growing stronger every day. I will advise anyone to get rid of all that you have and gain that “pearl of great price.” I pray God’s blessing upon all that are seeking God’s best and His mercy upon those who reject. Yours for lost souls in China. B. Berntsen. Tai-ming-fu, Chih-li, North China.
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If a man is in Jesus Christ, he will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22. When we see people that are not bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit, it matters not how many tongues or how much power to move mountains they may have, the Lord says they are nothing.
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When men and women are saved and sanctified, they need the Blood just as much as they ever did. We should not trust ourselves a half a second, we need the Blood every moment.
TESTIMONIES.
“I praises God for His saving, sanctifying power, and for the Holy Ghost in His fullness, which I received a few days ago; since which I pray, sing and talk in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Hallelujah to God!”-J.D. Melvin, Hector, Ark.
“God has reached out His dear hands away down south here, as I too have had this most glorious experience. Three of us were baptized, but one has gone out on the battlefield.”-Fannie Spurlock, Summit, Miss.
“He for whom I long have waited has come. Last night at 10 o’clock in our little mission, I moved out and He moved in, and gave His own evidence, speaking with my poor tongue in two distinct languages. O it is glorious. What a night it has been. Very little sleep. The glory has been so great. O how I praise Him.”-W.H. Standley, Watertown, N.Y.
“As soon as I began to read your paper, I began to shout and praise God, and began to shake so I could not read for some time. I will say I have been wonderfully filled with the Holy Ghost but have not received the speaking in tongues. Am still tarrying. I thought I would surely receive it yesterday while trying to read your paper. Every time I take it up, the thrills go through me, and I get so full to my throat. O it is of God. Bless His holy name. Glory!”-Mrs. J.E. Smith, Wolcott, N.Y.
“O how I praise my blessed Redeemer for all His goodness. He has saved me, baptized me with the Holy Ghost, and also four of my children. Glory to His name! He met with us on July 26th at our family altar and poured out His Spirit, baptizing my little girl, Millie, with the Holy Ghost, and she sang and praised God in tongues for nearly an hour. O how we rejoiced and praised God. My eldest son received his baptism in the meetings in Seattle, but my three daughters received their’s while praying with us at our family altar. O glory to Jesus forever.”-Mrs. E.A. Buckland, Silverdale, Wash.
“Last winter it was my happy lot to get one of your faith papers, where I learned about the blessed Pentecostal baptism. I praise God this morning I have the blessed Holy Ghost in my heart. Glory, glory to His precious name. He came in the 4th of March speaking in other tongues. Now I talk and sing as the Spirit gives utterance. Glory, glory to Jesus! He is my Savior, sanctifier, healer, my all in all. My two oldest daughters have received the Holy Ghost and talk and sing in other tongues.”-Jane L. Rousey, Dewey Rose, Ga.
“I have been quite sick since I wrote you all last. The Lofu has blessed me with a daughter and she is two weeks old tonight. I am praising God for His keeping power that keeps me through health and sickness. Even through my darkest hours, the room was filled with angels singing sweet songs to cheer and strengthen me in faith. Many nights when everybody else would be asleep, the Holy Ghost would come in mighty power and fill my heart so I could only say what good old David did in the 23rd Psalm. Praise the Lord! Dear saints, I am praising God for sending Sister Farrow through here in November. She held a few meetings here and the Lord wonderfully manifested His power in this place, and the fire is yet burning. Hallelujah! I am praising God for an Apostolic Mission in Littleton and we want you all to pray often for us that we may ever contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints.”-Mrs. Daisy A. Wilkins, Box 46, Littleton, N.C.
“I am here in Winnipeg and the glory of God is upon me. I can feel the Holy Ghost walking up and down in my innermost being and the cloven tongues of fire are burning from me head to the soles of my feet. I feel my nothingness and so unworthy to preach the Gospel, and my Heavenly Father so loving and kind to save such a wretched disgrace to humanity as I. God has His hand on poor me and has healed my body, opened up the way for service for me, got me into the harness, and I am getting fleshy and strong physically, and realizing I must sit at the feet of Jesus and be a channel for the Holy Ghost. God spoke to me a few days ago and asked me if I would be willing to sit at everyone’s feet and be nothing, that He might be glorified, so that is my prayer to get deeper down yet and stay at the feet of Christ-Brother Tom Anderson in Christ, Winnipeg, Man.
“The Lord graciously pardoned me of my sins. That was on Thursday evening at home. On Friday evening at the Azusa Street Mission, He wonderfully sanctified and anointed me, and I sang for about two hours. [We well remember this little girl’s singing in the upper room, it was the heavenly song that sounded like an angel.] Then about three hours after at a cottage meeting, the Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost. When the campmeeting started, I neglected to read my Bible and to pray; so that caused me to lose the sweetness out of my soul. I kept losing out and losing out till I lost out altogether. But I did not know I was a backslider till one evening the Lord brought it out somehow that I was not saved. So that night I got back. While I was praying to get saved, I was blaming the Lord in my heart for not keeping me; but I had to get that out of my heart before I could get saved. The next morning I said to Mama, ‘Mama, I must be sanctified, because I don’t feel cross nor proud as I did before.’ But she said she did not think I was because she said justification gives you victory over those things, but sanctification takes them out. So after breakfast she and I went up on the hill to pray, and the dear Lord sanctified me, and He brought this scripture to my heart, ‘It is finished.’ And shout ten minutes after, He baptized me with the Holy Ghost. Praise His dear name!”-Kathleen Scott, Winnipeg, Man., Can.
“Just a line to say that I received my Pentecost on Christmas day at Sunderland. O glory, glory! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”-C.H. Hook, 23 Gairloch Rd., Camberwell, London, S.E., England.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has baptized me with the Holy Ghost and fire and spoken through me in tongues. How sweet it is to be completely swallowed up in His love and let Him have His way. I feel that we are but in the beginning of this “latter rain” and greater things are before.”-C.E. Foster, 924 Kansas Ave., Topeka, Kans.
“While the Holy Ghost came into me with indescribable sweetness and power, I found myself absolutely alone and cut off from sect and society, friends and foes, and rested alone in His satisfying fullness. He seemed to settle down in my innermost being, adjusting Himself to His new home, and I soon began to speak in a low voice in a new tongue, then breaking out into singing while the melody rose in my heart as He gave utterance. This is an indescribable experience and must be passed through to appreciate it. The Comforter has come. The Holy Ghost in all His fullness now for the first time in my experience possesses my entire being, and satisfies and fills unto the uttermost. The work is done and Pentecost stands upon an incontrovertible Rock, of which experience alone I can testify upon the case.” -G.H. Lester, 24 Champion St., Carthage, N.Y.
“Hearing that the Holy Ghost had come to Tampa, I started at once. And while praising God for allowing me to suffer persecution, the Holy Ghost fell upon me and filled me. I have been continually praising Him ever since.”-Mary B. Simmons, Frostproof, Fla.
“Glory to be God forever! On the 17th of July, God wonderfully baptized me with the Holy Ghost. The Blessed Comforter came in and testified for Himself in another language. No tongue can express the glories I experienced then and am still enjoying. O how grand to do everything by the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost! He gives me such direct messages from His Word and puts upon me special burdens of prayer in the Holy Ghost. I know He is going to lead me out to the foreign field.”-H. May Kelty, Tampa, Fla.
“At the time I wrote you requesting prayers for my brother, the doctors and nurse said he could live but a few days. I prayed the Lord to keep life in him till my letter could reach California. He was so low and so weak he could not speak above a whisper. I laid the anointed handkerchief you sent on his body in the name of the Lord, asking Jesus to raise him up for His own glory. He has been gaining ever since. He is now walking around in his room and sits at the table and eats heartily. I do praise the Lord for such a deliverance.”-Miss H.A. Peck, Cashmere, W. Va.
“Dear ones, it is sweet for me to think of you all and you kindness to me while I was with you. My soul is filled with the glory of the Lord. He is giving great victory wherever He sends us in His name, many being baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. Praise the Lord. The fight has been great. I was put out, because I believed that God did baptize me with the Holy Ghost among you all. Well, He did it and it just suits me. Glory in the Lord. Jesus is coming. Take the Bible way, it is right. The Lord is leading me out of all that men have fixed up for their glory. Be strong in Him. (Isa. 41:10, 20.) The Lord is casting out devils, healing the sick, and singing the sweetest songs. He has sung hundreds of songs. I do not have time to go back over one to practice it, for the next will be new. Praise His name. I sit under His shadow with great delight. His banner over me is love.”-C.H. Mason, Lexington, Miss., Nov.28.
“Some years ago, the Lord wonderfully saved my wife and I. Then eight years ago my wife was sanctified, and two years later I received the experience of entire sanctification. I knew there was a hungering and thirsting for more, and I knew that He promised to fill us to overflowing. I came into the light of the baptism of the Holy Ghost about three months ago. But it seemed that I could never die the death. My son was saved, sanctified and filled, my daughter came in next, and then my wife. It seemed I was doing all I could to get through. All the meetings closed around my home, so I and my family went to a Pentecostal campmeeting about sixty miles away. And on the 10th day of July, at 5 o’clock a.m., I went out to the tabernacle with the determination of going through that day. At about 11 o’clock, I just gave the baptism with wonderful manifestations of speaking in tongues. In the same meeting, there were sixty-two who came through to Pentecost.”-F.M. Woldron, Nocotee, Florida.
“The Lord saved me when a child fifteen years ago, sanctified me and called me to the rescue work, and gave me the baptism with the Holy Ghost, July 23. Thought I received Him when sanctified, but at times since, have prayed for the baptism of the Holy Ghost; but was never satisfied till one week ago when He testified in an unknown tongue and prayed for all nations and all people for an hour or more. Oh it is glory all the way. Ever since we heard of the wonderful outpouring of God’s Spirit and the mighty wonders wrought, we have been praying Him to give us the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and to give us a Holy Ghost revival. Some of us wished we might go to Los Angeles; but, O glory to God! He was so good as to send some of His children near us that had the experience-just fifteen miles from Tampa. One of our girls with my assistant first attended the meetings, and had not been at the altar 15 minutes at the first service till she received the baptism with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit testified through her in an unknown tongue. Since then, my assistant, two more of the girls and myself have received the Comforter and others are hungry. O praise the Lord. He has never been so precious and I have never been so sweetly kept and had such power. We have a mission in connection with the Home, where God is with us in power.”-Flora E. Bower, Hephzibah Rescue Home, Tampa, Fla.
“How I do thank God upon ever remembrance of the dear ones in and around Los Angeles, and how my heart grows tender and my eyes moisten when I think of the family gatherings we had twice a day at the old campground, as we gathered around Father’s table both for spiritual and temporal refreshment. How the sweet faces of the saints come up before me, as we gathered in the tabernacle or in the dining tent, or as we happened to meet going to and fro on the grounds, or up in the mountains to pray, or as we passed back and forth between there and the city, meeting some of our precious brothers and sisters and greeting them in Jesus’ name. My soul is flooded with joy when I recall those pleasant memories. At other times there is a longing takes possession of me to have a repetition of those happy days, which as I look back to them seem to have been a foretaste of the glad millennial day. Glory to our precious Christ. How I do remember you all before the throne, not only every time I bow my knees but also many, many times when I am going about my daily occupation. I can report victory in my soul, and have been joined by my precious wife on the upward march. Two of my little girls six and nine years are saved and getting on nicely. Glory to Jesus. There are many hungry souls here eager for the Gospel.” Joseph A. Grainger, Melfort, Sask., Canada.
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THE SALVATION OF JESUS
“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.
Jesus still saves today. O sinner, give your heart to Jesus and be saved. He hung, bled and died on Calvary’s cross to redeem your soul from sin and hell. O , He loves you and He is calling you to come home. Come home, poor sinner, come home.
I once was a sinner. I do not know that I was such a hard sinner but I was a sinner. I used to love Christ’s people and love to go to church; but I did not know Jesus. I do not know how I could know Him. I though it was a feeling or imagination that came by loving the word of God so strongly. But all of those thoughts, when I came to sum them up, were nothing. There was something in my heart that told me there was a reality in the salvation of Jesus.
I used to love to go and hear God’s word preached, and I bought me a Bible and commenced reading it. But I used to hate to read in the Bible where death and hell were cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Reb. 20:14. I used to say I would not like to go there. Then we read in Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.” O sinner, where will you spend eternity? Will you spend it with the devil and his angels, or will you spend it with God and His angels?
If you read in the 55th of Isaiah, you will find these words, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Praise the Lord. O dear sinner, this is Jesus, this water. He is this milk and this honey. You can get Jesus Christ in your heart without paying for it. The blessed Holy Spirit calls you tonight and today to come and accept this water of life. O sinner, may you receive Him.
He says, “Wherefore do you send money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which satisfieth not?” O dear sinner, dear precious backslider, Jesus can satisfy your heart. You may spend all your money in getting fine raiment, the latest style, you may go to all the theaters, all the card parties, you may have a good position, you may be a good moral man or woman; but O dear beloved, that is not going to satisfy you. Your heart is still empty. There is nothing can satisfy that longing heart and bring rest, peace, and joy only Jesus Christ the Son of God. O may you know Him. May you accept Him.
The prophet said, “And your labor for that which satisfieth not. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good.” Jesus Christ is the living bread that comes down from heaven, and if you eat of this Bread you will never hunger anymore. Your soul will be filled with joy and gladness. Jesus says, “He that drinketh of this water shall never thirst.” This is the water of life that runs through the ceaseless ages of eternity.
“Seek ye the Lord, while He may be found.” There is a time coming when men will seek God and will be too late. He says in Proverbs 1:26-28, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me.” O beloved, this is God’s word.
Then He says again, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Dear precious loved one, Christ’s yoke is easy, but the yoke of Satan is bondage, it is heavy. He makes you spend your money for the theaters, parties, and dances and for that which does not satisfy you, and he brings many aches to your heart. He keeps you going. Your soul is never satisfied. You are enslaved to keep up with the crowd. But, O beloved, Jesus frees you from this bondage. His yoke is easy, His burden is light. May God help you to give your heart to Jesus, that you might know His salvation. He saves you from telling stories, from gambling, playing cards, going to horse races, drinking whiskey or beer, cheating, and everything that is sinful or devilish. The Lord Jesus Christ will cleanse you and make you every wit whole. He will heal your body, and make you new.
He says, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The first birth makes us a creature, it is the physical birth; but the second birth is from above. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. It makes us a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things are passed away and all things become new, so we become a new creature in Christ Jesus. God puts His love and joy into our hearts and we can sing Praise God. Glory to His name.
O if you are a converted child, may you give God your heart and let Him sanctify you through His cleansing Blood. Jesus is praying today for your sanctification. He is in heaven, but He says, “I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not *** even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” Glory to His name. His Blood flows and can cleanse from every stain. When God sanctifies you, you will love Him more than ever before, because there will be joy flowing like a river through your heart. Then after you get sanctified, you can get the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and God will grant the signs to follow in speaking in tongues, casting out devils, laying hands on the sick and they will recover. The Lord bless you. Amen.
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WE CANNOT AFFORD IT
We cannot afford to sell Satan even a small piece of ground in our hearts; because if we do, he will have right of way at the gate to get to it. The only way to keep him out is to live in the Word, a holy Spirit-filled life. Many people today have sold themselves for naught, they have sold a piece of their land which has been redeemed by the Blood of Christ. They have sold land to Satan to commit adultery, to steal, to beat or to cheat, but praise our God, He has sent us this blessed Gospel, the Word of God, to uncover men’s sins by the power of the Holy Ghost, that they may be loosed from these bondage spirits.
If the enemy finds there is a weak place in us, he is going to come in various ways to get us to sell him a piece of land, so he can sow his wild oats in it. We should be like Jesus; when the enemy tried to bargain with Him for the land of the world, telling Him what he would give Him, offering Him the whole world if He would fall down and worship him, Jesus would not bow. And we have His statement that when Satan had no power, he had no right of way. O may we not bow down or compromise at any terms with the world, the flesh or the devil.
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A sanctified body is one that is cleansed from all sickness and disease. The Lord gives you the power over sickness and disease, “that your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless.” Some have a teaching that unless you have a sanctified body you cannot be holy. But though you have not yet attained to your inheritance in the atonement of Jesus and have a body that is sanctified from all sickness, yet your body is holy unto the Lord if you do not sin. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost if the Spirit of Christ is in you. And it is your privilege to go on and get a perfectly whole, strong body; that you may give Him glory for the salvation of spirit, soul, and body. That does not mean that you could not get sick any more. You must maintain the health and healing of your body just as for your soul, by faith and obedience.
The Apostolic Faith (October – January, 1908)
Denmark.
“Kirkeklokken,” a Danish gospel paper, reports that through the Pentecostal outburst in Copenhagen recently, many sinners have come to the Savior, many backsliders have been restored to the joy of salvation, many believers have been filled with the Spirit and have received supernatural gifts.
In Wales
“Praise God for another brother here who has also now received the Pentecost with tongues. He went home from here speaking in tongues all along the street. There are others to follow. Glory to Jesus. Tonight five or six brothers are coming here for their Pentecost. O, I do praise God that He sent me to Sunderland to get such a wonderful blessing. Praise His holy name.”–W. J. Tomlinson, Lynion House, Grove Place, Port Talbot.
Honolulu
Brother and Sister Turney, who have returned from Honolulu, now on their way to Africa report the work in Honolulu: “We had a glorious meeting Honolulu. The power came down and one young man a captain of the Salvation Army, who received his Pentecost, has now opened up an Apostolic Faith Mission in Santa Cruz, Cal. A lieutenant also received his Pentecost and went to carry the news to London, England. Charley Puck, who had a most wonderful experience, is preaching the Gospel on the Island of Hawaii in the city of Kanuela. They are having good meetings and good attendance. People are hungry for the truth.
London, England
I do thank God that there are a few whose eyes God has opened to see their lack and who have waited upon His in prayer for quite a year and a half ** Ackerman Rd., Brixton S.W., London. God has manifested His almighty power there in the baptism of dear Sister Price and one brother and myself, and I am so glad to send in my testimony to the glory of God and the encouragement of all His children. People are coming from far and near, and no one has been even invited. They just hear how God is working and come. This power was mightily present last Thursday, two sisters being shaken and nearly spoke in tongues. One night the very room was shaken as we read in the Word: “And when they had prayed the place was shaken.” Several have had blessed anointings, outpourings of the Spirit and revelations of Jesus Christ. Praise His Holy name.-Mary A. Martin, 319 Southampton St., Camberwell, London, England.
China.
Brother and Sister Garr are in Hong Kong, China, last report. God is using them blessedly. A glorious revival is breaking out. Several souls in Hong Kong have received their Pentecost.
In Macao and Canton, China, numbers have received the baptism with the Spirit. They are hungry for the Holy Ghost. Brother McIntosh wrote, “They come to our house at all times of the day and rap at our door at 11 and 12 o’clock at night, coming to seek for the Holy Ghost, and we stay up till one and two o’clock praying with them, and glory to God, the Pentecost falls and they speak in tongues.” Two sisters who received their Pentecost in Brother Cashwell’s work in the South have gone over to help Brother and Sister McIntosh. They are Sister A.E. Kirby and Sister Mabel Evans. Address Macao, China, care S.C. Todd.
Sweden.
Bramaregarden, Hisingstad, Goteborg, Nov. 19.-“I am very glad to hear from the old Azusa Mission, my home. I have victory through the dear, cleansing Blood of Christ. Glory to His great name! It is one year today since I came over to Sweden and this city Goteborg. God is still saving, sanctifying, and baptizing with the Holy Ghost, and people are getting healed of God. Last Sunday two got their Pentecostal blessing. We had a wonderful day, the Holy Ghost running the meetings, God’s children testifying, praising God, talking in unknown tongues. The fire has begun to fall on small islands near the city. Bless God! The work is still going on in many places in Sweden and God’s people are getting more hungry than ever. We trust God to send out more workers into the field. The fire is falling in ‘Norrland.’ Yet many, many have not heard this Gospel yet. This work will go on till Jesus our Lord comes back. All the saints in Goteborg salute you.”-Andrew G. Johnson.
Germany.
“Auf der Warte,” a German paper, says: At Cassel many children of God received the fullness of the Spirit after God had cleansed their hearts by faith. Many children of God have put right old debts. Through the speaking in tongues and the preaching, sins and bonds were revealed, and it was clearly taught that deliverance from the power of sin and the experience of heart cleansing are the conditions for receiving the Pentecostal baptism.
The manifestations of the Spirit when the souls were touched were different according to I Cor. 12. Some were knocked down to the floor, some were overflowed gently while sitting in their chairs. Some cried with loud voice, others shouted Hallelujah! clapped their hands, jumped or laughed with joy. Some saw the Lord not only in the meetings, but when silent in the houses, or in bed, or when walking on the road, god touched their souls.
All that was uttered in tongues as far as it concerned salvation was in perfect accord with Scripture. What the Lord gave to utter about His Cross, His Glory, and the Second Coming was refreshment and comfort for every believing soul. Through the speaking of tongues and prophecy those in the audience received conviction of their sins; which statement is proven by confessions made afterwards to the minister.
The fire is already burning at Grossalmerode. The Lord is doing great things. Many have received the Pentecostal baptism; and the Lord bestowed gifts upon many, especially the gift of tongues and interpretation.
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WITNESSES IN ENGLAND
(From reports printed at Sunderland, Eng.)
Children Receive Pentecost
I was present when the two girls, who were the first children to speak in tongues in England, Janie and May Boddy (the two daughters of the Rev. Alex A. Boddy, All Saints’ Vicarage, Sunderland), received their Pentecost. It was at the Vicarage.
The nine or ten persons present will never forget the scene. Janie received the interpretation for each sentence, and her childlike simplicity and joy, her beaming face, that I shall never forget, she turned message she received was: “Jesus is coming!” With a surprised look of joy on her face, that I shall never forget, she turned to her mother and kissed her, repeating the words: “Jesus is coming, mother!”
Then her fact became serious. She bowed her head a little and lifted her left hand to her cheek (she was kneeling all the time at the end of the table). Again a foreign language was heard. Then came the interpretation: “The Heavens are opened!” followed by the same jubilant glee.
One message was very solemn, spoken, too, with emphasis: “The first shall be last, and the last first.” Coming from such childlike lips, it made a great impression on us all.
Oh, what joy when she said: “Oh! mummie, Jesus has come, and come to stay; oh, good Jesus, good Jesus!” then peals of joybells of laughter.
As she related her experience the next day to a large crowd of children at the Parish Hall, she said, whilst inviting them to seek their Pentecost, “Oh, it is so wonderful, so wonderful!” It was wonderful, it was the Holy Spirit come to dwell within them.
May Boddy had a great revelation of God’s power. She prayed so earnestly that she might not “be left out.” It was touching, too, to see Janie, who had just received her Pentecost, as she laid her hand on her sister’s head and encouraged her; “It’s all through the Blood, May, all through the Blood! Jesus is come, He said, May too, May too.”
May spoke a long time. Some words were very clear. It seemed as if she was constantly claiming Jesus. His name was repeated time upon time. The words, “Aa, Ja, Jesus! Ja, ja, ja, Jesus!” were distinctly Norwegian, with the correct pronunciation (Oh, yes, Jesus! yes, yes, yes, Jesus!)
These two dear children have been kind and good girls before and loved Jesus dearly but now they love Him much more and are bold to tell others of His wonderful power to save-T.B. Barratt.
Testimony of a Vicar’s Wife
After a long time of silent waiting upon Him, God gave me a wonderful vision of Christ in the glory at the right hand of the Father, and from Him came a wonderful light on to me, causing me to laugh as I had never done before. I thought this was the Baptism, for this gave me more power in speaking for Christ, and more realization of His indwelling, but yet God had a more excellent way for me. After waiting with others for months at home, in eager and earnest expectation of His Baptism of Fire, God chose that when the fire did begin to fall here, I should be in the South of England, not able to return until Pastor Barratt had been here for nearly a fortnight, and several had received their Pentecost. God was working in me more than I realized, literally drying up all experience, all spiritual life of the flesh. When I returned home on the evening of the 10th of September, I felt utterly callous, and even, to my surprise, uninterested I could not pray, nor read, nor even think of God, but just rested by naked faith on the Word of God that “I was dead,” and only Christ was my all-in-all.
I went to the meeting the next evening, but could not sing nor pray, I just rested in God and asked Him to lead the Pastor to lay hands on me when He wished. Soon the Pastor was “filled with the Holy Ghost” and came to me. When he laid hands on me, I expected a great rush of feeling, such as I have often experienced, as the Life of Jesus thrilled through me body, but I felt nothing. The Spirit then flashed light on to the Word, “They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.” I should like to emphasize that it was at this point of really believing in my heart God’s Word, that I had received (Acts Viii., 17), that He began to manifest His presence (the empty cleansed vessel receiving the out-poured gift), and I just rested again in the fact that God the Holy Ghost had come and would do His own work. Suddenly the Lord fulled His Temple and I was in the glory. What followed I cannot describe, and it is too sacred to do so, but I knew God had come. Though never unconscious, I was quite oblivious to everyone around, just worshiping. Then my mouth began to quiver, my tongue began to move, and a few simple words were uttered, as I just yielded to the Holy Ghost. Much to my astonishment, I began to speak fluently in a foreign language-Chinese I think. The Spirit sang through me. The joy and rapture of this purely spiritual worship can never be described. If for no other purpose, I felt at last satisfied that “there was no difference between me and them as at the beginning,” Acts xi., 15. Then came a vision of the Blood. As the Spirit spoke that word I was conscious that ALL heaven oh glory! (myself included) was “worshiping the Lamb, as it had been slain.” Oh, the efficacy, the power of the Blood. In one moment, what I had believed in for years was illuminated as a reality. Nothing else can take its place, it is the Blood that cleanseth. Then came more words in ‘tongues’ with the interpretation. “Worthy is the Lamb; Jesus is coming.”
People say, “What is the difference now?” Just this, and this is all the difference. What one has held on to by faith in the Word, is a reality. I know, as never before, that Christ liveth in me. The Power to love and believe and witness is there, as never before; and last, though not least, after longing with a hungry heart for years to satisfy my God and Savior, that “He might see the travail of His soul and be satisfied,” I thank Him with all my heart that at last He has received from me pure spirit-worship-“mysteries,”-I Cor. 14, 2; John 3, 23. I recognize, as never before, that it is still a walk of faith and obedience, that I am nothing, and Christ is my all in all. I am launched out into the fathomless ocean of God’s love, joy and peace. It is “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” I thank god for the Pentecostal sign of ‘tongues.’ I did not ask for ‘tongues’ but for the Holy Ghost, and He “gave me utterance,” and the joy of praising God in the Spirit is truly wonderful.-Mrs. A.A. Body, Sunderland, Eng.
Testimony of a Sunday School Teacher
On Sunday, September 8th, I surrendered my whole being full to Jesus and accepted cleansing through His most precious Blood, and on Monday, September 9th, while reading a little booklet, I got a great blessing form these two verses:-
Nothing to settle? all has been paid,
Nothing of anger? peace has been made;
Jesus alone is the sinner’s resource,
Peace He has made by the Blood of His cross.
Nothing of guilt? no, not a stain,
How could the Blood let any remain,
My conscious is purged, my spirit is free,
Precious Blood is to God and to me.
And then I claimed my Pentecost through that precious Blood, and stood firm on the blessed promises in Luke xi., 13, and Luke xxiv., 49, and I praised Him for it until Friday, September 13th. Oh, that glorious night when Christ came into my heart in all His fullness. It was about twenty minutes to nine when I went into the meeting and they were singing “Rest in the Lord,” the message He gave me on Thursday, Psalm xxxvii., 7. A dear sister gave me the card with “Now I give up all to Jesus” on, and told me to let all go and just yield to Him, and oh, the unspeakable joy that flooded my soul when I, in simple faith, let my whole heart go. It was Jesus Himself who came in, glory to His Name. I could have shouted Glory, Hallelujah! all the way home. On Sunday, September 15th, we had a prayer meeting at a friend’s house and the Spirit fell mightily upon me and I spoke in a strange language. Oh, it’s all Glory, Glory, Glory, I cannot explain the joy and peace I now have, but I know it is all through the precious Blood of Jesus. Praise Him, praise Him.
Testimony of a Yorkshire Farmer
The Holy Spirit came upon me on Sunday night, showing me the mighty power in the blood of Jesus. The following night it was Jesus himself and the Holy Spirit entering in like a flood. I do thank the Lord that He enabled me to take Him in, or rather, He so melted me that I allowed Him to come in. I took Him in all His fullness, that the life of the head might be the life of the member of the body. How unnatural it would seem to see a person going about with life in the head and not the same life running through the body and the head no control over the body. I feel that I want to be like the bed of a river, perfectly still, but wide enough to admit a flood. When I got home on Tuesday night, I was sitting by myself occupied with the Lord, when I got the sign of tongues. Glory to the name of Jesus.
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PENTECOSTAL MISSIONARY REPORTS
Since the last paper, Spirit-filled missionaries have gone out from Los Angles to Monrovia, Liberia, Africa, two sisters to South China and a band of nine missionaries to North China. Also a band of fourteen missionaries went from Spokane, Wash., to Japan and China. They were able to talk to the Chinese and Japanese at the dock and on the ship in their native languages. The “Apostolic Light” is now published by Brother Ryan in Tokyo, Japan.
Our dear Brother A.H. Post who is on his way to South Africa from Los Angeles, writes from London, England, “Praise our god the ‘latter rain’ is falling in England. Glory to our God forever. I do greatly rejoice in Him for this blessed privilege of carrying this wonderful salvation to other nations. My heart leaps with joy and burns with His love for so great a privilege.” Address him at 14 Ackerman Road, Brixton, London, S.W., care Mrs. Price.
We never saw a more humble and Spirit-filled band of missionaries than the dear ones that left Los Angeles for North China, going by the way of Seattle where they were joined by others, making twelve in all, besides children. Brother Bernstein, Brother and Sister Hess and six workers from the Swedish Mission, made up the company from here. They went out trusting God alone for their support. Brother Bernsten says, “God has laid it on my heart to go to a new field and open up the work there. It is on the railroad line south of Peking, a big field, and to open our home for any independent worker filled with the Holy Ghost and fire, to come and stay with us until they are sure where God wants them. Pray for a dwelling place and a home convenient for Chinese orphans.” We are expecting God to wonderfully bless these consecrated and anointed ones. They are going into the famine district. Address B. Bernsten, Taiming fu, Chih-li, North China.
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Our dear Sister Farrow, who was one of the first to bring Pentecost to Los Angeles, went to Africa and spent seven months at Johnsonville, 25 miles from Monrovia, Liberia, in that most deadly climate. She has now returned and has a wonderful story to tell. Twenty souls received their Pentecost, numbers were saved sanctified and healed. The Lord had given her the gift of the Kru language and she was permitted to preach two sermons to the people in their own tongue. The heathen some of them after receiving the Pentecost, spoke in English and some in other tongues. Praise God. The Lord showed her when she went, the time she was to return and sent her the fare in time, brought her home safely, and used her in Virginia and in the South along the way.
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There is no man at the head of this movement. God Himself is speaking in the earth. We are on the verge of the greatest miracle the world has ever seen, when the sons of God shall be manifested, the saints shall come singing from the dust (Isa. 26:19) and the full overcomers shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The political world realizes that some great crisis is at hand, the scientific world, the religious world all feel it. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, it is near, even at the doors.
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Should a person seek sanctification before the baptism with the Holy Ghost?
Yes. Sanctification makes us holy, but the baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers us for service after we are sanctified, and seals us unto the day of redemption. Sanctification destroys the body of sin, the old man Adam. Rom. 6:6, 7, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” When a man has been saved from actual sin, then he consecrates himself to God to be sanctified, and so his body of sin is destroyed or crucified. Then the resurrection life of Christ rises in his soul according to the Scriptures, Rom. 6:8, “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.”
Is it necessary for a person to leave their home duties in order to wait at some place for the Holy Ghost?
No; you can wait right in the kitchen or in the parlor or in the barn. Some have received the baptism of the Spirit in their barns, some in the kitchen, some at family worship, some on their porch, some about their business.
Must people give up their property and have all things in common, in order to receive the Pentecost?
No; God has made us stewards over all that we have, and He lays on our hearts to give as He prospers us. At the beginning of Pentecost, there was a great awakening in Jerusalem, and many people were waiting for salvation. Numbers of them were poor and had no home, and were in need of food and raiment. And God laid it on the hearts of as many as were possessors of lands or houses that they sold their possessions and brought the price and laid the money at the apostles feet, to help supply the food and to spread the Word of God, that it might be preached over the world. But they did not do this in order to get salvation. God laid it on their hearts to do this for a special need. So those that were sent to preach the Gospel found favor with all the people and their needs were supplied, and they all were in one accord in the Spirit. But God does not mean that we should today, wherever the baptism is poured out, just sell our homes and come and wait for salvation, and expect to receive salvation simply because we have sold out our homes and our business and given up our talents. We can have positions that are decent and get salvation also, and can be called to a special business and can keep saved.
We read God’s word in I. Thess. 4:11, “And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business and work with your own hands as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
People that have large families have become so enthused over this wonderful salvation that they have sometimes sold out their homes, when God has not said so. We believe that people can have homes and still be in God’s order. We bless God for everyone to whom He has given homes and still be in God’s order. We bless God for everyone to whom He has given homes.. We tell them not to run ahead of the Spirit in selling their homes, except God has really laid it on their hearts to do so. We have seen many that did so and regretted it afterwards.
What is the real evidence that a man or woman has received the baptism with the Holy Ghost?
Divine love, which is charity. Charity is the Spirit of Jesus. They will have the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” This is the real Bible evidence in their daily walk and conversation; and the outward manifestations; speaking in tongues and the signs following; casting out devils, laying hands on the sick and the sick being healed, and the love of God for souls increasing in their hearts.
Can a person lose the Pentecost and be restored?
Yes; if they have not sinned willfully. A willful sin means to deny the Blood of Jesus Christ and insult the Spirit of truth, which is the blessed Holy Ghost. Then there is no more remission of sin. But the person that has been snared by Satan and will confess their sin and turn to God will find saving power in the Blood to cleanse them. There is a great difference between denying the Blood of Jesus Christ or doing despite to the Spirit, and just simply falling into temptation and being overcome by Satan. If they repent and do the first works, and consecrate to receive sanctification, and wait for the baptism, they can get it again.
Do you teach that it is wrong to take medicine?
Yes, for saints to take medicine. Medicine is for unbelievers, but the remedy for the saints of God we will find in Jas. 5:14, “Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
Does the Lord Jesus provide healing for everybody?
Yes; for all those that have faith in Him. The sinner can receive healing.
Does a soul need the baptism with the Holy Ghost in order to live a pure and holy life?
No; sanctification makes us holy, Heb. 2:11, “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” The Holy Ghost does not cleanse anyone from sin. It is Jesus’ shed Blood on Calvary. The Holy Ghost never died for our sins. It was Jesus who died for our sins and it is His Blood that atones for our sins. The Scripture says, I. John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. It is the Blood that cleanses and makes holy, and through the Blood we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost always falls in answer to the Blood.
Do we need to study the Bible as much after receiving the Holy Ghost?
Yes; if not we become fanatical or many times will be led by deceptive spirits and begin to have revelations and dreams contrary to the word, and begin to prophesy and think ourselves some great one, bigger than some other Christians. But by reading the Bible prayerfully, waiting before God, we become just little humble children, and we never feel that we have got more than the least of God’s children.
Is it necessary to have hands laid on in order to receive the Holy Ghost?
No; you can receive Him in your private closet. The gift of the Holy Ghost comes by faith in the word of God. You may receive the Holy Ghost right now, that is if you are sanctified. Take your Bible, turn to the first chapter of Acts, 5th verse, “For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Just read this verse of Scripture and cry out to the Father, “Lord Jesus, baptize me with the Holy Ghost,” and believe the Lord with all your heart and the power will fall.
The baptism of the Spirit is a gift of power on the sanctified life, and when people receive it, sooner or later they will speak in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. A person may not speak in tongues for a week after the baptism, but as soon as he gets to praying or praising God in the liberty of the Spirit, the tongues will follow. Tongues are not salvation. It is a gift that God throws in with the baptism with the Holy Spirit. People do not have to travail and agonize for the baptism, for when our work ceases, then God comes. We cease form our own works, which is the very type of the millennium.
Is the speaking in tongues the standard of fellowship with the Pentecost people?
No; our fellowship does not come through gifts and outward demonstrations but through the Blood by the Spirit of Christ. There is nothing more loving than the Blood of Jesus Christ in our hearts. The Lord Jesus says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” If a man is saved and living according to the word of God, he is our brother, if he has not got the baptism with the Holy Spirit with tongues.
How are we to keep the anointing of the Spirit after receiving the Pentecost?
By living in the word of God with perfect obedience.
In meetings, should a number speak in tongues at the same time?
No; except as God sends a wave of the Spirit over the saints. Sometimes the Spirit will come as a shower or a rushing wind and everybody may speak that has the power. But it is not in order or Bible regulation for all to speak in tongues at once. I. Cor. 14:23, 24. Yet sometimes God works in ways that we do not just understand. But for the edification of all, there comes a time when we have to get back to the 14th chapter of First Corinthians from the 26th to the 40th verses. Paul says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Is this movement a new sect or denomination?
No; it is undenominational and unsectarian. We believe in unity with Christ’s people everywhere, in the Word of God. It is the old-time apostolic assembly, the same old teaching of 1900 years ago. It is new to the world in these last days, but its teaching and doctrine is old as the New Testament.
Does any man control the missions of the Apostolic Faith?
No; every mission will have its own elders and teachers as the Holy Ghost shall appoint and teach the pure word of God. Every mission will be in harmony and work in unity. The Lord has deacons, elders, and teachers for the perfecting of the ministry in His saints, until we all become a perfect man in Christ Jesus.
What is the Bible way for a preacher to get his support and to raise the expenses of the church?
To pray to the Lord God and by free will offerings and donations, as God lays it on the hearts of the people that he is laboring with. God will graciously supply all needs, if you simply will trust Him and look to Him. He will pay off expenses.
Do you teach that divine love in the heart would make any familiarity between men and women safe and right?
No, every precious child that is getting the baptism of the Holy Spirit should be watchful and avoid all appearance of evil. Satan is transformed as an angel of light to deceive many precious souls that receive great spiritual blessings; and not understanding the cunning devices of the enemy, people have been led by Satan into freelovism. Some have taught that a baptism of love would make you so holy that you could overstep he bounds of propriety. May God help us to keep free from anything that is impure. If a person happens to get under the influence of these powers, they must denounce their doctrine and get these spirits cast off from them and get under the Blood. The doctrine of freeloveism is Satan’s counterfeit of genuine salvation through the Blood of Jesus.
On what grounds did the Lord Jesus teach that a man and wife could separate?
On the ground of fornication. These are the words of Jesus, “It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement; but I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”-Matt. 5, 31, 32. Notice He says, “It hath been said, let him give her a writing of divorcement.” This used to be the teaching before the great Teacher came, but in Christ’s church there is no divorcement. Now a man has a right by the Scripture to put away his wife for fornication, but he has no right to marry another, according to the Scripture, while she lives. “For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband, so long as he liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband; so then if while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress.”-Rom. 7:2, 3.
If a man puts away his wife, except for fornication, he exposes her to get another husband and send her soul to hell, so it will pay every man and every woman to live with their companion for the salvation of their soul, except for the cause of fornication. He has a right to put away but not a right to get another again.
Do you have preachers and evangelists of the Apostolic Faith that have two wives or two husbands?
No, we did allow it before we became settled down and searched the Scriptures and compared scripture with scripture. We allowed those that were divorced and remarried to preach the Gospel, thinking that everything was under the Blood, and if they did not have any more light it did not condemn them. But after searching the Scriptures, we found it was wrong; that the widow was to be the wife of one man and the bishop was to be the husband of one wife. We found no scripture where the preacher could be engaged in this blessed Gospel ministry with two living companions.
If people never had light on the divorce question and have the second companion, how shall they regulate their lives in harmony with the Scriptures?
“If any man come to Me, and hate not his father and mother and his wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”-Luke 14:26. That does mean to desert a lawful wife, but it means to let nothing stand between you and Christ. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.”-Luke 15:27. “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee; for it is probable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement but I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is divorced, committeth adultery.”-Matt. 5, 29, 32.
Can a child of God be possessed by evil spirits?
No; evil spirits cannot come under the Blood, any more than the Egyptians could pass through the Red Sea-the Red Sea represents the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Blood gives you power over all the power of the enemy. But we must have Christ within us. If the soul is left empty and no “strong man” within, then the evil spirit can just take the house. (Luke 11:21, 26.) Some say that when the soul is sanctified, the house is empty and clean, and if he does not get the Holy Ghost, a wicked spirit can come in. Don’t you ever believe that. That empty house represents a man that had a demon cast out (as we see plainly in the 24th verse); and he did not get Christ within. But a man that is sanctified has Christ ruling within. People that are living under the Blood live free from demons and satanic powers. They live pure and holy before the Lord. A man might be a Christian and oppressed by a demon, but that is altogether different from being possessed. Wicked spirits are driven out and repentance and faith wrought in the heart, when a man if justified. Then Christ comes in and keeps them out. A demon might be in the flesh as in the case of a cancer. The devil may oppress the body with sickness but that is very different from possessing the soul.
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A WONDERFUL BAPTISM IN ENGLAND
Two years ago, a special work of grace began. The Holy Spirit came upon me with manifestations, and the old natural life was in very deed and truth crucified with Christ. And from that time, I became a crucified follower of my crucified Lord. Anointings of the Holy Spirit were continually given me for service, as each need arose. It was indeed a walk in newness of life, proving the power of His resurrection.
On the last night of the old year, came the command to tarry, which was promptly carried out. The result being a further revelation of the exceeding sinfulness of sin and of His glorious holiness and love. At the end of eight days came a baptism of fire burning and consuming through my whole being as the very ashes of my old life were consumed and done away with. Love to God and man took possession of me, and I was filled to overflowing with the resurrection life of my Lord. Much time daily was spent in silent waiting before the Lord, receiving from His Holy Spirit such teaching, that what had formerly been light was translated into life for spirit, soul and body.
With two dear Pentecostal saints, I met for prayer and waiting. I saw in vision Christ on Calvary, bearing my sin. Each act of sin was laid separately upon Him and weighed Him down deeper and deeper, until beneath the awful weight of blackness and darkness of woe and of anguish, His heart was broken and mine seemed to break with His. How long this lasted, I do not know; but at length, consciousness returned. The glory broke and the Holy Spirit sang through me in English a hitherto unknown song of praise and thanksgiving for the precious, precious Blood, and of glory to the Lamb upon the throne.
On the evening of our next united gathering for prayer and waiting, revelation after revelation was given of the Lamb; the glory of the Lamb, the power of the Lamb, the victory of the Lamb, the marriage of the Lamb, and the reign of the Lamb with His glorified bride. I knew from that moment that Christ Jesus was on the throne of my heart as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and that His purpose was to demonstrate the Lamb life through me.
The Holy Spirit descended in clouds of glory, wave after wave of glory broke upon me. Tidal waves of resurrection life and glory surged through every organ of my body, so that I was constrained to cry aloud for everything within me shouted “Glory” and could not be silenced.
I realized that this was that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, that God had made good His promise to me, and poured upon me His Holy Spirit. Glory to His name.
When I was once more alone, the Lord spoke to me and asked if I was disappointed that the gift of tongues had not been given. Disappointed Lord! I have You and You can speak in every tongue. It was You I wanted-You alone; and now You have taken full possession. He gave me to understand that tongues would soon be given. And a few days later when in prayer with two dear friends, He gave me the gift, and the Holy Spirit sang through me in a tongue utterly unknown before. The interpretation was given, and I knew it was all about the precious, precious Blood. Glory to the Triune God! Glory to the Lamb upon the throne.-Your English sister, M.J.D.
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“Jesus is coming soon,” is the message that the Holy Ghost is speaking today through nearly everyone that receives the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Many times they get the interpretation of the message spoken in an unknown language and many times others have understood the language spoken. Many receive visions of Jesus and He says, “I am coming soon.” Two saints recently in Minneapolis fell under the power were caught up to Heaven and saw the New Jerusalem, the table spread, and many of the saints there,-both seeing the same visions at the same time. They said Jesus was coming very soon and for us to work as we had little time.
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Wherever this blessed Gospel goes, through Christ’s Spirit-filled servants, a fruitful field grows up right away. The birds all begin to sing, showing spring has come. The flowers all bud out in their souls, and they commence singing in tongues like the birds, showing us that the Holy Ghost brings spring to our hearts, and the blossoms and the fruit commence growing. Glory to God.
CHRIST’S MESSAGES TO THE CHURCH
The last message given to the church was by the Holy Ghost, from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through Brother John on the Isle of Patmos. Dear beloved, we read in Revelations 1:5-7, these words, “Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own Blood.” Hallelujah to His name. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and the Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wait because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
This is the beginning of this wonderful and blessed message given to our beloved Apostle John while he was suffering for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Jesus knew all about His servant, though He had been living in Heaven more than half a century after His ascension. And He came and visited that beloved apostle, the disciple who loved Jesus and leaned on His bosom. He now was old but had been faithful to the trust that Jesus had given him. He had passed through awful trials and tribulations for this precious Gospel, even being boiled in a caldron of oil, tradition tells us; but, blessed be God, they were not able to kill him. And when they got tired of this precious Holy Ghost Gospel messenger, preaching to them the faith of Jesus, they banished him to the Isle of Patmos. And while he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, our blessed Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, our great Redeemer, came and gave him this wonderful revelation, and introduced Himself to John as, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Hallelujah.
O beloved, the Lord Jesus knows all about our trials and tribulations, because He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. His whole life was a life of suffering. We read in Heb. 5:7, 8, “Though He were a son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey.” O bless our God. Just to think that Jesus was God’s Son, and all things were made by Him and for Him; yet He was foreordained before the foundation of the world that He should die. He was slain before the foundation of the world. So the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among men and was handled by men, and lived in this world. And at the age of 33 years, He paid the debt on Calvary’s cross. O beloved, if we expect to reign with Him, we must suffer with Him-not that people must be sick or unhealthy or go with a long face, but we must bear all things and keep the faith of Jesus in our hearts. Our lives now are with the suffering Christ: and “it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” Glory to Jesus.
After Jesus introduced Himself, He gave John these blessed messages to the church. John was permitted to see from the beginning of the church age on down to the white throne judgment, the final winding up of the world. He was permitted to see the overcomers. He was permitted to see the millennial reign with Jesus in triumph over the kingdoms of Satan; to see this old world pass away, to see the new heavens and new earth, and the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven. John saw things past, things present, and things in the future. He had witnessed the glory and power of the apostolic church, and saw the falling away of the church, and God sent him to the church with this blessed message; that she should come back to her first love.
The Vision of Jesus in His Church
The most striking passage of Scripture in the first chapter is where John was permitted to see Jesus walking among the golden candlesticks, which represent the church. Christ is in His church today to fill men and women, to heal their bodies, save and sanctify their souls, and to put His finger upon every wrong and mean thing in the church. His rebuke is against it, for He hates sin today as much as He ever did when He walked by the Sea of Galilee. Glory to His name. Jesus hates impure doctrine just as much as when He rebuked the Pharisees for their impure doctrine.
John beheld Jesus in His glorified body. What a holy scene it was: the Son of God clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. “His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow.” Hallelujah. There is nothing but purity and holiness in our Savior. And “His eyes were as a flame of fire.” Glory to Jesus. “And His feet like to fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace. And His voice as the sound of many waters,” which represents many people. Bless God.
“And He had in His right hand seven stars.” This represents His Holy Ghost ministers. Jesus has them in His hand, that is to say that He gave them the authority to preach the Gospel and power over devils. All of our authority and power comes from Jesus. It is so sweet when we know that we have authority from Jesus. Bless His holy name. O beloved, when we know Jesus Christ has His minister in His hand, we know that minister is a live preacher. Glory to Jesus. Hallelujah. A live minister represents one that is saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then the same life, the same authority that Jesus promised we will find in his life.
“And out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance, was as the sun shineth through the blessed Christ. “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as one dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last.” Praise God, Jesus is alive and because He lives everyone that gets Christ is alive in the blessed Holy Spirit. The Blood of Jesus Christ does give life, power and fire, joy, peace, happiness and faith. Hallelujah to His name.
“I am He that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore.” Bless His holy name. He wanted John to know that He was the same One that hung and bled and died and shed His precious Blood on Calvary’s cross, went down into the grave, and rose again. This ought to make the whole body of Christ’s people everywhere happy to know that Jesus is alive for evermore. Hallelujah to His name.
Then He said, “And have the keys of hell and of death.” Bless God. No wonder Bro. David said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me.” When we get Jesus Christ in our hearts, we can use the word and it is a comfort to us to know that we have passed from death to life.
Then He told John particularly, “Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”
The Message to the Church of Ephasus
Then He gave him the messages to the seven churches. “And to the angel of the church at Ephesus write, “These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.” Hallelujah to His name. Ephesus was a city of Asia, quite a commercial city, a city of wealth, refinement, culture and great learning. It was where John preached and where Paul had labored. Many people there had been saved and baptized with the Spirit. Paul had witnessed a great scene in Ephesus where he had preached the Gospel of the Son of God and of the doctrine of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and 12 men after hearing of this blessed doctrine, received water baptism, and when Paul laid his hands on them, they received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts. 19;6. So Ephesus was a favored place, but the message was sent to it and to all the churches of Asia. This is a true picture of the Lord Jesus’ eyes upon the church ever since its beginning, and; will be unto the end. We are living near the close of the Gentile age down in the Laodicean period, when the church has become as formal as the Laodiceans. This message was first to the church of Ephesus.
I Know Thy Works
The Lord Jesus said, “I know thy works.” God knows our works, He knows our hearts. “And thy labor and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou has tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast labored and hast not fainted.” Bless our God. That is more than many churches today could receive from the Master. Jesus commended them for what they had done. He commended them for their faithfulness. He is not like men. He knows our hearts, our trials, our conditions. But bless God, He does not make any allowance for sin. He hates sin today as much as He ever did. Yet He does not come to destroy us or condemn us, but to seek and to save us.
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” The Lord does not want anything to get between us and Him. O may every precious child in these times that are getting the Holy Spirit not go into apostasy, but may they be a burning and a shining light for God, just as we were when we first received the baptism with the Holy Spirit. God wants us to keep the same anointing that we received and let nothing separate us from Christ.
Repentance
We find Jesus still preaches the same doctrine of repentance that He preached while on earth. In order to get right with God, He says , “Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Dear beloved, if there is anything wrong in your life and Jesus has His finger is truly in His church today. This is the Holy Ghost dispensation and He does convince men of sin, righteousness and the judgment, and if we will be honest, God will bless us.
To the Church Today
When a church or mission finds that the power of God begins to leave, they should come as a whole and confess, and let all get down before God and repent and pray to god until the old time fire and power and love come back again. Many times the Holy Spirit will leave an assembly, mission or church because the pastor grieves Him, and sometimes not only the pastor but the whole body commences backbiting, whispering, tattling, or prejudice and partiality creep in, until the whole becomes corrupted and Jesus is just ready to spew them out of His mouth. But, O beloved, let us then come to the 2nd chapter of Revelation and see what Jesus says to the assembly. He expects to find the church, when He comes back to earth again, just as full of fire and power and the signs following, as it was when He organized it on the day of Pentecost. Bless His holy name. May God help all His precious praying children to get back to the old Pentecostal power and fire and love. The church at that time was as terrible as an army with banners. She conquered every power of evil. Hypocrites were not able to remain in it any more than Annanias and Sapphira. God gave such wonderful love to His people.
Then He gave messengers to every church, showing that Jesus’ eyes are upon every church. His finger this day is upon every heart that does not measure to the fullness of holiness. God wants a holy church and all wrong cleansed away-fornication and adultery two wives, two husbands, not paying grocery bills, water bills, furniture bills, coal bills, gas bills, and all honest bills. God wants His people to be true and holy and He will work. Nothing can hinder. Bless His holy name.
I thank God for this wonderful message to the church, a message from heaven, given by Jesus to show that He is in the church, that He does walk among the golden candlesticks. He is in heaven, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, He walks in the church today. Nothing can be hidden from His pure eyes. He wants people to live the highest and deepest consecration to Him. He does not want their love for him divided. Their first love is to Him.
Impure Doctrine
We find many of Christ’s people tangled up in these days, committing spiritual fornication as well as physical fornication and adultery. They say, “Let us all come together; if we are not one in doctrine, we can be one in spirit.” But, dear ones, we cannot all be one, except through the word of God. He says, “But this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” I suppose that the apostolic church at Ephesus allowed people that were not teaching straight doctrine, not solid in the word of God, to remain in fellowship with them; and Jesus saw that a little heaven would leaven the whole, and His finger was right upon that impure doctrine. It had to be removed out of the church or He would remove the light and break the church up. When we find things wrong, contrary to Scripture, I care not how dear it is, it must be removed. We cannot bring Agag among the children of Israel, for God says he must die. Saul saved Agag, which represented saving himself, the carnal nature of old man; but Samuel said Agag must die, and he drew his sword and slew him. Christ’s precious word, which is the sword of Samuel, puts all carnality and sin to death. It means perfect obedience to walk with the Lord. There are many people in these last days that are not going to live a Bible salvation, they are going to take chances. But may God help everyone, if their right hand or right eye offend them to cast it from them. It is better to enter into life maimed than for soul and body to be cast into hell fire.
The Lord says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” O beloved, if we expect to reign with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we must overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. There will be many that will be saved but will not be full overcomers to reign on this earth with our Lord. He will give us power to overcome if we are willing. Bless His holy name.
W.J. Seymour.
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CHINA MISSIONARY RECEIVES PENTECOST.
On leaving China, October, 1906, I was asked to investigate the Apostolic Faith Movement in Los Angeles, where they claimed to have manifested the same gifts of the Holy Ghost as of old. (I Cor. 12: 8-10.) I heard such contradictory reports that I kept away for some time, but praise God, He had His hand upon me for this wonderful gift, and I had no rest until I went and heard and saw for myself.
It only took a short time after the beginning of the first meeting, to know it was of God. And when the altar call came, I went forward.
Before this I had asked God to turn His great searchlight upon my heart and was astonished to find so much worldliness, spiritual pride, vanity, insincerity, lack of love, selfishness, and other things. When I had left for the foreign field seven years before this, I thought I had died to everything; but when the Spirit began to deal with me in preparing me for the fullness of the Spirit, I found I was very much alive, in fact had scarcely begun to die to self. Although the Lord had given me wonderful victories in my life and what I thought was the baptism of the Spirit, yet when God began to search me as never before, I had to confess that I had never even been sanctified.
I had been taught the suppression theory, and now and again the “old man” would pop up in a greater or less degree; sometimes harsh words did not escape, but I would feel the boiling up inside. But God showed me that His word meant just what it said, that provision was made in the atonement-not only for our sins but for our sin, the old Adamic nature. (Rom. 6: 6, 18, 22.) How I did rejoice that at the last, the longing of my heart to be rid of that which had kept me from being entirely free from sin, was to be satisfied. I had sought my baptism of the Spirit three times, when the Lord told me that I must be sanctified before the Spirit could take full possession of my body. Just so were the disciples sanctified before Christ left them (John 17: 17, 19), that they might be ready for the baptism of the Spirit.
After some of the saints had prayed for me, one of them asked me if I had the witness of the Spirit to my sanctification according to Heb. 10: 14, 15. For some years back I had been taught of the Spirit to keep “short accounts” with the Lord, and there was nothing left to do in the way of restitution; and having laid all on the altar, I knew I had met the condition, and that god had fulfilled His promise; although there was no other feeling than the assurance that God had done the work because of His Word. I then began to praise God audibly, and in a few minutes I was flooded with billows of glory, and the Spirit sang through me praises unto God. Besides this witness of the Spirit, was the witness of the fruits; for under whatever provocation, there is no uprising, for there is nothing to rise up. Glory to Jesus.
When sanctified, I was filled with such glory that I felt sure it must be the baptism, which did not come for three weeks. In the meantime, the power was upon me almost continually, sometimes lying under the power for hours, while I consecrated myself to God as never before.
At last after a real dying out, as I never dreamed could be possible on earth, in the upper room at Azusa Mission, the promise of the Father was made real to me, and I was charged with the power of God and my soul flooded with glory. The Spirit sang praises unto God. Glory to Jesus. He gave me the Bible experiences, speaking through me in other tongues..
The Lord showed me that the cross was going to mean to me what it had never meant before. One morning the Spirit dealt with me, singing through me-
“Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free:
No, there’s a cross for every one,
And there is one for me.”
The last line He just seemed to burn into my soul by repeating it over and over again. Sometimes the Spirit would sing a line and then sob out a line. Although I wept and was in anguish of soul, it was all in the Spirit.
The life of Jesus passed before me, and He asked me if I was willing to follow Jesus in living absolutely for Him in ministering unto others. I thought I had known something of what this meant in China; but now to preach the everlasting Gospel in the power and demonstration of the Spirit and to truly go out on the faith line and to minister day and night, sometimes unto the hungry multitudes in the face of fierce opposition, meant far more than ever before. But He enabled me to say, “By Thy grace I will bear this cross.”
The Garden scene came up before me next, as the Spirit again sang, “Must Jesus bear the cross alone?” And He seemed to say, “Your friends will forsake you, your own family will misunderstand you, you will be called a fanatic, crazy; are you willing to bear this cross?” Again I answered, “By Thy grace, I will.”
The crucification scene then came before me and it seemed as if my heart would break with sorrow, and I could only wait in silence. Then I said, “Lord, if it was to be beheaded, I could; but-” I could go no further. Later in the day, the Lord spoke to me again as I was under the power. It seemed as if I would almost perish in soul anguish. I was unconscious of the workers all about me. It seemed as if Jesus Himself stood beside, looking down upon me. I could only say, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, I will, I will, I will.” His promises came to me as distinctly as if audibly said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” And in a flash, He gave me to understand the secret of the endurance of the martyrs who were burned at the stake with the glory of heaven upon their faces, and seemingly free from pain. And He enabled me to say, “Yes, Lord, your grace is sufficient.”
Then the Spirit began to sing in a joyful strain, repeating over and over again the last line until I could almost see the crown:
“The consecrated cross I’ll bear,
Till Christ has set me free;
And then go home a crown to wear,
For there’s a crown for me.”
To sum it up, the baptism of the Spirit means to me what I never dreamed it could this side of Heaven: victory, glory in my soul, perfect peace, rest, liberty, nearness to Christ, deadness to this old world, and power in witnessing. Glory to His name for ever and forever!-Antoinette Moomau, Eustice, Nebr.
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We ought to claim perfect health through the atonement of Jesus.
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The well of water that is within you that springs up into everlasting life is the Spirit, and its fruit is love. That love waters your own soul and everyone else that you come in contact with.
THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
There is no difference in quality between the baptism with the Holy Ghost and sanctification. They are both holiness. Sanctification is the Lord Jesus Christ crowned in your heart and the baptism with the Holy Spirit is His power upon you. It is all holiness. It makes you more like Jesus. It is Jesus in justification, Jesus in sanctification and Jesus in the baptism with the Holy Ghost. If we follow Jesus, we will never have any other spirit but the Spirit of holiness.
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Everyone that gets sanctified and cleansed through the Blood has perfect union with the Lord Jesus Christ. The baptism with the Holy Ghost does not cleanse and free you from sin but it is the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Then the Spirit falls in answer to the Blood.
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Every man or woman that gets sanctified gets the witness of the Spirit. But when you enter into the Holy of Holies, you get the great Shekina glory upon you and cloven tongues of fire, and speak as the Spirit gives utterance, and the pillar of fire guides you every day of your life.
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Everyone that gets this blessed Holy Spirit the signs will follow. Tongues are not an evidence of salvation, but one of the signs that follow every Spirit-filled man and woman. We find the people that abound in talking of Jesus today are people that are given power by the blessed Holy Spirit. The time is out for the work of the flesh.
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When the Holy Ghost comes in, He fills you with love and joy and satisfaction. You have something when you have the baptism with the Holy Ghost. You have Him. People are hunting for blessings, but if you get the Blesser, you have Him all the time. You want not simply a blessing but the Holy Ghost. When He comes down, He will keep a fire in your heart. He is a person, He comes to lead and guide into all truth.
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The baptism of the Spirit is the in-filling of the personal Holy Ghost, which is the earnest of the Spirit. Then God gives us the authority to do the same work that Jesus did. We find where men and women have received this baptism with the Spirit, there is a revival going on just as on the day of Pentecost. That is what the baptism with the Holy Spirit means-a continual revival.
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When you get the baptism, you have a street in your soul called Thanksgiving Street, and you have an Amen Street and a Glory Street. Thanksgiving and the voice of melody is in your soul. When the Holy Ghost comes in, He comes singing, preaching and talking. It is because the church has brought forth the “man child.” Then we go on to perfection, forgetting the things which are behind and pressing forward to the things that are before.
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The Lord God says He will make you witnesses unto the uttermost part of the earth. When He sent His disciples to the lost tribes of Israel. He sent them to those that spoke Greek and Hebrew. They did not need the languages of the nations. But when He sent them out after Pentecost, He gave them the commission, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” And we find the first congregation they preached to after they received the baptism with the Holy Spirit, they had seventeen nationalities that heard the Gospel in their own tongue without confusion. (Acts 2, 9-11.) He is doing the same today, compelling men to believe that He is the same yesterday today, and forever. When God performed a miracle right before those people, of course they were convicted. So it is today where this Gospel is being preached in the power of the Spirit with signs following, men will fall out under the mighty power of God, and rise up and report that God is in you of a truth. This Gospel has power. Bless God.
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The God of Pentecost has never lost any power. He stands to baptize man and women with the Holy Ghost today just as He did 1900 years ago. Every worker that is going out to stand for Christ ought to get the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. It is for you as soon as you get light upon it.
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Keep your eyes on Jesus and not on the manifestations, not seeking to get some great thing more than somebody else. The Lord God wants you just as humble as a baby, looking for Him to fill you with more of God and power. If you get your eyes on manifestations and signs you are liable to get a counterfeit, but what you want to seek is more holiness, more of God.
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The Holy Spirit has been in the world ever since God created it, for we find in Genesis 1: 2, “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” This precious Spirit was with Enoch, He was with Elijah, He was with Daniel, He was with God’s priests and prophets, and they spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The disciples of Jesus knew the Holy Spirit, because they had His presence when they were sent out on a mission, for Jesus empowered them Himself while on earth to cast out demons and heal the sick and raise the dead. The Spirit was upon them for a special work, but He was not in them, for Jesus said to them, “Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him, but ye know Him for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.” (John 14, 17.) But when Jesus Christ took His place in heaven on the right hand of God, then He poured out His Spirit and gave us another Comforter that He should abide with us forever, to empower and to lead us into all truth.
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The Holy Spirit talks with us like a companion, for He is a companion. Jesus was the Comforter of His disciples while He was here in the flesh; but He said when He went away, “I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. * * * It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. When He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.” The day came when He should make His home in the hearts of men and women, it was the day of Pentecost. He came to abide. He is the abiding Comforter. O praise God, He has come and taken His home in our hearts. Everyone can receive the personal Holy Ghost in their hearts, for He says, “I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.”
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The baptism of the Holy Ghost comes on the sanctified, cleansed life. After the vessel is cleansed and made holy, it is meet for the Master’s use. Bless His Holy name. “If a man therefore shall purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, prepared unto every good work.” (II Tim. 2, 21.) In seeking this baptism, if you realize that you are sanctified and cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and wait before Him for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit in thanksgiving and faith, He will come in and fill His temple from head to foot. This Holy Ghost is love, power, joy, blessing, wisdom and holiness. He will guide you and open the Scriptures to you.
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The most wonderful thing a man or woman can receive after being sanctified is the outpouring of the Holy Ghost in their heart. He is fire and rivers of salvation in you inmost being. Isaiah prophesied, speaking of the Holy Ghost as floods of water: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon they seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring.” (Isaiah, 44, 3.) “Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be accounted for a forest.” (Isaiah, 32, 15.) Hallelujah! O it is so sweet and precious to receive this almighty baptism with the Holy Ghost in our souls. “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace as long as the moon endureth.” (Ps. 7 1/2, 6, 7.)
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JESUS, O HOW SWEET THE NAME!
“Jesus, oh, how sweet the name!
Jesus, every day the same,
Jesus, let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever-“
is the beautiful hymn the saints sang for three hours the night I received my baptism (June 15th, about 12 o’clock).
Oh, praise the name of Jesus! I sang it until the Precious Holy Ghost took my tongue and spoke for Himself. Oh, how wonderful, oh, how wonderful. Oh, praise God for His wonderful love! I wish I could describe to you what Jesus is to me. Oh, I thought I knew how to love Him before, I thought I knew Him, but never in such a way as I do now. Oh, it is so sweet to commune with God. I just wait before Him by the hour and let Him talk to me. I just cannot tell it. There are not words in the English language that can describe what Jesus is to me. I cannot begin to tell all, as my time is too limited, but will do the best I can.
I received my first anointing May 15th. By the anointing I mean the first I felt the Holy Ghost within. You will know when He begins to work. He just took control of my limbs and head. Oh, I cannot describe it. You must taste and see, you must have this blessed experience. Do not let anything interfere. Had another anointing a few days after that. Then felt the power within me almost every day until I received my baptism. About May 20th, I had such a wonderful anointing and I believe I would have received my baptism then, had I just known how to hold on to God by faith and rebuke the devil. Oh, he tried so hard to cheat me out of it. After that I got sort of discouraged for I felt I had done my part. Knew I was sanctified and ready for my baptism, and couldn’t understand why I did not get it. I thought the saints should pray more for me, but I had to die to the saints. I thought I ought to hurry and get it so you and the other dear ones would be encouraged, thought you would wonder why I did not get it sooner. But praise God He showed me that I must die to all opinions of people, so praise Him, I died to that.
Then He showed me the Word that, “After ye have done the whole will of God, ye have need of patience, that ye might obtain the promise.” I felt my need of that, for I was anxious. Oh, we just have to die to everything and everybody and see no one save Jesus. Praise His dear name! How blessed it is to reach the place where we see Him only.
Well, the Lord showed the Azusa street people that they were to have a camp-meeting, so they came out June 1st. Miss Johnson and I rented a tent and came also. during all this time I knew the Lord was with me, and I also knew the old devil was trying with all the forces of hell to cheat me out of the blessing. He presented everything imaginable to my mind, but, praise God! He brought me through more than conqueror. I just tell this for your encouragement. Remember, when the Lord works the devil works too, but when Satan presents anything to you, just tell him you are under the Blood. Just plead the blood, and he will flee.
July 11th, before going to the meeting, I had a blessed time talking to the Lord, and just felt sure I was going to get through. Went to the altar; the power of God was upon me, but I heard Miss Johnson say, “Hallelujah!” right at my side, and that was so unnatural for quiet Miss Johnson that I couldn’t help but think she must be getting through, so I looked at her. She was under the power and, bless God, she did get through. Had a wonderful experience. Both sang and spoke in tongues. Oh, I rejoiced that she got through. Now, just a word, remember when the power of God is upon you, even a thought will interfere with the workings of the Spirit. Oh, He is so easily grieved. So, when the Holy Ghost is working, keep your eyes centered upon Jesus, and when the devil presents a thought just rebuke him and plead the Blood.
The next night I was under the power, and almost spoke, but some one came into the room who did not feel right toward the sister that was praying for me, and the Spirit was so grieved within me that I just cried and cried. Not I, but the Spirit grieved. Oh, such grief, it was heart-rending. Oh, how careful people should be not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Before I go further I must tell you that when I went to the altar that night the Spirit began to shake my head, then my body, and gradually and gently laid me out of the floor. The Spirit did this three different times. At times it shook my whole body, and I was perfectly conscious all the time, but my thoughts were on Christ, I knew He was having His way in me.
The next morning (after the night just mentioned) I went to the eight o’clock prayer meeting and, while praying, the power came upon me, the Spirit laid me out on the floor again, and I was there from 8:45 until 4 o’clock that afternoon, right on my back, God having His way with me. Neale was dead and clear out of the way. It was the temple of the Holy Spirit, and He was having His way. This was in the large tabernacle. They had service at 10:30 and lasted until 12:30 or 1:00, and then service again from 2:30 until 5:00. Well, praise God! I was just covered with straw, but I never gave a thought, it was my baptism I was seeking. I was lost to the people, the straw and everything else. Well, may God bless and put a real hunger in your soul while you read this. Some one got up and sang a hymn (in the flesh), that means, of themselves, and it so grieved the Spirit in me I again gave vent to bitter tears. Oh, I have had sorrow in my life, but the deepest sorrow was when the Holy Ghost was grieved within me. To think of God Himself being within, having His way and then someone full of self getting up and talking and grieving the Spirit to such an extent that He leaves. Sad? Oh, I cannot find words to express it, but how it has taught me to walk carefully, to speak only as He gives me utterance. I would rather lose my life than grieve the Holy Spirit in anyone. But while I suffered from it, it just put such a contempt in me for this old life, this self life. Oh, what a terrible thing it is. How we have to walk and talk only as the Spirit leads, else we grieve the Spirit.
Well, it would take a long time to tell you how the devil tried to cheat me out of it. The Spirit was grieved again the next night but, praise God! on Friday night I got the victory and about 12 o’clock I received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. The Spirit having been grieved so often, I felt very sad, and as I sat in the tabernacle that night, the Lord looked down upon me in pity, and He led a dear sister over to me (who was filled with the Holy Ghost) and she just threw her arm around me with such pity and tender mercy. It was not she but the Holy Ghost within that led. She was at the altar and our Father, praise His dear name, told her to go to me. Oh, how I love Him, how sweet to know how He loves us, how He pities us and how ready and willing He is to cheer us. As soon as she came, the old devil said, “You will not get there tonight.” I said, “Jesus, I am looking to Thee,” and as I looked to Him He brought this sweet and beautiful hymn to my mind, “Jesus, oh, how sweet the Name,” etc. I began to sing it and the saints that were there joined, and oh, praise His name! it was Jesus only I saw. This part is so holy, so sacred, that I know words will fail to convey it to your mind. I just kept singing until I seemed borne to a heavenly atmosphere. The beautiful strain seemed like a heavenly choir as I was borne upward, upward. Oh, how wonderful! It seemed as though I had become a little child and Jesus led me by the hand. As He led me on and on, I said, “Yes, I’ll go all the way with You.” He showed me the stake. I said “Yes.” I thought that would be easy, for He stood right by my side, and I felt-O! I just cannot tell you what sweet confidence I had in Him. He showed me the foreign field, He showed me home, etc., and it seemed I was so satisfied to do anything, for He had my hand all the time. Praise His precious name! I said, “Yes, Jesus, yes,” and I even said, “I want You to talk for me,” and that is when I spoke in another tongue. I feel that I fail when I try to write it. Words cannot express it. Wonderful! Wonderful! He spoke through me for some time. Remember, I was conscious all this time, but it was Jesus and I who were conversing. The world was shut out, self was shut out, and I was lost in God.
Oh, how wonderful to let God take every thought captive, and not only your thoughts but your body, too. Praise His holy name! My body shook most of the time and my hands went so fast. I sang just the chorus, “Jesus, oh, how sweet the Name!” and the saints sang it all the time, too; but I lost sight of the saints. I could hear the strain and it seemed like a heavenly host that was helping to bear me upward. Praise God! Praise God! This has been the most wonderful experience of my life. Oh, how could any one doubt God? That God shall give you your baptism soon is my prayer. Seek earnestly. Let no worldly care cheat you out of God’s wonderful gift.-(Letter written by Miss Martha Neale to a friend. This has been slightly altered for publication.)-Good Tidings.
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A CHEERING TESTIMONY.
“I never was so determined as now to stand in all the fullness of this great Gospel. O my life is in His hands to do just as He will with me. I can say from my heart, I count not my life dear unto myself; and there’s something down in my soul that says:
“Though earth and hell my way oppose,
Jehovah’s mightier than my foes.”
I bless and praise God that the Holy Ghost fell in dear Los Angeles. Oh, and it took me in. Oh, how hungry I was, and how the glory of heaven flooded my soul as I sat and listened to dear Brother Seymour expound the Word of God. “This is that” which the prophet Joel said should come. Glory to His holy name, it’s come! It’s in my innermost being and abiding there. Oh the glory of the anointing that abideth. It’s clean hands and pure hearts and a walk blameless before God, in holiness, in fear, meditating day and night in the law of God that keep this wonderful anointing. Few will pay the price to get that that Joel should come, and few will continue to pay the price to keep it; but by His grace and power, I mean to keep it if all hell should shake and conspire to make me fall or step for one moment aside. I’ve taken the narrow way. O I love it. I mean to go through with the despised few.
O how I love Jesus. I never loved Him as I do now. His word never was so sweet. It’s my meat and drink day and night. How can I ever praise Him enough or do enough or suffer enough for what He’s done for me! What a privilege to suffer a little with Jesus. This awful power and prince of the air is our worst enemy. We don’t fight against flesh and blood now. This is a greater fight-and with the greater fight comes far greater power. For every ninety-nine pounds of trial comes one hundred pounds of grace.
How it thrills my heart to think of the dear blessed saints that are standing true. As never before we are going to see the mighty signs follow the preaching of the Word; as we keep in line with the truth and in no way compromise, preach the word and let the Holy Ghost magnify Jesus. Glory, glory to His precious name. How my very soul does thrill with the thought of what God is going to do through a clean people. O I want to be spotless and have every thought brought into subjection. This Gospel is going like wildfire. It shall sweep everything before it, compromisers and all. The blessed Lord does let us see a little ahead to encourage our hearts while the fight is on. The blessed Jesus is so precious to me. Amid evil reports and great demands for help, He gives such assurance in my poor soul that all is well, and O the calm that’s coming after the storm.”-Florence Crawford.
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The Lord wants a people in these days that will make the very highest consecration to God. He wants us to step up to the heights of holiness. We are in a time when we ought to be looking for the greatest revival the world has ever had, because the time is drawing nigh when the Scripture says, “And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Now, beloved, if we come together in unity and love and look to God, He can send an earthquake to this old world, just as He did to the Philippine jail and loose the bands. He wants His people to have faith in God that He may do a mighty work.
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The principles of the doctrine of Christ are:
1. Repentance.
2. Faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3. Water baptism.
4. Sanctification.
5. The baptism with the Holy Spirit.
6. Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Final white throne judgment.
This is a word for word reprint.
The Apostolic Faith (September, 1907)
This is a time as never before when the baptized saints are scattering abroad everywhere preaching the Word. They have gone out from Los Angeles far and near, carrying the sweet message that the Comforter has come. Some have gone to Canada, some east, some south, and some are on the way to foreign fields.
Many of the camp meeting saints are gathering back to the old “manger home” at Azusa. The pillar of fire still rests there. Meetings went on here all summer souls seeking and finding the Lord.
The Lord taught His people at the Campground and gave them some practical experiences that will stand them in good stead on the field. The enemy came in as an angel of light, and we had a battle with the powers of darkness; but it was turned into victory after all. The Spirit was poured out and many souls baptized. God only knows the number. They were slain about the altars and in the “upper room tent,” and came through speaking and singing in tongues and rejoicing in God.
Many were saved and sanctified. Over 100 were baptized in the stream near by. The baptismal services were sweet and heavenly. Numbers of children followed Jesus in baptism, and came out of the water praising God. Many testified to healing. The Lord performed some real miracles. Praise God!
There were over 200 living tents in the camp, besides a number of large tents; the big tabernacle where God met with us graciously; the “upper room tent” where many sought and obtained the Pentecost; the children’s tabernacle where they were taught the Word and many of them found the Lord, and we shall never forget that spot for it was so sweet to hear the children praying and praising the Lord; then there was the dining tent, where hundreds sat down to the tables and no charge made except as the Lord laid it on them to put into the box. We enjoyed some blessed times in the Spirit there, and also in the workers’ dining tent, before we got the big tabernacle on the “all things common” line. One morning while at prayer after breakfast, the power of God so came on us that ten of the workers were slain and we did not get away till noon. We had a foretaste of heaven.
The hills around would sometimes ring with prayer and praise. Some sought and found the Lord on the hills, and came down with faces shining.
The early morning meetings before breakfast when the saints met will never be forgotten. The Lord met with us. There were three other services in the big tabernacle during the day, which often ran into the night, if not till morning. The altar workers were very faithful. They would stay and pray with seekers all night.
People came from hundreds and thousands of miles seeking Pentecost, and went back with the rivers of salvation. The songs from the camp could be heard distinctly up in Hermon. One sister who had been told it was all the power of the devil was up in Hermon listening, and she said to herself, “So that is the devil; well, the devil has some sweet singers.” She came down and the result was she went to the altar and received the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
From Hermon, one sister saw fire issuing out of the tabernacle, as it were a tongue of fire. Her daughter also saw it. And a little boy who was in the power of the Spirit in the tabernacle, saw a ball of fire in the top of the tabernacle which broke and filled the whole place with light. God surely did send the fire. Many were the heavenly anthems the Spirit sang through His people. And He gave many beautiful messages in unknown tongues, speaking of His soon coming, invitations to come to the Lord, and exhortations from the Word.
We had some precious saints’ meetings feasting on the Word. One blessed thing was the unity of the ministers and workers in the doctrines of the Bible, so plainly taught by our Lord. The Lord put His seal upon it. Those who were not present will find the doctrines in this paper as they were taught there. Our power in this Gospel is in standing in the Word. O how precious it is when we are in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship. Some, it is sad to say, will not pay the price.
In Washington, D.C.
In the capital city, the Pentecost has fallen in a colored Holiness Mission. Bro. and Sister S.S. Crawford were preaching the Pentecost at another mission, and they sent for them, as Cornelius sent for Peter to preach this Gospel. Twenty-two came to the altar the first service and four received Pentecost with the Bible evidence. The meeting went on for five weeks with 16 receiving the Pentecost, four of them preachers.
Minnesota Campmeetings
He is pouring out His Spirit on him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground. Our annual campmeeting at Fairmont Minn., June 14-24 was a season of precious waiting before the Lord. Heretofore it has been a tarrying place where the full Gospel was preached. But this year in the added light of Pentecostal blessings and power which a number present had received during the past few months, it swung out into a Pentecostal meeting. God was pleased to work graciously in our midst saving, sanctifying, and healing persons and several were baptized with the Holy Ghost, while the blessings flowed out upon others as the Holy Spirit fell upon the people.
At the Maxwell Campmeeting, on Thursday, July 5th, the Lord poured out His Spirit in power; and while numbers were prostrate under the power, He was pleased to use two young women under the power of the Spirit, in speaking through them so that the hearts of the people were melted like wax in His presence, and realized they were in the very presence of God. The afternoon meeting merged into the evening meeting with no time to prepare supper. O it was most blessed indeed.-H.L. Blake Ruthton, Minn.
In North Carolina
The Holy Ghost is being poured out in Rowan Free Will Baptist Church and many are speaking and singing in new tongues, and some interpreting and receiving other manifestations of the Spirit. On the 17th of May Bro. Harrell received his Pentecost, and from that time to this the Holy Ghost has been sought by others and about 28 have received their Pentecost while several have been converted and some sanctified. In nearly every service someone gets their Pentecost. People are coming from other sections of the country to see for themselves the wonderful works of God in our midst.
The fire is falling at the F.W. Baptist Church at Frenchers Creek, and also at the F.W. Baptist Church in Wilmington, N.C. and several have received their Pentecost at each of these places. At Wilmington three little girls from 10 to 12 years old have received their Pentecost and are gloriously happy.”-A.J. Bordeau, Colly N.C.
At High Point, N.C., the Pentecost mission is growing, souls are getting saved and the sick healed. At Durham, there is a happy band of baptized believers. At Winston-Salem, some are being baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues.
In New Orleans, La.
As soon as we received those Apostolic Faith papers, we began praying, and fasted and prayed, and Glory to His name, He made Himself known in our midst, and came and baptized four with the Holy Ghost and fire. O what a grand time we did have, and the Lord has been continuing to baptize different ones. The fire is falling down here, and the Lord is bringing His saints together as Jesus prayed in the 17th of John. He is giving the gift of speaking with tongues and other gifts.
-Alice Taylor, 2323 Washington Avenue.
Other Points
In Oakland just as the paper goes to press, word comes from Sister Crawford who is on her way east that the power of God is falling. In San Francisco the work is going forward with two young brothers from the campmeeting in charge.
In Atlanta, Ga., reports come of many baptized with the Holy Ghost. Signs and wonders have been given by the Lord.
At Dayton, Ohio, the Holy Ghost first fell in February on those that were earnestly seeking the fullness. Thirty-six souls were reported to have received the Pentecost and the altar full of seekers. Bro. W.W. Bailey, a baptized preacher there opened up a Pentecost Gospel Union Mission at 767 S. Brown St.
At Chambersburg, Pa., about 25 got baptized and some spoke in tongues, some saved, sanctified and healed.
At Youngstown, Ohio, a number have received the baptism. One night they were in prayer all the evening praising God and the Lord gave the heavenly song which sounded to them like angelic strains. One sister saw into glory and saw the heavenly city. Such a sight to behold! It seemed the celestial city was so near, the veil was almost worn through.
At Memphis, Tenn., many hungry souls have been baptized.
At Durant, Fla., there has been a gracious meeting in which about 50 have received the Holy Ghost. Some have been healed, unclean spirits crying with loud voices have come out of some that were possessed with them, souls are saved and sanctified.
Pentecost has fallen at Council Bluffs Ia., at Caldwell, Kans., at Mankato, Minn. at New Castle, Pa., at Watertown, N.Y., and the work has been increasing at many other points.
Truly this is a refreshing time, according to Acts 3. 18-21. “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And He shall send Jesus Christ.” We can see the refreshing times are now flowing.
In Portland, Oregon, there has been a Holy Ghost campmeeting going on all summer. Hundreds have been baptized with the Holy Ghost, many saved, sanctified and healed. They have such love and harmony among the saints that they have all things on Pentecostal lines. The saints there are mostly poor, yet making many rich. Tents and eating tabernacle free and no collections. God abundantly supplied. Portland has become an example of this Pentecostal faith. Glory to God for what He had done.
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This great movement is like a little mustard seed planted in Los Angeles. It took root in a humble place which proved to be good soil and, watered with rivers from heaven, it soon put forth its branches to nearby towns as Long Beach and out to Oakland. Soon the limbs spread north and far over the eastern states, and then clear over into Sweden and India. Now it is spreading all over the world, and how beautiful and green it is, and how the birds are coming to lodge in its branches.
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Christ is making up His jewels quickly. O how the “latter rain” is falling. We hear from Canada, from the east and south the sound of abundance of rain. Praise God. It is falling in Sweden, in Norway and refreshing showers in India. Also we hear of gracious drops falling in other distant lands. We hear the rumbling of the chariots of heaven. Some are trying to stop it but you might as well try to stop a cloud burst in the mountains. This thing is in God’s hands.
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Men and women have prayed for years to see this precious light, prayed to see Los Angeles revived. Now we can see the fruits of Pentecost here, God healing people, saving, sanctifying, baptizing with the Holy Ghost, speaking through the power of the Spirit and singing in unknown tongues, giving sweet anthems from heaven. God has graciously answered the prayers of His people, though many are blinded and cannot see it; but praise God, our eyes have seen this great salvation and we ought to be encouraged to go forward as never before.
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In Minneapolis there is a precious Holy Ghost mission band of about 200 Holy Ghost people who are united in love and harmony, filled with the glory of God. Though they have been persecuted and * by the secular papers, yet God has only used it as a free advertisement to draw honest souls. One woman heard of it 250 miles away and came all the way to receive her Pentecost, and in a short time she received a mighty baptism with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues and interpreting, and went back with the precious oil of the Holy Ghost.
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Hungry souls rejoice to hear of the Pentecost. Sister Mary Yaegge of Baltimore was one who rejoiced to hear of the Pentecost at Los Angeles. She prized the little paper for it seemed to be just what her soul longed for. She had been raised a Catholic and had received the Gospel gladly and was sanctified and hungering for the Holy Ghost. She came to the Campmeeting. Received her Pentecost on the way, while at Oakland and is truly anointed with power and divine love. She is on her way back to Switzerland, her native home, to give this Gospel to her people.
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Missionaries in China have been seeking the baptism with the Holy Ghost ever since they received the first Apostolic Faith papers from Los Angeles. One dear missionary, Brother B. Berntsen from South Chih-li, Tai-Ming-Fu, North China came all the way to Los Angeles to receive his Pentecost. And, bless God, he went to the altar at Azusa Mission, and soon fell under the power, and arose drunk on the new wine of the kingdom, magnifying God in a new tongue. As soon as he could speak English, he said, “This means much for China.” Then he told how he had felt the need of the fullness of the Pentecost in China, and we fell on our knees and prayed that the dear missionaries might be anointed and China might receive the Gospel.
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The manager of the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, Bro. Will Trotter, received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and as a result he lost his position under men, but God has marvelously anointed him and is using him in the evangelistic work.
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In Chicago there are a number of Pentecostal meetings. Many are magnifying God for the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The Lord is using Bro. Durham as a river that overflows its banks and waters the thirsty ground. Many hungry ones are seeking and obtaining their baptism. Some of the Moody Institute people have received their Pentecost, but the theologians are not accepting it.
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The Scandinavian Apostolic Faith Mission at 775 Wall street, Los Angeles, is one of the sweetest places you ever were in. The people there are filled with the Spirit praising God. They seem so sincere and full of divine love. There are a number of precious young men and women there that God has cleansed and filled with the Spirit. It is blessed to see them.
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THE LOVE OF JESUS
“Surely He hath borne out griefs and carried our sorrows.” The Son of God went into the garden when He was bearing this world of sin. The blood gushed out from His skin and fell in great drops to the ground. He prayed, “Father, if it be thy will remove this cup from Me, never theless not my will but Thine be done.” He suffered until His heart swelled in His body and forced the blood through the flesh. His soul burned in Him with the weight of sin of this old world on our conquering King. Then He did not stop but went through Pilate’s judgment hall and was whipped and the blood ran down in that judgment hall, and was shed all the way to Calvary. O those stripes reach our sicknesses and our infirmities and heal us. He bled and died and went down into the grave and rose again. O beloved, He atoned for you, He hung and bled for you, and if you will accept Him today He will fill your heart.
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At the annual Christian and Missionary Alliance Convention in Nyack, New York some were present who had received their Pentecost, and a great interest was awakened. In a tarrying meeting one young lady who was called to Africa fell under the power, received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in an African tongue, which was recognized by missionaries from Africa as being the very language of the part of Africa to which the sister was expecting to go. Others sought and obtained the baptism.
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A minister who had been opposing this work went to one of the Pentecostal meetings and got under conviction. He confessed to all that he was in the wrong and stated to his congregation that he must have this Pentecostal power, that he would not preach until he had it; he would work on the rock pile first. Then he called all his people to the altar that wanted it and they came in crowds. O the hungry souls. If the ministers would only go in themselves and let their hungry flocks go in what a wave of salvation there would be. This minister we hear has been mightily baptized and many of his people.
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In Santa Barbara in a Pentecostal meeting, as they were kneeling about the altar, some whiskey bottles were thrown which came from a saloon nearby. Two of the saints were struck with them. Sister Crawford was cut on the temple by one of these ugly weapons, but the saints prayed for her and the meeting went on. She writes that she is rejoicing to be counted worthy to bear about in her body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
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In Zion City, Ill., a little girl of about six years came to her mother and said she was going to get saved. She went upstairs and commenced to pray, and the Lord heard her. She called down to her mother “Mamma, if something in me says I am sanctified, is that Jesus speaking?” Her mother said, “Yes.” Then she said “Mamma, I am sanctified.” She got down and prayed again and was baptized with the Holy Ghost, and the Lord had had her preaching, and gave her a message to one of Dowie’s elders that had fought this work. So God spoke through this little child unable to read. He could preach through the ass of Balaam and He can take a little child and preach through it.
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We must keep where God can use us, and the secret is humility, the Word and the Blood.
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This Gospel, the full Gospel of Jesus must be preached in all the earth for a witness then shall the end come.
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Jesus Christ tasted death for every man but He did not taste death for the devil or fallen angels. We do not believe the devil or fallen angels are going to be saved. The Lord Jesus did not die for the devil or demons. Everyone that will repent of their sins can find rest in the Blood of Calvary.
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When Christ is in you, He is married to you in spirit. He calls you, “My love and My dove.” Everyone that has Christ is married to Him in spirit. “Ye are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another even to Him who is raised from the dead.” Rom. 7. 4. We are under the law of the Spirit of Christ. O how sweet it is You would not depart from this husband of your soul for anything.
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
312 Azusa Street
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Published by
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION
Headquarters Los Angeles
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THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION
Stands for the restoration of the faith once delivered unto the saints-the old time religion, of camp meetings, revivals, missions, street and prison work and Christian Unity everywhere.
Teaching on Repentance-Mark 1:14, 15.
Godly Sorrow for Sin, Example-Matt, 9:13, 2 Cor. 7, 9, 11. Acts 3:19, Acts 17: 30, 31.
Of Confession of Sins-Luke 15:21 and Luke 18:13.
Forsaking Sinful Ways-Isa. 55:7. Jonah 3:8. Prov. 28:13.
Restitution-Ezek. 33:15. Luke 19:8.
And faith in Jesus Christ.
First work.-Justification is that act of God’s free grace by which we receive remission of sins. Acts 10:42, 43. Rom. 3:25.
Second work.-Sanctification is the second work of grace and the last work of grace. Sanctification is that act of God’s free grace by which He makes us holy. John 17:15, 17.-“Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy work is truth.” I Thess. 4:3; I Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:12; Heb. 2:11; Heb. 12:14.
Sanctification is cleansing to make holy. The disciples were sanctified before the Day of Pentecost. By a careful study of Scripture you will find it is so now. “Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3; 13:10); and Jesus had breathed on them the Holy Ghost (John 20:21, 22). You know that they could not receive the Spirit if they were not clean. Jesus cleansed and got all doubt out of His Church before He went back to glory.
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a gift of power upon the sanctified life; so when we get it we have the same evidence as the Disciples received on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3, 4), in speaking in new tongues. See also Acts 10:45, 46; Acts 19:6; I Cor. 14:21. “For I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe though it be told you.”-Heb. 1:5.
Seeking Healing-We must believe that God is able to heal.-Ex. 15:26: “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” James 5:14; Psa. 103:3; 2 Kings 20:5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16; 16, 17, 18. “Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too hard for Me?”-Jer. 32:27.
Too many have confused the grace of Sanctification with the enduement of Power, or the Baptism with the Holy Ghost; others have taken “the anointing that abideth” for the Baptism, and failed to reach the glory and power of a true Pentecost.
The Blood of Jesus will never blot out any sin between man and man they can make right; but if we can’t make wrongs right the Blood graciously covers. (Matt. 5:23, 24.)
We are not fighting men or churches, but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds and wild fanaticisms with living, practical Christianity. “Love, Faith, Unity” are our watchwords, and “Victory through the Anointing Blood” our battle cry. God’s promises are true. He said: “Be thou faithful over a few things, and I will make thee ruler over many.” From the little handful of Christians who stood by the cross when the testings and discouragements came, God has raised a might host.
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HEALING
Sickness and disease are destroyed through the precious atonement of Jesus. O how we ought to honor the stripes of Jesus, for “with his stripes we are healed.” How we ought to honor that precious body which the Father sanctified and sent into the world, not simply set apart, but really sanctified, soul, body and spirit, free from sickness, disease and everything of the devil. A body that knew no sin and disease was given for these imperfect bodies of ours. Not only is the atonement for the sanctification of our souls, but for the sanctification of our bodies from inherited disease. It matters not what has been in the blood. Every drop of blood we received from our mother is impure. Sickness is born in a child just as original sin is born in the child. He was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Every sickness is of the devil.
Man in the garden of Eden was pure and happy and knew no sickness till that up holy visitor came into the garden, then his whole system was poisoned and it has been flowing in the blood of all the human family down the ages, till God spoke to his people and said, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” The children of Israel practiced divine healing. David, after being healed of rheumatism. (perhaps contracted in the caves where he hid himself form his pursuers,) testified saying, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” David knew what it was to be healed. Healing continued with God’s people till Solomon’s heart was turned away by strange wives, and he brought in the black arts and mediums, and they went whoring after familiar spirits. God had been their healer, but after they lost the Spirit, they turned to the arm of flesh to find something to heal their diseases.
Thank God we have a living Christ among us to heal our diseases. He will heal every case. The prophet had said, “With his stripes we are healed,” and it was fulfilled when Jesus came. Also “He hath borne our griefs,” (which means sickness, as translators tell us.) Now if Jesus bore our sicknesses, why should we bear them? So we get full salvation through the atonement of Jesus.
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THE ORDINANCES TAUGHT BY OUR LORD
We believe in three ordinances in the church, foot washing, the Lord’s supper and water baptism.
Foot Washing-(John 13.)
Dear loved ones, it is so sweet to think of that wonderful love that our Christ has for His dear people. O beloved, just think of our Almighty Christ becoming a servant, washing the disciples’ feet. This is the first place in the scriptures where we see Jesus using water, a very type of regeneration, washing the disciples’ feet. Regeneration is spoken of as the washing of water by the Word. So this ordinance is a type of regeneration. Jesus is the Word. “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you. John 15:3.
Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, and exhorted them to humility and charity. Bless His holy Name. We read in the Word of God, “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. (Bless God! Praise His holy name!) And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper and laid aside His garments; and took a towel and girded Himself. After that he poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.” John 13:1-4.
We read where Jesus cometh to Simon Peter and Peter said unto Him, “Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said unto him, “What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.” We can see that this was something new to Peter. He was not used to the Master’s washing his feet. But the Lord Jesus told him he should know hereafter. What Jesus means was that when the blessed Holy Spirit should be poured out after the resurrection and ascension unto heaven, that this blessed Holy Spirit would lead Peter into all the doctrines of Jesus, and they would be practiced just as Jesus said in the 16th chapter of John and 12th verse, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now, howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He spoke, and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you.”
Peter said unto Him, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me.”
Dear beloved, none of us should reject the command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, or these different ordinances that He has instituted. What right have we to dictate to our blessed Master? He said so tenderly, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me. And this was a rebuke also to any man or any woman that thinks they are independent of the teachings of Jesus. So when Peter heard this rebuke, he said to the Lord, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head.” How these disciples loved Jesus after that. Jesus said to Him, “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet but is clean every whit, and ye are clean but not all.”
So after He had washed their feet and had taken His garments and was set down again, He said unto them, “Know ye what I have done unto you?’ Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another’s feet.” Why? Well we only have to read the next verse for ourselves, “For I have given you example.”
Dear beloved, we can see this is humility towards each other in real love. While it does mean that, suppose we all practice it literally, for Jesus is our example. He said, “I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done unto you.” Some may say that the manner and customs have changed from that day, as we not longer wear sandals, but, dear ones, are our manners and customs going to change the Word of God? “Verily, Verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent greater than He that sent Him. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Now this is to His true believers, because they are worthy. Verse 18 explains just who should not do it. He says, “I speak not of you all, for I know whom I have chosen.” Dear beloved, if the Lord has chosen us, He has chosen us to walk in the light, as He is in the light, that we might have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Amen.
Jesus Himself instituted foot washing in the New Testament, not as in the Old Testament when the priest would wash his own feet at the lever in the temple, which represented regeneration, but Jesus Himself washed the disciples’ feet and wiped them with the towel. So, dear loved ones we believe that foot washing is one of the ordinances of the church of God. We find that it is a service much blest of God to our souls. It is for the disciples, not for sinners. In this service the sisters will assemble by themselves apart and wash each other’s feet and the brothers will wash the brother’s feet. This is also a service of testimony, song and praise. After that comes the Lord’s supper.
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples, which was Moses’ law. It was not finished forever, as He shoved that table aside, and after washing the disciples’ feet, instituted the Lord’s supper, the Christian Passover, the bread and the wine. The Passover was the very type of Jesus. It had a three-fold meaning; the sprinkled blood for redemption; the body of the lamb eaten for health and healing; and the passing over the Red Sea, which was a type of the Blood of Jesus Christ that gives us victory over all the powers of the enemy.
“The Lord Jesus in the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it and said, Take, eat, this is My body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying This is the new testament in My Blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” I Cor. II 23-26. Praise His holy name. So we see that this ordinance points us to the coming of the Lord, our great deliverance, as the Passover was the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt.
The Passover supper always reminded the Jews of God’s great love for them in delivering them out of Egyptian bondage. But it was by blood which pointed them to the Lamb of Calvary. So the Lord’s supper is to us a memorial of the death of our Lord and also points us to His coming to catch us away in the glorious liberty of the children of God.
They ate the Passover, the body of the lamb, which gave them strength and healing, so the body of the lamb stood for healing and health, just as Christ’s body is health to us, “for with His stripes ye are healed.” We find as we partake of this ordinance, it brings healing to our bodies if we discern the Lord’s body by faith (I Cor. 29-30) It also teaches us salvation and sanctification through the Blood. Our souls are built up, for we eat His flesh and drink His Blood. The Lord Jesus promised, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. May Christ’s children everywhere live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Water Baptism
We believe in water baptism, because Jesus commanded it after His resurrection. Mark 16. 16. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” We believe in water by immersion, single. Matt. 3. 16. “And Jesus when He was baptized, went up straighway out of the water.” Acts 8 38-39. “And He commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.”
It sets forth the believer with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. Rom. 6 3-5. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. First if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Gal. 3. 27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Baptism is not a saving ordinance, but it is essential because it is a command of our Lord. Mark 16. 16, and Acts 2. 28 “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.” It is “Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscious toward God.” I Pet. 3.21. It is obedience to the command of Jesus, following saving faith. We believe every true believer will practice it.
It should be administered by a disciple who is baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Matt. 28, 19-20, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” But we find that they were first to tarry for the promise of the Father which would qualify them. Acts I. 4, “And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father.”
We believe that we should teach God’s people to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded us, practicing every command and living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This is a full Gospel.
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Bible salvation will take you into heaven but if you have not got Bible salvation you will have a great deal of trouble around the gate. Your name will not be found.
We are not called by this country to preach the Gospel, but we are called from heaven-and heaven is not bankrupt, neither is God gone out of business. He does not send us out to preach this Gospel and pay our bills. Do business for Christ and He will take care of you.
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God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” O today if you have the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart, you have everlasting life. This salvation is real, it is not an influence.
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Out of His side flowed Blood and water. The Blood represents cleansing and the water the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The rivers of living water which Jesus promised flowed out of His side. We get all of this by living in Christ.
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The Lord has provided the Word as a looking glass for us to see ourselves whether there are any spots on us. And the Word is a washer. “Ye are clean through the Word which I (Christ) have spoken unto you.”
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When you are sanctified, the old Ishmael of your soul is put out of your house. You are free from the old man. Old Ishmael will not pinch little Isaac any more to make him cry. Jesus Christ is enthroned to that house.
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O it is so precious to have the Lord Jesus crowned in your heart. How wonderfully and sweetly the Spirit unfolds the scriptures to you. You receive the Holy Ghost and He unravels everything from Genesis and Revelation. He starts and unfolds and all you do is to follow on.
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The Jews were the very fig tree that the Lord planted. He planted it that the scepter might not depart from Judah. Herod was the first foreign king that swayed the scepter over God’s people. And right at that time Christ was born and the government was upon His shoulder. This fulfilled Gen. 49. 10.
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Freeloveism and everything of that kind is from the pit of hell. It is a dragon to devour those who get out of the Word, but praise God, He has given to His children to know these spirits. Such spirits will not be allowed, any more than magicians, soothsayers, and sorcerers were allowed to be among God’s children in the early days.
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If you have carnality in your heart and do not get it out, you do not know where it will lead you. As soon as you get the light of sanctification, you must seek at once the cleansing Blood or you will lose all your salvation.
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We believe in a real salvation that gives you the witness by the Spirit. Calvin taught a salvation that if you said you had it, you did not have it; and if you had it you did not know it; and if you lost it, you could not get it again. Wesley taught that if you had it you would know it, and if you lost it, you could get it again. Jesus said, “He that believeth on the Son hath the witness in himself.” We teach that if a man is ensnared by the devil, and has not trampled the Blood of Jesus Christ under his feet and counted the Blood wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, he can get back to Jesus Christ by restitution and faith and doing his first works over.
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If your heart is open to the Blood of Christ He will save you. All He wants is a repentant heart that has Godly sorrow for sin, and He will wash you. Though your sins be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. O the promises of God are sure and stedfast, and though the heaven and earth pass away, the promises of Jesus will never pass away. As long as there is breath and life in your body, you can look up to Jesus and He will save you, but if there is no repentance in your heart you would have no desire to be saved. But, beloved, if there is one particle of desire in your heart to look to God, you have not sinned away your day of grace. They that have sinned away their day of grace, cannot be stirred any more than a chair. No appeal will move them. Christ has a desire to save every man and woman on the face of the earth.
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We do not read anything in the Word about writing in unknown languages, so we do not encourage that in our meetings. Let us measure everything by the Word, that all fanaticism may be kept out of the work. We have found it questionable whether any real good has come out of such writing.
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A sister who was baptized in the stream at the camp ground says that when she came to change her clothing, she attempted to put on her jewelry again but the Spirit would not let her, so she left it off. While one sister was under the power, her hands went up and took the fancy pins out of her hat and threw them away and she never put them on again. So the Spirit has been working in harmony with the Word, teaching His people how to dress according to the Bible, Gold watches, rings, etc., have disappeared, and gone into sending the Gospel.
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From missionaries in Macao, China, we received word that some of the Chinese Christians have received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and are speaking in new tongues.
THE MARRIAGE TIE
Marriage is a divine institution which God Himself has instituted. Gen. 2:18, 24. “And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh.” I Cor. 11:9. “Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man.”
God commended it. Gen. 2:18 and Prov. 18:22. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineith favor of the Lord.”
God is in it. Matt. 19. 4, 6. “And He answered and said unto them, Have ye not read that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female. Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder.”
It is honorable in all. Heb. 13:4. “Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Christ attended a wedding in Canaan. He went to adorn it, to beautify it with His presence. John 2:1,2. “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Gallilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called and His disciples to the marriage.”
The forbidding to marry is the doctrine of devils. I Tim. 4: 1, 3. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; *** forbidding to marry.”
Marriage Binding for Life
God has approved of but one wife and one husband. Gen. 2:24. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh.” Matt. 19: 3-6. “The Pharisees also came unto Him tempting Him, and saying unto Him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And He answered and said unto them, Have ye not read that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
The husband and wife are bound together for life. Rom. 7:2. “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband is dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” I. Cor. 7:39. The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord.”
No court of man should sever the marriage tie. Matt. 19:6. “Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder.” Death alone severs the marriage tie. Heb. 13:4.
Moses’ Law of Divorce
Under Moses’ law, he suffered men to divorce their wives and marry again, because of the hardness of their hearts Matt. 19: 7,8. “They say unto Him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so.” Under Moses’ law they had been accustomed , for any uncleanness, adultery, fornication or some cause not as much as that, to put away the wife by giving her a bill of divorcement, and she could go and be another man’s wife. But under the New Testament law, the law of Christ, she is bound by the law to her husband till death.
The Edenic Standard of Matrimony
Jesus did away with the divorce law, and restored matrimony back to the Edenic standard. Under Moses’ law the sacredness of matrimony was lost through the hardness of hearts. But under the law of grace, it is restored back as in the beginning of grace. Praise God. God’s promises are true and sure. Hallelujah! Amen.
Under the New Testament law, the law of Christ, there is but one cause for which a man may put away his wife, but no right to marry again. This cause is fornication or adultery. Matt. 5:31,32. “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement; but I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” Matt. 19:9. “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” These two scriptures are just the same in meaning. Matt. 5: 31, 32 is the key to the whole subject. It settles the question.
Forbidden to Marry Again
After a man has lawfully put away his wife, or a wife has lawfully put away her husband, they are positively forbidden to marry again, under the New Testament law, until the former companion is dead. Mark 10: 11, 12. “And He saith unto them Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Luke 16: 18. “Whosoever putteth away his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” Rom. 7: 2, 3. “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress though she be married to another man.”
Adultery and Fornication
The act of adultery is between a married person and another who is not the lawful companion. Both parties may be married or only one. When only one is married, the act is called fornication. Matt. 19. 9 and 5, 32. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery.” These sins are just the same, only one is committed while living with a husband and the other is when one has separated and married again.
No man can enter the kingdom of heaven without confessing and forsaking adultery and fornication. Gal. 5, 19, 21, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, evyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Isa. 55, 7, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.”
The Innocent Party
If Jesus had intended that the innocent party should marry, He would have said so, and would not have said, Moses suffered it because of the hardness of your hearts. Jesus makes it very plain. If the innocent party marries, they are living in adultery. Jesus is showing the sacredness of matrimony. Dear beloved, let us obey God in spite of everything. There is one Scripture where many people are tied up, it is Matt. 19, 9, where Jesus said, “But I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, and shall marry another committeth adultery, and whosoever marrieth her that is put away committeth adultery.” Now dear loved ones, let us stop and pray over this. “Except it be for fornication and marrieth another.” Some think that this party would be entitled to marry again, but let us stop and see what Jesus is teaching here. If he puts away his wife except for the cause of fornication, he committeth a sin, because he will cause her to commit adultery. Therefore he is bound by the law as long as she lives, bound right to the Edenic standard. Amen.
Dear loved ones, if Jesus had instituted that the innocent party could get another wife, He would be instituting the same thing that was permitted by Moses, and would have the church filled with that today.
Now the reason Jesus gave him permission to put away his wife for the cause of fornication was that she is already adulterous, so her adultery gave him a lawful right to separate. While it gives him that right, yet it does not give him the right to get another wife while she lives.
Paul in I Tim. 3-2 says, “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife. He also says, I Tim. 5, 9, “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.” This shows plainly that they recognized in the church that a man was to have one wife and a woman one husband.
After Light Has Come
Rom. 7. 2, 3 and I Cor. 7, 39 give us very clear light. O may God help us to accept Bible salvation, instead of having our opinion and losing our souls. Dear beloved, you that have two wives or two husbands, before you had light on it, you lived that way and had no condemnation. God did not condemn you until you received the light upon His Word on this subject; but now God hold you responsible for the light. If you continue in the old life after light has come upon you, then you will be in the sight of God an adulterer or an adulteress, and you are bound to lose your experience or substitute something in the place of what God hath wrought. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Let us obey God’s Word if it takes our right eye or right hand.
So we find under the New Testament there is no putting away the first wife and getting another. Death is the only thing that severs the marriage tie. Rom. 7. 2 and I Cor. 7. 39-W.J. Seymour.
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It took John the Baptist only six months to prepare for the coming of Jesus; how long do you think it is going to take a lot of baptized people to prepare for His second coming? A little over year ago in Azusa Mission, a few people were baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, and today there are thousands and thousands of people saved from sin, living pure lives in the name of Jesus, and baptized with the Holy Ghost.
SALVATION ACCORDING TO THE TRUE TABERNACLE
Moses made the tabernacle after the pattern shown him in the mount. This tabernacle was the pattern of the unseen King that was to come. The Lord wants us to have salvation according to the true tabernacle, which is Christ. Our tabernacle must be built according to the pattern in the Word. Now all things under the law were a shadow of what we are to receive in grace.
The Brazen Altar, Justification
First we come to the court of the tabernacle. This is where the sinner does his first works. Here we find the brazen altar which stands for justification. We receive pardon and regeneration right at the brazen altar. On the altar is the sin offering, on the horns of the altar, blood. Here is pardon and regeneration combined. As soon as a soul is pardoned, he is washed and the work of regeneration is wrought in his soul. Here we find also the lever, which stands for the washing from guilt and pollution. The priest always washed himself before he entered the Holy Place. Here the sinner, even though his sins be red like crimson, is justified. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is court work.
The Golden Altar, Sanctification
There are two altars, the brazen altar and the golden altar. We see this represents two works of grace, two altars. Now the believer comes to the golden altar. Since the new birth is implanted in his soul, he has access to present himself a living offering. When he came as a sinner, he was dead in trespasses and sins, and had nothing to consecrate. Now he can consecrate himself to be sanctified. Here he finds on the altar the Blood of Jesus, which represents Christ the sanctifier of His people. He receives Christ to rule and reign supreme in his soul, and every enemy of doubt and carnality is cast out and destroyed by the Blood. Then he is one with Christ. “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one.”
This is the Holy Place. All that enter wear holy garments, the white linen of the saints. Here we find the shew bread, which represents feeding upon Christ. When we get a holy heart, it calls for the Word of God. Now you have a holy feast continually. You have the Word, Christ Jesus planted in your heart, and you have faith. You believe every word of God.
Here in the Holy Place, you find the golden candlestick whose light is always burning. This is the light of holiness shining forth. There is always a fire in your soul. Why? Because you are on the altar and the altar sanctifies the gift, and the gift keeps pure and preserved. The only way men and women can be preserved is by living on the altar. And the holy incense of praise and prayer is always ascending from your heart to God. Then you are prepared for the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
The Holy of Holies, the Holy Ghost
We can see that the baptism with the Holy Ghost is not a work of grace for there is no altar in the Holy of Holies. This is another step, the gift of the Holy Ghost. Instead of an altar, there is an ark of gold, which represents the Lord Jesus Christ perfected in you, for in Christ you have the experience of justification, sanctification and the baptism with the Holy Ghost. There is always prayer and praise to God here, as you see those cherubim over the altar praying and praising God.
In the ark, you find Aaron’s rod that budded, which represents justification; the hidden pot of manna, which stands for sanctification and the tables of stone on which God wrote Himself, representing the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Right above the ark, is the great Shekina glory. The Holy of Holies did not have any light from the sun, neither did it have any candle, but the light of the Holy Ghost lit it up. Over it rested the pillar of cloud by night and the pillar of fire by day, the very presence of God. When a man or woman gets the baptism with the Holy Ghost, they are filled with continual light. It is a greater light than when you were sanctified. It is the full blessing of Christ. Justification and sanctification come from God through His death on the cross, and He also purchased on the cross the baptism with the Holy Ghost for every believer.
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PENTECOSTAL NOTES
The baptism with the Holy Ghost is more of God. It is God glorified in our hearts.
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In sanctification the unction of the Holy Ghost comes on you in speaking, but the baptism is power through your whole body day and night. “Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Everyone that get the baptism get power. It is a continuous power. It comes down from heaven. The Lord sings and speaks through you in another tongue. He never did that in sanctification.
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Jesus said, “Tarry ye.” For what? For a work of grace? No, for He had said before He went down into the grave, “Ye are clean.” He got all the fears and doubts out of His church before He went back to bright glory. So after he had ascended to the Father, all they had to do was to praise God till the Comforter came. They did not have to mourn and weep for the Lord to give them a clean heart, for the vessel was already clean.
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O it is so precious to have a pot of oil which is the type of the Holy Spirit. Bless the Lord! The Lord will fill every sanctified vessel with oil. We read in Kings that the prophet told the widow to send out and get empty vessels to be filled with oil. Empty of self, cleansed through the Blood. Then they are prepared to hold the precious oil of the Spirit. People have to confess, make restitution, empty out, and be crucified before they can get this blessed oil.
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There have been those who have sought for the baptism and could not get it, because they did not come humbly as a little babe. They did not give up their doctrines and opinions; they did not empty out so they could get the filling. This is not revealed to our great theologians. Jesus said, “Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto babes.” Some came like men and women with plenty of knowledge and did not empty out; but some of us were foolish enough to fall in and say, Here, Lord, if you have any more for me, I want it.
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When you were converted, you got rid of sin; when you were sanctified, you were cleansed of carnality; but the baptism is the third Person of the Trinity upon your soul, that reveals Christ and takes the things of the Father and shows them unto you.
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Jesus filled the upper room where they were sitting, with rivers of salvation. He made a baptismal pool of that little room, and they were all immersed in the Holy Spirit. The prophets, priests, and kings were anointed. Tongues of fire sat upon each of them, which represents burning witnesses.
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Before Jesus ascended to heaven, holy anointing oil had never been poured on a woman’s head; but before He organized His church. He called them all into the upper room, both men and women, and anointed them with the oil of the Holy Ghost, thus qualifying them all to minister in this Gospel. On the day of Pentecost they all preached through the power of the Holy Ghost. In Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female, all are one.
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The Pentecost means power. Peter did not have power before Pentecost to stand up and say to that wicked and adulterous generation. “By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” No, he cowed before a little maid. But when the power came into his life, he was able to preach boldly in the temple and on the streets “Christ whom ye crucified.” Hallelujah! They put him in jail, but the saints gathered and prayed and the angel led him out.
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Everyone that gets this baptism get the real refining fire. You do not have to pray for fire when you are baptized for when we have the baptism with the Holy Ghost, we have the fire also. The Holy Ghost brings the fire with Him. We are on fire for God, as the bush which burned with fire but was not consumed. John’s prophecy, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire” was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
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O beloved, there is power in the Gospel. It is the sweetest thing this side of heaven because it gives you overcoming power. It gives you power in time of need and affliction, in times when all the powers of hell seem settled down upon your soul; there is something in your innermost being that moves away the powers of hell the instant you call for the Blood. It gives you power that when a soul comes to you to be lead into salvation, you can cast off the powers of darkness by the precious Blood, and see that soul begin to swell and burst out with hallelujahs. He will give you power to preach the Gospel behind prison bars and see results.
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The abiding anointing, which is the Spirit of Christ, is holy; but it is not the third Person of the Trinity. You have the Father, Son and Holy Ghost in sanctification, but you have not the enduement of power until you are baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then you receive the baptism that Christ received on the banks of Jordan. He had the fullness of the Godhead, but He had to be baptized for His great work Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power and went about doing good. If we put sanctification for the Holy Ghost then we would have Jesus with carnality in Him up to His baptism. He did indeed sanctify Himself-not that He had any sin in Him-He set Himself apart for the salvation of the world; He did not compromise with His people or with any flesh that we might be sanctified through the truth.
“HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU.”
Matt. 3:11.
Chicago, Illinois, 3554 Vernon Avenue.
I am urged, both by friends and by the Lord, to write the story of my experience in seeking the fullness of God, and I trust it will prove some blessing to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
When my attention was first drawn to the teaching of “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” with its outward evidence of “speaking in Tongues,” it did not appeal to me; not because I did not need the Holy Spirit in greater fullness but because I was not sufficiently hungry for the good things of God.
But after some little study and investigation of the remarkable movement which is beginning to sweep the earth in God’s mighty power, I began to seek God in real earnestness. I wanted the peace and joy that I saw in those who had received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Services for the teaching of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit were begun in “The Stone Church,” Thirty-seventh Street and Indiana Avenue, Chicago, June 30, 1907 conducted by the Rev. F.A. Graves, Misses Marie Burgess and Jeanie Campbell, and my husband.
The above workers met in our home to pray God to bless the work.
While in prayer I became occupied with God for myself. I asked God to cleanse me from all sin and to give me whatever other blessing He had for me. While thus engaged in prayer I had a mental picture of the cross, and I was down at the foot of it. It seemed as though I were being pushed down until I saw myself about a foot high. It was very vivid. I felt that God was showing me myself as He saw me. I said, “Yes, Lord, I know I am small in your sight.” The next day I had great joy and when I began to pray again for a clean heart, God showed me that I had received it the day before at the foot of the cross.
Soon after this experience I was talking with these same workers and suddenly my heart seemed about to burst. I did not know why, for I felt no condemnation for sin. I was troubled and began to ask God to show me what it meant. I had had nothing in the way of manifestations showing me that God had cleansed my heart. I began to weep and continued until my heart seemed entirely empty, after which a great peace came over me.
I was now very hungry for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. I began again to seek and again I began to weep. This time it did not seem as though I were weeping but rather that Christ was weeping through me. God was thus showing me the suffering and agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. I passed through the Garden experience with Christ, God letting me suffer all I could stand. I felt any more grief would kill me.
The next night I wept with Christ all night over lost souls.
I did not myself invite or create these experiences. I had not at this time thought of Christ’s sufferings. I believe these experiences contain a lesson which I shall some day understand better than I do now.
Saturday night, July 20th, I felt impressed again to pray for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. I had the assurance that I would be baptized. I went to my bedroom, knelt and asked God to take full possession of my spirit, soul, and body. I was alone for two and one-half hours. Then I called Miss Burgens into my room. We prayed together and God wonderfully blessed us. My heart was filled with praise. I am not demonstrative and the only way my feelings were expressed were “Glory to God” “Praise His Name!”
While Miss Burgess was kneeling beside me I felt a great glow and a burning heat over my head. I heard Miss Burgess cry out, “Oh look at the beautiful lily.” I could not raise my head for the power of God was so great. In a few minutes he said, “Oh the beautiful Dove just above your head.” Again the Lily appeared and then the Dove. This time the Dove’s wings were outstretched over my head. I felt the power go through my body and knew that the Holy Spirit had taken possession of me. The power of God was so great that Miss Burgess drew away from me, weeping as though her heart would bread, saying, “I can’t stay near you.” I could not say a word at this time. I was awed into silence by the presence of God. Miss Burgess came back to me and again I felt the power of God. She said, “There’s a beautiful robe over you, which must be the robe of righteousness.” At this time I asked God to let me see something. In an instant the light broke above me, a beautiful dove appeared for a moment and vanished.
How unworthy I am to have the emblems both of Christ and the Holy Spirit appear to me! Immediately after this my chin began to quiver and I probably spoke a word or two in a foreign tongue.
The power of the Holy Spirit was with me in a marked way all day Sunday and Monday. The Holy Spirit continued to manipulate my facial muscles and vocal organs. Monday night I sang and talked a little in a foreign language. Praise His Holy Name!
When the language was forming and I was making peculiar sounds, the suggestion came to me that I was doing it myself. The temptation was so great that when the manifestations ceased, I attempted to repeat the sounds myself and found it impossible to repeat them.
The next morning Satan again tempted me and I felt depressed. I cried earnestly to God. My attention was called to the 4th of Matthew; when I read, “Then the Devil leaveth Him and behold angels came and ministered unto Him,” a great joy came upon me and has remained. Praise His Name! I have been a Christian a number of years but often regretted that the Blood of Jesus and the Cross of Christ were not more real. All my experiences the past week have clustered around the Cross. What a wonderful, wonderful Savior! “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”
See Him all ye people in all His fullness.
The above story is told only for the glory of God. It is sent forth with the prayer that the Christ Who baptized me in the Holy Spirit may baptize others also.-Mrs. W.H. Piper.
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PENTECOST IN MUKTI, INDIA
(Taken from a Pentecostal publication in India, “A Cloud of Witnesses.”)
“Mukti,” which means Salvation, is a community comprising a high school and schools of lower grades, Bible institute, an industrial school, in whose various departments useful trades are taught, a printing office employing 30 men, and a hospital. About 1,400 girl students are enrolled (inclusive of 300 rescued women in the Krupa Sadan) and there is a separate institution for boys. The great majority of the girls have been admitted to “Mukti” in times of famine during the past ten years, and when they entered they were simply raw heathen. Those from the Central Provinces spoke Hindi as little children, and those from Gujerat spoke Gujerati before they came to Kedgaon; but the acquired language of all the people of this community is Marathi. Considerably more than 800 of the girls are Christians in the saving sense of that word.
Both Pandita Ramabai and Miss Abrams were deeply impressed by the truth contained in the reports which came from Los Angeles concerning Pentecost, and believing that God was willing to send like Pentecostal blessings to Mukti which up to that time had not been received, after the manner described in Acts 2, they exhorted all the Christian boys and girls to begin to tarry for the promised baptism of the Holy Ghost. In taking this step, Pandita Ramabai fully acknowledged all that God had bestowed through His Spirit in the past; but she discerned there was the deeper fullness of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost accompanied with the gift of tongues which had not yet been received. Before Christmas 1906, the seekers assembled in the Church daily at 6 o’clock in the morning for a time of waiting on God.
About this time a band of 20 girls were sent to the station of K—- attended by two English Missionaries, and before much preaching had been done, J—-, a native girl, began to speak in a new tongue and magnify God. Within a few days every member of the party, including the two lady missionaries, received the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost and all were speaking in new tongues. The immediate result was more power in preaching Christ crucified. The attention of the people was arrested in a new way as the Lord took hold of rough men, and held the people spell bound.
The joyful news of Pentecost a K—- stirred the seekers at Mukti with fresh zeal. A worker from Mukti visited the band at K—- and in a few days she herself returned full of joy and the Holy Ghost. As might be expected, the presence of a living witness to the power of Pentecost put desperation of purpose into the hearts of the seekers, some of whom spent whole nights in prayer.
A girl named Z—- had awful conflicts with the devil. A few friends, believing Z—- to be in some degree under Satan’s power, prayer earnestly for her deliverance. Later that night there was a meeting in the Church, and after the meeting to the glad surprise of those present, Z—- began to pray intelligently in English. One of the sentences uttered was, “Jesus’ Blood make clean.” Prayer had been answered and the devil’s power broken, and a clear witness given to the Pentecostal baptism. Later, God gave this girl the gift of song which has been described as most sweet the notes of which are like the music of the flute. When singing in this new tongue she immediately translates the words into Marathi. A line which has been recalled is: “Jesus is over all; He is on the throne.”
Mukti is the glad scene of a continuous Pentecost, as day after day seekers come into fullness of blessing. A dialect of Kanarese is one of the various languages of Southern India which God has bestowed. Another new tongue is an ancient form of Sanskrit understood by Ramabai, Sanskrit is the sacred language of the Brahmans, the priestly class of India.
Several girls have received the gift of interpretation of tongues. some are for days and even weeks dumb as regarding their own language, except when God gives them a message, and then ability to deliver the message is given. The light minded and frivolous are sternly rebuked by these prophetesses who plead with others to tarry in dead earnest for Pentecost. The substance of a message was as follows:
The second coming of Jesus is near at hand. God is getting His people ready. Seek, and prepare to meet your Lord. If you do not stir yourselves up to seek the Lord now and receive His blessing, you will be left behind when Jesus comes and then you must suffer a great deal.
Some have received the gift of healing. Two little girls are among the number who exercise this gift, and when led by the Spirit, they visit the Hospital and in answer to their prayers the sick are healed. And as in the days of the apostles unbelievers were healed by the laying on of hands, so today a Hindu woman has been healed of sickness.
As in other countries so in Mukti, the girls and women are pressing on to greater things and are believing for the restoration to the Church of all the lost gifts of the Spirit. Those baptized have been filled with a new and burning desire for lost souls and have learned what it is to pray in the Holy Ghost and to travail in birth for souls. Their joy is unbounding and the very faces of some have been so transfigured with Heaven’s own light that it is pleasant to see them.
Address Max Wood Moorhead, Publisher, Colombo, Ceylon.
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NOTES ON THE COMING OF JESUS
Christ is coming again, not as the babe of Bethlehem, to be spit upon and mocked but He is coming in power and great glory.
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O He is coming back. The angels said “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus that is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” He went up, bless God, in a body of flesh. He has flesh and bones. All Hid Blood had been shed on Calvary; but still, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He has a body of flesh and bones. And He is coming back to gather His people. Are we watching and looking for Him?
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Everyone that will be ready to be caught away will have on the white garment. It is not the putting on of gold and adornment; it is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. O how the bride looks for the coming of the Bridegroom. If a young man should have a maid and she should dress herself in her wedding garments and yet not look for his coming, do you imagine the groom would care for her? “Unto those that look for Him, shall He appear.”
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There will be two appearances of Jesus under one coming. The first appearance is called the Rapture, when He comes as a thief in the night and catches away His bride; the second is called the Revelation when He shall come with ten thousand of His saints and destroy the wicked with the brightness of His coming, and when His feet shall touch the same mount from which He ascended. But we want to be ready for the first appearance, to be caught up. We must be caught up with Him, before we can come back with Him.
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Nothing but holy people will meet the Lord Jesus in the skies, when He comes in the rapture. Those that had no light on the baptism with the Holy Ghost but were sanctified will have part in the first resurrection, for the Word says, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” So we see the first resurrection is of the holy people. Those that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus during the tribulation will be raised at His revelation. Rev. 20. 4 makes this plain.
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All of Christ’s bride are virgins, that is to say, they are sanctified people. They are meditating day and night in the law of their God. This does not include simply the ten commandments, but it means meditating on all the promises and commands of Jesus. “Be ye holy” is the law of our God. “Tarry in the city of Jerusalem” is the law of Jesus, and “I will come again,” is the law of our God. So she is mediating day and night, on the street car, on trains, in the workshop, and in the silent watches of the night. He says they that meditate in His law day and night shall be planted by the rivers of waters, that is by the Holy Ghost which is the river of water flowing out of our souls.
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Jesus is coming to be King over all the earth and reign from sea to sea. We see Him in Revelations with a name written on His thigh, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” We are coming back with Him on white horses and wind up the tribulation. We shall sit with the glorified Christ in His throne as His queen, the Lamb’s wife. We are going to help Him rule this old world in the millennium, when righteousness shall cover the earth as waters cover the sea. Then afterwards at the white throne judgment, we shall sit with Him and judge the world. Then after the new heavens and new earth, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom into the Father’s hands, we shall reign with Him throughout eternity. O beloved, are you ready?
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Jesus said, “Sell that thou hast and give to the poor” and “pluck out the right eye and cut off the right hand, if it offend thee.” Where do we find people that are doing that? Instead of that they are getting more right eyes and right hands. The Bible tells of a time when men and women will be living at ease in Zion. They will be buying houses and lands and taking their ease; but, lo, suddenly there comes a little shout in the air. The saints have been taken away; the great tribulation is on the world. They will wonder what has happened. O beloved, when the fig tree putteth forth her leaves, know that summer is nigh. Some may laugh now in the face of God, but O when that day comes, the rich man will howl and call for the rocks to fall upon him. They will try to find some little saint of God to have them offer up a little prayer. But it will be too late. The five wise virgins have entered in and the door is shut.
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THE WEDDING GARMENT
Thirty-seven years ago, when but a school girl, I was converted to God, and my conversion was so deep and pungent, I received more at that time than a good many who profess holiness in these days seem to have.
A few years later, while in my own home, without ever having any teaching on that line, I was deeply convinced for a clean heart, but did not know that I could have it till death; was in such distress I could eat or sleep a little, and longed for death to release me from the “body of this death” that I felt was so hideous in the sight of my precious Lord. My husband thought I was going insane and tried to divert my mind, but conviction was too deep to be diverted.
After a time, a young minister who understood my case was sent of God to my home, who taught me my privileges in this life. And not long after, I received the evidence of heart purity. Such power attended this, that I would speak but a few words to one who was not right with God, and they would break down and weep and many of them get to God. God would give me such testimonies that the church, which was spiritually dead, was quickened into life and a great revival broke out that spread over the community. God would often lay me under the power and give me revelations both of Himself and other things.
Of course I thought this to be the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and when I would read or hear of this movement, I would say, “I received that 25 years ago.” But when I found it was spreading everywhere and many people as well as missionaries were speaking in tongues, I said, “This is a farce.” But God in His great love, showed me the movement was of Him, and I received the light and accepted it.
At the campmeeting at Fairmont, Minn., on June 21st, after confessing to God and man the attitude of the past, I saw myself all covered over with the Blood of Jesus. A few minutes after this, there was such power of God rested upon me that I fell beneath it; and as I was lying there, I felt something I had never had before was coming to me. With the natural eyes closed, I kept looking up into the heaven in expectancy, when I saw a light soft and mellow, unlike any earthly light. As it drew nearer, I saw a robe of such whiteness that no whiteness of earth can ever compare with it. The whiteness of itself seemed to make the soft heavenly light, whose beams reached like a beautiful pathway clear down to me. It seemed Jesus was holding out the garment by the shoulder, so it was all visible to me, and it glistened as though it had been dipped in diamond dust. And as I gazed upon its radiant beauty, Jesus said, “This is yours.” I seemed to be held by its dazzling beauty, until my attention was called by the Holy Ghost to the voice of a brother in another part of the room, repeating a sentence in an unknown tongue, and the Spirit revealed to me that he was saying, “You have the wedding garment,” and that the Spirit was saying this to me through him. Then there seemed to be music coming to me from the light that was still shining above. It seemed to keep coming nearer, until all at once my tongue and lips began to shout two words in an unknown tongue, and Jesus seemed to say, “This is the new name which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Rev. 2:17.
I cannot describe the experience, but it was something more than I ever had before. It was revealed to me that this “latter rain” was getting people ready for the “Marriage supper of the Lamb,” and this is the time when the wise virgins are getting the oil in their vessels with their lamps. But O how many are going to be unwise.
Since then, I have sang and sometimes prayed in an unknown tongue. Sometimes the interpretation is given. I know Jesus is coming soon. He said, “When the bride begins to put on the wedding garments, it is not long until the wedding takes place.”
I have written this for the benefit of those who, like myself, honestly believe they have this experience in sanctification. I used to wonder what was the benefit of speaking in tongues, but I find that besides being a “sign to those that believe not,” it brings a blessing to the spirit of the person speaking, that nothing else ever did.
Mrs. T.M. Rist, Evangelist.
Windom, Minn.
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O to have that well of water springing up to everlasting life! O beloved, it flows out and waters your whole soul, and keeps the harp of ten thousand strings tuned up in your soul. And in the wee small hours of the morning, O you can hear the Holy Ghost playing on that harp. Bless God. It is so sweet to be lost in Jesus, to have Him a living monument in your life. O how He will give you power over all demons and devils in hell and in man. O it means something to have power with God, not only to tread on serpents and scorpions, to drink any deadly thing and it shall not hurt you, but to cast out demons and lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
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The Apostolic Faith (June to September, 1907)
The Revival in Portland.
One of the mightiest revivals that Portland ever knew has taken place in that city. The devil raged, shots were fired, some were arrested and brought up before the judges, but the Lord worked on and healed all manner of diseases that were brought baptized and saved many precious souls.
In June a camp meeting was opened up there, where 100 souls were baptized with the Holy Ghost. Ministers were brought into the work. The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Portland came into the work in a body. God is working there in mighty power today.
One poor soul that had spent five years strapped to her bed in an insane asylum was healed. Her brother hearing of the wonderful work wrought through this people went and got her and brought her to the Mission, and God wonderfully healed and saved and sanctified her. Her brother testified that he did not believe in God and was an infidel. Now he is saved and has gone back to live with his wife he had left This Gospel surely is building up homes.
A lady was instantly healed of lesion of the muscles which the doctors have been working on for eleven years. The saints are leaving off their glasses and their eyes are being instantly healed. An old lady well on to seventy years old had her eyes completely restored while listening to a brother preaching.
When the plague in Portland was taking the children off at a fearful rate, the Lord healed all the Pentecostal flock as soon as it put in its appearance. Not one of them lost one of their family. The people were told to read the 91st Psalm, stand on the Word, and keep under the Blood, and fear nothing.
The Portland campmeeting opened at Twelfth and Division streets with 1000 people in attendance, sometimes hundreds could not get in. They had all things common at the camp, and such love and unity exists. The poor saint could have a tent as well as the rich one and all were free to eat at the tables. No collection taken, and yet the needs were abundantly supplied.
The work is spreading. Some came from Dallas and received their baptism and went back and set that town on fire and started a campmeeting there.
Sixty-seven were baptized in water one day. People brought their dear ones from the asylum and God healed them. Three from the asylum testified daily of the healing power of God.
A sanctified Nazarene preacher came to the meeting and got her baptism. Three preachers got through one day. The altars are packed.
A sister writing from there said, “O I wish you could hear these Holy Ghost people testify. No straps on anyone. The Holy Ghost works here. Saints filled so they can hardly talk jump up quickly, say a few words and sit down. Such a humble people, such love and unity I never saw.
-Address, Pentecostal Meeting, Twelfth and Division streets, Portland, Ore.
The “Latter Rain” in Zion City, Ill.
God is doing a mighty work in Zion City among those heart-broken and crushed people. First they started meetings in the Edina Hospice, now a faith home called “The Haven” then they had the large auditorium in the college and now have the large tabernacle.
One morning in the upper room of “The Haven,” the Holy Ghost fell, as they were praying for Him to come and manifest Himself. First one began to drop and then another until the floor was covered. The first to speak in unknown tongues was a young man who spoke in Chinese, Italian, and Zulu, which were identified. Then it was not long till the flood of joy began and all over the room they were praising and glorifying God in different tongues. Some were justified and sanctified. About twenty came through speaking in tongues.
God is using the children, young men and young women, in a marvelous manner. It is the most wonderful demonstration of the power of God upon human hearts. Denounce it as they will, when they see these little children under the power of the Holy Spirit, preaching, singing and speaking in different languages (which are many times identified by foreigners) they will in our meetings confess that their fighting has come to an end, and say that they have never seen anything after this manner.
Brother Seymour when he was in Zion City wrote, “People here receive the baptism in their pews while the service is going on and sometimes scores of them receive it. It is the sweetest thing you want to see. It reminds me of old Azusa ten months ago. The people that receive the baptism seem so happy, they remind me of our people at home. There are little children from six years and on up who have the baptism with the Holy Ghost, just as we have it in Los Angeles. Praise out God. This is another Azusa. It would do you good to hear these people speak under the power of the Holy Ghost. Some of them converse in tongues. Brother Tom has never lost the spirit of the Azusa. He is still fired up the same as ever. Everywhere I have traveled among our baptized souls they seem to have such joy and freedom in the Holy Ghost.”-Address “The Haven,” Zion City, Ill.
In Minneapolis, Minn.
One Sunday the power of God came upon us in the morning meeting and in the evening the Pentecost began to fall, and by 11:30 the next morning six had received Pentecost, “For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” It was like some scenes in Azusa, all around lay the slain, Methodists, Baptists, and Lutherans. Young people arose with shining faces speaking in the power of the Holy Ghost in unknown tongues. Two elderly sisters also spoke in tongues, magnifying God. We have the happiest band of baptized people you ever saw. Young ladies that were so timid, now clap their hands and shout Glory, all the time.
Another night when the meeting lasted till five o’clock in the morning, one young man, a Methodist, came through about one a.m. and spoke in tongues for two hours, giving some of the most blessed messages and interpreting: the burden was, “Jesus is coming soon, get ready to meet Him.”
One little girl received her baptism and spoke beautifully in tongues, and then spoke to some unconverted young men in tongues and interpreted, which was a plea for them to give their hearts to Jesus now as He was soon coming and they would be lost. The men were visibly affected by the message.
Three baptismal services were held (up to June 19th) at a suburban lake, and 24 were buried in the likeness of His death.
Most of those who received the baptism in the Spirit are prostrated on the floor. Some received it while sitting in a chair or standing on their feet. Some have received it at home. Those who are prostrated, many of them tell of having a vision of heaven or of Jesus the Lord or otherwise of having come into a full and far deeper sense of God than ever thought of before. A brother coming out from under the power where he had received revelations said, “The hand of God is certainly on this work, and those who scuff and oppose it are likely to have the Lord’s hand put on them in a terrible way.”
The papers published many false reports, and they were threatened with arrest and to have the meetings stopped on the charge of disturbing the peace; but Bro. Pendleton announced that the meetings would continue for they must obey God. If they went to jail, they would have meetings there.
Some get to God in every meeting. They obtained a large hall that will set four or five hundred, where a permanent mission will be established.
Pentecost in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
For more than a year here some of the saints tarried before God for an outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh, and especially for a revival of the Bible standard in Winnipeg. God has heard prayers and is repeating Pentecost. Praise His name.
The Holy Ghost first fell in a cottage meeting and three received their Pentecost with Bible evidence. An aged saint came in from Poplar Point, a small town about 40 miles distant, and the second afternoon he got his Pentecost and says he feels a lot younger. He and others went back and had tarrying meetings, and since then about twenty have received Pentecost at that place.
At the Pentecost Mission, while a brother was speaking from Acts 10:40-46, “While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word,” as he was speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on two sisters. One started speaking right off in tongues, and another who had come about 100 miles to attend the meeting, fell under the power for a time and began to sing in tongues. It was heavenly. Souls are being saved, believers sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost while sitting in their seats.
Baptismal services took place on the banks of the River Assimboine at this place 23 persons receiving baptism by immersion. It was a sacred occasion. The Holy Ghost witnessed through the speaking in tongues of those who were baptized.
Some wonderful cases of healing have occurred the past few weeks. A lady of some 60 years of age who had been a cripple from inflammatory rheumatism for ten years or more, was brought in an invalid chair accompanied by her two daughters. She was prayed for, and during the service was noticed to stretch forth her ailing limbs, which up to this time had been of little use to her. She then rose from her chair under the power of the Holy Ghost. O that man would praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men.
Home & Foreign Mission, 159 Alexander St., Winnipeg, Man., Can.
FROM DISTANT LANDS.
How wonderful it is that today in different parts of India, Russia, Norway, Sweden, England, Canada, Africa and America, God’s saints are enjoying the latter rain and are being satisfied. Persecution is arising everywhere, but this is only a mark of the Lord’s work, and makes us more sure we shall reign with Him whose sufferings we are privileged to share. Bless His name! The Lord is coming-our precious King is coming soon. “Even so come Lord Jesus.” Hallelujah.
Salvation in Sweden.
In Stockholm, Sweden, many souls are filled with the Holy Ghost and have the Bible evidence. The tidal wave is sweeping on, on to victory. Hundreds of souls are at the feet of Jesus.
“The work of the Lord is spreading. In Gottenberg, the second city of Sweden, the Lord has set many of His people free, filling them with the Spirit of Christ. Some are speaking with new tongues. I have Bro. Eric Hollingsworth and his wife here with me now in this city, and hope we shall have a house like Azusa Mission.
“The church in Skofde is growing. I think there are about 40 now who are baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking and singing in new tongues there. Hallelujah! In a meeting at Skofde there were seven young folks who were singing in tongues together. It was a heavenly song, as Bro. Eric told me.
“In many other cities and towns God is working mightily. One place is on an island between Sweden and Russia, and all the praise.”-Andrew G. Johnson, Bramaregarden, Hisingstad, Gottenberg, Sweden.
[Since the last report, two Spirit-filled sisters, Sister Anderson and Sister Jacobson, have gone to help in the work in Sweden.]
Reports from England.
“Three have received the baptism with Bible evidence here. When we hear the Holy Ghost speaking and singing through these dear ones, it is so solemn and yet so heavenly and deepens one’s hunger.”-J.H. * Akerman Road, Brixton, London, S.W.
From another part of London where there has been a tarrying meeting, word comes that two have received the Pentecost, and other hungry souls seeking.
A sister in England who has received the ** testifies:
‘When all had retired that night, past twelve o’clock and I was left alone, praise and adoration filled my soul (for the words kept ringing in my ear that had been spoken from, “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.”) The joy was flowing-after months of inexpressible yearnings, and waiting upon God. That night I seemed to lie in His almighty arms like a weary little child. The last cord that bound me to earth was broken and that was a little anxiety concerning my home and dear ones. I gave them up to Him, and just rested absolutely in Him.
“While praising Him I had a vision of Jesus upon the cross. It was dark, He extended His arms to me and said, “Come to Me.” Oh! the unutterable love and compassion in His voice. I obeyed, and groaned in the spirit, seeming to suffer with Him. Then the darkness fled, and I was raised with Him in glory. I involuntarily threw up my arms to praise Him and suddenly they seemed to be charged with electricity, and a power came upon me and I praised Him in another tongue. He immediately gave the interpretation which was “Glory to Jesus-the bleeding Lamb.” The next morning the Holy Ghost came in mighty power, causing me to laugh as I had never done in my life (being very matter of fact and unemotional), and speaking in four or five languages sometimes giving the interpretation. For one and a half hours this continued. I was quite powerless. The glory of God filled my soul, and sometimes the deepest anguish of heart at the cross. What I felt and realized of the sorrow and love of Jesus was beyond all expression, finding vent only in another “tongue.” Glory to His Name!
“The same evening I went to another meeting in connection, with the foregoing special services, and the Spirit came upon me again causing me to speak in three or four languages with the interpretation.”-From a tract published in England by Bro. A.A. Body, All Saints’ Vicarage, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, England.
The Work in India.
There are at least five or six hundred witnesses in India today, “earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints.”
Some of the choicest spirits of India have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. It is wonderful to hear one of these tell how for nine years she had hunted meetings where she could receive the Holy Ghost, and how she has found Him whom her soul so long has craved. She and her friend are missionaries from Columbo, Cevlon. One of them has been clearly healed of a disease of several years standing.
Four witnesses have gone to Darjeeling India.
A prominent missionary who has been baptized with the Holy Ghost and has received wonderful power has thrown open the doors of her beautiful mission home and today is preaching the word with power.
The missionaries are searching the Word. They find this movement is prophesied as the forerunner of Jesus, and the precious souls are so glad to receive the power; but in India Bible teachers who know the Word are not jumping at every new doctrine but are weighing everything by the Word and are being convinced of the truth.
The Lord gave one missionary a vision of the Holy Ghost as a chest of jewels, and she saw the Savior open the chest, and with a look of great love and satisfaction, unroll gift after gift from the chest. It has not occurred to many the joy that must fill the heart of the dear Lord, when He sees that His gifts are being appreciated.
The Lord also gave Sister Garr a vision of Himself one night, while in Calcutta and His hands were filled with golden crowns ready to place on heads. And the same evening, He gave her the message “Let no man take thy crown.” A missionary arose and said that on that day God had spoken those words to her, and she did not know what it meant.
Reaching the missionaries is laying the axe at the root of the tree, for they know all the customs of India and also the languages. The only way the nations can be reached is by getting the missionaries baptized with the Holy Ghost. Missionaries are receiving and praising God for letting them hear this Gospel and receive this great outpouring of the Spirit.
In a school of 1,500 native girls and 200 boys, besides European and native teachers the head of the school has been tarrying and the Comforter has come to her and also to her daughter, a number of her teachers, and 300 native girls. Hallelujah! At Dhond, a school of boys, numbers have been saved, some are speaking in tongues.
In Calcutta, one Missionary who was baptized in the meeting, went back to her high school and in a short time forty-five precious native girls were baptized in the Spirit. Then the matron of a Rescue Home received her Pentecost and shortly the dear girls who had been redeemed from such lives of sin, were learning how to glorify Jesus and the Holy Ghost was given. Missionaries who have gone down to their stations, write of the abiding Comforter and rivers of living water are flowing.
False reports have been circulated of the work in India. Do not believe them.-Address Bro. and Sister A.G. Garr, Bethany, Slave Island, Colombo, Ceylon, India.
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When Jesus comes, He is going to reveal to us, all the hidden love that He had for us all through the ages.
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If your testimony is backed up by the Blood of Christ in your heart, there is power in it.
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God stands today to save every sinner, to sanctify every believer, and to baptize every sanctified believer with the Holy Ghost.
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We are measuring everything by the Word, every experience must measure up with the Bible. Some say that is going too far, but if we have lived too close to the Word, we will settle that with the Lord when we meet Him in the air.
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Some people build their houses on the sand, not on the experience of the Blood in their hearts. They say they have not got the witness, but are just going by faith. Well, everyone that is born of God has the witness in himself. I John 5:10.
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When we preach a sinless life, some people say we are too strict. They say we will not get many to heaven that way. But beloved, God cannot save contrary to His Word. All salvation contrary to the Word is not saving salvation.
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The baptism with the Holy Ghost is the seal of the living God in your forehead. God wants you to wear this seal, and not the badges of men and devils. He does not want you to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, but come out from among the creeds and doctrines of men and devils. Our ignorance in the past God winked at, but that time is past. He is seeking for a clean people, a people that have not defiled their garments. The priests that bore the Holy vessels had to be clean, so now those that bear the messages of the Lord must be clean and holy.
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John the Baptist lost his head because he preached against divorces. There are a few people today that are willing to lose their heads for preaching against divorces. This Apostolic Faith stands for one wife and one husband. Our God is going to have a clean people, a people that will stand for the whole counsel of God. Praise God for a people that are willing to stand for the Gospel and die for it if need be.
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
312 Azusa Street
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Important!
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TO THE BAPTIZED SAINTS
The Lord wants us to keep that fresh anointing, that sweet anointing that we had when the Holy Ghost first fell upon us.
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It is one thing to receive the baptism and another thing to keep the anointing. When workers go out with the real anointing, there are not places large enough to hold the people. God wants a people to go out and preach this Gospel, that will stand for it. “These signs shall follow them that believe,” and if they do not follow, we do not represent this Gospel. It is a blessed thing to be able to stand as a witness to this Gospel.
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The Lord wants everything that is done in a meeting to be done in the anointing of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost comes into your body for service. He anoints His ministers afresh for every service. Every song and every testimony should be given under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Some have learned how to preach but it is a good thing for you if you cannot speak without the anointing of the Holy Ghost. You can get down on your knees and ask the Lord to use you or set you aside, which ever He wills, and to put the anointing on you for service if He wants you to give a message. Pretty soon you will feel the power going all over you. All you need to do is to yield to the will of God.
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Tongues are one of the signs that go with every baptized person, but it is not the real evidence of the baptism in the every day life. Your life must measure with the fruits of the Spirit. If you get angry, or speak evil, or backbite, I care not how many tongues you may have, you have not the baptism with the Holy Spirit. You have lost your salvation. You need the Blood in your soul.
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Don’t ever think because you have been sanctified and the old man crucified that there is no danger of him getting up. He will get up if you do not live in the Word and let the Blood flow. But if you remain in the Word, you will remain on the cross. O beloved, let us remain on the cross.
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It means something to consecrate, but it means more to keep consecrated, morning, noon, and night, to say, “Here am I. Lord, send me.” Sometimes when His voice comes, Do this or that, we think it is imagination: but if we will just ask God, “Is that You?” He will witness by the Blood that He is speaking. It is by obedience that we have power with God and increase in power.
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Many may start in this salvation, and yet if they do not watch and keep under the Blood, they will lose the Spirit of Jesus, which is divine love, and have only gifts which will be as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, and sooner or later these will be taken away. If you want to live in the Spirit, live in the fruits of the Spirit every day.
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“He anointeth my head with oil, my cup runneth over.” The oil of the Holy Ghost is poured upon our heads, and when we get filled, it will run over, that we may help others. If our cup is but full, it will simply be a benediction to ourselves; but when the oil of the Holy Ghost overflows, it will saturate and thrill and fill with the power of God other souls.
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The time has come when we must separate ourselves from this old world. Everything must be second to Jesus. Your treasure is in heaven. You are walking down here and trying to win souls, to pass the time away till Jesus comes.
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Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” You who are baptized with the Holy Ghost, this commission is written over your heads, and will not be taken down till the angel stands with one foot on the land and one on the sea and declares that time shall no longer be.
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O beloved, our reigning time has not come yet. We are to be with the Babe from the manger to the throne. Our reigning time will come when Jesus comes in great power from the throne. Until then we are to be beaten, to be spit upon, and mocked. We are to be like His son.
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It means so much to keep the anointing upon our souls so that we do not wither away, after we get this baptism. There is a tendency for the enemy to come in and tell you that you are giving away to this and that demonstration too much. God wants us to let the Holy Ghost have right of way with us. I love the liberty of the Holy Ghost, I love to see Him have right of way. When we received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the power came down in such a mighty way, and after a time people began to consider and got us to taking thought. But what are we that will put straps and bands on the Holy Ghost, when the Lord comes and finds and thrills us with the Holy Ghost? Just because it is not our power shall we quench it and hold it down? Let us be free in the Holy Ghost and let Him have right of way.
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OLD TESTAMENT FEASTS FULFILLED IN OUR SOULS TODAY
In the 23rd chapter of Leviticus and 16th of Deuteronomy, and all through the Old Testament we read of the feasts that God appointed to be kept in the worship to Him. There were four feasts, the Passover Feast, Feast of First Fruits, Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), and Feast of Tabernacles. They all typify what we get through the cross now, justification, sanctification, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and then a continual feast. Together they typify a complete redemption.
The Passover Feast
The Passover Feast is the very type of justification through the Blood of Jesus our Paschal Lamb. The night when they ate the Passover in Egypt was the type of a sinner coming out of darkness, through the Blood of Jesus. Hallelujah! The body of the Paschal Lamb is the type of the body of Christ, which is meat for us and bread for us, and the sprinkled blood represents salvation, as He said on that last Passover night when He was betrayed, “Take eat, this is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.” He also gave them the cup saying, “This is the new testament in My Blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22, 20. If we accept the Word of God and accept Christ’s body for healing, we shall be healed, Bless His holy name!
So the Passover represents justification and sanctification. There is a feast in every believer that has accepted the Blood of Jesus Christ. It is the first feast in his soul. When a man gets justified, the Lord puts a new song in his mouth, even praises to our God that he is saved and has peace with God through the Blood of Jesus.
Feast of First Fruits
This is the very type of consecrating our lives, after we are justified, to be sanctified “When ye come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof , then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of the harvests unto the priests. And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord.” Lev. 23, 10, 11. Praise our God! Jesus Christ is our high priest. He sanctifies and cleanses us from all sin through His Blood. Bless His holy name!
“And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savor; and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God; it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” Lev. 23. 12, 14. This is the very type of a fully sanctified life. We should not live off the experience and blessings of justification, but we should hasten to God as soon as we are justified and consecrate our whole soul to God as a sacrifice, and receive the sanctifying grace.
The 15th verse foreshadows the 50 days from the Cross to Pentecost. “And ye shall count unto you, from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall ye complete; even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.” This makes seven weeks or 49 days that you have enjoyed the sweet sanctified life through the Blood; and on the 50th day which represents the new Sabbath, our Lord’s Day, comes the Pentecost, which we now receive under the new testament, the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
The Feast of Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost is the very type of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The word Pentecost signifies 50 days. The first Pentecost the Jews had was at Mount Sinai 50 days after the Feast of Passover. The baptism with the Holy Ghost also fell on Pentecost just fifty days after Jesus was offered on the cross, to the very hour. The regular time of offering the lamb of sacrifice was nine o’clock, and that was the hour that Jesus was crucified, the “third hour of the day.” And the baptism of the Spirit fell on the same hour, 50 days later, for in the second chapter of Acts, we read that Peter said to the multitude, “These are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.” The Pentecost fell on the Lord’s day, the first day of the week or Sunday. It has been kept by God’s people ever since. So Pentecost really means a feast, praise God, we have Pentecost in our souls today.
The feast of Pentecost came at the time of the wheat harvest and ripening of the summer fruits. They were commanded to leave some of the wheat and fruits in the fields, not to glean it. So when we get the baptism with the Holy Ghost, we have overflowing love, we have rivers of salvation. Praise our God.
The Feast of Trumpets
This is the feast of the full harvest. “When ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days; on the first day shall be a Sabbath and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.” Lev. 23. 39, 40. In this you see a type of baptized Holy Ghost people filled with divine love, and under the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, praising God and giving Him the glory. Hallelujah! This feast of Tabernacles is a type of a continual feast with Jesus. It typifies the coming and reigning of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, when He shall spread the tabernacle and feed us.
These types and shadows represent what we are now receiving in reality. Bless His name. May we all seek all that God has for us.
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A HAPPY FAMILY.
One Sunday evening, the Lord impressed me not to go to meeting but to stay at home. We all went into the parlor and knelt down to pray, wife and I, and our three little children and one of the neighbor’s girls about 10 years old.
After wife and I prayed, the children commenced praying. The little boy of 13 was last to pray. While he was praying, the two little girls commenced crying out and such agony before God. It was about seven o’clock in the evening, and kept on till about nine. They were lying on their backs, sometimes praying and sometimes crying out.
Then Agnes said, “O papa, I saw such a beautiful light come down from heaven. It shines so much brighter than the gas light.” Glory! Hallelujah! Then she commenced speaking in tongues. It sounded like the French language. Then the other little girl commenced crying out. Agnes went and put her arms around her neck and said, “O Huldah, I see there is light for you too.” Then Huldah commenced speaking in tongues. Then they came and threw themselves in my lap and talked in tongues for an hour. Then they sang a song in tongues, both sang the same words and the same tune in perfect harmony.
Then the little boy began to get hungry, and we went down and prayed for him and about 12 o’clock he got his Pentecost.
The children were saved before that, and the two girls had been praying together that day. Agnes used to have a very sharp temper but is different now. Shortly after that all three were baptized with water. Little Clara, the baby, six years old, is praying for her Pentecost.
Ever since that night, when we get down to pray, nearly always the little ones begin to speak in tongues. The following Sunday evening, we left the children alone, and when we returned and came to the barn we heard such a noise in the house, and my wife wondered if the children were crying. We found all three of the children were talking in tongues.
M.B. Froseth,
938 E. 33rd St. Los Angeles.
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A CHILDREN’S MEETING.
A little girl eight years old who was reclaimed and sanctified at the children’s tabernacle in the campmeeting was left at home one morning to take care of the little children, while her mother went to the meeting. She was a good girl with the children, and the Lord gave them a wonderful meeting at home. Rebecca who was seeking the baptism with the Holy Ghost, her cousin who had been saved that morning in family worship and the little sister, all had a little meeting. They sang, prayed and testified and then had an altar call. Little Mary was saved, and while praying with her Vivian was sanctified. After they closed the meeting, Rebecca sat on the lounge sewing and got up to start a fire, when the power of God came on her. She says, I fell on my knees so suddenly that it surprised me. I said, “O Father, baptize me with the Holy Ghost and fire, and give me the witness that I am baptized.” In a few minutes she began to sing in an unknown language. Then the Lord impressed her to go and lay hands on her cousin, and she fell under the power and lay for some time and came out from under the power singing in an unknown language. When the mother came home, Rebecca ran and told her the good news, and she said she had been praying for the Lord to take care of the children, and indeed He had.
THE MIRACLE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES.
Some people doubt the miracle of speaking in tongues. They read it in the Bible but do not believe in miracles now-a-days. There was a woman on the campground that doubted the miracle of speaking in tongues. She understood Russian and Polish, and the Lord gave her a message in her native tongue, which no one else understood.
A boy arose to testify and when his turn came, and he opened his mouth, he could not speak English, but the Spirit began to speak in an unknown language. The woman heard both Russian and Polish and was thoroughly convinced. He spoke about ten minutes giving the account of Jesus walking among the golden candlesticks with the seven stars in His right hand and also the first eight verses of the 3rd of Revelation where Jesus was exhorting the church that had a name to live and was dead, to repent. The boy seemed to be preaching and exhorting in great power. Part of the message was, “Jesus is coming very soon.”
The young man’s name is Ralph Groenick of Hermon, Cal., and the woman’s address is Sister Rosenthal, corner 24th and Hoover streets, Los Angeles.
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CHRIST ABIDES IN SANCTIFICATION
When we receive Christ as our sanctifier, He comes in and we have the abiding anointing in our souls continually. When a man is sanctified, there is no doubt as to his sanctification, for he has the witness within. Christ abides, He sits enthroned. You are in the Word of God and you get a real witness from the throne of God that Christ is within. When you call your Beloved, He answers and says, Here I am.
I remember after I was converted, I said, How is this? My Beloved comes to me and visits me, but He does not abide. I knew I was a Christian but I did not have the real abiding anointing. When I would get with Christians and sing one or two hymns, my Beloved would come and visit me; but when I left, it seemed He would go. I said to Him, “I would like for you to come and stay, not just some and fill me and afterwards take Your flight.” But when I got my Beloved sanctified in me, then when I would call upon Him, He would come and make my soul laugh. You do not have to ask someone about it. If you have not received the abiding anointing, you have a counterfeit sanctification. As long as you live in the Word of God He will always be present. We must continue to obey Him, for there is no way for Christ to abide in us, if we do not obey Him.
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CURED OF DOUBT AND FEARS.
The Blood of Jesus is the only cure for doubt and fears. It takes sanctification to deliver from doubts and fears. We always find that people who are not sanctified are more or less troubled with doubts. But when they get sanctified they are filled with such love to God, that they are like little babes, they believe every word of Jesus.
Now Jesus had been with the disciples three and a half years, and had told them all about the kingdom, and yet the doubts and fears came upon them. But in Luke 24:31, we read, “And their eyes were opened and they knew Him.” This was after the resurrection. Their spiritual eyes were opened to see our inheritance. No one can get the baptism till Christ anoints his eyes and opens up his understanding that he might understand the Scriptures. In the 45th verse we read, “Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures.” Then they received the living Word into their hearts and their hearts burned within them, as He unfolded the Scriptures to them.
Sanctification is a cure for unbelief, doubts and fears. Jesus got all His disciples cured before He went back to glory. What do you call that but sanctification? His Blood had been split for their sanctification. He had suffered without the gate to sanctify them. We can see Jesus taught the doctrine of sanctification before He was crucified, for He had prayed that they might be sanctified in the 17th of John. He stayed with them on earth forty days, opened their understanding, opened their eyes and cleansed them of doubts.
The last one to be cured of doubts was Thomas. They were trying to preach the resurrection to Thomas, but he said, “No. I will not believe it until I put my hand into His side and my finger into the prints of the nails.” Satan was trying to rob and fool Thomas out of the glorious truth of the resurrection. Jesus knew all about it. He called Thomas and said to him, (Don’t you see how Jesus hates infidelity and unbelief) “Reach hither thy finger and behold My hands and, reach hither thy hand and behold My side, and be not faithless but believing.” Jesus wants us to walk by faith and believe every word that proceedeth out of His mouth.
We believe that the disciples were sanctified and ready for the baptism with the Holy Ghost. They had obedience and faith in their hearts, and were continually praising and blessing God in the temple, until the Pentecost tell, Acts 2. If we will all get a clearly sanctified experience as they had, we will have no trouble in receiving the baptism.
THE HOLY SPIRIT BISHOP OF THE CHURCH
It is the office work of the Holy Spirit to preside over the entire work of God on earth.-John 10:3 Jesus was our Bishop while on earth, but now He has sent the Holy Ghost, Amen, to take His place, not men.-John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7-14. Praise His holy name!
The Holy Ghost is to infuse with divine power, and to invest with heavenly authority. No religious assembly is legal without His presence and His transaction. We should recognize Him as the Teacher of teachers.
The reason why there are son many of God’s people without divine power today without experimental salvation, wrought out in their hearts by the Blood, by the power of the blessed Holy Spirit, is because they have not accepted Him as their Teacher, as their Leader, as their Comforter. Jesus said in His precious Word that if He went away He would send us another Comforter. The need of men and women today in their lives, is a Comforter Praise our God! We have received this blessed Comforter, and it is heaven in our souls. We can sing with all our hearts: “What matter where on earth we dwell On Mountain top, or in the dell,
In cottage or a mansion fair,
Where Jesus is, ’tis heaven there.”
Bless His holy name!F May God help every one of His Blood bought children to receive this blessed Comforter. Glory to His name! Hallelujah! Hosannah to His omnipotent name! Oh, He is reigning in my soul! Hallelujah! I just feel like the song which says:
“Oh, spread the tidings round
Wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts
And human woes abound,
Let every Christian tongue
Proclaim the joyful sound,
The Comforter has come!”
Many people today think we need new churches, (that is to say church buildings,) stone structures, brick structures, modern improvements, new choirs, trained singers right from the conservatories, paying from seven to fifteen hundred dollars a year for singing, fine pews, fine chandeliers, everything that could attract the human heart to win souls to the meeting house is used in this twentieth century. We find that they have reached the climax, but all of that had failed to bring divine power and salvation to precious souls. Sinners have gone to the meeting house, heard a nice, fine, eloquent oration on Jesus, or on some particular church, or on some noted man. The people have been made glad to go because they have seen great wealth, they have seen people in the very latest styles, in different costumes, and loaded down with jewelry, decorated from head to foot with diamonds, gold and silver. The music in the church has been sweet, and it is found that a good many of the church people seem to be full of love, but there has always been a lack of power. We wonder why sinners are not being converted, and why it is that the church is always making improvements, and failing to do the work that Christ called her to do. It is because men have taken the place of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
The church had the right idea that we need bishops and elders, but they must be given authority by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and their qualifications for these offices must be the enduement of the power of the Holy Ghost. Jesus, after choosing His disciples, said, in John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father, in my name, He may give ordained His disciples with His own blessed hands, before going back to glory, but He put the credentials in their hearts on the day of Pentecost, when they were baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. Hallelujah! This was the authority that made them His witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth, for without the blessed Holy Spirit, in all of His fullness, we are not able to witness unto the uttermost parts of the earth. We must be coworkers with Him, partakers of the Holy Ghost. Then, when He is in us, in all of His fullness, He will manifest Himself. Signs and miracles will follow. This is the office work of the Holy Spirit in the churches. Amen.
I pray God that all Christ’s people and ministers everywhere will please stop by the headquarters, the Jerusalem before God, for their credentials. Then they are entitled to receive credentials from the visible church. But the main credential is to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Instead of new preachers from the theological schools and academies, the same old preachers, baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, the same old deacons, the same old plain church buildings will do. When the Holy Ghost comes in He will cleanse out dead forms and ceremonies, and will give life and power to His ministers and preachers, in the same old church buildings. But without the Holy Ghost they are simply tombstones.
We must always recognize that a meeting house is simply a place, where Christ’s people gather to worship, and not the church. The church is planted in our hearts, through the Blood of Jesus Christ, for Christ said in Matthew 16:16. “Upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” We see, if these meeting houses and such buildings were really churches of Christ, the storms, cyclones, and fire, could not harm them; but we see them blown down by storms and burned down. But, through the precious Blood of Christ, this church that He plants in our souls will stand throughout eternity.
The first thing in every assembly is to see that He, the Holy Ghost, is installed as so many dried up missions and churches today, is because they have not the Holy Ghost as the chairman. They have some man in His place. Man is all right in his place, that is when he is filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, for it is not man that does the work, but the Holy Ghost from the glory land, sent by Jesus to work through this tabernacle of clay. Wherever you find the Holy Ghost as the chairman in any assembly, you will find a fruitful assembly, you will find children being born unto God.
Just as it takes a father and a mother to bring forth children of this natural life, so it takes the Word and the Spirit to bring forth children of the spiritual birth. There must be a father and there must be a mother. God chooses human instruments to preach the Word unto the people, and the Holy Ghost gives birth to everyone who receives the Word of Christ, which means the new birth. Praise our God. Where a Holy Ghost man preaches the Word of God, the Lord will bring forth sons and daughters unto his administration.
Jesus Christ is the archbishop of these assemblies, and He must be recognized. Also we must recognize the Holy Spirit in all of His office work. He takes the members into the church, which is the body of Christ. Through repentance to God, and faith in Jesus, they become the members of the church of Christ. And they remain members as long as they live free from sin. When they commence sinning, the Holy Ghost, the chairman and bishop, the presiding elder, turns them out, and they know when they are turned out of this church. They don’t have to go and ask their pastor or their preacher, for they feel within their own soul that the glory has left them-the joy, the peace, the rest and comfort. Then when they feel the lack in their souls, if they will confess their sins, God, the Holy Ghost, will accept them back into the church.
Oh, thank God for this holy way. I am so glad that sham battles are over. Men and women must live straight, holy, pure lives, free from sin, or else they have no part with Christ Jesus. When men and women are filled with the Holy Ghost, everywhere they go, living waters will flow. The Lord promised that out of our innermost being living rivers of water should flow. This is the Holy Ghost. Amen! The mighty Pison, the Gihon, the Hiddekel, the Euphrates of our soul will flow, representing the rivers of salvation. Amen!
W.J.S.
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HEALED BY THE LORD.
“I feel led by the Holy Spirit to testify to the glory of God what He has done for me and my wife. The Lord has wonderfully healed me from catarrh of nine years standing. Glory! glory! glory! glory be to my dear Redeemer’s name! Soon as I received the handkerchief, or as soon as I opened the letter, such power went through my whole being as I have never felt before, and I praise Him, I feel the healing balm just now go through soul and body. Glory to King Jesus, the great Physician of soul and body. A few weeks before this, my wife was very sick, as near death as I have ever seen a human being. Her ears were getting cold and strength gone so that she could only whisper, but glory to God for His mercy and love, we got some of the saints to pray for her, and He wonderfully came and healed her. About a year ago, God for Christ’s sake saved and sanctified her, and revealed to her not to trust in the arm of flesh. So she pitched her medicine out once for all and took Jesus for her only Doctor. He is surely the only one that can help us under all circumstances.”-E.W. Johnson, Stockholm, Sask, Canada.
“The Lord graciously gave me the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire on April 29th, and there have 35 received their Pentecost at Readan, Wash., where I was. One dear sister was healed of curvature of the spine in answer to our prayers in half an hour after receiving her baptism, and her back straightened like a piece of rubber Praise to our God. She has been called to go to India.”-Mary Law, Rte 8, Spokane, Wash.
“A few of us here believe in this “faith once delivered unto the saints” and some are speaking in tongues. One sister sang beautiful songs with such marvelous power, beauty and sweetness, and oh how blest we were. Fifteen dear young men were saved, also several others. I wish to tell of a miracle which God did on my dear mother, healing her of a growth or pressing of the bones on the brain, caused by a bad fall on a sharp rock. She had suffered two years, and last summer was fast becoming insane from the pressure on her brain. I told her one night we would pray for her at the church where we met. We were only two, a brother and myself, and we claimed the promise, “Where two of you are agreed.” Praise God, my mother was healed sitting at home in a chair asleep. She said that she sprang up in alarm, wondering why her head felt so light and good. Then she remembered we were praying for her, and realized that she was healed, and thank God she is well and happy today.”-Eben, Lind, Moline, Ill.
“I can testify to this world that there is power in the Blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse from all sin and all dread diseases. Two days before I received your letter, I was made well and my shoulder went up into its place. All I can say is, Praise the Lord for ever and ever.”-John Waterson, Knowlesville.
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LETTER TO ONE SEEKING THE HOLY GHOST
Dear Beloved in Christ Jesus:-
The Lord Jesus has said in His precious Word, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5, 6. God’s promises are true and sure. We can rest upon His promises. He says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matt. 5, 8. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5, 3.
The Lord Jesus is always ready to fill the hungry, thirsty soul, for He said in His precious Word, “He that believeth on Me as the scripture hath said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spoke He of the Spirit which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” John 7, 38, 39. But, praise God, He is given to us today.
All we have to do it to obey the first chapter of Acts, and wait for the promise of the Father upon our souls. The Lord Jesus said in His precious Word. “Behold I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24, 49.) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
*** Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts I. 5, 8. They tarried until they received the mighty power of the baptism with the Holy Spirit upon their souls. Then God put the credentials in their hearts, and put the ring of authority on their finger, and sealed them in the forehead with the Father’s name, and wrote on their heart the name of the New Jerusalem, and put in their hand the stone with the name written that no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever. Let us stand upon His promises. They are sure, they will not break.
The Lord Jesus says, “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10, 19. Dear loved one, the Lord Jesus when He rose from the dead, said “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matt. 28. 19) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Mark 16: 16-18. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following. Praise His dear name, for He is just the same today.
The first thing in order to receive this precious and wonderful baptism with the Holy Spirit, we want to have a clear knowledge of justification by faith according to the Bible. Rom. 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” faith that all our actual sins may be washed away. Actual sin means committed sin.
And then the second step is to have a real knowledge of sanctification, which frees us from original sin-the sin that we were born with, which we inherited from our father Adam. We were not responsible for that sin until we received light, for we could not repent of a sin that we did not commit. When we came to the Lord as a sinner, we repented to God of our actual sins, and God for Christ’s sake pardoned us and washed our sin and pollution away, and planted eternal life in our souls. Afterwards we saw in the Word of God, “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” I Thess. 4:3, also John 17:15-19. We consecrated ourselves to God, and the Lord Jesus sanctified our souls, and made us every whit clean.
Then after we were clearly sanctified, we prayed to God for the baptism with the Holy Spirit. So He sent the Holy Spirit to our hearts and filled us with His blessed Spirit, and He gave us the Bible evidence, according to the 2nd chapter of Acts verses 1 to 4, speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
Praise our God, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Receive Him just now and He will fill you. Amen. Don’t get discouraged but pray until you are filled, for the Lord says, “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.” Don’t stop because you do not receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost at the first, but continue until you are filled. The Lord Jesus told His disciples to tarry until they were endued with power from on high. Many people today are willing to tarry just so long, and then they give up and fail to receive their personal Pentecost that would measure with the Bible. The Lord Jesus says, “Ye shall be filled.” He says that to the person that hungers and thirsts after righteousness and He says they are blessed. So if there is a hunger and thirst in our souls for righteousness, we are blest of Him. Praise His dear name!
Yours in Christ,
W.J.S.
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THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER AND SPEAKING WITH TONGUES IN CHICAGO.
In our previous articles upon the above subject, we defined the definite conclusions at which we had arrived; and now after six months further study, we have little to change as to our opinion of the movement. Last January we said we were satisfied that God had visited His people and that many were greatly blessed while others seemed puffed up and injured by their experience. We also stated that the Gospel Tabernacle as a church had set aside one evening of each week to pray especially that we might receive all that God was willing to bestow; and also that we might be delivered from all the deceptions of Satan, and the workings of the flesh.
The result so far has been most satisfactory. God has met us and answered our prayers. On the 12th of June at the close of our regular mid-week prayer meeting, nine of us tarried for a special season of waiting upon God. We had not proceeded far when one of our number (our class leader, a man of undoubted reliability and Christian experience), was praying with unusual earnestness amounting to intense supplication, when suddenly the Spirit seemed to fall upon us “as at the beginning;” for several were strongly convulsed, while the brother referred to began to speak in “unknown tongues” and “magnify God” with a loud voice. This altogether new experience made a deep impression on all present, as it could not possibly be attribated to hysteria or any hypnotic influence. So great was the downpour of the Spirit that this strong man paced the floor glorifying God for fully an hour. By this time the sense of God’s presence was so great that another of our church officers said that he believed it was God’s will to bestow upon him a like enduement. This brought us once more to our knees, where we had not long remained when the Spirit again fell upon us, and this brother likewise burst into intense supplication, and a little later began to speak “in tongues” and glorify God, as the first brother had done. This so impressed us that we began to think that it was the will of God to visit the entire company. None of the others, however, were visited at this time and at three o’clock in the morning we left the church. Again the following Friday evening as a company kneeled at the altar the Spirit fell upon one of our sisters; and again the following Sunday evening, upon one of the elders of the church. In each instance the recipient had the same experience as the first two. These things have made such an impression upon our people that the church has been greatly quickened. Those who speak in tongues seem to live in another world. The experience they have entered into corresponds exactly with that which is described in the 10th chapter of the Acts. The tongues they speak in do not seem to be intended as a means of communication between themselves and others, as on the Day of Pentecost, but corresponds more closely with that described in the 14th of I. Corinthians, 2nd verse, and seems to be a means of communication between the soul and God. They do not speak in tongues in the assembly, but when in prayer; they become intense in their supplication; they are apt to break out in the unknown tongue, which is invariably followed by ascriptions of praise and adoration which are well nigh unutterable. The writer has about concluded that it is the “new tongues” spoken of in Mark xvi. 17 as one of the signs which are to follow them that believe, rather than the “gift of tongues” which all evidently did not possess. We feel our spirits hushed into silence before God, at this wonderful manifestation of His presence in our midst. We have announced no extra meetings in the church, but every night prostrate forms may be seen waiting in silence before Him who baptizes with the Holy Ghost. There is no shadow of doubt left in our minds as the the Scripturalness of the experience, and we feel sure that no honest heart could find anything to criticize.
There are other cases at other points in our Chicago work equally satisfactory, and it is this more than any other thing that has influenced us in the selection of the Free Methodist Camp Grounds, as the place for our next annual meeting.-The Christian Missionary Alliance.
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Of the 500 disciples that heard Jesus say, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,” how many tarried? Just 126. O it is not all that are going to obey the voice of Jesus. We know that Mary Magdalene was there and Mary the mother of Jesus, and they received the power along with the men. Glory to Jesus. God says, “In the latter days, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh”-not only upon the servants but on the handmaidens also. So we women have a part in this Gospel. Hallelujah to my God! He is the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
TESTIMONY AND PRAISE TO GOD
“O, I feel the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ drawing nigh. Hallelujah! Glory to His name! I am so glad that the Lord is holding the winds until the angel has sealed all of the saints of the living God in their foreheads, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The midnight cry will soon be made, when the morning and the night shall come. It will be morning in our souls, to those that are waiting for His coming; but the awful black night of tribulation as the black night of Egypt will come upon all the world. May god help all of His precious waiting bride to be watching, waiting until our Lord shall come.
“Oh, I am so thankful that I can work for my Christ and my God. The time is short when our blessed Jesus shall return to this earth, and snatch away His waiting bride. After six thousand years of toil and labor, we are going to have one thousand years of rest with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to His holy name!” Bro. Seymour, 312 Azusa St., Los Angeles.
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“I can’t forget how, kneeling at the dear old board in Azusa street, I promised God I would go where He wanted me to go and stay where He wanted me to stay, and be what He wanted me to be. I meant every word of it and God has taken me at my Word. How His glory is flooding my soul. O how I worship His precious name! I have to stop and wonder how God can bless the Word through me. To think He has saved me when all my family were infidels and everything that would drive me from God. No one can ever know how I feel for the way God has dealt with me. O how I love Jesus. It thrills my very being to think of the Blood. It has done so much for me. I am filled with wonder love, and praise that God would permit me to see the workings of His mighty power in these last days. O to think we have lived to see the return of the apostolic power and to see the gifts restored back to the church. I find we cannot compromise with anything or anybody. O we must stand for all the light we have received, and having down all to stand.-Florence Crawford.
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“This is, without doubt, God’s last call to His people just previous to the coming of our blessed Redeemer and Master. O, how our hearts long to see Him! How we rejoice at the hope, each day bringing to us a deeper experience and a brighter assurance that we, ourselves, shall never see the grave! His approach is so nigh at hand, one almost thinks they can hear the songs of the angels who are to accompany Him in His coming. Without a shadow of a doubt, we are living in the latter days and that “Latter Rain” is being poured upon us; yet we are but beneath its droppings; the full shower has not yet arrived.” -Bro. Tom Hezmalhaich, “The Haven” Zion City, Ill.
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When the Comforter first came my heart was so overflowing with the joy, I had not time to prove thereality, the blessed reality of the experience received in dear reality of the experience received in dear old Azusa Street Mission, but as persecution arose in India I have proved day by day, hour by hour that He abides and reveals Jesus to my soul in wonderful ways.
How conscious have I been of His presence giving “songs of deliverance” and speaking through me to my own comfort and delight. Praise Him. There are several hundred natives baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues today in India. I want to add, that the blessed Comforter does indeed reveal the perfect life of the Savior, not alone in the oil of joy, (“Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows”), but the other side of this precious life, (“The man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”) And we can say we have not longed for the joy side alone, but to “suffer with Him that we might reign with Him.” He longs for a bride who shares both His suffering and joy. I want to enter into His own heart and feel as He felt, letting His joy be my joy, His sorrow my sorrow. He has put groanings into my heart which cannot be uttered over a lost world and those who do not understand His workings in the earth at this time. How I praise Him for a love for my enemies that is not natural but divine. Hallelujah.
We long to see all power restored that the heathen can no more say to the missionaries: “Where is their God.” Joel 2:17. “The Lord will be jealous for His land and pity His people.”
Our hearts are knit with the dear Saints at Azusa street and we think with love of all. How often I think of the times the Spirit sang through Sister Crawford and me:
“Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea.”
That testified to my own heart that much would arise for which the Spirit was preparing me. He abides, the blessed Comforter.-Mrs. Lillian Garr, Bethany, Slave Island, Colombo, Ceylon.
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“I am not going to Africa for name or fame, but for the saving of precious souls that Jesus gave His life for, that they should enjoy this blessed salvation as we Glory to His name. How I worship my Savior. Can say from the very depths of my heart that this world with all its attractions has no charms for me. It is Jesus and Him only.”-Rosa Harmon, 351 W. 40th St., New York City, en-route to Africa.
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“We had a wonderful campmeeting in Fairmont Minn, I put myself on record as a seeker from the beginning. As I kept humbling myself before Him day after day His power and love began going all through me. At one meeting a number were singing the heavenly chorus and I found my heart in tune with it. Hallelujah, so that I was able to take part. I had not then spoken any in unknown tongues but was still pressing up for the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
A night or two days after that, I sang again with a number of others, and soon after the tent was filled with God and my heart was filled with holy laughter. then suddenly several peculiar moves took place around my jaw bones, and from away within, without my having any part in it, I spoke words that I was not accountable for. With this there was great, inexpressible joy in my soul, so much that I was unable to keep still.
One girl of about 18 years from Sioux City sang several verses in a South African dialect, words which were so near like the Zulu dialect that some were familiar to me. Sister Ladd from Des Moines spoke several sentences in the Arabic which I could understand, though the Arabic in Morocco is different from the pure Arabic spoken in Palestine.”-Fred Weiss, Thurman, Ia., returned Africa Missionary.
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RAISED FROM THE DEAD
Miss Eula Wilson, a girl of fifteen in Wichita, Kans, had been given up to die by the doctors. She seemed to die and was laid out for burial. Hours afterward she suddenly raised up and said, “O Mamma I have been in heaven and Jesus has healed me and told me to eat, drink, and walk” She was completely healed and has not been sick at all since.
She says she was taken to heaven in cloud accompanied by two angels and her brother who had died two years before. Heaven, she said, was sparkling with indescribable beauty and glory. She met Jesus, who bade her enter through the gate of pearl, saying, “Peace, peace.” He led her and her brother to a most beautiful stream of water sparkling like myriads of diamonds. She was not able to see across the stream nor to the heights of the city. She saw an innumerable company, a large proportion of whom were infants and little children, and recognized many relatives but was disappointed at not seeing some who had died as it was supposed in the triumphs of the Christian faith.
She says, “Everybody looked so beautiful and natural, except a glorious and heavenly light in their eyes and on their faces. They were all dressed alike wearing white robes, without any yoke and with loose flowing sleeves and were all barefooted, with a halo of glory encircling their heads. There was no earth, but all was pure gold, yet much more beautiful than our gold, and seeming transparent.” The light of heaven was glorious and came from the throne of God. Near the stream of water were leafless trees, yet filled with luscious fruit having neither pit nor peeling, but beautiful like the surroundings. When plucked off, it immediately grew again. The people drank of the stream and ate of the fruit, but Jesus told Eula not to eat or drink but to return to earth again, warn the people of their sins, and tell them of this beautiful place and that He was coming soon, for them to be ready.
She did not want to come back, fearing that she would have to endue the same suffering, but Jesus said to her, “I will heal you so that you will not have to suffer any more, and I will give you strength.” In fulfillment of this promise, she has been able to speak to large audiences and is gaining in strength every day. The physicians cannot account for it. She had been sick for seven months and had had a long death struggle. The doctors agree that she was totally blind in one eye which was sunken and turned backward in the socket, but she is now perfectly restored, including her eyesight. This account is given by the “Nazarene Messenger,” having been carefully compiled from witnesses and press reports which all establish the evidence. This is simply another witness to us that the Lord is showing signs and wonders in these last days, as a loud call to His people to prepare for His coming.
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MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT IN INDIA.
In Assam and India, trembling under the power of conviction, loud crying in prayer, the pouring forth to God in loud confession the sins of a lifetime, sudden falling on the ground, writhing, being twisted and violently thrown down when an unclean spirit had been cast out as the person has cried for deliverance, have been frequent scenes. Joy unspeakable filling faces with glory, has been manifested by singing, clapping the hands, shouting praises, dancing, and losing strength as under an “exceeding weight of glory.” Intercessory prayer, which has been a marked feature of this revival, is so intense that often the person becomes unconscious of all others, is swayed back and forth, or trembles violently, so that one taking hold of him is also shaken. Some become unconscious and fall, and the visage of many under intense soul travail become uncomely, and like that of Daniel is turned into corruption. Deep waters run smooth except where they run over a river-bed like the Niagara. Then the roar of the might waters is heard from afar. Many of the babbling brooks at the time of their convictions and conversion have in the last few months become swift running streams of power for holy living, and service in soul saving.
We do not need to worry over these manifestations, nor seek to suppress them. IT IS FRUIT IN THE LIFE AND SERVICE THAT WE WANT TO SEE. These manifestations of not hinder fruit-bearing but we have seen over and over again during the past fifteen months, that where Christian workers have suppressed these manifestations, the Holy Spirit has been grieved, the work has stopped, and no fruit of holy lives has resulted. Who are we to dictate to an all-wise God as to how He shall work in anyone? When the Spirit is poured out upon anyone in strong conviction, why should we tell them that it is wrong to cry? Because among idolaters the devil imitates the trembling caused by the Holy Spirit when He comes in so as to over power the physical, why should we say that the person has worked it up or is possessed by an evil spirit? The writer testifies that she has in the silence of the midnight hour, alone in her room without a sound in the house, been shaken from her innermost being, until her whole body was convulsed, and filled with joy and consciousness that the Holy Spirit had taken possession of every part of her being. No one had greater prejudice against religious excitement than she, but every time she put her hands upon the work at Mukti to suppress joy or strong conviction, or reproved persons being strongly wrought upon in prayer, the work of revival stopped, and she had to confess her fault before it went on again. We have learned that God’s ways are past finding out, as far above ours as the heavens are above the earth.-From published report of the Mission at Mukti, Kedgaon, India.
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TYPE OF THE COMING OF JESUS
When the flood came, the ark rose on the bosom of the water. In this is a beautiful type of the coming of Jesus. Just as when the flood arose, the people of God were lifted by the ark toward the sky, so when Jesus Christ, who is our Ark, shall appear, we shall also appear with Him in glory. Then as the ark came back and rested on Mt. Arrarat, so when the Lord Jesus comes back, we shall stand with Him on Mt. Olivet. Christ comes and gets His saints before the great tribulation, which corresponds with the flood. And the Word says that as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man. (Matt. 24, 37.) We see the same conditions now that prevailed then, so we know the time draws near.
O it is so easy to follow the Spirit if God if you have been born of the Spirit it is so easy to manifest the Spirit if the Spirit of God is within you. It is impossible for both good and impure water to both come from the same spring, and just as surely as the Blood of Jesus Christ has been applied to the soul, you will not only know it but your neighbors will know it and the men that are working in the shop with you will know it. It means so much to have the Blood of Jesus Christ applied to your soul. Dead forms and ceremonies are done away and every sin must be washed away by the Blood of Jesus. It is not tomorrow in sin and today out of sin, but if the Blood of Jesus Christ has atoned for you it has atoned for you once for all.
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Jesus wants a clean people, a sanctified people, a holy people, washed through His own precious Blood. Hallelujah! We read in Eph. 5 that beautiful sermon that Paul preached on sanctification and purity of the bride of Christ, “Christ so lived the church that he gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Glory, glory, glory to out God! Hallelujah! O it is so sweet to live this sanctified experience living in the presence of Christ and His Blood flowing, washing and putting away our sins every moment of our lives. Jesus is our model. We should be ideal men and women of this blessed and precious truth. Glory to God! The sweetest thing in this world is to have Jesus in our hearts and the Blood flowing in every part of our souls.
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The blessed Holy Ghost is receiving the same treatment as given the Son. How much is written of Him. How many talk of His indwelling. It reminds us of the “Incarnation.” No doubt all Jewish women longed to be the mother of the Messiah; but how few, when the actual fact was faced, would have paid the price. So with Him, the Third Person in the Trinity, the cost is so great, and yet, praise my King, hungry, waiting hearts are receiving Him and proving that all that was said of Him is true.
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Satan is making his last dreadful fight; for he knows his time is short. He would deceive the very elect if it were possible but thank God, it is not possible.
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God requires the prayers of all His precious Holy Ghost people for the spread of the Gospel in this land and all over the world. Those of us who cannot go must write letters and send papers and traces that the precious souls may get this Gospel.
The Apostolic Faith (May, 1907)
We expect to have a grand camp meeting in Los Angeles, beginning June 1, and continuing about four months.
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The spot selected for it is adjoining the city limits, several miles from the center of town in a grove of sycamore and live oak trees near Hermon. The fare is only five cents on the electric cars which run every seven minutes. It is only three blocks from where the cars stop to the Campmeeting.
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We expect to have a tabernacle with seating capacity of about 1000 people. There will be room in the grove for many tents. Free camping grounds. The air is fresh with the sea breeze which comes in from the distant ocean, and there is plenty of good water. You can pray there as loud as you like. There are wooded hills all about which we expect will ring with the songs and prayers of the saints and shouts of new born souls.
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There will be a separate tabernacle for meetings for the children with services daily, so it will be a children’s campmeeting as well as a grown up people’s meeting. There will be competent workers to teach and help them spiritually. We expect it to be a time of salvation among the children. Mother’s meetings are also planned for.
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Workers from all missions in and about Los Angeles who are one with us, by virtue of having been baptized by one Spirit into one body, are uniting in this campmeeting. Services will be continued in Azusa Mission every night just the same as ever, a band going from the campmeeting to carry on the work. Other missions will also carry on their work.
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A large band of Holy Ghost workers, men and women whom God has equipped for His service will be present to carry on the meeting, under the guidance of our blessed Redeemer whom we honor as the great Leader and Manager. Much prayer is going up to God that He will make this a time of visiting His people with salvation and an outpouring of Pentecost such as we have never witnessed before. The business part of the work is being arranged in orderly and systematic shape. Proper officers will have charge of the grounds, putting up tents, etc.
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The workers from the different missions first met to counsel together about the campmeeting. We got down to ask the Lord for the money, and the witness came that prayer was heard; the Spirit was poured out upon us. We arose and decided to lease the ground for four months. Before the meeting was over, the power of God so filled the room that one fell under the power and the meeting turned into a Pentecostal service.
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A number are willingly giving their services in clearing and preparing the grounds. No collections have been taken, but several hundred dollars have already been offered for the campmeeting. God hears prayer and is putting His seal on it.
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Viewing the Campground.
Last summer during the hot days when the crowds would fill Azusa Mission all day, people would often get up and say they praised god for what he was doing for them “this morning;” not realizing that the sun was going down in the evening. They had not eaten all day and yet they were so taken up with sitting at the feet of Jesus that they lost track of the time and would sit there in the heat, wiping the perspiration from their faces. I thought how God was pleased with it, and how He would be pleased to give them a nice shady place in which to worship.
A few weeks ago, as our sister was reading the letters on Sunday morning in Azusa Mission from the foreign lands and the home land, as she was reading about a campmeeting in the east, she said she believed the Lord would give us a campmeeting here. The Lord began to talk to me about the campmeeting. He talked to me during the night and the next morning the burden of the campmeeting was so on my heart, that I laid aside my work and went over to the Mission and asked our sister if the Lord had laid it on her heart where He was going to have the campmeeting. It seemed to me that morning I could see in a vision the grove and the little white tents all through it. And God was showing us both the same spot. While we were talking, a brother came in with the burden of the campmeeting on his heart. He had not been able to sleep for thinking of it and where to have it. We said we would all go and view the grounds, so a company of us started.
As we landed there, every step we took seemed to praise God. The very trees seemed to clap their hands and say “Praise God.” As we walked down the Arroyo, heaven came down our souls to greet, and we said, “Surely God is in it.” We began to get thirsty and went to a sister’s house to get a drink from the well in her yard. She came out rejoicing, seeking her Pentecost. As we began to drink, we thought of how God will water thirsty souls there, and we sang, “By Samaria’s wayside well, once a blessed message fell, On a woman’s thirsty soul long ago.” And the power of God came upon us all. We went back and viewed the ground again. Surely it looks like the hand of Beaulah around there. We went on and visited a dear old brother in Hermon and he rejoiced at the prospect of the camp-meeting. All welcomed us and praised God.-One of the Committee.
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Arrangements are being made for reduced rates on all lines of railroad for those coming to the camp-meeting.
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On arriving in Los Angeles, take the South Pasadena or Church of Angels car, and get off at Sixtieth Ave.
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Tents can be purchased or rented at reasonable prices on the camp ground. Bring with you necessary provision for living in tents.
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For full information in regard to the camp-meeting, address APOSTOLIC FAITH CAMP-MEETING, 312 AZUSA ST., LOS ANGELES, CAL.
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PENTECOSTAL MEETINGS.
In Little Rock, Ark.
May 7.-I thank God that I am able to report victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are now in the midst of a great waiting. The fire is falling and the people are getting the baptism right along. The Holy Ghost is working in our midst as never before. The Lord has made known to us that the speaking in tongues is the Bible evidence of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Bro. Jeter and I are holding the meeting here with some others of the brethren. The Holy Ghost has charge. Pray much that we may get out of the way of the Holy Ghost, so that He can run things to suit Himself.-D.J. Young, 212 N. Hickory St., Pine Bluff, Ark.
In Topeka, Kansas.
Mission, 926 N. Kans. Ave., May 9.-It is surely wonderful how the Lord is working all over the world, and I am glad I have a part in this great work. Praise His name. The work here is moving ahead and several are tarrying and seeking Pentecost. A half dozen or more have received the baptism and have spoken in tongues. Sister Culp has returned to us from Los Angeles, where she received her Pentecost. God is using her here to His glory in speaking in tongues and telling of His wonderful works. We had a blessed day Sunday. The afternoon service ran on into the night. The power of God came on one sister. She got up from the altar and shouted all over the house and praised God. Her husband went down on his back under the power. He said he was nearer the Lord than he had ever been. Others are earnestly seeking. The devil is fighting hard, but we are determined to stay on the field and let God have His way with us.-C.E. Foster.
In Chicago, Ill.
943 W. North Ave., April 11.-Our meetings are wonderful, indeed, since I received my Pentecost. From the first day I arrived home, the mission will not hold the people, and I have moved out of the rooms in the rear of the Mission and we use them for overflow and prayer rooms, and still we cannot accommodate the crowds on Sunday. Best of all, the Spirit works in mighty power, and people fall under it, and many have come through and spoken in tongues. My dear wife received her Pentecost soon after I reached home, and yesterday one of our elders, who has been seeking for months, came through. Hallelujah! People are coming from all directions, and the interest and power is increasing daily, until I never saw more of the power of God anywhere than we see here from time to time. Best of all it is all of God,-no one can claim any credit,-God just comes with power and takes possession.
We never forget to pray for Azusa St. Mission, and hope you remember us. Beloved, let us walk in meekness before the Lord, and give Him all the glory for what He is doing, and He will be with us. I feel like staying at His feet all the time.
April 13.-It is wonderful how He is working in our mist. One after another are coming through and speaking in tongues. Last night the meeting lasted all night.
In Memphis, Tenn.
May 2.-The Lord our God is with us at this place, and the saints are receiving their Pentecost. I have never met with such power of the devil as here. One man came to the service and dragged his wife from the altar by force and threatened to kill me and others. But, glory to God, he was overpowered by our God. His wife got the baptism and spoke in tongues, and last night He was back to the service and says he must have his Pentecost. Praise God. I heard from Bro. Mason’s church. The power is falling and many souls being filled and speaking in tongues. I met Bro. Mason last week and found him filled with the blessed Holy Ghost. He is a precious brother. Here is a battle but our God is fighting it for us. We are only here to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The saints are gathering here from Mississippi, Missouri and points of Tennessee. This work at Memphis is not on footing to continue all summer. I long to see you all in life, but if not I will meet you at the marriage supper of the Lamb.-G.B. Cashwell.
In Alliance, O.
We are in the midst of a gracious outpouring of God’s Spirit in our ten days consecration; people are coming up as they did to Jerusalem, anxious to know the way of God more perfectly. Thirteen were laid out under the power at once, some who had * their Pentecost receiving prophecy, many sweet heavenly messages. A young Irish boy, 20 years an orphan, was saved on the vessel two years ago as Rev. Lupton was on his way to Africa. He came to the Home here two weeks ago and received Pentecost in a few days. God has been so marvelously using him and making him such a blessing to all. He prophesied under the power more than six hours. He was telling of the countries of Africa, and spoke of many of the places Rev. Lupton had visited. The boy himself was never in Africa, but was on his way to England when converted.
A doctor from Oberlin College arose in the meeting while Rev. McKenney was giving the message and said: “I believe it, I have been skeptical, but I do know it is true.” The altar filled at once with men. * some women knelt at the front seats.
Oh, how we love to honor the precious Blood. It is so blessed to stand and see the salvation of God. We count the Holy Ghost faithful.
A very large company of us are enjoying Pentecost now in Ohio. It is spreading rapidly. We are getting many urgent calls. Pray much for the laborers. The devil is hard after us.”-I.C.
In Minneapolis.
320 S. Cedar St., April 15.-Yesterday our first Sunday, was a day of great victory for the Lord. At the afternoon and evening services, the altar was crowded with earnest, anxious seekers-between fifty and sixty last night. I feel that God is going to sweep Minneapolis as she was never swept before. Glory! We are giving the strong meat of the Word, preaching repentance and restitution as the only foundation upon which the Holy Ghost will build; and it is taking. The Dowieites are closing up their missions and coming with us. We have a large hall, and it was filled all day yesterday. Hallelujah.
May 3, This is a blessed day after our great victory of last night. One sister received her Pentecost and talked for some time in tongues. Some understood her when she spoke the Polish and others recognized several sentences spoken in the Bohemian. I recognized the Chinese when she spoke that and another recognized the Italian. She sang beautifully in the Norwegian tongue. Of course the devil was stirred and there were threats of throwing me in jail because some one suggested hypnotism. We are having wonderful meetings. Bro. Pendleton felt the presence of the Holy Ghost fire as I did at the beginning of the meeting last night. He had no sermon we went to the altar after singing a couple of songs. The Swedish sisters are with us. Their ship sails May 17. They are blessed women of God.-J. R. Conlee.
In Denver, Colo.
1312 Welton St., March 18.-Sinners are being saved, believers are being sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire and speaking in tongues. The altar is full of seekers every afternoon and evening, and people are being healed of scrofula, salt rheum, curvature of spine, locomotive ataxia, diseases of the eyes, ears, etc.
One lady had a legion of demons cast out of her, was saved, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost inside an hour, and spoke in tongues at the night meeting. One Swedish young man here had a demon cast out and received the baptism with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues, inside of two and a half hours.
People of all ages with all manner of diseases are coming for healing, and the deaf, lame, and blind. The Acts of the Apostles are being repeated here now. Handkerchiefs are being blessed and sent to sick people in other places, and children of God are getting handkerchiefs blessed for unbelieving husbands and children and for sick folks here in and around Denver. This gives an outline of the work going on here the past two or three weeks. I want to tell you also that God sends in an interpreter from time to time. One night here a young cowboy from the Creek Indians dropped in and heard one of the sisters speak the Creek Indian language, and another night a doctor dropped in who understood three languages she spoke.-Mrs. Nora Wilcox.
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PENTECOST IN ENGLAND.
The brother who went from England to investigate the work in Norway, Bro. A.A. Boddy, All Saints’ Vicarage, Monkwearmough, Sunderland, England, sent out the following in tract form.
Speaking in Tongues. Is this of God?
In the spring and summer of 1906, God began to answer the very prolonged cry of some of His hungry children, a cry for a Pentecost with scripture evidences.
One after another became at last conscious, as the mighty power of God came upon them, that they were speaking in divine ecstasy with a voice that was not their own, and in a language whether of men and angels they knew not, for until some received the gift of interpretation it was not known what they said. They were speaking mysteries to God for their own strengthening. (1 Cor., xiv., 2-4.)
The work which the writer believes was of God then came nearer to us. He, himself, has heard (this year, 1907) numbers of Spirit-filled men and women and even children magnifying God in tongues. They were all trusting in the Work of the Cross, adoring the Crucified; and sinners were being converted. He was in eight meetings, and he praises God with full heart for that fellowship. He can witness that all are strengthened by the knowledge that the Holy Ghost has come into fuller possession, they are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. But God is now graciously working in our midst with the signs and gifts.
The writer can testify as a rejoicing witness. He could write of very strange things. Earnest prayer which has ascended for months has been gloriously answered and greater things are yet to happen. Glory to the Lamb with Seven Horns and Seven Eyes! May we every keep true to Him and hidden in him. (Rev. v. 6; Col. iii.3).
God is girding the whole world with this sign of His outpouring of the Spirit.
A letter from another part of our own land says:-
“Our sister and two or three others have been seeking for months. She got so hungry that it came to a point of real travail of soul, after which came a rest of faith, joy and peace. Not long after this (about three weeks) while about her domestic work, the Holy Ghost came upon her, and she spoke a few utterances in tongues, and as time went on it became more fluent. Our brother who has recently received was praising the Lamb of God (under the power of the Spirit) when he began a song without words for a time (worshiping in the Spirit) then a few utterances in tongues, and so on till he spoke most fluently. I can say from experience that we have a terrible battle with the powers of Hell, but we are learning to claim the victory through the Blood, and the Lord is teaching us to let all go into His Hands.”
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The wonderful sign in 1906 is the restoration of tongues, which foretells the preaching of the pure gospel to all nations, which must be done before the Gentile Times end. (Matt. 24:14.)-The Prophetic Age.
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You do not have to strain your mind in order to receive the Holy Ghost, but just believe the Word of Jesus and the Lord pours the Holy Ghost into your heart just as freely as the air you breathe.
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What the people need today is an experimental salvation wrought out in their hearts, we have something that will stand against all the forces and powers of hell. God is our life. He is our all in all, it is Christ the Son of the living God.
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The “Vanguard” people in St. Louis are waiting on God for the outpouring of the Spirit, and one brother has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and is speaking in tongues. Their paper is now called “The Banner of Truth.”
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A Norwegian brother in Brooklyn, New York was reading about the Pentecost in Christiana when he was baptized with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in different languages. It was about midnight on January 26. His name is Oscar Halvorsen of 293 13th street. Three others in Brooklyn are speaking in tongues.
END OF PAGE ONE
The Apostolic Faith
312 Azusa Street
Published by
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION
Headquarters, Los Angeles
Subscription Free
Please write addresses very plainly for the paper.
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Papers are free but none to waste. Pass your paper on to another to read. Send for more if you need them.
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Any who want the four last numbers of the paper, can have them as long as they last.
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The money has all been freely donated for this paper without collections or charging for it. All expenses are met in advance. This is the most blessed way of running a paper we ever saw. It is the Pentecostal way. Every few weeks we hear of another paper starting on this line among the Pentecostal people.
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The cost of publishing the last paper was about half a cent each or about $200 for 40,000 papers. The cost of sending is one cent each of half a cent when in rolls. Many of the papers are sent out by friends. They are being scattered all over the world.
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We send papers only to those who we believe are careful in passing them out to reach hungry souls. The Spirit would be grieved by any carelessness or extravagance in regard to the Lord’s work, and we believe His Spirit will rest upon it as long as we honor Him in every detail of the publishing work.
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There is a spirit of harmony and unity in the office work. We feel the power of God as we write off these blessed reports. The offices are places of prayer and praise and the power of God comes down on the workers as they fold the paper. We feel repaid when we hear of souls getting baptized with the Holy Ghost in reading it.
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The following Pentecostal Camp-meetings are announced for this summer:
Lamont, Okla., May 15-30.
Los Angeles, Cal., June 1, continuing about four months.
Alliance, Ohio, June 13-23 or longer.
Denver, Colo., July 12-Sept. 8.
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There is now a free Pentecostal paper in Calcutta, India. It is called “Pentecostal Power.” It is a blessed paper filled with the testimonies of fire baptized testimonies and sound doctrine. We also received another new Pentecostal paper published free in Homestead, Pa. It is called the “Latter Rain,” and contains wonderful reports. Just as this paper goes to press, we receive “A Call to Faith,” another precious Pentecostal paper published free at Martinsburg, W. Va. This makes at least seven new papers heralding free this Pentecostal outpouring.
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“Pentecost has swept across the country, and through the instrumentally of Brother Cashwell a great number of the officials and members of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church have given up their man-made theories about Pentecost, and gone down and received the genuine Pentecostal baptism, with the Bible evidence following.
“As far as we can learn, the general overseers, ruling elders, and evangelists are swept in, with a few exceptions, and we are looking to God to continue the work until we are a unit on true Bible lines. It was hard for us to die, but God marvelously worked, as you will see by The Apostolic Evangel, and we feel that great things are ahead.
“Like yourselves we have decided not to go in debt to get out the paper, and it is marvelous and glorious how God is supplying our needs.
“Our editor, Brother J.H. King, will probably be in Oklahoma in May, with Brother Cook, and he may go to visit you.”-A.E. Robinson, Royston, Ga.
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Pentecostal power is sweeping its way into churches, missions, asylums, jails, hospitals, and soldiers’ barracks. People are being cleansed by the Blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Ghost. The saints of the Lord from Los Angeles to Africa and India are speaking in tongues and glorifying God. They have their lamps trimmed and filled with oil, sealed in their foreheads unto the day of redemption. They have counted the cost, given up all paid the price, are not afraid to die, and ready to be translated and caught away. They are determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The Holy Ghost is a loving and tender guest. He has won the hearts of the people in His praying, singing and preaching. His preaching is not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but He exalts the Blood and preaches Jesus Christ who conquered hell, death and the grave and whose Blood cleanses from all sin, and brings health, joy, salvation, and eternal life. He speaks with authority and demonstration of the Spirit, declaring that Jesus is coming soon, not to be crucified but to be crowned King of kings and Lord of lords.
THE FIRST RESURRECTION.
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; On him the second death hath no power.”-Rev. 20:6.
Behold the sight most wonderful;
From every grace beneath the skies,
From ocean depth and mountain peek,
The righteous dead arise.
With bodies glorified they come,
With faces radiant and sublime;
With shouts of victory ascend,
All in a moment’s time.
Changed in the twinkling of an eye,
Immortal bodies they put on;
Swifter than any lightning’s ray,
And brighter than the sun.
Oh, what a vast and joyous host,
When dead and living are called out,
From silent grave, and worldly crowd,
At the archangel’s shout.
No wicked one amongst that host,
Shall rise to life on that great day;
The flowers above their graves still bloom,
Over their lifeless clay.
In that great resurrection morn,
Oh, grant us all a standing place;
That we with all the Bloodwashed saints
May see Thy blessed face.
-Bro. A. Beck.
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A MISSIONARY FAMILY.
In one family in Los Angeles, there are seven who have the Pentecostal baptism and speak in tongues. Father and mother and children are all filled with the Spirit clear down to the little sister about three years of age. It is a heavenly place in that home and at cottage prayer meetings in that house, other souls have been filled with the Spirit. They are a missionary family and all are called to Africa. While they were praying in regard to going to Africa, the oldest daughter, Bessie, went and sat down to the piano, and soon called to her mother to bring a pencil and paper, that the Lord was giving her a song from the 16th chapter of Mark. The mother was given one verse. The words and music were both from heaven, and it is inspiring to hear it sung. As they are expecting soon to go to their field of labor, a service was held at the Mission of late where all the family took their places on the altar and had hands laid on them to consecrate them for the work. It was a time never to be forgotten as each gave their testimony and as they sang the song God had given them. Their names are Bro. and Sister Wm. Cummings, Bessie, Frank, Ida, Mae, Mattie Belle, and John. The following is the song:
Jesus is Coming.
(Mark 16. 15.)
Go into all the world My saints,
Tell them that Jesus is coming;
Preaching, and teaching, and healing the sick,
Tell them that Jesus is coming.
Jesus is coming, is coming;
Jesus is coming so soon.
Go into all the world, My Saints;
Tell them that Jesus is coming.
He that believeth and is baptized,
Tell them that Jesus is coming;
He that believeth not shall be damned,
Tell them that Jesus is coming.
This is the song of all the saints,
That Jesus is very soon coming;
This is the sign of Pentecost,
Telling that Jesus is coming.
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ON THE WAY TO SWEDEN.
Minneapolis, Minn., April 29.-Hallelujah to God, our Father, and Christ Jesus, through the Holy Ghost abiding with us. We met with many hungry souls on the way, and here in Minneapolis we cannot get away, they want us here and there to tell about Azusa Mission and our experience. Bros. Pendleton and Conlee have all that they can do. Glory to God. The people want us to tell more about Jesus and His wondrous love, they are so hungry among the Swedish and other nations. We feel your prayers following us as angels’ wings around us. Hallelujah. I see you all before the throne of God. We are getting ready to leave some of these days for Norway. Pray for us. Greet the saints.-Yours in the Lord, for ever through the Blood. Helza, Amanda and Marion Iverson, 3301 Ninth Avenue South.
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Pentecost has fallen in Santa Barbara, California.
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Baptized workers have gone to Boston and Washington, D.C. and have opened meetings, and souls are seeking their Pentecost.
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Bro. and Sister H. McLain, Sister Agnes Jacobson, and Bro. Harmon Clifford have been called to Chicago from San Jose. They wrote May 1st: “We had a wreck on the road but God saved us all. Praise God! We have not got to work yet only four souls have come to the place where we are stopping to be prayed for. One got the baptism last night and talked in tongues. One was sanctified and one anointed, and we cast out demons from two. Praise God.”-997 N. Spaulding Ave., Chicago.
AT AZUSA MISSION.
Three days of fasting and prayer were set apart at the Mission for more power in the meetings. The Lord answered and souls were slain all about the altar the second night. We have felt an increase of power every night. At this writing in the office, the power in the meeting is felt. The heavenly anthem is heard and the shouts and praises of the saints. All the afternoon there has been an altar service and souls coming through. A brother came this morning saying God had showed him that self was creeping in. Another said God had been showing him the same all night. The workers all got down before God and the power fell. This is the way of victory to go down before God. The great need is prayer.
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In Azusa Mission, there is a prayer room upstairs for the sick. People get healed there every day. There is a large room used for the morning service of prayer and Bible study. It is also used for those seeking Pentecost. When the altar call is made on Sunday, the seekers for Pentecost pass upstairs and seekers for justification and sanctification remain below. Souls receive Pentecost right along at the altars. Some get saved and sanctified.
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A brother recently received the gift of the French language. He waited on God to know his call, and while laid out under the power, was given a vision of Paris and called there. He saw Paris upheaved as it were by a great destruction. The Lord told him to go and preach the Gospel to them.
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One morning in the cottage on the Mission grounds, two were healed before breakfast. Another morning at the family worship two were slain under the power and one received the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The dining room is a blessed place. The power comes down so upon the workers that we can scarcely eat. We sing, speak in tongues and praise God at the table. The food from heaven is the best part of the meal.
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On Sunday, May 12, just before the altar call in the afternoon at Azusa Mission, a little boy stood back of the pulpit with hand uplifted and gave a short message in unknown tongue. A brother interpreted the message, “He that hath an ear let him hear.” There were so many witnessing that the little boy was lost sight of till someone brought him forward and asked if he had a message. It was similar to the occasion where someone said: “There is a lad here that hath five loaves and two fishes.” He began to speak in tongues, being under the power of God and it was given out through an interpreter to the whole audience. Finally he stood on the altar and continued, the Spirit speaking through him entreating and pleading with the people to come to the Lord, not to depend upon a religion in their heads but to get right in their hearts with God. In the evening the Spirit spoke on the same line through others in unknown tongues which were interpreted. The Lord chooses His own messengers, even children and the unlearned.
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A TESTIMONY IN TONGUES.
Just as we are finishing up this paper, a sister came into the editorial office in the power of the Spirit, saying that the Lord would not permit her to go home till she had given a message. She sat down and began to speak in tongues, which a brother whom the Lord has sent from Zion City was able to interpret. He wrote it down in shorthand, paragraph by paragraph. When she finished, he read it, and although she knew nothing of the words she spoke, she said it was just the experience she was then going through personally.
“Oh, how we praise the Lord that He is working in the midst of His people to will and to do of His own good pleasure, that He may be glorified in the earth.
“Oh, how we give Him the glory that he is doing this for His own name’s sake and that the world may be blessed.
“Oh, how I give Him praise for what He has done for me in saving, sanctifying, and baptizing me with the Holy Ghost and fire, to the glory of His name.
“I turned to Jesus in my weariness and found in Him rest and peace for my soul. Glory to His name.
“He found me thirsting for Him, but drinking of that which the world and the churches try to give to the people to satisfy them; but now I am drinking of the living waters and find refreshing for my spirit; glory to His name!
“Jesus is so precious to me that nothing which is being offered me at this time will induce me to compromise with the world, the flesh and the devil, but I am going forward with Him. Glory to His holy name!
“For He has been dealing with me and showing me that I must go that which He has guided me and trained me in, to the glory of His holy name.”
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There is nothing that makes pure but the Blood of Jesus. God honors nothing but the Blood. This world is a mass of corruption, and there is nothing that keeps satanic power out of people but the Blood of the Lamb.
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A woman in San Marcial, N.M. was brought under conviction in a Pentecostal meeting and confessed the crime of killing her husband twenty years ago. One sister there received her Pentecost and speaks in Chinese. The night she came through, she had a vision of Jesus and sang and preached in Chinese. One other sister received the Navajo Indian language.
THE LORD’S LEADINGS FOR THE CAMP-MEETING.
God has just awakened and said: “Get up and write. My people must be called together. I have called this mighty camp meeting that I might get a chance to speak to My people. I am coming soon and I have great things to show them.” Glory to His Name.
Dear ones, I expected to be back in Winnipeg, Canada, ere this, and would have been had not God spoken so plainly to me on the night of April 6, just after coming through three days of fasting and praying that God would show me what I was to do. About midnight I heard a rap at my door. I awoke and listened, and while listening Jesus appeared in a door about six feet wide and eight feet high, standing, it seemed, between me and heaven, with His arms stretched out and a most beautiful mantle covering Him to the tips of His fingers, and said to me: “It is not my will that you should take you family back to Winnipeg just now.” And He disappeared I then fell asleep, but again the same knock as before came on my door and awoke me. This time I was more certain than ever that someone was at my door, and as I listened for the knock to be repeated again Jesus appeared in the same position as He had just disappeared, only this time more beautiful than these eyes can behold, and as I saw past the edge of His mantle, oh, behold, oh, how pure and white,-methinks I yet can see,-and with outstretched arms He said to me: “Go. tell My people, behold I come quickly;” and again disappeared as before. Oh, glory to His Name. Behold, He comes so soon. Oh, get ready, dear ones. Oh, how God has blessed me and my dear family since the last issue of this paper.
On the night of April 23 I could not sleep. God talked to me all night about a big camp meeting that would bring His people together from far and wide that He might talk to them. I found on reaching the Mission, He had also been talking to two sisters, saints of God, who were waiting when I got there to tell me; so we at once started to the proposed grounds, and as I stepped on the place we have now selected to erect the large Tabernacle, by heart seemed to stop and my bosom filled,-Oh, glory, glory, glory to God,-and I said to one of the party: “This is the place,” but one of them said: “No, there is a nicer place up the creek on the other side;” so up we went crossing the creek, but no other place seemed to have any charm. We went down the creek and crossed back, coming up the other side. I must confess they had me lost, but as we went up the bank of the stream and came to a most beautiful cluster of oaks my heart seemed to stop again, my bosom filled with joy, and I again remarked to my friend: “Oh, this is strange, why this seems to be the place;” and he looked at me and said: “This is the same place.” Then my heart seemed to say”: “Glory, glory, glory, O, glory to my Redeemer.” Oh, that is a holy spot. God is breathing down on that site. Every time I go out to it heaven seems to open. Glory to God in the highest.
Last week I went out to locate some improvements on the ground, and as we came to one beautiful spot where the dear brethren were working getting the ground ready, they gathered around us, and as we sang: “What a friend we have in Jesus.” God poured out His Spirit. We knelt down to have prayer, and as we prayed God opened heaven and spoke through us in unknown tongues as the Spirit gave us utterance. O glory to God. As we arose from our knees and I looked upon the faces of the dear ones they seemed to light up with joy, and they said: “Why, this is a happy place, we would rather be here than even at Azusa Street.” On this spot we have decided to place our Children’s Tabernacle.
Oh, dear ones, come to this camp meeting. If you cannot come you can help us with your prayers.
Yours in Jesus,
R.J. Scott.
Late from Winnipeg, Canada. Present address 312 Azusa St., Los Angeles Cal.
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In our last paper we made a mistake in Brother J.P. Boddy’s address, who is pastor of the Pentecostal Church at Lincoln Place, Pa. We confused him with Brother A.S. Copley, the editor of the little paper called “The Full Gospel,” Cambridge, O.
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A sister in Findlay, O., writes that in a Pentecostal meeting there, one Sunday morning, two sisters came to the altar before meeting began. Soon one was laid out under the power of God and began to speak in a new tongue. The other began to sing in tongues, and by the time the meeting began with song, the altar was full and so it continued till after midnight. A number there have received the Pentecostal baptism.
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Heaven was searched to find one that could come and save suffering humanity. Angels could not do it. Man could not do it because he was guilty and doomed to hell. But One was found in the bosom of God. God’s Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. He came down, bled and died on Calvary’s cross, went down into the grave and arose and went to the right hand of God. We believe in this glorious Gospel that saves a man and woman through and through.
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Bro. Adolph Rosa has left San Francisco for Portugal to preach the Gospel to his own people there.
END OF PAGE TWO
JESUS TALKING TO HIS BRIDE.
(Songs of Solomon, 4.7.)
Come sing to Me, My own sweet bride.
Surely, I love thee well;
I purchased thee with My own Blood
To save thy soul from hell.
I love to hear thy voice in song,
And know thy heart is glad.
Thou hast no need to fear, My love;
No cause for feeling sad.
Surely, I’ll take good care of thee;
Supply thy every need;
Thou shalt not want for anything
For which thy soul doth plead.
Thy every breath of prayer, I hear;
Thy every want is known.
Love, My love, My fairest one,
I’ll lift thee to My throne.
Seated at My right hand in power,
in majesty and might,
Above the angel choirs to be
Most precious in My sight.
Thy toll on earth will soon be o’er-
I’m coming soon for thee.
Look up and sing, My spotless one;
My glory thou shalt see.
I have a home prepared for thee;
A many mansloned home;
It’s fitted up in beauteous style
For thee when thou dost come.
Thou shalt not have to say I’m sick-
I’ll cherish thee, my bride.
All hell shall stand amazed at thee
When seated by my side.
Dark Shulamite, men call thee now,
And proudly pass thee by,
But surely, In a little while
I’ll bear thee through the sky.
Through angel throngs I’ll bear thee up-
To dazzling heights, we’ll go,
Thy tolls forgot; thy body changed-
Goodbye to things below.
Be faithful, dear one, do not set
Thy mind on earthly dross;
Be dead to transient joys below,
And gladly bear thy cross.
I hung upon the cross for thee,
I bled and languished there;
I left My Father’s home for thee
Thy lot on earth to share.
Thou knowest how men scourged My back.
And railed and spat on Me;
And when I hung upon the cross,
They mocked My agony.
I passed through all the pains of hell-
My Father hid His face;
I gladly bore thy sin away,
And took the sinner’s place.
Thy toil for Me I’ll ne’er forget-
I love thy dusky face;
Though men may frown, I’ll shortly crown.
And give thee in Heaven a place.
To Paradise of God restored,
My bride shall ever be;
Seated ‘neath amaranthyne bowers,
Gazing on glassy sea.
Walking the streets of gold with Me,
Far from a world of sin,
Secure, content and satisfied,
With Christ, thy Lord, shut in.
No evil now, shall touch thee more;
No sense of loneliness.
My presence shall be yours for aye,
To gladden, cheer, and bless.
And when the Kingdom I resign
Into My Father’s care,
My glory, love and tenderness
Thou shalt forever share.-Bro. A. Beck.
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IN A DIVINE TRANCE.
We know that some look with disfavor upon falling under the power, and many regard with suspicion visions and revelations. But how can any, who really believe in the Bible, doubt the genuineness of that which fully bears the marks of being of God, and which is also in fulfillment of the prophecies and promises of His Word?
“And the Spirit of God came upon Him.” “He hath said, which heard the word of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.”
“Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me;” “and I became dumb;” “then I opened my mouth, and spoke.” (Dan. 10:8, 15, 16).
Christ, in speaking of the coming of the Comforter to any one that loves Him, said: “And I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21.)
At Joppa the Spirit-baptized Peter fell into a divine trance, in which he saw the vision, and heard the voice, that swept away his Jewish exclusiveness, and sent him to Cesarea.” (Acts 10:9-20.)
In 2 Cor. 12:1, Paul says: “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” We also learn that when the Spirit shall begin to be poured out upon all flesh in the last days, “they shall prophesy and see visions.”
If you reject the real in these days, what will you do with that of the same kind recorded in the Scriptures? Will you throw away the Bible, because of unbelief in these mighty and marvelous workings of the Spirit in the present? It looks very much, s if to be consistent, this is what you will have to do, or accept what this same God of the Bible is surely doing today.-The New Acts.
Other inspired records of divine trances are given in the Scriptures. Paul at his conversion fell under the power of God. He says: “Suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, ‘Who are thou, Lord?’ And He said unto me: ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecuteth.'” Acts 22:6-8.
Paul also testified to being in a divine trance, in II. Cor. 12:2-4. “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven – – – and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
John also in Revelations says: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” He heard Jesus speaking and says: “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” Just as so many in this mission have seen a vision of Jesus and have fallen at His feet as dead.
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UNLOCKED BY PRAYER.
God has not given you, through the power of the Holy Ghost, that which is no language or has no meaning. You need not hunt around for somebody to interpret. That is as bad as Saul going to the Witch of Endor. People may tell you it is some kind of gibberish you are speaking, but you know that it means something because the Holy Ghost gave it to you. “Let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” The interpretation is unlocked by prayer. I am glad the Lord has some things the devil cannot find out. It not, anyone could unlock the mysteries of Christ.
In the Corinthian church, the tongues sounded so sweet they all wanted to speak in tongues, and the Lord showed them that love was the theme. In I Cor. 14, Paul was trying to teach government and wisdom to this church. They were very zealous and the whole company of baptized believers wanted to talk in tongues at once. They would perhaps get to singing and very happy, and then all go off in tongues, just as we have, and the one that had not got the baptism and wanted it, and the unsaved and unsanctified souls were left out. Paul wanted them to get in order where they could get souls saved, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost. The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets. The Holy Ghost is always in order. If you have the real gift of tongues and you find the Lord has not given you the gift of prophecy to interpret, and you find that all your sermon is in tongues, you may sit down and give somebody else a chance. Do not go on for half an hour speaking in tongues. The Scripture says to be silent, just sit down.
The Bible shows us the great need of preaching or prophesying in the plain tongue. The Lord will give you the interpretation of prayer in tongues as well as of speaking. The one who speaks in the plain tongue is of more account to the assembly than the one speaking in the unknown tongue, except he interpret.
Paul said: “I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied.” He wants us to go forward and get deeper things yet. He said he spoke in tongues more than they all, putting himself in with them, that they might see that he was not fighting the gift, for he really had more of the gift than they had.
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A WITNESS IN MICHIGAN.
188 Paw Paw Ave.,
Benton Harbor, Mich.
God has saved me from a life of sin and filled, not half filled by entirely filled me with His Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! There is not an hour in the day that I cannot feel Him manifesting in my flesh. I feel His power all through my being just now.
I was working in Boyne, a small town in the northern part of this state, driving a team for a business man. One night, after taking care of the team, a saved young man and myself decided to sleep in the barn. At that time, I had not been at a place of worship for months, nor had anyone spoken to me about my soul. But I knew what I must do to be saved. Shortly after retiring, something settled down upon me, and I realized it was conviction for sin. I groaned under the burden and called on God for mercy. Upon asking Lee (the young man with me) to pray for me, he was surprised and thought I was joking. But when he found I meant business, he joined in with me, and I put my case before the Lord and continued to pray for mercy. For half or three quarters of an hour, I went through something that only those who have had deep conviction for sin can realize. But, glory to His name, He fulfilled His Word in me. “In the day when ye seek Me with a whole heart I will be found of you.”
I started out for God, but more than once I had a struggle with that carnal nature, and while on the wagon, I would have to leave for the woods or the cornfield to seek forgiveness. O, how I do thank and praise Him for His mercy to me.
After being saved and sanctified by the Blood of Jesus, I still saw my need of the fire and power of God to come up to my privilege in the Gospel, and did not understand why I came short. But God was merciful to the saints here in Benton Harbor and sent Sister Robinson to us from Los Angeles. I did not accept her teaching at first, but of course God brought me round, and in a few days I was seeking my Pentecost and expecting tongues for an evidence. Some say that we ought not to expect tongues, but, glory to God, let us have it just as nearly like the disciples as possible. To me it was a witness that I had received the baptism, just as it was to Peter when at the house of Cornelius. He perceived that the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost, because they spoke with tongues and magnified God.
A few days after I began to seek the Lord, He led Sister Robinson to lay her hands on me, that I might receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. And one week from the time she came, I received the baptism and spoke in a number of languages. The first I felt was my jaws beginning to ache, and soon starting to chatter. This continued for about half an hour and then I broke out in a number of different languages. A few night later in meeting, I prayed and preached for about an hour in clear distinct languages, as plainly and in as natural a tone of voice as anyone would speak. Afterwards kneeling down beside a bench to thank God for His using this unworthy tongue of mine, the Spirit again took control of it and prayed in the English language. I was surprised at the prayer that came from my mouth. I prayed for everyone personally that was in the room. And it seemed to be just what they needed.
When John prophesied to Jesus’ coming he said: “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.” It seems that I did not receive much of the fire at first. But of course everyone has more or less of a different experience. But glory to God! for about a week now, I have been so filled that at times it seemed I would be consumed.-George H. Taylor.
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FROM OTHER PENTECOSTAL PAPERS.
Two Pentecostal workers in Cleveland have been going about visiting the homes. When they come to a family whose language they do not understand, they kneel down and ask God for the language that they may preach Jesus to them. God answers, prayers and they rise and at once preach the Gospel to the family in their own language.
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A sister in answer to prayer was enabled to speak to a dying Italian woman in a hospital in Allegheny, Pa., and to pray with her in her own language. She was converted and died in the Lord.
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A young man felt impressed to speak to an Arabian woman peddler, he obeyed, and found he was speaking her native tongue, and spoke to her about Jesus, and Christianity. She replied in broken English concerning the religion of which he had been speaking.
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Two young men in Pennsylvania who had received their Pentecost, were in a meeting, and the Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in tongues together. They have both been called as missionaries to Africa, and found themselves with arms around each other, speaking the same dialect. They were taken in the Spirit to the heathen in Africa, and found themselves surrounded by those poor idolators, and they were given the interpretation, at this time of what they said. They appeared to read to them from John 14., and found themselves opening up the chapter to their benighted listeners, with the earnestness of all their souls.
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A young man who had just received his Pentecost and tongues, was in a meeting and the mighty Spirit of prayer came upon him, and he began to pray in tongues. A woman who heard him, told him after the meeting, that he had prayed in the Swedish tongue, and that she understood every word. He came to our meeting a few nights later, and after lying for some hours under the power of God, spoke and sang for some time in tongues, apparently the same language.
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During the recent Christian and Missionary Alliance Convention in Cleveland, O., one afternoon the Holy Spirit took possession of the meeting and set aside the program, giving freedom to all who had received their personal Pentecost to witness and speak or pray in tongues. Bro. Henry Wilson, who had been sent from New York to investigate the Pentecostal movement which had taken such a strong hold of the workers and members of the Alliance, said he would report to the brethren in New York that this work is of God, and no man should put his hand upon it.
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A brother in Cleveland who was asked to pray for the healing of a sick sister, instead of praying in the old way, asked the Holy Ghost to pray through him. He waited in silence until the Holy Spirit gave the message, “The Lord for the body and the body for the Lord.” The sister was instantly healed and fell upon the floor under conviction for a deeper work of grace. This brother says that since he received his Pentecost, he can accomplish a hundred times as much in a day and much more easily than formerly. It is simply letting the Holy Ghost do the work.
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In seeking the Pentecost, get down before God and pray through till you strike bottom rock, where with your heart you can claim the promise. Then you will praise Him with great joy as you wait on Him, and “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” There is a great deal in praying and praising.
A young man having received his Pentecost was impressed to speak to an Italian, but refused to do so, and felt he had grieved the Spirit, and confessed and repented, and promised to obey in the future. He was soon permitted to have the test applied again, and he obeyed and found he was able to speak the Italian language, and opened up a conversation about Christianity to this foreigner.
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In Sister Ladd’s Mission, Des Moines, Ia., numbers have received the Pentecost and Bible evidence. Souls are being saved and sanctified. About 12 young people have calls to foreign fields.
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If you have any idol in your soul save Jesus only, there is no rest there; but if He is there, there is rest and power.
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Azusa Mission is not the head of this movement; we are a body of missions with Christ as the Head. All glory to God.
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Men may fight against this Gospel, but it will stand, for it is founded on Christ the Rock and His eternal Word.
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God wants men and women that will preach this Gospel square from the shoulder.
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We are not to compromise with sin. We are not to preach that people can be saved with just a little sin in their hearts; but teach that they must live pure and holy lives free from cheating, backbiting and all the catalog of sins, and God will always be with you.
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“Glory to God for the blest handkerchief. I was healed before it got here. I felt the prayers of the saints as God healed me. As I took the handkerchief out of the letter, it seemed that the Lord poured out a blessing on me. We have two men here from Dunn, N.C., filled with Pentecost. O praise God for such men. There were six down seeking for Pentecost tonight. Glory to Jesus. Oh I do thank Him for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I’m at the fountain drinking.”-Mrs. M.J. Wilson, 1903 County St., Portsmouth, Va. May 3.
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“In the meeting at Dunn, N.C., the first of the year, God wonderfully baptized me with the Holy Ghost and spoke with my tongue to the extent that myself and those who surrounded me knew that it was the Blessed Holy Ghost that was talking. Bro. R.B. Jackson, holiness preacher with whom I used to preach, also received the Holy Ghost. Bro. Jackson and myself went off into the white fields of harvest to reap for Jesus. O, how He has poured out His Spirit in saving souls, sanctifying believers, filling hungry hearts with the Holy Ghost. We are now engaged in one of the most wonderful meetings I ever saw. Praise His sweet name forever. We go from here to Portsmouth, Va., where we are looking for wonderful victory. I have the sweet consciousness that my heart is clean through Jesus’ Blood and the Comforter abides in it and speaks for Himself.”-D.M. Sellers, Dunn, N.C., April 24.
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MUSIC FROM HEAVEN.
It has been often related how the Pentecost fell in Los Angeles over a year ago in a cottage prayer meeting. Sister Jennie Moore who was in that meeting and received her Pentecost gives her testimony as follows:
“For years before this wonderful experience came to us, we as a family, were seeking to know the fullness of God, and He was filling us with His presence until we could hardly contain the power. I had never seen a vision in my life, but one day as we prayed there passed before me three white cards, each with two names thereon, and but for fear I could have given them, as I saw every letter distinctly. On April 9, 1906, I was praising the Lord from the depths of my heart at home, and when the evening came and we attended the meeting the power of God fell and I was baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. During the day I had told the Father that although I wanted to sing under the power I was willing to do what ever He willed, and at the meeting when the power came on me I was reminded of the three cards which had passed me in the vision months ago. As I thought thereon and looked to God, it seemed as if a vessel broke within me and water surged up through my being, which when it reached my mouth came out in a torrent of speech in the languages which God had given me. I remembered the names of the cards: French, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Hindustani, and as the message came with power, so quick that but few words would have been recognized, interpretation of each message followed in English, the name of the language would come to me. I sang under the power of the Spirit in many languages, the interpretation both words and music which I had never before heard, and in the home where the meeting was being held, the Spirit led me to the piano, where I played and sang under inspiration, although I had not learned to play. In these ways God is continuing to use me to His glory ever since that wonderful day, and I praise Him for the privilege of being a witness for Him under the Holy Ghost’s power.”-J.M., 312 Azusa St., Los Angeles.
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The interpretation of many of the messages in nearly every language spoken by the Holy Ghost in unknown tongues is that Jesus is coming.
END OF PAGE THREE
“YE ARE MY WITNESSES.”
“Praise God with us. The dear Lord in His love and mercy has answered prayers for me and Sister Nelson. He has come and baptized us with the Holy Ghost. He came to me the 8th of March and gave me the Bible evidence in speaking in tongues. Praise His precious name. We are contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, following on for all He has for us that we may come behind in no gift. We are both at present over in Calcutta, India, in the same house with Mr. and Mrs. Garr whom God sent from Los Angeles. God is working but the enemy is doing all he can to hinder. But victory is ours through the Blood of Jesus.”-Mary Johnson, address, “Court Lodge,” Dehiwala, Ceylon.
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“I desire that you send me some of your papers on the Apostolic Faith. I feel very much interested in helping spread this Gospel over the land, and I can send them where I cannot go myself. Ever since I received Him, the Blessed Holy Ghost, I have had a great desire to go and tell it to others. Bless the Lord, O my soul! I was justified eight years and sanctified fourteen years, being guarded by the Holy Ghost, kept clean through the truth, for the Word is truth, and, bless the Lord, on March 13th, 1907, the electrical shock of the Holy Ghost from heaven fell upon me. I died seemingly and I became helpless as a babe. It seemed as if I was in another world, I could not realize myself. On the 15th of March He began to speak for Himself; then I knew I had Him, for He testified for Himself. It is true. Glory, glory, glory! It is glory now. Amen Amen! I am watching for the coming of the glad millennial day.”-From your sister, sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Cella Freeman, 610 Willard St., Durham, S.C.
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“March the 28th I received my personal Pentecost,-praise God. Had been praying for power in God’s service for one year. Last November a copy of Apostolic Faith was handed me. Pondered some and laid it one side. Had yielded all to God five years since. The 28th of January, after an illness in which God answered prayer offered in faith, I said: ‘Yes, I believe in the Pentecostal baptism with the Holy Ghost.’ I prayed earnestly for 6 weeks, at the close of which W.E. Woody from Chicago, Ill., came to our city and began Pentecostal services. I went, continued to hold on by faith, and receiving my blessing just two months from the day I received the truth. I was awakened about 1:30 a.m. after sweet, refreshing sleep, and felt a strange but sweet thrill go through my entire body and being. I heard the ‘Still Small Voice’ say, ‘I am come.’ My soul said, Glory! The muscles in my limbs, arms, hands and neck all moved and jerked, but such a wonderful joy filled me as I have no words to express. The muscles in my throat twitched, my tongue began moving, and, praise God, I began talking in an unknown tongue. I have spoken in more than one tongue since and also sung in them. I know some say, ’tis the devil, some think ’tis hysteria, but, glory to God. I know ’tis all of Jesus.’ I do not quite understand why some of God’s people want power but seem to object to Bible manner of receiving. Thanks be to God for the unspeakable gift of His love and all it means.”-Josephine A. Newton, 437 Horton Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich.
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“Over and over I have prayed God for power to work for Him and live for Him. When my husband first attended the Azusa Street meetings I believed they were of God, but later on for one week I let Satan bring thoughts in my heart against them, and I was in darkness. Thank God, He brought me out of that darkness, and ever since then I have realized God’s all-powerful hand was on the Mission. Although I had not been permitted to attend the Azusa St. Mission I have been privileged to witness for months the power of the Holy Ghost in my husband. The time came when I was able to attend two Sunday meetings, with a prayer in my heart which burst into praises as I saw His wonderful works. I got more thirsty than ever for the living waters (John 4:10-14) from Heaven. I decided that my work should stop, except what was necessary, until my thirsty soul was satisfied. At about eleven o’clock on Tuesday, I knelt in prayer and praise. I felt the power of the Holy Ghost permeate my being, gradually taking control. He so gently laid me backward upon the floor, taking complete control I continued preaching and singing in other tongues from two until 3 o’clock. How I praise Him. The Spirit sang through me, “The Comforter has come,” “Down where the Living Waters flow,” “Beautiful beckoning hands,” in another language. He let us talk together for awhile in another tongue. Oh, what a privilege. Oh! how we praise God for leading us into the light shining down from heaven.
Dear reader, if you are unsaved prepare to meet the loving Savior, who paid the mighty debt for our redemption. Be ready when He comes. James 5:7-8. Revelation 1:7, 22:20. Dear child of God, tarry until you receive the enduement, Acts, 1:8.”-Mrs. Alson Vincent, Covina, Cal.
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“I want to thank God that I live in this age. The Lord has done a wonderful work for me and my family. I was justified when 12 years old and lived a true Christian girl for some years, and during that time I had a call to go to Africa. I was going to Clark’s University and was encouraged by the missionaries from the north that when I got old enough I could go, as I was a good M.E. Methodist. As years advanced I began to get careless and, losing my dear old mother, a good Christian woman, I had no one to encourage me. One day God, Himself, began to talk to me and told me to read my Bible, and I was convicted that I was not right with God. I sought earnestly and was reclaimed, and I sang over and over for many weeks:
Is it well with my soul today?
My oldest child began to question and watch my life, and, oh, how I tried to walk right before her, and, praise God, He kept me, and when I came to California from Atlanta, Ga., June 1903, I heard of sanctification, being led of God to a church where it was preached. I praise God for leading me. Later on I was convicted and began seeking until the Lord really sanctified me, and I can say it was a thorough work. I have been living under the precious Blood ever since, and I have been happy. Jesus kept me free from sin. Glory to His name. When I heard of the baptism of the Holy Ghost with Bible evidence I thought it impossible for the Lord to do anything more for me, yet I was seeking for more power. I would go up to be prayed for, and tell the people I did not have power with God to win souls. The second time I went to the meeting on Bonnie Brae, Los Angeles, I received a high anointing. My Heavenly Father talked to me that night. He asked me was I willing to follow Jesus wheresoever He leadeth? Was I willing to come out from among the church folks and follow Jesus? Oh, I said, Lord I am, let Thy will be done. Oh, dear readers of this paper, I cannot tell you how the power of God came upon me, and He told me if I would be true He would save by whole house and other precious souls. July 5, 1906, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the Bible evidence, and since that time my husband and five children have been saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost. We are now getting ready to go to Africa, a family of nine. We earnestly beg the prayers of the saints that God will keep us humble and that we may be in His hands as clay is in the hands of the potter. Oh, how I praise God for what He has done for my children. They are a blessing to me. My all is on the altar, there to stay for time and eternity. I could tell of wonderful things God has done in my family since the Comforter has come. Glory to our King. I will praise Him forever.”-Mrs. Emma Cummings, 312 Azusa Street, Los Angeles, Calif.
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“I have felt the Spirit wishes me to write a few lines as to the glory of our God in the way He has led me-even as a little child, not knowing what I was going to receive, nor did I try to study out the great wonders of God’s own way. Oh, praise His holy name forever, for holy, holy, holy is our God, full of love and tender mercy and loving kindness. My heart melts to tears whenever I praise Him. When first I heard of God’s children receiving the gift of tongues I went into my room and told my Heavenly Father about it, and asked His guidance and His Spirit to lead me and keep me very close to Jesus, for I was warned against the work. I asked my dear Father to give me such gifts as He had for me and prepare me for such as He wished to bestow upon me: “For I am Thy child, dear Father, and You know I take Thee at Thy word and promises.” So I went about my work at home, never worrying or even thinking much about the gifts, only as usual with prayer and reading the Word each day. Then Jesus would commune with me and the Holy Spirit would bless me. I had the anointing some 18 months ago; and six months ago I received my Bible evidence, singing and speaking in tongues.
“The first time I was at the dear Azusa St. Mission I went to get a drink of water (after morning service, at lunch time) and when coming back to my baby, the good Lord met me on the way and I was prostrated on a bench near the back door, and I was as clay in the Potter’s hands. I did not understand I thought I would die, as my strength was gone. I suddenly rested in the hands of God for Him to do and overrule completely at His will. My throat and tongue took to working in a peculiar manner, and soon I was rejoicing in my new gift. Sister Hagg came to me and we conversed and sang together in an unknown tongue. Praise His Holy Name. I also got the deaf mute language on my fingers.
“My Jesus is more real to me than ever, the Holy Spirit is more jealous of my life and heart. I had suffered much in the purifying process, as gold in the fire or silver in the fire, Zech. 13:9 and Malachi 3:3, Psalm 66:10. We are tried and molded and purged and chastened and cleansed by the Holy Ghost, through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Glory! Hallelujah! We shall stand and come out more than conquerers, unto victory. I did not understand the sanctifying fire. I was as a child without understanding. As God continued to work in my soul I thought God had left me, had taken His Spirit from me. I prayed and cried unto the Lord. I looked back on my four years of reclaimed Christian walk and knew I loved Jesus. I was born again, the devil could not make me believe otherwise, nor could his temptations cause me to go back, but press onward for the mark.
“One morning I suddenly awoke by Jesus talking to me, as He did to the Church in Revelation 3:15-22. It was the voice of a man, but sweet and tender. Then I was weighed in the balance and found wanting. I trembled and was afraid, but then again the same voice said to me: “I will clothe thee in my own righteousness.’ Glory to Jesus. I clung to that promise for three weeks. I read my Bible, but none of the promises seemed for me, only judgment. Thus I suffered over 3 weeks, and one afternoon the filling up came and running over. I rejoiced in a double portion of God’s love and mercy. Oh such joy unspeakable. Then I needed a thousand tongues to speak my Savior’s praise. I still need more love, each day, new grace and patience and strength. I am under the Blood anew each day, every hour, just as the little tract says: ‘Hidden out of sight unknown, but not of God,’ for I have the white stone and the mark and a new name, clothed in the righteousness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was healed a few weeks ago of a sore hand. Praise His name forever. Now I am still a child, ready for whatever my Father wishes to do with me.
“Pray for me, dear ones, as I do need more patience and quietness and more strength with my children, and wisdom. Jesus is coming soon. Oh, may we all strip for the race, strip of all foolish and lust of the eyes, as the world. Let us women walk as holy women, not after the flesh, but modest and humble. God bless you all, in Jesus’ name.-Your humble Sister, Watts, Cal.
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A PENILE WORKER BAPTIZED.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. “For He that is mighty hath done to me great thing; and holy is His name.” When I was getting ready for my vacation last July, I said, “How I would love to go to a real live camp meeting this summer.” Well Praise the Lord, I found one and have been in it ever since.
When I went into the little church in Monrovia, the last Sunday in July I did not know what God had in store for me, but I am glad I went. Some of the Apostolic Faith people were holding meetings there. When I heard them speaking in tongues, I thought, now is the time for me to get the Chinese language. I had been in a Chinese Mission, and had been praying for the language for nearly four years.
I went to the altar and began to pray, O, Lord, give me the Chinese language. Some one said, “Hadn’t you better let God have His way?” As I prayed, I found I did not have the witness of my sanctification. I prayed until God gave me the witness that the work was done. The power of God came on me and I was prostrated. I was always afraid of such demonstration, and as soon as I could I got up. Some one said you have the Baptism, claim it, but I knew better. I was tired of claiming something I was not sure I had. I went home rejoicing that I knew I was sanctified.
The first of the week I went to a cottage meeting, I knelt to pray and again the power of God came upon me and I went over on the floor. The Lord talked with me, and told me what it would mean if I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I said, “I want it at any cost.” A strange feeling came over me, I thought I was dying, I said, “If I die I will go to heaven for I am seeking God.” I began to shake all over, I did not know what it meant, but after a little it came to me that God was shaking me free from my opinions and from my notions of things. I said, “Lord have your way.” My tongue was twisted and my throat felt queer, and I began to say syllables. Just then another seeker began to shout, Glory! glory! glory! I thought, that is what I want, I don’t want to make these queer sounds. At once I stopped. When I rose up, there was gladness in my heart, but I felt a lack, I was not satisfied. I had been praying for years for the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Several times I thought I had it but soon found I did not.
On Thursday I went to the church again. Soon after I sat down I began to shake, I said, “Lord, you shall have your way with me.” Soon I found myself on the floor and for about five hours the Lord had His way. I began to pray in Chinese that I had learned for the Chinese language in hopes that God would take my tongue and speak fluently. But He allowed the enemy to oppress me till I cried out, “O Lord’ give me the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I don’t care if I never speak in tongues.” Soon I felt the power of god upon me in a mighty way and I began to speak in an unknown language and to sing with one of the workers who was praying with me. My hands began to move swiftly over my body, and I knew I was asking for healing, my hands went to my eyes and my glasses were taken off and laid on the floor and I have never had them on since. When I got up I knew I had the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, and I have it today. Hallelujah! Rom. 8:11 has been fulfilled to me, Praise His Holy name. “This is the way I long have sought and mourned because I found it not.” This life in the Holy Ghost is blessed. I never had the joy and freedom and power I have now. The shouts roll without any effort on my part. I have spoken in three languages that have been interpreted. I have seen in a vision the face of a native whose language I speak and I am saying, “Here am I, send me.”
“He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.” I am feasting on the hidden manna and His Glory fills my soul. Hallelujah! I am so glad I have more than one tongue to praise Him with.-Mae F. Mayo, 312 Azusa Street, Los Angeles.
PENTECOST IN SAN JOSE AND PORTLAND.
235 2nd Ave. Portland, Ore, May 6.-Praise His name forever. We went from Santa Rosa to San Jose, Cal., and stayed one week. The Lord saved and sanctified some and baptized five more with the Holy Ghost, and gave them the Bible evidence, speaking new tongues. We baptized 17 by immersion the last day we were with them, and the Lord did surely bless us all. Great love and unity was seen among the dear saints. Three precious brothers filled with the Holy Ghost and faith, were set apart as deacons according to Titus I. 5., and five precious sisters to assist in looking after the young converts, who were filled with the Holy Ghost. The Lord poured His blessing upon us as we laid hands on them and prayed for them. Surely He approved of this precious work.
We left there the following day about 25 or 30 of the dear saints came down to the station to see us off and wept and sang precious songs of joy and consolation, till the train pulled out. We stopped in Oakland and San Francisco and bade the dear ones goodbye, and started on our journey to Portland, Ore.
We had a precious trip and arrived here Friday night. We went to the meeting where Bro. Glasco is. The Lord wonderfully blest in the service, and one precious sinner was saved, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost. The Lord filled her mouth with holy laughter and she spoke in new tongues and has been under His power ever since, filled with joy and gladness. She had never been in our meeting before. Her little brother was also baptized with the Holy Ghost last night.
Yesterday, Sunday, was a glorious day. Eight received their Pentecost according to Acts 2. 4, “And they began to speak in other tongues.” One poor sinner boy come and knocked at the door after the first part of the congregation had been dismissed, and said he wanted to be saved. He got saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and spoke in tongues till half past one this morning. I heard him going down the street to his home all alone talking in tongues and singing:
“O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
He’s done so much for me.”
Each one of these dear ones received clear distinct language, and were filling with power.
Dear Bro. Glasco received his baptism and spoke in a number of languages, and preached in tongues. All the dear saints rejoiced greatly to see him get through, as it means so much to them. He is a dear servant of the Lord and was much used in his sanctified life to the salvation of the people. Many more precious saints were heavily annointed for the baptism and were lying under the power all about the altar. The building was jammed and packed clear out to the street and many were turned away. Great conviction was upon the people, until scarcely any scoffing was heard. This place seems to be ripe for a sweeping outpouring of the Lord’s Spirit.
Much love from Sister Crawford and Sister Rees.-In the Lord, Henry Prentiss.
The Apostolic Faith (April, 1907)
In Africa.
Monrovia, Liberia, Mar. 26.-we opened a ten day meeting in a school house, and on the tenth night, the Lord came in mighty power. Two were baptized with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. Ten here have received sanctification, and five are filled with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. A brother and his household have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. God has called him to the ministry and he will be baptized Sunday the 30th of March. Have been holding meetings going on three months. The Lord is sending a crowd of the African natives to the meeting and He is working wonderfully with them. The house is filled with the natives every service and they are being saved and sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost and healed of all manner of diseases. The Lord surely is working with the native Africans of this land. All the saints send love.
In London.
Allerman Road, Brixton, London, S.W., March 18.-Words fail to express our gratitude to God for pouring out so wonderfully His blessed Spirit. We can read nothing else now but our Bible and the accounts of His glorious doings in your midst and elsewhere. The reading of it has intensified the deep hunger of soul in the few waiting upon God and seeking our Personal Pentecost here. A dear sister here, a mother of three little ones yielded herself fully to God and sought the baptism with the Holy Ghost. One night she waited upon God and at midnight the Holy Ghost came down upon her and gave her the witness of tongues. The next day while at prayer, I being with her, she had a mighty anointing and has spoken in two or three tongues. This was on January 9. She could not give utterance to the raptures of her soul in praising the “Bleeding Lamb,” and talked to God sometimes in a loud voice praising and adoring Him in a new tongue. Glory to His holy name.-J. Hinmers.
In Calcutta, India.
55 Creek Row-God is spreading Pentecost here in Calcutta, and thirteen or fourteen missionaries and other workers have received it. The Spirit is giving the interpretation, song and writing in tongues, and other wonderful manifestations of His presence among us. O we do praise Him that the way ever opened for us to come to India. I cannot tell you how the Word is opening. Have never seen a meeting in my life where God has given more wonderful power on his blessed Word. We are among Bible teachers, and they have the Word so stored away; but now the Spirit is putting life and power into it, which is wonderful to behold. Praise our precious Christ.
God has put quite a burden on my heart for India’s hungry souls. The Spirit has groaned through my soul for hungry ones until the pain was like travail. Oh how grateful we are for His working with us in this needy field.
We enjoy the paper very much, in fact, much of it is read in the meetings, and all rejoice. The little paper was a forerunner for us. We came to find that its contents had made God’s children hungry for the light to come to India, and when we arrived we found some waiting for their Pentecost. We found India ripe for this light, in fact the revival had already broken out among the natives, and some were speaking in tongues.
Miss Easton, the head of the American Women’s Board of Missions, the oldest woman’s missionary board in India, has been baptized and is a power for God.
We learn that the power has broken out in Russia, also in London.-Sister A.G. Garr.
In Sweden.
Viby, April 2.-Peace be unto you! Glory to God and praise His Holy name for evermore. Glory to God for victory through the Blood of Christ! I am happy in Jesus Christ and glad for what He has been doing in Sweden. The Lord has wonderfully kept me every day. Praise the Lord! Glory! There are now about twelve preachers who have received the Holy Ghost with signs following, and a few hundred have been saved, many getting a clean heart. Some have been healed, and many of God’s children have received the Holy Ghost. I am called to many places and the cry for help comes from all over Sweden. I am very busy every day going from place to place. There is strong opposition and talking about me, and writing in the papers even. Glory to God, my King, for that. Glory! Glory!
Tell the saints to love one another and keep united in love, and under the Blood every day, and humble. I am with you every day in the Spirit and praying for you all. Glory to my King for victory! God’s people are going to be one soon. Glory!
Apr. 15th 48 Skofde, Sweden.-The Lord Jesus Christ has done wonderful things in the last days, saving hundreds, sanctifying many, and hundreds have received their Pentecost with signs following. Praise the Lord. Many have been healed. Here is much to do every day. Many seekers after God. Over a hundred at the altar some meetings. A few interpret what they speak in tongues, and even myself. One day I interpreted these words, “Be ye separate from the world, that ye may be one,” and “Abide in My love.” and “For thy greatness and might does the earth tremble,” and Matt. 28. 19,20. The Lord has supplied all my needs. Glory to God.
Many churches have been stirred up here. I expect greater things yet. A few who can read the paper are very glad to read it and are getting blest by it. My love to all the saints.-Andrew G. Johnson.
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In Bellvernon, Pa.
April 19th.-The Lord is working here in Bellvernon. People are being healed, devils are being cast out in Jesus’ name. People are being baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking with other tongues.-J.F. Mitchell.
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In Bellingham, Washington.
In Bellingham, Wash, the Pentecost has fallen, quite a number have received the baptism and they have a mission of their own. Fourteen converts have been baptized in the bay.
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In Mobile, Ala.
Davis and Anne street, April 28.-The Lord has been working wonderfully here the past two weeks. Souls have been justified, sanctified, and are receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost. One who was a sinner was healed in our meeting and the next night got saved. Her mother got healed and received the Holy Ghost all at the same time. Praise the Lord for victory.-F. W. Williams.
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In South Carolina.
Alvin, S.C., April 19.-My Wife and I have been in six wonderful meetings of late in which quite a number of saints have received the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and all spoke with other tongues. Backsliders are being reclaimed and some honest souls being converted, quite a lot of sick ones being healed, and also many demon possessed persons are being delivered in Jesus’s name from the power of Satan. Glory to God!-F. M. Britton.
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In Lincoln, Pa.
April 10.- God is having His way with many of His children in this part of the country. A great many, in the midst of much opposition, are being baptized with the Holly Spirit and speaking in tongues, among them a number of young people and children. The work is spreading in and about Pittsburg and Allegheny, in Homestead, Braddock, McKeesport, and other places in this vicinity.-J.T. Boddy, pastor Pentecost church.
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In San Antonio, Tex.
425 N.Pine street, April 13.-We are in the midst of a glorious meeting in this city. Ten have received Pentecost with the Bible evidence of speaking in tongues, and a number have been saved and sanctified. God has enabled us to create a widespread interest throughout the city, and the opposition is forming in a very formidable way, we know that our God is able to deliver. We are going forward in simple faith in Him.-Daniel C. O. Opperman.
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In Allegheny, Pa.
216 E. Stockton Ave., April 16-Join with us in praising;g Him for the outpouring of Gods’ Spirit in Pentecostal power in the district of Pittsburg, Pa. We had heard of God’s outpouring all over the world, so we began to seek for God’s best for ourselves. I saw that power and get a glimpse of “Calvary;” and then, praise God, the power fell with the signs following. Pentecost first fell in the third week of January and is still going on. Hallelujah. Almost every meting there are some prostrated under the power and coming through. Almost every one that speaks in tongues gets the message that Jesus, is coming soon. He is just the same yesterday today and forever. -M. R. C.
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In Honolulu, Hawaii.
March 18.- WE are just holding up Jesus before this people, and God is doing the rest. We had quite a scene at the altar last night, when a demon possessed man who was kneeling at the altar was picked up ;by demon power, thrown over the altar rail on his head, and when we commanded them to come out of him they barked at us and said that they would not come out of him, but they were cast out in the Name of Jesus and the man was set free. A Salvation Army captain has received his Pentecost. He is noble young man, and desires to labor with the Apostolic Faith Movement. We are believing for a great work in the Islands. Jesus is coming very soon. Hallelujah!-H. M. and A. E. Turney.
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In Durham, N.C.
March 28.-“Some of the Lord’s people here have received their Pentecost and spoken in tongues. Glory! A red hot meeting is now going on. Bro. Fulford, who has the gift of tongues, is leading it under the direction of the Holy Ghost. The saints are being baptized with the Spirit. I too have received Him and have spoken in some kind of a language, I know not what. It is glory here now. What we are now praying for is to have the nine gifts of the Spirit here in full operation. This city has been mightily stirred on account of the tongues. Nearly the whole of North Carolina is being stirred among the Holiness people, white and colored.-W. L. Fisher, Box 208.
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In Springboro, Pa.
April 26.-“God is meeting us here in some very marked ways. Many have gotten clear in their experience of sanctification, a backslider came back last evening, others are just on ;the eve of Pentecost, five have gotten through. The town is stirred. They say it is a work of the devil, and fight me, but, oh, what victory God gives in the midst. The preachers turn out well to these meetings. I don’t know them until someone points them out to me afterward, so they get hit very often. The Free Methodist preacher confessed yesterday he was not sanctified. I think he will soon get somewhere. He said he was afraid to say anything about this movement. He knows God is in it.-Ivey Campbell.
In Dayton, O.
April 6.-“oh, I praise God for the gift of the Spirit. There were some seeking it on the west side here, and when it came, some of them refused it and said it was of the devil, but I was simple enough to take God at His Word, and two of us received our Pentecost. I received it February 22. Bless the dear Lord. There was a little preacher that went to Akron, O., and received his Pentecost, returning to Dayton. There are about 25 have received Pentecost through God using him. God picked him up a drunken rambler and saved and sanctified him, and sent him out to preach, and when he got his Pentecost most of the church people rejected him. We are going through hard persecution and we are having a time to get a place to worship; but we are holding on to God. We need your prayers, we are only babies, but our God is able and we are trusting Him.”-Della Powell, 303 Spitler Ave.
In San Diego, Cal.
Praise God! The fire still burns, sinners coming home to God, believers being sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance. We joined with you all of like precious faith on April 9th, and commemorated the anniversary of the Pentecostal outpouring in California. We had a most blessed and victorious day. Hallelujah! The streams of living water and salvation flowed, and glorious deliverance came to some precious souls. The tide is rising higher and higher, the conviction going deeper and deeper, and the way growing brighter day by day, Oh, Glory! Hallelujah! This little army is marching on to sure and glorious victory through the precious blood of the Lamb.-F.E. Hill.
736 14th street, April 6.-The dear Lord is wonderfully blessing the work here in San Diego. Last night we had a powerful meeting; two were slain under the power of God, three received their Pentecost with the Bible evidence. Sinners were crying to God for mercy, and the saints were wonderfully blessed.-G.H. Reilly.
In Homestead, Pa.
The Pentecost has fallen in Homestead, Pa. The meeting began in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Hall, Jan. 11. The power of the Holy Ghost was felt from the first service and a deep digging up begun among the people who were willing to go with God at any cost. Restitution, apologies and repentance was the business of the meeting for the first six days and nights. In fact the state to which some were led seemed perilous at times, but with confidence in the leading of God and with hearts desirous of going all the way, there was scarcely a halt, till everything in the past life had been fully reviewed from a Pentecostal standpoint, and every crooked or questionable act adjusted. On the seventh day the walls began to fall, and people fell under the power of God. The baptism was first received by Sister Robinson, who laid under the power for some time, then came through speaking in tongues. The next night the husband received his Pentecost at his home, and spoke and sang in new tongues. From this on the work has been going forward with uninterrupted sway.
The hall soon became too small when we were compelled to secure a larger one in order to accommodate the increasing crowds.
Many have received the personal Pentecost and speak and sing in new tongues, and have power over demons to cast them out and to pray the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick.
For miles around people are coming in to investigate this work and to receive their Pentecost.-“The Latter Rain.”
In Fort Worth, Tex.
1,005 Edward St., April 22.-We have a small band here. Have been meeting in private houses asking the Lord to open a door for us that no man could shut. We are praising the Lord this morning that we have a tent paid for and lights and seats secured. O, how happy I am at the prospect. Just as soon as the weather clears away, we want to begin meetings. We are expecting our God to do great things, for when I read of the wonderful work at Azusa, my heart rejoices so that I fall to my knees to thank God. We want the heavenly showers to fall on us too. We have four now waiting for the promise of the Father. A young man, a preacher, came to see me last Tuesday. He said that came to see me last Tuesday. He said that a little more than four months ago he was down waiting on God for an infilling of the Holy Spirit, when after waiting on God he began to pray in language unknown to him. This came on him in a few days. He told his presiding elder, who said that was foolishness. He said that once after that he felt like letting the Lord have His way with him, but on account of discouragements he did not do so. When he came here he hunted us up, and the power all came back to him. He never had anyone to help or tell him about this great movement.-Mrs. C.A. Roll.
In Toronto, Canada.
The Lord is wonderfully blessing the work in 651 Queen street, E. Toronto. For five months it has gone on without a break. Nearly 80 have received the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues. Four workers have gone out from here to preach the full Gospel. Many are being healed. Last Sunday we had a glorious time all day, especially in the afternoon service, when the power of God prostrated two brothers and came upon many at the altar. The whole meeting place was used as an altar, everyone turning their seats and getting down before the Lord. One brother who began speaking in tongues staggered to his feet exclaiming: “This is glory, glory, glory!” and before he had got through a sister rose under the power of God and commenced saying: “This is glory, glory.” A spirit of great rejoicing seized everyone. It was a time of magnifying God. Truly He has done great things. A band of workers from this mission went to a place just outside the city limits and held services, and the power of God came down upon the people. We are believing for a mighty outpouring upon the people in that district.-Sister Hebden.
In Indianapolis, Ind.
2341 Fletcher Ave., April 20.-Praise God for ever and ever. It is wonderful how God is manifesting His power here in bringing dear souls through and healing the sick. This is stirring up the ministers and people, and the newspaper are lying and trying to put the people against us, but God is overruling, and people who never dreamt of coming under the influence of God’s power have been stricken down and are getting salvation, their baptism and speaking in tongues.
Yesterday afternoon God took a young colored brother and a young sister, and in a most marvelous manner the Holy Spirit spoke through them in tongues, giving the interpretation, and with such power and force that the whole audience was stricken with awe. Weeping was seen all over the place, and they acknowledge it was God and the power of the Holy Ghost. There must have been a dozen ministers of this city. He was advertised to preach against us next Sunday, April 21; but, thank God, he and his wife wept with the rest. When I asked: Is there a man or woman who dare stand up and say these children were hypocrites? this same minister said: “No, it is God.”
One man who did not know anything about the meetings, but saw the sign as he was passing, came in out of curiosity. He is a doctor and medical nurse, has spent some time in India, and can talk in many of the Indian languages. He said he was surprised soon after he had taken his seat, then God struck him and he was brought under deep conviction. It kept increasing. He got desperate. God kept telling him to go to the penitent form. He did not want to for fear he would be laid out upon the floor. He got more desperate, until he bought some poison, and if he did not get through last Thursday afternoon he intended taking the poison. He had not slept any since last Sunday night. Praise God, he came and went through and got the whole thing. When he received his baptism he threw up his hands, gave a shout of Glory, and over he went backwards upon the floor. While there, Jesus came to him and told him He wanted him to return to India and preach the Gospel. He promised he would and take others with him, if it is His will. Glory to our Christ for ever and ever. He identified one of the tongues spoken by a young sister and told us it was the Marathi language. He also identified other languages in others. He had to give up all his business before God would receive him, and go to the medical staff and tell them what for. Our only desire and heart’s cry is: Precious souls for Jesus and heaven.-T. Hezmalhalch.
END OF PAGE ONE
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
312 Azusa Street
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MISSIONS IN LOS ANGELES
—
A visitor Who Has the Gift of Interpretation Reports Services in Shorthand.
The power of God came down in a marked manner on Monday, April 29, at Azusa Mission, beginning especially in the ministerial meeting held during the day and culminating in the evening service, while testimonies were being given by baptized witnesses. To a returned missionary from China upon whom the Pentecostal power is now resting, the message was given in tongues by one brother and interpreted by another, “Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it, wait not for the words to be formed in your mind, but give out just what the Spirit puts within and let Him control.”
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A sister who had been attending the meetings some time, testified to having received liberty only recently, and said that on visiting a sick woman during the day the Lord had convinced an unbelieving girl. Upon this the husband of this witness arose and spoke in tongues very forcibly, but the interpretation was not given until the brother in charge of the meeting had told how this sister had received liberty by going and for the first time seeking to help the unsaved in a meting, after which the message in tongues was translated with even more power as: “Oh how we praise the Lord for the way He works; when we go to do a work for Him He will work another by His Spirit through us. He wants to teach us that His ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts, but as the heaven is high above the earth so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.”
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A little later in the evening, as a young colored brother was testifying, he began to sing in another language: “O Jesus, Thou wonderful Savior.” After a few more words of praise to God in his own language he sang in another beautifully: “Oh, see how the King comes in triumph,” upon which the power was so great that many baptized believers arose one after another and joined in a mighty chorus in the Spirit, while the young brother went on with his testimony and then sang: “Oh pour out your hearts before Him and bend yourselves in obedience.” Whereat the leader of the meeting arose and, although he had not heard the interpretation of these messages, cried out: “Come to the altar! come to the altar!” And the young messenger continued in a tongue: “Oh seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near to you,” and another brother spoke forcefully in another language to the hearts of the people: “Oh turn to Him while it is called today and seek Him while He may be found.”
The interpretation of these messages was not given out at the time but recorded in shorthand. The effect of the manifestation of the Spirit’s power was, however, immediate and very marked, for the people came forward to the altar and fell all around under the power of the Holy Spirit, demons being cast out in the name of Jesus, saints being quickened, and four receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
To those who ask why we should speak in tongues and what use it is unless understood by those to whom the message is given, this report is sufficient evidence that it is not by the understanding of mind or by great intellect that God would speak to the children of men, but in the mighty power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.
The Pentecostal Assembly.
At the Pentecostal Assembly, 327 1/2 So. Spring St., in the Metropolitan Hall, an earnest band of Christians hold services every Tuesday and Friday afternoon and evening and all day Sunday of each week. These witness in the liberty of the Spirit, those who have received the baptism in the Holy Ghost often speaking in tongues, the interpretations edifying the church. On Tuesday evening, April 30, a drunken man was brought into the hall and before the meeting started the power of God had sobered him in readiness for the Gospel. More workers went out, and each brought in another poor victim of intoxication, one brother capturing three, two of whom tried to restrain their mate but followed in. The Word of God was read by the brother in charge, from the passage in Luke 19, centering in the words: “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (v. 10), the exposition being to the point and given by the Spirit. With songs of victory interspersed, the saints got to their knees and dealt with each case separately as they manifested an earnest desire to be saved; and thus encouraged, these poor men themselves lifted their voices to God, some of them really crying to Him from their hearts for pardon and power. Before they received deliverance in some cases the demon of drink had to be cast out, and all had to be encouraged like children to pray to their Father in heaven, but we believe a work was done which will be seen through all eternity. The names and addresses of most of these men were taken by a brother in the Assembly, who will call upon them in the day and encourage them to look to God.
Azusa Mission, Thursday Evening, May 1.
After some hearty singing and earnest prayer, a converted Jewish brother testified. Then a little boy mounted the altar and said plainly: “I think the Lord for saving me, and now I am seeking the baptism. I want you to pray for me that I may get it. Tonight I had the toothache and I prayed for the Lord to take it away, and He took it away.”
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A sister said: “Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice always; and again I say rejoice. I am rejoicing in the Lord; I am rejoicing in His salvation, I am rejoicing in His life, I am rejoicing in His presence with me, I am rejoicing in His faithfulness, I am rejoicing in His unchangeableness, I am resting on His promises, and looking and expecting Him moment by moment. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise our God for ever.”
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A colored brother arose and sang the verses of a hymn, the people joining in the chorus: “The Blood, the Blood, is all my plea; Hallelujah, it cleanseth me.” He then said: “Hallelujah! I am so glad I can testify that the Blood cleanseth me. Oh, the sweetness! My heart is full of love for Jesus. I am so glad I can take up the cross and work with Him now and follow Him. Oh, I know I am leaning on the Almighty’s arms.”
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An old gentleman who has recently received the baptism said: “Just take the blessings that God sends down to us. Oh I thank God that He has found an old man, a sinner like me. I was not worthy of anything, but He gave Himself to me. O glory, O glory! (Then he spoke in another language, the interpretation being): “Glory to Thee my great Redeemer for Thy great love towards me. O how I praise Thee. (He continued in English:) Oh glory to God for the gift He has given me. Now if there is any sinner here tonight, seek Him. Now we all may have it without money.”
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Another testified as follows: “I praise God tonight that I am under the Blood; Jesus’ Blood covers me and cleanses me from all sin.”
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Someone else said: “I know that the Blood of Jesus saves me and sanctifies me and keeps me from day to day. He is my Healer, I praise Him and thank Him for the way He is increasing my faith and instructing me today. The Lord gave me a verse since I have been standing here; ‘Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart.’ I am just standing on His promises. With His stripes I am healed. I praise Him and thank Him with all my heart. He saves me and sanctifies me and baptizes me with the Holy Ghost.”
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A new song of much power was then sung through in the Spirit by all.
Jesus Christ is made to me
All I need, all I need;
He alone is all my plea,
He is all I need.
Chorus-
Wisdom, Righteousness and Power,
Holiness forever more,
My Redemption full and sure,
He is all I need.
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A brother testified: “There is power in my soul tonight because God put it in there; it is the power of the Spirit that came down from the throne of God, from the Everlasting Father, before whom we must one day stand and give an account of the deeds done in the body. Oh how careful we as professing Christians ought to walk before this ungodly generation. The Lord showed me a few years ago that out of California would come a movement that would startle the world, and here is this prophecy fulfilled. Praise God for this personal Pentecost.” He then said in another tongue: “Jesus died that you might be saved. Oh be saved tonight and seek Him with all the heart, and let Him have His way.”
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A young colored sister then said: “I want to praise God tonight. He is all in all to me. Glory to Jesus. Dear ones, you do not know how sweet it is to trust Jesus. Do not sit back laughing and scoffing-oh you are laughing at Jesus, not at us. (In tongues.) He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision. Oh why will ye not come unto Me that ye might have life? Oh why do you resist My pleadings with you at this time? Oh why do you not come to Me and turn to Me with thy heart? Dear ones, accept this blessed salvation. I do praise my blessed Redeemer for saving me from sin, for giving me a clean heart. When I was a sinner, I would go to church and look around laughing, but oh I did not know I was laughing at Jesus, but, praise God, He is all in all to me now. He has taken all the laugh out of me, all criticism. He has given me a perfectly clean heart and filled me with love. Dear ones, oh it is precious to have a clean heart. He saved my soul and He has baptized me with the Holy Ghost. (In tongues:) O why do you resist the strivings of the Spirit? Why do you not turn to Him in repentance? Dear ones, it is so sweet to walk with Jesus. I take Him as y Healer. He heals all my diseases. O glory to God. (In tongues:) “Why do you not look to Him and live at this time?”
Bro. W.J. Seymour then started the congregation singing:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Thee,
How I’ve proved Thee o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Oh, for grace to trust Thee more,
He then said: “Glory! Beloved, I want to say ‘Goodnight’ to you all for a short while. It has now been over a year ago since I left Texas and came up in this portion of the country to labor and work for the Lord, and I am going back there through that old state where the Lord called me from a year ago. I am going to pass through there and see those precious children that prayed with me for Pentecost, and while I am gone I want you all to pray that God may use me to His own honor and glory.
“I want to read some of God’s own precious Word in the first chapter of the book of Isaiah. (He read to verse 9 and then said:) I am so glad the Lord God has raised up a people right in Los Angeles, and Francisco, they seem like Sodom and Gomorrah, but out of these cities the Lord God has raised up a people for His holy name. He has cleansed them from sin, He has sanctified them, and has baptized them with the Holy Ghost and sealed them unto the day of Redemption. Glory to His holy name! I can go and rejoice with the people in Texas, telling them of the wonderful things that God has done in Los Angeles. They said I should be back in a month’s time, and now this is the first chance I have had to get back.
(He then read to the end of verse 20). “But if ye refuses and rebel ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.’ Every man, every church, every home, that rejects the full Gospel of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shall be devoured. We are living in a time when the Holy Ghost is working-bless God-convincing men and women of sin and righteousness and judgment, and every man and every women that hardens their heart against the Word of God shall fall. If the men and women of this city will repent and turn from their sin and accept our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, ‘ye shall eat the good of the land.” Glory to His holy name! God has fat things to feed all His hungry people. Oh, He will fill you tonight. Oh, the music will be singing in your soul and, oh, the love of Christ that passes all understanding will be dwelling in your heart. Just read what He says: ‘if ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land.’ Jesus says: ‘Abide in me, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in Me.’ Oh, beloved, if we abide in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and feed off Christ, I’ll tell you, we shall live off the good of the land,-bless His holy name. We will have the fat-bless God,-we will have everything to cheer our heart, we shall have healing and health and salvation in our souls. Oh, glory to His holy name. Oh, do not refuse the Word of God; oh, accept it, accept all the doctrine of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and oh, beloved, it will fill your hearts with good things.
“but just listen to what He says: “If ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.’ Beloved, if you reject Christ, if you reject His precious Blood, if you reject the Holy Ghost, ye shall be devoured with the sword; but if you accept Jesus Christ He will prepare a table before you, and the Lord God Himself will spread it and He will feed you Himself. When Jesus had gotten through feeding His disciples He told His disciples to feed His lambs and sheep. What are we going to feed them with? We are going to feed them with the precious Word of God; we are going to teach them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and as their Sanctifier to destroy the root of sin, and then we are going to teach them to accept the Holy Ghost. He shall baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire, and when He comes in He is going to speak through them, and He says ‘In the last days I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh.’ Glory to His holy name. I want to say ‘Goodnight’ to you.”
“God be with you till we meet again” was then sung as Brother Seymour shook hands with as many as possible and left for the train. Brother Anderson spoke a few words of encouragement to the saints on the necessity of our continuing faithful in the pastor’s absence.”
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There is a Swedish Pentecostal Mission in Los Angeles at 8th and Wall streets. The power of God is falling there. The Swedish people have been among the foremost in accepting the doctrine of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and many are endued with power from on high.
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Russians and Armenians in Los Angeles are seeking the baptism. The Armenians have a Pentecostal cottage meeting on Victor street, between 4th and 5th. Some have been baptized with the Holy Ghost.
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At the Pentecostal Mission on Central avenue and 53rd street, in Los Angeles, meetings are going on in power. Conviction is on the sinners. Numbers are seeking Pentecost. Bro. Lyttle gave up half of his store for this mission and an unconverted man offered to do the work himself in putting up a partition. God is working there.
NATIVES IN INDIA SPEAK IN TONGUES.
Dhond, Poona, India, March 21.
About six months ago we began to hear of Christian believers in different places and countries receiving the gift of speaking in a new tongue, which they had never known before. Our hearts were much stirred by these accounts, some of them having come from those whom we had known for years as most humble, earnest and devoted servants of the Lord.
One week ago today, I visited the Mukil Mission at Kedgaon, 13 miles from here, which is under the superintendence of Pan** Miss Abrams asked me if I would not like to go in the room where about 20 girls were praying. After entering I knelt on one side, with closed eyes. Presently I heard some one near me, praying very distinctly in English. Among the petitions were.-“O Lord, open the mouth; O Lord open the mouth; O Lord open the heart; O Lord, open the heart; O Lord, open the eyes; O Lord open the eyes; O the Blood of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus; O, give complete victory! O, such a blessing! O, such a glory!” I was struck with astonishment, as I knew there was no one in the room who could speak English, besides Miss Abrams. I opened my eyes, and within three feet of me, on her knees, with closed eyes and raised hand, was —– whom I had baptized in Kedgaon in 1899 nearly 8 years ago, and whom my wife and I had known intimately since, as a devoted Christian worker. Her mother-tongue was Marathi, and she could speak a little Hindustani. But she was utterly unable to speak or understand English such as she was using.
When I heard her speaking English idiomatically, distinctly and fluently, I was impressed very much as I would have been, had I seen one whom I knew to be dead, raised to life. A few others, illiterate Marathi women and girls were speaking in English and some were speaking in other languages, which none of us at Kedgaon understood. This was not gibberish, but it closely resembled the speaking of foreign languages, to which I have listened but did not understand. Again I was at Mukti last Saturday and Lord’s day, when some 24 different persons had received the gift of tongues. Quite a number had received the ability to speak in English, a language before unknown to them.
Just why God enabled these women and girls of India to speak in English, instead of Tamil, Telugu, Bengail or some other language of India, unknown to them, I cannot say. But I have an idea that it is in mercy to us poor missionaries from Europe and America, who as a class seem to be doubting Thomases in regard to the gifts and working of the Spirit, and are not receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, as we ought, and as we shall wish that we had done, when we are entered into the world to come.
On Saturday I was much impressed with the speaking of B——–, a Hindi women; who was rescued in the famine of 1897. She was illiterate, but able to read the Bible in Marathi stumblingly. During the year of 1899 while my wife and I were living at Mukti, we saw much of B——–, and knew her as one capable and very faithful in attending to the secular duties entrusted to her. On Saturday she was praying in English. Among other things she was saying, “O, the love! the love! the love! the love! O, the love of Jesus! O, my precious Lord! my precious Lord! My precious child!” One not knowing her history would not see the force of the last sentence. She has an only child, from whom she has been separated for 10 years, and with whom she is not allowed to have communication. I was struck with the English which she used as being idiomatic, and the words which she spoke being of a class which she would not have used had she been learning by study. And I have no doubt from what I knew of her that she by her own powers could no more have spoken in English as she did then than she could have taken wings and flown. There was abundant evidence that God was working in a wonderful way. Those speaking in tongues gave evidence that their souls were flooded with blessing from God.
Those who are attributing the power of the Lord’s servants, to speak in other tongues, to demons or evil spirits, seem to me to put themselves in the place of the Pharisees of old, who attributed Christ’s supernatural power to the same source. See Matt. XII. 24-32; Mark III. 23-30.
Here at Dhond some of us are waiting on God for the bestowment of all the Spirit’s gifts, which He has for us. And we have been already blessed by this spirit of waiting and prayer. We ask the prayers of our friends that we may know by blessed experience the uttermost of all God has for us, through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.-Albert Norton.
END OF PAGE TWO
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
The end draws near, the time is on,
The coming of the Son of Man,
And signs appear and all around,
On every hand we hear the sound.
Upon the skies the sign appears,
The Son of Man seems very near
And heavens change with lightning speed;
Oh, quickly turn, the warning heed.
The earth is trembling far and near
With quaking sound,-fills all with fear,
The rocks are rent with awful power,
Which causes strongest men to cower.
A sickening feeling fills the air,
And nations tremble yet unaware
That soon will come the awful woe,
When to their dreadful doom they’ll go.
All nations feel a crisis near,
Men’s hearts are falling them for fear;
Distress of nations now has come,
Soon Christ shall call His people home.
The earth is groaning with its sin,
Which louder grows with awful din,
Until the great triumphant blast,
Shall free from Satan’s rule at last.
The times are on us, look around
And catch a note, the solemn sound,
That fills with awe and deep dismay,
Which foretells soon the Judgment Day.
On earth and sea, on mountain high,
In caves, in atmosphere and sky,
Portends the change, ’tis very close,
The coming of the Lord of hosts.
but those that know His power to save,
And have the victory o’er the grave,
Will hail the day with great delight,
And shout the victory in that night.
“The Blood,” they cry, “is all our need.”
His are the merits that they plead;
The Son of God, and Him alone,
Will set them down beside His throne.
But, oh, what awful cries we hear,
The sinner and the selfish seer,
The moral man and they that kill,
Receive their measure to its fill.
-Bro. C.E. Kent.
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TYPE OF PENTECOST. II. CHRON.5.
A beautiful picture of Pentecost is seen in the precious Word of God in II. Chronicles.
“All the work that Solomon made for the house of the Lord was finished; and Solomon brought in all things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver and the gold, and all the instruments put he among the treasures of the house of God. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes,, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month.”
That feast was typical of Pentecost. And all the men of Israel came and they brought up the ark of the tabernacle of the congregation and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle. All of this was typical of our consecration and sanctification unto the Lord.
And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course; also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Hemen, of Jeduthum, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets.) It came to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord saying, “For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house.”
We read here that all the priests that were present were sanctified. This is typical of Christ’s people being sanctified before they receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Dear beloved, we must get sanctified to receive it. Sanctification takes out the disobedience, rebellion and resistance out of our hearts and gives us a pure, clean heart that our Christ may come and dwell in. Amen. Sanctification is the second work of grace that deals with our original sin. Sanctification destroys the root and breed of sin and makes us holy. We know these priests were sanctified, for the Word of God says so. Also the Levites which were the singers, were arrayed in white linen. Linen is a type of the robes of righteousness that we read of in Rev. 7.13, “And one of the elders answered and said unto me, ‘What are these which are arrayed in linen. Whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” So the white linen is typical of the precious robes which Jesus gives to us through the sanctifying Blood of the Lamb.
We find that with these singers in white linen were 120 priests sounding with trumpets, typical of the 120 disciples that were sanctified and in the upper room waiting for Jesus to baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire.
“And it came to pass as the trumpeters and singers were as one-” This is prophetical of the “one accord” which we find at Pentecost. O, beloved, I pray that you may wait in one accord for the promise of the Father upon the sanctified and cleansed life.
And when they praised the Lord in unison, the house was filled with the glory of the Lord. He will fill the room and you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and God will give you a new tongue as a trumpet in singing or speaking as He did the 120 on the day of Pentecost.
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It is the Blood of Jesus that brings fellowship among the Christian family. The Blood of Jesus Christ is the strongest in the world. It makes all races and nations into one common family in the Lord and makes them all satisfied to be one. The Holy Ghost is the leader and He makes all one as Jesus prayed, “that they all may be one.”
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FREE FROM SIN.
“Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith.” I. Jno. 5, 4. Praise our God. Hallelujah! We read also in I. Jno. 3, 9. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. The Word of God is the seed that remains in us, Christ sanctified in our souls. He is the seed.
Some that do not believe we can live without sin, tell us that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was sin, tell us that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was sin, that the Lord kept in him to humble him. May God help us not to be deceived in such teaching, for we read, “Matt. I. 21, “Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” We read again in John 6, 31, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” So since the Lord has freed us fro sin, we are servants of sin, that is of the devil, for he that committeth sin is of the devil.
Praise God for the Blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses and sanctifies from all sin. Sin is our sin. There are no white sin, no little sins, but all are black before God, and it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to wash us and make us clean. God never saves anyone in sin, but He saves from sin. Bless His holy name! We can live a life free from sin, if we will only believe God and obey His precious Word. All provision is made for us to live a life free from sin.
Paul’s thorn was neither sin nor sickness. Read Ii. Cor. 12, 7. Compare also with Num. 33, 55 and Josh 23, 13. We find in II Cor. 12, 10, and 11, 21-30 also Acts. 22, 22, 23, what some of these infirmities were that Paul counted his thorn. So God did not put sin in Paul’s flesh to humble him, but he allowed him to be beaten and shipwrecked three times and many other afflictions to come on him, and he could praise God and boast in the cross of Christ, for the persecution that he received for this blessed Gospel.
First we come to the Lord Jesus as a sinner. We fall at His feet and confess our sins and accept His precious blood that washes away all guilt and pollution, and brings life to our souls which were dead in trespasses and sins.
Then God turns light upon His precious Word and shows us it is the will of God even our sanctification. We see how David prayed for cleansing, “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” The Lord prayed for our sanctification, and how sweet the words come to every Blood washed heart, “I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth,” John 17, 15, 17. Then in John 15-3, we read, “Now ye are clean, through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” So through the Gospel we are cleansed by obedience to Him. May the Lord bless us and help us to stand in His precious Word.
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Before you can receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost, you must have a thorough, definite experience of justification and sanctification, which are through the Blood of Jesus, and they are two distinct acts of grace. First, what God has done for you, second, what God has wrought within you. Then and only then are you prepared to receive your baptism from the Father, by Jesus Christ His Son. And when you have received your baptism, He, the Holy Ghost, will speak through you in tongues, and not before.
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The Lord knocked Paul down and he got up trembling and saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” The Lord knocked all the wordly wisdom out of Paul. That is the reason He knocks so many people down here, to take the worldly wisdom out of them. Paul was a man full of the wisdom and knowledge of this world, but when he got the baptism with the Holy Ghost, he was able to tell us about the true wisdom and true knowledge.
“THIS IS THAT.”
[By Rev. Levi R. Lupton, in “New Acts,” Alliance, Ohio.]
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.”-Joel 2, 28, 29.
“For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear.”-Isa. 28, 11.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And He shall send Jesus which before was preached unto you.” Acts. 3, 19.
Did all Speak in a New Tongue Who Received the Baptism?
In Mark 16, 17, we read, “They shall speak with new tongues.” And what other construction can any fair exegate put upon Acts 2, 4, than this, not only that every one of the 120 was filled with the Holy Ghost, but that everyone who was filled began to speak with a new, or another tongue than his own native one. “They were all filled and began to speak.” The “all” who were filled spoke with other tongues. Behold, are not all these which speak Gallileans. And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born.”
Doubtless everyone in the audience heard one or more of that large number speaking in his own native language; but who will be bold enough to declare and try to prove that there were not at least some of the 120 who spoke in languages which were not native to some one there, and could not therefore be understood by anyone present?
The multitude heard these Gallileans speaking in a new tongue “the wonderful works of God,” and yet a part of that amazed and wondering multitude that had come together, became mockers, and had the effrontery to say, “These men are full of new wine.” The only answer which needs to be made to the same kind of doubters and cavilers, and to all others today, is the same which Peter made to them:
“It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh,” etc.
“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.” And this is one great purpose in this outpouring, in the fulfillment of prophecy, to fit us to be fearless and effectual witnesses today, unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
Now turn to Acts 19, 6, “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Just what is occurring today as the result of the same baptism.) Can the “they” in the last sentence of this text mean any less number than the “them” in the preceding sentences? “And all the men were about twelve.”
The Pivotal Point.
Now let us turn to Acts 8, 17. “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” But it is not recorded that they, or any of them “spoke with tongues.” How shall we interpret this text? We know full well what inference is usually drawn from it, and which is the same as the writer, till lately, has always drawn from it; and which it was so necessary for him to do, as a preacher of holiness, in order to evade the conclusion that he and others had not received the baptism of Pentecost, for the Spirit had not spoken through us in a new tongue. But will the teaching of the Scripture permit such an interpretation, consistently with Mark 16, 17, and the other recorded instances of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost?
In reading the Apostolic Faith, we have read concerning the work in Los Angeles, or in reports or letters which they had received that such a person or persons had received their Pentecost; but not always was the statement made, “with the Bible evidence.” If we had read it in some other papers, we would not have known whether this was implied or not, but we knew the Apostolic Faith expected it would be so understood, whether it was stated or not, that it was with the Bible evidence.
In the days of early Methodism, it was understood that all reported conversions were genuine cases, attended with the witness of the Spirit to that fact, either immediately or soon after, even if it was not mentioned that they had received the witness. Rom. 8, 16; I. John 5, 10.
How then can we regard New Testament reports of the bestowment of the baptism, or the gift of the Holy Ghost, in any other light than this, that it was accompanied with certain well understood signs or evidences or manifestations of it, even if such are not recorded.
It is not said in connection with the bestowment of the baptism at Samaria that they did anything as a result of it, not even that they praised or magnified God, and yet are we to assume that there was nothing of the kind because it is not mentioned?
In Acts 11, 15 we read, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” And yet it is not here stated what it was that proved to Peter, and those with him, that the Holy Ghost had fallen on the Gentiles at Caesarea, as on them at the beginning.
If this were all the record we had, I suppose most all of us would have assumed and declared that this was another instance of the bestowment of the baptism without the Spirit speaking through them in another tongue. But fortunately we have another record of this in the preceding chapter and in the 46th verse, what it was that so convinced these astonished Jews, that “on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Just what a large number have already had the privilege of hearing in these last days.)
And are we not shut up to the conclusion that it was these same signs and manifestations in Samaria, that so impressed Simon Magus, and proved to Peter and John that those on whom they had laid their hands, had received the gift of the Holy Ghost. And it seems quite clear to us now that no one can consistently with these other conclusion than that, though doubtless many for the reason previously referred to, will feel compelled to cling to their former method of interpretation.
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BAPTIZED IN HONOLULU.
“For some two years there was a hungering in my soul for the Holy Ghost. I was fully given up to God, I know I was sanctified, but there was the lack of power and signs were not following. I was converted five years ago the 19th of this coming October. The following year I went to the Salvation Army training home. Whilst there God wonderfully blessed me. During the last few weeks at the training home the Lord gave me an outpouring of His Spirit, a number were saved and sanctified, and in the meetings people fell under the power of God. Afterwards the work was fought so hard that God withdrew His Spirit.
“While stationed as a captain in Salina, Calif, I received one of the Apostolic Faith papers. This was in September 1906. I here saw what was lacking, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, I felt right along I had the Spirit, but I had never received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. While stationed in the Army work here I became sick, was doctoring and taking medicines. I became so bad I was compelled to go home. While on furlough in Santa Cruz at my home I had plenty of time for waiting on God. My father and mother also were hungering for the Holy Ghost, we had half nights of prayer in which we received great anointings and blessing.
“After a stay of nearly two months in Santa Cruz the Lord led me give up the doctor and medicines, which I did and accepted Him as my Healer. It was on the 3rd of November, 2 p.m., when God healed me. From that hour I began to get better, and today I am well and have not taken a drop of medicine since that time. To God be all the Glory. Bless His name.
“After a few more weeks rest I left for San Francisco, where I helped at one of the corps. Here I had a hard struggle in my soul, at times I did not know which way to turn. The struggle in my soul was terrible, it was hard for me to get a hold on God. I felt God calling me out on faith lines and to trust Him for all and let the Holy Ghost lead.
At that time I received orders from headquarters to go to the Hawaiian Islands. I felt I ought to wait and receive the Holy Ghost, so I put God to the test and told Him if He wanted me in the Islands He would have to send the fare along, as I would not collect for my fare. The money came and I took passage on the “Alameds.” On this ship I met Brother Turney and his wife, and found them to be of the Apostolic Faith. Well, I felt better and saw God’s hand. I was going on the steamer that left a week before the “Alameda” from San Francisco, but I happened to be on a train that was late in getting to the city, so that I missed the first steamer. The Lord wanted me to meet Brother Turney. If I had left on the first steamer I would have been out of Honolulu and on another Island.
“I told Brother Turney my spiritual condition. Thereupon they began to pray for me. During my voyage to the Island, the Lord was speaking to me and getting me ready for the coming Comforter. Glory to Jesus. I said to Brother Turney; I am not going to leave Honolulu until I receive my Pentecost.’ Well, glory! after one day in the islands I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire and spoke in tongues. It cost me my position as an Army officer. The Lord told me I would have to leave the Army, as I could not glorify God and be under men-I would have to be led by the Spirit. The Lord has become so precious to me. I feel but a child. At present I am helping Brother Turney in the Mission. I am in God’s hand to go wherever he leads me. The Bible is a new book. To keep humble and filled with the Holy Ghost we must prevail in prayer and study the Word.”-Elmer B. Hammond, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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There was a time when we were fed upon theological chips, shavings and wind, but now the long, long night is past. We are feeding upon the Word which is revealed by the Holy Ghost-the whole Word and nothing but the Word.
END OF PAGE THREE
PENTECOST IN THE SOUTH.
West Union, S.C., March 24.
To the Saints in Cal., and all the West:
Greetings in Jesus.
Pentecost has come to the South. The power is falling from the Atlantic to the Mississippi river. The cities and country are filled with the gory of God, healing, working of miracles, divers kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. O, how I praise God. The Falcon school near Dunn, N.C., has received Pentecost in full. Some of the students speak in tongues. Some interpret and write several languages and interpret it. The principal, Rev. J.F. Taylor, speaks in tongues, interprets, sings and plays in the power of the Spirit.
Our meeting at Taccoa, Ga., was a complete victory, at Royston, Ga., was the same, and there were miracles of healing I never saw before. Bro. King and myself anointed and prayed for a 72 year old sister that had not walked a step in eighteen months. She rose up and shouted in every room of the house, and went to the service on Sunday and exhorted and preached, and warned the people to make ready for Jesus was coming. She was of the Primitive faith, but now filled with the Holy Ghost. The power is falling at this place and people are receiving their Pentecost and speaking in tongues, for they all speak in tongues that receive the baptism as they did on the day of Pentecost.
I ask an interest in the prayers of all the saints that I may have physical strength to hold up in the work. Brethren, move on in the name of Jesus our King. He is coming soon, and the bride must be dressed and ready. She is to be without spot and wrinkle. Praise our God.
People are praying here in their homes and in the woods, and come to the service weeping and asking for help. O, Lord God, have mercy on this poor lost world.
Heaven seems nearer every day. I hear the music. I see the city. Glory be to God, praise Him.
A brother went up on a hill to pray near this place the other day and an angel came to him and told him these words: “It will not be long.” He said that the angel had long hair with streaks of gold in it and his face shone so brightly and was glorious. He could see the sparks of white light fly from the angel’s face. O, praise God. This man seemed to be overflowing with the power and glory of God when he told it in a testimony service at this place last Saturday. He is well known in this country and believed. We remember Cornelius and have no right to doubt it.
Your brother in Christ and servant of God,
-G.B. Cashwell.
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PENTECOST IN SAN FRANCISCO.
In San Francisco, there have been some striking cases both of conversion and sanctification; and some remarkably clear cases of the divine baptism. Five were converted one night. On another night a Hawaiian brother was gloriously converted, and the next night a Filipino lady was beautifully saved. She said: “Me no speak English much, but me know God-Jesus he got my heart.” The Hawaiian could not speak for some minutes after he arose to his feet, the power of God was upon him to such an extent.
In another service a Catholic was clearly saved. he went to his seat, and turning to a companion, exhort him to come to God and get saved, testifying definitely that God had saved him from his sins.
One Baptist preacher came to the meeting, confessed his backslidings, and cried mightily to God for forgiveness. He gave up his tobacco, and seemed wonderfully happy in the Lord.
One poor crippled German lady was brought to the meetings by kind friends, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire in a remarkable way.
Another sister about forty years of age, and who had never made a profession of religion, came to the meetings, and evidently was much interested. On Thursday afternoon, she came to the meeting and was clearly converted. The power of God shook her so mightily that an elderly lady friends, who had accompanied her to the meetings, was greatly agitated and excited about it; she declared the sister was having a fit, and said something ought to be done to relieve her. When told that it was the power of God, and that the sister would come out all right, she looked incredulous, and flew around in great excitement. Evidently she had not seen it on this wise before. The sister did not return to the meetings until Saturday night. In the meantime she had been sanctified wholly, without the help of preachers or any one of the saints. God had sanctified. She came Saturday night for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The writer preached that night on the “Ten Virgins.” The sister was again shaken by the mighty power of God, he sat quietly in his seat, deeply moved by what was going on. She prayed with awful earnestness for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. We instructed her not to pray for the “tongues,” but for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. God baptized her with the Holy Ghost and fire, as the Spirit gave her utterance.” She spoke in three languages very distinctly I have not seen a clearer case. When she arose to her feet her husband came up to where she was, evidently deeply moved. She grasped his hand and began to speak (pray) in an unknown tongue. It was wonderful. Everyone present was convinced that it was the work of the living God. All opposition was confounded and put to silence. It was the old-time Pentecostal power.
Brother Seymour came in unexpectedly and preached one blessed sermon for us. All were greatly pleased with the simplicity and power of his discourse. It was all inspiration to me to see his beaming face and to hear him open up the scriptures to our hungry hearts.-B.H. Irwin.
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SOLDIERS RECEIVE PENTECOST.
Oakland, Cal., April 6th.
At last God has given me time to write home. I would love to see your dear faces again, but I feel your prayers and rejoice to know you remember me at the throne of grace. O, how I praise my Jesus this morning. Words fail me when I try to write what God is doing for this lost world and us unprofitable servants.
The work at San Francisco is just grand. Sinners saved, sanctified and three a day got Pentecost and most wonderful cases of Pentecost. The jails, hospitals and the soldiers’ camps were thrown open to us, and those places and hold regular meetings there. The chaplain of the soldiers got his Pentecost the other night and since he received it another soldier received the baptism.
O my beloved, in the Gospel, what God will do for us if we keep clean and under the Blood. Two German girls received the African tongue which was interpreted. The Hebrew brother from Seattle you all know of, got his Pentecost in our meeting the other night. An Italian heard a little girl speak in his own tongue, he was a professor and wondered at it. O, God is working here. The Lord laid me out one night and gave me prophecy, and while I was in the hands of God, three got Pentecost, one sanctified, and two saved.
We came to Oakland last Wednesday. We had some saints’ meetings, and on Saturday night, we appointed deacons according to the Word. O, such a sweet time we had. And yesterday God came in mighty power. The hall was packed, the aisles full standing, the floor was covered with souls laid out under the power. Three sinners saved and three got Pentecost. O, it was a grand meeting. We are just trying to praise Him for what He has done here and in San Francisco, and to keep humble at His precious feet so the work will go on.
We sent another brother to Santa Rosa. He came back saying that work had got beyond him. Four got Pentecost, many saved. O, I am so glad sinners are being saved in our meetings. I am going to San Jose and Woodland. They are calling me all over. Do pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up more teachers.
I started this letter yesterday, but was going to Precido to preach to the soldiers. Thought you would like to know of the meeting. We had a grand time. The Lord preached a sermon that stirred all the place, a woman told us afterward. The officers are getting under conviction, the chaplain told me. The boys are coming in crowds to the mission seeking salvation and Pentecost. O there’s the greatest outlook here for Pentecost. Pray much for us. Love to all the saints.-Florence Crawford.
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PENTECOST IN DENVER, COLO.
19th and Welton Sts.-The writer visited the Christian Assembly here on his way to California and enjoyed blessed fellowship with the saints at this place, the liberty of the Spirit being especially manifest and the Pentecostal work going forward steadily. It has been a surprise to the overseer of the work, Bro. G.F. Fink, to have the fire of the Holy Ghost descend in his assemblies in this way, and for a time he watched the manifestations of the Spirit with caution, only to be completely convinced that this is of God. Even as the Divine healing work which has characterized the Christian Assembly started in Colorado Springs, where Brother Fink had been a pastor, so the Holy Ghost baptism first fell at that place, when Los Angles workers passed through. The fire spread to the Denver and other assemblies, and the headquarters is at Denver, where a large hall is used every day for the assembling of the people of God, some of whom have come long distances seeking God.
One sister recently came from New Mexico seeking healing, was converted to God and received sanctification, healing and the baptism with the Holy Ghost all in one day; whilst there are many other manifestations of the power of God constantly occurring here. The children, especially the school girls, have been speaking in tongues under the power of the Spirit, and the writer had the blessed experience of seeing one of these preach from the altar for some 15 minutes on three occasions, the whole appeal, including singing, being in a tongue. The interpretations of these messages and of many others given in different languages through several, was the work of the Holy Spirit through chosen instruments, and was uplifted towards God for all the saints assembled.
Many of the members of the Assembly at Denver have received their Pentecost, and although some, as in other places, have been hindered in their witness by those who failed to understand the workers of the Holy Spirit, some have continued to overcome through the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and all are now built up in God. A few of the best workers have gone out to witness in other parts of the United States, a process which is constantly going on in every assembly where Pentecost has come, but which in the end is a mighty blessing to the saints who lose them, for they thereafter launch out into the work themselves. Only eternity will reveal the extent of the work that is done by those who go out to witness “in Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth,” according to the Lord’s command.
On Good Friday and Easter Sunday the power of God was especially manifest in Denver, reminding one of the word which says that “in the day the slain of the Lord shall be many” for those convicted fell under the power of the Holy Spirit as people used to do in Wesley’s days and were lying on the floor. In this position they seem to commune with the Father, unconscious of their immediate surroundings, some are all broken up and cry to God with intense earnestness, many receiving the blessing they need at His hands and rising full of the joy of His presence and the assurance of their acceptance.
We visited the ranch which is connected with the Assembly, and here, in a pool formed by the creek which runs alongside, some eighteen received the ordinance of baptism by immersion, all rejoicing in the Lord and praising Him from the depths of their hearts in the beautiful sunshine. We find here, as in all the assemblies of the saints who have Pentecost, a spirit which connects us and makes us to realize that we are all one in Christ Jesus and are bound together with that blessed tie which binds our hearts in Christian love, the fellowship of the general assembly of the first born.
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PENTECOST IN SPOKANE, WASH.
Spokane is a beautiful city of about 90,000 population. Prayer had been going up to God for weeks and months there for a mighty revival. Certain dear saints had appointed hours, vigils, so that intercessory prayer was being made night and day every hour, the Lord helping each one to keep his or her appointed hour. The time came when a band of people from the Christian Alliance held a ten days’ fast and prayer. They decided to send for no workers, but prayed that God would send for no workers, but prayed that God would send the one He wanted. At about this time, Bro. Ryan in Portland, felt led to go there. He arrived there the day following the ten days of prayer. They regarded this as an answer to their prayer and rejoiced greatly.
God began to work in Pentecostal power. Souls were saved and sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and healed in body. Some of the most remarkable cases of speaking in tongues occurred.
In the first place the meeting was in a house in the suburbs. It soon spread to the city mission, of which Mrs. Florence Wood is proprietor. She was convinced this work was of God, and began to seek the experience. People flocked to the altar. Crowds came to the mission and were amazed at the signs and wonders done by God. The meetings still went on at North Center suburb.
Little children received their baptism and spoke in different languages. One Methodist minister and one Advent minister received the baptism, and before they spoke in tongues shook for some hours under the power of God. It seems that all earthiness is to be shaken out. About thirty members of the Christian Alliance have endorsed the movement and many of them have received their Pentecost. Also several prominent business men have endorsed the movement and one real estate man, J.B. Moody, has received the experience and has spoken in Holland-Dutch, Chinese and other languages.
Such confessions, restitution and going down in utter self abasement have never before been known here. Old scores are being settled, and the harmony among the workers is perfect. The newspapers have printed some good things about the work and some very misleading and bitter things, also.-“Apostolic Light.”
Over one hundred souls have been saved, cleansed, and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, and the work has passed beyond all bounds or keeping track of same. Some of the most wonderful manifestations of the power of God have occurred here in connection with this work. Into my own life God has poured great blessing, unspeakably precious. The work of publishing has been opened up here of the Lord, an office, large and commodious, having been provided; also a larger hall for Gospel services,-the first hall having proved too small for some of the meetings. Prominent, business and Christian men are drawn to our meetings. Ministers of the Gospel from outlying and country places come in seeking their baptism. Others who come incredulously, to look on or to investigate, fall under the power. God has given the Heavenly choir a number of times. The work is moving on to greater and greater proportions of victory in His name. Pray for all the saints here, that we may stand together in the unity of the faith. Amen.-M.L. Ryan, 9 Browne St.
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“Last November in the Azusa Mission, one of the saints laid hands on me and prayed for my healing, and the Lord has healed me of that awful disease eczema. O, hallelujah! It pays to believe the whole Gospel. Then the signs shall follow. Luke 16, 17, 18.”-Mrs. A.L. Tritt, Dillon, Mont.
FILLED WITH GOD’S GLORY.
Up to the time of my first visit to the Azusa Street Mission, I had heard many conflicting stories of the place, and as I was at the time hungering for the deeper things of God, yet in my simplicity knew not how to attain to the standard of the early day Christians, for it seemed as though no one had risen higher of could tell me how to do so. I knew that my experience fell short of the Pentecostal life, somehow every one seemed so void of power. As far as myself was concerned, up to this time I had lived up to the limit and understanding which I had received. Three times I had been miraculously healed by the Lord, my testimony being sent by others into every state of the union as well as abroad. My family had received the same blessings and all were serving the Lord, so I had much to thank and praise God for.
There came a time in my experience after close study of the Word of God that I realized that there were deeper things for me, but how, and where I was to receive that work of grace I did not know.
After hearing of the work at the Mission I thought, “If it is true as I have been told, of the workings of the Spirit and how the Holy Ghost fell on those who believed and how the recipient was endued with power from on high, which caused them to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance,” then that is the place for me and I concluded that on the following Lord’s day, June 10, I would attend and see for myself.
From the first time I entered I was struck by the blessed spirit that prevailed in the meeting, such a feeling of unity and humility among the children of God. And before the meeting was over, I was fully satisfied and convinced that it was the mighty power of God that was working. From that time on I hungered more and more and felt that I could not be fully satisfied until the blessings of the Pentecostal life were mine.
While waiting upon God, it was revealed to me that I could not get it through my past experience and as it were, had to commence over again. I tell you if ever I was in earnest, I was so now. I gave all to God without any reserve whatever. Needless to say I received a witness to my sanctification soon after. Although the agony of soul had been so great at times that I could hardly bear up, yet God gave me grace to go through. From that time I knew I was ready for my Pentecost, and at every opportunity presented myself at the altar in public as well as in private, often receiving anointings after so doing.
Tuesday, March 5, was at the meeting and seeking for several hours but did not get through, and it seemed as far away as ever before. When I returned home I enjoyed a time of fellowship with some of my family, which refreshed me somewhat. After this, in the evening I decided to visit my neighbors for a few moments, brethren in Christ, who had received their Pentecost. I was told that Brother H. Smith was there also. After visiting for a short time, we agreed to have a season of prayer before we left. Before this was decided upon, Bro. Smith remarked that probably the Lord would send me my Pentecost. I was like a man grasping at straws and immediately a ray of hope entered my soul and I said within myself, “Yes, Lord, send Thy Spirit now.” Little by little I felt the power fall. To make a long story short, I was soon speaking in other tongues, and the blessed experience gained then I cannot tell in words, for they would fail to express the divine meaning which it has to my soul. I spoke in tongues for nearly three hours and glorified God in them. During this time, God revealed much to me which I will not at this time relate. I did not think it possible for a human being to be so filled with God’s glory as since then. I now begin to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
-Louis Osterberg.
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“Praise God for a full and a free salvation. In April, 1906, I came to the Azusa Street Mission, came to the meeting time after time, but did not go to the altar until my aunt was getting her Pentecost and it made me hungry; so I went to digging and the Lord sanctified me, and kept me sanctified. I went on for three months and then went for my Pentecost. I did not get it when I first knelt, but I went away and came back, and when I came back my little sister had her’s, and when I saw her, I got sick of self and got on my knees and did not get up till I received mine. Hallelujah-Our family is all saved and baptized with the Holy Ghost and ready for God to send us wherever He will.”-F. Cummings, 312 Azusa Street, Los Angeles.
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God made your body out of the dust of the earth. It belongs to Him. When the devil stole it from Him, Jesus bought it back with His Blood. He ought to have your body. Give is back to Him. Praise Him, Praise Him! We deliver up everything to Thee. We turn over to Thee this tenement of clay.
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There are 50,000 languages in the world. Some of them sound like jabber. The Eskimo can hardly be distinguished from a dog bark. The Lord lets smart people talk in these jabber-like languages. Then He has some child talk in the most beautiful Latin and Greek, just to confound professors and learned people.-Banner of Truth.
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Whatever we see in the doctrines of God’s Word, we should receive, if we are God’s people.
END OF PAGE FOUR
The Apostolic Faith (February – March, 1907)
God is still manifesting His power in Los Angeles.
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The Pentecost has crossed the water on both sides to the Hawaiian Islands on the west, and England, Norway, Sweden, and India on the east.
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A brother in Honolulu received the Pentecost, by hearing of God’s work through the paper. He said when he got down to seeking in earnest, the Lord baptized him with the Holy Ghost and he spoke in two languages.
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We rejoice to hear that Pentecost has fallen in Calcutta, India, over ten thousand miles away on the other side of the world: Praise God. We have letters from China, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, England, Ireland, Australia, and other countries from hungry souls that want their Pentecost. Some of these letters are in foreign languages. Missionaries write that they are hungry for this outpouring of the Spirit which they believe to be the real Pentecost. The world seems ripe for the Pentecost in all lands and God is sending it. Amen.
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One of the missionaries from Los Angeles in Liberia, Africa, had been able to speak to the people in the cru tongue. Another sister there wrote in an unknown language under the power of the Spirit, and it was understood and read by one of the native kings there.
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Requests for prayer from hungry souls are coming in from all over. They want salvation from sin, and sanctification, and the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and healing of their bodies. So the requests are presented and handkerchiefs are blest and the power of God comes upon us in praying for them; and we receive letters saying that they are receiving their Pentecost and being healed. Praise God.
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March 19th was a wonderful day at the Mission on Azusa St. Three ministers from Tennessee received the enduement of power from on high and the glory of God filled the upper room. Others received the anointing of the Spirit and some were slain under the power of God.
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Bro. Stewart from Phoenix, Arizona, came to Azusa Mission and sought the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and God laid him out under the power of the Spirit and took complete control of him, speaking through him in tongues. He was filled and overflowing with the Holy Ghost when he returned to Arizona. And Mother Griffith, also from Phoenix, has come and received her baptism.
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The work at Azusa Mission is growing deeper and more powerful than ever. Praise God. Meetings continue every day with seekers at every service, and the three meetings run very near together. All day meetings on Sunday. Three other Apostolic Faith Missions continue in the city and God’s blessing is upon them. The workers from these missions and from suburban towns meet together for conference on Mondays to study the Scriptures and get deeper into the things of God and for conference in the work of the Lord. The spirit of unity, love and power is manifest. Other like missions are being established in a number of towns.
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Bro. Andrews and wife, Gospel workers from Tennessee, came to Azusa Mission for the express purpose of receiving their Pentecost and Bro. Andrews has been baptized with the Holy Ghost and is filled and overflowing with the Spirit. He and his wife were so hungry and had such faith that the Lord wanted them to come, that, not having the means, they started and walked quite a distance, till the Lord gave them the fare, and He is abundantly rewarding them.
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Bro. W.H. Durham of 943 North Ave., Chicago, Ill., and Bro. H.L. Blake of Ruthton, Minn., who are both preachers of the Gospel, came to Los Angeles to see and investigate what God was doing. They both were baptized with the Holy Ghost and went back filled and saturated with the power of God, speaking in tongues and magnifying God. It was a great blessing to us to have them with us and see what great things the Lord did for them and the blessing overflowed upon all God’s children. They are members of the World’s Faith Missionary Association.
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Sister Rees from Oakland visited Azusa Mission recently. She brought a report from the saints in Oakland that a leader was needed there in the work, one called and prepared of the Lord. We prayed for God to call someone. Bro. Irwin received the call and went with his wife. His report comes just as the paper is going to press: Oakland, Cal., March 21.-“God is undertaking for us here. Two received their Pentecost last night with Bible evidence. Others are seeking pardon, sanctification, the promise of the Father.”-B.H. Irwin.
A number from Winnipeg, Canada, have come to Los Angeles and are now rejoicing in the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Others have come from the Atlantic coast and from Colorado and different states and they have received a Bible Pentecost, evidenced by speaking in tongues, and from other centers workers are going out to the ends of the earth, till we cannot keep track of them. The Lord is speedily preparing His people for His coming.
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We cannot give a report of all that have gone out into the work since the last paper, for they are going almost every day. Bro. and Sister H. McLain have gone to San Jose, Cal., to take charge of the work there and Sister Agnes Jacobson and Bro. Harmon Clifford are also in the work in San Jose. See report from there of how God is working. Bro. Turney and wife who were at San Jose are now in Honolulu. Bro. and sister E.W. Vinton from near Boston, Mass., who received their Pentecost in Los Angeles, have returned to tell the glad tidings. Their address is 12 Leyden St., Medford, Mass. Bro. C.E. Marsh expects to join them there in preaching this Gospel Bands of workers have gone out to other places and started the work.
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Since the last paper, Bro. Seymour visited San Francisco and San Jose and reported that God had some of the most precious saints there filled with the Holy Ghost and shining for God that he had ever seen and that the power of God was wonderfully manifest.
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There are a number of papers on the Apostolic line that are springing up. We cannot tell how many there are, because we hear of new ones we have not seen. But there are three clean cut papers besides Apostolic Faith, out and out for a Bible Pentecost according to Acts. 2.4 and with subscription free. They are the Apostolic Light, Portland, Ore., The New Acts, Alliance, Ohio (which now includes Pentecostal Wonders) and The Apostolic Evangel, Royston, Ga. (formerly Live Coals.) These papers are all about the size of the January number of this paper and they are filled with the wonderful works of God, and are spreading the glad tidings of another Pentecost all over the world. They are all supported entirely by free will offerings.
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PENTECOST IN OTHER LANDS.
In London.
23 Gairloch Road, Camberwell, S.E. London, Jan. 20.-A little band of Christians have been waiting here about nine months for their Pentecost and am glad to say that one sister has received her Pentecost with tongues. Praise Him! Will you continue to pray that all may receive, the writer included. I feel very hungry. Yours in Jesus Christ, C.H. Hook.
In Stockholm.
Stockholm, Sweden, March *.–Please, dear ones, help us to praise the Lord. The first soul came through tonight receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost and Bible evidence. Bless God!-Eric Hollingsworth and wife.
This message was just received from our brother and sister who have gone to Sweden with this precious Gospel. They wrote of the salvation and sanctification of souls and now we rejoice with them that Pentecost has fallen in Sweden’s capitol.
In Sweden.
We are having a wonderful time in Sweden. Hundreds have been saved and sanctified. Over a hundred baptized with the Holy Ghost. Praise God! Glory! Glory! Glory! Many have been healed by the dear Lord. Signs as on the day of Pentecost are following, talking and singing in tongues. I cannot tell you all now that God has been doing. The work is spreading fast. Many are seeking for a clean heart and there is oneness among God’s people. God shall have all the glory.
I am still talking and writing in tongues. A missionary interpreted what I have been writing in Syriac and Armenian. I was singing Chinese one night, a missionary said. I am busy every day and going from place to place. Strong opposition from many, but God gives the victory. Glory! Andrew G. Johnson, Address, 48 Skofde, Sweden.
In Honolulu.
Honolulu, Hawaii, March 11.-Immediately upon our arrival here, we found two wholly consecrated souls, hungering for more of God. Bro. Mayfield threw his mission open to us and told us to go to work. So we opened fire upon the enemy the first night of our arrival here. God owned and blest the truth. Nine have received their Pentecost, and in every case they have spoken in new tongues. Sister Mayfield has received her Pentecost and healing for lung trouble. Myself and wife have both spoken in the Korean language, Koreans present testifying to the same. We believe that will be our next field of labor.-H.M. Turney and wife.
IN CALCUTTA, INDIA.
Feb. 21.-The Lord has led Sister Nelson and myself here to Calcutta to behold the wonderful works of God. He has sent three of His witnesses from America, filled with the Holy Ghost, to shown forth His power and proclaim this wonderful Gospel which we and many others have been hungering for so long. Praise His dear name! It is Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Garr and Miss Gammon. God is working in mighty power in our midst. Several have received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and speak with tongues, and many have been saved. We have meetings every day beginning about four p.m. and go on as long as the Lord leads. We are so hungry and do believe that God will soon satisfy our longing souls.
Mary Johnson.
Home address: Dehiwala, Court Lodge, Ceylon, India.
In Norway.
Solfies, Pl. 2, Christiania, Norway, Jan. 29.-God is wonderfully demonstrating His power here in the Norwegian capital. It is about ten days since I held the first meeting in the large gymnasium that will take when crowded from 1,500 to 2,000 people. People from all denominations are rushing to the meetings. Over twenty have received their Pentecost and are speaking in tongues. Several have been in trances and had heavenly visions. Some have seen Jesus at our meetings, and the tongues of fire have been seen again over my head by a freethinker, convincing him of the power of God. Many are seeking salvation and souls are being gloriously saved. Hundreds are seeking a clean heart, and the fire is falling on the purified sacrifice. The fire is spreading very rapidly. Glory to God! I received word from the country districts that the fire is falling there. People who have attended the meetings are taking the fire with them to the towns around about. The account of God’s work for my soul has been inserted in many religious papers, and has caused a stir. All can see it is the work of God’s Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! Some of the languages spoken are European. One man was thrown on his back, a preacher, last Sunday morning in the Student’s Hall, and when he rose, he spoke in four languages, one of these was English. He could speak none of them before. After that, he prophesied and invited sinners to come to Christ. Numbers threw themselves down and cried for salvation, cleansing, and the fiery baptism with the Spirit. Praised be God! Several preachers are seeking their Pentecost. Go on praying for the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and King * this grand old century. Fraternal greetings from those baptized with the power and fire from on high. Yours in Christ Jesus, T.B. Barratt.
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If you get the light on your soul, you will go forward or else backslide.
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The more of the Holy Ghost you have, the more love, the more humility, the more praises.
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This is not a “do, do” religion, but it is the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Man has got to be born again. You cannot get it through moral culture, refinement, or giving up, but you must be born into it. It is through God’s beloved Son who washes you, cleanses you, and makes you a fit subject for heaven.
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Every sanctified person has the abiding anointing in their soul, and they know His Blood cleanses every moment, but you need the baptism with the Holy Ghost which is the enduement of power, that will make you a witness to the uttermost parts of the earth.
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This Gospel cost us too much to run off into fanaticism and be led by visions and dreams. When we get spiritual there is greater temptation to get puffed up. We must put all visions and dreams on the square of God’s Word and try them. The Word must prove all things. When we throw down God’s truth, the plummet of His Word, is shows up the counterfeit.
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People receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost while about their work. One sister in Whittier received hers while she was baking a cake.
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The Holy Ghost is a real living Person that comes down upon you in great and mighty power. Dear loved ones, when He comes upon you, you know it. When He comes in, He comes talking. Your jaws will be unloosed, and He will commence speaking through you.
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We are Christ’s spiritual bride now, but there is to be a real wedding take place and a real marriage supper. Those that sit down to this supper will be His queen, the ones that have made their robes white and have the seal of God in their foreheads. O let us not miss this supper. We are listening now for the sound of His chariot wheels.
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The Lord has taken Spiritualism and Christian Science out of people in this mission, and filled them with the Spirit, and they are sitting at the feet of Jesus. We teach against Theosophy, Christian Science, Magnetic Healing, Spiritualism, Hypnotism and all works of the devil.
NEW SCANDINAVIAN REVIVAL.
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The Witness of “Tongues” Manifested in Christiania.
The following report of the Pentecostal revival in Norway is published in the North Mail, Edinburg, England. It is a letter from the Vicar of All Saints, Sunderland, England, Bro. A.A. Body. He had been to Christiania, Norway, visiting Bro. Barratt’s meeting.
My four days in Christiania cannot easily be forgotten. I remember well the scenes two years ago, when I stood with Evan Roberts in the pulpit at Ton-y-Pandy, but, wonderful as such scenes in Wales were, the scenes in the Torvegadon Mission Room and other places were more supernatural. I believe that very soon we shall witness the same in England.
Warmly welcomed by the pastor and his co-workers, I sat, of necessity, on the low, large platform, with its table and four forms. The room was an upper chamber, down a court out of a busy street. It was very bare, with forms without any backs. But the enthusiastic congregation did not think of comfort.
Boys and girls around me, from seven to twelve years of age, were seeing visions and speaking in tongues-as well as older folk.
A bright-faced lad cried out with intense vehemence (eyes closed, right hand on heart, left hand stretched out)-“Oh . . .I see the house of Satan thrust down and down . . . . . and now the host are entering Heaven. Oh! . . . . they are going to shut the door! and some will be too late. Oh! Jesus, Jesus.” Then he commenced to shout in a rapid unknown tongue, and a few minutes later he was just a simple, lovable Norwegian boy again.
Then a university student (under the power of the Spirit) cries with great vehemence (to the “Djarvlen”), “Go . . .Will you go! . . . Will you go!” All this time perhaps a dozen are speaking or praying in Tongues, or prophesying, and prayer and praise “In the Spirit” is going on all over. Then suddenly a high-pitched musical voice is heard cutting into everything-prolonged, and then dying away. It is a woman praising Christ in the Spirit.
A brother on my left breaks out into Tongues; three times in that meeting he did the same. First it seems to be in English, very rapidly spoken: “Come, come, come, come now to the Savior,” etc. Then it seems to be like Chinese; “chung, chow, chow,” etc., or *** Then he changes into a chattering sort of Tongue. I am assured that all there are Holy Ghost people. “The flesh may get in a little,” says the good pastor, “but not much.”
“Tongues” at Keswick.
People of course, ridicule; but those meetings go on every day, and twice a day, and not in one place of meeting only nor in one single town. At Christiansand and Frederickshaldt and many other places the same is going on, and it spreads quickly from each person who receives the Gift!
A Christian merchant in a high position in Denmark came with others to see and hear, and he told me that he was convinced it is of God. The working people chiefly fill the meetings, and the difficulty is to get them to leave when the time comes to close.
And, it must be added, practical results follow these strange meetings.
Pastor Barratt (of whom more below) said that till recently it was difficult to attract to religious meetings. A Salvation Army officer advertised that a man would rise from his coffin and preach the Gospel, but even this did not effectively draw. But now twice a day and every day and week after week these meetings are thronged by enthusiastic crowds, who go out to spread the strange flame, which they are convinced is Pentecostal and Heavenly and Scriptural.
The meetings are liable at any moment to be swept by a wave of spiritual power sweeping through all human arrangements. At times the noise is strangely awesome, almost appalling to an “outsider.”
Some of us ask ourselves the question, how will this affect the Keswick Convention meetings and other gatherings this year? Those who have “Tongues” will be present, and unable and unwilling to control them when moved by the Spirit.
The Rev. Thomas Ball Barratt, the leader of this movement, is almost a Norwegian. He was four years old when his Cornish parents brought him to Hardanger. Eventually he became a missioner of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but he has practically detached himself from any church ties, and the world he feels is his parish.
He was in New York last autumn when influences from the Los Angeles movement began to reach him, and he received a mighty “Pentecost,” witnessed to by “Tongues.” A letter he wrote home stirred up the spirit of expectancy, and on his arrival the work immediately began, and on New Year’s Day in Norway the revival commenced, and has continued ever since, and is spreading all the time.
Of my own inner experiences whilst in these meetings I must refrain from writing at this point, but I reverently thank God for the privilege of being present.
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“He will guide you into all truth.” We ought to take the Holy Ghost before any other teacher. We should have no teacher between us and the Holy Ghost.
The Apostolic Faith
312 Azusa Street
END OF PAGE ONE
Published by
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION
Headquarters, Los Angeles
SUBSCRIPTION FREE
Please write very plainly in sending in your address for the paper. Some letters have to go into the waste basket, because the addresses are illegible or incomplete. If any fail to get the paper, please let us know.
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We send out papers free, but free will offerings have come in to enable us to publish and send to all that ask for them.
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We have been publishing 30,000 papers at an issue, and of this number 40,000 are printed.
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Anyone desiring to distribute papers, has only to drop us a card saying how many you can use to advantage, giving your address very plainly, and we will send by return mail or as quickly as possible.
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A convention of Prayer is to be held at Alliance, Ohio. The saints from Akron, Cleveland, Canton, and East Liverpool will meet there, and it will no doubt be a time of great power and blessing. The date is March 30th.
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TWO PAPERS IN ONE.
this number six of the Apostolic Faith has been enlarged. It is a double paper, the February-March number. We have no stated time of publication but expect to get it out every month, the Lord willing. This time it has been unavoidably delayed. Many have been looking for it and wondering why it did not come before. We praise God for the privilege of sending it out now to hungry souls, and pray God that it will be a double blessing.
The Lord has been greatly enlarging the work. Stacks of letters come in which we have not been able to answer, but may our correspondents take this paper as an answer, as our hands are so full of the precious work. We have received many blessed reports and testimonies which it has been hard to condense into this paper. Many precious letters had to be left out for lack of space.
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THE PURCHASE OF THE AZUSA MISSION.
The lot and buildings at 312 Azusa Street have been purchased by the Apostolic Faith Mission** Holy Ghost men have been elected as trustees, who hold the property.
We believe the Lord chose this spot for His work, for He has wonderfully poured out His Spirit in the mission, which started about a year ago from cottage prayer meetings where the Pentecost first fell. Now, through Spirit baptized ones who have gone out, and through papers published here, there has been raised up a mighty host. Praise God!
The property was purchased for $15,000, and 44,000 has already been paid down on it. Any friends wishing to have a share in buying this Mission for the Lord may send offerings to Bro. Reuben Clark, who is secretary of the board of trustees. Address 312 Azusa St., Los Angeles.
It was necessary to buy this mission as a headquarters for the work, in order to hold it, as it would soon have been sold for other purposes. The situation is favorable, being centrally located and in surroundings where no one will be disturbed by prayers or shouts going up sometimes all night. Praise God! The Mission building was formerly a place of worship where souls had been saved years ago, and the spot thus made sacred; and during the past year, hundreds have been saved, sanctified, healed, and baptized with the Holy Ghost.
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APRIL NINTH A JUBILEE DAY.
To the Apostolic Faith People, Saints, and Friends; the ninth of April is the birthday of Pentecost to us, for the Pentecost fell here on April 9, 1906. May all that have received this precious gift, the baptism with the Holy Ghost, honor that day as a jubilee feast, in praise and thanks to God for sending the old time Pentecost back to earth again.
We pray God that a great revival of salvation may flow in all missions on that day, and that we may all get in one accord; and we believe that the fire of God will fall in every mission, and that many will receive the baptism just as they received it on the day of Pentecost, according to the second chapter of Acts. Praise God! We have much to praise God for; in a year’s time, He has spread this work over the earth. Hallelujah to His holy name!
God is still working here in Los Angeles. Souls are receiving their personal Pentecost. Bless His holy name! We expect to hear from all the missions where this wonderful Gospel is preached, great victory on that memorable day.
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The Spirit takes the Word of God to reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He shows the sinner that he needs to be saved from a burning hell of fire and brimstone. You may say you do not believe it, but yet you read in the Bible where the rich man was “tormented in this flame” and called for Lazrus to bring a drop of water to cool his parched tongue. If the doctrine of annihilation were true, why was not the rich man burned up?
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VIRTUE IN THE PERFECT BODY OF JESUS
Jesus gave His perfect eyes for us, perfect hearing, perfect smelling, tasting and feeling: for Jesus gave a perfect body, that laid in the tomb three days and three nights and was taised by the power of the Holy Ghost. Those eyes that had slept in the tomb under the great power of death were quickened and brought to life again by the power of the Holy Ghost. So, through the perfect body of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can receive perfect healing of sight, hearing, tasting, smelling.
We read in the precious Word of God (Ac. 2. 26) where David is speaking of the Lord Jesus, “My heart rejoiced and my tongue was glad, moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” And we find that Jesus’body was one without carnality. It was a body that God prepared from heaven by the Holy Ghost and sent down into this world to be the Bread of Life. Therefore Jesus could speak with the authority in Jno. 6. 51. saying, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world.”
The Jews could not understand this. They said,” How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, ye have no life in you.” O how true this is. May we drink His Blood daily and eat His flesh, through faith in His word for salvation, health, and healing. If His flesh had seen corruption, then we could not have healing for the body nor look for an immortal body from heaven. So dear beloved, we get healing for our body, soul, and spirit and an immortal body from heaven at His coming, through the perfect body of Jesus. Praise our God!
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DIGGING FOR OIL.
I once asked a man who was digging oil wells, how he found the oil. He said, “We bore down six to eight hundred feet, then we strike the rock. Then we bore through that rock about five feet, and on down to the second rock, about three feet thinner than the first. Then we strike a lake of oil.”
It reminded me of salvation. Digging down to the rock represents repentance. When you get through all the dirt and mud and strike the rock, that represents salvation in Christ, for Christ is the rock. But when we get upon the rock, we have to build.
The man said they had to bore through two rocks before they struck the lake of oil. It reminded me of the two weeks of grace. We cross the Red Sea, then Jordan, and then we receive our inheritance. Elijah crossed Jordan and looked up into heaven as Elijah was caught up in the chariot of fire, and the mantle of Elifah fell upon Elijah. This is a type of receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost, for Elijah prayed for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah.
The second rock represents the second work of grace, sanctification. You go down through that rock and strike the lake of oil and it gushes out in plenty. The oil represents the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Some get the anointing and are filled with holy laughter, and take that to be the baptism. But, if we go on through that other rock, we will get to where the lake of oil is.
When we have the baptios of the Spirit, we have an experience according to Deut. 32: 13, “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields: and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; butter of kine and milk of sheep;,with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.” Praise our God! We find that before people receive the Pentecost, they have hardly enough for themselves; but when they geat over into Canaan, the promised land, which is the very type of our entering into the promise of the Father, they become rich and are able to lend and able to give, for they have fruit in abundance, everything plentiful. The baptism with the Holy Ghost gives us the rivers of salvation. Praise God! O may every child of God seek all that He has for them.
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NO EXCUSE FOR SIN.
In justification, we can overcome all the power of the enemy. We have no right to live in sin at any time. Who, the Son makes free is “free indeed.” What is he free from? From sin. Dear ones, we want to honor the Blood of Jesus. The Blood has never lost its saving efficacy. Just one drop of His Blood overcomes Satan. The one who in justified, with the Blood in his heart, if he will obey the Spirit, will always live from sin.
Every justified soul is being drawn of the Spirit to sanctification, though he may not know it. He is conscious of a hungering for more of God, and the Spirit continues to show him there is higher ground for him. If he continues to walk in the light, he will he led right into the fountain for sin and uncleanness, the Blood will cleanse him from all sin, the old man the body of sin will be hung on Calvary’s cross and Christ enthroned in his heart. Bless God, when Christ is enthroned and crowned within, then old Ishmael, the bond woman’s son. which is the old Adam and carnality, is put out. The soul is delivered from the warfare within. He does not have to live in the same house tormented by the inward fores of doubts and fears. The free child rules, which is Christ.
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HEAVENLY VISIONS.
Thirteen saints met in a cottage prayer meeting in Los Angeles and all were in the Spirit and of one accord. They knelt in prayer expecting the Lord to manifest Himself. The power of God fell and every one was caught up in the Spirit and saw visions from God. Bro. McLain says he saw a beautiful white dove for some time on the back of his chair. One sister saw an angel come into their midst with a golden harp in her hand. Several had the same vision of the Savior. He held a book in His hand. They saw the nail print and the blood trickling down while He wrote their names in the book with His finger with the blood that ran from His pierced hand. He stood on the other side of a river. The waters of the river looked bloody. An angel about the size of a child twelve years of age stood in front of the Savior. It went about the room and hovered over the heads of all in the room. One brother had not yet received his Pentecost, and a star was seen to come and light on his forehead, while he was testifying. The brother that was healed of blindness by the power of God some time ago saw an angel with a golden candle stick about three feet high. Praise God. He is wonderfully fulfilling His Word in His children. Acts. 2, 17.
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REBECCA; TYPE OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST-Gen. 24.
“I pray thee is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?” These words were spoken by Eliezer, Abraham’s eldest servant and steward of his house, to Rebecca when he had found her at the well in answer to his prayer. Eliezer (meaning “God’s Helper”) is a type of the Holy Spirit, and Isaac is a type of Christ. Now as Eliezer was seeking a bride for Isaac, the won of Abraham, so the Holy Spirit today is seeking a bride for the Lord Jesus, God’s only begotten Son.
Eliezar was sent to Abraham’s country and to his kindred to take a wife for Isaac. So God our Father has sent the Holy Spirit from the glory land down into this world, and He, the Spirit of truth, is convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and is selecting out of the body of Christ His bride. He is seeking among His kindred, the sanctified, and Jesus is baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and fire, preparing them for the great marriage supper of the Lamb. Praise our God! Eliezer was under oath not to select the bride from the Canaanites but from Abraham’s kindred. So God is not selecting a bride for Christ among the sinners, for a sinner must first get saved and sanctified before he can be one with the Lord Jesus. Heb. 2:11 says, “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of now, for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” So He is seeking a bride among His brethren, the sanctified.
“Christ so loved the church that He gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word; that He might present it unto Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5: 25-27. So Jesus today is selecting a sanctified people, baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and fire to greet Him at His coming. Rebecca was a virgin, the type of a sanctified soul. So the Holy Ghost today is standing at the heart of every pure virgin (sanctified soul) pleading, “I pray thee is there room in thy heart that I may come in and lodge?” O beloved, we see many of the sanctified people today rejecting the Holy Spirit, just as people rejected Christ when He was on earth here. IT seems there is no room in their hearts for the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. May God help them to open their eyes and see that the time draweth nigh for His coming. O may Christ’s waiting bride wake up and let the Holy Ghost come in.
Rebecca was a type of the wise virgins. When Eliezer met her at the well and asked her to let him drink a little water from her pitcher, O how sweet and ready she was. She answered and said, “Drink, my Lord.” And she hastened and let down her pitcher upon her hand and gave him drink, and it pleased him. The Spirit is a person. He can be pleased, He can be quenched, and He can be insulted, as we find Ananias insulted Him. We please Him when we accept the words of Jesus. Then Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to witness in our hearts.
When Rebecca had some giving him drink, she said, “I will also draw water for thy camels.” Christ’s bride must do everything without murmuring. O how sweet it is when we have the mighty Spirit in our hearts; we are ready for service; we are ready for watering the whole entire world with the precious well of salvation in our heart. Beloved, when the Holy Ghost comes, He brings the well of salvation and rivers of living water.
“And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a gold earring of half a shekel weight and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold.” Praise God. This is what our beloved sanctified people receive when they receive the witness of the anointing of the Holy Ghost upon their hearts, as when Jesus breathed upon the disciples before Pentecost in the upper room, where He said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” The disciples had the witness in their hearts that very moment that “both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one.” For He had opened the Scriptures to them, (Lu. 24:32) and their understanding was opened, (Lu. 24:31) “And their eyes were opened and they knew Him.” So with us, when we receive sanctification and the witness of the Spirit in our hearts to our sanctification, the Scriptures are opened to us, we understand them, and our eyes are anointed. We see a picture of it in Rebecca. When she had received Eliezer and let him drink our of her pitcher and had watered the camels, he gave her the earrings and bracelets of gold. O beloved may we let the Holy Ghost sup our of our heart pitcher, for the Lord says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with Me.”
And when He comes in, He opens His precious treasures to us, bracelets and earrings, great weights of gold. O how blessed it is when the precious Spirit enters into our hearts like Eliezer. He tells us the great wealth of our Father and of our Christ, for He opens up our understanding, and enlightens our minds. His continual conversation is about the Father and Jesus. Eliezer was the very type of the Holy Spirit who takes the things of Christ and shows them unto us, for He told Rebecca of the wealth of Abraham and Isaac, giving her jewels. And she wore them, showing that she was the espoused of Isaac. Hallelujah! Jesus breathed the Holy Ghost on His disciples and said, “Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins yet retain, they are retained.” Thus they had the witness in their hearts that they were candidates for the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. He commanded them, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye endued with power from on high.” Praise our God!
“I pray thee is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?” Beloved, is there room in your heart that God’s blessed Spirit can come and lodge in? Rebecca was a wise virgin. She met Eliezer at the well and received the bracelets and earrings; but she did not receive them until she had allowed him to drink out of her pitcher and had watered the camels. Many others stood by, no doubt; but they did not do any watering of the camels. O may all of Christ’s waiting bride be filled with the rivers of living water that they may water the thirsty, parched hearts with the rivers of salvation.
Rebecca wore her jewels. She did not put them aside or into her pocket, for we read that Laban saw them on his sister’s hands. When we have received the abiding anointing in our hearts, someone can always see it shining forth upon our faces. Praise God!
When Eliezer had fed the camels and had come into the house, and when meat was set before him, he said, “I will not eat until I have told mine errand.” O beloved, we should be so zealous about the bride of Christ that nothing will be able to turn us aside. We find the first overthrow in the human soul was through the appetite; and when the Holy Ghost sends us on His mission, may we not be satisfied until we have told it, and of His coming back to parish again.
Then he told his mission how that Abraham had sent him to his kindred to take a wife for his son, and he said, “And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me.” They said, “The thing proceedeth from the Lord” and gave Rebecca to be his master’s wife. When people are living under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, it does not take them very long to hear the voice of God, and they are willing to obey. Praise God! Then Eliezer ate and tarried with them that night, because he had received the desire of his master’s heart and his heart.
But on the morrow, her brother and mother said, “Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at least ten days.” But he said, “Hinder me not.” It is best, when we hear the words of God and the Spirit is upon us, to receive now the baptism with the Holy Spirit, instead of waiting two or three days and meeting friends and meeting the devil, who will try to persuade us out of it. If Rebecca had remained, perhaps her friends might have talked her out of going with Eliezer over the plains away off to that distant land to her husband Isaac.
Eliezer said, “Hinder me not.” O may we do nothing to hinder the entrance of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. We should see that everything is out of the way and nothing to stand between us and this glorious blessing. Then they called Rebecca and said to her, “Wilt thou go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” To receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost, we must forsake all and follow Jesus all the way. For the Lord Jesus says, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife.” So we that are Christ’s bride must forsake all and cleave to Christ, as Rebecca left father and mother, brother and sister, and rode on the camel to meet Isaac.
“And Isaac went out to meditate in the fields at eventide; and he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold the camels were coming. And Rebecca lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel” to meet him. Now we are living in the eventide of this dispensation, when the Holy Spirit is leading us, Christ’s bride, to meet Him in the clouds.-W.J.s.
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The sinner and harlots and gamblers are receiving this blessed Holy Ghost before the church members. The first shall be last and the last first.
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One tenth of all we own belongs to the Lord, besides an offering, as much as He says. If He says a half, we will have to give a half. Giving to the Lord is just as much a part of worship as the testimony and prayer. If there are people who do not believe in giving an offering, they do not believe in the Scriptures. When we consecrate, we consecrate our pocket-books.
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PENTECOST FALLING.
In McKeeaport, Pa.
322 Brown Ave., McKeeaport, Pa., Feb. 8.-The Holy Ghost has fallen on about a dozen here and they are speaking in tongues and we do not know where the work will stop. There have been two received their call to China. We praise God for His wonderful grace and power.
-S.F. Black.
In Mobile.
Davis Ave. and Ann St., Mobile, Ala., Feb. 1.-After a hard battle in this wicked place, the Lord gave me a tent in answer to prayer. We give God all the glory for victory. Five have been sanctified and three received Pentecost. One brother that has been crippled for years has been healed in his foot and can walk without a stick, and we are expecting a great work of the Lord here soon.-F.W. Williams.
In Spokane.
Spokane, Wash., Mar. 21. Thank God, the work of the Holy Spirit is reaching into the remotest places of the earth. Upwards of thirty have received their Pentecost right here in Spokane in the past few days, speaking in tongues, writing, and praising God in all things. The Apostolic Light will be somewhat delayed, owing to my removal from Portland office to the work to which God called me in Spokane.-M.L. Ryan.
In Burgess, S.C.
Burgess, S.C. March 16.-We are having a wonderful meeting in our midst. Several are being baptized with the Holy Ghost. The people are coming by crowds and God’s great work is spreading. Glory to God for this wonderful salvation that is coming back to earth again.”-Mc. D. Brown.
In Santa Cruz, Cal.
Pentecost has fallen in Santa Cruz. The last report from there people were getting saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and healed. Many seeking. Bro. and Sister T.W. McConnell have been laboring there and Bro. Wilkinson has been assisting.
In Long Beach.
The Lord is blessing in Long Beach, Cal. We cannot tell just how many at this date have received their Pentecost and speak in tongues. Hungry souls are seeking. The street meetings are attended by crowds. Last Sunday night, many had to be turned away. Bro. McCauley has charge of the work. He says, “The Lord has wonderfully planted the seed of salvation in Long Beach in street meetings every Sunday afternoon. O how I praise Him for the outpouring of His Spirit. A baby that had been sick all its life was wonderfully healed in answer to prayer. Peace be to all the saints in Christ Jesus. Amen.”-E. McCauley, Long Beach, Cal.
In Des Moines.
1624 Oakland Ave., Des Moines, Ia., Feb. 21.-God is working here. Seven or eight are speaking in tongues and others awakened to the truth. I myself have received the gift and speak in many different tongues. Can interpret the same. the burden of the Spirit seems to be the blindness of the people, the soon coming of the Lord, the awful judgments that are coming, and to prepare messengers and a bride for His coming. The mission is becoming a center for the hungry ones and too small to accommodate the people. God bless you all. We have had no teaching outside, except our own close walk with God and getting down, down, down before Him and proving Him who never fails. Praise His name. Yours in the rapture, E.C. Ladd.
In San Francisco.
215 Locust Ave., San Francisco, Cal., Mar. 3.-The Lord is working mightily in San Francisco. Many souls have been converted, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, and healed by the power of God. One Methodist preacher by the name of H.O. Lanham who came to our meetings a few days ago received the baptism with the Holy Ghost Tuesday night (Mar. 5), and spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. A Baptist preacher who was backslidden got saved, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost and healed, and is now ready to go out and preach the Gospel of Christ in its purity. Bro. Prentiss came to us from Los Angeles and the Lord is blessing him in the meetings. Yours truly in the Lord.-Adolph Rosa.
In San Jose.
25 Short Ridge Ave., San Jose, Cal., Mar. 4.-Praise God for victory. Thirteen have received their Pentecost and Bible evidence since we came here Glory to God! The whole place is stirred. Sunday there were eight healed as soon as I anointed them, and they shouted praises to God. Sunday was a hallelujah day all day. Praise God. Sinners are under awful conviction here. The hall is crowded and the people cannot all get in. We are looking for the power to fall as on Pentecost. Yours in Christ, H. McLain.
In Topeka, Kan.
924 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, Kans., Feb. 21.-Glory to Jesus for the real Pentecostal power that is coming back to His people. About three months ago, Bro. and Sister Batman stopped off here for a few days on their way to Africa, and told of the wonderful work of God going on in the West, and it made us real hungry for more of God, and we began to seek earnestly for the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. Soon afterwards a band of workers came from Denver and were with us ten days. Several received the baptism while they were here. After they left, we went through some very severe testings, but we held on and when we needed help the worst, God sent Bro. Tom Hezmalhalch and a band of workers to us, for which we praise Him with all our heart. They were with us four weeks and their labors were owned and blessed of God in establishing the work here. A good many were saved and sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost. One young man received his call to the foreign field. We expect the work to move right on. Yours in Jesus, C.E. Foster.
In Alvin, S.C.
Alvin, S.C., Mar. 2.-In January we heard of Bro. G.B. Cashwell of Dunn, N.C., that had been to Los Angeles and received the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues. So our hearts began to hunger more and more, and after praying over it, my wife and I decided to invite him to come to our Pentecost meeting which was to begin the 8th of February. He came to us and stayed three days, and in those three days, there were about twenty-three saints that received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and all of them spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. I am glad to tell you, dear saints, that I am one of the twenty-three. As soon as He came into my soul, He spoke with my tongue in an unknown language. Thank God, the Comforter has come at last. Glory! Glory! Glory! We have had several short meetings since we received the Holy Ghost in which several were saved, sanctified, and eight or ten others have received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and all speak with other tongues. Demons have been cast out in the name of Jesus.-F.M. Britton.
In 8th and Maple Ave. Mission, Los Angeles.
The old time Pentecostal power returned to us during the four days and nights tarrying meeting we had beginning Dec. 28 and went over New Years to 5:30 a.m. Some got their Pentecost with the Bible evidence, some converted, some sanctified, some healed. Glory to God! We had been going through a sifting time. Some proved it does pay to hold on to God when the enemy is doing all he can to discourage us. Our God is a God of power. So now we can sing, “I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day.”
Later.-A poor lost woman, a victim of the cocaine habit, come into the meetings, was convinced of sin, and as a second definite work was sanctified and has obeyed God confessing Christ in baptism. This is a wonderful case. So the work is going on. A sister got the baptism sitting in her seat. Others justified. God is with us and we are expecting greater things of Him.-W.H. Pendleton, Pastor.
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PENTECOSTAL POWER IN INDIANAPOLIS.
312 Azusa St., Los Angeles, Cal., Mar. 20.
Apostolic Faith: After an absence of over three months, it is with great joy that I am able to be with the saints at Azusa Mission once more. The same old power is manifest, and many new faces from the north, south, east, and west are seen, having come for their Pentecost.
The Lord gave us a gracious time of Pentecostal power at Indianapolis, Ind. Many received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and are speaking with tongues. They came in from different parts of Indiana and are now going forth to spread the good news. This will be a center of power, being an inter-urban railway center like Los Angeles.
After being forced out of several places, the Lord gave us a nice hall and chairs to seat it, at 1111 1/2 Shelby street (Fountain Square) and the meetings are still going on there. The last Sunday the writer was permitted to be present was a wonderful day power. The meeting seemed to have wings, and the whole room had to be used for the altar service.
In spite of the great opposition from church people and holiness professors, many dear hungry souls are launching out into the ocean of God’s love, and finding a satisfying portion. A great many were healed. Rheumatic demons and all manner of aches and pains were compelled to fly, at the name of Jesus.
“It is so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word.”
A brother who had been troubled with eczema a long time was instantly healed; and a few days after, upon examining his skin, nothing remained but blue spots where scabs had been. His wife also was healed.
The elder of the Zion (Dowle) Church and his wife came to the meetings and confessed their need of Jesus in Pentecostal power. They also sought healing and the dear Lord healed them. The wife and daughter received their Pentecost and the husband was seeking.
Bro. and Sister Lehman, returned missionaries from Africa, found their Pentecost and spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. They had spent five years in learning the Zulu language, and were rejoiced to find “the more excellent way.”
The Lord willing, the writer will remain in Los Angeles until May, when a camp meeting will be held in Lamont, Okla., May 15 to 30. Bro. Cashwell of Dunn, N.C., will probably be there also. After this meeting, a large tabernacle will be pitched in Indianapolis, probably the first week in June; and meetings will continue indefinitely. Our dear Lord is certainly coming soon, and we must be busy spreading this wonderful salvation to the hungry people.
-G.A. Cook.
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“Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” Jesus has given us the Word, and if we live in the Word, the Word will be in us, the Blood will flow and we will always be white and clean; but the moment we get out of the Word we become unclean and wander into dangerous paths.
HUNDREDS BAPTIZED IN THE SOUTH.
High Point, N.C., Jan. 24.
To the Saints at Los Angeles and all over the world, Greetings in Jesus name!
The work at Dunn, N.C., still continues in His name. In the three weeks I was here, about fifty received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues, which is the witness of the baptism as on the Day of Pentecost; and about fifteen of the fifty were ministers of the Gospel. Some are from Georgia, some from South Carolina, and some from North Carolina. Some are called to China to preach this blessed truth. God has blest me in casting out devils, healing the sick and in discerning of spirits.
Bonneau, S.C., Feb. 11.-I came here last Friday by invitation of the holiness people in this section, known as the saints or Church of God. They claim not to belong to any organization and have been keeping the feast of unleavened bread for three or four years and worshiping in upper rooms.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were three days set apart for service to tarry and wait for Pentecost, eating nothing but unleavened bread and drinking cold water. I saw at once that they had brought themselves under bondage to keeping the feast and that there was danger of their feeling that God was under obligations to them to send the baptism with the Holy Ghost, because they kept it. But I never met sweeter sanctified people in all my life. I prayed to God to show them that it was not keeping the feast that brought the Holy Ghost. I did not mention it to them at all, but joined them in the feast. Saturday, dear Bro. Britton, their leader, came to me and said he felt that the Lord would be pleased for them to dismiss the keeping of the feast. So he announced it to the people.
Some had already received the baptism, but after that I have never seen the power of God manifested as I saw it here. Twentythree received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and all spoke with tongues.
On Saturday, one very old sister came in who had never heard anyone speak in tongues, and no one was speaking in tongues when she came in. She began to shake hands with the saints, and before she sat down, the power fell on her and she was baptized with the Holy Ghost and commenced speaking in tongues, a perfect language.
Bro. Bridgers, an evangelist of the M.E. Church, now at Marion, S.C., came to the meeting and was baptized with the Holy Ghost and power and spoke in tongues for some time, a perfect language. Praise God for Bro. Bridgers.
Royston, Go., Feb. 27.-Hundreds of precious souls in the South have received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and speak in other tongues. Closed a series of meetings at Taccoa, Georgia, Sunday night. God was with us in great power from start to finish. I did not keep an account of how many received their Pentecost, but they all spoke in tongues, and all that receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost will speak in tongues. All do not have the gift of tongues as taught in I. Cor. 12, but they all spoke in tongues on the Day of Pentecost and at Cornelius’ house, and those that Paul laid hands on at Ephesus, and all that I have heard and seen receive the Holy Ghost have spoken in tongues.
I am receiving letters every day from north, south, east and west from people that have attended my meetings, saying that they have received their Pentecost and speak in tongues.
People have been pulled here by take it by faith, reconsecrate, baptism of fire, “dynamite,” and “lydite” till the faith of the people is almost gone. Praise God for Pentecost. Get your justified experience all in good shape, then get the sanctified experience of a clean heart. Then when your faith takes hold of the promise of the Father and Son, and the Word of God, you will have great joy as they did that went up from Olivet to Jerusalem. Then you can praise and bless God and the Holy Ghost will come in and praise God Himself in unknown tongue, and you will never doubt it any more, if they burn you at the stake of behead you. He will bear witness of Himself. Let us not come short of the promise.
-G.B. Cashwell,
Address, Dunn, N.C.
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DEMONS CAST OUT.
[The following account of a Spiritualist being saved and sanctified, is written by Bro. J.E. Sawders, Homestead, Ohio., in New Acts.]
We have had some of the most wonderful experiences with demons, that I have ever seen in my life. One woman, a Spiritualist, from the age of sixteen, was possessed with a legion of demons. The devil threw her on the floor where she fought and foamed froth out of her mouth, saying: “I hate Jesus Christ,” many times, and blasphemed God in the most diabolic manner possible to imagine. She pointed right up in the faces of those praying for her, with a hellish laugh, challenging and defying God Almighty, saying, “Ha! ha! She is mine, ha! ha! she belongs to me, etc.” Well, we prayed in Jesus name till she was gloriously delivered, and settled down like a lamb at the feet of Jesus, and for hours prayed and praised Him, until He forgave her, then cleansed her heart, and since then she has been seeking Pentecost. Last night she got up and told her whole experience, and it was simply wonderful indeed. She is very intelligent and she now feels that God is going to use her for revenge upon the devil and his hellish work in Spiritualism. These cities are full of Spiritualists and no doubt God will use this woman now to expose the thing from an experimental standpoint.
PENTECOST IN MIDDLE STATES
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Extracts From Reports In “New Acts.”
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In Canton, Ohio.
Fire is falling at Canton, Ohio. At least seven at that place have received their baptism at Bro. Rohrer’s mission. Deep conviction. The stoutest hearts slain under the power. Sinners coming home to God.
In Pittsburg, Pa.
“We have been holding services in the South Side Mission for the last three weeks steadily every night. Prayer has been answered and four of the seeking ones have received their Pentecost and speak in a strange language. One boy twelve or fourteen years old, speaks Italian very distinctly and interprets in English. The sisters speak sentences and quote texts of Scripture, and sing in the language they have received and interpret. Two of the sisters have the same tongue and when one begins to sing some hymn, the other starts in and voices the same words.”
In Akron, Ohio.
Feb. 15, a Methodist minister from another part of the state, received his baptism with the Bible evidence. Bro. and Sister Welch of the South Street Church, have just received their Pentecost. The Spirit whispered to him that God also had touched his eyes, and he found it was so, being able to read without glasses. One lady had said to Bro. McKinney, “I have become almost discouraged, I have been seeking so long without receiving.” A night or two afterwards, when the special revival meetings commenced in her church, she went forward to help and pray with the seekers for pardon of purity, when somewhat to her surprise as well as that of others, the baptism came and she began speaking among them in a new language. A returned missionary from India has very recently received the intense desire of her hart at Akron, and the Spirit has spoken through her in attestation of the baptism.
In Potterbrook, Pa.
Praise God, the Holy Ghost came today. A minister slain under the power. Demons cast out of many. Then Pentecost fell, and ten persons came through with stammering lips and other tongues. Rev. Robbins speaking in a clear language, the Spirit also sang through him. One lady speaking in tongue said. “Jesus is coming.” Real Pentecost. Praise God.
In Homestead, Pa.
“We are sweeping this place for God now. Yesterday afternoon, we had a most remarkable service. Rev. J.T. Body lay for hours under the power, then began to speak clearly and fluently in a new tongue. A man who heard him speak last night told the audience that it was the Hebrew language. He has a marvelous experience.
A young woman was rescued Sunday morning from the police station, went to the altar and was converted Sunday night, was sanctified Monday afternoon and testified to having a pure heart. And Monday night, after lying under the power was baptized with the Holy Ghost and spoke distinctly in a new and flowing language. The lady who rescued her, came through at the same time, and spoke much in Spanish, which I easily understood. The congregation sat and listened in amazement, in the presence of the wonderful operations of the Spirit of God.
A young preacher named McNight, who sat in a large chair under the power, gave out some indistinct utterances, then broke out in a flow of High German, and I understood absolutely every word be uttered. It was wonderful to me. It seemed to me almost as if he had learned the language in which he had spoken so fluently and clearly, so I asked him if he could speak German, and he said No. He is either of Irish of Scotch ancestry.
The meetings go on every day from 2 p.m. until 12 and 1 a.m. Last night the new hall 22 by 70 was well filled. We began with testimonies, when the power came upon us so that there was no opportunity to speak or even read a verse of Scripture. They began coming to the altar, largely young men, and filled two 16 foot altars, then all the front seats. The power was so irresistible that people fell from their seats until the floor was literally covered with prostrate people. One man got the baptism in his home and speaks in a tongue. This makes eight or ten at this date, and scores are seeking at every service.-J.E. Sawders.
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In a meeting in a place where there was a rough element recently, a cowboy declared that he would break up the meeting that night, and brought his six shooter with him for that purpose. The workers left the matter with God, and kept holding on to Him in prayer. He went out and they heard noises as if he were trying to barricade the door. Soon he came in, sat down, and drew his six shooter, but immediately let it drop on the floor. This he repeated three times. When the altar call was made, he went outside, but one of the workers who was burdened for his soul followed him and knelt on the ground in the darkness not far from him and got hold of God, then came in again and knelt in prayer. The next he knew the boy was at the altar. He had thrown his six shooter to some of his companions. He broke down and cried for mercy and God came to his help and saved him. He got up from his knees and shook hands with nearly everyone in the room. The last we heard of him was that he rode four miles to get to a cottage prayer meeting.
END OF PAGE THREE
THE WARFARE, THE RAPTURE AND AFTERWARDS.
O Son of God, arise,
And put Thine armor on;
Hell’s forces all are marshaling.
The day is almost done.
The night is hastening fast,
The morn will soon appear;
The battle strong will not last long;
Our Christ will soon be here.
courage, brother, do not fear,
The Lord is on our side;
The hosts of hell cannot prevail,
No matter what betide.
The devil’s time is short,
And that he knoweth well;
And so with rage he hath come down
With all the force of hell.
Look not to right or left,
Trust not in kith or kin;
Our eyes must be on Christ alone
If we expect to win.
“Resistance unto blood”
Is now the battle cry;
No time to parley with the foe,
The signs are in the sky.
The sun is darkening,
The moon is turning red;
The awful day of doom is near,
Brother, the Lord hath said.
Let him that is afraid,
Back to his home return;
No coward in this war may fight,
Too hot will be the fire.
To prisons some will go;
Satan will press us sore,
Inspiring those that we love most
To wound us to the core.
Cast out of synagogues
By blinded shepherds here;
Our names still stand at God’s right hand,
So we have naught to fear.
Be faithful unto death,
And give thyself no care;
Lay down thy life for Jesus’ sake,
A crown of life to wear.
The Rapture.
The Lord of glory comes!
Jesus Himself draws nigh!
Angelic hosts are thronging Him
As he descends the sky.
Lift up your heads! Look up!
Redemption draweth nigh.
The battle’s o’er, the victory won,
The saints now mount the sky.
From ocean bed and graves,
From earth’s remotest climb,
From east and west, from north and south,
In majesty sublime
All glory crowned, they rise
With songs of loudest praise
To Him who bought then with His Blood,
Bridegroom of endless days.
After the Rapture.
A sense of awe creeps o’er
The hearts of men now left.
Wives their husbands cannot find;
Husbands of wives bereft.
Men sleeping side by side-One left alone to stay;
Two women grinding at the mill-One quickly caught away.
With faces blanched, men look
Each other in the eye;
Women and children screaming run
And wish that they could die.
Men rush from the saloon
And crowd the place of prayer,
From brothel, race, and gambling hell,
While some still linger there.
The blatant infidel
Now seeks to hide away,
And men who never bowed before
Now settle down to pray.
True picture of the end
Is here in rhyme laid bare,
When Jesus comes to claim His bride
And saints the rapture share.
Brother, heed the warning given,
Let every soul press on;
Get right with God while yet there’s time;
Let no man take thy crown.
-Bro. A. Beck.
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A party of seven workers from Azusa Mission, all baptized with the Holy Ghost, went to Bonsoll, a country place about a hundred miles distant, to carry this blessed Gospel. The first night they had a cottage prayer meeting, and the second night had thirty people in the little school house. Before closing the meeting, they gave the altar call and there was such a rush to the altar that some fell over the seats and one woman nearly knocked the stove down. Twenty-seven in all came to the altar and 22 of them got saved. They held meetings the rest of the week with good attendance. Souls were saved and sanctified every night. On Sunday they had water baptism and 14 were baptized in the creek by immersion. One lady fell under the power of God just after she came out of the water. In these meetings there was no preaching. God Himself did the work. All but one of them were young workers and they just let God use them as channels.
A CHICAGO EVANGELIST’S PENTECOST.
943 W. North Ave.,
Chicago, Ill., March 19.
Dear Readers of the Apostolic Faith:
I desire to give my testimony for the glory of God, and in the hope that it will prove a blessing to many that read it.
Nine years ago I was deeply convicted of sin, through the Bible and the Spirit moving upon me, which He continued to do till I truly repented of my sins, and earnestly sought the Lord, finally yielding all to Him, and pleading His mercy. He revealed to my heart Christ dying on the cross, and His voice whispered to me, “Christ died for your sins.” Instantly my heart believed, and His peace flooded my soul, and the joy of His salvation was wonderful to me. Later I saw and grasped by faith the truth of sanctification, and the Spirit witnessed to my heart that the work was done, and the Holy Ghost wonderfully wrought in my life.
Five years ago I was called into the ministry, and all these years the Spirit has been with me in a wonderful way. Sometimes I would be overcome by His power. In brief, I honestly believed I was baptized with the Holy Ghost, and testified to it. God had done so much for me, that it was hard for me to believe that there was more for me, except of course, development as I went on with God. And still there was a longing in my heart for something. I traveled as an evangelist from coast to coast, and preached the Gospel in almost every large city in the United States, speaking to as high as 1,000 people at a time, often seeing from twenty-five to one hundred at the altar in a single service. And many were saved, sanctified, and many healed. But some way all this did not satisfy me, and for a year the heart hunger has increased. Like all holiness people I have met, I kept praying for love, power, etc.
finally I heard of the work of God in Azusa Street Mission, Los Angeles, and said to my people, That is the work of God. Later I heard someone preach that the speaking in tongues was the Bible evidence that we had received the baptism in the Holy Ghost, and not understanding it I rejected it. But I saw those who were speaking in tongues had something that I did not have, and I finally became a seeker. And the Lord impressed me to go to Los Angeles, and attend the meetings, and seek the baptism in the Holy Ghost. Finally on Feb. 8, I arrived there, and Sunday, Feb. 10, I attended my first all-day meeting. The first man I met on entering the building was Bro. H.L. Blake of Ruthton, Minn., who still believed he had received the baptism with the Holy Ghost in sanctification, and the anointings and fillings that followed; but I told him I was convinced that what I had was not the baptism.
The first thing that impressed me was the love and unity that prevailed in the meeting, and the heavenly sweetness that filled the very air that I breathed. I want to say right here, that I have attended many large holiness camp meetings and conventions, but I never felt the power and glory that I felt in Azusa Street Mission, and when about twenty persons joined in singing the “Heavenly Chorus,” it was the most ravishing and unearthly music that ever fell on mortal ears. It seemed and still seems to me, I could not sing in that chorus. I know it came direct from heaven. I at once became an earnest seeker, and day after day, I went down before the Lord, and He was true to me. he showed me myself as He saw me. I can never forget the state of utter helplessness to which He reduced me. He even took away the spirit of prayer, my testimony was removed from me, I saw myself apart from Christ as it were, and it made me desperate. I can never forget the faithfulness of Sister Good, and others, in dealing with me. Next to God, I am indebted to them, dear faithful souls, laying down their lives for others; and all the reward they receive so far as I can see, was the plain clothing they wear and food they eat.
After I had been there a little over two weeks, devoting the entire time to seeking my Pentecost, on a Tuesday afternoon, when very much disheartened, suddenly the power of God descended upon me, and I went down under it. I have no language to describe what took place, but it was wonderful. It seemed to me that my body had suddenly become porous, and that a current of electricity was being turned on me from all sides; and for two hours I lay under His mighty power, and yet I knew I was not baptized yet, though I literally felt transparent, and a wonderful glory had come into my soul. Again on Thursday evening following, His power came over me, and I was prostrate on the floor for two hours, and still I knew I was not baptized, though I received a great spiritual uplift.
But on Friday evening, March 1, His mighty power came over me, until I jerked and quaked under it for about three hours. It was strange and wonderful and yet glorious. He worked my whole body, one section at a time, first my arms, then my limbs, then my body, then my head, then my face, then my chin, and finally at 1 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 2, after being under the power for three hours, He finished the work on my vocal organs, and spoke through me in unknown tongues. I arose, perfectly conscious outwardly and inwardly that I was fully baptized in the Holy Ghost, and the devil can never tempt me to doubt it. First I was conscious that a living Person had come into me, and that He possessed even my physical being, in a literal sense, in so much that He could at His will take hold of my vocal organs, and speak any language He chose through me. Then I had such power on me and in me as I never had before. And last but not least, I had a depth of love and sweetness in my soul that I had never even dreamed of before, and a holy calm possessed me, and a holy joy and peace, that is deep and sweet beyond anything I ever experienced before, even in the sanctified life. And O! such victory as He gives me all the time.
Almost three weeks have passed, and all this is with me, and is deepening all the time. My soul is melted over and over again, and many times I feel as if there were, and I believe there is a dynamo of power in me; there is nothing selfish about this, but it is fathomless, real, literal, blessed, grand. O that all the world would seek and find this wonderful gift of God! It is something that speaks for itself. I have not had to witness to the saints I have met for when they hear me speaking in tongues and praising the Lord, they just exclaim, “Brother Durham has got his Pentecost.” Glory to God!
After receiving the baptism, I remained a few days in the home of Bro. and sister Osterberg, to whom I am deeply indebted for their great kindness to me, and left for Colorado Springs March 6. Sunday the 10th, preached three times in the G.A.R. Hall to a crowded house, and the power of God was on the people. About fifty came to the altar, and several came through and spoke in tongues. I also spent two nights in Denver, preaching to large audiences, and full altars, and a number came through and spoke in tongues. From there I came to Des Moines, Iowa, and preached twice in Mrs. Judge Ladd’s Mission, which was crowded, and the altar was so full I could not get to all of the seekers to deal with them.
Saturday, March 16, I reached home, and found that the Lord had taken good care of my dear wife and baby during my absence, and Sunday, March 17, we had the largest attendance in the history of the Mission, and again the altar was so full, that it was hard to deal with the people. And so the work goes on, the Spirit falls like rain wherever I preach His word, and it seems there is no effort on my part. I will close my testimony by saying to all who read it: This work is of God, there is no doubt of that. And I would advise all my friends to seek the baptism in the Holy Ghost, till they get the evidence in tongues, for it always follows; I know of no exception.
Now just a word concerning Bro. Seymour, who is the leader of the movement under God: He is the meekest man I ever met. He walks and talks with God. His power is in his weakness. He seems to maintain a helpless dependence on God and is as simple-hearted as a little child, and at the same time is so filled with God that you feel the love and power every time you get near him.
-W.H. Durham.
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FOUND THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.
The Pentecostal blessing is truly a pearl of great price and worth all the seeking I did to obtain it. For over three weeks I sought, and over fifty times I arose from the altar to face the world, without my enduement of power. During the three weeks I spent in Oakland, I was at the altar at every call. After returning home, I continued to pray and seek.
When I heard that workers had come to Woodland, I was very anxious to get down. The dear Lord opened the way, so I spent one Sunday with them, again a seeker. But no, not yet. I came home, very happy, for I had received full assurance that I was wholly sanctified, perfectly free from sin. Glory to His name!
Then my sister went to Woodland and received her Pentecost the second night she attended the meeting. How happy we were to hear of it. I believe the Lord directed this to take the last spark of jealousy out of me, for I truly rejoiced with my sister. As soon as she came home, I wheeled a most wonderful filling the second night.
The dear Lord had much dross to burn up, before I could come out as a purified article, ready for service. For over an hour and a half, I lay under the power of God on the mission floor. There the blessed Jesus took away all pride and fear of the people. I simply obeyed the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Glory to God. It was no longer I but He. The power seemed to center in my hands, and I promised God I would obey Him in the future and lay hands on the sick, whenever and wherever He sent me.
Then, after I had pledged I would go with Him, came the tongues. They said I spoke four languages. O the love, joy, and peace that flooded my being as I arose from the floor. I was indeed a new creature. Praise Him.
That night, just before I went to sleep the Lord gave me a vision. It was of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, and the rainbow-encircled throne, just a part of that given in Revelation. Oh how beautiful; and what it means to me, I shall never forget. The blessed Lord is filling me as fast as I can bear it and not become puffed up.
Last Sunday I was given the proof that I had the gift of tongues. I spoke in several, and ever since then the tongues are there, just bubbling up like a spring of living water. At any time, I can speak, often keep talking while at work. How I praise Him for this gift. Now I am waiting for the gift of interpretation. The Holy Spirit has also given me power to write five foreign languages, one in Japanese. I am just resting in His hands as the Potter’s clay, ready to be molded for His highest service.-Maggie Geddis, Brooks, Cal.
________
You might as well send a thousand men to dam the Amazon river as to try to stop this Gospel. It is only foolishness to try to stop the mighty power of God.
THIS IS THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.
The Lord gave me a bright conversion when I was 15 years old. Soon after this, He gave me the Holy Spirit as my sanctifier, which I supposed was the baptism with the Holy Ghost. My father, being a highchurchman, opposed my new-found joy and my young, tender life found shelter in Mrs. Baxter’s home. She became a real mother to me. God led me graciously on and made my life fruitful in winning many souls to Christ. Later on, I was married to James Hebden, a successful contractor and efficient mission worker. Over two years ago, we came to Canada. Some searching trials awaited us here, but God proved sufficient. Early in the summer of 1906, we began to feel a lack of power, especially to heal the sick. We sought the Lord for power. Coming in one day sick in body, I asked husband to pray for me. He refused, saying, “It is no use as long as you run so much.” (I was very busy visiting for God). The Spirit said to me, “This is a call to prayer.” Thereafter, I gave myself to more earnest prayer, especially for “power from on high.”
We had just recently rented this building for the Lord’s work. I tolled very hard, scrubbing the stairways, etc., and retired quite weary about 11 o’clock. It was Saturday night. I had scarcely lain down when the Holy Spirit prompted me to arise and pray. I obeyed. Soon the power of god fell upon me. The Lord said, “Tongues?” I answered, “NO, Lord, not Tongues.” There was a pause, “Tongues?” And I replied, “Anything, Lord, Tongues or anything.” Instantly, the Spirit of God seized my hands, clasped them, shook them and pressed them deeply into my cheek, then rested them upon my shoulder. Here the power lifted having continued till after midnight. The next day the power fell upon me where it left off in the night and brandished my hands causing them to strike every part of my body down to my feet. In the afternoon, I went into the meeting below, (we lived on the second floor), and sat quietly by the organ, intending to say nothing of my new experience. However, I was not sitting long, till the Spirit fell upon me and moved me to exclaim loudly, “This is the power of the Holy Ghost; this is the day of Pentecost.” The people were greatly moved and melted to tears.
This same Sabbath evening, while lying on the couch, not expecting to attend the meeting, the Holy Ghost whispered, “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” Feeling led to go into he service, I went and sat on the front seat facing the speaker. I had scarcely sat down when the leader read, or quoted the scripture just cited. Immediately, the Holy Ghost fell upon me and shouted that same scripture through me with mighty super-human power, two or three times. Some who heard it said that it was not my voice at all, God seemed to take the meeting into His own hands, and His power fell on all present.
On Monday while alone, I began to sing. I said, “Is this tongues, Lord?” And at once He spoke through me some unknown language.
At night, I again declined going to the Bible reading. But suddenly the Holy Ghost seemed to lift me and carry me down to the service. The saints were just arising from prayer as I entered, when the Spirit spoke in power three times through me in a tongue and in English, “This is the power of the Holy Ghost; this is the day of Pentecost.” I disappeared as suddenly as I had appeared, leaving the people overwhelmed with the power of God.
Truly it is the real baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire as John Baptist foretold. There is an unspeakable joy in speaking in tongues and it brings deep solemnity and conviction on the people.
About the middle of this month (Feb., 1907), God gave me a greater measure of power and now I have “the gift of tongues.” I can speak and preach at will in three languages with great fluency any length of time. At first I find that I had tongues as a sign, now as one of the gifts. God also gives the interpretation as He wills. Oh, how humble we need to keep before the Lord so that He can manifest His mighty power.
About the middle of December my husband received his Pentecost and God is mightily working our midst.
Dear reader, let god have His way. How much that means! Blessed Jesus!
Yours in His precious name.-Mrs. James Hebden, 651 Queen East, Toronto, Canada.
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Bro. Paul says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself.” I tell you I would rather speak in tongues when I want to speak for my own edification. I would rather quit using my own tongue and speak in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. There is a power, a glory, bless God, that comes down from heaven that passes all understanding. No wonder the Corinthian church all wanted to speak at once. Paul says, “Let him pray that he may interpret.” Greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret.” So many prayed and received the interpretation.
________
On the day of Pentecost, they were immersed into the Holy Spirit. The Spirit “filled all the room where they were sitting.” It is one thing to be filled as a glass filled with water and another thing to be submerged as when you plunge the glass out of sight into the fountain.
REPORT FROM OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Alliance, Ohio, Jan. 22.
The battle is on and the devil is surely howling, but O how sweet Jesus keeps me in the midst of it all. We are en-route for Pittsburgh, Pa. Some of the Akron workers have gone and have great victories there or near there in Homestead, Pa., a suburban town. We have been invited to many of the Christian Missionary Alliance homes and Missions.
At Akron, Ohio, the meetings have been going on night and day since Dec. 5. People are coming from all around, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other places.
Rev. Lupton who is in charge of the work here is a Friends minister, a very holy, devoted man of God. He has a Missionary Training School or home built for the purpose of sending workers into the harvest, full-fledged Apostolic workers. The school had been going on for three years, and he had been teaching more than he had really experienced. Hearing of the work at Akron, he with eight or ten students came, accepted the teaching, tarried nine days, and received his Pentecost. He speaks in five different languages. Eight of the students and some others have also received the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
Bro. Lupton makes the proposition that we use the home here for a headquarters for the Middle States. I feel it is of God and a good thing, as the Akron work and this is one. They can go on street car from one place to the other. The home has 14 rooms, I think. In the upper room furnished for a classroom, many have received their Pentecost. The Akron paper, “Pentecostal Wonders” has been consolidated with Bro. Lupton’s paper, “The New Acts.” The home here is three miles out of the city of Alliance, God’s chosen spot where people can come from Cleveland, Akron, and Canton.
They have a large camp ground here, tents and everything to push out into the great battle for God. Many are fighting to the bitter end, but God is raising up precious workers to push the work. One young student got through last night in the basement fixing the furnace, putting in coal. I met him in the hall and he told how he had received the Holy Ghost in the cellar. We had a great time praising God.
Cleveland, Ohio, Mar. 1.-We are having great victory here. Have been here more than a week. The fire is falling. Many getting through. Nine received Pentecost this week. I came just for one day but God is holding me.
-Ivey Campbell,
Address 251 College St., E. Liverpool, Oh.
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ON THE WAY TO AFRICA.
Near Las Palmas, Africa, Jan. 4.
Our hearts rejoice in the omnipresent God this morning. We thank Him as never before. His loving presence is with us. He has prepared the way before us. We behold Him on our right and on our left. When in the United States, it did seem that we could not leave the hungry souls. They seemed to be crying out for the bread of life. In England we find the same thing. We could only touch here and there, but wherever we went, we found waiting souls. As some dear souls said in the Church of England, “We have been preached to and taught so much, but our souls are just longing to step over the line into freedom and perfect love.” One of their ministers said “We are altogether too formal, we need the power of the Holy Spirit.”
My heart was made to tremble the other day while talking with a brother. He said, the Welch revival has gone flat; the churches heard the music, felt the power, reached out, and tried to graft it on to their creeds and formalism and they have lost their power. It made me think of a story our dear Bishop Taylor used to tell us, about an old lady that wished to teach her sparrow to sing like her canary bird; so she confined them both together in a cage, and in a few days the canary had lost all its song, and could only chirp like the sparrow. Let this be as it may with the Welch revival, let the dear ones at Azusa street, take warning, keep under the Blood, keep to the Scripture, and let the God of love bruise Satan under your feet. Praise His Name, we are more than conquers through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.
The goodness of God has been manifested in so many ways to us while this great ship is plowing its way through the briny deep. he has given us a little corner in the extreme front of the ship on the upper deck, where a few of us meet together for the study of the Word and prayer. This is a wonderful spot. There is a goodness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea. After prayer this morning as I stood upon this extreme end of the boat looking east, west, north and south, and saw this placid water, with not a ruffle to disturb its peaceful bosom, it seemed as though we were standing in the midst of one immense circle, water as far as the eye could reach in every direction, and yet He holdeth the waves in the hollow of his hand, and this great God is love, and even the hairs of our head are numbered, and not a sparrow falleth to the ground without His notice, and He knoweth us all by name.
We believe that our coming to Africa will be blest to others.
We love you all and you are much in our prayers. We ask you all to pray for us that we may be faithful and humble unto death. We expect to see many of you from Azusa street in our field of labor. may the God of peace keep you all unto his appearing.-Samuel J. Mead, Lincoln Station, Caconda, Benguella, Africa.
GLORY!
What is glory? come tell me now,
Where can I go to find its hue;
What can I do, and tell me how
To understand what glory’s true?
Midst all the glory of the world,
There is a glory pure and clear,
‘Tis neither pomp nor power nor word,
But Jesus in my heart, so dear.
He is the Glory of my soul,
He is the Light of all my ways,
He is my Life and perfect whole,
My Glory now and all my days.
No other glory will you need,
Than Him in whom no night can dwell;
The angels chant and sing and plead,
No other glory can we tell.
Yes, Jesus is my Glory here;
Within, around, and all the way,
On earth, in heaven, always near;
Yes, He’s my Glory-joyous lay.
Dear saints of God in whom He dwells,
Be sure He has the right of way
In all we think or do or tell,
In all our heart and what we say.
Think not that Glory sure is won,
When we our selfish ways pursue,
for Glory rests in Him alone
To whom all things are due.
It is the lustre marks the star,
And heat and light the sun;
Although in heaven above so far,
Their glory through the earth doth run.
So Love eternal marks our God,
Uniting all His saints in one,
That Love, so known in Christ our Lord
Is just the very same in men.
One life, one heart, one mind,-the Word
Declares we here and now must be;
The Glory of all glories heard
In Christ is perfect unity.
-T. Hezmalhaich,
2341 Fletcher Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
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TRANSFORMED BY THE HOLY GHOST.
—
Publishers receive the Pentecost and it Transforms a Paper and Changes a Whole Movement.
The position of Live Coals has been completely changed. god unmistakably revealed to the editorial staff the unscripturalness of the views they entertained, and entire renunciation of the same took place.
Speaking in tongues as an evidence of Pentecost was stoutly opposed and rejected. The paper did not oppose the speaking in tongues as such, but to make a distinction between this and the gift of tongues * to be an unscriptural distinction to sustain a fanatical proposition. But when this distinction was seen, and that speaking in tongues evidenced Pentecost in every instance where it was given in the Bible, we all with one accord accepted that view and instantly fell into line with joy. Two of those working on the force have at this writing received the baptism, and the others are earnestly seeking, and it is hoped that they will have obtained their Pentecost ere this reaches the eye of the reader.
Henceforth the paper will be unqualifiedly committed to the truth that Pentecost is evidenced by speaking in tongues, and will forever defend it against all opponents of same, and will publish nothing contrary thereto.
All articles, contributions and testimonies in harmony with this view will be published, and all contrary thereto will be rejected. It will be purely a Pentecostal organ, and will be the breathing place for all who have the baptism of the Holy Ghost in Pentecostal reality.
All testimonies of those who do not have it but are seeking it will be published and all who have the baptism of the Holy Ghost may have free right to its columns from time to time.
Its name will be changed in harmony with its change of position, and will be called The Apostolic Evangel.
The paper will be kept free from all advertisements, as heretofore. We propose to issue a clean paper or none.
We desire all who have Pentecost to pray that it may be a Pentecostal organ indeed, and do all you can to make it so.-Apostolic Evangel, Royston, Ga.
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PENTECOST IN THE NORTH.
The last report from Portland, Oregon, was that eighty people had received the Pentecost and were speaking in tongues. Many sinners have been saved there. Many young men were saved, but the old were saved as well. One man of seventy-one years, a drunkard, came to the meeting. He said that night it seemed a sheet was let down before him filled with beautiful roses and a voice said to him, “Go back to that mission and you may have one of these roses.” He went back and got saved and sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost.
From 75 to 150 seekers were at the altar call, the audience was dismissed. The reporters wanted to stay, but of course could not. So they get a young man to go up to the altar and feign to be a seeker, so as to hear of the proceedings from him. He came and knelt with a bottle of whiskey in his pocket, and the result was he got saved and did not hunt up the reporters. He had wronged a man out of $20. He went out on the street and found him and brought him into the mission. The man was so interested he did not want to go home. He and his people were professed Christians but found they did not have anything. They sought the Lord and the whole family received their Pentecost.
Sister Florence Crawford has been home from Portland to Los Angeles for a time, coming by the way of Oakland and Santa Rosa. she returned north again March 19. She said of the work in Portland, “I could not describe the work in Portland. The crowds were driven away and the doors locked when the hall was packed. They fell screaming to the floor under the power of the preaching. God honored His Word with signs and wonders. They brought many sick and those possessed with demons from far and near and God healed them.
“At the close of the last service I was there, after the Lord had sent a wonderful message through Bro. Ryan, the seekers fell like dead men, sinners were saved, believers sanctified and baptized, and O how God did heal the sick.
“At Santa Rosa, at the first meeting, Sunday, the power fell before the meeting was half through. Two received Pentecost at the close of the meeting, two sanctified and two sinners saved. Five received Pentecost there. Nearly all the members of the Baptist Church came down. Some found they had never been converted and had to begin at the beginning and get saved and sanctified. Some of them received the baptism with the Holy Ghost.”-Florence Crawford, Home address, 149 E. Ave. 53, Los Angeles, Cal.
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A MINNESOTA PREACHER’S TESTIMONY.
Los Angeles, California.
March 5, 1907.
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, (Isaiah 43: 10-12.)
When in my 21st year, I was deeply convicted of my sins, and sought and found pardon of God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and I truly believed that His precious Blood had been applied to my soul, to the washing away of my sins. But like many others, I soon lost the bright evidence of my acceptance with God but did not entirely backslide or go back into sin, as I loved God’s people and took pleasure in attending meetings, where at times, the Lord would bless me. But in the year 1881, in a prayer meeting, the Lord clearly set me at liberty, and established me in the justified relation, in which state I continued for about a year, when the Lord gloriously sanctified my soul.
Since that time I have had many anointings of the Spirit, and like other holiness people thought that I had the baptism with the Holy Ghost. So when I came to the Azusa Street Mission, I was quite certain of three things, viz; that I already had received the baptism with the Holy Ghost; 2nd, that I could set these people right from a scriptural standpoint in regard to their views as to the speaking in tongues being the Bible evidence of having received the Holy Ghost; 3rd, I believed God would give me discernment of spirits to know whether this work was of God.
On Sunday, Feb. 10, I had the privilege of being seated in the midst of the assembly at Azusa Street Mission, near the preacher’s stand. As the meeting progressed, I became convinced that God was there in mighty power and that this is indeed the work of the Holy Spirit, and that this people had an experience in the Christian life that I had not attained to. It was not so much the speaking in tongues that convinced me, as the heavenly unction that rested upon many, as they testified, and as the Holy Ghost sang through them, to the edification of others, and I wish to confess that before the meeting closed I was hungry for God. The Lord let me see clearly that He had something more for me, and that He wanted me to tarry until endued with power from on high.
I commenced to go down before the Lord, the hunger increased from day to day and was intensified so that I cried out from the depths of my soul, in the language of scripture, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.” After about two weeks, earnestly seeking at the altar and in secret prayer, with other means as the Holy Spirit led, on Feb. 25, the Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost and fire, and spoke through me in an unknown tongue as the Spirit gave utterance. (the Bible evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost,) Acts 2:4; Mark 16:17; Acts 10:45, 46; 19:6.
Some may ask the question, What have you more than you had before you received your Pentecost? I have far greater liberty and Divine unction on me in dealing with souls, and there has come into my life an overflow of love and joy with a deep settled peace planted in the depths of my soul, a something that is inexpressible and indescribable. To God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost be all the praise and glory for ever.-H.L. Blake, Ruthton, Minn.
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Holy quietness does not mean to hold your mouth shut and not praise God. It means that the Spirit hushes all the flesh. The Lord is in His holy temple and let all flesh be silent before Him. This quietness will let the Spirit speak out in praises and shouts and song. It is holy quietness in heaven, when the praise is like the voice of “many waters” and “mighty thunderings.” (Rev. 19:6) We want this holy quietness all the time, so we will get used to heaven before we get there.
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When we are sanctified, we have the Holy Spirit witnessing that Christ is crowned and enthroned within. We have Him bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit; but when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, He comes in with His gifts.
HOLINESS BIBLE SCHOOL LEADER RECEIVES PENTECOST.
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Bro. Levi R. Lupton, Who Has a Bible School at Alliance, Ohio, Gives His Experience of Pentecost.
Sabbath, November 30th, was the day I had been looking for. For nine days and a number of nights I had been an ardent and untiring seeker, tarrying for my personal Pentecost, and each waiting day brought added hunger, and strengthened my conviction that I was on the right line, and that God was well pleased with the course pursued. Yet, I passed through some of the darkest conflicts with the devil that I had ever experienced. It was just in the act of crucifixion when the Son of God cried out with all the power of His being, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Beloved reader, when you get what I am talking about, you will have light on some things you never had before, and be in possession of what you hitherto have never had.
The service that night opened at 10 a.m. with from thirty to forty people present. We soon went to prayer. I once more with great earnestness, told God of my soul hunger, and how I wanted to be filled with the Holy Ghost, and, bless heaven forever, this time He gave ear, and I soon found myself on the floor under His gracious power, where I remained for nine hours. At this point I am very conscious that words fall in an attempt to describe what took place. In fact, I never expect to be able to tell much of what God did for me upon this occasion. My prayer upon this morning was one of consecrating my body as I had ever understood it before. Yes, my body. I took it member by member telling God I wanted Him to possess, to use it as never before. He took me at my word and really took possession, I then became perfectly helpless and for a season my entire body became cold, and I was unable to move even to the extent that I could not wink an eye for a short time.
Yet, I was perfectly conscious and restful in my soul and mind. After some three hours the power of God left my body except in my shoulders and arms, which remained stiff during the entire time I was upon the floor. After some four hours had passed, I began to speak in other tongues. The dear Lord had taken my jaws and vocal organs and moved them in His own peculiar manner, as was witnessed by many of those who stood by. In the meantime I was made to realize as I had never known anything about in the past, what it meant to be clay in the hands of the potter, and what others can never know experimentally, until they as absolutely submit themselves to God for the same purpose.
I have well grounded reason to believe that He took me and spoke through me in a number of different languages. I was given a number of messages to people in a personal way, and was permitted to interpret many things which I spoke. At this time I wish to have it well understood that I was not seeking the gift of tongues, but the gift of the Holy Ghost, holding myself open to receive any of the promised gifts, (Cor. 12:7-11) which He saw fit to bestow upon me, and it pleased Him to give me the gift of tongues. I say reverently that since then, I can speak at will in tongues, and yet I hold it as a sacred trust.
Furthermore, I wish to state that during the time I was under the power of God, I had other remarkable revelations which I am not now free to relate.
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WORK INCREASING.
This work seems to be increasing in power, despite all the efforts of self-appointed critics and antagonists. The writer has not a single doubt but that Brother Seymour has more power with God, and more power from God, than all his critics in and out of the city. His strength is in his conscious weakness, and lowliness before God; and, so long as he maintains this attitude, the power of God will, no doubt, continue to flow through him.
We tremble for some of our friends, who claim that God has revealed to them, that “this whole work is of the devil.”
We can not, dogmatically affirm that these persons have not received a revelation; but we are perfectly sure that such a revelation was not from God. The Almighty doth not pull down with one hand, what He buildeth up with the other. Satan is not in the rescue work; nor does he lead his followers to magnify the atoning blood of Christ, nor fill people with a desire and a passion for saving souls. We have never known Christ more magnified than in Azusa Mission. To ascribe this work to Satan, appears to us to be very much like ascribing the work of Christ, done in power of the Spirit, to Beelzebub. We tremble for all those who have made any such rash decision. May God in his great mercy help them to reverse such decision, and get to the place where he can give them the equivalent of what He is giving many in Azusa Street Mission.-A.S. Worrell in Gospel Witness.
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The Blood conquers all the forces of hell. After we get the power of the Holy Ghost on our souls, we need the Blood just as much, because the Blood brings life and sweetness. As long as we live under the Blood, we will have life and be preserved and the very sweetness of heaven will be sprinkled upon us, but the moment we get from under the Blood, we will be a different person altogether. You can tell when people are living under the Blood. There is sweetness, quietness, joy, happiness, rest, and all the fruits of the Spirit, but leave the Blood out and the works of the flesh are sure to manifest themselves.
TESTIMONIES OF HEALING.
“As I opened your letter and read it, there was such a wave of glory flooded my soul. As I laid the handkerchief on my forehead, I received such a clear witness that the work was done, also my husband got the witness. O how I praise God for the great Physician that can cure all manner of sickness.”-Viney McNail, Mt. Repose, Ohio.
“Received the handkerchief all right, and God sent two distinct waves of power over us. The lady had been recovering for some time and was helped by the laying on of the handkerchief. All glory be to God who does the work. She has taken no medicine, but is healed by faith. Hallelujah!”-S.A., Morrisburg, Ont.
A woman in Santa cruz was walking along the street with packages of drugs in her hands, which she had just purchased at the drug store, when she passed by the Apostolic Faith meeting and something said to her, “Go into that little mission and you will be healed.” They were praying for the sick. This sister had been greatly afflicted with rheumatism, but was instantly healed. She was sanctified and is seeking the baptism.
“dear ones in Christ:-I write to tell you that God healed me before the handkerchief got back to me. O praise His dear name forever.”-Mrs. A.L. Werhan, Box 175, Lamont, Okla.
A sister in Minneapolis was going to the hospital to have an operation performed which would cost $60. She says the Lord spoke to her and told her if she would send that money to Azusa Mission, He would heal her. She did so, asking that it might be used to send a Holy Ghost baptized worker there, and the Lord healed her. Thank God for the great Physician. She writes since then, “The Lord has baptized me with the Holy Ghost and with unknown tongues. I saw God with a crown on His head and cloven tongues of fire came on me, and I got under the power of God.”-Mrs. Ferman, 320 Cedar Ave., So., Minneapolis, Minn.
“We are rejoicing today over the clear demonstration of our God’s power. Just two weeks ago today, we were called to pray for a lady here who had been hopelessly insane for two months past. She was to be taken to the Asylum at Stockton on Monday, February 11th, but prayer was offered, hands laid on and our blessed God healed her. When the authorities came with the doctors to take her away, the insane spirit had gone out. She was clothed in her right mind. Praise God. The work was done before we got through praying. She told me today that the first she knew she was sick was to find my wife and myself praying for her. ‘O,’ said she, such a load was lifted from my heart. It seemed to me that something was there crushing my very life out of me, but your prayers lifted the load and it was gone and has never returned. O, praise God forever.” Wm. Davis, Sacramento, Cal.
“I want all of you to know how the Lord has cured me of an incurable disease of about eight years standing, and made me perfectly whole. Glory to God! He also gave me a discernment of spirits, till I could see the epileptic demons, demons that had been tormenting me so long. The Lord sent Sister Kennison from Redlands over to pray for me, and she came and we fasted and prayed for about four days. We had a hard fight with the devil, but thank the Lord, we at last got glorious victory. The Lord also healed my eyes after wearing glasses for over four years, and I find no use for them any more. Praise the Lord! I have been prayed for many a time before, but it always came back. I did not believe in this Pentecostal experience and fought against it, but just as soon as I sought and found it, I had them pray with me and was healed. Now I am just waiting on the Lord and expecting Him to lead me. On land or sea, no matter where, Where Jesus is, ’tis heaven there.”-Margaret Gill, 822 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, Cal.
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HEALING.
Jesus still heals today. We read in James 5. 13, the duty of every sick child of God in the body of Christ. Let us read His Word: “Is any among you afflicted, let him pray.” Praise God! Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.” But many precious children of God today, instead of praying, commence grieving. But God’s word says, “Let him pray.” And if we obey His Word, He will heal us. We read in Ps. 107. 20, “He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their distresses.” We read again in Prov. 4. 20, “My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings.” Jesus is speaking through the power of the Holy Ghost through Bro. Soloman to every believer to keep His precious Word. “Let them not depart from thine eyes, keep them in the midst of thine heart; for they are life unto those that find Him and health to all their flesh,” (the margin says medicine.)
We read in Ex. 16. 26, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Jesus said in John 3. 14, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Dear beloved, we see in receiving the words of Jesus, it brings not only life to our souls and spirits but to these physical bodies. For His words are medicine to our bodies through faith. “Praise God!” We find all the apostles believed in healing of the body and practiced it, for that was a part of their commission, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” We read in Matt. 10, 1, “And when He had called unto Him His disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease,” in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, these things should be done. We read in the 6th verse of the same chapter, “And as ye go preach, saying The kingdom of heaven is at hand; heal the sick; cleanse the lepers; raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.”
Dear beloved, we must obey God. We find that the apostles taught and preached the whole doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We read in Acts 9, 33, “And Peter found a certain man named Aeneas which had kept his be eight years, and was sick of a palsy. And Peter said unto him, ‘Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. Rise and make they bed.’ And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him and turned unto the Lord.” Praise our God.
Dear beloved, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. On the 18th of this month, there was a woman healed in the upper room of the Azusa Mission that was paralyzed in her whole right side. She could not move her hand or foot. But in five or ten minutes after prayers were offered for her, we asked her to rise and walk, and the power of god went through her and she arose and walked. Now she can walk just as well as ever and use her hand. Praise God! Hallelujah!
“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring that they would not delay to come to them. And Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping (crying) and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.”
See this body of saints standing around the corpse, weeping because their loved one had departed. But O to see their faith so perfected in the Gospel that they believed that Peter had the gift of faith even to do the same work that his Master did at the grave of Lazarus. O dear saints, we have so much in this precious Gospel-not only is there power to save from sin, power to heal our bodies, and power to baptize us with the Holy Ghost, but it has power to raise us from the dead. Glory to God! When Martha met Jesus and said unto Him, “If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (Jno. 11:22) she expressed her faith in these words, “But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” When Jesus saw her faith, after she had spoken these words, He said unto her, “Thy brother shall rise again.” So these precious widows that stood by Dorcas’ body had the same faith perfected in them. As Peter had been with the Lord Jesus in the great healing meetings and even in the homes where He had raised the dead, they believed and had the faith that Dorcas would be raised from the dead. Praise our God! For they believed the commission that the Lord Jesus had given, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers.” And they taught and practiced everything to the letter.
Dear loved ones, we must come up to the standard. May we not stop, but may we go on to perfection, until we do reach the standard of the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth it. Praise our God! Hallelujah!
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There is nothing sweeter, higher or holler in this world than sanctification. The baptism with the Holy Ghost is the gift of power upon the sanctified soul, giving power to preach the Gospel of Christ and power to go to the stake. It seals you unto the day of redemption, that you may be ready to meet the Lord Jesus at midnight or any time, because you have oil in your vessel with your lamp. You are partaker of the Holy Ghost in the Pentecostal baptism, just as you were partaker of the Lord Jesus Christ in sanctification. You become partaker of the eternal Spirit of God in the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Jesus was a God before He received the baptism, sanctified and sent into the world, but yet He could not go on His great mission, fighting against the combined forces of hell, until He received the baptism with the Holy Ghost. If He needed it, how much more we as His servants ought to get the same thing.
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“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord.” The Spirit has prayed for us that we might have sanctified bodies, so we should expect to have pure bodies until Jesus comes, that the holiness of God might be flowing out of us more perfectly than ever before. If Christ’s bride, His body, were a mass of disease, it would look as if He had gone out of business and we would have to get the doctors to help Him out. But we do not need a doctor to help Christ heal His body. We have just as much right to honor the stripes of Jesus as we have to honor His Blood on the cross. “With His stripes ye are healed.” This is a blessed salvation that gives us a body pure from disease, that we may be a perfect monument of His truth and witness to the healing and sanctification of our body, soul, and spirit. Oh the blessed atonement brings so much with it.
SIGNS OF HIS COMING.
The question has been asked, How do we know as to the soon coming of the Lord, and what are the signs of His coming?
We read in Matthew 24 where the disciples asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?” And Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Christ’; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” These things first must come upon all nations. They surely are the true signs of the coming of our Lord Jesus. Praise His holy name!
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; ye shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” How true that is. We find because of iniquity, men and women gradually lose their first love; next they fall away; third, they crucify Christ, and fourth, they put Him to an open shame. O may God help us to see that we are living in the fulfillment of the signs of the time. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Jesus went on to say, “And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” He also said, in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.” So when we see these things coming to pass; wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, we know that they are signs of His coming.
We also read in Daniel 12:4, that in the last days, “Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.” We find now a spirit of restlessness among the nations and among the people everywhere. Running to and fro on railroad trains and on ships, moving from one place to another. Also we see the wonderful discoveries and inventions, the electric cars harnessed to electricity and running with great speed, the telegraph, telephone, and wireless telegraphy, by which messages are carried at lightning speed all over the world.
In Nahum, 2: 3-4, we read of the day of His preparation: “The chariots shall be with flaming torches, in the day of His preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways; they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lightnings.” In these days, we have trains running from 60 to 90 miles an hour, and as they pass, they shake the very ground, and the trees even bow to the trains as they pass. Also we see Nahum’s prophecy fulfilled in the automobiles which are seen in all our cities. They are the chariots that rage in the streets and jostle one against another in the broad ways. They run with bright lights “like torches” at night, and with the power of electricity which is that of “lightnings.” So we see the prophecy written thousands of years ago by the prophet is now fulfilled, and it tells us that this is the day of His preparation. May God help us to see that the coming of our Lord draweth nigh.
Jesus also gave us a sign of His coming in the parable of the fig tree, Luke 21:29-32, “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is not nigh at hand. So likewise, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily, I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled.” Jesus, in speaking of the fig tree putting forth its bud, is speaking concerning the Jews, for they were god’s fig tree that was planted in His vineyard. We read in Mar. 11, “And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon. And when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet And Jesus answered and said, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever.” This cursing of the fig tree was a type of the rejection of the Jews, because they rejected Christ. so they were to bring forth no fruit until the Gentile age should be fulfilled. We are living now in the closing of the Gentile age. The Jews shall again bring forth fruit as God’s people, His fig tree. We can see now the signs of the budding of the fig tree. Jesus said, in Matt. 24, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise, ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near even at the doors,” that is, know that His coming is near. We find that the Jews, of whom He was speaking, should bud out again, and when they commenced to bud, it would be a sign of His coming.
He says in Luke 21:32, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled.” What generation? The Jews. We find that they did not run out. They are the least mixed people upon the face of the earth. They have not passed away as a distinct people, and shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. His promises are true and sure. Hallelujah! We see the signs of new life in them, in their gathering back to Palestine, where they are now going by thousands, and may soon become a nation again. They have the means to purchase Palestine and are making all preparations to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. Also God is making their land which was cursed, to blossom as the rose and bring forth fruit abundantly. The rainfall has been restored to that country, and it has become very productive. So we are living in the days when the fig tree shoots forth, and Jesus told us we should know by this that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away.”
Another proof we find in the times of refreshing we are now having from the presence of the Lord. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19. We thank God for the refreshing times, the times of restitution, when God is restoring the church back to light and power and glory, and she is becoming a burning and shining light to this world again.
Bro. James says, “Be ye patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until ye receive the early and latter rain,” Jas. 5:7. The early rain that God sent was on the day of Pentecost, in the early morning of the apostolic age, which is the outpouring of the Spirit. And in these last days, He is sending the refreshing times, the latter rain, another Pentecost. Bless His holy name!
In Palestine, in order to raise crops, they needed two rains. When the ground was broken and the grain was planted, God sent the early rain that the crop might grow. He also sent the latter rain to bring it into perfection, that it might be ready for harvest. And now He is pouring out the latter rain upon the church, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. We are receiving the Pentecost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, and the wonders and signs are still following. Praise our God! Be ye also patient, brethren, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
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THERE IS SOMETHING IN THIS FOR JESUS.
As a holiness preacher, I believed as I interpreted the Scriptures, that I had been baptized with the Holy Ghost. But I found through the hearing of the Word and searching of the Scriptures that I had accepted sanctification and the anointing of the Spirit as the baptism with the Holy Ghost. And being brought to Los Angeles, Cal., by a mysterious providence by the hand of the Lord, I fell in the midst of God’s people at Azusa Street Mission. I saw the real and I saw the counterfeit, the wheat and chaff. I said to the Lord, I do not see any glory in this for You. And a voice came back to me saying, as long as you continue to see the lack in others, I cannot show you your lack. Then I took my Bible and went alone with the Lord, for I was sick of myself and did not want to hear the voice of anyone else but Jesus. And after staying with Him all night, I came into the meetings the next day and listened to the testimonies according to the Scriptures that I had read, and to those who were speaking in tongues. The voice of the Lord said to me, “There is something in this for Jesus.” I answered back, Well, Lord if there is anything in it for Jesus, I want all that is in it, for my life is of no pleasure to me save for His glory, When I did that, I rose up and went to the altar, and humbled myself at the feet of those whom the Lord seemed to have so miraculously dealt with.
And when I had given up my mind and all I thought I knew about sanctification and the baptism with the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit marvelously manifested Christ to me as I had never experienced before. In this peculiar manifestation, I found myself singing, “The Comforter has come” in unknown tongues. Then Christ was manifested to me on the cross; after which He carried me again to the Scriptures to confirm in me the witness of the Holy Ghost, Mark 16.16, 17. The Spirit showed me that the Bible is the mind of God. He had written His thoughts and left them upon record, and we should not think contrary to His thoughts. I accepted it, and knew that the tongue in which I spoke was the evidence of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Acts. 2. 4; 10. 46; I Cor. 12.10.-J. Jeter, Home. address 3101 Wolf St., Little Rock, Ark.
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The real Pentecost that has been hidden for all these centuries, the Lord is giving back to earth through some real humble people that have no better sense than to believe God. But many are like Nicodemus saying, “How can these things be?” But you cannot reason it out, you must believe God. Man is born with his back toward God, and the only way to get right is to be born of the Spirit through the Blood of Calvary. Then after we are sanctified and made pure, Father has not only the fruits of the Spirit but some precious gifts, presents for us. Many do not know that Father has gifts for His people. They are selling out their birthright. Now when the Lord comes in and sanctifies us, He breathes into us a faith that beats the devil. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith.” If you have this faith, you can claim every promise of God, every foot of land in Christ Jesus. May God help us to contend for every foot of land, every height and depth in His love.
THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
Dear one in Christ who are seeking the baptism with the Holy Ghost; do not seek for tongues but for the promise of the Father, and pray for the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and God will throw in the tongues according to Acts 2. 4.
We read in Acts 1. 4, 5, “And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He , ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
This promise of the Father was preached unto the disciples by John the Baptist. And Jesus reminded the disciples about this baptism that John had preached to them in life. In England we find the same thing. Math. 3, 11. John, after warning the Jews and Pharisees against sin and hypocrisy, preached the doctrine of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. He said first, “Bring forth therefore, fruits meet for repentance.” God is sending our His precious ministers to preach repentance to the people and turn them from their sins and cause them to make restitution according to their ability, and to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Glory to God!
And then they must get sanctified through the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, for He says in John 17. 14-19, “I pray not that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” God wants His people to be sanctified, because He says again in Heb. 13. 12, “Wherefore Jesus also that He might sanctify the people with His own Blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”
Then Jesus taught the disciples to tarry at Jerusalem. They obeyed Him and waited for the promise of the Father. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2, 1-4.
Wind is always typical of the Spirit or of life. “And it filled all the house where they were sitting.” The rivers of salvation had come and had filled the whole place, and they all were immersed or baptized in the Holy Spirit. Praise God!
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire.” Beloved, when we receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, we surely will speak in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We are not seeking for tongues, but we are seeking the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. And when we receive it, we shall be so filled with the Holy Ghost, that He Himself will speak in the power of the Spirit.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Now, beloved, do not be too concerned about your speaking in tongues, but let the Holy Ghost give you utterance, and it will come just as freely as the air we breathe. It is nothing worked up, but it comes from the heart. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.” So when the Holy Ghost life comes in, the mouth opens, through the power of the Spirit in the heart. Glory to God!
“There were, dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, ‘Behold, are not all these which speak, Gallileans. And how hear we every man speak in our own tongue wherein we were born?” Acts. 2. 5-8.
Beloved, if you do not know the language that you speak, do not puzzle yourself about it, for the Lord did not promise us He would tell us what language we were speaking, but He promised us the interpretation of what we speak.
In seeking the baptism, first get a clear, definite witness in your soul that you have the abiding Christ within. Then there will be no trouble in receiving the Pentecostal baptism, through faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for it is a free gift that comes without repentance. Bless His holy name!-W.J.S.
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TENNESSEE EVANGELIST WITNESSES.
“These signs shall follow them that believe.” In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark. 16. 17, 18.
I had a false interpretation in my heart concerning the speaking in tongues. I did not take it literally as I did, “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” For years God had given me the knowledge of healing, and He had marvelously wrought with me and many cases of disease had been delivered. I interpreted the speaking in tongues to mean that we left off blaspheming, etc. But when I got to the place where, hungering and thirsting for God, I consented to His Word, I saw that we did not need that interpretation, that the only reason we were not enjoying the speaking in tongues was because we did not accept it. Then I felt I had gone to the end of myself. I had the care of a pastor over many flocks far and near and yet was so hungry and thirsty. The Lord showed me the humility of Jesus. How He came and presented Himself for baptism with the rest. I saw that I should not be above my Master. If He needed the Holy Ghost, I needed it to do the will of God, and Jesus would give me a better consolation to my own heart.
In order to loosen my hands from everything, the Lord showed me how Moses was concerned about Jethro’s sheep in the dessert. He saw the bush of fire and God got His attention and got him on the ground where he could speak to Him. He showed me how the disciples forsook their nets, and even when they had received their commission, He stopped them to tarry at Jerusalem that they might receive the promise.
I had a great desire in my heart to come to Los Angeles. I had preached the Pentecost to my people and they were hungry for it. When I came, it was not strange to me for the Lord had showed it to me in a vision. I went to the altar and the Lord put a parable before me, if you were going to marry, would you be sad? I said, no, when I was going to be married, I was glad. He then showed me this was wedlock to Christ. If there was anything imperfect about me, He would make it right and marry me anyway. Then my faith was settled and laid firmly hold on the promise.
As I arose from the altar and took my seat, I fixed my eyes on Jesus, and the Holy Ghost took charge of me. I surrendered perfectly to Him and consented to Him. Then I began singing a song in unknown tongues, and it was the sweetest thing to have Him sing that song through me. He had complete charge of me. I let Him have my mouth and everything. After that it seemed I was standing at the cross and heard Him as He groaned, the dying groans of Jesus, and I groaned. It was not my voice but the voice of my Beloved that I heard in me. When He got through with that, He started the singing again in unknown tongues. When the singing stopped I felt that complete death, it was my life going out, but it was a complete death to me. When He had finished this, I let Him hold my hands up, and they rested just as easily up as down. Then He turned on the joy of it. He began to lift me up. I was passive in His hands, I was not going to do a thing. I could hear the people but did not let anything bother me. It came to me, “I charge thee, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up nor awake my Beloved until He please.” S.S. 8, 4. He lifted me to my feet and then the light of heaven fell upon me and burst into me filling me. Then God took charge of my tongue and I went to preaching in tongues. I could not change my tongue. The glory of God filled the temple. The gestures of my hands and movements of my body were His. O it was marvelous and I thank God for giving it to me in His way. Such an indescribable peace and quietness went all through my flesh and into my very brain and has been there ever since.-C.H. Mason, 609 Stephens Ave., Memphis, Tenn.
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MESSAGES IN TONGUES INTERPRETED.
“The Spirit comes in mighty power upon His people. Look up unto Jesus now and receive from Him. O Jesus is my Almighty King. Look up into the face of Jesus and see this great Savior. He is more than all the world to me. Jesus is altogether lovely. Glory and honor crown Him. Be in adoration unto this wonderful Savior.”
“They that sat in darkness saw great light, and to them that sat in the valley of the shadow of death, a light is sprung up. Jesus is the same today as He was in old times. He will heal the body, cleanse from sin, and give the baptism with the Holy Ghost. He leads on to a life of light. There is freedom for all who would escape the power of the enemy. Seek Him now. O come. God came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. He has redeemed us by His own precious Blood.”
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PRESERVED AND SEALED.
The Blood of Jesus Christ sweetens a person. We cannot have much confidence in a religion that does not keep a person sweet. If there is jealousy or any of the works of the flesh manifest the devil must have slipped in. This salvation sweetens, seasons, and preserves you. You know to preserve a thing means to keep it. In order to preserve milk, you must wash the vessel and sometimes sun it. Then it is fit to fill with the sweet milk, and when you want a drink you go into the pantry and pour it out, and O how good it is.
So the Lord cleanses the vessels and makes them sweet and clean. Then He fills them with His holy love that keeps them saved and sanctified. He could not put it into a dirty vessel. The Lord has cleansed vessels, and your soul is the vessel. He cleanses from all unrighteousness and afterwards pours in oil. And when He fills you up with oil, then He sends you out to proclaim His precious Word. This oil keeps us pure and sweet and preserved. He also seals you with the Holy Spirit of God unto the day of Redemption. Eph. 4. 30. He seals you to keep anything from getting in that would sour or embitter. When we obey the Word of God, then no sin can enter, for the Blood preserves us and Christ is enthroned within. The devil is on the outside. Christ always His scepter of righteousness and true holiness, and keeps the place clean.
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The Lord pours out the Holy Ghost upon our souls to give us power to lift up a risen Savior.
WHAT THE PENTECOST DID FOR ONE FAMILY.
Eight years ago, I was shown that there was more than justification and sanctification for us; there was a power the disciples had that I must have. Being placed in the position I was, as superintendent of home and foreign missions in Winnipeg, Canada, a city of a hundred thousand, I certainly felt my lack of power. I was called of God to give up my business, worth at least five or six thousand a year to me. The Lord had for me more than I then possessed; I got to the point where I must have all God had for me.
Just as I decided to take charge of a church and circuit offered me, the Lord spoke to me and said, “You must go to Los Angeles and take all your family.” Afterward He spoke to my dear wife and said, “Get ready and go with your husband.” Just before leaving for Los Angeles on the train, a friend passed me a copy of the Apostolic Faith. I was much interested and was determined to see for myself, but with the thought that this speaking in tongues was of the devil and I was going to do all in my power to stamp it out. After a trip of nearly 3500 miles, we arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday morning, Nov. 29. I left my family at a hotel and proceeded with my son on a search for Azusa Mission. After I was there a short time, a lady got up and testified, and the power of God fell on her and she began to tremble. I had seen enough of God’s work in my experience to know when He was working. I at once left my seat, and went over and stood beside her. Of course I showed myself as a spy, but did not mind that as I had promised several of God’s people before leaving Manitoba that I would make a report of this work and let them know if it was of God or the devil. Well, glory to God, after this sister trembled for a few minutes, she started to speak in an unknown tongue to me, and to my surprise, after she had uttered a few sentences, she spoke in English, giving the interpretation of what she said. And the Spirit at once changed her tongue back again to the unknown tongue. Thus she spoke and translated quite a while. Glory to God for the convincing power.
My son and I then left the room, and as we went out he said, “Well, papa, what do you think of it?” I said, “I do not know, but this I do know, the power is in that place and God’s Spirit had hold of that woman.”
My wife and I attended the meetings and it was not long till we got real hungry for the glorious gift that God has for us, His people. Now, as there is quite a bit of Scotch in me, I must be thoroughly convinced before I will give in. Knowing part of different Indian languages and trading dialects used throughout Canada, I said, “Now God, if you want to convince me that this if of you, just let some of the Christians speak in a tongue that I understand.” Glory to His name. I thought He would take someone that I did not know and then I would have to find out whether they had ever been up there; but instead of that He took a young lady from the same place I came from, and put her under the power, gave her the Pentecostal gift and made her sing an Indian song that I had known since I was a boy, and I knew that she never was closer than 1,200 miles from the Indians, and had never been taught by anyone. She then changed into another unknown tongue, which afterwards proved to be the Armenian language. After speaking for a few moments in this tongue, she drew my attention by signs, as her English was gone, to an Armenian man near by who was greatly interested in what she was saying. I stepped over to him and asked him if he understood what she was saying. He replied, “I no speak your tongue, but that lady speak my tongue and talk to me about Jesus.” The perspiration broke out upon the man like beads, and he commenced to tremble; and this was the means of his conversion. Glory to God, this is what tongues are doing.
I asked the Lord then to convince my wife and give it to her, if it was for me. And it was not long till she got in earnest about the matter and God got her to the end of herself, and opened heaven, and let the promised gift fall, and she began to speak in unknown tongues. I thought I never saw her so happy, and glory to God, she is still happy.
This made me very hungry and I was determined to have it, so I went in with all my might. But to my surprise I found I was not nearly as high up the mount as I thought. I found out I did not posses the experience of sanctification, and was a long ways from living the sanctified life, in God’s sight. While looking on the lives of others that professed it, I justified myself in thinking I compared with their experience, but this was not what God wanted. I had to be pure and clean in His sight. With the help of kind friends, the love of God, and one dear saint who interceded for me thirteen hours prostrate on the floor, I was brought to the knowledge that I had my family between me and God and thought more of them than of Him, as well as having many other things in the way which the ordinary sanctified person may not think amounts to much. Now as I got all of self and the rest of the rubbish out of my heart, God gave me the witness to my entire satisfaction. I knew I had a clean heart. Glory to God. Hallelujah to His name. Are you there, reader? If not, dig down till the old Adam nature and roots of bitterness are out of the way. Then He will breathe on you and you shall receive the Holy Ghost.
I tarried and prayed and in about nine days, He baptized me with the Holy Ghost and gave me the Bible evidence of speaking and singing in tongues. Upwards of half an hour my language was taken from me and God used me as He saw fit.
More than that, since I came here, the Lord took my little girl, just eleven years old, saved, sanctified, and baptized her with the Holy Ghost and she is now speaking in six or seven different languages, two of which have been interpreted, Spanish and Latin. The other day while she gave her testimony in the Azusa Mission, the Spirit spoke through her in a plain, distinct Latin tongue. At the same time, she raised her hand and pointed with her finger straight at a stranger, and called him by his own name, and told him to go downstairs in the big meeting and tell his experience, and go out and preach the Gospel of Christ. Now this was an educated man who had been preaching infidelity for 19 years and had spoken to as many as 7,000 people in one meeting, who had paid 50 cents each to hear him. He was simply all broken up and went downstairs, taking the child with him. He told his story, saying, “This child preached to me, and of all the sermons I ever heard this was the most powerful.” He declared he was willing to go and preach Jesus, got down on his knees and began to seek God.
Yet people will say, “What is the use of the tongue?” This is one instance, I have attended those meetings for nearly three months, and during that time there has been scarcely a day that something has not happened through interpretation of tongues or someone being present who understood what had been said, which brought conviction on someone and started them to seeking God.
Still more, the Lord has taken hold of my eldest boy, sixteen years of age, who was a wayward boy and was fighting hard against the evidence of tongues; saved him, sanctified him and baptized him with the Holy Ghost, and spoke through him in unknown tongues, and called him to preach the Gospel. Glory to God. Thanks be to His holy name for what He has done for me and my family since I came down here. I do not know how to praise Him enough.-R.J. Scott, Supt. Home and Foreign Missions, Winnipeg.
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A HOLINESS PREACHER WHO RECEIVED PENTECOST.
422 Citizen’s National Bank Bldg.,
Los Angeles, Cal.
I know when I really repented of my sins and turned away from them that God did for Christ’s sake forgive me. He gave me the blessed evidence that the work was done. “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren,” and “if any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” He has a new life implanted in his heart. God gives us all the evidence we need for every thing He does for us.
After I was really converted to God, and wonderfully blessed of the Lord, I heard the Holiness people teaching that the Lord would sanctify our souls, but I did not see how it was that the Lord did not sanctify us when we were converted. So, I went to studying the Word of god, and soon found that I did not get sanctified when I was converted. Not only by reading the Word, but from the testimonies of others that had the experience. But you know, Satan was on hand to tell me that I could grow into it, so I tried to grow into the experience, and made a complete failure of it. But when I made a complete sacrifice to God-all on the altar-bless God, He really did sanctify my soul, and gave me the real evidence; the witness of the Holy Ghost that the work was done, and the carnal mind was destroyed; and, Oh, what a sweet peace did flood my soul. I was wonderfully anointed time and again for the work of the Lord, and when I heard of the baptism with the Holy Ghost that some claimed they had received since they were sanctified, I said they never had been sanctified, or they would know better. But I went down to investigate the matter. And when I first went to Azusa Mission, I heard Brother Seymour preach the Word. He said that the disciples were sanctified before the day of Pentecost, and of course, I could not swallow that, because that was not in harmony with the rules and teachings of the Holiness church of which I was a member. He told us to search the Word, and so I began to do this, and the Word made it clear to my mind that his statement was true, and I became hungry for more of God. But the tongue business was a hard problem for me, and I took the 2nd chapter of Acts, and tried to harmonize my sanctified experience with the experience the people got on the day of Pentecost, but I could not get them to harmonize so I came to the conclusion that they got something that I did not get. I then began to tarry and pray night and day, and did not stop until I was wonderfully baptized with the Holy Ghost, and He gave me the blessed evidence which always follows, which is the speaking in tongues.
The Holy Ghost has spoken five different languages through me since I got my Pentecost, some of which has been interpreted. I am glad the Lord knows all the languages of the nations.-W.A. Love.
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The Lord gave us on the Day of Pentecost, (Acts 2-4), a real experience of a personal Pentecost, and that standard should be kept up till He comes.
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One token of the Lord’s coming is that He is melting all races and nations together, and they are filled with the power and glory of God. He is baptizing by one spirit into one body and making up a people that will be ready to meet Him when He comes.
PENTECOSTAL TESTIMONIES.
“I am so glad to say that I have received my Pentecost and speak and sing in other tongues, as the Spirit gives me utterance.” -Bro. C.G. Carr, Dunn, N.C.
“I went to Azusa Mission to make fun, but a little girl about eight years old got up and testified to the saving power of Jesus, and while she spoke, the Holy Ghost convicted me of my sins. I went to the altar and cried out to the Lord to save me from sin. Now I can witness His saving power and His cleansing power and His keeping power. O how I praise Him for saving, cleansing and baptizing me with the Holy Ghost. He has given me six languages. Now God has called me out into His work and O how I delight in His service.”-Mack E. Jonas, Long Beach, Cal.
“For 26 years I have been trying to live a good Christian in a justified life, but at heart I was never satisfied. My soul cried out for something. I heard of a tent meeting where there was strange preaching, Apostolic Faith. I was led to that meeting by some unseen power. I read my Bible and found that this was the true doctrine of the Bible. Then I went forward to seek the Lord with all my heart to be sanctified. After seeking for seven days, the Lord for Jesus sake sanctified me. I sought six days longer for my Pentecost, praise God, and now speak in tongues. Mobile is being stirred up. We give God the glory for this wonderful salvation.”-Julia Jenkins, 2 Hurcules St., Mobile, Ala.
“Thank God for deliverance from all sin, through the precious Blood. I had been sanctified and anointed with the Holy Ghost years ago. Have been ten years in His work. When I came to Azusa Mission, I went in for the baptism with the Holy Ghost immediately. Had some digging to do, but the Lord met me. I was filled with the Holy Ghost many times and was shaken many times by the power of God. But when I became a little child, clay in His hands, He baptized me with the Holy Ghost. At first He spoke just a few words through me. But recently He spoke different languages and sang songs in unknown tongues. Just lately the Lord healed me of quite a severe sickness. He has given me better health than ever, for which I thank Him. O, it was so sweet to have Him talk and sing through me when I was sick, during the night seasons. Sometimes I sang for hours and in a new voice and it did not tire me. He also interpreted. He said, “Jesus is coming.” It rejoiced me so much, and then He sang a song right from heaven about His coming. O, praise God for the privilege of being in His work here.”-Clara E. Lum, Apostolic Faith Office, 312 Azusa St., Los Angeles.
“I have entered into the deeper experience. Have received the speaking, singing, and reciting poetry in a number of languages, with power to use one or two at will in public services or with private persons when the Lord leads. I first entered into this way of blessing on the 21st of January at Homestead, Pa. Have been many times there and elsewhere wonderfully exercised in these things under the power of God, each time receiving something new, with love and all the fruits of the Spirit increased, and adoration to Jesus intermingled. My daughter also received her Pentecost in our church, singing and speaking in a tongue. Since receiving the experience, I have been on the go, preaching and taking part in some meeting nearly every night till very late, a thing impossible for me in the physical before. Great work going on all through this section. With great gratitude of heart, I praise God for His goodness to me and others in my church. I meet with no expressed opposition from persons in my church, for which I am very thankful.”-J.T. Boddy, (pastor Pentecostal Church), Cambridge, Ohio.
(The brother who writes the above publishes a paper, the “Full Gospel” at Cambridge, Ohio. It is a free, Pentecostal paper. We just received it as this goes to press.)
Beloved, I was saved about 17 months ago from a wretched life. When I called on God, He heard my prayer and saved me instantly. What convinced me of the reality in salvation, was the peace that came into my heart. The desire for opiates went out immediately, and I was cured of the drug habit. The Lord has also healed many others of the drug habit. And God has healed my body, after being afflicted over six and a half years. When all physicians failed, the Man Christ Jesus healed me. The devil had me bound hand and foot for years. Thinking myself wise, I became foolish. but, beloved, God sent His transforming power through the Blood of Jesus and burst all the shackles, and shook off the handcuffs of hell, and today I am a free man in Christ Jesus. Then He sanctified me wholly and gave me a clean heart. Then He baptized me with the Holy Ghost on Jan. 22, at Azusa Mission. Dear ones, all I live for is Christ. I sold out, body, soul, and spirit to Him. My desire is to point souls to the bleeding Lamb of Calvary that takes away the sin of the world. The Holy Ghost, the third person of the Trinity, speaks through me in the languages of the nations whenever He chooses. And He is now engaged in pulling the rope which rings the joybells of heaven in my heart. And there is a revival going on in my soul continually, and the choir is singing and praising God in the unknown tongues. The Holy Ghost is the leader and is well qualified. He came from the college in heaven. Beloved, it is no more I but Christ. To Him be all the glory.”-Tom Anderson, 312 Azusa St., Los Angeles.
“When I heard of the Holy Ghost movement, I did not think it was for me. Still there was such a hunger for more of God. One evening at our mission prayer meeting I became all broken up, and falling on my knees called upon God and received an anointing, and after that I received a touch of the power in almost every meeting, until the time when I was fully baptized with the Holy Ghost. O praise His Holy name. I have just begun to live. We can never be perfect in the sight of the world but we can in the sight of God. Praise Him. It is heaven below my Savior to know. It is heaven to go to heaven in.”-Nellie Burnwell, Benton Harbor, Mich.
“Dear Saints, how I praise the Lord for the way He saved and sanctified my soul and baptized me with the Holy Ghost. And He has wonderfully healed my body. When this movement began, I could not see that it was of God, but how I praise Him for leading me out into the blessed sunlight. I have the baptism with the Holy Ghost and speak with tongues.”-Phoebe Conaway, Long Beach, Cal.
“Dear Brethren: Your second package of the Apostolic Faith came safe to hand. I have sent them from Virginia to Florida and across the Atlantic. I sent out to Rev. S.T. Lee, Key West, Fla. He got his Pentecost, and they are doing a noble work among the holiness people. They talk, sing, and pray in an unknown tongue. Among the prettiest songs I ever heard was sung by a sister in Spanish. I heard two boys sing the same song in Spanish. I praise the Lord for the work that is going on. Christians are shouting, devils howling, and hypocrites growling, so let the papers come. I have not received my Pentecost yet, but my wife, daughter and son-in-law have, and I am still tarrying for it.”-W.A. Heath, Wallace, N.C.
“I received the Holy Ghost in San Jose, in November, and came to Kelseyville, in December. And when I received the January paper and read what the Lord was doing in other places, the power of God came on me mightily. I was alone and was lifted to my feet and stood on tiptoe with both arms extended above my head, and began to speak in tongues and to interpret, which I never had done before except a very little. Since I came here, one lady has received the Holy Ghost with a tongue, also the gift of writing some unknown language and the deaf mute signs. Another lady came from Healdsburg and has also received the Holy Ghost with a tongue, also the gift of writing some unknown language and the deaf mute signs. Another lady came from Healdsburg and has also received the baptism and the Chinese tongue. Still another who received the Holy Ghost in Oakland and the Chinese tongue, is here. She expects to go to China as soon as the Lord opens up the way. Two are seeking and we have been holding some meetings in one of the churches. The Lord is blessing His work.”-Frances R. Townsend, Kelseyville, Cal.
“The Lord is doing wonderful things here in Chicago. Even the children are receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues. On the 21st of December in a little mission on Halsted St., the Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost at one o’clock in the night. I began to speak in tongues. There were many present at that time, and I went around shaking hands and speaking in tongues. O, the deep settled peace in my soul. And yet it seemed the Lord had more for me. On January 31, while attending a little cottage prayer meeting, the fire fell on me and there I was for about two hours and a half praying and singing in tongues. The Lord showed be a vision of heaven. The buildings looked as if they were inlaid with diamonds. I saw the people coming, and they came to one with authority sitting with a great book. He turned the leaves and passed the people through a very narrow way. And facing the great river I saw very many people who had not on the robe or righteousness. The Lord showed me that we as Christians should preach to them.”-Mrs. E.W. Sterling, 6132 Prarie Ave., Chicago.
“I first heard through the Way of Faith of this wonderful work. Then Bro. Cashwell went to you and got his Pentecost. He lives only seven miles from us. I never saw such a change in him and such a power in the meetings, I went to seeking the Holy Ghost. I’d been sanctified ten years and been preaching holiness nearly that time, and thought I had the Holy Ghost baptism, but God showed me that I’d stopped at great joy and the witness of the Holy Ghost; and I laid down my theory and went in for Pentecost and received it. Glory to God. I jerked so I shook the whole house, and my tongue fairly flew, saying something I knew not what. My wife, mother-in-law and another sister received it and speak in tongues in this county. We all got it at Dunn with scores of others. Sister Stewart sang nine songs at my house Saturday in an unknown tongue. We knew the tunes of three. All the rest were entirely new. My wife spoke and interpreted at the church Saturday a part of the 103rd Psalm and the rest an exhortation to sinners. Others are seeking.”-Your brother on the way to Glory, H.H. Goff, Benson, N.C.
“Oh, I than God, my dear Heavenly Father, for permitting me to live in this day and age. Hallelujah. Never in my life did I realize so much of the presence of my dear loving Savior. He is in His holy temple, and is saying to me, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Last night during the service while a little song was being sung by a young colored sister and the cross of Calvary was mentioned in the song, the Holy Spirit began to speak through another sister sitting next to me in a language of India. I understood it and began to write down the interpretation as follows: ‘Behold the Lamb, the bleeding Lamb. O, the blood is flowing down from His side. At this moment, I became unconscious and the Spirit seemed to carry me away to the scene upon Calvary, nearly two thousand years ago. And, oh, human language cannot express what I saw. O, the glory and beauty of that scene before my spiritual eyes. Hallelujah. I was permitted to look into the heart of my blessed Lord as He hung upon the cross. O, the divine sympathy and tender love toward every human soul. Lord, help all Thy dear children to see the real value of a lost soul, just as Thou dost see it.”-Geo. E. Berg, Hermon, Cal.
“I am praising God for a free and full salvation. I am saved, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost. I was fifteen before I was converted. My girl friends were all joining churches and I wanted to join too; but praise God I did not join till after my father got in touch with the church of God and came for us to go to church. We went to hear Sister Farrow preach and also to hear her speak in tongues. We continued to go to the meeting every night. My mother had her ankle broken, but praise His name, we went anyway. Mamma and papa went to the altar. Sister Farrow laid hands on mother and she was reclaimed, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in tongues and was healed instantly. Also my sister received the Holy Ghost that night, and I was converted. The next evening I went to the altar again and was sanctified. That night I was baptized with the Holy Ghost. Glory to His name. How I love Him. My love for Him cannot be expressed. Please pray for me that the Lord will use me to His glory anywhere.”-Julia H. Robinson, (aged 16 years), 3104 Dallas Ave., Houston, Tex.
“I have been working in missionary work nine years on the highways and in the hedges, teaching the Gospel in my sanctified life; and now I have received the fulness of Pentecost. While I was at the Saint’s meeting and we were upon our knees, the Holy Spirit taught me to sing, ‘A charge to keep I have. And when we came to the verse, ‘O, may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!’ the Holy Ghost filled my heart with joy and I began to sing in tongues. I thank God for His wonderful blessing. Afterwards I sang in tongues and interpreted. And the first words were:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise HIm all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
And ever since then, I have been speaking in unknown tongues, praying and singing in the highways and hedges. And I say again, Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”-Laura A. Sims, Davis Ave. and Ann St., Mobile, Ala.
“The Lord is wonderfully blessing me. He has just used me in holding a four week’s meeting near Archbold, Ohio. Four souls were saved, about 25 or 30 dear Christians have been made happy in the love of God and we are now tarrying for the baptism with the Holy Ghost.”-Gideon Zigler, Swanton, Ohio.
“Over three months ago, Bro. Turney, who was baptized with the Holy Ghost, came up to San Jose from Los Angeles. He came to the Florence Mission where I had been attending. The third night I went to the altar and got saved. (I had been converted when I was twelve years of age but backslid.) The next night I was sanctified. The third night I lay under the power of God for about three hours. I was drunk on the wine of the Kingdom. Hallelujah! Part of the time I was unconscious. Then I would start to sing some of the real old hymns. Part of the words I knew and part I did not, but the Lord would put those in my mouth I did not know. Glory to Jesus! Then I saw a bright light around me which shone for a long while. The next night I received my Pentecost. I do not know how many languages I have spoken but the Lord does. He has given me many precious gifts. He has surely given me the holy boldness, for I was very timid. But now, hallelujah, I am bold for Jesus. The Lord also has given me the gift of heavenly songs. Sunday night He sang through me and interpreted. The interpretation was this, ‘There is a time coming, sinner, when you shall meet your doom. Flee from the wrath that is coming. Flee from the wrath that is coming.’ The Lord is my healer. I was seeking healing, and before the saints laid hands on me, I was healed. My mother has received her Pentecost, and my little brother is seeking his.”-Alberta Hall, 218 N. 4th St., San Jose, Cal.
“Hallelujah to our God! Praise His dear name! The fire struck Benton Harbor and me at the same time, almost, through Sister Robinson who came a few weeks ago bringing glad tidings of great joy. O, how our hearts rejoice over the fire that was kindled and is spreading fast. I had often when a child, read the book of Acts, comparing men of that time to the Christians about me, and wondered why we lacked the same power. The full Gospel people of this place have held meetings for three years and over at the home of Bro. and Sister York, and have been praying for God’s fullness. Well, hallelujah, He met us, as He always does those who seek Him with all their hearts. I at first felt the blessing was not for one so unworthy as myself, but went again to the meeting two weeks later, and the fire commenced running over my flesh. On the next Sunday morning at six o’clock meeting, I was slain under the power of God. The dear Holy Ghost entered His temple with much shaking of the flesh, but, oh, the peace and joy and glory that filled me since Jesus came to abide. Since November 24, He has spoken through me in five different languages, one of which was Russian-German. He permitted me to sing to His glory in tongues and interpret. This place is mightily stirred.”-Nellie Gilbert, Benton Harbor, Mich.
“I was justified about 35 years ago and lived it, but when I heard of sanctification and divine healing, I fought against them. Finally I was taken sick with the rheumatism and thought I was going to die. Then I had my husband lay his hands on me and pray for me, and the dear Lord did wonderfully heal me. Then I sought for sanctification, and on March 1, 1906, the Lord wonderfully sanctified me. Last August my husband went through the South preaching holiness. When he came back, he heard about the meetings in Los Angeles where the people had the baptism with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. He said if it was of God, he wanted it, and if not he wanted nothing to do with it. He went up to Los Angeles and came back and said to me, “Darling that work is of God, and I am going back to Los Angeles and stay at the Azusa Mission until I get the baptism with the Holy Ghost.” I said, “You were a Christian when you were in Oklahoma, you came to California and got sanctified, now you are ready to get something else. How many religions do you want?’ He paid no attention to me but went to the Mission and came back with the baptism and speaking in tongues. I did not fight it but sought for the baptism with all my heart and on the 30th of November, God baptized me with the Holy Ghost, spoke through me in another language and gave me the interpretation. O, glory to God for this wonderful salvation.”-Mollie McCauley, Long Beach, Cal.
“Last December, my sister and myself who had received our Pentecost, went to Arizona on business and to visit relatives. While there, four were baptized with the Holy Ghost. All glory to God! While at my sister’s, an old friend called on us, one who was a deep sinner. I talked to him of his soul, and the Holy Ghost began to speak in tongues through me, and also through my sister. I saw that he understood, and asked him if he understood what she said. He replied that he did. It was, “The table is spread with good things, if you will come and eat,” and it was the Spanish language. It was a perfect language, he said. We had a glorious time in Arizona; saw our beloved sisters baptized with the Holy Ghost, also one dear niece and one brother-in-law, J.R. Hopkins. One sister received the gift of writing and also the interpretation of her languages. She has spoken and interpreted the soon coming of Jesus.”-Elizabeth M. May, Whittier, Cal.
“Having for many years been reaching out for God’s best, and never reaching a place of continued satisfaction, I want to write about my experience in receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost. About Oct. 1, I returned from Colorado to Los Angeles. I had the real anointing on my soul, and could not believe that I did not have the baptism. Every account of the baptism in the New Testament contains the positive statement that they all spoke in new tongues, (except that of Samaria, and it is indicated there in the fact that there was something so wonderful that a magician offered money to buy the power. Ac. 6.19.) Yet I insisted that tongues bore no more significance to the baptism than any of the gifts as recorded in I. Cor. 12. God would not let me rest in this, but took the anointing away. This caused me to go deeper for the truth. Then God showed me that the seeming restriction of tongues in I. Cor. 12th and 14th chapters was a regulating of the manifestation of tongues to the law of love. I then began seeking for the real baptism with the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost. Satan seemed to exhaust his resources in opposing me, and the weeks of waiting were tedious in the extreme; but God’s grace was sufficient, and last I came to the place where God could meet me. On March 3, in the upper room about 6 p.m. I fell under the mighty power. The Spirit worked my flesh with great vibrations for some time. At last I felt as though I were dying, and I was told I looked like it. Slowly, surely my life seemed to ebb away, until at last unconsciousness took place. How long I lay I do not know, but the first thing I was conscious of was a new life flowing in. Soon my jaws and tongue began to work independently of my volition and the words came, a clear language. All glory be to God. Now I feel a power for witnessing I never had before and an assurance of power in service that shall grow as I remain faithful. May all who read this testimony reach out for all God has for them.”-Arthur B. Shepherd.
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We never saw a salvation that brought such peace and joy to homes and families, and did so much for poor suffering humanity. There are many happy homes where the whole family, father, mother, and children have been brought in and all baptized with the Holy Ghost. They are homes of prayer and praise and rejoicing and they are going about telling the glad story.
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We preach Christ, His birth, His death, His resurrection, and His coming again-and not only His coming but His reigning in His millennial kingdom, and His white throne judgment, and then the new heavens and earth and the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, when He shall have put all enemies under His feet and He shall reign eternally, and we shall abide with Him forever and ever.
END OF PAGE FOUR
The Apostolic Faith (January, 1907)
We are expecting wonderful things from the Lord for 1907. The closing up of the old year and beginning of the new found us on our knees at Azusa Mission. And as the new year was announced, such a wave of glory, and divine love and unity came over us. The meeting went on till morning and all the next day. It is a jubilee year. May we all spend it at His feet, learning of Him.
The Lord did great things in 1906. Pentecost first fell in Los Angeles on April 9th. Since then the good tidings has spread in two hemispheres. Many are rejoicing in pardon, purity, and the power of the Holy Ghost. Wherever the work goes, souls are saved, and not only saved from hell but through and through, and prepared to meet the Lord at His coming. Hundreds have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. Many of them are now out in the field, and some in foreign lands, and God is working with them, granting signs and wonders to follow the preaching of the full Gospel.
People all over the land have heard that the oil of the Spirit is being poured out in Los Angeles, and they are coming for oil-coming thousands of miles. And they are being filled with the holy oil, the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and wherever they go, it is being poured out.
From the little mustard seed faith that was given to a little company of people waiting on God in a cottage prayer meeting, a great tree has grown, so that people from all parts of the country are coming like birds to lodge in the branches thereof. (Matt. 13:31:32.) The faith is still growing, and we are still just in the beginning earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints.
It is a continual upper room tarrying at Azusa Street. It is like a continual camp meeting or convention. All classes and nationalities meet on a common level. One who came for the first time said, “The thing that impressed me most was the humility of the people, and I went to my room and got down on my knees and asked God to give me humility.”
The altars are filled with seekers. Sometimes the meetings go on all night. People are slain under the power of God and sanctified or rise up speaking in new tongues. In the meetings, you see the holy joy of the Lord in the countenances, and people are melted in the presence of the Lord, filled with His praise.
The Lord is graciously healing many sick bodies. People are healed at the Mission almost every day. Requests come in for prayer from all over. They are presented in the meeting and the Spirit witnesses in many cases that prayer is answered, and when we hear from them they are healed. Handkerchiefs are sent in to be blest, and are returned to the sick and they are healed in many cases. One day nine handkerchiefs were blest, another day sixteen. A man came with a broken arm and was healed. The mission people never take medicine. They do not want it. They have taken Jesus for their healer and He always heals.
There is a very sweet spirit of unity among Pentecostal missions in Los Angeles and workers in suburban towns. Every Monday morning, the misiners and workers from these different points meet together for prayer and counsel. The missions in Los Angeles are at 327 1/2 S. Spring, of which Bro. Fisher is pastor; 8th and Maple Ave., of which Bro. Pendleton is pastor; and 1321 E. 51st St., where Bro. and Sister Kent have charge. Workers from Long Beach, Pasadena, Clearwater, Anaheim, and other nearby places also come in. All are in one accord. In our first meeting several messages were given in tongues through our Bro. Post, and interpreted as follows:
“We acknowledge Christ only, His truth, His Word. We must tarry much before Him. We must acknowledge that He is in our midst, walking among the golden candlesticks, pruning, purging. He who moved among the golden candlesticks, is moving in our midst now. We must recognize Him alone as Head over all, and know no man after the flesh. The Spirit of God will teach us, if we keep low in love and humility before Him. Our Lord says, “I smile upon you, when you are seeking My will, My glory only. There must be no glorying in names or orders or systems, only in Myself alone. All fullness is in me, all power is in My Gospel.”
We must give God all the glory in this work. We must keep very humble at His feet. He recognizes no flesh, no color, no names. We must not glory in Azusa Mission, nor in anything but the Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto us and we unto the world.
We stand as assemblies and missions all in perfect harmony. Azusa Mission stands for the unity of God’s people everywhere. God is uniting His people baptizing them by one Spirit into one body.
PENTECOST RESTORED.
Written after his Pentecostal anointing on the train, by J.W. Ellison, Des Moines, Iowa.
O glorious promise of heaven!
Fulfilled to His people at last;
The tongues of fire have descended,
And sealed us as those in the past.
The Pentecost power is now spreading,
The Bible rings clear as a bell;
The finished work of the Savior,
We now are commissioned to tell.
The touch of the hand brings conviction,
The look of the eye startles sin,
The flood gates of heaven are opened,
And souls are now entering in.
All fear is banished forever,
And sickness and pain flee away,
The touch of Jesus is as powerful,
As it was in that wonderful day.
The union of hearts is like magic,
And bodies are molded like clay;
Souls that are sealed by His Spirit
Have entered the heavenlies to stay.,
Sinners who once have been careless
Have wakened to a sense of their need;
Pentecost surely is spreading,
Regardless of doctrine or creed.
Then glory to Jesus who loved me,
And glory to Jesus who came,
And glory to Jesus who fills me,
And seals with His own precious name.
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PENTECOSTAL POWER IN SAN DIEGO.
San Diego,Cal., Jan. 5.
Dear Saints, Greeting!
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you all, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who always causeth us to triumph in every place, and maketh-manifest through us the savor of His knowledge.
The dear Lord has favored us with continuous victory, reclaimed, sanctified and some baptized with the Holy Ghost every week. The interest is increasing notwithstanding the continuous wet weather. The altar is filled with seekers at most every service.
We have had some m,marvelous cases where those possessed by the devil have been wonderfully and completely delivered and clothed in their right minds. We wish to note one case in particular for the glory of God and the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A man of German birth came in the meetings, a master in Theology and Spirtualism, who claimed he was Christ incarnate –that he was immortal, and had all wisdom and knowledge. The blessed Holy Ghost gave the saints the discerning of Spirits, and they rebuked the devils in him. And the man fell to the floor, trembling from head to foot. The devils were commanded to come out of him in Jesus’ name. And immediately he began to confess his sins and crimes, too awful to mention. He continued to pray and call upon God for mercy, and in a few days he found peace. He has since gone on to the cleansing Blood and has received his Pentecost, and in humility is owning Jesus as his perfect Savior, clothed in his right mind, joyful and happy.
About twelve have redeceived their Pentecost and a number are still seeking. We are praying that the Lord will establish this work as in Los Angeles. This is an open field with virgin soil, and the work is taking deep and firm hold upon the people. Our hearts are burdened for salvation of the people of San Diego.
F.E. Hill
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AKEON VISITED WITH PENTECOST.
118 * St., Akron, Ohio, Dec. 27th.
Since I * heard of the wonderful way God was working in Los Angeles, my heart got hungry, And the dear saints in Akron kept up a steady cry to God day and night for Him to send it this way. And before we hardly knew it. Akron was visited. Glory to God! He sent dear Ivy Campbell here in answer to prayer, and many have received their Pentecost. The altar is more than filled nearly every service. In fact there is hardly a break in the meeting. Some people bring lunches and don’t stop to eat them. Some, of the sisters sing in tongues like voices from heaven and also interpret some. O, it is wonderful! Many demons have been cast out and the sick are being healed. Glory to Jesus! He is also selecting His missionaries. The meeting runs day and night–sometimes all night.
People come from miles around here and are receiving their personal Pentecost. Bro. McKinney is sending out invitations far and near, and telling how God is visiting Akeon, and it brings in the hungry ones. His church doors were opened wide to welcome dear Sisters Evy Campbell and Hudson from East Liverpool. The meetings have been running over three weeks. The Holy Ghost is the only leader. Praise God!
While some of the prominent ministers are opposing it, yet their hungry members jump over the fence and get to the little mission church and get saved,sanctified, and then receive their personal Pentecost. We are glad God had one humble preacher in Akron who opened wide the door to receive this “latter rain”. We are likely just getting the first sprinkling of the great shower that is to come. Praise God!
The burden of everyone that has received their personal Pentecost is “Jesus is coming soon.”
Jan. 21.–The fire has broken out in Pittsburg too. God is visiting every hungry town and city that will receive Him. The fire is spreading here,in spite of all the water the devil pours on. It seems to act like oil instead of water. Glory to our conquering King!
One of our mothers in Israel has her personal Pentecost and the Hawaiian language. Three Hawaiian boys from Honolulu came to Akron to get work, and God sent them to the Mission, and they said Mother Davis had the Hawaiian language perfectly and interpreted two messages she gave out, which were, “God is love,” and “Jesus is coming soon.”
Yours in Jesus, Mrs. Pearl Bowen.
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PORTLAND IS STIRRED.
Portland, Ore. Dec. 31st.
Peace from God the Father be unto you and all the saints.
Well, God has stirred up this North till every devil in hell is stirred also.
I finished my work in Salem: was there two weeks. Seven received Pentecost. The saints are in perfect harmony. Students, city officials and the first people of the place heard the Gospel, but as far as we can see now, they have rejected the Gospel. Must of the ones that received their Pentecost are from the little places around, and they have gone home to spread the glad tidings of this precious Gospel. O my heart is so full this morning. Glory! Glory! Glory!
Well, Sister Glassco and three of her children got their Pentecost in Salem. And before they got home, on Christmas day,while Bro. Glassco was preaching. Pentecost fell on the meeting and two spoke with tongues. We had planned to come on Saturday and this was Tuesday. When we got here, three more had received the baptism. We arrived here at noon and went into the meeting at three. The power fell before the meeting was half through and two received Pentecost at night, two more. Last night Mildred received her Pentecost. The slain of the Lord lay so you can’t move about the altar. The altar is full before the meeting is half over. The house is just packed. O if we only had a larger hall. I cannot tell how God is working here.
Now I must tell you about Nildred. She spoke in four tongues and sang so sweetly and interpreted every word. The interpretation of the song was.
“Jesus is calling O sinner come home.
Glory to His name, O sinner, come home.”
Then she arose and the crowd was silenced like death. She began to wave her arms and preach in tongues and interpret. Will give you a part of it. “He that comes unto me, I will in no way cast out.” (Tongues.) “The Lord has prepared me to preach His Gospel.” (Tongues.) “Jesus is coming soon.” (Tongues.) “He will take away His bride, one will be taken and the other left.”
Jan. 8.-The crow * throng the hall. We have to have a policeman to keep the aisles clear. They tell us throngs of people come and are turned away. The Zion people held a mass meeting Sunday and decided to come in a body for their Pentecost.
O I am so glad He has chosen me. The Lord has healed some bad cases. One woman had epileptic fits. When the devil went out of her, she was so weak she could not stand. A man’s hand that was helpless was healed. A woman with her mind almost gone was healed in the hall last night before the sinners’ eyes.
Pentecost falls on people when they come the second time to the meeting, sitting in their seats.
I stay in the mission. It’s humble quarters, but Jesus is here. Every minute of my time is given to God. I get tired sometimes. Was sent for to pray for a man with a high fever. I prayed before I went, was so tired. Jesus said, “I do the healing.” When I got there, Jesus healed him before I laid hands on him. He got up and came to meeting. Oh, I am learning the wondrous secret; it is letting Jesus do the work and carry all the load. Oh *** so happy in His love and service.
People from all over are coming. A young lady came from Albany. She was a sinner and got all, * to her Pentecost, yesterday, in one day. There are 38 now that have received the baptism, eight since Saturday, and this is Tuesday morning.
I hear the work in San Francisco is fine. Souls saved, sanctified and baptized, and the church people coming in. Oh, God is spreading this Gospel in spite of the devil. How glad I am I ever found my way into the dear old mission on Azusa St. Love to all the saints. -Florence Crawford.
215 2nd Ave.
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BLESSED ***
1617 7th Ave., Seattle, Wash., Dec. 21.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
We are having some good times, and so far there are about forty-five baptized souls. We had a wonderful service out on Peugeot Sound and I baptized about thirty, young and old. It was raining and somewhat cold, but the Lord was with us. A little girl about twelve years of age, who had been seeking her Pentecost, got it right there the minute her feet touched the water. The Lord cut her tongue loose, and she spoke all the while going out and coming in. The Lord was with us in wonderful power. O, He is a wonderful Savior. We have been praying for power for two weeks now.
The weather is very rainy here. It rains about six days of every week, but our Father’s smile is upon us, and that is better than anything else.
Jan. 7.-In the last few days, the Lord has poured out His Spirit here, and there must be in the neighborhood of about seventy souls that are baptized now.
Yours in Him,
-Thos. Junk and wife.
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APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION IN SAN JOSE.
San Jose, Cal., Jan. 24.
Dear Apostolic Faith:
God our Father has been doing great things for us since we last wrote. We are now worshiping in our own hall. We have a very nicely furnished mission, for which we praise the Lord.
The fire is still falling. Last Sunday we had a wonderful all-day meeting. The slaying power was manifest in a remarkable manner. One lay for hours under the power. A young girl took God at His Word, opened her mouth wide, and the Lord filled it with praises in new tongues.
A Mrs. Williamson brought her daughter to the meetings for healing for her eyes, which were very bad. The power was present to heal and the child went home completely recovered. Many others have been healed since the meeting opened. Sister Williamson has received her Pentecost and God has put her in His heavenly choir, to sing the heavenly songs for His glory. She also writes in many languages. She interprets most of the songs that she sings, and when she speaks in tongues, she also interprets.
Several of those who have received their Pentecost have been called to the foreign field to labor for Him. One young woman is making preparations to leave for Hawaii very soon.
I am just holding the fort till my Father sends someone to take charge of the work here, when I expect to leave for a trip around the world, sounding the golden trumpet, heralding the year of jubilee. For the coming of the Lord is near, even at the door. And he wants the heathen nations to hear the glad tidings and be ready for His coming.
I believe this movement is the last call that the world will receive before He comes for His bride. Rev. 19. 7, 8. These are the days of preparation. Nahum 2. 1-5. The chariots that Nahum saw are the automobiles which we see running in our streets today.
I am anxious to be on the go, for I feel that the time is short. What we do, we must do while it is day.
-H.M. Turney.
PENTECOST IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Dunn, N.C. Jan. 2.
To the Saints in Azusa Mission, and through all California, greeting in Jesus Name!
O praise Him! It is wonderful. Last week I held a few services in the country in one of the Holiness churches, and two received their Pentecost and spoke in tongues. The languages were as perfect as I ever heard. One was a Sunday school superintendent and the other an elder of the church. I had to leave that meeting to fill my appointment here, but the meeting is still going on there.
This is only the third day, here, and already about ten have received their Pentecost. Five preachers received the baptism and some of them have two or three languages already and can preach sermons and pray in the tongues. The church is filled to overflow and people come from all over the country. Sinners are being converted and others repenting. This town of about 2,500 has never seen Pentecost before, but praise God, it has come and the town is stirred from center to circumference. People have laid aside eating and business to a great extent and are going down before God in earnest. How I praise God for this wonderful salvation. All the signs follow me since I received Pentecost. O let us trust only to the still, sweet voice of Jesus. He does it all. O how I praise God for sending me to Los Angeles, and for you all.
Jan. 17-Our God is fulfilling His promise and His Spirit is being poured out here in Dunn as never before. Many have come from South Carolina and Georgia and have received their Pentecost and gone back, and there some have received the baptism. The fire is spreading. The meeting continues here in greater interest. Nearly every service, someone receives their Pentecost and speaks in tongues. Some of our preachers have preached, sung and prayed in unknown tongues, and without speaking a word of English, have awakened sinners.
Several colored people have received their real Pentecost and speak in tongues. God has wonderfully blest some of the people with the gift of song. One colored sister, a school teacher, received the Pentecost the other night and spoke in tongues for some time. She has manifested a call to foreign fields. All the people of God are one here.
I prayed much that God would give me access to my brethren, and thus I might convince them of His blessed truths. And not one of them has taken issue against me as yet, but come forward and have received their real Pentecost and are going forth in the power of the Lord. Some of the people are getting ready for the foreign fields now. O how I praise God!
Brothers, pray, and spread the tidings around wherever man is found. I may never see you in the flesh any more, but I am coming *******.
Many are getting their Pentecost at home and abroad. I go from here to High Point, N.C. Have more calls than I can fill in six months.
Your brother and servant of God,
-G.B. Cashwell.
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PENTECOST IN LAMONT, OKLA.
Jan. 17th.
Dear Saints, Greeting!
Left Los Angeles Dec.4, and arrived in Oklahoma just one week later, making a few stops on the way. Quite a number were tarrying and waiting for Pentecost when I arrived, but much had to be done before God could pour out His Spirit. The people had been in much bondage. Eating pork, wearing neckties, drinking coffee, and wearing a moustache were taught to be very sinful, and except you were circumcised to these you were lost.
After about ten days of prayer and holding up the Blood, God begin to break them up and they began to beg pardon of one another and their neighbors. And in a short time, in a cottage prayer meeting, God poured out His Spirit in slaying power and nearly all went down, one woman coming through speaking in tongues. God now began to work and souls were saved, backsliders reclaimed, and believers sanctified at nearly every service. The country was stirred for miles around. Some came 100 miles to get Pentecost and healing.
One lady who had been a Free Methodist was reclaimed and sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost. She speaks and sings in tongues. She began to sing at home in tongues, and her husband got under such conviction he could scarcely do his work, and in a few days came to the altar and was beautifully saved. ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.
The Lord told me to move on, last Sunday. Meeting closed Sunday night with many seekers at the altar. The saints will go right on and push the battle.
Jan. 21.-Arrived here Friday morning after spending two days in Chicago. Quite a number here are seeking the baptism. We expect great things here. Pray much for me. I can feel it when they pray for me in public. Some time ago in a prayer service, the Lord showed me Bro. Seymour praying for me, and I seemed to be carried away in the Spirit. Under the Blood,
-G. A. Cook,
612 Terrace Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
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Several have already received the baptism with the Holy Ghost in Des Moines, Ia. It was not through anyone sent there, but they were tarrying before God and Pentecost fell.
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In Toronto, a number have received the baptism. Bro. O. Adams went there from Los Angeles. He had not yet received his Pentecost, but told them about what God had done in Azusa Mission and other places. They went right to tarrying before God. A company stayed after meeting to pray through and the Spirit fell and three were filled with the Holy Ghost.
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We are receiving hundreds of names and addresses for the paper. Please write very plainly. Those who ask for it regularly are enrolled on the books. We are sending out thousands of sample copies to friends whose names are sent in by others. If we do not hear from these. we send only two are three numbers. Please notify us of any mistakes.
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If you want to keep fat and filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, live off of the Word.
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The Lord is enabling us to publish another issue of 30,000 papers for the fifth number of the Apostolic Faith. He has greatly blest in getting it out. Though it is somewhat late, we trust it will be the greater blessing.
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When you were poor and ugly in your own sight, then was the time God exalted and used you, but when you get to be some great Nebuchadnezzar, then God turns you out to eat grass like an ox. Keep little and God will use you.
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A baby that accidentally took poison that it found in a bottle in a closet, was healed in answer to prayer. The mother held on to God in agonizing prayer, “Lord, save my baby.” The little thing was cold, but the Lord healed it completely.
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“The Holy Ghost is blessing us daily, but we must have a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for there are people in our midst that are praying night and day for a great awakening among the people.” -Mrs. C. A. Roll, 1005 Edwards St., Fort Worth, Tex., Jan.9.
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Sickness is all the work of Satan. Sometimes we bring it upon ourselves by overexertion. Sometimes it is permitted of the Lord because of sins of omission or commission. Satan cannot afflict us unless God permits. He has no power over us unless we get on his territory.
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Souls are getting the baptism in Clearwater, Cal. Mother Wheaton went down to tarry with them and was baptized with the Holy Ghost and spoke in two languages. She is very happy and filled with the Holy Ghost and God is using her. Bro. McLain writes that there are lots of hungry souls there and the devil is stirred.
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Several have written and asked if we received the offerings sent. We can answer that they all came safely, even to some letters that came through the fire in a train wreck and were scorched on the edges and stained by water, but they came safely and money in them. So we see how the Lord takes care of consecrated offerings.
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“I received my Pentecost last Saturday morning, 1:15 a.m. Praise God! I am wholly given up to His will. Words cannot express the blessed peace I have in my soul. My soul is filled with His glory. Hallelujah! Praise God for His wonderful Gift to men. We are praying for and expecting 120 Spirit baptized souls to take San Diego for God.” -H. G. * San Diego, Cal.
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“The Scandinavian people here are receiving their Pentecost. I was with them in their watch night meeting. O how God poured out His Spirit on all flesh. Many spoke in tongues and sang the songs of heaven,-a heavenly choir. Some fell under the power of God. My soul doth magnify the Lord. He thrills my spirit, soul and body.”-Mrs. S. C. Magie, 710 Times St., Ballard, Wash.
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A sanctified body is one in perfect health, through faith in God. It does not mean we could not get sick, but we are maintained in health by faith. We do not want to teach people they can not get sick, because they would think they were infallible creatures. “As the branch cannot bear fruit except it abide in the vine, no more can ye accept ye abide in Me.” So we must abide in church for health.
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In Akron, Ohio, a young man went to the Pentecost meetings and got under conviction through the preaching. And went to the pastor of the First Congregational Church and returned to him $10 that he had stolen about 14 years ago, and promised to pay the rest. The pastor was very much surprised for the man had been under his preaching for years and never got under conviction. He said, “That kind of religion is loaded with good shot. There are no blank cartridges in it.”
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Bro. Tom Hezmalhalch has been home to Los Angeles on a visit and we have been feasting together on the good things of Father’s table. On his way back to Colorado, the Spirit directed him to stop off at the Needles. Taking the train on Tuesday morning to resume his journey, at four o’clock he passed the train he had taken at Los Angeles for Denver, every car laid in the ditch. By some means they had left the rails. If he had not obeyed the Spirit, he would have been in the ditch and precious souls would have suffered. It pays to know the Lord and obey Him.
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How will you miss hell if you stumble over this precious Gospel, if you ignore this Gospel which God has granted signs and wonders to follow? If you grieve the Holy Spirit, and trample upon the Blood of Jesus Christ, how will you miss hell? There is no way for you to escape hell if you reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. O, my friends, the precious Blood is flowing for you. If you come to Him, He will wash away your sin, and cleanse you from all unrighteousness and carnality, and set you up His throne in your heart.
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One who received the Holy Ghost baptism in Clearwater, testified, “It was in morning worship. We read a chapter and I wanted to pray but the Lord tied my mouth. The power began to come in waves. The Lord took full possession. I fell over like a dead man. I was dead to the world. I tried to pray while lying on the floor, but when my tongue was loosened, it was in a different languages. And O the joy that came into my soul no human tongue can tell. It seemed as if human joys vanished. I talked about half an hour. This is something I never had before. It seemed as if the whole world and the people looked a different color. Jesus had come to me. I can never sing His praises or tell His praises while eternity rolls.”
END OF PAGE ONE
The Apostolic Faith
312 Azusa Street
Published by
THE PACIFIC APOSTOLIC FAITH MOVEMENT
Headquarters, Los Angeles
SUBSCRIPTION FREE
WHEN JESUS COMES.
Oh the bliss of that glad moment
When Jesus cleaves the sky!
Then tears and strife and pain shall cease,
Our sorrow turn to joy.
The graves of righteous dead shall break,
And living saints shall rise;
Together we shall mount the air,
And throng the waiting skies.
Clouds of angels shall come with Him.
Oh the rapturous sight!
As Christ descends to earth again
In heaven’s effulgent light.
He who came from heaven before
To suffer, bleed, and die,
Now comes in majesty to reign,
The Lord of earth and sky.
The bloodwashed saints in robes of light
With bodies glorified,
With glad hosannahs on their lips
Shall then be Jesus’bride.
The cross laid down, our burdens gone,
The crown of life we’ll wear,
And standing close by Jesus’ side,
His glory we shall share.
The marriage supper shall begin,
The marriage bells shall ring;
Angels and archangels shout,
And help the saints to sing.
The praises of Immanuel
Who died for Adam’s race,
Who purchased such ecstatic joys
For sinners saved by grace.
O God, how wonderful it seems
That Thou shouldst deign to call
From out of earth’s dark race of men
A bride for Thy dear Son.
Our hearts rejoice to think, dear Lord,
That Thou wilt soon appear,
We read the signs in earth and sky,
And know that Thou art near.
Amen, e’en so, dear Lord, we say,
Come Jesus, quickly come,
And end the awful conflict here,
And take Thy loved ones home.
My brothers, we may hear the cry,
Before this meeting end,
“Jesus is here!” “Arise, my love,
And to thy Lord ascend.”
Our prayers shall then be turned to praise,
And faith shall end in sight;
What bliss to see His blessed face!
What infinite delight!
-Bro. Alfred Beck.
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“BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!”
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their ****** groom. And five of them were wise and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight, there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom; go ye out to meet him.
“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. (R.V. Going Out.) But the wise answered saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
“And while they went to buy the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily i say unto you, I know you not.
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.” Matt. 25, 1-13.
You know virgin in the scripture is a type of purity. Christ is speaking in this parable about the church and its condition at His coming. Many precious souls today are not looking for the return of their Lord, and they will be found in the same condition as the five foolish virgins. They started out to meet the bridegroom, and had some oil in their lamps but none in their vessels with their lamps. So when the cry was made to go forth, they were found wanting in oil, which is the real type of the Holy Ghost. Many of God’s children are cleansed from sin and yet fight against getting more oil. They think they have enough. They have some of God’s love in their souls, but they have not the double portion of it. The thing they need is oil in their vessels with their lamps. It is just as plain as can be.
Dearly beloved, the Scripture says, “Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Rev. 19, 9. So they are blessed that have the call. Those that will be permitted to enter in are those who are justified, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost-sealed unto the day of redemption. O may God stir up His waiting bride everywhere to get oil in their vessels with their lamps that they may enter into the marriage supper. The Holy Ghost is sifting out a people that are getting on the robes of righteousness and the seal in their foreheads. The angel is holding the winds now till all the children of God are sealed in their foreheads with the Father’s name. Then the wrath of God is going to be poured out.
“Behold the Bridegroom cometh!” O the time is very near. All the testimonies of His coming that have been going on for months are a witness that He is coming soon. But when the trumpet sounds, it will be too late to prepare. Those that are not ready at the rapture will be left to go through the awful tribulation that is coming upon the earth. The wise virgins will be at the marriage supper and spend the time of the great tribulation with the Lord Jesus. They will have glorified bodies. For we which remain unto the coming of the Lord will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
Many precious souls believe today that in sanctification they have it all, that they have already the baptism with the Holy Ghost or enduement of power; but in that day, they will find they are mistaken. They say, Away with this third work. What is the difference, dear ones, if it takes 300 works? We want to be ready to meet the bridegroom. The foolish virgins said to the wise, “Give us of your oil.” This thing is going to happen. Many that are saying they have enough and are opposing, will find their lamps going out and ask the prayers of God’s people. God is warning you through His servants and handmaidens to get ready; but many are going to come back to get the oil from others. Dear ones, we cannot get more than enough for ourselves. You can grasp the saints’ hands but you cannot squeeze any oil out. You have to get the vessel filled for yourself. Many are going to be marrying and giving in marriage, buying and selling, and the cares of this world are going to get in the way. Above all, we want to get the oil, the Holy Ghost. Every Christian must be baptized with the Holy Ghost for himself. Many poor souls in that day will be awfully disappointed. May we seek Him today, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Now is the time to buy the oil; that is by tarrying at the feet of the Lord Jesus and receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
It seems that people will be able to buy oil during the rapture. It seems that the Spirit will still be here on earth and that they could get it, but it will be too late for the marriage supper. So the Lord warns us to be ready, for we know not the day nor the hour.
Those that get left in the rapture and still prove faithful to God and do not receive the mark of the beast, though they will have to suffer martyrdom, will be raised to reign with Christ. Antichrist will reign during the tribulation and everything will be controlled by him and by the false prophet, when they have succeeded in uniting the whole world in acknowledging the antichrist. Those that acknowledge him will be permitted to buy and sell, but those that stand faithful to the Lord Jesus and testify to the Blood will be killed for the word of their testimony. But by proving faithful to death, they will be raised during the millennium and reign with Christ. But we that are caught up to the marriage supper of the Lamb will escape the plagues that are coming on the earth.
May God fit everyone of us for the coming of the Lord, that we may come back with him on white horses and help Him to execute judgment on the earth and make way for the millennial kingdom, when He shall reign from shore to shore, and righteousness shall cover the earth as waters cover the sea.
That is the time that Enoch prophesied of, “Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints,” Jude 14. “Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against these nations, as when He fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,” Zec. 14, 3, 4. The mountain shall be parted in two. Then shall the antichrist and the false prophet be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone and Satan shall be bound a thousand years. Rev. 19, 20 and 20.2.
We shall be priests and kings unto God, reigning with Him a thousand years in a jubilee of peace. Our Christ will be King of kings and Lord of lords over the whole earth. We shall reign with Him over unglorified humanity. Some will be appointed over ten cities and some over two, and the ******* of Israel. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne.” Rev. 3. 21, 22.
W.J.S.
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THE CHURCH QUESTION.
You cannot win people by abusing their church or pastor. As long as you preach Christ, you feed souls; but as soon as you jump on the preacher, you grieve the Spirit. Preach Christ, and you will feed the flock and have fat sheep; but if you get to preaching against churches, you will find that sweet spirit of Christ that envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, thinketh no evil, suffereth long and is kind, is lacking and a harsh judging spirit takes its place. If you feed them from Christ, you will find the same Spirit burning in their hearts.
The main thing is, Are you of Christ? It is to late in the day for us to go to work and tear down some other man’s building and build up one of our own. The thing to do is to get the truth into the people. The churches are not to be blamed for divisions. People were hunting for light. They built up denominations because they did not know a better way. Now if they want to live in families, let them get the truth. Jesus will settle the rest when He comes. He wants people feeding on Christ and letting the Spirit be their leader. We follow human leaders as far as they follow Christ, but we keep our eyes on the great Shepherd.
We do not have time to preach anything else but Christ. The Holy Spirit has not time to magnify anything else but the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Standing between the living and the dead, we need to so bear the dying body of our Lord, that people will only see Christ in us, and never get a chance to see self. We are simply a voice shouting, “Behold the Lamb of God!” When we commence shouting something, else, then Christ will die in us. If Christ be lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him.
When people run out of the love of God, they get to preaching dress, and meats, and doctrines of men, and preaching against churches. All these denominations are our brethren. The Spirit is not going to drive them out and send them to hell. We are to recognize every man that honors the Blood. So let us seek peace and not confusion. We that have the truth should handle it very carefully. The moment we feel we have all the truth or more than anyone else, we will drop.
We must deal patiently with the Lord’s people. The Lord shows us in the parable of the ninety and nine, that we should not take the little lamb and beat it over the head; but lift it up into our bosom, just as the Shepherd did. We do not want to stamp out the little spark of life in one of God’s weak ones, who has the Blood of Jesus Christ in their heart.
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It is wonderfully blessed to receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. He sings through you His own songs. It is so sweet when you are lying down on your bed, and the Lord drops a song from Paradise into your heart, a song you knew nothing about, and puts an organ of sweet music into your soul.
ANNIHILATION OF THE WICKED.
Many people today do not believe in an everlasting hell; but we read in the precious Word of God that the Lord Jesus taught it. Lu. 16, 19, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazrus, which was laid at his gate full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”
We can see that there is no annihilation in God’s Word for the wicked, but there is a blazing and burning hell awaiting them. Their home will be in everlasting flames, where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Rev. 20, 10.
The Lord says in Matt. 18-8, “It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.”
Dear loved ones, there is an awful hell. God teaches us in Ps. 9, 17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” We find the punishment of the wicked taught us from the closed gates of Eden all the way down. He sent fire and brimstone from heaven upon wicked Sodom and Gomorrah, which are “set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire,” Jude 7. May God help men everywhere to repent of their sins and accept the precious Blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from all sin and unrighteousness, that we may enter into heaven where the Lord Jesus has prepared us a home. (He is coming back again, praise His holy name!)
Hell, no doubt, is millions of miles from heaven, but yet the rich man, we find, had good clear eyesight. He had the sense of hearing, taste, feeling, and his memory was perfect. He could recognize Lazarus and talk with Abraham and beg him to let Lazarus come with a drop of water for his tongue. If the doctrine of annihilation were true, then this rich man would have been burned into ashes, and there would be no more of him. But we see in the Word of God, that Jesus taught a burning hell. We see the rich man that had had gold and silver and raiment and sumptuous food, tormented in hell, and his heart’s cry was that his brothers might not come to that place of torment.
Many who have preached a no-hell Gospel will find out better when they die and come to the judgment, just as this man died, and in hell lifted up his eyes.
May God help us to turn from sin and wickedness and not try to wrest the Scriptures, but take them just as they are written. This rich man was now a poor beggar in hell. Abraham said, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise * evil things; but now he is comforted*-thou art tormented.”
How we ought to obey the precious words of our Lord when He preached that wonderful sermon on the mount, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” This man had all the good things of life, and lost his own soul,-a beggar in hell. So it is with those that lay up treasures on earth and are not rich toward God. God’s words are true and we must receive them.
I am so glad that the Lord has a boundary line between hell and heaven for Abraham said to Divea, “Between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence.” So there is no visitor from hell to heaven or from heaven to hell.
This man may have been like many today that do not believe in everlasting hell, but in the annihilation of the wicked; but he now sees that there is a burning hell. He begged for Lazarus to be sent to his father’s house to warn his brethren from coming to that place of torment. Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said “Nay, Father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” And he said unto him, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Dearly beloved, we have God’s Holy Ghost preachers that are testifying to the Blood that cleanses from sin and warning of an everlasting hell. If we will not hear them and accept the words from them, we will ever be lost. The Scriptures teach, “He that believeth and is baptized not shall be damned.”
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HARK! THE MOMENTS THEY ARE PASSING!
Hark, the moments they are passing,
Each one counts a brother lost;
Beauty, youth, and age possessing;
Few but seem to count the cost.
All contentment-all are viewing
Sinners straying from the Blood;
Toward death and hell their feet are pressing,
Fighting with a pardoning God.
Oh! how dreadful is their station!
Oh! how low in sin they lie!
Come, my brother, have compassion,
Look upon with pitying eye!
Tell them of a Savior given,
Teach them on the Lamb to gaze,
Turn their thoughts from earth to heaven,
And their lips to speak His praise.
Then arouse, my brother, pray thee!
Let no virtue be at peace;
Come, arouse, we still implore thee,
Let their souls our zeal increase;
Cease from idle contemplation,
Never let the tempter be;
Rest not, * in full salvation
They, unveiled, our Savior see.
-T. Hezmalhalch.
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We have seen missions and churches banded together to stop what they call a “tongues” salvation. But, dear ones, this is not a salvation of tongues, it is in the Blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from all sin.
HOLY SPIRIT BE MY QUEST.
Holy Spirit, by my guest,
This my soul’s one deep request;
My heart’s throne to Thee I give,
Holy Spirit, with me live.
Holy Spirit, this my plea,
Stay forever more with me;
From this hungry heart of mine.
Ne’er withdraw Thy light divine.
Thus for aye my heart would be,
Constant dwelling place for Thee;
Holy Spirit, while I pray,
Come to ‘bide with me always.
-Sarah J. Stew
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“RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST.”
1.-The first step in seeking the baptism with the Holy Ghost, is to have a clear knowledge of the new birth in our souls, which is the first work of grace and brings everlasting life to our souls. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” Every one of us that repents of our sins and turns to the Lord Jesus with faith in Him, receives forgiveness of sins. Justification and regeneration are simultaneous. The pardoned sinner becomes a child of God in justification.
2.-The next step for us is to have a clear knowledge, by the Holy Spirit, of the second work of grace wrought in our hearts by the power of the Blood and the Holy Ghost. Heb. 10, 14,15, “For by one offering, He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified, whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us.” The Scripture also teaches (Heb. 2,11), “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” So we have Christ crowned and enthroned in our hearts, the tree of life.” We have the brooks and streams of salvation flowing in our souls, but praise God, we can have the rivers. For the Lord Jesus says, “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. This spoke He of the Spirit, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given.” But, praise our God, He is now given and being poured out upon all flesh. All races, nations, and tongues are receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the prophecy of Joel.
3.-When we have a clear knowledge of justification and sanctification, through the precious Blood of Jesus Christ in our hearts, then we can be a recipient of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Many people today are sanctified, cleansed from all sin, and perfectly consecrated to God, but they have never obeyed the Lord according to Acts I. 4, 5, 8 and Luke 24. 39, for their real personal Pentecost, the enduement of power for service and work and for sealing unto the day of redemption. The baptism with the Holy Ghost is a free gift without repentance, upon the sanctified, cleansed vessel. **. Cor. 1, 21-22, “Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” Praise our God for the sealing of the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption.
Dearly beloved, the only people that will meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and go with Him into the marriage supper of the Lamb, are the wise virgins-not only saved and sanctified, with pure and clean hearts, but having the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The others we find will not be prepared. They have some oil in their lamps but they have not the double portion of His Holy Spirit.
The disciples were filled with the unction of the Holy Spirit before Pentecost, that sustained them until they received the Holy Ghost baptism. Many people today are filled with joy and gladness, but they are far from the enduement of power. Sanctification brings rest and sweetness and quietness to our souls, for we are one with the Lord Jesus and are able to obey His precious Word, that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” and we are feeding upon Christ.
But let us wait for the promise of the Father upon our souls, according to Jesus’ Word, “John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. * * * Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judes, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts. I. 5, 8. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! O worship, get down on your knees and ask the Holy Ghost to come in, and you will find Him right at your heart’s door, and He will come in. Prove Him now. Amen.-W.J.E.
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GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
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“Now concerning spiritual gifts brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”
Paul was speaking to the Corinthian Church at this time. They were like Christ’s people everywhere today. Many of His people do not know their privileges in this blessed Gospel. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. And in order that we might know His power, we must forever abide in the Word of God that we may have the precious fruits of the Spirit, and not only the fruits but the precious gifts that Father has for His little ones.
Dearly beloved, may we search the Scriptures and see for ourselves whether we are measuring up to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. If we will remain in the Scriptures and follow the blessed Holy Spirit all the way, we will be able to measure up to the Word of God in all of its fullness. Paul prayed in Eph. 3. 16, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge; that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Many people say today that tongues are the least gift of any that the Lord can give, and they do not need it, and ask What good is it to us? But by careful study of the Word, we see in the 14th of Corinthians, Paul telling the church to “follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts.” Charity means Divine love without which we will never be able to enter heaven. Gifts all will fall, but Divine love will last through all eternity. And right in the same verse he says, “Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy,” that is to say, preach in your own tongue, which will build up the saints and the church.
But he says in the next verse, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God, for no man understandeth him, howbeit in the Spirit, he speaketh mysteries, (R.V., hidden truth.) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto man to edification, exhortation and comfort.” He that prophesies in his own tongue edifies the church; but he that speaks in unknown tongues edifies himself. His spirit is being edified, while the church is not edified, because they do not understand what he says unless the Lord gives somebody the interpretation of the tongue.
Here is where many stumble that have not this blessed gift to use in the Spirit. They say, What good is it when you do not know what you are talking about?
Praise God, every gift He gives is a good gift. It is very blessed, for when the Lord gets ready, He can speak in any language He chooses to speak. You ask, “Is not prophecy the best gift?” Prophecy is the best gift to the church, for it build up the saints and edifies them and exalts them to higher things in the Lord Jesus. If a brother or sister is speaking in tongues and cannot speak any English, but preaches altogether in tongues and has no interpretation, they are less than he that prophesies, but if they interpret they are just as great.
May God help all of His precious people to read the 14th of I. Cor., and give them the real interpretation of the Word. May we all use our gift to the glory of God and not worship the gift. The Lord gives us power to use it to His own glory and honor.
Many times, when we were receiving this blessed Pentecost, we all used to break out in tongues; but we have learned to be quieter with the gift. Often when God sends a blessed wave upon us, we all may speak in tongues for awhile, but we will not keep it up while preaching service is going on, for we want to be obedient to the Word, that everything may be done decently and in order and without confusion. Amen.
-W.J.H.
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“BEARING HIS REPROACH.”
“Wherefore Jesus also that He might sanctify the people with His own Blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” Heb. 13, 12, 13.
Many Christians have never been nailed to the cross outside of the city. They know what it is to be born in the city, but they have never gone outside the gate bearing His reproach. We see the need of a crucified, sanctified, holy life, that we might be one with Christ Jesus; but we will never get it in the city, that is, without crucification. In the city, there is pride, fame, and honor; but outside the gate, on the cross, hangs our Savior, who is despised and dishonored, rejected of men. It was there He suffered to sanctify His people. The crown of thorns was put upon Him in Pilate’s judgment hall and His back marked with the stripes, and the Blood dripped all the way to the cross, so the way is marked for us by His Blood.
In the city, we find people with conversion. But you must come out of the worldly church today, into some little cottage prayer meeting or mission to get sanctified. There are few church members that will stand up straight for sanctification. There were few synagogues that would receive Jesus. He preached from a * on the ******* crowds ** went out into the mountain.
The old man of sin must be slain and Christ must be enthroned in our hearts. Then we are prepared to receive the precious gift of the Spirit. The reason so many cannot see it is because it is so plain and simple. It takes a simple person to believe the Word and stand on it, and look up into Father’s face and claim His promise through Jesus Christ. The way is so plain that a wayfaring man though a fool, need not err therein.
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GOD IS HIS OWN INTERPRETER.
People may say it is no language the Spirit is speaking through you. It matters not what they say. They do not know, any more than Belshazzar knew about that hand writing on the wall. It took God to interpret that. The natural man cannot understand the secrets of God. It takes a born child from heaven to understand. Bless God. He has taken this out of the king’s hands. The devil is shut out of the mysteries of God. He can be a clairvoyant, a Spiritualist, a hypnotist and understand all the works of darkness, but in Divine miracles he is a fool. It took Daniel to receive the interpretation of the writing on the wall. The wise men were dumb.
It took one who walked with Jehovah to interpret Nebudchednezzar’s dream. The astrologers said that no one could show the king’s matter but “the gods whose dwelling is not with flesh.” But Daniel’s God could interpret. He is His own interpreter today. Leave it with him. The Lord is giving many the interpretation of what they speak.
You do not have to strain to interpret. You do not use your mind at all. The Lor