“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”—Jude 3
Vol. I. No. 8 Los Angeles, Cal., May, 1907 Subscription Free
We expect to have a grand campmeeting 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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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 land of Beulah 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 now 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.
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 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 and 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.
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 the 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.
The brother who went from England to investigate the work in Norway, Bro. A.A. Boddy, All Saints' Vicarage, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, England, sent out the following in tract form.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Please write addresses very plainly for the paper.
Papers are free but none to waste. Pass your paper on to another to read. Send for more if you need them.
Any who want the four last numbers of the paper, can have them as long as they last.
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.
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 or half a cent when in rolls. Many of the papers are sent out by friends. They are being scattered all over the world.
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.
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.
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.
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 received "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.
"Pentecost has swept across the country, and through the instrumentality 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.
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.
"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 grave beneath the skies,
From ocean depth and mountain peak,
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.
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:
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.
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. Helga, Amanda and Marion Iverson, 3301 Ninth Avenue South.
Pentecost has fallen in Santa Barbara, California.
Baptized workers have gone to Boston and Washington, D.C. and have opened meetings, and souls are seeking their Pentecost.
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.
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.
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 do that which He has guided me and trained me in, to the glory of His holy name."
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.
A woman in San Marcial, NM. 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.
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 your 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, such a light, man cannot imagine or eyes 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, my 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.
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.
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.
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.
Bro. Adolph Rosa has left San Francisco for Portugal to preach the Gospel to his own people there.
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 toil 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- mansioned 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 toils 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 ay
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.
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 spake." (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, as 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.
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. If 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 1Cor.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 spake 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.
God has saved me from a life of sin and filled, not half filled but 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 nights 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.
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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 idolaters, 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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
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.
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.
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.
Azusa Mission is not the head of this movement; we are a body of missions with Christ as the Head. All glory to God.
Men may fight against this Gospel, but it will stand, for it is founded on Christ the Rock and His eternal Word.
God wants men and women that will preach this Gospel square from the shoulder.
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.
"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.
"In the meeting at Dunn, NC., 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, NC., April 24.
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 whatever 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 on 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.
The interpretation of many of the messages in nearly every language spoken by the Holy Ghost in unknown tongues is that Jesus is coming.
"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, —Celia Freeman, 610 Willard St., Durham, SC.
* * *
"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.
* * *
"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.
* * *
"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 my 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.
* * *
"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 this 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 conquerors, 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 talk and foolish dress and fashion 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.
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.
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 1:5, 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. Glassco 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 filled with power.
Dear Bro. Glassco 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 anointed 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.
"March on, forward is our cry,
March on, be faithful 'till we die;
March on, the Bridegroom's surely nigh;
Get oil within your vessel, 'tis the midnight cry!
I was privileged last week to be at the Alliance, Ohio Missionary Home. God truly has a body of consecrated, baptized young people there, and the very atmosphere was perfumed with prayer, and the Holy Ghost is honored, and dear Bro. Lupton is preaching the precious truth in the Holy Ghost. Humility is manifest to high and low alike. Bless God. The dear young people there are getting their calls from God to their fields of labor. Oh, it is a pleasure to see a body of earnest young people like that out and out for God. May God pity the Holiness people who are rejecting the light. I am so thankful there was no prejudice in my heart from the very first I heard it. —Yours in Jesus, Pearl Bowen, 118 Gale St., Akron, O.
"It is wonderful to me to hear of the Pentecost. The first time I heard of it, there was not a doubt in my mind. While I do not understand it—but yet that is not my business—bless God—He can do to suit Himself and I will say amen. The Lord has used me to heal two people just by laying hands on them and thanking Him. They were immediately healed, and I could not tell how many I have prayed for that have been healed. For myself, I was in a critical condition and never thought of being well; but with all my heart I wanted to be all that the Blood called for. I went to God with all my heart, to find my place in Him. And when the Holy Ghost struck me, He did not leave a thing on my body to represent the devil's work. All glory belongs to Him that bought me. Glory! Two years after that, one morning as I was praying, the Holy Ghost read 1 John 2:5, and I waited on God two days. And while I was standing and talking to Him about what there was in His Word for me, He instantly housed me into Himself, so that I have not had to go to bed to rest from that very hour, and I have done much hard work since that. I do not feel any more like stopping than when I began. God bless you all, is my prayer. Keep humble. We are a few of us waiting on God. My love to all." —Joseph Robbins, 936 Arsenal Ave., Columbus, O.