Gracious Pentecostal Showers Continue to Fall.
The news has spread far and wide that Los Angeles is being visited with a "rushing mighty wind from heaven." The how and why of it is to be found in the very opposite of those conditions that are usually thought necessary for a big revival. No instruments of music are used, none are needed. No choir-but bands of angels have been heard by some in the spirit and there is a heavenly singing that is inspired by the Holy Ghost. No collections are taken. No bills have been posted to advertise the meetings. No church or organization is back of it. All who are in touch with God realize as soon as they enter the meetings that the Holy Ghost is the leader. One brother stated that even before his train entered the city, he felt the power of the revival.
Travelers from afar wend their way to the headquarters at Azusa Street. As they enquire their way to the Apostolic Faith Mission, perhaps they are asked, "O, you mean the Holy Rollers," or "It is the Colored Church you mean?" In the vicinity of a tombstone shop stables and lumber yard (a fortunate vicinity because no one complains of all-night meetings) you find a two-story, white-washed old building. You would hardly expect heavenly visitations there, unless you remember the stable at Bethlehem.
But here you find a mighty Pentecostal revival going on from ten o'clock in the morning till about twelve at night. Yes, Pentecost has come to hundreds of hearts and many homes are made into a sweet paradise below. We remember years ago, when a bright, young missionary was dying in Bombay, India, in his last hours, unconscious with the fever, he kept crying. "Pentecost is coming! Pentecost is coming! It seemed prophetical. Pentecost has come and is coming in India, and thank God in many other places.
A leading Methodist layman of Los Angeles says, "Scenes transpiring here are what Los Angeles churches have been praying for years. I have been a Methodist for twenty-five years. I was a leader of the praying band of the First Methodist Church. We prayed that the Pentecost might come to the city of Los Angeles. We wanted it to start in the First Methodist Church, but God did not start it there. I bless God that it did not start in any church in this city, but out in the barn, so that we might all come and take part in it. If it had started in a fine church, poor colored people and Spanish people would not have got it, but praise God it started here. God Almighty says He will pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh. This is just what is happening here. I want to warn every Methodist in Los Angeles to keep your hands off this work. Tell the people wherever you go that Pentecost has come to Los Angeles."
As soon as it is announced that the altar is open for seekers for pardon, sanctification, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and healing of the body, the people rise and flock to the altar. There is no urging. What kind of preaching is it that brings them? Why, the simple declaring of the Word of God. There is such power in the preaching of the Word in the Spirit that people are shaken on the benches. Coming to the altar, many fall prostrate under the power of God, and often come e out speaking in tongues. Sometimes the power falls on people and they are wrought upon by the Spirit during testimony or preaching and receive Bible experiences.
The testimony meetings which precede the preaching often continue for two hours or more and people are standing waiting to testify all the time. Those who have received the baptism with the Holy Ghost testify that they had a clear evidence of sanctification first. Hundreds testify that they received the Bible evidence of speaking in a new tongue that they never knew before. Some have received the "gift of tongues" or "divers tongues" and the interpretation.
The demonstrations are not the shouting, clapping or jumping so often seen in camp meetings. There is a shaking such as the early Quakers had and which the old Methodists called the "jerks." It is while under the power of the Spirit you see the hands raised and hear speaking in tongues. While one sings a song learned from heaven with a shining face, the tears will be trickling down other faces. Many receive the Spirit through the laying on of hands, as they did through Paul at Ephesus.
Little children from eight years to twelve stand up on the altar bench and testify to the baptism with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues. In the children's meetings little tots get down and seek the Lord.
It is noticeable how free all nationalities feel. If a Mexican or German cannot speak English, he gets up and speaks in his own tongue and feels quite at home for the Spirit interprets through the face and people say amen. No instrument that God can use is rejected on account of color or dress or lack of education. This is why God has so built up the work.
In the testimony meetings, they report from cottage prayer meetings where perhaps a number were baptized with the Holy Ghost or saved or sanctified and those who have been seeking at home report what God has done for them.
The singing is characterized by freedom. "The Comforter has come" is sung every day, also "Heavenly Sunlight" and "Under the Blood." Often one will rise and sing a familiar song in a new tongue.
Seekers for healing are usually taken upstairs and prayed for in the prayer room and many have been healed there. There is a larger room upstairs that is used for Bible study. A brother fittingly describes it in this way, "Upstairs is a long room furnished with chairs and three California redwood planks, laid end to end on backless chairs. This is the Pentecostal upper room where sanctified souls seek Pentecostal fullness and go out speaking in new tongues."
The sweetest thing of all is the loving harmony. Every church where this has gone is like a part of the family. This description is given for the benefit of the many friends who write in and who would like to be present. So many letters are received in the Apostolic Faith office, which is in the same building as the mission. We cannot but weep as we read these letters and pray for those who are seeking.
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The Lord is saving drunkards and taking the appetite for liquor and tobacco completely away.
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Reports come from Denver that forty souls have received the Pentecost and are speaking in tongues.
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A young man saved from the morphine habit has no more desire for the stuff and gave up his instruments.
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Four workers from Texas, Bro. and Sister Oyler and Bro. and Sister Quinton have arrived in Los Angeles lately. God has been using them in Whittier.
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Bro. Tom Qualis from Fresno said, "I came 300 miles to this meeting and I feel heaven in my soul. It seems to me I am getting some of the crumbs that fall from Father's table. I feel the presence of God here."
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"Cartoons in the newspapers were my first introduction to this meeting," said a brother, "and I said, this is what I have been praying for years. I was warned by leaders that it was of the devil, but I came and got a touch of heaven in my soul."
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Before the fire broke out in *** a brother had a vision of fires springing up and then gathering together and advancing in a solid wall of flame. A preacher was trying to put it out with a wet gunny sack, but it was evident there was no use fighting it. Our God is marching on. Hallelujah. The man with the wet gunny sack is here also, but his efforts only call attention to the fire.
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The blind man who was saved and had his sight restored was saved because of hearing a few praying in tongues in a cottage meeting. He was a sinner; a very profane man, and was convicted because of tongues. Praise God for His marvelous works to the children of men.
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Sister Lemon of Whittier, who had been a sufferer for eighteen years and could receive no help from physicians, and had been bed-ridden for fourteen years of that time has been marvelously healed by the Lord through the laying on of hands and the prayer of faith. She has been walking to meetings. The opposers of the work cannot deny that a notable miracle has been performed through the mighty name of Jesus.
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Mother Griffith, who has been matron of a rescue home has received her Pentecost. She testified, "It seemed to me when I got saved, I got into the ocean; and when I got sanctified, it seemed the ocean got into me; and when I was baptized with the Holy Ghost, it seemed I got the life preserve on and began floating on the ocean of salvation. Jesus lives in me, and I live and have my being in Him. Thank God for salvation, sanctification, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and the witness."
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Sister Bridget Welch has been powerfully baptized with the Holy Ghost and is working for the Lord both in laboring for souls and in service with her hands ministering to others. She testifies, "I was a dope fiend and in and out of prisons for twenty years. God Almighty has surely healed my body and given me divine strength. He healed me of cancer of the nose and did not leave a scar. I have no time for a drug store any more. The Lord took me out of an awful pit and set my feet on the solid rock and established my goings and put a new song in my mouth. He sanctified me and baptized me with the Holy Ghost and gave me the gift of tongues."
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A sister who was very hungry for the Pentecost prayed for the Lord to strip her of everything, but give more of Himself. Then shortly afterwards when her house was in flames, she went out and knelt down in the weeds and prayed, "Lord, you said all things work together for good to them that love you. Give me more of God." And He answered prayer and gave her a mighty baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire and she is shining for God.
PENTECOST IN DENVER.
1934 E. 18th ave., Denver, Colo.
What I received on that memorable Sunday night in Los Angeles has never left me for one moment and last night in particular at the meeting, did the Holy Ghost magnify the simple Gospel of our Lord in demonstration and power, until about twenty-five crowded the altar and got definite experiences of justification, sanctification, baptism with the Holy Ghost, and healing. One dear old man, who because of his back, could not straighten up nor stoop down without severe pain, was instantly healed, got up and showed the people how the dear Lord had healed him. He stood as straight as a young man, stooped down, touched the floor with his hands without a bit of pain. Then he knelt down and said, "I want the baptism with the Holy Ghost," and Glory to God, he got it, and there was great joy.
Dear Bro. Seymour, God surely sent me here. These dear, hungry people, when they learned I came from the meeting at Los Angeles, received me with open arms. They gave me the evening, and during the meeting, they embraced me and our joy in the Lord knew no bounds. One dear brother from Los Angeles picked me up and held me as if I were a child. This is but the beginning of a work here such as we knew in Los Angeles. This people have been praying that God would send someone to teach them and give them light and wisdom, and they believe God has answered their prayers, hence their great joy. I feel the need of your prayers. I never saw in all my travels a people so hungry for the truth.
Dear Bro. G.F. Fink, the brother to charge, was coming to Los Angeles to Azusa street to learn and get a better understanding of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. While I was talking to the people last night, he arose and embraced me crying, I love you, I love you, my brother. Surely God has sent you to us; and the people wept for joy, and shouted praises unto God. These people here were set on fire by the Holy Ghost through Bro. Johnson and the two sisters who passed through here, and it is marvelous how the Holy Ghost has led them. You little know how the people have been praying for you and the meetings in Los Angeles in the midst of their own struggles. Give my love in Jesus to all the saints.
-T. Hezmalhaich.
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VICTORY IN OAKLAND.
Bro. Harmon Clifford, the young man who was saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost all in an hour and a half at Azusa Street Mission, and who was also healed of consumption, has been increasing in power, and God has bestowed on him many gifts. He writes from Oakland where the Lord sent him:
"How I praise God for ever sending me to Oakland with Bro. Rosa. I was never so happy in all my life as I have been this last week. It did seem as though I would go up at any moment, but of course God has a work for me to do yet. Praise His dear name. There was some trouble about the Bible evidence to the baptism with the Holy Ghost, but as soon as that was straight, God began to work and has been working ever since. O glory to God! Many have been saved, sanctified, and healed. Six have received Pentecost and spoke in a good, clear language up to Thursday night. People were laid out all over the mission. The people have been very quiet and let the Holy Ghost have right of way, and sometimes before the preaching is over people come to the altar. There are many hungry souls in this city."
336 Ninth st., Oakland, Cal.
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VISION AND MESSAGE.
A sister who has been healed and baptized with the Holy Ghost related the following vision, "Two days ago the power of God came over me and He said. 'Whatsoever ye ask in my name believing, ye shall receive.' I said 'Give wisdom to speak to the people.' Immediately I was in a great hall with tables spread all about, and the Lord was the waiter, and I saw His beautiful, smiling face. He spoke to me and said, 'I have called my friends and they did not come, therefore go out and ask everyone you find to come to the wedding.' As I looked around to see something beautiful, the scene changed and I was in a hospital and saw poor creatures dying, looking like skeletons. I thought my call was to the hospital and telephoned to know when it was open for visitors, but the Lord revealed to me that it meant all those who are sick in their souls."
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A CORRECTION.
In our last issue, there was a prophecy by Sister Mary Golmond of an earthquake coming to Los Angeles. She stated that the Lord had not showed the time, but that it would NOT come on Sunday. The word "not" was accidentally omitted.
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HIS BANQUETING HOUSE.
"He took me into his banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." A brother says the Lord gave him a vision of the banqueting house. He passed under the great arches. Each one had a name upon it. The first was love, then there was joy, peace, and among others he saw, "Independence." He asked what that meant. The answer was, "Is it not wonderful to be free?" Dear saints, this is one of the sweetest arches in the banqueting house. This bondage to love sets me perfectly free.
UNUSUAL NOISE.
There has been some unusual noise in the town of Whittier, the prayers of those who are burdened for the lost, the sound of praises to God and speaking in new tongues. A few days ago, four workers were arrested while praying in the cottage that had been offered free or rent for the use of the workers. The following letter was received at Azusa street.
"Brother Seymour in Jesus: We are charged with using boisterous language, unusual noise, or in other words praising God and speaking in tongues. This happened in the cottage this morning. The defendants are Sister May Mayo, Sister Jacobson, Bro. and Sister McLain. Trial comes off at 4 p.m. We are standing steadfast, seeing the glory of God. We believe the judge is under conviction. Sunday night nine souls were at the altar. Souls getting saved and sanctified. Power is falling in the audience. People being slain."
When the word came to Azusa street, fifteen workers rallied to take the place of the four and meetings have been going on there with victory and power ever since.
The band that were arrested are rejoicing in the Lord that they were permitted to go through the trial. The judge gave them the choice of leaving town or going to jail. They consulted the Lord about it and He said: "When they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another." So the sisters obeyed but Bro. McLain preferred to stand a few days in jail and working on the chain gang. When the judge gave sentence, Sister Mayo raised her hands to heaven and prayed for him and for Whittier.
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PENTECOST IN INDIA.
News comes from India that the baptism with the Holy Ghost and gift of tongues is being received there by natives who are simply taught of God. The India Alliance says, "Some of the gifts which have been scarcely heard of in the church for many centuries, are now being given by the Holy Ghost to simple, unlearned members of the body of Christ, and communities are being stirred and transformed by the wonderful grace of God. Healing, the gift of tongues, visions, and dreams, discernment of spirits, the power to prophecy and to pray the prayer of faith, all have a place in the present revival." Hallelujah! God is sending the Pentecost to India. He is no respecter of persons.
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VERNON MISSION.
Bro. and Sister F. E. Hill are now conducting **** Forty-third and Forty-fourth streets, 4307 Central avenue. Since they received their Pentecost, they have been holding cottage meetings at their home with seekers every night. Then they told the people God had showed them to start a meeting in that section and in about five minutes the rent was paid for the hall in advance. Bro. Hill has dropped his business and is giving all his time to Gospel work. The Nazarene Church forbade speaking in tongues or testifying on the line of the baptism with the Holy Ghost upon the sanctified life, so they with others have walked out with the Bible and the Spirit, and God is giving them souls. There is room for Spirit filled workers everywhere.
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SPREADING THE FULL GOSPEL.
A number of Spirit filled workers have been going out of late. Bro. Adolph Rosa and Bro. Harmon Clifford went to Oakland and God has been using them there. Then a band of seven left on the steamer for the north, for Oakland, Salem and Seattle. They were, Sister Florence Crawford, Bro. and Sister G.W. Evans, Bro. and Sister Thomas Junk, Sister Ophelia Wiley and Sister Luiu Miller, Bro. Post went to Santa Barbara, Bro. T. Hezmalhalch to Denver, Sister Potter and Violet Price to Fresno, Bro. F.W. Williams to Alabama a Spanish brother, Brigido Perez, to San Diego. Sister Elsie Robinson to Onawa, Michigan. Bro. Seymour has been called for a short time to Oakland, but expects soon to return to headquarters at Los Angeles. We wish to keep track of the workers in the field and be united together in prayer for each other and the work in the different fields.
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BAPTIZED ON A FRUIT WAGON.
Bro. G. Zigler, who runs a fruit wagon, driving into Los Angeles early in the morning, says, "I was on my wagon coming down to the market praising God, when the Lord covered me with His power and I began to sing such a sweet song I had never sung anything like before. I was riding along at three o'clock in the morning. All at once I commenced to talk in a new tongue, and it was the most wonderful blessing I have ever received. What He has done for me, He will do for everybody."
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The meetings have been going on now for about six months at Azusa Street day and night. How long are they going to continue? We expect them to keep on till Jesus comes, by the grace of God.
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The religion of Jesus Christ is no more popular now than it was when Jesus was here. Many are rejecting the truth and are not going to receive it. The word not only says that signs shall follow them that believe, but that "They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This also is being fulfilled.
END OF PAGE ONE
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
312 Azusa Street
Published by
THE PACIFIC APOSTOLIC FAITH MOVEMENT
Headquarters, Los Angeles.
Subscription Free.
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The Pacific Apostolic Faith Movement stands for the restoration of the faith once delivered unto the saints-the old time religion, camp meeting, revivals, missions, street and prison work and Christian unity everywhere.
We are not fighting men or churches, but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds or wild fanaticisms with living, practical Christianity. "Love, Faith, Unity" is out watchword, and "Victory through the Atoning Blood" our battle cry.
Teaching on Repentance-Mark 1:14, 15.
Godly Sorrow for Sins, Example-9.13" class="scriptRef">Matt. 9:13. 2 Cor. 7, 9, 11. Acts 3:19. Acts 17:20, 31.
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.
Faith in Jesus Christ.
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.)
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. 17.15" class="scriptRef">John 17:15, 17.-"Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word 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 breathed on them the Holy Ghost (John 20:21, 22). You know that they could not have received the Spirit if they were not clean. Jesus cleaned and got all doubt out of His Church before He went back to glory.
Too many have confused the grace of Sanctification with the enduement of Power, or the Baptism of 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 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."-Hab. 1:5.
Healing.-We must believe that God is able to heal.-Ex. 15:26: "I am the Lord that healeth the." 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.
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God loves the pure in heart, the surrendered will, the empty vessel. Believe Him and receive Him. He will have His way if you will let Him.
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Sister Florence Crawford says she had a vision of a beautiful bouquet of flowers all in the bud, and the Lord said to her, "This movement is just in the bud."
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Sister J. W. Hutchins writes from Chattanooga, Tenn., that they are stopping there in a meeting. People are hungry for the truth. They are on their way to Africa.
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Interpretation of a message in tongues: "Oh Jesus is such a wonderful God. He will reveal Himself to us in many wonderful ways. Jesus is surely with us. O praise Him."
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The brother who was healed of asthma from which he had been suffering twenty years has received the Pentecost. He is rejoicing in the perfect healing of soul and body.
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Sister Jennie Jacobson, a Swedish sister who had been only two months in this country, was given the gift of the English language with the understanding of the words. She also received another tongue.
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You who are baptized with the Holy Ghost must die daily that Christ may abide in you. If we begin to get puffed up, God will set us aside, but if we give Him all the glory. He will use us to scatter this light.
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Blessed are the pure in heart. We do not get this purity till we are willing to let Him have His way to the fullest extent of the word. We are clay in the Potter's hands. We must have the self well removed in order to receive Him. As long as we have something to say, "I don't like this or that," we cannot receive the Holy Ghost.
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We find some who are superstitious about seeking the Holy Ghost. They are afraid they are going to get the power of the devil instead of God, but men and women that are walking in the light can quickly see that this is of God. It is easy for the Lord to show them that This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. We are living in the last days when He is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh.
RIVER OF LIVING WATER.
In the 4th chapter of John, the words come, "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of Him and He would have given the living water." Praise God for the living waters today that flow freely, for it comes from God to every hungry and thirsty heart. Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his inmost being shall flow rivers of living waters." Then we are able to go in the mighty name of Jesus to the ends of the earth and water dry places, deserts and solitary places, until these parched, sad, lonely hearts are made to rejoice in the God of their salvation. We want the rivers today. Hallelujah! Glory to God in the highest!
In Jesus Christ we get forgiveness of sin, and we get sanctification of our spirit, soul, and body, and upon that we get the gift of the Holy Ghost that Jesus promised to His disciples, the promise of the Father. All this we get through the atonement. Hallelujah!