04.01-CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO BE TRULY HELPFUL, history must be as full and as accurate as is possible. It was in part to further this end, as regards the history of the Brethren, that I wrote my life of A. N.
Groves, and the papers “Inquire of the Former Age” that appeared in the first three issues of The Disciple. To the same end I here put on record some little known facts connected with the modern Movement associated with speaking with tongues. I write with no initial prejudice against this Movement, even as I had none against the former, but would contribute facts not given in any account of the Movement known to me, as well as reflections formed when reading its own literature. In 1913 I issued a book entitled The Modern Gift of Tongues: Whence is it? A reviewer wrote at the time that “highly controversial, the spirit of love is never absent from these pages.” I desire that this present book may win like praise. My principal sources of information are these,
My own contact with the Movement and its literature go back to 1909, that is, to within three years of its commencement m Los Angeles, California, in 1906.
By the kindness of a friend in the U.S.A. I have read Like a Mighty Army Moves the Church of God, by C. W. Conn, being the official history of what arrogates to itself the title “The Church of God.” It was issued in March 1955 at Cleveland, Tennessee.
With Signs Following: the Story of the Pentecostal Revival in the Twentieth Century, by S. H. Frodsham: Springfield, U.S.A.. 1941. This writer was one of the earliest members of the Movement, in Bournemouth, England.
The Pentecostal Movement: a Short History and an interpretation for British Readers, by Donald Gee; Luton, Bedfordshire, England, 1941.
How Pentecost Came to Los Angeles. As it was in the Beginning, by Frank Bartleman. By the kindness of the same American Friend I have been able to read this rare and striking book. It is the best authority upon the first beginnings in Los Angeles, being by one who had a leading part in preparation for the outbreak, who described it from personal experience, and who wrote his account as early as April 1925, using notes made at the time.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, a Personal Testimony, by William Booth-Clibborn. First edition, 1929; third edition, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A, 1944. This is of value as narrating the writer’s “baptism” as early as November 1908 in London. I have consulted letters and smaller works found among my papers gathered in those early years. In addition, and of great importance, are,
A set of 140 issues of the leading early magazine of the Movement, entitled Confidence. It was published by Rev. Alexander A. Boddy, of All Saints Church, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, where in 1907 the Movement commenced in England. The first number is dated April 1908: it was issued monthly till the end of 1916, then bi-monthly, then quarterly, and the last number I have is dated 1926. Mr. Boddy travelled in many lands visiting centers of the Movement; Christians 3from many countries visited Sunderland; and as a result reports and letters reached him from all over the earth. Conference addresses were published, articles explaining the Movement were included, and his magazine became the chief early organ of the Movement for the English-speaking world. To go through this collection is to gain a comprehensive view of the whole Movement and knowledge of its chief leaders in many lands.
In the first days of the Movement I was struck by the way its literature came to me from many quarters quite unsought. It was partly this that impelled me to write the book before mentioned. It seems noteworthy that when in 1955 I began to ponder the Movement there should reach me in quick succession items 2, 5, 6 and 7, full of information now very difficult to obtain.
It will be observed that I have not used literature antagonistic to the Movement. Indeed, to keep my mind free from its influence I have not looked at what I have of such, and it is thirty or more years since I read it. The Movement is considered here as recorded by its own leading representatives. A personal and esteemed friend of many years, a pastor in the Movement, inquired why I spoke of them as the “Tongues” Movement instead of using their chosen title “Pentecostal”? I replied that were I to do so I should concede the very point I doubt.
Why do I have this doubt? Speaking with tongues is certainly Pentecostal, nor do I question that the Spirit of God can grant this power today. I reject the theory that this and other such gifts were not intended to be permanent in this age. On the contrary, the greater gifts are to be desired earnestly, especially the power to prophesy; and lesser gifts, such as speaking with tongues, are not forbidden (1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:39). Moreover, these brethren declare the true faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, redemption by His atoning blood is preached, there is most commendable zeal in spreading the gospel, which is owned by God to the conversion of sinners. I am privileged with the individual fellowship and co-operation of not a few ministers in the Movement. Why, then, should one have doubts about it as a whole, and some-times utter a friendly caution? In my own case the answer, and the reasons for now writing upon the subject, will be best served by narrating some characteristic features of the Movement in its earlier period. My experience of it goes back to those days. Having no objection to the exercise of supernatural gifts, I did not look at the matter with prejudice or initial disfavour. But facts are stubborn and would not let me regard the Movement with complacence. Facts learned later have confirmed that earlier attitude.
I am aware that the picture here drawn of those early years may disquiet and distress some true children of God who, from lack of information, have felt confident that there was then nothing less than an irruption of the Spirit of God to awaken and quicken a sleeping church. It requires spiritual stamina to be able to look with a quiet and honest mind upon what disturbs cherished opinions. Such as, by the Spirit, have moral strength to do this will find that this book is not designed to withdraw them from the realm of things super-natural, but rather to enable them to discern more accurately between the divine and the human, the heavenly and the earthly, the workings of the Spirit of truth and the counter-workings of the great Liar and Deceiver.
“If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed “ (John 8:36); free to move safely in that higher region of the kingdom of God which Pentecost opened to all believers but with which many children of God have no acquaintance, but in the search for which many honest seekers have been misled into a neighboring realm of the supernatural where counterfeits beguile and disasters over-whelm.