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Chapter 11 Heart Burning Heavenly Fire Mighty Methodists In the early 1700s a fresh Pentecostal revival began appearing in many quarters. In Europe the Spirit was moving among the Huguenots, Moravians, and Quakers, while in America the Great Awakening touched the New Lights, Separatists, Baptists and New England Presbyterians. During these days of revival the Methodists stand out because of their exceptional growth and doctrinal stability. Methodists were strong in their desire to retain Scripture as their guiding light, while some of the other groups (i.e. Quakers and Shakers) set their feelings, revelations or personalities above the written Word of God. Because the Methodists embraced Scripture as their guide they altered World History for the good. Many Methodists also gained a reputation for their HUMAN EXCITEMENT as well as their demonstrations of SPIRITUAL POWER. SPIRITUAL POWER Acts 6:8 "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." Cast Out Devils Mark 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;" While some early Methodists discouraged the emotional outburst among converts. Wesley generally held that such demonstrations were simply an outward manifestation of an inward work and were most desirable. He also noted that certain physical exhibitions came from demonic influences and so, he prayed for the afflicted person until deliverance was found! We are informed that many converts were set free from demonic possession through the ministry of the early Methodists.56 Speak With New Tongues Mark 16:17 ". . .they shall speak with new tongues" Thomas Walsh (one of Wesley's foremost preachers) made this entry in his diary; "This morning the Lord gave me a language that I knew not of, raising my soul to Him in a wonderful manner."57 During the 1740s the Rev. Nicholas Gilman, a New England clergymen, spoke in his diary of a young woman that fell into a protracted ecstasy in which she "lay blessing and praising God in whispers, in the language of a soul actually in Heaven."58 In Darlaston England, at about the same time, several people fell down while making what was described as strange noises. These testified that they had received the Holy Ghost and thus, precipitated a riot.59 ------------------------------------- 56 Spirit Possession and Popular Religion From the Camisards to the Shakers, Clarke Garrett, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, p. 86 57 With Signs Following, Frodsham, Thomas Walsh, Entry of March 8, 1750, p. 258 Also cited at, http://acf.net/manifest.htm April 13, 1998 58 Spirit Possession and Popular Religion From the Camisards to the Shakers, Clarke Garrett, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, p.131 from Gilman's "Diary" 243, 253-55, 258 59 ibid, p.98 _____________________________ Lay Hands on the Sick Mark 16:18 ". . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." It was common for pioneer Methodists to experience Divine quickening and strength when all human energy had failed. However, John Wesley also wrote of praying for the sick. A certain Mr. Meyrick was expected to die before morning, so, some believers joined in prayer and "before we had finished his sense and speech returned." Wesley continued, ". . . this is the power of God."60 Praying for the sick was not a new innovation among Methodists but was also included in the old 1721 Episcopal prayer book and was effectively ministered by some Kings of England during the 1700s.61 To deny prayer for the sick is simply the fruit of modernistic unbelief. Prophecy and Miracles Acts 2:17 ". . . your sons and your daughters shall prophesy..." John 14:12 "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do. . . " In 1797 the Methodist Thomas Ware witnessed that Christ still controlled the weather and used his servants in the gift of prophecy. Thomas says, "Cecil circuit had been added to the Philadelphia district. The quarterly meeting on this circuit was at hand, and I urged Dr. C. To attended it. He came with a number of the warm-hearted members from his circuit. On the first day of the meeting there were many present, and the prospect was very encouraging. But there were appearances of rain, which it was though might discourage the people from coming out in the evening. Dr. Chandler, however, pressed to come out, saying that he believed God would be present and do wonders among them. 'Some of you,' he added, 'will probably be kept away from the apprehension that it will rain: but, mark my word, there will be no rain in this vicinity, until the quarterly meeting is ended.' I was startled at his bold prediction, and was on the point of requesting him to recall or qualify it, but finally concluded to let it pass. Night came, and the house was crowded. A gracious work commenced. Some, of whom it was least expected, were found upon their knees crying for mercy. The morning of the Sabbath was the most dark and threatening I ever saw. The clouds appeared surcharged with rain, and it was the expectation of many that Dr. Chandler would be proved a false prophet. But still it so turned out that the rain was withheld until the meeting closed, and the people generally had reached their homes; after which the clouds emptied themselves upon the earth, and the fall of rain exceeded anything which had been know for many years before."62 -------------------------------------- 60 The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M, ed Nehemiah Curnock (London: Epworth) 1912 3:55-56, Entry of 20 Dec. 1742 Theological Roots of Pentecostalism, Donald W. Dayton, Francis Asbury Press, 1987, p118 61 Suppressed Evidence pp. 318 - 320 62 The Life And Travels of Rev. Thomas Ware, --Thomas Ware, 1842, p.229 _____________________________________
I Will Pour Out My Spirit, (Joel 2:28) Joel 2:28-32 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit . . . 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered . . ." As God moved among the Methodists, visions were often accompanied by overpowering love and joy. A child, seven years old, saw many visions and astonishes the neighbors with her innocent, awful manner of declaring them. Some believers laid under the hand of God for hours while tears of joy ran down their faces. Others screamed and shouted or shook with violence from head to foot. The Methodists preached Jesus Christ, and faith in his blood. Consequently, believers were continually added to the Church. As these met God, He moved throughout the total person and touched them in Spirit Soul and Body. The end effect of these encounters was best summed up in the words of one woman. After her emotional excitement she was asked, "What do you want?" She replied, "Nothing but Christ."63 ------------------------------ 63 Wesley's Journal (January 3, 1760), http://acf.net/manifest.htm, April 14, 1998 ___________________________ HUMAN EXCITEMENT Acts 8:8 "And there was great joy in that city." While many early Methodists ministered through the gifts of the Spirit, they also "got happy" in the process. The joy and excitement they experienced were identical to that of the early 1800s Camp Meetings and to the early 1900s PENTECOSTALS. Falling and Emotional Manifestations Acts 16:29-30 "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" One of the most prevalent manifestations among early Methodists was fall down in the presence of God. The worshiper would become so moved or convicted that they would drop as if dead. Some would lay without motion, some trembled, others would display a sort of convulsive response which might include strong groans, cries and tears.64 The sinners prayed with deep cries of anguish while agonizingly panting and gasping after eternal life in great distress of soul, calling on the Lord Jesus for salvation. When an altar call was made it was common for people to sink to the floor. ---------------------------------- 64 The works of John Bunyan were loved and read by many early Methodists. Bunyan wrote, "First of all, A child, you know, is incident to cry as soon as it comes into the world; for if there be no noise, they say it is dead. You that are born of God, and Christian, if you be not criers, there is no spiritual life in you -- if you be born of God, you are crying ones . . . The Works of John Bunyan, Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon, V. 2 p., 756 ____________________________
Holy Laughter Wesley's journal speaks of a young Methodist sister Ann Thorn, who, sometimes had visions of Jesus and frequently laughed while she saw His glory. Many others demonstrated their joy through holy laughter. Wesley also spoke of an uncontrolled laughter that seized some individuals. This was accepted as joyful praise but occasionally it was discerned to be the pernicious work of the devil. The discerning of spirits is necessary for today's believer and was part of the Methodist experience. I once pastored an aged Nazarene (non-PENTECOSTAL) sister who manifested the spirit of laughter. She would say, "Preacher, I never spoke in tongues but laughing, that's just what I do." Whereupon, she would raise her head and laugh from the depths of her spirit. I can confidently affirm that her laughter was great praise to God. She always followed her rejoicing with heart felt "Praise the Lord!" A Country Revival! While Thomas Ware (1790) ministered in the area the Holston Conference, and attended a quarterly meeting in Mecklenburg. He wrote, "On Saturday many people attended and great power was manifested during the public exercises. On Sunday morning the love feast was appointed to commence at eight o'clock. By seven the house was nearly full, and many were prostrate on the floor; and the surrounding grove was made vocal by the shouts of men, woman, and children, as they were approaching the house, some of whom were supported on their horses by those who accompanied them. When the house was filled, those who could not get in were engaged in some religious exercise without, and numbers were slain under the trees. A son of Col. Taylor, of Tar River, supported by two men, went about among the people, praising God, and telling them what the Lord had done for his soul; and wherever he came they were melted into tears. His appearance was sufficient to disarm the most stouthearted of them. As to preaching, it was out of the question. Nor did there appear to be any need of it; for all seemed to yield to the gracious influence, and with melting hearts to say, 'This is the work of God.' Something like this had been witnessed under the ministry of Mr. Boardman, King, and others. However, Mr. Rankin, Mr. Wesley's general assistant, so violently opposed it (emotional experience) that it soon declined. This circumstance was remembered; and all who were the real friends of experimental religion agreed that it behooved us to let the Lord work in his own way." 66 ------------------------------- 66 The Life And Travels of Rev. Thomas Ware, --Thomas Ware, 1842, p.169 ___________________________ Sent Away -- To God's Secret Place Hebrews 13:13-15 "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." --Thomas Ware 1790 "I once knew a pious female, a member of a church, remarkable for her good sense and propriety of conduct, who was constrained under a touching address of her minister to cry out and shout aloud. The effect was thrilling. Numbers in the congregation trembled and wept. The minister, however, sharply rebuked her, and told her to be silent, or to leave the house. She chose the latter and immediately retired to a grove, where, without rebuke or interruption, she could give vent to the swelling emotion of her pious heart. Had the minister continued his address instead of checking the impulse of feeling uttered by this devoted Christian, and called upon those who were weeping and trembling, to humble themselves before God, and seek his mercy, and the pious part of the congregation to unite in prayer for them, he would no doubt have had a great and glorious revival of religion, and many souls would have been rescued from the captivity of sin. But setting his face against the first manifestation of God's special presence among the people, the serious impressions which some had soon died away; and the good woman would have been a valuable helper to him if the revival had gone on, was set down as an enthusiast. Thus was she restrained while she continued in connection with that church. In process of time, however, she removed to another place, where she opened her doors for Methodist preaching, and was the first to join class when an opportunity was offered. After this, she lived long as a nursing mother in our Zion, greatly beloved and respected by all that knew her. From the diary of this excellent person I took by permission, the following extracts, relating to the grove in which she retired for devotion:-- 'The grove to which I fled from the rebuke of my minister, for disturbing what he called the order of God, where nevertheless the presence of my God, which attended me, shone so bright that its foliage seemed tinged with his glory, was long my favorite retreat. Here were lofty trees, who's cooling umbrage, in the sultry season, I often enjoyed, and who's towering leafless heads I have seen in winter wave to Him who bid them be, and I ardently desired to be as pure from sin as they. The last time I visited this delightful recess, on the one side a marshy swamp through which no one could pass, and on the other an open wood through which none could approach unseen, (for I wished to be unseen by all but Heaven,) I renewed my covenant with God and received a delightful assurance that he would go with me in the way I was about to go;-- and retiring, I cast back on this rural temple a last and lingering look, and sighing, said, 'Adieu! Adieu, ye trembling aspens, emblems of myself, ye tremble without fear, corroding fear! Adieu, ye towering poplars, oaks, and elms! ye sweet magnolias, and ye mantling vines, adieu! Beneath your ample shade I've sat, I've knelt, I've sung, and made you witnesses of my solemn vows to a tree, and whose blood I hold to be the source, the price, the sum, of all my hopes, for time and for eternal ages.' Hallelujah! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!' "67 ------------------------------------------ 67 The Life And Travels of Rev. Thomas Ware, --Thomas Ware, 1842, p.253 ____________________________ Moravian Marvels While speaking of the Methodists we must also remember the Moravians and their singular influence upon Methodism. The Wesley brothers were first lead to a personal knowledge of Christ through the evangelistic ministry of the Moravians! Although the Wesleys were raised in the home of an Anglican priest and were themselves Anglican ministers they had not experienced the new birth that Jesus taught was so needful. When the Wesleys finally met Christ, the great Methodist awakening commenced. The Moravians originated among the Hussite Anabaptists which fled from Bohemia / Moravia during the very early 1700s. They were also known as Bohemian Brethren and officially took the name of United Brethren when they merged with some Waldensians in 1722. Count Zinzendorf of Germany granted these exiles refuge on his estate in Saxony and named their swelling settlement Herrnhut. (The Lord's Watch) God sent the refugees of Herrnhut a wonderful revival in 1727. Scriptures were confirmed with miraculous manifestations, signs and wonders, as most were lead by the Spirit to become missionary pioneers. They worked for fresh spiritual awakening in Europe and throughout the world. Because of their vision and soul-winning example, we all own them a great debt of thanks. The Moravians did not conform to the established patters of worship. The Moravians enjoyed twenty four-hour prayer meetings, spirited evangelical preaching, songfests, love feasts, loving Christian fellowship, and private devotions. The power of the Moravian experience sprang from a personal relationship with Christ and the glorious joy that can be found only IN HIM. From this personal knowledge of Christ and the Gospel message, God continued the ministry of the early apostles! Their leader Zinzendorf wrote of a Moravian brother who witnessed the refreshing that was coming upon the people. He noted that we were being "baptized with the Spirit of our fathers, beneath their cloud. Their Spirit returned upon us, and there was wrought in these days, amongst the Brethren, signs and miracles: and great graces (gifts of the spirit) were amongst us, and in all the district." 68 In 1740 the Brethren churches were described thus: "In respect to church matters, there are occasionally observed Apostolic graces, miracles, gifts of seers, &c. They are received in a child-like spirit, and there the matter ends."69 Zinzendorf concludes, "To believe against hope is the root of the gift of miracles: and I owe this testimony to our beloved church, that apostolic powers are there manifested. We have had undeniable proofs thereof in the unequivocal discover of things, persons, and circumstances, which could not , humanly, have been discovered: --in the healing of maladies in themselves incurable, such as cancers, consumptions when the patient was in the agonies of death, &c., All by means of prayer, or of a single word. We have seen hypocrites publicly unmasked, without any thing that was the occasion externally; visible signs, both of condemnation and also of recovery, in men who had offended with respect to the church; -- we have seen matters, which no man could think of seeing brought to an issue, cleared up in a few moments." 70 ------------------------------------- 68 Suppressed Evidences, --Boys, p 261, and from History of the Church of the Brethren, -- Rev. A Boast, Tom. II p. 367 69 Boys, p 261 , and from History of the Church of the Brethren, -- Rev. A Boast, Tom. II p. 17 70 Boys., p. 263 _______________________________ One special instance of healing was recounted by Zinzendorf. "A married Sister became extremely ill at Herrnhut. The physician had given up all hope, and her husband was plunged in grief. Watterville (a minister) visited the patient, found her joyfully expecting her removal, and took his leave, after having encouraged her in this happy frame. It was at that time, still the practice for the unmarried Brethren, on Sunday evenings, to go about, singing hymns before the Brethren's houses, with an instrumental accompaniment. Watteville made them sing some appropriate hymns under the window of the sick Sister; at the same time praying in his heart to the Lord that he would be pleased, if he thought good, to restore her to health. He conceived a hope of this, so full of sweetness and faith, that he sang with confidence, these lines: 'Cross upon Calv'ry lifted high, When Jesus gave himself to die, Come, warm a heart redeemed by grace, And kindle gratitude to praise. When, at the last, I pant for breath, Name but the Cross, my hope in death, Soon as I hear the blissful word, My voice returns, to praise the Lord.' What was the astonishment of those who surrounded the bed of this dying Sister, when they saw her sit up, and join, with a tone of animation, in singing the last line, 'My voice returns, to praise the Lord.' To Watteville's great amazement and delight, he found her on rescinding to her chamber, quite well, She recovered perfectly; and not till five and thirty years after did he attend her earthly tabernacle to its resting place." 71 --------------------------------- 71 Boys, p 301, and from History of the Church of the Brethren, -- Rev. A Boast, Tom. II. pp. 406-408 ____________________________
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