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"THEY WERE ALL FILLED" -- Rev. Jim Thorpe DD An Unedited Version An Important Definition: |
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Index Chapter 1 -- Ye Shall Receive Power
Chapter 1 Ye Shall Receive Power, The Purpose of Pentecost This night is darker than any before. The Doctor's prognosis strikes like the sentence of a trial judge and gives no hope of appeal. Death draws near and the morning sun will not be seen. The cancer has done it work -- life is painfully slipping away -- the daughters are told that the fight can go no further. Violet had faithfully held that healing would be hers. Her girls and loving husband stand with her and hoped to heaven for something good. Nevertheless, the darkness now grows heavier by the hour. What could turn the tide? Where is God's help? It seems that this may indeed be the end. Wait -- there is yet one final appeal! Look again to the mediator that can be touched in such a time as this. Violet's Council now stands at the right hand of God. There he waits to intercede for those that sued in faith. Now before God the evidence is presented -- Stripes for the healing of those who believe. The plea is given -- "These signs shall follow them that believe." The judgment is overturned -- "Because I live ye shall live also." The bailiff is dispatched -- "Lo, I am with you always." For Violet the swelling tide of death is miraculously turned into complete physical healing. Her astonishing miracle is carried home and finally blooms into a total restoration of health! This one story is special to me because Violet is my Sister in Law. Nevertheless, this is only one healing among many, many, others. The coming of the Holy Ghost in the book of Acts has provided God's people the kind of help that we cite here. Jesus' power has continued to be seen as the promises of God are enjoyed by one generation after the other. We can say from experience that God also has a blessing for you. Advance to the Fight Modernistic theologians wrongly assert that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost vanished with the early apostles. In this volume we survey the work of the Holy Ghost throughout Church History and the notable miracles that have continued to bear witness to the Gospel message. Many will be astonished by the Pentecostal gifts that have worked through the most highly regarded Christians of the past. These were men of power whose prayers wrought extraordinary wonders. We shall document that Pentecostal power has remained in force since the days of the early apostles and that Jesus is truly the same yesterday, today, and forever! Why must Pentecostal gifts endure beyond the early apostles? Scripture teaches that the Holy Ghost was given for the spreading of the Gospel through the methods and power of Jesus. (Acts 1:8) The disciples preached while exercising the miraculous gifts of the Spirit! Paul confirmed, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds." (2 Corinthians 12:12) Today, we need no less than the primitive church. The needs of our age are equal to those of the first century. (I Cor. 10:18) Scripture never indicated that the gifts of the Spirit would be removed during the age of grace but rather affirmed a wonderful outpouring in these last days. (Acts 2:17-18) Therefore, we must seek God's Pentecostal power to enable Christ-like ministry. Like great men throughout history we must lay hold of God's Pentecostal anointing and thereby reach our lost generation! Satan's Counter Attack Satan has fought these truths in two ways. First, to create confusion he has initiated many false signs and wonders. False miracles can be identified by their failure to exalt Christ and inspire love for the Scripture. Secondly, Satan has sent his army of doubters, naysayers, and neologians like a plague of destroying locust. These have all risen to oppose the Spirit and the life changing power of the Gospel. Remember that God has never changed and has always done the miraculous. On the day of Pentecost, God's power was sent into His eternal temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Satan has been trying to destroy God's house ever since. While Jesus is unchanging, Satan continually changes into every disguise to accomplish his deception. We can defeat him with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Ghost. Get ready and come with expectancy: "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39) Our Foundation As the reader considers one servant of God after the other, it will appear that we are pointing toward a sort of apostolic succession of the spiritual gifts. This is to say that, one generation has imparted its power and message to the next. Therefore, today's various Evangelical groups are the distant successors of the first apostles. Let me emphasize that this is not our aim or message. Such a concept takes away more than it gives. God does not approve his people because one generation validates the next. Dead religion is grounded on that false assumption. Our present obedience to the Scripture and God's personal approval are the only things that truly count. Although, human to human ministry such as witnessing, exhortations, and the impartation of blessings are legitimate, these never do away with the fundamental need for a personal meeting with Christ. Every individual must touch the God of creation. No religious ritual can substitute for a personal relationship to Christ. No human can impart God's redemptive touch. No truth apart from those already revealed in Scripture can bring us to our heavenly prize. Therefore, as the reader views the continuous train of miracles, please remember that this train is seen only because God himself is present in every generation. God seeks for and finds an obedient heart in every age. When God finds such hearts He sends his Pentecostal power to enable for service! Our church organizations are only valuable to God as long as they promote truth as recorded by Christ's apostles and the old prophets. If we embrace their teachings and touch their God we all become DIRECT FIRST GENERATION SUCCESSORS OF THE APOSTLES. Thus, when anyone asks how we became Christians and through what minister did we receive the Gospel? Our truest (most correct) answer is that the apostles lead us to Christ through the Scriptures and Jesus himself called us, as he spoke to us through his Holy Ghost. Hallelujah! We happily find ourselves with all the blessings of the first century Church!
Chapter 2 Prophets of Pentecost Looking Toward the Promise The Spirit that descended on the day of Pentecost was not God's after thought or one time anomaly. The coming of God's Holy Ghost was as needful as the sacrifice of Messiah. (John 14:16-20) First, Jesus purchased our salvation, next, the Holy Ghost empowered the Church to spread the Good News. (Romans 10:13-14) The prophets had long foreseen the arrival of God's Holy Spirit. By reading their prophecies we gain matchless insights into the Holy Spirit's work in us. Listen to the Prophets of Pentecost! Isaiah -- God's Refreshing Spirit Poured Out! Isaiah 44:3 "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" Isaiah 59:21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." Isaiah 28:11-12 "For with stammering lips and another tongue (Acts 2:4) will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." Isaiah foresaw the coming of the Pentecostal blessing. (including tongues) He further wrote that when the spirit of God arrives, so does the Spirit of Prophecy. (Anointed speaking of God's Word) Never separate God's Spirit and God's Word -- both must work together. God's Spirit must anoint our speech, while God's Word (Scripture) guides our soul or human spirit. Both elements must be present to achieve true Gospel ministry! Notice: Although our Christian witness becomes feeble without the Spirit's fresh anointing, we dare not allege that the Holy Scripture constitutes a dead letter. Paul was not degrading the Scripture when he spoke of the letter that kills, rather, he was describing the Law of Moses and the deadly wages of sin. (2 Cor. 3:6-7) Paul further illustrated the hopelessness of trying to satisfy God's law through human effort in Romans seven. In contrast, Romans eight revealed the miraculous life of victory that is available through the Spirit. Isaiah had foreseen this triumph when he prophesied of today's Pentecostal refreshing and rest. Isaiah foresaw Israel receiving of God's Spirit and Word and passing it from one generation to the next. (Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 13:45 Acts 6:7-8, II Tim. 2:2) Joel would add that not only the Jews but also the gentiles would receive the Pentecostal blessing. Finally Isaiah compared the coming of Pentecost to Israel's entrance into the Promised Land of rest! Our prayer is that none of us fall short of God's rest and God's best. (Heb. 3:18-19) Joel -- God's Spirit Upon All Nations Joel 2:28 "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:" Acts 2:16 "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" Acts 2:39 "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Paul declared that God has provided salvation to the Jew and the Gentile alike. This truth caused Paul more trouble than any other part of his message. The Jews jealously hoarded God within their dying religious system.(Heb. 8:13) However, prophets like Joel gave a different description of God's chosen family. God intended to reach all nations through the sacrifice of messiah and the coming of the Holy Ghost. What glory -- Oh wonder, that outsiders (ALL FLESH) are included in the family of God. During the age to come all of Israel will serve God. (Rom. 11:26) Gentiles and Jews alike will serve the King of Kings as Christ shall rule the Earth!(Isaiah 2:2) Joel said that until that future day, the Pentecostal experience is for all that are called. Do you hear His voice and have you caught the vision? Yes! Ezekiel -- God's Spirit by Measure Ezekiel 37:10 "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." Ezekiel 47: 3 ...the waters were to the ankles. 4 ... the waters were to the knees. 5 "Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over." John 3:34-35 "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." Matthew 25:2-4 "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Ephesians 4:6-7 "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Because the Holy Spirit is a person some fail to understand how that the Spirit can be received by measure. We will clarify this truth if we explain that God might only have a little of us. Certainly every born again believer has God's Spirit living within.(Gal. 4:19) The indwelling Christ is comparable to Jesus inside of Mary. He was there and growing but Mary needed to take care of her self or the growing infant would suffer. Even so, we need to nourish our new man until we come to "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Eph. 4:13) Some Christians will be embarrassed at Christ's return, because, Jesus indicated that many would be left behind. (Matthew 25) These failed to keep oil (the Spirit) in their vessels and the Word in their hearts. Let's all be filled up and watching for Jesus. If we invest our talent wisely we will increase in Him. Sorrowfully, many have aborted or neglected the new man within. Many have run to dead formalism to camouflage personal sin. Some have moved away from Scripture by opposing the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. These are all like Ezekiel's dead army, first lacking flesh, next lacking life, and all without the breath of God. How can we be filled with the spiritual breath of God? Jesus pointed to the heart of man as the field of battle. Refraining from adultery was never enough as thoughts and desires became foundational issues. Therefore, to be filled with God's Spirit we must sing to and praise God in our heart. The words of God must fill our living every day. The pleasure of God must be our highest desire. Always choose the greater filling of the Spirit. Never try to see how little can be maintained before the empty mark is reached. Paul exhorted, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" (Ephesians 5:18-19) Daniel -- When the Blessing Comes Daniel 12:11-12 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." Many Orthodox Jews have missed God's blessing by denying fulfilled prophecy. The Church might also miss God's best though unbelief or misguided interpretation. Daniel's 70 weeks clearly foretold of the coming Messiah. Jesus fulfilled Daniel's timing perfectly. Daniel also predicted when the Holy Ghost would arrive in chapter 12:11-12. Daniel 12 speaks of Christ's passion and three connected outcomes. First, when Jesus died for sin, the sacrifices of the Temple were no longer legitimate or effective. Secondly, because God no longer recognized animal sacrifice, the Jewish Temple was later destroyed and an idol was set in its place. Daniel described this as the abomination (idolatry) desolation (destruction). Finally, Daniel's prophesied blessedness spoke of the arrival of the Holy Ghost in a specific number of days. Daniel's predictions all proved correct! For the benefit of dedicated prophecy scholars, there is a commentary about Daniel 9 and 12 in the appendix of this book. Most modern scholars believe that Daniel's prophecy tells of a coming personal antichrist. However, I am quite willing to exchange a future antichrist for Christ's present Pentecost! Salvation and God with us -- In this age there is nothing more blessed! Since the coming of Pentecost we live in a special day. We live in the CHURCH AGE MIRACULOUS! God is on the move and we are participating in God's wonderful advance.
Chapter 3 The Comforter Has Come Arise, shine; for thy light is come. . . (Isaiah 60:1) Fifty days after the first Passover, Israel stood before Mount Sinai. There, God spoke with fire and shaking, while, Jewish tradition says that God's voice was simultaneously heard in every language of the earth. This event initiated the Old Covenant and is remembered as the first Feast of Pentecost. The old Prophets also foresaw another Pentecostal encounter with God. This was to be God's speaking out of Zion.1 It seems most fitting that God's New Covenant should also be established on the Feast of Pentecost. On that unique Pentecost the true Passover lamb had just been offered. Now, fifty days later the greatest Pentecost arrived. The disciples were waiting for the promise of the Father. They were gathered upon Zion in one of the Temple's meeting rooms. Very early that morning, something marvelous occurred. ----------------------------- 1. God's Spirit upon ZionPsalms 110:2 "The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." Psalms 50:1-2 "A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." _______________________________ The Day of Pentecost, --William Author, 1856 "Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. Not, mark you, a wind: no gale sweeping over the city struck the sides of the house, and rustled round it. But ' from heaven' directly downward fell 'a sound,' without shape, or step, or movement to account for it -- a sound as if a mighty wind were rushing straight from on high, like showers in a dead calm. Yet no wind stirred. As to motion, the air of the room was still as death; as to sound, it was awful as a hurricane. Mysterious sound, whence comest thou? Is it the Lord again breathing upon them, but this time from his throne? Is it the wind of Ezekiel preparing to blow? Shaken by this supernatural sign, we may see each head bowed low. They timidly turn upward. John sees Peter's hand crowned with fire: Peter sees James crowned with fire: James sees Nathaniel crowned with fire: Nathaniel sees Mary crowned with fire; and round and round the fire sits 'on each of them.'2 --------------------- 2 The Tongue of Fire; or, the True Power of Christianity -- William Arthur, A.M., Southern Methodist Publishing House, edited 1856, published 1879, pg. 46. The Methodist, William Arthur was a forerunner of modern PENTECOSTALISM. His theology grasped the message of Pentecost and faith for the gifts and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Author's views were common in his generation and sprang from a true heart that said yes to Scripture.__________________________________ The fire is not a shapeless flame. It is not Abraham's lamp, nor the pillar of the desert, not the coal of Isaiah, nor the enfolding flame of Ezekiel. It is a tongue; yea, cloven tongues. On each brow glows a sheet of flame, parted into many tongues. here was the symbol of the new dispensation. Christianity was to be a Tongue of Fire. It was a symbol of their 'power:' the power whereby the new kingdom was to be built up; the power for which they had so long to tarry, and so eagerly to pray, when all other things were prepared; for which the whole arrangement for the world's conversion was commanded to stand still. The appearance of this one symbol was the signal that former ones had waxed old, and are ready to vanish away; Altar and cherubim, sacrifice and incense, ephod and breastplate, Urim and Thummim -- their work was done. Even of the most sacred emblem of all, that which was the 'pattern things in the heaven,' the ark itself, it had been foretold, 'They shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord; neither shall it come to mind; neither shall they remember neither shell they visit it; neither shall it be magnified anymore.' Of the Temple itself, the Master had said that not one stone should be left upon another." William Arthur further says that this tongue of fire was, "The symbol which, once for all, announced to the Church the advent of her conquering power -- the power by which she was to stand before king, to confound synagogues, to silence councils, to still mobs, to confront the learned, to illuminate the senseless, and to inflame the cold -- the power by which, beginning at Jerusalem, where the name of Jesus was a byword, she was to proclaim His glory though all Judea, throughout Samaria, and throughout the uttermost parts of the earth. The symbol is a Tongue, the only instrument of the grandest war ever waged: a tongue -- man's speech to his fellow-man; a message in human words to human faculties, from the understanding to the understanding, from the heart to the heart. A tongue of fire -- man's voice, God's truth; man's speech, the Holy Spirit's inspiration; a human organ, a superhuman power: Not one tongue, but cloven tongues. As the speech of men is various, here we see the Creator taking to himself the language of every man's mother; so that in the very words wherein he heard her say, 'I love thee,' he might also hear the Father of all say, 'I love thee.' How does that fire-symbol, shining on the brow of the primitive Church, rebuke that system which would force all men to worship God in one tongue, (Latin) and that not a tongue of fire, but a dead tongue, wherein no man now on earth can hear his mother's tones! Cloven tongues sat on each of them; so that each had not only the fire-impulse to go and tell aloud the message of reconciliation, but also the fire-token that all mankind, of whatever nation, kindred, people, or tongue, were heirs alike of the gospel of salvation, and of the word whereby that salvation is proclaimed. Blessed by the hour when that TONGUE OF FIRE descended from the giver of speech into a cold world! Had it never come, my mother might had led me, when a child, to see slaughter for worship and I should have taught my little ones that stones were gods. 'Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous thing!"3 ---------------------------------- 3 ibid., pp. 49-52_____________________________ After Pentecost Once the Comforter had come the early church shared God's heavenly message and delivering power. Wherever they preached miraculous signs followed. The only thing that could possibly interrupt their mission was the return of their Lord. Nothing could stand in their way. Everything was expendable to obtain the prize. Death brought life, trial brought rejoicing, trouble inspired prayer, and prayer brought comfort and the supernatural working of God's Holy Spirit. Often, the blood of the martyrs is credited with the early success of Christianity. This concept is greatly over rated because the Gospel is the true seed of the Church! (Luke 8:11) If human martyrdom could have saved the world, there would have been no need for the unique sacrifice of Christ. The power of Christianity lies in the Gospel. The Gospel is confirmed in changed lives and in supernatural manifestations! It is the Holy Ghost that effects these wonders and thanks be to God that the Holy Ghost is still with us today.
Chapter 4 Tell Your Children and Another Generation Unto You and to Your Children (Acts 2:39) Peter said that the infilling of the Holy Ghost was to be a continuing blessing. The power of the Spirit was to pass along to all that were called. (Acts 2:39) Therefore, when the apostles died the miraculous works of the Spirit continued. The early Church fathers widely confirmed this truth in their writings. They were eyewitnesses to the continuing work and ministry of the Holy Ghost. Theologians that say that miracles and gifts ended with the early apostles are incompetent historians and mock professors. The only hope for them is a dose of salvation and a mighty Holy Ghost Baptism! They also need the spirit of doubt expelled by the powerful Word of God. The Early Church Fathers Justin the Martyr (168 AD) witnessed the gift of prophecy and set it apart from what we now call preaching. Justen said, "On the Lord's Day all came together from town and country at the same place and read the Scriptures. When this was finished one would give the address (preaching) "in which he encourages and exhorts to obey these good things. After this we all stand and pray, and when, as already stated, the prayers are ended, bread, wine and water are brought in, and the leader prays and praises with all his strength, and the people give an approving 'Amen!' After this ... If any are holy let them come, if not let such be converted. But as concerns the prophets, let them offer thanksgiving (prophesying and possibly tongues I Cor. 14:17) to their heart's content." So, at the end of the meeting the prophets were given freedom exercise of their spiritual gift.4 Irenaeus (130-201 AD) defended the manifestations of the Spirit in the Church. This included the gift of tongues and prophecy. He said that, "Others mock the gifts of the Spirit, which during the last day, according to the Father's will, were poured out upon the human race." He says that certain mockers, "... are not willing to accept the form according to John, in which the Lord has promised to send the Comforter, but they renounce both this gospel and the prophetic Spirit. They ... will not accept the gift of prophecy in the Church." "I have heard many brethren in all the Churches, who, by the spirit speak in all kinds of tongues, and to the edification of others bring what is hid in man to light and revile the secrets of God."5 Ignatius (115 AD) sent his greetings to the church of the Smyrnaeans saying they were "mercifully endowed with every grace, being filled with faith and love and lacking in no gift, most reverend and bearing holy treasures; to the church which is in Smyrna of Asia..."6 Chrysostom ( AD) said; "But if anyone assert that these (miracles) are mere smoke, and a fictitious wonder unworthy of credit, let us view those of the present day, which are calculated both to stop and to put to shame the blaspheming mouth, and to check the unbridled tongue. For, throughout our whole habitable world, there is not a country, a nation, or a city, where these wonders are not commonly spoken of, which, if figments, would never have occasioned so much admiration. And you yourselves, indeed, might testify for us to these. For we shall have no occasion to receive confirmation of what we assert from others, seeing that you yourselves, our opponents, supply us therewith."7 ------------------------------------ 4 In The Days of the Latter Rain, T. B. Barratt, p. 595 ibid. p. 576 The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, IgnSmyrn prologue:17 Suppressed Evidence pp. 26-27_________________________________ The Fervent Prayer of A Righteous Man James 5:16 (about 400 A.D.) While Augustine, and his brother Alippius, were studying for the ministry they lived in the home of one Innocentius. He was a devout believer but was afflicted with a painful malady. After repeatedly submitting to severe surgical operations Innocentius' affliction continued. When he was told that another procedure was needed he became pale and agitated with fear and sent away the doctors. His pain during past operations had been so terrible. Finally, exhausted with weeping, at the end of him self, and knowing that there was no way of escape, he called in Alexandrinus a celebrated surgeon. This physician agreed that the operation must be performed to save his life. Therefore, the doctors who had been sent away were told to plan for the operation. That next day a cry went up from his house as though someone had already died. It sounded as though all hope was lost. Every day some godly men visited Innocentius. These were Saturninus bishop of Uzala, Gelosus deacon of the church of Carthage, and Aurelius. When the ministers made their evening visit, the sufferer piteously wept and asked them to be present at his decease rather than his sufferings. Because of the painfulness of his past operations Innocentius believed he would die under the surgeon's hand. His friends did their best to comfort him and exhorted him to submit and trust in God. The rest is told in the words of Augustine. "We then went to prayer; and, as on other occasions, he also prostrated himself, as if some one had forcibly thrust him down, and began to pray: in what manner, with what earnestness, with what emotion, with what a flood of tears, with what agitation of his whole body, I might almost say with what suspension of his respiration, by his groans and sobs, who shall attempt to describe? Whether the rest of the party was so little affected as to be able to pray, I know not. For my own part I could not. This alone, inwardly and briefly, I said: 'Lord, what prayers of thine own children wilt thou ever grant, if thou grant not these?' For nothing more seemed possible, but that he should die praying. We arose; and after the benediction from the bishop, left him; but not till he had besought them to be with him in the morning, nor till they had exhorted him to calmness. The dreaded day arrived, and the servants of God attended as they had promised. The medical men made their appearance; all thing required for such an occasion are got ready; and amidst the terror and suspense of all present, the dreadful instruments are brought out. In the meantime, while those of the bystanders, whose authority was greatest, endeavor to support the courage of the patient by words of comfort, he is place in a convenient posture for the operation, the dressings are opened, the seat of the disease is exposed, the surgeon inspect it, and tries to find the part to be operated upon with his instruments in his hand. He first looks for it, then examines by the touch. In a word, he makes every possible trial, and finds the place perfectly healed! The gladness, the praise, the thanks giving to a compassionate and all-powerful God, from the lips of all present, cannot be told by me. The scene may more easily be imagined than described."8 Speaking Without Tongues The Historian Milner writes of an extraordinary miracle occurring in the 5th century. At Typasa, the secretary of Cirila was ordained bishop by the Arians.9 Many of the Typasaian Christians fled from the Arian heresy but others were unable to leave. These faithful believers began to worship in their homes. When the new Bishop discovered this he complained to Huneric. Therefore, Huneric ordered the dissenter's "tongues to be cut out, and their right hand to be cut off, in the public market-place. After being punished some of the victims moved to Constantinople. ------------------------------------ 8. Suppressed Evidence, -- Thomas Boys, pp. 37-399. The Arians denied the deity of Christ and gave him the same position as today's Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons. John spoke of this spirit when he said, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4:3)____________________________ "A miracle followed worthy of God, whose majesty had been so daringly insulted, and which must at that time have much strengthened the hearts of the faithful, who needed indeed some peculiar consolations amid horrible persecution. The miracle itself could not be better documented. These faithful believer's had their tongues cut out to the root, yet they spoke as well as before. 'If any one doubt the fact,' says Victor of Vita, 'let him go to Constantinople, where he will find a sub-deacon, called Reparatus, one who was thus treated, who speaks plainly, and who has a particular respect shown him in the palace of the Emperor Zeno, especially by the Empress.' Aeneas, of Gaza, a Platonic philosopher, was at that time at Constantinople, and writes thus in the conclusion of his Dialogue on the Resurrection: 'I myself saw them, herd them speak, and wondered, that their utterance could be so articulate. I searched for the organ of speech, and not trusting my ears, was resolved to have the proof of the eyes, Causing them to open their mouths, I saw that their tongues were plucked out even by the roots, and was then more surprised that they could live, than that they could speak.' Is this sufficient evidence? Hear more: Procopius, the historian, in his history of the Vandalic War, says, 'Huneric ordered the tongues of many to be cut out, who were afterwards seen in the streets of Constantinople when I was there, talking without any impediment, or feeling any inconvenience from what they had suffered.' Count Marcellinus, in his Chronicon, says, 'I have seen some of this company of faithful confessors at Constantinople, who had their tongues cut out, but spoke nevertheless without any imperfection in their utterance.' To name only one more witness, the great Emperor Justinian, in a constitution published by him for Africa, after it had fallen into his dominion, testifies, that he had beheld the same." 10 --------------------------------- 10. Milner's History of the Church of Christ, Ed. 1824. Vol. ii, p. 505_______________________________ Miracles Beyond Human Understanding Can speech be effected without a tongue or can the earth be hung on nothing? Yes, God is the God of miracles. Speech without tongues or sight without eyes are all possible with God. The greatest miracle I have ever witnessed, was experienced by Ronald Coyne in the 1950s. As a boy Ronald was playing with a piece of bailing wire and accidentally pierced his eye. His eyeball had to be removed and replaced with a flat glass insert. Young Ronald soon attended a healing meeting and went up for the healing of a common cold. The lady evangelist noticed his eye was off center and was about to pray for its healing when Ronald's mother stood to tell the evangelist not to bother. However, the mother was instantly silenced and fell limp under the power of God! When Ronald went home he discovered he could see with or without his glass eye. In about two weeks his parents finally were convinced of his unique miracle. Ronald Coyne later began to minister and show what God had done. I attended two of his meetings in a small country church. When Brother Coyne arrived, I felt the same anointing as I had known in the Jack Coe healing crusades of 30 years before. God was truly present to heal. Brother Coyne asked Clarance Eans (of Pulaski, VA) and myself to cover his good eye with a handkerchief and role of bandage tape. There was no way to see through his good eye. Then Brother Coyne called for anyone to come forward and bring something for him to read. I knew all the comers and he knew none of them. I was at home and he was the guest. On that day I saw a miracle that was unexplainable and impossible! Simply put -- Brother Coyne could see and read any thing that anyone handed him. During the meeting God was present to heal. I received a healing in my foot. Two members from my present church also received special healing touches from God. Some people were anointed some were not but God was healing right and left. There was no hype or hypnotism. Emotionalism was at a low for that particular congregation. Brother Coyne's message was simply "come forward you unbelievers and see what God has done." Finally, all were invited to receive Christ as their personal savior. If you find it difficult to grasp this story, please do not feel ashamed. Before meeting Brother Coyne, I wondered if his healing was genuine. After seeing the mighty hand of God I will never be the same. Truly, with God all things are possible! As Years Go Forward Throughout the second and third centuries, the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues and prophecy, were documented as being alive in the Church. Later, when the Roman government physically organized the Christian Church the apostles message was progressively diluted with elements of non-Christian mythology.11 Thus, the record of true Gospel miracles becomes increasingly sparse or clouded as the dark ages advance. Furthermore, the Roman Church largely destroyed the writings of all nonconforming groups.12 During that period an unnumbered multitude of so called heretics died for their faith. Among these persecuted Christians were many who were filled with the Spirit and enjoyed God's miraculous gifts. God has never left himself without a true witness. --------------------------------- 11. The Two Babylons, -- Rev. Alexander Hislop, Loizeaux Brother, Neptune, New Jersey12 A Short History of the Italian Waldenses, Who Have Inhabited the Valleys of the Cotton Alps From Ancient Times to the Present, by Sophia V. Bompaiani, A.S. Barnes And Co., 1897_________________________________
Chapter 5 Walking Through the Wilderness Hold Fast Till I Come (Rev. 2:25) During the dark ages a faithful remnant never lost the Gospel and its attending miracles. God continued to sustain his people through truth and power. Their names varied (Waldenses, Leonists, Vaudous, Anabaptists and others) but their spirit and messages were constant and Christ centered. The documented origin of the Waldenses is lost in the night of centuries. Their traditions assert that they were driven from southern Italy, in the time of the second and third centuries. They resorted to the alpine valleys, where they have ever since lived and kept the faith of Jesus Christ. The Waldenses with others persevered in spite of torture, cold, destitution, and loss of life. They were burned -- cast into damp and horrid dungeons, and smothered in mountain caverns. Their suffering extended to mothers and babes, old men and women together. Whole towns were exiled on winter nights, unclothed and unfed, to climb the snowy mountains. Some were hurled over the rocks or their heads were used as footballs. Cherished homes and lands were taken from them, as their little children were stolen to be educated in the religion they abhorred. Yet, they would not submit to Rome's pontiff, worship the communion wafer, seek absolution from priests, or to give up the Bible. Long before the German Reformation the Waldenses were an Evangelical people. They loved the Bible above all things, which they translated into the common tongue and spread abroad into Bohemia, Germany, France, Italy, and much of Europe. They taught their children to memorize whole chapters, so that if their written copies were lost, large portions of it might be secure in the memories of their youths and maidens. In the night they traveled to their secret meetings barefooted, or with shoes bound with rags, so that they might not be heard in passing. It was their custom to listen to the Gospels recited in turn by the young, each one responsible for a certain portion. 13 Offspring of the Apostles An Inquisitor and enemy, Reinerius Sacco, in the thirteenth century, called them the Leonists, said: "There is not one of the sects of ancient heretics more pernicious to the Church than that of the Leonists; first, because it has been of longer continuance, for some say it has lasted from the time of Pope Sylvester, others from the time of the apostles; second, because it is more diffused, for there is scarcely any land in which this sect exists not; and third, because the Leonists have a great semblance of piety, inasmuch as they live justly before men, and believe, together with all the doctrines contained in the creed, every point respecting the Deity. But they blaspheme the Roman Church and clergy." 14 ----------------------------------- 13. ibid., pp. 1-1114 ibid., pg. 8-12 (This is a condemnation given in comparison to the Catholic monks that hide themselves away in monasteries and pray much. Protestant's later criticize these monks for not sharing the gospel and generally contributing noting to society. Christ never told us to leave the world and hide the Gospel.)_____________________________ Fruit of Righteousness The good living of the Waldenses even shined through the slander of their enemies. "The Waldenses heretics 'are the worst and most wanton of mankind," says an Inquisitor. "They are known by their manners and their words. They are composed and modest; they admit no pride of dress, holding a middle position between the expensive and the squalid. In order that they may be better avoid lies, and oaths, and trickery, they dislike entering into business, but by the labor of their hands they live like ordinary workmen. Their teachers (Pastors) are mere artisans. Riches they seek not to multiply, but are content with things necessary. In meat and drink they are temperate. They resort neither to taverns, nor to dances, nor to any other vanities. From anger they carefully restrain themselves. They are always engaged either in working, or in learning, or in teaching, and therefore they spend but little time in prayer. This paradoxical race, so wicked, and yet so practiced in all the Christian graces, made converts among the noble and the great. A wondering missionary, with a pack, like any other merchant, would knock at the great doors of a castle, and be admitted to the presence of the beautiful castellana. When he had shown his rings, and robes, and other wares, he would say, 'Lady, I have jewels far more precious than these, which I will give you if you will secure me against the priests.' The promise given, he said, 'I poses a brilliant gem from God himself, for through it man comes to the knowledge of God; and I have another which casts out so ruddy a heat that it forthwith kindles the love of God in the heart of the owner.' The 'vagabond' then rehearsed parts of the New testament, and often won the lovely lady of the castle to the 'religion,' as it was called, even as if there were no other religion."15 St. Bernard, the enemy of the Albigenses, described them thus: 'If you ask them of their faith, nothing can be more Christian, nothing more irreprehensible then their conversation, and what they say they confirm by their deeds. They attack no one; they ensnare no one; they defraud no one. Their faces are pail with fasting; they eat not the bread of idleness.' Yet, 'mark the fox,' says Bernard, as he proceeds to enumerate the some of the popular false accusations, forgetting that this good fruit could not grown upon an evil tree. 'They submitted joyfully and triumphantly to martyrdom, rather than apostatize from what they held to be the true faith of the Gospel.' During the reign of King Louis XII, the ways of his Vaudous subjects from Val Louise was so upright that had to admit; "These heretics are better Christians then we'."15 --------------------------------- 15 A Short History of The Italian Waldenses Who Have inhabited the Valleys of the Cotton Alps From Ancient Times to the Present, -- Sophia V. Bompiani, 1897, p.44_________________________ People of God, People of Power The Waldenses believed in the miraculous gift of healing. In 1431 Johnnias Lukawitz recorded the Waldenses' confession of faith. He said, "Therefore, concerning this anointing of the sick, we hold it as an article of faith, and profess sincerely from the heart, that sick persons, when they ask it, may lawfully be anointed with the anointing oil, by one who joins with them in praying that it may be effective to the healing of the body, according to the pattern and end and effect mention by the Apostles: and we profess that such an anointing, performed according to the Apostolic pattern and practice, will be healing and profitable."16 ---------------------------------- 16. Suppressed Evidence, -- Thomas Boys, pp. 56-57 __________________________ Gift of Miracles The name Waldenses became synonymous with Divine intervention. After a massacre in 1655 a war ensued. The historian Leger left marvelous descriptions of God's support. Leger describes the turn of events as a "Miraculous deliverance," and a "Most miraculous deliverance." The enemies of the Waldenses often lamented that the weather seemed to change at their command. Waxed Valiant in Fight In 1476 during one Crusade against the Waldenses, they were nearly overcome on the heights of San Giovanni or Saint John. The enemy was seen advancing against their natural fortress, where they had taken their families for refuge. Seeing the enemy mounting step by step, and drawing their ranks closer, the women, children, and old men fell on their knees, fervently crying out together, "O our God help us! O God, give us our strength! O God, save us!" "My men shall give you the answer," cried one of the chiefs of the invaders scorning their prayers. He raise his visor at that moment, to prove how little fear he had of these poor people. Suddenly, this new Goliath was struck between the eyes and killed by a stone from the hand of Pierre Revel of Angrogna. The Waldenses, seizing the moment of panic drove their attackers down the mountain. Their enemy was vanquished and disbursed to the plain. Then on the mountain they fell to their knees and thanked God for an outstanding victory. Their enemies were soon persuaded that God fought with the heroic mountaineers. The next day a new expedition advanced by another road. However, a fog suddenly arose just as they entered the most difficult and dangerous paths. Unacquainted with the roads, and marching single file by rocky precipices, they fell back as soon as the Waldenses began to resist. Those in front fell back hastily upon the others as disorder followed. The retreat became a flight and the flight a catastrophe. Many fell over the slippery precipices that the fog hid from view. Some were lost in the ravines, and a few only succeeded in escaping. The captain Saguet de Planghere also fell over the rocks and the place he fell now carries his name. In 1655 Janavel defeated the army of Piannezza while attempting to protect his native town Rora. Janavel drove back the enemy without revealing the smallness of his own force. He had sixteen men, six armed with guns and ten with slings. With these few men he repulsed a second attack and pursued the terror-stricken army. Years later in Geneva, the old exile Janavel said, " We were few, but the stones from the slings of those ten boys, were effective on the retreating enemy." When a third attack came Janavel witnessed the burning and sacking of Rora. Therefore, with an ardent prayer to the God of armies he led his little troop of seventeen men to a place where he all but destroyed the enemy. Janavel and his men knelt on the grass and prayed, "O God, we bless Thee for our preservation. Protect us in these calamities and increase our faith." Hebrews 11:34 "Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." Escaped The Edge Of The Sword "In July, divers of these Waldenses went out into the county to reap their harvest, and in sundry places were all taken prisoners, not knowing of each other's calamity. But God so wrought, that miraculously they all escaped out of prison, to the great astonishment of their adversaries. At the same time also, others, who had been long in prison and longed for nothing but death, through God's providence were delivered after a wonderful sort." 17 One writer says that the Waldenses were proven to be God's "elect of his faithful flock, to demonstrate, by prodigies (miracles) beyond the course of nature, or natural strength of man, that they live in that religion in which He would have all the redeemed to live, to serve, and honor him Amen."18 -------------------------- 17 ibid. p. 61, Clarke's General Martyrologie, London 1677 p. 9118 ibid., p. 61, Authentic Details of the Valdenese, London 1827 pp. 387-388__________________________ Although God kept the Waldenses through many centuries, finally, the words of Jesus were fulfilled. After faithfully preserving the Gospel of Jesus their enemies nearly annihilated them. "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." Matthew 24:9 In response to the Reformation the persecution of the Waldenses greatly increased but not a hair of their heads perished beneath the martyrs crown. Many thousands sealed their faith with their blood and passed their message to an unnumbered multitude in our generation. Their faith now lives in today's Evangelicals and Spirit filled PENTECOSTALS. God shall never be left without a witness!
Chapter 6 Unto the Uttermost Parts of the Earth The Northern Lights (400s - 600s and beyond) While the Waldenses fled to the mountains of Europe, another group of Christians enjoyed a measure of freedom because they were far removed from Rome's ecclastical domination. Several hundred years passed before these churches were finally subjugated through intimidation and armed conquest. Today, the church at Rome wrongly usurps the great names and stories of many independent Christians from the past. The believers in northern Europe followed Scripture, Christ's great commission and the leading of the Holy Ghost. True miracles accompanied their work as they brought their generation to Christ. St. Patrick (440 to 493) As a youth Patrick was kidnapped from Scotland and enslaved in Ireland. Some time after escaping he received a "Macedonian" vision in which a man handed him many letters from Ireland. These letters begged him to come over and help. In the spirit of an apostle Patrick obeyed and went to Ireland while preaching Christ and holding up the Scripture as the only authority of faith. He also demonstrated the power of the Holy Ghost and worked many miracles. Through the gifts of the Spirit the blind were healed, nine were raised from the dead, and the snakes were expelled from Ireland. The elimination of Irish snakes is a most remarkable act and sheds fresh light on Mark 16: 18 ("They shall take up serpents...") The King James Bible sometimes renders the words for "take up" as "take away". (John 11:48) Thus, I understand this verse to mean we shall cast out devils. However, Patrick demonstrated a more literal fulfillment by his unusual gift of reptile expulsion. Today, I have many friends in Appalachia that would welcome St. Patrick's special gift. One young lady speaking of St. Patrick said, "That's my kind uh man." The result of St. Patrick's mission was the conversion of Ireland. Ireland became a missionary base to Europe and because of its Christian piety was called "the island of the Saints." Patrick said "I am greatly a debtor to God, who has bestowed his grace so largely upon me, that multitudes were born again to God through me. The Irish, who never had the knowledge of God and worshipped only idols and unclean things, have lately become the people of the Lord, and are called sons of God." One of Patrick's disciples also gained a reputation as a minister who exercised supernatural gifts. St. Bridget performed all sorts of signs and wonders and prophesied of birth of Columba who would later take the Gospel to Scotland. Legend has distorted much of what she truly did but her witness shines through the centuries. She shows us that God was present and working in the far-flung islands of the sea. Columba (521- 597) Columba traveled to Scotland as a missionary while following the model of Patrick. He was full of the Holy Ghost and exercised prophetic foreknowledge and miracles as great as those performed by Christ. His prayers changed water into wine for the communion when it was unavailable, made bitter fruit turn sweet, called water from a rock, calmed a stormy sea, and cured many diseases. His spiritual gifts made him a legend in his time. Most importantly Columba guided his life and ministry by the Scripture rather than the traditions of men. Should we doubt the gifts of these ancient disciples? Didn't Jesus say, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14) Today, we can expect the impossible and believe for the miraculous. The unchanging nature of God demands no less. Why Miracles? In 1832 Thomas Boys (United Brethren Church) explained that MIRACLES AND MISSIONS GO TOGETHER! He said, "Modern Christians, that believe in missions and denying miracles, occupy a curious position... Depend upon it, my dear friends, you must take miracles and missions together, ere you get it right, for they go together: you must accept this truth, you must look at it and like it, you must acknowledge it, you must act upon it, ere you come to stand upon the proper ground..." Boys said that if men ever form a Missionary Society founded upon the following ideals something wonderful will happen. Boys' guidelines for a Missionary Society: Free from all "new fangled" views, nonsense, and objects of their own. Holding the promise of miraculous aid as belonging to missionary efforts in this day. Not deserting and betraying those who proclaim miracles. Declaring miracles, acting upon them and establishing and conducting the society in harmony with them. Steadfastly excluding from the management all those who deny these principles, or all who pretend to hold them. Boys wrote, "DEPEND UPON IT, a Society so formed would start with the fairest prospects of a blessing, by which all other societies should soon be eclipsed and thrown into the background; and that, in all probability, would proved to be the Society destined to gain the bulk of the success, ... up to the second coming of Christ."19 --------------------------------- 19 Suppressed Evidences, Boys, p.106________________________________ Chapter 7 Dawns Early Light Pre-Reformation A Ray of Hope Although the pure Gospel existed throughout the dark ages it was widely suppressed. Ecclesiastical Rome fought the free circulation of Scripture because that the simple reasoning of the Bible did not support its manmade decrees. Nevertheless, God had foreseen a day of victory. The nations that were in darkness would receive God's Word of deliverance. With the release of the Scripture the mighty River of God again broke upon the earth. Thus, whosoever will may hear the Gospel and drink of the water of life freely. The gift of prophecy was strong in the days before the Reformation. God's servants foresaw that a wonderful thing was about to transpire. In this chapter each of the reformers shall be seen to exercise the prophetic gifts of foretelling. Almost all prophesied of the coming Reformation except for John Wyclif.20 Satan particularly hates this gift because it demonstrates God's present involvement in our lives. The Fall of Babylon Fox tells of Hildegardis, (1146) who prophesied of the ruin of Catholic Rome, and against the begging friars. She said, "In these days shall arise a senseless people, proud, greedy, without faith, and subtle, the which shall eat the sins of the people...(These began selling licenses to sin) When their wickedness and deceit shall be found out, then shall their gifts cease...(People stopped supporting the Roman Church.) Then shall the people cry out upon them: Woe be unto you, ye miserable children of sorrow, the world hath seduced you..." 21 In addition to prophecy, Hildegardis also gave "concerts in the Spirit" while singing in other tongues. 22 ---------------------- 20 Isaiah 48:5 "I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I showed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them."John 13:19 "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he." 21 Acts and monuments, John Fox, v. 1, pp. 294 - 522 Pentecost in Church History, http://www.azstarnet.com/~jsbarta/ch_hist.html 10/24/98A History of Speaking in Tongues and Related Gifts, -- George H. Williams and Edith Waldvogel, in The Charismatic Movement, ed. by Michael P. Hamilton, p. 70 ___________________________ Hildegardis foresaw the coming Reformation and the wide sale of indulgences that would soon contribute to the undoing of Rome. She understood that Christ's salvation was a gift above, for Jesus and no other man stands before God as our mediator. The Word of God was about to open the eyes of many throughout the world. The Holy Spirit of prophecy was beginning to move afresh! Morning Star of the Reformation John Wycliffe (1324-1384) was a Catholic Priest, university teacher, and a righteous man. While reading the Scripture he discovered the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. This view was in contrast to salvation through any other man or church. 23 He was the first to translate the Scripture into the common English of his day. Under his guidance, young preachers called Lollards went out to share the Good News. They proclaimed Christ while calling men to repent and love God. Ultimately, half of England was converted. An enemy said that in his time, "If two were seen walking together, one would be a Lollard." --------------------------- 23. Wycliffe's Path To Heaven"The almighty triune God ordains men to come to the bliss of heaven by three grounds: By knowledge of the trinity through steadfast faith, By true keeping of God's commandments and By perfect and endless charity." The English Works of Wycliffe, --Matthew's page 264 _________________________________ During Wycliffe's ministry his increasing age and trials advanced into sickness. The unrighteous friars scurried to his bedside. They pretended to wish him "health and restoration from his distemper." However, they soon changed their speech. "You have death on your lips. Be touched by your faults and retract all that you have said to our injury." Wycliffe calmly let them finish, then, asked his servant to raise him a little on his pillow. He was feeble and found it hard to support himself. Fixing his eyes on them he prophesied, "I shall not die but live and again declare the evil deeds of the friars." They rushed out of the room in astonishment and confusion. When Wycliffe recovered, he set about the work of translating the Bible into English. The zeal of the bishops to stop the Scriptures only promoted their sale. Afterward, when Wycliffe's teachings spread, it was a common practice to fasten these Scriptures to the necks of the condemned heretics and burn them together. Just as Paul's and Silas prompted great shakings though their prison song, Wycliffe's life moved the footstool of God. On one occasion the Black Friars met to condemn his writing and teaching. However, about two o'clock, when they were finishing, God sent a wonderful and terrible earthquake that shook all of England. The officials at the Council of Constance bore witness to a similar occasion in which the door of the church was suddenly broken open by lightning and Wycliffe's judges barely escaped bodily harm.24 Although Wycliffe did not normally exercised the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, he gives us some priceless counsel concerning the place of miracles in the life of the believer. In his day the Roman Church was exercising many false and bazaar miracles and thus, leading men to idolatrous worship. Wycliffe acknowledged the reality of these miracles but said that God's law had to remain uppermost! Wycliffe said, "We should understand that signs often come from the devil, because of mans first sin. So, as Saint Paul says, the Devil has power to transform himself into an angel of light. Thus, it is a false man that says to place as much faith in signs as in God's law. . . We stand established in our faith, for that may never fail." 25 --------------------------------- 24 Foxe's Book of Martyrs, --John Fox, Whitaker House, 1981, p. 6225 The English Works of Wyclif Hitherto Unprinted, F.D. Matthews, 1880. p. 289______________________ In today's world there are bad Lawyers, Judges, Salesmen, Clergy, and etc. We accept this fact and understand there are also people in these position that are upright. Miracles, including all the gifts of the spirit are no different. Jesus told us that many false prophets would arise. In the Old Testament there were also many false prophets. Nevertheless, since Jesus gave us the real working of his Spirit we should not refuse his true gifts. Our yardstick of discernment is found in the doctrines Scripture! If we refuse the real operation of God's Spirit because of our fear and unbelief, we have denied Christ and his Gospel and we are no better than those that perform false miracles. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) A Swan Shall Sing, Bohemian Prophets Some of Wycliffe's students hand copied his writings and took them into Bohemia. There, the priest John Huss (1369-1415) read Wycliffe and embraced the Gospel of salvation. Huss spoke out against the sinful lives of the clergy and the other false practices. Consequently, he was judged before the Counsel of Constance and burned. During his trial he gave a remarkable prophecy. "This day you roast a goose; but an hundred years hence you shall hear a swan sing, that you shall not roast."26 Huss further testified of his prophetic dreams that were later fulfilled. John Huss' burning sparked a mighty fire. His name meant goose and has given us the saying, "Your goose is cooked!" Huss was roasted as he sang from Mark 10:47. The Council's verdict was so unjust that a 30 year war finally resulted. One hundred years after Huss' death another priest wrote, "In God's name and calling, I will tread upon the lion and adder, and trample the young lion and dragon under foot. This shall commence during my life, and be accomplished after my death. St. John Huss prophesied of me, writing out of prison to Bohemia: 'Now shall they roast a goose, but an hundred years hence shall they hear a swan sing, that they shall be forced to endure. So must it be, God willing."27 This priest was the singing reformer Martin Luther! --------------------------------- 26. The Suppressed Evidence, Thomas Boys, 1830, p 73. From Arnold's Kirchen und Ketzer History, Frankford 1699 Th. I. b. xv. c.v.p. 42027 Suppressed Evidence, p 74_________________________________ Huss' message did not die in the flame. During the next one hundred years the Gospel spread. Huss' followers became the original "Bohemians" (non-conformist) of Bohemia. Their leaders were sometimes called the bearded ones and were unaffectionately called the Anabaptists. The Evangelical awakening during those interim years prepared the way for Luther and the prophesied Reformation. Another Bohemian foresaw the revival that was coming. This was Pious Janowsky. "On his deathbed he consoled his friends by the hope of better times. 'The fury of the enemies of the truth,' said he, 'has now the ascendant. But this will not always be so: for there will arise a people without display, without sword, and without power, whom they will not be able to resist.' He added, that there would be but one of them, who would see that happy time; and the Brethren observe, that in fact an individual, named Wenceslas, attained so great an age, that, sixty years after, he saw the church of the Brethren formed, and became one of its members. Janowsky died in 1394." 28 A Precise Prophecy (1486) Luther's contemporary Melancthon retold the story of a persecuted Franciscan monk called John Hilten. His peers imprisoned him because he spoke against their sins. He died about 30 years before the Reformation. Melancthon inspected Hilten's manuscripts, which prophesied things that were already fulfilled and some that were yet to come. We are told that during Hilten's final days he was quite sick and was brought before the superior of the convent. The superior, burning with holier-than-thou hatred, began to reprove him harshly for his teaching because it might destroy their way of life. Hilten sighed and groaned while replying, "For Christ's sake I patiently submitted to these reproaches; for that indeed I have neither written nor taught any thing which could over throw monarchism, but have merely denounced some notorious abuses." He prophesied, "There shall come another, in the year of our Lord 1516, who shall destroy you; nor against him will you be able to stand." 29 ----------------------- 28 ibid, p. 76, and Boast's Histoire de L'Eglise des Freres, Geneva, 1831 vol. 1, p. 3329 ibid., p. 88_______________________________ Chapter 8 Anabaptists, Through Water and Fire Friend or Foe? In life few thing are simple. Thus, the Reformation must be viewed as a revolution that grew out of many different motives. As Catholic nations rejected Rome's authority, the Scripture was enjoyed by many. However, ecclastical money and power were also made available. Thus, greed revealed the worst in kings, governors and sometimes the new Protestant churches. Because Satan was hard at work, some true Christians suffered under the new Protestant powers. Protestants of the Reformation had put on a new name but many were still possessed by the Gospel hating spirit of Rome. That spirit opposed the free worship of Christ and vexed the Evangelical message when ever possible. Dead religion has always hated the new wine of Christ's true Gospel. We must point out that the intolerance of some Protestants was very small compared to the Roman inspired holocaust of the past. Nonetheless, the Anabaptists were caught in the middle of the Roman - Protestant conflict. They refused to follow any church that lacked the message of heart conversion and they paid dearly for their faith. Anabaptists Everywhere (1400s and Forward ) Before and during the early Reformation the scarlet thread of the Gospel moved from one heart to the next. Reading the Scripture and repentance spawned the New Birth and many new congregations of saints. The world seldom recognized such faith but God has always marked his people with good living, Gospel preaching, and miraculous signs. Huss and Janowsky foresaw a wonderful revival. Their prophecies were fulfilled in the formation of the Brethren movement in 1457. Their enemies normally called these Brethren Anabaptist's. They trace their beginning to the Waldenses that carried the Gospel throughout Europe. The Brethren hold a direct link to John Huss and his followers who were originally influenced by Wycliffe's writings. Therefore, Anabaptists were popping up everywhere. Although unnumbered Anabaptists were killed or imprisoned, by 1500 the Bohemian Brethren numbered 200,000 with 400 congregations in Bohemia and Monrovia.30 They were missionaries in spirit and owed no allegiance to any formal religious body. Often, they held all material possessions as common. The Scripture was their guide as the Spirit filled their hearts. The light of their message has now passed to our present day. Some who still follow the heart of their teachings are: Baptists, Evangelicals, Holiness, Mennonites and Pentecostals. These all hold a common view of the New Birth and holy living as a mark of conversion. ------------------------------ 30 History of the Christian Church, Schaff, v. 6, p. 399___________________________ Holiness and Spirit Filled In the fourteenth century the Anabaptists were severely persecuted by the Catholic Inquisition. Therefore, they tried to become unobtrusive. Their names such as Winkeler and Grubenheimer, denote people who had their homes in hideouts or in the woods. During that time the Anabaptists were also called the good, the pure, and the perfect. They were also called spirituales, that is, men of the Spirit, and enthusiastai. These titles fit in well with modern names such as Holiness and PENTECOSTAL. All of these old and new groups retain the same doctrines, emotional commitments and all enjoy the New Birth! Anabaptists Knew Christ Anabaptists held that the Bible was inspired while still acknowledging that Christ's Sprit was a present guide. They knew that Christ was with them according to his promise, "Lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the world." They believed that the Holy Spirit entered into the hearts of those who were dedicated to Christ. They believed that a committed Christian must deny oneself and follow Jesus. Their lives were to be no different from the life that Jesus himself had lived, in both its inner nature and its outward form. They believed the spirit of truth writes the Word of God into the heart of the believer. 31 Their name reflected their practice of baptizing converts rather than infants. These understood baptism to be an outward confession of inner faith. Anabaptists and the Gifts of the Spirit Anyone that accepts the reasoning of Scripture understands that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are to be a part of the Christians everyday life. The following accounts are just a small sample of the power that worked through the early Anabaptists. Their trials were great but God was greater! Their history echoes the miraculous faith of Hebrews eleven. Peter Riedemann wrote from prison about in 1530. He gave a written confession of faith in which he defined the work of the Holy Spirit. He said the Spirit was a father of the poor and miserable, strength to the week, a comfort to the mourner, a guide to the truth, a light to those in darkness, a lifter to the fallen, and a giver of ALL the varied gifts of God. He said, Through the Holy Spirit we receive victory to take us to the place that Christ has prepared for us. 32 --------------------------- 31 The Early Anabaptists, --Eberhard Arnold, (1883 - 1935) Reprint, Plough Publishing House, Rifton, NY 197032 Love is Like Fire, The confession of an Anabaptist Prisoner, --Peter Riedemann (about 1530) Plough Publishing House, Farmington PA, 14357____________________________ Miracles in the Hour of Trial In 1592 Thomas Haan of Bavaria, was beheaded for his Evangelical testimony and faith in Jesus. After his death the executioner placed the body on the woodpile and lit the fire. As the body burned the head moved close to the body and the hands raised themselves up. Although a strong wind was blowing, the smoke rose straight up to heaven and was witnessed by all. This sign was extraordinary in that the same miracle was seen every day at the Temple of God in Jerusalem. Historians tell us that the smoke of the sacrifice would always rise straight up to heaven as the people lifted their hands and worshiped God. Thomas Haan became a living sacrifice for his Christ. His praise was unquenchable in the fire of affliction. Perhaps his movements in death signify that Thomas was truly still alive and was making a victorious entrance into Glory! "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." (Psalms 63:4) In 1531 a Martin Maler with six others were imprisoned at Schwabisch Gmund for their trust in Christ. They were condemned for refusing the Roman Church and clinging to Christ alone. As they were escorted across a bridge Martin prophesied and said, "No more of God's faithful will be taken across this bridge." Then the seven brothers entered God's kingdom through fiery tribulation. Amazingly, the bridge that the Christian brothers had crossed was carried away in a violent storm a few days later. On the evening of their execution, a traveler approached the city and passed the place of death. At that very spot he saw seven lights like burning flames and heard a remarkably sweet and beautiful angelic song. Upon reaching the city he asked what had taken place and what it was he had heard and seen. When the city council learned of his report they made a deal with him to remain silent. So, he said nothing more but many already knew of the heavenly witness. The modern missionary story, Through Gates of Splendor tells of a similar event. After Alca natives martyred five Gospel missionaries, their killers saw a bright light above the trees and saw the missionaries standing before heavenly Gates of Splendor! Elizabeth Elliot, the wife of one of the martyrs continued her husbands work and lead many Alcas to Christ. Her husband's killer was among her Alca converts, and told her the extraordinary story. Truly the angels of God are with Christ's martyrs! "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." (Exodus 23:20) We know that the Lord will do no less for us. In 1533 Jakob Hutter was the leader of the Hutterian wing of the Anabaptist. He wrote his followers in Tirol saying, "God's name be praise for you and all the believers. Praise God for the signs and miracles he has done and continues to do every day through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen We really needed this kind of assurance in our deep pain and sorrow. It was well-timed to help us; the lord surely came at the right hour." 33 ---------------------------------- 33 The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren, Translated by the Hutterian Brethren, Plough Publishing House, Riften New York, p.115________________________ In 1579 Hans Zuckenhammer and a tailor named Wolf, were captured in Salzburg while doing missionary work and witnessing for Christ. Upon apprehension Zuckenhammer was struck so hard he bled and then his hands were bound so tightly they turned black. While being escorted to prison the crushing grip of the ropes suddenly let go so that the constable had to retie them. These apostles of Christ were repeatedly questioned and threatened by the priests and others. Their faith stood firm as they continued to refuse the religious idols and all doctrines that took away from the work of the Cross. The warden threatened to bring scholars from Salzburg but they answered, "Let a whole city full of priests come, it will not matter; they will never be able to turn us from the truth or from the way of salvation that God has shown us." Suddenly, the ropes fell off of brother Wolf's hands of their own accord. At a later time the brothers were questioned again. As the men gave a good witness for the truth the ropes on brother Wolf's hands again fell off as everyone watched. The bishop's chaplain, provincial judge, and the others all fell silent. Wolf gathered them up and put them on the bench beside him. When the hearing ended, the judge himself carried the ropes out. After the men spent three more week in prison, the bishop of Salzburg ordered their release. They had born sixteen weeks of imprisonment and hunger. Now, they walked out of the town in the broad daylight. Their discharge was like a miracle from God. Never before had anyone every been released in this area. It is God that robs princes of their bravery, holds their hearts in his hand, and destroy the fangs of the wicked. With God all things are possible. The apostles saw the delivering hand of God in the Philippian jail and in Jerusalem's prison. (Acts 12:7, Acts 16:26) God sent angels and earthquakes to set his servants free. Those that suffered death were also mighty witnesses who followed in the master's steps. God help us not only to see the miraculous but to also be found faithful unto the end. A Faithful Generation As the persecution of the Anabaptist Brethren continued more and more people came to Christ. The persecution of this time was not unlike that of the early church. A mighty army of faith was rising in Europe. The real Reformation did not start on a Church door in Wittenburg but in the hearts of uncounted Anabaptist Brethren across Europe. When Luther wrote his 95 theses he was equivalent to the modern politician that jumps in front of the moving crowd. This Reformation train was already moving and bound for Glory. The seats were already full! Luther's 95 theses was only a call for tickets. Although multitudes of Anabaptists were martyred, God's hand was not slack. After a time the persecutors began to fear God's retribution. It was noted that if you touch one of these Anabaptists that death would follow within twelve months. God heard the cries of his people and began coming to their defense. The stories of such divine judgment are without number. Truly, God has never changed and the testimony of his people is always the same. What he has done for others he is still doing today!
Chapter 9 The Reformers <ALIGN="JUSTIFY"Mighty Men of God <ALIGN="JUSTIFY"The days of the early Reformation were times of great trial. Many gave their life for Christ while some enjoyed a miraculous deliverance. The greatest miracle of that day was seen in the distance that men progressed in biblical understanding. Searching pilgrims crossed from the city of destruction to the very gates of heaven. All the blessings of Christ became theirs in a moment of time. When we consider how utterly difficult it is for modern Christians to lay aside small points of error, we marvel at the brilliant light that suddenly filled the old pioneers of faith. Luther (1483-1546) Martin Luther remains the most recognized leader of the Reformation. His teaching of justification by faith alone is know to all. Unfortunately, many modern teachers say nothing of Luther's other virtues. Some "neologians" would even deny the documented record of Luther's Holy Ghost anointing and his exercise of spiritual gifts. These spiritual manifestations did not detract from the preeminence of Scripture but rather confirmed the Scripture! We read that Luther was "a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, interpreter, in one person, endowed with all nine gifts of the Spirit."34 Luther was a choice vessel in the hand of God and without the mighty gifts of the Holy Ghost he would have failed in his work! --------------------- 34 Pentecost in Church Historyhttp://www.azstarnet.com/~jsbarta/ch_hist.html 1/1/99 _____________________ Power Over the Devil (1536) A young girl of 18 years, was tormented by the devil. The advisory would though her down into convolutions whenever she spoke the name of Jesus. Therefore, she was brought to Luther for prayer. After his sermon she again fell prostrate on the ground, while struggling and kicking. Luther laid his hand on the girl's head, repeated the creed, the Lord's prayer, and 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." He then prayed with the rest of the ministers that God would cast the devil out for Christ's sake. With his foot touching the girl Luther prayed, "Proud devil, thou wouldst, parade, but I will do no such thing. I know that thy head is crushed, and that thou liest prostrate under the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ." After this, Luther turned and left and the girl was taken home. From that time forward she was delivered and was never again taken with a seizure!35 Healing the Sick Today, glib critics inflect their voice in disgust whenever they mention Faith Healers. True ministers of God are often given no more respect than voodoo witch doctors. Well, Jesus said, "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake," and the words of Jesus are now fulfilled. How many false theologians dare admit to the healing ministry of Martin Luther? Which modern doctor of doubt will honestly expound on Luther's testimony of the power of prayer? Luther not only prayed for the sick but also had his life saved through the healing touch of Jesus. He wrote to his wife about his sickness and said, "In one word, I was a dead man" and "had reconciled myself to the grave. . ." Luther wrote that the good prince made his servants "run, ride, fetch, and he exerted himself to the utmost, to obtain (medical) relief for me, but it was not so to be. Your remedy, also, was equally ineffective." Next, Luther's friends prayed the balm of Gilead and "prayed so hard for me to God, that the tears of many people proved successful on my behalf: and I seem to my self to have experienced a new birth . . . God has already wrought a miracle on me this night, and does so still, through the intercession of good people." 36 --------------------- 35 Suppressed Evidences, --Thomas Boys p. 162, Jewish Expositor, May, 1831, pp. 145-153 36 Suppressed Evidence, --Boys, pp. 192-193 _________________________________ The well-known Reformer Philip Melancthon once became mortally ill while traveling. Luther was called to his dyeing friend and upon arriving found Philip about to give up the Ghost. His eyes were set, his understanding was almost gone, his speech and hearing had failed, his face had fallen, he knew no one, and he could no longer eat or drink. Upon seeing this spectacle Luther was filled with shock, and turned to his friends and said, "Blessed Lord, how has the devil spoiled me this instrument!" Then, turning toward the window, he called upon God. Next, he took the hand of Philip, and he said, "Be of good courage, Philip, thou shalt not die . . . He (God) takes pleasure in life, and not in death, . . . trust in the Lord, who is a able to kill, and to make alive." While Luther prayed Philip began to revive and to breathe and gradually recovered his strength and was totally restored to health. The healed Melancthon later wrote to his friend Burcard and said, "I should have been a dead man, had I not been recalled from death itself by the coming of Luther." Luther also wrote of his friend and said, "Philip is very well after such an illness, for it was greater than I had supposed. I found him dead; but, by an evident miracle of God, he lives." 37 Prophetic Utterance Luther prophetically addressed the future on many occasions. He correctly told of many events that would transpire after his death!38 In 1541 Mechum lay (with consumption) at the point of death and wrote his friend Luther a farewell note. However, Mechum later testified that he was "raised up from death, by the mandates, prayers, and letter of the reverend father, Luther." Luther's prayer and letter were prophetic when he said, "May the Lord never permit me to hear of your passage while I remain behind, but make you the survivor. SO I ASK, AND SUCH IS MY WILL, AND MY WILL BE DONE. AMEN. Because, this will seeks the glory of God's name, certainly not my own pleasure or advantage." ------------------------------ 37 ibid. p.196-202, and from the German book, Seckendor, Lib III, ' cxxxii. Add 1.b. and Briefe, 5ter Theil. p. 297-298 + 327 38 ibid. p. 186-191 ___________________________ At a later time, Mechum again fell gravely ill and besought Luther to release him to death. Nevertheless, he again recovered and came to live two months longer than Luther. Upon Luther's death Mechum fully understood the power behind Luther's words and wrote, "I certainly am very much struck." Luther died February 18th, 1546 and Mechum died on April 7th. William Tyndale In the early 1500s, the Englishmen William Tyndale became inflamed with an earth changing vision. He believed that all men should have the Scripture in their native tongue. Privileged scholars were already reading the Bible in the classical languages and thereby, finding conversion but Tyndale wanted to make salvation available to everyone. He knew that if the Scriptures were read, men would believe and be saved. Therefore, his mission in life became the translation and making of an English Bible. The organized church violently opposed his work and desperately tried to stop him. As a result, Tyndale fled from England while continuing his work. During his first printing of his New Testament, a spy discovered portions of his Bible in a German printer's. Officers were dispatched to apprehend Tyndale but he was not there. The officials next set out for his safe house but Tyndale, being forewarned fled with his books in hand. He slipped around his pursuers while returning to the printers and bailed together the incomplete Bibles. He then loaded all into a small boat and drifted down the German river for six days. Like Moses in his little ark -- adrift in a hostile land and yet, in this little boat was the Gospel of deliverance. Tyndale knew the pages of his Bible were precious and understood that if Englishmen read the Scriptures they would find Christ and freedom from their chains of sin. Ultimately, Tyndale was betrayed, strangled and burned but not before he gave us the most precious gift in this world -- The Word of God. William Tyndale lived during the time of Luther and visited him. We have no record of Tyndale exercising Pentecostal gifts, as did Luther. However, Tyndale left us a record of his inner conversion and his powerful Evangelical teachings. He ministered in the apostolic office of Teacher, for which we own him a unique debt of thanks. His work became the foundation of the King James translation that appeared over 70 years later. Tyndale often included comments next the text of his Bible. His notes testify of the works of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit. The following excerpts are taken from Tyndale's translation and attached notes. Saint Paul said, "The gifts# of the spirit are given to every man to profit the congregation." (I Corinthians 12:7) (Tyndale's N.T.) #Tyndale's added note, "The gifts of the spirit are given us too as service to our brethren." Tyndale translated Saint John as saying, "And ye have an ointment# of the Holy Ghost, and ye know all things." (I John 2:20) (Tyndale NT) #Tyndale's added note, Ointment: that is knowledge of the truth and all the gifts of the spirit. While Tyndale was quick to reject the garish and bazaar miracles of the organized church, (i.e. weeping idols, moving idols, and etc.) he accepted true miracles as a token or proof of the true Gospel. Next to his translation of Hebrews 2:4 Tyndale added, "Miracles are called signs because they be a sing-token and an evident proof that the thing that is preached is God's Word." The Historian J.H. Merle described Tyndale as a man "anointed with the Spirit of God" 39 The Evangelicals of Tyndale's day are described as men "baptized of the Holy Ghost." 40<\sup> A man named Pykas "bought a Tyndale New Testament, and read it thoroughly many times. His heart was totally changed. 'We must be baptized by the Holy Ghost,' he said, and these words passed like a breath of life over his simple-minded hearers."41 --------------------------------- 39 The Reformation in England, -- J. H. Merle d'Aubigné, 1853, Reprint by Banner of Truth, ISBM 085151 486 3, V. 1, pg 190 40 ibid., pg. 423 41 ibid., pg. 352 ________________________________ Powerful Presbyterians The Presbyterian Hall of Faith A One Man Army (1505-1572) John Knox was an eminent wrestler with God in prayer, and like a prince prevailed. The Queen Regent herself had given him this testimony, when upon a particular occasion she said that she was more afraid of his prayers than of an army of ten thousand men. He was likewise fervent and moving in his preaching. He prophesied many events and these were remarkably accomplished. John Knox the Prophet While a prisoner in the castle of St. Andrews, he foretold both the manner of the castles surrender, and of his deliverance from the French galleys. When the French army twice discomfited the lords of the congregation, Knox assured them that God would ultimately prosper the work of Reformation. Again, when Queen May refused to come to preaching, he sent word that she would yet be obliged to hear the Word of God whether she would or not. This came to pass during her arraignment in England. At another time, Knox rebuked the Queens husband saying, "Have you for the pleasure of that dainty dame, cast the psalm-book into the fire? The Lord shall strike both the head and tail." Therefore, Both King and Queen died violent deaths. An Anointed Preacher! Though Knox became old and "very week in body, he would not refrain from preaching, it became necessary for his servant to support him as he entered the church; when in the pulpit, he had to rest before he could preach, but before he ended his sermon he became so vigorous and active, that he was like to have broken the pulpit to pieces." Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mr. Thomas Smeaton spoke of Knox at his death and said, "I know not if God ever place a more godly and great spirit in a body so little and frail. I am certain, that there can scarcely be found another in who more gifts of the Holy Ghost, for the comfort of the Church of Scotland, did shine . . ." 42 Robert Garnock, (about 1679) Robert Garnock wrote of a field preaching and communion service that he once attended. There, he saw the manifest presence of Christ. Robert recalled, "In reference to the three wonderful days of the Lord's presence at East Nisbet in the Merse; that was the greatest communion, (lords supper) I suppose, these twenty years; I got there what I will never forget while I live. Glory to His sweet name that ever there was such a day in Scotland; His work was wonderful to me, both in spirituals and temporals. Oh! that I could get Him praised and magnified for it. He (the Lord) was seen that day sitting at the head of His table, and His spikenard 'sending forth a pleasant smell.' Both good and bad were made to cry out, and some to say, with the disciples, 'It is good for us to be here.' They would have been content to have stayed there; and I thought it was a heaven begun to be in that place." 43 --------------------------------- 42 The Scots Worthies, -- John Howie, 1775 and 1781, Reprint -- Rev. W.H. Carslaw 1870, pp 52, 57-58, 58, 63 43 ibid. p. 459 ___________________________ Thomas Hog, (about 1670) Mr. Hog went to see a gracious woman who was afflicted both in body and mind. He prayed, "O Lord, rebuke this temptation, and we in thy name rebuke the same." Immediately the woman was fully restored. 44 Robert Bruce (1554-1631) It was the custom of Robert Bruce to go out for private prayer after his first sermon. On one occasion a waiting nobleman sent to ask if a second sermon was planned. The nobleman was informed. "I think he shall not come out this day, for I overheard him say to some one, 'I protest I will not go unless thou goest with me.' " However, Bruce shortly came out alone. He then ministered a powerful message with much evidence and demonstration of the Spirit. It was easy for his hearers to discern that Bruce had been in the mount with God. More properly, he had come out with God whom he had first met in private. Robert Bruce was also a man who had the spirit of discerning future events. He prophetically spoke of several things that afterward came to pass. Also, in obedience to Scripture he prayed for the sick. After prayer, the sick were fully restored to health. Bruce was known as a wrestler with God, and had more than ordinary familiarity with Him. 45 ---------------------------- 44 ibid. p. 564 45 ibid. pp. 147+148 _________________________ John Welch (1570-1622) A young nobleman was boarding in John Welch's house while receiving his education. This young man "fell ill of a grievous sickness, and after he had been long wasted by it, closed his eyes and expired, to the apprehension of all spectators; and was therefore taken out of his bed, and laid on a pallet on the floor, that his body might be more conveniently dressed. This was to Mr. Welch a very great grief, and therefore he stayed with the body fully three hours, lamenting over him with great tenderness. After twelve hours, the friend brought in a coffin, where into they desired the corpse to be put, as the custom was; but Mr. Welch desired that, for the satisfaction of his affections, they would forbear for a time; which they granted, and returned not till twenty-four hours after his death. Then they desired with great importunity, that the corpse might be coffined and speedily buried, the weather being extremely hot; yet he persisted in his request, earnestly begging them to excuse him once more, so they left the corps upon the pallet for full thirty-six hours; but even after all that, though he was urged not only with great earnestness, but displeasure, they were constrained to forbear for twelve hours more. After forty-eight hours were past, Mr. Welch still held out against them; and then his friend, perceiving that he believed the young man was not really dead, but under some fit, proposed to him for his satisfaction, that trial should be made upon his body by doctors and surgeons, if possibly any spark of life might be found in him; and with this he was content. So the physicians were set to work, who pinched him with pinchers in the fleshly parts of his body, and twisted a bow-string about his head with great force; but no sign of life appearing in him, the physicians pronounced him stark dead, and then there was no more delay to be made. yet Mr. Welch begged of them once more that they would but step into the next room for an hour or two, and leave him with the dead youth; and this they granted. Mr. Welch fell down before the pallet, and cried to the Lord with all his might, and sometimes looked upon the dead body, continuing to wrestle with the Lord, till at length the dead youth opened his eyes, and cried out to Mr. Welch, who he distinctly knew, 'O Sir, I am all whole, but my head and leg;' and these were the places they had sorely hurt with their pinching. When Mr. Welch perceived this, he called upon his friends; and showed them the dead young man restored to life again, to their great astonishment." 46 ---------------------- 46 ibid., pp 132-133 __________________________ Some Walked the High Road The Swiss reformer Zwingli disappoints us because of his persecution of independent Anabaptists. Modern Calvinists love him for his doctrine while giving fewer honors to Zwingli's hand-picked replacement. This replacement was M. Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575) who was an Evangelical in conduct and heart. He was a man of charitable works and Christ-like actions that did not persecute his enemies. Rather, he blessed them and fed them. After assuming Zwingli's office Bullinger freely dispensed food, clothing, and money from gifts and how own his small income. He cared for widows and orphans, strangers in exile and people of other creeds. Bullinger entertained persecuted brethren for weeks and months in his own house, or helped them find the means of travel. He received with open arms fugitive Protestants from Italy, France, England, and Germany, and made Zurich an asylum of religious liberty. In the mid 1500s he constantly spoke out in behalf of the persecuted Huguenots, Waldenses and Reformed congregation in Paris. Bullinger's teaching clearly reflected a born again heart and true follower of Christ. 47 This same Bullinger possessed a vision for world Missions and God's call to preach to all people! He was Evangelical, born again, and sanctified in living. Further, his writings reflected the sentiments of today's PENTECOSTALS! Bullinger said, "Those who shall have believed in me, (Christ) shall cast out devils, not in their own name but in mine; shall speak with new tongues; shall drive away serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. When these things are accomplished, a greater miracle is performed in men's minds, though a hidden one, Avarice, lust, ambition, hatred, wrath, malice, are to the mind deadly poisons and diseases; these they shall drive away in my name, and do it constantly. But, on account of the weak, and those who are slow to believe, the former (physical miracles) also shall sometimes be done, that even the dullest may perceive that in them is the Spirit, mighty beyond human power." Miracles, Healings, Tongues! Bullinger believed the gifts of the spirit were to be present in every generation. He said, "If, however, we refer these thing (deliverances) to the body, they are wrought by a miracle both in the teachers and in the disciples themselves. For believers, through the power of Christ in who they believed, drove out and overthrew the devil, and were accustomed to speaking with new tongues -- both the Lord's disciples, and the disciples of the Lords' disciples." Bullinger further says, "To this the Acts of the Apostles bear witness. Ecclesiastical History bears witness to the same. Lastly the present times bear witness; wherein, through confidence in the name of Christ, numbers, greatly afflicted and shattered with disease, are restored to health." 48 Bullinger's words sound more like those of a modern healing evangelist than the writings of an ancient Reformer! Why? Unbelieving professors of doubt have suppressed the record of truth. Nonetheless, God's Word cannot be denied. Jesus is still the same yesterday today and forever! ----------------------------- 47. History of the Christian Church, --Schaff, V. 8, pp. 48 Suppressed Evidences, --Boys, 1832, p. 153. Bullinger's Works, V.7, col. 272 on Mark 16, -- Leyden 1706 ________________________
Chapter 10 A Rising Tide of Miracles Huguenots and Children Prophets (1688) French Protestant faith and worship was very much like that of the English Puritans in 1600. Their faith centered upon the Word of God. The Huguenots read their Bible and listened to others read aloud. They sang the Psalms, recited prayers, and heard their minister preach from the Scriptures. Children memorized the Bible and took part in church responses from the age of ten. The Huguenots embraced their faith at a high price. They were repeatedly persecuted and, subsequently, forced to defend their lives and families. The Huguenots were expecting Christ's soon coming and Millennial Kingdom. However, unspeakable persecution plunged them into a holocaust of suffering in 1685. Many were imprisoned and made galley slaves. Parents were compelled to raise their children as Catholics. Their ministers were among the prisoners taken away, while, laymen who were left behind were forbidden to leave the country. Some pastors did manage to escape France while others went underground. As the Huguenots resorted to secret meetings their fervent prayers overturned the plans of Satan. God began to do a wonderful thing. Many witnesses tell of the great Heavenly signs that continued throughout 1687. Angels, thousands of Angels sang the song of deliverance while marching or drumming was heard in the sky. Trumpets were heard to sound and hundreds gathered at night to hear the angelic chorus.49 The hearers speculated that this foretokened of a wonderful thing that God was about to accomplish. Truly, God would soon pour the promise of Joel 2:28 on the oppressed Huguenot children. The weak of this world would confound the wise. Since their ministers were driven into exile and hiding, God began anointing a young generation to stand in the gap. ----------------------------------- 49. The French Prophets, --Hillel Schwartz, University of California Press, 1980, p.16 _____________________________ In February of 1688, Isabeau a sixteen-year-old shepherdess in Dauphine had the Spirit of God come upon her as she slept. She cried out and began to sing and prophesy. At length many Huguenots sat in her room at night as she ministered in her sleep. When Isabeau lay on her back she quickly fell asleep. Then, she sang the Ten Commandments in rhyme and followed that with a Psalm. After a pause, she preached or prophesied fluently. Her gestures and speech were rapid and sometimes displayed agitation. However, she woke in the morning refreshed and did not remember the happenings of the previous night. Isabeau's message contained a call for all to repent and honor God's Word. She spoke of the forty-two months of trouble in Revelation 50 and of eternal life for God's faithful. Her message was one of comfort for those that were distressed. She spoke of Joel's prophecy about a young generation that would receive God's Spirit and prophesy. ------------------------------------ 50 These 42 months equal 1260 days. All Reformation Protestants understood these days to be 1260 years in which the ten horned beast of Rome (Reincarnated into the Roman Church) would persecute the true children of God. Rome was teaching that these events were all yet to come. ___________________________
When church priests got wind of her gift, they had her imprisoned in June 1688. God was not through, others children soon took her place of ministry. Within six months many children received the gift of prophecy as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This revival swept the towns of Dauphine. In the village near the home of Isabeau, more than sixty had received Isabeau's experience by years end. Some adults also received the Holy Ghost Baptism. A sleeping farmer's wife flailed her arms and legs, shouting "Mercy, mercy." She prophesied that the earth would soon end and the faithful would reign with Jesus for 1000 years.51 The children's meetings grew to as many as 1500 in attendance. In the early spring of 1689 Rome moved against the young prophets. The youngest ones were placed in convents and prison hospitals and the others were condemned to death. The children prophets foresaw this intense persecution and some managed to hide and continue their ministry. By 1701 the young prophets numbered in the hundreds. Their messages were respected and quite accurate. Some predictions that did not seem to occur were simply in need of further explanation just as Revelation often needs enlightening comment. The children prophets were mightily anointed. When ordinary children received their spiritual gift they spoke with a holy unction and gave their messages while crying out in public places, "This is the last days, repent!" Many miracles accompanied their words. Furthermore, newborn infants spoke out and refused Catholic baptism.52 Some of the young prophets also exercised the Pentecostal gift of tongues. In later years the maturing prophets lead their people against unbearable tyranny. The hopeful French Protestants followed the direction of prophecy in the daylight and in the nights they were guided to their camps by divine lights.53 They believed guardian angels protected them from ambush. Mere, bands of men stood against a royal army of 20,000. Although, they did not prevail the stories of their exploits inspired the Protestants in other parts of Europe. ------------------------------- 51 Revelation 22:12 "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." 52 When the author was one year old he was christened in the Episcopal Church. As the priest sprinkled, the author's Evangelical spirit rose up and refused the un-scriptural baptism of a child. He knocked the dish right from the priest's hands. There! a job well done. It may not have been miraculous but was certainly a prophetic omen. He definitely remembers the occasion and also recalls his embarrassed Grandmother Zell sopping up the spill. 53 My grandmother Cora told me of the return of her grandfather from the Civil War. Mr. Ball fought with the South during the Civil War. He survived the war to return home. He had a horse and, therefore, often traveled at night. As he went he said a light appeared before him to show him the way home. When he arrived he was unable to eat regular food for a time because of the famine in the Southern Army. Psalms 78:14 "In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire." _________________________
A few of the prophets fled to England during the days of war. Although, these did not sustain the excellent reputation of those remaining in France, at least some of them had a positive influence on the spirituality of the English. The French prophets did not set down a formal creed or make an official statement concerning their beliefs. They moved like the wind and followed the Spirits leading. The Spirits guidance is good but must always be submitted to the unchanging truth of Scripture. A clear statement of faith leaves a positive Gospel witness for the next generation. Our present statements of faith raise a standard against false prophets that seek to damage God's work. The descendants of the French prophets did not continue their parent's message or experience. However, many other people in their day shared the anointing of the prophets, with their call to repentance and inner conversion. Some of these people did pin their beliefs, and we have greatly profited from their witness. John Wesley was one such writer and many modern Methodist's still carry his excellent spirit. Children as Prophets? The participation of children in revival is quite common. However, children as the leading figures of revival might not be so quickly accepted. God often calls the young first and then moves to the elders. Samuel heard God's voice as a child. Jeremiah and David were also quite young. I believe that God picks young people because of their obedience and faith. Early submission to God yields a lifetime of usefulness. One of the most outstanding examples of modern Revival among Children can be found in H. A. Bakers, Visions Beyond the Veil.54 --------------------------------- 54 Visions Beyond The Veil, --H.A. Baker, Missionary to China, Osterhus Publishing House, 4500 West Broadway, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55422. Contact them! ___________________________ Baker was a missionary to China during the first half of the 1900s. He took in Chinese orphans and naturally told them of Christ's love and salvation. These poor children were sometimes slow of understanding but quick in spirit. Thus, prophetic visions introduced them to all the stories and truths contained in Scripture. These little people exercised mighty gifts of prophecy, healing, and revelation. The special experiences these children enjoyed plainly demonstrated God's tender caring for the week and orphaned. We must also view our children as potential doors to the wonders of God. Although children display most of the flaws of their elders, they are teachable and ready to change. Jesus said that we must be like children to enter His Kingdom. If we introduce our little ones to God, they will return to us like prosperous merchants, loaded with gifts from above. If we become as little children we may happily receive God's gifts. Too often, I have seen children find conversion and stand on the very brink of Heaven. Then a earthly minded and doubting parent moves with all vigor to quench the Spirit's flame and redirect the child's interest toward the artificial elements of religion or the delights of vanity fair. In reality the parent performs a spiritual abortion and in the end will reap the sad consequences. The children prophets are just one of many groups that were enjoying the promise of Joel during the early 1700s. God was pouring his spirit upon all who were seeking him. Parts of the Reformation movement were about a century and a half old at that time. Protestantism had lost the powerful Spirit of the early reformers. Contrariwise, the revivalists of the 1700s viewed their fresh anointing as a sort of second Reformation. The outpouring of the Spirit ultimately crossed to America and is today spreading throughout whole earth. God is still the same today. As a child of eight years this author received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of Pentecostal tongues. During his childhood he had many edifying visions. As a young teen-ager he was: called to the ministry, prayed for the sick, maintained a musical ministry, was inspired to compose numerous songs, began preaching, witnessed for Christ and occasionally prophesied in Church. At eighteen he was place in charge of weekly reform school services in which many were born into Christ's kingdom. The life of that child, thus, set the course for the man he is today. "A little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6) Do Angels Still Sing? In the late 1800s thousands heard angels singing at the Wabash (Sheffy) Competing in the New River Valley of Virginia. Angelic songs have often been witnessed in times of revival. When today's PENTECOSTAL outpouring came to Asusa Street in Los Angeles the Angels of God sang. A witness wrote of those early days: "'The news spread far and wide that Los Angeles was 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. Bands of angels have been heard by some in the Spirit and there is heavenly singing that is inspired by the Holy Ghost. No collections are taken. No bills have been posted to advertise the meetings. No church organization is back of it. All who are in touch with God realize as soon as they enter the meeting that the Holy Ghost is the leader. One brother states that even before his train entered the city he felt the power of the revival." 55 ----------------------------------- 55 With Signs Following, Stanley Frodsham, Gospel Publishing House, 1946 p. 33 ____________________________ 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 remov |