Ei) yee beri CoN AV UAANA oem . Sus a BU Butea HIS DIARY‘aD DATE DUE What really "”* happened at ‘Azusa Street ? $ by FRANK BARTLEMAN Edited by JOHN WALKER PRICE $1. 00 VOICE CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS INC. ant , rinneny | | i | | | | | |© 1962 VOICE CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS INC. PREFACE ly published by Frank Bartleman ow Pentecost Came to Los An- been out of print for over thirty years, and tes the message of God.’ Far ical report, {o deep repentance along three carnal divisions of lership and program in place of yn of creed rather than Chri which has been so long si ‘The book has been abridged considerably in order to give the message clearer focus and greater force. The material omitted was valuable but not ess haps more than any other person burden of prayer for the deep work of the Spirit of Goc was brought forth. To the praise and honor of God, the Azusa Street Revival brought glory to no man, As testi- mony to this, no man's ni How- ever, it can be safely said ful events be found than Frank Bartleman. Who is more qual than one who has trav: ts birth, and tenderly nursed, and coura~ geously defended its young life? be noticed in During 1905, as Frank Bi Roberts in'Wales and agreed in prayer; as he and others in Los Angeles’ spread the message of the Welsh Revival and exhorted to prayer} and abovejen report of the Welsh Revival stirred God's (0 prayer in 1905, may this true story of the Azusa fevival, so long neglected, forgotten, and misunder~ stood, accomplish this same purpose today. Pentecostal people, Return! All hungry hearts, Be Filled! God's peo- h, Send the ple everywhere, To Your Knees! ‘God of Eli Fire! John Walker Los Angeles, California January, 1962 CHAPTER ONE REVIVAL BEGINNINGS ‘The author of the following pages arrived in Los Angeles, California, with wife and two daughters, the oldest three tle Esther, “Queen Esther" seemed to have orn "for such a time as this, "-(Esther 4:14). Beside that ‘ithheart my life anew for God's service. In the Ww real eternal issues become. I prom- id be spent wholly for Him. He made a fresh covenant w! n begged Him to open a door of service quickly, that I might not find time for sorrow. Just one week after Esther's departure 1 began preaching twice a day at tle Peniel Mission in Pasa~ dena. While souls were saved during the month's meetings in Pentel Mission, yet the greatest victory gained was digging out of a company of young men attending there, A number were called out by the Lord for future service. deagribed the great revival then going on in Wales, which fevnad ust visited. “He had met Evan Roberts, My soul twas atizred toils depths, having read of this revival short- ly before. I then and there promised God He should have Rut‘sight of way with me, if He could use me. I distributed tracts in the post office, banks, and public buildings in Los Angeles, and also visited many saloons with tracts. Later 1 visited about thirty saloons in Los ‘Angeles again. The houses of prostitution were wide open at that time and I gave out many tracts there. ttle Esther's death had broken my heart and I felt in God's service. I longed to know ay and to see the work of God go forthmighty revival. He was preparing me for a fresh service for Him. This could only be brought about by the realiza- tion of a deeper need in my own heart for God, and a real soul travail for the work of God. This He gave me. Many were being similarly prepared at this time in different of the world. The Lord was preparing to visit and iver his people once more. Intercessors were the need, He wondered that there was no intercessor. "-Isa. . “I sought for a man to stand in the gap before me for the Tand, T should not destroy it; but I found none, -Ezek. About the first of May a powerful revival broke out inthe Lake Avenue M.E. Church in Pasadena. The your who bad been dug out in the meet most of aying for Pasadena. God was answering wonderful work of the Spirit ys were underneath, and wonder- ien began to pray for an outpouring igeles and the whole of Southern California. following observations in my diary, written at rrehes are going tobe surprised to find God passing them by. He will work in channels where they will yield to him. “They must humble themselves for Him to come. We are crying are oo well satistied with their own goodnes: Tithe f erest for the salvation of others, God will humble them by passing them by. The Spirit is breathing prayer through us for a mighty, general outpouring. Great things are coming. We are ‘asking largely, that our Joy may be ful God is moving. We are praying for the pastors. The Lord will visit those will- nportance and we are gone. is connection. God has always sought a humble people. He can use no other. Martin Luther, the great reformer, wrote: '"W Girtat saya repent, he meas: that the whole [deat be liev@rs on earth shotild be a conatant and perpetual repept- ance. "Repentance and sorrow = 5. e. true Tepentances-en~ dite as lng as a ian Lo dlgpleased with hmelt = that iy unt e-passes from thij a eternity. e desire of selt-justtication is tie cause of ail the distresses of the heart" There is much need always of heart preperation, in humility and. separation, before. God ean ‘consistently come. depth, val wil by. :¢.that obtains. key to every true revival. born of God. May 12, God dealt with me about giving all my time to Him, turning my back finally and for all lime on secular em folly for my- irying for years to bring me to his service. We entered into a new contract between us, He was*to have the rest of my life fully. And I have never dared to break this contract. Wife kept my breakfast for me. But I did not return un- lost my appetite for The Spirit, le book, set me on fire. ited and prayed with three preachers and a number of workers before I re- turned home, at noon. I had received a new commission My burden was for a revival. I visited and prayed with people all day long for some tim Tt moved the people of prayer was increasing upon me obedient to the heavenly vision." tion" had faced me down for exhortation les to write I began to jod's Reviv- y sleep shouting the if me more and more.evidently in the beginning of wonderful days to come, and I prophesied continually of a mighty outpouring. churches wonderfully. I did 1g among the saints also, and began to book, "The Great Revival in Wales, " mong the churches. God wonder! t faith for a revival spi mong the saloons and used It to promote My tract work was continued a- ines houses, May, 1905, I wrote in an article: "My soul is on fire as 1 race iii Wales. ~’The ‘seven ing" because of the decay of vi body of be excust a time icing at such a time and pr in the earth. for Workers, channels, worm the dust. “Remember, fie must sus" ive was pressed out in prayer at every pores, This Kind comes {oo igh Yor ‘most poeple, But may not this be our Lord's Nast ea June 17, I went to Los Angeles to attend a meeting at the First Baptist Church. ‘They were’ waiting on God for uring of the Spirit there. Their pastor, Joseph Smale, had just returned from Wales. He had been in touch with Evan Roberts, and was on fire to have ig of an exact piece with my own vision, burden, and desire, and spent two hours the church in prayer, before the evening service, Meetings were being held every day and night there and God was One afternoon I started the meeting in Los Angeles white they were waiting for Smale toappens. I oxiorted them not torwait for man, bul lo expect rom God They wore de- pending on some’ great one, the sane spirit of idolatry that Nas cursed the chureh and hindered Go circles in Europe God." I started t Pastor is often known as service iti the evening on the church steps, outside, while we were waiting for the janitor to arrive with the key. We hada season of prayer for the surrounding community. ‘The evening meeting was a steady sweep of victory. When God's church and unity, the doors the_tempté femple”of ol cost," neither_in true w that Worship Him must worship in spirit and tr 4:24.” "For by one Spirit are we all baptiz. and were all made 10 the early pattern, and even from the type We are so short we scarcely recoy , though for . The difficulty and shame is that we’ are hope- and after preaching, spent the night at the parsonage, praying and sleeping alternately. I fuller revelation of Jesus to my own soul. Like 1oon that draws clearer and nearer to’ our vision ntinue to steadfastly gaze at it, so Jesus appears more real to our souls as we continue to contemplate Him. We need a closer, personal Iwent to Smale's church again, and again found them Ustlessly waiting for the preacher 'to appear. Many did not seem to have any definite idea what they had come to meet ing for. I began to pray aloud and the meeting started off with power. It was in full blast when Brother Smale ar- rived. '\God wanted the peopl im, and not to view would But it is God's pl prayer. "It was too hard on the flesh carrying“ this burden now in ever increasing and day. ythe ministry was Intense. It was sufferings," a “travail” of soul, with "groanings that could* not be uttered." ~ Rom. easier to criticize than :26,27. Most believers find it vy One day Il was much burdened in prayer, I went to Broth er Manley's'tent and fell at the alte, there oor my soul. A worker ran in froma side tent and beeps ae to pray for him. “I attended another meeting thay sen og there found a young brother, ‘Edward Booka a a been dug out in the Peniel meetings inthe seers, game burden of prayer onhim. We were wou it trom that time on. He was destined the future, " the preacher BESO orden mc eee this, being bound. by age old custom, but others responded fo it They were praying for a revival like thes forge Vales. This was one of the outstanding features there, In Wales Mipy expected from God. The meetings went on” whether the preacher was present or ab: came to meet God. He met them. Bent They eam uy ee Sat SAA dary gad a there. "The letter read as iy Gacritestne nna tae Pray and wait — eve God's promises, Hold daily meet- ings. | May God bless you, is ty cares prop ee, Christ" Bran Ronerte.™'We ere wesepraver, Yo know that they were praying for us in Wales ees T wrote some articles Mig Harvester, and or " at Je following are extracts: "A wonserta has broken out here in Los Angolos, Caforsigy by a deep preparatory wonkof prayer and a “ction is rapidly spreading among the peorle, sae tre see fallying trom all over the city t thePeeeacy an ey are Smale's church, ese meetings are Beginning to is becoming an important . a ‘being swept away beyond Sec The fear of God is coming upon the people, a very spirit of burning. Sunday night the meeting Tan on until the small hours of the next morning. Pastor Smale is prophesying of wonderful things to come. He y 's the speedy return of the apostolic ‘gifts’ to the Los Angeles is a veritable Jerusalem. Just the place for a mighty work of God to begin. I have been ex- such a display of divine power for some time. might break out any hour. Also that it was re least expected, that God might get the lory, Pray for a ‘Pentecost.’ -'F. Bartleman, June, i908," July 3, I felt strongly impressed to go to W in’ Pasadena to pray.” There | found had also been led of God Brother Boehmer ahead of me, ea woman in birth~pangs. through us. us, 50 close we could have reached out our hand and touched him. But we did not dare to move. I could not even look. In fact I seemed all spirit, His presence seemed more real, if possible, than if I could have seen and-touched Him naturally. I forgot I had ‘A heaven of divine love ing fire went through mi being seemed to flow down before he fire. lost all consciousness of time or space, being cof- nly of His wonderful presence. I worshipped eemed a veritable "mount of transfiguratio the pure Spi For some time He remained with us. Then slowly He withdrew His presence. We would have been there yet had He not withdrawn. I could not doubt His reality after that experience. Brother Boehmer experienced largely the same thing. We had lost all consciousness of each other's presence while He remained w Irald to speak or breathe when roundings. The Lord had sald nothing to us, but only rav- eoeaeishodour spirits by His presence. _H resence._He had come to strength- Sa and assure us. lor His service. We knew Tow we" ere ite i aS Ni ie is almost perfect in without this. All true rev: ‘The sun was up next morning before ef weg Sar tt a eliminates all sense of time. With Him’all Is eternit ;- Tis “eternal life,” God knows no time. ‘This element is lost in Heaven. TI is the secret of time appearing to ass go swilly in all nlghtaof real prayer. ‘Time is super- econ ernaselenie of eterr is there. For days that ae presence seemed by my side. The Lord wus was so real, I could scarcely take up wilh human spirits seemed ao haraty earthy (elonstieg eee gpirits seemed so harsh, earthly fellowshipa torment : Rivwe-are naturally from ge genie sugitot Christ!” 1 spent the following day in praye chureh in the evening, where I had 4% Sion. Heavenly peace ‘and joy 50 real. Doubts and fears dann going to Smale's de In His presence. Twrote a number of articles to several Holiness paper describing God's operations among us, and exhorting, te gainls everywhere to faith and prayer for a revival. The Lord used these articles grealy to Bring faith and convies jon tn many places, Iwas soon receiving quite & large Correspondence, Irom many places. I wrote in my diasy at this time the following observations: "We may cut our- ever experienced, deep endul dice, party spirit, ele, on ‘The present world-wide revival was rocked in the cradle of litte Wales. It was "brought upY in nd ought up" in India following: bes coming ful grown In Log Angeles Later. 1’ received irom early in 1905 the following keynote to Nevival: Tne Septh of revival w ied. exact le the splrit of refentange.” “And this Will btu for aE toe ‘The revival spirit at Brother Smale's rapidly spread its interest over the whole city, among the spiritual people. Workers were com from all parts,-fromvarious-af- fillations, uniting their prayers with us for a general-out- pouring. The circle of interest widened rapidly. We were how. praying for California, for the Nation, and also for’a world-wide revival. The spirit of prophecy began to work ‘on a large scale. Some gne ival in Wales." These They had a wonderful sent me 5000 pamphlets o T distributed among the chu quickening influence. I visited Smale's church again, and started the meeting. He hadnot yet arrived. The meetings were getting wonder- ful by this time for their spontaniety. Our little Gideon's band was marching on to certain victory, led by the Captain Iwas led to pray at this early discernment of spirits, healing, and prophecy. ded more wisdom and love also. I seemed to receive a real for the revival at this time, with a spirit of prophecy to the same end, and began to prophesy of mighty things to come. When we began to pray in the spring of 1905, no one seemed to have much faith for anything out of the ordinary. Pessimism in regard tothe then present conditions seemed to obtain generally among the saints. But this condition had changed. God himself had given us faith for better things. There had been nothing. in. sight to stimulate to this. It came from nothing. And cannot He do the same today? I wrote an article at this time for the “Daily News" of Pasadena, describingwhat Isaw in Brother Smale's church. It was published and the manager himself came to see soon He was greatly convicted, came to the altar, and sought God earnestly. The article was copied in a number country. It was entitled, ‘he following are ‘or some weeks special services have irst Baptist Church, Los Angeles. Pastor _- Smale has returned from Wales, where he was in touch with Evan Roberts, and the revival. He registers his con- viction that Los Angeles will soon be shaken by the mighty power of God “The service of which I am writing began impromptu and spontaneous, some time before the pastor arrived. A hand- ful of people bad gathered early, which seemed to be suf- ficient for the Spirit's operation. The meeting started.Their expectation was from God. God was there, the peo- ple were there, and by the time the pastor arrived the ‘meeting was in full swing, Pastor Smale dropped Into his place, but no one seemed to pay any especial attention to him. ’ Their minds were on God. No one seemed to get in another's way, although the congretation represented man Feligious bodies. All seemed perfect harmony. ‘The Spirit was leading. "The pastor arose, read a portion of the Scripture, made a few well chosen remarks full of hope and inspiral ton for the occasion, and the meeting passed again {rom his hands. The people took it up and went on as before. Testimony, prayer and praise were intermingled through- out the service. The meeting seemed to run itself as far as human guidance was concerned. The pastor was one of them. If one is at all impressionable religiously they must feel in such an atmosphere that something wonder{ul and imminent is about to take place. Some mysterious, m upheaval in the spiritual world Is evidently at our di ‘The meeting gives one a feeling of "heaven on earth,” with an assurance that the supernatural exists, and that in a Yery real sense." - F, Bartleman, in "Dally News," Pasa~ lena. "Mercy rejected means jud lng. 7 world there has always been first the offer of divine mercy, then judgment follow- ing. First comes Christ on the white horse of mercy, Then follows the red, black and pale horses, of war, fain- ines and death. The prophets ceased not day and night to faithfully warn Israel, but thelr tears and entreaties for the most part proved in’vain. The awful destruction of Jeru salem, A.D. 70, which resulted in the extermination of a million Jews, and the captivit preceded by the offer of divi mn of God himself. of multitudes more, was mercy at the hands of the t revival wave visited our country, lon souls into the fountain of salvation. Immediately the terrible carnage of 1861-1865, followed, And so a5 We anticipate the coming revival, which is already assuming rapidly world-wide proportions, we wonder will not judgment follow mercy, as at other times. And judg- ment in proportion to the mercy extended. ‘The present warlike attitude and distress of the nations makes us wore der If the Judgment to follow may not even plunge us into 10 the ‘tribulation,’ the Great one." —F, Bartleman, July, 1905. "God's Revi nas Gome in ugon us like 00d Be also! A standard is being rals e Lord sa choosing out His workers. This is a time (0 real~ fae the vision for service. The Lord hath spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going dow thereof. Our God shall come, and. shal not keep silence. Gather my saints together unto me, those who have made 2 covenant with me by sacrifice."'- Ps, 50." 1 used often to Geclare during 1908, that I would rather live six months at that time than ify years of ordinary Ume. it was a day of the beginging of great things. For”the grain of corn that was willing to "fal into te ground and die," Where. was, Promise of abundant harvest, But for spiritual "Hlappers, the whole matter was naturaily foolishness. Iyrote: “Unbeliet of every form te a sd ur God comes enemy. The I wrote another letter to Evan Roberts, asking for con- ‘ tinued prayer for California. Thus we were kept linked up mf Tun Wales for the revival, In ose days re prayer was litte understood. It was hard to find a quiet Plage where one would not be disturbed, Gethsemane ex: poriences with Jesus were rare among the saints in days. Tat Smale's church one day 1 was groaning in prayer at rebuked ‘me severely. flesh naturally shrinks fro1 no more popular in m sain Btetrepangs in the home, Soul-trayail does not make pleas ant company for selfish worldlings. But we cannot have souls born without it, Child bearing is anything but a popular suerla tes ct dean cblly suid pee ee eae etl ae rs." And so with the churches regarding s0\ There is litte burden for souls. ‘Men run from the groans of a. yoman in travail of birth, "And so the church dest no "groans" today. She is too busy enjoying hersell. y but the Lord We were much pressed financlally again, Lard delivered.” We never made our wants known to any one but God, and never begged or borrowed, no matter press Ing the need might seem to be, We believed if the saints ere living close enough to God he would spe , We trusted iim folly,-and went without if He did not sendhelp. Iwrote my first tract at this time. It was entitled, fe Never Falleth." ‘This was the beginning of a large faith tract ministry. I had to trust the Lord for the means. But He never failed me, A friend payed our expenses at a camp meeting in the Arroyo for a few days, so we tented there. It was mid- summer. We enjoyed he change and outing. 1 spent most of my time on my face in the woods, In prayer. In the moonlight evenings I poured out my soul unto God, and He met me there. There was much “empty wagon" rattle in the camp. Most were seeking selfish blesaings. They rushed to meeting like a big sponge, to get more biessing. They needed stepping on. "1 found my soul crying out for God far beyond the seem- ing aspirations of the most of the Holiness people. I wanted to go deeper, beneath the mere emotional realm, to some- thing more substantial and lasting that would put a rock in my soul. Iwas tiredof so much evanescent froth and foam, 90 much religious ranting and bombast. And the Lord did not long disappoint thought I was attacking the Ho! only exhorting them to a deeper place in God. They needed ; more humility and love. My tract against sectarianism, “That They All May Be One," stirred the camp, Surely man-made movements need to be stirred. God has but one “movement,” “one body." This was the message at Azusa Mission in the beginning, 1 received a second letter from Evan Roberts, which read as follows: "Loughor, Wales, 7, 8, 1905. Dear brothe: 1 am very thankful to’ you for your thoughtful kindness. I ‘was exceedingly pleased to learn the good news of how you are beginning to experience wonderful things. Praying God to continue to bless you, and with many thanks repeated for your good wishes, 1am yoursin the service. Evan Roberts. I went to Smale's church one night, and he resigned. The meetings had run dally in the Firat fapliat Chareh for {- teen weeks. It was now September. ‘The officials of the church were tired of the innovation and wanted to return to the old order. He was told to elther stop the revival, oF 1ose the latter. 12 Wales, They tired of Hlis presence, desiring the old, cold ecclesiastical order. How liad ho ad im trom other sources, during the Fevival. hey immediately contemplated organizing a New Testament church. 1 had a feeling pechaps the Lord was culling Brother Smale Tooee for the evangelist 7 for at read the fire in other places. st see it's6. Ths him with this ob- in view, and was able to arrange for the Lake Avenue M.E, Church, for Pastor Brink, in Pasa- dena. ‘This had been the storm center of the revival there. * Ave- ‘The night before Brother Smale's services at Lake nue Chure! spent the night until after midnight in 1 Church two of us spe gl ter midnight 1n n. We spent the time between the services in prayer. His message was on the revival in Wales. The people were greatly moved. Brother Smale soon organized a New Testament Church. Lbecame a charter member, as I felt I ought to stay with them, though I did not care very much for the organization. reached twice o1 Holiness Hall The Lord gave me t Pray" I took it not pray for them- id we must pray for th se 5. must the people for them. selves. We must confes: At one time while Brother Boehmer and I prayed, the in a wonderful way in kind of prayer. “Like passions" with us. a a righteous man availeth much in its working. Be Confession may also be necessary in this connection. "Con- fess therefore your faults one to another. " Almost every day in Los Angeles found me engaged in ; personal work, tract distribution, prayer, or preaching in some meeting. I was writing articles for the religious press continually. I fasted and prayed before going to a tent meeting in Pasadena. The Lord wonderfully anointedhad fallen ina measure on me. I was led to fear, like Him, that I might not live to realize the answer to my prayersand tears for the revival. But He assured me, sending more than one angel to strength- d. I felt I was realizing a little of what : ing up the cup of His sufferings" for a lost world. Some were even afraid that 1 was losing my mind. They could not understand my tremendous concern. Nor can very many understand these things toda he natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit." They are “foolishness” unto him. Selfish spirits can never un- But "he that would save his life “Except a grain of corn fall into the ground and die, etc."" Our Lord was a “man of sorrows," as wel and die of sorrows," as well I frequently went to Pasadena havi car-fare to get home. On one occ had an impression I'was coming. He went to the little Peniel Mission and found me there. We spent several hours in prayer. Then he paid my car-fare home. We of- ten spent whole in prayer duri It seemed a gre spend a whole night w Lord. He drew so near. We never seemed to get weary on such occasions. Boehmer worked at gardening. I never im for a penny but he always gave me something. to trust God for Brother Bochmer God finally not only got his money, but his life also, service ‘a wonderful man of prayer. us what lifted u: seemed only in another. 1 wrote Evan Roborts a third time to have them continue to pray for us in Wales. In those days after T hat preached Fgenerally called the saints to their knees and we would be for hours in prayer before we could get up. The Tord ame to write many le 11 began to look as though the Lord would have to find an- | othe body, “My ‘hopes had been high for this particular Company oi people, "But the enemy seemed to be side- fPacking then now, leading them (0 miss God's best for them atieast ‘They were now even attempting to organize prayer, aporslble.— Prayer i See Anat ot Talat were _than. to. lose the -ministry—of Mody. It was for this they ing. They had become ambi tious for archurch and organization, It seemed hardto them not to be "like the other nations (churches) yund about Them." And right here they surely began tof work’ increased the veal Issue was fost sight of. lvman. Drganization and human programme leave very ite room fo the tree Spirit or Gode It means-tiaet tebe willing to be considered a failure, while we seek to bulld-up-a-purely otsitual Kingdom. God's Kingdom cometh not "oy observa tion It is very easy to choose second best, The prayer life is needied-much more than even buildings. of organizations. ‘These-are often a substitute fof tie other. Souls are born into the kingdoni only through prayer. —— I feared the New Testament Church might develop a party, sectarian spirit. A rich lady offered them the money to build a church edifice with. The devil was bidding high. But she soon withdrew her offer. I confess I was glad she did. ‘They would soon have had no time for anything but building then, It would have been the end o! e Los Angeles, not to i, We needed io more for the speedy evang: enough separate rival hurch organi: hands. Each working largely for its own interest, advance- ment, and glory. 7 ‘The New Testament Church seemed to be drifting toward I beeame much burdened for it, During ‘one meeting I groaned aloud in prayer. It was killing after the meetings we had had. One of the e severely for "How are the mighty { ing in my ears, A few of the most spiritual had the same burden with me. Prayer again seemed to prevail in a measure. We had agreat meeting in the church soon after, One hundred knelt at the altar at a single Sunday night service. I met with the Peniel boys in Pasadena for prayer and we had a breaking through time. We felt the Lord would soon work might At Brother Brownley's tent, at Seventh and Spring stree! Los Angeles, we had a deep spirit of prayer and power! altar services. There was a feel it God was about to do something extraordinary. The spirit of prayer came more and more iy upon us. In Pasadena, before mov- ing to Los Angeles,(I would lie on my bed in the daytime under the burden. At night I could spirit of prayer. I fasted much, not Burdened’] Aone time twain aout travail for nearly trenty-four-hours” without Interpilssion, It nearly used me up. “Prayer literally consumed me>—T would groan all night'in my sleep. ae Prayer was not formal in those. dayg., Itwas God breathed. 1k cai sipon-us, and over listuad use” We did not Work up. "We were gripped with real soul that could no of a woman in travail, without doing absolute violen the Spirit of God. Ttwas real intercessionby the Holy Sp! several days I had an impression another letter was, from Evan Roberts. It soon came, and read as fol- 'Loughor, Wales, Nov. 14, "05. My dear comrade: hat will encourage you in this terrible fight. T find it is @ most awful one. The kingdom of the evil one is being besieged on every side. Oh, the millions of prayers the soul finding its e in Wales can pray the last year. “May the Lord blesa you with a mighty downpouring. In Wales it seems as if the Holy One rests upon the congregation, awaiting the opening of the hearts of the followers of Christ. We had a mighty downpouring of the Holy Spirit last Saturday aight This Was preceded by the correcting of the people's views of true-worship: 1. To give unto God, not to receive. 2. To-please God, not to Please ourselves. ‘Therefore looking to God, and forgetting the enemy,’ and also the fear of men, we prayed and the Spirit descended. 1 pray God to hear your prayer, to keep your faith trong, and to save California. remain, your Tr in the fight Evan Roberts." This was the dhird Thad received from Wales, from Evan Roberts, and ir prayers had much to do with our final victory in California. Evan Roberts tells us of his own experience with God: 16 nt last spring, while prayingby my bedside Twas takenvup to 2 great expanse, without time or space. Tt was communion with God. Before this 1 had had a far off God. I was frightened that night, butnever Since So great was my shivering that T rocked the bed, and my brother, being awakened, took hold of me, thinking Iwas ‘s experience took place every night after this with Evan Roberts, for three months, from 1 until 3. He wrote a message to the world about this ag follows: ‘The revival in South Wales is not of m Of. God.. He hag-comié very close to-us: There -is tion of éreed or of dogina inthis movement. We are teach in arian doctrine, only the wonder au Ghia ove. T have been asked concerning my metros. Christ's love, ‘Thave none I never prepare what 1 shall speak, but Teave tiat't iim, Tam not the source of this revival,_but-only ont ‘what is growing to be a multitude. T wish no\petsonal folewing, but only the world for Christ. 1 be- upon the reshold of a-preat re aly’and pray dally that T-may be allowed to ‘about, "Wonderfal things have happened in ese are only a beginning. "The Spict as by 2 ashing, mehty fristlans ag and will reflect this Thousands. wil do them pow Paths isthe wind. Many who are movement. They will see a great lig! Tight to thousands now in darkness. more than we have accomplished, as God er." - Evan Roberts. What beautiful humi secret of all power. English eye-witness, w he revival in Wales: gach Fell travail of soul for the unsaved [have never be- messed. I have seen young Evan Roberts convulsed Sand calling on his. audience (0. pray, "Don't 5 too terrible to sing : ied from the people by too much ‘Another writer declares it vas not the eloquence of Evan Roberts tat broke men down, Dut his tears.” He would erly Yor Goa Wo vend iwem, In an ny of prayer, the tears coursing down his cheeks, wi Me Vnote frame’ writhing. Strong men would break down mr would shriek. "A sound of Of the later work in India we read: "The girls in India30 wonderfully wrought upon and baptized with the Spirit (in Ramabai's mission) beganby terrifically beating them selves, under pungent conviction of their need.” Great Ught was given them. When di joy, for hours ‘They cried and upon them. Some fe before them, while the the body of ‘ain, pri ing the baptism of the Holy Spirit i._About twenty girls went into 2 trance at one time and became unconscious of this world for hours; some for three or four days, During that time they sang, prayed, clapped thelr hands, rolled about, or sat atilL ‘When they became conscious they told of seeing a trone in Heaven, a white robed throng, and a glory se bright they could not bear it. Soon the whole place was aflame. School had to be suspended, they forgot to eat or sleep, and whole nights and days were absorbed in prayer. The Spirit was poured out upon one of the seeking girls in the night. Her companion sleeping next to her awoke, and seeing fire envelop her, ran across the dormitory’ and brought a pail of water ‘to dash upon her. In less than an hour ‘nearly girls in the compound were weeping, praying, and confessing their sins. Many of these girls were invested with a strange, beautiful and supernatural fire." ‘The spontaneous composition of hymns was a curlous feature of some of the mectings in other parts of india, At Kara Camp pictures appeared on the walle t0'2 company of iris in prayer, supernaturally depleting the life of Christ! The figures move cturew and were In col- ors. Each view would last trom two to ten minutes ard then the light would gradually fade away, to Teappest in’ few momenta with anew scene peared for twelve tours, and were not only seen by the native childven of tne orphanage and eight minslonaries, bul by native Chrlatians ing near, and even heathen coming to see the wondertal sights These plcturen were all depleting falthilly the Sikie narration and were entirely supernatural. They had a teee tmendoun effect in breaking up. the hard heart of the hea. then. “In Wales colored lights’ were often seen, like baits of fire, during the revival there. I kept going day and night to different missions, exhort ing contimally to prayer, and faith for the revival. Spent another whole night with Brother Boehmer in prayer. One ‘at the New Testament Church, during a deep spirit of Fan hurriedly out of the hind them, almost scared 0 no demonstration in the natural out of the ordinary to cause this fright. It was a supernatural manifestation of His nearness. What would such do if they saw the Lord? I started a little cottage prayer meeting wheré we could have more liberty to pray and wait on the Lord. The spirit na opposed me. her and wanted to throw us out of our home ightwith God. Gur rent was pald up But the mnemy tried touse her. The fight was on. They beg Gppose my ministry at the New Testament Church. "A alse persuade me to discontinue the prayer ow me Hi thou ime. Tonly wanted tohav Many a mission and church has gone on Goa the religious press, of is coming upon ti ts going to pour out His Spi lod cannot inherit the kingdom of God." - Christian Harvester. Again I wro our door. ride to its won years ofThe revival for our country is no longer a question. Slowly but surely the tide has been rising until in the very near future we belleve for a deluge of salvation that will sweep alone in ise from the dust of obscure and despised 198e names will be emblazoned on Heav— The Spirit is brooding over our dawn, and the fiat of God goes " Brother, sister, if we all be- Neved God can you realize what would happen? Many of us here are living for nothing else. A volume of believing Prayer is ascending to the throne night and day. Los Ane Beles, Southern California, and the whole continent shall surely find itself ere long in the throes of a mighty revival, by the Spi ~ F. Bartleman, in "Way of Faith," Nov. 16, 1905. We had been for some time led to pray for a Pentecost. It seemed almost beginning. Of course we did aot realize what a real "Pentecost" was. But the Spirit did, and led us to ask ari One afternoon, after a service in the New Testament Church, seven of us seemed providentially er to ask the Lord to 7 igns following. " Where at time I do not know. He must Himself have suggested it to us. We did not have "tongues" in mind. I think’ none of us ever heard of such a thing. in February, 1906. at a prayer meeting, on my knees, the Lord told me to get up and go to Brother Brownley's tent, at Seventh and Spring streets. He gave me a message for them. T went, greatly burdened, and after speaking we had a real breaking up time, weeping before the Lord. “Ithen wrote a moving tract on “Soul Tr blessed ministry at Pasadena, ‘in different meetings. At ‘one meeting I lay for two hours helpless under a burden for souls. The battle was getting more and more earnest. March 26, I went toa cottage meeting on Bonnle Brae street. Both white and colored saints were ineeting there for prayer: 1 20 had attended a cottage meeting shortly before this, at an- | other place, where I first met Brother Seymour.) 'He ‘had ea Tua ce fom Hogan. He nana cleted ma vor gia Brae street. He was blind in one eye. oe etnies earned er te oc tata tno Mas eg ana Ath wre ted ie Aa ing ne come eines a ae las ee sone at te i ae ch a Sa be Mana Coy gt SE, Se fe Ses Fee te een ee sa re er aaa Boh oe 24CHAPTER TWO THE FIRE FALLS AT "AZUSA" I went to Burbank Hall, the New Testament Church, Bun- day morning, April 15. "A colored sister was there and spoke i meee aan, eg, Lure te Eomle Bae mest in fogs rma ant found God wording igh We toy Shela aidgay Mizar try dente eas had broken through, for the multitude to follow. There was a general spirit of humility manifested in the meeting. They were taken up with God. Evidently the Lord had found the litle company at last, outside as always, through whom he could have right of way. ‘There was not a mission in the country where this could be done. All were in the hands of men. The Spirit could not work. Others far more pretentious had falled. ‘That which man esteems had been nce more and the Spirit born again in outside ecclesiastical establishments A body_must_be. prepared,_in repentance .and humilt for every outpouring of the ‘Spltit The premthlee et the Reformation was begun by Mart ither_in a bumble da building in the midst of the pub DiAublgne describes It as follg square at Wittenbérg~stood"aranclent wooden chapel, thir: Uy feet long and twenty wide, whose walls, propped ‘up on sides, were ruin. An_ald ™ Planks, and three feet high, received the sebacher.” Wt ws It Was 22 in this wretched place that the preaching of the Reformation began. It was God's will that that which was to restore His lorr should have the nurnblest murroundlngs. Tt war th ig wretched enclomufe' that God willed, #0 to 5 which the worlds filled, ther’ was not one at.that tine which God chose for ‘the glorious preaching of eternal life. " In the revival in Wales the great expounders of England had to come and ait at the feet of crude, hard working min- ers, and see the wonderful works of God. I wrote for the “Way of Faith" at this time: "The real thing 1s appearing among ug. The Almighty will again measure swords with Pharaoh's magicians. But many will reject Him and blas- pheme. Many will fail to recognize Him, even among His rofesned followers. We have been praying and believing for a'Pentecost.' Will we receive it when It comes?" [tie present Pentecostal manifestation did not break out A moment, like a huge prairie fire, and set the world on fire. In fact no work of God ever appears that way. ‘There ls S necessary time for preparation] The finighed article la not realized at the beginning. Mer may wonder where came from, not belng conscious ofthe “prepa aion at there is always such, Every movement of the Spirit of God” must also run the galintlel-of Ihe devil'¢ forces Fag e bearing mother, ready to swallow up her child. - (Rev. 12:4.) And so with the present Pente- costal work in its beginning. ‘The enemy did much eounter- felting. God kept the young child well hid for a season from Every natural birth 1s surrounded by circumstancs entirely pleasant. God's perfect work is wrought in human imperfection. We are creatures of "the fall." Then why expect a perfect manifestation in this case? We are com- ing "back to God. " John Wesley writes of his time: "Almost as soon 8.1 wan gone two dr three bogan to take their imaginationa for Imprensions trom: God. Meantime, a-flood‘of reproach came upon me almost trom every quarter. Be iat Salon sows tares, among the wheat of Christ, 0 RU LIBRARYD'Avbigne i: "A religious movement almost always exceed: just ‘moderal ‘der that human nature may make one ‘step in advance Pioneers mist take many." = ‘Another writer says: "Remember with what accom ith w ani ments of extravagance and fanaticism the doctrine of Justl- Heation by faith was brought back under Luther. “the wons der was, not that Luther had the courage (0 face pope and exrdinals, but that he had courage fo endure the contempt s ines brought upon him, 2 8 araded by fanatical advocates. Hecall the seantal and of jense. which altended the revival of heart ley What we denounce as error may be some great truth below the horizon, John Wesley himself once prayed, after the revival always, and Satan, too, an, in the genuine work er, indeed, has there been a sowiny as been oversown by Satan; Or a ch the pianlings of the wicked one and hinder. He who sets out to find which there.are—no_unworthy ele 3, proposes o himself s hopeiens tare Perfect church, tnd nowistigara SUM another writer says: “In the various cri have occured in the history of the ‘church, men have ‘come to the front who have manifested a holy recklessness that astonished thelr fellows. When Luther nailed his theses (0 the door of the cathedral at Wittenberg. eau astonished at his audactiy. "When Jon Wesley ignored al chureh restrictions and. religious propriet In the fields and by-ways, inen declared hie reputation was ‘all ages. When the dition of the times called for men who were rifice all for Christ, the ‘demand created tl 24 there have always been found a few who were willing to be Yegarded reckless for the Lord, “An. utter recklessness concerning men's opinions”and other consequences Is the fude that can meet the exigencies of the. preseat ‘God found His Moses, in the person of Brother Smale, to lead us to the Jordin crossing.” But He’ chose Brother Seymour, for our Joshua, to lead us OVer. Sunday, April 15, the Lord called me to ten days of sps- cial prayer. I felt greatly burdened but had no-ided of what Wie had particularly in mind, Bul He had a work for me, and wanted to prepare me for it. Wednesday, April 18) the terrible San Francisco earthquake came, which ale aatated the surrounding. cit five hundred lost their lives in San Francisco alone. a deep conviction that the Lord was answering our prayers for a revival in His own way. "When Thy judgments ar the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteous= Ysa. 26:0. A tremendous burden of prayer came that the people might not be indifferent to His upon’ me voice. ‘Thursday, April 19, while sitting in the noon meeting at Penfel Hall, 227 South Main street, the floor suddenly be- gan to move with us. A most ugly sensation ran through the room. We sat in awe. Many people ran into the mid- dle of the street, looking up anxiously at the buildings, fearing they were about to fall. It was an earnest time. I 7} went home and after a season of prayer was Impressed of the Lord to go to the meeting which had been removedfrom Bonnie_Brae_streot-to—312-Axuga street.“ Here-they had rented anold frame building, formerly a Methodist church, In the center of the city, now a long time out of use for meetings. It had become a receptacle for old lumber, plas- "They had cleared space enough in the surrounding debris to lay some planks on top of empty nail ‘with seats enough for possibly thirty people, if I re- member rightly. These were arranged In a square, facing one another. Iwas under tremendous pressure to get to the meeting _that-evening. It was. my isit to “Azusa Misslon. Motier Wheaton, who waé living with us, was going with me. She was 60 slow that I could hardly wait for her. We finally reached "Azusa" and found about a dozen saints come white, gome colored. | Brother Seyinour was bu ie "Ark of God" moved off sl surely, at "Azusa." It was carried “on the shoul fils own appointed priests in the beginning. We had no “new¢art" in those days, to please the carnal, mixed m . We nad the devil 1 fight, but the Ark was not drawn by oxen (dumb beasts). “The’ priests. were. "alive unto .od, through much preparation and prayer. Discetnmehl was not perfect, and thie “enemy got some advantage, whlch brought” reproach "to the work, but the saints soon learned to “lake the precious from the vile." ‘Tye combined forces t determinedly against us In tie” beginning. lessing. In fact the fight was terrific. The y for crooked spirits; a5 always, to destroy the work if possible. But the fire could not be smothered. Strong saints wore gathered together 10 the help of the Lord. Gradually the tide arose in victory. But from a small beginning, a very little flame. hell were: Tgave a message at my {tr of the saints spoke in "tongues. altend the utterance. Iwas soon noised abrod that tea Was working at "Azusa." All classes began w flock t ioe meetings. "Many were curious and unbelieving. but others were hungry Yor God: “The newspapers. bogas’ toe g at " blessing seemed to i and ‘cranks came, seeking a place in the work. We had the most to fear from’these. But this Is always the danger ‘to every new work. They have no place elaewhere. This condition cast a fear over many which was hard to overcome. It hindered the Spirit much. Many were afrald to seek God, oF Tear the devil might get them, We found early in the “Azusa” work that when tempted to steady the Ark the Lord stopped working, 4 dared not call the attention of the people too much to the working of the evil, Fear would follow. We could only pray. "Then.God gave Victory. There was a presence of God with us, “through prayer, we could depend on. The leaders had limited experiénce,..and the wonder is the work survived at all against Its powerful adversaries. But itwas of God. ‘That was the secret STH? people, or a patron. rose up before her in solid opposition. did not flatter or coneiliate any one of them. She assailed 26 Eee eee ee eee Seach sasary 2 caer Pad an era ae Tera orga forme gomel ~“Another writer has said: "The apostacy of the ear! ari gi mere (ite individual members. 7 ording to the divine plan, we start to travel the 6 Toad of spostacy that leads to Rome and her daughter I found the earthquake had opened many hearts. I was distributing especially my last tract, seemed very appropriate after the April 22, I took 10,000 of these to the New Te Church.’ The workers seized them eagerly and scattered them quickly throughout the city. Nearly every pulpit in the land was working overtime to prove tat God had nothing to do with earthquakes and tus allay the fears of the people. The Spi striving to knock at hearte with conviction, through this judgmen felt indignation that the preachers should be used of Satan to drown out His voice. Just as he later used them to stir up hatred and murder, during the great war. Even the teachers in the schools labored hard to convince the chil- dren that God was not in earthquakes. ‘The devil put on a big propaganda on this line. I had been much in prayer since the earthquake, and had slept little. After the shock in Los Angeles the Lord told me definitely he had a message for me - On the day, ready for the printer. He met me in a powerful way, a powerf Twas to have wrath of God against the people, and to withstand it i prayer. He showed me he was terri leved af their ob- stinacy in the face of his judg San Francisco was a terribly wicked c! He showed me all hell was being moved to drown out His volce in the earthquake, if possible. “The message He had 27given me was to counteract this influence. Men had been denying His presence in the earthquake. Now He would speak. It was a terrific message He had given me. to argue the question with no man, but simply the message. They would answer to Him. I fel against me in this, and so It proved. I went to bed at 4 o'clock, arose at 7, and hurried with the message to the printer. ‘The question in almost every heart was, "Did God do that?" But instinct taught men on the spot that He had. Even the wicked were conscious of the fact. The tract was, setup quickly. The same day it was on the press, and the next noon I had my first consignment of the tract. 1 was impressed I must hasten and get them to the people as quickly as possible. I was reminded that the ten days I was called by the Lord io prayer was up the veryday I received the first of the tracts. I understood it all now, clearly. 1 distributed the message speedily in the missions, churches, saloons, business houses, and in fact. every~ where, bothin Los Angeles and Pasadena, Besides I mailed thousands to workers in nearby towns for distribution. whole undertaking was a work of faith. I began without 2 dollar. But He supplied the money, as needed. I worked ard every day. Brother and Sister Otterman distributed hem in San Diego. It required courage. Many raved at the message. I went through all the dives with them in Los Angeles. All hell was stirred. God sent Brother Boehmer from Pasadena to help me. stood outside and prayed while I went into the saloons ith them. They were mad enough to kill me in some in ‘ances. Business was at a standstill after the news came from San Francisco. The people were paralyzed with fear. This accounted to some extent for the influence of my tract. The pressure against me was terrific. All hell was surging around me, to stop the message. But I never faltered. felt God's hand upon me continually in the matter. The people were appalled to see what God had to say about earthquakes. He sent me to a number of meetings solemn xhortation to repent and seek Him. At” we had a powerful time. ‘The saints humbled themselves. A colored sister both spoke and sang in "tongues." The very atmosphere of Heaven was there. Sunday, May 11, 1 had finished my "Earthquake" tract distribution. ‘Then the burden suddenly left me. My work was done. Seventy-five thousand had been published and ributed in les and Southern California, in less distributed in Los Angeles _Galfornia, tn lene his own volition, had printed and di inte Bay Cities and ‘round about, in about the same space of time. PE Lie fen Eeageinn expats wat ily in conviction oily ae is oh y the voice was used mi They would fly to pieces even Street, almost without provocation’ A hery "dead med to be drawn around "Azusa Mission, She two or three blocks of the conviction place they were seized ng. clearer and stronger at "Azusa." Wy, It seemed that every one had to Vries were gathered. there rom Vande of ine sea. Preachers and SOntinent, and come from distant The work was ge 1g might "” Missi they God's cal" Hote ay tents and ations began “up for lack of allendance. Their people were ai Reiger” “Brother and Sister Garr closed. the. "Burning Bush" hail, came to "Azusa," received the "baptism," and were soon’on their way lo India to spread the fire Brother Smale had to come to “Azusa,” to home, promised There was much persecution, especially from the press.. [hey wrote us up shamefully, bul ihisonlyarew the crowas, | Some gave the work six mo 2. boon the meetings were uming Gay and night. ‘The piace was packed out Nightly. “The whole building, upstairs and down, had now Been Bieared and put ino use. "There were far more white an colored coming. ‘The "color line" was w Wea in the ‘blond. A 8. Worrell, translator of the New ork had rediscovered hat me. “Great em etc. A : saree te Aho, oc ed al \ 29