Priceless souls— Souls, of more value than all the treasures of earth and sky.
Fpourornsc THE CAMPAIGN in Los Angeles, the Lord led me to make a transcontinental trip during which I conducted meetings in various cities and towns throughout the United States.
Glad Tidings Hall, in San Francisco—"The City by the Golden Gate’—was our first major stop. On the journey from Los Angeles to Oakland and San Francisco, a blinding rain made driving not only difficult but dangerous. Hurrying along with the side curtains of the automobile buttoned securely and the windshield rain and mud-splattered, we failed to see an approaching freight train until within twenty feet of the track! If I would have slammed on the brakes, our car would have skidded ahead into the train. Quick as a flash the Lord gave me presence of mind to whirl the car to the left and up the side of the track, thus avoiding the train and coming to a full stop without injury.
We prayed for dry weather; soon the sky cleared, and as we crossed the bay on the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco the sun smiled down upon us from a clear blue sky. Brother and Sister Robert J. Craig, pastors of Glad Tidings, with their workers, were waiting to welcome the gospel car and its seven Passengers.
During the thirty-three day San Francisco campaign, the blessing of the Lord rested gloriously in our midst. The mani-
2155+ festations of the Spirit's power increased daily, hungry souls came from far and near and were filled with good things from the Father's table! Crowds increased to such an extent that an extra gallery was built, but still people were forced to stand out on the sidewalk in order to attend the closing services.
The manner in which sinners stood to their feet in response to the altar calls and came forward from the various parts of the hall to accept Christ was a sight to warm the heart of any soul-winner! At the close of each service, the long prayer room would quickly fill from one end to the other with earnest seekers for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Many were prostrated on the floor under the power of God while they received their baptism; others were filled while kneeling or standing upright on their feet, with hands and faces upturned toward heaven. These after-mectings often continued until five and six o'clock in the morning. Among the many baptized with the Spirit during these services were two ministers, many church members and a number from a nearby Salvation Amy corps.
Throughout our meetings everywhere we have always put the ministry for the soul first, then the ministry for the body; nevertheless, miracles of healing have been wrought in almost every service.
Among those healed in San Francisco was a child whose throat was to have been operated upon the following day. The doctor examined the child and bade the mother take him home, saying that no operation was necessary! A lady who had suffered with internal trouble and rupture eighteen years was instantly healed by the Great Physician in answer to the prayer of faith, The truss was removed, and she was able to leap and dance for joy, as did the lame man by the gate Beautiful for whom Peter and John prayed
One lady handed in her personal written testimony: “I had been afflicted with a tumor on my wrist for a number of years... Sister McPherson and a brother prayed for me and I am thoroughly healed! I can do stenographic work every day and there is no resulting soreness in my wrist at night 2
God led us to San Jose—"The Garden City"—for our next campaign. Pastor J. H. Sparks and his assembly, who had been preparing and looking forward to this special effort for months, had all in readiness, Liberty Hall was filled to overflowing with those eager to hear the Word of God and to assist in the services.
Our first convert was a poor old man who had spent the previous Saturday night in the local jail. Sunday he found Christ as his Saviour and Monday night found him on the front seat with face shining and testimony ringing to the glory of God! He has already found employment and was well on the way to becoming a decent Christian citizen of the community. A dear Catholic woman came fifty miles to find the peace and joy and satisfaction that Christ alone can give. With uplifted hands and radiant face, she joined with the others in praising God for His mercy and goodness.
From San Jose, California, the Lord led us to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where we conducted a series of revival meetings in the Convention Hall. Among the many manifestations of Jesus’ healing power exhibited there, was a woman with a broken arm, and a man twisted with rheumatism—both being healed instantaneously.
Upon conclusion of the Tulsa campaign, we were immediately plunged into the busy days of revival in Bethel Temple, Chicago. For months letters of invitation had been coming, mourning over the dry condition of the spiritual ground, and declaring that very few had been receiving the baptism or being saved. All were praying and believing for a real revival.
The large lecture room adjoining the main auditorium with a seating capacity of 500, was cleared and rows upon rows of hungry seekers after the baptism of the Holy Spirit would take their places, night after night, while several scores of earnest and seemingly tireless workers poured in to pray for them till the need of each was met. Such a wonderful effect did these scenes of people falling prostrate under the mighty power of God have upon the sinners that many of them ran to the altar, among the number being Jews and Roman Catholics, Church members of years’ standing who had never known what it was to be born again, found the Saviour Who filled their hearts with joy and flooded their faces with light and radiance. Conviction settled upon sinners like a mantle that could not be shaken off. Two young men entered the church who had been robbing and stealing that day, and had come to the church with the intention of injuring the janitor and stealing whatever they could. Unable to stay in the room another moment, they fled to the door and down the steps. The convicting power of God followed them, however, in such a way that one young man fell flat to the sidewalk under the rebuke of God, and came cree ping on his hands and knees up the steps and made his way to the altar, where he was gloriously saved and later was followed by his companion!
Two days after closing a camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (for which trees were removed from an apple orchard to make room for the big tent, and sleeping tents were pitched beneath laden boughs), we opened a campaign in New York, A large field in the Bronx had been secured and a big tabernacle tent, dormitories and smaller tents erected. The tent was situated in the heart of a Catholic settlement, surrounded by various of its institutions. At the first meeting, we found an audience who had no idea of order in a religious service, Young men come galloping in with cigars in their mouths, and hats on the back of their heads; girls chewed gum, giggled, ask another out loud what sort of a show this wa g one; boys rolled in and out under the canvas and the audience took its departure " ov the backless benches. Next night was better. Whispering, hats and cigars were no more. The order and crowds i roved until the finest people of the neighborhood were attending and God blessed gr ciously. Daily afternoon meetings were held for children, many of whom were ragged, barefoot street urchins. On Saturda afternoons we gave them a special treat of cake and ice cream Another feature of the campaign was the rain. Down came—deluging, in torrents. Eight days it continued but the crowds packed the tent to overflowing. Hundreds stood outside under umbrellas, others stood with the rain pouring down their necks from the tent flaps or their neighbor's umbrella, and seemed totally unaware of it. Inside the tent the power fell and when the ground became a rushing river, the congregation stood on the seats, singing, testifying and shouting, holding thei umbrellas over their heads to keep off the rain that streamed through the old tent! A plank bridge was built leading to the platform, and thus scores were soundly converted and filled with the Spirit.
From New York and the Atlantic back to Los Angeles and the Pacific, we hastened to arrange and open Pacific Coast Camp services. Our great tabernacle tent was situated in a nine-acre field near Washington Boulevard, and was adjoined by a large Prayer tent in the rear. “Tent town” was laid out as orderly as a little city, rows of camp tents were erected in streets, each bearing its own name upon a sign post, above which stood a little red cross. Here you would drive up “Hallelujah St,” then turn a corner to "Praise Ave.,” and “This Is That Square,” then on to “Victory Way,” “Joy Blyd.,” and “Amen Ave.”
The number of campers was amazing in spite of the street car strikes and national tie-ups in transportation which occurred at that time.
Of this meeting a visiting missionary wrote:
“Thousands upon thousands heard the gospel and great mountains of prejudice, hard, cold walls of doubt, and unbelief had been literally swept away; while between one and two hundred are known to have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The healings were wonderful—the blind saw, the deaf heard and the lame walked.” * “Have secured Lyric... Seventeen days... Enormous cost..- Reserve dates.”
Such was the gist of the message that summoned us to Baltimore, Churches and assemblies had long been calling, but were unable to complete arrangements. God had now provided the $400 daily needed for rental and expenses through a friend. The Lord definitely spoke to us that this campaign was not so much for harvesting but a great plowing, seed-sowing and watering of the dry and barren fields. In prayer the Lord continually impressed upon me the fact that I was not to fish for “minnows” but “whales.” This seemed a strange message, and for a time I could not understand it.
In this city were a number of Pentecostal saints, precious people, but some few of them were largely given to fleshly manifestations. A few imposters had brought bitter reproach upon the work. Our task, therefore, was to represent these glorious Bible truths in such a way as would win the respect and confidence of the churches and people. Some of the mission folk, (trained to believe that wherever there was power there must be a continuous noise and loud outcry) thought we held our fishing line and tackle in too firm a hand and were quenching the manifestations of the Spirit. But, in prayer, God al ways comforted us with, “Hold steady, you are not fishing for minnows—you are fishing for whales.
Day after day the altars were filled with converts, and the Prayer oom with those seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit; but on the whole the meetings were deep and quiet. We banked, not upon noisy manifestations, but upon the preaching of the Word. It was noticeable that each service saw many ministers (learned men, with degrees after their names), Jewish Rabbis, medical doctors, and the finest people of the city sitting in the orchestra and boxes of the theatre, listening attentively to the gospel messages,
Urgent invitations to speak in several city churches were accepted and there God saved souls and healed the sick, as the
Lord, send the old-time power— Thy flood-gates of blessing o
Pentecostal power, us throw open wide Let sinners be converted and Thy name glorified.”
Ministers were delighted to see their altars filled with penitents as never before. Interest was stirred throughout the city Newspapers published columns with big headlines on their front pages, such as: "BLIND WOMAN HAS SIGHT INSTANT RESTORED AT LYRIC REVIVAL fODERN MIRACLES PERFORMED”’—'LAME MAN WALKS WITHOUT CRUTCHES’ —"DEAF EARS UNSTOPPED,”
You can imagine the results! Hundreds of sufferers and cripples flocked from far and ni
One night I peeked through the curtains and received the shock of my life! Taking one look at the throng of sick people, I ran downstairs under the stage of that huge theatre, knelt by a chair in the corner, buried my face in my arms and began to p hysterically ‘Oh, Lord, just see what’s happened now! All those sick folks upstairs, and supposing they aren't healed!
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“My child, who is going to heal then—you or I?” was the question He brought to my heart,
“Why, You, Lord! You have all power in heaven and on earth. I have no strength of power outside of Thee.”
“Then cease your weeping, rise, go up those stairs and pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with faith believing, and it shall be done even as you ask. I will be right behind you as you preach and pray; My hands will cover your hands, as you lay them upon the sick; My healing power will do the work!"
Never, since that time, have I hesitated or been fearful of praying for the sick; for that night I saw the power of God work in such a way as never before!
During the Baltimore revival, something occurred which I believe marked a turning point not only in my own ministry but in the history of the outpouring of Pentecostal power. Yet at that time (so far as I know) not one of the dear Pentecostal people understood the vision God had given me, and severely criticized what they called a “quenching of manifestations.”
I had announced that on the last Sunday afternoon of the campaign, I would preach on “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Ministers, evangelists and many of the city's outstanding people came to the service. Dr. Shreve of McKendree M. E, Church of Washington, D. C., had caught the train immediately after the conclusion of his morning sermon and had brought with him several of his officials.
Suddenly, while sitting tense in earnest prayer, burdened with the message God had laid upon my heart, I had a strange and overwhelming presentment that the old Serpent was going to rear his ugly head in this meeting and try to strike a blow, as the Lord was winning too mighty a victory and would sweep many hearts with His power unless Satan put a stop to it.
Nervously I looked around over the platform, the wings, the boxes, the audience, but everything appeared normal. Where was the blow to be struck?
All at once a woman rose to her feet in the audience. Instantly the Lord spoke to my heart:
“There's the woman the devil has entered into, in order to try to frighten away the whales. This is the psychological moment for him to work! Day after day you have been piling up a mighty structure of teaching and evidence regarding the Holy Ghost and the results of the Spirit-filled life. This is the turning point, and the opinions of the people, their acceptance or rejection, their confidence won or lost, hangs by a thread, and will fall heavily one way or the other. If the devil can but make the me foolish, fanatical, outlandish thing under the pretense of pirit’s leadership and power, he can make the people think this is the result of the message which you have been preaching.
Keyed to the tension of the moment, these thoughts flashed through my mind like lightning. I prayed that people would not notice the woman. With face flushed, she flung out her arms. made for the aisle and started for the front, beating her arms about like a flail, knocking off several ladies’ hats on the way, crying, “Praise the Lord” in a strained, unnatural voice.
Grasping the arm of the brother who sat beside me, I whispeted, "Go! go quickly, brother; get that woman back to her seat; this is not of the Lord!”
“Oh, Sister, I wouldn't dare!” he gasped, “that would be quenching the Spirit.”
“Brother, go quickly, quickly!” I urged. “Tell the Lord to blame me if you like, but go quickly!" I gave him a little push and he was on his way. I started another chorus to cover the situation and the brother finally maneuvered the woman back to her seat and returned to the platform.
Hardly had he sat down, when the woman was in the aisle again. Making her way to the boxes she began shaking her fists in the people's faces, knocking off hats with her flailing arms and screaming, “Praise God!”
“Go, Sister, and take her out of the meeting,” I urged a lady sitting behind me in the choir.
“Oh! But that’s the Spirit of the Lord in her! Besides, she is bigger than I—how could I get her out?”
“That is the devil,” I whispered desperately. “Go, dear, and God will help you. I dare not leave the platform. Every eye would follow me, and the meeting would be ruined.”
Away she went and, somehow, finally got the woman out and into another room, There the enemy showed his true colors and purpose. The woman proved to be a maniac who had previously been in an asylum. Her deluded mind seemed to cause her to believe herself a preacher. She paced the floor, crying disconnected sentences, raving and preaching to the chairs, and failing to recognize or be controlled by her own people! Yet, this was the kind of woman many of the saints would have allowed to promenade the platform and disgust the entire audience—fearing lest they quench the Spirit.
The strain had made me desperately ill at my stomach, but, though shaking from head to foot and in great weakness, I soon felt the soothing, anointing power of God flowing through my being, strengthening me with every word I uttered. The people laughed, shouted and wept with the glory of the Lord upon their souls, and the day was won for God.
When the service was over, hundreds of Christians raised their hands signifying their desire to receive this baptism of power, and the ministers invited us back to Baltimore, just as soon as we could return from a hasty transcontinental trip to the “House That God Built” and to visit the children in Los Angeles.
To those who admitted they still did not comprehend my unusual stand regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God revealed the vision a few weeks later when, upon our return trip to Baltimore, the power fell to such an extent that many prominent ministers and their congregations received the baptism in Pentecostal fullness. Then they came back and said, “We see it, Sister, thank God you had the vision and the courage to stand alone and be true to it.”” * Christ's healing of the sick today is so practical, tangible, undeniable, that it arrests the attention, sets whole cities talking of Jesus and draws multitudes as nothing else could do.
This was perhaps seldom more evident than during the Dayton, Ohio, revival (May, 1920), held in Memorial Hall. Throughout the campaign, God's blessing was in the midst, but one particular day was outstanding, and the scenes witnessed ‘on that occasion could never be forgotten. It was one of the closing divine healing days. At we turned the corner, two blocks from the hall, the streets were filled with people, all hurrying in one direction, Street cars, autos, ambulances, even hearses were pressed into service to bring the sick and afflicted. Some were brought in wheel chairs, on cots and stretchers, or carried in the arms or on th bodily in rocking chairs. ‘Oh, God!” we moaned, “I
The doors of Memorial H. because the great auditorium but police and firemen were struggling to cope with the hop lessly jammed multitudes surging around the outside.
As our car drew up at the side entrance it was surrounded and clutching hands and urgent voices pleaded
“Oh, lady! Pray for me!” or “Lay your and pray for his recovery,” or “We have forty miles, surel backs of strong men. Cripples were carried he whole world sick? were locked when we arrived. s already filled to overflowin,
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nds on this man rought this child y you can let us in!”
Bewildered, not knowing what to say or do, for a brief moment we hesitated; but meanwhile a half-dozen husky policemen cleared a space from the car to the door, and we were quickly hurried to it and drawn inside. The door closed and the lock snapped shut, but not in time to shut out the moan that went up from thousands of disappointed ones, who realized at last that they de with no ho ining ad. mittance.
To the perspiring policeman in the lobby we asked, timidly,
Isn't there room for just a few more? No, Sister, sorry, but we have far more in the building now than our fire regulations allow. I wish we could, for I have never seen such a pitiful mass of humanity before.”
were shut outsic
Peering into the huge basement, we saw that it was filled with sick folks and those who brought them. Police officers and ushers alike were taking names on memo:
randum cards and recording the worst cases, in hopes that if the hundreds upstairs were prayed for in time, those waiting could be carried above and anointed also.
Guards stood by the basement windows. Dozens of faces were pressed flat against the panes, looking in
"We had to lock them, Sister. They were passing the sick through the windows.”
In the auditorium proper, every seat was occupied and bele scores were standing at the rear. Over 700 seats were roped off across the front to accommodate the sick. The entire altar space was filled with wheel chairs and rockers, cots and stretchers.
Following the inspired song service and testimony meeting, wherein many healed in previous services strengthened the faith of those before us on this day by relating their experience, I launched into my short, direct message, using the text found in Isaiah 53:5—"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.”
Telling them that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, I said that on Calvary's cross He bore not only our sin, but that dire result of sin—sickness. While on earth, the chief business in the ministry of our Lord was forgiving sin and healing the sick. The two went hand in hand. They should do the same today. I warned them in closing, that to be healed they must be honest with God, with me and with themselves; and that if they came with clean hands and pure hearts, in faith believing, they would be restored.
Before praying for the sick, I gave an altar call for those who had never accepted Christ as Saviour, and also for those who felt they cos to draw closer to the Lord before coming to Him for the healing of their bodies. Hundreds did business with God, for time and eternity.
The Rev. L. S. Shires, then pastor of M. E. Church, Covington, Va., wrote concerning this meeting:
“Oh, that I had the power to describe the miraculous cures I saw there! One young girl sixteen years old, who had never walked, was healed and walked back and forth on the stage completely cured. That night when I came for the evening service I heard the remarkably sweet voice of a girl say, ‘Here's a seat.’ I noticed that the little stranger who spoke to me was the sixteen-year-old girl who had never walked until that day, She walked to the service and I saw her walk away just like the others!
“T saw a little Catholic boy who was deaf and dumb. He was healed; he could hear people in the audience and could answer back to them.
“A man who was paralyzed was taken to the stage in his wheelchair. After anointing and prayer by Sister McPherson he id he was greatly helped. In this case the cure was not instantaneous. His family reported the next day that as they were wheeling him home he got to his feet and in a few moments was walking along with his family, pushing his own chair
‘Another man was taken to the stage suffering intensely vith a severe rupture. He was instantaneously cured and took off his truss, He was so overcome that he leaped and shouted the stage for fifteen or ‘nty minutes before he could control himself.
“It is simply impossible to mention the miraculous cures among people affected with cancer, blindness, deafness, heart trouble, paralysis, broken bones, tuberculosis, gall stones, appendicitis, rheumatism—so many cases which absolutely could not be benefitted by treatment from physicians. The healing service continued to within thirty minutes of the evening preaching service.