The Great Awakening: a Study of Past Revivals Celebration Church Pastor Zach Prosser

The Great Awakening: A Study of Past Revivals Celebration Church Pastor Zach Prosser

Lesson Three Effects of Azusa Street Experienced in Greater Akron Area

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV

1. Ivey (Iva) Glenshaw Campbell a. Was involved in establishing the Broadway Mission in East Liverpool before moving to Los Angeles at age 32 b. Was a member of the Holiness Church of Los Angeles c. She returned home to East Liverpool, OH on November 25, 1906. She shared her testimony of receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with Speaking in Tongues, but was rejected by her friends there. She is noted as the first person to bring the Pentecostal message to Ohio. d. C.A. McKinney of South Street Mission (some sources call it “Union Gospel Mission”) heard of her testimony, and invited Campbell to come and share with his ministry. e. December 5, 1906, Campbell began meetings at South Street Ministry with C.A. McKinney i. Within a month’s time, 40 people had received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and spoke in Tongues ii. Akron became a center for revival in the Northeast f. Campbell would speak plainly about her experiences at Azusa Street, tell the people about their need for salvation, and would speak in tongues and give the interpretation g. News reporters described her meetings as resembling the “old fashioned camp meetings” where people entered into a “cataleptic state for hours” an obvious reference to people being slain in the Spirit. People spoke in tongues and tried to converse with strangers in those tongues (though without success). Pastor McKinney cited these manifestations as a clear sign that Jesus Christ was about to return to the earth. The services at the South Street Mission sounded much like those at the Azusa Street Mission. h. News reported also that, the new sect has been denounced as a fraud by nearly every local minister and some people have asked the police to

stop the meetings, claiming that the meetings are working harm to the community. Residents in the vicinity of the mission claim they cannot sleep on account of the demonstration by the converts. The police have promised to investigate. i. Ivey Campbell’s response: All [mainline] preachers are liars. All newspapers are liars. Preachers and newspapers belong in the same class. Both are disciples of Ananias. i. Ivey ministered for 5 weeks at the South Street Mission j. It was noted, that from Akron, revival spread across Ohio and the Northeast k. Quote from “Akron Visited with Pentecost” in The Apostolic Faith Vol. 1, No 5, Jan 1907; Anonymous: Since I...heard of the wonderful way God was working in Los Angeles, my heart got hungry, and the dear saints in Akron kept up a steady cry to God day and night for Him to send it this way. And before we hardly knew it, Akron was visited. Glory to God! He sent dear Ivey Campbell here in answer to prayer, and many have received their Pentecost. The altar is more than filled nearly every service. In fact there is hardly a break in the meeting. Some people bring lunches and don’t stop to eat them. Some of the sisters sing in tongues like voices from heaven and also interpret some. O, it is wonderful! Many demons have been cast out and the sick are being healed. Glory to Jesus! He is also selecting His missionaries. The meeting runs day and night—sometimes all night. People come from miles around here and are receiving their personal Pentecost. Bro. McKinney is sending out invitations far and near, and telling how God is visiting Akron, and it brings in the hungry ones. His church doors were opened wide to welcome dear Sister Ivey Campbell and Hudson from East Liverpool. The meetings have been running over three weeks. The Holy Ghost is the only leader. Praise God! While some of the prominent ministers are opposing it, yet their hungry members jump over the fence and get to the little mission church and get saved, sanctified, and then receive their personal Pentecost. l. Quote from “With Signs Following” by Stanely Frodsham: Miss Iva (Ivey) Campbell, who was among the early recipients of the Baptism in Azusa Street, returned to her home city, Akron, Ohio, and gave her testimony to the members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance church, of which C.A. McKinney was pastor. The pastor and a great many of the congregation received the Baptism in the Spirit, and ever since Akron has been a center of Pentecostal activity. m. Campbell also ministered in many other services throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, and was the featured speaker at Lupton’s Pentecostal Camp Meeting in 1907.

n. A Methodist presiding elder from the South visited Akron, was baptized in the Spirit in Brother McKinney’s meetings, and early in January 1907, was called to Homestead, Pennsylvania, to hold Pentecostal meetings in a branch of the Christian and Missionary Alliance where God began to pour out His Spirit in great measure. Among those who received the Baptism at the Homestead meeting was Elder J.T. Boddy, who in 1919 became the editor of the Pentecostal Evangel. Another one to receive a mighty Baptism in this meeting was the late George Bowie, who later became a missionary to Africa. Mrs. George Murray, a missionary belonging to the CMA, received the Baptism in early 1907, and was greatly used of God in the Pentecostal testimony in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Scores of young and old were saved and Baptized in the Spirit at the CMA Headquarters and numerous other places. o. In the end, Ivey Campbell, the woman who had brought Azusa Street revival to Ohio returned to Los Angeles a broken person. Apparently the criticism she had received was too much for her. She died in Los Angeles on June 26, 1918.

2. C.A. (Claudius Adams) McKinney (1873-1940) a. Born in Oil City, PA; received education in Long Island, NY; Converted in a Methodist church b. McKinney was involved with the Salvation Army street meetings, where he met Elizabeth Ream “Libby” Sawyer; both attended A.B. Simpson’s Bible institute in Nyack, New York and served as missionaries together. They married in 1897. At the suggestion of A.B. Simpson, they McKinney’s moved to Akron, Ohio to minister to the destitute of the city. c. Back in 1894, the section around Brown and South streets was known as “Hell’s Half Acre” because of he places of vice in the vicinity. One such house was owned and operated by Mrs. Lizzie Smith. When she became desperately ill of an incurable disease she found both salvation and healing in Christ. She was so grateful that she went everywhere witnessing to God’s goodness and donated her property to become the South Street Mission. South Street Mission later became Riverside Alliance Church. d. C.A. McKinney, formerly a missionary in Congo, Africa (1895-1900), pastored South Street Mission, a CMA church. After receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, joins the Assemblies of God. (Withdrew of CMA in 1908) e. Started First Pentecostal Church of Akron (1914), Incorporated 1917, as First Assembly of God, Akron, Ohio (Note: This was the church that Pastor Dobbins came out of when he began pastoring what is now Celebration Church)

f. Ordained by the Assemblies of God in 1918. Helped form the Central District of the Assemblies of God. He also founded several churches in Ohio and is considered to be the “Father of Pentecost” in Ohio.

Article by C.A. McKinney Our hearts are overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God for his goodness in sending upon us this mighty outpouring of the Spirit and the wonderful revival. The first Sunday night an audience of 1400 attended and it was wonderful to see how quickly and deeply the Spirit was convicting the people, and how definitely they reached the witness to their salvation. Men and women with tears streaming down their faces, some staggering under the power, made their way out of the seats, walked the length of the aisle, climbed the stairs to the stage, where the space a moment before some fifty singers had been hastily transformed to a prayer room. Those tarrying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit poured up onto the platform from both stairways. Christians and altar workers followed and in a moment torrents of prayer rolled heavenward, sinners were being saved, believers baptized in the Holy Spirit and sick healed.

Tuesday night Sister McPherson told the story of her young life, and it is doubtful whether there was a dry eye in the building. When the altar call was given there was an instant response. The first was a soldier boy with broad shoulders and an erect figure and a determined look. Other men immediately followed him to the altar, weeping frankly and unashamed. Wives came with their husbands, mothers leading their sons and daughters. They marched down the aisles to the place where Sister McPherson stood on the steps to grasp their hands and to usher them into the prayer room. Here they wept out their hearts before the Lord and soon rose happy and triumphant. Many new converts received the baptism of the Holy Spirit the same night in which they were saved. A great many of these have declared they had never been in a Pentecostal meeting before.

The closing Sunday the Grand Opera House was secured. At an early hour the main floor and balcony were filled. People were held spellbound. Never had we heard anything so beautiful—how the Spirit revealed Jesus to us in His beauty and loveliness. Tears flowed down the cheeks of preachers, missionaries, saints and sinners alike. The management of the theatre stood outside looking in through the windows. Surely the Grand Opera House here had never witnessed such a scene! Words would fail to express our gratitude and praise to God for this great campaign.

NOTE: A large missionary offering was taken on the closing Sunday afternoon, which more than covered the fare and traveling expenses of Brother McKinney’s daughter to Africa, in which field she works today.

3. Levi Lupton a. Was a Quaker evangelist and head of the Missionary Training School in Alliance, Ohio, started in 1905 b. He is known for establishing the village of Lupton, Michigan (still exists today) c. Professed conversion in July 1885, and later that year moved back to Ohio d. In 1896, he received a complete healing at a Quaker meeting e. In 1903, Lupton purchased a railroad card and designated it “The Gospel Car”. This was used to travel by he and his team to conduct revival meetings. In the summer of 1903, he also purchased 12 acres of property 3 miles southwest of the public square in Alliance, Ohio and built his “Missionary Home” which would become influential. f. In 1904, he and his associates founded the World Evangelization Company and his publication, The New Acts i. The New Acts 50 cents per year in advance ii. Last publication was November 1910 iii. Issued monthly iv. Exceeded 10,000 copies and circulated in almost every civilized country in the world g. Was friends with McKinney, and heard of Campbell’s testimony. Came to her meetings at South Street Mission in Akron, Ohio, and received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with Speaking in Tongues h. On December 30, 1906, Lupton described his experience I soon found myself on the floor under His gracious power, where I remained for nine hours...My prayer upon this morning was one of consecrating my body as I had never understood before. He took me at my word and really took possession. I then became perfectly helpless and for a season my entire body became cold, and I was unable to move even to the extent that I could not wink an eye for a short time. I began to speak in other tongues. i. Lupton’s wife Laura reported that a “halo lit upon his brow” ii. Edward Mott, clerk of the Quaker meetings in Ohio, traveled to Alliance and from the pulpit of the Friends church denounced Lupton for teaching the “third blessing” heresy. i. He received a vision not long after to start The Apostolic Faith Association, which as formed and incorporated on June 24, 1907 in Columbus, Ohio, headquartered in Alliance, Ohio with C.A. McKinney as Vice President, Frank Bartleman, and J.H. King as Board Members i. The new organization designated him the “Apostle Levi” ii. Objective was to establish “an interdenominational association, and did not require one to sever his connection with the church to which he belonged. This association would have its headquarters in Ohio. The school was to be run under its auspices, and a

printing plant was to be established at that place...Many leaders from various parts of the state were included in this association. The prospect for a great work to be accomplished throughout the world seemed to be held out before this representative body.” j. In June 1907, held a large Pentecostal Camp Meeting in Alliance, Ohio and Pentecostal ministers such as Frank Bartleman, H.W. Allen, Ivey Campbell, and others all ministered. By day two of the camp meeting, 700 came out and together represented 24 states. Others came from Canada, China, Egypt, South Africa, England, South America, the West Indies, and Australia. As well as there being great support for the camp meeting, there was also great opposition and even persecution. Dissenters came into the crowds and even burned people by spraying acid on them. Some accounts say ammonia. i. McKinney & Campbell partnered with Lupton to hold these regular camp meetings ii. Many well known in the Pentecostal revival attended and participated in these camp meetings iii. Frank Bartleman of the 1907 camp meeting No organ or hymn books were used. The Spirit conducted the services and there seemed no place for them. Numbers were saved, baptized in the Spirit, and healed. Many received a call to foreign fields, to prove God along real faith, Bible lines. The rapid evangelism of the world, on real apostolic lines, was the goal set. k. “Conventions and camp meetings, in the interest of Pentecostal truth, were held everywhere, and the fire fell in a remarkable way on these occasions. At one camp meeting in Ohio in 1908, I saw what could not be less than 50 to 75 people prostrated at one time under the power of God, numbers of whom received the Baptism in the Spirit.” (With Signs Following) l. 10 of Lupton’s training school students also attended Campbell’s meetings in Akron, and all were baptized in the Holy Spirit. From that point on the school had a distinct Pentecostal message. m. Lupton saw His school as an opportunity to train missionaries to take out the Pentecostal message n. Lupton was known to have “state of the art” facilities (for his day) and his conversion to Pentecost brought a certain amount of credibility o. Ivey Campbell was quoted in The Apostolic Faith of Lupton’s facilities He has a Missionary Training School or home built for the purpose of sending workers into the harvest, full-fledged Apostolic workers. The school had been going on for three years, and he had been teaching more than he had really experienced...Brother Lupton makes the proposition that we use the home for a headquarters for the Middle States. I feel it is of God and a good thing, as the Akron work and this one. They can go on street car from one place to the other. The home has 14 rooms, I think. In

the upper room furnished for a class room, many have received their Pentecost. The Akron paper, “Pentecostal Wonders” has been consolidated with Brother Lupton’s paper, “The New Acts.” The home here is three miles out of the city of Alliance. God’s chosen spot where people can come from Cleveland, Akron, and Canton. They have a large camp ground here, tents and everything to push out into the great battle for God. p. The ministry in Alliance and the plan to use the ministry as a “headquarters” for the Pentecostal movement in the northeast, crumbled in 1910 when Lupton confessed to immorality with his office assistant. With the sincerity of his repentance called into question, the ministry he had worked so hard to build collapsed and he lost his credibility within Pentecostal ranks. Interesting to note that the Pentecostal Revival suffered two significant scandals at its beginning, Lupton being the less known; and secondly, more known, Charles Parham’s sexual offense, when he refuted and continued his ministry. q. Other items: i. He continued his traveling ministry as a part of The Apostolic Faith Association, speaking at Stone Church Chicago ii. Harry Horton of Winnipeg, Canada in 1908, came to attend his Missionary Training School; his son, Stanley Horton became one of the foremost theologian of modern Pentecostalism

4. Others in the Early Pentecostal Revival a. Aimee Semple McPhereson held tent meetings in November 1919 b. McPhereson & Charles Price held Evangelistic and Healing meetings in October 1921

Eyewitness Description of Revival in the Pioneer Communities in Ohio in the 1700’s-1800’s

But the camp meeting in Ohio was as it was elsewhere as picturesque as it was earnest. Great preparations were made in anticipation of it. Great quantities of food were provided by whole communities, for most of them camped in tents or improvised huts while the meeting lasted, sometimes for a week or more. It was a season of hospitality and rejoicing as well as of religious revival and the people threw their whole souls into its celebration.

The scene presented to one approaching the camp consisted of a great number of horses tied to the rail fences and trees; the wagons partly dismantled among the tents and huts; the hustle of the crowd in all phases of loading and unloading camp utensils, and the preparing of meals. In the midst of the congregation sitting on log benches, the voice of the preacher could be heard as he exhorted them to religious awakening. As the agitation grew stronger and the passions and the emotions arose, those who sat on the mourners’ bench became uncontrollable. The loud voice of the preacher was drowned amidst the shouting, screaming, clapping of hands, leaping, jerking, falling, and swooning of those who had “got religion.” High above the hubbub rose the sweet voiced melodies of old familiar hymns that stirred the sternest hearts and filled the more tender ones with ecstasy. Then dinner was served, to which every stranger and wayfarer was welcome. Indeed there was no stranger, for such distinction was blotted out in the fervency of religious fellowship. At the opening of the afternoon service another orator arose. Amidst the profound silence, an earnest and pathetic prayer was poured forth broken only both the low murmuring “Amens” of the responsive listeners. Then midst singing and exhortation the excitement again arose and again died away.

At night large fires were kindled. The busy campers, the swaying of the excited crowd, the gyrations of the preacher on his high platform, all gleamed and glared in the fitful light. The white tents peered like ghosts from out of hte dusky woods whose tall trunks were like a lofty colonnade in the romantic gloom. It was altogether, with the accompany screams and shouts, a gruesome scene, worthy of the Druids of old.

In the year 1800, and for several years following, an intense and widespread religious excitement prevailed in Ohio, principally in the southern and eastern portions. This feeling was publicly manifested in the camp meetings and in the astonishing and powerful revivals of that time