Vol. 25, No. 2, 3, Summer-Fall 2005

Eddie Washington From a Cruel Orphanage to an International Ministry

Published quarterly by The Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802-1894 Phone: (417) 862-1447, ext. 4400 Fax: (417) 862-6203 Toll Free: 877-840-5200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.AGHeritage.org ISSN 0896-4395

Summer-Fall 2005 Vol. 25, No. 2, 3 PUBLISHED BY THE FLOWER PENTECOSTAL HERITAGE CENTER

Wayne Warner EDITOR AND DIRECTOR A FAREWELL AND A WELCOME After 25 years as director of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Joyce Lee Wayne Warner retires. Assuming the director’s responsibilities is Darrin ARCHIVIST Rodgers, formerly a librarian and archivist at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. Glenn Gohr ASSISTANT ARCHIVIST AND COPY EDITOR "JESUS, THIS IS EDDIE" This African American looks back on his early life and Brett Pavia ministry as an evangelist and missionary. COORDINATOR OF By Edward Washington, as told to Ruth and Noel Wilson SPECIAL PROJECTS AND HERITAGE DESIGNER 6 DELAYED HARVEST Sharon Rasnake Elva Hoover and Pearl Alexander meet again after 60 ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR years to share the fruit of their work in the Kentucky Mountains. By Tom Wilmoth, former executive editor, The Yearly subscription, $15.00 Chanute (KS) Tribune Lifetime subscription, $160 14 Heritage is indexed in the ATLA Religion MINISTERING TO SERVICEMEN Database, published by the American DURING WORLD WAR II Theological Library Association, 250 S. William McCann ministered to soldiers at Camp Barkley, Wacker Dr., 16th Flr., Chicago, IL 60606; E-mail: [email protected] Texas, during World War II and developed one of the most Web: www.atla.com 16 successful ministries to the military. ATLA Religion Database (RDB) is available WAYNE WARNER'S FAVORITES on CD-ROM and US MARC format directly For his final issue, Wayne Warner has updated six of his favorite from ATLA, as well as online through five aggregators: OCLC’s FirstSearch, EBSCO stories from the 1980s. Information Services, SilverPlatter, Ovid 18 WHEN PENTECOSTALS CAME TOGETHER IN THE 1913 Technologies, and Cambridge Scientific WORLDWIDE CAMP MEETING Abstracts. Microfilm of Heritage is available from Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), P.O. Box 22 MOTHER MARY MOISE OF ST. LOUIS 30183, 5420 N. E. Glisan, Portland, OR 97294-3183. Heritage on CD is available 26 HERBERT BUFFUM from the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. 32 FROM THE FOOTLIGHTS TO THE LIGHT OF THE CROSS

© Copyright 2005 by 38 THE MONTEZUMA SHOWDOWN Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802-1894 46 THE EVANGEL CROSSES THE PACIFIC

POSTMASTER: Send address change to 2 Heritage Letter 52 From Our Readers 54 Testimony Time Heritage, 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802-1894 58 Seen in Print 60 Archives Activities

Cover: Evangelist Eddie Washington who developed an international ministry. Now 89, he and his wife Ruth live in San Diego where he teaches a Sunday school class. See the story of his early life beginning on page 6. Ending 25 Years at FPHC By Wayne Warner

Well, this is it. We had decided that the first stories about the legendary evangelist, After producing Heritage maga- issue, which had a newsletter rather “Mother” Mary Barnes. One story we zine since 1981, I am closing this chapter than a magazine look, should focus on used in the first issue of Heritage told and turning over the responsibilities St. Louis. So, I remember researching of a drunken lawyer by the name of Eli to my successor, Darrin Rodgers. As the previous five councils that city Fox Cunningham who wandered into I leave, I do so with mixed emotions. hosted. In 1981 there were still people Mother Barnes’ St. Louis tent meeting And as I look back on the many issues, around who remembered being part in about 1910. “God wonderfully saved I don’t think I’ll forget that very first of the Assemblies of God when the him that night,” I reported. “He gave 4-page issue. Headquarters was located in St. Louis up his practice, went into the ministry, After the Board of Administration (1915-18) or who attended an early and later became a member of the approved a history magazine, I General Council there. These included Assemblies of God.” contacted David Koechel, a well- Alice Reynolds Flower, widow of J. We didn’t have a lot of space in that known Minneapolis designer. David Roswell Flower, first general secretary; first issue—just 4 pages—and my St. created the Heritage nameplate, and it Carl O’Guin, who worked at the Gospel Louis feature jumped from page 1 to 2 has never changed. Publishing House when it was in St. and then wound up on page 3. Helping And as I hold that first issue, I am Louis; and Willie Millsaps. Millsaps local churches take care of their history transported by memory to the 1981 attended the 1921 General Council for and records is an important part of our August night in St. Louis when General something besides business sessions. mission, so Pam Eastlake, the assistant Superintendent Thomas F. Zimmerman He met his fiance from Kansas, and he archivist, began a column we called, introduced it to the General Council. asked General Chairman E. N. Bell to “Preserving Your Church History.” I was both proud and nervous—proud perform their wedding ceremony. In the first issue we also introduced that the Assemblies of God could Now, that’s one way to increase the Heritage Society, encouraging promote our history in a quarterly interest at a General Council! readers to subscribe to Heritage by magazine and nervously wondering if Pentecostals associated with St. offering a complimentary book and an anyone would be interested. Louis in the early period could tell oral history tape. Brief stories included an introduction to Heritage, the role of the Assemblies of God Archives (now Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center), a story on the purpose of oral history (“Capturing History in the Sony Age”) and an appeal to keep informed and donate historical materials to the Archives. Persons attending the 1981 General Council did respond, which pleased this editor and the Board of Administration that had authorized a history paper. No, the splash was not nearly as big as the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” movie that premiered that summer. But we nevertheless were pleased. One subscriber who boosted our confidence was 91-year-old “Mother” Alice Reynolds Flower when Board of Administration in 1980 (l-r): G. Raymond Carlson (assistant she ordered a lifetime subscription. superintendent), Thomas F. Zimmerman (general superintendent), Our first real magazine-look Joseph R. Flower (general secretary), and Raymond Hudson (general with a full-page photo cover came treasurer). They approved the beginning of Heritage in 1981. 2 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 with the Summer 1983 issue when we introduced Dr. Gary McGee’s article, “Early Pentecostal Missionaries,” with a cover photo of Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Juergensen and Japanese believers in Tokyo. Indeed, we were pleased to distribute that new-look issue. Although readers probably didn’t notice in those early years, we did consider certain issues as “ground breaking,” including that Summer 1983 issue. The number of pages eventually increased from the original 4-page introductory issue to 6 and then to 8. Our first 12-page venture was for the 1983 General Council in Anaheim, California. There in a booth we shared with Sherri Doty, Headquarters statistician, and researcher Dr. Margaret Poloma, we made new friends for the Archives and Heritage. We were proud of the fact that we had gone from 4 pages to 12 in 2 years, but at times we were afraid that we had “bitten off more than we could chew.” We simply didn’t know how we would fill up the number of pages we had selected for a particular issue— especially if an author failed to meet the deadline. (We are still waiting for certain articles authors promised in the 1980s!) Some who wanted to write a Heritage, Vol. 1, No. 1 particular story discovered how difficult it is once they got into it. They decided Work of Calvary,” and Cecil M. Robeck, color. Up to this time we had been that they didn’t have time for it. Others Jr., “The Earliest Pentecostal Missions pasting up a dummy, using an old wax suggested that one of our staff members in Los Angeles”; missionary Maynard machine. Now, we could send the copy take on the responsibility. Through the Ketcham, “When the Pentecostal Fire to Glenn Gohr for editing and then it years, assistant archivist Glenn Gohr Fell in Calcutta”; Pam Eastlake’s would go to Brett so he could design the has written many of the stories that column on preserving church history; issue on a MAC computer. History was have appeared in Heritage. and my column on gospel radio being retold with modern technology. Making adjustments for a shortage broadcasting. That first issue with color featured of copy included increasing the size Some of the stories through the educator Billie Davis with a cover of photos and reprinting a story from years were recycled for a history story written by longtime Headquarters the Pentecostal Evangel or other column Hal Donaldson invited me to employee Sylvia Lee. Two military periodicals. But on the other side of start for the Pentecostal Evangel in features also appeared in the issue: Geri the ledger, we often had too much copy 1995. Swope’s story on Delbert Nultemeier, a to fit into an issue. That meant either A big change came for the summer World War II marine who returned to cutting or holding it for the next issue. 1999 issue when we switched to color. the Marshall Islands as a missionary; That Anaheim issue featured What a difference I saw when Brett and a photo feature on army chaplain articles by educators Edith Blumhofer, Pavia gave me a peek at his computer John A. Lindvall during the Korean “William Durham and the Finished where he was working on articles with War. Among other features was the

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 3 at the Assemblies of God Theological Stephanie Morris, and Benjamin Ranta, Seminary to become vice president and volunteers such as Marie Griswold for finance and administration at blessed this Center with their devoted Southeastern University in Lakeland, work. Florida. He is still there. Thanks, John, And how can we say enough about for sharing that information 25 years those dear folks who contributed over ago. $1 million for financing the relocation Pam Eastlake was the assistant of the Archives and creating the visitors archivist and the only other employee center? Others contributed historical in the Archives in 1980. She was a big materials and offered encouragement. help to this inexperienced archivist. Thank you for your generosity. I owe a lot to the Board of Administration. It was my Some of the above are now with privilege to work with three the Lord. To the others, I express my Wayne Warner and Pam Eastlake, the general superintendents: Thomas deepest appreciation for their kindness only employees in the Archives in 1980. F. Zimmerman, G. Raymond Carlson, and cooperation in making the story of missionary Florence Blossom and Thomas E. Trask; three assistant Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center Beck, by her brother Glenn Blossom. superintendents: G. Raymond Carlson, the ministry facility that is known With computer colors available, Everett Stenhouse, and Charles and appreciated worldwide. Their the days of duotone were gone forever. Crabtree; three general treasurers: dedication to the Kingdom and this In this issue you will find six Raymond Hudson, Thomas E. Trask, ministry will always be appreciated. features from the 1980s, some of my and James K. Bridges; and two general I express my appreciation for your favorites. But it is so hard to select secretaries: Joseph Flower and George faithfulness and devotion to our mission favorites of all of the features we have O. Wood. Without their confidence and at the Flower Pentecostal Heritage produced during the lifetime of the approval, we would still be in a small Center. Assemblies of God Heritage. One of office tucked away in a corner of the And to Darrin Rodgers, my my last suggestions to readers of this complex. successor as director of the Center, I magazine is to order either the bound The Advisory Board helped guide pass on the baton and wish you God’s issues of the magazine or the digital the Center. Verna Flower and Juleen very best. version. If I live to be 95 and make it to Turnage were my first advisors and I’ll close with one of my favorite Maranatha Manor, I’ll probably still be then later the general superintendents Scripture passages: “I thank my God reading my issues of Heritage. appointed others, including Charles every time I remember you. In all my Crabtree, Joseph Flower, Thomas prayers for all of you, I always pray Now, as I look back on 25 years Harrison, J. Calvin Holsinger, Gary with joy because of your partnership in in the Flower Pentecostal Heritage McGee, Mike Messner, Bartlett the gospel from the first day until now, Center, I am reminded of many people Peterson, Everett Stenhouse, and being confident of this, that he who who deserve accolades for their George Wood. began a good work in you will carry it contributions. How important each of As time moved on, we hired on to completion until the day of Christ them is to the success of this center! temporary, part- and full-time Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6, NIV). While having lunch in 1980 employees: Melanie Billman, Peggy with John Kautz in the Headquarters Catron, Terry Darden, Paula Ferguson, cafeteria, I learned that the director Corey Fields, Amy Fulfer, Cindy of the Archives, Harris Jansen, was Gray, Ruby Gum, Laura Harless, leaving that position. I talked with Diana Hawkins, Emily Johns, Jodie Harris and others and made application. Loutzenhiser, Catherine McGee, Cindy (At the time the Assemblies of God Riemenschneider, Andre Rigden, Theological Seminary administered David Ringer, Julie Spears, Sherrie the Archives, but the next year it came Spracklen, Janice Stefaniw, Ellie under the supervision of Joseph Flower Thomas, John Weidman, and Faye and the general secretary’s office.) Williams. And the current staff: Glenn That’s when my life changed from a Gohr, Tina Kyler, Joyce Lee, Heather Wayne Warner, director of the book editor to director of the Archives. Lee, Steve Miramonti, Brett Pavia, and Flower Pentecostal Heritage John’s life soon changed as well; he Sharon Rasnake. In addition, Evangel Center and editor of Heritage left his business manager’s position University interns, Scott Draper, magazine.

4 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 “Happy Retirement” sign and refreshment table. Wayne takes a moment to visit with his granddaughters, Harper and Taylor Collins.

General Superintendent Thomas Trask presenting a gift to Wayne Warner. Standing in front (l-r): George O. Wood, Thomas E. Trask, and Wayne and Pat Warner.

Darrin Rodgers, who began of God Theological Seminary), and J.D. his duties as director of the Flower (University of North Dakota School of Pentecostal Heritage Center in Law). He is the author of Northern September, will assume the role of Harvest, a history of Pentecostalism in editor of Heritage with the Winter North Dakota (2003) and has written 2005-06 issue. Darrin brings to the articles for Assemblies of God Heritage, position a passion for our Pentecostal The New International Dictionary of heritage, strong academic credentials, Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements an amiable disposition, publishing (2002), People of the Spirit (2004), experience, and a background in library Christianity: A Complete Guide (2005), and archival work. He comes to us and Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and from Fuller Theological Seminary Charismatic Christianity (2005). (Pasadena, California), where he served Darrin follows director Wayne at the David du Plessis Archive and the Warner who retired September 30 after McAlister Library. leading the Center for more than 25 Darrin is a familiar face at the years. Warner said, “I am pleased that Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. Darrin has accepted the position, and He was a frequent researcher while I believe he will lead the Center to a earning his master’s degree at AGTS new level of collecting, preserving, and is known to many of our readers. and making our heritage accessible.” He is also active in the Society for Warner added that Darrin joins an Pentecostal Studies. excellent staff of professionals whose A fourth-generation North Dakotan mission includes creating one of the Pentecostal, Darrin earned his B.A. outstanding Christian archives in the (Hillsdale College), M.A. (Assemblies world. WINTER 2004-05 AG HERITAGE 5 Eddie and Ruth in 1945 with their tiple and accordion. In the Ministry for 63 Years

By Edward Washington After Eddie and Ruth As told to Ruth and Noel Wilson Washington ministered among U.S. servicemen in Germany My twin brother Billie and I were I played hard, swung on ropes in trees, for 10 years, missionary leader born in Central Falls, Rhode Island on and fought all the time. People often Charles E. Greenaway wrote, February 4, 1916. We weighed just over mixed up Billie and me. “God has given both of you a 2 pounds each, and our mother said she When I was about 10 years old, I great insight into the needs of used a bureau drawer as a crib. Billie ran away from the orphanage with two men. This can only come from was born just a half minute before me. other fellows. Unfortunately, it was in God and from a commitment The first son, Robert, Jr., was one and February with lots of snow and it was and involvement that is entirely a half years older. Our father, Robert, quite cold. After three days of sleeping given into His hands.” was a teamster driving four horses in coal cellars and being hungry, we Others who know this and hauling lumber, and our mother, went to one of the fellows’ home. The couple could say the same Elizabeth, worked in a jewelry factory. police were called and we were taken thing for all people they minister I can only recall living on 124 back to the orphanage. But I was glad. to. Their congregations Sutton Ave in East Providence, Rhode At least there was bread and peanut were thousands of European, Island. We attended an Afro-American butter and milk at the orphanage, and a Australian, Philippine, and Baptist church. Our grandmother lived bed and warmth. African nationals. In one report with us for a while, but one day she I knew I would be punished for for 1967 they had driven their fell and died. Later, our father was in running away, but I didn’t care. The Speed the Light car 40,000 an accident and he died when we were punishment was a whipping with a 2- miles and preached more than about 8 years old. inch rubber strap. I was made to strip 450 times. His ministry to Our mother wasn’t able to take off my clothing, lean over the bathtub servicemen included directing care of the three of us, so we were and wait for the strap to come down on retreats in Europe. The Washingtons retired Because their father died, Eddie and Billie’s from missionary service in mother placed them in an orphanage. Eddie said, 1992—but not from ministry. Although Eddie will be 90 in “I was full of hate and trusted no one.” February 2006, he still ministers placed in the Rhode Island State Home my bare back. You would scream from part-time at San Diego’s and School in Providence. She told us, the pain, but you were beaten until you Alvarado Hospital and shares “You will like it, you can ride ponies,” stopped screaming. It could be done, I teaching responsibilities of a and so on. When we arrived, we were know. large adult Sunday school class sent up for a bath, given used clothes Right there and then I said within with another minister. Their including overalls and black socks myself, “One day I am going to kill daughter Betty Cole is a preemie which by now had turned gray from so you.” I had made up my mind not to nurse in the intensive care unit many washings. ever cry again. Whoever hurt me would of a San Diego hospital. One of the attractions to The orphanage was run by the get killed some day when I grew up. I their services was their musical state. There were about 200 boys, girls didn’t cry again until I was 14 and was talents. Eddie donated one and babies. Boys stayed until they were saved. I was full of hate and trusted no of his tiples to the Flower 18; girls had to be 21 unless they were one. Pentecostal Heritage Center, put into foster homes to work. I would When I turned 12, I went to a Springfield, Missouri. It is on get up at 6 a.m., have breakfast, and school 3 miles from the orphanage. display in the musical instrument then wax and polish floors. I enjoyed art, marching (like in a case along with an audio clip of I attended school at the orphanage. military school), and playing soccer. Eddie and Ruth singing, “Joy in We lived in a cottage of fifty children Visiting day at the orphanage My Soul.” with a husband and wife for managers. was once each month on a Saturday

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 7 called them. She was an evangelist The Washington and he was a retired policeman who twins, Billie on the had been converted under her ministry. left, and Eddie on She preached and then gave an altar the right, at age 3. Their brother call. I don’t remember one thing she Robert is in the said, but when she came by us, she center. said, “How about it boys?” And we made a beeline to the altar. No one had told us that you don’t run in church, so we didn’t know any better. The church had plain long old wooden benches and carpet up front so people could kneel and pray. But as I reached the altar, I tripped on the carpet and slid under the altar bench. I felt like I was sinking into hell. I didn’t know how to pray or what to say. All I could do was scream, “Jesus, help me, Jesus, help me!” over and over. Soon peace came, followed by a great wave of love. I cried for the afternoon from 2 to 4. Our mother morning on our way to school, we first time since the beating in the never came for 5 months even though were met by a little elderly woman orphanage. I felt the hatred leave and I got dressed in my best clothes every named Auntie Kent. She gave out felt peace, joy, and love for everybody. time to visit her. When she finally tracts and invited us to come to Sunday We were saved and filled with real joy. came, I took the bag with an orange school and church. I was changed forever. Auntie Kent, and a banana from her and just said Auntie Kent had been a who had been playing the tambourine good-bye, and left her standing there. missionary in India, and she wore a nearby said, “You’re saved now, you I never saw her again until I was 18 granny hat, granny glasses, and the belong to Jesus,” and gave us a Bible. years old. high button shoes. She was such a It was late. We ran home and told Eventually, Billie and I were put sweet, little bitty thing. One day she our foster mother we had been saved. into a foster home for a year. Then made us promise to come to the revival Billie ran up the stairs first and got we were put in another home for 6 meeting. She said, “I’m praying for by her. She grabbed me, took off her months, and a third one for 2 years. you.” She fasted and prayed three shoe, and beat me around the head At 14 we were put into the last nights and two days for us. until blood came. But I said, “Jesus, foster home. We lived with “Mother” Carrington, her mother, and son, who As teens they told their cruel foster mother they had was about our age. We worked the been saved at a nearby church; she beat them with large garden and did the washing and ironing, which Mother Carrington her shoe and forbade them to attend the church. would take in. We used a tub and a So we went to the church one Sunday this is Eddie. Look what she did to washboard, hung out the clothes, and night. Not knowing what would me, but I don’t care. She can kill me, we carried out the ashes. happen, we sat in the back seats. The but I’ll still love you.” We went to school, and worked choir and orchestra were all dressed That’s when the sweet comfort of the rest of the time. There was no time in blue with white collars. I had never the Holy Spirit enveloped me. I found for play. The food was worse than in heard such beautiful singing. I was out that His love and blessings outdo the orphanage. amazed because I was never in a any evil done to you. She did me a But, during this time, our lives church like this before. favor: She beat Jesus into me, not out were forever changed. Our home was There was an Irish woman and of me. And I found that I didn’t hate just two blocks away from a church. her husband who came down from her. As we passed by the church every Canada: “Pa and Ma Sweeney” they She was a spiritualist and didn’t

8 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 want us to live for Christ. We were Jesus found me.” We sang as tears save us twins at the same time, and not allowed to go to church for almost of joy rolled down our cheeks. They then to fill us with the Holy Spirit 2 years. The next day I didn’t smoke, stopped, but we kept singing and the at the same time. Later, we were chew or swear all day. I didn’t connect congregation sang along. We sang it baptized in water together and entered it with the fact that I had given my life over and over many times before we the ministry together as the “Sunshine over to Christ. stopped. Twins.” Billie and I read the Bible. I said, Finally the time came to go to the We got home at 2 a.m. There “Look, Jesus, I don’t know anything altar and pray. I had been wanting to was no beating this time, but now the about this, but you can help me.” Then talk to Jesus and thank Him right at “mother” was afraid of us because we Scripture began to come alive for me. that altar where He found and changed had been filled with the Holy Spirit. I was Moses, David, Elijah, Paul, me. But we couldn’t go to church anymore Peter, and many other characters as I Billie and I ran to the altar. I said, since we had to work all the time. read. I would look up, smile and say, “Jesus, I love you,” and we threw up We graduated from junior high “Jesus, this is Eddie.” Then I would our hands. Both of us fell backward that year and were sent back to the talk to Jesus about everything. We on the floor and began speaking in orphanage. We were now 16 years always wanted to go to church, but tongues. I saw the whole life of Christ old and Spirit-filled. I had wanted were not allowed to go. pass before me. All I knew was that I to become a doctor, but that was One night, about year later, I was crying, and I could see Jesus on out of the question. We were now asked, “Can we go to church?” The the cross. I led angels singing while “working boys.” No more school, but foster mom said, “No.” I said, “I’ll give all the old people were sitting around milking and feeding cows, working in you a dollar.” “No.” After listening to on the floor, saying, “Bless him Lord, the boiler room, steam fitting pipes, newscaster Lowell Thomas at 7:00 Bless him Lord” and “The Lord is shoveling coal for the big furnaces, p.m., I said, “I’ll give you $5.” passing by.” Two hours later, we were and doing electrical work. It was the She said, “OK.” told, “You have been filled with the hardest work I ever did in my life, but So we ran to the church. The Holy Spirit.” We had never known of Jesus was with me. song service was about over, but they such an experience. Sometimes when I wondered were singing: “ ‘Twas a glad day when How wonderful of the Lord to what I would do with my life or felt

Zion Bible Institute gospel team in 1937. From the left, Don Bickford, Eddie and Billie Washington, and Steve Johnson.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 9 Any money that was earned went to the school. After a $10 entrance fee, Bylines and it was promised that “all else God allows me to have, I will share.” Testimonies We learned to rely on the Lord’s provision. We would say, “Lord, I As Noel Wilson was growing need clothes, soap, razor blades, up, Eddie and Ruth Washington toothpaste,” or whatever was lacking. held a number of evangelistic We prayed for everything and it came meetings for Noel’s father in in by mail; or someone, moved by Roseville, California. When the God, would come by and leave on our church purchased its first organ bed the very things we had prayed Ruth gave Noel his first lesson. for. It was a life I wish every young Noel served as a youth and Noel and Ruth Wilson person could have so they could be music pastor in Berkeley, Vallejo, rooted in Christ, learn to trust Him, and Redwood City, California. He was a professor of music at and serve others. Bethany College from 1967 to 1975. From 1975 to 1997 he taught at Billie and I sang together a lot. Southern California College, now Vanguard University. During that Our voices blended together very time he directed the music at Newport-Mesa Christian Center while well. I learned to play the ukulele George Wood was the pastor. In 1997 he was called by Richard and he, the guitar. Then I got a Dresselhaus to be the music pastor at San Diego First Assembly at tiple: a 10-stringed instrument like the same time as Eddie and Ruth Washington were moving to San Diego. a small guitar. The two instruments Ruth produced two books in the 1960s for Youth With A sounded good together. We learned Mission as well as editing its newsletter. She compiled and edited a few songs and our favorite was: a 50-year Chronicle for the Northern California/Nevada District in “There is Sunshine in the Shadows.” 1969. Logos Publishers asked her to write a book telling the story That’s why we became known as the of Youth With A Mission and Loren Cunningham in 1970. In 1994 “Sunshine Twins.” she compiled and edited the 75th year commemorative volume: When Sister Gibson preached Declare His Glory for the Southern California District. in different places, she would take In 2004, Ruth and Noel retired and are now living in Laguna us to do the singing. We only knew Woods, California, near their daughter Heather. about six songs at first, but learned many more as we were being used. Our ministry trips included going to sorry for myself, a chorus would but Sister Christine Gibson, the places like Cambridge and Halifax, come to mind, and I found myself founder and principal of the Bible Nova Scotia; Cape Cod and Boston, singing: “He careth for you, He school, felt we were too young. So Massachusetts; and Portland, Maine. careth for you; Through sunshine or I joined the Civilian Conservation She was really a wonderful mother shadow, He careth for you.” I would Corps (C.C.C.) in Vermont for 3 to us—much more than a teacher. We be encouraged, and I would know months. owe all that we did and were and are that He loved me and would take care Mother Gibson learned that I to her loving wisdom and kindness of me, for I was His. didn’t have a high school education, and giving us the opportunities for We got Sundays off but had but I asked for a trial period to prove ministry. to go 5 miles to church in East myself. Billie and I were finally Right after graduation, we Providence. We would run most of admitted in 1934 and given a room started traveling full-time as part of a the way. We would go to Sunday at the top of the tabernacle with eight quartet of Bible school men. Donald school and church, eat dinner with the other men. Bickford and Steve Johnson, the other Bible students, go to a street meeting We were very good students two members, had a Model A Ford in the afternoon, and have church in and earned high grades. We worked coupe with a rumble seat. There were the evening. Then we’d run home. around the school taking care of the little racks on the running board that When we turned 18, Billie and lawns and flower beds. During the held our luggage and instruments. I wanted to go to the School of the summer, we picked potatoes, which We started out, but we didn’t Prophets (now Zion Bible College), were given to the school in the fall. know where we were going because

10 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 nobody called and asked us to come. Mark Hinman, so we were invited to childbirth. Her father was ill and We stopped in Rockland, Maine, Lodi, California. asked Nellie Washington to care where one of the students lived. He There were times when we were for Ruth. He soon died, and Nellie said it was church night, and so we booked for 2 years or more. We had a adopted Ruth. She was working as a went to church. The pastor invited us service every night except Christmas, housekeeper and cook for a wealthy to come to the platform to preach, play Thanksgiving, and Mondays—except country gentleman, and she was a fine our instruments, and just take over the perhaps a Christ’s Ambassadors rally. Pentecostal believer. Ruth was raised service. We played the instruments, We sang in Phil Kerr’s musical with the best Nellie could give her, we sang together, and we preached. nights, first in Pasadena, then later in which included studying piano from Then they wheeled in a man who the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for the the age of 3. It was soon discovered was in a wheelchair. We announced Monday Night Musicals. that she had perfect pitch, and a more that we were going to pray for him After 7 years of traveling, I met capable teacher was found. By age and other people. We prayed, and to Ruth. Billie and I held a meeting in seven, she was playing the piano in our amazement, God healed him. He a big tent in Cottage Grove—near her small church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Eddie and Billie sang together as the “Sunshine Ruth eventually studied at the Twins” and began conducting revival meetings Julliard School of Music. There she had the opportunity to attend during the Great Depression. recitals of many well-known visiting artists. Soon, she became known in jumped up and ran around the church. Nyack, New York. Ruth came with the Pentecostal church circles as an That meeting lasted for 2 weeks. her mother to the revival meetings. outstanding pianist and was often At the end of the summer the The pastor, who knew her, asked her invited to play at special meetings. boys went back to school and Billie to play the offertory. I told Billie, I asked if I could take Ruth home and I continued to travel for about 7 “She’s mine; hands off!” I made a after service. Her mother looked at years. The two of us went all over New beeline for her and shook hands with her watch and said, “It takes about England, Eastern Canada, New York, her six or eight times. As far as I was 15 minutes, no more.” So I took her and Pennsylvania as the “Sunshine concerned, that was it! home and I made sure I was there Twins.” Later, we had invitations to Ruth’s mother had died in in 15 minutes. I didn’t dare stop on Open Bible Standard Churches in Iowa. Eddie described We set up a little church and Christine Gibson, a big church itinerary because we founder of Zion wanted to sing for the little churches Bible College, as “a wonderful mother that nobody would go to. We would to us—much more go to a small church one week and than a teacher.” to a big church for the next couple of weeks to compensate for what the little churches couldn’t do financially. This worked out well, so we kept doing it until we got to Waterloo, Iowa. We were on radio KXEL at 6:00 a.m. with Pastor Charles Leaming. Then Pastor William Offiler invited us to Seattle’s Crystal Cathedral. Pastor Robert DeWeese, whom we had known in Sioux City, invited us to Tacoma. We knew Pastor Dan Anderson who said, “Come to our church at Klamath Falls.” So we went to Klamath Falls. Dan Anderson knew

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 11 the way. She had some cake and tea didn’t use an accordion. Then the our music, the pastor asked, “How for us and talked a bit. Later, I sent Palermo Brothers began using the much do you want?” I said, “We never some letters to Ruth, and eventually I guitar and accordion. So I got an say how much we want. We leave that wanted to get engaged. accordion and gave it to Ruth, put it up to the Lord and you.” He gave me I wondered how I could afford on her, and said, “Play.” a check and I folded it up, put it in my a diamond. There was a student at We used to sing a lot of trios. pocket, and started to walk away. He the Bible school who worked in the We always sang happy numbers. said, “Aren’t you going to look at it?” diamond factory on Washington Street Even if we had to sing, “I’m On the I said, “No, whatever we’re worth, in Boston. So he took me into the Battlefield for My Lord,” it is a happy that’s it.” We got outside and opened factory and to his cage. He said: “Let song. Billie would run the bass line, it. Was I surprised. I would have never me pick it out for you.” So he picked I would play chords on the tiple, and asked for so much! out this nice diamond. I’m not sure Ruth would fill in the rest on the We would usually stay in people’s what it cost—I think about $50. accordion. homes. Ruth and I would get the guest I sent it to Ruth, but she didn’t Ruth was occasionally able to room and Billie would get the “guess want it at first. But her mother said, call on her classical music repertoire what.” In one place the guest room “He’s a man of God. I prayed for you, on the piano. For example, I would had stuff under the bed and the closets and I don’t want you to be out there mention that a certain song contained a were jammed. So we put a hanger entertaining. I want you to be in the hymn. The music referred to Finland’s over the door for our clothes. The house of God, worshiping and serving struggles: it’s war and then peace, and bed sank in the middle, so we wove a God, and I prayed for that.” So Ruth how the people had turned to God, rope through the springs and put in a married the “man of God.” and worshiped Him. At the end there blanket to make it kind of level. Billie and I had traveled as the is victory and the well-known hymn. We preached and ministered Sunshine Twins, and now we traveled Then she would play “Finlandia.” there, and they asked how everything as the Washington Trio. Most of the One summer in Hawthorne, was. We said, “fine.” When we went time when we would sing, Ruthie New Jersey, there were summer-long to the next place, we discovered the played the piano, Billie the guitar, and special meetings in a big pavilion rope and blanket weren’t in the car. I would play the tiple. with many well-known preachers and Our hosts must have been surprised In those days, people usually musicians participating. After we did when they went to make the bed.

Eddie and his brother Billie accepted Christ at a revival service conducted by Mabel and Charles Sweeney (left), better known as “Ma and Pa” Sweeney.

The Washington Quartet: Billie, Margaret, Ruth, and Eddie, 1946.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EDDIE WASHINGTON AND ZION BIBLE COLLEGE

12 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 wrecker and the car straight out. After Eddie and Ruth we went back to town, we counted the Washington, pennies. We were able to pay $2 or $3 1987. AGWM dollars to be pulled out. Photo After about 6 months traveling as a quartet, we separated. Margaret’s mother was sick, dying with cancer, and Margaret was expecting her first child. Billie and Margaret felt they needed to go home.* Ruth and I headed to the West Coast and continued as Eddie and Ruthie Washington. Well, I’ll tell you, when you look back and you see how God worked Later, churches began to have what you want. I just want a nice all the way through, it was “worth it apartments for the evangelists to come looking lady, and I want one that all.” It was because we just trusted and stay, or they’d put you in a motel. can play the piano and sing.” And God to take care of anything and We’d say, “Now, this is our house.” they said, “How long is it gonna everything—and that was it. We were We would ask them to leave a vacuum be?” I said: “He is preparing her, very dependent on Him from one day cleaner. We would make the bed, take getting her ready. When He gets to the next. We didn’t try to steal any care of the towels, and whatever was her ready, I’ll have her.” And that’s glory. needed to keep the place clean and what happened. And it was the When I was sixteen I looked up tidy. same way with Billie. We both and said, “Here, Lord, you can do If we’d go to a church that was got married within 6 months after anything You want, send me anywhere not well cared for, we’d clean up the meeting our wives. All of this had to You want, do anything You want with weeds, straighten the doors, wash be God’s leading and provision. me. I’m Your property. And I’m not the piano keys, and do whatever was The four of us started traveling gonna argue.” I think a lot of times needed to make the place ready for across the country with maybe $20. people don’t do that. They say Lord, the service. I remember when we were going to “I’m gonna follow You according to We traveled together about 3 years or so. We went back to Zion After 63 years of ministry, Eddie says, “What a so Ruth could play the piano at blessing to still look up and say, ‘Jesus, this is graduation. The next day our daughter Betty was born. Eddie,’ and know His way is higher and leads to a Billie met Margaret (now his good end.” wife) at the graduation. She had come to see some of her friends. Colorado and slid off the mountain my ways and my will and my wants.” Billie spotted Margaret and “set his road, and there were only pennies We never had that “We want to do,” trap and caught her.” He said: “You in the glove compartment. A bus but rather, “Lord, You can do anything wanna see the graduation?” When she stopped and picked us up. The driver You want with us. It’s OK.” said “Yeah,” he said: “I’ll save you a said, “The nearest town is 15 miles. Now, after 63 years of ministry seat.” He went in first and saved her They have a cabin with two rooms in as evangelist, pastor, and missionary, a seat at the end of the row. When she it, and a little restaurant. You might God has given me a great Sunday came in and sat down, he asked her: get it for the night.” school class of about a hundred “You like to travel?” She said, “Yeah.” We did stay there overnight. And seniors. What a blessing to still look He said: “Good! We’ll be traveling.” the next morning, I found a garage up and say, “Jesus, this is Eddie” and To tell the truth—this is what that operated a wrecker. We returned know His way is higher, and leads to we prayed for. Because we were to our stuck car, and the driver hooked a good end. single, everybody said, “You gotta on and began to pull. He pulled and ______get married.” And so we said, “ OK.” pulled, but he couldn’t get it out. Then *Billie and Margaret Washington continued in the ministry and currently I told them: “I just sent in my orders a big state snowplow came along, live in Eddington, Maine. Billie assists to the Lord, like you do for Sears and and the operators knew each other. his son, Randy, who pastors a Pentecostal Roebuck. You know, you just tell them So he hooked on and pulled both the church at Hudson, Maine.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 13 Reprinted with permission from The of her most recent mission trip to Chanute (KS) Tribune, Nov. 30, 2004. Kentucky. “I’m getting to do what my heart told me a long time ago.” As a 16-year-old teenager Pearl And it was Elva Johnson Hoover Alexander—listening to a visiting that planted that seed in Alexander’s missionary speaking at her church in heart during a mission meeting at an 1943—felt the call to be a missionary Assemblies of God church in Sedan. to the children living in the hills of The two never crossed paths again, Kentucky. until they met last Tuesday in Chanute. Sixty years would pass, but earlier “Sometimes you wonder if what this year that call became a reality for you’re doing is effective,” Hoover, now the now 77-year-old Alexander. And 85, said of the seed planted long ago. this past week she had the opportunity “You plant the seed, you leave and you to cross paths again with the missionary don’t know.” who had planted that seed deep in her Now she knows. heart six decades ago. Hoover, then Elva Johnson, was a “I’m thrilled,” Alexander said 24-year-old Kansas missionary serving in Kentucky when she spoke at the service attended by Alexander. Raised Pearl Alexander holds one of the in Coffeyville, Hoover had felt the children at the Galilean Children’s call herself to the Kentucky hills as a Home in Liberty, Kentucky. teenager in Bible school. “It was something I could not that made the greatest impact on resist or deny,” she said. “It was so Alexander. definite and so strong.” “I felt the Lord told me to go What she faced when she went to and help take care of the children,” minister in Kentucky in the late 1930s Alexander said. and early 1940s was a people poor but So she started getting ready. strong—and definitely opinionated. She enrolled in Bible school and “Either they were for you or they were received some nursing training. But against you,” she said. she ran out of money. Then she got As she recounted for Alexander married and raised a family. But the and the others at that 1943 meeting the seed remained, underneath, waiting to stories of her experiences, the vision sprout. and need were cast. “I prayed for Elva,” Alexander And caught. said. “All those years, I never forgot “This impacted her a lot more her.” than I ever knew,” Hoover said. It Or the call. Elva Hoover was Hoover’s stories of the children The seed began to break surface 14 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 when she went on a mission trip to Mexico with a team, led by Rick and Carol Sharp, from Living Word Assembly a couple of years ago. But this spring, the call to go to Kentucky stirred. When the phone rang one went back to her home church and This time she answered. night last fall, I thought one of our presented the need. Eight workers Her first trip, with her cousin, children might be calling. Instead, returned with her to conduct the Joyce McCormick of Yates Center, was what I heard was the unfamiliar VBS. in March. During that trip she met with voice of a woman I had never met. While in that area, Pearl learned church officials in Kentucky to assess Tentatively she established that I of Galilean Children’s Home, what services she might offer. was indeed the person she had operated by some Pentecostal In June she went back with a team been seeking to contact for many Mennonites. She visited the of eight from Living Word that ran a years. Pearl Alexander of Chanute, home, at Liberty, Kentucky, and Vacation Bible School for adults and Kansas, is now 77 years old. But 60 found them caring for about 60 children at Kings Chapel Assembly of years ago she had heard me speak children. Last October she and a God in Harlan, Ky. The church averages in a missions meeting about my coworker went there to assist on about 25 on a Sunday morning; the VBS work in the Kentucky Mountains. a temporary basis. Pearl feels had 97 people enrolled and averaged 79 During that meeting in Sedan, fulfilled, excited, and grateful to in attendance for the week. Kansas, God called Pearl to God for this opportunity. “It was very, very good,” she said. minister in Kentucky, and she felt it Pearl had called me to say she was to serve in a children’s home. had kept my name in her heart and In August she returned with (Apparently I had mentioned prayed for me all those 60 years, another team of eight, passing out the Hartshorn’s children’s home while she waited to fulfill her call. food and school supplies to children, in Carlisle, Kentucky. She She could not know that I have and working at the Galilean Children’s remembered the name of the often wondered if the seed sown in Home in Liberty, Ky. Then just last town.) In time she married and years long past had any influence. month, she returned to work at the had four children, but the call never If this could happen, then may Galilean Home. left her. Her children grew up not other seed also bear fruit in Cheri Bunch, who was part of knowing of her call and burden. its time, only to be revealed in the August team, started trying to Her husband died several years eternity? Keep sowing the seed put the final piece of this unfolding ago, the children are grown, and of the Word, at home, in teaching, puzzle together—locating, if possible, the call remained. wherever you find the soil! “They Hoover. She contacted the Kentucky that sow in tears shall reap in joy” After receiving conflicting reports, District leadership and was given (Psalm 126:5). Bunch finally learned that Hoover was the name of a pastor missionary living in Florida. She also learned that near Harlan, Kentucky. The pastor Elva Hoover in the 60 years since speaking at that received her and asked for help September 2004 missionary meeting, Hoover had gone in a Vacation Bible School. She on to plant several churches, receive her ordination, become an author and serve as National Director of Women’s Ministries for the Assemblies of God. With family living in Springfield, Mo., and Wichita, a trip back to Kansas to often wondered if the seed sown in years Pearl Alexander, 78, has lived in meet Alexander was planned. long past had any influence,” Hoover Chanute, Kansas, for more than 50 years The two met at Alexander’s home wrote in an article about Alexander. and attends Living Word Assembly. last Tuesday, with Hoover speaking “I call it delayed harvest,” Hoover She plans on returning to Kentucky to work in the orphanage mentioned in later that night at a women’s meeting said of Alexander’s new-found missions this story. Elva Johnson Hoover, 86, at Living Word Assembly of God in work. Lakeland, Florida, served as a missionary Chanute. And for Alexander, it’s a life-long in the Kentucky mountains beginning in And meeting Alexander is a call coming to fruition—and one that 1939. She was later employed at the reminder that—though delayed—the has just begun. Assemblies of God headquarters for 30 seed planted yielded a harvest. “I’m going to go back,” Alexander years, including her last 10 years as “She could not know that I have says. “I just don’t know when.” Women’s Ministries national director.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 15 When William A. McCann scanned ministry in Abilene with the GIs. “It much that they got together for two his congregation during World War II, he was the high point of my ministry,” he reunions during the 1980s. generally could count a high percentage said recently. “I saw them ship out and Pastor McCann and his wife live in of young men in khaki uniforms. The wanted to go with them.” Belton, Texas. reason was that close to his pastorate Assistant General Superintendent at First Assembly, Abilene, Texas, was Fred Vogler wrote on April 22, 1943, PHOTOS COURTESY OF a very busy Camp Barkley army base, commending McCann for his ministry WILLIAM McCANN which trained the infantry, artillery, and with personnel at Camp Barkley. “I medical troops for overseas duty. would judge that you are reaching Pastor McCann certainly didn’t more men of the armed forces than want the war, but it gave him many any other,” he wrote. “We only wish opportunities to reach men in his church, that we had many more pastors like street meetings, and at a Monday night minded.” Vogler added that he often chapel service on the base. With the used McCann as an example of what thousands who were dying around the could be done in ministering to the world, he knew he was preaching to armed forces. some young men who would not come Several soldiers later went into back. “I lost a number of boys in the the ministry, including Charles Green, war,” McCann says with a tear in his Paul Wells, and Claude White. Gurnice voice. Smith, at 82, is still serving as a school McCann, who celebrated his 90th administrator in Fresno, California. birthday in July, looks back more than The Camp Barkley soldiers and church 60 years ago and fondly remembers the personnel enjoyed the relationship so William A. McCann

16 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Abilene city buses advertised Fern Huffstutler’s meeting. The radio trio: Dorothy Puckett, Betty Wells, and Fran McCann.

Opposite page: The soldiers Sunday school class. In the front row, from the left, are Pastor McCann and his wife Frances (Steger) McCann, Evangelist Fern Huffstutler, and H. S. Earp.

Right: A group of Camp Barkley soldiers on the platform of First Assembly, Abilene, during World War II. Also on the left are Evangelist Fern Huffstutler and pastor William A. McCann. A Christ’s Ambassador’s (AG youth organization) banner can be seen in the back.

A mixed quartet: Nellie Thompson, Monday night chapel service at Camp Barkley. The army Charles Green, Paul Wells, and chaplain permitted First Assembly to conduct services Gurnice Smith. here each week. SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 17 WAYNE'S FAVORITES

By Wayne Warner

This article is a reprint from “The 1913 Worldwide Camp Meeting,” published in Heritage, Spring 1983.

Few people today who walk Arroyo Seco with fire burning in their was almost unbearable. through Arroyo Seco Park in Los hearts and a zeal to win the world for The Apostolic Faith promoted Angeles have any idea that this spot 92 Christ.1 the first meeting in the May 1907 years ago was the scene of a historic If anyone ever assembled to meet issue, describing Arroyo Seco as a Pentecostal camp meeting. God, it was this band of Pentecostals at place where “the air is fresh with the Other Pentecostals of the new Arroyo Seco in the spring of 1913. sea breeze which comes in from the movement had conducted regional Unfortunately, for all the positive distant ocean, and there is plenty of camp meetings throughout the United elements of the Worldwide Camp good water. You can pray there as loud States. But the promoters of this 1913 Meeting, historians remember it as as you like.”2 meeting had the faith and courage to the setting for a doctrinal view which A woman who lived in nearby call it the Apostolic Faith Worldwide later fractured the young Pentecostal Hermon, a Free Methodist settlement, Camp Meeting. movement into two major groups: the was told the meetings were of the As it turned out, it was truly an trinitarians and those who ascribed to devil. As the music and shouts of praise international event. what was later called oneness (also wafted up to her Hermon home, she Fred Griesinger of Los Angeles called Jesus Only and Jesus Name). thought to herself, “So that is the devil; was one of the last living attendees of That is a story in itself. well, the devil has some sweet singers.” that meeting. He clearly remembered She attended the meetings and received the exciting month-long happening. The First Camp Meeting the baptism in the Spirit.3 Hundreds of people flocked to Arroyo Pentecostal camp meetings at Seco from thousands of miles away. Arroyo Seco date back to the summer Preparing for a More than 200 ministers—many of of 1907, just a year after the Holy Spirit Historic Meeting them well-known in the Pentecostal was poured out on a group of saints in R. J. Scott, an early Azusa Mission movement—were there. A big 5000- a home and later at the Azusa Street worker, was one of the promoters of seat tent was set up on the temporary Mission. The camp meetings continued the Arroyo Seco meetings. In 1912 he Hallelujah Avenue. Scores of smaller on an irregular basis until about 1920. dreamed of another meeting for the tents formed a tent city around the In the beginning the camp spring of 1913 which would “gather larger tent. Many were saved, healed, meetings were started because the all- His saints together in one place and and baptized in the Spirit. And a great day meetings in the Azusa Mission deal with them, giving a unity and number of these early Pentecostals left were too crowded and the summer heat power that we have not yet known.”4

18 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Unknown to Scott, a powerful the storm was a prophetical sign that almost continuously for seven years, evangelist, Maria B. Woodworth- the meeting would fall short of Scott’s she was left alone in prayer. She said, Etter—who by this time was 69 years of unity expectations. Others would “A hand came and laid hold of the age—also felt led to bring Pentecostals probably blame the storm on the devil. middle of my back, and another hand together in a meeting of unity. Aside from the oneness element laid hold of the bottom of my spine; In the fall of 1912 Scott visited and a few other disagreements, the and in one short moment the vertebrae Dallas where Mrs. Woodworth-Etter camp meeting proved very successful. that had been telescoped were put into was preaching a tremendous 5-month Pentecostals who were unconcerned perfect position.”10 campaign for F. F. Bosworth and E. G. about the fine points of theology had There was no formal organization Birdsall. Scott watched as numerous a grand time in this “heaven-on-earth” at the Worldwide Camp Meeting. people were healed, many received atmosphere. Pentecostal periodicals However, several missionaries were the baptism in the Spirit, and hundreds around the world published favorable there, and a missionary offering of were converted. One girl who had been reports about the many who were saved, $4,140.55—plus jewelry and real blind for 12 years was healed in Scott’s baptized in the Spirit, and healed. estate—was received, demonstrating a presence.5 M. M. Pinson, who the next year sacrificial missionary spirit.11 That was enough for R. J. Scott. would become an executive presbyter He knew Sister Woodworth-Etter was with the newly-created Assemblies The New Issue the speaker he wanted for his super of God, described the camp as a Frank J. Ewart, one of the Los camp meeting the following spring. battlefield—the anointed saints doing Angeles ministers at the meeting and battle with later a pioneer The Saints Gather Satan. Pinson “This meeting was probably in the oneness at Arroyo Seco added that God the high-water mark in the m o v e m e n t , On Monday, April 14, 1913, was using Mrs. early Pentecostal revival.” acknowledged the day before the Worldwide Camp Wo o d w o r t h - that the camp Meeting opened, a freak storm blitzed Etter in a —David Reed meeting was Arroyo Seco, and for a half an hour the “blessed way in s u c c e s s f u l , area experienced thunder, snow, pea- laying on of hands and praying the with some 364 receiving the baptism size hail, and darkness.6 prayer of faith.”7 in the Spirit during the four weeks. Some could look back and say A. C. Valdez, Sr., was a teenager But he and others wanted something at the time of the 1913 meeting, and new, something more than Maria B. when he was in his 80’s he fondly Woodworth-Etter was preaching.12 looked back to the meeting. His family Ewart got what he wanted, set up a tent at the intersection of which he later described as a shot Praise and Glory. Valdez recalls that “destined to resound throughout all hundreds of children were saved and Christendom.”13 filled with the Spirit in the tent set up The “shot” was inadvertently for their services.8 fired by R. E. McAlister who, while Two children who would never speaking at a water baptismal service forget Arroyo Seco later became at the campground, stated that the well-known Pentecostal evangelists— apostles baptized their converts in the Watson Argue, Sr. and his sister Zelma. name of Jesus (Acts 2:38)—not with Both were filled with the Spirit here. the trinitarian formula of Matthew Years later Zelma recalled the camp 28:19. meeting, remembering how insistent After a missionary cautioned Mrs. Woodworth-Etter was that those McAlister about promoting this view, who were prayed for lift their hands in McAlister explained that he did not praise.9 feel using the trinitarian formula was Among the many who testified wrong. He simply preferred the shorter they were healed at Arroyo Seco was formula of Acts 2:38. Historian Carl Brumback described Alice Frodsham, wife of Stanley H. The issue was laid to rest until Evangelist Maria B. Woodworth- Frodsham who later was the editor of John G. Scheppe, a minister attending Etter as looking “just like your grandmother but who exercised the Pentecostal Evangel. After Mrs. the meeting, ran through the camp tremendous spiritual authority over Woodworth-Etter prayed for a severe before dawn one morning shouting that sin, disease, and demons.” back problem which had tortured Alice he had just received a new revelation.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 19 “Oh, this is like heaven to me; Yes, this is like heaven to me; I’ve crossed over Jordan to Canaan’s fair land, And this is like heaven to me.” —from Worldwide Camp Meeting songbook

The 32-page songbook used during the 1913 Los Angeles meeting.

Scheppe—who seemed to have would have been pleased. World-Wide Camp Meeting,” Word and disappeared from Pentecostal history The majority of those who streamed Witness, May 20, 1913, 1. Pinson added as quickly as he had arrived—told the from Arroyo Seco 92 years ago at the other notes about the meeting: a thousand startled campers that after spending the close of the Worldwide Camp Meeting people were camping on the grounds; night in prayer he was “given a glimpse were unaware of the controversies the 2,000 were attending week night services, and many more on Sundays. of the power of the name of Jesus.”14 meeting had produced. These people 8. A. C. Valdez. Fire on Azusa Street The “revelation” drove the campers were fired up. They were ready to (Costa Mesa, CA: Gift Publications, 1980), to their Bibles as they searched for more slay the giants. They were ready to 41-42. light concerning “the name of Jesus.” evangelize the world. 9. Zelma Argue, “Act Your Faith,” Frank J. Ewart was one of the more That made the Worldwide Camp Pentecostal Evangel, July 19, 1959, 8-9. earnest seekers. About a year later he Meeting worth everything. 10. Stanley H. Frodsham, Jesus Is began to teach that believers should be Victor (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing baptized with the shorter formula. Soon Notes House, 1930), 98. hundreds of people accepted the “new 1. Fred Griesinger attended the Azusa 11. “The Los Angeles Camp,” Word issue” teaching and were rebaptized Street Mission when he was a boy. He later and Witness, June 20, 1913, 4; and R. J. Scott and George B. Studd, “Missionary according to Acts 2:38. was a real estate commissioner for the state of California. He passed away in 1997. Offering at Los Angeles, Word and Witness, Thus began a separation among August 20, 1913, 4. Pentecostals which exists to this day.15 2. “Los Angeles Campmeeting of the Apostolic Faith Mission,” The Apostolic 12. Frank J. Ewart, The Phenomenon Faith, May 1907, 1. of Pentecost (St. Louis: Pentecostal Arroyo Seco Postmortem 3. “Everywhere Preaching the Word,” Publishing House, 1947), 76. Despite the controversies which The Apostolic Faith, September 1907, 1. 13. Ibid., 77. came during and after this 1913 4. R. J. Scott, “World Wide Apostolic 14. Vinson Synan, The Holiness- Worldwide Camp Meeting, R. J. Faith Camp Meeting,” Word and Witness, Pentecostal Movement (Grand Rapids, MI: Scott, George Studd, and Maria B. March 20, 1913, 1. Scott listed his name William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Woodworth-Etter could take comfort along with the name of George B. Studd, 1971), 154. the brother of C. T. Studd, as contact 15. For more on the “new issue” see in the fact that God met the needs Anointed to Serve, by William W. Menzies, of people. God used the meeting to people for the meeting. Both of these men later testified that they were healed in this available from the Gospel Publishing help spread the Pentecostal message. House; and David Reed’s chapter in the And indeed it was a meeting with meeting. 5. M. B. Woodworth-Etter, The Acts book below. international influence. David Reed of the Holy Ghost (Dallas: John F. Worley 16. David Reed, “Aspects of the called it “probably the high-water mark Pub. Co., 1912), 572-73. Origins of Oneness Pentecostalism,” in the early Pentecostal revival.”16 6. Los Angeles Times, April 15, Aspects of Pentecostal-Charismatic Had the three promoters lived 1913. Origins, ed. by Vinson Synan (Plainfield, long enough to hear this appraisal, they 7. M.M, Pinson, “From Los Angeles NJ: Logos International, 1975), 143.

20 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005

WAYNE'S FAVORITES

This article is reprinted of Grandmother Moise’s from Heritage, Spring 1986. prayers. They saw it happen too often. “There never seemed to The author is indebted to be a doubt in Grandmother’s many people who provided mind,” Wellborne added. information for this story. Maria Christina Gill Some of these deserve special Moise was reared in Virginia recognition: Virginia Rigdon, and never lost her southern United Pentecostal Historical charm and pleasant accent. Center; Betty Burnett, St. Louis; Born in Richmond in 1850, her James G. Sissom, Hazelwood, childhood was spent amid talk Missouri; Alice Reynolds of state’s rights, the slavery Flower, Springfield, Missouri; question, and later the actual and Mother Moise’s grandson, Civil War. She used to recall A. Wellborne Moise, Webster that her parents entertained Groves, Missouri. They each in their home Confederate contributed essential information President Jefferson Davis and to help us in this effort to General Robert E. Lee. recognize the gallant ministry of Reared in this noble Mother Mary Moise. southern environment, Mary was an unlikely mission PRONUNCIATION. The Moise worker candidate. However name should be pronounced Maria Christina Gill Moise she devoted half of her lifetime “Mo-eese,” rhyming with geese. to rescuing and loving the less as his grandmother and others literally fortunate in St. Louis. If A. Wellborne Moise would prayed in meals for a group of social Mary’s family belonged to the single out the outstanding quality in his outcasts and aspiring Pentecostal Episcopal Church, and she was still grandmother, Mary “Mother” Moise, ministers. an active member when she and her it would be living by faith. People “The table would be set,” Moise husband A. Wellborne Moise, moved around St. Louis between 1900-30 recalled in an interview in his Webster to St. Louis in the 1880s. would probably agree. Groves apartment, “and then they Her mission work began under Living by faith was essential if would say, ‘Now we have to pray for the famous Episcopal Bishop Daniel S. Mother Moise was to keep her ministries lunch.’ Everybody would get down and Tuttle. Young girls who were in the city operating, ministries which supported pray.” without funds or who had fallen into no fewer than four separate buildings Moise, a retired Ralston Purina prostitution gripped the heart of this in St.Louis at different times.1 executive, laughed as he fondly recalled southern lady. Her start as a volunteer Wellborne’s parents would often the answer to the prayer. “Before long worker in the Episcopal mission effort take him to visit Mother Moise at somebody would bring a lunch, and it eventually led her to operate her own her combination rescue mission, faith was always a good meal.” places of mercy. home, Bible training school, and This faith lifestyle always Mother Moise’s husband, Pentecostal motel at 2829 Washington astounded Wellborne’s staid Episcopal however, did not share his wife’s in St. Louis. Many times he watched family, but they didn’t doubt the power enthusiasm and concern for this

22 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 ministry. Albert Wellborne Moise was also from Richmond and had served as a lieutenant in the Confederate army. In St, Louis he established a collection agency and practiced law. When Mother Moise began devoting most of her spare time to her rescue ministry, an amicable separation between the two seemed inevitable. This was sometime after 1905 and after their children were reared. Their grandson, who was named after his grandfather, said, “She felt a call to the ministry, but he didn’t. She went one way, and he went another.” One way led to the city’s more fashionable addresses, high society and the good life. The other way led to drunks, prostitutes, other social outcasts in St. Louis, and the lightly regarded Pentecostals. The Moise Faith Home later became the Price Funeral Home in St. Louis, But the couple continued to talk, as seen in the 1980s. The building was razed in the 1990s, and Central Baptist Church now owns the property. their grandson recalls, and Mother Moise’s mission work benefited from Just when Mother Moise switched Missouri was “turned upside down” business people who had contacts with from the Episcopal Church to the and a Pentecostal church was planted.3 her husband. One firm which Moise Pentecostal faith is not clear. More About 1910 when Mother Barnes represented, the Lambert Pharmacy, than likely it was after Seeley Kinney was holding a tent meeting in St. Louis, often donated funds to the mission. established the first Pentecostal work she commented on those who would Mother Moise’s ministry was in St. Louis, which was in 1907. try to stop the Pentecostal revival. She recognized by the city. Often when In 1909 Mother Moise moved into said, “They are like a little yellow dog police officers picked up prostitutes on a big two-and-a-half-story brick house barking at the moon, but that old moon the street, they would parole them to at 2829 Washington, which was still a just keeps shining.” Mother Moise. Her work with wayward fairly fashionable neighborhood. The illustration brought conviction girls won for her a first prize in the Also about this time Leonore O. to a man sitting in the audience. He 1904 World’s Fair which was held in Barnes and her husband Victor moved stood to his feet and interrupted the St. Louis. into the Washington house. Nobody service: “Lady! Lady!” he cried, “I’m But people who were close knew Mrs. Barnes by Leonore. that little yellow dog.” to Mother Moise knew she wasn’t Everybody called her Mother Mary Then the stunned congregation working for the temporary recognition Barnes, and she is even listed this watched as Eli Fox Cunningham, a of society. She believed her call came way in the first Assemblies of God criminal lawyer, made his way to the from the Lord who said, “Go ye into ministerial directory. crude altar at the front. all the world, and preach the gospel A fiery evangelist, Mother Barnes That night the drunken to every creature” (Mark 16:15); and did “some powerful praying and Cunningham was converted. He threw who also said, “Inasmuch as ye have literally brought women in off the away his liquor bottles, sold his law done it unto one of the least of these street.”2 books, broke with immoral men and my brethren, ye have done it unto me” Mother Moise was actually women, and began preaching. Later he (Matthew 25:40). the superintendent but apparently became a pastor in the Assemblies of In 1905 Mother Moise established welcomed this new evangelistic voice God.4 the Door of Hope rescue mission at 215 for her mission. It was part-time help Some of the old-timers said ½ N. 13th Street and remained director at best because Mother Barnes was Mother Barnes “talked too much for a until 1908. Its inner-city location is frequently on the road in revival woman,” but Mother Moise was happy not far from the New Life Evangelism meetings. One of her more successful to have her help in a ministry that Center which serves down-and-outers meetings was held in Thayer, Missouri, required convicting sermons, love for and homeless today. in 1909, when that area of southwest social rejects, and a holy life.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 23 As a college student at Washington One of these was J. Roswell University, Wellborne Moise was Flower, a young preacher from shocked one day when his grandmother Indiana who had been praying for pointed out a woman in the home. “See the Pentecostal experience. He had that woman,” she said, “that’s Annie. I received an invitation to assist in a picked her up off of an ash heap. She church in Kansas City in 1909. Enroute was eaten up with syphilis.” to Kansas City he stopped by Mother Wellborne’s initial reaction was Moise’s faith home, about which he of unbelief as he wondered what Annie later wrote was “a Pentecostal rescue was doing in his grandmother’s house. work that was very wonderful to “But that was the kind of people she me.”5 helped,” he concluded. Flower spent an entire month at Wellborne also knew that his the home. One night he experienced grandmother would do everything the power of God on his life which possible to help Annie’s kind— he had sought for several months. spiritually and medically. Five years later he became one of the Mother Moise had no restrictions organizers of the Assemblies of God on the types of people who came and served as an executive officer for through the doors at 2829 Washington. many years. Her southern hospitality—coupled Mother Mary Barnes’s fiery preaching He would never forget that with a strong dose of discipline— helped bring down-and-outers off the spiritual experience in Mother Moise’s awaited people down on their luck, street and into the Moise Faith Home. faith home. prostitutes, people wanting prayer order of business. When the Assemblies of God and help for various needs, preachers “It’s me, Mother Moise,” Ben moved from Findlay, Ohio, to St. passing through the city, and future began to confess. “I’ve got 35 cents in Louis in 1915, Flower and others at the preachers. my pocket” (which he had not reported Assemblies of God headquarters got The future preachers received and was keeping for himself). After better acquainted with Mother Moise ministerial training under Mother Ben’s confession, it was reported that and her work. Alice Reynolds Flower, Moise’s leadership. The training might the blessings came again. J. Roswell’s wife, used to go to the have been heavy on street ministry and Brother Ben and Mother Moise Bethany Christian Home with Mother living by faith, but many would look later teamed up at another prayer time. Moise almost every week. At Bethany back with appreciation for the time Brother Ben suddenly jumped to his there were about 12 young women who they spent at Mother Moise’s faith feet and took Mother Moise’s hands, were being helped by Mother Moise home. saying, “Brother Urshan is going to be and her workers. “Dwelling in Beulah One of the future preachers who killed unless we pray.” Land,” Mrs. Flower remembers, was came to Mother Moise’s home was It was his Persian friend, a favorite song at Bethany. No doubt Ben Pemberton, or “Brother Ben” as Andrew Urshan, who had returned as these girls could sing this song with he was widely known. He was reared a missionary to his own country in real feeling, especially the first verse: on a farm in Illinois but was drawn about 1915—during the time of the to city life. A neighbor woman lent Armenian massacre. Mother Moise and Far away the noise of strife him $5 and suggested that he look up Brother Ben prayed until the burden Upon my ear is falling. Mother Moise when he arrived in St. seemed to lift. Later when they were But I know the sins of earth Louis. He took her advice, met Mother able to compare notes with Urshan, beset on every hand. Moise, and spent the next nine years at he told them that he was in great Doubt and fear of earth the Washington Street home. danger at the very time the two mission in vain to me are calling. Ben soon learned that Mother workers huddled in prayer in faraway None of these shall Moise prayed until the answers came. St. Louis. move me from Beulah Land. He also learned of the Moise policy of Brother Ben learned his basics in having everything in common. living by faith from one who had few Mrs. Flower described Mother Once during a prayer session, peers, Mother Mary Moise. Moise—who was 65 years of age in Mother Moise said that God was Pentecostal itinerants who came 1915—as a “dignified elderly woman” withholding His blessings because through St. Louis in the early years and one she highly respected.6 someone had failed Him. She seemed of this century knew they would be Among Mother Moise’s many to know a confession was the next welcomed at 2829 Washington. friends was Evangeline Booth, daughter

24 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 of the founder of the Salvation Army. Worker.”7 ministry after she was gone. The work Evangeline Booth was the director Mother Moise’s southern friends was continued for a few years under of the Salvation Army in the United and relatives, who couldn’t see the direction of Laura Weber. But by States and then became general in themselves doing the kind of work she 1940 the old house at 2829 Washington 1934. Whenever she came to St. Louis, did the last half of her life, must have had seen its last rescue work. It later she would find a warm welcome at been proud as they read the opening became the Gardner Funeral Home Mother Moise’s faith home. paragraph: and then the Price Funeral Home. The Neither of the women looked at “Mrs. Mary C. ‘Mother’ Moese building was razed in the 1990s, and the other as competition because they [sic], one of the most widely known Central Baptist Church now owns the both knew there were more social mission workers in the country, who property. outcasts than either could reach in their had befriended literally hundreds of Mother Moise and her husband lifetimes. wayward girls, died yesterday morning never reconciled their differences in One of these who was not reached at the Christian Rescue Home, 2829 life, but in death they are buried side in time was Dorothy Phillips. She was Washington Avenue.”8 by side at Valhalla Cemetery in St. a girl in St. Louis who killed herself The story went on to tell how she Louis. because she was alone and destitute. had founded a haven for homeless girls Pentecostals like to remember The girl’s story aroused widespread who could “come and find not only Mary C. Moise as one of the first social sympathy, and Mother Moise named a shelter but religious guidance.” workers in their history. Wayward girls mission in her memory. And the story supported her and other social outcasts remembered Apparently Mother Moise’s grandson’s assessment regarding her her fondly as Mother Moise, a godly efforts were spread too thin at the time faith life: “She founded her home, woman who loved them deeply when with the additional home. She could relying upon ‘faith’ to support it, nobody else cared. not raise enough money to pay off the and her faith was justified. People of mortgage and the home was sold. means, who heard of her work, gave Notes Mother Moise was associated with liberally to support it.” Pentecostals for the last 25 years of her When word reached Brother Ben 1. At different times she operated the life. During that time she accepted two that his spiritual mentor had died, Door of Hope, Bethany Christian Home, beliefs which raised some eyebrows he immediately went to Mother Dorothy Phillips Mission, the Pentecostal Training Home (which was later called the Christian Rescue Home). Her home on Mother Moise befriended literally hundreds Washington Avenue was often referred to of wayward girls and anybody else in need. as the “Faith Home.” 2. Bertha Lawrence Schneider, interview by Betty Burnett, 1983. and strained some friendships. Moise’s sons and asked for the 3. Harry E. Bowley, “The Great The first jolt came when she was privilege of preaching the funeral Ozark Mountains Revival,” Assemblies of God Heritage, Summer 1982, 1, 3. One rebaptized in “the name of Jesus,” message. Wellborne’s father was a of the converts in southwest Missouri was thus uniting with the Oneness wing little apprehensive since he knew Martha Childers who later traveled with of the Pentecostal movement. Later that Brother Ben was known to get Mother Barnes. Martha Childers became she accepted a strange fad which was emotional while he preached. But Mrs. A. E. Humbard, and is the mother of being preached in the 1920s. It was Ben assured the son that he wouldn’t Rex Humbard. the belief that Christians need never get carried away and embarrass the 4. Interviews with Herman Rose and die; all a person needed was faith to family. Carl O’Guin, 1986. live until Jesus returned. This latter The Episcopal Church also was 5. J. Roswell Flower, “Moved to doctrinal deviation even strained the invited to have a part in the service. Kansas City,” The Pentecost, April-May, friendship she had enjoyed with Ben But the part that Wellborne remembers 1909, 6. 6. Alice Reynolds Flower, telephone Pemberton. is Brother Ben’s sermon: “It was one conversation, 1984. But not even Mother Moise’s of the best funeral sermons I have ever 7. “‘Mother’ Moese [sic] Dies Here, strong faith could prevent her own heard.” Widely Known as Mission Worker” (“Was death. She died September 12, 1930, During her last illness Mother 80 Years Old—Founded Rescue Home for in her 80th year. A St. Louis newspaper Moise had time to think about the future Wayward Girls”), Globe-Democrat (St. gave considerable space in an article of the ministry she had established. Louis, MO), September 13, 1930, sec. 2, titled, “ ‘Mother’ Moese [sic] Dies She urged her friends and coworkers 12. Here, Widely Known as Mission to continue the spiritual and social 8. Ibid.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 25 WAYNE'S FAVORITES

This article is a reprint from the Fall 1986 issue of Heritage.

Lois Buffum Parker can close her songwriting and preaching—was The Old-fashioned Meeting eyes anytime she chooses and picture Herbert Buffum’s greatest gift. He In the City Where the Lamb is the her father hunched over a table in a could write a gospel song during a Light hotel room picking out a tune with his church service while hundreds of fingers on make-believe piano keys. people watched. And his song output Often Herbert Buffum would If Herbert Buffum couldn’t find a was staggering—a feat for which the stay up late or rise early to work on piano, he would improvise on a piece Los Angeles Times called him “The new songs. Lois recalls that he would of furniture to write a new gospel King of Gospel Song Writers.” Ripley’s sometimes awaken her early and tell song. He could always find middle C Believe It or Not claimed he once wrote her he had a new song which he wanted between the table leaves or the grains 12 songs in an hour?2 her to hear. Lois, at the time, would in the wood. In this rather unorthodox Even though Buffum has been rather have slept. “When your father manner, Buffum wrote many of his gone more than 65 years, many of has written thousands of songs,” she 10,000 songs—1,000 of which were his special songs remain popular. It explains, “you don’t get too excited published. probably has not been long since you over a new one.”3 Lois, who is the last surviving have heard at least one of these Buffum People who knew Herbert Buffum member of the Buffum evangelistic favorites: and his wife Lillie didn’t think of this family, remembers that the four evangelistic group without thinking children could climb all over their Lift Me Up Above the Shadows of their frequent travels. Settling in congenial father while he composed I’m Going Thro’, Jesus one place for a long period of time his songs. “We could do anything we I’m Going Higher was about as uncommon as receiving wanted while he was writing a new Across the Great Divide more than $5 for one of Herbert’s song except sing another song. That My Sheep Know My Voice compositions. Neither happened very would throw off his concentration.”1 When I Take My Vacation in often. Perhaps concentration—after Heaven Much of their life during the

26 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 first quarter of this century was spent new song based on the conversation he The Los Angeles Times editor- in rooming houses, churches, tents, had had with the man at the street car ialized at Buffum’s death in 1939 that train stations, and on the move. The stop. he was among the songwriters of the railroads and dusty or muddy roads of nation who did more for its people than Kansas became as familiar to them as I’ve been trav’ling for Jesus so those who made its laws. “What Stephen your hometown is to you. much of my life, Foster did for American folklore,” the One sweltering day in 1919 the I’ve been trav’ling on land and editorial stated, “Herbert Buffum did family returned to their home base on sea, for its homely religious sentiments; he in Topeka aboard the Rock Island But I’m counting on taking a trip expressed it in simple musical strains Railroad. Each of the family members to the sky, that all could understand.”4 struggled to get their luggage to a street That will be the last move for me. Herbert Buffum was born in car stop a half block away. There they Lafayette, Illinois, a farming community mopped their brows and waited for the It was a typical song for Buffum, about 30 miles southeast of Moline, in street car. a biblical thought coupled with his 1879. People who knew him during his While they waited, a friend personal experiences. He called the rebellious teen years, couldn’t dream stopped and struck up a conversation song “When I Make My Last Move.” that he would become an evangelist with the Buffums. When you visited the The great popularity of Buffum’s and songwriter. Buffums, the conversation invariably gospel songs during the first half of the His great ambition was to become got around to where they had been or 20th century can be seen by thumbing a stage star, and he pursued that career

The Herbert and Lillie Buffum family with Alice Kersey (later Mrs. A. R. Farley) in 1913. The children are from the left, Naomi, Herbert, Jr., and Ruth. Stephen Strang, founder and publisher of Charisma, is a grandson of Alice Kersey Farley. Courtesy of Lorna Medway

where they were going. Buffum told through old songbooks and sheet music in his teen years. Giving up his acting him that he had moved on an average produced by various publishers and career was the last thing he wanted to of once every 5 weeks during the musicians. Herbert Buffum’s name is do. After his family moved to Kansas, previous 15 years. on many of the songs, as creator of he attended Wesleyan University at “One of these days,” Buffum said both lyrics and music. Salina for a few months. He then took a with obvious assurance, “I’m going to He collaborated with his course in telegraphy when he was 17. make my last move.” contemporary songwriters, including Buffum moved to Southern Cal- Later in the old rooming house Charles Gabriel, Haldor Lillenas, ifornia because of his very bad health, they called home, Herbert Buffum sat Charles Tillman, D. M. Shanks, J. M. and doctors there told him he could do at the kitchen table and tapped out a Henson, and R. E. Winsett. no work, not even play the piano.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 27 Although his family had a once despised holiness movement, he she married him in 1899 he would Methodist background, Buffum had leaned toward them for other preaching become a prolific songwriter. built up a strong resentment against opportunities and maturity. In 1898, at And there was something else churches and especially holiness the age of 18, he received credentials she would learn: Herbert Buffum had believers. He did, however, consent to from the Church of the Nazarene. an insatiable desire to travel, that his attend a holiness camp meeting in Long While ministering in skid row ministry in one place was usually of Beach in 1897. Here he was converted missions, Herbert Buffum, the boy a short duration. He had a continuous and healed of extremely painful sores. preacher, met a person who would urge to reach other people in other The next step in his spiritual odyssey change his life forever. She was Lillie towns, and many of those people and was to surrender his life—including his Fasset. towns were far away from Lillie’s stage ambition—to the Lord. Lillie was born in 1876 at Ione, native California. Soon he was known as the boy California, near the mining town of Lillie would follow her husband preacher and began writing songs. “My Jackson. At a very young age, she was wherever he felt led to go, however, and Sheep Know My Voice” was written influenced by holiness preaching and she would strike out on her own while when he was only 18. practices which led her into the Free Herbert was ministering elsewhere or Buffum had no musical training, Methodist Church. By the time she confined to a bed in one of his frequent yet with self-instruction combined was 17 she was preaching in street sick spells. Lois remembered her with natural ability. he learned to play meetings. mother as a “tiny thing but dynamite in almost everything that had keys or After teaching school for 3 years, the pulpit.” strings. And his songwriting ministry Lillie felt an irresistible call into full- Lillie and the children wrote some flourished. time Christian work, and joined another songs, but it was Herbert Buffum who

The late Lois Buffum Parker with a Buffum family scrapbook. In 1985 she was living in Lake Elsinore, California, and attended First Assembly. Photo by Ellis Warner

He received brief ministerial woman to operate the Peniel Mission had the writing talent that would help training with the Volunteers of in Fresno during the late 1890s. That shape evangelical worship patterns America—an offshoot of the Salvation is how she became acquainted with early in the 20th century.5 Army—and this gave him an Herbert Buffum. Often his songs would be sold for opportunity to minister in skid row She knew of Herbert Buffum’s just enough to buy food and pay living missions in California. budding writing and speaking talents, expenses—usually for $5. If anyone Since he was converted in the but little could she realize that when made money on his creativity it would

28 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 be the publisher, not Buffum. wanted him to use. from his pen: His song ideas would come from The girl’s suggestion didn’t strike the ordinary things of life as in the the audience that night and received I’m going thro’, yes, I’m going previously related story about “When I only three votes. But Buffum could not thro’, Make My Last Move.” get the suggestion out of his mind. I’ll pay the price whatever others Another song idea was born while That night he let his creative talents do, he walked along a street in Kansas work with the title, and in the morning I’ll take the way with the Lord’s City. Buffum saw an airplane—not so he called his family around the piano to despised few, common then as they are today—flying introduce them to yet another song. I’m going thro’, Jesus, I’m going over the city. As he gazed into the sky, An interesting feature of “When thro’. he began to think about another song. I Take My Vacation in Heaven” is That plane was not so high; someday he would be going much higher to his heavenly home. “What Stephen Foster did for He began to put together words that seemed to flow easily: American folklore, Herbert Buffum did for its homely I’m going higher, yes, higher some day, religious sentiments.” I’m going higher to stay; Los Angeles Times Over the clouds and beyond the blue sky, Going where none ever sicken or that it also became a popular secular Evangelist Gypsy Smith often die. song. Buffum surrendered his rights sang this song, even adding a verse Loved ones to meet in the “Sweet for $100—probably the most he ever of his own. Countless believers would by and by,” received from any song—and the tell Buffum how the song had changed I’m going higher some day. copyright owners made thousands on their lives and had encouraged them recordings and sheet music. when in difficult circumstances. Years later when Delta Airlines At one time, “When I Take My Another song which was written was born in Memphis, company Vacation in Heaven” was the most to encourage believers is “Lift Me Up officials asked George Beverly Shea to requested song on missionary radio Above the Shadows,” a song which select a sacred song and sing it from a station HCJB, Quito, Ecuador. Buffum wrote following the death of plane on its inaugural flight. “I prayed Another song which Buffum his mother. This one and ‘“I’m Going about it,” Shea wrote, “and there was wrote in public and which became Thro’, Jesus” were probably his two only one logical song to sing, ‘I’m popular was “Across the Great Divide.” most popular songs. Going Higher Some Day.’”6 For many years it was published by the An old-fashioned tent revival Like the above song and “When Nazarene Publishing House. meeting in Whitfield, Kansas, was the I Make My Last Move,” many of One of the first songs Buffum inspiration for another popular song. Buffum’s compositions centered on ever wrote came as a result of his Buffum had left the tent and began to heaven. He often wrote about the failure in Salt Lake City. He had taken reminisce about the tent in which he sorrows and hard places here but his wife to minister at a mission in was converted many years before. emphasized the great hope believers the city, but after a few discouraging He began to write lines that would have in eternity. months returned to California. While keep the old-fashioned meetings fresh One of these songs is “When I aboard the western-bound train, he was in the minds of believers. Despite its Take My Vacation in Heaven.” This determined not to give up the ministry somewhat annoying repetitive lyrics, song title came from an 11-year-old and return to secular employment “The Old-Fashioned Meeting” caught girl who attended one of Buffum’s despite the failure in Salt Lake. on and became a favorite. And one of revival meetings in Huntington Beach, He began to write a song that the biggest promoters was Charles E. California. As was his practice, Buffum would underscore his determination: Fuller and his radio program, The Old- asked the congregation for suggested “I bade the world and its follies adieu, Fashioned Revival Hour. song titles so he could write a song I’ve started in Jesus and I’m going In 1923 during a low period in in their presence. He wrote the titles thro’.” his life, Buffum dropped out of the on a blackboard and then asked the Then the chorus, which no doubt ministry and took a job with a railroad congregation to vote on the one they every Pentecostal has sung, flowed shop in Topeka. In the meantime, Lillie

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 29 was having a great Pentecostal revival ‘friendly’ Methodist churches, the “Camp conveniences were limited,” in another part of Kansas. She wrote Buffums were often content to organize she recalled. “But what of it? The to her husband, telling him what great simply a county holiness association. Holy Spirit’s presence was in the things God was doing there. Where no local church was willing to camp confirming the Word with signs It made Buffum know more than accept their converts, they would form following.10 ever that he was out of the will of God. what was called a ‘class,’ receiving The Kill Creek camp later became In his typical response, Buffum wrote members officially into the faraway Los the Woodston-Alton Camp Ground and a song. The chorus goes, “You’re a Angeles congregation, and electing lay is still used by the Kansas District each million miles from the gates of peace people to be leaders of local Sunday summer. when you’re one step from God.” and weekday services.”7 Buffum’s inspirational songs He called it “When You’re One Step By 1913 the Buffums were were to encourage and draw men and From God,” and it too became popular members of the Churches of God in women to the Savior. By 1918 they and was used effectively in prison Christ.8 However, they did not join had conducted 130 revivals, mostly in ministries. the Assemblies of God in 1914 as did Kansas. Two years later their diaries From an artistic view, Herbert so many of the other ministers in that revealed that some 10,000 decisions Buffum considered his 1932 song “The organization. had been made in their meetings. Loveliness of Christ” as his best work. S. H. Patterson, district One young man who was An evangelist, Ruby James, used this superintendent of the Kansas District, converted later in Enid, Oklahoma, song to win a singing contest on an wanted to accept Lillie’s ordination credits Lillie Buffum with helping him NBC radio program, which was open in 1920. However, he was reluctant to make a decision for Christ, which to all types of songs—religious and do so because he said Herbert Buffum ultimately led him into an international secular. had been critical of the Assemblies of ministry. His name is Dr. Charles Blair, Here is the first verse of the God and their position on speaking in remembered as the long-time pastor of songwriter’s best work: tongues as the initial evidence for the Calvary Temple in Denver, Colorado. baptism in the Holy Spirit.9 It was 1937 and Blair was 17 Could we catch the glitter of the Lillie Buffum did become a years of age. He wandered into a dew or snowflake member of the Assemblies of God, church service—the first church service And remove the rainbow colors but there is no record that her husband he had ever been in—and listened as from the clouds, ever joined. His close association with Lloyd Johnson preached a salvation Add to these the brightness of the Aimee Semple McPherson and the message. sun or moonbeams Lillie Buffum had And the mantel, ministered in song during white, that mountain Buffum’s Favorites Included the service, and then when peaks enshroud; I’m Going Thro’, Jesus Johnson gave the altar Then, if we could call, she slipped back to catch the beauty of each I’m Going Higher where Blair sat with a pipe jewel My Sheep Know My Voice sticking out of his shirt Found on earth or in pocket. “Don’t you want the depths of briny sea When I Take My Vacation in Heaven to go forward?” she asked. Blend them all Lift Me Up Above the Shadows He did but didn’t know together in one mighty what he was supposed to prism The Old-fashioned Meeting do. Still, the Loveliness Lillie added, “I’ll of Christ is more to me. go with you if that will Foursquare Gospel during the 1920s make it easier.” Blair accepted the kind The Buffums remained in the and 30s—when the organizations invitation, walked to the front, and Church of the Nazarene during the first had limited fellowship—probably knelt at the altar next to Lillie. decade of the 20th century. Timothy L. didn’t help his relationship with the Later, Lillie gave him his first Smith, in Called Unto Holiness, the Assemblies of God. Bible and encouraged him to follow history of the denomination, described An associate of the Buffums the Lord.11 their mode of operation in spreading the for several years, Alice Kersey (later During his latter years, Herbert holiness message throughout Kansas, Farley), remembered the camp meeting Buffum was too sick to travel but not Missouri, and Oklahoma in 1901-2: which the Buffums started at Kill too sick to minister. He spent much “When their meetings were in Creek in Western Kansas in 1913. of his time on skid row, ministering to

30 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 The Buffum family in about 1911. Lois, who was born later, said her father could play anything that had strings or keys. Courtesy of Lorna Medway

drunks and other social outcasts. He songs. “His best legacy to humanity,” wrote many poems. Herbert Buffum, Jr. was back where he started 40 years an editorial writer for the Los Angeles wrote “Let’s Talk About Jesus.” earlier with the Volunteers of America. Times wrote, “is the number of hymns 6. Herbert Buffum, Jr., Above the Although he had little money he left behind him.”12 Shadows: Melodies of Treasure (Long himself, Buffum would often sacrifice Herbert Buffum’s “legacy to Beach, CA: the author, 1969), 4. 7. Timothy L. Smith, Called to help a less fortunate man to a good humanity” began about the turn of the Unto Holiness (Kansas City: Nazarene meal. century when he wrote, “I’ll pay the Publishing House, 1962), 146. And in the closing days of his life, price whatever others do.” 8. “Ordained Elders, Pastors, Herbert Buffum no doubt thought about He really meant it. Ministers, Evangelists and Missionaries of the many songs which he had written the Churches of God in Christ With Their on heaven. “I’m Going Higher,” the Notes Stations for 1914,” Word and Witness, Dec. song he had written on the streets of 20, 1913, 3. A group of white ministers Kansas City, must have crossed his 1. Taped interview with Lois Buffum received permission to use this organization mind more than once. Parker by Ellis Warner, June 1981, Long name from Bishop Charles Mason. Beach, California. Flower Pentecostal 9. S. H. Patterson, correspondence to Heritage Center. Other incidents in this J. W. Welch, June 1, 1920. I’m going higher, yes, higher some article are drawn from writings by the 10. Christ’s Ambassadors Department, day, Buffum family. Herbert Buffum wrote two The Harvester: The Historical Presentation I’m going higher to stay; books: The Holy Ghost Under the Old of the Kansas District (Wichita: Kansas Over the clouds and beyond the and New Testament (1913) and From Stage District of the Assemblies or God, 1955), blue sky, to Pulpit (3rd ed., 1913). He compiled a 43. Alice Kersey married A. R. Farley, an Going where none ever sicken or book of poetry in 1912. The Buffums also early minister in Kansas. Stephen Strang, die. published a Pentecostal paper, Gold Tried one of their grandsons, is publisher of Loved ones to meet in the “Sweet in the Fire. Charisma magazine. by and by,” 2. Los Angeles Times, Oct. 12, 1939. 11. Charles Blair, The Man Who Could Copy of cartoon from a Ripley’s Belive It I’m going higher some day. Do No Wrong (Lincoln. VA: Chosen Books, or Not. 1981), 44-48, and telephone conversation. 3. Parker, taped interview. 12. Los Angeles Times, Oct. 12, 1939. The “King of Gospel Song 4. Los Angeles Times, Oct. 12, 1939. Other newspapers carried his obituary, Writers” was only 59 when he died 5. Lillie Buffum wrote a song in 1932 including the New York Times and the St. in 1939. His life ended but not his titled “I’m Glad I Struck Oil.” She also Louis Post-Dispatch.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 31 WAYNE'S FAVORITES

By Wayne Warner

This feature appeared in the Winter 1987 issue of Heritage. The date was November 5, 1921, willing to do. competition with other regional winners and the place was St. Louis, Missouri, at The vital statistics on Edith Mae for a chance to win $1,000 in the U.S. the final night of the contest to find the Patterson Pennington tell us that she District. The other three districts were most beautiful girl in the United States. was born June 9, 1902, and died May Missouri, Illinois, and St. Louis. Nervous girls and family members held 16, 1974—a few days short of her 72nd Edith won the U.S. District prize in their breath as the judges announced birthday. October 1921, a month after a 15-year- that they had unanimously selected But that’s only the perimeters old high school girl from Washington, a 19-year-old Pine Bluff, Arkansas, of her life. What needs to be told, D.C., won a similar contest in Atlantic schoolteacher, Edith Mae Patterson. of course, are the events between City, New Jersey—the first Miss The long wait had finally ended. 1902 and 1974—especially the years America competition. More than 7,000 girls had entered following her unusual conversion After winning the district title, the contest with hopes of copping the which happened in a small Pentecostal Edith was automatically entered in the first prize, which besides the fame and church in Oklahoma City. That was in capital prize competition which carried opportunities to earn movie contracts, 1925 after she had made lots of money the honor as being the “Most Beautiful was worth $2,500. Girl in the U.S.” It isn’t often that a From 7,000 entries in 1921, But according to the judges, schoolteacher becomes an Edith Mae Pennington it was no contest. The newspaper instant celebrity. But it happened was judged the most beautiful told about the award the next to Edith Mae Patterson on that morning: memorable night 84 years ago in girl in the United States. “By a spontaneously November. unanimous decision of the judges Heritage readers who were around and gained fame from coast to coast. the $2500 capital prize, awarded to the in the early 1930s will remember this People around Pine Bluff, queen of all the beauties in the Globe- beauty queen winner by her married Arkansas, knew Edith’s parents, Arch Democrat’s $7100 beauty contest, goes name, Edith Mae Pennington. And and Julie Patterson, as hard-working to Miss Edith Mae Patterson of 106 they will remember that Edith gave up and God-fearing people. Arch was a Rutherford Place, Pine Bluff, Ark., a promising stage and movie career for foreman for the Cotton Belt Railroad, who is already first prize winner in the life of an itinerant Assemblies of but few people knew his name outside the United States District. With this God evangelist. of Jefferson County. announcement the Globe-Democrat Meetings Edith Mae Pennington Understand, though, that was ends its search among more than 7000 conducted across America were marked before his 19-year-old daughter entered girls who took part in the contest.”1 by big crowds and old-fashioned the St. Louis beauty contest. One of the judges, a prize-winning revivals that lasted as long as 10 weeks. Actually, Edith Mae had nothing sculptress, Nancy Coonsman Hahn, And when she told her life story— to do with entering the contest. Her said, “The most effective role in which “From the Footlights to the Light of the aunt, Mrs. W. J. Miller, read about the Edith could be cast would be that Cross”—hundreds were converted and contest in Pine Bluff’s Daily Graphic of Helen of Troy.... From the first, challenged to give up worldly pursuits and submitted Edith’s photograph. The her beauty arrested and compelled my to follow the humble man of Galilee. paper named Edith as a regional winner attention.”2 The crowds knew they were and submitted her photograph to the St. The judges were impressed with hearing one who was not asking them Louis Globe-Democrat, sponsors of Edith’s naturalness: “No rouge or to do something she herself was not the national contest. That put Edith in lipstick, eyebrows weren’t penciled 32 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 On the 25th anniversary of the beauty contest, the St. Louis Globe- Democrat ran a feature on Edith Mae Pennington. The paper published the photo on the left in their March 24, 1946 issue.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 33 Edith Mae Patterson after being named the most beautiful girl in the United States, November 5, 1921. Photo courtesy of St. Louis Mercantile Library Assn. nor pulled. Her lashes had no blacking began to deal with her heart, even while before she entered the little building. around their rims. She wasn’t chewing she worked toward a screen career. One The rebuke was all Edith needed. “I gum.”3 day Edith told her mother that she was tore the necklace from my throat,” Edith and her family and all of going to leave the entertainment field, she would say whenever she related Pine Bluff were on top of the world. that her desire for the stage and screen her life story, “and rushing to the altar Unknown to Edith, she was being were gone. I stripped off my fur coat and cast pulled into a lifestyle that she had never Her mother was delighted. “Edith, it at the feet of the benevolent-eyed known in Pine Bluff or at Rice Institute I have been waiting for you to say that,” preacher.”6 where she had attended for a year in she said. “I knew you would eventually The next day Edith sold her preparation for a teaching career. make that decision.”5 jewelry and donated the money to She would leave her beloved Sometime later Edith was drawn charity. That night she returned to the Lakeside School pupils in Pine Bluff to a Pentecostal church in Oklahoma little church, looking more like the and step into a world which she would City. Edith’s expensive mink coat, gold Pentecostals who sat around her, and later call a “modern Sodom.” earrings and bracelets, and diamond preached an impromptu sermon.7 At first Edith Patterson enjoyed rings marked her as one who didn’t The break was clear. Edith—as the fame and the excitement which frequent typical Pentecostal storefront she described it later—went from had jerked her away from Lakeside missions. Certainly she would never be “Movieland to Canaanland,” and School. Nearly 4,000 people wrote to mistaken for one of the altar workers or “From the Footlights to the Light of her, several of whom proposed to her. a Sunday school teacher. the Cross.” And she didn’t look back. The first year after winning the But there she sat in a Pentecostal Edith was later baptized in the award, Edith appeared on 101 stages church, hungry for an experience with Spirit and “received my divinely around the country. She developed an God. appointed call to preach the full act and was graciously welcomed into A woman member of the church gospel.”8 country clubs, honored at banquets, spotted the worldly-looking Edith Pentecostalism had snatched modeled expensive clothing and and knew from her appearance that someone from the entertainment world, jewelry, and was chauffeured in she belonged on her knees at an old- one who would become a big drawing expensive cars. fashioned altar. This worldly type, card and an effective evangelist. What But the Roaring Twenties for the woman probably reasoned as she more could they ask for in the ongoing Edith Patterson soon had a dull and approached Edith, needed the sledge struggle with evil forces! empty sound. “It was very exciting, hammer witnessing tactic. And so she A big question in the minds of a alluring, inviting, yet, I was far from immediately began to rebuke Edith for lot of people who knew Edith was how being happy and satisfied,” she wrote her worldliness. the folks in Pine Bluff would react to later.4 Others would have recoiled and the conversion. They had a chance to Hollywood promised great prizes stomped out of the church, but Edith see up close their former beauty winner to the young Pine Bluff native, but God had been on a spiritual search long when Edith returned to her hometown 34 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Beauty Revivalist Takes Larger Hall

Something new has broken out in Washington: a religious revival. It started at the Full Gospel Tabernacle, North Capitol and K Streets, which has been noted for its persistence in holding divine healing services. The pastor, the Rev. Harry L. Collier, has a passion for soul winning, the sort of passion that stirred Francis Xavier and John Wesley and Francis Asbury and Dwight L. Moody. In recent times this minister has had evangelists of one kind and another to come in and help him stir the embers of faith; but now he has one whom, after achieving fame on one field, has turned to another and is making quite a name for herself—Mrs. Edith Mae Pennington. Her immediate success at the Full Gospel Tabernacle has drawn people to that little chapel who never darkened its doors before. Nightly the crowds have grown until many are being turned away. —Washington (DC) Post, April 25, 1931

where she became an assistant pastor a divine call to preach. And she was of the denomination, for his advice at the Assembly of God, a position she willing to pay the price. There was no concerning the many invitations she kept for 2 years. other choice.10 was receiving to preach. Pine Bluff offered Edith a place The old Arkansas-Louisiana Evans, who was never known for of ministry, but down deep within District of the Assemblies of God his ecumenical bridge-building, told her heart was an urgency to expand ordained Edith on September 26, Edith there were enough Assemblies her borders, to preach in evangelistic 1930. She would remain with the of God churches to keep her busy meetings across the nation. Before denomination for 20 years, first as an “without going into undenominational that ministry could get off the ground, evangelist and then as the founding places.”12 however, she went through the agony pastor of a church in Shreveport, Edith, according to her daughter, of a marital separation. Louisiana. was invited to fill in at Angelus Temple She had earlier married her former Once Edith began holding (Foursquare), Los Angeles, during business manager, J. B. Pennington, evangelistic meetings, word traveled Aimee Semple McPherson’s absence. and had given birth to a daughter, Edith rapidly that a former beauty queen But she declined, saying that she Lorraine. Edith Lorraine wrote that with an effective Pentecostal ministry wished to remain in Assemblies of God her father was saved at one time but was turning some churches upside churches.13 chose not to follow Christ: “He seemed down. And she wasn’t getting the job In another letter to J. R. Evans, jealous of Mother’s love for the Lord done just on her beauty and personal Edith inquired about accepting meetings and also of her call into the ministry.”9 testimony—although people who saw in a large midwestern Assemblies To Edith Mae, forsaking the call and heard her rated her high in both of of God church whose pastor had of God on her life would be the worst those areas. previously been under investigation by thing she could do. She hoped and Some people, however, questioned the denomination. Evans saw no reason prayed that J. B. and she could minister whether a woman should preach. Edith why she shouldn’t accept the invitation together; but if it came down to either would answer with a question of her since the investigation had cleared the her marriage or the call, the call would own: “If God calls a woman to preach pastor. Evans added, however, that he come first. J. B. Pennington was not the gospel, and His blessings are upon had heard some rumors that the church interested in the ministry and walked her, ‘in confirming His Word with in question was lacking in a Pentecostal out of the lives of his wife and little signs following,’ whose right is it to spirit. “I trust,” he wrote, “that you will daughter. question her right to preach the gospel, give it to them pretty strong along the Edith Mae Pennington, like Aimee pastor a church, or lead a movement line of Pentecost.”14 Semple McPherson, Maria Woodworth- under God?”11 From the results Edith got from Etter, and the Pentecostal social worker Without a doubt, Edith’s loyalties her preaching in other churches, this Mary Moise (who also were married to were with the Assemblies of God. In church no doubt received a “pretty men who did not feel called to preach), the early 1930s she would frequently strong” dose of Pentecost. had accepted what she understood as write to J. R. Evans, general secretary Wherever Edith Mae Pennington SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 35 Edith Lorraine Pennington

Edith Mae Pennington with her Bible in 1964. preached during the Great Depression, Edith moved into the nation’s between 1930-36. One of the meetings reporters and photographers surrounded capital at the invitation of Harry Collier, in 1936 was in Shreveport, Louisiana. her for stories and pictures. They were pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle. Later, she announced that God wanted anxious to cover the young woman And the crowds came. Hundreds were her to establish a church in the city. who—as a St. Louis reporter described turned away from the church before the So, after traveling in evangelistic it—“traded a budding movie career for meetings were moved to the Masonic meetings for 7 strenuous years, the the pulpit;... swapped the stage for the Temple Auditorium. Here again, former beauty winner settled down to sawdust trail.”15 newspaper publicity drew hundreds of found Full Gospel Temple (Assembly Editors gave generous space for people to the church. of God) in 1937. She would travel Edith’s meetings, and consequently the Pastor Carl O’Guin was past 90 occasionally after founding the church, publicity put little-known Pentecostal years of age when he reported on the but most of her remaining years were churches on the map. In a St. Louis “landslide revival” Edith conducted spent with the local congregation.20 meeting in 1931, Pastor Henry Hoar at his Granite City, Illinois church in As far as many of the old-timers wrote that the meetings ran for 9 weeks. 1931. Conversions numbered 112, and who were in her meetings during Bethel Temple, where the meetings 105 were baptized in the Holy Spirit the Great Depression are concerned, were held, saw 330 converted, 125 during this 7-week meeting.18 there never will be another Edith baptized in the Spirit, and 110 join the The famous Glad Tidings Mae Pennington. She could attract church.16 Tabernacle in New York celebrated its the crowds and draw the net for Another 9-week meeting was 25th anniversary in 1932 with Edith as conversions. And few evangelists were held in Springfield, Missouri, at the the featured speaker in a revival series. as successful in leading believers into headquarters church, Central Assembly. A four-column photograph of Edith the Pentecostal experience. Many Jim Dutton, a 15-year-old Baptist at appeared in the New York Evening Pentecostal churches really didn’t get a the time, came to a service to see what Journal, accompanied by a story, good start until Edith Mae Pennington all the excitement was about. Dutton “Beauty Winner Forsakes Hollywood visited their cities. faithfully attended Central Assembly for the Pulpit.”19 Her critics said she was foolish until he passed away in 1996. In the Glad Tidings meeting, Edith to give up a promising career for the “I saw a whole row of people described herself as a “simple soul and ministry. Edith's answer: “The Light of under conviction,” Dutton recalled, a wanderer.” She doesn’t imitate other the Cross exceeded the bright lights of “and they all turned and kneeled to women evangelists, she added, but just the stage. I exchanged the glamour of receive Christ.”17 goes around “saving souls.” the world for the glory of the cross.”21 A second meeting at the church Edith Mae Pennington kept up her It’s pretty safe to add that she ran for 7 weeks. evangelistic pace from coast to coast never looked back.

36 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Notes 8. Pennington, From the Footlights, 18. Carl O'Guin, telephone interview, 7. Oct. 31, 1987. 1. “Miss Edith Mae Patterson 9. Edith Lorraine Pennington, letter 19. New York Evening Journal (May Awarded Grand Capital Prize as Most to author, Nov. 1, 1987. 4, 1932). Beautiful Girl in the U.S.,” St. Louis Globe 10. Both McPherson and Woodworth- 20. In Feb. 1950, Edith Mae Democrat (Nov. 6, 1921), sec. 3, 1. Edith Etter’s marriages ended in divorce. Mary Pennington—“with a tinge of regret”— would stress later that the contest was Moise opened a rescue mission in St. severed her relationship with the not in bathing suits. On March 24, 1946, Louis which brought a separation from her Assemblies of God. She wrote the general the newspaper ran a feature with seven husband (see AG Heritage, Spring 1986). secretary, J. Roswell Flower, stating that photographs in their Sunday supplement, 11. Pennington, Should Women she had no new “teaching, practices, or titled “Most Beautiful Girl in America—25 Preach the Gospel? (Shreveport, LA: Plant interpretation.” She added that God wanted Years Later.” of Renown, 1982), 19. her to separate from the Assemblies of 2. Ibid., 8. 12. J. R. Evans, letter to Edith Mae God and call her independent church, “The 3. Ibid., 1. Pennington, April 12, 1932. Plant of Renown” (Ez. 34:29). Flower 4. Edith Mae Pennington, From 13. Edith Lorraine Pennington, letter answered, saying that the Assemblies of the Footlights to the Light of the Cross to author, Nov. 1, 1987. God had considerable latitude for various (Shreveport, LA, n.d.), 4. 14. J. R. Evans, letter to Edith Mae types of ministries and saw no reason for 5. Ibid., 6. Pennington, September 5, 1933. Edith’s withdrawal. Others thought that the 6. “Beauty Winner Opens Revival 15. “Former Champion Beauty of church had embraced some of the Latter Service Here,” The Washington Herald Nation Is Evangelist Now,” St. Louis Globe- Rain teachings that were in wide use in (April 1931). Democrat (Oct. 10, 1930). Newspaper 1950. 7. Ibid. The Oklahoma City church coverage was during meeting at Granite Following Edith Mae Pennington’s was not the first Pentecostal church she City, Illinois. death in 1974, her daughter, Edith Lorraine had visited. According to her daughter, 16. Henry Hoar, “Marvelous Inflow Pennington, assumed the pastorate of the Edith Lorraine Pennington, in a letter to of Hundreds.,” Pentecostal Evangel (Nov. church. me Nov. 1, 1987, Edith attended a service 14, 1931), 16. 21. Pennington, From the Footlights, at Angelus Temple in Los Angeles and was 17. Jim Dutton, interview, Nov. 22, 7. healed of a goiter. 1987.

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This story is part 2 of the evangelistic meetings Morris Plotts conducted in south central Iowa early in the 1930s. They were published in the Spring and Summer 1988 issues of Heritage.

The tremendous success Morris Montezuma would be a resounding The pastor was none other than Plotts and his enthusiastic coworkers no. Conversions and other marvelous Charles Morris Plotts, and before he had experienced in an evangelistic acts happened in Montezuma, but could get out of Poweshiek County he crusade and church planting in New there would be no strong local church would serve 30 days in the local jail and Sharon, Iowa, and in other nearby planted in this county seat of Poweshiek have a 6-month sentence suspended. communities, led them to believe that County. No doubt Plotts’ critics in a similar effort could reap the same A Des Moines newspaper headline Montezuma and New Sharon were results anywhere. said it all: “JURY CONVICTS ready to take the jury out to dinner. Even Montezuma, Iowa? PASTOR IN AN IOWA TOWN. Found They had accomplished something Before winter would hit the Guilty of Making Nuisance at His nobody else had been able to do. They heartland in 1934, the answer from Meetings.”1 had temporarily, at least, knocked a

38 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Morris Plotts, in dark suit, awaits sometimes as late as 3 a.m. The by to get in on the excitement. sentencing in the packed Poweshiek musical instruments—consisting of a Plotts was forced to return to New County Courthouse, October 6, 1934. Seated with Plotts (l-r) are Harold cornet, a trombone, a xylophone, a Sharon until his attorney could file Raines, Frank Maudlin, and Carl Briney. banjo, other stringed instruments, and an application for dissolution of the Courtesy of Morris Plotts two pianos—kept people awake. Boyd temporary injunction. That matter was wheel off of the Plotts’ evangelism said he was disturbed by much loud taken care of 4 days later on July 27. wagon. yelling, screaming and shouting, and The constitutional rights of the Plotts opened his Montezuma the singing—which he described as “of evangelists were being violated, argued campaign in late May 1934—71years a jazz nature”—continued far into the the attorney in the application. To ago last spring. He took his tent and night.3 call the evangelist unorthodox was several musicians to Montezuma from A temporary writ of injunction ridiculous. Plotts and his coworkers Grinnell, Iowa, where he had just was issued and the meetings were were conducting “purely religious closed a 5-week meeting. halted until Plotts’ attorney could meetings, having for their sole After the tent was set up on a answer the charges. Perhaps one of the purpose the worship of God according vacant lot, crowds poured into town most offensive statements in the writ to the dictates of the conscience of the holders of the meetings and the worshippers attending them. That the The crusade attracted said meetings are held for sole purpose of furthering the teachings of the King hundreds to Montezuma Jame’s [sic] Version of the Holy Bible. during the summer of 1934. That at said meeting the only singing is of religious hymns as commonly and into the meetings just as they had was that the leaders of the meetings known and accepted by the established in other towns in south central Iowa. were accused of using jazz music, religious bodies of the land. That the All was going as planned. You could insult a Pentecostal in 1934 music at said meetings is produced by The meetings went on night and for his lack of musical talent, but you musical instruments of the commonly day with many reports of conversions, didn’t make the mistake of calling his accepted type.”4 healings, and baptisms in the Spirit. If music jazz. Jazz was the devil’s music; After several amendments and anything, the volunteer orchestra was the tent music belonged to the Lord. replies to Boyd’s original request were louder and more enthusiastic than it Another disturbance which the filed by both parties, a settlement was had been in other campaigns. meetings caused, according to Boyd, reached on July 30. Plotts and his party And Morris Plotts was gaining was the automobiles which he said raced agreed to move the meeting location respect as a pulpiteer, even from those at high speed back and forth between to a point at least ¼ of a mile away who disagreed with him on such things the business part of Montezuma and from an occupied dwelling. The only as the baptism in the Spirit and speaking the lot on which the tent was sitting. exception would be if permission was in tongues. No doubt his empathy Apparently the people in the cars did granted by persons living within the for sufferers had deepened; for just 3 not attend the meetings but only drove ¼-mile restriction. months before the Montezuma meeting opened, his own 9-month-old son had died as a result of a blocked bowel. The first legal objection to the Montezuma meetings came from a lawyer, R. W. Boyd, who lived four blocks from the tent site. Boyd filed a petition in equity, asking the court to halt the meetings. He named as defendants Plotts, Bruce Bachman, Eddie Manges, Patience Lewiston (later Hastie), Dick Johnson, John Williamson and Ben Hannon.2 This action touched off a legal sparring between Boyd and the revivalists for the rest of the summer. Boyd claimed the meetings began each night about 8 and ended Revival tent used by Morris Plotts at New Sharon, Iowa, in 1933.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 39 The meetings were moved to another location in Montezuma, but Joyful News in about 2 weeks later the tent was moved back to the original lot because the crowds were bigger there than they South Central Iowa were at the new lot. To say that R. W. Boyd was upset They had never seen Richard Arrowood. What started about the return of the tent to his anything like what was as weekly prayer meetings neighborhood is probably putting it too happening in the early 1930s in became Community Hope mildly. He quickly filed another legal south Central Iowa. Hundreds Assembly of God under the were saved and got right with ministry of Cary Van Kampen, action, renewing his original petition God and fellowmen. They began now business manager of the and asking that a temporary injunction to return stolen chickens and Iowa District. Van Kampen’s be issued preventing the evangelists cows. Evangelist Morris Plotts Pentecostal roots go right back to from holding meetings on the lot and told of one New Sharon man who New Sharon when his ancestors that the agreement reached on July drove several hundred miles just came into the New Sharon 30 be kept. The writ of injunction to return a stolen dog. Another revival more than 70 years ago. was granted.5 Despite the new legal returned a stolen gun to the town The new Montezuma maneuver, however, the meetings doctor. congregation began helping continued on the original lot. Everyone knew of Morris people in the community, Van While Boyd and the evangelist Plotts and his sweep through Kampen explained, “and the were keeping the civil court busy during Oskaloosa, New Sharon, church just ‘took off’.” Most of the August, something else was developing. Searsboro, and other Iowa people were unchurched. From A Poweshiek County grand jury was towns. a rented bank basement, the taking testimony from Montezuma Those who supported Plotts congregation bought their own citizens regarding the meetings. Most in his short-lived efforts to start building. of the people called to testify behind a church in Montezuma believed Todd Jones has his own closed doors said the meetings were that God judged the town when story involving people who care. noisy and kept them from sleeping. Plotts wound up in jail. It was When he was a young teen, his Others who lived nearby, however, resisting the Holy Spirit, Baptist father died. That’s when Des pastor Warren James believed. Moines’ Glad Tidings—whose would testify later at the trial that the In 1988 James said that he saw pastor at the time was the current meetings did not bother them, that tremendous results when he was district superintendent, Richard once they went into their houses they a boy of 11 as Plotts preached. Arrowood—reached out to help. could not hear the meetings. “Montezuma never has had Todd and his family were saved, Needless to say, a controversy was a spiritual revival since those and he prepared for the ministry. boiling in this central Iowa community, days,” James said. “A deadness Today he is the new pastor of the and someone would have a day in you wouldn’t believe.”* Montezuma church. court before long. If you hung around In recent years the nearby Morris Plotts, who died in John Phillips’ Barber Shop through New Sharon Assembly of God 1997, would be pleased to know one shave, you’d learn that. decided to try again to plant a that an Assembly of God of 100 Armed with testimony from 24 church in Montezuma and called people is now worshiping in its Montezuma citizens, the grand injury for a congregational vote in this own building in Montezuma, handed down indictments on August town of 1,400. The congregation Iowa. 29, 1934. Named were Morris Plotts, voted against the idea. Eddie Manges, and Bruce Bachman, *Velma James, Warren’s widow, But something has who were charged with causing a public told me in a telephone interview on happened within the past 2 nuisance. The game had changed from years. And that’s where we August 24, 2005, that her husband softball to hard ball, from the civil received the joyful news. was still pastor of the Baptist Church in Montezuma when he died in arena to the criminal. A group of people in the 2000 at the age of 77. Although The indictments stated that the area petitioned the Iowa District her husband wanted to remain of the Assemblies of God. “We defendants “helped in making, during anonymous in 1988, Mrs. James the night time, loud, offensive and need a strong witness in this gave permission to identify him town,” they told Superintendent because he is deceased. annoying noises, by loud talking, singing, shouting, yelling, and wailing, and by playing pianos, horns, banjoes

40 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 and other instruments, which loud musicians were jailed, several people noises were and are dangerous and who had attended the meetings offered disturbing to the health, peace and to raise the required $1,000 bail each. comfort of the public, and to the The kind offers were refused because common and public nuisance of Plotts believed the charges should the people of the State of Iowa, be dropped. The charges were not and to the people residing in that dropped, and for the next month the neighborhood.”6 three were tenants in the Poweshiek It appeared that something was County Jail. about to give in the Montezuma It is doubtful whether the jail ever impasse. had inmates before or since to compare Plotts, Manges, and Bachman with these three. Sheriff Mulcahy, were enjoying a peaceful dinner in a knowing that he didn’t have desperados friend’s farmhouse on that Wednesday, on his hands, issued an almost open- August 29, unaware that indictments door policy for visitors. He moved had been issued and that Sheriff D. A. Plotts and his two musicians to the top “Dinty” Mulcahy and a deputy were floor of the jail and permitted them to on their way to serve the criminal conduct services and entertain visitors. warrants for their arrest. An organ was brought in to beef up Mulcahy, who was a friend of the the orchestra, and the jail rocked with trio, would rather have been anyplace what one newspaper reporter called Morris and Neva Plotts. In later years they served as missionary else that day. Plotts remembers the “Pentecostal melodies.” evangelists in Africa. moment: “Sheriff Mulcahy appeared at Hundreds of people visited the jail the door with a paper in his hand, and during the month-long confinement. he was shaking from head to foot.” Plotts remembers that as many as 40 they were on a Sunday school picnic, After the sheriff told the three that people danced in the Spirit up and not behind bars. he had a warrant for their arrest, he down the corridors of the jail. Friends The attention the three received confided that he didn’t want to arrest showered them with food. “We thanked was often critical or humorous. A local them. “Boys,” he said, ‘‘I’ll turn my God for the food,” Plotts added, “and barber even published a poem on the back if you’ll run.”7 shared it with other inmates, the sheriff, incarceration: The arresting sheriff liked Some Shaver Plotts and his three musicians. We’ve shaved ‘em settin’ up in chairs “Boys,” he said, “Iʼll turn my And lyin’ down in bed, We’ve shaved ‘em when they were back, if youʼll run.” dyin’ Not wishing to become fugitives and the deputies. Some of the prisoners And after they were dead. from justice nor to get their friend were led to the Lord.”8 We’ve shaved ‘em runnin’ from the Dinty in serious trouble, Plotts, Through stories and photographs, law, Manges, and Bachman turned down newspapers throughout the state kept While they were out on bail, the suggestion. They would face the their readers current on the happenings But never before a Preacher charges. Besides, they didn’t think they in this modern Philippian jail scene. Locked up in the County Jail.9 had broken any laws, and surely no jury The Des Moines Tribune published an in the country—not even in Poweshiek article with this heading: The day the three were jailed, County—would convict them. Patience Lewiston (now Hastie), who So into the sheriff’s car they Religion vs. Night’s Sleep; was the piano player, called her pastor climbed, taking with them a guitar ‘Fight Is On’ in Montezuma at Perry, Iowa. R. E. McCaulley turned and banjo. As Mulcahy headed for the his Perry congregation over to others county jail, his three prisoners began A photograph accompanying the and sped to Montezuma. He preached to sing and play in the back seat. Dinty article shows Eddie Manges with a at the tent meetings while Plotts was in had served a lot of warrants in his day, banjo, Bruce Bachman with a guitar, jail.10 but never one like this. and Morris Plotts with an open Bible. One night a woman was baptized After the evangelist and his From their smiles you would think in the Spirit and then told the ecstatic

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 41 Iowa newspaper stories published during the time Plotts and his musicians were in jail. congregation that she had seen a vision. Christian Church during the service in Montezuma, Ia., the sunny spot of The three jailed evangelists, she said and then ushered the three back to Poweshiek County, many were jerked were kneeling at an old bench in the jail. and shaken on dance floors, not by jail. Standing over them was Jesus with About 2 weeks after the arrest, earth shocks but by the power of God.” His hands outstretched.11 Plotts wrote a letter to his board at the The writer, an O. Ballard, added that If there were any doubts about New Sharon Tabernacle. More than a he was proud of his hometown “since whose side the Lord was on, it should few people thought the letter read like they have gone on a paying basis for have been settled with that vision! one the Apostle Paul wrote from one of the Lord.”12 While the men awaited their his jail cells. (See letter at right.) Mary Cooper, Montezuma, fired trial, a woman who had become a Letters of support for the off a letter in which she told the regular attender at the tent services in imprisoned evangelist and his musicians editors that they were presenting a Montezuma died. The family asked the poured into area newspapers. A former one-sided account of the meetings. She court if Morris Plotts could conduct the Montezuma resident and in 1934 a claimed an investigation in Montezuma funeral. In perhaps an unprecedented pastor in Winterset, Iowa, wrote a revealed that only one person in 20 had move, Plotts and his two singers were stinging letter in which he looked at been disturbed by the meetings. People permitted to leave the jail long enough the times as the last days when Satan being disturbed? To the contrary, she to conduct the funeral. The sheriff and would be bound and his effectiveness wrote: “The people are enjoying every a deputy sat on the front row of the minimized: “It must be so because minute of the meetings and getting

42 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 great blessings from them.”13 “He is placing bets and hoping that the state That was the bad news. teaching the old time religion in its would win its case and force the The good news was that the jail fullness,” wrote Mrs. Carl Lateham, itinerant preachers out of Montezuma. sentence would be suspended based “and so much good has been done The answer everyone waited for on Plotts’ good behavior. The judge through his work.”14 came after the jury deliberated eight also paroled Plotts to Sheriff D. A. The jury trial for Plotts, Manges, hours on Tuesday. October 2. Bruce Mulcahy.16 Judge Patterson ruled and Bachman opened September 27, Bachman and Eddie Manges were that the meetings could continue in 1934, with a jam-packed court room. found not guilty. For Evangelist Plotts, Montezuma but that they would have The celebrated case drew attention the jury voted guilty as charged. to close earlier and Plotts would have to keep the meetings orderly and quiet. Hundreds visited the jail during High energy revival meetings in Montezuma for all practical purposes the month to take part in ended immediately following the trial. gospel services, which the Plotts stated he would pick up where he left off, but it would be somewhere sheriff encouraged. else. The meetings in Montezuma from the Des Moines papers and stories Bachman and Manges were elated were closed Sunday night, and Plotts buzzed along on the wire services. and shook hands with the jury. But returned to the friendlier city limits of Everybody knew about the case, and their friend and leader was sent back New Sharon. everybody was talking about it. to jail and would face sentencing In retrospect, 71 years after the Jury members were to determine the following Saturday. The freed Montezuma campaign, eyewitnesses whether the three defendants were musicians vowed they would return to offer interesting observations. guilty of making a nuisance or whether the tent that night and conduct a prayer Eddie Manges, who was living their music and worship were protected meeting for Plotts’ release. in Geyersville, California in 1988, by the U.S. Constitution. Witnesses In the meantime, Plotts’ attorney, believed the meetings were opposed on both sides of the issue presented E. K. Beckman, filed a motion for because people didn’t want to hear the confusing testimony, which naturally a new trial for his client, but it was Word of God. “Freight trains rumbled was affected by their own biases. denied. by the homes of some who objected to One witness described the noise On Saturday, Judge Patterson the meetings. And carnivals operated at the tent as “moaning like a woman sentenced Plotts to 6 months in the nearby. Both of these made more noise in pain,” and that “it sounded like they county jail and ordered that he pay than the meetings,” he said.”17 were killing someone over there.”15 costs of the prosecution in the amount A Baptist minister in Iowa, who Other witnesses for the state of $200. wished not to be identified, had high testified that the noise kept them awake. The defense countered with witnesses who denied that the noise at the services was excessive. A Prison Epistle Plotts ordered the choir to sing Greetings in Jesus’ Superintendent of the New louder because people couldn’t hear precious name! May God Sharon and Montezuma them on the other side of town, one bless you all for your loyalty assemblies and do confer witness said. Plotts explained that the in this time of distress. As upon him the power of choir had been singing half-heartedly pastor of the Tabernacle, I pastor. and that he was just encouraging them am earnestly requesting that This is necessary in to put more into their efforts. each and everyone of you order to avoid confusion and Through the course of the trial, stand together in one mind. misunderstanding. Trusting which continued for a week, the state And in every assembly there you will co-operate with me called 23 witnesses in an attempt to must be a central head of as you always have. I will prove that the defendants had caused authority. close. Pray for me. a nuisance in the city. The defense Since I am in jail and answered with 20 witnesses. How the unable to guide the affairs of A message Plotts wrote to his jury would respond to the evidence was the tabernacle, I am hereby church board at New Sharon, Iowa, while he was in the anybody’s guess. While Christians— appointing Brother Carl Montezuma jail. especially those who supported the Briney to act as General meetings—prayed, antagonists were

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 43 of Iowa, Poweshiek County, July 23, 1934. Looking back to 1934, a Baptist Williamson was owner of the property, and Hannon had leased it. The others named minister said Montezuma were participants in the meeting. Copy shut out the Holy Spirit. of court records in Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. praise for Plotts and his meetings other campaigns. She characterized the 3. Ibid. throughout south central Iowa. He even Plotts meetings as “old-time Pentecost.” 4. Application for Dissolution of felt that Montezuma shut out the Holy She added: “We can use some more of Temporary Injunction, July 27, 1934. Spirit when the people opposed the them today.”21 5. Amendment to Petition and meetings. According to the minister, Bruce Bachman, who returned to Application for Injunction; Writ of there were no movings of the Spirit New Sharon on the 50th anniversary Injunction, Aug, 13, 1934. since Plotts folded up his tent and left of the Assembly of God in 1984, 6. Indictment, The State of Iowa vs. M. C. Plotts, Eddie Manges, Bruce Bachman, town. The minister did admit, however, was still singing with a group in the Aug. 29, 1934. Other indictments handed that there were definitely extremes Chicago area, the “Soul Seekers,” in down at the same time named a horse thief, condoned and the noise at times was 1988. He wasn’t thrilled about being a forger, and a couple charged with the excessive.18 locked up in jail but felt the meetings illegal sale of beer. were blessed and souls were added to 7. Morris Plotts, telephone interview, the Kingdom. The experience didn’t Sept. 18, 1987. discourage him from participating in 8. Ibid. other Plotts campaigns.22 9. From a clipping. Newspaper And what about Morris Plotts? unidentified. Flower Pentecostal Heritage What did he think about the arrest and Center. 10. Patience Hastie, interview, May trial? Would he have done anything 18. 1988. McCaulley followed Plotts as different? “We had a lot of youthful pastor in New Sharon. enthusiasm in those days,” he said 11. Plotts, Sept. 18, 1987. during an interview. “If I had it to do 12. Des Moines Tribune clipping, over, I would have closed the meetings Oct. 1934. Flower Pentecostal Heritage earlier.”23 His wife, Neva, would no Center. doubt have concurred. 13. Ibid. Morris Plotts traveled around the 14. Ibid. world many times since those days in 15. Montezuma Republican, Oct. 4. Patience Lewiston Hastie, the group’s the small town of Montezuma, Iowa. 1934. 16. Judgment Entry, No. 15416, Oct. piano player. He served as a missionary evangelist 6, 1934. Vivian Warren, a convert in the on the continent of Africa, and for 17, Eddie Manges, telephone Montezuma meetings, remembered that many years he raised money to build interview, 1988. the Pentecostals at the time believed churches and Bible school buildings 18. Warren James, telephone God passed out judgment on the on mission fields. In June of 1988 he interview, 1988. Although James wished town after the meetings were closed. returned to Africa, at the age of 82, to to remain anonymous in 1988 when he The judgments cited were deaths, dedicate yet another building for the was still pastoring the Baptist Church, accidents, fires, and other tragedies Kingdom.24 his widow gave the author permission to which befell some who did not support In later years he still liked to identify him on Aug. 24, 2005. the meetings.19 talk about those tough days in Iowa 19. Vivian Warren, telephone interview, May 18, 1988. The piano player, Patience Hastie, during the Great Depression, but one 20. Patience Hastie, telephone, got excited as she reflected on the of his biggest disappointments is that interview, May 18, 1988. meetings. Without a hint of bitterness, he was unable to establish a church in 21. Vivian Warren, telephone she could remember the amazing Montezuma. interview, May 18. 1988. conversions despite the persecution. One thing is for certain. Nobody 22. Bruce Bachman, telephone She felt she missed going to jail because would ever accuse him of not trying. interview, 1988. the county didn’t have facilities for 23. Plotts, Sept. 18, 1987. women.20 Notes 24. Few of the people involved in Elizabeth DeGreef, who was the 1933-34 Iowa meetings are still living. 1. From an unidentified Des Moines pastor of the Assembly of God, Harvey, Many whose names are mentioned in the newspaper clipping, Oct. 3, 1934. Flower 1988 story are also deceased, including Iowa in 1988, did not attend the Pentecostal Heritage Center. Morris and Neva Plotts, Bruce Bachman, Montezuma meetings but did attend 2. Petition in Equity, District Court and Eddie Manges. 44 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005

WAYNE'S FAVORITES

This is the concluding part of a 2-part feature first published in Heritage, Summer and Fall 1989. It was Ralph Devin’s vision, which took the Evangel to Indonesia so the missionaries could use it in evangelism. He is shown at the wheel before leaving San Francisco.

Evangel Update Captain Robert Brougham was impressed with the verse, “Seek and ye puzzled. First Mate Hugh Baker was shall find.” Part 1 of this story, published in not carrying out his steering orders They tied up the Evangel, the summer 1989 issue, covered the which should move the Evangel out of borrowed a small boat, and rowed out Evangel’s trip from Seattle to Hawaii the Kwajalein Navy Base and on their to the reef which they had bumped. and to Kwajalein, in the western way toward New Guinea. Baker heard They knew the rudder was on the floor Pacific—some 2,100 miles SW of Hawaii. This concluding part picks the orders, but the Evangel would not of the sea, and they were confident that up the journey to Jakarta, Indonesia. respond to his steering. God would show them its location. The total trip took almost 5 months. It would not take long to find the As the men peered down through Ralph and Edna Devin were problem. the clear water of the lagoon, someone operating a Seattle furniture Baker dove over the stern into the spotted a reflecting object. It was the business in 1937 when they felt warm tropical waters while the crew rudder. Fortunately, the rudder had a call to missionary service in and passengers on the deck hoped for scraped the reef and was now reflecting Indonesia. But a missionary board the best. They had already stayed at the sun’s rays into the eyes of the men told them they were too old, had too Kwajalein far longer than planned. in the boat. many children, and that they would And they hadn’t yet reached the half- Finding the heavy bronze rudder never learn the language. Undaunted, the Devins went way point of their 10,400-mile trip to was one thing, but getting it to the out as independent missionaries Jakarta, their final destination. surface was another matter. in 1938 and established a mission. When Baker climbed back onto They returned to the navy base and They were forced to flee because the Evangel’s deck the crew’s worst paid a visit to the commanding officer. of the Japanese invasion in 1942. fears were confirmed. The Evangel’s When he heard about the rudder which After the war in 1945, they returned rudder was missing! had been lost and now was found, he to Indonesia, this time under The bump of a coral reef in the authorized the use of a navy crane, Assemblies of God appointment. lagoon the day before, which seemed commonly called a “cherry picker,” Ralph Devin saw the need minor at the time, had knocked off the to pull the rudder out of the water and for a boat to evangelize the many islands in Indonesia and the 500-lb. rudder. The missionary leader to repair the boat so it could get on its Spice Islands. With approval from Ralph Devin and his passengers were way. the Division of Foreign Missions obviously thankful that the rudder had The Navy officers and men (now the Assemblies of God World not fallen off in the ocean. But the bad stationed on Kwajalein already had Missions), he purchased a 100-foot news was that it was somewhere in kindly given their time, provided surplus army air-sea rescue boat in about 35’ of water. supplies, and offered technical Seattle. With 15 crew members and As friendly and helpful as the assistance. Ralph Devin wrote to Noel passengers, the boat left Seattle Kwajalein Navy personnel had been, Perkin and told of the Navy’s help. August 8, 1950, and arrived in they were anything but optimistic. “Their kindness and support were Jakarta, Indonesia, January 1, 1951. “You’ll never find it,” they said. gratefully accepted.” This article describes the courage and sacrifice these But the crew and passengers were But the 5 weeks on Kwajalein missionaries demonstrated to help not willing to give up that easily. As was far longer than they expected to Devin make his dream come true. they prayed for direction, they were stay. “Everyone is well,” Devin assured

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 47 The Evangel docked in San Francisco with Ralph Devin on steps, shortly before the crew left for Indonesia.

Perkin, “and we are all anxious to be well acquainted with the crew and just so they could give their newfound on our way but must have patience.”1 passengers and often brought them Christian brothers and sisters a proper After the rudder was repaired and pastry from the PX. send-off. reinstalled, the Evangel sailed out of “They finally agreed to let me None would ever forget the Kwajalein the second time. But it wasn’t ride if I would work in the galley,” he emotion-packed departure. Tears long before more trouble came to light. laughs. “My job was drying dishes.” f1owed freely as believers aboard the The transmission began to throw out Working in the galley was not Evangel and in the small crafts below oil. It was either take a chance on without risks. One time Lyons opened joined in singing, “God Be With You reaching another distant port or return the refrigerator just as a big wave hit Till We Meet Again.” to Kwajalein. They chose to return to the boat. JELL-O®, which had not set, Nobody cared that there was no Kwajalein where the transmission was poured into his shoes. He remembers orchestra or that some voices were repaired. too that they awoke one morning to in English and the others in a native The 5-week unscheduled layover find a dead flying fish on the piano. The tongue. They knew heaven was near. in Kwajalein gave Evangel personnel fish obviously was unaware that the And if anyone aboard the Evangel an opportunity to meet an American Evangel had moved into its domain.2 had questioned the wisdom of making adventurer, 25-year-old Vic Lyons, One of the other blessings in the the detour of Kusaie, it was forgotten who was hitchhiking around the world. Kwajalein stop was meeting Eleanor as Captain Brougham pointed the bow Lyons, who is now a schoolteacher in Wilson, a 55-year-old missionary from toward Lae, New Guinea. Murphys, California, had been waiting Boston’s Park Street Church. She had Just as the crew and passengers for a boat to come into Kwajalein her own sailing schooner, the 65-foot settled down and began to enjoy the which might take him toward the west. Morning Star, which a native crew voyage off the island of Feni east of In the meantime he was managing a operated out of Kusaie, in the Caroline New Ireland in water “smooth as a military PX. Islands, 400 miles from Kwajalein.3 lake,” one of the two diesel engines When Lyons read in a Honolulu She invited Devin and his party began to get noisy. paper that the Evangel was on its way to stop by Kusaie for a day to minister Brougham ordered the crew to to Kwajalein. he was at the harbor to her congregation, which they did. shut it off and navigate with the one when Devin’s crew dropped anchor. The natives on Kusaie were so pleased, good engine. Nobody had to tell the “I asked for a ride to Jakarta,” they showered the Americans with 38 crew and passengers to pray for help he relates, “but Mr. Devin told me the stocks of bananas and several boxes of again—this time that they would make Evangel was a missionary boat and other fresh fruit. it into Finchhaven, a PT boat base would not take on passengers.” The Evangel left Kusaie the next during World War II. Lyons wasn’t discouraged and evening as the sun dipped low across Later Ralph Devin wrote to Noel believed he would eventually find a the Pacific. Along side the Evangel Perkin, director of Foreign Missions, way to get on the Evangel. He hecame natives paddled their own small boats telling him that all of the men had 48 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 L-r: Thalia Devin Brougham, Robert Brougham, Ralph Devin, and R. Morris Devin on pier at San Francisco before departure.

worked on the engines—which was repair list mechanics gave them. A home port of Seattle and pushed into not an easy chore in the tropical heat. hole in the top of a piston rendered the Pacific Ocean. They were 2 months “Anyone of us could tear them down,” it useless. Piston rings were gummed overdue and there were still more he boasted, “and rebuild them at any and others cracked. One of the blower problems ahead before they would time.”4 (supercharger) rotors was ruined. All arrive in Jakarta. Skills required for missionary of the parts were available except the With the end of the journey almost service had just taken on new levels of blower rotor, which had to be ordered. within sight, the tired Evangel crew and consideration. After inquiring, however, the passengers sailed up the north coast On the last afternoon before Evangel crew learned of a man who of New Guinea to Hollandia, then to arriving at Finchhaven, the one working salvaged parts from World War II Manokwari, and on to Sorong. Before engine began building up pressure in equipment that had been left on the arriving in Sorong, the Evangel had the crankcase and discharging vaporous islands. Again they believed their its mettle tested again when a tropical smoke through the oil fill pipe. prayers were answered when it was storm took dead aim on the little speck It was more than Devin’s learned that the salvage yard had just bobbing on the South Pacific. missionary sailors could hope to repair the blower rotor the Evangel needed. Nearly everyone was sea sick after at sea. The salvage man had a second rotor the Manokwari to Sorong trip, but the If ever a boat limped into harbor which he sold to Devin for a spare worst was yet to come. That’s when it on a sputter and a prayer, it was the (which was used later). was learned that Ralph Devin had picked Evangel. But the crew’s relief at getting The reasonable price Devin paid up malaria—probably at Hollandia. the crippled boat to Finchhaven soon for the rotors was another blessing— The day he was discharged from the turned to more anxiety, for they soon half the going rate of similar parts in Sorong hospital, Bob Brougham was learned that the base was deserted and Dreger Bay—Devin’s sailing budget admitted, also with malaria. that the ship repair shops had been began running in the red before they When the doctors heard that the moved to Dreger Bay. had left Kwajalein. Evangel was trying to get to Jakarta So the Evangel backtracked Ten days later, with the Evangel for a ministers meeting, they released to Dreger where a pilot was taken finally operating on all 12 cylinders Brougham on the condition he would aboard to steer the boat into the tricky again, the weary travelers cruised to stay in bed. harbor. Then came more unexpected Lae, a port city on the east side of Because of Brougham’s sickness, news. The crew and passengers were Papua New Guinea. Here the Harold he was not able to check out details of quarantined until they could have their Sellers family disembarked on what the boat (as he normally did) before shots updated. must have seemed to them like walking they sailed out of Sorong for Ambon, Devin and his crew knew the out of prison. Indonesia. And nobody else thought to Evangel needed more than a tuneup, It was now December—four look at the fresh water tanks. On the but they were not ready for the major months after the Evangel had left its first day out of Sorong, the Evangel ran SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 49 A Honolulu Star-Bulletin photographer shot this photo as the Evangel stopped for a few days. Here the engineer decided he wasn’t ready for the high seas and returned to California.

out of fresh water. Rather than return person aboard the Evangel was the There were missions established to Sorong, the decision was made to pregnant Thalia Brougham. Three that would not have come into existence survive on bottled pop and other liquids weeks after the Evangel docked in without the use of the Evangel. they had aboard. Jakarta, she gave birth to their first The Dutch had rules that prohibited Water never tasted so good as it child Kerry, who now lives in San movement from one place to another did in Ambon. Francisco.5 unless one had a place to stay in Docking the Evangel at Ambon In trying to assess the value of advance. The Evangel could sleep 24, was not as simple as Devin and the Evangel on its short-lived ministry so the Dutch law was circumvented; Brougham thought it would be. of about 4 years, the surviving people like the turtle, the Evangel carried its Since the Dutch were still involved have negative and positive house with it. entrenched in the country, nationals views on the effort. Nationals soon learned that the suspected that Devin and his crew The Division of Foreign Missions Evangel, a former military boat, now were running guns for the Dutch. They took risks in getting her to Indonesia, brought peace and good will and the were arrested and the Evangel was some argue, and if Secretary Noel people aboard knew about One who impounded. Three rifles on board, Perkin could have rolled the clock could forgive sins and give eternal life. which had already been officially back to 1950, the Evangel would have The Evangel’s supporters looked at the declared, were seized, and the boat remained in Seattle.6 positive public relations for Assemblies was searched several times. Other critics say that the Bible of God missions as something you Finally the Americans were school idea—teaching Bible School couldn’t buy with Yankee dollars. released and ordered to report to a students on the boat and then sending The Evangel’s brief mission military officer when they arrived in them out to Evangelize the islands— ended in 1954 when the Assemblies of Jakarta—who summarily dismissed didn’t work because both students and God agreed to sell it to the Indonesian the charges. faculty got sea sick. police. The Evangel crew and passengers The Evangel was running more Edna Devin was disappointed that celebrated Christmas 1950 at sea on the errands for the government, it was also “Springfield” sold the boat. “We regret final leg of the long journey somewhere argued, than it was for missions. that a real opportunity has not been between Ambon and Jakarta. Her critics said that it was too given the Evangel,” she wrote to Perkin, Celebrating though is hardly the expensive for value received. Expensive “to fulfill its ‘call’ to Indonesia, as word to use. repairs and high upkeep, and the fact there are hundreds of places untouched While traveling on a very smooth that more commercial boats began to by the Gospel.”7 Java Sea, everyone was sick. They later ply the waters between the islands, No doubt the Evangel’s ministry learned that they had been poisoned by made the Evangel expendable. would have been longer had it not spoiled chicken. But the defense had its points been for the unexpected death of Ralph Probably the most uncomfortable too. Devin, the man who carried the burden

50 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Captain Robert Brougham with three Kate-Kate (Indonesian) Bible school students who were trained as Evangel crewmen. Brougham, Ralph Devin’s son-in-law, later piloted a plane for the Christian and Missionary After a long, 5-month journey—2 months Alliance and worked for U.S. embassies. overdue—across the Pacific, the Evangel is tied up in a harbor, possibly in Jakarta. for its ministry. While on a mission to a daughter Shirley and her husband John Notes nearby island he suffered a heart attack Tinsman were appointed to Indonesia and died July 18, 1951, only 7 months in 1945 and served for 10 years. Morris, 1. Letter, Ralph Devin to Noel Perkin, after the Evangel arrived in Jakarta. who sailed on the Evangel and later from Kwajalein, Oct. 29, 1950. Devin’s death shocked the was captain, has spent most of his life 2. My telephone call with Vic Lyons, June 7. 1989. Lyons said the Evangel crew Division of Foreign Missions and in Indonesia—first as a missionary’s and passengers enjoyed more harmony Perkin expressed his sorrow. “I know kid and then as a missionary. than he had seen on other ships. he worked very hard,” he wrote to Edna The Devin third generation took 3. Eleanor Wilson later pastored in Devin, “and showed great courage up the torch when Morris and Joyce’s Hawaii, and older members of Boston’s in pioneering in that new realm [the daughter Laurel and her husband Park Street Church fondly remember her Evangel’s ministry]. We shall miss him Richard J. Ellis became Assemblies as a dedicated missionary. My telephone terribly in the work.”8 of God missionaries to Ecuador in conversation with personnel in Park Street The argument over the Evangel’s 1984. Ralph and Edna Devin would be Missions Department. value will never be settled—even pleased but probably not surprised. 4. Letter, Ralph Devin to Noel Perkin, among Devin’s descendants. Indonesia is enjoying revival today Nov. 28, 1950. 5. She could well remember that her But nobody will question the due in part to the sacrificial service of mother, Edna Devin, had given birth to a personal impact that the former Seattle pioneer missionaries who were on the baby aboard another boat when the Devins furniture dealer made in Indonesia. He field by 1950. This honor roll includes were fleeing the Japanese in 1942. See part was too old, had too many children, and Ralph and Edna Devin, Kenneth and 1 (Heritage, Summer 1989). would never learn the Malay language, Gladys Short, R. A. and Beryl Busby, 6. No doubt Devin would have found he was told in 1937. John and Shirley Tinsman, Harold some way to buy the Evangel and sail it But he went out by faith, and Jean Carlblom, Harold and Helen to Indonesia on his own had the Division established a mission, learned to speak Skoog, and Margaret Brown. of Foreign Missions (DFM) rejected the like a national, survived the Japanese Their courage and dedication idea. invasion, and returned after World War shows up in many ways but probably 7. Excerpt from a letter in Edna Devin’s file, DFM. Recipient’s name not II to help expand the Assemblies of more dramatically in Ralph Devin’s on excerpt. God work in the islands. Evangel project. 8. Letter, Noel Perkin to Edna Devin, Maynard Ketcham, former They will not be forgotten. Their July 19, 1951. missionary to India and Far East field efforts were not in vain. 9. Maynard Ketcham, Tigers That secretary, described Edna Devin as Talk (Charlotte, NC: Heritage Village “faithful, pioneering, and courageous.”9 PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT Church and Missionary Fellowship, Inc., BROUGHAM, MORRIS DEVIN, 1979), 88. She remained under missionary ASSEMBLIES OF GOD WORLD appointment until 1964 and joined her MISSIONS, AND HONOLULU STAR- husband in death, May 15, 1982. Their BULLETIN

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 51 Researching Albert and Mabel Could it be from Azusa Street? reference to him as “pastor” in 1911. Atwater Weaver 2. The second significant point So I am piecing things together. I recently received two items from is that they refer to the pastor in The Weavers are married in New the archives that have given me new Springfield as a CMA pastor named York in 1893 and stay there until information that is very exciting. As “Brother Cullen”—I have been working about 1899. Albert associates with A. I said before I was looking for the on this project for the last 18 months B. Simpson and Dr. Schauffler in New connection between Mabel and Albert and this is the first reference I have York. Church is built and dedicated Weaver and Azusa Street as the story found for any “pastor” associated with 1905; A. B. Simpson officiates. Mabel was that at least Mabel had been there. the church before 1922. This is very (and probably Albert) Weaver go to 1. I ordered the Azusa Papers exciting. The book says that “Bro. Glad Tidings ca. 1907, experience Pen- and the book Azusa Street by Frank Cullen” was reassigned by the CMA tecost. Bro. Cullen is pastor in 1908. Bartleman. In the Bartleman book there to Oregon where he died in a drowning Albert Weaver is “Pastor” in 1911. are two references to “Sister Weaver” accident. Do you know if the CMA None of this was known to anyone in Springfield, Mass. Bartleman and has an archives? Would it be through at the church until the last few weeks. [E. J.] Boehmer stop there to preach Nyack college? I would love to track Hopefully through the CMA we might on what is called their second trip East. down Bro Cullen. [Since this writing, track done some other early pastors. What is interesting is that they refer Brad Martin has contacted the C&MA Best wishes and thanks for all to the church as a CMA church—and Archives and found information on your help. Any other thoughts or advice while we have a connection with A Thomas A. Cullen and other C&MA would be much appreciated. B. Simpson, this is the first historical ministers associated with the church.] Brad Martin record of the church being CMA. They 3. The third point confirms a Springfield, Massachusetts also refer to “Rockrimmon” which suspicion I had about Albert Weaver. was the large Atwater mansion in As I said before, he was always left Brad Martin has been researching the Springfield, but apparently it was used out of the oral history of the church. early history of Bethany Assembly of for services, prayer meetings, and a Now, thanks to Glenn [Gohr] I know God in Agawam, Massachusetts. He stay-over for itinerant preachers. It that he wrote at least 14 articles for has contacted FPHC staff members, had 25 rooms and 7 bathrooms—very the Pentecostal Evangel and other used our online resources, and also lavish. They also talk about visiting publications, not to mention the contacted Dr. Gary McGee at AGTS with Sister Weaver in New York where hundreds of tracts that he wrote, and trying to locate information. His book the Atwaters maintained a residence. also that he was thoroughly Pentecostal! was scheduled for publication in There is a great story of Mabel BUT in the early 1911 “Confidence” October. Weaver giving Bartleman $50 exactly paper, I found a short report on Dr. at a time when he needed it as an Yoakum’s Camp Meetings in South Los Banos Liberation answer to prayer. She is described by Framingham by “Pastor A. Weaver I just finished reading the articles, Bartleman as quite wealthy. I do not (“Rockrimmon” Springfield, Mass. written by Mr. Warner, on the liberation want to jump to conclusions but the U.S.A).” I thought that Albert Weaver of Los Banos [Spring 2005]. No matter reference to Sister Weaver suggests must have done some preaching at how many times I have read about the that they already knew each other. the Springfield Church and here is a rescue, I still remain at awe. Yes, the liberators had help from a very high Albert power! and Mabel I will share the articles with Weaver some of my 11th Airborne buddies. When possible, I attend the Lone Star Chapter’s gathering, a very special group of men and ladies. Again, my thanks to you for sharing, and God bless as you do His work. Sally M. Morgan, National Quartermaster American Ex-Prisoners of War Arlington, Texas 52 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Wayne, thank you so much for Ralph Leverett did make it to the sending my mother, brother and me Revivaltime reenactment in Denver and copies of the Spring 2005 Assemblies had a good visit with FPHC Director of God Heritage with your excellent Wayne Warner. article on the liberation of Los Banos. You did a masterful job of researching Enjoys Pentecostal Music and boiling the facts down to an account It was by chance several months that would appeal to a wide audience. ago that I happened upon my first It is both accurate and well-written. Revivaltime recording—doing a search Dave Blackledge on ebay for “Pentecostal” and coming Carlisle, Pennsylvania up with the album “Music of the Pentecostal Churches.” Since then, I Sally Morgan was imprisoned with have accumulated six, with two more two of her siblings in the Los Banos, on the way. I just love them, although Philippines, internment camp during I prefer the older ones. They transport World War II. Dave Blackledge was me to a different time. imprisoned with his mother and brother A. N. Trotter Unfortunately, I have to listen to in the same camp. On February 23, Trotter. He had filled in for [Jimmy] them when my roommate is not home 1945, the 11th Airborne and other troops Swaggart several times over the “fall or in my car. He considers himself an rescued more than 2,000 civilians in out” period. He led a lively service. I Anglican, and to him, the Revivaltime the camp—including two Assemblies have tape of part of one service when Choir sounds like a choral number of God missionaries, Rena Baldwin he led the congregation in, “The Holy from Hee Haw or Lawrence Welk. Too and Blanche Appleby. The story, “The Ghost Will Set Your Feet A Dancing” funny. Dramatic World War II Liberation at and one that ran, “It’s real, it’s real, I I have gone on the walking tour on Los Banos,” is in the Spring 2005 issue know it’s real, this Pentecostal blessing, your website—enjoyed it very much. of Heritage. Mrs. Morgan can be seen oh, I know, I know, it’s real ...” He had I will be sure to go back and take in the Rescue at Dawn documentary on no trouble stirring up an enthusiastic another look, be sure I haven’t missed the Los Banos liberation, produced by response. anything. If I am ever in your part of the History Channel. I came across a reference tying A. Missouri, I will definitely plan a visit. N. Trotter to the Christian Assembly I have not, however, seen your The Mailing List Controversy of God ... I guess in Zion, Illinois. It Heritage magazine. My connection with Brother [Glenn] Gohr, many mentions his pastorate there (1930- the AG church is through an aunt and thanks for your help. I look forward 1932) and later service as assistant uncle. My family was noninstrumental to reading the article in the “Heritage” district superintendent of the Illinois Church of Christ—which, as you can magazine about the mailing list. District from ’41-’43. imagine, was NIGHT AND DAY in Your work is very important for the I have made reservations to be comparison to my aunt’s hip church. history of the Pentecostal Movement. in Denver during part of the General Like so many, I’ve called many places Richard Crayne Council. I didn’t want to miss the home, including the Foursquare Church Morristown, Tennessee Revivaltime reenactment this time. I for a while, but never an AG church ... think I told you that I was born in so I have never received any of their FPHC sent Richard Crayne a copy Colorado Springs and have relatives publications. of “Who Edited the Azusa Mission’s there and in Ft. Collins. I’m trying to If you wouldn’t mind sending me Apostolic Faith?” (Summer 2001). combine several visits with my time in copies of the magazines which featured Crayne also donated a small publication Denver. music or albums or the Revivaltime he wrote called “The Mailing List Thanks again for the article on A. Choir, that would be great. Controversy.” N. Trotter. I appreciate all that you do Dan Robbins to keep the history of the varous groups Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Remembering A. N. Trotter leading to the AG alive for us. My best Dear Glenn [Gohr]: memories are of the late 40s and 50s. The FPHC gladly mailed Dan Great to hear from you and to get Ralph Leverett complimentary issues of Heritage such terrific detail. I appreciate the Jackson, Tennessee which featured music and various facts you provided on A. N. Revivaltime. SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 53 Remembering Mae Eleanor Frey By Norman S. Farrington

Mae Eleanor Frey was one of disillusioned by the killing, etc. in the College in Iowa. Marian and I had 58 the first women to be ordained by war. According to her records, Brother wonderful years together. We spent our the Northern Baptist Convention in Pearlman had been a French interpreter entire ministry in New York State. I am Western New York, or in the east. in the American Army. now 92 years of age and still preaching. Sister Frey received the baptism in the My late wife, Marian, received the I served on the presbytery with Joseph Holy Spirit and was an Assemblies baptism in the Holy Spirit around 1933 R. Flower. of God minister for many years. She or ’34 under Mrs. Frey’s ministry. At Brother Flower has been a great wrote two books that were listed in this time her father began preaching friend for many years. We are the the catalog of the Gospel Publishing Pentecost and built a Tabernacle in same age. I was going to mention also House for many years. The first book Attica, New York, where he ministered. that Sister Frey preached for us in [The Minister] contained stories of her She came home from college and found Huntington, Long Island, New York, ministry. The second book was titled, it impossible to return since her father when she was ninety years of age. Altars of Brick. left the Baptist church and his salary, After that she spent some time in a On many occasions I heard her so he could not send her back to nursing home in Huntington, and I was rehearse the story of Myer Pearlman’s college for her last semester. honored to have her funeral service. conversion in one of her services in Los Marian and I were married in 1937 Angeles. She told the story of Brother and went back together for my last year First ordained by the Northern Baptist Pearlman reaching around a large stone at CBI [Central Bible Institute]. To Convention in 1905, Mae Eleanor Frey pillar in the balcony, and that it was a our amazement CBI would not give held credentials as an evangelist with miracle she saw his small hand. She her credit for her college work. She the Assemblies of God from 1921 until also told that Myer Pearlman came had attended Keuka College, a Baptist her death in 1954. back from World War I completely college in Central New York and Penn

The Minister (1939) and Altars of Brick (1943), both written by Mae Eleanor Frey

54 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 By Dan Betzer Our church bookkeeper came rushing into my study the other day bearing a treasure. Someone found a huge old 3-ring notebook in which were the minutes of church board and special business meetings of our church going back to March 1947. We all thought those records had been long since lost. What fascinating reading! The first great building stewardship campaign yielded a whopping $658 in cash AND pledges! The church has come a long, long way since then. I got to thinking about the pastors and laity in those bygone years who poured their lives into this work, and I sat down and wrote a letter to those whose addresses I could find. Without these people, we would have no church such as this one. They are the ones who built the spiritual and business foundations of what we have become. What I enjoy today as the pastor here was paid for by prayers, sweat, and tears of men and women who came before me. Every one of them is a hero. You know something else I learned from reading those minutes? I learned more about the culture, the people themselves, and the sociology that helped form us. History does that, you know. Those who refuse to study history are doomed to repeat it. Today, if you are enjoying some great success in whatever field, remember there are those who were there before you who helped make it possible. And, barring the rapture of the church, there will be those who follow you. You and I are just simply links in a chain. No chain is any stronger than the weakest link in it. I hope someday someone can look back and say, “Betzer helped us, not hurt us.”

This column was originally released over Dan Betzer’s e-mail devotional, ByLine Online. He is the pastor of First Assembly of God, Fort Myers, Florida; assistant superintendent of the Peninsular Florida District of the Assemblies of God; and executive presbyter of the denomination. Successor to C. M. Ward as speaker of the Revivaltime broadcast, he spoke weekly for the next 17 years. He speaks on radio and TV for his church as well as conducts two national Assemblies of God broadcasts, ByLine Radio and Byline Television.

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 55 By Wayne Warner How would you like to hear a 10 seconds …’ as his magnificent performance of “All Hail call to salvation went the Power of Jesus’ Name”? Or the out over the air.” And song of hope that stirred the hearts that was McLellan and of people around the world, “Room his choir’s cue to touch at the Cross”? And even better yet, the hearts of perhaps to hear these and other songs by the millions with their singers who made them famous, the rendition of “Room at Revivaltime Choir? the Cross.” Not only can you hear the When Ward Revivaltime choir again, you can also retired in 1978, the hear Dan Betzer preach a message just executive presbytery tapped Dan Betzer Crouch—both longtime friends and like he did for 17 years as the successor as Ward’s successor. Betzer continued admirers of Ward. to C. M. Ward, the Revivaltime speaker. as speaker for the next 17 years. After preaching 1,300 Revivaltime The familiar voice of Lee Shultz will At the 2003 reenactment in services over the next 25 years, Ward also be heard on this recording as the Arlington, Virginia, former narrator for retired in 1978, and that’s when Betzer narrator. the broadcast, Lee Shultz, told how stepped to the microphone. The popular It’s all possible on a video the ministry of the broadcast affected program remained on the air around recorded at the General Council in Ward and Betzer. “At different times,” the world until 1995. Denver. That’s when a Revivaltime he said, “I would see C. M. and Dan A part of Revivaltime that is often Reenactment thrilled several hundred move away from the microphone with overlooked is the pre-ABC production. who came early for the evening service. tears in their eyes.” On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950, Cyril McLellan—for 40 years the Narrators for the long-running General Superintendent Wesley R. Revivaltime choir director—brought program included Shultz, Bartlett Steelberg began a ministry with the together 55 former choir members for Peterson, D. V. Hurst, and Steve new 30-minute radio program called the special recording sponsored by the Grant. Central Bible College furnished Revivaltime. For the previous 4 years, Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. thousands of choir members, and many the Assemblies of God produced the What a time for Revivaltime fans! soloists, organists, and pianists. Many weekly 15-minute Sermons in Song, Our senior readers might also of these went on to become pastors, which was produced on electrical remember that it was 52 years ago ministers of music, accompanists, and transcriptions—or 16” records, also this year that the General Council faithful church lay people. But only called ETs. meeting in Milwaukee voted to place one person directed the choir while And the first programs of the Revivaltime broadcast on the ABC Ward and Betzer preached during the Revivaltime were also produced on wax Radio Network. With that exciting 42 years. He is Canadian-born Cyril recordings. A master was cut in brass at approval, the invitation went out to McLellan, now retired and living in the Central Bible College studio. It was C. M. Ward, pastor of the Full Gospel Springfield, Missouri. mailed to a studio, which produced the Tabernacle, Bakersfield, California, to Going back to that first network wax duplicates, and then these were become the first network speaker. program, there are still people around mailed back to Springfield. To complete The rest is history, for Ward and who can tell you that they were in the the long, drawn-out process, the ETs McLellan worked together for the next audience or in the choir on Sunday were mailed to radio stations—very 25 years. Steve Grant, a newsman night, December 20, 1953, when Ward primitive compared to the high tech for KYTV in Springfield and a part- delivered “live” over the ABC Radio digital recordings available in the 21st time narrator for Revivaltime, said of Network a Christmas message, “The century. Ward that he “developed Revivaltime’s Big Birthday.” Two of the young men workable format, complete with his who were there that night also went on Revivaltime Reenactment recordings trademark cues to listeners to join him to carve lengthy careers in the Christian are available—see facing page. at ‘the long, long altar … in these next broadcast field: Dan Betzer and Paul 56 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005

The Ambassadors, A History of Two pulled together the amazing stories of Airplanes and the Men Who Flew a courageous crew that flew into exotic Them, by Bill Taylor. Seminole, FL: airports around the world. If you Sirena Press, 2005. Few ministries want adventure, inspiration, close calls for the Assemblies of God created as over the oceans, and great missionary much visibility as two converted World stories, The Ambassadors is for you. War II planes that the Division of Long after the Assemblies of God Foreign Missions operated worldwide sold the C-46, it was destroyed in between 1948-1951. Now called the Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The B-17, Assemblies of God World Missions, Ambassador II, is now one of the main the ministry converted a C-46 cargo attractions of the American Museum plane and made several trips to Africa, at the Imperial War Museum, near South America, India, and domestic Cambridge, England (Several websites flights—including the 1949 General with photos will come up through Council in Seattle. Google by inserting “Mary Alice B- Late in 1949, the DFM, headed 17”). by Noel Perkin, traded the C-46 for a Order from: Murmaid Publishing, converted 4-engine B-17 bomber and 13799 Park Blvd, #162, Seminole, FL operated it for the next two years. The 33776. $15.00, plus $2.50 shipping. copilot, Bill Taylor, researched and Ph. 727-532-0507.

Bend Us, Oh Lord: Newspaper Ac- Hard Times But No Bad Times, My Journey, by Edith Boyd Gibbs, counts of the Welsh Revival. This by Judi Popejoy-Pence. The story published by the family of the author. book is a poignant collection of reviv- of midwestern pastors Ward and An illustrated autobiography by a 90- al accounts from the front pages of the Mary Popejoy who were described year-old AG minister who grew up Welsh press, November to December as living in “hard times but no bad on a farm in Montana. She later lived 1904, at the onset of the historic Welsh times” and as “broke but never in California and Illinois. Paperback, Revival. Paperback, 130 pages, illus- poor.” Told by their daughter. 215 pages, illustrated. Can be ordered trated. Order from World Revival Net- Paperback, 99 pages, illustrated. from Carl Gibbs, 4133 E. Oak Knoll, work, 9900 View High Drive, Kansas Contact Judi Popejoy-Pence, Springfield, MO 65809. $12.00, plus City, MO 64134. $12.00, plus $4.00 16225 N. Cave Creek Rd. #29, $3.00 shipping. shipping. Ph. 877-804-5433. Phoenix, AZ 85032-2964. $10.00 or 2 copies for $15.00 (includes postage). 58 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Test your memory. Clues for this cross- ACROSS 15. Jewish clergy word puzzle are taken from the last five 2. AG children’s home in Hot Springs, AR 16. Exists issues of Heritage (Spring 2004-Spring 4. Dark, heavy wood 17. Life story, briefly 2005). 7. It was “rent in twain” 18. AG editor of Church School Literature 8. Doctrine in the 1950s Check your answers on page 61. 10. Female farm animal that wallows in the 19. Sunset direction mud 21. Prefix meaning three Joyce Lee is the archivist for the 13. Chaplain on board the USS Yorktown 23. Gear tooth Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. 14. Ahab stole his vineyard 24. That woman 26. Five-cent coin 27. NY pastor with roots in Antigua 29. Philippine internment camp during World War II (2 words) 32. Get grass without sowing it 33. Tool used for chopping 34. Out of the office (2 words) 37. A King James spelling of Noah 38. “Prideful” animal 39. Baker’s quantity 40. Black evangelist who worked with Billy Graham 41. Abraham’s birthplace 42. Catholic woman who takes religious vows 43. Preposition meaning in the direction of 46. Evangelist who was saved from the “underworld” (3 words)

DOWN 1. The “sackcloth” evangelist 2. Merry way to do something 3. He ministered to the “bootleg capital” of Texas (2 words) 5. The tribe to which Charlie Lee belonged 6. Evangelist who was a former baseball player (2 words) 9. Covet 10. Well-known early British evangelist (2 words) 11. Early British organization for the advancement of world missions (3 words) 12. AG’s longtime radio program 20. Founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance 22. Longtime editor of the Pentecostal Evangel 23. British periodical edited by A. A. Boddy 25. Gratuity 28. Frank King’s Native American heritage 30. Express an opinion 31. Cereal vessel 35. Gentle and loving 36. Sing alone 37. The AG celebrated this anniversary in 2004 44. Tree from which acorns fall 45. Spanish article

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 59 Nelda Ammons: Whosoever! Says, Help Stop AIDS (CD); Team Swedish Pentecostal Movements / (1991-92 Missions Convention theme Up BGMC (CD); Resolving Conflict Bertil Carlsson, 1974; Le Movement video). Jim Bishop: CD-ROM of Bash in the Church (cassette); College Pentecotists: Une Communaute & Ruth Bishop photos from Central brochure of Ozark Bible Institute and Alternative au Sud du Burundi, 1935- Bible Institute; other miscellaneous College, Neosho, Missouri; Books: 1960 / Gunilla Nyberg Oskarsson, 2004; photographs and scrapbook pages. The Assembly of God / H. L. Keijkoop; CDs: messages preached at the PWC in Robert B. Brougham: Book: Under the Cemeteries of Sebewaing: Assembly of Stockholm, 1955 (Lewi Pethrus “On Rising Sun / Edward W. Weiss. Fannie God / Robert B. LaBelle; Pinksteren Youth”; Donald Gee on “Tongues and Brown: Miscellaneous materials on E. in Beweging / Cornelis and Paul van prophecy”; and Kingston, Pethrus on M. Yeats and Magnolia Park Assembly der Laan; Progress Towards World “Tongues and prophecy.” of God (Houston, TX); photographs; Fellowship of the Various Pentecostal Jean Hankins Kelley: History Houston Bible Institute bachelor of Groups / Harold Arthur Fischer; A of the Bethel Assembly of God Church divinity certificate for E. M. Yeats; 40th History of the Twentieth Century and Its Founder, Robert Q. Hankins / Anniversary folder, Magnolia Park AG. Pentecostal Movement in Great Britain Jean Hankins Kelley. John Q. Kenzy: Calvin L. Burns: The Whole Truth, / Harry Knox Townsend; Biserica Siswa Bazar Messenger, September Jan-Mar 2005 & Apr.-June 2005. Penticostala in istoria Crestinismului 1926. Diana King: Various Israeli Desmond Cartwright: / Trandafir Sandru; Charismatisch artifacts. Alice Kirsch: Photograph of Photographs of Lam Jeevaratnam. Nederland / Fem Rutke & W. W. World Assemblies of God Fellowship Jack and Judith Crist: Daystar Verhoef; Holy Ghost Nation / Vivian leaders, May 2005. Lori Kline: Herald (complete run of issues); Camp Eilythia Deno; Borderland Religion / Photographs from Nebraska District. Meeting Songs: Souvenir of Lakewood Gastón Espinosa; Modern American Ted Lavigne: Two large promotional Park Bible Camp; His Loving Care Pentecostalism / Jimmy Wayne posters of Uldine Utley as a girl / Oscar M. Knutson; Rev. Knut Jones; William H. Durham and the evangelist. Roberts Liardon: God’s Hjertstedt’s From the Excellent Glory Sanctification Controversy in Early Generals (12-vol. DVD collection). / Eva Hjertstedt Moore; Look What American Pentecostalism, 1906-1916 Vic Lyons: Thalia Brougham articles the Lord Has Done / David and Donna / Thomas George Farkas; The Earlier about Ambon and her mother. Haag; tracts. Years of the Modern Tongues Movement Gary McGee: Article: “Mr. Edith Denton: Photographs of / G. H. Lang; Demons and Demonology George C. Needham, Anglo-American Charles and Edith Denton. Marie / Frank Lindblade; Faith Cures and evangelist,” The Christian 8 Feb. Dissmore: Pioneers in Wisconsin, Answers to Prayer / Mrs. Edward Mix; 1889. Carrol H. Nelsen: Montana Northern Michigan in the Assemblies Praying Effectively for the Lost / Lee history items. Montiel Peck: of God / Marie Dissmore; 75th E. Thomas; Must I Fast Forty Days Commemorative plate of Crichton Anniversary Celebration: Assembly or Four Days? / W. V. Grant. James AG, Mobile, Alabama. Patricia of God, Whitehall, Wisconsin (1928- Houpt: Books and Christian Herald Pickard: 18 boxes of Pentecostal 2003) / Marie Dissmore. Daniel magazines. collectibles, historical documents, Donelson: Sunday school picture cards Burton K. Janes: News clip: 2003 books, periodicals, interviews, from 1921-1935; Books: It Began In Oct. 5. re. Father Divine “Preacher photographs, etc., including collections An Upper Room: The Pentecostal Claimed to be God” / by David B. on Haiti, the United Pentecostal Explosion of the First Century / Kenneth Caruso in The Telegram (St. John’s, Church, Oneness, Blacks, Salvation D. Barney; This is the Way / Donald Newfoundland); A Voice Across the Army, Kathryn Kuhlman, Barrington Gee; News clips: Des Moines Evening River [tract] / William Booth-Clibborn. College, Zion Evangelistic Fellowship, Tribune, 1921 re. Maria Woodworth- Helen Johnson: Book: The Shadow of Zion Bible College yearbooks, Zion Etter’s revival; Photograph of T. E. the Apocalypse: When All Hell Breaks periodicals, Providence Missions, and Gannon, 1964; Pocket Bible dictionary Loose / Paul Crouch. Peter K. Johnson: miscellaneous Pentecostal materials. belonging to his father, Roy Donelson. Teen Challenge materials. Ulrik David Plymire: Miscellaneous Leonard C. Gardner: Josefsson and Magnus Wahlstrom: information about his missionary work Miscellaneous materials about Central Items on Pentecostalism in Sweden: and his family. Judi Popejoy-Pence: Assembly of God. Anita Garner: “Fern Varldspingstkonferensen, Stockholm, Book: Hard Times But No Bad Times Jones: The Glory Road” (Music CD of 1955 [World Pentecostal Conference, [about the life and ministry of pioneer her mother singing). Glenn Gohr: Stockholm, 1955] Conference digest pastors Ward and Mary Popejoy]. Items from 2005 General Council: Kids [in Swedish]; Organizations and Don and Virginia Ramsey: Book: in Crisis (DVD); Edward Elephant Decision Procedures Within the What Hath God Wrought / Don Ramsey.

60 AG HERITAGE SUMMER-FALL 2005 Ben Ranta: Books: Suomalainen was dedicated to Marie Juergensen; Ambassadors of Goodwill, The Story of Helluntaiheratys Pohjois-Amerikassa Newspapers from The Stone Church in Two Converted War Planes—the Men, [The Finnish Pentecostal Revival in Chicago, March 1983-Fall 1999. Elmer the Women and the Missions / Bill North America], 1994; Elämä Voittaa: E. Shaw: I was a C.O. in WW II / Elmer Taylor. Thomas Trask: Empowered, Niilo Yli-Vainion / Tytti Träff [biography E. Shaw. Larry Smith: Rasmussen published by New Zealand Assemblies of Niilo Yli-Vainion]. Jean-Baptiste Family History (3 parts). Paul Smith: of God, spring 2005. Roamba: Photographs of missionary Schrittweise Lernen, No. 1, 2, and Dan Van Veen: Book: Church, graves in Burkina Faso. Cecil M. 5. Fred Smolchuck: 2 videotapes of Identity, and Change / David Roozen Robeck, Jr.: Oral history: Lawrence ministry in the Ukraine; slides from & James Nieman, editors. Marjory F. Catley (May 1974), transcription. Soviet countries; Book: Vuk-Danicˇicevoˇ Wheatley: Church history: First Darrin Rodgers: Publication: New Sveto Pismo I Biblijska Društva / Assembly of God (Salem, NJ) 75th Wine, 36 issues (1982-1986). Carl O. Kršcanskaˇ Sadašnjost. Springfield Anniversary Celebration, 1930-2005. Rowand: Books; reel-to-reel tape. Library Center: News clips: 1928 Elizabeth Wilson: The Saturday Paul Schmidgall: Book: Springfield, MO newspapers re. Evening Post, July 8, 1982; Pentecostal From Oslo to Berlin!: European Stephen Jeffreys revival held at Central Advocate, August 3, 1911. George Pentecostalism / by Paul Schmidgall, Assembly. Gerald Stewart: Hymn Wood: Look What The Lord Has Done 2003. Gladys N. Schmitz & Betty books, books, Full Gospel Business / by KYIV, Ukraine 2005; Capital & Dorothy Johnson: Bethel class Men’s Voice, Testimony, pamphlets, Christian Center (Sacramento, CA), pictures in frames, 1926, 1927 & 1928. article, “Call to Prayer.” brochure and video, September 18, Roelina Sennese: Japanese book that Bill Taylor: Book: Flying 2005.

Heritage Crossword Answers See Page 59 A Note to Subscribers

Have you ever fallen so far behind that you wanted to start the day over? Or the month? Or even the year? That happened to your Heritage staff this last quarter. And that’s why you are receiving a double issue—summer and fall. But you will notice that it is a bigger issue than usual. We are doing something else to make up for our delay. As a subscriber, you are promised that you’ll receive four issues. Even though this is a double issue with more pages, we are going to add an issue to your subscription. So, if your subscription was due to end with the Fall issue, you’ll also receive the Winter 2005- 06 issue. If it were due to end with the winter issue, you’ll also receive the Spring 2006 issue. And so forth. Here is something else about this double issue. You will notice that it is Wayne Warner’s last issue as editor. With Wayne’s retirement at the end of September, Darrin Rodgers became director of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center and editor of Heritage. Darrin will assume Heritage duties with the winter issue. The other staff members remain the same. Wayne concluded his 25 years as director of the Center with appreciation for Heritage subscribers and contributors. “What a thrill it has been for me to publish stories for our faithful readers. Some of them tell me that when the magazine arrives, they sit down and read it from cover to cover. That makes me glad, for we know they appreciate our past and the manner in which God has blessed the Assemblies of God and the wider Pentecostal movement.”

SUMMER-FALL 2005 AG HERITAGE 61 1445 N. Boonville Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65802-1894

For more revival posters and the life story of Edith Mae Pennington, see page 32.