A PENTECOSTAL 'LEGEND': A REINTERPTETATION OF THE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SMITH WIGGLESWORTH by SANDRA ANNE CARP A dissertation submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham October 2015 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT There is an extensive publishing industry around the life and ministry of Pentecostal ‘legend’, Smith Wigglesworth, including four biographies. However, as yet there has never been an academic biography produced. This thesis attempts to fill this gap in Pentecostal historiography. Wigglesworth’s journey to becoming a world-wide Pentecostal healing evangelist was a long process, impacted by the religious influences on his life and its subsequent consequences. Yet, he has been overshadowed in academic circles by the mythology surrounding him. These findings expose that the legends have been created by Wigglesworth himself. This has evolved through his revelations and subsequent portrayal of himself as a spiritual giant. Of significance were his claims of raising people from the dead, which demonstrated the extent of his extraordinary faith. This investigation also reveals that the biographers and later authors have and continue to further develop these myths, through their inaccurate and often embellished accounts. Despite the mythology, the evidence highlights Wigglesworth played an important role in the early development of Pentecostalism and continues to impact Pentecostals around the world today. In light of this, Wigglesworth’s legacy needs to be viewed in two separate parts, the historical and the mythological. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I want to thank my supervisors, Dr. Mark Cartledge and Prof. Allan Anderson. Mark began the journey with me and gently guided me in the right direction and Allan’s advice has been invaluable in helping me refine my thesis. I also wish to express my appreciation for the time I was able to spend with the late Des Cartwright and for the use of his materials. It was truly an honour to have the opportunity to interview a man with such knowledge and passion for Pentecostal history. Dr. Neil Hudson formally introduced me to Smith Wigglesworth whilst studying at Regents Theological College. I am so grateful for the interest he has taken in my work and for inspiring me to always dig deeper. Most importantly, I am so indebted to my family for enabling me the space and time to complete this work. My mum has willingly travelled long distances to look after the kids, whilst I crammed in extra hours of writing. My daughter, Sophie, who is more excited than I am that my work is complete, has been so patient in waiting for her mum’s full attention once more. My son, Nathan, who is too young to understand that his need to nap for two hours each morning has been incredibly beneficial in giving me extra time to work. Finally, my husband Richard has been a constant encourager and without his love and support I may never have reached the finishing line. A huge thank you! Table of Contents List of Abbreviations………………………………………………………………..i Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Introduction to Smith Wigglesworth ……………………………………………1 1.2 Why another Wigglesworth Biography? ................................................................1 1.3 Research Methodology ………………………………………………………….3 1.3.1 Primary Sources ………………………………………………………………3 1.3.2 Secondary Sources ……………………………………………………………6 1.3.3 Analysis Strategies ……………………………………………………………8 1.3.3.1 Narrative Analysis with a Hermeneutic Perspective ……………………......8 1.3.3.2 Data Source Triangulation …………………………………………………..8 1.4 Limitations ……………………………………………………………………..10 1.4.1 Memory ………………………………………………………………….....10 1.4.2 Newspaper Archives …………………………………………………….....10 1.4.3 Sources ……………………………………………………………………..11 1.5 Outline ………………………………………………………………………....12 Chapter 2 – Pre-Sunderland Years (1859-1907) 2.1 Family Background and Conversion …………………………………………..13 2.2 Early Religious Affiliations ……………………………………………………15 2.2.1 Anglicanism ……………………………………………………………….....15 2.2.2 Wesleyan Methodism ………………………………………………………..17 2.2.3 The Plymouth Brethren ……………………………………………………...17 2.2.4 The Salvation Army …………………………………………………………18 2.3 Polly ……………………………………………………………………………20 2.3.1 The Salvation Army ………………………………………………………….20 2.3.2 Bradford Mission …………………………………………………………….22 2.3.3 Polly’s Early Influence ………………………………………………………23 2.3.3.1 Literacy …………………………………………………………………….23 2.3.3.2 Spiritual Decline ……………………………………………………….......24 2.4 Introduction to Divine Healing ………………………………………………...25 2.4.1 Leeds Healing Home ………………………………………………………...25 2.4.2 Personal Healing from Haemorrhoids ……………………………………….32 2.4.3 Healing of his Children ……………………………………………………...33 2.4.4 Leeds Healing Home and Divine Healing Meetings in Bradford …………...33 2.4.5 Personal Healing from Appendicitis ………………………………………...35 2.4.6 Mrs Clark ……………………………………………………………………41 2.5 Baptism in the Holy Spirit without Tongues ………………………………….42 2.5.1 Reader Harris and the Pentecostal League of Prayer ………………………..42 2.5.2 Keswick ……………………………………………………………………...43 2.5.3 Results of Sanctification …………………………………………………….48 2.6 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………….51 Chapter 3 The Sunderland Years (1907 – 1914) 3.1 The Pentecostal Outpouring …………………………………………………...53 3.1.1 Sunderland Reports ………………………………………………………….53 3.1.2 Opposition to Sunderland …………………………………………………....54 3.2 Wigglesworth’s baptism in the Holy Spirit …………………………………....55 3.2.1 Sunderland …………………………………………………………………..55 3.2.2 Bradford ……………………………………………………………………..63 3.2.2.1 George ……………………………………………………………………..63 3.2.2.2 Polly ……………………………………………………………………….64 3.2.2.3 Bowland Street Mission …………………………………………………...65 3.2.3 Results in Wigglesworth’s Life ……………………………………………...68 3.2.3.1 Deliverance Ministry ………………………………………………………68 3.2.3.2 Launch of Preaching Ministry ……………………………………………..70 3.3 UK Ministry ……………………………………………………………………71 3.3.1 Bowland Street Mission ……………………………………………………...71 3.3.2 Sunderland Whitsuntide Conventions ………………………………………..73 3.4 International Ministry Begins ………………………………………………….75 3.5 Significant Miracles …………………………………………………………....85 3.5.1 Raised from the Dead ………………………………………………………...85 3.5.1.1 Young girl with consumption ……………………………………………....88 3.5.1.2 Mitchell …………………………………………………………………….90 3.5.1.3 Polly ………………………………………………………………………..92 3.5.1.4 Woman with Tumour ………………………………………………………96 3.6 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………..99 Chapter 4 – Post Sunderland Years (1915 – 1947) 4.1 UK Ministry ……………………………………………………………………101 4.1.1 Bowland Street Mission ……………………………………………………...101 4.1.2 Pentecostal Missionary Union ……………………………………………….103 4.1.3 Various UK Engagements ……………………………………………………109 4.2 International Ministry …………………………………………………………..110 4.2.1 France ………………………………………………………………………...110 4.2.2 Switzerland …………………………………………………………………...111 4.2.2.1 Swiss Visits …………………………………………………………………111 4.2.2.2 Imprisonment ……………………………………………………………….112 4.2.2.3 Wigglesworth’s Impact …………………………………………………….114 4.2.2.3.1 Healings …………………………………………………………………..114 4.2.2.3.2 Conversions ………………………………………………………………115 4.2.2.3.3 Revival ……………………………………………………………………115 4.2.3 Scandinavia …………………………………………………………………..117 4.2.3.1 Opposition ………………………………………………………………….117 4.2.3.2 Wigglesworth’s Impact …………………………………………………….118 4.2.3.2.1 Crowds …………………………………………………………………...118 4.2.3.2.2 Healings ………………………………………………………………….120 4.2.3.2.3 Conversions ……………………………………………………………...122 4.2.4 North America ……………………………………………………………….122 4.2.4.1 Conflict …………………………………………………………………….122 4.2.4.2 Wigglesworth’s Impact …………………………………………………….123 4.2.5 Australia ……………………………………………………………………...126 4.2.5.1 1922 Visit …………………………………………………………………..126 4.2.5.1.1 Melbourne ………………………………………………………………..127 4.2.5.1.2 Adelaide ………………………………………………………………….128 4.2.5.1.3 Sydney ……………………………………………………………………129 4.2.5.2 Wigglesworth’s Impact …………………………………………………….131 4.2.6 New Zealand …………………………………………………………………134 4.2.6.1 1922 Visit …………………………………………………………………..134 4.2.6.1.1 Revival Campaign ………………………………………………………..136 4.2.6.2 Wigglesworth’s Impact …………………………………………………….138 4.2.7 South Africa ………………………………………………………………….142 4.2.7.1 Wigglesworth’s Impact on South Africa …………………………………..142 4.2.7.2 Du Plessis Prophecy ……………………………………………………….144 4.3 Wigglesworth’s Death …………………………………………………………153 4.4 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………..155 Chapter 5 Conclusion 5.1 Religious Affiliations ………………………………………………………….157 5.2 Significance of Holy Spirit Baptism …………………………………………..158 5.3 Mythology ……………………………………………………………………..159 5.3.1 Wigglesworth ………………………………………………………………..159 5.3.2 Biographers and Other Authors ……………………………………………..163 5.4 Wigglesworth’s Legacy ……………………………………………………….168 5.4.1 Growth of the Pentecostal Movement ………………………………………168 5.4.2 Sermons ……………………………………………………………………..169 5.4.3 Faith …………………………………………………………………………169 5.4.4 Prophetic Words …………………………………………………………….170 5.4.5 Conclusion