Digital Commons @ George Fox University Western Evangelical Seminary Theses Western Evangelical Seminary 5-1984 The Life and Ministry of Carrie Judd Montgomery Daniel E. Albrecht Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/wes_theses Part of the Christianity Commons THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF CARRIE JUDD MONTGOMERY A Graduate Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of Western Evangelical Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts by D2niel E. Albrecht Jl~ay, '984 PORTLAND CENTER LIBRARY GEORGE FOX UNIVERSiTY PORTLAND, OR. 97223 APPROVED BY Major Cooperative Reader: 43706 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page 1. EARLY LIFE IN BUFFALO ( 1858 - 1879) Early Family Life • Early Education. 4 Teenage Years 6 The Conflict. • 11 Illness and Healing • 14 2. THE BUFFALO YEARS AND EARLY MINISTRY ( 1880 - 1890) 24 Personal Changes • 24 Writing The Prayer of Faith . 25 Influence of Cullis. • 27 Healing and Holiness • 28 Primary Text . 29 Nature of Faith . • 30 God's Will and Healing. • 31 Oil • . 33 Aids to Faith and Healing. 34 The Purpose . 38 Faith Rest Home. • 39 Speaking Ministry • . 44 Triumphs of Faith . 50 3. EARLY CALIFORNIA MINISTRY ( 1890 -1 907 ) • • 64 Personal Life . 65 George S. Montgomery . 65 The Wedding . 68 Honeymoon • • 70 Move to California • 71 Christian Affiliations .72 Christian Alliance • • 75 Salvation Army • 77 Ministry Endeavors ( 1890 - 1 907) • • 81 The Home of Peace • 82 Shalom Training School. • 86 More Emphasis on Missions. .88 Children's Homes. • 91 Other Ministries ( 1890 - 1 907) • • 97 4. A NEW MOVEMENT IN MONTGOMERY'S LIFE. • 111 The Historical Setting . 11 2 The Climate of Society. • 11 3 The Religious Climate . • 114 Dissatisfied Reactions and Responses . • 11 7 The Holiness Shift . .120 The Keswick Influence . • 1 22 The Power Gap. • 124 Pentecostal Background in the Triumphs of Faith .125 Evidence of the Shift . • 1 25 The "Gap" Reflected. .126 A Cautious Approach. 127 Montgomery and Primitive Pentecostalism. .129 Personal Objectives. • 129 Postive Impact .130 Tarrying and Receiving. .132 5. PENTECOSTAL PIONEER ( 1908 - 1946) .140 Montgomery's View of Spirit Baptism . .140 Experiential • . 141 Doctrinal . .145 The Context of an Emerging Movement .153 Montgomery's Focussing of Ministries. 163 Ministries in Oakland .164 Extension Ministries .170 6. A LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE .183 Religious Pilgrimage . .183 An Episcopalian Heritage . .184 Holiness/Healing Movement. .185 Christian and Missionary Alliance . .186 Pentecostalism .187 Role in Religious Movements. .189 Healing Movement. .189 Christian and Missionary Alliance . • 1 91 The Pentecostal Movement . • 194 Personal Values and Expression. .196 Personal Experiences and Relationships . 197 Service to Human Need • • 199 Christian Unity . .201 The Legacy .204 The Home of Peace .205 The Triumphs of Faith and Other Writings. .206 Monument, Memory or Mode • .208 BIBLIOGRAPHY. .212 APPENDIXES A. Mrs. Mix' Letter . .231 B. B.C.A. Article "A Modern Miracle. .232 C. Reverend Bielby's Letter .235 Chapter 1 EARLY LIFE IN BUFFALO 1858-1879 If ever there was a woman whose life reflected the dynamic forces within key American religous movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carrie Judd Montgomery was that woman. Before she died she participated in the rise and development of holiness, faith-healing, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and pentecostal movements. The thread of her life was interwoven into the living tapestry of these movements. A leader in her own right, she rubbed elbows with other prominent religious spokesmen of the day, such as A.B. Simpson, A.J. Gordon, Charles Cullis, W.E. Boardman, Aimee Simple McPherson, Smith Wigglesworth, Robert Craig, J.R. Flower, Mary Woodworth-Etter and a host of others. The story of Carrie Judd Montgomery's life and leadership portrays the fervor and concerns that dominated the streams of evangelicalism in which she moved. The record of her development stands as an exceptional microcosm of those multitudes of people who flowed in similar channels. Early Family Life Carrie Judd Montgomery was born Carrie Faith Judd in Buffalo, New York on April 8, 1858, the daughter of Orvan K. and Emily S. Judd. 2 Her forebears had been among the pioneers of western New York two generations before Carrie's birth. Grandmother Sweetland's pioneer spirit may have rubbed off on young Carrie Faith; for a time Mrs. Sweetland lived with the Judd family. There were eight Judd children in a relatively small house; Mrs. Judd's organizational abilities prevented their home from becoming crowded or confused. These gentile, executive type abilities were to later emerge in Mrs. Judd's fourth daughter, . 1 Carrle. Mrs. Judd's organized approach worked to the benefit of the whole family. She apportioned household tasks to each child so that none felt imposed upon. Her manner of giving small rewards for a completed job seemed to establish a balance between task and reward and between work and play. Mother Judd believed in few family rules, but those established were well fixed. Her purpose in rules was to help maintain a peaceful, well-ordered family life. When any contention would arise between the children, she would settle the matter. Her faithful, patient mediation was accepted by all and her wise decision normally satisfied each child. Mrs. Judd enjoyed life and her children benefited from her outlook. Simple pleasures were made interesting to the children by their mother's attitude. She was a true friend to her children. Carrie particularly enjoyed her mother's comradeship. Mrs. Judd's kind, compassionate style was a balance to her firmness regarding obedience and other virtues. Carrie's mother's loving personality was frequently expressed in poetry. Her flare for the artistic was demonstrated in the numerous poems she published. Another balance within the Judd family was that between the 3 parental roles and personalities. Orvan Judd, like his wife, had an appreciation for the aesthetic side of life. Poetry particularly was a joy to him. He would memorize the classics and recited them for his family. Orvan was a born student. At a young age he had graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York. Following his graduation, he pursued the study of law. While he was fond of the course of study, his peacemaking personality was not well-fitted for the practice of law. Mr. Judd's disposition seemed to be more suited to affecting reconciliation than to fighting a case through in court. While his attempts at law were admirable, they were not lucrative. When William Fargo, an old friend, offered him a position in the Buffalo American Express Office, Mr. Judd accepted it gladly. He continued to work in that office for the following thirty years. Although Orvan Judd's study of law ceased, his love of learning never diminished. The Judd children enjoyed their father's intellectual abilities. The family called him "a walking Encyclopedia," he was so well-informed in such a wide range of subjects. Orvan's knowledge was a great help to his children in many ways. He delighted in being able to impart his learning to his imaginative kids. Mr. Judd's cognitive skills were only a part of his contributions to family life. For example, he would drop his book or newspaper to help his wife with the care of the baby or other needed household tasks. Carrie was as much affected by her father's never­ failing kindness in family life, as she was his sense for the aesthetic and the intellectual. In many ways the Judd family was a model family. The mark left on the young and growing Carrie Faith Judd will become apparent in the following pages. 4 Early Education As Carrie's family was an important factor in her development, so was her formal education. Mr. and Mrs. Judd were greatly interested in the welfare of their children. These concerned parents desired "to leave nothing undone which would work out to their [children's] 2 advantage from a mora~, educational and spiritual standpoint." Carrie's formal education began at a small private school, the Buffalo Seminary. It was here where the Judd child learned to read English, Latin and French. According to Carrie's father's desire, she began her study of Latin by special arrangement at age nine. Later she studied French. Language study was interesting for Carrie but she was most delighted by the opportunities in writing. This love for writing seemed inherent, "it was never a dry task for me," she wrote, "for I felt a tumul tous joy • when first encouraged to thus express my ideas in words. ,3 After spending her earliest years in the seminary, she transferred to a public school where she continued to excel in all areas including religious education. Carrie's religious training had several sources. The seminary provided a devotional or chapel time daily within the acedemic setting. But this only added to the religious base that had already been laid in Carrie's life. The Judds were a pious Episcopalian family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Judd were godly people who believed in religious training for their children. Faithful Sunday School attendance for the children was a requirement and church attendance was also insisted upon for the children as they became old enough. Carrie's early memories were filled with the sounds of hallowed hymns, the sacred scriptures, and the 5 Litany. The impact of observing her mother during a worship service was revealed when Carrie wrote later: My mother ••• [was] used of God to inspire a deep reverent spirit within my little heart •.•• As I gazed at my mother's beautiful face, with her eyes closed in prayer and heard her devout tones in supplication, I decided tha4 God was a real Being, and that He was listening to her prayers.