Apostolic ~ Encyclopedia

                                       

 

Preface PENTECOST HAS COME

 

 

PREFACE TO LIKE AS OF FIRE

 

      "Many years ago in a tiny mission located in a short, humble street a

      Group of saints met to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Ghost. As a

      Result the power of Pentecost fell, thousands received the Baptism of the

      Spirit according to Acts 2:4. Ministers and laymen flocked from the four

      Corners of the earth to kindle their torches, and went forth to spread the

      Flame, which has set fire to the world.

 

      Since that time, millions have received the Comforter. Countless

      Pentecostal Missions have sprung up, here, there and everywhere. Nothing

      Short of an Upper Room Experience could satisfy such hearts. They spake

      With other tongues, through their ministries the sick have been healed and

      The lame have leaped for joy.

 

      The name "AZUSA" has become that of an international shrine. All that it

      Stands for has become a guiding star, a signpost in a wilderness of

      Modernism, a beckoning lighthouse to urge men back to the power of

      Apostolic days.

 

      The tiny Mission building has long since crumbled.

      Its dusky portals no longer ring with the shout of Hosannas.

      Eager feet of hungering saints no longer tread its dusty cobblestones.

      The passer by has long since ceased to pause and look in wonder at the

      Strange sight of black faces intermingled with those of white, lifted in

      Raptured blessing, `Neath the Latter Rain."(* From a note by Aimee

      McPherson sent to me while I was editor of Word and Work on April 30,

      1936).

 

      The old Azusa Street Mission is long gone but its Heaven born message has

      Flowed to the ends of the earth. One of the Saints at Azusa retained a

      Complete collection of the little magazine that the Mission published

      Called the "Apostolic Faith". This complete set, several photographs, and

      Some correspondences are reproduced here.

 

 

      Rachel A. (Harper) Size love was but one of the many saints at old Azusa

      Mission. In 1934, while I was editor of WORD AND WORK (a monthly Pentecostal

      Magazine) she mailed this collection to me and admonished me to republish

      The old documents telling how the Shekinah of God's glory fell on the

      People in the early days at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles,

      California. She believed that God would use them to stir up hearts that

      Are hungry for the real Pentecostal blessing. Her letter to me is printed

      Below.

 

      March 15, 1934

      1892 Stanley Ave.

      Long Beach, California

      Mr. Jim and Fred Corum;

 

      My dear brother and nephew, I am sending you by mail a copy of all of the

      Papers printed at the Azusa Street Mission, which were only thirteen, for

      Before the fourteenth paper was published, Sister Crawford ventured out

      From the Azusa publishing house and set up in Portland, Oregon. I am

      Sending the first and second papers that she printed in Portland, but do

      Not want it printed in the book or reprinted with the Azusa St. papers

      (Which were only thirteen).

 

      I believe the dear Lord will get glory out of the reprinting of the papers

      In book form, for so many Saints say they would like so much to read the

      Old papers. But, I cannot loan, for I would soon have none to loan.

      I do not know of anyone who has the picture of Brother Seymour and Brother

      Smith his co-worker, who had been an old Methodist preacher for years and

      So well known and loved by all who knew him. I would like their pictures

      Taken just from their waist up and I think they could be taken from the

      Group picture. They are both in glory now. I think it would be nice to

      Have a picture of the letterhead they used in the beginning of Pentecost,

      To be printed just above the picture of the Azusa St. Mission, for God did

      Get glory out of those letters. For, when so many just saw the top of the

      Letter, conviction would seize them for their baptism, and the power of

      God would fall upon them, Hallelujah!

 

      Now dear ones if you can take these papers and pictures and print a book

      To the glory of God, I will be so glad to donate my share of any revenues

      To the Bethel Home there in Framingham. I would like to donate some money

      To help get it printed if Josie is willing. But I am praying that God will

      Furnish the means that it will be printed and I wi!! do all in my power by

      the help of God to self the book and the proceeds go to Bethel Home as

      long as you are in charge. But it might be it would fall into the hands of

      greedy and selfish men -then I would want the proceeds (for my part) to go

      to some worthy missionary, or God's cause. So pray over it. Wait upon God.

      It may be that He will! raise someone up to help print the book. I do not

      want one cent out of the book to spend upon myself. I want, for my part,

      to donate every cent to the cause. Look these papers over and see what can

      be done, and if you decide you can print it, do as you are led of the Lord

      with your part of any proceeds.

 

      I enjoy reading the Word and Work so much. I am sending a small

      contribution to help with it.

      With Love and prayers, I am your old aunt,

      Rachel Sizefove

      P.S. I am sending my credentials given me at Azusa Mission - might be we!!

      to reprint in the book below my picture, if it be God's will to put my

      picture in the book. You may publish my testimony, also Sister Lillie's

      and her picture, as she was the first to receive the baptism in

      Springfield. I will pay any extra cost.

      R. A. S.

 

 

 

      The story of Azusa has been documented in may good books to which the

      reader is referred. Read them in conjunction with these papers and may be

      followed papers and may the Holy Fire fall and kindle a new wave of

      Heaven-born Latter Rain Holy Ghost revival that lifts up the old

      blood-stained banner, exalts Jesus the Messiah, and sweeps a final harvest

      of souls through to victory before the bridal, call! Jesus is coming.

 

      There were so many dear Saints at the Mission. You may read their own

      words in the Azusa Street papers. The group photograph shows the twelve

      that comprised the credential committee.

 

      Sister Evans was the first woman to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost

      after the meetings moved into the Azusa Mission, and Brother Evans was the

      first man to receive the baptism at the Mission.

 

      Jennie Moore, who had received the baptism on April 9, 1906 in the Richard

      Asbury home at 214 Bonnie Brae Street, later married Brother Seymour.

      (When I first published this picture in the January and March 1935 issues

      of Word and Work, I misspelled her name as Sister "Moon" and that error has

      propagated on through various books and magazines that have copied the

      picture.) Her testimony may be read in the Volume 1, No. 8 (May 1907)

      issue on page 3, entitled "Music From Heaven". Also, see Volume 1, No. 12,

      page 1.

 

      Brother Cook took the message to Indianapolis and his report is in the

      Volume 1, No. 6 (February-March 1907) issue on page 3 and Volume 1, No. 5

      (January 1907) on page 1. His testimony is given in Volume 1, No. 3

      (November 1906) on page 2. It was during these meetings that J. Roswell

      Flower was saved and Thomas F. Zimmerman's mother first heard the

      Pentecostal message. Sister Flower gives a glowing account of this

      testimony and the subsequent meetings led by Tom Hezmalhalch. See Volume

      1, No. 7 (April 1907) on page 1. Also, see references 10 and 13 the Azusa

      Street Papers.

 

      Sister Crawford took the message north, arriving in Portland, Oregon at

      noon on Christmas Day, 1906. By 3 p.m. she had started at "Second and

      Main". Her story has been documented and is told in the book THE APOSTOLIC

      FAITH, and may be followed through the pages of the Azusa Street Papers.

      She went on to glory June 20, 1936.

 

      Sister Size love had been a Free Methodist Evangelist. The day that she

      left to carry the message to Springfield, Missouri, in the latter part of

      May 1907, this little group gathered around her and prayed, laying hands

      upon her, and the Holy Spirit spoke by interpretation, "Go and go

      quickly!" I was only seven years old at the time, but I remember when she

      came to our door. The Holy Ghost spoke through her with tongues and the

      interpretation was, "The Holy Spirit as a dove shall hover over this

      home." The power fell in Springfield on June 1, 1907 and mother received a

      precious pearl of great price.

 

      Aunt Rachel made a second trip to Springfield in June of 1913, when she

      had a vision of a sparkling fountain springing up out of Springfield; but

      all this and the story of the first Los Angeles Camp meeting of the

      Apostolic Faith Mission (see Volume 1, No. 8) will be told in my book, THE

      SPARKLING FOUNTAIN, which will soon be released, the Lord willing.

 

      Dear Sister Clara E. Lum knew shorthand (she is holding a pencil in the

      picture) and she recorded people's testimonies stenographic ally and the

      interpretation of messages in tongues. Her testimony is given in the

      Volume 1, No. 6 (February-March 1907) issue on page 8. She went with

      Sister Size love, Sister Mayo, Brother R.J. Scott and Tom Anderson to a

      spot where God had shown in a vision that a camp meeting should be held.

      (See Volume 1, No. 8, pages i and 2). Brother Anderson later went as a

      missionary to South America. His testimony is in Volume 1, No. 6, page 8,

      and a report in Volume 1, No. 12, page 4. Sister Mae F. Mayo's testimony

      is given in Volume 1, No. 8, page 4. Brother Scott wrote in Volume 1, No.

      6, page 7, and Volume 1, No. 8, page 2.

 

      Of Sister Prince, I know very little. In various places she has been

      called, "A Mother in Israel".

 

      Many other faithful Saints attended the Azusa meetings and their

      testimonies are scattered throughout these papers and in many books and

      tracts, which were later written. Brother Frank Bartleman's diary conveys

      much of the atmosphere of these early days. Sister Anna Bartleman wrote to

      me that Brother Bartleman passed away on August 23, 1936. He was born on

      December 14, 1871. He received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost at the Eighth

      and Maple Mission on August 16, 1906 and his experience is given in his

      book on page 71 (of the original edition). Also, see Volume 1, No. 2, pages

      1 and 4. He had been preaching for forty-four years when the Lord took

      him. Bethel Temple in Los Angeles conducted the funeral service (See WORD

      AND WORK, Volume 53, No. 10, page 7, October 1935).

 

      The fire spread eastward and in the Apostolic Faith, Volume 1, No. 10, on

      page 4, you can read how Brother Fred A. Graves, who wrote many beautiful

      hymns (Brother Brumback calls him a "sweet singer in Israel", SUDDENLY

      FROM HEAVEN, page 73), along with Marie Burgess (who had received the

      Baptism on October 18, 1906 and later married Robert Brown and started

      Glad Tidings Tabernacle in New York City), Jeanie Campbell, and Brother

      and Sister William Hamner Piper (the pastors of "The Stone Church" in

      Chicago) started services for the teaching of the Baptism of the Holy

      Spirit. But, this is another thread radiating outward from Azusa.

 

 

      In the Azusa papers, you will find several poems and testimonies of Thomas

      Hezmalhalch. Sister Alice Reynolds Flower tells about him in chapter 10 of

      TOUCHED BY THE FIRE and in GRACE FOR GRACE. A.S. Worrell, who wrote a

      translation of the New Testament gives a testimony in Volume l, No. 4,

      page 2 and in Volume l, No. 6, page 5.

 

      What shall we say of Mason, Copley, Barratt, Body, Opperman, Durham,

      Cashwell, Parham and Seymour? Their words are woven throughout these

      papers and each was used mightily to spread the precious message to so

      many hungry souls. Except for Brother Seymour, their stories have been

      well documented. I have recently been contacted by a Brother Douglas J.

      Nelson (Ph.D. candidate in church history with Professor Walter J.

      Hollenweger of the University of Bermingham England.) that is writing a

      biography of Brother Seymour, and perhaps it will soon appear in print.

 

      There were 5,000 copies of Volume 1, No. 1 of this paper issued in

      September of 1906. Today, like so many other old papers, they have become

      collector's items. Their thrilling accounts, however, must be shared with

      new generations. The story of the spreading message of Pentecost anew is

      told in their pages. Not only do they document the outpouring across the

      USA, but also to Scotland (Volume 2, No. 13, page 1), Australia, India,

      Sweden, Norway, Jerusalem, Asia, Africa, the islands of the sea, . . . and

      to the ends of the earth.

 

      The people and places named read like a "Who's Who" in Charismatic

      history, and their works have followed after. There are many unfinished

      testimonies and stories here. One wonders, if the Armrnians that are

      mentioned Volume 1, No. 7, page 2 and Volume 1, No. 6, page 7) were not

      part of those described by Demos Shakarian in his life story, THE HAPPIEST

      PEOPLE ON EARTH (reference 17, page 24). There are many names, which do not

      appear in the Pentecostal history books. Sometimes it is the hand of mercy

      that covers unrecorded history, but so often precious jewels are

      discovered only by mining very deep. So many of these humble workers

      desired no credit and no glory, and would seek to cover their trails so

      that their works would be "known but to God".

 

 

 

      A brief history of the Azusa St. origins is given in the first few issues.

      (See especially Volume I, No. 2, page l and No. 4, page I). And, again I

      would recommend that these papers be read along with the standard

      Pentecostal histories, which have appeared over the years. Each one has

      it's own particular insight.

 

      What were the meetings like? What was the atmosphere of Azusa Street

      Mission like. Many years later, Gordon Lindsay asked Arthur G. Osterberg

      what the outstanding spiritual phenomena was at Azusa Street. Osterberg's

      reply was one word, "TEARS". See reference 1 1, page 28.

 

      I have many more things that aunt Rachel wrote about and sent to me, and I

      remember her several trips to our home. Rachel Sizelove was led to make a

      trip east in 1907 to bring the Pentecostal message to her sister in

      Missouri. The Azusa saints gathered together and the Spirit spoke, "Go,

      and go quickly, for I am with you."

 

      The story of that trip will soon be told in another book. God blessed many

      along the way as she traveled eastward by train. Lillie N. (Harper) Corum

      was the first to receive the baptism in Springfield, Mo. Here is part of

      her testimony.

 

      "In the latter part of May 1907, Sister Rachel A. Sizelove of Los Angeles,

      California came to Springfield, Mo. And while she was at my home for a

      week or more, she preached and brought the message that we were living in

      the last days. God was pouring out His Spirit on all flesh, with signs

      following as on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4. For some months, I had

      been reading a little paper called the Apostolic Faith printed by the

      saints at Azusa St. Mission. My soul was so hungry to learn more of the

      wonderful works of God! 5o after The Lord Jesus gave me a wonderful vision

      of His Heb. 13:12. He baptized me with the Holy Ghost and fire from

      Heaven. I spoke and sang in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance,

      which was marvelous to all who witnessed it. Praise the Lord forever! I

      could feel the fire burning in my very bones. And God gave great power to

      witness for His Glory."

 

      There is much more to tell and this is only one thread woven outward from

      the old Azusa Mission. As dear, Brother J.W. Welch wrote in the preface to

      Bennett I.awrence's book, "If He shall tarry for a time, it is hoped and

      expected that this book will be followed by another in which it will be

      possible to give a fuller account of the greatest revival the world has

      ever seen since the early church period."

 

      Today there exists a whole literary genre associated with Pentecostal

      history. Some of the books we have found useful, over the years, are

      listed below. There are probably many others. Surely only eternity will

      tell the whole story.

 

      We have been working on a second book and, the Lord willing, it will soon

      follow this one. It will be but one more thread in the tapestry of

      Charismatic history. Surely, God uses only the longest threads to weave his

      fabric, so that each small piece reveals the beauty of the entire

      tapestry.

 

      There is a fresh wind blowing and the Holy Glow, which has rested on these

      old coals for all these years are leaping forth into flame. We are so

      unworthy to follow in the pathways that were opened so very long ago, but

      as Roy Turner and the Camerons once wrote, our heart's desire is to ". . .

      live like those who have gone before and pray down the power as in the days

      of yore."

 

      We believe that our mighty Lord is leading us in this publishing effort.

      We want none of the credit and none of the glory, but only to be in the

      cleft of the rock while the Shekinah passes over. Surely, God is in this

      undertaking. We believe that it may be the final call, "Return, return O

      Shulamite". (Song of Solomon 6:13)

 

      As I look at these photographs and reread these old papers, I am reminded

      of another battle fought for freedom and liberty by humble New England

      farmers that changed the destiny of our planet. For,

 

      "Here once the embattled warriors kneeled, And prayed down the fire which

      spread 'round the world".

 

      Fred T. Corum August 1, 1981

 

            This web page is an exact reprint of the preface page from the book LIKE

      AS OF FIRE, which is a book reprint of THE APOSTOLIC FAITH newspaper

      Published by the Azusa Street Mission Los Angeles Ca. in 1906

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