Arizona republican., 1908-06-23
THE PENTEcosTAL BAPTISM.

To the editor of The Republican,;
 Sir-I would like through the me- dium of The Republican to speak to the Phoenix public about the Christian Assembly Mission on West Washing ton street, prompted thereto by by the article in this mornings paper about our Weird dolngs
 We are willing to bear All the odium and misrepresentation and n1isunder- standing that naturally follows any unusual religious manifestation, but would like to be spared unnecessary grief on these lines.
 This is a work that began in Los Angeles two years ago last April and has in a most remarkable manner spread over the entire world. It grew out of an intense desire to get back to Pentecostal experience and belief that God would be pleased in these days to pour out His Spirit in Pente- costal measure with the same signs following that characterized the be- ginning of the Christian church.
 They differ from the Holiness peo- pie only in that they believe after the experience of Sanctification is ob- tained one may be baptised in the Holy Ghost and that when so baptised they will speak In other tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance."
 Some of these tongues are under stood, but most are not, and are spoken of as unknown tongues. While so speaking they are filled with great spiritual ecstacy, and according to the Word of God, speak mysteries in the Spirit, speaking not unto men, but unto God. l Cor. 14, ?.
 These people are otherwise charact- erized by deep and fervent spirituality, simplicity of faith, healing of the sick, a passion for souls and a missionary spirit most intense. The offerings of the mission here, made monthly, might well shame any church in Phoenix, numbers and means consid cred.
 This work has everywhere stirred up much opposition, which as we have said has followed every other great religious upheaval of the past, and which we expect. Has met with the grossest misrepresentation, bigoted ig norance and intolerance from the churches and others, while walking and teaching in the strictest con- formity to the Word of God.
 The Pentecostal Baptism of the Holy Ghost is so far beyond the concep- tion of the world and the average church member of today that our ac- tions seem very strange and ridiculous to them, but it may be called to mind that this is no new thing for the dis afV AA Tax 4f gravely charged by the religionists of their day of being drunk, evidencing an unusual. and. to their critics, a reprehensible physical manifestation. These manifestations" are usually shown by persons new in the expert ence, as was the case on Sunday even ing.
 Others older in experience who have learned more of the Spirits operations and leading do not so offend and we want the public to know that we de- plore all extraordinary physical dem onstrations which are of the flesh and not of the Spirit.
 Our people are as guiltless of any hypnotic power. knowledge or practice as babes unborn, the hand flutterings AApNN
 This work has to run the whole ga nut Of human weakness and devilish vile, but God is with us and we look to the future with confidence. We shall learn to lay aside our cucumber ing weaknesses, we shall become grounded and established in the Word of God. Souls are being. rescued from a life of sin and made new creatures in Christ. Sick people are being heal ed continually and we can show the samples of both. Rich and poor are having the real gospel of the Son of God preached to them. The poor are being helped and the work of making the world better and heaven richer is going on continually. What can you honestly say against it.
 When tempted to criticise and so hinder some one doing more good in the world than yourself forget it. and push instead.
 We desire the good will and help Of all good people and have conscious ness that we are worthy, and the rest we do not care for.
 We are willing always to be judged and compared with the Scriptures and suggest this plan to all critics.
 We invite all to our services $. S, at ten each Sabbath and 2:30 and 7:30 Sabbath. also Wednesday and Friday evenings.
 Respectfully,
 e