gordon-lindsay-men-who-heard-from-heaven-as-told-by-themselves

DnM Nvu Wilbur 0«Hvl* Evarttt I. fqrrott A C Valdn

SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE STORIES OF MEN WHO HAVE HEARD FROM
HEAVEN AS IN BIBLE DAYS, AND WHOSE MINISTRIES ARE NOW REACHING
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR CHRIST
MEN WHO HEARD
FROM HEAVEN
Clifton ErlduM Vilmr Gardner W. T. Granr
Gayla Jackson T. I. Otbern Raymond T. Rlchoy Richard Vinyard

Men Who Heard
From Heaven
Sketches from The Life Stories of
Evangelists Whose Ministries are Reaching
Millions
As Told By Themselves
Compiled % g O R D O N L I N D S A Y
Author of
BIBLE DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
WORLD EVANGELIZATION NOW
AMAZING DISCOVERIES IN T H E WORDS OF JESUS
PRESENT EVENTS IN T H E LIGHT OF PROPHECY
LIFE OF JOHN ALEXANDER DOWIE
THE WORLD TODAY IN PROPHECY
DRAMATIC GOSPEL SKETCHES OF LIFE AND DEATH
THUNDER OVER PALESTINE
EDITOR OF The Voice of Healing
PUBLISHED BY T H E VOICE OF HEALING PUBLISHING CO.
ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

COPYRIGHT, 1953
BY
CORDON LINDSAY
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES
AT COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK

Books, from which sketches are taken, are as follows:
" T H E P R I C E O F G O D S M I R A C L E W O R K I N G P O W E R " B Y A . A . A L L E N
" S U P E R N A T U R A L D E L I V E R A N C E " B Y C L I F T O N E R I C K S O N
" T H E G O D O F M I R A C L E S LIVES T O D A Y " B Y V E L M E R G A R D N E R
" T H E G R A C E O F G O D I N M Y L I F E " B Y W . V . G R A N T
" T H E M I N I S T R Y A N D H E A L I N G O F A L T O N L . H A Y E S "
" D I V I N E D E L I V E R A N C E " B Y G A Y L E J A C K S O N
"SCARS A N D STRIPES O F C A L V A R Y " B Y S T A N L E Y W . K A R O L
" C H R I S T S D E L I V E R A N C E F O R S O U L A N D B O D Y " B Y W . B. M C K A Y
" i S A W T H E L O R D " B Y W I L B U R OGILVD2
" H E A L I N G T H E SICK A N D C A S T I N G O U T DEVILS" B Y T . L . OSBORN
Other books by these evangelists are listed below:
A. A. Allen
"GOD'S G U A R A N T E E T O H E A L Y O U "
" R E C E I V E Y E T H E H O L Y G H O S T "
" D E M O N POSSESSION—IS I T R E A L ? "
Velmer Gardner
"l S P E N T S A T U R D A Y N I G H T I N T H E DEVTL'S H O U S E "
" H E A L I N G F O R Y O U "
" W H E N G O D F I G H T S R U S S I A "
" T H E W O R L D ' S M E A N E S T T H I E F "
W. V. Grant
" D I V I N E H E A L I N G A N S W E R S , $ 1 "
" D I V I N E H E A L I N G A N S W E R S , $ 2 "

" F A I T H F O B Y O U B H E A L I N G "
" H O W T O R E C E I V E T H E H O L Y SPIRIT B A P T I S M "
" S P I R I T U A L GIFTS A N D H O W T O R E C E I V E T H E M "
T. L. Osborn
" R E V I V A L FIRES S W E E P C U B A "
O S B O R N B O O K L E T S — S E T O F F I V E
" T H E C R E A T I V E W O R D "
" W O R D C O N F E S S I O N "
" T H E R E V E L A T I O N O F F A I T H "
" I N F I N I T E L I G H T "
"SIX M E T H O D S O F P O W E R "
Stanley W. Karol
" W H Y S A N D W H E R E F O R E S "
" Y O U R S F O R T H E A S K I N G "
All books obtainable from The Voice of Healing, Box 8658, Dallas,
Texas

Contents
C H A P T E R P A G E
1. T H E P R I C E O F GOD'S M I R A C L E - W O R K I N G P O W E R 1
A. A. Allen
2. G O D S H A N D W A S U P O N M E J
Rudy Cerullo
3. " A N U N U S U A L C A L L T O H E A L I N G MINISTRY*' 12
Clifton Erickson
4. W I T H T H E " S W O R D " — A F L A M E 19
Velmer Gardner
5. " T H E G R A C E O F G O D I N M Y L I F E " 25
W . V . Grant
6. H O W G O D S P A R E D A N D D I R E C T E D M Y L I F E 30
Philip N. Green
7. R E A C H I N G A C O M M U N I T Y F O R CHRIST 37
L. D. Hall
8. " H O W G O D D E A L T I N M Y U F E " 44
H, E. Hardt
9. D E A T H S T R U C K B U T G O D P E R F O R M E D A M I R A C L E ! 54
Alton L. Hayes
10. T H E S T O R Y O F M Y C A L L 60
Gayle Jackson
v

VI C O N T E N T S
11. O N E L E T T E R C H A N G E D M Y L I F E 73
Richard Jeffery
12. M Y T E S T I M O N Y A N D C A L L 79
Stanley Karol
13. H E C A L L E D M E T O " R E S C U E T H E P E R I S H I N G " 84
Warren Litzman
14. I W A N T E D T O K N O W T H A T M A N C A L L E D "jESUS" 88
Michael Mastro
15. " i S P E N T S E V E N H O U R S I N H E A V E N " 96
Rev. and Mrs. W. B. McKay
16. " T H E A P P E A R A N C E O F CHRIST T O M E " 101
Louise Nankivell
17. C O N F I R M E D A L C O H O L I C A T 2 2 — N O W A M E S S E N G E R O F
D E L I V E R A N C E ! 107
David Nunn
18. I S A W T H E L O R D l l 6
Wilbur Ogilvie
ig. M Y L I F E S T O R Y A N D C A L L T O T H E H E A L I N G M I N I S T R Y 121
T. L. Osborn
20. M Y P E R S O N A L E X P E R I E N C E O F T H E B A P T I S M O F T H E
H O L Y SPIRIT 129
Everett B. Parrott
21. " W H A T G O D H A T H W R O U G H T " 134
Rev. and Mrs. Raymond T. Richey
22. VISIONS O F T H E L O R D 148
A. C. Valdez, Jr.
23. W H E N C H R I S T O P E N E D A DOOR F O R M E l 6 l
Richard Vinyard

(This chapter is the story of a minister who cried out to God
to show him the reason that he did not have the power of God
in his ministry. After battling many hours in prayer and fast-
ing, a supernatural light filled his prayer closet and a Voice
from heaven began to speak to him and tell him the reasons
for his lack. The vision revolutionized his ministry.)
Gliaf>ler 1
The Price of God's
Miracle-working Power
BY A. A. ALLEN
H ow long had I been here in the closet? Days or just hours?
Surely it seemed days since at my request I had heard my
wife lock that closet door from the outside! Was I really get-
ting anywhere with God? Would God answer? Would God
satisfy that hunger of my soul or would I have to admit defeat
again as so often I had done? No, I'd stay right here on my
knees until God answered or I would die in the attempt!
T H E R E S O L U T I O N T O PRAY F O R POWER
It was while pastoring my first church in Colorado, that I
definitely made up my mind that I must hear from heaven,
and know the reason that my ministry was not confirmed by
signs and wonders.

2 M E N W H O H E A R D F R O M H E A V E N
I felt sure if I would fast and pray, God would in some way
speak to me, and reveal to me what stood between me and the
miracle-working power of God in my ministry. I was so hun-
gry for God in my own life that I felt I could not stand in the
pulpit, nor ever preach again until I heard from God, and I
told my wife my plan.
It was then that I had the greatest battle of my life. Satan
was determined that I should not fast and pray until God
answered. Many times he whipped me or tricked me out of
the prayer closet. Satan knew that if I ever contacted God,
there would be much damage to his (Satan's) kingdom, and he
meant to do all in his power to hinder me from making that
contact. Day after day I went into the prayer closet determined
to stay until God spoke to me. Again and again, I came out
without the answer. I always justified myself by saying I would
pray it through tomorrow. Things would be more favorable
then.
A D E T E R M I N A T I O N T O G E T T H E ANSWER
One day, while at the table, God spoke to my heart. I had
only taken one bite of food, and I stopped. God had spoken
to me. I knew that until I wanted to hear from God more than
anything else in the world, more than food, more than the
gratification of the flesh, God would never give me the answer
to the question that was in my heart!
I arose quickly from the table, and said to my wife, "Honey,
I mean business with God this time! I'm going back into that
closet, and I want you to lock me inside. I am going to stay
there until I hear from God."
I heard her lock the door from the outside. Before she left,
she said, "I'll let you out any time you knock."
I answered, "I'll not knock until I have the answer that I
have wanted so long." At last I had definitely made up my

GOD'S M I R A C L E - W O R K I N G P O W E R 3
mind to stay there till I heard from God, no matter at what
cost! Hour after hour, I battled the devil and the flesh in that
closet. Many were the times I almost gave up. It seemed to
me that the days were slipping by, and my progress was so
slowl Many times I was tempted to give it all up, and try to
be satisfied without the answer—to go on just as I had been
doing. But deep in my soul I knew I could never be satisfied
to do that. I had tried it, and found that it was not enough.
No, I would stay right here on my knees until God answered,
or die in the attempt!
T H E DOOR O F H E A V E N OPENS
Then the glory of God began to fill the closet. I thought for
a moment that my wife had opened the door as the closet
began to grow light. But my wife had not opened the door of
the closet—Jesus had opened the door of heaven, and the closet
was flooded with light, the light of the glory of God!
The presence of God was so real, so wonderful, so power-
ful that I felt I would die right there on my knees. It seemed
that if God came any closer I could not stand it! Yet I wanted
it, and was determined to have it!
Was this my answer? Was God going to speak to me? Would
God at last, after these many years, satisfy my longing heart?
If only H e would speak to me now! If He would just answer
my one question: "Lord, why can't I heal the sick? Why can't
I work miracles in your name? Why do signs not follow my
ministry as they did in that of Peter, John, and Paul?"
I H E A R T H E V O I C E O F G O D !
T H E N , L I K E A W H I R L W I N D , I H E A R D HIS VOICE!
IT W A S G O D ! H E WAS SPEAKING T O M E ! THIS WAS
T H E G L O R I O U S A N S W E R FOR W H I C H I H A D W A I T E D
SO L O N G !

In His presence I felt like one of the small pebbles at the
foot of the towering Rockies. I felt I was unworthy even to
hear His voice. But He wasn't speaking because I was worthy.
He was speaking because I was needy. Centuries ago, He had
promised to supply that need. This was the fulfillment of that
promise.
It seemed to come faster than any human could possibly
speak; faster than I could follow mentally. God was talking to
me. It seemed God was speaking to me so rapidly I could
never remember it all. Yet I knew I could never forgetl God
was giving me a list of things that stood between me and the
power of God. After each new requirement was added to the
list i n my mind, there followed a brief explanation, or a ser-
monette, explaining that requirement and its importance.
I located a short piece of pencil and a cardboard box and
began to write down the things one at a time. When the last
requirement was written down on the list, God spoke once
again, and said, "This is the answer. When you have placed
on the altar of consecration and obedience the last thing on
your list, Y E S H A L L N O T O N L Y H E A L T H E SICK, B U T
IN M Y N A M E Y E S H A L L S E E M I G H T Y M I R A C L E S AS I N
M Y N A M E Y E P R E A C H T H E W O R D , F O R B E H O L D I
G I V E Y O U P O W E R O V E R A L L T H E P O W E R O F T H E
E N E M Y . "
God revealed to me at the same time that the things that
were hindrances to my ministry, and had prevented God from
working with me, confirming the word with the signs follow-
ing, were the very same things which were hindering so many
thousands of others.
Now it began to grow darker in the closet. I felt His mighty
power begin to lift. For a few more moments, His presence
lingered, and then I was left alone.
Alone, yet not alone!
I trembled under the mighty, lingering presence of God.

GOD'S M I R A C L E - W O R K I N G P O W E R 5
I fumbled at the bottom of the cardboard box on which I had
been writing. In the dark, I tore the part, on which I had
written, from the box. In my hand I held the list. At last here
was the price I must pay for the power of God in my life and
ministry. The price-tag for the miracle-working power of Godl
Frantically, I pounded on the locked door. Again and again
I pounded. At last I heard my wife coming. She opened the
door. The moment she saw me, she knew that I had been with
God. Her first words were, "You've got the answer."
"Yes, Honey, God has paid me a visit from heaven, and here
is the answer." In my hand was the old brown piece of paste-
board, with the answer that had cost me so many hours of
fasting and prayer and waiting, and—yes—believing!
My wife and I sat down at the table with the list before us,
and as I told her the story, we both wept, as together we went
down the list. There were thirteen items on the list when I
came out of the closet, but I erased two which were personal,
and to me alone. The remaining eleven things make up the
contents of my book. There is one entire chapter devoted to
each of these eleven requirements. If you, too, have longed for
the manifestations of the mighty power of God in your life and
ministry, I trust that these things shall inspire you, and that
God may speak to you as He did to me, and may lead you on
to victory and greater usefulness.
Since God spoke to me that day in the closet, many pages
have been torn from the calendar. In fact many calendars have
been replaced by new ones. As the time has passed, one by
one I have marked the requirements from my list. Finally I
was down to the last two. It seemed that I would never be able
to mark off the last two. Never will I forget the day I looked
over the list and found only one thing left. I had to claim that
promisel
Why have I seen such a change in the results of my minis-
try? You ask why? Have you not guessed? The last item of the

list God gave me in the closet of prayer has been marked off
the listl With the marking off of this last requirement has come
the fulfillment of God's promise. The sick are healed, devils
cast out. Mighty miracles are seen in the Name of Jesus, as
His Word is preachedl
(The rest of the story of the vision is told in Brother Allen's
book, "The Price of God's Miracle-working Power.)

(Shaftter 2
God's Hand Was upon Me
BY RUDY CERULLO
I was brought up a Roman Catholic, with church dogmas
instilled in my mind, and no real knowledge of God's Word to
keep me hungry for Christian truth. The two rites of the
Church, "Communion," and "Confirmation," I went through
with, and yet, without a knowledge of Salvation, except that
I was told because I was a good Catholic, I would go to
heaven when I died.
Church was a formal affair, and I attended through fear of
consequences, as we were told that one Sunday meeting missed
would mean much agony in purgatory, for this was considered
a gross sin. I saw very few, if any, in our church striving for
spiritual development, and, therefore, lost all desire for things
pertaining to God other than a one-hour weekly visit to church.
It was at this time in life that my brother came in contact
with a Full Gospel young man, and through his invitation,
went to a Pentecostal church and was saved. Then, through
the consistent Christian living of my brother Larry, I was led
to feel my need of Christ and accepted the Lord as my Saviour.

I confessed my sins to H i m and then, through faith, accepted
the washing away of my sins to the saving of my soul. This was
different from my church for there, by the rites and church
membership, heaven would be attained, but, praise God, I
found true deliverance to a heart hungry for God and ready to
receive H i m .
I immediately, after salvation, sought the baptism and re-
ceived a wonderful experience, after which God called me to
preach. This call came to me when I was seeking God and
reading, "With Signs Following." I read one day a prayer that
I pinned in my Bible.
"God, find my heart in closest intimacy with Thee, that I
will give my life to Thee until I expect and have a ministry
with signs following, the preaching of the Word."
Thus, at an early age, I felt a call to a ministry of Bible De-
liverance that didn't begin to be fulfilled until nine years later.
During these nine years, I preached at young people's
services, on street corners, and in jails and missions. Then, at
the proper time, I took my Bible school training.
After graduation from Bible School, I ministered about two
and a half years in pastoral and evangelistic work where I
came in close contact with the ministry of Deliverance.
U p until this time, it was very difficult to have the size and
quality of meetings I longed to be in, where God could work
in a supernatural way, but I saw how it could begin when I
attended my first Healing Campaign in Reading, Pennsylvania,
under the ministries of Brothers T. L . Osborn, and Gordon
Lindsay.
It was in this meeting that my hunger was intensified a
thousandfold for a real ministry of the supernatural. Just as I
read, and prayed and felt called in this manner nine years
before, I again felt the same surge of glory in my soul with a
witness that T H I S W A S IT, and I wouldn't be satisfied with
anything less!

GOD'S H A N D W A S U P O N M E 9
Before my very eyes God performed such miracles and
displayed such power through His servants, that I realized
truly, "Bible Days were here again."
I praise God that the Lord led me into this great deliverance
ministry, which nine years before, God had revealed He
wanted me to have. This all transpired because two men of
God obeyed H i m and visited our section of the country. I am
very happy that I am now associated with them in the great
project of the Voice of Healing.
The Reading, Pennsylvania, meeting was the first Healing
revival I attended, but it was enough to convince me that God
had this ministry for me as a fulfillment of my call nine years
before.
Feeling this so strongly, I went home, and canceled two
scheduled meetings, and sought God until I felt assured, upon
the promises of God's Word, that I, too, could pray for the
sick, and they would be healed.
During this time of seeking God for a ministry of Bible
Deliverance, I attended a few of the Vinyard meetings in
Linden, N . J., the first time he was there. It was there that all
my questions and fears about launching out into this ministry
were removed by the godly guidance of Brother Vinyard,
whom the Lord made a real blessing to me.
In my first Salvation-Healing Revival in the fall of 1949, on
the first night, God showed Himself to be the God that answers
prayer. I prayed for the sick that night and God healed a man
who was deaf in both ears, and a girl who had been deaf in
one ear all her life.
From that night, I was persuaded that the individual led by
God with a "Thus saith the Lord," could accomplish mighty
exploits through believing faith.
T H E FIRST R E A L M I R A C L E came in the second Healing
Revival we had, in Western Pennsylvania. We were looking

to God for a break. On the third night, a man came in with a
bad case of palsy, and an injured spine sustained in a foundry
accident two years before which left him a complete cripple
in the left leg. He had to drag it along and had no use of it or
the four small toes on the left leg. Also, there were four dead,
or numb spots on his leg. He was operated on and the doctor's
diagnosis was that several vertebrae were crushed. They said
he would never work again.
This crippled-palsied man was saved, and then wanted to
come into the prayer line. At this point (early in my healing
ministry) a fear gripped me, and I told him to wait three days
while I fasted and prayed until I was sure God would heal him.
Suddenly God spoke to me and said, "Who is going to heal
him anyway?" That was enough for me, for almost immedi-
ately an unexplainable power swept over me which minimized
my fear and gave me power to rebuke Satan. I called the man
into the prayer line and was given such freedom in prayer as
I breathed the name of Jesus. I felt such an anointing upon
me as I prayed, "In the Name of Jesus" three times. I opened
my eyes and saw that his palsy had stopped instantly. The
man asked what he should do next. Since I had never before
seen anyone prayed for as a cripple and did not know how to
answer him, I sought God's guidance and He led me, and
spoke through me. I heard myself say, "Walk in Jesus' Name,"
and walk he did!
At first, his leg dragged, then it loosened. Oh, how he praised
God! The Biblical story of the cripple at the Gate Beautiful
came to my mind, and I asked the man to do the same things.
I said, "Run, in the name of Jesus," and run he did after which
he turned flips in the air, crying out and praising God, saying,
"I'm healed, not only the palsy is gone, but my injured spine,
crippled leg, and four dead spots on my leg are healed, and
God has placed new life in my body." He went back to work
seven days later.

GOD'S H A N D W A S W O N M E 11
It was that miracle which caused me to so yield to God that
fear could no longer hinder me. After that, a fearless move of
God's Spirit prevailed in all our services.
God then led me into greater doors of services and instead
of preaching to the tens and twenties, God gave us hundreds
and even thousands to minister to.
We secured a tent seating 1800, then went to Mexico, where
hundreds were healed and hundreds came to God nightly.
Since that time, the Lord has allowed me to minister to many
in Convention Halls, large evangelistic meetings, large
churches, tent meetings, and camp meetings. I have had the
privilege of ministering in three different countries.
The Lord's guiding hand, and the Spirit's leading has revo-
lutionized my living, and accelerated my ministry.
All manner of sicknesses, disease and habits have been
dispelled in the name of Jesus, because my hunger for the
supernatural led me to a new fellowship with God, Who, in
turn, gave a new ministry with "Signs Following." How I thank
and praise Him because He called me, as a young boy, into
His service.
Also, may I say, in closing, that when Bible Deliverance
came within the scope of my ministry, it brought a Salvation
and Holy Ghost Baptism ministry that before was unknown
to me. More people have been saved and filled in one deliver-
ance meeting, than I used to have in six to twelve months of
revival campaigns before. Therefore, I say "Oh, how much the
Lord has done for me!"

Gkofikr 3
"An Unusual Call to
Healing Ministry"
BY CLIFTON ERICKSON
The call of God has been upon my life since I was a boy.
At approximately five years of age, I turned to my mother one
day and said: "Mother, when I grow up I am going to be a
preacher." Something caused me to say that, and I am sure it
was the Spirit of the Lord.
When I became eighteen years of age, we were living on a
ranch which was located in the foothills about twelve miles
from Wenatchee, Washington. A converted logger began a
revival campaign i n a little packing shed three miles from
where we lived. After working ten long hours in the field, we
would walk over the hills to hear this man preach the gospel.
C O N V E R T E D I N P A C K I N G S H E D
One memorable night, with tears streaming down his face,
he preached a simple message telling of the Love of God and
His power to save. As he plead with the people to repent and
be converted, my only sister rose to her feet, went forward and
dropped upon her knees, then my mother and father and my

" A N U N U S U A L C A L L T O H E A L I N G M I N I S T R Y " 13
two brothers followed, and all of them knelt together at the
altar. As I stood at the rear of the building, there was a strange
stirring in my soul as the Spirit strove with me. I knew the call
of God was upon me for the ministry, and I faced a decisive
moment in my life. The minister had preached into my very
heart, and I was deeply convicted of my sins. I continued to
deliberate for a short time, and then surrendered my will com-
pletely to the Master, and went forward to the altar. As I knelt
and asked the Lord to forgive my sins, and deliver me from
my bondage, a sweet peace came into my soul. I knew that I
had at last found the true joy for which I had been seeking. In
the light of His glory and grace, the things of the world became
strangely dim.
Immediately after my conversion I began to devote much
time to Christian work. I undertook the responsibility of being
young people's leader in the little community church, and
during that time many of the young people of the community
were gloriously converted.
I soon began to realize my need for a deeper walk with God.
We had been studying in the book of Acts concerning the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I was convinced that this
Bible experience was for me, so I began to seek for it with all
my heart. I finally became so desperate that I determined to
fast and pray. As I was praying, the Spirit of the Lord came
upon me, and these words were spoken: "If you will fast and
pray for three days, you will receive the Baptism of the Holy
Ghost at ten o'clock the third evening." M y heart was thrilled
with expectancy as I waited for the promise.
R E C E I V E S U N U S U A L SPIRITUAL E X P E R I E N C E
The third evening we decided to have a prayer meeting and
many Christians gathered together in our home to seek the face
of the Lord. As I prayed, I K N E W that the message I had

received would be fulfilled. I waited, and W H E N T E N
O ' C L O C K A R R I V E D , T H E P O W E R O F G O D C A M E A N D
SWEPT M E ACROSS T H E R O O M , L E A V I N G M E PROS-
T R A T E U P O N T H E F L O O R . T H E N , A N A N G E L WAS
SEEN BY M Y F A T H E R AS IT A P P E A R E D I N T H E R O O M
A N D H O V E R E D O V E R M E , R E A C H I N G F O R W A R D T O
CLASP M Y H A N D S AS T H E Y R E S T E D U P O N M Y BOSOM.
As I was lying there, with the power of God mightily upon
me, I felt the hands of the angel. M Y F A T H E R SAW A
T O N G U E O F F I R E A P P E A R I N T H E R O O M , REST U P O N
M Y H E A D , A N D DISAPPEAR AS IT E N T E R E D M Y
BODY. A T THIS M O M E N T I F E L T A B U R N I N G , C L E A N S -
I N G F L A M E E N T E R , A N D SURGE T H R O U G H M E , I N
W A V E A F T E R W A V E , INCREASING I N INTENSITY
U N T I L IT S E E M E D T H A T M Y W H O L E B E I N G WAS
B E I N G P U R G E D . Then I felt a power begin to move within,
and increase until I could restrain myself no longer, I
O P E N E D M Y M O U T H A N D B E G A N T O SPEAK I N A
H E A V E N L Y L A N G U A G E , extolling and praising God for
His marvelous power and glory. I had received the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit. The message spoken to me three days
before, had come to pass.
After this glorious experience, others began to prophesy
in this manner: "If thou wilt prove thyself faithful and obey
my call, I will place my power upon thee, and thou shalt go
forth in a ministry of deliverance. If thou wilt stay humble, I
will show thee my will, and thou shalt minister to great con-
gregations. I will confirm the preaching of my word with signs
and wonders, and many shall be saved."
After this experience, I walked in heavenly places for days.
As I walked and talked with God, the joy I experienced was
indescribable.

CHOOSES W I F E
A short time later, I met the young lady, Miss Vivian
Gardner, who was to be my life companion. We were engaged,
and after much prayer and waiting upon the Lord, we were
happily married.
After our marriage, we went through a time of severe trial
and testing. Vivian had been suffering a great deal from stom-
ach ulcers, and was finally confined to bed, for she could not
keep even a cup of warm water in her stomach. We finally be-
came desperate. I went upon my knees by the bedside, and we
cried out to God for deliverance. As we prayed, I felt inspired
to place my hands upon her, and rebuke the affliction. When I
did, the power of God came so mightily that the whole bed
shook from the impact, and my wife arose, healed.
F A C E D W I T H BLINDNESS
The following winter we went through another severe trial.
We were hauling logs from the mountains down to the farm,
where we cut them into cordwood. The spring hanger bolt on
the truck had sheared off, and I was replacing it with a new
one. As I was pounding it in with a hammer, a piece of steel
struck my eye. Thinking that the piece of steel had merely
glanced off the eyeball, cutting it, I neglected going to the
doctor, but when the pain became unbearable, I went and
found that my condition was very critical. The steel had
pierced the eyeball, and lodged in the pupil. After several
attempts the physician finally removed it, and when he did, the
mucus ran out. He then told me that infection had begun in
both eyes, and there was a possibility that I would become
totally blind. He put a bandage over the pierced eye, and told
me to return. I went back twice, but he gave me no hope, for

my condition was much worse. By this time, the pain was be-
coming so excruciating that I could hardly bear it. I will never
forget how I felt, as I walked away from the doctor's office,
faced with the seriousness of my condition. I had finally come
to the realization that my condition was hopeless as far as
human help was concerned and my only hope was to trust God.
As I considered the possibility of the removal of both eyes,
and of being blind all my life, I determined not to return to
the physician, but to trust the One Who had saved my soul,
and become my dearest friend. I prayed: "Jesus, You have
never failed me, and I know that at this time when I am in
such dire need, You will intervene and heal me."
My suffering became more intense, I had to keep my hand
over my unbandaged eye most of the time for the light would
cause great pain. Most of my time was spent in bed, or pacing
the floor and praying.
We heard that there was to be a Bible Conference in
Wenatchee, so I decided to go and be prayed for. Several
ministers who believed in the power of God were there. After
the message was preached, I went forward and asked them to
pray for me. As they prayed, I felt healing virtue go through
my eyes, and I tore the dark glasses and bandage off. When
I opened my eyes I was staring at a large light bulb, but felt no
distress. I went home that night praising God for His mercy.
The next morning as I awakened, I was in great pain, my
eyes seemed to be worse than they were before. I dressed and
went into the living room, and began to pace the floor, and
pray in this manner: "Oh God, I know you healed me last
night. Lord, I believe your word. You said: 'They shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall recover.' (Mark 18:18.) If
there is anything hindering the fulfillment of your promise in
my behalf, I pray that you will show me." M y wife and parents
tried to show me sympathy, but I refused, for I knew that if I
received their sympathy I would be giving up. I was facing the

crisis, I had to believe God, and not become resigned to my
condition. The tears were streaming down my face from the
pain. I finally became exhausted and went to bed, and plead
for them to come and pray for me that I would have faith and
not give up. (Friends, O F T E N T I M E S W E H A V E T O R E A C H
OUR E X T R E M I T Y , B E F O R E W E A R E I N A POSITION
T O R E A C H G O D . ) I arose again and went into the living
room and began to pray. As I paced the floor, God began to
speak to me, regarding the call into the ministry. I had
hesitated, because I so keenly felt my incapability. I was just
a farm boy, and I could not see how I would be able to preach
the Gospel to the multitudes. The call that I had received had
become vague in my memory, and I had been neglectful, but
now I was facing the issue. I knew deliverance would come,
only as I was willing to be obedient to the call. I said: "Yes,
Lord, what is it that you want me to do?" Then the message
came: "If you will obey my voice, and do my will, I will heal
your eyes." I said: "I will." Then the Lord spoke again, telling
me to go to a certain town in an adjoining state, and begin to
preach the Gospel. I answered: "Lord, will you speak to my
wife, that she too may know your will?" In a short time, my
wife came from another room, where she had been praying and
said: "Honey, God has just spoken to me. He said if we will
go to a certain town, and begin preaching the Gospel, you will
be healed." S H E H A D R E C E I V E D T H E MESSAGE A F T E R
I H A D P R A Y E D T H A T IT W O U L D B E R E V E A L E D .
M y brother-in-law and sister consented to go with us, and
we made preparation as quickly as possible. My brother-in-law
drove, for I was unable to do so. When we arrived at our
destination, a home was miraculously provided, and we began
meetings in a small auditorium. We had just enough money
to make the trip and rent this place for our meetings.
I C O U L D N O T S E E TO R E A D , B U T T H E FIRST N I G H T
AS I STOOD T O P R E A C H M Y S E R M O N , I C O U L D SEE T O

R E A D M Y T E X T . The following day I suffered, but when it
was time to preach, I C O U L D A G A I N SEE TO R E A D . We
continued, and when two weeks had expired, I could see per-
fectly. I was able to read and drive my car, I was completely
healed. What rejoicing there was, how we praised God that
we had obeyed His voice. I H A V E H A D M Y EYES T E S T E D ,
A N D T H E Y A R E P E R F E C T L Y N O R M A L . (Dear friend, if
you are in difficulty, be encouraged to stand fast, and believe
God, for the answer will come.)
P R O M I S E D MINISTRY BEGINS
We had campaigns, through the winter months, in several
assemblies; and then were invited to conduct a revival in one
of the largest churches in the state. In this meeting, many
received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and several were con-
verted, but there was an increasing hunger in my soul to see
greater things. In desperation, I went before the Lord in fasting
and prayer. I knew that the multitudes could be reached only
as God intervened by means of the supernatural. The con-
dition of this lost world became my burden, and I cried: "Oh
God, if you can, use me for the sake of others." The words of
the Master: "Ye shall receive P O W E R , after the Holy Ghost
is come upon you," were emblazoned before my eyes. P O W E R
to cast out devils, P O W E R to heal the sick, P O W E R to preach
convincingly to the lost. The Lord spoke to my soul again, as
He did in days past. "Son, keep in mind at all times, that as I
bless and anoint you, it shall be for the sake of others only.
You must realize, without me you are unable to minister ef-
fectively, but as you stay humble, and seek my face, you shall
know my power, and see my glory."
Little did I realize, that the prophecies I had heard years
ago, and the message I had just received, would be literally
fulfilled in a few short days.

@kaf>ier 4
Witn tne '"Sword" . . . a Flame
BY VELMER GARDNER
I graduated from the Northwestern Bible College in 1938 in
Seattle, Washington. I immediately entered the evangelistic
ministry, and also served as the President of the Alumni As-
sociation of this school for nine years. After a short time on the
evangelistic field I pastored three churches in the state of
Washington.
It was while pastoring my last church in 1943 that God
began to speak to my soul in a greater way than ever before.
I spent hours in prayer and God gave me faith to believe H i m
for great revivals with miracles of healing.
I resigned my church, bought a trailer house, secured a cor-
respondence school course for our two children and started out
believing God for Apostolic revival. I had dedicated my life
afresh to God and had promised Him to pray for the sick in
every revival.
In the first campaign I prayed for many hours a day seeking
God for a demonstration of His power. I read the book of Acts
again and again. M y heart was broken as I compared it with

our churches and evangelism today. I listened to the great men
of faith, such as Smith Wigglesworth and Dr. Charles Price,
and my soul was stirred and faith inspired. I cried out to God
and said, "Why can't we have meetings like that today?" God
spoke to my soul and said, "You can if you'll pay the price."
I determined to have God's best regardless of the cost and
to let this generation see the power of God.
I announced a healing service for the next night and spent
all day fasting and praying. The devil came to me and said,
"Not very many people get healed when you pray for them,
do they?" I answered, "No." (No use trying to lie.) Those were
days when faith was very low. Very few preached healing or
had any faith. I had a lot of hope and a little faith. One man
stood and testified like this: "I thank God for His healing
power. I had a very bad cold. So I left church early, took a hot
bath, drank some hot lemonade, took a couple of aspirins,
rubbed myself down good with Vicks, put on a hot mustard
plaster and went to bed and trusted God to heal me." (Amaz-
ing faith how sweet the sound.)
Yes, those were difficult days to pray for the sick and the
devil was trying to discourage me. I rose from my knees and
began to talk back to the devil. I said, "Listen devil, I'm pray-
ing for the sick tonight. If the first one I pray for falls dead
I'll say, 'Next.' If that one dies, I'll go on down the line. If
they all die I'll go to another church and start praying for the
sick there. I'm going to pray for the sick because God's Word
says, if I call He'll answer, if I lay hands on the sick they'll re-
cover. M y job is to pray, it's up to God to heal." The devil left
me then and a new revelation of the power of God's word
flooded my soul.
I prayed for the sick that night and many miracles were
wrought by His power. I prayed for the sick then in every
meeting and we saw miracles of healing that shook cities and
brought great revivals.

W I T H T H E " S W O R D " . . . A F L A M E 21
In Eugene, Oregon, in 1948 I conducted my fourth revival
campaign for Pastor Gordon Kampfer. The meeting had a small
beginning, but finally grew to tremendous proportions, with
people saved and healed and filled every night. Great crowds
came for many miles each night. This great revival lasted for 10
weeks.
It was during this meeting that God visited my soul again.
I was praying and reading the Bible one Saturday morning.
I read Mark 13:34, "For the Son of Man is as a man taking
a far journey, who left His house and gave authority to His
servants." THIS V E R S E O F SCRIPTURE S E E M E D T O
L E A P O U T O F T H E PAGES O F T H E B I B L E INTO M Y
VERY SOUL. Then God spoke to my soul and showed me the
"authority'' He had given to His servants today, and that no
sickness, disease or devils could stand before our prayers. He
showed me that every demon power was subject to His
servants that were filled with His power. I immediately began
to pray for the sick with a new found faith. It wasn't a struggle
anymore. God had spoken to me through His word and at last
I had a living faith for suffering humanity.
A short time prior to this great experience with God, I was
in another revival in Washington state. The news came to me
that D r . Price and Wigglesworth had both suddenly been
called to heaven. I went down in the basement of the church
and cried my heart out. I thought of all the sick, twisted, de-
formed, broken bodies. And then I thought of how few men
were praying for the sick and had a compassion for the suffer-
ing. I cried until it seemed I couldn't stop. Both of these men
had been such a help to me. I cried, "Oh, God why did you
take them? The world is filled with sickness and disease. The
world needs the faith of Wigglesworth and the preaching of
Price, but now they're dead and their message gone."
In brokenhearted despair I lay before God on the cold
basement floor. T H E N L I K E A M I G H T Y F L A M E O F FIRE

GOD'S SPIRIT B E G A N T O B U R N W I T H I N M Y SOUL. I
knew that I was in the presence of the One that walked into
the fiery furnace. I knew that the God that sent fire on Carmel
had seen my tears. His Spirit spoke to me and said, "It is true,
Price my servant is dead, Wigglesworth my servant is dead.
But the God of Price and Wigglesworth still lives. And if you
will humble yourself and walk softly before me, I will be with
you as I was with them."
God promised miracles of healing and revivals that would
shake the world. I leaped to my feet and began to praise God
for the answer to prayers that had burdened my soul for years.
At that very time God began to raise up men all over the
country. Men of faith. Men that believed God. Men of prayer.
Men of holy character. Miracles of healing were wrought.
B I B L E DAYS W E R E H E R E AGAIN.
At this time Rev. Gordon Lindsay invited me to his church
in Ashland, Oregon, where he was pastoring. We were there
nine weeks and again God moved in a great way. During our
stay there, Brother Lindsay told me of the great burden on his
heart for bringing the churches together in great Union Cam-
paigns and the great revival he believed God was going to send
the world. It was during our time in Ashland that he resigned
this thriving church and organized the Voice of Healing
magazine.
In the providence of God, Bro. Lindsay organized some great
Union Healing Campaigns in the state where I was in meet-
ings. I postponed one of my meetings and went to a week of
these healing services. I saw the verse of scripture God had
burned into my soul, "on our authority over sickness and the
devil," put into practice by God's humble servants. I saw what
God would do if we dared to believe. I saw miracles that
thrilled my soul. Immediately I began holding meetings in
large auditoriums and saw God move with signs and wonders
I had never seen before. People would come for hundreds of

W I T H T H E " S W O R D " . . . A F L A M E 23
miles every day to the services. Scores were being saved. God's
blessing was upon my soul. I was the happiest I ever had been
in my entire ministry.
I was sure everyone would be as happy over these great
revivals as I was. However I soon found out that this was not
the case. Many of my friends began to oppose these great
revivals. I knew that if I wasn't careful I would lose the favor
of men. I had invitations to nearly all the largest churches in
our movement. So to keep popular I compromised the message
God had given me. I stopped praying for the sick and even
began opposing some of the men in the healing ministry. God's
blessing lifted from my soul. The meetings became empty and
lifeless. God's anointing had departed. I became discouraged
and was planning on quitting the ministry. M y great revivals
were over. No healings, very few conversions, no one being
filled with the Spirit. My soul was empty of God's blessing. I
still had more invitations for meetings than I could fill, but I
wasn't satisfied. There were no results.
God was merciful once again and allowed me to go to an-
other great healing revival. There I heard God's Word
preached under one of the greatest anointings I had ever felt
in all my fife. I saw hundreds answer a single altar call. I saw
miracles that stirred my soul. I saw Jesus being exalted and
magnified. I cried out to God and asked Him to forgive me.
/ prayed and cried out to God all night and promised God
if He would forgive me and anoint me again I'd preach the
gospel of deliverance without compromise or fear of man. I
told God I'd follow Him if every church in America closed its
doors to me. I promised God I'd preach healing and pray for
the sick if I had to do it in the corn fields.
I felt the fire of God once again begin to burn in my soul.
Immediately hundreds began coming to Christ in our meetings.
Miracles of healing were again wrought. We purchased a large
tent and equipment and have seen thousands come to the altar

seeking salvation. We have seen hundreds receive the Holy
Ghost. We have seen totally blind eyes instantly opened. We
have seen the deaf hear and cancers and tumors die. We have
seen dying people leap from stretchers. We have seen the para-
lyzed leave wheel chairs. We have seen the lame leave their
crutches and limp no more.
Friends, B I B L E DAYS A R E H E R E AGAIN and as for me
and my house " W E W I L L S E R V E T H E L O R D . "

Gkaf>Ur 5
"Tke Grace of God in My Life"
BY W. V. GRANT
JLhere were a few things that I wanted to do before I got
saved. I wanted "to get" a certain school teacher who had
whipped me unmercifully with a stiff limb. I intended to
"bump off' a guy who had stolen a gun and had given me so
much trouble. I intended to kill a neighbor's mule because he
had killed our mule; and, of course, there were a few places
I wanted to go before I changed my way of living.
I began to pray, but determined that no one should know
that I was under conviction until I was saved. I had an im-
pression to tell Mama, but I was ashamed. Every time I would
start to pray, I would hear someone coming and look up to find
no one.
I began to feel that I was the meanest man in all the world.
Among the mean things which came up before me was a
picture of myself in the back of churches laughing and making
fun. I thought of how I mocked those who had testified. At last
I made up my mind to go to the altar, during a large revival
campaign of about five thousand people. I knelt down and

began to pray. I can still hear those prayers of the neighbors
and kinfolks, as they surrounded me in that sawdust.
As I unloaded, I got to where I could lift one hand at a time
and then lift my head before that large crowd. I then unloaded
all my sins, and my feet were so light that it seemed I was just
touching the floor now and then. I felt as light as a feather,
instead of as heavy as a bale of cotton.
JESUS H E A L E D M E
I was prayed for to be healed the night I received the Holy
Ghost, but the next morning I could see no difference in my
physical condition. As I was praying, in the bottom of a dry
branch near the corn patch, I opened Mama's Bible and
Exodus 15:26 seemed to leap out above all the rest of the
verses, just for me. I did not know that it was in the Bible
before. The verse said that if I would obey God, I was healed.
The devil said no one could obey God, but that I would die. I
told him it would be a short route to glory. God then sent a
peace into my soul which drove out all fear, doubt, worry and
unbelief. 7 threw my medicine down. I did not know how, hut
I believed that I could go on without it. About two weeks
passed before I could tell a great deal of difference; but some-
how God helped me to live. In two months I had gained
twenty-five pounds; in six months forty pounds. Up until then,
my stomach had felt as dead as a piece of wood, but now it
was alive. I began clearing land for seventy-five cents a ten-
hour day.
M y uncle had the same trouble I had had. I wrote him such
a long letter that he had to pay extra postage to get it. How-
ever, he did not believe me. H e died soon thereafter.
After Jesus healed me, I could plow all day and could walk
from four to fourteen miles to and from church each night.
Previously I was not able to stay up until nine o'clock one

" T H E G R A C E O F GOD I N M Y L I F E " 27
night each week. It seemed that I was now living in a new
world among new people.
T H E L O R D W I L L G U I D E
After I was saved and filled with the Spirit, the Lord began
teaching me to trust Him for guidance, even in the little details
of life. One night I was riding Old Lidge, a twenty-five-year-
old, bare-backed, tough-mouthed, stubborn mule through those
mountain roads, which all looked alike, when I lost my way
to a cottage prayer meeting. After trying a long time to keep
him from going home, I decided to just turn him loose and
pray. Old Lidge turned off each road just right and carried me
to the door of the prayer-meeting, stopping at the gate. If God
can guide a mule, we should not be more stubborn than Old
Lidge.
I was determined to pray three times each day as Daniel
did, and I prayed for God to let me go through something as
Job did, so I could show Him how I loved Him by trusting
Him. I prayed for hours at a time with my face in the leaves,
pine-straw or the cotton-seed. God saved many of the roughest
boys in that country. One lady told me that she did not approve
of her boy running with me, after I had helped him get saved
and filled with the Spirit. She said she wanted him to make
a mark in the world. He joined the army and was lost in battle
after he backslid.
SAW FIRST " H E A L I N G C A M P A I G N "
Sometime after I had been called to the ministry and was
pastoring a church, I heard that several of my members and
some other neighbors were going to Shreveport, Louisiana, to
a "Healer." I will admit that something within me rebelled
against the thought. One of them gave me a magazine called

28 MEN WHO HEARD FROM HEAVEN
"THE VOICE OF HEALING." After I read this I saw no one
claimed to be a " H E A L E R . " I changed my mind and told them
I believed I would go along with them. I felt impressed of the
Lord to carry others who needed healing.
There I saw Brother and Sister Gordon Lindsay and Brother
Hall and a girls' trio for my first time. I was amazed as I saw
the results that took place in that "Healing Campaign." It
seemed like Bible Days were here again. The only fault I could
find was they were doing many times as much as I was. Then
when I saw the group who responded to the altar-call my
heart cried out, "That is just what the world needs today!"
People were there from far and near. I stepped to the phone
and told my wife I would not be home as early as I had
planned. But I stayed and observed this, and realized that it
was what my heart had always cried out for.
I went back happy because my members received marvelous
healings. It would have been so easy for me to get up and
preach against " H E A L E R S " the next Sunday morning. But I
am so glad I went and found it to be just what I had been try-
ing to do, but on a much larger scale. It is better to get a
hundred souls saved than one.
From that day the desire to stay there and toil for weeks to
get two or three saved left me. I decided that I would stay in
my room and pray two hours each morning and two hours each
afternoon.
" F A S T I N G A N D PRAYER"
Up to that time I had been against long fasts, and I am yet,
unless God leads i n that direction. I had never fasted over
four days. After getting a preacher to take care of my church,
I shut myself up in a room and fasted the number of days that
God directed.
On the last day of the fast, the voice of the Lord spoke

" T H E G R A C E O F GOD I N M Y L I F E " 29
plainly to me. I will not tell you what it said, but you can read
it in Mark 16:17-18. It is so real when God speaks a verse direct
to you. I would not take a thousand worlds for that experience.
It was something I had been waiting on to happen for seven-
teen years as I prayed and waited. It was just what I believed
always, even before I was saved. I have had no new revelation.
I did not know exactly all that God had done for me at that
time until later. Immediately, I saw people healed of heart
trouble, cancer, arthritis, and several things. People were de-
livered from whiskey and cigarettes, surprising the neighbors.
The Sunday School went to twice as much as it was when we
came there, and people came for miles to be prayed for. Several
were delivered from the hospitals.
One night God gave me a vision about my future connection
with " T H E V O I C E O F H E A L I N G " Magazine, even giving
me the new address which they now have. No one knew about
it then, as far as I know.

Ghafiier 6
How GoJ Spared and
Directed My Life
BY PHILIP N. GREEN
A state of emergency had existed for more than thirty-two
hours. A baby boy, prematurely born, lay very still in the
anxious arms of the eighteen-year-old mother, while the spark
of life flickered only faintly as dawn replaced darkness on
April 17, 1916. This crisis had chilled the pride of heart and cut
deep lines in the face of the father as he silently watched for
every sign of life in his first-born. The doctor, very weary from
his constant vigil throughout the long night, looked ap-
prehensively at the tiny form, and broke the stillness with
somber words. "Your baby has little chance to five; if he sur-
vives, continual illness will be his lot, and he will be a daily
care all the days of his life." On Doctor Bradley's books today
can be found an entry of ten dollars for services rendered—
"why charge more for a dying child's entrance into this life?"
For many weeks in the small, red house beside the railroad
tracks in Calumet City, Illinois, the old oil lamp burned low
every night. The bitter battle for life continued over a period
of many months as complications were met one by one.

H O W GOD S P A R E D A N D DIRECTED M Y L I F E 31
Outside and to the right stood the single bridge over the
Calumet River. At infrequent intervals the bridge had to be
moved by hand in a semi-circle to make room for passing
boats. For this work the company paid my father a mere sixty
dollars a month.
Every two or three weeks for fourteen years, Dr. Bradley
was summoned to our home. Day or night, he would come to
do what he could to keep life in a suffering, feverish, weak
and pain-racked body.
When I was six, my parents moved to 4522 Towle Avenue,
Hammond, Indiana, where they still reside. School days were
unhappy days, while the cloud of repeated illnesses hung low.
My weight was never up to standard. Lack of blood plagued
me in spite of medications. A crossed right eye with a weak
left eye made glasses necessary even before school days began.
My tonsils would swell often and literally fell apart when re-
moved, when I was twelve. Infected and soft teeth brought
suffering when other pains were mercifully quiet. M y lungs
were not strong, and general constitutional weakness resulted
in multiplied pains through the utter lack of the essentials that
would make one robust. Every winter brought fevers, colds,
pains; every summer brought regret because lack of strength
kept me out of happy childhood games. During many a night,
the only rest possible came while dozing between the groans
that would awaken me to the consciousness of multiplied pains
in my entire body. I was dismissed from school by order of the
doctor for some months because of my condition.
The mental impact, especially when one feels that a normal
life will not be possible, is most dreadful. Sooner or later it
leads to frustration. I wept alone many hours, fully conscious
of sub-normal health. In the bathroom one day with the door
locked, I opened the familiar medicine cabinet and wondered
what would end mv suffering quickly and relieve the strain on

family finances. Continual suffering had been my lot, while my
parents and two younger sisters enjoyed good health.
During my fourteenth year, I overheard my mother and a
friend talking about a certain Pentecostal church. After re-
peated requests to attend, I found myself listening to a tall
Kentucky preacher on January 2, 1931. He invited sinners to
the altar and, although mother was tugging at my coat, I
pressed forward to the altar, and was saved that night. I was
baptized in the Holy Spirit on February 8th, and called to
preach March 31st. M y first sermon was delivered on April 10,
1931 just one week from my fifteenth birthday.
I then resolved to trust God for my healing. This shocked
my parents, because for fourteen years I had lived by the aid of
many things medical. Faith grew and my glasses were removed
in September of 1931, after wearing them for nine years. A
physician had said my eyes could never be any better; there-
fore, I resolved to trust God to heal my eyes, also. Instantly
God healed them, as I believed Him. M y eyes have been per-
fect since that dayl
Training was next. In 1932, I attended Central Bible Insti-
tute and during the summer held evangelistic meetings in
Alabama. License to preach was issued during that summer
when I was seventeen. After the second year in Bible School,
I returned to Alabama for evangelistic meetings. In 1935, I
graduated from Central Bible Institute, at 19. The same year
—on Christmas Eve, I married Montez Coleman at Frisco City,
Alabama, whom I had met in the Excel Tabernacle, Excel, Ala-
bama, when I held a revival there. She was the president of
the Christ's Ambassadors there, and was going with an unsaved
young man, whom she nobly purposed to win to the Lord.
However, I soon persuaded her she should marry a preacher—
me, which she did. Rev. A. L . Shell officiated.
I was ordained in January, 1936 in Sullivan, Mo. Our first
pastorate was in Ash Grove, Missouri. After a few months, we

HOW GOD SPARED AND DrRECTED MY LIFE 33
entered evangelistic work and went to Florida. By a miracle,
Florida Bible Institute opened its doors and I graduated in
May, 1937 while pastoring a small church in Tampa.
Taylor University was our next educational stop and we both
worked hard that year. Financial difficulties did not permit us
to return to that great school of the Methodist Conference.
M y wife and I accepted the pastorate of the Assembly of God
church in Eagle Lake, Florida, in 1938. While there our
daughter—Norma Montez Green was born on June 28, 1939.
Soon after her birth, we felt the Lord leading us, and for one
and one-half years stayed in evangelistic work, using original
blackboard charts in the South and East.
While in this work and when holding a revival i n Gary,
Indiana, in 1941, we were invited to start a new work in Chi-
cago. A group of Southern people asked that we become their
leaders. We remained in that city eight years, and Chicago
Gospel Assembly continues to operate at 1901 North Lowell.
I had planned to remain in Chicago for years, but God had
other plans for us.
My wife became seriously ill, in February 1946, and went
quickly down to the doors of death. Loved ones came from
Alabama and Indiana. God worked a miracle and raised her
up, but the nerve strain of the big city made it necessary for
us to leave Chicago. I was crushed, but God knew bestl
Through her illness, God was dealing with me to make a
deeper consecration to Him.
Divine Healing Revivals had begun. One evangelist was in
Chicago. Sister Green wanted to attend because she had not
received sufficient strength in her body to stay up all day. God
gave strength to my wife, and did a work in my heart at the
same time, calling me gradually into the knowledge that I was
to have a ministry of miracles.
We moved to Florida and took a teaching position in Trinity
College (Pentecostal). There, in the sunshine, my wife im-

proved and gained strength enough to attend classes regularly.
We graduated together when she received her B.A. degree
and I completed my thesis for the Master's degree.
During the early part of the year of 1950, because of His
dealings with me, I was so constantly conscious that the Lord
had a richer, fuller ministry for me than I had ever known, and
I daily sought Him, fasting and praying much to learn more
fully what His will for my life was. On the 17th of April that
year, I went down to the beach and spent that day apart from
everyone, in fasting and prayer, and asked the Lord to show
me in such a way definitely what His complete will for my life
was.
Therefore, it is not strange that the latter part of May, 1950,
while reading a text on philosophy in my office, preparing to
write a text on the "Believers Approach to Philosophy," the
Lord spoke O N E S E N T E N C E to me, "If you will close your
library, and read only one Book, I will give you miracles wher-
ever you go."
I was a bit surprised and amazed, though I should not have
been. On June 1st, I began systematic Bible reading that takes
me through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation six times a
year.
Two revivals had been arranged for the summer months, so
we went to Ghicago for the first Tevival. I had an interview
with the Dean of the Graduate School, University of Chicago,
and received papers for admission for work toward the Doctor
of Philosophy degree. Transcripts had been submitted and ten-
tative acceptance had been given. I was happy.
About a week later in my old study in Chicago, one day I
found myself on my back on the floor with the glory of God
so mighty upon me, that I wept in fear. A burning sensation
was evident in my chest. I was neither unconscious nor in a
trance. No person was to be seen—only the wonderful presence
of God!

H O W G O D S P A R E D A N D D I R E C T E D M Y L I F E 35
That night, the sick requested to be prayed for; this had not
been planned. During my entire ministry, to be sure, I had
prayed for the sick—rather half-heartedly, as they came and
asked me to pray for them, as most Pentecostal pastors and
ministers prayed for the sick, though—I'll confess—I rather
wished they would not make that request of me, because I
knew in my heart that I did not have sufficient faith for the
Lord to heal them, but I did want to have. I felt that God's
powerful visitation in my body had resulted from the reading
of His Word, and I was thrilled as I saw miracles take place
that night which stand todayl
The news spread rapidly. The second revival was only two
miles from my boyhood home. Among friends who knew me
from the time I was converted, miracle after miracle happened.
After a year on the field, pictures and testimonies were sub-
mitted to Voice of Healing.
The healing of Mary Ruth Gist ( T V H - M a r c h , 1953) took
place in my second Deliverance Revival, and my home town
newspaper carried the story in the Sunday edition, November
19, 1950.
About October, 1951, the Lord asked if I would minister
overseas. M y heart gave a positive answer, and I called my
wife to tell her the decision.
At the Healing Convention in Tulsa, in December, Brother
Lindsay requested that I say a few words about my work. The
same day Brother DuPlessis asked if I would go overseas and
promised to arrange the meetings. I accepted and The Voice
of Healing has carried reports of the campaigns there.
At this writing, a week of services among the students has
just been concluded at Southwestern Bible Institute, and the
second annual repeat meeting in the 1st Assembly in Waxa-
hachie, Texas, is in progress.
Twenty-two years ago Jesus came into this broken body. His

will has been first, all these years when we served as evangelist,
pastor, and teacher.
Nearly 20,000 pages have been read and re-read in the Word
since June 1, 1950.
My wife and daughter work hard in Faith Tabernacle, where
she is pastor, in Tampa, Florida, and pray for the Lord to direct
my life in Deliverance Campaigns around the world. We both
have our work to do for God—my wife as a pastor and, for me,
the work is Deliverance Revivals as God directs.
God spared my life way back in 1916 when my parents were
not saved. Throughout the years, His hand has directed in the
educational field, and, for over two years now, He has lead in
America and overseas in Deliverance Services.
I give H i m all the glory, He saved me; healed me; called me
to minister, to pastor and teach, and now to deliver through
His name!

Reaching a Community for Christ
BY L. D. HALL
In the early years of the twentieth century, the Henry Lee
Hall family left their Missouri home in search of a more pros-
perous place to raise their children. They spent two years on
the plains of North Dakota growing wheat. While there, in
February of 1906,1, their sixth child, was born and named by
my grandfather, Leon Dakota. M y parents left the wheatfields
of North Dakota to move to the great northwest. For some
years they lived in Washington, and then moved to Oregon.
My parents were sincere Baptist Christians. Sundays found our
family of children filling a pew between our mother and father.
Though I was kept in regular church attendance, I did not
answer the call of God, and the great truths of the Gospel did
not take hold of my heart.
While I was still a child my oldest sister married. She and
her husband, Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Heydon, lived in Spokane
where Dr. John Lake pastored a large church that was shaking
the countryside with its doctrine of divine healing. They be-
came interested, and my sister received the baptism of the

Holy Spirit. These two people later had great influence for
good in my life.
During my teen age years, I became rather unruly, and one
day after a disagreement with my father, I left home. I took
the train for Lind, Washington, where my Pentecostal sister
and her husband lived on a large wheat ranch. While traveling
on the train, I became very sick. When I reached my sister's
home, I was so ill that I asked for some medicine that might
relieve the pain. They told me that for some time they had
used no medicine, but that they would pray for me if I wished.
Although this was new to me, I told them to pray. When they
laid hands on me and prayed, I felt the power of God go down
through my body, and I was healed. After resisting the Lord,
for three days, I finally yielded my heart to Him. The next few
days were glorious days, packed full of the joy of the Lord,
prayer meetings, and studying the Word day and night. Three
weeks later I went to Spokane with the Heydons on business.
While there we attended Dr. John Lake's church. The next
morning we went to a cottage prayer meeting, and there I
received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Oh what a glorious
experience, and it has continued on till now.
I stayed with the Heydons and helped them on their ranch
for some months. They were a real help to me as we spent
many hours praying and studying together after the day's work
was done.
After reconciliation with my mother and father, I moved
with my parents to Portland, Oregon. There we attended an-
other of Dr. John Lake's churches. At this church we saw every
type of healing and miracle take place by the hand of God.
This stirred my heart, as well as the lives of other young men
in the church. Many nights we sought the Lord all night in
prayer meetings. It was at this time that I answered the call of
God to the ministry.
In January of 1926, Brothers Gordon Lindsay, Tom Welch,

R E A C H I N G A C O M M U N I T Y F O R CHRIST 39
and myself left Portland for our first evangelistic efforts. While
in San Diego, California, Dr. John Lake laid his hands on the
three of us, and ordained us to the ministry. We left there to
set up a tent in the town of E l Cajon not far from San Diego.
During this tent meeting, we saw the hand of the Lord out-
stretched in saving grace, baptizing power, and healing de-
liverance, as God confirmed His Word. The next four years of
labor were spent in pioneer work. Through the results of this
labor, several churches were started. In June of 1928, Miss
Gladys Lindsay and I were married.
In 1930 I accepted the call to pastor the Four Fold Taber-
nacle in Taft, California. Many years of pastoral work have
followed. In recent years I began to feel dissatisfied with what
was being accomplished. I felt that the church should be mak-
ing a greater impact on the community.
It was at this time, over four years ago, while pastoring a
church in Grants Pass, Oregon, that Brother William Branham
conducted services in the near-by town of Ashland, where
Brother Gordon Lindsay was pastor of a thriving church. Many
from our church attended these services. This marked the be-
ginning of the upward surge in our church. The folks began
to claim the promises of healing and miracles confirming
the Word of God. They came back from that meeting with
testimonies of healings that stimulated faith, especially
mine.
Shortly after this meeting, I made a trip to California where
I attended part of a service conducted in Visalia. I was able to
get this evangelist to come to the Grants Pass Assembly of God
for a series of meetings. For one week, we saw miracles, signs
and wonders performed by the hand of the Lord, in the minis-
try of our brother. Later on, he returned for two other meet-
ings. From the very beginning, the church was packed, and
soon we had to add extra chairs to utilize every available space.
Even the prayer room was filled; there the people could hear

but could not see what was going on. Then folks stood outside,
looking in the windows when there was no more standing
room inside. In the course of these meetings, we saw blind
eyes opened, the deaf hear, and the dumb speak. Cots were
emptied of their patients. One man who had been in a wheel
chair for three years, absolutely helpless, and who had to be
carried to the bed from the wheel chair, is now walking and has
general use of his body. Just recently I talked to this man in
a meeting in our tabernacle, and he testified over the micro-
phone. After three years, the healing was still standing.
After these meetings, I was given a leave of absence from
my church, and for about nine months I traveled, assisting in
union services. The scope and results of these meetings were
phenomenal. This opened my eyes to a marvelous truth, and
I began to search the Word. I soon realized that we had been
substituting other legitimate but rather powerless means for
God's biblical plan to reach the world with the Gospel. When
Jesus sent forth His disciples, He said, "And into whatsoever
city ye enter . . . heal the sick that are therein, and say unto
them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." (Luke
10:8,9.) After the day of Pentecost, the disciples found that the
responsibility of healing the sick and afflicted, as well as the
salvation of men's souls, rested upon the Church. In order to
reach the multitudes they felt the need of the miraculous in
their ministry. This truth is shown in Acts 4:29, 30. . . And
grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak
thy word. By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs
and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."
These scriptures, with other similar ones, became indelibly
impressed on my mind, and I fully realized that, if the Church
was to accomplish its God given task of reaching the lost, this
was the way to do it.
Later I was privileged to travel with the Branham party,

having charge of the erection of the large tent and equipment.
I also conducted many of the afternoon instruction services,
and ministered to the sick and afflicted at that time. It was
marvelous to me to see God heal every manner of disease and
affliction. Viewing the results of these tent campaigns, gave me
a great vision of what could be accomplished in the Rogue
River Valley where Grants Pass is located, if this type of meet-
ing could be conducted there. Shortly afterwards, while hold-
ing a business meeting in our local church, I mentioned the
vision of my heart, and suggested that the only way we could
break this community open on a large scale for God was to
erect a large tabernacle, and bring more of these men with
their sign gift ministry to the community. The whole church
was stirred with enthusiasm, and in a very few days, land was
secured, as donations poured in. The lots were cleared of brush
and trees, by large "cats" and by the help of the people of our
congregation in volunteer labor. The Lord laid the burden of
this tabernacle on the heart of Rev. Edward Grafstrom, one of
our brethren. With his supervision, and the help of men,
women and children, the first part of this tabernacle was
erected, while I continued in tent meetings with Brother Bran-
ham.
In December, 1950, at the completion of the first section of
the building, with a seating capacity of about 2,000, Rev.
William Branham conducted a week of healing meetings. Dur-
ing these meetings, Brother Branham had charge of the dedica-
tion service for this tabernacle. This meeting was a real success.
People from all over the United States attended. The building
was packed to capacity—with people standing, and many
turned away, the last three days. We have many fine testi-
monies of conversions and healings during these services.
Following this meeting, in the month of March, we secured
Rev. A. A. Allen as evangelist. His services lasted for almost

five weeks, during which time many marvelous deliverances,
conversions, and healings took place. The locality was greatly
stirred because of several canceled engagements for opera-
tions of people who have given testimony of healing. With the
Lord's hand against the opposing forces, this opposition has
lessened.
Everyone was encouraged to enlarge the capacity of the
tabernacle. So with generous donations, this has been made
possible. The seating capacity of the tabernacle has been en-
larged to over three thousand. The overall dimensions of the
tabernacle are 100 feet wide and 184 feet long. The parking
facilities have been enlarged, until now with five acres of land,
we can assure plenty of parking space.
Since the addition has been completed, Brother William
Branham has returned for a second meeting of one week, and
following him other brethren have ministered to the people.
The services with these men of God who have similar spiritual
gifts, certainly gave this valley a shaking, and added to the
already numerous miracles of salvation and healing. At the
present time it is necessary to use the basement and other
rooms of the parsonage to accommodate the Sunday School
in our regular church building. Not only has our church pros-
pered, but other churches of this city and neighboring cities
have benefited from the results of these meetings.
After holding several campaigns in local churches, I am all
the more convinced that the message of deliverance for soul,
spirit and body is God's program for the closing days of the
Gospel dispensation. Therefore, I launched out in full time
evangelistic efforts,, with the great commission of our Lord
Jesus Christ pre-eminent in my heart.
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be

damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new
tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18.)

Qkaf>ier 8
"How God Dealt in My Life*
BY H. E. HARDT
M y preaching ministry began at the age of five. A slab pile
at a nearby saw mill provided the platform, a block of wood a
pulpit and the back cover of an old almanac, the precious Book.
My congregation consisted of brothers, cousins, and all the
animal race in the neighborhood that were tame enough to
listen.
About this time, a revival was held in a nearby town, under
the roof of a Methodist church that was all but abandoned. A
Christian layman heard the Macedonian call and requested
that he be permitted to hold meetings. The few remaining
board members, with what was left of the congregation de-
cided to open the church and permit the well-meaning layman
to try his hand at preaching. God honored the feeble efforts of
this struggling handful and a revival broke out. M y mother,
the most godly woman I have ever known, packed her little
brood, consisting of three boys and one girl, into the one-horse
open wagon and with dad, who would rather have been ex-
cused, took off over a dirt road for the meeting house.

" H O W G O D D E A L T I N M Y L I F E " 45
Well, it was really a revival. The preaching was under the
anointing of the Spirit. The power fell. Folks got happy and
shouted. The crowds turned out and many were saved. I sat
with bare feet, dressed in ordinary boy fashion of one belong-
ing to a poor family. M y feet were usually tucked under me,
for both safety and warmth, as that congregation sang the
praises of our Blessed Redeemer. Although only a five year old,
something struck fire in my heart and I sang as though heaven
had come down on me. I tightly gripped a song book, and
being too young to read, I followed the happy congregation
as they sang, "Since Christ my soul from sin set free, this world
has been a heaven to me."
I still feel the glory as I write. Good old Methodist daysl
Well, that is where I got the unction for the beginning of my
ministry on the slab pile. Little did I know that some day, I
would have a real congregation to listen, that thousands would
get saved and yet other thousands get healed and delivered
from all the atrocities of a mean devil.
My mother was saved many years before, in a similar meet-
inghouse at the age of sixteen. At that time, their means of
travel consisted of an ox-cart, drawn by two long-horned ani-
mals, traveling at the breath-taking speed of two miles per
hour. In mother's report of this meeting, she stated that many
fell under the power. The pastor and deacons were not
alarmed. They said the folks were just in a trance and would
be all right and really happy for the experience. Mother's con-
secration remained steadfast, although my dad was unsaved
and sometimes was very cruel and unkind to her. Father did
not drink, gamble nor smoke, but he was very profane, high-
tempered and, at times, unkind.
Soon after my experience preaching from the slab pile,
mother became very ill. The doctor's report showed that one
vertebra had decayed from her spine, consequently her body
became bowed together. For this the doctor prescribed a body

brace. This consisted of a heavy steel support across her hips
and back, and buckled tightly around the abdomen with a
heavy leather girdle. Steel supports extended up her back with
shoulder straps to keep her upright. At the same time, the doc-
tor's report showed one lung entirely gone and the other badly
affected with galloping consumption (T.B.). In this condition
she was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, of Baltimore, Mary-
land, for observation. The tiresome trip of over eighteen miles
of dirt roads availed her nothing and she was returned home
to our humble little cottage, to die. Realizing her three boys
had been dedicated to God before birth, she pleaded with God
that she might live. Mother knew that, with father unsaved,
should she pass away, God's plan for her boys might never be
fulfilled. When she dedicated us to God, she vowed that all
should preach the Gospel. Mother had never heard a message
on healing, but she knew Jesus and His Word. In her hour of
greatest sorrow, she knew that God would not fail her. Mother's
prayers prevailed. God healed her and in about six weeks she
was able to do her own work. At that time, she was forty years
old. Just fifty years later, she passed away, at the good old age
of ninety, in perfect health. She had fulfilled her years. God
had fulfilled his promise. "The number of thy days I will ful-
fill." (Ex. 23:26.)
At this point let me state, that all three boys have been
preaching the Gospel for many years. Boys of the third genera-
tion are now doing likewise. To God be all the praise.
Mother's healing had a dynamic effect on my life, although
as I approached young manhood, I declared myself an atheist,
trying as far as possible to stifle my early experience and godly
training. My disposition was much like that of my father. I
resented his unkindness to my mother and vowed vengeance
when I became grown. This resulted in my leaving home at an
early age. Following a brief college course, I became a travel-
ing salesman. I was now only eighteen. I was thrown in with

" H O W GOD D E A L T IN M Y L I F E " 47
men much older, living principally in commercial hotels and
boarding houses. My companions were generally unsaved, con-
sequently, for many years, I seldom attended church.
I had learned to pray at mother's knee. However, in the quiet
hours of the night, when companions were at rest, I found
myself in a battle. It was difficult to get away from my early
training. Time and space will not permit the story of my wan-
dering, neither is it pleasant to think upon.
My praying mother would never give up. I was dedicated
to God. He had promised, and it must come to pass. In the
meantime, father had gotten saved. My brothers and sisters
had received a Pentecostal experience. M y name had been
listed on the prayer roll of a number of churches. Of course,
I did not know of this until later. I became a business man. I
was successful. Many men were under my command. The
board of directors for the company, of which I was superin-
tendent, commended me on my sound policies and my ability
to make money. My tireless effort to make a success in life
brought results. I married a sweet moral girl, although not
saved. Children came into our home. I became much interested
in making for them a good home and seeing that they were
well educated. I lived to make money, raise a good family,
establish a good home and be prosperous.
At the age of thirty-one, God began to deal with my life in a
very definite way, although I did not recognize it at the time.
My wife became desperately ill. Doctors said there was no
hope. I could not let her go. M y atheistic declaration would
not support me. M y desperate cry went up to God, "If there is
a God, and you care, heal her now." Like a flash from another
world, a Divine Person laid His hand upon my wife and she
rose to a sitting position, and, down her pale face, tears
streamed. She cried, "Dad, it is all right now." Oh, the heights
and depths of mercy. Oh, the length and breadth of love. God
had healed her. Was my life changed? Would I serve Him now?

The shame of it all is that the next day, amid the busy cares,
the perplexing problems, and labor troubles, found me still
cursing, blaspheming and filled with worldly activities. The
battle continued.
The summer ended, the long cold winter followed, life was
not so full and there was more time to think. God had ordained
it that my younger brother should approach me regarding at-
tending a revival service—being conducted in a small tabernacle
in Hagerstown, Maryland. I consistently refused to attend. I
told him, I wanted to be kind, but he must not approach me
any more on the subject of religion. For some reason, quite
strange for me, after considerable persuading, I broke down
and agreed to attend. The tall white-haired evangelist, now
past middle-age, a deeply consecrated man, spoke with great
earnestness. His text was taken from Mark 16:17: "These signs
shall follow them that believe." He emphasized healing and
deliverance. I resented the fact that something was taking hold
of me and declared I would not yield. I returned a few nights
later, being under deep conviction. When the altar call was
given, I literally ran and fell at the altar, crying, "If there is a
God, please save me now." It was not hard to pray, but quite
hard to believe. This occurred on Friday night, January 22nd,
1923.
After about an hour at the altar, a voice that I soon recog-
nized, said to me, "Now, you have made a handsome fool of
yourself; you have said for years that there is no God. Now you
have cried to Him and what do you have?" Well, sure enough,
as far as feeling went, I was pretty well stumped. I determined
to believe the Bible regardless of feelings. The following day,
being Saturday and payday for my men, I leaped into my T.
Model and took off to town for the pay roll. Just as I rounded
the bend a short ways from home, I began to sing, "Down at
the Cross." Oh! Glory! Something happened! The bottom fell
out of heaven; I was immersed in His Glory. The heavenly

" H O W GOD D E A L T I N M Y L I F E " 49
choir began to sing, and the angels set heaven's pipe organ to
its highest pitch. Were my vocabulary sufficient to express the
joy, I would like to tell you what happened. I have tried now
for nearly thirty years to tell it, but language seems to fail me.
My name was written in heaven. I had received eternal life. I
had become an heir of God the Father and joint heir of Jesus
Christ. What joyl I shall fully express it in the next world.
Soon my ministry began. The call was definite. M y limited
education was streamlined to fit the business world. It was too
late in life to attend a Bible institute. My family was growing
and needed my care. There were many hindrances. M y busi-
ness career and associates must be scrapped. Not that they were
not legitimate, but the call of God was upon me. It had been
smothered for years; now I must respond. How would it un-
fold, and many other questions, came to my mind. In His time,
the door was opened and I was not disobedient.
The Word of God began to burn in my soul. Early in the
mornings, after getting my men started on the job, I would
literally run off to the woods and hide away with God for
hours. Message after message was given to me by the Spirit.
A great passion for the lost gripped me. Sickness, sufferings
and the bondage of so many people, who professed to know
Christ, troubled me. I yearned for God, in the daytime and at
night.
The Bible was a challenge to me. The mighty miracles of the
Gospels, also the constant stream of miracles throughout the
Book of Acts gripped me. I wanted it to be so now. I wanted to
see the sick healed. In the church where I was saved, the sick
were prayed for with great success. Many were healed. My
pastor was my champion and still is. He constantly preached
under a mighty anointing. My spiritual life was fed from the
Word. I shall ever praise God for my experiences in my early
Christian life, more especially for the unveiling of the Word
through our pastor. I soon learned to know the value of the

Word. I discovered that it was indeed quick and powerful. It
was molding my life for future ministry. I had read a new
book. It was life and power in my bones. How I longed to tell
others, pray for the sick and give full time to the ministry.
Soon the way opened. A minister nearby, pastoring a small
group, was married and found that his income was not suffi-
cient. O n the night that he preached his farewell message, he
suggested that the group get in touch with me. They did, and
soon I found myself pastoring this small group, but in connec-
tion with my business. The work grew until the building would
not accommodate the crowds that came. Many sick were
prayed for and God honored His Word.
At this time I was impressed to open a work in the town
where I had lived for many years. Many of the people of my
acquaintance knew of my experience, but had never heard me
preach. A large tent was secured and erected on one of our
properties. Crude seats were arranged, ministers and evan-
gelists were invited. I took my turn with others. People walked
for miles; some came by horse and buggy, others came in autos.
God mightily blessed. Soon the way was opened to secure the
auditorium of our local high school and the revival was on. We
were greatly opposed by some of the local churches, but to no
avail. The greatest revival ever to be conducted in that com-
munity was well under way. After this meeting, a lot was
granted for our property and a church was erected; thus, my
testimony was brought to the town where I had lived for many
years. It was difficult for me to confine my efforts to a small
community, but I really wanted to pastor this church and reach
the people that I had known for these many years.
One night, as the altar service was well under way, I was
walking across the platform, singing, "I'll go where you want
me to go dear Lord." Little did I think that God was talking
to my own heart, but I was singing for the benefit of those at
the altar. However, three weeks from that night, I found my-

' H O W G O D D E A L T I N M Y L I F E " 51
self on the platform in a large skating rink in central Pennsyl-
vania, ministering to a congregation—estimated to be more than
a thousand. Thus, God was leading to a greater ministry in an
enlarged field. This proved to be the greatest revival that had
ever been witnessed in that section. Eighty-five were immersed,
hundreds were healed and many saved. At the same time, I
was experiencing a greater hunger for God.
Many hours were spent in fasting and prayer. Preachers from
far and near heard of this revival and I was invited to conduct
evangelistic services in their churches. Soon I was speaking in
our major prayer conferences and conventions. I was also
greatly used in pioneering new fields. The supernatural fol-
lowed my ministry and many were healed and filled with the
Spirit. Constantly my heart was reaching out for God. I was
not yet satisfied with my ministry, nor the miracles that were
taking place. In my quest for God, I began to read every book
that I could find on healing, prayer, and the gifts of the
Spirit.
For a number of years there was a lull in the healing minis-
try. Such men as Doctor Charles S. Price, P. C. Nelson, and
Smith Wigglesworth, had passed away. I wondered, with the
passing of these men, "Will the ministry of healing be forever
lost?" I could not accept that position. Since my conversion, I
had been convinced that this age would close in a mighty
sweeping revival of the supernatural. I looked for that revival
with great anticipation. I would not yield to doubt. Dark
clouds were gathering in world affairs. Wickedness was the
order of the day, but God's W O R D W O U L D PREVAIL! He
had spoken and He would bring it to pass.
In this state of mind, I continued to give myself over to
prayer and seeking God. Jesus did not create a passive church.
No, never! The church is militant! The prophets and apostles
possessed a militant spirit. I was sure that I was following a
Bible pattern and I refused to permit the unbelief and indif-

erence of others to influence my life. M y heart hunger for God
would not be denied.
While I was conducting a meeting in the New England
states, a book was placed in my hands. This occurred about
seven years ago. I was cautioned regarding this book as few
really understand it. However, in it, I found what I had longed
for. The author of this book had found the "dynamic of faith."
It had changed his life. His spirit became militant. His style
of writing indicated he belonged to the school room. He pos-
sessed great knowledge of both Hebrew and Greek. Chapter
after chapter of this book was read and re-read. A new faith
was gripping me. Every word was backed by positive scrip-
tures on the subject of faith. Redemptive blessing was the key-
note. "Throne right" was emphasized.
The next step Jn my life was to put my faith into action. If it
worked for him, it would work for me. God is no respecter of
persons. I resolved to emphasize the positive side of the Gospel
more than ever before. Would I find others who had received
this "dynamic of faith"? How would it be received? Our Full
Gospel traditions must be recognized. As a whole, we all em-
braced healing in our teaching, but, in our practice, we used
caution. Of course, this was bordering on unbelief. Excuses
were offered for sickness and few, if any, with a Scriptural back-
ground.
One night in each week, during my evangelistic meetings,
had been set aside for praying for the sick. Much good was
accomplished, but now something had happened in my life.
Every night must be a night when God's people would be de-
livered from sickness, habits, fear, and other types of bondage.
I launched out. The sick came. They were healed! As I prayed
in the healing line, God increased my faith. Of course, there
were some cases that were stubborn. The enemy took advan-
tage of this and endeavored to magnify my failures.
At this time, I was conducting a meeting in the Middle West.

" H O W G O D D E A L T I N M Y L I F E " 53
Here the Lord brought me in touch with another man, a
younger man. He was having remarkable results. We compared
notes. Our experiences had run parallel. This encouraged me
greatly. Several other books were added to my library that
were an encouragement to faith. Greater miracles took place
in each succeeding meeting. The Word of God in my mouth
and heart was bringing results. I became more fearless. I began
to use better methods in my approach. M y altar calls were
conducted differently. Soon many people were healed, sitting
in their seats. In a Western City a lady with a broken neck,
came into my meeting. She was healed as I ministered the
W O R D and removed the neck brace. She then responded to
the altar call and was saved. Another, as she was being prayed
for, flung her crutches away and walked perfectly. My heart
rejoiced. Greater crowds began to attend my meetings. The
vision of my early experience was beginning to unfold. Now,
healing is the order of our meetings. THEY ARE NEVER
WITHOUT THE SUPERNATURAL. The gifts of the spirit
are manifested. Surely His coming is soonl

Qkafar 9
Deatk Struck
But God Performed a Miracle!
BY ALTON L. HAYES
I t was during the year 1950, when the Lord spoke to my
father and me about building a church in the north part of
Dallas, Texas. We soon raised enough money to begin our
foundation, and we worked hard from morning until dark
digging pier holes and pouring the foundation. At this particu-
lar time, we lived at Midlothian, Texas. One evening when we
had finished work, we got in our car (my father, my wife and
I, and our two little girls, with my nephew) and began driving
home. W e were going south, when another car approached us
going north. The driver was intoxicated and suddenly, without
notice, he turned his wheels in front of us causing a terrible
collision. The impact resulted in the motor being driven back-
ward into the front seat. At the same moment, my father's head
went through the windshield. He received compound frac-
tures, his bones coming through the flesh of his right arm, and
through his legs. His head having gone through the windshield,
and his legs being wedged under the seat, there was nothing
we could do for him immediately.

D E A T H S T R U C K R U T GOD P E R F O R M E D A M I R A C L E ! 55
In the meantime, I managed to get out of the car. I was in a
dazed condition, but was able to walk to a filling station about
a hundred feet away. There was a woman there and I asked
her, "Are you a Christian?" She replied, "Yes." I said, "Would
you pray for me?" She looked at me and saw the blood on my
face, and suddenly became hysterical. At that moment a man
ran in the store and said, "There has been an awful tragedy.
I am sure there have been several people killed in that car
wreck. We had better call an ambulance." I was conscious just
long enough to say, "Call Dudley Hughes, on Jefferson Street.
Brother and Sister Hughes are good friends of ours." So they
called Dudley Hughes and that was the last I remembered. I
fell unconscious, as the ambulance rushed to the scene. It
is against the law to take six people at one time in an ambu-
lance, but they saw our condition, and they got us all in. M y
father was pulled out of the front seat of the car and was put
in the ambulance with us, and we were taken to the Methodist
Hospital in Dallas. By this time my father had lost so much
blood, they could not understand how he was still alive.
Friends gathered in the corridor of the Hospital, while the
doctors and nurses tried to do their best for us. Soon a doctor
went out into the hall and said, "If you want to see any of the
Hayes family alive, you may see them now. None of them will
live longer than possibly thirty minutes." Many people went
into the emergency room, and they looked at us for what they
thought was the last time, alive. The doctors had no hope for
my father, but they started giving him blood transfusions. He
lingered on for many days, although the doctors continued to
entertain no hope for him. His face was so lacerated that they
did not even take stitches. They just put big clamps on his face.
They expected that if he lived, they would have to use surgery
to help his disfigured face. Then on the tenth day, they took
the dressing off of my father's face and, to their surprise, God
had already done the plastic surgery!

It was true; father did not have a scar! The doctors could
not understand it, and they told my father, "It was a higher
power that healed your face." His physical condition was
somewhat improved, but they said that even if he lived, he
would be an invalid the rest of his life. At first they said his
legs could not be set because his bones were chewed up into
little splinters. But he was praying and folks all over Texas
were praying. The doctors could not understand, but God was
re-creating bones all the time. They took a number of X-rays
and at last said that there was enough new bone to set the
legs. They set his legs and placed him in a cast, and after many
days the doctors X-rayed again, and said, "We believe that it
is going to be possible for this man to walk again, but it is
going to be on crutches."
They attempted to set his bones, and the Lord was certainly
with them, in performing the work. After wearing this cast for
119 days, they put him in braces from his hips on down and
they placed locks on each knee. M y father, like a baby, had to
learn to walk all over again, but soon he was able to hold his
balance very well.
One night my father was in the church, and the power of
God fell. As he was walking up on the platform on his crutches,
the glory seemed to sweep over the place, and he felt that God
had given him increased faith. So he said, "After a service
like this I feel that God will heal my body." He laid his
crutches down and started to walk all over the building. He
began to cry and shout that God had performed a miracle.
From that night forward he did not have to walk with his
crutches. In another service, just a few nights afterward, when
the glory of the Lord came down again, my father said, "The
Lord has healed me and I don't have to use these braces any
longer. I believe that God can help me to walk normally this
night." So, he took off his braces. He walked all over the build-
ing, stepped upon the platform that was about eighteen inches

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