Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

These words, floating down over my lifetime, proclaiming God’sfullness, still challenge me. “Bring the bucket.”Meeting Popeye in PortsmouthTeddy and I traveled up and down the country. One day we heldan open-air meeting in Portsmouth, and as I preached, a hugedrunken sailor erupted through the crowd. He was a massive,“Popeye” of a man who shouldered his way toward me andglared at me through his little piggy eyes. Suddenly, he chargedforward to where I stood on the platform, poising his clenchedfist under my nose as he cursed me.“If you say another word,” he promised, “I’ll knock your faceinto the back of your head!”My heart pounded, “Bump! Bump! Bump! …SOS! Lord, please dosomething!” But the anointing of the Spirit on me was so strong,I just went on as if nothing had happened.“If you say another word…” He measured me and I watched hisarm go back ready to deliver me a terrific blow.Just at the moment his arm went back, a tiny woman with gingerhair pushed through the crowd. She took hold of the sailor by hisarm and chided, “George, don’t be so stupid! Come on.” She ledhim off like a zookeeper would lead off an elephant. Did I thankGod? I certainly did!Baptized in the Holy Spiritand expelled from the Protestant Truth SocietyAfter a year or two of traveling and preaching all over Britain, Ihad an opportunity to see true spirituality in the lives of somePentecostal friends in Chesterfield. Instead of preaching at me,they lived at me. The sweetness and presence of God in theirlives made a tremendous impression upon me. I said to thesedear people, “Look, I am supposed to be here ministering toyou, but you are ministering to me without even opening yourmouths. I want what you have, whatever it is.”It was the fruit of the Spirit, rather than the gifts of the Spirit thatimpressed me in their lives. It was not so much by the lure ofpower, as by the wonder of His presence that the Lord drew me.28