A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

The Pentecostal Movement
strange guttural sounds. This, of course, was the
much discussed “glossolalia,” the supposed speaking
in tongues as evidence of the Holy Spirit.
Surprisingly enough, after the sermon, the people
seemed normal enough, socializing and speaking of
everyday life. I found the pastor, Brother Seymour, to
be a very affable fellow.
What is my conclusion?
Well, the worship was shockingly different, unlike
anything I had ever seen before. It would be easy to
say that it is conceived of by Satan himself. However,
since the reports of happenings at the Azusa Street
Mission are spreading like wildfire all over southern
California, we shall let time be the judge.
Frank Bartleman, who had also attended meetings in
the Lee home and in the Asberry home on Bonnie Brae
Street, wrote vivid accounts of the Azusa Street Mission.
He later described the worship as follows: 15
The Spirit dropped the “heavenly chorus” into my
soul. I found myself suddenly joining the rest who
had received this supernatural “gift.” It was a spontaneous
manifestation and rapture no earthly tongue
can describe. . . . It was indeed a “new song,” in the
Spirit. . . . It was sometimes without words, other
times in “tongues.” The effect was wonderful on the
people. It brought a heavenly atmosphere. . . .
In the beginning in “Azusa” we had no musical
instruments. In fact we felt no need of them. . . . All
was spontaneous. . . . All the old well-known hymns
were sung from memory, quickened by the Spirit of
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