William Seymour

~Celebrating Black History Month~

In the course of his lifetime, Seymour was one of the most influential black religious leaders of his time, and the influence of his work can be felt into this day. Having no formal education and being blind in one eye, he taught himself to read, mainly through the reading of the Bible, since he had no formal education. In Houston, after being persuaded by a friend to attend Charles Parham’s bible school, Seymour became convinced that Parham’s teachings on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with its initial evidence of tongues, were Biblical and he therefore added it to the Holiness theology he already held.

The first time William Seymour arrived in Los Angeles was on February 22nd, 1906, during which he held meetings in a small church on Santa Fe Street in Los Angeles. The teaching on tongues was so vexing for the founding member of the Sante Fe church, Sister Julia W. Hutchins, that when Seymour returned for service in the evening, he found the doors locked. He was fortunate enough however to have been invited to eat lunch at a Santa Fe Mission member’s house. It was Mr. Edward Lee who felt sorry for the displaced preacher and accepted him into his home for a temporary stay.

A Man of Prayer:

Seymour spent a lot of time in prayer and in fasting, going on to be known as a man of uncommon prayerfulness. Seymour was described as “humble,” “quiet” and “soft spoken.” William Durham said of him: He walks and talks with God. His power is in his weakness. He seems to maintain a helpless dependence on God and is as simple-hearted as a child, and at the same time is so filled with God that you feel the love and power every time you get near him.

Seymour would normally sit deeply in prayer with his head covered inside a box as he prayed. There were a number of themes that were discussed during the sermon, including salvation through accepting Jesus personally as a Saviour, sanctification through renunciation of sin and worldliness, abandonment of strict traditions and legalisms that are a part of man-made religion, baptism with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, divine healing, and Jesus’ return. He usually spoke especially from the Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Hebrews and the book of Revelation.

Seymour invited his host to join him in his prayer times. In spite of the consternation of Mrs. Hutchins, members of Santa Fe began to feel a spiritual calling to become involved in these prayer meetings, much to the dismay of Mrs. Hutchins.

A Revival is Brewing!

There was initially only a small number of servants and their husbands present at these meetings at the beginning. Despite the lack of personal experience of a baptism with the biblical proof of speaking with tongues, Seymour forged on in faith and assurance that the blessing was on its way.

News of the meetings and of this man who was preaching and expecting the next move of God, soon began to spread,  by late March 1906, white believers had joined the meeting and were actively seeking the baptism with the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking with other tongues. A revival was already brewing!

At this point, Seymour announced a ten-day fast to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The entire group fasted and prayed. On the evening of Monday, April 9, 1906, on his way to a meeting, Seymour on his way to a meeting, went to pray for Edward Lee for a healing.  Desiring to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit, Lee asked Seymour to pray for him. He did and Lee immediately received and began speaking in other tongues. This was the first time anyone received the baptism with the Holy Spirit when Seymour prayed for them.

As soon as Seymour made his way to the meeting, he told the packed room what had just happened to Brother Lee just moments before. It was then that Lee began to speak in other tongues while he lifted his hands in prayer. It was followed by fervent and passionate prayers for the baptism with the Holy Spirit that was made throughout the house. Their prayers were quickly answered when Seymour, along with seven others, fell to the ground and began speaking in other tongues as they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The impact of that Revival is still reverberating around the world today, reminding us that God is every ready to bring a revival on the earth when men consecrate themselves and partner with God to make it happen.

Famous Quote:

“The thing that makes us know that this “latter rain” that is flooding the world with the glory of God is of the Lord, is because the devil is not in such business.” -William J. Seymour

“…His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth,” (Hosea 6:3).