Must You Be Fed With A Spoon? I
I am watching with much interest and some personal profit the development of my grandchildren. They are a luxury to my old heart; but, like all children, they are somewhat of a problem as well as a joy to their parents. At first, when brought to the table, they were fed with a spoon, but one day the spoon was put into their tiny hands and the ...read
My Testimony (1860 -- 59 -- 1919)
Today (June 1, 1919) I am fifty-nine years old, and there is not a cloud in my spiritual heaven. My mouth is full of laughter and my heart is full of joy. I feel so sorry for folks who don't like to grow old, and who are trying all the time to hide the fact that they are growing old, and who are ashamed to tell how old the ...read
Obedience "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision," said Paul, and in that saying he reveals the secret of his wonderful success as a soul-winner. The soul-winner is a man sent by God, and will have visions and revelations and secret orders that, if affectionately heeded and heartily and courageously obeyed, will surely lead to success. He is preemin ...read
Our Mothers -- Thoughts For Mother's Day How fitting, how beautiful, that a day should be set aside by the nation and the nations to do honour to that vast army of delicate soldiers, infinitely greater in numbers than the men who fought in the Great War, that numberless host whose sentinel watch is never done, whose arms are never laid down, whose warfare permits of no discharge, and in w ...read
Paul A Pattern Paul tells us that the Lord Jesus made him 'a pattern to them which should hereafter believe' (I Tim. i. 16). This fact makes his life and experience exceptionally interesting and valuable to us. And it is an especial mark of our Heavenly Father's wisdom and love that He has given us in Paul such a striking example in every particular of the sav ...read
Perfect Peace "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah xxvi. 3).
A wonderful promise is that, and it ought to be the aim of every one of us to make it our experience. The way to do this is simple: it is to keep our minds stayed on our Lord. But while it is simple, I confess it is no easy matter ...read
Practical Lessons Of The Resurrection Paul tells us that the same power which raised Christ from the dead is in us who believe (Eph. i.17-20). He says of Jesus: 'When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men' (Eph. iv. 8). He says of himself, 'But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but ...read
Prayer Prayer is the way of approach to God, and the soul-winner keeps it open by constant use. It is the channel by which all spiritual blessings and power are received, and therefore the life of the soul-winner must be one of ceaseless prayer. "Pray without ceasing," wrote Paul. It is the breath of the soul, and other things being equal, it is the sec ...read
Present-Day Witnesses To The Resurrection Several years ago, I knelt in prayer with a young woman who wanted to be holy. I asked her if she would give up everything for Jesus. She answered that she would. I then thought I would put a hard test to her, and asked her if she would be willing to go to Africa as a missionary for Jesus. She said, "Yes." Then we prayed, and while we were prayin ...read
Recent Acts Of The Holy Ghost Someone has said that 'The Acts of the Apostles' should have been called 'The Acts of the Holy Ghost,' because it is here that His personality, who is the 'other Comforter,' whom Jesus promised, and His work and leadership are made manifest and shown large. And to show that He still works and leads, and makes men triumphant and glad as in tho ...read
Redeeming The Time "See that ye walk circumspect, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Eph. 5:15, 16.)
The soul-winner must value time. Diamonds and gold nuggets are not so precious as minutes. One morning, about five o'clock, John Wesley lost ten minutes through the tardiness of his coachman, and mourned for them more th ...read
Sanctification v. Consecration A state senator's wife regularly attended a series of our holiness meetings, and apparently became quite interested. One day she came to me, and said, "Brother Brengle, I wish you would call it "consecration" instead of 'sanctification.' We could all agree on that."
"But I don't mean consecration, sister; I mean sanctification; and the ...read
Saving Truth All truth is precious, but not all truth is adapted to secure the immediate conversion and sanctification of men, any more than all medicine is adapted to cure heart-disease or rheumatism.
There are certain truths which, preached in the power of the Holy Ghost, are as much adapted to convert and sanctify souls as food to satisfy hunger, or fire ...read
Shouting Nothing is more completely hidden from wise and prudent folk than the blessed fact that there is a secret spring of power and victory in shouting and praising God.
The devil often throws a spell over people which can be broken in no other way. Many an honest, seeking soul, who might step forth into perfect and perpetual liberty if he would only ...read
Sins Against Chastity The preceding chapter was originally published as an article in 'The War Cry,' and in various Army periodicals in other countries. One result was that I shortly after received a communication from across the sea, in which a man wrote: 'I observe that you make a statement concerning Eli with which I do not altogether agree.' The writer says he d ...read
Some Of God's Words To Me "God doth talk with man, and he liveth" (Deut. v.24).
God did not cease speaking to men when the canon of Scripture was complete. Though the manner of communication may have changed somewhat yet the communication itself is something to which every Spirit-born soul can joyfully testify. Every one sorry for sin, and sighing and crying for deliv ...read
Some Of My Experiences In Teaching Holiness I once received a letter from one of the most devoted young officers I know, in which he said, "I love holiness more and more, but I am just about discouraged. It seems to me that I shall never be able to teach holiness, for it seems that I get things too straight, or not straight enough." God bless him! I think I know just how he feels. One day, ...read
Soul Winning Samuel Logan Brengle (1860-1936) was an American Methodist born in Indiana who joined the Salvation Army in the 1890's. He was mightily used of the Lord even more so by his many books. They were chiefly written during a convalescence following being badly injured while street preaching. This is the first chapter from his book The Soul Winner's Secr ...read
Soul-Winners And Their Prayers "The inwrought fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James v. 16, R.V.).
All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet. Before Jesus began His ministry, when great multitudes followed Him, He spent forty d ...read
Spiritual Leadership The soul-winner must have the power of spiritual leadership, and spiritual leadership is a thing of the Spirit, and not of birth, or rank, or title, or education, or circumstances. Here is the secret of the power of humble Salvation Army officers from the lowly walks of life.
Joseph was a youthful prisoner in an Egyptian dungeon, but he walked ...read