The Pentecostal movement did not suddenly appear at
the outset of the 20th century. Rather, it was forged in the crucible of
history, emerging from a complex interaction of theologies and personalities in
the Holiness and evangelical movements. Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911), one
of the most prominent American Holiness authors, was revered in Pentecostal
circles.
The March 4, 1922, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel published the
following devotional meditation by Smith:
The Saint's Wings
Is there no way of escape for us when in trouble or distress? Must we just plod
wearily through it all, and look for no relief? I rejoice to answer that there is
a glorious way of escape for every one of us, if we will but mount up on wings,
and fly away from it all to God. All creatures that have wings can escape from
every snare that is set for them, if only they will fly high enough; and the
soul that uses its wings can always find a sure "way to escape" from
all that can hurt or trouble it. What then are these wings? Their secret is
contained in the words, "They that wait upon the Lord." The soul that
waits upon the Lord is the soul that is entirely surrendered to Him, and that
trusts Him perfectly. Therefore we might name our wings the wings of Surrender
and of Trust. If we will only surrender ourselves utterly to the Lord, and will
trust Him perfectly, we shall find our souls "mounting up with wings as
eagles" to the "heavenly places" in Christ Jesus where earthly
annoyances or sorrows have no power to disturb us.
Read the meditation by Smith on page 3 of the March 4, 1922, issue of the Pentecostal
Evangel.
Also featured in this issue:
* "Rest and Refreshing," by L. M. MacKinlay
* "The Cross," by R. E. McAlister
* "Birth Throes," by Christine K. Peirce
And many more!
Click here to read this issue now.
Pentecostal Evangel archived editions courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal
Heritage Center.
For current editions of the Evangel, click here.
