Frush's Journals of Faith: A RECORD OF EARLY 20th CENTURY PENTECOSTAL HISTORY ACCORDING TO EYEWITNESS, JAMES A. FRUSH (1877-1944)

By Peggy L. Jenkins

This faith-based biography of early twentieth century Pastor James A. Frush by his church parishioner Peggy L. Jenkins is unique in that it follows the life Frush through his own personal journal, including historical details of his relationships with the people under his influence, which few other sources provide. As a minister, James Frush fac

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638376750

Peggy L. Jenkins

Having the privilege of being raised in the church that James A. Frush pastored in the early twentieth century, Peggy L. Jenkins has been guided to serve the Church and God's people in multiple ways, one of which is writing and recording things that happen. Historical events are a valuable part of our past, and without a written report there can be no dependable record. Care in recording history with the intent of passing it on to future generations is a life goal worth sacrifice, has become such for Peggy. When done faithfully, both receivers and recorders are blessed.

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PART ONE:

Journal of 1915

FRUSH'S JOURNAL OF 1915

M

arch 2, 1915, James and Myrtle Frush, along with their four-year-old daughter, Thelma, made their way to Indianapolis in the train's coach car. Many people would be expected at the campaign, including Glenn Cook from California, a man with a unique understanding in the Word and great ability to preach it.

Also attending would be Bishop G. T. Haywood of Christ Temple Church in Indianapolis. He was a black pastor of a large mixed congregation which favored the Pentecostal message—this at a time of strong segregationist attitudes, and prejudice against tongues-speaking. Bishop Haywood was a humble man mighty in the scriptures, and he loved God and truth. L.V. Roberts loved these men of God as much as he loved the truth they preached.

On the Indianapolis-bound train with Myrtle, James had brought an easy-flow fountain pen and a small brown leather notebook that measured just under four inches by six inches—undated, but no matter, he would date the pages as he considered his entry for each day. The sheets, sewn together and attached to the leather, would easily hold his thoughts on the twenty lines per page. He would take great care to make no mistakes. His graceful and expressive handwriting was a work of art.

From the first entry on March 2, 1915, to the final summary on March 25, Frush emphasized for future generations—us—the early process for the restoration of truth.

"March 2, 1915 - Tuesday morning

…(H)ad to wait one hour on our train. …We left Newark at 7:50 o’clock a.m. and arrived at Indianapolis at 1:30. …(A)rrived at Lin's at 2 o’clock P.M. We rested awhile, had a bite to eat, and then went to afternoon services."

Trolleys for short distances and trains for longer trips were the main mode of transportation. The automobile was invented, but few occupied the roads yet; to own one would have been rare. To begin, the Frush family rode three miles east on the streetcar to the train station near downtown Newark, then had to wait nearly an hour due to the late arrival of their commute.

Today, the distance between Newark and Indianapolis, about 220 miles, can be covered by car in about three and one-half hours; they arrived after nearly six hours.

It was a short trolley ride to Roosevelt Street where they would stay. In fact, Frush wrote an accommodating note at the end of the day's entry: At 11 o’clock we retired to our room at Bro Lin's, which Bro. White and wife was so kind to give up to us. Sometime during their stay, James photographed Myrtle and Sister White³ standing on the front steps of the Roosevelt house.

Myrtle and Bessie White

Frush's entry for March 2—and for many of those in the following twenty-three days—depicts God moving in great power as the campaign continued, emphasizing the truths of the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with tongues, and water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ. That first night, they attended the 7 P.M. service. Frush wrote, "We had to use an extra bench for the altar as the one would not accommodate all the seekers."

Throughout his journal, we get a glimpse of the people, the preaching, and the purpose of those involved. Many had come with great heart-hunger for truth, taking the Word's instruction for a promise: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found (Isaiah 55:6).

The following day, Wednesday, March 3, Frush wrote: I have an awful cold and had a terrible headache this morning, but Brothers Manus and White prayed for me and the headache left.

The services and meals were structured thus:

9 A.M. - Prayer at the Tabernacle (Breakfast at 10:00.)

2 P.M. - Afternoon Service (Dinner at 5:00.)

7 P.M. - Evening service

Frush noted, "So you see we are pretty busy. Well it doesn’t give the Devil such a good chance when you are in meetings nearly all the time. At that day's fine meeting, a twenty-two-year-old girl who had never walked was prayed for and walked several steps."

Perhaps too sick to write Thursday, on Friday he woke to rain. New people continued to come, and one was a man who testified that God gave him the ability to read His Word—when he didn’t know how to read "at all. Frush summarized, It is wonderful what God can do for those that trust him." That evening, there wasn’t room for the seekers…." Frush noted: the best of order prevails. And, "Sinners are interested enough to stay as long as the services last."

Snow fell hard on Saturday, March 6. Nevertheless, workers and seekers kept arriving. The expected guest speaker, Glenn Cook from California, who would bring the teaching of a new revelation spreading across the United States and around the world, will be here soon.

(Note: Cook had brought the Pentecostal message in 1906-1907, that of the infilling of the Holy Ghost accompanied by speaking with tongues. A quote from Carl Brumback's book, Suddenly… from Heaven [pg.75-76] describes an earlier event that happened at Gospel Tabernacle, Indianapolis, pastored by Dr. G. N. Eldridge:

"…it was on a Sunday afternoon in the month of January, 1907, that a stranger appeared in the service to testify that he had come from Azusa Street and had received a glorious baptism in the Holy Ghost, accompanied by the speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance. This man was Glenn A. Cook, a former resident of Indianapolis, who had migrated to California sometime before, and had now returned to testify of the great things God had done for him. There was no braggadocio about this man, no attempt to ‘demonstrate’ speaking in tongues or in any other way to make himself offensive. What impressed the CMA⁴ congregation was that he radiated—positively radiated his testimony."

As a result of such accounts, many of the attendees in 1915 had great expectations from Cook's anointed teaching.)

Elder G. T. Haywood preached that night. Afterward, there was a rush for the altar, and an extra bench was needed to accommodate all: 32 seekers prayed, and nine of them were "under the power of God at one time" as the Holy Ghost swept through.

At thirty-seven, James Frush was openly seeking the Lord. He submitted his life—his soul—to God, for God's complete control. Frush felt he had withheld nothing from God, but he maintained a hunger yet to be satisfied. On this Saturday of the campaign, he humbly wrote, While I was seeking this afternoon, a calm sweet peace came into my soul and I felt that there wasn’t a thing between me and God. I haven’t received the baptism yet but am still seeking.

Sabbath School and Subsequent Sermons

On Sunday, March 7, Frush assigned this superlative statement to the evening gathering: It was "the most glorious service I was ever permitted to be in." During praise and worship, seventy people came forward, seeking God. The service lasted until after midnight.

The following day (Monday, the 8th) he took pictures of the Tabernacle. In the evening service, quite a number were saved when Elder G. T. Haywood delivered the message.

Two days before, Myrtle's sister Cora Roberts—along with Mrs. Smith and little girl—had arrived. They were neighbors near Newark, and they sought divine healing for the girl's blindness. The next day Frush noted: "Mrs. Smith and little girl, and Dad Roberts left this morning [March 9] for Newark at 7:45. The little girl can see lots better this morning, and I believe God is going to complete the work."

Glenn Cook Arrives

On the entry of March 10 (Wednesday), Frush mentioned for the first time the presence of Glenn Cook, and that Bro. Lin and Bro Cook talked [or taught] this afternoon in the meeting. Both individuals had received the revelation of Jesus’ Name baptism, and they expounded the scriptures with Holy Ghost fervor. Though it appears that L.V. Roberts for some time had understood this truth, having Brother Cook expound and confirm the scriptural foundation brought affirmation to his and others’