What is a Holy Roller?

She tells us ‘that she married a “tongues” evangelist, Robert Semple. Husband and wife were known as “Holy Roller” preachers. Remember, when she was going on in all the excesses of “Holy Rollerism,” she claimed that she had this special Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They then went to China, where they reported the “fire falling” and thousands being “healed.” But Semple sickened and died, and his widow had operation after operation. Where was the gift of healing in all this, where was the healing in the atonement, where was the prayer of faith to save the sick?

She tells us ‘that she married a “tongues” evangelist, Robert Semple. Husband and wife were known as “Holy Roller” preachers. Remember, when she was going on in all the excesses of “Holy Rollerism,” she claimed that she had this special Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They then went to China, where they reported the “fire falling” and thousands being “healed.” But Semple sickened and died, and his widow had operation after operation. Where was the gift of healing in all this, where was the healing in the atonement, where was the prayer of faith to save the sick?

“When Mrs. McPherson first came to Los Angeles, she was associated with the ‘tongues' movement at Victoria hall. I have many photographs of this woman and Mr. Fisher, leader of that movement, posing together on platforms and elsewhere. The movement at Victoria Hall was then a genuine ‘Holy Roller' movement so far as physical facts go... Her first husband was a ‘tongues' preacher, preaching in unknown tongues. She claims in her writings that she was convicted under his preaching while he was speaking in an unknown tongue. She claims that her second husband, from whom she is now divorced, received the gift of tongues under her ministry. During her first revival in Los Angeles, the ‘tongues' manifestations became so noisy in her meetings that people living nearby complained to the police and I have personally talked with the officers who were assigned the task of protecting the community about the tent from these demonstrations. “And yet I am told by a member of her Advisory Committee that Mrs. McPherson insists that there be no ‘tongues' demonstrations in her regular service at Angelus Temple. She insists that those who wish to have the ‘tongues' witness, following the infilling of the Holy Ghost, shall resort to either room 500 or room 120, one of which rooms is advertised as sound proof. “I have before me a little booklet very recently published by Mrs. McPherson. The name of the pamphlet is “The Narrow Line.” Here is what she says in that booklet: She says that recently God has called her to tread a very narrow line because of ‘Fanatical flesh masquerading as the Spirit.' She seems to have discovered the lust-lure of these movements. She continues: ‘The Holy Spirit is not marked by wildness, hysteria, screaming or unseemly manifestation.'... But that does not match up very well with what goes on in room 120, when people are pounded on the back, when the whole room is one babel of noises, when men begin to shake, when some fall in trances, and when the jabber of tongues is heard in high-keyed voices above the general pandemonium of the surroundings.” (McPhersonism, (fifth edition) pp. 91-93)

I remember going, when quite a boy, from sheer curiosity to a meeting advertised as "Three Hours with God." It was a kind of pandemonium, dozens of people praying aloud at the same time. I sat near a man who was on his knees, perspiring and pleading, holding out the top of his waistcoat as if it were a bag, and shouting: "Pour it in, Lord! Pour it in, Lord!" His prayer consisted of nothing but the repetition of this. But God does not bestow the Holy Spirit after that fashion!

It is a fact that in the meetings of the modern advocates of the gift of tongues often the greatest disorder prevails. Men and women falling down in convulsions, hysterical laughter, unpleasant shrieks and other demonstrations have not been uncommon, so that an unbeliever would be perfectly right to pass the verdict "they are mad." It is different With prophesying. "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or are unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, declaring that God is truly among you."

These “tarrying” meetings are based upon a misconception of Scripture. In practice they are marked by scenes worthy of Bedlam. Men and women lose control over themselves, and act like maniacs. Indecent postures often result. Strange physical feelings take possessions of those who “let themselves go.” How any serious Christian can countenance such things is incomprehensible.

These “tarrying” meetings are based upon a misconception of Scripture. In practice they are marked by scenes worthy of Bedlam. Men and women lose control over themselves, and act like maniacs. Indecent postures often result. Strange physical feelings take possessions of those who “let themselves go.” How any serious Christian can countenance such things is incomprehensible.

America, the land of origin of so many antichristian sects, is overrun with Pentecostalists of various shades. They all sprang from a modest beginning. In the month of April, 1906, in a mission hall in Azusa Street, Los Angeles, California, a band of coloured folk had heard of a man in Kansas upon whom a remarkable power had fallen, and who was apparently speaking with tongues. Coloured people are naturally very excitable, and these folks in Los Angeles held nightly meetings, crying earnestly to God that the same manifestation might be theirs.

At last the “power” fell upon them. One after another of them experienced this strange possession, resulting in their pouring forth a torrent of words in an unknown tongue, which was hailed by them as the ushering in of another Pentecost.

This excited a great deal of attention. Mission workers, ministers, Christians of all kinds, flocked to enquire into these strange happenings. The meetings went on for months, and hundreds claimed to have received the “power.”

America, the land of origin of so many antichristian sects, is overrun with Pentecostalists of various shades. They all sprang from a modest beginning. In the month of April, 1906, in a mission hall in Azusa Street, Los Angeles, California, a band of coloured folk had heard of a man in Kansas upon whom a remarkable power had fallen, and who was apparently speaking with tongues. Coloured people are naturally very excitable, and these folks in Los Angeles held nightly meetings, crying earnestly to God that the same manifestation might be theirs.

At last the “power” fell upon them. One after another of them experienced this strange possession, resulting in their pouring forth a torrent of words in an unknown tongue, which was hailed by them as the ushering in of another Pentecost.

This excited a great deal of attention. Mission workers, ministers, Christians of all kinds, flocked to enquire into these strange happenings. The meetings went on for months, and hundreds claimed to have received the “power.”

Could be a personal or a collective experience Means the Holy Spirit takes control of the believer for a special task or service. Is something that is also said of people not belonging to the dispensation of the assembly.