Introduction
The central character in this revival was Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947), a British evangelist whose ministry took him to many countries, including America, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland (most countries throughout Europe], Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Israel, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Born into a very poor family, Wigglesworth never attended school. He earned his living from the plumbing trade. He didn’t learn how to read or write until taught by his wife, Mary Jane Featherstone, whom he married on December 4, 1882, when he was 23 years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith Wigglesworth and family (circa 1900)
Extraordinary Prayer: The China Connection
A missionary in Luoyang, China, J. Fullerton, after seeing 6,000 Chinese embrace Christ as their Savior, sensed that the Lord was going to pour out his Spirit on New Zealand, and he began praying for that nation at that time.
Fullerton returned to his home country of Denmark for his furlough, and it was there that he met Wigglesworth. Fullerton informed Wigglesworth of what the Lord revealed to him about New Zealand and asked him to pray about going there. Wigglesworth did pray about it and he did receive confirmation that he was to make New Zealand part of his future schedule.
Since Fullerton wasn’t able to be in New Zealand when Wigglesworth arrived, he arranged for a New Zealand pastor, H. Roberts, to greet and introduce him to the New Zealand public.
Prior to Wigglesworth’s arrival, Roberts had been greatly burdened for New Zealand. Knowing that revival would only come through prayer, he had started “prayer circles” in different suburbs of Wellington, nine of them being in full operation when Wigglesworth arrived in May 1922.
Smith Wigglesworth
What Happened
Wigglesworth opened his meetings at a Baptist Sunday School hall. During these meetings he delivered a series on “The Enduement of Power” and “The Gifts of the Spirit.”
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were manifested during these meetings, like tongues and the interpretation of tongues. This gift of the Holy Spirit built faith in God’s people and miraculous healings began to take place. One notable miracle was that of a man with tuberculosis who was beyond hope of recovery. The man was brought into the meeting in a coma, but after prayer he arose, full of strength, and walked around the church—healed!
Eventually the Sunday School hall became too small for the crowds and they moved to the church’s main sanctuary. This facility also became too small and they moved the meetings to the Wellington Town Hall which had a seating capacity of 3,000.
The crowds in the town hall grew from 800 to 1,600, and finally to 3,000 on the third night. From then onward people had to be turned away each night. On some nights there were at least 1,000 who could not gain entrance. It was then that a Salvation Army officer (minister) stood on the town hall steps and preached to those outside.
In at least one meeting at the town hall there were as many as 500 who responded to the Gospel message. Throughout Wigglesworth’s stay in New Zealand there were over 2,000 that made decisions for Christ.
When there were too many people for Wigglesworth to pray for by himself, several other ministers had their own healing line in the town hall, and they all had the same anointing in their prayers for healing. It was said that
the entire place was charged with a living pulsating, yet indefinable power.
Smith Wigglesworth and daughter Alice, who often accompanied him during his travels. Wigglesworth’s wife passed away in 1913.
Some of the Topics Preached by Wigglesworth:
► Only Believe
► The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
► The Sanctification of the Believer
► Second Coming of Christ
► Divine Healing for the Sick
► Exorcism from Evil Spirits
► Salvation Messages, with very many conversions to Christ taking place and backsliders being restored. Often it was only Wigglesworth’s presence that would convict people of their sins, without a single word being spoken.
Wellington, New Zealand, Town Hall
Healings
► Every imaginable sickness was being healed–even absent limbs grew out.
► Several people were raised from the dead.
► Like Peter, at times only his shadow passing over someone would bring healing.
► People would be healed by merely touching him, or him touching them.
► Healings came by one-on-one prayers, as well as prayers for the entire assembly, with hundreds being healed through those prayers.
Inside the Wellington Town Hall, looking toward the front.
Inside the Wellington Town Hall, looking toward the rear.
Local Newspapers
Though there were some negative articles, the newspapers were said to have treated the services fairly. Some headlines read:
► FAITH HEALING
► EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AT TOWN HALL
► THE DEAF MADE TO HEAR
Descriptions of the services were as such:
Inside the Town Hall there were scenes taking place that many Christians had prayed for and waited patiently to see. Not only hundreds of sinners accepting Christ as Saviour and Lord, but the sick were being healed in mind and body and Christians were being baptised in the Holy Spirit. For them, Bible days were here again and the influence of the revival was making its presence felt in many quarters of the city.
Opposition from the Ministry
Ministers uncomfortable with the results or doctrines being taught began to preach against Wigglesworth in their churches.
Many other ministers ignored what was taking place at the town hall, and the situation became a little strained later at ministerial level when Wigglesworth addressed the Wellington Council of Churches. This meeting was intended to bring about a better understanding of Pentecostal theology and phenomenon, but it widened the gulf between the older churches and the new Pentecostals.
Results of the Revival
► Two thousand decisions for Christ
► Hundreds healed by the laying on of hands
► Many miracles of healing through handkerchiefs
► Unclean spirits cast out
► Much joy in the city
► Many were baptized in water afterwards
► About 800 were baptized with the Spirit, with the sign of speaking in tongues
Smith Wigglesworth
Sources
► A History of the Charismatic Movements in New Zealand by James E. Worsfold
► Evangelical Revivals in New Zealand by Robert Evans and Roy McKenzie
► New Zealand’s Greatest Revival by H.V. Roberts
► Smith Wigglesworth by Wikipedia
► Smith Wigglesworth: Apostle of Faith by Stanley Frodsham
► Smith Wigglesworth: The Secret of His Power by Albert Hibbert
► Smith Wigglesworth On Prayer by Larry Keefauver
► That Wigglesworth Prophecy by Barry Chant
► Smith Wigglesworth: A Man Who Walked With God by George Stormont
► Wigglesworth Down Under by Harry V. Roberts
Return to List of Revival Stories
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