PART THREE OF FOUR-PART SERIES OF REV HOWARD C BURNHAM’S DEBATE AGAINST REV E PARKER BUCK’S POSITON BOOKLET “THE UNKNOWN TONGUE THEORY.”
THESE NOTES WERE RECENTLY FOUND IN A BOX WHEN NOLAN’S MOTHER MOVED OUT OF THEIR FAMILY HOME.
It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I prayerfully decided to take my grandfather’s notes and put them into a four-part series for hopefully the illumination of thousands of readers around the world.
It was my grandfather’s experience that he spoke about to my parents when I was a young boy that allowed my heart to be open to this powerful truth when a young woman in Jacksonville Florida, began to tell me about this glorious experience in God.
There are millions in this world that like Acts chapter 18 says “knowing only the baptism of John“. I was one of those believers. I desired more of God in my life, and because of my grandfather‘s pioneering efforts and bold decision to leave behind what for so many was a “good enough Christianity“ to embrace the “MORE” that God has for every disciple of Jesus Christ who wants to be empowered by the Spirit of God in a way that’s more wonderful than they could’ve ever imagined.
It’s for that purpose that I gladly took on the responsibility of transcribing my grandfather‘s notes and making them available as an author to the world at large who may by God’s design have the opportunity to read them”
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Author/ Journalist Nolan J Harkness
Grandson of Rev. Howard C Burnham
www.verticalsound.org
The Encyclopedia Britannica states that glossolalia or (speaking in tongues) recues in every age; among Friars, Jamsenists, Quakers, converts of Wesley and Whitfield, etc.
Souer’s History of the Christian Church, Vol 3 page 406, the following words are found; Dr Martin Luther was a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, an interpreter, one person endowed with all the gifts of the Spirit.”
*Side note not part of the original letter “Jamsenists were a part of a religious movement in the 17th and 18th century chiefly in France, the Low Countries, and Italy.
Here are a few quotations from “Trials and Triumphs of Faith” (1875 Edition) by the Rev. R. Boyd, DD (Baptist) Who was an intimate friend of the famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody.
“When I a YMCA member tot to the rooms of The Young Men’s Christian Association (Victoria Hall London), I found the meeting on fire. The young men were speaking with tongues, prophesying. What on earth did it mean?
Only that Moody had been addressing them that afternoon. What manner of man is this? Thought I, but still, I did not give him my hand… Many of the clergy were so opposed to the movement that they turned their backs on our poor, innocent Young Men’s Christian Association, for the part we took in the work: But afterward when the flood gates of divine grace were opened, Sunderland (near London) was taken by storm. I cannot describe Moody’s great meeting. I can only say that the people of Sunderland warmly supported the movement, in spite of their local spiritual advisors.” (Page 402) “
“God was in the midst of us of a truth. The Holy Spirit came, as of old, with the force of a rushing mighty wind, and filled all the place where we were sitting.” (Page 483). Mr Moody spoke no less than 4 times Friday, on each occasion with much power, and with signs following.” (Page 496).
On page 7, you state; Nearly every denomination is affected, and some of their members, here and there are going to these “tongues movements”. Yes, and there are preachers also, who with the members are finding deliverance from the slavery of sin, sickness, alcohol, demons, and a host of other evils. I have been many times to a Pentecostal Church here in Elmira NY and have heard several outstanding evangelists. The have 4 or 5 hundred in Sunday School. I went chiefly on account of Divine healing concerning which I am heartily in agreement. I do not know you position on healing, but I would like to ask you the question—If Jesus were here in the flesh would He come and heal your wife or child if asked? A word to the wise is sufficient. As to tongues I am
sure, that the pastor tries to keep the members in line with Bible teaching on the subject. Exercising the supernatural gift of tongues is scriptural, desired and beneficial if conformed to the Word of God. And you are going to see more of it in many denominations.
The gifts are coming back. They exercise gifts that we are almost strangers to. As stated above I believe that many of their churches in the past have been corrupt, but look to the Methodist Church, not much like it was at first. We cannot set at naught the whole Pentecostal movement and the doctrine of tongues, no more than we could the Corinthian Church. Where they are wrong, I do not condone them in the least. I have no use for some of their views, especially tongues and Holy Ghost baptism. I am acquainted with one of their members who used language and did things that I could not do, and at the same time I am sure he professed to speak in tongues and was baptized with the Holy Ghost. At least some of them seem to think if they speak in tongues that they are still baptized by the Spirit, thus deceiving themselves. I believe with Dr. Godby, that the devil can counterfeit all the gifts. But so far as I am concerned, I believe that the Pentecostal movement is turning the world upside down for God while many are criticizing them.
As stated above, new truth is disturbing and often flatly rejected. Take for instance “Ignaz Semmelweis” (first name added) who was driven from the hospitals because he advocated cleanliness in obstetrics. He proved that he was right, yet the other doctors would have none of it. Joseph Lister, ridiculed for teaching antiseptic surgery, Walter Reed, who was considered insane because he believed yellow fever was caused by mosquitos; and Crawford Long, who was mobbed because he discovered and used anesthetics, etc. New truth! Well that just upsets the whole apple cart.
You state on page 10: There are numerus passages in the book of acts where the declaration is that they: “Were all filled,” etc. but no mention is made of any kind of “tongues” and most certainly nothing about unknown tongues. That does not necessarily prove a thing. Many times, when Christ and the Apostles in narrating an event left out some of the details, for example, Peter said; “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” He said nothing about believing. That does not mean it wasn’t necessary to believe. One writer may mention an incident while the other does not. Sometimes hardly any details are mentioned.
Again, we consider an unknown tongue to be an earthly language, then the unknown tongue mentioned in Corinth was no more unknown than the known tongue at Pentecost. It all depends on who was there to listen. Page 16 (of Rev Bucks booklet)
One speaking in tongues when baptized by the Holy Spirit may never speak in tongues again unless he seeks the gift. So, all do not speak with tongues. I agree that the gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the Baptism of the Spirit. Page 17. God gives the gifts as He will, but there is another side of it. He says seek earnestly the best gifts. The implication is if we don’t, we won’t get them. God does nothing except in answer to prayer. We must consciously or unconsciously meet conditions for God to give.
SEE PARTS ONE, TWO, AND FOUR OF THIS SERIES BY HOWARD C BURNHAM
Rev. Howard C Burnham was born in 1898 in Bentley Creek Pennsylvania. He lived out his faith in a loving and very practical way touching countless people in his lifetime. He was best known for his love for nature and was very much a naturalist and a sportsman. He grew a large portion of the produce that became much of his families food source. He remained a picture of health until a rare blood disease took him at 81 years old.
He was so loved that everyone in his hometown area had stories to tell of his many acts of kindness that he showed through the years.
He spent much of his latter years telling of his Pentecostal experiences to his family and acquaintances. Sadly the telling of his experiences were not well received.
He went to be with his Savior in 1979 people agreed at his funeral that they never remember him saying a bad word personally about anyone his whole life.
A large stone in his memory is engraved on the wall of Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church. Rev Howard C Burnham who would never had used his rightful title, was truly a man of God who was dearly loved by untold people throughout his lifetime!