Was F.F. Bosworth Ever Tarred and Feathered?

A Look at a Statement in Edith L. Blumhofer's book, 'Restoring the Faith'

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind 'Christ the Healer'
Copyright (c) 2019

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters

In her highly regarded book, Restoring the Faith (University of Illinois Press, 1993), Dr. Edith L. Blumhofer wrote about the early years of F.F. Bosworth's ministry. In a section that included a brief list of his experiences, she suggested, among other things, that he was tarred and feathered. But was she correct? Here's what she wrote:

In 1918 Fred Francis Bosworth was among the best known men in the Assemblies of God. Former director of Zion City's award-winning band, Bosworth had embraced Pentecostal teaching during Parham's visit to Zion City in 1906. Shortly thereafter, Bosworth launched a career as an evangelist. He suffered deprivation and persecution; in one eventful campaign he had been tarred and feathered by a mob opposed to his meetings.

Blumhofer's statement is questionable, given what we know about Bosworth's persecution. Did she mean tarred and feathered in a figurative sense? If so, there isn't a problem. But if she used the expression in a literal sense, then her statement invites a few questions. For instance, when and where did the incident take place? What's the source for this information?

Bosworth has described his mob encounter in Hearne, Texas, where he was brutally beaten because of his preaching to a black audience. He wrote a letter about the incident in which he gave many details. But no where in the letter did he mention tar and feathers.

Unfortunately, Blumhofer did not provide a citation for her statement. Perhaps she was thinking of Bosworth's friend, Cyrus B. Fockler, who came close to being tarred and feathered in July 1900 in Mansfield, Ohio, when he was rescued by police from an angry mob. According to some reports, he had been tarred when police arrived. Is it possible that Blumhofer simply confused the two men? It is possible, but also doubtful. It was more likely an oversight.

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Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer," can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: bosworth25.

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about F.F. Bosworth?

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See it here:

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For more information:
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer #BosworthMatters #BosworthMention

Donald Gee's Unflattering Mention of F.F. Bosworth

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.

Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer

Copyright (c) 2019

#FFBosworth

#DonaldGee

Donald Gee (1891-1966)

In his excellent book, The Healer-Prophet William Marrion Branham: A Study of the Prophetic in American Pentecostalism (Mercer University Press, 2000), Dr. C. Douglas Weaver shared an unfavorable comment about F.F.Bosworth that was attributed to Donald Gee. The comment appeared as a footnote in Chapter Three, which is titled, “Branham and the Healing Revival, 1947-1955.” It followed Weaver’s description of William Branham’s evangelistic campaigns in South Africa in 1952. The campaign was considered a major success by Bosworth and others, including Gordon Lindsay. Weaver cited Joseph D. Mattsson-Boze who called the South Africa meetings “the greatest outpouring of the Holy Ghost that that country has ever seen.”

In the footnote to that comment, Weaver wrote: "Donald Gee cited a report of F.F. Bosworth about the South Africa campaign to point out the tendency of deliverance evangelists to exaggerate their claims for the sake of propaganda." Weaver’s source for the claim of exaggeration is Gee’s book, Wind and Flame (Heath Press, Ltd., 1967). Gee was a noted author, prolific writer, respected pastor and conference speaker. He helped to establish the Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland in 1924. He wrote well-reasoned articles about Pentecost and the divine healing movement. Generally astute and balanced in his judgment, Gee did not shy away from presenting constructive criticism when and where he felt it was due.

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“It has to be confessed that in a few regrettable cases commercialism vitiated the testimony.” -- Donald Gee

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In Gee’s view, the most prominent evangelistic healing campaigns of the 1950s were held by American revivalists whose ministries were “accompanied by a flood of propaganda, especially as they reached out beyond the United States.” Gee, who was sometimes direct and scholarly in his critiques, believed there was a place for mass evangelistic campaigns and divine healing. He voiced concern, however, about some of the practices of the healing evangelists. “It has to be confessed that in a few regrettable cases commercialism vitiated the testimony,” he asserted. “The tragic volume of human physical suffering tempts exploitation by those who claim power to heal.”

Image taken from Amazon.com

While he conceded some of the preachers “brought undoubted blessing to multitudes,” he also believed some of them made exaggerated claims about miracles and the success of their respective ministries. His comments about Bosworth are presented in the excerpt that follows.

Excerpt from Wind and Flame

As typical of these campaigns, I have before me some extracts from the diary of F.F. Bosworth, published in the Herald of Faith, relative to meetings in South Africa which he visited with William Branham and Earn Baxter. He wrote – “At the hotel in Durban this morning there was just one subject – the wonderful meetings on Sunday … The meetings in the race course cannot be described. Some estimated the crowd in my meeting at 10.30 a.m. to be from 80,000 to 100,000 … Last night’s meeting was the most wonderful service Brother Branham ever had. Thousands were in tears. The love of God seemed to fill the atmosphere of the entire race track. It melted all hearts to tears. I saw Indian mothers holding their babies and weeping with their hearts melted to love and worship … Seeing this multitude during three short showers with no shelter over them, and hearing them sing like angels, melted Brother Branham. The love and worship were beyond anything that can be described.

“Miracles were wrought as Brother Branham pointed them out in all directions. And then came the committal and mass prayer when Brother Branham rose to the greatest height of his life as in a moment, when he reached his last word, it seemed as if heaven fell on the people and God healed thousands all at the same time. Those with club feet, others paralyzed, some that had never walked from birth, that were closest to the platform climbed the steps to show the audience what God had done for them. A sea of people in all directions stood to give their hearts to Christ, Thousands of Indians and natives among them. Many times the 3,000 converted on the Day of Pentecost responded to Brother Baxter’s appeal to accept Christ”.

Donald Gee’s assessment

Admittedly these are the words of enthusiasm, but they were not written for publication, but for a relative in the U.S.A. Such crowds, and such ministry, produces many resultant problems before those professing conversion begin to become disciples and are shepherded into assemblies of God’s people. Many never go further than the excitement of the campaign, but at any rate a mass of raw spiritual material is gathered for pastoral care and teaching. The more regular and less spectacular aspects of the Movement provide greater permanent results. But all have had their place.

Gee was a man of deliberate thought. He was known for being lucid and quite persuasive in his commentary. However, his perspective on this topic seems lacking. A key reason is that he made a claim by implication without providing any hard evidence. Yes, he presented excerpts from Bosworth's letter (which was published as a report), but he did not explain why he questioned Bosworth’s report or why he situated his report in a section of the book that highlighted concerns about healing evangelists. Without evidence, one is left to see Gee's claim or assertion as merely an opinion and not a statement of fact.

To be fair, however, Gee did not actually say that Bosworth made exaggerated claims. Instead, he used Bosworth's letter to address the challenge of discipleship when seeking to help new converts in mass evangelistic meetings. Since he cited the letter in the very section where he wrote about "propaganda" and "commercialism" in healing ministries, it is not surprising that his depiction of Bosworth is viewed in a negative light.

In the section in question, which is titled, “The Problem and Power of Propaganda,” Gee began his argument by presenting his concerns about the ministry practices of healing revivalists. He immediately followed that material with Bosworth’s letter using the following words: “As typical of these campaigns, I have before me some extracts from the diary of F.F. Bosworth.” That line, in my view, placed Bosworth in the company of people who erred in some way, the people that Gee had just criticized.

Some readers, understandably, might also derive the idea of "exaggeration" from Gee's statement at the end of Bosworth’s letter: "Admittedly these are the words of enthusiasm." That line may have been a statement of truth, but in my opinion, it also implies an element of doubt about Bosworth’s claims.

Gee’s overall assessment of Bosworth’s report may have been accurate and on point. However, his argument is weakened by a lack of pertinent information that could be found in answers to the following questions:

Did he check the numbers mentioned in Bosworth report? Was he present in the meetings? Did he acquire images of the meetings or reports that contradict Bosworth's letter? Did he seek to verify Bosworth's numbers by checking with reliable sources in South Africa? Did he ask Bosworth about the accuracy of his numbers and claims?

Unfortunately, the answer to each of those questions is probably “No.” While Gee’s concern about discipleship and mass campaigns is laudable, reports (by implication or otherwise) of Bosworth making exaggerated claims, at least in Wind and Flame, seem to be without merit.

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Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer, can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: bosworth25.

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Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

See it here:

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For more information:
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter.
#ChristTheHealer #BosworthMatters #BosworthMention

On This Day (January 23): F.F. Bosworth Dies of Heart Attack

He was at home with his family in Miami, Fla.

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright (c) 2019

#FFBosworth
#OnThisDay

Fred Francis Bosworth
(1877-1958)

NOTE: New information has come to light on F.F. Bosworth’s cause of death. For more information, please see, “F.F. Bosworth’s Death Certificate” and "B.B. Bosworth’s Death Certificate.”

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On January 23, 1958, F.F. Bosworth died of a heart attack in his home in Miami, Fla., after a brief illness. He was 81.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27, in Miami Gospel Tabernacle, with burial in Woodlawn Park. Arrangements were handled by Bess Memorial Mortuary.

Bosworth's brother, B.B. Bosworth, died on Feb. 17, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Both of the brothers had suffered from diabetes, according to their family and members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

In the April 1958 issue of World-Wide Revival, David J. Du Plessis wrote a moving tribute to Bosworth, whom he considered a "faithful pioneer." He suggested, "Thousands of Christians of all denominations throughout the world will miss the well-known evangelist, author, and Bible teacher."

Du Plessis, who became known as "Mr. Pentecost," gave a brief overview of Bosworth's life history. He underscored a number of his successful healing campaigns:

In the 1920’s one of the largest Bosworth campaigns was conducted in Ottawa, Canada, where the large civic auditorium seating 11,000 persons was filled nightly to capacity. During this Ottawa revival many miracles of healing took place in answer to the prayer of faith. Many vehicles were employed, automobiles, ambulances, and even hearses, to bring the sick and afflicted on stretchers to the services. Further large and successful campaigns included New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other cities.

Bosworth's wife, Florence, and their four children, were with him when he passed, according to Du Plessis. He wrote it was estimated that more than a million people came to Christ through Bosworth's ministry.

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Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer, can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: bosworth25.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

See it here:

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------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information:

Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter.

#ChristTheHealer #BosworthMatters #BosworthMention #ThisDayInHistory #ThisDayInFFBosworthHistory

Prosperity on the Pages of F.F. Bosworth's Magazine

A Look at A.J. Gordon's Message on Giving and 'Abundant Temporal Prosperity'

By Roscoe Barnes III

Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer

Copyright (c) 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters

Adoniram Judson Gordon

In 1929, the year that saw the beginning of the Great Depression, F.F. Bosworth published an article on financial prosperity that was written by Adoniram Judson ("A.J.") Gordon (1836-1895). The article was titled, “God’s Tenth,” and it appeared on pages 18 and 19 in the November 1929 issue of Exploits of Faith.

The date of publication is especially important when you consider the Great Depression, which started after the October 1929 stock market crash.

Gordon is known for his classic, The Ministry of Healing: Or, Miracles of Cure in All Ages (1882). In his article on prosperity, he wrote about the power of tithing and how it can result, when done correctly, in both spiritual blessings and temporal financial prosperity.

Bosworth’s publication of Gordon’s article sheds light on his own view of financial prosperity. Contrary to what some historians have argued, Bosworth preached on prosperity and he published articles on the topic. His writings indicate he was neither extreme nor extravagant. Yet, he clearly believed, like Gordon, that God rewards the faithful givers and tithers with blessings that may be spiritual and material in nature.

In his article, “God’s Tenth,” Gordon builds his case with Malachi 3:10, which addresses the issue of tithing. “Here plainly the giving of tithes is made the condition of an abundant outpouring of the Spirit,” he writes, adding the tendency of some is to spiritualize the verse “which robs us of so much vital truth by frittering away its meaning in metaphor and simile.”

Gordon makes a bold statement about the people who follow God’s instructions on giving. In short, he says they will be pleasantly surprised.

If any Christian who has never tried it will make the experiment, conscientiously following it through to the end, in prosperity and adversity, we predict for him two surprises; first, he will be astonished at the increased amount which he is enabled by this method to give to the Lord; and second, he will be astonished at the increased spiritual and temporal prosperity which the Lord will give him.

While referencing the words “Prove me now herewith” from his text, Gordon presents two points for consideration. His first point is “that faithful and proportionate giving will be rewarded with superabundant spiritual blessing.” In his second point, Gordon suggests that people who give faithfully and proportionately “will be rewarded with abundant temporal prosperity.”

Preaching Prosperity at the

Beginning of the Great Depression

Gordon’s article was not the only one on prosperity that appeared in Exploits in 1929. A few months earlier, in the May 1929 issue (pages 7-13), Bosworth published his own article, "God's Financial Plan Insures the Prosperity of His People." The article was actually a sermon he had preached in the Park Place Tabernacle in Anderson, Ind. At the time of its publication, the United States was starting to feel the early effects of the economic recession that occurred during the summer of 1929.

One can only wonder if Bosworth had a premonition of things to come. Of course, it is also  possible that he looked at the news reports and saw the need to prepare his readers, which wouldn't be a surprise given his business background. 

Bosworth's focus on financial prosperity might have also been inspired by the success -- and seemingly endless wealth -- of the Roaring Twenties. Like others, he probably thought the success would last longer. Even so, he believed that God would wonderfully bless His faithful tithers with spiritual and financial prosperity.

The full article by Gordon is presented below. It is shared here courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center (iFPHC.org).

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God’s Tenth

By Rev. A. J. Gordon

In touching the question of giving we touch the most vital point pertaining to the consecration and spiritual power of the churches. In saying this we speak from experience, as we certainly speak according to the Scripture. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive.” Mal. 3:10. Here plainly the giving of tithes is made the condition of an abundant outpouring of the Spirit. The spiritualizing method of interpreting Scripture, which robs us of so much vital truth by frittering away its meaning in metaphor and simile, has often robbed us of the real significance of this text. Prayer, testimony, effort, self-denial – how often do we hear these duties mentioned as summing up and fulfilling the requirements of tithes?

What Tithes Mean

But “tithes” means money or other property of equivalent value; and the effusion of God’s Spirit is here made contingent upon bringing in these tithes and paying up these dues to God. A tenth of his income was required of the Jew to be set apart and sacredly devoted to God’s treasury. And this was the first tenth and not the last tenth; the first fruits, and not dregs and leavings. In the New Testament, the same principle is carried over: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” 1 Cor. 16:2. Here is consecrated giving – laying by in store a certain sum set apart and made sacred to God’s use, and which thereafter one should no more think of using for himself than he would of taking the same sum from his neighbor’s pocket. And here is proportionate giving – “as God hath prospered him.”

If any Christian who has never tried it will make the experiment, conscientiously following it through to the end, in prosperity and adversity, we predict for him two surprises; first, he will be astonished at the increased amount which he is enabled by this method to give to the Lord; and second, he will be astonished at the increased spiritual and temporal prosperity which the Lord will give him. For observe that here is an instance where the Lord actually makes a challenge to His people, and sets up a test case, saying, “Prove me now herewith.”

Taking this Scripture in connection with others, we find that there are two points to be demonstrated.

Right Giving Brings Spiritual Blessing

1. That faithful and proportionate giving will be rewarded with superabundant spiritual blessing. The statement does not require proof, since experiment has stamped it already as an axiom. Other things being equal, that Christian who opens the broadest outlet for charity will find the widest inlet for the Spirit. The health of a human body depends upon its exhalations as well as upon its inhalations. It is reported that a boy who was to impersonate a shining cherub in a play, on being covered over with a coating of gold leaf, which entirely closed the pores of his skin, died in consequence, before relief could be afforded. Woe to the Christian who gets so gold-leafed over with his wealth that the pores of his sympathy are shut, and the outgoings of his charity are restrained. He is thenceforth dead spiritually, though he may have a name to live.

Temporal Prosperity Follows Consecrated Giving

2. That faithful and proportionate giving will be rewarded with abundant temporal prosperity. This is a saying hard to be received, but it has the emphatic support of Scripture. “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Prov. 3:9-10. This is but one specimen of many from the Old Testament. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” Luke 6:38. Do we believe these words of our Lord? Can we question that they refer to abundant temporal returns in recompense for abundant giving?

Experience Proves Plan Is Wise

There is a Christian league in this country banded together to promote systematic giving. It brings every member into covenant to keep a strict account with the Lord, and to render Him one tenth of the income. An annual report is made by each member, giving a statement of his business and spiritual prosperity. The secretary recently told us that the results have been surprising, even to the most sanguine advocates of the tithing system; that not only has the income of the missionary societies receiving the funds been greatly increased, but that, out of thousands entering into this league, all but two or three have reported greatly increased business prosperity. Are there not some things to be proved which we have not yet dreamed of, either in our philosophy or our mathematics?

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Related articles:

F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in Kate Bowler's Blessed: A History of The American Prosperity Gospel (2013). See here.

12 Mistaken Claims about F.F. Bosworth. See here.

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Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer, can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: bosworth25.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

See it here:

ffbosworth.strikingly.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information:
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer #BosworthMatters #BosworthMention #AJGordon

Reading with F.F. Bosworth

A Partial List of His Favorite Books and the People He Cited in His Sermons

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright (c) 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters

Charles Finney was one of F.F. Bosworth's favorite authors.

The story of F.F. Bosworth is not complete without a knowledge of the books he read and an understanding of the people he admired. As Ralph Waldo Emerson so aptly stated, “A man is known by the books he reads, by the company he keeps (and) by the praise he gives.”

To fully appreciate Bosworth and his contributions to church history, one must read what he read, or at the least, have some knowledge of the authors he cited. Such knowledge, I believe, will help us to see the source of his inspiration and how some of his ideas were formed. This knowledge will also give insight into his theology and how it was shaped by his contemporaries, as well as by those who came before him.

With the above thoughts in mind, I want to share a list of what I believe to be Bosworth’s favorite books and the authors he most frequently cited in his sermons and magazine. My use of the term “favorite” is based on those titles that he either praised, recommended, or referenced most often. Most of the titles are mentioned in his classic,Christ the Healer, and in his biography, Joybringer Bosworth. Some also appeared in his magazine, Exploits of Faith.

Bosworth's Favorite Books and Authors

Bainbridge, Harriette S. Life for Soul and Body. New York: Christian Alliance Publishing Company, 1906.

Bounds, E.M. Purpose in Prayer. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1920.

Chappell, F.L. The Names of the Deity. Dayton, OH: John J. Scruby, n.d.

Decker, Frances J. A Vision of the Cross. Dayton, Ohio: John J. Scruby, 1925. 

Deem, Fred. The modern Fundamentalists, or Why Not Trust God for healing? Dayton, OH: John J. Scruby, n.d.

Edwards, Jonathan. Narrative of Many Surprising Conversions in Northampton and Vicinity, Written in 1736, Together with Some Thoughts on the Revival in New England Written in 1740. Worcester, MA: Moses W. Grant, 1832.

Finney, Charles. Finney's Lectures on Revival. Chicago, IL: Fleming H. Revell Co., n.d.

------. Sermons on the Way of Salvation. Oberlin, OH: Edward J. Goodrich, 1891.

Gordon, A.J. The Ministry of Healing: Miracles of Cure in All Ages. New York: The Christian Alliance Publishing Co., 1882.

Kenyon, E.W. The Father and His Family. Fullerton, CA: Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society, 1937.

------. In His Presence. Seattle, WA: E. W. Kenyon, 1944.

------. Jesus the Healer. Seattle, WA: E.W. Kenyon, 1940.

------. Kenyon's Living Poems. Seattle, WA: E.W. Kenyon, 1935.

------. The New Kind of Love. Seattle, WA: E.W. Kenyon, 1942.

------. Two Kinds of Faith. Seattle, WA: E. W. Kenyon, 1942.

------. Two Kinds of Life. Seattle, WA: E. W. Kenyon, 1943.

------. Two Kinds of Righteousness. Seattle, WA: Kenyon's Church of the Air, 1942.

------. The Wonderful Name of Jesus. Seattle, WA: Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society, 1927.

McCrossan, T.J. The Bible: Its Christ and Modernism. New York: Christian Alliance Publishing, 1925.

------. Bodily Healing and The Atonement. Youngstown, OH: Clement Humbard, 1930.

Muller, George. The Autobiography of George Muller. London: J. Nisbet & Co., 1905.

------. Soul Nourishment First. 1841

Murray, Andrew. Divine Healing: A Series of Addresses. New York: Christian Alliance Publishing Co., 1900.

Nuzum, Mrs. C. (Cornelia). Life of Faith. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1928.

Osborn, T.L. Healing the Sick and Casting Out Devils. Tulsa, OK: The Voice of Faith Ministry, 1955.

Pierson, Arthur T. Forward Movements of the Last Half Century. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1905.

Riggle, Herbert McClellan. The Sabbath and the Lord's Day. Anderson, IN: Gospel Trumpet Company, 1928.

Schneppmueller, Vivian Bosworth. A Testimony of Salvation and Healing: A Biography of C&MA Evangelist H. Karl Schneppmueller. St. Paul, MN: Vivian Bosworth Schneppmueller, n.d.

Scruby, John James. Gems of Truth on Divine Healing. Dayton, OH : John J. Scruby, 1904.

Simpson, A.B. The Gospel of Healing. Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1915.

Stevens, W.C. Jesus Our Healer. Los Angeles, CA: Torrey Bible Institute, n.d..

Torrey, R.A. Divine Healing: Does God Perform Miracles Today? New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1924.

Wesley, John. Works of Wesley. London: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872.

Woodworth-Etter, Maria B. Acts of the Holy Ghost, or The life, work, and experience of Mrs. M. B. Woodworth-Etter, Written by Herself. Dallas, TX: John F. Worley Printing Co., 1912.

Bible Translations

Delitzsch, Franz. Delitzsch's Hebrew New Testament. Leipzig, Ackermann: The British and Foreign Bible Society, 1877.

Leeser, Isaac. The Leeser Bible/Leeser's Jewish Bible. Philadelphia, PA: Isaac Leeser, 1853.

Moffatt, James. Moffatt, New Translation/The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments, a New Translation. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 1922.

Rotherham, Joseph Bryant. Rotherham's Emphasized Bible. London: H.R. Allenson, 1897-1902.

Scofield, C.I. Scofield Reference Bible (KJV). New York: Oxford University Press, 1917.

Weymouth, Richard Francis. Weymouth New Testament/The Modern Speech New Testament. New York: Baker & Taylor Company, 1903.

Young, Robert. Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible. Edinburgh: George Adam Young & Co., 1863.

Other Writers

There were a number of authors that did not make the above list because it could not be determined which of their books were actually read by Bosworth. Even so, we can say with some certainty, based on his relationship with the authors, that he probably read their books. For example, John Alexander Dowie was a prolific writer. Yet, Bosworth said little about him (probably due to the controversies of Dowie and Zion City). But since Bosworth lived in Zion City and actually worked for him, one can safely assume that Bosworth was intimately familiar with his writings. It's also worth noting that Bosworth's biographer suggested he learned of Dowie by reading The Leaves of Healing.

Given Bosworth's relationship with Moody Bible Institute and the editors of the Moody magazine, it is likely that he read D.L. Moody. Billy Sunday was another evangelist he seemed to admire. Bosworth once indicated his respect for Sunday in letter published as a news item.

Another author that could be listed here is Oswald J. Smith, whose articles appeared in Bosworth's Exploits of Faith magazine. 

Bosworth's magazine also featured the writings of his wife, Florence, and his brother, B.B. Bosworth. Other writers included Evangelist A.G. Jeffries, Harry Hodge, C.C. Fitch, Rev. William T. MacArthur, Rev. Herbert Dyke,  Rev. P. Gavin Duffy, Bishop Charles H. Brent, James Moore Hickson, Carrie Judd Montgomery, Rev. J. P. Roberts, Mary Lowe Dickinson, Rev. W. J. Bennett, Ethel E. Tulloch, E. West, Charles H. Usher, John Harris, Fannie J. Rowe, J. Albert Libby and Dr. Gerald B. Winrod.

Bosworth's magazine featured many books that were distributed by John J. Scruby. However, the names of the authors were not always included.

----------------------------

Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer, can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: bosworth25.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

See it here:

ffbosworth.strikingly.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information:
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer

Stella Bosworth Still Going Strong

The Widow of Bob Bosworth is Steadfast and Unrelenting in Outreach Ministry

By Roscoe Barnes III

Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer

Copyright © 2018

#FFBosworth

#BosworthMatters

#StellaBosworth

Stella Bosworth and her late husband, Bob Bosworth, spent decades working in missions. Bob was the son of F.F. Bosworth, author of Christ the Healer. Stella's report in this April 2018 newsletter focuses on a ministry in Mumbai, India.

Although now in her 80s, Stella Bosworth continues to be a strong force in the areas of evangelism and foreign missions. Stella is the widow of Bob Bosworth, the son of F.F. Bosworth. Bob, an apostle of "early morning prayer," died in 2009. He and Stella served for many years as missionaries. Through their ministry, World Outreach Inc., they shared the gospel on an international level, reaching people in many nations. Together, they helped to make disciples and build churches. They trained leaders and raised financial support for many church groups and communities in need.

Although Bob has been deceased for about 10 years now, Stella has not missed a beat. In fact, she said in a YouTube update that she prays about leading someone to Christ whenever she leaves the house or goes shopping.

An April 2018 ministry newsletter shows that Stella is very much active in the ongoing work of World Outreach. In two densely written pages, she reported on the ministry of Samuel and Bhanu Singh in the "slums of Mumbai, India."

The report is a testimony of God's power and providential care in lives of his chosen leaders. The pastor, bold in faith, stood up to government officials and kept preaching even when they threatened to demolish his church building. He eventually found favor with the officials. Also mentioned in the report is a note about the pastor's wife being healed of cancer. Stella wrote:

We thank the Lord all the time for the faithfulness and consistency in ministry that we see in Samuel and Bhanu, even though they are getting older. Just as they persevered against the Hindu resistance against Christians with the Airoli church, they have held faith through Bhanu's cancer and seen her healed.

Stella also made a plea for help. She described some critical challenges faced by the couple that affect their home, their health, and their environment, which is heavily polluted.

Writing with a sense of urgency, she called on her partners to pray for Samuel and his wife to receive a new home in a place with cleaner air:

The doctor told Samuel to find a place out of the city for Bhanu to live and be free of the cough, but their whole lives are spent ministering in the slums to the slum people. Bhanu is strong in her faith and is trusting God to heal her.

Just as God did a miracle for them when we all prayed and asked God to turn the hearts of the Hindu officials, we are asking you all to ask God for a miracle in helping them find a place where they can live in peace as they get older, and to heal Bhanu again.

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Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer #BobBosworth