The 12-year-old Boy in the Closing Chapter of 'Coming of Age in Mississippi'

Remembering Dr. Gene Young

By Roscoe Barnes III
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2019

#AnneMoody

Dr. Gene Young (1951-2011)
Photo by Frost Illustrated newspaper

When you read the final chapter of Anne Moody's book, Coming of Age in Mississippi, you see a 12-year-old boy named Gene Young. He's sitting on a bus and calling out to Moody.

"Hey Moody! C'mon get on, we're going to Washington!" Moody recalled. When she sat down and closed her eyes, Young got her attention.

"C'mon, Annie Moody, wake up! Get the Spirit on!" little Gene yelled right in my ear. I opened my eyes and looked at him.

Young is one of many immortalized by Moody. On the pages of her book, she gave us the names and stories of many unsung heroes. The longevity of her memoir means their stories will not be forgotten. In her own way, and possibly without realizing what she was doing, she cemented their place in history. Whenever and wherever her story is told, their names will be noted along with hers.

Young, who went on to earn a doctorate, spent most of his life fighting for freedom, justice and equality. He became a lecturer and prominent speaker. He participated in a number of historic cases involving the struggle for civil rights. Young died of cancer March 30, 2011 at the age of 60.

Below are a few links that present stories and interesting tidbits of information on his life history. Check them out.

Gene C. Young, Ph.D.
(1951 — 2011)
Visit: https://www.crmvet.org/vet/youngg.htm

Gene Young
Jackson Free Press
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Visit: http://m.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2010/sep/01/gene-young/

Gene Young (His Passing)
Jackson Free Press
Monday, April 4, 2011
Visit: http://m.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2011/apr/04/gene-young/

Dr. Gene Young to bring legacy of activism to MLK Club's Unity Day Celebration
Visit: http://dev.little.am/frostillustrated.com/atf.php-sid=8176.html

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Want to know more about Anne Moody?

Visit here to see the timeline of

important events in her life history!

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For more information: 
See the Anne Moody page here.
Questions about the Anne Moody History Project may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III Ph.D. via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com For updates on Anne Moody history and the on-going work of this community service project, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi

Anne Moody History Ad to Appear in 2019 School Yearbook

Full Page Prepared for Wilkinson County School District in Southwest Mississippi

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2019

#AnneMoody

This full-page ad will appear in the 2019 Wilkinson County School District Yearbook. It was purchased by the Anne Moody History Project.

#AnneMoody #ComingOfAgeinMississippi #CivilRights #BlackHistory #BlkTwitterstorians #Mississippi #WomensHistory #HBCU #Tougaloo

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Want to know more about Anne Moody?

Visit here to see the timeline of important events in her life history!

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For more information: 
See the Anne Moody page here. Questions about the Anne Moody History Project may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III Ph.D. via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com For updates on Anne Moody history and the on-going work of this community service project, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi

‘F.F. Bosworth History’ on Twitter: New Account Shares Original Content on the author of ‘Christ the Healer’

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

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters

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I’m excited to introduce “F.F. Bosworth History” on Twitter. I urge you to follow this new account, using the handle, @bosworth_fred, for news, research, and commentary on the life history of FredFrancis (“F.F.”) Bosworth.

This is the only Twitter account devoted exclusively to the life and ministry of Bosworth, author of Christ the Healer. Since January 2018, I have been tweeting about the evangelist on my personal Twitter account (@Roscoebarnes3), but now I’ve opened this separate account that will focus only on Bosworth’s story. I will continue to share material on Bosworth on my personal account, along with other tweets about other topics. But @bosworth_fred is created as the essential Twitter platform for all things Bosworth and nothing else.

The account may be seen as an extension my blog, Bosworth Matters, which can be view here: http://ffbosworth.strikingly.com/. The URL for “F.F. Bosworth History” on Twitter is https://twitter.com/bosworth_fred.

If you have an interest in Pentecostalism, church history, revival movements, or divine healing, then you will appreciate the tweets that will be shared. I hope you will also share this content by retweets or other means with your friends, family, followers and colleagues. Help us get the word out on Bosworth’s important and lasting contribution to church history.

As always, if you have any questions about my work on Bosworth, please don’t hesitate to contact me by email (doctorbarnes3@gmail.com), Twitter, this blog or other social media platforms.

When searching for my work on Bosworth on various platforms, follow these hashtags:

#FFBosworth #ChristTheHealer #Pentecostal #ChurchHistory #BosworthMatters #AssembliesOfGod #CFNI #ORU #Evangelicals

Only a limited amount of my work is currently on Facebook. The reason is that I have taken a break from that particular platform.

  

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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:

ffbosworth.strikingly.com 

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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

Readers in New Zealand Find My Article on Islam

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Copyright (c) 2019

#Christchurch
#NewZealand

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A short time ago, while visiting my page on Academia.edu, I discovered readers in Christchurch, New Zealand had just downloaded my newspaper article, "Dove sculptures at school: Traditional symbol of peace sparks fierce battle over Islamic religion."

The piece was first published in 2000 -- almost 20 years ago -- by Public Opinion in Chambersburg, Pa. It continues to generate interest. I hope the readers in New Zealand find hope, peace, and light as they read and discuss my small contribution.

I invite you to follow these hashtags:

#ChristChurch #Islam #Muslim #Mosque #NewZealand #NewZealandTerroristAttack #NewZealandShootings #ChristchurchShootings

The article can be read here or by following this link:

https://www.academia.edu/2329400/Dove_sculptures_at_school_Traditional_symbol_of_peace_sparks_fierce_battle_over_Islamic_religion

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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Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

See it here:

ffbosworth.strikingly.com

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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

Bosworth Blamed Charles Parham

He Criticized Him for His 'Wrong and Unscriptural" Teachings on Speaking in Tongues

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

#FFBosworth
#CharlesParham
#BosworthMatters

Charles F. Parham
(1873-1929)

When F.F. Bosworth resigned from the Assemblies of God on July 24, 1918 over the issue of evidential tongues, he did not go quietly into the night. Instead, he wrote a blistering "Open Letter" in which he accused Pentecostals of being misguided in some of their beliefs and interpretations of the Bible.

Bosworth adamantly opposed the view that the "speaking in tongues" in Acts was separate and distinct from the gift of tongues in First Corinthians. Bosworth also disagreed with the view that "speaking in tongues" was the initial evidence of Spirit baptism for all believers. Bosworth described both views as "doctrinal error," and he laid the responsibility for that "error" at the feet of Charles F. Parham. Insisting there was no biblical support for the Pentecostal views, Bosworth wrote:

Charles F. Parham, who came forward with this doctrine in the year 1900, is the first man in the history of the world to publicly teach it. He saw that it was not possible to teach that speaking in tongues will in every case accompany the Baptism in the Spirit, unless he could make it appear that the speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost was something separate and distinct from the gift of tongues at Corinth. He is also the first man in the history of the world to teach that none have ever been baptized in the Spirit except those who have spoken in tongues.

To strengthen his point, Bosworth made a comparison of Parham with respected soul-winners in the past:

The facts are that hundreds of the greatest soul-winners of the whole Christian era, without the gift of tongues, have had a much greater enduement of power and have been used to accomplish a much greater and deeper work than Mr. Parham.

Before his resignation, Bosworth served as a founding minister of the AG. He also founded the First Assembly of God Church in Dallas, Texas. But unlike many Pentecostal leaders, he believed that people could be baptized in the Spirit without speaking in tongues. In his view, prophecy or any of the other spiritual gifts could be evidence of Spirit baptism.

Bosworth had his own Pentecostal experience in October 1906 following a visit by Parham to Zion City, Ill. Bosworth spoke in tongues at that time and he continued to speak in tongues on a regular basis. "Let it not be supposed that I am depreciating God's glorious gift of tongues because I do not believe that this one manifestation always accompanies the baptism in the Spirit," he shared in his letter. "God graciously gave me this gift many years ago and nearly every day in prayer and worship I still speak in tongues, and it is one of the sweetest things in my Christian experience."

Bosworth used his letter to refute some of the core teachings of the AG and other Pentecostals on Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues. He published his letter with the title, "Do All Speak With Tongues? — An Open Letter to the Ministers and Saints of the Pentecostal Movement." The letter, which was widely read, appeared in the 1920s as a chapter in Bosworth's biography, Joybringer Bosworth, and as an article on the pages of Word and Witness. It also appeared as a booklet published by The Christian Alliance Publishing Company. John J. Scruby published it in the 1930s. Historians point to Bosworth's resignation and the publication of his "Open Letter" as important moments in Pentecostal church history.

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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:

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

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.

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

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