Fifth Reason

Because of its sad results.

We read in Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” Here we are told that that which comes from God will produce a good after-effect. In fact, the after-effect of any act determines the quality of the act. The main question, then, is not how good does a doctrine sound, or how happy does it make one feel, or how polite and accomplished are its advocates, but what are the actual results upon those who embrace it? If we put this test upon many of the “isms” and cults of today they will be found wanting, for they utterly fail to transform men so that they reproduce Christ’s life.

There is something magnetic about false doctrine that invites and draws those who do not want to renounce every sin and walk in all the light. Satan can give an inspiration and illumination to error so as to deceive multitudes, yea, sometimes the very elect. He is more than a match for brains or human greatness. This is why the followers of Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other false movements are not composed alone of poor and ignorant people, but rather of judges, lawyers, doctors, and a host of others who are too big to take the humble way of the cross. They are blind and lack spiritual discernment.

But how about the Tongues movement? Are not most of these people spiritually inclined? Yes, and this is the pathetic thing about it all. Satan adopts different tactics. If he cannot damn any by using coarse and skeptical methods, then he will play the “angel of light”* (2 Corinthians 11:14) role and try to deceive those who desire spiritual things.

Many of these will not acknowledge it (for they are under its power), but a keen and impartial observer will discover in the Tongues movement a subtle affinity almost akin to sex stimulation. At first it takes the form of appreciation, but later leads to infatuation. Perhaps this is one reason why there is so much immoral scandal connected with it. Many of their leaders have been, or are now living in unholy relations, and there is a high percentage of divorced persons throughout the movement. Often where an actual separation has not occurred, yet in spirit the sanctity of the marriage covenant is not so sacred as it should be. Men think it a light thing to neglect their families and “honey” around others. Women become bold and despise proper authority. This was one of the chief characteristics of the Tongues women at Corinth, whom Paul commanded to “keep silence” in the church. He was compelled to restrain them by reminding them to be “under obedience”* (1 Corinthians 14:34) and “subject to the prophets.”* (1 Corinthians 14:32)

Another sad result is that many of these dear people become mentally unbalanced. Why? Because the methods employed are largely the same as in Spiritualism. Some altar services remind one of a seance, where auto-suggestion is so strong that a seeker can bring himself to imagine almost anything. This mental strain, in connection with the hypnotic influence of others, often unbalances the mind. We would not advise new converts or weak souls to attend these meetings. Joseph H. Smith says: “We have observed that persons who have gone far under its sway, when awakened to their error and danger, have had to fight through the densest darkness and most intricate mists of Satan’s net to get back to normal mental and spiritual conditions.”

Perhaps some of the phenomenon is genuine; more of it is simply innocent but mistaken humanity, and still more of it is the product of a pseudo-religious demon. It would seem that if the God of Pentecost were wholly controlling the movement, some of the speakers would be sent out to the thousands of Italians, Greeks, Japanese, and other nationalities of our cities instead of huddling together in some hall and mouthing over something that neither the one speaking nor anyone else understands.

We have known many who have felt their need of a “baptism,” but not one case who had previously died out to the bottom in seeking Bible holiness and was clear in the experience. These said they had made a “full consecration,” but the sad fact remained that they were not yet free from all unholy tempers. Naturally, such souls, if at all sincere, will feel their need of something more. But remember, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, and entire sanctification, are one and the same experience. He who has been purged of all sin may feel the need of a special anointing for special occasions, yet it is incorrect to call this a “fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost.” For baptism (whether water or Spirit) always implies that outward or inward sin is renounced and put away. Hence those who feel the need of the fiery baptism should earnestly seek the same, but at the same time clearly understand that either carnality has never been cleansed away, or if so, has re-entered and must be dealt with again. True, it is humbling to acknowledge that you have either lost out or never had the real experience (especially if you have posed as teacher), but it will pay to be absolutely honest about it.

Yes, there are many good and sincere people in the movement, but after mingling with and preaching for them in various places in this country as well as in India, China, Japan, and South Africa, we are forced to state that we fear there are few if any authenticated cases of speaking an intelligent language in these latter days.

For instance: years ago we conducted a good camp meeting in Oregon. Among others, the leader of the camp came under conviction and began seeking a real experience. The meeting closed and he was still digging. Not being able to get much encouragement from his brethren, he concluded he might get help at the tongues meeting. He attended, received his “baptism” and declared God gave him the Japanese language. His wife also professed and said she could write seventeen different dialects. There rallied around them fifteen missionaries and all went to Japan. But upon arriving, to their dismay, the Japanese did not understand their gibberish. This discouraged them; some returned home and became infidels, others became temporarily insane, and the leader and his wife separated. When I was in Japan I looked him up, for all had deserted him and he was there alone—no, not exactly alone, for he was living with a Japanese woman! Anything that will bring such havoc in its trail is not of God. True, every movement has had its scandals and fanaticism, but nothing to equal this one.