MONDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 1960
Part of an article By Brian Williams with grateful thanks.
http://brianwilliams.org.uk/diary/1960.html
We arrived at 8-10 Clarence Avenue SW4 London England promptly at 10.45am. A tallish grey-haired lady — Mrs Pike, Principal’s housekeeper — answered the doorbell. We entered a large hall and were led into a spacious and handsome room over the fireplace of which were hung several photographs, including a large one of George Jeffreys as a young man and, somewhat incongruously, a smaller coloured picture of Jesus. Principal would be with us in a few moments, she assured us, and then added that he liked doing the washing up: a visitor had called one day and been greatly surprised when the door had been opened by none other than the great evangelist himself, wearing an apron!
I told Principal about my conversion experience and call to the healing ministry, of my appreciation for his ministry, and of so many people telling us wherever we go how they were saved or healed in his meetings. He listened attentively and then asked in his quiet, gentle Welsh accent, “What do you do with your converts?” I had to say (since I have no desire to start a new denomination, but a little ruefully), “They join the church which asks me to preach for them.” I knew what was behind the question, having heard so much about Principal having left Elim — the movement which, under God, came into existence as a direct result of his inspired ministry — and having read everything I could find on the matter, in particular Noel Brooks’ Fight for the Faith and Freedom.
I felt a great love for this dear man of God. Everything about him spoke of humility, but I sensed the anguish in his soul, the cross he has had to bear. I have heard people say, “George Jeffreys was forced to leave Elim because of his British Israel beliefs”, or “George Jeffreys became a B.I. and lost his power,” when nothing could be further from the truth.
These were lies put about to conceal the real issue, which was Church Government. Under George Jeffreys’ inspired ministry, nearly 300 Elim churches came into existence until, in 1934, he signed the Trust Deed which made Elim the legal owners of all the properties which the local congregations had bought. Despite all his efforts to redress the situation, Elim refused to budge, and Principal resigned from Elim on Friday 1st December 1939. He founded the Bible-Pattern Church Fellowship the following year.
I said to him, “Principal, I understand the circumstances of your leaving Elim, that it was about Church Government, yet people say it was about British Israel. But I understand that you learned about British Israel from John Leech, K.C., in about 1915 — is that correct? “Yes” he said, “and I wish more young men like you would believe it.” But Brian Williams did not, and made it his practice to distribute a booklet by Pastor Hardstaffe’s in his meetings.
Eventually we came round to the purpose of our visit. God has called me to the ministry, and has been confirming the Word with signs following; and we shall soon be going to Nigeria, D.V. We wanted all things to be done decently and in order, and for Jesus to be glorified. Would he now lay his hands on us and pray for us? He motioned for us to kneel. My eyes were closed. Presently we heard his deep sonorous voice imploring the Lord to anoint and bless us, then felt his hands gently laid upon us. I felt the power go through me. I knew what it was like for Elisha kneeling before Elijah, and for each one of the people who was touched by Jesus; I know I am separated for the work we are called to do, that God has put me into the ministry, and I am ordained a preacher and a teacher. I shall treasure this experience all my life.
http://brianwilliams.org.uk/diary/1960.html
We arrived at 8-10 Clarence Avenue SW4 London England promptly at 10.45am. A tallish grey-haired lady — Mrs Pike, Principal’s housekeeper — answered the doorbell. We entered a large hall and were led into a spacious and handsome room over the fireplace of which were hung several photographs, including a large one of George Jeffreys as a young man and, somewhat incongruously, a smaller coloured picture of Jesus. Principal would be with us in a few moments, she assured us, and then added that he liked doing the washing up: a visitor had called one day and been greatly surprised when the door had been opened by none other than the great evangelist himself, wearing an apron!
I told Principal about my conversion experience and call to the healing ministry, of my appreciation for his ministry, and of so many people telling us wherever we go how they were saved or healed in his meetings. He listened attentively and then asked in his quiet, gentle Welsh accent, “What do you do with your converts?” I had to say (since I have no desire to start a new denomination, but a little ruefully), “They join the church which asks me to preach for them.” I knew what was behind the question, having heard so much about Principal having left Elim — the movement which, under God, came into existence as a direct result of his inspired ministry — and having read everything I could find on the matter, in particular Noel Brooks’ Fight for the Faith and Freedom.
I felt a great love for this dear man of God. Everything about him spoke of humility, but I sensed the anguish in his soul, the cross he has had to bear. I have heard people say, “George Jeffreys was forced to leave Elim because of his British Israel beliefs”, or “George Jeffreys became a B.I. and lost his power,” when nothing could be further from the truth.
These were lies put about to conceal the real issue, which was Church Government. Under George Jeffreys’ inspired ministry, nearly 300 Elim churches came into existence until, in 1934, he signed the Trust Deed which made Elim the legal owners of all the properties which the local congregations had bought. Despite all his efforts to redress the situation, Elim refused to budge, and Principal resigned from Elim on Friday 1st December 1939. He founded the Bible-Pattern Church Fellowship the following year.
I said to him, “Principal, I understand the circumstances of your leaving Elim, that it was about Church Government, yet people say it was about British Israel. But I understand that you learned about British Israel from John Leech, K.C., in about 1915 — is that correct? “Yes” he said, “and I wish more young men like you would believe it.” But Brian Williams did not, and made it his practice to distribute a booklet by Pastor Hardstaffe’s in his meetings.
Eventually we came round to the purpose of our visit. God has called me to the ministry, and has been confirming the Word with signs following; and we shall soon be going to Nigeria, D.V. We wanted all things to be done decently and in order, and for Jesus to be glorified. Would he now lay his hands on us and pray for us? He motioned for us to kneel. My eyes were closed. Presently we heard his deep sonorous voice imploring the Lord to anoint and bless us, then felt his hands gently laid upon us. I felt the power go through me. I knew what it was like for Elisha kneeling before Elijah, and for each one of the people who was touched by Jesus; I know I am separated for the work we are called to do, that God has put me into the ministry, and I am ordained a preacher and a teacher. I shall treasure this experience all my life.
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