05.00. War on the Saints

WAR ON THE SAINTS BY
JESSIE PENN-LEWIS WITH EVAN ROBERTS
1912 Jessie Penn-Lewis - 1861-1927 The name of Jessie Penn-Lewis often occurs in works related to the Welsh revival of 1904, not surprisingly as she was a major chronicler of the movement. She wrote an article each week in the "The Life of Faith," tracing the course of the spiritual movement first throughout Wales, and then through many lands and by many individuals. She contributed to a number of periodicals and produced her own history of the revival called ’The Awakening in Wales - and Some of its Hidden Springs.’ She is most well known for her excessive caution against demonic intrusions through the developing Pentecostal work of her day, and her later involvement with Evan Roberts.

Evan John Roberts (1878-September 29, 1951), was a leading figure of the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. In 1904, Roberts began studying for the ministry at Newcastle Emlyn. Attendance at a service held by evangelist Seth Joshua in Blaenanerch led to an experience that formed Roberts’ belief in the "Baptism of the Spirit". In October of that year, Roberts began speaking at a series of small meetings. These appearances led to his involvement in the Revival. He was soon attracting congregations numbering thousands. The four "points" of his message were:

Confess all known sin Deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly Confess Christ publicly

Roberts soon succumbed to the pressure of his rigorous schedule, and, in 1906, suffered a physical and emotional collapse. Recuperating at the English estate of his patron Jessie Penn-Lewis, Roberts co-wrote with Penn-Lewis, War On The Saints, published in 1913. The book was labelled heretical by his former colleagues. Later in his life, Roberts would repudiate the work. Though Roberts returned to Wales in 1926, the latter part of his life was spent writing poetry and corresponding with ministers of the day, rather than preaching.