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Samuel Logan Brengle

Samuel Logan Brengle (1860 - 1936). American Salvation Army officer, author, and holiness preacher born in Fredericksburg, Indiana. Converted at 13 in a Methodist revival, he graduated from DePauw University in 1885, intending to become a lawyer, but pursued ministry after studying at Boston Theological Seminary. Joining the Salvation Army in 1887 under William Booth, he trained in London and served in U.S. corps, rising to Commissioner by 1915. Brengle authored nine books, including Heart Talks on Holiness (1897) and Helps to Holiness, translated into 20 languages, emphasizing entire sanctification and Spirit-filled living. He preached across North America and Europe, leading thousands to faith through street meetings and revival campaigns. Married to Elizabeth Swift in 1887, they had three children. His gentle demeanor and focus on inner purity influenced the holiness movement globally. Brengle’s words, “Holiness is not the absence of temptation, but the presence of God’s power,” inspired countless believers. Despite health struggles, his writings and sermons, widely circulated, shaped Salvationist theology and evangelical spirituality.
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Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the necessity of faith in the journey towards full salvation, recounting an encounter with a sister in spiritual distress. He guides her through the steps of believing in God's ability and willingness to sanctify her, stressing that faith must precede feelings. Brengle clarifies that entire consecration is distinct from entire sanctification, and that unwavering faith and confession are essential for experiencing God's transformative grace. Ultimately, the sister finds assurance in God's love and receives the witness of the Spirit, highlighting the power of belief in the process of sanctification.
Faith Is What You Want
Once in one of our holiness meetings I met a sister who was evidently in great spiritual distress, with intense hunger for full salvation. After a few moments' conversation, I felt assured that she was ready to accept the blessing, and so we knelt in prayer; but for some reason our prayers did not prevail. I then asked her if she was sure her consecration was complete. She at once declared it was; she was willing to die for it. 'Then,' said I, 'sister, there are three things you must believe. First, do you believe God is able to sanctify you wholly?' 'Yes.' 'Second. Do you believe He is willing?' 'Yes.' 'Then, with your perfect consecration, there is but one other step to take, and the wonder work of grace will be done. Will you believe that He doeth it? For the promise is: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive (are receiving) them, and ye shall have them' (Mark xi. 24). Will you believe this?' 'But I don't feel that He does.' 'That makes no difference, sister; your faith must precede all feeling.' 'But I can't believe that He has done it.' 'I don't ask you to believe that He has done it, but that He is doing it, in answer to your present faith. You must believe that He doeth it, if ever you are to get the witness of the Spirit. Say, "I will believe God." 'Well, I will try.' 'No, that won't do; you must believe, not try to believe.' 'Well, I am determined to struggle on till the blessing comes.' 'No, sister, your struggles will do no good unless you believe; and, until you do this, you are making God a liar.' 'But won't I be lying to say I will believe, when I don't feel like it?' 'No, for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. x. 17), and the word of God to you is, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John xv. 3). "Ask, and ye shall receive" ' (John xvi. 24). That evening I saw the sister again. She said, 'I have committed myself to God, and shall trust Him, till the witness of my acceptance comes.' The next day she was in the meeting, and related her experience, telling us that in the night God awoke her with an assurance of His love, and gave her the clear witness of the Spirit that she was entirely sanctified, putting glory in her heart, and hallelujahs on her tongue. Entire consecration is not entire sanctification. You are commanded to 'present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God' (Rom. xii. 1). This is entire consecration; but it is also said, 'For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation' (Rom. x. 10). So then, there must be entire consecration, unwavering faith, and a frank, artless confession of both to Jesus. This is man's part, and, when these simple conditions are met and steadfastly maintained, against all contrary feelings, God will suddenly come into His Holy temple, filling the soul with His presence, purity, and power. This twofold work by man and God constitutes the one experience of entire sanctification. When this experience is yours, at your very earliest opportunity confess it before men.
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Samuel Logan Brengle (1860 - 1936). American Salvation Army officer, author, and holiness preacher born in Fredericksburg, Indiana. Converted at 13 in a Methodist revival, he graduated from DePauw University in 1885, intending to become a lawyer, but pursued ministry after studying at Boston Theological Seminary. Joining the Salvation Army in 1887 under William Booth, he trained in London and served in U.S. corps, rising to Commissioner by 1915. Brengle authored nine books, including Heart Talks on Holiness (1897) and Helps to Holiness, translated into 20 languages, emphasizing entire sanctification and Spirit-filled living. He preached across North America and Europe, leading thousands to faith through street meetings and revival campaigns. Married to Elizabeth Swift in 1887, they had three children. His gentle demeanor and focus on inner purity influenced the holiness movement globally. Brengle’s words, “Holiness is not the absence of temptation, but the presence of God’s power,” inspired countless believers. Despite health struggles, his writings and sermons, widely circulated, shaped Salvationist theology and evangelical spirituality.