George Stormont. Wigglesworth: A Man Who Walked with God. Harrison House, 1989.

I had the opportunity to meet the late author (born in 1909) about thirty years ago. He was in his early eighties and said that he was on what would probably be his last speaking trip. He chose our small New England church to have a meeting. I only recall a few things from what he told us, but he did share a few stories that are in Wigglesworth.

Smith Wigglesworth was an itinerant evangelist with a healing ministry during the first half of the twentieth century. Stormont worked with him from 1941 until he died in 1947. In the 1990s, then, when I met him or in the 1980s when he published this book, Rev. Stormont would have been one of the last people to have detailed memories of Mr. Wigglesworth.

Wigglesworth is not exactly a biography, though it has many anecdotes and biographical material. It is not specifically a teaching book, though it includes some of what Wigglesworth taught. One could call it a spiritual sketch.

Parts are truly anointed. As I turned a few pages, I was aware of the Holy Spirit moving to show me something. I have to admit that I might want to read it again—not so much for that experience, though God’s presence is very good, but just so I can perhaps really take away something more specific from the book.

Wigglesworth himself might rebuke me for writing that last sentence. He might also have been aware of God using the book, too, but he likely would have just said, “What’s wrong with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?” That was his answer when someone asked him if he knew a good tract on divine healing (103). Good question!

Yes, there are many exciting testimonies of healing in this publication. Stormont is careful to sort out his sources to insure they are factual. Some of the occasions, of course, he witnessed himself. This, then, is a reliable testimony.

Wigglesworth was born in Wales in 1859 and spent much of his early manhood running a plumbing business. It apparently was not until the twentieth century that he began his ministry. As the subtitle suggests, from all appearances he did walk with God. Perhaps even more striking than some of the healings he witnessed was his gift of the word of knowledge (see I Corinthians 12:8 NKJV). He often spoke to people about situations in their personal lives which he could not have known. God also instructed him at times to pray in unusual ways for healing or to answer prayer.

In one church, he said, “I’ll go out and come back in. Everyone who touches me will be healed.” Sad to say, only one woman touched him, but she was healed. (82)

Wigglesworth led a relatively simple life. Stormont described him as a man of one book—the Bible. Wigglesworth did put together some teachings on faith and healing in a book titled Ever Increasing Faith. I recall selling it when I worked in a bookstore in the eighties. It is still in print as are his other two books. Even so, the proceeds from Ever Increasing Faith went to missions. Hopefully, they still do.

Wigglesworth includes description of a few times when the Holy Spirit was so strong that no one but Wigglesworth could stand. In some cases, everyone else in the room felt like they had to leave because the presence of God was more than they could handle. One minister saw this as a challenge and attempted to remain in a room while Wigglesworth prayed and ministered to the Lord.

As he [Wigglesworth] lifted up his voice, it seemed that God Himself invaded the place. Those present became deeply conscious that they were on holy ground. The power of God in its purity was like a heavy weight pressing on them.¹ One by one, the people left until only the man remained who had set himself to stay.

He hung on and hung on until at last the pressure became a compulsion, and he could stay no longer. His own testimony was that with the floodgates of his soul pouring out as a stream of tears and uncontrollable sobbing, he had to get out of the Presence or die. He added that Wigglesworth, a man who knew God as few men do, was left alone in an atmosphere that few mean could breathe. (70)

While known for his faith, Wigglesworth was intensely evangelistic. He wanted to see people redeemed. He sometimes cried thinking about people apart from God. He also had great hope for the future. He prophesied the charismatic renewal and Jesus movement of the sixties and seventies. He then said that the Lord would have even a greater movement combining the power of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God in the last days.

Some Christian believers are pessimistic about the end times. True, Jesus told us they would a time of great tribulation (see Matthew 24:21). But He also said that the gospel would be shared with every person on earth (Matthew 24:14). That would require people actively working under the power of the Holy Spirit. It will be exciting for those seeing what God does.

One of the saddest verses, also dealing with the end of the age in the Book of Revelation, says:

He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11 NKJV)

It sounds like in the lives of many people there comes or will come a point of no return. They will choose injustice or evil and will not be able to change. That, too, would have made Wigglesworth cry.

Reading about someone who lived his life close to God and aware of what the Holy Spirit is doing could inspire readers to draw closer to God as well.

Stormont notes that this is not something mystical. It is a matter of how we see things. Wigglesworth had little to do with anything that would be a distraction. He also would cite II Timothy 1:6 (KJV) and say that at times we have to “stir up” the Holy Spirit, whom all believers have access to. He also noted that Hebrews 6:12 tells us we inherit the kingdom by faith and patience.

Of course, there is a lot more. This is a relatively short book featuring sketches and short teachings. It is not too ponderous, so a reader could read it in an hour or two. Still, with the many sketches, it lends itself to a reader who could only spend a few minutes at a time. Let us pray that it can still stir up our godly gifts. Let us pray that our faith will increase as well.

¹ Interestingly, the root (kābēd) of the Hebrew word for glory (kābôd) means “heavy.” Glory is a weight. [JB]