Resurrected writers: Brengle

The dead still speak
An occasional series by Maxwell Ryan

O

ne of the most neglected of foundational Salvation Army writers is Samuel Logan Brengle. Outside the Army in holiness circles and among people who are serious about their spiritual life his writings are sought after, read, quoted and cherished. But in the wider Salvation Army, apart from the United States, he is considered to be passé, too old-fashioned and unrealistic in his ideas about holiness. This, of course, is a tragedy for the Army, and an indication of how far we have moved from one of our denominational distinctives.

Even though the Army appears not to have abandoned its 10th doctrine, it has been reinterpreted a number of times so that its original intent and Brengle’s exposition of it have been weakened.

Brengle wrote, “We do not say that it is not possible to sin, but we do say that it is possible not to sin”, which succinctly sums up the Army’s Wesleyan-Arminian holiness position. This has been cast aside by many contemporary Salvationists in favour of the Calvinistic doctrine of holiness, which holds, incorrectly, that we remain sinners until the moment of death when we are somehow made holy before God.

Samuel Logan Brengle was born into a devout American pioneer family on 1st June 1860 in Fredericksburg, Indiana, USA. By all accounts he was a brilliant student whose ambition was to be a lawyer, so he could use his well-honed skills in oratory to become successful and famous. However, his plans changed when he received a call to the Methodist ministry. He was also very interested in the biblical doctrine of sanctification. He completed his undergraduate degree and was attending seminary when he heard of the fledgling Salvation Army. Brengle was immediately attracted by the sacrificial spirit, energy, joy and evangelistic fervour of the Salvationists. When he heard William Booth speak during a visit to Boston he said to himself, “Here is God’s greatest servant upon the earth today. Here is the man bearing the heaviest burden of the world’s sin and shame and woe.”

Brengle began to attend Army meetings where - much to his delight - he heard and saw the Wesleyan doctrine of holiness expounded and lived. A great spiritual struggle followed: should he abandon favourable prospects as a Methodist minister and throw his lot in with this struggling Salvation Army that was ridiculed and largely misunderstood. He followed his heart, firmly believing that he was answering God’s call. Following his marriage to Lily Swift, a Salvation Army Captain, he sailed to England to offer himself to William Booth. Fifty-eight year old Booth’s welcome to 27-year-old Brengle was, “Brengle, you belong to the dangerous classes. You have been your own boss for so long that I don’t think you will want to submit to Salvation Army discipline. We are an Army and we demand obedience.”

Samuel Brengle was accepted on probation and eventually became one of the most influential of Salvation Army officers whose books on holiness are read in their thousands more than 70 years after his promotion to Glory in 1936. Brengle’s books are written in plain language that is biblical and often autobiographical. He winsomely and clearly set forth the doctrine of entire sanctification. Brengle‘s teaching supported that of William Booth, who wrote, “Even among our worst enemies it has been admitted that the strength of The Salvation Army lay in its holiness teaching. This book [an early book on holiness published by the Army] is not designed for contentious persons, but for those who want to be holy. We leave to schools of learning all discussions as to creeds and forms of speech. We have to do with the streets; and our business is to direct into the way of peace those who want to find it.”

Holiness, far from being all that we hate most in life and instinctively shrink from, is the opposite: wholeness, health, bursting vitality, inner radiance, joy. All these most desirable qualities of life, and more, are the marks of holiness in a life. Holiness is simply Christlikeness: to be like Jesus, to allow Him to live through us by the Holy Spirit. There need be no theological confusion, no wondering which is the correct term to use: full salvation, perfect love, sanctification, being filled with the Spirit, being baptized in the Spirit. The one experience has many names, but the same Spirit is behind it all.

Do you want to get in touch with the spirit of the early Army? Do you want to experience the cleansing and infilling of the Holy Spirit? Read Brengle, regardless of what some contemporary Salvationists say. The frontier of holiness is in the heart of each one of us. We are called to live holy lives amid the pollution of the present age. And by God’s grace and power, this happens. There are rich blessings awaiting you!

Brengle’s writings are still in print, and there are many books about this man who has been called the Army’s prophet of holiness. But be sure to read Brengle; his books are the primary documents.

Books by Brengle, published by The Salvation Army, are: Love–slaves; Ancient Prophets (and modern problems); Resurrection life and power; Helps to holiness; The Way of holiness; The guest of the soul; Heart talks on holiness; When the Holy Ghost is come; The Soul-winners secret.

Books about Brengle include:

• Alice R. Stiles, Samuel Logan Brengle, subtitled Teacher of holiness, The Salvation Army IHQ, 1974
• John D. Waldron, At the centre of the circle, selections from published and unpublished writings, Beacon Hill Press, 1976
• Samuel L. Brengle and others, God as strategist, Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1942
• William Clark, Dearest Lily, a selection of the Brengle correspondence, The Salvation Army IHQ, 1985
• William Clark, Samuel Logan Brengle, teacher of holiness, Hodder and Stoughton, 1980
• Sallie Chesham, Peace like a river, The Salvation Army Atlanta, ‘Georgia, USA, 1981
• Sallie Chesham, The Brengle treasury, The Salvation Army, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1988
• Clarence W. Hall, Portrait of a prophet, The Salvation Army, New York, 1933 (reprinted)
• R. David Rightmire, Sanctified Sanctity, the life and teaching of Samuel Logan Brengle, The Salvation Army National Headquarters, USA, Crest Books, 2003.

Writer: Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Ryan is a former Editor in Chief in Canada and the UK. In retirement he is a part-time chaplain in a Salvation Army hospital in Winnipeg, Canada and a copy editor of theRubicon.

8 Comments to Resurrected writers: Brengle

1. Holiness is too hard. That’s why the doctrine has been ignored, watered-down, or simply dismissed amongst today’s more “enlightened” salvationists. It insists that we be ruthless, relentless, and absolutely cold-blooded in our fight against sin. It is sad, even pathetic really, how the holiness doctrine that grows in popularity within today’s Army is one that accepts and tolerates sin. The embrace of such a weak standard has ushered in an insulting doctrine of “cheap grace”. Very few leaders, and therefore followers, share God’s hatred for sin. So many are all too eager to proclaim “God is love” but forget that such love had to die to appease God’s anger against sin. The way I see it, if a love for the Savior truly consumes a person, then shouldn’t their be an overwhelming desire to be rid of the cause of His death? Holiness is not a movement, nor is it a doctrine. It is a must!

   Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Ryan.
Matt Kean on July 26th, 2007

2. At the Brengle institut in London some 5 years ago,the teaching consisted in denigrating and denying Brengle teaching because I quote”Nobody testifies today that they have recieved the Blessing”.So!to preach Holiness is good,to teach holiness is great,to encourage me to be Holy is recommandable and to tell me it is a must ok!But is there any body among you who can testify the reception of the Blessing and what the Blessing brought in there every day life and how itaffected there ministry?
   Bien affectueusement en Christ
   Jacques Rouffet
Jacques ROUFFET on July 30th, 2007

3. Holiness for you and me is purity not maturity”. I beleive this is what was stated by Samuel Logan Brengle. I like that statement,and over the years
   I realise that it is true.
   When I attended Brengle Holiness Institute in Chicago in 1990 I noticed
   the absence of anything concerning Brengle. One officer inquired about the lack of Brengle quotes and books.
   He was told that it was important for him to have his own holiness experience and not rely upon Brengle’s
   experience.
   I could understand the instructors point however I was a little sad that
   we did not hear more about the man who
   laid a firm foundation concerning this
   very personal blessing and teaching.
   Attending this institute for 10 days
   was one of the best Salvation Army
   functions I have ever attended in my
   life.Imagine having a quiet Sunday afternoon of rest, prayer and listening to God’s voice. You are protected from the city by walls
   engulfing the campus of the training college. Soon you hear voices out on the street and look to see-A gay parade. This reminded me of God’s holiness and protection (the walls)
   and the world living in sin before a
   Holy God.
Robert Deidrick on August 24th, 2008

4. Yet another good piece Col. Ryan. Brengle surely was a hero and his words are incredibly challenging to us still today.
   My main issue with the ‘holiness movement’ is not around the theology of it; it is mainly with its advocates. The people that I’ve encountered in my own life who are consumed with this movement are almost always militant, smug, judgmental, angry, divisive, and patronizing. (You can see I have some baggage with this) And as Brengle himself vehemently says over and over again, holiness is ‘…not designed for contentious persons…Holiness, far from being all that we hate most in life and instinctively shrink from, is the opposite: wholeness, health, bursting vitality, inner radiance, joy. All these most desirable qualities of life, and more, are the marks of holiness in a life. Holiness is simply Christlikeness: to be like Jesus, to allow Him to live through us by the Holy Spirit.’

   Again, the holiness drum beaters that I’ve met (please note that I’m only referring to those that I have met and not others who I assume must be out there) don’t resemble this description at all. I know and respect people inside and out of the SA who I would describe as holy and would like to emulate, but they don’t seem to have a holiness measuring stick with them that they use to calculate different people’s level of Christ-likeness.
   Nor do they often think of themselves as holy.
   Shalom,
   Dion
Dion Oxford on August 25th, 2008

5. I read a lot of Brengle, apart from Catherine, I prefer his books to any other of the early Salvationists. I’d like to point out I am 21, and I do believe the same as Brengle that it is possible to get to that state. Pray that it comes back in the Army!
Clint on August 26th, 2008

6. I thank God I walk in the same blessing that Brother Brengle taught, which I learned through the scriptures and his book. It is a wonderful, constant victory. I am glad all the time, regardless of circumstances. It has nothing to do with circumstances. It passes all understanding. It was inevitable to die out in the Army I suppose. We have to have fresh witnesses and I witness to my brethren all the time that Jesus is mighty to save!! Hallelujah!!
Rob Correll (rob@correll.com) on September 10th, 2008

7. Comm. Brengle lives in my life. I thank God for 2nd blessing holiness which I enjoy very much daily and have since 2000. Wonderful freedom. I pray that many young Salvationists will listen to their hearts if not their superiors and enter in once again into full salvation. It is real, it is easy and it is victory all the time! Hallelujah!
Rob Correll on September 16th, 2008

8. Greetings all: Yes, Brengle (rather, his writings) still arouses passions, as holiness teaching always has. John Wesley was castigated for teaching the possibility of “the blessing of a clean heart”. The early Army was vilified for the same reason.
   William Booth wrote, “From the beginning one of the most important features of the work has been the teaching of holiness, as a pure and heavenly state, which can be attained by anybody and enjoyed in perfect peace amidst all the temptations and harrassings of everyday life. Holiness to the Lord is to us a fundamental truth: it stands in the front rank of our doctrines. We inscribe it upon our banners. It is with us in no shape or form an open debatable question as to whether God can sanctify wholly, or whether Jesus does save His people from their sins. There is a deliverance from all sin that can last all the days of your life, if you live to be as old as Methuselah.”

   Salvationists should be aware that Calvinists use terms about holiness in quite a different way than do Arminians. Many Army officers are reading the flood of books from Calvinist publishers. For sound holiness teaching refer to books published by Beacon Hill Press.

   Of course one of the tragedies of holiness is the failure of many “professors” to live in the Spirit. As for Brengle’s writings being experiential, there’s nothing wrong with that. Those who criticize his writings are ignoring the sound Arminian theology upon which his experience is based.
Maxwell Ryan on September 16th, 2008

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