Who was Jessie Penn-Lewis, and what were her primary roles?

Jessie Penn-Lewis, born Jessie Jones, was a Welsh evangelical speaker and writer. She was known for her Christian evangelical works and extensive speaking engagements both domestically and internationally.

What are the birth and death dates of Jessie Penn-Lewis?

Jessie Penn-Lewis was born on February 28, 1861, and died on August 15, 1927.

Where was Jessie Penn-Lewis born, and what was her family background?

Jessie Penn-Lewis was born Jessie Jones in Neath, South Wales. Her father was a civil engineer, her mother was involved in the temperance movement, and her family had roots in the Calvinistic Methodist tradition.

What characterized Jessie Penn-Lewis's early life and education?

As a child, Jessie was described as sickly with an 'over active brain,' which led to her being kept from school until she was twelve. Even at a young age, she became a leader in the temperance movement's Junior Lodge.

When did Jessie Jones marry William Penn-Lewis, and what is noted about his family background?

Jessie Jones married William Penn-Lewis on September 15, 1880, when she was 19. Her husband worked as an auditor's clerk and was reportedly a descendant of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.

What activities did Jessie Penn-Lewis engage in after moving to Richmond, Surrey?

In Richmond, Surrey, she attended Holy Trinity Church, helped establish a local branch of the YWCA, and was influenced by the teachings of Evan H. Hopkins, the vicar of her church, who was associated with the Keswick movement.

What spiritual influences shaped Jessie Penn-Lewis's early ministry?

Feeling spiritually dissatisfied despite her work with the YWCA, Penn-Lewis studied religious texts. Key influences included Andrew Murray's 'Spirit of Christ' and Jeanne Guyon's 'Spiritual Torrents'.

What significant spiritual realization did Jessie Penn-Lewis have in 1892, and how did it alter her perspective?

In 1892, while studying Romans 6, Penn-Lewis experienced an epiphany. She shifted her view from the Baptism with the Holy Spirit being the ultimate goal to emphasizing the pursuit of fellowship with the Cross of Calvary and union with the Ascended Lord.

How did Jessie Penn-Lewis's public speaking impact the YWCA between 1892 and 1896?

During this period, her success as a public speaker led to a significant increase in attendance at YWCA classes, growing from approximately 6,900 in 1892 to nearly 13,000 by 1896. She also assisted in founding new YWCA branches.

What marked the beginning of Jessie Penn-Lewis's literary career?

Her literary career began in 1895 when her message at the annual Mildmay Conference was published as a booklet titled 'The Pathway to Life in God.' This book was translated into other languages and reportedly distributed widely.

When and where did Jessie Penn-Lewis commence her international speaking tours?

Penn-Lewis began traveling internationally for her speaking ministry in 1896, starting with a visit to Sweden.

Which countries and regions did Jessie Penn-Lewis visit between 1896 and 1898?

Between 1896 and 1898, she traveled to Belfast, Denmark, various cities in England, the Grand Duchy of Finland, the Russian Empire, Scotland, and South Wales. She also met with local royalty in Russia and Scandinavia.

What was the nature of Jessie Penn-Lewis's health challenges during her career?

She reportedly struggled with an unspecified lung disease throughout her public life, which sometimes necessitated breaks from travel and speaking to recover. Biographers have speculated this illness might have been tuberculosis.

How did Penn-Lewis interpret her recurring health issues, and how did they influence her ministry?

She described her health problems as a 'baptism of suffering.' Her repeated recoveries reinforced her belief that God intended for her to continue her ministry, and she wrote books like 'Thy Hidden Ones' and 'The Story of Job' while recuperating.

Which prominent American evangelical leaders invited Jessie Penn-Lewis to speak, and where?

R. A. Torrey invited her to speak at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and Albert Benjamin Simpson invited her to speak at the Gospel Tabernacle in New York. She also spoke at the Missionary Institute in Nyack, New York.

What was R. A. Torrey's assessment of Jessie Penn-Lewis's speaking abilities?

R. A. Torrey considered Jessie Penn-Lewis to be one of the most gifted speakers the world had ever known.

What was the purpose of Jessie Penn-Lewis's speaking tour in India?

Her tour in India was aimed at encouraging the Christian workers active in the country. During this tour, she published the booklet 'The Word of the Cross' (also known as 'The Bible Booklet') for the local audience.

How widely was 'The Word of the Cross' translated?

The booklet 'The Word of the Cross' was reportedly translated into approximately 100 different languages and dialects.

In which significant revival movement was Jessie Penn-Lewis involved?

Jessie Penn-Lewis was involved in the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, a movement that notably led to the mental and physical collapse of Evan Roberts.

How did Penn-Lewis contribute to the organization of religious conventions in Wales?

In 1902, Welsh ministers asked for her help in establishing a convention in Wales similar to the Keswick Convention. She used her contacts to organize the Llandrindod Wells Convention, which began in 1903, and became a regular speaker there.

What role did Penn-Lewis play in documenting and publicizing the Welsh Revival?

She wrote her own reports on the movement, titled 'The Awakening in Wales,' which helped attract international attention. Additionally, starting in November 1904, she wrote weekly reports about the Revival for the periodical 'The Life of Faith'.

What controversial aspects of the Welsh Revival did Penn-Lewis address in her writings?

In 1908, she wrote a series of articles titled 'An Hour of Peril' addressing the topics of speaking in tongues and Signs and Wonders associated with the Revival. She viewed certain physical manifestations as demonic and a distortion of the Holy Spirit's work.

How did Penn-Lewis's views on spiritual manifestations affect her relationship with the Pentecostal movement?

Her criticism of speaking in tongues as potentially originating from 'evil spirits,' published in 'The Overcomer' periodical, drew criticism from the Pentecostal movement, which generally viewed speaking in tongues positively. However, F. B. Meyer supported her perspective.

Why did Jessie Penn-Lewis resign from leadership roles in the Keswick and Llandrindod Wells movements?

She resigned from Keswick's women's meetings in 1909 and the Llandrindod Wells Convention in 1911. These resignations were linked to increasing criticism of her role within the Keswick movement and her frustration over diminished opportunities to address wider audiences.

What significant book did Penn-Lewis co-author with Evan Roberts, and what was its controversial theme?

They co-wrote 'War on the Saints' (1912). The book continued the controversy surrounding the Revival, arguing that demons could influence spiritual beliefs and that Christian believers might be susceptible to spirit possession, blaming Satan for activities in the unconscious mind.

What was the international reach of 'The Overcomer' magazine?

The periodical had an international readership across Europe, Central Africa, South Africa, North America, South America, and China. It was also published in French and Italian versions.

What was the Matlock Conference, and when was it organized?

Penn-Lewis organized the Matlock Conference in 1912. It was characterized as an 'open conference' without set programs or leaders, encouraging attendee participation in prayers, singing, and testimonies. It also featured a 'Soul Clinic' for spiritual guidance.

Why did 'The Overcomer' periodical cease publication in 1914?

Several factors contributed to its closure: Penn-Lewis found it increasingly difficult to manage the 'burden of work' from personal correspondence, her health declined further, and the onset of World War I impacted the magazine.

When was 'The Overcomer' revived, and what were its new objectives?

The magazine was revived in 1920 as a quarterly publication with new goals: to challenge spiritual apostasy, proclaim the Cross, and remind believers of Christ's imminent return. Evan Roberts was not involved in this revived version.

In what significant publication was Penn-Lewis's study on spiritual warfare included during WWI?

Her study 'The Warfare with Satan' was included in the 10th volume of 'The Fundamentals,' an influential publication in Christian fundamentalism, in 1917.

What was the focus of Jessie Penn-Lewis's 1919 book, 'The Magna Carta of Christian Women'?

This book defended the right of women to preach. Inspired by figures like Catherine Booth and Katharine Bushnell, Penn-Lewis argued that the Christian Church violated the laws of the Holy Spirit by denying women the right to speak in assemblies and by adhering to man-made ordinances.

What happened to 'The Overcomer' magazine in the 1920s after Penn-Lewis delegated its management?

Due to her declining health, Penn-Lewis entrusted the management of 'The Overcomer' to several men. As a result, the magazine began to diverge from its founder's original views.

When did William Penn-Lewis die, and what was Jessie's financial situation afterward?

William Penn-Lewis died around 1925, after 45 years of marriage. Following his death, Jessie Penn-Lewis's primary source of income became a widow's pension.

What living arrangements did Penn-Lewis make in her later years?

The owners of the hall where she held her monthly meetings transferred ownership to her. She then moved into an apartment within the hall, from where she continued her global correspondence and occasional speaking tours, particularly in Scandinavia.

What significant events did Jessie Penn-Lewis attend shortly before her death?

In July 1927, she attended the 8th Swanwick conference and was also a speaker at the Llandrindod Wells Jubilee Convention in Wales.

When and under what circumstances did Jessie Penn-Lewis die?

Jessie Penn-Lewis died suddenly on August 15, 1927, at the age of 66. Days before her death, she was still preparing content for the next issue of 'The Overcomer'.

Who conducted Jessie Penn-Lewis's funeral service?

Her funeral service was conducted by Reverend Chilvers of Spurgeon's Tabernacle.

Who were some of the key figures or movements that influenced Jessie Penn-Lewis's theological views?

She was influenced by writers like Andrew Murray and figures associated with the Keswick movement. Her work also impacted individuals such as Frank Buchman, founder of the Oxford Group, Johan Oscar Smith, founder of the Brunstad Christian Church, and Norman Grubb.

How did Frank Buchman credit Jessie Penn-Lewis?

Frank Buchman credited Penn-Lewis with helping him overcome depression after he heard her speak at a Keswick Convention.

What is the significance of the book 'War on The Saints'?

'War on The Saints,' co-authored by Jessie Penn-Lewis and Evan Roberts, is significant for its controversial theological stance on demonic influence and spirit possession, particularly concerning phenomena observed during the Welsh Revival.

Besides 'War on The Saints,' name three other works authored by Jessie Penn-Lewis mentioned in the text.

Other works by Jessie Penn-Lewis include 'The Awakening in Wales & Some of the Hidden Springs,' 'The Spiritual Warfare,' and 'The Centrality of the Cross'.

What was the primary focus of Jessie Penn-Lewis's ministry and writings?

Her ministry and writings focused on evangelical Christian themes, emphasizing spiritual warfare, the centrality of the Cross, and the believer's union with Christ through His suffering and resurrection.

What was the 'Keswick movement' mentioned in relation to Penn-Lewis?

The Keswick movement, associated with the Keswick Conventions, focused on themes of 'higher life' theology, emphasizing spiritual perfection and deeper Christian experience, which influenced Penn-Lewis's early spiritual development.

What was the core message of 'The Magna Carta of Christian Women'?

This book argued for the equal right of women to preach within the Christian Church, asserting that denying this right contradicted the principles of the Holy Spirit and the example of Jesus.

What role did Jessie Penn-Lewis play in the context of the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival?

She was actively involved, serving as a spiritual mentor to leaders, writing reports that garnered international attention ('The Awakening in Wales'), and publishing weekly updates in 'The Life of Faith.' She also addressed controversial aspects like speaking in tongues.

What was the relationship between Jessie Penn-Lewis and Evan Roberts?

They were collaborators, co-founding the periodical 'The Overcomer' and co-authoring the book 'War on the Saints.' Roberts stayed with the Penn-Lewises after experiencing a breakdown during the Welsh Revival.

How did Jessie Penn-Lewis's views on spiritual warfare manifest in her later work?

Her study 'The Warfare with Satan' was included in 'The Fundamentals,' reflecting her focus on spiritual warfare. This theme also permeated her book 'War on the Saints,' which discussed the influence of Satan and potential spirit possession.

What international recognition did Jessie Penn-Lewis receive during her speaking tours?

During her tours in Russia and Scandinavia, she made contact with local royalty. In the United States, R. A. Torrey praised her as one of the world's most gifted speakers.

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Biography

Early Life and Influences

Born Jessie Jones on February 28, 1861, in Neath, South Wales, Jessie Penn-Lewis hailed from a religious household. Her father was a civil engineer, and her mother was active in the temperance movement. Her grandfather was a Calvinistic Methodist minister, grounding her upbringing in a strong spiritual tradition. Initially frail and intellectually curious, Jessie was kept from formal schooling until age twelve. She demonstrated early leadership, heading a Junior Lodge of the temperance movement. At nineteen, she married William Penn-Lewis, an auditor's clerk, and they settled in Richmond, Surrey.

Spiritual Awakening and Dissatisfaction

While involved with the YWCA and influenced by the Keswick movement's teachings through figures like Evan H. Hopkins, Penn-Lewis experienced a profound spiritual shift. A pivotal moment came in 1892 while studying Romans 6. She came to believe that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit was merely the commencement of the Christian journey, advocating for believers to pursue deeper union with the Ascended Lord through fellowship with the Cross of Calvary. This theological evolution marked the beginning of her distinct ministry.

Health and Resilience

Throughout her extensive public career, Penn-Lewis contended with a persistent, unspecified lung ailment, speculated by biographers to be tuberculosis. This condition often necessitated periods of recuperation, during which she channeled her energy into writing significant works like Thy Hidden Ones and The Story of Job. She viewed these health challenges as a "baptism of suffering," reinforcing her conviction that God intended her to continue her ministry. Her repeated recoveries bolstered her faith and resolve.

Ministry and Public Speaking

Rise as a Speaker

From 1892 to approximately 1896, Penn-Lewis achieved considerable success as a public speaker. Her leadership in YWCA classes saw attendance numbers dramatically increase, and she was instrumental in establishing new branches. Her message, The Pathway to Life in God, delivered at the 1895 Mildmay Conference, became her first published book and reportedly achieved widespread distribution in multiple languages, signaling the start of her prolific literary career.

International Reach

Beginning in 1896, Penn-Lewis embarked on extensive international speaking tours. Her ministry took her across Europe, including Scandinavia, Finland, and the Russian Empire, where she engaged with local royalty. She later traveled to Canada and the United States, invited to speak at prominent institutions like the Moody Bible Institute and the Gospel Tabernacle. Renowned figures like R. A. Torrey lauded her as one of the most gifted speakers of her time. Her travels extended to India, where she aimed to encourage Christian workers and published the influential booklet The Word of the Cross.

Keswick Conventions and Controversy

Penn-Lewis became a notable figure at the Keswick Conventions, first speaking there in 1898 and continuing in subsequent years. Initially designated for women's meetings, her compelling messages attracted significant male audiences, including ministers, who attended the women's sessions specifically to hear her. This participation, alongside her theological views, sometimes generated controversy within the movement.

The Welsh Revival

Mentorship and Organization

Penn-Lewis played a significant role in the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival. She assisted Welsh ministers in organizing the Llandrindod Wells Convention, becoming a regular speaker. She served as a spiritual mentor to several revival leaders, including Evan Roberts, whose subsequent mental and physical collapse deeply affected the movement. Her detailed reports on the Revival, published as The Awakening in Wales, garnered international attention.

Theological Debates

The Revival was marked by phenomena such as speaking in tongues and claims of "Signs and Wonders." Penn-Lewis addressed these controversial aspects in her 1908 articles, An Hour of Peril, and later in the periodical The Overcomer. She critiqued certain physical manifestations as potentially demonic, a stark contrast to the Pentecostal movement's embrace of glossolalia. This stance led to criticism from Pentecostals but garnered support from figures like F. B. Meyer.

War on the Saints

In 1912, Penn-Lewis co-authored War on the Saints with Evan Roberts. This work continued the debate surrounding spiritual manifestations, positing that demonic forces could influence the unconscious mind and that Christian believers might be susceptible to spirit possession. The book generated significant theological discussion and controversy regarding the nature of spiritual experiences and the potential for demonic influence within the Church.

Writings and Publications

The Overcomer Periodical

In 1908, Penn-Lewis and Evan Roberts co-founded the monthly periodical The Overcomer, aimed at Christian workers. Each issue contained a personal letter from Penn-Lewis, religious teachings, reader Q&As, and notices for meetings. The publication achieved an international readership across multiple continents and was translated into French and Italian. Despite challenges, including Penn-Lewis's declining health and the onset of World War I, the periodical was revived in 1920 with new goals focused on challenging spiritual apostasy and proclaiming the return of Christ.

Key Literary Works

Penn-Lewis authored numerous influential books and booklets throughout her career. Her writings often focused on themes of spiritual warfare, the centrality of the Cross, and the deeper Christian life. Notable works include:

War on The Saints (with Evan Roberts)
The Awakening in Wales & Some of the Hidden Springs
The Spiritual Warfare
The Centrality of the Cross
Thy Hidden Ones
Dying to Live
Conquest of Canaan
Face to Face
All Things New
Story of Job
Fruitful Living
Life in the Spirit
Opened Heavens
The Cross of Calvary
The Magna Carta of Christian Women
Soul and Spirit
The Battle for the Mind
The Warfare with Satan
Power for Service

Advocacy and Post-War Contributions

During World War I, Penn-Lewis continued writing, obtaining censor approval for her publications. She actively campaigned for the rights of conscientious objectors and protested the distribution of alcohol to military recruits. In 1917, her teachings on spiritual warfare were featured in The Fundamentals. Post-war, she published The Magna Carta of Christian Women (1919), defending women's right to preach, drawing inspiration from figures like Catherine Booth and Katharine Bushnell.

Enduring Legacy

Theological Influence

Jessie Penn-Lewis's theological framework, emphasizing the believer's union with Christ through the Cross and the reality of spiritual warfare, profoundly influenced subsequent generations of evangelical and Pentecostal thinkers. Writers like Norman Grubb and Johan Oscar Smith acknowledged her impact. Frank Buchman, founder of the Oxford Group, credited her teachings with helping him overcome depression after hearing her speak at a Keswick Convention.

Global Impact

Her ministry, characterized by passionate speaking and prolific writing, transcended geographical boundaries. Through international tours and translations of her works, Penn-Lewis reached audiences across Europe, North America, India, and Africa. The periodical The Overcomer, in particular, served as a vital communication channel for Christian workers worldwide, fostering a sense of shared mission and theological understanding.

Historical Significance

Penn-Lewis remains a significant figure in the history of modern evangelicalism and the Keswick movement. Her engagement with the Welsh Revival, her theological contributions, and her advocacy for women in ministry provide valuable insights into the religious landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her life story exemplifies dedication, resilience, and a commitment to disseminating her spiritual convictions globally.

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Echoes of Revival

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Biography 📜

👶 Early Life and Influences

⛪ Spiritual Awakening and Dissatisfaction

🌍 Health and Resilience

Ministry and Public Speaking 🗣️

📈 Rise as a Speaker

✈️ International Reach

🎓 Keswick Conventions and Controversy

The Welsh Revival 🔥

🤝 Mentorship and Organization

🗣️ Theological Debates

⚔️ War on the Saints

Writings and Publications ✍️

📰 The Overcomer Periodical

📖 Key Literary Works

⚖️ Advocacy and Post-War Contributions

Enduring Legacy 🌟

💡 Theological Influence

🌐 Global Impact

🏛️ Historical Significance

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Biography

Early Life and Influences

Spiritual Awakening and Dissatisfaction

Health and Resilience

Ministry and Public Speaking

Rise as a Speaker

International Reach

Keswick Conventions and Controversy

The Welsh Revival

Mentorship and Organization

Theological Debates

War on the Saints

Writings and Publications

The Overcomer Periodical

Key Literary Works

Advocacy and Post-War Contributions

Enduring Legacy

Theological Influence

Global Impact

Historical Significance

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice