A Witness to the First Scenes
Lincoln, Nebraska
September 15, 1908
Dear Fellow-workers:
“Behold what God hath wrought!
It is marvelous in our eyes.
Oh, magnify Jehovah with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
I was at the Bible school at Topeka, Kansas, when the gift of tongues was given in 1901.
Our hearts became hungry for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire and for about three weeks we prayed for the fulfillment of the promise.
One night, three of us girls were praying together and I spoke three words in another tongue. This was a hallowed experience, and was held in my heart as sacred. But no request was made about that to them. But the Lord had it treasured up by each of us, and nothing was said about it until later.
My heart kept praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I fasted when my heart was made more hungry for Him than for food; as also the other students were free to wait upon the Lord just as they were led. My own heart had heart searching times and a surrender was made in the prayer tower I shall never forget. Praise to God.
On the night of January 1, 1901, I had a great burden within, which I must have help from God. It came to me to have the Bible fulfilled and have hands laid upon me and prayer to receive the Holy Spirit, and as hands were laid upon me and prayer was offered I received the baptism of promise and spoke in tongues as it is recorded in Acts 19.
Some kept looking to me, but I was grieved and felt humble, and was minded that the Christ was to be seen, not I.
Our school home was a “Heavenly place in Christ Jesus” these days to the guests and students. And the power of love and unity was marvelous. Blessed be His name who is giver of all things.
Following this there was a searching of the word for the verses about the gift of tongues, as I remember.
I must confess I was greatly surprised to find so much written on the subject. Other gifts were also manifest.
I did not believe the gift of tongues was the only evidence or necessarily given to those who received the baptism. And at that time when the power of the Spirit was upon me to speak in tongues and I was filled with divine glory I would admonish the rest not to seek for tongues, but for the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Man's utterances are so unlike God's revealed word. God has been pleased in this outpouring to give the speaking in tongues in a marked way. His great plan also is to fulfill all His will and word to those He can trust and bestow all the gifts “severally as He wills.”
The Holy Spirit who is one of the Godhead, will live out the word to the surrendered, seeking heart. Praise God.
On January 3 others spoke in tongues, (thirteen, I believe).
A time after this I fully believe we all missed very much God had for us by getting out of His will. A company of us prepared to go to Shiloh, Maine, and went as far as Kansas City. When we were there we lacked the presence of God and felt powerless, at least I did. God is good and He did work some. A voice was followed which was not proven to be the voice of God.
I can not say definitely what caused the departure of workers, but one had one excuse or reason and another something else.
There is a very great need in our day to prove the spirits and voices whether they be God or not.
And having begun in the Spirit to continue on, hence the admonition. “Walk in the Spirit.” “Live in the Spirit.”
Let us “preach the word” to “every creature” and lend a helping hand to every needy one.
“The path of the righteous is as the dawning light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Revelation 4:18 Amr. Rev. ).
Bless His name.
Your sister, a servant in Jesus.
Miss Agnes N. Ozman
This testimony by Agnes Ozman was published in The Apostolic Faith (Houston, Texas; W. F. Carothers, Ed.) in October 1908. It along with every other known eyewitness account is published in our book The Topeka Outpouring of 1901:100 Anniversary Edition. This and many other books on revival is available in our online bookstore.
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