J. Roswell Flower, portrait, ca. 1925 - iFPHC.org | Flower ...

J. Roswell Flower, portrait, ca. 1925

J. Roswell Flower:
Pentecostal Servant
and Statesman

By David Ringer

J. Roswell Flower, elected at age 25 to serve as the first Alice Marie Reynolds, would later play a significant role in J.
General Secretary of the Assemblies of God, was one of the Roswell’s life. In January 1907, many in the congregation wel-
most prominent leaders in the Fellowship in its first four comed Glenn Cook, who had just arrived from the Azusa Street
decades. Flower came to the United States from his native revival in Los Angeles, California, which was a focal point of
Canada at age thirteen. Six years later he became a Christian, the emerging Pentecostal movement. Cook proclaimed the
fell in love and married his first and only sweetheart, received baptism of the Holy Spirit, which would make a deep impact
the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and started a life of ministry. upon the Flower family.5
During his forty-six years in active ministry in the Assemblies
of God, Flower served in nearly every local, district, and A Spiritual Awakening
national ministry position (except as general superintendent). When the Pentecostal message came to Indianapolis, J.
He also provided leadership to national and international evan-
gelical and Pentecostal associations, and he served his commu- Roswell was approaching his nineteenth birthday. His parents’
nity as a civic, humanitarian, and political leader. When Flower moves and changes in churches, combined with a growing dis-
died in 1970, Thomas F. Zimmerman declared, “… the name interest in spiritual matters, left him careless about church atten-
of J. Roswell Flower was synonymous with the Assemblies of dance. However, the reports by his parents of the Pentecostal
God.”1 meetings piqued his curiosity, and one Sunday afternoon he
dropped into the meeting on his way home from a photogra-
Childhood phy job. He later recalled that believers at that small mission
Joseph James Roswell Flower (he later dropped the name “found themselves prostrated, seized with strong weepings as
their souls were laid bare.”6 What he witnessed convinced him
“James”) was born in Belleview, Ontario, Canada, June 17, of the reality of God. By the middle of April 1907, J. Roswell
1888, to a Methodist couple, George L. and Bethia A. Flower. had accepted Christ. While his salvation experience was a quiet
J. Roswell’s parents longed for a deeper walk with Jesus Christ act of faith, one week later he had a powerful experience when
and desired to find a community of like-minded believers who he decided to surrender everything to Christ. He described this
sought holiness and the power of God. They heard about Zion experience:
City, Illinois, a city founded on Christian principles by Scottish
faith healer John Alexander Dowie. They moved to Zion City A week later I went down to the altar – for sanctification,
in 1902 but soon grew disillusioned with Dowie and his fol- I thought – laid all on the altar as best I knew how. When
lowers. They relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1904.2 I claimed Him as my sanctifier, something dropped down
into my soul! I was filled with ecstasy such as I had never
While the family was in Zion City, J. Roswell played cornet known before. I ran home and retired – fearful lest it should
in the local band, took a stenography course, had a rowboat be gone in the morning. But it wasn’t! In the morning the
adventure with a friend3, and was baptized in water. He did not, assurance was still there. The peace, the satisfaction of
however, give his heart to Christ.4 In Indianapolis, his parents being truly a blood-washed son of God.7
began attending a Christian and Missionary Alliance congrega-
tion. Like the Flowers, members of the church sought deeper Over the next two years, Flower sought to grow spiritu-
communion with Christ and desired to become more useful in ally. Pentecostals commonly taught that the Christian life
building the Kingdom of God. The Charles Reynolds fam- included three important experiences — salvation, sanctifi-
ily also attended the small church. Charles Reynolds’ daughter,

2012 AG HERITAGE 15

cation, and baptism in the Holy Spirit. ing for months. He became discouraged after he claimed his baptism by faith, he
Teachings concerning the latter two and later in the summer replied to a heard himself pray in tongues. It came
experiences varied. Sanctification refers questioner about his baptism that he had at a summer camp near Indianapolis as
to the believer becoming more Christ- not received it.10 he prayed with a burdened woman. In
like. Pentecostals also recognized that intense intercession for her, he suddenly
Scripture identified a separate experi- Shortly after his denial, Chicago became aware that he was praying in
ence, called the baptism in the Holy Pentecostal editor Anna Reiff rebuked tongues and as he did so, glory filled his
Spirit, which gave believers a supernat- him in a prophetic declaration saying, soul with unspeakable joy.13
ural ability to witness. Charles Parham’s “You have received the Holy Ghost.
position that speaking in tongues is the You cannot tell the Lord what to do, Flower’s unusual experiences did
“Bible evidence” (later termed “ini- when you should speak in tongues.” not change his theology. He steadfastly
tial physical evidence”) of Spirit bap- Repenting of his unbelief, he received held to and taught through the years that
tism came to be widespread through its a great blessing of joy and overflowing speaking in tongues is the biblical initial
acceptance by William J. Seymour and praise — but no tongues! Reiff’s word physical evidence of the baptism in the
promulgation through the Azusa reviv- steadied him, and Flower held on to the Holy Spirit. The Bible, not experience,
al.8 It was this doctrine that Glenn Cook experience he had in St. Louis in March establishes doctrine. Flower warned the
preached in Indianapolis and which was as his Baptism.11 Fellowship not to “let down” on this
accepted by J. Roswell Flower. Bible truth.14
In the spring of 1910 a woman had
Now that he was “saved” and “sanc- an epileptic seizure while J. Roswell Love Blossoms
tified,” J. Roswell began to seek the was preaching. He immediately left the One of the first persons to receive
baptism in the Holy Spirit. He continued pulpit and prayed for her deliverance,
to be active with other young people in which was answered. Sometime later the baptism in the Holy Spirit in
evangelistic activities, but he seemed when he replied to yet another ques- Indianapolis was Alice Marie Reynolds.
unable to receive the “baptism” with the J. Roswell’s parents were with her at the
evidence of speaking in tongues. This “I love her! I love her! mission at that event on Easter Sunday,
caused the young Christian and budding I simply cannot help 1908. When J. Roswell met the 17-year-
preacher great angst. He recorded in his it. Every time I come old high school senior some weeks later,
diary his emotional ups and downs as he in her presence I am a he was smitten and began falling in
struggled to yield to the Lord and how goner. I am up against love with her. After his conversion, he
he longed for the fullness of the Spirit. joined the young people at services and
it and dare hardly various activities, including evangelism
In March 1909 he visited the Faith think where it will and outings to area parks. He felt much
Home in St. Louis operated by Mother inferior to Reynolds because he was not
Moise and Mother Barnes.9 This was a end.” as well educated as she. Nonetheless,
stopover on his way to Kansas City to they shared a love for poetry and nature.
help another Pentecostal pioneer, A. S. — J. Roswell Flower in Together on one of the young peoples’
Copley, with evangelism campaigns. his diary, about outings, they experienced a deeply mys-
There in St. Louis, Flower had an Alice Reynolds tical union with nature and reflected on
unusual experience. In prayer, he sensed the significance of nature for human
that he was traveling a parallel path to tioner that he had the baptism but had life.15
the Lord. If he were to receive the bap- not spoken in tongues, some people who
tism in the Holy Spirit, he would need had heard his prayer for deliverance for On more than one occasion Alice
to face the Lord and by faith receive the woman with the epileptic seizure read poetry to J. Roswell, and they
the gift. He stood up from his kneeling told him he was wrong. To J. Roswell’s sometimes quoted poems to each other
position, turned to “face” the Lord, and surprise, they told him that his prayer from memory. Two years later he was
claimed by faith the baptism, just as he had been in tongues. He accepted their hopelessly in love with her but did not
had claimed his salvation and sanctifica- witness, but discounted it for himself know how to proceed. He confided to
tion by faith. However, he did not speak as he was not conscious of praying in his diary, “I love her! I love her! I sim-
in tongues as he believed he would — tongues.12 ply cannot help it. Every time I come
tongues being the physical evidence of in her presence I am a goner. I am up
having been baptized in the Holy Spirit. In July of 1910, some sixteen months against it and dare hardly think where it
Two or three weeks later he spoke a will end.”16 By this time, Alice was in
word or two in tongues, and then noth- her second semester at Butler College
(now Butler University) and J. Roswell

16 AG HERITAGE 2012

had discontinued reading law with a J. Roswell Flower standing outside with his wife, Alice, at Stanton,
local attorney in order to engage in full- Missouri, July 1927.
time ministry.
zine, The Pentecost, in August 1908. He became the official magazines of the
J. Roswell traveled to minister in later gave the magazine to A. S. Copley, Fellowship. The two periodicals merged
Greensburg, Indiana, in early 1910. who changed the title to Grace and in January 1916 under the title Christian
Alice and some others came to assist in Glory in 1911. J. Roswell and Alice, two Evangel.20
the effort. On the morning of February years into their marriage, began publish-
22, 1910, as J. Roswell and Alice ate ing another paper, the Christian Evangel In the summer of 1913, J. Roswell
breakfast together, he asked for her (now Pentecostal Evangel).19 The first helped to form a regional Pentecostal
hand in marriage and she said, “Yes.”17 issue was dated July 19, 1913. This pub- fellowship of churches in Indiana and
Approaching his twenty-second birth- lication joined the growing ranks of the in other Midwest states called the
day, he wanted to get married that sum- Pentecostal press; other periodicals such Association of Christian Assemblies.
mer. However, Alice’s father urged as Word and Witness (published by E. N. David Wesley Myland, a longtime friend
caution, as neither had jobs nor much Bell) and the Bridegroom’s Messenger and former leader in the Christian and
experience in life. Mr. Reynolds wanted (started by G. B. Cashwell) already Missionary Alliance, was the primary
them to postpone marriage one year and had broad circulation. However, the leader of this new group. Flower real-
first prove themselves in ministry and Christian Evangel was the first weekly ized that cooperative fellowship among
life, to which Alice and J. Roswell reluc- Pentecostal periodical. the multiple and fragmented Pentecostal
tantly agreed. groups would enhance their ability
The Christian Evangel featured to support missions across the world.
A Budding Minister articles about doctrine, news reports, Many saints opposed the creation of a
J. Roswell did not mope over the and other church matters. J. Roswell denomination, so the key to uniting the
believed that the story of the modern- various Pentecostal believers was to
delay in his wedding plans; he instead day movement of the Holy Spirit should maintain local freedom while providing
began to engage in evangelism and be made available to all Pentecostal some centralized guidance on questions
Bible teaching in various parts of south- saints. Toward that end, he collected and of doctrine and practice, in particular
ern Indiana. When Glenn Cook left the published testimonies and reports from for ministers.21 Flower also was deeply
mission in Indianapolis, the members Pentecostal workers around the world. concerned that Pentecostals maintain
received J. Roswell as their pastor. After The Christian Evangel also included a scriptural standard for both faith and
a few months, he left the Indianapolis the earliest known weekly Pentecostal behavior.
area and traveled in Ohio, West Virginia, Sunday school curriculum, which was
and western Indiana for four to five written by Alice. Early Leadership
months as an itinerant evangelist. Alice Flower’s experience as a publisher,
also stayed busy, actively engaging in Following the organization of the
ministry with other young people. Mr. General Council in April 1914, the minister, and organizer, in addition to
Reynolds believed that the young cou- Flowers and Bell turned their maga- his high regard for Scripture and local
ple had proven themselves and allowed zines over to the Assemblies of God. church autonomy, placed him is good
the children to marry on June 1, 1911. Both papers continued in circulation and stead at the April 1914 organizational
That morning J. Roswell went to pick
up the marriage license and the clerk
asked him what source of income he
had to support a wife. Flower answered,
“Philippians 4:19,” and explained that
he was trusting God to meet their needs.
The clerk passed the story on to one of
the Indianapolis newspapers which ran
a brief piece that evening, quoting the
verse in full for its readers unfamiliar
with the Scripture!18

Just over one year after his conver-
sion, Flower began another key element
of his life’s ministry — writing and edit-
ing. He began publishing a small maga-

2012 AG HERITAGE 17

meeting for the General Council of the Pentecostal Evangel which included Flower did not stand for reelection as
the Assemblies of God, where he was the phrase, “Jesus Christ, rediscovered general secretary in 1916. He remained
elected the first general secretary at the as the Jehovah of the Old Testament.”23 as Gospel Publishing House manager
young age of 25. E. N. Bell — the first Flower edited the article, replacing the until 1918, when he resigned and moved
chairman of the Assemblies of God (the word “rediscovered” with “being exalt- his family to a farm at Stanton, Missouri,
office was renamed general superin- bringing his parents to live there also.26
tendent in 1927) — differed greatly in J. Roswell perceived J. Roswell engaged in itinerant ministry
age and background in comparison with early on that careful and began a church in their home. Alice
Flower. Bell was 48 years old, he was led services for the new congregation
a graduate of the University of Chicago Bible study was when he was away on the evangelistic
School of Divinity, he was a Southerner, crucial to the growth circuit. J. Roswell was sometimes called
he married late in life (at age 43), and back to the Assemblies of God head-
his ministry was basically that of an and stability of quarters in St. Louis to assist in vari-
individual. Despite these differences, the Pentecostal ous ways. One of his tasks was to visit
Flower and Bell shared remarkably Springfield, Missouri, and to appraise
similar perspectives on the Pentecostal movement. the proposed site for the new head-
movement and the nature of a “coop- quarters of the Assemblies of God. In
erative fellowship.” Their early leader- ed” so that it did not seem like Bell dis- 1919, Flower was chosen to serve as the
ship set key principles and policies that covered a new truth.24 Soon after this first Foreign Missions Secretary.27 The
guided the Assemblies of God for sev- time Bell’s Trinitarianism became clear, Flowers moved to Springfield, where
eral decades.22 However, a theological but it was Flower’s staunch support of they would remain until 1925.
dispute over the doctrine of the Trinity Trinitarian orthodoxy that helped the
strained their relationship greatly. young Fellowship to weather the doctri- Flower emphasized the importance
nal storm. When Bell died in the spring of evangelism ever since his conver-
Bell initially threw his support to the of 1923, J. Roswell eulogized him as sion. As Foreign Missions Secretary he
emerging Oneness movement before it “the sweetest, safest and sanest man I admonished missionaries not to allow
rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. In had ever met in Pentecost.”25 benevolence work to overshadow evan-
the summer of 1915, Bell was rebap- gelism.28 Still, he recognized that some
tized in water using the formula “in the Meanwhile, Oneness doctrine spread forms of compassion ministry helped to
widely in Pentecostal circles and came lay a foundation for the long-term devel-
J. Roswell Flower (left) and E. N. to a head at the 1916 General Council opment of the church. For instance, in
Bell (right), ca. 1920. held in St. Louis. The Assemblies of 1922 he urged Pentecostal Evangel
God, up to that point, had not crafted readers to support a school in India as
name of Jesus” rather than the tradi- a statement of faith. The Oneness chal- the best way to secure “greater and more
tional Trinitarian formulation. Bell also lenge to historic Christian orthodoxy permanent results for God.”29
submitted an article for publication in spurred Flower and others to more
carefully define the faith. Delegates Flower grew concerned that
adopted the Statement of Fundamental many missionaries going to the fields
Truths, which affirmed the Trinitarian under General Council approval
view of the godhead. Oneness advocates were unknown to national leaders in
departed from the Assemblies of God, Springfield. The Missions Committee
and Bell, Flower, D. W. Kerr, and other often approved missionaries based only
church leaders could breathe a sigh of on a local church recommendation and
relief after months of upheaval. brief written correspondence with the
missionary. In 1923 he proposed that all
J. Roswell and Alice decided they missionaries be required to spend a term
needed a change. They felt significant at the recently formed Central Bible
stress induced by the Oneness controver- Institute in Springfield. This would
sy, combined with the time and financial give Council officials an opportunity to
pressures of his other work responsi- know the quality and character of the
bilities and the birth of their third child. prospective missionaries, and those who
were headed to the mission field would
become better networked within the
Fellowship.30

18 AG HERITAGE 2012

Summer Bible school group at Maranatha Park, Green Lane, Pennsylvania, return seemed ever nearer. How could
1935. Alice and J. Roswell Flower are sitting in the second row, center. the district superintendent justify these
expenditures? He responded that he was
This proposal drew a storm of pro- years later, he became district superin- “led” to make these long-term plans
tests from West Coast leaders, espe- tendent and moved his family to Lititz, even while he expected Christ’s soon
cially those connected with Glad Pennsylvania, as a neutral location return. Furthermore, Flower believed
Tidings Bible Institute in San Francisco. which had no established Pentecostal that the camps would help to counteract
General Chairman E. N. Bell stepped church.32 a perceived decrease in dedication and
in to the fray to ameliorate the situa- an increase of worldliness among the
tion. Eventually, of course, Flower’s J. Roswell perceived early on that saints. He believed that summer camps
concern was recognized and missionary careful Bible study was crucial to the would provide an important venue for
candidates had to undergo a more thor- growth and stability of the Pentecostal teaching, reviving, and directing new
ough evaluation at the national level. movement. Even before the inaugural generations of Pentecostals.36
But it was too late to save J. Roswell council, he and A. S. Copley planned Return to Springfield
as Foreign Missions Secretary; he a summer camp focused on the study
was not reelected at the 1923 General of the Bible and its proper interpreta- In the spring of 1935 Flower pub-
Council and instead became the Foreign tion. The camp failed to materialize. J. lically expressed doubts concerning
Missions Treasurer. He was not reelected Roswell supported the establishment of whether he would continue as Eastern
as Foreign Missions Treasurer in 1925. a “general Bible Training School with District superintendent. The financial
a literary department” as proposed in strain on his family was great and he felt
Pastoral and “The Call to Hot Springs” (the published spiritually dry, finding little inspiration
District Ministry invitation to organize the Assemblies for continued leadership of the district.
of God).33 He was part of the origi- He was a non-resident Assistant General
J. Roswell Flower spent the next nal faculty of Central Bible Institute, Superintendent, but he had no definite
decade in pastoral ministry and district the national Assemblies of God school plan what to do next if he left the dis-
leadership in the Northeast. In 1925, a founded in Springfield in 1922.34 During trict office. It was with this unsettled
few months after the birth of their sixth his decade in the Northeast, he became a
and final child, the Flowers left Missouri regular lecturer at Bethel Bible Training J. Roswell Flower, portrait, with his
for pastoral ministry in Scranton, School in New Jersey. Most important- wife, Alice Reynolds Flower, ca.
Pennsylvania.31 J. Roswell practiced a ly, he worked with Alice to establish a 1935.
full-orbed Pentecostal ministry: encour- summer Bible school, located on the
aging evangelism and revival; nurturing Eastern District campground, which was
the spiritual growth of believers; practic- the forerunner of Valley Forge Christian
ing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including College.35
divine healing; and promoting and sup-
porting missions. In 1927 he became a Many people questioned the large
member of the Eastern District Council sums of money being expended on the
executive committee and the following construction of new buildings on the
year was elected district secretary. Two campground as the Great Depression
deepened and as the Lord’s imminent

2012 AG HERITAGE 19

J. Roswell Flower as missionary treasurer, sitting behind his desk in 1924. sion stations in Africa. When the United
States was drawn into World War II in
frame of mind and set of circumstances the school year. The Flowers had four December 1941, Flower not only had
that J. Roswell headed for Dallas, Texas, additional children who no longer lived to write numerous letters on behalf of
to attend the 1935 General Council. at home — two boys and two girls. The Assemblies of God adherents who were
He preached the opening service of the two older girls were enrolled at Central conscientious objectors, but he also had
Council, and delegates elected him to Bible Institute. The next few months to address the larger ethical and ecclesi-
serve as general secretary-treasurer, the were emotionally and financially dif- astical issues raised by the war.
position he had held from 1914 to 1916. ficult for the Flower family. It was a
joyful day when the parents and the two The ethical question about partici-
The sermon that Flower preached youngest children were united again in pating in the war effort, even as a non-
at the 1935 General Council — titled the same residence. combatant, had been present since World
“Back to Calvary” — grew out of his War I. Some Assemblies of God leaders
deep concern over what he perceived to Emergence of a were pacifists, others left the decision
be a spiritual decline in the Assemblies Statesman whether to participate in war up to the
of God. The sermon was both a diag- individual. In 1917 the Assemblies of
nosis of the ailment and a prescription The Assemblies of God had grown God declared itself opposed to war and
for spiritual renewal. He feared that significantly during the decade that killing in war, which provided church
Pentecostals were in danger of neglect- Flower was away from Springfield. He members the basis upon which to claim
ing Calvary, instead placing too much was thrust upon a larger national stage conscientious objector status.38 Flower
emphasis on things like spiritual gifts as well as an international one. Flower made this distinction: the Fellowship
and eschatology. Flower was very clear traveled widely to Bible camps, district was officially opposed to war, but indi-
— the heart of Pentecostal spirituality is ordination ceremonies, and multiple viduals may choose as their conscience
not speaking in tongues or healing, but speaking engagements. In the late 1930s, guided them. The absence of a tradition
the power of the cross of the Lord Jesus Europe moved toward war, Hitler and of ethical thought beyond the concept of
Christ.37 Mussolini rattled their sabers, and the personal sanctification hindered Flower
Assemblies of God was rapidly expand- and others from thinking carefully about
Election to national office obliged ing across the globe. In an effort to bet- peace questions.39
Flower and his family to move back to ter understand the needs on the mission
Springfield, Missouri. J. Roswell moved field, Flower and Missions Secretary In 1940 J. Roswell started anoth-
in January 1936. Alice and the two Noel Perkin traveled aboard an Italian er periodical — a quarterly letter to
youngest children — Rossie and David, liner from August until December inform ministers of news items, policy
who were still in school — remained in 1938, visiting Assemblies of God mis- decisions, advocacy positions, and
Lititz for several months until the end of other General Council affairs.40 It was
through this letter that Flower informed
ministers of the National Association
of Evangelicals and argued that the
Assemblies of God should join the new
organization. Flower believed that the
Assemblies of God should link arms
with other Pentecostal, evangelical and
Holiness churches in order to better
address issues posed by the growing sec-
ularization of American life and the var-
ious government regulations attendant
to the war effort. This was a principle
Flower had noted from his early years
in Indianapolis: cooperative efforts can
accomplish more than individual ones.
Flower opposed what he viewed as nar-
row sectarianism and instead worked
to build bridges between believers with
similar faith commitments.

European and North American

P. C. Nelson, founder of SAGU, in 1934.

20 AG HERITAGE 2012

Pentecostals made various attempts approach allowed Flower to argue that never was able to attend high school. As
between the two world wars to promote many Oneness Pentecostals, despite a young believer Flower was influenced
unity within Pentecostal ranks. After their unorthodox view of the godhead, by A. B. Simpson, F. B. Myer, and D.
the end of World War II this goal was were genuinely saved and baptized in Wesley Myland, all well-educated men.
revived, resulting in the 1947 organiza- the Holy Spirit. He could then urge tol- He once felt a “fluttering” in his brain,
tion of the Pentecostal World Conference erance toward those who differed from which he believed was God renewing
(PWC). Flower played important lead- the Assemblies of God.42 his brain power to be able to think and
ership roles in the PWC. At the 1955 learn.43
PWC meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, As the unofficial historian of the
he delivered an address, “The Genesis Assemblies of God, Flower taught the Flower achieved a high level of self-
of the Pentecostal Movement,” that was Pentecostal history class at Central education, and he also urged others to
so in demand that the Filadelfia Church Bible Institute. He wrote an “Orientation continue to learn. He maintained a sub-
in Stockholm mimeographed it the fol- Manual” that provided students with an stantial personal library and regularly
lowing day and promptly sold all copies, used the research library developed at
requiring a reprinting.41 J. Roswell Flower speaking at the the Gospel Publishing House. Flower’s
1953 General Council. ministry as a part-time Bible school
Flower became a noted Pentecostal teacher, beginning in the 1920s, natural-
statesman. He played a key role in overview of the history of the Assemblies ly flowed from the love he developed for
the 1948 formation of the Pentecostal of God and the broader Pentecostal the life of the mind.44 Flower was astute
Fellowship of North America. He also movement. He taught the course using enough to recognize that Assemblies of
became involved in civic leadership. He his mimeographed manual from about God young people would need higher
served on the boards of the Salvation 1950 until his retirement at the end of levels of education as the twentieth cen-
Army and other organizations. He gar- the decade. During these later years of tury wore on. Realizing that most of
nered a “Service to Mankind” award service, Flower hired an assistant, Curtis these young people would not enter full-
from the Sertoma Club. When the city Ringness, to help shoulder some of his time ministry, Flower, along with Ralph
of Springfield created a city council, responsibilities. Flower hoped to write Riggs and others, began advocating for
many residents asked Flower to run for a a history of the Pentecostal movement the establishment of an Assemblies of
council position. Flower consented, was with particular focus on the Assemblies God liberal arts college. Undaunted by
elected, and served for several years. of God. However, there was too much certain prominent Pentecostal leaders
Judging by the number and range of on his plate to accomplish that task. who vilified him for his advocacy of
letters received after his retirement and He settled for editing histories by Carl higher education, Flower supported the
after his death, his friends were count- Brumback and Klaude Kendrick. formation of Evangel College, which
less and his influence broad. opened its doors in 1955.45
Flower felt self-conscious of his own
Reflection and Education limited formal education, lamenting in Final Years
Flower had long been interested in his diary that Alice was better educated J. Roswell retired as general secretary
than he. She had a high school diploma
the history of Pentecostalism. As early and one year of college. J. Roswell at the end of 1959. However, he did not
as the early 1920s he had identified had passed the entrance examination retire from ministry. In the fall of 1960
phases within the Movement. He placed to attend a Canadian high school the he traveled to Charlton, Massachusetts,
it in the framework of a biblical interpre- summer the family moved to Zion City, to preach for the Ministers’ Institute
tation of the history of redemption. He Illinois. But his family moved and he of the Southern New England District,
traced its roots to Parham and attributed where his son George Ernest Flower was
its breadth to Azusa Street. He argued superintendent. In a long presentation
that the varied theological backgrounds he noted the failure of the Fellowship to
among first generation Pentecostals pro- adequately provide its youth with a his-
duced differing understandings of the torical and doctrinal foundation for their
baptism in the Holy Spirit, but that the faith. He then detailed a solution, urging
experience was the same. To Flower, ministers to teach their people faithfully
Pentecostalism was primarily an experi- and systematically.46
ence, not a specific theology. He argued
that one might have a genuine heart On June 1, 1961, J. Roswell and
experience of the Holy Spirit even if his Alice celebrated their fiftieth wedding
or her head held wrong doctrine. This anniversary.47 They were given a large
cash gift that allowed them to travel

2012 AG HERITAGE 21

J. Roswell Flower, ca. 1950s. He shared his knowledge of the Bible, New England District.50 Suzanne, a
administrative skills, and his wisdom talented musician, married a Canadian
to Spain, where their daughter Adele not only with the Pentecostal move- pastor, Albert Earle; they served many
Flower Dalton and her husband Roy ment, but, also, with civic, educational, years as pastors in New England and
were serving as Assemblies of God mis- and political bodies. New Jersey.51 She remained active as a
sionaries.48 The following year, Flower church pianist until recently when she
suffered his first heart attack; a more The legacy of J. Roswell and Alice suffered a stroke. Roswell (Rossie) died
serious heart ailment hospitalized him R. Flower continues through their at age 21 in his senior year at Central
in New Jersey where he was visiting his descendants. Six children were born to Bible Institute.52 He had befriended and
daughter Suzanne Flower Earle and her their union: Joseph R. (1913-2010), A. discipled an older student who later
husband Albert in 1965. Flower’s health Adele (1915-2006), George E. (1916- went to Central America for work. That
remained fragile until his death on July 1966), Suzanne G. (1917- ), Roswell man became active in youth work in a
23, 1970, in Springfield, Missouri. S. (1920-1941), and David W. (1925- ). church, guiding and encouraging local
Joseph planted a church in New York, youth. Today, several of those men are
Flower’s Legacy became superintendent of the New York pastors. Roswell S. died young, but
When J. Roswell Flower opened District, and like his father served as not before he shared the legacy of dis-
general secretary of the General Council cipleship he learned from his father.
his heart to Christ in 1908, he had a of the Assemblies of God (1975-1993). David pioneered a church in New
desire to please God, which he believed Adele spent many years as a mis- York and later pastored in Maine and
required spreading the full gospel and sionary in Spanish-speaking lands in Massachusetts. After serving as super-
nurturing believers through evangelism, Central and South America.49 She mar- intendent of the Southern New England
missions, and discipleship. From his ried Roy Dalton, a missionary to Spain District, he pastored in Dayton, Ohio for
salvation until his home-going 62 years where she served alongside him. Like two decades. He now lives in Maranatha
later, Flower discovered that God had her father Adele was a prolific writer Village in Springfield, Missouri. He
prepared him to proclaim the Lord Jesus in both English and Spanish. George teaches the Sunday school class begun
Christ in many ways and places. He became a high school teacher and coach by his parents at Central Assembly more
preached in small Midwestern towns, before entering the ministry and serv- than seventy years ago and preaches
African villages, mid-century European ing as superintendent of the Southern monthly at the Maranatha Village cha-
metropolises, and teeming Asian cities. pel. Many of J. Roswell and Alice’s
Flower wrote prolifically for fifty years. grandchildren and great-grandchildren
are actively serving the Lord all across
the United States.

J. Roswell Flower pleased God by
proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ to four generations — those of his
parents, his peers, his children, and his
grandchildren. The legacy of J. Roswell
Flower is our heritage as Pentecostal
saints.

David K. Ringer,
Associate Professor
of Humanities at
College of the
Ozarks, is a Doctor
of Ministry candidate
at the Assemblies
of God Theological
Seminary. His wife,
Kathryn, is a granddaughter of J.
Roswell and Alice R. Flower. Ringer
is working on a full-length biography
of J. Roswell Flower.

22 AG HERITAGE 2012

NOTES Marie Reynolds autograph book, “Faded Roses Witness, December 20, 1913, 1.
— From Life’s Flower Garden,” June 16, 1908.
1AG News, July 23, 1970. See also, JRF, Diary I, June 16, 1908. 34Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace for Grace, 86.

2Bethia A. Flower, “Grandmother Flower’s 16Flower, Diary III, November 8, 1908. 35Ibid., 117-118.
Story,” p. 4.
17Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace for Grace 36J. Roswell Flower, “Building for God,” The
3W. O. Boyd, letter to J. Roswell Flower, (Springfield, MO: N.p., 1961), 47. Overcomer, August 1934, 4-5, 7.
February 24, 1940.
18 “His Faith Is Strong,” Indianapolis News, 37J. Roswell Flower, “Back to Calvary,”
4J. Roswell Flower, My Diary, The Fads and June 1, 1911; Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace Pentecostal Evangel, October 5, 1935, 1, 10-11.
Fancies of a Foolish Fellow IV, June 1, 1910. for Grace, 49.
Flower writes that his water baptism was rather 38In 1917, the executive presbytery adopted
“a ducking than a real baptism and burial into 19Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace for Grace, a resolution declaring the AG to be pacifist.
the death of Christ and being raised in newness 59-60. Pacifism remained the official position of the
of life in Him.” AG until 1967.
20Ibid., 59-61.
5Alice Reynolds Flower, “When Pentecost 39J. Roswell Flower, “The Plight of the Christian
Came to Indianapolis, A First-hand Report of 21J. Roswell Flower, “A Closer and Deeper in the Present World War,” Pentecostal Evangel,
the Revival Which Began in 1907,” Assemblies Fellowship for the Pentecostal Assemblies June 12, 1943, 6-7; and Flower, “The Plight
of God Heritage 5:4 (Winter 1985-86): 5-7; of Indiana and the Central States,” Christian of the Conscientious Objector in the Present
and Edith Blumhofer, “Indianapolis and The Evangel, July 19, 1913, 1-2. World Conflict,” Pentecostal Evangel, July
Assemblies of God: A Look at an Important 3, 1943, 2-3. For a comprehensive study of
City for the Pentecostal Movement,” Assemblies 22Combined Minutes of the General Council of the Assemblies of God stance regarding war,
of God Heritage 20:2 (Summer 2000): 14-15. the Assemblies of God, April 2-12, 1914, and see: Paul Alexander, Peace to War: Shifting
November 15-29, 1914 (St. Louis, MO: Gospel Allegiances in the Assemblies of God (Telford,
6J. Roswell Flower, “God Honors Faith,” Publishing House, [1915]), 4-5; and E. N. Bell, PA: Cascadia Publishing House, 2009).
The Pentecost 2:3 (February 1, 1910): 1; and General Council Principles — Evangel Tract
Dorothy Skoog, “Soldier of Faith,” LIVE (June No. 914 (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing 40The first quarterly issue of the ministers
2, 1957): 2. House, n.d.). No original copy of this tract letter was dated March 20, 1940. Now named
has been found. A reprint was produced by Called to Serve, this quarterly letter issued by
7Skoog, 2. Charles G. Weston sometime in the latter the executive offices continues to be sent to
half of or after 1944 with his claim that “not all credentialed Assemblies of God ministers.
8Initial Evidence: Historical and Biblical a word is changed from the original.” For a
Perspectives on the Pentecostal Doctrine of discussion of the approach of Bell and Flower 41J. Roswell Flower, “The Genesis of the
Spirit Baptism, Gary B. McGee, ed. (Peabody, concerning “General Council Principles,” see: Pentecostal Movement,” Pentecostal Evangel,
MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1991); and Darrin Rodgers and David Ringer, “Laying the January 29, 1956, 6-7, 28, 30; also published
Robert P. Menzies, Guest Editor, Asian Journal Foundation for the Assemblies of God: Eudorus as “Historical Review of the Pentecostal
of Pentecostal Studies: “Initial Evidence” 1:2 Bell and Alice and J. Roswell Flower,” in Movement,” Pentecostal Testimony, September
(July 1998). Servants of the Spirit: Portraits of Pentecostal/ 1955, 4-5, 13, 31.
Charismatic Pioneers, Andrea Johnson, ed.
9Wayne E. Warner, “Mother Mary Moise of (Des Moines, IA: OBC Publishing, 2010), 3-9. 42J. Roswell Flower, “The Present Position of
St. Louis: A Pioneer in Pentecostal Social Pentecost,” Pentecostal Evangel, June 13, 1925,
Ministry,” Assemblies of God Heritage 6:1 23J. Roswell Flower, History of the Assemblies 7-8, 13; Flower, “A Retrospect,” Pentecostal
(Spring 1986): 6-7, 13-14. of God [notes for Church Orientation Course at Evangel, April 8, 1939, 4, 10; Flower, “An
Central Bible Institute] [1950?], 25; E. N. Bell, Evaluation of the Pentecostal Movement,”
10Flower, Diary III, August 21, 1909.. “Who is Jesus Christ?” Pentecostal Evangel, Pentecostal Evangel, October 13, 1945, 2-3,
August 14, 1915, 1. 5-6, 8. These are samplings of his repeated
11Flower, Diary III, September 15, 1909. themes.
24Edith L. Blumhofer, The Assemblies of
12J. Roswell Flower, “How I Received the God: A Chapter in the Story of American 43Flower, Diary IV, January 8, 1910.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” Pentecostal Pentecostalism, Vol. 1 (Springfield, MO:
Evangel, January 21, 1933, 2-3; and Flower, Gospel Publishing House, 1989), 232.25 J. 44Undoubtedly, the most unusual tribute to J.
“How I Received the Baptism in the Holy Roswell Flower, “A Memoir of Brother Bell,” Roswell’s learning was the conferring of an
Spirit” Pentecostal Evangel, January 28, Pentecostal Evangel, June 30, 1923, 3. honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon him by
1933, 7. Bob Jones College (now Bob Jones University)
26Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace for Grace, 65. in June, 1946.
13Flower, “How I Received the Baptism in the
Holy Spirit,” Pentecostal Evangel, January 28, 27Ibid., 77-78. 45David Ringer, conversation with Adele Flower
1933, 7. Dalton.
28J. Roswell Flower, “The Pentecostal
14J. Roswell Flower, “The Evidence of the Commission,” Pentecostal Evangel, June 12, 46J. Roswell Flower, untitled address to
Baptism,” Pentecostal Evangel, April 17, 1920, 12. Minister’s Institute at Charlton, Massachusetts,
1920, 4; Flower, “The Outstanding Effect of September, 1960. Verna B. (Mrs. George)
the Pentecostal Baptism,” Pentecostal Evangel, 29J. Roswell Flower, “The January Missionary Flower made a typescript of this tape recorded
August 29, 1936, 2-3, 5; Flower, “Brother Report,” Pentecostal Evangel, February 18, presentation. The quotation is on page 1.
Flower Tells of Heritage,” The Conference 1922, 12.
Chronicle 4:4 (Springfield, MO: Sixth Annual 47Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace for Grace, 167.
National Youth Conference, August, 1945): 30J. Roswell Flower, “An Important Resolution
1-2; and Flower, Is It Necessary to Speak in Affecting Prospective Missionaries,” 48Ibid., 167-173.
an Unknown Tongue? (Toronto, Canada: Full Pentecostal Evangel, February 17, 1923, 12.
Gospel Publishing House, [1954?]). 49Ibid., 134-135.
31Alice Reynolds Flower, Grace for Grace, 92.
15J. Roswell Flower, the first entry in Alice 50Ibid., 129.
32Ibid., 105.
51Ibid., 130.
33“General Convention of Pentecostal Saints
and Churches of God in Christ,” Word and 52Ibid., 139-145.

2012 AG HERITAGE 23