 Douglas Scott (1900-1967).
UNFINISHED
From his youngest days under the influence of his mother he attended the Church of England, where he was christened. They then made a move to a Congregational church, which his mother felt would be of greater profit to them. While here he learnt much scriptural history and almost every year won a prize for his knowledge, but no-one pointed him to Christ and the cross. While at school he showed a great love for and ability with learning languages. Then came the war when he donned a uniform and was caught up in all the temptations and vices of this life style. After the war in search of light he started attending a primitive Methodist church, but no clear convicting gospel message was preached. And so he continued in sin. All his time was taken up by work, dances, cinema, football and races. At one point when he got food poisoning and thinking he had reached the last night of his life, he spent the night at an all night party desiring to just enjoy himself. It was after this that God started to deal with him. First, by speaking through a young man from a holiness mission who asked him directly if he was saved. Then a second time through attending a mission is his town, during which he came under much conviction of heart, but no opportunity was given to respond and no-one approached him personally.
It was in 1925 while walking along Whitecross Street in east London that he heard the sound of singing, as he drew closer he encountered several young men standing together preaching the Gospel. These were students from the
Hampstead Bible School. One of the men Arthur Bergholz, a Pole, preached clear and direct on the Cross and the sufferings of Jesus in his broken English. That day on the streets of London coming to the feet of Jesus he surrendered all to the Man of Calvary. His old life had to come to an end, he was booked to play his violin at several dances, but this had to go. He had a longer struggle over sports but it went as well. He sought God earnestly in prayer that he would lead him to a spiritual home. He searched but dead denominationalism held nothing for him. One Sunday he came across a simple church without a sign outside but recognized the singing as the same from Whitecross street. He joined himself to these believers in this Elim Church and by what he saw in this fellowship he came to understand what the power they talked about was, it was the power of Pentecost, just as fresh and full as ever.
The Elim revivalist George Jeffreys came to hold a mission in Ilford, some newspaper reports talk of thousands queuing to get into the meetings, many of them visibly sick or disabled in some way. One report was of a 35 year old woman who was deaf for 18 years instantly healed. To see the Gospel coming in power and demonstration left a real mark on this young man. It was in such a meeting that young Scott went out for prayer, when hands were laid on him he felt the power of God go through his whole body and immediately was delivered from a speech impediment which had hindered him for many years. The revivalist asked him if he was seeking the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, hearing that he was he prayed again that God would fill him and lead him out into service for God. The Sunday after this, early in the morning as he meditated upon the scriptures the power of God came upon him, he was filled with the Holy Ghost and magnified the name of the Lord in other tongues. He understood this blessing was power for service and God led him immediately back to Whitecross street to testify of Gods grace. Daily for the next two years on this street he proclaimed redeeming love, being enabled to point many to Christ. Every Saturday he was found at the open-air meetings. Each Sunday attending the services provided a real training ground. The door to door work with tracts gave an understanding of the human nature.
At an early stage his heart burnt to go to the mission field. While attending a meeting at Sion College in London the Spirit gave him a message in tongues. Howard Carter gave the interpretation which was an exhortation to take the step set before him, then the second step would open up and so God would lead onwards. He took this as needed confirmation concerning a step to France. Later in the meeting a lecturer from Liverpool University stood to testify that he was a saved man but had come to the meeting very skeptical about the Baptism and tongues. But announced that Scotts message had been in perfect Arabic and that Carter had given an exact interpretation.
by Keith Malcomson.
(Edited from "Pentecostal Pioneers Remembered" by Keith Malcomson).
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