Reared in reconstruction Louisiana in the 1870s and 1880s, Seymour's early life was marked by poverty, prejudice, and oppression. His opportunities for formaleducation were very limited. Yet, this man's ministry changed the religious world. Christian History Magazine listed Seymour as one of the ten most importantChristian's of the twentieth century.
Seymour was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, converted in Methodism, sanctified in the Church of God Reformation movement, and then introduced to the Apostolic Faith or Pentecostal message in 1905. He took that message to Los Angeles in 1906.
In addition to founding the mission at 312 Azusa Street, Seymour traveledand helped to establish and organize other missions across the country. The Doctrine and Discipline was intended to be a policy and polity guide for all theApostolic Faith Missions under Seymour's guidance. It contains sections on doctrine,the Christian family, the church, the ministry, and other subjects. Also included are forms that Seymour used for weddings, funerals, the installation of church officers, and more. A copy of the church's constitution and by-laws will be interesting to those curious about the formation of the Azusa Street Mission.
This is the only book ever written by Seymour. Published in 1915, theoriginal book is extremely rare. This reprint makes the book available to the public for the first time in 85 years.
Although Seymour's original thought is included, much of the book is acompilation from other church disciplines in the Wesleyan tradition. Even the borrowed material, edited by Seymour, gives insight into the traditons of the Azusa Street Mission.
Larry Martin, editor, has reogranized the book into a style that today's readers will find more enjoyable. He has also made some corrections in spelling and grammar, being careful to change none of the original author's intent. All of the original is included in this reprint.
In the foreword for the book, Bishop Carlton Pearson wrote, "This tremendous, book, the information of which has been lost to the masses for many years, gives you unique insight into the heart and mind of the man through whom it all began . . ."
