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Stephen Merritt

Stephen Merritt Letter Who was Stephen Merrit and why did Samuel Morris travel across two continents and the Atlantic Ocean to find him?

Stephen Merritt was an affluent New Yorker who, at the time Morris met him, was serving as the Pastor of the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church in Manhattan. It was his past, however, that caused Morris to leave Africa and travel several thousand miles to ask him about the Holy Spirit.

Formerly, Merritt had served as secretary to Bishop William Taylor and his African Missions. Lizzie Macneil, a young missionary who was preparing to leave for Liberia, had been encouraged and mentored by Merritt for her upcoming service.

Shortly after arriving in Africa, MacNeil met Samuel Morris. His thirst to learn about the Holy Spirit exhausted her of all she could offer. MacNeil suggested that he travel to America to receive further instruction from Stephen Merritt. "I will see him," Morris' simply replied, before heading for the shore to begin his journey for the Spirit-filled life.

Merritt Meets Morris

The following is the story of Merritt meeting Morris in his own words, excerpted from Stephen Merritt's Samuel Morris: A Marvelous Story of Divine Power.

The Ship Arrives -- Morris in America

  "The [ship] landed at the foot of Pike Street, and after farewells were said, Samuel with his bag of clothing furnished by the crew (for he went aboard with only a jumper and overalls, with no shoes), stepped on the dock, and stepping up to the first man he met, said, 'Where's Stephen Merrit?'

"It was three or four miles from my place, in a part of the city where I would be utterly unknown, but the Holy Spirit arranged that. [A person I once ministered to] was the man accosted, and he said, 'I know him, he lives away over on Eighth Avenue -- on the other side of town. I'll take you to him for a dollar.' 'All right,' said Samuel, though he had not one cent. They reached the store just as I was leaving for prayer meeting and the [man] said, 'There he is.'

"Samuel stepped up and said, 'Stephen Merritt?' 'Yes!' 'I am Samuel Morris; I've just come from Africa to talk with you about the Holy Ghost.' 'Have you any letters of introduction?' 'No, had no time to wait.' 'Well, all right,; I am going to Jane Street Prayer meeting. Will you go to the mission next door? On my return I will see about your entertainment. 'All right.' 'Say, young fellow,' said the [man], 'where is my dollar?' 'Oh, Stephen Merritt pays all my bills now,' said Samuel. 'Oh, certainly,' said I, as I passed the dollar over.

Morris Saves Seventeen Men in New York

"I went to the prayer meeting -- he to the mission. I forgot him until just as I put the key in the door about 10:30, when Samuel Morris flashed upon my remembrance. I hastened over, found him on the platform with seventeen men on their faces around him; he had just pointed them to Jesus, and they were rejoicing in His pardoning favor. I had never seen such a sight."

His Death

Stephen Merritt died on Jan. 29, 1917.