John MacNeil
Encyclopedia
John MacNeil was a Presbyterian author and evangelist in Australia. He is best known for his 1894 book, The Spirit-Filled Life.
. He studied theology at New College, Edinburgh
and was ordained in 1879. Shortly afterwards he was introduced to the Higher Life movement
.
He experienced "an anointing of the Holy Spirit" and in 1881 began evangelistic ministry. Poor health, however, hindered his itinerant work until he recovered after laying on of hands by an Anglican minister. He then toured Australia, seeing many people turn to Jesus.
In 1890, together with a few others, he formed a prayer group which came to be known as "The Band". They met regularly to pray for revival. They also focused strongly on the need for an infilling of the Holy Spirit, and prayed for "the full Baptism of the Holy Spirit for themselves and for all ministers, officers and members of the Churches."
From their prayer times came a decision to hold a Keswick
-style convention in Geelong, with George Grubb, who had addressed Keswick Conventions in England, as the primary speaker, along with MacNeil, Webb and others.
In 1896, MacNeil toured Queensland
a final time. At the end of his tour, in late August, he collapsed and died in a city shop.
Life
MacNeil was born into a Presbyterian family in Scotland, but was brought up in Ballarat, VictoriaBallarat, Victoria
Ballarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately west-north-west of the state capital Melbourne situated on the lower plains of the Great Dividing Range and the Yarrowee River catchment. It is the largest inland centre and third most populous city in the state and the fifth...
. He studied theology at New College, Edinburgh
New College, Edinburgh
New College was opened in 1846 as a college of the Free Church of Scotland, later of the United Free Church of Scotland, and from the 1930s has been the home of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh...
and was ordained in 1879. Shortly afterwards he was introduced to the Higher Life movement
Higher Life movement
The Higher Life movement was a movement devoted to Christian holiness in England. Its name comes from a book by William Boardman, entitled The Higher Christian Life, which was published in 1858...
.
He experienced "an anointing of the Holy Spirit" and in 1881 began evangelistic ministry. Poor health, however, hindered his itinerant work until he recovered after laying on of hands by an Anglican minister. He then toured Australia, seeing many people turn to Jesus.
In 1890, together with a few others, he formed a prayer group which came to be known as "The Band". They met regularly to pray for revival. They also focused strongly on the need for an infilling of the Holy Spirit, and prayed for "the full Baptism of the Holy Spirit for themselves and for all ministers, officers and members of the Churches."
From their prayer times came a decision to hold a Keswick
Keswick Convention
The Keswick Convention is an annual gathering of evangelical Christians in Keswick, in the English county of Cumbria.- History :The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a catalyst and focal point for the emerging Higher Life movement in the United Kingdom. It was founded by an Anglican, Canon T. D....
-style convention in Geelong, with George Grubb, who had addressed Keswick Conventions in England, as the primary speaker, along with MacNeil, Webb and others.
In 1896, MacNeil toured Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
a final time. At the end of his tour, in late August, he collapsed and died in a city shop.
Works
- The Spirit-Filled Life, Chicago: Moody Press (1894)
- Some One is Coming, London: Marshall Brothers (1896)
- Honey Gathered and Stored, London: Marshal Brothers (1897)
- Even So, Come, Chicago: Fleming H. Revell (1897)
Biography
- John MacNeil, Late Evangelist in Australia, by Hannah MacNeil, London: Marshall Brothers (1897)