1916 H. L. SHUMWAY. Azusa Street - Early Pentecostal Holiness Evangelist - Unpublished Hymn.

A fascinating artifact from very early in the 20th century Pentecostal movement, the present is a completely undocumented and unrecorded hymn by Evangelist H. L. Shumway. 

Rev. H. L. Shumway was an itinerant evangelist, pastor, and gospel musician active during the early-to-mid 20th century, spanning the 1910s through the 1950s. He ministered primarily across the Tri-State region of Eastern Kentucky, Southern Ohio, and West Virginia.

Based at various times out of Catlettsburg and Vanceburg, Kentucky, he traveled extensively along the Big Sandy River Valley and Ohio River corridor. Local historical records and contemporary newspapers from the era document him conducting revival services, tent meetings, and camp meetings across towns including Vanceburg, Catlettsburg, West Prestonsburg, Ashland, and Kenova.

While associated with the broader early 20th-century Pentecostal revival movement in Appalachia, frequently officiating at local Pentecostal churches in Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, he operated within the fluid Holiness-Pentecostal ecosystem of the region. Historical references note his involvement with local Pentecostal congregations, Pilgrim Holiness circles, and Methodist charges. He seems to have most closely aligned  with the Assemblies of God. Shortly after the Azusa Street Revival, he appears to have been affiliated with the Assemblies of God and by 1916, his name appears on early denominational minister rolls and in periodicals like the Pentecostal Evangel.

In addition to his ministry, Rev. Shumway recorded a traditional gospel track on March 12, 1930, for the historic Gennett Records label in Richmond, Indiana. His recording of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (Matrix 16380) features a male vocal solo accompanied by guitar and harmonica.

The text, in full:

Before I fell in love with God's Dear Son.

For many years I wandered in the wilderness of sin,
Accepting Satan's many wicked wiles. 
I passed the straight and narrow way refusing to go in,
Was satisfied with all the worldly styles

Chorus
O, I wasted many years,
I rejected mother's tears,
The paths of sin I never trued to shun.
I used to feed the swine
Followed Satan all the time,
Before I fell in love with God's Dear Son

Today again I shudder as I look upon the past,
As I saw how near I cam to being lost.
But how sweet to think of Jesus who redeemed my soul at last,
By His sacrificial death upon the cross.

With Satan's plans well-polished to attract the passer by,
The dance hall, Sunday ball-game, and the wine.
The pool-game and the movie, and the poker chips stacked high,
Countless graves today are filled because of crime.

Boys and girls of tender ages have been captured in the net,
While the world stands, many more will fail to see.
Remember, sons and daughters, Jesus' blood will save you yet,
That was spilled as there he hung upon the tree.

Let us glimpse upon the future to the resurrection day - 
Will you choose flames of hell - or heaven free?
Let's meet mother over yonder, see her smile and hear her say,
Now we'll reign with Christ throughout eternity. 

Written and owned by Evangelist
H. L. Shumway