George Douglas Watson

George D. Watson was born in 1845 and ended what truly became a pilgrimage through this world in 1923. The third son of farm parents holding strong convictions within Methodist thought of that day he did not break with the course that had been laid out by his mother and father.

It was while serving in the confederate army that the Lord became a living reality to him. So heavy was the conviction of the Holy Spirit when the call was upon him for his eternal well-being that while in the midst of a game of cards, he threw down his hand stating to the others, it was his last game. And so it was! The next evening, August 11, 1863, his name became a permanent part of the registry in the book of life.

After the war, he served a number of fellowships in the capacity of pastor. These years seem to reflect a time of training, where he grew tremendously in spiritual stature. Before long, with a heart open to the deeper things of God, he was widely desired as a speaker for revivals and camp meetings. As the years turned into decacdes, he developed a reputation as a speaker who could always offer spiritual meat as opposed to milk.

Having become well known as a gifted evangelist, he traveled throughout the United States and the world, accumulating a number campaigns to places such as England, New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, and other countries in Southeast Asia. The Master’s work continued to a part of his life well into his advanced years. But even then, he only refrained from the calling that had been placed upon him when his health was in question.

What set him apart from others in the faith was his desire to enter into the fullness of an intimate walk with the Lord. As a result, not too many years after being saved, he diligently sought out the deeper life experience he saw in the life and walk of certain brothers and sisters. In other words, he wanted those aspects which stem from an abiding life and walk with Christ. These were spiritual experiences known at that time by titles or phrases such as, “perfection, second blessing, holiness, the experience of sanctification, perfect love, the baptism of the Holy Spirit” and “full salvation.” The anguish and internal struggle he experienced as he sought and found this experience is described in Chapter 8 of his biography listed below. One of his books, with a section entitled Death to Self, gives a clear and concise treatise on the subject, exhibiting how well he grasped the prerequisite of developing an intimate relationship with Christ.

Many thanks, both to James G. Wolfe and Schmul Publishing for their faithfulness in providing the valuable resources of G. D. Watson for the saints. In 1961 brother Wolfe was deeply touched through reading A Pot of Oil, a book penned by G. D. Watson. In recent years, after uncovering a copy of his biography, which had long since been out of print, he undertook the task of republishing. Schmul Publishing provides reprints of many, if not most, of Brother Watson’s works. They are not only easy reading, but it is uncommon to find this quality mingled with such spiritual depth. In other words, simplicity and richness best describe this servants materials. Highly recommended reading!

Recommended reading: Glimpses of the Life and Work of George Douglass Watson

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