Flea Market Record of the Week!

I have been tchotchky-free for the last two weeks, but I seem to be backsliding on my personal commitment to avoid flea markets and junk stores. But I have really good excuse this time! Camp Nickleby is starting to feel the financial pinch and is looking for ways to keep the doors open (more about this in a later posting). In order to cover our propane bill for the months of January and February, our Superintendent forced us to have a garage sale at the camp.

Many of the parents were willing to volunteer their time and donated what they could. They filled up their F150s and brought us 'treasures'. Amid the piles of kitchen appliance skeletons, worn out weed-whackers and obsolete Trash-80 computers, there were many aging vinyl LPs. Most of these were too scratched to be played or were by artists who no one cares about anymore. I felt like Steve Buscemi in Ghost World, rummaging through the boxes. But one LP in particular caught my eye. Nancy Harmon's Double Spirit album. I'm sure when this was released, it went to the top of the charts with a bullet. It features Nancy on her Wurlitzer Model 4037 organ, playing some of everyone's favorite gospel tunes. Who could ever forget Jesus Be A Fence All Around Me, Packing Up Getting Ready To Go (go where?), and the every-popular I Want A Double Portion?

The visage of Nancy on the album's cover, bathed in a heavenly, ethereal light, is something to behold. Although copious liner notes are sadly missing, not even an insightful commentary on the album by Nat Hentoff, the back of the LP lists other albums available for purchase through A. A. Allen Revivals, Inc., Miracle Valley, Arizona 85645. Wonder if that's next to any of John and Cindy's houses? A few that I found intriguing are: (Taken from the actual liner notes, verbatim. You could not make this stuff up!)

"WHAT THEN?" No. 109
The sermon Brother Allen sings! As many as 2500 sinners at one time have come screaming to the altar for salvation as Brother Allen sang this "Sermon in Song." It is dramatic, anointed, dynamic, convincing! Makes sinners see themselves as they exactly are. Many have said, "This song took me straight to the judgment."

"I AM LUCIFER" No. 111
Actual recording of a woman who was demon possessed and was brought to the Allen Campaign. As the demon within her began to speak, declaring, "I am Lucifer," the recorder was turned on and for almost an hour this demon reveals the plan of the devil to destroy God's people through demon possession and oppression. It is the greatest lesson in demonology ever heard! A great Bible study. A real eye-opener to the skeptic. Convincing. Spiritual. Biblical.

"CRYING DEMONS" No. 101
One of the most amazing recordings of demons speaking through people who are possessed by them. Recorded in an actual service where A. A. Allen is actually casting out demons and these demons are talking and saying, "I will not come out; you cannot cast me out!" etc. A real lesson and Bible study in demonology. Convinces the worst skeptic that demons are not only real but that God has given His servant power over them. Proves demons are real today!

This would make a great party album!

But wait, it gets better!

Intrigued, I went to The Internets and used The Google and looked up Reverend A. A. Allen. What a treasure trove I came upon. This might well be another gift that keeps on giving.

In 1955, A. A. Allen purchased a tent for $8,700 that would seat over ten thousand people, and soon became one of the major healing evangelists on the revival circuit. Allen was arrested in 1955 for suspicion of drunk driving in Knoxville, Tennessee and was defrocked by the Assemblies of God. After he "jumped bail", he re-ordained himself and set up the "Miracle Revival Fellowship". At his peak, he appeared on fifty-eight radio stations daily, forty-three TV stations, and even owned an airfield with 150 aircraft.

Allen died at the Jack Tar Hotel in San Francisco, California on June 11, 1970 at the age of 59. Following a 12-day investigation and an autopsy, the coroner's report concluded Allen died from liver failure brought on by acute alcoholism. Police found his body in a "room strewn with pills and empty liquor bottles." The coroner reported that when Allen died he had a blood alcohol content of .36, which was "enough to insure a deep coma". Allen was buried at Miracle Valley, Arizona on June 15, 1970.

Can I hear an amen!