Black Women in America – Part 38
We have covered many topics in our stories of remarkable Black Women in America. Most, if not all, of these women were/are Christians. Some may have brought their faith into their work in a more wholistic way than others, but all were faithful to God for their gifts and callings to the work they did.
We now turn to the stories of women who worked in the church at home or on the mission field. Believe it or not, even as long ago as the late 18th and throughout the 19th century, there were many black women who preached, evangelized, pastored, taught, and served as deacons or in other leadership positions. We already covered the stories of Philis Wheatley and Sojourner Truth who bequeathed us their autobiographies and other writings.
In keeping with our theme of Black Women Firsts we will cover a few of the many remarkable African American women who served Christ in the church. You can look back to my postings to find more.
Amanda Berry Smith, First Black Woman Preacher (1837-1915)
Sisters of the Spirit – Zilpha Elaw, Jarena Lee, Julia A. J. Foote
Amanda Berry Smith – First International Black Evangelist (1837-1915)
I did a story on Amanda Berry Smith a few years ago.[1] Rather than just repeat her biography, I would like to share with you some testimonies from her autobiography. She led a remarkable life filled with trials and blessings. Through it all she trusted her savior, Jesus. I hope you will get her book and read it.[2] You will be blessed.
On her conversion:
Then in my desperation I looked up and said, “O, Lord, if Thou wilt help me I will believe Thee,” and in the act of telling God I would, I did. O, the peace and joy that flooded my soul! The burden rolled away; I felt it when it left me, and a flood of light and joy swept through my soul such as I had never known before! (p. 53)
On Assurance:
This witness of God’s spirit to my conversion has been what has held me amid all the storms of temptation and trial that I have passed through. O what an anchor it has been at time of storm. Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Ye shall know if ye follow on to know the Lord. Amen. Amen. (p. 55)
On Sanctification:
“My,” I thought, “is that what sanctification means? Enduring grace? That is just what I need; I have always been planning to get out of trials, instead of asking God for grace to endure.” (p. 68)
On Racial Difference:
Somehow I always had a fear of white people – that is, I was not afraid of them in the sense of doing me harm, or anything of that kind—but a kind of fear because they were white, and were there, and I was black and was here! But that morning on Green street, as I stood on my feet trembling, I heard these words distinctly. They seemed to come from the northeast corner of the church, slowly, but clearly: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) I never understood that text before. But now the Holy Ghost made it clear to me. (p. 89)
Her Call to Go Out:
It was November, 1869. God had led me clearly up to this time confirming His work through me as I went all about – sometimes to Brooklyn, then to Harlem, then to Jersey City. All this was among my own people, and our own colored churches, though I often went beside to old Second Street, Norfolk Street, Willett Street, Bedford Street, and to different white Methodist churches, to class meetings and prayer meetings; but very little with white people, comparatively. ….. One day I was praying and asking Him to teach me what to do I was impressed that I was to leave New York and go out. I did not know where, so it troubled me, and I asked the Lord for light, and He gave me these words: “Go, and I will go with you.” …. I said, “Lord, I am willing to go.” (p. 146)
Proof of Her Calling – Fruit from her Ministry:
God told Amanda to go to Salem and she did. After she preached a revival broke out and spread for twenty miles around. Oh! What a time it was. It went from the colored people to the white people. … Oh! Glory to God! How He put His seal on this first work to encourage my heart and establish my faith, that He indeed had chosen, and ordained and sent me. I do not know as I have ever seen anything to equal that first work, the first seal that God gave to His work at Salem. Some of the young men that were converted are in the ministry. Some have died in the triumph of faith. Others are on the way. I went on two weeks, day and night. We used to stay in the church till one and two o’clock in the morning. People could not work. Some of the young men would hire a wagon and go out in the country ten miles and bring in a load, get them converted, and then take them back. (pgs. 176-177)
Amanda preached all over the world. I hope you will get her book and read up on her travels. I will just share a story from Scotland, because it points out the prejudice she endured not just because she was black but because she was a woman. She went to Perth in September 1879.
The Scots arranged for only women to come to the meeting because they thought that Amanda would be uncomfortable preaching to men. Amanda replied, “Oh, I don’t mind speaking before men at all. At some of our camp meetings in America I have talked to two and three thousand – men and women, girls and boys, young and old.” (p. 315)
In the evening the hall was packed. She noticed that three men and slipped in and acted nervously, waiting to be told to leave. They stayed. During the week more and more men came. By Sunday night hundreds came. Many men stood up for prayers. The workers who set up the meetings were astonished and did not know what to do.
But God confirmed in Amanda that she was doing the right thing. She responded to His call and God blessed her work.
Then the Rev. Mr. Blank asked me to take a week’s service in his church. …. This was a very new thing; to be in a Scotch kirk; a woman, and a black woman; who ever heard of such a thing? … Every night the house was crowded; they had galleries all around and they were filled. (p. 317)
Ministering Angel:
Amanda not only preached to crowds, but this kind-hearted woman took time out to speak with individuals. Any time she saw someone hurting she tried to help. There are many examples in the book. One story that took place in Africa especially touched me.
I remember one morning I called on a poor, young German, who was sick with fever. He had not been in Africa long. He was a young man who was well raised and trained, well educated, and bore about him all the marks of a gentleman. … he was alone and lonesome. … Poor fellow! How glad he was when I called to see him. He said that he was better; but I saw from his looks that he needed help, and good nursing, and medical attention quick, or he would not stay long; the poor fellow tried to be cheerful, and I said nothing to alarm him. I encouraged him to do all he could for himself, and put his trust in God. ….He had been several times in our Gospel Temperance meetings, and told me he was much interested. I told him I would like to pray with him. …..The Lord helped me, and I left him with a mother’s pity in my heart. In the course of a week or two he was dead. How glad I was that I had gone and done duty by this poor man.
Amanda was criticized for going to see this “white German trader”. She replied, “But, Oh! He has a soul, and a poor mother somewhere; I believe she would thank me for going to see her boy if no one else did.” (pgs. 437-438)
Final Thoughts:
As I think of it now, I wonder how I ever went through all id did. Sometimes I have started to church feeling so weak, and I have prayed every step of the way; and there have been times when I have stood up to speak, I have felt is it were a hand press my back, and seem to hold me up while I would deliver the message to the people. Blessed be the name of Go. How well I know His might touch of strength and power. (p. 531)
Amanda Berry Smith was clearly called of God. Thousands upon thousands are rejoicing in Heaven, thankful that she answered her call and shared the love of Jesus with them. Would a white male say that those people who went forward at the meetings are not really saved because they heard the Gospel from the lips of a woman? I pray that men and women will all work together to spread the love of Jesus.
Sisters of the Spirit: Three Black Women Preachers of the Nineteenth Century[3]
Some years ago I did blog posts on Jarena Lee, Zilpha Elaw, and Julia Foote. Rather than reprint those here I will give you the links to find them.
Jarena Lee (1783 – 1864) was born to free but poor black parents. She was the first African American woman to give us an account of her religious experiences. It was first published as The Life and Religious Experience of Jarena Lee in 1836. (It was later revised and expanded in 1849, but the account in this book is the 1836 account.) For her biography and samples of her writing and preaching go to:
Part 1 – https://authormarywalker.com/2013/05/06/jarena-lee-part-1/
Part 2 – https://authormarywalker.com/2013/05/13/jarena-lee-part-2/
Zilpha Elaw (1790 – ???) was born free, but her parents died when she was twelve. She went to live with a Quaker family where she learned to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power in her life. Her preaching was compelling and many lives were changed. The book, published in 1846 contains her Memoirs of the Life, Religious Experience, Ministerial Travels and Labours of Mrs. Zilpha Elaw, An American Female of Colour. For her biography and samples of her writing and preaching go to:
Part 1 – https://authormarywalker.com/2013/05/21/zilpha-elaw-part-1/
Part 2 – https://authormarywalker.com/2013/05/27/zilpha-elaw-part-2/
Julia A. J. Foote (1823 – 1900) was born to former slaves in Schenectady, New York. her book, A Brand Plucked from the Fire: An Autobiographical Sketch was published in 1879. Julia traveled throughout the United States and Canada for more than fifty years preaching in churches, camp meetings, and revivals. For a short biography of Julia Foote go to:
Julia A. J. Foote – https://authormarywalker.com/2013/06/03/julia-a-j-foote-evangelist/
Conclusion
God called and gifted these women for service. Thousands upon thousands of souls were saved because they followed their calling from God in spite of the hardships they faced. They did not let the opposition stop them from obeying God. Sadly, in our day there are still many churches that do not let women speak. In view of this evidence, what can we say now? Is it time to stop preventing half of God’s servants from ministry?
[1] Please read her story on my previous blog: https://authormarywalker.com/?s=Amanda+Smith
You can read about her early life, conversion, marriages, children and work.
[2] Amanda Berry Smith. An Autobiography. The Story of the Lord’s Dealings With Mrs. Amanda Smith. (Chicago: Meyer & Brother, Publishers, 1893). My copy is a reprint.
[3] William L. Andrews, editor. Sisters of the Spirit: Three Black Women’s Autobiographies of the Nineteenth Century (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1986.
