Tag: Free Methodist History

Free Methodist WomenLeave a comment

The Impact of Eliza Witherspoon: Pioneering Female Evangelist

freemethodistfeminist

In the July 8, 1895, issue of The Free Methodist, Eliza Witherspoon submitted a ministry report from Virginia, Missouri, noting that she, her mother, and sister had been “advocating the principles of Free Methodism” in the region for the past seventeen years. Eliza shared that her family was the only Free Methodist family in the area and that they had spent the previous three weeks holding meetings where “God sent us help and souls were converted to God—more than twenty souls.” A Legacy of Ministry Reports Eliza Witherspoon’s contributions extend beyond this initial report, as she continued to appear regularly … Continue reading The Impact of Eliza Witherspoon: Pioneering Female Evangelist

Anna Grant, Free Methodism, Free Methodist Women2 Comments

Anna Grant Pastor of San Diego Free Methodist 1912-1913

freemethodistfeminist

Dr. Sarah Anne Grant was an influential evangelist in Northern Indiana, Iowa, and Oklahoma, serving the Free Methodist Church. While officially licensed as an evangelist for the Northern Indiana Conference in 1890 and 1891, her ministry in Iowa and Oklahoma seemed more informal, possibly due to incomplete annual conference records. Despite this, she regularly submitted ministry reports during her time in these regions, actively assisting Free Methodist elders in holding revivals. In 1911, Dr. Grant moved to Southern California for health reasons, but instead of retiring, she took up active ministry again. She was appointed as the pastor of the … Continue reading Anna Grant Pastor of San Diego Free Methodist 1912-1913

Anna Grant, Free Methodist Women5 Comments

Tracing the Life of Dr. Anna Grant: Female Evangelist and Delegate to the 1890 Free Methodist General Conference

freemethodistfeminist

In March 1903, W.G. Hammer visited the Grant family in Granite and sent an update to The Free Methodist. At that time, Granite had 1500 residents, several large mercantile, four churches, and according to Hammer, the largest public school building in the state. Hammer noted the Grant family’s philosophy was to take evangelistic work with them wherever they moved. Continue reading Tracing the Life of Dr. Anna Grant: Female Evangelist and Delegate to the 1890 Free Methodist General Conference

Anna Grant, Free Methodist Women5 Comments

Dr. Anna Grant Oklahoma Pioneer and California Minister

freemethodistfeminist

In March 1903, W.G. Hammer visited the Grant family in Granite and sent an update to The Free Methodist. At that time, Granite had 1500 residents, several large mercantile, four churches, and according to Hammer, the largest public school building in the state. Hammer noted the Grant family’s philosophy was to take evangelistic work with them wherever they moved. Continue reading Dr. Anna Grant Oklahoma Pioneer and California Minister

Free Methodism, Free Methodist General Conferences, Free Methodist Women1 Comment

The Other Female Delegates at the 1890 & 1894 Free Methodist General Conferences

freemethodistfeminist

A little over a year ago, I published a post “Who was S. Annie Grant?” Since that time, I’ve been trying to track down information on the other women delegates at the 1890 and 1894 Free Methodist General Conferences. I’ve written extensively about the two delegates who spoke on the floor in defense of women’s ministries, but who were the other women? At the 1890 General Conference there was Clara Wetherald from Eastern Michigan and Anna Grant from Northern Indiana. In 1894 there was Ida Gage from Ohio, Mrs. Coleman from Wisconsin, Mrs. Barnhart from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Clara Sage … Continue reading The Other Female Delegates at the 1890 & 1894 Free Methodist General Conferences

Clara WetheraldLeave a comment

Keep Our Faces Before Thee: Clara Wetherald’s Report from South Lyon, MI

freemethodistfeminist

I am beginning a long series of publishing Free Methodist women’s original articles in their entirety.  I’ve spent the past few years telling the stories of various Free Methodist women trailblazers and while I have quoted them, I want them to have a chance to say more in their own voices. This first article published in the February 22, 1888, The Free Methodist was a ministry report by Clara Wetherald from South Lyon, Michigan. Clara illustrates the tension between a believing and unbelieving spouse and women’s lack of legal status in this article. It’s a remarkable story and incredible example … Continue reading Keep Our Faces Before Thee: Clara Wetherald’s Report from South Lyon, MI

Mariet Hardy FreelandLeave a comment

The Conclusion of “Why?” by Mariet Hardy Freeland

freemethodistfeminist

The summing up is this. The design of God in the Gospel dispensation is the full restoration of woman to her original place as described in Genesis 1:26-28. God created woman because he saw it was not good for man to be alone – “a help meet for him.” Her place was by his side, not as a troublesome appendage, a mere toy or a cipher, neither as lord over him, but as a unit of equal value with himself. She lost her place in the transgression, but received the promise of final deliverance through her seed, which is Christ, … Continue reading The Conclusion of “Why?” by Mariet Hardy Freeland

Mariet Hardy FreelandLeave a comment

“Why?” Mariet Hardy Freeland’s Defense of Women’s Ordination Part 1

freemethodistfeminist

by Mariet Hardy Freeland Editors note: Pay attention to how she crafts a defense of ordination that is both logical and spiritual. It is soundly grounded in Scripture and written using numerous examples to make her rhetorical points. Why should woman be ordained? or, in other words, why should woman be granted the full endorsement of the church upon her call to work for God and souls? To ordain, ecclesiastically, is to set apart for a special purpose or work. It is but the endorsement of the church of those already chosen of God for special service. In all Methodist … Continue reading “Why?” Mariet Hardy Freeland’s Defense of Women’s Ordination Part 1

Free Methodism1 Comment

The Roberts and Phoebe Palmer

freemethodistfeminist

It was through Walter and Phoebe Palmer that Ellen Stowe (later Ellen Stowe Roberts) first experienced a camp meeting revival. Ellen lived in New York City with her aunt and uncle – the same city as the Palmers. Her uncle George Lane was the editor of the Methodist Publishing House. Thus, putting her into contact with numerous prominent Methodists of the time period. The Sing Sing Camp Meeting in New York was one several life-changing experiences Ellen recounted in her writings. At this camp meeting she ran into people from the Allen Street Methodist Episcopal Church where the Palmers were … Continue reading The Roberts and Phoebe Palmer

Free Methodism, Free Methodist WomenLeave a comment

Ellen Stowe Roberts: Co-Founder of Free Methodism

freemethodistfeminist

Benjamin Titus (B.T.) Roberts is known as the founder of Free Methodism. Yet, standing quietly beside him was his wife Ellen Stowe Roberts. While B.T. Roberts was traveling, preaching, dedicating new churches and attending annual conferences his wife Ellen was back at home at Chili Seminary. While she traveled with him sometimes, her impact on Free Methodism rests in her gentle spirit and quiet witness. I firmly believe that when we note who founded Free Methodism both B.T. and Ellen should be given credit in the same breath. Ellen helped shape B.T. Roberts theology through her connections to Phoebe Palmer … Continue reading Ellen Stowe Roberts: Co-Founder of Free Methodism