]Last year, while researching Progressive Era women evangelists in The Free Methodist, I frequently encountered accounts of Blanche Stamp. Like many women from this period, I initially knew little about her, prompting further exploration into her life and contributions. Early … Continue reading Discovering the Life and Ministry of Blanche Stamp
In the July 8, 1895, issue of The Free Methodist, an Eliza Witherspoon sends a ministry report from Virginia, Missouri noting that she, her mother, and sister had been “advocating the principles of Free Methodism” in that part of the country for the past seventeen years. Eliza tells readers her family is the lone Free Methodist family in the area and had spent the past three weeks holding meetings where “God sent us help and souls were converted to God– more than twenty souls.” Far from being a single report, Eliza Witherspoon begins appearing regularly in The Free Methodist over … Continue reading Eliza Witherspoon: Early 20th Century Evangelist in Southern Missouri
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
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
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
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
Note: This is an updated entry from 2011 when I was writing my dissertation. I’m in the process of updating and adding archival information on Free Methodist women evangelist for a book contract I have with Fortress Academic. The portion … Continue reading Ida Gage: A Pioneering Evangelist
At the 1890 Free Methodist General Conference Clara Wetherald delivered an address on women’s ordination. Clara was a powerful public speaker. A woman who heard her preach in Montrose, Michigan, at the beginning of the twentieth century noted that Clara “Usually preached with tears running down her cheeks, although she was smiling all the time. She was a very attractive woman, and the tears did not interfere with her attractiveness.” Clara stood in front of the 1890 General Conference delegates and admitted that she knew the adversity facing women in ministry but felt they were particularly gifted to care for … Continue reading A Sermon Illustration Understood Two Different Ways
New feature: The 1890 Debate on Ordaining Women is now posted under the Debates on Women in Ministry Page. It can be downloaded in PDF, Kindle or epub formats. When I began my blog in May 2010 I began it as research tool. I really didn’t expect to get many readers. I was writing for myself and to help process my thoughts and ideas as I worked. Perhaps, my family would read it out of pity for me and say “Good job, great post,” but getting anyone outside of immediate family and a few close friends as readers wasn’t something … Continue reading Archival Research is Complicated: Additional Information on Ida Gage and Clara Wetherald
Clara Leffingwell was born in 1862 in New York. The youngest of ten children, her mother died when she was very young, and she was raised by two of her older sisters. In her biography Clara Leffingwell: A Missionary, written by Walter Sellew, she is described as a very devote, spiritually sensitive child. Sellew, who is the bishop who wrote “Why Not?” in favor of ordaining women, is attempting to create a picture of Clara as a woman of faith. While there is some literary license in the biography, Clara’s story is remarkable and humbling. As a single woman, by … Continue reading Clara Leffingwell: A Free Methodist Trailblazer
Free Methodist Feminist 