3mvW SSSSSSiSSJSSS^^^ws.^^ i (^ o ^ ; n n, r" O ?s. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I i A BRAND PLUCKED FKOM THE FIRE. AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BY MRS. JULIA A. J. FOOTE. a '•/« nol this a brand plucked out of the fire ? " — Zech. ill. 2. ./.> CLEVELAND, OHIO: Printed for the Author by W. F. Schneider. 1879. T Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by JULIA A . J. F OOTE, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. PRE FAC E. I HAVE -written tln^i little book after many- prayers to ascertain the will of God — having long had an impression to do it. I have a consciousness of obedience to the will of my dear Lord and Master. My object has been to testify more exten- sively to the sufHciency of the blood of Jesus Christ to save from all sin. Many have not the means of purchasing large and expensive works on this important Bible theme. Those who are fully in the truth cannot j)0ssess a prejudiced or sectarian spirit. As they hold fellowship with Christ, they cannot reject those whom he has received, nor receive those whom he rejects, but all are brought ato a blessed harmony with God and each ther. 3 4 PREFACE. The Christian who does not believe in sal- Vation from all sin in this life, cannot have a wnstant, complete peace. The evil of the heart will rise up and give trouble. But let all such remember the words of Paul : " I am crucified with Christ ; nevertheless, I live ; jet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." ''Ask, and ye shall receive." The blood of Jesus will not only purge your conscience from the guilt of sin, and from dead works, but it will destroy the very root of sin that is in the heart, by faith, so that you may serve the living God in the beauty of holiness. My earnest desire is that many — especially of my owm race — may be led to believe and enter into rest; " For we which have believed do enter into rest" — sweet soul rest. INTRODUCTION. The author of this sketch is well known in many parts of Ohio, and in other days was known in several States, as an Evangelist. The purity of her life and the success of her labors are acknowledged. After severe mental and spiritual conflicts, she obeyed God, in public labor for his cause, and still continues in this, although, with many, she is thereby guilty of three great crimes. 1. The first is, that of Color. For, though not now the slaves of individual men, our brethren continue to be under the bondage of society. But if there be crime in color, it lies at the door of Him who "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth," and who declares himself to be " no respecter of persons." Holiness takes 5 6 INTRODUCTION. the prejudice of color out of both the white and the black, and declares that " The [heart's] the standard of the man." 2. In the next place, we see the crime of Yf omanhood. As though any one, with heart and lips of love, may not speak forth the praises of Him who liath called us out of darkness into light I The "anointing which abideth" unseals all lips, so that in Christ *' there is neither male nor female." Praise God forever! 3. In the last place, our sister, as stated, is an Evangelist. We respect the pastoral office highly, for we know the heart of a pastor; but while the regular field-hands are reaping, pray, let Ruth glean, even if " her hap is to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz." "If 3'ou cannot, in the harvest, Garner up the richest sheaves, Many a grain, both ripe and golden, Will the careless reapers leave; Go and glean among the briers, Growing rank against the wall; For it may be that their shadow Hides the heaviest wheat of all." INTKODrCTION. 7 Onr dear sister is not a genius. S]h> is simply strong in connnon sense, and strong in the l^ord. Those of us who heard her preaeh, hist year, at Lodi, where she hekl the ahnost breathless attention of five tliousand people, by the eloquence of the Holy Ghost, know well where is the hiding of her power. This is a simple narrative of a life of inci- dents, many of them stirring and strange. We commend it to all; and with it, the soundness of the doctrine and exhortation with which Sister Foote enforces the sublime cause of Holiness. TIIOS. K. DOTY. Christian Harvester Otjico, "> Cleveland, June, 1«79. J CONTENTS. PAGE Preface 3 Introduction 5 Chapter I — Birth and Parentage 9 II — Learning the Alphabet 14 III— The Primes— Going to School 18 IV — My Teacher Hung for Crime 21 V — An Undeserved Whipping 24 VI — First and Last Dancing 27 VII — My ConTersion 32 VIII — A Desire for Knowledge — Inward Foes 85 IX — Various Hopes Blasted 38 X — Disobedience, but Happy Results 42 XI— A Religion as Old as the Bible 46 XII— My Marriage 48 XIII— Boston— The Work of Full Salvation 52 XIV— Early Fruit Gathered Home 56 XV — New and Unpleasant Revelations 59 XVI— A Long-Lost Brother Found 62 XA^II— A Call to Preach the Gospel 65 XVIII — Heavenly Visitations Again 68 XIX — Public Effort — Excommunication 72 XX— Women in the Gospel 77 XXI— The Lord's Leading— Philadelphia 81 XXII— A Visit to My Parents— Further Labors 84 XXIII — Color Indignities — General Conference 90 XXIV— Death of My Husband and Father 94 XXV— Work in Various Places 97 XX.YI—A "Threshing" Sermon 101 XXVII— My Cleveland Home— Later Labors 107 XXVIII— A Word to My Christian Sisters 112 XXIX— Love not the World 116 XXX — How to Obtain Sanctification 122 8 A B RAN D ' Plucked from the Fire. CHAPTER I. I WAS born in 1823, in Schenectady, N. Y. I was my mother's fourth child. My father was born free, but was stolen, when a child, and enslaved. My mother was born a slave, in the State of New York. She had one very cruel master and mistress. This man, whom she was obliged to call master, tied her up and whipped her because she refused to submit herself to him, and reported his conduct to her mistress. After the whipping, he liimself washed her quivering back with strong salt water. At the expiration of a week slie was sent to change her clothing, which stuck fast to her back. Her mistress, seeing that she could not remove it, took hold of the rouijh tow-linen under-garment and pulled it off over 9 10 A BRAND PLUCXED her head with a jerk, which took the skin with it, leaving her back all raw and sore. This cruel master soon sold my mother, and she passed from one person's hands to another's, until she found a comparatively kind master and mistress in Mr. and Mrs. Cheeseman, who kept a public house. My father endured many hardships in sla- very, the worst of which was his constant exposure to all sorts of weather. There being no railroads at that time, all goods and mer- chandise were moved from place to place with teams, one of which my father drove. My father bought himself, and then his wife and their first child, at that time an infant. That infant is now a woman, more than seventy years old, and an invalid, dependent upon the bounty of her poor rela- tives. I remember hearing my parents tell what first led them to think seriously of their sinful course. One night, as they were on their way home from a dance, they came to a stream of water, which, owing to rain the night pre- vious, had risen and carried away the log crossing. In their endeavor to ford the stream, my mother made a misstep, and came very nearly being drowned, with her babe in her arms. This nearly fatal accident made such FKOM TflK rililC. 11 nn iin])r('ssi()n ii]>oii their minds that tlioy said, '' We'll go to no more dances;" and they kept their word. Soon after, they made a public prolesi^ion of religion and united with the M. E. Church. They were not treated as Cliristian believers, but as poor lepers. The\^ were obliged to occupy certain seats in one corner of the gallery, and dared not come down to partake of the Holy Communion until the last white communicant had left the table. One day my mother and another colored sis- ter waited until all the white people had, as they thought, been served, when they started for the communion table. Just as they reached the lower door, two of the poorer class of wliito folks arose to go to the table. At this, a mother in Israel caught hold of my mother's dress and said to her, " Don't you know better than to go to tlie table when white folks are there ?" Ah ! she did know better than to do such a thing purposely. This was one of the fruits of sla- very. Although professing to love the same Cod, members of tlie same church, and expect- ing to find the same heaven at last, they could not partake of tlie Lord's Supper until the lowest of the whites had been served. Were they led by the Holy Spirit? Who shall say? The Spirit of Truth can never be mistaken, nor can he inspire anything unhol}'. How 12 A BRAND PLUCKED many at the present day profess great spiritu- ality, and even holiness, and yet are deluded by a spirit of error, which leads them to say to the poor and the colored ones among them, " Stand back a little — I am holier than thou." My parents continued to attend to the ordi- nances of God as instructed, but knew little of the power of Christ to save ; for their spiritual guides were as blind as those they led. It was the custom, at that time, for all to drink freely of wine, brandy and gin. I can remember when it was customary at funerals, as well as at weddings, to pass around the decanter and glasses, and sometimes it hap- pened that the pall-bearers could scarcely move out with the cofl&n. When not handed , round, one after another would go to the closet and drink as much as they chose of the liquors they were sure to find there. The ofi&ciating clergyman would imbibe as freely as any one. My parents kept liquor in the house con- stantly, and every morning sling was made, and the children were given the bottom of the cup, where the sugar and a little of the liquor was left, on purpose for them. It is no won- der, is it, that every one of my mother's chil- dren loved the taste of liquor? One day, when I was but five years of age, I found the blue chest, where the black bottle FKOM THi; FIKK. 13 was kept, unlot^kcd — an unusual tliinp^. Rais- ing the li a good girl, and .^aid my prayers, I would go to heaven. This gave me great com- fort. I stopped crying, but continued to say, '' Now- 1 lay me." A white woman, who came to our house to sew, taught me the Lord's prayer. No tongue can tell the joy that filled my poor heart when I could repeat, "Our Father, whicli art in heaven." It has always seemed to me that I was converted at this time. When my father had family worship, which was every Sunday morning, he used to sing, "Lord, in the morninut his liand into his pocket liastily, and wipe his moutli carefully, if he met any one on his wa}^ from the celhir. But what could I do? I could not prove it, and his stout denial was believed as against my unsupported word. That night I wished over and over again that I could be hung as John Van Paten hr/.l been. In the darkness and silence, Satan came to me and told me to go to the barn and hang myself. In the morning I was fully determined to do so. I went to the barn for that purpose, but that boy, whom I disliked very much, was there, and he laughed at me as hard as he could. All at once my weak feelings left me, and I sprang at him in a great rage, such as I had never known before; but he eluded my grasp, and ran away, laugh- ing. Thus was I a second time saved from a dreadful sin. That day, INIr. and Mrs. Prime, on their return from town, brought a rawhide. This Mrs. Prime applied to my back until she was tired, all the time insisting that I should con- fess that I took the cakes. This, of course, I could not do. She then put the rawhide up, 26 A BRAND PLUCKED saying, "I'll use it again to-morrow; I am determined to make you tell the truth." That afternoon Mrs. Prime went away, leav- ing me alone in the house. I carried the raw- hide out to the wood pile, took the axe, and cut it up into small pieces, which I threw away, determined not to be whipped with that thing again. The next morning I rose very early, before any one else was up in the house, and started for home. It was a long, lonely road, through the woods; every sound fright- ened me, and made me run for fear some one was after me. When I reached home, I told my mother all that had happened, but she did not say very much about it. In the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Prime came to the house, and had a long talk with us about the affair. My mother did not believe I had told a falsehood, though she did not say much before me. She told me in after years that she talked very sharply to the Primes when I was not by. They promised not to whip me again, and my mother sent me back with them, very much against my will. They were as kind to me as ever, after my return, though I did not think so at the time. I was not contented to stay there, and left when I was about twelve years old. The experience of that last year made me quite a FROM THE riRE. 27 hardened sinner. I did not pr.'iy very often, and, when I did, something seemed to say to me, "That good man, with the white hair, don't like you any more." CHxVPTER VI. I HAD grown to be quite a large girl by this time, so that my motlier arranged for me to stay at home, do the work, and attend the younger children while she went out to days' work. My older sister went to service, and the entire care of four youngsters devolved upon me — a thing which I did not at all relish. About this time my parents moved to Albany, where there was an African Method- ist Church. My father and mother both joined the church, and went regularly to all the servi- ces, taking all the children with them. Tliis was the first time in my life that I was able to understand, with any degree of intelligence, 28 A BRAND TLIJCKED what religion was. The minister frequently visited our house, singing, praying, and talk- ing with us all. I was very much wrought upon by these visits, and began to see such a beauty in religion that 1 resolved to serve God whatever might happen. But this resolution was soon broken, having been made in my own strengtli. The pomps and vanities of this world began to engross my attention as they never had before. I was at just the right age to be led away by improper acquaintances. I would gain my mother's consent to visit some of the girls, and then would go off to a party, and once went to the theater, the only time I ever went in my life. My mother found this out, and punished me so severely that I never had any desire to go again. Thus I bartered the things of the kingdom for the fooleries of the world. All this time conviction followed me, and there w^ere times when I felt a faint desire to serve the Lord ; but I had had a taste of the Avorld, and thought I could not part with its idle pleasures. The Holy Spirit seemed not to strive with me; I was apparently left to take my fill of the world and its pleasures. Yet I did not entirely forget God. I went to church, and said my prayers, though not so FROM Tin: riKE. 29 oftou as T had done. T thank my lieavonly Father that he did not (jnite leave me to my own self-destruction, but lullowed me, some- times embittering my pleasures and thwartin<^ my schemes of worldly happiness, and most graciously preserving me from following the full bent of my inclination. My parents had at this time a great deal of trouble with my eldest sister, wh^ would run away from home and go to dances — a place forbidden to us all. The first time I ever attempted to dance was at a quilting, w^here the boys came in the evening, and brought with them an old man to fiddle. I refused several invitations, fearing my mother might come or send for me ; but, as she did not, I yielded to the persuasions of the old fiddler, and went on to the floor with him, to dance. The last time I made a public effort at dancing I seemed to feel a heavy hand upon my arm pulling me from the floor. I was so frightened that I fell ; the people all crowded around me, asking what was the matter, think- ing I was ill. I told them I was not sick, but that it was wrong for me to dance. Such loud, mocking laughter as greeted my answer, methinks is not often heard this side the gates of torment, and only then when they are opened to admit a false-hearted professor of o A BRAND PLUCKED Christianity. They called me a " little Meth- odist fool," and urged me to try it again. Being shamed into it, I did try it again, but I had taken only a few steps, when I was seized with a smothering sensation, and felt the same heavy grasp upon my arm, and in my ears a voice kept saying, " Repent ! repent ! " I immediately left the floor and sank into a seat. The comp'any gathered around me, but not with mocking laughter as before; an invisible presence seemed to fill the place. The dance broke up — all leaving very (quietly. Thus was I again " plucked as a brand from the burning." Had I persisted in dancing, I believe God would have smitten me dead on the spot. Dear reader, do you engage in this ensnaring folly of dancing ? Reflect a moment ; ask yourself. What good is all this dissipation of body and mind? You are ruining your health, squandering your money, and losing all relish for spiritual things. What good does it do you ? Does dancing help to make you a better Christian ? Does it brighten your hopes of happiness beyond the grave? The Holy Spirit whispers to your inmost soul, to come out from among the wicked and be separate. I am often told that the Bible does not condemn dancing — that David danced. Yes, David did dance, but he danced to express his ri:oM Tin: rn:r. ?,\ pious joy to tlio r.onl. So Miriam danrcd, l)iit it was an act of worship, acconipaiiicMl bv a liyiiiu of praise. IlerocVs daughter, v/ho was a heatlien, danced, and lier dancing caused the beheading of one of God's servants. Do you find anything in these examples to counte- nance dancing? No, no; a tliousand times, no. Put away your idols, and give God the whole heart. After the dance to which I have alluded, I spent several days and nights in an agony of prayer, asking God to have mercy on me; but the veil was still upon my heart. Soon after this, there was a large party given, to which oar whole family were invited. I did not care to go, but my mother insisted that I should, saying that it would do me good, for I had been moping for several days. So I went to the party. There I laughed and sang, and engaged in all the sports of the evening, and soon my conviction for sin wore away, and foolish amusements took its place. Mothers, you know not what you do when you urge your daughter to go to parties to make her more cheerful. You may even be causing the eternal destruction of that daugh- ter. God help you, mothers, to do right. 32 A BRAND PLUCKED CHAPTER VII. i%yti onvi{VHion. I WAS converted when fifteen years old. It was on a Sunday evening at a quarterly n^eet- ing. The minister preached from the text: "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts and the elders, and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth." Rev. xiv. 3, As the minister dwelt with great force and power on the first clause of the text, I beheld my lost condition as I never had done before. Something within me kept saying, " Such a sinner as you are can never sing that new song." No tongue can tell the agony I suf- fered. I fell to the floor, unconscious, and was carried home. Several remained with me all night, singing and praying. I did not recog- nize any one, but seemed to be walking in the dark, followed by some one who kept saying, "Such a sinner as you are can never sing that new song." Every converted man and woman FROM Till': rim:. can i magi no wliat my loeliugs wore. T thought God was driving nic on to hell. In groat tor- ror- I cried : " J.ord, liavc morcv on mo, a poor irinnorT' The voice which liad Ix^on crying in my ears ceased at once, and a ray of liglit Hashed across my eyes, accompanied hy a sound of far distant singing; the light grow hrighter and hrighter, and the singing more distinct, and soon I caught the words: ''This is the new song— redeemed, redeemed ! " I at once sprang from the bed where I had been lying for twenty hours, without meat or drink, and commenced singing : " Redeemed ! redeemed I gh)ry ! glory ! '' Such joy and peace as filled my heart, when I felt that T was redeemed and could sing the new song. Thus was I wonderfully saved from eternal burning. 1 hastened to take down the Bible, that I might read of the new song, and the first words that caught my eye were : "But now, thus saith the Lord that created thee, Jacob, and he that formed thee, Israel, fear not, for I have redeemed thee; T have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the fliame kindle upon thee." Isaiah xliii. 1, ± 84 A BRAND TLUCKED My soul cried, " Glory ! glory ! " and I was filled with rapture too deep for words. Was I not indeed a brand plucked from the burning? I went from house to house, telling my young friends what a dear Saviour I had found, and that he had taught me the new song. Oh! how memory goes back to those childish days of innocence and joy. Some of my friends laughed at me, and said: " We have seen you serious before, but it didn't last long." I said: "Yes, I have been serious before, but I could never sing the new song until now." One week from the time of my conversion, Satan tempted mo dreadfully, t(41ing me I Avas deceived; people didn't get religion in that way, but went to the altar, and were prayed for by the minister. This seemed so very reasonable that I began to doubt if I had religion. But, in the first hour of this doubt- ing, God sent our minister in to talk with me. I told him how I was feeling, and that I feared I was not converted. He replied: "My child, it is not the altar nor the minister that saves souls, but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for all men." Taking down the Bible, he read: "By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." He asked me then if I believed my FROM Tin: riiiK. 35 sins had all been forgiven, and tiiat the Saviour loved mo. 1 replied that 1 believed it with all my heart. No tongue can express the joy that came to me at that moment. There is great peace in believing. Glory to the Lamb ! CHAPTER VIII. I STUDIED the Bible at every spare moment, that I might be able to read it with a better understanding. I used to read at night by the light of the dj'ing fire, after the rest of the family had gone to bed. One night I dropped the tongs, which made such a noise that my mother came to see what was the matter. When she found that I had been in the habit of reading at night, sIk^ was very much dis- pleased, and took the Bible away from me, and would not allow me to hav<^ it at such times any more. Soon after tliis, niv minister made me a present of a new Bible and Testament. Had he given me a thousand dollars, I should not 36 A BRAND PLUCKED have cared for it as I did for this Bible. I cherished it tenderly, but did not read in it at night, for I dared not disobe}^ my mother. I now felt the need of an education more than ever. I was a poor reader and a poor writer; but the dear Holy Spirit helped me by quickening my mental faculties. Lord, I will praise thee, for great is thy goodness! Oh, that everything that hath a being would praise the Lord! From this time, Satan never had power to make me doubt my conversion. Bless God! I knew in whom I believed. For six months I had uninterrupted peace and joy in Jesus, my love. At the end of that time an accident befell me, which aroused a spirit within me such as I had not known that I possessed. One day, as I was sitting at work, my younger brother, who was playing with the other small children, accidentally hit me in the eye, causing the most intense suffering. The eye was so impaired that I lost the sight of it, I was very angry; and soon pride, impa- tience, and other signs of carnality, gave me a great deal of trouble. Satan said: "There! you see you never Avere converted." But he could not make me believe that, though I did not know the cause of these repinings within. I went to God with my troubles, and felt relieved for a while ; but they returned again FiiOM Tin: i-ri:i:. 37 and again. Again I wont to tlie Lord, oarn- estly striving to find what was the matter. I knew what was right, and tried to do right, but when 1 wouhl do good, evil was present with me. Like Gad, I was weak and feeble, liaving neither might, wisdom nor ability to overeome my enemies or maintain my ground without many a foil. Yet, never being entirely defeated, disabled or vanquished, I would gather fresh courage, and renew the fight. Oh, that I had then had some one to lead me into the liirht of full salvation! But instead of getting light, my preacher, class-leader, and parents, told me that all Christians had these inward troubles to con- tend W' ith, and were never free from them until death; that this was my work here, and I must keep fighting and that, when I died, God would give me a bright crown. What delu- sion ! However, I believed mv minister was too good and too wise not to know what was right; so I kept on struggling and fighting with this inbeing monster, hoping all the time I should soon die and be at rest — never for a moment sup])osing I could be cleansed from all sin, and live. I had heard of the doctrine of Holiness, but in such a way as to give me no light, nor to beget a power in me to strive after the expe- 38 A BllAND PLUCKED rience. How frivolous and fruitless is that preaching which describes the mere history of the work and has not the power of the Holy Ghost. My observation has shown me that there are many, ah ! too many shepherds now, who live under the dreadful woe pronounced by the Lord upon the shepherds of Israel (Ezekiel xxxiv.). CHAPTER IX. '^arions IBoj'^a iHIasl^d* The more my besetting sin troubled me, the more anxious I became for an education. I believed that, if I were educated, God could make me understand what I needed ; for, in spite of what others said, it would come to me, now and then, that I needed something more than what I had, but what that something was I could not tell. About this time Mrs. Phileos and Miss Cran- dall met with great indignity from a pro- slavery mob in Canterbury, Conn., because they dared to teach colored children to read. If they went out to walk, they were followed by a rabble of men and boys, who hooted at FROM Yin,: i-iuK. 30 them, and threw rotten eggs and C)ther mis- siles at tliem, endangering their lives and frightening them torribly. One seholar, with whom I was acquaintefl, was so frightened that she went into spasms, whieli resulted in a derangement from whieh she never recovered. We were a despised and oppressed people ; we had no refuge but God. He heard our cries, saw our tears, and wonder- fully delivered us. Bless the Lord that he is " a man of war ! " "I am that I am" is his name. Mr. and Mrs. Phileos and their daughter opened a school in Albany for colored children of both sexes. This was joyful news to me. I had saved a little money from my earnings, and my father promised to help me; so I started with hopes, exj^ecting in a short time to be able to under- stand the Bible, and rciul and write well. Again was I doomed to disaj^pointment : for some inexplicable reason, the f:iniily left the place in a few weeks after beginning the school. My poor heart sank within me. I could scarcely speak for constant weeping. That was my last schooling. Being quite a vouno: woman, I was oblicred to work, and study the Bible as best I could. The d(\ar Holy Spirit helped me wonderfully to under- stand the precious Word. 40 A BRAND PLUCKED Through temptation I was brought into great distress of mind; the enemy of souls thrust sore at me ; but I was saved from fall- ing into his snares — saved in the hour of trial from my impetuous spirit, by the angel of the Lord standing in the gap, staying me in my course. "Oh, bless the name of Jesus! he maketh the rebel a priest and king; He hath bought me and taught me the new song to sing." I continued to live in an up-and-down way for more than a year, when there came to our church an old man and his wife, who, when speaking in meeting, told of the trouble they once had had in trving to overcome their tern- l^er, subdue their pride, etc. But they took all to Jesus, believing his blood could wash them clean and sanctify them wholly to himself; and, oh! the peace, tlie sweet peace, they had enjoyed ever since. Their words thrilled me through and through. T at once understood what T needed. Though I liad read in my Bible many things they told me, I liad never understood what I read. I needed a Philip to teach me. I told my parents, my minister, and my leader that I wanted to be sanctified. They told me sanctification was for the aged and persons about to die, and not for one like me. FKOM tin: fiiii:. i\ All they said did me no gCK^d. I had wandered in the wilderness a long time, and now that I could see a rav of the licjlit for which I had so long souglit, I could not rest day nor night until I was free. I wanted to go and visit tliese old peo{)le who had been sanctified, but my mother said : " No, you can't go; you are lialf crazy now, and these people don't know what they are talking about." To have my mother refuse my request so peremptorily made me very sorrowful for many days. Darkness came upon me, and my distress was greater than before, for, instead of following the true light, I was turned away from it. 42 A BRAND PLUCKED CHAPTER X. Finally, I did something I never had done before : I deliberately disobeyed my mother. I visited these old saints, weeping as though my heart would break. When I grew calm, I told them all my troubles, and asked them what I must do to get rid of them. They told me that sanctification was for the j^oung believer, as well as the old. These words w^ere a portion in due season. After talking a long time, and they had prayed with me, I returned home, though not yet satisfied. I remained in this condition more than a week, going many times to my secret place of prayer, which was behind the chimney in the garret of our house. None but those who have passed up this way know how wretched every moment of my life was. I thought I must die. But truly, God does make his little ones min- istering angels — sending them forth on mis- sions of love and mercy. So he sent that dear old mother in Israel to me one fine morning in May. At the sight of her my heart seemed to FKOM TIIK nUE. 43 melt within me, so uncxpoctetl, and yet so much desired was her visit. Oh, bless the Lord for sanctified men and women! There was no one at liome except the younger children, so our coming together was uninterrupted. She read and explained many passages of Scripture to me, sucli as, John xvii; 1 Thess. iv. 3; v. 23; 1 Cor. vi. 9-12; Heb. ii. 11 ; and many others — carefully mark- ing them in my Bible. All this had been as a sealed book to me until now. Glory to Jesus! the seals wefe broken and light began to shine upon the blessed Word of God as I had never seen it before. The second day after that pilgrim's visit, while waiting on the Lord, my large desire was granted, through faith in my precious Saviour. The glory of God seemed almost to prostrate me to the floor. There was, indeed, a weight of glory resting upon me. I sang with all my heart, "This is the way I long have sought, And mourned because I found it not." Glory to the Father! glory to the Son! and glory to the Holy Ghost! who hath plucked me as a brand from the burning, and sealed me unto eternal life. I no longer hoped for glory, but I had the full assurance of it. Praise 44 A BRAND PLUCKED the Lord for Paul-like faith ! '' I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." This, my con- stant prayer, was answered, that I might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that being rooted and grounded in love, I might be able to comprehend with all saints what is the length, and breadth, and heighth, and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God. I had been afraid to tell my Another I was praying for sanctification, but when the " old man" was cast out of my heart, and perfect love took possession, I lost all fear, I Avent straight to my mother and told her I was sanctified. She was astonished, and called my father and told him what I had said. He was amazed as well, but said not a word. I at once began to read to them out of my Bible, and to many others, thinking, in my simplic- ity, that they would believe and receive the same blessing at once. To the glory of God, some did believe and Avere saved, but many were too wise to be taught by a child — too good to be made better. From this time, many, who had been my warmest friends, and seemed to think me a Christian, turned against me, saying I did not FKOM Tin-: I'ini:. 45 know ^vll;lt T was talkincj about -that tlicro was no such thing as sanctification and lioli- ness in this life — and that the devil hiid deluded me into self-right(M)Usness. Many oi" them fought holiness with more zeal and vigor than they did sin. Amid all this, I IkkI that sweet peace that passeth all understanding springing up within my sold like a perennial fountain — glory to the precious blood of Jesus ! "The Kiii;i of hefiven and earth Deiiiiis 10 dwell with mortals here." 46 A Br.AXD TLUCKED CHAPTER XL The pastor of our church visited me one clay, to talk about my " new religion," as he called it. I took my Bible and read many of my choice passages to him, such as — "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." (Psa. Ixvi. 16) "Blessed is he whose trans- gression is forgiven, wliose sin is covered." (Psa. xxxii. 1.) While reading this verse, my whole being was so filled with the glory of God that I exclaimed: "Glory to Jesus! he has freed me from the guilt of sin, and sin hath no longer dominion over me; Christ makes me holy as well as happy." I also read these words from Ezekiel xxxvi. : " Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you ; a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I i)ut within you, and I will take away FROM Tin: iikf:. 17 the stony luvirt out of your flesh, and T will give you a hoart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judf;ments, and do them." I stopped reading, and asked tlie preacher to explain these last verses to me. He replied : "They are all well enough; but you must remember that you are too young to read and dictate to persons older than yourself, and many in the church are dissatisfied with the way you are talking and acting." As he answered me, the Lord spoke to my heart and glory filled my .^oul. 1 said : " My dear minis- ter, I wish they would all go to Jesus, in prayer and faith, and he will teach them as he has taught me." As the minister left me, I invol- untarily burst forth into praises: " M3- soul is full of fclory inspirin--* CHAPTER XII. t*. c**:t)« cy U 4lPtit;iaQ^. Soon after my conversion, a young man, who had accompanied me to places of amuse- ment, and for whom I had formed quite an attachment, professed faith in Christ and united with the same church to which I belonged. A few months after, he made me an offer of marriage. I struggled not a little to banish the thought from my mind, chiefly because he was not sanctified. But my feel- ings were so strongly enlisted that I felt sure he would some day be my husband. I read to him and talked to him on the subject of a cleansed heart. He assented to all my argu- FROM TJU: IIRE. 49 monts, saying ho believed and would seek for it. The few weeks that he remained with us I labored hard witli liiiii for his deliverance, but he left u.s to go to Boston, Mass. We cor- responded regularly, he telling me of his relig- ious enjoyment, but that he did not hear any- thing about sanctification. Great was my anx- iety lest the devil should steal away the good seed out of his heart. The Lord, and he only, knows how many times I besought him to let the clear light of holiness shine into that man's heart. Through all this my mind was stayed upon God; I rested in the will of the Lord. One night, about a month after his depart- ure, I could not sleep, the tempter being unu- sually busy wath me. Rising, I prostrated myself before the Lord. While thus upon my face, these words of God came to me : " For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tem])ted like as we are, yet without sin." (Ileb. iv. 15.) I at once rose up, thanking God for his precious words: I took my Bible and read them over and over again ; also the eighteenth verse of the second ehaptt'r of Hebrews. I was not conscious of havin? connnitted sin, and I cried out • *' Leave [-11 50 A BRAND TLUCKET) me, Satan; I am the Lord's." At that the tempter left, and I surrendered myself and all my interests into the hands of God. Glory to his holy namel "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell," and of his fullness have I received, and grace for grace. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below." The day following this night of temptation was one of great peace — peace flowing as a river, even to overflowing its banks, and such glory of the Lord appeared as to almost deprive me of bodily powers. I forgot all toil and care. This was just a year afttn- my heart was emptied of sin. Through faith I received the Saviour, and in the same liave continued ever since and proved him able to ker:'p from sin. Bless God! all my desires are satisfied in him. He is indeed my reconciled God, the Christ Jesus w^hose precious blood is all my righteous- ness. "Nought of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Glory to the blood that hath bought me! glory to the blood that hath cleansed me! glory to the blood that keeps me clean ! — me, a brand plucked from the fire. n;<>M I III; fike. 61 Goovcre roturiUMl in about a year to claim me as his bride, lie still gave evidence of being a Christian, but had not been cleansed from the carnal mind. I still continued to pray for hi.s sanctification, and desired that it should take place before our union, but I was so much attached to him that I could not resist his pleadings; so, at the appointed time, we were married, in the church, in the presence of a large number of })eo])le, many of whom fol- lowed us to my father's house to offer their congratulations. We staid at home but one day after the cere- mony. This day I spent in preparing for our departure and in taking leave of my friends. Tenderly as I loved my parents, much as I loved the church, yet I found myself quite wil- ling to leave them all in the divine appoint- ment. The day following, accompanied by several friends, we started for Boston, in an old- fashioned stage-coach, there being no railroads at that time. As I rode along I admired the goodness of God, and my heart overflowed with gratitude to him, who had blessed me with power to choose his will and make me able to say with truth, "I gladly forsake all to follow thee." Once, the thought of leaving my fathers 52 A BRAND PLUCKED house, to go among strangers, would have been terrible, but now I rejoiced in being so favored as to be called to make this little sacrifice, and evince my love to him who saith : "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." CHAPTER XIII. ^r^niovnl la l|a^tan — ^^f^ '^otik 4 4"" Salvation^, On our arrival in Boston, after a long, weari- some journey, we went at once to the house of Mrs. Burrows, where my husband had made arrangements for me to board while he was away at work during the week. He worked in Chelsea, and could not come to look after my welfare but once a week. The boarders in this house were mostly gentlemen, nearly all of whom were out of Christ. Mrs. Burrows was a church-member, but knew nothing of the full joys of salvation. I went to cliurch the first Sabbath I was there, remained at class-meeting, gave my let- FRO^r TIIK FIRE. 53 tor of membership to tli(' minister, and was received into the church. In t^ivini^ my tirst testimony, I tohl of my thorough and hapi)y conversion, and of my sanctification as a sec- ond, distinct work of the Holy Ghost. After class-meeting, a good many came to me, asking (juestions about sanctification ; otliers stood off in groups, talking, Avhile a few followed me to my boarding-house. They all seemed very much excited over what I had told them. I began to see that it was not the voice of man that had bidden me go out from the land of my nativity and from my kindred, but the voice of my dear Lord. I was com- pletely prepared for all that folio w^ed, knowing that "All things woi'k together for good to them that love God." Change of people, places and circumstances, weighed nothing with me, for I had a safe abiding place with my Father. Some people had been to mo in such an unchristianlike spirit that I had spoken to and about them in rather an incautious man- ner. I now more and more saw the ijjreat need of ordering all my words as in the immediate presence of God, that I might be able to main- \^ tain that purity of lips and life which the Gospel required. God is holy, and if T would enjoy constant communion wnth him T must guard every avenue of my soul, and w^atch 54 A BKAXD PLUCKED every thought of my heart and word of m}'' tongue, that I may be blameless before him in love. The Lord help me evermore to be upon my guard, and having done all, to stand. Amen and amen. In a few months rnv husband rented a house just across the road from my boarding-house, and I went to housekeeping. "Mam" Riley, a most excellent Christian, became as a mother to me in this strange land, far from my own dear mother. Bless the Lord! He supplied all my needs. "Mam" Riley had two grown daughters, one about my own age, married, who had two children. They were dear Chris- tian women, and like sisters to me. The mother thought she once enjoyed the blessing of heart purity, but the girls had not heard of such a thing as being sanctified and permitted to live. The elder girl, who was a consump- tive and in delicate health, soon became deeply interested in the subject. She began to hun- ger and thirst after righteousness, and did not rest until she was washed and made clean in the blood of Jesus. Her clear, definite testi- mony had a great effect upon the church, as her family was one of the first in point of wealth and standing in the community. God wonderfully honored the faith of this young saint in her ceaseless labor for others. u rito.M iMi. run;. 65 We attondiMl mectini^s iind visitinl from hou.so to liouse, togi^tluM-, almost constantly, wh(?n slic was able to go out. (Jloi\v to God ! the church becauH' much arousinl ; some plunged into the ocean of perfect love, and came forth testifying to the power of the blood. Others disbelieved and ridiculed this "foolish doctrine," as they called it, saying it was just as impossible to live without committing sin as it was to live without eating, and brought disjointed passa- ges of Scripture to bear them out. 56 A BRAND TLUCKED CHAPTER XIV. After I went to Boston I Avas much drawn out in prayer for the sanctificntion of believers. Notwithstanding the enemy labored by various means to hinder the work of grace, yet the Lord wrought a wonderful change in many. The mother of my friend received a fresh baptism, and came back into the light, prais- ing the Lord. That the Holy Spirit might keep my dear ^' Mam" Riley pure until death, was my prayer. • The health of my dear friend, Mrs. Simpson, began rapidly to fail. One morning, in reply to my question as to her health, she said: "Dear sister, I have been in great pain through the night, but you know Jesus said, ' I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' Praise God, who has been with me in great mercy through the darkness of the night." I remained with her the following night, and such calmness, patience and resignation through suffering, I never had witnessed. Toward morning she was more easy, and asked for her husband. FROM 11 n; I'lin:. 57 AMion he came, slie cnibraccd him, rppoate;nl, s;lyin^^ "I can't pray; my lieart in too IkuhI, aiul my mind dark and Ix-wildered," and then cried out, in the agony of his soul, "Oh, that dreadful, burning hell! how can I escape it?" T urged him to pray, and to believe that Jesus died for all. I i)rayed for him, and staid with him as much as possible. One morning, when I went to see him, I was shown his life- less remains in the dead-house. This was, indeed, a solemn time for me. I had very little hope in my brother's death. But there is an High Priest who ever liveth to make intercession for all, and I trust that he prevailed. The Lord is the Judge of all the earth, and all souls are in his hands, and he will in no wise clear the guilty, tiiough merci- ful and wise. Willful unbelief is a crying sin, and will not be passed by without punish- ment. God judges righteously, and is the avenger of all sin. Justice is meted out to all, either here or in eternity. Praise the Lord! My whole soul joins in saying, Praise the Lord! God, in great mercy, returned my husband to me in safety, for Avhich I bowed in great thankfulness. George told me that the ship was a poor ])lace to serve the Lord, and that the most he heard was oatlis. He said that «> 64 A BRAND PLUCKED sometimes he would slip away and pray, and that, upon one occasion, the captain came upon him unawares, and called him "a fool,*' and told him to get up and go to work. Notwith- standing all this, my husband shipped for a second voyage. Praise the Lord ! he saved me from a painful feeling at parting. With joy could I say, " Thou everywhere-present God ! thy will be done." During the year I had been from home, let- ters from my parents and .friends had come to me quite often, filling me with gladness and thanksgiving for the many blessings and cheering words they contained. But now a letter came bringing the intelligence that my family were about to move to Silver Lake, which was much farther from me. I trem- blingly went to my heavenly Father, who gave me grace and strength at once. riioM Tin: it 1:1:. 65 ClIAI^TKU XVll. For months I liad been moved upon to exhort and pray with the people, in my visits from liouse to house ; and in meetings my whole soul seemed drawn out for the salvation of souls. The love of Christ in me was not limited. Some of my mistaken friends said I was too forward, but a desire to work for the Master, and to promote the glory of his king- dom in the salvation of souls, was food to my poor soul. When called of God, on a particular occa- sion, to a definite work, I said, "Xo, Lord, not me." Day by day I was more impressed that God would have me work in his vineyard. I thought it could not be that I was called to preach — I, so weak and ignorant. Still, I knew all things were possible with God, even to confounding the wise l)y the foolish things of this earth. Yet in me there was a shrink- ing. 66 A BRAND PLUCKED I took fill my doubts and fears to the Lord in prayer, when, what seemed to be an angel, made his appearance. In his hand was a scroll, on which were these words: "Thee have I chosen to preach my Gospel without delay." The moment my eyes saw it, it appeared to be printed on my heart. The angel was gone in an instant, and I, in agony, cried out, "Lord, I cannot do it!" It was eleven o'clock in the morning, yet everything grew dark as night. The darkness was so great that I feared to stir. At last "Mam" Riley entered. As she did so, the room grew lighter, and I arose from my knees. My heart was so heavy I scarce could speak. Dear " Mam " Riley saw my distress, and soon left me. From that day my appetite failed me and sleep fled from my eyes. I seemed as one tormented. I prayed, but felt no better. I belonged to a band of sisters whom I loved dearly, and to them I partially opened my mind. One of them seemed to understand my case at once, and advised me to do as God had bid me, or I would never be happy here or here- after. But it seemed too hard — I could not give up and obey. One night, as I lay weeping and beseeching the dear Lord to remove this burden from me. FKO.M ini: I'liii:. (h tlirro appoarod tlie saiuo angel that came to nio ])ef()ro, and on his breast were these words : " You are lost unless you obey God's righteous commands." I saw the writing, and that was enough. I covered my head and awoke my luisband, who had returned a few days before, lie asked me why I trembled so, but I had not power to answer him. I remained in tliat condition until morning, when I tried to arise and go about my usual duties, but was Ux) ill. Then my husband called a physician, who pre- scribed medicine, but it did me no good. I had always been opposed to the preaching of women, and had spoken against it, though, I acknowledge, without foundation. This rose before me like a mountain, and when I thought of the difficulties they had to encounter, both from professors and non-professors, I shrank back and cried, " Lord, I cannot go ! " The trouble my heavenly Father has had to keep me out of the fire that is never quenched, he alone knoweth. M}^ husbarKl and friends said I would die or go crazy if something favorable did not take place soon. I expected to die and be lost, knowing I had been enlight- ened and had tasted the heavenlv gift. I read again and again the sixth chapter of Hebrews. 68 A BRAND PLUCKED CHAPTER XVIII. Nearly two months from the time I first saw the angel, I said that I would do anything or go anywhere for God, if it were made plain to me. He took me at my word, and sent the angel again with this message: "You have I chosen to go in my name and warn the people of their sins." I bowed my head and said, " I will go. Lord." That moment I felt a joy and peace I had not known for months. But strange as it may appear, it is not the less true, that, ere one hour had passed, I began to reason thus :"I am elected to preach the Gospel without the requi- site qualifications, and, besides, my parents and friends will forsake me and turn against me; and I regret that I made a promise." At that instant all the joy and peace I had felt left me, and I thought I was standing on the brink of hell, and heard the devil say: "Let her go ! let her go ! I will catch her." Reader, FROM TIIK FIIIK. ()f) can yon imagino liow I felt? If you were ever snatc'hetl from tin* muuth of hell, you can, in part, realize my feelings. I continued in this state for some time, when, on a Saljbath evening — ah! that memo- rahle Sabbath evening— while engaged in fer- vent prayer, the same supernatural presence came to me once more and took me bv the hand. At that moment I became lost to everything of this world. The angel led me to a place where there was a large tree, tiie branches of which seemed to extend either way beyond sight. Beneath it sat, as I thought, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, besides many others, whom I thought were angels. I was led before them : they looked me over from head to foot, but said nothing. Finally, the Father said to me : " Before these people make your choice, whether you will obey me or go from this place to eternal misery and pain."' I answered not a word. He then took me by the band to lead me, as I thought, to hell, when I cried out, ''I will obey thee, Lord!" He tlien pointed my hand in differ- ent directions, and asked if T would go there. I replied, "Yes, Lord." He then led me, all the others following, till we came to a place where there was a great quantity of water, which looked like silver, where we made a 70 A BEAND PLUCKED halt. My hand was given to Christ, who led me into the water and stripped me of my clothing, which at once vanished from sight. Christ then appeared to wash me, the water feeling quite warm. During this operation, all the others stood on the bank, looking on in profound silence. When the washing was ended, the sweetest music I had ever heard greeted my ears. We walked to the shore, where an angel stood with a clean, white robe, which the Father at once put on me. In an instant I appeared to be changed into an angel. The whole company looked at me with delight, and began to make a noise which I called shouting. We all marched back with music. When we reached the tree to which the angel first led me, it hung full of fruit, which I had not seen before. The Holy Ghost plucked some and gave me, and the rest helped themselves. We sat down and ate of the fruit, which had a taste like nothing I had ever tasted before. When we had finished, we all arose and gave another shout. Then God the Father said to me : '' You are now prepared, and must go where I have commanded you." I replied, "If I go, they will not believe me." Christ then appeared to write something with a golden pen and golden ink, upon golden paper. Then he ritOM Tni: fihk. 71 rolUnl it up, and said to nie : '' Put tliis in.yonr bosom, and, wliorever you go, show it, and they will iviiow that I have sent you to })ro- ohiini salvation to all." He then put it into my bosom, and they all went witli me to a bright, shining gate, singing and shouting. Here they embraced me, and I found myself once more on earth. When I came to myself, I found that several friends had been with me all night, and my husband had called a physician, but he had not been al^le to do anything for me. He ordered those around me to keep very quiet, or to go home. He returned in the morning, wlien I told him, in part, my story. He seemed amazed, but made no answer, and left me. Several friends were in, daring the day. While talking to them, I would, without thinking, put my hand into my bosom, to show them my letter of authority. But I soon found, as my friends told me, it was in my heart, and wa^ to be shown in my life, instead of in my hand. Among others, my minister, Jehial C. Beman, came to see me. He looked very coldly upon me and said: "I guess you will find out your mistake before you are many months older.'' He was a scholar, and a fine speaker; and the sneering, indiilerent way in which he addressed me, said most plainly: 72 A BRAND PLUCKED '^ You don't know anything." I replied : " My gifts are very small, I know, but I can no longer be shaken by what you or any one else may think or say." «~-<-'V2/2f^-§> ■^T^2/&l*.5,-J CHAPTER XIX. From this time the opposition to my life- work commenced, instigated by the minister, Mr. Beman. Many in the church were anx- ious to have me preach in the hall, where our meetings were held at that time, and were not a little astonished at the minister's cool treat- ment of me. At length two of the trustees got some of the elder sisters to call on the minister and ask him to let me preach. His answer was: "No; she can't preach her holiness stuff here, and I am astonished that you should ask it of me." The sisters said he seemed to be in quite a rage, although he said lie was not angry. There being no meeting of the society on Monday evening, a brother in the church FROM Tin; FIRE. 73 opened liis house to me, that I niiglit preach, which displcasoil Mr. Bcniau very much. He appointed a committee to wait U})on the hictther and sister wlio had opened their doors to me, to tell them thev must not allow any more meetings of tliat kind, and tliat they must aV)ide by the rules of the cliurcli, niakin}.^ thum believe thev would be excommunicated if they disobeyed him. I happened to be present at this interview, and the committee remonstrated witli me for the course 1 had taken. I told them my business was with the Lord, and wherever I found a door opened I intended to go in and work for my Master. There was another meeting appointed at the same place, which I, of course, attended; after which the meetings were stopped for that time, though I held many more there after these people had withdrawn from Mr. Beman's church. I then held meetings in my own house; whereat the minister told the members that if they attended them he would deal with them, for they were breaking the rules of the church. When he found that I continued the meetings, and that the Lord was blessing my feeble efforts, he sent a committee of two to ask me if I considered myself a member of his church. 1 told them I did, and should con- 74 A BRAND PLUCKED tinue to do so until I had done something worthy of dismembership. At this, Mr. Bemaii sent another committee with a note, asking me to meet him with the committee, wliich I did. He asked me a num- ber of questions, nearly all of which I have forgotten. One, however, I do remember: he asked if I was willing to comply with the rules of the discipline. To this I answered: " Not if the discipline prohibits me from doing what God has bidden me to do; I fear God more than man." Similar questions were asked and answered in the same manner. The committee said what they wished to say, and then told me I could go home. When I reached the door, I turned and said : " I now shake off the dust of my feet as a witness against you. See to it that this meeting does not rise in judgment against you." The next evening, one of the committee came to me and told me that I was no longer a member of the church, because I had violated the rules of the discipline by preaching. When this action became known, the people wondered how any one could be excommuni- cated for trying to do good. I did not say much, and my friends simply said I had done nothing but hold meetings. Others, anxious to know the particulars, asked the minister FKo.M tin: fire. . 75 what flio tmiiblo was. lie told tliom lie had ^nvcu luc i\w ])rivil('i2,o of speaking or ])r('ach- inu: as long as I chose, but that he could not give ine the right to use the pulpit, and that I was not satisfied with any other ])laoe. Also, that I had appointed meeting on the evening of his meetings, which was a thing no member hail a right to do. For these reasons he said he had turned me out of the church. Now, if the people who repeated this to me told the truth — and I have no doubt but they did— Mr. Bern an told an actual falsehood. I had never asked for his pulpit, but had toh.l him and others, repeatedly, that I did not care where I stood — any corner of the hall would do. To which M^;. Beman had answered: "You cannot have any place in the hall." TIk.mi I said : " Til preach in a private house." He answered me: "No, not in this place; I am stationed over all Boston." He was deter- mined I should not preach in the city of Bos- ton. To cover up his deceptive, unrighteous course toward me, he told the above false- hoods. From his statements, many erroneous stories concerning me gained credence with a large number of people. At that time, I thought it •my duty as well as privilege to address a letter to the Conference, which I took to them in 7H . A BRAND PLUCKED person, stating all the facts. At the same time I told them it was not in the power of Mr. Beman, or any one else, to truthfully bring anything against my moral or religious char- acter—that my only offence was in trying to preach the Gospel of Christ— and that I cher- ished no ill feelings toward Mr. Beman or any one else, but that I desired the Conference to give tlie case an impartial hearing, and then give me a written statement expressive of their opinion. I also said I considered myself a member of the Conference, and should do so until they said I was not, and gave me their reasons, that I might let the world know what my offence had been. My letter was slightingly noticed, and then thrown under the table. Why should they notice it? It was only the grievance of a woman, and there was no justice meted out to ^.,: women in those days. Even ministers of Christ did not feel that women had any rights which they were bound to respect. FKUM THE riiiE. 77 CHAPTER XX. Thirty years ago there could scarcely a per- son be found, in the churches, to sympathize with any one who talked of Holiness. But, in my simplicity, I did think that a body of Christian ministers would understand my case and judge righteousl3\ I was, however, dis- appointed. It is no little thing to feel that every man's hand is against us, and ours against every man, as seemed to be the case with me at this time; yet how precious, if Jesus but be with us. In this severe trial I had constant access to God, and a clear consciousness that he heard me ; yet I did not seem to have that plenitude of the Spirit that I had before. I realized most keenly that the closer the communion that may have existed, the keener the suffer- in«]j of the slightest departure from God. Unbroken communion can only be retained by a constant application of the blood which cleanseth. 78 A BRAND PLUCKED Though I did not wish to pain anyone, nei- ther could I please any one only as I was led by the Holy Spirit. I saw, as never before, that the best men were liable to err, and that tlie only safe way was to fall on Christ, even though censure and reproach fell upon me for obeying his voice. Man's opinion weighed nothing with me, for my commission was from heaven, and my reward was with the Most High, T could not believe that it was a short-lived impulse or spasmodic influence that impelled me to preach. I read that on the day of Pen- tecost was the Scripture fulfilled as found in Joel ii. 28, 29; and it certainly will not be denied that women as well as men were at that time filled with the Holy Ghost, because it is expressly stated that women were among those who continued in prayer and supplica- tion, waiting for the fulfillment of the promise. Women and men are classed together, and if the power to preach the Gospel is short-lived and spasmodic in the case of women, it must be equally so in that of men; and if women have lost the gift of prophecy, so have men. We are sometimes told that if a woman pre- tends to a Divine call, and thereon grounds the right to plead the cause of a crucified Redeemer in public, she will be believed when she shows FROM niK iiiii:. 70 rrodentials from liciivcn ; tliat is, wlion sho works a miracle. If it bo necessary to prove one's right to preach thi^ CJospel, I ask of my brethren to show me their cretlentiab'^, or 1 can not believe in the propriety of their ministry. But the Bibh' puts an end to this strife when it says : " There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus." Philip had four daughters that prophesied, or preached. Paul called Priscilla, as well as Aquila, his "helper," or, as in the Greek, his "fellow-laborer." Rom. xv. 3; 2 Cor. viii. 23; Phil. ii. 5; 1 Thess. iii. 2. The same word, which, in our common translation, is now rendered a "servant of the church," in speaking of Phebe (Rom. xix. 1.), is rendered "minister" when applied to Tychicus. Eph. vi. 21. When Paul said, " Help those women who labor with me in the Gospel," he certainly meant that they did more than to pour out tea. In the eleventh chapter of First Corinthians Paul gives directions, to men and women, how they should appear when they prophesy or pray in public assemblies; and he defines prophesying to be speaking to edification, exhortation and comfort. T may further remark that the conduct of holy women is recorded in Scripture as an example to others of their sex. And in the early ages of Christianity many women were 80 A BRAND FLUCKED happy and glorious in martyrdom. How nobly, how heroically, too, in later ages, have women suffered persecution and death for the name of the Lord Jesus. In looking over these facts, I could see no miracle wrought for those women more than in myself Though opposed, I went forth laboring fca* God, and he owned and blessed my labors, and has done so wherever I have been until this day. And while I walk obediently, I know he will, though hell may rage and vent its spite. FROM Tin: riKE. 81 CIL\PTER XXL As T left the Conference, God wonderfully filled my heart with his love, sq^ that, as I passed from place to place, meeting one and another of the ministers, my heart went out in love to each of them as though he had been my father; and the language of 1 Pet. i. 7, came forcibly to my mind: "The trial of our faith is much more precious than of gold that j)erisheth, thougli it be tried by fire." Fiery trials are not strange things to the Lord's anointed. The rejoicing in them is born only of the Holy Spirit. Oh, praise his holy name for a circumcised heart, teaching us that each trial of our faith hath its commission from the Father of spirits. Each wave of trial bears the Galilean Pilot on its crest. Listen: his voice is in the storm, and winds and waves obey that voice: "It is I ; be not afraid." He has promised us help and safety in the fires, and not escape from them. 82 A BRAND PLUCKED "And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1 John iii. 24. Glory to the Lamb for the wit- ness of the Holy Spirit! He knoweth that every step I have taken has been for the glory of God and the good of souls. However much I may have erred in judgment, it has been the fault of my head and not of my heart. I sleep, but my heart waketh ; bless the Lord. Had this opposition come from the world, it would have seemed as nothing. But coming, as it did, from those who had been much blessed — blessed with me — and who had once been friends of mine, it touched a tender spot; and had it not been for the precious blood of Jesus, I should have been lost. While in Philadelphia, attending the Con- ference, I became acquainted with three sis- ters who believed they were called to public labors in their Master's vineyard. But they had been so opposed, they were very much dis- tressed and shrank from their duty. One of them professed sanctification. They had met with more opposition from ministers than from any one else. After the Conference had adjourned, I pro- posed to these sisters to procure a place and hold a series of meetings. They were pleased with the idea, and were willing to help if I FROM rilK KIRK. 83 would take charge of the meetings. They a])preheiKled some difficulty, as there had never been a meeting there under the sole charge of women. The language of my heart was : "Only Thou my Leader be And I still will follow Thee." Trusting in my Leader, I went on with the work. I hired a large place in Canal street, and there we opened our meetings, which con- tinued eleven nights, and over one Sabbath. The room was crowded every night — some coming to receive good, others to criticise, sneer, and say hard things against us. One of the sisters left us after a day or two, fearing that the Church to which she belonged would disown her if she continued to assist us. We regretted this very much, but could only say, "An enemy hath done this." These meetings were a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Many were converted, and a few stepped into the fountain of cleansing. Some of the ministers, who remained in the city after the Conference, attended our meet- ings, and occasionally asked us if we were organizing a new Conference, with a view of drawing out from the churches. This was simply to ridicule our meeting. 84 A BRAND PLUCKED We closed with a love-feast, which caused such a stir among the ministers and many of the church-members, that we could not imag- ine what the end would be. They seemed to think we had well nigh committed the unpar- donable sin. r-«-'^'2/^-|>-(|-=^2A'!'-»— » CHAPTER XXII. Some of the dear sisters accompanied me to Flatbush, where I assisted in a bush meeting. The Lord met the people in great power, and I doubt not there are many souls in glory to-day praising God for that meeting. From that place I went home to my father's house in Binghamton, N. Y. They w^ere filled with joy to have me with them once more, after an absence of six years. As my mother embraced me, she exclaimed: "So you are a preacher, are you ? " I replied : " So they say." " Well, Julia," said she, " when I first heard that you were a preacher, I said that I would rather hear you were dead." These words, FROM Tin: I'iKi:. 85 cominc: so unexpectedly from my mother, TiIIimI nio with iinguisli. W'ns I to meet oppo- sition here, too? But my mother, with stre;im- ing eyes, continued: '' My dear daughter, it is all past now. I have heard from those who have attendi.'d your meetings what the Lord has done for you, and I am satisfied." My stay in Binghamton was protracted sev- eral months. I held meetings in and around the town, to the acceptance of the people, and, 1 trust, to the glory of God. I felt perfectly satisfied, when the time came for me to leave, tliat my w^ork was all for the Lord, and my soul was filled wath joy and thankfulness for salvation. Before leaving, my parents decided to move to Boston, which they did soon after. I left Binghamton the first of February, 1855, in companv with the Rev. Henry John- son and his wife, for Ithaca, N. Y., where I labored a short time. I met with some oppo sition from one of the A. M. E. Church trustees. He said a woman should not preach in the church. Beloved, the God we serve fights all our battles, and before I left the place that trustee was one of the most faithful at my meetings, and was very kind to assist me on my journey when T left Ithaca. I stopped one night at Owego, at Brother Loyd's, and I also stopped for a short time at Onondaga, returned 86 A BRAND TLUCKED to Ithaca on the 14th of February, and staid until the 7th of March, during which time the work of grace was greatly revived. Some believed and entered into the rest of full sal- vation, many were converted, and a number of backsliders were reclaimed. I held prayer- meetings from house to house. The sisters formed a woman's prayer-meeting, and the whole church seemed to be working in unison for Christ. March 7th I took the stage for Geneva, and, arriving late at night, went to a hotel. In the morning Brother Rosel Jeffrey took me to his house and left me with his wife. He was a zealous Christian, but she scoffed at religion, and laughed and made sport during family worship. I do not know, but hope that long ere this she has ceased to ridicule the cause or the followers of Christ. In the latter part of the day Brother Condell came and invited me to his house. I found his wife a pleasant Christian woman. Sabbath afternoon I held a meeting in Brother Condell's house. The col- ored people had a church which the whites had given them. It was a union church, to be occupied on alternate Sundays by the Method- ists and Baptists. According to arrangement, this Sunday evening was the time for the Methodists to FiiOM 11 u; I I UK. 87- occupy the church. The licv. Dii\vs(;y, of Can- andaigua, came to fill his appointment, but, when W(^ arrived at the cluircli, the Baptist minister, William IVIonroe, objected to our holding a meeting in the house that evening, and his members joined with him in his ini'-hristian course. Rather than have any trouble, we returned to Brotlier Condell's house. The minister preached and I followed with a short exhortation. The Lord wa.s pres- ent to bless. They made an appointment for me to preach at the union meeting-house on the following Tuesday evening. Monday evening I went with some of the sisters to the church, where there was a meet- ing for the purpose of forming a moral reform society. After the meeting, Brother Condell asked the trustees if they had any objection to hav- ing me speak in the church the next evening. To this, Minister Monroe and another man — I had almost said a fiend in human shape — answered that they did not believe in women's preaching, and would not admit one in the church, striving hard to justify themselves from the Bible, which one of them held in his unholy hands. I arose to speak, when Mr. ^Fonroe inter- rupted me. After a few words I left the house. 88 A BRAND PLUCKED The next afternoon, while taking tea at the house of one of the sisters, Minister Monroe came in to tell me he heard that our brethren had said they would have the church for me if they had to " shed blood." He asked me if I wanted to have anything to do with a fight of that kind. I replied: "The weapons with which I fight are not carnal, and, if I go to a place and am invited to use the weapons God has given me, I must use them to his glory." " Well," said.he, " I shall be in the pulpit at an early hour, and will not leave it though they break my head." " Mr. Monroe," said I, " God can take you from the pulpit without breaking your head." At this he became very much excited, and raved as if he were a madman. For two hours he walked the floor, talking and reading all the time. I made him no reply and tried not to notice him, and finally he left me. At the proper time we went to the church. It was full, but everything was in confusion. Mr. Monroe was in the pulpit. I saw at once that God could not be glorified in the midst of such a pandemonium; so I withdrew at once. I was told they kept up the contention until after ten o'clock. Mr. Monroe tried hard to get our trustees to say I should not preach in FROM Tin: kii:k. >^0 the plaoo, Init thoy would give liim no sucli promise. As I was oblifired to leave in a few davs, to meet other apjx)intnients, our men procured a hirge house, where I held a meeting the next evening. All that attended were quiet and orderly ; one man arose for prayers. Dear sisters, wlio are in the evangelistic work now, vou mav think vou have hard times; but let me tell you, I feel that the lion and lamb are lying down together, as com- pared with the state of things twenty-five or thirty years ago. Yes, yes; our God is march- ing on. Glory to his name 1 90 A BRAND PLUCKED CHAPTER XXIII. I REACHED Rochester on the 16th of March, where I remained three weeks, laboring con- stantly for my Master, who rewarded me in the salvation of souls. Here God visited me after the same manner he did Elijah, when Elijah prayed to die. He strengthened me ' and bid me go forward with the promises recorded in the first chapter of Joshua. April 21st I bade good-bye to Brother John H. Bishop's people, who had entertained me while in Rochester, and went to Binghamton to visit my parents again. I found them all well, and labored constantly for the Lord while I was there. I remained at home until the 8th of May, when I once more started out on my travels for the Lord. There was but one passenger in the stage besides myself. He gave his name as White, seemed very uneasy, and, at each stopping place, he would say : " I am afraid the public will take me for an aboli- l-KO^I rill. 1 IKK. 01 tionist to-day ;'' thus showing his dark, shive- hoklinp; principles. 1 staid one niijht in Oxford, at Mr. Jack- son's. At six o'clock the next morning I took passage on the canal packet ''Governor Sew- ard," witli Captain George Keeler. That night, at a late hour, I made my wav into the ladies' cabin, and, linding an empty berth, retired. Jn a short time a man came into the cabin, saying that the berths in the gentlemen's cabin were all occupied, and he was going to sleep in the ladies' cabin. Then he pointed to me and said: "That nigger has no business here. My family are coming on board the boat at Utica, and they shall not come where a nigger is." They called the captain, and he ordered me to get up; but I did not stir, think- ing it best not to leave the bed except by force. Finally they left me, and the man found lodg- ing among the seamen, swearing vengeance on the "niggers." The next night the boat stopped at a vil- lage, and the captain procured lodging for me at an inn. Thus I escaped further abuse from that ungodly man. The second night we reached Utica, where I staid over Sunday. Then I went to Schenec- tady, where I remained a few days, working for my Master. Then I went to Albany, my old 92 A BPvAND PLUCKED home. Sunday afternoon I preached in Troy, and that Sunday evening in Albany, to a crowded house. There were many of my old friends and acquaintances in the audience. This was the most solemn and interesting meeting I ever held. The entire audience seemed moved to prayer and tears by the power of the Holy Ghost. On May 21st I went to New York. During the year that followed I visited too large a number of places to mention in this little work. I went from Philadelphia in company with thirty ministers and Bishop Brown, to attend the General Conference, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pa. The ministers chartered the conveyance, and we had a very pleasant and interesting journey. The discussions during the day and meetings at night, on the canal boat, were instructive and entertaining. A very dear sister, Ann M. Johnson, accom- panied me. The grand, romantic scenery, which I beheld while crossing the Alleghany mountains, filled me with adoration and praise to the great Creator of all things. We reached Pittsburgh on the 4th of June, and the Gen- eral Conference of the A. M. E. Church con- vened on the 6th of June. The Conference FROM Tin: run:. 93 lasted two weeks, and was held with open doors. The business common to such meetings was transacted with spirit and harmony, with few exceptions. One was, a motion to prevent Free Masons from ministering in the churches. Another, to aUow all the women preachers to become members of the conferences. This caused quite a sensation, bringing many mem- bers to their feet at once. They all talked and screamed to the bishop, who could scarcely keep order. The Conference was so incensed at the brother who offered the petition that they threatened to take action against him. I remained several weeks, laboring among the people, much to the comfort of my own soul, and, I humbly trust, to the upbuilding of my dear Master's kingdom. I found the peo- ple very kind and benevolent. 94 A BRAND PLUCKED CHAPTER XXIV. From Pittsburgh I went to Cincinnati, where I found a large number of colored people of dif- ferent denominations. The Methodists had a very good meeting-house on Sixth street, below Broad street. The members appeared to enjoy religion, but w^ere verj^ much like the world in their external appearance and cold indifference toward each other. The station and circuit joined in holding a camp-meeting. The minister urged me very strongly to attend, which I did. Several souls professed faith in Christ at this meeting, but only one was willing to receive him in all his fullness. After this meeting I labored in quite a num- ber of places in Ohio. At some places I was kindly received, at others I was not allowed to labor publicly. While thus laboring far from home, the sad intelligence of my husband's death came to me FKOM Tfli; I'IKK. 05 SO suddenly as to almost cause mc to siuk IxMU'ath the blow. JUit tlie arm of my di^ar, lovinir, heavenly Father sustaincnl nie, and 1 was enabled to say: " Thou<^h lie slay me, yet will 1 trust in him." I immediately hastened home to Boston, wliere I learned the particu- lars of my liusband's death, which occurred on shii)-board several months before. None but the dear Lord knew what my feelings were. I dared not complain, and thus cast contempt on my blessed Saviour, for I knew he would not lay more upon me than I could Ijcar. He knows how to deliver the godly out of tempta- tion and affliction; all events belong to liim. All we have to be careful for is, to know of a truth that Christ is formed in our hearts the hope of glory, and hath set up his kingdom there, to reign over every aflfection and desire. Glory to the Lamb, who giveth me power thus to live ! After arranging my aflliirs at home, I went to Albany, where my sister lived, staid a short time with her, and held some meetings there. Then I went to Bethlehem, where I held sev- eral meetings, one in the M. E. Church, which was arranged only after there liad been con- siderable (controversy about letting a woman preach in their house. From there I went to Troy, where I also held meetings. In e^ich of 96 A BRAND PLUCKED these places this "brand plucked from the burning" was used of God to his gior}^ in saving precious souls. To his name be all the glory ! I spent one Sunday in Poughkeepsie, work- ing for Jesus. I then went to New York, where I took the boat for Boston. We w^ere detained some hours by one of the shafts breaking. I took a very severe cold by being compelled to sit on deck all night, in the cold, damp air — prejudice not permitting one of my color to enter the cabin except in the capacity of a servant. Prejudice ! thou cruel mon- ster! wilt thou ever cease to exist? Not until all shall know the Lord, and holiness shall be written upon the bells of the horses — upon all things in earth as well as in heaven. Glory to the Lamb, whose right it is to reign! Upon my arrival home I found my father quite ill. He was sick for several months, and I remained at home until after his death, which event took place in May, 1849. He bore his long, painful illness with Christian patience and resignation. Just before leaving us for the better world, he called each of his children that were present to his bedside, exhorting them to live here in such a manner that they might meet him in heaven. To me he said : " My dear daughter, be faithful to your heav- FKOM 11 1 1; II Ki:. 117 only ralliiip;^ and Ibar nut to preanli full salva- tion." After j?omc precious words to his wcf"))- inj; wife, my dear fath(M' was taken to his eter- nal rest. J>less (he Lord, () my soul, for an earnest, Christian father! Reader, I trust it is your lot to have faithful, heli(;ving parents. r-«-'n/2jS>§> -Cj-^^S/Ja--^— » CHAPTER XXV. ♦ ♦ « « ^ork ii|^ Xl'";'*'"!» il^^^»iw weeks, laboring for Christ. Although, at the time, it seemed as though Satan ruled there supreme, God gave us to know that his risrhteousness 100 A BRAND rLUCKED was being set up in many hearts. Glory to his excellent name. The larger portion of the past year had been a time of close trial, yet I do not recollect ever closing a year more fully in Christ than I did that one. On taking a retrospective view of it, I found vjQiit cause for humiliation as well as thankfulness. I vras satisfied with the Lord's dealings with me; my mind was kept in peace, while many had declined on the right hand and on the left; I was thankful that any were spared to bear the standard of the Redeemer. Since I first entered the vineyard of my divine Master, I have seen many a star fall, and many a shining light go out and sink into darkness. Many, who have been singu- larly owned and blessed of God, have deserted his standard in the day of trial ; yet, through his abounding grace, have I been kept. Glory be to the keeping power of the blood that cleanseth me, even me, from all sin! KKOM Tin: iii:i;. 1"1 CllAlTEIl XXVL In Juno, 1850, I crossed tlie AUegliany mountains the second time. 1 was very sick on tlie journey, and on ai-rivinsi; in Pitts- burgh, was not able to sit up. Finding nie in a raging fever, my friends caUed in a physi- cian, and, as I continued to grow worse, another one. For three weeks my life was despaired of; and finally, on beginning to recover, it was many months before I felt quite welL In this severe affliction grace wonderfully sustained me. Bless the Lord! I was advised to go down the Ohio river for the benefit of my health. Therefore, as soon as I was able to do so, I started for Cincinnati. I staid there several weeks with some friends by the name of Jones. The Lord so strength- ened me, that, in a few months, I w^as able to resume my labors. In October we went to Columbus. We labored there and in that vicinity for some A 102 A BRAND PLUCKED time, content that in our protracted effort quite a number were converted. There were three persons there who said they had once enjoyed the blessing of sanctification, but were not then clear in the experience. Oh, how few are advocates for full salvation ! Some will hold the whole truth in profession when and where it is not opposed, but, if they must become fools for the truth's sake, they compromise with error. Such have not and will not come to the perfect rest and inherit- ance of the saints on earth. In April, 1851, we visited Chillicothe, and had some glorious meetings there. Great crowds attended every night, and the altar was crowded with anxious inquirers. Some of the deacons of the white people's Baptist church invited me to preach in their church, but I declined to do so, on account of the oppo- sition of the pastor, who was very much set against women's preaching. He said so much against it, and against the members who wished me to preach, that they called a church meeting, and I heard that they finally dismissed him. The white Methodists invited me to speak for them, but did not want the colored people to attend the meeting. I would not agree to any such arrangement, and, therefore, I did I'lroM Tin: iii:i:. 10!) n(jt speak for tlu'in. Prcjudic*' had closed tlio door ot" tlu'ir sanctuary aizainst tlio colored peoplfj of till) i)lace, virtually sayin«^: " Tlio Gospel shall not be free to all." Our heni^'U Master and Saviour said: ''Go, preach my Gos- pel to all." We visited Zanesville, Ohio, laboring for white and colored people. The white Method- ists oj)ened tlieir house for the admission of colored people for the first time. Hundreds were turned away at each meeting, unable to get in; and, although the house wassocrowded, perfect order prevailed. We also held meet- ings on the other side of the river. God the Holy Ghost was powerfully manifest in all these meetings. I v/as the recipient of many mercies, and passed through various exercises. In all of them I could trace the hand of God and claim divine assistance whenever I most needed it. Whatever T needed, by faith I had. Glory! glory!! While God lives, and Jesus sits on his right hand, nothing shall be impos- sible unto me, if I hold fast faith with a pure conscience. On the 27th we went to Detroit, Wwh. On the way. Sister Johnson had a very severe attack of ague, which lasted for several weeks. My soul had great liberty for God while labor- ing in this place. 104 A BRAND PLUCKED One day, quite an influential man in the community, though a sinner, called on me and appeared deeply concerned about his soul's welfare. He urged me to speak from Micah iv. 13: "Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion," etc. I took his desire to the Lord, and was permitted to speak from that passage after this manner : 710 B. C. corn was threshed among the Orientals by means of oxen or horses, which were driven round an area filled with loose sheaves. B}^ their continued tramping the corn was separated from the straw. That this might be done the more effectually, the text promised an addition to the natural horny substance on the feet of these animals, by making the horn iron and the hoof brass. Corn is not threshed in this manner by us, but by means of flails, so that I feel I am doing no injury to the sentiment of the text by changing a few of the terms into those which are the most familiar to us now. The passage portrays the Gospel times, though in a more restricted sense it applies to the preach- ers of the word. Yet it has a direct reference to all God's people, who were and are com- manded to arise and thresh. Glory to Jesus! now is this prophecy fulfilled — Joel ii. 28 and 29. They are also commanded to go to God, who alone is able to qualify them for their FitOM Tin: kii:k. 105 labors by making their liorns iron and their hoofs brass. The Lord was desirous of impart- ing stability and lu'rpetuity to his own divine work, by granting sii})i'rnatural aid to the faithful that they might perf(jrm for lii\n those services for which their own feeble and unassisted powers were totally inadequate. More than this, it is eneouraging to the saints to know that they are provided with weapons both offensive and defensive. The threshing instrument is of the former description. Tt is of tlie same quality as that which is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. "For this purpose the 8on of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil," and this is one of the weapons which he employs in the hands of his people to carry his gracious designs into execution, together with the promise that they shall beat in pieces many people. Isa. xxiii. 18; Ix. 6-9. There are many instances of the successful application of tlie Gospel flail, by which means the devil is threshed out of sinners. With the help of God. I am resolved, O sinner, to try what effect tlie smart strokes of this threshing instrument will produce on thy unhumbled soul. This is called the sword of the Spirit, and is in reality the word of God. 106 ' A BRAND PLUCKED Such a weapon may seem contemptible in the eyes of the natural man; yet, when it is pow- erfully wielded, the consequences are invaria- bly potent and salutary. Bless God! the Reve- lator says : " They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." The atonement is the greatest weapon. In making trial of its efficacy, little children have caused the parent to cry aloud for mercy; but, in every case, much of its heavenly charm and virtue depends upon the mode in which it is applied. This Gospel flail should be lifted up in a kind and loving spirit. Many shrink at sight of the flail, and some of us know, by blessed experience, that when its smart strokes are applied in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit, it causes the very heart to feel sore and painful. Penitent soul, receive the castigation, and you will feel, after it, like saying : " Now let me be crucified, and this work of the devil, inbred sin, put to death, that Christ may live and reign in me without a rival." To the glory of God I wish to say, that the unconverted man, who gave me the text for the above discourse, gave his heart to God, together with many others, before we left FROM TIIK riRK. 107 Detroit. In aftor years T was informed of his happy death. Praise the Lord for full and free salvatioii! Reader, have you this salva- tion — an ever-llowini^ fountain — in your soul? God grant it. Anicn I r-A-'vi/Z^^ <^r,'a/*a^>-~» CHAPTER XXVII. In June, 1851, we "went to Canada, where we were kindly received. We labored in different churches with great success. We found many living Christians there — some holding high the light of full salvation, and others willing to be cleansed. After spending a few weeks there, we crossed to Buffalo, but did not make anv stay there at that time. The places visited during that year are too numerous to mention here. Suffice it to say, the great Head of the Church went before us, clearing the way and giving us unmistakable evidence of his presence in every battle. Hal- lelujah ! 108 A BRAND PLUCKED We returned to Columbus to fill an appoint- ment which was awaiting us. After this, we made arrangements to go to Cleveland. One of the brethren engaged our passage and paid the fare, but we were not permitted to leave until four days afterward. At that time a col- ored person Avas not allowed to ride in the stage if any white passenger objected to it. There were objections made for three morn- ings, but, on the fourth, the stage called for us, and we had a safe journey to Cleveland. We expected to make a visit only, as in other cities; but the All-Father intended otherwise, and, more than twenty years ago, Cleveland became my home. After settling down, we still continued to visit neighboring cities and labor for Christ. It was about this time that I became afflicted with the throat difficulty, of which I shall speak later. Beloved, the dear Lord only knows how sorely I was tried and tempted over this affliction. St. James speaks of temptations as being common to the most holy of men, and also as a matter of joy and rejoicing to such as are exer- cised thereby, if so be they are not overcome by them. I think all temptation has a tend- ency to sin, but all temptation is not sin. There is a diversity of temptations, and a ri:nM riiK niii:. IH!) diversity of causes from wliicli tpni])tati()ns proceed. Some come immediately from our corriH)t nature, and are in themselves ninful. Others arise; from the infirmity of onr nature, and these every Christian has to contend with so long as he sojourns in a tabernacle of clay. There are also temptations which come directly from the enemy of souls. These our Idessed Lord severely labored under, and so do the majority of his children. " Blessed is the man that endureth temptation" ! During the years that I rested from my labors and tried to recover my health, God permitted me to pass through the furnace of trial, heated seven times hotter than usual. Had not the three-one God been with me, I surely must liave gone beneath the waves. God permits afliictions and persecutions to come upon his chosen people to answer various ends. Sometimes for the trial of their faith, and the exercise of their patience and resigna- tion to his will, and sometimes to draw them ofi' from all human dependence, and t« teach them to trust in Him alone. Sometimes he suffers the wicked to go a great way, and the unsrodlv to triumi)h over us, that he may prove our steadfastness and make manifest his power in upholding us. Thus it was with me. I had trusted too much in human wisdom, and 110 A BRAND PLUCKED God suffered all these things to come upon me. He upheld me by his grace, freeing me from all care or concern about my health or what man could do. He taught me to sit patiently, and wait to hear my Shepherd's voice ; for I was resolved to follow no stranger, however plausibly he might plead. I shall praise God through all eternity for sending me to Cleveland, even though I have been called to suffer. In 1856, Sister Johnson, who had been my companion during all these years of travel, left me for her heavenly home. She bore her short illness without a murmur, resting on Jesus. As she had lived, so she died, in the full assurance of faith, happy and collected to the last, maintaining her standing in the way of holiness without swerving either to the right or to the left. Glory to the blood tliat keeps us ! My now sainted mother, who was then in feeble health, lived with me in Cleveland for a few years. As the time for her departure drew near, she very much desired to visit her two daughters — one in Albany, the other in Bos- ton. I feared she was not able to endure the journey, but her desire was so strong, and her confidence in God so great that he would spare her to see her girls again, that I finally con- FROM I III') I'lUK. 1 1 1 pcntod that sho should iindrrtako tho journoy. 1 })ut hor in clKir<];e of friends wlio wore going east, and she reached my sist(»r's house in safety. She had been with thcni hut a few weeks, when she bade them a U)ng farewell and passed peacefully to heaven. I shall see her again where parting is unknown. Tho 2:lorious wave of holiness, whioh has been rolling through Ohio during the past few years, has swept every hindrance out of my way, and sent me to sea once more with chart and compass. "The Bible is my chart; it is a chart and compass too, Whose needle points forever true." When I drop anchor again, it will be in heaven's broad bay. Glory to Jesus for putting into my hand that precious, living light, ^'Thc Christian Har- vester.^^ May it and its self-sacrificing editor live many years, reflecting holy light as they go. If any one arise from the perusal of this book, scoffing at the w^ord of truth which he has read, I charge him to prepare to answer for the profanation at the peril of his soul. 112 A BKAND PLUCKED CHAPTER XXVIII. Dear Sisters: I would that I could tell you a hundredth part of what God has revealed to me of his glory, especially on that never-to-be- forgotten night when I received my high and holy calling. The songs I heard I think were those which Job, David and Isaiah speak of hearing at night upon their beds, or the one of which the Revelator says "no man could learn." Certain it is, T have not been able to sing it since, though at times I have seemed to hear the distant echo of the music. When I tried to repeat it,, it vanished in the dim distance. Glory ! glory ! glory to the Most High! Sisters, shall not you and I unite with the heavenly host in the grand chorus? If so, you will not let what man may say or do, keep vou from doino^ the will of the Lord or usinoj the gifts you have for the good of others. How much easier to bear the reproach of men FKOM Tin: I'lHi:. 113 tlmn to live at a distiince from Cod. Be not kt'pt ill l)()iul;i^-o by those wlio say, "We su'frcr not a woman to tcacli," thus quotiuf^ Paul's words, but not rii^litly ai)i)lying them. Wliat thouL^h we are called to pass through deep waters, so our anclior is cast within the veil, both sure and steadfast? Blessed experience! I have had to weep because this was not my constant exi)erience. At times, a cloud of heaviness has covered m}^ mind, and disobedi- ence has caused me to lose the clear witness of perfect love. One time I allowed my mind to dwell too much on my physical condition. I was suffer- ing severely from throat difficulty, and took the advice of friends, and sought a cure from earthly physicians, instead of applying to the Great Ph3'sician. For this reason my joy was checked, and I was obliged to cease my public labors for several years. During all this time I was less spiritual, less zealous, 3'et I was not willing to accept the suggestion of Satan, that I had forfeited the blessing of holiness. But alas ! the witness was not clear, and God suf- fered me to pass through close trials, tossed by the billows of tjcmptation. Losing my loving husband just at this time, I had much of the world to struggle with and against. (8) 114 A BRAND PLUCKED Those who are wholly sanctified need not fear that God will hide his face, if they con- tinue to walk in the light even as Christ is in the light. Then they have fellowship with the Father and the Son, and become of one spirit with the Lord. I do not believe God ever withdraws himself from a soul which does not first withdraw itself from him, though such may abide under a cloud for a season, and have to cry: "My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" Glory to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! His blood meets all the demands of the law against us. It is the blood of Christ that sues for the ful- fillment of his last will and testament, and brings down every blessing into the soul. When I had well nigh despaired of a cure from my bodily infirmities, I cried from the depths of my soul for the blood of Jesus to be applied to my throat. My faith laid hold of the precious promises — John xiv. 14; Mark ii. 23 ; xi. 24. At once I ceased trying to join the iron and the clay — the truth of God with the sayings and advice of men. I looked to my God for a fresh act of his sanctifying power. Bless his name ! deliverance did come, with the balm, and my throat has troubled me but little since. This was ten years ago. Praise I FROM THE FIRE. 1 1 ') the T.ord lor that holy Ih-c wliich maii}^ waters of trial and temptation cannot quench. Dear sisters in Christ, are any of you also without understanding and slow of heart to believe, as were tlie disciples? Although they had seen their Master do many mighty works, yet, with change of phice or circumstances, they would go back upon the old ground of carnal reasoning and unbelieving fears. The darkness and ignorance of our natures are such, that, even after we have embraced the Saviour and received his teaching, we are ready to stumble at the plainest truths! Blind unbelief is always sure to err; it can neither trace God nor trust him. Unbelief is ever alive to distrust and fear. So long as this evil root has a place in us, our fears can not be removed nor our hopes confirmed. Not till the day of Pentecost did Christ's chosen ones see clearly, or have their under- standings opened; and nothing short of a full baptism of the Spirit will dispel our unbelief. Without this, we are but babes — all our lives are often carried away by our carnal natures and kept in bondage ; whereas, if we are wholly saved and live under the full sanctify- ing influence of the Holy Ghost, we cannot be tossed about with every wind, but, like an iron pillar or a house built upon a rock, prove 116 A BRAND PLUCKED immovable. Our minds will then be fully illuminated, our hearts purified, and our souls filled with the pure love of God, bringing forth fruit to his glory. CHAPTER XXIX. " If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John ii. 15. The spirit which is in the world is widely different from the Spirit which is of God; yet many vainly imagine they can unite the two. But as we read in Luke x. 26, so it is between the spirit of the world and the Spirit which is of God. There is a great gulf fixed between them — a gulf which cuts off all union and intercourse; and this gulf will eternally pre- vent the least degree of fellowship in spirit. If we be of God and have the love of the Father in our hearts, we are not of the world, because whatsoever is of the world is not of God. We must be one or the other. We can not unite heaven and hell— light and dark- FROM THE FIRE. 117 ness. Worldly lionor, worldly pleasure, worldly grandeur, worldly desipjns and worldly pur- suits are all incompatible with the love of the Father and with that kingdom of righteous- ness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, which is not of the world, but of God. Therefore, God says : " Be not conformed to the world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, an the priests, under a severe penalty, that in all their approaches they shall sanctify them- selves. Thus God would teach his ministers and people that he is a holy God, and will be worshiped in the beauty of holiness by all those who come into his presence. Man may till his office in the church out- wardly, and God may in much mercy draw nigh to the peoph^ wluni devoutly assembled to worship him; but. if the minister has not had previous recourse to the fountain which is opened for sin and uncleanness, and felt the sanctifvinf^ and renewing intiuences of the Holy Ghost, he will feel himselt shut out from these divine communications. Oh, that God may baptize the ministry and church with the Holy Ghost and with fire. By the baptism of tire the church must be purged from its dead forms and notions respect- ing the inbcing of sin in all believers till death. The Master said: "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto 3^ou; abide in me," etc. Oh! blessed union. Christian, God wants to establish your heart unblamable in holiness. 1 Thess. i. 13; iv. 7; Heb. xii. 14; Rom. vi. 19. Will you let him do it, by putting away all filthiness of the flesh as well as of the spirit? " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God ?" etc. 1 Cor. iii. 16, 120 A BRAND PLUCKED 17; 2 Cor. vi. 16, 17. Thus we will continue to search and find what the will of God is con- cerning his children. 1 Thess. iv. 3, 4. Bless God ! we may all have that inward, instanta- neous sanctification, whereby the root, the inheing of sin, is destroyed. Do not misunderstand me. I am not teach- ing absolute perfection, for that belongs to God alone. Nor do I mean a state of angelic or Adamic perfection, but Christian i:)erfection — an extinction of every temper contrary to love. "Now, the God of peace sanctify you wholly — your whole spirit, soul and body. 2 Thess. v. 23. Glory to the blood !" '' Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Paul says : He is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that v/e ask or think. Eph. iii. 20. Beloved reader, remember that you cannot commit sin and be a Christian, for "He that committeth sin is of the devil." If you are regenerated, sin does not reign in your mortal body; but if you are sanctified, sin does not exist in you. The sole ground of our perfect peace from all the carnal mind is by the blood of Jesus, for he is our peace, whom God hath set forth to be a propiation, through faith in his blood. " By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" — liav- FROM THE FIIU-:. 121 ing entered into the lioliest by the blood of Jesus. Let the bk)od be the sentinel, keeping the tempter without, that you may have constant peace within; for Satan cannot swim waters. Isa. xxx. 7. 122 A BRAND PLUCKED CHAPTER XXX. %\om la ^bbiti, ^aniflifujaHoti,* "Mixture of joy and sorrow I daily do pass through; Sometimes I'm in the valley, Then sinking down with woe. Chorus — Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb, Holj'' is the Lamb of God, Whose blood doth make me clean. "Sometimes I am exalted, On eagle's wings I fly; Rising above Mount Pisgah, I almost reach the sky. — Chorus. "Sometimes I am in doubting, And think I have no grace; Sometimes I am a-shouting. And camp-meeting is the place. — Chorus. "Sometimes, when I am praying, It almost seems a task ; Sometimes I get a blessing, The greatest I can ask. — Chorus. FROM Till-: FIRE. 12o "Sometimps I rrjul my IJihIe, It seems a sealed book ; Sometimes I find a blessing Wherever I do look. — Chorus " Oh, why am 1 thus tossed — Thus tossed to and fro? Because the blood of Jesus Hasn't washed nie white as snow. — Clioriiz. " Oh, come to Jesus now, and drink Of that holy, livinj: stream ; Your thirst he'll qu(>nch, your soul revive. And cleanse you from all sin." — Chonis. How is sanctificatiou to be obtained? An important question. I answer, by faith. Faith is the only condition of sanctification. By this I mean a faith that dies out to the workl and every form of sin ; that gives up the sin of the heart; and that believes, according to God's promise, he is able to perform, and will do it now — doeth it now. Why not yield, believe, and be sanctified now — now, while reading? "Now is the day of salvation." Say: "Here, Lord, I will, I do believe; thou hast said now — now let it be — now apply the blood of Jesus to my waiting, longing soul." "Hallelujah! 'tis done! I believe on the Son; I am saved by the blood Of the crucified One." 124 A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE FIRE. Now, dear reader, I conclude by praying that this little work may be blessed of God to your spiritual and everlasting good. I trust also that it will promote the cause of holiness in the Church. Now, unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us; unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.