Read Part One HERE
In this post I will focus on a Methodist Woman named Sarah Crossby. She lived from 1729 - 1804.
Sarah was born in Leeds. Like many of the women in early Methodism, she was drawn to religion early in life and seems to have come under the influence of a dissenting minister before hearing George Whitefiled preach and converting to Methodism.
In 1750 Sarah married and in 1752 she became a class leader for the first time. In 1757 her husband left her and Sarah moved to London - then the centre of Methodism in England. While in London Sarah came in contact with several women who were to become vastly influential in Methodism -becoming a kind of spiritual mother to them.Sarah Ryan was a member of her class, and she was also the spiritual advisor to Frances Mortimer Pawson and a young Mary Bosanquet, advising the latter in how to best deal with a father who disapproved of her growing involvement with Methodism.
In 1761 Sarah first experienced the call to preach when, while leading a class meeting in Derby, nearly 200 people showed up instead of the usual 30. Unsure about the propriety to speak to such a large crowd, but realising that she could not speak to each individual personally, Sarah recounts that she "gave out an hymn, and prayed, and told them part of what the Lord had done for myself, persuading them to flee from all sin." Afterwards she wrote John Wesley, asking for his advice and in a letter he wrote, "I think you have not gone too far. You could not well do lesss. I apprehend all you can do more is, when you meet again, to tell them simply, "You lay me under a great difficulty. The Methodists do not allow women preachers; neither do I take upon me any such character. But I will just plainly tell you what is in my heart..." I do not see that you have broken any law. Go on calmly and steadily. If you have time, you may read to them the Notes on any chapter before you speak a few words, or one of the most awakening sermons, as other women have done long ago." In so doing Wesley both maintained the conservative line against women's preaching, but tacidly acknowledged Sarah's "extraordinary call" and authorised her sharing of her "experience" in public.
Sarah continued to travel and preach over the rest of her long life. In fact in December 1777 she records that, in the course of the past year, she rode 960 miles, preached at 220 public meetings, 600 private meetings, written 116 spiritual letters of advice.
Furthermore, Sarah was deeply involved with the most important community of Methodist women who gathered around Mary Bosanquet Fletcher at Cross Hall in Madely. At various times Sarah, Sarah Ryan, Mary Tooth, Ann Tripp, and Elizabeth Mortimer were all part of this community in Yorkshire that, among other things, operated an orphanage.
Towards the end of her life, Sarah moved back to her hometown in Leeds where she lived with Ann Tripp. She died October 24, 1804 at the age of 75.
Read Part Four HERE
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