EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN EARLY 1800: JENNIFER FOWLER WILLING P/23

                                                          Read Part One HERE

In this post I will begin to focus on a woman named Jennifer Fowler Willing. She lived from 1834 - 1916.

No one would expect little Jennie Fowler to grow up into the amazing woman that she did after she tumbled into a well on her family's Illinois farm at the age of two and a half. She struck her head severely and sustained lasting nerve damage. This made it very difficult for her to study for more than a few minutes at a time.

But Jennie longed to be educated and tried to teach herself by maintaining the strict discipline of studying for fifteen minutes every day no matter what else was happening. She taught herself so well with God's help, that she was hired as a teacher. Her motto was "plus extra" - more beyond."

Jennie was converted while young. She remained a lifelong Methodist. She was part of the "Holiness Movement." This movement placed much importance on a person's sanctification. Phoebe Palmer and Evangeline Booth were several of the female evangelists that were also prominent during this amazing time when women were starting schools, missions, and other outreaches for the Lord Jesus.

Jennie married a Methodist minister, William Willing in 1853. They spent much of their married life in Illinois. While William preached, Jennie taught at Illinois Wesleyan University. Though women's ordination was frowned on, William issued Jennie a license to preach. They supported each other's work. When a small church in William's district needed a pastor, he sent Jennie.

Jennie also preached in camp meetings, and poor parts of cities. She shared the love of Christ in factories and tenements. She encouraged Christians to live a disciplined, sober life. Her life was an example of what a person can do who is determined to serve Christ even with physical limitations. 

P.S. I will continue Jennifer Fowler Willing's story in my next blog posts. 

Read Part Twenty-Four HERE