EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1800: ELIZA WHITERSPOON P/22

                                                                   Read Part One HERE

In this story I will continue to focus on a woman named Eliza Whitherspoon. She lived from 1855 - 1932. In 1900, she again appeared as a delegate to the Southern Missouri and Arkansas Conference. By 1901, the Arkansas and Southern Missouri minutes list her as a "conference evangelist" meaning she travelled and preached and was assigned to a specific church. She was appointed to the Phelps County Missouri Circuit in 1904 and in 1905 she was appointed to the Neosho Circuit.

In an August 15, 1905 report, Elizabeth described a quarterly meeting where the Free Methodist District Elder J.M. Roberson preached as follows: "Sin abounds everywhere. However, I am pressing on my upward way. The Lord enables me to grow stronger every day. I am so glad I belong to the blood-washed company. I love the Lord. I love His people. I am devoting all I have to this cause - talent, time, voice, silver and gold; not a mite do I withold."

In the 1908 - 1909 annual conference minutes, Eliza was appointed to the Harrison County Circuit together with Oliver Dryer. And in 1910, she was co-appointed to the same county with Grace Huntsinger.

At the 1911 General Conference, Eliza gave the opening prayer for the nineteenth session. That session was particularly important and having a woman evangelist give the opening prayer was most likely intentional as Bishop Walter Sellew brought forth a motion to allow women to be ordained deacons in the same maner men are allowed to be ordained.

Eliza continued to serve in various appointments around Arkansas and Southern Missouriuntil around 1813 when she moved to Kansas. She continued her work with the Free Methodist Church until her death in 1832. 

Read Part Twenty-Three HERE