Page:Women of distinction.djvu/205

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.
151

version from the time of hearing the Methodist women talk in their closed-door meetings. There were notable preachers among their number also. In drawing off the Church from the white and establishing the A. M. E. Church in the West there was no one who took a more conspicuous part than Mrs. Jerrinna Lee; she was a preacher of great power and demonstration. The word of God from her mouth was like a sharp sword which pierced the sinner to the heart and like a healing balm to the heart of the believer; she was attractive in manners and pleasing in person and won the esteem of all who saw her. In the years of 1828, 1829 and 1830 she traveled and preached through the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. Great numbers of both white and colored people flocked to hear her. She sang well and prayed fervently, and when after her sermon had closed and the doors of the church were open to receive members numbers would come forward and joyfully cast their lot with the despised Methodist. The holding of camp-meetings was one m-eat method of making African Methodism known to the world. In these the women bore the heaviest burden, they would make great provision to feed the multitudes that would gather there and hundreds would enjoy the hospitality of those good and pious women, while their souls were being fed with the bread of eternal life from the sacred altar. They thought no sacrifice too great or labor too hard if it only tended to build up and expand the Church they so much loved. The freedom which they enjoyed in their worship and the satisfaction arising from equal rights in