Remember Maria!

by Mary Scantlin

Maria Woodworth-Etter (1844-1924) lived a typical woman’s existence of her time period. Sickly and timid, no one could dream she was destined for a dynamic future as a powerful evangelist, church planter, and pastor. Against all odds she became a household name!

Newspaper reporters were drawn to the curiosity of a woman preacher and the strange phenomena of her meetings. She made the headlines when she came to town! Troublemakers and thugs came purposely to disrupt the meetings, and brought confusion that was damaging. The crowds poured in at times numbering up to 20,000, even though many news reporters were belittling and misrepresenting her.              Some Headlines read:   

St. Louis, "An irreverent crowd of 10,000 turns the solemn ceremony into a howling farce."                                                                          

Kansas,  "A New Church, Mrs. Woodworth Organizes Converts into The Church of God." 

 Boston, "Maim and Halt tell wonders of 'Faith Cure.'   Followers sing praises of Mrs. Etter"

Indianapolis, "Twenty thousand Persons Under the Spell of the Trance Evangelist."  

Maria believed that Jesus was coming soon. Her thought life was consumed by the call within her to preach the Gospel.  She said, “There was all the time a monitor within...awake or dreaming, I seemed to have a large congregation before me, all in tears, as I told them the story of the cross.” ¹  Maria valued education but was uneducated. She was tormented with fear and timidity. Not wanting to misrepresent God, she needed time to study. The fact that she was female, uneducated and timid didn't change the call. Repeatedly she heard His answer: "Go and I Will Go With you."

Maria knew her call was simply the Great Commission and the gospel of Jesus. She read John 14:12, “he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.”  Considering that women were silenced by culture and the church, not being allowed to speak or teach publicly, not allowed in the pulpit and not allowed to vote, the mountain of circumstances against her presented reason enough for silence; but the voice within insisted "Go and I Will Go With you."     

When Maria yielded to go and preach, she was given her texts and preaching flowed so fast that she could hardly get the words out. Her meetings quickly grew, producing a harvest of converts and a trail of new churches. In years to come, up to 500 a week in her camp meetings were converted. People came from far and wide , pitching tents at the campsite. Her fame spread as adults and children who fell under a strange power would awaken to Godly, lasting transformation. Physical healings were well documented and publicized. 

Spirit-oriented Quaker women would later help win women the right to vote in America  at great cost to their personal well being and safety. These Quaker believers were responsible for helping Maria gain confidence that even as a woman, yes, she was called and gifted to preach.  Maria knew Galatians 3:28, that in Christ Jesus, “there is neither male nor female.” She understood Jesus' cross and the day of Pentecost leveling the playing field, giving men and women equal salvation, the Promise of the Father, and the Comforter, the Spirit of truth. 

While religion and society opposed her, Maria surrendered to the suffering and reproach that came with her call.        Maria buried her first husband and later married Mr. Etter who served wholeheartedly with her.

Lakeview Church in Indianapolis, Indiana traces its roots back to a turn of the century evangelist named Maria Woodworth Etter. Maria preached until she grew aged and weak. She refused to be sidelined by weakness, fear and complacency. You may be called to preach and fearful too, but take courage and REMEMBER MARIA!  

Notes
1. Maria Woodworth-Etter, The Complete Collection of Her Life and Teachings ,R. Liardon.