IV. Women’s Voices Tell the Advent Story

A number of women preachers formed part of the rather remarkable list of public heralds of the second advent. One was Olive Maria Rice, of Smithville, New York, who often spoke in schoolhouses and revival meetings, lecturing successfully to audiences of one thousand to fourteen hundred.” ^{17Midnight Cry, July 6, 1843, p. 149; Oct. 19, 1843, p. 73; Nov. 2, 1843, pp. 89, 94, 95.} There were also Mrs. Lucy Maria Stoddard (nee Kersey), Miss Seymore, Miss Spence, Miss Emily C. demons, previously a teacher and principal at Rochester ^{18Ibid., Aug. 8’1844, p. 30.} (and noted elsewhere), Sarah J. Paine, and Mrs. Clorinda S. Minor, of Philadelphia, who reported the Philadelphia Conference of February, 1844. The latter’s articles for the Midnight Cry appear on the editorial page over her initials. She was also gifted as a poet, but ably discussed doctrinal, prophetic, and chronological matters. ^{19Ibid., Sept. 21, 1843, pp. 36, 37; June 13, 1844, pp. 380, 381; June 27, 1844, pp. 397} Let us note Mrs. Stoddard ^{20LUCY MARIA HERSEY STODDARD, niece of. Lewis Hersey, author of A Clue to the Time, was native of Worcester, Massachusetts. Converted in early, youth, she felt at eighteen that God was calling her to proclaim the gospel publicly. Resigning her teaching position, in Worcester, she entered successfully upon the work of preaching-a highly unpopular vocation for women in those days-in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. She was associated with Sarah J. Paine (afterward the wife of Dr. A. M. Higgins), who was the first woman in Massachusetts to preach the second coming of Christ at hand, and was a successful soul winner.}PFF4 706.1

In 1842, when the message of the soon-coming Saviour came to her, she at once began to teach it. Reporters took notice and the papers published her discourses, something that was most unusual for that day. As a result the galleries and floors were packed with eager listeners. She continued preaching in central New York for six months, with appointments every night and three times on Sunday. After her marriage to J. C. Stoddard, she, along with her husband, continued preaching the gospel of the coming kingdom. And when his health failed she still continued to preach the Word, visiting several States. A number of ministers were among her converts.” ^{21I. C. Wellcome, op. cit., pp. 305, 306; Midnight Cry, June 27, 1844, p. 400; Aug. 1, 1844, p. 24.} So women preachers held a unique place in Millerism, and were effective heralds in reaching those of their own sex.PFF4 706.2