The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-30
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AMANDA BEtiEY SMITH,


Out of an inhumanly inquitous, soul
damning and Nation -cursng serfdom, it
has pleased the Almighty to raise up,nnd
uphold during 2S years of active evangalic
work and Gospel preaching wlde-world
famed woman Evangelist, whose labors
ore elovating Chrlstcndom.
Amanda Berry tho daughter of Samuel
Berry and wife-then American slaves,
who had family prayers and Bible read.
ing-by the husband-was born January
93rd, 1887. at Long Green, Md.
She learned to read while little child
The war to save the Union from tho re.
bellion of slay = holders was inspiring to
her master to sell quick and low, and Mr.,
Berry purchased the freedom OF himself
and family in ls6l.
Between and 10 years of age Miss
Amanda got three months schooling at
New Market Pa.
Between . and 8 o'clock p. NJ on March
17th, 1a5j, she was converted at Columbia,
Pa In March 1861 she married Mr.. James
Smith, who died 3 years later.
1t was II years after conversion, in 1868,
under the preaching of Evangelist j. :.
Inskip, in Green street NJ +. Church,
New York. that she received the Holy
Ghost poy eri which led her to prepare
for, ana in 1863, to enter upon her career
for lifo us an Evangelist of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God.
Her first preaching was In Salem, N j.,
from 1863 to the following May. Her pub
lie preaching ut camp meetings began in
1870. Ever since then the calls OF pastors
for her help have been numerous.
While she has labored in other STATES
her preaching for rs years has been mainly
il NV York. Pennsylvanin, Ohio, Mimi
esoti, California, Canada, England, Scot
land, Ireland India. and Africa where she
began two years before Bishop William
Taylor did.
After her labors on the West coast she
began with and under Bishop Taylor in
opening the first missionary stations or
the Republic of Linerio. She labored in
the Ozark Continent eight years,
She Is u member of the American Meth
odist Episcopal Church OF Allen Temple,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Twenty years ago she preached in VIII.
mington. Since ethen, though SO far away,
she has been preaching hero through tho
numerous quotations of her original say
ings in the free speech of Wilmington $
free Gospel testimony meetings.
She has written and published book
which many Christians regard as wonder
fully cdilying, interesting and inStruc'
tive.
This week every evening, except Satur.
day, and all day next Sunday OF .Asbury
closes her work here prior to embarklng
on her southern campaign.
COMMENTS ON HER PREACHING.
Her sermon Sunday forenoon was o
calm and easy speech, pungcnt, original,
in general logically sustained throughout
all bearing OH the theme Of "HOly Ghost
knowledge" within the Christian with
its points, ingenuously sustained by q
wopdrously broad experience and enter.
tanning "reminiscences Of the truo ancc.
dote class. After enchanting the atten-
ton Of her; audience she speaks rapidly
and constantly mekes pertinent and toll.
ing points. Her Illustrations are Of the
common sense kind, and 80 original, per.
tinent and common to everyday life as to
bo extraordinarily forceful.
The most learned theologian, the illit-
crate, and nll grades of intelligence be.
tween, could be highly and satis fuctorily
taught and edited by her discourses. This
and her original illustrations of great
genius are her most marked char.
acteristics Wonderful woman. Wonder.
full preacher Marvellous exhibit of Je.
hovahs infinite love. WISDOM lifo and
power within and for the developement
and elevation Of q human being And in
1t all modest and unassuming woman
apparently unconscious Of self.
JouN HARKNESs, Reporter.