EDITED BY PETER SIPPEL
SECTION 3.3: THE 19TH CENTURY "BEACONITE," "HOLINESS," ETC.
ELIZA C. ARMSTRONG:
Address of Welcome. Delivered to the first Missionary Conference of Quaker Women in
America by one of the original organizers of the Women's Missionary Societies.
JEMIMA T. PRAY:
Welcome From The Indianapolis Missionary Society. Another welcoming address to the
first Missionary Conference of Quaker Women in America.
HULDA REES:
He Saves Us. One of the more neglected aspects of Quaker women in the ministry has been
their part in the late 19th century Holiness movement. This little series from Hulda Rees,
from Indiana, is one small contribution. From this message it appears she was not afraid to
step on toes, referring to abominable church fairs, denouncing gossip, etc.
The Way of Holiness. Pointing out the common sins and complaints, including gossip, envy,
etc. that keep people from experiencing salvation. Rees takes a homiletical approach to
preaching (as in a verse be verse, or clause by clause exposition) She seems, to me, to be
more Nineteenth Century Holiness than Quaker.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost. A homily (in the technical sense of the word) on the Pentecost
story, dealing with the effects of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian Armor. Taken from the passage in Ephesians regarding the Devil and the
"whole armor of God."
The House of Obed-edom. The best of the batch, in the editor's opinion. Beginning with the
narration of events pertaining to the capture and subsequent return of the Ark in II Samuel
6, then moving onto the ideal Christian family; ending in prayer.
DAVID B. UPDEGRAFF:
The Blood of Christ. Updegraff, for better or worse, was one of the most influential of all of
the 19th century Friends, a holiness and revival preacher, advocated of a pastoral system
and of the ordinances and a figure who cannot be ignored. His sermons were generally
delivered extemporaneously or from memory, and written down later; he appears to be the
first to actively participate in the publication of them. This one deals with the blood and
towards the end refutes various popular errors of the time.
John The Baptist. A biographical sermon giving the life of John and his role as the
messenger whose task was to prepare the way.
Christ's Coming Premillennial. Which actually does not deal very much with premillennial
thought, looking more at the seeming unsuccessfulness of proclaiming the Gospel, with a
few barbs at the established Church for not supporting missionary work.
JOHN WILKINSON:
I Cannot But Be Earnest. Wilkinson was one of the "Beaconites," who subsequently
resigned from Friends. Compare this sermon of invitation to others of a more traditional
Quaker bent.