| Women in History-E |
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| Elizabeth Born a slave around 1765, Elizabeth felt the call of the Lord upon her life to preach when she was about 40-10 years after having been freed. When she sought counsel, fellow Christian's tried to discourage her. She later wrote, "As I could read but little, I questioned within myself how it would be possible for me to deliver the message, when I did not understand the Scriptures. I went from one religious professor to another, enquiring of them what ailed me; but of all these I could find none who could throw any light upon such impressions. They all told me there was nothing in Scripture that would sanction such exercises. It was hard for men to travel, and what would women do? These things greatly discouraged me, and shut up my way, and caused me to resist the Spirit. After going to all that were accounted pious, and receiving no help, I returned to the Lord, feeling that I was nothing, and knew nothing and wrestled and prayed to the Lord that He would fully reveal his will, and make the way plain" (Elizabeth 1889. "Elizabeth: A Colored Minister of the Gospel Born in Slavery". Philadelphia: The Tract Association of Friends. Call number E Pam 12mo #7007 Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University Libraries, p. 6). Elizabeth prayed and sought the Lord, then asked one of the older ladies to let her lead meetings in her home. Her request was granted, but she met with resistance and persecution. "I felt at times that I must exercise in the ministry, but when I rose upon my feet I felt ashamed, and so I went under a cloud for some time, and endeavored to keep silence; but I could not quench the Spirit. I was rejected by the elders and rulers, as Christ was rejected by the Jews before me, and while others were excused in crimes of the darkest dye, I was hunted down in every place where I appointed a meeting" (Elizabeth 1889, p. 7-8). She finds a mentor in the form of an older sister, who nurtures her and her ministry. Yet, "But the persecution against me increased, and a complaint was carried forward, as was done formerly against Daniel, the servant of God, and the elders came out with indignation for my holding meetings contrary to discipline--being a woman" (Elizabeth 1889, p. 9) She continued to preach, travelling as far as Canada, before joining the Quakers. That group welcomed her. She wrote: "Thus we see when the heart is not inspired, and the inward eye enlightened by the Spirit, we are incapable of discerning the mystery of God in these things" (Elizabeth 1889, p. 9).  
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