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Amanda Smith
Amanda Berry Smith (January 23, 1837 - February 24, 1915) was a former slave who became an inspiration to thousands of women both black and white. She was equally at home in the slums of a large city, or the stately homes of the nobility. Redeemed, first from slavery and then from the bondage of sin, she traveled all over the world, testifying to rich and poor alike about the necessity and the power of a sanctified life. Amanda's autobiography is quaint and truthful. She painstakingly relates details of her life as a humble washerwoman cum evangelist, thus opening a window into her world which is of value and interest to Christians and non Christians alike. Living when she did, Amanda faced many obstacles in her faith journey. An African American woman preacher was bound to be anathema to many, even within the church, but this intrepid evangelist was consumed by the message of Christ's full and free salvation and was not going to allow prejudice of any nature to deter her. Amanda often abashed and silenced her enemies through a winning combination of truth, love, and utter devotion to the Master she served.
522 pages, Hardcover
Published May 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
July 16, 2022
Full title: An Autobiography: The Story of the Lord’s Dealings with Mrs. Amanda Smith the Colored Evangelist; Containing an Account of Her Life Work of Faith, and Her Travels in America, England, Ireland, Scotland, India, and Africa, as an Independent Missionary.
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Smith writes engagingly about her peripatetic life, which took her all over the world as the title promises. The sections I enjoyed the least were the ones copied from her diary, which were notes about where she went and what she did, without her enjoyable narrative style.
Of course, the whole autobiography is an important historical document for studies about her life, and about the Holiness Movement. However, chapter 3 alone is worth the read for its thrilling tales of how the Berry family fearlessly protected people on the Underground Railroad. No question where Smith got her bravery to travel around the world alone in the 1800s. Her reflections on racism are also fascinating to read, as she often moved in predominantly white spaces. Most memorable for me are her accounts of spirituality and her vivid prayer life. Yet, her whole life is so richly textured and absolutely gripping to read. She writes effectively without an overly flowery style; though she had only a few months of formal education, she refined her communication skills through years of public speaking, and many trademarks of that style can be found in her writing with "Os" and "Hallelujahs" accenting important moments in her life and thought.
Well worth the read for anyone interested in the life of a 19th-century woman who puts our modern concept of "the Victorian woman" to shame, as it should be.
"And especially do I pray...that the Spirit of the Lord may come upon some of the younger women who have talent, and who have had better opportunities than I have ever had, and so must do better work for the Master; so that when I have fallen in the battle, and can do no more, they may take up the standard and bear it on, with the inscription deeply engraven on heart and life, ‘Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.’” (505-506)
Full text online
Smith writes engagingly about her peripatetic life, which took her all over the world as the title promises. The sections I enjoyed the least were the ones copied from her diary, which were notes about where she went and what she did, without her enjoyable narrative style.
Of course, the whole autobiography is an important historical document for studies about her life, and about the Holiness Movement. However, chapter 3 alone is worth the read for its thrilling tales of how the Berry family fearlessly protected people on the Underground Railroad. No question where Smith got her bravery to travel around the world alone in the 1800s. Her reflections on racism are also fascinating to read, as she often moved in predominantly white spaces. Most memorable for me are her accounts of spirituality and her vivid prayer life. Yet, her whole life is so richly textured and absolutely gripping to read. She writes effectively without an overly flowery style; though she had only a few months of formal education, she refined her communication skills through years of public speaking, and many trademarks of that style can be found in her writing with "Os" and "Hallelujahs" accenting important moments in her life and thought.
Well worth the read for anyone interested in the life of a 19th-century woman who puts our modern concept of "the Victorian woman" to shame, as it should be.
"And especially do I pray...that the Spirit of the Lord may come upon some of the younger women who have talent, and who have had better opportunities than I have ever had, and so must do better work for the Master; so that when I have fallen in the battle, and can do no more, they may take up the standard and bear it on, with the inscription deeply engraven on heart and life, ‘Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.’” (505-506)
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review