Glimpses of Christian History Presents Pastwords #147: Freewill Baptist Female Evangelist Answers the Call by Almond H. Davis ©2007

DAVIS, ALMOND H. The Female Preacher, or Memoir of Salome Lincoln, Afterwards the Wife of Elder Junia S. Mowry, By Almond H. Davis. Providence: Published by Elder J. S. Mowry, at the Bookstore of Isaac Wilcox, 5 Market Square. Boston: for Sale by D.S. King and Co., No. 1 Cornhill. 1843.

Salome Lincoln (1807-1841) Free-will Baptist minister and evangelist. She worked throughout Mass., NH & Maine and often preached on Martha's Vineyard. She frequently preached among the Methodists. Includes a short account of her preaching at the African Chapel at Nantucket.

Salome, Lincoln, -the daughter of Ambrose and Susanna Lincoln, was born at Raynham, Mass. in Bristol County, September 13, 1807. She was the eldest of six children; only two of which are now living. Her father's residence, where she was born, is situated in the edge of Raynham, about five miles north of Taunton Green.

Her father was born in Taunton in 1784. Her mother, Susanna Weston, was born in Middleborough, Mass., in the year 1782. They are both professors of religion: Her father having made a public profession, and united with the Christian Baptist Church in 1806; and her mother, in 1805 united with the Calvinist Baptist Church at Taunton. She afterwards took up her connection, and united with the Free Will Baptist, at Taunton, she died at age 34.

A Call to Preach

oe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel."--Paul.

"Go then earthly fame and treasure--Come disaster, scorn and pain, In thy service, pain is pleasure, with thy favor loss is gain!"

"A call to preach!" says the reader-What! a woman called to preach?-Truly this is something new!

But stop my dear Sir!--let us reason for a moment. What is a call to preach?

The strongest evidence I can name, that an individual is called to preach the gospel, is, a deep conviction that it is his duty-this conviction being from God. The apostle explains the nature of this call, when he says:-"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel."--I Cor. ix. 16.

This is one of the evidences, but there are others, and I will proceed to name them.

1. An individual called to preach the gospel, will feel to weep over sin, in high, as well as low places; and to do all he or she can, to promote the salvation of others.

2. "A call to preach, requires of the individual, a holy, blameless, life, and abilities suited to the work; such as knowledge, aptness to teach, courage, etc.--and an opportunity afforded in providence to be useful."

These are some of the most prominent points, which we consider constitute a call to preach. Now if a woman has all these qualifications; and there is no prohibition in the word of God, may she not strictly be said to have a call from God to preach the gospel?

The greatest difficulty at the present day, is, that too many preachers, have no higher call than of men. If more were called of God, and less of men, it would be better for the church, and better for the world.

Whether Sister Lincoln had the qualifications which I have named, or not, I leave for the reader to judge, after he shall have read her convictions, and the testimony of others.

I expect that in heaven, woman will occupy as high as rank among the happy myriads, as man, and will tune her voice in the praises of God, as high as any of the angels, who have sung in paradise for ages. But her voice will be melodious there, in proportion to her faithfulness here. This being the case there is an incentive for woman, as well as man, to forsake all and follow Christ.

It was this that actuated Salome to leave father and mother, brother and sister, neighbors and friends, and to break up all the social relations of life in order to Preach the Gospel; and if there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repented, who would wish to deprive her, or any other woman from participating in that joy.

As the spring of 1830 wore away, and as the tender buds began to swell, and summer's splendor to dawn, her heart expanded with benevolence; and she began to feel still more deeply for the lost condition of a dying world. In view of this she resolved to forsake all, and proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. Accordingly May 18th, she left the factory at Easton, and made preparation for more extended usefulness.

One week before she left Easton, as she was returning on the Sabbath from meeting, she stopped by the way at five o'clock to attend a conference. A cloud of darkness, according to her own relation, hovered over her mind, and she felt as though her soul was barren, and she should have nothing to do or say. She entered the room, and took her seat, but on casting her eye around, discovered one with whom she labored.

This girl was seriously inclined, and one whom Salome highly esteemed; but of anything further, she was not aware. Yet there was a silent whispering within, which told her that all was not right. As the contest was going on between the enemy and the spirit, Salome arose to speak; and the first word she uttered was like a nail, fastened in a sure place; it sunk deep into the heart of her friend, and when the meeting closed, she found her under deep concern of mind for the salvation of her soul. From this meeting they repaired to a class meeting, where her friend was soon basking in the sunshine of God's Eternal Love, his spirit testifying with her spirit, that she was born again.

The first discourse that Sister Lincoln preached after leaving Easton, was at Hopewell, at the residence of Mrs. Hall. It being the place where she formerly worked, and many of her old acquaintance still remaining, she naturally had fears in relation to what they would think and say. But notwithstanding this she went boldly forward in the discharge of duty, and when the hour for meeting arrived, the house was crowded with spectators, many of whom had doubtless come with no other view, than to hear Salome Lincoln. There are many individuals, who will turn out to meeting when some stranger, or exciting preacher is to be present, when in the same places, on ordinary occasions, the house of God is left desolate.

Her text on this occasion, was from Deu. xxxii. 11, 12, "As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings; so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

This sermon was preached the 28th of May, and the next day being Saturday, she went in company with Miss Liscom to a town a few miles S.W. of Taunton, where she spent the Sabbath. During the day she attended meeting with the (name of the town, together with the denomination and individuals, are kept behind the curtain, as strong sectarian prejudice was probably manifested, and the respect we have to individual feeling, leads us not to name them) and listened to the discourse of a young man by the name of B****. At six o'clock that evening, being requested, she consented to preach in a school house, in the immediate vicinity; but during the interval strong opposition was raised among some of the brethren, and when arrived at the place of appointment, they found that no preparation had been made, and the door fast locked. However, two ladies went and obtained the key, and opened the door. The house was soon densely crowded, and as not near all could get in, they were forced to take out the windows, in order that those outside might hear. She commenced the exercises by giving out the following hymn, well adapted, not only to her own feelings, but to the occasion.

"Saviour of men, thy searching eye, Doth all my inmost thoughts descry; Doth aught on earth, my wishes raise, Or the world's pleasure, or its praise?

The love of Christ, doth me constrain, To seed the wandering souls of men; With cries, entreaties, tears to save, To snatch them from the gaping grave.

For this let men revile my name; No cross I shun, I fear no shame: All hail reproach! and welcome pain-Only thy terrors, Lord restrain!

Give my they strength, O God of power! Then let winds blow, and thunders roar; Thy faithful witness will I be, Tis fixes-I can do all through Thee!"

No one can tell the conflicting emotions, which filled the breast of Salome on this occasion. The embarrassing circumstances under which she was placed, was enough to have put to test the feelings of the harder sex.

Urgently requested to preach, by those too, whom she reasonably presumed were her friends, and then as she moved forward, innocently, and honestly, as she thought in the discharge of duty-to find herself alone, and unprotected save by a few female friends, the way apparently hedged up, the door locked against her, and to witness the silent whisperings of scornful reproach, was extremely severe. But in justice to our departed Sister, and others concerned, we are bound to say; that if there was any prejudice previously existing, it was of but short duration, as on the next day, she received through the hands of Miss Liscom, the following polite note:-

"Sister Lincoln:-Without doubt you have heard that I did not like to have you preach in this neighborhood. That report is not true, for I should be glad to have you preach here often. The report was through misunderstanding, or evil intentions. The reason why I did not attend meeting, was, my business rendered it impracticable. I should be glad to have you come and preach here, whenever you can make it convenient. And when our house is finished, our pulpit shall be at your service." Yours with Christian affection, ******* ******

She remained at **** about two weeks, and held other meetings, and then returned to Taunton.

She next went to Rochester Neck. Rochester is a town in the southern part of Plymouth county. At Rochester she found many friends, among whom were Elders. Johnston and Minor, and while here she preached several times; once in schoolhouse on Rochester Neck. The notice had been previously given out by Eld. Johnston, - the house was well filled, and the Lord manifested his presence in the midst. She says:-"I felt rather awkward on account of Elder Johnston being present, but I made the best of it I could, and as soon as I had concluded, he gave out notice that I would preach again in the evening. I went to my appointment that evening, as deliberately as ever I went to a day's work in my life. The house was very much crowded, besides a large number who could not get in, and were forced to stand outside."

The next Sabbath she attended a meeting, and preached in the same neighborhood; but so large a number assembled at the school house, that it was thought best to hold the meeting in a grove near by. Elder Johnston preached in the morning, and sister Lincoln in the afternoon. The scene on this occasion was truly sublime. Surrounded as she was by a large concourse of people, of both sexes, and of all ages, some of whom had come miles to hear The Female Preacher, and who then stood listening with breathless attention to the plain truths of the gospel, as they eloquently escaped from her lips, while she stood sheltered from the scorching rays of the sun, under the spreading branches of a lofty tree. The next Sabbath after, she preached in what is called the Old Spruce Meeting-house in Middleborough. With regard to her discourse there, but little is known by the author. She spent several weeks in preaching in this section, and then left for the cape. After leaving Rochester she spent several months in preaching at Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, Falmouth and Brewster. At Brewster she was the happy witness of several hopeful conversions.

She went to Falmouth sometime in the month of September, to a camp-meeting held at a place commonly called Wayquoit, and sometimes East Falmouth. On the fourth day of the meetings the preachers were obliged to leave, but Salome remained. The work of the Lord already powerfully begun, was rapidly spreading, and twelve individuals who on the morning of that day were in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity, before night were rejoicing in the Lord.

She continued to hold meetings for the several succeeding nights, and a large number more were converted. In speaking of this revival, she says,_"The Lord has worked like himself-a wonder working God. It is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes. It cannot be said in this neighborhood, as it is frequently said in others, during revivals of religion, that it is only among the weak and silly women, or the lower classes in society, for it is chiefly confined to the young men, and those too of promising talents, and from the first class in society."

And here I would add; how frequently is the ear pained, and the heart of the faithful Christian melted by expressions like those alluded to in the above, and that too from men, whose convictions of truth and duty, at the same time, teach them better-just as though Heaven and Immortal Glory, was good enough for the Poor and despised! But as for them, they have no concern about the future! Such men, will do well to reflect that they have a soul to be saved or lost, a soul of immortal worth! Yes, ten thousand worlds like this, with all its riches, and honors would not pay for the Ransom of such a soul! And again they will do well to reflect upon the death bed scene of Thomas Paine, and some other noted infidels; who, as the lamp of life went out were left in the most abject misery, calling upon an insulted Savior to have mercy!

It was during this revival, that two young men, Benjamin and Simeon Eldrich were converted. They were men of promising talent, highly respected among their acquaintance, and devoutly pious. What is still more remarkable, but a short time after their conversion, they had strong presentiment of their approaching death. They both followed the sea, and Simeon but a few days before he left home for the last time, went through the neighborhood-took leave of the hills and trees, and as he left each family, invariably remarked, that it was his fixed conviction that he should never return. About the same period he attended a meeting in the vicinity, and there remarked,-"Some doubt that I am willing to die. They say, it is faith untried! I will think of it, I am willing to die!-I will think of it again-I am willing to die!-I will think of it thrice-I am willing to die!-The moment my spirit leaves the body, it will be in immortal glory/1" Who after witnessing such Christian fortitude, can for a moment doubt the virtue of religion, or, that "Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are." Soon after this, he went to sea in a vessel bound for New York, and was lost!

Benjamin, though equally impressed with a conviction that the hour drew near for him to depart this life, yet being more retiring, said less about it, to those around him. He was lost from the Schooner Spy, bound from New York to Baltimore. He was passing the lead in the evening, in order to get the sounding, and unperceived fell overboard, and was drowned. They have gone from whence no traveler returns; but in the language of the sacred penman, -"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

Sister Lincoln remained at East Falmouth, and vicinity, until about the last of October. Her time while there was well spent, in preaching, visiting and attending conferences. From a letter written home to her parents, we learn that while gone, at this time, she preached between thirty and forty discourses. This for a female just beginning, and not in the enjoyment of very good health was a large amount of labor.

An anecdote is related of her while on the Cape in 1830 showing her ardent attachment to the cause of Christ, and the deep interest she felt in the salvation of others. A party was collected to go to the beach to enjoy a short recreation, and among those who joined them, were two young men, who I should judge had not much respect for themselves, for religion, or for any thing else of a weighty character. They were seated on what is called by those who reside on the beach a Horsefoot. Salome in her usually friendly and feeling manner, went up to them and enquired if they enjoyed religion. The only reply they made was, this Horsefoot is _____hard, and rudely left her. But if their consciences were not seared as with a hot iron, they heard those word resounding in their ears for more than one twenty-four hours after, and if now living out of Christ, though her tongue is silenced in death, yet she speaketh in an audible voice, in the language then used-"Young Men! Do you enjoy religion?" Prepare before your day of probation ceases, to answer this question, at the judgment seat of Christ!

After returning home, she went back to work in the factory at Easton, where she remained till sometime in the month of February 1831, when she bid a final adieu to the factories, for a higher and nobler calling.

"How beauteous are their feet, Who stand on Zion's Hill; Who bring salvation on their tongues, And words of peace reveal!"

Only those who have been called away from the endearments of home, can conceive of the feelings that agitate the bosom, as the hour rapidly hastens one, when we are to separate ourselves from those we love, and leave the scenes of youth behind, for a residence among strangers. It is then that the past with all its beauties, and the future with all its forebodings, crowd in upon the mind, mingling pain with pleasure. In youth, time lays her finger heavily upon memory, and stamps her images with indelible impress; so that on an occasion like the one I am describing, we remember all the pleasing associations connected with youth.

It is then, that we call to mind the many happy hours we have spent under the fostering care of our parents-We remember the sports of childhood-Our school-day scenes- and how, that let loose from confinement, our hearts would bound with joy, and our bodies glad to be freed, would keep time to its action, as we sped away to join our merry companions. And as we sat at the window of the coach, which was bearing us away, gazing upon objects rendered familiar from having been oft visited, we realized, perhaps for the first time, how far short earthly pleasures fall of imparting happiness! And then too we felt the uncertainty of life.

Perhaps this is the last-came to the mind with force, and stole a tear! I have stood around the bed of a dear earthly relative, and heard the last expiring breath, as the spirit took its departure, and seen the eye silently close in death, and felt to say, "thy will be done." I felt on such an occasion that my loss was his eternal gain. But to tear myself from home, knowing not where my lot might be cast, or how my path might be strewed-and called to gaze upon the faces of those I loved, knowing not where we should meet again, far surpassed everything else, I have ever experienced. Many a time on such an occasion, I have felt to say with the poet, Can I-can I say farewell? But after a few more such meetings and partings, have come and gone, we shall all part or meet, to part no more!

Sometime in the month of May or June 1831, Sister Lincoln again left home, to spend the summer in Barnstable and Dukes Co., Mass. Previous to this date she had spent but little time out of her own immediate circle of acquaintance, except for a short season to visit or preach. But now the scale turned; as after the spring of 1831, she only occasionally visited home-and from 1831 to the time of her marriage, she was constantly immerging into new society, and forming new associations.

The first place she visited, after leaving home in this summer, (1831) was Pocasset, a village in Sandwich, Mass. She went to Pocasset to attend a protracted meeting, and while there stopped in the family of Br. Alvin Swift. She preached several times, and from there went again to East Falmouth, the place where she visited and preached in 1830.

Her labors here, were in conjunction with those of a young man by the name of Pierce, a preacher among the Reformed Methodist. He had been preaching there for some time, and was successful in winning souls to Christ. At this time Salome preached for several weeks, and occasionally visited there for one or two of the following years. And besides the places which we shall mention, there are probably a large number of others, in the vicinity and adjoining towns, where she visited, of which we have no definite knowledge.

From East Falmouth she went to Holmes' Hole, a village which takes its name from its harbor, in the town of Tisbury, on Martha's Vineyard. Martha's Vineyard embraces one entire county, (Duke's,) and is situated in the South East part of Mass. It is an island, about six miles from the main land. Holmes' Hole is on the north side. It has a beautiful harbor, which makes a safe resort for vessels during a storm. Martha's Vineyard, like Nantucket is isolated from the rest of the world; and one would almost suppose that its inhabitants, could enjoy the paradise of Eden.

Besides the one already named, (Tisbury) there are two other large towns, Chilmark and Edgartown; at these places Salome spent considerable time.

She went to Martha's Vineyard about the first of July 1831, with Bro. Hiram Chase and wife. Bro. Chase was at East Falmouth on a visit, where he spent the Sabbath, with his wife's mother. Salome had for a long time wished to visit the island; but till now, the way never seemed to be open.

On the Sabbath alluded to, Br. Pierce preached in the forenoon, and Salome in the afternoon. She had for several days been unwell, and that day so much so, that she kept her bed, until the time of meeting, and then went to her appointment.

After meeting Mrs. Chase proposed that she should accompany them to the Vineyard, remarking at the same time, that she might make it her home with them, as long as she remained on the island. Having had strong impressions that God had something for her to do there, she cheerfully accepted the kind offer, and accordingly made immediate preparation to leave East Falmouth.

The first place she preached on the Vineyard, was at the old meeting house belonging to the Calvinist Baptist in Holmes' Hole. Her text was:-"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" Jeremiah viii. 22.

On this occasion she spoke to a crowded house, and a listening congregation; and many who heard her, were melted to tears.

After this she frequently preached there, but not much in the meeting houses, as the desks were made the sanctum sanctorum, and were too sacred for the proclamation of Free and unmerited Salvation, from the lips of one of God's Female Servants. But we have reason to rejoice that the gospel is the power of God unto Salvation, whether it is preached by a D.D., or a common Street Beggar. And still more, it is declared:-"God hath chose the foolish things of the world, to confound the Wise; and God hath chose the Weak Things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty. While she remained at Holmes' Hole, she held her meetings principally at private houses; and by a strict Christian deportment, she gathered many worthy friends around her, many of whom, will remember her labors there with gratitude and thanksgiving to God.

Says a friend:-"I expect to see her in a few days. Salome will stand in her lot and place! Her preaching here was powerful. The aged, the middle aged and young, of both sexes, and from all ranks of society, were awakened and led to seek an interest in Christ."

On the 25th day of July she left Holmes' Hole, and went to North Shore, another part of Tisbury, about four miles from the last named place. The circumstances connected with her going to North Shore, are briefly these: Having heard of her preaching at Holmes' Hole, several individuals from there, came down to attend the meetings; and after meeting, being urgently requested to visit that place, she consented to go. In view of going there she remarked to a friend:-"It is God that calls, and I must go!"

The remaining part of the year 1831, and a portion of 1832 and '33, she spent in preaching, and holding meetings at the North Shore and in the adjoining section. The Lord was with her, and witnesses her labors, by giving her souls, as seals of her ministry. There is nothing more encouraging to the Christian minister, than to see the sinner turning from the error of his ways, and becoming a devoted Christian-beloved in the church, and useful in the world! The sacred penman says:-"Let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins."-James v. 20.

While at the North Shore, she generally preached at the school house, but sometimes at a grove nearby , in order to accommodate the large number who came to hear.

The grove is a delightful spot, fitted up with seats, for the purpose of holding meetings during the summer months. On one occasion, while preaching at this place, in speaking of the tree under which she then stood, she said, -"When my body sleeps in the dust, this tree will speak." This remark is now distinctly remembered by those who then heard her, and in 1842, nine years afterwards, when a meeting of a similar character was again to be held there; they were particular in selecting the same tree for the preachers' stand, and the fact of her having preached there, was several times mentioned. How pleasant a spot is often rendered for having been the resort of departed friends.

On another occasion, (Sabbath morning) as she came down from her chamber, she was in tears on account of her trials of mind. But she preached all day at the grove; in the forenoon from a passage in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, and in the afternoon from Acts xxvi. 13.-"At mid-day, O king! I saw in the way, a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun." Says the individual who related this circumstance-"I seldom ever listened to a discourse, with so profound attention as on this occasion. I should not hesitate in pronouncing it, Evangelical, beautiful and sublime!"

The same individual heard her preach again, a short time after from a text in Isaiah.

The arrangement of her discourses, was usually very clear, and her divisions distinctly marked, but as they were mental rather than written, we have not been able to give much in relation to the matter. But in this instance Mr. Luce gave us what he thinks a correct skeleton; and as we have not hereto fore, and shall not probably hereafter be able to give a specimen, we will now insert it.

"And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, they way of holiness."-Isaiah xxxv. 8.

She divided the subject in the following manner: viz.

1. She spoke of the highway. Christ is the great Highway.
2. She considered the way to the highway. We are led to the Highway,

1. By Consideration.
2. By Prayer.
3. By Faith.
4. By Repentance.
5. By living Holy Lives, etc.

The following is an extract of a letter written to Elizabeth Liscom, and will show more fully the success attending her preaching this summer. It was written at Tisbury, September 5th, 1831.

"Dear Eliza:-****After camp-meeting I spent three weeks in East Falmouth, and from there I came to the Vineyard, but did not expect to stop more than one or two weeks. At the first meeting I had in this place, I felt an uncommon anxiety for the people, yet I left the neighborhood, after spending one Sabbath. ******I then went to the harbor, which is about four miles, but the people followed me in my imagination, and I had no rest, till a few days after, when a man came for me to go back. At the first meeting I held after returning, one backslider was reclaimed, and I have thought every week since, that I should leave the next, but the time has never come when I dared to go. I have now been here two months, and there is a greater prospect of my staying than ever. The cloud which I saw the first day I was here, had been increasing ever since, and a number of backsliders have been reclaimed, one soul converted, and several more anxiously inquiring to know that they shall do to be saved. I have been called to converse with one, who was so deeply distressed that she was obliged to leave her school to come and see me; and though she went away as she came, yet I believe that she is near the kingdom of heaven. I have had some pretty severe trials since I have been here, yet no more than has been for my good. I shall wait with impatience to hear from you.

Yours as ever,

Salome Lincoln.