Women in Methodism lauded for their efforts

“Methodism in the Caribbean: Through a Feminine Optic” was the topic of discussion at the 10th Annual Sarah Ann Gill Memorial Lecture at Frank Collymore Hall. The lecture, delivered by Professor Barbara Bailey, gave a snapshot of Methodism through the centuries to give a feminine point of view on the development of the phenomenon.

 

First making mention of the Father of Methodism John Wesley, Prof. Bailey looked at how he persevered in a time of hardship in the 18th century to spread the scripture in England. However, he did not act alone. According to Prof. Bailey, women were engaged in preaching and helped to make the Wesleyan revival a powerful religious awakening. To a great extent, they challenged the validity and the exclusive structure; daring to take their rightful place in the church as they stood at the cutting edge of the struggle for liberation.

 

Prof. Bailey’s attention then turned to Susanna Wesley who is thought to be the Founding Mother of Methodism as she is the mother of eleven children, two of them being John and Charles Wesley.  Susanna, who was obviously not a man and neither a minister, sought to do more and spoke individually to her children about Methodism, spreading the faith from a young age. Two of her children, John and Charles, grew up to be pioneers in the Methodism movement due to her exemplary ministering.

 

Travelling further down the timeline, Prof. Bailey recognized two ladies from Antigua, one a negro and the other a mulatto, who also made significant contributions to Methodism. Methodist teachings on the island were headed by Nathaniel Gilbert and following his death, Bessie Mary Allen and Sophia Campbell picked up the staff and carried the flock. As Prof. Bailey puts it, they exerted themselves in the most prayer worthy manner as no one was qualified to take Gilbert’s place.

 

Lastly, bringing it closer to home for all in the room, Prof. Bailey spoke of National Heroine Sarah Ann Gill. Sarah Ann Gill held religious meetings in her home that were deemed illegal by some at the time. Despite much persecution, Sarah Ann Gill remained determined in her cause to see the continuation of the Methodist church and its teachings and donated the land on which the first Methodist Church in Barbados was built.

 

In closing, Prof. Bailey lauded the great efforts of these women who prevailed in a time and society that was largely male dominated. She went on to say that these preferences for gender and social class still exist today; but while the region has some way to go in removing such, the efforts of the women to dared to say “To God Be the Glory” will be long appreciated.