The Primary Source - Maria Woodworth-etter

1844–1924

When she was young, Maria’s family often went without. As she wrote in her autobiography, her father was “addicted to the accursed cup.” Both parents converted to Christianity in 1854, but her father died a year later, creating even more financial stress for the whole family. Along with some of her older siblings, Maria had to work to support the family, though she longed to be able to go to school and learn.

When she was thirteen, Maria professed her own faith in Christ, and her deepest desire was to go into ministry. Somewhere along the way, she formed the belief that it wasn’t possible unless she had a husband who wanted to be in the ministry too. She married Philo Harris Woodworth and had six children. Five of those children died—some as infants, others when they were older. Maria and Philo traveled and ministered together—although Maria did most of the preaching. The stress of the deaths of their children took its toll, though. In 1891, Philo had an affair. Maria’s marriage ended in divorce. Her life up to that point certainly had been rough.

Maria eventually married Samuel Etter, and the two of them traveled together, evangelizing. She led meetings where thousands of people worshiped and prayed, often praying for healing. Sometimes she led three meetings a day as people experienced great power, healing, visions, speaking in tongues, and occasionally trances. Maria became known as the grandmother of the modern Pentecostal movement.

In her autobiography, Maria wrote about realizing that God uses women—apart from men—to minister. She had second thoughts about her youthful belief that women could minister only alongside men. “As I continued to read my Bible,” she wrote, “I saw that in all ages of the world the Lord raised up of his own choosing, men, women and children—Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Hulda, Anna, Phoebe, Narcissus, Tryphena, Persis, Julia, and the Marys, and the sisters who were co-workers with Paul in the gospel . . . are mentioned with praise.”

Notice what Maria did here. She had a long-held opinion that she thought was biblical—and then she went back to the Bible to see if it really was. That’s a good practice for all of us, on any issue.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105