Women in Methodist History: Phoebe Palmer

Phoebe Palmer (1807-1874) has been described as the most influential Methodist woman in the 19th century.

She has also been called "Mother of the Holiness Movement." John Wesley incorporated holiness into Methodism after he saw it in the Moravians. Wesley believed that holiness, also called "entire sanctification" or "Christian perfection," could be attained in this life. "Christian perfection" means being perfect in love.

Phoebe Palmer grew up in a Methodist home. As a teenager, she questioned her faith because even though she knew she was a Christian, she had never had an emotional conversion experience like other Methodists. In 1827 she married Walter Palmer, a homeopathic physician.

In 1831 the Palmers moved in with Phoebe's older sister, Sarah Lankford, and her family. Here they learned of the Doctrine of Holiness, and Phoebe herself experienced entire sanctification in a dramatic moment of conversion on July 26, 1837. After this, Phoebe began home prayer meetings for women. These grew larger and were later called "Tuesday Meetings for the Promotion of Holiness." These meetings continued throughout her life.

In the 1850s Phoebe and Walter went on mission trips in the eastern United States. They spoke at camp meetings and revivals. In 1867, The National Association for the Promotion of Holiness was created and became the basis for the Palmers' evangelical ministry.

In the 1840s Phoebe also became involved in charitable works. She was active in the Ladies' Home Missionary Society and the founder of the Five Points Mission in New York City. Through these organizations she ministered to the poor, orphans, widows, prisoners and freed slaves.

In addition to her evangelical and charitable work, Phoebe was a writer. She was editor of the periodical called "The Guide to Holiness." In 1854 she published a book titled The Way of Holiness, the first of six books she would write during her lifetime. Using scripture and logic in her book The Promise of the Father, she advocated for the right of women to speak as ministers. 

We praise God for the life and ministry of Phoebe Palmer.

Image credit: https://worldmethodist.org/phoebe-palmer-and-the-day-of-days/