LISTEN NOW (7 Minutes):
Jennie Smith was an extraordinary woman who led thousands of railroad workers to Christ and sobriety. She was born in Clarke County, Ohio, on August 18, 1842, into a family of nine children, with her being the eldest. Her parents were James and Eliza, and her grand-parents were originally from New Jersey. Her father died when she was 13 years old, leaving her to help raise her siblings.
By 1856, at the age of 14 years old, she attended a camp meeting where she made a firm commitment to Jesus Christ.
By 1862, she was experiencing very serious paralysis of her spine. This was left over from an earlier infection of typhoid fever. On February 24th of that year, she wrote this in her diary: “On Wednesday I arose. I partially dressed myself and started for the door but took only a few steps when I began to reel. Mother caught me and laid me back on the bed, perfectly helpless.”
That was the last time she ever stood on her feet for the next 16 years.
She needed to travel by railroad to see doctors and specialists. So, a special bed on wheels was built for her. This bed on wheels would not fit into any of the standard railroad passenger cars. Thus, she had to travel in one of the baggage cars.
While doing this, she began to read her Bible, to the railroad workers. Few of these men ever had the chance to attend church. Even fewer who had the chance took advantage of it. Her Bible meetings became very popular. They were no longer held in the baggage cars. Instead, they were moved into the larger spaces of the train stations themselves.
People from all around would hear the news that Jennie Smith had a stop-over in town. They would flock to the train station to hear her speak on Jesus Christ, salvation, and sobriety.
In the year 1878, she had a vision of Jesus healing a man with a withered arm. Shortly thereafter, she lifted her head, and finally stood and walked. It is said that this healing began through much prayer. The prayers took place at a camp meeting in the famous town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Jennie returned to Ocean Grove many times, attending and speaking at Holiness meetings.
Jennie never lost her love for the railroad, or for the salvation of the men who worked it. She continued her evangelistic work with them. Later, she became involved with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Eventually, she was appointed National Superintendent of the Railroad department.
Throughout her years of pain and suffering, she experienced eventual healing. During this time, she is said to have led thousands of railroad workers to Christ. She wrote several books. You’ll find a link to download a complete copy of her final book “Incidents and Experiences of a Railroad Evangelist.” This book was published in the year 1920. You’ll find a link for that down below.
The Lord called Jennie Smith home on September 3, 1924, at the age of 82.
As a collector of American photographic history of Christianity, I was very fortunate to have obtained a very rare 3-D stereograph of Jennie. It is fascinating to place this card in a stereoscope. You can see her in her room in 3-D — as if you are in the room with her.
Something else was just as rare on the back of the card. A former owner of the card, a woman named Carrie Pitts Omeara, wrote about her father. Her father not only knew Jennie Smith, but he was also one of the men who helped to move her around on her rolling bed.
Carrie wrote a story on the back of the card. I would like to take a moment to read it to you now:
As follows in her own words:
“My father John Pitts Sr was a broker and business man in years from 1865 to 1883. This sick lady is Jennie Smith & was a great Christian, and was cured altogether by prayer and faith. She waited and prayed 12 years for recovery, and then was completely and miraculously healed. Our father John Pitts Senior carried this lady on a stretcher to the train and hospital and knew her well. This was about the year 1878 or 1879. This is true, as her life story was told to me. I am Carrie Pitts Omeara writing.”
The photographer was Frederick Gutekunst. He lived from 1831 to 1917. His photography studio was located at 712 Arch St. in Philadelphia, PA. Frederick was one of the most famous American photographers of his day. His photographic career started in 1856 in Philadelphia, and his business grew during the Civil War. After the war, his reputation spread outside of Philadelphia and the military. Distinguished individuals, including Generals and Presidents, came to have their portraits made by the master. Eventually, the Gutekunst studio became a photographic industry, with two studios in Philadelphia, and a large photo reproduction press. He continued working until he died in 1917, from Bright’s Disease.
And, if you’ll look down below, I will also have a 3-D anaglyph of his stereograph. If you have (red/blue) 3-D glasses, put them on. You’ll be able to see Jennie Smith in 3-D.
In closing, I would like to say that it is very exciting to be a part of documenting the history of the Christian Holy Bible in America. I hope that you will continue to enjoy this programming. It will be my pleasure — and honor — to continue to bring programming to you.
So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas. If you want to learn more about the history of the Christian Holy Bible in America, please like, share, and subscribe.
Download Jennie’s Book Here:
The following PDF file will give you extra resources for further learning. You may download and print out as many copies of this file as needed:
Incidents and Experiences Of a Railroad Evangelist (File Size 3.5 MB)
America 250 Semiquincentennial Bible Celebration 