Lisa Joy Pruitt offers a new look at women's involvement in the mission movement, with a welcome focus on the often overlooked antebellum era. Pruitt suggests that the feminization of the later mission movement actually stemmed in large part from images of the "degraded Oriental woman" that popular evangelical literature had been circulating since the 1790s and that the increasing focus on and involvement of women was supported by male denominational leaders as an important strategy for reaching the world with the Christian gospel.

As long as there have been Baptists in America, there have been female Baptist ministers and preachers. Unfortunately, some Baptist denominations have not always been kind to them. Due to theological debate, often the existence of these female ministers has been ignored, and their words have not been recorded. This book of sermons seeks to record the words, insights, and experiences of several women ministers and preachers so as not to become part of the lost generations of women who have gone before them. This book is practical in its arrangement for classroom use or group readings.

Annie W. Armstrong, more familiarly known as "Miss Annie," served as the first corresponding secretary of the Women’s Missionary Union, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. Between 1888 and 1906 she wrote hundreds of letters on behalf of Southern Baptist missionary enterprises. Almost all of her letters inimitably expressed her opinion of "how things ought to be." Rescue the Perishing offers for the first time a selection of letters from this remarkable woman’s life. As a group, these letters indicate that Armstrong was both an innovator and tireless promoter of numerous missionary projects at home and abroad. Stubborn and forthright, some might even say abrasive, Miss Annie’s correspondence demonstrates that she was a gifted administrator with unparalleled organizational skills. Her guiding hand shaped the WMU’s role in Southern Baptist life. Moreover, her ability to work with a variety of denomination leaders in different contexts influenced Baptist polity and helped forge Southern Baptist denominational identity. These letters have never been available to the general public, and they offer great insight into the life and development of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1934 the WMU recognized Annie W. Armstrong’s legacy by naming their Easter offering for Home Missions in her honor. As these letters show, the recognition was well deserved.

Annie W. Armstrong, more familiarly known as "Miss Annie," served as the first corresponding secretary of the Women’s Missionary Union, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. Between 1888 and 1906 she wrote hundreds of letters on behalf of Southern Baptist missionary enterprises. Almost all of her letters inimitably expressed her opinion of "how things ought to be." Rescue the Perishing offers for the first time a selection of letters from this remarkable woman’s life. As a group, these letters indicate that Armstrong was both an innovator and tireless promoter of numerous missionary projects at home and abroad. Stubborn and forthright, some might even say abrasive, Miss Annie’s correspondence demonstrates that she was a gifted administrator with unparalleled organizational skills. Her guiding hand shaped the WMU’s role in Southern Baptist life. Moreover, her ability to work with a variety of denomination leaders in different contexts influenced Baptist polity and helped forge Southern Baptist denominational identity. These letters have never been available to the general public, and they offer great insight into the life and development of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1934 the WMU recognized Annie W. Armstrong’s legacy by naming their Easter offering for Home Missions in her honor. As these letters show, the recognition was well deserved.

Volume II contains Anne Dutton’s once well-known and widely circulated A Discourse upon Walking with God (1735). Once read and referred to by George Whitefield, it contains spiritual insights for practical daily living. Dutton’s hymns and poetry are also included in this volume.

The autobiography is a priceless treasure of an eighteenth-century British Baptist woman's life, ministry, publications, and contribution to Evangelicalism in England and in America. Dutton gives her own account of her conversion experience, two marriages, ministry contributions with her yokefellow husband, Benjamin Dutton. Dutton records her publishing career and correspondence, includeing her famous letter on her right to publish influential theological and spiritual works.A remarkable work by a British Baptist woman.

Volume 6 of Anne Dutton’s writings, Various Works, rounds out the available letters of this prolific correspondent and spiritual writer and theologian.

Volume 4 of Ann Dutton’s writings includes The New Birth (1734); Treatise on Justification (1778); A Discourse concerning God’s Action of Adoption (1737); A Discourse on the Inheritance of the Adopted Sons of God (1748); and her letters on the marks of a child of God (1761). She is significant as a Baptist responding to revival in England and in America.