Anna Weed Prosser

Anna Weed Prosser

President, Christian Alliance

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Weed_Prosser
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191161435/anna-weed-prosser
• https://healingandrevival.com/BioAProsser.htm

Prosser was an American evangelist. An invalid for many years, she believed her recovery was due to prayer, and immediately entered upon her evangelical work in gratitude for her restored health. She worked for some time under the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.), ultimately establishing a mission of her own, known as the Old Canal Street Mission, in Buffalo, New York of which she took charge and was assisted in this work by reformed men whom she had saved from lives of destitution. After ten years spent in ministry among the poor and unfortunate, she entered the general evangelical work and became president of the Buffalo Branch of the National Christian Alliance.

Early life and education

Anna Weed Prosser was born in Albany, New York, October 15, 1846. Her parents were Erastus S. Prosser and Lucy (née, Wilbur) Prosser. Anna had one brother, Henry Wilbur Prosser, and two sisters, including Harriet.

At the age of seven years, she removed to Buffalo, New York, where she was reared in a luxurious home. As early as four years of age, she recalled deep stirrings of conscience at times and heart-longings after God. At the age of fifteen, she entered the Sunday school of the Presbyterian Church in the neighborhood.

Career

Leaving school very young, she began the usual career expected of a woman in her circumstance, that of a "society" girl. Gradually, her health failed under the incessant strain, until she was taken with a congestive chill, which was followed by a serious illness. She was carried to her room, and ten years of invalidism followed. Two of those years she spent in bed, and for five years, she was carried up and down stairs. One disease followed another, until finally, all physicians failing, she was removed from home on a mattress. After dedicating her life to the Christian religion, she returned to her home.

She took up city mission work under the W.C.T.U., where she worked for several years. From 1883, Prosser carried on rescue work in Canal Street, Buffalo. She took charge of the Canal Street Mission in Buffalo, of which she undertook the charge, assisted by her Bible class of reformed men. Her musical talent became the most prominent feature of her work.

About ten years after beginning this ministry, she received many calls from churches throughout the country and several invitations to assume the pastorate of a church. she entered general evangelistic work, and assumed the presidency of the Buffalo Branch of the National Christian Alliance. It was composed of members of various evangelical churches. About 1896, she established the Mionnary Training School to which work she brought an inheritance of US$12,000. For five years, she was president of the Christian Alliance, and for some time, conducted a Jewish mission.

Personal life

Prosser made her home in Kenmore, a suburb bordering Buffalo. She adopted two daughters, Olive and Georgia Plumstell, and one adopted son, John Reece.

On December 20, 1902, Anna Weed Prosser died at the Missionary Training School in Buffalo, which she founded, and of which she was superintendent. Burial was at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo.

Anna Prosser was involved in the Divine Healing Movement of the late 1800s. She was associated with Carrie Judd Montgomery and A.B. Simpson of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. She opened a Faith Home in Buffalo, NY in order to pray for people to receive Christ and be healed. She is buried in the family plot but there is no grave marker. In 1901 her autobiography was published titled "From Death to Life."

A more extensive biography can be found at the Healing and Revival website.
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PROSSER, Miss Anna Weed, evangelist, born in Albany, N.Y., 15th October, 1846. At the age of seven years she removed to Buffalo, N.Y., where she has since resided. Reared in a luxurious home, she sought no higher ambition than the applause and favor of the world of fashion in which she moved. As early as four years of age she can recall deep stirrings of conscience at times and heart-longings after God. Left without even the instruction of the Sabbath-school, she grew up in entire ignorance of God's Word. At the age of fifteen she voluntarily entered the Sabbath-school of the Presbyterian Church in the neighborhood.

Leaving school very young, she began the usual career of a "society" girl. Gradually her health failed under the incessant strain, until at last she was taken with a congestive chill, which was followed by a serious illness. She was carried to her room, and ten weary years of invalidism followed. Two of those years she spent in bed, and for five years she was carried up and down stairs. One disease followed another, until finally, all physicians failing, she was removed from home on a mattress, too low to realize much that was passing around her.

When every human hope had fled and death seemed inevitable, she was led, in March, 1876, to a Christian woman of great faith, who pointed her to Christ as the sinner's only hope. Then and there, realizing herself for the first time a perishing sinner, she cast herself upon His mercy and was healed of her iniquities and her diseases. Awakening thus to the "newness of life, " in a double sense, in Christ, in gratitude and joy she dedicated her life unreservedly to His service. In a few weeks she was able, in answer to prayer, without the use of medicine of any kind, to walk three miles without injury, and returned to her own home, a walking miracle in the eyes of all who knew her.

Declaring to all whom she met the work wrought in her body and soul, she met incredulous looks from many, and soon also with bitter opposition in her attempts to carry on a work for the fallen. She took up a city mission work under the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, where she labored with interest and joy for several years. Feeling led to open a mission of her own, her steps were directed to the old Canal Street Mission in Buffalo, of which she undertook the charge, assisted by her Bible-class of reformed men.

Many diamonds were feathered out of the mire and filth of that most rightful locality. The musical talent, which had formerly been used for the applause of the world, she then dedicated to God alone, and it has since become the most prominent feature of her work. About ten years having been spent in ministry among the fallen, many calls having come from churches all over the land, among them several invitations to assume the pastorate of a church, she entered general evangelistic work, and is at present the president of the Buffalo Branch of the National Christian Alliance. It is composed of members of various evangelical churches.

She now lives in Kenmore, a suburb of Buffalo.