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.
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ANNA WEED PROSSER.
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.