The publication of the story of her life was so remote from her thoughts that it was only by the solicitation of some one who had been greatly helped by her faith and experience and the workings of God through her, and who was unwilling that her trials and triumphs should be lost as a part of the history of the church, that she was prevailed upon to write this brief narrative of her life and work. The story of her life would not, indeed, be worth telling were it stripped of the manifestations of God's power. As you read this simple story, you will see clearly that, as Sister Cole has herself expressed so many times, what she is she is by God's grace, and that all she has accomplished she has accomplished through God's power. If you will take at their value the oft-repeated expressions, "God told me," "God spoke to me," "God made me to understand," realizing that these words tell us something that actually happened, you will get some idea of how marvelously God can use even the weakest members of the human race. Aside from the interest this brief history will have for those readers who have had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with Sister Cole and who have had the privilege of listening to her stirring messages delivered under the anointing of God's Spirit, it can not fail to interest and profit all who take pleasure in reading about the dealings of God with man. It is the sincere wish of the author and of all those who had a hand in preparing this work, that it will show some their greater privileges in the kingdom of God, and that it will help some to covet the divine help, guidance, and power that are the heritage of all God's children. J.W.P. CONTENTS I. Birth and Ancestry II. Early Afflictions III. Incidents of Childhood IV. Events During the War V. Conversion and Sanctification VI. Events of Early Christian Life VII. My Call to the Ministry VIII. Seven Years of Preparation IX. Healed by Divine Power X. Entering the Gospel Field XI. Laboring in a New Field XII. Out of Sectarian Confusion XIII. The Evening Light XIV. Various Experiences in Gospel Work XV. Various Experiences--Continued XVI. God's Care Over Me XVII. My California Trip XVIII. Visiting Relatives in the East XIX. Mission Work in Chicago XX. A Battle With Smallpox XXI. Camp-Meetings in Various States XXII. Caring for My Aged Mother XXIII. Exhortation to Workers and Ministers POEMS Birthday Lines in Memory of February 5, 1822 The Refiner's Fire Chapter I Birth and Ancestry Like many other people of European descent, born in this country, I can trace my ancestry back to their emigration from Europe; but being so far removed from European environment, my nationality can best be expressed by the short but comprehensive term, American.