Julia Wood was only 21 years old when the Civil War broke out. Growing up as the eldest daughter of a wealthy landowner in Virginia, she received a classical education and encountered an array of difficult life experiences that God used to craft her into a remarkable woman who loved the Lord, studied the bible, and challenged all around her to live lives pleasing to God. Julia was an influencer of her day and is also noted by historians as an accomplished American writer and composer.
Following a time of spiritual struggle in her earlier years, Julia was introduced to the Brethren (now Charis Fellowship). She went on to make an important and significant impact through her writings on matters of truth and obedience to the teachings of the Bible. Despite suffering serious painful and debilitating medical conditions, Julia gained a reputation of being a bold and sometimes outspoken defender of truth while always expressing her thoughts with the greatest degree of humility, kindness, and integrity.
Her numerous inspirational writings are found scattered throughout the pages of Brethren periodicals of the 1870s and 1880s. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the Word of God and the importance and urgency of sharing the Gospel message with the world. She served the Lord fervently through what was referred to as “pen ministry,” advocating for believers to obey Scripture while also leveraging modern innovations for the cause of the Gospel.
In the year 1880, though frail in health, Julia embarked on an extended journey to the Annual Conference held that year in Illinois, journaling her experiences and interactions along the way in rich and engaging detail. These writings were published in 1887 in a book titled, My Northern Travels: the Results of Faith and Prayer: Based upon a Tour of Nine Months Through Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Canda. These writings provide readers with a fascinating account of life and travel in the 1880s, including visits to Chicago, Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, the White House, and numerous other “must-see” places of the day.
A friend and acquaintance of Henry R. Holsinger, one of the most innovative and influential leaders in our Fellowship’s history, Julia stayed with and encouraged Henry and his family during a difficult season of ministry while on the way back to her home in Virginia. A year later, right after Holsinger was unjustly “put on trial” by church authorities, insightful Julia Wood published an article addressed specifically to Mrs. Holsinger, acknowledging the hurt and damage that often afflicts ministry spouses and encouraging her with words of courage and appreciation.
At one time she authored her own “Julia Wood” column in The Progressive Christian, a weekly Brethren newspaper, and God used her in a mighty way to influence her readers to study and apply the Word of God to their daily lives and attitudes. She put into practice that which she taught and advocated. She was generous even in poverty and witnessed the mighty hand and provision of God along her journeys, giving Him all praise and glory at every opportunity. Readers across the country followed her life and writings with great interest, and when her pen became silent for a time, letters were written out of concern for her well-being and wishing her well. As a humorous sidenote, while away on her northern journey, one fan wrote: “We are glad she is still enjoying herself among the good people of Ashland, but hope she will beware of wily widowers.”
Julia married in 1891, and sadly suffered further trials as her husband tragically died of a stroke resulting from a fall only days after they were married. Yet Julia’s eyes remained fixed on Jesus and living for Him. In the following years until her death in 1927, Julia Wood Kauffman continued to serve God through her honest and bold writings and was instrumental in encouraging countless men and women across the country to use their gifts and abilities for the glory of God and for the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May each one of us be inspired by the life and example of this overlooked yet remarkable woman, Julia Wood.
Discover more at CharisFellowship.com/History.
Written by Tim Hodge for the Year in Review 2023–2024. Tim has served as the Charis Fellowship coordinator since October 2020. Tim is a graduate of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary. He previously served 19 years as a Charis Fellowship pastor in Bethlehem and New Holland, Pa. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Charis Alliance. Tim and his wife, Heidi, have been married for 23 years and they have four children.
SELECT QUOTES FROM JULIA WOOD’S WRITINGS in the PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN 1879–1883
“Know a thing before you utter your mind… There is a time to speak, but speak as becomes a Christian.”
The Progressive Christian – Feb 7, 1879
“When our Christian duty necessitates a disclosure of anything either for or against another, we must be sure to take along the most faithful and lovely companions: charity, love, gentleness and long-suffering.”
Whisperers – Vol 1 #6
“O, Brethren of Jesus, what are you waiting for? Have you any object that is dearer to you than the will of our father? Have you any deeper sorrow than the damnation of immortal souls? Any sublime joy than their redemption?”
The Missionary Enterprise – Vol 1 #7
“If we profess to love Jesus, and are real Bible Christians, it is very strange if we will not try to give. Genuine Christians cannot afford not to give.”
Can’t Afford It – Vol 1 #8
“Truth will never lose anything by investigation.”
Vol 1 #12
“There is much less injury incurred by others thinking too ill of us, than in our thinking too well of ourselves.”
Self Examination – Vol 1 #26
“True faith is based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is active belief… True faith trusts entirely to the commandments of Christ… True faith renders its professors keenly alive to love, pity, sympathy, patience, justice, judgment, mercy, long-suffering and charity. It has a tender heart.”
True Faith – Vol 1, #34
“Let love through all our ACTIONS run; Words are leaves; DEEDS are fruits.”
A Time for Every Purpose – Vol 3 #49