LibriVox recording of Meditations from the Pen, by Maria W. Stewart. Read by James K. White
Who she was:
Maria W. Stewart was one of the earliest African-American women to publicly deliver political and spiritual lectures in the United States—advancing abolition, women’s rights, and Black dignity in the early 19th century Penn Digital LibraryAmazon.
Her meditative practice:
In 1832, Stewart presented a collection titled Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart to the First African Baptist Church in Boston Penn Digital Library. These meditations were deeply spiritual reflections infused with scripture, delivered not as performative speeches, but as soul-bearing acts of devotion.
She drew upon biblical passages, prayer, and personal experience to create rich, contemplative writing—teaching that engaging deeply with Scripture can be both an act of resistance and healing.
Why Maria W. Stewart Matters
- Spiritual Depth Through Words
Her Meditations showed how a Black woman could use her voice to lead others into spiritual reflection—modeling how we, too, can meditate on God’s Word as both solace and strength. - Scripture as Invitation
Stewart’s work invites readers beyond surface-level reading into the heartbeat of scripture. She models how to lean into the Word—absorbing it, wrestling with it, and allowing it to transform us from the inside out. - A Legacy of Contemplative Courage
In a time when Black women were largely barred from formal spiritual leadership, Stewart used her meditations as a gentle but powerful assertion that contemplation and teaching are sacred and transformative work.
How We Can Follow Her Legacy
- Cultivate a habit of “meditating on Scripture”—not rushing through it, but pausing to ask, “What is God inviting me to hear right now?”
- Frame your reflections—like Stewart, consider writing short meditations—one verse, one scene, one sentence, letting the Spirit illuminate its rhythm in your life.
- Teach children that scripture isn’t just to be said—it is to be savored. Like a well-loved hymn, it stays with us, shaping our hearts even when words fade.
