"Why Doest Thou Thus?": Providence and Discourses of Difference in Two Nineteenth-Century Missionary Lives.

The article from the Journal of World History explores the lives of two nineteenth-century missionaries, Felix Carey and Elizabeth Thomson, focusing on their experiences of suffering and failure within the context of divine providence. Both missionaries faced personal tragedies, but while Felix eventually left his missionary vocation after a shattering loss, Elizabeth remained committed to her work as a missionary teacher in Liberia. The article highlights the impact of race, gender, and cultural expectations on their experiences, showing how their responses to suffering shaped their divergent paths within the evangelical missionary community. The analysis underscores the complex interplay of personal choice, societal norms, and providential narratives in shaping the lives of missionaries in the early nineteenth century. [Extracted from the article]