BOWIE -- "Sometimes," former President Bill Clinton told the congregation at the Greater Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church yesterday, "God gives us interesting tests."

All his life, Clinton told the worshipers, he has wanted to be able to vote for a woman to be president, because his mother was a widow who worked to give him a better life. And all his life, he said, he has wanted to be able to vote for a black to be president, because he came of political age during the civil rights movement in the segregated South.

"And some days I wake up ... thinking, 'Why did God give us this choice?'" Clinton said, drawing laughter. "I waited my whole life for this?"

Less than 48 hours before primary voters in Maryland hit the polls, the former president crisscrossed the state yesterday to campaign for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

In a state where Sen. Barack Obama is expected to run strong, Bill Clinton's itinerary took him to retirement communities in Catonsville and Silver Spring and to a Democratic club in Dundalk. But he stopped first at two black churches, where he sought to mend relations strained by comments last month that some considered dismissive of Obama.

Clinton did not name Obama during the Sunday services at Greater Mt. Nebo or the Temple of Praise in the District of Columbia, which also votes tomorrow. Rather, he spoke of the low rates of poverty and unemployment among blacks during his administration and the high rates of homeownership and business ownership. Then he talked about his wife's plans to provide health coverage for all Americans, make college more affordable and create millions of new jobs in developing clean, new energy sources.

"I know it's not easy," he said from the pulpit at Greater Mt. Nebo. "All I want to say to you is this. I want you to be there. Just pray about it, and do what you think is right."

After the friction of last month, when Clinton called Obama's opposition to the war in Iraq a "fairy tale" and suggested that an Obama victory in the South Carolina primary would be racially tinged, like that of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson two decades ago, several church members said they were gratified that Clinton focused on issues yesterday.

"What I take from his speech is that he believes whether it's Senator Obama or Senator Clinton, either candidate has the ability and the platform to move the country forward," Felicia Greer said. The attorney said she was leaning toward Obama, but was "still listening very closely to both candidates."

At the Battle Grove Democratic Club in Dundalk, Clinton appeared to be preaching to the converted. Margaret Rooney brought a daughter and a granddaughter to hear him speak.

"I don't need a guru. I don't need inspiration," said Rooney, referring to Obama. "I know what's wrong with the country. I need someone who's able to fix it."

At the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, J.C. and Rachel Wynn were planning to cancel out each other's vote tomorrow. Rachel, a retired high school counselor, is backing Hillary Clinton.

"I believe she has the organization, the ability and the understanding of what needs to be done and how to do it," she said, as Bill Clinton shook hands and posed for pictures.

Her husband of 65 years, meanwhile, was planning to vote for Obama.

matthew.brown@baltsun.com