When I decided to become a Bible worker, I was considered too young, and was advised to take the nurses' training as an aid to Christian help work. I did so, then went to college and took the ministerial course, studying public speaking, New Testament Greek, etc. A few weeks before finishing my course, I was called into service.
After doing Bible work for a number of years in two conferences, I was called to the conference in which I am now working. As this conference is not financially able to support all the workers required to carry on the summer's work in tent efforts, etc., those who can teach school are requested to do so in the winter. For fourteen years, therefore, I have done Bible work in the summertime (when not in summer school), usually with a tent company, and in the winter have taught church school and done Bible work. When I started teaching, I looked upon it as a side issue; but after teaching a few years, I decided to get a professional certificate, and later a life certificate. Although I have taught so many years, I have never once thought of relinquishing my Bible work.
The first year I taught, I carried on a series of Bible lectures about three miles distant from my school. In the spring twelve or more persons were baptized there, and we organized a little church. Others came in while my husband and I were away that summer in tent work. In the fall I was asked to teach the church school in that place, and that winter the church membership was enlarged by means of another series of meetings. During these fourteen years, with the help of my husband and of the lay members, new converts have been added to five churches. In one place I gave Bible lectures Sunday nights for nearly three years, and twenty-six new members were added there.
This summer the conference has placed me in charge of two churches and six isolated companies in three counties, where I am teaching. My work is to strengthen the baptismal classes and help organize the companies into churches. Since school closed, my husband, who is also a teacher, has had no employment, so I have asked the conference to allow us to use a tent they have in storage, with equipment. We plan to conduct a tent effort without cost to the conference, but under their supervision. With the church members helping, I think we shall have good results from this effort, as I already have several interested readers. The believers, including the Missionary Volunteers, have distributed Present Truth for the last eighteen weeks, and I think we shall be able to accomplish more with a tent effort than I could alone by giving Bible readings.
I should much prefer Bible work the year round without the school work; for although I carry on some Bible work during the school year, there is more or less of a break at the close of the summer's work, and this I always regret.
* This frank recital of self-support is commended for thoughtful study in this hour when, for economic reasons, many readjustments are unavoidable. Possibly here is a clue that will solve many a heart-wrenching situation.—Editor.
