Search as you may through the pages of the bulletins of our colleges, you will find no course entitled Ministerial Wives. Yet the one who is to stand at her husband's side, aiding him in the work of saving souls for the kingdom soon to be established, is in need of much preparation. If, as the Spirit of prophecy affirms, the minister's wife can do an almost equal amount of good with her husband, provided she be fully consecrated, she also must have an understanding of what the ministry entails.
Recognizing this need for preparation, several of our colleges have endeavored to fill in the gap. In some places the wives of ministerial students have formed societies to discuss ways of bettering themselves. At other times a teacher in the department of theology, or his wife, sets out to help these earnest young women.
One such association was formed in Union College early in 1948, and was sponsored by the department of religion. That God was directing its formation was evidenced by the circumstances of its inception. While members of the faculty were discussing its desirability, the wives of the ministerial students, completely unaware that any such idea was on foot, were talking among themselves about the need for such an association. So when a meeting was called by the department of theology, a large number attended, and expressed their eagerness to prepare for the work ahead of them. The name The Ministerial Association Auxiliary was adopted, officers were appointed, and weekly meetings began, which have continued ever since.
The programs consist of opening devotional exercises, led by one of the members; the main feature of the evening, usually a talk by a guest speaker; and a secondary item.
"You'll never find enough to talk about," asserted one critic. "And what will you do when you have heard all the speakers in the neighborhood?" asked another. The trouble has not been to find subjects or speakers but to find evenings enough to cover all the ground.
During the first year wives of ministers in the locality, with an occasional visitor from farther afield, gave us helpful hints from their broad experience.
During the second year the topics chosen centered on the activities of the church. With the aid of experienced workers, the auxiliary studied the different divisions of the Sabbath school, the work of the deaconess, treasurer, Dorcas leader, church clerk, and others. Music in the church, healthful living, a demonstration on the making of bread for the communion service, healthful dress—these and many other practical subjects broadened the members' understanding of the work of the church.
A feature that proved very popular was the report given each week by a different group regarding their findings in the Spirit of prophecy on a topic chosen by themselves—cheerfulness, Sabbathkeeping, diet, dress, and temperance in work. This year members are giving reports of books that they find helpful.
Although these young women do not expect to hold regular offices in the churches with which they will become affiliated, they know that the minister's wife may be called upon at any time to take over the duties of an officer during an illness or an emergency, or may be expected to assist a newly elected officer, or help a new church find its feet.
Many of the members, who have had very little or no college training at all, expressed a desire to have a Bible class conducted for the association members. Teachers in the department of theology very kindly gave some of their precious spare time to teach this class. When a Bible instructor spent three evenings demonstrating the art of giving Bible studies in the home, the practical value of these classes was greatly appreciated by the members.
Evaluating the Organization
Everyone who starts an enterprise is tempted to ask himself, "Is it worth it?" "Is it accomplishing that for which it set out?" Meeting one of the charter members of the association in her new field of labor recently, I was asked, "How is the M.A.A.? Do tell the girls to learn all they can. They can't learn too much. Why, one day the church treasurer dumped all her books into my arms and said, 'There! You take care of them, will you?' I didn't know where to begin. Why didn't I learn about things like that?" Another member wrote to the president:
"You told those of us who were leaving last year that it was our duty to write back and tell about our work. Really, though, it's not a duty but a privilege, for I greatly enjoyed the meetings, and enjoyed knowing the ministerial students' wives.
"I can see you sitting there now with your knitting and sewing. I wish I could join you, for I miss the meetings a lot. As I look back on last year I believe that what I heard at those meetings was the most beneficial thing I received. I just wish I could say something to impress the importance of attendance on every girl whose husband will be a minister. I want to say here that I feel that those who lead out will receive rich rewards in heaven for the things they are teach ing in that club. I want to thank them for helping me.
"When I read in the Clock Tower that Elder ———— is holding classes in Bible doctrines for the association, I did so want to come back to Union and join. Oh, I hope everyone is taking advantage of that. Al ready it has fallen to my lot to give a number of Bible studies, and I'd give anything if I could trade the knowledge I have of Shakespeare, Browning, and so forth, for a good, practical knowledge of God's Word."
Yes, it is worth it! May God bless these young women, and grant that they may greatly strengthen the ministry of their husbands as they equip themselves during these years of training.
