I am glad to be with you this evening and happy that we have this opportunity of discussing the subject The Evangelist's Wife. I have labored beside my husband for twenty-three years so perhaps I can pass on to you one or two ideas that may help you.
First of all, I would like to say that I consider every minister is an evangelist, or should be. Whether his work be public evangelism, Voice of Prophecy work, church campaigning, or visiting with lay people, it should be that of an evangelist, and every effort should be put forth to win souls. Every true minister is a soul winner.
Let us think back to the time when we first met our husbands. Did we ever consider the great responsibility and honor they conferred upon us by asking us to share their lives? We all know that a call to the ministry is the highest that can be given, and it is God who does the choosing.
Our husbands have given their lives to God, surrendering their talents and their time to His work. Therefore we who are chosen by them to share in their work should also dedicate and consecrate our lives to the same cause. We too should have the same desire to win souls for the Master, which is the greatest desire in the life of the true evangelist. Ellen G. White tells us there is no higher work that we can do than to lead souls to Christ.
I well remember the first home my husband and I set up. As soon as we had crossed the threshold we put down our bags and knelt before the throne of grace and dedicated our lives and our home to the Lord Jesus Christ. We have done this in every home we have had, and we have had twelve. I firmly believe this is the primary reason we have been so wonderfully blessed.
As the wife of an Adventist minister we should remember that we are in partnership with our husband and with God, and that partnership should be successful and fruitful.
Often we hear the younger workers speaking about the glamour of evangelism. I sometimes smile at this. I do not know about the glamour, but I do know about the hard work and sometimes the sleepless nights. I also know, that unless we knew God was with us, we could never continue in the work. We need to learn to depend completely and entirely upon the Lord; otherwise, how can we stand before the people and present this message? In our own strength we can do nothing, but with God all things are possible.
Now, I presume that many of you and your husbands will shortly be entering the organized work, and whether your husband is to begin in a small campaign in the church or in a public hall, he will need all the help you can give him. Have you ever noticed that when a new minister comes to the church, the people usually say, "Where is his wife?" "What is she like?" and so we may find ourselves being watched very closely.
I have been amazed at some of the remarks I have heard passed about some of our workers and their wives. For this reason I believe that we should be very careful not to cause offense or in any way be a stumbling block to those around us.
Though God has called us to His work, we should never imagine ourselves better than other people. Pride is a terrible sin and can cause great discouragement to our members whom we are there to serve. We have many wonderful, consecrated lay people who can be hurt by proud ministers and their wives. We must never adopt the "I am holier than thou" attitude, suggesting we come from a different stratum of life, or have a better education, et cetera.
We must work with our husbands to uphold the standards of the church. We cannot compromise. We are either for the truth or against it. We either draw others closer to Jesus or we send them away. What a responsibility is ours!
I would say that the greatest essential in our lives is that we should be women of prayer. If we have a living connection with God, it will be seen and felt in our lives. Godliness is not something we put on; it is something we live and feel. I think everyone of us here tonight realizes that it is a great privilege to be a minister's wife, but the responsibility is even greater, for we can either help to make or mar our husband's success. How many times have we heard it said: "Oh, he is a success because of his wife, or he is a success in spite of his wife."
Now let us think of the campaign work and our part in it. Whether the campaign is large or small, before it is launched and the evangelist steps up to the platform, a lot of hard work has to be done. Because we are human there will be much anxiety, and this is where our sympathetic understanding is vital. I know some folks say that they never worry. That is a good attitude to have, but sometimes those who say they never worry, never work either. You will remember Christ groaned within Himself on several occasions, and we are all aware that the best performances given by concert artists are usually given by those who feel nervous. We should keep in mind, however, that God is far more interested in the work of saving souls than ever we could be. He will help us on every occasion.
Another important factor we must never overlook is that we could ruin our husbands' work by being domineering and officious. Sometimes a woman feels that she has a better mind than her husband has.
Maybe she has, but it never helps to let him know it. Work together in love and unity, ever remembering that your husband is the head of the house.In all the actual preparation for the meetings, such as handbilling, addressing mail, et cetera, we should lead out in the activities. You will encourage the church members by your faithfulness in this work.
If the campaign is to be held in the church, and there is not a reliable deaconess, you should see that the church is neat and tidy. Chairs should be in order, carpets clean and free from tattered ends, the table covers (if still in use) clean and hanging properly. Everything should be representative of our high standards and calling.
If you have no one capable of making a special display of flowers, why not study the art and take over the job yourself? A few lessons in flower arrangement are well worth a little expenditure.
Be sure that the rostrum or platform looks attractive. If a public hall is used for meetings, visit it with your husband on Sunday morning. Personally see to the flowers, the arrangement of the platform, dust the piano, chairs, and do whatever is needed in a general way.
We usually arrive at the hall at least one full hour before the service is due to begin. I have learned never to keep my husband waiting. It is most important that everything is in perfect readiness for the service. Even the most experienced evangelist can have "butterflies" in his stomach the first night, and as sensible wives we can learn to be loving and willing to do anything to make things go smoothly, and thus alleviate the burdens our husbands carry. You will probably be the first to arrive at the hall and the last to leave. Learn to wait graciously. I have met some wives who got impatient after a few minutes of waiting. Needless to say, the two I have in mind finally persuaded their husbands that the ministry was not their calling.
If you are the only helper your husband has, you may take the place of the Bible instructor and stand at the door and greet the people. Friendliness, a warm kindly smile, and a firm handshake can do wonderful things. We all respond to smiles—just try it and see. Further, we should not wait for people to speak to us, but we should approach others and speak to them. You may say, "Well, it is all right for her, but I am shy." You may not believe it, but so am I. But I know that with a little effort, and an attempt to forget self, we can radiate warmth and cheer when we contact others.
The ushers and usherettes usually care for the people coming into the hall and show them to their seats. But the minister's wife does well to stand by, and if anyone looks ill at ease she can tactfully ask one of the ushers to care for and attend to that person.
Then there is the problem that comes when children disturb the service. What do we do? Let our husband struggle through the cries and let the people be irritated by the disturbance? No; we quickly offer to take the child out—even this is a service for Christ. We must be willing to do anything in our power to promote the growth of our work.
We can only raise the standard as high as we keep it ourselves. It is not what I say that matters; it is what I do that influences people. If we expect our laity to work hard, then we must work hard too. If we want them to be missionary-minded, then we must be missionary-minded. How can we expect members and interested people to attend services, if we do not attend?
Though we should use our talents for the Lord, we must never push ourselves before those in the church who can be useful. If there is a person capable of playing the organ or piano, encourage such a one to do so. You may play very well, but if someone else can do this task acceptably, it does free you for other necessary duties.
Another point: do train yourself to encourage others who work for the Lord. There is no need for flattery, but a sincere "Thank you for that good reading" meets a need. A word of appreciation for an effort put forth will bring out the very best in others. After all, don't you like to be told when you have done a job well? These days people are starved for love. They carry heavy burdens, often are lonely, sometimes are discouraged and despondent. Surely it is our privilege to lighten these burdens and cheer the lonely and discouraged.
Do not hesitate to show hospitality at home—people are rarely interested in what you give them to eat, but rather in the joy of knowing and having you as a trusted friend. Our homes should be places of real happiness, clean, neat, and tastefully furnished. Meals should be simple and beautifully served. We should be able to receive people at any time without feeling embarrassed.
Now a word about personal appearance. Let us remember this counts much with the person from the world. We should not be slaves to fashion, but neither should we follow fashion that was just the thing with our grandmothers. A dowdy person is a poor advertisement for the people of God. Both the evangelist and his wife should "adorn" the ministry.
As the wife of an evangelist we should stand by our husband's side, praying daily for wisdom and guidance to maintain the standard God has set for us. As helpmeets we share the sorrows, the burdens, the fears, the disappointments, and the responsibilities of the ministry, but we also share the joys, the happiness, the encouragements, the thrills, and at the return of Jesus the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
