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Called By God perhaps because it was fashionable. One day while wearing the gray dress, Helen entered Ellen White’s room to deliver a meal. Mrs. White surprised Helen by requesting, “Turn around, honey, and let me see that dress.” Holding her breath while waiting for whatever comment Mrs. White might make, Helen heard the words, “My, what lovely taste you have! That’s a beautiful dress.” After Helen made sure that the critical elders learned that Mrs. White approved her dress, she heard no more about it. A flair for clothes and a naturally attractive appearance did not detract from Helen’s dedication to God’s service. Having deepened her commitment to share the gospel with the world, she finished her studies at Battle Creek and took employment in 1887 as a Bible worker for the Michigan Conference. Elder G. I. Butler, who issued the invitation to Miss Stanton, was president not only of the Michigan Conference but of the General Conference as well. For two years Helen taught Biblical principles to people in Grand Rapids and Saginaw, preparing them for baptism. Then the General Conference asked her to move to Indianapolis. While faithfully giving Bible studies, Helen managed also to take college classes in Indianapolis. We do not know specifically what she studied; her son said perhaps speech or elocution, in which she became very competent. Besides work and studies, Helen had still another important interest in life. Eugene Williams, whom she had met at Battle Creek College and who now was a licensed minister in the Michigan Conference, showed a growing attraction toward the goldenhaired Bible worker. Eugene was the only son of James Williams, an immigrant from Wales who had become prosperous in Michigan as a bridge contractor. Eugene was one year older than Helen. Although the geographical distance between the two increased when Eugene was transferred to the Montana Mission, the emotional bond grew closer. In August 1890 Eugene Williams and Helen May Stanton were united in marriage; afterward they went to Yellowstone National Park for their honeymoon. Then Helen set up housekeeping with her new husband in Montana and worked alongside him in ministry. Before Mrs. Williams had been in her new home long, the mission director, Elder Watt, urged her to hold evangelistic meetings. With delight she accepted the challenge. Both the mission president and her husband were pleased with the way Helen conducted her first effort. (Taken from a letter accompanying Sustentation Fund Application, by Helen Williams, 1922. General Conference Archives. This important document, letters, and tapes from the Williams family form the basis for facts and quotations not otherwise credited in this chapter.) Why would a mission director in the early 1890s urge a young woman to hold meetings? First, Helen Williams was a person of unusual natural ability, an outstanding elocutionist at an early age. Giving readings was a form of community entertainment which she, in that era before television, had considerable experience in providing. Second, she had received professional training in Biblical principles and health ministry at Battle Creek College. Most importantly, add the guidance and blessing of the Holy 10

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