Dios es Amor It seems your publication isn't ready to go worldw | Page 152

Called By God
5.3 Letter from Jay Milton Hoffman, Valley Center, California, to the writer,
October 4, 1989

Dear Dr. Benton:
Yes, I am the man who knew Jessie Weiss before she became Jessie Weiss Curtis.
She was quite a preacher, and the first time I went into church someone told her
that a Jewish man was in the church with his wife. She changed her subject and
preached on the 70 weeks. Jessie Weiss Curtis was a terrific preacher and she
raised up the church in Drums, Pennsylvania, where I first became a member. My
wife, Trudie, and I were both baptized at the same time.
Very cordially yours,
J. M. Hoffman, Ph.D.
P.S. I was the director and evangelist of the Times Square Center in New York
for 20 years.
5.4 Anecdote of attempted ordination, reported by Vanetta Weiss, interview with
the writer, Drums, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1985.

[The writer’s summary] Vanetta Weiss, Jessie Weiss Curtis’ sister-in-law, told
about being at the East Pennsylvania camp meeting one year when it was time for
the annual ordination of ministers and hearing an urgent request being broadcast
over the loud speakers for Jessie Curtis to come at once to the ministers’ tent. Since
Mrs. Curtis did not appear, Vanetta Weiss was sent to look for her. Vanetta was
told that the brethren wanted to ordain Jessie, but that she was resisting. The
search for Jessie proved unsuccessful, and the service went on without her.
Later, when she appeared again, Jessie told Vanetta that she did not care to be
ordained nor to have any greater responsibilities than she already had. She said she
was content to prepare people for baptism and to let the male ministers come to
baptize them.
Documents Concerning the Life and Work of
Ellen G. White (chapter 7)
7.1 A remarkable spiritual experience: selections from Ellen White, Life Sketches
of Ellen G. White (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, 1915), 69-71.

It seemed impossible for me to perform this work that was presented before me;
to attempt it seemed certain failure… .
I coveted death as a release from the responsibilities that were crowding upon me… .
At length I was induced to be present at one of the meetings in my own home… .
While prayer was offered for me, that the Lord would give me strength and
courage to bear the message, the thick darkness that had encompassed me rolled
back, and a sudden light came upon me. Something that seemed to me like a ball of
fire struck me right over the heart… . I seemed to be in the presence of the angels.
One of these holy beings again repeated the words, “Make known to others what I
have revealed to you.”

152