Dios es Amor It seems your publication isn't ready to go worldw | Page 40

Called By God
part of a large evangelistic team for a local effort. However, she sometimes traveled to
the western part of the state to strengthen the work that she had begun there.
She had always been an effective book and magazine seller, seeking to spread present
truth and sometimes to meet expenses. Because of her experience, Mrs. Sype was asked to
spend a few days at the 1908 canvassers’ institute. Her counsel, both spiritual and practical,
concerning how to use Adventist literature in missionary work was much appreciated.
In Cedar Rapids James, whose behavior had given his parents some cause for concern,
but who was a compassionate boy nevertheless, had a life-changing experience. He
helped a family in which the husband was suffering from a terminal illness. When the
man died, James was deeply affected. He told his mother that he wanted to live a better
life—that no life except that of a Christian was worth living.
From this point on James held down a night job, and he took pains to repay his
mother some borrowed money.
One night as James waited to board the local train, a man who had been drinking got
into a fight with several men concerning baggage. In the process the drunken man dealt
James a life-threatening blow. The boy lived a few days. On Sabbath in the hospital he
asked his mother to pray for him. She did, and he prayed also. Not long afterward he
died, on December 10, 1911. How his parents’ hearts ached!
Soon after James’ funeral, his father became ill and went to be with the Manfulls,
Minnie’s sister and her husband, in Canada; Elder Manfull thought the Canadian
climate might be therapeutic for Mr. Sype. This was a testing time for Minnie.
She also had positive events in her life. Ross, the oldest son, graduated with the first
class of Oak Park Academy, June 12, 1912. The Sypes were delighted with their son’s
scholarship and dependability. Anna was achieving, too, in academy.
The responsibility of providing all the financial support for the family, except for
anything Ross and Anna might earn toward their school expenses, provided a constant
challenge to Minnie. Now the unexpected addition of debt for a suitable burial for James
put Mrs. Sype into a financial stress.
Just a matter of months before this, Mrs. Sype had returned from a trip to find her
home and belongings destroyed by fire. While she gave thanks that her loved ones were
unhurt, she had to deal with the fact that her wardrobe consisted only of the dress she
was then wearing and the contents of her suitcase. Charred beyond usefulness were the
new suit and other clothing she had purchased for a church conference.
Replacing wardrobe and other possessions lost in the fire contributed to the financial
trauma; Minnie Sype’s salary was small, while her expenses seemed mountainous. For a
while she sewed and sold sunbonnets to augment her salary. However, she did not like
spending time on projects that did not contribute to her work.
Someone suggested that if Mrs. Sype would write down her life experiences, pointing
out the ways in which God had led her and had supported her through difficulties, the
book could provide inspiration and support for others. After pondering the idea, she

40