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Called By God
series during 1909-1910. For the Sunday evening lectures, which she started early in the
winter, the attendance was encouraging from the beginning. After a time the interest
was great enough that Mrs. Wightman decided to hold meetings every night.
This intensive part of the series ran for two weeks starting March 6. The last night
about 400 were present, and 75 to 100 more could not enter even for standing room.
Thirteen adults had accepted the truths presented when the series closed, and during
the following month four others showed a strong interest. (From Jas. Cochran, “Revival
Meetings In Kansas City, Missouri,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 87. April 7,
1910: 16.)
About this time the Wightmans came to differ seriously with the denomination on
the issue of religious liberty. The way the Wightmans understood various statements
that Ellen G. White had made over a period of time caused them to believe that she was
changing positions on religious liberty issues. While Lulu and John Wightman seemed
to fit admirably in their roles as denominational evangelists, historian Bert Haloviak
wrote that “Tragically, the Wightmans would come to a point where they no longer felt
comfortable within the ministry and membership of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church.” (Haloviak, p. 14.) In spite of this parting of the ways, based on how the stand
on religious liberty should be defined, there is much about the Wightmans from which
we can learn and take inspiration.
“Mrs. Lulu Wightman provided… tangible evidence of her `call’ to gospel ministry,”
Bert Haloviak observed. “Indeed, the results from her evangelism would rank her not
only as the most outstanding evangelist in New York State during the time, but among
the most successful within the denomination for any time period.” (Hakoviak, p. 10.)
Summarizing the fruits of her ministry,
Between 1896 and 1905, Mrs. Wightman raised up churches in
Hornellsville, Gas Springs, Wallace, Silver Creek, Geneva, Angola,
Gorham, Fredonia, Avoca, Rushville, Canandaigua, and Penn Yan. After
her husband was licensed in 1903, they jointly established churches in
Avon, Lakeville, Hemlock, South Livonia and Bath.25
—Hakoviak, P. 10
From village to town to city, from tent to legislative hall to church, Lulu Wightman
and her husband communicated the good news of salvation in Christ and the distinctive
teachings of Adventism with tremendous energy and dedication. How many people will
enjoy the kingdom of heaven because of their ministry only eternity can reveal.

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