Dios es Amor It seems your publication isn't ready to go worldw | Page 78

Called By God
She decided to switch topics and preach on the “seventy weeks” prophecy of Daniel 9.
To her interested listeners Jessie Weiss demonstrated that Daniel, an Old Testament
Hebrew prophet, foretold that the Messiah would be “cut off” just at the time that
Christ was, in fact, crucified. (Daniel 9:26, 27.)
Jessie’s prayers were answered when the Jewish couple converted to Christianity and
joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The new converts, Jay and Trudie Hoffman,
later became well known for their work with Jewish people. Elder and Mrs. Hoffman
directed the Times Square Center for evangelism in New York City for 20 years.
According to Elder Hoffman, Jessie Weiss was a dynamic preacher. He and his wife,
Trudie, were baptized together as part of the Drums Church that Jessie Weiss established. (From a letter to the author by J. M. Hoffman, Valley Center, California, October 4,
1985. See appendix A, 5.3.)
God’s affirmation of Jessie’s sense of call was indicated by the 80 adults baptized as a
result of those meetings. Jessie, like Jesus, “baptized not” (John 4:2.); an ordained
minister was sent to conduct that rite for her converts.
After the effort in Drums with its outstanding results, Jessie Weiss was recognized as a
member of the evangelistic and ministerial staff of the East Pennsylvania Conference. She
conducted many evangelistic series, usually in tents, and founded one church after another
in northeastern Pennsylvania. (From “Curtis, Jessie Weiss,” mimeographed lif e sketch.)
Jessie Weiss was effective in the pulpit before large groups, and an excellent personal
worker, too. She was compassionate and attentive to the needs of individuals.
When Mrs. John Curtis became seriously ill, Miss Weiss befriended her. Before her
illness, Mrs. Curtis and her husband had frequently assisted the minister in her evangelistic endeavors; Jessie and Mrs. Curtis had become good friends. Later, as Mrs. Curtis
worsened physically, Miss Weiss min-istered to her tenderly.
Surrounded by the love of her husband, pastor, and friends, Mrs. Curtis died. Mr.
Curtis appreciated the way Jessie Weiss had befriended his wife during her final illness.
After a respectful period of waiting, John Curtis asked Jessie Weiss to marry him. She
was a very attractive person. Jessie’s sense of humor and her balance appealed to people
around her. Although she was self-disciplined, she also knew how to enjoy life. Mrs.
Curtis dressed attractively; her suits, dresses, and hats were of excellent quality and in
good taste. In the days of long hair the family children were fascinated to watch her
brush her long, dark tresses that fell almost to the ground; then she coiled her hair
around her head. Jessie was a distinguished-looking woman who stood out in a crowd.
Moreover, she was physically strong and healthy.
Jessie thought it over, prayed about it, and decided to accept John’s proposal. She was
now 50 years of age.
The marriage took place March 21, 1932. Afterward Mr. Curtis provided a maid and
chauffeur for his minister wife, who never learned to drive a car. Far from opposing his
wife’s being a minister, John Curtis, a successful Seventh-day Adventist contractor, fully
encouraged Jessie to follow her calling.
78