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Called By God
This cross of separation from her family has never been removed from Mary Walsh’s
life, though she has never complained about it to her Lord. Not one of her people has
joined her in her beloved faith. They are all in England now, she said, high up in the
educational field, “and they think that I have just scandalized them.”
To the separation from family were added other privations. The young convert, so
excited about her new relationship with her Lord, was disappointed to find that changes
in her values and behavior—what she ate and drank, her day of worship, her attire—
separated her quickly from people to whom she had been close. Her old friends deserted
her, and she was very much alone.
On the other hand, she found a whole new family in the church of Christ. And they
encouraged Mary toward a surprising career change.
When Mary Walsh became a Seventh-day Adventist and heard about the denomination’s colleges, she thought about attending one of them. Her savings could enable her
to go back to school. However, almost as soon as she gave her heart to Christ through
the work of an evangelistic team, she was urged to enter evangelism herself.
Her being invited to join an evangelistic team immediately after baptism, rather than
being advised to prepare further and season for a while, was connected to the extraordinary circumstances of her conversion. Mary Walsh, for some reason, was not given any
Bible studies; she read and reasoned herself into the various doctrines, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When she saw something that she should do, she typically
immediately did it. She was an exceptional convert. Therefore the conference president,
the evangelist, and the two Bible workers urged Mary to enter evangelism directly.
In response to the clear invitation from church leaders who knew her and, quite
evidently, to a call from God, the new Adventist moved to Maine in 1917 to join an
evangelistic team headed by Elder A. E. Sanderson.
In contrast to nursing, for which she was professionally trained and well paid, evangelism required tasks some of which she had never seen performed, and for low wages.
Although she knew nothing about conducting an evangelistic effort or giving Bible
studies aside from having attended one series of meetings, Elder Sanderson promised to
train Miss Walsh “on the job.” This promise he faithfully kept.
Starting out in a new calling, Miss Walsh was timid just ringing the bell of a home for
the first time. She was careful to sit “just so,” never crossing her legs, because of her
very proper upbringing in Ireland. Her native British reserve was frequently misinterpreted as pride.
Applying her keen mind diligently under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Mary Walsh
became equipped for her new ministry. She acquired Bible Readings for the Home Circle
and all similarly useful material that she could find.
One of her duties was to teach people in their homes the truths of Scripture. She not
only taught but also counseled, prayed, befriended. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance she
brought many converts into the church, making sure they understood clearly both
doctrines and practice.
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