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I had not been long in Montana before Elder Watt
commenced urging me to speak to the people. Both he
and Mr. Williams were very much pleased with my
first effort.
–Helen Williams, 1922

Urged to Preach
Helen Williams: 1868 to 1940
Licensed minister 1897 to 1914

Helen May Stanton arrested one’s attention—a beautiful, golden-haired young
woman who appeared never to lack self-assurance. She was born in 1868, the fourth
child of a prosperous Michigan farmer. The family tree traced back to Secretary of State
Stanton, who served under Abraham Lincoln.
From childhood Helen May showed a remarkable zest for living. This confident and
intelligent girl went out to teach after graduating from high school at the age of 15.
At 17 the young teacher decided to further her education by attending Battle Creek
College, located in her home state. She arrived for the 1885-86 school year to become
part of a student body made up of 184 Ladies and 220 Gentlemen.
The Biblical Course for freshmen included English language, mathematics, Biblical
lectures or missionary instruction, reading selections, and writing. Health care principles
were central to the curriculum. Helen was preparing to share what she learned with
people not familiar with the Bible teachings of her church.
Helen paid approximately 75 cents a week for tuition, 50 cents for room rent, and
$1.75 for the week’s meals. For the entire school year textbook costs ranged from $3 to
$7, laundry cost $8.50, while fuel and oil ran about $6.60 annually. Those amounts
were as great a sacrifice to parents in 1885 as tuition is for parents today. However, Mr.
and Mrs. Stanton were glad to make it possible for Helen to attend the Seventh-day
Adventist college. (Eleventh Annual Catalogue, Battle Creek College, 1885-86.)
Helen helped to defray her expenses by working at Battle Creek Sanitarium, attending
guests who had come for rest and therapy. She often served meals to Ellen G. White, who
stopped over at the sanitarium frequently. Helen grew to like Mrs. White very much.
An anecdote recalled with considerable relish by Helen’s son Elder Hugh Williams
concerns his mother and church leader Ellen White. (Taken from a taped conversation sent
to the writer by Elder Hugh Williams and Dr. Earl Williams, son and grandson, respectively, of
Helen Williams, July 1985.) Helen Stanton had purchased a gray silk dress that, in the
mode of the time, had a miniature train; some of the church elders criticized the dress,