in all Am erica it would be hard to find a m o re interesting
sou l-w inner than
The Fabulous Miss
By Dorothy C. Baskin
H enrietta Mears and her friend, Esther Ellinghusen, stood on the top of Mars’ Hill in Athens, Greece. There was a feeling of awe in their hearts for they were stand ing where the Apostle Paul had once preached. Miss Mears whispered, “ Let’s read Acts 17.” Miss Ellinghusen nodded.
I read the Bible so late.” This is a typical experience of Henrietta Mears who so lives her Christian experience to the hilt that she is always spiritually ready to lead someone, young or old, into a knowledge of the Lord Jesus as Sav iour. Henrietta Mears is probably best known for her service at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. This church is the largest of its de nomination in the United States. One factor which has made it so is Miss Mears’ supervision of the Sunday school. She is Director of Educa tion and under her guidance the Sun day school has grown from a very small school to a membership of over 5,000. She teaches the college de partment with an average enrollment of 500, out of which have come many outstanding Christian leaders. For instance, the first Sunday she taught the college-age class, among those attending was David Cowie. He was but a nominal Christian, but under Miss Mears’ teaching, he grew warm-hearted toward the Lord, entered seminary and is now pastor of the University Presbyterian Church of Seattle. That her message is still warm and inspiring is proven by the fact that young men still go from her teaching into full time Christian •service. One of the recent examples is Bill Bright, w’ho is director of Campus Crusade for Christ. This organization is di recting evangelistic campaigns on the university and c o l l e g e campuses across the nation. However, Miss Mears’ most far reaching ministry has been through the Sunday school lessons which she has edited, or written for Gospel TH E KING 'S BUSINESS
Miss Mears had taken her New Testament out of her purse, when a young man walked up to the two women and interrupted their sacred joy by offering, “ Let me be your guide. I will show you the wonders of Athens, the wonders of the an cient city that is ever new.” Miss Mears shook her head, “No.” This was not the time to be bothered with a guide. She wanted to see Mars’ Hill through the eyes of Paul. The man persisted but Miss Mears as definitely said no. She and Miss Ellinghusen sat on a bench and the handsome young Greek reluctantly went and sat on a nearby bench. In a low voice Miss Mears began to read in Acts. Within her heart came the thought, maybe this young man doesn’t know the Lord. She raised her voice and began reading loud enough for him to hear. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him lift his head that he might listen more intently. When she finished the chap ter she turned to the young man and asked, “ Do you know Christ?” The young man, with troubled eyes, came toward her and admitted, “ How can I? I have never even heard the New Testament read be fore.” “ Let me tell you,” Miss Mears said. Miss Ellinghusen stepped aside to pray while Miss Mears told the young man of the Saviour. And right there on Mars’ Hill the young man received Christ as Saviour. A ll that day he carried Miss Mears’ coat and followed her devotedly. She took him to the Bible Society and bought him a Bible, telling him how to study it. The next day she acci dentally met him again and he told her, “ I did not sleep much last night,
Miss Mears (left) ponders question by co-worker Ethel May Baldwin.
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