Interview with Sister Evelyn Adair
By Donald McIntosh
Sister Adair was asked if she remembered when she joined the Adventist Church. Donald noted that it was almost a half century ago.
She recalls that it all began when her mother sent her to the Anglican Church. One day she and her friend decided not return because there wasn't a youth programme there. She told her mother and noted that she understood. Sister Adair observed that it was strange that her parents didn't go to Church themselves.
She remembers when a group of Adventist Christians came from Santa Cruz and held evangelical meetings in town. She was attracted to their singing and songs.
Donald asked her for her first favourite song – “I Shall See the King” was the reply. It’s about going to heaven and for her it’s a wonderful occasion and she wouldn’t want to miss it for anything!
SDA Hymnal 426 – “I Shall See the King”
I shall see the King
Where the angels sing;
I shall see the King some day,
In the better land,
On the golden strand,
And with Him shall ever stay.
Refrain
In His glory, I shall see the King,
And forever endless praises sing;
’Twas on Calvary Jesus died for me;
I shall see the King some day.
In the land of song,
In the glory-throng,
Where there never comes a night,
With my Lord once slain
I shall ever reign
In the glory land of light.
She was 16 at the time. There wasn’t a Church building at the time, just a small meeting place. She recalls that the first time she came across the place was when her mother had sent her out and she failed to return on time. She was drawn in by the beautiful singing and songs.
She remembers her mother agreeing to her attending, but with the condition that all her chores had to be completed before she attends.
She recalls her friends coming for her that first Sabbath to go and play. They were very surprised when she told them no and she went to Church. She discovered that she enjoy been at church.
The next Sabbath they came again, she told them no once again. Her friend Rosy went with her. She was baptised at 17 along with Rosy.
SDA Hymnal 390 – “We Love Thy Sabbath Lord”
We love Thy Sabbath, Lord,
And worship at Thy will;
Oh may these hours sweet peace afford
And deeper faith instill.
Thine angels sang for joy
Cration's work to see;
We too, this day, would raise our hearts
In grateful praise to Thee.
Praise for Thy wondrous love,
That sealed this sacred day,
A sign that all may understand
We own Thy sovereign sway.
O great Creator King,
Through Thy redeeming grace,
Renew and sanctify our hearts
That we may see Thy face.
And with the white-robed throng,
Upon Mount Sion be,
And joyful sing our Sabbath song
Through all eternity.
This song meant a lot to her at home Sabbath mornings (Jamaica). No vehicles on the road, everyone walking to church. The Church is quite, children not making noise on Sabbaths, it was beautiful to be at church.
Donald asked her when she came to the United Kingdom.
It was April of 1961 she answered. It was so different to the young woman of the rural Jamaica. The very first shock was the sun – no sunshine. For her, the trees looked dead. She remembers asking herself what kind of place this is. She joking said that she thought the joined homes where factories.
The first church she attended was known as the Hut at Cannock road, West Park Wolverhampton.
SDA Hymnal 430 – Joy By and By
O there'll be joy when the work is done,
Joy when the reapers gather home,
Bringing the sheaves at set of sun
To the New Jerusalem.
Refrain
Joy, joy, joy, there'll be joy by and by,
Joy, joy, joy, where the joys never die;
Joy, joy, joy, for the day draweth nigh
When the workers gather home.
Sweet are the songs that we hope to sing,
Grateful the thanks our hearts shall bring,
Praising forever Christ our King
In the New Jerusalem.
Pure are the joys that await us there,
Many the golden mansions fair;
Jesus Himself doth them prepare,
In the New Jerusalem.
Her next question was when did the Hut move to Oxford Street (now known the Wolverhampton Central SDA Church). Her answer was June 1951. The church building was I progress and was finished June 1961.
She was asked what the experience was like; moving to the new church was. She noted that it was good for everyone since it was a new church and there were a few more people. She said it was very worshipful.
There she was Junior Sabbath School Superintendent for a number of years. Donald was even one of her many students along with a few others currently at Bilston Church. Some where even a handful but she failed to name names.
SDA Hymnal 499 – What A Friend We Have In Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
You will find a solace there.
Her next question was when she started singing. It was in 1971 that the choir was formed. It was actually the youth choir and they (elders) all joined and, well, never left!
She became one of the choir leaders but had to step down in 1991 due to her husband’s ill health.
God Leads US Along (in shady green pastures)
In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Refrain:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.
Another question was on the move from Oxford Street to Bilston Church. She spoke of the twenty-one members that made the move. Their first worship was at Wolverhampton Street on the 18th April 1992. Since then she has been praying for the church to get its own home.
For her it has been a long journey and with no regrets but a happy one. Her only regret was not been able to help with the initial clean-up of the church for the open day. She thanks everyone for the hard work that was done to make it possible.
SDA Hymnal 483 – I Need Thee Every Hour
I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.
I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.
I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises in me fulfill.
She was asked what book would see take along with her to the island apart from her bible. She emphatically answered her hymnal.
Her last favourite song is:
SDA Hymnal 426 - I Shall See the King
I shall see the King
Where the angels sing;
I shall see the King some day,
In the better land,
On the golden strand,
And with Him shall ever stay.
Refrain
In His glory, I shall see the King,
And forever endless praises sing;
’Twas on Calvary Jesus died for me;
I shall see the King some day.
In the land of song,
In the glory-throng,
Where there never comes a night,
With my Lord once slain
I shall ever reign
In the glory land of light.
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