Lillie Meyer

Maurice Ruben regularly went door to door in the Jewish neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, sharing the gospel of Israel’s Messiah and hist testimony. Ruben visited Lillie Meyer’s home on several occasions, and was always coldly received by her parents. However, 12-year-old Lillie's curious ears caught the few words Ruben did share. This sincere testimony and her parents' stubborn and cold rejection reverberated in her mind.

Lillie was also intrigued by the old German immigrant couple in the apartment across the street - they were devout Christians who regularly greeted their Jewish neighbors with a “God Bless You” in Yiddish and often were glimpsed through the shades of their windows praying on their knees.

Later Lillie had the providential good fortune of meeting another young Jewish believer, Joel Levy, who had been a rabbinical student and was able to share the Hebrew scriptures pointing to Jesus (Y'shua) as Israel’s Messiah. Lillie first responded, “our Jewish Bible teaches no such thing,” but she was disarmed by the young man’s ability to translate the original Hebrew and interpret the text. Later that day when all alone, she locked the door of her house, closed the shades and stood and debated with herself as to whether she should pray to God to show her the real truth about Y'shua. She decided to kneel like the old German couple and prayed, “O God, if Jesus really is our Jewish Messiah show me in some way that He is.” Concerned that she had committed the greatest sin against her people she added, ”If He is, I ask it in Jesus name, but if not, forgive me for asking it in Jesus name and forgive me for kneeling.” Lillie’s soon received inner confirmation that the rejection of Jesus was a tragic mistake, so she repented of her sins and confessed Y'shua as haMashiah beYisrael.

This remained her personal secret for over a year. Only twelve years old, she knew well what became of Jews who had become "Christians." Rev. Ruben’s treatment was a clear example. However, one day a Christian neighbor witnessed to her mother who responded bluntly and indignantly; then the neighbor turned to the girl and said, “Lillie, do you believe that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel?” With fear and trembling she responded, “Yes, I do.” Her orthodox mother looked at her, and if looks could kill, she felt like she would have died then and there.

Lillie underwent six long years of persecution and mistreatment from her family. Several times she wanted to leave home. Fellow Hebrew Christians advised her that as a minor God wanted her to be a respectful daughter. They said that to stay and witness your faith quietly until He takes you out of this hard place is the most valuable testimony. Time proved the merit of this advice. To her great surprise one night, as she was getting ready for a special worship service, her orthodox Mother said to her, “If you wait a few minutes, I will put on a wrap and do to services with you.”

That night, William Blackstone was preaching at Carnegie Hall, and Lillie's mother came to faith in Y'shua.

The first leader of the Jewish Department was Mrs. Lillie (Meyer) Manson. At the June 1910 Christian Workers Conference, Mrs. Manson told the attenders, "The spiritualizing and appropriation of the prophecies by the Church is a great cause of non-success of Jewish evangelization. The Jews misunderstand Christians, and Christians Jews. The Jews see only spurious Christianity." <ref>http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/1/8/5</ref>

Lillie came to Biola as a young widow, at Blackstone's request, to lead the Jewish Department at Biola. She did so for several years without adult male partners in ministry. After the death of death of Louis Meyer (no relation) and with Blackstone overseas, she prayed for extra help and especially a man to lead the work among Jewish men. She didn’t know at the time that her prayers would be answered with a husband: James Vaus.