diff --git a/test/README b/test/README
index 86afab5c..1a5b5167 100644
--- a/test/README
+++ b/test/README
@@ -154,6 +154,14 @@ library for your script to use.
    argument.  This is primarily meant for use during the
    development of a new test script.
 
+ test_emacs <emacs-lisp-expressions>
+
+   This function executes the provided emacs lisp script within
+   emacs. The script can be a sequence of emacs lisp expressions,
+   (that is, they will be evaluated within a progn form). The lisp
+   expressions can call `message' to generate output on stdout to be
+   examined by the calling test script.
+
  test_done
 
    Your test script must have test_done at the end.  Its purpose
diff --git a/test/test-lib.sh b/test/test-lib.sh
index f1b07cc4..f67fbd1b 100644
--- a/test/test-lib.sh
+++ b/test/test-lib.sh
@@ -715,6 +715,12 @@ test_done () {
 	fi
 }
 
+test_emacs () {
+    emacs_code="$1"
+    emacs --batch --no-site-file --directory ../../emacs --load notmuch.el --eval "(progn (set-frame-width (window-frame (get-buffer-window)) 80) ${emacs_code})"
+}
+
+
 find_notmuch_path ()
 {
     dir="$1"