Your ShelfYour Projects

WALTER S. ERNST

11%

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 14, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 18.

Read the full edition

WALTER S. ERNST

By Walter S. Ernst

From Bro. Ernst.
I PRAISE God for the warm sunshine of his love shed abroad in my heart, and in the hearts of the dear saints scattered abroad. While reading the letters in the Conference Department of the Review, I have been made to rejoice that the truth ever found way to my heart, although in embracing it, near and dear friends have separated from me as though I were lost already. It is hard to see our own friends turn against us for believing the truth, but Jesus has said, “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark x, 29, 30.
Yes, indeed, we do find brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, among God's dear people; and you, dear brethren and sisters who write your experience, your joys and trials, be not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.
The Review is all the preaching that we receive here, but praise the Lord, it comes to us as meat in due season. Oh! how I long for the society of saints. Oh! that God in his providence would open a way that the truth might be proclaimed to this dying people. Surely darkness covers the land, and gross darkness the people; but it is not to be wondered at, for their shepherds put darkness for light, and light for darkness, and they cry, Peace and safety, when sudden destruction cometh. Dear brethren, let us draw nigh to God by prayer, and cry mightily to him in faith, that he would send laborers into the harvest. It is just two years ago to-day that I resolved to keep all God's commandments and the faith of Jesus: “and I can say that the way grows brighter and brighter. Every day brings new trials and difficulties, and I have had some severe ones, but praise the Lord, he has delivered me out of them all, and will deliver all who trust in him. I love all the truths connected with the third angel's message, because I believe that the Lord is leading his people as he did Israel of old. And why should we find fault with the way he leads us, or with those he has in his providence placed at the head of the work? Instead, we should entreat God for them; for they are men of like passions as we are.
The health reform, which some thought in the beginning would ruin us, is the means in the hands of the Lord of fitting us for the time of trouble just before us, and preparing us for the loud cry and the refreshing from the presence of the Lord. I am trying to live out the truths of the third message, the health reform included, and I have found it a great blessing to me and mine in point of health. Praise the Lord for the light that shines forth from the pages of sacred truth, and for the gifts of the Spirit. And I would say to all, and especially those of my brethren and sisters of my acquaintance, Stand fast in the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Quit you like men; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
In hope of immortality through Christ.

WALTER S. ERNST

Branch Co., Mich.