After Thirty-Eight Years by G. G. Rupert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1908

After Thirty-Eight Years

By G. G. Rupert

In 1870, through the sacrifice of Brother Theodore Emmons, who sold the little stack of wheat that he had raised for his own use, to pay the expenses of a minister, Elder I. D. Van Horn came to Mendon, Ohio, to preach present truth. At that time I was twenty-two years old, and through curiosity I attended the meetings, which were held in a schoolhouse in the woods. Prior to this I had united with the Methodist Church, but I had no light on many Bible subjects. At the first meeting I heard an exposition of the second chapter of Daniel. This was interesting to me, and on my arrival home I told my brother and his family the wonderful things I had heard. This caused them to attend these meetings, and my sister-in-law soon began to keep the Sabbath. During the meetings I received a love for the truth which has never left me.

I was married the following spring, and went into business. Six years later, by my invitation, Elder H. A. St. John came to Van Wert, Ohio, and held tent-meetings. In his company were Elders E. H. Gates, R. A. Underwood, and H. S. Guilford, who is now sleeping. Elders Underwood and Gates are among the standard-bearers in the message to-day. One year from this time I was in the work of the ministry.

At the time of these meetings, I was a contractor, employing about thirty men and teams, paving the main street of Van Wert. But during the years of investigation, I had counted the cost, and was now ready to act. The cost proved dear enough financially; but my wife was with me in the truth, and this, with the strong hope in a soon-coming Lord, was sufficient to bear me up through all my difficulties. The Bible was my only help and source of comfort.

Day and night my wife and I studied it; and with the knowledge we received of its teaching came the burden to tell others the wonderful things we found in it. I asked for some tracts to be sent me from Battle Creek, and with these I started out without 'purse' or 'scrip.'

I visited a family of Sabbath-keepers in the forests of Paulding County, and there made my first effort to speak in public. After this I went to another place, and was able to give twelve discourses. At this place I saw my first fruit; and from this time on through the summer I worked through the day harvesting and following the thrasher, and preached at night. In the fall I was invited to attend the camp-meeting, and was given a ministerial license; and in an address by Brother J. H. Waggoner, now sleeping, we were promised two or three dollars a week for our labor.

Courage and perseverance bore their fruit, and the Lord blessed my efforts, and those who accepted the truth during these efforts are workers in the field to-day. Since then I have visited many of the States, South America, and some of the West India Islands. My field of labor is now in Oklahoma. At present, however, I am in Ohio, where I first began my work, in response to an earnest request to labor among old acquaintances and friends and relatives. Prejudice long existing has been broken down by time and continued effort, and the way is open to gather some more sheaves for the heavenly garner from this locality. Three precious souls have taken their stand for the truth, and two of them will soon be baptized.

I have had the pleasure of visiting the first Adventists I ever knew, Brother Theodore Emmons and wife, aged respectively eighty-seven and sixty-five years. I also visited Sisters Elizabeth Taylor, Lyda Stripe, Amie Van Enoms, and Brother and Sister Watts. These aged pilgrims have passed through trials and conflicts, which no doubt have tried their souls, but the truth is still precious to them, and they are looking forward to the fulfilment of their hopes when the conflict is over, and God's children are gathered home. Let us pray that our faith fail not.

G. G. RUPERT.