Communication from Bro. Ertzenberger.
By James Ertzenberger
TO THE DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS ABROAD: As there are those among you who would like to hear and to know how your friend and Bro. Ertzenberger is getting along, I will try to answer through this good paper. Since the camp-meetings of 1869 closed up I have spent nearly all the time at Battle Creek. I have been occupied with studying the English language and the present truth. Our dear Bro. G. H. Bell was my teacher of the English grammar, and I must say I had a good one. He was very anxious that I should learn as much as possible, but I have advanced very slowly. You know that the Germans are not as fast as the Americans. After remaining about seven weeks in his kind family, I was taken sick, and was obliged to go to the Health Institute. There I remained three weeks; and the Lord's blessing was with me. Having recovered, I was again cordially invited to our beloved Bro. and Sr. White's, and I went; but my great privilege was darkened by suffering and trouble which commenced in my head. However I pursued my study again, but was obliged to stop very often. I felt bad. I often prayed, but it seemed as if the heavens were of brass. I found myself as the greatest sinner. My mind became clouded and my heart darkened. I felt troubled. Satan tried his mighty power to deceive me, and told me that there was no use and no help for me. But he is a liar, and I would not believe him. I knew the Saviour from my earlier life, and he was precious to my soul then; but at this time all seemed dark. I prayed and prayed, but found no relief until one evening while engaging in family prayers with my dear Bro. and Sr. White. I felt better, but the struggle was not over. It was but a drop for a thirsty soul. I continued in prayer for help from on high until I felt better. Bro. and Sr. White and others also prayed for me. But this relief was but for a short season. I became sick again, and the sickness was worse than before with the exception that my mind was clearer. The Health Institute again was the place for me to go. Calmly I gave myself up to the Lord, saying to him, “Here I am, sick and suffering, but in thine hands, take care of me.” And he did. Was the first time I was at the Health Institute a great blessing to me? The second was still more. The Lord greatly blessed me, physically and spiritually. The doctors treated me very kindly and carefully both times, and all were friendly. The Health Institute became a dear home to me, and I shall remember it, as well as the dear friends there who took so much care for me and manifested so much love and sympathy. As I was restored, I again went to my home at Bro. White's, and could enjoy much better the great privilege of their good society. I felt much better than ever before, and had great reason to thank God. Oh! the heavens were not of brass, neither was it of no use nor too late to pray; no! no! But I had to go through affliction, and it was good. The Lord heard my feeble prayers, and, I firmly believe, those which were addressed to him in my behalf. He helped me greatly, he helped me, and shall I not be glad? Shall I not thank him? May the Lord also bless those who prayed for me. Now I had to learn another lesson. As it was proposed to send me back to my native land, and to the dear brethren there about the first of June, I was greatly rejoiced. I longed to go there, thinking that my own climate would help me in my condition. But the time of returning had not come yet. Our beloved Bro. W. suggested to me to stay longer in this country, to attend some of the camp-meetings46and to learn more. To stay longer was contrary to my expectations and longing desire. He spoke several times with me, but I answered very little. I felt greatly disappointed. But what is the best? What shall I do? What is the Lord's will? These were questions to me which I wanted to have answered. Bro. W. brought the whole matter before the church at B. C., and the dear brethren there were requested to pray for me. I earnestly sought the Lord to show me my duty and to make clear my way. I yielded up to him every thing. As our dear Bro. W. the next Sabbath was asking me what I would do, I told him that I had no light yet, but that I was willing to follow as the Lord would lead me. The following week I received sufficient light as to know, that it was his will for me to stay longer. I asked him, if it was his will for me to stay longer, to give me much freedom and love to do it, but if it was his will for me to return, to lead my mind wholly to Switzerland. He answered my requests, and gave me such freedom and love to stay as I never had before. I could be no longer uncertain what to do, but determined to remain longer. I felt sorry for the friends in Switzerland who were expecting me. But I believe it will be for their good as well as for mine and that of the cause there. I wrote them and stated the case quite fully, and I hope they will be reconciled. I, for my own part, acknowledge the leading hand of God in this. My mind soon was settled. As our dear Bro. and Sr. W. went to the West to attend the camp-meetings there, I came East to our beloved Bro. Andrews', at Rochester, N. Y., to study the truth more fully. I bade farewell to the dear brethren at Battle Creek with whom I had been about eight months. They had witnessed my suffering condition and felt deeply for me. They also showed me much love and sympathy during the whole time, and as I was visiting them for the last time the Lord greatly blessed me. I left them free and happy, and departed June 8. Several came to the depot to bid me good bye and God bless you. The train came and took me away, possibly to see the dear friends there no more on this earth. But I can say to them, I do not forget you; no, I love you and remember you in my feeble prayers. May the Lord greatly prosper and bless the dear brethren and sisters at B. C. Be of good courage and go forward. May he be your great reward for all you have done for me. And can I forget the Health Institute? No! it is very near to my heart. I arrived safely at Rochester, and found at our dear Bro. Andrews' a hearty welcome and open door and hearts. I soon commenced study, and I must say, the Lord is helping and blessing me. My health is good still, and the truth becomes to me brighter and clearer. I feel more of the importance and of the magnitude of it. Oh, what a glorious truth! What a blessed work! I pray God to write his precious word in my heart and to convert my innocent soul. I pray him to prepare me for the great work which is before me, and for his soon coming. I prize the truth. I love it. Blessed be God for this great privilege he granted me, to come to America, to study the present truth more perfectly. I knew some of it before I came; but now it seems to me as if I knew nothing. O Lord, open thou my eyes and fill my soul. Brethren and sisters, it is good to trust in the Lord. It is good to follow his will. None shall regret it. I now can see that it was his will for me to stay, and I feel to thank him with all my heart. The Lord is good, and his mercy endureth forever. I had to suffer last winter. I now feel well, better than before. I had dark hours, but it has become light. I often prayed; the Lord answered in due time. Blessed be his holy name. Let us come boldly to him. Heb. 10: 22-27. The time is short. Probation soon will be closed. Let us awake. Let us make sure work. Let us be faithful. It is a blessed hope. It is a glorious reward for the overcomer. I feel determined to pursue the good way. By the help of God I will continue. Salvation is worth everything. Soon the battle will be over. Jesus will come to take his ransomed home. May I be among them. May we all share in it. And when we shall meet no more on this earth, when we shall shake hands no more, may we meet in that land where will be no more separation. I ask you, I beseech you, let us pray one for another. Let us be faithful unto the end. Remember me, as well as the dear friends in Europe, in your prayers. They have to battle and to struggle, as I learned by letters a few weeks ago; but the Lord is sustaining them. They wrote to me good news, and they send you their heartfelt thanks for all you have done for me and for them. They send you their Christian love and best greetings. And I heartily unite with them. May the Lord be with you. May the Lord be with us all. Yours in the blessed hope. JAMES ERTZENBERGER,
Rochester, N. Y., Main Street 313, July, 1870.