Communication from Bro. Ertzenberger.
By J. Ertzenberger
I still continue to lecture at Solingen, and I expect to continue at least during the next month. But as favorable as was the reception of the good news at first, so fierce an opposition does it meet now. The enemy is greatly stirred up. Many of the so-called Christians who were very friendly at first have ceased to attend the lectures, and are now very zealous to hold others back from them. Public prayers are offered for me, that God may open my eyes, that I may understand and see the great errors I teach. Persons coming from the ranks of the different denominations to hear the lectures are threatened with excommunication from their respective bodies if they attend any longer, and the pastors of the National church warn their hearers from the pulpit to the same effect. Although many have left, quite a number of candid souls remain, and new ones are coming in to hear. The most of those who remain are in favor of the truths spoken. On comparing the Bible with the things they have heard in these lectures, they find them in accordance with it. Even this fierce opposition is to these persons a proof that this is the truth. And there are warm friends for the truth among them. They thank God, they say, that he sent one who teaches the Bible as it is. Abhorring the dead form of modern Christianity, they longed and prayed to hear once more God's holy word. And now they feast upon it. But will they obey it when the whole duty of man shall be set before them? I hope there will be a few among them who will not turn aside, but will follow the light. May the Lord help! Besides lecturing, I try to labor in private also. In visiting from house to house, I meet very many of the so-called Christians, pastors not excepted. But sad as is the picture drawn by Eld. J. N. Andrews, and set before the readers of this good paper (see REVIEW, vol. 45, No. 26, p. 204, where he says, “The condition of the religious world is most alarming”), it well illustrates what I see and learn. And many times my heart is pained hearing these poor souls speak of their assurance of Heaven. Many do not wish to be troubled in this their fatal error. They prefer to ride quietly to Heaven, disregarding the conditions with which they should comply in order to receive eternal life. When aroused from their terrible mistake, they seek to quiet their troubled conscience again. Thus they sleep, and will sleep on till the hailstones of Jehovah's wrath shall sweep away every false hope. It was a very serious error to suppose that man would be saved by works, as it was held before the great Reformation of Luther and others. It was an extreme into which man was led by the great adversary of the human race. He knew very well that they would not be saved thus. And, as they became aware of this, many tried to find the right doctrine. But the enemy, always ready to lead souls astray, brought the mass to believe the opposite extreme, that is, that man is saved by faith only, without obedience. Thus they go on, expecting to be saved at last, when in reality they walk the broad way, at the end of which is destruction. If the epistle to the Romans was applicable in the days of Paul, the letter of James is very needful now. May the Lord help! How great the privilege of knowing the truth! and what grace to be sanctified by it! I love it, and I prize it. It is the desire of my inmost soul to be prepared by it for the eternal kingdom. I thank God that it found me, and I praise him for the tokens of his mercy toward me. And although the battle is hard, my courage is good, and I thank the Lord for the good opportunity he has given me to redeem the time of past failures. And may I be led by God's Spirit. Pray for me. Yours, with Christian love,
J. ERTZENBERGER. Vohwinkel, near Elberfeld, Prussia, Sept. 29, 1875.