ERNEST ROE
December 19th, 1883, to February 4th, 1967.
This issue of “Gospel Tidings” is devoted to the publication of a very small portion of Mr. E. Roe’s ministerial labours, with special reference to the sermons which were preached just prior to his decease.
It is the heart’s desire of the publishers to give glory to the Lord for the honour which He placed upon our late friend in his long ministerial service to which he was Divinely called, in which he was so richly blessed and made of blessing to so many persons through the many years of his ministry.
Before his death Mr. Roe requested that no biographical matter should be published after his death, and with this request, endorsed by his widow, the publishers wish to comply.
May these publications of his sermons and extracts from his letters provide a present day proof of that word of God, ” He, being dead, yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11, 4).
From Fenstanton, the scene of his closing labours, a regular hearer writes,
“The morning of Lord’s Day, February 5th, 1967, was a time of sorrow indeed, as the friends gathered together after the sudden home-call of Mr. Roe. It was at the place and spot which Mr. Roe held very dear and for which he laboured in word and deed, right up to the Saturday morning he was taken home.
Well, his life’s work was done—his great joy in being eNot currently available. If you have a copy of this item please let us know.bled to exalt a precious Redeemer while here below, has now been exchanged for the glorious blessedness of seeing Him without a veil between.
As we heard him by God’s grace deliver his last two discourses (see pages 3 & 13) and realised the unction and power that pervaded that last Sabbath, in retrospect it was truly as if we were witnessing the weather-beaten bark gliding into the port of endless bliss—not as a wreck—triumphing through Christ, over death, being fully persuaded that nothing could separate him or His people from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The services of that day were closed with the singing of one of the hymns (see page 3) of John Kent (a poet whose writings were greatly loved by Mr. Roe). How little could it have been realised that the leading of the Lord was so clearly seen in the choice of this hymn seeing that it was the last one that would be sung together on earth.
As the congregation was leaving the chapel Mr. Roe, speaking solemnly and emphatically, said, ” I speak that which I know.”