Rev Ernest Baker (Part 3)

The Rev Ernest Baker.

For three years he served as the Baptist Union secretary and latterly for two more with Mr. Garratt. He was three times its President, in 1901, 1909 and 1927, and three times preached the Union Sermon. Until he withdrew because of ill health he was a leading member of the Executive of the Union, and his opinion carried great weight, for his knowledge of the churches made him wise in counsel. He was as ready with his pen as with his voice. Three years after his arrival he started the S.A. Baptistas as its first editor. He conducted a monthly brochure for the Cape Town Church called ‘Marching Orders’, and maintained for some years The Midnight Cry with its Advent testimony. He compiled a number of books from his sermons such as The Return of the Lord, Plain Talks, and The Prophetic Lamp. In his Life and Explorations of F.S. Arnot he achieved a considerable success in biography.

Ernest Baker has been a great gift of God to the Baptist Church and the cause for religion in South Africa. Indeed a workman that needed not to be ashamed.

Compiled by: Syd Hudson-Reed