The Life And Ministry Of E. A. Brooker
Waymarks Vol 26 (1954)
It came as a great shock to us, after reaching home from chapel on Lord’s Day evening, December 27th, 1953, to hear over the telephone of the sudden passing from time to eternal glory, of our late friend, Mr. E. A. Brooker (Pastor at Rehoboth Strict Baptist Chapel, Tunbridge Wells). Before us, as we write, is a letter from one of his deacons, from which we cull the following particulars:
“The sudden loss of our beloved pastor has been a shock to us all. We had no idea that his illness was serious, until his operation two days before Christmas, when the doctor gave him only a few hours to live. Three weeks ago he was preaching to us, and was quite well. After a few days he had a turn of sickness which the doctor said was a chill, but as it persisted he advised hospital treatment. After his operation I visited him; he was sweetly sustained, and, as he told me: ‘Firmly on the Rock ‘”
Our late friend had been divinely sustained in his pastorate at “Rehoboth” for twenty-five years. When Mrs. Brooker, visiting him in hospital, quoted to him the words: “Whom once He loves, He never leaves, but loves them to the end”, his answer was: “and here is the proof of it”.
The dear man entered hospital with these words from his Master, Whom he had faithfully served for so many years: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Ex. 33:14). This precious promise was not only proved by him in his own soul during his last hours, but through him; as the doctors in hospital said: “He was most courageous”. The end came very peacefully, in the evening of December 26th. So he entered his “desired haven”, for his loved ones, and onlookers, to see how a Christian can die in the Lord.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, December 30th, 1953, in the presence of a large concourse of friends, numbering, we understand, between three and four hundred, and including about thirty ministers of the Gospel. It was conducted by our friend, Pastor Stanley Delves, of Crowborough, who officiated both in the chapel and at the graveside. Mr. Delves also took the memorial service at “Rehoboth”, on Lord’s Day morning, January 3rd, 1954, his text being from Hebrews 13:7. Two hymns were sung at the funeral: “There is a fountain filled with blood”, and one by the late Joseph Irons: “Hark how the choir around the throne”. On Lord’s Day morning the hymns were Nos. 633, 247 and 477 (Gadsby’s Selection).
Our readers will well recollect the many profitable articles which our late dear friend has written in past numbers of Waymarks, and we shall always remember with gratitude his valued labours for many years on the Committee of this magazine. We have endeavoured to express our deep Christian sympathy to the sorrowing widow and family, and also to the bereaved Church and congregation. Into the all-wise hands of Him Who is “too wise to err, and too good to be unkind”, we commit lovingly and prayerfully one and all. May His mighty and all-sufficient grace enable each to say, in the midst of this cutting trial: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job. 1:21). Then, while the labourer’s task is over, it will surely be proved that: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble: and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).
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Footnote: Digitized by the Strict Baptist Historical Society
