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Day, Ernest Wyman
4/29/1965
ERNEST WYMAN DAY
July 4, 1895 – April 29, 1965
On April 29, 1965, God called to the Heavenly home, to “that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,” one of his most devoted, able and consecrated servants in the Louisiana Conference. Brother Ernest Wyman Day came at last to journey’s end for the Master here and took up his eternal joy in that “land that is fairer than day.”
Brother Day was no ordinary preacher. Born in a rural community near Columbia, Louisiana, July 4, 1895, he soon became acquainted with the hardships that were the schoolmasters of so many noble souls of that generation, but hardship was no deterrent to Brother Day.
His early schooling was meager but by extraordinary effort he secured a teacher’s certificate. It was while teaching in a country school that the two greatest events of his life transpired, for it was at this time that he was converted and became a Christian and Christ became his unseen companion. It was also here that he met and married Bernice Coon, who became his strong and faithful companion on his earthly pilgrimage. She became the mother of his children, E. W., Jr., Leslie Henry, Alva Cecil and Mrs. Lucille Fern Williams, who, with their mother, survive him. One son, Robert Marion, preceded him in death, losing his life in the armed service of his country.
Previously a Baptist, after his marriage he joined the Methodist Church and strongly felt the call to the ministry. This meant for him a call for further preparation and under difficult handicaps he made the necessary effort and sacrifice and entered college, attending Louisiana Tech, and the State Normal at Natchitoches and Centenary. It was here that I first came to know him and for forty years it was with deep affection that we greeted each other as we had occasion to meet across the years.
He was a builder and the accent of his life was on the affirmative. The people in the churches that he served will always remember his love for people and his great love for God, which made of him a preacher of power, and as Brother Lipscomb said of him, he took the Bishop at his word upon his ordination, and with authority to read the Scripture in the congregation, he preached the same with unction and zeal until many were converted under his ministry.
Dr. E. L. Miller of Bonita, a friend of many years, said his sermons were filled with zeal and truth until people wanted to hear more and more of his messages. He often remarked that E. W. was the best friend he ever had.
After leaving Centenary, Brother Day took regular appointments in the Conference. Among the churches that he served were: Bartholomew, Bonita, Gibsland, Morgan City, Rayne, Abbeville, North Baton Rouge, DeQuincy and Thibodeaux.
His funeral was conducted May 1, 1965, at University Methodist Church by Dr. W. E. Trice and Dr. Bentley Sloane. His interment was in Riverside Cemetery in Monroe.
He was my friend. I share the loss with his family but rejoice with them that in the Father’s house some day we shall join him in “that inheritance incorruptable and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”
Source: Louisiana Conference Journal, 1965; p. 214 George W. Pomeroy
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