It is not given to many men to have two spheres of missionary service during their lifetime, but it was given to Ernest Walton-Lewsey.
Born on January 27 1914 in NW London, he was an only child and remained all his life a ‘lone ranger’. He never married. He did not come from a Christian home, but came under the influence of a godly grandmother. ‘I set out to know for myself the God she so deeply loved’, he wrote. At 12 years old he gave his life to Christ at a meeting at Spurgeon’s Tabernacle, saying, ‘I will serve you, Lord, never wanting anything for myself’.
London Embankment Mission
Ernest became a student at London University, studying physics and finding fellowship in the CU. Leaving college one evening he walked down Chancery Lane and saw an elderly woman covered in rags in a doorway, cold and hungry. He felt very moved. He bought tea and buns and chatted to her. Afterwards he saw her frequently and it brought him a great sense of fulfilment. In October 1936 he saw a figure sprawling at the bottom of some steps along the Victoria Embankment. Ernest told him about Christ and from that time knew that God was calling him to work full time on the Embankment.
