| Salvation by Grace Alone | |
 |
| Salvation by Grace Alone | |
|
Primitive Monitor April 1924 FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER
DEAR BROTHER.DOVE—I was glad to get your letter. I am certain I am not worthy the fullest confidence of the brethren, yet I need it, I need their prayers. It is one thing to casually speak of our unworthiness, and another to see it, to feel it in our souls, but such an experience helps us to bear with each other’s imperfections and follies. I see every day things that I regret, the brethren have borne with me, and God has suited them to the chastisement due me and my humbling.
I look back sixty years and review my failures and neglect, my secret faults, all seen and known to Him. I have seen in my life jealousies, envies, and covetousness. I want to be humble. I want the pride of my heart removed, but don’t see how I can remove it. I have seen my faults but never been able to remove them. I need a merciful Savior, but find it hard to show the mercy to others I need for myself. I want to be forgiven my wrongs to others, but hard heart hinders me. I hope that I will have afflictions work in me the good I need. It is hard to forget the wrong I have done others, and harder to forgive. It is hard to say, “forgive me; I was in the wrong.” Let us learn how to say, “I did wrong, you did right.” It is noble to say that we are wrong and they are right. The lion crouches before a mighty leap, so we stoop before we make our greatest bounds. I have wanted to die a witness to God’s truth and in the hearts of his people. I hope I have stooped the needed stoop just before I leap to the rock of security, where victory will be forever mine. Let us be peaceable, easy to entreat. Tell me my faults, slow to wrath, quick to forgive. Never think self too good to say, “forgive me.” It is noble to say, “Forgive me.” Jesus made two bounds, one to the nails, the thorns, the spitting; the other, bless his name, to eternal glory. We want to follow him and share in the fruits of his toil and sweat. I hear of strife in our midst. I want peace to be in our midst. How sweet is peace and harmony. Let us pray for it, and labor for peace. I pray for it and long for it. A few more days or years at most and I will get home beyond power of foes to harm or friends to help. I love the Baptists—will die loving our people. I will need your prayers yet awhile. I am poorly and feel that my time is near, but we know not the time of my going—it is God’s to command and me to obey. Pray for me. Tell all the members to pray for me. I wish you all well in time and eternity. by Elder J. J. Oliphant ~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Friends, Elder James Oliphant is my favorite writer, here is a letter from him to Elder Corvin Dove, editor of the "Primitive Monitor". Elder Oliphant died a months after writing this letter. DM Submitted by Elder David Montgomery • Previous |
| Salvation by Grace Alone |
|