Thank you for your good letter. Yesterday I received a nice, large, silk-sewn Bible (family Bible) from Br. Anthony with the following inscription:

“To Joh. O. Smith,
in deep appreciation for spiritual help provided,
your lowly brother, A.I. Anthony.”

It was as though someone had heaped coals of fire on my head. I had been going through several spiritual conflicts recently, so this had a very comforting and healing effect. It was as if God wanted to humble me with all His mercy and grace.

The ways of the Lord become more amazing and more marvelous to me every day, because I am truly discovering that the bitter becomes sweet to me. It was incomprehensible to me that I should receive this “Honor of the Lord.”

It is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. May we always seek the Lord’s honor; then the will of God will always be apparent to us.

Pauline is just about to have the baby, so I’m sorry that I won’t be able to visit you this time. It would be irresponsible of me to leave right now.

I would really have liked to talk with Sr. Palme, because I sense that she really is longing for more and is striving earnestly. Such people are as rare as diamonds.

You read in my previous letter about the meeting at Br. Isachsen’s and about Br. Berg’s attack. I have given this much thought, but I don’t think that Br. Berg’s claims hit the mark. I sensed that I had transgressed in some way, but I couldn’t see where or how. But yesterday it became clear.

Speaking is similar to eating meat. If a brother is sitting there and cannot eat for his conscience’s sake, then we ought not to eat meat. My conscience permitted me to speak as I did, but Br. Berg and several others couldn’t have said the same things without going against their conscience. Therefore, I and my words were judged using their conscience as a yardstick. But since it’s written that we should be a servant to all, I have transgressed on this point, and I hereby acknowledge my mistake.

But just as his three friends were unable to convince Job of his mistake, and Job convicted them because their judgment was unrighteous, neither did I find that Br. Berg’s words were justified, because he missed the mark. However, God has revealed it to me now, and I am very content. I have told Br. Isachsen about this, but no one else. Maybe, if God wills, I will bring the whole matter up again at a meeting; but if I do that, it will not honor Br. Berg. We are to learn from everything.

Warm greetings from us here.

Your brother,