A person can also be quick-tempered, contentious, and violent in his ministry in the church. I have had occasion to observe a couple of people whose behavior was particularly glaring and striking, and I must say that it was very unbecoming; its effect was highly repugnant just as it was also inherently unrighteous. Violence is the opposite of meekness and longsuffering; it is far from wisdom, from all righteousness and mercy. It manifests itself in strong and unrestrained expressions, a lack of sobriety and thoughtfulness, and hasty judgments and actions. Therefore a violent man causes much harm even though he means well. He transgresses the limits left and right and inevitably interferes in other people’s rightful liberty. Therefore Paul pointed out to Titus that a violent man should not be considered an overseer in any church. It is therefore best to have an overseer who possesses all meekness, gentleness, and longsuffering toward all men—someone who is able to endure, suffer, and bear with everything and everyone without losing his composure, without growing weary. May God raise up and equip many such overseers among us—to His honor and glory and for the church’s benefit! Amen.Elias Aslaksen

Br. Ellefsen, Karl Pedersen and I traveled to Denmark during summer vacation. In Copenhagen we met several friends who I believe are excellent candidates for a deeper life. In all, we had six meetings in Copenhagen. God blessed the meetings, and that blessing will continue after our departure. The friends in Fredericia go back to the days when my brother Aksel and Br. Aslaksen worked there—probably starting in 1911. They were all glad to meet us, and we were glad to meet them too. They have also had their problems to contend with, as often happens in a church. However, if everyone shows a bit of goodwill and remembers that all evil comes from the flesh, the world and the devil, and that everything good comes from above—from the Father of lights—then I believe that everything will go well. We left both Fredericia and Copenhagen with the feeling that God, in His great grace, had been with us on the trip. So He can let the words that have been sown work in everyone who believes.Johan O. Smith