Andreas Nilsen: The faithful witness! Rev. 1:5. This word is appropriately applied to brother J.O. Smith. I feel a sincere, heart-felt desire to express my gratitude for brother Smith. As far as I am concerned, the thing that stands out about him is that he, through his struggle, has brought the true gospel to light again. He has, so to speak, dropped a way that was already prepared, into our lap, and we can choose whether we want to walk on it.

Brother Smith was a unique person. He perceived and understood things that no one else understood. The virtues of Christ shone through everything he undertook. He always discerned other people’s state. And he always had you in mind. It was special to have been together with such a man, and it will be special to meet him again.

A priest was not permitted to receive a sacrifice with a blemish. This was brother Smith. He kept you at a certain distance until the sacrifice was brought. His treatment of a person went right into the recesses of the person’s heart. It could feel harsh, but I praise and thank God that I got to know him. Yes, I am thankful for everything. His wife and children are also on this way.

The prophecy in the letter from his grandfather is absolutely true. Thanks for everything he has done for us. He laid down his life for his friends. May the same Spirit that constrained him, constrain us until our death.

There were depths in brother Smith’s life. He has reached the goal. May we also reach the goal.