12 Writing for papers
12. Writing for papers Autobigraphy - James H. Oliphant
CHAPTER XII.
I aided Elder Lemuel Potter in writing for his paper, "The Church Advocate," from the time that he started it. In the summer of 1896 he became afflicted and felt assured that his time on earth was short, and he arranged with Elder R. W. Thompson to unite "The Monitor" and "Advocate" into one paper. At Elder Thompson’s request I continued to assist in supplying the columns of the new paper. For many years I aided Elder Hassell in furnishing editorials for his paper, "The Gospel Messenger." Also Elder S. F. Cayce urged me to aid him with his paper, "The Primitive Baptist," and at his death I agreed to aid his son in it, which I have done. For many years I assisted Elder Waters, of Washington City, in supplying "Zion’s Advocate" with editorials, as also I have done for Elder Walter Cash, of St. Joseph, Mo., for his paper, "The Messenger of Peace." I have written much for these five papers in the last twenty years. I am sure many blunders have been made, but yet the brethren urge me to continue to write for them. I am situated to know of the oneness of all these papers, and union and close fellowship has ever existed between these periodicals and their editors.
I published my book, "Final Perseverance of the Saints" in 1878, and "Principles and Practices of the Primitive Baptists" in 1883. I later published a book entitled, "Regeneration." All these books were well patronized. In 1890 I published the first edition of my hymn book---3,000---and several editions were printed later. I wrote a book entitled, "Justification," which Elder S. F. Cayce, of Martin, Tenn., published in 1899. I also published "Thoughts on the Will," which has been well received by our people. The last book I wrote was a neatly bound book of 170 pages, entitled, "Practical Suggestions for the Common People" for young people. I have been satisfied with the reception given all these books. The writing of these books, and writing for our periodicals, together with my correspondence, has required much time and labor, and I feel its effect in myself. In addition to the above books, I published the "Durand Correspondence" which has been received favorably by our people. For forty-five years I have had the care of four churches which I have attended, and have had more than one thousand funerals. All of this together has required much travel and labor, also much patience, and I suppose I may say much patience on the part of the churches and of other elders to bear with me. I attach no value to it all in respect to merit. "Jesus only" is my hope. I feel no desire to repeat life. While many pleasures and happy seasons have been enjoyed, I find, too, that many tears and heartaches have been endured all along the way.
"I would at once have quit the field Where foes with fury foam, But, ah! my passport was not sealed, I could not yet go home."
"The time my God appoints is best, His to fix my time of rest."
It becomes us to quietly trust the Lord, not to murmur at trials, not shirk duty, but to cheerfully endure and take up the cross. This is my weakness: I am so distrustful and prone to see the dark side. "He that has brought me safe thus far Will help me all my journey through."