“On high and holy ground”

“On high and holy ground”

was an expression that brother Aksel J. Smith used often. Coming from his mouth, these were not empty words, because he lived his life on high and holy ground, and his ministry among us was on high and holy ground. “For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:24.

In 1952, when he was 42 years old, he wrote an article entitled “Abundance of goodness and blessing” for Skjulte Skatter. Behind these words was the entire weight of the abundance of goodness and blessing which he himself represented. He closed the article with these words: “May there be an abundant sowing in blessing after this so that there can also be an abundant harvest and an abundant entrance into the heavenly dwelling places.” We have been the object of brother Aksel J. Smith’s abundant sowing in blessing for many, many years. We have witnessed an abundant harvest, and now he has had an abundant entrance into the heavenly dwelling places.

I have personally witnessed his abundant sowing in blessing in many countries all over the world. He sowed quietly in the hidden. The seeds he sowed have sprouted quietly in the hidden in his wake, and eternity will reveal the manifold fruits that can be traced to brother Aksel J. Smith’s life and ministry.

Besides having had editorial responsibility for Skjulte Skatter, he was also (as of 1961) the responsible editor for the German periodical Das Leben, first in blessed co-operation with brother Gjermund Skreosen. The advice and guidance he gave us for this work testified to the keen insight he had, and his careful and sober conduct in the way he served. Unhealthy developments were not permitted; there was to be nothing that transgressed the laws of soundness and wholesomeness in the work with the paper. His life and ministry in the written and spoken word were a fulfillment of (among other scriptures) Psalm 85:10: “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

Brother Aksel J. Smith spoke and wrote much about expecting Jesus’ return. He saw it as a calling and a mission to keep the expectation of Jesus’ return alive within the assembly. He wrote once: “Let us speak and sing about Jesus’ return until He comes.” When he, together with other brothers participated in an “alliance” conference in Germany in 1956, where the theme was Jesus’ return and making ourselves ready for it, he could give this testimony: “Even in my childhood my heart would burn whenever I heard about Jesus’ return. I made this decision in my heart that I would be along when Jesus comes.” With this as a foundation in his childhood, he threw himself into the work in Germany which was in its infancy in those days. This work would afterwards spread to country after country. The Scriptures exhort us to remember our leaders and follow their faith.