22 Fifitith Wedding Anniversy

22. Fifitith Wedding Anniversy Autobigraphy - James H. Oliphant

CHAPTER XXII. The 4th of September, 1914, was our fiftieth wedding anniversary. I could hardly realize that fifty years had gone by. As those who are young look at life, fifty years seems a long period, but as we look back over fifty years to our youth it seems but a span. My sister and her husband, J. M. King, from Missouri, were present, also my sister, Mrs. Boyd, from Bedford, and Mrs. Acuff, from Bloomington, were here; also my wife’s sister, Mrs. Stultz, from Bloomington, Indiana, and her brother and his wife; William Tague, from Russiaville, other relatives and friends from different parts of the state were present, and brethren, sisters and friends living in our town, with our children and grandchildren, all came to have a good enjoyable time and had it. I felt solemn as r realized I had come to be an old man, and knew that we are nearing the close of life. If life were to live over I do not know that I could improve on it. I realize that Jacob’s statement to Pharoah, "Few and evil have been the days of my pilgrimage," is my case. If I am not a Christian I never expect to be, and my experience of life confirms my tong held views of salvation by grace. Not only is it true with me that my hope of heaven lies it wholly in the mercy of God, but as I see the usual course of men’s lives the only hope that anyone has is in the mercy of God.

I am now pastor at Vincennes church, and within the last two years we established a church at Coatesville, Indiana, and have a nice congregation there with some additions. I also serve the church here and at Pimento, Indiana. I realize that "I must decrease." It is serious to become infirm and see ourselves fail for want of strength, but so it is, our younger men must take charge of the cause. If we can grow old gracefully and lovingly and willingly, and cheerfully yield to younger men, it will be well. We have many young men among us that are called to the work, and will be a blessing to our cause long after we are gone home. The Savior said, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."Matthew 16:18It is sweet to cast all upon the Lord. As we survey our weakness as a church---our fewness,---we can see that "Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it." Israel was driven from every other hope in all their history. As soon as they started from Egypt they were made to know that God only could care for them. "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."Exodus 14:13The Red sea was divided by the hand of the Lord before them and soon they were blessed to see the hand of the Lord in their behalf; but they must learn it again and again all the way and this was all written for our learning. As we see truth rejected by a sin-loving world, and note the strength of the opposition we can plainly see that if our people live as a denomination the Lord must sustain us.