Congratulations on your wedding anniversary on the 7th of June (probably your 40th), as well as Father’s birthday. The years hasten toward eternity; our hourglass will soon have run out here on earth. Therefore it is important for us to carry out all of our works, having that which is eternal and unmoveable before our eyes. And though we die, yet we shall live. Our departure from this world will be our exit from that which is corruptible and our entrance into that which is incorruptible. Gray hair is a crown of beauty on the head of the righteous. Therefore we can advance with decisive steps on this way that has been opened, a way that extends even beyond these corruptible limitations and leads us right into the eternal dwellings. Nothing will be able to hinder our progress on this way, provided we are willing to simply walk upon it.

Yesterday I had shore leave and met in my living room together with a few people who hadn’t gone to Moss. A man from Skien was also present. We spoke about Rom. 8, and the Spirit of God shed such glorious light on it that we were all amazed and rejoiced greatly. There are several people here in Horten now who are no longer content with superficial joy. They are longing to be established in God’s own Word, and they don’t find any nourishment outside of it. And that’s why our best meetings have been informal conversation meetings, where the Spirit of God reveals to us the glory of Christ in a remarkable way, so that our hearts burn within us. In order for the mysteries of Christ to come forth, great rest and self-control are required; but several have now learned the art of speaking up when something threatens to disrupt God’s work. Only with the very greatest peace of mind and the very greatest longing for and anticipation of light from God in the issues of life can the Spirit reveal its mysteries to us. The Spirit withdraws instantly when folly begins to reign. The Spirit, as the one who reveals wisdom from God, is extremely sensitive and withdraws at the slightest hint of discord. Much training is required in a congregation where God’s wisdom is to function. The Spirit of God can inspire joy in the midst of the worst tumult, but the Spirit is exceedingly sensitive when it comes to imparting wisdom from God. It is absolutely essential that we take this to heart. The Spirit can be present in many different ways. Among children He can bring forth joy, among the more mature, instruction, etc. Therefore we should not be content with a joy that is superficial, but we should seek to lay hold of the joy of wisdom, which is perfect. I can only write imperfectly about this, but I hope you can read between the lines.

Paul says that he labored according to the power of Him who worked in him mightily, to present every man perfect in Christ. We ought to fight in the same way, since we have entered into the laws of development that make us alive in Christ Jesus. Flowers are subject to the laws of development; it’s the same for us in Christ. The sinner is subject to the laws of development leading to death, but we are subject to the laws of development leading to life. What a glory! When those who are ungodly blossom, it leads to death, but when those who are righteous blossom, it leads to life. The glory that transforms us makes us identical with itself. Just as the glory dwells in the body, the objective also dwells in the body. But the body is the Lord’s, and He is the glorifier of His body. Water cleanses the outward body (the waters of Noah), but the present earth (the body of sin) is reserved for fire. The same applies to the earth on which we walk and live. Peter and the other apostles understood what they understood through God’s wisdom, but this wisdom dwells in Him bodily. By the same Spirit we can understand what the apostles understood, because God is no respecter of persons. Flesh is flesh, and Spirit is Spirit.

Power consists of fellowship with God, but unfaithfulness breaks fellowship, which in turn results in power being lost (remember Samson).

Intimate fellowship leads us into the counsels of God, and by being in the presence of this supreme authority, we become steadfast, independent, and sure of victory.

Only ministers of state sit in the king’s counsels. These ministers are also in charge of their departments.

I’d better close for now. God always gives me victory in Christ. I can rejoice in His fellowship even here on board.

Please greet everyone at home with Ps. 19:7-11.

Your son and brother,

My address is: Gunboat Sleipner, Horten. Around the 20th-25th of this month we will be sailing to the Baltic—first to Copenhagen, then to Kiel, and then to Libau in Russia.

We’ve now received a raise of 10 kroner. Now I earn 135 kroner per month plus 24 kroner in on-board allowance.