Thank you for the time we had together. God is good. May His name always be honored through us in Jesus Christ. In His blood all things are reconciled, both in the body and in nature, and they are brought into beautiful harmony before the face of God through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us long for a deeper and closer relationship with one another in this blood, always bearing in mind that we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Every mountain and hill will be made low, and every valley will be exalted, because this way into the sanctuary is open and straight, and no ravenous beast shall go up on it. Only a new creation in Christ Jesus, born out of blood, avails anything here. High self-esteem and timidity find one another in the blood of Christ. In this blood, the proud and the oppressed meet one another. Here the prince and the slave, the Jew and the Greek become so beautifully united.

The gunner’s mate and Olsen send their greetings. Yesterday they went ashore on their own. Olsen went all over the place and testified about God. First he testified to a couple of women he met in a Methodist church vestry, whom he also prayed with. Then in a coffee shop. After that, he went to a banquet for Christian sailors, which had been arranged for the crew of a large ship that was about to sail for the Antarctic. There were a lot of people present, including two pastors. They asked Olsen to run up and down the streets and round up sailors to attend the banquet, which he did. A whole lot of them came to the banquet—the gunner’s mate was also there. After the pastors spoke, Olsen followed. The Spirit of God was mightily upon him, and he was powerfully anointed. Later he gave his testimony at the docks as he was about to go onboard. He reminds me a lot of “The Happy Bricklayer,” as he is called. Now he is seeking God for wisdom to answer each one in an appropriate manner. The gunner’s mate is quieter, but he is steadfast. Now and then we have prayer meetings together in my cabin. The other evening, Cadet Aslaksen came as well.

I’m staying on board now (Saturday and Sunday), because the bosun has gone to Horten. The company recently offered me a very favorable position as the accountant at the drill hall. I would have earned a lot more per month and been eligible for government housing as well, but I would have had to work almost every evening, and that would have felt like shackles on my legs, so I turned it down. The position would have only been a two-year appointment, after which I would have been replaced by another gunner.

I received a long letter from Br. Sigurd Kristoffersen. He praises Br. Witrock, who is staying right on course. He mentioned that the editor of Kirkeklokken is not completely on board, and that Br. Plum is somewhat volatile. He is living in a boarding house near Plum in Hellerup.

Tomorrow we will have the admiral on board for inspection; we will then sail out and have a live firing exercise. We’ve been told that next Saturday and Sunday we are sailing to Kristiania. But next Monday, the cadets will start their exams in Horten. Now Olsen wants to write a few words.

Greet the friends and everyone at home with hearty greetings from your brother,

There was a tremendous downpour after we left the others, and we had no rain clothes. But now everything is dry.

Have you changed your address?

Dear Brother in the Lord,

Just a few words from me. The Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever. Yes, how true that is. He has been good to me, and still is. He blesses me more and more with each passing day, and I can always feel His everlasting arms around me. He is my defense in temptation and a protection on the evil day. I was at a wonderful banquet for sailors last night. It was a very blessed time, and God’s Spirit was mightily present. Many souls were troubled because of their sin, and they longed for peace with God. The Lord has promised that His Word will not return void; therefore, I also believe that the seed that was sown yesterday will spring up and bring forth fruit for eternity. God has helped me and used me as His witness. To Him be all the honor and praise. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ. Warm greetings to you, Brother, and to all His saints in Kristiansand. Pray for us. God is faithful who has promised.

G. A. Olsen

Horten, Sleipner