I have just received your very good letter. It was truly a joy for me to be able to hear how things are really going in Kristiansand, as I know that God has given you the grace to understand. You write quite a bit about Father, saying that he is done with his body of sin, etc. I think that since you have tried again and again to convince him of what is right, you should rest your case. Otherwise, this perpetual struggle will wear you out physically, without producing corresponding results. I have reminded Father about these things time and time again, but he will not listen. Most likely there is something in his life which he is not willing to bring into the light, and he is trying to use darkness and distortion to get around it. We are free of responsibility in this. We have reminded him countless times that we must through many sufferings enter into glory, and that we must go on the way of the cross. Dear brother, it is a tremendous joy for me to experience your zeal for God and your love of the truth—even when it brings you suffering. Continue faithfully with what you have, both in your personal life and in your ministry, and God will grant you an abundant entrance into His eternal kingdom.

I have been on barracks watch and have had time to read several of the English books you gave me. Mrs. Penn-Lewis’ Hints for Workers is truly excellent. I have also read in Die Heiligung where, among other things, I found observations about: “The treasure in earthen vessels.” It says there: “Divinely inspired devotions and worship do not strain our mind and nerves. On the contrary, they refresh and strengthen our spirit, soul, and body. Devotions become a strain when the earthen vessel is under pressure to produce devotions, through the intensive effort of all our nerves, as if heartfelt devotions can be self-induced.”26 This can be aptly applied not only to devotions but also in our conversations with people. When you encounter people who are slow to comprehend, it is a strain physically, because you are constantly searching for ways to convince them. But a quiet, pleasant conversation with people who are like-minded gives strength to body, soul, and spirit. Since you have a weak body, I believe you should be particularly watchful on this point, so that you do not needlessly overexert yourself. As you know, it was not just in Paul’s time that they encountered strong resistance from people. There are also many people these days who are just like the coppersmith. I don’t see any point in wasting our energy on people like that, unless it would be just for the satisfaction of having thoroughly put them in their place. Nothing is so emotionally draining as a fruitless struggle to convince people. We can just let stubborn and obstinate people like that keep right on drifting without any goal or purpose. Jesus didn’t waste time and energy on such people. He answered the fool according to his folly and let him sail on. We need to exercise ourselves in this type of spiritual firmness.

Mrs. Larsen is here; she visited me once. She also came to one meeting. She carried on in a very manly and preachy manner, both when she was with me as well as in the beginning of the meeting. She needs to be instructed about the meek, gentle discretion which adorns a spiritual woman. She also needs to have her eyes turned away from the gifts and onto the Giver. But that’s a task for Father to take on, because she has most confidence in him. If these things aren’t corrected quickly, high-mindedness will destroy her, and she will end up out in the world again. She has already strayed quite a bit from the path as it is. He who considers himself a shepherd has quite a task with her. It stands to reason that Miss Holmqvist has authority now, thanks to the foolish good-naturedness of others. It just goes to show how vital it is to keep out everything that is unwholesome right from the beginning. Mrs. Larsen is presumably on her way to Kristiansand now. She’s planning to drop in at home, she said, when she gets there.

I received a very nice letter from Anthony. He is especially humble.

Hearty greetings.

Your brother,