Thank you for your letter. I ordered a wreath on your behalf. It cost 3.25 kroner. The funeral will commence from their home on Saturday at 2 p.m. Br. Ellefsen was just here, and he said that it would be excellent if you could come and participate in the funeral—if you can make it here soon enough from Mjøndalen. The train from Drammen arrives here at 11:36 a.m. It would be very good if you could come.

This event has had a very deep impact on Br. Ellefsen’s heart, and it can be said in truth that the Lord scourges every son whom He receives.

I have signed my service orders for duty aboard the warship Norge starting May 1; the voyage will probably last 6 months—until November 1.

Life brings changes, but God will support us abundantly in all things. If I had not allowed myself to be carried away with human feelings and human sympathies, I might have understood God’s guidance far more thoroughly in this matter with Br. Ellefsen. But recognizing the undercurrent of God’s leading and God’s wisdom requires absolute confidence and surrender. This, in turn, will lead to a separation from human feelings. But who is sufficient for this? Personally, this knowledge has been hidden from me, and the Lord’s people are going far astray in many ways due to their lack of knowledge. The knowledge of God and a willing heart coincide with God’s leading, but a lack of knowledge always puts us at odds with God’s leading, even if our heart is willing. Or, in other words, what help is zeal without knowledge? It is like beating the air. He who competes is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. Yes, I do believe that I need to be thoroughly educated in the will and ways of God, and I am extremely thankful to God for all instruction. But usually the Lord’s training reveals itself in our soul after we have made a mistake. Then acknowledgement and judgment bring us into the knowledge of God about the matter.

These are the inner ways that Madame Guyon speaks so much about: inner transgressions, inner acknowledgement, inner judgment, and inner life and knowledge.

Sr. Dahl had a difficult time understanding that the grace was in front of the cross and that the grace was not our rightful life, etc. But read here what Madame Guyon says: “People who have been instructed in the ways of God are not ignorant of the fact that God shows grace to them with the intention that they will have the opportunity and means to sacrifice. To hold onto the grace of God without offering it back to Him shows that we regard this grace as our own possession, and that makes us unworthy of receiving further grace.”29

Br. Ellefsen would also like to buy a printed verse from Sr. Palme; he thinks they are very beautiful. Could you bring some along with you?

All the best to you, and greet your housekeeper and Sr. Palme warmly. It must be so nice to be able to speak with her there in Mjøndalen.

Brotherly greetings,