Thank you for the letter I received. I read there that you are not planning to go home. Recently I received a letter from Father. It seems like he is half-expecting both of us to come since he mentioned something about meeting us at the dock.

Yesterday we had a very enlightening conversation about Romans 7 at Br. Ellefsen’s house. God has richly blessed us with these truths. Br. Aslaksen was here a couple of days ago. Without a doubt, he is one of God’s chosen instruments, and he is in development. He had purchased two copies of Torrey’s book containing messages to God’s co-workers. I borrowed this book and read all of it, and Pauline has also read it. It was excellent. He (Aslaksen) is now starting to get a broader vision. In the beginning, he mostly just spoke about the priest and the church and about his own conversion onboard, but now he is able to join in conversations about many different things.

Br. Ellefsen’s sister-in-law has also received a great deal of light about the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, the deeds of the body, and the works of the flesh. God’s Spirit made it so clear for us that we rejoiced greatly. Br. Ellefsen said that things are becoming more and more clear for him.

Yes, God’s ways are amazing. My longing is that God’s people would become thoroughly rooted and grounded in the truth.

Madame Guyon writes that God’s Spirit of leadership rests upon certain people. This Spirit is not the one that causes us to be born again, but the one which enables us to lead other souls. If anyone has this Spirit and is unfaithful, it will leave them and rest upon another; it cannot perish.

As biblical examples, she uses Saul and David, as well as Judas––his place was given to another. She calls this spirit of leadership “apostolic.”

I’m writing this because it’s well worth considering. She writes that a person who is to lead and judge according to this Spirit must be free to reason things out when God’s will is revealed, while all human reasoning must be excluded.

This is another way of saying that God has placed in the church first apostles, then prophets, then shepherds, evangelists, teachers, etc., for the perfect equipping of the saints.

It is certain that we need God’s Spirit in order to care for others and to be able to lead them; we cannot do it by ourselves. She writes that God demands unconditional obedience and faithfulness from those souls who are to watch over others, and that is true. We cannot think of ourselves or our own comfort; we have to stand before God’s face in absolute faithfulness and love. Peter received a serious reminder when he was given the task of watching over God’s flock.

If you decide not to travel, you are, of course, welcome here for Easter. However, I think Father is expecting you at home. I am enclosing his letter, so you can decide for yourself.

Hearty greetings.

Your brother,

The baby is crying, and I’m home alone with him.