We were very thankful to receive your very good letter, along with Helga’s note in the same letter. Your reports from Kristiansand are always like a breath of fresh air; and it is a joy for me and for us all that everything is going so well there and that you have had a full house at the Labor Union Hall. Hallelujah, the Lord recognizes the work of His servants. Erik Andersen is coming here next Tuesday and Wednesday, and we have rented Betel for the occasion. We live in such quietness and seclusion here in Horten. None of the ones who travel (traveling preachers) know us, aside from Erik Andersen. A number of people who had been living as unenlightened Christians are now coming to life and beginning to rejoice. One woman asked us to pray with her at the last meeting; she looked like she was doing well, but now my mother-in-law tells me that she has never seen her so radiantly happy.

There are many things—deeper matters—that I would like to speak to you about face-to-face, but which cannot be put in writing without the risk of causing a certain amount of offense. Not that you would be offended, but John was right when he said that he did not wish to write more with pen and ink but hoped to come to them soon and speak face-to-face. Things can take place in the brotherhood that are instructive, and in my view it is better not to write about such things.

God is good. He reconciled us to Himself by the death of His beloved Son when He raised Him from the dead for our justification. Being justified [being made righteous, Norw.] by faith, we have peace with God. Justification is something we feel and perceive before we actually begin living a righteous life. But once we begin to live righteously, this becomes our fruit unto sanctification [being made holy, Norw.]. The Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment—not of holiness. Nevertheless, Christ has become for us God’s wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and deliverance. Sanctification takes place by walking in the Spirit. Without holiness, no one will see God. There are many who get to know the righteousness of Christ yet never become sanctified. First the Spirit convicts of sin, because one does not believe in Him (in other words, one is an unbeliever). Then the Spirit convicts us of righteousness (then we believe and are raised with Him), for He goes to His Father. After this, the Spirit convicts us of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged (Sanctification). Conviction of sin is what condemns the ungodly. Conviction of righteousness is what causes the believer to rejoice. Conviction of judgment brings the soul who is being sanctified into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. “If anyone desires to come after Me [be My disciple], let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” A person can be justified without being His disciple, but no one can be sanctified without being His disciple. Justification is exclusively a work of Christ in us—not of ourselves. Sanctification is a work in which a person—through the Spirit—lays down their own life. Everything is the work of Christ, but we are in Christ; so we can differentiate between what is our part and what isn’t. It gives me great joy to write to you about the mysteries of Christ, because I know you understand what I write. It causes my heart to rejoice to be at God’s disposal and to learn of Him in His holy counsels. Blessed is each and every one who learns from Him. He will make us pillars in the temple of His God. That temple is made up of living stones. Christ is the chief cornerstone, and the apostles are the foundation. When each living stone (person) grows, the whole temple grows. We are built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Hallelujah!

Thank you very much for the invitation to come at Pentecost; however, I cannot accept the invitation, as much as I would like to see all of you. The Sleipner is in port, and I am in charge of the artillery. Secondly, the corps commander knows that I was in Kristiansand at Christmas, and it seems too forward to ask for leave so often. I will hold back from asking for the sake of those who do not understand these things.

The tract you sent me was excellent. It is rare to see such truths in print outside the Bible. However, he seems to have left out much of our personal role. “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live,” it’s written. Our role must be taken into account. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him . . . take up his cross,” etc. What is salvation if we disregard our personal role? We know that God is in no need of salvation, nor is Christ, nor is the Spirit (rightly understood). But “we” are to be saved; “I” am to be saved. When a person is afraid of the personal pronoun “I,” it is because the “I” of the flesh has caused so much trouble. But now it is not this “I” that lives; nevertheless, “I” live. We must not put this second “I” to death; otherwise, it adds up to zero, and nothing will be left. Our joy is based on the very fact that we have a righteous “I,” an “I” which shall not die. Those who lose their life, their “I,” will find their life, their “I.” This is all quite clear.

Greet everyone at home. Greet Ludvig; I saw him so clearly in the spirit one evening while I was praying for him. And convey my greetings in Christ to all the friends.

Hearty greetings from your brother,

We’ve begun using the new spelling standard at the naval office, and by Jan. 1, 1908, it will be implemented in all public offices. That’s why I need to practice as much as I can.

An official communiqué has arrived from the fleet admiral saying that the Sleipner will not sail until the middle of July. In early summer the cadets will begin their duty on the armored vessel H. Haarfagre.