God’s grace and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord. The power of His might and His riches in goodness make us what we ought to be. His grace overshadows our body of sin with great longsuffering, waiting patiently for the destroying power of the blood. Our sufferings with Christ are pleasing to God, because His righteous requirements are ever closer to being completely fulfilled. God’s work with Christ is the same as God’s work in us. He had to make the Captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings, for the way had to be made through the flesh of Christ. This flesh is the veil. Heb. 10:20. The more we press our way through this flesh, the more we are able to behold the glory of God. This is where we can see the wisdom of God, the wisdom which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man. Read 1 Cor. 2, and you will see that it is the wisdom of God that is spoken of here, the wisdom that God has revealed to us by His Spirit and that searches out the deep things of God.

Thank you very much for your good letter, which I received today. It gives me great joy that you want to have fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. Most people only want to share this joy with Christ, but they are enemies of His cross. If we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified together with Him. If suffering can increase our hope of glory, then why not—like Christ—suffer patiently for the hope that is ahead of us? Read the translated article by F. B. Meyer in the latest issue of Missionæren, and you will see that he writes about the matters we have spoken of so often.

I have received two letters from Br. Plum since he returned to Denmark. I have written two letters to him, pointing out that he must surrender everything into the death of Christ: family relationships, friendships, his publication—yes, everything. You see, he often spoke about his “good friends” (important people according to the flesh). In Moss he spoke about the same thing to Axel Wold, who he included in that group of people of whom it is written, “Not many rich, not many noble are called,” etc. I was standing close by when he was saying this, and I spoke up immediately. I told him that to have a consciousness of the respect of persons is to have a consciousness of sin. Then I said that only a new creation avails anything and that everything else has passed away in the death of Christ. Br. Axel Wold looked at the ground; he probably thought I was being harsh. But Br. Plum took it well, and I haven’t heard him say anything like that again. I wrote to him quite frankly about this, and it was with much joy that I recently received his reply, acknowledging that what I wrote about him was true and that he wanted to read through my letters several times and make an effort to correct what needed to be corrected in his life.

Since then, God has given me an entrance into Br. Plum’s heart. He has great confidence in me. While he was here, he wanted to be around me as much as possible, and he didn’t want to leave Horten unless I went with him. The problem is that he is surrounded by quite a few people who are hindering him from going completely outside the camp. They say they don’t believe in “The Movement” (bad expression) from Norway. The most important thing now is to save him like a brand plucked from the fire, because he is a Cornelius who prays much and gives alms. In my next letter to him, I intend to make him aware of all these “sharks” that are circling around him, attempting to bind and hinder him, because I don’t think he is aware of it himself.

Now I understand clearly that it was God’s will that he came up here, because I have had an intense battle for him in my spirit, and that doesn’t happen unless there is a good reason for it. God has now given me such a good connection with him that he is even able to bear contradiction. All those around him would like to hinder me from coming to Denmark this fall, and despite the fact that he’s the owner of the businesses, they say that there are plenty of assistants everywhere. The thing is, I need to have something to do in order to apply for a leave of absence for three months. For that matter, they can just as well keep their things for themselves, because I don’t need anything from them, and I have no intention of forcing my way into another man’s business. But if it is God’s will for me to go to Copenhagen, I’ll get there, even if there are as many devils as there are roof tiles on the houses, as Luther put it. Pray that Br. P. might be plucked like a brand from the fire, that he might be saved like a camel through the eye of a needle. For the poor, the gate is narrow that leads to life, but for the rich, it becomes the eye of a needle. Nevertheless, God is mighty.

I hear there is opposition from Th. R., and that doesn’t surprise me. The bear longs for its old lair; the rod that was bent tries to straighten up. What begins as a small deviation from the way becomes increasingly pronounced. It is vital that we stand firm in those things we have heard from the beginning and not compromise on any point—not back down an inch, but stand before God. Jer. 35:19. I have tried giving in a bit in order to be less harsh, but that caused me to lose power. It just made me an object of scorn for those I gave in to. But this only happened before I became more established. That’s why I am extremely careful in this matter of giving in to others, because I know that this would cause me to fall away from the Lord, from whom I have received my ministry. That’s why I didn’t dare to do anything other than speak bluntly to Br. Plum. To draw back is to fall away from God.

Our duty is to preach what God wants and not what we want. We can be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves, but we must never compromise the truth in our hearts. The day we do that, we lose our power. It is no doubt a hard trial for you now with Th. R., but you must never give in to them. They must return to you. It is possible to show love and still remain faithful to the truth. I’ve said before, and say it again now, that none of these older ones have been given the task of leading, nor have they been given responsibility. The one to whom God gives responsibility is also given the strength to bear it. We can’t do anything about this. Do your work for God alone and not for men, and then not even the multitudes of the hosts of hell will be able to move you away from your task in Christ Jesus. Stand firm as an ambassador for the Lord, as one who abides in His secret counsels, as one who cannot be toppled. If you retreat even the slightest bit from this ministry and give in, you’re finished. But God will mightily strengthen you and give you grace in all things.

I’m on board the ship during the day. We sail on the 20th.

John W. enjoys being in Fredrikstad. He said he felt like he was being overlooked by several in his hometown, but now he is getting along better in Fredrikstad. He is living with Br. Berg’s parents and speaks very highly of Berg’s mother.

Sincere greetings in Christ Jesus with Ezek. 44:16. Greet the friends, and greetings to those who are at home.

Your brother,