The Sarpsborg conference was needed. Nearly all the friends from Horten were there, including the women. But there were not many from other places. Br. Olafsen, Br. Ellefsen, Br. Skiaker, as well as a young sister were there from other places. Br. Andresen was sick in bed on the first day of Pentecost, so in the afternoon we prayed for him and anointed him with oil. He recovered immediately and attended the meetings throughout the entire second day. Several young women were present, as well as Andresen’s son who had been confirmed recently. Mrs. Pettersen was at the meetings, but Emanuel Pettersen traveled to the countryside during the first day and stayed home the second day; he didn’t come to any of the meetings. It is a sorrow when someone goes their own way like that. Br. Skiaker has made remarkable progress. He participated zealously.

God blessed the meetings, and there was a deep peace over them. Aksel remained in Drøbak. Most likely he was not feeling very well.

We are currently in negotiations to buy the Good Templar Lodge. The asking price is 5,500 kroner for the building and all of its furnishings. Our proposal is to pay 5 kroner per month in order to pay down the principal on an interest-free loan held by them. Karl, Ellefsen, Berg, Aksel, and I will each pay 5 kroner, which will amount to 300 kroner each year. Perhaps others will also help out. The Lodge will consider whether they can sell it for this price at their general meeting. We need a meeting hall.

Kristiansand is a strange place. There is plenty of the form of godliness, but there is little power. The spirit of vanity is particularly prevalent there. I think the only way to get rid of this spirit is to thoroughly and completely expose it. The women, in particular, are thoroughly permeated with it. To lead souls through all this chaos and down to the foundation—to solid rock—requires both patience and a battle to convince them.

As for the schoolmistresses and the question of baptism: by God’s grace we have now found a solution. They will simply get baptized and won’t say a word. If anyone finds out about it and wants to throw them out, then this scripture will be fulfilled: “They will put you out of the synagogues.” If the laws are in conflict with our conscience, then we will obey the latter. But throwing oneself into the mouth of the lion and losing your job is not necessary. The covenant of a good conscience is between us and God. People or their rules have nothing to do with the matter. Man does not exist for the law’s sake, but the law for man’s sake. If the authorities can’t draw up laws that are in harmony with our conscience, then they have to go back to the drawing board and do a better job. Anna Pedersen is certainly very happy with this solution to the problem—Aksel called her on the telephone. She was on the verge of walking away from her livelihood.

Look at how the young socialists transgress the laws. Lawmakers don’t have enough light to draft the laws in the right way.

Recently we have spoken much here about the law of death. The law of sin leads people into the law of death. In the law of death, the ungodly are bound with iron fetters by the powers of Satan. Their conscience is dead. The law of sin leads to the law of death. Every time a person is disobedient to the will of God, sin is conceived in the flesh, and they gradually die in trespasses and sins.

On the other hand, when a person is obedient and does the works of faith, a spiritual life is conceived, and life is born—the life of Christ. Read Rom. 8:2.

Faith without works is dead; but when it is united with works, it gives birth to life. This life is Christ manifested in the flesh, or Christ in you, the hope of glory. Once faith has given birth to works, a righteous life develops. For such a life there is hope. Here lies the difference between faith and hope.

I hear that you are traveling to Denmark from Kristiansand. I’ve received a letter from Br. Mikkelsen. He is doing well and is fighting the good fight of faith. Porsgrunn is a town where something could be done. I have heard that Mikkelsen’s sister is now along. She lives in Solum, near Porsgrunn.

I am glad to hear that you and Br. Thorleif Hansen are in Kristiansand. May God bless your work. Greet those at home. Greet Br. Hansen. Greet each one of the brothers and sisters. On Sunday, June 14, a few friends are coming here from Kristiania and Drøbak. Some of them want to be baptized. I will probably leave here around the 18th to head to Bergen to board the Valkyrjen. It would be really nice to hear a little about the work where you are. Everything here is like usual.

Warm greetings.

Your brother,