Thanks for your good letter today. It was a glimmer of light in the darkness. Fellowship is precious—I value it highly when it grows freely in purity and in mutual confidence. I am glad that you have devoted yourself to be a servant of the Lord. God will bless and reward you for what you do and have done in the Lord.

I spoke with Br. Ellefsen in Haugesund for an hour. It was a wonderful hour from 8:00-9:00 in the evening. We have not seen each other since then. We are alone here. Berg and Birkeland are on board the Tordenskjold; Ellefsen is on board the Viking. Ellefsen’s address is probably Haugesund, as it is the address for the Vestland squadron. We are based here now. Address: Ålesund. I don’t know where Tobiassen is. He tends to get consumed with dark thoughts when he is alone. He must stop doing that and instead devote himself in trust and confidence to Christ and His wisdom. He had a dark period like this last year in Horten as well, but came out of it after much convincing and prayer. There is a possibility that we will come to Bergen to take coal on board; but the senior mineman remained on board in Horten, so I’ll have to remain on board in Bergen if we stop there. I assume you are at the Rundemannen radio tower.

Before we left, I had an in-depth conversation with Br. Birkeland. He said he would rather be divorced from a hundred wives than lose his own soul. He is in a very difficult situation with his family, but God can liberate him. He has an open heart.

I’ve heard nothing from Andresen in Sarpsborg. Perhaps he has a completely erroneous perception of his position. I wrote to him as nicely as I could and made it clear to him that he mustn’t keep anything hidden, whether it be his debt or anything else, if he wants to be a servant in the church. The friends there are whispering among themselves about this. It is causing confusion in the whole assembly, so light must be shed on the matter. Either Br. Andresen will be forced to be honest about his situation and ask his creditors for leniency, or agree to pay them something. Otherwise, he will have to step down from his position as a servant in the church in Sarpsborg. Impurity and darkness must be removed where God gives us the authority to remove them. We must show all longsuffering and patience, but spineless tolerance for sin that is hidden in darkness must be banished from our midst.

We have only one fellowship: if we walk in the light, etc. We cannot approve any other fellowship even if we are approved by them.

Christ requires our faithfulness, and we are bound to cut off from our flesh all other fellowship. We can’t have it both ways. We need to thoroughly examine the situation in Sarpsborg, which will probably cause the assembly to shrink even more; but my hope was that this would cause it to grow. God’s will be done. According to this will, we are ready for anything—and not least to forgive and forget everything, if that should be necessary. But we know that God’s will is our sanctification, and I am striving for this by God’s grace. May we succeed in finding it, first in life and then in our ministry.

Aksel is in Kristiansand. He sent my wife flour, sugar, and cocoa. There is no end to the good things he does. May God reward him for all he does. Can you do something for Sarpsborg? A careful but firm hand is required now. It must be guided by God’s wisdom. Andresen has great confidence in us. Do what you can! Pray to God for them and for us.

Loving greetings in the fellowship and ministry of the Spirit.

Your brother,

There is no one to talk to here. Prov. 22:4.