A brief summary from our first conference in Western Norway:

Br. Ellefsen, who had been on the warship Viking, arrived on January 15 on the steamship Finmarken. He arrived at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening together with Br. Kvalheim and Br. Strand, who were accompanied by their wives. Sr. Kjærstad and Sr. Lillebø from Moldøen were also there. The friends had made arrangements so that most of them were free Saturday evening, Sunday, and Monday.

As soon as they arrived, Br. Thorleif Hansen took the friends over to Br. Brune’s place, who had gone to great lengths to make things as good as possible for the visitors. They ate dinner at his place and were able to freshen up after their long journey around Stad peninsula, where there were large swells because of a storm the night before. The friends from Ålesund arrived at 8 p.m., and the meeting started after they all had greeted one another. It was blessed to be together.

On Sunday, meetings were held in a rented hall at 10:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Around thirty to forty friends were gathered, and many praised God for His great grace and for the light and fellowship of the Spirit He had given them recently. Br. Hansen has now been here for over a month. The friends have really grown fond of him, and I understand that he is the right one for the task of watering. Br. Ellefsen testified several times, as did Sr. Gunda Willersrud, who was extremely thankful that this conference had been arranged.

Yesterday (Monday), they gathered in the morning and afternoon. I didn’t arrive on shore until 5:30 p.m., and later we were all together at Br. Brune’s place.

Today (Tuesday), Br. Ellefsen was on board with me. He, as well as the friends who were headed south, departed at 5:30 p.m. Br. Hansen and Br. Kvalheim are leaving at 7 p.m., heading north to the town of Molde, where Br. Hansen has been invited for a visit. Br. Ellefsen is travelling to Grimstad as he has ten days leave. Br. Strand has grown; he exhorted the friends with great power and simplicity to hold on to these doctrines which lead to godliness. Br. Kvalheim and all the friends from Moldøen were really thankful for the conference.

The Lord has done amazing things. I think these friends put many from Eastern Norway, who have heard much more, to shame. They were all of one heart and one spirit, and a great grace rested over them and over the meetings. They had never experienced such a conference. Br. Strand is now building a house in Moldøen, where people can stay when they come to visit. You could say that he is the host of the church in Moldøen, as Br. Brune is here in Ålesund.

Two ardent opposers, who were at one of our meetings before the conference, had been in Molde prior to Hansen’s arrival. However, a sister by the name of Belden, who recently married one of the brothers up there, has apparently persuaded her husband—and also worked in such a way—that the opposers were unable to gain a foothold. Br. Nils Risnes has been offered a position here with the son of our dear, departed Br. Olsen. He runs a machine shop there. Everything has fallen into place for him. When I came onboard, there was a letter waiting for me in which he wrote that he had resigned from his job in Haugesund. Yesterday I received a letter saying that he is coming here at the end of the month. They have such power among them now that I feel free in my spirit. They themselves understand what is right, as Br. Berg testified—they don’t just believe on account of what others have told them, they believe because of what they themselves have seen and heard.

They prayed a lot for Br. Hansen yesterday before saying goodbye to him. And they really praised him. Sr. Willersrud spoke powerfully and honored his work in Ålesund, and she asked that God would bless the friends who had come.

There have been strong spiritual forces at work here, but now the friends are able to bear hearing the word. Both Br. Hansen and Br. Ellefsen really praised the friends for their zeal in the Spirit. I see from Korsets Seier that Barratt has written something about his visit to Ålesund—about how several friends have gone over to Skjulte Skatter, while others have remained steadfast in their conviction that they should stick to clear Biblical principles.

I thought you should know a little about this conference, which is why I am sending you a brief summary. This must not be included in Skjulte Skatter.

Greet the friends and your family.

Warm greetings from your brother,