Collected Writings Volume 2 • 1912 - 1917

Johan O. Smith

Letter to Aksel Smith, 1916/07/04

Collected Writings Volume 2 • 1912 - 1917
Stad Peninsula, July 4, 1916
Dear brother Aksel,
God’s peace.

I am enclosing an article for Skjulte Skatter. I understand that these doctrines are difficult to grasp. Those who do not comprehend them must keep to their own place and be kept in their place. They should not be given the opportunity to spread doubt—doubt that arises from their own ignorance. The doctrines can stand up to testing, even rigorous testing, but plain and simple unbelief is sin and contempt.

We are now heading around the Stad peninsula. Almost the entire crew went ashore to hike along the country road from Hovden to Leikanger, while we sail around the peninsula. The trek will take a couple of hours.

Br. Risnes will go to Eastern Norway around July 20. He hasn’t decided yet where he’ll apply for work; he wants to look around. I don’t know if you’re in Sweden now. If Mother has arrived, please greet her. I am now entering my third year on board.

It’s going well in Ålesund. A woman from Trondheim, who is a sergeant major in the Salvation Army, is also gripped by these truths. Sr. Stene made such a powerful impression on her that she had to capitulate. She had never met such wisdom before. She said she has been praying for light for a long time, and now she came to Ålesund with her books.

Otherwise, we are doing well on board, but everyone wishes that the war would end soon so that things could return to normal. We are stationed at Haugsholmen until July 10; then we’ll be in Ålesund until July 20, etc.

Greetings in Christ from your brother,

Johan