Thank you very much for your very good letter, from which I can see that you are doing well. God has done greater things for us than we could imagine or express. We get a little insight into it now and then. I am glad, dear brother, that God has once again used you to preach the word of the Lord to a brother who is now rejoicing in the truth. There are many instructors, but few fathers. May we be diligent to make sure that we are among the few.

I received a letter from Br. Kvalheim. He wrote that recently fourteen people met together for the Lord’s supper. A brother named Peder Skram, who was baptized in Ålesund, and another brother, Ananias Kvalheim, have been awakened to seriousness. Kvalheim is doing a very good work. Br. Nils Risnes is working as a mechanic and Br. Hågensen as an office clerk in Sarpsborg. I recently received a letter from Risnes who wrote that some people are now starting to come to the meetings. He has written to Br. Lohne and said that he and Hågensen are thinking about taking a trip to Western Norway this winter. Br. Berg has been in Sandefjord, working to some extent in Barratt’s assembly. Br. Birkeland has won over a machinist’s mate onboard the Norge. Birkeland says he is just as zealous as Hågensen to take in every word.

Sr. Torjussen is in Kristiania. She says she has broken through completely, but she is still weak. Sr. Willersrud and Sr. Jørgine Pettersen from Ålesund have been in Kristiansand for two weeks. Br. Birkeland says they have been a blessing. A female Salvation Army sergeant major from Trondheim, who traveled around as a door-to-door bookseller, has now—through the ministry of the friends—found the truth and has recently gotten a job in a shop in Langevåg, near Ålesund.

The work is going ahead slowly but surely. Only those who are pillars persevere and stand firm. I have gone through all the songs from Br. Aslaksen. I guess about half of them will be discarded. It’s not everyone’s gift to compose songs. The Scriptures speak about psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; but many of these songs are exhortations, descriptions of sufferings, judgment over bad conduct, etc.

By psalms, we mean such songs such as: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

By hymns: “Praise the Lord, He Is at Hand.”

Spiritual songs: The song about Abraham in Schibboleth. “A Negro slave heard the call, and loved his Savior dear,” etc.

Spiritual songs draw upon historical events in the lives of Christians. If people can keep this in mind while composing songs, that would be a great help. I have written about this to Aksel and Aslaksen.

So, now you have an update on how things are going. Br. Lohne is doing about the same. I have wanted to get some Bible studies going here, but it hasn’t been possible. Everything is so dead here.

All the best.

Warm greetings from your brother,