Thank you very much for your good letter. It was a joy to hear about the conference. Br. Lohne paid me a visit on board the Valkyrjen in Bergen. He was beaming with joy over such a glorious conference. He said he wouldn’t have missed it for anything. He was in great need of encouragement, since he had been waiting several years for the opportunity to be among the friends in Eastern Norway. In Haugesund, things are terribly dry. He also spoke in great detail about the conference, from beginning to end. I had shore leave that evening so I walked with him down to the dock when he left at 10 p.m. Br. Ellefsen also wrote a long and detailed letter about the conference.

The churches are growing, and that brings increased responsibility. Therefore, it is vital that those who lead demonstrate an unshakable steadfastness. The friends need that. This is the only thing that can promote inner peace. Not everyone can lead. As the saying goes, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” God has not given everyone the necessary gifts to be able to lead. I can see that God has placed pillars in the church. If these pillars remain unshakable in the things which they have heard from the beginning, everything will go well.

We can see now that God has been working along with us, even beyond what we could have imagined. Satan is not idle either. That is why Paul wrote that he knew that after his departure, wolves would come into the flock who would not spare the sheep, and that from the midst of the church men would arise, speaking perverse things. Paul kept those forces at bay through the power of God, but once the leadership grew weaker, these elements would rise up and assert themselves. As time goes by, many strong spirits rise up, demanding in particular that everything go just the way they want it to go. And if it doesn’t, they will seize the leadership and show no mercy. This is quite predictable.

I hear there are still many questions regarding whether or not sin was condemned in Jesus’ flesh. This is a mystery of godliness, and we must be reconciled to the fact that it has not been given to everyone to understand it. But those who don’t understand it should be kept where they belong, because it is faith that is to overcome, not unbelief.

They are doing well here in Ålesund. We had a meeting yesterday. They are now more zealous than before, because they have heard the difference between when the cross is preached and when it is not. They praised God powerfully that this mystery of the cross had been revealed to them.

I felt that it was God’s will that I was not at the conference this time. Nevertheless, I was there in my spirit, and God worked—in spite of the conflicts—in the direction the work needed to go.

Nils Risnes is in Voss right now for military training. He will be going to Eastern Norway at the end of July to speak with the brothers. I believe he is a chosen instrument. They were very fond of him here and were amazed by his wisdom and understanding. We will be here until December 29.

Greetings in Christ. Your brother,