Thank you for your good letter which I received. It was a joy for us here to see the zeal that all of you have in your service and work for the Lord. Helga and Mrs. Kjærnet certainly have their hands full. People are becoming interested and are showing enthusiasm like never before. It looks like a large tree is now growing from a small, despised mustard seed. It is wonderful that you are getting contact with people on the opposite side of the fjord. It is like how leaven is able to leaven the whole lump.

The division officer of the Salvation Army is here now, Lieutenant Colonel Meg-Andersen. He offered to grant Lieutenant Bekkevold a leave of absence if he remained in the Salvation Army, but Bekkevold replied that he didn’t need to take leave. He is finished with it all and is standing by the resignation telegram he sent to the leadership in Kristiania.

Yesterday we attended a Salvation Army soldiers’ ceremony, and they gave an opportunity for testimonies, so Br. Ellefsen and I spoke. The Salvation Army soldiers shouted “Hallelujah” loudly. Even the officers on the platform were drawn along when we spoke about victory in Christ. However, Meg-Andersen remained solemn; he appeared to be afraid of where this was heading, but he was unable to speak against it. Major Lindvik seemed quite confused by all this; he was sitting on the platform under the watchful eye of his superior and asked us to speak. At other times, however, he has rebuked the lieutenant, because he has raised questions in front of the other soldiers about what different things mean. Sometimes we’ve felt completely exhausted after the testimony meetings at the Salvation Army. It has seemed like our words have been wasted; but, thank God, now we are seeing results.

Br. Ole Strømme has been hired as a customs officer on the cargo steamers heading to Bergen. Unfortunately, he spent one and a half days wandering the streets of Ålesund without finding anyone, having traveled there at the last minute without any contact addresses. On his trip up to Finnmark, a man boarded the boat asking if he was Strømme from Vardø; he was a younger man from Berlevåg, where there are many Christians. He asked many questions about the doctrine Ellefsen had preached. Br. Strømme was able to explain it to him from start to finish, and the man began to rejoice, saying he had never understood it like this before, but now it was very clear.

They came to Mehavn, where they met Br. Ditlefsen and his wife, together with Sr. Lillevik from Kirkenes. Strømme said that there was much joy as they stood there on the dock when all these ones from different parts of Finnmark were able to find common ground in this: Christ manifested in the flesh. Br. Hammerstad from Berlevåg was rejoicing when he left, saying; “Now I will be preaching something brand new to the friends in Berlevåg.”

Br. Strømme is traveling all over. First he’s in one place, then another. Mrs. Lillevik said that she and Mrs. Olsen, who is from Kirkenes, are continuing to hold fast to what they had heard. As far as we understand, it is these two women who have been in charge of the Indremission group over there. This evening, Lieutenant Bekkevold is coming over to Strømme’s place.

I just have to stand by quietly, in amazement, and watch the rapid pace at which things are developing. It’s like the friends are walking around in a constant state of victorious blissfulness.

People are murmuring among themselves in the churches here, saying that what we are preaching is the truth and that they cannot contradict it. Major Lindvik’s position is like trying to keep his balance on the top of an empty barrel being pushed along by a whole gang of young boys. Yes, that’s how it goes when you don’t lay a foundation like a wise master builder.

Br. Strømme has been given responsibility for the congregation here in Vardø, and his wife has been asked to help him in this work. Now we have approximately one month left here in the north; but we have already received letters saying that they are expecting us in the south. Several years ago, Br. Ellefsen was close to tears because we could not find anyone to work with—unlike other believers. Now he can work day and night if he wants. Br. Ditlefsen, a shopkeeper in Mehavn, plans to move south as soon as possible; Br. Ellefsen has evidently given him some addresses. Lt. Bekkevold is heading south soon, but he doesn’t know where yet. He’s a baker but would prefer to find a different job. I am thinking about sending him to Br. Lohne, who is currently sharing God’s word in Hardanger Fjord. He might be able to find something for Bekkevold to do in Haugesund. I am thankful that the friends in Finnmark are getting to know one another so well.

In the course of our work, when light is shed upon an area, something must be broken down within that area of light. If that doesn’t happen, people will have to struggle against the same folly all over again. Convince (cast light), rebuke (break down), and exhort (don’t become hard) is a common thread everywhere. The word of God must not be told like a story. It must be spoken as the word of God: living and sharp.

Many people have transgressed these guidelines, and for this reason they do not receive the fruit from their work that they could have received. In Moldøen the friends are doing well. I have not heard anything from Ålesund for some time. Br. Johan Lohne writes frequently.

Greet the friends, both old and young.

Warm greetings from your brother,