Thank you very much for your good letter which has been a source of great joy. I read it to Karl and sent it on to Br. Ellefsen and Birkeland on the warship Eidsvold. I asked them to forward it on to Br. Tobiassen, who also needs some wind under his wings. I have enclosed a postcard from Aksel. Br. Frodesen wanted us to print and bind 2,000 copies of Skjulte Skatter from 1912 that he could sell in order to raise funds for the Africa Inland Mission. I advised Aksel not to do this, but rather seek to strengthen our position inwardly with all our might. Those who are on the outside have not contributed anything to our knowledge, and neither should they enjoy the fruits. Besides, they would just fight over the paper—if the profits become too great. The paper must be managed in purity outwardly in the same way that its content deals with inner purity. This is what Aksel agrees with in the enclosed postcard.

Dear brother, it is not how young or old you are that matters. Understanding is true maturity in the assembly of the wise. There are many older brothers in Sarpsborg. It is difficult to work with them, since they would like to bring along some of their old doctrines (leaven). It is important to pump them dry from all such things. Make “doctrines” according to the flesh extremely disgusting to them. Once people begin to understand and the word starts to grow, weeds also grow up. If you are going to be faithful, you must mercilessly pull these weeds up by the roots. There must be no partiality here; you must put your reputation, your position, your all on the line. Unfaithfulness on this point gives Satan victory. If you constantly exercise yourself in this, it will become your nature. Lay aside controversial questions concerning baptism, religious education for children, etc., in favor of far more essential things. First and foremost, we must teach people to be godly, to be separate, to take up their cross, to do battle, and to drive cowardliness far away; they must learn to think for themselves. Teach them to be alert, and if you can’t teach them to be alert, you have to give them a good shaking. Anyone who wants to exalt themself and has tendencies in that direction must get the feeling that they are constantly being watched. They must never feel secure in that condition. Such people are too cowardly to directly attack the ones that God is using, but they will try to devour the poor souls you are working with.

You once wrote something to the effect that it is vain to work outside of the church, and that every work that is done must be done with the church in mind. I agree wholeheartedly. They must come to us—not us to them. God has given you grace. Don’t knowingly allow just anyone to slip by. Let us avoid petty matters and focus our energy on things that are essential, because there is strength in unity—not least, unity in the Spirit.

Greet Br. Pettersen and his wife, and Andresen as well.

Warm greetings.

Yours,

Write and tell me a bit about where things stand behind the scenes; that would be very interesting to hear—I am thinking within the church—whether anyone appears to be in a position to serve, etc. I have written to Aksel about Moss, that they should first try to win Axel Wold, and then the others afterwards—because right now they don’t know whether they are coming or going.