A Short Account of the Life and Work of Hauge," by C.B., 1890

Somewhere Hauge got a man to row him. The boat was leaky, water streamed in; the man became agitated and began to curse and declared that the devil was in the boat. Hauge answered calmly: “The devil is not in the boat, but in you who call him.” The man answered that he could not always sit and read. Hauge replied: “Can you always eat? If you try to do that, you will only spoil your stomach; if you on the other hand eat as much as is good for you and work diligently, then you are better off. The same goes for reading. If you want to read all the time, it will only exhaust you, and not be of any use; if you on the other hand read a little and try to arrange your conduct accordingly, this can better your life and be of benefit to you for time and eternity.” The man changed his way of thinking and stopped calling the devil.

In Trondheim, too, the clergy became embittered over “the fanaticism” which they called the effects of Hauge’s preaching. Ministers and bishops carried on an argument with him about his mission and preaching, and when he showed himself superior in the discussion, the great gentlemen didn’t know any betterargument than to call the sheriff and have Hauge arrested. He was again arrested in Trondheim. This was the sixth time he was arrested for the sake of the confession of the truth. He was set free this time also after some trouble and was sent home through the sheriff, but he was soon free of the sheriff’s company and was allowed to go home alone.

During his stay at home a deep sorrow befell him. His so very dear sister Anna had for some time been troubled with temptations, at the same time as she was bodily ill. However, she won the battle and loved God again; but she got worse and at last passed away. The sorrow and distress of Hauge.

VOYAGE TO COPENHAGEN

After some time Hauge and a friend went to Copenhagen, Denmark. Partly he wanted to have more of his books published, partly he wanted to find out what the government’s attitude actually was towards his activity. Norway was at that time a subject under Denmark, and all affairs in Norway were controlled and arranged by the government in Copenhagen.

That the book business of Hauge was grand one can understand from the fact that five printing houses in Copenhagen worked for him, one of them even for four months. Most of the printed books were sent to Norway to be sold [in other words, Hauge was a best-selling author in Norway, and perhaps sold more books than any other author in the country! What an achievement for a man who was an “unlettered” farmer!—Ed.].

Hauge thought that the government was too good to persecute him, as he had his mission from God. He was overlooked by those in power and could work in peace with his books. They looked upon his books as some nonsense which only amused them, and they didn’t think such things could be of any effect to the enlightened people. But Hauge soon learned that the “good” government was anything but amicably disposed to him and his activity.

When Hauge was home from Denmark he continued his round trips and preached the Word of God to his contrymen. In Biri he was arrested. While he sat in the sheriff’s home, Samnaes, the old mother of the sheriff happened to see him, and said to him: “It is just too bad that you, who are such a young and nice man, should disgrace yourself and become a spectacle for all people.”

Hauge answered: “it seems to me it is worse with you, mother, who are so old and still are so dark an infidel [how is that for not mincing words? They must have cut her to the quick!—Ed.].

In Hallingdal Hauge met an old parish clerk who said with an angry mind to him: “You have torn down everything which I have built up in forty years.”

Hauge answered: “How have you built, then, if it so quickly could fall? Your building has certainly not stood on the Rock.”

In Aal Hauge was arrested anew. The sheriff was a rude fellow. He would have fun with Hauge. First he sent a lewd woman into the prison to Hauge. She was to outrage him with unchaste words and gestures; but she soon came out from him weeping. He had talked to her of the love of Christ, and the sinner’s heart was melted.

As this didn’t help, the sheriff gathered quite a few vulgar youths who with a musician went into the jail in order to make fun of Hauge. The sheriff and his fat wife were also along. The musician started to play, and the dancing started lustily. Then the sheriff’s wife came and took Hauge by the hand amidst the general jubililation and asked him for a dance.

“Yes, that you shall have,” said Hauge, “if only the musician will play the tune I wish.” As he now turned to the musician and said: “Play now after, such as I begin,” he intoned the verse:

“No more ought sin to rule us

And scare us with its frown;

Nor with temptation fool us,

But daily be cast down.”

It was as though an electric shock had passed through the crowd; the sheriff’s wife let go of Hauge’s hand; all were spiritually paralyzed. But now Hauge took the floor and spoke to those who were gathered in the jail, in a way that penetrated to every bone in their bodies, and as they went out some of them expressed their regret over way he was dealt with, while others wept and wished they were as he. So ended the sheriff’s fun with the serious man.

Hauge was conducted to the bailiff, but the honest bailiff released Hauge and gave him passport. On this he traveled over the countries, everywhere proclaiming the Lord’s virtues, and came to Bergen in the middle of March 1801.

HAUGE’S PRACTICAL SENSE

Also in temporal respects Haug was of great benefit to his compatriots. His activity brought about a whole movement in the life of the people. Farmers went to towns and established business houses, poor people moved to places where it was easier to procure arable land, etc.

EKER PAPER MILL

One of the largest constructions which was brought about by Hauge’s initiative, was Eker Paper Mill. He had received the idea for this construction in Copenhagen. In the vicinity he had seen one and had familiarized himself with similar arrangements. Several had shares in this enterprise, and Hauge helped with word and deed. Forty people worked here. Besides the paper mill they also operated a stamping mill, a bone-grinding machine, a flour and fanning mill and a tannery. The owners maintained joint housekeeping; workers and employers felt like a big family; they ate in fellowship at a long table which reached from wall to wall in a large room. According to the desire of the heart one prayed before the meal, and another offered thanks after the meal. Here was practical devotion and an unusual hospitality. Here the friends sought refuge, and not the least during the years of distress was “the mill” a true resting place for the tired. A wonderful strong Christian life flourished at Eker Paper Mill and the Communion of Saints revealed itself in a very lovely manner.

Hauge traveled around over almost the whole of Norway, preached, spread devotional books and won friends and made enemies. In temporal respects he also, as mentioned before, was to great advantage and benefit to his people. But in the fall of 1804 the magistrate laid his hand upon him and stopped his useful and beneficial activity. He was arrested and put in a penitentiary in the capital, where he languished in a dismal prison for 10 years. It was the clergy who were his worst enemies, and they rejoiced when they had him imprisoned, that they got rid of this “troublemaker.” Bishop Hansen was the worst of all to accuse the good man, misrepresent established truths and put everything in the worst light.

The conduct of these churchmen against Hauge is reminiscent of the Catholic church’s treatment of the noble martyrs in the dark medieval ages. But in the light of eternity it will look quite different; then we shall find these tormentors in hell, while those whom they have tormented rest with God. Then this truth will tell to full advantage: “Thou in thy lifetime received thy good things and he the evil things, but now he is comforted, and thou are tormented.”

This imprisonment brings to a conclusion Hauge’s activity as revival preacher in the Norwegian church, And who has brought about that Hauge was imprisoned? None other than the said Bishop Hansen. He submitted a complaint against Hauge and his friends to one of the royal chancellery in Copenhagen, and in this he even compared these quiet men of peace with revolutionary Muhamedan Abdul Vechab! [apparently, Muslims—then called Muhammedans-- such as the one named were stirring up strife in Danish society this far back in the 19th century! So it is hardly a new problem for Denmark, the incursions of Islam into Danish society with the aim to overthrow it and establish an Islamic state and sharia-ruled society.—Ed.]

This complaint had its effect. It brought about a writ from the chancellery, which obtained the largest distribution, each and all of the legal and ecclesiastical officers were set in motion, partly to give new information about Hauge’s dangerous activity, partly to suggest suitable means to counteract and check the same. For more than a year superior and inferior officers around the whole country racked their brains and pondered over how the “Haugian poison” again could be rendered harmless among the people. The reports on this case, which are lodged with the National Archive, give an unusually distressing picture of this time, especially in the so-called cultured circles, and of the disposition of the clergy who eagerly seized the opportunity to pour out their bile over this tormentor and in all ways they exaggerated the produced charges against him, which had its foundation in the most scandalous, loose rumors. [In other words, Hauge was “demonized” by the ruling elite and its mouthpieces according to the politically correct Religion and philosophy of the day, which was Rationalism. It is quite like evangelical Christians who believe in the Bible and the preaching of the Gospel being demonized in Western secularist society as “right-wing extremists” and dangerous “fundamentalists.”—Ed.]

Also the books of the persecuted were searched for all over, and not only sale, but possession was prohibited, and if any were found they were seized and in several places destroyed [in the same way, Bibles donated by a U.S. church were outlawed, confiscated and destroyed by the commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, when it was found that a chaplain and some troops were voluntarily giving them out to Afghans; this politically correct military policy was set in place by the former Defense Secretary Gates under the administration of President Obama.--Ed.] People still will tell about some of Hauge’s books, which neither fire nor water was able to ruin.

As to the means which the great majorityt recommended against the enthusiasm, they were such as one might expect from people with a rationalistic conception; one should espcially apply the penal law in its full severity against the lay preachers and not the proper weapon of the spirit to conviction and guidance.

We will again turn our eyes to the man on whom state and church used every effort to render harmless. Several of the richest men in the county, where Hauge was arrested, asked the bailiff to set him free right away on bail, but in vain. The imprisoned man himself, however, reported at once to his friends what had taken place, in a communication which from beginning to hend gives evidence of a spirit who rests in God, and whose atrength is theLord. He wished that "the chains which he carried for the love he bore to them, would stimulate them to seek the Lord still more keenly and become living limbs on the Body of Christ. He was prepared to suffer to the utmost; God would grant him strength, when he contemplated the love of Christ and thought of what he had to suffer for us; some day the sufferings of all Christians will be converted to great glory and eternal freedom."

For more than a month he was imprisoned in Haugesund; he was now in the fullest sense alone with his God, whose work he had faithfully carried out. At that time originated "Prayer for the Christian Church," which he had written. It does nto carry a trace of bitterness, but is much more suffused of the warmest love.

At last there came a warrant to transport the "most dangerous fanatic Hauge" to Christiania. In a short letter thelayman bids adieu to his friends, admonishes them earnestly to let all carnal zeal drop and expresses the hope to meet them again in the eternal life.

The 24th of November, 1804, he was committed to the jail of the police office in Christiania, which,according to the opinion of the contemporaries, was the old police office of Christiania, in Raadhusgaten Nov. 7.

He was sternly forbidden any association with others. On the 16th of November, 1804, it had been decided that a committee of investigation composed of two officials should be appointed. But both resigned as soon as possible, and new men had to step in.

Months went by before an official inquiry over the pursued person began, and the numerous witnesses were summoned. The record of evidence, which still is preserved, showsthat they proceeded anything but kindly against the prisoner. The questions started according tot he most ordinary and weak assumptions. The different authorities around the whole country were also forwarded questions to be answered, and requested to hold special examinations. [Imagine, all this nauseating, most pathetic pseudo-legal inquiry was taking place in the governing classes of Norway as America was now taking its place in the world as a free and sovereign nation after a bloody war of independence against Great Britain and the tyrant George III, whereas Norway, a crowned dominion, was sinking into the depths of witchhuntery and persecution of innocent Christians such as Hauge! Could there be a greater contrast? Surely, the shame and infamy of that era in Norwegian history has yet to be lived down--and it will never be rectified by the present secularist oppressions masquerading today in Norway as "tolerance"; even now brave defenders and preachers of the Bible's truth such as Hauge are being incarcerated for their stand in the Scandinavian countries.--Ed.]

These reports came in slowly in the course of a year, and contained partly such pure inventions that a writer of history says: "Many of the officials deserve to sit in prison, and not Hauge."

Only after the layman had breathed in Christiania prison air and suffered much for over three years, was the main inquiry concluded the 8th of January, 1808. Another year passed before the government in themidst of war gave signs of life. The 5th of May, 1809, the same men who had conducted the inquiries, and who beforehand were Hauge's opponents, were appointed as legitimate judges to investigate and settle his case. They should have with them a public prosecutor and a counsel for the defense. The latter felt induced to set on foot new inquiries in the counties. The evidence now incoming reads almost invariably very favorable about Hauge's friends as about himself.

Some expressed, however, their fear that this movement might prove harmful in civil life. Gradually, though, a better spirit prevailed. The time passed with production of evidence and inquiry until a better spirit prevailed. The time passed with production of evidence and inquiry until the beginning of 1813. Then more than 600 witnesses were examined,and not until the 4th of December of the last mentioned year the commissioned assembled to the preliminary judgment conference. Although he was acquitted from allmoral accusations, Hauge was, however, sentenced to two years hard labor andalso to pay all costs of the proceedings:

1) Because he had held conventicles (edification gatherings).

2)Because of opposing the rationalistic clergy (in a general sense)).

3) Because he had brought people into religious brooding.

But when his case in the latter part of the year1814was handed over to the judgment of the superior court of justice, this court acquitted Hauge on allpoints after his 10 years in prison. For the before-mentioned opposition against the clergy he was only to pay a fine. [And this was Norwegian justice at the time! Imprisoned ten years in the most physically and emotionally degrading prison conditions, keep separate from books and any normal human communication, treated worse than any animal in Norway would be, and for what offenses? None! He was innocent. As for opposing the clergy, Christ had done the same in his own day. Actually, it was the other way round, the religious establishment opposed Christ, and the same was true with Hauge, because they thought they stood to lose their religious positions and wealth and power if Christ's teachings, and Haugism, prevailed among the people they were oppressing for their own gain.--Ed.]

About all this time he was removed from the outer world. Years went by, but no one was allowed to talk to him except the magistrate. It is told that one of his friends from the Bergen diocese, right after his imprisonment, went to Christiania to talk to him, his spiritual father, but this was denied him. Distressed he stood outside the house of detention and stared in. Then Hauge happened to see him and stepped over to the window and lighted a candle, held it up and trimmed it, so it could shine brighter. It was a silent and still expressive greeting to the friend, and a sign to let the light shine for the people and cleanse the temporal desires. The traveler felt himself exalted in a high degree by this sign language and went home happy.

Another time when Hauge saw one of his friends walk up and down outside the prison, he sang this hymn out through the prison bars: "Watchful Jesus without slumber, with much labor, strife and gief," etc. Thus some words and signs made their way out of the prison anyway.

Later Count Moltke allowed one of Hauge's brothers and another of his nearest tovisit him, though only in the presence of the jailer. It is outrageous how they treated him. That he for five shillings a day had to keep himself with food, laundry, etc., was the least. Worse it was that thisman, whowas used to motion and activity, had to spend days and nights within narrow walls. The first year he sat in the cellar of the prison; several of his teeth loosened andfell out, and he caught a host of diseases, which already in the course of the first year ruined his previously strong health. But the most terrible ofall was, however, that it seemed that they would kill his soul also. No work, no book, no stationery should gladden him. How, then, could the distress ofmind fail to appear?

It was also a deep grief for the noble man to be convinced that also the highest authorities of the country were his opponents, yes opposed even the Lord.

Then there arose a doubt within him, if God really was on his side when the king was against him! The consciousness of his inner calling was deeply shaken, and as he had to be without any brotherly encouragement, his soul suffered beyond expression.

For two years they gave him books to read,to be sure, but what kind of books were they? Yes, it was publications of mockery and rationalistic books, which should cleanse his conceptions of religion and instill into him the eulogized education of the time! In his depressed loneliness he reached for everything which was offered him. He swallowed translations of Voltaire's publications with a quantity of other productions of the spirit of the age, of moral, philosophical and legal contents [Voltaire was a leading French atheist and vilifed Christ and the Bible, claiming that Christianity would soon die--and he was proven a liar and a false prophet, of course, within just a few years of his death. A Bible society even acquired his house!--Ed.]. Later he himself has publicly confessed that although the disbelieving books did not blind him, still in those years his inner life declined consideably. "I preservedin my soul that light, which originated with the spirit of God, and the Word and the power from above." His phraseology became no doubt considerably more exact, but the contents lost much; he used words and expressions which reminded one strongly of the rationalistic books he read.

His confinement was in a remarkable way interrupted for about nine months. From February to October, 1809, he was in consequence of higher orders a free man. During the time of the war the coast of Norway was namely blockaded by British battleships, and the supply of provisions was therewith stopped. Chiefly the lack of salt became very serious. Then Hauge offered to help the government which so shamefully had locked him up, and, as no one else was able to render timely help, they were impudent enough to accept the offer. [amazing how economic considerations of Norway's survival can trump or at least temporarily suspend the most hateful, sustained religious persecution!--Ed.].

They knew that he, with his exceedingly practical aptitude, also could help and was able to promote the domestic salt making, so they in this respect coujld be independent of foreign countries [imagine, no salted cod, no salted herring--this was a disaster for Norway's fishing economy and the thousands of fishermen and communities that depended primarily or largely on this trade! So it forced them to eat humble pie for a time while they enlisted Hauge in saving them with local production of the indispensable salt!--Ed.].

Thereafter this man, tormented by prison and sickness, was released on 1000 "riksdaler" bail, and furnished with those aids he deemed necessary for his undertaking. he then examined the water at the coast, and due to his knowledge and energy several saltworks were established, and with the best results. When he had finished, in appreciation of his devoted and generous work for the good of his country, he was again put in prison.

[His "grateful" country put an innocent man who had so ingeniously served them back in prison! That shows the state of justice and clemency in Norwegian government circles and in the Norwegian judiciary system--it was incarcerating and punishing innocent Christians like Hauge for merely bearing witness of the truth of the Bible to the common people, of whom he was one! This persecuting society, government, and church were responsible for this crime against Hauge and all the ill effects he suffered for it. Did they ever try to compensate him for them? Did they ever acknowledge their dreadful mistake? The crushing financial losses and fines they imposed on him--where those ever repaid to him and his family? This shows the worst thing is to combine state with an established state church such as the Scandinavian countries, and Italy, and Orthodox nations, and the Moslem countries have done--something our Founding Fathers wisely repudiated and avoided in our country's Constitution. Even with this lack of an established state church, we find an established humanist philosophy entrenched and commanding like a absolute right king in our government, courts, schools, and public offices. What would it have been like if the Puritan religious state had prevailed? We would have what Europe suffered, and is still suffering--for a thousand years and more religious wars and religious oppression, and now an irreligious oppression of state-supported secularist humanism! As a 21st century Christian and citizen, I find Hauge's experience very telling and timely, for it alerts me to the fact that persecution will come from government and society once any state-approved religion (ala Emperor Constantine in the 4th century Roman Empire!) or philosophy prevails.--Ed.]

Such treatment can be calledd by only one name--and that is--barbarism. However, from this time on his treatment in prison became considerably better, through the influence of a protector. In order to strengthen his health, he was permitted from now on to visit his old parents, whom he then saw for the last time. He also obtained much more liberty and could in a "rapid" in Akerselven even construct a flour mill which is still in operation and was to great benefit for many.

Just as in his outer position, there occurred also in the last years of his imprisonment a joyful change in his inner life. Many circumstances contributed to that. The memory of the revival's flourishing period was refreshing and cheery to him. In the fall of 1810 he became ill and felt near death. This merciful visit contributed much to again strengthen his spiritual life and andew excite the fervency of the spirit. And after nourishment for his soul, the inner fountain also began to gush anew to awakening and edification for others. Of this some faithful Christmas, Passion and Easter songs, which he wrote during this time, bear testimony.

It was in the morning of the 23rd day of December, 1814, that Hauge, with a calm and resigned mind, went from Bakkehaugen at Sagene down to Christiania to receive that sentence which is unique in the Norwegian history of law. "What good are those many papers now, on which man y worked themselves tired and bothered me with almost 600 questions and examined just as many witnesses in the hope to be able to establish a case of penal vices on me? God be eternally praised, who has preserved me from vices, and consequently they found nothing but the practice in God's Word and thsoe books I had written, to which my own witness was enough, as I said I had written them. In my anxiety, when the opponents roared over me and I was at their mercy, I prayed that the Lord would take care of my mission. I promised to praise Him when I was saved, and this I would do; He Himself would give me grace for that purpose. I greet thee in Jesus' name and pray that thou may live well in all eternity, remaining the friend in the Lord." This he wrote in a circular letter to his friends [My own grandfather, who owed much to Hauge and admired him greatly, wrote circular letters too that were distributed round to family and friends of the Lutheran Fellowship League for many years, sharing spiritual concerns and wisdom about current questions of the church and the faith.--Ed.]

His venerable father should not see the day of his son's discharge. He passed away in the faith January 10th, 1813.

Hauge, who before had been a strong and healthy man, left the prison sick in his body, whose many aches and pains stayed with him to his dying day. That he himself became a ruined man, and that his honestly acquired possessions were lost, grieved him less than that his friends had also suffered considerable losses.

Until the year 1817he lived at Bakkehaugen,w hich his brother had left him to leasehold. Here he constructed several buildings and made useful improvements which are stillthere, and gained rapidly in wealth. During the years of war he gave maintenance to hundreds and put many to work. He went assiduously among them and spoke the Word of Life to them. [Instead of bitterly opposing such a man, what if Norway had chosen to support him. Norway might have become a flourishing economy and become a leader among the European nations instead of the backwater it was for many years until the early twentieth century when shipping was considerably developed to make up for her lack of arable land and industries.--Ed.]

In the year 1817 he bought near the farm Bredtvedt near Christiania, where he stayed the last years of his life. Here he lived very quietly, but was commonly respected and loved both for his practical ability and Christian zeal. Because of his broken health he could not take longer journeys, but worked anyway in many ways to the blessing of many.

In the year 1815 he married an orphaned girl who had been awakened through him several years before. This union was of short duration, however, for before the year was out she departed in the faith from this life. She left a son, Andreas Hauge, who was the warm mission friend and zealous minister in Skien.

In the year 1817 hemarried again. This union was blessed with three children, all of whom died young [Hauge was certainly like the Lord a man aquainted with grief, when so many of his household died, his wife and then his children!-- Ed.].

Hauge is supposed to have had a singlular power over people's disposition in his last years. There were told many stories of how he,w ith characteristic mixing of friendliness and seriousness, had drawn several of his servants into the Christian routine of his house, so they enjoyed prayer and work equally well.

Meanwhile, he had become an esteemed man in the upper circle of society, and tradition has kept remembrance of visits from many prominent men. It is of far greater consequence, however, that the farm, Bredtvedt, became the center for the Christian life in Norway [imagine that, a farm became "the center for Christian life in Norway"! That is quite a bold statement, but in the cse of Hauge it was no exaggeration, he was indeed a national treasure, though utterly unrecognized as such by the arrogant, aristocratic governing elites of the time.--Ed.].

Numerous letters were sent from here all over the country. What influence Hauge's "religious letters" had upon the people at that time, one can at the present time hardly imagine. And large crowds poured in to Bredtvedt year in and year out. The old ones, who once through the admonishing words of Hauge became changed people, would see the spiritual father once more, fathers in Christ, who in former days had worked with him for the propagation of the Kingdom of God, wanted their sons to hear an admonishing word from him whose testimony had had such a wonderful power. Traveling lay-prechers also went there as often as possible. Even when Hauge was sick in bed, they could hear a word which was of great worth to them, like gold or silver. But when he was fairly well, he always performed devotions for those present. After Hauge came out of prison he expanded a considerable authorship. And these publications from hislast year achieve distinction above the older works by the clarity of thought and expression.

The ten years' imprisonment gave plenty occasion for self-examination and quiet contemplation, combined with the Christian books he read during this time, strengthened and mellowed him in several ways. These works of his have the character of an experienced, tranquil and level-headed man, who, from year to year grew in regard to the inner man. On the other hand, one seeks in vain both the bubbling life which is pecular in his earlier publications,a nd the prominent fighting grit and that intense fervency of the spirit,w hich characterized his youthful work.

It was great joy for him to live to see that over most of the counties of Norway there blew a blessed pentecostal wind which swept away the miserable wisdom of rationalism [and, oh, would that same blessed pentecostal wind spring up anew in our 21st century and blow away the miserable wisdom of Secularism and Humanism that has depreciated and cast into doubt the truth of the scriptures and perverted the spirit and the morals in countless congregations and individuals! Imagine, today now we have women's feminist convocations composing and publishing manifestos about women's bodily secretions as being definitive of true womanhood! Nothing said about the sanctity of motherhood and its primal role in society or children as being of any value to emancipated, modern Lutheran women! If that isn't depraved religiousness brought on by radical secularism and humanism and its political, socialist agendas, what is? Can we descend to greater depths than these? Will these same emancipated women prefer other women for mates, and totally reject traditional marriage of one man and one woman? Yes, they do champion such a choice for women, and work to see it proscribed for children's education in the public schools. What next can only be to champion unions with animals and marry them, with all the rights and tax advantages of marriage conferred to them!--Ed. Or women need not marry at all, or join to anyone or anything to be child-bearer if she chooses--she can have her children born by surrogates, or her egg implanted in them and grown to a child. This is already being done of course. And with advances in genetics, the child can be anything she desires to have, male or female, choosing to have it aborted if she decides too she doesn't want its particular sex. She might even want to raise her child to be a sex-mate of hers, at any age she decides--since the restraints against pedofilia and incest are soon going to be abolished if the trends continue in American and Western society. We might go on with this, but it is too disgusting to contemplate, which is the reason why so few people of conscience in evangelical churches want to deal with these questions of bioethics and genetics as the secular humanists have dominated the field which they see as their pathway to total emancipation from the Biblical civilization of past Western civilization.

And we might add lastly, Norway and the other Scandinavian countries are at the cutting edge of these appalling developments (you might call them the neo-Vikings, the elitest New Vikings, who wield the swords of aggressive, atheistic, amoral secularism and humanism in their hands that they are using to cut down and destroy anything and anyone that opposes their philosophy and their dominate positions in society and its institutions!), which go far, far beyond the horrors of rationalism that Hauge witnessed in his time, but nevertheless are impossible to avoid for us of this 21st century, unless we stick our heads in the sand and pretend they are not happening right before us in public.--Ed.]

At the young university the sound Lutheran teaching was recited with life and warmth, and gradually there proceeded from this group of young churchmen who testified with life and energy of the salvation in Christ for the Norwegian people around the whole country.

When Hauge was not bedridden he lived outdoors. One could often see this stoop-shouldered figure with the yellowish pale face wander over the fields at Bredtvedt. Then he usually had his little son with him and showed him the flowers and talked to him about God's virtue and love. And many who saw how he suffered first from one illness, and then from another, said to themselves,"This you have suffered and you suffer for Christ's sake!"

However, his last years were somewhat darkened by the thought that many a discord would break out among his old friends after his departure, chiefly concerning the relation tot he state church, whose patient and faithful servant he had always been.

Gradually his health became so poor that he seldom could leave the bed. He felt the end was near; therefore he wrote his "Testament to his Friends," which was reprinted several times and received wide circulation. It is rich in advice and guidance for his friends and has a sound Lutheran and ecclesiastical impression. His time of redemption grew nearer. In the spring of 1824 he stayed in bed continually for 14 days.

One Sunday morning he had such a violent spasm in his chest that he could not talk at all the whole day and the following night. But it seemed as though he wanted to say something to those around, so his wife cried out: "oh, if I could only understand you!" And in a clear voice the dying man said: "Follow Jesus!"

And right thereafter he called out joyfully: "Oh, you eternally loving God!" When his wife said: "Now He will surely soon take you unto Him," he said: "Yes! pray with me!" Then the Lord came and took his faithful and tired servant with Him.

He died Monday, the 24th of March, 1824,at 5 o'clock in the morning, only 55 years old. His grave is in "Gamle Aker" cemetery, where his friends have erected a memorial stone over him. Around the whole country thousands mourned; they had in the deceased lost a spiritual father, brother and friend. [One has to wonder if the nation has ever recognized him officially for his greatness in reviving the spirit and faith of the Norwegian people; silence kills more effectively than opposition, which can make a martyr of someone and keep his memory alive forever. Surely, the secularists and humanists of present Norway do not want a person such as Hauge to be remembered and his teachings followed by Norwegians! He would be even more bitterly opposed today by these people than he was by the governing classes of Norway in his own time, who at least believe in God and a certain amount of Biblical morality as being beneficial to society and the moulding of the youth.--Ed].

But the ecclesiastical history in times to come will not be able to omit this farmer boy and the great revival which he had caused, and which brought about a spiritual spring with new life after the dark and cold winter of rationalism. It could now also be said about the Norwegian church: "The old is gone, see everything has become new."

Thinking of Hauge, we will finally of the following text in scripture: "The base things of the world,and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yes, andthings which are not, to bring to naught things that are; That no flesh should glory in his presence."

AN EDIFICATION

It was in a farm house. The preacher was a plain, straightforward farmer. First they sang an old hymn, then one offered a prayer, and then the speaker arose, opened the Bible and read a portion of the prophets. This he applied metaphorically and started his speech from this point, but didn't, however, keep to the text.

The speech was an earnest, loving admonition to seek the salvation of their souls; each admonition hesupported with a scriptural sentence; he was remarkably well acquainted in his Bible. The words streamed quickly and with warmth from his lips, and he concluded thus:

"And now you aged, you who are on the verge of the grave, oh, consider your souls' salvation! The young one may die, but the old ones must die [this was quoted with slight changes by my Great Aunt Katrine Holbek Lundring in a letter to my mother in the 1950s; we thought it was her own thought, but it was a quote from Hauge whom she must have read.--Ed.]. Perhaps there are only a few days between you and the grave; you can yet save your soul, today is the time of grace, but it may soon be too late.

"Too late, oh, that is a terrible word. [For the unsaved, unjustified in Christ soul, it is a terrible word, consigning that soul to being lost forever in hell, because for that soul there is no forgiveness through Christ's work on the cross, since it was not personally accepted by that soul. For the saved, it is also a terrible word, as there are Wise Virgins and Foolish Virgins, the Bible tells us. There are wise Christians, there are foolish Christians. The consequences for foolish Christians are real and terrible, though there will be no eternal damnation for that soul. Why would the Bible warn us about the Wise Virgins and the Foolish Virgins if it weren't very, very serious? Salvation is just the beginning for a Christian; to stop there and not go on is very serious and very foolish indeed. We must grow in grace and holiness and mature in Christ--or remain or turn into a foolish Virgin. Hauge was all for salvation, but he was all for growing in Christ too. The following example by Hauge underscores this point.--Ed.]

"There was a man who often had had a calling from God, but he didn't obey. Then death came. Then he cried in despair: Too late, too late! and with that he died. [A family we knew many years were Spirit-baptized Pentecostals and were called to go to the mission field, but instead they turned materialistic and spent all their hours seeking money any way they could obtain it. They spent endless hours entering every contest they found out about, and even once won a trip to Hawaii. But what about the calling to the mission field? It was put off for monetary gain, and then came "Too late!" The father died, and the mother grew aged, too old to go. Besides, their missionary fervor had long since died. Who knows how many souls could have been saved if they had gone? What rewards in heaven did they lose by seeking after the buck instead the will of God for them?--Ed.].

"Friends, friends,it is terrible to be thrust into the eternal fire. Repent while it is still time.

"You fathers and mothers, who perhaps have a flock of thriving children around you, who have men and women servants, have you considered that you shall have to give an account of those ouls? Imagine, you mother, if your child on that day shall step forward against you and say: 'Now I suffer in the eternal fire because you, mother, didn't show me the way' [This awful statement, to be sure, will be heard countless times at the Final Judgment, spoken by sons and daughers--Ed.]. Imagine if the child you love some day should talk to you like that. Bear that in mind, you fathers and mothers, seek salvation for your own souls, that you also might save those who are intrusted to you, so you on that day may step forward and say: "Lord, here I am and those you gave me.'

"And so, you young people, you dear, dear young people, oh, how my heart burns for you. Don't let the world and the vanity's pleasures entice you! It is a severe slavery, the slavery of Satan. I have also in my youth been his obedient servant, but I was not comfortable. Do you know how I fared? I would not listen to God's Word, but my wife loved the Lord. She asked me to go along to edification. I did so because I loved her, and there the Lord found me. Oh, if it would be likewise with you, my dear young people! You could also be found and be won; it is blessed to belong to Him, and do you know whether even you may lie cold and pale tomorrow. [Think of all the untold thousands, even millions of young people, who have died in car crashes after driving recklessly, often DUI, or died from drug and alcohol overdoses; many too have died from AIDS, which they never thought they'd get, or been shot by drive-bys or in gang violence in the big cities. Others by the thousands commit suicide every year.--Ed.] 'Seek the Lord while He is to be found, call on Him when He is near.' 'Today is the time of grace. Today you may find God.' Amen."

When he had finished, the whole crowd wept; many were deeply touched. The words came so fresh, warm and simple from the heart and could not help but go tot he heart. Thereafter prayer was offered by a third layman,and a hymn was sun. The crowd did not arise, however. People remained seated as though they expected something more [I once did that, at a Baptist church, as the zippy 1 hr. Sunday service was so unfulfilling, I just continued to sit there until a woman who was somebody in the church asked me why I was still there, and I told her. She had nothing to say, and I left, eventually going on to find another church where the Bible was preached and there was more of the Spirit going on in the meetings and the congregation. But in this instance, the people remained sitting, because they had been filled, but still wanted more! How wonderful that is!--Ed.]Then the lay preacher arose, went down among the listeners and said:

"I must still talk a little with you. Iknew some women; when they gathered together they used to have so much to tell each other about their husbands, how bad they were and how they themselves suffered. Then they were converted to God,and afgterwards when they met they had so much to tell each other about how God mercifully had led them,and all they did was to give praise to God. When you get together, dear women, what do you have to talk about? Oh, what a blessing you could be to each other when your conversation would consist of praise to God for His mercy"

He held some tracts in his hand. He read: "On which road do you walk?" as he handed the tract to a young boy. "Take this and ask youself the question, on which way do you walk? Do you love me? Thus Jesus speaks to you." He laid his hand on the shoulder of a young girl: "Do you love Jesus? He loves you. He wants your heart now." Thus he continued to distribute tracts and talk with the individuals, and these directly addressed words seemed to make an impression on them. Finally he said: "is there one among you women who will sing a song for us before you part?" From the midst of the crowd a voice was heard:

"Today comes tidings from God in heaven

That sleeping souls must awaken.

Hasen to adorn yourself as the bride

wants to look when the bridegroom arrives.

Oh, sinners, what are you thinking of

who still with sleep on burning straw?

Oh, wake up, before God calls you."

After the song was sung most of the people left, while some intimate friends stayed to have supper with the strangers. They went across the hall into a side room, and here the private conversation about God's Word and spiritual experiences continued. Here are a couple of examples:

"How is it, is there still fighting?" the layman asked of one of thsoe present. "Yes, each day new struggle," was the answer.

"But every day new grace, isn't it? Is this a sister?" he asked as he turned to a young girl.

"Yes, she is."

"God bless you on your way. But, dear sister, begun is not fulfilled. He who laid his hand on the plow should not take it back again. It is important to fight forward."

{This should give us a good taste of Hans Nielsen Hauge in action, as he gave the word to a whole group, then to a smaller more thirsty group, and finally to a most intimate group, meanwhile ministering hands on to people and giving individual words to individuals from the Spirit of God. What a wonderful approach and way of evangelism! Even Billy Graham was not able to get this personal, for all his effectiveness with mass crowds. Yes, to be fair, he did minister to countless individuals, individually, but it seems this was more a part of Hauge's preaching style than Graham's, perhaps because Hauge lacked all the equipment and staff and the heavy scheduling demands on him to be certain places at certain times.--Ed.]

He says all this for this purpose, which is his ending statement:

"This is my wish, my prayer and only desire, that you will aspire to so infinitely glorious grace, which I feel assured that God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit will bestow upon us, who remain faithful to the end, the supreme good, finally, at the end of time to gather in the eternal happiness. Amen"

Concluding the book, there are two poems, "The Morning Star," and "The Uncertainty of Life." Both poems call the reader to Christ, to make sure of his souls's salvation in Jesus Christ before it is too late.