HAUGE’S PUBLIC APPEARANCE
After the spiritual peace and rest followed work and struggle. He became very distressed over some things which are deep and inscrutable for a poor human, but through inquiry and prayers, through the help of God, he conquered the temptations, as he in his simple way believed in God’s Word and there found rest.
He also experienced the struggle between the yearning of the spirit and the cravings of the flesh. He took up this struggle very seriously, and fought and prayed. “I lay a whole night,” he said, “and fought and prayed to God, that I might be freed from the wicked desires and said: ‘My dear Father and holy God! I cannot serve Thee or confess Thy name to men or instruct others, when I myself am beset with wicked desires!” But he soon learned to understand that such temptations and struggles were necessary in order to keep him humble before God.
As he more and more learned to know about Adam’s shameful fall within himself the plainer he saw that the strength of God is made perfect through weakness.
Amid such inner struggles Hauge started to bear witness to his fellow men. He entered upon his duties first by speaking to individuals, leading them on the road to eternal life. When he met people on the road or they came to him in his home, he talked to them and showed them how important it is to work towards our salvation. His general conduct attracted attention and caused stir among the people; some changed, and he was gladdened in seeing the fruit of his work.
In the fall he started to hold prayer meetings, and then began the common revival. But then Hauge, with his testimony became a real testing stone for others, as he himself also was tried. Some were awakened and became worried about their salvation; others scoffed at him and trumped up all kinds of stories about him; some praised him, others criticized him; and here he stood in the midst of the excitement, with danger on all sides. But the Lord helped him and kept him, on one side from despair, on the other from pride. His motto was: The good I might have done is not done by myself, but by the good God who has enlightened me with His Holy Spirit, for which I will praise and thank Him and His dear Son, Jesus Christ.
While he experienced great joy by seeing sinners converted, at the same time as he grieved over people’s apostasy, he was forced forward to bear testimony. He felt sometimes quite despondent when he thought of the greatness of the task. Had he earlier said to the Lord: Send me! in these dark moments he said: Send somebody else! “Once I was in the woods with my brother and cut trees,” he said. “Then my mind became very agitated at the thought of the infidel race of the time, and with all my eagerness I doubted that men in general could be brought to see the truth; for the great majority of them mocked and despised me and my talk; some were indifferent, and few were sincere. Then I called to God and wept so violently that the tears streamed from my eyes, and I admonished the Lord to take this heavy duty from me, namely, to confess His name, and rather send a bishop or another great man; the people would listen to him and respect his talk, me they did not respect.”
For his own part he wished he might die. His sister Anna was sickly, and it seemed that her days were soon numbered; it was his wish then to be permitted to follow her in death, in this way to be spared from all trouble and sorrow.
Then he heard a voice in his inner self which said: “Do you wish to die now? You have formerly served sin, will you not now, when you are saved, bring Me some fruit of My work in you? You have promised to serve Me. I have often used the lowly in this world to spread My Kingdom, for to this I have called those from the plow, shepherds, fishermen and publicans. I will give you strength and wisdom, which your enemies shall not be able to withstand. Be firm in your purpose and continue in patience.” Then I said: “Yes, when Thou, my God, will strengthen me, then I shall be willing.”
Another incident which was painful for Hauge, was that he was put at odds with “Sebergianerne,” followers of Pastor Seeberg. These people were taken in by Herrnhutism, but carried their separate opinions to such extremes that it led to lawlessness and plain sin. This estranged Hauge from that trend of mind.
Through all these tribulations he was stripped of all his own, and learned to understand that it was through the virtue of the Lord he should fight and conquer, besides which he won quite a little experience, which later on in his particular calling helped him a great deal.
To be continued...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
6. Struggle and Distress of Mind
STRUGGLE AND DISTRESS OF MIND.
It had been Hauge’s intention as soon as he met his parents, sisters and brothers, to report the exceeding grace which had been extended to him during that uplifting to the spirit we previously have mentioned. But it appeared lost to him; it seemed as if the Lord said that he should not tell it to anyone, as he might not be understood, and it might cause “corruption” of his inner life. Hauge did not have the habit to boast of his spiritual experiences. On the contrary, he reproved those who as soon as they felt the least touch of the spirit had to tell it to others at once.
But as he now burned with longing to get his fellow men to “run for the heavenly treasure,” he could not keep still. Already in the evening of that day, when he experienced the wonderful nearness of God, he started to admonish his sisters, two of whom right away were persuaded and changed in their minds and renounced the lusts of the world. The one of those, called Anne, seems to have been a true Mary, one of those quiet persons with deep disposition, who at the same time are spreading warmth and peace. Between Hauge and his sister, the first fruit of the seed of the Lord, there grew a very beloved and Christian brotherly relation. During his unfolding she had a beneficial influence upon him, and he gives her posthumous reputation that she had been a good support to him on his spiritual life’s path.
For three weeks after that 5th of April Hauge experienced an undisturbed peace and calm of the soul. His mind was quiet and entirely penetrated by sacred emotions. The things of the world in which he hitherto had shown so much interest now became of little consequence to him. During this time his mind became so affected by and filled with things spiritual, that he didn’t get more than at most a couple of hours sleep at night. “The thoughts were filled with the Word of God, and how I should succeed in getting the people converted.” He ate very little, and his mother, unable to understand him, became anxious that he might lose his mind.
His mother begged him that he should desist these pondering thoughts, but later on she understood her son differently, and wished that she could get on to the same path. But not only the mother was won to the Lord, but also his five sisters and brothers. The father, who understood his son, Hans, best of them all from the beginning, gained more warmth and fervency by his son’s revival.
The Hauge farm became a real Bethany, and our Hans could rejoice and find strength in the sympathy and intercessory prayers which his own folks offered on his behalf. In his activities he had his father’s full approval. When others were concerned about Hauge, the old man always said: “Oh, Hans will manage it all right.”
To be Continued....
It had been Hauge’s intention as soon as he met his parents, sisters and brothers, to report the exceeding grace which had been extended to him during that uplifting to the spirit we previously have mentioned. But it appeared lost to him; it seemed as if the Lord said that he should not tell it to anyone, as he might not be understood, and it might cause “corruption” of his inner life. Hauge did not have the habit to boast of his spiritual experiences. On the contrary, he reproved those who as soon as they felt the least touch of the spirit had to tell it to others at once.
But as he now burned with longing to get his fellow men to “run for the heavenly treasure,” he could not keep still. Already in the evening of that day, when he experienced the wonderful nearness of God, he started to admonish his sisters, two of whom right away were persuaded and changed in their minds and renounced the lusts of the world. The one of those, called Anne, seems to have been a true Mary, one of those quiet persons with deep disposition, who at the same time are spreading warmth and peace. Between Hauge and his sister, the first fruit of the seed of the Lord, there grew a very beloved and Christian brotherly relation. During his unfolding she had a beneficial influence upon him, and he gives her posthumous reputation that she had been a good support to him on his spiritual life’s path.
For three weeks after that 5th of April Hauge experienced an undisturbed peace and calm of the soul. His mind was quiet and entirely penetrated by sacred emotions. The things of the world in which he hitherto had shown so much interest now became of little consequence to him. During this time his mind became so affected by and filled with things spiritual, that he didn’t get more than at most a couple of hours sleep at night. “The thoughts were filled with the Word of God, and how I should succeed in getting the people converted.” He ate very little, and his mother, unable to understand him, became anxious that he might lose his mind.
His mother begged him that he should desist these pondering thoughts, but later on she understood her son differently, and wished that she could get on to the same path. But not only the mother was won to the Lord, but also his five sisters and brothers. The father, who understood his son, Hans, best of them all from the beginning, gained more warmth and fervency by his son’s revival.
The Hauge farm became a real Bethany, and our Hans could rejoice and find strength in the sympathy and intercessory prayers which his own folks offered on his behalf. In his activities he had his father’s full approval. When others were concerned about Hauge, the old man always said: “Oh, Hans will manage it all right.”
To be Continued....
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
5. Hauge And Article 14 of the Confession
HAUGE AND ARTICLE 14 OF THE CONFESSION.
In the Augsburg Confession, which is the confession of our church, Article 14 reads as follows: “Concerning the ecclesiastical civil service they teach that it behooves no one publicly to instruct or administer the sacraments, unless he be duly called to do so.”
This article the enemies of truth have used as weapons against “lay-preaching activities”: that men, who have not attended school and are not ordained ministers, speak the Word of God for their fellow men.
This enmity from the world Hauge experienced in a high degree. The impious clergy were furious with him because he ventured to preach to people. They charged him with being an impostor, an enthusiast, an ill-reputed fanatic, etc., and misrepresented his words and his general conduct in the most scandalous manner.
It is obvious that living Christians, who are converted, have not only the right, but it is also their duty, both private and publicly, to bear witness to the mercy they have experienced, and about the will of God and His counsel to all men. But when the condition of affairs at the time of Hauge was such that the clergy both preach falsely and live a wicked life, it is evident that it is doubly necessary for the living souls to step forward as the Lord’s witnesses.
All reborn and believing souls belong to the spiritual priesthood and in consequence of their calling and new nature they must bear witness of Him, who their souls hold dear, even if the clergymen and great men stand up against them.
The mentioned article is not meant to be against the free Christians’ activities. It is the misunderstanding and animosity by the learned ones, who have expressed their minds in it. The article is a testimony that the Lutheran Church wants orderliness in the congregation, and wants to test and induct those who shall administer the means of grace.
To be continued...
In the Augsburg Confession, which is the confession of our church, Article 14 reads as follows: “Concerning the ecclesiastical civil service they teach that it behooves no one publicly to instruct or administer the sacraments, unless he be duly called to do so.”
This article the enemies of truth have used as weapons against “lay-preaching activities”: that men, who have not attended school and are not ordained ministers, speak the Word of God for their fellow men.
This enmity from the world Hauge experienced in a high degree. The impious clergy were furious with him because he ventured to preach to people. They charged him with being an impostor, an enthusiast, an ill-reputed fanatic, etc., and misrepresented his words and his general conduct in the most scandalous manner.
It is obvious that living Christians, who are converted, have not only the right, but it is also their duty, both private and publicly, to bear witness to the mercy they have experienced, and about the will of God and His counsel to all men. But when the condition of affairs at the time of Hauge was such that the clergy both preach falsely and live a wicked life, it is evident that it is doubly necessary for the living souls to step forward as the Lord’s witnesses.
All reborn and believing souls belong to the spiritual priesthood and in consequence of their calling and new nature they must bear witness of Him, who their souls hold dear, even if the clergymen and great men stand up against them.
The mentioned article is not meant to be against the free Christians’ activities. It is the misunderstanding and animosity by the learned ones, who have expressed their minds in it. The article is a testimony that the Lutheran Church wants orderliness in the congregation, and wants to test and induct those who shall administer the means of grace.
To be continued...
Monday, May 25, 2009
4-Hauge's View of His Generation
HAUGE’S VIEW OF HIS GENERATION.
We will let this wakened man put down for us with his own words the dark slate, as he viewed it, when he received his spiritual vision. He says: “The greater part of the people live in spiritual ignorance. They commit adultery and murder; the one betrays the other, and covet their neighbor’s property instead of helping him.”
Gluttony and drunkenness and anxiety for the daily bread had the upper hand so much so that many didn’t consider these bad vices as sin. Cursing and swearing and injustices were common, and loving kindness had grown cold. The sins, manifested in many forms, had spread in all directions. Many were worse than heathens in all vices, and God’s Word and Name was not respected.
Others no doubt appear to be living decent, but are spiritually dead anyway. They pray, read and sing, but they entertain the lusts of the flesh in their hearts, and are such barren trees, bearing evil fruits. These rationalists deny Christianity in its very essence. They need no “redeemer,” they only want a “teacher.” Without conversion, without life in God, they live their days in conceit. When death comes, they start to pray and say: “Lord, have mercy upon me!” And then God says: “I do not know you!” for through “literal knowledge” or through “self-assumed consolation” nobody can come to God.
The teacher makes the way to Heaven broad, so the Lord must lament now as before: My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray. The clergymen who are dead in sin, close heaven; for they speak perverse things. The carnal clergy live either in obvious vices or in debauched self-righteousness. What especially brings a curse upon them and their official duty is their avarice. They are hirelings. Such kind of shepherds are paid well to lead their flock; everybody may get forgiveness for their sins, particularly when they can pay what they are asked to pay. They deceive the souls with hope of salvation until they awake in hell.
What these ministers aimed at was a fat pastorate and money; then they pass away the time with their friends at cards, theatres or other sensual amusements, but if a poor man wants to talk to the minister, gifts are expected from him, and the minister will find some leisure time to give him. For money they judge people saved in their funeral sermons, so here may be applied the prophet’s words: “My people, those, who deem you saved, they beguile you, etc.”
Thus Hauge saw the condition of the people, and anything worse can not be said either of people or clergy. Realizing this, he was seized with fervent sorrow and compassion for his people. He intercedes for them and prays that God will help him to appear as a Lord’s witness in this, the dark night of sin. He received a reply to his prayer; he was told to confess the name of the Lord before men, exhort them to repent and seek the Lord while he is to be found. He preached conversion for his people.
He himself being one of the masses, he understood, as very few could, how to bring out the life in God in such a manner that it could be grasped even by the simplest, both in print and on platforms. He walked from parish to parish, from town to town over the whole country, to bring the “celestial flame” to as many as would accept it. In regard to spiritual talent and personal independence, he was equal to any man in the land, learned or unlearned. Therefore he could with full authority lift up his voice both to punish and admonish.
Hauge was confident in his conviction, and stood firm on his calling from God to proclaim the truth for his people and awaken the sleeping to life. When he would try to be silent, his conscience started to bother him, and he was disciplined as one who is not faithful to his calling. He felt like the apostle when he says: “Woe to me, if I don’t preach the gospel.”
To Be continued...
We will let this wakened man put down for us with his own words the dark slate, as he viewed it, when he received his spiritual vision. He says: “The greater part of the people live in spiritual ignorance. They commit adultery and murder; the one betrays the other, and covet their neighbor’s property instead of helping him.”
Gluttony and drunkenness and anxiety for the daily bread had the upper hand so much so that many didn’t consider these bad vices as sin. Cursing and swearing and injustices were common, and loving kindness had grown cold. The sins, manifested in many forms, had spread in all directions. Many were worse than heathens in all vices, and God’s Word and Name was not respected.
Others no doubt appear to be living decent, but are spiritually dead anyway. They pray, read and sing, but they entertain the lusts of the flesh in their hearts, and are such barren trees, bearing evil fruits. These rationalists deny Christianity in its very essence. They need no “redeemer,” they only want a “teacher.” Without conversion, without life in God, they live their days in conceit. When death comes, they start to pray and say: “Lord, have mercy upon me!” And then God says: “I do not know you!” for through “literal knowledge” or through “self-assumed consolation” nobody can come to God.
The teacher makes the way to Heaven broad, so the Lord must lament now as before: My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray. The clergymen who are dead in sin, close heaven; for they speak perverse things. The carnal clergy live either in obvious vices or in debauched self-righteousness. What especially brings a curse upon them and their official duty is their avarice. They are hirelings. Such kind of shepherds are paid well to lead their flock; everybody may get forgiveness for their sins, particularly when they can pay what they are asked to pay. They deceive the souls with hope of salvation until they awake in hell.
What these ministers aimed at was a fat pastorate and money; then they pass away the time with their friends at cards, theatres or other sensual amusements, but if a poor man wants to talk to the minister, gifts are expected from him, and the minister will find some leisure time to give him. For money they judge people saved in their funeral sermons, so here may be applied the prophet’s words: “My people, those, who deem you saved, they beguile you, etc.”
Thus Hauge saw the condition of the people, and anything worse can not be said either of people or clergy. Realizing this, he was seized with fervent sorrow and compassion for his people. He intercedes for them and prays that God will help him to appear as a Lord’s witness in this, the dark night of sin. He received a reply to his prayer; he was told to confess the name of the Lord before men, exhort them to repent and seek the Lord while he is to be found. He preached conversion for his people.
He himself being one of the masses, he understood, as very few could, how to bring out the life in God in such a manner that it could be grasped even by the simplest, both in print and on platforms. He walked from parish to parish, from town to town over the whole country, to bring the “celestial flame” to as many as would accept it. In regard to spiritual talent and personal independence, he was equal to any man in the land, learned or unlearned. Therefore he could with full authority lift up his voice both to punish and admonish.
Hauge was confident in his conviction, and stood firm on his calling from God to proclaim the truth for his people and awaken the sleeping to life. When he would try to be silent, his conscience started to bother him, and he was disciplined as one who is not faithful to his calling. He felt like the apostle when he says: “Woe to me, if I don’t preach the gospel.”
To Be continued...
Sunday, May 24, 2009
3-Closer Contemplations on Hauge's Mission
CLOSER CONTEMPLATIONS ON HAUGE’S MISSION.
Hauge was chosen by God to be prophet for his people. As one who had a special work to do, he also had to have a special training. The Lord let him understand his mission. In a song he wrote the 5th of April, 1823. he says:
“Twenty-seven years ago
God lovingly called me;
He healed the wounds from all my sins.
And me of mercy called
To serve Him in time,
His holy name confess,
Struggle with the chosen.”
All Christians experience rejoicing and sweetness when they are converted, and their sins are forgiven. Hauge experienced this in a special degree. That should be of comfort and strength to him during the many tribulations and difficulties which he met in carrying out his mission in life. Through the baptism of the spirit, to which Hauge had been subjected, he not only was better able to see and understand his own self, but he was also better enabled to understand his contemporaries. He saw that sin and spiritual death took hold of his people, and with his prophetic grace he followed the prophetic necessity which urged him to go between God and the people with intercessory prayer and bear testimony.
To be continued:
Hauge was chosen by God to be prophet for his people. As one who had a special work to do, he also had to have a special training. The Lord let him understand his mission. In a song he wrote the 5th of April, 1823. he says:
“Twenty-seven years ago
God lovingly called me;
He healed the wounds from all my sins.
And me of mercy called
To serve Him in time,
His holy name confess,
Struggle with the chosen.”
All Christians experience rejoicing and sweetness when they are converted, and their sins are forgiven. Hauge experienced this in a special degree. That should be of comfort and strength to him during the many tribulations and difficulties which he met in carrying out his mission in life. Through the baptism of the spirit, to which Hauge had been subjected, he not only was better able to see and understand his own self, but he was also better enabled to understand his contemporaries. He saw that sin and spiritual death took hold of his people, and with his prophetic grace he followed the prophetic necessity which urged him to go between God and the people with intercessory prayer and bear testimony.
To be continued:
Thursday, May 21, 2009
2-Spiritual Baptism of Hans Hauge
Continued from "Life and Work of Hauge"
SPIRITUAL BAPTISM, APRIL 5, 1796.
After Hauge came home from Fredrikstad, he lived quietly with his parents and worked on the farm.
The 5th of April, 1796, he was out working in the field. He sang the hymn, “Jesus, I long for Thy blessed communion.” When he had sung the second verse:
“Mightily strengthen my spirit within me,
That I may learn what Thy Spirit can do!
O take Thou captive each passion within me,
Lead Thou and guide me my whole journey through!
All that I am and possess I surrender,
If Thou alone in my spirit mayest dwell,
All will I yield Thee, my Savior most tender,
Take me and own me, and all will be well,” -
he seemed to be lifted up from earth, and his soul was filled with the peace “that passeth all understanding.”
As soon as he had gathered his wandering senses, then he was sorry that he had not served the dear God; now he felt nothing in the world was worth while. “It was a glory which cannot be explained,” he says; “my soul felt something supernatural, divine and blessed.” He sensed a fervent love of God and wished that all people should be saved.
He found renewed interest in study of the Bible and the sacred writings, and new, bright thoughts concerning the truth flashed upon his mind. The revelation of the whole truth gathered up into this sum total for him:
“Christ has come to be our Savior, we will by his Spirit be born again, be converted, more and more be consecrated into the qualifications of God to serve only the Triune Deity, in order to prepare our souls for the eternal happiness.”
Thus on the foundation of this hymn he was brought near God in an extraordinarily spiritual manner; in this nearness to God he still acknowledged his sins stronger, at the same time the power of the new life was born in his soul, and the love of God sprang forth with great strength; all this signified that God had heard his prayer.
Now he sees the whole existence in the light of this new life; his soul is filled with the most ardent love for those who still wandered in darkness.
“Then I saw, as it were, the world submerged in evil, which I lamented, and I prayed that God would delay the punishment, that some might be converted. Now I had the desire to serve God, and prayed that he would reveal to me what I should do.”
As an answer to this prayer, he was forcefully reminded of the events in Isaiah, Chapter 6; and the Lord’s orations to the prophet became alive in his soul as if it were spoken to him. “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: whom shall I send and invite to my big supper and call from all sides, north and south, east and west? I said: Send me; for my heart burned from love for all people. Deep within me I heard a voice, saying: You shall confess my name before men, exhort them to repent and seek me’ while I am to be found, to call upon me while I am near, to touch their hearts, so that they may pass over from darkness to light.”
To be continued.....
SPIRITUAL BAPTISM, APRIL 5, 1796.
After Hauge came home from Fredrikstad, he lived quietly with his parents and worked on the farm.
The 5th of April, 1796, he was out working in the field. He sang the hymn, “Jesus, I long for Thy blessed communion.” When he had sung the second verse:
“Mightily strengthen my spirit within me,
That I may learn what Thy Spirit can do!
O take Thou captive each passion within me,
Lead Thou and guide me my whole journey through!
All that I am and possess I surrender,
If Thou alone in my spirit mayest dwell,
All will I yield Thee, my Savior most tender,
Take me and own me, and all will be well,” -
he seemed to be lifted up from earth, and his soul was filled with the peace “that passeth all understanding.”
As soon as he had gathered his wandering senses, then he was sorry that he had not served the dear God; now he felt nothing in the world was worth while. “It was a glory which cannot be explained,” he says; “my soul felt something supernatural, divine and blessed.” He sensed a fervent love of God and wished that all people should be saved.
He found renewed interest in study of the Bible and the sacred writings, and new, bright thoughts concerning the truth flashed upon his mind. The revelation of the whole truth gathered up into this sum total for him:
“Christ has come to be our Savior, we will by his Spirit be born again, be converted, more and more be consecrated into the qualifications of God to serve only the Triune Deity, in order to prepare our souls for the eternal happiness.”
Thus on the foundation of this hymn he was brought near God in an extraordinarily spiritual manner; in this nearness to God he still acknowledged his sins stronger, at the same time the power of the new life was born in his soul, and the love of God sprang forth with great strength; all this signified that God had heard his prayer.
Now he sees the whole existence in the light of this new life; his soul is filled with the most ardent love for those who still wandered in darkness.
“Then I saw, as it were, the world submerged in evil, which I lamented, and I prayed that God would delay the punishment, that some might be converted. Now I had the desire to serve God, and prayed that he would reveal to me what I should do.”
As an answer to this prayer, he was forcefully reminded of the events in Isaiah, Chapter 6; and the Lord’s orations to the prophet became alive in his soul as if it were spoken to him. “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: whom shall I send and invite to my big supper and call from all sides, north and south, east and west? I said: Send me; for my heart burned from love for all people. Deep within me I heard a voice, saying: You shall confess my name before men, exhort them to repent and seek me’ while I am to be found, to call upon me while I am near, to touch their hearts, so that they may pass over from darkness to light.”
To be continued.....
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Section 1-A Short Account of the Life and Work of Hauge
This is the first excerp from a short book about the life of Hauge.
This is in the public domain.
Hans Nielson Hauge
A Short Account of the LIFE AND WORK OF HAUGE
By C. Brohaugh 1890
HAUGE’S BOYHOOD AND FIRST SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Hans Nielsen Hauge was born on the Hauge farm in the parish of Tune on the 3rd of April, 1771. The father, Niels Mikkelsen, was from Evinrod farm in the parish of Glemminge, and was married to Marie Olsdaughter, with whom he got the Hauge farm, and where he passed away on January 10th, 1813, 81 years old.
The parents were quiet, pious-minded people, and Hauge referred especially to his father as a man with discrimination and understanding on divine subjects. The mother was a tender woman with a gentle disposition. The son inherited her fervency. She died the 1st of January, 1811, 76 years old.
In this family the fear of God had been deeply rooted. The children were brought up to close the day with prayer, the mother taught hymns and prayers to the little ones, the father assembled the family to worship. In such a family Hauge was raised to “grow as a good branch” on “the good vine, Jesus Christ,” in whom he “by baptism was grafted.”
But, as Hauge looks back upon his youth, he finds that he quite early “acquired some knowledge of wicked and good;” but that which was wicked grew more than what was good. That man is wicked from youth onward, was in evidence here also. He confesses that when his father reprimanded him, it roused his obstinate recalcitration. He relates that, at the age of 7 or 8 years, he fancied the thought of destroying himself, for in this way to take revenge over his parents.
Hauge was of a quiet, introspective nature. He was one of those, who right from the moment when the consciousness awakens, is apprehended and attracted toward religion. This longing for the eternal, this sigh toward God on High, this singularly gifted mind’s ceaseless meditation, this struggling with his inner self, this flinching between the serious thought of eternity and the recklessness of youth, impressed the days of his whole boyhood and youth with a unique stamp of fervency. “I had,” he says, “no inclination to fight, little liking for merrymaking with my boon companions, was much more gloomy when I was at parties, and saw or heard boisterous gaiety; I was especially sorrowful when someone picked a quarrel. I never danced, didn’t value games or music, would never be present in inns; but, when someone told stories and talked about religious or spiritual things, then I was interested with heart and soul.
“When I grew older, and knew better how to read and think about what I read, I wondered a great deal about the condition of heaven and hell, until I was about 11 or 12 years old, and at that age I was very confused; however, I always kept it to myself, which was so much worse, because, if anybody had known about it, especially my father, I would surely have received comfort and instruction.
“When there were rumors about war and pestilence, I was very much afraid of death and often felt that something mysterious surrounded me. My heart rebelled and sometimes I wept when I saw dead people or heard talk about death and eternity. I, myself, often thought of the death and the eternity, and if people were now living in such a way that they had reason to anticipate that they would be saved, and if they didn’t have much more reason to expect to be eternally rejected by God.
“Often in my sleep I dreamt about heaven and at other times about hell, about murder and terror; but when I prayed to God before I went to sleep, then calm fell upon me. This was especially the case from my ninth to my twelfth year.
“At that time I also heard some talk about several religions. This caused me new great anxiety with fear and doubt if ours was the right one, for even though my parents and others said so, I was in doubt anyway, particularly when they talked about how godly some had been. I myself had read about their great zeal for spreading the glory of God. Some had suffered much because they professed faith in God and faithfully cared for the salvation of their fellow men, and for this reason they were ridiculed, persecuted and severely and cruelly tortured.
“I discovered at this meditation that we didn’t live like they, but were indifferent in our worship, and couldn’t bear to suffer like those had endured. I got still more uneasy and thought that I wouldn’t be saved.”
A boy that age, with such thoughts, was of course looked upon as peculiar, by his companions, and he mingled with them as a stranger, uncomprehended both by himself and others, an odd specimen.
About this he himself says: “Because I couldn’t show myself smart in the folly of youth, I was looked down upon by those of my own age, often ridiculed and considered stupid; indeed, I felt myself inferior to others, so whenever a respectable man mentioned my name with praise, I felt unworthy.”
Thus it was easy to understand that the Lord started early to prepare Hauge for that work to which he had designated him. He, who became a tool to guide so many souls, had in his whole path of development been alone with God. He had no other guide; not even to his father had he revealed what was in his heart. But through his spiritual solitude he achieved that firmness of character, that independence of thought, that keenly sensible mind, which distinguished him as a man.
Through an incident which happened when the boy was thirteen years, he encountered his calling with greater seriousness and more definite than hitherto. Together with his father, brother and a third person he had gone out to the Sound of Rolfø to fetch some hay. On the way back one of them fell over board, seized hold of the boat and upset it, so they all fell in the water. Hauge immediately gave up any hope of rescue and then stood face to face with death. About this he writes: “First I thought of my mother, who minds trifles so much, and now my father, my brother, and I shall be lost over board, that will cause her insufferable sorrow; next I thought of the small things I had, my clothes etc., and I thought: my brothers will have that; it was hard to leave it, because I loved it all, although death threatened.
“I sighed to God that He would have mercy upon me for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. But infernal anguish maddened me, and I started to dread the darkness of hell, because I had not loved God as I should, and at last the dark horror of death threatened so terribly that when I think of it, my heart must weep. And though I longed for the light, it became dark for me, and my feelings disappeared.”
Without consciousness he floated in the river a while, and in this condition he drifted towards the river bank, where his brother, who together with the others already were safely ashore, picked him up as dead. They succeeded in bringing him back to life; soon he recovered from the consequences of the bath in the river; but the danger of death and the rescue from the jaws of destruction left impressions which were of lasting worth for his future life.
It became more earnestness in his reading, more determination in the purpose to want to live according to the Word; he “started to ponder on this, and then many thoughts came.” Then he also had many struggles with youthful fickleness which his young age naturally carried with it.
He himself says about this: “Often when I prayed to God for grace, and I renounced wickedness, then I found not only appeasement, but often joy also; on the other hand, when - either by my own reading, or when I heard my father read morning or evening prayers etc-my thoughts were turned to worldly, useless things, then these thoughts fell heavily upon me: The evil demon tears away the Word from my heart! O, I am in the devil’s power and have strayed away from God! Which again forced me to pray for grace for Jesus’ sake.”
Among books which Hauge used and which were his teachers, may be mentioned: Luther’s Catechism, the Explanation by Pontoppidan, Kingo’s hymn book, and the Bible. He also used Johan Arndt’s True Christianity, Luther’s and Mueller’s Books of Sermons, Mirror of Faith by Pontoppidan, Collins Revelation of Christ in the Soul, Rare Jewel of Faith by Brorson, etc.
In his sixteenth year he was confirmed by assistant pastor Hammer. About this he tells the following: “I still remember the day of confirmation; it was the custom that one should dress up especially well that day. But as I had never had a desire to look vain, so I hadn’t intended to look different that day; but one of my sisters took it upon herself to tidy me up a little. On my way to church one of the other boys said to me and others in the company: “Today Hans Nielsen has his hair dressed” etc. “Yes,” I answered, “if today we have dressed-up our bodies, would that we have not forgotten our immortal souls, but bethought ourselves of the great promise we today shall give, namely that we shall renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways, and believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
Hauge had a strong talent in concerns of the world and showed himself very practical in this field already from his early years. This was in a way dangerous for him. There was therefore a hard struggle with his inner self under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God conquered the young man’s heart and made him useful to his people in temporal as well as in spiritual respects.
His condition at this time Hauge describes like this: “My mind’s fancy enthused me to several earthly desires-also to trading, which led my soul into unrest, so that the older I got, the more I lost my soul’s noble feelings. I heard many words of God from my teachers, Hammer, and my father, and those words found their way into my heart; but the concern of the world took the upper hand, things temporal were so important to me that I had no rest even on Sundays. I had my treasure in the world, and I tried in all directions to acquire temporal possessions. I was the prodigal son and thought six times about the temporal, and provided for my body, against once to think of the things spiritual, and take care of my soul. My eyes had looked for the world’s vanity and had forgotten the Creator.”
But the Lord did not forget his sleeping child, who was in danger, but tried to reach it through suffering. Shortly after his confirmation, his life was endangered, as he fell into a creek, from which his sister saved him. Later on he was in ‘danger of death” on Glommen, outside of Sannesund. Thereafter he was confined to bed. During his illness he was despairing over his own state of mind, and trembled for “the torture in the eternal death; but through the mercy and help of the good Lord I was able to sigh and raise a cry, then I obtained my sane mind back." Once more his life was endangered on the river Glommen, and the horrors of death and hell lurked over him; but this time also he was saved.
After he had busied himself with different things in the country, Hauge in 1795 moved to Fredrikstad where he went to work for a widow. His stay here was short, but of vital importance to his inner life. In this city he was placed in the midst of ungodly, frivolous, sensual surroundings, where he was compelled to choose whether God or the world should have his allegiance.
“Here,” he says, “I was exposed to several temptations, and wicked people sought my company. Intoxication had so far been abominable to me, but, as I sometimes lacked food, and otherwise when there was a chance, I developed a taste for brandy; so I think I soon would have become a drunkard; but as I realized that this would mean demoralization to my soul and body, I prayed to God that He would preserve me, developed an aversion to this vice, and by the grace of God I was preserved, so I only once in my life have become intoxicated, and that happened when I was at the place mentioned.
“When I was there, I resumed reading on the holidays, which was why some said to me, one may sigh to God, and that is enough; as long as one doesn’t know anything, one has nothing to answer for; and, if I continued to read, I would soon lose my reasoning power, etc. These objections from Satan I disregarded, and kept on with my prayers that God would keep and preserve me; and I asked them to read and look into it, but this was only sneered at.
“By associating with these wicked people I loathed the sin more and more.”
At the request of his parents, Hauge left Fredrikstad, evidently in the middle of the year 1795, and returned home. Through continued reading of God’s Word and religious books he gradually saw more clearly the will of God. A deeper self-knowledge created a deeper need for grace, and the faith started to show its power to conquer the world. The opposition he met when he spoke to people about spiritual things, forced him to search still deeper, so he could convince those who contradicted him, and thus he himself became better informed in the meanings of the Word.
“I now developed disgust for all sins,” he said. “When I prayed, I bowed way down with unworthiness of heart for the great good He gave me, and because I had not served the Lord as I should. Sometimes I kneeled and prayed that the Almighty God, for His Son’s sake, would firmly establish His truth in me, so I could build upon the spiritual rock, Christ. I invoked the Lord of my salvation, that He would manifest His Son’s love in me, bestow upon me His Holy Spirit, so I could see my own wretchedness and impotence, teach me the path to follow in the footsteps of Christ--to be a true God’s child, and here I felt I was wanting much, especially when it came to love the Lord above all things, and to be humble at heart. I prayed much for grace for this purpose, and to learn to know His will, what I was to do and not to do.
“Wilt Thou, my Father, give me strength, let my heart be filled with Thy love, then I, of all my might will serve Thee. I will sacrifice everything, even my life, like the martyrs of old, rather than deviate from Thy commandments.
“Several people started mockingly to call me a saint; others said that if I continued the reading, then I would lose my reason, which they said had happened to several others who had read too much.
“I answered that I could not believe that those who studied the Word of God, could lose their reason, but much rather that they would gain wisdom to carry out the will of God.” The contradiction he thus encountered, brought him to inquire more into the Word, just as he also got a clearer view of the ungodliness and the infidelity which dominated his surroundings. Over these contemplations he sighed and prayed: “God, our Father, rouse us, for Thy dear Son’s, our Savior’s sake, through Thy Holy Spirit.”
hus Hauge was carried forward to become a living Christian. He came, as we have seen, unto the knowledge of the truth through a gradual development from his early youth to his 25th year. The curious fact about this man is that he, so to speak, without human teachers, by the Word of God and the Spirit’s guidance, was led to the living knowledge of the truth for his own part, and then he could, with a clear and versatile viewpoint appear as teacher and leader for his fellow men.
This is in the public domain.
Hans Nielson Hauge
A Short Account of the LIFE AND WORK OF HAUGE
By C. Brohaugh 1890
HAUGE’S BOYHOOD AND FIRST SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Hans Nielsen Hauge was born on the Hauge farm in the parish of Tune on the 3rd of April, 1771. The father, Niels Mikkelsen, was from Evinrod farm in the parish of Glemminge, and was married to Marie Olsdaughter, with whom he got the Hauge farm, and where he passed away on January 10th, 1813, 81 years old.
The parents were quiet, pious-minded people, and Hauge referred especially to his father as a man with discrimination and understanding on divine subjects. The mother was a tender woman with a gentle disposition. The son inherited her fervency. She died the 1st of January, 1811, 76 years old.
In this family the fear of God had been deeply rooted. The children were brought up to close the day with prayer, the mother taught hymns and prayers to the little ones, the father assembled the family to worship. In such a family Hauge was raised to “grow as a good branch” on “the good vine, Jesus Christ,” in whom he “by baptism was grafted.”
But, as Hauge looks back upon his youth, he finds that he quite early “acquired some knowledge of wicked and good;” but that which was wicked grew more than what was good. That man is wicked from youth onward, was in evidence here also. He confesses that when his father reprimanded him, it roused his obstinate recalcitration. He relates that, at the age of 7 or 8 years, he fancied the thought of destroying himself, for in this way to take revenge over his parents.
Hauge was of a quiet, introspective nature. He was one of those, who right from the moment when the consciousness awakens, is apprehended and attracted toward religion. This longing for the eternal, this sigh toward God on High, this singularly gifted mind’s ceaseless meditation, this struggling with his inner self, this flinching between the serious thought of eternity and the recklessness of youth, impressed the days of his whole boyhood and youth with a unique stamp of fervency. “I had,” he says, “no inclination to fight, little liking for merrymaking with my boon companions, was much more gloomy when I was at parties, and saw or heard boisterous gaiety; I was especially sorrowful when someone picked a quarrel. I never danced, didn’t value games or music, would never be present in inns; but, when someone told stories and talked about religious or spiritual things, then I was interested with heart and soul.
“When I grew older, and knew better how to read and think about what I read, I wondered a great deal about the condition of heaven and hell, until I was about 11 or 12 years old, and at that age I was very confused; however, I always kept it to myself, which was so much worse, because, if anybody had known about it, especially my father, I would surely have received comfort and instruction.
“When there were rumors about war and pestilence, I was very much afraid of death and often felt that something mysterious surrounded me. My heart rebelled and sometimes I wept when I saw dead people or heard talk about death and eternity. I, myself, often thought of the death and the eternity, and if people were now living in such a way that they had reason to anticipate that they would be saved, and if they didn’t have much more reason to expect to be eternally rejected by God.
“Often in my sleep I dreamt about heaven and at other times about hell, about murder and terror; but when I prayed to God before I went to sleep, then calm fell upon me. This was especially the case from my ninth to my twelfth year.
“At that time I also heard some talk about several religions. This caused me new great anxiety with fear and doubt if ours was the right one, for even though my parents and others said so, I was in doubt anyway, particularly when they talked about how godly some had been. I myself had read about their great zeal for spreading the glory of God. Some had suffered much because they professed faith in God and faithfully cared for the salvation of their fellow men, and for this reason they were ridiculed, persecuted and severely and cruelly tortured.
“I discovered at this meditation that we didn’t live like they, but were indifferent in our worship, and couldn’t bear to suffer like those had endured. I got still more uneasy and thought that I wouldn’t be saved.”
A boy that age, with such thoughts, was of course looked upon as peculiar, by his companions, and he mingled with them as a stranger, uncomprehended both by himself and others, an odd specimen.
About this he himself says: “Because I couldn’t show myself smart in the folly of youth, I was looked down upon by those of my own age, often ridiculed and considered stupid; indeed, I felt myself inferior to others, so whenever a respectable man mentioned my name with praise, I felt unworthy.”
Thus it was easy to understand that the Lord started early to prepare Hauge for that work to which he had designated him. He, who became a tool to guide so many souls, had in his whole path of development been alone with God. He had no other guide; not even to his father had he revealed what was in his heart. But through his spiritual solitude he achieved that firmness of character, that independence of thought, that keenly sensible mind, which distinguished him as a man.
Through an incident which happened when the boy was thirteen years, he encountered his calling with greater seriousness and more definite than hitherto. Together with his father, brother and a third person he had gone out to the Sound of Rolfø to fetch some hay. On the way back one of them fell over board, seized hold of the boat and upset it, so they all fell in the water. Hauge immediately gave up any hope of rescue and then stood face to face with death. About this he writes: “First I thought of my mother, who minds trifles so much, and now my father, my brother, and I shall be lost over board, that will cause her insufferable sorrow; next I thought of the small things I had, my clothes etc., and I thought: my brothers will have that; it was hard to leave it, because I loved it all, although death threatened.
“I sighed to God that He would have mercy upon me for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. But infernal anguish maddened me, and I started to dread the darkness of hell, because I had not loved God as I should, and at last the dark horror of death threatened so terribly that when I think of it, my heart must weep. And though I longed for the light, it became dark for me, and my feelings disappeared.”
Without consciousness he floated in the river a while, and in this condition he drifted towards the river bank, where his brother, who together with the others already were safely ashore, picked him up as dead. They succeeded in bringing him back to life; soon he recovered from the consequences of the bath in the river; but the danger of death and the rescue from the jaws of destruction left impressions which were of lasting worth for his future life.
It became more earnestness in his reading, more determination in the purpose to want to live according to the Word; he “started to ponder on this, and then many thoughts came.” Then he also had many struggles with youthful fickleness which his young age naturally carried with it.
He himself says about this: “Often when I prayed to God for grace, and I renounced wickedness, then I found not only appeasement, but often joy also; on the other hand, when - either by my own reading, or when I heard my father read morning or evening prayers etc-my thoughts were turned to worldly, useless things, then these thoughts fell heavily upon me: The evil demon tears away the Word from my heart! O, I am in the devil’s power and have strayed away from God! Which again forced me to pray for grace for Jesus’ sake.”
Among books which Hauge used and which were his teachers, may be mentioned: Luther’s Catechism, the Explanation by Pontoppidan, Kingo’s hymn book, and the Bible. He also used Johan Arndt’s True Christianity, Luther’s and Mueller’s Books of Sermons, Mirror of Faith by Pontoppidan, Collins Revelation of Christ in the Soul, Rare Jewel of Faith by Brorson, etc.
In his sixteenth year he was confirmed by assistant pastor Hammer. About this he tells the following: “I still remember the day of confirmation; it was the custom that one should dress up especially well that day. But as I had never had a desire to look vain, so I hadn’t intended to look different that day; but one of my sisters took it upon herself to tidy me up a little. On my way to church one of the other boys said to me and others in the company: “Today Hans Nielsen has his hair dressed” etc. “Yes,” I answered, “if today we have dressed-up our bodies, would that we have not forgotten our immortal souls, but bethought ourselves of the great promise we today shall give, namely that we shall renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways, and believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
Hauge had a strong talent in concerns of the world and showed himself very practical in this field already from his early years. This was in a way dangerous for him. There was therefore a hard struggle with his inner self under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God conquered the young man’s heart and made him useful to his people in temporal as well as in spiritual respects.
His condition at this time Hauge describes like this: “My mind’s fancy enthused me to several earthly desires-also to trading, which led my soul into unrest, so that the older I got, the more I lost my soul’s noble feelings. I heard many words of God from my teachers, Hammer, and my father, and those words found their way into my heart; but the concern of the world took the upper hand, things temporal were so important to me that I had no rest even on Sundays. I had my treasure in the world, and I tried in all directions to acquire temporal possessions. I was the prodigal son and thought six times about the temporal, and provided for my body, against once to think of the things spiritual, and take care of my soul. My eyes had looked for the world’s vanity and had forgotten the Creator.”
But the Lord did not forget his sleeping child, who was in danger, but tried to reach it through suffering. Shortly after his confirmation, his life was endangered, as he fell into a creek, from which his sister saved him. Later on he was in ‘danger of death” on Glommen, outside of Sannesund. Thereafter he was confined to bed. During his illness he was despairing over his own state of mind, and trembled for “the torture in the eternal death; but through the mercy and help of the good Lord I was able to sigh and raise a cry, then I obtained my sane mind back." Once more his life was endangered on the river Glommen, and the horrors of death and hell lurked over him; but this time also he was saved.
After he had busied himself with different things in the country, Hauge in 1795 moved to Fredrikstad where he went to work for a widow. His stay here was short, but of vital importance to his inner life. In this city he was placed in the midst of ungodly, frivolous, sensual surroundings, where he was compelled to choose whether God or the world should have his allegiance.
“Here,” he says, “I was exposed to several temptations, and wicked people sought my company. Intoxication had so far been abominable to me, but, as I sometimes lacked food, and otherwise when there was a chance, I developed a taste for brandy; so I think I soon would have become a drunkard; but as I realized that this would mean demoralization to my soul and body, I prayed to God that He would preserve me, developed an aversion to this vice, and by the grace of God I was preserved, so I only once in my life have become intoxicated, and that happened when I was at the place mentioned.
“When I was there, I resumed reading on the holidays, which was why some said to me, one may sigh to God, and that is enough; as long as one doesn’t know anything, one has nothing to answer for; and, if I continued to read, I would soon lose my reasoning power, etc. These objections from Satan I disregarded, and kept on with my prayers that God would keep and preserve me; and I asked them to read and look into it, but this was only sneered at.
“By associating with these wicked people I loathed the sin more and more.”
At the request of his parents, Hauge left Fredrikstad, evidently in the middle of the year 1795, and returned home. Through continued reading of God’s Word and religious books he gradually saw more clearly the will of God. A deeper self-knowledge created a deeper need for grace, and the faith started to show its power to conquer the world. The opposition he met when he spoke to people about spiritual things, forced him to search still deeper, so he could convince those who contradicted him, and thus he himself became better informed in the meanings of the Word.
“I now developed disgust for all sins,” he said. “When I prayed, I bowed way down with unworthiness of heart for the great good He gave me, and because I had not served the Lord as I should. Sometimes I kneeled and prayed that the Almighty God, for His Son’s sake, would firmly establish His truth in me, so I could build upon the spiritual rock, Christ. I invoked the Lord of my salvation, that He would manifest His Son’s love in me, bestow upon me His Holy Spirit, so I could see my own wretchedness and impotence, teach me the path to follow in the footsteps of Christ--to be a true God’s child, and here I felt I was wanting much, especially when it came to love the Lord above all things, and to be humble at heart. I prayed much for grace for this purpose, and to learn to know His will, what I was to do and not to do.
“Wilt Thou, my Father, give me strength, let my heart be filled with Thy love, then I, of all my might will serve Thee. I will sacrifice everything, even my life, like the martyrs of old, rather than deviate from Thy commandments.
“Several people started mockingly to call me a saint; others said that if I continued the reading, then I would lose my reason, which they said had happened to several others who had read too much.
“I answered that I could not believe that those who studied the Word of God, could lose their reason, but much rather that they would gain wisdom to carry out the will of God.” The contradiction he thus encountered, brought him to inquire more into the Word, just as he also got a clearer view of the ungodliness and the infidelity which dominated his surroundings. Over these contemplations he sighed and prayed: “God, our Father, rouse us, for Thy dear Son’s, our Savior’s sake, through Thy Holy Spirit.”
hus Hauge was carried forward to become a living Christian. He came, as we have seen, unto the knowledge of the truth through a gradual development from his early youth to his 25th year. The curious fact about this man is that he, so to speak, without human teachers, by the Word of God and the Spirit’s guidance, was led to the living knowledge of the truth for his own part, and then he could, with a clear and versatile viewpoint appear as teacher and leader for his fellow men.
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