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....