10. Hauge as Edification Preacher

HAUGE AS EDIFICATION PREACHER

Hauge now started to hold prayer meetings and publicly to preach Gods Word for those who came to hear him. His first edification he held in his father’s house. Later on he was allowed to hold meetings at different places in the parish. This new aspect of his activity roused enormous attention. That “a son of a peasant preached like a minister,” people had never heard of before.

But his speeches did not lead only to astonishment, the truth seized the hearts with the power of conviction. Many, even among those who formerly had scoffed, were converted, and the fire of the spirit burst out in flames.

But now the enemies woke up in a rage. The minister in Tune, Urdal, was the first one to show his teeth against Hauge. The minister was so exasperated at Hauge, that at a party where Hauge was present, the minister ordered he should be thrown out. Once, while they were alone together, the minister’s passion carried him so far that he struck Hauge and threatened him with life imprisonment.

Some clergyman!

To Be Continued....