24. Arrested Again

ARRESTED AGAIN.

Together with a friend Hauge again traveled to Christiania. Here they held many edifications, and several became awakened to the life in God. Some began talking to others about God’s counsel to the soul’s salvation. Among those was the well known printer Chr. A. Grøndahl. He was a firm Christian personality and will always be remembered as one of the more distinctive among Hauge’s circle of friends.

On the second day of Pentecost Hauge and his friends were invited to a friend to hold edification. There the sheriff came and arrested both of them. The governor came into the prison and reproached Hauge especially because he traveled around as a tramp and would not work. The consequence of such a life would be that he ended up in the house of correction.

Hauge held that he was no tramp, because he had worked all through the plowing season on his father’s farm. Besides he had passport for his journey to the town. And in regard to the teaching, he had not taught anything else but that one should keep God’s commandments high and honor them, serve God and learn well from one another. The governor went away.

The next day they were under examination. Question to Hauge:
“What is your means of livelihood?”
Answer: “Farm work on my father’s farm.”
Q.: “What is your errand in Christiania?”
A.: “I have some publications printed.”
Q.: “Have you given speeches here?”
A.: “I have talked with some people now during the holidays about our Christian duties.”
Q.: “Of what does your teaching consist?”
A.: “Exactly what is in our little Catechism and the Bible.”

Hauge read by heart the Third Commandment and some scriptural sentences to verify what he had said.

The sheriff declared he had nothing against Hauge. Hauge now asked the sheriff: “Is it Christian that those who get drunk and fight so they lie in the street, shall have their freedom, while I who go to church each time there is a sermon, and in the evening edify my fellow men with song and speeches according to the religion of the state, shall be put in jail and then threatened with punishment in the house of correction ?“

The sheriff had to admit that this was not right, and upon his representation to the governor that Hauge was innocent, he was set free. Besides, the sheriff gave Hauge the following fine testimonial: “Hans Nielsen Hauge and Christian Borsø have no doubt been detained, but in so doing have been found to be not only innocent; but are even honest and in the counsel of the Lord to the salvation of the soul well informed, and therefore set free, and to everyone concerned recommended in the best manner.”

Hauge stayed in the town eight more days and used the time well. He was again arrested to be transported home under guard, but he was nevertheless allowed to travel home alone.

Too Be Continued....