28. Hauge In Trondheim Region

HAUGE IN TRONDHEIM REGION

From Rendal Hauge took the highway to Trondheim. He reported himself to the chief of police and obtained his passport endorsed. However, they wanted to arrest him and transport him home. But after some discussion he was released and began to arrange for the printing of some of his books, among them a collection of songs and hymns which he edited. This collection of hymns became of great value to the awakened and were used at their gatherings. The “Evangelical Christian Hymn Book,” which by the rationalistic clergy’s effort was introduced in many of the congregations in the country, was entirely diluted and impotent; that was why Hauge’s book became so dear to them. Hauge worked also in the districts around Trondheim and won many friends for the good cause. Among these may be mentioned Mikkel Grøndahl who down through time was high in reputation in the Haugian circle of friends.

M. Grøndahl is referred to as a man with unusual knowledge of Christianity; none of Hauge’s friends were familiar with the holy Scriptures to the degree he was; for the Bible was almost exclusively his edification book. Despite his political activity of many years’ standing, he always remained the same distinctly Christian figure; for he was ever on guard and was always alive to the danger of being absorbed by the temporal.

Somewhere Hauge got a man to row him. The boat was leaky, water streamed in; the man became irritated 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 better argument 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 sheriffs 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, to the sorrow and distress of Hauge.

Too Be Continued....