443. Pentecost Conference 1930

I met brother Skogsrud at Horten’s wharf during the Pentecost conference. He told me that our dear brother Johan Hoff had passed away. This made a deep impression on me, as I had very recently spoken with him. We were together at Furukollen at brother Bekkevold’s home. He rejoiced and praised God unceasingly. Brother Hoff was about 47 years old and had only been saved a year and a half. Prior to that, he was a fiery communist, one of the foremost in their ranks. But now he was saved, and he was determined to live as a saved person. He put things right everywhere and ran in the race as if he, and only he, would win the prize. His great strength was that he was able to submit to the elders and have confidence in them. His seat was at the door in “Idrettens Hus.” He was the ideal doorkeeper, with his imposing figure and his convincing character; his great love was paired with discretion, and he also commanded respect. After the Pentecost conference many of us, several Danish sisters included, traveled to Oslo to attend his funeral and memorial gathering. His passing away brought us a blessing, just as his life had done.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” John 5:25.

This is just what brother Hoff did. He practiced listening to the voice of the Son of God, night and day. Blessed be his memory. An article he wrote, “True Liberty—False Liberty” is included in this issue.

We had a blessed conference, as usual. Four sisters came by automobile all the way from Fredericia. Everything went well, and now they are safely back home without a single mishap. If God did not control all this motor traffic with His guardian angels, I am afraid there would be a lot of accidents. Also, four sisters came from Copenhagen. Our dear brother Løken came from Hallingdal as usual with a full load; likewise the brothers from Kristiansand South.

The Skogsrud quartet played tirelessly. Brother Aslaksen handed out assignments to be answered, in particular about the woman’s place and her task in her home. He was especially happy when he could give six points to ladies that you would have thought only deserved one point. But as no one is allowed to get offended, and all flesh belongs on the cross, there was more rejoicing over the sixes than over the ones.

During the meetings there were many blessed and edifying testimonies. God works in diverse and manifold ways, so everyone, according to the ability and power that God gives, does their part.

On Sunday, June 22, we went to Skibtvedt, about 70 kilometers south of Oslo. Four trucks and two passenger cars came, and in addition brother Jensen and his wife came from Oslo on their motorcycle, and a big truck came from Fredrikstad. We used the youth hall for our conference. Two sisters from Oslo had a breakthrough and came to peace with God, and many others were gripped of the Word. On the eve of Midsummer Night, we were gathered at Furukollen where our dear old brother Halvorsen and others spoke around a bonfire. They spoke of the fire and its power to drive out poisonous snakes as happened that time on the island of Malta, when a snake came creeping out because of the heat. We have a good life, and as time goes by it gets better.