ong themselves, but
must duly rebuke it. Those who have acquired the respect of the
believers, and would be exemplary Christians, must take heed lest
they accustom themselves to flattery and luxury; they must even
submit to sharp admonitions and to hard fare.'

"I spoke to you as my duty constrained me; but since that day the
Lord's hand has fallen heavily on me, and, in my grievous sinfulness,
I thought I should never again dare to stand forth and speak a word
of rebuke to any one.

"That was the time when you saw me wandering amongst you, bowed down
and forsaken. But God be praised, who has lifted me up. I will dare
to hope that He will not cast me entirely aside as an unworthy
instrument; but, dear friends, among you I can no longer tarry."

All looked uneasily at him.

"Surely you will not separate from the Brethren?" said the old man.

"No, that I will not do; but I must leave this place, both on account
of my own infirmity, and because I fear that after this I cannot warn
and admonish you with sufficient power; for, dear friends, I am of
opinion that in many respects you go sadly astray."

"Will you travel northward again?" inquired one. "Or, perchance, the
Lord has turned your heart towards the poor heathen in Africa?" said
another.

Hans Nilsen looked up at him, and said: "I am grateful to you for the
suggestion. I will think over it, and will pray the Spirit to guide
me aright."

This seemed to bring relief to everybody. The mission was their own,
originated and established by the Herrnhutters and Haugians. If Hans
Nilsen entered upon the mission, he would remain with them, and they
would not lose him. They now felt, for the first time, how great a
support he was to their cause.

Sivert Jespersen began at once to exhort him to allow himself to be
sent on a mission to the heathen lands lying in darkness.

Whether it was the expression, "allow himself to be sent," or whether
Hans Nilsen could not on this occasion tolerate Sivert, it is
sufficient to say that he answered him rather sharply. "If I do go,
there is but one who will send me forth--the Lord."

"Take great heed to your missions, dear friends; you should remember
how the unbelievers, and not less the clergy, derided you when you
began them.

"Already the fire you kindled has spread over the land, and help and
funds pour in abundantly. See how these same clergy hasten like
ravens attracted by the scent of prey. They will not suffer laymen