en in human life. Thus Brorson's stepfather
died from a cold caught during a flight from a flood that threatened the
parsonage. The severe climate and constant threat of the sea, however,
fosters a hardy race. From this region the Jutes together with their
neighbors, the Angles and Saxons, once set out to conquer and settle the
British Isles. And the hardihood of the old sea-rovers was not wholly
lost in their descendants when Brorson settled among them, although it
had long been directed into other and more peaceful channels.

The parsonage in which the Brorsons lived stood on a low ridge, rising
gently above its surroundings and affording a splendid view over far
reaches of fields, meadows and the ever changing sea. The view was
especially beautiful in early summer when wild flowers carpeted the
meadows in a profusion of colors, countless birds soared and sang above
the meadows and shoals of fish played in the reed bordered streams. It
was without doubt this scene that inspired the splendid hymn "Arise, All
Things that God Hath Made."

Brorson was happy to return to Randrup. The parish was just then the
center of all that was dearest to him in this world. His beloved mother
still lived there, his brothers were close neighbors, and he brought with
him his young wife, Catherine Clausen, whom he had married a few days
before his installation.

Nicolaj and Broder Brorson had, like him, joined the Pietist movement,
and the three brothers, therefore, could work together in complete
harmony for the spiritual revival of their parishes. And they did not
spare themselves. Both separately and cooperatively, they labored
zealously to increase church attendance, revive family devotions,
encourage Bible reading and hymn singing, and minimize the many worldly
and doubtful amusements that, then as now, caused many Christians to
fall. They also began to hold private assemblies in the homes, a work for
which they were bitterly condemned by many and severely reprimanded by
the authorities. It could not be expected, of course, that a work so
devoted to the furtherance of a new conception of the Christian life
would be tolerated without opposition. But their work, nevertheless, was
blest with abundant fruit, both in their own parishes and throughout
neighboring districts. Churches were refilled with worshippers, family
altars rebuilt, and a new song was born in thousands of homes. People
expressed their love for the three brothers by na