r
Medoc was sparingly drunk, mixed with sugar and water; some drank
home-brewed small beer, the majority only water.

As the affectionate and brotherly feelings which united them and took
possession of many, they smiled and patted one another on the
shoulder or cheek. By degrees they forgot their dread of Hans Nilsen,
and felt glad to see him, although he remained silent.

No one could tell, they thought, to what the Lord might not have
subjected him; and when his troubled spirit was more tranquil, they
hoped that his former frankness might be restored.

Suddenly his voice was heard, and a deathlike stillness ensued.

"Beloved brothers and sisters--"

They knew the voice, and one and all thought: "Now it is coming!"

At first he spoke calmly and almost sadly of the first love. He
reminded them how Hauge himself became conscious that in his later
years the first love did not burn in him as in the earlier days of
grace. He then drew a picture of the tribulations of the Brethren in
the evil days gone by. He praised and thanked God that strength had
been given to their forefathers, so that the light had not been
extinguished, but now shone brightly throughout the land.

Next, he spoke of the temptations of the Brethren in the better times
that followed, and all bowed their heads, thinking: "Now it is
coming!"

It came, indeed, and like a hurricane. Blow after blow, his words
fell upon them, now here, now there, on every point of weakness.
Every allusion was understood, and none dared to look at the others.
They had no time to wonder how he came to know so much, for he held
their minds completely enthralled.

"What is there," cried he, "what is there of the first love among
you? Think you, would he recognize his friends, if he were to walk
the earth again in the flesh, he who aroused your fathers, and whom
many of the elders among you have seen face to face?

"Think you that the Saviour will acknowledge you in the day of
judgment?

"Woe, woe! The spirit has departed from you, and you have received an
evil spirit, full of worldly cares, of pride and luxury; and, by
reason of your misdeeds, the name of God has become a derision among
the heathen.

"Have you forgotten the ancient enemy, or do you blindly imagine that
the old serpent slumbers? Woe to you; for it is you who slumber, and
your awakening will be like that of the rich man's in hell fire!"

Many of the women began to weep; the men sat and cowered as e