like many other lay-preachers, he so prepared the minds
of the people that a pastor could almost everywhere, and without any
exertions on his own part, find a little nucleus of Christian folk
prepared to attach themselves to any teachers who would not merely,
like the former clergy, give them stones for bread.

Sometimes, however, he found it difficult to control himself. In his
earlier days at home, at Fennefos, he had learnt from the older
people all the circumstance of Hauge's life. He knew the names not
only of all the bailiffs and magistrates, but especially of the
clergy, who had scoffed at, persecuted, and almost worried to death,
the beloved teacher.

And now, as he journeyed through the land, he encountered the same
names. Both bench and pulpit were filled not only in spirit, but in
the body, by the actual successors of the odious persecutors of the
past, past generation.

This often made his young blood boil again; and when, at the
meetings, plain and free speech prevailed, he observed the same glow
among his companions. Still they rebuked and restrained one another;
for the powers that be are ordained of God.

When he journeyed in West Norway, Fennefos always stayed awhile with
Madame Torvestad. The town was a central point in the widely ramified
religious movement, and gradually her house became more of a home to
him than his native place, Fennefos.

Here, too, he received letters and communications from the Brethren
round about the country, when anything went wrong with them, or when
they particularly wished him to preach to them.

He was in the habit of visiting or writing to them; and here the
elders sent to him, if they happened to have a trustworthy envoy.

It was not, however, the Brethren or Madame Torvestad that attached
him so much to the place; in fact, he was more at home among the
peasantry.

He had, indeed, great objections to Madame Torvestad.

Upon some points she was too lax; and she was full of German
mysticism, which he could not endure. Above all, she was too
imperious and ambitious, both among the disciples and in her own
house.

What really attracted him was Sarah; not that he was actually in love
with her, of this he was confident. But she was so penetrated by the
spirit of the movement, and so well versed in the Bible and in
religious books, that he knew of no one with whom it was more
delightful to converse.

Sarah stood very high in the estimation of the Brethren, and