(1891) Johan & Hedvig Engaged

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Johan Alfred studied at the seminary for three years completing the second through forth class.1 He graduated in the spring of 1891. These had been difficult years of study which he would never forget. Now with his studies behind him he eagerly wanted to realize his dream of becoming a missionary to the heathens in some far off land. He talked to Rector [Öfversta] 2 K. O. Brody and Pastor Lindblom about it. At that time he was not able to go.3 Perhaps Brody and Lindblom thought Johan should try his wings closer to home.

He did have many invitations to become a pastor at various churches. He had already served in a few churches during the time he was in the seminary. Two requests were from missions closer to home. One was to be Eric Lund's fellow missionary in Spain and the other to be the pastor of the baptist church in Fredrikshald,4 Norway, a church with ties with baptist in America. Of the two he preferred Fredrikshald. If he accepted the call to this church in Norway, he would have to delay wish to become a missionary among the heathen.

Spain, Norway, Africa or China

The desire to become a missionary continued to grow in Hedvig's heart, and her dream was still to become a missionary in Africa's Congo. But with no missions established there this was not an option. The Baptist Union only had missionary work in Spain with Eric Lund. Since she was now a committed baptist she could not join a Lutheran mission. Don't know if Hedvig and Johan Alfred were talking together about the possibilities of going to the Congo or Spain.

She too had heard the lectures of J. Hudson Taylor the millions of people in China who needed to hear about Jesus. [or say Christianity?]. . Don't know if Johan Alfred heard the same lectures in the same places or not, i.e., Bethel Seminary and Bethel Church. LJH]

Nothing was for sure. My daily work was sew, sew, sew and a short study period of English [that] I attended or studied every second that I could. Hedvig Biography, page 10.

Before she could pursue her dream any further, her 'dear sister-in-law' Jenny, the wife of her oldest brother Erik, died leaving him with two small boys.5 Hedvig's mother and brother asked her to go and help. "I could not say no to his wishes to come and help him instead of leaving for Africa," she writes.6

She went first to her pastor to say good-bye. She told her him about her wish to be a missionary. He suggested to go to her brother, take care of the boys, become active in the sunday school program in church in Karlstad and learn everything she could.

Hedvig left behind her job in Stockholm, her friends and her dream of going to Africa, to help her brother. This was Wednesday, May 20, 1891. Taking care of her brother's boys, the youngest was only one year old, was really a lesson in child care. Following her pastor's advice she also became active in sunday school and also in church work, and attended many church services. She wondered if Karlstad would be her final home and her desire to be a missionary would not come true. This was a disappointing thought.7

They were now living some distance from each other, so Hedvig and Johan's exchanged letters. The romance continued to grow.

Pastor Johan Alfred

Johan Alfred felt most drawn to the church in Fredrikshald though his dream was still to be a missionary among the heathen in a foreign land. He made it clear with the church in Fredrikshald that some day they would need to find another pastor to teach them.8

They accepted this condition and sent a letter in response:9

Fredrikshald d. 11 Sept 1891

Brother J. A. Rinell!

God's peace!

The Baptist church of Fridrikshald hereby asking brother Rinell to come as a pastor soon as possible but no later than October 1 with an annual salary of 1000 (one thousand) crowns.

Three months mutual notice.

In hope that _____ brother Rinell _____ ___ _____ _____.

On behalf of the congregation,

Ole Dahl [and] Fritz Törnros [sp?]

The Norwegian baptist church got $1000 [or crowns?] annually for their church in America. This was guarded by a six man committee, three Norwegians and three Americans. This committee which was . . .

[Dollan had a difficult time translating p12-13. Ask Lally].

Johan Alfred started off for Norway beginning of the following month in 1891 to accept their invitation of being "God's prophet" meaning their pastor for their church.10 He was God's answer to their prayers of a pastor for their church. On his way to Fredrikshald he stopped at Karlstad to see Hedvig.

On Saturday, October 3, Hedvig left her brother's home and traveled with Johan Alfred Fredrikshald, Norway. 11

Five days later on Thursday, October 8, with a few friends, Johan Alfred and Hedvig became engaged. "It was a happy evening," Hedvig writes.

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