(1888-91) Bethel Seminary

In his first year at the seminary the great mission leader J. Hudson Taylor visited.1 [An initial check on the web indicates that Taylor sailed to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark 1 November 1889]. Taylor spoke of far off lands where people had no knowledge of the one true God. His inspiring lectures on missions and strong appeals fired interest for missions among the students.2 The inner call to be a missionary was stimulated while Johan was a child through reading missionary literature. J. Hudson Taylor motivated Johan all the more.

While a student he was also a pastor at Stockholm's Baptist church and preached at many small churches in other towns both near and far including Folkkärna, Grijtnäs, Alunda, Gefle, Uppsala and Enköping.3 [Verify spelling of these place names]. In Gefle many people became Christians. He also spoke to religious groups dedicated to evangelism and mission work such as a group called "Hednavärldens vänner " 4 . or "Friends of the Heathen World". "God was with at all times," he writes.5 After much study Johan took a call during the summer months ______ Svärdsjo församl. in Dalarna.

Beginning of a Romance

No longer able to teach, her family well after the influenza, Hedvig traveled in February of 1890 to Stockholm to learn to be a seamstress. This was not so rewarding as being a teacher, and how she was to serve God in this way was a mystery, but at least she could make a living.6

After moving to Stockholm and finding a place to live she became a member of Bethel, the first baptist church in Stockholm. She soon began teaching a large class in the sunday school, and joined a mission organization, "Friends of the Heathen World," and made many new friends in this organization. One of these was the young man, Johan Alfred, who had baptized her in Alunda.7 A romance began.

In 1889 he also changed his name. Johansson was like Andersson and Petterson a very common name in Sweden. Johan took the name Rinell from the home he loved so much, Rinna.

1. Len, check on biographies of J. Hudson Taylor to see what is mentioned about speaking trips to Sweden, and also what he often spoke about or methods he used on these speaking engagements.

2. Four classmates would eventually come to dedicated their lives as missionaries.

3. Len, check the spellings of the places. Names found in Jag är född i Krokebo, page 6. Also check to see where they speaking engagements fit in the chapter's chronology. Perhaps he was doing more speaking in his 2nd or 3rd year at the seminary.

4. Spelling verified by Annli Hermansson. 02/08.

5. Jag är född i Krokebo, page 6.

6. This sentence is an assumption on my part - Len.

7. I'm assuming that Johan happened to be at this church and that she did not move to Stockholm because Johan was there. Perhaps they had been corresponding already. At this point I don't know. - Len

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