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(1891) Johan & Hedvig are Engaged

Studies Come to a Close

Johan studied at the seminary for three years completing the second through forth class.1 These were difficult years of study which he would never forget. After his studies came to a close, Johan 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 his thoughts. 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. Of the two he preferred Fredrikshald. If he accepted the call to this church in Norway, he would have to delay his desire to become a missionary among the heathen.

Dream of Congo Dies

The desire to become a missionary continued to grow in Hedvig's heart, and her dreams was still to become a missionary in Afica's Congo. The Baptist Union only had missionary work in Spain. Perhaps she could go with another mission.

Before she could pursue her dream any further, her oldest brother's wife, Jenny, died leaving him with two small boys.5 Her brother asked her to come and live with them. "I could not say no to his wishes to come and help him instead of leaving for Africa," she writes.6

She told her minister about her call to be a missionary. His advice was instead to do evangelical work in Karlstad where her brother lived. She 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. While helping her brother with his family in Karlstad she took a course in child care, and took part in the sunday school and church work. 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 [Try to find out the name of the brother.]

They were now living some distance from each other, so Hedvig and Johan's exchanged letters. The romance continued to grow. Eventually Johan won the greatest place next to God in Hedvig's heart and she in his. They found too that the thought of foreign missions was still common to both of them.

Pastor Johan

Johan Alfred felt most drawn to the church in Fredrikshald though his dream was still to be a missionary among the heathen. 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 Lolly].

Johan 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 On his way to Fredrikshald he stopped at Karlstad to see Hedvig. On, Saturday, October 3 Hedvig left her brother's home to travel to Fredrikshald to be with Johan.11

They became engaged five days later on Thursday, October 8.

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