A Spiritual Awakening
On April 5, 1796, Hans Nielsen Hauge was working in a field near his family farm in Tune, Norway. As he sang the hymn "Jesus, I Long for Thy Blessed Communion," he experienced a profound spiritual awakening. In his own words, "At this point my mind became so exalted that I was not myself aware of, nor can I express, what took place in my soul." This experience transformed Hauge from a man focused on making money into a devoted servant of God.
Called to Preach
Born on April 3, 1771, in Rolvsøy, Norway, Hauge grew up in a devout home but struggled with doubts about his salvation. Despite his ordinary beginnings and a life spent as a farmer and skilled carpenter, this spiritual encounter changed his direction entirely. He felt a divine calling to preach and spread the message of repentance and faith, as he later expressed, "You shall confess My name before the people; exhort them to repent and seek Me while I may be found."
Persecution and Imprisonment
Fueled by this calling, Hauge began traveling extensively across Norway and Denmark, preaching wherever he could. He faced significant persecution for his efforts, including imprisonment under the Conventicle Act, which restricted religious gatherings. Despite being arrested fourteen times, including a decade-long imprisonment starting in 1804, Hauge's ministry only grew stronger.
Writer and Reformer
Hauge's impact was not limited to preaching. He was a prolific writer, authoring 33 books and numerous letters, and a social reformer who started businesses to support his movement and provide for the poor. His approach was practical and compassionate, as he advised, "Do not demand too much nor place too many burdens on your workers, no more than a Fellow Brother can be expected to bear."
After his release from prison, Hauge continued to influence Norway until his death on March 29, 1824. His legacy in faith and social reform remains a testament to the power of divine intervention and the transformative work of Jesus.
