These pages contain the autobiography of Pastor Arne E. Boyum who is my 2nd great-granduncle. There are links to other biographical information about Arne and his wife, Anna. This material was originally compiled in an excellent work by Ernest M. Maland entitled, "Remember The Days Of Old: The Centennial Saga Of Arendahl Evangelical Lutheran Congregation".
Besides being a fascinating account of Arne's life, many parts contain important clues and information to his families genealogy. I have highlighted these entries like this. Enjoy.
As there are many things that warn us about the instability of our life, and about how soon our tabernacle may be dissolved, I have in part felt an inner urge, and I have in part been requested by intimate friends to record some of my life history, and something about God's guidance with me in both temporal and spiritual respects. It is possible that my life history is of no great importance, except in so far as God's grace and mercy also herein may be known: that God loves sinners, that He calls and receives sinners, and that He can make use of them in His Church and congregation on earth. With this in view, that the honor of God in some degree may be known and disseminated by this report of His guidance of me, I will in the Lord's name attempt to write down some occurrences of my career. And I will try to do this in simplicity and as truthfully as possible. May God let His Spirit's light guide me in this work also.
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Rev. Arne E. Boyum |
I was born on Easter Day, April 7, 1833, to Ellend Erikson Boyum and wife Anna Sevatsdaughter, in Balestrand, Outer Sogn, Bergen Diocese, Norway. On April 9 I was baptized and was named Arne after my father's brother. My parents were children of farmers, but had older brothers and sisters who had allodial privileges. On this account they had to leave home and be satisfied with getting a small place, and becoming cottagers under my uncle, Arne Erikson Boyum. As a cottager my father had to toil and moil early and late for the support of himself and family, and this subsistence was often frugal enough.
There is not much to tell about the first years of my childhood. My experiences were like those of other children. In the first five years of my life, sorrow and joy, sickness and health, alternated. I remember only a few happenings from that time. The place in Norway where I was brought up, is an annex of Balestrand Parish, called Fjärland. A fiord goes north clear to the well known Justedal glacier, and at the end of this fiord, in the bottom of the valley, the Boyum farm lies, a large farm with many farmers. It is surrounded by high mountains where much snow usually falls in winter. Therefore there are often great avalanches of snow, plunging down from mountains as much as 5,000 feet high. At times these snowslides go past their ordinary limits, and do damage to both life and property. Such a snowslide reached the home of my parents too. I was then in my sixth year; but this event I suppose I will remember till my death. Our buildings were partly carried away, partly buried under the snow. The small house in which we lived, was only moved from its site. But then the slide stopped there, just as it appeared to us that we all would be killed. A little sister lost her life, and an old woman was so badly injured that she died a few days later. Some were hurt less seriously, and some escaped injury. I was among the latter. The Lord's mighty angelguard was surely with us and protected us, without our knowing it. The Lord be praised and thanked for His goodness and protection of us poor sinners.
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Ellend & Anna Boyum
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My parents now had to seek shelter in the homes of other merciful people. I had then just begun to read my A-B-C. But now my book was lost, and my reading was postponed until I was in my seventh year. Then I began attending the parish school. There I learned to read and write, and also got a little instruction in arithmetic. At that time the school was on a low level, so there was no instruction in grammar and orthography. But I owe thanks to both God and man for the little instruction I did receive. For I learned to read and also to write a little, and by making diligent use of what I had learned, and by private study, I gradually made progress. Time passed in hard work year by year. By hard work my parents were able to get along by practicing extreme economy and by living very frugally.
My parents did not dare rebuild on the same site, but got a new place to build on, where we lived for six or seven years, and had got things in order again in some measure, when a similar misfortune happened again. It was Easter Day and we had just sat down to eat our dinner, when again a mass of snow and water came down from the mountain and tore away all our buildings except the dwelling house. This remained standing.
I was then about twelve years old. At that time none of us was injured. But earlier that day my mother had had the misfortune to fall and twist her hand out of joint, so that she thereby was disabled for many weeks. Now the need became quite great: poverty and want, my mother sick, nearly all our buildings torn away, ruin on all sides. Our need was so great that we had to get help from compassionate people. Our school teacher, Erik Flesehe, went around and collected freewill contributions to help us get our buildings erected again. That was a hard and dreary time. But it was surely God's wise guidance. By this testing and need He wanted to teach us to seek help from Him who cares for young ravens, and who does not let a sparrow fall to the ground without His will. I can well remember that at this time God mightily called me and tugged at my heart, so that quiet sighs and prayers moved in my inner being. However, these were chiefly occasioned by the outward need and the unpleasant situation in which we were placed. Gradually our circumstances improved, and everything again went its ordinary course.
At this time I continued attending school. But in my thirteenth year we experienced another trying time. My oldest sister, Brithe, who was working for Uncle Boyum, got typhoid fever and came home sick; My younger sister, Gjertrud, was then to take her place, but she too contracted that sickness. Next, my father and one of my brothers were attacked, so we had four persons lying sick, several weeks each. I was well, but during this time I had to work beyond my strength.
So now there was need again, and it looked as though God willed to keep us in need, surely in order to draw us to Him in prayer. At the same time my mother gave birth to my youngest brother, so matters looked quite gloomy. Yet all went well. When my father got well enough to be up, I too got sick and was bedfast for five weeks. That was a hard and trying time, but God helped us through, so that we all got well again. The Lord be praised and thanked for everything.
In my fifteenth year I became a member of the confirmation class. I had then already learned the essential truths of Christianity. I knew the Catechism, Explanation, and Bible History by heart. This time seemed interesting and instructive to me. I just about knew the lessons already, so the essential thing for me was to pick up and make myself familiar with everything that I saw and heard, both the pastor's oral explanations and otherwise all the new things that I was getting in touch with. The Spirit of God was working mightily in me at that time. I was confirmed on July 2, 1848, by H. U. Sverdrup, parish pastor.
In this time before and after my confirmation I was, as I said before, much affected by the Word of God. I also had a secret desire to attend a higher school, but that was out of the question as my parents were altogether too poor. God's call to me was so strong at that time that I sought more quiet, and kept away from noisy youth, and in part read the few books that my parents had. I knew that according to God's Word and the essential truths of Christianity people were to be converted if they were to be saved. And when I for several years had attended the religious meetings that were conducted in the district, and had heard the so-called "Readers," this had had the effect on my heart that I saw that the Readers were right.
The aim of their exhortations was to insist that there must be a turning from sin, that there must be a new life in godliness, and progress in virtue and a holy life, if we were to get along well. This was what the pastor had taught also, this was what the essential truths of Christianity aimed at, and about this there was a voice speaking in my conscience which convinced me that this was "the one thing needful." At this time I also had a desire to get in closer fellow ship with these Christian prayer-people, but nothing came of it. I am sure my parents did for me what they thought was right; but, alas they themselves were in too great a degree strangers to the mind and essence of true Christianity. They certainly desired that I should be orderly and well behaved, and that I should lead an honorable and moral life outwardly; but regarding daily prayer to God for strength and grace to walk in the footsteps of Christ, and to deny everything that is not in accord with the Word and example of Christ, I fear that they had very little experience.
When I was about sixteen years old I had to leave the paternal home and go to work for farmers in Boyum, where I continued till I was twenty years old. Since, as before stated, Boyum was a large farm with many farmers, there were as a result many young people, and the majority of them were unconverted, frivolous children of the world I came into these surroundings young and not steadfast and as it is always easy to learn evil, what happened to me here was that gradually I became more and more a friend of frivolous young people, and be came of like mind and like behavior with them. But did I find peace therein? No, No! I well knew that I had departed from God, from the covenant of my baptism, and from my confirmation promise. I had no peace, my conscience was disturbed, yea, I was often so anxious and uneasy that in order to quiet the inner voice, I diligently sought places where there was frivolity and so-called fun. But when I then again was alone, I was as uneasy and disturbed as before. O what wailing and misery, that one so defiantly shall resist God's calling Spirit and grace.
Matters went on thus until I was in my eighteenth year. Then I was moved more powerfully by God's gracious call, for there was then an extensive spiritual awakening in the district. Several young people were reached by the working of God's Word and Spirit But alas, only a few were wholly transformed and remained faithful. At that time I was so powerfully drawn by God's call that I had to cry to God for grace. I wept, and to God I quietly bewailed my condition. At that time I was permitted to borrow Johan Arndt's "Paradise Garden," and I read this book at every opportunity, as it seemed to me that this was indeed a Paradise Garden in which to refresh oneself. I wept, I read, I prayed, and in quietness I kept away from the noisy and frivolous young people who, I noticed, had a fascinating power over me. But as I was afraid of being pointed out as one who accepted the views of the so called "Readers," I tried to keep secret that which lay most seriously on my heart. Now and then I spoke to my parents and my most intimate friends about my condition, but ordinarily I was quite silent and reserved.
It was doubtless my intention to live for God in all uprightness. I read and prayed, and now and then I also had some sweet feelings, and at times also I could believe that God would be gracious to me. But then I did not have the courage and boldness to speak a warning against sin, and to confess my faith. For to make a complete break, declare war against the world, and take a place in the ranks of the "Readers", that was altogether too difficult for the old Adam who could not endure ridicule and persecution for the sake of the Word and truth. On that account it happened to me as it is recorded about the seed that fell on the rock: it soon withered away and bore no fruit.
As previously stated, there were several who at this time were powerfully drawn by God's prevenient grace. But most of them gradually fell back into the same worldly mind and being, and became if anything, worse than they were before. I noticed this, and the enemy made use thereof to attack me with his sermons of lies, telling me that life here would be sour and dreary if I now in my youth should join the company of the "Readers" and spend my time sorrowing and weeping. It was no more dangerous for me than for others, the tempter whispered. See how happy and contented those of your own age are, yea, even those who had begun on the way of conversion, now seem to have thrown these thoughts away, and are now again happy in the delights and pleasures of the world. You need not commit gross sins, but only take part in jokes and pleasures. At any rate you can try it for a while. You can be converted when you are older; then it will be easier for you.
Against these sermons of lies I had powerful admonitions by God's Spirit in my conscience, so that I could easily perceive that there were two powers that contended in me, and each wanted me on his side. "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh" (Gal. 5:17). I well knew that life in sin, living after the flesh in the manner of the world in sin and vice, would end in terror. But to confess this faith, and fully and wholly to walk the narrow way of life, and to deny the world with its vanity, this seemed to me to be altogether too hard. Therefore I tried to find a middle course on which I could enjoy the friendship of both God and the world. But on this hypocrisy-road I gradually walked wholly into the mind and essence of the world; the inner admonitions were stifled more and more, and by degrees my mind became so worldly and vain that I began to find pleasure in the goblet of sensuality.
Prayer and meditation on the Word of God were laid aside, but games and play with friends of both sexes in what the world calls fun occupied my mind entirely. At that time I got to playing cards and got into other sinful playing groups; but worst of all was the pernicious running around at night which at that time was in vogue--a pool of vice into which many a youth of those districts fell. Alas, alas! how deplorable that the children of God and the members of Christ shall be torn out of the fellowship with God, and become members of a harlot, and the habitation of the unclean spirit! It is tragic that such a custom can exist in the midst of Christendom.
I felt my miserable condition, there was something that I had lost, there was an empty room in my breast, there was unrest and discontent. I had no peace and no hope since I knew that I lay in the bands and chains of Satan. But I tried to drive these thoughts away by new sins and the company of gay players, and thus I became less and less receptive for the influence of God's Word and Spirit. I knew that I was on the wrong way, but I did not have the power to abstain from sin and turn to the Lord. Satan whispered that it was too early for conversion, there would surely be a more convenient time later.
I was now in my twentieth year, and as one of my sisters had gone to America five years before this, the thought of my going over there had constantly been in my mind since that time j but I lacked the means. Therefore I had to try to find someone who was willing to take me along. But to leave parents, brothers, and sisters, did not seem easy either. In the spring of 1853 there was a chance for me to go, as my mother's brother, Ole S. Ødegjord, had decided to go, and he promised to take both me and my sister Gjertrud with him. But now it became difficult for us to decide to go. For it seemed to us that it would be too hard to leave our parents and our two small brothers. Therefore we desired that they too should join our company--and after some consideration they decided to do so. They sold their houses and cattle and made ready for the America-voyage. We got everything arranged, had secured passage on a ship in Bergen, that was to sail to America.
But as God's ways and thoughts are different from our thoughts and plans, so it happened here too; for two weeks before our intended departure, my father was taken sick. We hoped that he would soon be well, but he grew worse each passing day. The day for our departure drew near, and father could not go. On the other hand, it would entail many difficulties if we should all postpone the voyage, since there now was so good an opportunity for us to get started. It was then decided that our parents and two small brothers should remain behind, while my sister and I should go according to our decision. It has since been given me to see the Lord's wonderful guidance in all this.
It was very hard for me to leave a sick father whom I could hardly expect to see again in this world; to leave my mother and my very dear brothers; to say farewell to the small but pleasant home, where we had spent so many a pleasant hour in the company of our parents, brothers, and sisters--all this was very hard for me. Now my sister and I were to leave all this and, like the bird that flies away from its nest, sally forth into the wide world to seek a livelihood. We were going to another part of the world where everything was strange and unknown. What will the future bring? By thinking about this, I became so depressed that my hard heart was in that degree moved that tears streamed down my cheeks when I said good-bye to my sick, weeping father and my two deeply moved brothers, Ole and Sevat. (One brother, Erik, had died two years before this).
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Sevath, Ole and Arne Boyum |
My mother accompanied us on the way until we boarded the ship that was to take us to Bergen. On the way we met Ingebrigt H. Mundahl, an earnest school teacher and preacher of God's Word in those parts. He had taken his stand at a point that must be passed by all those who were going to America. There he had an opportunity to bid them farewell and to speak a serious word to the heart of each one of us. And as my mind in this hour of departure was uneasy and earnest, it was surely an opportune time for me to be reminded out of the Word of God of the one thing needful. Yea, he pressed me so hard that he would not let go of my hand before I promised him to think about the salvation of my soul. My mother who was listening to this, upbraided me for my frivolity, saying that with my good understanding of God's Word, I should know better. To this, Ingebrigt answered: "It is not to be wondered at when one knows man's wickedness and deep corruption by nature." These words recalled my heart; for it was precisely the wickedness and evil of my nature that had drawn me away from God and onto the way of sin. I. Mundahl got no promise from me that time, but in my own mind I determined to try.
Then I must bid my beloved mother farewell. She had sacrificed much for me, but little had I appreciated it or thanked her for it Moved and agitated, I stood on the deck of the ship and watched one farm after another disappear as we slipped out of the fiord. At last only the high mountains that surrounded my home district were visible, and in a while these also disappeared, and we were in new and strange surroundings. Finally we reached Bergen, where we remained a whole week, until the ship got ready to sail. There were many new things for me to hear and see here, but thoughts of home weighed me down, and a secret sorrow lay heavy on my mind both day and night, although I tried to appear cheerful and happy.
Before I left home I once had a conversation with a Christian boy, J. Anderson, who advised me to buy E. Pontoppidan's "Truth unto Godliness." He was of the opinion that this book would be of great benefit and guidance to me when I arrived in this seductive America. I followed his advice and bought both this book and some others, because I thought there would be greater opportunity to read and meditate on the Word of God in America than there had been in Norway.
So we sailed away from Bergen in May, 1853. I was then a little over twenty years of age, and here my life's history in Norway ends. I stood on deck and saw how the Norwegian coast disappeared in the horizon, and then we were out on the great open sea. The first week we had quiet, pleasant weather with good wind until we reached the Atlantic Ocean. Then we encountered storms and contrary winds. As long as we had fine weather there were play and laughter and frivolity on board, but now a different sort of music began. I too had tried to forget my sorrow in that frivolous company, but had not succeeded. Thoughts of my sick father, who now perhaps was dead weighed me down. Now when the storm began to rage, and waves rolled over the ship, thoughts of death came, and with them the question: Are you ready to die? O No, I was not. To my mind Death was a fearful guest. Now I began to look into a book or two on the subject religion, and in quietness to pray to God. But I was altogether too proud to want any one to notice that I was afraid of death, and that I entertained thoughts of conversion. When there was jesting and noise on deck, I took part. But when I was again alone, and collected my thoughts I repented my folly and bemoaned my instability. That is the way things went on the whole voyage--which lasted seven weeks.
We arrived safely at our destination in Wisconsin, and there we found our relatives and acquaintances. Everything was new to me over here. Some things seemed good and captivating, other things seemed very unpleasant. So many things were lacking that we were accustomed to in Norway; not least did we miss much in churchly respects. Still I will not say much about external details, but will occupy myself mostly with the thoughts and feelings which moved in my inner self.
Now I had arrived in the long wished-for America! But was I now happy and satisfied? O No! Something was still lacking. I was in a strange country among people of different nations; I was a stranger to the way of working, not acquainted with the language of the country. I felt lonely, being far from my parents, relatives, and friends. But the worst of all was that I still was far away from God. Thinking about all this, I became more and more dejected and downhearted in mind. Now the need occasionally became so great that I had to kneel and tell God my troubles. Now I wished to be converted and to abstain from all frivolity; but as this was my own work toward conversion, it did not stand the test. Instead of crying to the Lord for grace and power to hate and shun sin, I wanted by my own strength to bring about a kind of improvement and conversion.
The result was that I limped to both sides. Privately I prayed to God in my own way but when I was among others in frivolous company, I took part with them. In this manner I wavered back and forth the first three or four months I was over here. But the Lord who does not desire the death of any sinner, followed me too. His voice calling, following me everywhere. I became terrified at my condition, yea, even in my sleep I was plagued by foul dreams about death and hell, about the chains of darkness and the horrible need and misery of the condemned. I was so shaken that I shudder when I think of it. Up to that time I had not met any person who tried to speak to me about the condition of my soul, and consequently I was left alone to bear my burdens. I had now been working, partly for Norwegians, partly for Americans, but I had met no one to whom I could open my heart and speak about my inner need and uneasiness.
Finally in the fall a man came from Marquette County to Dane County, where I had been till this time. He wanted to hire me for the whole winter, and I went with him. This man had been greatly worked on by God's prevenient grace, and he began to speak to me about the one thing needful. We soon became bosom friends and made it our joint aim to practice virtue and godliness. In this settlement there were also some others who were under the influence of grace, and we agreed to meet on Sundays to read the Word of God and to sing. After a time some began to offer prayer publicly, and it seemed to become more and more important for some to seek the Lord while He might be found and to call on Him while He was near. The result was a serious spiritual awakening in this little settlement. Now there was need in the hearts for salvation and the forgiveness of sins; and this need became more and more alive also in my breast. Prayer now became my regular occupation. Wherever I went or stood, sighs and quiet prayers ascended to God for help. And as the list of my sins more and more was revealed to me, the want and need of salvation was felt more and more in my soul. Now I used every opportunity to meditate on the Word of God, to read prayer books, hymn books, and the writings of the fathers. Everything appeared strange and new, so that I was like one awakening out of a long torpor and sleep.
Now I secured H. Møller's book, "The Kiss of Heavenly Love" (Himmelske Kjärlighetskys), and I read this book much. By contemplating God's love for me, disobedient child, I was made ashamed, and I was surprised--ashamed of myself, but marveling at God's love and patience. I can never forget how, one Sunday evening after having read for a long time in this book about God's love, my heart tasted something so sweet and uplifting out of God's love, that words fail me to describe it. Now like the bride in Solomon's Song I could in many figures of speech speak about the Bridegroom's love and beauty. But the most that I can say about this is: it cannot be expressed. I felt as though I was lifted up above both sin and sorrow, and I was given faith to believe that my sins were forgotten and forgiven because of God's endless and incomprehensible love. Of course it now became my fixed determination to will to serve and love God all my days; but it cost me a hard struggle before my tongue would publicly confess the Lord's name and speak about Him whom my soul loved. The brethren tried several times to get me to offer prayer in public in the little gathering that assembled; but I thought this would not do. I did indeed silently speak to God continually about my affairs, but I did not dare to offer prayer in public.
Finally the time came one Sunday that they got me to join in public prayer. I cannot report exactly what words were spoken: will not attempt that either. But during the prayer, tears streamed down my cheeks; and when I had said Amen, I looked out at the gathering and noted wet cheeks and eyes everywhere. This was in the fall of 1853 I had now publicly confessed God's Name: but now a serious conflict followed in my heart The enemy attacked me with thoughts saying that I had done entirely wrong in publicly confessing my faith; for now I would be scoffed at and despised more than before, and what was still worse, I would not be able to be faithful in my godliness. Then I was reminded of several who also had confessed God's Name, but who later had fallen into sins against one commandment or another. And this was of course a greater offense for the children of the world, and sorrow and sadness for the children of God. The cunning enemy whispered: That is what will happen to you too. O how these thoughts shook and plagued me. But on the other hand I was strengthened and confirmed by the Word of God, so that from this time on, occasionally I offered prayer in public.
I said there was a spiritual awakening in this little out-of-the way settlement, and they were indeed wonderful times over there at that time. We assembled twice on Sunday and once or twice in the middle of the week to meditate on God's Word When we came together there was song, reading, and prayer. When we met each other on the road, the conversation was usually about the one thing needful. If one was working in the field he could at times hear prayers, at other times the humming of hymns. There were twelve to sixteen families in this group; but there surely were not many hearts that were not touched more or less by this movement. Some probably fell away, but I hope that others surely have victoriously entered in to the marriage supper of the Lamb. O when I think of that time: the child-like confidence, the aversion for everything that one considered sin, the zeal in prayer, the life in God's Word, the peace in the Lord and in hearts, the cordial uprightness and childlike simplicity--it appears to me as a valley of flowers through which I have once walked in my childhood, and many dear memories from that time are still much alive in my consciousness.
At that time I had not yet united with any church synod in this country; but it had become a matter of importance with me to have fellowship with all those who feared the Lord in truth. I had heard Rev. A. C. Preus from Koshkonong preach once. I had also heard Rev. H. A. Preus from Spring Prairie preach once; but E. Eielsen I knew by reputation only. Reports about him varied. Some said he was evil, others that he was good. It was not till the spring of 1854 that I had a chance to hear him preach. I felt greatly edified by his sermons. I thought there was both life and power in the Word that he preached. I did not pay much attention to the evil reports spread abroad about him, as I knew that God's people have at all times met opposition and persecution from the world that lies in evil. At any rate I felt attracted by the Word he preached.
Following this, I attended English school for a while, but as I was poor, I had to look for work again.
In the spring of 1854 I worked for a while for an American. But when I had been there a while I was taken sick and had to go to my uncle, Arne Erikson Boyum, where I was bedfast for two weeks. During my sickness my fellowship with God was good, and I did not believe it ever would be otherwise. But up to this time I had chiefly swum in sweet feelings, and had little understanding of either inner or external attacks on faith. But gradually testings came, both inner and external.
I got well again and worked out among Americans, but was still so near the Norwegian settlements that I could attend the devotional meetings, whether they were held in Spring Prairie or in Norway Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin. Occasionally I was requested to offer prayer, read, or sing. But now temptations came also. As I daily was surrounded by a group of worldly people with their frivolous and vain nature, it had an injurious effect on my inner life. There was no one there that I might talk to during the week about my heart's chief concern. If I should try to warn my comrades against profanity and other gross vices, I would be repaid only with scornful words and scoffing, partly about my former life in the service of sin, partly to accuse me of being proud and haughty, and considering myself better than others, in part telling me to take care of myself and let others be in peace. O how hard it was for my evil nature to bear and endure all the scoffing that here had to put up with; for by nature I was courageous and some what hot-headed; and besides that I was physically strong--and all this the enemy made use of in tempting me. But God was good to me, and by His power I was victorious over my evil nature.
However, it seemed to me that I lacked something in the knowledge of my sin and the deep corruption of my nature, and I continued regularly praying God to show me more of that, so that I could right perceptibly repent, regret, and mourn my sins. In connection with this, there was probably the secret thought that there was something meritorious in penitence and regrets about my sins; also in much sorrow and tears. O how poorly I still understood the true way of salvation! Yea, I prayed that I might know my sin, and this came to pass, too, in the spring and summer of 1854: I came to know what the word "sin" means.
For my sins became so grievous that I was near the abyss of despair. It was as though the whole list of my sins was rolled up before me more hideous and ghastly than ever before. It was not only the actual sins of my life, and the sins of omission, but the inborn depravity and deep corruption of my heart, all the evil that moved in me appeared before me so life-like that it seemed to me I was possessed by the devil In this horrid darkness Satan tried to tell me that I was so great a sinner that there was no grace for me and that my conversion and improvement were only imaginary and a product of fantasy with which I had deceived myself. I only became a greater and greater sinner the longer I lived, and this would increase my pains in hell, and for that reason it was best for me to shorten my days.
But God who rules all, looked to me in my great need and sent me help. I met a man who had heard that I had experienced a change of heart, and who now came to me to find out how I was getting along. I told him in a few words that I was a great sinner, and that was about all I could say for tears. He answered that it was a good thing that I knew I was a great sinner, because Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. These words made a deep impression on me and I began now to think about these words and to weigh them. I found them in my Testament and meditated on similar Bible passages which were connected with this passage, and the more I read, prayed, and meditated on these words, and how Jesus associated with sinners, ate and drank with them, and cast no one away from Him, the more a slender hope began to arise also for me, that there was grace to be had for me too for Jesus' sake. I continued diligently meditating on God's Word, and praying in secret, and it became more and more a need to attend the devotional meetings and to speak to experienced Christians about the condition of my soul.
Here it may also be told that I had a sister who was Christ-minded and we had many an edifying hour together talking about the concerns of our souls and about God's grace for penitent sinners.
In the fall of 1854 I was asked to teach Norwegian school. Thereby I got a better opportunity both to familiarize myself with the precious and essential truths of Christianity and to read many books of our church fathers, such as Johan Arndt and others. At that time I also got J. Bunyan's writings. These awakened thoughts about the election of grace; but by keeping to the plain teachings in the essential truths of Christianity and the Word of God which says: "God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth", thoughts of an absolute election of grace were quite conquered. There is much good in Bunyan's writings; however, he seems to have much to do with the doctrine of an absolute election of grace.
That winter I continued teaching school in the settlement mentioned in the foregoing at Lake Pokoway, also a while inland at Lewiston, Wisconsin. On Sundays I had a part in leading the devotional meetings.
In the summer of 1855 I had the privilege for the first time of attending a synod meeting. This was held by E. Eielsen and P. A. Rasmussen and their friends, who at that time went under the name The Evangelical Lutheran Church. The meeting was held in Spring Prairie, Wisconsin. Here I had the chance to get acquainted with many Christian friends from several places, and especially did I get a very favorable impression of E. Eielsen and P. A. Rasmussen. At that time these two men stood together. I remember that they had a discussion with Pastors A. C. and H. A. Preus about the manner of reading the Third Article. But as a report of these proceedings may yet be found, I will tell no more about them.
Late in the fall I again began teaching Norwegian school, and continued till in the winter, when I together with E. Eielsen undertook a journey and visited several settlements in Wisconsin and Illinois. I stopped at Long Prairie, Illinois, where I taught Norwegian school in the spring months of 1856. Later I went to Jefferson Prairie where I met Eielsen again and went with him to Yorkville, Skoponong, and Koshkonong. From there I went back to my relatives in Norway Grove, where I worked during the week, and conducted devotional meetings on Sunday.
That year the synod meeting was held in Primrose, Wisconsin, and I went there. But there I witnessed a sad scene, in that it became apparent that there was trouble between Eielsen and Rasmussen. What really was the cause of this disagreement I cannot say precisely: but that there was serious disagreement could be plainly seen. And the wound was so deep that these two good men from that time no longer belonged to the same synod. Friends tried indeed to negotiate peace and unity between them, but to no result. Rasmussen left the meeting, and a flock gathered around him and took his part, while others gathered around Eielsen and took his part. The people felt deeply hurt and sorrowful at this condition of affairs. But the meeting was organized by electing Gudmund Strand as chairman and Ole O. Berg as secretary.
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Rev. Arne E. Boyum |
There was at that time a great scarcity of pastors. At this meeting three persons were chosen who were to be tried to see whether people would choose any one of them to be pastor. The three candidates were: Gudmund Strand, Lars Johnson, and A. E. Boyum. And as I was foot-loose and unemployed, young and healthy, it was decided that I should be sent west to Iowa and Minnesota to conduct meetings among the people. But as I was expecting my parents and brothers from Norway that summer, I could not undertake any journey until late fall.
After my parents had come I went with several friends to Minnesota, and arrived at North Prairie, Fillmore County. There we met friends that we knew. It could perhaps be said that I here had a double call: First, to gather people around the Word of God, but also beside that, to find a piece of land as a homestead for parents, brothers, and sisters. I stayed here three or four months. I took a piece of land as homestead, and continued conducting devotional meetings among the people, and took part in meetings with other friends.
As the winter wore on--I think it was February--we were so snowed in that it was almost impossible to get anywhere. I had determined to go through Iowa on the way back to Wisconsin, but it seemed impossible to get through. Then I got a pair of skis and went on them from North Prairie to the Stavanger Settlement in Iowa, a distance of sixty or seventy miles. That trip took me three days. I stayed there a while, conducted several devotional meetings, and made the acquaintance of many Christian friends.
From there I went on skis to the Clermont settlement where I remained some days and held several devotional meetings. Here I met a number of pleasant friends, among them Hans Melaas, a cordial brother in the Lord, who wished to accompany me to a settlement at McGregor, Iowa, where there were some Norwegians and Swedes. We started out on our skis and all went well till toward evening. Then my companion took the wrong road by mistake, night came on, and dense snow began falling. We had gotten into the big woods at McGregor, the snow was so deep that we could not wade in it, we saw no road, and we could hardly use our skis in the thick underbrush. Our condition looked dark, but God who always has a way out, and means for help, helped us then too. My dear H. Melaas was greatly weakened, and he was terrified about our situation, and began to shout and cry. An American who lived nearby heard these cries and answered them. By following the direction of his calls as well as we could, we reached his home. He was kind and showed us the road, so that we finally reached our destination. I stopped there several days and conducted a number of meetings among these pleasant and kind friends.
Hans Melaas remained there, and I had to go on further toward the East, still on skis, to a town in Wisconsin called Muscoda. There I boarded the train for Madison, arriving at midnight, tired and worn out after struggling on skis, and after that the trip on the train. But now my travel money was almost used up, and therefore I started out on foot from Madison to my relatives in Norway Grove--a distance of sixteen or eighteen miles--in rain and slush and poor footing. I got so exhausted from this overexertion that it was with difficulty that I reached my destination.
As day began to dawn I reached the home of my mother's brother, Ole Sevatson. It goes without saying that I felt thankful to the Lord who had so well helped me on this long and laborious journey. Much might be said about the relation between God and me on this journey. But I will say only that it was up and down: some times it was light and easy, at other times dark and heavy. At that time I was a young Christian, had only little experience of God's wise guidance of His children, and especially of the preachers of His Word. For if God gives them life and light in His Word for a time, especially when they stand before a congregation, dark and heavy hours may follow with fears and unbelief and many kinds of questionings in the soul. The joyous feelings disappear to make way for feelings of foul weather and storms. On my journey I had tasted both these kinds of feelings; yet all was God's loving and fatherly educating grace with me, a poor sinner.
Having arrived among acquaintances and dear friends in Wisconsin, some time passed in visiting friends. In late spring I got work for a while. In the first part of June that year, 1857, the synod meeting was to be held in Koshkonong, in the house of Anfin Storesund. I went there too. Many friends from settlements nearby had come.
E. Eielsen was elected chairman, and Ole K. Vangsnäs, secretary. I have no official report of that meeting, but among matters discussed was especially the great scarcity of pastors among us, and about the manner of remedying this want. The candidates were named that had been nominated at the meeting the preceding year. Perhaps some of them might be ordained now. The result was that agreement was reached on a manner of finding out whether any or all of these candidates should be ordained. A man in the audience told that he had read in church history about the United Brethren, that at times they had elected their pastors by casting lots. It was decided to use that plan.
The casting of lots was arranged in such manner that all might escape, or one or two might be hit. This method was used: Six ballots were made. Three marked with cross, three were blanks. These were placed in a hat, and a small boy was to draw out three ballots and give the three candidates one ballot each. But before casting lots the whole assembly knelt in prayer to God that His will might be done. E. Eielsen prayed aloud, and his prayer was right from the heart and fervent. Those present surely joined in prayer and said Amen, and when prayer was ended there were tears in the eyes surely of the majority. Now we candidates were lined up in a row, and the little boy gave us each a ballot. I got one marked with a cross, but the two others escaped.
Yes, that was the result of casting lots. This was surely a result much different from what many had expected; and it seemed wonderful for our eyes. I was young and inexperienced in Christianity, and had very little knowledge of church history, Bible history, and other subjects which a teacher in the service of the Church greatly needs. Those who escaped were both elderly men who had read much, had had many Christian experiences, and also excellent gifts for preaching the Word of God.
As I, as previously stated, was young, only twenty-four they wanted to postpone my ordination for a time. Then I received a good letter of recommendation from the friends, with the injunction that I work with God's Word among the people.
After arriving home from this meeting, I and my parents and brothers and sisters decided to move west to Fillmore County, Minnesota. We equipped ourselves with a yoke of oxen and a wagon, and together with some other friends we started out. After a happy journey of two weeks we arrived at North Prairie, Fillmore County, Minnesota. Here then we began in the manner of pioneers, clearing and building, and gradually we acquired comfortable homes. I had to work hard on week days, and conducted devotional meetings on Sundays in the small homes on the farms here and there in the settlement.
Everything was still new here. There was no organized congregation and no church building to meet in around the Word of God. In the fall of this year E. Eielsen visited us, and he then performed the ministerial acts that were to be administered. Partly I taught Norwegian school, and partly I was out on trips in Wisconsin or Iowa that winter.
In the spring of 1858 our synod meeting was to be held in Spring Prairie, Wisconsin. I went to the meeting. On the way I went by the Stavanger settlement in Iowa, and there they prepared a letter calling me and urgently requesting that I be ordained as pastor. When I arrived at the meeting in Spring Prairie, a letter had also come from North Prairie, calling me as pastor. Between twenty and thirty men had signed this letter. On these two calls there was a strong determination to ordain me. I tried hard to avoid ordination, tried to beg off from taking this step, as I felt the weight of such office and also my incompetence to fill this responsible position But all my refusal and my reasons for avoiding ordination fell on deaf ears. It was definitely demanded that I be ordained. And as E. Eielsen thought of making the long and difficult trip to Texas that year, the desire was also expressed that old Gudmund Strand should be ordained at the same time, so that in case Eielsen failed to return, Strand could assist in ordaining someone as pastor if need be. And it was arranged thus.
So on June 10, 1858, we were both ordained by E. Eielsen to the holy office of preaching. I can hardly describe how I felt that day. It was as though a burden was laid on me, yes, a burden so heavy that I thought I would never again have a happy day. And these misgivings were not without reason, because at that time I was young and inexperienced with all burdens and sorrows which a pastor must expect. I am now sixty-one years old and have had considerable experience in all these years since that day. But my experience has been that burdens and sorrows often have come from a quarter whence I least expected them. Yet, the Lord be praised, He has graciously helped until this day.
After I returned home from this meeting, it was necessary that I remain at home that summer, partly to build us a better house, and partly to work on the farm. On Sundays I preached to gatherings in the settlement, and now and then I visited the dear friends in Iowa who had called me. In the fall of the same year E. Eielsen came, and he then installed me as pastor of the congregation. From my side I promised the congregation to be diligent and to be faithful in my office; and the congregation promised to support me in my work temporally and spiritually--all in accordance with the old constitution.--It was at that time difficult to secure an altar book, so that for a while I had to get along with written forms, until we had sent to Norway for an altar book.
Young and inexperienced as I was, it was now necessary for me to take up the work as well as I could, and dedicate myself to the work with all the strength and wisdom God would supply. As there in those days was a great scarcity of ministerial services. I had not only the churches that had called me, but besides that I must make journeys, some times in Wisconsin, and some times around in Minnesota when there was someone here or there who wanted us to visit them. It was on December 11, 1858, that I performed the first infant baptism, and after that there were weddings, celebrations of the Lord's Supper, and confirmation.
As only Eielsen and I served as pastors in our little synod, there was much to do. Gudmund I. Strand was so old and sickly that he would not perform any ministerial acts. But in June, 1859, Lars Johnson was ordained on a call from some small congregations in Wisconsin, so that he ministered here and there on the east side of the Mississippi. But there was still more than enough for us all to do. I have had a temporary call from many congregations, such as: Primrose, Perry, West Prairie, Franklin, and Trempeauleau, all in Wisconsin; Big Canoe, Iowa; and Olmstead and Dodge Counties, Minnesota. In response to oral requests I also visited Goodhue County, Minnesota, a number of times before O. Hanson was ordained.
At the synod meeting in Primrose, Wisconsin, in 1861, O. Hanson was ordained. There were now four of us pastors who could serve, name Eielsen, Johnson, Hanson, and I. Outward appearances in our synod were not very brilliant at that time. The synod was not incorporated, no congregations were legally organized, in most places there were no church buildings to hold meetings in, no thought of paying the expenses of our travels, no railroad to travel on west of the Mississippi River Most often we had to walk, carrying our luggage on our backs, in winter in biting cold, and in summer in oppressive heat.
But at that time I was young and physically strong, and in my soul were fire and zeal which made me bold and persevering to put up with and endure all the unpleasantness that met me on my way. There was only one thing that burned in my heart, that was to shout a warning to people, and in Christ's stead to entreat sinners: "Be ye reconciled to God!" As I was young and inexperienced and poor in the knowledge both of God's Word and the writings of the fathers, as well as in church history, and the various doctrinal systems of the different synods, it was a great grace of God that He could keep me, and that I was enabled to hold fast to the plain essential truths of Christianity. Pontoppidan's "Truth Unto Godliness" was a guide to me in my sermons about the benefits and effects of both Law and Gospel, and also about our doctrine about the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
At that time I was still foot-loose and single, so that I could travel much, as my parents and brothers were at home and did the necessary work there. My most difficult problem was to accumulate the necessary travel money; for no matter how economical and careful I was, the money would not suffice for me. I could tell many incidents in this respect from those days, but I will silently pass it by, and thank God from my whole heart for His gracious help and protection on all my travels both on land and water.
In the spring of 1859 Lasse Aase and Mons Langeteig visited me. These brethren stayed a while in North Prairie and conducted many devotional meetings among the friends--which greatly encouraged me and other Christian friends here. We agreed then to make a trip together to Olmstead and Goodhue Counties. Harald Moen took his horses and gave us a ride thither. First we stayed a few days in Olmstead County where we conducted meetings every day. From there we traveled to Goodhue County, where we remained for a longer time and came together daily for devotional meetings here and there in the settlement. People flocked to the meetings in such numbers that the houses were too small to hold all who gathered around the Word of God. There seemed to be a great stir among the people.
At that time there was no one in Goodhue County who formally had united with Eielsen and his friends. On the other hand there were some who probably most nearly were on Rasmussen's side. He was at that time not united with any synod. Torger Rygh, who then was the leader of this group, probably appreciated our visit only moderately. I was asked to return, and from this our visit some of our friends there began to think of forming their own organization. O. Hanson had then begun to preach the Word of God, but was kept back to some extent by Rasmussen's friends.
Lasse Aase stayed there, while the rest of us went back to North Prairie. Langeteig stopped here a while, and before leaving, he was married to my sister Gjertrud. That was the first wedding at which I officiated. Now it was necessary for me to make use of my time as best I could, partly at home on the farm, partly in the congregation; and now and then I had to visit the congregation in Iowa that had called me. As I had no horse at that time, I had to walk that long distance of sixty miles, both ways, from four to six times each year. And that was quite laborious.
My mother was now old so it was difficult for her to look after the housework, and I began to feel that it is not good for a pastor to be alone. He needs a helper to support him and especially to look after his house. I had exchanged some letters with a girl in Norway, and as she now had come to this country and was staying down in Wisconsin with some of my relatives, I went over there to talk to her. We then agreed to get married and the wedding was held on July 25, 1859. The wedding ceremony was performed by Pastor Lars Johnson in Mons J. Langeteig's house. The same evening we left for Madison, and went to Minnesota the next day. Now I had more freedom to be away from home and to give myself to the work of the congregation.
The Word of God was effective and a number were added to the church both here and in the Stavanger settlement in Iowa. When Pastor Eielsen saw how hard it was for me to go on foot the long distances between these congregations, he gave me a mare, and Lasse Aase gave me a saddle, and this made it easier. But when the friends in the Stavanger settlement saw that it was somewhat difficult for me to ride horseback that long distance, they gave me a contribution that enabled me to buy a light wagon. They also sent the list to the friends in North Prairie and asked them to continue the collection--which they did. I got so much money then that I could go to Winona and buy me a secondhand light wagon. This present was about the first that I received from the churches after my ordination as pastor. As everything was new and many of these pioneers were poor, it was necessary that we share with each other the many burdens and lacks of pioneer life.
In 1860 our synod meeting was held in North Prairie. We were three pastors present: Eielsen, Johnson, and I. Østen Hanson also came to this meeting, and he was elected to travel around, especially in Goodhue County to speak God's Word. He was so fortunate in his work that he the very next year, 1861, came to our synod meeting in Primrose, Wisconsin, bringing a letter of call from the friends of Goodhue County, on which he then was ordained.
I was happy every time someone was ordained to be an assistant among us; but I was especially glad when we got Brother Hanson into our ranks. We became most intimate friends at once, and from year to year we were more closely united in a fraternal relationship which has endured until this day.
In the winter of 1862 Hanson and I were out on a ten-week trip, and then visited places in Iowa, Wisconsin, and clear to Long Prairie, Illinois. On the return trip from Black Earth to Prairie du Chien we were in a train wreck on a bridge over the Wisconsin river. But God held His protecting hand over us, so that we both escaped unharmed. God be praised! Toward spring we reached my home, where Hanson stayed some days. Then he left for Olmstead County, and from there to his home in Goodhue County.
Churches were now being organized here and there and the scarcity of pastors became greater every year. At that time Eielsen was in Norway, and we were forced to ordain one Christ-minded layman after another, so the synod made a quite and even growth year by year. There was harmony in the work so that both those who were called pastors, and the Christian laity lived in a fraternal, inner social relationship to each other. Church buildings were erected here and there, and the synod advanced in outer growth as in inner clarity, with regard to both doctrine and life: for it was our purpose to have pure doctrine and to lead a life in agreement therewith The lay people were very active, each in his own circuit to assemble for edification even if the pastor was not present.
As previously stated, I had to travel much during the first years. But after 1861 we got one or two pastors almost every year, so that in 1871 the synod had fourteen pastors, and in 1875, twenty-four pastors. I was then gradually relieved of the long journeys, and could to a greater extent give my time to the churches that I served in Fillmore County.
Summary to Rev. Boyum's Autobiography
The Death of Anna E. Boyum
The Final Days of Pastor Boyum
A Brother's Account
Last updated: Monday, January 22, 2001 11:46:59 PM