Part 1 (1/2)
Personal Experiences of S. O. Susag.
by S. O. Susag.
FOREWORD
This book of a few of my experiences is written to show how the pioneer ministers worked, and how the Lord worked with them through his Holy Spirit. One outstanding fact in those days, when even though their training was limited, was their burning pa.s.sion for souls shown in labors, fasting and prayer, and a heaven-born conviction and zeal for the truth. The Holy Spirit had revealed to them an unshaken faith in the Word of G.o.d; a faith that would not waver in the most trying and, to man, surprisingly unreasonable cases. My prayers are that this book will bring faith and encouragement to many a soul who is seeking G.o.d for help when all other help has failed.
I should not have waited so long before doing this writing, for because of that waiting the incidents are not written in the order which they should have been, and so many have been forgotten. Since many have indicated an interest in my experiences, may this book as it goes forth in Jesus' name bring honor and glory to G.o.d.
--The Author Year 1948
PUBLISHER'S PREFACE
Ever since this book was first published for the author, S. O. Susag, by the Standard Printing Company, Guthrie, Oklahoma, in the year of 1948, it has been in steady demand. These many testimonies of outstanding answers to prayer have been an inspiration of faith to many people, and they will continue to be an encouragement to every earnest and honest seeker for an increase of faith in G.o.d's precious promises. ”Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8.
In contemplation of printing this fourth edition, the undersigned publisher contacted S. O. Susag's daughter, Mrs. Art Rustand (Goldie Susag), and requested further information about her late father. In February, 1976, she relayed the following notes of interest to the reader:
”My father was born in Steinkjer, Norway, on March 28, 1862. He came from Norway to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was in the store business for a while. In 1892, they moved to Paynesville, Minnesota, where they engaged in farming. After they moved to the farm he was converted, and in the year of 1895 he received his call from G.o.d to the ministry of the Word. He traveled as a missionary to the Scandinavian countries for many years. He also served as pastor in Grand Forks, N. D., and as an evangelist for years. In fact, at the time of his death, which was in Culbertson, Montana, when he was 90 years of age, he was traveling around holding services. His death was attributed to his age. He was up and around until three days prior to his pa.s.sing. At the time of his death he made his home with his second wife in Medicine Lake, Montana. He died on July 8, 1952, and was buried beside his first wife (my mother) at the Church of G.o.d Cemetery near Wendell, Minnesota.”
--Lawrence D. Pruitt Guthrie, Oklahoma, March 8, 1976
”And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and not forsake them.” (Isa. 42:16). This Scripture seems to fit into my life's experiences.
I was born in Norway. My parents were Lutherans. When I was two years of age an incident occurred which I have never forgotten. It was this: My Grandmother on my mother's side--a very G.o.dly woman--used to visit us at least once a month.
On the occasion to which I refer, as she was about to leave us, Grandmother said to my mother, ”Ellen, I would like to speak to you 'under four eyes'
(that is to say, privately). Does the child understand anything that is said?” Her reply was, ”No, he doesn't understand.” Then Grandmother proceeded to say, ”I have been wondering what would be the best way to pa.s.s out of this world without being a trouble to anyone, and the Lord has shown me that someday I shall lie down as usual to go to sleep and wake up in glory and this may be the last time that I shall see you; so now, my daughter, I feel constrained to urge you to seek the Lord.” Again she said, ”I am sure the Lord has shown me that I shall go that way.” Four years later she went to glory just that way.
My parents had not given their hearts to G.o.d, yet they taught us to live right. The only religious services we ever attended were those held once a month in a country chapel. Other Sundays we would sing together in our home and father would read a sermon to us out of a book.
We would then repeat the Lord's prayer and sing another song.
One afternoon, when I was two and a half years old, a number of we children were invited to a neighbor's for lunch and play. As we pa.s.sed the pantry window on our way in, we saw a number of dishes filled with nice red berries. One youngster suggested that we help ourselves to the berries, and this we did. After a few mouthfuls I began to scream and ran home. Mother, hearing my screams, rushed out to meet me and, picking me up in her arms, asked me where I was hurt. I couldn't tell her but kept screaming. Finally mother began to chide and shaking me, said, ”Tell me where you are hurt.”
Still I could not speak, then mother fell upon her knees and cried, ”Lord, my child is dying in my arms and I cannot find what is the matter with him.” I was then able to speak and tell her the cause of my trouble.
Putting my hand over my heart I said that I was having pain there and not in my stomach. Mother questioned me as to whether the lady had given us the berries, and I told her, ”No,” that we had helped ourselves to them. She said, ”I will tell you how to get rid of your pain: Go and tell the lady what you have done and giving her your hand ask her to forgive you, and I am sure the pain will leave you.” Mother went with me and when I confessed to the lady she took me up in her arms and wept with me. After confessing the pain all disappeared.
When I was about eleven years of age it seemed that a voice was continually speaking to me and saying, ”You ought to be a better boy; I want you for a preacher.” I did not understand at the time that it was the Holy Ghost speaking to me. Mother often wept over me and said, ”Child, O child, what shall I do with you! You make me more trouble than all the other eight children put together.”
At the age of fifteen I was confirmed and at the following preaching service I was supposed to partic.i.p.ate in taking the Lord's supper (as was the custom of the church). Before that service I went out into the woods to pray. I asked the Lord to forgive me for partaking of the Lord's supper, for to refrain from taking it would bring disgrace upon my family.
From that time on, the Lord continued to talk to me, saying, ”You ought to be a better young man.” It seemed as though I could not be better at home in Norway so I determined to sail for America.
I had been in America about a year and a half when I met a distant relative who was thought to be lost in this country, because his family had not heard from him for two or three years. He invited me to go into a saloon with him and have a gla.s.s of beer. We went in, and also played several games of pool.