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(1893) Out to this Far Off Land

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Johan gave formal notice to their church.

To the Fredrikshald Baptist Church,

Dear brothers and sisters!

Lord's peace!

The Lord Jesus Christ taught his disciples to pray for the harvest and the harvest would be good. The Lord was sending them to a big harvest. We have prayed more than once about this to the Lord. Hope you our friends are not surprised now that we let you know that we will be leaving the church. The church has known for a long time that me and my wife has said yes to the mission position among the heathens. You have also known that we have had communication with the Baptist church that we want to go out as missionaries to China. After many, many heartaches and prayers we have accepted the Lord's calling. Being we are always bound by time and room it shows that we cannot be in China and Norway at the same time, but with brotherly love I am therefore giving up my job at Fredrikshald Baptist Church from October 1 of this year. That the Lord will give the church another man who will bring you forth is our prayer. I am sure the Lord will give more than what we are praying for the Fredrikshald church. We hope that even though when we are leaving that we will be counted in your prayers and hope that we will have a big part in your memories and hearts. Bring down the Lord's blessing on you and the church and its work, my brotherly love and greetings.

Fridfrikshald 8 April 1893.

Their decision to leave for the mission field was upsetting both for their church in Norway and for their families. It was especially hard for their families. Missionaries sent to distant mission fields would most likely not see their families for several years if at all. Beside leaving their families it was difficult too for Hedvig and Johan to leave their church family. Hedvig writes:

Our hearts said, "Yes we want to go!," but it was not the easiest to leave our small church family in Fredrikshald. But after many prayers and reasonings we decided to pull up our roots and in God's name go out to this far off land.

The church members, also, were sad to see their pastor and his young wife leave. But the church had prayed that God send missionaries to foreign lands, so they could not in good conscience ask Johan and Hedvig to stay. Johan and Hedvig knew they had to leave. This calling was from the Lord.

From June 2 through 5 they attended the Baptist Conference in Göteborg. On June 3 they were presented along with teacher Anna Holtz1 to the Baptist conference as missionary candidates to China. Members of the conference prayed that God would give the three new missionaries high spirits and strength to help them to win the Chinese to the Lord.

Finding Financial Support

Now that Johan and Hedvig had been called they needed money. In August Johan and Hedvig started traveling to different churches in southern Sweden and the Danish capital of Copenhagen to raise money. Though God might want them in China, it would depend upon God's people to provide the financial support. Johan wrote of this trip to the mission paper.

I had the privilege of making a trip for the mission in the southern part of Sweden. It was for the purpose of seeing how many different churches would be interested in the heathens, therefore also taking collections for the same for us to preach that Christ was crucified.2

He first traveled to Trollhättan, then Halmstad, Helsingborg, Malmö, Hessleholm, Åhus and Kristianstad. In Kristianstad he joined a youth seminar with a welcome feast for the church's teacher, Brother E. Berg. Berg arrived from a six week vacation from the beach to begin his work again in Kristianstad. Coincidentally, the youth of the church were taking on China as their own special project, and the Sunday School collection was to go to mission work there. This church was an active one. Besides a strong interest in missions they were also just completing a new chapel.

From Kristianstad he traveled to Karlshamn and Karlskrona. In Karlshamn home of the "beer king" the large brewery had to be closed down due to new laws. The factory was now being used as a sugar factory, but some of the beer had not been sold out, Johan wrote jokingly, because "it looked like it went to the head of a lot of men living in Karlshamn."

In Karlskrona he found another little church that was working toward the China missions. From Karlskrona they went to Kalmar. Kalmar was a fairly large city, but had very few Baptists - only nine members. But even these nine members were able to give a little money for the work.

Continuing on to Oskarshamn he visited a little church, called Bethlehem Church, housed in a former theater. Theaters were not too popular among Baptists - they were considered to be worldly, perhaps sinful places. So to be preaching in a former theater which was now a church was unusual. "Strange, but a nice change!," Johan writes. Continuing on to Västervik Johan notes the piety of the people, and a good reception by the local press. "The people of Vestervik are used to going to [church]. Nobody is too fancy or too simple. The newspapers are all very kind. That's the way it should be."

In the town of Vimmerby the church was packed in a short time. Most the public was gathered. Everyone wanted to hear the "Norwegian pastor," perhaps not realizing that Johan was as Swedish as they were.

In Jönköping he was to hold a service, but there was "no room in the inn." Johan does not expound as to why they could not speak in that town. After visiting a few personal friends they went to some other churches and then finally in August home to Fredrikshald. It felt good to be home again.

Besides gaining some of the financial support they needed for China, they learned an important lesson. In Skåne and Blekinge Johan heard, "Greet Lindberg." In Småland people told him, "Greet brother Vingren." Linberg was known more to the people in Skåne and Blekinge because he had spoken more often there; similarly Vingren was known more in Småland. The lesson was clear. If a missionary wanted continued support from the people back home, he needed to visit the people and know them personally.

Johan felt good about the trip and the nice people they had met in the churches in southern Sweden. "Its a nice thing to do and feels good to travel as a China missionary in Sweden." The churches of Sweden responded to Johan's call to China. They were willing to support him and his wife. The time had come to leave for China.

Beside going to China another small event was have repercussions on their lives. In August or September Hedvig found she was pregnant. It was quite possible that their first child would be born in a foreign land. This was a future joy and present added concern.

Sunday, October 1, 1893, was their last day in Fredrikshald. The church congregation held a farewell party for Johan and Hedvig in their church Tabernaklet that evening. The event was announced in the paper.

Farewell Feast for
Pastor Rinell and wife
to be held "Tabernaklet" [førstk.]
Sunday the first of October 5:00 PM.
Several speakers.
Farewell sermon by Rinell.
Song, music [og bevaertning].
Welcome.

The church was full to overflowing. Ole Dahl, the church Elder, led the meeting, and spoke "very sympathetic about the time at hand its meaning and its wonders."3 Dahl spoke from the text "the years dearly bought."4 People were very sad to see Johan and Hedvig go because they had all become friends. "Everybody cried," Johan writes in his diary.

Johan got up and spoke. He quoted I Corinthians 6:20: "For ye are bought with a price." If Jesus gave His life for them, then they could give their life to Him by going to China.

The night of October 2 Johan and Hedvig boarded the train for Sweden. "Many of the church members and friends were with to the train station to see us off. The trains started. "Farewell - God bless you brothers and sisters," Johan writes.

In Sweden in their home towns of Rinna and Tensta they were to say good-bye to their family and friends, visit some churches and try to interest more friends in foreign missions.

The first good-bye was with Johan's brother-in-law and sister in Karlstad with their sons Erik and Birger.

Next stop was Rinna, a wonderful place for Johan with many memories all packed close together in his mind and heart. Happy days of childhood began and ended in Rinna. They arrived in Rinna Thursday, 12th of October. Johan preached at his sister's and brother-in-law's place in Jordsfälle, and held a mission lecture in Gärdslätts Mission Home and preached in Krokebo [or is it Krodstad? Check.]. "As a whole masses [of people] came to hear God's word and God's spirit could be felt. God help [that] these last seeds will bring many a harvest into God's kingdom," he wrote.

Wednesday, the 18th was the last day in the family home in Krokebo. "We were almost in fear of leaving," he writes, "but the Lord who answers prayers helped us both." It was hard to say good-bye, and "returning was strong in our hearts," Johan writes, "but we will see you again; we could feel that in our hearts." The farewells of course were quite emotional. They may actually never see each other again. This Johan's dear father knew all too well. With quivering voice and tears his father said to his son, "it probably is the last time we see each other here on earth. We are old and . . . we soon will separate from here. God help us that we anyway at last will meet in heaven." A thousand thoughts went through their minds and a thousands feelings through their hearts. Johan writes:

When will we return to Rinna? Under what type of situation. These and many more questions come from the heart, but only the future can give the answer. Fall then my soul in God's hands and let God worry both for you and your loved ones.

Next stop was Skyttorp, Hedvig's childhood home. They stayed almost eight days, and continued to hold meetings. Many people of Skyttorp came just out of curiousity to take a look at these soon-to-be missionaries to China. On one meeting Johan's topic was from Revelations 3:20 "Christ at the closed door." Again Johan felt the Lord was there knocking on the closed door of the hearts of many people listening to his sermon. Saturday the 28th of October was their last day in Skyttorp. It was again very difficult to say good-bye. Johan was especially concerned for those who had not given their hearts to God. "Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, save, save them all. Let us meet again [in heaven]."

On Saturday October 28 they left Skyttorp for Sweden's capital city, Stockholm, and Johan and Hedvig's last week in Sweden. Until they left Stockholm on the 7th Johan would attend committee meetings and speak at numerous church gatherings. The next morning on Sunday the 29th Johan spoke in Bethel Chapel where the people showed much love as Johan writes, and in the evening at the church, Tabernaklet. On Thursday the 2nd of November he spoke in a place on the street Storgatan and on Friday at a place on Garfvaregatan, and on Sunday Salem Chapel in the morning, and Ebeneser Chapel in the evening. Though this was a lot of speaking in a short time, he probably said about the same thing each time, so it was not too difficult.

Monday, November 6, 1893, would never be forgotten by Johan and Hedvig. On this day they were to be "given to the Lord and to the Heathens" at Bethel Chapel. This was their formal commissioning for missionary work at which time they would become the mission board's first mission family. Most the Baptist ministers in Stockholm encouraged their congregations to attend this big event in their denomination's history. Prominent leaders such as Broady, Drake and Lindblom who was the main speaker, and many Baptist pastors and church members were present.

After Lindblom spoke Johan got up and addressed the large audience.

Since I came into the chapel this evening the Holy Spirit has given me these words to say. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be happy." It has given me my heart's thoughts. This has now come to a place where my wife and I have always wanted to be since we were children in Jesus Christ witnessing to those heathens now has been fulfilled. I can remember when I was 3 or 4 years of age I sat in this church and had opportunity to hear a brother who was close to me that was leaving to preach to the heathens. I wanted to be happy with everybody else but my heart cried and sighed. Lord if I could be so happy that I could be in front of the heathens to preach your evangelical message. This is now the time has come and I cannot but be happy for it. My joy is entwined with a fear. This fear is not so much of being scared to "dress in a bloody shirt" but more that I can live up to the mission's hopefulness to represent God among the heathen.

During this weakness and fear we know that at home so many are upholding us in prayer too for us. We have in our travels met and felt those warriors and this feast tonight is another sign. It shall always be remembered in our hears.__May this love and enthusiasm never lessen. We need it in the future.

Think and know that we are human with weaknesses needing constant help to continue. Let us therefore find room in our hears and your Christian lives and love and most of all in your prayers for us.

Know that work we are going into is just as much yours as ours. "I want to step into the gold mine," said William Carey, "but you must hold the rope."So [boren?] also I do. [This is probably no the exact quote from Carey since this was translated from the Swedish which was translated from the English, and possibly only by memory].

Don't be scared if one or more of God's soldiers dies on the field. Remember the common saying, "The missionaries or martyrs blood isthe church's harvest." From their blood a harvest shall grow as the forest of Lebanon. If one falls many others will follow in his footsteps.

Our job is together with yours. So must the fruit harvest be with all of us when we together will joyously harvest the sheaves. May we be faithful to our God so that He will give us many [cheers?] to take home.

Johan Alfred's quoting the great missionary William Carey's words, "I will go down in the gold mine, but you should hold the ropes" he was saying by this that though he and Hedvig were the ones that were venturing out into the unknown, they depended upon those at home to hold the lifeline. This mission enterprise was a joint undertaking. They could not do it without those back home.

After Hedvig said a few words they both knelt before the congregation, the pastors placed their hands on Johan and Hedvig's heads, dedicating and praying for them as they start out in their mission to the people of China a half world away. Pastor Hedin spoke followed by several ministers who gave short speeches addressing the missionaries. Johan's former professor A. Drake also said to young Johan, "So strengthen you my son as your peace is in Christ Jesus."

The next day, Tuesday, they took the train from Stockholm on Sweden's east coast to Göteborg on the west coast to catch their boat to London. Though Stockholm was a port city, it would be much faster to take a train to Göteborg than to sail by boat around the southern coast of Sweden and then ship on to London. In Göteborg they stayed overnight in the home of David Börjesson who showed them "much love and help."

London was the next stop. They set sail on a ship called the Torsten from Göteborg on Thursday, November 9, leaving friends and family who they knew they would not see for many years. They were feeling a little insecure leaving all they had known in Sweden for unknown and unfamiliar China. "It is comforting," writes Hedvig, "when one leaves everyone and everything in our Lord's hands who has the power to protect and help. We also knew that most people were praying for us every day." 29

The Torsten was a small ship which could carry a maximum of fifty-five passengers, forty in first class and fifteen in second. Traveling with them were fellow missionary candidates, half of whom were bound for China and the other half for Africa. We may guess that the missionary candidates traveled in second class. It was reassuring to have fellow missionaries on board. In London they knew no one except Anna Holtz their future co-worker. Of those bound for China one was an electrical engineer, Albin Lindström from Vestervik who was to put in telephone systems.

The seas can be rough on the North Sea in November, espcially for such a small ship, but they were fortunate to have the best weather possible at that time of the year.

Arriving in London

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The Torsten
Enlarge

The Torsten , flying the flag of the union of Norway and Sweden, docked in London Saturday afternoon on the 11th of November. Johan Afred and Hedvig were full of "vim and vigor," and happy to have arrived in the "big city" that they had heard so much about.

Their first impression of London was the beggars greeting them as they got off the gangplank of the Torsten. Crowding around the missionaries the beggars said that they would allow them to pass if they were given a few pennies. Whether the beggars got their wish we do not know. The missionaries continued to the Scandinavian Seaman's Home where they were greeted more warmly. That same day they listened to sermons in the Seaman's Home by Seaman's missionary Julius Ljunggren and E.J. Ekman's son C.J. Ekman who are businessmen in London. The next day, Sunday, they attended their first English "mass" [at an Anglican church???].

Settling In

Until Johan Alfred and Hedvig could find themselves an English speaking home they stayed with their English teacher Mrs. Bond and her family at the Seaman's Home at 35 Tremlett Grove,94 10/13/08. Checked the web for mention of a seaman's home at this address. No luck. (See these 2 website for another Seaman's home: http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/conMediaFile.5334/The-Queen-Victoria-Seamens-Rest.html and http://www.eastlondonpostcard.co.uk/Features/seamen.htm Highgate in North London. The home of an English speaking family would help them with their early attempts at English. The others either lived with other families or at the mission. Mrs. Bond was a zealous missionary who was always helpful and committed to the missionaries who came to London. From her own place in London she influenced the spread of the Christian message elsewhere by writing missionaries on the field and encouraging them along in their work.

A Mrs. Walin gave them a lot of love and helped them throughout their stay in London. She, was said to have an important job with the sailors, was possibly a missionary to the Scandinavian seamen in London.

Language Study

By Wednesday, November 15, they began their language study, which would last three and and a half months. English would be far more useful than Swedish during their travels now and in the future, and in China.

Sending a letter to those in Sweden, they thanked those at home for the love they had shown, and asked for support in prayer during this time.

On December 9 Johan Alfred wrote to the Committee for Foreign Missions in Sweden. They had been in London now for a month. They were in good health he writes, thanks to God. They were studying English "as much as they can, and as much as they know how," and the results so far seem to be pretty good. But how much they had to look forward to they did not know. Their language studies were helped by the fact that they had decided to live with the English family. Here they were able to use their English far more than those who chose to live at the mission home. Students studied only half the day with the rest of the day free to do as they wished. This half day often spent with the English family encouraged them to use their English all the more. Eventually Johan Alfred was to speak English rather well, and Hedvig able to speak well, but reluctantly.

In and Around London

Most of Johan Alfred and Hedvig's time in London was taken up, of course, by language study. In their free time they visited nearby missions or visited busy London. On Sundays and Wednesdays they attended a church nearby with the family they were living with, who were baptist. The sermons were given by Jos. Stephens, a good speaker and well thought of.

They were not living far from two mission stations in London, the China Inland Mission founded by J. Hudson Taylor who had influenced Johan Alfred to go to China in the first place, and Betshan. Johan Alfred and Hedvig attended meetings in both places, and tried to "scrape up the few wheat kernels that have fallen to the side." Evidently, these two organizations tried to have a Christian influence on the people in London also. Johan Alfred and Hedvig were possibly trying to get some of the people of London "into the Kingdom."

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Spurgeons-Tabernacle
London, England
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Johan Alfred and Hedvig visited the grand Spurgeon's Tabernacle to hear the famous Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon's son, Tomas Spurgeon, speak about Christ commanding the storm to cease on the Sea of Galilee. They would remember this sermon later during their own times of crises. It was comforting to know that Jesus is in control of any circumstance, and he would take care of them in their own time of need. The Tabernacle in which they sat was an impressive neo-Gothic structure. Gracefully thin columns, supported ornante Corinthian capitals, from which delicately thin ribs vertically curved in support of the domed ceiling. Tall windows flooded the nave with light. With a capacity crowd of 6000 singing God's praises it sounded as though all had died and met again in heaven to praise God himself.

They also met Karl Vingren, the Mission's first pioneer. He was compelled after three years in China to return to Sweden on account of bad health. He stopped in London on his way back to Sweden.

They had been considering spending their last month in London at G.G's Mission Institute, thinking that this will help them in their future work in China. [Sentence in Swedish difficult to understand here.] However, they decided to leave for China in February; the spring time was a good time to sail. By then they hoped to be ready. However, to travel in February they had to buy their tickets in January. Johan Alfred wrote a letter to the mission board confirming their intention of continuing on to China - in case the mission board might think they might be having second thoughts. Johan Alfred also let the mission board know indirectly that they will be needing travel money a month earlier than their departure date.

För att emellertid kunna resa i febr. bör men redan i januari köpa biljett. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

In his letter Johan Alfred leaves blank spaces, probably indicating that as of this time there is no money with which to buy the tickets and travel to China. This seems always to be the missionary's dilemma. The missionaries feel that God is wanting them to go somewhere, but they do not have the money to go there, and do not know exactly where the money will be coming, and all this with the not always certain feeling that God would be providing it. The missionaries call this "stepping out in faith," and can be a rather stressful time.

Hedvig received word from Sweden that her father was very ill. He was sick with the flu before Christmas, recovered and became ill again in January with "thyroid fever (nerve illness)". For Hedvig the excitement of going to China combined, no doubt, with the fear of her father's health, and the desire to be back in Sweden to care for him. She was also about four months pregnant, which added to the mix of emotions.

Reflections on London

Johan Alfred and Hedvig's stay in London was not all taken up by language study. They also took in the sights of London. Thankfully, they were having unusually good weather that autumn with no rain and no unhealthy London fog. But still the weather of London is unpredictable. The Englishmen say: "If the sun shines in London you should bring your umbrella. If it rains, you can do whichever you please."

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Passengers disembark a tram
in Shepherd's Bush
London, England
1904
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Despite the changeable weather they took a little trip by horse and carriage into the city to see how the people in London lived. Highgate is on the outskirts of London so they had to travel a little ways to get downtown. The carriage wheels accompanied by horse's hoofs sounded like forever monotonous music on the cobblestone streets of London. In London they found a fast-paced ever-changing scene. It seemed to be fantastically 'sudden empty' [brådtom].

The simple worker or the fine dandy or the coquettish ladies all seem to have decided who could get there first. But why this rush? Yes, since everything is business. "Time is money and it is money that they want." The salesmen are running up and down the street ringing?? and screaming "buy, buy, buy." The product that is the worse is of course said to be the best.

The women of this 1890's metropolis are stylish.

I think perhaps that some men are always interested in the ladies' tiny waistline and their permed hair - or permed bangs [uppbrända lugg up-burned tufts] and feathers hanging all around. But I won't say much about that because that is the only beauty they have, and then what would it be if they don't even have that.

But the scene included not only the busy merchants, the 'dandy' (sprätten) or koketta women, but also innumerable beggars, some begging by playing music on the streets (London still has many street musicians), but also healthy men and women screaming for money up and down the streets, so incessantly that you want to give them money just so you would not have to listen to them any longer. Money given to them, however, was often spent in the pubs on drink - not only by men and women but even by children.

What a terrible life. Men women and children spend most of their time there. What will be the outcome? Rags, fights, tears and blood only show a part of the misery. It is horrible to see hair-raising drunkenness in its pure form. Sometime I have to say, "Lord for how long."

Alcohol was one of the well known curses of London.

Should we just check to see each saloon [patron] laying one next to each other, and all the uncountable games and whore houses or in the unhappy, drunk [?????]. Then you can almost say that London is Sodom and Gomorrah. ...the law is too slack and the people blinded where they almost bury themselves in this tragedy of drinking.

Evangelists including the Salvation Army too can be seen occasionally on the streets handing out religious tracts inviting people to weekly meetings. Even the members of the state church sometimes tried to help the needy, "But what is that over there in the white shirt? That is the state priest who also sometimes dares to go out onto the street to seek his public," Johan Alfred writes.

On Sundays something completely different happens. All is quiet.

Even the mail and telegrams lay over until Monday. "It is not a Sunday job," the Englishmen say. On Sunday people are supposed to go to church, whatever church they happen to desire. There you will find a nice caring usher who will find you a place to sit [you down] and hand you a song book and a Bible." The audience arrives punctually, and the service starts on time. The songs are simple and nice to listen to. People are attentive to the Bible reading and everyone follows along in their own Bible or the one the usher provides for them.

Christmas in London was observed in a simple manner. The English high churches were decorated with flowers and greenery. The free churches, which would include the Baptist churches, were closed. Johan Alfred surmised that this was a reaction to the Catholic churches that were becoming more popular at the time in London. Turkey was served for the Christmas meal.

Religion in London

There are a lot of churches in London, but this does not mean that London is a particularly religious city. Many of those who go to church are only "Sunday Christians". It is difficult to get the people to come out during the week for instance.

Often you see them sit together for coffee, tea or a little bit of fruit or perhaps something else instead of sitting at the Father's table and eating the holy spirit's fruit.

Missions in London help bring more people into the church. Home missions and the overseas missions go hand-in-hand with each other. Every month more missionaries are sent out with small or large number of missionaries. Special meetings for the heathen missions are heard often. The churches and missions were often involved in particular issues. At that time in London much concern was focused on the opium question in other parts of the world.

You would think that the world has gotten enough of this snake's venom. For not long ago a large protest meeting was held in Ceylon where Buddhist, Hindus, Mohammedans and Christians took part. The service was held against all selling of opium. Many columns of writings were held and sent out through the press. Wishing that everyone would read the 'newspaper war' without the state needing to be in on the opium war.

The youth of London and other cities was also of concern to the churches. Johan Alfred writes of a conference starting the following year in June being held in Exeter Hall belonging to the YMCA in London. Two thousand members representing from twenty-three different lands were to attend. Lectures held by the most popular speakers, some of whom were even known in Sweden, were to be present. The conference would celebrate the 50th year jubilee and the YMCA an organization working in 5150 cities of the world.

Footnotes

1. Thou Lord Art My Rock: the Diary of Hedvig Rinell, page 8.

2. Johan Alfred was traveling with at least one other person, but it is not stated if this was Hedvig. He writes that "I had the privilege of a trip for a mission in the southern part of Sweden" which implies that Hedvig was not with him. Oscar thinks that Hedvig probably did not go with him at this time. However in his diary Johan states that "we had the privilege . . ." implying that Hedvig to go with him.

3. Johan Alfred Rinell. "På rundresebiljett." [Roundtrip ticket]. Vecko-Posten, No. 35, 1893.

4. Where David and Lisa Colldén live.

5. Len, check this out. A little confusing.

6. Old spelling is "Vestervik."

7. Don't know if this was before or after Johan's trip through Sweden. Checking the date of the article he wrote about his travels might tell us.

8. Possibly this is the word for "hall."

9. Don't know what paper this was in. The announcement, however, could be photocopied and put directly into the book.

10. In his Jag är född i Krokebo Johan mentions that this gathering is in Vecko Posten #41, 1893 entitled Det Stora Köpet [the Big Buy]. check this Len.

11. Johan adds here, "Herren hjälpe dem!" or "Lord help them!" We don't know why the Lord need to help them: Jag är född i Krokebo, page 22.

12. Dollan mentioned in 1992 that the place still exists. was this a home or what?

13. Jag är född i Krokebo, page 23.

14. Jag är född i Krokebo, page 23.

15. Jag är född i Krokebo, page 23.

16. Rinell, Johan Alfred. Jag är född i Krokebo, Jag Âr f·dd i Krokebo, page 116.

17. May want to add somewhere in thext that Johan prayed silently to himself, "Lord, may we so live that we all meet together again in heaven." See Johan's Jag är född i Krokebo, about page 24.

18. Rinell, Johan Alfred. Jag är född i Krokebo, page 24.

19. Len, check on exact Swedish word here- slitande.

20. Rinell, Johan Alfred, Jag är född i Krokebo, page 25.

21. "Kina-missionen. [Part of the article is torn off on the left side. With a little investigation it may be possible to give more exact locations as to where Johan Alfred spoke.]

22. Rinell, Johan Alfred, Jag är född i Krokebo, page 25.

23. Unmarried individuals had been commissioned previously: Vingren and Lindberg for China and Sjöblom for the Congo.

24. Missions -- och farvälmöte, n.d., n.page

25. Oscar, did you find a copy of his speech?

26. Rinell, Johan Alfred, Jag är född i Krokebo, page 26-30. Len, see if you missed anything in this speech. Most of it may need to go into an appendix, and simply quoted from.

27. Check quotes on this page. They don't match exactly.

28. Thou Lord Art My Rock: the Diary of Hedvig Rinell, page 8-9.

29. Post card above is of a ship called the Thorsten found at the following website: http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SwedishLloyd/Thorsten_1883-04.jpg. According to the website "She joined the newly-acquired London service of Thule Line in 1882, carrying 55 passengers (40 First [class], 15 Second [class])." The Thule Steamship Company had been formed in Gothenburg in 1870. Considering the name of the ship, dates, and ports match with Johan and Hedvig's itinerary, we can be pretty certain this is the ship they sailed on from Göteborg to London. For other photos of the Thorsten see: http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SwedishLloyd.html#anchor1339255. NOTE: a higher image resolution of this image can purchased for $50 from the following Simplon webpage: http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Copyright.html.

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Footnotes

  1. Anna Holtz was later to become Mrs. J.E. Lindgerg.

  2. The citation of this may be: "On roundtrip ticket," in Veckoposten , no35, 1893.

  3. Probably from Johan Alfred's diary Jag är född i Krokebo.

  4. This probably a Bible text. The whole speach can be found in Veckoposten, No. 41, 1893, and under the title 'The big deal.' Len find this article.

NOTE: The number of the footnotes start at number one again because those below were cut and pasted from another chapter. Unforunately, the footnote numbers in the text were eliminated at some time when the chapter was moved from one software application to another.

1. The sequence of this chapter is partly depended upon the chronology of the articles the Johan Alfred wrote. Though most don't have a date, you might double check the sequence by the order of the articles in Johan Alfred's collection of articles.

2. They all traveled tourist class because it was cheaper.

3. Johan's diary seems to indicate that Mrs. Bond's home was at the Seaman's (or Sailors) Home. See Diary, page 31-32.

4. J.A Rinell. "En helsning från London," November 15, 1893. [Published but do not know at this time what the periodical was.]

5. Johan Alfred Rinell. "Från London," December 9, 1893.

6. Lally feels that Hedvig's English was better than Johan Alfred's.

7. Len, what mission was the Betshan mission? Neither Oscar, Dollan or Lally knows.

8. Len, Check this translation.

9. Luke 8:23

10. Johan Alfred Rinell. Från London, December 9, 1894 [Date of Johan Alfred's letter, not the date it was published.]

11. Johan Alfred Rinell, "Ögonblicksbilder från London," n.d.?

12. Was there an Underground between London and Highgate at this time?

13. Johan Alfred wrote this in English followed by Swedish.

14. Johan Alfred Rinell "Ögonblicksbilder från London." 2nd Part. n.d.

15. Johan Alfred Rinell, "Ögonblicksbilder från London," n.d.?

16. Johan Alfred Rinell, "Ögonblicksbilder från London," n.d.?

17. Johan Alfred Rinell "Ögonblicksbilder från London." 2nd Part. n.d.

18. Johan Alfred Rinell "Ögonblicksbilder från London." 2nd Part. n.d.

19. Johan Alfred Rinell. "Missionär Rinell skrifver . . ." , n.d. [This is not actual title of the article but the first words of an introduction by the editor for a letter from Johan Alfred Rinell.].

20. Len, verify that these are provinces.

CHAPTER

Foreign Devils: A Swedish Family in China 1894 to 1951
© 2012-14 Lennart Holmquist
Lorum • Ipsum• Dolor • Sic Amet • Consectetur

Updated: 10-Feb-2017

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