From Kirkeberg’s "Minder fra Valdres"

Translators notes:

I won’t vouch for every bit of the translation, ut the general lines are clear I think. Forest Brown, Archivist, The Norwegian-American Historical Association, May 1, 2001.

Meiningen is a farm in Ulnaes ( parish, North Aurdal, kommune, Valdres), in the western part of the community. The one who originally cleared and built up this farm was called Ole. He came from a German noble family, Tauentzien, which in older time came from Denmark to Norway. One of the family was a captain in the Norwegian army.

Ole was an unassuming and dependable man, reliable in everything he did. It is told that when he began to clear the wilderness which he had become owner of, someone asked him if he really thought he could make a home for himself there. He answered, "yes, that is the intention." From that the place got its name. His diligent and persevering labor bore fruit: he made for himself a thoroughly cozy home.

Ole’s wife was Ingri Meiningen. She was born 1825. She was a buxom and solidly built woman of average height. She looked as healthy as a mountain rose. Her face expressed strength and energy. Her mouth had a feature of showing that when she said something she meant it.

She was a steadfast wife and a loving mother for her 10 children. That all her time and energy were taken up with homemaking chores was to her so far from a sacrifice that on the contrary it was a happiness to bear the loving burden. Ole was just as quiet and calm as Ingri was lively. The two supplemented each other and worked together going and coming. An internal peacefulness pervaded their lives.

At that time a quite strong spiritual darkness ruled the community. Now it is quite different. And no other place in North Aurdal was any better. Church attendance was not bad, but the strongest members complained about the preaching there, saying that they went away from church as empty as when they went there.

Ingri Meiningen attempted to gather some friends in her home so that by studying God’s word, praying and singing, they could build each other up. Very naturally this increased, and it was Ingri who was the leader and directed the discussion. In spite of the vulgarity which was common in the community, Ingri was full of burning fervor. It was noted that there stood a personality behind each word. She didn’t entertain with theories here or there, but it was the practical with secure features that she stayed with. When with glowing fervor she condemned sin, it was done in a practical manner, letting the sin speak for itself and show where it led a person to. And when she exhorted to repentance, she could show that it is always best for lost people to convert. One wouldn’t regret that step. She encouraged by saying that when the sin is great, the grace is greater.

An awakening (revival) followed her preaching. And much of that resulted from a personal Christian life and experience, which excited the deepest in the hearts of listeners.

As a 12 year old boy I heard on of Ingri’s sermons in my childhood home. I have several times heard Pernille Amble, the distinguished lay preacher Christian Amble’s wife; she was of almost majestic stature, which could have done well in aristocratic circles. But now Ingri stood up, a very typical farmer’s wife in all her appearance. There was singing, my father read from the Bible, said some words of exhortation, and led prayer. Again singing, and then Ingri came forward. She preached on the words, "Call upon me in your need, then I will save you and you will praise me." How she burned! It was not marvelous that he could set others afire also. After a hymn Erik North Vold preached. He was not used to speak in groups, he was so modest that he didn’t stand up but stayed sitting on the bench when he preached. Finally a closing hymn was snug, and people should leave. But people remained sitting; it was as if on one wanted to leave. So Ingri stood up again and said: "Now we have heard good things, but as they say, "one can not hear too much of good things." And she gave a plain sermon particularly about loving all people. It was heard and made an impression.

When I more than 40 years later visited Ingri in her home at Black Earth, I reminded her of all this. She remembered well the prayer meeting, but of the parts she especially remembered Erik Vold’s sermon.

Ingir was often invited to hold meetings around about the farms. Often she had many listeners. One must admire the willingness and the courage that inspired her. A trait I recently heard about her, that during a meeting she had an infant with her, whom she put aside when she stood to preach. During her sermon the baby began to cry, and it is told that she, without being disturbed in the least, tool the child and put it to her breast and left it there while she continued to preach.

She regarded her activity as a makeshift in this spiritually pro time. Finally pastor Melby was ordered to hire an assistant. And thus it happened that the young, highly gifted and zealous pastor J. N. Skaar came to the parish. When Ingri had heard him, she thanked God that she was no longer needed as a preacher: Pastor Skaar could do that so much better. She didn’t take this as a set-back; it was just what she wished. After that is was only seldom that she spoke in a gathering.

Pastor Skarr at least at this time was not a friend of layman’s work. He had a collision with many lay preachers, but they didn’t lose their respect or him. They prized hearing him, and had respect for him. Between him and the Meinings. family was a warm friendship. When he later became a bishop, he wrote a friendly letter to Ingri, expressing his devotion to his dear friends at Meiningen.

When their dear friend John Fjeld became a pastor in America, they began to think that they and their children should also emigrate there. In 1869 they took leave, after having exchanged many letters with Fjeld.

On the ocean the ship on which they traveled collided with another vessel, which split and sank. On the steam ship there was a wild excitement when people were afraid it also was damaged and would sink. Ole and Ingri stayed peacefully down in their room. One of their friends went down to them. There Ole sat giving a child food. What danger they were in. Ingri responded: "Wouldn’t you think it amusing if we now go to heaven, when we thought we were only going to America?"

They came through this well, and became neighbors of their dear friend and brother in faith, Pastor Fjeld. He was not at all the most good-natured fellow to work under. But they were devoted to God’s will and happy in their faith in Him. Ole died in 1896. Ingri lived on many years. She died in her home in Black Earth, Wisconsin in 1914, in her 90^th year. During her lengthily illness she required the best nursing from her two daughters Kari and Berthe.