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Thomas Olsen Eidem

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Birth	:	24 Sep 1813 Meråker kommune, Nord-Trøndelag fylke, Norway
Death	:	8 Mar 1889 Union County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Saint Paul Cemetery, Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.7641983, -96.7061005
Description	:	Church book "Stjørdal: 1797-1815, Ministerialbok" confirms the Birth info. Family in 1865 census at the farm Eidem in Selbu: Thomas Olsen 54, Ranni Nilsdatter 32, ..Anne Thomasdatter 10, ..Olive Thomasdatter 6, ..Nikoline Thomasdatter 4, ..Petrika Thomasdatter 2. Thomas Olsen Eidem Is not this brand plucked out of the fire? Zech. 3:2 This singular man of God and powerful lay-evangelist left us more than 50 years ago. Besides his spiritual gifts, he was a mind-reader and a dramatist. Incidents and anecdotes from his life and... Read More	Church book "Stjørdal: 1797-1815, Ministerialbok" confirms the Birth info. Family in 1865 census at the farm Eidem in Selbu: Thomas Olsen 54, Ranni Nilsdatter 32, ..Anne Thomasdatter 10, ..Olive Thomasdatter 6, ..Nikoline Thomasdatter 4, ..Petrika Thomasdatter 2. Thomas Olsen Eidem Is not this brand plucked out of the fire? Zech. 3:2 This singular man of God and powerful lay-evangelist left us more than 50 years ago. Besides his spiritual gifts, he was a mind-reader and a dramatist. Incidents and anecdotes from his life and preaching are being told yet-after fifty years. Those who heard him once never forgot him. A volume might be written on him. But I shall only select a few touches. These I have mostly from such old friends as A. J. Krogstad, I. S. Olson, 0. H. Oace, Hans Lybeck, and a few others. First incident which led to his conversion. He was skiing on a lake and went through the ice with his skis on and a big pack tied to his back. No human help was near. He cried to God for mercy and help. He was saved as by a great miracle. His conversion followed-in 1835. Soon he was out preaching the Gospel-from about 1836 till 1889 -or some 53 years. He made it a point to visit outlying places and settlements, where nobody else would come. He would go from house to house, from place to place-always witnessing, often persecuted, never giving up. Many were converted. Thomas Eidem was born at Meraker, near Trondheim, September 24, 1813. He married Randi Hovstad in 1854. They lived awhile at Eidem in Selbu parish, hence his name. They came to America with a growing family in 1866-- settling near Elk Point, S. D. She died already January 16, 1878--leaving him with at least nine motherless children. Eidem continued his blessed ministry here among us visiting no doubt every congregation in the former Hauge Synod. He did not bother about invitations-if he had one, good and well, if not he went out with the life-line just the same. He was always welcome by God's earnest people and by the layman's pastors. Second incident-from a revival meeting. Old Eidem was leery of superficial conversions. It had to go deep. In an awakening in Minnesota there was much urging and personal work to lead souls to Christ. Among others, a man seemed under conviction. He was pointed to Jesus by several, but all in vain. So they asked Eidem to speak to him. After a short conversation Eidem broke out in his blunt and outspoken way: "There is too much dead flesh ("daukjott") in you to be saved. Moses got to come with his ten rods (10 commandments) and pound the life out of you." In that way the man was wounded so deeply by the law, through Eidem, that he came into real distress. A little later he was gloriously converted. Eidem led the souls to Sinai first, then to Calvary. But he certainly also could speak to the Christians, explaining the work of the Spirit in his singular way till tears trickled down their faces, and their hearts were greatly blessed. Third incident-plucking a brand out of the fire. Once there was a despairing sinner, whom the Christians had tried to help by talking to him about Jesus and the love of God, but he became more and more hardened in his despair, till he refused to see anyone-locking his door. Eidem came and knocked at his locked door and said who he was. The man cried out: "I don't want to see you and hear any more about the grace of God, that you men are peddling out!'' Eidem cried back: "I am not come to talk to you about the grace of God at all. That is not for you. You are a child of the devil and a brand for the fire of hell. And that is exactly what you have deserved." But now the despairing man opened the door at once, saying: "Come in! You are the first man that ever told me the truth." They became great friends. Eidem led him to Calvary. The man died as a true Christian not so long after- ward. What a shining star in brother Eidem's crown! Fourth incident-compelling them to come in. - Luke 14:23. Eidem knew how to do this-as no one else, through divine grace and through his almost miraculous insight into human nature. Once he came to a very sick man, who did not care to hear about salvation, but turned his face to the wall. As soon as Eidem came into the sick-room he started to undress, crept into the bed under the bed-clothes with the sick man, saying nothing for quite a while. Then-putting himself in the man's place-he began to moan, groan and sigh very deeply. Then he began to lament and cry out to God in a broken voice: "I am a sick man and perhaps I must die. But I am not ready. If I die in this condition, I am sure to go to hell and be lost forever.'' Then he began to confess that he was a big sinner and cry to God for mercy - all in the sick man's stead - until he could stand it no longer and began to cry to God for salvation himself-and found peace with God. We can just imagine that the economic condition of our dear brother was not an easy one. Large family. Small income. No salary. Just free gifts as the people felt like giving. But they got along. He prayed much and shed many tears for the salvation of his many children. For he was a man of prayer. Often he was heard to pray for hours in the stillness of the night. Eidem had an exceptionally good memory. Toward the end of his blessed career, when his eyesight was failing, he could read by heart, not only a few verses, but whole chapters without mistakes. His very last speech was on the laborers in the vineyard. A fitting theme to wind up on. He was sick for about two weeks. Some say he had a great spiritual struggle and "the fearful breakers roared'' as he neared the River. At any rate he had a blessed peace in his heart the last days of his life. A close, personal friend of his wrote that "he took a very touching leave of his five children present at the death-bed. His oldest daughter, Mrs. Ringsrud asked : 'Do you believe you are going to Jesus, father?' "Yes," he answered with a heavenly smile (saligt smil). Toward the release of the soul a wonderful expression of holy calm, heavenly peace and transformation seemed to rest over his face. Finally the spirit took its flight-and went home to God, washed in the blood of the Lamb.''--Thus far his friend. He died near Elk Point, S.D., May 8, 1889, age 76. His close friend and pastor, Gunnar Graven, had charge of the funeral. He spoke on old Simeon's prayer in Luke 2: "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." Paul's description of a true servant of God fits our beloved brother in a very striking way: "In honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as unknown, yet well-known ; as poor, yet making many rich." Blessed be the memory of Thomas Olsen Eidem! "What a wonderful meeting when the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore!'' May his many children and their families which he prayed for and wept over "be there--in answer to his prayer." [Source: Torkel (#48106268) The Hauge Movement in America]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Thomas Olsen Eidem's memorial?
Thomas Olsen Eidem's memorial is located at: Saint Paul Cemetery, Elk Point, Union County, USA.
When did Thomas Olsen Eidem death?
Thomas Olsen Eidem death on 8 Mar 1889 in Union County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Thomas Olsen Eidem's memorial?
Latitude: 42.7641983
Longitude: -96.7061005

Family Members:

Spouse

Randi Nielsdatter Hofstad Eidem

(1834 - 1878)

Children

Anne Eidem Ringsrud

(1856 - 1927)

Olaf Eidem

(1874 - 1950)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Paul Cemetery
Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7641983, -96.7061005

2. Union County Poor Farm Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7649210, -96.7077580

3. First Brule Creek Cemetery
Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7943993, -96.7069016

4. Richland Cemetery
Richland, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7682991, -96.6624985

5. Gores Bluff Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8035069, -96.6260468

6. Ahlsborg Lutheran Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8228000, -96.7612000

7. Brule Creek Cemetery
Spink Township, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8346510, -96.7324350

8. Dowlin Cemetery
Burbank, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7789001, -96.8107986

9. Westfield Township Cemetery
Westfield, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7510986, -96.5914001

10. Elk Point Cemetery
Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6794586, -96.6794586

11. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6794014, -96.6797028

12. Mills Family Cemetery
Westfield, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7188460, -96.6019280

13. Pleasant Hill Cemetery Old
Spink, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8588462, -96.7215592

14. Saint Mary Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8520584, -96.7877502

15. Saint Agnes Cemetery
Vermillion, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7872009, -96.8499985

16. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Spink, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8741000, -96.6876000

17. Ionia Cemetery
Newcastle, Dixon County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6893997, -96.8300018

18. Gibb's Cemetery
Newcastle, Dixon County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6985100, -96.8518400

19. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Akron, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8232300, -96.5374800

20. Riverside Cemetery
Akron, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8367004, -96.5453033

21. Dewitt Cemetery
Ponca, Dixon County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6248000, -96.7437500

22. Bluff View Cemetery
Vermillion, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7714000, -96.9056000

23. Saint Agnes Calvary Cemetery
Vermillion, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7715900, -96.9072100

24. Saint Peter Greenfield Cemetery
Vermillion, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8608017, -96.8644028