Growing Up in Horten
Karl Pedersen was born in Horten on July 6, 1884. His parents were Elise Karine and Anders Christian Pedersen. Karl was the youngest of four siblings, but the eldest sister, Sina, died as a child. Karl’s mother was a God-fearing woman and an active and industrious person. She belonged to the Methodist church and was a devoted churchgoer, and also held devotional meetings. Her fear of God and sincere care had a strong effect on Karl, and from his earliest childhood he felt himself drawn by God. His father was a noncommissioned officer and member of the Navy band, where he played clarinet and violin.
Connection to Johan Oscar Smith
Karl’s parents had a large house, and to supplement their income they rented out rooms in the house, preferably to navy men, of whom there were many in Horten, which was an important naval base. One of those who rented a room from the Pedersens was Johan Oscar Smith. He later married Karl’s older sister, Pauline.
When Johan Oscar Smith began his Christian preaching ministry, shortly after his conversion in 1898, Karl’s mother, Elise Pedersen, was one of the first to be gripped by his message. Smith preached powerfully about sanctification and an active Christian life. In time, he was also allowed to hold meetings in their house.
Karl married Leonore Larsen in 1907, and in 1910 the young couple also became part of Smith’s small group of believers. As time went by, the couple had ten children. The two eldest died young, but the other eight grew up. The eldest son, Elihu Pedersen, also became a well-known songwriter over the years, and traveled widely around Norway as a musical evangelist, often together with Aksel Johan Smith and Sigurd Bratlie.
Karl Pedersen’s Songs
Karl Pedersen wrote 6 songs that are published in the songbook “Ways of the Lord” today. His songs are often marked by strong and heartfelt exhortations to be fully surrendered to God. The gravity of life’s choices is emphasized, while at the same time the hope and promises found in the word of God are raised up. Having a longing for the kingdom of God to return to earth with power is also a recurring theme.
The last verse of the song “Go out from the camp! O go out to Him!” is illustrative of the message Karl Pedersen conveyed in his songs:
Go out from the camp, and take up your cross!
Fear not for the suff’rings—He’ll guide you.
O give God your spirit; your flesh crucify.
Demands from the flesh now and ever shall die.
/: Fear not! He is there right beside you. :/
The text of the song refers back to a quotation from the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 13: “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” Jesus was rejected by the rulers of this world because His kingdom was not of this world. In the same way, those who have been God-fearing in every age have found fellowship in rejecting what the prince of this world can offer them, because their kingdom is in heaven. Here the saints of every age have found each other in an unbreakable fellowship, with Jesus Christ and with one another.
Karl Pedersen was not himself particularly musical, but he often got help from his wife in finding suitable melodies for the songs he wrote. Several of the melodies for his songs are popular tunes from his own time. For example, the melody for “Go Out From the Camp” is a Swedish folk tune, while another of his songs, “Awake! O blessed bride of Christ,” is written to the melody of the well-known hit song “Emigrantvalsen.”
Karl Pedersen’s Memorial Speech for Johan Oscar Smith
When Johan Oscar Smith died in 1943, a memorial meeting was held for him after the funeral. At this memorial meeting, Karl Pedersen gave a short speech, in which he very fittingly summarized Johan Oscar Smith’s life’s work:
“Br. Smith loved God more than he loved people. He allowed the first commandment be first and greatest for him. He did not forsake his first love. This is why he was able to overcome the temptation to compromise the truth in order to please people and to gain followers. Otherwise, it can be extremely easy to show extra consideration to those who are esteemed and influential, and so on. Smith came free from all this wretchedness. And when someone has come out of it themselves, they are also able to help others come out. This was the secret of Br. Smith’s life. He was a man who could pave the way.”
Karl Pedersen’s Final Years
In the years following Johan Oscar Smith’s death, Karl Pedersen was elder of the church in Horten. He died in 1972, 87 years old. Aksel Johan Smith, Karl Pedersen’s nephew and Johan Oscar Smith’s son, and editor of Hidden Treasures, wrote a memorial for Karl Pedersen that was published in “Skjulte Skatter.” He wrote there, among other things:
“What characterized his preaching was Christ manifested in the flesh—the new and living way Jesus has opened. His enthusiasm over the Father’s foreknowledge—how He has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world was laid and has determined everything down to the smallest detail—anointed his preaching and increased with the years. He spoke a great deal about the end times, and especially from Revelation, and about Israel. He had a special grace in his preaching for finding simple and clear pictures for the truths he presented.”
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Frequently Asked Questions About Karl Pedersen:
Who Was Karl Pedersen?
Karl Pedersen was a Norwegian songwriter from Horten. He was born in 1884 and died in 1972. Karl Pedersen has a total of 6 songs in the songbook “Ways of the Lord.”
Who Wrote the Song “Go out from the camp! O go out to Him!”?
“Go out from the camp! O go out to Him!” was written by Karl Pedersen. The song was included in the songbook “Ways of the Lord” in 1932.
Which Songs Did Karl Pedersen Write?
Karl Pedersen wrote 6 songs that are included in the songbook “Ways of the Lord.” In addition to “Go out from the camp! O go out to Him,” he also wrote, among others, the song “Awake! O blessed bride of Christ.”
Where Did Karl Pedersen Live?
Karl Pedersen lived in Horten his entire life.
What Was Karl Pedersen’s Relationship to Johan Oscar Smith?
Johan Oscar Smith was married to Karl Pedersen’s sister, Pauline. Karl Pedersen was also part of Johan Oscar Smith’s Christian congregation.
