He was the only Christian I have ever known of whom that could be truly said.
People stood in deep dread of him on that account; for they thought that there must be something supernatural about him, else he could not be so bold and so confident.

All men speak in bitter disapproval of the Devil, but they do it reverently, not flippantly; but Father Adolf's way was very different; he called him by every name he could lay his tongue to, and it made everyone shudder that heard him; and often he would even speak of him scornfully and scoffingly; then the people crossed themselves and went quickly out of his presence, fearing that something fearful might happen.
Father Adolf had actually met Satan face to face more than once, and defied him.

This was known to be so.

Father Adolf said it himself.

He never made any secret of it, but spoke it right out.