Predikare-Lena's sermons were based on apocalyptically visions of the salvation of the saved and the torment of the lost. Her gatherings drew a lot of people. The activity was regarded as unruly, but initially the authorities did not want to take stringent measures. In 1807 she was detained and taken to the city of Linköping. The Minister of the Castle admonitions of Helena was ineffective. At the Governor's initiative, she was sent to Vadstena hospital, where she was to be held doing "a decent job under mild treatment". However, she escaped during the first night and resumed her sermons for growing crowds.