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reavement, by which my six brothers and sisters and myself became orphans, afflicted me so much, that I was again seized with a serious illness, which lasted for upwards of a quarter of a year. After my recovery, I was asked by my guardian, what trade I should like to learn? On my expressing a desire to study, he replied, that the requisite means were wanting; and even my request, that he would allow me to enjoy some further instruction in writing and arithmetic, previous to my entering upon business, was, to my great disappointment, refused. My inclination to study proceeded from the opinion which I entertained, that in the clerical profession, it would be easier for me to secure the salvation of my soul. This, however, I did not feel at liberty to mention to my guardian, who had ever shewn an extreme aversion to my religious tendencies. In the mean time, a cousin of mine had come on a visit to us, who, being in comfortable circumstances, and having no children of his own, offered to adopt me as his child. He engaged to teach me the tailor's business, which was quite in accordance with my guardian's wishes, but by no means suited my own inclination, especially because the meetings of the awakened, of whom I had heard many unfavorable reports, were held in my cousin's house. I was, however, obliged to obey, and accordingly went to my cousin, who gave me a cordial welcome. He was a sensible man, and a faithful follower of our Savior. As regards the religious meetings, I was at perfect liberty to attend them, or to absent myself from them, as I thought fit. At first I kept aloof; but, on one occasion, my cousin took an opportunity of relating to me the circunstances of his own awakening, and said to me, with much feeling, "My dear son, if you wish to be an heir of eternal life, you must become savingly acquainted with Jesus." These words made a deep impression upon my mind; I became seriously concerned about the salvation of my soul, and began to attend the meetings. I had, however, no real and abiding peace; and the consciousness of my want of faith in Jesus' merits and death convinced me, that as long as I remained in this condition, I could not be an heir of heaven. In this troubled state of mind, I spent many a sleepless night; and yet I could not summon courage to communicate the matter to my relative, who inquired after the cause of my depression, because I regarded my state as too awful to be mentioned to any one. Our Savior, however, did not leave me long in this distressing condition. While spending a sleepless night in great anguish of soul, I rose from my bed, fell on my knees, and cried, "O Jesus, if it be true that thou art the Savior of lost sinners, reveal thyself to my poor sinful heart as my Redeemer." My cry was heard; the peace of God was shed abroad in my heart in an inexpressible manner, and I felt as if I heard a voice saying unto me, "Be not afraid, only believe; for thee also I received the wounds in my side, my hands, and my feet." I passed the rest of the night shedding

tears of gratitude and joy. The next morning, my cousin perceived at once what had taken place within me; he threw himself round my neck, and we wept together for joy.

Not long afterwards, we were visited by br. Laubinger, from Neuwied, and the accounts which he gave us of the Brethren's Church, excited an ardent desire on my part to become a member of it. I did not, however, feel at liberty to communicate my wish either to my cousin or to my aunt, who had formed quite different plans respecting my future career. The latter wished me to marry her sister's daughter, and promised to leave us the whole of her property. At this critical period of my life, 1 was forcibly struck by that solemn passage of Holy Writ, "What doth it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" I could not think of acceding to the proposal of marrying a vain, worldlyminded person; and frankly declared, that I wished to join the Brethren's Church. At this my aunt took great offence, and she endeavored to assert the rights of a parent over me. As all her efforts to attain her object proved fruitless, she one day shewed me all her stores and wealth, saying, "All this is yours, if you will solemnly pledge yourself never to leave us." I thought of the solemn words above mentioned, and found it impossible to consent. Hereupon, she grew so angry, that I could not withhold the promise she required, though my heart was decidedly adverse to it. Meanwhile, my cousin had come home, and found us both in tears. On hearing the cause, he took me by the hand, and said, "You must be aware, my son, of our good intentions towards you; but if you are of opinion that you cannot obtain your salvation in my house, I will not prevent you from following your own convictions; at the same time I must tell you, that you will never inherit a farthing from us." The language of my heart then was, "I will make haste and save my soul.' My position in my cousin's house became every day more uncomfortable. Br. Laubinger was continually represented to me as a seducer, though he had frequently urged me to remain with my cousin, and had endeavored to convince me, that I could live unto the Lord in my present situation just as well as in the Brethren's Church; still I felt an inward call to join the Brethren, and would gladly have removed to them without delay. As br. Laubinger did not intend to return to Neuwied till Easter, 1766, I went to Arolson to my sister, in whose house I had much to endure, especially on the part of my guardian, who was greatly dissatisfied with me for disregarding my temporal interests and joining the Brethren, without any certain prospect for the future. On March 2d, 1766, I received the cheering intelligence from a friend, that br. Laubinger had written to him to say, that I must be in Cassel by March 16th, if I wished to travel with him. I wept for joy, and immediately commenced preparations for my journey. I applied to my guardian for a portion of my small

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means to defray my travelling expenses, but met with a flat refusal. My sister, however, did what lay in her power to assist me; and I left Arolsen on March 13th, with fifteen shillings in my pocket. We reached Neuwied the day before the Passion-week. The first time I attended a meeting there, I was charmed by the devotional singing of the congregation, and I felt as if I were enjoying a foretaste of heavenly bliss. The meetings of the Passion-week were blessed to my soul in an inexpressible manner, and I felt very happy in the midst of these children of God. My feelings may, consequently, be readily conceived, when I informed br. Koenigsdoerfer how happy I felt, and received the answer, that I must soon think of returning to my cousin, who was anxiously expecting me. I then perceived that the Brethren had been informed of what had passed between my cousin and myself, and I begged earnestly for permission to remain. My request, however, met with a refusal and it was represented to me, how unhappy I should be if I were ever to repent of taking this step. Being firmly convinced of my call to the Brethren's Church, I declared, in a very positive manner, that I would never leave the congregation, but continue to lay my request before the Brethren till they should have pity upon me. To this the Brethren replied, that they would take my request into consideration; but that they were unable to help me. Day and night I cried to the Lord for help. As I had spent all my money, I requested the Brethren to procure me some work, offering to turn hands to anything that might be required of me; and I was directed to apply to the gardener, from whom I soon obtained work. Not being accustomed to this kind of labor, I found it very difficult; but I did not complain, lest I should be sent back to my cousin ; and, amidst all my difficulties, I was cheerful and happy in the Lord. The Brethren, however, soon perceived that the work was too heavy for me, and advised me to learn the tailor's business. I followed their advice, though it was contrary to my inclinations, and was soon able to earn a scanty livelihood. On July 8th, 1766, I was received into the congregation; on which occasion I made a new surrender of myself to my Savior. The Brethren rejoiced with me, and my heart overflowed with gratitude for the privileges which had fallen to my lot. As, however, some time elapsed before I received permission to partake of the Lord's Supper, I felt very downcast, and even began to doubt whether the grace I had received was real I mentioned my case to br. Koenigsdorfer, who gave me some brotherly advice, and pointed out to me that self-love was the source of my unhappiness. This led me to institute a searching self-examination. I discovered the greatness of my depravity, but was, at the same time, led to look to the Savior with more childlike confidence. On September 16th, 1767, I partook of the holy communion with the congregation.

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In 1769, I was called to serve the Lord in the children's school,

where I continued till the end of March, 1774, when I received a call to labor among the Copts, in Egypt, in the room of the late br. Danke. Our Savior enabled me cheerfully to accept this call in humble reliance on His gracious support. After Easter, I travelled from Neuwied to Barby, and proceeded thence, in company with br. Roller, through Switzerland and France. At Marseilles, we were detained for six weeks, and did not set sail till July 18th. On the 28th we entered the harbor of Alexandria. I shall never

forget the impression produced upon my mind, on first beholding the natives, and hearing their language. And this strange language I was to learn, that I might be able to proclaim to these benighted souls the glad tidings of salvation. To our great comfort, we soon saw br. Antes, who had come from Cairo to meet us. On August 28th, we reached Cairo, where we were cordially welcomed by the brethren Hocker and Herman. I found, however, such difficulty in learning Arabic, that on one occasion, I gave it up in despair. Hereupon br. Hocker asked me, whether I had laid the matter before our Savior in prayer. "Often," I replied, "Well," said he, "do so once more, and I will pray with you. Our Savior has said, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." I followed his advice in simplicity, and, from that time, I made such rapid progress, that, in nine months, I was commissioned to proceed to Behnesse, where I remained five months. On my return I was able to give br. Hocker an account of my proceedings in Arabic; and we united in thanking our Savior, for enabling us to bear testimony to His name in that language. I also had the pleasure to perceive, that the Word of the Cross found entrance into the hearts of not a few among the Copts; and our Savior gave me the courage and resolution to devote my life, at whatever risk, to the winning of souls for Him. In a few weeks, I returned to my solitary post, where, amidst all my trials and privations, I was daily cheered by close communion with our Savior. Every day I held a meeting with the Copts, which was numerously attended: nor did our Savior withhold His blessing from us. I visited frequently in the neighborhood, and had many an opportunity of directing such as were concerned about the salvation of their souls to their Savior and Redeemer. On one occasion, I experienced the Lord's support in an extraordinary manner. Having been requested to visit a sick woman one night, I was obliged to swim across a lake, which lay between,-a thing which I had never ventured to do before. I commended myself to the Lord's protection; and, leaning on my companion, reached the opposite bank in safety, though greatly fatigued.

After making another stay of five months at Behnesse, I again returned to Cairo. Altogether, I spent eight years alternately at Behnesse and Cairo. Whenever I quitted the former place, I was

accompanied to a considerable distance by upwards of 200 people, who took leave of me with much affection.

It is well known, that it is strictly forbidden to converse with a Musselman on religious subjects; yet, whenever opportunities offered, we gladly embraced them, and, frequently, with success. I will mention one incident, which I never call to mind without feelings of the deepest gratitude. We were once walking in a large garden on the banks of the Nile, when we met the proprietor, a man of high rank, who accosted us in a very friendly manner, and asked us whether we were all Brethren, and whether we had the same religion. On our replying in the affirmative, he turned to me and said, "Why do you wear a beard, whereas your Brethren do not? You must be a priest?" He would not believe me, when I told him that it was merely a matter of convenience, but replied: "You are a priest, do not detain my soul. I have prayed to Almighty God, to make me acquainted with a man who could tell me what I must do to be saved; and I have received the answer from Him, thal a man would come into my garden, who would satisfy my desires on the subject. You are that man, I am convinced; tell me frankly, whether I am not right?" I inquired, "Why not, as you are a Mahometan, consult the priests of your own religion?" To this he rejoined: "I am firmly convinced, that we followers of Mahomet are not in the right way; there must be another way leading to salvation, and you must point it out to me. I am well aware, that our lives are forfeited if our present conversation were ever made known; but you have nothing to fear: I am an honest man-not a word shall ever escape my lips." While making this urgent appeal to me, he was so deeply affected, that I was moved with the deepest compassion. "Well," said I, "I will tell you what a Christian must do to be saved." He then walked with me under a fig-tree, and said: "Come, O man of God, here where I have so often prayed unto God, you must tell me what I must do." With fervent prayer to the Lord for His blessing I related to this benighted man, what God has revealed to us in His Holy Word, dwelling at large on the redemption which Christ wrought out for us by dying for our sins on the cross. The Aga listened to me with much attention; and when I told him that Jesus had ascended into heaven before the eyes of His disciples. he lifted up his hands and exclaimed, "O Jesus, who sittest at the right hand of God, have mercy upon me: be also my Savior." This prayer he repeated several times, with tears of deep emotion. Our Savior graciously favored him with the assurance of pardon, and a sense of peace. He frequently exclaimed with much fervor, "Lord Jesus, I see thy wounds. Thou art also my Savior." The following morning, before day-break, we were not a little alarmed, on seeing this Turkish nobleman with a numerous train before our door. I hastened to meet him, and asked why he had brought so

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