say that we went as
far as Mount Rigi in Switzerland, by the way of Erfurt, Frankfort,
Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Zurich, and returned by the way of Constance, Ulm,
and Nuremberg. Forty-three days we were, day after day, traveling, almost
always on foot. I had now obtained the desire of my heart. I had seen
Switzerland. But still I was far from being happy. The Lord most
graciously preserved us from many calamitous circumstances, which, but for
His gracious providence, might have overtaken us. But I did not see His
hand at that time, as I have seen it since. Sickness of one or more of us,
or separation from one another, which might have so easily befallen us,
would have brought us, being so far from home, and having but just as much
money as was absolutely needed, into a most miserable condition. I was on
this journey like Judas; for, having the common purse, I was a thief. I
managed so, that the journey cost me but two-thirds of what it cost my
friends. Oh! how wicked was I now. At last all of us became tired of
seeing even the most beautiful views; and whilst at first, after having
seen certain scenes, I had been saying with Horace, at the end of
the day, in my pagan heart, "Vixi," (I have lived), I was now glad to
get home again.

September 29th we reached Halle, from whence each of us, for the
remainder of the vacation, went to his father's house. I had now, by many
lies, to satisfy my father concerning the traveling expenses, and
succeeded in deceiving him. During the three weeks I stayed at home I
determined to live differently for the future. Once more the Lord showed
me what resolutions come to, when made in man's strength. I was different
for a few days; but when the vacation was over, and fresh students came,
and, with them, fresh money, all was soon forgotten.

At that time Halle was frequented by 1260 students, about 900 of whom
studied divinity, all of which 900 were allowed to preach, although, I
have reason to believe, not nine of them feared the Lord.

The time was now come when God would have mercy upon me. His love had
been set upon such a wretch as I was before the world was made. His love
had sent His Son to bear the punishment due to me on account of my sins,
and to fulfill the law which I had broken times without number. And now at
a time when I was as careless about Him as ever, He sent His Spirit into
my heart. I had no Bible, and had not read in it for years. I went to
church but seldom; but, from