erate persons in
the congregation can comprehend the discourse, the most educated will
understand it too; but that the reverse does not hold true.

It was not till three years afterwards that I was led, through grace, to
see what I now consider the right mode of preparation for the public
preaching of the Word. But about this, if God permit, I will say more when
I come to that period of my life.

I now preached frequently, both in the churches of villages and towns,
but never had any enjoyment in doing so, except when speaking in a simple
way; though the repetition of sermons, which had been committed to memory,
brought more praise from my fellow-creatures. But from neither way of
preaching did I see any fruit. It may be, that the last day may show the
benefit even of these feeble endeavours. One reason why the Lord did not
permit me to see fruit, seems to me, that I should have been most probably
lifted up by success. It may be also, because I prayed exceedingly little
respecting the ministry of the Word, and because I walked so little with
God, and was so rarely a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the
Master's use.

About the time that I first began to preach I lived for about two months
in free lodgings, provided for poor students of divinity in the
Orphan-House, built in dependence upon God, by that devoted and
eminent servant of Christ, A. H. Franke, Professor of Divinity at Halle,
who died 1727. I mention this, as some years afterwards I was benefited
myself through the faith of this dear man of God.--About that time I was
still so weak that I fell repeatedly into open sins, yet could not
continue in them, nay, not even for a few days, without sorrow of heart,
confession before God, and fleeing to the blood of the Lamb. And so
ignorant was I still, that I bought a crucifix in a frame, and hung it up
in my room, hoping that being thus frequently reminded of the sufferings
of my Saviour, I should not fall so frequently into sin. But in a few days
the looking to the crucifix was as nothing, and I fell about that very
time more than once deeply.

About this time I formed an intimate acquaintance with a brother, who was
also a divinity student: and as we loved one another so much, and were so
happy in one another's society, we thought that it would greatly add to
our joy, and to one another's benefit, to live together, and that thus we
might mutually help one another. Accordingly in September 1826, I left