yself for entering
the army, and that then I should be examined as to my bodily
qualifications, in the hope, that, as I was still in a very weak state of
body, I should be found unfit for military service. In that case it would
belong to the chief general finally to settle the matter; who, being a
godly man himself, on the major's recommendation would, no doubt, hasten
the decision, on account of my desire to be a missionary to the Jews. At
the same time it stood so, that, if I should be found fit for service, I
should have to enter the army immediately.

Thus far the Lord had allowed things to go, to show me, it appears, that
all my friends could not procure me a passport till His time was come. But
now it was come. The King of kings had intended that I should go to
England, because He would bless me there, and make me a blessing, though I
was at that time, and am still most unworthy of it; and, therefore, though
the King of Prussia had not been pleased to make an exemption in my
favour, yet now all was made plain, and that at a time when hope had
almost been given up, and when the last means had been resorted to. I was
examined, and was declared to be unfit for military service. With a
medical certificate to this effect, and a letter of recommendation from
the major I went to this chief general, who received me very kindly and
who himself wrote instantaneously to a second military physician, likewise
to examine me at once. This was done, and it was by him confirmed that I
was unfit. Now the chief general himself, as his adjutants happened to be
absent, in order to hasten the matter, wrote with his own hands the papers
which were needed, and I got a complete dismissal, and that for life, from
all military engagements. This was much more than I could have expected.
This military gentleman spoke to me in a very kind way, and pointed out
certain parts of the Scriptures, which he in particular advised me to
bring before the Jews, especially Romans xi.

On considering why the Lord delayed my obtaining this permission, I find
that one of the reasons may have been, that I might both be profited
myself by my stay in Berlin, and that I also might be instrumental in
benefiting others. As to the first, I would mention, that I learned a
lesson in Berlin which I did not know before. Whilst I was at Halle, I
thought I should much enjoy being among so many christians as there are in
Berlin. But when I was there I found, that enjoymen