ed. Thus,
with the Lord's blessing, the Narrative and the Tracts may work among
the higher or highest classes of the kingdom of Wirtemberg. I simply
mention this to show, dear brethren, what open doors the Lord has given
me, after the apparent death-blow upon everything at the beginning. How
important that we should not be discouraged by appearances in the
Lord's service! On the same evening the last public meeting among the
brethren at Stuttgart was attended by about 80 persons more than any
previous time, either at this or my former visit. Thus also the Lord
gave still further encouragement. On the following day, Wednesday, Sept.
17th, I took leave of various believers, not in communion with us; among
the rest, of two pious clergymen at Stuttgart, who treated me most
kindly. This day was occupied with making all the arrangements for our
journey, as I had to send many thousands of tracts before us to several
places, not being able to carry in our carriage all the books and
tracts, which we hoped to circulate on the journey. In the evening that
gentleman called once more to see me, in whose house I had spent the
Monday evening, and with whom I had become acquainted a few days before,
and who, since then, had attended all our meetings. I think I told you
before, that he was Professor of Medicine at the Russian University at
Moscow, and also President of the Protestant Consistory in that city.
This dear brother takes a deep interest in my service, and has offered
to circulate 50 copies of my book, and 50 copies of each of the 11
tracts. We parted like old friends.--Our prayer had been for a
suitable carriage, and an obliging driver, on which so much of our
service depended; but we were so occupied, that I could only order a
carriage on the morning of our departure, Thursday, Sept. 18th, and the
Lord most signally answered our prayers; for we obtained a driver who
was one of a hundred. He drove us three days, and was most obliging, so
that we could not have desired a better driver; the carriage also was as
if made for our work. At 10 o'clock on Thursday morning we set out,
furnished with many thousands of tracts, and about 24,000 sent before
us; also carrying with us about 450 copies of my Narrative, and having
to take up 350 copies on the way. About 350 copies I was able to
circulate at Stuttgart whilst there. I should also say that I found
several brethren with whom I could leave smaller quantities of tracts
for circulati
|