as a Baptist minister at Amsterdam, and on his way to the
brethren at Utrecht, in Holland. He now much regretted not to have
had conversation with me. In the afternoon, a gentleman, an officer
on pension, who, with his lady, had heard my confession for Christ,
while I was conversing with a person sitting close by, asked me very
politely, on his leaving, for a tract.--There were two little cabins
in the steamer, each with two berths, one of which I engaged for Mary
and myself it being much cheaper than to go on shore, though we
should not do so again, as our sleep was greatly interrupted, there
being much noise till twelve o'clock, and commencing again soon after
three in the mornings, so that for three nights our sleep was greatly
interrupted. Yet I do not mention this in the way of complaint, for
we have only to sing of mercy. However, as in spiritual things, so in
natural things, we learn daily. The noise only arose from the needful
occupations, but it could scarcely have been greater than it was, if
persons had purposely tried to disturb us.--At half-past five on
Tuesday morning the steamer began again to ply. While I was sitting
on deck, between five and six, reading the Bible, a Dutchman came to
me to speak about the things of God. He understood me pretty well,
but I understood him only imperfectly. He questioned me about the
connexion between faith and works, and how man can believe, being a
fallen being in Adam. I fear it was more intellectual than heart-work
with him, but I made use of the opportunity, to preach Jesus before
all, who through this conversation had been drawn round us. This day
also I had opportunities of giving away tracts, and of speaking to
several, particularly to a young Prussian soldier, and other young
men. But all were dead. Most listened and received the tracts, but
there were some who boldly rejected. On the second day we sailed from
half-past five in the morning till about half-past ten in the
evening, when we arrived at Cologne, where we stopped. Our German
sister went on shore, and took leave of us, to go on by another
company's vessel, for which she had previously paid; dear Mary and I
remained alone on board. The third day we had very few passengers on
board. Two Irish gentlemen and an English gentleman came on board, to
whom I gave English tracts. One of them soon left, and the other two
declared themselves on the Lord's side. Two other Jews, who had come
on board, likewise rejected