Moravian Lives

Change was particularly alarming to my Parents, so
that my Father, after all the Pains taken by the Eulesias-
-ticks by his Advice, to bring me to other Thoughts, had
proved fruitless, at last forbid me his House. After
the sudden Death of my Father in May 44. I took upon
me the Instruction of Children in a Gentlemans Family
in the Country, who took a particular Liking to Me, and
He and the Rector of the Parish, made me some interesting
Proposals, which brought me into Danger of being entangled,
and indeed they operated so on one, that the Love of my
Heart to our Saviour, began to be lukewarm. But the
faithful Shepherd who would not again loose  lose his found
Sheep, helpd me out of this Danger, and for that Purpose
made use of a Book which by Chance fell into my Hands,
which was writ against all Manner of Swearing, and
even that which the serving an Office may require. I
thought: now I can neither be a Minister nor Schoolmaster,
nor serve any Office, as I can't with a good Conscience take
the enjoind Oath, and by this came into great Perplexity,
not knowing what to do; I had also no Rest in my Heart,

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'till I resolv'd to apply for my Dismission, which the afore
mentiond Gentleman tho' unwillingly, yet at last granted.
I then travell'd  travel'd to Copenhagen, where in Jany. 45. I sought
and obtaind Acquaintance with the Brethren, of whom, as
also of the Congregation I had heard some Time before. The
Occasion to this Proceeding was the Bidingen Collections,
by which I saw that the Brethren's Foundation of Happiness
was the Allsufficient Atonement of Christ, and that they 
among Themselves, as poor Sinners heartily loved each Other.
For as I had before heard so many strange Stories related
of the Pietists, I had resolv'd to go my Way in Stilness  Stillness for
my self alone | But now I was determin'd to have Fellow
-ship with the Brethren, because my Heart was One with Them
in this Matter. In Novr. 46. I went thro' an Examination
in Divinity, not with Intent to commence Preacher in my 
Religion, for my Call to the Congregation was indisputable
to Me, but because I believed it might other Ways be of Ad-
-vantage. In the mean While my Longing for the Congregation
increased to that Degree, that I had no Rest in Copenhagen,
and therefore in April 47. resolved with 3 other Brethren to go
to Herrnhaag, where we happily arrived the 16th. of May. I