from distress and embarrassment, who continue to walk before him in the truth. But how does the case stand with the holy men, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, who also told lies from necessity?

TEACHER. These men were also human, and liable to sin; and we are only permitted to imitate that which is good in

them.
ing and humiliation to us.

Their faults are recorded as a warn

One who never did any evil,

There is only

and of whom

it is expressly asserted, that there was no deceit in his mouth, and therefore no lie from necessity. If those holy men made use of them, it was in moments of unbelief. But Jesus was at all times strong in faith, and could therefore overcome every temptation.

He spoke with me again on the same subject at another time; but what I have mentioned above may serve to show his method of teaching.

I enjoyed his instruction rather more than half a year, and, with the blessing of God, attained during that time to a regular and complete knowledge of religious truth, so

F

that at the close of the year 1690, after an examination by superintendent Meurer, and the curate, Mr. Clemm, I was declared fit to be received by baptism into the Christian church. This declaration caused me heartfelt joy, and I now prayed daily to God, to grant me the true state of mind for the reception of this holy rite, that I might receive a full blessing with it.

At Christmas, the Dutchess presented me with a large silver medal. It exhibited, on the one side, Jesus baptized by John in the river Jordan, and on the other, the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of pentecost, in a figurative manner. On the former side stood the words, "Without measure," and on -the latter," Without number." I entreated my foster-mother to explain these inscriptions to me. She did so willingly. "The words, without measure,"" said she," refer to the Lord Jesus, who was anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure, that is, with a superabundant fulness of the Spirit; and hence also he is called Christ, the anointed one,' (John iii. 34.) The words, 'without number,' refer to those Christians

6

who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and whose number is as great as that of the stars of heaven. To this innumerable host you will also come; and this gracious calling ought to be doubly important to you, since you have been taken from the midst of a people, by the wonder-working hand of God, who have hitherto had no part in the blessings of the Spirit of Christ, but who, it is to be hoped, will eventually come, and bend their knees before the crucified Saviour."

I said, "Amen! May that period soon arrive!"

The 6th of January, which is the Epiphany, or festival of Christ's manifestation to the heathen, was fixed upon for my baptism, which, according to the wish of the Dutchess, was to be administered in the cathedral church of Stuttgard, in a solemn manner. A procession was formed from the palace to the cathedral church. of all walked the sponsors, who voluntarily undertook this office from Christian affection: they consisted of the Dutchess Dowager Magdalena Sybilla, the hereditary

First

Prince, Everhard Louis, afterwards Duke of Würtemburg, Madam von Wachenheim, Bardili, the president of the consistory, Doctor Commerell's lady, Madam Faber, and Doctor Stierlin. I then came, accompanied by two young noblemen, and was followed by all the persons belonging to the ducal court.

After we had taken our places in the church, which was already filled with spectators, some verses from one of Paul Gerard's hymns were sung; on which Mr. Chidlin, the clergyman of the church, preached on the gospel of the day, and compared the journey of the wise men from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to the wonderful manner in which I had been conducted from Belgrade to Stuttgard. The sermon lasted rather long; but I was too much occupied with inward prayer and supplication to be able to retain much of it. At the commencement of the ordinance of baptism, the verse was

sung,

"O God and Father, full of grace, &c."

I then publicly made my confession of

faith, during which the Saviour afforded me a rich measure of liberty and cheerfulness, although I had previously felt great trepidation. But no sooner did I rise up and begin to speak, than every feeling of that nature seemed blown away. I looked no more at the crowd of people, but thought solely of God, who seeth the heart, and knows whether our confession be pure and sincere or not. On this I kneeled down, and was baptized in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and received the name of Christiana Magdalena Everardina, to which the name of Godlove was afterwards added as surname. The Turkish name of Setma was the last relic of my native country which I had to lay aside. I had already long ago renounced and put away my country, family, friends, inheritance, religion, language, manners, and dress; but, according to the promise of Jesus, had already received them again an hundred fold, even in this life. Why should not I, therefore, willingly give up my name also, in order outwardly to represent what I wished sincerely to experience, a complete regeneration!