day.  Between Oldendorf and Bueckeburg, we experienced a remarkable preservation from danger.  Our postillion being a little sleepy, had not sufficient care of the reins, and the horses suddenly turned off towards an inn, but missing the turn, instantly fell into a deep ditch, one horse quite down, and the other nearly so; the carriage wanted only a few inches further to go, and then it would have come upon the horses, so that a few plunges must have upset the whole concern.  We sprang instantly out, and set the quiet animals free.  The man was so frightened he could scarcely step from, the box.  The whole affair did not last more than a few minutes, when we were on our way again, with great cause for thankfulness to the Preserver of our lives.  The driver was so honest in acknowledging his fault, that I gave him his trinkgeld, and our friend L. S. gave him some advice.  We got well on through Minden to Diepnau and lodged there.

Next morning set out about seven o’clock, and that day travelled late to reach Oldenburg, which we accomplished at about one in the morning.  Next morning we were in a dilemma which way to take to find our place of destination.  The landlord was kind in sending out several times to gain information, but in vain:  at length there came into the room a deaf and dumb man who frequented the house, and who, when he knew our inquiry, immediately wrote down the particulars of the place, and explained it by signs on the table.  We left two books for this intelligent man for his kindness, and set forward.  Dined at Varel, and had two poor tired horses and an awkward driver to Jever.  We gave him several severe lectures without much effect; at length we came to a small inn on the road, where he made a stand, and said he could go no further without two more horses, which we really believed was true, for if he had not got them we must have stuck in the sand.  The horses being procured we got to Jever about eleven o’clock.

Here was a good inn, and we rested pretty well; but in the morning discouragement took hold of my spirits in a way that I have seldom experienced.  I was ready to conclude we were altogether wrong and out of the way of our duty; but forward we must now go to see the end of this exercising journey.  The country about Varel and Jever is remarkably fertile in pasture.  The cows handsome, rolling in abundance of grass, and pretty much the whole country had the appearance of ease and plenty; in Varel we saw the poor-house, a building capable of containing 400 persons, and only four individuals were there.  The inhabitants live in simplicity, but also in the general ignorance and indifference as to religion.  I was exceedingly low in mind on the way, but felt once more that we were in our right place, and my precious M. Y. encouraged me by saying we should not go there in vain.  On opening the Bible, I was comforted in turning to Psalm lxxviii. 12-14.