I preached with a loud voice in my
church, and the congregation slept. After the service, the people
came out of the church like oxen and cows, and bellowed against me
when I would have admonished them. I wished to embrace my wife,
but could not separate her from a great turnip, which increased
every moment, and at last grew over both our heads. I endeavored
to climb up a ladder to heaven, whose stars beckoned kindly and
brightly to me; but potatoes, grass, vetches, and peas, entangled
my feet unmercifully, and hindered every step. At last I saw
myself in the midst of my possessions walking upon my head, and
whilst in my sleepy soul I greatly wondered how this was possible,
I slept soundly in the remembrance of my dream. Yet then, however,
I must unconsciously have continued the chain of my pastoral
thoughts, for I woke in the morning with the sound of my own voice
loudly exclaiming, "Amen."
That the occurrences of the former evening were actual truth, and
no dream, I could only convince myself with difficulty, till August
paid me a visit, and invited me to dine with his parents.
The living, Wilhelmina, the dinner, the new chain of hopes for the
future which beamed from the bright sun of the present, all
surprised me anew with a joy, which one can feel very well, but
never can describe.
Out of the depths of a thankful heart, I saluted the new life
which opened to me, with the firm determination that, let happen
what might, yet always TO DO THE RIGHT, AND TO HOPE FOR THE BEST.
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