“It was then, and on that account, that I wrote in the Latin tongue my great work on Biblical Hermeneutics.  But in Germany it cannot be published.  The Austrian censor of the press cannot find time to read it, though I think, that if I have spent so many laborious days and sleepless nights in writing it, this man ought likewise to find time enough not only to read it, but to examine all the grounds of my reasoning, and point out to me any errors, if he can find any.  Notwithstanding, the Spirit gave me no repose, but urged me ever mightily on to the perfection of my great work.

“One morning I sat writing, under peculiar influences of the Spirit, upon the Confusion of Tongues, the Division of the People, and the importance ofthe study of Comparative Philology, in reference to their union in one church.  So wrapped was I in the thought, that I came late into my lecture-room; and after lecture returned to my chamber, where I wrote till the clock struck twelve.  At dinner, one of the Professors asked if any one had seen the star, about which so much was said.  The Professor of Physics, said, that the student Johannes Schminke had come to him in the greatest haste, and besought him to go out and see the wonderful star; but, being incredulous about it, he made no haste, and, when they came into the street, the star had disappeared.  When I heard the star spoken of, my soul was filled with rapture; and a voice within me seemed to say, ‘The great time is approaching; labor unweariedly in thy work.’  I sought out the student; and like Herod, inquired diligently what time the star appeared.  He informed me, that, just as the clock was striking eight, in the morning, he went out of his house to go to the college, and saw on the square a crowd looking at a bright star.  It was the veryhour, when I was writing alone in my chamber on the importance of Comparative Philology in bringing about the union of all nations.  I felt, that my hour had come.  Strangely moved, I walked up and down my chamber.  The evening twilight came on.  I lighted my lamp, and drew the green curtains before the windows, and sat down to read.  But hardly had I taken the book into my hand, when the Spirit began to move me, and urge me then to make my last decision and resolve.  I made a secret vow, that I would undertake the voyage to America.  Suddenly my troubled thoughts were still.  An unwonted rapture filled my heart.  I sat and read till the supper bell rang.  They were speaking at table of a red glaring meteor, which had just been seen in the air, southeast from Klagenfurt; and had suddenly disappeared with a dull, hollow sound.  It was the very moment at which I had taken my final resolution to leave my native land.  Every great purpose and event of my life, seemed heralded and attended by divine messengers; the voices of thedead; the bright morning star, shining in the clear sunshine; and the red meteor in the evening twilight.