The young man had made his resolve, his father’s blessing had been obtained, and he forthwith burnt his boats by handing over to his brothers and sisters the portion which would have fallen to him, and hastened back to Halle with a light heart, full of thankfulness for the past and plans for the future. His choice was soon tested by the offer of a lucrative appointment in the ministry of his Church at home, but his mind was fully made up and henceforward his face was steadfastly set towards the foreign mission field. The claims of India were laid upon his heart, and he longed to be going where he felt sure God had called him. Two other young men had also been selected for the work by Dr. Francke; David Poltzenhagen of Willin in Pomerania, and George Henry Hüttemann of Minden in Westphalia. On the 8th August, 1749, the three arrived at Copenhagen to receive Holy Orders. A month later they were prepared for this sacred office by the counsels and instruction of Dr. Hersleb, Bishop of Zealand and Primate of Denmark, and in due time, on the 17th September, they were ordained by Bishop Horreboa to the office of ministers. It only remained for them to bid farewell to their families and friends, and Schwartz parted from his aged father, never to see his face again, and received many good wishes from the old comrades and professors at Halle University. It was thought better for the party to go to India by an English vessel, so they embarked at Helvoetsluys and arrived at Harwich on the 6th December, 1749, and so on through Colchester to London. Their stay in the great city was only about six weeks and they were comfortably lodged in Kensington. From the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge the young missionaries received a hearty welcome, and every possible arrangement for their comfort and travelling requirements was made by that Society. In the Royal chaplain, the Rev. W. Ziegenhagen, they found a wise and helpful friend, and one of the pleasant memories which Schwartz carried away with him from our English shores was the kindness which he and the other out-going missionaries received from this good man. They were able to get a little practice in English during their stay and also had the opportunity of preaching in our pulpits. Arrangements were made for them to embark on the “Lynn” under Captain Egerton, the directors of the East India Company having kindly granted them a free passage. Writing from Deal, where he was awaiting the vessel’s arrival, Schwartz expresses his grateful thanks in a letter written to Dr. Francke on 24th February, 1750, and also in another previously written from Kensington on the 18th of the preceding month. The following extracts in the order in which they were penned, are full of interest: