duty, whatever it might be, feeling no distinction
between my own will and the will of God in me.

In this disposition, I lived with my family in the greatest
tranquility, until one of my friends had a great desire to go on a
mission to Siam. He lived twenty leagues from my house. As he was ready
to make a vow to this purpose, he found himself stopped, with an
impulse to come and speak to me. He came immediately, and as he had
some reluctance to declare his mind to me, he went to read prayers in
my chapel, hoping God would be satisfied with his making the vow. As he
was performing divine service in my hearing, he was stopped again. He
left the chapel to come and speak to me. He then told me his intention.

Though I had no thought of saying anything positive to him, I felt an
impression in my soul to relate to him my case, and the idea I had for
a long time past for Geneva. I told him a dream I had, which appeared
to me supernatural. When I had done, I felt a strong impulse to say to
him, "You must go to Siam, and you must also serve me in this affair.
It is for that end God has sent you hither; I desire you to give me
your advice." After three days, having considered the matter, and
consulted the Lord in it, he told me that he believed I was to go
thither; but to be the better assured of it, it would be needful to see
the Bishop of Geneva. If he approved of my design, it would be a sign
that it was from the Lord; if not, I must drop it. I agreed with his
sentiment. He then offered to go to Annecy, to speak to the Bishop, and
to bring me a faithful account. As he was advanced in years, we were
deliberating in what way he could take so long a journey, when there
came two travelers, who told us the Bishop was at Paris. This I looked
on as an extraordinary providence. He advised me to write to Father La
Combe, and recommend the affair to his prayers, as he was in that
country. He then spoke to the Bishop at Paris. I, having occasion to go
thither, spoke to him also.

I told him, that "my design was to go into the country, to employ there
my substance, to erect an establishment for all such as should be
willing truly to serve God, and to give themselves unto him without
reserve; and that many of the servants of the Lord had encouraged me
thereto." The bishop approved of the design. He said, "there were New
Catholics going to establish themselves at Gex, near Geneva, and that
it was a providential thing." I answered him, "