I had a strong impression to speak to him in a serious way, which I was enabled to do at some length.  On parting he held me with both his hands in mine, and said, “I thank you, sir, for your kind and instructive communication; I shall never forget it so long as I live.”

A little before twelve o’clock, he continues, came our kind young friend, Hannah Gessner, to accompany us to the ancient and worthy Bishop Hess.  He is in his eighty-seventh year, but lively in spirit and active in mind.  He is uncommonly liberal in his religious opinions, and his enlarged heart seemed to overflow with Christian love towards the followers of Christ under every name.  He treated us as a father, and I felt instructed in being in his company.  He gave us his portrait as a token of respect and friendship.

In the evening we took tea with Professor Gessner’s sister, Lavater, in company with seven of the professor’s daughters and sons, who are all serious persons.  After some conversation on the order and ministry of our Society, it was proposed by dear Hannah, through her aunt, whether we would like to have a Meeting or the Scriptures read.  After a portion of Scripture had been read silence ensued, in which my dear M. Y. and I said what was on our minds in testimony and supplication.  It is a time of precious visitation to some of them.  We felt sweet unity with Pastor Gessner, and believe him to be a gospel minister.  On parting he took me in both arms, and said, in such a feeling manner that the words went to my very heart, “The Lord bless thee, and put the words of his wisdom into thy mouth.”

On the 6th they went to Berne, and the next morning they inspected Fellenberg’s institution at Hofwyl.

It is, says John Yeardley, what it professes to be, for education in the fullest extent of the word, to give to those committed to their care an education suited to their circumstances and their future prospects in life.  There is a first-rate boarding school, for young gentlemen; a middle school, for tradesmen, &c.; a [boys’ and] girls’ poor school of industry, for those who can pay nothing.—­(Letter to Josiah Forster.)

To J.Y. the most interesting department of this institution was the school of industry for poor children, in which at that time a hundred boys were clothed and educated.  He describes at some length, and with evident approbation, the system on which the school was conducted; but adds, “I cannot say much as to religious instruction.”

From Hofwyl they proceeded through Lausanne to Geneva, where, being desirous of improving themselves in French, and the season not permitting them to travel, they hired a lodging, intending to remain two or three months.

As on their former visit, they held frequent intercourse with pious persons, several of them well known in the Christian world; such as Gaussen, Bost, and L’Huillier.  Of Theodore L’Huillier. minister of the New Church, John Yeardley says:—­