28th.—­Some of the most interior told us they had long been exercised about spiritual worship, and had often wished to see some of the Society of Friends.  On hearing of our intended visit two years ago, they said if we had come then [we should have found them] wrapped up in doctrines, but now they were given to see they could not live on the letter alone, they must be born again, and partake of that bread which cometh down from heaven.  Many of these awakened persons came to our inn at all hours, and our hearts were filled with love towards them as a cup overflowing; so that it was given to us to minister to them almost individually as they came to us.

On the 29th they went to Berne, and the following morning walked over to Wabern, where some of A. Borel’s friends resided, who received them with open arms.

After dinner M. Combe drove us in his car to Scherli.  We alighted at the house of one of the peasant-farmers, situated quite among the mountains, with the Alps fair in view.  They received us in the name of disciples with every mark of love and respect.  They were more disposed to sit in silence than to ask questions.  On my asking if they had seen or heard of any of our Friends, in these parts, one of them, innocently replied, No; we do not know anything of your religious principles.  I then began to explain them; and when I spoke of our manner of worship, belief, &c., and of some of our peculiar tenets respecting Baptism, the Supper, &c., it is not possible to express their emotion; their eyes turned first towards one and then towards another, and seemed to sparkle with joy, without their uttering a word till I had done.  These were entirely the principles they held, and about a year ago they separated from the church, about twenty in number, and attempted to meet for religious worship.  This was prevented by the police; for although, they live in a very remote situation, they are strictly watched by the pastor, who wishes to compel them to come to his worship.  We were there only an hour or two, but a number of these innocent-hearted people came flocking to the house, and immediately settled into a silence truly solemn.  We could indeed say our hearts burned with love towards them.

Two of these young men came to us the nest day, and spent most of the day with us.  One of them, Christian Speicher, told me he did not know how to express the satisfaction he felt to hear of a body of professing Christians in a distant land, who held the same religious principles as they in their isolated situation had been long seeking after and had been made willing to suffer for.

During our stay under this hospitable roof [M.  Combe’s at Wabern] it was an open house for all comers, and they were not few.  Our spirits were so united with many of them we did not know how to leave them; but our great concern was to recommend them to remain with Him who had so mercifully and powerfully visited them.