They entered Nancy under a feeling of gloom, and it was some time before they could find relief to their minds; but by patiently pursuing the paths of intercourse which opened before them, they were enabled to deposit with some serious individuals their accustomed testimony to the simple spiritual nature of the gospel.  In allusion to this trial of their patience John Yeardley remarks:—­

I cannot, I dare not, complain, when I think of the difficulties some of our Friends had to encounter who travelled on the Continent years ago, when darkness prevailed to a much greater extent.  The want of the language, &c., which some of them experienced, must have been very trying.  It is to me an unspeakable comfort to be able to understand the language of the country where we travel.

Travelling by the Diligence being too rapid for Martha Yeardley’s state of health, they hired a carriage and horses to take them to Strasburg, and found this mode of travelling less expensive, as well as much less fatiguing, than the public conveyance.

8 mo. 5.—­Left Nancy at 6 o’clock in the morning, and had a delightful journey.  I feel particularly peaceful in spirit, and a degree of resignation pervades my heart to be given fully up to do the will of my Heavenly Father.

Our mode of travelling afforded us an opportunity of calling at Phalsbourg, where we found a handful of Protestants, about twenty-six families, mostly German settlers.  On inquiring for the minister, we found he was engaged with his class at the college.  His wife appeared surprised at seeing such strangers, thinking from our dress and our speaking French, we were no doubt Roman Catholics.  We soon perceived the family were Germans, and I then addressed them in their native tongue, which immediately, opened the way to their hearts.  Nothing would satisfy the good woman but that we must call at the college to see her husband.  He was embarrassed on being so suddenly called out of the class, and appeared a little fearful; but when he understood who we were, and our mission, he became almost overjoyed to see us.  There has been a little awakening in this place, and a desire to obtain the Scriptures.  One of them said, “I have been accustomed to smoke tobacco, but have now left it off, and I will put the money into the box to save for a Bible.”  Another said, “I have been accustomed to take snuff, but I will now save the money for a Bible.”  And another said, “I have drunk more wine than I need; I will take less, and subscribe for a Bible.”  This little account in such a dark place was quite cheering; for they are surrounded and oppressed by the Roman Catholics, in whose presence they are afraid to speak.

On entering Alsace, the view of the country was enchanting.  We dined at Sarrebourg, which appeared at a distance like a town in the midst of a wood.

At Strasburg they were received in an ingenuous manner by some enlightened Roman Catholics, who did all in their power to forward their object; but it was not until they fell in with the Protestant Professor Cuvier, that they found the proper channel for the work of the gospel.  In few places did they find brighter tokens of inward spiritual religion.