1848. 2 mo. 8.—­At our Monthly Meeting at Gracechurch street, I proposed my concern to visit some parts of South Russia, particularly the German colonies; also some places in the Prussian and Austrian dominions, parts of Switzerland and France, particularly Ardeche, and a few places in Belgium, and to revisit parts of Germany.  My precious M.Y. also was constrained in gospel love to tell her friends that she had long thought of a visit to France and Belgium; and, if health permitted, should think it her religious duty to accompany me to South Russia.  We had the full unity of our friends, who expressed much sympathy and encouragement, to our great comfort.  It is about twenty years since I first thought seriously that I might have to visit the Crimea, and for thirty years I have had a prospect of some parts of Bohemia.  Truly the vision has been for an appointed time; and if the period be now come, I trust it is the Lord’s time, and that his presence may go with us.  Many have been the conflicts and deep the baptisms through which I have passed, before coming to a willingness to offer to do what I believe to be the will of my Divine Master.  Feeble as are my powers, I desire they may be devoted to his cause for the remainder of my days; and I do esteem it a great mercy to have arrived at a clear pointing in this important prospect.  May the blessing of preservation rest upon the beloved partner of my sorrows and my joys, and on myself; and may He whom we desire to serve heal all our maladies of body and mind!

While their attention was thus turned to foreign lands, a storm was gathering in France which in the course of this month burst upon Europe with extraordinary violence, and overturned or endangered half the thrones on the Continent.  This convulsed state of the European nations rendered it needful for them to wait a few months before they commenced their undertaking.  In the Seventh Month, John Yeardley speaks of having obtained the further concurrence of the church, and of the feelings which the immediate prospect of the journey awakened in his mind.

7 mo. 1.—­At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, our friends entered very fully into our proposed visit to the Continent.  The expression of sympathy and full unity was abundant; there was a strong evidence of the good presence of the Lord being near during the deliberations, which proved a strength and comfort to myself and my beloved partner.  The needful certificates are now all in our possession, and are expressed in terms the most appropriate and encouraging.  My mind is deeply humbled at the near approach of our departure, in the present state of affairs on the continent of Europe:  but I feel a confiding hope in the divine power for protection and safe guidance.  May the Lord Almighty give us strength and resignation to commit our lives into his hand, and to say, Thy will be done.  Amen!