The Friends’ meeting, which took place two days afterwards, was held in quiet.  John Yeardley preached on a subject which seems to have engaged his mind ever since he had entered the place,—­viz., the Fall of Man.  While in Elberfeld he printed a tract on this subject; and in a conversation which he and Martha Yeardley had with a doctor from Charleroi, the doctor told them it was the very thing which was wanted, being exactly adapted to the condition of the numerous sceptics in that part, of whom he had once been one.

Their sojourn at Bonn, where they arrived on the 31st of the Eighth Month, was exceedingly cordial to their religious feelings.  The persons with whom they were the most intimately united were two ladies, Alexandrine Mackeldey and the Countess Stynum; the latter of whom had come to know the way of salvation during a visit to England.  J.Y. describes the opening for service which they found in this city, in a letter to Josiah Forster:—­

This morning, the 1st of the Ninth Month, we received an early visit from a pious young woman, interior.  On her entering the room we felt the Spirit of Jesus was near.  As soon as we discovered the piety of her mind, and her sweet and open disposition, I said to her:  Now, tell us who there are in this place who are really spiritually-minded persons.  She said, I will; and instantly took the pen, and put down about six or seven names, among which was the name of the Countess Stynum.  This lady, said she, I am sure, will be rejoiced to see you; she is too weakly to leave her house, but I am going to her and will tell her you are here.

Our kind helper soon returned with the expression of a warm desire from the Countess that we would remain tomorrow and hold a meeting in her saloon in the evening, and invite any of our acquaintance, and she would give notice to her own friends.  There was so evidently a pointing of the Great Master’s finger in this matter, that we were at once constrained to accept the invitation.

9 mo. 3.—­A little before six o’clock last evening the Countess sent for us to take coffee with her, to have an hour of our company before the meeting.  She gave us a hearty reception, and in such Christian simplicity, that we soon felt at perfect ease in her company.  She has a well-informed and enlightened mind and a strong understanding, and lives, believe, in the fear of the Lord.  She asked many questions about the religious sects in England, as to the state of real piety, their forms, baptism, &c.  Then she came to our own Society.  I was in poor plight for answering questions; however, I explained the spiritual view we took of those subjects, and asked permission to send her books, in the reception of which she seemed to promise herself much gratification.