On the 5th they passed through several colonies to Gnadenfeld, where, says J.Y.:—­

We halted to breakfast with one of the colonists, and found him a sweet-spirited man, and his family pious.  His name is David Voote.  He appreciated the object of our mission, and spoke of the awakening that had taken place of late; telling us that devotional meetings had been established, but that some of their preachers did not approve of them.  We sent for one of the ministers, with whom I was pleased; he invited us to hold a meeting with them on a future occasion if we could make it accord with our journey, which I hope will be accomplished.

We obtained some information respecting the Molokans, and were directed to Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has communication with them.  We found him a delightful man, quite of the right sort to be useful to us.  As the Molokans speak nothing but Russ, we shall be in want of an interpreter in our visit to them.  I told him he must go with us; and he immediately said.  I will go with pleasure; whenever you return here and incline to go, I will be at home and will accompany you.  This seemed an opening of Providence, and removes one great difficulty in the way of a visit to this people, for whom I have felt more than towards any others in South Russia.  N. Schmidt is a wealthy farmer, and sets himself at liberty to promote the extension of the Saviour’s kingdom; I felt at once at home with him as a friend and brother.

From Steinbach, which lay a few versts out of the direct road, they proceeded to Stuttgardt, and the next day, the 6th, to Neuhoffnung, where they were accommodated at a farmer’s, and had the comfort of a good clean apartment and kind attention to their wants.  This is the principal seat of the German Lutheran colonists.

On Seventh-day, says John Yeardley, we attended the school-children’s meeting, about 200 present.  After Pastor Wuest had questioned on or explained the Scriptures, I had an opportunity to address them.  On First-day afternoon we held an appointed meeting [with Wuest’s congregation], which was not large, on account of many [with the Pastor himself] having to attend an interment in the neighborhood.  After the meeting we received a salutation from some of the young sisterhood, who came to us and surprised us with their sweet melodious voices, singing in concert a hymn well suited to our present situation.  After they had ended I went out and had a long conversation with them.

In all my journeyings, he touchingly continues, I was never so much cast down as in this scene of labor; I never before so much missed the help and consolation of my precious one as I now do; but, blessed be a gracious God, she is safe with Him, and free from a toil which she could never have endured.  I marvel, and praise his great name for upholding me thus far; I am astonished at the way in which I am enabled to bear the hardships of this journey, and am preserved in health.  It is the doing of my gracious Saviour, and I thank him out of a grateful heart.  Should I never be permitted to return to my earthly home, I have a joyful hope he will take me to a glorious rest with himself and with those I have so tenderly loved on earth.