Lyons is the head-quarters of popery; the Jesuits here exert a strong influence with the government against the Protestants.  We visited a good man named Elfenbein, who with his wife, is very useful to the awakened Protestants.  He is a colporteur, and introduces the Holy Scriptures into families to whom he speaks concerning the things of God.  He and his wife called upon us in our hotel.  On parting he proposed we should pray together.  This gave us the opportunity of explaining our sentiments regarding prayer; and we proposed remaining a while in silence, and if it should please the Lord to put words of prayer into our heart, we would express them with the help of the Holy Spirit.  After a time of silence, Elfenbein prayed for us with unction in a few words:  it was a favored time; thanks be to God.

On the 15th they resumed their journey, and passing through Nismes proceeded to Congenies.  They found there Edward and John Pease, who were travelling on a religious errand, and were about concluding their labors in those parts.  The meeting was a source of comfort on both sides.  The next day, which was First-day, was a solemn season:  the gospel message was largely delivered in the little meeting-house, and Christine Majolier interpreted for those who spoke in English.  The Two-months’ Meeting was held, and here, as well indeed as on every other occasion, the English Friends missed the company and help of their valued friend, Louis A. Majolier.

After residing for a while at Congenies, they removed to Nismes, where they preached to the strangers who attended the usual meetings for worship, distributed religious tracts in the city and its environs, and instituted a Scripture Reading Meeting for the young.  But the object which most strongly engaged their attention at Nismes was the foundation of a boarding-school for the daughters of Friends.  Louis Majolier, during a great part of his life had conducted a day-school at Congenies:  this school was, of course, not accessible to the children of those Friends who lived at a distance; and soon after L.M. died even this was given up, and the means of education in the Society failed altogether.  In their project for supplying this deficiency, John and Martha Yeardley found the parents and other Friends ready to second their efforts; and at the Two-months’ Meeting in the Eleventh Month, it was resolved to establish in the first place a school for girls only at Nismes, and a committee was appointed to carry this resolution into effect.  A mistress was found without much difficulty in Justine Benezet, a valuable Friend, who had had for sixteen years the superintendence of the Orphan Asylum, and whose health had in some degree given way under the too onerous charge.

In reference to the accomplishment of this undertaking, J.Y. writes:—­

12 mo. 14.—­Nehemiah i. 11:—­“O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day.”  I often think of these words of the prophet, and they [have supported me] when my soul has been cast down on account of the school.