This favored opportunity closed with supplication.  We are well satisfied with our visit to this place; it has removed some prejudices from our minds, and perhaps may have shown to those with whom we have had intercourse that Friends are sound in the faith.  The short time we spent with Professor de Felice has left a sweet impression on our minds.  He mourned over the want of spiritual life among the Protestants of Montauban, amid, as he said, “much preaching, and many appeals to conscience.”

At Castres, where they stopped on the 26th, they visited the Orphan House, and held intercourse with the pastors, and with a pious lawyer.

On our journey, says John Yeardley, we had heard of a man near this town who bore the name of Quaker, and we inquired of the lawyer if he knew whether he was sound in the Christian faith.  The lawyer spoke with respect of the so-called Quaker, but thought that in his opinions he favored Arianism.  “If so,” said I, rather hastily, “we will not seek him or recognize.”  “Why,” said the advocate, “it is the very reason you should go to see him, and try to do him good.”  At this reply my conscience was stung on account of my hasty conclusion; and after reflecting on the matter, we walked next morning five or six miles into the country in search of the new Friend.  He received us with joy, and we soon satisfied ourselves as to his soundness in the Christian faith; but he was rather ardent in his expectations of the reign of Christ on the earth.  Twenty years ago he refused to take an oath on a jury; the judge told him he must go to prison, to which the Friend replied, “I am willing to go to prison, but I cannot swear to condemn any person to death; if you place me as juryman I shall acquit all the criminals.”  The judge, believing his scruples to be sincere, dismissed him without further trouble.  This dear man attached himself to us in such a manner that it was difficult to part from him; he pressed us to remain some days in his house, but this our duty did not permit.

From Castres they returned through Beziers to Nismes, visiting various little companies of Protestants by the way, and arrived in the latter city on the 1st of the Fourth Month.  They found that the school had increased in numbers, and the scholars had made good progress.

On entering the school-room, says J.Y., the girls all flocked to us, their black eyes sparkling with joy, while they clung round us with their little arms to be embraced.  The harmony and peaceful feelings which pervade the family are truly comforting to our hearts.

In taking a retrospect of what they had done up to this time, they write thus to their Friends in England:—­