His father, they add, was desirous that the meeting we intended to hold with our friends should be held at his house that evening.  When M.Y. went to see the family, she found the parents fall of gratitude and praise.  The funeral was attended by the students from the college, and a large number of others; for the professor is much beloved, and the affecting situation of his son has been a lesson of instruction to the young people who used to associate with him, and seems to have had an effect on the whole town.  The evening of this day proved to be a memorable time:  a considerable number were collected, among whom were several pastors and a number of young persons.  I seldom, says J.Y., remember to have attended a more solemn occasion.  The Saviour’s presence was near, to console and instruct.  After my M.Y. and I had relieved our minds in testimony and supplication, the professor and the other pastors spoke with much feeling; I think it was evident they were constrained by the Spirit.  We parted (to resume the words of their joint epistle) from the family under a strong conviction of the support and consolation which those experience who depend in living faith upon their blessed Redeemer.

From Neufchatel, John and Martha Yeardley went to Berne, where they renewed the bond of friendship with those to whose spiritual state they had ministered in former years.  With these they united several times in worship and in social religious intercourse.  At the close of one of these meetings, the lady of the house, an active and benevolent character, acknowledged, that she was sensible of the truth of what they had heard, and believed that in the present day the Lord was leading many of his devoted children to listen to his voice, that they might be brought more under the teachings of his Spirit, and from this would flow their consolation.  “This (they observe) is the more remarkable, as, when we were here before, she held views on election and the finished work of grace, almost to the exclusion of the work of ’regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.’”

We find in some here, writes John Yeardley in his Diary, a desire for food of a more spiritual nature:  they really enjoy waiting on the Lord in silence; but the customary activity is strong, and not easily broken through.  I trust the day will come when silence will more prevail in the assemblies of the people.  We left Berne with feelings of peace and of much affection for many in that place, and thankful to our Heavenly Father, in that he had prepared the hearts of his people to receive the invitation to feed on that spiritual food which alone can nourish the soul to eternal life.

They arrived at Basle on the 17th.  Since they had visited this city in 1834, Hoffmann, the director of the institution at Kornthal, had succeeded Blumhardt in the superintendence of the Mission-house.  He received them with his usual kindness, and one evening they supped with the students, and had a religious meeting with them.  They spent another evening with a pious family, where several missionaries and pastors were present.  In speaking of this occasion, John and Martha Yeardley were led into a reflection which deserves to be pondered by Christians of every name.