Sad reflections on the political and religious state of the country oppressed their minds while travelling through Switzerland.

21_st_.—­In all the times we have visited Neufchatel, I never saw it look more beautiful.  But the place was dull, and a depressed feeling manifested the life of religion to be wanting.  Switzerland has suffered through the recent changes in the governments:  infidelity is sorrowfully increasing.  An abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and Nature everywhere smiles on ungrateful man.  Woe to the nations when the ungodly bear rule!  Persecution still rages in the Canton de Vaud.

Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaintance with the French and German languages afforded them, John Yeardley observes:—­

How I long that some of our dear young friends in England might give up their minds and a portion of their time to the acquisition of these languages—­and, above all, give up their hearts to be prepared for the Lord’s work!  How wide is the field of labor!

From Neufchatel they proceeded to Geneva, and thence to Grenoble.  Here they were received in the most open-hearted manner by the Protestant minister, Amand; but their feelings were severely tried by the martial display which the city presented.

26_th._—­On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the name of the Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of time.  So soon as he understood the object of our journey, he offered us his chapel for a meeting; or, if it would be more agreeable to us, he would convoke a meeting in the schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a number of persons who usually meet there.  We accepted the latter proposal.  It is comforting to find such a brother in the gospel; but O for the morrow! how my heart fails me for fear!  Lord, help us, and give us to trust in thee!

27_th._—­This day is a day of suffering.  The soldiers, the drums, the trumpets, with the shouting and dancing of the people, is enough to sink the heart of the reflecting Christian beyond hope, had he not a refuge in retirement before the Lord.  The whole course of the military system tends to evil, and the corruption of manners.

The meeting was well attended, and they were thankful in being enabled to mingle in spirit with a company of sincere and pious Christians.  The pastor called on them the next day.  He had succeeded their good friend Bonifas, spoken of in the journey of 1843.  Conversing with him on points on which Christians may differ, he observed, “The Church of Christ is like a great house built on a rock.  There are different apartments for the various classes of Christians; but they are in the same house, and on the same rock, Christ.”

After attending to some other gospel-service at Grenoble, they resumed their journey, held meetings in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing the Rhone, entered Ardeche.  A meeting which they held at Privas was an occasion of remarkable stillness and solemnity.