ced if we mean to be useful to a people of a strange land, all
must be done in a spirit of love and humility; with the weak we must be
willing to become weak; only we must be on our guard and not flinch from
our well-known testimonies.

The reflection contained in the passage which follows is of deep
significance, and the lesson it conveys is one which the Church has as
much need to learn now as at any former period.

15_th_.--We find recorded in the writings of our ancient Friends that
occasionally a few words spoken in the course of common conversation made
a deep impression on the minds of those to whom they were addressed. The
cause must have been that they lived in a more retired state of mind, and
were consequently better prepared to feel the smallest of good impressions
in themselves, and were also more attentive to embrace every opportunity
of improving the minds of others. I fail in this respect; I do not live
enough in what may be truly called a spirit of prayer. I must be more
watchful over my thoughts, words and actions, and improve my seasons of
retirement; for there is no other way of preservation than by waiting and
praying for a renewal of spiritual strength.

John Yeardley then reverts, as he so often does, to the love of souls in
Germany, which was the means of causing him to leave his native land, and
which he says had not diminished during his eighteen months' residence
among them. To these thoughts he adds some considerations regarding the
temporal condition of the Society of Friends there, on account of which he
was often very solicitous.

The situation and welfare of the Society here have long occupied the
warmest feelings of my heart. I am of the mind, with other Friends who
have visited these parts, that there is a precious hidden work begun in
the hearts of many in Germany, who suffer under oppression, on account of
the many discouraging circumstances which have existed among them, and
which yet prevail, to the great hindrance of the Lord's work. There are
causes for which no human remedy can be prescribed. I have often said in
my heart, If the Lord help them not, vain is the help of man. Much has
been done for them by our dear Friends in England, and much still remains
to be done, in order that they may be preserved together and not become
dispersed as though they had never been a people.

The effectual means of help seems yet to fail,--that of putting the
families in the way of he