them.

Having felt much towards seeing them together, the way seemed open to
propose to this man to have a meeting. He readily undertook to consult
with a few others; and he came to our inn next morning with another, when
he said, the good work must have a small beginning, and although he
himself was quite willing, the others did not see the necessity of it, or
were too cautious. This person told us that, with respect to temporals,
they could never have got forward again in the way they had done, had it
not been for the kind and effectual assistance received from England.
After an interesting conversation with these two, we parted in much
affection. My M.Y. drew up a short epistle, which was signed by us all,
and forwarded to them: this was an entire relief to our minds.

Understanding the fair was to commence on First-day morning, we found it
necessary on Seventh-day evening to seek fresh quarters. The First-day is
worse kept in the territories belonging to Hanover than in any part of the
Continent that I have seen, and the greatest religious ignorance prevails
there. The cause may rest with the Government in giving too much power to
the Church: the ecclesiastics are fond of keeping in their own hands all
things relating to religion, and will not suffer the light to shine that
the people may see for themselves. The Edict of Stade has lately been
renewed, prohibiting religious meetings; no unauthorised persons (as they
call it), are permitted to preach or hold meetings, on pain of
imprisonment; all foreign missionaries to be immediately sent beyond the
boundaries. The settlement we were visiting was partly in Hanover, and
partly in Oldenburg.

Besides these colonies on the reclaimed strand of the ocean, John Yeardley
had another object in undertaking this journey, which was to inspect the
Industrial Colony at Fredericks-Oort, in the province of Drenthe, in
Holland. Towards this place the party now directed their way.

Between Wittmund and Aurich (continues J.Y.) is a moor called Plagenburg,
about six English miles square, on which are some of the poorest mud-huts
I ever saw. People who intend to settle here from any part receive a grant
of land for ten years free, and afterwards pay a yearly ground-rent of
about five shillings an acre. The idle and burdensome poor are also sent
here; and by this means the whole neighborhood is relieved from
poor-rates, except for the support of a few individuals who spin, &c., in