desired to hold a meeting for worship in this place, but was prevented by
the police. The object was now accomplished by engaging a room without the
limits of the state of Bueckeburg, in which the town is situated, and
within the Hessian frontier, which includes, in fact, a part of
Obernkirchen.

A public meeting for worship in that place (says John Yeardley, in a
letter written after his return home,) was such a new thing, that on our
arrival we found a press of persons whom the room could by no means
contain. The landlord readily granted us his barn, which was commodious,
and we threw open the large doors into the yard, which was seated; besides
which, the people stood in numbers. We had a solemn meeting. There is a
little company who hold a meeting at Obernkirchen; several of these have
suffered on account of their religions scruples in refusing baptism to
their children, &c. These we invited after meeting to take coffee with us,
about thirty persons, all serious. It was a delightful occasion. After the
coffee we had a sweet parting meeting with this truly interesting company.
We had been given to expect that, although we had taken the precaution to
_pitch our tent_ without the limits of the intolerant place, the
police would be present, and would most probably disperse our assembly.
But no such thing;--all was quiet.

I was thankful (he adds in his Diary) that the meeting was held in quiet,
for there is a bitter feeling of persecution in the neighborhood. I was
previously much cast down, but "thanks be unto God who always causeth us
to triumph in Christ."

CHAPTER XIX

HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA.

1853.

The call which John Yeardley had received to visit the German colonies in
South Russia, and which had lain for a long time dormant, now revived. A
friend who had watched with regret his unsuccessful attempts on former
journeys to enter that jealous country, and who augured from the political
changes which had taken place that permission might probably now be
obtained, brought the subject again under his notice. The admonition was
timely and effectual. After carefully pondering the matter--with, we doubt
not, as on former occasions, a childlike dependence on his Omniscient
Guide for direction,--he came to the conclusion that it was his duty once
more to address himself to this undertaking: and when it was accomplished,
and he had returned in safety and peace to England, he alluded more than
once to