The next entry in the Diary was made at Christiania, where he thus speaks of the unity and concurrence which his friends had testified with his mission.
Since I last wrote any notes in this journal, I have passed through many conflicts respecting my long-thought-of visit to Norway. When the subject was proposed to my friends in London, it met with the warm encouragement and sympathy of all, in every stage, to the receiving the full unity of the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders.
I am accompanied by my dear friend, Peter Bedford, whose sweet and constantly cheerful spirits comfort and cheer me. We have already had many proofs that our being joined together in this laborious journey is of the Lord. Our friend William Robinson proves an efficient helper.
John Yeardley and his companions left London on the 9th of the Sixth Month, and went first to Homburg, as he wished to place a young person in whom he was interested, at the school kept by the sisters Müller at Friedrichsdorf, near that town. Whilst at Homburg he was suddenly attacked with a severe and painful disorder, and was reduced to great extremity. After about two weeks of suffering, he was restored to convalescence, when he thus breaks forth:--
How can I sufficiently record the mercy of my God in sustaining me in a time of great extremity, even when there was but little prospect of my ever seeing Norway. He blessed me with resignation and sustaining grace, so that I could rest as on the Saviour's bosom, for life or death. I knew my Lord and Master could do without my poor unworthy service in Norway; but if he had work for me to do in that land he would raise me up in his own time; and so he has done.
As soon as he had sufficiently recovered his strength, they set forth for Kiel; but not before John Yeardley had had a religious meeting with the pupils in the school.
I was, he says, enabled to address them in German; a precious feeling was over us, and many spirits were tendered before the Lord. F. Müller expressed her great satisfaction with this parting visit.
They reached Kiel by easy stages in seven days. From this place he writes:--
My very soul pants to be in Norway; had I wings I could fly there. And yet how few are the days since the cloud between me and that land was so dense that I could not see through it. But even then, O, what sweet peace and resignation were the clothing of my humbled spirit. There seemed nothing in my way to heaven, whether from Germany or Norway. I do believe my eye and heart are fixed on my precious Saviour, and he has been my stay in the hour of sore conflict of body, but none of mind. All seemed peace and bliss when I glanced at the happy home above, already inhabited by my precious one and many more who were dear to us on earth.--(Letter of 7 mo. 2, 1852.)
On the 5th of the Seventh Month they proceeded to Christiania, John Yeardley employing the time on the voyage in adding to the little stock of the Norse language which he had acquired at home in anticipation of the journey. On landing at Christiania they were refreshed by seeing Asbjön Kloster of Stavanger, who had come to meet them, and for two weeks had been waiting their arrival.