They were liberated by China monthly meeting, Vassalboro' quarterly meeting, and New England yearly meeting, and embarked from Boston on the 10th of 4th month, 1867.
"The last meeting attended by them before leaving their home in Maine was thronged by their townspeople, many of whom had known them through life, and several ministers from other societies from the overflowing of their hearts expressed their desire for the divine blessing upon their labors as ambassadors for Christ. Between our two friends, and upon the same bench, sat their two aged mothers, respectively in their eighty-fourth and eighty-ninth years. The latter arose in the presence of the large assembly, and, referring to the prospect that she should not meet her dear children again in this life, expressed her willingness to give them up for the sake of the Lord. They were attended on board their steamer by a large delegation of Friends from Lynn, Salem, New Bedford, and Providence. Here they mingled in Christian sympathy and in a season of religious fellowship, giving their fellow-passengers the opportunity of witnessing such brotherhood in Christ as used in the olden time to induce the exclamation: 'See how the Quakers love one another!'" Among those who came to bid them adieu and attend their religious exercises were John A. Andrew, governor of Massachusetts, and General Banks. It was especially interesting, as marking a striking contrast to the treatment which the missionary Quakers two hundred years before received at the hands of the Boston officials.
John G. Whittier, who at one time had a desire to accompany them, wrote the following beautiful verses for the occasion:
"TO ELI AND SYBIL JONES.
"As one who watches from the land
The lifeboat go to seek and save,
And, all too weak to lend a hand,
Sends his faint cheer across the wave,—
"So, powerless at my hearth to-day,
Unmeet your holy work to share,