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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10369-8.txt b/10369-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..04c8958 --- /dev/null +++ b/10369-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16013 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister +of the Gospel, by John Yeardley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel + +Author: John Yeardley + +Release Date: December 2, 2003 [EBook #10369] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN YEARDLEY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Sheila Vogtmann and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + +MEMOIR AND DIARY + +OF +JOHN YEARDLEY, + +Minister of the Gospel. + + +EDITED BY CHARLES TYLOR. + +"Should time with me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that +love for mankind which believes 'every nation to be our nation, and every +man our brother.'"--_Diary of J. Yeardley._. + +PHILADELPHIA: +HENRY LONGSTRETH, +1336 CHESTNUT STREET. +1860. + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY'S CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS PUBLIC +MINISTRY, 1803-15. + +Birth and occupation +Joseph Wood, of Newhouse +Anecdote of Thomas Yeardley +John Yeardley's conversion +He enters T. D. Walton's linen warehouse +Joins the Society of Friends +Marriage with Elizabeth Dunn--Commencement of his Diary +A. Clarke's "Commentary" +Enters into business on his own account +Visit of Sarah Lameley +Call to the ministry + + +CHAPTER II. + +FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN +GERMANY IN 1820. + +First offerings in the ministry +Is unsuccessful in business +Removes to Bentham +His views on the Christian ministry +Visit of Hannah Field +Is recorded a minister +Visits Kendal and Lancaster, in company with Joseph Wood +Visit to Friends at Barnsley +Journey to York +Letters to Thomas Yeardley + + +CHAPTER III. + + +FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820, TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY +IN 1822. + +Prospect of residing in Germany +Visit from John Kirkham +Liverpool Quarterly Meeting +Public meeting at Wray +Visit of Ann Jones +Journey to Leeds +Death of Joseph Wood +Illness of Elizabeth Yeardley +Her death +John Yeardley goes to Hull +Extracts from Elizabeth Yeardley's letters +Testimony concerning Joseph Wood + + +CHAPTER IV. + +HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY, 1822-24. + +Sails to Hamburg--His lodging at Eppendorf +Arrives at Pyrmont +Friedensthal +Religious service with Thomas Shillitoe +Establishment of the Reading and Youths' meetings at Pyrmont +Mode of bleaching +Visiters at the Baths attend Pyrmont meeting +J.Y. visits Minden and Eidinghausen +Plan for helping the Friends of Minden +Journey to Leipzig +Returns to England + + +CHAPTER V. + +FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST +CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. + +Mental depression +Journey with Elizabeth H. Walker through the Midland Counties +Yearly Meeting +Returns to Friedensthal +Humiliation +Certificate for the South of France +Martha Savory's visit to the Continent +Journey to Rotterdam + + +Chapter VI. + +HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1825-26. + +John Yeardley and his companions leave Pyrmont +Visit Elberfeld, Creveldt, Mühlheim, &c. +Neuwied--the Inspirirten +Journey to Berlenburg +Are placed under arrest at Erndebrück +Set at liberty by the Landrath of Berlenburg +The Old and New Separatists +Gelnhausen and Raneberg +Pforzheim--H. Kienlin +Stuttgardt, Basle, &c. +Zurich--the Gessner family +Berne +Geneva +Journey to Congenies +Religious service in the South of France +St. Etienne +Return to England + + +CHAPTER VII. + +HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY, 1826-27. + +John Yeardley goes into Yorkshire +Death of his parents +Marriage with Martha Savory +Biographical notice of Martha Savory +Letter from Martha Yeardley +J. and M. Y. take up their abode at Burton, near Barnsley + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. + +PART I.--GERMANY. + +J. and M.Y. sail to Rotterdam +Minden, &c. +Journey to the shores of the North Sea +Visit to the colonists on the _Grodens_ +Fredericks-Oort +Frankfort +Darmstadt--Durkheim +Stuttgart +Kornthal +Wilhelmsdorf + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. + +PART II.--SWITZERLAND. + +Schaffhausen +Beuggen +Zurich +Hofwyl--Geneva--A. Bost +Lausanne +Neufchâtel +Berne and the neighborhood +Montmirail--Neufchâtel +Locle--Mary Anne Calame +Journey through France +Guernsey--Accident on the water + + +CHAPTER X. + +HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1828-33. + +Illness of Martha Yeardley +Letter from M.A. Calame +Yearly Meeting +Letter from Auguste Borel--Public meetings in Yorkshire +Death of James A. Wilson--Journey through the Western Counties +Various religious engagements +Journey through Wales with Elizabeth Dudley +Visit to Lancashire +Removal to Scarborough +Establishment of a Bible-class at ditto +Prospects of a journey to Greece +Argyri Climi +Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE, 1833-34. + +PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. + + +Paris +Death of Rachel Waterhouse +Nancy +Phalsbourg--Strasburg--Pastor Majors +Ban de la Roche +Basle +Neufchâtel +Polish Count and Countess +Geneva +Journey through Italy +Letters from Friends in England + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. + +PART II.--GREECE. + +Corfu +Count F. Sardina +Santa Maura +Wigwam village on the mainland +Cephalonia--Zante +Patras--the Gulf of Corinth +Galaxidi--Trying situation +Castri (the ancient Delphi) +Journey to Athens +Athens +Corinth +Detentions--Vostizza +Patras +Corfu + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. + +PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE. + +Letters from John Rowntree and William Allen +Ancona +Florence +The Custom-house--Piedmont +Geneva +Lausanne +Berne +Zurich--Schaffhausen +Basle--Death of Thomas Yeardley +Death of M.A. Calame +Neufchâtel +Return to England--Death of A.B. Savory + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1834 TO THE COMMENCEMENT +OF THE FOURTH IN 1842. + +Divisions in the Society of Friends +Employment of leisure time +Girls' Lancasterian school at Scarborough +Death of Elizabeth Rowntree--Letter from M.Y. to Elizabeth Dudley +Visit to Thame +Visit to Lancashire +Visits to the Isle of Wight +Death of John Rutter +Prospect of revisiting the Continent + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1842-43. + +Amiens +Paris +Letters from E. Dudley and J. Rowntree +Lyons +Nismes--Boarding-school for girls +Letter from John Rowntree +Montpélier +Lesengnan +Maux +Saverdun +Toulouse +Montauban--Castres +Tullins--Grenoble +Geneva +Lausanne +Neufchâtel--Paul Pétavel +Locle +Berne +Basle +Carlsruhe--Frankfort +Accident to J.Y.--Vlotho + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL +JOURNEY, 1843-48. + +Removal to Berkhamstead +Removal to Stamford-hill +Visit to the families of Gracechurch-St. Monthly Meeting +Death of J.J. Gurney and I. Stickney +Prepare for revisiting the Continent +Brussels +H. Van Maasdyk +Charleroi--Spa +Bonn +Mannheim, Strasburg +Basle +Berne-Neufchâtel +Grenoble +Privas--Vals +Nismes--Congenies + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1849-50. + +Letter from J.Y. to John Kitching +Elberfeld--Mühlheim +Bonn +Kreuznach--J.A. Ott +Mannheim +Stuttgardt--Death of Elizabeth Dudley +Kornthal +Kreuznach +Bonn +Return home--Resume their journey +Berlin--A. Beyerhaus +Warmbrunn +Illness of Martha Yeardley-Töplitz +Prague--Translation of tracts into the Bohemian language +Kreuzuach--Neuwied + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO +NORWAY, 1851-52. + +Illness and death of Martha Yeardley +J.Y. visits Ireland +Prospect of a journey to Norway +Homburg--Illness of J.Y. +Christiana--Christiansand +Stavanger +Excursion up one of the fiords +Bergen +Meetings at Foedde and other places +Obernkirchen + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA, 1853. + +Passport--Sails from Hull +Petersburg +Moscow +Journey to Iekaterinoslav +Kharkov +Rybalsk--The German Colonies +The Molokans +The Crimea--The Tartars +A suspicious halting-place--Simpheropol +Feodosia +Odessa--Constantinople +Smyrna +Syra--Malta +Nismes--Bagnères de Bigorre +Pialoux + + +CHAPTER XX. + +FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY, 1853-1858. + +Visits Bath +The Yearly Meeting--Life of J. J. Gurney +Visit to Minden--Religious service in Yorkshire +Goes again to Minden +Neuveville +Paris +Visit to Bristol and Gloucester Quarterly Meetings +Minden +Visit to Birmingham, Leicester, &c. +Goes to Nismes +Visits Chelmsford, &c. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858. CONCLUDING REMARKS. + +Religious Mission to Asiatic Turkey +Voyage to Constantinople +Sun-stroke +Meetings in the neighborhood of Constantinople +Is seized with paralysis, and returns home +His death--Remarks on his character +Notes of some of his public testimonies + + + +MEMOIR + +OF + +JOHN YEARDLEY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY's CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT +OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY. + +1803--1815. + +John Yeardley was born on the 3rd of the First Month, 1786, at a small +farm-house beside Orgreave Hall, in the valley of the Rother, four miles +south of Rotherham. His parents, Joel and Frances Yeardley, farmed some +land, chiefly pasture, and his mother is said to have been famous for her +cream-cheeses, which she carried herself to Sheffield market. She was a +pious and industrious woman; but, through the misconduct of her husband, +was sometimes reduced to such straits as scarcely to have enough food for +her children. + +Before they left Orgreave they were attracted towards the worship of +Friends, and several of the family, including two of Joel Yeardley's +sisters, embraced the truth as held by the Society. In the year 1802 they +removed to a farm at Blacker, three miles south of Barnsley, and attended +the meeting at Monk Bretton, or Burton, near that town, where the +meeting-house then stood. At Blacker it was John's business to ride into +Barnsley daily on a pony, with two barrels of milk to distribute to the +customers of his mother's dairy. His elder brother Thomas worked on the +farm. + +Their attendance at Burton meeting brought the family under the notice of +Joseph Wood, a minister of the Society, residing at Newhouse, near +Highflatts, four miles from Penistone. Joseph Wood had been a Yorkshire +clothier, but relinquished business in the prime of life, and spent the +rest of his days in assiduous pastoral labor of a kind of which we have +few examples. To attend a Monthly Meeting he would leave home on foot the +Seventh-day before, with John Bottomley, also a Friend and preacher, and +at one time his servant, for some neighboring meeting. He would occupy the +evening with social calls, dropping at every house the word of exhortation +or comfort. The meeting next day would witness his fervent ministry. In +the afternoon they would proceed to the place where the Monthly Meeting +was to be held the following day, which they would attend, filling up the +time before and after with social and religious visits. In the intervals +of the Monthly Meetings, when not engaged on more distant service, it was +his practice to appoint meetings for worship in the villages around +Highflatts, and very frequently to visit those places where individuals +were "under convincement," particularly Barnsley and Dewsbury, where at +that time many were added to the Society. On his return home from these +services he would spend the day in an upper room, without a fire, even in +the severest weather, writing a minute account of all that had happened. + +It was in 1803 that Joseph Wood first had intercourse with Joel Yeardley's +family. Under date of the 19th of the Fourth Month, he says, speaking of +himself and some other concerned Friends:-- + + +We felt an inclination to visit Joel Yeardley's family, who are under +convincement, and who have lately removed from near Handsworth Woodhouse. +We went to breakfast. He and Frances his wife, with Thomas and John their +sons, the former about nineteen, the latter seventeen years of age, +received us in a very kind and affectionate manner, expressing their +satisfaction at our coming to see them. They appeared quite open, and gave +us a particular account of the manner of their convincement and beginning +to attend Friends' meetings, which was about four years ago. I believe +there is a good degree of sincerity in the man and his wife, and the two +sons appear to be tender and hopeful. + + +The next month Joseph Wood repeated his visit, and gives an account of the +interview in the following words:-- + + +5 _mo_., 1803.--Having ever since I was at Joel Yeardley's the last +month, felt my mind drawn to sit with the family, and this appearing to me +to be the right time, I set out from home the 14th of the Fifth Month, in +company with John Bottomley. Got to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and five +o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samuel Coward of Barnsley came +to meet us there. In the evening we had a precious opportunity together, +in which caution, counsel, advice, and encouragement flowed plentifully, +suited to the varied states of the family. I had a long time therein +first, from 1 Cor. xv. 58; John Bottomley next. Afterwards I had a pretty +long time, after which J.B. was concerned in prayer. At the breaking up of +the opportunity I had something very encouraging to communicate to their +son Thomas, who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt +very nearly united. + + +Joel Yeardley unhappily did not long remain faithful to his convictions. +He not only himself drew back from intercourse with Friends, but was +unwilling his sons should leave their work to attend week-day meetings, +and did all in his power to prevent them. This is shown by the following +narrative from Joseph Wood's memoranda:-- + + +As William Wass and I were going to attend a Committee at Highflatts, on +our Monthly Meeting day, in the morning, we met with Thomas Yeardley of +Blacker, near Worsbro', a young man who is under convincement. I was a +little surprised to see him having on a green singlet and smock frock. He +burst out into tears; I inquired the matter, and if something was amiss at +home; he only replied, "Not much;" and we not having time to atop, +proceeded, and he went forward to my house. This was on the 19th of the +Ninth Month, 1803. + +After the Monthly Meeting was over, I had an opportunity to inquire into +the cause of his appearance and trouble, and found that he was religiously +concerned to attend weekday meetings, which his father was much averse to; +and in order to procure his liberty he had worked almost beyond his +ability; but all would not do, his father plainly telling him that he +should quit the house. The evening before, he applied to him for leave to +come to the meeting at Highflatts to-day; but he refused, and treated him +with very rough language. However, as the concern remained with him, he +rose early in the morning and got himself ready; but his father came and +violently pulled the clothes off his back, and his shirt also, and took +all his other clothes from him but those we met him in, telling him to get +a place immediately, for he should not stop in his house. Being thus +stripped, he went to his work in the stable; but, not feeling easy without +coming to meeting, he set out as he was, not minding his dress, so that he +might but be favored to get to the meeting. + +This evening we had an opportunity with him in my parlor, much to our +satisfaction. The language of encouragement and consolation flowed freely +and plentifully towards him through William Wass, John Bottomley, and +myself; and afterwards, in conference with him, we found liberty to advise +him to return home (he having before thought of procuring a place), +believing if he was preserved faithful, way would in time be made for him, +and that it might perhaps be a means of his father's restoration; as at +times, he said, he appeared a little different, not having wholly lost his +love to Friends, and always behaved kindly to them. He took our advice +kindly, and complied therewith. After stopping two nights at my house, he +returned home. + + +Joseph Wood did not suffer much time to elapse before he paid another +visit to Blacker, to comfort the afflicted family. It was from this visit, +as we apprehend, that John Yeardley dated his change of heart. "I was +convinced," he said on one occasion, "at a meeting which Joseph Wood had +with our family." + + +7 _mo_. 17, 1803.--Thomas Walker Haigh and William Gant accompanied +us to Joel Yeardley's, where we tarried all night; but the two young men +from Barnsley returned home after supper. Joel was from home, but after +tea we had a religious opportunity with the rest of the family, in which I +had a very long consolatory and encouraging testimony to bear to the +deeply-suffering exercised minds from John xvi. 33. Afterwards I had a +pretty long time, principally to their son John, who I believe was under a +precious visitation from on high. He was much broken and tendered, and I +hope this season of remarkable favor will not soon be forgotten by him. + + +On his return home Joseph Wood wrote him the following letter:-- + + +Newhouse, 10 mo. 24, 1803 + +BELOVED FRIEND, JOHN YEARDLEY, + +Thou hast often been in my remembrance since I last saw thee, accompanied +with an earnest desire that the seed sown may prosper and bring forth +fruit in its season, to the praise and glory of the Great Husbandman, who, +I believe, is calling thee to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. +And O mayest thou be willing in this the day of his power to leave all and +follow him who hath declared, "Every one who hath forsaken houses, or +brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or +lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall +inherit everlasting life." + +Not that we should be found wanting in our duty to our near connexions, +for true religion does not destroy natural affection, but brings and +preserves it in its proper place. When our earthly parents command one +thing, and the Almighty another, it is better for us to obey God than man, +and herein is our love manifested unto him by our obedience to his +commands though it may sometimes clash against our parents' minds. At the +same time it is our duty to endeavor to convince them, that we are willing +to obey all their lawful commands, where they do not interfere with our +duty to Him who hath given us life, breath, and being, and mercifully +visited us by his grace. I thought a remark of this kind appeared to be +required of me, apprehending if thou art faithful unto the Lord, thou wilt +find it to be thy duty at times to leave thy worldly concerns to attend +religious meetings, which may cause thee deep and heavy trials; but +remember for thy encouragement, the promise of the hundred-fold in this +world, and in that which is to come, eternal life. + +Thou art favored with a pious though afflicted mother, and a +religiously-exercised elder brother, who, I doubt not, will rejoice to see +thee grow in the truth. May you all be blessed with the blessing of +preservation, and strengthened to keep your ranks in righteousness, and +may you be a strength and comfort to each other, and hold up a standard of +truth and righteousness in the neighborhood where your lot is cast. Do not +flinch, my beloved friend; be not ashamed to become a true follower of +Christ. When little things are required of thee, be faithful; thus shalt +thou be made ruler over more; when greater things are manifested to be thy +duty, remember the Lord is able to support, who declared by the mouth of +his prophet formerly, "Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the +birds round about are against her." But if the Lord be on our side, it +matters little who may be permitted to arise against us, for his power is +above all the combined powers of the wicked one, and he will bless and +preserve those who above all things are concerned to serve him faithfully, +which that thou mayest be is the sincere desire of thy truly loving and +affectionate friend, + +JOSEPH WOOD. + + +The word which had been so fitly spoken took deep root in John Yeardley's +heart, and on the following New-year's day he went up to Newhouse to +converse with his experienced and sympathizing friend. + + +On the 1st of the First Month, 1804, (writes Joseph Wood,) John Yeardley +came to my house, on purpose to see me. He got here betwixt ten and eleven +o'clock in the forenoon, attended our meeting and tarried with us until +after tea, and then returned home. He is a hopeful youth, tender in +spirit, and of a sweet natural disposition; was convinced of the truth in +an opportunity I had at his father's house, and, I hope, is likely to do +well. I love him much, and much desire his preservation, growth, and +establishment upon the everlasting foundation, against which the gates of +Hell are not able to prevail. + + +Shortly after this, we obtain from John Yeardley's own hand an insight +into the depth of those religious convictions which had so mercifully been +vouchsafed to him. The manner in which this interesting memorandum +concludes is quaint, but it expresses a resolution to which he was enabled +to adhere in a remarkable degree throughout the course of his long life; +for of him it may be said that, beyond many, his pursuits, his aims, and +his conversation were not of the world, but were bounded by the line of +the Gospel, and animated by its self-denying spirit. + + +_Blacker_, 2 _mo_. 9, 1804.--As I pursued these earthly +enjoyments, it pleased the Lord, in the riches of his mercy to turn me +back in the blooming of my youth, and favor me with the overshadowing of +his love, to see the splendid pleasures that so easily detained my +precious time. He was graciously pleased to call me to the exercise of +that important work which must be done in all our hearts, which appears to +me no small cross to my own will, and attended with many discouragements; +yet I am made to believe it is the way wherein I ought to go; and I trust +Thou, O Lord, who hast called, will enable me to give up, and come forward +in perfect obedience to the manifestations of thy divine light, so as a +thorough change may be wrought, that I may be fitted and prepared for a +place in thy everlasting kingdom. Though at times I am led into great +discouragement, and almost ready to faint by the way, fearing I shall +never be made conqueror over those potent enemies who so much oppose my +happiness, O be Thou near in these needful times, and underneath to bear +me up in all the difficulties which it is necessary I should pass through +for my further refinement, whilst I have a being in this earthly +pilgrimage. Strong are the ties that seem to attach me to the earth; but +O! I have cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of +thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affection. Great and +frequent are the trials and temptations, and narrow is the way wherein we +ought to walk; alas! too narrow for many. O may I ever be preserved, +faithfully forward to the eternal land of rest! + +Dear Lord, who knowest the secret of all hearts, thou knowest I am at +times under a sense of great weakness; but thou, who art always waiting to +gather the tender youth into thy flock and family, hast mercifully reached +over me with thy gathering arm. Mayst thou ever be near to strengthen me +in every weakness; and make me willing to leave all, take up my daily +cross, and follow thee in the denial of self, not fearing to confess thee +before men. Always give me strength to perform whatsoever thou mayest +require at my hands; wean my affections more and more; attract me nearer +to thyself; and lead me through this world as a stranger, never to be +known to it more but by the name of JOHN YEARDLEY. + + +In the Third Month Joseph Wood again addressed his young friend by letter, +encouraging him to be steadfast in trial, and to beware of the gilded +baits of the enemy; and promising him, that if he followed the Lord +faithfully, his works should appear marvellous in his eyes, his wonders be +disclosed to him in the deeps, and he on his part would be made willing to +serve him with a perfect heart. + +In the Sixth Month, again visiting Blacker, he had a "precious, +heart-tendering religious opportunity with all the family." + +About this time Joel Yeardley was so much reduced in his circumstances as +to be obliged to give up farming, which compelled his sons to seek their +own means of livelihood. Thomas and John went into Barnsley, where they +applied themselves to the linen manufacture, and were taken into the +warehouse of Thomas Dixon Walton, a Friend, who afterwards married a +daughter of Thomas Shillitoe. + +In the First Month, 1806, Joseph Wood records another interesting +interview with his young friend:-- + + +1 _mo_. 7.--I called on Thomas Dixon Walton and John Yeardley, with +whom I had a religious opportunity in which the language of encouragement +flowed freely; I being opened unto them from Luke xii. 32; "Fear not, +little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the +kingdom." + + +In the Third Month of this year John Yeardley made application for +membership in the Society of Friends, and was admitted in the Fifth Month +following, being then twenty years of age. His brother Thomas had joined +the Society some time before. The brothers are thus described by one who +knew them intimately:--Thomas, as a man of homely manners, of hearty and +genial character, and greatly beloved; John, as possessing a native +refinement which made it easy for him in after-life to rise in social +position, but whose reserved habits caused him to be less generally +appreciated. + +The call which John Yeardley received, and which he so happily obeyed, to +leave the world and enter by the strait gate into the kingdom of heaven, +was accompanied, as we shall afterwards see more fully, by a secret +conviction that he would one day have publicly to preach to others the +Gospel of salvation. A sense that such was the case seems to have taken +hold of Joseph Wood's mind, in a visit which he made him some time after +his admission into the Society. + + +1 _mo_. 29, 1808.--Sat with T.D. Walton and his wife, and his man +John Yeardley. I had two pretty long testimonies to bear from Colossians +iv. 17. I had to show the necessity there was for those who had received a +gift in the ministry to be faithful, and, as Satan was as busy about these +as any others, to be careful to withstand his temptations, that nothing +might hinder our fulfilment of this gift, nor anything be suffered to +prevail over us that might hinder its proper effect upon others. + +After Thomas was gone to breakfast, my mind was unexpectedly opened in a +pretty long encouraging testimony to John, from John xxi. 22--"What is +that to thee? follow thou me;" having gently to caution him not to look at +others to his hurt, but faithfully follow his Master, Jesus Christ, in the +way of his leadings. + + +In 1809 John Yeardley married Elizabeth Dunn. She was much older than +himself, "plain in person," but "full of simplicity and goodness," and of +a "most lovable" character. Like her husband she had come into the Society +by convincement; and like him she had partaken in a large degree of the +paternal sympathy and oversight of Joseph Wood. She had been a Methodist, +and was one of the first who joined with Friends at Barnsley in the +awakening which took place there in the beginning of the century. + +John Yeardley and his wife inhabited, on their marriage, a small house at +the southern extremity of the town, whither very soon afterwards was +transferred the afternoon meeting which it was customary to hold at some +Friend's house in Barnsley. The morning meeting continued to be held at. +Burton until 1816, when a new meeting-house was built in the town. + +They had only one child, a son, who died in infancy. + +John Yeardley commenced his Diary in 1811; and this valuable record of his +religious experience, and of his travels in the service of the Gospel, was +maintained with more or less regularity to the end of his life. The motive +which induced him to adopt this practice is given in the following lines, +with which the manuscript commences:-- + + +It may seem a little strange that I should, in my present situation, +attempt to keep any memorandums of the following kind; but feeling +desirous simply to pen down a few broken remarks as they may at times +occur to my mind, I apprehend no great harm can arise; and if, by causing +a closer scrutiny into my future stepping along, they should in any degree +exercise my mind to spiritual improvement, the intended purpose will be +fully answered. + + +The first entry is dated the 6th of the Tenth Month, 1811:-- + + +_First-day_.--Have been sweetly refreshed at our little meeting this +morning. I have long felt assured that Time calls for greater diligence in +me than has hitherto been rendered. And when I consider the innumerable +favors and privileges which I enjoy at the hands of Divine Providence, +beyond many of my fellow-creatures, and the few returns of gratitude I am +making, it raises in me an inexpressible desire that my few remaining days +may be dedicated, in humble obedience, to Him whose great and noble cause +I am professing to promote. + +How unstable is human nature! On sitting down in meeting this evening I +got into a state of unwatchfulness, which continued so long as to deprive +me of the refreshment my poor mind so often stands in need of. + + +In the entries which follow, the progress of the inward work and the +preparation for future service are very evident:-- + + +13_th_.--Went to our morning gathering in a low frame of mind, and +was made afresh to believe that were we more concerned to dwell nearer the +pure principle of Truth when out of meetings, we should not find such +difficult access when thus collected, but each one would be encouraged to +come under the precious influence of that baptizing power which would +cement and refresh our spirits together. O then, I firmly believe, our +Heavenly Father would in an eminent manner condescend to crown our +assemblies with the overshadowing of his love, and enable us not only to +roll away the stone, but to draw living water as out of the wells of +salvation. + +17_th_.--"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit +within me," was a language which secretly passed my mind in meeting this +morning; and though inwardly poor as I am, yet I dare not but acknowledge +it a privilege to be favored even with a good desire. + +24_th_.--Was a little refreshed at our morning gathering, my spirit +being exercised under a concern that I might not rest satisfied with +anything short of living experience; and I felt comforted with a lively +hope that He whom my soul loveth will not fail to manifest his divine +regard to one who is sincerely desirous to become acquainted with his +ways. O, how shall I render sufficient thankfulness for such a favor, thus +to be made once more sweetly to partake of the brook by the way. + +Thought the evening sitting rather dull, though the ministry of T. S. was +lively, which is a confirming proof that however favored we may be at +certain seasons, yet if at any time we suffer our attention to be diverted +from the real object, it frustrates the design of Him who I believe +intends that we should wait together to renew our strength. + + +In the Eleventh Month Henry Hull, from the United Slates, accompanied by +John Hull of Uxbridge, visited Burton, and had good service their, both +amongst Friends and with the public. They lodged at John Yeardley's, and, +in describing their labors and the pleasure he derived from their society, +he records his thankfulness at being placed in a situation in life such as +afforded him the opportunity of entertaining the Lord's servants. + +His disposition was lively and strongly inclined to humor, and he early +felt the necessity of having this natural trait of character subjected to +the rule of heavenly wisdom. Under date 27th of the Eleventh Month he +says:-- + + +I feel a little compunction for having these few days past given way too +much to the lightness of my disposition, and not being sufficiently +concerned to seek after that stability and serious reflection which never +fails to improve the mind. + + +On the 26th of the Twelfth Month he records a state of spiritual poverty. + + +Such, he says, has been the instability of my mind, that my "Beloved is +unto me as a fountain sealed." But, he adds, I feel a little tendered this +evening, on reading over a few comfortable expressions in a letter from my +friend, Joseph Wood. + + +This condition of mind continued for some months, when he thus breaks +forth:-- + + +3 _mo_. 8, 1812.--How pleasant it is once more to be favored with a +few drops of living water from the springs of that well which my soul has +had for many weeks past to languish after, and which I trust has been +wisely withheld in order to show me that, although it is our indispensable +duty to persevere in digging for it, yet it is only in His own time that +we are permitted to drink thereof. + + +His just appreciation of the nature of meetings held for the discipline of +the Church, and of the spirit in which they are to be conducted, is shown +in an early part of the Diary. + + +3 _mo_. 15.--Was at our Preparative Meeting. The queries having to be +answered, I was led into deep thoughtfulness respecting the same, and +inwardly solicited that the Father of mercies would lend his divine aid, +in the performance of such important duties; which I have reason to +believe was in some measure answered, for they were gone through with a +degree of ease and comfort to my own mind. May I ever keep in remembrance +the testimonies of his love which are so often manifested! + +8 _mo_. 17.--Meeting for discipline at Burton. The forepart was +conducted, I think, to edification; but in the latter, one subject +occupied much time unnecessarily, and did not conclude to general +satisfaction. When some whose spirits are not well seasoned, speak to +circumstances which they may not have sufficiently considered, it +sometimes does more harm than they may at first apprehend. + + +The entries in the Diary at this time shew many alternations of +discouragement and comfort, and of that deep searching of his own heart +from which he seldom shrank, and which is the only way to the liberty and +peace of the soul. + + +4 _mo_. 12.--In contemplating the gracious dealings of the Almighty +with me from time to time, I have been led to query, Is it not that I +might, by patiently submitting to the turnings and overturnings of his +most holy hand, become fashioned to show forth his praise? But alas! where +are the fruits? Is not the work rather marring as on the wheel; can I, in +sincerity say, I am the clay, Thou art the potter? I feel weary of my own +negligence; for it seems as if the day with me was advancing faster than +the work, I fear lest I should be cast off for want of giving greater +diligence to make my calling sure. O may he who is perfect in wisdom +strengthen the feeble desire which remains, and melt my stubborn will into +perfect obedience by the operation of his pure spirit. + + +In the next memoranda which we shall transcribe we see when and how his +mind was imbued with the love of Scriptural inquiry and illustration. Two +or three good books well read and digested in younger life often form the +thinking habits of the man, and supply no small part of the substance, or +at any rate the nucleus, of his knowledge. This shows the vast importance +of a wise choice of authors, at the time when the mind is the most +susceptible of impressions, and the most capable of appropriating the food +which is presented to it. Those who knew John Yeardley will recognise the +intimate connexion between these early studies and the character of his +future life and ministry. If any should think his language on this or +kindred subjects marked by excessive caution, they must bear in mind the +comparative by unintellectual circle in which he moved. + + +I trust, he writes, under date of 4 mo. 28, a few of my leisure hours for +two or three weeks past have been spent profitably in perusing some of A. +Clarke's Notes on the Book of Genesis; and although I am fully aware that +the greatest caution is necessary, when these learned men undertake to +exercise their skill on the sacred text, yet I am of opinion, if used with +prudence and a right spirit attended to, it may tend considerably to +illustrate particular passages. I think this pious man has not only shown +his profound knowledge of the learned languages, but some of his +observations are so pertinent and so judiciously made, as may have a +tendency to produce spiritual reflection in the mind of the reader. + +5 _mo_. 24.--Having read with some attention Fleury's "Manners of the +Israelites," by A. Clarke, I am convinced that even a slight knowledge of +those ancient customs tends to facilitate the proper study of the sacred +writings; for many of the metaphors so beautifully made use of by the +prophets and apostles, and even our dear Redeemer himself, to convey a +spiritual meaning, seem to have had an evident allusion to the antique +manners and customs which I find explained in this little volume. + + +The commotions referred to in the reflections which follow, were no doubt +the great European war which was then raging. Buonaparte, it may be +remembered, was at that time making preparation for his Russian campaign, +and a universal alarm prevailed as to the final result of his insatiable +lust of conquest. + + +5 _mo_. 7.--In viewing the commotions of the times, it has induced me +seriously to consider the great importance of procuring, as far as ability +may be afforded, a free access to the never-failing source of our help; +and in a little contemplating this subject I have been comforted in a hope +that, if we only abide stedfast and immovable, He whom the waves of the +sea obeyed will in his own time speak peace to the minds of his tossed +ones, and a calm will ensue. + + +The perusal of Elizabeth Smith's "Fragments" occasions him to remark how +profitable it is to read the writings of others; but he wisely adds:-- + + +I am often desirous not to rest satisfied with a bare perusal of these, +believing they are only advantageous to us so far as they stimulate to a +closer attention to that inward gift, which alone can enable us to witness +the same experience. It is often a query with me, how am I spending this +precious time, which passes so swiftly away never to return? and, in order +to answer this query aright, how desirable it is to dwell with thee, sweet +solitude! to turn inward, to examine and correct the defects of our own +disordered minds; how delightful it is to walk alone and contemplate the +beautiful scenes of nature. Yet in these retired moments, when viewing the +works of a divine hand springing up to answer the great end for which they +were created, I am often deeply perplexed with a distressing fear lest I +should not be found coming forward faithfully to answer the end of Him who +has created man for the purpose of his own glory. + + +The meetings for the discipline of the Society were often times of +spiritual refreshment to him. + + +6 _mo._ 23.--I left home to attend our Quarterly Meeting at York. The +meetings for business were generally satisfactory; on re-examining the +answers to the queries, divers very weighty remarks were made. I thought +the two meetings for worship favored seasons; and, although I left home +with reluctance, I cannot but rejoice at having given up a little time to +be made a partaker of the overflowing of that precious influence which, I +trust, made glad the hearts of many present. + + +The extracts which follow develope still further the progress of his inner +life, and the secret preparation of the future preacher of the Gospel and +overseer of the flock of Christ. + + +6 _mo._ 29.--A deep-searching time at meeting yesterday, wherein I +was given to see a little of my own unworthiness The secret breathings of +my spirit were to the Father and fountain of life, that he might be +pleased more and more to redeem me from this corrupted state of human +nature, and draw me by the powerful cords of his love into a nearer union +with the pure spirit of the Gospel. + +7 _mo._ 6.--Thought an awful solemnity was the covering of our small +gathering yesterday morning, under which I felt truly thankful to the +Dispenser of every gift; and was enabled to crave his assistance to +maintain the watch with greater diligence, and pursue the ways of peace +with alacrity of soul. + +29_th and_ 30_th._--The General Meeting at Ackworth was large, +and I thought very satisfactory through all its different sittings. The +meeting for worship was a remarkable time; the pure spring of gospel +ministry seemed to flow, as from vessel to vessel, until it rose into such +dominion as to declare the gracious presence of Him who is ever worthy to +be honored and adored for thus condescending to own us on such important +occasions. Iron is said to sharpen iron; and I thought it was a little the +case with me at this season, feeling very desirous to enjoy that within +myself which I so much admire in others. + +8 _mo_. 13.--Many days have I gone mourning on my way, for what cause +I know not; but if I can only abide in patience till the day break and the +shadows flee away, then I trust the King of righteousness will again +appear. + +25_th_.--In contemplating a little the character of that good man, +Nehemiah, I cannot but think it worthy our strictest imitation, when we +consider the heartfelt concern he manifested for the welfare of his +people, in saying, "Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that +we be no more a reproach." This proved him to be a man of a noble spirit +and a disinterested mind, and, I say, worthy our strictest imitation; for +to what nobler purpose can we dedicate our time than in endeavoring to +build up the broken places which are made in the walls of our Zion? + + +In the following entry is shown a just insight into the nature of man, and +a discernment of the uses and limits of human knowledge. Although John +Yeardley's talents were not brilliant, and his opportunities were scanty, +he possessed that intellectual thirst which cannot be slaked but at the +fountain of knowledge. At the same time he was sensitively alive to the +necessity of having all his pursuits, of whatever kind, kept within the +golden measure of the Spirit of Truth. + + +11 _mo_. 11.--In taking a view of some of the temporal objects to +which my attention has of late been more particularly turned, with a +desire to enlarge my ideas and improve my understanding in some of the +more useful and extended branches of literature, it has excited in me a +considerable degree of caution, lest thereby I should, in this my infant +state of mind, too much exclude the operation of that pure in-speaking +word which has undoubtedly a prior right to govern all my actions. But I +have long been convinced that the active mind of man must have some object +in pursuit to engage its attention when unemployed in the lawful concerns +of life, otherwise it is apt to range at large in a boundless field of +unprofitable thoughts and imaginations. I am aware that we may be +seasonably employed in suitable conversation to mutual advantage, and I +trust I am not altogether a stranger to the value of _sweet +retirement_; but there is a certain something in every mind which +renders a change in the exercise of our natural faculties indispensable, +in order to make us happy in ourselves and useful members of society; and +it is under these considerations that I am induced to apply a few of my +leisure hours towards some degree of intellectual attainment, in the +humble hope that I may be preserved in that path which will procure at the +hands of a wise Director that approbation which I greatly desire should +mark all my steps. + + +The next extract from the diary will find a response in the hearts of many +who read these pages. + + +1813. 2 _mo_. 17.--Never, surely, was any poor creature so weary of +his weakness! Almost in everything spiritual, and even useful, I have not +only been as one forsaken, but it has seemed as though I was to be utterly +cast off. When I have desired to feel after good, evil has never failed to +present itself. O, when will He whose countenance has often made all +within me glad, see meet to return and say, "It is enough!" + + +6 _mo_. 27.--The thoughts which he put into writing under this date +seem to have been occasioned by entering into business on his own account. + + +Am now about to enter the busy scenes of life, which sinks me into the +very depth of humility and fear, lest the concerns of an earthly nature +should deprive me of my heavenly crown, which I have so often desired to +prefer even to life itself. But O, should there remain any regard in the +breast of the Father of mercies, for one who feels so unable to cope with +the world, may he still be pleased to preserve me in his fear, and not +only to take me under the shadow of his heavenly wing, but make me willing +to abide under the guidance of his divine direction! + +7 _mo_. 15.--"Cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the +scribe, lest I die there." These words of our weeping prophet have +sensibly affected my heart this morning, under a prevailing desire that my +gracious rather may not permit me to remain as in the prison-house of +worldly affairs, lest I die my spiritual death there. + + +We shall see that he was not successful in business; and it may be that +the disappointments he experienced in this way were in some sort an answer +to these ardent prayers to be kept from the spirit of the world. + +Under date 21_st_ of the First Month, 1814, he writes: + + +I trust the few temporal disappointments I have met with of late have been +conducive to my best interest, having had a tendency to turn my views from +a too anxious pursuit after the things of time to a serious consideration +of the very great importance of a more strict reliance on the +never-failing arm of divine support, for the want of which I believe I +have suffered unspeakable loss. + + +About this time he had frequently to mourn over the difficulty of fixing +his mind in meetings for worship. He often complains of "wandering in the +unprofitable fields of vain imagination;" but sometimes also he bears a +joyful testimony to the Lord's power in enabling him to unite in spirit +with the living worshippers. + +The fear of man is one of the most universal of the besetments which try +the faith of the Christian; and it may be encouraging to some to see on +this point the confession of one whose natural character was that of a +strong and independent mind. + + +2 _mo_. 6.--I am too apt to let in that slavish fear about men and +things which render me unable to cope with the world, and even unfits me +for properly seeking after the assistance of my Maker. O, may He who sees +my weakness enable me to overcome it! + + +During the summer of this year, several parties of Friends travelling in +the work of the ministry came to Burton; Sarah Lamley of Tredington, with +Ann Fairbank of Sheffield; Ann Burgess (afterwards Ann Jones); Elizabeth +Coggeshall from New York, with Mary Jefferys of Melksham; and John Kirkham +of Earl's Colne. The labors of these Friends are recorded by John Yeardley +with delight and thankfulness. He accompanied John Kirkham to Sheffield, +where they found Stephen Grellett. + + +How sweet it is, he remarks, to enjoy the company of these dedicated +servants, whom their great Master seems to be sending to and fro to spread +righteousness in the earth! I often think it has a tendency to help one a +little on the way towards the Land of Promise. When I consider these +favors, I am led to covet that a double portion of the spirit of the +Elijahs may so rest on the Elishas that others may also be raised to fill +up the honorable situations of those worthies, when they shall be removed +from works to rewards. + + +But of all the above-named, the visit of Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank was +for him by far the most memorable, and was the means of developing that +precious gift of ministry to which he had been called from his youth. The +extracts from his Diary which are given below speak of this visit, and +most instructively describe the time and manner in which he first received +his gift, as well as the weight which the approaching exercise of it +brought upon his mind. + + +5 _mo_. 27.--Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank lodged six nights with us, +and I accompanied them to Dirtcar and Wakefield. I can acknowledge their +innocent and agreeable company has been truly profitable to me, and has +united me very closely to their spirits in tender sympathy. + +7 _mo_. 30.--Such a load of exercise prevails over my spirit, that it +requires some extra exertion to support it with my usual cheerfulness of +countenance. If I go into company, I find no satisfaction; for I cannot +appear pleasant in the society of my friends, feeling it irksome to +discourse even on matters of common conversation. From the feelings which +have attended my mind, it is evident that the cloud is at present resting +on the tabernacle, and I never saw more need for me to abide in my tent. +And O that patience may have its perfect work! for there is much to be +done in the vineyard of my own heart, before I can come to that state of +usefulness which I believe the Great [Husbandman] designs for me. The +secret language of my heart is, May his hand not spare nor his eye pity +until he has subdued all in me which obstructs the progress of his divine +work! + +31_st_.--I trust I was once more favored, in meeting this morning, to +put up my secret petition in humble sincerity to the Shepherd of Israel, +that he would be graciously pleased to help my infirmities. In the +afternoon meeting I thought the petition was measurably answered; for +towards the conclusion the rays of divine light so overshadowed my mind as +to induce a belief that I should be assisted to overcome that spirit of +opposition which has too long existed to the detriment of my best +interests, if there was only a willingness to abide under the forming +hand. + +8 _mo_. 1.--I now feel freedom to give a short account how it was +with me under this concern from its commencement down to the present time. + +I remember well, about the year 1804, when in my father's house at +Blacker, once being in my chamber, in a very serious, thoughtful frame of +mind, receiving an impression that if ever I came to receive the truth +which I was then convinced of, to my everlasting benefit, I should have +publicly to declare of the gracious dealings of Divine Goodness to my +soul. The impression passed away with this remark deeply imprinted in my +mind, that if ever a like concern should come to be matured, I should date +the first intimation of it from this time. I was apt to view it for a +long, time as the mere workings of the enemy on my mind, and when it has +come before my view, I have often secretly said, "Get thee behind me, I +will not be tempted with such a thing." By these means I put it from me, +as it were, by force, not thinking it worthy of notice and often praying +to be delivered from such a gross delusion. At other times it would come +with such, weight on my spirit, that I could not avoid shedding tears, and +acknowledging the power which accompanied the revival of so important a +matter; and was led to query, If there is no real intention of a heavenly +nature, why am I thus harassed? and O the fervent sincerity in which I +desired that the right thing might have place, and if it was wrong, that I +might be enabled to find a release in His time who had appointed the +conflict! And I do believe, could I then have come at a perfect +resignation to the divine will, I might have been brought forward in a way +which would have afforded permanent relief to my own mind; but such was my +dislike to the work, that I suffered myself to be lulled into a state of +unbelief as to the rectitude of the concern. + +Thus many outward circumstances transpired, and some years passed over, +with my only viewing the matter at a distance, until He who first laid the +concern upon me was pleased to bring it more clearly home to me, and +seemed at times to engage his servants, both in public and private, to +speak very clearly to my condition. And although I had a concurring +testimony in my own mind to their declarations, yet I had always an excuse +to flee unto by secretly saying, It may be intended for some one else; +until the Most High was graciously pleased, by the services of his sincere +handmaids, Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank, in their family visits to +Friends of Barnsley, as mentioned last Fifth Month, to speak so clearly to +my situation in their private opportunity with us, as to leave no room for +excuse; but I was forced to acknowledge, Thou art the man. Indeed, Sarah +Lamley was led in such an extraordinary manner, that I had no doubt at all +but that she was favored with a clear and fall sense of my state. She +began by enumerating the many fears which attended the apostles in their +various situations; how that Satan had desired to have some of them that +he might sift them as wheat in a sieve; "but," added she, "I have prayed +for thee, Peter, that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted +strengthen thy brethren." And how it was with Moses when the Almighty +appeared to him in a flame of fire in the bush, and that it was not until +the Most High had condescended to answer all Moses' excuses that he was +angry with him, and even then he condescended to let him have Aaron, his +brother, to go with him for a spokesman. Also how it was with Peter when +the threefold charge was given him to feed the lambs and the sheep. "It is +not enough," said she, "to acknowledge that we love the Lord, but there +must be a manifesting of our love by doing whatsoever he may command." +Methinks I still hear her voice, saying, "And O that there may not be a +pleading of excuses, Moses-like!" Thus was this valuable servant enabled +to speak to my comfort and encouragement, which I trust I shall ever +remember to advantage; but O that I may be resigned to wait the appointed +time in watchful humility, patience, and fear! for I find there is a +danger of seeking too much after outward confirmations, and not having the +attention sufficiently fixed on the great Minister of ministers, who alone +is both able and willing to direct the poor mind in this most important +concern, and in his own time to say, "Arise, shine; for thy light is +come." + +12 _mo_. 22.--My poor mind has been so much enveloped in clouds of +thick darkness for months past, that I have sometimes been ready to +conclude I shall never live to see brighter days. Should even this be the +case I humbly hope ever to be preserved from accusing the just Judge of +the earth of having dealt hardly with me, but acknowledge to the last that +he has in mercy favored me abundantly with a portion of that light which +is said to shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. + + +We shall leave for the next chapter the relation of his first offerings in +the ministry, and conclude this with a striking passage which we find in +the Diary for this year. + +John Yeardley was all his life very fond of the occupations of the garden. +A small piece of ground was attached to his house at Barnsley, which he +cultivated, and from which he was sometimes able to gather spiritual as +well as natural fruit. + +Under date of the 22nd of the Seventh Month, he writes:-- + + +A very sublime idea came suddenly over my mind when in the garden this +evening. It was introduced as I plucked a strawberry from a border on +which I had bestowed much cultivation before it would produce anything; +but now, thought I, this is a little like reaping the fruit of my labor. +As I thus ruminated on the produce of the strawberry-bank, I was struck +with the thought of endless _felicity_, and the sweet reward it would +produce for all our toils here below. My mind was instantly opened to such +a glorious scene of divine good that I felt a resignation of heart to give +up all for the enjoyment of [such a foretaste] of _endless felicity_. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN +GERMANY IN 1820. + +1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley +passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with +brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; +and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry +in a simple and affecting manner. + + +1 _mo._ 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's +house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought +I could almost have publicly declared it; but not feeling that weight and +certainty which I had apprehended should accompany the performance of such +an important act, I was afraid of imparting that to others which might be +intended only for my own instruction; and so it has ended for the present. +But I am thankful in hoping that I am come a little nearer to that state +of resignation which was so beautifully exemplified by our great Pattern +of all good, who when He desired the bitter cup might pass from Him, +nevertheless added, "Not my will, but thine be done." And if I am at all +acquainted with my inward feelings, I trust I can in some degree of +sincerity say that my heart desires to rejoice more in the progress of +this state of happy resignation, than at the increase of corn, wine, or +oil. + + +He first opened his mouth in religious testimony in the First Month of +this year. The occurrence seems to have taken place in his own family; it +yielded him a "precious sense of the Divine Presence." He began to preach +in public a few months later, but not without another struggle against the +heavenly impulse. + +The friendship which Joseph Wood entertained for John Yeardley +strengthened with revolving years. When he visited Barnsley, he was +accustomed to lodge at his house; and writing to him in the year 1811, +about a public meeting which he felt concerned to hold, he says, "I can +with freedom write to thee, feeling that unity with thy spirit which +preserves us near and dear to each other, and in which freedom runs." + +In the Fourth Month of this year, when Joseph Wood received a certificate +to visit some of the midland counties, J.Y. felt desirous "of setting him +a little on his way." + + +On the 14th, he says, we went to Woodhouse, where we had a meeting, and my +friend was enabled to speak very closely to the states of many present. +When in the meeting, I felt a very weighty exercise to attend my mind +with an intimation publicly to express it. But this exposure I dared not +yield to, under an apprehension that it might be wrong in me, considering +the occasion on which I had come out; but truly I left the place under a +burden which I was scarcely able to bear. + + +It was on the 20th of the Fourth Month that he began to speak in public as +a minister of the Gospel. He thus records the event:-- + + +I felt myself in such a resigned frame of mind in our little week-day +meeting, that I could not doubt the time was fully come for me to be +relieved from that state of unspeakable oppression which my poor mind had +been held in for so many years past. Soon after I took my seat, my mind +became unusually calm, and the presence of the Most High seemed so to +abound in my heart and spread over the meeting, that after some inward +conflict I was unavoidably constrained publicly to express it, in nearly +the following words: "I think I have so sensibly felt the precious +influence of divine love to overshadow our little gathering, that I have +been ready to say, It is good for us to be here; or I might rather say, It +is good for us to feel ourselves under the precious influence of that +protecting power which can alone preserve us from the snares of death." +This first [public] act of submission to the divine will was done with as +much stability of mind and body as I was capable of; and I thought the +Friends present seemed sensible of my situation and sympathized with me +under the exercise. I trust the sweet peace which I afterwards felt was a +seal to my belief that I had been favored with divine compassion and +approbation in the needful time. + + +In the Fifth Month John Yeardley attended for the first time the Yearly +Meeting in London. He describes the business as very various and +instructive, but bewails his own condition as that of "one starving in the +midst of every good thing." + + +It seemed at times, he says, as though Satan himself was let loose upon +me, and permitted to try my faith and patience to the utmost; but I hope +the conflict had its use in teaching me to know that it is not by might, +nor by power, but by the Lord's Spirit, that we are enabled to prevail. + + +This was the commencement of another season of spiritual poverty. In +reading a few of his memoranda during this time, many a Christian +traveller may see his own mourning countenance reflected as in a glass. + + +11 _mo_. 8.--I have for a long time felt so depressed in spirit, and +so inwardly stripped of every appearance of good, that I have often +secretly had to say with tried Job, "O that I were as in months past, as +in the days when God preserved me!" + +16_th_.--Death and darkness are still the covering of my poor mind, +and I am ashamed to acknowledge that I have for months past sat meeting +after meeting a victim to the baneful consequences of wandering thoughts, +scarcely being able to recollect myself so much as to ask excuse of Him +who sees in secret. In these times of deepest desertion I am selfish +enough to feel a longing desire for a ray of light or a smile from the +countenance of Him, under whose banner I have many times sat with the +greatest delight in days that are past. + +O, how hard it is to regain divine favor when once sacrificed through the +sorrowful act of disobedience! O may I sit as in dust and ashes, and, with +the noble resignation and spirit of a true, dedicated follower, say, I +will patiently hear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned +against him! + + +Nevertheless, even in his times of deepest humiliation, moments of +heavenly comfort were interspersed. + + +11 _mo_. 23.--A more improved meeting than I had reason to hope from +cross occurrences, which are too apt to ruffle the unstable mind. Daring +our silent sitting together, I was comforted in contemplating the many +encouraging passages we have left on sacred record; two of which, spoken +by one of large experience, were particularly solacing to my exercised +feelings: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord +delivereth him out of them all;" and "The young lions do lack and suffer +hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." O, +thought I, if we could only procure Him on our side who has the thoughts +of all men in his keeping, what should we have to fear! We should then be +brought to acknowledge that it behooves a Christian traveller to crave the +assistance of Him who can enable us to suffer with becoming fortitude and +resignation all the afflicting dispensations of life, rather than desire +to be preserved from meeting them. + + +The hard mutter which is the subject of the next extract embodies a +difficulty that has perplexed many. It is always encouraging to find +companionship in doubts and trials, and perhaps the consideration which +pacified the mind of John Yeardley may be helpful to some who are tried in +the same way. The passage, no doubt, has reference to his own want of +better success in business. + + +11 _mo._ 30.--When any circumstance in the common course of life, +which has appeared to turn up in the direction of Divine Providence, has +not answered my expectation, or on deliberate consideration it has not +seemed prudent for me to step into it, I have sometimes felt greatly +discouraged, and been ready to conclude, How could this thing be ordered +under the direction of best wisdom! But let me ever remember, He who has +his way in the whirlwind knows what is best for us; and were it not for +these incitements to an exercise of feeling, the mind would be apt to lie +dormant, and not be preserved alive in a proper state to prove all things +and hold fast that which is best. + + +About the end of the year he was obliged to spend several days in London +on business. The course of his affairs seems to have been uneven, and the +great city was probably uncongenial to his retired habits. He says:-- + + +12 _mo_. 15.--I do not remember that my feelings were ever more +discouraging, both inwardly and outwardly. When the mind is ruffled about +the things of time, it is hard work to make any progress towards the land +of peace. I try to get to the well of water; but truly it may be said I +have nothing to draw with. + + +Yet even under these circumstances his daily religious practices--those +which no competitor for the meed of peace and the crown of glory can +dispense with--were not without avail. + + +16_th_.--In reading and retirement before I left my room, I received +a little hope that I should be preserved in a good degree of patience +through the cross occurrences of the day, which was measurably the case. + + +The life of a Christian is very much the history of outward and inward +trials. How happy it is when these serve only to deepen his experience! +The nature of John Yeardley's spiritual trials has been fully shown: his +temporal crosses have also been glanced at; they consisted mainly of want +of success in business, in which, indeed, he was little fitted to excel, +under the keen competition of modern times. + + +1816. 1 _mo_. 4.--A new year has commenced, but the old afflictions +are still continued, both inwardly and outwardly; for even in temporal +affairs disappointments rage high. But O what a privilege to sink down to +the anchor-hope of divine support! This is what I can feelingly +acknowledge this evening to be as a brook by the way to refresh my poor +and long-distressed mind. O, how ardently do I desire that this season of +adversity may be sanctified to me for everlasting good, and prove the +means of slaying that will in me, which has too long been opposed to the +will of Him who paid the ransom for my soul with nothing less than the +price of his own precious blood. + + +The difficulty of making his way in the commercial world increased until +the risk of "failure began to stare him in the face." The fear of such a +result sank him exceedingly low; but through all he was permitted to keep +his footing upon the rock, and to behold a spiritual blessing under the +guise of temporal adversity. + + +7_th_.--Surely it is a mark of divine favor to feel the supporting +hand of my heavenly Father underneath, to bear up my drooping spirits in +this time of adversity. I think I was never more sensible of his powerful +arm being made bare for my deliverance; and yet, unaccountable to tell, I +am almost afraid to trust in him. O, my soul, wherefore dost thou doubt, +when thou feelest the glorious presence of thy Redeemer's countenance to +shine upon thee? + +In the meeting this morning, he continues, my mind was profitably +exercised in contemplating the following subject. When our dear Lord was +about to perform the miracle of feeding the multitude, he commanded them +to sit down upon the grass. They were undoubtedly hungry, and this might +create in them too great an anxiety to be satisfied in their own time; but +that all things might be done in order, and without interruption, they +were commanded to sit down and wait the disposal of their food from the +bountiful hand of their great Master. In looking at the subject, I thought +it a lively representation of the state of mind we ought to labor after, +when favored to feel hunger and thirst after righteousness; not +frustrating the design of the Most High by being too anxious to be filled +in our own will and way, but patiently waiting the time of Him who giveth +to all their meat in due season, and that which is most convenient for +them. And what greater privilege could we desire than to be fed at the +Lord's table? + +9_th_.--As my precious wife and I were consoling each other this +evening, she remarked that the dispensation we were now suffering under +was probably in answer to our prayers. This brought strikingly to my +remembrance a secret petition which I have frequently put up in the most +fervent manner I have been capable of, when deeply lamenting my +unsubjected will; I have even cried out aloud, "O make me willing; do, +Lord, make me willing, make me willing!" + +O then may I submit to the means, if for this end they are appointed, and +resign my all, body, soul and spirit, into the hands of Him who gave them; +and may I patiently endure the swelling of Jordan in a manner that will +enable me to bring from the bottom, stones of everlasting memorial. + + +After this he was led for a while by the Good Shepherd into the green +pastures and beside the still waters. + + +1_st mo_. 15.--Our Monthly Meeting at Wakefield, and a heavenly +meeting it was. + +29_th_.--I left home for a journey into the north on business. I had +many precious seasons of retirement as I rode along, and I humbly trust my +soul has been enabled to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with her +Beloved, in such a way as will not easily be erased from my remembrance. + + +Notwithstanding the deep and varied experience he had passed through, his +unwillingness to expose himself as a preacher of the gospel was still +strong, and sometimes obstructed the performance of his duty. + + +8 _mo_. 20.--Joseph Wood had a public meeting at Pilley. I felt +something on my spirit to communicate to the people in the early part, but +thinking the meeting was not sufficiently settled to receive it, I +reasoned away the right time; another did not offer during the whole +meeting for me to relieve my poor mind, so I brought my burden home with +me, which indeed proved such as I really thought I should have sunk under. + + +The "severe stripes," as he terms it, which he received on this occasion +at length produced a willing mind. + + +9 _mo_. 10.--I went with my dear wife to attend the burial of my +cousin Joseph Watts at Woodhouse, and was at the meeting there on +Fourth-day the 11th. It was largely attended by relations and friends. I +felt so sensibly the danger that some present were in of trifling away the +reproofs of conviction, that I could not forbear reviving the language +which was proclaimed to the Prophet Jonah, when he had fled from the +presence of the Lord and was fallen asleep in the ship, "What meanest +thou, O sleeper, arise, call upon thy God." After commenting a little on +the subject, I sat down under great solemnity which seemed to cover the +meeting, and I can thankfully say the fruit of obedience was sweet to my +taste. + +12 _mo_. 1.--Went to meeting this morning with a fearful apprehension +lest I should have to expose myself in that which is so contrary to my +natural inclination. And so it proved; for I had not sat long, before I +was made willing to express what rested weightily on my mind, and that was +the case of Gideon, when the angel appeared to him under the oak as he +threshed wheat. I commented a little on the subject, which afforded me +great satisfaction and joy. + + +In the following entry, notwithstanding the tardy obedience which it +records, we find his commission as one of the Lord's watchmen sealed upon +his mind. + + +1817. 4 _mo_. 7. In meeting yesterday morning I was enabled publicly +to relieve myself of a little matter which had been a burden on my mind +for two or three meetings past, in which I had felt pretty smartly the rod +which, is held over the head of the disobedient. In this instance, human +nature seemed stubborn in a double degree, but after it was over I felt my +peace flow as a river. Methinks I now hear this language proclaimed in the +secret of my heart: I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; +therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. O what +an important charge! May I duly consider the weight of it, and so watch +over my own conduct, in thought, word and action, that I may not be +pulling down with one hand that which I may be endeavoring to build up +with the other. If I am to be an instrument in the hand of the Almighty, +may he graciously condescend to prepare and sharpen the arrows he may see +meet to shoot through the medium of his poor servant, so that they may +sink deep, wound the hypocrite, and comfort the pure divine life in the +hearts of his children. + + +A few weeks after this, John Yeardley attended a remarkable meeting held +by Joseph Wood, in which they were made to sit in heavenly places in +Christ Jesus. + + +4 _mo_. 29.--I attended another public meeting appointed by J.W. at +Middletown, about ten miles from here. When I entered the town I felt very +flat, and was ready to say, The fear of the Lord is not in this place; but +after the meeting was gathered, I soon found what poor creatures we are, +to judge of these things without waiting for best direction; for I think +it was the most extraordinary time I ever knew. My friend bore a long and +powerful testimony, to the tendering of many present. If I ever forget it +while in my natural senses, I fear I shall be near losing my habitation +the truth; for it was as if heaven opened, and the Most High poured down +his blessed Spirit in an unbounded degree. + + +All this time his business affairs went on more and more adversely; and +although he never failed punctually to meet all his money engagements, his +want of success led in this year to a change of residence to Bentham. + +Three months before he left Barnsley he writes:-- + + +"Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they +fine it." Pecuniary difficulties seem as if they would eat up every green +thing; but I hope and trust that He who has often said, Peace, be still, +will so regulate the heat of the furnace that I may be able to bear it +with becoming patience, until there be nothing left in me but what +resembles the pure gold fit for the Master's use. When I reflect on what +my poor mind has passed through for more than two years past, I am +convinced nothing short of that Arm which brought the Israelites through +the Red Sea could have supported me. And O, should he ever loose my hands, +that I may serve Him freely, may I never forget the many covenants made +with Him who has so often heard and answered my prayer when in deep +distress! + + +Through the assistance of some of his Barnsley friends, an offer was made +to him of a situation in a flax-spinning mill at Bentham, which was then +or had lately been the property of Charles Parker, a minister in the +Society of Friends. He accepted the offer; and an extract from a letter to +his wife, when on a journey, will show the motives under which he acted in +this important step. + + +Hawkshead, 6 mo. 28, 1817. + +MY VERY PRECIOUS DEAR, + +When I wrote thee last, my time and feelings would not permit me to say +much on our impending prospect of leaving Barnsley; but since then this +very important subject has obtained my most serious and weighty +consideration, and I am now free to communicate to thee my feelings, in +order that thou mayest weigh them duly and compare them with thy own while +we are separated. In the first place, in taking such a step, we must be +reconciled to sacrifice our present comfortable home, our relations and +friends--in short, all that may seem near and dear to us as to the +outward. With respect to our spiritual prospect, I must confess, if any +service is designed for me in the Church militant, I have sometimes +apprehended it might be within the compass of our present Particular and +Monthly Meetings; but should this be ordered otherwise in best wisdom, I +trust I shall be relieved from the oppressive feeling, and in a short time +see my way clear. On the other hand, if this change takes place, we have a +probability of a comfortable living, and of being relieved from the +extreme anxiety attendant on trade, when the whole responsibility rests on +our own shoulders. + +H.R. [one of the firm who had offered to employ him] seemed rather +desirous for me to come. If we should agree, he wants me to go over +directly to lay down plans for a few weavers' houses, and to make other +arrangements to save time until we could remove. + +I don't much like the situation of the house in the town, but I think +another might be had if required. They have a nice one in Low Bentham, +with a good garden attached, which would be at liberty in next Fifth +Month; this would be a pleasant walk from the mill by the water-side all +the way, which might be useful to my health after being confined in the +warehouse, and much nearer to the meeting. It is a very small meeting +indeed; there are only about two female Friends; but, should we be in the +right place, the smallness of the number would not preclude our access to +the divine spring. + +I don't know how we shall come on with the thread trade, but it seems as +if we were to be done out with both thread and linens, for there is +scarcely any thing selling with me on this journey. + + +John Yeardley and his wife removed to Bentham in the Eighth Month, 1817. +Bentham is a considerable village on the north-west border of Yorkshire, a +few miles from the foot of Ingleborough; and it was at that time, +according to the division of the county adopted by the Society of Friends, +comprised in the Monthly Meeting of Settle. + +After a season of deep spiritual poverty, during which he found no place +for the exercise of his gift, John Yeardley began to speak in ministry in +the little meeting to which he now belonged. On recording the circumstance +he remarks:-- + + +Thus does a gracious Father lead on his children step by step, baptizing +them first into one state and then into another, in order to qualify them +to drop a word in season for the comfort of others. Little did I think +under the recent buffetings of the Enemy, that I should ever have had to +open my mouth again in the way of declaring the everlasting goodness of a +gracious Redeemer. + + +This memorandum was made a few days after the occurrence to which it +refers, on his return from Settle Monthly Meeting, and is accompanied +the record of a fresh unfolding to his mental eye of the need of gospel +laborers, and of his own vocation to the work. In my return I had rather +an unusual opening into the state of society, and the great want of +laborers therein; and querying with myself, By whom shall the Lord send? I +thought I felt the weight and power of the everlasting gospel upon me to +preach, so that I was willing to say, Here am I; send me. O the importance +of this language! May the same Spirit, which I trust raised it in my heart +preserve me in every state to the end of time! Amen. + + +The extract which follows treats of the same subject,--the calling and +exercise of the ministry. From this, and from the whole tenor of what has +been extracted from the Diary, will be seen in what his ministry +consisted, and what was the call and the power which was required in every +successive exercise of it. May it serve as a word of caution and +instruction to such as are disposed to reduce this heavenly gift to a mere +effort of Christian good-will, or to consider the exercise of it as +placed, whether in regard to time or subject, at the disposal of the +minister. It will be observed how John Yeardley, in after life so abundant +in word and doctrine, and so catholic in his ideas and sympathies, +received his vocation as a divine gift immediately from above, and served +in it an apprenticeship altogether spiritual, and apart from human +learning or instruction. + + +10 _mo_. 26.--I have been very much instructed to-day in reading and +reflecting on the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. When the prophet was asked if +the dry bones could live, he was wise enough cautiously to answer, "O Lord +God, thou knowest;" but when he was commanded to prophesy unto them, and +say, "O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord," this was hard work, yet +there was no conferring with flesh and blood. No reasoning from +probabilities, nothing but an implicit faith and dependence on the divine +power which was then upon him, could have enabled him to do it. O what an +instructive lesson! When the poor instruments may feel so weak and the +state of things so low, that there may not be the least probability of +good arising, it is enough if they can only do the will of their great +Master, and be enabled to say with the holy prophet, "I prophesied as the +Lord commanded." + + +John Yeardley did not take his actual farewell of Barnsley until the end +of the year. The reflections which he has recorded on leaving his home of +so many years are very characteristic of the man:-- + + +1818. 1 _mo_.--The Twelfth Month was spent at Barnsley in settling my +affairs. Just before I left Bentham for that purpose, I was exceedingly +unhappy at the idea of leaving my home, friends, &c. at Barnsley, and +thought the parting feeling would be almost more than I could support. I +was enabled to pray fervently to the Father of spirits, that he would be +pleased to afford me strength to bear the change with Christian fortitude, +and resign all to the disposal of his divine will; and thankful I am to +relate, he so answered my request that I could leave the place to which I +had been so long attached without a sigh. I have no doubt my removal, +without consulting more of my friends, will appear strange to many. This I +could never feel liberty to do; nor could I make any person living +acquainted with my entire motive, but my precious wife. Whatever may be +the opinion of others, this is a matter which rests between me and my God; +and I often think it a favor that we are not accountable to man, who views +too much the outside appearance, while He with whom we have to do looks at +the heart. + +After I had left Barnsley I went to Pontefract, to spend a few days with +my friends there, where my poor lass had been for a week. I don't know +that this time was unprofitably spent; but this I know--it never requires +more care and watchfulness to be preserved in a seasonable frame of spirit +than when the mind is set at ease to enjoy the company of a few intimate +friends. We are too apt to get our thoughts dissipated, and thus our +conversation becomes less seasoned with grace than it would be if the +girdle of truth were kept tightly bound. + + +The next entry notices a remarkable interview which, he had with a woman +Friend from America:-- + + +15_th_.--This day a meeting has been held at the desire of Hannah +Field from North America. I stepped down to see her at J. Stordy's; and in +the few minutes we were together, before she took leave, she addressed +herself to me in a very feeling manner. Although she was an entire +stranger, she spoke so pointedly to my state of mind, and expressed the +reward of faithfulness in such encouraging terms, that my feelings were in +nowise able to resist the power which attended, but I was forced to +acknowledge it as a nail fastened in a sure place. + + +Amongst some letters addressed by Elizabeth Yeardley to Susanna Harvey of +Barnsley, is one in which mention is made of the visit of Hannah Field to +Bentham; and, although the passage does not relate to the private +interview described above, it is interesting as the reminiscence of a +remarkable woman. + +Bentham, 2 _mo_. 2, 1818. + +We have been favored lately with a visit, unexpected but highly +acceptable, from that great minister, Hannah Field, from America. She very +much resembles Sarah Lamley; and when she began, it seemed as if one had +been informing her of the state of the meeting. Her discourse began with +the parable of the Ten Virgins, which was very beautiful but awful. +Addressing herself again, she was very consolatory and affecting. She is +tall and inclined to _embonpoint_; her age fifty-three. + + +In the Third Month of this year, the Monthly Meeting from which he had +recently removed, that of Pontefract, recorded its approval of his +ministry. It is not usual for meetings to do this in the case of one who +has gone to reside elsewhere. The practice at that time was, in Yorkshire +at least, in issuing a certificate of removal for a Friend who had begun +to exercise the ministry and was still under probation, to notice the fact +of his preaching, without pronouncing a judgment upon it. But when the +usual document of removal was asked for at the Monthly Meeting, on behalf +of John Yeardley, the meeting paused upon the words which noticed his +offerings in the ministry, and solemnly resolved then and there to give +him a full certificate as a minister in unity, and to "recommend him as +such to the Quarterly Meeting." It happened that men and women Friends +were together, the latter remaining whilst Joseph Wood laid a concern for +some religious service before the joint meeting. + +John Yeardley remarks on this act of his late Monthly Meeting:-- + + +The concurrence of my friends with my small offerings cannot but feel +comfortable and encouraging to a poor timorous creature like me; but the +awful consideration of ranking among the servants who speak in the Lord's +name humbles me to the dust. Surely those who are designed to minister +before the Lord in his holy temple ought to bear the inscription of +holiness upon them. The means by which this inscription, is obtained is so +painful to flesh and blood that we are always ready to shrink from the +operation. When we have borne the furnace heated to a certain degree, we +are ready to fancy nothing but pure gold remains; until the refining hand +sees meet to administer fresh [trials], then we are ready again to cry +out, If it be thy will, let this cup pass by. + + +In the Sixth Month he joined Joseph Wood and William Midgley of Rochdale, +in visiting some neighboring meetings. Of Kendal, which was one, he says +it appeared to him "as if a remarkable revival was taking place in those +parts;" and he concludes his short account of the journey with an +acknowledgment of the satisfaction he felt in having given up to this +little service. + +Joseph Wood in his diary relates the same visit more at large. We have +extracted the account of that portion of it in which John Yeardley was +engaged, and believe the reader will find it interesting in several +respects. + + +1818. 6 _mo_. 10.--Reached my beloved friend John Yeardley's house, +in Bentham, about half-past eight o'clock, where we took up our quarters, +and where we were favored with a renewed feeling of that love which had +many times nearly united our spirits together. + +On the 11th we spent this day very comfortably with these long-beloved and +truly valuable friends, and in the evening Lad a public meeting appointed +for Friends and people of other societies in their meeting-house in +Bentham, about a mile and a half from their house. We walked thither, it +being very pleasant through the fields. The meeting began at half-past +six, and held two hours and a quarter. A pretty many who usually attend +meetings, and a great concourse of people of other societies, attended, +that the meeting-house, both above and below stairs, was well filled, and +several were in the passage and in an adjoining room. A precious solemnity +mercifully overshadowed us, whereby the minds of many were prepared to +receive what the Lord was pleased instrumentally to communicate to the +many different states; and O that they may individually profit thereby! +for sure it was a time of favor unto many. I had a very long testimony to +bear therein, first from Isaiah lviii. 1, 2. John Yeardley held a pretty +long time next, from John ii. 4. I next, from 1 Cor. xiv. 19. + +On the 12th we set out for Wray in Lancashire, five miles, John Yeardley +being our guide, taking his wife and Ann Stordy along with him in a taxed +cart. We had a very pleasant ride thither, down a beautiful valley, +through which the river Wenning runs; had on our right hand a line view of +Hornby Castle, now in part gone to decay. Got to Wray about half-past ten, +and went to the meeting, which began at eleven o'clock. Twenty-three +persons attended, one of whom appeared to be of another society. I sat +therein for a considerable time in a very low state, and feeling a concern +to stand up, I gave up, although in great weakness: different states +opened and were spoken to in the authority of the gospel; and I had a long +testimony to bear from Luke xv. 8. John Yeardley had a pretty long time +next, from Lam. iii. 26; afterwards I was concerned in prayer, and felt +truly thankful for the renewed mark of divine favor, and secretly rejoiced +that my lot was cast here. + + +On the 13th John Yeardley accompanied Joseph Wood to Kendal. + + +It was with difficulty, says J.W., we got into the town for the crowd of +people; the Parliament being dissolved, and a new election of members +about to take place; and there being an opposition in this county; Henry +Brougham, the favorite candidate of the people, against the Lonsdales. +They were waiting his arrival in the town to canvass for votes. After tea +I went to Thomas Wilson's; his house was nearly opposite the inn where +Henry Brougham put up. When he arrived the populace took his horses from +the carriage, and hurried him into the town, and to the inn, four flags +flying and a band of music went before him. After he alighted he went into +an upper room, and addressed the largest multitude of people that I ever +saw collected, from the window, for about an hour, in a very impressive +manner; and so great was the crowd in the street that many fainted. All +was quiet, and, after he had done, they separated in a becoming manner. + +On the 14th we attended their meetings in Kendal. The forenoon meeting +began at ten o'clock. It is large, and was pretty open and satisfactory. I +had a long testimony to bear therein, first, from John xv. 14. John +Yeardley had a pretty long time next. He opened from these words: "O thou, +the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, manifest thyself that thou yet +reignest in Israel." I next, from Proverbs ix. 12. + + +After visiting several other meetings, Joseph Wood came to Lancaster, +where he was again met by John Yeardley. + + +On the 21st we attended both their meetings in Lancaster. The forenoon +meeting began at ten o'clock. When we got there we were agreeably +surprised to find dear John Yeardley, who had walked this morning fifteen +miles to meet us. The meeting was large of Friends, and it proved a time +of renewed visitation unto many who were afar off, and of encouragement to +those who were nigh. I had a very long testimony to bear therein, from +Matt. xxii. 12. John Yeardley had a short but very acceptable time next, +from Esther iv. 14. Afterwards I was concerned in prayer. + + +Elizabeth Yeardley speaks of this visit in one of her letters:-- + + +J.Y. went to Lancaster, though the day was unfavorable. He trudged on foot +to meet Joseph Wood, and got in good time for the meeting, fifteen miles +distant, and returned home the same evening. J. W. was very much favored +all the time he was in those parts; he really appears endowed with +astonishing powers. + + +The same letter affords a glimpse of the social position, which John and +Elizabeth Yeardley occupied at Bentham:-- + + +We are very quiet, have kind neighbors, a very pleasant habitation, and +little society, plenty of books both of the religious and amusing kind, +and leisure to meditate on the one thing needful, which is to fit us for +that place to which we are fast hastening:-- + + + "For who the longest lease enjoy + Have told us with a sigh, + That to be born seems little more + Than to begin to die." + +(13_th of Seventh Month_, 1818.) + + + +John Yeardley, no less than his wife, found in Bentham a seasonable +retreat from the harassing cares of the world. A memorandum made in the +autumn of this year shows that the doubts with which he was perplexed on +the subject of his removal from Barnsley, were entirely dispelled, and +that the change in his abode and position had been the happy means of +relieving him from the load of anxiety which once seemed ready to crush +him. + + +1819. 9 _mo_. 15.--The tender, merciful Father who shelters our heads +in battle has covered mine when many things were hot upon me. He has +provided a retreat for me until the fury of the oppressor be overpast. I +have often wondered at the cause which drove me from my former residence, +but I now begin to see pointedly the hand of Providence bringing me to +this place of quiet retreat. Should He who has brought me thus far see it +to be for my good to set me on the banks of deliverance, may I have no +desire to live for anything but to sing his praise! + + +After being recognised by the Church as a minister, he was again tried +with a season of spiritual desertion; and this phase in his religious +history, with his reflections upon it, and the holy resolution and hope +with which he concludes, may be useful in strengthening the faith of +others under similar circumstances. + + +10 _mo_. 4.--O what a stripping time have I had since I wrote last! +My pen would fail to set forth the inward desertion I have experienced for +months past, so that my poor mind is almost worn out with waiting and +watching in the absence of the Bridegroom of souls. My enemy seems to have +set up his throne in me, and leads my wandering thoughts captive at his +pleasure. I have no weapons of my own to fight him with, and it seems as +if Infinite Goodness had refused me the grant of that armor which I have +before experienced the means of putting my adversary to flight. For what +end this may be I know not, but the suffering time is hard to the natural +part. If I am left to perish, O may it be in praying, trusting and +believing in my Redeemer's love! and if I am not suffered to behold again +the brightness of his glorious countenance here on earth, may I be favored +with it shining on me in heaven! + + +At the commencement of this year, 1819, apprehending himself required to +pay a religious visit to the families of Friends in Barnsley, he consulted +Joseph Wood on the subject, who encouraged him "not to be afraid to +pursue" the path which had been opened before him. In relation to this +prospect of service, J.Y. has the following pertinent remarks on the +ministry:-- + + +2 _mo_. 19.--If I am suffered to go, may the humble spirit of Jesus +go with me, and put a word in my heart that may prove as a sword in my +hand, with which I may fight his battles! This is the only way in which +his servants can minister so as to reach the witness in the hearts of his +children. We might speak on subjects which might seem right and fit in +themselves, but it is as our hearts come to be acted upon immediately by +the Spirit of truth, the same principle which prepares us to utter sound +words, prepares also a counterpart in the minds of others to receive them. +Thus it may be said we become _one_ in spirit and truly edified +together in the love of the Gospel. + + +In order to perform the visit, J.Y. had, in the good order in use amongst +Friends, to receive the concurrence of his Monthly Meeting. + + +3 _mo_. 10.--Was at the Monthly Meeting, where I mentioned to my +friends my prospect of visiting Barnsley, and obtained their sympathetic +concurrence, with a copy of a minute expressing their full unity and +approbation. + +My feelings on the occasion were very different from what I had +anticipated. A divine solemnity appeared so to cover the minds of all +present, that the enemy was trodden under foot, and not a fear was +suffered to approach. What condescending goodness of a tender Father to +his weak children! + + +Some interesting notice of this service, and of the journey which he made +to perform it, is contained in his Diary. + + +13_th_.--The evening before I set off, I was earnestly engaged in +supplicating for divine protection both inward and outward; and an +assurance was given me that it should be granted, and in a manner so clear +as I had no right to expect. These words were as if spoken distinctly in +my outward ears: "A hair of thy head shall not be hurt." In the confidence +of this promise I went forth, and found it mercifully made good; for +though I was overturned in the mail on the road, a hair of my head was not +hurt, and not so much as a fear was suffered to come near. + + +On the 18th, after visiting all the families, he attended the Week-day +Meeting, where he had to review his labors, and to address the assembled +Friends "nearly in these words:--In the course of my little proceedings +among my friends in this place, I have sometimes been baptized for the +dead, while at other times I have been made to rejoice in the resurrection +of life: I hope this is a language my friends will understand." After this +he preached to them on the case of Nicodemus, saying that there may be a +time when our Heavenly Father, in his tender compassion for our infant +state, permits us to come to Jesus by night or in secret; yet when he is +pleased to say, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the +Lord is risen upon thee," danger will betide us if we then flinch from an +open confession. Some time after he had finished, a woman Friend rose and +uttered a few words. She had never before been able to overcome the force +of her natural fears. + +In noticing this circumstance, J.Y. says he does so because, before he +went to Barnsley, he asked that if his small services were acceptable, the +Most High would give him a sign, by owning his labors with his sensible +approbation, and making him an instrument to help forward his work in the +hearts of his children. + +On another occasion, in allusion to a similar occurrence, he has the +following reflections:-- + + +"The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach +Christ crucified." I am like the two former, because I dare even to ask a +sign and to seek after wisdom; but to be like the latter is what I covet +most sincerely--to preach Christ crucified, not only in words, but in life +and conversation. If I err in sometimes asking for a sign, I trust it will +be forgiven, because it is done in the simplicity of my heart, to know my +Father's will, and we have examples of this having been granted to the +worthies in times of old.--(12 _mo_. 8.) + + +In the Twelfth Month of 1819, John Yeardley attended the Quarterly Meeting +at York, and has some religious service on the way. His account of this +little journey is preceded by some instructive reflections on his own +infirmities and lack of ready obedience. + + +9 _mo_. 15.--I feel exceedingly discouraged at my own obstinacy in +not keeping more humble, watchful, and attentive to the inward monitor. I +am sensible loss is sustained in a religions sense by giving way too much +to an airy disposition. + +12 _mo_. 12.--When I consider the many years which have elapsed since +I first enlisted under the Lord's banner, I find cause deeply to reproach +myself for want of a more early and implicit obedience to the _divine +will_; the want of which, I fully believe, has been the means of +plunging me into seas of trouble and years of perplexity. I fear the time +lost will never be redeemed. O, should I ever have to warn others to +beware of the rock on which I have split, surely it may be done through +heartfelt experience indeed! And as the glorious light of the sun begins +mercifully to verge from under the cloud, O, may I never, never forget the +sacred covenant made in the days of my deep distress, that if the Lord +would loosen my bonds, then would I serve him freely. + +25_th_.--I went to Thornton to R.W.'s, and next day to Lothersdale +Meeting, accompanied by D.W. and some other part of R.W.'s family. The +forepart of that meeting was very trying, at which I did not wonder, if we +might judge from a previous feeling; for ever since the prospect of this +little visit presented to my view, I felt a load on my spirit which I +could not by any means cast off. On entering the place, I thought, when +our dear Lord sent forth his disciples, he commanded them to take neither +purse nor scrip; and that if this state of poverty of spirit was any badge +of discipleship, some of us might claim to wear it. The language of the +weeping prophet came also before me--"O that my head were waters, and mine +eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of +the daughter of my people." It was hard work for me, a poor stripling, to +have to intimate such close things; but the conclusion was easier to the +natural part, I having to address a few to whom the language seemed to go +forth, of "Mary, the Master is come, and calleth for thee." + +I went from thence to the Quarterly Meeting at York, which was thinly +attended. The meeting for worship seemed a cloudy season; however a little +matter impressed my mind which I was thankful in being enabled to get rid +of, though hard to flesh and blood, it being the first time my voice has +been heard in this Quarterly Meeting in ministry. The meeting for business +was long and tedious, being protracted four and a half days by an appeal. +It was disagreeable in its nature, but was conducted in a way to afford +information and instruction to the minute observer of men, manners and +things. + + +1820.--Our first extract from this year's diary contains a short but +beautiful reflection:-- + + +2 _mo_. 18.--I am convinced it would be better for us to live more in +the inward spirit of prayer; we should live in nearer union with the +Father of love; receive more of his heavenly embraces; the heart would be +prepared to know more of his holy will, and receive power to perform it. + + +When John Yeardley left Barnsley he commenced a correspondence with his +brother Thomas, which lasted until the death of the latter, J.Y.'s letters +have been preserved, and supply us with much that is valuable in his +character and Christian experience. The following extract shows the power +of sympathy which he possessed towards those with whom he was entirely +intimate:-- + + +4 mo. 24, 1820. + +Thy affectionate letter I received with pleasure, though some parts of its +contents penetrated the deepest recesses of my heart, and excited in me +every tender sympathetic feeling of a brother and a friend. + +I rejoice that thou hast found freedom to speak so candidly the +undisguised language of thy heart; to me it seems like a voice from the +dead, because I conceive it to be the voice of that awakened principle in +thee which, as in many others, may have been held too long in captivity +through the predominance of the surfeiting cares of the world. Whenever +thou inclinest to unbosom to me thou mayest do it with freedom and in +confidence, for, be assured, if thy complaints cannot meet with relief, +they will at least meet with a welcome reception and a heartfelt +condolence; for I could have no claim to the least of the Christian +virtues, if I were destitute of a feeling regard for the sufferings of a +friend, and especially a brother. + + +A few months afterwards he was again called upon deeply to sympathise with +his brother. The occasion this time was the perplexity in matters of +business in which Thomas Yeardley was involved. He expressed his feelings +in a letter in which he not only gives the soundest Christian counsel, but +also shows how he was himself indebted to the same maxims for the +preservation of his honor and of his spiritual life and usefulness. The +firm and practical manner in which the subject is treated render his +remarks of permanent value. + + +Bentham, 8 mo. 7, 1820, + +MY DEAR BROTHER, + +Thy affectionate letter of the 24th I have received, and need not tell +thee how sensibly I am concerned for thy present situation. + +I do hope thou wilt not lose sight of the object thou hast now in view, to +get relieved in some way from the excessive load of business which presses +upon thee, for we can none of us carry fire in our bosoms too long without +being burnt. We shall not be justified in the sight of Him with whom we +have to do, if we do not endeavor to place ourselves in such a situation +as will best answer the end for which he has designed us. It would convict +us of a very weak and erroneous idea of a Supreme Being, to suppose that +he could not or would not prosper our endeavors with equal success in a +more restricted way of trade, when our motives are purely to serve him +faithfully. Surely, He who cares for the sparrows will not suffer +_us_ to fall to the ground without his notice. + +Thou wilt be ready to say it is an easy matter to speak of these things on +paper; but believe me, my dear brother, I know a little of what I say. +There was a time when I was as extensively engaged in business, +_according to my means_, as you are now. I have had large sums of +acceptances to provide for, with nothing towards them but what was in the +uncertainty of the drapers' hands. When I have set out on a journey I have +had to take the distressing fear along with me, that if I failed of +getting in almost every shilling that was due to me, I failed in paying my +acceptances. Add to this, the painful prospect of losing my property until +I could not pay my just debts, and then mention a situation which would +place an honest mind in a greater degree of perplexity. O! had it not been +for the preserving hand of my gracious Redeemer, I had never lifted up my +head above the waters which were ready to overwhelm me. In the midst of +all this I received a firm conviction, that if I wound up as speedily as +circumstances would admit, I should measurably be safe; but if I suffered +the impression to pass away disregarded, I might be hurled along with the +stream and never more be able to recover myself. It seemed as if my eye +was fixed on a star which shone quite on the other side of the [waters]; +and I was thus enabled to wade through, without, knowing what course to +take when I got to the other side. I do not mention this as being in the +whole applicable to thy case; but as a fellow Christian traveller towards +the celestial city, I earnestly intreat thee, in the love of the gospel, +never to consider thyself on a level, or at liberty to act in full scope, +with the man of business, who thinks himself created to pursue the things +of time without being responsible to his Creator for endeavoring to reach +a situation in life which would enable him to prepare for eternity. Thou +wilt not be long at a loss what to do if thou dost not overlook the secret +motive in thy own breast. Do not grieve at losing a little of what thou +hast; it will come again, if for the best, and may bring the double reward +of peace. If thou attendest to that directing Hand which has hitherto +preserved thee as a monument of thy Heavenly Father's mercy, thy victory +is already sure, though thou mayst not know it. It is not for the test, +consequently not permitted, that we should always see our way. Were this +the case there would be no exercise of faith. The servant of the prophet +was blind as to the power which preserved them, when he saw a host of the +enemy encamped against them: he cried out, "Alas, my master, how shall we +do!" But his master answered, "Fear not; for they that be with us are more +than they that be with them;" and the prophet prayed that the young man +might be made to see. And when his eyes were opened, what did he see? Why, +he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about them. +The Lord's chosen people are continually encircled with these chariots of +fire, otherwise it would not be possible to be so mercifully preserved +from harm. Should it be insinuated to thee that thou art not of this +chosen race, let me tell thee, we become children of the Most High as soon +as he has raised in us a desire to serve him, and we become willing to +abide under his protecting wing whatever changes may take place in our own +feelings during the operation of his holy hand upon us. + + +Nothing is more important in the life of a Christian than the manner in +which he turns to account the opportunities for serving his Lord which +continually spring up before him. + + +6 _mo_. 23.--Going last evening to Wenington, to repeat my French +lesson, my friends there asked me to call with them on a sick person; +feeling quite free to do so, I went with them. On sitting quietly by the +bedside, a little matter came before me, which was communicated from these +words: "Affliction cometh not forth of the dust." + +On my return home, I could not but reflect on the necessity of having our +bow strung, and being always alive to the interest of souls, and +endeavoring to imitate the example of our great Master, whose whole life +was employed in continually going up and down doing good. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820 TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY +IN 1822. + +In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. As his residence abroad +constituted one of the most remarkable turns in his life, and exercised a +powerful influence on the rest of his career, we shall develop as fully as +we are able the motives by which he was induced to leave his native +country. By means of his Diary we can trace the early appearance and +growth, if not the origin, of the strong Christian sympathy he ever +afterwards manifested with seeking souls in the nations on the continent +of Europe, and especially amongst the German people. + +The first hint concerning his desire to go abroad is contained in the +account of a dream, under date of the 2nd of the Ninth Month, 1818, +regarding which he felt much disappointed, because he could not recollect +the names of the places in Germany about which he had in his dream been +interested. The next year (the 19th of the Fifth Month) he had a second +dream on the same subject, in which he supposed his friend Joseph Wood was +about to go on a religious mission to the Continent, and he brought out +his Atlas to find the places for him. On being asked if he meant to +accompany him, he said he "was not prepared to answer at present." In the +relation of a third dream, which he had the next year (the 25th of the +Eighth Month, 1820), the locality to which his mind was attracted is first +indicated. "Pyrmont and Minden," he says, "rested very closely with me, +and to them I felt bound." + +It might not have been worth while to have made allusion to these dreams, +which ought perhaps to be rather as the continuation or echo of his +thoughts than as their original source, but for the deep importance which +John Yeardley himself attached to them. He considered that by them was +first made known to him the divine will respecting his future course; and +that his longing desire to recover the name of the forgotten locality of +the first dream was answered in the last. It can admit of little doubt +that the same conviction of their more than common significance, which led +him to cherish as sacred the remembrance of these night-visions, helped to +form and sustain his resolution in carrying out the project with which he +connected them. + +Just before the occurrence of the last dream, his faith in the heavenly +source of the invitation which, whether waking or sleeping, he had +received, to go over and help his Christian brethren on the Continent, was +confirmed by a prophetic message from John Kirkham, who, in the course of +his religious travels, again visited Yorkshire. + + +8 _mo_.--Our dear friend, John Kirkham, from Earl's Colne, Essex, +slept at our house on Second-day, the 7th, and had a meeting with our few +on Third-day. How wonderfully was he enlarged; and I could not but admire +how he was favored to speak to the states of some present. I could set my +seal to every word he uttered, and say, This is the very truth. Before he +left us he had a select opportunity in our family, and said a great deal +stout being faithful to our own vision. He seemed to answer a question in +my mind as fully as I had any right to expect; for I had almost asked it +as a sign that if I were not deceived in my vision he should be led to +speak on the subject. He said emphatically, "We cannot be faithful to the +vision of another man, we do not know it except it be revealed to us; but +we must be FAITHFUL TO OUR OWN VISION." + +On the 9th I accompanied him to the Monthly Meeting at Settle, and I once +more desired that, if my feeling in former times had not deceived me, this +servant of the Lord might be led to speak on the same subject; and indeed +he scarcely said anything else but what had the strongest bearing on my +request. What encouraging favors do I receive at the hands of so good a +Master! + + +A few months later we find the charge to foreign labor renewed, with +intimation of the wide field in which he would have to work; an intimation +which was amply verified in his future travels. + + +11 _mo_. 26.--At meeting something involuntarily entered my mind like +this, I will make thee a preacher of righteousness to many nations. I felt +not only a desire to be made willing to be sent, but also a desire to be +prepared. + + +A few days after noting this impression he thus communes with himself on +this topic, which now began to absorb the greater portion of his thoughts. + + +12 _mo_. 3, _First-day_.--As I walked alone to the meeting this +morning, I thought within myself, What can be the cause that I so often +feel drawn in spirit towards the land of ----? My thoughts have now for a +long time past so frequently and so involuntarily revolved on the subject +that I begin to be very jealous over them, and to query whether it is the +workings of self-imaginations. If this is the case, O that I may be +relieved from them. But however unaccountable my feelings may be, a secret +love towards some unknown souls in ---- is so strong at times, that if I +had wings I should for my own inward peace visit them in body as I now do +in spirit. It seems as if my spiritual eye saw in those parts what we may +call a seed (the seed of the kingdom sown in the heart) that wants to take +root downwards and spring upwards, but which is almost choked with the +tares of superstition. Are there not scattered up and down in ----, many +whose souls are verging from under the clouds of thick darkness, and from +under the bonds of idolatrous superstition, towards that glorious liberty +which is brought to light by the gospel? Something in me secretly craves +an opportunity to tell those precious creatures that the time appears near +at hand when this glorious gospel light will shine so clearly that they +will discover a Saviour in the secret of their own hearts; and it is to +him (I could tell them) that they must look for the perfection of their +salvation. Should there be anything of the right savor in my heart +concerning this matter, I humbly hope that in due time it will be brought +to maturity, and my way made plain and easy--_plain_, so that I +cannot possibly mistake the pointing hand of divine wisdom, and +_easy_, so that when I hear the command I may be enabled to obey. + +A very instructive time at meeting. The subject abovementioned glanced in +my view, and with it the Dover-failing objection, If I am at all "apt +to teach," can it or will it be required of me to leave those here and +others in this land who have need of instruction? This objection was +immediately answered in a way which I never before experienced. They +have, besides many teachers, the unerring light of Jesus in their own +hearts unto which they know they ought alone to look for direction. And if +they neglect or overlook the means in themselves, it is not in my power, a +poor instrument, to do them any good. So it may be said of others to whom +I may apprehend myself called. It all revolves on this single and +important point,--What is the _divine will_ concerning me? If I can +only know this and am enabled to do it, all will be well. + + +In the Autumn he attended Liverpool Quarterly Meeting, an occasion which +was one of the most memorable seasons of his life. His narrative of it is +very characteristic:-- + + +9 _mo_. 19.--My dear wife and I left home to attend Liverpool +Quarterly Meeting. Through mercy we arrived safe there, but I, as usual +when from home, felt very low and poor in spirit, and was ready to call in +question my coming to the place. For although I received, as I thought, a +proper signal before I left home, yet one or two circumstances occurred to +discourage me from going, which I pressed through with some firmness; +however, such was my uneasiness the first night in Liverpool, that I was +very desirous, if my being there was in right wisdom, something might turn +up to convince me that I had not done wrong in leaving home. And blessed +be the name of Jesus, I had not been long in the first meeting (their +Monthly Meeting the day before the Quarterly,) before I was perfectly +satisfied. There were present Willett Hicks and Huldah Sears from America, +and Mary Watson from Ireland. In the early part of the meeting my mind was +engaged in meditating on--"God will enlarge Japhet and dwell in the tents +of Shem," and so it proved. The silence was broken by W. Hicks with these +words: "Great men are not always wise, neither do the ancients understand +wisdom." Others present were much favored, and the meeting ended in +heavenly harmony. + +After it was over I found to my surprise and joy, my brother and sister +from Barnsley, whom I had expected to come to Bentham to accompany us to +Liverpool, and their not coming to Bentham first was one of the causes +which had discouraged me in leaving home; for I once had concluded, in my +wavering, to leave my going for their determination, thinking if they came +it would be the means of getting me off, if not, I should give it up; but +it so fell out that they took the nearest way to meet us there, without +writing us word, and it would have been a great disappointment had I not +been there. I should not have written so much about a seeming trifle but +to show the necessity of firmness in doing what is pointed out, unless +some reasonable cause prevents. + +Now to the opening of the Quarterly Meeting for worship, which was like +the day of Pentecost, when the place was filled with a rushing mighty wind +from heaven. The first stream of ministry flowed again through W.H., who +appeared from these words: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, +Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and +drink." It was indeed applicable; for all seemed athirst, and were invited +and admitted to drink of the waters of life freely; those who were afar +off drew nigh, and those who were near were enabled to acknowledge the +might of Him who had called them to his footstool, and crowned them with +his presence. Huldah Sears and Mary Watson were also much favored in +testimony. What opened on my mind to express was this: "God speaketh once, +yea, twice; yet man perceiveth it not." I thought we were bound to +acknowledge that our God still reigned in Israel, and was condescending to +speak to his people. Immediately afterwards M.R. appeared a long time in +supplication, and then H.S. both very powerfully; so that goodness seemed +to rise higher and higher, until we swam in divine life. This blessed, +heavenly meeting will be remembered by some to the latest period of time. + + +After this event John Yeardley speaks of being favored with more +enlargement of love towards the members of his small meeting; and also of +having, when attending a public meeting at Wray with Joseph Wood, to kneel +down in prayer for the congregation. + + +10 _mo_. 20.--To my humbling admiration, he writes, I had in the +conclusion to kneel down and call on the name of the holy and high God of +the whole earth, that he would be pleased to continue the blessing which +he had already condescended to pour down on our heads. This is a most +awful act of worship: I trust the intimation to it was attended with +proper weightiness of spirit. + + +This meeting was a remarkable season, and is thus described in Joseph +Wood's journal:-- + + +_Bentham_, 10 _mo_. 20.--We [J.W. and James Harrison] set out +for Wray, our beloved friend John Yeardley being our guide. We called by +the way at Thomas Barrow's, of Wenington Hall, and drank tea; then +proceeded to Wray. There were but few Friends here, but they have a very +large ancient meeting-house, and my concern being principally towards the +inhabitants, and proper information thereof being given, abundance +attended; the meeting-house both above and below stairs was pretty well +filled; and their behavior was deserving of commendation. The Lord's +presence eminently crowned the assembly, and the truths of the gospel were +largely and livingly declared amongst them, and it was a time of +extraordinary favor to many. I had first a long testimony to bear therein, +from Luke iv. 41. A pretty long time of silence then ensued, and great was +the solemnity which appeared to cover the assembly. After which John +Yeardley stood up and said, Some were ready to say there was no worship +without words, but from the precious solemnity which he believed had +covered many minds since the former communication, he was ready to +conclude many were feelingly convinced to the contrary. He was then pretty +largely led forth in opening the advantage of silently waiting upon God. I +a pretty long time next, from Isaiah liv. 11,13. James Harrison next, from +Matt. xiii. 44. John Yeardley was next concerned in prayer. The meeting +held about two hours and a half. + +21_st_.--About the middle of the day my companion (J.H.) called upon +me, and betwixt twelve and one o'clock we left here for Lancaster, Thomas +Barrow being our guide, and his wife, Charlotte Russell, and Emma Hodgson, +accompanying us. Emma Hodgson is the daughter of a clergyman of Rochdale: +she had been some time on a visit at Thomas Barrow's and went with the +family to the meeting at Bentham when we were there, and was much reached +and tendered therein; and attending the meeting at Wray last evening she +declared after her return that she was fully convinced of the truth. + + +Returning to John Yeardley's diary for this year, we find some passages +from which profitable instruction may be gathered. + + +11 _mo._ 8 was the Monthly Meeting at Settle; my dear love and I both +attended. To me it was a poor low season; if there were any good, I was +too much like the heath in the desert,--I knew not when it came. In +addition to this, it felt as if I had to mourn over the barren state of +some others. O, how I dread the state of a lukewarm Quaker! May I ever be +preserved from this sorrowful state of a lukewarm Quaker! I believe it is +often the means of bringing a damp over our solemn assemblies. + +12 _mo._ 7.--_Query._ What is the most likely means for me to +adopt to approach nearer to holiness? _Answer._ To spend more time in +retirement silently to wait upon God. The more conversant I am with him, +the more I shall know of his will and receive power to do the same. To do +the will of the Almighty is the way to perfect holiness. The nearer +acquaintance we cultivate with him, the stronger will become the ties of +his affection. The more devoted we are to him, the more confidence will he +repose in us. + + +Catching then a glimpse of the glorious calling of the Gospel minister, he +breaks forth in the following strain:-- + + +If I am ambitious in anything on earth, it is to be eminently useful in +His cause. I can say with the wise man, I ask neither riches nor honor, +except the honor which cometh from doing the will of God; but I do ask for +"an understanding heart." I trust I can say in the deepest sincerity that +I could renounce, if they were in my power, the riches and honor of ten +thousand earthly worlds in purchase of a double portion of that holy +unction which rested on Elisha's spirit. These are bold sayings, but my +Saviour tells me that as there is no limitation to his goodness to grant, +so there is no limitation in asking of him for the gift of his Holy +Spirit. But then what manner of man ought this to be on whom shall be +conferred such great honor! Surely it must be left to Himself to prepare +the vessel before he pours in the oil. + + +We have already made an extract from the diary of the 3rd of the Twelfth +Month in connection with John Yeardley's call to visit Germany. The same +diary supplies us with the description of a spiritual opening for the +benefit of others with which he was favored in the same meeting. + + +In my minute for First-day last I mentioned its being an instructive +meeting to me. Towards the conclusion a simile of this kind arose and +spread before my view: As wax when melted by the fire or the candle is +then only capable of receiving the impression of the stamp put upon it, so +also are our minds only capable of receiving impressions of divine good +when our spirits are melted and contrited before the Lord. As these +seasons are not at our command, it appeared to me to be of the highest +importance for us to endeavor to preserve and improve them as the best +means of testifying our gratitude to the great Donor. The impression which +the above contemplation made on my spirit proved like a morsel of bread to +my soul, which I found I could not conceal, though I struggled hard to eat +it alone, it seeming so insignificant to hand to others; but at length I +gave up, and felt it to be a time wherein some among the few present were +melted as wax before the fire, and had a portion of divine goodness afresh +imprinted on their minds; and my spirit craved that they might not prove +as "the morning cloud and as the early dew that goeth away." + + +On the 7th of the Twelfth Month Elizabeth Yeardley was suddenly prostrated +by an alarming attack of illness, from which, however, she soon rallied, +though she never entirely regained her previous state of health. Possibly +her husband alludes to this afflictive occurrence in the following +memorandum:-- + + +12 _mo_. 10.--How varied is our passing along in this vale of tears! +First-day last was a day of brightness, and this day has been one of +comparative death and darkness. I have been made to know something of the +saying recorded by the prophet,--"Who is among you that feareth the Lord," +&c., "that walketh in darkness and hath no light." This has appeared to be +my portion this day, and I find it hard work to "trust in the name of the +Lord and stay upon my God." + + +Some further remarks in his diary for this day turn upon the subject of +the ministry, and the passage he quotes shows how deep and heart-searching +is the work of preparation for an enlarged and effectual gospel ministry, +whatever be the denomination among men to which the preacher belongs:-- + + +In the course of reading the life of Mary Fletcher I find much deep +instruction and encouragement. Many of her remarks have proved like a goad +to spur me on in the way of holiness. An extract made by her from Dr. +Doddridge's life aptly speaks the language of my heart, when in my silent +breathing to the Almighty I am led to crave an enlargement of my gift in +spiritual things:-- + +"There must be an enlargement of soul before any remarkable success on +others; and a great diligence in prayer and strict watchfulness over my +own soul previous to any remarkable and habitual enlargement in my +ministry; and deep humiliation must precede both." + + +1821.--The first entry in the diary of this year turns upon the +ever-present subject of his going abroad, and is penned under feelings of +the deepest solemnity. It is followed the next day by another on the great +duty of self-examination. + + +1 _mo_. 2. This day I have felt singularly impressed with a desire to +be more devoted to my Maker. I believe it is his will that I should be +more given up to serve him; and if spared with life and strength, my few +remaining days must be spent in his cause. A presentiment of this kind has +for some time past prevailed with me; and from the calm, awful, and +weighty manner in which it is at times brought over my spirit, I am +induced to think it cannot be the mere phantom of the imagination. The +prospect of a temporary residence on the ---- seems rather to increase +than otherwise. How it may terminate, or the time when to move, is yet +uncertain to me. O, how the prospect humbles me! I trust I can, in some +degree say, with the good old patriarch, that his God shall be my God, and +if He will only give me bread to eat and raiment to put on, I desire to +serve him. + +1 _mo_. 3.--This day I am thirty-five years old. Whether I may be +spared as many more, or whether I may only survive as many months, weeks, +days or hours, as I have now lived years, is altogether in the breast of +Him who has hitherto preserved me as a monument of his mercy. How awful +the consideration! To think that we may be called to give an account at +any hour of the day, and not frequently to examine the state of affairs +between us and our God, is complete infatuation. Strange as it may seem, +as it regards myself I stand condemned. I am sensible sufficient attention +is not paid to the important work of self-examination. O that this fresh +year may produce fresh vigilance! + + +In the Second Month, Ann Jones, accompanied by her husband and Isabel +Richardson, visited Bentham on a religious mission. Ann Jones had much +service, both in public and private. What she had to declare to John +Yeardley in particular was very remarkable, and reminded him of the +discourse of Sarah Lamley in 1814. He says;-- + + +She said a good deal which so struck home to my feelings, that I have not +been so deeply reached in the same manner since dear Sarah Lamley visited +families at Barnsley. (_Letter to his brother._) + + +In the Third Month he found it to be his duty to attend some meetings of +Friends in going and returning from the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds. In his +diary of the 14th of the Third Month he speaks of making the necessary +application to the Monthly Meeting for its sanction, and, in that and some +succeeding entries, records his feelings on the occasion, and the help +which he received by the way. + + +This was new work to me; how I was humbled before I could be made willing +to mention my concern to my friends! which was done in such a faltering +manner that I believe many sympathized with me. When I had received the +meeting's approbation, I was thoughtful how I should get most conveniently +on my way. After our meeting I received a letter from dear S.S., saying +that he had felt a prayer raised in his heart, that I might be helped in +my undertaking by Him from whom best help comes, and that he was most easy +to propose accompanying me on my way in his gig. A very agreeable +companion he proved to be, and for this little act of dedication he shall +not lose his reward. + +I left home on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the Fells. There fell +much rain the day before, which swelled the waters so that my wife and I +became very thoughtful how I should get over the river to Newton, over +which there is no bridge. I thought that should I be favored to get over +safe and dry I would take it as a sign for good in the journey; and so it +was in mercy granted; for when I came to the water-side, I met a man on +horseback who let me ride his horse over. This was in a wild part of the +country, with not a house near. Simple as this may appear to some, I could +not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was thankful. + +At Newton, where I expected to meet only three or four, more assembled +than the larger end of the house would hold. I was met by dear D.W. from +Stockton; I could not but think we looked like two poor striplings before +a great army. I should have sunk under my fears, had I not been enabled to +get down to that Power which can bear up above the fear of man. + +In the afternoon I went to Thornton, and sat down with the family. This +was a precious season, and it felt doubly so from our having been on the +barren mountains, both literally and spiritually. + +I went next morning, accompanied by D.W., to Lothersdale. This was also a +good meeting: I had reason to believe the God whom I was endeavoring to +serve had answered my prayer in sending his angel before to prepare the +way; I seemed almost borne off my feet by the power of Divine love. + +We dined at S.S.'s; and after dinner I could not quit the room without +expressing what I felt towards him, which melted us all into tears. S.S. +joined me, and we went to Skipton to be at the meeting at five o'clock. +Before we came there I felt such a sense of poverty that it seemed as if +my spiritual life was going to be taken from me; and even when I got to +meeting, the same feeling remained, which introduced my spirit into a +state of suffering not easily to be conceived. On our sitting down I felt +there was something on the mind of S.S., and I feared lest, by suffering +the reasoner to prevail, he should be unfaithful; but he expressed a few +words which seemed as the key to the treasury. + +I went that evening to Addingham, and had a meeting next morning, where I +sensibly found a little strength: we seemed to sit under our own vine and +fig-tree, where none could make us afraid. We lodged and dined at our kind +friend J. Smith's, in whose family I had something given to me to minister. + + +From Addingham they went to the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds, where John +Yeardley received intelligence of the sudden decease of his beloved friend +Joseph Wood. J.W. had been engaged in testimony and supplication in the +meeting at Highflatts on First-day morning, and was taken unwell during +the evening, and died in a few hours. After the Quarterly Meeting John +Yeardley went to attend the interment, and on his way had a meeting with +the Friends at Barnsley. + + +It was, he says, a favored time, and we were humbled and instructed +together. We went to Highflatts to tea; when I got to the place where the +remains of my dear friend were laid, I stood silently by the coffin in +tears, saying in spirit, If it be thy mantle I am designed to wear, may I +receive it with humility, reverence and fear! This feeling awfully +impressed my mind, because my dear friend had said more than once to me, +If I have any place in the body, I bequeath it to thee. The meeting was +very large and was a precious season; the occasion on which we were met +seemed to give wings to our spirits to fly upwards. + + +This spring Elizabeth Yeardley's disorder began to assume a serious form. +A short memorandum from her hand discloses in a touching manner her state, +both physical and spiritual. + + +3 _mo_. 29.--"Regard not distant events: this uneasiness about the +future is in opposition to the grace received." This sentence from my old +favorite, Fenelon, was much blest to my spirit this evening, when I had +foolishly been thinking about future sufferings. O, sufficient for the day +is the evil thereof. Perhaps a few rolling suns may, through the merits +and mercies of my Lord, see this poor worm translated to his Paradise. + + +The first direct allusion to anxiety on her account which appears in her +husband's diary bears date the 5th of the Fifth Month. Her debilitated +state seems to have been the cause of their deferring to a future day +their contemplated removal to Germany, which was otherwise to have taken +place about this time. + +In the summer of this year he was himself laid for some weeks upon a bed +of sickness, with a complaint of the stomach. He viewed this time of +suffering as profitable in assisting his resolution to undertake the +religious mission to which his mind was still continually directed. In a +letter to Thomas Yeardley, of the 1st of the Ninth Month, he says, "Such +is my stubborn will that I am not to be effectually pleaded with, until I +am brought down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, or judgment." His wife, +who was too ill to leave her chamber, has a memorandum respecting her +husband's illness, under date of the 29th of the Eighth Month. It seems to +have been the last which her pen ever traced. + + +Since I wrote, my dear husband has had an awful attack; but the Lord has +again been merciful in restoring him to ease once more. Yesterday (may the +Lord enable us to keep covenant) we laid our _Isaac_ on the altar. O, +to be wholly our kind, our Heavenly Master's, who cares to provide for us, +for soul and body; who takes nothing from us but what he knows would harm +us, and gives us a hundred-fold of that which is good in lieu. + + +Prior to this time John Yeardley had not confided to his brother the +thought which so long had occupied his mind. In the letter just referred +to he speaks of it as "an important concern which had long been the +companion of his secret thoughts by day and his visions by night," +and says:-- + + +It now seems to be approaching so near a state of maturity that I feel +freedom to communicate it to thee. + +For about three years past I have had an increasing apprehension that it +would be required of me to take up a _temporary residence_ among +those who profess with Friends on the other side of the water, +particularly with the few in the neighborhood of Minden and Pyrmont, and +probably at some time with those in the South of France. But my visit is +likely to be paid in a way different from any that have been made before. +I have never seen that the nature of my concern would require any document +from the Quarterly or Yearly Meetings; neither do I think it would answer +my present views; because the secret language of my heart has been for +many months past, "Go dwell among them, go dwell with them." + +I should be in want of some employment, and the first thing that presents +to my view is to offer my services to a few of my friends in the yarn and +flax trade; articles which are largely imported into Yorkshire, and which +seem to be the natural production of the country, within the circle where +I should be likely to reside. + + +His brother's answer to this letter was most consoling and encouraging: in +reference to it he says, it seemed with him as it was with Peter in the +prison, when the angel smote him and the irons fell off. + + +And O, he adds, that I may be willing, now that a little light begins to +shine, to gird myself, bind on my sandals, cast my garment about me, and +follow my Lord, thinking no hardship too much to endure for so good a +Master. (_Diary, 9 mo. 21_.) + + +Although in reality not far from her end, his wife's state had not as yet +excited immediate alarm. On the 23rd of the Ninth Month J.Y. writes:-- + + +My precious E.Y. is yet so weak that there is a probability of its being +an obstacle in the way of our removal; but there is this consolation,--if +the work be of the Lord he will not frustrate his own design; if it be not +his doing we must submit to have the whole overturned. + + +In a few days he became aware of her critical state. + + +9 _mo_. 29.--The indisposition of my dear wife has taken such an +alarming turn that I yesterday began to have serious apprehensions as to +the issue. I have watched with her night and day, and my prayers have been +unceasing for her restoration, I trust not without a due reverence to the +divine will. But I did not feel as though nature could give her up until +yesterday, when as I stood retired by the bed-side of my dear lamb, +endeavoring to feel after resignation, I gave her up as fully as human +nature, through divine aid, was capable of. Then it sprang in my heart, +Where is the man that can offer up an Isaac? He shall go for me, and I +will send him. There seems a spark of hope that even now, when the knife +is lifted up, the voice may yet be heard,--"Lay not thy hand upon the lad, +for now I know that thou fearest me." + +My precious dear has been to me in my late exercise a never-failing +instrument of strength, comfort, and encouragement: in general her faith +has been much stronger than my own. Should it please Heaven to restore +her, O that there may be an increased desire that it may be for no other +cause, but that her heart, her hands and her feet, may unite with mine in +sounding forth our Redeemer's praise, if required, even to the ends of the +earth. + + +The following entries record the last hours of the dying Christian wife, +and the feelings of her bereaved husband:-- + + +10 _mo_. 25.--Last night we expected my dear lamb would have sunk +away. How the awful event is to terminate is known only to Him on whose +bosom I trust she has always rested; for in no other place could she be +preserved in the state of peace which she appears to possess. + +29_th_.--A most awful morning; my dear lamb is no more! She sweetly +fell asleep in the bosom of her Saviour, at one o'clock this morning. The +closing scene was perfect ease and peace. From the first of her illness +she seemed aware how it would terminate, and was perfectly resigned. +During our being at Bentham she has often said it was a place provided by +Providence to afford her that religious retirement she had long desired, +and which she took the most scrupulous care to improve. When in health she +would tell me of late that perhaps she might be taken away in order to set +me more fully at liberty to do the Lord's work. + +11 _mo_. 18.--This day two weeks was the solemn ceremony of +committing to the silent dust the remains of my very precious and dearly +beloved Elizabeth. I had dreaded the day very much; but through prayer, +mixed with a degree of faith, which was mercifully granted, I was +wonderfully supported. In the meeting I felt the divine influence so near, +and so to prevail over my spirit, that I was constrained publicly to thank +the Father of mercies for his goodness. + +This day I visited, perhaps for the last time, the place which encloses +the cold relics of one so dearly beloved; and as I stood weeping over the +grave, it sprang in my heart, She is not here but (she) is risen. What an +unspeakable consolation to be enabled to leave the dust behind, and hold +sweet communion and converse with the spirit. Ever since her departure it +feels as though her spirit had never left me, but was hovering and +fluttering around me to administer comfort on every afflicting occasion; +and O, saith my spirit, that this precious feeling may remain with me for +ever. + +12 _mo_. 20.--I feel to lament the loss of my dear lamb more than +ever, at least so far as I dare. No one but myself knows the comfort which +the late awful event has deprived me of; but I no sooner remember the hand +which administered it than all complaining is hushed into silence, and I +am made to rejoice that she is so safely deposited where trouble cannot +reach. + + +From this moment John Yeardley felt himself quite free to pursue the path +of duty which had been opened before him, viz., to go and reside in +Germany. + +In the Eleventh Month he left Bentham to sojourn awhile with his brother, +and on the 9th of the First Month, 1822, he received a certificate of +removal from Settle Monthly Meeting, addressed to the Friends of Pyrmont +and Minden, which certified that he was a member of the Society of +Friends, and a minister well approved by the church. + +Before we pursue further the sequence of events, two passages from the +diary may be here transcribed, which could not have been inserted in the +order of time without interrupting the narrative. The first of these +conveys a lesson of practical wisdom, and exhibits the method by which the +writer was able to succeed and to excel in what he undertook. It is the +true comprehension and resolute acting upon maxims such as these, which +makes so much of the difference between one man and another. + + +1821. 7 _mo_. 2.--No man can excel in everything; therefore it is +highly important for each mind to consider attentively for what it is +calculated, and what end it is designed to answer by him who created it. +As secular affairs are often more expedited by a judicious arrangement, +than by hard doing indiscriminately at the mass; so will undertakings of +superior importance be more advantageously attained by keeping a single +eye, and looking for best direction to make a proper selection of what +ought to be done and what ought not to be done. I was long too much +wavering on this head, to my great loss; but I now hope it is become a +settled point, find I have clearly seen for what service I am designed in +the church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of +divine grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main +design. For a little mind to aim at great things would be to thwart the +whole; but to endeavor to be faithful in small things, seems to be the way +to attain the end. + + +From the other entry we shall extract only a few words, but they are words +fraught with deep instruction:-- + + +9 _mo_. 7.--"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Without +purity of heart we cannot see the pointing of the Divine Finger. + + +On the 18th of the Second Month, John Yeardley attended Pontefract Monthly +Meeting, held at Wakefield. + + +It was, he says, a precious season; I felt my friends very near to me in +spirit, and expressed to them in tenderness and love what lay on my mind; +and in the conclusion the power and goodness of the Most High were so +awfully felt that I could not forbear kneeling down to offer him thanks, +and to supplicate that he would he pleased once more to bind up the +breaches in the walls of our Zion, and grant that when we were separated +one from another we might never he separated from his presence. + +I now begin, he continues, to feel very anxious to set forward for my +destination on the other side of the water. What an awful situation mine +appears to be! O that faith and patience may be granted equal to the +occasion! + +1822. 2 _mo_. 26.--I never read in my dear lamb's diary but it feels +to season my heart with good. It is as though her writings were +impregnated with a degree of sincerity and resignation which, were so +eminently the characteristics of her innocent spirit. O, I repeat it, that +my precious Saviour may be pleased to appoint her angel spirit to be my +guardian through life, until I shall be joined with her in heaven and +we both unite in singing his praise. + + +About this time his brother, Thomas Yeardley, began to exercise the +ministerial office. + + +3 _mo_. 3.--Attended Woodhouse Meeting, which was to me a very trying +one. My brother Thomas spoke the feeling of my heart in something like +these words:--"They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit +before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do +them." + +3 _mo._ 18.--This day was held the Monthly Meeting at Barnsley. The +Testimony concerning our much-esteemed friend Joseph Wood was read and +signed by the meetings at large. When I consider the legacy, so to speak, +which this dear friend used to say he should bequeath to me, this language +seems to prevail in my heart:--"Moses my servant is dead; now therefore +arise. As I was with Moses, so I will he with thee; I will not fail thee, +nor forsake thee."--Joshua i. 2, 5. This is an awful consideration; but +why should any despair? May not the faithful mind say, "This God is our +God; he will be our guide, even unto death." I desire most sincerely to be +kept in humility, whatever the probations may be which are necessary to +fit me for the design of Him who hath given me life, breath and being. + + +On the 2d of the Fourth Month he quitted Barnsley, accompanied by his +brother Thomas. + + +I think it a favor indeed, he says, to be relieved from a doubting mind as +to whether I should go or stay; for I can truly say that, let the result +prove what it may. I go with an undivided heart. + +Elizabeth Dell had a meeting at Pontefract this day, where I met her; it +was a very satisfactory meeting, and it was pleasant to meet with several +Friends here whom I did not expect to have seen again. The parting +opportunity with E.D. has left a savor on my mind which I hope will not +soon be forgotten. + +Before he left England he opened negotiations with several mercantile +houses, who gave him orders for linen yarn from Germany. At Hull he +writes: + + +4 _mo._ 12.--My detention here, waiting for a fair wind to Hamburg, +has not been unpleasant; my friends are exceedingly kind, but my feelings +in a religious sense have been rather depressing. + + +His heart was full of serious thoughts in anticipation of the voyage, +which was then more formidable than it is now; but the joyful hope of a +glorious immortality, if death should be suffered to overtake him, bore +him up above his fears. + + +14_th_.--May I be preserved in a holy reliance on the Arm of strong +Power for help. "O Lord God, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee, or to +thy faithfulness round about Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when +the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest, them." O may it please him to +carry me in his bosom, and protect me from the dangers of the sea. But +should it please him to permit that I go down to the bottom, may I be +fully resigned in humble confidence that I shall again arise to shine +brighter with him in everlasting glory. Amen. + + +We shall conclude this chapter with a few extracts from Elizabeth +Yeardley's letters, which well depict her character and experience; and +with a copy of the weighty and pertinent testimony regarding Joseph Wood +which was issued by Pontefract Monthly Meeting. + + * * * * * + + +7 _mo._ 13, 1818.--The broad way seems more and more crowded, while +the road to Zion is thinly scattered with poor wayworn travellers; each, +or nearly so, of the former living as if there were to be no hereafter, +and earth was to be their eternal home. I have thought that as our Blessed +Redeemer's arms were extended wide on the cross to embrace perishing +sinners, so do these short-sighted mortals extend their arms and their +wishes in grasping unsubstantial vanities, and that craving one of +_Mammon_, the most fascinating of all, as it increases with age. + +9 _mo_. 24, 1819.--I hope by what I have felt of the keen arrow of +adversity piercing the heart, it will teach me, when I see it wounding any +of my fellow-mortals, to endeavor to soothe, if I have nothing else in my +power towards healing the wound. Let thee and me be determined, in the +name of the holy Jesus, to follow him and not look on others. He is +leading us into the pure green, ever green, pasture of humiliation, where +the sheep of his pasture love to lie. I own the road is not very pleasant; +the descent is rugged, and many times the poor traveller is ashamed of +being seen hobbling down by his former acquaintance; but when once within +the sacred enclosure, the sweet air that breathes humility hushes all +stormy passions to rest. I read and read again of all those holy folks +being divested of self, and anxiously do I desire to be so too, but by the +marks they lay down I am very far from that attainment. However, He who +said, Let there be light, and there was light, can add this to the rest of +his inestimable blessings showered on my unworthy head. + +4 _mo_. 14, 1820.--We are sometimes led to expect pity from people +where we think we have a sort of claim, and here we often feel +disappointed. Persons at ease cannot feel for the sensations of pain in +others, any more than prosperity can feel the seasons of adversity. +Couldst thou have a look into the houses and bosoms of the inmates of most +in B. or other places, thou wouldst find a something sorrowful, a burden +the possessor would be glad to be quit of. Let us, then, go forward with +hope, and endeavor to be truly thankful for the many mercies showered on +our heads, who have not rendered as we ought that gratitude so greatly His +due. O look at the bulk of the population in England, whose children are +looking up to them for a meal, and they have it not for them; and then let +the tear of thankfulness fall. To be thankful is to feel a spark of +heavenly flame; to be thankful is to increase the blessing already poured +forth. O that I possessed more of this blessed spirit; for truly it is +angelic! + + * * * * * + + +_A Testimony of Pontefract Monthly Meeting concerning_ JOSEPH WOOD, +_deceased_. + +This our esteemed friend was born at Newhouse, near Highflatts, within the +compass of this Monthly Meeting, on the 26th of the Fourth Month, 1750. +His parents, Samuel and Susanna Wood, members of our Society, were +concerned for the best interest of their children. In his youth he gave +way to some of the vanities incident to that period of life, but when +approaching manhood he was happily brought under the restraining power of +Truth, and often humbled in deep inward exercise. Once being in the fields +in the night season, he exclaimed, Lord what shall I do, or whither shall +I go? The answer in the secret of his own heart was as intelligible as if +spoken to his outward ear,--Whither wilt thou go, Have not I the words of +eternal life? Soon after this he attended a neighboring meeting, when a +ministering Friend, who was a stranger, stood up with the words which he +had received as an answer to his inquiry, and enlarged upon the subject in +a manner suited to his tried state of mind. + +In the year 1779, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, was his first +appearance in the ministry, in great fear and broken-ness of spirit: but +being obedient to the manifestations of truth, he experienced an +advancement therein, and was a good example, adorning his profession by a +circumspect life. His testimony was not with the enticing words of man's +wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Neither was he +forward to offer his gift, patiently abiding in the deep till he felt the +holy fire burn. He was at times led in a plain close manner to the +unfaithful professors of truth, but had the word of consolation to the +rightly exercised, unto whom he was indeed a nursing father. He was +especially useful to such as the Lord was gathering from the barren +mountains of an empty profession to the knowledge of the truth, and he was +frequent, in solemn supplication for these, and for the awakening of those +who were at ease in Zion. His heart being enlarged in gospel love, he was +anxious for the salvation of all, and was frequently engaged to appoint +meetings amongst those not in profession with us. For this service he was +eminently gifted, and his ministry on these occasions was often attended +with the powerful baptizing influence of the Spirit, to the convincement +of many. He was concerned to impress on the minds of his friends the +necessity of a due attendance of week-day meetings, believing that such as +were negligent in this duty never experienced an attainment to the state +of strong men in the truth. That our dear friend was zealous for the +proper support of discipline in our religious body was sufficiently +evident from the part he took in the exercise of it in his own Monthly +Meeting; for active service in this important branch of church government +he was eminently gifted. + +In the course of his religious labors, he visited the meetings of Friends +generally in most of the Quarterly Meetings in England, and many meetings +within the principality of Wales; and divers of them repeatedly. + +During the latter period of his life, feeling his bodily strength decline, +he was anxiously desirous that no service required of him should be +omitted. His zeal increased with his years, and he became more abundant in +labor for the promotion of the Christian cause. In a memorandum made about +a year before his death, he writes, "This day I attained the seventieth +year of my age. May the remainder of my days be so devoted to the Lord's +service, as, when the solemn message of death is sent, I may have nothing +to do but to render up my accounts with joy!" In the last Monthly Meeting +he attended, he expressed amongst us that he had seen in the vision of +life that day, that there were of the youth there present those who, if +they were faithful and kept in their innocency, would become instruments +of good, and finally would shine as the stars, for ever and ever. + +The day before his death, the first day of the week, he appeared in his +own meeting at Highflatts, in a powerful testimony, beginning with these +words of Moses to Hobab: "We are journeying unto the place of which the +Lord said, I will give it you. Come thou with us, and we will do thee +good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." In the course of +his testimony he had in strong terms to urge the necessity of a +preparation for an awful eternity. In the afternoon of the same day he +complained of a pain in his breast and arms, but was not considered in +danger. He retired to bed at his usual hour; but he slept little, and +quietly departed about five o'clock the following morning, the 26th of the +Third Month, 1821; and was buried at Highflatts the 31st of the same; +(many Friends and others attended the meeting on this solemn occasion, +which was eminently owned by the presence of the Great Shepherd of +Israel;) aged seventy-one years, a minister about forty-two years. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY. + +1822-24. + +John Yeardley left Hull on the 14th of the Fourth Month, and arrived at +Hamburg on the 21st. For the purpose of attending the Exchange, and of +becoming acquainted with the language, he hired a lodging in the +neighborhood of the city, where he remained for some weeks. Writing to his +brother, under date of the 23rd of the Fourth Month, he says,-- + + +In the neighborhood of Hamburg, lodgings are not easily obtained for so +short a time as a month. We succeeded in procuring a room three miles from +the town, at Eppendorf, in the house of three young women, sisters. It is +a charming walk, mostly over the fields. It is quite a cross for me to go +on 'Change; but as it is the only place for information, I must submit to +it, my visit to this place being for instruction in the language and mode +of conducting business: but, from what I have yet seen, it will be quite +the best for me to proceed into the interior of the country in a few +weeks. + + +What his reflections were when he found himself actually an inhabitant of +the land where for so long a time he had mentally dwelt, will be seen by +the following entry in his Diary. The maxim with which it concludes may be +said to be the motto which he inscribed on his shield for the remainder of +his life. + + +This morning I am thankful to feel something of a peaceful serenity to +cover my mind, and am well contented in being placed on this side of the +German Ocean. I consider it an unspeakable blessing that I do not feel so +much as a wish to return, until the time may come that I can see clearly +that it is right for me so to do. Should I not be favored with health and +strength to do what I have sometimes thought designed for me before I set +my foot in this land, or should my Heavenly Father see meet to cut short +the work in righteousness and not permit that I ever see my native country +again, his gracious _will be done_. I leave this as a testimony that +none need to fear his rightly sending forth those who ask and rightly wait +for his counsel. I do not know why I should thus write: I trust it +proceeds from a resigned heart; and I will add, for fear I should never +have another opportunity, that I should wish all to know who have known +me, that I have no reason to doubt the rectitude of my crossing the water +with a prospect of a residence in this country, and that should time with +me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that love for mankind +which believes "every nation to be our nation, and every man our +brother."--(6 _mo._ 8.) + + +The next day's diary consists of a short but earnest prayer. + + +_First-day morning,_--O, gracious and most merciful Father, be +pleased to strengthen my hands for the work that is before me; be pleased +to give me the power of speech; be pleased to give me thy word, with +power to publish it to those whose hearts thou shalt be pleased to prepare +for the reception of it. + + +The family with whom he lodged at Eppendorf strongly engaged his religious +sympathy. + + +I spent, he says in his diary of the 8th of the Seventh Month, about nine +weeks at E. in a very agreeable manner with the family of three young +women. The one who is the mistress of the house is very seriously +inclined. She told me she had read a play-book giving a description of our +Society in the character of one of its members, and ever since she had had +a particular desire to see one of us, and that she could not but admire +with thankfulness that she had been gratified in having one to reside +under her roof. She had heard of Thomas Shillitoe's being in Hamburg; and +when I told her he was now in Norway, she asked me his business there, I +told her that our Friends had sometimes a desire to visit their brethren +and other religiously-disposed people in foreign lands, and that such was +his errand. She replied, "Yes, and I believe it is also yours: this is +Gospel love indeed; while so many here will not think for themselves, you +come so far to visit and help them." In saying this she was overcome with +tears. + + +John Yeardley left Hamburg on the 2nd of the Seventh Month, and arrived at +Pyrmont on the 5th. Writing to his brother, he says: + + +I have now had a specimen of German travelling. Thou wilt be sure I was +very bold to set off quite alone except the driver, but it proved far +easier than I had anticipated. Instead of having a conveyance to seek when +I got over to Harburg, there was a man on the steam-packet who offered to +take me in his carriage, and the whole of my packages, to Pyrmont. + +A great part of the country between Harburg and Hanover is very dreary and +barren, much resembling Bentham Moor; but the road is much worse, being in +many places not less than eighteen inches or two feet deep in sand. When +we came near Celle and Hanover, the country became quite different, being +very fruitful, and the prospect charming. Nearly all the way from Hanover +to Pyrmont it is beautiful travelling, and the road mostly good. Pyrmont +and the scenery in the surrounding neighborhood is beautiful beyond +description. + + +At Eppendorf he had been cheered by a visit from Benjamin Seebohm and John +Snowdon, from Bradford, who informed him that a committee from the Yearly +Meeting were on their way to Pyrmont. This was to him most welcome news, +and the Friends reached Pyrmont almost as soon as he did; but though their +company was so cordial to his mind, their presence did not relieve him +from the burden of religious exercise which he began to feel on behalf of +the members of the Society in that place, as soon as he took up his +residence amongst them. + + +_Diary.--7 mo._ 16.--The Committee from the Yearly Meeting--viz., +Josiah Forster, Joseph Marriage, and Peter Bedford--have visited the +families of Friends here, and attended the Preparative Meeting which was +held on First-day last. Things here appear to be very low every way among +those who profess with us; yet there are a few sincere-hearted to whom I +already begin to feel closely united in spirit. + +From the time of my arrival until First-day last, I do not remember ever +to have been more oppressed in mind. I could, if I dared, almost have +wished myself in England again, for I feared I should not be able to +obtain any relief. I went to meeting on First-day in fear and trembling; +but, as is sometimes the case, it proved better than I had expected. +When we are stripped of all help but what comes from the Lord alone, it is +then that he delights most to help us. Through the acceptable assistance +of my friend B. Seebohm, I was enabled to communicate what came before me, +and the great dread which I had always had of speaking through an +interpreter was mercifully removed, for which I was truly thankful. The +three Friends were favored most instructively to labor in the meeting for +business. They are now gone to Minden; I feel tenderly united to their +spirits in much love. + + +John Yeardley's residence was at Friedensthal, a hamlet about a mile from +the town of Pyrmont. In a letter to his brother he thus describes the +situation of the place, and his own comfortable accommodation:-- + + +My mother inquires as to my mode of living, and if I have comfortable +accommodations. Please to tell her that I am provided for in a way which +is exceedingly agreeable to me. I have a large airy sitting-room with +three windows, and a bed-room adjoining, situated, on one side, under the +shelter of a wood, and the other opens to a beautiful and romantic dale. +The mode of cooking is just as I would wish it; I am only anxious +sometimes that my very kind friends of the house are too much concerned +for my help and comfort. It seems scarcely possible to find an outward +situation more suited to my wishes. When I have studied in the house, I +take my books in suitable weather into the wood, and there walk and read +and think. It is true I am sometimes very flat for want of company; but if +I incline to go to Pyrmont, they are always pleased to see me, and would +willingly have me always with them.--(2 _mo._ 17, 1823.) + + +Very soon after his arrival at Pyrmont, John Yeardley entered into active +service in behalf of the gospel. In what religious state he found the +people towards whom he had so long been attracted in spirit, and how he +was enabled to preach to them the word of life, is exhibited in several +entries in his Diary. + + +7 _mo._ 21.--The Two-months' Meeting was held at Minden; I went, +along with several of my friends from here. The first sitting was very +large, many coming in who do not usually attend. It was a very solid +meeting; I thought there was the good savor of an honest-hearted few to be +felt among a mixed multitude. Such was the sweet, peaceful satisfaction I +felt after this meeting, that I almost said in my heart, This is enough to +repay me for setting my feet in Germany. These are precious seasons, yet I +always recur to such in fear, and rejoice with trembling; for in the midst +of the Lord's goodness to his children one seems to be falling on one +hand, and another on another; so that the language seems to be, "Will ye +also go away?" and truly we shall never be able to stand if we look not +for help to Him who has the words of eternal life. + + +About this time Thomas Shillitoe arrived in Germany, in the course of his +religious visit on the Continent; and John Yeardley, on his return to +Pyrmont, united with him in a visit to the families of Friends belonging +to that meeting. + + +8 _mo_. 13.--My feelings are this morning deeply discouraged. I am +entering on a visit to the families here with my dear friend T.S., whose +company I have had since the 23rd ult. This service is to me a very +important one. It is an easy matter to say to a brother or a sister, Be +comforted, be strengthened; but it is no light matter to dip so feelingly +into the state of our fellow-mortals, as to feel as though we could place +_our_ soul in their soul's stead, in order that they might be +strengthened and comforted. + +8 _mo_. 20.--The visit has been got over to our great satisfaction. +In some sittings, deep exercise and mourning; in others, cause of +rejoicing over the precious seed of the kingdom, which is alive in the +hearts of some. There seems to be a remarkable visitation once more +extended, especially to the youth. + + +In conjunction with Thomas Shillitoe he proposed to the Friends, as only +one meeting was held on First-days, to have one in the evening for +religious reading, holding it at Friedensthal in the summer, and at +Pyrmont in the winter. The proposal was immediately complied with, and the +institution proved a valuable auxiliary to the edification of the members. + + +8 _mo_. 25.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious +season; O, how all spirits were melted together! May the blessing of the +Lord rest upon this humble endeavor as a means of bringing us nearer to +himself. + +28_th_,--Our English Friends [Benjamin Seebohm and John Snowdon] have +taken their departure. I feel a little solitary, but I think it a great +favor to be preserved from a wish to go with them; nothing will do for me +but entire resignation to the Lord's will and work. Little did I think +when I left my home in England, that a work of this sort awaited me in +Germany; indeed, I came blind in the gospel; I knew nothing; but now I see +such a field of labor if I am faithful: how shall it ever be accomplished? +O, prepare me, dearest Lord, for without thy heavenly hand to assist me I +must faint. O, may I ever seek thy counsel; and be thou pleased to lead me +step by step, and give strength according to the day. + +29_th._--To-day I have for the first time expressed a few sentences +in broken German in our little meeting. I do not know whether they might +be very clearly understood, but I hope the attempt to do what I conceived +to be the Lord's will, will be accepted by him. O, that he may he pleased +to give me the power of speech! + + +In the Ninth Month he went to Hanover with Thomas Shillitoe, who had a +concern to see the authorities regarding the observance of the First-day. +They did not meet with much success in their object; but they made the +acquaintance of Pastors Gundel and Hagemann, the latter "nearly blind and +very grey, but truly green in the feeling sense of religion," and who +rejoiced in his heart to find a brother concerned to reform those things +which had long laid heavy on his mind. + +The two friends travelled together to Minden, where they parted, and John +Yeardley returned to Pyrmont by Bielefeld. + + +The neighborhood of this town, he says, is remarkably fine. There is a +very high hill, partly formed by nature, and partly by art, from which we +can see quite round, without any interruption, even into Holland. Here, +from the appearance of the bleach-grounds, I could fancy myself in +Barnsley. But, as Sarah Grubb says, I can have no pleasure in fine +prospects; my mind in these journeys is always too much exercised with +matters of a more serious nature. + + +In the latter part of the month John Yeardley went again to Minden, to +unite with Thomas Shillitoe in a visit to the families of Friends. They +commenced their visit at Bückeburg, where they had a remarkable interview +with the family of the Kammer-rath Wind, which is related at length in +T. S.'s journal (vol. i., p. 388). + +The place which seems in these visits to have engaged J.Y.'s sympathies +the most strongly was the village of Eidinghausen. + + +We had, he says, a very favored meeting in the room where their meeting +is usually held. In the sitting in the evening, with the family where we +lodged, many of the neighbors came in, who seemed to have no wish to leave +us. I thought of the words of the dear Saviour, when seeing the multitudes +he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep having no shepherd. +Truly these have no outward shepherd who cares much for their spiritual +interests. I felt my heart much warmed in gospel love towards them, and we +invited them to give us their company again next day, which most of them +did. In this meeting there was something expressed so remarkably suited to +the states of some present, that after it was over a woman confessed it +had been as was declared, that she herself was one to whom it belonged; +and she gave us a short relation how it had been with her in former days. + +The love which these simple, honest-hearted creatures manifest towards us +does away with all distinctions and the difference of language. O, that He +who teaches as never man taught may be pleased to guide them and bring +them to himself that there may be one shepherd and one sheep-fold. All our +toils in this weary land will not be too much if we can he made the +instruments of helping only one poor soul on its way Zionwards. + +10 _mo_. 8.--I returned yesterday evening from Minden, with a +thankful heart, to come again to my quiet and romantic habitation in +Peacedale. The strong fortifications which are made, and now making, +around Minden, give it an appearance of gloom and oppression which is +scarcely to be borne. O, how uncomfortable do I feel when within its +walls; but in its neighborhood there are a few friends to whom I am +tenderly united in spirit. + + +He concludes this entry with an allusion to the homely and even hard +manner of life to which many of these were accustomed. + + +To some of our Friends in England who are dissatisfied with their outward +situation, I would say, Come and see how these live on the Continent. + + +The 29th of the Tenth Month was the anniversary of his wife's death. His +diary for this day is an affecting transcript of his feelings on the +occasion. + + +The shock which my earthly happiness received this day twelvemonths has +been, this evening, piercingly renewed in the recollection of almost every +minute transaction which accompanied the awful event of the closing +moments of my precious lamb. For truly like a lamb she lived, and was well +prepared to become an angel-spirit. O, happy spirit, thou art at rest; +then why should I mourn thy loss? Surely He who knows the weakness of our +frame will forgive, for he himself gave us the example in weeping over +those he loved. The Almighty has been very good to me; he has put it in +the hearts of those with whom I reside to care for me with an affectionate +interest. O, for greater diligence, that the day's work may keep pace with +the day. What shall I do, but pray for more strength to be made able to do +all that may be required of me. I never saw the advice of our dear Saviour +more necessary for myself than at the present time, "Be ye wise as +serpents and harmless as doves." + + +Soon after this he had a return, of his complaint in the stomach, which +caused him to exclaim-- + + +We are indeed but dust and ashes; how quickly the slender thread may be +cut, and reduce this frail tabernacle to that state of earthly composition +from which it was formed. But the spiritual part in us must have an +abiding somewhere _for ever_; this is the awful consideration which +ought continually to affect our hearts. Is it not a strange infatuation to +rank the moments of affliction among the evil events of our lives, when +these may prove the very means of bringing back our wandering feet to the +path which leads to everlasting life? + + +He then reviews his own situation, his calling and his work. + + +It is often the consideration of my heart, What has brought me into this +country? what have I done? what am I doing? and what have I to do? The +enemy is not wanting to distress my poor mind on the point of these four +important queries. But to the first I can answer, An humble submission to +what I believe to be the leadings of Divine Wisdom. To the second, through +the assistance of never-failing love, I have done what I could and have +found peace. To the third, I am desirous through divine aid to do what I +can; and to the fourth, which refers to the future, I must commit it into +the hands of the Judge of the whole earth, who alone is able to guide my +feet in the sure path. I feel in the present moment desirous to keep +eternity continually before my view, and to let outward things hang more +fully on the dependence of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the +ground without his notice. (11 _mo_. 30.) + +12 _mo_, 1.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious +time. Our spirits have been much tendered in reading some account of the +lives and deaths of our worthy Friends recorded in Sewel's History. Tears +so overpowered the reader and the hearers, that the reading was at times +obliged to be suspended until we had given relief to our feelings. + + +In addition to this meeting, John Yeardley established another for the +young, to be held on Fourth-day evening, "in which they might improve +themselves in reading, and acquire a knowledge of the principles of the +Society, with other branches of useful information." The young women were +to bring their work; and it was his delight to interrupt the reading with +religious instruction, and such remarks as a father makes for the +improvement and gratification of his children. We see him here for the +first time in a character in which he was well known to the present +generation in various parts of England, viz., as an instructor and guide +of the youth. In noticing in his Diary the formation of the Youths' +Meeting at Pyrmont, he comments with pleasure on the innocent cheerful +manners of his audience, and on the advantages which might be looked for +from this kind of social intercourse. + +The last entry in this year records an occasion of near approach to the +throne of grace in prayer in the little congregation at Pyrmont. + + +12 _mo_. 29, _First-day_.--A most remarkable season of divine +favor in our evening assembly. The awe which I had felt over my spirit the +whole of the day, and not feeling freedom to break my mind in the meeting +in the morning, induced me to look to the evening opportunity with fear +and trembling, which indeed is always the case when I feel the Master's +hand upon me. The most solemn act of worship, that of public supplication, +so powerfully impressed my mind, that I believed it right to yield to the +motion, which I humbly trust was done in due reverence and humility of +soul. Our spirits were so humbled under feelings of good that it seemed as +if the secrets of all hearts were presented before the throne of grace, to +ask forgiveness for former transgressions, strength to serve the Most High +with more acceptance, and to be finally prepared to reign with him in +glory. O how these seasons of refreshing will rise up against us in the +great day of account, if we are not concerned to improve by them! Grant, +dearest Father, that I may experience a nearer and stronger tie to do thy +will more perfectly; and let it please thee to remember those in this +place and this land for whom my spirit so often secretly mourns and prays. + + +The Diary of 1823 opens with a profound and solemn reflection. + + +1823. 1 _mo_. 4.--For want of faith we are too much inclined to serve +ourselves before we are willing to serve the Great Master, thinking we may +be able to do much for him afterwards, when it will more accord with our +situation in life. But, alas! this time may never come; if we thus put by +the _acceptable season_, our lives may close with our only having +performed very imperfectly the part which had been designed for us in the +Church militant. Painful would be the sting when appealing to the Judge of +the earth, in a moment when we no longer possessed the capability of +serving him, should the declaration be, Thou hadst a desire to serve me +when in health and strength, but thou wished _first_ to _serve +thyself_. My time was not then thy time, therefore _thy time_ is +not now _my time_. + + +A letter to his brother, written in the summer of this year (6 mo. 9), +gives a description of the mode of bleaching in use in Germany, which +will, we believe, be interesting to the English reader. John Yeardley +says: + + +Wilt thou not be surprised when I tell thee that I am about to commence +yarn-bleaching? Thou mayst be sure there is a pretty certain prospect of +considerable advantages, with not much risk, to induce me to make the +attempt. The advantages are threefold--safety, expedition and cheapness. +The first consists in the simplicity of treatment and safety of the +ingredients, no chemical process being made use of; the second arises from +the heat of the climate; the last is easily accounted for from the low +price of labor and the cheapness of the raw material, which is produced in +abundance in the neighborhood. In the country around, for a very +considerable distance, almost every family make their own linen; they grow +or buy the flax, spin the yarn and get it woven, and either bleach it +themselves or send it to others who have better conveniences in water, &c. +As the spring commenced, I noticed these little bleaching-plots wherever I +went, and often wondered that the color was so good. Knowing that such +people could not possibly be at any great expense or risk in the +operation, I concluded it must be done by dint of time and labor, +supposing that the yarn and cloth must lie at least a few months on the +grass; but, on inquiry, I was surprised to find it was made quite white in +three weeks or a month. To make a further proof, I sent two bundles of +yarn to two different places to bleach; it is now returned of a very good +color and perfectly strong, though it has been in blenching only a month +and two or three days, and although the greater part of the Fifth Month +has been unfavorable for bleaching. As to any risk of the yarn being +tendered, it is quite out of the question; it seems to be done by the +operation that nature points out. I have found a very convenient place For +the purpose of making trial; there is plenty of good clear water. There is +a prospect of having honest workpeople, and at very reasonable wages--not +more than 6_d_. or 8_d_. a day; there are many honest creatures +to be had at these wages who have nothing in the world to do. + +From the first of my leaving England, I had no expectation of being +liberated from this country before the expiration of about four years, and +I have always been desirous that something should turn up that would +afford me support by suitable employment; so that what I have now in view +does not seem to clash with my former prospects. It is (he adds with +affectionate feeling) a source of great consolation that I can always +unbosom my mind so freely to thee; and I consider it among the greatest +blessings I enjoy, that thou hast never yet failed of being made an +instrument of support to me, and my prayer is that thou mayst never lose +thy reward. + + +Pyrmont is one of the oldest watering-places north of the Alps. The +inhabitants are very much dependent on the visitors who resort thither +during the three summer months, and amongst whom may frequently be +reckoned some of the first families in Europe. This year, 1823, the Prince +and Princess of Prussia (the present Regent of Prussia and his consort) +were there, and one Fourth-day morning attended the Friends' Meeting. The +meeting-house stands in one of the _allées_, and although its +position is not central, it is sufficiently public to be an object of +attraction to the curiosity of strangers. A memorandum under date of the +18th of the Sixth Month records the royal visit, and John Yeardley's +spiritual exercise on the occasion. + + +6 _mo_. 18.--To-day the young prince and Princess of Prussia, with +the Princess their mother, and the Hofmeister, have been at our Fourth-day +meeting. They entered with such seriousness on their countenances that I +felt my spirit suddenly drawn towards them in love, and a secret prayer +was raised in my heart for their everlasting good. Feeling the influence +of divine love to increase, I believed it right to kneel down, and in +brokenness of spirit I expressed what had opened on my mind, which +afforded me peace; and I hope good to others was imparted, although I may +say through the unworthiest of instruments. For truly I have for some time +been as in a state of death and darkness, owing to my unwatchfulness. O +what would I give for more circumspection, that I might be more prepared +to receive the _word_, and when command is given, publish the same. +But, unworthy creature, I often deprive myself and others of seasons of +good through my negligence and barrenness. When will the time come when I +can say, all earthly things are under my feet, and the cause of religion +and virtue rules predominant in my heart! Lord, hasten the day; and +preserve my feet in thy path in the midst of many snares; and rather let +me die than be suffered to do anything which would dishonor thy gracious +and holy Name, and the profession I am making of thee before the world. +Loose my bands, and enable me to say in sincerity of heart, I am willing +to serve thee freely. + + +With the cause for self-condemnation, which is alluded to in this entry +was no doubt connected the neglect to keep up his Diary; no entry occurs +for more than five months previous. It was probably much more difficult in +the position which he occupied in Germany to maintain a spirit of +watchfulness and self-recollection than among his more experienced Friends +in Yorkshire. There is an allusion to this in an entry of a little later +date. + + +7 _mo_. 8.--My mind feels a little more gathered than it has been for +some time past; but the little outward difficulties which are continually +arising have a great tendency to disperse the best feelings. I think it is +almost the greatest lesson that we have to learn, to stand so fast in +times of trouble as not to suffer loss. If we would so conduct ourselves +that the change of times and seasons should not have such an unfavorable +influence on our minds, this would be one great point gained; it would +enable us to meet the difficulties of the day in a better state to combat +with them. + + +But if daily trials abounded of a nature the most likely to retard his +spiritual progress, we shall see that He who had appointed his lot, +provided in his faithfulness the needful corrective, and by the discipline +of filial fear in the ministry of the word, kept him safe in his +sanctuary. + +The attendance of visitors at the meeting-house was often numerous, +although it was seldom that they remained during the whole time of +worship. Meetings of this kind were very trying to John Yeardley's faith +and feelings; but sometimes they were seasons of heavenly blessing such +abundantly to make amends for past humiliation. + + +7 _mo_. 6.--To-day the small meeting-house and passage were quite +filled with strangers, and I was told many went away who could not get in, +and some remained under the windows. No creature on earth knows what my +poor mind suffers when I go to meeting under such circumstances. Many whom +curiosity brings in the expectation to hear words may some times be +disappointed, but I hope there are some whose intentions are sincere, and +who are desirous to be informed the way to Zion. I hope strength was +afforded me to preach Christ crucified. O that the Lord may support me in +these very trying seasons, and take from me the fear of man, and fill my +heart with a holy fear of offending Him whom I humbly trust I am desirous +of choosing to be my Lord and Master. + +7 _mo_. 27.--"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me +bless his holy name." Notwithstanding my many seasons of poverty and +inward distress, the foregoing language is sometimes put into my heart on +my return from our meetings, which are, in the bathing season, almost +always crowded with strangers. Their manner of coming in and going out +during the time of worship is exceedingly disturbing, and yet I cannot but +admire the stillness which prevails when anything is delivered. The help +which I at times experience in these trying seasons is wonderful in my +eyes. When I am concerned to stand up in His dread and fear, what have I +else to fear? This fear would always cast out the fear of man which ever +brings death; and yet so weak am I, that after all these precious helps +and comforting times, I tremble when the meeting-day comes again lest, I +should fail in doing the Lord's will. Such is my fear before I can rise to +my feet in meetings that I say with Samson, Be with me this once more that +I may bear testimony to thy name; then, if it be thy will let me die for +thee, and I will not think it too much, to suffer. O that He would be +pleased to enlarge his gift in my heart, and he unto me mouth and wisdom, +and give me tongue and utterance to declare his name unto the nations. + +7 _mo_. 30.--Our Fourth-day meeting to-day has been a precious +heavenly season. Much more weightiness of spirit appeared to exist in the +strangers who attended, and consequently more stillness. I had not long +taken my seat before I believed it right to stand up with the words of the +apostle, "Awake to righteousness and sin not, for some have not the +knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." The women's side was nearly +full of richly-clad females; they bore the marks of worldly distinction, +and were indeed as fine as hands and pins could make them. But the +tenderings of divine love reached the hearts of some among them in a +particular degree. I felt such a nearness of spirit towards them that I +had great openness in speaking of the things which came before me. After +meeting they very willingly accepted of some books. One of them was much +reached, and went into the little plantation to weep. Another went to her +to comfort her; but she replied, Go from me and leave me alone. We may +truly say with the apostle that God is no respecter of persons, but those +who fear him and work righteousness will be accepted of him, to whatever +nation, kindred, tongue or people they may belong. All distinctions of +religious sects and party spirit are laid aside when our hearts become +prepared to embrace each other in true Christian love. I do believe the +Lord's work is begun in the hearts of many in this land; and the fervent +prayer of my spirit is that he may be pleased to carry it on to +perfection, and that we may live to see the glorious day when +righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the channels of +the sea. O Germany, Germany, what does my heart feel on account of thy +inhabitants! It seems as if I could tread thy soil for the remainder of my +days if I could only be made the instrument of helping on their way those +scattered ones who are athirst for the sincere milk of the word of life. + +One of the females who visited our meetings came to the school room on +Seventh-day, and requested the favor of having a few books to peruse and +circulate. She said she was from Osnabrück, and that there were a number +of people in that place who had a great love to the Friends of our +Society. Such opportunities afford the means of circulating a knowledge of +the truth to those whose hearts may be preparing to receive it; and if +such are only awakened to seek after the ways of holiness, although they +may never come to be of our number on earth, they will he found among the +number of the saints in heaven. The bathing-list this season already +amounts to 2500 persons, in which number there are many who are desirous +to inquire the way to Zion. It is much to be desired that the peculiar +advantages which Pyrmont affords for spreading in the different parts of +the Continent books illustrative of our religious principles should be +judiciously embraced, particularly as there appears such an openness to +receive them. I can truly say I have been thankful that my lot has been +here this summer, and I trust I have not flinched from doing what I +believed to be required of me. + + +In his letters to his brother, John Yeardley makes frequent mention of his +mother. In the Ninth Month he heard of her being seriously ill, and he +thus writes in reference to her state, in a letter elated the 29th of the +Ninth Month:-- + + +The state of my dear mother's health is truly alarming; but as I have +received no further account from thee, I am flattering my poor panting +heart with a comfortable hope that she may have taken a turn for the +better, and will yet live to see the hour when we shall once more embrace +each other in my native land. If she should be taken away without my being +permitted to see her again, it would be a cup which I could not tell how +to drink. This brings poignantly to my remembrance one of the most trying +hours of my life, and yet the support then received was wonderful. + +As I rode along the road in the course of this summer on a journey of +business, my dear mother was brought to my remembrance in such a very +remarkable manner, that I seemed to have a spiritual interview with her; +and she was brought so near to my feelings, that I thought it probable I +should never see her again until we met in eternity. I scarcely know how I +felt, but it was as if my spirit accompanied hers into the regions above. +I noted down the circumstance when I got home; for it had made such an +impression on my mind, that I should not then have been surprised to have +heard of her departure.[1] + + +The following instructive remarks occur in the Diary about this time:-- + + +10 _mo_. 27.--My retirement and reading this morning has been more +tendering to my spirit than for a long time past. I read and considered +the institution of the Passover, when the Israelites were led out of +Egypt; and it appears clear to me that the sprinkling the door-posts with +the blood of the lambs, as commanded, was a type of our Saviour's blood +which was shed for our transgressions, and that we must be saved by his +becoming our paschal lamb. As the destroying angel only passed over the +doors and preserved those who had received the mark, so can we only be +saved by being willing to apply the blood of our dear Saviour to wash and +cleanse us from our sins. What a beauty there is in the connection of +Scripture truths when we read them with a simple heart prepared to receive +the right impression which may be opened! + + +The Friends of Minden and the little company of awakened people at +Eidinghausen, who on his first coming to Germany had taken so firm a hold +of John Yeardley's mind, continued to excite his religious sympathy, and +he again visited them in the latter part of this year. + + +(_Minden_.)--On Seventh-day last, the 1st of the Eleventh Month, I +left home in company with some of my dear Pyrmont friends to attend the +Two-months' Meeting, and to spend a few days with my dear friends of this +place. I lodge with Frederick Schmidt, and feel myself perfectly at home. +It is a most orderly and agreeable family, consisting of himself, +daughter, and housekeeper; and the time passes pleasantly away when I am +only enough concerned to improve the opportunities afforded by this good +man's company. He was one of the first in this place who was convinced of +the religious principles of Friends, and his beginning was small both in +temporals and spirituals. I cannot but admire how his endeavors have been +prospered. He remarked the other evening in conversation, that it was of +great advantage to the Friends to persevere in their outward callings, and +not to jump (us he expressed it) out of one thing into another. This would +be the means of establishing their credit as men of business. + +11 _mo_. 7.--Sarah Grubb mentions[2] that when she visited Minden, +she met with great kindness and attention from a councillor of the place, +who on their leaving accompanied them a little way out of the town to an +inn, where he had provided coffee, and had invited a few of his friends to +take leave of them. This was at the house of my worthy host [Frederick +Schmidt], who then kept the inn at Kuckuk, and had for some time been +under deep [religious] impressions. He related to me that her discourse in +the meeting she had Lad in the town had affected him, and yet he could not +give her his hand, but went into the garden to weep; but after she had got +into the carriage and driven from the door, she suddenly made a stop, came +again into the house, and asked for him. He being called, she had a +remarkable opportunity with him; she told him she believed the Lord had a +work for him to do in this place, and that he would have to stand foremost +in the rank, and when the time came he must not flinch from doing what his +Master would require. This has in a remarkable manner been fulfilled to +the present day, and affords an encouraging example to the poor tried +servants of the Lord to be faithful to apprehended duty. Although they may +not live to see the effect of their labors, yet their Lord and Master will +not leave himself without a witness in the hearts of his people; praised +be his name. + +14_th_. Since Thomas Shillitoe and I visited Eidinghausen, there has +been a remarkable revival to a sense of religion; a number come together +in a sort of society every First-day afternoon, to read, sing, and pray +for the edification one of another. As all things have a beginning, this +may perhaps prove a step to a more perfect way of worship. I had long felt +inclined to visit the meeting in Eidinghausen, and had looked towards +accomplishing it from Minden. + +I went there on the 9th inst., and my intention to be there being known a +few days before caused many of these awakened people to attend the meeting +so that the little school-room was quite full, and many stood in the +passage. I was truly thankful to be amongst them, for it proved a most +satisfactory season. They are a rustic set of folks, but have each a soul +to save or to lose, and all souls are of equal value in the sight of the +Judge of the whole earth. Lewis Seebohm kindly gave up his time to attend +me as interpreter, for I still prefer help of this sort when it can be +done through one who is so feelingly capable. I often feel as a poor +wandering stranger in a strange land, and yet I dare not complain. The +goodness of the Lord is great towards me; he opens the hearts of those +whom I am concerned to visit, to receive me into their hearts and houses, +so that it affords me great freedom in speaking to them on serious +subjects relating to their best interests, both spiritual and temporal. I +am convinced 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 helping themselves by suitable employment. The +families who live in the neighborhood of Minden, mostly on small parcels +of land, have until now got on with a tolerable degree of comfort, by +cultivating their land in summer and spinning yarn in winter; but now the +depression is so great that if they could be put into the way of earning +threepence a day, they would embrace it with thankfulness. I have been +very diffident in proponing any plan for their assistance, knowing that +some former proposals have failed of accomplishing the end. But I have +consulted with those who are best acquainted with their situation, and we +think it safest for them to continue their own employment of spinning +yarn, and endeavor to mend their trade by placing it on this footing. They +must spin such an article as I can make use of in sending it, with what I +buy from other people, to my friends in the linen business in England. I +am to give them a little higher price than they can elsewhere obtain, and +those who have no flax of their own must have a little money advanced to +purchase some, which they must repay in yarn. When the yarn is disposed +of in England, and a profit on the same can be obtained, it must be +distributed among them as a premium to encourage industry and good +management in producing a good article. If this does not answer, I cannot +see any thing at present that will. + + +How far this scheme was put in practice we are unable to say, but we +believe it was not accompanied by any successful result. + +In the next entry he speaks of the advantage which he derived from keeping +a diary. + + +11 _mo_. 17.--I was this evening accidentally induced to read over a +few of my former memorandums; and it humbled my spirit to retrace the +dealings of my merciful Father with me. I am glad that I have from time to +time penned down a few remarks by way of diary, although it has been done +interruptedly and very imperfectly. It proves a means of enabling me to +see a wonderful concurrence in the ways of Divine Wisdom which has led me +in a way that I knew not, and hitherto preserved me through the mercies of +his love: praise be to his Name now and for ever. Amen. + + +After his return from Minden he accompanied John and William Seebohm, who +were going on a journey of business to Leipzig. They went by way of +Brunswick and Halberstadt, and returned by Nordhausen and Eimbeck. In this +tour through the heart of Germany, John Yeardley made many observations on +the state of agriculture, the cities, and the character of the people. Of +the last they met with several curious traits, some of them sufficiently +annoying. + + +On many great roads, says J.Y., there is a summer and a winter way, +running parallel to each other, with a rail across, on which is a notice +that the way is forbidden by a fine of 6_d_. or 8_d_, for each +horse, that the traveller may know when to take the summer or the winter +road. We stopped on the way [they were not far from Wolfenbüttel] to give +our horses a little bread, and our coachman drove to the side of the road +to make way for carriages to pass. But he had inadvertently gone over the +setting on of the road; and the roadmaster came to us, and told us we must +not feed our horses there, as it was not allowed to drive over the stones +on the side, under a penalty of three shillings per horse. The evening of +the same day we fed our horses at an inn, and walked before, leaving the +man to follow us. I and my young friend W.S. sought the cleanest part of +the way by walking in the course made for the water, which was green and +clean; but so soon as we came by the inspectors, who are mostly employed +on the road, one of them told us we must mind for the future and keep the +right footpath, or pay 6_d_. each. This I considered as an +infringement of English liberty, and was ready to reason with him on the +subject; but I reflected that I was a stranger, and that it is always +better and more polite to submit quietly to the regulations of the country +in which we live, than bring ourselves into difficulty through incivility +or contention. + + +In returning from Leipzig, J.Y. and his friends committed a more serious +offence against the pragmatical regulations of the German States. + + +On our journey homewards we had much perplexity with some cloth, &c. which +J.S. had bought in Leipzig to bring to Pyrmont. This arose from want of +better information respecting the laws of the Prussian territory. They are +exceedingly strict as to duties. All kinds of wares are allowed to pass +through the country at what may be called a reasonable excise; but those +travellers who have excise goods with them must preserve a certain road, +called the Zoll-strasse. It was our lot to miss this road; for +apprehending ourselves at liberty to pursue what road we pleased, we took +another way. But we found our mistake when we came to the place where the +duty is paid; for we were informed we had taken the wrong road, and that +transit duty could not be received; we must either pay the full excise as +when goods remain in the Prussian territory, or return back until we came +again into the Zoll-strasse. It took some time to consider which was best +to be done. To be sent about we knew not whither, and on roads scarcely +passable, would prove a serious inconvenience; and on the other hand it +was exceedingly mortifying to pay for such a trifle so enormous an excise. +The officer was very civil, but told us it was not in his power to do +otherwise. We concluded it would be best and cheapest to pay dearly for +our error rather than be retarded on our journey. We had a regular receipt +for what we paid, but inadvertently departing again from the appointed +way, we were in danger of paying the full duty a second time, or having +the goods taken from us. So much for travelling with excise goods. + + +Early in 1824, John Yeardley returned for a few months to England. He had +ingratiated himself so thoroughly into the esteem and love of his Pyrmont +friends, that his departure even for a short time was the signal of +lamentation through the whole meeting. On the 11th of the First Month he +had a farewell meeting at Friedensthal, which was attended by almost all +his friends. With his parting blessing he had some counsel to impart. + + +I have so much place, he says, in their minds, that whatever I say, either +in counsel or reproof, is always received in love. Such a scene I never +witnessed; the dear lambs all wept aloud; we were indeed all melted +together. May the Shepherd of Israel never leave them nor forsake them, +and may they become willing to follow his leading. I can truly say that on +their behalf my pillow has been often wet with my tears. + + +On the 3rd of the Second Month, he left Friedensthal, accompanied by a +young Friend whom he was to conduct to a temporary residence in England, +and in whose religious welfare he was deeply interested. While waiting in +Hamburg for a vessel, he felt keenly his solitary situation in the world. + + +2 _mo_. 9.--I think I never felt poorer in spirit and more +discouraged than at present. It seems as if visiting my native land had no +cheering prospect for me. If it were right in the divine sight I could +almost wish to spend the whole of my life in solitude; but I must be +willing patiently to suffer, and endeavor to fill the place appointed for +me on this stage of action. + + +A vessel sailed for England the day before their arrival at Hamburg, a +circumstance which at first made him regret he had not used more +expedition on the way. But he immediately recollected it might he for the +best that he was left behind. This proved to be the case; for the vessel +with which he would have sailed, meeting with contrary winds and dark +weather, ran aground, and was obliged to put back, and when J.Y. left the +Elbe she was lying in Cuxhaven harbor. + +They landed at Hull on the 19th. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST +CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. + +On setting foot again in England, the dejected state of mind which had +accompanied him on the journey returned with renewed force. + + +2 _mo_. 19.--I do not know how to describe my feelings in landing on +my native shore: I feel a poor discouraged creature. May He who knows the +sincerity of my heart be pleased to strengthen my poor mind, for I feel +almost overwhelmed with fears and difficulties. + + +Still deeper was his emotion on visiting again the home of former days. + + +2 _mo_. 20.--Left Hull, and came by way of Selby and Wakefield to +Barnsley. I felt my heart exceedingly burdened before I reached the place: +it seemed as if all the bitter cups I had drunk in former times were going +to be handed to me afresh. This may not be, perhaps, altogether on my own +account. There is at times a fellow-feeling with others; and on my +reaching this place, I soon felt my spirit dipped into sympathy with some +of my dear connexions, who are not without their trials. + + +A few days afterwards, in allusion to the religious service of Elizabeth +H. Walker of West Chester, U.S., in a public meeting for worship at +Barnsley, he says:-- + + +I do not really know what is the matter, but I fear I am going backwards +from all that is good. When I look at the usefulness of others, O what an +insignificant, useless being I appear! + +This lowly opinion of himself, however, was not to serve as an excuse for +idleness, and it was proposed to him to bear Elizabeth Walker company in a +religious circuit in some of the midland counties, previous to the +occurrence of the Yearly Meeting. He accepted the proposal; and they +travelled together through part of Staffordshire, Warwick, Worcester, and +Oxfordshire, visiting the meetings of Friends, and sometimes inviting the +attendance of the public. + +The dispirited state of mind which John Yeardley had brought with him from +Germany accompanied him on this journey, and on the 30th of the Fourth +Month he writes:-- + + +I walked last evening in the fields, in a solitary frame of mind, being +very low in spirits on many accounts. My own unfaithfulness deprives me of +strength to cast off my burden as I go along; consequently I grow weaker +and weaker, which is indeed diametrically opposite to growing stronger and +stronger in the Lord. Lamentable case! O for a alteration for the better! + +_Fifth-day, the 6th of Fifth Month, at Sibford_.--This is a pretty +large meeting, and there are a good many sweet-looking young folks. The +lovely countenances of such are always refreshing to me, and it is not +much wonder if I have a little more openness for labor, winch was the case +in this place. But in general I sit and bemoan my own uselessness. I have +been a burden to myself in this little journey, in fearing I might be so +to my friends; but I ought to be very thankful that they do not seem to +think me so, but are desirous to encourage me. I think if it was +otherwise, it would be more than I could bear. + + +In the Fifth Month, he attended the Yearly Meeting in London. At the +Meeting of Ministers and Elders, an unusual number of certificates were +granted for religious service abroad. These various concerns drew from him +the following reflections:-- + + +As I sat under the weighty consideration and disposal of these subjects, I +felt a degree of rejoicing to spring in my heart, that there are still +members who hold the promotion of the cause of righteousness in the earth +dear to the best feelings of their hearts. It is indeed cause of heartfelt +gratitude that the Divine Master is directing the feet of his messengers +not only to the borders of this isle, but also into distant parts of the +earth. + +During the Yearly Meeting John Yeardley lodged at William Allen's, at +Plough-court and Stoke Newington, and was introduced to several Friends +with whom he had not before been acquainted. + + +The acquaintance which I have made with many dear and valued Friends in +the neighborhood of London has, I hope, been a little strength to me in +the best things. It is truly pleasant to be treated with such genuine +kindness; but it is nothing for the soul to build upon,--we must look for +a more sure foundation than the favor of the great and good. + + +Elizabeth H. Walker had a meeting with the younger part of the Society in +London and the neighborhood. In noticing this meeting J.Y. has some +discriminating remarks on the exercise of the ministry. + + +During this as well as many other meetings for worship, I sat under +religious exercise, but could seldom believe it required of me to take +part in the public ministry. I often think, when many exercised brethren +and sisters are present; there would be a danger of interrupting the true +gospel order, if all were not careful to wait on the Great Minister of the +Sanctuary. If we patiently abide under the rightly baptizing power, what +we may apprehend preparing in our hearts for utterance may often be +delivered by others, and we only have to say, as it were, Amen. We may +also be brought into a right willingness to speak in the Lord's name, and +still be excused; this may be, perhaps, a preparation of an offering which +may be called for at another place. O the importance of knowing the word +rightly to be divided, and when and where the offering is required! + + +A part of Elizabeth Walker's errand in coming to Europe was to visit the +Friends in Germany; mid it was proposed that John Yeardley should take +charge of her and her companion, Christiana A. Price of Neath, on his +return to Pyrmont. They went together through Essex and Suffolk, having +meetings on their way; but at Ipswich it appeared that C.A. Price's health +was unequal to the journey, and Elizabeth Walker proceeded to Hull to +cross the water from thence with another company of Friends who were bound +for the Continent. J.Y. was thus left to proceed alone to Pyrmont, and he +sailed from Harwich on the 19th of the Sixth Month. When in Suffolk he +went to Needham to see "dear ancient Samuel Alexander." + + +I had, he says, long known this fatherly man by name and person, but had +had no acquaintance with him until now: his company and conversation were +exceedingly pleasant and instructive to me. In the evening I took a walk +in a large plantation which he had himself planted when young, and had now +lived to see afford him a comfortable retreat. + + +John Yeardley was taken ill when in Suffolk, and on settling down again +in his quiet home at Friedensthal he writes: + + +7 _mo_. 15.--I am drinking salt-spring-water, and my health is +mercifully restored. The air of this country seems to suit my constitution +better than that of England. Time is very precious. I think, to keep a +more correct journal of what I do each day might be very useful, by +inducing a more narrow scrutiny how each hour is spent; for I know not how +many more may be allowed me to prepare for eternity. + + +To this resolution he did not adhere. With the exception of two short +entries in the same month, he wrote nothing in his diary for the remainder +of the year. The difficulties of his position, perhaps a lack of +sufficient employment, and the want of that instant watchfulness without +which the disciple is ever prone to stray from his Master's side, seem to +have again produced, as they did twelve months before, a season of +spiritual famine. + +His own gloomy condition did not, however, altogether disable him from +sympathizing with others. In a letter to his brother of the 4th of the +Eleventh Month he says;-- + + +I have of late been in such a low tried state of mind, that I have been +discouraged from writing thee, under an apprehension I should say nothing +that would afford thee any satisfaction in reading. But though I may not +have it in my power to relieve thee, I hope it will not be unpleasant to +thee to know that thou art still more dear and near to me than ever thou +wast in the times of more apparent outward prosperity. It is a high +attainment to know how to set a right value on perishable things, and it +requires no small degree of fortitude to bear the depression of apparent +temporary adversity, in that disposition of mind which becomes the +character of a true Christian. Although, according to our apprehensions, +the storm may last long, yet it most assuredly will blow over, and then +greater will be our peace than if we had never known a tempest. + + +On resuming his Diary, which he did in the First Month of 1825, John +Yeardley gives an account of the events which happened to him during the +previous few months. + +In the Seventh Month 1824, Thomas Shillitoe and Elizabeth H. Walker came +to Pyrmont, and to the latter J.Y. gave his assistance in various +religious engagements. After her departure he again visited Minden, with +the neighboring villages of Eidinghausen and Hille. His visit to the +last-named place (1 mo. 13, 1825) was marked by a singular circumstance. + + +Finding a sudden draft [in my mind] to be at the reading meeting in Hille, +to begin at two o'clock, there seemed but little time; however, proposing +it to my dear friend John Rasche, he was quite willing to accompany me, +and driving quickly we came in due time. When the [meeting] was over, the +Friends told me they thought it very remarkable that we should come +unexpectedly on that day, and that what was communicated after the reading +was particularly suited to the state of a woman Friend present, who was +laboring under the temptation that she had committed the unpardonable sin, +and could find no rest day or night. I could not prevent them from +expressing their thankfulness for such a mark of Providential +interference, in this way to afford the poor woman a little relief and +encouragement. + + +Four days afterwards, having then returned to Friedensthal, J.Y. +adds:--"Since our visit to Hille, the person above-mentioned is dead!" + +The depression under which John Yeardley labored, from the loss of that +comfortable presence of his Lord which had been almost from his youth as a +lamp shining continually upon his head, seems to have reached its lowest +point in the early part of this year. Under date of the 24th of the Second +Month he says:-- + + +I have this morning once more been enabled to pour out my sorrowful spirit +before the Father of mercies in a way that has afforded me some relief and +encouragement. In bitterness, and, I may almost say, in agony of soul have +I spread before him some of those circumstances which have been a cause of +unspeakable distress to me for many months past, and rendered me unfit for +almost every service, temporal or spiritual. + +Thou knowest, O gracious Father, I long to have my ways and steps +regulated by thy holy will. Therefore I beseech thee, have mercy on my +faults, and blot out from thy remembrance all my sins, and everything +wherein I have in weakness offended thee; and be pleased to give me +strength to become more perfectly and lastingly thine. O how sensibly do I +feel my own weakness, and that without thee I can do nothing, not for a +moment preserve my own steps. + + +In the midst of his discouragement his mind was directed towards the +accomplishment of another part of the commission which had been entrusted +to him before he left England.--viz., to sojourn for a time amongst the +Friends in the South of France. Accordingly, early in the Third Month he +went to Minden, and laid before the Two-months' Meeting, his intention of +going to Congenies for this purpose, and also of seeking a religious +interview with some serious people in the neighborhood of Cologne. + + +This information, he says, was received by my friends with much sympathy +and, I trust, weightiness of spirit, and I felt a little strengthened by +the expression of their feelings and unity with me in this concern. A +certificate of their approbation was ordered to be drawn up. No creature +on earth knows how this prospect humbles me. I always think I am dealt +with in a remarkable manner,--somewhat different perhaps from others. +Notwithstanding all the seemingly insurmountable difficulties which stand +in the way, and which are far too numerous to particularize, my peace is +connected with my obedience. What will be the result I know not; the way +appears not yet quite clear us to the time of departure. O Lord, favor me +to wait on thee for the spirit of discernment not to step forth in the +wrong time. + + +The obedience which he practised in committing himself in simple faith to +this religious prospect prepared the way for a temporal blessing, as well +as for the return of inward joy. He little knew, when persecuted by the +Accuser of the brethren, and mourning over the weakness of his own corrupt +nature, that his Lord was about to provide for him a congenial and helpful +companion, in the room of her whose loss had left him solitary in the +world. Without this timely sacrifice of his own will, it could not have +been so easy for him to make the journey to France in the way in which it +was done, and which was the means of bringing about the union which shed +so much comfort on the remainder of his life. + +Between two and three months after the meeting at Minden, he received the +information that Martha Savory, accompanied by Martha Towell, was about to +pay a religious visit to the Friends at Pyrmont and Minden. He had been +introduced in London to Martha Savory as a minister of the gospel, and one +who had been abroad in its service, but his acquaintance with her seems to +have been slight.[3] On receiving this intelligence he writes:-- + + +The prospect of seeing a few dear Friends from my native land would be +cheering, but I am really so cast down that I seem as if I could not, and +almost dare not, rejoice in anything. May this low proving season answer +the end for which it is permitted! + + +As he apprehended the Friends who were coming from England might require a +guide, John Yeardley went to meet them at Rotterdam. His journey, and the +singular coincidence of Martha Savory's concern with his own, are +described in a letter to his brother, written after his return from +Holland. + + +Friedensthal, Pyrmont, 7 mo. 14,1825. + +MY DEAR BROTHER, + +On my return from Holland I received thy long and very interesting letter. +Martha Savory and her companion Martha Towell are now acceptably with us. +They expect to spend two or three months with us, and then we have some +prospect of going in company to the South of France. As this has fallen +out in a rather remarkable manner, it may not be amiss just to explain it +to thee. We were entire strangers to each other's concern; but as soon as +my friends in London heard of my prospect from the copy of the minutes of +our Two-months' Meeting and of my certificate, dear William Allen wrote to +me desiring a more particular description of my views, time of departure, +&c., and mentioned at the same time M.S.'s concern, which had already +passed the Quarterly Meeting, and it was fully expected she would be +liberated [by the Meeting of Ministers and Elders] to visit Pyrmont and +Minden, and afterwards, if _suitable company offered_, proceed to +some parts of the banks of the Rhine, Switzerland, and Congenies, in the +south of France. I wrote to W.A., and explained to him my prospect, which +was to visit a few individuals in the neighborhood of Cologne and pass +through Switzerland to Congenies. I then received a letter from our dear +friend M. Savory, stating that she and W.A. had been much struck with the +remarkable coincidence in our views; our prospects being to the same +places and in the same way; and that it seemed in the pointing of Truth +for us to join in company. + +Fifth mo. 26th, I left Friedensthal to visit my friends in Minden and its +neighborhood; and after spending about two weeks there, I felt very much +inclined to give our friends the meeting at Rotterdam. I set off, +accordingly, the 7th of the Sixth Month, and travelled seven days through +a desert country to Amsterdam, I went almost one half of the way by water, +across the Zuider Zee from Zwolle to Amsterdam. After spending a few days +in Amsterdam, I went, with J.S. Mollet, who is the only Friend in that +city, to Rotterdam, where we met with M.S. and M.T. Thomas Christy, +junior, had accompanied them, from London. M.S. had letters of +recommendation to many persons in Amsterdam, whom we visited; and though +some of them were first-rate characters in the place, it is surprising +with what affection and kindness they received us. J.S. Mollet accompanied +us to Pyrmont. + + +An account of his journey, both going and returning, is also contained in +J.Y.'s diary: it presents some additional notices which claim a place +here. + +Before leaving Minden for Rotterdam, he twice visited Eidinghausen, and +saw some young men who were under suffering because of their refusal to +serve in the militia. + + +One in particular (he says, in writing up the diary), a sweet young man, +at this moment may be in torture. O, how I feel for him! My soul breathes +to the Almighty Father of mercies on his account, that he may he +strengthened to endure all with patience for the sake of his Lord, who has +given him a testimony to bear against the spirit of war and fighting. + + +At the conclusion of the second meeting at Eidinghausen, he says:-- + + +The meeting was fully attended, and I afterwards dined alone in the +schoolroom with a light heart. I thought I could say, After the work is +done, food tastes sweet. + + +At Rotterdam, John Yeardley and his companions made the acquaintance of a +"very interesting missionary student, who believes he has a call to go on +a mission to the Greeks, and is waiting for an opening: his name is +Gützlaff." At Amsterdam, a letter from Gützlaff introduced them to the +priest of the Greek church in that city, Helanios Paschalides, a man of +child-like spirit, and long schooled in affliction, who had become +awakened to his own religious wants, and who believed himself called to +return to Greece and instruct his countrymen. These two interviews are +memorable, as being, probably, the commencement of the strong interest +which J. and M.Y. evinced in the Greek people, and which issued, years +afterwards, in a religious tour in that country. At Zeist, where there is +a settlement of Moravians, the ministers, finding the Friends desired to +convene their members in a meeting for worship, readily consented. + + +The meeting, writes J.Y., was more fully attended than we had expected. +There is much sweetness of spirit to be felt about these people, but a +want of stillness. I thought some of the hearers were prepared to see +further than their teachers, and the time may yet come when some may be +drawn into a more spiritual worship. We left them a few tracts, and they +kindly gave us a few little boots of theirs. It is remarkable in what a +spirit of love they received us. + + +The Friends reached Pyrmont on the 1st of the Seventh Month, and shortly +afterwards made a visit amongst the members from house to house in that +place, and at Minden. On the 28th they visited a number of seriously +awakened persons at Lenzinghausen, who felt the necessity of spiritual +worship, and to whom their hearts were much enlarged in gospel love. + + +Walking in the garden, writes John, Yeardley, in a very solemn and +solitary frame of mind before the meeting, I had such a feeling as I +scarcely ever remember to have had before. I thought I saw, as in the +vision of light, as if a people would be gathered in that neighborhood to +the knowledge of the truth. It appeared to me to be in the divine +appointment that our dear M.S. was come to visit Germany, and a large +field of labor seems to be appointed for her in this land if she is +faithful. + + +The next two months were occupied with various religious services, public +and private, not omitting meetings at Eidinghausen and Hille, where, as on +former occasions, J.Y. found his heart to go out towards the people with +strong emotions of Christian love. About 150 attended at the former, and +300 at the latter place. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1825-6. + +The time was now come for John Yeardley and Martha Savory to pursue their +journey to the Rhine, Switzerland and France. They left Pyrmont on the +11th of the Tenth Month, 1825, and beside Martha Towell, were accompanied +as far as Basle by William Seebohm as interpreter. Every member of the +party wrote in one way or other an account of the journey, and we have +availed ourselves of these various sources in the following narrative. + +Passing through Paderborn, they arrived at Herdecke on the 13th. Regarding +his feelings in this place John Yeardley writes:-- + + +This morning I was greatly dejected, and fearful we might find none of the +people whom we were seeking. As I was walking pensively outside the town, +I recollected what I once read in "Cecil's Remains,"--that a way may +suddenly open before us when we the least expect it. This was now to be +verified; for after we had entered the carriage with the intention of +going to Elberfeld, and while we were waiting for a road-ticket, I +accidentally fell into conversation with our hostess, and making inquiry +for people of religions character, learnt that there were a number of such +in the neighborhood. + + +The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this little society who +resided in the town. He informed them that a meeting was held at Hageney, +about six miles distant, at the house of a pastor named Hücker. Being +disposed to visit this pastor, they took their informant with them as +guide, turned their horses in the direction opposite to Elberfeld, and +drove along a very bad road to his house. They found him occupied in +teaching some poor children. He told them that their visit was opportune +and remarkable, for that he had been denounced as a delinquent before the +Synod of Berlin, which had sent him a string of questions on doctrine and +church-government. He had returned a reply to the questions, and was then +waiting the determination of the synod, whether he was to be displaced +from his cure or not. The Friends examined his answers, and were well +satisfied with them: the worship which he and his little flock (about +thirty in number) practised was of a more spiritual character than that of +the national church. Martha Savory expressed her deep sympathy with him in +his difficult and painful situation, and John Yeardley also addressed him +in words of consolation and encouragement. + +At Elberfeld, where they arrived on the 15th, they met with several +interesting persons. One of these, a young pastor named Ball, became +greatly endeared to them. He informed them that when he had been severely +tempted, he had found support and deliverance in silent waiting on the +Lord. Another was Pastor Lindel, who resided at some distance from the +city, in the Wupperthal; he had been brought up a Roman Catholic, had seen +many changes, and suffered not a little persecution. He took them to see a +neighbor, an aged man, weak in body, but strong and lively in spirit. This +man told them he was present at a meeting at Mühlheim held by Sarah Grubb, +about thirty years before; and that, although ninety years old, he +recollected the words with which she concluded her discourse: "By this +shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to +another." This love, say the narrators of the occurrence, was felt amongst +us on this occasion, and at parting the good old man gave us his blessing. + +They quitted Elberfeld on the 19th, and proceeded to Düsseldorf, where the +reception they met with was equally open and gratifying. They spent an +evening at Kaiserswerth with Pastor Fliedner, who was occupied in +vigilantly guarding a little nock of Protestants surrounded by +unscrupulous Romanists. He evinced much interest in the management of +prisons, and was endeavoring to introduce improvements in that of +Düsseldorf: he had met with Martha Savory in one of her visits at +Newgate.[4] + +The next day they went to Düsselthal, and inspected the institution there. +The Count Von-der-Recke conducted them himself through every department. + + +His countenance, says John Yeardley, evinces the magnanimity and kindness +of his heart; it is remarkable and precious that so young a man should +dedicate his whole time and fortune for the benefit of the orphan and the +destitute. + + +At Creveldt, the next town where they stopped, Pastor Molinaar and his +wife, who were Mennonists received them in a very cordial manner: the +latter had seen Thomas Shillitoe at Amsterdam. J.Y. relates several visits +which these worthy persons and some of their Christian friends paid to +them at the inn. + + +22_nd._--In the evening Pastor Molinaar came, with his wife and some +friends, to tea. They inquired very narrowly respecting our principles. +Pastor M. turned the conversation on women's preaching, and, after some +explanation, appeared to be pretty well satisfied with our views on this +subject. The Mennonists hold strongly to the use of Water Baptism, and the +pastor and his wife defended this practice, the latter with much +earnestness. But when we had unfolded our sentiments, and William Seebohm +had read a passage from Tuke's "Principles," the pastor, seeing that we +aimed only at the spiritual sense, acknowledged that he had often queried +with himself whether the usage could not properly be dispensed with, and +said that he intended still further to examine the question. Our +certificates were then read; and after we had conversed on our church +discipline, the company separated in mutual love. + + +The Friends inquired of the Mennonists whether any of their Society would +incline to sit with them on the First-day evening. + + +Our friend, Martha Savory, told them we could not promise that anything +should be uttered, seeing this could only take place through the immediate +operation of the Holy Spirit. At the appointed time there assembled about +fifty persons. After a short conversation they seated themselves, and when +we had sat awhile in silence, M.S. found herself moved to address them in +a feeling manner, W.S. interpreting; and I relieved my mind in German as +well as I was able. Before we separated, Pastor Molinaar rose, and in the +name of the rest expressed his heartfelt satisfaction, adding that he +hoped we should remember them for good, as they should not fail to pray +for our preservation. + +24_th._--We told Pastor M. that it would be agreeable if he and any +others of his friends who wished to take leave of us would come to the +hotel. At seven o'clock, instead of a few as we expected, there came about +thirty. The ladies seated themselves quite sociably, and took out their +work, but were evidently prepared to lay it aside in the hope of having +another religious sitting. But as we believed there were those present who +had come from too great a desire to hear words, we were on the guard not +to satisfy this excited inclination; and the evening was spent in +agreeable conversation. Before we separated, however, we thought it well +to read our Yearly Meeting's Epistle, which was acceptable to all. Pastor +M. especially was pleased with the part about church-discipline, and said +he considered it of real advantage that the epistle had been read in +that company, as there were several young women present who might receive +benefit from it. + + +Feeling attracted towards the inhabitants of Mühlheim on the Ruhr, the +Friends again turned out of the direct road and crossing the Rhine a +little beyond Duisburg, arrived in the evening at Mühlheim. They found a +company of Separatists in the neighborhood of the town, some of whom they +visited; and the next day they passed over the Ruhr, and, with the +assistance of a school-master, convened a meeting for worship. At the time +appointed nearly three hundred persons assembled, mostly of the poorer +class. They were seated in a large school-room, the men on one side and +the women on the other, waiting in silence. They had a good meeting, and +at the conclusion the auditory expressed their unwillingness to part, and +their desire that those who had ministered to them should visit them +again. + +On the 27th, after calling upon some descendants of Gerhard Tersteegen, +our Friends proceeded through Düsseldorf to Cologne. They were +disappointed of finding in the neighborhood of this city, that company of +religious people on whose account they had felt much interested, and of +whom they had heard that "they held principles like the Quakers, and were +as obstinate in them as they are." They did no more here than call upon a +few serious persons in the city, and then went forwards to Neuwied, hoping +there to hear of them. + +At Neuwied, besides becoming acquainted with the Moravian preachers and +others, they were called upon by some of the _Inspirirten_, who +invited them to their meetings. They attended one of these; but, being +dissatisfied with the manner of the service, and not finding relief for +their spiritual exercise, though the opportunity of speaking was offered +without reserve, they in turn invited the company to meet with them the +next morning after the manner of Friends. The meeting was held to mutual +satisfaction, and one of the leading men amongst the _Inspirirten_ +expressed the hope that it would be blessed to them; for he was, he said, +sensible of the want of less activity and more of silent waiting in their +religious assemblies. + +The society to which these people belonged divided in 1818 into two +branches, after an awakening which took place that year; those who +separated believing it to be incumbent upon them to lead more self-denying +lives, and dwell more closely under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This +new connection was the people of whom our Friends had heard; and they +learnt that they had retired to a place called Schwartzenau, near +Berlenburg, a small town at the eastern end of the barren hilly region +known as the Sauerland. The distance of this place from Neuwied is +considerable, and the roads amongst the worst in Germany; but John +Yeardley and Martha Savory apprehended they could not peacefully pursue +their journey without attempting to visit them. + +Accordingly they left Neuwied on the 1st of the Eleventh Month, and +proceeded to Montabauer. The road led them at first amongst some of the +choicest scenery of the Rhine; but after a while they left the river and +struck into the interior of the country, in a north-easterly direction. +The next day they passed through a place where, a few months before, a +Diligence had been robbed. The robbers, who had been taken a fortnight +after the offence, were then, as they were informed, in Limburg gaol, and +were to be hanged the next day. They were ten in number, all members of +one family. At Burbach they met with an English landlord, thirty-five +years resident in Germany; he was delimited to see his fellow-countrymen, +and exerted himself to give them the best entertainment his house +afforded. The country they passed through was very hilly, and overgrown +with forest; now and then a solitary dwelling was seen in the bottom of +the deep valleys. + +On the 3rd they came to Siegen, an ancient and antique town on the side of +a high hill, looking, as one of the party observed, as though they had +reached the end of the world. And, indeed, it seemed almost like the end +of the civilised world; for they were informed that the road from thence +to Berlenburg was in such a miserable condition that they could take their +carriage no farther. They resolved, however, to make the attempt, and +providing themselves with a tandem horse (_vorspann_) and a guide, +and sending on their luggage, they set forth on the way to Letze, a +village where they proposed to lodge; but the waters were abroad from the +overflow of the rivers, and the road being extremely narrow, and the ruts +deep, they made very slow progress. Sometimes the way was so impracticable +that they had to take the carriage through the woods which skirted the +road. Darkness and rain coming on obliged them to halt for the night at +Netphen, and seek shelter in the humble dwelling of a woman, who at first +took alarm at the unexpected appearance of so many strangers. The account +which the guide gave respecting the travellers dispelled her fears, and +she did what she could by hospitality to make up for the scantiness of her +accommodation. She gave them also some information respecting the +_Inspirirten_, whom they were on the way to visit, speaking favorably +of them. The next morning, before they started, they were able to offer +her spiritual good in return for her temporal kindness, John Yeardley +ministering to her condition under religious exercise; and they trusted +his words found entrance into her soul. + +On the 4th they pursued their way, up hill and down, the carriage +sometimes becoming so firmly fixed in the narrow deep ruts, that it was +necessary to take out the horses, and for the men of the party, with the +assistance of passers-by, to lift it over to more even ground. + +At length they arrived at Erndebrück, and drove to an inn; but not finding +their luggage, they went to another, and while they were preparing to +start for Berlenburg, William Seebohm went to the Custom-office to show +the ticket of clearance they had received on entering the Prussian +territory at Burbach. This ticket should have obviated all delay attendant +on the examination of the luggage; but it happened, most unfortunately, +that the custom officer was the landlord of the inn they first came to. +Their leaving his house without taking refreshment was, in his eyes, an +unpardonable offence, and on William Seebohm presenting to him the ticket, +his countenance and language betrayed the passion which raged in his +breast. He declared their trunks should be examined in the strictest +manner; and when they represented the necessity they were under of +speedily pursuing their journey, and desired him to despatch the business +as quickly as possible, he replied by detaining them until they were +obliged to send back the horse and guide, and consent to pass the night +under his roof. He then demanded their passports, and finding they had not +been _visé'd_ at all the towns through which they had passed, and +that the travellers had departed from the route described in them, he sent +for a gendarme, and placed them under arrest. They were not allowed to +take anything from their trunks without being watched by the gendarme; and +when they took out a letter of recommendation, written by Dr. Steinkopf to +the clergyman of the place, whom they had requested to call upon them, the +gendarme insisted on first reading it. On their expostulating with the +landlord at being treated in this manner, instead of making a direct +reply, he strutted up and down the room, repeating continually, "Ja, ja, +ja, ja! they shall know what they went away from my house for, and that +there is a custom-office here." The Friends took their evening meal, as is +usual in Germany, in-one of the sleeping-rooms--that which had been +allotted to Martha Savory and Martha Towell. Into this chamber, when they +had eaten, the landlord brought a party of eight or nine men to take their +supper. After supper the men smoked, and some of them did not even refrain +from showing their ill-breeding in a more disagreeable way. William +Seebohm overheard the landlord and the gendarme say to each other, "These +people are travelling this way to visit the Separatists, and strengthen +them in their religious opinions; but we will disappoint them." + +The next morning they were favored with a short season of solemn +communion, in which they were given to believe that the Name of the Lord +would be their strong tower. Their liberation, in fact, was near; for +their envious jailor, finding probably no excuse for longer detaining +them, suffered them to depart, but sent the gendarme to guard them as far +as Berlenburg. The man proved to be an excellent guide, and being eager to +bring them to the magistrate of that town, where they could be more +effectually checked in their schismatical object, he was very useful in +shouldering the carriage when they came to a stand in the miserable roads. + +The town of Berlenburg presented a dismal spectacle, the greater part +having recently been burnt down; so that they had some difficulty in +making their way through the ruins. They were subjected to no delay at the +Custom-house, but, before being allowed to go to an inn, were conducted by +the gendarme to the Castle, to be examined by the _Landrath_, or +magistrate. While John Yeardley and William Seebohm were taken into the +justice-chamber, Martha Savory and Martha Towell remained in the carriage, +where they were presently surrounded by a crowd, who gazed with +astonishment at their equipage, no such vehicle having been seen in the +town for many years, and probably never any persons in such attire. Being +weary of waiting, and anxious to know the result of the examination, they +left the carriage and ascended to the magistrate's room. They were +politely received, and arrived just as he had concluded the examination +and was declaring the Friends entirely free from, the requisitions of the +law. The letters of recommendation which they presented were very helpful +in procuring this result. At the Landrath's request, they stated the +object of their journey, and the reasons which had induced them to deviate +from the route described in the passports, of all which he caused a note +to be taken. At the conclusion he politely dismissed them with the +salutation, "Go where you will, in God's name;" and the abashed and +disappointed gendarme was obliged to imitate his superior and make them a +parting bow. The magistrate referred them to two of the citizen, for +information regarding the Separatists, but remarked that he considered a +visit to Schwartzenau at that critical moment would not be without danger. + +One of the persons on whom the Landrath recommended the Friends to call +was the Inspector of the Lutheran or State Church of the country; and on +the 6th, which was First-day, after a time of worship in their own +apartment, they received a visit from this personage. Wishing to act with +entire openness, they informed him of their desire to see the Separatists, +and invited him to accompany them. He gave them the names of several with +whom they might freely have intercourse. As the interview proceeded mutual +confidence increased, particularly after reading their certificates; and +the Inspector expressed himself gratified with the liberality entertained +by Friends towards people of other religious persuasions. + +It snowed all the next day, and the roads were deep in water, so that M.S. +and M.T. remained in-doors; but J.Y. and W.S. walked to Homburgshausen, a +village about a mile and a-half from Berlenburg, to call upon an aged man, +a Separatist of the old connection. He had heard of their arrival, and was +overjoyed to see them; he looked upon it as a providential occurrence that +they should have been sent there at that juncture. His forefathers, he +said, had been settled there many years, and had hitherto enjoyed liberty +of conscience; but now he feared they were about to be deprived of that +privilege. Before the Friends left Berlenburg, he called at their inn with +several more of his society; he appeared to be a truly pious man, and +looked, they say, exactly like a _good old Friend_. He declared +himself to be fully convinced of the value of silent worship, but said +that their people in general were not prepared to adopt it; however they +rejected outward baptism, and the use of the bread and wine, and refused +to bear arms. He had been many times summoned before the magistrates to be +examined upon his religious belief. On one of these occasions the Landrath +asked why he did not take the bread and wine, and why he did not have his +children baptised. He answered that if he was to conform to these +ceremonies it would be as though he had received a sealed letter in which +nothing was written. He and his people were solicitous with the Friends to +have a meeting with them; but the minds of John Yeardley and his +companions were pre-occupied with a desire first to see the New +Separatists, who were then under persecution, and they did not think it +proper to accede to the request. + +In reply to a message which they sent to some of the new society, they +received, through a young woman (for the men were afraid to come to the +inn), a pressing invitation to visit some of them who lived in a retired +spot called Schellershammer, not far distant. They immediately accepted +the invitation. The road, which was impassable for a carriage, was covered +with mud and water. They were received into a very humble dwelling by a +pious young man and his family, with whom also they found some of the New +Separatists from Schwartzenau. On. sitting down with this company the +restraining presence of the Lord was felt, under which they remained for +some time in silence. Then the poor people opened to them their situation +with humility and freedom. The young man above-mentioned had just drawn up +a statement of their religious principles, which had been sent to the +authorities. This statement he showed to the Friends, as also a letter to +the King of Prussia, which had been prepared by one of their ministers, +but which, from its lofty assumption of prophetic authority, they could +not approve. These people called their ministers, _Instruments_; and +they had fallen into the specious error of attributing to their effusions, +whether spoken or written, equal authority with the Holy-Scriptures. On +other points their principles resembled those of Friends; as the disuse of +outward ceremonies and of oaths, and their testimony against war. It was +on these accounts that they were persecuted. They appeared to dwell under +the cross of Christ, and to live in much quietness of spirit. Under the +existing circumstances the Friends did not feel bound to appoint a general +religious meeting with these people. They contented themselves, therefore, +with unfolding their sentiments in conversation, giving them books, and +before they left Berlenburg, addressing them by letter, in which they +enlarged particularly on the subject of the ministry. They also left some +copies of their Friends' books with the old society; and both parties +declared their belief that the visit they had received was in the order of +Divine Providence, and took leave of them in love and confidence. + +The friends quitted Berlenburg on the 9th of the Eleventh Month, and +proceeded towards Frankfort. After a day's journey over bad roads, they +were glad to find themselves once more on the _chaussée_. They +arrived on the 11th at Frankfort, where they called on a few pious +individuals, but stayed a very short time in the city, being desirous of +visiting some Old and New Separatists at Lieblose near Gelnhausen, about +twenty-four miles from Frankfort. + +The next morning they accordingly went to Gelnhausen, and had social +interviews with members of both associations, but failed to make use of +the opportunity they had of holding a meeting for worship with the Old +Separatists, which they afterwards regretted. + +They then went forward to Raneberg, about six miles distant, to see the +_Instrument_ who wrote the letter to the King of Prussia which was +shown to them at Schellershammer. They found him a young man, inhabiting +an apartment in a lonely castle, romantically situated on a high hill. The +access to the spot was through a forest, and by a very bad road. Whatever +prejudice in regard to him they might have imbibed from the style of his +letter was at once dispelled by his appearance; his look was so humble, so +devoted, and with such "extreme sweetness of countenance." John Yeardley +and Martha Savory conversed with him a long time; he did not rightly +comprehend the nature of the Christian ministry, but he listened calmly +and patiently to all they had to say. They left some books with him, and +received some in return, descriptive of the awakening which gave rise to +the division in the society of _Inspirirten_. He was then about to +set out on foot to pay a religious visit to the members of his own +profession in various parts of the country; when at home he worked at his +trade, which was that of a carpenter. + +The party retraced their steps to Hanau, and the next day pursued their +way southwards. They passed through Darmstadt and Heidelberg to Pforzheim. +Here they called on Henry Kienlin, whom they found a _Friend_ in +principle and practice, and who had given many proofs of his fidelity to +his principles by the persecution he had endured from his relations, and +the pecuniary loss he had suffered for refusing to comply with +ecclesiastical and military demands. He was a man of station and influence +in the town. He had not previously had personal acquaintance with any +members of the Society of Friends, but had read many of their writings. He +accompanied the travellers five miles out of the town to a little flock of +Separatists, who had not yet obtained religious liberty, and to whom it +was forbidden under a severe penalty to attend meetings held by strangers. +On the visiters entering the house of one of them, a number presently +collected; and as they stood together, a solemn feeling pervaded the +assembly, and John Yeardley was moved to address them in gospel testimony. +Henry Kienlin followed, explaining the principles of Friends clearly, and +giving them some suitable advice. They were laboring under the want of +discipline and organization, and of some one properly to represent their +case to the government. Some of them called the next day at Pforzheim, to +see the Friends again before they left. + +The next place where they halted was Stuttgardt, to which city H. Kienlin +gave them his company. Here they visited Queen Catharine's Institution, a +school for the training of girls in reduced circumstances, as teachers, +&c., where 170 young persons were being educated. They were also +introduced to a number of pious individuals, and among them to Pastor +Hoffmann of Kornthal, whose excellent institution they were unable at this +time to visit. An appointment had been made for them to meet at Basle +Louis A. Majolier of Congenies, who was to serve as their guide and French +interpreter through Switzerland and France, and they felt obliged on being +informed of this appointment to pursue their journey more quickly than +they otherwise would have done. + +Returning to Pforzheim, they stopped at Mühlhausen, where they called on +Müller, minister of a congregation, consisting of 170 persons, who had +separated a few years before from the Catholics. This young man received +them with openness and affection, and before they parted, John Yeardley +had something to say to him under religious exercise, which he received in +the love in which it was spoken. From Pforzheim they went direct to Basle, +through Freiburg. On their arrival they were much disappointed to find +that Louis Majolier had waited for them many days, and hearing no tidings +of them, had returned to Geneva, supposing they had gone on to that city +by another route. + +At Basle they were introduced to many pious persons, conspicuous among +whom was Blumhardt, inspector of the Mission-house, who behaved towards +them "as a loving and kind father in Christ." He encouraged them in their +concern to have a religious meeting with the students. The meeting took +place in the evening when the young men were collected for supper and +devotion; they received the word which was preached to them in gospel +love, and manifested towards our friends no small degree of tenderness and +affection. John Yeardley says:-- + + +We had reason to believe there are among them many precious young men who +are preparing for usefulness. The grounds on which this place is conducted +are different from most of the kind. None are sent out but those who can +really say they feel it to be their religious duty to go to any certain +people or country. A sweet young man, who was extremely attentive to us, +Charles Haensel, is since gone to Sierra Leone to teach the poor negroes, +from a conviction of duty. + + +One day during their sojourn, C. Haensel took them to a meeting for +worship, held in the house of C. F. Spittler. + + +J.Y. says, we sat until they had performed part of their worship, and then +the leader signified to the company that a few Friends from England were +present, and told us that if we had anything to offer we had full liberty +to do so. Silence ensuing, dear M.S. found herself constrained to address +them in a way suited to the occasion; I was also enabled to express what +came before me. They afterwards expressed their thankfulness for the +opportunity. + + +From Basle William Seebohm returned to Pyrmont, and the English Friends, +hoping that they might meet Louis Majolier at Berne, went forward to that +city, but were again disappointed. + +Although they were anxious to reach Geneva as quickly as possible, the +attraction of gospel love towards Zurich was so strong that they could not +continue their journey until they had visited that city. They arrived +there on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month. The state of their own feelings and +the refreshing Christian intercourse which awaited them are thus described +in the Diary:-- + + +First-day, we sat down to hold our little meeting. It was to me a low +time, but I still thought the hand of divine help was near to comfort us, +and before the close dear M. S. was drawn into supplication in a way which +expressed the feelings of all our hearts. After this season of spiritual +refreshment, we called on Professor Gessner, who, with his wife and +family, was truly glad to see us. Being near dinner-time, we could not +stay long; but their daughter offered to accompany us to her aunt's this +afternoon, and accordingly came to our inn, and went with us to "Miss" +Lavater, who, with Gessner's wife, is a daughter of the pious author +Lavater. She received us with open arms, but spoke only German, or at +least but very little French, so that M. S. conversed with her in German. +She spoke of Stephen Grellet with much interest and affection: he lives in +the remembrance of all in this country who have seen and known him, as +well as William Allen. How pleasant it is to find that such devoted +instruments have left such a good savor behind them! Wherever we follow +dear Stephen, his presence has made a sufficient introduction to us; but I +regret exceedingly my own incapability of being sufficiently useful in +these precious opportunities which we meet with: but, as we often say in +our little company, This is like a voyage of discovery; and our humble +endeavors, however weak, may have a tendency to open the way for others +who may be made more extensively useful, should such ever be led to visit +the solitary parts where we have been. + +We were invited to drink tea this afternoon by our friend Gessner, and on +a nearer acquaintance found this a precious family; his wife is a +sweet-spirited person, and their daughters pious young women. One of them, +in particular, I thought not only bore the mark of having been with her +Saviour, but a desire was also expressed in her countenance to abide with +him: may He who has visited her mind draw her more and more by the cords +of his love and preserve her from the evil which is in the world! When tea +was ended, we dropped into silence, and Pastor Gessner offered up a prayer +from the sincerity of his heart, and it was evidently attended by the +spirit of divine grace and life. Afterwards dear M.S. and I expressed what +was on our minds; I interpreted for her as well as I could, and I hope +they understood it. We were all much tendered in sympathy together, and I +think the visit to this family will not soon be forgotten: we took leave +of them in the most affectionate manner, they expressing sincere desires +for our preservation. + + +On their return to Berne they met with some pious ladies: + + +One of whom, says John Yeardley, spoke German with me, and entered pretty +suddenly on the subject of the bread and wine supper, or sacrament. She +seemed to have lost sight that there is a spiritual communion which the +soul can hold with its Saviour, and which needs not the help of outward +shadows; but it is remarkable when our reasons for the disuse of such +things are given in simplicity and love, how the feelings of others become +changed towards us; they then see we do not refuse the administration of +them out of obstinacy, but from a tender conscience. + + +On the 8th they drove to Lausanne, and the next day to Geneva. John +Yeardley has preserved, in his diary of this part of the journey, a little +anecdote of French character which naturally struck him the more forcibly +from his having hitherto been conversant only with the phlegmatic +temperament of the Germans. The coachman, it should be said, was of that +nation. + + +On the road between Nyon and Geneva a little incident occurred which +showed us the liveliness of the French temperament. A man got up behind +our carriage, and our coachman very naturally whipped him down. The man +followed us quietly for a while, but at length his wounded dignity +overcame his patience, and he came up to our coachman and began to speak +furiously on the impropriety of his having whipped him. Finding he could +make nothing of one who understood not what he said, he addressed himself +to our friend Martha Towell, and said he knew he had done wrong; but the +coachman should have told him to get down, which was customary in their +country, and not to have whipped him. M.T. was prepared to appease his +wrath by a mild reply, which eased the poor man very much; otherwise I +think we should have had more trouble with him; but he seemed to be +quieted, and said, Teach your coachman to say, in French, "descendez." + + +They reached Geneva just in time to prevent the departure of Louis +Majolier: + + +Who, says Martha Savory, was indeed rejoiced to see us after all his +anxiety. But, she continues, great as was our mutual satisfaction at +meeting, I am inclined to think it would have been better if this plan had +never been proposed, as it was a means of preventing some movements which +might have tended much to our relief; and his mind was in such an anxious +state about home that he could not give himself to anything that might +have opened at Geneva or Lausanne (to which I expected to return), but +begged us, very earnestly, to return with him to Congenies, as soon as +possible.-- + +(_Letter to E. Dudley_.) + + +They found the religious world at Geneva in a state of convulsion. + + +The secret poison of infidelity, says J.Y., has a good deal sapped the +principle of real religion; and the clergy of the Established Church have +preached a doctrine tending to Socinianism. A few young ministers have +boldly come forth and separated themselves, and are determined, in the +midst of persecution, to preach Christ and him crucified. Some of these +seem to have gone to the opposite extreme, for they hold too strongly the +principles of predestination. It is a remarkable time in this +neighborhood, as well as at Lausanne, where many are awakened to seek more +after the substance of religion. + + +At Geneva they formed a friendship with several persons, among whom were +Pastors Moulinier and L'Huillier, and Captain Owen, an Englishman. With +the last-named they were united in close bonds of religious affection; +they were enabled to administer to his spiritual wants, and he was forward +to render them assistance in every possible way. + + +The journey from Geneva to Nismes was tedious, occupying more than a week. + + +On approaching Nismes, John Yeardley says, the beautiful olives and +vineyards, together with the wild rocky aspect around, form a pleasing +sight; and to see them pruning, digging and dunging about the trees, +reminds one of the relations of Scripture history. + + +At Nismes they went to see the amphitheatre:-- + + +From the top of which, says J.Y., we had a view of the city and the +surrounding neighborhood, which is indeed beautiful. The great number of +olives, vines, fig-trees, &c., excite a train of ideas pleasing and +indescribable. + + +In travelling through Switzerland John Yeardley had been often brought +into a low state of mind, and on approaching Congenies, the final object +of the journey, his heart was stirred to its depths. It is very +instructive to observe what were his feelings in reaching a place to which +his mind had been, so long directed. + + +The road, he says, was better, and the outward prospect a little +enlivening; but it is not easy to describe the feelings my mind was under +in approaching a place which has so long occupied my thoughtfulness to +visit. The prospect is discouraging, but I must be content and sink down +to the spring of life, which can alone make known the objects of duty and +qualify for their fulfilment. In the midst of all my spiritual poverty a +stream of gratitude flows in my heart to the Father of mercies, that he +has been pleased to preserve us in many dangers, and bring us safe to this +part of his heritage; and if it should be his will that I should have +nothing to do but to suffer for his name's sake, may he grant me patience +to bear it. + + +Martha Savory's feelings on the same occasion were also those of deep +gratitude for the preservation experienced during their journey, united, +she says, with an humbling sense of many omissions and great unworthiness, +yet of help having been mercifully administered in the time of +need.--(_Letter of 2 mo. 10, 1826_.) + +Edward Brady was spending the winter at Congenies for the sake of his +health, and his society was a source of no little comfort to John +Yeardley; who, however, still, frequently labored under spiritual +depression. + + +Before dinner, he writes under date of the 23rd of the Twelfth Month, we +took a walk to M.S.'s windmill, from whence we had a fair view of +Congenies and the neighborhood, which is of a wild description. On +reflecting on the place and circumstances connected with it, my mind was +filled with various ideas, but none of them of an encouraging nature. + + +His discouragement was increased by ignorance of the language, and, with +his accustomed diligence, on the morrow after his arrival he commenced +learning French. On the recurrence of his birth-day, which was nearly +coincident with the beginning of the year, he says:-- + + +I am once more entered on a new year of my life, I fear without the last +having been much improved; and to form resolutions of amendment in my own +strength can avail me nothing. May He who knows my infirmities assist me +to overcome them and to become more useful in his cause. My discouragement +still continues; I don't feel those refreshing seasons which I have often +experienced in times past; the pure life is often low in meeting, and I am +not so watchful and diligent to improve my time and talent as I ought to +be. I often feel as one already laid by useless, and the language of my +heart is, "O that I were as in days past!" + + +Soon after their arrival at Congenies, Martha Savory met with a serious +accident. Thinking a ride would be beneficial to her health, when the rest +of the party drove one afternoon to Sommières, she accompanied them on +horseback. She had not a proper saddle, and her horse being eager to keep +up with the carriage set off downhill at so rapid a rate as to throw her +to the ground. The cap of one knee was displaced by the fall, and, +although she soon recovered so as to be able to walk, the limb continued +to be subject to weakness for some years. + +As soon as M. S. was sufficiently recovered, she and her companions +visited the Friends at Congenies and the neighboring villages from house +to house, and also assembled on one occasion the heads of families, and on +another the young people of the Society. In reviewing a part of this +service John Yeardley says:-- + + +3 _mo_. 6.--It has been a deeply exercising time, but has tended much +more to the relief of our minds, at least as regards myself, than I had +anticipated. From the discouraged state of mind I passed through for the +first few weeks at this place, I expected to leave it burdened and +distressed, but am thankful to acknowledge that holy help has been near to +afford relief to my poor tossed spirit, and I have cause to believe it is +in divine wisdom that I am here. + + +On the 13th of the Third Month they took leave of their friends at +Congenies to return to England, being accompanied by Edward Brady, and +during part of the journey by Louis Majolier. By the way they had some +religious intercourse with Protestant dissenters at a few places; but at +St. Etienne, where they had expected to remain a fortnight, they found the +door nearly closed to their entrance; a company of pious persons in this +town were at that time so nearly united with Friends as to bear their +name. + + +These, says John Yeardley, in a letter, are now reduced to about twenty in +number. They have suffered and still suffer much persecution from the +Roman Catholics. They are forbidden by heavy fines to meet together, +except in very small companies. We met them several times in their small +meetings to much comfort; there are a few among them who have stood firm +through the heat of trial, and these are precious individuals. The priests +are exceedingly jealous. On our arrival in the town we held our little +meeting with, these pious people on First-day morning; the priest came to +the house of the woman Friend where we had been to demand who we were and +where we lodged, and said it was we who had caused them to err, and he +would convince us in their presence that we were not only in error +ourselves, but had led them into error also. But we saw nothing of him, +and left the place in safety, which we considered a great favor; for such +has been their rage that they have dared to shoot at some missionaries who +have been in the neighborhood (_Letter to Thomas Yeardley, 4 mo. +19_.) + + +The rest of the journey through France was in general dreary, the external +accommodation being bad, and the consolation of spiritual intercourse very +scanty. At Arras, however, they were refreshed by the company of a +Protestant minister, a liberal and worthy man, who had "to stand alone in +a large district of weak-handed Protestants among strong-headed +Catholics." + +Arriving at Calais, Martha Savory and Martha Towell, with Edward Brady, +crossed over to England, leaving John Yeardley to follow at a later +period. On the 14th of the Fourth Month he writes:-- + + +My dear companions left for England. I watched them from the pier until I +could bear to stay no longer, and then returned sorrowfully to my +quarters, and soon repaired to the little retired lodging we had engaged +for me in the country, where I spent a few days in learning French, &c. In +taking a retrospect of our long journey I feel a large degree of peaceful +satisfaction in having been desirous to fulfil (though very imperfectly) a +religious duty; and these feelings of gratitude excited a wish that the +remainder of my few days might be more faithfully devoted to the service +of my great Lord and Master. + + +The little lodging of which he speaks was "a retired chamber on the +garden-wall;" and having left it for a few days to go to Antwerp with the +carriage and horses which they had used on the journey, on his return it +had already acquired, in his view, something of the character of home. + + +The beautiful green branches, says he, modestly looking in at the window, +give me a silent welcome; and the little birds chirruping in the garden, +which is my drawing-room and study. I cannot but acknowledge how grateful +I feel in being permitted to rest in so quiet a retreat, shut up from many +of those anxious cares which have perplexed the former part of my +life.--(_Diary, 4 mo. 27_.) + + +The last few words of this memorandum may seem at first sight to refer to +his temporary seclusion from the world in his little hermitage at Calais; +but there is little doubt that they have a wider significance, and contain +also an allusion to his anticipated union with Martha Savory. The prospect +of this union seems to have sprung up during the journey, and to have +become matured before they separated at Calais; and the effect of it was, +amongst other things, to set him free from the necessity of pursuing +business any longer as a means of livelihood, and to ensure to him a +provision sufficient for his moderate wants. + +On the 12th of the Fifth Month, John Yeardley left Calais for London. At +the inn in Calais, a little incident occurred, the relation of which may +be useful to others. + + +A serious Frenchman, who was going on board the same packet, was struck +with my not paying for the music after dinner, and was much inclined to +know my reason, believing my refusal was from a religious motive. At a +suitable opportunity he asked me, and confessed he had felt a scruple of +the same kind, and regretted he had not been faithful. This slight +incident was the means of making me acquainted with an honest and +religious man, as I afterwards found him to be. + +How important it is to be faithful in very little things, not knowing what +effect they may have on others! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY. + +1826-27. + +During his stay in London, John Yeardley attended the Yearly Meeting, and +the Annual Meetings of the School, Anti-slavery, and other Societies, with +which he was much gratified. Soon after the termination of the Yearly +Meeting, he went into Yorkshire to see his mother. + + +6 _mo._ 13.--I left London in the mail for Sheffield, and on the 14th +slept at my dear brother Thomas's at Ecclesfield, who took me on the 15th, +to Barnsley. I was truly thankful to be favored to see my precious mother +once more. On the 19th, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Highflatts. It +is not easy to describe the various thoughts which rushed into my mind on +seeing so many Friends whom I had known and loved in former days. The +meeting was a much-favored time, although we felt the want of some of the +fathers and mothers who are removed. + + +In the next entry there is an allusion to the disastrous commercial panic +by which this year was distinguished. + + +7 _mo._ 24.--Have been very low and deserted in mind for a long time +past. It is a time for the trial of my patience, and yet I have many +favors for which I ought to be truly thankful. It is a precious privilege +to be relieved from the commercial difficulties which at present abound in +the trading world. May it be my lot ever to keep so, if consistent with +the divine will. + +8 _mo._ 21.--Monthly Meeting at Wooldale. The meeting was exceedingly +crowded with strangers; there was not room in the house to hold all who +came. I had been very low all the morning, and to see such a number of +people at the meeting sunk me low indeed. I was enabled to turn inward to +Him from whom help alone comes; and blessed be his holy Name, he did not +forsake me in the needful time, but was pleased once more to give strength +and utterance to communicate what came before me. My certificates from +Germany and Congenies were read and accepted, and many Friends expressed +much unity and sympathy with me on my return to them, which was a comfort +and strength to me. + + +On the 1st of the Ninth Month, he again went to London. During his stay in +the city, he took the opportunity of visiting the Industrial Schools at +Lindfield, founded by William Allen; a kind of institution which always +engaged his warmest sympathy and approbation. + +With the new turn which was given to the course of his life by his +betrothal to Martha Savory, it is not surprising that he should have +considered his residence abroad to be brought, in the order of Divine +Providence, to a natural termination, and that he now turned his attention +to taking up his abode again in his native land. In selecting a place of +residence, he seems to have had no hesitation in making choice of the +neighborhood of Barnsley; the spot, as the reader may remember, which +seemed to him, when he was obliged to remove to Bentham, as that which had +the first claim upon his gospel services. The state of his mind, whilst +preparing his intended residence at Burton, the same village where he used +to attend meeting in his early days, may be seen by the following +memorandum:-- + + +9 _mo_. 26. _At York_.--It was a large Quarterly Meeting. Living +ministry flowed freely, and I thought even poor me was a little refreshed: +but I have been for a long time in a deplorable state, in a spiritual +sense. + +Since the Quarterly Meeting, my time and thoughts have been much occupied +in fitting up our intended residence at the cottage at Burton; and I may +truly say, I have been cumbered about "many things," which, I think, has +kept my mind in a poor, barren state. O the many weeks that I have had to +sit with my mouth in the dust to bemoan my own inward misery! My conflict +of mind has been increased by the trying state of my precious mother's +health. My attendance on her in this poorly state, and at this season of +the year, when I lost my poor dearest Bessie, reminded me strongly of my +dear departed lamb. + + +Before his marriage with Martha Savory was accomplished, he was called +upon to attend the deathbed of his mother, and to follow the remains of +his father to the grave. + + +11 _mo_. 16.--On the 3rd I left the cottage, and took my luggage to +go from Barnsley by the coach to London. Stepped down to take leave of my +dear mother, but found her so weak that I could not at all think of +leaving her; and was indeed glad that I did not go, for the dear creature +continued to grow weaker and weaker till a quarter past three o'clock on +Seventh-day morning, 4th of Eleventh Month, when she peacefully breathed +her last. She was fully sensible to the close, and also fully sensible +that her end was near. + +Her precious remains were interred at Burton on the 7th, after a meeting +appointed for the occasion at Barnsley. In her room, before we left +Redbrook [where she had resided], I was enabled to petition the throne of +mercy for a little help and strength through the remainder of the solemn +scene, which, I think, was in a remarkable manner granted. After having +paid the last tribute of affection and duty to our endeared parent, +fourteen of our dear friends and relations dined with me at the cottage. +It is remarkable that the opening of our residence should be in this awful +manner; but we were much comforted in feeling in the midst of all our +sorrow, the greatest degree of peace and quietude on the solemn occasion. + +On Fourth-day, being the day after we had taken leave of our precious +mother's remains, I went with my brother and sister to see our poor dear +father, who had been ill in bed about two weeks. We arrived about seven +o'clock; but, to our great surprise, about an hour before we reached the +place, our beloved father had fallen asleep, never to wake more in this +world. This was indeed awful, but the Judge of the earth must do right. We +attended the interment on First-day, the 12th. The meeting-house at +Woodhouse was pretty full, and a good and tendering meeting it was. It +felt hard work to labor among a number of worldly-minded people; but I +have learned to consider it one of the greatest of privileges to be +appointed to service, even though attended with suffering. Since this time +my poor mind has felt more tender and more susceptible of good. O that it +may continue, and that I may remain humble and watchful for the time to +come, and live prepared for that awful change which I. know not how soon +may be sent to my dwelling!--(11 _mo_. 16.) + + +On the 18th he pursued his journey to London, and on the 21st, at +Gracechurch-street Monthly Meeting, he presented his intention of marriage +with Martha Savory. "In a private interview at Elizabeth Dudley's," he +writes, "Richard Barrett and E. Dudley expressed their full unity with our +intended union, in terms of much interest and encouragement." On the 13th +of the Twelfth Month the marriage took place at Gracechurch-street +Meeting-house. + + +The time in silence, says the Diary, was very solemn, and acceptable +testimonies were borne by William Allen and Elisabeth Dudley. After +meeting we adjourned to the Library to take leave, where a stream of +encouragement flowed to us from several of our dear friends, which felt +truly strengthening. About twenty of our friends and relations dined at +A.B. Savory's at Stoke Newington. The day was spent, I trust, profitably, +and on parting, about seven o'clock, we had a comfortable time, and +something was expressed by my M. and self, and dear W. Allen. After taking +a very affectionate leave, we posted on to Barnet. My brother Thomas and +J.A. Wilson took us up the next morning; and we four came down in the +coach to Sheffield, and [the nest day] to Ecclesfield to dinner, and +arrived at our humble cottage the 15th of the Twelfth Month, I trust with +thankful hearts. + + * * * * * + + +It is appropriate to give in this place some account of Martha Savory's +character and Christian experience. That our notice is brief and +incomplete, is owing to the loss of most of her own memoranda, and of the +letters she addressed to those with whom she was on intimate terms. She +possessed, it will be seen, an intellectual character and disposition, as +well as an experience, very different from those of her husband. It does +not follow, however, that this dissimilarity was a hindrance to their +joint service in the gospel, any more than to their social harmony and +love. It may be, on the contrary, that Martha Savory's quickness of +understanding and of feeling, the readiness with which she apprehended the +sentiments and condition of others, her conversancy with the allurements +of city life, and the perils of unbelief from which she had been rescued, +fitted her in a peculiar degree to be her husband's helper in the +ministry, especially in their travels on the Continent. + +She was born in London in 1781, and was the daughter of Joseph and Anna +Savory. To an active and vigorous understanding she united a strength of +will which would brook little control, together with much energy and +fearlessness; and the propensity to follow the vain inclinations of the +unregenerate heart displayed itself in an indulgence in much that was +inimical to the restraints of Christian principle. Her disposition was +generous; all her emotions were ardent, and were seldom subjected to the +discipline of a corrected judgment. There were, however, various +occasions, even in her very early years, when, through the visitations of +heavenly love, her mind was forcibly aroused to a conviction of the need +of redeeming grace. She was particularly impressed by the preaching and +influence of William Savery, whose home in London was at her father's +house. In some memoranda of this period, she remarks, "Frequently in the +meetings appointed by him, I was greatly wrought upon by his living +ministry;" and notwithstanding that she subsequently wandered far from the +way of peace, there is good ground to believe that the remembrance of +those truths which had penetrated her heart through the instrumentality of +this gospel messenger, was never altogether effaced. + +Being naturally endowed with a lively imagination and a taste for +literature, she sought to suppress the upbraidings of conscience in +intellectual pursuits, and employed much time in the composition of verses +that were merely a transcript of visionary and romantic ideas, afterwards +published under the title of "Poetical Tales." This volume obtained but a +limited circulation; for, soon after it had issued from the press, the +conviction that it had been an unhallowed and unprofitable exercise of her +understanding was so impressed upon her spirit, that, although the +sacrifice was considerable, she caused all the unsold copies to be +destroyed. It is interesting to observe how, in later years, this talent +for metrical rhythm, which had been so misapplied, became consecrated, as +were all her faculties, to the promotion of piety and virtue. + +During the long period in which her mental energies were thus misdirected, +a cloud of darkness enveloped her spirit. She had, when about nineteen +years of age, imbibed sceptical views in reference to the truths of +revealed religion; and as she seldom read the Holy Scriptures, and was +almost a stranger to their sacred contents, her imagination pictured an +easier way to escape from the power and the consequences of sin than in +that self-renunciation which the Gospel enjoins. In some memoranda of her +experience, she says, in reference to the snares by which her mind was +entangled:--"I was led to a love of metaphysical studies, and fancied I +discovered, with clearness, that human vice, and consequently human +misery, sprang from ignorance of the nature of virtue, and that if mankind +would become instructed they would become good; and that it was only +necessary to behold virtue in its native beauty, to love it and to +practise it. O how fallacious was this reasoning! 'The world by wisdom +knows not God; the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of +God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because +they are spiritually discerned.'" + +At length, however, when, in 1811, Martha Savory had completed the +thirtieth year of her life, she became deeply impressed by the conviction +that she was wandering on the barren mountains of doubt and error; and +through the renewed visitation of divine love, the light of the Sun of +righteousness again shined into her heart, and its humbling influence +brake the rock in pieces. Some circumstances occurred that were +instrumental in promoting this great change. She was introduced into +frequent communication with some honored servants of the Lord, +particularly with the late Mary Dudley, and her daughter Elizabeth. An +attack of indisposition prostrated her bodily strength, and afforded +opportunity for serious reflection. Whilst from this cause confined to her +chamber, a young person (Susanna Corder), with whom she was only very +slightly acquainted, but to whom she was ever afterwards united in an +intimate and confidential friendship, was attracted to visit her. The +interview was a memorable one; the overshadowing wing of goodness and +mercy being permitted to gather their spirits under its blessed influence. +On her recovery from this illness, Martha Savory paid a short visit to her +new friend, which afforded an opportunity for the manifestation of +continued deep Christian interest; and, on her quitting the house, Susanna +Corder put into her hand a copy of the "Olney Hymns." When she had +proceeded a few steps towards home, she opened the book, and without +noticing even the title, instantly cast her eyes on the lines, "The +rebel's surrender to grace," commencing-- + + + "Lord, Thou hast won; at length I yield; + My heart, by mighty grace compelled, + Surrenders all to Thee; + Against thy terrors long I strove, + But who can stand against thy love? + Love conquers even me." + + +She was deeply affected by the remarkable application of the whole of the +hymn to the experience which she was then passing through; she could not +refrain from weeping, and to avoid the observation of passersby, she +walked through secluded streets, giving vent to her emotion; and she +afterwards repeatedly expressed her belief that there was, in this +apparently casual incident, a divine interposition and guidance; "for," +said she, "_every word_ of that hymn appeared as if purposely written +to describe _my_ case, so that I could scarcely read it from the many +tears I shed over it. It is no exaggerated picture." + +She now spent much time alone, almost constantly reading the Bible; and so +precious was the influence that operated on her spirit, whilst thus +employed, and so wonderfully were the blessed truths of the gospel +unfolded to her understanding, that, as she expressed it, "every page of +it seemed, as it were, illuminated." Sustained by the joy and peace of +believing, she was enabled to follow in faith the leadings of the Holy +Spirit, and, through divine strength, to become as a whole burnt sacrifice +on the altar of that gracious Redeemer, who had, in his rich mercy, +plucked her from the pit of destruction. Having had much forgiven, she +loved much, and shrunk not from the many and deep humiliations which were +involved in such a course of dedication to her Lord. Even her external +appearance strikingly bespoke her altered character. There had always been +in her countenance an expression of benevolence, but it had not indicated +a gentle or diffident mind. In her demeanor and personal attire, she had +conspicuously followed the vain fashions of the times; but now, humility, +with a modest and retiring manner, marked her conduct; everything merely +ornamental was discarded, and the softening, effect of a sanctifying +principle imparted to the features of her face a sweetness which, +impressing the beholder with a consciousness of the regenerating power +that wrought within, was, to more than a few of her acquaintance, both +arousing and instructive. She changed her residence from Finsbury to the +borough of Southwark, and settled near her friend Susanna Corder, with +whom she united in the formation of a philanthropic association, +"The Southwark Female Society for the relief of sickness and extreme +want." The late Mary Sterry, and several other estimable members of +Southwark meeting, together with benevolent individuals among the +different religious denominations of the district, soon joined them, and +the society became a highly influential channel through which assistance +has been variously rendered to many thousands of the indigent poor; and it +still continues, though with a reduced scale of operations, to be an +important source of help to the sick and destitute. + +Martha Savory devoted to this work of mercy much time and personal +exertion; but a more important service was also designed for her. She felt +constrained to give evidence of her love to Christ by a public testimony +to the grace which had been vouchsafed to her through Him who is "the way, +the truth, and the life." Deep were the conflicts of spirit which she +endured ere she could yield to this solemn requirement, but "sweet peace" +was, she says, as she records the sacrifice, the result of thus +acknowledging her gracious Lord. "This step," she continues, "appears to +me to involve the greatest of all possible mental reduction, but I +reverently believe it was necessary for me, and mote, perhaps on my own +account than on account of others; for, without this bond, and the +necessary baptisms attending this vocation, I should have been in danger +of turning back, and perhaps altogether losing the little spiritual life +which has been mercifully raised." She adds a fervent petition for +preservation and guidance, and that, by whatever means, however suffering +to nature, the vessel might be purified, and fitted for the Master's use. +She first spoke as a minister in the year 1814. The humiliation and +brokenness of spirit which marked these weighty engagements, were felt by +many, especially among her youthful friends, to be peculiarly impressive, +as tokens of the soul-cleansing operations of omnipotent love, and as an +awakening call to yield to the same regenerating influence. + +She was acknowledged as a minister by Southwark Monthly Meeting, in the +year 1818, when she had reached the age of 36; and in 1821, with the +cordial approval of the meetings of which she was a member, she commenced +that course of missionary labor in the gospel, to which she was +subsequently so much devoted. Her mission, on this occasion, was to +Congenics, where, and in the surrounding villages, she remained twelve +months. + +A letter to one of her sisters, written a few years after her marriage, so +fully represents her religious sentiments, and the doctrine she was +concerned to preach and maintain, that it may not improperly conclude this +outline of her mental and religious character. + + +Burton, 13th of Twelfth Month, 1830. + +I read thy remarks, my endeared sister, on the present state of things +amongst us, with much interest, from having had corresponding feelings +frequently raised in my own mind in this day of general excitement on +religious subjects. + +It remains to be a solemn truth that nothing can draw to God but what +proceeds from him; and whatever may be the eloquence or oratory of man, if +it be not the gift of God, and under his holy anointing, which always has +a tendency to humble the creature and exalt the Creator, it will in the +end only scatter and deceive. It has long appeared to me that true vital +religion is a very simple thing, although from our fallen state, requiring +continual warfare with evil to keep it alive. It surely consists in +communion, and at times a degree of union, with our Omnipotent Creator, +through the mediation of our Holy Redeemer. And seeing these feelings +cannot be produced by eloquent discourses or beautiful illustrations of +Scripture, but by deep humiliation and frequent baptisms of spirit, +whereby the heart is purified and fitted to receive a greater degree of +divine influence; seeing it is produced by daily prayer, by giving up our +own will, and seeking above all things to do the will of our Heavenly +Father, surely there is cause to hope that those who are convinced of +this, and who have tasted of spiritual communion through this appointed +means, will never be satisfied with anything however enticing which, if +not under the influence of the Holy Spirit, may well be compared to +"sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." + +I am far from confining this influence to the ministers of our little +Society, but assuredly believe that those who are brought under the +immediate teachings of the Spirit, under every profession, will be more +and more convinced that they cannot preach to profit the people, in their +own will and at their own command; and that as true and spiritual religion +prevails they must in this respect come to us, and not we go to them. Yet +still it is certainly a day of much excitement, and of danger especially +to the young and unawakened, and there never was a time when the members +of our Society were more loudly called upon to watch unto prayer both on +their own account and on account of others, humbly to implore, not only +that the Holy Spirit may not be taken from us, but that a greater +effusion of it may be poured upon us as a body, that so we may all be made +and kept alive in Him in whom is life, and the life is the light of men. I +believe this would be much more our experience, if the things of this +world were kept in subjection by fervent daily prayer and the obedience of +faith, which remain to be the means pointed out by our gracious Redeemer, +of communion with the Father through Him. What can be more pure than the +profession we make to be guided by the Holy Spirit? and if we really are +so, we shall be concerned to maintain this daily exercise of heart before +the Lord, and yet become what I reverently believe is his gracious will +respecting us, and _all_ under every name who are thus guided and +have become living members of the Church of Christ, even that we should be +as lights in the world, or a city set upon a hill which cannot be hid. + + * * * * * + +The dwelling which John and Martha Yeardley occupied was on the highest +ground in the village, commanding a wide and cheerful prospect, and +overlooking, on the western side, the valley of the Dearn and the +conspicuous town of Barnsley, which, notwithstanding the smoke that +envelopes it, stands out in fine relief on the opposite hill. Their +cottage adjoined the Friends' burial-ground; and just on the other side of +the wall reposed the remains of Frances Yeardley, on the site formerly +occupied by the meeting-house.[5] + +The house, says Martha Yeardley in a letter to her sister R. S., is warm +and comfortable, though at best what Londoners would esteem a poor place. +We feel quite satisfied with it; and when we get our garden in order, and +a cow and a few chickens, it will be equal to anything that I desire in +this world. To-day the snow has disappeared, and John is very busy with +his garden.--(1 _mo_. I, 1827.) + + +John and Martha Yeardley did not remain long idle in their new position. +In the First Month, 1827, they received a "minute" for visiting the +meetings in their Monthly Meeting; and in the Second Month they commenced +a tour amongst the meetings in some other parts of Yorkshire. These duties +occupied them until the 19th of the Fourth Month. We may extract from the +Diary recording the former of these engagements, a brief note of their +visit to Ackworth School. + + +1 _mo_. 20.--Lodged at J. Harrison's. On First and Second-day +evenings had some time of religious service with the young people at the +school, and felt much united in spirit to this interesting family. On +Fourth-day, Robert Whitaker accompanied us to Pontefract, and we were +comforted in his company, for we felt poor and weak--much like children +needing fatherly care. + +Among John Yeardley's notes made during the more general visit, we meet +with a memorandum which may be taken to mark a stage or era in his +Christian experience. The daily record of religious exercise and feeling +which is so useful to many in the hidden season of tender growth and +preparation for future service, is less likely to be maintained--and, it +may be, less necessary--in the meridian of life, when the time and +strength are taken up with active labor. + + +3 _mo_.--I could write much as to the state of my mind, but have of +late thought it safer not to record all the inward dispensations which I +have to pass through. I feel strong desires to be wholly given up to serve +my great Lord and Master, and that I may above all things become qualified +for his service; but the baptisms through which I have to pass are many, +and exceedingly trying to the natural part. Nothing will do but to rely +wholly on the Divine Arm of Power for support in pure naked faith. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1827-28. + +PART I.--GERMANY. + +After John and Martha Yeardley had visited their friends at home, their +minds were directed to the work which they had left uncompleted on the +continent of Europe; and, on their return from the Yearly Meeting, they +opened this prospect of service before the assembled church to which they +belonged. + + +(_Diary_) 6 _mo_. 18.--Were at the Monthly Meeting at +Highflatts, where we laid our concern before our friends to revisit some +parts of Germany and Switzerland, and to visit some of the descendants of +the Waldenses in the Protestant valleys of Piedmont; and, on our way home, +our friends and some other serious persons in the Islands of Guernsey and +Jersey. Our dear friends were favored to enter most fully and feelingly +into our views, and under a precious solemnity, a general sentiment of +unity and concurrence spread through the meeting, which constrained them, +(as the certificate expresses it) to leave us at liberty, accompanied with +warm desires for our preservation. Hearing the certificate read brought +the concern, if possible, more weightily than ever upon me, and a secret +prayer was raised in my heart that we might be enabled to go through the +prospect before us to the honor of Him who has called us into his work. + + +They attended the Quarterly Meeting in the latter part of this month, and +returned by way of Ackworth, where, says John Yeardley, + + +We had a comfortable parting with dear Robert and Hannah Whitaker, in +their own room. E.W. has passed with us through the deeps, and has indeed +been a true spiritual helper to us under our weighty exercises of mind. + + +On the 8th of the Seventh Month they set out, and on the 17th attended the +Meeting of Ministers and Elders in London. + + +The Morning Meeting was a precious and refreshing time to our poor tried +minds. There was a very full expression of near sympathy and entire unity +with us in our intended religious service. It is a strength and +encouragement not only to have the concurrence of our friends, but also to +know that we have a place in their prayers for our preservation and +support in every trying dispensation. + + +On the eve of their departure from London, a circumstance occurred of a +very disagreeable character. The shop of their brother, A.B. Savory, in +Cornhill, was broken open; many valuable articles were taken, and their +travelling trunks, which had been left there, were ransacked. Although +their loss was trifling, the annoyance of such a contretemps may easily +be conceived. J.Y. says:-- + + +It is far from pleasant thus to be plundered of any part of our property; +but I consider it as much the duty of a Christian to bear with becoming +fortitude the cross-occurrences of common life as to be exercised in +religious service. + + +They left London on the 22nd, for Rotterdam. On their arrival, a +disastrous occurrence happened which gave a shock to their feelings. The +manner in which J.Y. mentions the event evinces his tenderness of mind in +commencing a long journey, in which his vocation was to be to sympathise +with the poor and afflicted. + + +Since we landed safely on shore a circumstance has occurred which has +brought a gloom over us. One of our shipmen being busy about the sails, +part of a beam fell from the top-mast and struck him on the head. He never +spoke more, but died instantly. He has left a widow and two children, not +only to weep for him, but also to feel bitterly his loss in a pecuniary +way. We intend to recommend their situation to some of our benevolent +friends in London. My heart is much affected in having to commence my +journal on a foreign shore by recording such an afflicting event. And, as +it regards ourselves, how much we have which calls for thankfulness that +we have so mercifully escaped. + + +From Rotterdam they directed their course to Pyrmont, passing through +Gouda, Utrecht, Arnheim, and Münster; at the last place they were laid by +from the heat and weariness. They reached Friedenthal on the 4th of the +Eighth Month, and John Yeardley makes the following reflections on +re-entering his German home:-- + + +As I find myself again in this country, many thoughts of former days +spring up in my mind. Since I was last here I have passed through much; +nevertheless the Lord has guided my steps, and I have cause to give Him +thanks. + + +They visited Minden and the little meetings around, bestowing much labor +on them; but at Pyrmont, to suffer, rather than to do, was their allotted +portion. + + +It sometimes seems to me, writes J.Y., that we have in this place little +to do and much to suffer. I am often cast down, and have to sit in silence +and darkness. This state of mind is an exercise of faith and patience, +through which much may be gained if it is turned to right account. + +Of the Two Months' Meeting, he says: + + +On the whole a favorable time. But I am not without my fears that the +little Society in this place will lose ground, in a religious sense, if +more faithfulness is not manifested in little things. + + +Soon after their arrival in Germany they turned their steps towards the +north-west corner of that country, and the borders of Holland. The object +of this journey was to visit some places on the shores of the North Sea, +near Friesland, where the inundations of 1825 had caused great desolation, +and where a new colony had been formed by the government from among the +ruined families. This little journey was so emphatically, an act of faith, +and the course of it lay so much through a part of Europe seldom visited +by travellers, that we shall transcribe the diary of it without much +curtailment. + + +9 _mo_. 4.--Having for sometime felt an impression to visit +Friedrichgroden and other places on the store of the North Sea, near the +confines of East Friesland, we set out from Pyrmout in company with our +dear friend Louis Seebohm, travelling with extra-post in our own carriage. +We found this a pretty expeditions way of travelling for this country, +being able to make about fifty-five English miles a day. Between Oldendorf +and Bückeburg, we experienced a remarkable preservation from danger. Our +postillion being a little sleepy, had not sufficient care of the reins, +and the horses suddenly turned off towards an inn, but missing the turn, +instantly fell into a deep ditch, one horse quite down, and the other +nearly so; the carriage wanted only a few inches further to go, and then +it would have come upon the horses, so that a few plunges must have upset +the whole concern. We sprang instantly out, and set the quiet animals +free. The man was so frightened he could scarcely step from, the box. The +whole affair did not last more than a few minutes, when we were on our way +again, with great cause for thankfulness to the Preserver of our lives. +The driver was so honest in acknowledging his fault, that I gave him his +_trinkgeld_, and our friend L. S. gave him some advice. We got well +on through Minden to Diepnau and lodged there. + +Next morning set out about seven o'clock, and that day travelled late to +reach Oldenburg, which we accomplished at about one in the morning. Next +morning we were in a dilemma which way to take to find our place of +destination. The landlord was kind in sending out several times to gain +information, but in vain: at length there came into the room a deaf and +dumb man who frequented the house, and who, when he knew our inquiry, +immediately wrote down the particulars of the place, and explained it by +signs on the table. We left two books for this intelligent man for his +kindness, and set forward. Dined at Varel, and had two poor tired horses +and an awkward driver to Jever. We gave him several severe lectures +without much effect; at length we came to a small inn on the road, where +he made a stand, and said he could go no further without two more horses, +which we really believed was true, for if he had not got them we must have +stuck in the sand. The horses being procured we got to Jever about eleven +o'clock. + +Here was a good inn, and we rested pretty well; but in the morning +discouragement took hold of my spirits in a way that I have seldom +experienced. I was ready to conclude we were altogether wrong and out of +the way of our duty; but forward we must now go to see the end of this +exercising journey. The country about Varel and Jever is remarkably +fertile in pasture. The cows handsome, rolling in abundance of grass, and +pretty much the whole country had the appearance of ease and plenty; in +Varel we saw the poor-house, a building capable of containing 400 persons, +and only four individuals were there. The inhabitants live in simplicity, +but also in the general ignorance and indifference as to religion. I was +exceedingly low in mind on the way, but felt once more that we were in our +right place, and my precious M. Y. encouraged me by saying we should not +go there in vain. On opening the Bible, I was comforted in turning to +Psalm lxxviii. 12-14. + +After having thus travelled some days, as it were in the dark, we arrived +at Friedrichen Siel, near Carolinen Siel, in which neighborhood, on the +border of the North Sea, lie Friedrichgroden, New Augustengroden, and New +Friedrichgroden. It is a tract of land gained from the sea of about ten or +twelve hundred acres, banked round in three divisions, and made arable, on +which are built about twenty farmhouses, which form almost a new world. +This land is the property of the government; a small sum is paid on +entering, and a yearly ground-rent, and then it is the property of the +purchaser for ever. + +As soon as we stepped on the banks of one of these _grodens_, and I +set my eye on one of these retired abodes, I felt no longer at a loss +where we should go or what we should do. It opened suddenly on my mind as +clear as the sun at noon-day, that we must remain here a day or two and +visit these new settlers in their dwellings. Accordingly we drove to the +inn at Carolinen Siel. On asking for a map of the surrounding country, one +was put into oar hands containing a plan of the places which had suffered +so severely by the floods in the spring of 1825; which rendered those +people much more interesting to us. + +After dinner we commenced our visit, and called on a young man and his +sister who live on one of the farms, and have about seventy acres of land. +They received us with a hearty welcome, and entered into friendly +conversation. The house was one of the first on New Augustengroden, built +in 1816, [swept] down by the water in 1825, and rebuilt the same year. He +was an intelligent young man, and answered many inquiries which we made. + +Finding the distance might be too great to walk, next morning we procured +horses, and started about seven o'clock, taking from our small stock of +books one for each family. We commenced intercourse with them by first +interesting ourselves about their families and domestic concerns, not +unmindful of every suitable opportunity to turn the conversation on the +subject of religion, which is too much neglected by most of them. They are +of the Lutheran profession; but the church being at some distance, they do +not regularly attend. Most of them have as many as six children, and some +eight, with fine countenances. We felt deeply interested, particularly for +the mothers, some of whom are tender-spirited, amiable women, and wept +much in the opportunities we had with them. Their late afflictions have +made on some a deep impression, and it was a time when, I trust, such a +visit might be of advantage. In the floods, several had their houses swept +away; and one lost thirty-six head of cattle, and had to drag his children +out of the water naked, and take refuge on the tops of the houses. But the +most touching case was that of a man who lost his wife and five children, +his father, mother, and servants. They were sent away in a waggon, as a +means of escape; but the waggon was swept away by the torrent, and all +perished. The husband, who was left alone in the house, got to land on +some boards, part of the wreck of the house, and expected to find his +family safe; what must have been his feelings when he found they had all +perished in the deep! We felt truly prepared to sympathise with them, and +think they were sensible of our visit being in the sincere love of the +Gospel. Their kindness towards us exceeded description. In going from +house to house, one of them seeing us in the field, and not knowing our +errand, thought we had missed our way, and came running almost out of +breath to set us in the road. When he found that our visit was intended +to him, he seemed overjoyed, and conducted us to his home and his +interesting wife. His name is Friedrich Fockensllammen. He soon showed us +all that was in his house and barns; and I may say he was equally ready to +tell us all that was in his heart. We could not get away without taking +coffee with 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 +the poor-house. We were informed that near Norden there is a colony for +thieves and gipsies, who are sent to this place and compelled to build +themselves huts and cultivate the land. They are strictly watched by the +police, and severely punished when they attempt to go away without leave. + +We had a long and tedious ride, through deep sand, to Leer. On our arrival +we made inquiry about Fredericks-Oort, but could obtain no intelligence, +nor could we find it on the maps which we borrowed for examination. This +was very discouraging; for I had hoped, if it was right for us to go, we +should find some one to give us certain directions to it. I slept but +little, and next morning set again to work, and found there was a Jew in +the town who travelled much in Holland. I desired he might be sent for; he +came, and immediately gave us directions where to find the places we +wanted. + +I ought not to omit remarking the comfortable feeling that I was favored +with, riding from Wittmund to Aurich [on the way to Leer]. In reflecting +in stillness where we had been and what we had done, I felt not only peace +and inward satisfaction, but thankfulness filled my heart that we had been +thus far enabled to do what we believed to be in the way of our duty. This +Scripture language passed through my mind: "Blessed are ye that sow beside +all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass." (Isa. +xxxii. 20.) + +11_th_.--Left Leer about eleven o'clock in the morning, and expected +to arrive at Assen at eleven or twelve at night, but to our great +disappointment we travelled the night through, and only reached Assen at +seven next morning. At Wehndam on our way we rested the horses. Our friend +L.S. went for an hour to bed, and my M.Y. and self sat in the carriage and +would have slept, but there came so many admirers of our vehicle that we +could not sleep for their almost continual remarks about its elegance, +convenience, &c. + +This part of Holland is fruitful; the houses are clean and neat; and the +dress of the women very singular. Their caps have a plate of silver or +gold on each side almost like a helmet, and sometimes very costly. At the +inn at Nieuweschans [on the borders of Germany and Holland], the cook had +one of these golden helmets which had cost about 150 florins. + +In these flat countries they have no spring water; the land lies so much +below the sea that all is impregnated with salt. Rain water is used for +drinking, and the method of preserving it is in a deep reservoir lined +with boards and puddled with clay. I was surprised to find it kept good so +long: it is seldom known to go bad. One of the farmers on the Grodens drew +water out of his well and handed me a glass to drink; it had a yellowish +tinge, but except this I never saw clearer and have seldom tasted +pleasanter spring water, and the beat tea I ever drank was made from rain +water so preserved. One thing which contributes to its quality is the +great surface of tile which it has to run down, and which tends to filter +it. + +The mode of manuring the land is similar to that practised in Brabant, and +the produce proves that it is excellent; for no better meadows, or corn +land in a higher state of cultivation are to be seen than in some parts we +have lately passed through. + +The cows, when fresh in milk, are milked three times a day, by which means +more milk is obtained than in the common method; any one wishing to make a +fair experiment of this must try it not for two or three days only, but +for a week or ten days. + + +John and Martha Yeardley found the institution at Fredericks-Oort of a +deeply interesting kind. It was Established by private benevolence to +improve the condition of the poor, and to relieve the country from +beggars, and was commenced in 1818. The poor families which are placed +there are employed, some in manufacture, some in cultivating the soil, and +every means is made use of to encourage industry and provident habits. +When our friends visited the colony, it comprised 2900 souls, including +the staff by which the institution is worked, and which is necessarily +numerous. They thought the method of instruction in use in the schools +excellent, and found that religious liberty was strictly respected. + +From Fredericks-Oort they went on to Ommershaus, where is the poor-house +and penal colony belonging to the former institution. Thirteen hundred +beggary, orphans, and criminals were then in the colony. + + +How much, remarks J.Y., such an institution is wanted in England; every +inducement is held out for improvement in civil society, and a most +effectual check placed against vice and idleness. + + +The travellers fared badly in Holland, and they were rejoiced to "set foot +again in honest Germany, where they know how to use strangers with an +honest heart." They returned through Bentheim and Osnabrück, and arrived +at Pyrmont on the 19th. Here they spent ten days in resting, and in +preparing to pursue their journey through South Germany. + +On First-day, the 30th, they took leave of their friends. + + +First-day, says John Yeardley, was a solemn time, both at meeting and at +the reading in the afternoon; I hope both my M.Y. and I were enabled to +clear our minds. In the evening we took an affectionate and affecting +leave of them all; it was to me particularly trying. I could not refrain +from weeping much. + + +Not much occurs in the diary to claim attention, until they reached +Friedberg, not far from Frankfort. + + +10 _mo_. 7.--Sat down to our little meeting, after breakfast, and +reading, on First day morning. It was to us both a season of deep feeling. +My dear M.Y. was so filled with a sense of our own weakness, and the +Almighty's goodness towards us in a wilderness travel through a dark +country, that she knelt, and was enabled to pour forth a heart-felt +supplication for a precious seed of the kingdom in the hearts of the +people among whom we were; and also that He would in his tender mercy +remember us his poor instruments, and in the right time cause light to +break forth on our path, preserve us in the way we ought to go, and make +us willing to suffer for the sake of his suffering cause: to which my +heart said, Amen! + + +At Frankfort they formed acquaintance with J.H. von Meyer, ex-burgomaster +of the city, a learned and pious man, who had made a new translation of +the Bible into German, and had stood firm for the cause of real +Christianity in the midst of much declension. In the afternoon they drove +to Offenbach to see J.D. Marc, a Christian Jew, who had earned experience +in the school of suffering. He said, amongst other things, that he could +never preach but when he believed it to be his duty, and then he could +declare only what was given him at the time; this he considered to be the +only preaching that could profit the hearers. His views on the inutility +of water baptism were so decided, that when converted Jews asked him to +administer to them this rite, he told them he could not recommend it, for +it would do them no good. He gave them many names of awakened persons in +the Palatinate:-- + + +Where, says John Yeardley, there is still a lively-spirited people who hold +meetings for religious improvement; perhaps the descendants of those who +were visited by W. Penn in former days. + + +The next day they returned to Frankfort, and made the acquaintance of +Pastor Appia, a Piedmontese, who, with his wife, was very friendly; and +when he heard that they had left their own land to visit his native +country, marked out a route for them, and gave them letters of +introduction. "When I am with such good people," observes J.Y., in +relating their interview with Appia, "I am always uneasy in my mind that I +am not more worthy. May the Lord strengthen me!" + +On the 10th, they went to Darmstadt, where they met with several +enlightened Christians. One of these, Leander van Ess, had been a Roman +Catholic priest; and although a zealous promoter of Christianity in the +face of persecution, and favored with a more than ordinary degree of +spiritual light, he had thought it right not altogether to forsake that +communion, but remained amongst the Romanists to do them good. He had +translated the New Testament for their use. At parting with his new +friends he embraced them, gave them his blessing, and wished them a +prosperous journey. "I felt myself," says J.Y., "comforted and +strengthened by this visit." + + +On the way to Heppenheim, he continues, (to which place they next directed +their course), I felt quiet, in mind, and was once more assured that we +were in the way of our duty. As I thought of the difficulties which might +await us, these words were brought to my remembrance, "Touch not mine +anointed, and do my prophets no harm." + + +Crossing the Rhine, at Mannheim, they stopped, on the 12th, at Dürkheim, +where they became acquainted with Ludwig Fitz, a man of a frank and +inquiring disposition. + + +For three years, writes J.Y., he has held meetings in his house; in the +commencement he had to suffer no little persecution. On his entering our +room he observed that it was the Lord who had thus brought us together. I +have scarcely been half an hour with you, he said, after a while, but it +seems as if I had known you for seven years. He, with his wife and +daughter, took us to call on a Mennonist, a pious man, who holds firmly by +Baptism and the Supper. He soon began to speak on these points. I replied +to what he said as well as I could, maintaining that in Scripture there +are two baptisms spoken of; that, as the soul of man is spiritual, it can +be reached only by that which is spiritual, and that therefore I did not +see the necessity of maintaining that which, is outward. He said he +desired to possess the former, and not to neglect the latter. As to the +Supper they both advanced is proof of the observance being good, that +often, whilst using it, they experienced inward joy and refreshment. I +said we must not limit to a certain time or place this joy in the Lord, as +if the use of the Supper only were the cause of it. The gracious Lord is +ready at all times to sup with us, and to refresh the sincere and cleansed +soul, and make it joyful in him. We took leave of each other in love; I +said we did not travel for the purpose of turning people from one form to +another, but with the desire only that they might all be brought nearer to +the Lord. It was pleasant to me that Fitz's wife was with us; during the +conversation she remained still and weighty in spirit. + +We inclined to attend the evening devotion at Fitz's, but prefaced our +request with the hope that they would not be offended if we did not take +part in their observances. This was immediately granted; and Fitz said, I +feel that your spirit is true and sincere, and I have unity with it. When +their service was ended, we asked them to remain a while in silence, and I +trust may say we were enabled to utter what was required of us in +testimony and supplication. + +In Dürkheim there are eleven converted Jews, who dare not meet except in +secret for fear of the rabbins. One night the rabbins attempted to take +away their bibles and other books, but they received a hint of their +intention, and sent the books to Fitz's house. One of them, a servant +girl, as soon as she heard that some Christian friends were come into the +town, went to Fitz's, and took up one of the books we had given him. She +read a little in it hastily, put it in her bosom, and ran home. Her +curiosity and love of the truth impelled her to come to our hotel, and +wait unobserved in the hall to catch a glimpse of us as we came out. We +felt much for these awakened ones of Abraham's offspring; their oppressed +condition rested much upon our hearts; but as we had no opportunity of +conversing with them, I wrote a few lines from Friedelsheim to the young +woman, and sent them with some books by Fitz, who accompanied us to that +place. _Tuke's Principles_ finds much entrance among the awakened +Jews. + + +Travelling through Spires, Carlsruhe, and Pforzheim, they came on the 16th +to Stuttgardt, where they found Henry Kienlin, of Pforzheim, who, as the +reader will remember, had won so large a place in their love and esteem on +their former journey. + + +He not only, says John Yeardley, professes our principles, but bears a +clear and fearless testimony for them. His wife is of the same mind with +him, although she does not yet show it in the simplicity of her dress. + +On the 18th, we set out in company with our good friend to Ludwigsburg to +see the prison. There are about 600 prisoners, of both sexes, for the most +part employed in labor. Order and cleanliness prevail, and the food is +good. The governor, Kleth, is a worthy, pious man; he himself reads the +Holy Scriptures to the prisoners, and endeavors to promote their spiritual +improvement. When we entered a room in which were a number of men, they +rose, and stood serious and quiet as though they expected we should +address them; and for a short time the love of God was felt amongst us in +an impressive manner; but nothing was given us to utter. + + +It will be recollected that when John and Martha Yeardley were at +Stuttgardt in 1826, they met with the Pastor Hoffman, and that they +desired to visit the institution at Kornthal, of which he was the +director, but were obliged to forego this visit in order to hasten forward +to Basle. They now prepared to discharge this debt of Christian love. +Kornthal is situated four miles from Stuttgardt; it was founded in 1819 by +dissenters from the Moravians and Lutherans, and consisted in 1825 of +about seventy families. J. and M.Y. went there on the 19th. + + +We were received, says the former, in a brotherly manner by the Director +Hoffman. On entering the room we were informed that their pastor had died +the night before; but instead of sorrow there seemed to be joy. This +society holds it for a religious duty to rejoice when any of their members +are favored to enter a state of endless bliss. This is religious fortitude +which but few possess, but I believe it is with them sincere, for in going +over the institution with the Director, I observed they spoke of it as a +matter of holy triumph. + + +No meeting was held with the members of the establishment during this +visit; it was left for J. and M.Y. to attend the usual evening assembly on +First-day, the 21st; and they were informed that it would be an occasion +on which any present who were moved by divine influence might freely +relieve their minds. + + +At three o'clock, J.Y. writes, we set off to Kornthal under most trying +feelings; I do not know when I have suffered so much from discouragement. +On account of the death of the pastor, many were come to attend the +interment which was to take place the next day. This caused the meeting to +be large; not less than 700 persons were present, and among them six or +seven pastors. The service commenced with a few verses; the first words +were these:-- + + + "Holy Spirit come unto us, + And make our hearts thy dwelling-place." + + +I can truly say I was awfully impressed with their meaning, and a secret +prayer rose in my heart that it might be experienced amongst us. After the +singing, a silence truly solemn ensued, and I intimated that I felt an +impression to say a few words. When I sat down our kind friend the +Director summed up the substance of what I had said, and repeated it in an +impressive and becoming manner. He did this with the idea that some +present who only understood Low German might not have clearly got the +sense; however, we were told afterwards that they had understood every +word that I had said. Hoffman generously acknowledged to the hearers that +what had been delivered was strictly conformable with Scripture doctrine, +and that he united most fully with it. + +Next morning the children being assembled for religious instruction, at +the conclusion I requested they might remain awhile, and I had a few words +to say to them, which was a relief to my mind. Hoffman asked if they had +understood; they almost all answered, Ja, ja, ja. + +This visit has afforded an opportunity of our becoming acquainted with +many serious characters out of the neighborhood who were come to the +interment; many of them felt near to me in spirit. Hoffman's wife is a +precious, still character; there is much sweetness in her countenance. All +received us heartily in Christian love; it felt to me as if it were the +night before one of our Monthly Meetings, and I was at a Friend's house, +so much freedom was to be felt. The inn is kept by Hoffman; they would +make us no charge, saying love must pay all. We were most easy to make a +present to the box for the institution, but they would have refused it, +saying feelingly, Travellers like you have many expenses. + + +The cause for J.Y.'s peculiar discouragement in the prospect of this +meeting was the want of an interpreter. Any one who knows the difficulty +of public speaking or continuous discourse in a foreign language, will +comprehend the anxiety which he felt when he saw no alternative but that +of committing himself to preach in German. Though very familiar with the +language, he never completely overcame the want of early and of thoroughly +grammatical instruction in that difficult and intricate tongue. It was +with feelings of this kind that he penned the following memorandum before +going to Kornthal:-- + + +18_th_.--Extremely low in mind and in want of faith. No creature can +conceive what I suffer in the prospect of having to speak in a foreign +tongue in a religious meeting. + + +At Stuttgardt they took leave of their endeared friend, Henry Kienlin. + + +It is, says J.Y., hard to part; but every one must follow his calling, +and mind only the direction of the Lord. + + +On quitting Stuttgardt, John Yeardley makes a few remarks regarding the +religious state of Würtemberg. + + +22_nd_.--Würtemberg is a favored land. In Feldbach, three hours from +Stuttgardt, there are about 800 Christian people who hold meetings in each +other's houses: some of them belong to the Kornthal Society. Years ago, +many emigrated to America and Russia, to gain religious liberty; now it is +granted them by their own Government. + + +On the 22nd, they journeyed to Tübingen, where they visited the worthy +Professor Streundel. + + +He was surprised and shy when we entered, as if he wanted to say, The +sooner you take leave the better. But as soon as he knew where we came +from, his countenance changed, and he received us heartily. He had his +wife called--a very polite person. He asked many questions as to our +church discipline, &c.; the order of our Society pleased him much. He had +undertaken the study of divinity from an apprehension of duty, and said +that it was only by the assistance of the Holy Spirit we could be made +instrumental in the ministry. + + +On the 25th they came to Wilhelmsdorf, on the Lake of Constance, where is +a branch of the Kornthal Association. They found the director "a man of +great simplicity, but of inward worth." + + +He was, continues John Yeardley, six years in Kornthal, and seems to be +sensible of the importance of the situation he fills, and of his +incapability to be useful to others unless assisted by divine grace. He +read our certificate attentively, and said, in a weighty manner, Yes; one +Lord over all, one faith, one baptism. We found they have no regular +preacher, but meet for worship every evening and on First-day mornings. We +were desirous of seeing them together, and they were pleased to find such +was our intention. The bell was rung, and in a few minutes the whole +colony assembled, about two hundred, with children. Much liberty was felt +in speaking among them; and some of them appeared to be sensible of the +value of true silence, and from whence words ought to spring; many shed +tears under the melting influence of divine love which was so preciously +to be felt amongst us. We took an affectionate leave, well satisfied in +visiting this little company, to strengthen them to hold up the cause of +their Lord and Master, in the midst of darkness. Within about thirty +English miles there are none but rigid Roman Catholics, not one +Evangelical congregation. At our departure my wife said: "These words +arise in my mind for thy comfort: Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." + +At the inn where we stopped at Wilhelmsdorf, we were spectators of an +occurrence rarely to be seen. Among the laborers who dined there, the one +who had finished first read a chapter from the Bible to the rest. When all +had done eating, one offered a prayer; and then all went quietly back to +their work. This practice shows at least the sincerity of their hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1827-28. + +PART II.--SWITZERLAND. + +On the 27th of the Tenth Month John and Martha Yeardley crossed the Swiss +frontier to Schaffhausen, where their presence was welcomed by several +pious persons. Amongst these were a young woman, Caroline Keller, who from +a religions motive had altered her dress and manners to greater +simplicity, and John Lang, Principal of the United Brethren's Society. In +a social meeting convened on the evening of their arrival, J.L. directed +the conversation to the principles of friends, and J. and M.Y. explained +the views held by the Society on silent worship, the ministry, and the +disuse of ceremonies. + + +The [French] language, says J.Y., was difficult to me; but by the grace +of God I was helped, and they were quite ready to seize the sense of what +we endeavored to convey. The love of God was felt among us, and the +Principal said, at parting, that he had not before been so impressed with +our views. I sent him Tuke's "Principles," and he told me yesterday he was +attentively studying it. My dear M.Y. told me it had been given her to +believe we were in our right place, and that we were called by religious +intercourse to bear witness for our Lord and Master and his good cause. + +I am afraid, he remarks in a letter in which he describes their service at +Schaffhausen, I am afraid thou wilt think me too minute in my details; but +really when I enter into the feeling which accompanied us in these visits, +it seems as if I could scarcely quit it. + + +They spent the 29th at Schaffhausen in close Christian communion with two +pious families. To C.K. particularly, at whose house they dined, they felt +so nearly united, that they scarcely knew how to part from her. + + +We have cause to be thankful, says J.Y., for our visit to Schaffhausen; +but if we were more faithful we should be more useful. Our friends were +quite inclined for us to have had a meeting with them, but we were too +fearful to propose it. O vile weakness! + + +On the 31st they saw the Agricultural School for poor children at Beuggen. +Amongst the boys were twelve young Greeks, who were being instructed in +ancient and modern Greek, and in German. They had been sent to Switzerland +by the German missionaries, and most of them had been deprived of their +parents by the cruelty of the Turks. It was the intention of their +benefactors that they should return to Greece to enlighten their +countrymen. Their religious instruction was based simply upon the Bible, +without reference to any particular creed. + + +In the Greek school, writes John Yeardley, we observed a serious man about +thirty years of age, who had the appearance of a laborer, learning Greek. +This was a little surprising, and led us to inquire the cause. The +inspector readily gratified us: and gratifying indeed it was to hear that +this poor man had given up his work of ship-carpenter, from pure +conviction that he was called to go and instruct the poor Greeks at his +own expense. He is intending to spend the winter in learning the modern +Greek, and to proceed in the spring to Corfu. He intends to provide for +his own living by working at his trade, and he will take for instruction +about four boys at a time, and as soon as he has brought them forward +enough, set them as monitors over others. Some time ago two young men were +sent out by the Bible Society to Corfu; but before they reached the place +of their destination they were deterred by the missionaries on account of +the unsettled state of the country, and dared not proceed further for fear +of losing their lives. It is remarkable that, at the juncture when these +two young men were turned back by discouragement, this poor man should +receive the impression to go to the same place. We desired to have an +interview with him, and he was instantly sent for to the Inspector's room. +After a few remarks which opened for us to make to him, he confessed he +had no peace but when he thought of giving up to this feeling of duty, and +that when he looked towards going he felt happy in the prospect of every +hardship. It was remarked that, as this call was made from above, the +great Master alone could guide his steps; he appeared fully sensible from +whom his help must come. He is beloved by his employers, and has an +excellent certificate from the pastor, of his moral and religious +character. + + +On the 2nd of the Eleventh Month they went to Zurich, and the same day +drove out over a very bad road to Pfäffikon to visit the Herr von +Campagne. + + +We had a cold wet journey, but the good old man gave us a hearty welcome +to his house. He is seventy-six years of age. He asked us pleasantly how +we came to think of visiting an old man who was on the brink of the grave. +He had heard much of Friends, and wished, he said, to become personally +acquainted with some of the Society. He is a most benevolent character, +but we could not unite with all his religious views; he does not think it +necessary to meet for religious worship; in short, his principles are much +the same as those held by Jacob Böhmen. + +We slept at his house, and next morning returned to Zurich, where we +called on our particular friend Professor Gessner and his family, and we +rejoiced mutually to see each other again. + + +In the afternoon they called on Pastor Koch, tutor to the young Prince of +Mecklenburg, who was at that time in Switzerland, and the next morning, +First-day, as they were holding their little meeting for worship, the +Prince himself, with Herr Koch and the Herr von Brandenstein, gave them a +visit. The Prince spoke English; and J.Y. says:-- + + +I had a strong impression to speak to him in a serious way, which I was +enabled to do at some length. On parting he held me with both his hands in +mine, and said, "I thank you, sir, for your kind and instructive +communication; I shall never forget it so long as I live." + +A little before twelve o'clock, he continues, came our kind young friend, +Hannah Gessner, to accompany us to the ancient and worthy Bishop Hess. He +is in his eighty-seventh year, but lively in spirit and active in mind. He +is uncommonly liberal in his religious opinions, and his enlarged heart +seemed to overflow with Christian love towards the followers of Christ +under every name. He treated us as a father, and I felt instructed in +being in his company. He gave us his portrait as a token of respect and +friendship. + +In the evening we took tea with Professor Gessner's sister, Lavater, in +company with seven of the professor's daughters and sons, who are all +serious persons. After some conversation on the order and ministry of our +Society, it was proposed by dear Hannah, through her aunt, whether we +would like to have a Meeting or the Scriptures read. After a portion of +Scripture had been read silence ensued, in which my dear M. Y. and I said +what was on our minds in testimony and supplication. It is a time of +precious visitation to some of them. We felt sweet unity with Pastor +Gessner, and believe him to be a gospel minister. On parting he took me in +both arms, and said, in such a feeling manner that the words went to my +very heart, "The Lord bless thee, and put the words of his wisdom into thy +mouth." + + +On the 6th they went to Berne, and the next morning they inspected +Fellenberg's institution at Hofwyl. + + +It is, says John Yeardley, what it professes to be, for education in the +fullest extent of the word, to give to those committed to their care an +education suited to their circumstances and their future prospects in +life. There is a first-rate boarding school, for young gentlemen; a middle +school, for tradesmen, &c.; a [boys' and] girls' poor school of industry, +for those who can pay nothing.--(_Letter to Josiah Forster_.) + + +To J.Y. the most interesting department of this institution was the school +of industry for poor children, in which at that time a hundred boys were +clothed and educated. He describes at some length, and with evident +approbation, the system on which the school was conducted; but adds, "I +cannot say much as to religious instruction." + +From Hofwyl they proceeded through Lausanne to Geneva, where, being +desirous of improving themselves in French, and the season not permitting +them to travel, they hired a lodging, intending to remain two or three +months. + +As on their former visit, they held frequent intercourse with pious +persons, several of them well known in the Christian world; such as +Gaussen, Bost, and L'Huillier. Of Theodore L'Huillier. minister of the New +Church, John Yeardley says:-- + + +Though a moderate Calvinist, he embraced us at once on the broad principle +of Christianity. We became acquainted with him two years ago, but think +him now much deeper in the root of real religion. + +11 _mo_. 19.--We called yesterday evening on our dear friend Owen, +and met there a pious lady, Fanny Passavant. We had much serious +conversation, I hope to profit, at least to our own minds; for we were +given to see a little the importance of the situation in which we stand, +and the necessity of being, in our intercourse with these religious +persons, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. + +1828. 1 mo. 13.--We have had much satisfaction in becoming acquainted with +Ami Bost. He was one of the first who bore testimony to the light which +broke forth in the corrupt church of Geneva, and he suffered much in +defending the doctrines of the New Church. In Germany he was, with his +wife and six or seven children, driven from town to town by the police, +for holding religious meetings in his house, and for refusing to have his +children baptised. His sentiments in the office of the ministry and the +appointment of preachers, are in perfect unison with those of Friends; +also on the ordinances of the Supper, &c. + +1 _mo_. 20.--During the greater part of our stay at this place I have felt +my mind extremely poor, but a secret desire and prayer has been maintained +to be preserved in patience, believing it to be as necessary to learn to +suffer as to do. And although it is apparently little we can do here, we +have felt repeatedly the assurance that it is the ordering of Best Wisdom, +and as such we are well satisfied. + +After our little morning meeting we went to dine with dear Captain Owen, +and spent the remainder of the day with a few religious friends there. +When the evening reading was finished, we had a solemn time under the +seasoning influence of divine love. Our hearts were too full for any +religious communication, except supplication, which was offered both by my +dear M.Y. and myself. + + +Martha Yeardley also gives an account of this meeting, and of a visit they +paid to the Female Prison. + + +Before our departure for Lausanne and Neufchâtel, a relation of Mary Ann +Vernet's kindly attended us to the female prison, and introduced us to +others of the committee; and in the evening we had a religious opportunity +with the few confined there, during which they evinced much feeling. Our +interesting companion told us the next morning that she trusted the +circumstance would be blessed to them. We had also a very interesting +opportunity at Charles Owen's the evening before we left, at which was +present, as often before, a very precious friend of ours, of the name of +Fanny Passavant, a single woman, very rich, yet who lives in great +self-denial, and gives almost all she has to feed the poor. She is what +they call in this country a very _interior_ character; which means +one that cherishes the inward life. In her company we often felt baptized +together, and she gave us strong recommendations to some of the same class +at Neufchâtel, who are desiring to learn in the school of +Christ.--(_Letter to Elizabeth Dudley_.) + + +At the expiration of their sojourn in Geneva, they did not, as they had +expected to do, proceed to the valleys of Piedmont, but, as the last +extract intimates, turned their steps towards Neufchâtel. The motives +which influenced them in this change of purpose are described by John +Yeardley, in a letter to his brother, of the 11th of the Second Month, +1828. + + +In my last to thee I signified our intention of departing for the valleys +of Piedmont, which did not take place. After due consideration of the +subject for more than two months, in a state of humble resignation to be +directed aright in this important matter, we did not feel it press with +sufficient weight on our minds to warrant our moving in the face of so +much difficulty as is at present in the way. We have always considered our +safety in such engagements to depend on taking step by step in the fresh +light afforded; and it is a favor to know when and where to stand, as well +as when to go forward. + + +While the way to Piedmont was thus for a time obstructed, a door was set +open for them in a part of Switzerland which they had not yet visited. +From John Yeardley's reflections before they left Geneva, it would appear +that in the discouragement they felt in the prospect of a long journey +through France, they were little aware of that plentiful repast of +spiritual food which was to be served to them before they would have to +cross the Jura. + + +In looking towards the long journey before us, writes J.Y., I have been +much discouraged, almost fearing to depart from this place without first +being favored with more quietude of mind, which I was this morning favored +to feel in a greater degree than has been the case for a long time. In my +last solitary walk to La Traille, I was led to pray in secret for +preservation on our journey, and almost to ask an assurance of protection, +but received for answer, "Go, in faith." + + +On the 21st of the First Month, they left Geneva and went forward to +Lausanne, where they were again refreshed with the society of some +spiritually-minded persons. + + +23_rd_--We visited several of the pastors. We found M. Févaz, +minister of the Seceders in this place, very interesting, humble, and +spiritual. He related to us, in much simplicity and candor, that in the +commencement of their separation they were strenuous to preach doctrinal +sermons, but now they had been favored to see the necessity of preaching +purification of heart through the operation of the Spirit. + +Called on ---- Gaudin, who keeps a boarding-school in a beautiful +situation near the town. We had not been long in the company of him and +his dear wife, before we felt much contrited together, and had a precious +religious opportunity. At parting, the dear man, with myself, was quite +broken into tears. We left with him, as well as with the others, Judge +Hale's "Testimony to the Secret Support of Divine Providence," which we +had translated, and had got printed at Geneva. + +On the 24th they proceeded to Neufchâtel. This was a memorable visit. + + +We soon found cause, writes John Yeardley, to believe the Great Master had +been before us, to prepare the way in the hearts of many to receive the +doctrine he has mercifully enabled us to preach. Our dear F. Passavant had +given us a letter of introduction to Auguste Borel, a man of few words, +but of a remarkably weighty and sweet spirit, who received us with the +greatest affection. He has lately separated from the national worship, and +retires in silence in his own chamber. He soon made us acquainted with a +few others of a similar turn of mind. + + +Martha Yeardley, describing the commencement of their religious service in +this place, says:-- + + +We were invited to a meeting which we felt most easy to attend, and my +husband was given full liberty to speak if he felt inclined; but for a +while the usual activity of their meetings--such as singing, commenting on +texts with Calvinistic explanations, &c.--entirely closed our way. But +before they separated I ventured to request, in the name of my husband, +that such as inclined would favor us with their company a while longer, +and rest a little in silence. Nearly all remained, and under a solemn +covering he addressed the company, while I translated in much fear, yet +ventured at the end to say a few words for myself. Several of the company +attended us home, and expressed much satisfaction: and from this time a +door was opened to us at Neufchâtel in a very remarkable manner. They +flocked to our inn at all times in the day and in considerable numbers, +many acknowledging, in the course of very interesting conversation, that +they thirsted for something more satisfying than mere doctrines +continually repeated--something that would preserve from evil, that would +cleanse the heart, that would bring into nearer communion with the +Saviour.--(_Letter to Elizabeth Dudley_.) + +On the 27th, continues the Diary, A. Borel conducted us to a meeting with +some _interior_ persons, about three miles from town. It was a time +of close exercise of mind, but ended to satisfaction, and, I hope, to the +edification and strength of some present. The master of the house, +Professor Pétavel, said that never until that evening had he been able to +see clearly the beauty and advantage of pure spiritual worship, contrasted +with outward forms. + +After, having taken tea with a large company, our kind guide conducted us +through woods and over mountainous and bad roads to a village, where a +large concourse of people were assembled for worship. A schoolmaster was +speaking on a chapter which had been read: we had full unity with what he +delivered, which was accompanied with a power which convinced us that he +really preached the gospel. After he had done, we were introduced as +religious strangers from England; and silence ensuing, opportunity was +given for us to express what came before us. + +28th.--Some of the most _interior_ told us they had long been +exercised about spiritual worship, and had often wished to see some of the +Society of Friends. On hearing of our intended visit two years ago, they +said if we had come then [we should have found them] wrapped up in +doctrines, but now they were given to see they could not live on the +letter alone, they must be born again, and partake of that bread which +cometh down from heaven. Many of these awakened persons came to our inn at +all hours, and our hearts were filled with love towards them as a cup +overflowing; so that it was given to us to minister to them almost +individually as they came to us. + + +On the 29th they went to Berne, and the following morning walked over to +Wabern, where some of A. Borel's friends resided, who received them with +open arms. + + +After dinner M. Combe drove us in his car to Scherli. We alighted at the +house of one of the peasant-farmers, situated quite among the mountains, +with the Alps fair in view. They received us in the name of disciples with +every mark of love and respect. They were more disposed to sit in silence +than to ask questions. On my asking if they had seen or heard of any of +our Friends, in these parts, one of them, innocently replied, No; we do +not know anything of your religious principles. I then began to explain +them; and when I spoke of our manner of worship, belief, &c., and of some +of our peculiar tenets respecting Baptism, the Supper, &c., it is not +possible to express their emotion; their eyes turned first towards one and +then towards another, and seemed to sparkle with joy, without their +uttering a word till I had done. These were entirely the principles they +held, and about a year ago they separated from the church, about twenty in +number, and attempted to meet for religious worship. This was prevented by +the police; for although, they live in a very remote situation, they are +strictly watched by the pastor, who wishes to compel them to come to his +worship. We were there only an hour or two, but a number of these +innocent-hearted people came flocking to the house, and immediately +settled into a silence truly solemn. We could indeed say our hearts burned +with love towards them. + +Two of these young men came to us the nest day, and spent most of the day +with us. One of them, Christian Speicher, told me he did not know how to +express the satisfaction he felt to hear of a body of professing +Christians in a distant land, who held the same religious principles as +they in their isolated situation had been long seeking after and had been +made willing to suffer for. + +During our stay under this hospitable roof [M. Combe's at Wabern] it was +an open house for all comers, and they were not few. Our spirits were so +united with many of them we did not know how to leave them; but our great +concern was to recommend them to remain with Him who had so mercifully and +powerfully visited them. + + +On the 31st they returned to Berne, and the next day called upon a pious +chimney-sweeper, waiting whilst he changed his sooty clothes. + +We were not a little surprised to hear him of his own accord, without +knowing who we were, declare the same doctrine as we are concerned to +preach. There are a few _inward_ persons who assemble at his house, +and hold the same sentiments. About a year and a half or two years ago, +there was a remarkable awakening in the canton of Berne, and a few here +and there of a more spiritually-minded sort seceded. There is a ferment to +prevent their meeting together, and to compel them to go to the usual +place of worship; but in vain, for nothing but spiritual food can satisfy +their hungry souls. + + +On their return to Neufchâtel they visited the celebrated school of the +Moravians at Montmirail, where, says Martha Yeardley-- + + +We soon felt quite at home with a precious, spiritually-minded man, the +master, and his agreeable English wife. This is an excellent institution, +for females only, and several English are there. We were about seventy in +company at dinner, and much sweet feeling prevailed. The master of this +interesting family was delighted to hear something of Friends to whom he +had never before been introduced. + + +At Neufchâtel, on First-day (2 mo. 3,) they met large companies in the +morning and evening, and the next morning took leave of their friends in +that city, "deeply humbled under a sense of the great Master's work among +them." They went to Locle under the conduct of A. Borel, whose "kindness +exceeded all description." + + +On the way, writes John Yeardley, we took refreshment at a pious man's +house in the morning, and dined at another friend's, with whom, we had a +precious religious opportunity. It reminded me of the mode of visiting our +own dear Friends in England; we find in the hearts of these visited +children of the Universal Parent genuine hospitality; they hand us of all +they have in their houses in the name of disciples. + +At Locle they were met by Mary Anne Calame, with whom their hearts became +instantly knit in the strongest Christian friendship. + + +She came before we were well alighted. We had heard much of the character +and benevolent exertions of this dear woman but could say in truth the +half had not been told us. Her countenance is strong and impressive, her +hair jet black, cut short, and worn without cap; her dress of the most +simple and least costly kind. Her sole desire seems to be to do the will +of her Lord and Master in caring for 170 poor children, who are in the +institution at bed, board, and instruction. The forenoon was spent in +looking over the schools and hearing the children examined. The house is a +refuge for the lame, blind, deaf, dumb, and sick. Peace and contentment +prevail through the whole. This establishment was commenced about twelve +years ago with five children, and has prospered in a remarkable manner. +M.A.C. is one with Friends in principle, and, as well as some others of +the family, entirely separated from the usual forms of worship. + + +Martha Yeardley, in a letter from which we have already quoted, describes +the origin of the asylum. + + +About twelve years since M.A. Calame believed herself called to form an +institution for orphans and unfortunate children. She associated some +others with her for this object, but having peculiar views on religious +subjects, and more perseverance than her colleagues, she was soon left +nearly alone, with means entirely inadequate to the increasing demands, +viz., about three francs yearly from a very limited number of persons. The +children daily augmented, and she dared not refuse admission: when in +necessity she was encouraged to trust from unexpected donations. This +increased her faith; and after some years, a boys' school was added. In +this way the institution has been supported without any regular funds. + +Her faith is still often very severely tried, but they have never yet been +suffered to want. Her refuge in times of extremity is prayer, and it has +been in some instances very evidently answered, so that she has severely +reproached herself for daring to doubt. In speaking on this subject she +said to me: "I am at times much beset with temptations when I consider the +number I have thus collected without any visible or certain means of +support; but how can I dare to doubt after so many proofs of the care of +the great Master? He knows our wants; he knows these dear children have +need of food and clothing, and he provides it for them; and he knows that +all I desire is to do his will." + +On remarking to her the sweet tranquillity and order which reign in these +schools, she said, "It is the Master's work; they are taught to love him +above all, and to do all for his sake." We felt very nearly united to her +and to an intimate friend who resides with her: they are both what are +called deeply interior characters, and have long withdrawn from the places +of public worship, but fully unite with our views. + +She is really a very extraordinary character, extremely simple and +cheerful in her manners, possessing great natural talents, and evincing in +her conducting of the institution, not only the Spirit, but the +understanding also.--(_To Elizabeth Dudley, 2 mo. 7, 1828._) + + +With Locle, John and Martha Yeardley's mission to Switzerland for this +time terminated. They crossed the frontier into France, and made the best +of their way through that country, in order to proceed to the Channel +Islands. + + +This morning (2 mo. 5,) writes J.Y., Mary Anne Calame and her friend +Zimmerling, with A. Borel, accompanied us two leagues to the ferry, and +saw us safe over into France. This last parting with friends so dear to us +in a foreign land, was very touching; our hearts were humbled under a +sense of the Heavenly Father's love. + +6th.--Passing the custom-house made us late at our quarters, where they +are not accustomed to receive such guests. Their curiosity to see and know +who we are is very great. To prevent French imposition, my M.Y. was to +bargain beforehand for what we had. On asking what the meal would cost, we +were answered they could not tell, for they did not know how much coffee +we should drink. This simple but appropriate reply so amused us that it +put an end to our bargaining. + +I shall not soon forget the sensation I felt on passing the river into +France. I could not forbear drawing the discouraging contrast of quitting +those to whom we had become united in the gospel of peace, in a country +the most beautiful that Nature can present, with a long journey in +prospect through a dreary country whose inhabitants wish only to get what +they can from us. These discouraging fears could only be silenced by +reflecting that the same protecting Providence presides over all and +everywhere. + + +Travelling with their own single horse, their favorite _Poppet_, the +progress they made was necessarily slow, and they did not reach Paris till +the 19th. After spending a few days in that city, they proceeded to +Cherbourg, and arrived there after six days of hard travelling. At this +place John Yeardley writes:-- + + +3 _mo_. 2.--In looking back on our late travels, a degree of sweet +peace and thankfulness covered my mind in the humble belief that our weak +but sincere desires to do the great Master's will was a sacrifice +well-pleasing in his holy sight. In looking forward to the dangers we had +still to encounter, I was led closely to examine on what our hope of +preservation was fixed. Should it please Him who had hitherto blessed us +with his presence and protecting care, to put our faith again to the test, +how we could bear it, how we should feel at the prospect of going down to +the bottom of the great deep. I felt a particular satisfaction that our +great journey had first been accomplished; if this had not been the case +it would have been a sting in my conscience. But now an awful resignation +was experienced, and it came before me as an imperious duty to be resigned +to life or death; and the joyful hope resounded in my heart, All will be +well to those who love not their lives unto death. + + +The presentiment of danger which this passage describes was speedily +fulfilled, as was also the hopeful promise by which it was accompanied. +They were detained at Cherbourg until the 13th, waiting for a vessel. +Leaving port early that morning, they landed in Guernsey the next day; and +it was in going ashore that they were exposed to some danger of their +lives. John Yeardley thus relates the occurrence:-- + + +I descended first into a little boat, and standing on the side to take my +M.Y. down, the man not holding the boat secure to the ship, our weight +pushed it from us, and we plunged headlong into the sea. My dear M.Y.'s +clothes prevented her from sinking, and she was first assisted again into +the boat. I went overhead, and had to swim several turns before I could +reach the boat. The salt water being warm, and the time not long, we +received no further injury. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his +mercies to us, his poor unworthy servants! how often has he made bare his +mighty arm for our deliverance. In the midst of danger fear was removed +from us, and we were blessed with the unspeakable advantage of presence of +mind, and enabled to use the best means under Divine Providence to save +our lives. + +They visited the Friends and a few other persons in Guernsey and Jersey, +and then proceeded to Weymouth, and on the 25th to Bristol. At Bristol +and Tewkesbury they were deeply interested in the state of the meetings, +and had some remarkable service in both places. Taking also Nottingham and +Chesterfield in their way, and being "well satisfied in not having overrun +them," they arrived at the cottage at Burton on the 8th of the Fourth +Month, having been absent about nine months. + + +In the retrospect, say they, of this long and arduous journey, we have +this testimony unitedly to bear,--that the Arm of divine love has been +underneath to support and help us; and although we have had many deep +baptisms to pass through, especially when we beheld how in many places the +fields are white unto harvest, and were fully sensible of our own +inability to labor therein, yet He who, we trust, sent us forth was often +pleased to raise us from the depth of discouragement, to rejoice in him +our Saviour. If any fruits arise from our feeble efforts to promote his +cause, it will be from his blessing resting upon them, for nothing can +possibly be attached to us but weakness and want of faith. But, blessed be +his holy name, he knew the sincerity of our endeavors to do his will, and +has been pleased in his condescending mercy to fill our hearts with his +enriching peace. Amen. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. + +1828--1833. + +On their return home Martha Yeardley was attacked with a severe illness, +consequent probably on hard travelling and bad accommodation during the +journey. + +Under date of the 18th of the Fifth Month, J.Y. writes:-- + + +How circumstances change! Last Yearly Meeting we were in London with the +prospect of a long journey before us, and now my dear Martha is on a bed +of sickness, and I have myself suffered; but through all there is a degree +of peaceful resignation in the belief that all is done well that the Great +Master does, and that what He keeps is well kept. + + +Later in the day he thus continues his Diary:-- + + +This has been a day of great trial on account of my dear Martha being much +worse. My poor mind has been distressed at her weak state: I should sink +under discouragement, did I not consider that He who sends affliction can +support in it, and he who brings low can raise up in his own time, if it +be his blessed will, to which all must be submitted. + + +In the Seventh Month he took her to Harrowgate, where her health became +very much restored, and soon after their return they paid a religious +visit to Ackworth School and to the families of Friends in Barnsley. + + +Some of the opportunities at Ackworth, writes John Yeardley, were seasons +of much contrition of spirit; feeling deeply humbled under a sense of +Divine goodness and mercy in restoring this large family to usual health +after a time of deep affliction. + + +In the latter part of this year they were much occupied in establishing an +Infant School at Barnsley; and also in collecting and remitting +subscriptions to Mary Anne Calame for her Orphan Institution. In +acknowledging to Martha Yeardley one of these remittances, M.A.C. writes +thus: + + +May our Heavenly Father render thee a hundredfold what thy charity has +prompted thee to do for my numerous family of children; and may his +blessing rest on all those who have contributed to it. + +We think of you every day, and we desire to live only to do the holy will +of our God. Your visit has been a testimony of his love towards us; he has +permitted that it should be blessed to us; for the remembrance of you +carries as towards Him who is the finisher of our faith, where we mingle +with you in the unfathomable sea of the divine mercy. + +My large family is much blessed; good and happy tendencies manifest +themselves in many, and in general peace reigns through the house. The +assistant masters and mistresses walk more or less in the presence of the +Lord; the governess [M. Zimmerling] especially grows deeper in the divine +life: she is often ill, but she bears this cross, by the help that is +given her from above, with much submission and faith. + +Last month we had the pleasure of making a little journey to Berne and the +neighborhood, to visit our friends there who love you so much. We heard +that you had both fallen into the sea, and that thou wast ill in +consequence. Thou mayst understand how the wishes of our hearts +encompassed thee; I have felt my soul for ever united to thine in the +Lord; and it seems to me that if my eyes should never again meet thine in +this land of exile, I should speedily recognize thee in the happy mansions +where the goodness of the Redeemer has prepared us a place. O, my sister, +may he bless thee, may he bless John whom he has given thee to accomplish +his work; may he open thy mouth and direct all thy steps, and give seals +to thine and thy husband's ministry, and make you increase together unto +the stature of Christ.--(12 _mo_. 14, 1828.) + + +The entries in the Diary at this period are not numerous: we select from +them the following short memorandum:-- + + +1829. 4 _mo_. 9.--In our usual reading this morning, I was struck +with these words: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything +that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in +heaven." (Matt, xviii. 19.) A fervent desire was raised in my heart that +we might unitedly ask for faith and strength to do the will of our +Heavenly Father, and that his blessing and preservation might attend all +that concerns us. + +In the Fifth Month they attended the Yearly Meeting; and John Yeardley was +present at the anniversary of the Peace Society. + + +5 _mo_. 19.--Attended a meeting of the Peace Society, much to my own +satisfaction. It was truly gratifying to hear from those not in profession +with us, such strong and decided sentiments against all war, as being not +only inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity, but also contrary to +sound policy. I am convinced _public_ meetings are necessary to keep +alive _public_ feeling, as well as to excite individual interest. As +it regards myself, I can say, before attending the meeting I felt but +little concern with respect to this great question. + + +Soon after their return home, they were comforted by the intelligence that +a few of those persons at Neufchatel who had so joyfully received their +gospel message, had found strength to establish a meeting for worship. +This information was contained in a letter from Auguste Borel, from which +the following is an extract:-- + + +He who tries the heart, and who knew the sincerity of my desires, deigned +to hear my prayer on the 24th of February, when, without any previous +understanding, we met four in number at my house at ten o'clock in the +morning. This day is called with us _Torch Sunday_, and is a day of +rejoicing in the world; and, if I ought to say so, during my carnal life +it was to me a day of true pleasure, which I always looked for with +impatience, because of the great bonfires which are then lighted, and +which are seen from our city, illuminating every point of the wide +horizon. It is my hope that the God of love, in the analogy of the +spiritual order of things, may have kindled in our hearts his sacred fire, +and will condescend to maintain and increase it in time and in eternity. +Since that time we have continued our meetings without interruption: our +number has not yet exceeded six or seven. We do not force the work, but, +recognising that it is the Lord alone who has begun it, I feel daily more +and more that He alone ought to direct it. + + +A portion of this summer and autumn was occupied by John and Martha +Yeardley with holding public meetings for worship within the compass of +Pontefract and Knaresborough Monthly Meetings. Amongst the notices in the +Diary of these meetings, are the following:-- + + +8 _mo_. 16.--A public meeting at Wooldale, to which name many more +people than could get into the house. The Friends said they never saw so +large a meeting in that place. Many of those present expressed their +satisfaction by saying they could have sat till morning to hear what was +delivered. It is an easy matter to become hearers of the word; but it was +the doers of the word that were pronounced happy. + +23_rd_.--Meeting at Otley, in the Methodist chapel. It was not very +full, but very solid and satisfactory. The last public meeting in this +place was held in silence, which might probably be the cause of a small +attendance on this occasion. It is bard work to bring the people to see +and feel the advantage of silent worship: the time is not yet come, and +perhaps never may. We must be willing to help them in the way pointed out, +and try to strengthen the good in all; for if they are only brought to the +Father's house, it matters not in what way or through what medium. + + +In the Eleventh Month they returned to the Monthly Meeting the minute +which had been granted them, and received at the same time a certificate +to visit some meetings of Friends in the midland and south-western +counties. + +Before they left home for this journey, they received intelligence that +John Yeardley's early and intimate friend James A. Wilson was no more. + + +11 _mo_. 24.--My heart, says J.Y., is pained within me, while I +record the loss of one with whom I have been for many years on the most +intimate terms. He has long had an afflicted tabernacle and a suffering +mind, which, I believe, contributed to his refinement, and prepared him +for the awful change. He had been recommended to go to a warmer climate, +and had taken up his residence at Glouchester, where he died, which +prevented us from attending him in his last moments. He possessed much +originality of character, joined to sincerity and genuine piety; and I +doubt not he experienced the fulfilment of this promise: "Behold, I have +caused thy iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change +of raiment." (Zech. iii. 4.) + + +On the 11th of the Twelfth Month they left home, and during the next two +months were closely occupied in visiting various meetings from Yorkshire +to Devonshire. + +Their service commenced with an encouraging meeting at Monyash, in +Derbyshire. + + +13_th_.--The first meeting we attended was at Monyash. It was larger +than we had expected, in consequence of strangers coming in, and proved +rather a lively commencement to our spiritual course of labor. + + +On the 14th they held a meeting in the Potteries, in a cottage belonging +to one of the few Friends in the place. Word having got abroad that +strangers were expected, many of the neighbors came in, so that the rooms +below-stairs were filled: it was a refreshing time. They found in the +woman to whom the cottage belonged a bright example of piety and charity. + + +She has been, says J.Y., a cripple from her childhood; but is able to +maintain herself by keeping a school for little children; she is not +unmindful, also, to help her poorer neighbors out of her small earnings. + + +At Bristol, where they arrived on the 1st of the First Month, 1830, they +rested a few days at H. and M. Hunt's. + + +We had, says J.Y. much pleasure in being in this family. Bristol is the +largest meeting we have in our Society in England, and to me it was a very +trying one on the First-day morning. I was much cast down after meeting; +but we staid over the Monthly Meeting on Third-day, which afforded me +relief of mind, and I left with as much comfort as I could well desire. + + +At Plymouth John Yeardley found an object of lively interest in Lady +Rogers' Charity School, established to fit girls for becoming household +servants. He was gratified with the good order, simplicity, and economy, +which pervaded the institution. Martha Yeardley suffered much during their +journey in Devonshire, from the inclemency of the weather; and a heavy +fall of snow on the night of the 17th prevented their leaving Plymouth at +the time intended. In consequence of this, they hired a lodging, and +employed themselves in visiting the Friends from house to house, and in +organising an infant school, which the Friends had long desired to see +established. + +On their return from Plymouth they stopped at Sidcot, where they spent +some time at the Friends' school. Here the subject of offering prizes to +children came under the notice of J.Y., and like all other subjects +connected with education, engaged his serious reflection. + + +It would certainly be better, he says, if the basis of good actions could +be laid in the children's minds on a principle of rectitude and justice, +so that they might be taught to do well from a love of truth, and not from +a fear of punishment or a hope of reward; but so long as human nature +remains unchanged, a check against the one and an incitement to the other +seem to be necessary, as a help to overcome the evil in the mind, until +that which is good shall become predominant. + + +They returned to Yorkshire through Warwick and Leicester, and on reviewing +the journey John Yeardley has the following reflections:-- + + +2 _mo_. 22.--Almost all the meetings we attended on this journey of +800 miles are very small, except Birmingham and Bristol, and the life of +religion is low among the members in general; which is not much to be +wondered at, when we consider that many of those meetings are constituted +[chiefly] of a few individuals who have had a birthright in the +Society--born members but not new-born Christians, without the power or +form of religion, no outward means to excite them to faith and good works. +If they neglect the spirit of prayer in themselves, it is not surprising +they should grow cold in love and zeal for the noble cause of truth on the +earth. But in the lowest of these [meetings] there is something alive to +visit, and in going along we felt the renewed evidence that we were in our +right allotment in thus going about, endeavoring to strengthen the things +that remain; and though we have had to pass through much suffering, both +outward and inward, yet we have also experienced times of rejoicing in +doing the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. + + +After the Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month they visited each of the +meetings within their own Monthly Meeting, "thinking," says J.Y., "a +little pastoral care was due to our Friends at home, seeing we are often +concerned to go abroad." + +In the Fifth Month they went up to the Yearly Meeting, via Lincolnshire, +taking several meetings in the way. Among the subjects which occupied +Friends in their annual conference this year was that of missions to the +heathen, which, it was proposed by some, should he taken up by the +Society. + + +The subject, writes John Yeardley, was fully entered into, and the +interest was very great. Many Friends spoke their sentiments freely and +feelingly, and the subject was taken on minute to be revived nest year. If +this important matter were brought home to each individual of us, there +would be more missionaries prepared and sent forth to labor; but we love +ease and our homes, contenting ourselves with reading and talking about +what is going forward in the great cause of religion and righteousness in +the earth. + + +They returned home through the midland counties, visiting most of the +meetings in Oxfordshire, and in the parts adjacent; which they had been +unable to do the previous year in returning from the West. + +It was comforting to us, John Yeardley says, to be with Friends in +Oxfordshire, whom we had so long thought of. Many of their meetings are +small; but there are a few individuals among them precious and improving +characters, who, I believe, are under the preparing hand for greater +usefulness in the Lord's church. With these we were often dipped into near +union of spirit, which sometimes caused the divine life to rise among us +to the refreshing of our spirits. + + +In the Sixth Month they again left home, being minded to see how the +churches fared in the eastern part of Yorkshire. The point which most +interested them in this tour was Scarborough, where they were attracted +both by the town itself and by the little society of Friends. "It felt to +us," says J.Y., "very much like a home. We lodged at Elizabeth Rowntree's, +a sweet resting-place." (7 _mo_. 4.) + +At the same time that they reported to their Monthly Meeting the attention +they had paid to this service, they received its sanction to undertake a +journey in Wales. + + +It is truly humbling to us, writes John Yeardley, in describing this +occasion, thus to have to expose ourselves, poor and weak as we are; but +the cause is not our own, but is in the hands of our great Lord and +Master. May he help us! (7 _mo_. 19.) + + +They left home on the 7th of the Eighth Month, and spent the 11th at +Coalbrookdale, in the company of Barnard Dickinson and his wife. From +thence Samuel Hughes accompanied them as guide into Wales, and continued +with them a week. + + +He proved, says J.Y., a most efficient helper in this wild country, +knowing the roads well, and he was kind and attentive to us and our horse. +The stages are long and hilly, and we are often obliged to go many miles +round the mountains to make our way from one place to another. The road to +Pales is over the moors; we scarcely saw a house for miles, except here +and there a little cot, on a plot of ground obtained as a grant to +encourage industry. These little dwellings were generally surrounded by a +few acres of well-cultivated land enclosed from the moor. It is much to be +regretted that the plan of cottage culture is not more generally promoted; +wherever I see it practised I view it with pleasure, as tending to +increase the comforts of the poor. + + +On the 19th they attended the Half-year's Meeting at Swansea. A Committee +of the Yearly Meeting was present. Elizabeth Dudley was also there, with a +certificate for religious service; and she and John and Martha Yeardley, +finding that the errand on which they were come was the same, resolved to +join company and travel together through South and North Wales. They were +accompanied throughout the journey by Robert and Jane Eaton of Bryn-y-Mor. + +As there are very few meetings of Friends in Wales, the chief part of +their service was beyond the limits of the Society. They met with great +openness in many places from the Methodists and other preachers and their +congregations. From the notes which John Yeardley made of their religious +labors in this journey, we select several passages. + + +9 _mo_. 13. Aberystwith.--Our first object was to inquire for a place +of meeting. We found they were all engaged for that evening, which +detained us here a day longer than we had expected; but this little +detention enabled us to make acquaintance with two of the Independent +preachers, to whom we became much attached in gospel fellowship, A. +Shadrach and his son. The father preaches in Welsh, and the son in +English. It was comforting to us to meet with two such pious, +humble-minded Christians, laboring diligently to forward the cause of +religion. They kindly offered us their chapel for the evening, and after +the meeting they both expressed much satisfaction in having been favored +with such an opportunity. + +9 _mo_. 15.--We arrived pretty early at Machynlleth, which is a clean +little town. We did not know but that we might have proceeded on our +journey after having refreshed ourselves and our horses; but, E.D. feeling +much interested for the people of the town, it seemed best to have a +meeting with them. I walked out, and seeing a good meeting-house, inquired +to what persuasion of people it belonged, and found it was an Independent +chapel, and that the minister lived about a mile and a half in the +country. + +The prospect of being unable to make the people understand us was +discouraging; for in the streets there was nothing to be heard but Welsh. +However there was no time for reasoning, it being near twelve o'clock, and +all must be arranged by seven in the evening. After some difficulty we +found the preacher, a kind-hearted pious man, who readily granted his +chapel, and undertook to act as interpreter should occasion require. This +was the only place where we adopted the vulgar mode of giving notice by +the town-crier, so common on all occasions in this country; but the time +was short, and many of the people were not able to read our English +notices, which we generally filled up for the purpose. + +The meeting was pretty fully attended, and the people were mostly quiet, +considering there were many who could not understand. When E.D. sat down +the minister repeated in substance what she had said; for, not being used +to speak through an interpreter, she declined his giving sentence by +sentence. When he had done, I felt something press on my mind towards the +poorer classes present, who I was sure could not understand English: so I +stepped down from the pulpit, and placing myself by the minister, +requested he would render for me a few sentences as literally as he could. +This he did kindly, and, I believe, faithfully, to the relief of my mind. +He then addressed a few words on his own account to the assembly and +dismissed them. We regretted the want of the native language, as we could +not have the same command over the meeting as would otherwise have been +the case. + + +At Barmouth, instead of convening the people to hear the word, they had to +exercise a Christian gift of a different kind--the gift of spiritual +judgment. + + +9 _mo_. 19.--On entering Barmouth we thought of a meeting with the +inhabitants; but on feeling more closely at the subject the way did not +appear clear; there was something which we could neither see nor feel +through. This power of spiritual discrimination is very precious. How +instructive it is to mark our impressions under various circumstances and +at different times! + +9 _mo_. 25.--At Ruthin we obtained information respecting the few +individuals at Llangollen who profess with Friends, and set off to pay +them a visit. We arrived at the beautiful vale of Llangollen to dinner, +and alighted at the King's Head Inn, at the foot of the bridge, which +afforded us a fine view of the Dee. There are at present only four or five +persons who meet regularly as Friends. They live scattered in the country, +and are in the humbler walks of life; but we thought them upright-hearted +Christians who had received their religious principles from conviction. We +saw them on First-day morning in the room where they usually meet, and +again in the evening at our inn, and were much comforted in being with +them. The room where they meet is in such [an obscure situation] that we +should never have found it without a guide. We thought it right to procure +them a more convenient room, which we did. + +27_th_.--In the evening we had a public meeting in the Independent +Chapel, which was crowded; there is much openness in the minds of the +people to receive the truths of the gospel. Before the assembly separated, +we proposed to them to establish a school for poor children; several +present their conviction of the want of such an institution, and the +minister was so warm, in the cause that he proposed their commencing +without delay. + +28_th_.--We went to Wrexham, and had a meeting in the evening. The +notice was short, but the people came punctually, and a precious time it +was. After it was over several bore testimony to the good which had been +extended to them that evening, and were ready to cling to the instruments, +inviting us to have a meeting with them when we came again that way. + +This favored time, at the close of our labors among a people whom I much +love, seemed like a crown on our exit from long-to-be-remembered Wales. My +heart was humbled in reverent thankfulness to the Father of all our +mercies, who had graciously preserved us in outward danger, and sustained +us in many an inward conflict. + + +At Coalbrookdale they bade an affectionate and gospel farewell to the +Friends with whom they had been so closely united in this long journey, +and returned to Burton on the 20th of the Tenth Month. + +In the Eleventh Month they made a circuit through Lancashire, taking all +the meetings of Friends in course. They found "several meetings chiefly +composed of such as had joined the Society on the ground of convincement, +mostly in places where no ministering Friend resided." In visiting one of +these small meetings, John Yeardley relates a circumstance in the gospel +labors of his friend Joseph Wood:-- + + +We visited a little newly-settled meeting at Thornton Marsh, near Poulton +in the Fylde. Our worthy friend Joseph Wood had the first meeting of our +Society that was ever held in this part. It is so thinly inhabited that +the Friends wondered at his concern to request a meeting; but one was +appointed for him at an inn, I think a solitary house; a good many poor +people came, and it was a most remarkable time. J.W. said afterwards he +believed there would be a meeting of Friends in that neighborhood, but +perhaps not in his time. It has now been settled about eighteen months. + + +This journey occupied them about two weeks, and on returning home John +Yeardley makes the following animating remark:-- + + +The retrospect of this journey in connexion with that of Wales afforded a +sweet feeling of peace. We were often low and discouraged, but help was +mercifully extended in the time of need. I often wish I had more faith to +go forth in entire reliance on the Divine Arm of power, for truly in the +Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. + + +On the conclusion of this engagement followed a month of quiet but +industrious occupation at home. + + +12 _mo_. 25.--A month has been spent in the quiet, in reading, writing, +and many other things in course. Leisure being afforded, I have spent a +good deal of time in reading diligently and attentively the Holy +Scriptures, I trust to some profit. + + +After this seasonable pause, John and Martha Yeardley were much occupied +with a projected change in their place of residence, which issued in their +removal, in the spring of 1831, to Scarborough. The motive which induced +them to make choice of this place, and the feelings under which the change +was accomplished, are fully unfolded in the Diary. + + +We have for some time been on the look-out for a change in our residence. +Inclination would have led us to remain in our own Monthly Meeting, but a +strong impression that it might be right for us to remove for some time to +Scarborough, has remained with us ever since we visited that place in the +Seventh Month, and has always stood in the way of our fixing elsewhere, +although very often have we tried to put it from us. We were so desirous +to settle at C. [near Pontefract], that only five pounds a year in the +rent saved us from taking the step. It was my prayer at the time, and +always has been, that we might be rightly directed, and I had a hope that +if it was not right for us to go to C. something might turn up to prevent +it. And since we could not agree for the house which was offered us in +that place, we concluded to go for a short time to Scarborough, and try +the fleece there, under the belief that we should then be enabled rightly +to determine. This I hope has been the case, for we had not been many +days, I may say hours, in the town, before we were fully convinced it was +the place for us to settle in. + + +Having made trial of Scarborough, they returned to Burton to arrange for +their removal, which took place on the 7th of the Fifth Month. + +We have now seen John Yeardley for many years in the devoted exercise of +his calling of a gospel minister. It is instructive to follow him, as we +are able to do soon after his removal to Scarborough, into his chamber, +and see how, when alone with the gracious Giver, he was wont to regard the +precious gift; how he lamented that he had not used the talent more +diligently; and how his mind was enlarged to see the grace and power which +the Lord is ready to bestow on those who seek and trust him with their +whole heart. + + +6 _mo_. 8.--The important duty of a gospel minister has this day been +brought closely under my consideration. It is most assuredly the imperious +duty of those who are called to feed the flock, to labor diligently for +the good of others. With respect to myself, I feel greatly ashamed; and it +has occurred to me that should I he cast on a bed of sickness, or +otherwise be deprived of an opportunity of exercising this gift, it would +be an awful consideration, and cause of deep regret, that I had not better +improved the time. The hardness of heart in others, as well as in one's +self, is difficult to penetrate; nothing but the power of divine grace can +reach it, and this requires not only waiting for, but also laboring to +overcome the wandering and unsettled thoughts to which the poor mind is +subject. Merciful Father, give me more confidence in the gift which, thou +hast bestowed on me, and favor me with a greater portion of strength to +minister thy word faithfully. "Who then is that faithful and wise steward +whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their +portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when +he cometh shall find so doing."--(Luke xii. 42, 43.) + + +Tenderly mindful of the religious wants of those whom they had lately +left, so early as the Seventh Month John and Martha Yeardley revisited the +several congregations in Pontefract Monthly Meeting. They were both +humbled and comforted in the course of this visit. + + +We were, says J.Y., united in sympathy to many dear friends within the +circle from whence we have removed, and I was strengthened to labor +according to the ability received from day to day. + +Since this little journey, he continues, we have been pretty much at home +attending the meetings in course in the neighborhood. We are comfortably +settled in our new abode, which feels to us really a home as to the +outward in every respect; and in a religious sense we entirely believe it +is our right allotment for the present. + + +In this new halting-place of his earthly pilgrimage, John Yeardley +experienced an increase of freedom, of spirit, and of faith and joy in his +Saviour. + + +10 _mo_. 7.--For a few days past I have felt my mind raised above the earth +and fixed on heavenly things. I desire that the blessed Saviour may more +and more be the medium through which I may view every object as worthy [or +unworthy] the pursuit of a devoted Christian. I humbly trust this quietude +of mind is in answer to prayer; for I have long supplicated for a renewal +of faith, and that a little spiritual strength might he given me to rise +above the slavish fear of man. My heart was almost sick with doubting; but +on Fourth-day last a bright hope livingly sprang in my soul that I should +yet be favored to attain to greater liberty in the exercise of my gift in +the ministry, if I were faithful in accepting the portion of strength +which is offered. Grant that this may be the case, dearest Saviour! + +10 _mo_. 23.--My heart is filled with wonder, love and praise, in +contemplating the goodness of Almighty God to his poor, unworthy +creatures. When we have done all that is required of us, we are +unprofitable servants; but how often we come short of doing this. And yet +so gracious, so good, and so just is our Divine Master, that he suffers +not the least act of obedience to lose its reward, but is continually +encouraging and stimulating us to greater devotedness of heart. + + +The persuasion which he and Martha Yeardley entertained of the need there +was in the Society for increased means of scriptural instruction, led +them, soon after they removed to Scarborough, to propose the establishment +of a Bible class. The plan was for questions on the Scriptures, to be +given in anonymously in writing by the members, and answers to be returned +in the same way at the next meeting. The scheme was at that time almost, +if not quite, a novelty in the Society, but it was accepted with pleasure +and confidence by the Friends of Scarborough, and the meetings were +maintained for many years. There is an intermission in J.Y.'s diary at +this period, but he makes allusion to the class soon after its +establishment in a letter to his sisters S. and R.S. + + +Chapel House, 6 mo. 30, 1832. + +By way of a relaxation from haymaking this charming morning, I have been +again perusing your affectionate notes, which you were so kind and +thoughtful as to forward us by our dear brother and family. I felt the +deprivation exceedingly of not attending the last Yearly Meeting, but +quite think it may have been all for the best. + +But I will proceed at once to the real object of my now addressing you, +which is to say we cannot be satisfied without your paying us a visit this +summer. We think we have much to invite you to. I think you would feel +some interest in our Bible class: it becomes increasingly instructive and +agreeable to all engaged in it. I so highly approve of this mode of +Scripture instruction, that I think the time is not far distant when they +will become more general. We meet once every two weeks when nothing +intervenes to prevent. + + +The autumn of this year was taken up with a series of public meetings, +mostly in the East Riding, in the greater part of which J. and M.Y. had +the company of Isabel Casson of Hull. + +In the Eleventh. Month, at the same time that they returned the minute +which had been granted them, for this service, they laid before their +friends the prospect of more extensive travel in the work of the Gospel +than any they had undertaken before. The time was come for John Yeardley +to pay that debt of Christian love to the benighted inhabitants of Greece +which he had felt to press for years upon his mind; and at the same time +he and Martha Yeardley believed it to be required of them to revisit some +of the places of their former service, and to take up their abode for a +while with companies of persons whom they should find like-minded with +themselves; and also to perform the unaccomplished duty of visiting the +Piedmontese valleys. Considering the extent of country over which they +travelled, the varied nature of their labors, and the large number of +serious-minded and sympathizing persons with whom they were brought into +relation, this journey may perhaps be regarded as the most active and +fruitful period of their lives. We are able, as we have so often been +before, to read their impressions of duty, and their feelings, their +hopes, doubts, and aspirations, in J.Y.'s simple and faithful Diary. + + +11 _mo_. 7.--Yesterday was our Monthly Meeting at Pickering, and to me a +very memorable one. We stated to our friends the prospect of a visit to +some of the Grecian Islands and the Morea, the Protestant valleys of +Piedmont, and some parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France. It is about +five years since I first received the impression that it would be my +religious duty to stand resigned to a service of the above kind. For the +last nine months it has not been absent from my thoughts for many hours +together. It has cost me not a little to come at resignation; but my +Heavenly Father has been very gracious, and has brought me into a +willingness to do his will. If I know my own heart I have one prevailing +desire, and that is to devote the remainder of my days to his service; and +my prayers are very fervent that he may be pleased to give me faith, +patience, and perseverance to do and to suffer all that his wisdom may +permit to befal me. I am often ready to covenant with him to go where he +may be pleased to send, even to the ends of the world, if he will +strengthen me with his strength, enlighten me with his light, guide me by +his counsel, and prepare me for glory. "If thy presence go not with me, +carry us not up hence." + + +They left Scarborough in the Second Month, and spent the time which +intervened before the Yearly Meeting in social visits in London and the +neighborhood, in preparing for the journey and studying the modern Greek +language. + + +Nothing, says J.Y., could exceed the interest which our friends take in +doing all in their power to forward our views with respect to the +important mission before us.--(3 mo. 4.) + + +A chief desideratum had been to find a Greek who should accompany them as +guide into his native country. "Ever since," says M.Y., in a letter of the +Twelfth Month, 1832, "we have resigned ourselves to this arduous mission, +my dear husband has frequently said, 'If we are to go into Greece, how I +wish we might find some companion for the journey, some _Greek_ to +conduct us into his country, to us altogether strange and unknown!'" A +letter from Stephen Grellet to William Allen, which was sent down to J. +and M. Yeardley, was the opportune means of supplying this want. It spoke +of a Greek girl then at the school at Locle, named Argyri Climi, who was +exceedingly desirous of returning to Greece, and whose simple and +teachable character recommended her at once to their attention. "When," +continues M.Y., "we came to this part of Stephen Grellet's letter, we were +both deeply moved, believing that thus the way might be prepared before +us." + +They communicated their thoughts on this interesting subject to M.A. +Calame, proposing when they visited Locle to take A. Climi as their +companion into Greece. During their sojourn in London they received a +letter from A. Climi, written in French, in which that amiable young +person signified the pleasure and gratitude with which she accepted their +proposal. + + +Locle. 29th of April, 1833. + +Excuse the liberty which I take of writing to testify my great gratitude +for your kind intention to take me with you and bring me back to my +country. How could I have ventured to hope that I should have the +happiness of being with such kind and beloved friends. I cannot express +the joy I felt when Mademoiselle Calame made your proposal known to me. +How great is the mercy of God! How often might he have turned away his +face from me and cast me off; but instead of forsaking me he has looked +upon me in mercy, and shown me that he wills not that sinners should +perish, but that they should have eternal life. Was it not he who saved me +from the hands of the Turks, and brought me to Switzerland, and placed me +with charitable protectors, who are never weary of doing me good? And now +he has crowned it all, by giving you to me as guides and protectors in my +long journey, and that I may settle again in my own country. + +Your grateful + +ARGYRI CLIMI.[6] + + +The meeting in London at which their prospect of foreign travel was +ratified, was a time of spiritual favor. With such credentials, and with a +sense of the divine commission and guidance, clear and unmistakable, like +that which John Yeardley enjoyed, many may be ready to exclaim, Who would +not go forth on an errand like this to the ends of the earth! Such may be +reminded, for their consolation, that if the will is laid as an unbroken +offering at the foot of the cross; if all their powers are consecrated to +the Lord, and his Spirit is suffered to penetrate and transform every part +of their being; though a field of labor such as that which was appointed +to John and Martha Yeardley may not be appointed to them, they will, in an +equal degree, inherit the blessing of doing their Lord's will, and may +rest in the promise, "They that wait upon Him shall not want any good +thing." + + +5 _mo_. 21.--Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. Third-day morning. Our +visit to the Grecian Islands, &c. claimed the attention of the meeting. It +was a very precious time; a sweet solemnity prevailed; several Friends +said afterwards, they thought they had never known quite so full an +expression of unity and encouragement on any former occasion. What a favor +it is to have the sympathy and concurrence of the church in such important +concerns! My heart's desire and prayers are that we may be preserved +humble and watchful, relying for help and strength on nothing short of our +Divine Master, the holy Head of his own church. Whatever may befal us on +our intended journey, I wish once more to record my firm conviction that +it is the Lord's requiring, and come life, come death, I desire that my +heart and soul may be given up fully to follow Him who laid down his own +precious life for my sake,--a poor unworthy sinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE. + +1833-4. + +PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. + +John and Martha Yeardley left London on the 21st of the Sixth Month, 1833. + +Travelling through France they found in the places where they halted more +of simplicity and Christian life than they had expected. In Paris, +especially, they were quickly brought into contact with a number of pious +persons to whom their society and their doctrine were welcome, and they +visited many benevolent institutions conducted on broad Christian +principles. This was in the early part of Louis Philippe's reign, and +under the administration of Guizot. In reading their account of these +institutions, we are painfully reminded how much the rising tide of +religious liberty has been checked and driven back by the bands of +priestcraft and arbitrary power. + +Here, and elsewhere during their journey, they wrote letters to members of +the Foreign Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings, descriptive of their +religions labors, from which, after their return, a selection was printed +for the use of Friends. Besides these letters, John Yeardley kept his +usual Diary, which often enables us to add to the narrative, traits of +character and reflections not to be found in their joint epistles. + +Amongst the first persons upon whom they called in Paris, were the +Protestant bookseller Risler, and Pastor Grandpierre: the former they +found to be devoted heart and soul to the diffusion of evangelical +religion; the latter they had known on their former journey, and he +received them as his Christian friends. He introduced them to Mademoiselle +Chabot, a lady who spent her time in translating religious and useful +books into French, and had a class of children in the First-day school. +Respecting this lady, they say:-- + + +Our introduction to this precious character was much to our comfort. We +rejoiced together in contemplating the wonderful work which the Lord has +in mercy begun, and is carrying on in this great city. On First-day +afternoons she attends a school, to which the children of the rich go, as +well as the poor, to be instructed in the Scriptures. The young persons in +her class learn texts, and are questioned to see if they thoroughly +understand the subject. On our asking whether the children answered the +questions from what they had learnt by heart, she replied, "No; it would +be of no use, you know, for the dear children to repeat merely by rote; we +want the great truths of the gospel to sink into their hearts." + +After this visit, which refreshed our spirits a little, we called on +Madame D'Aublay, sister-in-law to Brissot, who was executed in the time of +Robespierre. She is a Roman Catholic, and thinks the groundwork of true +religion to be in their church, but that their customs and the mass are +nothing worth. We left her some tracts, and amongst them one of Judge +Hale's, which struck her so forcibly on reading it, that she followed us +to our hotel, to say how much it was suited to her state of mind. + + +6 _mo_. 30.--After our little meeting this morning with the few +friends resident here, and some others, we went to the Protestant Chapel, +in the Rue Taitbout, to hear the children examined in the Scriptures. Many +of the parents were present. The class which we attended was conducted by +Mademoiselle Chabot. The subject was the crucifixion of our Saviour, the +27th chapter of Matthew. The children repeated the portion they had +learnt, and then Mademoiselle C. questioned them in a simple, sweet, and +instructive manner, calculated to impress the great truths of Christianity +on their minds. A gentleman examined a class of boys; and after this +course of exercise was finished, De Pressensé gave them a lecture from the +Old Testament. The subject was the healing of Naaman, and the manner of +proceeding was simple; the child called upon stood up and answered pretty +much as they do at Ackworth; he repeated a few verses directly bearing on +the subject, and the application which was made was admirable. We were +really edified in being present. How much this kind of instruction is +wanted for many of our poor children in England! How delightful it is to +see a large room filled with Roman Catholic children and parents, all +receiving Christian instruction together! The Roman Catholics no longer +object to send their children to Protestants, because they know they will +be well instructed. The chapel is a beautiful room, with a circular +gallery supported on pillars, and a dome top; and it is the identical +place where, only two years ago, the Saint Simonians held forth their +doctrines:-- + + + ...... Oh reformation rare, + The den of modern infidels is become a house of prayer! + + +7 _mo_. 2.--We had a long walk to the Rue St. Maur, to meet by +appointment our kind friend De Pressensé to visit the schools for mutual +instruction. At this season of the year the children are more busy with +their parents than usual; but in winter there are 200 boys, 200 girls, and +200 children in the infant school, with an evening school for adults. +Scripture extracts are made use of, and also the Scriptures themselves. We +were struck with the quiet and good order of all these schools. I have +seen very few in England where the same stillness is observable. With the +exception of some three or four, all the children are Roman Catholics; and +on First-days, particularly in winter, the room is filled with Roman +Catholic men and women, mostly parents of the children, who come to hear +them examined in the Scriptures and to receive instruction themselves. Our +conductor showed us the boys' gardens. On the walls were grapes hanging in +large bunches, belonging to the master. The boys are so far from stealing +them, that if they find any on the ground, they take them to him. Of the +children who attend at the school, forty-six are provided with bed, board, +and clothing, at a neighboring establishment. + + +One of the most interesting men with whom J. and M.Y. became acquainted +was Pastor Audebez. + + +He was, say they, formerly minister at Bordeaux, but received a strong +impression that it was his religious duty to come to Paris. Soon after he +left Bordeaux, a great awakening took place in that neighborhood under the +ministry of his successor, while with himself at Paris all seemed darkness +and discouragement. This induced him to think he had done wrong in +removing, and he was much distressed; but as he persevered in doing what +presented as his duty, his way for usefulness in this great city opened in +a remarkable manner. He first opened the chapel in the Taitbout, and then +one in the Faubourg du Temple, where his labors have been crowned with +success. He told us with great simplicity that he never premeditated or +wrote his sermons, but after reading a portion of Scripture proceeded to +speak from what he felt to impress his mind at the time. He said some of +the ministers considered their discourse before delivering it, and he +believed their mode of preaching was also blessed. Being accustomed to +arrange their thoughts in methodical order, perhaps such might not perform +so well in any other way, and the people were used to it; but he preferred +speaking from a more spontaneous spring of thought, though not so well +arranged as to theological order. + +We felt much inclined to hear him for ourselves, and attended in the Rue +St. Maur on First-day evening; and we have this testimony to bear,--that +we heard the _gospel_ preached to the _poor_. He first read the +25th Psalm, and then part of the Epistle to the Romans, which formed the +basis of his exhortation. It reminded me of [what I have read of] the +preaching of the early Christians. My very heart went with his impressive +exhortation to believe in the Lord Jesus as the only means of salvation, +and of the necessity of bringing forth fruits unto holiness. + +7 _mo_. 5.--Pastor Grandpierre came to pay us a visit with four of +his missionary students. We had a precious religious opportunity with +them. The Pastor expressed his belief that the power and presence of the +Saviour had been evidently felt among us. The young men were much +tendered; one of them was a grandson of the late Pastor Oberlin, and had +been sensibly affected by what Stephen Grellet had said in a meeting at +his father's place of worship in the Ban de la Roche. Three of the young +men who were in the institution at our last visit to Paris are now in +Africa. We admire the principle on which this establishment is conducted; +the inmates are not sent out unless they believe it to be their duty to +go; if this be not the case at the expiration of their term, they return +home. + + +On the 7th John Yeardley, accompanied by Joseph Grellet, brother of +Stephen Grellet, visited the Sabbath-school in the Rue St. Maur. Martha +Yeardley was indisposed and unable to leave the house. + + +When the classes had finished, says J.Y., De Pressensé proposed to give a +lecture on a subject from the Old Testament, and bestowed great pains to +make it clear to the infant capacities of the children. I had intimated to +my worthy friend a desire for liberty to express what might arise in my +mind when he had done, which was most readily granted, and after I had +spoken to the children, there seemed great liberty in addressing the +teachers, parents and young persons present. There was much seriousness +the whole time and a precious sense of divine love was over us. Our kind +friend, J. Grellet, interpreted for me in an impressive and clear manner. + + +The name of Mark Wilks has been for many years identified with the cause +of evangelical religion in Paris. John Yeardley had an interview with him, +and makes an interesting note in his Diary regarding his opinions on the +state of religious parties at this period. + + +7 _mo_. 9.--This morning I had an interview with Mark Wilks. He +received me very cordially, and, as I expected, I found him full of +religious intelligence; he is just returned from a tour in Switzerland, +and speaks encouragingly of the state of the Christian church in general. +He has resided in Paris fifteen years, and of course seen many changes. He +assured me that the arm of infidelity is weakening; nothing like the same +exertion is made to spread the vile doctrine. The fact is, in some degree, +the people are too indifferent to trouble themselves about it, and would +not spend a son for its promotion; on the other hand, zealous Christians +are doing all in their power to promote the spread of gospel truth. + + +On the 15th John S. Mollet, who had arrived in Paris after them, +accompanied J. and M.Y. to Madame d'Aublay's. + + +We met, they say, several of her relations who professed to be Catholics, +but were rather of the philosophical school. They were interested in the +conversation, though nothing of a religious nature occurred. Madame +d'Aublay has distributed many of our books and tracts. The next day she +took us to see more of her friends, much of the same character. We have a +hope that our drawing some of these to the really Christian characters may +do good, since each class expressed surprise to hear us speak to them of +the other. It will be no small satisfaction if any of our Society here +should be like the mortar to bind parties together, and weaken prejudice, +that the one true knowledge may increase. + +21_st_--Attended the chapel at the Taitbout this morning. Heard a +discourse by Pastor Grandpierre; he preaches the gospel in its purity, +with much of the right unction. We did not feel out of our place in being +present, and I trust it may have its use both on ourselves and others. +This kind of Christian liberty seems to open our way among the people. In +the evening we had quite a large meeting in our room; several of the +attenders at the Taitbout coming in, together with the Friends in Paris. +It was, adds John Yeardley, a precious tendering time, and I trust +strength was given to preach the gospel; the sick and afflicted were not +forgotten by my M. Y. In supplication. + + +By "the sick" in the foregoing passage was probably intended Rachel, wife +of Dr. Waterhouse of Liverpool, and daughter of David and Abigail Dockray. +This young Friend, who was ill in the neighborhood of Paris, was about to +be removed to England, but at the very time when the carriage was at the +door she was struck with paralysis. This happened two days before the +meeting just described, and J. and M.Y. had hastened to offer their +sympathy and aid to her afflicted husband and mother. They deferred their +departure from Paris in order to remain with the family, and they both +took turns in assisting to watch, by the bed-side of the sufferer. She +survived only a few days, and expired, in the hope and peace of the +gospel, the day after they quitted the city. + +We may conclude the narrative of this interesting visit to Paris with a +short reflection by Martha Yeardley. + + +I have been renewedly confirmed since being in Paris that our first +religious awakening proceeds from the immediate influence of the Spirit on +the heart of man, and this is the doctrine preached and maintained by the +writings of the truly devoted Christians in this place, who are brought to +profess living faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the +Beginning and the End. + + +They found the country on the road to Nancy very agreeable. + + +29_th, evening_.--The white houses among the trees, and the vines on the +hill-sides, form a picturesque landscape. The reapers were busy in the +harvest fields; and the ground that is cleared of its burdens gives proof +of the diligence of the French farmer; the plougher, if not the sower, +literally overtakes the reaper. In the forepart of the route we saw much +wood and water, hill and dale, with cattle feeding in the peaceful +pastures, which is a lovely sight. As we advanced towards Chalons, it +became less interesting, more flat, with fewer trees and meadows. +Everywhere the harvest more forward than in England, but the crops much +more light and thin. + + +They entered Nancy under a feeling of gloom, and it was some time before +they could find relief to their minds; but by patiently pursuing the paths +of intercourse which opened before them, they were enabled to deposit with +some serious individuals their accustomed testimony to the simple +spiritual nature of the gospel. In allusion to this trial of their +patience John Yeardley remarks:-- + + +I cannot, I dare not, complain, when I think of the difficulties some of +our Friends had to encounter who travelled on the Continent years ago, +when darkness prevailed to a much greater extent. The want of the +language, &c., which some of them experienced, must have been very trying. +It is to me an unspeakable comfort to be able to understand the language +of the country where we travel. + + +Travelling by the Diligence being too rapid for Martha Yeardley's state of +health, they hired a carriage and horses to take them to Strasburg, and +found this mode of travelling less expensive, as well as much less +fatiguing, than the public conveyance. + + +8 _mo_. 5.--Left Nancy at 6 o'clock in the morning, and had a +delightful journey. I feel particularly peaceful in spirit, and a degree +of resignation pervades my heart to be given fully up to do the will of my +Heavenly Father. + +Our mode of travelling afforded us an opportunity of calling at +Phalsbourg, where we found a handful of Protestants, about twenty-six +families, mostly German settlers. On inquiring for the minister, we found +he was engaged with his class at the college. His wife appeared surprised +at seeing such strangers, thinking from our dress and our speaking French, +we were no doubt Roman Catholics. We soon perceived the family were +Germans, and I then addressed them in their native tongue, which +immediately, opened the way to their hearts. Nothing would satisfy the +good woman but that we must call at the college to see her husband. He was +embarrassed on being so suddenly called out of the class, and appeared a +little fearful; but when he understood who we were, and our mission, he +became almost overjoyed to see us. There has been a little awakening in +this place, and a desire to obtain the Scriptures. One of them said, "I +have been accustomed to smoke tobacco, but have now left it off, and I +will put the money into the box to save for a Bible." Another said, "I +have been accustomed to take snuff, but I will now save the money for a +Bible." And another said, "I have drunk more wine than I need; I will take +less, and subscribe for a Bible." This little account in such a dark +place was quite cheering; for they are surrounded and oppressed by the +Roman Catholics, in whose presence they are afraid to speak. + +On entering Alsace, the view of the country was enchanting. We dined at +Sarrebourg, which appeared at a distance like a town in the midst of a +wood. + + +At Strasburg they were received in an ingenuous manner by some enlightened +Roman Catholics, who did all in their power to forward their object; but +it was not until they fell in with the Protestant Professor Cuvier, that +they found the proper channel for the work of the gospel. In few places +did they find brighter tokens of inward spiritual religion. + + +8 _mo_. 6.--Called on Professor Cuvier and delivered the letter which +Mark Wilks had kindly given us. We found the professor an humble-minded +Christian, kind and affectionate. He conducted us to Pastor Majors, who +was born in Prussia, and speaks German and French well. We soon became +united to him in spirit. He is one of the _inward_ school, and a +diligent laborer in the Lord's vineyard. He has been here about three +months as pastor of a little handful of Christians. He is fully sensible +of the necessity of a right preparation of heart before acceptable worship +can be performed. He said when the people came to their place of worship +they were full of the world, and the word preached did not profit, because +it did not sink into their hearts. I believe he fully comprehends the +nature of true silence; and he is acquainted with many _interior_ +persons whom we wish to see in Switzerland, &c. This dear man was nine +months in Corfu, preparing to be a missionary there; but he was taken ill, +and suffered much in body and mind. The way in which he mentioned the +wonderful dealings of the Lord with him was to me very instructive. He +told me he had not been sufficiently careful to seek divine counsel before +he undertook the mission; and it had pleased the Almighty to bring him +into the deeps, and instruct him in the school of affliction; and he can +now most fully acknowledge there is no safety but under the guidance of +the Holy Spirit. He and a few others have united for the purpose of +printing and circulating small tracts, purely Scripture extracts. They +are now engaged in forming a selection for every day in the year, from the +Old and New Testament. I accord much with their work; it is just what I +have thought of for a long time. + +Pastor Majors conducted us to Professor Ehrmann, a worthy Christian, +simple-hearted and spiritually-minded. His two daughters are precious +young women; the older of them recollected to have seen us at Kornthal, +in 1827. She knew us instantly, and appeared overcome with joy and +surprise, though we could not recollect her. It is no wonder we should +have felt so much attraction to this place, though on entering the town I +was, as usual, extremely discouraged, and I feel unworthy to be employed +in the least service of my holy Redeemer. + + +On the 7th they dined at the La Combes, a Catholic family, who took them +to see the House of Correction, where John Yeardley interrogated the boys +in the prison school, and afterwards addressed them. In the evening they +were present at Pastor Majors' Bible-class. + + +It is composed, says J.Y., of ten young men, who meet once a week at his +lodging, and he instructs them in the Scriptures. I rejoiced to meet with +them. Before the conclusion we had a religious opportunity, in which I was +strengthened to express what was on my mind. The pastor offered a prayer +in which our hearts truly united. The Saviour's love was very precious to +our souls, and I trust we were edified together in the Lord. + +8_th_.--The Pastor Majors called for us to pay a few visits. He is so +spiritual and _interior_ in his walk with God that it does me good to +be in his company. Passing along the street, he said, We will just speak +to a man who has been in England; he will be pleased to see you. He was +alone in his meal and flour shop, which is apart from the house. He +received us heartily; and on our coming away he pressed us to go up and +speak to his daughters. After hesitating a few moments we went to the room +and to our surprise found a little company of young females met to work +for the missionaries, and to read. After sitting a while with them, one of +the girls in much simplicity handed the Bible to our friend, and he read a +chapter in the First Epistle of Peter, which was followed by a Friends' +meeting with these dear young persons. I felt great openness in addressing +them, and thankfulness filled my heart to the Father of mercies for +having given us this casual opportunity of preaching the gospel. + +In the evening we went to meeting with Pastor M.'s flock. He has taken the +first floor of a good house, and appropriates three rooms opening one into +another for a meeting-house, placing his pulpit, which is on wheels, in +the doorway, so that when the meeting hour is over he can put the pulpit +aside and make the rooms his dwelling. The rooms are fitted with long +benches; the men and women sit separate and enter by different doors. The +worship is conducted with much solemnity; they have for the present +discontinued singing. They sat in silence some time at the commencement, +when Majors offered a short prayer, and then read and expounded a small +portion of Scripture. When he had finished he introduced us as English +friends. He had told me previously that if I felt anything to say, I had +only to intimate it to him. This liberty was acceptable to me, for I had +felt much exercise of mind for the people; and after we had rested some +time in silence, I was strengthened to speak with great freedom, and the +power of the Most High was over us. Many thirsty souls were present, who, +I believe, know the value of true silence. The two rooms for the women +were crowded, and the stillness which pervaded was remarkable. A military +man addressed me after the meeting, in English, expressing his great +satisfaction and joy in being present; he is a regular attendant at this +place of worship. The pastor said he was comforted and thankful that the +Spirit of the Lord had been with us, and divided his word to the state of +the people. + + +On the 9th, Professor Krafft and Pastor Majors conducted them to the +Agricultural School for destitute children at Neuhoff, four miles from the +city. This well-known institution was founded by a man who had been taken +as a child out of the streets, and whose wife had been brought up in an +orphan-house. John Yeardley says:-- + + +The arrangement of the farm-yard, &c., and the cropping of the land are +pretty much the same as at Beuggen, near Basle, and what is now practised +at Lindfield; and it is just what we want Rawden to be--at least what I +should like to see it. Before leaving the premises, we had the children +assembled in the schoolroom, and held a meeting with them, with which we +were well satisfied. There is a sweet spirit of inward piety in the master +and mistress. + + +On First-day, the 11th, they attended Pastor Majors' meeting in the +morning, and in the afternoon appointed a meeting of their own in the same +place, at which some hundreds were present. + + +It was a precious tendering season; much openness was felt in preaching +the word, and I trust many hearts were reached by the power of the Holy +Spirit. At 7 o'clock we held our usual meeting in the room at the inn, to +which came many of our friends; and I trust we were again favored with the +presence of the Divine Master. To conclude the evening, we went to +Professor Ehrmann's, where we partook of tea, fruit, wine, &c. It felt to +us a true feast of love. + +This has been a day of much exercise; but best help has been near in the +time of need, and I feel sweet peace. There is a great awakening in this +place; thirty of the young women are preciously visited. In accompanying +them home, some of them expressed to me that it had been a blessed and +happy day, they hoped never to be forgotten. These dear lambs are near to +us in gospel love, and I am glad they have such a minister in Pastor M.: +he stands quite alone, not being connected with any other Society. + + +In reading of days spent like that which has just been described, we see +in a striking manner what was the nature of that work of the ministry for +which John Yeardley was prepared at Barnsley and Bentham by so many deep +baptisms and sharp trials of his faith and obedience. The stage on which +he was called to act was not the most public; the part which he had to +perform was unobtrusive; but when the value of strengthening the weak, +comforting the afflicted, and, above all, skilfully dividing the word of +truth in the anointed ministry of the gospel, comes rightly to be +estimated, it cannot be said but that the fruit was in some sort +commensurate with the power of the call and the extent of the preparation. + +The next day and the succeeding were occupied by John and Martha Yeardley +in an excursion to the Ban de la Roche, of which the former gives the +following account in his Diary. + + +12_th_.--In company with Majors, we set off at 6 o'clock to the Ban +de la Roche. We had a most delightful drive by the side of the river, +flowing along the fertile meadows: the hills on each side variegated with +trees of almost every color, and occasional vineyards added to the +richness of the scene. After travelling twelve leagues, we arrived at +Foudai, where we met with an affectionate and hearty welcome from the +whole family of the Legrands. The two families live together in one house, +with their lovely children. We took tea with them, and then proceeded up +Steinthal to Waldbach, to the house of the late pious Oberlin. Pastor +Raucher's wife and daughter were out when we arrived; but we spent a +little time with the dear old Louise, who is lively in spirit, us to be +near her. The pastor's wife and daughter came home in the evening, and +received us with open arms. We spent the night there, and they accompanied +us the next morning to the Legrands' to breakfast, about a league in +distance. After we had breakfasted, we requested a chapter might be read, +and then had a precious meeting with them. We were so knit together in +spirit, that we could hardly separate from one another. They accompanied +us, on leaving, all the way up the hill, when we again took an +affectionate farewell. + +The conversation of our dear friend Majors has been to me truly +instructive, and I trust our being thus thrown together is in divine +wisdom. We have gone very fully into the nature, of our church discipline, +and have had much spiritual conversation to the refreshment of our souls. + +We arrived at Strasburg about 7 o'clock, and I attended the class of his +young men, which afforded me once more an opportunity to speak to them of +the things that belong to their eternal peace. + + +Their religious service in Strasburg finished with a visit to the family +of Professor Ehrmann, in which Martha Yeardley ministered to the company, +and they commended one another in solemn supplication to the safe keeping +of Israel's Shepherd. + +Both the German and French languages are spoken in Strasburg. In their +religious communications to those who spoke German, J. and M.Y. sometimes +availed themselves of the interpretation of Pastor Majors, who they found +was never at a loss, and who said, "It is no difficulty for me to +interpret for you, because you say the very things that are in my heart." + +From Strasburg they went on to Colmar and Mülhausen. The latter place, +particularly interested them, from the number of persons recently awakened +there, and they held several meetings in the town. John Yeardley says:-- + + +In the whole district of Alsace there is a great deal of spiritual +religion among the different professors; but in some of the ministers +there is great deadness, or else infidelity. + + +The next halting-place on their route was Basle. This city, and the little +canton of which it is the capital, were then in a state of civil war. The +great political eruption of 1830, by which half Europe had been convulsed, +continued to agitate Switzerland long after it had spent its force +elsewhere. On the 3rd of the month, a little more than two weeks before +the date at which we are arrived, a large body of the citizens, under +arms, went out to reduce the peasants to subjection: the latter gave them +battle amongst the hills and entirely defeated them, killing 200 of their +number. The ferment was gradually subsiding when J. and M.Y. were in the +city. + +They found the town pretty quiet, though full of soldiers. A general +sentiment seemed to prevail amongst serious persons, that the judgments of +the Lord were upon the country. + + +Poor Switzerland, exclaims J.Y., what an awful judgment is come upon thee! +Is it to be wondered at? within the last six months they have persecuted +and banished twenty ministers from the Canton of Basle, simply because +they preached the gospel, and the unbelieving inhabitants could not bear +it. + + +They visited the Mission-House, and held a large meeting there with the +students and others; Pastor Majors, who was present, from Strasburg, +interpreting for them. "It was," says J.Y., "a season long to be +remembered." + +From Basle, they took the Diligence direct to Locle, where they spent two +days with M.A. Calame's large and interesting family. They were introduced +to Argyri Climi, whom they describe as a girl of "pensive character and +genteel manners." On the 26th they descended the slope of the Jura to +Neufchâtel. + + +About 5 o'clock, says John Yeardley, we came in sight of the snow-capped +Alps. I saw them for some time through the trees, but the sun shone so +bright that I did not for a moment imagine they were any other than +clouds; but coming out from the wood I soon discovered my mistake; and a +most majestic, sublime sight, indeed it is. + + +At Neufchâtel they took a lodging a little way out of the town, by the +lake, and remained there a month, receiving and making calls and holding +meetings for worship at the houses of their friends, as Professor +Pétavel's, ---- Châtelain's, and in their own rooms. At the close of a day +spent in this manner J.Y. says:-- + + +I feel this evening a degree of sweet peace, and a strong desire to become +more united to my Saviour, who died that we might live. When the mind is +fixed on eternity, how little do all other things appear! Lord, redeem me +from the world, and grant me power to live for thee alone!--(9 +_mo_. 1.) + + +His observations on another similar occasion mark the religious state of +the deeply interesting company in this place, amongst whom they went about +in the liberty of the gospel. + + +9 _mo_. 24.--In the afternoon had a long walk with our dear friend +Pétavel's family, quite to the top of the mountains, from which we had the +most delightful view possible. In the evening we took tea with them; and, +a few others coming in, we had a religious opportunity before parting. It +is extraordinary how great is the desire to hear the word in its +simplicity; they love the simplicity of the gospel, but probably are not +prepared, as yet, to hold silent meetings alone. They all say it is +remarkable we should be sent among them in this time of war in the land +with the message of peace. + + +The little meeting which had been begun by Auguste Borel had been +discontinued in consequence of his removal into the country. He visited +them, and they found him alive in the truth and full of affection as +before. + +Amongst a number of new acquaintances, one of the most interesting was a +Polish Countess. She lodged near them, with her husband and child, and +sent to desire the liberty of calling on them. Martha Yeardley had often +longed to become acquainted with her; and she, as she told them +afterwards, had felt so strongly inclined towards them when she met them +on the promenade that she could not rest without seeking their +acquaintance. + + +At the time fixed, say J. and M.Y., the Countess came alone, her husband +being unwell, and asked a few questions respecting our views in +travelling. She is a Roman Catholic by profession, but has been brought up +in great ignorance of her religion, and quite in the gaiety of the world. +She deeply lamented the state of her unhappy country, to which a fatality +seemed to attach, and spoke of her own particular trials, having lost four +of her children. Whilst we were endeavoring to make her sensible of the +mercies which are often hid under the most painful dispensations, an +English missionary, who had been engaged in preaching to many of the +Polish refugees in the country, came in with Professor Pétavel. They +became much interested for the Countess, and in reply to some of her +questions, the missionary explained the truths of the gospel in a clear +and satisfactory way. We rejoiced in the unexpected meeting; several +others came in, and it proved a memorable visit. + +When again alone with the Countess she continued her history, opening her +heart to M.Y. with the greatest confidence. In former years, she said, she +had been drawn to seek the Lord, but for awhile affliction seemed to +harden her heart, and she lost the religious impressions she had received; +but now she felt again a desire to become acquainted with her Saviour, for +she was miserable and felt the need of such a refuge. + +22_nd_.--In the afternoon the Count and Countess paid us a visit. He +is a man of strong mind, weary of the disappointing pleasures of the +world, and happily turned to seek comfort in the substantial truths of +religion. The Countess was delighted to find that we were of the same +Society as William Penn, whose name her father much revered. They desired +permission to attend our meeting; and a little before the hour we called +on them, and they accompanied us to Professor Pétavel's, where we had a +room quite filled and a good meeting. At the conclusion M.Y. made some +apology to the Countess for the imperfect manner in which the +communication was made; but she replied, "It comes from the heart, and it +goes to the heart." After the meeting none seemed disposed to move, and +the Countess commenced asking questions directing to passages of the +Scriptures, apparently desirous to confirm the practices of the Romish +Church, but sincerely seeking to have the conviction of her own heart +confirmed that they were errors. It is not easy to describe the interest +which this scene presented. An accomplished Roman Catholic lady proposing +questions of the deepest moment, and the learned but pious and humble +Professor Pétavel answering them with the Bible in his hand, while a +roomful of attentive hearers were, we trust, reaping deep instruction. +Argyri joined them on the 27th at Neufchatel,[7] and they left that city +the same day for Geneva. + +Here they tarried nearly a fortnight, were received with much affection by +their old friends, and had a few religious meetings. Martha Yeardley +says:-- + + +We met with several very interesting persons at Geneva, and had three +religious opportunities with them; at the last meeting the number was much +increased, but the place is not like Neufchâtel. The different societies +make bonds for themselves and for one another, so that love and harmony do +not sufficiently prevail amongst them. + +Our stay in this place, writes John Yeardley, has been a time of distress +of mind and perplexity of thought, arising probably from the great weight +and importance of the journey before us, and the anxiety of providing a +conveyance through a strange and dark country. After much difficulty, we +have concluded a written contract with an Italian _voiturier_ to take +us to Ancona. May our Divine Keeper, in his infinite mercy, grant us +protection and safety, even in the hands of ungodly men! + + +The journey to Ancona took them seventeen days; they crossed the Alps by +the Simplon, and traversed Italy through Milan and Bologna. Martha +Yeardley touches upon a few points of the journey in a letter to Elizabeth +Dudley. + + +Ancona, 11 mo. 4. + +We had much to do before we could meet with a suitable conveyance, and at +length trusted ourselves with our Italian coachman, who could not speak +French. For a certain sum he was to give us three places in his coach, and +provide us with food and lodging by the way. The other passenger inside +was an Englishman, who spoke very little French and no Italian, and +another Englishman outside was in the same situation. We could not but +feel ourselves a very helpless company when arriving at the inns, which +were quite of an inferior class, and little or no French spoken. We did +pretty well, however, till we got to Milan, where we rested some days; and +our Englishmen were exchanged for an Italian priest who spoke no French, +and a Swiss who was a little useful to us as far as Bologna; after this +place we travelled five days alone. The inns on this side of Milan are +much worse, and from the detention of our passports in the towns we passed +through, we were often prevented from reaching the place of destination, +and obliged to lodge at villages, where we suffered much in the way of +food and lodging; yet through all we were favored to bear the journey much +better than I expected. My J.Y. was rather poorly for two days, and I was +extremely anxious about him; but the sight of the Gulf of Venice seemed to +help to restore him. + +At Sinigaglia, a town eighteen miles from this, they told us that we +should just meet the vessel which was to sail on the 30th. Judge then what +was our disappointment when, on arriving at the inn here, we found that it +was gone. + + +This disappointment was a severe trial of their patience; but they +consoled themselves with reflecting that "good in some shape might arise +out of the seeming evil." + + +Ancona, says John Yeardley, is beautifully situated on the side of a high +hill, in appearance at a distance a perfect model of Scarborough. There +are in the place a good many Greeks, one of whom Argyri recognised as we +inquired at his shop the way to the Post-office. On returning she made +herself known to him, and he shows us every attention; he is a fine +looking man, with a countenance as strong as brass. We are comfortably +lodged, with a delightful view of the harbor, but our hearts are in Corfu. + +Our young companion, adds M.Y., is amiable and very quick, but not of much +use to us respecting her native tongue, which she retains but very +imperfectly, and is not at all fond of speaking it. + +The houses are high, and many of the streets narrow and offensive, for +want of cleanliness and from an immense population; such numbers are +continually in the streets, that there is no quiet or good air in the +town. The darkness is extreme, and the dissipation apparently very great; +the oppression of our spirits at some periods is almost insupportable; and +yet I am at times very sensible of the calming influence of divine love, +with a sense that, having acted to the best of our judgment, we must +resign ourselves to wait for the return of the steam-packet from England. + +When on arriving here we found there were no letters, and that probably +they were sent to Corfu, my heart sank within me. We have, however, been +since cheered by receiving a very kind letter from dear Robert Forster; +nothing could have been more in season than this token of remembrance. + + +Finding no suitable vessel for Corfu, with the assistance of their Greek +friend they hired a lodging, and gave their time to the study of Italian +and the Modern Greek. Religions labor was hardly to be thought of; the +government of the town and every public office was under the direction of +the Roman Catholic priests, of whom there were more than 400. However, +they were enabled to hold improving intercourse with some individuals, +mostly Greeks; "for whom," says Martha Yeardley, "we felt much interest, +and some, I believe, became attached to us; we gave them a few books." + +Before commencing with their visit to the Ionian Islands, it will be +interesting to glance at the circle of Friends whom they had left in +England. From the letters which have been preserved, we select the +following extract: the first is from the pen of one who may be described +as sound in heart and understanding, of extensive knowledge and large +Christian charity. + + +Scarborough, 10 mo. 16, 1833. + +MY DEAR FRIENDS. + +Accept my grateful acknowledgments, and through me those of all your +friends in this neighborhood, for the copies which I have received of your +interesting journals. It is indeed a cause of rejoicing to us that you +have been so favored in meeting with so many pious persons with, whom you +could hold Christian fellowship, and among whom there is strong reason for +believing your labors have not been in vain. It is to me very gratifying +that you feel and exercise so much Christian freedom in mingling among +persons of various denominations, whom, though owing to education and to +various circumstances, they may differ considerably in opinion on subjects +of minor importance, yet conscious of one common disease--that of sin, and +looking for or experiencing the only remedy--reconciliation with God +through one Saviour,--you can salute as brethren and sisters in the truth, +and feel your spirits refreshed whilst you enjoy the privilege of +refreshing theirs; and like Aquila and Priscilla, with Apollos, are made +the instruments, I trust, of "expounding unto them the way of God more +perfectly." My dear mother thinks that the persons you meet with must be +more spiritually-minded than Christians in this country. They have, +perhaps, from external circumstances, experienced deeper baptisms, and +have made greater sacrifices, than many amongst us have been called upon +to make; and we know that ease and outward prosperity have not been +favorable to the interests of the true Church: but, without doubt, they +are exposed to similar dangers to those in this land whose minds have been +awakened to the importance of religious truth. + + +After speaking of a journey which he had made with Samuel Tuke and Joseph +Priestman for re-arranging some of the Monthly Meetings in the West +Riding, the writer continues:-- + + +On the journey I received intelligence of the decease of Hannah Whitaker; +the account produced a strong sensation in the minds of Friends generally, +who felt much for our dear afflicted friend Robert Whitaker, and for the +loss which the institution at Ackworth has sustained. I have had a note +from R.W., written evidently under very desponding feelings; yet he knows +where alone consolation is to be sought, and I still cherish the hope that +his valuable services will not be lost to the establishment in which they +have been so long blessed. + +We intend to meet as a Bible class on Second-day evening: our number will +be small, but I hope we shall persevere. Your house and garden look much +as usual; but I scarcely like to look at them, since I cannot go to spend +such pleasant evenings as I used to do there. However, I believe you are +in the way of your duty, and I know it would he wrong in me to repine at +the loss of your company. + +I trust you do not forget our poor little company in your approaches to +the throne of grace. You are, I believe, the subjects of many prayers: O +that the parties who offer them were more worthy! + +Your affectionate friend, + +JOHN ROWNTREE. + + +This letter was endorsed by one from J.R.'s mother (the Elizabeth Rowntree +whom the reader may remember as the hostess of J. and M. Yeardley on their +first visit to Scarborough,) from which we extract a few lines. + + +The accounts I have received have often helped to cheer my drooping mind, +to hear how many you have met with in various places, who could sit down +with you in worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. I have thought +of the privileges many of us have had, yet I think many you have met with +may make us ashamed of ourselves; and the desire of my heart has often +been that we may be more deepened. + + +John Rowntree's letter contained the information that Richard Cockin, of +Doncaster, a Friend universally known and respected in the Society, had +been physically disabled by a stroke of paralysis. R. C. himself wrote at +the same time to John and Martha Yeardley, describing his affliction, +which he received with childlike resignation as a message of love from a +Father's hand. + + +I have, he says, no expectation of getting again to meeting, and it does +not appear probable I shall be able again to get down stairs. With respect +to the state of my mind, it was an occasion of grateful admiration to me +that such & poor unworthy creature as I felt myself to be, should be so +favored as to have my will entirely subjected, as to become resignedly +willing either to live or die; and, for a time, the prospect of not +continuing long appeared to be most probable. I, however, felt no reliance +upon anything that I had done or could do; my dependence was entirely upon +the unmerited mercy of God through Jesus Christ. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1833-4. + +PART II.--GREECE + +On the 21st of the Eleventh Month John and Martha Yeardley left Ancona, +and had a safe but suffering voyage of two days to Corfu, the capital of +the island of that name. + + +The atmosphere in this place, writes J.Y., soon after they landed, is +different from Ancona in every respect. It has to us a feeling of home, +and our minds are clothed with peace and, I trust, gratitude to the Father +of mercies. What we may find to do is yet a secret to us, but He who has +brought us here will in his own time open the way before us. + +Isaac Lowndes of the London Missionary Society received us with much +affection and kindness, and his wife and daughter are very desirous to +promote our comfort. They took us to see a furnished house in the town, a +part of which will suit us remarkably well. We think it a providential +thing to have such comfortable quarters to come to. + + +Some extracts from the Diary and the Journal letters will show in what +kind of service they were engaged during their three months' residence in +this island. + + +11 _mo_. 24.--I went with J. L. to the First-day school in the village +about a mile from the town. A delightful morning, and a delightful sight +to see about sixty fine Greek children reading the New Testament in the +modern language. Their countenances are lovely and interesting, and their +anxiety to hear and answer questions is great; their aptitude in +comprehending the subjects offered to them exceeds all I have hitherto +seen in any class of children of similar standing. The little group was +composed of nearly all girls, clean and neatly dressed in the costume of +the country. + +27_th_.--To-day we received a long visit from Lord Nugent, President +of the Ionian Government, who had heard of our arrival on the island, and +was anxious to see us. He is very kind and extremely open with respect to +his plans for the improvement of the jail, and for cottage cultivation. He +desired me to go and see some unoccupied land without the gate. + +28_th_.--According to appointment we went to the palace, and were +received by Lady Nugent with marked simplicity and kindness. We were +introduced to Lord L. and other persons of influence, took tea, and spent +a most agreeable evening, and I hope a profitable; for all our +conversation was on the subject of bettering the condition of the poor and +destitute children. + +12 _mo_. 3.--This morning we received a visit from a roomful of +Greeks. We are desirous to cultivate the acquaintance of the Greeks as the +object of our visit of gospel love. Yesterday we were visited by several +of the military officers and their wives, who will I hope co-operate with +our plans of benevolence. Lord Nugent's taking us by the hand opens the +way to all others of rank and standing. + +11_th_,--This morning we had a visit from Dapaldas, Greek professor +of theology in the university. He is a pleasing and enlightened man, and +speaks French well, which gave us the opportunity of conversing with him +pretty freely. I feel to love him much. He is one of the laborers in +translating the Old Testament. + +13_th_.--To-day we have received letters from England. Many of our +beloved friends have been called from this state of being to another +world. How much my heart feels humbled; how unworthy I am of the least of +the mercies daily received at the hand of a bountiful Creator. Since we +have been here I have been favored with a strong conviction that we are +here in the ordering of Divine Providence. What may in time open before us +in the way of gospel labor I know not. It requires time, caution, and much +perseverance, to find a way to the hearts and best feelings of the Greeks. +I greatly desire that we may be found in humble watchfulness and prayer; +and that, if found worthy to be the feeble instruments of declaring the +way of salvation to the natives of these islands, we may embrace every +opportunity to preach repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus +Christ, for this is the great object for which we have left our native +land and all that is dear to us in this world. + +26_th_.--Argyri left us and is gone to Syra. She was very sorrowful, +and the parting to us all was painful. Although reserved and timid, she +has become extremely attached to us, and we trust the three months we have +passed together will not soon be forgotten. Her company has often been +sweet and cheering, and in our little meetings for worship her heart has +not unfrequently been tendered with religious feeling. She is desirous of +being useful in schools, and of making a stand against the many +superstitions which prevail, influencing others by her example, and +through the aid of divine grace leading them to that vital religion in +which she was instructed at Locle, and which is now a strength and comfort +to her own mind. + +1834. 1 _mo_. 6.--To-day we received a visit from the young Count +Francois Sardina. We had much conversation with him on the subject of the +intercession of saints. He could not admit that they practiced the +adoration of saints, they only meant to hold them up as examples of piety +and virtue, and to induce others to follow them. We pointed out to him the +importance of taking Him for our example who spake as never man spake, and +has left us an example that we should follow his steps. This young man is +very inquisitive and inclined to be sceptical, but under all has serious +impressions. Many of the Greeks who are not entirely built up in their +superstitions are inclined to doubt respecting the truths of Christianity. +We were glad to put into his hand J. J. Gurney's _Evidences_. + +23_rd_.--This evening we had another long visit from the Count. We +entered very fully into Church discipline, and left few points of faith +and doctrine untouched, either in his Church or ours. I do not remember +ever to have been more closely questioned; but I think this young person +sincere in his inquiries. I believe it is a precious time of visitation to +his soul; he is very amiable and affectionate, and acknowledges the evils +and vanity of the world. + +27_th_.--This evening we have had a long conversation with Pathanes, +our teacher in the language, and a deacon in the Greek Church. He is much +attached to the rites of his own Church, but acknowledges the necessity of +regeneration. They have a fatal error in the ceremony of baptism, +positively asserting that when the child (or individual) has received +this, he is really born again, and a fit heir of salvation. Such is the +efficacy which they attach to this ceremony, that their creed sets forth, +in the most unqualified manner, that whoever receives not the form cannot +enter the kingdom. We could not forbear lifting up our testimony against +the injurious effects of such a creed. + +28_th_.--We have had a ride to-day with I. Lowndes and family across +the island, sixteen miles, to the sea on the other side. Our road led us +through a perfect wood of olive-trees, thickly planted and loaded with +fruit. The hills are often variegated with the cypress, &c., and near to +the sea are beautifully romantic. We dined at the fortress of +Paleocastazza, on the top of a high hill, on provisions we took with +us,--the air good, and the prospect delightful. This place was formerly a +convent; the church still remains in use, and we visited two of the old +Greek priests. One of them is ninety-five years old; he was lying on a +dirty hard couch in a miserable apartment; the other performs the liturgy. +I. L. gave him the book of Genesis, which he could read but very +indifferently. He was besides extremely cross, full of complaints of the +soldiers who were stationed there. What a proof that to those who are in +the gall of bitterness there is no peace, even in such a remote place. + +2 _mo_. 1.--Another long and pleasant visit from Count Sardina. He is +mild and condescending, but close in argument His mind appears gradually +to become impressed with the truths of the gospel; and I trust the notions +he has received from sceptical writers are giving way to a hope of +salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Fearful of doing anything to make +the members of his own Church his enemies, he comes to us by night,--not +for fear of the Jews, but for fear of the Greeks. + + +9_th_.--How often our hearts are ready to sink within us in the midst +of this dark and superstitious people. We have now been here nearly three +months, and have not had one opportunity of publicly preaching the gospel. +The power of prejudice in favor of their own superstitious rites, and the +overwhelming influence of moral evil, seem entirely to close our way in +this line. We have had much conversation with our friend, Isaac Lowndes, +who has resided on this island thirteen years, on the subject of publicly +preaching the gospel to the people; and he says that such is their +attachment to the ceremonies of their own church that they cannot be +prevailed upon to attend the ministry of any other denomination. +I. Lowndes is a character with whom we feel much Christian unity, and his +family is like a little lamp shining in the midst of gross darkness. + +This darkness, adds Martha Yeardley, is increased by the dissipation of +the greater part of the English. The military have great influence here, +and their practices tend greatly to demoralize the unhappy people. We have +just heard that they have obtained leave of the Senate to hold a ball in +the new school-rooms, and to break down the partition-wall between them +for this purpose, which will prevent the school from being opened for +another month. + + +On the 23rd John Yeardley continues:-- + + +To-day my drooping spirit has been refreshed by six precious letters from +England, expressing the interest of our dear friends in our mission; but +oh, how my heart is humbled in the sense of how little we do. During our +stay here I have been closely engaged in translating Judson's Questions on +Scripture. The correction is nearly finished, and we propose having a +number printed for the school. + + +Ignorance of the language was a perpetual hindrance in their way. Although +they devoted a very large portion of time to acquiring it, the difficulty +was almost insurmountable. They learned to read and translate; but to +converse in Greek was for a long time almost entirely beyond their power. + +Although to preach and teach the gospel was the primary object of John and +Martha Yeardley's errand, the temporal improvement of their fellow-men +was by no means foreign to their mission; and we have often seen that +plans for the promotion of industry and self-support were to the former +objects of peculiar interest. During their residence at Corfu no small +portion of his time was occupied with the establishment of a model farm, +which seems to have been a joint scheme on his part and that of the +administration. A grant of land was obtained from the Senate, and the +prisoners, with some of the poor, were set to work to cultivate it. Some +of the landowners watched the progress of the experiment, with the +intention, if it should be successful, of introducing the plan upon their +estates. + +We may conclude this account of their residence in Corfu with some general +remarks on the religious character and condition of the inhabitants. + + +We trust, say they, our sojourn in Corfu may not have been in vain: if we +may only be permitted to prepare the way for the further enlargement of +the Saviour's kingdom on the earth, we may well be content. Preparing the +way it may truly be called, for there is a great deal to be done among a +people just emerging from barbarism, and bringing with them all the fixed +habits of ignorance and superstition, before a door can be opened for the +direct preaching of the gospel. Their mode of reasoning is strong and +wily, and they ask questions which can only be answered in private +conversation and by Scripture proof. A great means of affording help must +be by educating the rising generation and by the diffusion of Scriptural +knowledge. Many of the priest are extremely ignorant, and some of them +have only learned by _rote_ the service of their own church in the +ancient Greek; their knowledge, therefore, cannot be founded on their own +search for Scriptural truth, seeing they have not had the opportunity of +examining for themselves. In some instances when we have presented to them +the New Testament in the modern language, they have said, with a look of +anxious gratitude, This is what we want; we priests teach in the churches +what we do not ourselves understand. + + +On the 26th of the Second Month they crossed the sea to Santa Maura, +having a delightful passage of eight hours. Captain McPhail, the governor, +a friend of William Allen's, met them himself with a boat, and conducted +them to his house. He showed them every attention during their short +sojourn, and introduced them to those persons whom they desired to see. +They made an interesting call on the bishop;-- + + +A nice old man, who was many years priest in a village in the mountains, +and, what is a wonder, he has been promoted on account of his virtuous +life. He was a good example in his own village, and a great promoter of +schools. The old man is candid enough to confess that he was happier among +his rustic peasants than he is now in more refined society. We gave him +the book of Genesis in Modern Greek; and it was highly gratifying to us to +see the surprise and pleasure of his countenance on being presented with +an account of the Creation and works of the Almighty in his native tongue. +We thought the opportunity favorable for proposing the Scriptures to be +read by the clergy in the modern instead of the ancient language. He made +no objection, and appeared to see the great utility which might arise from +it. + + +Something has been said about the semi-barbarism of the Greeks. What our +friends learned respecting crime and violence, whilst in this island, +places the manners of the people in a very strong light. + + +Nothing can show more strongly the demoralized state of these islands than +the frightful acts of cruelty done to the cattle out of pure revenge. One +shudders to think of the skinning of beasts alive, cutting off the ears of +asses, breaking the legs of horses; yet of these sorts of cruelty not less +than 500 acts have been committed in the last four years, and the +offenders have escaped being brought to conviction! + + +This dark picture is happily relieved by some traits of moral beauty. The +narrative of a ride into the mountains of Santa Maura, which J.Y. made +under the escort of the governor, proves to how great a degree virtuous +and gentle manners grew and flourished in the remoter parts of this +island. + + +3 _mo_. 1.--This morning we set out for a ride about nine miles up +the mountains to a village called Carià, which contains about 1200 +inhabitants, and in the surrounding hamlets there are about the same +number. + +About half-past 9 o'clock we started; Captain McPhail and myself on his +two sure-footed horses, and another English gentleman on a fine mule. +After we had left the newly-made road, we pursued a track perfectly +unequalled in any part where I have travelled; rugged precipices, shelving +rocks, and large loose stones, which assailed the feet of the poor beasts +every step they took. However, for my part, I was well rewarded; it gave +me an opportunity not only of seeing the interior of the island, but also +a specimen of the disposition of the natives. Before we reached the +village, I observed, with some surprise, a tribe of people assembled on +the top of the cliffs to see us come in, and on ascending a few more paces +of rock, we found the children of the boys' school arranged like a little +army, with myrtle branches in their hands to welcome us to their +sequestered hamlet. After greeting us with great respect, they followed us +to the country-house of our English friend. + +The mountain multitude waited with patience until we had made our repast, +when a few of the leading villagers were introduced to our room. And what +was their request? A school for their daughters. They were asked what they +would give towards its support. They answered, Whatever we can afford; we +that are able will pay for the poor, and they shall go free. It was then +intimated to them, that their friends would assist them in establishing a +school; but that they themselves must join in the effort, and that it +would be well to consult together, and put down their names and the number +of children they would send. Here the town-crier came forward, and said he +had for the last twenty years cried everything the government wished to be +made known in the town, free of cost, and he would now go round and cry +for the benefit of the school. Next came forward the father of the young +woman proposed for the mistress, who it was proposed should be further +instructed in the village, and then sent to the town to learn the system. +We asked them if they were sensible of the advantages of a school for +girls, of having them brought up to be good wives, capable of managing +their households, and able to read the precious things in the New +Testament. One of them replied, Without instruction what are we?--we are +like the beasts. One peasant had been so anxious for his daughter to learn +to read, that he had made interest to send her to the boys' school. When +we asked why he did so, he said, Because I had no other means, and I +wished to have her read the New Testament to us; now I have the advantage +of hearing that precious book read to me by my own daughter. It was +delightful to witness a feeling like this in a people so uncultivated; +surely the friends of education in Greece have encouragement to go on and +prosper. + +After this pleasing interview we proceeded to the boys' school, followed +by as many as could get into the room. When the boys had read, I desired +that questions might be put to them on what they had been reading, but +soon found that this important mode of instruction was neglected; the +master promised to introduce the questions which we are having printed, if +we would send him the books. On returning to our quarters, we found among +the crowd who were still present, the three priests, come, I suppose, to +pay their respects to the governor. We were glad of an opportunity of +conversing with them. On asking their opinion as to a school, one of them +said, in Greek, It is good, blessed and honorable. I could not let this +favorable opportunity pass without impressing on them, through McPhail, +the advantage of reading the Scriptures to the people in the modern tongue +which they could understand, telling them that the book of Genesis was +already printed in Modern Greek. They could hardly believe me, and on my +showing them a new copy of this and of the Psalms, their eyes sparkled +with pleasure. Our friend the governor read aloud a portion of Genesis, +and one of the priests a little out of the Psalms. The long-robed, +patriarchal looking man said, Ah, this is what we want! We priests read in +the churches what we don't understand ourselves, and how can we explain it +to others. They modestly asked if they might have the books for a while; +and when we said they were given to them, there was a little jealousy who +should have them; this we removed by saying that more should be sent. Many +of the kind-hearted people accompanied us to the precipice, and ran before +to clear the way; and, through divine mercy, we reached the dwelling of +our kind host in safety; not without a steeping of mountain rain. + +When the good Bishop of Santa Maura heard the result of our interview with +the peasants, he sent one of his most influential priests with a +subscription book for his people to put down their names towards a fund +for the schools, thus promptly giving his sanction to general education. + +3 _mo_. 2.--First-day. After breakfast we read a chapter and held our +meeting with Captain McPhail and his wife, and felt a little comfort in +holding up the standard of religious worship. Something was given us to +utter, both in testimony and supplication. + +The next evening we dined with the governor. It was a state dinner, given +to the judges and persons of rank in the town; about twenty of us sat +down; the repast was splendid and the dishes innumerable. At the head of +the table was Captain McPhail in full uniform; on his right our hostess in +a rich Greek dress; on his left a young lady in the full Italian style; my +M.Y. and myself were not the least singular in appearance. All was done in +good order, and a sweet feeling prevailed. + +4_th_.--We are like prisoners at large, not being able to leave the +island till the steamer returns. Captain McPhail has kindly proposed our +paying a visit to the continent to see a little colony of the natives who +live in wigwams. These people like many others suffered greatly from the +Turks, and took refuge in Santa Maura, which has excited in them a feeling +of gratitude for the protection of their English neighbors. + +About 9 o'clock we started in the Captain's boat, a family party, not +leaving even the baby at home. We had a pleasant sail of less than an +hour, and found seven ponies waiting for us at the landing-place. The +ponies were brought into the sea, and we mounted the pack-saddles; some of +our company being carried from the boat on men's backs. Thus arranged we +set out, one by one, along the narrow goat-paths, accompanied by our +retinue, some going before, and some following with the baggage. We +winded our way among bushes of myrtle and mastic till we reached the +willow-city. It consists of about sixty perfect wigwams of one room each, +with no other light but what is admitted by the doorway, four feet high, +with here and there a glimpse that makes its way through the wattles. + +The people having received notice of our visit had made a general-holiday, +and were all assembled, with lively good-humor in their countenances, to +greet our arrival. This in the first year that they have been left to +enjoy their lands in peace since the destruction by the Turks of their +little town, which stood at about half an hour's distance. Some of them +possess property in land and cattle, and all live on the produce of their +own farms, and produce their own clothing. These simple-hearted people +show their good sense by avoiding all lawsuits, so common among the +Greeks. They choose one upright old man, with two assistants, to govern +them, to whose judgment they submit, and the greatest punishment is to be +shut up for two or three days in a solitary room in the convent. + +The wigwam where we alighted was soon filled with visitors. We were served +with coffee by our hostess,--an interesting woman, with much expression of +mildness in her countenance. After conversing awhile with the villagers, +and satisfying their curiosity as well as we could, I thought it a +suitable time to bring about the primary object of our visit, and inquired +who among them could read. A young man came forward who had been educated +in the school at Santa Maura; we gave him a New Testament, and he read the +greater part of a chapter in the Gospels. Those who were in the room +listened with surprise and attention, and many without looked eagerly in +at the doorway to hear what was going on. This was probably the first time +they had heard the gospel in their own language. We gave them a few copies +of the New Testament and some tracts, for which they hardly knew how to +express their gratitude; and we requested the reader to continue the +practice he had commenced. + +When this scene of interest was over we took a turn round the other huts. +They are situated on the side of the hill, among myrtles, and command a +delightful view of the valley. We passed by the common oven, and on +looking in saw our dinner preparing. The table was spread in the +hospitable wigwam which we first entered, a clean white tablecloth and +napkins on a large board, with cushions around on boxes for chairs. The +repast consisted of a whole lamb, well roasted, and two sorts of +Yorkshire-pudding, one of which was particularly good. + +This patriarchal repast being finished, we again went forth, and visited +the convent of Plijâ, distant from the wigwams about ten minutes' walk. +Many of our new friends accompanied us, the judge with great solidity of +manner leading the way. We passed a beautiful fountain at the head of the +glen, and entered the monastic edifice, which is built of stone. The +abbot, a fine old man, met us at the door with a pleasant countenance. He +invited us into his cell; we had to stoop very low to save our heads, and +the door-case was rubbed bright on all sides by the friction of this +solitary inmate passing in and out. The hermitage consists of one room +with a bed in the corner, screened by a slight partition; a lattice-window +admitted a peep into the rich and lovely vale below, and the pure air of +the mountain was not obstructed by glass. I had often heard of the Eastern +custom of sitting cross-legged, but never till now experienced it in +reality. We were desired to sit on cushions spread on the floor for our +reception, and were served with the finest walnuts and honey I ever +tasted; and while we partook of this hermit-like repast, there was a +precious feeling of good, and I believe we had the secret prayers of the +good abbot, as he had ours. When we presented him with the New Testament, +Genesis, and the Psalms, he kissed the books and pressed them to his +bosom, expressing his gratitude for the treasure. + +Our next visit was to the habitation of the judge, which is of the same +description as the rest, where we were served again with coffee. What +pleased us was the sweet feeling of quiet which prevailed, of which I +think some of them were sensible; one woman, our first hostess, put her +hand to her heart and said very sweetly, "I love you." + +They would not let us depart without showing us their ancient custom of +taking hold of hands and dancing round, singing meanwhile a sort of chant. +Many of them came with us to the water's edge, and prayers were raised in +our hearts for their good, and thanksgiving to our Divine Master for the +comfort and satisfaction of the day. + +3 _mo_ 8.--Under the hospitable roof of Captain McPhail we have felt +much at home. His wife said our coming had been a blessing to her; she is +near to us in gospel love. The captain accompanied us in his boat to the +steamer. + + +From Santa Maura they proceeded to Argostoli, the chief town of +Cephalonia. + + +We arrived about five o'clock in the morning. The entrance to the town for +a considerable distance is like a perfect lake: the white houses along the +side of the harbor, and the craggy hill with the olives growing out of the +rocks, had a pretty appearance at the break of day. Our young Greek +interpreter, Giovanni Basilik, was with us. We had to call up the +inhabitants of the only inn in the place before we could get shelter. At +first the host refused to receive our little company, but after some +explanation he consented to arrange the desolate-looking rooms into +habitable order. + + +They visited the schools and the prison, and they received from the +Resident, H.G. Tennyson, and the schoolmaster and mistress, a friendly +reception; but the islanders are generally careless of instruction, and +progress of all kinds is slow. + +From Cephalonia they traversed the sea to the beautiful island of Zante. +Though they had ten men to row, the passage occupied thirteen hours. + + +Contrary wind, writes John Yeardley, compelled us to approach the island +slowly, which gave us an opportunity of viewing the villages and scattered +houses at the foot of the mountain. The town of Zante is very long; the +main street has piazzas on each side for a considerable distance. In many +of the windows (I suppose a Turkish custom) there are something like +cages, through which the women peep without being seen, under the pretence +of modesty; but it is horrid to hear of the wickedness committed in-doors. +However, I am glad to find the custom is dying away, and that the young +women are now permitted to walk in public more than they were a few years +ago. This island is by far the finest we have visited; it is very fertile +and well cultivated, and supplies England with currants; but, like their +neighbors, the people have the character of being immoral, treacherous, +and revengeful. It is sorrowful to think that, under the system of +picture-worship, there is scarcely a sin of which the poor Greek is not +guilty to an enormous extent. With God all things are possible--he can +change the hard heart of man by the power of his Divine Spirit; but, +morally speaking, it must be some great convulsion that can work a real +change in the nation. W.O. Croggon has labored here more than seven years, +and knows not of one conversion among the rich Greeks--not one attends the +service for worship. He is the Methodist missionary here, and is called +the friend of every man: he has been a real friend to us. + +The Governor and his wife have paid us marked attention. The former took +us to see the prison, which is well conducted, and the prisoners are +classed. We suggested the benefit likely to result from the prisoners +being employed, and Major Longley [the Governor] intends to introduce +basket-making. We have, in addition to the public schools, visited several +private ones, and are pleased to find so many children receiving +education: this is really the chief source of hope for improving the +morals of the Greeks, and dispersing the gross darkness which surrounds +this people, whose long servitude and sufferings under very hard masters +have almost driven them back to barbarism. + +17_th_.--There was a shock of earthquake, more violent than has been +felt for some years in this place. Our room shook almost like a ship at +sea; the walls, beds, tables, and glasses were all in motion, and the +sensation, while it lasted, was that of sea-sickness. The noise may be +compared to the rolling of a carriage with many horses coming at full +speed, and suddenly stopping at the dwelling. (See _Eastern +Customs_, p. 78.) + + +Having thus explored the four principal islands of the Ionian Archipeligo. +John and Martha Yeardley turned their course towards the Morea. + + +30_th_.--At 6 o'clock in the morning we put ourselves once more at +the mercy of the waves of the Mediterranean, and had a quick passage of +fourteen hours. The landing at Patras was frightful; a sudden squall threw +us off the shore, and caused us to lose part of the rudder, so that we +were obliged to get into a very small boat, which threatened to upset +every moment. We were, however, favored to land in safety on a projecting +rock: it was nearly dark, and the whole had a terrific appearance. + +The plains near Patras, once beautifully planted with currants, olives and +vines, are now perfectly desolate. The castle was in possession, of the +Turks eight years, who made continual sallies from it for provision and +firewood; while, in order to disappoint them, the Greeks themselves +assisted in the destruction of all vegetation; so that there is scarcely +any green thing to be seen. The old town is a scene of ruins; the site of +the new town is near the sea, where temporary shops and houses have been +erected. + +It was difficult to find a shelter for the night; but a kind +fellow-traveller assisted us, and at length we were pressed into a +miserable dirty room, with only a board for a bedstead. + +At Patras we had abundance of consultation, whether to undertake the +journey to Corinth and Athens by land, or to encounter the gulf. We +concluded to venture on the latter, and contracted with the captain of a +little boat to depart at five the next morning. He deceived us by not +sailing at the time proposed; but we made an agreement with other sailors +to go off in the evening, hoping to get to Corinth the next morning: but, +after tossing all night, we found in the morning the ship had only made +twenty miles; and about mid-day the captain declared he could not get to +Corinth, and must put into a small port on the opposite side of the gulf, +called Galaxidi, and wait for better weather. We were so exhausted as to +feel thankful in the prospect of being once more on land. Nothing can be +more comfortless than these small Greek vessels; in the cabin you can +neither stand nor lie at full length. + +After some difficulty in getting on shore, we were led to the khan, a very +large room with a fire in one corner for boiling water, and a wine store; +and round the side were benches which served for sitting by day, and on +which the traveller spreads his mattress for the night, if he has one; if +not, he must go without. We were desired to mount a ladder to a loft like +a corn-floor, badly tiled in, and divided into four parts by boards about +five feet high. The one division of this place assigned to us had no door, +and when the windows were shut, which were of wood, there was no light +what shone through the tiling or was admitted between the boards. The +place was soon furnished, for the boy brought us a mat and spread it on +the floor, which was all we had a right to expect; but as we seemed to be +visitors who could pay pretty well, they brought also a rough wooden table +and three wooden stools. + +2_nd_.--Galaxidi is in ruins, presenting only mud cottages and +temporary wooden houses; ships also are in building. + +4_th_.--This morning we walked among the huts of the town, and found +an old man keeping school near the ruins of his own school-room, which had +been destroyed by the Turks. It happened to be his dinner-time, and he was +seated cross-legged on a stone, with a footstool before him, enjoying a +few olives and a morsel of bread. Around him stood his ragged pupils, +reading from leaves torn out of old books, some of which were so worn and +dirty that the poor boys could scarcely discover what they had once +contained. The weather was by no means warm, yet we could not wonder at +his choosing the open air for the place of instruction, when we saw his +dwelling, which was a mud hut not quite nine feet square, with no opening +for light but through the doorway. In this hovel he taught his forty +scholars when the inclemency of the weather did not permit their being out +of doors. The grey-headed father was surprised that his humble company had +attracted the notice of strangers; but, seeing the interest we manifested +in his calling, he inquired for a New Testament, which we gladly +furnished, with the addition of some tracts to such of the children as +could read them. This sight was gratifying to us as showing a disposition +to teach and to learn, even under the most disadvantageous circumstances. + +Our quarters at the khan became more uncomfortable; the people were so +uncivil they would hardly give us cold water without grumbling. The second +night we witnessed one of the most dreadful storms we ever remember to +have seen. Violent gusts of wind shook our desolate abode, while the rain +poured down in torrents and found entrance in various parts of our +apartment. + + +They intended, as we have seen, to go to Athens by way of Corinth, and +when they were disappointed of sailing to that city, and thrown upon the +opposite shore of the gulf, they still seem to have supposed it impossible +to reach the capital by any other route. + + +5_th_.--Being, says John Yeardley, on the contrary side of the gulf, +and thus deprived of helping ourselves by means of horses, we gave up all +hope of reaching Athens, and thought we must of necessity return to +Patras. We therefore inquired for a vessel to take us thither; but never +shall I forget my feelings of horror while trying to contract with a man +for a boat. I said in my heart, O that I might be permitted to try the +fleece once more in turning our faces towards Athens. The man was +exorbitant in his demands, and it was too late to reach Patras without +risking the night on the sea. To stay where we were was next to impossible +without serious injury, especially to my dear Martha. Strong indeed was +our united prayer for direction and help in this time of distress, and +ever-blessed be the name of our adorable Lord who heard and answered our +prayer. Out of the depths of distress a little light sprung up, and we +thought if we could take a boat and cross over to Scala, a little port on +the opposite side of the creek, we might then take mules to [Castri the +ancient] Delphi, and if not able to proceed further on our way, the change +we hoped would be use to M.Y. We did make the effort, and were favored to +get to Scala, where we found only a few scattered mud houses; but on +landing, there was a change of feeling immediately experienced. We were +rescued from ship-builders and sailors, the vilest of the vile, and placed +among a simple country people. + +The master of the custom-house, to whom we had a few lines of +recommendation, invited us to his house and gave us coffee. He provided us +with four mules; three for the interpreter and ourselves, and the fourth +for the baggage. It was about eight miles, or two and a half hours' ride, +to Delphi; and no sooner had we begun to feel the mountain air than my +dear M. began to revive. We had to climb precipices where nothing but +mules could have carried us. At the foot of the mountain we came in +company with two camels, which was a new sight to us. + +The situation of Delphi is the most beautiful that eyes can behold: +mountains of rock, such as we never before saw, and in the back ground the +far-famed Parnassus, covered with snow. The village consists of about one +hundred cottages, some of them built in the rock. We were conducted to one +of the best of these rustic dwellings, and met with a very friendly +reception from the inmates. The house consisted of two rooms, and we were +offered the use of one of them; they furnished us with mattresses laid +upon a sort of dresser, where we slept much better than for many previous +nights; even the hen and her thirteen chickens under our bed did not +disturb us. The novelty of the visiters soon brought in several of the +neighbors, who did not leave us, even while we took our tea. As there was +a good feeling, we thought it well to improve the opportunity, and +inquired who could read. The master of the house, a sensible man, said +there were only about twenty in the village who know anything of letters, +but that he could both read and write, for his father was a priest. + +After tea we produced a New Testament and the book of Genesis, and our +interpreter read aloud the first two chapters of Genesis. Our host had +never seen the Scriptures in his own language, and we think we never +beheld a countenance more full of delight and intelligence than his was +during the reading. After a short explanation of what had been read, and a +word of exhortation, we thought to close; but the company were so pleased +with hearing the account of the creation and fall of man [from the sacred +record itself], that they requested us to read more. I desired them to ask +any questions on the subject they might wish; and the first which our host +put was, What kind of tree it was, the fruit of which Adam was forbidden +to eat? We answered that it was translated in our language _apple_. +He said they thought it was a _fig_. We told them it might be a fig, +or it might be an apple; but that the object of the Almighty was to try +Adam's obedience. They at once agreed to this; and the master of the house +wisely observed, Jesus Christ came to restore to us what was lost by +Adam's transgression. He then said, It would have been better if Adam, +after his transgression, instead of hiding himself, had confessed his sin +to God, and begged his forgiveness. We all agreed that it was a natural +act for man, in his fallen state, to wish to seek excuse, rather than to +confess his sin and repent. We then made some remarks on the prophecy of +the Saviour in the third chapter of Genesis, and ability was given us to +preach the Gospel of life and salvation. All hearts seemed touched, and +our own overflowed with gratitude. We may in truth say, Our Heavenly +Father has plucked our feet out of a horrible pit and out of the miry +clay, and set them upon a rock, and put a new song into our mouth, even +praise to his glorious name. On considering afterwards our situation, we +could not but behold the hand of a gracious Providence which had led us to +this spot; had we attempted to go by Corinth to Athens, we should [as they +afterwards learned] have been stopped by the waters, and have missed +seeing this interesting people; but from hence the way was passable, and +only four days' journey by land. + +After dinner we walked through the village up to the rock. We came to a +fountain where several women were washing; one of them, a young-looking +person, suddenly left her companions, and with hasty step and entreating +air advanced towards us, as we supposed to ask something; but she bowed +her head almost to the ground, and then kissed our hands; after which she +withdrew in a cheerful and diffident manner. The reason of this salutation +was, that the young woman had lately been married, and it was customary +for the last bride of the village to kiss the hands of strangers. + +The temple of Apollo once occupied nearly half an acre of ground: a great +many of its marble pillars are still to be seen, half buried by the +plough, and corn growing over them. About a hundred yards from this temple +is the cave in the rock from whence the priestess pronounced the oracle. +Among the curiosities of this wonderful place, the tombs in the rocks are +not the least remarkable. They are built of the most beautiful white +marble; the entrance is by a large archway, and round the circle are +several recesses in the stone, one above another, where the dead had +evidently been deposited. They illustrate the history of the maniac +dwelling among the tombs (Mark v. 3.), for these caves formed a perfect +sort of house in which persons might dwell. + +8_th_.--We were not able to leave Delphi on account of the high wind +with some rain. In the evening we again enjoyed our Scripture reading on +the hearth. We continued the book of Genesis, and our host inquired +whether those who died before the birth of the Saviour were lost. He was +informed they were saved through faith in the promise. He had supposed +they went into hell, and that when Christ came he released them. We asked +him if Enoch, who walked with God and was translated, could have been sent +to hell. Of this he knew nothing, never having read the Scriptures. + +9_th_.--This morning we procured four mules and four men, and +proceeded on our pilgrimage towards Livadia, thirty-three miles from +Delphi. Our kind host recommended us to the special care of one of the +muleteers, who put his hand to his heart, and feelingly accepted the +trust. We were most of the day winding round Parnassus, whose height above +us was tremendous. The road was frightful; over rocks, waters, and swampy +ground; we could hardly have believed it possible to pass through the +places where our mules penetrated. The muleteer performed his trust +faithfully, rendering us all the assistance in his power. On parting we +presented him with some tracts; he could read, and was much gratified with +the gift. + +At Livadia we were badly lodged, in a smoky room, and suffered much from +extreme fatigue; but we found ourselves with an interesting family, to +whom we read the Scriptures, seated with them on the floor; and we could +not but feel grateful to our Divine Master, for leading us among those who +were thirsting to receive the Holy Scriptures in a language they could +understand. + +10_th_.--We travelled on horses through a comparatively flat country, +despoiled of all its verdure by the ruthless hand of war. The evening was +wet; we reached the once celebrated Thebes in the dark, and were glad to +take shelter in a smoky room, in the first house that could receive us. +The situation is fine, but the present town occupies only the part which +was the fortress of ancient Thebes. + +11_th_.--This day we had much mountain country to pass through. Every +tree we could see was either partly burnt or partly cut away. Towards the +end of our day's travel we went through an immense wood, difficult of +passage, on leaving which the Gulf of Aegina appeared in view. We rested +for the night at a little settlement of Albanians near the coast. We +obtained shelter in the cottage of an old woman, who seemed a little +startled at the appearance of strangers, whose language she could not +understand. Concluding, however, that we had the common wants of nature, +and having no bread to offer us, she quickly prepared a little meal, made +a cake, and baked it on the hearth under the ashes. We made signs to be +furnished with a vessel in which we might prepare a little chocolate, our +frequent repast under such circumstances; and, at length, a very rough +homely-looking pitcher was produced; but the greater difficulty was to +find something in which to boil the milk and water. After waiting till +their own soup had been prepared, we obtained the use of the saucepan. +These difficulties overcome, we enjoyed our meal; and offered some to a +Greek woman who had walked beside our mules for the sake of company, on +her dreary journey to Athens; but she refused, with thanks, saying, I am +not sick; for the Greeks seldom take beverage of this sort, except when +they are indisposed. As the inmates of this homely cottage, as well as the +neighbors, who usually come in to see travellers of our uncommon +appearance, did not understand Greek, we were deprived of the opportunity +of reading the Holy Scriptures to them, or of conversing with them on the +subject of religion. All that we could do was to prepare for rest, of +which we stood in great need, having had a very fatiguing ride through the +woods to this place. The room in which we had taken shelter was also to be +our sleeping-place, in common with the old woman and her family and the +Greek traveller; in another part of the room were also a sheep and several +other animals. We swept as clean as we could a space in the neighborhood +of the quiet sheep, and spread what bedding we had upon the mud floor, +surrounding it with our baggage, except our carpet-bags, which served us +for pillows; and after commending ourselves and the household to the +protecting care of the great Shepherd of Israel, we obtained some +refreshing repose. (See _Eastern Customs_, pp. 17-19.) + +12_th_.--We started with tired bones. After a pleasant ride of four +hours the Acropolis of Athens burst upon our view. The city is beautifully +situated in a plain bounded by mountains, and near to a rich grove of +olive-trees, which has been spared amid the ravages of war. I felt, says +John Yeardley, low and contemplative; many and various thoughts crowded +into my heart. Every foot we set in Greece, we Bee desolation. I can +scarcely believe that I am in the place where the great Apostle of the +Gentiles desired to know nothing but Christ crucified; and in sight of +Mars Hill, from which the same apostle preached to the Athenians the true +God. + +We reached the only inn in the town, much worn by fatigue and bad +accommodation, yet very grateful for having been preserved from any +serious accident during our perilous journey, and under a precious sense +that it was in right ordering we persevered in coming to this place. + +We introduced ourselves to the American missionaries, Hill and King, and +met with a hearty reception. The schools under their care are the most +gratifying sight we have seen. J. Hill and his wife have nearly 500 +children on their list. We were much pleased with the arrangements of the +schools: the classification is the best I have ever seen, and the children +exhibit intelligence and thirst for instruction. The effect of Scriptural +instruction on the minds of the Greek children is very gratifying. A young +girl whom the directors had taken into the school as an assistant teacher, +entered the family with a mind fortified in the superstitions taught in +her own church, observing scrupulously the feast and fast-days, the making +the sign of the cross before eating, and the kissing of pictures. The +mistress wisely avoided interfering with what the girl considered to be +her religious duties; but after she had attended the Scriptural reading +and the family worship for a short time, the light of divine truth broke +in upon her heart; and as she embraced the substance of the religion of +Jesus Christ, her attachment to the superstitious forms became gradually +weakened, until at length she left them altogether. The mistress one day +said to her, I observe you do not keep the fast-days, nor cross yourself +before eating, nor kiss the pictures. No, replied the child, I am +convinced that making the outward sign of the cross cannot purify the +heart from sin; and as to meat and drink, I read in the Scriptures, that +it is not that which goeth into the mouth that defiles the man. + +15_th_.--Visited the schools under the direction of Jonas King, of +the Boston mission. He has an academy for young men, and a school for +mutual instruction, containing together 150. I think the mode of Scripture +lessons particularly efficient. The instruction given in the schools at +Athens seems more complete than in any we have visited during the journey. +J.K. has service in modern Greek three times on First-days, at which some +of the young men attend, along with other Greeks, but not many. + +During our stay in this city we visited many Greek families, and +distributed among them religious tracts and portions of the Holy +Scriptures, and exhorted them to the observance of their religious duties, +often calling their attention to those points in which their own practices +are at variance with the doctrine of Holy Scripture. + +The ancient ruins are exceedingly grand, and raise mingled feelings in the +heart not easily described, but tending to humble the pride of human +greatness. We saw the Temple of Theseus, the prison of Socrates, the +famous Temple of Minerva; but the spot that most nearly interested us was +Mars Hill, whose rocky mount was in view from lodgings, where we sat and +conversed together of the Apostle Paul preaching the true God; and in the +sweet stillness which covered our spirits, earnestly desired that the pure +Gospel might again be freely preached and received throughout this +interesting but desolated country. + +There are not more than sixty really good houses built in the town; but, +including great and small, there may be 1500 dwellings. It is settled that +Athens shall be the seat of the Greek government; and the young king, +Otho, laid the foundation-stone of the new palace in his last visit to +this place. + +18_th_.--Being anxious to get to Patras in time to sail by an English +packet to Corfu, we set off for the port. J. Hill met us, to see us embark +in a boat for Kalimichi. The Greek sailors have a superstition against +sailing at any time but in the night; but after being deceived by one +captain, we prevailed, on another to set sail [in the daytime], in the +full hope of reaching Kalimichi the same evening. A favorable gale wafted +us on for some time, but a slight storm coming on, the cowardly captain +ran us into a creek, and kept us tossing all the night in his open boat. +About eight o'clock the next morning we were favored to reach Kalimichi in +safety, where we procured mules and reached Corinth to dinner. + +Here there are only a few houses standing in the midst of ruins. We took +up our abode at the only inn, from the windows of which we looked upon the +busy scene of a fair. Our hearts were not enlarged, as the great Apostle's +was; for our spirits were clothed with mourning in contemplating the +darkness of the place. Many persons to whom we spoke could not read; and +on offering a Testament to the man of the inn he refused to receive it. + +We pursued our travels, and at mid-day met with a trying detention from +the muleteer having neglected to obtain a permission. We were at length +suffered to proceed, but arrived late at a miserable khan, where we passed +the night in a loft. This poor place could only furnish two mules and a +donkey, with a man to attend them; but we were encouraged to hope we +should find four horses about two hours further on; but here we were +disappointed, and could get no horses to proceed. We felt truly destitute, +and took refuge in a loft from the scorching rays of the sun. We had very +little food with us, and saw no probability of quitting our desolate abode +till the next day at any rate. Thus situated we were endeavoring to be +reconciled to our allotment, when most unexpectedly, about two o'clock, we +espied a small fishing-boat sailing towards Patras, and immediately ran +down to the shore, a considerable distance, to make signals to the +boat-man, and inquire whether he would convey us to Vostizza, a place +within a day's journey of Patras. We directly procured a mule to convey +our baggage to the shore, and descended by a very rough path to a creek +where the boat lay to. Here we were again detained by the guard making +great difficulty in allowing the boatman to take passengers without a +permit, which could only be obtained in the town, so strict and perplexing +are the regulations for travellers under the new government. However, +after detaining us an hour and causing us to lose most of the fair wind, +he suffered the man to take us. We sailed along pretty well for a time, +when the wind suddenly changed, and the boatman told us we could not get +to Vostizza that night, but added they would put us on shore where we +should be within an hour's walk of it, and that we could readily find a +mule to carry our baggage. This we gladly accepted, and were soon landed +and on our way. + +Although sick and weary on board, we seemed to receive new strength for +our walk, and arrived at Vostizza at about eight o'clock. Here our +accommodation for the night was much like our former lodging; for this +large town has also been, burned by the enemy, and presents a scene of +ruins. We engaged horses for the next day to convey us to Patras, and were +a little cheered with the prospect of being near that place of attraction. +The man of the house where we lodged could not read, but informed us there +was a school in the town of fifty boys. We saw a person in the next shop +writing, and offered him a Testament, which he very gratefully received, +and sent for the schoolmaster, who seemed much pleased with our offer to +send him books and lessons. We also gave books to several we met with, +who began eagerly to read them aloud, and soon obtained hearers, so that +it became a highly interesting scene: boys who received tracts from us +showed them to others, and numbers crowded about us, even to the lust +moment of our stay. If we had had a thousand books we could have disposed +of them. What a difference between this place and poor Corinth! + +Our trying journey through Greece has given us an opportunity of judging +of the state of things, and I hope will enable us to relieve some of their +wants. It is cause of humble thankfulness to the Father of mercies that he +has preserved us in the midst of many dangers, and brought us in safety so +far back on our way with hearts filled with love and praise. + + +They arrived at Patras on the 22nd, but found that the English steamer had +sailed two days before. They employed the interval before the sailing of +another packet in establishing a girls' school, which was commenced soon +after their departure. At Corfu they received information of the opening +of the school, conveyed in a letter from the sister of the English consul +in the following encouraging terms:-- + + +I am sure you will be gratified to hear that the school which was +established by your benevolent exertions has been opened under the most +favorable auspices. The first day we had twenty-two girls; we have now +forty-eight. Nothing can exceed the eagerness shown by the children to be +admitted, and their parents seem equally anxious to send them; with very +few exceptions they come clean, and on the whole are attentive and well +behaved. Of the forty-eight there are only nine who can read. The little +Corfuot you recommended is first monitor, and of great use. + + +They reached Corfu on the 12th of the Fifth Month, and were kindly +accommodated at the office of the Commissary Ramsay. + + +Immediately on our arrival at Corfu, our young friend the Count Sardina +renewed his visits. We saw him almost daily; our conversations were often +truly spiritual; he opened his heart to us, and we rejoiced to believe +that he had attained to a degree of living faith in his Redeemer. + + +It will be recollected that their inability to collect the inhabitants in +a meeting for worship was a source of discouragement to John and Martha +Yeardley in their former visit to Corfu. Now, on revisiting this island, +they had the satisfaction of holding two meetings for worship with Isaac +Lowndes' congregation. + + +6 _mo._ 1.--Isaac Lowndes had now obtained leave to hold his meeting +for worship in the large school-room, and I felt at liberty to propose +having an opportunity to address the congregation. This he gladly +accepted, and gave notice of our intention. It was pretty well attended, +but not full; a good feeling prevailed. + +15_th_.--We had another meeting with the little company who meet in +the school-room. The room was better filled than on the former occasion: +it was a precious season of divine favor; utterance was given to preach +the word, and I trust there were some into whose hearts it found entrance. + +A few days before we left the island, I.L. took us to visit the Jewish +Rabbi, who, though full of argument, appears extremely dark and +bewildered, dwelling on mysterious words whose interpretation is confined +to the rabbinical office. He said they looked for a temporal king, who +should give a temporal kingdom to Israel. It was a truly painful visit, +and we left him with the desire that he might be instructed even out of +his own law, which, if properly understood, would prove as a schoolmaster +to bring him to Christ. + + +After spending about five weeks at Corfu on this second visit, they again +crossed the Adriatic to Ancona. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1833-4. + +PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE. + +Of the numerous letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from +England during this long journey, very few have been preserved. We shall +extract short passages from two which came to their hands not long before +they left the Islands. The first is from John Rowntree, and is dated the +13th of the First Month, 1834. + + +On my own account, and on behalf of the Friends of our Monthly Meeting, I +feel grateful for the information respecting your proceedings. There is +some difficulty in satisfying the eager anxiety of my friends to know all +that is to be known about your engagements, and I may truly say that the +kind interest which you feel about us is reciprocal. Often do I picture +you to myself, laboring in your Master's cause, receiving as +fellow-partakers of the same grace all whose hearts have been touched +with a sense of his love, who are hoping to experience salvation through +Him alone. + +Our reading meetings are pretty well attended this winter. We have been +reading James Backhouse's journal: he was still engaged, when he sent the +last account of his proceedings, in Van Diemen's Land. Like you, he and +his companion rejoice at meeting with those to whom, although not exactly +agreeing with us in some respects, they can give the right hand of +fellowship as laborers under the same Master. Like you, too, they devote +considerable attention to the improvement of schools, and the improvement +of the temporal condition of the poorer classes among whom they labor. + + +In a letter from William Allen, written the 31st of the Third Month, occur +the following words of encouragement:-- + + +I have heard, through letters to your relations and others, that you have +been much discouraged at not finding a more ready entrance for your gospel +message; but really, considering the darkness; the sensuality, and the +superstition of the people in those parts, we must not calculate upon much +in the beginning. If here and there one or two are awakened and +enlightened, they may be like seed sown, and in the Divine Hand become +instruments for the gathering of others. Should you be made the means of +accomplishing this, in only a very few instances, it will be worth all +your trials and sufferings. And again, you must consider that, in the +performance of your duty, seed may be sown even _unknown by you_, +which may take root, and grow, and bring forth fruit to the praise of the +Great Husbandman, though you may never hear of it. Be encouraged +therefore, dear friends, to go on from day to day in simple reliance on +your Divine Master, without undue anxiety for consequences; for depend +upon it, when he has no more work for you to do, he will make you sensible +of a release. + + +The passage to Ancona was tedious. + + +We embarked at noon, and had a long passage to Ancona of twelve days. We +landed on the 29th, and soon found ourselves occupying an empty room in +the Lazaretto, without even the accommodation of a shelf or closet. The +term of quarantine is fourteen days, but four days are remitted by the +Pope. The heat is oppressive, and the mosquitoes annoy us much, but we are +preserved in a tolerable degree of health; and in taking a review of our +visit to Greece and the Ionian Islands, we are still sensible of a very +peaceful feeling, under a belief that we have followed the pointings of +the Great Master, and a hope that the day is not far distant when the way +will be more fully opened in those countries to receive the gospel. The +preaching of John in the wilderness has often appeared to us to be +applicable to this people,--Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. + +7 _mo._ 6.--We left Ancona, and took the route through Foligno and +Arezzo to Florence. That part of the Pope's dominions through which we +have passed is highly picturesque; hill and dale continually, and the +whole country cultivated absolutely like a garden. Most of the towns are +on the hills, and nothing can exceed the beauty of their situation. But as +to vital religion, the spirit of those who desire the promotion of the +Redeemer's kingdom, on the broad and sound basis of common Christianity, +must be clothed with mourning in passing through this superstitious and +illiberal country. What we have seen of Tuscany is not so fine, but the +appearance of the peasants is much superior. The inns are much more +agreeable than we found them on the road from Geneva to Ancona. + +We arrived at Florence on the 10th. The persons to whom we had +recommendations were absent, on account of the heat of the season, except +the Abbot Valiani, a spiritually-minded man, who showed us great kindness. +He has refused many advantageous offers of promotion, choosing to be +content with a little, rather than to be hampered with fetters which I +believe he thinks unscriptural, and not for the good of the Church; he is +of the opinion that it would be better for the common people to have the +Bible, and to be more acquainted with its contents. He conducted us to see +the School for Mutual Instruction, founded under the patronage of the +Grand Duke, about twelve years ago. The school-room is very large, airy, +and well lighted; it was formerly a convent. The system of education +differs a little from that practiced in England; but the children, about +240 in number, are apparently under an efficient course of instruction and +discipline. The younger boys have a string put round the neck, which +confines them to the place during the lesson, but I observed it did not +confine their attention. We were much pleased with the countenance and +manners of the director, the Abbot Luigi Brocciolini; his heart appears to +be in his work, which is by no means easy. + +We left Florence early on the 13th, and had four days' hard travelling to +Genoa. From Sestri to Genoa, a day's journey, is by the sea, and under the +mountains, some of them of a tremendous height, and beautifully covered +with olives, vines, and figs: the houses hang quite on the sides of the +mountains amidst the olives; I do not remember to have passed through any +country equally picturesque. + +We had packed as many books and tracts as we well could in our wardrobe +trunks, which were not once opened at the different custom-houses, but the +surplus tracts, &c., we were obliged to put into a spare box by +themselves, and this box was not suffered to pass the frontier of +Sardinia. The first officer was embarrassed, not knowing how to act, and +sent a gendarme with us to the bureau of Sarzana, the next town. The +officer there was remarkably civil, but told us the law is such that books +cannot enter except on conditions to which we could not in our conscience +submit. We therefore left them in the bureau, desiring that they might be +made useful: a person in the office said, in a half-whisper, These are the +books to turn the people's heads. We were glad this loss did not prevent +us from distributing others out of our remaining store, at the inns, and +pretty freely on the road. + + +Their object in returning by Genoa was to visit the valleys of Piedmont. +They reached Turin on the 19th, and proceeded on the 22nd to Pignerol. +From this place they visited most of the valleys, went into all the +families where Stephen Grellet had been, and had frequent religious +conversation with the pastors and some of the people. + + +We spent, says J.Y., five days amongst them. The old pastor Best died soon +after the time that Stephen Grellet was there. We met his son, lately +appointed chaplain to the Protestant congregation at Turin. He is a young +man of talent, lively and intelligent, and desirous of being useful in his +new sphere of action. He came to us often at our little inn, and made many +inquiries as to the nature of our religious principles; our conversation +mostly turned on the necessity of the assistance of the Holy Spirit in the +exercise of Christian ministry. This he fully admitted, but was not +prepared to dispense with the necessity of an academical preparation. I +fear that sending the young men to Geneva for this purpose has not always +had a salutary effect. + +We thought it right to attend their worship on First-day morning at La +Tour. The congregation consisted of about 900 clean and well-dressed +peasants, many of whose countenances looked serious. The short discourse +of Pastor Peyron was orthodox, and the application impressive and edifying. +He afterwards dined and spent the afternoon with us at the widow Best's, +with several branches of her interesting and pious family. I humbly trust +this day was spent to mutual comfort. + + +They were disappointed to find that strangers were forbidden by law to +hold public meetings, or preach in the assemblies of the Protestants; and +although they met with many pious individuals, they thought the life of +religion on the whole at a low ebb, and deplored the prevalence of the +forms and ceremonies used by the Church, of England. The schools, too, +they found to be in a very poor state; the masters deficient in education +and badly paid, and the schools conducted without system. The ministers +showed them great kindness, and on their quitting La Tour, Pastor Best +encouraged them by the expression of satisfaction with their visit. They +returned to Turin on the 28th. + +Passing over Mont Cenis, they directed their course to Geneva, where they +arrived on the 3rd of the Eighth Month, rejoiced to be once more on the +English side of the Alps. On their outward journey their sojourn in this +city had been short, but now they found it needful to make a longer visit, +and were thankful in being permitted to mingle again in intimate communion +with those who understood the language of the Spirit. They paid and +received many visits, and held two religious meetings at their hotel, at +the latter of which about fifty persons were present. + +One of the most interesting occasions of which they speak was a Missionary +Meeting, in which the minister Olivier unfolded his experience of a divine +call to leave his country, and go abroad on the service of the gospel. The +voice which he described as having been sounded in his spiritual ear, and +the manner in which he received it, must have struck John Yeardley as +singularly in accordance with the call to a similar service which he +himself had heard so distinctly in his younger days, and which, like +Olivier, he had for a long time hidden in his heart. + + +8 _mo_. 4.--In the evening I attended the Missionary Meeting in the +Chapel de l'Oratoire. Pastor Merle [d'Aubigné] opened the meeting by a +short prayer, and singing, and then gave a narrative of the liberation of +the slaves in the English colonies, according to the account received from +England. Pastor Olivier, from Lausanne, was present. He is about to depart +for Lower Canada, and he spoke in a very touching manner of the way in +which the mission had first opened on his own mind. When the concern was +made known in his heart, he kept it there in secret prayer to the Lord for +direction, and whenever he heard what he believed to be the same voice, it +was always--Go, and the Lord will go with thee. A real unction attended +while he gave us this account; the way in which he spoke of it resembled +the manner of one of our Friends laying a concern before a meeting: many +hearts present felt the force of his words. His exhortation to the young +persons was excellent. Pastor Gaussen concluded the meeting with an +address and lively prayer. + + +Among the friends with whom they had religious intercourse were Pastors +L'Huillier, Gallon, and Molinier. The last was a "father in the church" to +them. After some conversation on the state of religion in Geneva, he +proposed their sitting awhile in silence, well knowing the practice of the +Society of Friends in this respect. John and Martha Yeardley had each a +gospel message to deliver to him, after which he took them both by the +hand, and offered up prayer for their preservation and the prosperity of +the Society to which they belonged. "It was," says J.Y., "the effusion of +the Holy Spirit, accompanied with power, and refreshed our spirits." + +With Pastor Gallon John Yeardley had a long conversation on the principles +and operations of the Société Evangelique. + + +I find them, he says, more liberal in their views than had been +represented, and their extent of usefulness is already considerable. In +their Academy they instruct young men with a view to their becoming +ministers, missionaries, school-masters, &c., as the prospect for their +future usefulness may open under the direction of Divine Providence. In a +place like Geneva, such an institution may be well: while we regard it +with some caution lest it should run too high on points of doctrine, we +cannot but hail with peculiar satisfaction such a favorable opportunity of +educating young men in the sound principles of Christianity, that they may +happily prove instruments in the Divine Hand to check the spread of +infidelity. + + +From Geneva they went to Lausanne. Their old friend, Professor Gaudin, +took them to see several pastors, and other pious persons, and on +First-day, the 17th, he and his family, with some other serious-minded +individuals, joined them in their hour of worship at the inn. + + +It was, says J.Y., a time of a little encouragement to our tried minds, +for we had been brought into doubt as to the utility of resting here, +although we had seen, as we believed, in the true light, that we ought to +seek out a few who could unite with us in our simple way. + + +On the 18th they went on to Neufchâtel, where they were received as before +with much affection, and where they proposed to settle down for the +winter, after making a tour in some neighboring parts of Switzerland. + +On the 20th they went to Berne, and hired a lodging, for the purpose of +devoting themselves to religious intercourse with persons of the +_interior_ class. As soon as it was known they had arrived, their +acquaintance rapidly increased, and they found it difficult to receive all +who came. One of their first acts was to renew their intercourse with the +Combe family at Wabern, where their visit in 1828 had left a sweet +remembrance. + +They spent a fortnight in Berne and the neighborhood, and some passages +from John Yeardley's account of this interesting visit may properly find a +place here. The continual flow of Christian sympathy which it was now +their happiness to experience, formed a strong contrast to the dreary +spiritual wastes they had traversed in Italy and Greece. It was at this +time that they contracted or renewed a friendship with Sophie +Würstemberger, since well known to many other English Friends. + + +8 _mo_. 24.--How greatly I feel humbled under the prospect before us +in this place; many thirsting souls are looking to us for help, and we +feel poor and weak; we can only direct them to Him from whom all strength +comes. O my Saviour, forsake us not in this trying hour; give us the +consolation of thy Holy Spirit, and a portion of strength to do thy will! +Our meeting is appointed for this evening; enlighten our understanding, O +Lord, that we may be enabled to instruct the people in the right way. + +25_th_.--More came to the meeting last evening than we expected. They +were still, and a good feeling prevailed; there were those present who +knew something of inward retirement with their Saviour. + +Madame Combe called yesterday to ask some questions on the Supper and +Baptism. I believe it would be an advantage to these pious people, if they +were to read and compare one part of the Scripture with another more +diligently. She left us well satisfied with the explanation given to her +questions. We never touch on these points, unless we are asked questions +upon them. + +The various visits received this day have closed with one of no common +interest from Dr. Karl Bouterwek, a young man from Prussia. He told as he +had received much benefit in the church of the Dissidents, but was on the +point of separating from them, because he could not agree in acknowledging +they were the _only true_ visible church. After some observations on +the Supper, &c., we observed that there were individuals in this place +whom the Most High was calling into more spirituality and purity of +worship. He asked why we thought so. Our reasons were given, and he made +no reply; but a most solemn and precious silence came over us, which it +was beyond our power to break by uttering words. Our hearts were filled +with love, and the dear young man went away to avoid showing the feelings +of his heart by the shedding of tears. + +28_th_.--Took tea at the Pavilion, a pleasant country walk of twenty +minutes from town, with Mad'e de Watteville and her daughter. She had +invited a number of friends to meet us. We passed a couple of hours, +pleasantly conversing, mostly on religious subjects. It is a little +extraordinary, with what openness some of these dear people speak to us of +the state of their minds. When the circle was seated, we formed a pretty +large company. The daughter of Mad'e de W. whispered to my M.Y., Are we +too dissipated to have something good? We told her it was always good to +endeavor to retire before the Lord in humility of soul. I trust a parting +blessing was felt amongst us. + +30_th_.--From 9 o'clock till half-past 12, we received visits in +succession, I think not fewer than fifteen. At half-past 2, Mad'e de Tavel +accompanied us to the Penitentiary prison. For cleanliness and order, I +think, it exceeds all I ever saw of the kind. I fear the religious +instruction is very superficial; none but formal prayers and written +sermons are used. + +31_st_.--Attended Mad'lle Berthom's Scripture class, at the +Institution for the Destitute. There are eighteen girls in the house to +bed and hoard; it has been established about six years. M.B.'s method of +examining the children is the most simple and spiritual of any that I have +seen; she has an extraordinary gift for the purpose. + +9 _mo_. 2.--Attended the Monthly Meeting in the missionary room. Many +of the company were peasants from some distance. The singing excepted, it +resembled a Monthly Meeting for worship in our Society; for all had +liberty to speak one after the other, five or six speaking by way of +testimony: the doctrine was sound, and the way in which they coupled this +with their Christian experience was really excellent. I had much unity +with the concluding prayer by Pastor Merley. + +2_nd_.--The evening was spent at Mad'e W.'s, with a pretty large +company. ---- proposed for a few verses to be sung; afterwards he read a +chapter, and gave a long exposition, somewhat dry. When this and a prayer +were gone through, it was late; neither my M.Y., nor myself, were able to +express what was on our minds. Some uneasiness and disappointment were +expressed by several; and two of these dear friends came to our lodgings +the next day, with whom we had a precious time. My M.Y. had to speak a few +words to the particular state of M.B., and at the close she acknowledged, +in brokenness of spirit, that it was the truth. + +There is a remarkable awakening in the town and canton of Berne, both +among those of the higher walks of life and the peasants; but there is not +strength enough to come out of the forms. There are thirty females to one +man among those who are lately become serious. + + +From Berne, J. and M.Y. proceeded to Zurich, arriving there on the 5th of +the Ninth Month. They spent three days in the city, chiefly in the company +of the Gessner-Lavater family, and renewed with the various members of it +the intimate friendship of former years. A short passage descriptive of +this sojourn is hero appended. + + +9 _mo_. 7.--We attended the worship of the National Church, and heard +the pious Gessner. What he said was excellent, but I never enter these +places without feeling regret that good Christians can be so bound by +book-worship; it certainly damps the life of religion in the assemblies. +How much we ought to rejoice in being delivered from the forms. + +I was instructed yesterday evening by hearing a reply of one of the first +missionaries of the Moravians [?]. He had labored diligently for +twenty-five years, and when asked how many souls had been turned to the +Lord by his means, he modestly answered, Seven. The person expressing +surprise at the smallness of the number in so many years, he replied, How +happy shall I be to stand in the Lord's presence at the last day, and to +say, Lord, here am I and the seven children whom thou hast given me. We +ought to labor in faith, and not expect to see fruit. + + +The next town where they halted was Schaffhausen, like Zurich, dear to +them in the recollections of past visits. Here they examined the school +for poor children in the town, and that of Buch in the neighborhood. They +were delighted with both these institutions. The mistress of the former +possessed an extraordinary natural talent for her office; she was +originally a servant, when, instead of seeking her own pleasure on the +First-days of the week, as other servants did, she would take a few +children to teach them to read and instruct them in the Bible. Their visit +to the school at Buch is described by John Yeardley in No. 10 of his +Series of Tracts, _The Six Secrets_. + +On the 13th they went to Basle, where they conversed with most of the +pastors, and several other individuals of religious character. + + +Serious, retired persons, says John Yeardley (9 mo. 21), frequently come +to us and open the state of their minds with great freedom and confidence. +If we are of any use to their thirsty souls, it is the Saviour's love that +draws us into sympathy with them, and his good Spirit that enables us to +speak a word in season to their condition. + + +As usual, they visited the Mission House. Inspector Blumhardt informed +them that the translation which had been made of J.J. Gurney's "Essays on +Christianity," and of which 2000 copies were printed, had been productive +of great good; they had been distributed chiefly among those who were +connected with the German universities. + +They remained at Basle until the 1st of the Tenth Month, and then returned +by way of Berne to Neufchâtel. At Berne a sudden diversion was given to +the current of their thoughts by the intelligence of the death of Thomas +Yeardley. J.Y. has left a memorandum of the occurrence, and of the +singular foreshadowing of it upon his own mind which took place at Zurich. + + +10 _mo_. 2. _Berne_.--We found many letters from England waiting +for us here, one of which, from my nephew John Yeardley, brought the +sorrowful intelligence of the sudden and unexpected removal of my +dearly-beloved brother Thomas, of Ecclesfield Mill. This took place on the +6th of the Ninth Month, about 20 minutes past 2, without sigh or groan, +even as a lamb. These are the expressions of J.Y.; he adds several sweet +expressions of my precious brother's, which show that the solemn change to +him was a joyful one: and I do believe his tribulated spirit is now at +rest. On recurring to the 6th ultimo to see where we were, and what were +the contemplations of my mind, I find we were at Zurich. That morning the +following lines which I heard when a child, and had not repeated for the +last twenty years, came forcibly into my mind:-- + + + It's almost done, it's almost o'er, + We're joining them that are gone before; + We soon shall meet upon that shore + Where we shall meet to part no more. + + +I not only repeated them to myself the whole of the day, but even sung +them aloud so often that my dear M.Y. said to me, "Whatever can be the +meaning that thou so often repeats these lines?" I replied, "I do not know +that I have repeated them for the last twenty years, but to-day they are +continually with me." This can have been nothing but the spirit of +sympathy with the soul of my dear departing brother, for the awful +impression of sorrow and solemnity in my mind on that day will never be +forgotten; I mourned with the bereaved family without knowing it. My M.Y. +had opened her portfolio to begin a letter to our sister Rachel, and I +wrote the verse on a piece of loose paper, and she slipped it into her +papers, and said to herself, Surely these lines are not prophetic of +something that is going to happen? Last evening she banded me out of her +portfolio the piece of paper containing the lines. + + +At Berne they received also the tidings that "the excellent" M.A. Calame +was no more; the Christian mother of 250 orphan children was taken from +the scene of her labors and the conflicts of time to the heavenly rest in +her Saviour. The following appear to be among the last words which she +wrote; they were no doubt addressed to her faithful companion Zimmerlin:-- + + +In my numerous shortcomings I have enough constantly to humble me, and +without being surprised at it, since evil is my heritage; but my help is +in the Lord, who delights in mercy. I have hope also for all my brethren +whom I love, whatever name they hear. There are twelve gates by which to +enter into the Holy City, and if they have passed through the great gate, +which is Christ, I am sure that those who enter from the east, as well as +those who have been brought in by the west, will be there; but those who +enter with me are better known to me than the rest whom I shall meet in +that celestial Jerusalem, whither my sighs daily carry me, yet in +submission to the heavenly decrees, desiring only that the will of God our +Saviour be done. + +You think my task is light? Ah, no! the love which the Lord has given me +spends itself on so many hearts closed to their true interests; I see the +hand of the enemy in their souls; I am so often deceived in my hopes, that +my work is watered by my tears. From time to time, however, the Lord gives +me hope; a soul awakes from sleep, and is kindled into light by the torch +of the gospel. + +And now, dear sister, have no longer any esteem or consideration for me; +only let the love of Christ live in thy heart for me: the desires of my +heart carry you with it to the feet of Him who is Love. + + +When they returned home, John and Martha Yeardley printed a short memoir +of this extraordinary woman, whose name, though comparatively little known +upon earth, is doubtless enshrined in the hearts of many who still +survive, and shall one day shine with a lustre which the most brilliant of +her sex, whose ambition it is to adorn the court, the concert or the +drawing-room, will desire in vain to wear. + +At Berne J. and M.Y. commenced a Bible class, similar in kind to the +Scarborough reunion, which was continued until their departure, and was +the source of much pleasure and profit to those who attended. Before +quitting Berne, thinking it might perhaps be the last opportunity they +should have of meeting with their numerous and beloved friends in that +city, they invited them to join them in worship in their apartment. + + +Many, says John Yeardley, gave us their company; much tenderness of spirit +was felt, and through the mercy of Divine Love many present were, I trust, +comforted and refreshed. + +We quitted Berne on the 30th. We had become so affectionately attached to +many Christian friends, that parting from them was severely felt. But what +happiness Christians enjoy even in this world I those who love the Saviour +remain united in Him when outwardly separated. + + +Neufchâtel, for the sake of those who resided there, was equally +attractive to them as Berne. + + +We arrived at Neufchfâtel, writes John Yeardley, on Fifth-day, and on +Seventh-day (11 mo. 1) settled into a comfortable lodging on the border of +the lake. It feels to us the most like home of any residence we have had +during our pilgrimage in foreign lands. Our suite of cottage-rooms runs +alongside the water, with a gallery in front, and the little boats on the +lake, and the mountains in the distance, covered with snow, are objects +pleasing to the eye. What gives us the most satisfaction is the feeling of +being in our right place, and to meet with such a warm reception from our +dear friends. + + +This feeling was succeeded by some religious service of an interesting +character, in reviewing which John Yeardley says:-- + + +23_rd_.--Among those who meet with us, a little few know how to +appreciate true silence, others are not come to this. But for what purpose +are we here? If it may please our Heavenly Father to make use of us as +feeble instruments of drawing a single individual into nearer communion +with the Beloved of souls, we ought to be content; and, blessed be his +Holy Name, his presence is often felt in our hearts. + + +As has been already said, they looked forward to spending the winter at +Neufchâtel. This intention, and their ulterior project of visiting Germany +in the spring, were frustrated by the alarming illness of Adey Bellamy +Savory, Martha Yeardley's only brother, the news of which reached them on +the 29th of the Eleventh Month. + + +This day's post, writes John Yeardley, brought us the sorrowful news of +the severe illness of our dear brother A.B. Savory. The family at +Stamford-hill have expressed a strong desire for us to return, if we could +feel easy so to do, and seeing that we have pretty much got through what +we had in prospect in Switzerland, we are, on the whole, most comfortable +to go direct for London, and leave Germany for the present. Our great +Master is very gracious to us, giving us to feel sweet peace in the +termination of our labors, and to look forward with hope to seeing our +native land once more. + + +The next day was First-day; the parting with their Neufchâtel friends was +very affecting. + + +11 _mo_. 30.--A precious meeting this morning. The presence of Him +who died for us was near, to help and comfort us; our hearts were much +tendered by his divine love. The taking leave of our dear friends here was +almost heartrending. There is a precious seed in this place, which I +trust, is a little deeper rooted since our last visit, and it is the +prayer of my heart, that the Saviour may water and watch over it, and that +it may produce abundance of fruit to his praise. + + +They took their departure on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, and arrived in +London on the 13th, travelling through the north of France twelve days and +six nights. + + +Through divine mercy we arrived safe in London, on Seventh-day evening, +and lodged with our beloved relations at Highbury, who received us with +all possible affection. Our spirits on meeting, mingled in silent sorrow, +while we were enabled to rejoice in God our Saviour. On First-day morning +we went over to Stamford-hill, and soon were introduced to our beloved +brother, who was perfectly sensible, but extremely weak. The peace and +serenity which we were favored to feel by him was an inexpressible comfort +to our sorrowful hearts. + + +A.B. Savory died the next Third-day evening, and his remains were interred +on the First-day following. + + +21_st_.--This was the day fixed for the solemn occasion of +accompanying the remains to the tomb. The body was taken into the +meeting-house at Newington, and the company of mourners and all present +were, I believe, comforted and edified through the tender mercies of our +Heavenly Father. J.J. Gurney's communication was particularly precious; he +also paid a consoling visit to the family after dinner. + + +We shall conclude this chapter with some reflections made by John +Yeardley, on reviewing the changes which death had produced in the circle +of his relations:-- + + +1835. 1 _mo_. 31.--Waking this morning, I took a view of the great +ravages death had made in our families; when this exhortation pressed +suddenly and with peculiar force on my heart,--Be thou also ready. My soul +responded, Thou Lord, alone, canst make me ready. O gracious Saviour, who +died for me, be pleased to redeem me from the bond of corruption, and +purify my heart from earthly things. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, IN 1834, TO THE +COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH, IN 1842. + +During the seven years comprised in this chapter, the materials which +exist for delineating John and Martha Yeardley's history are meagre. Of +the numerous journeys which they made in the course of this period, the +record kept by the former frequently consists of a mere itinerary. + +After attending the Leeds Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month, they +returned to their home at Scarborough, but soon left it again to be +present at the Yearly Meeting in London. The Society of Friends began +about this time to be agitated by differences of opinion, chiefly on +points of doctrine. John Yeardley not only kept himself sedulously free +from the spirit of party, but, whether from a natural aversion to public +life, or from the fear of exceeding the limit of his own calling and +abilities, he abstained from taking a prominent position, and left it very +much to others to sway the affairs of the Church. But he was not unmindful +of the dangers by which the Society was assailed, and he bent the force of +his mental vigor and Christian experience towards the promotion of +individual growth in grace and faithfulness to the divine call, and the +diffusion of clear and comprehensive views of Scriptural truth; and when +the hour came for sympathising with those who were harassed by doubts, or +such as were subjected to trial by the effect of religious dissension, he +was ready, with his beloved partner, to share the burden of the afflicted, +to probe the wounds of those who had been bruised, and to pour in the oil +of heavenly consolation. + +His note regarding the Yearly Meeting is short:-- + + +The business was of a most important nature, and sometimes very trying. We +had strong proof that many spirits professing to have made long progress +in the Christian life were not enough subdued by the humbling power of +divine grace; but through all, I trust, our heavenly Father dealt with us +in mercy, and sent help and wisdom to direct and strengthen his poor +tribulated children. + + +On returning to Scarborough, he writes:-- + + +I humbly trust our hearts are truly grateful to the Author of all our +mercies, who has granted us once more a little rest of body and sweet +peace of mind; but, as it regards myself, I must say that inward poverty +has prevailed more since my return home than it has done for the last two +years of absence. It is well to know how to suffer want, as well as to +abound. + + +Want of occupation was not one of John Yeardley's trials, even when +"standing," as he expressed it, "free from any prospect of immediate +service, and feeling much as a vessel not likely to be brought into use +again." Scriptural inquiry, the study of languages, and of the history of +the Church, watching the progress of religious light and liberty on the +Continent of Europe, his garden, the binding of his books--these were the +employments of his industrious leisure. To these must be added the time +bestowed on several small publications from his own and his wife's pen +(the latter chiefly poetical), of which the "Eastern Customs," a volume +which was the product of their united labor, and the materials for which +were supplied by their journey to Greece, is the best known. + +But there was another object which drew largely on John Yeardley's time +during his residence at Scarborough. This was the unsectarian schools +established in the town for the education of the industrial classes. Of +these the Lancasterian School for girls was his favorite, and the deep and +steady interest which he manifested for the improvement of the children, +as well as the peculiar talent which he evinced for attracting and +developing the youthful mind, are shown in an affectionate tribute to his +memory by the late mistress of the school:-- + + +For many years he was a visitor at our Lancasterian School, where it was +his delight to impart knowledge to a numerous class of girls. He had a +happy method of communicating information. The children used to listen +with the greatest attention and delight; they never wearied of his +lessons. Scriptural instruction was his first object; the children were +questioned on what they had read, and it was delightful to watch their +countenances whilst he explained portions of Scripture, which he +frequently illustrated by the manners and customs of Eastern nations; and +this he did in a way that rendered his teaching valuable, as he did not +fail to make an impression and gain the affections of his hearers. + +One little girl we had whom he used to call the _oracle_; and indeed +she was not inappropriately so-called; for whenever any of the girls were +at a loss for an answer, they invariably turned to her, and seldom failed +to receive a response to their silent appeal. This gifted child died +between the ages of sixteen and eighteen; he was a frequent visitor at her +bedside during a lingering illness, and it was his privilege to see that +his labors had not been in vain. + +I shall _never_ forget him, not only for the important instruction I +derived from him, but also for his valuable assistance. During my labors +of more than twenty-five years, I had none to help me as he did. When at +home he never failed to visit as every afternoon: no matter what the state +of the weather was--snow, wind or rain--he was to be seen at half-past +two, with his large cape folded round him, bending before the blast, +toiling up the hill near the school. So accustomed were we to him that his +coming was deemed a matter of course. + +After our Scripture lesson a portion of time was devoted to geography, +particularly Bible geography; then he would talk to them of places where +he had travelled: his descriptions of the Ionian Islands, the people and +the schools he had visited there, used to be a favorite theme, and very +interesting. In this way our afternoons were passed, and truly they were +times of profitable instruction. + +He seemed to care less for the boys' school; he did occasionally visit +them, but the girls were his pets. I have sometimes thought his knowledge +of the ignorant and degraded state of the females in Greece was the cause +of his taking so much interest in the education of the females in his own +land. + +In addition to J. Yeardley's labors at the Lancasterian School, some of +the older girls and a few others who belonged to the school assembled at +his house one evening in the week, whom he instructed in reading and +Scriptural knowledge. Some of these still speak with gratitude of the +benefit they then received. + + +In the Ninth Month of 1835, John and Martha Yeardley visited Settle +Monthly Meeting, and Knaresborough, under appointment of the Quarterly +Meeting. On their way thither they took up at York their aged and valued +friend Elizabeth Rowntree of Scarborough, who was on the appointment. + + +Her company, says J.Y., was a strength and comfort to us; she exercised +her gift as an elder in a very acceptable manner, in many of the families +we visited, as well as in the meetings for discipline. + + +This notice is succeeded almost immediately by the record of Elizabeth +Rowntree's sudden decease:-- + + +On the 25th of the Eleventh Month, we were introduced into deep affliction +by the sudden removal of our precious elder, E. Rowntree. Her dependence +for salvation was fixed on her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the +help of whose Spirit she had been enabled to lead a life of godliness and +of usefulness to her fellow-mortals, and was always concerned to give the +praise to Him to whom it was due,--the Lord of Lords. + + +This event, with the removal of another pilgrim to become an inhabitant of +the world of beatified spirits, and the pressing subject of the divisions +in the Society, form the topics of the following letter from Martha +Yeardley to Elizabeth Dudley:-- + + +Scarborough, 12 mo. 5, 1835. + +During our long sojourn last spring, in and about my native city, my +spirit was deeply oppressed, nor did the conflicts endured appear to +produce much benefit either to myself or others. Here the way is more +open, and, although we also deeply feel the effects of the storm which has +been permitted to assail our little Society, we are more able to endure +it; and desire to abide in our tents, except when called upon to defend +that immediate teaching of the blessed Saviour, upon which we depend for +our little portion of daily bread. I can truly sympathise with thee, my +beloved Betsy, an having to bear more of the burden and heat of the day, +and I do fervently believe with thee, that the more, as individuals, we +commit and confide the cause to the Great Master, in humble prayer, the +sooner it will be extricated from the perplexities which now harass and +distress those who are truly devoted to it. + +We have deeply to mourn for our endeared and highly valued E. Rowntree, +suddenly taken from us about ten days since. She and her sister R.S., from +Whitby, had spent the preceding evening with us; she was in usual health, +and sweetly cheerful, rejoicing that she had been enabled to assist dear +Sarah Squire in a family visit to Friends of this meeting, though she did +not sit with her in the families. I heard of her illness and hastened to +her; she appeared sensible but for a very few moments after having been +got to bed; yet was heard begging for patience under extreme agony; then +added, We had need live the life of the righteous, for it is an awful +thing to die. Then she suddenly sank into a slumber, and lay till a little +after nine at night, when her purified spirit was peacefully liberated. + +We have got through Pontefract and some meetings in the neighborhood to +our comfort, and on the journey had an opportunity of sitting beside the +dying bed of dear Sarah Dent, which was indeed a peaceful scene. She was +perfectly sensible, and so animated that I could hardly give up hope of +her restoration. But she had not herself the least prospect of life, and +said that, although she had found it a hard struggle to give up her +husband and children, she had, through the mercy of her gracious Redeemer, +attained to perfect resignation. This was about a week before her death, +and we have heard since, that a little before the close, she said, The +Lord Jesus is near, I want you all to know that He is near indeed! + +Dear Ann Priestman has united with us in visiting this Monthly Meeting: it +seems now best for us to remain at home for a short time, under the +bereavement which our own meeting has suffered. + + +In 1836 they again attended the Yearly Meeting; of which John Yeardley +thus speaks:-- + + +The Yearly Meeting was, I think, on the whole, satisfactory, much more so +than many Friends could look for, considering the discouraging +circumstances under which we came together. The main bent in all the +important deliberations on subjects of great moment to the well-being of +our small section of the universal church, was to adhere to the long-known +principles of the Society, and to turn aside the sentiments of opposing +individuals in the spirit of gentleness, forbearance and love. + + +They visited many meetings in going from and returning to Scarborough. The +most interesting of these visits was at Thame, in Oxfordshire, which John +Yeardley thus describes:-- + + +6 _mo._ 14.--Went in the evening to Thame, and had a meeting with a +few who have met in the way of Friends for about five years at Grove End. +There are only seven or eight who meet regularly, but they are often +joined by a few others. No notice had been given to their neighbors of our +coming, but on seeing us go to the meeting many followed; the room was +quite filled, and a precious meeting it was. Their hearts are like ground +prepared for the good seed of the kingdom. The nature of spiritual worship +was pointed out, and testimony borne to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. + +This little company reminded us of many such which we met with in foreign +countries, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. We had a good deal of +conversation with William Wheeler, who was one of the first to meet in +silence. He was a leader in the Wesleyan congregation, and became uneasy +with giving out hymns to be sung with those whose states he knew did not +correspond with the words. He would then sometimes select a hymn most +suited by its general character to the company; at other times he would +leave out a few verses, and select others which he thought might be sung +with truth by the whole congregation; but the thing became so burdensome +that he was obliged, for conscience' sake, to leave it altogether, and sit +down with a few others in silence. At first they met with opposition, and +even persecution, from persons who came to their meeting to disperse them. +On one of these occasions a few rude young men had banded together to +beset them the next meeting-day, and disperse them. W.W. was strongly +impressed that it was right for him to proclaim an awful warning to +some--that the judgments of the Almighty awaited them, that eternity was +nearer than they were aware and he wished them to consider and prepare for +it. One of the disturbers was taken suddenly ill, and died before the next +meeting-day; which produced such an effect on the others that they never +more molested the little company in their worship. + + +In reviewing this journey, J.Y. says, under date of the 25th of the Sixth +Month:-- + + +I trust my faith is afresh confirmed in the gift of the Holy Spirit to +lead in the way of religious duty, and to give strength to do His will. +Lord, grant that the remainder of my days, whether few or many, be +entirely devoted to the holy cause of endeavoring to promote the Saviour's +kingdom on earth. + + +In 1837, John and Martha Yeardley were occupied with making circuits in +the service of the gospel through several counties of England. They were +attracted to Lancashire, which they visited in the autumn, by the peculiar +state of some meetings in that county, an extensive secession having taken +place not long before. The difficulties which they had to encounter on +this journey are represented in a letter from Martha Yeardley to her +sisters, written at Manchester the 4th of the Ninth Month, 1837. + + +I do not recollect that, in my little experience, I ever had more +preparatory exercise of mind to pass through; and I believe it has been +the same with my dear J.Y. We have, however, in many of our visits, been +much comforted under the belief that those who remain firm in the +testimonies given us to bear are in a more lively state, and more banded +together, than has been the case heretofore, and that, through the mercy +of our holy Head and High Priest, there is a renewed visitation to many. +In the public meetings, of which we have had many, there has been a rather +remarkable openness to receive the truths of the gospel, united with our +view of the spirituality of this blessed dispensation. + +We approached this place in deep prostration of spirit; and truly we feel +that all the previous baptism has been needful, in order to enable us in +any degree to perform our duty here. There has been a sore rending of the +tenderest ties, and the wounds are not yet healed. There are a few who +entertain ultra views, and their over-activity tends to keep up excitement +in those who are wavering and have not yet left the Society: this makes it +very difficult for moderate people to stand between them, and calls for +very deep indwelling with the blessed source of love. On the other hand +there are, I fear, very many who rejoice in the delusive suggestions of +our unwearied enemy--that the cross of Christ is not necessary--that they +may speak their own words and wear their own apparel, and still be called +by the name of Him who died for them. I think we never have had more to +suffer than in some of the meetings we have attended, from a disposition, +perhaps in some degree on both sides, to criticise ministry: still there +are, I believe, many precious individuals among the young and middle-aged +who are under the forming hand for usefulness. There is indeed a loud call +for laborers in this large and mixed meeting; and we are ready to weep +over the vacant seats of those who have deserted their post, and, I +greatly fear, are seeking to warm themselves and others with sparks of +their own kindling. + + +Another letter from M.Y., written at the conclusion of this journey, +supplies a few more traits of the Christian service into which they were +led in the course of it. + + +Scarborough, 10 mo. 7. + +We remained nearly a month in our lodgings at Manchester, receiving and +paying visits, some of which were very interesting. Dear H. Stephenson and +family were extremely attentive, and her daughter Hannah was our constant +guide in that large place. We spent First-day at Rochdale, and in the +evening a large number of young Friends took tea with us, between thirty +and forty. This has mostly been the case on First-days, both at Manchester +and elsewhere, and these opportunities have tended to our relief. + +After this we bade farewell to Lancashire, under feelings of thankfulness +which I cannot describe, for having been mercifully helped and preserved +through such a warfare. + + +In the autumn of 1839 they again travelled southwards, directing their +steps through the eastern counties of England, and London, Surrey, and +Hampshire, to the Isle of Wight, where they spent five weeks exploring its +coasts and corners, in search, not of the naturally picturesque, but of +the beautiful and hopeful in the moral and religious world. They returned +home by Bristol and Birmingham. + +So attractive to their spirits was the Isle of Wight, that the next year +they repeated the visit, going thither after the Yearly Meeting. In the +Seventh Month they attended the Quarterly Meeting at Alton, and on their +return to Newport were accompanied by Elizabeth and Mary Dudley and +Margaret Pope. They remained in Newport and the vicinity several weeks, +during which time, amongst other engagements, they conducted a Scripture +class with some young persons three evenings a week. In a letter dated the +27th of the Sixth Month, J.Y. says:-- + + +My dear Martha feels deeply for the Unitarians in this place; we sometimes +think the way may open for us to help them a little. Their great +stumbling-stones are, the want of clearness in the mystery of the oneness +in the Godhead, and of faith in the practical influences of the Holy +Spirit, as operating on the heart of man. Our morning reading opens a +suitable door of communication for those whose curiosity prompts them to +seek our company. + + +In company with Elizabeth Dudley they hold several public meetings at +various places on the island. They have left no record of this service, +but we have a notice of the meeting at Porchfield, in a letter from E.D. + + +The meeting was very satisfactory, sweet and refreshing to our spirits. +The road was rough and hilly. We were behind time, and our friends being +punctual, the house looked full when we got there, though more followed, +until not only within but outside the walls there was a crowd of orderly, +attentive people. Many of them were happily acquainted with the power of +religion in their hearts, and prepared for spiritual worship. The assembly +was composed of various denominations from a straggling village and more +remote habitations. The chapel was built many years ago, by a pious man, +now above eighty years old, who was with us, and who enjoys to have the +place used by any who from love to Christ and the souls of men are +attracted to visit them. The simplicity and openness to be observed and +felt that evening was a comforting indication of freedom from party +spirit, and those vain disputations which in so many instances keep +Christians at a distance, and mar their individual peace as well as +usefulness. + + +Before they left Newport, they provided, with the help of several friends, +suitable accommodation for the little meeting of Friends in that town. On +taking leave of the island, which they did in the Eighth Month, John +Yeardley remarks:-- + + +We have had much comfort and satisfaction in our sojourn in this place: a +strong evidence is felt in our hearts that it has been ordered by the +Lord. We have cause to acknowledge that our labors have been owned by the +Divine Presence in our various exercise for the promotion of the Saviour's +kingdom. + + +In the spring of 1841 they repeated their visit to the Isle of Wight, +spent great part of the summer in religious service in Essex, and visited +afterwards Bristol, Bath, and other parts of Somersetshire. + +At Bath they remained for some weeks. Soon after their arrival in the +city, they were introduced into sympathetic sorrow on account of the death +of John Rutter, whose guests they were, and who was suddenly removed, by +an accident, from time to eternity. This event is described in a letter +from John Yeardley to his sister R. S. + + +Bath, 9 mo. 24, 1841. + +The affectionate family of the Rutters gave us a hearty reception, and we +remained under their hospitable roof until Second-day, when they were +plunged into deep distress by the awfully sudden removal of their beloved +father. He went out before breakfast, and called at his son's wharf. A +cart of coals being about to be weighed, he was leading the horse on to +the machine; the animal, being a little unruly, suddenly rushed forward +and pushed down J. R, and the wheel passed over his body. He was +immediately conveyed to his own shop, when the spark of life became +extinct, and he ceased to breathe, without apparent pain or emotion. We +were nearly ready to leave our room, about half-past 6. o'clock, when one +of the sons knocked at our door, and related the awful occurrence. I went +down immediately: the scene may be more easily imagined by you than +described by me. We endeavored to calm them as much as possible; and, +though deeply afflicted, they bear the stroke with sweet resignation. I +wrote letters at their request to most of their near relatives; and as we +could not think of leaving the sorrowing family to go as proposed to +Bristol, we immediately procured a lodging and settled in, in the evening. + +On Third-day afternoon we went to the Quarterly Meeting at Bristol, and +returned to Bath on Fifth day, not wishing to be long absent from the dear +sorrowing ones. We have a pleasant situation on the hill-side, called +Sidney Lodge, from which, when the gas is lighted, the city is presented +to our view like a beautiful panorama. + + +Their minds had been for some time in preparation for renewing, on the +Continent of Europe, Christian intercourse with some of their old friends, +and for exploring new veins of religious life in countries which they had +not yet visited. Accordingly, in the Fourth Month of 1842, they acquainted +the Friends of their Monthly Meeting with the prospect of missionary +service which had opened before them, informing them that from the +conclusion of their last European journey they had believed it would one +day be required of them to re-enter that field of labor. The Monthly +Meeting accorded its full and sympathetic approbation, which was endorsed +by the Quarterly Meeting at a conference of men and women Friends, of +which John Yeardley says:-- + + +The great solemnity which prevailed was truly refreshing to our spirits, +and I believe to the spirits of many others. Our friends gave us their +full unity, _encouragement, sympathy,_ and _prayers_. + + +Martha Yeardley thus expresses the feelings with which she contemplated +this arduous journey, in a letter to Josiah Forster:-- + + +It is indeed an awful engagement, now in the decline of life, and, with +respect to myself, under increasing infirmities; but I believe it best for +me not to look too far forward, but simply to confide in the mercy and +guidance of that blessed Saviour who has been our support and consolation +under many deep trials, humblingly believing that whether enabled to +accomplish the important prospect or not, it was an offering required at +our hands, and that we must leave the event to the Great Disposer of all +things. + + +In the same letter she mentions their having heard of the death of Louis +A. Majolier of Congenies, which, she says, although a cause of rejoicing +as it regards him, was read by us with mournful feelings, from the +recollection of his fatherly kindness in days that are past, and also from +renewed solicitude for the little flock in that country. + +Before their departure they went once more into the West Riding, to see +how their brethren of J.Y.'s earliest acquaintance fared. They were +joined by William Dent of Marr, near Doncaster, with whom they were +"sweetly united in the fellowship of the gospel;" and they returned to +Scarborough with "grateful and peaceful hearts." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1842-3. + +In the journey which now lay before them, John and Martha Yeardley were +about to explore a part of Europe hitherto untried,--the province of +Languedoc, conspicuous in past ages for its superior enlightenment, but +now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in ignorance and +gloom. In this mission, the opportunities which they found for reviving +and gathering together the scattered embers of truth, were nearly confined +to social intercourse; in seeking occasions for which, they availed +themselves of introductions by pious Prostestants from place to place, +whilst they were careful, as had always been their practice, to wait, in +every successive step, for the direction of the Divine Finger. The mission +was performed in much weakness of body, and under frequent spiritual +poverty; yet it will be readily acknowledged that theirs was a favored +lot, to be able, with the clue of gospel love in their hand, to trace the +pathway of Christian truth, and the footsteps of true spiritual worship, +and of a faithful testimony for Christ, through the midst of a degenerate +and benighted land. + +They went to London on the 2nd of the Eighth Month, and spent the time +before they sailed in gathering information and counsel for their +approaching journey, and in social visits. Speaking of one of these visits +(to their nephew J. S., at Clapton), John Yeardley says:-- + + +Before parting we had a religious opportunity, in which a word of +exhortation flowed in gospel love, and ability was granted to approach the +throne of mercy in solemn supplication. I often wish we were more faithful +in raising our hearts to the Lord before separating from our friends when +met on social occasions; a blessing might attend such simple offerings. + + +In a visit they paid to Thomas and Carolina Norton, the subject of +establishing a school for the children of Friends in the South of France +came under consideration; a project which, as we shall see, they were able +in their visit to that part of the country to carry into effect. + +They left London on the 16th, and on the 19th arrived at Amiens, where +they halted for a few days. They found in this city a movement among the +Roman Catholics, a number of whom had joined the Protestant worship. The +Protestant Pastor, Cadoret, was very friendly to them; when he heard that +they belonged to the Society of Friends, he pressed John Yeardley's hand +and said, I am very glad to make your acquaintance; it is the first time I +have seen any of your Society, of whom I have heard much. + +On the 20th J.Y. writes, in allusion to the spiritual darkness which so +generally covered the land of France;-- + + +My soul is cast down, but when I am afflicted because of the wickedness of +the people, I call to remembrance these words: "Fret not thyself because +of evil-doers. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the +land, and verily thou shalt be fed."--Psalm xxxvii. 1, 3. + + +A large number of workmen of various nations are employed at Amiens in +weaving. J. and M.Y., visited several of these in their cottages, and +before they left the city invited the people of this class to a meeting, +especially intended for their own countrymen, but open to all who were +willing to come. The meeting, says J.Y., was an occasion precious to our +souls; the Lord gave us ability to declare his word. I spoke in English +and my dear Martha in French. + +At Paris, whither they proceeded on the 22nd, they were disappointed in +finding that the majority of the persons at whose houses they called were +in the country, and some with whom they had taken sweet counsel in former +years had been removed by death. Pastor Audebez was at home, and received +them with a cordial welcome. They were detained in Paris longer than they +had anticipated, by the illness of Martha Yeardley, and did not leave till +the 9th of the Ninth Month. The morning after they had entered Paris the +words of Job were brought to J.Y.'s recollection in a forcible +manner:--"Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath +preserved my spirit." (Job x. 12); and in going out of the city he was +refreshed with the joyful language of David,--"How excellent is thy +loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust +under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the +fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy +pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we +see light."--Psa. xxxvi. 7-9. + +Some letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from England during +their sojourn in Paris show, the strong sympathy which accompanied them in +their journey, and contain, at the same time, references to events which +will be interesting to the reader. + + +South Grove, Peckham, 8 mo. 12, 1842. + +Numbers vi. 24-27:--"The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his +face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his +countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name +upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them." To be pronounced by +Aaron the high, priest and his successors, as the type of Him by whom all +blessing and favor are bestowed on the church and her children. + +The above portion of Holy Scripture, with the 121st Psalm, has been so +sweetly in my remembrance since parting with my beloved friends John +and Martha Yeardley, that, before retiring for the night, I transcribe the +words which convey, so much better than any language of my own, the +renewed and abiding desire under which they are committed to the care and +guidance of the Good Shepherd, in humble but confiding belief that he will +equally watch over, guard and keep, those who go and those who stay; +causing each, amidst all variety of circumstances, to realize the +soul-cheering truth, that, at the throne of grace, mercy is obtained and +grace to help in time of need. May the peace which passeth all +understanding keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, prays your +nearly-attached friend and sister, + +E. DUDLEY. + +THE SAME TO MARTHA YEARDLEY. + +Peckham, 8 mo. 21, 1842. + +While in the sick-chamber of my sister, instead of at meeting, it feels +pleasant to devote part of the evening to thee, my beloved friend. I have +enjoyed the thought of your having a good Sabbath at Paris, where, no +doubt, a sphere of duty will be found, and perhaps many exercises of faith +and patience attend the labor of love which may await you there; while, in +the spirit of true dedication and acquiescence so mercifully bestowed upon +you, no commandment will be counted grievous, nor any service for your +Lord too hard or painful. His words come sweetly to my mind as really the +portion of a brother and sister dear in the bond and power of an endless +life,--"Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they +hear." + +Accounts from various parts of this land continue to indicate much +unsettlement, and there have been large companies of Chartists in the +immediate vicinity of London; but happily the civil power proved equal to +their dispersion. One would hope the abundant harvest, now ready to be +gathered, may turn the current of feeling, and induce the desire rather to +praise the Lord for his goodness, than to spend time and strength in +murmurings and disputings with their fellow-mortals. The destruction, not +only of property, but of life; in some recent contests, is quite +appalling, and we certainly live in very eventful times; the tendency, +however, both of the good and evil, is so obviously towards an increase of +light and knowledge, that it seems warrantable to expect _all_ will +be overruled to better views and practices becoming more general, and the +kingdoms of this world being thankfully surrendered to the righteous +government of the Prince of Peace. But alas! deep and complicated may be +the sufferings yet behind for the church and her children to endure, +whether in being sharers in, or but the witnesses of, what is pronounced +upon the world of the ungodly. + +FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. + +Scarborough, 8 mo. 29, 1842. + +The account of your proceedings at Amiens has been particularly +interesting to me. Whether manufacturing employments are unfavorable or +otherwise to moral and religions character; or whether it is merely the +larger earnings which artizans receive, enabling them more glaringly to +gratify their natural and corrupt inclinations than agricultural laborers, +can do; whether the passive ignorance of the country laborer, or the more +active and intelligent habits, yet combined with moral darkness, of the +manufacturing operative, most retards the diffusion of religious truth, +are serious questions for us in this country. Our manufacturers have been +alarming the whole nation, and threatening us with something like +political revolution; but they have received a severe lesson, and many of +our jails are filled with the victims of unprincipled agitators. +Considering how little of the Christian spirit is generally found in the +operations of government, the treatment of these poor creatures has on the +whole been lenient, and no very severe punishments are anticipated. + +Whether the people of this nation have learned more of righteousness from +the judgments of the Lord, which have I think evidently been made known in +this part of his earth, is perhaps known only to Him who knoweth all +things. I often fear;--for surely there is very much of darkness and +wickedness among us--yet I can not unfrequently hope that light is +spreading, and that although the powers of evil are active and strongly +developed, yet the active diffusion of the means of good more than keeps +pace with them. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the +world," is still a consoling assurance to many dejected yet hoping +believers. Our dear friend Hannah C. Backhouse is strong in the faith that +light increasing, that the fields are white already for harvest, and that +the Lord of the harvest is preparing and sending forth laborers into his +harvest. + +The Protestants whom you found at Amiens, and in some other places, would +probably remain totally unknown to ordinary travellers, and perhaps we do +not enough consider how little known in a great nation the salt that +preserves it may be. The reports from the agent of the Bible Society in +France seem to me more than usually encouraging. I hope you may be enabled +to impart some spiritual gift or knowledge to many hidden ones who appear +to be hungering and thirsting after righteousness in that vain-glorious +nation, and that your faith may be strengthened by meeting with such. + + +John and Martha Yeardley arrived at Lyons on the 13th, and, after making +some calls, intended to proceed to Nismes the next day. But not feeling +satisfied to leave the city so soon, they concluded to remain there one +day more; and they had cause to be thankful in having taken this course. + + +For, says J.Y., we have made the acquaintance of several religious +persons. An evangelist and colporteur named Hermann Lange, a German Swiss, +took us to see some Protestant converts, amongst whom we have found much +of the interior life. The Lord gave me a word of exhortation for them, and +helped me to utter it in French. We had a conversation with our friend +Lange respecting the ministry in our Society. Like many other persons he +supposed we had no recognized ministers; we explained the usage of +Friends, and showed him our certificates, with which he was pleased. He +admired the good order in use amongst us, and said that he had for a long +time desired to be informed respecting the principles of Friends; that he +thought as we did, that an express call of the Holy Spirit was necessary +to the ministry, and that women as well as men ought to be allowed to +preach, I felt intimately united to him in spirit: on parting we gave him +some tracts explanatory of our principles. + +Lyons is the head-quarters of popery; the Jesuits here exert a strong +influence with the government against the Protestants. We visited a good +man named Elfenbein, who with his wife, is very useful to the awakened +Protestants. He is a colporteur, and introduces the Holy Scriptures into +families to whom he speaks concerning the things of God. He and his wife +called upon us in our hotel. On parting he proposed we should pray +together. This gave us the opportunity of explaining our sentiments +regarding prayer; and we proposed remaining a while in silence, and if it +should please the Lord to put words of prayer into our heart, we would +express them with the help of the Holy Spirit. After a time of silence, +Elfenbein prayed for us with unction in a few words: it was a favored +time; thanks be to God. + + +On the 15th they resumed their journey, and passing through Nismes +proceeded to Congenies. They found there Edward and John Pease, who were +travelling on a religious errand, and were about concluding their labors +in those parts. The meeting was a source of comfort on both sides. The +next day, which was First-day, was a solemn season: the gospel message was +largely delivered in the little meeting-house, and Christine Majolier +interpreted for those who spoke in English. The Two-months' Meeting was +held, and here, as well indeed as on every other occasion, the English +Friends missed the company and help of their valued friend, Louis A. +Majolier. + +After residing for a while at Congenies, they removed to Nismes, where +they preached to the strangers who attended the usual meetings for +worship, distributed religious tracts in the city and its environs, and +instituted a Scripture Reading Meeting for the young. But the object which +most strongly engaged their attention at Nismes was the foundation of a +boarding-school for the daughters of Friends. Louis Majolier, during a +great part of his life had conducted a day-school at Congenies: this +school was, of course, not accessible to the children of those Friends who +lived at a distance; and soon after L.M. died even this was given up, and +the means of education in the Society failed altogether. In their project +for supplying this deficiency, John and Martha Yeardley found the parents +and other Friends ready to second their efforts; and at the Two-months' +Meeting in the Eleventh Month, it was resolved to establish in the first +place a school for girls only at Nismes, and a committee was appointed to +carry this resolution into effect. A mistress was found without much +difficulty in Justine Bénézet, a valuable Friend, who had had for sixteen +years the superintendence of the Orphan Asylum, and whose health had in +some degree given way under the too onerous charge. + +In reference to the accomplishment of this undertaking, J.Y. writes:-- + + +12 _mo_. 14.--_Nehemiah_ i. 11:--"O Lord, I beseech thee, let +now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer +of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, +thy servant this day." I often think of these words of the prophet, and +they [have supported me] when my soul has been cast down on account of the +school. + + +During their abode at Nismes they visited the little congregations of +Friends which lie to the westward of that city, and had to record that +the presence of their Divine Master went with them, giving them his word +to declare, and inclining the hearts of the hearers to receive it. + +A letter from John Rowntree, which reached them towards the end of the +year, contains some observations on the work they had found to do in their +journey, with an interesting notice of what was passing in England. + + +Scarborough, 11 mo. 14, 1842. + +MY DEAR FRIENDS, + +.... The plan of your meetings for Scripture instruction seems to me +particularly good; you will, through them, have numerous opportunities for +impressing on the minds of your hearers the inestimable value of the Holy +Scriptures, when properly received, and made available by the enlightening +influence of the Holy Spirit, and the worthlessness--nay, the danger--of +resting satisfied with a mere knowledge of their words. The words of our +Lord were "spirit and life" to those who would receive them as such; yet +how many who heard them were to be judged by them at the that day, because +they believed not. + +We still hear sad accounts of distress in the manufacturing districts of +the country. Some of your friends have probably informed you that at our +last Quarterly Meeting much sympathy was expressed for the destitute +artizans, and a liberal subscription was commenced, and was to be carried +forward in all our meetings for their relief: a few days ago it amounted +to £800--I hope it will exceed £1000: but what is that, it may be said, +among so many? yet I hope much good may be done by it, and Friends in +other parts of the nation seem to be considering whether they ought not to +make some efforts for similar purposes. At Liverpool we hear that upwards +of £200 has been raised. + +You will probably have heard of the very sudden death of Jonathan +Backhouse, whilst his wife was laboring under a religious engagement in +the north of our county. His change seemed a translation from that state +of strong but imperfect love which a member of the militant Church might +feel here below, to that fullness of love which his Saviour had purchased +for him above. + + +In the Third Month, 1843, they quitted Nismes, taking their young friend +Jules Paradon as their companion. + + +The parting, says J.Y., from the dear family at the school was sorrowful. +Before taking leave, we had a religious opportunity with the children, in +which all hearts were touched. + + +They arrived at Montpelier on the 7th. The pious characters to whom they +were introduced in this city were mostly of the upper class--bankers, +doctors, lawyers, and professors. They found that the principles of the +Society of Friends were very little known there, but that many were +desirous of being acquainted with them. Being pressed in their spirit to +propose a meeting for worship with such as were disposed to give their +company, their new friends readily agreed to it, and about thirty-five +persons sat down with them at their inn. The assembly was, as they +believed, owned by the great Master, who showed himself to be their +strength in the time of weakness, and gave them power to preach the gospel +and explain the nature of true worship. Pastor Lissignol and Dr. Parlier +were amongst those to whom they were the most united. The latter filled +the office of mayor when Josiah Forster and Elizabeth Fry were at +Montpelier. He told John and Martha Yeardley that the meeting they had +just held had been strengthening to his faith. That the Lord by his Spirit +should move the hearts of his children in a distant land to visit his +heritage in other countries, he regarded as a proof of his love; and he +spoke of the unity of spirit which is felt by those of different nations +who love the same Lord, as a precious mark of discipleship. + + +The town of Montpélier, say J. and M.Y., is built with taste and elegance, +and the situation is most delightful: there are 4,000 Protestants in a +population of 86,000. On Sixth-day (the 10th) we left this place of deep +interest, with hearts grateful to the God and Father of all our sure +mercies, in that he had enabled us to bear a testimony to the spirituality +of worship as set forth by our Saviour himself. + + +After leaving Montpélier, they continue the narrative of their journey +as follows:-- + + +We lodged that night at Passanas, a dark Roman Catholic town. Inquiring if +there were any Protestants, the chambermaid replied, "Protestants! what is +that?" When we had made her understand, she said there were a few, but +they went to Montagnac to _mass_. + +11_th_.--We slept at Narbonne, an ancient town of 10,000 inhabitants. +No openness to receive even a tract; the inquiry for a Protestant excited +an evident bitterness in the reply. + +On the 12th, held our little meeting with our faithful friend Jules, in +which ability was granted to supplicate for the spread of divine light +over this benighted district. At 9 o'clock we set out to make a +Sabbath-day's journey: the wind extremely high and always in our face, +which fatigued Nimrod [their horse] as well as ourselves. We dined at +Lesengnan: not a Protestant in the place, yet we met with a circumstance +worth recording. Jules, who is ever watchful to find out who can read, +gave a few tracts to some boys in the stable-yard. When I went out, writes +J.Y., to see our horse, several rather bright-looking boys followed me, +asking for books. After ascertaining that they, could read, I supplied +them. This was no sooner known, than boys and girls came in crowds, soon +followed by many of their parents. As our visitors increased, I ran +upstairs to fetch my dear M.Y., and we embraced the opportunity to speak +to them on the importance of religion. No doubt curiosity drew many to us, +for we were a novel sight there, and the mingled multitude was not less so +to us. Among our auditors was a messenger of Satan to buffet us. He was a +good-looking man, who expressed a seeming approval of what we had done, +saying we made many friends. We told him they were all children of the +same Almighty Parent, and that there was but one true religion, and one +heaven. This observation drew off his mask, and he began to express doubts +whether either heaven or hell really existed, and brought forward the +threadbare argument of not believing what he could not see or prove. We +asked him if he had a soul: he said he had. We asked him how be knew that +he had a soul, for he could not see it: he replied, he believed that he +had a soul, but that his soul would die with his body. We then asked him +why two and two made four: he said he could not tell, and yet acknowledged +he was bound to believe it. The countenances of many around beamed with +joy at seeing this darkling perplexed; and we did not shrink from +exhorting him to repentance and faith in Christ, who died for him and for +all men. + +On returning to our room the landlady entered with a fine-looking girl, +for whom she begged a book. This opened our way to speak to her of things +connected with salvation. She said,--"We have not much of religion here." +"Why so?" we asked. "Because the people do not like to confess to +the priests." "And what is the use," said we, "of confessing to man?" +"Because," she replied in somewhat trembling accents, "we think it eases +our consciences, for the priests are the appointed ministers to take +charge of our souls." "What," we replied, "a man take charge of immortal +souls! God never committed the power to forgive sins to man: Jesus Christ +alone can pardon sins; he died to save us!" I shall never forget the +countenance of this dear woman, which seemed to express her long-shaken +confidence in her spiritual guides. We exhorted her to come to the +Saviour, who intercedes for us without the aid of man, and gave her a New +Testament, which she said she would read. + +12_th_.--Went to Maux to sleep. The landlady was communicative: she +told us that some travellers like ourselves some time ago had given her a +New Testament, which she had lent about the village, together with tracts, +and that she wished for more. We inquired if there were any persons in the +village who would like to come to us for books. She soon sent us an +interesting young woman, a schoolmistress, to whom on her entrance we +presented some tracts. She regarded them with an air of thoughtfulness +which seemed to measure the quantity to be taken by the price she would +have to pay for them. When she found they were to be had gratis, her +countenance brightened, and with it the brightness of her mind showed +itself. On speaking with her of the responsibility of her profession, and +the importance of imbuing the minds of children with just principles, she +said, "I am desirous of instructing the children in the religion of the +heart. Religion," added she, "though a good thing, is badly put in +practice in our church; the people do not like to confess to the priests, +and there is a great desire for instruction and to receive books." + + +They saw again at the Inn at Maux the man who had opposed them at +Lessengnan, and found him much better disposed than he had been the day +before. He told them he had been a Romish priest, but being disgusted with +the practices of his church, he had left it and joined the army: he +promised to read the books they gave him. + + +Our present mode of travelling (with our own horse), they continue, though +somewhat slow, affords opportunities of endeavoring to do a little good, +which we should miss in travelling by Diligence or extra-post. It is +curious and instructive to observe the various dispositions of the people +in the dark places through, which we pass: sometimes they are so fanatical +as to tear a tract before our face; others receive them with joy. During a +half-hour's rest for our horse at a village near Castelnaudry, my M.Y. +made the acquaintance of an aged woman at the door of her cottage, who +really did us good. On inquiring if she could read, "It is my +consolation," said she, "to read the Scriptures." "And we have great need +of consolation," we answered. "Yes," said she, "I am a widow of near +eighty years, and have had many cares; but I pray to God, and he grants me +the consolation of his Holy Spirit, and if I confide in him he will never +forsake me." + + +At Castelnaudry they left the main road and crossed the mountains to +Saverdun, in order to visit the Orphan Institution in that place. + + +By not going first to Toulouse, remarks John Yeardley, we saved about +thirty miles of travelling; but it was ill-spared, for one part of the +road was so bad that it required a forespan of two oxen to drag the +carriage through the deep mire and over the dangerous ditches. After a +little dinner at a poor place in the mountains, we procured a mule as a +reinforcement; for we stuck so fast in the mud that I never expected we +should be able to extricate ourselves. My poor M.Y. had to walk a great +part of the way; I am quite sure extra strength was given us for the +emergency. We lodged at Mazères, where we called on the Protestant +minister Bésière, a most open-hearted Christian. He knew some of our +Society, and wherever this is the case it insures us a welcome. On our +telling him the dangers we had encountered on the road, and that we had +escaped unhurt, he sweetly said,--"The Angel of the Lord encampeth round +about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."--Psal. xxxiv. 7. + +On arriving at Saverdun, on the 17th, we immediately pursued the object of +our visit, and proceeded to the Institution, where we delivered our +letters of recommendation, and received a cordial reception from the +director, Pastor Enjalbal. When the _little porters_ opened the door, +they cried one to another, "Voilà des Anglais!" The director seems to be +wonderfully fitted for the post he fills. He was once a captain in the +army. After his conversion, his heart was penetrated with gratitude to his +Saviour for bringing him to a knowledge of the truth, and he desired to +devote the remainder of his days in doing good to his fellow-creatures, +particularly in the instruction of youth. The project of the Saverdun +school was then in agitation, and a manager was wanted. The excellent +Pastor Chabrand applied to him, knowing him to be the man for the office +if he would only undertake it. When he visited him for this purpose on +behalf of the committee, he found him in his chamber weeping, and, as his +confidential friend, he asked him what was the matter. "Why," said he, "my +heart overflows with love to the Saviour, for all that he has done for me, +and I seem to live without doing anything for his cause in return." +"Well," said the pastor, "but the way is now open for you; I am come with +a proposal from the committee for you to accept the government of the +Saverdun Institution; but I will not have an answer from you at present: +weigh the matter for a fortnight, and I will come again and receive your +decision." A sense of duty decided him to accept the offer. + +The superintendent conducted us to the members of the committee, to whom +we had brought a kind introduction from Pastor Frossard of Nismes. The +supporters of this institution, are the most influential in the town, +rich, and withal pious characters. The Mayor, their secretary, is very +active: he with his wife, an excellent woman, and several members of the +committee, met us in the evening at our inn; they appeared to be greatly +interested in works of benevolence, and in everything connected with +religion and education. + +_Toulouse_, 3 _mo_. 20.--We arrived in this great and busy city +on Seventh-day evening. Our first call was on the brothers Courtois, to +whom we had letters of introduction from our Christian friends at Nismes. +They received us in a most cordial manner and were very open and +communicative. + +On First-day morning, after our little meeting, we called on Professor F. +Banner; he was rejoiced to see my M.Y., whom he knew at Congenies twenty +years ago. He was then a Roman Catholic; indeed, in name he is not +changed; but he is become very spiritually-minded, and much attached to +Friends and our principles, believing them, as he said, to be the nearest +in accordance of any with the doctrines of the New Testament. He has been, +with his wife, several times to our hotel, and we feel sweet unity with +his quiet exercised spirit. His situation here is important, having a +boarding-school for the children of Protestants, with a few Roman +Catholics, his piety and sincerity securing to him the confidence of both +parties, which is matter of wonder in this day of religious conflict. He +is one of those characters, more of whom we are desirous of finding; one +who wishes rather to enlighten than to censure the dark prejudices of men. + +We spent the evening with our kind friends the Courtois, and attended +worship in their house. F.C. read the parable of the great supper +(Luke xiv.), and made some remarks in explication of it; after which +Pastor Chabrand spoke with much feeling on the influence of the Holy +Spirit, the gradual operation of the Spirit in the secret of the soul, and +the preciousness of dwelling in Christ, as the branch in the vine, in +order to bear fruit. + +Pastor Chabrand told us in conversation that the first time he really saw +the state of his soul and his need of a Saviour, was in the meeting-house +at Westminster during half an hour's silence. After this time of precious +silence a minister arose[8] and spoke in so remarkable a manner to his +state, unfolding the history of his life, that he was melted to tears. +Ever since that time he has appreciated the principles of our religious +Society, and particularly our practice of waiting upon God in silence. +These remarks opened our way to speak on a subject which has often given +us pain in our intercourse with pious people, viz., the practice of going +suddenly from one religious exercise to another. We expressed our opinion +that Christians, in general, in their worship, would derive more +edification from what is spoken, if they were to dwell under the good +feeling which is sometimes raised, before passing so precipitately to +singing, or even to prayer. With this he entirely agreed, and thought it a +point of the utmost importance; he wished it could be put in practice, for +their church in general suffered loss for want of more quiet gathering of +spirit before God. + + +John and Martha Yeardley did not go further towards the west than +Toulouse; on quitting that city they turned northwards to Montauban. + + +For several days, so they write, before reaching the extent of our journey +westward, we travelled through a fertile country, having the Pyrenean +mountains on the south, covered with snow, a magnificent sight for those +who travel to see the beauties of nature, but our hearts are often too +heavy to enjoy them. + +_Montauban_, 3 _mo_. 23.--Last evening we reached this pretty +town, part of which is built on a high cliff overlooking the river Tarn, +and commanding an extensive view over a fertile plain. Our first call was +on Professor Monod; his wife is an Englishwoman; she was pleased to see +her compatriots, and introduced us to Professor de Félice and some other +pious individuals. Professor Monod invited us to spend the evening at +their house, along with a number of persons who join in their family +reading, and we did not think it right to refuse the invitation. A pretty +large company assembled in the professor's room at 8 o'clock, among whom +were some students of the college. The eighth chapter of the Epistle to +the Romans was read, and some remarks made by the professor; he then +kindly said, if we had any word of exhortation in our hearts, he hoped we +should feel quite at liberty to express it. We felt it right to make some +observations with reference to the fore-part of the chapter, which sets +forth that state of Christian experience in which the mind is prepared to +participate in the many precious promises contained in the middle and +latter portions; ability was also given us to express our faith in the one +Saviour and Mediator, and in the influence and guidance of the Holy +Spirit, and his office in the sanctification of the soul. This favored +opportunity closed with supplication. We are well satisfied with our visit +to this place; it has removed some prejudices from our minds, and perhaps +may have shown to those with whom we have had intercourse that Friends are +sound in the faith. The short time we spent with Professor de Félice has +left a sweet impression on our minds. He mourned over the want of +spiritual life among the Protestants of Montauban, amid, as he said, "much +preaching, and many appeals to conscience." + + +At Castres, where they stopped on the 26th, they visited the Orphan House, +and held intercourse with the pastors, and with a pious lawyer. + + +On our journey, says John Yeardley, we had heard of a man near this town +who bore the name of Quaker, and we inquired of the lawyer if he knew +whether he was sound in the Christian faith. The lawyer spoke with respect +of the so-called Quaker, but thought that in his opinions he favored +Arianism. "If so," said I, rather hastily, "we will not seek him or +recognize." "Why," said the advocate, "it is the very reason you should go +to see him, and try to do him good." At this reply my conscience was stung +on account of my hasty conclusion; and after reflecting on the matter, we +walked next morning five or six miles into the country in search of the +new Friend. He received us with joy, and we soon satisfied ourselves as to +his soundness in the Christian faith; but he was rather ardent in his +expectations of the reign of Christ on the earth. Twenty years ago he +refused to take an oath on a jury; the judge told him he must go to +prison, to which the Friend replied, "I am willing to go to prison, but I +cannot swear to condemn any person to death; if you place me as juryman I +shall acquit all the criminals." The judge, believing his scruples to be +sincere, dismissed him without further trouble. This dear man attached +himself to us in such a manner that it was difficult to part from him; he +pressed us to remain some days in his house, but this our duty did not +permit. + + +From Castres they returned through Béziers to Nismes, visiting various +little companies of Protestants by the way, and arrived in the latter city +on the 1st of the Fourth Month. They found that the school had increased +in numbers, and the scholars had made good progress. + + +On entering the school-room, says J.Y., the girls all flocked to us, their +black eyes sparkling with joy, while they clung round us with their little +arms to be embraced. The harmony and peaceful feelings which pervade the +family are truly comforting to our hearts. + + +In taking a retrospect of what they had done up to this time, they write +thus to their Friends in England:-- + + +The manner in which our gracious Lord has condescended to open the way for +a portion of labor in this part of his vineyard, adds a grain to our +faith: the service which has hitherto fallen to our lot on this journey is +of that nature towards which we had a view before we left our native land; +and we are bound gratefully to acknowledge, amid many conflicts and +discouragements, that sweet peace is sometimes our portion. But our dear +friends in England will readily conceive that our baptisms are various and +deep, during our separation from the bosom of our own little visible +church; and we hope to retain a place in their sympathy and prayers, when +they are favored with access to the throne of mercy. Our love flows freely +and unceasingly to all our dear friends, from whom it is always comforting +to hear. Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free +course and be glorified. + + +On the 18th of the Fourth Month they again left Nismes, and commenced +their journey towards Switzerland, accompanied, as before, by Jules +Paradon. On their way to Grenoble, they had opportunities of spreading +many copies of the _Scripture Extracts_, which they had with them, +among the Roman Catholics; and they had also some interesting conversation +with individuals of that profession. + + +At Tullins, they write, the eagerness to receive books was so great, that +a crowd soon assembled around us, and we found it difficult to satisfy +them; again, at the moment of our departure, they pressed round our +carriage, and we could hardly separate ourselves from them. + +On the 22nd (to continue their own narrative) we arrived at Grenoble, with +a view to spend First-day there. A letter from one of our acquaintances at +Nismes to Pastor Bonifas procured us a kind reception, and he invited us +to spend First-day evening at his house, where a meeting was to be held. +We did not, however, feel quite at liberty to attend, as we found the +regular church-service would be performed. The next day we received +another invitation from the Pastor to a meeting where only the Scriptures +would be read. We thought it best to accept it, and by going a little +before the time proposed, we had a very interesting conversation with the +Pastor, his wife, and a young Englishwoman, on our peculiar views. The +meeting was an assembly of various classes, with a preponderance of young +persons, and was a very interesting occasion: many of the young people +were deeply affected. In the morning of this day we had been to see an +aged Catholic woman of the Jansenist persuasion: she appeared to have no +dependence but on her Saviour, and, full of faith and love, to have her +conversation in heaven; she gave us a sweet benediction at parting. + + +They left Grenoble on the 25th, and pursued their way by Chambéry to +Geneva, taking care to dispose of most of their French tracts by the way, +lest they should be stopped at the Savoy custom-house. They arrived in the +city of Calvin on the 27th. + +Here, as on former occasions, they found much to interest them. Several of +the ministers and professors whom they had known before, seemed to have +become more spiritually-minded; and with the flock of the deceased Pastor +Monnié, in particular, "of precious memory," they were united in near +Christian fellowship. + + +It seems to us, they write, that the feeling is spreading of the necessity +of the immediate guidance of the Holy Spirit; and we believe that this +view of the gospel, with that of the universality of divine love, is much +more calculated to win upon unbelievers, and to enlighten Romanists, than +the high Calvinistic doctrines which have so generally prevailed, and +which impede the growth of Christian humility and daily dependence on +divine help. + +At our little meeting on First-day morning, we had the company of a widow +and her daughter. The former is like a mother to those around her who are +seeking spiritual things, and we were much comforted together. She invited +us to tea, and to have a meeting in her house the next evening: a +considerable number were collected, among whom were a pastor, several +professors, and many females. The pastor read a chapter; and when, after a +time of silence, the way opened for communication, it was like casting +seed into prepared ground, and the retirement of spirit before the Lord +which we recommended seemed really to be experienced before we separated; +it was a silence to be felt better than expressed. + + +Amongst other pious persons in this city, they had an introduction to the +Countess de Sellon. + + +She received us, says J.Y., with open heart, saying, "I am fond of the +principles of your Society, believing they have the real substance of +religion, stripped of its forms." She asked us many questions, and we felt +sweet unity with her. + + +On the 3rd of the Fifth Month they went to Lausanne, where they renewed +their friendship with Professor Gaudin, and had interviews with several +other seeking persons. + + +We were, they say, most interested by a pious magistrate, Frossard de +Saugy, near relative to a dear friend of ours at Geneva. He inquired +respecting the education of children, of whom he has many--by what means +he could make them sensible of vital religion. We replied that all we +could do was to represent to them the love and mercy of our blessed +Redeemer, and recommend them to cherish the convictions of his Holy +Spirit, which are very early bestowed upon us all: he entirely united in +our views. + + +From Lausanne they went to Yverdun, and the day after to Neufchâtel. Since +their last visit in 1834, some who were very dear to them had been +summoned to eternal rest, which cast a shade of natural sorrow over their +entrance into the place: and they were called upon, in addition, deeply to +sympathise with some of those who remained. + + +The family of Professor Pétavel has sustained a great loss in the death of +his eldest son, accompanied, by circumstances peculiarly striking. This +young man was about nineteen years of age. He had been very serious for +some time before his illness, and wished much to be employed as a +missionary. Early instructed by his mother in the importance of seeking +divine influence, his mind was prepared to receive the baptism of the Holy +Spirit; and he had a deep conflict to pass through, which he confided to +his mother, and which he seemed to think was the presage to suffering. In +performing some gymnastic exercises he received a fall on the head, which +after some time was followed by a paralytic affection of the whole body, +so that he became entirely helpless, and his speech was taken away. It was +only his tender mother who could ascertain his wants and administer to +them, which she did with unceasing assiduity. After about six months his +speech was almost miraculously restored, and he used it in praising the +Lord for the remarkable support and consolation of his Spirit. He said he +had been sensible of all that had passed, and that he had been abundantly +confirmed in the belief that true religion consists in hearing the voice +of our blessed Redeemer, and seeking to do his will. After some time the +capability of speaking much again forsook him; yet he lingered some months +longer, and when M.Y. beheld him soon after our arrival, he appeared like +a precious lamb purified, and waiting to be gathered to the everlasting +fold. The resignation of his parents was truly edifying: they proposed +that we should both come the next day, and sit quietly beside him for a +while. This proved a deeply impressive time; the presence of the Great +Shepherd was evidently with us, and called forth thanksgiving for the +mercies received and the deliverance anticipated. While listening to a few +words addressed to him at parting, he fixed his dying eyes upon us with an +expression not to be forgotten, and before midnight the precious spirit +was received into the arms of its Saviour. As we left for Locle early in +the morning, we did not hear of this until our return the day following. + + +Their visit to their favorite orphan-institution was, as ever, very +interesting. They thus describe the state in which they found it:-- + + +Our dear German friend M. Zimmerlin, the associate of dear M. A. Calame, +still lives: she received us with overflowing affection. After tea, which +we took there, she hastened to show us the improvements in the premises, +which, she said, our kind friends in England had contributed to procure by +their donations through us. The institution appears to be now in excellent +order. In the evening, the children, 138 in number, were collected with +the mistresses and family, and we had a very satisfactory opportunity with +them. The same precious influence seems to prevail which we have noticed +heretofore. + + +They returned to Neufchâtel the next evening, where they heard that the +remains of Paul Pétavel were to be interred the next day. + + +His father, they add, was desirous that the meeting we intended to hold +with our friends should be held at his house that evening. When M.Y. went +to see the family, she found the parents fall of gratitude and praise. The +funeral was attended by the students from the college, and a large number +of others; for the professor is much beloved, and the affecting situation +of his son has been a lesson of instruction to the young people who used +to associate with him, and seems to have had an effect on the whole town. +The evening of this day proved to be a memorable time: a considerable +number were collected, among whom were several pastors and a number of +young persons. I seldom, says J.Y., remember to have attended a more +solemn occasion. The Saviour's presence was near, to console and instruct. +After my M.Y. and I had relieved our minds in testimony and supplication, +the professor and the other pastors spoke with much feeling; I think it +was evident they were constrained by the Spirit. We parted (to resume the +words of their joint epistle) from the family under a strong conviction of +the support and consolation which those experience who depend in living +faith upon their blessed Redeemer. + + +From Neufchâtel, John and Martha Yeardley went to Berne, where they +renewed the bond of friendship with those to whose spiritual state they +had ministered in former years. With these they united several times in +worship and in social religious intercourse. At the close of one of these +meetings, the lady of the house, an active and benevolent character, +acknowledged, that she was sensible of the truth of what they had heard, +and believed that in the present day the Lord was leading many of his +devoted children to listen to his voice, that they might be brought more +under the teachings of his Spirit, and from this would flow their +consolation. "This (they observe) is the more remarkable, as, when we were +here before, she held views on election and the _finished_ work of +grace, almost to the exclusion of the work of 'regeneration and the +renewing of the Holy Ghost.'" + + +We find in some here, writes John Yeardley in his Diary, a desire for food +of a more spiritual nature: they really enjoy waiting on the Lord in +silence; but the customary activity is strong, and not easily broken +through. I trust the day will come when silence will more prevail in the +assemblies of the people. We left Berne with feelings of peace and of much +affection for many in that place, and thankful to our Heavenly Father, in +that he had prepared the hearts of his people to receive the invitation to +feed on that spiritual food which alone can nourish the soul to eternal +life. + + +They arrived at Basle on the 17th. Since they had visited this city in +1834, Hoffmann, the director of the institution at Kornthal, had succeeded +Blumhardt in the superintendence of the Mission-house. He received them +with his usual kindness, and one evening they supped with the students, +and had a religious meeting with them. They spent another evening with a +pious family, where several missionaries and pastors were present. In +speaking of this occasion, John and Martha Yeardley were led into a +reflection which deserves to be pondered by Christians of every name. + + +Before separating, they say, the Scriptures were read, and some of the +missionaries spoke on the importance of uniting in desire for a more +general outpouring of the Spirit: J.Y. also spoke much to the same effect. +It was, we trust, a profitable season; but the reflection arose on this +occasion, as it has done on some others when among serious persons not of +our profession, that if they would but suffer the degree of divine +influence mercifully afforded thoroughly to baptize the heart with the +true baptism, much creaturely activity would be done away, and the light +of the gospel would shine in them and through them in much greater purity. + +We paid and received visits, they continue, from some of the +_Intérieurs_ whom we had known before, and had to lament something of +a visionary spirit in the midst of right feeling. We recommended +simplicity, and close attention to the Scriptures and to the Shepherd's +voice. + + +One day John Yeardley went into the mountains to see an establishment +called the Pilgrim Mission Institution, where he was interested in meeting +three young men from Syria, who had come there to escape the scenes of war +in their own country, and with the desire to be rendered capable of +instructing their countrymen. + +They left Basle on the 22nd, and entered Germany. They were, for a time, a +good deal embarrassed with the change of language from French to German, +having had little or no occasion to use the latter tongue during their +journey. They stopped at Carlsruhe, where they called, with an +introduction, on the Princess of Würtemberg. + + +She received us, they say, very kindly, and we had a satisfactory +interview with her, and also with an interesting female who has the charge +of her children. After much conversation with the princess in French, she +introduced us to her three lovely children, and asked J.Y. to give them a +word of exhortation. We remained silent awhile, and, under a precious +feeling, offered prayer for the divine blessing on this family and all its +branches; after which the word of sympathy and exhortation flowed freely. +At parting, the princess took a cordial leave of us, and said she received +our visit as a blessing from the Lord. + + +The next day they pursued their way towards Pyrmont. Being weary with +travelling, and their horses also needing rest, they tarried two days at +Frankfort. Here they saw their old friend Von Meyer; and spent much of +their time in the company of Dr. Pinkerton. "I was instructed," says J.Y., +"with seeing the charity and Christian meekness in which he daily lives." + +On the 3rd of the Sixth Month they reached Pyrmont, where they remained a +few weeks. They attended on the 2nd of the Seventh Month the Two-months' +Meeting, at Minden. Many peasants were present in the meeting for worship, +and on John and Martha Yeardley's return to Pyrmont, some of them came to +the meeting there on First-day, and begged the Friends to go to Vlotho to +meet a company of their brethren. They gave the peasants liberty to call a +meeting at that place for Third-day, the 18th. + +On Second-day, as they were setting off, an accident happened to John +Yeardley. + + +He had left the horse's head, writes M.Y., to attend to placing the +baggage, when, hearing another carriage drive rapidly up, our horse set +off, and my J.Y., in attempting to stop him by catching hold of the reins, +fell, and was much bruised, but through mercy no limb was broken. We +applied what means were in our power, and I urged our remaining at +Pyrmont, and sending to defer the meeting; but he would go on to Lemgo. +His whole frame was much shaken, and we passed a sleepless night, so that +the meeting next day was not a little formidable. It proved a much longer +journey to Vlotho than we had expected; when we arrived we found a large +number assembled. Five of our Friends came from Minden to meet us, and it +was a remarkable meeting, notwithstanding we had gone to it under so much +discouragement: we have cause to bless and adore our Divine Master, who +caused his presence to be felt amongst us. August Mundhenck interpreted +for J.Y. and for me. J.R. also suffered his voice to be acceptably heard +in testimony, after which the meeting closed in solemn supplication. We +pursued our way that night to Bielefeld and the next day towards the +Rhine. + + +On their way home they stopped at Düsseldorf. The ten years which had gone +by since they had visited the Orphan Asylum at Düsselthal, near this town, +had wrought a great change in the physical condition of Count Von der +Recke. He looked worn and ill, the effect of care and anxiety for his +numerous adopted family; but he evinced a spirit of pious resignation, and +had a hearty welcome ready for his visitors. They returned to England +through Belgium, and arrived in London on the 8th of the Eighth Month. + +They did not at once return to their home at Scarborough, but spent a +month in Hertford, Oxford and Buckinghamshire, attending the meetings of +Friends in these counties, and visiting that of Berkhamstead several +times. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL +JOURNEY. + +1843-48. + +The tour which John and Martha Yeardley made in and around +Buckinghamshire, and which is mentioned at the conclusion of the last +chapter, was undertaken in quest of a new place of abode. In a letter from +Martha Yeardley to her sister, Mary Tylor, written on the 3rd of the +Eleventh Month, she says:-- + +Thou art aware that we have thought, if way should open of going nearer to +you, and of pitching our tent within the Quarterly Meeting of +Buckinghamstead. We offered to purchase a cottage at Berkhamstead, but for +the present that has quite fallen through: we therefore intend to rest +quietly here for the winter, in hopes that in the spring or summer +something may offer, either at B. or in that quarter, to which we feel +attracted; yet desiring to commit this and all that concerns us into the +all-directing hand of our great Lord and Master, who has a right to do +with us what seemeth him good. + + +Not long afterwards they purchased a house at Berkhamstead, called Gossom +Lodge, to which they removed in the Fourth Month, 1844. + +Very soon after they had taken possession of their new dwelling, they made +a circuit through the meetings of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, +holding a few public meetings by the way: and the next summer they +undertook a more extensive religious visit--viz., to the six northern +counties of England. + +In the course of the same year we find them meditating a further removal, +into the immediate vicinity of London. One of the few entries in his Diary +which were made by John Yeardley during this period, speaks of the +apprehension of duty under which they contemplated this change: it was +written after their removal. + + +For some years past I have often thought the time might come when we might +see it right to settle within Stoke Newington Meeting. This feeling now +began (1845) to fasten more strongly on our minds than it had done before, +and we thought it right to make an effort to let Gossom Lodge, and seek a +residence at Stamford Hill; and we have reason to believe that in this +important step our prayer has been answered, and that all our +deliberations have been guided by that wisdom which is from above. Very +strong is my conviction that our Heavenly Father is not unmindful of the +outward circumstances of those who seek his counsel, and desire to act +under the guidance of his Holy Spirit. We were favored to let our house at +Berkhamstead without trouble; the very first person to whom we made it +known took it off our hands: and with equal ease we found another dwelling +at Stamford Hill, which I consider as a proof that our prayer was heard +and answered in this serious step: the signs I had asked were granted. + + +They removed to Stamford Hill on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, 1845. As +soon as they had settled in, John Yeardley became seriously indisposed +with his old complaint, which ended in the jaundice. In the course of the +spring and summer of 1846 he repaired with M.Y. to Bath, and afterwards +to Harrowgate, to seek a restoration of his health. + + +The waters of the last-named place proved, he says, very efficacious both +to my beloved M.Y. and myself. My precious dear, he continues, suffered +much in her health through the fatigue of nursing me during the winter. +How my soul overflows with gratitude to my Heavenly Father that he has +united me to such a partner, who takes more than a full share in all my +sorrows; and, thanks be unto our God, we have often to rejoice also +together in Him! + + +On their return from Harrowgate they visited many of the meetings in +London and the vicinity,--a service which they had always had in view, in +looking towards a residence at Stamford Hill; and from the Eleventh Month, +1846, to the First Month, 1847, they were occupied in a religious visit to +the families of the members and attenders of Gracechurch-street Monthly +Meeting, in which their service was very acceptable. + + +The friends appointed to arrange the visits, says J.Y., have done so with +willingness and efficiency, and we have, I believe, the help of their +spirits. In passing from house to house, we are made sensible of our +inability to render aid to others unassisted by the Spirit of our Divine +Master. Wherever we have gone we have been received with kindness and +Christian cordiality; and in thus being permitted to mingle our feelings +with those who are bound up with us in religious profession, we feel sweet +peace and comfort, and our hearts are filled with thankfulness to the +Lord, that he has enabled us to do that which we believe he put in our +hearts. + + +They returned the minute which had been granted them for this service on +the 6th of the First Month. Many who read this Memoir will remember how +the tidings of the death of Joseph John Gurney, who suddenly expired on +the 5th, spread through the Society, and produced wherever it came an +impression of sorrowful but heavenly solemnity. The event is referred to +in the notice of this meeting which is contained in the Diary. + + +The meeting for worship was particularly solemn. The spirit of our dear +departed friend J.J.G. seemed present with us. The event had impressed our +minds with the awful uncertainty of time. My dear M.Y. ministered to our +comfort, and so did dear ----. I was constrained, under a sense that the +Lord had withdrawn many laborers from his vineyard, to lift up a prayer +for the remnant that is left, to crave prosperity for the blessed work of +grace in the hearts of all present, and to ask for more devotedness to the +Lord's cause. + + +The next day they received intelligence of the decease of one of their +Scarborough friends, whose dying words are worthy to be preserved in +lasting remembrance. + + +1 _mo_. 7.--On returning from meeting we found a letter informing us +of the sudden decease of Isaac Stickney of Scarborough. When the doctor +attempted to give him brandy in his sinking state, he said, Doctor, don't +cloud my intellect; if this be dying, I die in the arms of Jesus. These +last words of my beloved and long-known friend are sweetly consoling to my +spirit. + + +In the Second Month of 1848, John Yeardley again prepared to go forth and +preach the Gospel in several countries on the Continent of Europe. He was +accompanied by his beloved wife, partly in the character of a +fellow-laborer, constrained by the force of Christian love to the same +field of service, and partly as his companion and helper in countries +where she did not otherwise feel herself called to labor. The course of +their anticipated travel is described in the following extract from the +Diary. They were unable, as it proved, to obtain admission into the +Russian Empire; and this part of the mission was accomplished by John +Yeardley alone, and at a later period. + + +1848. 2 _mo_. 8.--At our Monthly Meeting at Gracechurch street, I +proposed my concern to visit some parts of South Russia, particularly the +German colonies; also some places in the Prussian and Austrian dominions, +parts of Switzerland and France, particularly Ardêche, and a few places in +Belgium, and to revisit parts of Germany. My precious M.Y. also was +constrained in gospel love to tell her friends that she had long thought +of a visit to France and Belgium; and, if health permitted, should think +it her religious duty to accompany me to South Russia. We had the full +unity of our friends, who expressed much sympathy and encouragement, to +our great comfort. It is about twenty years since I first thought +seriously that I might have to visit the Crimea, and for thirty years I +have had a prospect of some parts of Bohemia. Truly the vision has been +for an appointed time; and if the period be now come, I trust it is the +Lord's time, and that his presence may go with us. Many have been the +conflicts and deep the baptisms through which I have passed, before coming +to a willingness to offer to do what I believe to be the will of my +Divine Master. Feeble as are my powers, I desire they may be devoted to +his cause for the remainder of my days; and I do esteem it a great mercy +to have arrived at a clear pointing in this important prospect. May the +blessing of preservation rest upon the beloved partner of my sorrows and +my joys, and on myself; and may He whom we desire to serve heal all our +maladies of body and mind! + + +While their attention was thus turned to foreign lands, a storm was +gathering in France which in the course of this month burst upon Europe +with extraordinary violence, and overturned or endangered half the thrones +on the Continent. This convulsed state of the European nations rendered it +needful for them to wait a few months before they commenced their +undertaking. In the Seventh Month, John Yeardley speaks of having obtained +the further concurrence of the church, and of the feelings which the +immediate prospect of the journey awakened in his mind. + + +7 _mo_. 1.--At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, our friends entered very fully into our proposed +visit to the Continent. The expression of sympathy and full unity was +abundant; there was a strong evidence of the good presence of the Lord +being near during the deliberations, which proved a strength and comfort +to myself and my beloved partner. The needful certificates are now all in +our possession, and are expressed in terms the most appropriate and +encouraging. My mind is deeply humbled at the near approach of our +departure, in the present state of affairs on the continent of Europe: but +I feel a confiding hope in the divine power for protection and safe +guidance. May the Lord Almighty give us strength and resignation to commit +our lives into his hand, and to say, Thy will be done. Amen! + + +This series of travels was the last in which John and Martha Yeardley were +to be engaged as joint-laborers in their Lord's work. The health of the +latter had been for several years seriously affected; and although she +continued to take a deep interest in the spiritual condition of the +countries they had visited before, and was enabled to the end to afford +her husband the assistance of her strong sympathy and of her religious +exercise of mind, the fatigue of constant travelling told more and more +upon her enfeebled frame, and she did not long survive the accomplishment +of this journey. John Yeardley, less advanced in years, and possessing a +hardy constitution, had not yet lost the fire of his earlier days. The +same spring and impulse was still strong within him which had animated him +in former journeys, and which those who knew him in middle life will not +fail to remember. Some of these will have before them the mental image of +his person and manner--the fixed resolution, the concentrated mind, the +ardent and devoted spirit, which shone through his impressive countenance +and his whole figure, when he was engaged in his Lord's work; and perhaps +also they may call to mind the very words of faithful counsel, or of +encouragement, drawn from the well-spring of gospel sympathy, which fell +from his lips. + +John and Martha Yeardley did not accomplish the extensive mission which +now lay before them at one stroke, but in three stages, returning to +England between each. The most prominent object in the first journey was +Belgium; in the second, the Rhine country; in the third, they were called +to sow seeds of Christian doctrine in lands lying beyond the limit of any +former travel--viz., in Silesia and Bohemia. + +This was the first time that the Roman Catholic country of Belgium had +called forth the exercise of their Christian charity. They left London in +the Seventh Month, and spent about three weeks in travelling through the +country, resting chiefly at Ghent, Brussels, Charleroi and Spa. They were +accompanied as far as Brussels by Robert and Christine Alsop, and through +the whole journey, by an ingenuous young man whom they had engaged to +assist them, named Adolphe Rochedieu. The religious opening which awaited +them at Brussels was very encouraging; few incidents which arose in the +course of their numerous journeys were of a more animating character than +the acquaintance which they made with the pastor Van Maasdyk and some of +his flock. We give the narrative from J.Y.'s Diary and letters. + + +7 _mo_. 19.--H. Van Maasdyk paid us a long visit this morning. He was +educated in a convent in Belgium, and becoming a priest, he exercised the +functions which devolved upon him with much credit to himself, and to the +satisfaction of his superiors, until the year 1836. He possessed a Bible +in Latin, which he never read. He had the cure of a large parish, in +which, down to the year above mentioned, there was not a single copy of +the Scriptures in the Flemish tongue. About that time the colporteurs +introduced the New Testament in Flemish, and some copies of the Bible, +which greatly excited the priests, and in particular the bishop, who said +the translation was mutilated and falsified, and commanded that the +members of the Catholic Church who had received copies, should either burn +them themselves, or bring them to the curés for that purpose. Van +Maasdyk's parishioners accordingly brought their Bibles and Testaments +(five copies) to him to be burned. He was zealous in the Romish faith, and +had preached violently against the distributors of the wicked books, as +they were called; and he was about to fulfil the command to burn them, +when suddenly he felt something in his heart which restrained him, and he +thought, I will at least first examine the foundation of the bishop's +charges. He took up his Latin Bible, and placing beside it the copy in +Flemish, began with the charge of mutilation. He found it not at all +abridged. He then went to the charge of falsification, and found the two +copies to agree with slight variations here and there; in fact, the modern +translation proved to have been made from the Vulgate, which was the one +in his possession. He read the denunciation of our Saviour, "Woe unto you +Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," and it struck him forcibly; he felt +that he must say, "Woe is me, I am one of those who deceive the people." +He read again, "There is one Mediator between God and man;" and here again +his conscience smote him: "Woe is me, I teach the people in their +confessions that the saints make intercession." His sorrow was so deep, +that he thought he could die a thousand deaths rather than continue a +Romish priest. + +Now his persecution began. He was beloved by his flock, who entreated him +not to leave them. After much conflict of mind, he wrote a decided letter +to his bishop, who in the end gave him his dismissal. Still feeling +himself called to proclaim the Gospel, he began to assemble the people in +little companies, and to instruct them in the Scriptures. At the entreaty +of his friends he settled at Brussels, where there was a wide field for +labor amongst the poorest of the Roman Catholics, who speak only Flemish. +His congregation consisted at first of some fifteen or twenty persons; but +such was the success he met with, that they have been obliged four or five +times in succession to seek a larger building, and his congregation now +consists of 500. He is said to be one of the most powerful preachers in +the Flemish language. It is delightful to be in his company; his heart is +filled with gratitude, and his eyes sparkle with joy, when he is with +those who love the Saviour. Nothing is paid him by his congregation; he +has a little property of his own, and sometimes receives a little help +from the Adolphus Society. + +After a long conversation with him on the spiritual nature of worship, he +took us to see some of his flock, with whom we had family sittings from +house to house. This is exactly the class our hearts longed to visit; +thanks be to our Heavenly Father who has thus opened our way. + +20_th_.--The meeting at Pastor Marzial's last evening was much larger +than we had expected. Van Maasdyk came in unexpectedly after the service +which had been held at his dwelling, and with him a part of his flock. +Many of the company were those who had renounced Romanism; some of the +young men interested us exceedingly. I had a deal of conversation with +them as to their religious experience. There were several young Germans +among them, who are residing in Brussels; with these I conversed in their +own language, which was highly gratifying to them. As Pastor Marzial +speaks English well, I clung to him in the hope of having him for an +interpreter; but he encouraged me to speak as well as I could in French, +as the natives like it much better, and consider it a compliment to their +language. This made me very low, it being a company of well-educated +persons, and I asked Van Maasdyk what I should do. I would rather, he +replied, hear ten words from your own mouth, than ten thousand through the +mouth of another; we shall understand you, and what comes from the heart +goes to the heart. This settled the question; I gave myself up to the +language, and was helped through. My M.Y. was favored in her +communication. After a short address from M., I concluded the meeting with +supplication, also in French. I do believe the Spirit was poured upon us +from on high; many hearts were touched, and tears flowed freely from many +eyes. + +The Lord has indeed opened a wide door for us in this place; the dear +people follow us from meeting to meeting, entreating us for an opportunity +of the like kind in their own houses; but we must be watchful to see our +own way. However, if the oil is staid, it is not for want of vessels, for +what we have to communicate seems like seed cast into the prepared ground. +May the Lord himself be their teacher, and carry on his own work; for it +is most assuredly his. To those who are spiritually minded, to hear of a +society holding spiritual views, is like marrow to their bones. It is not +so much what we are able to say to them, but our being as living witnesses +to the truth which these awakened people feel in their own hearts. + +21_st_.--Attended a meeting of Van Maasdyk's in the poorer district +of Brussels; about seventy to eighty persons present, consisting of +converted Romanists, seeking Protestants, and two awakened Jews. Two of +the company were blind men, very pious, who gain their living by selling +matches. Our friend read, explained, and applied the tenth chapter of +John, in Flemish; he also interpreted for me a few words, which I spoke in +German. + + +On their way to Charleroi, after passing through Mons, they traversed the +great Belgium iron and coal country, where the people speak a patois but +understand French. Here they made a free distribution of the religious +tracts they had taken with them, and found an able co-adjutor in their +postillion. When he understood what their object was, he allowed few +opportunities to pass by without putting these little messengers into the +hands of his fellow-countrymen. + +At Charleroi, where they arrived on the 22d, they enjoyed Christian +association of the most interesting kind, especially with Pastors Poinsot +and Jaccard, and with Marzial, who followed them from Brussels. They seem +to have found much more of the life of religion among the newly-awakened +in Belgium than they had expected. + + +We have, says J.Y., good reason to believe that the burden we have so long +felt for the inhabitants in some parts of Belgium was laid upon us by our +Divine Master, who is now pleased to make way for us to throw it off; +thanks be to his great name. + + +From Charleroi they went by Liège to Spa, where they procured a lodging in +order to enjoy a period of needful rest. The tracts they gave away on the +road were received with eagerness. Adolphe handed them out freely right +and left, and when any one hesitated to take them, a significant nod from +the postillion never failed to secure a ready reception. + + +The country from Namur to Liège, writes John Yeardley, and particularly +from Liège to Spa, is beautiful, the road running along the banks of the +Meuse, amid wooded rocks. These are the works of my Heavenly Father, but I +sigh after the workmanship of his hands, created after his own image. + + +Passing over several incidents of religious intercourse and labor, we +select a circumstance which illustrates the state of the country, and of +their own feelings in relation to it. + +Under date of Spa, the 2nd of the Eighth Month, John Yeardley says:-- + + +My M.Y. made acquaintance with an interesting young woman in a shop, and +gave her some of the _Scripture Extracts_. She came to us last +evening, and remained some time conversing on the Romish religion. She had +never seen the Bible. When we asked her what was the nature of the mass, +she said she did not understand it, but she attended it because others +did. We gave her the Bible used by ourselves, having no other at our +disposal. Her eyes sparkled with joy at the newly-acquired treasure. Her +heart is touched by the Spirit of God, and I humbly hope her eyes will be +enlightened to seek for strength independently of her blind guides. I +never saw and felt more sensibly the awful account the priests will have +to give for thus deceiving the people in the things which belong to their +salvation. + + +On the 3rd they quitted Belgium, and proceeded to Bonn. Here they had the +pleasure of meeting their old friend, Charles Majors, formerly of +Strasburg. In a walk which they took with him, they renewed the sweet +intercourse of former days. + + +8 _mo_. 5.--We took a walk with Majors and his family to the top of +"Mount Calvary," and mounted a steep hill pitched with sharp stones, on +which the poor Romanists go barefooted, repeating prayers at each station, +supposed to be as many as the times when our Lord rested when bearing his +cross from the gate of Jerusalem to Mount Calvary. Having descended, we +sat down at the foot of a cross, and spoke of Him who bore our sins on the +cross in his own body. A desire was felt and expressed that the little +company might ever dwell near to Him who died on the cross. + + +At Mannheim, John Yeardley writes:-- + + +I took a walk in the public gardens, opposite the Hotel de l'Europe, where +we lodge. All very quiet without, and I felt peaceful within myself, +reading a chapter and sitting alone. The Spirit of my Divine Master was +near, and I felt assured that there was something in this place with which +we could unite. + + +They found here a little company, who met together without any regular +pastor. + + +"They gave us", says John Yeardley, "a cordial reception, and their +countenances indicated that they had been with Jesus; and, although +scattered as sheep among wolves, they appeared to belong to the fold of +the true Shepherd. After a few family calls, we were conducted to the +house of a pious widow, where the meetings were usually held. As we were +in haste, these Christian people kindly appointed a meeting for worship, +to be held the same evening, to receive our visit, which, through divine +mercy, proved like a refreshing brook by the way: the Saviour's presence +being over us, his doctrine dropped like dew on the thirsty ground."[9] + + +At Strasburg they found Pastor Ehrmann, and several other pious persons +whom they had known in 1833, with whom and with some others they had much +conversation on religious subjects, and were called upon to explain the +views held by Friends, particularly on marriage, education, and the care +of the poor. + + +"Before parting", says John Yeardley, M. Passavant asked for silence, and +we had a sweet time of religious communion, in which consolation and +encouragement were offered, and thanks rendered for the favor of being +permitted to meet together, and for the favor of the Divine Presence. + + +Basle was their next halting-place. A letter written by Martha Yeardley +from this city, contains some notice of the social and religious life by +which their tarriance in foreign cities was characterised, and of her own +peculiar position as a gospel minister. + + +The pious Spittler, she says, has just been with us; he is still full of +faith and good works. M.L., whom we knew as a nice girl at Corfu, is +married to a serious merchant of this place; a sister of C. Majors' wife +at Bonn, with her husband, also resides here; and we have fixed to take +tea with them and some of their friends to-morrow evening. My J.Y. is gone +with a converted Jew, Spittler, and one who has been a missionary to +Jerusalem, to a lecture this afternoon, where it is probable he may have +an opportunity of speaking to those assembled. As it is to be all German, +I excused myself in order to rest and continue my letter. I have deeply +felt on this journey, as on others, that it is difficult for females to +make their way as gospel ministers; we have always found it tolerated, but +I am always sensible of a prejudice against it. On some occasions my J.Y. +has explained our views on this important subject. + +15_th_.--Yesterday we went to see a remarkably interesting +institution for missionaries, on the top of a high mountain, called +Chrischona Berg. It was established by Spittler, and, is well worth the +trouble of a little fatigue in getting to it. Twelve young men of the +poorer class, who have offered themselves from a sense of duty to become +missionaries, are there taught various languages, and retained until some +field of labor opens for them to which they feel bound. It is also a +working institution; they are taught various trades, in order that when +they go out they may earn their living. After viewing the premises and +hearing a lesson in Arabic, we saw the pupils assembled in the schoolroom. +Instead of a hymn in English, which they had learned, we asked for a +little silence, which was felt to be precious. My J.Y. then addressed them +in German, and was much helped. The superintendent, a very interesting +man, was in England for some time; and in consequence of a hurt received +on the head in Malta, was sent to the _Retreat_ at York, where he +became acquainted with several Friends, Samuel Tuke in particular. Under +the gentle treatment there he recovered, but he lost his wife and one +child at York, and has left two others in England. I felt much for him, +and ventured to offer him a little consolation, and also to express my +interest for the institution, which Spittler desired him to repeat in +German.--(_Letter to Mary Tylor_, 8 _mo_. 13.) + + +Whilst at Basle they visited Pastor Lindel, an old friend of theirs. He +related to them that he had been some time before applied to, to join the +Evangelical Alliance. "I told them," he said, "we have got further than +you have. In looking over your rules, I observe there is a class of +Christians in England whom you exclude; and we can receive them. Our bond +of union extends much beyond yours; it embraces, without any distinction, +all who love the Lord Jesus Christ." + +From Basle they went to Berne and Neufchâtel. Their visit to these +favorite spots was, as at former times, accompanied by a good measure of +the blessing of the gospel of Christ. + + +18_th_. _Berne_.--Many of our former friends having heard of our +arrival, came this morning to our inn; and having called together a few +other serious persons, we had a precious meeting. They have suffered much +since our last visit; our hearts were dipped into sympathy for them, and +our tears were mingled together. The Lord's presence was over us, and he +caused the word of consolation, exhortation, and supplication to flow +freely. Some precious souls whom we have known in this place have been +taken to their rest since we last saw them. Soon shall we also be inquired +after and not found! Lord, grant that we may be prepared to meet thee at +thy coming! + +20_th. Neufchâtel, First-day_.--The meeting was held in a saloon at +our hotel, (_Des Alpes_). The room was quite crowded; we were +surprised to see them continue to come in, by twos and threes together, at +so short a notice. The unhallowed thought arose, Where shall we find bread +to feed this multitude? But, thanks to Him who is the Bread of Life, he +dispensed food to the refreshing of our souls. My M.Y. supplicated for us, +and the gospel-word flowed freely: the meeting closed with thanksgiving by +me. + + +Sad reflections on the political and religious state of the country +oppressed their minds while travelling through Switzerland. + + +21_st_.--In all the times we have visited Neufchâtel, I never saw it +look more beautiful. But the place was dull, and a depressed feeling +manifested the life of religion to be wanting. Switzerland has suffered +through the recent changes in the governments: infidelity is sorrowfully +increasing. An abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and +Nature everywhere smiles on ungrateful man. Woe to the nations when the +ungodly bear rule! Persecution still rages in the Canton de Vaud. + + +Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaintance with the French and +German languages afforded them, John Yeardley observes:-- + + +How I long that some of our dear young friends in England might give up +their minds and a portion of their time to the acquisition of these +languages--and, above all, give up their hearts to be prepared for the +Lord's work! How wide is the field of labor! + + +From Neufchâtel they proceeded to Geneva, and thence to Grenoble. Here +they were received in the most open-hearted manner by the Protestant +minister, Amand; but their feelings were severely tried by the martial +display which the city presented. + + +26_th._--On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the name of the +Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of time. So soon as he +understood the object of our journey, he offered us his chapel for a +meeting; or, if it would be more agreeable to us, he would convoke a +meeting in the schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a number of persons +who usually meet there. We accepted the latter proposal. It is comforting +to find such a brother in the gospel; but O for the morrow! how my heart +fails me for fear! Lord, help us, and give us to trust in thee! + +27_th._--This day is a day of suffering. The soldiers, the drums, the +trumpets, with the shouting and dancing of the people, is enough to sink +the heart of the reflecting Christian beyond hope, had he not a refuge in +retirement before the Lord. The whole course of the military system tends +to evil, and the corruption of manners. + + +The meeting was well attended, and they were thankful in being enabled to +mingle in spirit with a company of sincere and pious Christians. The +pastor called on them the next day. He had succeeded their good friend +Bonifas, spoken of in the journey of 1843. Conversing with him on points +on which Christians may differ, he observed, "The Church of Christ is like +a great house built on a rock. There are different apartments for the +various classes of Christians; but they are in the same house, and on the +same rock, Christ." + +After attending to some other gospel-service at Grenoble, they resumed +their journey, held meetings in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing +the Rhone, entered Ardêche. A meeting which they held at Privas was an +occasion of remarkable stillness and solemnity. + + +31_st._--There was a room filled with serious persons, who +immediately settled into silence like a Friends' meeting: indeed, I wish +our meetings in England were always times of as much good feeling. A +chapter, the second of the Acts, was read; after which I supplicated, and +my M.Y. spoke in testimony, as well as myself. M.Y. closed the opportunity +in supplication. + + +They held another meeting at Vals, a village in the Cevennes mountains, +near the town of Aubenas. Lindley Murray Hoag, from America, had had a +meeting there not long before. There was no resident pastor, and the +schoolmaster called on John and Martha Yeardley, and informed them that +when no one was present to preach, the congregation were accustomed to +read a sermon, the liturgy, and prayers. They explained to him their +objection to written sermons, and he appeared to be sensible of the +inconsistency of them with true gospel ministry, but alleged that the +people would not be satisfied without having the greater part of the time +occupied with "service." As they could not undertake that this should be +the case, it was agreed that they should be informed when the usual +engagements were concluded, and that the schoolmaster should give notice +of their intention to hold a religious meeting. In the morning +(First-day), unexpectedly, a young man arrived, who came to see if he +could be established in the place as pastor, and the schoolmaster +introduced him to J. and M.Y. He raised no objection to their speaking +after the service, but the sermon which he preached, as they afterwards +found, was on the politics of the day, and when it was concluded, they +were still kept waiting during a conference which the consistory had with +him. This delay, and their persuasion that the members of the consistory +were not the men to sympathise with them in their religious exercise, was +exceedingly proving to faith, and they entered the chapel under a pressure +of mind almost beyond utterance. After a pause John Yeardley rose and +spoke in French, in which he felt himself to be much helped; an influence +superior to words was spread abroad, lifting up the messengers above the +fear of man. Martha Yeardley followed, inviting the people to come under +the teaching of the Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ Jesus, and +especially addressing herself to the mothers. + +They remained at Vals a week. + + +Our lodging, says J.Y., is situated amid scenery the most romantic: +high-planted rocks, deep glens, and purling streams. For reading and +writing we spend much time on a spacious open gallery, protected from the +penetrating rays of the sun by a roof; and in the interstices are +creepers, vines, and flowers, delightful and airy. + +11_th_.--This has been a trying week. I have been low in mind and +suffered much in body, but, thanks to a merciful God, I am restored to +comparative health, and my beloved one is better. The peasants who inhabit +the mountains can only come to the town on First-days; and as they live +dispersed in places almost inaccessible, we concluded to wait over another +First-day to see some of them at Vals. We had them invited to the +schoolroom. A small number only assembled, but it was a feeling time: I +hope a few were instructed, and we were satisfied in having done what we +could. + + +From Vals John and Martha Yeardley proceeded to Nismes, where they had +some interesting service, both within and beyond the little Society of +their fellow-professors. The account given by J.Y. of the way in which +one of their evenings was spent may be transcribed. + + +15_th_.--The wife of De Hauteville came to invite us to spend the +evening with a few religious friends, who met at her house for reading the +Bible. We had known the pious young woman years before, and were most easy +to accept the invitation. The little company mostly knelt down, and waited +some time in silence; and then a young man offered a short and sweet +prayer. The fourth chapter of the Hebrews was then read, and nearly all +present offered a sentiment on the subject, in meekness and in love, +though they did not agree in their interpretation. They spoke one after +the other, until all seemed tired; looking earnestly at me, as wondering +what I would say, not having spoken on the question. At length one of the +company asked my opinion. I felt freedom at once to say I found no +difficulty in the matter; I could well understand the text, but I could +not understand their interpretation of it. This remark surprised them, and +raised an air of pleasantness on every countenance. My remarks on the +passage closed the subject, and I think they were accorded with in the +general. Stillness was then had, and myself and dear M.Y. spoke to the +company. There was a precious feeling, and we were glad in not having +missed uniting with such spirits in passing an hour or two instructively +together. + + +The service which remained for them to do before returning to England +consisted chiefly of religions labor amongst the Friends of Congenies and +the vicinity, and in printing and distributing a large number of tracts. +They found the Society of Friends in a drooping condition as to spiritual +things, and in going round to their little meetings, Martha Yeardley felt +it to be her last visit, and she labored to clear her conscience towards +those among whom she had long been conversant, and for whose eternal +welfare she felt deeply concerned. + +They returned to London on the 20th of the Tenth Month. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +COMPLETION OP THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1849-50. + +The disorganized state of Germany presented a serious obstacle to John and +Martha Yeardley's resuming their labors on the Continent. + + +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY TO JOHN KITCHING. + +Scarborough, 6 mo. 23, 1849. + +We spent two days at Malton with our dear friends Ann and Esther +Priestman, in their delightful new abode on the bank of the river: we were +comforted in being at meeting with them on First-day. On Second-day we +came to Scarborough, and soon procured two rooms near our own former +residence. The sea air and exercise are beneficial to the health of my +M.Y. and myself. Scarborough is certainly a most delightful place. The +changes in the little society here are great: we miss many whom we knew +and loved when we were resident here. It feels pleasant, though mournful, +once more to mingle our sympathies with the few Friends who are left. + +We sometimes sigh under the weight of our burden on account of poor +Germany, from which land the accounts continue unsatisfactory. Mannheim, +where we had such a sweet little meeting with a few pious persons last +year, is now being bombarded; also in several other parts of the Rhine the +insurrection is not yet subdued. Our friend Dr. Murray returned on +Second-day last from a tour through part of France, Belgium and the Rhine. +He told us he was obliged to return after having proceeded as far as +Mayence, as the steamers were interrupted in their course beyond that +place, south. This is the very line which we had thought to pursue; we +cannot tell how soon an alteration may suddenly take place for the better. +We must wait in patience, faith and hope. + + +The political horizon soon became clearer, and they resumed their journey +on the 2nd of the Eighth Month. They again passed through Belgium, +stopping at several places, and distributing a large number of religious +tracts. + +On reaching Elberfeld they were received in a very cordial manner by R. +Hockelmann, and they held a satisfactory meeting in that city with a +company of serious persons, originally Roman Catholics, who had at first +followed Ronge, but afterwards separated from him. John Yeardley says of +them: + + +They are rejected by the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. They have adopted +the name of German Catholics to attract the Romanists to them. There is +real life of religion with some of them; perhaps with still a little +obscurity on some important points of doctrine. Light does not always +shine clearly all at once; nor is it always obeyed, so as to be received +in its fulness. + +Still more interesting was a meeting they had at Mühlheim on the Ruhr, +where, it will be remembered, they found an open door for their ministry +on their first continental journey. We give the narrative in John +Yeardley's words:-- + + +8 _mo_. 17.--On our arrival at Mühlheim we received a visit from the +three pastors resident here and in the neighborhood, along with Pastor +Bochart, from Schaffhausen, whom we had known some years before. One of +them, Schultz, immediately asked me if we were not the parties who had +held a meeting in a school-room in this place twenty-four years ago. We +entered very fully into the awakening that had taken place in this +neighborhood. The spiritual seed of Tersteegen has never died out; and +they told us of a person, Mühlenbeck, in Sarn, who represents those who +are acquainted with the interior life. The youngest minister said +directly, I will fetch him. In an hour's time he came again, accompanied +by a middle-aged man, much like a good old Friend. He recollected us +again, and spoke of our meeting. When we went to see him the next day in +the village, he took us to the house in which he had lived in 1825, and +placing me in the centre of the room said, There stood thou twenty-four +years ago, and preached the gospel in this room; there sat thy dear wife +and her friend, with the young man who interpreted for her. + +They soon set about making a meeting for us, which is to be held this +evening in a large room in the house of one of the brethren. O, my +Saviour, strengthen us for this evening's work, and forsake us not in the +time of need! + +18_th_.--The meeting last evening was got well over. There were two +rooms filled with men and a few women; their minds seemed sweetly centred +on the Source of good. A precious silence prevailed, and I was enabled to +address them in German from Acts xi. 23:--"When Barnabas was come to +Antioch and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and exhorted them all +that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." The nature of +silent worship was also dwelt upon, and freedom from sin, through +repentance and faith in Christ. My M.Y. spoke a few words in German, and I +supplicated in the same language. Many hearts are prepared to receive the +doctrine of the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit: it seemed like +marrow to their bones. + +After the meeting some came to our inn, and remained till 10 o'clock. They +seemed as if they could not part from us. We spoke of our ministry, +missionary journeys, baptism and the Supper, in which we seemed to be one +in sentiment and heart. Our short tarriance here has excited curiosity to +know who and what we are, and a great desire for books; and a liberal +supply has been furnished them. Those tracts on our religious principles +are just the food many are prepared to receive. + +In coming this morning from Mühlheim to Elberfeld, my heart was tendered +under a sense of the Lord's mercies. I feel poor and unworthy, but it is +impressed on my heart from day to day that my little remaining strength +and my few uncertain remaining days must be devoted to my Great Master's +cause. I am thankful that we have not through discouragement been deterred +from entering on this part of our religious service; for, after all we +have passed through on the occasion, I do believe the present time is +seasonable.-- + +(_Diary and Letter_) + + +Before leaving the neighborhood, they had a second meeting at Elberfeld, +the holding of which was endangered by the animosity which prevailed +between the different religious parties. After the place and hour were +advertized, it appeared the room would be required for a missionary +meeting. The president of the missionary society was so unfriendly to +those who associated with John and Martha Yeardley, that he not only +refused to let them have the room, but refused also to let notice be given +at his meeting of the alteration in time and place which it was needful to +make in theirs. They therefore hastily arranged their meeting for another +day, and the alteration was announced in the daily newspaper. The +disappointment proved, in the end, to be a subject for thankfulness on +their parts; for just before the hour of assembly of the missionary +society, an alarming fire broke out, and threw the whole town into +commotion; and the missionary meeting was obliged to disperse as soon as +the opening hymn had been sung. + +The Friends' meeting, which took place two days afterwards, was held in +quiet. John Yeardley preached on a subject which seems to have engaged his +mind ever since he had entered the place,--viz., the Fall of Man. While in +Elberfeld he printed a tract on this subject; and in a conversation which +he and Martha Yeardley had with a doctor from Charleroi, the doctor told +them it was the very thing which was wanted, being exactly adapted to the +condition of the numerous sceptics in that part, of whom he had once been +one. + +Their sojourn at Bonn, where they arrived on the 31st of the Eighth Month, +was exceedingly cordial to their religious feelings. The persons with whom +they were the most intimately united were two ladies, Alexandrine +Mackeldey and the Countess Stynum; the latter of whom had come to know the +way of salvation during a visit to England. J.Y. describes the opening for +service which they found in this city, in a letter to Josiah Forster:-- + + +This morning, the 1st of the Ninth Month, we received an early visit from +a pious young woman, _interior_. On her entering the room we felt the +Spirit of Jesus was near. As soon as we discovered the piety of her mind, +and her sweet and open disposition, I said to her: Now, tell us who there +are in this place who are really spiritually-minded persons. She said, I +will; and instantly took the pen, and put down about six or seven names, +among which was the name of the Countess Stynum. This lady, said she, I am +sure, will be rejoiced to see you; she is too weakly to leave her house, +but I am going to her and will tell her you are here. + +Our kind helper soon returned with the expression of a warm desire from +the Countess that we would remain tomorrow and hold a meeting in her +saloon in the evening, and invite any of our acquaintance, and she would +give notice to her own friends. There was so evidently a pointing of the +Great Master's finger in this matter, that we were at once constrained to +accept the invitation. + +9 _mo_. 3.--A little before six o'clock last evening the Countess +sent for us to take coffee with her, to have an hour of our company before +the meeting. She gave us a hearty reception, and in such Christian +simplicity, that we soon felt at perfect ease in her company. She has a +well-informed and enlightened mind and a strong understanding, and lives, +believe, in the fear of the Lord. She asked many questions about the +religious sects in England, as to the state of real piety, their forms, +baptism, &c. Then she came to our own Society. I was in poor plight for +answering questions; however, I explained the spiritual view we took of +those subjects, and asked permission to send her books, in the reception +of which she seemed to promise herself much gratification. + +Her commodious and elegant saloon was conveniently seated and pretty well +filled. Our manner of worship was quite new to every one present. We first +explained it privately to the countess, who immediately comprehended our +view; there was no wish at all shown to sing or read; a precious solemnity +prevailed, and I was enabled to speak, in German, first on the nature of +our silent worship, then on what [else] rested on my mind. The young woman +above-mentioned, A. Mackeldey, interpreted for my dear M.Y., who, I +thought, had the best service; and she did it so well and so seriously +that the right unction seemed to be preserved, and prevailed over us; and +after a supplication in German we parted under a very precious solemnity. + +A.M. said afterwards that she had been instructed by what she had heard, +and was prepared to appreciate the value of silence. She observed, I think +it a marked favor of Providence that you should have come at the present +perplexing time, to comfort and confirm the faith of some in this place, +and of me in particular. + + +Speaking of those with whom they had intercourse in this city, John +Yeardley says:-- + + +9 _mo_. 2.--Should it be the will of our Heavenly Father, I hope we +may be permitted to see those precious souls again, and water the seed the +Great Husbandman has deposited in their hearts. I consider such little +companies, or individuals, as a little leaven working silently in a +corrupt mass. + +I never remember, he writes the next day, to have had more satisfaction in +distributing Friends' books, or having intercourse with pious persons, +than thus far on the present journey. The thinking part of the people, +under the tossing of the present moment, are really thirsting for food +more spiritual than they have hitherto received. + + +At Neuwied they were informed that the _Inspirirten_ whom they saw +there twenty-four years before, had, with the exception of a few families, +emigrated to America, and that those whom they visited at Berlenburg had +done the same. + +From Neuwied they went to Kreuznach. This was a place to which they had no +thought of going when they left England; indeed, John Yeardley, though +passing near it on former journeys, was not aware of its existence. But +when they were at Elberfeld, a swarthy youth from Cape Town, an inmate of +the Mission-house at Barmen, mentioned to them that four of his +fellow-countrymen had been for a time at Kreuznach. On hearing this place +named, it occurred to J.Y. that it would be well for them to take it in +their way. They had good reason to believe, before they left the place, +that it was the Lord who had directed their steps thither, and that he had +prepared the hearts of some who dwelt there to receive them. John Yeardley +thus relates what occurred:-- + + +9 _mo_. 6.--On our sending to a tailor named Ott, he could not come +to us by reason of bodily infirmity; but on paying him a visit I found him +a meek and spiritual man. He undertook to speak with some others of the +same way of thinking, to meet us in our hotel at 7 o'clock. On making it +known he found more were desirous of coming than he had expected; a number +of young people asked permission to be present, so that our commodious +saloon was pretty well filled. We read the fourth chapter of John, and +then I addressed the company with great freedom; my M.Y. also spoke in +German, and was well understood. Friend Ott said, "You may travel about, +and think your journeyings and labors will do but little good, but they +will be blest far beyond what you may expect. What you have said this +evening has gone to my heart. If we had only some one to whom we could +look in holding meetings, we should grow." He was reminded of Him, the +Head of his church, to whom we must all look. Of this he was fully aware, +but said, as they were mostly of the lower class, they had no room, and +the pastors did not encourage such meetings. + +7_th_.--This morning our new-made friend accompanied us to three of +the villages, to visit several of his friends. We were pleased with the +simplicity and real Christian feeling with which, they received us. We +arranged for a meeting in one of these places for First-day afternoon, and +one with our Kreuznach friends in the evening. My poor soul can only say, +Lord, help![10] + +8_th_.--Called again on J.A. Ott, and found him looking very serious. +He told me he had read farther in the books we left with him, and the more +he saw, the more conviction was brought into his mind that what they +unfolded was the truth; and that he believed it his duty thoroughly to +weigh the matter, and then speak with a few of those who united with him, +to see whether they could unite in holding a meeting after our manner, but +that it was a serious matter, and they required time to mature it. We +were quite of his mind in this respect; at the same time I believe if they +had strength to meet together it would be advantageous. + +10_th_.--Yesterday we met the little company in Horweiler, a room +well filled with souls thirsting, I believe, for spiritual food. "All thy +children shall be taught of the Lord," was much dwelt upon by me. My dear +M.Y. was wonderfully helped in German. It was a precious season; the +presence of the Lord was near, uniting our hearts in him. + +At 7 o'clock we had the meeting in our room. It was not so lively as the +one in the country; but we can thankfully acknowledge the Great Master was +near to help in the needful time. It was a day of great exercise of body +and mind. Our friend Ott accompanied us throughout the day's labor, and I +felt the help of his spirit. + +There are several villages around Kreuznach (some of which we have +visited), where dwell a good many spiritually-minded people, who meet +together for improvement. We have just received a sweet visit from Adam +Tiegel of Schwabenheim, who is come to have a little talk with us. He +seems to be the first who was awakened in 1805, and was made the means of +awakening others, who now hold meetings in an old monastery.[11] + + +Passing on to Mannheim, they saw the effects of the revolution in Baden; +the fine stone bridge over the Rhine had been blown up, and not yet +replaced. The handful of pious persons with whom they had met in 1848 had +been preserved in the midst of the danger; and their meetings had been +maintained and were increased in numbers. One of these, a widow, told them +that, during the bombardment of the city, a cannon-ball had entered her +house, and had passed by her bedside when her children were in the room, +and also that a shell had burst before her door; but on neither occasion +were any of the family hurt.[12] + +At Stuttgardt they received the affecting intelligence of the decease of +Elizabeth Dudley, who died of cholera on the 6th of the Ninth Month. The +removal of this, one of her earliest and dearest friends, was a severe +stroke to Martha Yeardley, and sensibly affected her bodily health. In a +letter to her sisters, of the 14th of the Ninth Month, she thus gives vent +to her feelings:-- + + +It would not be possible to set forth in words what we have felt from the +affecting intelligence contained in dear R.'s letter. What shall we do but +seek ability at the Divine footstool to bow in humble resignation to this +afflictive dispensation? I have had for some time a strong impression that +something of this kind awaited us in our immediate circle; and it was with +a trembling hand that I opened the letters. The tie which bound me to her, +and which is now perhaps for a very short time broken, as far as relates +to earthly things, was sealed upon my heart by a communion of more than +forty-eight years, and includes all the various changes of an eventful +life, during which my best feelings were ever cherished and encouraged, +both by example and precept, and by the tenderest affection. But I must +not dwell upon this subject, lest I become unfitted for the duties which +our present engagement daily calls for. + + +To these afflictive tidings was added some discouragement in respect to +their proposed journey to Russia. The little hope that John Yeardley still +entertained of being allowed to cross the Russian frontier was +extinguished by the information he received at Stuttgardt. A large number +of the German emigrants who settled in the South Russian colonies were +from the neighborhood of this city, and John Yeardley inquired of some of +their ministers, who had served in the colonies, how far the country was +likely to be accessible to a foreigner going thither to preach the gospel. +The information he received was unfavorable, and his endeavors to obtain +in this city the signature of the Russian ambassador to his passport were +fruitless. + +They had, however, something to console them under these trials. + + +In all our former travels in Germany, says J.Y., we never experienced such +an open door and spirit of inquiry among the people as in the present +journey. It is said that there is scarcely a village in all Würtemberg +where meetings for worship are not held in private houses. The late +revolutionists declare vengeance against these people, the pietists, as +they call them, and that if the war breaks out again, they are to be the +first to be cut off. But the present king gives them their liberty and his +protection, and has openly said the pietists have saved his +country.--(_Letter of 9 mo_. 15.) + + +Before they left Stuttgardt they were refreshed by a social evening's +recreation, one of those occasions of the familiar intercourse of +friendship, under the canopy of divine love, in which John Yeardley +especially delighted. + + +17_th_.--Our two young friends, Reuchlin, came to conduct us to their +garden among the vine-hills in the environs of the town. We there met +their precious mother, and were joined by a good many _interior_ +ones, who had been invited to meet us. We had a precious little meeting in +the arbor, after which we gave them some account of the religious movement +in Belgium, &c., which pleased them much. We afterwards partook of fruit, +biscuits, and wine. I shall reckon this garden visit among the happy +moments of my life, because the presence of the Most High was with us. + + +On the 18th they went to Kornthal to visit the interesting society in that +place. Hoffmann's widow, who seems to have returned from Basle after the +death of her husband, was there, but so aged and infirm as to be confined +to the house. The inmates of the establishment were therefore convened in +some apartments adjoining her chamber, so that she could partake in the +spiritual repast. Their kind friend Reuchlin had prepared the way for +them; and when the assembly took their seats, a solemn silence ensued. +John Yeardley and "Brother" Kölne addressed the meeting, and the former +supplicated at the conclusion. On their way back to Stuttgardt, Madame +Reuchlin interrogated them on the doctrine of election, and was rejoiced +to hear from them their full belief in the universality of the grace of +God; and as they communicated to one another their convictions respecting +this great truth, their spirits were knit together in the love of the +gospel. + +From another pious person in this city, John Yeardley received a word of +timely encouragement. He was anxious about their going into Bohemia, not +having, as he thought, a sufficiently clear guidance to determine his +course. + + +9 _mo_. 19.--A very acceptable visit from a worthy brother, Weiz. He +introduced himself and commenced speaking on the guidance and consolations +of the Holy Spirit, and spoke of his own experience as though he had known +the thoughts of my heart. I have, said he, sometimes earnestly prayed to +the Lord for direction what way to take, and have received no intimation; +all has been dark within; I knew not whether to go right or left, and I +have been compelled to go forward. I have then said, Lord, thou knowest my +heart, be pleased to prosper my way; I leave the consequence to thee. + + +The conclusion to which they came in regard to Bohemia was, not to attempt +the journey at that time, but to return to England for the winter, and +leave the remoter districts of the circuit which they had in prospect till +another year. They therefore returned by Heilbronn to Kreuznach, where +they again found many opportunities of instructing and strengthening such +as had made some progress in the Christian course. + + +26_th_.--This evening had about a dozen serious persons to tea. After +a long conversation, we read a chapter, and made some remarks: there was +also a time of silence, with supplication. + +10 _mo_. 1. _First-day_.--This afternoon we attended a meeting +at Schwabenheim, a few miles from here. Notice had been given of our +intention to be present, and the company was consequently larger than +usual. They meet in an old convent, the other end of which forms the +parish place of worship. After the singing and a short prayer, the good +old A. Tiegel read a chapter in the New Testament, and was proceeding to +make some remarks upon it, when I stopped him, feeling something on my +mind to say to the people. I was led to recommend a patient waiting upon +God for the renewed help of his Spirit, and also to speak on the progress +of the Gospel Church from Isaiah ii. 2, 3, &c. My M.Y. spoke a little in +German on the "still small voice," and the teaching of the Spirit. I did +not in this instance feel quite easy to put aside the whole of their +service. After meeting we had coffee with Tiegel, and took back in our +carriage a few of our Kreuznach friends who had walked to the meeting.[13] + +4_th_.--Yesterday evening we had a few friends with us two hours, by +appointment, to speak concerning the rules, &c., of our Society. Many +questions were asked, and a pretty detailed account given by us, as well +as we were able. The company were all satisfied, and wished to come again. + +6_th_.--To-day we received a visit from a young English lady. She +came to ask how we understood the passages in Paul's Epistles forbidding +women to speak in the church. We soon gave her an answer, and handled the +matter so fully that she was quieted down before she left, little +thinking, as she acknowledged, that so much could be said in defence of +the practice among Friends. She even said she thought it to be a general +loss to the Christian Church that women are not permitted to take part in +the ministry. She is a thorough Millenarian, and said the prophecy in +Joel, that the Spirit should be poured out on all flesh, referred to the +coming of Christ to reign on the earth, until I reminded her of what +happened on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said expressly that it was +the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Two other ladies were with her. We +parted friendly, and she thanked me for the information I had given her. + +7_th_.--Went to Treisen to a meeting. The little company meet only +about eight persons usually, but we found about thirty assembled in a +small room. I thought it one of the most lively meetings we have had. They +wished me to conduct it in our own way. I told them we always commenced +our worship by sitting in silence. They said, We will also sit still. I +was favored with strength to speak to them of the pool of Bethesda, when +the angel troubled the water, and on the nature and advantage of true +silence before God. At the close, none seemed to wish to depart, but +entered into serious conversation. I think I never saw more satisfaction +exhibited at receiving books than on this occasion. After coffee, we +returned to our lodgings with thankful hearts. + +In the evening came three young women, with an elderly lady, the mother of +one of them. We had much conversation, and a precious little meeting, +which concluded with solemn supplication--a nice finish to our sojourn in +interesting Kreuznach. + +Our friend Ott has accompanied us; he has been to us as eyes in the +wilderness. + + +From Kreuznach they returned to Bonn, stopping at Darmstadt, Wiesbaden and +Neuwied. John Yeardley had allowed some discouragement to enter his mind +in regard to the meeting they had had the previous month at the Countess +Stynum's. They found, however, on repeating their visit to this place, +that the occasion in question had been one "of peculiar benefit and +encouragement." They renewed their religious intercourse with the Countess +and her friends to their great refreshment and joy. + + +12_th_.--The evening was spent with the Countess, in a quiet and more +private interview than she had with us the last time, owing to so many +strangers being present. After tea we had a long conversation on various +religious subjects, particularly on some points relating to the principles +of Friends, arising from what she had read in the books we left with her +in our former visit. We were glad of an opportunity to answer her +questions. A few of her private friends were present, much to our comfort. +Before leaving, the forty-sixth Psalm was read, and we had a comforting +time together: the Lord be praised! How sweet in him is the fellowship of +the gospel! + + +Writing to Josiah Forster from Bonn, John Yeardley makes some general +remarks on the religious state of Germany, as they had found it in their +frequent intercourse with individuals of various character during this +journey. + + +There is no doubt that there is in the German character generally a +tendency to the visionary. We have found a few who hold doctrines on +certain points, which it might do harm to publish; but we find or hear +nothing of fanaticism now as formerly. Those who are spiritually-minded +are more chastened, and more sound and scriptural in their views of +religious truth; but not without exception. + + +A meeting at Mühlheim "not large, but a good time," closed their religious +service in this part of their long and arduous engagement. + +They arrived in England on the 20th of the Tenth Month, "with peaceful +feelings, and in gratitude to their Heavenly Father for all his mercies +towards his unworthy servants;" but "mourning the loss of some beloved +ones who had died in the Lord in their absence." + +After about five months passed in the quiet of home, they made preparation +once more for accomplishing the work to which they had been called. The +prospect of distant travel was discouraging, both on account of Martha +Yeardley's weak health and of the state of the Continent; but, writes John +Yeardley, "my mind is peaceful, and I have an abiding conviction that it +is right to proceed, trusting in the Lord for light, strength and safety." + +On their way through Belgium, the same feeling was strongly impressed upon +his mind. + + +1850. 4 _mo_. 7.--In the train, soon after leaving Brussels, my +spirit was melted under a feeling of the Lord's goodness. The object of +our journey came weightily before me, and I considered we had left our +home and every object most dear to our natural affections, with the sole +view to serve our Lord and Master, and in the desire to use our feeble +powers to draw souls to Him, that they might partake of spiritual +communion with the Beloved of souls, through his grace. A degree of +precious resignation followed; and, whatever may be the result as it +regards ourselves, I believe it is the Lord's will for us thus to go +forth, in his name; and should I or the precious partner of my bosom not +be permitted again to see our native land, we shall be happy and at rest, +through the mercy of that Saviour who gave his precious life for us. + + +On arriving at Berlin their first duty was to apply to the Russian +ambassador for his signature to their passport, with permission to enter +the Russian territory at Odessa. Their application met with an immediate +and positive refusal, and the extinction of his hopes in this respect was +to John Yeardley a grievous disappointment. + +The next evening, after they had borne their burden all the day, dejected +in spirit, and uncertain which way to turn, their hearts were lightened by +a visit from August Beyerhaus, who at once attached himself to them and +offered them help. He could indeed do nothing to facilitate their entrance +into Russia, but he was the means of diverting their minds from the +consideration of what had now become hopeless, and of opening to them, in +Berlin, a door of usefulness. Through his introduction they became +acquainted with several devoted Christians, some of them of wide +reputation in the Church. These interviews, which were occasions of +heartfelt spiritual communion, are thus noticed in the Diary:-- + + +4 _mo_. 22.--Samuel Elsner is an aged warm-hearted Christian, full of +faith and good works: he gave us important information, and will send me +some names of pious persons in Silesia. + +Pastor Gossner we found green in old age; seventy-five years of a +variegated life have taught him many useful lessons. His refuge now is +strong faith in the Saviour. He was at work in his arm-chair, and was much +pleased to see us. + +23_rd_.--Pastor Knack, successor to Gossner, is a man of a lively +spirit, to whom we at once felt united. He very liberally offered us the +liberty of speaking to his flock (the Bohemian congregation in Berlin); +and also invited us to visit the little company in the village where we +propose going this evening. + +At 3 o'clock we had a sweet interview with Professor Neander, an aged man +of a striking figure and a Jewish countenance, pervaded by heavenly +calmness, and illumined by the bright shades of gospel light. His eyes are +become dim through excessive study; his heart is very large, full of love +and hope in Jesus Christ. He seemed pleased to hear some account of the +order of our Society, particularly with regard to the ministry and gospel +missions, observing, "With you, then, there is liberty for all to speak +when moved by the Holy Spirit, just as in the primitive church." This +observation led us to several points of our discipline, and he seemed +delighted that a society existed whose practice, in many things, came so +near to that of the primitive church. Before parting the spirit of +supplication came over us, under which prayer was offered, particularly +for this aged servant of the Lord. His disinterestedness is great. The +king will sometimes give him money, that he may take relaxation in going +to the baths, &c. But so susceptible is his heart for many who are +necessitous, that he will often give to others all that he has received. +The good king has then to repeat his gift, and send him away almost by +force from his labors. + + +After these choice visits, John Yeardley says:-- + + +24_th_.--A ray of light and hope has broken in upon our gloomy +path,--not into Russia; there _Satan_ is still permitted to hinder; +but in this city. + + +They spent two days at Rixdorf, the village alluded to above, three miles +from Berlin, where was a small congregation of Bohemian Brethren, who took +refuge there in 1737. The women of the society held religious meetings by +themselves twice a week. These meetings had been instituted many years +before by Maria Liestig, to whom John and Martha Yeardley were introduced, +and whom they found to be of a meek and intelligent spirit. She gave them +a relation of her extraordinary conversion, which John Yeardley published +in No. 3 of his Series of Tracts, under the title of the _Conversion of +Mary Merry_. They held a meeting in the village, in which they both had +to "speak closely on the necessity of silence in worship." They had also a +small meeting at their hotel in Berlin, when "the gospel message flowed +freely, in speaking of the spiritual dispensation in which we live, and +the progress of light." + +On the 29th they left Berlin, and went to the beautiful watering-place of +Warmbrunn, in Silesia. The dwellings of the laborers in Silesia struck +them as being of a wretched description. "What they do." says J.Y., "in a +rigorous winter, like the last, I cannot tell; they appeared to be mostly. +Roman Catholics." + +They resided a month at Warmbrunn. Some of the simple incidents which +befel them there form the subjects of the following extracts:-- + + +5 _mo_. 10.--Yesterday was a thorough rainy day; but in the +afternoon, to our surprise, came in eight men together, who had heard of +strangers having arrived in Warmbrunn to visit those who love the Saviour. +We explained to them our religious principles; their countenances +brightened when we spoke of the Spirit being poured out upon all--sons and +daughters. A sweet feeling was present with us, and supplication was +offered under much solemnity. + +11_th_.--I have had a long conversation with C.W. Grossner, of +Breslau, on the Supper, &c. We opened the Testament, and read the various +passages, and I explained our views as well as I could. I think he is +brought under serious thoughtfulness, and half convinced of our principles +with regard to the rites, which he acknowledges are vain without the +substance. "Religion with many, nowadays," he observed, "is like a +polished shell without kernel." + +13_th_.--The Countess Schaffgotsch sent her butler with a message +from the castle that she would be glad if we would call on her. She gave +us a hearty reception, and thanked us for taking so much interest about +the people. On our presenting her with some books;--But I am a Catholic, +she said. We told her that made no difference to us; we loved all who +loved the Lord Jesus. She spoke very sweetly of the influence of the +spirit. + +14_th_.--The Countess paid us a long visit, and spoke much of the +Roman Catholic faith. She has no more faith in the efficacy of the prayers +of the saints than I have, and said she had not prayed to them now for +four years; their church only _advises_, not _commands_ it. + +16_th_.--We went to dine with the Countess Reden and her sister, who +live at the castle in Buchwald, one of the most lovely spots in the most +lovely of countries. It is truly a peaceful abode, whose inmates fear +their God, love their neighbor, and greatly esteem their king. We had been +announced to the Countess from Berlin a week before; she and her amiable +sister received us as a brother and sister beloved in the Lord. I never +witnessed more intelligence combined with Christian politeness and real +simplicity. The Countess is about seventy-six years of age; she is the +president of the Bible Society, and the spiritual mother of all that is +good in the neighborhood. She nursed the present king on her lap when he +was a baby, and her great influence with him now she always turns to good +account in serving benevolence and religion. Both she and her sister spoke +with much affection of dear Elizabeth J. Fry, and her visit with Joseph +John Gurney. + +26_th_.--Our last meeting, on First-day evening, consisted of all +men, several of whom had come from Erdmannsdorf and the colonies of the +Tyrolese. They seemed to appreciate the time of silence, and expressed +much satisfaction with having made our acquaintance, and with the meeting. + + +On the 30th of the Fifth Month, J. and M. Y. quitted Warmbrunn and +proceeded towards Bohemia. + + +We passed, says the former, through Hirschberg. Goldberg, Liegnitz, and to +Dresden, Leipzig, and Halle, making acquaintance in all these places with +serious persons, and, I hope, scattering here and there a little gospel +seed; but truly we may say, It is sown in weakness. At Halle we were much +gratified with our visit to Dr. Tholuck, but I think, not less so with his +wife, a most lovely person, delighting to _feel_ and to _do_ +good. + + +On arriving at Dresden, it became evident that Martha Yeardley, who had, +suffered much for some time from an affection of the windpipe, required +repose and medical care; and they concluded to rest awhile at the baths of +Töplitz. The illness of his wife, and some degree of bodily indisposition +from which he himself suffered, did not prevent John Yeardley from +employing the time in the diffusion of evangelical truth. + +He had heard at Berlin that within a few months several hundred Bibles and +Testaments had been sent into Bohemia, and had been eagerly bought there +by awakened persons. He thought that if a translation could be made into +the Bohemian language of some simple religious tracts, much good might be +done by their dissemination; but he supposed that the intolerant laws of +the Austrian Empire, which forbad all freedom of religious action, were +still in full force. His account of his feelings and those of Martha +Yeardley under the burden which this supposition imposed on them, and of +the agreeable manner in which permission was unexpectedly granted them to +print and circulate their little messengers of peace, must be given in his +own words:-- + + +Our hearts yearned towards the people, but we were afraid to give them +tracts, which in other places had often been the means to conversation and +to making acquaintance. This brought us low in mind; the body was already +weak enough before. We thought it would not do to pass through the country +in this state of depression, without trying to remove the cause. I went, +therefore, the next morning to the head of the authorities, took with me +one of our little tracts, mostly Scripture extracts, and asked whether I +might be allowed to have the little book, or such as I then presented to +him, printed for circulation. He received me politely, indeed kindly, and +looked pleased with my tract, saying as be turned over its innocent little +pages, Ah, nothing about politics; nothing against the religion of the +country: it is very good, it is beautiful. You are quite at liberty to +print and circulate such tracts as these. And when he found that the +object was to do good to all, without cost to the receiver, he said, That +is lovely.--(_Letter of 6 mo. 23._) + + +The Bohemian translations were not made until J. and M. Y. went to Prague, +which they did on the 22nd. Their feelings on entering this city, and the +manner in which they were helped in their work of love, are described in +the following diaries:-- + + +6 _mo._ 23.--Last evening we arrived at Prague. Our heart sunk on +approaching this great city. The twenty-eight statues of saints, &c. on +the bridge, with the many lamps devoted to these images, the crucifixes, +&c., all indicated that superstition rages rampant. + +We lost no time in sending to the Protestant pastors, one of whom kindly +came to us in the evening, and we conversed till late. I showed him my +little _Spiritual Bread for Christian Workmen_, with which he was +much pleased. I told him I wanted it translated into the Bohemian +language. This afternoon he paid us another visit, and brought his wife to +see my M.Y. He produced the translation of the introduction to the little +tract. We are to have 2000 printed. Most of the poor people read only the +Bohemian language. I have promised to place 1000 at the disposal of the +pastor; he is delighted with the opportunity of having anything of the +kind _printed in Prague_. + +Much, adds J.Y. in a letter, as I have suffered in the long prospect of a +visit to this place, I feel a peculiar satisfaction that it has been +deferred until there is liberty to print and circulate gospel tracts. +Small as such a privilege may appear, until very recently such +distribution of books would have been visited with a very inconvenient +imprisonment on the individual transgressing the law.--(6 _mo_. 23.) + +24_th_.--I gave Pastor Bennisch for perusal, and choice for +translation, William. Allen's _Thoughts on the Importance of +Religion_, and our tracts on the _Fall, Regeneration and Redemption, +True Faith, and the Voice of Conscience_. There is a great movement +among the Catholics; they have need to be instructed in the first +principles of Christianity, and it is very important that the doctrine of +faith in Christ should be combined with that of the practical working of +the Spirit as set forth in many of our tracts. On this account, I am glad +they are likely to take precedence of others in their circulation; for I +do not hear that any tracts decidedly religious have yet been printed in +Prague. + + +During their stay in the city, and after they left, there were printed +12,000 copies of the tracts in Bohemian, and 1000 in German. + +At Töplitz, which they revisited before leaving Bohemia, occurred the +interesting incident of the Bohemian soldier, which is related under that +title in John Yeardley's series of tracts, No. 4. + +When they finally quitted the country, they took the nearest road to +Kreuznach. On the way, they distributed tracts in the villages, at one of +which, where they were detained for want of horses, the inhabitants +flocked so eagerly to them to receive these little messengers, that they +had difficulty in satisfying them. Notwithstanding this circumstance, the +reflection with which John Yeardley concludes his account of their travels +in Bohemia was, "It will require a power more than human to make the +_dry bones of Bohemia_ live." + +They spent three weeks at Kreuznach, confirming the faith of the brethren, +and printing German translations of several tracts. In passing through +Neuwied, they intended only to spend the night there; but hearing that +much inquiry after the way of salvation had recently manifested itself in +the villages around, they decided, after the horses had been ordered for +departure, to remain and visit one of these villages. A meeting was +called, and so many attended that the room could not contain them all. It +was a good season; De Freis, the friend who had made them acquainted with +the religious condition of the place, accompanied them as guide, and was a +true helper in the work. He had been twenty years missionary in Greenland +and South Africa. + +They returned home, both of them worn with travelling, and Martha Yeardley +exhausted with disease, which was making sure progress in her debilitated +frame; but they were supported by the peaceful consciousness of having +accomplished all the service to which they had been called to labor in +common. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO NORWAY. + +1851-2. + +Martha Yeardley continued very unwell during the autumn, and by the end of +the year her disorder assumed a more alarming form. It soon became evident +that her dedicated life must at no distant period be brought to a close; +and after many weeks of suffering, with confinement to the chamber during +the latter part of the time, she expired, full of peace and hope in Christ +Jesus, in the Fifth Month, 1851. The following memorandum, touchingly +descriptive of her illness and death, was penned by her bereaved husband, +probably soon after her decease. + + +After our return from the Continental journey my beloved M.Y. became more +poorly. A severe influenza cold weakened her much; and a second attack she +seemed never to recover. It was succeeded by a regular rheumatic fever. +From the commencement of 1851, with but little exception, she was confined +to the house, and for a little while to her bed, until the 8th of the +Fifth Month, when her sweet and purified spirit ascended to her Saviour, +and commenced an eternity of bliss. + +Thus was I deprived of my only earthly treasure. She was the Lord's +precious loan, granted me for nearly a quarter of a century, for which I +can never be sufficiently [thankful]. She was his own, bought with the +blood of his dear Son, and he saw meet to take her from me. Ours was a +blessed union, and a happy life, spent, I hope, unitedly in the service of +our Lord. In all our imperfections we did desire, above all earthly +things, to do the work of our Divine Master, and to labor for the +promotion of his kingdom, and for the spread of his knowledge in the +earth. + +I was her only nurse till within ten days of her happy close. Long had a +covenant been made between us, in the time of health, that whichever of us +was taken ill the first, should be nursed by the surviving one, if +permitted and strength afforded; which it mercifully was to me, and a +happy season was the sick-room. We seemed to live together in heaven; +never, I think, could two mortals be more favored with the answer to +prayer. + +In the early part of her illness she spoke much of the satisfaction she +had felt in our three last journeys to the Continent, and that she was +thankful in having been enabled to go through the whole of the service +which her Lord had put into her heart. I have since thought it was a mercy +that I did not proceed into South Russia, as, in all probability, my +precious one would have fallen on the journey, and never seen her peaceful +home again. + +During the whole of the illness her delight was to speak of the joy of +heaven. My sins of omission and of commission, she said, are all passed +by; my iniquities are all forgiven, and washed away in the blood of the +Lamb; and now I rejoice in God my Saviour. His love and mercy to me are +beyond all bounds; and so strong is my faith in my precious Saviour, that +I have scarcely known, the whole of the illness, what it has been to be +troubled with an evil thought. + +When she expressed a desire to go to Heaven, I reminded her of my +loneliness when she should be taken from me. The Lord will care for thee, +was her constant reply. He has promised me over and over again that he +will care for thee; the answer to my prayer has always been, I will care +for him. + +Nearly the last conversation she had with any of her beloved relatives was +with ----, to whom she observed: My affection for thee is strong; I +believe thou lovest thy Saviour: I desire that thou mayest keep nothing +back that the Lord may require of thee, but serve him with greater +devotedness of heart; and if ever thou art called to bear public testimony +to his truth, be sure to preach the whole gospel, faith in Christ, and the +necessity of the practical work of the Holy Spirit to produce holiness of +life. To [another of her near relatives] she observed: Thou hast often +been sweetly visited by the love of thy Saviour, and be assured thou wilt +never find any joy equal to that of yielding thy heart in prompt obedience +to the will of thy Lord. Her last words to her affectionate sisters were, +The Lord bless you all: Farewell. + + +Towards the end of the year John Yeardley again communed with himself in +the language of sorrow, but also of humble resignation. At the same time +he speaks of an engagement of gospel labor from which he had then recently +returned, the first which he had undertaken alone since his marriage with +Martha Savory. Having seen his faithful and well-tried comrade fall by his +side, he had now to learn again to gird himself and enter, as in the days +of his youth, alone into the combat. + + +1851. 12 _mo._ 13.--How often have I prayed that the portion of her +Lord's spirit which animated her devoted life may rest on me! Her heart, +her tongue, and her pen were all employed in promoting the cause of her +Divine Master, whom she delighted to serve. All my earthly joy was now +gone to heaven, and I felt alone in the world; but my spirit seemed never +to be separated from her: she seemed to be hovering over me constantly. My +heart does sorrow for the loss of her sweet society; to me she was a wise +and sound counsellor, and a never-failing consoler in all my troubles. I +do mourn, but I dare not murmur. I hope my merciful Heavenly Father will +keep me in the hour of temptation, and be with me in the last trying hour, +and prepare me to join this precious one and all by whom she is surrounded +with her God and Saviour in the centre of bliss. + +I had often mentioned to my precious one a prospect of religious service +in Ireland, and once since our return home from our last Continental +journey; when she replied, "I have no concern to go to Ireland--thou must +do that when I am taken from thee." It cost me many tears and prayers +before I could be resigned to request a certificate, alone, for the first +time since our union; but, looking seriously at the subject, the language +was constantly in my heart, The hour cometh when no man can work. Life is +uncertain, and I can only expect sustaining grace by faithfully following +my Lord: and, blessed be his name, he has kept and sustained me in every +trial. + +This day would have been the twenty-fifth anniversary of our union. How +near it has brought my precious one to me in spirit, and how strong are my +prayers that my Lord may preserve me faithful to the end of the race! I +can say my desire is, when he cometh, he may not find me idle. + + +The visit which John Yeardley made in Ireland was general, comprehending +all, or nearly all, the meetings of Friends in the island, and including a +few public meetings in Leinster province. He has left very few notes of +this journey, except an itinerary of the places at which he stopped, but +makes frequent mention of the hospitality and kindness of Friends. From +Cork he writes:-- + + +I am in the midst of a family visit to the Friends of Cork, and shall +have, I expect, from ninety to a hundred sittings. I am lodged a few miles +in the country, in a mansion surrounded by beautiful grounds, and all the +beloved inmates most affectionate and helpful to me. They send me to my +work in or about the city mostly to breakfast; and I return, in the +evening, and enjoy the refreshing breezes and the quiet: but then I have +the family visits to resume next morning. In riding to town to-day, I +tried to raise my heart to God; when the language sweetly occurred to me, +Bread shall be given thee, thy water shall be sure.--(_Letter of 8 mo. +5, 1851._) + + +A few days after his return from Ireland, he left home again to visit the +Isle of Man, in company with Barnard Dickenson. On his return, he was +refreshed by a visit to Dover, where he spent three weeks in the company +of his kind and sympathising friend Margaret Pope. + +The interval which elapsed before the recommencement of his missionary +labors was to be short. In the First Month of 1852, we find him again +under exercise of mind for foreign travel; having, this time, to direct +his course towards the interesting community of religious persons in +Norway, whose principles and practices are the same as those of Friends. +The Diary which follows is the utterance of his heart in the prospect of +this work. + + +1852. 1 _mo._ 24.--This has been a precious morning unto my soul; +such a season of spiritual comfort I have not been permitted to experience +for a long time. I think it is vouchsafed me through the efficacy of +earnest prayer, which has brought me to resignation to my Lord's will. I +have now no more doubt as to Norway. Light springs on my path. How +powerful is the love of God when it fills the heart; there is not a place +on the Lord's earth where I think I could not go, if favored with the +strength, and blessed with the presence of my God and Saviour. + +Unto thee, Lord, do I commit all my concerns, spiritual and temporal; do +thou give to thy unworthy servant an answer of peace. Keep me faithful and +patient to the end of the race. Lord, grant that my ministry, which thou +hast entrusted to me, may proceed purely and entirely from thy love, and +be exercised in thy fear and under the unction of thy Holy Spirit. Lord, +keep my heart fixed, on the last, last awful moment that I may have to +breathe; grant that it may be breathed out in the bosom of my adorable +Saviour; all sting of death taken away, my robes washed in his blood, and +my spirit purified and ready to be united to those beloved ones who are +already enjoying a blissful eternity with thee! + + +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. + + +At a meeting which they held in this city, both John Yeardley and Peter +Bedford were engaged to minister to the spiritual wants of the people; A. +Kloster interpreting for them. The company were so much interested, that +many of them went afterwards to the hotel to converse and ask for tracts. + +The Friends left Christiania on the 10th, and sailed through the +rock-bound sea to Christiansand, the passage between the cliffs being in +some places so narrow that there was no more room than was sufficient for +the vessel to pass. + +In this town they enjoyed much freedom in the gospel, and held two public +meetings. Regarding the first of these, John Yeardley says:-- + + +7 _mo_. 13.--Our large room at the hotel was filled half an hour +before the time appointed, and it was with difficulty that we made our way +to our seats. A little unsettlement prevailed from the desire to enter, +which subsided after a few explanatory words. A time of quiet ensued, and +there was much openness to receive the gospel message. Before the close of +the meeting I became exceedingly thoughtful about appointing another for +the next evening; and on intimating the same to P.B., I found he was under +the same impression. It was, therefore, announced to the assembly before +they separated, and appeared much to satisfy them. The dear people were +unwilling to part from us without a shake by the hand.--(_Diary and +Letter_.) + + +At one of the meetings which they held in this town, whilst John Yeardley +was preaching, he became sensible that his interpreter had himself +received something to communicate to the congregation; he therefore +stopped speaking, and the interpreter, faithful to his duty, took up the +word until he had cleared his mind from its burden. After he had finished, +John Yeardley resumed his discourse. + +On the 14th the Friends drove out a few miles into the country to "pay +some family visits." They had two double carrioles, or gigs: the road over +which they passed was "steep and rugged beyond description." In returning, +the carriole in which Peter Bedford rode struck against a rock at a sharp +corner and was overset. Peter Bedford's right shoulder was dislocated, and +he otherwise bruised. In conveying him into Christiansand he suffered much +from the shaking of the car; but the joint was quickly set by a skilful +surgeon; and, in the evening, the love he felt for the people was so +strong, that he could not remain absent from the meeting which had been +appointed for that time, and he even took part in its vocal exercise. + + +It was, writes John Yeardley, a favored time. Peter Bedford gave some +account of the difference between our religious Society and other +professing Christians. It opened the way for me to speak on the peculiar +doctrines and practices of Friends at more length than I ever remember to +have done before; after which the glad tidings of the gospel flowed +freely, and the people were invited to come to Christ and partake of the +full blessedness of his teaching by the Holy Spirit. A precious solemnity +prevailed, and the serious attention of the company was great. A good many +soldiers, and some officers, were present; but the expression of our +dissent from all wars and fightings had not displeased them, for they +shook hands with US most kindly.--(_Diary and Letter_.) + + +Besides being interested for the people of Christiansand in general, John +Yeardley and Peter Bedford were especially attracted towards several young +men who had embraced the doctrines of Friends, without any knowledge of +the Society, and without any instruction from man. With these persons they +met more than once. John Yeardley writes:-- + + +"We had a precious meeting with them. They were invited to embrace the +doctrines of the gospel in living faith, and to give full room to the +workings of the Spirit of Jesus, whose voice they had already heard +inviting them to come under his teaching. We encouraged them to meet for +divine worship." + + +On the 16th the Friends proceeded thirty-five miles to Mandal, travelling +post. From thence, John Yeardley and Asbjön Kloster went by the road to +Stavanger, leaving Peter Bedford and William Robinson to follow by +steam-vessel, the former being unable to bear the motion of the Norwegian +carriages. + +John Yeardley, in one of his letters, in a lively manner describes the +mode of travelling:-- + + +The usual vehicle in this country is the single-seated carriole, made +exactly to fit the figure of the traveller, and no spare room except a +little well under his feet. The seat is placed on two crossbars fixed to +the long shafts, the spring of which is intended to mitigate the jolting +of the road. We chose double cars on iron springs, which we found _not +too easy_: they were like old-fashioned, worn-out, and very shabby +English gigs. The posting is under government regulation, and is performed +by sure-footed ponies kept by the farmers, who are obliged to supply them +under any circumstances after having had notice. A _forbud_ is sent +on with printed notices filled up with the time at which the traveller +expects to arrive at each station. This _avant-courier_ is often a +little boy, and sometimes, to save the expense of a horse, for which the +traveller has paid, he is sent on foot. On one occasion we met a young +girl, with bare feat, who had walked sixteen miles with notice papers, as +our _forbud_. Now away goes the traveller, accompanied by a man, or +more often a boy, or it may be a little girl, to bring back the pony. They +run by the side, but down hills always seat themselves behind on the +luggage as best they can. The traveller drives himself, and the little +horses are so brisk that, whatever the state of the road may be, they run +down the mountains as fast as they can clatter, and so sure-footed that +they are scarcely ever known to fall; but a person of weak nerves has no +business to be the rider. + +From Christiansand to Stavanger is about 200 miles, which took us four +days. Our road lay occasionally over a wild and stony heath by the sea, +sometimes along the river-banks, lakes, or fiords, but more often among +and upon the high and rugged rocks; the passing of some of which is, I +think, more difficult than crossing the Alps between Switzerland and +Italy.--(_letter of 8 mo. 3._) + + +On the way towards Stavanger John Yeardley had a public meeting at +Flekkefiord, the first time such a meeting had been held in the place. It +was "a good time," and so well attended that the town-hall could not +contain nearly all who came together. + +Immediately on arriving at Stavanger, the Friends commenced visiting the +families of the Friends in the town and on the adjacent islands; and on +the next First-day held a meeting about eleven miles up one of the fiords, +to which so many flocked from all directions that they were obliged to +assemble in the open air:-- + + +It was, says J.Y., a lovely sight to see so many clean-dressed peasants, +in their mountain costume, with a seriousness in their countenances which +indicated that a motive better than curiosity had brought them together. I +was reminded and had to speak of the miracle of our blessed Saviour, when +he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass, and fed them with +five barley loaves and two fishes. + +Since this time, he says in a letter, we hold our public meetings in the +open air, and the stillness that prevails is quite remarkable. Last +evening we had a solemn opportunity in a plantation belonging to one of +our Friends by the seaside. The hushing of the trees, the gentle rolling +of the waves behind a strong sea-wall, and the warbling of the little +birds, all seemed to aid our worship; but these would have been nothing +had not the presence of our Divine Master been near. After the meeting, as +many as could be seated partook of tea, &c. The seriousness, simplicity, +kindness and hospitality, are great. All flock together as if they were +one family.--(7 _mo_. 28.) + + +After this the Friends availed themselves of the efficient assistance of +Endré Dahl, and of the active peasants who form a large portion of the +Society of Friends there, in a more extensive excursion which they made up +one of the fiords which in so remarkable a manner intersect the country. +John Yeardley gives a graphic description of this voyage. + + +Our efficient helper prepared his own boat; our ship's company are all +volunteers. We set out with seven, but were joined by others on the way, +so that this morning we started with ten men. They are a most cheerful and +playful company, all interested in the object of our voyage. It does my +heart good to see with what delight they bring planks for seats, and run +in all directions to give notice of our meetings. Each seems to strive +which shall show us the most attention, even anticipating our wants. They +enjoy our family readings and worship; their conduct is instructive; and +the solemnity on these occasions precious. + +On Fifth-day we landed on an island (Findon) sprinkled with trees, and +with a park-like bank sloping to the water. This was refreshing to the eye +after having seen nothing but bare rook for many days. The meeting was at +our friend's house who owned the pretty little farm. It was sweet and +refreshing; and afterwards a number of these people accompanied us to the +boat, and did not quit their standing till we were out of sight. My heart +yearned towards them in gospel love. + +Next morning we started before 6 o'clock, and when we had rowed fourteen +English miles put into a little village, Ielsom. We were all strangers in +the place, and Friends and their principles unknown. Our friend Endré Dahl +had a pointing that we should try for a meeting, which was appointed for +2 o'clock. After waiting till 3, only one or two persons came, and we had +a consultation whether we should proceed on our voyage, but concluded it +safer to go in and sit down. When we were seated (I may say in faith), +first one and then another came in, till the large room and passage were +filled, and a number were outside under the windows. It was quite a +remarkable meeting, and we were well satisfied in having exercised +patience as well as a little faith. We were informed that it was the +custom of the place not to attend any appointed meeting till an hour after +the time named. + +We arrived at Sand about 9 o'clock, after hard rowing, the tide being +against us. Sand is beautifully placed at an opening in the rocks, at the +mouth of a river where salmon-fishing is good. As soon as we landed, our +ship's company made the object of our journey known, when a +serious-looking man immediately offered to go about six miles to inform a +person who he knew would like to attend. Two individuals in this place +have for some time been in the practice of holding a silent meeting for +worship; they had no knowledge of Friends, nor Friends of them. + + +Fixing the meeting for the First-day evening, John Yeardley and his +companions pursued their way the next morning, which was Seventh-day, to +Sävde, situated at the head of the fiord, and consequently the extreme +point of their voyage. Before starting they went a little way up the Sand +river, to view one of the grand Norwegian waterfalls, and also to see how +the salmon-fishery is conducted. + + +A hamper of about six feet in diameter, and the same height, made by the +fisherman of the roughest wicker-work, is placed in a side stream of the +rock, in the bed of the river. The anxiety of the salmon to mount up the +stream is so great, that he forces himself through a hole into the hamper, +as the easiest way of advancing upwards, from which position he cannot +again escape. In this manner, in a favorable season, sixty-three salmon +have been caught in one night in a single basket. It is a source of wealth +to the little town of Sand. + + +At Sävde they held a meeting on First-day morning. + + +We reached the head of the fiord, writes John Yeardley by 12 o'clock, and +found but poor accommodation. We three had one room with three beds; Endré +Dahl with his willing-hearted and contented men lodged in a barn on straw. +There was time enough to arrange for a meeting in the morning, and we +applied for a room at the inn; but a little knot of illiberal Haugeans +[followers of Hauge], or _Saints_, as they call themselves, persuaded +our landlord not to let us meet in his house. But we obtained better +accommodation under the rocks in a house containing two rooms connected by +a passage, and, seating ourselves in the centre, could be well heard by +those outside the door. We had a good meeting. + + +Returning to Sand, he continues:-- + + +The wind being against us, the men had to work very hard at the oar to +bring us in time for the meeting appointed for 6 o'clock at Sand. Some of +the Friends from near Sävde accompanied us in their small boat; and some +from Sand had gone many miles to attend the meeting at Sävde, and returned +to the one at Sand. Their zeal is great and their love fervent. This was a +very crowded meeting, and proved a satisfactory time. We found here a few +of the _Saints_, but of a more liberal cast; they expressed great +grief that their brethren at the head of the fiord had refused the +peaceable messengers of the gospel from a far country a house in which to +meet. This unwelcome news had reached them long before our arrival. + + +At a later date, John Yeardley relates an occurrence which happened at +Sand, worthy of note in itself, and which must have been not a little +confirmatory of his faith. It came to his knowledge after his return to +Stavanger. + + +When we were at Sand, one of the Friends who joins in holding the silent +meeting invited several of our ship's company to his house; but the man's +wife was so exasperated that she drove them away, saying she would not +have such folks under her roof. She had confounded the principles of +Friends with those of some wild persons who had gone about the country +spreading ranterism, and giving the people the idea that they were of our +Society. It was in vain to reason with her, and the husband, for the sake +of peace, mildly consented to let the Friends withdraw. However, she +attended our public meeting, where the gospel doctrine of our Society was +pretty fully illustrated; and I felt constrained also to preach on the +unreasonableness of persecution for conscience' sake, either by the +government, private persons, or families. Conviction seized her heart, and +she became broken to pieces. After the meeting she sought up the Friends +whom she had driven from her house, and told them she could not be happy +unless they would give her a proof of forgiveness by taking up their abode +in her family so long as they might remain in the place. Several of them +accepted the invitation, which gave them an opportunity for free and +satisfactory conversation. + +How merciful are the Lord's doings with us in sending help in the needful +time! I was so spent when we arrived at Sand, having had nothing from +breakfast till 5 o'clock, that I said in my heart, It is impossible to get +through the meeting this evening. + + +The Friends had some religions service at several other places about +Stavanger, and on the 6th of the Eighth Month proceeded northward to +Bergen, accompanied by Endré Dahl and his wife and Asbjön Kloster. Their +chief service in this city was a public meeting, at which there was a +large attendance. John Yeardley says of the meeting:-- + + +There was a great mixture of feeling. Many pious, thirsty souls, I +believe, were present, and I hope such were encouraged and comforted; but +the strong impression on my mind was to call the sinner to repentance. + + +On their way back to Stavanger, among the passengers were two Finland +convicts, for whose peculiar case they felt much sympathy. + + +On board our steamer were two prisoners on the deck, in heavy irons. They +were natives of Finland, and had been sentenced to some months' +confinement in irons at Christiania, for having, it is said, committed +some outrage on the priest in disturbing the national worship. There has +for some time past been a great awakening about religion in Finland and +other parts of the North, and the most active among this number, in their +zeal not tempered with right knowledge, have transgressed the law. I +heartily pitied the two poor creatures, inasmuch as I feared justice had +not been done them; the prejudices of the priests and judges are so great +in all matters connected with any separation from the national worship. +They were chained together, and were clothed in their native reindeer +skins, and on their ironed feet were snow-sandals turned up with a long +toe. We offered them money, but they turned from it; and when acceptance +of it was pressed, their change of countenance indicated anger. They +understood nothing but the Finnish language. + + +On their return to Stavanger, Peter Bedford felt that his share in the +work was accomplished, and that it was not his part to accompany John +Yeardley in the service which remained for the latter to do in Norway. +After being present at another public meeting in Stavanger, and in a +parting interview with the Friends of the town, he went with William +Robinson direct to Kiel. John Yeardley had two or three more meetings in +the neighborhood of Stavanger, where the desire of the people to attend +was more remarkable than ever. + +On the 11th of the Eighth Month he bade farewell to this interesting +place, and, accompanied by Endré Dahl, again crossed the mountains to +Christiansand, holding meetings at several places on the sea-coast, where +none had ever been held before. His notices of some of these meetings are +well worth transcription. + + +14_th_--Journeyed about fourteen miles up the fiord, into the +mountains, to Aamut in Qvindesdalen. This meeting was the most solemn of +any we have had. Many said, in tears, at the conclusion, This is a +doctrine that we cannot resist; it goes to our heart, and meets the +conviction of our own experience. What shall we do?--our heart burns +within us! + +15_th_.--We returned to Foedde to a meeting this afternoon, which +was, I think, the largest we have had. There were two large rooms filled, +and a number seated on planks on the grass; not less than about 700 +persons were present. Many followed us to the lodging, to converse on +subjects that lay near their hearts, and to ask for tracts and books. +Among them was a man who goes about to exhort the people to amendment of +life. He appeared to be a simple, sincere character, and was much +satisfied with our meeting, saying, as if from the bottom of his heart, +How remarkably, how wonderfully, have the truths of the gospel been opened +and explained to us this day! + +16_th_.--At Fahrsund we had some difficulty to procure a place for a +meeting. It is a brandy-drinking place. No one would bear anything of our +business. A rich old lady has a large room which she lets for all kinds of +purposes except for anything connected with _religion_; she gave an +abrupt refusal to the application. E. Dahl and I went to the English +vice-consul, showed him my certificate, and explained to him the object of +my visit to Fahrsund. He kindly accompanied us to the old lady, and told +her that we belonged to a respectable religious society in England and +were not the persons she supposed, come to preach wild doctrines. She +consented to let us occupy the entrance-hall, which was good and spacious. +The consul then went with me to call on the sheriff; he said he and his +lady would attend the meeting, which they did, with a good many of the +respectable inhabitants, but the common people would not come near us. One +man to whom a notice was offered, when he saw the word _worship_, +immediately tore it to pieces. The lady to whom the room belonged sat near +me all the meeting, and looked serious before the close; and she took +leave of us with very different feeling from that in which she first met +us. The sheriff came to me after the meeting and offered his hand, saying, +I thank you for the present occasion--I shall never forget it. + + +Before the meeting at Foedde John Yeardley had an opportunity of +refreshing his mind with the charms of Norwegian nature. + + +My friend E. Dahl and I went out for a quiet walk. It was a lovely Sabbath +morning; the sky cloudless, and the sun shining brightly on the water as +it rapidly foamed down the cliffs. After gathering a few cranberries we +seated ourselves on a shady rock to meditate. All was silent +around--nothing heard but the shepherd-boy playing his horn; the sound +coming from the distant mountains into the wooded valley where we sat, +first shrill, then softening into a simple irregular note. My friend asked +me what I thought the instrument was. It is made, said he, of a goat's +horn, and is blown to keep the fox from taking the young lambs, and as a +means of communication with other shepherds when widely separated on the +mountains; the sound of this horn also keeps the sheep from straying. + + +They arrived at Christiansand on the 19th; and Endré Dahl, finding a +vessel sailing for Stavanger, engaged a passage in it for himself. After +parting with him, John Yeardley writes:-- + + +E. Dahl and I have been closely united in the gospel bond; he has been a +truly affectionate sympathizer and efficient helper. I am thus, he +continues, left alone in a strange land; but I do feel a peaceful and a +thankful heart to my Heavenly Father that he has in mercy blessed me with +light, strength, and faith to go through this service in Norway. +Imperfectly has it been performed, I know; but I have done what I could, +and a song of thanksgiving is due to my Lord. + + +John Yeardley returned by Germany to England. At Obernkirchen, near +Minden, where some persons had not long before been convinced of Friends' +principles, he had a meeting, in which he was joined by a number of +Friends from Minden. A few years before, Thomas Arnett, from America, +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 Bückeburg, 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 the manner in which the concern had been revived, saying he had +been, before he was thus aroused, like _the prophet asleep_. + +He re-opened the prospect of this service before his Monthly Meeting, on +the 3rd of the Fifth Month, 1853. In a letter written the same day, he +says:-- + + +I am just returned from our Monthly Meeting in London, where I mentioned +to my friends my concern to visit the German colonies in the South of +Russia, which, thou wilt probably recollect, was included in my +certificate for religious service on the Continent of Europe, five years +ago. I received the expression of much sympathy and unity from my +friends, and the certificate was ordered, including on my return, if +permitted, any service that may present in Constantinople, the island of +Malta, and some places in the South of France. Weak as I am, I cast myself +once more into the hand of our Lord and Blessed Protector, in holy +confidence that he will do all things well. + + +On receiving a passport from the Secretary of State, with the requisite +counter-signature of the Russian Ambassador, he wrote to John Kitching, +the 25th of the Fourth Month:-- + + +I want thee to know that, through the kind and efficient aid of our +mutually dear friend Samuel Gurney, I have at length been enabled to +procure a Russian passport, and also a letter of recommendation to one of +the first houses in Petersburg. Thou knowest, my dear friend, for a long +time this matter has been heavy on my mind. It is a great comfort to have +the ground cleared in this respect. + + +John Yeardley left London at the end of the Sixth Month, and went to Hull +to take the steam-packet direct to Petersburg. In the narrative which +follows, we have interwoven with the Diary extracts from his letters to +his sisters; and we have been allowed the use of William Rasche's Journal, +in relating and describing many circumstances of which J.Y. himself made +no record. + + +_Petersburg. 7 mo._ 10.--On the 30th of the Sixth Month I left my +peaceful home at Stamford Hill for my Russian journey. At our kind friend +Isabel Casson's at Hull I met my young companion William Rasche. We were +affectionately cared for by dear I. C. and her daughter, and she and +several other friends saw us on board the steamer. It is a fine ship, well +ventilated, with good sleeping accommodation and provisions: the captain +is a kind, religious man. + +On First-day evening, the captain invited us to the ship's service--an +invitation which we gladly embraced. When he had finished, I addressed the +company, much to my own comfort: great seriousness prevailed. After I had +relieved my mind, the captain closed with a few sweet and feeling words. +When the occasion was over, he came to me and expressed his thankfulness +that I had been enabled to strengthen his hands by throwing in a word of +exhortation. He said that sometimes, when he had felt indisposed and +unprepared for his religious duty, he had given himself to a quiet +dependence on the Lord, and had been mercifully helped, to the benefit of +his own soul, in endeavoring to do his duty to others. + +There is great uncertainty (he says in a letter written during the +voyage), how we shall find things at Petersburg, and whether they will +permit us to proceed to the South; but this I must leave. Whatever way it +may please Providence to turn the matter, as it regards myself I believe I +shall be relieved from Russia in having made this last attempt. + + +They arrived at Petersburg on the 9th of the Seventh Month, after a safe +and agreeable passage of seven days. + + +Before we reached Cronstadt, to quote from J.Y.'s Diary, we encountered a +strong gale, so that the officers from the guardship, who came to see that +all was in order, had hard work to get on board. There were eighteen +Russian sailors with oars, yet they could not draw the boat, and our +steamer was obliged to throw ropes and haul her in. The sight of Cronstadt +was formidable; for more than two miles in and near the harbor there was a +line of ships of war. At Cronstadt we had to be put on board a smaller +steamer, which caused us much detention. At the custom-house all passed +off well; they were more civil and less strict in their examination than +in England. The Russian sailors look very unbright; they are not active in +managing a boat. They not unfrequently received a few strokes from the +fist of the helmsman, or a rope's-end, either of which they took with that +unconcerned composure which showed they were accustomed to it. We are +located at the hotel of H. Spink, an intelligent Yorkshireman; his wife is +very kind and attentive. + +13_th_.--Spent this day at Peterhoff, with W.C. Gillibrand and wife, +with two of their friends. It is the first opportunity we have had for +serious conversation in this place, and I hope it was to mutual comfort. +They took us a drive after dinner to see several of the Emperor's +pavilions, mostly surrounded by beautiful pieces of water. There was an +intelligent man present, who had spent some time in India, ---- Watson; he +now has charge of the British school in Petersburg. We find the Scripture +Lessons are no more in use in the school; nor is the New Testament in the +Russian language allowed to be circulated in the country. The Bible +Society is just alive, but can hardly breathe; other institutions languish +for want of support; party spirit has crept in to their great injury. The +law is still very stringent in not allowing a member of one religious body +to join another; but the different sects are allowed their own worship and +schools. + +20_th_.--Left Petersburg by the train at 11 o'clock yesterday, and +arrived at Moscow about nine this morning. The road, with but little +exception, is flat and uninteresting. The forests are immense, mostly of +firs and birch, which being thickly set grow small. Many of the stations +are superb. The line of railway did not conduct us near any towns or +villages that I could observe, but by some of the poorest scattered huts +I ever saw in any country. + + +At Moscow, John Yeardley and his companion called on Pastor Dietrich, a +German, residing a little out of the city:-- + +He is, says J.Y., in one of his letters, a worthy pastor of the Old +Lutheran Church, a sweet venerable-looking man with long white locks. He +was at dinner with his family when we called, but he would not allow us to +go away, but took us up to the attic story to his study; primitive indeed, +but clean, and to him I have no doubt a room of prayer, as well as of +study. He seemed delighted to find our mission was to the Colonies. "But +what will you do about the language?" said he; "they speak nothing but +German." I wish the dear girls could have seen his countenance lighted up +with cheerful brightness, when he found we could speak German: "Ah, I need +not trouble you any longer with my poor English!" He knows a great many of +the pastors, and will give us letters of introduction to the little flocks +in the Colonies and the Crimea. + + +As might be expected, it was with a sinking heart that John Yeardley +contemplated the formidable journey before him; but, as in other times +of extremity, he cast himself wholly upon the Lord, and found his soul to +be sustained, and his courage renewed to undergo the hardships that +awaited him. + + +7 _mo_. 21.--Rose this morning much cast down in mind at the thought +of our long journey, and a want of a knowledge of the Russian language. +Poured my complaint in fervency of soul before the Lord, and was a little +comforted in believing that he would still care for us and preserve us in +this strange and long wilderness travel. It is his own cause in which I am +engaged, and I am willing to endure any bodily fatigue if I may only be +strengthened to do the works to which my blessed Master has called me. The +Divine Finger seems pointing to the place where the people I am seeking +are to be found. + +I went after breakfast to the dear Pastor Dietrich. His heart was filled +with love for me, and I felt the sweetness of his spirit to encourage me; +preciously was the divine unction spread over us. He gave me some +information of the religious state of things here. There seems to be about +800 of the evangelical party in Moscow, including the French and English +Protestants, and the different classes of Lutherans; a small number out of +350,000 souls which the city contains; the rest are Roman Catholics and of +the Greek church, mostly the latter. God knows the hearts of all. + +22_nd_ [?]. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be +ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; +deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defence to +save me."--(Ps. xxxi. 1, 2.) "Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; +give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."--(Ps. +xvii. 1.) The above sweet words were brought home to my heart with power +this morning after a time of conflict in spirit. Lord, grant me faith and +patience to the end of the race, when I shall have to say, Now, Lord, +lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Amen. + + +Providing themselves with food, and with small change of money for the +journey--two things indispensable to Russian travel--John Yeardley and +William Rasche left Moscow on the 23rd, by _malle-poste_ for Orel. +They stopped some hours at Toula: the land south of this town they found +to be well-cultivated, and the harvest had begun; it consisted mostly of +rye. The journey to Orel occupied forty-four hours. Among their +fellow-travellers was a resident of Moscow, Charles Uyttenhoven, who spoke +English, German, French and Russ, and who, like themselves, was going to +Kharkov. He was a pleasant and gentlemanly companion, and was of great +service to them in acting as spokesman on the road. + +From Orel there was no _malle-poste_ in which they could continue +their journey, and they were obliged to hire a _tarantas_, or +posting-carriage, a very inferior kind of conveyance. In consequence, +besides, of the fair at Pultowa, every vehicle of this description had +been taken up except one, which was of course the worst in the town. When +they had loaded their luggage and spread hay to lie upon, they started; +but before they were out of sight of the stable the crazy vehicle broke +down, and they were detained till nearly eleven o'clock at night, whilst +it was being repaired. In this new kind of conveyance they experienced +great discomfort: they could neither sit nor lie with ease, as the space +was much too small for three passengers. The country they passed, through +was very rich; it may be called the granary of Russia; they found the +harvest more advanced the farther they penetrated into the south. + +At Koursk they hired a fresh _tarantas_. The roads were inferior to +those along which they had travelled, but the country was more +picturesque, still fertile, and producing much wheat; the weather was very +hot, as it had been all the way from Petersburg. On the 27th, at midnight, +they reached Kharkov. + + +We have travelled, says John Yeardley, four days and nights in succession +from Moscow to this place. The conveyances of the country are exceedingly +bad; they almost shook our bones asunder. + + +The next day they visited Pastor Landesen, to whom they had a letter of +introduction from Pastor Dietrich. They spent the day with the family of +this intelligent and pious man. Tea was spread in the garden, to which +meal a number of Christian friends were invited. + + +The pastor's wife, says John Yeardley, is a sweet-spirited woman. After +much social converse our garden-visit closed with a religious occasion, in +which I expressed a few words of exhortation. I think we were sensible of +the nearness of the presence of our Divine Master, which proved a brook by +the dreary way. We met at the pastor's Louse Superintendent Huber, a +worthy and experienced Christian, kind and fatherly to us. + + +The next day William Rasche went with Pastor Landesen to hire a carriage. +No such thing, however, was to be had, and they would have been happy if +they could have engaged as good a vehicle as their old crazy +_tarantas_; for the only alternative was a _bauer-wagen_ +(peasant's cart), if we except the very expensive extra-post carriage, +with which they would have been obliged to take a conductor. It happened +that a young man, an apothecary's assistant, wanted to go to +Iekaterinoslav; his ancestors were German, and he could speak both that +language and Russ. By Landesen's recommendation they took him as their +companion, and he was very useful to them on the road. The +_bauer-wagen_ was much more uncomfortable than the _tarantas_ +had been; travelling in it was like gallopping over a bad road in an +English farmer's waggon; and, as the vehicle had no cover, the travellers +were exposed without protection to the full power of the sun. The floor of +the waggon was spread with mattresses, and, thus furnished, it served them +for parlor, kitchen, and lodging-room. + +They travelled in this way through the night, but the next day were +obliged to wait at a small dirty station for horses till the afternoon; +and in the evening John Yeardley became so ill, from hard travelling and +exposure to the heat, that they were compelled to alight at another little +station near Novomoskovsk, and make the best of the poor accommodation +they could procure. The next morning, somewhat refreshed by rest, they +went forwards to Iekaterinoslav, where they happily met with a clean inn, +the Hotel Suisse, kept by a German. + +The same day they went in a boat up the river Samava, to Rybalsk, seven +miles, to see a German schoolmaster named Schreitel, to whom they had a +letter of introduction. This is a colony of twenty-five families, founded +in 1788: the schoolmaster, who was also the minister, received them in a +brotherly manner. It was here that their mission properly commenced. From +this place a succession of German colonies extend in a south-easterly +direction to the Sea of Azov. The villages are all built on the same +pattern, being formed of one straight street of neat houses on both sides, +adorned with trees in front and gardens behind. The German colonists +consist principally of Mennonites and Lutherans. The former are the most +numerous and thriving; they were invited to settle there by Catherine the +Great, in order to improve the state of agriculture; but their example has +not had the desired influence on the surrounding districts. Although his +German neighbor is in an infinitely better condition than himself, the +Russian peasant will not imitate the husbandry which is practised so +successfully before his eyes. + +At Rybalsk, John Yeardley had a Scripture reading and a religious +opportunity with a few serious persons who came to the house; and the next +evening he held a meeting for worship with the colonists. + +On the 3rd, they left for Neuhoffnung. They travelled in a covered +carriage, which, though without springs, was a great improvement on their +last vehicle. They came the first day as for as Konski, where they passed +the night, sleeping in the carriage, the air being very mild the night +through. In the afternoon they arrived at another Mennonite colony, +Schönweise, where they had a short interview with Pastor Obermanz and a +few of his flock. These people produce a small quantity of silk. The +travellers were now on the Steppes; they found them very thinly peopled, +so that all the country out of sight of the villages appeared like a vast +desert. On the 4th they passed through three colonies--Grünthal, Priship, +and Petershagen. The settlers here are from all parts of Germany, mostly +from Prussia and Würtemberg. Next came Halbstadt, the seat of the Bishop, +and Alexanderwohl, where the Friends passed the night. They were +surrounded by a large number of settlements on all sides. + +These were the places where, according to his previous impressions and +apprehension of duty, John Yeardley was to have entered on that work of +gospel-labor to which he had so long looked forward. But, instead of +finding, as on former occasions of a similar kind, his heart enlarged and +his mouth opened to preach the word, he seems now to have felt himself +straitened in spirit, and to have been obliged to pass in silence from +colony to colony, a wonder perhaps to others, a cause of humiliation to +himself. Never before, in all his many journeyings, had such a trial +befallen him; and it may be supposed that, coming so soon after the +copious and unrestrained exercise of his gift which he had experienced in +Norway, it would press upon him with peculiar force. The people to whom he +was now come, seem, it is true, to have been in a different state from the +simple-hearted Norwegians, who thirsted for the "pure milk of the word;" +and their comparative indifference to spiritual things may have been a +main cause of the silence which he felt to be imposed upon him. With the +reserve natural to him, he has left but little clue to the motives and +feelings under which he acted. Great must have been the relief when, as +happened on several occasions, his bonds were loosened, and the command +was renewed to speak in the name of his only-loved and gracious Lord. + +On the 5th they passed through several colonies to Gnadenfeld, where, says +J.Y.:-- + + +We halted to breakfast with one of the colonists, and found him a +sweet-spirited man, and his family pious. His name is David Voote. He +appreciated the object of our mission, and spoke of the awakening that +had taken place of late; telling us that devotional meetings had been +established, but that some of their preachers did not approve of them. We +sent for one of the ministers, with whom I was pleased; he invited us to +hold a meeting with them on a future occasion if we could make it accord +with our journey, which I hope will be accomplished. + +We obtained some information respecting the Molokans, and were directed to +Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has communication with them. We +found him a delightful man, quite of the right sort to be useful to us. As +the Molokans speak nothing but Russ, we shall be in want of an interpreter +in our visit to them. I told him he must go with us; and he immediately +said. I will go with pleasure; whenever you return here and incline to go, +I will be at home and will accompany you. This seemed an opening of +Providence, and removes one great difficulty in the way of a visit to this +people, for whom I have felt more than towards any others in South Russia. +N. Schmidt is a wealthy farmer, and sets himself at liberty to promote the +extension of the Saviour's kingdom; I felt at once at home with him as a +friend and brother. + + +From Steinbach, which lay a few versts out of the direct road, they +proceeded to Stuttgardt, and the next day, the 6th, to Neuhoffnung, where +they were accommodated at a farmer's, and had the comfort of a good clean +apartment and kind attention to their wants. This is the principal seat of +the German Lutheran colonists. + + +On Seventh-day, says John Yeardley, we attended the school-children's +meeting, about 200 present. After Pastor Wüst had questioned on or +explained the Scriptures, I had an opportunity to address them. On +First-day afternoon we held an appointed meeting [with Wüst's +congregation], which was not large, on account of many [with the Pastor +himself] having to attend an interment in the neighborhood. After the +meeting we received a salutation from some of the young sisterhood, who +came to us and surprised us with their sweet melodious voices, singing in +concert a hymn well suited to our present situation. After they had ended +I went out and had a long conversation with them. + +In all my journeyings, he touchingly continues, I was never so much cast +down as in this scene of labor; I never before so much missed the help and +consolation of my precious one as I now do; but, blessed be a gracious +God, she is safe with Him, and free from a toil which she could never have +endured. I marvel, and praise his great name for upholding me thus far; I +am astonished at the way in which I am enabled to bear the hardships of +this journey, and am preserved in health. It is the doing of my gracious +Saviour, and I thank him out of a grateful heart. Should I never be +permitted to return to my earthly home, I have a joyful hope he will take +me to a glorious rest with himself and with those I have so tenderly loved +on earth. + + +On the 8th, William Rasche went to Berdjansk, on the Sea of Azov, to +change some English money, and to inquire if there were any religious +people there. He met with some interesting persons, who seemed at first to +be prejudiced against the Friends but after some conversation became very +loving, and desired he would bring J.Y. to see them the next day. +Accordingly, on the 9th, J.Y. and W.R. went to Berdjansk, accompanied by +Pastor Wüst and several others. The meeting which they went to attend was +held in a private house. It commenced in the usual manner, with singing; +after which, ---- Buller read a chapter, and the pastor commented upon it; +and then they asked J.Y. what he had to say regarding it. He answered by +giving his view of the subject, and afterwards addressed them in the +ministry. Various individuals then related their experience, one after the +other, as is usual in the more private religious meetings in these +churches. + + +---- Buller (writes J.Y. in recording this meeting) is an interesting +man; I had much conversation with him as to his own conversion. It seems +to have been a work of the Spirit, without, in the first instance, any +other instrumentality than reading the Bible. I met several pious persons +in the meeting-room, and held converse with them to mutual comfort. They +are simple and sincere. We took tea in the garden after the meeting, and +did not reach our lodging in Neuhoffnung until 12 o'clock the same night. + + +10_th_.--This morning they started for Elizabethsdorf, accompanied by +Robert Lehmkuhle, a teacher from Kharkov. Their way lay entirely through +the boundless steppes, where so many ways ran into each other that the +driver missed the road, and they wandered about until 10 p. M., when they +took shelter at a German colonist's. The inmates, who had gone to rest, +rose to give them milk and bread. + +The next day they proceeded to Elizabethsdorf, being escorted on the way +by hospitable members of the settlements through which they passed. At +Elizabethsdorf they were received by schoolmaster Seib, a brotherly +Christian man, whose conversation was "seasoned with grace." + + +After tea, says John Yeardley. we held a devotional meeting, in which I +had an opportunity to address the little company; but the people generally +in the colonies are busy till late in the evening. Being much weary with +our jolting journey, I retired to the waggon for the night, as I supposed; +but W.R. soon came to inform me that a number of young persons, men and +women, were come, it being as early as they could be liberated from their +day's labor, to have some of our company. I sprang from the waggon with +joy, and we had a delightful meeting, with a pretty large company. They +sang repeatedly, and betweentimes I related to them something of my +travels in Germany and Greece, with which they appeared wonderfully +pleased. We were all served with tea out of doors, and the company +remained together till after eleven o'clock, and then returned joyfully +home. + +I was much pleased with Seib. He and another schoolmaster, named Kapper, +have been dismissed from their office of teacher, because of their holding +private meetings and preaching in them, or explaining the Scriptures. Some +of the Lutheran ministers are so lifeless that they will not allow the +people to meet in private for their edification. The dead persecute the +living, and light struggles with darkness. This is even the case in some +districts among the Mennonites. The ministers fear that their people +should go before them in religious light. The more I see of the _one-man +system_, the more I prize the gospel liberty in my own beloved +religious Society. + + +They returned to Neuhoffnung, and on the 13th went to Nicolai Schmidt's at +Steinbach. + + +Attended the meeting there in the morning, and at Gnadenfeld in the +evening, in both which places opportunity was given me to communicate what +was in my heart for the people. + + +The settlements of the Molokans, consisting of three villages, each of +about a thousand inhabitants, lie to the south of the German colonies. +These people are native Russians and seceders from the Russo-Greek church; +they receive their name from the word _Moloko_, milk, because they +drink milk on fast-days, which is forbidden by the national religion. The +Steppes are their Siberia, to which they have been banished. Their worship +is simple, commencing with silence and prayer, and they do not use the +ceremonies and discipline common among most other Christians; but they are +firm believers in the Christian faith, and many of them are +spiritually-minded people. + +On the 15th John Yeardley and William Rasche, under the conduct of N. +Schmidt, left Neuhoffnung to visit the Molokans. The first village they +came to was Novo-Salifks, a prosperous colony in worldly matters, but said +to be behind the others in spiritual life. At the next, Wasilowkov, they +met with Terenti Sederhoff, the apostle of the Molokans, whose remarkable +history J.Y. related in a tract called _The Russian Peasant_, forming +No. 12 of his series. Here they also met with A. Stajoloff, who remembered +William Allen's visit in 1819. Sederhoff accompanied them to the third +village, Astrachanka, where they had a conversational meeting with several +of the chief men, but the intercourse was carried on at a double +disadvantage. + + +They spoke, says John Yeardley, nothing but Russ. T never regretted more +the want of the language. Schmidt had a manifest unwillingness to +interpret all I wanted to say, because it did not accord with his own +sentiments, and he feared it might strengthen the people in those views +from which the Mennonites would draw them. There was a precious feeling +over us, and I felt assured they appreciated our motive in visiting them; +they often pressed my hand when comparing Scripture texts on which we were +of one mind. I felt satisfied in having done what I could to direct them +in the right way, and to strengthen them in it. They are well read in the +Scriptures. + + +The travellers passed the night at this village, sleeping as usual in +their carriage; and the next day, taking a loving leave of their friends, +directed their course over the steppes into the Crimea. Here they found +themselves in the heart of the Tartar country, beyond the verge of +civilized life. + + +The Tartar villages, says John Yeardley, are the meanest possible, +consisting sometimes of mere holes dug in the earth, or huts standing a +little above the ground. The men wear wide drawers with the pink shirt +over them; the women have a chemise reaching to the calf of the leg, dirty +and coarse, an apron round the waist, sometimes so scanty or so ragged +that it will not meet, and a handkerchief tied in a slovenly manner on the +head. In these three articles of dress they drive the horses and oxen; the +sun burns them to a dark brown, almost black. The children we saw were +quite naked. Various attempts have been made to civilize and instruct +them, but without success. One missionary pursued the work so far as to +feed and clothe the children, and collect them for instruction, which they +received for a while, but all at once and with one consent it was at an +end. When I see the Tartar galloping over the steppe as if riding on the +wind, it constantly makes me think of the wild Arabs. When we are anxious +to find a well of water where we may take our meal, and when we see +travellers assembled to water their cattle and flocks, and the camels +running loose on the steppes--which they do till autumn, when they are +sought up for work,--all reminds us of customs of the East. + +This evening they halted at a Tartar village, where the occupant of the +_traktir_, or house of entertainment, persuaded the driver to take +out his horses for the night. The conduct of this man and his companions +was suspicious; they eagerly examined the mattresses of the travellers, +which were of superior quality; and when William Rasche came to make the +tea, which he did by the moonlight outside the hut, the boiling water +which he poured in to rinse the teapot came out into the tumblers a white +liquid; and after the tea was put in the innkeeper held up the pot against +the moon, and looked curiously into it. Instead of retiring early, as the +Tartars always do, the men in the hut kept a watch upon the travellers; +and the suspicions even of the driver were awakened, when one of them came +to him, as he was lying by his horses, to borrow his knife. His horses, +however, were so weary, and he himself so unwilling to move, that the +travelers contented themselves with harnessing the horses, and making +ready to depart in case of necessity. Soon after midnight, finding they +were still watched by the Tartars, and apprehending that these waited only +till they should all be asleep, to carry off their horses or to rob their +persons, they decided to make the best of their way out of their hands. +The driver being slow to move, W.R. jumped into his place, seized the +reins, and drove quickly off, thankful to have effected a safe escape. It +is very common for the Tartars to prowl about in the night, and steal the +horses and waggons, of their more settled and thrifty neighbors. + +After about three hours' driving, the moon shining so bright that they +could see to read by it, they arrived at another village, of a less +suspicious character. + +On the 18th they reached Simpheropol, where they were glad to rest. The +next day they wished to visit Pastor Kilius of Neusatz, to whom they had +an introduction: as they were considering how they should get to him, he +opportunely came to the hotel. He introduced them to several estimable +persons, and took them the next day to his dwelling, situate in a +picturesque mountain village, twenty versts from the city. At Neusatz +commences another chain of German colonies, settled by the Evangelical +Lutherans. The next morning they attended the public worship, and in the +afternoon the Scripture-teaching for the children. On the 22nd they went +to Zürichthal, a village formed of well-built houses, but where they found +the school in a very low state. The 23rd they started early for the Sudag +colony, intending to spend the time there until the departure of the +steamer for Odessa; but they found nothing to interest them in this +settlement, and accordingly proceeded to Feodosia, (or Kaffa,) a +watering-place on the south coast of the Crimea. The German inns in this +place were all full, and to procure a wholesome lodging, the; drove the +next day four miles among the hills, where they hired a large apartment at +the house of a German. The situation was romantic, with an extensive +prospect over sea and mountains; and on the hill-side was a thicket, +forming a delightful bower, where John Yeardley and his companion "live by +day, walked, talked, reposed, and wrote." In this retreat, breathing cool +air and quietude, J.Y. received the physical refreshment he so much +needed, while he reviewed the course of his laborious journey. +Notwithstanding his discouragements, he was able to cast all his burden +upon his Saviour, with whom he seems to have dwelt in nearer communion as +his day on earth went down. + + +8 _mo_. 26.--This morning I felt more sweet union with my God in +spirit than for a long time; and a strong desire has arisen to live in +closer communion with Jesus, the beloved of my soul, the only access to +the Father--the only place of rest, safety, and true _peace_. I long +more than ever not to be troubled with cross occurrences over which I have +no control, and which have too long perplexed me and disturbed my inward +peace. I long more than ever to spend my few remaining days on earth as +with my God in heaven, to refer everything to Him, and to pray more +earnestly and diligently for his grace to preserve me near to himself +under _all_ circumstances, until he shall have prepared me to be +taken to heaven, to join the happy company there in a blissful eternity. +"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because +he trusteth in thee."--Isa. xxvi. 3. + +On the 1st of the Ninth Month they sailed to Odessa, where they had to +remain eight days. In this city they received a visit from a pastor, who +conversed with them on the work of the heavenly kingdom then going on in +the Bast, especially in Constantinople and Asia Minor. + + +The Saviour's kingdom, writes John Yeardley, in allusion to this +conversation, is spreading, and many instruments are being raised up in +various nations to help forward the great work. The kingdom of Satan is in +danger; he sees it, and stirs up the jealousy of men, setting them against +one another, and, by their seeking through party-spirit to exalt their own +particular religion, hindering the Lord's work. Into whatever nation the +beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine, the inhabitants begin to inquire +the way to Zion, and turn their faces thitherward. This alarms the rulers +whose kingdom is of this world. + + +From Odessa to Constantinople they had a quick and safe passage. At +Constantinople John Yeardley was deeply interested in the institutions +which the American missionaries have founded for the religious and +temporal improvement of the Armenians. He visited two of these, the high +school at Bebek and the girls' seminary at Has-keuï, both beautifully +situated on the shores of the Bosphorus. In the former they found +forty-eight young men,--sixteen Greek and thirty-two Armenian. The +industrial part of the education was particularly gratifying to him. + + +Cyrus Hamlin, he says, who has the superintendence of their studies and +labor, is wonderfully adapted for his vocation. He is assisted only by +native teachers. The young men looked serious: some of their countenances +were peculiarly impressive, indicating that they had been with Jesus. I +saw them assembled in the school-room, and addressed them for some time; +and C. Hamlin most willingly interpreted into Armenian what I said. It was +a sweet and memorable time. The Armenian teacher would scarcely let go my +hand after the meeting, he had been so touched with the power of divine +love. In the girls' boarding-school we found twenty-five girls, all +Armenians, with the exception of two or three Greeks. It was a lovely +sight to see so many of this class under a course of religious and useful +instruction. Many of the countenances were marked and pleasing, and were +_fixed_ on me with great apparent seriousness while I addressed them, +along with some of the neighbors.----Everett (the conductor of the school) +kindly and most willingly interpreted what I had to communicate. He and +his wife have also a day-school for boys and girls. I consider these +institutions as bright and hopeful spots in the East, from which much +good may arise. + + +The persevering and well-directed efforts of the American missionaries for +the evangelization of the Armenians, and the field of Christian labor +which was thus opened, took firm hold of J.Y.'s mind; he longed to visit +the schools and congregations in Isnik and Brusa, and probably only +abandoned the journey at this time in the hope of undertaking it at some +future day. John Yeardley describes Constantinople as-- + + +Built entirely on the hills which slope from a considerable eminence down +to the Bosphorus. The trees towering among the houses, the high spires and +gilded domes, have a most imposing effect; but what is the astonishment of +the traveller when he commences his ascent up steep, narrow, +clumsily-pitched streets. I could only compare them to the +worst-constructed bridle-roads in England which the packhorses traversed +centuries ago. The three days we were in the city I only saw one or two +carriages,--the most curious vehicles; indeed, there is scarcely a street +in which two carriages can pass. Donkeys are the chief carriers. As to +dogs, they are born and bred in the streets and are the property of the +town, and in the day-time He by dozens in the streets, young and old, are +always under the feet of the traveller, and he must constantly poke them +out of the way with his stick; by night they are furious. The shops +present a jumble of all kinds of wares; and the Turks sit cross-legged in +the window, or work at their trade inside. + + +They left Constantinople on the 15th, and on the 17th went on shore at +Smyrna, where, at the house of the American missionary Ladd, they met with +another missionary, named Stacking, returning with his family from Persia, +where he had labored sixteen years among the Nestorians. The account which +he gave John Yeardley of the creed and condition of the Nestorian Church, +and of the schools which had been opened in Persia, aroused his deep +sympathy and produced an abiding impression on his mind. + +Smyrna, like the other Turkish cities which they saw, vividly impressed +the travellers with its Oriental character. + + +Like Constantinople, says J.Y., it is a town of all nations. The streets +are narrow, with a run of dirty water down the middle. We met docile +camels in great number, bringing figs from the interior. In the +fig-market were thousands of boxes being prepared and packed for +exportation. It is a sight of interest to see Turks, Greeks, &c., huddled +together, walking, talking, or sitting cross-legged and smoking their long +pipes. We took donkeys and ascended the hill, where we obtained a good +view of the town, and then examined the ruins where the ancient city +stood, and saw the place where the message from Heaven was received by the +angel of the church of Smyrna. The church of Polycarp stood not far from +that of John the Baptist. After a visit of peculiar interest, I returned +to the steam-ship and read the message to the church of Smyrna, which gave +rise to more reflections than I can here record. + +Steaming on the sea of Marmora, (to continue J.Y.'s narrative of his +homeward journey), the Bosphorus and the Greek waters, was very pleasing. +We had a good sight of the walls of ancient Troas, where the apostle Paul +received the message in vision from the man of Macedonia, to come over and +help them. The quarantine prevented us from landing at Syra; but I +conveyed a note through the English Consul to my old friend Hildner, who +came alongside our steamer. I learned from him that Argyri Climi was five +years in his school, and usefully filled the office of teacher of the +higher classes; had been married about ten years to a lieutenant in the +army; had three children, and was living happily with her husband at the +Piraeus. It appears she retains her religious principles. + +21_st_.--Arrived at Malta. Ours is the first steamer that has reached +the island since the removal of the quarantine; we went on shore directly +after breakfast. Isaac Lowndes was rejoiced to see me. We met in the +street, and he conducted us to his house. He has been in Malta seven +years, acting for the Bible Society; he gives no bright account of among +the Greeks, as to spiritual religion, nor of the island generally. The +present governor has admitted the Jesuits into the island, who are doing +mischief; privileges are being granted to the Romanists to the prejudice +of the Protestants; and a regulation has been proposed which would subject +a Protestant to six months imprisonment for not taking off his hat when he +meets the procession of the Host. + + +Isaac Lowndes took John Yeardley and William Rasche to visit Selim Aga, +or, as he was named after baptism, Edward Williams; who with his wife, +sister-in-law, and four children, formed an interesting Christian +household. J.Y. published the history of this man in No. 13 of his series +of tracts, _Turkey and the Converted Turk_, where also he has +depicted several scenes from the latter part of this journey. + +Arriving at Marseilles, they proceeded quickly on to Nismes. It was with a +gush of natural sorrow that J.Y. revisited a place whore he had often +sojourned with his beloved wife. + + +The thought, he writes, of the difference in my circumstances now and when +last in this place fills me with sorrow. The beloved one of my bosom, then +the stay and solace of my heart, is no more with me to help and comfort me +in the toils of life. Yet when I consider what a large amount of suffering +she has escaped, I cannot but rejoice that she is at rest with her God and +Saviour, where I humbly hope soon to meet her. Lord, prepare thy unworthy +worm for that awful but joyful day! + + +John Yeardley held a small public meeting at Nismes, and the next day, the +3rd of the Tenth Month, set out for the bathing-place of Bagnères de +Bigorre, in the Pyrenees. His principal reason for going there was to +recruit his shattered health. "On our arrival at Nismes," he says, "and +during our few days' sojourn there, I began to feel the effects of my +long, toilsome Russian journey; and, in the hope of preventing a return of +my suffering complaint, I thought it justifiable to make trial of the +sulphur baths and water of Bagnères." But he had also another object in +view: "I had long thought," he adds, in a letter from Bigorre, "whether +there was not a seeking people in this neighborhood, and now I think there +is." + +His first care on arriving at Bigorre, was to call on Pastor Frossard, +formerly of Nismes, who feelingly reminded him of the changes which had +happened to each of them since they had met before. He proposed to John +Yeardley to meet some Christian friends at his chapel. This was just what +J.Y. had been wishing for. The meeting was held; and after it was over he +gave the company an account of his travels in Russia, with which they were +highly gratified. + +In a letter to his sister, Mary Tylor, which he wrote from this place, is +the following characteristic sentiment: + + +Thy welcome letter duly readied me at Nismes, and drew forth my tender +sympathy for thee and your whole circle in the loss of a kind and beloved +brother. It is another link taken from the family chain, and the shorter +it becomes the nearer we are drawn together in the bond of affection. How +the spirit seems to ascend with those loved ones who are taken from us, +and from earth to heaven! Our desire for a blissful eternity becomes more +ardent, because they have already entered upon it; but above all, we +desire to be with Him in whom we shall be one, and all will be glory. + + +Returning to Nismes, he occupied himself with holding meetings in many +places in that neighborhood. In some meetings which he attended in the +city, he had for fellow-laborers Eli and Sybil Jones, from the United +States, with their companions. Amongst the audience at one of these +meetings were three soldiers, who, with two others, had been awakened at +Lyons, and who manifested the progress they had made in Christian doctrine +by refusing to kneel before the procession of the Host. Their officer +observing their disregard of this required practice, held his sword over +the neck of one of them, saying he would strike off his head if he did not +bow down. The man was firm in his refusal, and was sent to prison. To +encourage one another in their new profession, these men were accustomed +to keep religious meetings. They were in consequence accused of sedition, +and when they asserted the simply religions character of their meetings, +one of them was required to swear to the truth of his statement; he +refused to take an oath, pleading that the New Testament commanded him not +to swear. A second was then called upon in the same way; he also refused; +and their stedfastness was reported to the commanding officer as an act of +contumacy. The officer happened to be a Protestant, of an enlightened and +pious disposition; he said that soldiers were called upon to vindicate the +innocence of their companions, not to procure their condemnation, and that +if they did not choose to give evidence the law would not compel them. Two +of the five received their discharge from the army; the rest were removed +to Nismes. John Yeardley had some conversation with these three after the +meeting, with which he was well satisfied. They told him that when they +were awakened they wrote and received so many letters that it excited +suspicion, and that the police who examined the letters took the texts of +Scripture, or rather the figures that referred to the chapters and verses, +for a secret language, used to deceive their vigilance. + +On the 8th of the Eleventh Month, J. Yeardley and W. Rasche, accompanied +by Jules Paradon, went to Valence, and visited Bertram Combe, at Pialoux, +where they remained a few days. B.C. had fitted up a commodious room +adjoining his own dwelling, where he held meetings regularly:-- + + +And where, says J.Y., we had several solemn and edifying occasions; and as +our being there became more known the attendance increased, so that the +last gathering was quite a large one, and peculiarly quiet and +satisfactory. Among some meetings which we appointed in the neighborhood +two were held in the _temple_ of the Protestant Church, which was a +mark of great liberality; these two occasions were peculiarly favored. In +the latter B.C. alluded to the persecution he had had to endure on account +of the disuse of the Supper and Baptism. He boldly avowed the conviction +he felt as to the non-use of these things, and that the preaching of the +gospel ought to be free. I have seldom been in a district where there is +more openness for the gospel message in its simplicity, than in this +mountain region. + + +From Valence, John Yeardley returned direct to England, only stopping at +Friedrichsdorf. where he visited the boarding-school. + + +I reached my home, he says, on the 24th of the Eleventh Month, with a +thankful heart to my Heavenly Father for his merciful preservation. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY. + +1853-1858. + +John Yeardley had scarcely returned to England before war was declared +with Russia. The confirmation he received from this lamentable event, that +his journey had been made at the opportune time, filled his heart with +gratitude. The work he had been able to do had been small, but he had the +satisfaction of knowing that it had been accomplished at the only juncture +in which it would have been practicable. + + +The year 1853, he writes, closed with many mercies to a poor unworthy +servant. I consider it a great blessing to have accomplished the visit +through Russia and to Constantinople before the horrible war broke out. +What a frightful state are things in at the present moment!--no access +could be had to those countries. + + +In the Spring of 1854 he spent some time at Bath. He attended, whilst +there, a public meeting appointed by Sarah Squire, in which he had a +testimony to offer in the gospel. Hearing afterwards that a military man +who was present had been brought to conviction by the doctrine which had +been declared, J.Y. noted in his Diary the subject on which he had +preached. + + +4 _mo_. 2.--I recollect, he says, alluding to the awful state of the +times in which we live, and the need of a refuge in God, and the +blessedness of the consolations of the Holy Spirit in a time of trouble. +That the Spirit of God was the first agent in the work of man's salvation, +bringing to the Saviour who died for sinners: the Father drawing to the +Son, the Son perfecting the work, and presenting each member of the living +church without spot or wrinkle to the Father. Blessed unity of Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit! The Father creating, the Son redeeming, the Holy +Spirit sanctifying. + + +In making a brief note of the Yearly Meeting this year, John Yeardley +takes occasion to record his sentiments on a subject which then, as now, +strongly engaged the attention of the Society. + + +The Yearly Meeting has been a precious time; it has strengthened the bond +of love and unity. There is, under all discouragements, a love to the +Society manifested in the young people of both sexes. It is true there is +a great want of bearing of the cross, and many are seeking for excuses to +persuade themselves that many of those things that have long distinguished +our Society are now no longer of use. But I still think there is more +religion in many of our young members than their outward appearance would +authorize us to believe. I love to cleave to the good, and to hold out a +helping hand to encourage the tender budding of grace, and for the good to +overcome the evil. I want them to be brought to conviction, and to be told +that they are not required to wear plain clothes, and to use plain speech, +because our Friends have done so, but because Christianity leads into +simplicity, and the language of Scripture is that of truthfulness, and to +follow the changing fashions of the world is too low for the notice of the +Christian whose heart is placed on heavenly things, and whose time is too +precious to be spent on trifles. There is no peace to the regenerated +heart equal to a devotedness of life in promoting the extension of the +Saviour's kingdom upon earth. + + +He soon after alludes to the Memoir of Joseph John Gurney, then just +published, and to the sharp stimulus which he received from its perusal--a +stimulus which minds fixed upon improvement always receive from the vivid +representation of time and talents diligently employed. + + +6 _mo_. 16.--Many of my solitary moments are cheered, and I am +greatly edified, in reading J.J. Gurney's Memoirs. It is a real privilege +to be introduced into the daily walk of the life of a Christian man with +such an enlightened and enlarged mind, whose expansive heart is filled +with love for the whole human race. Strengthened by faith, and filled with +the unction of the Spirit, his life was devoted to doing good to the +family of man, laboring for the conversion of sinners, and comforting +believers. + +The diligence of J.J. Gurney in study, &c., has stimulated me to renew the +reading of the Greek New Testament, but I sink into the dust when I see +what he accomplished in comparison of my own insignificance. It is, +however, a comfort to know that I have a merciful Lord, who will not +require of me the exercise of gifts that I have not received. O that I may +he more faithful in the employment of the capacity which has been +entrusted to me, for the good of souls and the honor of my Lord! + + +The reflections which follow add another to the numberless testimonies of +the saints' experience, that the Christian life is a continual warfare. + + +I am sensible of having lost ground for some time past for want of more +diligence in watchfulness and prayer. I have been deeply sorry for it, and +I do hope my compassionate Lord has forgiven me. As a proof of his +forgiveness, I am permitted to enjoy once more the smiles of his +countenance, which cheer my lonely walk. How greatly do I long for more +intimate communion with the Beloved of my soul, the precious Saviour! Lord +_preserve_ me in _every moment_ of _temptation_, and make +me more entirely thine! Grant me more confidence in the immediate action +of thy Spirit in the ministry of the word, that my communications of this +nature may be deep and clear, and under the unction of thy Holy Spirit. +_Amen_! + +6 _mo_. 23.--This morning I have been favored, more than usual, in my +endeavor to pour out my soul before God in prayer, in desiring more purity +of heart, more faith; and that it might please my compassionate Lord to +sustain and console me in my solitary lot, and preserve me faithful to the +end of the race. Many relatives and near friends were brought to my +remembrance, whom I endeavored to present to the mercy of a merciful God. + + +In the same diary is an appropriate notice of Dr. Steinkopf, and a tender +tribute to the memory of Martha Yeardley. + + +The other evening was spent at J. and M.C.S.'s with Dr. Steinkopf. "The +hoary head" of this aged and experienced Christian is as "a crown of +glory," for "it is found in the way of righteousness." He is full of love, +speaking constantly out of a grateful heart of the mercies of his God. +Before parting he read a few verses, exhorted us and supplicated for us. + +A little more than three years have fled away since my precious and +dearly-beloved M.Y. entered on a blissful eternity. How do I feel the loss +of her sweet, cheerful, and edifying society! Ever since her blessed +spirit fled from earth to heaven, she has never by night or day been long +absent from my thoughts. How often does my soul pant and pray for a +preparation of heart for that blissful state where she now is, near to her +precious Saviour, who redeemed her with his own blood. He enabled her to +serve him when on earth, and now she sings his praises in heaven. What a +charm did she impart to my daily life! Our pursuits were always one and +the same; and now what a desert I still have before me,--but it may be +very short. + + +In the Eighth Month, John Yeardley went to Minden on a visit to Ernst +Peitsmeyer, whose daughter Sophie had been for some time his kind and +cheerful companion, and who now, with her parents and other friends, +welcomed him again to Germany. Whilst at Minden he derived benefit from +the sulphur baths of the Klause, not far from the town. + + +The bath, he says, is one hour's gentle exercise on the saddle. The farm +where the spring is stands quite alone in the midst of a wood, and the way +to it is delightful,--much suited to my taste. Sophie rides sometimes with +me: it cheers me to have her trotting by my side. + + +The handful of inquiring persons at Obernkirchen, whom J.Y. visited on +his return from Norway, continued to claim his sympathy, and one First-day +he joined them at their usual place of worship. + + +It was, he writes, a refreshing time in this little meeting. When the +little company first met together they were dragged into the street by the +police; but they persevered, and, on making an appeal to the magistrate at +Rinteln, stated their case with so much simplicity that the government has +granted them liberty to meet together undisturbed. How marvellous, the +Friends are protected; and the Baptists, under the same government, are +persecuted with increasing rigor! No interference on their behalf has been +of the least use.--(_Dairy and Letter_.) + + +In the Fourth Month of 1855 John Yeardley received a certificate "to visit +his friends in Yorkshire, and to hold meetings with persons not in +church-fellowship" with Friends. + + +I arrived at Halifax, he says, in a letter of the 28th of the Fourth +Month, on Fifth-day evening, and attended the Monthly Meeting of Brighouse +on the 20th. It looked formidable to me in prospect on the first entering +into harness; but I hope the meeting proved a good introduction, and I saw +a good specimen of a large, harmonious, and well-conducted Monthly +Meeting. There might be near 250 members present. + + +When he had completed the service, he took a week of repose at Harrowgate, +where he briefly reviews his journey. + + +5 _mo_. 29.--In passing along through my native county, I found many +countenances missing which were very familiar to me years ago, and who are +now gone to their rest. But I was comforted to find in many places a race +of young people springing up who bore the marks of being plants of my +Heavenly Father's right-hand planting, and who gave hopes of becoming +useful in his Church. It is with a grateful heart that I record the mercy +of my Lord, in that he has granted me strength in a remarkable manner to +do what he put in my heart to do, from place to place. Blessed be his +name! + +After having finished the service in Yorkshire, I have had a week's +tarriance at Harrowgate. The rest and quiet have proved beneficial to my +health, and very precious have been the seasons of sweet communion I have +been permitted to hold with my God in this retirement. + + +This summer he repeated his visit to Minden, and hired a lodging at the +Klause. A reflection in one of the letters which he wrote from this +retreat affords a pleasing glimpse of his mind:-- + + +I sometimes think that a large portion of comfort and joy are allowed to +those who really love the Lord; and how chastened are the pleasures of the +humble Christian! They abide with us long after the causes of them are +passed away; and the more our permitted pleasures are enjoyed under a +grateful sense of the goodness of the bountiful Giver, the longer they may +be permitted to us. + + +In the Ninth Month, he attended the Two-months' Meeting at Pyrmont. It was +not without emotion that he visited once more the place which had been so +familiar to him in earlier days. The hopes he had then conceived, and +which, as we have seen, he had so fondly cherished, with regard to the +Society of Friends in that part, had been disappointed; the little company +had dwindled in numbers and declined in religious influence; and when he +took leave of Pyrmont for the last time, it was with a sorrowful heart. + +From Minden, accompanied by Sophie Peitsmeyer, he went southwards, and +took up his abode at the little town of Neuveville, on the Lake of Bienne, +in Switzerland. + + +I spent, he says, two or three days at Neufchatel, and visited many of my +old friends in the place and neighborhood; but it was affecting to find +how many of those I had known years ago were no longer on this earth. +Madame Pétavel was as warm-hearted as ever; the professor, her husband, +is ripening for heaven. + + +John Yeardley had gone to Neuveville with the intention of passing the +winter in Switzerland. After remaining a month, however, he returned to +England; and this change of mind was the result of a remarkable +circumstance. He became silent and reserved, with the air and manners of +one who is not at peace with himself; until one night, when he was heard +to cry out in a loud tone, as though speaking to some one. The next +morning at breakfast he appeared subdued and full of tenderness; and on +his young friend inquiring what had made him cry out in the night, he told +her that he must return home, for there was more work for him to do. He +said that a prospect of service in the gospel had latterly opened before +him, and that as he had greatly desired to remain in Switzerland, he had +striven against the sense of duty and refused to yield; but that during +the night he had had a vision, in which he heard the command repeated to +return home and enter again upon his labor, and that he felt, as he +thought, the touch of the heavenly messenger's hand. This caused him to +call out; and when he awoke, he found that willingness of spirit had taken +the place of his former obstinacy. Thus turned from his own purpose, he +set about to accomplish the will of his gracious Master with his usual +resolution, and they made the best of their way back to England. The +nature of the service which he saw before him is touched upon in the +following passage from a letter, dated Neuveville, the 14th of the Tenth +Month. + + +My home duties press heavily upon me.... Very long have I thought about +the young men, and the younger part of our Society; and I have a hope the +way will be made for my finding access to them, in a religious and social +point of view. Should it be permitted, the Lord grant that it may tend to +mutual comfort. + + +John Yeardley returned through Paris. He spent a day or two in that great +city, which he never saw "so quiet and free from soldiers." We extract +from his Diary a short note of a conversation which took place at the +_table d'hôte_ of the hotel where he lodged, and which appears to us +to be of an instructive character. + +Two men contended respecting the motive by which mankind are influenced to +good actions. One attributed it to _reason_; the other held that it +was _virtue_ which restrains from evil and impels to good, and +maintained that we must do good actions from the love of justice and +virtue, and not from the fear of punishment or the hope of reward. The +latter had the advantage over his antagonist in the argument:-- + + +I had not, says J.Y., taken part in the conversation; but at the close I +felt constrained to tell the _Christian_ that I confessed myself on +his side, because he had defended the truth; only that what he called +_virtue_, I called _the action of the spirit of God in the heart of +man_. With much animation, he clasped my hand in his, and cried, +"That is the very thing,--that is just what I mean!" + + +In the year 1856, he engaged in two religious visits at home, both of them +in accordance with the kind of service which had been unfolded to him in +the retirement of Neuveville, viz., mingled religious and social +intercourse with his younger fellow-members. + +In reading the expression of his feelings in the prospect of the former of +these engagements, it is instructive to remark, that the same sense of +entire dependence which had bowed his spirit when required in early life +to make the first offering of this kind, was present with him when now +called upon to go forth in his Master's name for the twentieth time, and +when age and experience had given him reverence among men. + + +1 _mo_. 8.--To-morrow is our Monthly Meeting, when I expect to +propose to my Friends a visit to the meetings composing the Quarterly +Meetings of Bristol and Somerset, and Gloucester and Wilts. Every time any +fresh exercise turns up for me, it always feels as if it was the +_first_ time of entering into the holy harness. If my friends permit +me to proceed, I hope I shall be helped through it; but it looks +formidable. + +21_st_.--Bristol is like a great mountain looking me in the face, and +weighing heavily upon my heart. + + +The following short memoranda of the way in which he was engaged at +Bristol are taken from his letters; the Diary, during his later years, +supplies few notes, either of his labors or his experience:-- + + +3 _mo_.--I met at Richard Fry's house a large number of young men and +women teachers of the First-day School; forty-eight were present. An +opportunity was offered for my receiving and also communicating +information respecting schools and education. What makes the subject more +interesting in Bristol, is the attendance of more than one hundred of the +school children at meeting on First-day mornings, which, I think, has been +the practice for about ten years, and their behavior is orderly and good. + +31_st_.--I am somewhat busily employed in this busy city in visiting +the young men. I find very ready access to them, and my engagement has the +hearty concurrence of all my friends. I am abundantly convinced that it +would have been a great mistake to have ran away from the place without +making the attempt at the performance of the present service. The usual +meetings for worship have been seasons of divine favor, some of them, I +think, extraordinarily so, which I consider a great mercy in my Heavenly +Father, when I consider the weakness of the poor instrument. It has been +announced for me to give a lecture this evening in the large +meeting-house, on my travels in Europe, a _sound_ which almost +frightens me. Friends really do not know what a poor thing I am. + + +By the kindness of a friend, we have been supplied with a pleasing +personal reminiscence of John Yeardley's visit to Bristol, which will help +to represent him as he was in later years. + + +Bristol, 6 mo. 8, 1859. + +Since thou informed me of thy intention to compile a memoir of our late +dear friend John Yeardley, I have endeavored to recall the circumstances +of his visit to this city in the spring of the year 1856. + +My impression is, that the most striking feature in his character was his +childlike simplicity, both in word and conduct. This very characteristic, +whilst it really increased his influence for good, especially with the +young, rendered it perhaps more difficult to trace, and now to describe, +the precise manner in which it was exercised. I believe that his Christian +labors here were very seasonable and very important, and that he was +enabled to perform a service which scarcely any one else would have been +equally qualified to render. + +There was in him, so far as my observation went, no approach towards an +assumption of spiritual dignity; nor was there, on the other hand, that +which is perhaps a more frequent defect, anything of _feigned_ +humility. His whole character seemed to me perfectly unaffected. To +whatever extent, therefore, his natural disposition may have fitted him +for profitable intercourse with the young, I think that the qualities +which I have attempted to describe rendered him peculiarly acceptable to +them. Many times, whilst he was amongst us, he alluded--I believe even in +his public ministry--to his delight in their society, somewhat in this +manner: "I love the company of those who tread the earth with an elastic +step." This prominent trait in his character was a striking illustration +of what may be termed _the corrective tendency_ of true religion, by +which in advanced life he was enabled to place himself, under the precious +influence of the love of Christ, in thorough sympathy with those whose +circumstances, in many respects, were so different from, his own. + +But my object was to describe John Yeardley's meetings in Bristol. The +truth is, however, that in describing the man, one seems most truly to +describe his service. In addition to his family visits, he met a large +company of our members in our meeting-house, and gave an interesting +narrative of his journeys in Southern Russia and Greece. He afterwards +invited many of our young friends, especially those who were engaged as +teachers in our First-day Schools, to spend an evening with him. Meeting +at the house of a kind friend, we had an opportunity of hearing from his +own lips some interesting details of his labors, chiefly, I think, in +reference to the schools in Greece. With characteristic simplicity, he +made various inquiries respecting our own First-day Schools, in which he +felt a deep interest. The occasion was of a very sociable and easy +character, and well calculated to promote in his young friends the +_healthy tone_ of religious feeling which seemed so peculiarly to +belong to himself. + + +After Martha Yeardley's decease, and as years rolled on, his mind dwelt +still more habitually and more confidingly than ever on the approaching +end of the race. + + +4 _mo._ 24.--I cannot say my spirits are always high. There is an +individuality in the allotment of each of us which we must seek for grace +and aid to endure to the end. The road may be now and then a little rough, +but it cannot be very long, at least to some of us; and when the eye +closes under the last gleam of earthly light, and then opens in the full +brightness of eternal glory, to enjoy the fulness of a Saviour's love, it +will be bliss indeed. + +Thinking his state of health unequal to the attendance of the Yearly +Meeting, he left London and again, resorted for a while to the baths near +Minden, where he passed two months in tranquil retirement. He had in +former visits been deeply interested in the sufferings of a Prussian +soldier who refused conscientiously to bear arms. The late Samuel Gurney +wrote to the King of Prussia, on behalf of the young man, who was in +consequence liberated from military service, but was sentenced to two +years' imprisonment. The term was not nearly expired; but John Yeardley, +whilst at Minden, heard that he had been released from prison by immediate +command of the King. J.Y. had "spent a First-day with him within the +gloomy walls in Duisburg," and was consequently the more ready to rejoice +in his liberation. + +On his return to England, John Yeardley proceeded to Birmingham. His +service in this and the neighboring towns was similar to that which he had +had to perform at Bristol. He says: + + +By day I called on the sick and such as were confined at home. In the +evenings I met companies of young men and women. They were invited to the +Friends' houses where tea was first served, and then a religious occasion +of silence and exhortation, with supplication when felt to be under right +pointing. The remainder of the evening was spent in social converse. I am +very favorable to the mixing of social intercourse with gospel labor. All +seemed pleased, and I trust we were mutually edified. I was often +requested to give some account of my late journey and the state of +religion in the various countries where I had travelled; and the +conversation often, turned on points connected with our religious +principles. + +Joseph Sturge, he continues, was from home. At the request of his wife I +dined at their house with twenty-five young culprits, whom J.S. has in his +Reformatory at Stoke, near Bromsgrove. They came in a van with horses to +spend the day. They are all such as have been once or twice in prison, +mostly for theft. I addressed them after dinner, and at tea-time I +questioned them as to Jesus Christ our Redeemer, on God, Heaven and Hell, +how to gain Heaven and avoid misery. I left them with a more favorable +impression than I otherwise should have had. Severe measures had failed to +improve them, but they seemed susceptible of kind treatment, and some of +them gave hopes of amendment. + +9 _mo_. 21.--Visited the Boys' and Girls' First-day Schools. +Breakfasted with thirty teachers (young men) at the schools. About 370 +boys present in two rooms. None are taken under fourteen years of age. +Also a large class of adults. I addressed the two companies: then went to +the girls; heard them read, and addressed them. There are about twenty +young women teachers, and perhaps 270 to 300 girls. + +The morning meeting was large. I was much pressed in spirit to speak on +the nature of the fall of man, and on the necessity of having clear views +of gospel truth. I was told afterwards that there was a Unitarian present. + + +He attended the Quarterly Meeting at Leicester on the 24th, and the two +following days met companies of young persons, who were, he says, "much +tendered in spirit." After some similar service at Stourbridge and +Coventry, he returned on the 27th to Stamford Hill. He remarks in his +Diary: "I believe the service of the young Friends in the First-day +Schools has been a blessing to themselves as well as to their pupils." + +The next month John Yeardley made a religious visit to Hertfordshire, and +had two social-religious meetings with the younger Friends at Hitchin; +after which he remained at home until the beginning of the Twelfth Month, +when he left England for Nismes. + +One object in this journey was to revisit the school which had been +established by himself and Martha Yeardley in 1842: another was the +renewal of his declining health. Susan Howland and Lydia Congdon, from the +United States, who were then on a visit to Europe, were bound for the same +destination, and John Yeardley gave them his company. + + +12 _mo_. 6.--On entering France, he says, we found a sprinkling of +snow and frost, but on leaving Lyons we left all the wintry weather +behind, and travelled on under a hot sun, and bright, cloudless sky, which +seemed to impart to us all fresh vigor and spirits. S. Howland remarked, +In such an atmosphere she felt another being. + +At Nismes, the party found Eliza P. Gurney, and Robert and Christine +Alsop, on their way home from the valleys of Piedmont. John Yeardley +lodged at the school, spent much of his time with the children, and with +the other English and the American Friends gave his aid in some plans for +their recreation. + + +12 _mo_. 25.--The evening of this day was a lively and pleasant +scene. The girls' countenances were brightened and their hearts cheered by +the presents made to them by the English Friends present. The "tree" was +new to them; it was beautifully lighted with tapers, and bore a variety of +fruit both for mind and body. + +1857. 3 _mo_. 2.--My dear friend ----- proposed my giving the school +girls a treat before I left Nismes. We contrived a visit to the sea, +distant from Nismes about twenty miles. We procured two omnibuses with six +horses, and started at 5 o'clock in the morning. Long before the time +appointed, the little maidens were in the entrance-hall with their +satchels in their hand, containing each her dinner; twenty-seven in all. +The pleasure on the road was novel and great; but when they arrived at the +sea-shore their delight was complete; with light hearts and quick heels, +running and picking up shells, meeting the waves as they advanced and +receded. On our return we visited the ancient town of Aigues-Mortes, near +the sea, famous for having been the place where the Protestant women were +confined and punished even to death. We entered most of the strong and +gloomy cells, and saw the instrument of torture. The tower and fortress +are a perfect model of a feudal castle. + + +On his return to England, John Yeardley was taken ill with bronchitis, +which produced great bodily weakness, and caused him "many wearisome" +nights and days; but, he says, "my Saviour was near to console and sustain +me." He went for change to Bath, and afterwards to Brighton with Margaret +Pope:-- + + +We made, he says, speaking of this visit many calls, and my hospitable +hostess had many of the Friends to tea and dinner visits. Our social +readings in the evening were often instructive in the conversation upon +what we read, particularly over Hippolytus, who lived and wrote in the +first half of the second century. The Chevalier Bunsen did good service to +the Christian Church in bringing the life and some of the writings of this +good man to light. + + +On his return home we find him still solicitous, as he had been in former +years, for the intellectual improvement of his young friends. + + +11 _mo_.--During my stay at home I have renewed my German class for a +few of my young friends. We have also commenced a soiree for German and +French conversation. I love the society of my young friends, and am +always, anxious to promote their learning to speak German and French. + + +The Diary for 1858, the last year of his life, commences with, a New +Year's dedication of himself afresh to the service of his faithful +Creator, and a prayer for a fresh anointing in the exercise of his +ministry. + + +1858. 1 _mo_. 4.--How many and various are the thoughts which crowd +on the mind on the commencement of a new year; perhaps none more important +than to think I am one year nearer to eternity. A desire does live in my +heart (cherish it, O, my God) to live more to thy glory on earth. How I +long to be favored with strength to do something for the cause of truth +and righteousness, so long as I may be permitted to remain on the Lord's +earth. I think with gratitude that he has blessed me with a little more +faith of late in my ministry, and my very soul prays that in these +requirings he may be pleased to put the unction of his Spirit into my +heart, and his words into my mouth, and that under a right pointing, they +may go forth with power. Grant me, Lord, more devotedness of life, and a +right and sure preparation for a peaceful death and a blissful eternity. + + +For some years before his decease, John Yeardley's thoughts were +frequently occupied with the subject of the Millennium. Like some other +good men, he thought he saw in the events which were taking place, the +impending accomplishment of those predictions, whose fulfilment was to +precede the "great and terrible day of the Lord." On one occasion, after +mentioning a number of these "signs of the times," he winds up the +enumeration and the thoughts to which it gave rise, with the following +reflection:-- + + +Happy is the Christian who, in this time of conflict, can look beyond the +passing events of time to the Great First Cause, and behold, as with the +eye of faith, the providence of his God watching over all things, waiting +to bring good out of evil, and causing all things to work to the one great +point, when he will cause the wrath of man to praise him, and the +remainder of wrath will he restrain. "Come, my people, enter thou into thy +chambers and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself, as it were for a +little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold the Lord +cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their +iniquity." (Isaiah xxvi. 20, 21) + + +In the Second Month he spent a week at Chelmsford with Susanna Corder. His +visit was prefaced by the following letter:-- + + +Stamford Hill, 1 mo. 13, 1858. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +It would seem to me as if there were only left here and there a link of +the chain of my original connexion on this earth. The best end of this +chain is attached to those loved ones in heaven who are drawing me every +day nearer to their happy and blissful abode, through the love of our +glorified Redeemer. It is now many years since thou received her once so +dear to me as a bosom friend, to partake of thy wise counsels, and in her +troubles especially to enjoy the sympathy of thy warm and affectionate +heart. + +I am now left alone for a short time; my young companion is at Norwich. If +thou wert at home, pretty well in health, and withal not so much occupied +as sometimes, it would be a great pleasure and gratification to me to pay +thee a short visit; but, as an absolute condition, I must request thee to +say, in perfect freedom, if it would be quite convenient. I want to ask +thee _many, many_ things. + +Thy friend, affectionately and very sincerely, + +JOHN YEARDLEY. + + +After his return home, having also visited Saffron Walden, he writes:-- + + +1 _mo_. 25.--Just returned from a visit to Essex. I lodged a week at +my dear friend S.C.'s, and was edified and comforted in her company. It +has been a promised pleasure of some years' standing. The morning meeting +on First-day, as well as the one on Fourth-day, was a season of spiritual +refreshment, for which I was truly thankful. The Friends testified their +unity and comfort: I called on most of them. + +On the Seventh-day, C.M. conveyed me across the country to Saffron Walden. +On the way we paid a sweet visit to the afflicted family of ----. At +Walden I was affectionately cared for, and was much interested in the +Friends there, whom I had not seen for eighteen years. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858.--CONCLUDING REMARKS. + +We are now arrived at the closing scene of John Yeardley's labors. The +impression which he had received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of +the opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern countries, had never +been obliterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his +ability to accomplish such an undertaking had proportionately diminished. +This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies, +and, according to his apprehension, no other course remained for him but +to prepare for a visit to the missionary stations in Asia Minor and the +countries beyond, in order to deliver to the inquiring inhabitants amongst +whom those stations are planted, the message of Christ's love to their +souls with which he believed himself to be charged. And when he +communicated to his friends the apprehension that this journey was +required of him as the last offering of thanksgiving before his day +closed, they were satisfied to "lay their hands upon him" for the work, +thinking, perhaps, that the veteran soldier could not better end his +campaign than with his arms in his hands, actively contending for the +faith. That such might not improbably be the issue of the enterprise, John +Yeardley himself believed; but it is doubtful if he correctly estimated +the arduous nature of the journey. It would have been a bold undertaking +in the vigor of his days: at his time of life, and with his declining +strength, it was, humanly speaking, impossible that he should accomplish +nearly all he had in view. + +His Diary unfolds his spiritual exercises and his natural feelings in the +prospect before him. + + +3 _mo_. 17.--The last two months have been to me an awful time of +deep conflict of spirit, arising out of a prospect of a religious visit to +some places in Asiatic Turkey, and parts adjacent. I do not know when I +have had more conflict to arrive at a clear pointing. I prayed earnestly +and waited long for that clear pointing of Divine Wisdom, without which I +can never move in concerns of this importance. In the end, I am thankful +to say, the cloud was removed and the sun stone with brightness, and no +longer was my poor tried mind left in doubt as to the line of religions +duty; and before mentioning it to any one, I communicated it to the +Monthly Meeting in the Second Month. Much unity and sympathy were +expressed, and the certificate ordered. It is now signed, and is a sweet +document, short and explicit. + +I see and deeply feel the perils and sufferings which await me, in +venturing on untrodden ground, as it regards any minister of our Society, +and to such a distance, and among, for the most part, an unbelieving +people. But I can and do look forward in calm confidence, trusting, as I +have ever done, in the aid and protecting care of my Heavenly Father, +whose cause I desire to serve, and whose will I wish above all other +things to do. My earthly career can never end better than in the work of +my Divine Master; and should it be his will to terminate my life in the +Arab tent, I shall have more consolation there than in an English home +under the stinging sense of a dereliction of my religious duty. + +I am giving all my leisure hours to learn something of the Turkish +language, for travelling purposes, and for a little social intercourse. +Ever since this concern fastened on my mind, it has been connected with +having the company of my young friend from the South of France, Jules +Paradon. + +May the Lord grant me resignation, faith, grace, and strength to do his +holy will; and then, whether it end in life or death, his great name shall +be praised. This testimony I record in gratitude and love to the mercy of +my God. Amen. + + +Before leaving England, he paid a visit to Staines. + + +4 _mo._ 20.--I went down to Staines, and spent two weeks with +Margaret Pope, which sojourn proved a strength and comfort to me. This +dear friend is a succorer of many, and, I can truly say, of me in +particular. We had several pleasant drives, and made friendly visits to +the neighboring meetings and Friends. I also applied pretty diligently to +the Turkish language. + + +Amply provided, by the kindness of many friends, with whatever could +administer to his wants or ease the roughness of Eastern travel, John +Yeardley left his home on the 15th of the Sixth Month. He arrived at +Nismes on the 17th, and was joined there by Jules Paradon. His Diary +supplies some notes of the voyage to Constantinople. + + +23_rd_.--Malta. Here we arrived at 4 o'clock this morning, after a +favorable passage; thanks to the Preserver of our lives; great is his +mercy and his love. My heart is filled with deep thoughtfulness, and I am +very anxious to procure an interpreter, either at Smyrna or +Constantinople. My faith is weak, but I trust the Lord will provide. + +On descending the lower deck adjoining: the large saloon, I found my +faithful companion in calm but very earnest conversation with the +commissary of the ship and a passenger of respectability, the Spanish +consul of Smyrna. They had sifted from Jules the object of our journey, +and when they found it connected with a religious mission, they both +attacked him earnestly and showed themselves really opposed to the truth. +But my young friend stood his ground well, and maintained the Christian +religion. The opponents were both Romanists. They quieted down before the +close, and treated us respectfully the remainder of the journey; we parted +with them at Smyrna. I am thankful to have in my companion such a defender +of the faith. + +27_th_.--We arrived at Smyrna this morning, and in order to meet some +of our Christian friends to whom we had letters of recommendation, we met +them after their worship. Edward Van Lennep, the Dutch consul, and his +brother Charles, the Swedish consul, received us with great kindness and +cordiality through the letters from one of our Members of Parliament. It +was very sweet to find these two brothers so imbued with religious +feeling; they gave their hearts to help us in our prospect. + + +On the 30th John Yeardley and his companion landed at Constantinople; they +found the heat and noise of the city very oppressive. + + +The people in the streets, says John Yeardley, are numerous beyond all +description; thousands, and tens of thousands, standing, sitting, running, +following, or pushing one against the other, talking and shouting in the +ceaseless noise of the Armenian, Turkish, Greek, Syriac, Italian, French +and English languages. The services of my dear Jules are most valuable: he +makes his way with every one through his earnest kindness to serve the +good cause. + +When passing through the islands, he adds, the prospect was extremely +beautiful; but my mind was always anxious in the prospect of the long +journey before us; but the mercy of my God is great, and deeply humbles me +in thankfulness for his goodness.--(_Letter of_ 7 _mo_. 4.) + + +Very soon after their arrival, walking several hours in the heat of the +day, John Yeardley had a slight attack of sun-stroke. The effect appeared +quickly to pass off, and he was able to perform such religious duty as +opened before him in the city and its immediate neighborhood. + + +_Diary_. 7 _mo_. 4.--We made a call at Bebek: Dr. Hamlin had +gone to the city, but Dr. Dwight received us kindly. These two dear +Christian, friends called on us yesterday. This morning we attended the +meeting in the Armenian chapel, and at half-past 1 we had a full company +in the same meeting-house. They received in a free and brotherly +disposition what I was favored to express in gospel freedom; I concluded +in supplication. A kind and Christian man interpreted with simplicity into +the Turkish language. The morning service was in the Armenian. We have +already had many calls from these loving Christian friends in our hotel. +What a mercy, and how encouraging, to be thus received in gospel by +strangers! + + +Respecting this meeting Jules Paradon says:-- + + +About thirty-five or forty were present. Our dear friend's communication +was short and simple; it breathed love to all. In fact, what he seemed to +have most on his mind in all his public communications was, to show his +hearers how much God loved them in even giving his own Son for them, and +the high privilege we can enjoy in loving him. + + +They went also to Has-Keui, where J.Y. desired to have a meeting with the +girls of the school; but many had left for the vacation, and he was +obliged to give up his intention. + +On the 10th they went to Brusa, in Asia Minor, six hours by steam-vessel +across the Sea of Marmora to Moudania, and six on horseback from Moudania +to Brusa. The land journey was oppressive. A narrow path winds through a +very rugged country; and there is only one halting-place, a guard hut, +where they took a cup of coffee, the only refreshment the inmates had to +offer. John Yeardley suffered much in this day's journey. + +He had two meetings in the Protestant meeting-house at Brusa:-- + + +Both, says Jules Paradon, took place after the usual service, which was +expressly made short. The hearers, to the number of about 120, were +impressed and interested to hear and see our dear friend come from so far +to visit them in the love of the gospel. Twelve or fourteen men came two +evenings to see us at our lodgings; and on both occasions our dear friend +addressed them very sweetly. The heat tried him very much, but he felt +pleased and happy to be helped to sympathize with so many simple, +kind-hearted people. + + +At Demirdash (six miles from Brusa), he had a short religious opportunity +with a few persons. + +On their return to Constantinople, finding that a box of luggage he +expected from London, containing a tent and other equipments, had not +arrived, without which he could not pursue his journey into the interior, +he employed the interval in visiting Isnik, (the ancient Nicomedia,) and +Bargheghik, two places in Asia Minor, not far from the coast. Accordingly +they started early the next day, and reached Isnik late in the evening, +weary and exhausted, having been able to procure very little refreshment +on the way. They proceeded to Bargheghik the day following; John Yeardley +walking about four miles in the middle of the day, with which he was +extremely fatigued. + + +He had a meeting, continues Jules Paradon, late in the evening, which +proved highly interesting. About thirty men and one woman attended. Our +dear friend encouraged and consoled the weak and the afflicted. The next +day we returned to Isnik, having to bear the heat of the sun from +half-past eight till three in the afternoon. We had a meeting the same +afternoon at half-past four, towards the close of which he felt weak, and +seemed to end his address rather abruptly. + + +The fact was, that paralysis had supervened; and on his return the next +day to Constantinople, his bodily and mental strength were seen to be +rapidly diminishing. He still clung, however, to the desire of +accomplishing the object which lay so near his heart, and could not be +satisfied without going to Bebek to consult his missionary friends about +his journey into the interior. Probably they perceived that he was totally +unequal to the effort, and advised him to relinquish it; for on his return +to the city he was induced to abandon the thought of proceeding farther, +and to turn his mind towards home. On the 23rd he said, If after what had +been done he was permitted to go home, it would be a satisfaction.[14] + +On the 26th they embarked for Marseilles. John Yeardley bore the voyage +well, walking on deck every day, but becoming continually weaker. They +arrived at Marseilles on the 4th of the Eighth Month, and passed through +France as rapidly as his state would allow. On the evening of Second-day, +the 9th, he was favored to reach Stamford Hill; and though unable to +speak, he recognized several of his near relatives, and signified his +pleasure in being once more at home. + +He continued to sink until Fifth-day, the 11th, when he quietly breathed +his last, an expression of peace resting on his venerable face. We may +say, with one of his most intimate friends on the Continent, when he heard +of his decease:--"So our beloved friend has been called to enter into his +Lord's joy. Now he will see God, to whom he often used to pray. 'With thee +is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.'" + +His remains were interred at Stoke Newington, on the 18th of the Eighth +Month. + + * * * * * + + +Of the fruits which John Yeardley has bequeathed to us in the history of +his life and Christian experience, none perhaps are of higher value than +his diligent improvement of the talents he possessed and his steady and +persevering pursuit of what he had in view. It is not so much what +abilities a man has that determines his place in society, and the amount +of his influence, as the use which he makes of them. Of this truth John +Yeardley was a striking example. We have heard him say, in one of his +early diaries: "I have clearly seen, for what service I am designed in the +church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of divine +grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main design." +The service to which he was called was the Christian ministry; and, laying +aside every meaner ambition, and indeed every other object, he addressed +himself to preparation for this service as the labor of his life. He +cultivated those habits of mind and body, and confined himself to the +acquisition of those branches of knowledge, which, while they left his +heavenly gift free and unsullied, would best subserve the exercise of it. + +His industry and perseverance were remarkable. In none of his pursuits +were these qualities more conspicuous than in his study of languages. It +cost him, especially, an almost incredible amount of labor to master +French. The slight elementary knowledge of this language which he acquired +at Bentham cannot have given him so much as an insight into it; his +acquaintance with it may be said to date from his visit to Congenies, when +he had reached his fortieth year. Yet, by indefatigable exertion, +maintained during many years, he became able to write and speak it +fluently, though, not correctly, and even to preach without an +interpreter. The difficulty which he encountered in the acquisition of +languages, from the late period of life at which he commenced, was +enhanced by his ignorance of Latin, that best trainer of the youthful +faculties, and by a natural inaptitude for the memory of words. A proof of +the latter occurred when, with his quick-witted wife, he was occupied in +conning over the Italian and Modern Greek Grammars, in preparation for +their journey to the Ionian Islands. The difference in their natural +capacities in this respect is shown in her playful expression; "I got my +lesson in half an hour; while John has been three or four hours over his, +and does not know it yet." + +But although slow in study, he was quick and shrewd in the observation of +actual life. This was apparent in his daily converse; and it may also be +continually traced in his Diary, where, describing those with whom he +became acquainted in his numerous travels, he seizes, on the prominent +feature of their mind or manners, and with a word affixes to each his own +particular mark. Of the hundreds of individuals who rise into view one +after another in the course of these journeys, scarcely two are alike; a +result which is, perhaps, due as much to the pen of the writer, as to the +inherent diversities of the human character. + +To this shrewdness of observation, he added a racy humor which those who +knew him in his hours of relaxation and familiarity will not easily +forget. His mind was stored with quaint and pithy phrases, and apt +illustrations, which he not unfrequently seasoned with his native idiom, +the broad Barnsley dialect. His north-country pronunciation, indeed, never +entirely forsook him; and the singular graft of German which he made upon +it during his residence abroad, caused it to be commonly supposed, by +those who were strangers to his history, that he was a native of Germany. + +The same moral constitution that enabled John Yeardley to pursue his +objects with indomitable perseverance, sometimes betrayed him, as may +easily be imagined, into a tenacity of purpose, bordering upon obstinacy. +To the same strength of will also, acting on the defects incident to a +neglected education in early life, must be attributed those strong +prejudices which were at times to be remarked in him, and of which he +found it extremely difficult to divest himself. But it was the triumph of +grace, that whilst these faults of character and disposition remained for +the most part only as a hidden thorn, the messenger of Satan to buffet +him, the virtues to which they were allied, and all the faculties of his +mind, were consecrated to the service of God and of his fellow-man, and +his whole nature was enlarged, refined and elevated, by the all-powerful +energy of the gospel. + +"Very sweet and instructive are our recollections of the humility of his +walk amongst us, and of the liveliness of his ministry, marked as it was +by much simplicity, love and earnestness." To this testimony of his +Monthly Meeting, all who were accustomed to hear him will readily +subscribe. + +We are able to append some notes of a few of his public testimonies, which +we give as likely to be at once gratifying and instructive to the reader. +The friend to whom we are indebted for them informs us that "the notes +were written immediately after meeting, and are as nearly the words used +as his memory would furnish." He adds, "They bring before the mind's eye +and ear the face and voice of a dear departed friend, and, I believe, a +true and enlightened servant of the Lord." + + * * * * * + + +(8 _mo_, 1850.) + +_Keep thy heart, with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of +life_.--(Proverbs iv. 23.) + +We often are made to feel the force of this truth, when we have been +unwatchful, and some cross occurrence has tried our tempers. How often we +are made to see, and to show before others, what manner of spirit is in +as..... + +Sometimes we are favored with such clear convictions of the worthlessness +of mere worldly possessions and pursuits, and such delightful realizations +of the happiness of seeking to do the Lord's work, that we are ready to +express our astonishment that any human beings can be found so foolish as +to devote their energies to the pursuit of things which never can give +satisfaction, and which must needs perish. And then, perhaps, we are +brought into a state of darkness and despondency, to show us our utter +helplessness and unworthiness, and the need there is for every one of us +to "keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of +life.".... + +Every individual, no doubt, has his own particular path of duty, which is +designed to promote his own best happiness and the well-being of all +mankind. How important for each to follow that path in watchfulness and +obedience, that the work may not be marred! How important to keep the +heart with all diligence, that the issues of life may be in accordance +with divine will! + + * * * * * + + +(9 _mo_. 1, 1850.) + +_Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the +Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty_.--(2 Chronicles +xxxi. 10.) + +These words have been impressed upon my mind this morning, and I have +thought they were instructive, in a spiritual sense. I believe, if we were +more earnest in bringing offerings into the house of the Lord--if each one +of us was more diligent in contributing his share, and doing his part of +the Lord's business,--we should have less anxiety about worldly things; we +should have faith in the Lord's providence, and, not only spiritually, but +naturally also, we should have "enough to eat and plenty left." + + * * * * * + + +(11 _mo_. 24, 1850.) + +In looking at the world around, we may be apt to think that the day is +very far off when the Lord's kingdom, shall be established in peace: but +to those who, through the regenerating power of Christ, have become +subjects of the Prince of Peace, that day has commenced already; and +whatever storms may rage without, they will experience peace within. For +"he will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are staid on him, because +they trust in him." + + * * * * * + + +(9 _mo_. 19, 1852.) + +John Yeardley addressed the children with much feeling, telling them to +rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ways--to let him carry them in +his bosom, and to run to him in danger or trouble, as they would to their +tender mothers. + + * * * * * + + +You sometimes are restless in these meetings, not knowing how to keep your +thoughts fixed on heavenly things, and perplexed for want of some visible +means of instruction. I believe your tender Saviour may often feed you, +even while in this state, with food convenient for you. But remember, dear +children, that he is always calling to every one of you, Come unto Me. +Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not. O! come to +him, my precious lambs, and he will feed you, and "lead you beside the +still waters, and make you lie down in green pastures." + + * * * * * + + +(12 _mo_. 8, 1854 At a Funeral.) + +_And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs +and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, +and sorrow and sighing shall flee away._--(Isa. xxxv. 10.) + +In the pain of parting with the beloved object of our heart's affection, +we forget the rejoicing which welcomes the ransomed spirit to its +everlasting rest. But when the time is come for the Lord to pour in the +healing balm into the sorrowing soul, then we find a little comfort. .... + +"Watchman! what of the night? Watchman! what of the night? The watchman +said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire +ye: return; come." There are many in this company in the morning of life, +enjoying the prospect of many days, and forming many plans for the future, +with all the ardor of their youthful minds. May the present occasion prove +the morning of their spiritual day; and may they remember that the +_night cometh as well as the morning_. + +How thin is the partition which separates the present state from that of +eternity! We mourn over those who are taken away from us, and we fancy we +are left alone. But we are called to be _one in Christ_. I have great +faith in the communion of saints, in the union of saints on earth with +saints in heaven. And we are all called to be saints by walking in faith, +by leading a life of holiness in the fear of the Lord. We say our beloved +friends who have gone before us are dead. _They are not dead: they have +but just entered into life._ Let us not mourn, then, as those who have no +hope. Let us rather rejoice with them and for them, and so live that we +may be among the ransomed of the Lord, who shall return and come to Zion +with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing +shall flee away. + +THE END. + +[Footnote 1: +The memorandum here referred to is in the Diary, under date of the 18th of +the Sixth Month.] + +[Footnote 2: +Life of B. Grubb, 2nd ed., p. 219.] + +[Footnote 3: +The introduction was made by Thomas Shillitoe, at the time of the Yearly +Meeting. He said to M.S., "Let me introduce thy brother to thee." +"_Brother_!" she exclaimed, with surprise. "Yes," answered the good +old man; "all who have been on the Continent are brothers and sisters."] + +[Footnote 4: +Pastor Fliedner has since become more extensively known by the institution +for Deaconesses which he has founded at Kaiserswerth, where, with many +other useful and exemplary women, Florence Nightingale was trained. +Kaiserwerth has become the parent of several other kindred institutions.] + +[Footnote 5: +This is one of the earliest burial-grounds which belonged to Friends. Over +the gateway was a curious inscription on brass, now removed to Barnsley. +It is as follows: + +"Anno Domini 1657. Though superstitious minds doe judge amisse of this +buriall plane, yet lett them know hereby that the Scripture saith, The +earth, it is the Lord's. And I say soe is this, therefore seeing we, and +by his people also sett apart for the churches use, or a buriall place, it +is holy, or convenient and good for that use and service, as every other +earth is. And it is not without Scripture warrant or example of the holy +men of God to burie in snoh a place; for Joshua, a servant of the Lord and +commander in chiefe or leader and ruler of the people of God when he died +was neither buried in a steeple-house now called a parish church, nor in a +steeple-house-yeard, but he was buried in the border of his inheritance, +and on the north side of Mount Gaash, as you may read; see Joshua, the +24th chapter, and the 29th and 30th verses. And Eleazer, Aaron's son, who +was called of the Lord, when he died, (they buried him not in a parish +house, nor a steeple-house yeard, but) they buried him in the hill of +Phinehas, his son, which was given him in Mount Ephraim, as you may read, +Joshua, the 24th, the 33rd v. And these were noe superstitious persons, +but beloved, of the Lord, and were well buried. And soe were they In +Abraham's bought field, Genesis, the 23rd chapter, the 17, 18, 19, and 20 +verses: though superstitious minds now are unwilling unto the truth to +bow, who are offended at such as burie in their inheritance or bought +field, appointed for that use."] + +[Footnote 6: +This young person, under the name of Amanda, is the subject of No. 7 of a +series of small tracts published by John Yeardley in the latter years of +his life.] + +[Footnote 7: +She brought an affectionate epistle from M.A. Calame. The felicity of +style and beauty of penmanship which distinguished the letters of this +extraordinary woman agreed with the rest of her character. We have the +epistle in question now before us, exquisitely written. It ends with these +words;-- + +"Il nous eût étè bien doux de prononger les moments de la voir encore, +mais la sagesse demande que tout se fasse avec ordre; voilà pourquoi notre +chère enfant vous est confiée plus tôt; que le seigneur l'accompagne et +vous aussi, precieux amis; nous vous confions tous trois à la garde +divine, et nous vous assurons encore ici de l'affection Chrétienne qui +unit nos ames aux vôtres en Celui qui est le lieu indissoluble. + +M. A. Calame." + +Locle, 24 du 9 mois, '33.] + +[Footnote 8: +We believe Joseph John Gurney is here referred to.] + +[Footnote 9: +See _The Widow's Mite_, No. 5 of J.Y.'s Series of Tracts.] + +[Footnote 10: +The visits of J. and M.Y. to Kreuznach, in this journey, form the subject +of No. 8 of John Yeardley's Series of Tracts, _The German Farmer become +Preacher._ We extract from it the following more particular description +of their visit to the three villages mentioned in the text:-- + +"We started on a bright, hot sunny morning; and a pleasant drive, through +the vines and under the agreeable shade of double rows of fruit trees, +brought us to the place of destination. At the first farmhouse where we +alighted the people were busy at their out-door work, which, however, on +hearing of the arrival of strangers, they soon left, and came to welcome +the travellers with outstretched hand and smiling countenances. They soon +gave proof of their hospitality, by ordering us to be served with fruit, +milk, and butter-bread, nor were we allowed to depart before partaking of +a cup of coffee. The master of the house was an intelligent, pious man, +and gave us much information as to the state of religion among the people. +After wending our way from village to village and from house to house, we +returned to our lodgings, favorably impressed with the piety and apparent +sincerity of this simplehearted people."] + +[Footnote 11: +The history of this worthy man is given in the Tract mentioned in the last +note, _The German Farmer_, &c.] + +[Footnote 12: +See John Yeardley's Tract, No. 5, _The Widow's Mite cast into the +Heavenly Treasury._] + +[Footnote 13: +or a fuller description of this visit, see J.Y.'s Tract, _The German +Farmer_, &c.] + +[Footnote 14: +After his return, a letter was received from one of the missionaries at +Constantinople, expressive of the pleasure which his visit had given +there, the regret of the writer that age and fatigue prevented him from +pursuing his journey to the more remote stations, and the cordial welcome +which "such Christian friends of any denomination" might always reckon +upon from the missionary brethren.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, +Minister of the Gospel, by John Yeardley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN YEARDLEY *** + +***** This file should be named 10369-8.txt or 10369-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/6/10369/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Sheila Vogtmann and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel</p> +<p>Author: John Yeardley</p> +<p>Release Date: December 12, 2003 [eBook #10369]<br> +This HTML version first posted December 14, 2003</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: iso-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIR AND DIARY OF JOHN YEARDLEY, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL***</p> +<center><h3>E-text prepared by Joshua Hutchinson, Sheila Vogtmann, and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3></center> +<p>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister +of the Gospel, by John Yeardley, Edited by Charles Taylor</p> +<hr class="full"> + + +<H1>Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley</H1> + + +<!-- +body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} +img {border: 0;} +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {color:#A82C28} +blockquote {font-size:14pt} +P {font-size:14pt} +--> + + +<p> +MEMOIR AND DIARY<br> +<p> +OF<br> +<p> +JOHN YEARDLEY, +<p> +Minister of the Gospel. +<p> +<p> +EDITED BY CHARLES TYLOR. +<p> +"Should time with me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that +love for mankind which believes 'every nation to be our nation, and every +man our brother.'"--<i>Diary of J. Yeardley.</i>. +<p> +PHILADELPHIA:<br> +HENRY LONGSTRETH,<br> +1336 CHESTNUT STREET.<br> +1860. +<p> +CONTENTS. +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER I. +<p> +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY'S CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS PUBLIC +MINISTRY, 1803-15. +<p> +Birth and occupation<br> +Joseph Wood, of Newhouse<br> +Anecdote of Thomas Yeardley<br> +John Yeardley's conversion<br> +He enters T. D. Walton's linen warehouse<br> +Joins the Society of Friends<br> +Marriage with Elizabeth Dunn--Commencement of his Diary<br> +A. Clarke's "Commentary"<br> +Enters into business on his own account<br> +Visit of Sarah Lameley<br> +Call to the ministry<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER II. +<p> +FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN +GERMANY IN 1820. +<p> +First offerings in the ministry<br> +Is unsuccessful in business<br> +Removes to Bentham<br> +His views on the Christian ministry<br> +Visit of Hannah Field<br> +Is recorded a minister<br> +Visits Kendal and Lancaster, in company with Joseph Wood<br> +Visit to Friends at Barnsley<br> +Journey to York<br> +Letters to Thomas Yeardley<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER III. +<p> +<p> +FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820, TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY +IN 1822. +<p> +Prospect of residing in Germany<br> +Visit from John Kirkham<br> +Liverpool Quarterly Meeting<br> +Public meeting at Wray<br> +Visit of Ann Jones<br> +Journey to Leeds<br> +Death of Joseph Wood<br> +Illness of Elizabeth Yeardley<br> +Her death<br> +John Yeardley goes to Hull<br> +Extracts from Elizabeth Yeardley's letters<br> +Testimony concerning Joseph Wood<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER IV. +<p> +HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY, 1822-24. +<p> +Sails to Hamburg--His lodging at Eppendorf<br> +Arrives at Pyrmont<br> +Friedensthal<br> +Religious service with Thomas Shillitoe<br> +Establishment of the Reading and Youths' meetings at Pyrmont<br> +Mode of bleaching<br> +Visiters at the Baths attend Pyrmont meeting<br> +J. Y. visits Minden and Eidinghausen<br> +Plan for helping the Friends of Minden<br> +Journey to Leipzig<br> +Returns to England<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER V. +<p> +FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST +CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. +<p> +Mental depression<br> +Journey with Elizabeth H. Walker through the Midland Counties<br> +Yearly Meeting<br> +Returns to Friedensthal<br> +Humiliation<br> +Certificate for the South of France<br> +Martha Savory's visit to the Continent<br> +Journey to Rotterdam<br> +<p> +<p> +Chapter VI. +<p> +HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1825-26. +<p> +John Yeardley and his companions leave Pyrmont<br> +Visit Elberfeld, Creveldt, Mühlheim, &c.<br> +Neuwied--the Inspirirten<br> +Journey to Berlenburg<br> +Are placed under arrest at Erndebrück<br> +Set at liberty by the Landrath of Berlenburg<br> +The Old and New Separatists<br> +Gelnhausen and Raneberg<br> +Pforzheim--H. Kienlin<br> +Stuttgardt, Basle, &c.<br> +Zurich--the Gessner family<br> +Berne<br> +Geneva<br> +Journey to Congenies<br> +Religious service in the South of France<br> +St. Etienne<br> +Return to England<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER VII. +<p> +HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY, 1826-27. +<p> +John Yeardley goes into Yorkshire<br> +Death of his parents<br> +Marriage with Martha Savory<br> +Biographical notice of Martha Savory<br> +Letter from Martha Yeardley<br> +J. and M. Y. take up their abode at Burton, near Barnsley<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER VIII. +<p> +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. +<p> +PART I.--GERMANY. +<p> +J. and M.Y. sail to Rotterdam<br> +Minden, &c.<br> +Journey to the shores of the North Sea<br> +Visit to the colonists on the <i>Grodens</i><br> +Fredericks-Oort<br> +Frankfort<br> +Darmstadt--Durkheim<br> +Stuttgart<br> +Kornthal<br> +Wilhelmsdorf<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER IX. +<p> +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. +<p> +PART II.--SWITZERLAND. +<p> +Schaffhausen<br> +Beuggen<br> +Zurich<br> +Hofwyl--Geneva--A. Bost<br> +Lausanne<br> +Neufchâtel<br> +Berne and the neighborhood<br> +Montmirail--Neufchâtel<br> +Locle--Mary Anne Calame<br> +Journey through France<br> +Guernsey--Accident on the water<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER X. +<p> +HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1828-33. +<p> +Illness of Martha Yeardley<br> +Letter from M.A. Calame<br> +Yearly Meeting<br> +Letter from Auguste Borel--Public meetings in Yorkshire<br> +Death of James A. Wilson--Journey through the Western Counties<br> +Various religious engagements<br> +Journey through Wales with Elizabeth Dudley<br> +Visit to Lancashire<br> +Removal to Scarborough<br> +Establishment of a Bible-class at ditto<br> +Prospects of a journey to Greece<br> +Argyri Climi<br> +Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XI. +<p> +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE, 1833-34. +<p> +PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. +<p> +<p> +Paris<br> +Death of Rachel Waterhouse<br> +Nancy<br> +Phalsbourg--Strasburg--Pastor Majors<br> +Ban de la Roche<br> +Basle<br> +Neufchâtel<br> +Polish Count and Countess<br> +Geneva<br> +Journey through Italy<br> +Letters from Friends in England<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XII. +<p> +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. +<p> +PART II.--GREECE. +<p> +Corfu<br> +Count F. Sardina<br> +Santa Maura<br> +Wigwam village on the mainland<br> +Cephalonia--Zante<br> +Patras--the Gulf of Corinth<br> +Galaxidi--Trying situation<br> +Castri (the ancient Delphi)<br> +Journey to Athens<br> +Athens<br> +Corinth<br> +Detentions--Vostizza<br> +Patras<br> +Corfu<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XIII. +<p> +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. +<p> +PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE. +<p> +Letters from John Rowntree and William Allen<br> +Ancona<br> +Florence<br> +The Custom-house--Piedmont<br> +Geneva<br> +Lausanne<br> +Berne<br> +Zurich--Schaffhausen<br> +Basle--Death of Thomas Yeardley<br> +Death of M.A. Calame<br> +Neufchâtel<br> +Return to England--Death of A.B. Savory<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XIV. +<p> +FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1834 TO THE COMMENCEMENT +OF THE FOURTH IN 1842. +<p> +Divisions in the Society of Friends<br> +Employment of leisure time<br> +Girls' Lancasterian school at Scarborough<br> +Death of Elizabeth Rowntree--Letter from M.Y. to Elizabeth Dudley<br> +Visit to Thame<br> +Visit to Lancashire<br> +Visits to the Isle of Wight<br> +Death of John Rutter<br> +Prospect of revisiting the Continent<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XV. +<p> +THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1842-43. +<p> +Amiens<br> +Paris<br> +Letters from E. Dudley and J. Rowntree<br> +Lyons<br> +Nismes--Boarding-school for girls<br> +Letter from John Rowntree<br> +Montpélier<br> +Lesengnan<br> +Maux<br> +Saverdun<br> +Toulouse<br> +Montauban--Castres<br> +Tullins--Grenoble<br> +Geneva<br> +Lausanne<br> +Neufchâtel--Paul Pétavel<br> +Locle<br> +Berne<br> +Basle<br> +Carlsruhe--Frankfort<br> +Accident to J.Y.--Vlotho<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XVI. +<p> +REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL +JOURNEY, 1843-48. +<p> +Removal to Berkhamstead<br> +Removal to Stamford-hill<br> +Visit to the families of Gracechurch-St. Monthly Meeting<br> +Death of J.J. Gurney and I. Stickney<br> +Prepare for revisiting the Continent<br> +Brussels<br> +H. Van Maasdyk<br> +Charleroi--Spa<br> +Bonn<br> +Mannheim, Strasburg<br> +Basle<br> +Berne-Neufchâtel<br> +Grenoble<br> +Privas--Vals<br> +Nismes--Congenies<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XVII. +<p> +COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1849-50. +<p> +Letter from J.Y. to John Kitching<br> +Elberfeld--Mühlheim<br> +Bonn<br> +Kreuznach--J.A. Ott<br> +Mannheim<br> +Stuttgardt--Death of Elizabeth Dudley<br> +Kornthal<br> +Kreuznach<br> +Bonn<br> +Return home--Resume their journey<br> +Berlin--A. Beyerhaus<br> +Warmbrunn<br> +Illness of Martha Yeardley-Töplitz<br> +Prague--Translation of tracts into the Bohemian language<br> +Kreuzuach--Neuwied<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XVIII. +<p> +DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO +NORWAY, 1851-52. +<p> +Illness and death of Martha Yeardley<br> +J.Y. visits Ireland<br> +Prospect of a journey to Norway<br> +Homburg--Illness of J.Y.<br> +Christiana--Christiansand<br> +Stavanger<br> +Excursion up one of the fiords<br> +Bergen<br> +Meetings at Foedde and other places<br> +Obernkirchen<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XIX. +<p> +HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA, 1853. +<p> +Passport--Sails from Hull<br> +Petersburg<br> +Moscow<br> +Journey to Iekaterinoslav<br> +Kharkov<br> +Rybalsk--The German Colonies<br> +The Molokans<br> +The Crimea--The Tartars<br> +A suspicious halting-place--Simpheropol<br> +Feodosia<br> +Odessa--Constantinople<br> +Smyrna<br> +Syra--Malta<br> +Nismes--Bagnères de Bigorre<br> +Pialoux<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XX. +<p> +FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY, 1853-1858. +<p> +Visits Bath<br> +The Yearly Meeting--Life of J. J. Gurney<br> +Visit to Minden--Religious service in Yorkshire<br> +Goes again to Minden<br> +Neuveville<br> +Paris<br> +Visit to Bristol and Gloucester Quarterly Meetings<br> +Minden<br> +Visit to Birmingham, Leicester, &c.<br> +Goes to Nismes<br> +Visits Chelmsford, &c.<br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XXI. +<p> +LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858. CONCLUDING REMARKS. +<p> +Religious Mission to Asiatic Turkey<br> +Voyage to Constantinople<br> +Sun-stroke<br> +Meetings in the neighborhood of Constantinople<br> +Is seized with paralysis, and returns home<br> +His death--Remarks on his character<br> +Notes of some of his public testimonies<br> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +MEMOIR +<p> +OF +<p> +JOHN YEARDLEY. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER I. +<p> +<p> +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY's CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT +OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY. +<p> +1803--1815. +<p> +John Yeardley was born on the 3rd of the First Month, 1786, at a small +farm-house beside Orgreave Hall, in the valley of the Rother, four miles +south of Rotherham. His parents, Joel and Frances Yeardley, farmed some +land, chiefly pasture, and his mother is said to have been famous for her +cream-cheeses, which she carried herself to Sheffield market. She was a +pious and industrious woman; but, through the misconduct of her husband, +was sometimes reduced to such straits as scarcely to have enough food for +her children. +<p> +Before they left Orgreave they were attracted towards the worship of +Friends, and several of the family, including two of Joel Yeardley's +sisters, embraced the truth as held by the Society. In the year 1802 they +removed to a farm at Blacker, three miles south of Barnsley, and attended +the meeting at Monk Bretton, or Burton, near that town, where the +meeting-house then stood. At Blacker it was John's business to ride into +Barnsley daily on a pony, with two barrels of milk to distribute to the +customers of his mother's dairy. His elder brother Thomas worked on the +farm. +<p> +Their attendance at Burton meeting brought the family under the notice of +Joseph Wood, a minister of the Society, residing at Newhouse, near +Highflatts, four miles from Penistone. Joseph Wood had been a Yorkshire +clothier, but relinquished business in the prime of life, and spent the +rest of his days in assiduous pastoral labor of a kind of which we have +few examples. To attend a Monthly Meeting he would leave home on foot the +Seventh-day before, with John Bottomley, also a Friend and preacher, and +at one time his servant, for some neighboring meeting. He would occupy the +evening with social calls, dropping at every house the word of exhortation +or comfort. The meeting next day would witness his fervent ministry. In +the afternoon they would proceed to the place where the Monthly Meeting +was to be held the following day, which they would attend, filling up the +time before and after with social and religious visits. In the intervals +of the Monthly Meetings, when not engaged on more distant service, it was +his practice to appoint meetings for worship in the villages around +Highflatts, and very frequently to visit those places where individuals +were "under convincement," particularly Barnsley and Dewsbury, where at +that time many were added to the Society. On his return home from these +services he would spend the day in an upper room, without a fire, even in +the severest weather, writing a minute account of all that had happened. +<p> +It was in 1803 that Joseph Wood first had intercourse with Joel Yeardley's +family. Under date of the 19th of the Fourth Month, he says, speaking of +himself and some other concerned Friends:-- +<p> +<p> +We felt an inclination to visit Joel Yeardley's family, who are under +convincement, and who have lately removed from near Handsworth Woodhouse. +We went to breakfast. He and Frances his wife, with Thomas and John their +sons, the former about nineteen, the latter seventeen years of age, +received us in a very kind and affectionate manner, expressing their +satisfaction at our coming to see them. They appeared quite open, and gave +us a particular account of the manner of their convincement and beginning +to attend Friends' meetings, which was about four years ago. I believe +there is a good degree of sincerity in the man and his wife, and the two +sons appear to be tender and hopeful. +<p> +<p> +The next month Joseph Wood repeated his visit, and gives an account of the +interview in the following words:-- +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>., 1803.--Having ever since I was at Joel Yeardley's the last +month, felt my mind drawn to sit with the family, and this appearing to me +to be the right time, I set out from home the 14th of the Fifth Month, in +company with John Bottomley. Got to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and five +o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samuel Coward of Barnsley came +to meet us there. In the evening we had a precious opportunity together, +in which caution, counsel, advice, and encouragement flowed plentifully, +suited to the varied states of the family. I had a long time therein +first, from 1 Cor. xv. 58; John Bottomley next. Afterwards I had a pretty +long time, after which J.B. was concerned in prayer. At the breaking up of +the opportunity I had something very encouraging to communicate to their +son Thomas, who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt +very nearly united. +<p> +<p> +Joel Yeardley unhappily did not long remain faithful to his convictions. +He not only himself drew back from intercourse with Friends, but was +unwilling his sons should leave their work to attend week-day meetings, +and did all in his power to prevent them. This is shown by the following +narrative from Joseph Wood's memoranda:-- +<p> +<p> +As William Wass and I were going to attend a Committee at Highflatts, on +our Monthly Meeting day, in the morning, we met with Thomas Yeardley of +Blacker, near Worsbro', a young man who is under convincement. I was a +little surprised to see him having on a green singlet and smock frock. He +burst out into tears; I inquired the matter, and if something was amiss at +home; he only replied, "Not much;" and we not having time to atop, +proceeded, and he went forward to my house. This was on the 19th of the +Ninth Month, 1803. +<p> +After the Monthly Meeting was over, I had an opportunity to inquire into +the cause of his appearance and trouble, and found that he was religiously +concerned to attend weekday meetings, which his father was much averse to; +and in order to procure his liberty he had worked almost beyond his +ability; but all would not do, his father plainly telling him that he +should quit the house. The evening before, he applied to him for leave to +come to the meeting at Highflatts to-day; but he refused, and treated him +with very rough language. However, as the concern remained with him, he +rose early in the morning and got himself ready; but his father came and +violently pulled the clothes off his back, and his shirt also, and took +all his other clothes from him but those we met him in, telling him to get +a place immediately, for he should not stop in his house. Being thus +stripped, he went to his work in the stable; but, not feeling easy without +coming to meeting, he set out as he was, not minding his dress, so that he +might but be favored to get to the meeting. +<p> +This evening we had an opportunity with him in my parlor, much to our +satisfaction. The language of encouragement and consolation flowed freely +and plentifully towards him through William Wass, John Bottomley, and +myself; and afterwards, in conference with him, we found liberty to advise +him to return home (he having before thought of procuring a place), +believing if he was preserved faithful, way would in time be made for him, +and that it might perhaps be a means of his father's restoration; as at +times, he said, he appeared a little different, not having wholly lost his +love to Friends, and always behaved kindly to them. He took our advice +kindly, and complied therewith. After stopping two nights at my house, he +returned home. +<p> +<p> +Joseph Wood did not suffer much time to elapse before he paid another +visit to Blacker, to comfort the afflicted family. It was from this visit, +as we apprehend, that John Yeardley dated his change of heart. "I was +convinced," he said on one occasion, "at a meeting which Joseph Wood had +with our family." +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 17, 1803.--Thomas Walker Haigh and William Gant accompanied +us to Joel Yeardley's, where we tarried all night; but the two young men +from Barnsley returned home after supper. Joel was from home, but after +tea we had a religious opportunity with the rest of the family, in which I +had a very long consolatory and encouraging testimony to bear to the +deeply-suffering exercised minds from John xvi. 33. Afterwards I had a +pretty long time, principally to their son John, who I believe was under a +precious visitation from on high. He was much broken and tendered, and I +hope this season of remarkable favor will not soon be forgotten by him. +<p> +<p> +On his return home Joseph Wood wrote him the following letter:-- +<p> +<p> +Newhouse, 10 mo. 24, 1803 +<p> +BELOVED FRIEND, JOHN YEARDLEY, +<p> +Thou hast often been in my remembrance since I last saw thee, accompanied +with an earnest desire that the seed sown may prosper and bring forth +fruit in its season, to the praise and glory of the Great Husbandman, who, +I believe, is calling thee to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. +And O mayest thou be willing in this the day of his power to leave all and +follow him who hath declared, "Every one who hath forsaken houses, or +brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or +lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall +inherit everlasting life." +<p> +Not that we should be found wanting in our duty to our near connexions, +for true religion does not destroy natural affection, but brings and +preserves it in its proper place. When our earthly parents command one +thing, and the Almighty another, it is better for us to obey God than man, +and herein is our love manifested unto him by our obedience to his +commands though it may sometimes clash against our parents' minds. At the +same time it is our duty to endeavor to convince them, that we are willing +to obey all their lawful commands, where they do not interfere with our +duty to Him who hath given us life, breath, and being, and mercifully +visited us by his grace. I thought a remark of this kind appeared to be +required of me, apprehending if thou art faithful unto the Lord, thou wilt +find it to be thy duty at times to leave thy worldly concerns to attend +religious meetings, which may cause thee deep and heavy trials; but +remember for thy encouragement, the promise of the hundred-fold in this +world, and in that which is to come, eternal life. +<p> +Thou art favored with a pious though afflicted mother, and a +religiously-exercised elder brother, who, I doubt not, will rejoice to see +thee grow in the truth. May you all be blessed with the blessing of +preservation, and strengthened to keep your ranks in righteousness, and +may you be a strength and comfort to each other, and hold up a standard of +truth and righteousness in the neighborhood where your lot is cast. Do not +flinch, my beloved friend; be not ashamed to become a true follower of +Christ. When little things are required of thee, be faithful; thus shalt +thou be made ruler over more; when greater things are manifested to be thy +duty, remember the Lord is able to support, who declared by the mouth of +his prophet formerly, "Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the +birds round about are against her." But if the Lord be on our side, it +matters little who may be permitted to arise against us, for his power is +above all the combined powers of the wicked one, and he will bless and +preserve those who above all things are concerned to serve him faithfully, +which that thou mayest be is the sincere desire of thy truly loving and +affectionate friend, +<p> +JOSEPH WOOD. +<p> +<p> +The word which had been so fitly spoken took deep root in John Yeardley's +heart, and on the following New-year's day he went up to Newhouse to +converse with his experienced and sympathizing friend. +<p> +<p> +On the 1st of the First Month, 1804, (writes Joseph Wood,) John Yeardley +came to my house, on purpose to see me. He got here betwixt ten and eleven +o'clock in the forenoon, attended our meeting and tarried with us until +after tea, and then returned home. He is a hopeful youth, tender in +spirit, and of a sweet natural disposition; was convinced of the truth in +an opportunity I had at his father's house, and, I hope, is likely to do +well. I love him much, and much desire his preservation, growth, and +establishment upon the everlasting foundation, against which the gates of +Hell are not able to prevail. +<p> +<p> +Shortly after this, we obtain from John Yeardley's own hand an insight +into the depth of those religious convictions which had so mercifully been +vouchsafed to him. The manner in which this interesting memorandum +concludes is quaint, but it expresses a resolution to which he was enabled +to adhere in a remarkable degree throughout the course of his long life; +for of him it may be said that, beyond many, his pursuits, his aims, and +his conversation were not of the world, but were bounded by the line of +the Gospel, and animated by its self-denying spirit. +<p> +<p> +<i>Blacker</i>, 2 <i>mo</i>. 9, 1804.--As I pursued these earthly +enjoyments, it pleased the Lord, in the riches of his mercy to turn me +back in the blooming of my youth, and favor me with the overshadowing of +his love, to see the splendid pleasures that so easily detained my +precious time. He was graciously pleased to call me to the exercise of +that important work which must be done in all our hearts, which appears to +me no small cross to my own will, and attended with many discouragements; +yet I am made to believe it is the way wherein I ought to go; and I trust +Thou, O Lord, who hast called, will enable me to give up, and come forward +in perfect obedience to the manifestations of thy divine light, so as a +thorough change may be wrought, that I may be fitted and prepared for a +place in thy everlasting kingdom. Though at times I am led into great +discouragement, and almost ready to faint by the way, fearing I shall +never be made conqueror over those potent enemies who so much oppose my +happiness, O be Thou near in these needful times, and underneath to bear +me up in all the difficulties which it is necessary I should pass through +for my further refinement, whilst I have a being in this earthly +pilgrimage. Strong are the ties that seem to attach me to the earth; but +O! I have cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of +thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affection. Great and +frequent are the trials and temptations, and narrow is the way wherein we +ought to walk; alas! too narrow for many. O may I ever be preserved, +faithfully forward to the eternal land of rest! +<p> +Dear Lord, who knowest the secret of all hearts, thou knowest I am at +times under a sense of great weakness; but thou, who art always waiting to +gather the tender youth into thy flock and family, hast mercifully reached +over me with thy gathering arm. Mayst thou ever be near to strengthen me +in every weakness; and make me willing to leave all, take up my daily +cross, and follow thee in the denial of self, not fearing to confess thee +before men. Always give me strength to perform whatsoever thou mayest +require at my hands; wean my affections more and more; attract me nearer +to thyself; and lead me through this world as a stranger, never to be +known to it more but by the name of JOHN YEARDLEY. +<p> +<p> +In the Third Month Joseph Wood again addressed his young friend by letter, +encouraging him to be steadfast in trial, and to beware of the gilded +baits of the enemy; and promising him, that if he followed the Lord +faithfully, his works should appear marvellous in his eyes, his wonders be +disclosed to him in the deeps, and he on his part would be made willing to +serve him with a perfect heart. +<p> +In the Sixth Month, again visiting Blacker, he had a "precious, +heart-tendering religious opportunity with all the family." +<p> +About this time Joel Yeardley was so much reduced in his circumstances as +to be obliged to give up farming, which compelled his sons to seek their +own means of livelihood. Thomas and John went into Barnsley, where they +applied themselves to the linen manufacture, and were taken into the +warehouse of Thomas Dixon Walton, a Friend, who afterwards married a +daughter of Thomas Shillitoe. +<p> +In the First Month, 1806, Joseph Wood records another interesting +interview with his young friend:-- +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 7.--I called on Thomas Dixon Walton and John Yeardley, with +whom I had a religious opportunity in which the language of encouragement +flowed freely; I being opened unto them from Luke xii. 32; "Fear not, +little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the +kingdom." +<p> +<p> +In the Third Month of this year John Yeardley made application for +membership in the Society of Friends, and was admitted in the Fifth Month +following, being then twenty years of age. His brother Thomas had joined +the Society some time before. The brothers are thus described by one who +knew them intimately:--Thomas, as a man of homely manners, of hearty and +genial character, and greatly beloved; John, as possessing a native +refinement which made it easy for him in after-life to rise in social +position, but whose reserved habits caused him to be less generally +appreciated. +<p> +The call which John Yeardley received, and which he so happily obeyed, to +leave the world and enter by the strait gate into the kingdom of heaven, +was accompanied, as we shall afterwards see more fully, by a secret +conviction that he would one day have publicly to preach to others the +Gospel of salvation. A sense that such was the case seems to have taken +hold of Joseph Wood's mind, in a visit which he made him some time after +his admission into the Society. +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 29, 1808.--Sat with T.D. Walton and his wife, and his man +John Yeardley. I had two pretty long testimonies to bear from Colossians +iv. 17. I had to show the necessity there was for those who had received a +gift in the ministry to be faithful, and, as Satan was as busy about these +as any others, to be careful to withstand his temptations, that nothing +might hinder our fulfilment of this gift, nor anything be suffered to +prevail over us that might hinder its proper effect upon others. +<p> +After Thomas was gone to breakfast, my mind was unexpectedly opened in a +pretty long encouraging testimony to John, from John xxi. 22--"What is +that to thee? follow thou me;" having gently to caution him not to look at +others to his hurt, but faithfully follow his Master, Jesus Christ, in the +way of his leadings. +<p> +<p> +In 1809 John Yeardley married Elizabeth Dunn. She was much older than +himself, "plain in person," but "full of simplicity and goodness," and of +a "most lovable" character. Like her husband she had come into the Society +by convincement; and like him she had partaken in a large degree of the +paternal sympathy and oversight of Joseph Wood. She had been a Methodist, +and was one of the first who joined with Friends at Barnsley in the +awakening which took place there in the beginning of the century. +<p> +John Yeardley and his wife inhabited, on their marriage, a small house at +the southern extremity of the town, whither very soon afterwards was +transferred the afternoon meeting which it was customary to hold at some +Friend's house in Barnsley. The morning meeting continued to be held at. +Burton until 1816, when a new meeting-house was built in the town. +<p> +They had only one child, a son, who died in infancy. +<p> +John Yeardley commenced his Diary in 1811; and this valuable record of his +religious experience, and of his travels in the service of the Gospel, was +maintained with more or less regularity to the end of his life. The motive +which induced him to adopt this practice is given in the following lines, +with which the manuscript commences:-- +<p> +<p> +It may seem a little strange that I should, in my present situation, +attempt to keep any memorandums of the following kind; but feeling +desirous simply to pen down a few broken remarks as they may at times +occur to my mind, I apprehend no great harm can arise; and if, by causing +a closer scrutiny into my future stepping along, they should in any degree +exercise my mind to spiritual improvement, the intended purpose will be +fully answered. +<p> +<p> +The first entry is dated the 6th of the Tenth Month, 1811:-- +<p> +<p> +<i>First-day</i>.--Have been sweetly refreshed at our little meeting this +morning. I have long felt assured that Time calls for greater diligence in +me than has hitherto been rendered. And when I consider the innumerable +favors and privileges which I enjoy at the hands of Divine Providence, +beyond many of my fellow-creatures, and the few returns of gratitude I am +making, it raises in me an inexpressible desire that my few remaining days +may be dedicated, in humble obedience, to Him whose great and noble cause +I am professing to promote. +<p> +How unstable is human nature! On sitting down in meeting this evening I +got into a state of unwatchfulness, which continued so long as to deprive +me of the refreshment my poor mind so often stands in need of. +<p> +<p> +In the entries which follow, the progress of the inward work and the +preparation for future service are very evident:-- +<p> +<p> +13<i>th</i>.--Went to our morning gathering in a low frame of mind, and +was made afresh to believe that were we more concerned to dwell nearer the +pure principle of Truth when out of meetings, we should not find such +difficult access when thus collected, but each one would be encouraged to +come under the precious influence of that baptizing power which would +cement and refresh our spirits together. O then, I firmly believe, our +Heavenly Father would in an eminent manner condescend to crown our +assemblies with the overshadowing of his love, and enable us not only to +roll away the stone, but to draw living water as out of the wells of +salvation. +<p> +17<i>th</i>.--"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit +within me," was a language which secretly passed my mind in meeting this +morning; and though inwardly poor as I am, yet I dare not but acknowledge +it a privilege to be favored even with a good desire. +<p> +24<i>th</i>.--Was a little refreshed at our morning gathering, my spirit +being exercised under a concern that I might not rest satisfied with +anything short of living experience; and I felt comforted with a lively +hope that He whom my soul loveth will not fail to manifest his divine +regard to one who is sincerely desirous to become acquainted with his +ways. O, how shall I render sufficient thankfulness for such a favor, thus +to be made once more sweetly to partake of the brook by the way. +<p> +Thought the evening sitting rather dull, though the ministry of T. S. was +lively, which is a confirming proof that however favored we may be at +certain seasons, yet if at any time we suffer our attention to be diverted +from the real object, it frustrates the design of Him who I believe +intends that we should wait together to renew our strength. +<p> +<p> +In the Eleventh Month Henry Hull, from the United Slates, accompanied by +John Hull of Uxbridge, visited Burton, and had good service their, both +amongst Friends and with the public. They lodged at John Yeardley's, and, +in describing their labors and the pleasure he derived from their society, +he records his thankfulness at being placed in a situation in life such as +afforded him the opportunity of entertaining the Lord's servants. +<p> +His disposition was lively and strongly inclined to humor, and he early +felt the necessity of having this natural trait of character subjected to +the rule of heavenly wisdom. Under date 27th of the Eleventh Month he +says:-- +<p> +<p> +I feel a little compunction for having these few days past given way too +much to the lightness of my disposition, and not being sufficiently +concerned to seek after that stability and serious reflection which never +fails to improve the mind. +<p> +<p> +On the 26th of the Twelfth Month he records a state of spiritual poverty. +<p> +<p> +Such, he says, has been the instability of my mind, that my "Beloved is +unto me as a fountain sealed." But, he adds, I feel a little tendered this +evening, on reading over a few comfortable expressions in a letter from my +friend, Joseph Wood. +<p> +<p> +This condition of mind continued for some months, when he thus breaks +forth:-- +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 8, 1812.--How pleasant it is once more to be favored with a +few drops of living water from the springs of that well which my soul has +had for many weeks past to languish after, and which I trust has been +wisely withheld in order to show me that, although it is our indispensable +duty to persevere in digging for it, yet it is only in His own time that +we are permitted to drink thereof. +<p> +<p> +His just appreciation of the nature of meetings held for the discipline of +the Church, and of the spirit in which they are to be conducted, is shown +in an early part of the Diary. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 15.--Was at our Preparative Meeting. The queries having to be +answered, I was led into deep thoughtfulness respecting the same, and +inwardly solicited that the Father of mercies would lend his divine aid, +in the performance of such important duties; which I have reason to +believe was in some measure answered, for they were gone through with a +degree of ease and comfort to my own mind. May I ever keep in remembrance +the testimonies of his love which are so often manifested! +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 17.--Meeting for discipline at Burton. The forepart was +conducted, I think, to edification; but in the latter, one subject +occupied much time unnecessarily, and did not conclude to general +satisfaction. When some whose spirits are not well seasoned, speak to +circumstances which they may not have sufficiently considered, it +sometimes does more harm than they may at first apprehend. +<p> +<p> +The entries in the Diary at this time shew many alternations of +discouragement and comfort, and of that deep searching of his own heart +from which he seldom shrank, and which is the only way to the liberty and +peace of the soul. +<p> +<p> +4 <i>mo</i>. 12.--In contemplating the gracious dealings of the Almighty +with me from time to time, I have been led to query, Is it not that I +might, by patiently submitting to the turnings and overturnings of his +most holy hand, become fashioned to show forth his praise? But alas! where +are the fruits? Is not the work rather marring as on the wheel; can I, in +sincerity say, I am the clay, Thou art the potter? I feel weary of my own +negligence; for it seems as if the day with me was advancing faster than +the work, I fear lest I should be cast off for want of giving greater +diligence to make my calling sure. O may he who is perfect in wisdom +strengthen the feeble desire which remains, and melt my stubborn will into +perfect obedience by the operation of his pure spirit. +<p> +<p> +In the next memoranda which we shall transcribe we see when and how his +mind was imbued with the love of Scriptural inquiry and illustration. Two +or three good books well read and digested in younger life often form the +thinking habits of the man, and supply no small part of the substance, or +at any rate the nucleus, of his knowledge. This shows the vast importance +of a wise choice of authors, at the time when the mind is the most +susceptible of impressions, and the most capable of appropriating the food +which is presented to it. Those who knew John Yeardley will recognise the +intimate connexion between these early studies and the character of his +future life and ministry. If any should think his language on this or +kindred subjects marked by excessive caution, they must bear in mind the +comparative by unintellectual circle in which he moved. +<p> +<p> +I trust, he writes, under date of 4 mo. 28, a few of my leisure hours for +two or three weeks past have been spent profitably in perusing some of A. +Clarke's Notes on the Book of Genesis; and although I am fully aware that +the greatest caution is necessary, when these learned men undertake to +exercise their skill on the sacred text, yet I am of opinion, if used with +prudence and a right spirit attended to, it may tend considerably to +illustrate particular passages. I think this pious man has not only shown +his profound knowledge of the learned languages, but some of his +observations are so pertinent and so judiciously made, as may have a +tendency to produce spiritual reflection in the mind of the reader. +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 24.--Having read with some attention Fleury's "Manners of the +Israelites," by A. Clarke, I am convinced that even a slight knowledge of +those ancient customs tends to facilitate the proper study of the sacred +writings; for many of the metaphors so beautifully made use of by the +prophets and apostles, and even our dear Redeemer himself, to convey a +spiritual meaning, seem to have had an evident allusion to the antique +manners and customs which I find explained in this little volume. +<p> +<p> +The commotions referred to in the reflections which follow, were no doubt +the great European war which was then raging. Buonaparte, it may be +remembered, was at that time making preparation for his Russian campaign, +and a universal alarm prevailed as to the final result of his insatiable +lust of conquest. +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 7.--In viewing the commotions of the times, it has induced me +seriously to consider the great importance of procuring, as far as ability +may be afforded, a free access to the never-failing source of our help; +and in a little contemplating this subject I have been comforted in a hope +that, if we only abide stedfast and immovable, He whom the waves of the +sea obeyed will in his own time speak peace to the minds of his tossed +ones, and a calm will ensue. +<p> +<p> +The perusal of Elizabeth Smith's "Fragments" occasions him to remark how +profitable it is to read the writings of others; but he wisely adds:-- +<p> +<p> +I am often desirous not to rest satisfied with a bare perusal of these, +believing they are only advantageous to us so far as they stimulate to a +closer attention to that inward gift, which alone can enable us to witness +the same experience. It is often a query with me, how am I spending this +precious time, which passes so swiftly away never to return? and, in order +to answer this query aright, how desirable it is to dwell with thee, sweet +solitude! to turn inward, to examine and correct the defects of our own +disordered minds; how delightful it is to walk alone and contemplate the +beautiful scenes of nature. Yet in these retired moments, when viewing the +works of a divine hand springing up to answer the great end for which they +were created, I am often deeply perplexed with a distressing fear lest I +should not be found coming forward faithfully to answer the end of Him who +has created man for the purpose of his own glory. +<p> +<p> +The meetings for the discipline of the Society were often times of +spiritual refreshment to him. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo.</i> 23.--I left home to attend our Quarterly Meeting at York. The +meetings for business were generally satisfactory; on re-examining the +answers to the queries, divers very weighty remarks were made. I thought +the two meetings for worship favored seasons; and, although I left home +with reluctance, I cannot but rejoice at having given up a little time to +be made a partaker of the overflowing of that precious influence which, I +trust, made glad the hearts of many present. +<p> +<p> +The extracts which follow develope still further the progress of his inner +life, and the secret preparation of the future preacher of the Gospel and +overseer of the flock of Christ. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo.</i> 29.--A deep-searching time at meeting yesterday, wherein I +was given to see a little of my own unworthiness The secret breathings of +my spirit were to the Father and fountain of life, that he might be +pleased more and more to redeem me from this corrupted state of human +nature, and draw me by the powerful cords of his love into a nearer union +with the pure spirit of the Gospel. +<p> +7 <i>mo.</i> 6.--Thought an awful solemnity was the covering of our small +gathering yesterday morning, under which I felt truly thankful to the +Dispenser of every gift; and was enabled to crave his assistance to +maintain the watch with greater diligence, and pursue the ways of peace +with alacrity of soul. +<p> +29<i>th and</i> 30<i>th.</i>--The General Meeting at Ackworth was large, +and I thought very satisfactory through all its different sittings. The +meeting for worship was a remarkable time; the pure spring of gospel +ministry seemed to flow, as from vessel to vessel, until it rose into such +dominion as to declare the gracious presence of Him who is ever worthy to +be honored and adored for thus condescending to own us on such important +occasions. Iron is said to sharpen iron; and I thought it was a little the +case with me at this season, feeling very desirous to enjoy that within +myself which I so much admire in others. +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 13.--Many days have I gone mourning on my way, for what cause +I know not; but if I can only abide in patience till the day break and the +shadows flee away, then I trust the King of righteousness will again +appear. +<p> +25<i>th</i>.--In contemplating a little the character of that good man, +Nehemiah, I cannot but think it worthy our strictest imitation, when we +consider the heartfelt concern he manifested for the welfare of his +people, in saying, "Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that +we be no more a reproach." This proved him to be a man of a noble spirit +and a disinterested mind, and, I say, worthy our strictest imitation; for +to what nobler purpose can we dedicate our time than in endeavoring to +build up the broken places which are made in the walls of our Zion? +<p> +<p> +In the following entry is shown a just insight into the nature of man, and +a discernment of the uses and limits of human knowledge. Although John +Yeardley's talents were not brilliant, and his opportunities were scanty, +he possessed that intellectual thirst which cannot be slaked but at the +fountain of knowledge. At the same time he was sensitively alive to the +necessity of having all his pursuits, of whatever kind, kept within the +golden measure of the Spirit of Truth. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 11.--In taking a view of some of the temporal objects to +which my attention has of late been more particularly turned, with a +desire to enlarge my ideas and improve my understanding in some of the +more useful and extended branches of literature, it has excited in me a +considerable degree of caution, lest thereby I should, in this my infant +state of mind, too much exclude the operation of that pure in-speaking +word which has undoubtedly a prior right to govern all my actions. But I +have long been convinced that the active mind of man must have some object +in pursuit to engage its attention when unemployed in the lawful concerns +of life, otherwise it is apt to range at large in a boundless field of +unprofitable thoughts and imaginations. I am aware that we may be +seasonably employed in suitable conversation to mutual advantage, and I +trust I am not altogether a stranger to the value of <i>sweet +retirement</i>; but there is a certain something in every mind which +renders a change in the exercise of our natural faculties indispensable, +in order to make us happy in ourselves and useful members of society; and +it is under these considerations that I am induced to apply a few of my +leisure hours towards some degree of intellectual attainment, in the +humble hope that I may be preserved in that path which will procure at the +hands of a wise Director that approbation which I greatly desire should +mark all my steps. +<p> +<p> +The next extract from the diary will find a response in the hearts of many +who read these pages. +<p> +<p> +1813. 2 <i>mo</i>. 17.--Never, surely, was any poor creature so weary of +his weakness! Almost in everything spiritual, and even useful, I have not +only been as one forsaken, but it has seemed as though I was to be utterly +cast off. When I have desired to feel after good, evil has never failed to +present itself. O, when will He whose countenance has often made all +within me glad, see meet to return and say, "It is enough!" +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 27.--The thoughts which he put into writing under this date +seem to have been occasioned by entering into business on his own account. +<p> +<p> +Am now about to enter the busy scenes of life, which sinks me into the +very depth of humility and fear, lest the concerns of an earthly nature +should deprive me of my heavenly crown, which I have so often desired to +prefer even to life itself. But O, should there remain any regard in the +breast of the Father of mercies, for one who feels so unable to cope with +the world, may he still be pleased to preserve me in his fear, and not +only to take me under the shadow of his heavenly wing, but make me willing +to abide under the guidance of his divine direction! +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 15.--"Cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the +scribe, lest I die there." These words of our weeping prophet have +sensibly affected my heart this morning, under a prevailing desire that my +gracious rather may not permit me to remain as in the prison-house of +worldly affairs, lest I die my spiritual death there. +<p> +<p> +We shall see that he was not successful in business; and it may be that +the disappointments he experienced in this way were in some sort an answer +to these ardent prayers to be kept from the spirit of the world. +<p> +Under date 21<i>st</i> of the First Month, 1814, he writes: +<p> +<p> +I trust the few temporal disappointments I have met with of late have been +conducive to my best interest, having had a tendency to turn my views from +a too anxious pursuit after the things of time to a serious consideration +of the very great importance of a more strict reliance on the +never-failing arm of divine support, for the want of which I believe I +have suffered unspeakable loss. +<p> +<p> +About this time he had frequently to mourn over the difficulty of fixing +his mind in meetings for worship. He often complains of "wandering in the +unprofitable fields of vain imagination;" but sometimes also he bears a +joyful testimony to the Lord's power in enabling him to unite in spirit +with the living worshippers. +<p> +The fear of man is one of the most universal of the besetments which try +the faith of the Christian; and it may be encouraging to some to see on +this point the confession of one whose natural character was that of a +strong and independent mind. +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 6.--I am too apt to let in that slavish fear about men and +things which render me unable to cope with the world, and even unfits me +for properly seeking after the assistance of my Maker. O, may He who sees +my weakness enable me to overcome it! +<p> +<p> +During the summer of this year, several parties of Friends travelling in +the work of the ministry came to Burton; Sarah Lamley of Tredington, with +Ann Fairbank of Sheffield; Ann Burgess (afterwards Ann Jones); Elizabeth +Coggeshall from New York, with Mary Jefferys of Melksham; and John Kirkham +of Earl's Colne. The labors of these Friends are recorded by John Yeardley +with delight and thankfulness. He accompanied John Kirkham to Sheffield, +where they found Stephen Grellett. +<p> +<p> +How sweet it is, he remarks, to enjoy the company of these dedicated +servants, whom their great Master seems to be sending to and fro to spread +righteousness in the earth! I often think it has a tendency to help one a +little on the way towards the Land of Promise. When I consider these +favors, I am led to covet that a double portion of the spirit of the +Elijahs may so rest on the Elishas that others may also be raised to fill +up the honorable situations of those worthies, when they shall be removed +from works to rewards. +<p> +<p> +But of all the above-named, the visit of Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank was +for him by far the most memorable, and was the means of developing that +precious gift of ministry to which he had been called from his youth. The +extracts from his Diary which are given below speak of this visit, and +most instructively describe the time and manner in which he first received +his gift, as well as the weight which the approaching exercise of it +brought upon his mind. +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 27.--Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank lodged six nights with us, +and I accompanied them to Dirtcar and Wakefield. I can acknowledge their +innocent and agreeable company has been truly profitable to me, and has +united me very closely to their spirits in tender sympathy. +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 30.--Such a load of exercise prevails over my spirit, that it +requires some extra exertion to support it with my usual cheerfulness of +countenance. If I go into company, I find no satisfaction; for I cannot +appear pleasant in the society of my friends, feeling it irksome to +discourse even on matters of common conversation. From the feelings which +have attended my mind, it is evident that the cloud is at present resting +on the tabernacle, and I never saw more need for me to abide in my tent. +And O that patience may have its perfect work! for there is much to be +done in the vineyard of my own heart, before I can come to that state of +usefulness which I believe the Great [Husbandman] designs for me. The +secret language of my heart is, May his hand not spare nor his eye pity +until he has subdued all in me which obstructs the progress of his divine +work! +<p> +31<i>st</i>.--I trust I was once more favored, in meeting this morning, to +put up my secret petition in humble sincerity to the Shepherd of Israel, +that he would be graciously pleased to help my infirmities. In the +afternoon meeting I thought the petition was measurably answered; for +towards the conclusion the rays of divine light so overshadowed my mind as +to induce a belief that I should be assisted to overcome that spirit of +opposition which has too long existed to the detriment of my best +interests, if there was only a willingness to abide under the forming +hand. +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 1.--I now feel freedom to give a short account how it was +with me under this concern from its commencement down to the present time. +<p> +I remember well, about the year 1804, when in my father's house at +Blacker, once being in my chamber, in a very serious, thoughtful frame of +mind, receiving an impression that if ever I came to receive the truth +which I was then convinced of, to my everlasting benefit, I should have +publicly to declare of the gracious dealings of Divine Goodness to my +soul. The impression passed away with this remark deeply imprinted in my +mind, that if ever a like concern should come to be matured, I should date +the first intimation of it from this time. I was apt to view it for a +long, time as the mere workings of the enemy on my mind, and when it has +come before my view, I have often secretly said, "Get thee behind me, I +will not be tempted with such a thing." By these means I put it from me, +as it were, by force, not thinking it worthy of notice and often praying +to be delivered from such a gross delusion. At other times it would come +with such, weight on my spirit, that I could not avoid shedding tears, and +acknowledging the power which accompanied the revival of so important a +matter; and was led to query, If there is no real intention of a heavenly +nature, why am I thus harassed? and O the fervent sincerity in which I +desired that the right thing might have place, and if it was wrong, that I +might be enabled to find a release in His time who had appointed the +conflict! And I do believe, could I then have come at a perfect +resignation to the divine will, I might have been brought forward in a way +which would have afforded permanent relief to my own mind; but such was my +dislike to the work, that I suffered myself to be lulled into a state of +unbelief as to the rectitude of the concern. +<p> +Thus many outward circumstances transpired, and some years passed over, +with my only viewing the matter at a distance, until He who first laid the +concern upon me was pleased to bring it more clearly home to me, and +seemed at times to engage his servants, both in public and private, to +speak very clearly to my condition. And although I had a concurring +testimony in my own mind to their declarations, yet I had always an excuse +to flee unto by secretly saying, It may be intended for some one else; +until the Most High was graciously pleased, by the services of his sincere +handmaids, Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank, in their family visits to +Friends of Barnsley, as mentioned last Fifth Month, to speak so clearly to +my situation in their private opportunity with us, as to leave no room for +excuse; but I was forced to acknowledge, Thou art the man. Indeed, Sarah +Lamley was led in such an extraordinary manner, that I had no doubt at all +but that she was favored with a clear and fall sense of my state. She +began by enumerating the many fears which attended the apostles in their +various situations; how that Satan had desired to have some of them that +he might sift them as wheat in a sieve; "but," added she, "I have prayed +for thee, Peter, that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted +strengthen thy brethren." And how it was with Moses when the Almighty +appeared to him in a flame of fire in the bush, and that it was not until +the Most High had condescended to answer all Moses' excuses that he was +angry with him, and even then he condescended to let him have Aaron, his +brother, to go with him for a spokesman. Also how it was with Peter when +the threefold charge was given him to feed the lambs and the sheep. "It is +not enough," said she, "to acknowledge that we love the Lord, but there +must be a manifesting of our love by doing whatsoever he may command." +Methinks I still hear her voice, saying, "And O that there may not be a +pleading of excuses, Moses-like!" Thus was this valuable servant enabled +to speak to my comfort and encouragement, which I trust I shall ever +remember to advantage; but O that I may be resigned to wait the appointed +time in watchful humility, patience, and fear! for I find there is a +danger of seeking too much after outward confirmations, and not having the +attention sufficiently fixed on the great Minister of ministers, who alone +is both able and willing to direct the poor mind in this most important +concern, and in his own time to say, "Arise, shine; for thy light is +come." +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 22.--My poor mind has been so much enveloped in clouds of +thick darkness for months past, that I have sometimes been ready to +conclude I shall never live to see brighter days. Should even this be the +case I humbly hope ever to be preserved from accusing the just Judge of +the earth of having dealt hardly with me, but acknowledge to the last that +he has in mercy favored me abundantly with a portion of that light which +is said to shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. +<p> +<p> +We shall leave for the next chapter the relation of his first offerings in +the ministry, and conclude this with a striking passage which we find in +the Diary for this year. +<p> +John Yeardley was all his life very fond of the occupations of the garden. +A small piece of ground was attached to his house at Barnsley, which he +cultivated, and from which he was sometimes able to gather spiritual as +well as natural fruit. +<p> +Under date of the 22nd of the Seventh Month, he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +A very sublime idea came suddenly over my mind when in the garden this +evening. It was introduced as I plucked a strawberry from a border on +which I had bestowed much cultivation before it would produce anything; +but now, thought I, this is a little like reaping the fruit of my labor. +As I thus ruminated on the produce of the strawberry-bank, I was struck +with the thought of endless <i>felicity</i>, and the sweet reward it would +produce for all our toils here below. My mind was instantly opened to such +a glorious scene of divine good that I felt a resignation of heart to give +up all for the enjoyment of [such a foretaste] of <i>endless felicity</i>. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER II. +<p> +<p> +FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN +GERMANY IN 1820. +<p> +1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley +passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with +brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; +and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry +in a simple and affecting manner. +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo.</i> 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's +house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought +I could almost have publicly declared it; but not feeling that weight and +certainty which I had apprehended should accompany the performance of such +an important act, I was afraid of imparting that to others which might be +intended only for my own instruction; and so it has ended for the present. +But I am thankful in hoping that I am come a little nearer to that state +of resignation which was so beautifully exemplified by our great Pattern +of all good, who when He desired the bitter cup might pass from Him, +nevertheless added, "Not my will, but thine be done." And if I am at all +acquainted with my inward feelings, I trust I can in some degree of +sincerity say that my heart desires to rejoice more in the progress of +this state of happy resignation, than at the increase of corn, wine, or +oil. +<p> +<p> +He first opened his mouth in religious testimony in the First Month of +this year. The occurrence seems to have taken place in his own family; it +yielded him a "precious sense of the Divine Presence." He began to preach +in public a few months later, but not without another struggle against the +heavenly impulse. +<p> +The friendship which Joseph Wood entertained for John Yeardley +strengthened with revolving years. When he visited Barnsley, he was +accustomed to lodge at his house; and writing to him in the year 1811, +about a public meeting which he felt concerned to hold, he says, "I can +with freedom write to thee, feeling that unity with thy spirit which +preserves us near and dear to each other, and in which freedom runs." +<p> +In the Fourth Month of this year, when Joseph Wood received a certificate +to visit some of the midland counties, J.Y. felt desirous "of setting him +a little on his way." +<p> +<p> +On the 14th, he says, we went to Woodhouse, where we had a meeting, and my +friend was enabled to speak very closely to the states of many present. +When in the meeting, I felt a very weighty exercise to attend my mind +with an intimation publicly to express it. But this exposure I dared not +yield to, under an apprehension that it might be wrong in me, considering +the occasion on which I had come out; but truly I left the place under a +burden which I was scarcely able to bear. +<p> +<p> +It was on the 20th of the Fourth Month that he began to speak in public as +a minister of the Gospel. He thus records the event:-- +<p> +<p> +I felt myself in such a resigned frame of mind in our little week-day +meeting, that I could not doubt the time was fully come for me to be +relieved from that state of unspeakable oppression which my poor mind had +been held in for so many years past. Soon after I took my seat, my mind +became unusually calm, and the presence of the Most High seemed so to +abound in my heart and spread over the meeting, that after some inward +conflict I was unavoidably constrained publicly to express it, in nearly +the following words: "I think I have so sensibly felt the precious +influence of divine love to overshadow our little gathering, that I have +been ready to say, It is good for us to be here; or I might rather say, It +is good for us to feel ourselves under the precious influence of that +protecting power which can alone preserve us from the snares of death." +This first [public] act of submission to the divine will was done with as +much stability of mind and body as I was capable of; and I thought the +Friends present seemed sensible of my situation and sympathized with me +under the exercise. I trust the sweet peace which I afterwards felt was a +seal to my belief that I had been favored with divine compassion and +approbation in the needful time. +<p> +<p> +In the Fifth Month John Yeardley attended for the first time the Yearly +Meeting in London. He describes the business as very various and +instructive, but bewails his own condition as that of "one starving in the +midst of every good thing." +<p> +<p> +It seemed at times, he says, as though Satan himself was let loose upon +me, and permitted to try my faith and patience to the utmost; but I hope +the conflict had its use in teaching me to know that it is not by might, +nor by power, but by the Lord's Spirit, that we are enabled to prevail. +<p> +<p> +This was the commencement of another season of spiritual poverty. In +reading a few of his memoranda during this time, many a Christian +traveller may see his own mourning countenance reflected as in a glass. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 8.--I have for a long time felt so depressed in spirit, and +so inwardly stripped of every appearance of good, that I have often +secretly had to say with tried Job, "O that I were as in months past, as +in the days when God preserved me!" +<p> +16<i>th</i>.--Death and darkness are still the covering of my poor mind, +and I am ashamed to acknowledge that I have for months past sat meeting +after meeting a victim to the baneful consequences of wandering thoughts, +scarcely being able to recollect myself so much as to ask excuse of Him +who sees in secret. In these times of deepest desertion I am selfish +enough to feel a longing desire for a ray of light or a smile from the +countenance of Him, under whose banner I have many times sat with the +greatest delight in days that are past. +<p> +O, how hard it is to regain divine favor when once sacrificed through the +sorrowful act of disobedience! O may I sit as in dust and ashes, and, with +the noble resignation and spirit of a true, dedicated follower, say, I +will patiently hear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned +against him! +<p> +<p> +Nevertheless, even in his times of deepest humiliation, moments of +heavenly comfort were interspersed. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 23.--A more improved meeting than I had reason to hope from +cross occurrences, which are too apt to ruffle the unstable mind. Daring +our silent sitting together, I was comforted in contemplating the many +encouraging passages we have left on sacred record; two of which, spoken +by one of large experience, were particularly solacing to my exercised +feelings: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord +delivereth him out of them all;" and "The young lions do lack and suffer +hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." O, +thought I, if we could only procure Him on our side who has the thoughts +of all men in his keeping, what should we have to fear! We should then be +brought to acknowledge that it behooves a Christian traveller to crave the +assistance of Him who can enable us to suffer with becoming fortitude and +resignation all the afflicting dispensations of life, rather than desire +to be preserved from meeting them. +<p> +<p> +The hard mutter which is the subject of the next extract embodies a +difficulty that has perplexed many. It is always encouraging to find +companionship in doubts and trials, and perhaps the consideration which +pacified the mind of John Yeardley may be helpful to some who are tried in +the same way. The passage, no doubt, has reference to his own want of +better success in business. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo.</i> 30.--When any circumstance in the common course of life, +which has appeared to turn up in the direction of Divine Providence, has +not answered my expectation, or on deliberate consideration it has not +seemed prudent for me to step into it, I have sometimes felt greatly +discouraged, and been ready to conclude, How could this thing be ordered +under the direction of best wisdom! But let me ever remember, He who has +his way in the whirlwind knows what is best for us; and were it not for +these incitements to an exercise of feeling, the mind would be apt to lie +dormant, and not be preserved alive in a proper state to prove all things +and hold fast that which is best. +<p> +<p> +About the end of the year he was obliged to spend several days in London +on business. The course of his affairs seems to have been uneven, and the +great city was probably uncongenial to his retired habits. He says:--- +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 15.--I do not remember that my feelings were ever more +discouraging, both inwardly and outwardly. When the mind is ruffled about +the things of time, it is hard work to make any progress towards the land +of peace. I try to get to the well of water; but truly it may be said I +have nothing to draw with. +<p> +<p> +Yet even under these circumstances his daily religious practices--those +which no competitor for the meed of peace and the crown of glory can +dispense with--were not without avail. +<p> +<p> +16<i>th</i>.--In reading and retirement before I left my room, I received +a little hope that I should be preserved in a good degree of patience +through the cross occurrences of the day, which was measurably the case. +<p> +<p> +The life of a Christian is very much the history of outward and inward +trials. How happy it is when these serve only to deepen his experience! +The nature of John Yeardley's spiritual trials has been fully shown: his +temporal crosses have also been glanced at; they consisted mainly of want +of success in business, in which, indeed, he was little fitted to excel, +under the keen competition of modern times. +<p> +<p> +1816. 1 <i>mo</i>. 4.--A new year has commenced, but the old afflictions +are still continued, both inwardly and outwardly; for even in temporal +affairs disappointments rage high. But O what a privilege to sink down to +the anchor-hope of divine support! This is what I can feelingly +acknowledge this evening to be as a brook by the way to refresh my poor +and long-distressed mind. O, how ardently do I desire that this season of +adversity may be sanctified to me for everlasting good, and prove the +means of slaying that will in me, which has too long been opposed to the +will of Him who paid the ransom for my soul with nothing less than the +price of his own precious blood. +<p> +<p> +The difficulty of making his way in the commercial world increased until +the risk of "failure began to stare him in the face." The fear of such a +result sank him exceedingly low; but through all he was permitted to keep +his footing upon the rock, and to behold a spiritual blessing under the +guise of temporal adversity. +<p> +<p> +7<i>th</i>.--Surely it is a mark of divine favor to feel the supporting +hand of my heavenly Father underneath, to bear up my drooping spirits in +this time of adversity. I think I was never more sensible of his powerful +arm being made bare for my deliverance; and yet, unaccountable to tell, I +am almost afraid to trust in him. O, my soul, wherefore dost thou doubt, +when thou feelest the glorious presence of thy Redeemer's countenance to +shine upon thee? +<p> +In the meeting this morning, he continues, my mind was profitably +exercised in contemplating the following subject. When our dear Lord was +about to perform the miracle of feeding the multitude, he commanded them +to sit down upon the grass. They were undoubtedly hungry, and this might +create in them too great an anxiety to be satisfied in their own time; but +that all things might be done in order, and without interruption, they +were commanded to sit down and wait the disposal of their food from the +bountiful hand of their great Master. In looking at the subject, I thought +it a lively representation of the state of mind we ought to labor after, +when favored to feel hunger and thirst after righteousness; not +frustrating the design of the Most High by being too anxious to be filled +in our own will and way, but patiently waiting the time of Him who giveth +to all their meat in due season, and that which is most convenient for +them. And what greater privilege could we desire than to be fed at the +Lord's table? +<p> +9<i>th</i>.--As my precious wife and I were consoling each other this +evening, she remarked that the dispensation we were now suffering under +was probably in answer to our prayers. This brought strikingly to my +remembrance a secret petition which I have frequently put up in the most +fervent manner I have been capable of, when deeply lamenting my +unsubjected will; I have even cried out aloud, "O make me willing; do, +Lord, make me willing, make me willing!" +<p> +O then may I submit to the means, if for this end they are appointed, and +resign my all, body, soul and spirit, into the hands of Him who gave them; +and may I patiently endure the swelling of Jordan in a manner that will +enable me to bring from the bottom, stones of everlasting memorial. +<p> +<p> +After this he was led for a while by the Good Shepherd into the green +pastures and beside the still waters. +<p> +<p> +1<i>st mo</i>. 15.--Our Monthly Meeting at Wakefield, and a heavenly +meeting it was. +<p> +29<i>th</i>.--I left home for a journey into the north on business. I had +many precious seasons of retirement as I rode along, and I humbly trust my +soul has been enabled to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with her +Beloved, in such a way as will not easily be erased from my remembrance. +<p> +<p> +Notwithstanding the deep and varied experience he had passed through, his +unwillingness to expose himself as a preacher of the gospel was still +strong, and sometimes obstructed the performance of his duty. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 20.--Joseph Wood had a public meeting at Pilley. I felt +something on my spirit to communicate to the people in the early part, but +thinking the meeting was not sufficiently settled to receive it, I +reasoned away the right time; another did not offer during the whole +meeting for me to relieve my poor mind, so I brought my burden home with +me, which indeed proved such as I really thought I should have sunk under. +<p> +<p> +The "severe stripes," as he terms it, which he received on this occasion +at length produced a willing mind. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 10.--I went with my dear wife to attend the burial of my +cousin Joseph Watts at Woodhouse, and was at the meeting there on +Fourth-day the 11th. It was largely attended by relations and friends. I +felt so sensibly the danger that some present were in of trifling away the +reproofs of conviction, that I could not forbear reviving the language +which was proclaimed to the Prophet Jonah, when he had fled from the +presence of the Lord and was fallen asleep in the ship, "What meanest +thou, O sleeper, arise, call upon thy God." After commenting a little on +the subject, I sat down under great solemnity which seemed to cover the +meeting, and I can thankfully say the fruit of obedience was sweet to my +taste. +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 1.--Went to meeting this morning with a fearful apprehension +lest I should have to expose myself in that which is so contrary to my +natural inclination. And so it proved; for I had not sat long, before I +was made willing to express what rested weightily on my mind, and that was +the case of Gideon, when the angel appeared to him under the oak as he +threshed wheat. I commented a little on the subject, which afforded me +great satisfaction and joy. +<p> +<p> +In the following entry, notwithstanding the tardy obedience which it +records, we find his commission as one of the Lord's watchmen sealed upon +his mind. +<p> +<p> +1817. 4 <i>mo</i>. 7. In meeting yesterday morning I was enabled publicly +to relieve myself of a little matter which had been a burden on my mind +for two or three meetings past, in which I had felt pretty smartly the rod +which, is held over the head of the disobedient. In this instance, human +nature seemed stubborn in a double degree, but after it was over I felt my +peace flow as a river. Methinks I now hear this language proclaimed in the +secret of my heart: I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; +therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. O what +an important charge! May I duly consider the weight of it, and so watch +over my own conduct, in thought, word and action, that I may not be +pulling down with one hand that which I may be endeavoring to build up +with the other. If I am to be an instrument in the hand of the Almighty, +may he graciously condescend to prepare and sharpen the arrows he may see +meet to shoot through the medium of his poor servant, so that they may +sink deep, wound the hypocrite, and comfort the pure divine life in the +hearts of his children. +<p> +<p> +A few weeks after this, John Yeardley attended a remarkable meeting held +by Joseph Wood, in which they were made to sit in heavenly places in +Christ Jesus. +<p> +<p> +4 <i>mo</i>. 29.--I attended another public meeting appointed by J.W. at +Middletown, about ten miles from here. When I entered the town I felt very +flat, and was ready to say, The fear of the Lord is not in this place; but +after the meeting was gathered, I soon found what poor creatures we are, +to judge of these things without waiting for best direction; for I think +it was the most extraordinary time I ever knew. My friend bore a long and +powerful testimony, to the tendering of many present. If I ever forget it +while in my natural senses, I fear I shall be near losing my habitation +the truth; for it was as if heaven opened, and the Most High poured down +his blessed Spirit in an unbounded degree. +<p> +<p> +All this time his business affairs went on more and more adversely; and +although he never failed punctually to meet all his money engagements, his +want of success led in this year to a change of residence to Bentham. +<p> +Three months before he left Barnsley he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +"Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they +fine it." Pecuniary difficulties seem as if they would eat up every green +thing; but I hope and trust that He who has often said, Peace, be still, +will so regulate the heat of the furnace that I may be able to bear it +with becoming patience, until there be nothing left in me but what +resembles the pure gold fit for the Master's use. When I reflect on what +my poor mind has passed through for more than two years past, I am +convinced nothing short of that Arm which brought the Israelites through +the Red Sea could have supported me. And O, should he ever loose my hands, +that I may serve Him freely, may I never forget the many covenants made +with Him who has so often heard and answered my prayer when in deep +distress! +<p> +<p> +Through the assistance of some of his Barnsley friends, an offer was made +to him of a situation in a flax-spinning mill at Bentham, which was then +or had lately been the property of Charles Parker, a minister in the +Society of Friends. He accepted the offer; and an extract from a letter to +his wife, when on a journey, will show the motives under which he acted in +this important step. +<p> +<p> +Hawkshead, 6 mo. 28, 1817. +<p> +MY VERY PRECIOUS DEAR, +<p> +When I wrote thee last, my time and feelings would not permit me to say +much on our impending prospect of leaving Barnsley; but since then this +very important subject has obtained my most serious and weighty +consideration, and I am now free to communicate to thee my feelings, in +order that thou mayest weigh them duly and compare them with thy own while +we are separated. In the first place, in taking such a step, we must be +reconciled to sacrifice our present comfortable home, our relations and +friends--in short, all that may seem near and dear to us as to the +outward. With respect to our spiritual prospect, I must confess, if any +service is designed for me in the Church militant, I have sometimes +apprehended it might be within the compass of our present Particular and +Monthly Meetings; but should this be ordered otherwise in best wisdom, I +trust I shall be relieved from the oppressive feeling, and in a short time +see my way clear. On the other hand, if this change takes place, we have a +probability of a comfortable living, and of being relieved from the +extreme anxiety attendant on trade, when the whole responsibility rests on +our own shoulders. +<p> +H.R. [one of the firm who had offered to employ him] seemed rather +desirous for me to come. If we should agree, he wants me to go over +directly to lay down plans for a few weavers' houses, and to make other +arrangements to save time until we could remove. +<p> +I don't much like the situation of the house in the town, but I think +another might be had if required. They have a nice one in Low Bentham, +with a good garden attached, which would be at liberty in next Fifth +Month; this would be a pleasant walk from the mill by the water-side all +the way, which might be useful to my health after being confined in the +warehouse, and much nearer to the meeting. It is a very small meeting +indeed; there are only about two female Friends; but, should we be in the +right place, the smallness of the number would not preclude our access to +the divine spring. +<p> +I don't know how we shall come on with the thread trade, but it seems as +if we were to be done out with both thread and linens, for there is +scarcely any thing selling with me on this journey. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley and his wife removed to Bentham in the Eighth Month, 1817. +Bentham is a considerable village on the north-west border of Yorkshire, a +few miles from the foot of Ingleborough; and it was at that time, +according to the division of the county adopted by the Society of Friends, +comprised in the Monthly Meeting of Settle. +<p> +After a season of deep spiritual poverty, during which he found no place +for the exercise of his gift, John Yeardley began to speak in ministry in +the little meeting to which he now belonged. On recording the circumstance +he remarks:-- +<p> +<p> +Thus does a gracious Father lead on his children step by step, baptizing +them first into one state and then into another, in order to qualify them +to drop a word in season for the comfort of others. Little did I think +under the recent buffetings of the Enemy, that I should ever have had to +open my mouth again in the way of declaring the everlasting goodness of a +gracious Redeemer. +<p> +<p> +This memorandum was made a few days after the occurrence to which it +refers, on his return from Settle Monthly Meeting, and is accompanied +the record of a fresh unfolding to his mental eye of the need of gospel +laborers, and of his own vocation to the work. In my return I had rather +an unusual opening into the state of society, and the great want of +laborers therein; and querying with myself, By whom shall the Lord send? I +thought I felt the weight and power of the everlasting gospel upon me to +preach, so that I was willing to say, Here am I; send me. O the importance +of this language! May the same Spirit, which I trust raised it in my heart +preserve me in every state to the end of time! Amen. +<p> +<p> +The extract which follows treats of the same subject,--the calling and +exercise of the ministry. From this, and from the whole tenor of what has +been extracted from the Diary, will be seen in what his ministry +consisted, and what was the call and the power which was required in every +successive exercise of it. May it serve as a word of caution and +instruction to such as are disposed to reduce this heavenly gift to a mere +effort of Christian good-will, or to consider the exercise of it as +placed, whether in regard to time or subject, at the disposal of the +minister. It will be observed how John Yeardley, in after life so abundant +in word and doctrine, and so catholic in his ideas and sympathies, +received his vocation as a divine gift immediately from above, and served +in it an apprenticeship altogether spiritual, and apart from human +learning or instruction. +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 26.--I have been very much instructed to-day in reading and +reflecting on the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. When the prophet was asked if +the dry bones could live, he was wise enough cautiously to answer, "O Lord +God, thou knowest;" but when he was commanded to prophesy unto them, and +say, "O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord," this was hard work, yet +there was no conferring with flesh and blood. No reasoning from +probabilities, nothing but an implicit faith and dependence on the divine +power which was then upon him, could have enabled him to do it. O what an +instructive lesson! When the poor instruments may feel so weak and the +state of things so low, that there may not be the least probability of +good arising, it is enough if they can only do the will of their great +Master, and be enabled to say with the holy prophet, "I prophesied as the +Lord commanded." +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley did not take his actual farewell of Barnsley until the end +of the year. The reflections which he has recorded on leaving his home of +so many years are very characteristic of the man:-- +<p> +<p> +1818. 1 <i>mo</i>.--The Twelfth Month was spent at Barnsley in settling my +affairs. Just before I left Bentham for that purpose, I was exceedingly +unhappy at the idea of leaving my home, friends, &c. at Barnsley, and +thought the parting feeling would be almost more than I could support. I +was enabled to pray fervently to the Father of spirits, that he would be +pleased to afford me strength to bear the change with Christian fortitude, +and resign all to the disposal of his divine will; and thankful I am to +relate, he so answered my request that I could leave the place to which I +had been so long attached without a sigh. I have no doubt my removal, +without consulting more of my friends, will appear strange to many. This I +could never feel liberty to do; nor could I make any person living +acquainted with my entire motive, but my precious wife. Whatever may be +the opinion of others, this is a matter which rests between me and my God; +and I often think it a favor that we are not accountable to man, who views +too much the outside appearance, while He with whom we have to do looks at +the heart. +<p> +After I had left Barnsley I went to Pontefract, to spend a few days with +my friends there, where my poor lass had been for a week. I don't know +that this time was unprofitably spent; but this I know--it never requires +more care and watchfulness to be preserved in a seasonable frame of spirit +than when the mind is set at ease to enjoy the company of a few intimate +friends. We are too apt to get our thoughts dissipated, and thus our +conversation becomes less seasoned with grace than it would be if the +girdle of truth were kept tightly bound. +<p> +<p> +The next entry notices a remarkable interview which, he had with a woman +Friend from America:-- +<p> +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--This day a meeting has been held at the desire of Hannah +Field from North America. I stepped down to see her at J. Stordy's; and in +the few minutes we were together, before she took leave, she addressed +herself to me in a very feeling manner. Although she was an entire +stranger, she spoke so pointedly to my state of mind, and expressed the +reward of faithfulness in such encouraging terms, that my feelings were in +nowise able to resist the power which attended, but I was forced to +acknowledge it as a nail fastened in a sure place. +<p> +<p> +Amongst some letters addressed by Elizabeth Yeardley to Susanna Harvey of +Barnsley, is one in which mention is made of the visit of Hannah Field to +Bentham; and, although the passage does not relate to the private +interview described above, it is interesting as the reminiscence of a +remarkable woman. +<p> +Bentham, 2 <i>mo</i>. 2, 1818. +<p> +We have been favored lately with a visit, unexpected but highly +acceptable, from that great minister, Hannah Field, from America. She very +much resembles Sarah Lamley; and when she began, it seemed as if one had +been informing her of the state of the meeting. Her discourse began with +the parable of the Ten Virgins, which was very beautiful but awful. +Addressing herself again, she was very consolatory and affecting. She is +tall and inclined to <i>embonpoint</i>; her age fifty-three. +<p> +<p> +In the Third Month of this year, the Monthly Meeting from which he had +recently removed, that of Pontefract, recorded its approval of his +ministry. It is not usual for meetings to do this in the case of one who +has gone to reside elsewhere. The practice at that time was, in Yorkshire +at least, in issuing a certificate of removal for a Friend who had begun +to exercise the ministry and was still under probation, to notice the fact +of his preaching, without pronouncing a judgment upon it. But when the +usual document of removal was asked for at the Monthly Meeting, on behalf +of John Yeardley, the meeting paused upon the words which noticed his +offerings in the ministry, and solemnly resolved then and there to give +him a full certificate as a minister in unity, and to "recommend him as +such to the Quarterly Meeting." It happened that men and women Friends +were together, the latter remaining whilst Joseph Wood laid a concern for +some religious service before the joint meeting. +<p> +John Yeardley remarks on this act of his late Monthly Meeting:-- +<p> +<p> +The concurrence of my friends with my small offerings cannot but feel +comfortable and encouraging to a poor timorous creature like me; but the +awful consideration of ranking among the servants who speak in the Lord's +name humbles me to the dust. Surely those who are designed to minister +before the Lord in his holy temple ought to bear the inscription of +holiness upon them. The means by which this inscription, is obtained is so +painful to flesh and blood that we are always ready to shrink from the +operation. When we have borne the furnace heated to a certain degree, we +are ready to fancy nothing but pure gold remains; until the refining hand +sees meet to administer fresh [trials], then we are ready again to cry +out, If it be thy will, let this cup pass by. +<p> +<p> +In the Sixth Month he joined Joseph Wood and William Midgley of Rochdale, +in visiting some neighboring meetings. Of Kendal, which was one, he says +it appeared to him "as if a remarkable revival was taking place in those +parts;" and he concludes his short account of the journey with an +acknowledgment of the satisfaction he felt in having given up to this +little service. +<p> +Joseph Wood in his diary relates the same visit more at large. We have +extracted the account of that portion of it in which John Yeardley was +engaged, and believe the reader will find it interesting in several +respects. +<p> +<p> +1818. 6 <i>mo</i>. 10.--Reached my beloved friend John Yeardley's house, +in Bentham, about half-past eight o'clock, where we took up our quarters, +and where we were favored with a renewed feeling of that love which had +many times nearly united our spirits together. +<p> +On the 11th we spent this day very comfortably with these long-beloved and +truly valuable friends, and in the evening Lad a public meeting appointed +for Friends and people of other societies in their meeting-house in +Bentham, about a mile and a half from their house. We walked thither, it +being very pleasant through the fields. The meeting began at half-past +six, and held two hours and a quarter. A pretty many who usually attend +meetings, and a great concourse of people of other societies, attended, +that the meeting-house, both above and below stairs, was well filled, and +several were in the passage and in an adjoining room. A precious solemnity +mercifully overshadowed us, whereby the minds of many were prepared to +receive what the Lord was pleased instrumentally to communicate to the +many different states; and O that they may individually profit thereby! +for sure it was a time of favor unto many. I had a very long testimony to +bear therein, first from Isaiah lviii. 1, 2. John Yeardley held a pretty +long time next, from John ii. 4. I next, from 1 Cor. xiv. 19. +<p> +On the 12th we set out for Wray in Lancashire, five miles, John Yeardley +being our guide, taking his wife and Ann Stordy along with him in a taxed +cart. We had a very pleasant ride thither, down a beautiful valley, +through which the river Wenning runs; had on our right hand a line view of +Hornby Castle, now in part gone to decay. Got to Wray about half-past ten, +and went to the meeting, which began at eleven o'clock. Twenty-three +persons attended, one of whom appeared to be of another society. I sat +therein for a considerable time in a very low state, and feeling a concern +to stand up, I gave up, although in great weakness: different states +opened and were spoken to in the authority of the gospel; and I had a long +testimony to bear from Luke xv. 8. John Yeardley had a pretty long time +next, from Lam. iii. 26; afterwards I was concerned in prayer, and felt +truly thankful for the renewed mark of divine favor, and secretly rejoiced +that my lot was cast here. +<p> +<p> +On the 13th John Yeardley accompanied Joseph Wood to Kendal. +<p> +<p> +It was with difficulty, says J.W., we got into the town for the crowd of +people; the Parliament being dissolved, and a new election of members +about to take place; and there being an opposition in this county; Henry +Brougham, the favorite candidate of the people, against the Lonsdales. +They were waiting his arrival in the town to canvass for votes. After tea +I went to Thomas Wilson's; his house was nearly opposite the inn where +Henry Brougham put up. When he arrived the populace took his horses from +the carriage, and hurried him into the town, and to the inn, four flags +flying and a band of music went before him. After he alighted he went into +an upper room, and addressed the largest multitude of people that I ever +saw collected, from the window, for about an hour, in a very impressive +manner; and so great was the crowd in the street that many fainted. All +was quiet, and, after he had done, they separated in a becoming manner. +<p> +On the 14th we attended their meetings in Kendal. The forenoon meeting +began at ten o'clock. It is large, and was pretty open and satisfactory. I +had a long testimony to bear therein, first, from John xv. 14. John +Yeardley had a pretty long time next. He opened from these words: "O thou, +the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, manifest thyself that thou yet +reignest in Israel." I next, from Proverbs ix. 12. +<p> +<p> +After visiting several other meetings, Joseph Wood came to Lancaster, +where he was again met by John Yeardley. +<p> +<p> +On the 21st we attended both their meetings in Lancaster. The forenoon +meeting began at ten o'clock. When we got there we were agreeably +surprised to find dear John Yeardley, who had walked this morning fifteen +miles to meet us. The meeting was large of Friends, and it proved a time +of renewed visitation unto many who were afar off, and of encouragement to +those who were nigh. I had a very long testimony to bear therein, from +Matt. xxii. 12. John Yeardley had a short but very acceptable time next, +from Esther iv. 14. Afterwards I was concerned in prayer. +<p> +<p> +Elizabeth Yeardley speaks of this visit in one of her letters:-- +<p> +<p> +J.Y. went to Lancaster, though the day was unfavorable. He trudged on foot +to meet Joseph Wood, and got in good time for the meeting, fifteen miles +distant, and returned home the same evening. J. W. was very much favored +all the time he was in those parts; he really appears endowed with +astonishing powers. +<p> +<p> +The same letter affords a glimpse of the social position, which John and +Elizabeth Yeardley occupied at Bentham:-- +<p> +<p> +We are very quiet, have kind neighbors, a very pleasant habitation, and +little society, plenty of books both of the religious and amusing kind, +and leisure to meditate on the one thing needful, which is to fit us for +that place to which we are fast hastening:-- +<blockquote> + "'For who the longest lease enjoy<br><br> + Have told us with a sigh,<br><br> + That to be born seems little more<br><br> + Than to begin to die."<br><br> +</blockquote> +(13<i>th of Seventh Month</i>, 1818.) +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley, no less than his wife, found in Bentham a seasonable +retreat from the harassing cares of the world. A memorandum made in the +autumn of this year shows that the doubts with which he was perplexed on +the subject of his removal from Barnsley, were entirely dispelled, and +that the change in his abode and position had been the happy means of +relieving him from the load of anxiety which once seemed ready to crush +him. +<p> +<p> +1819. 9 <i>mo</i>. 15.--The tender, merciful Father who shelters our heads +in battle has covered mine when many things were hot upon me. He has +provided a retreat for me until the fury of the oppressor be overpast. I +have often wondered at the cause which drove me from my former residence, +but I now begin to see pointedly the hand of Providence bringing me to +this place of quiet retreat. Should He who has brought me thus far see it +to be for my good to set me on the banks of deliverance, may I have no +desire to live for anything but to sing his praise! +<p> +<p> +After being recognised by the Church as a minister, he was again tried +with a season of spiritual desertion; and this phase in his religious +history, with his reflections upon it, and the holy resolution and hope +with which he concludes, may be useful in strengthening the faith of +others under similar circumstances. +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 4.--O what a stripping time have I had since I wrote last! +My pen would fail to set forth the inward desertion I have experienced for +months past, so that my poor mind is almost worn out with waiting and +watching in the absence of the Bridegroom of souls. My enemy seems to have +set up his throne in me, and leads my wandering thoughts captive at his +pleasure. I have no weapons of my own to fight him with, and it seems as +if Infinite Goodness had refused me the grant of that armor which I have +before experienced the means of putting my adversary to flight. For what +end this may be I know not, but the suffering time is hard to the natural +part. If I am left to perish, O may it be in praying, trusting and +believing in my Redeemer's love! and if I am not suffered to behold again +the brightness of his glorious countenance here on earth, may I be favored +with it shining on me in heaven! +<p> +<p> +At the commencement of this year, 1819, apprehending himself required to +pay a religious visit to the families of Friends in Barnsley, he consulted +Joseph Wood on the subject, who encouraged him "not to be afraid to +pursue" the path which had been opened before him. In relation to this +prospect of service, J.Y. has the following pertinent remarks on the +ministry:-- +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 19.--If I am suffered to go, may the humble spirit of Jesus +go with me, and put a word in my heart that may prove as a sword in my +hand, with which I may fight his battles! This is the only way in which +his servants can minister so as to reach the witness in the hearts of his +children. We might speak on subjects which might seem right and fit in +themselves, but it is as our hearts come to be acted upon immediately by +the Spirit of truth, the same principle which prepares us to utter sound +words, prepares also a counterpart in the minds of others to receive them. +Thus it may be said we become <i>one</i> in spirit and truly edified +together in the love of the Gospel. +<p> +<p> +In order to perform the visit, J.Y. had, in the good order in use amongst +Friends, to receive the concurrence of his Monthly Meeting. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 10.--Was at the Monthly Meeting, where I mentioned to my +friends my prospect of visiting Barnsley, and obtained their sympathetic +concurrence, with a copy of a minute expressing their full unity and +approbation. +<p> +My feelings on the occasion were very different from what I had +anticipated. A divine solemnity appeared so to cover the minds of all +present, that the enemy was trodden under foot, and not a fear was +suffered to approach. What condescending goodness of a tender Father to +his weak children! +<p> +<p> +Some interesting notice of this service, and of the journey which he made +to perform it, is contained in his Diary. +<p> +<p> +13<i>th</i>.--The evening before I set off, I was earnestly engaged in +supplicating for divine protection both inward and outward; and an +assurance was given me that it should be granted, and in a manner so clear +as I had no right to expect. These words were as if spoken distinctly in +my outward ears: "A hair of thy head shall not be hurt." In the confidence +of this promise I went forth, and found it mercifully made good; for +though I was overturned in the mail on the road, a hair of my head was not +hurt, and not so much as a fear was suffered to come near. +<p> +<p> +On the 18th, after visiting all the families, he attended the Week-day +Meeting, where he had to review his labors, and to address the assembled +Friends "nearly in these words:--In the course of my little proceedings +among my friends in this place, I have sometimes been baptized for the +dead, while at other times I have been made to rejoice in the resurrection +of life: I hope this is a language my friends will understand." After this +he preached to them on the case of Nicodemus, saying that there may be a +time when our Heavenly Father, in his tender compassion for our infant +state, permits us to come to Jesus by night or in secret; yet when he is +pleased to say, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the +Lord is risen upon thee," danger will betide us if we then flinch from an +open confession. Some time after he had finished, a woman Friend rose and +uttered a few words. She had never before been able to overcome the force +of her natural fears. +<p> +In noticing this circumstance, J.Y. says he does so because, before he +went to Barnsley, he asked that if his small services were acceptable, the +Most High would give him a sign, by owning his labors with his sensible +approbation, and making him an instrument to help forward his work in the +hearts of his children. +<p> +On another occasion, in allusion to a similar occurrence, he has the +following reflections:-- +<p> +<p> +"The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach +Christ crucified." I am like the two former, because I dare even to ask a +sign and to seek after wisdom; but to be like the latter is what I covet +most sincerely--to preach Christ crucified, not only in words, but in life +and conversation. If I err in sometimes asking for a sign, I trust it will +be forgiven, because it is done in the simplicity of my heart, to know my +Father's will, and we have examples of this having been granted to the +worthies in times of old.--(12 <i>mo</i>. 8.) +<p> +<p> +In the Twelfth Month of 1819, John Yeardley attended the Quarterly Meeting +at York, and has some religious service on the way. His account of this +little journey is preceded by some instructive reflections on his own +infirmities and lack of ready obedience. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 15.--I feel exceedingly discouraged at my own obstinacy in +not keeping more humble, watchful, and attentive to the inward monitor. I +am sensible loss is sustained in a religions sense by giving way too much +to an airy disposition. +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 12.--When I consider the many years which have elapsed since +I first enlisted under the Lord's banner, I find cause deeply to reproach +myself for want of a more early and implicit obedience to the <i>divine +will</i>; the want of which, I fully believe, has been the means of +plunging me into seas of trouble and years of perplexity. I fear the time +lost will never be redeemed. O, should I ever have to warn others to +beware of the rock on which I have split, surely it may be done through +heartfelt experience indeed! And as the glorious light of the sun begins +mercifully to verge from under the cloud, O, may I never, never forget the +sacred covenant made in the days of my deep distress, that if the Lord +would loosen my bonds, then would I serve him freely. +<p> +25<i>th</i>.--I went to Thornton to R.W.'s, and next day to Lothersdale +Meeting, accompanied by D.W. and some other part of R.W.'s family. The +forepart of that meeting was very trying, at which I did not wonder, if we +might judge from a previous feeling; for ever since the prospect of this +little visit presented to my view, I felt a load on my spirit which I +could not by any means cast off. On entering the place, I thought, when +our dear Lord sent forth his disciples, he commanded them to take neither +purse nor scrip; and that if this state of poverty of spirit was any badge +of discipleship, some of us might claim to wear it. The language of the +weeping prophet came also before me--"O that my head were waters, and mine +eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of +the daughter of my people." It was hard work for me, a poor stripling, to +have to intimate such close things; but the conclusion was easier to the +natural part, I having to address a few to whom the language seemed to go +forth, of "Mary, the Master is come, and calleth for thee." +<p> +I went from thence to the Quarterly Meeting at York, which was thinly +attended. The meeting for worship seemed a cloudy season; however a little +matter impressed my mind which I was thankful in being enabled to get rid +of, though hard to flesh and blood, it being the first time my voice has +been heard in this Quarterly Meeting in ministry. The meeting for business +was long and tedious, being protracted four and a half days by an appeal. +It was disagreeable in its nature, but was conducted in a way to afford +information and instruction to the minute observer of men, manners and +things. +<p> +<p> +1820.--Our first extract from this year's diary contains a short but +beautiful reflection:-- +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 18.--I am convinced it would be better for us to live more in +the inward spirit of prayer; we should live in nearer union with the +Father of love; receive more of his heavenly embraces; the heart would be +prepared to know more of his holy will, and receive power to perform it. +<p> +<p> +When John Yeardley left Barnsley he commenced a correspondence with his +brother Thomas, which lasted until the death of the latter, J.Y.'s letters +have been preserved, and supply us with much that is valuable in his +character and Christian experience. The following extract shows the power +of sympathy which he possessed towards those with whom he was entirely +intimate:-- +<p> +<p> +4 mo. 24, 1820. +<p> +Thy affectionate letter I received with pleasure, though some parts of its +contents penetrated the deepest recesses of my heart, and excited in me +every tender sympathetic feeling of a brother and a friend. +<p> +I rejoice that thou hast found freedom to speak so candidly the +undisguised language of thy heart; to me it seems like a voice from the +dead, because I conceive it to be the voice of that awakened principle in +thee which, as in many others, may have been held too long in captivity +through the predominance of the surfeiting cares of the world. Whenever +thou inclinest to unbosom to me thou mayest do it with freedom and in +confidence, for, be assured, if thy complaints cannot meet with relief, +they will at least meet with a welcome reception and a heartfelt +condolence; for I could have no claim to the least of the Christian +virtues, if I were destitute of a feeling regard for the sufferings of a +friend, and especially a brother. +<p> +<p> +A few months afterwards he was again called upon deeply to sympathise with +his brother. The occasion this time was the perplexity in matters of +business in which Thomas Yeardley was involved. He expressed his feelings +in a letter in which he not only gives the soundest Christian counsel, but +also shows how he was himself indebted to the same maxims for the +preservation of his honor and of his spiritual life and usefulness. The +firm and practical manner in which the subject is treated render his +remarks of permanent value. +<p> +<p> +Bentham, 8 mo. 7, 1820, +<p> +MY DEAR BROTHER, +<p> +Thy affectionate letter of the 24th I have received, and need not tell +thee how sensibly I am concerned for thy present situation. +<p> +I do hope thou wilt not lose sight of the object thou hast now in view, to +get relieved in some way from the excessive load of business which presses +upon thee, for we can none of us carry fire in our bosoms too long without +being burnt. We shall not be justified in the sight of Him with whom we +have to do, if we do not endeavor to place ourselves in such a situation +as will best answer the end for which he has designed us. It would convict +us of a very weak and erroneous idea of a Supreme Being, to suppose that +he could not or would not prosper our endeavors with equal success in a +more restricted way of trade, when our motives are purely to serve him +faithfully. Surely, He who cares for the sparrows will not suffer +<i>us</i> to fall to the ground without his notice. +<p> +Thou wilt be ready to say it is an easy matter to speak of these things on +paper; but believe me, my dear brother, I know a little of what I say. +There was a time when I was as extensively engaged in business, +<i>according to my means</i>, as you are now. I have had large sums of +acceptances to provide for, with nothing towards them but what was in the +uncertainty of the drapers' hands. When I have set out on a journey I have +had to take the distressing fear along with me, that if I failed of +getting in almost every shilling that was due to me, I failed in paying my +acceptances. Add to this, the painful prospect of losing my property until +I could not pay my just debts, and then mention a situation which would +place an honest mind in a greater degree of perplexity. O! had it not been +for the preserving hand of my gracious Redeemer, I had never lifted up my +head above the waters which were ready to overwhelm me. In the midst of +all this I received a firm conviction, that if I wound up as speedily as +circumstances would admit, I should measurably be safe; but if I suffered +the impression to pass away disregarded, I might be hurled along with the +stream and never more be able to recover myself. It seemed as if my eye +was fixed on a star which shone quite on the other side of the [waters]; +and I was thus enabled to wade through, without, knowing what course to +take when I got to the other side. I do not mention this as being in the +whole applicable to thy case; but as a fellow Christian traveller towards +the celestial city, I earnestly intreat thee, in the love of the gospel, +never to consider thyself on a level, or at liberty to act in full scope, +with the man of business, who thinks himself created to pursue the things +of time without being responsible to his Creator for endeavoring to reach +a situation in life which would enable him to prepare for eternity. Thou +wilt not be long at a loss what to do if thou dost not overlook the secret +motive in thy own breast. Do not grieve at losing a little of what thou +hast; it will come again, if for the best, and may bring the double reward +of peace. If thou attendest to that directing Hand which has hitherto +preserved thee as a monument of thy Heavenly Father's mercy, thy victory +is already sure, though thou mayst not know it. It is not for the test, +consequently not permitted, that we should always see our way. Were this +the case there would be no exercise of faith. The servant of the prophet +was blind as to the power which preserved them, when he saw a host of the +enemy encamped against them: he cried out, "Alas, my master, how shall we +do!" But his master answered, "Fear not; for they that be with us are more +than they that be with them;" and the prophet prayed that the young man +might be made to see. And when his eyes were opened, what did he see? Why, +he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about them. +The Lord's chosen people are continually encircled with these chariots of +fire, otherwise it would not be possible to be so mercifully preserved +from harm. Should it be insinuated to thee that thou art not of this +chosen race, let me tell thee, we become children of the Most High as soon +as he has raised in us a desire to serve him, and we become willing to +abide under his protecting wing whatever changes may take place in our own +feelings during the operation of his holy hand upon us. +<p> +<p> +Nothing is more important in the life of a Christian than the manner in +which he turns to account the opportunities for serving his Lord which +continually spring up before him. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 23.--Going last evening to Wenington, to repeat my French +lesson, my friends there asked me to call with them on a sick person; +feeling quite free to do so, I went with them. On sitting quietly by the +bedside, a little matter came before me, which was communicated from these +words: "Affliction cometh not forth of the dust." +<p> +On my return home, I could not but reflect on the necessity of having our +bow strung, and being always alive to the interest of souls, and +endeavoring to imitate the example of our great Master, whose whole life +was employed in continually going up and down doing good. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER III. +<p> +<p> +FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820 TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY +IN 1822. +<p> +In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. As his residence abroad +constituted one of the most remarkable turns in his life, and exercised a +powerful influence on the rest of his career, we shall develop as fully as +we are able the motives by which he was induced to leave his native +country. By means of his Diary we can trace the early appearance and +growth, if not the origin, of the strong Christian sympathy he ever +afterwards manifested with seeking souls in the nations on the continent +of Europe, and especially amongst the German people. +<p> +The first hint concerning his desire to go abroad is contained in the +account of a dream, under date of the 2nd of the Ninth Month, 1818, +regarding which he felt much disappointed, because he could not recollect +the names of the places in Germany about which he had in his dream been +interested. The next year (the 19th of the Fifth Month) he had a second +dream on the same subject, in which he supposed his friend Joseph Wood was +about to go on a religious mission to the Continent, and he brought out +his Atlas to find the places for him. On being asked if he meant to +accompany him, he said he "was not prepared to answer at present." In the +relation of a third dream, which he had the next year (the 25th of the +Eighth Month, 1820), the locality to which his mind was attracted is first +indicated. "Pyrmont and Minden," he says, "rested very closely with me, +and to them I felt bound." +<p> +It might not have been worth while to have made allusion to these dreams, +which ought perhaps to be rather as the continuation or echo of his +thoughts than as their original source, but for the deep importance which +John Yeardley himself attached to them. He considered that by them was +first made known to him the divine will respecting his future course; and +that his longing desire to recover the name of the forgotten locality of +the first dream was answered in the last. It can admit of little doubt +that the same conviction of their more than common significance, which led +him to cherish as sacred the remembrance of these night-visions, helped to +form and sustain his resolution in carrying out the project with which he +connected them. +<p> +Just before the occurrence of the last dream, his faith in the heavenly +source of the invitation which, whether waking or sleeping, he had +received, to go over and help his Christian brethren on the Continent, was +confirmed by a prophetic message from John Kirkham, who, in the course of +his religious travels, again visited Yorkshire. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>.--Our dear friend, John Kirkham, from Earl's Colne, Essex, +slept at our house on Second-day, the 7th, and had a meeting with our few +on Third-day. How wonderfully was he enlarged; and I could not but admire +how he was favored to speak to the states of some present. I could set my +seal to every word he uttered, and say, This is the very truth. Before he +left us he had a select opportunity in our family, and said a great deal +stout being faithful to our own vision. He seemed to answer a question in +my mind as fully as I had any right to expect; for I had almost asked it +as a sign that if I were not deceived in my vision he should be led to +speak on the subject. He said emphatically, "We cannot be faithful to the +vision of another man, we do not know it except it be revealed to us; but +we must be FAITHFUL TO OUR OWN VISION." +<p> +On the 9th I accompanied him to the Monthly Meeting at Settle, and I once +more desired that, if my feeling in former times had not deceived me, this +servant of the Lord might be led to speak on the same subject; and indeed +he scarcely said anything else but what had the strongest bearing on my +request. What encouraging favors do I receive at the hands of so good a +Master! +<p> +<p> +A few months later we find the charge to foreign labor renewed, with +intimation of the wide field in which he would have to work; an intimation +which was amply verified in his future travels. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 26.--At meeting something involuntarily entered my mind like +this, I will make thee a preacher of righteousness to many nations. I felt +not only a desire to be made willing to be sent, but also a desire to be +prepared. +<p> +<p> +A few days after noting this impression he thus communes with himself on +this topic, which now began to absorb the greater portion of his thoughts. +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 3, <i>First-day</i>.--As I walked alone to the meeting this +morning, I thought within myself, What can be the cause that I so often +feel drawn in spirit towards the land of ----? My thoughts have now for a +long time past so frequently and so involuntarily revolved on the subject +that I begin to be very jealous over them, and to query whether it is the +workings of self-imaginations. If this is the case, O that I may be +relieved from them. But however unaccountable my feelings may be, a secret +love towards some unknown souls in ---- is so strong at times, that if I +had wings I should for my own inward peace visit them in body as I now do +in spirit. It seems as if my spiritual eye saw in those parts what we may +call a seed (the seed of the kingdom sown in the heart) that wants to take +root downwards and spring upwards, but which is almost choked with the +tares of superstition. Are there not scattered up and down in ----, many +whose souls are verging from under the clouds of thick darkness, and from +under the bonds of idolatrous superstition, towards that glorious liberty +which is brought to light by the gospel? Something in me secretly craves +an opportunity to tell those precious creatures that the time appears near +at hand when this glorious gospel light will shine so clearly that they +will discover a Saviour in the secret of their own hearts; and it is to +him (I could tell them) that they must look for the perfection of their +salvation. Should there be anything of the right savor in my heart +concerning this matter, I humbly hope that in due time it will be brought +to maturity, and my way made plain and easy--<i>plain</i>, so that I +cannot possibly mistake the pointing hand of divine wisdom, and +<i>easy</i>, so that when I hear the command I may be enabled to obey. +<p> +A very instructive time at meeting. The subject abovementioned glanced in +my view, and with it the Dover-failing objection, If I am at all "apt +to-teach," can it or will it be required of me to leave those here and +others in this land who have need of instruction? This objection was +immediately answered in a way which I never before experienced. They +have, besides many teachers, the unerring light of Jesus in their own +hearts unto which they know they ought alone to look for direction. And if +they neglect or overlook the means in themselves, it is not in my power, a +poor instrument, to do them any good. So it may be said of others to whom +I may apprehend myself called. It all revolves on this single and +important point,--What is the <i>divine will</i> concerning me? If I can +only know this and am enabled to do it, all will be well. +<p> +<p> +In the Autumn he attended Liverpool Quarterly Meeting, an occasion which +was one of the most memorable seasons of his life. His narrative of it is +very characteristic:-- +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 19.--My dear wife and I left home to attend Liverpool +Quarterly Meeting. Through mercy we arrived safe there, but I, as usual +when from home, felt very low and poor in spirit, and was ready to call in +question my coming to the place. For although I received, as I thought, a +proper signal before I left home, yet one or two circumstances occurred to +discourage me from going, which I pressed through with some firmness; +however, such was my uneasiness the first night in Liverpool, that I was +very desirous, if my being there was in right wisdom, something might turn +up to convince me that I had not done wrong in leaving home. And blessed +be the name of Jesus, I had not been long in the first meeting (their +Monthly Meeting the day before the Quarterly,) before I was perfectly +satisfied. There were present Willett Hicks and Huldah Sears from America, +and Mary Watson from Ireland. In the early part of the meeting my mind was +engaged in meditating on--"God will enlarge Japhet and dwell in the tents +of Shem," and so it proved. The silence was broken by W. Hicks with these +words: "Great men are not always wise, neither do the ancients understand +wisdom." Others present were much favored, and the meeting ended in +heavenly harmony. +<p> +After it was over I found to my surprise and joy, my brother and sister +from Barnsley, whom I had expected to come to Bentham to accompany us to +Liverpool, and their not coming to Bentham first was one of the causes +which had discouraged me in leaving home; for I once had concluded, in my +wavering, to leave my going for their determination, thinking if they came +it would be the means of getting me off, if not, I should give it up; but +it so fell out that they took the nearest way to meet us there, without +writing us word, and it would have been a great disappointment had I not +been there. I should not have written so much about a seeming trifle but +to show the necessity of firmness in doing what is pointed out, unless +some reasonable cause prevents. +<p> +Now to the opening of the Quarterly Meeting for worship, which was like +the day of Pentecost, when the place was filled with a rushing mighty wind +from heaven. The first stream of ministry flowed again through W.H., who +appeared from these words: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, +Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and +drink." It was indeed applicable; for all seemed athirst, and were invited +and admitted to drink of the waters of life freely; those who were afar +off drew nigh, and those who were near were enabled to acknowledge the +might of Him who had called them to his footstool, and crowned them with +his presence. Huldah Sears and Mary Watson were also much favored in +testimony. What opened on my mind to express was this: "God speaketh once, +yea, twice; yet man perceiveth it not." I thought we were bound to +acknowledge that our God still reigned in Israel, and was condescending to +speak to his people. Immediately afterwards M.R. appeared a long time in +supplication, and then H.S. both very powerfully; so that goodness seemed +to rise higher and higher, until we swam in divine life. This blessed, +heavenly meeting will be remembered by some to the latest period of time. +<p> +<p> +After this event John Yeardley speaks of being favored with more +enlargement of love towards the members of his small meeting; and also of +having, when attending a public meeting at Wray with Joseph Wood, to kneel +down in prayer for the congregation. +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 20.--To my humbling admiration, he writes, I had in the +conclusion to kneel down and call on the name of the holy and high God of +the whole earth, that he would be pleased to continue the blessing which +he had already condescended to pour down on our heads. This is a most +awful act of worship: I trust the intimation to it was attended with +proper weightiness of spirit. +<p> +<p> +This meeting was a remarkable season, and is thus described in Joseph +Wood's journal:-- +<p> +<p> +<i>Bentham</i>, 10 <i>mo</i>. 20.--We [J.W. and James Harrison] set out +for Wray, our beloved friend John Yeardley being our guide. We called by +the way at Thomas Barrow's, of Wenington Hall, and drank tea; then +proceeded to Wray. There were but few Friends here, but they have a very +large ancient meeting-house, and my concern being principally towards the +inhabitants, and proper information thereof being given, abundance +attended; the meeting-house both above and below stairs was pretty well +filled; and their behavior was deserving of commendation. The Lord's +presence eminently crowned the assembly, and the truths of the gospel were +largely and livingly declared amongst them, and it was a time of +extraordinary favor to many. I had first a long testimony to bear therein, +from Luke iv. 41. A pretty long time of silence then ensued, and great was +the solemnity which appeared to cover the assembly. After which John +Yeardley stood up and said, Some were ready to say there was no worship +without words, but from the precious solemnity which he believed had +covered many minds since the former communication, he was ready to +conclude many were feelingly convinced to the contrary. He was then pretty +largely led forth in opening the advantage of silently waiting upon God. I +a pretty long time next, from Isaiah liv. 11,13. James Harrison next, from +Matt. xiii. 44. John Yeardley was next concerned in prayer. The meeting +held about two hours and a half. +<p> +21<i>st</i>.--About the middle of the day my companion (J.H.) called upon +me, and betwixt twelve and one o'clock we left here for Lancaster, Thomas +Barrow being our guide, and his wife, Charlotte Russell, and Emma Hodgson, +accompanying us. Emma Hodgson is the daughter of a clergyman of Rochdale: +she had been some time on a visit at Thomas Barrow's and went with the +family to the meeting at Bentham when we were there, and was much reached +and tendered therein; and attending the meeting at Wray last evening she +declared after her return that she was fully convinced of the truth. +<p> +<p> +Returning to John Yeardley's diary for this year, we find some passages +from which profitable instruction may be gathered. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo.</i> 8 was the Monthly Meeting at Settle; my dear love and I both +attended. To me it was a poor low season; if there were any good, I was +too much like the heath in the desert,--I knew not when it came. In +addition to this, it felt as if I had to mourn over the barren state of +some others. O, how I dread the state of a lukewarm Quaker! May I ever be +preserved from this sorrowful state of a lukewarm Quaker! I believe it is +often the means of bringing a damp over our solemn assemblies. +<p> +12 <i>mo.</i> 7.--<i>Query.</i> What is the most likely means for me to +adopt to approach nearer to holiness? <i>Answer.</i> To spend more time in +retirement silently to wait upon God. The more conversant I am with him, +the more I shall know of his will and receive power to do the same. To do +the will of the Almighty is the way to perfect holiness. The nearer +acquaintance we cultivate with him, the stronger will become the ties of +his affection. The more devoted we are to him, the more confidence will he +repose in us. +<p> +<p> +Catching then a glimpse of the glorious calling of the Gospel minister, he +breaks forth in the following strain:-- +<p> +<p> +If I am ambitious in anything on earth, it is to be eminently useful in +His cause. I can say with the wise man, I ask neither riches nor honor, +except the honor which cometh from doing the will of God; but I do ask for +"an understanding heart." I trust I can say in the deepest sincerity that +I could renounce, if they were in my power, the riches and honor of ten +thousand earthly worlds in purchase of a double portion of that holy +unction which rested on Elisha's spirit. These are bold sayings, but my +Saviour tells me that as there is no limitation to his goodness to grant, +so there is no limitation in asking of him for the gift of his Holy +Spirit. But then what manner of man ought this to be on whom shall be +conferred such great honor! Surely it must be left to Himself to prepare +the vessel before he pours in the oil. +<p> +<p> +We have already made an extract from the diary of the 3rd of the Twelfth +Month in connection with John Yeardley's call to visit Germany. The same +diary supplies us with the description of a spiritual opening for the +benefit of others with which he was favored in the same meeting. +<p> +<p> +In my minute for First-day last I mentioned its being an instructive +meeting to me. Towards the conclusion a simile of this kind arose and +spread before my view: As wax when melted by the fire or the candle is +then only capable of receiving the impression of the stamp put upon it, so +also are our minds only capable of receiving impressions of divine good +when our spirits are melted and contrited before the Lord. As these +seasons are not at our command, it appeared to me to be of the highest +importance for us to endeavor to preserve and improve them as the best +means of testifying our gratitude to the great Donor. The impression which +the above contemplation made on my spirit proved like a morsel of bread to +my soul, which I found I could not conceal, though I struggled hard to eat +it alone, it seeming so insignificant to hand to others; but at length I +gave up, and felt it to be a time wherein some among the few present were +melted as wax before the fire, and had a portion of divine goodness afresh +imprinted on their minds; and my spirit craved that they might not prove +as "the morning cloud and as the early dew that goeth away." +<p> +<p> +On the 7th of the Twelfth Month Elizabeth Yeardley was suddenly prostrated +by an alarming attack of illness, from which, however, she soon rallied, +though she never entirely regained her previous state of health. Possibly +her husband alludes to this afflictive occurrence in the following +memorandum:-- +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 10.--How varied is our passing along in this vale of tears! +First-day last was a day of brightness, and this day has been one of +comparative death and darkness. I have been made to know something of the +saying recorded by the prophet,--"Who is among you that feareth the Lord," +&c., "that walketh in darkness and hath no light." This has appeared to be +my portion this day, and I find it hard work to "trust in the name of the +Lord and stay upon my God." +<p> +<p> +Some further remarks in his diary for this day turn upon the subject of +the ministry, and the passage he quotes shows how deep and heart-searching +is the work of preparation for an enlarged and effectual gospel ministry, +whatever be the denomination among men to which the preacher belongs:-- +<p> +<p> +In the course of reading the life of Mary Fletcher I find much deep +instruction and encouragement. Many of her remarks have proved like a goad +to spur me on in the way of holiness. An extract made by her from Dr. +Doddridge's life aptly speaks the language of my heart, when in my silent +breathing to the Almighty I am led to crave an enlargement of my gift in +spiritual things:-- +<p> +"There must be an enlargement of soul before any remarkable success on +others; and a great diligence in prayer and strict watchfulness over my +own soul previous to any remarkable and habitual enlargement in my +ministry; and deep humiliation must precede both." +<p> +<p> +1821.--The first entry in the diary of this year turns upon the +ever-present subject of his going abroad, and is penned under feelings of +the deepest solemnity. It is followed the next day by another on the great +duty of self-examination. +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 2. This day I have felt singularly impressed with a desire to +be more devoted to my Maker. I believe it is his will that I should be +more given up to serve him; and if spared with life and strength, my few +remaining days must be spent in his cause. A presentiment of this kind has +for some time past prevailed with me; and from the calm, awful, and +weighty manner in which it is at times brought over my spirit, I am +induced to think it cannot be the mere phantom of the imagination. The +prospect of a temporary residence on the ---- seems rather to increase +than otherwise. How it may terminate, or the time when to move, is yet +uncertain to me. O, how the prospect humbles me! I trust I can, in some +degree say, with the good old patriarch, that his God shall be my God, and +if He will only give me bread to eat and raiment to put on, I desire to +serve him. +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 3.--This day I am thirty-five years old. Whether I may be +spared as many more, or whether I may only survive as many months, weeks, +days or hours, as I have now lived years, is altogether in the breast of +Him who has hitherto preserved me as a monument of his mercy. How awful +the consideration! To think that we may be called to give an account at +any hour of the day, and not frequently to examine the state of affairs +between us and our God, is complete infatuation. Strange as it may seem, +as it regards myself I stand condemned. I am sensible sufficient attention +is not paid to the important work of self-examination. O that this fresh +year may produce fresh vigilance! +<p> +<p> +In the Second Month, Ann Jones, accompanied by her husband and Isabel +Richardson, visited Bentham on a religious mission. Ann Jones had much +service, both in public and private. What she had to declare to John +Yeardley in particular was very remarkable, and reminded him of the +discourse of Sarah Lamley in 1814. He says;-- +<p> +<p> +She said a good deal which so struck home to my feelings, that I have not +been so deeply reached in the same manner since dear Sarah Lamley visited +families at Barnsley. (<i>Letter to his brother.</i>) +<p> +<p> +In the Third Month he found it to be his duty to attend some meetings of +Friends in going and returning from the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds. In his +diary of the 14th of the Third Month he speaks of making the necessary +application to the Monthly Meeting for its sanction, and, in that and some +succeeding entries, records his feelings on the occasion, and the help +which he received by the way. +<p> +<p> +This was new work to me; how I was humbled before I could be made willing +to mention my concern to my friends! which was done in such a faltering +manner that I believe many sympathized with me. When I had received the +meeting's approbation, I was thoughtful how I should get most conveniently +on my way. After our meeting I received a letter from dear S.S., saying +that he had felt a prayer raised in his heart, that I might be helped in +my undertaking by Him from whom best help comes, and that he was most easy +to propose accompanying me on my way in his gig. A very agreeable +companion he proved to be, and for this little act of dedication he shall +not lose his reward. +<p> +I left home on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the Fells. There fell +much rain the day before, which swelled the waters so that my wife and I +became very thoughtful how I should get over the river to Newton, over +which there is no bridge. I thought that should I be favored to get over +safe and dry I would take it as a sign for good in the journey; and so it +was in mercy granted; for when I came to the water-side, I met a man on +horseback who let me ride his horse over. This was in a wild part of the +country, with not a house near. Simple as this may appear to some, I could +not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was thankful. +<p> +At Newton, where I expected to meet only three or four, more assembled +than the larger end of the house would hold. I was met by dear D.W. from +Stockton; I could not but think we looked like two poor striplings before +a great army. I should have sunk under my fears, had I not been enabled to +get down to that Power which can bear up above the fear of man. +<p> +In the afternoon I went to Thornton, and sat down with the family. This +was a precious season, and it felt doubly so from our having been on the +barren mountains, both literally and spiritually. +<p> +I went next morning, accompanied by D.W., to Lothersdale. This was also a +good meeting: I had reason to believe the God whom I was endeavoring to +serve had answered my prayer in sending his angel before to prepare the +way; I seemed almost borne off my feet by the power of Divine love. +<p> +We dined at S.S.'s; and after dinner I could not quit the room without +expressing what I felt towards him, which melted us all into tears. S.S. +joined me, and we went to Skipton to be at the meeting at five o'clock. +Before we came there I felt such a sense of poverty that it seemed as if +my spiritual life was going to be taken from me; and even when I got to +meeting, the same feeling remained, which introduced my spirit into a +state of suffering not easily to be conceived. On our sitting down I felt +there was something on the mind of S.S., and I feared lest, by suffering +the reasoner to prevail, he should be unfaithful; but he expressed a few +words which seemed as the key to the treasury. +<p> +I went that evening to Addingham, and had a meeting next morning, where I +sensibly found a little strength: we seemed to sit under our own vine and +fig-tree, where none could make us afraid. We lodged and dined at our kind +friend J. Smith's, in whose family I had something given to me to minister. +<p> +<p> +From Addingham they went to the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds, where John +Yeardley received intelligence of the sudden decease of his beloved friend +Joseph Wood. J.W. had been engaged in testimony and supplication in the +meeting at Highflatts on First-day morning, and was taken unwell during +the evening, and died in a few hours. After the Quarterly Meeting John +Yeardley went to attend the interment, and on his way had a meeting with +the Friends at Barnsley. +<p> +<p> +It was, he says, a favored time, and we were humbled and instructed +together. We went to Highflatts to tea; when I got to the place where the +remains of my dear friend were laid, I stood silently by the coffin in +tears, saying in spirit, If it be thy mantle I am designed to wear, may I +receive it with humility, reverence and fear! This feeling awfully +impressed my mind, because my dear friend had said more than once to me, +If I have any place in the body, I bequeath it to thee. The meeting was +very large and was a precious season; the occasion on which we were met +seemed to give wings to our spirits to fly upwards. +<p> +<p> +This spring Elizabeth Yeardley's disorder began to assume a serious form. +A short memorandum from her hand discloses in a touching manner her state, +both physical and spiritual. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 29.--"Regard not distant events: this uneasiness about the +future is in opposition to the grace received." This sentence from my old +favorite, Fenelon, was much blest to my spirit this evening, when I had +foolishly been thinking about future sufferings. O, sufficient for the day +is the evil thereof. Perhaps a few rolling suns may, through the merits +and mercies of my Lord, see this poor worm translated to his Paradise. +<p> +<p> +The first direct allusion to anxiety on her account which appears in her +husband's diary bears date the 5th of the Fifth Month. Her debilitated +state seems to have been the cause of their deferring to a future day +their contemplated removal to Germany, which was otherwise to have taken +place about this time. +<p> +In the summer of this year he was himself laid for some weeks upon a bed +of sickness, with a complaint of the stomach. He viewed this time of +suffering as profitable in assisting his resolution to undertake the +religious mission to which his mind was still continually directed. In a +letter to Thomas Yeardley, of the 1st of the Ninth Month, he says, "Such +is my stubborn will that I am not to be effectually pleaded with, until I +am brought down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, or judgment." His wife, +who was too ill to leave her chamber, has a memorandum respecting her +husband's illness, under date of the 29th of the Eighth Month. It seems to +have been the last which her pen ever traced. +<p> +<p> +Since I wrote, my dear husband has had an awful attack; but the Lord has +again been merciful in restoring him to ease once more. Yesterday (may the +Lord enable us to keep covenant) we laid our <i>Isaac</i> on the altar. O, +to be wholly our kind, our Heavenly Master's, who cares to provide for us, +for soul and body; who takes nothing from us but what he knows would harm +us, and gives us a hundred-fold of that which is good in lieu. +<p> +<p> +Prior to this time John Yeardley had not confided to his brother the +thought which so long had occupied his mind. In the letter just referred +to he speaks of it as "an important concern which had long been the +companion of his secret thoughts by day and his visions by night," +and says:-- +<p> +<p> +It now seems to be approaching so near a state of maturity that I feel +freedom to communicate it to thee. +<p> +For about three years past I have had an increasing apprehension that it +would be required of me to take up a <i>temporary residence</i> among +those who profess with Friends on the other side of the water, +particularly with the few in the neighborhood of Minden and Pyrmont, and +probably at some time with those in the South of France. But my visit is +likely to be paid in a way different from any that have been made before. +I have never seen that the nature of my concern would require any document +from the Quarterly or Yearly Meetings; neither do I think it would answer +my present views; because the secret language of my heart has been for +many months past, "Go dwell among them, go dwell with them." +<p> +I should be in want of some employment, and the first thing that presents +to my view is to offer my services to a few of my friends in the yarn and +flax trade; articles which are largely imported into Yorkshire, and which +seem to be the natural production of the country, within the circle where +I should be likely to reside. +<p> +<p> +His brother's answer to this letter was most consoling and encouraging: in +reference to it he says, it seemed with him as it was with Peter in the +prison, when the angel smote him and the irons fell off. +<p> +<p> +And O, he adds, that I may be willing, now that a little light begins to +shine, to gird myself, bind on my sandals, cast my garment about me, and +follow my Lord, thinking no hardship too much to endure for so good a +Master. (<i>Diary, 9 mo. 21</i>.) +<p> +<p> +Although in reality not far from her end, his wife's state had not as yet +excited immediate alarm. On the 23rd of the Ninth Month J.Y. writes:-- +<p> +<p> +My precious E.Y. is yet so weak that there is a probability of its being +an obstacle in the way of our removal; but there is this consolation,--if +the work be of the Lord he will not frustrate his own design; if it be not +his doing we must submit to have the whole overturned. +<p> +<p> +In a few days he became aware of her critical state. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 29.--The indisposition of my dear wife has taken such an +alarming turn that I yesterday began to have serious apprehensions as to +the issue. I have watched with her night and day, and my prayers have been +unceasing for her restoration, I trust not without a due reverence to the +divine will. But I did not feel as though nature could give her up until +yesterday, when as I stood retired by the bed-side of my dear lamb, +endeavoring to feel after resignation, I gave her up as fully as human +nature, through divine aid, was capable of. Then it sprang in my heart, +Where is the man that can offer up an Isaac? He shall go for me, and I +will send him. There seems a spark of hope that even now, when the knife +is lifted up, the voice may yet be heard,--"Lay not thy hand upon the lad, +for now I know that thou fearest me." +<p> +My precious dear has been to me in my late exercise a never-failing +instrument of strength, comfort, and encouragement: in general her faith +has been much stronger than my own. Should it please Heaven to restore +her, O that there may be an increased desire that it may be for no other +cause, but that her heart, her hands and her feet, may unite with mine in +sounding forth our Redeemer's praise, if required, even to the ends of the +earth. +<p> +<p> +The following entries record the last hours of the dying Christian wife, +and the feelings of her bereaved husband:-- +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 25.--Last night we expected my dear lamb would have sunk +away. How the awful event is to terminate is known only to Him on whose +bosom I trust she has always rested; for in no other place could she be +preserved in the state of peace which she appears to possess. +<p> +29<i>th</i>.--A most awful morning; my dear lamb is no more! She sweetly +fell asleep in the bosom of her Saviour, at one o'clock this morning. The +closing scene was perfect ease and peace. From the first of her illness +she seemed aware how it would terminate, and was perfectly resigned. +During our being at Bentham she has often said it was a place provided by +Providence to afford her that religious retirement she had long desired, +and which she took the most scrupulous care to improve. When in health she +would tell me of late that perhaps she might be taken away in order to set +me more fully at liberty to do the Lord's work. +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 18.--This day two weeks was the solemn ceremony of +committing to the silent dust the remains of my very precious and dearly +beloved Elizabeth. I had dreaded the day very much; but through prayer, +mixed with a degree of faith, which was mercifully granted, I was +wonderfully supported. In the meeting I felt the divine influence so near, +and so to prevail over my spirit, that I was constrained publicly to thank +the Father of mercies for his goodness. +<p> +This day I visited, perhaps for the last time, the place which encloses +the cold relics of one so dearly beloved; and as I stood weeping over the +grave, it sprang in my heart, She is not here but (she) is risen. What an +unspeakable consolation to be enabled to leave the dust behind, and hold +sweet communion and converse with the spirit. Ever since her departure it +feels as though her spirit had never left me, but was hovering and +fluttering around me to administer comfort on every afflicting occasion; +and O, saith my spirit, that this precious feeling may remain with me for +ever. +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 20.--I feel to lament the loss of my dear lamb more than +ever, at least so far as I dare. No one but myself knows the comfort which +the late awful event has deprived me of; but I no sooner remember the hand +which administered it than all complaining is hushed into silence, and I +am made to rejoice that she is so safely deposited where trouble cannot +reach. +<p> +<p> +From this moment John Yeardley felt himself quite free to pursue the path +of duty which had been opened before him, viz., to go and reside in +Germany. +<p> +In the Eleventh Month he left Bentham to sojourn awhile with his brother, +and on the 9th of the First Month, 1822, he received a certificate of +removal from Settle Monthly Meeting, addressed to the Friends of Pyrmont +and Minden, which certified that he was a member of the Society of +Friends, and a minister well approved by the church. +<p> +Before we pursue further the sequence of events, two passages from the +diary may be here transcribed, which could not have been inserted in the +order of time without interrupting the narrative. The first of these +conveys a lesson of practical wisdom, and exhibits the method by which the +writer was able to succeed and to excel in what he undertook. It is the +true comprehension and resolute acting upon maxims such as these, which +makes so much of the difference between one man and another. +<p> +<p> +1821. 7 <i>mo</i>. 2.--No man can excel in everything; therefore it is +highly important for each mind to consider attentively for what it is +calculated, and what end it is designed to answer by him who created it. +As secular affairs are often more expedited by a judicious arrangement, +than by hard doing indiscriminately at the mass; so will undertakings of +superior importance be more advantageously attained by keeping a single +eye, and looking for best direction to make a proper selection of what +ought to be done and what ought not to be done. I was long too much +wavering on this head, to my great loss; but I now hope it is become a +settled point, find I have clearly seen for what service I am designed in +the church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of +divine grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main +design. For a little mind to aim at great things would be to thwart the +whole; but to endeavor to be faithful in small things, seems to be the way +to attain the end. +<p> +<p> +From the other entry we shall extract only a few words, but they are words +fraught with deep instruction:-- +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 7.--"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Without +purity of heart we cannot see the pointing of the Divine Finger. +<p> +<p> +On the 18th of the Second Month, John Yeardley attended Pontefract Monthly +Meeting, held at Wakefield. +<p> +<p> +It was, he says, a precious season; I felt my friends very near to me in +spirit, and expressed to them in tenderness and love what lay on my mind; +and in the conclusion the power and goodness of the Most High were so +awfully felt that I could not forbear kneeling down to offer him thanks, +and to supplicate that he would he pleased once more to bind up the +breaches in the walls of our Zion, and grant that when we were separated +one from another we might never he separated from his presence. +<p> +I now begin, he continues, to feel very anxious to set forward for my +destination on the other side of the water. What an awful situation mine +appears to be! O that faith and patience may be granted equal to the +occasion! +<p> +1822. 2 <i>mo</i>. 26.--I never read in my dear lamb's diary but it feels +to season my heart with good. It is as though her writings were +impregnated with a degree of sincerity and resignation which, were so +eminently the characteristics of her innocent spirit. O, I repeat it, that +my precious Saviour may be pleased to appoint her angel spirit to be my +guardian through life, until I shall be joined with her in heaven and +we both unite in singing his praise. +<p> +<p> +About this time his brother, Thomas Yeardley, began to exercise the +ministerial office. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 3.--Attended Woodhouse Meeting, which was to me a very trying +one. My brother Thomas spoke the feeling of my heart in something like +these words:--"They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit +before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do +them." +<p> +3 <i>mo.</i> 18.--This day was held the Monthly Meeting at Barnsley. The +Testimony concerning our much-esteemed friend Joseph Wood was read and +signed by the meetings at large. When I consider the legacy, so to speak, +which this dear friend used to say he should bequeath to me, this language +seems to prevail in my heart:--"Moses my servant is dead; now therefore +arise. As I was with Moses, so I will he with thee; I will not fail thee, +nor forsake thee."--Joshua i. 2, 5. This is an awful consideration; but +why should any despair? May not the faithful mind say, "This God is our +God; he will be our guide, even unto death." I desire most sincerely to be +kept in humility, whatever the probations may be which are necessary to +fit me for the design of Him who hath given me life, breath and being. +<p> +<p> +On the 2d of the Fourth Month he quitted Barnsley, accompanied by his +brother Thomas. +<p> +<p> +I think it a favor indeed, he says, to be relieved from a doubting mind as +to whether I should go or stay; for I can truly say that, let the result +prove what it may. I go with an undivided heart. +<p> +Elizabeth Dell had a meeting at Pontefract this day, where I met her; it +was a very satisfactory meeting, and it was pleasant to meet with several +Friends here whom I did not expect to have seen again. The parting +opportunity with E.D. has left a savor on my mind which I hope will not +soon be forgotten. +<p> +Before he left England he opened negotiations with several mercantile +houses, who gave him orders for linen yarn from Germany. At Hull he +writes: +<p> +<p> +4 <i>mo.</i> 12.--My detention here, waiting for a fair wind to Hamburg, +has not been unpleasant; my friends are exceedingly kind, but my feelings +in a religious sense have been rather depressing. +<p> +<p> +His heart was full of serious thoughts in anticipation of the voyage, +which was then more formidable than it is now; but the joyful hope of a +glorious immortality, if death should be suffered to overtake him, bore +him up above his fears. +<p> +<p> +14<i>th</i>.--May I be preserved in a holy reliance on the Arm of strong +Power for help. "O Lord God, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee, or to +thy faithfulness round about Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when +the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest, them." O may it please him to +carry me in his bosom, and protect me from the dangers of the sea. But +should it please him to permit that I go down to the bottom, may I be +fully resigned in humble confidence that I shall again arise to shine +brighter with him in everlasting glory. Amen. +<p> +<p> +We shall conclude this chapter with a few extracts from Elizabeth +Yeardley's letters, which well depict her character and experience; and +with a copy of the weighty and pertinent testimony regarding Joseph Wood +which was issued by Pontefract Monthly Meeting. +<p> + * * * * *<br> +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo.</i> 13, 1818.--The broad way seems more and more crowded, while +the road to Zion is thinly scattered with poor wayworn travellers; each, +or nearly so, of the former living as if there were to be no hereafter, +and earth was to be their eternal home. I have thought that as our Blessed +Redeemer's arms were extended wide on the cross to embrace perishing +sinners, so do these short-sighted mortals extend their arms and their +wishes in grasping unsubstantial vanities, and that craving one of +<i>Mammon</i>, the most fascinating of all, as it increases with age. +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 24, 1819.--I hope by what I have felt of the keen arrow of +adversity piercing the heart, it will teach me, when I see it wounding any +of my fellow-mortals, to endeavor to soothe, if I have nothing else in my +power towards healing the wound. Let thee and me be determined, in the +name of the holy Jesus, to follow him and not look on others. He is +leading us into the pure green, ever green, pasture of humiliation, where +the sheep of his pasture love to lie. I own the road is not very pleasant; +the descent is rugged, and many times the poor traveller is ashamed of +being seen hobbling down by his former acquaintance; but when once within +the sacred enclosure, the sweet air that breathes humility hushes all +stormy passions to rest. I read and read again of all those holy folks +being divested of self, and anxiously do I desire to be so too, but by the +marks they lay down I am very far from that attainment. However, He who +said, Let there be light, and there was light, can add this to the rest of +his inestimable blessings showered on my unworthy head. +<p> +4 <i>mo</i>. 14, 1820.--We are sometimes led to expect pity from people +where we think we have a sort of claim, and here we often feel +disappointed. Persons at ease cannot feel for the sensations of pain in +others, any more than prosperity can feel the seasons of adversity. +Couldst thou have a look into the houses and bosoms of the inmates of most +in B. or other places, thou wouldst find a something sorrowful, a burden +the possessor would be glad to be quit of. Let us, then, go forward with +hope, and endeavor to be truly thankful for the many mercies showered on +our heads, who have not rendered as we ought that gratitude so greatly His +due. O look at the bulk of the population in England, whose children are +looking up to them for a meal, and they have it not for them; and then let +the tear of thankfulness fall. To be thankful is to feel a spark of +heavenly flame; to be thankful is to increase the blessing already poured +forth. O that I possessed more of this blessed spirit; for truly it is +angelic! +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +<i>A Testimony of Pontefract Monthly Meeting concerning</i> JOSEPH WOOD, +<i>deceased</i>. +<p> +This our esteemed friend was born at Newhouse, near Highflatts, within the +compass of this Monthly Meeting, on the 26th of the Fourth Month, 1750. +His parents, Samuel and Susanna Wood, members of our Society, were +concerned for the best interest of their children. In his youth he gave +way to some of the vanities incident to that period of life, but when +approaching manhood he was happily brought under the restraining power of +Truth, and often humbled in deep inward exercise. Once being in the fields +in the night season, he exclaimed, Lord what shall I do, or whither shall +I go? The answer in the secret of his own heart was as intelligible as if +spoken to his outward ear,--Whither wilt thou go, Have not I the words of +eternal life? Soon after this he attended a neighboring meeting, when a +ministering Friend, who was a stranger, stood up with the words which he +had received as an answer to his inquiry, and enlarged upon the subject in +a manner suited to his tried state of mind. +<p> +In the year 1779, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, was his first +appearance in the ministry, in great fear and broken-ness of spirit: but +being obedient to the manifestations of truth, he experienced an +advancement therein, and was a good example, adorning his profession by a +circumspect life. His testimony was not with the enticing words of man's +wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Neither was he +forward to offer his gift, patiently abiding in the deep till he felt the +holy fire burn. He was at times led in a plain close manner to the +unfaithful professors of truth, but had the word of consolation to the +rightly exercised, unto whom he was indeed a nursing father. He was +especially useful to such as the Lord was gathering from the barren +mountains of an empty profession to the knowledge of the truth, and he was +frequent, in solemn supplication for these, and for the awakening of those +who were at ease in Zion. His heart being enlarged in gospel love, he was +anxious for the salvation of all, and was frequently engaged to appoint +meetings amongst those not in profession with us. For this service he was +eminently gifted, and his ministry on these occasions was often attended +with the powerful baptizing influence of the Spirit, to the convincement +of many. He was concerned to impress on the minds of his friends the +necessity of a due attendance of week-day meetings, believing that such as +were negligent in this duty never experienced an attainment to the state +of strong men in the truth. That our dear friend was zealous for the +proper support of discipline in our religious body was sufficiently +evident from the part he took in the exercise of it in his own Monthly +Meeting; for active service in this important branch of church government +he was eminently gifted. +<p> +In the course of his religious labors, he visited the meetings of Friends +generally in most of the Quarterly Meetings in England, and many meetings +within the principality of Wales; and divers of them repeatedly. +<p> +During the latter period of his life, feeling his bodily strength decline, +he was anxiously desirous that no service required of him should be +omitted. His zeal increased with his years, and he became more abundant in +labor for the promotion of the Christian cause. In a memorandum made about +a year before his death, he writes, "This day I attained the seventieth +year of my age. May the remainder of my days be so devoted to the Lord's +service, as, when the solemn message of death is sent, I may have nothing +to do but to render up my accounts with joy!" In the last Monthly Meeting +he attended, he expressed amongst us that he had seen in the vision of +life that day, that there were of the youth there present those who, if +they were faithful and kept in their innocency, would become instruments +of good, and finally would shine as the stars, for ever and ever. +<p> +The day before his death, the first day of the week, he appeared in his +own meeting at Highflatts, in a powerful testimony, beginning with these +words of Moses to Hobab: "We are journeying unto the place of which the +Lord said, I will give it you. Come thou with us, and we will do thee +good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." In the course of +his testimony he had in strong terms to urge the necessity of a +preparation for an awful eternity. In the afternoon of the same day he +complained of a pain in his breast and arms, but was not considered in +danger. He retired to bed at his usual hour; but he slept little, and +quietly departed about five o'clock the following morning, the 26th of the +Third Month, 1821; and was buried at Highflatts the 31st of the same; +(many Friends and others attended the meeting on this solemn occasion, +which was eminently owned by the presence of the Great Shepherd of +Israel;) aged seventy-one years, a minister about forty-two years. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER IV. +<p> +<p> +HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY. +<p> +1822-24. +<p> +John Yeardley left Hull on the 14th of the Fourth Month, and arrived at +Hamburg on the 21st. For the purpose of attending the Exchange, and of +becoming acquainted with the language, he hired a lodging in the +neighborhood of the city, where he remained for some weeks. Writing to his +brother, under date of the 23rd of the Fourth Month, he says,-- +<p> +<p> +In the neighborhood of Hamburg, lodgings are not easily obtained for so +short a time as a month. We succeeded in procuring a room three miles from +the town, at Eppendorf, in the house of three young women, sisters. It is +a charming walk, mostly over the fields. It is quite a cross for me to go +on 'Change; but as it is the only place for information, I must submit to +it, my visit to this place being for instruction in the language and mode +of conducting business: but, from what I have yet seen, it will be quite +the best for me to proceed into the interior of the country in a few +weeks. +<p> +<p> +What his reflections were when he found himself actually an inhabitant of +the land where for so long a time he had mentally dwelt, will be seen by +the following entry in his Diary. The maxim with which it concludes may be +said to be the motto which he inscribed on his shield for the remainder of +his life. +<p> +<p> +This morning I am thankful to feel something of a peaceful serenity to +cover my mind, and am well contented in being placed on this side of the +German Ocean. I consider it an unspeakable blessing that I do not feel so +much as a wish to return, until the time may come that I can see clearly +that it is right for me so to do. Should I not be favored with health and +strength to do what I have sometimes thought designed for me before I set +my foot in this land, or should my Heavenly Father see meet to cut short +the work in righteousness and not permit that I ever see my native country +again, his gracious <i>will be done</i>. I leave this as a testimony that +none need to fear his rightly sending forth those who ask and rightly wait +for his counsel. I do not know why I should thus write: I trust it +proceeds from a resigned heart; and I will add, for fear I should never +have another opportunity, that I should wish all to know who have known +me, that I have no reason to doubt the rectitude of my crossing the water +with a prospect of a residence in this country, and that should time with +me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that love for mankind +which believes "every nation to be our nation, and every man our +brother."--(6 <i>mo.</i> 8.) +<p> +<p> +The next day's diary consists of a short but earnest prayer. +<p> +<p> +<i>First-day morning,</i>--O, gracious and most merciful Father, be +pleased to strengthen my hands for the work that is before me; be pleased +to give me the power of speech; be pleased to give me thy word, with +power to publish it to those whose hearts thou shalt be pleased to prepare +for the reception of it. +<p> +<p> +The family with whom he lodged at Eppendorf strongly engaged his religious +sympathy. +<p> +<p> +I spent, he says in his diary of the 8th of the Seventh Month, about nine +weeks at E. in a very agreeable manner with the family of three young +women. The one who is the mistress of the house is very seriously +inclined. She told me she had read a play-book giving a description of our +Society in the character of one of its members, and ever since she had had +a particular desire to see one of us, and that she could not but admire +with thankfulness that she had been gratified in having one to reside +under her roof. She had heard of Thomas Shillitoe's being in Hamburg; and +when I told her he was now in Norway, she asked me his business there, I +told her that our Friends had sometimes a desire to visit their brethren +and other religiously-disposed people in foreign lands, and that such was +his errand. She replied, "Yes, and I believe it is also yours: this is +Gospel love indeed; while so many here will not think for themselves, you +come so far to visit and help them." In saying this she was overcome with +tears. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley left Hamburg on the 2nd of the Seventh Month, and arrived at +Pyrmont on the 5th. Writing to his brother, he says: +<p> +<p> +I have now had a specimen of German travelling. Thou wilt be sure I was +very bold to set off quite alone except the driver, but it proved far +easier than I had anticipated. Instead of having a conveyance to seek when +I got over to Harburg, there was a man on the steam-packet who offered to +take me in his carriage, and the whole of my packages, to Pyrmont. +<p> +A great part of the country between Harburg and Hanover is very dreary and +barren, much resembling Bentham Moor; but the road is much worse, being in +many places not less than eighteen inches or two feet deep in sand. When +we came near Celle and Hanover, the country became quite different, being +very fruitful, and the prospect charming. Nearly all the way from Hanover +to Pyrmont it is beautiful travelling, and the road mostly good. Pyrmont +and the scenery in the surrounding neighborhood is beautiful beyond +description. +<p> +<p> +At Eppendorf he had been cheered by a visit from Benjamin Seebohm and John +Snowdon, from Bradford, who informed him that a committee from the Yearly +Meeting were on their way to Pyrmont. This was to him most welcome news, +and the Friends reached Pyrmont almost as soon as he did; but though their +company was so cordial to his mind, their presence did not relieve him +from the burden of religious exercise which he began to feel on behalf of +the members of the Society in that place, as soon as he took up his +residence amongst them. +<p> +<p> +<i>Diary.--7 mo.</i> 16.--The Committee from the Yearly Meeting--viz., +Josiah Forster, Joseph Marriage, and Peter Bedford--have visited the +families of Friends here, and attended the Preparative Meeting which was +held on First-day last. Things here appear to be very low every way among +those who profess with us; yet there are a few sincere-hearted to whom I +already begin to feel closely united in spirit. +<p> +From the time of my arrival until First-day last, I do not remember ever +to have been more oppressed in mind. I could, if I dared, almost have +wished myself in England again, for I feared I should not be able to +obtain any relief. I went to meeting on First-day in fear and trembling; +but, as is sometimes the case, it proved better than I had expected. +When we are stripped of all help but what comes from the Lord alone, it is +then that he delights most to help us. Through the acceptable assistance +of my friend B. Seebohm, I was enabled to communicate what came before me, +and the great dread which I had always had of speaking through an +interpreter was mercifully removed, for which I was truly thankful. The +three Friends were favored most instructively to labor in the meeting for +business. They are now gone to Minden; I feel tenderly united to their +spirits in much love. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley's residence was at Friedensthal, a hamlet about a mile from +the town of Pyrmont. In a letter to his brother he thus describes the +situation of the place, and his own comfortable accommodation:-- +<p> +<p> +My mother inquires as to my mode of living, and if I have comfortable +accommodations. Please to tell her that I am provided for in a way which +is exceedingly agreeable to me. I have a large airy sitting-room with +three windows, and a bed-room adjoining, situated, on one side, under the +shelter of a wood, and the other opens to a beautiful and romantic dale. +The mode of cooking is just as I would wish it; I am only anxious +sometimes that my very kind friends of the house are too much concerned +for my help and comfort. It seems scarcely possible to find an outward +situation more suited to my wishes. When I have studied in the house, I +take my books in suitable weather into the wood, and there walk and read +and think. It is true I am sometimes very flat for want of company; but if +I incline to go to Pyrmont, they are always pleased to see me, and would +willingly have me always with them.--(2 <i>mo.</i> 17, 1823.) +<p> +<p> +Very soon after his arrival at Pyrmont, John Yeardley entered into active +service in behalf of the gospel. In what religious state he found the +people towards whom he had so long been attracted in spirit, and how he +was enabled to preach to them the word of life, is exhibited in several +entries in his Diary. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo.</i> 21.--The Two-months' Meeting was held at Minden; I went, +along with several of my friends from here. The first sitting was very +large, many coming in who do not usually attend. It was a very solid +meeting; I thought there was the good savor of an honest-hearted few to be +felt among a mixed multitude. Such was the sweet, peaceful satisfaction I +felt after this meeting, that I almost said in my heart, This is enough to +repay me for setting my feet in Germany. These are precious seasons, yet I +always recur to such in fear, and rejoice with trembling; for in the midst +of the Lord's goodness to his children one seems to be falling on one +hand, and another on another; so that the language seems to be, "Will ye +also go away?" and truly we shall never be able to stand if we look not +for help to Him who has the words of eternal life. +<p> +<p> +About this time Thomas Shillitoe arrived in Germany, in the course of his +religious visit on the Continent; and John Yeardley, on his return to +Pyrmont, united with him in a visit to the families of Friends belonging +to that meeting. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 13.--My feelings are this morning deeply discouraged. I am +entering on a visit to the families here with my dear friend T.S., whose +company I have had since the 23rd ult. This service is to me a very +important one. It is an easy matter to say to a brother or a sister, Be +comforted, be strengthened; but it is no light matter to dip so feelingly +into the state of our fellow-mortals, as to feel as though we could place +<i>our</i> soul in their soul's stead, in order that they might be +strengthened and comforted. +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 20.--The visit has been got over to our great satisfaction. +In some sittings, deep exercise and mourning; in others, cause of +rejoicing over the precious seed of the kingdom, which is alive in the +hearts of some. There seems to be a remarkable visitation once more +extended, especially to the youth. +<p> +<p> +In conjunction with Thomas Shillitoe he proposed to the Friends, as only +one meeting was held on First-days, to have one in the evening for +religious reading, holding it at Friedensthal in the summer, and at +Pyrmont in the winter. The proposal was immediately complied with, and the +institution proved a valuable auxiliary to the edification of the members. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 25.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious +season; O, how all spirits were melted together! May the blessing of the +Lord rest upon this humble endeavor as a means of bringing us nearer to +himself. +<p> +28<i>th</i>,--Our English Friends [Benjamin Seebohm and John Snowdon] have +taken their departure. I feel a little solitary, but I think it a great +favor to be preserved from a wish to go with them; nothing will do for me +but entire resignation to the Lord's will and work. Little did I think +when I left my home in England, that a work of this sort awaited me in +Germany; indeed, I came blind in the gospel; I knew nothing; but now I see +such a field of labor if I am faithful: how shall it ever be accomplished? +O, prepare me, dearest Lord, for without thy heavenly hand to assist me I +must faint. O, may I ever seek thy counsel; and be thou pleased to lead me +step by step, and give strength according to the day. +<p> +29<i>th</i>.--To-day I have for the first time expressed a few sentences +in broken German in our little meeting. I do not know whether they might +be very clearly understood, but I hope the attempt to do what I conceived +to be the Lord's will, will be accepted by him. O, that he may he pleased +to give me the power of speech! +<p> +<p> +In the Ninth Month he went to Hanover with Thomas Shillitoe, who had a +concern to see the authorities regarding the observance of the First-day. +They did not meet with much success in their object; but they made the +acquaintance of Pastors Gundel and Hagemann, the latter "nearly blind and +very grey, but truly green in the feeling sense of religion," and who +rejoiced in his heart to find a brother concerned to reform those things +which had long laid heavy on his mind. +<p> +The two friends travelled together to Minden, where they parted, and John +Yeardley returned to Pyrmont by Bielefeld. +<p> +<p> +The neighborhood of this town, he says, is remarkably fine. There is a +very high hill, partly formed by nature, and partly by art, from which we +can see quite round, without any interruption, even into Holland. Here, +from the appearance of the bleach-grounds, I could fancy myself in +Barnsley. But, as Sarah Grubb says, I can have no pleasure in fine +prospects; my mind in these journeys is always too much exercised with +matters of a more serious nature. +<p> +<p> +In the latter part of the month John Yeardley went again to Minden, to +unite with Thomas Shillitoe in a visit to the families of Friends. They +commenced their visit at Bückeburg, where they had a remarkable interview +with the family of the Kammer-rath Wind, which is related at length in +T. S.'s journal (vol. i., p. 388). +<p> +The place which seems in these visits to have engaged J. Y.'s sympathies +the most strongly was the village of Eidinghausen. +<p> +<p> +We had, he says, a very favored meeting in the room where their meeting +is usually held. In the sitting in the evening, with the family where we +lodged, many of the neighbors came in, who seemed to have no wish to leave +us. I thought of the words of the dear Saviour, when seeing the multitudes +he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep having no shepherd. +Truly these have no outward shepherd who cares much for their spiritual +interests. I felt my heart much warmed in gospel love towards them, and we +invited them to give us their company again next day, which most of them +did. In this meeting there was something expressed so remarkably suited to +the states of some present, that after it was over a woman confessed it +had been as was declared, that she herself was one to whom it belonged; +and she gave us a short relation how it had been with her in former days. +<p> +The love which these simple, honest-hearted creatures manifest towards us +does away with all distinctions and the difference of language. O, that He +who teaches as never man taught may be pleased to guide them and bring +them to himself that there may be one shepherd and one sheep-fold. All our +toils in this weary land will not be too much if we can he made the +instruments of helping only one poor soul on its way Zionwards. +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 8.--I returned yesterday evening from Minden, with a +thankful heart, to come again to my quiet and romantic habitation in +Peacedale. The strong fortifications which are made, and now making, +around Minden, give it an appearance of gloom and oppression which is +scarcely to be borne. O, how uncomfortable do I feel when within its +walls; but in its neighborhood there are a few friends to whom I am +tenderly united in spirit. +<p> +<p> +He concludes this entry with an allusion to the homely and even hard +manner of life to which many of these were accustomed. +<p> +<p> +To some of our Friends in England who are dissatisfied with their outward +situation, I would say, Come and see how these live on the Continent. +<p> +<p> +The 29th of the Tenth Month was the anniversary of his wife's death. His +diary for this day is an affecting transcript of his feelings on the +occasion. +<p> +<p> +The shock which my earthly happiness received this day twelvemonths has +been, this evening, piercingly renewed in the recollection of almost every +minute transaction which accompanied the awful event of the closing +moments of my precious lamb. For truly like a lamb she lived, and was well +prepared to become an angel-spirit. O, happy spirit, thou art at rest; +then why should I mourn thy loss? Surely He who knows the weakness of our +frame will forgive, for he himself gave us the example in weeping over +those he loved. The Almighty has been very good to me; he has put it in +the hearts of those with whom I reside to care for me with an affectionate +interest. O, for greater diligence, that the day's work may keep pace with +the day. What shall I do, but pray for more strength to be made able to do +all that may be required of me. I never saw the advice of our dear Saviour +more necessary for myself than at the present time, "Be ye wise as +serpents and harmless as doves." +<p> +<p> +Soon after this he had a return, of his complaint in the stomach, which +caused him to exclaim-- +<p> +<p> +We are indeed but dust and ashes; how quickly the slender thread may be +cut, and reduce this frail tabernacle to that state of earthly composition +from which it was formed. But the spiritual part in us must have an +abiding somewhere <i>for ever</i>; this is the awful consideration which +ought continually to affect our hearts. Is it not a strange infatuation to +rank the moments of affliction among the evil events of our lives, when +these may prove the very means of bringing back our wandering feet to the +path which leads to everlasting life? +<p> +<p> +He then reviews his own situation, his calling and his work. +<p> +<p> +It is often the consideration of my heart, What has brought me into this +country? what have I done? what am I doing? and what have I to do? The +enemy is not wanting to distress my poor mind on the point of these four +important queries. But to the first I can answer, An humble submission to +what I believe to be the leadings of Divine Wisdom. To the second, through +the assistance of never-failing love, I have done what I could and have +found peace. To the third, I am desirous through divine aid to do what I +can; and to the fourth, which refers to the future, I must commit it into +the hands of the Judge of the whole earth, who alone is able to guide my +feet in the sure path. I feel in the present moment desirous to keep +eternity continually before my view, and to let outward things hang more +fully on the dependence of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the +ground without his notice. (11 <i>mo</i>. 30.) +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>, 1.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious +time. Our spirits have been much tendered in reading some account of the +lives and deaths of our worthy Friends recorded in Sewel's History. Tears +so overpowered the reader and the hearers, that the reading was at times +obliged to be suspended until we had given relief to our feelings. +<p> +<p> +In addition to this meeting, John Yeardley established another for the +young, to be held on Fourth-day evening, "in which they might improve +themselves in reading, and acquire a knowledge of the principles of the +Society, with other branches of useful information." The young women were +to bring their work; and it was his delight to interrupt the reading with +religious instruction, and such remarks as a father makes for the +improvement and gratification of his children. We see him here for the +first time in a character in which he was well known to the present +generation in various parts of England, viz., as an instructor and guide +of the youth. In noticing in his Diary the formation of the Youths' +Meeting at Pyrmont, he comments with pleasure on the innocent cheerful +manners of his audience, and on the advantages which might be looked for +from this kind of social intercourse. +<p> +The last entry in this year records an occasion of near approach to the +throne of grace in prayer in the little congregation at Pyrmont. +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 29, <i>First-day</i>.--A most remarkable season of divine +favor in our evening assembly. The awe which I had felt over my spirit the +whole of the day, and not feeling freedom to break my mind in the meeting +in the morning, induced me to look to the evening opportunity with fear +and trembling, which indeed is always the case when I feel the Master's +hand upon me. The most solemn act of worship, that of public supplication, +so powerfully impressed my mind, that I believed it right to yield to the +motion, which I humbly trust was done in due reverence and humility of +soul. Our spirits were so humbled under feelings of good that it seemed as +if the secrets of all hearts were presented before the throne of grace, to +ask forgiveness for former transgressions, strength to serve the Most High +with more acceptance, and to be finally prepared to reign with him in +glory. O how these seasons of refreshing will rise up against us in the +great day of account, if we are not concerned to improve by them! Grant, +dearest Father, that I may experience a nearer and stronger tie to do thy +will more perfectly; and let it please thee to remember those in this +place and this land for whom my spirit so often secretly mourns and prays. +<p> +<p> +The Diary of 1823 opens with a profound and solemn reflection. +<p> +<p> +1823. 1 <i>mo</i>. 4.--For want of faith we are too much inclined to serve +ourselves before we are willing to serve the Great Master, thinking we may +be able to do much for him afterwards, when it will more accord with our +situation in life. But, alas! this time may never come; if we thus put by +the <i>acceptable season</i>, our lives may close with our only having +performed very imperfectly the part which had been designed for us in the +Church militant. Painful would be the sting when appealing to the Judge of +the earth, in a moment when we no longer possessed the capability of +serving him, should the declaration be, Thou hadst a desire to serve me +when in health and strength, but thou wished <i>first</i> to <i>serve +thyself</i>. My time was not then thy time, therefore <i>thy time</i> is +not now <i>my time</i>. +<p> +<p> +A letter to his brother, written in the summer of this year (6 mo. 9), +gives a description of the mode of bleaching in use in Germany, which +will, we believe, be interesting to the English reader. John Yeardley +says: +<p> +<p> +Wilt thou not be surprised when I tell thee that I am about to commence +yarn-bleaching? Thou mayst be sure there is a pretty certain prospect of +considerable advantages, with not much risk, to induce me to make the +attempt. The advantages are threefold--safety, expedition and cheapness. +The first consists in the simplicity of treatment and safety of the +ingredients, no chemical process being made use of; the second arises from +the heat of the climate; the last is easily accounted for from the low +price of labor and the cheapness of the raw material, which is produced in +abundance in the neighborhood. In the country around, for a very +considerable distance, almost every family make their own linen; they grow +or buy the flax, spin the yarn and get it woven, and either bleach it +themselves or send it to others who have better conveniences in water, &c. +As the spring commenced, I noticed these little bleaching-plots wherever I +went, and often wondered that the color was so good. Knowing that such +people could not possibly be at any great expense or risk in the +operation, I concluded it must be done by dint of time and labor, +supposing that the yarn and cloth must lie at least a few months on the +grass; but, on inquiry, I was surprised to find it was made quite white in +three weeks or a month. To make a further proof, I sent two bundles of +yarn to two different places to bleach; it is now returned of a very good +color and perfectly strong, though it has been in blenching only a month +and two or three days, and although the greater part of the Fifth Month +has been unfavorable for bleaching. As to any risk of the yarn being +tendered, it is quite out of the question; it seems to be done by the +operation that nature points out. I have found a very convenient place For +the purpose of making trial; there is plenty of good clear water. There is +a prospect of having honest workpeople, and at very reasonable wages--not +more than 6<i>d</i>. or 8<i>d</i>. a day; there are many honest creatures +to be had at these wages who have nothing in the world to do. +<p> +From the first of my leaving England, I had no expectation of being +liberated from this country before the expiration of about four years, and +I have always been desirous that something should turn up that would +afford me support by suitable employment; so that what I have now in view +does not seem to clash with my former prospects. It is (he adds with +affectionate feeling) a source of great consolation that I can always +unbosom my mind so freely to thee; and I consider it among the greatest +blessings I enjoy, that thou hast never yet failed of being made an +instrument of support to me, and my prayer is that thou mayst never lose +thy reward. +<p> +<p> +Pyrmont is one of the oldest watering-places north of the Alps. The +inhabitants are very much dependent on the visitors who resort thither +during the three summer months, and amongst whom may frequently be +reckoned some of the first families in Europe. This year, 1823, the Prince +and Princess of Prussia (the present Regent of Prussia and his consort) +were there, and one Fourth-day morning attended the Friends' Meeting. The +meeting-house stands in one of the <i>allées</i>, and although its +position is not central, it is sufficiently public to be an object of +attraction to the curiosity of strangers. A memorandum under date of the +18th of the Sixth Month records the royal visit, and John Yeardley's +spiritual exercise on the occasion. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 18.--To-day the young prince and Princess of Prussia, with +the Princess their mother, and the Hofmeister, have been at our Fourth-day +meeting. They entered with such seriousness on their countenances that I +felt my spirit suddenly drawn towards them in love, and a secret prayer +was raised in my heart for their everlasting good. Feeling the influence +of divine love to increase, I believed it right to kneel down, and in +brokenness of spirit I expressed what had opened on my mind, which +afforded me peace; and I hope good to others was imparted, although I may +say through the unworthiest of instruments. For truly I have for some time +been as in a state of death and darkness, owing to my unwatchfulness. O +what would I give for more circumspection, that I might be more prepared +to receive the <i>word</i>, and when command is given, publish the same. +But, unworthy creature, I often deprive myself and others of seasons of +good through my negligence and barrenness. When will the time come when I +can say, all earthly things are under my feet, and the cause of religion +and virtue rules predominant in my heart! Lord, hasten the day; and +preserve my feet in thy path in the midst of many snares; and rather let +me die than be suffered to do anything which would dishonor thy gracious +and holy Name, and the profession I am making of thee before the world. +Loose my bands, and enable me to say in sincerity of heart, I am willing +to serve thee freely. +<p> +<p> +With the cause for self-condemnation, which is alluded to in this entry +was no doubt connected the neglect to keep up his Diary; no entry occurs +for more than five months previous. It was probably much more difficult in +the position which he occupied in Germany to maintain a spirit of +watchfulness and self-recollection than among his more experienced Friends +in Yorkshire. There is an allusion to this in an entry of a little later +date. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 8.--My mind feels a little more gathered than it has been for +some time past; but the little outward difficulties which are continually +arising have a great tendency to disperse the best feelings. I think it is +almost the greatest lesson that we have to learn, to stand so fast in +times of trouble as not to suffer loss. If we would so conduct ourselves +that the change of times and seasons should not have such an unfavorable +influence on our minds, this would be one great point gained; it would +enable us to meet the difficulties of the day in a better state to combat +with them. +<p> +<p> +But if daily trials abounded of a nature the most likely to retard his +spiritual progress, we shall see that He who had appointed his lot, +provided in his faithfulness the needful corrective, and by the discipline +of filial fear in the ministry of the word, kept him safe in his +sanctuary. +<p> +The attendance of visitors at the meeting-house was often numerous, +although it was seldom that they remained during the whole time of +worship. Meetings of this kind were very trying to John Yeardley's faith +and feelings; but sometimes they were seasons of heavenly blessing such +abundantly to make amends for past humiliation. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 6.--To-day the small meeting-house and passage were quite +filled with strangers, and I was told many went away who could not get in, +and some remained under the windows. No creature on earth knows what my +poor mind suffers when I go to meeting under such circumstances. Many whom +curiosity brings in the expectation to hear words may some times be +disappointed, but I hope there are some whose intentions are sincere, and +who are desirous to be informed the way to Zion. I hope strength was +afforded me to preach Christ crucified. O that the Lord may support me in +these very trying seasons, and take from me the fear of man, and fill my +heart with a holy fear of offending Him whom I humbly trust I am desirous +of choosing to be my Lord and Master. +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 27.--"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me +bless his holy name." Notwithstanding my many seasons of poverty and +inward distress, the foregoing language is sometimes put into my heart on +my return from our meetings, which are, in the bathing season, almost +always crowded with strangers. Their manner of coming in and going out +during the time of worship is exceedingly disturbing, and yet I cannot but +admire the stillness which prevails when anything is delivered. The help +which I at times experience in these trying seasons is wonderful in my +eyes. When I am concerned to stand up in His dread and fear, what have I +else to fear? This fear would always cast out the fear of man which ever +brings death; and yet so weak am I, that after all these precious helps +and comforting times, I tremble when the meeting-day comes again lest, I +should fail in doing the Lord's will. Such is my fear before I can rise to +my feet in meetings that I say with Samson, Be with me this once more that +I may bear testimony to thy name; then, if it be thy will let me die for +thee, and I will not think it too much, to suffer. O that He would be +pleased to enlarge his gift in my heart, and he unto me mouth and wisdom, +and give me tongue and utterance to declare his name unto the nations. +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 30.--Our Fourth-day meeting to-day has been a precious +heavenly season. Much more weightiness of spirit appeared to exist in the +strangers who attended, and consequently more stillness. I had not long +taken my seat before I believed it right to stand up with the words of the +apostle, "Awake to righteousness and sin not, for some have not the +knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." The women's side was nearly +full of richly-clad females; they bore the marks of worldly distinction, +and were indeed as fine as hands and pins could make them. But the +tenderings of divine love reached the hearts of some among them in a +particular degree. I felt such a nearness of spirit towards them that I +had great openness in speaking of the things which came before me. After +meeting they very willingly accepted of some books. One of them was much +reached, and went into the little plantation to weep. Another went to her +to comfort her; but she replied, Go from me and leave me alone. We may +truly say with the apostle that God is no respecter of persons, but those +who fear him and work righteousness will be accepted of him, to whatever +nation, kindred, tongue or people they may belong. All distinctions of +religious sects and party spirit are laid aside when our hearts become +prepared to embrace each other in true Christian love. I do believe the +Lord's work is begun in the hearts of many in this land; and the fervent +prayer of my spirit is that he may be pleased to carry it on to +perfection, and that we may live to see the glorious day when +righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the channels of +the sea. O Germany, Germany, what does my heart feel on account of thy +inhabitants! It seems as if I could tread thy soil for the remainder of my +days if I could only be made the instrument of helping on their way those +scattered ones who are athirst for the sincere milk of the word of life. +<p> +One of the females who visited our meetings came to the school room on +Seventh-day, and requested the favor of having a few books to peruse and +circulate. She said she was from Osnabrück, and that there were a number +of people in that place who had a great love to the Friends of our +Society. Such opportunities afford the means of circulating a knowledge of +the truth to those whose hearts may be preparing to receive it; and if +such are only awakened to seek after the ways of holiness, although they +may never come to be of our number on earth, they will he found among the +number of the saints in heaven. The bathing-list this season already +amounts to 2500 persons, in which number there are many who are desirous +to inquire the way to Zion. It is much to be desired that the peculiar +advantages which Pyrmont affords for spreading in the different parts of +the Continent books illustrative of our religious principles should be +judiciously embraced, particularly as there appears such an openness to +receive them. I can truly say I have been thankful that my lot has been +here this summer, and I trust I have not flinched from doing what I +believed to be required of me. +<p> +<p> +In his letters to his brother, John Yeardley makes frequent mention of his +mother. In the Ninth Month he heard of her being seriously ill, and he +thus writes in reference to her state, in a letter elated the 29th of the +Ninth Month:-- +<p> +<p> +The state of my dear mother's health is truly alarming; but as I have +received no further account from thee, I am flattering my poor panting +heart with a comfortable hope that she may have taken a turn for the +better, and will yet live to see the hour when we shall once more embrace +each other in my native land. If she should be taken away without my being +permitted to see her again, it would be a cup which I could not tell how +to drink. This brings poignantly to my remembrance one of the most trying +hours of my life, and yet the support then received was wonderful. +<p> +As I rode along the road in the course of this summer on a journey of +business, my dear mother was brought to my remembrance in such a very +remarkable manner, that I seemed to have a spiritual interview with her; +and she was brought so near to my feelings, that I thought it probable I +should never see her again until we met in eternity. I scarcely know how I +felt, but it was as if my spirit accompanied hers into the regions above. +I noted down the circumstance when I got home; for it had made such an +impression on my mind, that I should not then have been surprised to have +heard of her departure.<a name="FNanchor1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> +<p> +<p> +The following instructive remarks occur in the Diary about this time:-- +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 27.--My retirement and reading this morning has been more +tendering to my spirit than for a long time past. I read and considered +the institution of the Passover, when the Israelites were led out of +Egypt; and it appears clear to me that the sprinkling the door-posts with +the blood of the lambs, as commanded, was a type of our Saviour's blood +which was shed for our transgressions, and that we must be saved by his +becoming our paschal lamb. As the destroying angel only passed over the +doors and preserved those who had received the mark, so can we only be +saved by being willing to apply the blood of our dear Saviour to wash and +cleanse us from our sins. What a beauty there is in the connection of +Scripture truths when we read them with a simple heart prepared to receive +the right impression which may be opened! +<p> +<p> +The Friends of Minden and the little company of awakened people at +Eidinghausen, who on his first coming to Germany had taken so firm a hold +of John Yeardley's mind, continued to excite his religious sympathy, and +he again visited them in the latter part of this year. +<p> +<p> +(<i>Minden</i>.)--On Seventh-day last, the 1st of the Eleventh Month, I +left home in company with some of my dear Pyrmont friends to attend the +Two-months' Meeting, and to spend a few days with my dear friends of this +place. I lodge with Frederick Schmidt, and feel myself perfectly at home. +It is a most orderly and agreeable family, consisting of himself, +daughter, and housekeeper; and the time passes pleasantly away when I am +only enough concerned to improve the opportunities afforded by this good +man's company. He was one of the first in this place who was convinced of +the religious principles of Friends, and his beginning was small both in +temporals and spirituals. I cannot but admire how his endeavors have been +prospered. He remarked the other evening in conversation, that it was of +great advantage to the Friends to persevere in their outward callings, and +not to jump (us he expressed it) out of one thing into another. This would +be the means of establishing their credit as men of business. +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 7.--Sarah Grubb mentions<a name="FNanchor2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> that when she visited Minden, +she met with great kindness and attention from a councillor of the place, +who on their leaving accompanied them a little way out of the town to an +inn, where he had provided coffee, and had invited a few of his friends to +take leave of them. This was at the house of my worthy host [Frederick +Schmidt], who then kept the inn at Kuckuk, and had for some time been +under deep [religious] impressions. He related to me that her discourse in +the meeting she had Lad in the town had affected him, and yet he could not +give her his hand, but went into the garden to weep; but after she had got +into the carriage and driven from the door, she suddenly made a stop, came +again into the house, and asked for him. He being called, she had a +remarkable opportunity with him; she told him she believed the Lord had a +work for him to do in this place, and that he would have to stand foremost +in the rank, and when the time came he must not flinch from doing what his +Master would require. This has in a remarkable manner been fulfilled to +the present day, and affords an encouraging example to the poor tried +servants of the Lord to be faithful to apprehended duty. Although they may +not live to see the effect of their labors, yet their Lord and Master will +not leave himself without a witness in the hearts of his people; praised +be his name. +<p> +14<i>th</i>. Since Thomas Shillitoe and I visited Eidinghausen, there has +been a remarkable revival to a sense of religion; a number come together +in a sort of society every First-day afternoon, to read, sing, and pray +for the edification one of another. As all things have a beginning, this +may perhaps prove a step to a more perfect way of worship. I had long felt +inclined to visit the meeting in Eidinghausen, and had looked towards +accomplishing it from Minden. +<p> +I went there on the 9th inst., and my intention to be there being known a +few days before caused many of these awakened people to attend the meeting +so that the little school-room was quite full, and many stood in the +passage. I was truly thankful to be amongst them, for it proved a most +satisfactory season. They are a rustic set of folks, but have each a soul +to save or to lose, and all souls are of equal value in the sight of the +Judge of the whole earth. Lewis Seebohm kindly gave up his time to attend +me as interpreter, for I still prefer help of this sort when it can be +done through one who is so feelingly capable. I often feel as a poor +wandering stranger in a strange land, and yet I dare not complain. The +goodness of the Lord is great towards me; he opens the hearts of those +whom I am concerned to visit, to receive me into their hearts and houses, +so that it affords me great freedom in speaking to them on serious +subjects relating to their best interests, both spiritual and temporal. I +am convinced 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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +The effectual means of help seems yet to fail,--that of putting the +families in the way of helping themselves by suitable employment. The +families who live in the neighborhood of Minden, mostly on small parcels +of land, have until now got on with a tolerable degree of comfort, by +cultivating their land in summer and spinning yarn in winter; but now the +depression is so great that if they could be put into the way of earning +threepence a day, they would embrace it with thankfulness. I have been +very diffident in proponing any plan for their assistance, knowing that +some former proposals have failed of accomplishing the end. But I have +consulted with those who are best acquainted with their situation, and we +think it safest for them to continue their own employment of spinning +yarn, and endeavor to mend their trade by placing it on this footing. They +must spin such an article as I can make use of in sending it, with what I +buy from other people, to my friends in the linen business in England. I +am to give them a little higher price than they can elsewhere obtain, and +those who have no flax of their own must have a little money advanced to +purchase some, which they must repay in yarn. When the yarn is disposed +of in England, and a profit on the same can be obtained, it must be +distributed among them as a premium to encourage industry and good +management in producing a good article. If this does not answer, I cannot +see any thing at present that will. +<p> +<p> +How far this scheme was put in practice we are unable to say, but we +believe it was not accompanied by any successful result. +<p> +In the next entry he speaks of the advantage which he derived from keeping +a diary. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 17.--I was this evening accidentally induced to read over a +few of my former memorandums; and it humbled my spirit to retrace the +dealings of my merciful Father with me. I am glad that I have from time to +time penned down a few remarks by way of diary, although it has been done +interruptedly and very imperfectly. It proves a means of enabling me to +see a wonderful concurrence in the ways of Divine Wisdom which has led me +in a way that I knew not, and hitherto preserved me through the mercies of +his love: praise be to his Name now and for ever. Amen. +<p> +<p> +After his return from Minden he accompanied John and William Seebohm, who +were going on a journey of business to Leipzig. They went by way of +Brunswick and Halberstadt, and returned by Nordhausen and Eimbeck. In this +tour through the heart of Germany, John Yeardley made many observations on +the state of agriculture, the cities, and the character of the people. Of +the last they met with several curious traits, some of them sufficiently +annoying. +<p> +<p> +On many great roads, says J.Y., there is a summer and a winter way, +running parallel to each other, with a rail across, on which is a notice +that the way is forbidden by a fine of 6<i>d</i>. or 8<i>d</i>, for each +horse, that the traveller may know when to take the summer or the winter +road. We stopped on the way [they were not far from Wolfenbüttel] to give +our horses a little bread, and our coachman drove to the side of the road +to make way for carriages to pass. But he had inadvertently gone over the +setting on of the road; and the roadmaster came to us, and told us we must +not feed our horses there, as it was not allowed to drive over the stones +on the side, under a penalty of three shillings per horse. The evening of +the same day we fed our horses at an inn, and walked before, leaving the +man to follow us. I and my young friend W.S. sought the cleanest part of +the way by walking in the course made for the water, which was green and +clean; but so soon as we came by the inspectors, who are mostly employed +on the road, one of them told us we must mind for the future and keep the +right footpath, or pay 6<i>d</i>. each. This I considered as an +infringement of English liberty, and was ready to reason with him on the +subject; but I reflected that I was a stranger, and that it is always +better and more polite to submit quietly to the regulations of the country +in which we live, than bring ourselves into difficulty through incivility +or contention. +<p> +<p> +In returning from Leipzig, J.Y. and his friends committed a more serious +offence against the pragmatical regulations of the German States. +<p> +<p> +On our journey homewards we had much perplexity with some cloth, &c. which +J.S. had bought in Leipzig to bring to Pyrmont. This arose from want of +better information respecting the laws of the Prussian territory. They are +exceedingly strict as to duties. All kinds of wares are allowed to pass +through the country at what may be called a reasonable excise; but those +travellers who have excise goods with them must preserve a certain road, +called the Zoll-strasse. It was our lot to miss this road; for +apprehending ourselves at liberty to pursue what road we pleased, we took +another way. But we found our mistake when we came to the place where the +duty is paid; for we were informed we had taken the wrong road, and that +transit duty could not be received; we must either pay the full excise as +when goods remain in the Prussian territory, or return back until we came +again into the Zoll-strasse. It took some time to consider which was best +to be done. To be sent about we knew not whither, and on roads scarcely +passable, would prove a serious inconvenience; and on the other hand it +was exceedingly mortifying to pay for such a trifle so enormous an excise. +The officer was very civil, but told us it was not in his power to do +otherwise. We concluded it would be best and cheapest to pay dearly for +our error rather than be retarded on our journey. We had a regular receipt +for what we paid, but inadvertently departing again from the appointed +way, we were in danger of paying the full duty a second time, or having +the goods taken from us. So much for travelling with excise goods. +<p> +<p> +Early in 1824, John Yeardley returned for a few months to England. He had +ingratiated himself so thoroughly into the esteem and love of his Pyrmont +friends, that his departure even for a short time was the signal of +lamentation through the whole meeting. On the 11th of the First Month he +had a farewell meeting at Friedensthal, which was attended by almost all +his friends. With his parting blessing he had some counsel to impart. +<p> +<p> +I have so much place, he says, in their minds, that whatever I say, either +in counsel or reproof, is always received in love. Such a scene I never +witnessed; the dear lambs all wept aloud; we were indeed all melted +together. May the Shepherd of Israel never leave them nor forsake them, +and may they become willing to follow his leading. I can truly say that on +their behalf my pillow has been often wet with my tears. +<p> +<p> +On the 3rd of the Second Month, he left Friedensthal, accompanied by a +young Friend whom he was to conduct to a temporary residence in England, +and in whose religious welfare he was deeply interested. While waiting in +Hamburg for a vessel, he felt keenly his solitary situation in the world. +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 9.--I think I never felt poorer in spirit and more +discouraged than at present. It seems as if visiting my native land had no +cheering prospect for me. If it were right in the divine sight I could +almost wish to spend the whole of my life in solitude; but I must be +willing patiently to suffer, and endeavor to fill the place appointed for +me on this stage of action. +<p> +<p> +A vessel sailed for England the day before their arrival at Hamburg, a +circumstance which at first made him regret he had not used more +expedition on the way. But he immediately recollected it might he for the +best that he was left behind. This proved to be the case; for the vessel +with which he would have sailed, meeting with contrary winds and dark +weather, ran aground, and was obliged to put back, and when J.Y. left the +Elbe she was lying in Cuxhaven harbor. +<p> +They landed at Hull on the 19th. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER V. +<p> +<p> +FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST +CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. +<p> +On setting foot again in England, the dejected state of mind which had +accompanied him on the journey returned with renewed force. +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 19.--I do not know how to describe my feelings in landing on +my native shore: I feel a poor discouraged creature. May He who knows the +sincerity of my heart be pleased to strengthen my poor mind, for I feel +almost overwhelmed with fears and difficulties. +<p> +<p> +Still deeper was his emotion on visiting again the home of former days. +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 20.---Left Hull, and came by way of Selby and Wakefield to +Barnsley. I felt my heart exceedingly burdened before I reached the place: +it seemed as if all the bitter cups I had drunk in former times were going +to be handed to me afresh. This may not be, perhaps, altogether on my own +account. There is at times a fellow-feeling with others; and on my +reaching this place, I soon felt my spirit dipped into sympathy with some +of my dear connexions, who are not without their trials. +<p> +<p> +A few days afterwards, in allusion to the religious service of Elizabeth +H. Walker of West Chester, U.S., in a public meeting for worship at +Barnsley, he says:-- +<p> +<p> +I do not really know what is the matter, but I fear I am going backwards +from all that is good. When I look at the usefulness of others, O what an +insignificant, useless being I appear! +<p> +This lowly opinion of himself, however, was not to serve as an excuse for +idleness, and it was proposed to him to bear Elizabeth Walker company in a +religious circuit in some of the midland counties, previous to the +occurrence of the Yearly Meeting. He accepted the proposal; and they +travelled together through part of Staffordshire, Warwick, Worcester, and +Oxfordshire, visiting the meetings of Friends, and sometimes inviting the +attendance of the public. +<p> +The dispirited state of mind which John Yeardley had brought with him from +Germany accompanied him on this journey, and on the 30th of the Fourth +Month he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +I walked last evening in the fields, in a solitary frame of mind, being +very low in spirits on many accounts. My own unfaithfulness deprives me of +strength to cast off my burden as I go along; consequently I grow weaker +and weaker, which is indeed diametrically opposite to growing stronger and +stronger in the Lord. Lamentable case! O for a alteration for the better! +<p> +<i>Fifth-day, the 6th of Fifth Month, at Sibford</i>.--This is a pretty +large meeting, and there are a good many sweet-looking young folks. The +lovely countenances of such are always refreshing to me, and it is not +much wonder if I have a little more openness for labor, winch was the case +in this place. But in general I sit and bemoan my own uselessness. I have +been a burden to myself in this little journey, in fearing I might be so +to my friends; but I ought to be very thankful that they do not seem to +think me so, but are desirous to encourage me. I think if it was +otherwise, it would be more than I could bear. +<p> +<p> +In the Fifth Month, he attended the Yearly Meeting in London. At the +Meeting of Ministers and Elders, an unusual number of certificates were +granted for religious service abroad. These various concerns drew from him +the following reflections:-- +<p> +<p> +As I sat under the weighty consideration and disposal of these subjects, I +felt a degree of rejoicing to spring in my heart, that there are still +members who hold the promotion of the cause of righteousness in the earth +dear to the best feelings of their hearts. It is indeed cause of heartfelt +gratitude that the Divine Master is directing the feet of his messengers +not only to the borders of this isle, but also into distant parts of the +earth. +<p> +During the Yearly Meeting John Yeardley lodged at William Allen's, at +Plough-court and Stoke Newington, and was introduced to several Friends +with whom he had not before been acquainted. +<p> +<p> +The acquaintance which I have made with many dear and valued Friends in +the neighborhood of London has, I hope, been a little strength to me in +the best things. It is truly pleasant to be treated with such genuine +kindness; but it is nothing for the soul to build upon,--we must look for +a more sure foundation than the favor of the great and good. +<p> +<p> +Elizabeth H. Walker had a meeting with the younger part of the Society in +London and the neighborhood. In noticing this meeting J.Y. has some +discriminating remarks on the exercise of the ministry. +<p> +<p> +During this as well as many other meetings for worship, I sat under +religious exercise, but could seldom believe it required of me to take +part in the public ministry. I often think, when many exercised brethren +and sisters are present; there would be a danger of interrupting the true +gospel order, if all were not careful to wait on the Great Minister of the +Sanctuary. If we patiently abide under the rightly baptizing power, what +we may apprehend preparing in our hearts for utterance may often be +delivered by others, and we only have to say, as it were, Amen. We may +also be brought into a right willingness to speak in the Lord's name, and +still be excused; this may be, perhaps, a preparation of an offering which +may be called for at another place. O the importance of knowing the word +rightly to be divided, and when and where the offering is required! +<p> +<p> +A part of Elizabeth Walker's errand in coming to Europe was to visit the +Friends in Germany; mid it was proposed that John Yeardley should take +charge of her and her companion, Christiana A. Price of Neath, on his +return to Pyrmont. They went together through Essex and Suffolk, having +meetings on their way; but at Ipswich it appeared that C.A. Price's health +was unequal to the journey, and Elizabeth Walker proceeded to Hull to +cross the water from thence with another company of Friends who were bound +for the Continent. J.Y. was thus left to proceed alone to Pyrmont, and he +sailed from Harwich on the 19th of the Sixth Month. When in Suffolk he +went to Needham to see "dear ancient Samuel Alexander." +<p> +<p> +I had, he says, long known this fatherly man by name and person, but had +had no acquaintance with him until now: his company and conversation were +exceedingly pleasant and instructive to me. In the evening I took a walk +in a large plantation which he had himself planted when young, and had now +lived to see afford him a comfortable retreat. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley was taken ill when in Suffolk, and on settling down again +in his quiet home at Friedensthal he writes: +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 15.--I am drinking salt-spring-water, and my health is +mercifully restored. The air of this country seems to suit my constitution +better than that of England. Time is very precious. I think, to keep a +more correct journal of what I do each day might be very useful, by +inducing a more narrow scrutiny how each hour is spent; for I know not how +many more may be allowed me to prepare for eternity. +<p> +<p> +To this resolution he did not adhere. With the exception of two short +entries in the same month, he wrote nothing in his diary for the remainder +of the year. The difficulties of his position, perhaps a lack of +sufficient employment, and the want of that instant watchfulness without +which the disciple is ever prone to stray from his Master's side, seem to +have again produced, as they did twelve months before, a season of +spiritual famine. +<p> +His own gloomy condition did not, however, altogether disable him from +sympathizing with others. In a letter to his brother of the 4th of the +Eleventh Month he says;-- +<p> +<p> +I have of late been in such a low tried state of mind, that I have been +discouraged from writing thee, under an apprehension I should say nothing +that would afford thee any satisfaction in reading. But though I may not +have it in my power to relieve thee, I hope it will not be unpleasant to +thee to know that thou art still more dear and near to me than ever thou +wast in the times of more apparent outward prosperity. It is a high +attainment to know how to set a right value on perishable things, and it +requires no small degree of fortitude to bear the depression of apparent +temporary adversity, in that disposition of mind which becomes the +character of a true Christian. Although, according to our apprehensions, +the storm may last long, yet it most assuredly will blow over, and then +greater will be our peace than if we had never known a tempest. +<p> +<p> +On resuming his Diary, which he did in the First Month of 1825, John +Yeardley gives an account of the events which happened to him during the +previous few months. +<p> +In the Seventh Month 1824, Thomas Shillitoe and Elizabeth H. Walker came +to Pyrmont, and to the latter J.Y. gave his assistance in various +religious engagements. After her departure he again visited Minden, with +the neighboring villages of Eidinghausen and Hille. His visit to the +last-named place (1 mo. 13, 1825) was marked by a singular circumstance. +<p> +<p> +Finding a sudden draft [in my mind] to be at the reading meeting in Hille, +to begin at two o'clock, there seemed but little time; however, proposing +it to my dear friend John Rasche, he was quite willing to accompany me, +and driving quickly we came in due time. When the [meeting] was over, the +Friends told me they thought it very remarkable that we should come +unexpectedly on that day, and that what was communicated after the reading +was particularly suited to the state of a woman Friend present, who was +laboring under the temptation that she had committed the unpardonable sin, +and could find no rest day or night. I could not prevent them from +expressing their thankfulness for such a mark of Providential +interference, in this way to afford the poor woman a little relief and +encouragement. +<p> +<p> +Four days afterwards, having then returned to Friedensthal, J.Y. +adds:--"Since our visit to Hille, the person above-mentioned is dead!" +<p> +The depression under which John Yeardley labored, from the loss of that +comfortable presence of his Lord which had been almost from his youth as a +lamp shining continually upon his head, seems to have reached its lowest +point in the early part of this year. Under date of the 24th of the Second +Month he says:-- +<p> +<p> +I have this morning once more been enabled to pour out my sorrowful spirit +before the Father of mercies in a way that has afforded me some relief and +encouragement. In bitterness, and, I may almost say, in agony of soul have +I spread before him some of those circumstances which have been a cause of +unspeakable distress to me for many months past, and rendered me unfit for +almost every service, temporal or spiritual. +<p> +Thou knowest, O gracious Father, I long to have my ways and steps +regulated by thy holy will. Therefore I beseech thee, have mercy on my +faults, and blot out from thy remembrance all my sins, and everything +wherein I have in weakness offended thee; and be pleased to give me +strength to become more perfectly and lastingly thine. O how sensibly do I +feel my own weakness, and that without thee I can do nothing, not for a +moment preserve my own steps. +<p> +<p> +In the midst of his discouragement his mind was directed towards the +accomplishment of another part of the commission which had been entrusted +to him before he left England.--viz., to sojourn for a time amongst the +Friends in the South of France. Accordingly, early in the Third Month he +went to Minden, and laid before the Two-months' Meeting, his intention of +going to Congenies for this purpose, and also of seeking a religious +interview with some serious people in the neighborhood of Cologne. +<p> +<p> +This information, he says, was received by my friends with much sympathy +and, I trust, weightiness of spirit, and I felt a little strengthened by +the expression of their feelings and unity with me in this concern. A +certificate of their approbation was ordered to be drawn up. No creature +on earth knows how this prospect humbles me. I always think I am dealt +with in a remarkable manner,--somewhat different perhaps from others. +Notwithstanding all the seemingly insurmountable difficulties which stand +in the way, and which are far too numerous to particularize, my peace is +connected with my obedience. What will be the result I know not; the way +appears not yet quite clear us to the time of departure. O Lord, favor me +to wait on thee for the spirit of discernment not to step forth in the +wrong time. +<p> +<p> +The obedience which he practised in committing himself in simple faith to +this religious prospect prepared the way for a temporal blessing, as well +as for the return of inward joy. He little knew, when persecuted by the +Accuser of the brethren, and mourning over the weakness of his own corrupt +nature, that his Lord was about to provide for him a congenial and helpful +companion, in the room of her whose loss had left him solitary in the +world. Without this timely sacrifice of his own will, it could not have +been so easy for him to make the journey to France in the way in which it +was done, and which was the means of bringing about the union which shed +so much comfort on the remainder of his life. +<p> +Between two and three months after the meeting at Minden, he received the +information that Martha Savory, accompanied by Martha Towell, was about to +pay a religious visit to the Friends at Pyrmont and Minden. He had been +introduced in London to Martha Savory as a minister of the gospel, and one +who had been abroad in its service, but his acquaintance with her seems to +have been slight.<a name="FNanchor3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> On receiving this intelligence he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +The prospect of seeing a few dear Friends from my native land would be +cheering, but I am really so cast down that I seem as if I could not, and +almost dare not, rejoice in anything. May this low proving season answer +the end for which it is permitted! +<p> +<p> +As he apprehended the Friends who were coming from England might require a +guide, John Yeardley went to meet them at Rotterdam. His journey, and the +singular coincidence of Martha Savory's concern with his own, are +described in a letter to his brother, written after his return from +Holland. +<p> +<p> +Friedensthal, Pyrmont, 7 mo. 14,1825. +<p> +MY DEAR BROTHER, +<p> +On my return from Holland I received thy long and very interesting letter. +Martha Savory and her companion Martha Towell are now acceptably with us. +They expect to spend two or three months with us, and then we have some +prospect of going in company to the South of France. As this has fallen +out in a rather remarkable manner, it may not be amiss just to explain it +to thee. We were entire strangers to each other's concern; but as soon as +my friends in London heard of my prospect from the copy of the minutes of +our Two-months' Meeting and of my certificate, dear William Allen wrote to +me desiring a more particular description of my views, time of departure, +&c., and mentioned at the same time M.S.'s concern, which had already +passed the Quarterly Meeting, and it was fully expected she would be +liberated [by the Meeting of Ministers and Elders] to visit Pyrmont and +Minden, and afterwards, if <i>suitable company offered</i>, proceed to +some parts of the banks of the Rhine, Switzerland, and Congenies, in the +south of France. I wrote to W.A., and explained to him my prospect, which +was to visit a few individuals in the neighborhood of Cologne and pass +through Switzerland to Congenies. I then received a letter from our dear +friend M. Savory, stating that she and W.A. had been much struck with the +remarkable coincidence in our views; our prospects being to the same +places and in the same way; and that it seemed in the pointing of Truth +for us to join in company. +<p> +Fifth mo. 26th, I left Friedensthal to visit my friends in Minden and its +neighborhood; and after spending about two weeks there, I felt very much +inclined to give our friends the meeting at Rotterdam. I set off, +accordingly, the 7th of the Sixth Month, and travelled seven days through +a desert country to Amsterdam, I went almost one half of the way by water, +across the Zuider Zee from Zwolle to Amsterdam. After spending a few days +in Amsterdam, I went, with J.S. Mollet, who is the only Friend in that +city, to Rotterdam, where we met with M.S. and M.T. Thomas Christy, +junior, had accompanied them, from London. M.S. had letters of +recommendation to many persons in Amsterdam, whom we visited; and though +some of them were first-rate characters in the place, it is surprising +with what affection and kindness they received us. J.S. Mollet accompanied +us to Pyrmont. +<p> +<p> +An account of his journey, both going and returning, is also contained in +J.Y.'s diary: it presents some additional notices which claim a place +here. +<p> +Before leaving Minden for Rotterdam, he twice visited Eidinghausen, and +saw some young men who were under suffering because of their refusal to +serve in the militia. +<p> +<p> +One in particular (he says, in writing up the diary), a sweet young man, +at this moment may be in torture. O, how I feel for him! My soul breathes +to the Almighty Father of mercies on his account, that he may he +strengthened to endure all with patience for the sake of his Lord, who has +given him a testimony to bear against the spirit of war and fighting. +<p> +<p> +At the conclusion of the second meeting at Eidinghausen, he says:-- +<p> +<p> +The meeting was fully attended, and I afterwards dined alone in the +schoolroom with a light heart. I thought I could say, After the work is +done, food tastes sweet. +<p> +<p> +At Rotterdam, John Yeardley and his companions made the acquaintance of a +"very interesting missionary student, who believes he has a call to go on +a mission to the Greeks, and is waiting for an opening: his name is +Gützlaff." At Amsterdam, a letter from Gützlaff introduced them to the +priest of the Greek church in that city, Helanios Paschalides, a man of +child-like spirit, and long schooled in affliction, who had become +awakened to his own religious wants, and who believed himself called to +return to Greece and instruct his countrymen. These two interviews are +memorable, as being, probably, the commencement of the strong interest +which J. and M.Y. evinced in the Greek people, and which issued, years +afterwards, in a religious tour in that country. At Zeist, where there is +a settlement of Moravians, the ministers, finding the Friends desired to +convene their members in a meeting for worship, readily consented. +<p> +<p> +The meeting, writes J.Y., was more fully attended than we had expected. +There is much sweetness of spirit to be felt about these people, but a +want of stillness. I thought some of the hearers were prepared to see +further than their teachers, and the time may yet come when some may be +drawn into a more spiritual worship. We left them a few tracts, and they +kindly gave us a few little boots of theirs. It is remarkable in what a +spirit of love they received us. +<p> +<p> +The Friends reached Pyrmont on the 1st of the Seventh Month, and shortly +afterwards made a visit amongst the members from house to house in that +place, and at Minden. On the 28th they visited a number of seriously +awakened persons at Lenzinghausen, who felt the necessity of spiritual +worship, and to whom their hearts were much enlarged in gospel love. +<p> +<p> +Walking in the garden, writes John, Yeardley, in a very solemn and +solitary frame of mind before the meeting, I had such a feeling as I +scarcely ever remember to have had before. I thought I saw, as in the +vision of light, as if a people would be gathered in that neighborhood to +the knowledge of the truth. It appeared to me to be in the divine +appointment that our dear M.S. was come to visit Germany, and a large +field of labor seems to be appointed for her in this land if she is +faithful. +<p> +<p> +The next two months were occupied with various religious services, public +and private, not omitting meetings at Eidinghausen and Hille, where, as on +former occasions, J.Y. found his heart to go out towards the people with +strong emotions of Christian love. About 150 attended at the former, and +300 at the latter place. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER VI. +<p> +<p> +HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1825-6. +<p> +The time was now come for John Yeardley and Martha Savory to pursue their +journey to the Rhine, Switzerland and France. They left Pyrmont on the +11th of the Tenth Month, 1825, and beside Martha Towell, were accompanied +as far as Basle by William Seebohm as interpreter. Every member of the +party wrote in one way or other an account of the journey, and we have +availed ourselves of these various sources in the following narrative. +<p> +Passing through Paderborn, they arrived at Herdecke on the 13th. Regarding +his feelings in this place John Yeardley writes:-- +<p> +<p> +This morning I was greatly dejected, and fearful we might find none of the +people whom we were seeking. As I was walking pensively outside the town, +I recollected what I once read in "Cecil's Remains,"--that a way may +suddenly open before us when we the least expect it. This was now to be +verified; for after we had entered the carriage with the intention of +going to Elberfeld, and while we were waiting for a road-ticket, I +accidentally fell into conversation with our hostess, and making inquiry +for people of religions character, learnt that there were a number of such +in the neighborhood. +<p> +<p> +The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this little society who +resided in the town. He informed them that a meeting was held at Hageney, +about six miles distant, at the house of a pastor named Hücker. Being +disposed to visit this pastor, they took their informant with them as +guide, turned their horses in the direction opposite to Elberfeld, and +drove along a very bad road to his house. They found him occupied in +teaching some poor children. He told them that their visit was opportune +and remarkable, for that he had been denounced as a delinquent before the +Synod of Berlin, which had sent him a string of questions on doctrine and +church-government. He had returned a reply to the questions, and was then +waiting the determination of the synod, whether he was to be displaced +from his cure or not. The Friends examined his answers, and were well +satisfied with them: the worship which he and his little flock (about +thirty in number) practised was of a more spiritual character than that of +the national church. Martha Savory expressed her deep sympathy with him in +his difficult and painful situation, and John Yeardley also addressed him +in words of consolation and encouragement. +<p> +At Elberfeld, where they arrived on the 15th, they met with several +interesting persons. One of these, a young pastor named Ball, became +greatly endeared to them. He informed them that when he had been severely +tempted, he had found support and deliverance in silent waiting on the +Lord. Another was Pastor Lindel, who resided at some distance from the +city, in the Wupperthal; he had been brought up a Roman Catholic, had seen +many changes, and suffered not a little persecution. He took them to see a +neighbor, an aged man, weak in body, but strong and lively in spirit. This +man told them he was present at a meeting at Mühlheim held by Sarah Grubb, +about thirty years before; and that, although ninety years old, he +recollected the words with which she concluded her discourse: "By this +shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to +another." This love, say the narrators of the occurrence, was felt amongst +us on this occasion, and at parting the good old man gave us his blessing. +<p> +They quitted Elberfeld on the 19th, and proceeded to Düsseldorf, where the +reception they met with was equally open and gratifying. They spent an +evening at Kaiserswerth with Pastor Fliedner, who was occupied in +vigilantly guarding a little nock of Protestants surrounded by +unscrupulous Romanists. He evinced much interest in the management of +prisons, and was endeavoring to introduce improvements in that of +Düsseldorf: he had met with Martha Savory in one of her visits at +Newgate.<a name="FNanchor4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> +<p> +The next day they went to Düsselthal, and inspected the institution there. +The Count Von-der-Recke conducted them himself through every department. +<p> +<p> +His countenance, says John Yeardley, evinces the magnanimity and kindness +of his heart; it is remarkable and precious that so young a man should +dedicate his whole time and fortune for the benefit of the orphan and the +destitute. +<p> +<p> +At Creveldt, the next town where they stopped, Pastor Molinaar and his +wife, who were Mennonists received them in a very cordial manner: the +latter had seen Thomas Shillitoe at Amsterdam. J.Y. relates several visits +which these worthy persons and some of their Christian friends paid to +them at the inn. +<p> +<p> +22<i>nd.</i>--In the evening Pastor Molinaar came, with his wife and some +friends, to tea. They inquired very narrowly respecting our principles. +Pastor M. turned the conversation on women's preaching, and, after some +explanation, appeared to be pretty well satisfied with our views on this +subject. The Mennonists hold strongly to the use of Water Baptism, and the +pastor and his wife defended this practice, the latter with much +earnestness. But when we had unfolded our sentiments, and William Seebohm +had read a passage from Tuke's "Principles," the pastor, seeing that we +aimed only at the spiritual sense, acknowledged that he had often queried +with himself whether the usage could not properly be dispensed with, and +said that he intended still further to examine the question. Our +certificates were then read; and after we had conversed on our church +discipline, the company separated in mutual love. +<p> +<p> +The Friends inquired of the Mennonists whether any of their Society would +incline to sit with them on the First-day evening. +<p> +<p> +Our friend, Martha Savory, told them we could not promise that anything +should be uttered, seeing this could only take place through the immediate +operation of the Holy Spirit. At the appointed time there assembled about +fifty persons. After a short conversation they seated themselves, and when +we had sat awhile in silence, M.S. found herself moved to address them in +a feeling manner, W.S. interpreting; and I relieved my mind in German as +well as I was able. Before we separated, Pastor Molinaar rose, and in the +name of the rest expressed his heartfelt satisfaction, adding that he +hoped we should remember them for good, as they should not fail to pray +for our preservation. +<p> +24<i>th.</i>--We told Pastor M. that it would be agreeable if he and any +others of his friends who wished to take leave of us would come to the +hotel. At seven o'clock, instead of a few as we expected, there came about +thirty. The ladies seated themselves quite sociably, and took out their +work, but were evidently prepared to lay it aside in the hope of having +another religious sitting. But as we believed there were those present who +had come from too great a desire to hear words, we were on the guard not +to satisfy this excited inclination; and the evening was spent in +agreeable conversation. Before we separated, however, we thought it well +to read our Yearly Meeting's Epistle, which was acceptable to all. Pastor +M. especially was pleased with the part about church-discipline, and said +he considered it of real advantage that the epistle had been read in +that company, as there were several young women present who might receive +benefit from it. +<p> +<p> +Feeling attracted towards the inhabitants of Mühlheim on the Ruhr, the +Friends again turned out of the direct road and crossing the Rhine a +little beyond Duisburg, arrived in the evening at Mühlheim. They found a +company of Separatists in the neighborhood of the town, some of whom they +visited; and the next day they passed over the Ruhr, and, with the +assistance of a school-master, convened a meeting for worship. At the time +appointed nearly three hundred persons assembled, mostly of the poorer +class. They were seated in a large school-room, the men on one side and +the women on the other, waiting in silence. They had a good meeting, and +at the conclusion the auditory expressed their unwillingness to part, and +their desire that those who had ministered to them should visit them +again. +<p> +On the 27th, after calling upon some descendants of Gerhard Tersteegen, +our Friends proceeded through Düsseldorf to Cologne. They were +disappointed of finding in the neighborhood of this city, that company of +religious people on whose account they had felt much interested, and of +whom they had heard that "they held principles like the Quakers, and were +as obstinate in them as they are." They did no more here than call upon a +few serious persons in the city, and then went forwards to Neuwied, hoping +there to hear of them. +<p> +At Neuwied, besides becoming acquainted with the Moravian preachers and +others, they were called upon by some of the <i>Inspirirten</i>, who +invited them to their meetings. They attended one of these; but, being +dissatisfied with the manner of the service, and not finding relief for +their spiritual exercise, though the opportunity of speaking was offered +without reserve, they in turn invited the company to meet with them the +next morning after the manner of Friends. The meeting was held to mutual +satisfaction, and one of the leading men amongst the <i>Inspirirten</i> +expressed the hope that it would be blessed to them; for he was, he said, +sensible of the want of less activity and more of silent waiting in their +religious assemblies. +<p> +The society to which these people belonged divided in 1818 into two +branches, after an awakening which took place that year; those who +separated believing it to be incumbent upon them to lead more self-denying +lives, and dwell more closely under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This +new connection was the people of whom our Friends had heard; and they +learnt that they had retired to a place called Schwartzenau, near +Berlenburg, a small town at the eastern end of the barren hilly region +known as the Sauerland. The distance of this place from Neuwied is +considerable, and the roads amongst the worst in Germany; but John +Yeardley and Martha Savory apprehended they could not peacefully pursue +their journey without attempting to visit them. +<p> +Accordingly they left Neuwied on the 1st of the Eleventh Month, and +proceeded to Montabauer. The road led them at first amongst some of the +choicest scenery of the Rhine; but after a while they left the river and +struck into the interior of the country, in a north-easterly direction. +The next day they passed through a place where, a few months before, a +Diligence had been robbed. The robbers, who had been taken a fortnight +after the offence, were then, as they were informed, in Limburg gaol, and +were to be hanged the next day. They were ten in number, all members of +one family. At Burbach they met with an English landlord, thirty-five +years resident in Germany; he was delimited to see his fellow-countrymen, +and exerted himself to give them the best entertainment his house +afforded. The country they passed through was very hilly, and overgrown +with forest; now and then a solitary dwelling was seen in the bottom of +the deep valleys. +<p> +On the 3rd they came to Siegen, an ancient and antique town on the side of +a high hill, looking, as one of the party observed, as though they had +reached the end of the world. And, indeed, it seemed almost like the end +of the civilised world; for they were informed that the road from thence +to Berlenburg was in such a miserable condition that they could take their +carriage no farther. They resolved, however, to make the attempt, and +providing themselves with a tandem horse (<i>vorspann</i>) and a guide, +and sending on their luggage, they set forth on the way to Letze, a +village where they proposed to lodge; but the waters were abroad from the +overflow of the rivers, and the road being extremely narrow, and the ruts +deep, they made very slow progress. Sometimes the way was so impracticable +that they had to take the carriage through the woods which skirted the +road. Darkness and rain coming on obliged them to halt for the night at +Netphen, and seek shelter in the humble dwelling of a woman, who at first +took alarm at the unexpected appearance of so many strangers. The account +which the guide gave respecting the travellers dispelled her fears, and +she did what she could by hospitality to make up for the scantiness of her +accommodation. She gave them also some information respecting the +<i>Inspirirten</i>, whom they were on the way to visit, speaking favorably +of them. The next morning, before they started, they were able to offer +her spiritual good in return for her temporal kindness, John Yeardley +ministering to her condition under religious exercise; and they trusted +his words found entrance into her soul. +<p> +On the 4th they pursued their way, up hill and down, the carriage +sometimes becoming so firmly fixed in the narrow deep ruts, that it was +necessary to take out the horses, and for the men of the party, with the +assistance of passers-by, to lift it over to more even ground. +<p> +At length they arrived at Erndebrück, and drove to an inn; but not finding +their luggage, they went to another, and while they were preparing to +start for Berlenburg, William Seebohm went to the Custom-office to show +the ticket of clearance they had received on entering the Prussian +territory at Burbach. This ticket should have obviated all delay attendant +on the examination of the luggage; but it happened, most unfortunately, +that the custom officer was the landlord of the inn they first came to. +Their leaving his house without taking refreshment was, in his eyes, an +unpardonable offence, and on William Seebohm presenting to him the ticket, +his countenance and language betrayed the passion which raged in his +breast. He declared their trunks should be examined in the strictest +manner; and when they represented the necessity they were under of +speedily pursuing their journey, and desired him to despatch the business +as quickly as possible, he replied by detaining them until they were +obliged to send back the horse and guide, and consent to pass the night +under his roof. He then demanded their passports, and finding they had not +been <i>visé'd</i> at all the towns through which they had passed, and +that the travellers had departed from the route described in them, he sent +for a gendarme, and placed them under arrest. They were not allowed to +take anything from their trunks without being watched by the gendarme; and +when they took out a letter of recommendation, written by Dr. Steinkopf to +the clergyman of the place, whom they had requested to call upon them, the +gendarme insisted on first reading it. On their expostulating with the +landlord at being treated in this manner, instead of making a direct +reply, he strutted up and down the room, repeating continually, "Ja, ja, +ja, ja! they shall know what they went away from my house for, and that +there is a custom-office here." The Friends took their evening meal, as is +usual in Germany, in-one of the sleeping-rooms--that which had been +allotted to Martha Savory and Martha Towell. Into this chamber, when they +had eaten, the landlord brought a party of eight or nine men to take their +supper. After supper the men smoked, and some of them did not even refrain +from showing their ill-breeding in a more disagreeable way. William +Seebohm overheard the landlord and the gendarme say to each other, "These +people are travelling this way to visit the Separatists, and strengthen +them in their religious opinions; but we will disappoint them." +<p> +The next morning they were favored with a short season of solemn +communion, in which they were given to believe that the Name of the Lord +would be their strong tower. Their liberation, in fact, was near; for +their envious jailor, finding probably no excuse for longer detaining +them, suffered them to depart, but sent the gendarme to guard them as far +as Berlenburg. The man proved to be an excellent guide, and being eager to +bring them to the magistrate of that town, where they could be more +effectually checked in their schismatical object, he was very useful in +shouldering the carriage when they came to a stand in the miserable roads. +<p> +The town of Berlenburg presented a dismal spectacle, the greater part +having recently been burnt down; so that they had some difficulty in +making their way through the ruins. They were subjected to no delay at the +Custom-house, but, before being allowed to go to an inn, were conducted by +the gendarme to the Castle, to be examined by the <i>Landrath</i>, or +magistrate. While John Yeardley and William Seebohm were taken into the +justice-chamber, Martha Savory and Martha Towell remained in the carriage, +where they were presently surrounded by a crowd, who gazed with +astonishment at their equipage, no such vehicle having been seen in the +town for many years, and probably never any persons in such attire. Being +weary of waiting, and anxious to know the result of the examination, they +left the carriage and ascended to the magistrate's room. They were +politely received, and arrived just as he had concluded the examination +and was declaring the Friends entirely free from, the requisitions of the +law. The letters of recommendation which they presented were very helpful +in procuring this result. At the Landrath's request, they stated the +object of their journey, and the reasons which had induced them to deviate +from the route described in the passports, of all which he caused a note +to be taken. At the conclusion he politely dismissed them with the +salutation, "Go where you will, in God's name;" and the abashed and +disappointed gendarme was obliged to imitate his superior and make them a +parting bow. The magistrate referred them to two of the citizen, for +information regarding the Separatists, but remarked that he considered a +visit to Schwartzenau at that critical moment would not be without danger. +<p> +One of the persons on whom the Landrath recommended the Friends to call +was the Inspector of the Lutheran or State Church of the country; and on +the 6th, which was First-day, after a time of worship in their own +apartment, they received a visit from this personage. Wishing to act with +entire openness, they informed him of their desire to see the Separatists, +and invited him to accompany them. He gave them the names of several with +whom they might freely have intercourse. As the interview proceeded mutual +confidence increased, particularly after reading their certificates; and +the Inspector expressed himself gratified with the liberality entertained +by Friends towards people of other religious persuasions. +<p> +It snowed all the next day, and the roads were deep in water, so that M.S. +and M.T. remained in-doors; but J.Y. and W.S. walked to Homburgshausen, a +village about a mile and a-half from Berlenburg, to call upon an aged man, +a Separatist of the old connection. He had heard of their arrival, and was +overjoyed to see them; he looked upon it as a providential occurrence that +they should have been sent there at that juncture. His forefathers, he +said, had been settled there many years, and had hitherto enjoyed liberty +of conscience; but now he feared they were about to be deprived of that +privilege. Before the Friends left Berlenburg, he called at their inn with +several more of his society; he appeared to be a truly pious man, and +looked, they say, exactly like a <i>good old Friend</i>. He declared +himself to be fully convinced of the value of silent worship, but said +that their people in general were not prepared to adopt it; however they +rejected outward baptism, and the use of the bread and wine, and refused +to bear arms. He had been many times summoned before the magistrates to be +examined upon his religious belief. On one of these occasions the Landrath +asked why he did not take the bread and wine, and why he did not have his +children baptised. He answered that if he was to conform to these +ceremonies it would be as though he had received a sealed letter in which +nothing was written. He and his people were solicitous with the Friends to +have a meeting with them; but the minds of John Yeardley and his +companions were pre-occupied with a desire first to see the New +Separatists, who were then under persecution, and they did not think it +proper to accede to the request. +<p> +In reply to a message which they sent to some of the new society, they +received, through a young woman (for the men were afraid to come to the +inn), a pressing invitation to visit some of them who lived in a retired +spot called Schellershammer, not far distant. They immediately accepted +the invitation. The road, which was impassable for a carriage, was covered +with mud and water. They were received into a very humble dwelling by a +pious young man and his family, with whom also they found some of the New +Separatists from Schwartzenau. On. sitting down with this company the +restraining presence of the Lord was felt, under which they remained for +some time in silence. Then the poor people opened to them their situation +with humility and freedom. The young man above-mentioned had just drawn up +a statement of their religious principles, which had been sent to the +authorities. This statement he showed to the Friends, as also a letter to +the King of Prussia, which had been prepared by one of their ministers, +but which, from its lofty assumption of prophetic authority, they could +not approve. These people called their ministers, <i>Instruments</i>; and +they had fallen into the specious error of attributing to their effusions, +whether spoken or written, equal authority with the Holy-Scriptures. On +other points their principles resembled those of Friends; as the disuse of +outward ceremonies and of oaths, and their testimony against war. It was +on these accounts that they were persecuted. They appeared to dwell under +the cross of Christ, and to live in much quietness of spirit. Under the +existing circumstances the Friends did not feel bound to appoint a general +religious meeting with these people. They contented themselves, therefore, +with unfolding their sentiments in conversation, giving them books, and +before they left Berlenburg, addressing them by letter, in which they +enlarged particularly on the subject of the ministry. They also left some +copies of their Friends' books with the old society; and both parties +declared their belief that the visit they had received was in the order of +Divine Providence, and took leave of them in love and confidence. +<p> +The friends quitted Berlenburg on the 9th of the Eleventh Month, and +proceeded towards Frankfort. After a day's journey over bad roads, they +were glad to find themselves once more on the <i>chaussée</i>. They +arrived on the 11th at Frankfort, where they called on a few pious +individuals, but stayed a very short time in the city, being desirous of +visiting some Old and New Separatists at Lieblose near Gelnhausen, about +twenty-four miles from Frankfort. +<p> +The next morning they accordingly went to Gelnhausen, and had social +interviews with members of both associations, but failed to make use of +the opportunity they had of holding a meeting for worship with the Old +Separatists, which they afterwards regretted. +<p> +They then went forward to Raneberg, about six miles distant, to see the +<i>Instrument</i> who wrote the letter to the King of Prussia which was +shown to them at Schellershammer. They found him a young man, inhabiting +an apartment in a lonely castle, romantically situated on a high hill. The +access to the spot was through a forest, and by a very bad road. Whatever +prejudice in regard to him they might have imbibed from the style of his +letter was at once dispelled by his appearance; his look was so humble, so +devoted, and with such "extreme sweetness of countenance." John Yeardley +and Martha Savory conversed with him a long time; he did not rightly +comprehend the nature of the Christian ministry, but he listened calmly +and patiently to all they had to say. They left some books with him, and +received some in return, descriptive of the awakening which gave rise to +the division in the society of <i>Inspirirten</i>. He was then about to +set out on foot to pay a religious visit to the members of his own +profession in various parts of the country; when at home he worked at his +trade, which was that of a carpenter. +<p> +The party retraced their steps to Hanau, and the next day pursued their +way southwards. They passed through Darmstadt and Heidelberg to Pforzheim. +Here they called on Henry Kienlin, whom they found a <i>Friend</i> in +principle and practice, and who had given many proofs of his fidelity to +his principles by the persecution he had endured from his relations, and +the pecuniary loss he had suffered for refusing to comply with +ecclesiastical and military demands. He was a man of station and influence +in the town. He had not previously had personal acquaintance with any +members of the Society of Friends, but had read many of their writings. He +accompanied the travellers five miles out of the town to a little flock of +Separatists, who had not yet obtained religious liberty, and to whom it +was forbidden under a severe penalty to attend meetings held by strangers. +On the visiters entering the house of one of them, a number presently +collected; and as they stood together, a solemn feeling pervaded the +assembly, and John Yeardley was moved to address them in gospel testimony. +Henry Kienlin followed, explaining the principles of Friends clearly, and +giving them some suitable advice. They were laboring under the want of +discipline and organization, and of some one properly to represent their +case to the government. Some of them called the next day at Pforzheim, to +see the Friends again before they left. +<p> +The next place where they halted was Stuttgardt, to which city H. Kienlin +gave them his company. Here they visited Queen Catharine's Institution, a +school for the training of girls in reduced circumstances, as teachers, +&c., where 170 young persons were being educated. They were also +introduced to a number of pious individuals, and among them to Pastor +Hoffmann of Kornthal, whose excellent institution they were unable at this +time to visit. An appointment had been made for them to meet at Basle +Louis A. Majolier of Congenies, who was to serve as their guide and French +interpreter through Switzerland and France, and they felt obliged on being +informed of this appointment to pursue their journey more quickly than +they otherwise would have done. +<p> +Returning to Pforzheim, they stopped at Mühlhausen, where they called on +Müller, minister of a congregation, consisting of 170 persons, who had +separated a few years before from the Catholics. This young man received +them with openness and affection, and before they parted, John Yeardley +had something to say to him under religious exercise, which he received in +the love in which it was spoken. From Pforzheim they went direct to Basle, +through Freiburg. On their arrival they were much disappointed to find +that Louis Majolier had waited for them many days, and hearing no tidings +of them, had returned to Geneva, supposing they had gone on to that city +by another route. +<p> +At Basle they were introduced to many pious persons, conspicuous among +whom was Blumhardt, inspector of the Mission-house, who behaved towards +them "as a loving and kind father in Christ." He encouraged them in their +concern to have a religious meeting with the students. The meeting took +place in the evening when the young men were collected for supper and +devotion; they received the word which was preached to them in gospel +love, and manifested towards our friends no small degree of tenderness and +affection. John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +We had reason to believe there are among them many precious young men who +are preparing for usefulness. The grounds on which this place is conducted +are different from most of the kind. None are sent out but those who can +really say they feel it to be their religious duty to go to any certain +people or country. A sweet young man, who was extremely attentive to us, +Charles Haensel, is since gone to Sierra Leone to teach the poor negroes, +from a conviction of duty. +<p> +<p> +One day during their sojourn, C. Haensel took them to a meeting for +worship, held in the house of C. F. Spittler. +<p> +<p> +J.Y. says, we sat until they had performed part of their worship, and then +the leader signified to the company that a few Friends from England were +present, and told us that if we had anything to offer we had full liberty +to do so. Silence ensuing, dear M.S. found herself constrained to address +them in a way suited to the occasion; I was also enabled to express what +came before me. They afterwards expressed their thankfulness for the +opportunity. +<p> +<p> +From Basle William Seebohm returned to Pyrmont, and the English Friends, +hoping that they might meet Louis Majolier at Berne, went forward to that +city, but were again disappointed. +<p> +Although they were anxious to reach Geneva as quickly as possible, the +attraction of gospel love towards Zurich was so strong that they could not +continue their journey until they had visited that city. They arrived +there on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month. The state of their own feelings and +the refreshing Christian intercourse which awaited them are thus described +in the Diary:-- +<p> +<p> +First-day, we sat down to hold our little meeting. It was to me a low +time, but I still thought the hand of divine help was near to comfort us, +and before the close dear M. S. was drawn into supplication in a way which +expressed the feelings of all our hearts. After this season of spiritual +refreshment, we called on Professor Gessner, who, with his wife and +family, was truly glad to see us. Being near dinner-time, we could not +stay long; but their daughter offered to accompany us to her aunt's this +afternoon, and accordingly came to our inn, and went with us to "Miss" +Lavater, who, with Gessner's wife, is a daughter of the pious author +Lavater. She received us with open arms, but spoke only German, or at +least but very little French, so that M. S. conversed with her in German. +She spoke of Stephen Grellet with much interest and affection: he lives in +the remembrance of all in this country who have seen and known him, as +well as William Allen. How pleasant it is to find that such devoted +instruments have left such a good savor behind them! Wherever we follow +dear Stephen, his presence has made a sufficient introduction to us; but I +regret exceedingly my own incapability of being sufficiently useful in +these precious opportunities which we meet with: but, as we often say in +our little company, This is like a voyage of discovery; and our humble +endeavors, however weak, may have a tendency to open the way for others +who may be made more extensively useful, should such ever be led to visit +the solitary parts where we have been. +<p> +We were invited to drink tea this afternoon by our friend Gessner, and on +a nearer acquaintance found this a precious family; his wife is a +sweet-spirited person, and their daughters pious young women. One of them, +in particular, I thought not only bore the mark of having been with her +Saviour, but a desire was also expressed in her countenance to abide with +him: may He who has visited her mind draw her more and more by the cords +of his love and preserve her from the evil which is in the world! When tea +was ended, we dropped into silence, and Pastor Gessner offered up a prayer +from the sincerity of his heart, and it was evidently attended by the +spirit of divine grace and life. Afterwards dear M.S. and I expressed what +was on our minds; I interpreted for her as well as I could, and I hope +they understood it. We were all much tendered in sympathy together, and I +think the visit to this family will not soon be forgotten: we took leave +of them in the most affectionate manner, they expressing sincere desires +for our preservation. +<p> +<p> +On their return to Berne they met with some pious ladies: +<p> +<p> +One of whom, says John Yeardley, spoke German with me, and entered pretty +suddenly on the subject of the bread and wine supper, or sacrament. She +seemed to have lost sight that there is a spiritual communion which the +soul can hold with its Saviour, and which needs not the help of outward +shadows; but it is remarkable when our reasons for the disuse of such +things are given in simplicity and love, how the feelings of others become +changed towards us; they then see we do not refuse the administration of +them out of obstinacy, but from a tender conscience. +<p> +<p> +On the 8th they drove to Lausanne, and the next day to Geneva. John +Yeardley has preserved, in his diary of this part of the journey, a little +anecdote of French character which naturally struck him the more forcibly +from his having hitherto been conversant only with the phlegmatic +temperament of the Germans. The coachman, it should be said, was of that +nation. +<p> +<p> +On the road between Nyon and Geneva a little incident occurred which +showed us the liveliness of the French temperament. A man got up behind +our carriage, and our coachman very naturally whipped him down. The man +followed us quietly for a while, but at length his wounded dignity +overcame his patience, and he came up to our coachman and began to speak +furiously on the impropriety of his having whipped him. Finding he could +make nothing of one who understood not what he said, he addressed himself +to our friend Martha Towell, and said he knew he had done wrong; but the +coachman should have told him to get down, which was customary in their +country, and not to have whipped him. M.T. was prepared to appease his +wrath by a mild reply, which eased the poor man very much; otherwise I +think we should have had more trouble with him; but he seemed to be +quieted, and said, Teach your coachman to say, in French, "descendez." +<p> +<p> +They reached Geneva just in time to prevent the departure of Louis +Majolier: +<p> +<p> +Who, says Martha Savory, was indeed rejoiced to see us after all his +anxiety. But, she continues, great as was our mutual satisfaction at +meeting, I am inclined to think it would have been better if this plan had +never been proposed, as it was a means of preventing some movements which +might have tended much to our relief; and his mind was in such an anxious +state about home that he could not give himself to anything that might +have opened at Geneva or Lausanne (to which I expected to return), but +begged us, very earnestly, to return with him to Congenies, as soon as +possible.-- +(<i>Letter to E. Dudley</i>.) +<p> +<p> +They found the religious world at Geneva in a state of convulsion. +<p> +<p> +The secret poison of infidelity, says J. Y., has a good deal sapped the +principle of real religion; and the clergy of the Established Church have +preached a doctrine tending to Socinianism. A few young ministers have +boldly come forth and separated themselves, and are determined, in the +midst of persecution, to preach Christ and him crucified. Some of these +seem to have gone to the opposite extreme, for they hold too strongly the +principles of predestination. It is a remarkable time in this +neighborhood, as well as at Lausanne, where many are awakened to seek more +after the substance of religion. +<p> +<p> +At Geneva they formed a friendship with several persons, among whom were +Pastors Moulinier and L'Huillier, and Captain Owen, an Englishman. With +the last-named they were united in close bonds of religious affection; +they were enabled to administer to his spiritual wants, and he was forward +to render them assistance in every possible way. +<p> +<p> +The journey from Geneva to Nismes was tedious, occupying more than a week. +<p> +<p> +On approaching Nismes, John Yeardley says, the beautiful olives and +vineyards, together with the wild rocky aspect around, form a pleasing +sight; and to see them pruning, digging and dunging about the trees, +reminds one of the relations of Scripture history. +<p> +<p> +At Nismes they went to see the amphitheatre:-- +<p> +<p> +From the top of which, says J.Y., we had a view of the city and the +surrounding neighborhood, which is indeed beautiful. The great number of +olives, vines, fig-trees, &c., excite a train of ideas pleasing and +indescribable. +<p> +<p> +In travelling through Switzerland John Yeardley had been often brought +into a low state of mind, and on approaching Congenies, the final object +of the journey, his heart was stirred to its depths. It is very +instructive to observe what were his feelings in reaching a place to which +his mind had been, so long directed. +<p> +<p> +The road, he says, was better, and the outward prospect a little +enlivening; but it is not easy to describe the feelings my mind was under +in approaching a place which has so long occupied my thoughtfulness to +visit. The prospect is discouraging, but I must be content and sink down +to the spring of life, which can alone make known the objects of duty and +qualify for their fulfilment. In the midst of all my spiritual poverty a +stream of gratitude flows in my heart to the Father of mercies, that he +has been pleased to preserve us in many dangers, and bring us safe to this +part of his heritage; and if it should be his will that I should have +nothing to do but to suffer for his name's sake, may he grant me patience +to bear it. +<p> +<p> +Martha Savory's feelings on the same occasion were also those of deep +gratitude for the preservation experienced during their journey, united, +she says, with an humbling sense of many omissions and great unworthiness, +yet of help having been mercifully administered in the time of +need.--(<i>Letter of 2 mo. 10, 1826</i>.) +<p> +Edward Brady was spending the winter at Congenies for the sake of his +health, and his society was a source of no little comfort to John +Yeardley; who, however, still, frequently labored under spiritual +depression. +<p> +<p> +Before dinner, he writes under date of the 23rd of the Twelfth Month, we +took a walk to M.S.'s windmill, from whence we had a fair view of +Congenies and the neighborhood, which is of a wild description. On +reflecting on the place and circumstances connected with it, my mind was +filled with various ideas, but none of them of an encouraging nature. +<p> +<p> +His discouragement was increased by ignorance of the language, and, with +his accustomed diligence, on the morrow after his arrival he commenced +learning French. On the recurrence of his birth-day, which was nearly +coincident with the beginning of the year, he says:-- +<p> +<p> +I am once more entered on a new year of my life, I fear without the last +having been much improved; and to form resolutions of amendment in my own +strength can avail me nothing. May He who knows my infirmities assist me +to overcome them and to become more useful in his cause. My discouragement +still continues; I don't feel those refreshing seasons which I have often +experienced in times past; the pure life is often low in meeting, and I am +not so watchful and diligent to improve my time and talent as I ought to +be. I often feel as one already laid by useless, and the language of my +heart is, "O that I were as in days past!" +<p> +<p> +Soon after their arrival at Congenies, Martha Savory met with a serious +accident. Thinking a ride would be beneficial to her health, when the rest +of the party drove one afternoon to Sommières, she accompanied them on +horseback. She had not a proper saddle, and her horse being eager to keep +up with the carriage set off downhill at so rapid a rate as to throw her +to the ground. The cap of one knee was displaced by the fall, and, +although she soon recovered so as to be able to walk, the limb continued +to be subject to weakness for some years. +<p> +As soon as M. S. was sufficiently recovered, she and her companions +visited the Friends at Congenies and the neighboring villages from house +to house, and also assembled on one occasion the heads of families, and on +another the young people of the Society. In reviewing a part of this +service John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 6.--It has been a deeply exercising time, but has tended much +more to the relief of our minds, at least as regards myself, than I had +anticipated. From the discouraged state of mind I passed through for the +first few weeks at this place, I expected to leave it burdened and +distressed, but am thankful to acknowledge that holy help has been near to +afford relief to my poor tossed spirit, and I have cause to believe it is +in divine wisdom that I am here. +<p> +<p> +On the 13th of the Third Month they took leave of their friends at +Congenies to return to England, being accompanied by Edward Brady, and +during part of the journey by Louis Majolier. By the way they had some +religious intercourse with Protestant dissenters at a few places; but at +St. Etienne, where they had expected to remain a fortnight, they found the +door nearly closed to their entrance; a company of pious persons in this +town were at that time so nearly united with Friends as to bear their +name. +<p> +<p> +These, says John Yeardley, in a letter, are now reduced to about twenty in +number. They have suffered and still suffer much persecution from the +Roman Catholics. They are forbidden by heavy fines to meet together, +except in very small companies. We met them several times in their small +meetings to much comfort; there are a few among them who have stood firm +through the heat of trial, and these are precious individuals. The priests +are exceedingly jealous. On our arrival in the town we held our little +meeting with, these pious people on First-day morning; the priest came to +the house of the woman Friend where we had been to demand who we were and +where we lodged, and said it was we who had caused them to err, and he +would convince us in their presence that we were not only in error +ourselves, but had led them into error also. But we saw nothing of him, +and left the place in safety, which we considered a great favor; for such +has been their rage that they have dared to shoot at some missionaries who +have been in the neighborhood (<i>Letter to Thomas Yeardley, 4 mo. +19</i>.) +<p> +<p> +The rest of the journey through France was in general dreary, the external +accommodation being bad, and the consolation of spiritual intercourse very +scanty. At Arras, however, they were refreshed by the company of a +Protestant minister, a liberal and worthy man, who had "to stand alone in +a large district of weak-handed Protestants among strong-headed +Catholics." +<p> +Arriving at Calais, Martha Savory and Martha Towell, with Edward Brady, +crossed over to England, leaving John Yeardley to follow at a later +period. On the 14th of the Fourth Month he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +My dear companions left for England. I watched them from the pier until I +could bear to stay no longer, and then returned sorrowfully to my +quarters, and soon repaired to the little retired lodging we had engaged +for me in the country, where I spent a few days in learning French, &c. In +taking a retrospect of our long journey I feel a large degree of peaceful +satisfaction in having been desirous to fulfil (though very imperfectly) a +religious duty; and these feelings of gratitude excited a wish that the +remainder of my few days might be more faithfully devoted to the service +of my great Lord and Master. +<p> +<p> +The little lodging of which he speaks was "a retired chamber on the +garden-wall;" and having left it for a few days to go to Antwerp with the +carriage and horses which they had used on the journey, on his return it +had already acquired, in his view, something of the character of home. +<p> +<p> +The beautiful green branches, says he, modestly looking in at the window, +give me a silent welcome; and the little birds chirruping in the garden, +which is my drawing-room and study. I cannot but acknowledge how grateful +I feel in being permitted to rest in so quiet a retreat, shut up from many +of those anxious cares which have perplexed the former part of my +life.--(<i>Diary, 4 mo. 27</i>.) +<p> +<p> +The last few words of this memorandum may seem at first sight to refer to +his temporary seclusion from the world in his little hermitage at Calais; +but there is little doubt that they have a wider significance, and contain +also an allusion to his anticipated union with Martha Savory. The prospect +of this union seems to have sprung up during the journey, and to have +become matured before they separated at Calais; and the effect of it was, +amongst other things, to set him free from the necessity of pursuing +business any longer as a means of livelihood, and to ensure to him a +provision sufficient for his moderate wants. +<p> +On the 12th of the Fifth Month, John Yeardley left Calais for London. At +the inn in Calais, a little incident occurred, the relation of which may +be useful to others. +<p> +<p> +A serious Frenchman, who was going on board the same packet, was struck +with my not paying for the music after dinner, and was much inclined to +know my reason, believing my refusal was from a religious motive. At a +suitable opportunity he asked me, and confessed he had felt a scruple of +the same kind, and regretted he had not been faithful. This slight +incident was the means of making me acquainted with an honest and +religious man, as I afterwards found him to be. +<p> +How important it is to be faithful in very little things, not knowing what +effect they may have on others! +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER VII. +<p> +<p> +HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY. +<p> +1826-27. +<p> +During his stay in London, John Yeardley attended the Yearly Meeting, and +the Annual Meetings of the School, Anti-slavery, and other Societies, with +which he was much gratified. Soon after the termination of the Yearly +Meeting, he went into Yorkshire to see his mother. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo.</i> 13.--I left London in the mail for Sheffield, and on the 14th +slept at my dear brother Thomas's at Ecclesfield, who took me on the 15th, +to Barnsley. I was truly thankful to be favored to see my precious mother +once more. On the 19th, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Highflatts. It +is not easy to describe the various thoughts which rushed into my mind on +seeing so many Friends whom I had known and loved in former days. The +meeting was a much-favored time, although we felt the want of some of the +fathers and mothers who are removed. +<p> +<p> +In the next entry there is an allusion to the disastrous commercial panic +by which this year was distinguished. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo.</i> 24.--Have been very low and deserted in mind for a long time +past. It is a time for the trial of my patience, and yet I have many +favors for which I ought to be truly thankful. It is a precious privilege +to be relieved from the commercial difficulties which at present abound in +the trading world. May it be my lot ever to keep so, if consistent with +the divine will. +<p> +8 <i>mo.</i> 21.--Monthly Meeting at Wooldale. The meeting was exceedingly +crowded with strangers; there was not room in the house to hold all who +came. I had been very low all the morning, and to see such a number of +people at the meeting sunk me low indeed. I was enabled to turn inward to +Him from whom help alone comes; and blessed be his holy Name, he did not +forsake me in the needful time, but was pleased once more to give strength +and utterance to communicate what came before me. My certificates from +Germany and Congenies were read and accepted, and many Friends expressed +much unity and sympathy with me on my return to them, which was a comfort +and strength to me. +<p> +<p> +On the 1st of the Ninth Month, he again went to London. During his stay in +the city, he took the opportunity of visiting the Industrial Schools at +Lindfield, founded by William Allen; a kind of institution which always +engaged his warmest sympathy and approbation. +<p> +With the new turn which was given to the course of his life by his +betrothal to Martha Savory, it is not surprising that he should have +considered his residence abroad to be brought, in the order of Divine +Providence, to a natural termination, and that he now turned his attention +to taking up his abode again in his native land. In selecting a place of +residence, he seems to have had no hesitation in making choice of the +neighborhood of Barnsley; the spot, as the reader may remember, which +seemed to him, when he was obliged to remove to Bentham, as that which had +the first claim upon his gospel services. The state of his mind, whilst +preparing his intended residence at Burton, the same village where he used +to attend meeting in his early days, may be seen by the following +memorandum:-- +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 26. <i>At York</i>.--It was a large Quarterly Meeting. Living +ministry flowed freely, and I thought even poor me was a little refreshed: +but I have been for a long time in a deplorable state, in a spiritual +sense. +<p> +Since the Quarterly Meeting, my time and thoughts have been much occupied +in fitting up our intended residence at the cottage at Burton; and I may +truly say, I have been cumbered about "many things," which, I think, has +kept my mind in a poor, barren state. O the many weeks that I have had to +sit with my mouth in the dust to bemoan my own inward misery! My conflict +of mind has been increased by the trying state of my precious mother's +health. My attendance on her in this poorly state, and at this season of +the year, when I lost my poor dearest Bessie, reminded me strongly of my +dear departed lamb. +<p> +<p> +Before his marriage with Martha Savory was accomplished, he was called +upon to attend the deathbed of his mother, and to follow the remains of +his father to the grave. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 16.--On the 3rd I left the cottage, and took my luggage to +go from Barnsley by the coach to London. Stepped down to take leave of my +dear mother, but found her so weak that I could not at all think of +leaving her; and was indeed glad that I did not go, for the dear creature +continued to grow weaker and weaker till a quarter past three o'clock on +Seventh-day morning, 4th of Eleventh Month, when she peacefully breathed +her last. She was fully sensible to the close, and also fully sensible +that her end was near. +<p> +Her precious remains were interred at Burton on the 7th, after a meeting +appointed for the occasion at Barnsley. In her room, before we left +Redbrook [where she had resided], I was enabled to petition the throne of +mercy for a little help and strength through the remainder of the solemn +scene, which, I think, was in a remarkable manner granted. After having +paid the last tribute of affection and duty to our endeared parent, +fourteen of our dear friends and relations dined with me at the cottage. +It is remarkable that the opening of our residence should be in this awful +manner; but we were much comforted in feeling in the midst of all our +sorrow, the greatest degree of peace and quietude on the solemn occasion. +<p> +On Fourth-day, being the day after we had taken leave of our precious +mother's remains, I went with my brother and sister to see our poor dear +father, who had been ill in bed about two weeks. We arrived about seven +o'clock; but, to our great surprise, about an hour before we reached the +place, our beloved father had fallen asleep, never to wake more in this +world. This was indeed awful, but the Judge of the earth must do right. We +attended the interment on First-day, the 12th. The meeting-house at +Woodhouse was pretty full, and a good and tendering meeting it was. It +felt hard work to labor among a number of worldly-minded people; but I +have learned to consider it one of the greatest of privileges to be +appointed to service, even though attended with suffering. Since this time +my poor mind has felt more tender and more susceptible of good. O that it +may continue, and that I may remain humble and watchful for the time to +come, and live prepared for that awful change which I. know not how soon +may be sent to my dwelling!--(11 <i>mo</i>. 16.) +<p> +<p> +On the 18th he pursued his journey to London, and on the 21st, at +Gracechurch-street Monthly Meeting, he presented his intention of marriage +with Martha Savory. "In a private interview at Elizabeth Dudley's," he +writes, "Richard Barrett and E. Dudley expressed their full unity with our +intended union, in terms of much interest and encouragement." On the 13th +of the Twelfth Month the marriage took place at Gracechurch-street +Meeting-house. +<p> +<p> +The time in silence, says the Diary, was very solemn, and acceptable +testimonies were borne by William Allen and Elisabeth Dudley. After +meeting we adjourned to the Library to take leave, where a stream of +encouragement flowed to us from several of our dear friends, which felt +truly strengthening. About twenty of our friends and relations dined at +A.B. Savory's at Stoke Newington. The day was spent, I trust, profitably, +and on parting, about seven o'clock, we had a comfortable time, and +something was expressed by my M. and self, and dear W. Allen. After taking +a very affectionate leave, we posted on to Barnet. My brother Thomas and +J.A. Wilson took us up the next morning; and we four came down in the +coach to Sheffield, and [the nest day] to Ecclesfield to dinner, and +arrived at our humble cottage the 15th of the Twelfth Month, I trust with +thankful hearts. +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +It is appropriate to give in this place some account of Martha Savory's +character and Christian experience. That our notice is brief and +incomplete, is owing to the loss of most of her own memoranda, and of the +letters she addressed to those with whom she was on intimate terms. She +possessed, it will be seen, an intellectual character and disposition, as +well as an experience, very different from those of her husband. It does +not follow, however, that this dissimilarity was a hindrance to their +joint service in the gospel, any more than to their social harmony and +love. It may be, on the contrary, that Martha Savory's quickness of +understanding and of feeling, the readiness with which she apprehended the +sentiments and condition of others, her conversancy with the allurements +of city life, and the perils of unbelief from which she had been rescued, +fitted her in a peculiar degree to be her husband's helper in the +ministry, especially in their travels on the Continent. +<p> +She was born in London in 1781, and was the daughter of Joseph and Anna +Savory. To an active and vigorous understanding she united a strength of +will which would brook little control, together with much energy and +fearlessness; and the propensity to follow the vain inclinations of the +unregenerate heart displayed itself in an indulgence in much that was +inimical to the restraints of Christian principle. Her disposition was +generous; all her emotions were ardent, and were seldom subjected to the +discipline of a corrected judgment. There were, however, various +occasions, even in her very early years, when, through the visitations of +heavenly love, her mind was forcibly aroused to a conviction of the need +of redeeming grace. She was particularly impressed by the preaching and +influence of William Savery, whose home in London was at her father's +house. In some memoranda of this period, she remarks, "Frequently in the +meetings appointed by him, I was greatly wrought upon by his living +ministry;" and notwithstanding that she subsequently wandered far from the +way of peace, there is good ground to believe that the remembrance of +those truths which had penetrated her heart through the instrumentality of +this gospel messenger, was never altogether effaced. +<p> +Being naturally endowed with a lively imagination and a taste for +literature, she sought to suppress the upbraidings of conscience in +intellectual pursuits, and employed much time in the composition of verses +that were merely a transcript of visionary and romantic ideas, afterwards +published under the title of "Poetical Tales." This volume obtained but a +limited circulation; for, soon after it had issued from the press, the +conviction that it had been an unhallowed and unprofitable exercise of her +understanding was so impressed upon her spirit, that, although the +sacrifice was considerable, she caused all the unsold copies to be +destroyed. It is interesting to observe how, in later years, this talent +for metrical rhythm, which had been so misapplied, became consecrated, as +were all her faculties, to the promotion of piety and virtue. +<p> +During the long period in which her mental energies were thus misdirected, +a cloud of darkness enveloped her spirit. She had, when about nineteen +years of age, imbibed sceptical views in reference to the truths of +revealed religion; and as she seldom read the Holy Scriptures, and was +almost a stranger to their sacred contents, her imagination pictured an +easier way to escape from the power and the consequences of sin than in +that self-renunciation which the Gospel enjoins. In some memoranda of her +experience, she says, in reference to the snares by which her mind was +entangled:--"I was led to a love of metaphysical studies, and fancied I +discovered, with clearness, that human vice, and consequently human +misery, sprang from ignorance of the nature of virtue, and that if mankind +would become instructed they would become good; and that it was only +necessary to behold virtue in its native beauty, to love it and to +practise it. O how fallacious was this reasoning! 'The world by wisdom +knows not God; the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of +God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because +they are spiritually discerned.'" +<p> +At length, however, when, in 1811, Martha Savory had completed the +thirtieth year of her life, she became deeply impressed by the conviction +that she was wandering on the barren mountains of doubt and error; and +through the renewed visitation of divine love, the light of the Sun of +righteousness again shined into her heart, and its humbling influence +brake the rock in pieces. Some circumstances occurred that were +instrumental in promoting this great change. She was introduced into +frequent communication with some honored servants of the Lord, +particularly with the late Mary Dudley, and her daughter Elizabeth. An +attack of indisposition prostrated her bodily strength, and afforded +opportunity for serious reflection. Whilst from this cause confined to her +chamber, a young person (Susanna Corder), with whom she was only very +slightly acquainted, but to whom she was ever afterwards united in an +intimate and confidential friendship, was attracted to visit her. The +interview was a memorable one; the overshadowing wing of goodness and +mercy being permitted to gather their spirits under its blessed influence. +On her recovery from this illness, Martha Savory paid a short visit to her +new friend, which afforded an opportunity for the manifestation of +continued deep Christian interest; and, on her quitting the house, Susanna +Corder put into her hand a copy of the "Olney Hymns." When she had +proceeded a few steps towards home, she opened the book, and without +noticing even the title, instantly cast her eyes on the lines, "The +rebel's surrender to grace," commencing-- +<blockquote> + "Lord, Thou hast won; at length I yield;<br><br> + My heart, by mighty grace compelled,<br><br> + Surrenders all to Thee;<br><br> + Against thy terrors long I strove,<br><br> + But who can stand against thy love?<br><br> + Love conquers even me."<br><br> +</blockquote> +She was deeply affected by the remarkable application of the whole of the +hymn to the experience which she was then passing through; she could not +refrain from weeping, and to avoid the observation of passersby, she +walked through secluded streets, giving vent to her emotion; and she +afterwards repeatedly expressed her belief that there was, in this +apparently casual incident, a divine interposition and guidance; "for," +said she, "<i>every word</i> of that hymn appeared as if purposely written +to describe <i>my</i> case, so that I could scarcely read it from the many +tears I shed over it. It is no exaggerated picture." +<p> +She now spent much time alone, almost constantly reading the Bible; and so +precious was the influence that operated on her spirit, whilst thus +employed, and so wonderfully were the blessed truths of the gospel +unfolded to her understanding, that, as she expressed it, "every page of +it seemed, as it were, illuminated." Sustained by the joy and peace of +believing, she was enabled to follow in faith the leadings of the Holy +Spirit, and, through divine strength, to become as a whole burnt sacrifice +on the altar of that gracious Redeemer, who had, in his rich mercy, +plucked her from the pit of destruction. Having had much forgiven, she +loved much, and shrunk not from the many and deep humiliations which were +involved in such a course of dedication to her Lord. Even her external +appearance strikingly bespoke her altered character. There had always been +in her countenance an expression of benevolence, but it had not indicated +a gentle or diffident mind. In her demeanor and personal attire, she had +conspicuously followed the vain fashions of the times; but now, humility, +with a modest and retiring manner, marked her conduct; everything merely +ornamental was discarded, and the softening, effect of a sanctifying +principle imparted to the features of her face a sweetness which, +impressing the beholder with a consciousness of the regenerating power +that wrought within, was, to more than a few of her acquaintance, both +arousing and instructive. She changed her residence from Finsbury to the +borough of Southwark, and settled near her friend Susanna Corder, with +whom she united in the formation of a philanthropic association, +"The Southwark Female Society for the relief of sickness and extreme +want." The late Mary Sterry, and several other estimable members of +Southwark meeting, together with benevolent individuals among the +different religious denominations of the district, soon joined them, and +the society became a highly influential channel through which assistance +has been variously rendered to many thousands of the indigent poor; and it +still continues, though with a reduced scale of operations, to be an +important source of help to the sick and destitute. +<p> +Martha Savory devoted to this work of mercy much time and personal +exertion; but a more important service was also designed for her. She felt +constrained to give evidence of her love to Christ by a public testimony +to the grace which had been vouchsafed to her through Him who is "the way, +the truth, and the life." Deep were the conflicts of spirit which she +endured ere she could yield to this solemn requirement, but "sweet peace" +was, she says, as she records the sacrifice, the result of thus +acknowledging her gracious Lord. "This step," she continues, "appears to +me to involve the greatest of all possible mental reduction, but I +reverently believe it was necessary for me, and mote, perhaps on my own +account than on account of others; for, without this bond, and the +necessary baptisms attending this vocation, I should have been in danger +of turning back, and perhaps altogether losing the little spiritual life +which has been mercifully raised." She adds a fervent petition for +preservation and guidance, and that, by whatever means, however suffering +to nature, the vessel might be purified, and fitted for the Master's use. +She first spoke as a minister in the year 1814. The humiliation and +brokenness of spirit which marked these weighty engagements, were felt by +many, especially among her youthful friends, to be peculiarly impressive, +as tokens of the soul-cleansing operations of omnipotent love, and as an +awakening call to yield to the same regenerating influence. +<p> +She was acknowledged as a minister by Southwark Monthly Meeting, in the +year 1818, when she had reached the age of 36; and in 1821, with the +cordial approval of the meetings of which she was a member, she commenced +that course of missionary labor in the gospel, to which she was +subsequently so much devoted. Her mission, on this occasion, was to +Congenics, where, and in the surrounding villages, she remained twelve +months. +<p> +A letter to one of her sisters, written a few years after her marriage, so +fully represents her religious sentiments, and the doctrine she was +concerned to preach and maintain, that it may not improperly conclude this +outline of her mental and religious character. +<p> +<p> +Burton, 13th of Twelfth Month, 1830. +<p> +I read thy remarks, my endeared sister, on the present state of things +amongst us, with much interest, from having had corresponding feelings +frequently raised in my own mind in this day of general excitement on +religious subjects. +<p> +It remains to be a solemn truth that nothing can draw to God but what +proceeds from him; and whatever may be the eloquence or oratory of man, if +it be not the gift of God, and under his holy anointing, which always has +a tendency to humble the creature and exalt the Creator, it will in the +end only scatter and deceive. It has long appeared to me that true vital +religion is a very simple thing, although from our fallen state, requiring +continual warfare with evil to keep it alive. It surely consists in +communion, and at times a degree of union, with our Omnipotent Creator, +through the mediation of our Holy Redeemer. And seeing these feelings +cannot be produced by eloquent discourses or beautiful illustrations of +Scripture, but by deep humiliation and frequent baptisms of spirit, +whereby the heart is purified and fitted to receive a greater degree of +divine influence; seeing it is produced by daily prayer, by giving up our +own will, and seeking above all things to do the will of our Heavenly +Father, surely there is cause to hope that those who are convinced of +this, and who have tasted of spiritual communion through this appointed +means, will never be satisfied with anything however enticing which, if +not under the influence of the Holy Spirit, may well be compared to +"sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." +<p> +I am far from confining this influence to the ministers of our little +Society, but assuredly believe that those who are brought under the +immediate teachings of the Spirit, under every profession, will be more +and more convinced that they cannot preach to profit the people, in their +own will and at their own command; and that as true and spiritual religion +prevails they must in this respect come to us, and not we go to them. Yet +still it is certainly a day of much excitement, and of danger especially +to the young and unawakened, and there never was a time when the members +of our Society were more loudly called upon to watch unto prayer both on +their own account and on account of others, humbly to implore, not only +that the Holy Spirit may not be taken from us, but that a greater +effusion of it may be poured upon us as a body, that so we may all be made +and kept alive in Him in whom is life, and the life is the light of men. I +believe this would be much more our experience, if the things of this +world were kept in subjection by fervent daily prayer and the obedience of +faith, which remain to be the means pointed out by our gracious Redeemer, +of communion with the Father through Him. What can be more pure than the +profession we make to be guided by the Holy Spirit? and if we really are +so, we shall be concerned to maintain this daily exercise of heart before +the Lord, and yet become what I reverently believe is his gracious will +respecting us, and <i>all</i> under every name who are thus guided and +have become living members of the Church of Christ, even that we should be +as lights in the world, or a city set upon a hill which cannot be hid. +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +The dwelling which John and Martha Yeardley occupied was on the highest +ground in the village, commanding a wide and cheerful prospect, and +overlooking, on the western side, the valley of the Dearn and the +conspicuous town of Barnsley, which, notwithstanding the smoke that +envelopes it, stands out in fine relief on the opposite hill. Their +cottage adjoined the Friends' burial-ground; and just on the other side of +the wall reposed the remains of Frances Yeardley, on the site formerly +occupied by the meeting-house.<a name="FNanchor5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> +<p> +The house, says Martha Yeardley in a letter to her sister R. S., is warm +and comfortable, though at best what Londoners would esteem a poor place. +We feel quite satisfied with it; and when we get our garden in order, and +a cow and a few chickens, it will be equal to anything that I desire in +this world. To-day the snow has disappeared, and John is very busy with +his garden.--(1 <i>mo</i>. I, 1827.) +<p> +<p> +John and Martha Yeardley did not remain long idle in their new position. +In the First Month, 1827, they received a "minute" for visiting the +meetings in their Monthly Meeting; and in the Second Month they commenced +a tour amongst the meetings in some other parts of Yorkshire. These duties +occupied them until the 19th of the Fourth Month. We may extract from the +Diary recording the former of these engagements, a brief note of their +visit to Ackworth School. +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 20.--Lodged at J. Harrison's. On First and Second-day +evenings had some time of religious service with the young people at the +school, and felt much united in spirit to this interesting family. On +Fourth-day, Robert Whitaker accompanied us to Pontefract, and we were +comforted in his company, for we felt poor and weak--much like children +needing fatherly care. +<p> +Among John Yeardley's notes made during the more general visit, we meet +with a memorandum which may be taken to mark a stage or era in his +Christian experience. The daily record of religious exercise and feeling +which is so useful to many in the hidden season of tender growth and +preparation for future service, is less likely to be maintained--and, it +may be, less necessary--in the meridian of life, when the time and +strength are taken up with active labor. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>.--I could write much as to the state of my mind, but have of +late thought it safer not to record all the inward dispensations which I +have to pass through. I feel strong desires to be wholly given up to serve +my great Lord and Master, and that I may above all things become qualified +for his service; but the baptisms through which I have to pass are many, +and exceedingly trying to the natural part. Nothing will do but to rely +wholly on the Divine Arm of Power for support in pure naked faith. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER VIII. +<p> +<p> +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1827-28. +<p> +PART I.--GERMANY. +<p> +After John and Martha Yeardley had visited their friends at home, their +minds were directed to the work which they had left uncompleted on the +continent of Europe; and, on their return from the Yearly Meeting, they +opened this prospect of service before the assembled church to which they +belonged. +<p> +<p> +(<i>Diary</i>) 6 <i>mo</i>. 18.--Were at the Monthly Meeting at +Highflatts, where we laid our concern before our friends to revisit some +parts of Germany and Switzerland, and to visit some of the descendants of +the Waldenses in the Protestant valleys of Piedmont; and, on our way home, +our friends and some other serious persons in the Islands of Guernsey and +Jersey. Our dear friends were favored to enter most fully and feelingly +into our views, and under a precious solemnity, a general sentiment of +unity and concurrence spread through the meeting, which constrained them, +(as the certificate expresses it) to leave us at liberty, accompanied with +warm desires for our preservation. Hearing the certificate read brought +the concern, if possible, more weightily than ever upon me, and a secret +prayer was raised in my heart that we might be enabled to go through the +prospect before us to the honor of Him who has called us into his work. +<p> +<p> +They attended the Quarterly Meeting in the latter part of this month, and +returned by way of Ackworth, where, says John Yeardley, +<p> +<p> +We had a comfortable parting with dear Robert and Hannah Whitaker, in +their own room. E.W. has passed with us through the deeps, and has indeed +been a true spiritual helper to us under our weighty exercises of mind. +<p> +<p> +On the 8th of the Seventh Month they set out, and on the 17th attended the +Meeting of Ministers and Elders in London. +<p> +<p> +The Morning Meeting was a precious and refreshing time to our poor tried +minds. There was a very full expression of near sympathy and entire unity +with us in our intended religious service. It is a strength and +encouragement not only to have the concurrence of our friends, but also to +know that we have a place in their prayers for our preservation and +support in every trying dispensation. +<p> +<p> +On the eve of their departure from London, a circumstance occurred of a +very disagreeable character. The shop of their brother, A.B. Savory, in +Cornhill, was broken open; many valuable articles were taken, and their +travelling trunks, which had been left there, were ransacked. Although +their loss was trifling, the annoyance of such a contretemps may easily +be conceived. J.Y. says:-- +<p> +<p> +It is far from pleasant thus to be plundered of any part of our property; +but I consider it as much the duty of a Christian to bear with becoming +fortitude the cross-occurrences of common life as to be exercised in +religious service. +<p> +<p> +They left London on the 22nd, for Rotterdam. On their arrival, a +disastrous occurrence happened which gave a shock to their feelings. The +manner in which J.Y. mentions the event evinces his tenderness of mind in +commencing a long journey, in which his vocation was to be to sympathise +with the poor and afflicted. +<p> +<p> +Since we landed safely on shore a circumstance has occurred which has +brought a gloom over us. One of our shipmen being busy about the sails, +part of a beam fell from the top-mast and struck him on the head. He never +spoke more, but died instantly. He has left a widow and two children, not +only to weep for him, but also to feel bitterly his loss in a pecuniary +way. We intend to recommend their situation to some of our benevolent +friends in London. My heart is much affected in having to commence my +journal on a foreign shore by recording such an afflicting event. And, as +it regards ourselves, how much we have which calls for thankfulness that +we have so mercifully escaped. +<p> +<p> +From Rotterdam they directed their course to Pyrmont, passing through +Gouda, Utrecht, Arnheim, and Münster; at the last place they were laid by +from the heat and weariness. They reached Friedenthal on the 4th of the +Eighth Month, and John Yeardley makes the following reflections on +re-entering his German home:-- +<p> +<p> +As I find myself again in this country, many thoughts of former days +spring up in my mind. Since I was last here I have passed through much; +nevertheless the Lord has guided my steps, and I have cause to give Him +thanks. +<p> +<p> +They visited Minden and the little meetings around, bestowing much labor +on them; but at Pyrmont, to suffer, rather than to do, was their allotted +portion. +<p> +<p> +It sometimes seems to me, writes J.Y., that we have in this place little +to do and much to suffer. I am often cast down, and have to sit in silence +and darkness. This state of mind is an exercise of faith and patience, +through which much may be gained if it is turned to right account. +<p> +Of the Two Months' Meeting, he says: +<p> +<p> +On the whole a favorable time. But I am not without my fears that the +little Society in this place will lose ground, in a religious sense, if +more faithfulness is not manifested in little things. +<p> +<p> +Soon after their arrival in Germany they turned their steps towards the +north-west corner of that country, and the borders of Holland. The object +of this journey was to visit some places on the shores of the North Sea, +near Friesland, where the inundations of 1825 had caused great desolation, +and where a new colony had been formed by the government from among the +ruined families. This little journey was so emphatically, an act of faith, +and the course of it lay so much through a part of Europe seldom visited +by travellers, that we shall transcribe the diary of it without much +curtailment. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 4.--Having for sometime felt an impression to visit +Friedrichgroden and other places on the store of the North Sea, near the +confines of East Friesland, we set out from Pyrmout in company with our +dear friend Louis Seebohm, travelling with extra-post in our own carriage. +We found this a pretty expeditions way of travelling for this country, +being able to make about fifty-five English miles a day. Between Oldendorf +and Bückeburg, we experienced a remarkable preservation from danger. Our +postillion being a little sleepy, had not sufficient care of the reins, +and the horses suddenly turned off towards an inn, but missing the turn, +instantly fell into a deep ditch, one horse quite down, and the other +nearly so; the carriage wanted only a few inches further to go, and then +it would have come upon the horses, so that a few plunges must have upset +the whole concern. We sprang instantly out, and set the quiet animals +free. The man was so frightened he could scarcely step from, the box. The +whole affair did not last more than a few minutes, when we were on our way +again, with great cause for thankfulness to the Preserver of our lives. +The driver was so honest in acknowledging his fault, that I gave him his +<i>trinkgeld</i>, and our friend L. S. gave him some advice. We got well +on through Minden to Diepnau and lodged there. +<p> +Next morning set out about seven o'clock, and that day travelled late to +reach Oldenburg, which we accomplished at about one in the morning. Next +morning we were in a dilemma which way to take to find our place of +destination. The landlord was kind in sending out several times to gain +information, but in vain: at length there came into the room a deaf and +dumb man who frequented the house, and who, when he knew our inquiry, +immediately wrote down the particulars of the place, and explained it by +signs on the table. We left two books for this intelligent man for his +kindness, and set forward. Dined at Varel, and had two poor tired horses +and an awkward driver to Jever. We gave him several severe lectures +without much effect; at length we came to a small inn on the road, where +he made a stand, and said he could go no further without two more horses, +which we really believed was true, for if he had not got them we must have +stuck in the sand. The horses being procured we got to Jever about eleven +o'clock. +<p> +Here was a good inn, and we rested pretty well; but in the morning +discouragement took hold of my spirits in a way that I have seldom +experienced. I was ready to conclude we were altogether wrong and out of +the way of our duty; but forward we must now go to see the end of this +exercising journey. The country about Varel and Jever is remarkably +fertile in pasture. The cows handsome, rolling in abundance of grass, and +pretty much the whole country had the appearance of ease and plenty; in +Varel we saw the poor-house, a building capable of containing 400 persons, +and only four individuals were there. The inhabitants live in simplicity, +but also in the general ignorance and indifference as to religion. I was +exceedingly low in mind on the way, but felt once more that we were in our +right place, and my precious M. Y. encouraged me by saying we should not +go there in vain. On opening the Bible, I was comforted in turning to +Psalm lxxviii. 12-14. +<p> +After having thus travelled some days, as it were in the dark, we arrived +at Friedrichen Siel, near Carolinen Siel, in which neighborhood, on the +border of the North Sea, lie Friedrichgroden, New Augustengroden, and New +Friedrichgroden. It is a tract of land gained from the sea of about ten or +twelve hundred acres, banked round in three divisions, and made arable, on +which are built about twenty farmhouses, which form almost a new world. +This land is the property of the government; a small sum is paid on +entering, and a yearly ground-rent, and then it is the property of the +purchaser for ever. +<p> +As soon as we stepped on the banks of one of these <i>grodens</i>, and I +set my eye on one of these retired abodes, I felt no longer at a loss +where we should go or what we should do. It opened suddenly on my mind as +clear as the sun at noon-day, that we must remain here a day or two and +visit these new settlers in their dwellings. Accordingly we drove to the +inn at Carolinen Siel. On asking for a map of the surrounding country, one +was put into oar hands containing a plan of the places which had suffered +so severely by the floods in the spring of 1825; which rendered those +people much more interesting to us. +<p> +After dinner we commenced our visit, and called on a young man and his +sister who live on one of the farms, and have about seventy acres of land. +They received us with a hearty welcome, and entered into friendly +conversation. The house was one of the first on New Augustengroden, built +in 1816, [swept] down by the water in 1825, and rebuilt the same year. He +was an intelligent young man, and answered many inquiries which we made. +<p> +Finding the distance might be too great to walk, next morning we procured +horses, and started about seven o'clock, taking from our small stock of +books one for each family. We commenced intercourse with them by first +interesting ourselves about their families and domestic concerns, not +unmindful of every suitable opportunity to turn the conversation on the +subject of religion, which is too much neglected by most of them. They are +of the Lutheran profession; but the church being at some distance, they do +not regularly attend. Most of them have as many as six children, and some +eight, with fine countenances. We felt deeply interested, particularly for +the mothers, some of whom are tender-spirited, amiable women, and wept +much in the opportunities we had with them. Their late afflictions have +made on some a deep impression, and it was a time when, I trust, such a +visit might be of advantage. In the floods, several had their houses swept +away; and one lost thirty-six head of cattle, and had to drag his children +out of the water naked, and take refuge on the tops of the houses. But the +most touching case was that of a man who lost his wife and five children, +his father, mother, and servants. They were sent away in a waggon, as a +means of escape; but the waggon was swept away by the torrent, and all +perished. The husband, who was left alone in the house, got to land on +some boards, part of the wreck of the house, and expected to find his +family safe; what must have been his feelings when he found they had all +perished in the deep! We felt truly prepared to sympathise with them, and +think they were sensible of our visit being in the sincere love of the +Gospel. Their kindness towards us exceeded description. In going from +house to house, one of them seeing us in the field, and not knowing our +errand, thought we had missed our way, and came running almost out of +breath to set us in the road. When he found that our visit was intended +to him, he seemed overjoyed, and conducted us to his home and his +interesting wife. His name is Friedrich Fockensllammen. He soon showed us +all that was in his house and barns; and I may say he was equally ready to +tell us all that was in his heart. We could not get away without taking +coffee with them. +<p> +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. +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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 +the poor-house. We were informed that near Norden there is a colony for +thieves and gipsies, who are sent to this place and compelled to build +themselves huts and cultivate the land. They are strictly watched by the +police, and severely punished when they attempt to go away without leave. +<p> +We had a long and tedious ride, through deep sand, to Leer. On our arrival +we made inquiry about Fredericks-Oort, but could obtain no intelligence, +nor could we find it on the maps which we borrowed for examination. This +was very discouraging; for I had hoped, if it was right for us to go, we +should find some one to give us certain directions to it. I slept but +little, and next morning set again to work, and found there was a Jew in +the town who travelled much in Holland. I desired he might be sent for; he +came, and immediately gave us directions where to find the places we +wanted. +<p> +I ought not to omit remarking the comfortable feeling that I was favored +with, riding from Wittmund to Aurich [on the way to Leer]. In reflecting +in stillness where we had been and what we had done, I felt not only peace +and inward satisfaction, but thankfulness filled my heart that we had been +thus far enabled to do what we believed to be in the way of our duty. This +Scripture language passed through my mind: "Blessed are ye that sow beside +all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass." (Isa. +xxxii. 20.) +<p> +11<I>th</I>.--Left Leer about eleven o'clock in the morning, and expected +to arrive at Assen at eleven or twelve at night, but to our great +disappointment we travelled the night through, and only reached Assen at +seven next morning. At Wehndam on our way we rested the horses. Our friend +L.S. went for an hour to bed, and my M.Y. and self sat in the carriage and +would have slept, but there came so many admirers of our vehicle that we +could not sleep for their almost continual remarks about its elegance, +convenience, &c. +<p> +This part of Holland is fruitful; the houses are clean and neat; and the +dress of the women very singular. Their caps have a plate of silver or +gold on each side almost like a helmet, and sometimes very costly. At the +inn at Nieuweschans [on the borders of Germany and Holland], the cook had +one of these golden helmets which had cost about 150 florins. +<p> +In these flat countries they have no spring water; the land lies so much +below the sea that all is impregnated with salt. Rain water is used for +drinking, and the method of preserving it is in a deep reservoir lined +with boards and puddled with clay. I was surprised to find it kept good so +long: it is seldom known to go bad. One of the farmers on the Grodens drew +water out of his well and handed me a glass to drink; it had a yellowish +tinge, but except this I never saw clearer and have seldom tasted +pleasanter spring water, and the beat tea I ever drank was made from rain +water so preserved. One thing which contributes to its quality is the +great surface of tile which it has to run down, and which tends to filter +it. +<p> +The mode of manuring the land is similar to that practised in Brabant, and +the produce proves that it is excellent; for no better meadows, or corn +land in a higher state of cultivation are to be seen than in some parts we +have lately passed through. +<p> +The cows, when fresh in milk, are milked three times a day, by which means +more milk is obtained than in the common method; any one wishing to make a +fair experiment of this must try it not for two or three days only, but +for a week or ten days. +<p> +<p> +John and Martha Yeardley found the institution at Fredericks-Oort of a +deeply interesting kind. It was Established by private benevolence to +improve the condition of the poor, and to relieve the country from +beggars, and was commenced in 1818. The poor families which are placed +there are employed, some in manufacture, some in cultivating the soil, and +every means is made use of to encourage industry and provident habits. +When our friends visited the colony, it comprised 2900 souls, including +the staff by which the institution is worked, and which is necessarily +numerous. They thought the method of instruction in use in the schools +excellent, and found that religious liberty was strictly respected. +<p> +From Fredericks-Oort they went on to Ommershaus, where is the poor-house +and penal colony belonging to the former institution. Thirteen hundred +beggary, orphans, and criminals were then in the colony. +<p> +<p> +How much, remarks J.Y., such an institution is wanted in England; every +inducement is held out for improvement in civil society, and a most +effectual check placed against vice and idleness. +<p> +<p> +The travellers fared badly in Holland, and they were rejoiced to "set foot +again in honest Germany, where they know how to use strangers with an +honest heart." They returned through Bentheim and Osnabrück, and arrived +at Pyrmont on the 19th. Here they spent ten days in resting, and in +preparing to pursue their journey through South Germany. +<p> +On First-day, the 30th, they took leave of their friends. +<p> +<p> +First-day, says John Yeardley, was a solemn time, both at meeting and at +the reading in the afternoon; I hope both my M.Y. and I were enabled to +clear our minds. In the evening we took an affectionate and affecting +leave of them all; it was to me particularly trying. I could not refrain +from weeping much. +<p> +<p> +Not much occurs in the diary to claim attention, until they reached +Friedberg, not far from Frankfort. +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 7.--Sat down to our little meeting, after breakfast, and +reading, on First day morning. It was to us both a season of deep feeling. +My dear M.Y. was so filled with a sense of our own weakness, and the +Almighty's goodness towards us in a wilderness travel through a dark +country, that she knelt, and was enabled to pour forth a heart-felt +supplication for a precious seed of the kingdom in the hearts of the +people among whom we were; and also that He would in his tender mercy +remember us his poor instruments, and in the right time cause light to +break forth on our path, preserve us in the way we ought to go, and make +us willing to suffer for the sake of his suffering cause: to which my +heart said, Amen! +<p> +<p> +At Frankfort they formed acquaintance with J.H. von Meyer, ex-burgomaster +of the city, a learned and pious man, who had made a new translation of +the Bible into German, and had stood firm for the cause of real +Christianity in the midst of much declension. In the afternoon they drove +to Offenbach to see J.D. Marc, a Christian Jew, who had earned experience +in the school of suffering. He said, amongst other things, that he could +never preach but when he believed it to be his duty, and then he could +declare only what was given him at the time; this he considered to be the +only preaching that could profit the hearers. His views on the inutility +of water baptism were so decided, that when converted Jews asked him to +administer to them this rite, he told them he could not recommend it, for +it would do them no good. He gave them many names of awakened persons in +the Palatinate:-- +<p> +<p> +Where, says John Yeardley, there is still a lively-spirited people who hold +meetings for religious improvement; perhaps the descendants of those who +were visited by W. Penn in former days. +<p> +<p> +The next day they returned to Frankfort, and made the acquaintance of +Pastor Appia, a Piedmontese, who, with his wife, was very friendly; and +when he heard that they had left their own land to visit his native +country, marked out a route for them, and gave them letters of +introduction. "When I am with such good people," observes J.Y., in +relating their interview with Appia, "I am always uneasy in my mind that I +am not more worthy. May the Lord strengthen me!" +<p> +On the 10th, they went to Darmstadt, where they met with several +enlightened Christians. One of these, Leander van Ess, had been a Roman +Catholic priest; and although a zealous promoter of Christianity in the +face of persecution, and favored with a more than ordinary degree of +spiritual light, he had thought it right not altogether to forsake that +communion, but remained amongst the Romanists to do them good. He had +translated the New Testament for their use. At parting with his new +friends he embraced them, gave them his blessing, and wished them a +prosperous journey. "I felt myself," says J.Y., "comforted and +strengthened by this visit." +<p> +<p> +On the way to Heppenheim, he continues, (to which place they next directed +their course), I felt quiet, in mind, and was once more assured that we +were in the way of our duty. As I thought of the difficulties which might +await us, these words were brought to my remembrance, "Touch not mine +anointed, and do my prophets no harm." +<p> +<p> +Crossing the Rhine, at Mannheim, they stopped, on the 12th, at Dürkheim, +where they became acquainted with Ludwig Fitz, a man of a frank and +inquiring disposition. +<p> +<p> +For three years, writes J.Y., he has held meetings in his house; in the +commencement he had to suffer no little persecution. On his entering our +room he observed that it was the Lord who had thus brought us together. I +have scarcely been half an hour with you, he said, after a while, but it +seems as if I had known you for seven years. He, with his wife and +daughter, took us to call on a Mennonist, a pious man, who holds firmly by +Baptism and the Supper. He soon began to speak on these points. I replied +to what he said as well as I could, maintaining that in Scripture there +are two baptisms spoken of; that, as the soul of man is spiritual, it can +be reached only by that which is spiritual, and that therefore I did not +see the necessity of maintaining that which, is outward. He said he +desired to possess the former, and not to neglect the latter. As to the +Supper they both advanced is proof of the observance being good, that +often, whilst using it, they experienced inward joy and refreshment. I +said we must not limit to a certain time or place this joy in the Lord, as +if the use of the Supper only were the cause of it. The gracious Lord is +ready at all times to sup with us, and to refresh the sincere and cleansed +soul, and make it joyful in him. We took leave of each other in love; I +said we did not travel for the purpose of turning people from one form to +another, but with the desire only that they might all be brought nearer to +the Lord. It was pleasant to me that Fitz's wife was with us; during the +conversation she remained still and weighty in spirit. +<p> +We inclined to attend the evening devotion at Fitz's, but prefaced our +request with the hope that they would not be offended if we did not take +part in their observances. This was immediately granted; and Fitz said, I +feel that your spirit is true and sincere, and I have unity with it. When +their service was ended, we asked them to remain a while in silence, and I +trust may say we were enabled to utter what was required of us in +testimony and supplication. +<p> +In Dürkheim there are eleven converted Jews, who dare not meet except in +secret for fear of the rabbins. One night the rabbins attempted to take +away their bibles and other books, but they received a hint of their +intention, and sent the books to Fitz's house. One of them, a servant +girl, as soon as she heard that some Christian friends were come into the +town, went to Fitz's, and took up one of the books we had given him. She +read a little in it hastily, put it in her bosom, and ran home. Her +curiosity and love of the truth impelled her to come to our hotel, and +wait unobserved in the hall to catch a glimpse of us as we came out. We +felt much for these awakened ones of Abraham's offspring; their oppressed +condition rested much upon our hearts; but as we had no opportunity of +conversing with them, I wrote a few lines from Friedelsheim to the young +woman, and sent them with some books by Fitz, who accompanied us to that +place. <i>Tuke's Principles</i> finds much entrance among the awakened +Jews. +<p> +<p> +Travelling through Spires, Carlsruhe, and Pforzheim, they came on the 16th +to Stuttgardt, where they found Henry Kienlin, of Pforzheim, who, as the +reader will remember, had won so large a place in their love and esteem on +their former journey. +<p> +<p> +He not only, says John Yeardley, professes our principles, but bears a +clear and fearless testimony for them. His wife is of the same mind with +him, although she does not yet show it in the simplicity of her dress. +<p> +On the 18th, we set out in company with our good friend to Ludwigsburg to +see the prison. There are about 600 prisoners, of both sexes, for the most +part employed in labor. Order and cleanliness prevail, and the food is +good. The governor, Kleth, is a worthy, pious man; he himself reads the +Holy Scriptures to the prisoners, and endeavors to promote their spiritual +improvement. When we entered a room in which were a number of men, they +rose, and stood serious and quiet as though they expected we should +address them; and for a short time the love of God was felt amongst us in +an impressive manner; but nothing was given us to utter. +<p> +<p> +It will be recollected that when John and Martha Yeardley were at +Stuttgardt in 1826, they met with the Pastor Hoffman, and that they +desired to visit the institution at Kornthal, of which he was the +director, but were obliged to forego this visit in order to hasten forward +to Basle. They now prepared to discharge this debt of Christian love. +Kornthal is situated four miles from Stuttgardt; it was founded in 1819 by +dissenters from the Moravians and Lutherans, and consisted in 1825 of +about seventy families. J. and M.Y. went there on the 19th. +<p> +<p> +We were received, says the former, in a brotherly manner by the Director +Hoffman. On entering the room we were informed that their pastor had died +the night before; but instead of sorrow there seemed to be joy. This +society holds it for a religious duty to rejoice when any of their members +are favored to enter a state of endless bliss. This is religious fortitude +which but few possess, but I believe it is with them sincere, for in going +over the institution with the Director, I observed they spoke of it as a +matter of holy triumph. +<p> +<p> +No meeting was held with the members of the establishment during this +visit; it was left for J. and M.Y. to attend the usual evening assembly on +First-day, the 21st; and they were informed that it would be an occasion +on which any present who were moved by divine influence might freely +relieve their minds. +<p> +<p> +At three o'clock, J.Y. writes, we set off to Kornthal under most trying +feelings; I do not know when I have suffered so much from discouragement. +On account of the death of the pastor, many were come to attend the +interment which was to take place the next day. This caused the meeting to +be large; not less than 700 persons were present, and among them six or +seven pastors. The service commenced with a few verses; the first words +were these:-- +<blockquote> + "Holy Spirit come unto us,<br> + And make our hearts thy dwelling-place."<br> +</blockquote> +I can truly say I was awfully impressed with their meaning, and a secret +prayer rose in my heart that it might be experienced amongst us. After the +singing, a silence truly solemn ensued, and I intimated that I felt an +impression to say a few words. When I sat down our kind friend the +Director summed up the substance of what I had said, and repeated it in an +impressive and becoming manner. He did this with the idea that some +present who only understood Low German might not have clearly got the +sense; however, we were told afterwards that they had understood every +word that I had said. Hoffman generously acknowledged to the hearers that +what had been delivered was strictly conformable with Scripture doctrine, +and that he united most fully with it. +<p> +Next morning the children being assembled for religious instruction, at +the conclusion I requested they might remain awhile, and I had a few words +to say to them, which was a relief to my mind. Hoffman asked if they had +understood; they almost all answered, Ja, ja, ja. +<p> +This visit has afforded an opportunity of our becoming acquainted with +many serious characters out of the neighborhood who were come to the +interment; many of them felt near to me in spirit. Hoffman's wife is a +precious, still character; there is much sweetness in her countenance. All +received us heartily in Christian love; it felt to me as if it were the +night before one of our Monthly Meetings, and I was at a Friend's house, +so much freedom was to be felt. The inn is kept by Hoffman; they would +make us no charge, saying love must pay all. We were most easy to make a +present to the box for the institution, but they would have refused it, +saying feelingly, Travellers like you have many expenses. +<p> +<p> +The cause for J.Y.'s peculiar discouragement in the prospect of this +meeting was the want of an interpreter. Any one who knows the difficulty +of public speaking or continuous discourse in a foreign language, will +comprehend the anxiety which he felt when he saw no alternative but that +of committing himself to preach in German. Though very familiar with the +language, he never completely overcame the want of early and of thoroughly +grammatical instruction in that difficult and intricate tongue. It was +with feelings of this kind that he penned the following memorandum before +going to Kornthal:-- +<p> +<p> +18<i>th</i>.--Extremely low in mind and in want of faith. No creature can +conceive what I suffer in the prospect of having to speak in a foreign +tongue in a religious meeting. +<p> +<p> +At Stuttgardt they took leave of their endeared friend, Henry Kienlin. +<p> +<p> +It is, says J. Y., hard to part; but every one must follow his calling, +and mind only the direction of the Lord. +<p> +<p> +On quitting Stuttgardt, John Yeardley makes a few remarks regarding the +religious state of Würtemberg. +<p> +<p> +22<i>nd</i>.--Würtemberg is a favored land. In Feldbach, three hours from +Stuttgardt, there are about 800 Christian people who hold meetings in each +other's houses: some of them belong to the Kornthal Society. Years ago, +many emigrated to America and Russia, to gain religious liberty; now it is +granted them by their own Government. +<p> +<p> +On the 22nd, they journeyed to Tübingen, where they visited the worthy +Professor Streundel. +<p> +<p> +He was surprised and shy when we entered, as if he wanted to say, The +sooner you take leave the better. But as soon as he knew where we came +from, his countenance changed, and he received us heartily. He had his +wife called--a very polite person. He asked many questions as to our +church discipline, &c.; the order of our Society pleased him much. He had +undertaken the study of divinity from an apprehension of duty, and said +that it was only by the assistance of the Holy Spirit we could be made +instrumental in the ministry. +<p> +<p> +On the 25th they came to Wilhelmsdorf, on the Lake of Constance, where is +a branch of the Kornthal Association. They found the director "a man of +great simplicity, but of inward worth." +<p> +<p> +He was, continues John Yeardley, six years in Kornthal, and seems to be +sensible of the importance of the situation he fills, and of his +incapability to be useful to others unless assisted by divine grace. He +read our certificate attentively, and said, in a weighty manner, Yes; one +Lord over all, one faith, one baptism. We found they have no regular +preacher, but meet for worship every evening and on First-day mornings. We +were desirous of seeing them together, and they were pleased to find such +was our intention. The bell was rung, and in a few minutes the whole +colony assembled, about two hundred, with children. Much liberty was felt +in speaking among them; and some of them appeared to be sensible of the +value of true silence, and from whence words ought to spring; many shed +tears under the melting influence of divine love which was so preciously +to be felt amongst us. We took an affectionate leave, well satisfied in +visiting this little company, to strengthen them to hold up the cause of +their Lord and Master, in the midst of darkness. Within about thirty +English miles there are none but rigid Roman Catholics, not one +Evangelical congregation. At our departure my wife said: "These words +arise in my mind for thy comfort: Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." +<p> +At the inn where we stopped at Wilhelmsdorf, we were spectators of an +occurrence rarely to be seen. Among the laborers who dined there, the one +who had finished first read a chapter from the Bible to the rest. When all +had done eating, one offered a prayer; and then all went quietly back to +their work. This practice shows at least the sincerity of their hearts. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER IX. +<p> +<p> +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1827-28. +<p> +PART II.--SWITZERLAND. +<p> +On the 27th of the Tenth Month John and Martha Yeardley crossed the Swiss +frontier to Schaffhausen, where their presence was welcomed by several +pious persons. Amongst these were a young woman, Caroline Keller, who from +a religions motive had altered her dress and manners to greater +simplicity, and John Lang, Principal of the United Brethren's Society. In +a social meeting convened on the evening of their arrival, J.L. directed +the conversation to the principles of friends, and J. and M.Y. explained +the views held by the Society on silent worship, the ministry, and the +disuse of ceremonies. +<p> +<p> +The [French] language, says J.Y., was difficult to me; but by the grace +of God I was helped, and they were quite ready to seize the sense of what +we endeavored to convey. The love of God was felt among us, and the +Principal said, at parting, that he had not before been so impressed with +our views. I sent him Tuke's "Principles," and he told me yesterday he was +attentively studying it. My dear M.Y. told me it had been given her to +believe we were in our right place, and that we were called by religious +intercourse to bear witness for our Lord and Master and his good cause. +<p> +I am afraid, he remarks in a letter in which he describes their service at +Schaffhausen, I am afraid thou wilt think me too minute in my details; but +really when I enter into the feeling which accompanied us in these visits, +it seems as if I could scarcely quit it. +<p> +<p> +They spent the 29th at Schaffhausen in close Christian communion with two +pious families. To C.K. particularly, at whose house they dined, they felt +so nearly united, that they scarcely knew how to part from her. +<p> +<p> +We have cause to be thankful, says J.Y., for our visit to Schaffhausen; +but if we were more faithful we should be more useful. Our friends were +quite inclined for us to have had a meeting with them, but we were too +fearful to propose it. O vile weakness! +<p> +<p> +On the 31st they saw the Agricultural School for poor children at Beuggen. +Amongst the boys were twelve young Greeks, who were being instructed in +ancient and modern Greek, and in German. They had been sent to Switzerland +by the German missionaries, and most of them had been deprived of their +parents by the cruelty of the Turks. It was the intention of their +benefactors that they should return to Greece to enlighten their +countrymen. Their religious instruction was based simply upon the Bible, +without reference to any particular creed. +<p> +<p> +In the Greek school, writes John Yeardley, we observed a serious man about +thirty years of age, who had the appearance of a laborer, learning Greek. +This was a little surprising, and led us to inquire the cause. The +inspector readily gratified us: and gratifying indeed it was to hear that +this poor man had given up his work of ship-carpenter, from pure +conviction that he was called to go and instruct the poor Greeks at his +own expense. He is intending to spend the winter in learning the modern +Greek, and to proceed in the spring to Corfu. He intends to provide for +his own living by working at his trade, and he will take for instruction +about four boys at a time, and as soon as he has brought them forward +enough, set them as monitors over others. Some time ago two young men were +sent out by the Bible Society to Corfu; but before they reached the place +of their destination they were deterred by the missionaries on account of +the unsettled state of the country, and dared not proceed further for fear +of losing their lives. It is remarkable that, at the juncture when these +two young men were turned back by discouragement, this poor man should +receive the impression to go to the same place. We desired to have an +interview with him, and he was instantly sent for to the Inspector's room. +After a few remarks which opened for us to make to him, he confessed he +had no peace but when he thought of giving up to this feeling of duty, and +that when he looked towards going he felt happy in the prospect of every +hardship. It was remarked that, as this call was made from above, the +great Master alone could guide his steps; he appeared fully sensible from +whom his help must come. He is beloved by his employers, and has an +excellent certificate from the pastor, of his moral and religious +character. +<p> +<p> +On the 2nd of the Eleventh Month they went to Zurich, and the same day +drove out over a very bad road to Pfäffikon to visit the Herr von +Campagne. +<p> +<p> +We had a cold wet journey, but the good old man gave us a hearty welcome +to his house. He is seventy-six years of age. He asked us pleasantly how +we came to think of visiting an old man who was on the brink of the grave. +He had heard much of Friends, and wished, he said, to become personally +acquainted with some of the Society. He is a most benevolent character, +but we could not unite with all his religious views; he does not think it +necessary to meet for religious worship; in short, his principles are much +the same as those held by Jacob Böhmen. +<p> +We slept at his house, and next morning returned to Zurich, where we +called on our particular friend Professor Gessner and his family, and we +rejoiced mutually to see each other again. +<p> +<p> +In the afternoon they called on Pastor Koch, tutor to the young Prince of +Mecklenburg, who was at that time in Switzerland, and the next morning, +First-day, as they were holding their little meeting for worship, the +Prince himself, with Herr Koch and the Herr von Brandenstein, gave them a +visit. The Prince spoke English; and J.Y. says:-- +<p> +<p> +I had a strong impression to speak to him in a serious way, which I was +enabled to do at some length. On parting he held me with both his hands in +mine, and said, "I thank you, sir, for your kind and instructive +communication; I shall never forget it so long as I live." +<p> +A little before twelve o'clock, he continues, came our kind young friend, +Hannah Gessner, to accompany us to the ancient and worthy Bishop Hess. He +is in his eighty-seventh year, but lively in spirit and active in mind. He +is uncommonly liberal in his religious opinions, and his enlarged heart +seemed to overflow with Christian love towards the followers of Christ +under every name. He treated us as a father, and I felt instructed in +being in his company. He gave us his portrait as a token of respect and +friendship. +<p> +In the evening we took tea with Professor Gessner's sister, Lavater, in +company with seven of the professor's daughters and sons, who are all +serious persons. After some conversation on the order and ministry of our +Society, it was proposed by dear Hannah, through her aunt, whether we +would like to have a Meeting or the Scriptures read. After a portion of +Scripture had been read silence ensued, in which my dear M. Y. and I said +what was on our minds in testimony and supplication. It is a time of +precious visitation to some of them. We felt sweet unity with Pastor +Gessner, and believe him to be a gospel minister. On parting he took me in +both arms, and said, in such a feeling manner that the words went to my +very heart, "The Lord bless thee, and put the words of his wisdom into thy +mouth." +<p> +<p> +On the 6th they went to Berne, and the next morning they inspected +Fellenberg's institution at Hofwyl. +<p> +<p> +It is, says John Yeardley, what it professes to be, for education in the +fullest extent of the word, to give to those committed to their care an +education suited to their circumstances and their future prospects in +life. There is a first-rate boarding school, for young gentlemen; a middle +school, for tradesmen, &c.; a [boys' and] girls' poor school of industry, +for those who can pay nothing.--(<i>Letter to Josiah Forster</i>.) +<p> +<p> +To J.Y. the most interesting department of this institution was the school +of industry for poor children, in which at that time a hundred boys were +clothed and educated. He describes at some length, and with evident +approbation, the system on which the school was conducted; but adds, "I +cannot say much as to religious instruction." +<p> +From Hofwyl they proceeded through Lausanne to Geneva, where, being +desirous of improving themselves in French, and the season not permitting +them to travel, they hired a lodging, intending to remain two or three +months. +<p> +As on their former visit, they held frequent intercourse with pious +persons, several of them well known in the Christian world; such as +Gaussen, Bost, and L'Huillier. Of Theodore L'Huillier. minister of the New +Church, John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +Though a moderate Calvinist, he embraced us at once on the broad principle +of Christianity. We became acquainted with him two years ago, but think +him now much deeper in the root of real religion. +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 19.--We called yesterday evening on our dear friend Owen, +and met there a pious lady, Fanny Passavant. We had much serious +conversation, I hope to profit, at least to our own minds; for we were +given to see a little the importance of the situation in which we stand, +and the necessity of being, in our intercourse with these religious +persons, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. +<p> +1828. 1 mo. 13.--We have had much satisfaction in becoming acquainted with +Ami Bost. He was one of the first who bore testimony to the light which +broke forth in the corrupt church of Geneva, and he suffered much in +defending the doctrines of the New Church. In Germany he was, with his +wife and six or seven children, driven from town to town by the police, +for holding religious meetings in his house, and for refusing to have his +children baptised. His sentiments in the office of the ministry and the +appointment of preachers, are in perfect unison with those of Friends; +also on the ordinances of the Supper, &c. +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 20.--During the greater part of our stay at this place I have felt +my mind extremely poor, but a secret desire and prayer has been maintained +to be preserved in patience, believing it to be as necessary to learn to +suffer as to do. And although it is apparently little we can do here, we +have felt repeatedly the assurance that it is the ordering of Best Wisdom, +and as such we are well satisfied. +<p> +After our little morning meeting we went to dine with dear Captain Owen, +and spent the remainder of the day with a few religious friends there. +When the evening reading was finished, we had a solemn time under the +seasoning influence of divine love. Our hearts were too full for any +religious communication, except supplication, which was offered both by my +dear M.Y. and myself. +<p> +<p> +Martha Yeardley also gives an account of this meeting, and of a visit they +paid to the Female Prison. +<p> +<p> +Before our departure for Lausanne and Neufchâtel, a relation of Mary Ann +Vernet's kindly attended us to the female prison, and introduced us to +others of the committee; and in the evening we had a religious opportunity +with the few confined there, during which they evinced much feeling. Our +interesting companion told us the next morning that she trusted the +circumstance would be blessed to them. We had also a very interesting +opportunity at Charles Owen's the evening before we left, at which was +present, as often before, a very precious friend of ours, of the name of +Fanny Passavant, a single woman, very rich, yet who lives in great +self-denial, and gives almost all she has to feed the poor. She is what +they call in this country a very <i>interior</i> character; which means +one that cherishes the inward life. In her company we often felt baptized +together, and she gave us strong recommendations to some of the same class +at Neufchâtel, who are desiring to learn in the school of +Christ.--(<i>Letter to Elizabeth Dudley</i>.) +<p> +<p> +At the expiration of their sojourn in Geneva, they did not, as they had +expected to do, proceed to the valleys of Piedmont, but, as the last +extract intimates, turned their steps towards Neufchâtel. The motives +which influenced them in this change of purpose are described by John +Yeardley, in a letter to his brother, of the 11th of the Second Month, +1828. +<p> +<p> +In my last to thee I signified our intention of departing for the valleys +of Piedmont, which did not take place. After due consideration of the +subject for more than two months, in a state of humble resignation to be +directed aright in this important matter, we did not feel it press with +sufficient weight on our minds to warrant our moving in the face of so +much difficulty as is at present in the way. We have always considered our +safety in such engagements to depend on taking step by step in the fresh +light afforded; and it is a favor to know when and where to stand, as well +as when to go forward. +<p> +<p> +While the way to Piedmont was thus for a time obstructed, a door was set +open for them in a part of Switzerland which they had not yet visited. +From John Yeardley's reflections before they left Geneva, it would appear +that in the discouragement they felt in the prospect of a long journey +through France, they were little aware of that plentiful repast of +spiritual food which was to be served to them before they would have to +cross the Jura. +<p> +<p> +In looking towards the long journey before us, writes J. Y., I have been +much discouraged, almost fearing to depart from this place without first +being favored with more quietude of mind, which I was this morning favored +to feel in a greater degree than has been the case for a long time. In my +last solitary walk to La Traille, I was led to pray in secret for +preservation on our journey, and almost to ask an assurance of protection, +but received for answer, "Go, in faith." +<p> +<p> +On the 21st of the First Month, they left Geneva and went forward to +Lausanne, where they were again refreshed with the society of some +spiritually-minded persons. +<p> +<p> +23<i>rd</i>--We visited several of the pastors. We found M. Févaz, +minister of the Seceders in this place, very interesting, humble, and +spiritual. He related to us, in much simplicity and candor, that in the +commencement of their separation they were strenuous to preach doctrinal +sermons, but now they had been favored to see the necessity of preaching +purification of heart through the operation of the Spirit. +<p> +Called on ---- Gaudin, who keeps a boarding-school in a beautiful +situation near the town. We had not been long in the company of him and +his dear wife, before we felt much contrited together, and had a precious +religious opportunity. At parting, the dear man, with myself, was quite +broken into tears. We left with him, as well as with the others, Judge +Hale's "Testimony to the Secret Support of Divine Providence," which we +had translated, and had got printed at Geneva. +<p> +On the 24th they proceeded to Neufchâtel. This was a memorable visit. +<p> +<p> +We soon found cause, writes John Yeardley, to believe the Great Master had +been before us, to prepare the way in the hearts of many to receive the +doctrine he has mercifully enabled us to preach. Our dear F. Passavant had +given us a letter of introduction to Auguste Borel, a man of few words, +but of a remarkably weighty and sweet spirit, who received us with the +greatest affection. He has lately separated from the national worship, and +retires in silence in his own chamber. He soon made us acquainted with a +few others of a similar turn of mind. +<p> +<p> +Martha Yeardley, describing the commencement of their religious service in +this place, says:-- +<p> +<p> +We were invited to a meeting which we felt most easy to attend, and my +husband was given full liberty to speak if he felt inclined; but for a +while the usual activity of their meetings--such as singing, commenting on +texts with Calvinistic explanations, &c.--entirely closed our way. But +before they separated I ventured to request, in the name of my husband, +that such as inclined would favor us with their company a while longer, +and rest a little in silence. Nearly all remained, and under a solemn +covering he addressed the company, while I translated in much fear, yet +ventured at the end to say a few words for myself. Several of the company +attended us home, and expressed much satisfaction: and from this time a +door was opened to us at Neufchâtel in a very remarkable manner. They +flocked to our inn at all times in the day and in considerable numbers, +many acknowledging, in the course of very interesting conversation, that +they thirsted for something more satisfying than mere doctrines +continually repeated--something that would preserve from evil, that would +cleanse the heart, that would bring into nearer communion with the +Saviour.--(<i>Letter to Elizabeth Dudley</i>.) +<p> +On the 27th, continues the Diary, A. Borel conducted us to a meeting with +some <i>interior</i> persons, about three miles from town. It was a time +of close exercise of mind, but ended to satisfaction, and, I hope, to the +edification and strength of some present. The master of the house, +Professor Pétavel, said that never until that evening had he been able to +see clearly the beauty and advantage of pure spiritual worship, contrasted +with outward forms. +<p> +After, having taken tea with a large company, our kind guide conducted us +through woods and over mountainous and bad roads to a village, where a +large concourse of people were assembled for worship. A schoolmaster was +speaking on a chapter which had been read: we had full unity with what he +delivered, which was accompanied with a power which convinced us that he +really preached the gospel. After he had done, we were introduced as +religious strangers from England; and silence ensuing, opportunity was +given for us to express what came before us. +<p> +28th.--Some of the most <i>interior</i> told us they had long been +exercised about spiritual worship, and had often wished to see some of the +Society of Friends. On hearing of our intended visit two years ago, they +said if we had come then [we should have found them] wrapped up in +doctrines, but now they were given to see they could not live on the +letter alone, they must be born again, and partake of that bread which +cometh down from heaven. Many of these awakened persons came to our inn at +all hours, and our hearts were filled with love towards them as a cup +overflowing; so that it was given to us to minister to them almost +individually as they came to us. +<p> +<p> +On the 29th they went to Berne, and the following morning walked over to +Wabern, where some of A. Borel's friends resided, who received them with +open arms. +<p> +<p> +After dinner M. Combe drove us in his car to Scherli. We alighted at the +house of one of the peasant-farmers, situated quite among the mountains, +with the Alps fair in view. They received us in the name of disciples with +every mark of love and respect. They were more disposed to sit in silence +than to ask questions. On my asking if they had seen or heard of any of +our Friends, in these parts, one of them, innocently replied, No; we do +not know anything of your religious principles. I then began to explain +them; and when I spoke of our manner of worship, belief, &c., and of some +of our peculiar tenets respecting Baptism, the Supper, &c., it is not +possible to express their emotion; their eyes turned first towards one and +then towards another, and seemed to sparkle with joy, without their +uttering a word till I had done. These were entirely the principles they +held, and about a year ago they separated from the church, about twenty in +number, and attempted to meet for religious worship. This was prevented by +the police; for although, they live in a very remote situation, they are +strictly watched by the pastor, who wishes to compel them to come to his +worship. We were there only an hour or two, but a number of these +innocent-hearted people came flocking to the house, and immediately +settled into a silence truly solemn. We could indeed say our hearts burned +with love towards them. +<p> +Two of these young men came to us the nest day, and spent most of the day +with us. One of them, Christian Speicher, told me he did not know how to +express the satisfaction he felt to hear of a body of professing +Christians in a distant land, who held the same religious principles as +they in their isolated situation had been long seeking after and had been +made willing to suffer for. +<p> +During our stay under this hospitable roof [M. Combe's at Wabern] it was +an open house for all comers, and they were not few. Our spirits were so +united with many of them we did not know how to leave them; but our great +concern was to recommend them to remain with Him who had so mercifully and +powerfully visited them. +<p> +<p> +On the 31st they returned to Berne, and the next day called upon a pious +chimney-sweeper, waiting whilst he changed his sooty clothes. +<p> +We were not a little surprised to hear him of his own accord, without +knowing who we were, declare the same doctrine as we are concerned to +preach. There are a few <i>inward</i> persons who assemble at his house, +and hold the same sentiments. About a year and a half or two years ago, +there was a remarkable awakening in the canton of Berne, and a few here +and there of a more spiritually-minded sort seceded. There is a ferment to +prevent their meeting together, and to compel them to go to the usual +place of worship; but in vain, for nothing but spiritual food can satisfy +their hungry souls. +<p> +<p> +On their return to Neufchâtel they visited the celebrated school of the +Moravians at Montmirail, where, says Martha Yeardley-- +<p> +<p> +We soon felt quite at home with a precious, spiritually-minded man, the +master, and his agreeable English wife. This is an excellent institution, +for females only, and several English are there. We were about seventy in +company at dinner, and much sweet feeling prevailed. The master of this +interesting family was delighted to hear something of Friends to whom he +had never before been introduced. +<p> +<p> +At Neufchâtel, on First-day (2 mo. 3,) they met large companies in the +morning and evening, and the next morning took leave of their friends in +that city, "deeply humbled under a sense of the great Master's work among +them." They went to Locle under the conduct of A. Borel, whose "kindness +exceeded all description." +<p> +<p> +On the way, writes John Yeardley, we took refreshment at a pious man's +house in the morning, and dined at another friend's, with whom, we had a +precious religious opportunity. It reminded me of the mode of visiting our +own dear Friends in England; we find in the hearts of these visited +children of the Universal Parent genuine hospitality; they hand us of all +they have in their houses in the name of disciples. +<p> +At Locle they were met by Mary Anne Calame, with whom their hearts became +instantly knit in the strongest Christian friendship. +<p> +<p> +She came before we were well alighted. We had heard much of the character +and benevolent exertions of this dear woman but could say in truth the +half had not been told us. Her countenance is strong and impressive, her +hair jet black, cut short, and worn without cap; her dress of the most +simple and least costly kind. Her sole desire seems to be to do the will +of her Lord and Master in caring for 170 poor children, who are in the +institution at bed, board, and instruction. The forenoon was spent in +looking over the schools and hearing the children examined. The house is a +refuge for the lame, blind, deaf, dumb, and sick. Peace and contentment +prevail through the whole. This establishment was commenced about twelve +years ago with five children, and has prospered in a remarkable manner. +M.A.C. is one with Friends in principle, and, as well as some others of +the family, entirely separated from the usual forms of worship. +<p> +<p> +Martha Yeardley, in a letter from which we have already quoted, describes +the origin of the asylum. +<p> +<p> +About twelve years since M.A. Calame believed herself called to form an +institution for orphans and unfortunate children. She associated some +others with her for this object, but having peculiar views on religious +subjects, and more perseverance than her colleagues, she was soon left +nearly alone, with means entirely inadequate to the increasing demands, +viz., about three francs yearly from a very limited number of persons. The +children daily augmented, and she dared not refuse admission: when in +necessity she was encouraged to trust from unexpected donations. This +increased her faith; and after some years, a boys' school was added. In +this way the institution has been supported without any regular funds. +<p> +Her faith is still often very severely tried, but they have never yet been +suffered to want. Her refuge in times of extremity is prayer, and it has +been in some instances very evidently answered, so that she has severely +reproached herself for daring to doubt. In speaking on this subject she +said to me: "I am at times much beset with temptations when I consider the +number I have thus collected without any visible or certain means of +support; but how can I dare to doubt after so many proofs of the care of +the great Master? He knows our wants; he knows these dear children have +need of food and clothing, and he provides it for them; and he knows that +all I desire is to do his will." +<p> +On remarking to her the sweet tranquillity and order which reign in these +schools, she said, "It is the Master's work; they are taught to love him +above all, and to do all for his sake." We felt very nearly united to her +and to an intimate friend who resides with her: they are both what are +called deeply interior characters, and have long withdrawn from the places +of public worship, but fully unite with our views. +<p> +She is really a very extraordinary character, extremely simple and +cheerful in her manners, possessing great natural talents, and evincing in +her conducting of the institution, not only the Spirit, but the +understanding also.--(<i>To Elizabeth Dudley, 2 mo. 7, 1828.</i>) +<p> +<p> +With Locle, John and Martha Yeardley's mission to Switzerland for this +time terminated. They crossed the frontier into France, and made the best +of their way through that country, in order to proceed to the Channel +Islands. +<p> +<p> +This morning (2 mo. 5,) writes J.Y., Mary Anne Calame and her friend +Zimmerling, with A. Borel, accompanied us two leagues to the ferry, and +saw us safe over into France. This last parting with friends so dear to us +in a foreign land, was very touching; our hearts were humbled under a +sense of the Heavenly Father's love. +<p> +6th.--Passing the custom-house made us late at our quarters, where they +are not accustomed to receive such guests. Their curiosity to see and know +who we are is very great. To prevent French imposition, my M.Y. was to +bargain beforehand for what we had. On asking what the meal would cost, we +were answered they could not tell, for they did not know how much coffee +we should drink. This simple but appropriate reply so amused us that it +put an end to our bargaining. +<p> +I shall not soon forget the sensation I felt on passing the river into +France. I could not forbear drawing the discouraging contrast of quitting +those to whom we had become united in the gospel of peace, in a country +the most beautiful that Nature can present, with a long journey in +prospect through a dreary country whose inhabitants wish only to get what +they can from us. These discouraging fears could only be silenced by +reflecting that the same protecting Providence presides over all and +everywhere. +<p> +<p> +Travelling with their own single horse, their favorite <i>Poppet</i>, the +progress they made was necessarily slow, and they did not reach Paris till +the 19th. After spending a few days in that city, they proceeded to +Cherbourg, and arrived there after six days of hard travelling. At this +place John Yeardley writes:-- +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 2.--In looking back on our late travels, a degree of sweet +peace and thankfulness covered my mind in the humble belief that our weak +but sincere desires to do the great Master's will was a sacrifice +well-pleasing in his holy sight. In looking forward to the dangers we had +still to encounter, I was led closely to examine on what our hope of +preservation was fixed. Should it please Him who had hitherto blessed us +with his presence and protecting care, to put our faith again to the test, +how we could bear it, how we should feel at the prospect of going down to +the bottom of the great deep. I felt a particular satisfaction that our +great journey had first been accomplished; if this had not been the case +it would have been a sting in my conscience. But now an awful resignation +was experienced, and it came before me as an imperious duty to be resigned +to life or death; and the joyful hope resounded in my heart, All will be +well to those who love not their lives unto death. +<p> +<p> +The presentiment of danger which this passage describes was speedily +fulfilled, as was also the hopeful promise by which it was accompanied. +They were detained at Cherbourg until the 13th, waiting for a vessel. +Leaving port early that morning, they landed in Guernsey the next day; and +it was in going ashore that they were exposed to some danger of their +lives. John Yeardley thus relates the occurrence:-- +<p> +<p> +I descended first into a little boat, and standing on the side to take my +M.Y. down, the man not holding the boat secure to the ship, our weight +pushed it from us, and we plunged headlong into the sea. My dear M.Y.'s +clothes prevented her from sinking, and she was first assisted again into +the boat. I went overhead, and had to swim several turns before I could +reach the boat. The salt water being warm, and the time not long, we +received no further injury. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his +mercies to us, his poor unworthy servants! how often has he made bare his +mighty arm for our deliverance. In the midst of danger fear was removed +from us, and we were blessed with the unspeakable advantage of presence of +mind, and enabled to use the best means under Divine Providence to save +our lives. +<p> +They visited the Friends and a few other persons in Guernsey and Jersey, +and then proceeded to Weymouth, and on the 25th to Bristol. At Bristol +and Tewkesbury they were deeply interested in the state of the meetings, +and had some remarkable service in both places. Taking also Nottingham and +Chesterfield in their way, and being "well satisfied in not having overrun +them," they arrived at the cottage at Burton on the 8th of the Fourth +Month, having been absent about nine months. +<p> +<p> +In the retrospect, say they, of this long and arduous journey, we have +this testimony unitedly to bear,--that the Arm of divine love has been +underneath to support and help us; and although we have had many deep +baptisms to pass through, especially when we beheld how in many places the +fields are white unto harvest, and were fully sensible of our own +inability to labor therein, yet He who, we trust, sent us forth was often +pleased to raise us from the depth of discouragement, to rejoice in him +our Saviour. If any fruits arise from our feeble efforts to promote his +cause, it will be from his blessing resting upon them, for nothing can +possibly be attached to us but weakness and want of faith. But, blessed be +his holy name, he knew the sincerity of our endeavors to do his will, and +has been pleased in his condescending mercy to fill our hearts with his +enriching peace. Amen. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER X. +<p> +<p> +HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. +<p> +1828--1833. +<p> +On their return home Martha Yeardley was attacked with a severe illness, +consequent probably on hard travelling and bad accommodation during the +journey. +<p> +Under date of the 18th of the Fifth Month, J.Y. writes:-- +<p> +<p> +How circumstances change! Last Yearly Meeting we were in London with the +prospect of a long journey before us, and now my dear Martha is on a bed +of sickness, and I have myself suffered; but through all there is a degree +of peaceful resignation in the belief that all is done well that the Great +Master does, and that what He keeps is well kept. +<p> +<p> +Later in the day he thus continues his Diary:-- +<p> +<p> +This has been a day of great trial on account of my dear Martha being much +worse. My poor mind has been distressed at her weak state: I should sink +under discouragement, did I not consider that He who sends affliction can +support in it, and he who brings low can raise up in his own time, if it +be his blessed will, to which all must be submitted. +<p> +<p> +In the Seventh Month he took her to Harrowgate, where her health became +very much restored, and soon after their return they paid a religious +visit to Ackworth School and to the families of Friends in Barnsley. +<p> +<p> +Some of the opportunities at Ackworth, writes John Yeardley, were seasons +of much contrition of spirit; feeling deeply humbled under a sense of +Divine goodness and mercy in restoring this large family to usual health +after a time of deep affliction. +<p> +<p> +In the latter part of this year they were much occupied in establishing an +Infant School at Barnsley; and also in collecting and remitting +subscriptions to Mary Anne Calame for her Orphan Institution. In +acknowledging to Martha Yeardley one of these remittances, M.A.C. writes +thus: +<p> +<p> +May our Heavenly Father render thee a hundredfold what thy charity has +prompted thee to do for my numerous family of children; and may his +blessing rest on all those who have contributed to it. +<p> +We think of you every day, and we desire to live only to do the holy will +of our God. Your visit has been a testimony of his love towards us; he has +permitted that it should be blessed to us; for the remembrance of you +carries as towards Him who is the finisher of our faith, where we mingle +with you in the unfathomable sea of the divine mercy. +<p> +My large family is much blessed; good and happy tendencies manifest +themselves in many, and in general peace reigns through the house. The +assistant masters and mistresses walk more or less in the presence of the +Lord; the governess [M. Zimmerling] especially grows deeper in the divine +life: she is often ill, but she bears this cross, by the help that is +given her from above, with much submission and faith. +<p> +Last month we had the pleasure of making a little journey to Berne and the +neighborhood, to visit our friends there who love you so much. We heard +that you had both fallen into the sea, and that thou wast ill in +consequence. Thou mayst understand how the wishes of our hearts +encompassed thee; I have felt my soul for ever united to thine in the +Lord; and it seems to me that if my eyes should never again meet thine in +this land of exile, I should speedily recognize thee in the happy mansions +where the goodness of the Redeemer has prepared us a place. O, my sister, +may he bless thee, may he bless John whom he has given thee to accomplish +his work; may he open thy mouth and direct all thy steps, and give seals +to thine and thy husband's ministry, and make you increase together unto +the stature of Christ.--(12 <i>mo</i>. 14, 1828.) +<p> +<p> +The entries in the Diary at this period are not numerous: we select from +them the following short memorandum:-- +<p> +<p> +1829. 4 <i>mo</i>. 9.--In our usual reading this morning, I was struck +with these words: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything +that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in +heaven." (Matt, xviii. 19.) A fervent desire was raised in my heart that +we might unitedly ask for faith and strength to do the will of our +Heavenly Father, and that his blessing and preservation might attend all +that concerns us. +<p> +In the Fifth Month they attended the Yearly Meeting; and John Yeardley was +present at the anniversary of the Peace Society. +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 19.--Attended a meeting of the Peace Society, much to my own +satisfaction. It was truly gratifying to hear from those not in profession +with us, such strong and decided sentiments against all war, as being not +only inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity, but also contrary to +sound policy. I am convinced <i>public</i> meetings are necessary to keep +alive <i>public</i> feeling, as well as to excite individual interest. As +it regards myself, I can say, before attending the meeting I felt but +little concern with respect to this great question. +<p> +<p> +Soon after their return home, they were comforted by the intelligence that +a few of those persons at Neufchatel who had so joyfully received their +gospel message, had found strength to establish a meeting for worship. +This information was contained in a letter from Auguste Borel, from which +the following is an extract:-- +<p> +<p> +He who tries the heart, and who knew the sincerity of my desires, deigned +to hear my prayer on the 24th of February, when, without any previous +understanding, we met four in number at my house at ten o'clock in the +morning. This day is called with us <i>Torch Sunday</i>, and is a day of +rejoicing in the world; and, if I ought to say so, during my carnal life +it was to me a day of true pleasure, which I always looked for with +impatience, because of the great bonfires which are then lighted, and +which are seen from our city, illuminating every point of the wide +horizon. It is my hope that the God of love, in the analogy of the +spiritual order of things, may have kindled in our hearts his sacred fire, +and will condescend to maintain and increase it in time and in eternity. +Since that time we have continued our meetings without interruption: our +number has not yet exceeded six or seven. We do not force the work, but, +recognising that it is the Lord alone who has begun it, I feel daily more +and more that He alone ought to direct it. +<p> +<p> +A portion of this summer and autumn was occupied by John and Martha +Yeardley with holding public meetings for worship within the compass of +Pontefract and Knaresborough Monthly Meetings. Amongst the notices in the +Diary of these meetings, are the following:-- +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 16.--A public meeting at Wooldale, to which name many more +people than could get into the house. The Friends said they never saw so +large a meeting in that place. Many of those present expressed their +satisfaction by saying they could have sat till morning to hear what was +delivered. It is an easy matter to become hearers of the word; but it was +the doers of the word that were pronounced happy. +<p> +23<i>rd</i>.--Meeting at Otley, in the Methodist chapel. It was not very +full, but very solid and satisfactory. The last public meeting in this +place was held in silence, which might probably be the cause of a small +attendance on this occasion. It is bard work to bring the people to see +and feel the advantage of silent worship: the time is not yet come, and +perhaps never may. We must be willing to help them in the way pointed out, +and try to strengthen the good in all; for if they are only brought to the +Father's house, it matters not in what way or through what medium. +<p> +<p> +In the Eleventh Month they returned to the Monthly Meeting the minute +which had been granted them, and received at the same time a certificate +to visit some meetings of Friends in the midland and south-western +counties. +<p> +Before they left home for this journey, they received intelligence that +John Yeardley's early and intimate friend James A. Wilson was no more. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 24.--My heart, says J.Y., is pained within me, while I +record the loss of one with whom I have been for many years on the most +intimate terms. He has long had an afflicted tabernacle and a suffering +mind, which, I believe, contributed to his refinement, and prepared him +for the awful change. He had been recommended to go to a warmer climate, +and had taken up his residence at Glouchester, where he died, which +prevented us from attending him in his last moments. He possessed much +originality of character, joined to sincerity and genuine piety; and I +doubt not he experienced the fulfilment of this promise: "Behold, I have +caused thy iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change +of raiment." (Zech. iii. 4.) +<p> +<p> +On the 11th of the Twelfth Month they left home, and during the next two +months were closely occupied in visiting various meetings from Yorkshire +to Devonshire. +<p> +Their service commenced with an encouraging meeting at Monyash, in +Derbyshire. +<p> +<p> +13<i>th</i>.--The first meeting we attended was at Monyash. It was larger +than we had expected, in consequence of strangers coming in, and proved +rather a lively commencement to our spiritual course of labor. +<p> +<p> +On the 14th they held a meeting in the Potteries, in a cottage belonging +to one of the few Friends in the place. Word having got abroad that +strangers were expected, many of the neighbors came in, so that the rooms +below-stairs were filled: it was a refreshing time. They found in the +woman to whom the cottage belonged a bright example of piety and charity. +<p> +<p> +She has been, says J.Y., a cripple from her childhood; but is able to +maintain herself by keeping a school for little children; she is not +unmindful, also, to help her poorer neighbors out of her small earnings. +<p> +<p> +At Bristol, where they arrived on the 1st of the First Month, 1830, they +rested a few days at H. and M. Hunt's. +<p> +<p> +We had, says J.Y. much pleasure in being in this family. Bristol is the +largest meeting we have in our Society in England, and to me it was a very +trying one on the First-day morning. I was much cast down after meeting; +but we staid over the Monthly Meeting on Third-day, which afforded me +relief of mind, and I left with as much comfort as I could well desire. +<p> +<p> +At Plymouth John Yeardley found an object of lively interest in Lady +Rogers' Charity School, established to fit girls for becoming household +servants. He was gratified with the good order, simplicity, and economy, +which pervaded the institution. Martha Yeardley suffered much during their +journey in Devonshire, from the inclemency of the weather; and a heavy +fall of snow on the night of the 17th prevented their leaving Plymouth at +the time intended. In consequence of this, they hired a lodging, and +employed themselves in visiting the Friends from house to house, and in +organising an infant school, which the Friends had long desired to see +established. +<p> +On their return from Plymouth they stopped at Sidcot, where they spent +some time at the Friends' school. Here the subject of offering prizes to +children came under the notice of J.Y., and like all other subjects +connected with education, engaged his serious reflection. +<p> +<p> +It would certainly be better, he says, if the basis of good actions could +be laid in the children's minds on a principle of rectitude and justice, +so that they might be taught to do well from a love of truth, and not from +a fear of punishment or a hope of reward; but so long as human nature +remains unchanged, a check against the one and an incitement to the other +seem to be necessary, as a help to overcome the evil in the mind, until +that which is good shall become predominant, +<p> +<p> +They returned to Yorkshire through Warwick and Leicester, and on reviewing +the journey John Yeardley has the following reflections:-- +<p> +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 22.--Almost all the meetings we attended on this journey of +800 miles are very small, except Birmingham and Bristol, and the life of +religion is low among the members in general; which is not much to be +wondered at, when we consider that many of those meetings are constituted +[chiefly] of a few individuals who have had a birthright in the +Society--born members but not new-born Christians, without the power or +form of religion, no outward means to excite them to faith and good works. +If they neglect the spirit of prayer in themselves, it is not surprising +they should grow cold in love and zeal for the noble cause of truth on the +earth. Bat in the lowest of these [meetings] there is something alive to +visit, and in going along we felt the renewed evidence that we were in our +right allotment in thus going about, endeavoring to strengthen the things +that remain; and though we have had to pass through much suffering, both +outward and inward, yet we have also experienced times of rejoicing in +doing the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. +<p> +<p> +After the Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month they visited each of the +meetings within their own Monthly Meeting, "thinking," says J.Y., "a +little pastoral care was due to our Friends at home, seeing we are often +concerned to go abroad." +<p> +In the Fifth Month they went up to the Yearly Meeting, via Lincolnshire, +taking several meetings in the way. Among the subjects which occupied +Friends in their annual conference this year was that of missions to the +heathen, which, it was proposed by some, should he taken up by the +Society. +<p> +<p> +The subject, writes John Yeardley, was fully entered into, and the +interest was very great. Many Friends spoke their sentiments freely and +feelingly, and the subject was taken on minute to be revived nest year. If +this important matter were brought home to each individual of us, there +would be more missionaries prepared and sent forth to labor; but we love +ease and our homes, contenting ourselves with reading and talking about +what is going forward in the great cause of religion and righteousness in +the earth. +<p> +<p> +They returned home through the midland counties, visiting most of the +meetings in Oxfordshire, and in the parts adjacent; which they had been +unable to do the previous year in returning from the West. +<p> +It was comforting to us, John Yeardley says, to be with Friends in +Oxfordshire, whom we had so long thought of. Many of their meetings are +small; but there are a few individuals among them precious and improving +characters, who, I believe, are under the preparing hand for greater +usefulness in the Lord's church. With these we were often dipped into near +union of spirit, which sometimes caused the divine life to rise among us +to the refreshing of our spirits. +<p> +<p> +In the Sixth Month they again left home, being minded to see how the +churches fared in the eastern part of Yorkshire. The point which most +interested them in this tour was Scarborough, where they were attracted +both by the town itself and by the little society of Friends. "It felt to +us," says J.Y., "very much like a home. We lodged at Elizabeth Rowntree's, +a sweet resting-place." (7 <i>mo</i>. 4.) +<p> +At the same time that they reported to their Monthly Meeting the attention +they had paid to this service, they received its sanction to undertake a +journey in Wales. +<p> +<p> +It is truly humbling to us, writes John Yeardley, in describing this +occasion, thus to have to expose ourselves, poor and weak as we are; but +the cause is not our own, but is in the hands of our great Lord and +Master. May he help us! (7 <i>mo</i>. 19.) +<p> +<p> +They left home on the 7th of the Eighth Month, and spent the 11th at +Coalbrookdale, in the company of Barnard Dickinson and his wife. From +thence Samuel Hughes accompanied them as guide into Wales, and continued +with them a week. +<p> +<p> +He proved, says J.Y., a most efficient helper in this wild country, +knowing the roads well, and he was kind and attentive to us and our horse. +The stages are long and hilly, and we are often obliged to go many miles +round the mountains to make our way from one place to another. The road to +Pales is over the moors; we scarcely saw a house for miles, except here +and there a little cot, on a plot of ground obtained as a grant to +encourage industry. These little dwellings were generally surrounded by a +few acres of well-cultivated land enclosed from the moor. It is much to be +regretted that the plan of cottage culture is not more generally promoted; +wherever I see it practised I view it with pleasure, as tending to +increase the comforts of the poor. +<p> +<p> +On the 19th they attended the Half-year's Meeting at Swansea. A Committee +of the Yearly Meeting was present. Elizabeth Dudley was also there, with a +certificate for religious service; and she and John and Martha Yeardley, +finding that the errand on which they were come was the same, resolved to +join company and travel together through South and North Wales. They were +accompanied throughout the journey by Robert and Jane Eaton of Bryn-y-Mor. +<p> +As there are very few meetings of Friends in Wales, the chief part of +their service was beyond the limits of the Society. They met with great +openness in many places from the Methodists and other preachers and their +congregations. From the notes which John Yeardley made of their religious +labors in this journey, we select several passages. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 13. Aberystwith.--Our first object was to inquire for a place +of meeting. We found they were all engaged for that evening, which +detained us here a day longer than we had expected; but this little +detention enabled us to make acquaintance with two of the Independent +preachers, to whom we became much attached in gospel fellowship, A. +Shadrach and his son. The father preaches in Welsh, and the son in +English. It was comforting to us to meet with two such pious, +humble-minded Christians, laboring diligently to forward the cause of +religion. They kindly offered us their chapel for the evening, and after +the meeting they both expressed much satisfaction in having been favored +with such an opportunity. +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 15.--We arrived pretty early at Machynlleth, which is a clean +little town. We did not know but that we might have proceeded on our +journey after having refreshed ourselves and our horses; but, E.D. feeling +much interested for the people of the town, it seemed best to have a +meeting with them. I walked out, and seeing a good meeting-house, inquired +to what persuasion of people it belonged, and found it was an Independent +chapel, and that the minister lived about a mile and a half in the +country. +<p> +The prospect of being unable to make the people understand us was +discouraging; for in the streets there was nothing to be heard but Welsh. +However there was no time for reasoning, it being near twelve o'clock, and +all must be arranged by seven in the evening. After some difficulty we +found the preacher, a kind-hearted pious man, who readily granted his +chapel, and undertook to act as interpreter should occasion require. This +was the only place where we adopted the vulgar mode of giving notice by +the town-crier, so common on all occasions in this country; but the time +was short, and many of the people were not able to read our English +notices, which we generally filled up for the purpose. +<p> +The meeting was pretty fully attended, and the people were mostly quiet, +considering there were many who could not understand. When E.D. sat down +the minister repeated in substance what she had said; for, not being used +to speak through an interpreter, she declined his giving sentence by +sentence. When he had done, I felt something press on my mind towards the +poorer classes present, who I was sure could not understand English: so I +stepped down from the pulpit, and placing myself by the minister, +requested he would render for me a few sentences as literally as he could. +This he did kindly, and, I believe, faithfully, to the relief of my mind. +He then addressed a few words on his own account to the assembly and +dismissed them. We regretted the want of the native language, as we could +not have the same command over the meeting as would otherwise have been +the case. +<p> +<p> +At Barmouth, instead of convening the people to hear the word, they had to +exercise a Christian gift of a different kind--the gift of spiritual +judgment. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 19.--On entering Barmouth we thought of a meeting with the +inhabitants; but on feeling more closely at the subject the way did not +appear clear; there was something which we could neither see nor feel +through. This power of spiritual discrimination is very precious. How +instructive it is to mark our impressions under various circumstances and +at different times! +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 25.--At Ruthin we obtained information respecting the few +individuals at Llangollen who profess with Friends, and set off to pay +them a visit. We arrived at the beautiful vale of Llangollen to dinner, +and alighted at the King's Head Inn, at the foot of the bridge, which +afforded us a fine view of the Dee. There are at present only four or five +persons who meet regularly as Friends. They live scattered in the country, +and are in the humbler walks of life; but we thought them upright-hearted +Christians who had received their religious principles from conviction. We +saw them on First-day morning in the room where they usually meet, and +again in the evening at our inn, and were much comforted in being with +them. The room where they meet is in such [an obscure situation] that we +should never have found it without a guide. We thought it right to procure +them a more convenient room, which we did. +<p> +27<i>th</i>.--In the evening we had a public meeting in the Independent +Chapel, which was crowded; there is much openness in the minds of the +people to receive the truths of the gospel. Before the assembly separated, +we proposed to them to establish a school for poor children; several +present their conviction of the want of such an institution, and the +minister was so warm, in the cause that he proposed their commencing +without delay. +<p> +28<i>th</i>.--We went to Wrexham, and had a meeting in the evening. The +notice was short, but the people came punctually, and a precious time it +was. After it was over several bore testimony to the good which had been +extended to them that evening, and were ready to cling to the instruments, +inviting us to have a meeting with them when we came again that way. +<p> +This favored time, at the close of our labors among a people whom I much +love, seemed like a crown on our exit from long-to-be-remembered Wales. My +heart was humbled in reverent thankfulness to the Father of all our +mercies, who had graciously preserved us in outward danger, and sustained +us in many an inward conflict. +<p> +<p> +At Coalbrookdale they bade an affectionate and gospel farewell to the +Friends with whom they had been so closely united in this long journey, +and returned to Burton on the 20th of the Tenth Month. +<p> +In the Eleventh Month they made a circuit through Lancashire, taking all +the meetings of Friends in course. They found "several meetings chiefly +composed of such as had joined the Society on the ground of convincement, +mostly in places where no ministering Friend resided." In visiting one of +these small meetings, John Yeardley relates a circumstance in the gospel +labors of his friend Joseph Wood:-- +<p> +<p> +We visited a little newly-settled meeting at Thornton Marsh, near Poulton +in the Fylde. Our worthy friend Joseph Wood had the first meeting of our +Society that was ever held in this part. It is so thinly inhabited that +the Friends wondered at his concern to request a meeting; but one was +appointed for him at an inn, I think a solitary house; a good many poor +people came, and it was a most remarkable time. J.W. said afterwards he +believed there would be a meeting of Friends in that neighborhood, but +perhaps not in his time. It has now been settled about eighteen months. +<p> +<p> +This journey occupied them about two weeks, and on returning home John +Yeardley makes the following animating remark:-- +<p> +<p> +The retrospect of this journey in connexion with that of Wales afforded a +sweet feeling of peace. We were often low and discouraged, but help was +mercifully extended in the time of need. I often wish I had more faith to +go forth in entire reliance on the Divine Arm of power, for truly in the +Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. +<p> +<p> +On the conclusion of this engagement followed a month of quiet but +industrious occupation at home. +<p> +<p> +12 mo. 25.---A month has been spent in the quiet, in reading, writing, and +many other things in course. Leisure being afforded, I have spent a good +deal of time in reading diligently and attentively the Holy Scriptures, I +trust to some profit. +<p> +<p> +After this seasonable pause, John and Martha Yeardley were much occupied +with a projected change in their place of residence, which issued in their +removal, in the spring of 1831, to Scarborough. The motive which induced +them to make choice of this place, and the feelings under which the change +was accomplished, are fully unfolded in the Diary. +<p> +<p> +We have for some time been on the look-out for a change in our residence. +Inclination would have led us to remain in our own Monthly Meeting, but a +strong impression that it might be right for us to remove for some time to +Scarborough, has remained with us ever since we visited that place in the +Seventh Month, and has always stood in the way of our fixing elsewhere, +although very often have we tried to put it from us. We were so desirous +to settle at C. [near Pontefract], that only five pounds a year in the +rent saved us from taking the step. It was my prayer at the time, and +always has been, that we might be rightly directed, and I had a hope that +if it was not right for us to go to C. something might turn up to prevent +it. And since we could not agree for the house which was offered us in +that place, we concluded to go for a short time to Scarborough, and try +the fleece there, under the belief that we should then be enabled rightly +to determine. This I hope has been the case, for we had not been many +days, I may say hours, in the town, before we were fully convinced it was +the place for us to settle in. +<p> +<p> +Having made trial of Scarborough, they returned to Burton to arrange for +their removal, which took place on the 7th of the Fifth Month. +<p> +We have now seen John Yeardley for many years in the devoted exercise of +his calling of a gospel minister. It is instructive to follow him, as we +are able to do soon after his removal to Scarborough, into his chamber, +and see how, when alone with the gracious Giver, he was wont to regard the +precious gift; how he lamented that he had not used the talent more +diligently; and how his mind was enlarged to see the grace and power which +the Lord is ready to bestow on those who seek and trust him with their +whole heart. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 8.--The important duty of a gospel minister has this day been +brought closely under my consideration. It is most assuredly the imperious +duty of those who are called to feed the flock, to labor diligently for +the good of others. With respect to myself, I feel greatly ashamed; and it +has occurred to me that should I he cast on a bed of sickness, or +otherwise be deprived of an opportunity of exercising this gift, it would +be an awful consideration, and cause of deep regret, that I had not better +improved the time. The hardness of heart in others, as well as in one's +self, is difficult to penetrate; nothing but the power of divine grace can +reach it, and this requires not only waiting for, but also laboring to +overcome the wandering and unsettled thoughts to which the poor mind is +subject. Merciful Father, give me more confidence in the gift which, thou +hast bestowed on me, and favor me with a greater portion of strength to +minister thy word faithfully. "Who then is that faithful and wise steward +whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their +portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when +he cometh shall find so doing."--(Luke xii. 42, 43.) +<p> +<p> +Tenderly mindful of the religious wants of those whom they had lately +left, so early as the Seventh Month John and Martha Yeardley revisited the +several congregations in Pontefract Monthly Meeting. They were both +humbled and comforted in the course of this visit. +<p> +<p> +We were, says J.Y., united in sympathy to many dear friends within the +circle from whence we have removed, and I was strengthened to labor +according to the ability received from day to day. +<p> +Since this little journey, he continues, we have been pretty much at home +attending the meetings in course in the neighborhood. We are comfortably +settled in our new abode, which feels to us really a home as to the +outward in every respect; and in a religious sense we entirely believe it +is our right allotment for the present. +<p> +<p> +In this new halting-place of his earthly pilgrimage, John Yeardley +experienced an increase of freedom, of spirit, and of faith and joy in his +Saviour. +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 7.--For a few days past I have felt my mind raised above the earth +and fixed on heavenly things. I desire that the blessed Saviour may more +and more be the medium through which I may view every object as worthy [or +unworthy] the pursuit of a devoted Christian. I humbly trust this quietude +of mind is in answer to prayer; for I have long supplicated for a renewal +of faith, and that a little spiritual strength might he given me to rise +above the slavish fear of man. My heart was almost sick with doubting; but +on Fourth-day last a bright hope livingly sprang in my soul that I should +yet be favored to attain to greater liberty in the exercise of my gift in +the ministry, if I were faithful in accepting the portion of strength +which is offered. Grant that this may be the case, dearest Saviour! +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 23.--My heart is filled with wonder, love and praise, in +contemplating the goodness of Almighty God to his poor, unworthy +creatures. When we have done all that is required of us, we are +unprofitable servants; but how often we come short of doing this. And yet +so gracious, so good, and so just is our Divine Master, that he suffers +not the least act of obedience to lose its reward, but is continually +encouraging and stimulating us to greater devotedness of heart. +<p> +<p> +The persuasion which he and Martha Yeardley entertained of the need there +was in the Society for increased means of scriptural instruction, led +them, soon after they removed to Scarborough, to propose the establishment +of a Bible class. The plan was for questions on the Scriptures, to be +given in anonymously in writing by the members, and answers to be returned +in the same way at the next meeting. The scheme was at that time almost, +if not quite, a novelty in the Society, but it was accepted with pleasure +and confidence by the Friends of Scarborough, and the meetings were +maintained for many years. There is an intermission in J.Y.'s diary at +this period, but he makes allusion to the class soon after its +establishment in a letter to his sisters S. and R.S. +<p> +<p> +Chapel House, 6 mo. 30, 1832. +<p> +By way of a relaxation from haymaking this charming morning, I have been +again perusing your affectionate notes, which you were so kind and +thoughtful as to forward us by our dear brother and family. I felt the +deprivation exceedingly of not attending the last Yearly Meeting, but +quite think it may have been all for the best. +<p> +But I will proceed at once to the real object of my now addressing you, +which is to say we cannot be satisfied without your paying us a visit this +summer. We think we have much to invite you to. I think you would feel +some interest in our Bible class: it becomes increasingly instructive and +agreeable to all engaged in it. I so highly approve of this mode of +Scripture instruction, that I think the time is not far distant when they +will become more general. We meet once every two weeks when nothing +intervenes to prevent. +<p> +<p> +The autumn of this year was taken up with a series of public meetings, +mostly in the East Riding, in the greater part of which J. and M.Y. had +the company of Isabel Casson of Hull. +<p> +In the Eleventh. Month, at the same time that they returned the minute +which had been granted them, for this service, they laid before their +friends the prospect of more extensive travel in the work of the Gospel +than any they had undertaken before. The time was come for John Yeardley +to pay that debt of Christian love to the benighted inhabitants of Greece +which he had felt to press for years upon his mind; and at the same time +he and Martha Yeardley believed it to be required of them to revisit some +of the places of their former service, and to take up their abode for a +while with companies of persons whom they should find like-minded with +themselves; and also to perform the unaccomplished duty of visiting the +Piedmontese valleys. Considering the extent of country over which they +travelled, the varied nature of their labors, and the large number of +serious-minded and sympathizing persons with whom they were brought into +relation, this journey may perhaps be regarded as the most active and +fruitful period of their lives. We are able, as we have so often been +before, to read their impressions of duty, and their feelings, their +hopes, doubts, and aspirations, in J.Y.'s simple and faithful Diary. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 7.--Yesterday was our Monthly Meeting at Pickering, and to +me a very memorable one. We stated to our friends the prospect of a visit +to some of the Grecian Islands and the Morea, the Protestant valleys of +Piedmont, and some parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France. It is about +five years since I first received the impression that it would be my +religious duty to stand resigned to a service of the above kind. For the +last nine months it has not been absent from my thoughts for many hours +together. It has cost me not a little to come at resignation; but my +Heavenly Father has been very gracious, and has brought me into a +willingness to do his will. If I know my own heart I have one prevailing +desire, and that is to devote the remainder of my days to his service; and +my prayers are very fervent that he may be pleased to give me faith, +patience, and perseverance to do and to suffer all that his wisdom may +permit to befal me. I am often ready to covenant with him to go where he +may be pleased to send, even to the ends of the world, if he will +strengthen me with his strength, enlighten me with his light, guide me by +his counsel, and prepare me for glory. "If thy presence go not with me, +carry us not up hence." +<p> +<p> +They left Scarborough in the Second Month, and spent the time which +intervened before the Yearly Meeting in social visits in London and the +neighborhood, in preparing for the journey and studying the modern Greek +language. +<p> +<p> +Nothing, says J.Y., could exceed the interest which our friends take in +doing all in their power to forward our views with respect to the +important mission before us.--(3 mo. 4.) +<p> +<p> +A chief desideratum had been to find a Greek who should accompany them as +guide into his native country. "Ever since," says M.Y., in a letter of the +Twelfth Month, 1832, "we have resigned ourselves to this arduous mission, +my dear husband has frequently said, 'If we are to go into Greece, how I +wish we might find some companion for the journey, some <i>Greek</i> to +conduct us into his country, to us altogether strange and unknown!'" A +letter from Stephen Grellet to William Allen, which was sent down to J. +and M. Yeardley, was the opportune means of supplying this want. It spoke +of a Greek girl then at the school at Locle, named Argyri Climi, who was +exceedingly desirous of returning to Greece, and whose simple and +teachable character recommended her at once to their attention. "When," +continues M.Y., "we came to this part of Stephen Grellet's letter, we were +both deeply moved, believing that thus the way might be prepared before +us." +<p> +They communicated their thoughts on this interesting subject to M.A. +Calame, proposing when they visited Locle to take A. Climi as their +companion into Greece. During their sojourn in London they received a +letter from A. Climi, written in French, in which that amiable young +person signified the pleasure and gratitude with which she accepted their +proposal. +<p> +<p> +Locle. 29th of April, 1833. +<p> +Excuse the liberty which I take of writing to testify my great gratitude +for your kind intention to take me with you and bring me back to my +country. How could I have ventured to hope that I should have the +happiness of being with such kind and beloved friends. I cannot express +the joy I felt when Mademoiselle Calame made your proposal known to me. +How great is the mercy of God! How often might he have turned away his +face from me and cast me off; but instead of forsaking me he has looked +upon me in mercy, and shown me that he wills not that sinners should +perish, but that they should have eternal life. Was it not he who saved me +from the hands of the Turks, and brought me to Switzerland, and placed me +with charitable protectors, who are never weary of doing me good? And now +he has crowned it all, by giving you to me as guides and protectors in my +long journey, and that I may settle again in my own country. +<p> +Your grateful +<p> +ARGYRI CLIMI.<a name="FNanchor6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> +<p> +<p> +The meeting in London at which their prospect of foreign travel was +ratified, was a time of spiritual favor. With such credentials, and with a +sense of the divine commission and guidance, clear and unmistakable, like +that which John Yeardley enjoyed, many may be ready to exclaim, Who would +not go forth on an errand like this to the ends of the earth! Such may be +reminded, for their consolation, that if the will is laid as an unbroken +offering at the foot of the cross; if all their powers are consecrated to +the Lord, and his Spirit is suffered to penetrate and transform every part +of their being; though a field of labor such as that which was appointed +to John and Martha Yeardley may not be appointed to them, they will, in an +equal degree, inherit the blessing of doing their Lord's will, and may +rest in the promise, "They that wait upon Him shall not want any good +thing." +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 21.--Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. Third-day morning. Our +visit to the Grecian Islands, &c. claimed the attention of the meeting. It +was a very precious time; a sweet solemnity prevailed; several Friends +said afterwards, they thought they had never known quite so full an +expression of unity and encouragement on any former occasion. What a favor +it is to have the sympathy and concurrence of the church in such important +concerns! My heart's desire and prayers are that we may be preserved +humble and watchful, relying for help and strength on nothing short of our +Divine Master, the holy Head of his own church. Whatever may befal us on +our intended journey, I wish once more to record my firm conviction that +it is the Lord's requiring, and come life, come death, I desire that my +heart and soul may be given up fully to follow Him who laid down his own +precious life for my sake,--a poor unworthy sinner. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XI. +<p> +<p> +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE. +<p> +1833-4. +<p> +PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. +<p> +John and Martha Yeardley left London on the 21st of the Sixth Month, 1833. +<p> +Travelling through France they found in the places where they halted more +of simplicity and Christian life than they had expected. In Paris, +especially, they were quickly brought into contact with a number of pious +persons to whom their society and their doctrine were welcome, and they +visited many benevolent institutions conducted on broad Christian +principles. This was in the early part of Louis Philippe's reign, and +under the administration of Guizot. In reading their account of these +institutions, we are painfully reminded how much the rising tide of +religious liberty has been checked and driven back by the bands of +priestcraft and arbitrary power. +<p> +Here, and elsewhere during their journey, they wrote letters to members of +the Foreign Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings, descriptive of their +religions labors, from which, after their return, a selection was printed +for the use of Friends. Besides these letters, John Yeardley kept his +usual Diary, which often enables us to add to the narrative, traits of +character and reflections not to be found in their joint epistles. +<p> +Amongst the first persons upon whom they called in Paris, were the +Protestant bookseller Risler, and Pastor Grandpierre: the former they +found to be devoted heart and soul to the diffusion of evangelical +religion; the latter they had known on their former journey, and he +received them as his Christian friends. He introduced them to Mademoiselle +Chabot, a lady who spent her time in translating religious and useful +books into French, and had a class of children in the First-day school. +Respecting this lady, they say:-- +<p> +<p> +Our introduction to this precious character was much to our comfort. We +rejoiced together in contemplating the wonderful work which the Lord has +in mercy begun, and is carrying on in this great city. On First-day +afternoons she attends a school, to which the children of the rich go, as +well as the poor, to be instructed in the Scriptures. The young persons in +her class learn texts, and are questioned to see if they thoroughly +understand the subject. On our asking whether the children answered the +questions from what they had learnt by heart, she replied, "No; it would +be of no use, you know, for the dear children to repeat merely by rote; we +want the great truths of the gospel to sink into their hearts." +<p> +After this visit, which refreshed our spirits a little, we called on +Madame D'Aublay, sister-in-law to Brissot, who was executed in the time of +Robespierre. She is a Roman Catholic, and thinks the groundwork of true +religion to be in their church, but that their customs and the mass are +nothing worth. We left her some tracts, and amongst them one of Judge +Hale's, which struck her so forcibly on reading it, that she followed us +to our hotel, to say how much it was suited to her state of mind. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 30.--After our little meeting this morning with the few +friends resident here, and some others, we went to the Protestant Chapel, +in the Rue Taitbout, to hear the children examined in the Scriptures. Many +of the parents were present. The class which we attended was conducted by +Mademoiselle Chabot. The subject was the crucifixion of our Saviour, the +27th chapter of Matthew. The children repeated the portion they had +learnt, and then Mademoiselle C. questioned them in a simple, sweet, and +instructive manner, calculated to impress the great truths of Christianity +on their minds. A gentleman examined a class of boys; and after this +course of exercise was finished, De Pressensé gave them a lecture from the +Old Testament. The subject was the healing of Naaman, and the manner of +proceeding was simple; the child called upon stood up and answered pretty +much as they do at Ackworth; he repeated a few verses directly bearing on +the subject, and the application which was made was admirable. We were +really edified in being present. How much this kind of instruction is +wanted for many of our poor children in England! How delightful it is to +see a large room filled with Roman Catholic children and parents, all +receiving Christian instruction together! The Roman Catholics no longer +object to send their children to Protestants, because they know they will +be well instructed. The chapel is a beautiful room, with a circular +gallery supported on pillars, and a dome top; and it is the identical +place where, only two years ago, the Saint Simonians held forth their +doctrines:-- +<blockquote> + ...... Oh reformation rare,<br> + The den of modern infidels is become a house of prayer!<br> +</blockquote> +7 <i>mo</i>. 2.--We had a long walk to the Rue St. Maur, to meet by +appointment our kind friend De Pressensé to visit the schools for mutual +instruction. At this season of the year the children are more busy with +their parents than usual; but in winter there are 200 boys, 200 girls, and +200 children in the infant school, with an evening school for adults. +Scripture extracts are made use of, and also the Scriptures themselves. We +were struck with the quiet and good order of all these schools. I have +seen very few in England where the same stillness is observable. With the +exception of some three or four, all the children are Roman Catholics; and +on First-days, particularly in winter, the room is filled with Roman +Catholic men and women, mostly parents of the children, who come to hear +them examined in the Scriptures and to receive instruction themselves. Our +conductor showed us the boys' gardens. On the walls were grapes hanging in +large bunches, belonging to the master. The boys are so far from stealing +them, that if they find any on the ground, they take them to him. Of the +children who attend at the school, forty-six are provided with bed, board, +and clothing, at a neighboring establishment. +<p> +<p> +One of the most interesting men with whom J. and M.Y. became acquainted +was Pastor Audebez. +<p> +<p> +He was, say they, formerly minister at Bordeaux, but received a strong +impression that it was his religious duty to come to Paris. Soon after he +left Bordeaux, a great awakening took place in that neighborhood under the +ministry of his successor, while with himself at Paris all seemed darkness +and discouragement. This induced him to think he had done wrong in +removing, and he was much distressed; but as he persevered in doing what +presented as his duty, his way for usefulness in this great city opened in +a remarkable manner. He first opened the chapel in the Taitbout, and then +one in the Faubourg du Temple, where his labors have been crowned with +success. He told us with great simplicity that he never premeditated or +wrote his sermons, but after reading a portion of Scripture proceeded to +speak from what he felt to impress his mind at the time. He said some of +the ministers considered their discourse before delivering it, and he +believed their mode of preaching was also blessed. Being accustomed to +arrange their thoughts in methodical order, perhaps such might not perform +so well in any other way, and the people were used to it; but he preferred +speaking from a more spontaneous spring of thought, though not so well +arranged as to theological order. +<p> +We felt much inclined to hear him for ourselves, and attended in the Rue +St. Maur on First-day evening; and we have this testimony to bear,--that +we heard the <i>gospel</i> preached to the <i>poor</i>. He first read the +25th Psalm, and then part of the Epistle to the Romans, which formed the +basis of his exhortation. It reminded me of [what I have read of] the +preaching of the early Christians. My very heart went with his impressive +exhortation to believe in the Lord Jesus as the only means of salvation, +and of the necessity of bringing forth fruits unto holiness. +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 5.--Pastor Grandpierre came to pay us a visit with four of +his missionary students. We had a precious religious opportunity with +them. The Pastor expressed his belief that the power and presence of the +Saviour had been evidently felt among us. The young men were much +tendered; one of them was a grandson of the late Pastor Oberlin, and had +been sensibly affected by what Stephen Grellet had said in a meeting at +his father's place of worship in the Ban de la Roche. Three of the young +men who were in the institution at our last visit to Paris are now in +Africa. We admire the principle on which this establishment is conducted; +the inmates are not sent out unless they believe it to be their duty to +go; if this be not the case at the expiration of their term, they return +home. +<p> +<p> +On the 7th John Yeardley, accompanied by Joseph Grellet, brother of +Stephen Grellet, visited the Sabbath-school in the Rue St. Maur. Martha +Yeardley was indisposed and unable to leave the house. +<p> +<p> +When the classes had finished, says J.Y., De Pressensé proposed to give a +lecture on a subject from the Old Testament, and bestowed great pains to +make it clear to the infant capacities of the children. I had intimated to +my worthy friend a desire for liberty to express what might arise in my +mind when he had done, which was most readily granted, and after I had +spoken to the children, there seemed great liberty in addressing the +teachers, parents and young persons present. There was much seriousness +the whole time and a precious sense of divine love was over us. Our kind +friend, J. Grellet, interpreted for me in an impressive and clear manner. +<p> +<p> +The name of Mark Wilks has been for many years identified with the cause +of evangelical religion in Paris. John Yeardley had an interview with him, +and makes an interesting note in his Diary regarding his opinions on the +state of religious parties at this period. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 9.--This morning I had an interview with Mark Wilks. He +received me very cordially, and, as I expected, I found him full of +religious intelligence; he is just returned from a tour in Switzerland, +and speaks encouragingly of the state of the Christian church in general. +He has resided in Paris fifteen years, and of course seen many changes. He +assured me that the arm of infidelity is weakening; nothing like the same +exertion is made to spread the vile doctrine. The fact is, in some degree, +the people are too indifferent to trouble themselves about it, and would +not spend a son for its promotion; on the other hand, zealous Christians +are doing all in their power to promote the spread of gospel truth. +<p> +<p> +On the 15th John S. Mollet, who had arrived in Paris after them, +accompanied J. and M.Y. to Madame d'Aublay's. +<p> +<p> +We met, they say, several of her relations who professed to be Catholics, +but were rather of the philosophical school. They were interested in the +conversation, though nothing of a religious nature occurred. Madame +d'Aublay has distributed many of our books and tracts. The next day she +took us to see more of her friends, much of the same character. We have a +hope that our drawing some of these to the really Christian characters may +do good, since each class expressed surprise to hear us speak to them of +the other. It will be no small satisfaction if any of our Society here +should be like the mortar to bind parties together, and weaken prejudice, +that the one true knowledge may increase. +<p> +21<i>st</i>--Attended the chapel at the Taitbout this morning. Heard a +discourse by Pastor Grandpierre; he preaches the gospel in its purity, +with much of the right unction. We did not feel out of our place in being +present, and I trust it may have its use both on ourselves and others. +This kind of Christian liberty seems to open our way among the people. In +the evening we had quite a large meeting in our room; several of the +attenders at the Taitbout coming in, together with the Friends in Paris. +It was, adds John Yeardley, a precious tendering time, and I trust +strength was given to preach the gospel; the sick and afflicted were not +forgotten by my M. Y. In supplication. +<p> +<p> +By "the sick" in the foregoing passage was probably intended Rachel, wife +of Dr. Waterhouse of Liverpool, and daughter of David and Abigail Dockray. +This young Friend, who was ill in the neighborhood of Paris, was about to +be removed to England, but at the very time when the carriage was at the +door she was struck with paralysis. This happened two days before the +meeting just described, and J. and M.Y. had hastened to offer their +sympathy and aid to her afflicted husband and mother. They deferred their +departure from Paris in order to remain with the family, and they both +took turns in assisting to watch, by the bed-side of the sufferer. She +survived only a few days, and expired, in the hope and peace of the +gospel, the day after they quitted the city. +<p> +We may conclude the narrative of this interesting visit to Paris with a +short reflection by Martha Yeardley. +<p> +<p> +I have been renewedly confirmed since being in Paris that our first +religious awakening proceeds from the immediate influence of the Spirit on +the heart of man, and this is the doctrine preached and maintained by the +writings of the truly devoted Christians in this place, who are brought to +profess living faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the +Beginning and the End. +<p> +<p> +They found the country on the road to Nancy very agreeable. +<p> +<p> +29<i>th, evening</i>.--The white houses among the trees, and the vines on the +hill-sides, form a picturesque landscape. The reapers were busy in the +harvest fields; and the ground that is cleared of its burdens gives proof +of the diligence of the French farmer; the plougher, if not the sower, +literally overtakes the reaper. In the forepart of the route we saw much +wood and water, hill and dale, with cattle feeding in the peaceful +pastures, which is a lovely sight. As we advanced towards Chalons, it +became less interesting, more flat, with fewer trees and meadows. +Everywhere the harvest more forward than in England, but the crops much +more light and thin. +<p> +<p> +They entered Nancy under a feeling of gloom, and it was some time before +they could find relief to their minds; but by patiently pursuing the paths +of intercourse which opened before them, they were enabled to deposit with +some serious individuals their accustomed testimony to the simple +spiritual nature of the gospel. In allusion to this trial of their +patience John Yeardley remarks:-- +<p> +<p> +I cannot, I dare not, complain, when I think of the difficulties some of +our Friends had to encounter who travelled on the Continent years ago, +when darkness prevailed to a much greater extent. The want of the +language, &c., which some of them experienced, must have been very trying. +It is to me an unspeakable comfort to be able to understand the language +of the country where we travel. +<p> +<p> +Travelling by the Diligence being too rapid for Martha Yeardley's state of +health, they hired a carriage and horses to take them to Strasburg, and +found this mode of travelling less expensive, as well as much less +fatiguing, than the public conveyance. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 5.--Left Nancy at 6 o'clock in the morning, and had a +delightful journey. I feel particularly peaceful in spirit, and a degree +of resignation pervades my heart to be given fully up to do the will of my +Heavenly Father. +<p> +Our mode of travelling afforded us an opportunity of calling at +Phalsbourg, where we found a handful of Protestants, about twenty-six +families, mostly German settlers. On inquiring for the minister, we found +he was engaged with his class at the college. His wife appeared surprised +at seeing such strangers, thinking from our dress and our speaking French, +we were no doubt Roman Catholics. We soon perceived the family were +Germans, and I then addressed them in their native tongue, which +immediately, opened the way to their hearts. Nothing would satisfy the +good woman but that we must call at the college to see her husband. He was +embarrassed on being so suddenly called out of the class, and appeared a +little fearful; but when he understood who we were, and our mission, he +became almost overjoyed to see us. There has been a little awakening in +this place, and a desire to obtain the Scriptures. One of them said, "I +have been accustomed to smoke tobacco, but have now left it off, and I +will put the money into the box to save for a Bible." Another said, "I +have been accustomed to take snuff, but I will now save the money for a +Bible." And another said, "I have drunk more wine than I need; I will take +less, and subscribe for a Bible." This little account in such a dark +place was quite cheering; for they are surrounded and oppressed by the +Roman Catholics, in whose presence they are afraid to speak. +<p> +On entering Alsace, the view of the country was enchanting. We dined at +Sarrebourg, which appeared at a distance like a town in the midst of a +wood. +<p> +<p> +At Strasburg they were received in an ingenuous manner by some enlightened +Roman Catholics, who did all in their power to forward their object; but +it was not until they fell in with the Protestant Professor Cuvier, that +they found the proper channel for the work of the gospel. In few places +did they find brighter tokens of inward spiritual religion. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 6.--Called on Professor Cuvier and delivered the letter which +Mark Wilks had kindly given us. We found the professor an humble-minded +Christian, kind and affectionate. He conducted us to Pastor Majors, who +was born in Prussia, and speaks German and French well. We soon became +united to him in spirit. He is one of the <i>inward</i> school, and a +diligent laborer in the Lord's vineyard. He has been here about three +months as pastor of a little handful of Christians. He is fully sensible +of the necessity of a right preparation of heart before acceptable worship +can be performed. He said when the people came to their place of worship +they were full of the world, and the word preached did not profit, because +it did not sink into their hearts. I believe he fully comprehends the +nature of true silence; and he is acquainted with many <i>interior</i> +persons whom we wish to see in Switzerland, &c. This dear man was nine +months in Corfu, preparing to be a missionary there; but he was taken ill, +and suffered much in body and mind. The way in which he mentioned the +wonderful dealings of the Lord with him was to me very instructive. He +told me he had not been sufficiently careful to seek divine counsel before +he undertook the mission; and it had pleased the Almighty to bring him +into the deeps, and instruct him in the school of affliction; and he can +now most fully acknowledge there is no safety but under the guidance of +the Holy Spirit. He and a few others have united for the purpose of +printing and circulating small tracts, purely Scripture extracts. They +are now engaged in forming a selection for every day in the year, from the +Old and New Testament. I accord much with their work; it is just what I +have thought of for a long time. +<p> +Pastor Majors conducted us to Professor Ehrmann, a worthy Christian, +simple-hearted and spiritually-minded. His two daughters are precious +young women; the older of them recollected to have seen us at Kornthal, +in 1827. She knew us instantly, and appeared overcome with joy and +surprise, though we could not recollect her. It is no wonder we should +have felt so much attraction to this place, though on entering the town I +was, as usual, extremely discouraged, and I feel unworthy to be employed +in the least service of my holy Redeemer. +<p> +<p> +On the 7th they dined at the La Combes, a Catholic family, who took them +to see the House of Correction, where John Yeardley interrogated the boys +in the prison school, and afterwards addressed them. In the evening they +were present at Pastor Majors' Bible-class. +<p> +<p> +It is composed, says J.Y., of ten young men, who meet once a week at his +lodging, and he instructs them in the Scriptures. I rejoiced to meet with +them. Before the conclusion we had a religious opportunity, in which I was +strengthened to express what was on my mind. The pastor offered a prayer +in which our hearts truly united. The Saviour's love was very precious to +our souls, and I trust we were edified together in the Lord. +<p> +8 <i>th</i>.--The Pastor Majors called for us to pay a few visits. He is so +spiritual and <i>interior</i> in his walk with God that it does me good to +be in his company. Passing along the street, he said, We will just speak +to a man who has been in England; he will be pleased to see you. He was +alone in his meal and flour shop, which is apart from the house. He +received us heartily; and on our coming away he pressed us to go up and +speak to his daughters. After hesitating a few moments we went to the room +and to our surprise found a little company of young females met to work +for the missionaries, and to read. After sitting a while with them, one of +the girls in much simplicity handed the Bible to our friend, and he read a +chapter in the First Epistle of Peter, which was followed by a Friends' +meeting with these dear young persons. I felt great openness in addressing +them, and thankfulness filled my heart to the Father of mercies for +having given us this casual opportunity of preaching the gospel. +<p> +In the evening we went to meeting with Pastor M.'s flock. He has taken the +first floor of a good house, and appropriates three rooms opening one into +another for a meeting-house, placing his pulpit, which is on wheels, in +the doorway, so that when the meeting hour is over he can put the pulpit +aside and make the rooms his dwelling. The rooms are fitted with long +benches; the men and women sit separate and enter by different doors. The +worship is conducted with much solemnity; they have for the present +discontinued singing. They sat in silence some time at the commencement, +when Majors offered a short prayer, and then read and expounded a small +portion of Scripture. When he had finished he introduced us as English +friends. He had told me previously that if I felt anything to say, I had +only to intimate it to him. This liberty was acceptable to me, for I had +felt much exercise of mind for the people; and after we had rested some +time in silence, I was strengthened to speak with great freedom, and the +power of the Most High was over us. Many thirsty souls were present, who, +I believe, know the value of true silence. The two rooms for the women +were crowded, and the stillness which pervaded was remarkable. A military +man addressed me after the meeting, in English, expressing his great +satisfaction and joy in being present; he is a regular attendant at this +place of worship. The pastor said he was comforted and thankful that the +Spirit of the Lord had been with us, and divided his word to the state of +the people. +<p> +<p> +On the 9th, Professor Krafft and Pastor Majors conducted them to the +Agricultural School for destitute children at Neuhoff, four miles from the +city. This well-known institution was founded by a man who had been taken +as a child out of the streets, and whose wife had been brought up in an +orphan-house. John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +The arrangement of the farm-yard, &c., and the cropping of the land are +pretty much the same as at Beuggen, near Basle, and what is now practised +at Lindfield; and it is just what we want Rawden to be--at least what I +should like to see it. Before leaving the premises, we had the children +assembled in the schoolroom, and held a meeting with them, with which we +were well satisfied. There is a sweet spirit of inward piety in the master +and mistress. +<p> +<p> +On First-day, the 11th, they attended Pastor Majors' meeting in the +morning, and in the afternoon appointed a meeting of their own in the same +place, at which some hundreds were present. +<p> +<p> +It was a precious tendering season; much openness was felt in preaching +the word, and I trust many hearts were reached by the power of the Holy +Spirit. At 7 o'clock we held our usual meeting in the room at the inn, to +which came many of our friends; and I trust we were again favored with the +presence of the Divine Master. To conclude the evening, we went to +Professor Ehrmann's, where we partook of tea, fruit, wine, &c. It felt to +us a true feast of love. +<p> +This has been a day of much exercise; but best help has been near in the +time of need, and I feel sweet peace. There is a great awakening in this +place; thirty of the young women are preciously visited. In accompanying +them home, some of them expressed to me that it had been a blessed and +happy day, they hoped never to be forgotten. These dear lambs are near to +us in gospel love, and I am glad they have such a minister in Pastor M.: +he stands quite alone, not being connected with any other Society. +<p> +<p> +In reading of days spent like that which has just been described, we see +in a striking manner what was the nature of that work of the ministry for +which John Yeardley was prepared at Barnsley and Bentham by so many deep +baptisms and sharp trials of his faith and obedience. The stage on which +he was called to act was not the most public; the part which he had to +perform was unobtrusive; but when the value of strengthening the weak, +comforting the afflicted, and, above all, skilfully dividing the word of +truth in the anointed ministry of the gospel, comes rightly to be +estimated, it cannot be said but that the fruit was in some sort +commensurate with the power of the call and the extent of the preparation. +<p> +The next day and the succeeding were occupied by John and Martha Yeardley +in an excursion to the Ban de la Roche, of which the former gives the +following account in his Diary. +<p> +<p> +12<i>th</i>.--In company with Majors, we set off at 6 o'clock to the Ban +de la Roche. We had a most delightful drive by the side of the river, +flowing along the fertile meadows: the hills on each side variegated with +trees of almost every color, and occasional vineyards added to the +richness of the scene. After travelling twelve leagues, we arrived at +Foudai, where we met with an affectionate and hearty welcome from the +whole family of the Legrands. The two families live together in one house, +with their lovely children. We took tea with them, and then proceeded up +Steinthal to Waldbach, to the house of the late pious Oberlin. Pastor +Raucher's wife and daughter were out when we arrived; but we spent a +little time with the dear old Louise, who is lively in spirit, us to be +near her. The pastor's wife and daughter came home in the evening, and +received us with open arms. We spent the night there, and they accompanied +us the next morning to the Legrands' to breakfast, about a league in +distance. After we had breakfasted, we requested a chapter might be read, +and then had a precious meeting with them. We were so knit together in +spirit, that we could hardly separate from one another. They accompanied +us, on leaving, all the way up the hill, when we again took an +affectionate farewell. +<p> +The conversation of our dear friend Majors has been to me truly +instructive, and I trust our being thus thrown together is in divine +wisdom. We have gone very fully into the nature, of our church discipline, +and have had much spiritual conversation to the refreshment of our souls. +<p> +We arrived at Strasburg about 7 o'clock, and I attended the class of his +young men, which afforded me once more an opportunity to speak to them of +the things that belong to their eternal peace. +<p> +<p> +Their religious service in Strasburg finished with a visit to the family +of Professor Ehrmann, in which Martha Yeardley ministered to the company, +and they commended one another in solemn supplication to the safe keeping +of Israel's Shepherd. +<p> +Both the German and French languages are spoken in Strasburg. In their +religious communications to those who spoke German, J. and M.Y. sometimes +availed themselves of the interpretation of Pastor Majors, who they found +was never at a loss, and who said, "It is no difficulty for me to +interpret for you, because you say the very things that are in my heart." +<p> +From Strasburg they went on to Colmar and Mülhausen. The latter place, +particularly interested them, from the number of persons recently awakened +there, and they held several meetings in the town. John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +In the whole district of Alsace there is a great deal of spiritual +religion among the different professors; but in some of the ministers +there is great deadness, or else infidelity. +<p> +<p> +The next halting-place on their route was Basle. This city, and the little +canton of which it is the capital, were then in a state of civil war. The +great political eruption of 1830, by which half Europe had been convulsed, +continued to agitate Switzerland long after it had spent its force +elsewhere. On the 3rd of the month, a little more than two weeks before +the date at which we are arrived, a large body of the citizens, under +arms, went out to reduce the peasants to subjection: the latter gave them +battle amongst the hills and entirely defeated them, killing 200 of their +number. The ferment was gradually subsiding when J. and M.Y. were in the +city. +<p> +They found the town pretty quiet, though full of soldiers. A general +sentiment seemed to prevail amongst serious persons, that the judgments of +the Lord were upon the country. +<p> +<p> +Poor Switzerland, exclaims J.Y., what an awful judgment is come upon thee! +Is it to be wondered at? within the last six months they have persecuted +and banished twenty ministers from the Canton of Basle, simply because +they preached the gospel, and the unbelieving inhabitants could not bear +it. +<p> +<p> +They visited the Mission-House, and held a large meeting there with the +students and others; Pastor Majors, who was present, from Strasburg, +interpreting for them. "It was," says J.Y., "a season long to be +remembered." +<p> +From Basle, they took the Diligence direct to Locle, where they spent two +days with M.A. Calame's large and interesting family. They were introduced +to Argyri Climi, whom they describe as a girl of "pensive character and +genteel manners." On the 26th they descended the slope of the Jura to +Neufchâtel. +<p> +<p> +About 5 o'clock, says John Yeardley, we came in sight of the snow-capped +Alps. I saw them for some time through the trees, but the sun shone so +bright that I did not for a moment imagine they were any other than +clouds; but coming out from the wood I soon discovered my mistake; and a +most majestic, sublime sight, indeed it is. +<p> +<p> +At Neufchâtel they took a lodging a little way out of the town, by the +lake, and remained there a month, receiving and making calls and holding +meetings for worship at the houses of their friends, as Professor +Pétavel's, ---- Châtelain's, and in their own rooms. At the close of a day +spent in this manner J.Y. says:-- +<p> +<p> +I feel this evening a degree of sweet peace, and a strong desire to become +more united to my Saviour, who died that we might live. When the mind is +fixed on eternity, how little do all other things appear! Lord, redeem me +from the world, and grant me power to live for thee alone!--(9 +<i>mo</i>. 1.) +<p> +<p> +His observations on another similar occasion mark the religious state of +the deeply interesting company in this place, amongst whom they went about +in the liberty of the gospel. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 24.--In the afternoon had a long walk with our dear friend +Pétavel's family, quite to the top of the mountains, from which we had the +most delightful view possible. In the evening we took tea with them; and, +a few others coming in, we had a religious opportunity before parting. It +is extraordinary how great is the desire to hear the word in its +simplicity; they love the simplicity of the gospel, but probably are not +prepared, as yet, to hold silent meetings alone. They all say it is +remarkable we should be sent among them in this time of war in the land +with the message of peace. +<p> +<p> +The little meeting which had been begun by Auguste Borel had been +discontinued in consequence of his removal into the country. He visited +them, and they found him alive in the truth and full of affection as +before. +<p> +Amongst a number of new acquaintances, one of the most interesting was a +Polish Countess. She lodged near them, with her husband and child, and +sent to desire the liberty of calling on them. Martha Yeardley had often +longed to become acquainted with her; and she, as she told them +afterwards, had felt so strongly inclined towards them when she met them +on the promenade that she could not rest without seeking their +acquaintance. +<p> +<p> +At the time fixed, say J. and M.Y., the Countess came alone, her husband +being unwell, and asked a few questions respecting our views in +travelling. She is a Roman Catholic by profession, but has been brought up +in great ignorance of her religion, and quite in the gaiety of the world. +She deeply lamented the state of her unhappy country, to which a fatality +seemed to attach, and spoke of her own particular trials, having lost four +of her children. Whilst we were endeavoring to make her sensible of the +mercies which are often hid under the most painful dispensations, an +English missionary, who had been engaged in preaching to many of the +Polish refugees in the country, came in with Professor Pétavel. They +became much interested for the Countess, and in reply to some of her +questions, the missionary explained the truths of the gospel in a clear +and satisfactory way. We rejoiced in the unexpected meeting; several +others came in, and it proved a memorable visit. +<p> +When again alone with the Countess she continued her history, opening her +heart to M.Y. with the greatest confidence. In former years, she said, she +had been drawn to seek the Lord, but for awhile affliction seemed to +harden her heart, and she lost the religious impressions she had received; +but now she felt again a desire to become acquainted with her Saviour, for +she was miserable and felt the need of such a refuge. +<p> +22<i>nd</i>.--In the afternoon the Count and Countess paid us a visit. He +is a man of strong mind, weary of the disappointing pleasures of the +world, and happily turned to seek comfort in the substantial truths of +religion. The Countess was delighted to find that we were of the same +Society as William Penn, whose name her father much revered. They desired +permission to attend our meeting; and a little before the hour we called +on them, and they accompanied us to Professor Pétavel's, where we had a +room quite filled and a good meeting. At the conclusion M.Y. made some +apology to the Countess for the imperfect manner in which the +communication was made; but she replied, "It comes from the heart, and it +goes to the heart." After the meeting none seemed disposed to move, and +the Countess commenced asking questions directing to passages of the +Scriptures, apparently desirous to confirm the practices of the Romish +Church, but sincerely seeking to have the conviction of her own heart +confirmed that they were errors. It is not easy to describe the interest +which this scene presented. An accomplished Roman Catholic lady proposing +questions of the deepest moment, and the learned but pious and humble +Professor Pétavel answering them with the Bible in his hand, while a +roomful of attentive hearers were, we trust, reaping deep instruction. +Argyri joined them on the 27th at Neufchatel,<a name="FNanchor7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> and they left that city +the same day for Geneva. +<p> +Here they tarried nearly a fortnight, were received with much affection by +their old friends, and had a few religious meetings. Martha Yeardley +says:-- +<p> +<p> +We met with several very interesting persons at Geneva, and had three +religious opportunities with them; at the last meeting the number was much +increased, but the place is not like Neufchâtel. The different societies +make bonds for themselves and for one another, so that love and harmony do +not sufficiently prevail amongst them. +<p> +Our stay in this place, writes John Yeardley, has been a time of distress +of mind and perplexity of thought, arising probably from the great weight +and importance of the journey before us, and the anxiety of providing a +conveyance through a strange and dark country. After much difficulty, we +have concluded a written contract with an Italian <i>voiturier</i> to take +us to Ancona. May our Divine Keeper, in his infinite mercy, grant us +protection and safety, even in the hands of ungodly men! +<p> +<p> +The journey to Ancona took them seventeen days; they crossed the Alps by +the Simplon, and traversed Italy through Milan and Bologna. Martha +Yeardley touches upon a few points of the journey in a letter to Elizabeth +Dudley. +<p> +<p> +Ancona, 11 mo. 4. +<p> +We had much to do before we could meet with a suitable conveyance, and at +length trusted ourselves with our Italian coachman, who could not speak +French. For a certain sum he was to give us three places in his coach, and +provide us with food and lodging by the way. The other passenger inside +was an Englishman, who spoke very little French and no Italian, and +another Englishman outside was in the same situation. We could not but +feel ourselves a very helpless company when arriving at the inns, which +were quite of an inferior class, and little or no French spoken. We did +pretty well, however, till we got to Milan, where we rested some days; and +our Englishmen were exchanged for an Italian priest who spoke no French, +and a Swiss who was a little useful to us as far as Bologna; after this +place we travelled five days alone. The inns on this side of Milan are +much worse, and from the detention of our passports in the towns we passed +through, we were often prevented from reaching the place of destination, +and obliged to lodge at villages, where we suffered much in the way of +food and lodging; yet through all we were favored to bear the journey much +better than I expected. My J.Y. was rather poorly for two days, and I was +extremely anxious about him; but the sight of the Gulf of Venice seemed to +help to restore him. +<p> +At Sinigaglia, a town eighteen miles from this, they told us that we +should just meet the vessel which was to sail on the 30th. Judge then what +was our disappointment when, on arriving at the inn here, we found that it +was gone. +<p> +<p> +This disappointment was a severe trial of their patience; but they +consoled themselves with reflecting that "good in some shape might arise +out of the seeming evil." +<p> +<p> +Ancona, says John Yeardley, is beautifully situated on the side of a high +hill, in appearance at a distance a perfect model of Scarborough. There +are in the place a good many Greeks, one of whom Argyri recognised as we +inquired at his shop the way to the Post-office. On returning she made +herself known to him, and he shows us every attention; he is a fine +looking man, with a countenance as strong as brass. We are comfortably +lodged, with a delightful view of the harbor, but our hearts are in Corfu. +<p> +Our young companion, adds M.Y., is amiable and very quick, but not of much +use to us respecting her native tongue, which she retains but very +imperfectly, and is not at all fond of speaking it. +<p> +The houses are high, and many of the streets narrow and offensive, for +want of cleanliness and from an immense population; such numbers are +continually in the streets, that there is no quiet or good air in the +town. The darkness is extreme, and the dissipation apparently very great; +the oppression of our spirits at some periods is almost insupportable; and +yet I am at times very sensible of the calming influence of divine love, +with a sense that, having acted to the best of our judgment, we must +resign ourselves to wait for the return of the steam-packet from England. +<p> +When on arriving here we found there were no letters, and that probably +they were sent to Corfu, my heart sank within me. We have, however, been +since cheered by receiving a very kind letter from dear Robert Forster; +nothing could have been more in season than this token of remembrance. +<p> +<p> +Finding no suitable vessel for Corfu, with the assistance of their Greek +friend they hired a lodging, and gave their time to the study of Italian +and the Modern Greek. Religions labor was hardly to be thought of; the +government of the town and every public office was under the direction of +the Roman Catholic priests, of whom there were more than 400. However, +they were enabled to hold improving intercourse with some individuals, +mostly Greeks; "for whom," says Martha Yeardley, "we felt much interest, +and some, I believe, became attached to us; we gave them a few books." +<p> +Before commencing with their visit to the Ionian Islands, it will be +interesting to glance at the circle of Friends whom they had left in +England. From the letters which have been preserved, we select the +following extract: the first is from the pen of one who may be described +as sound in heart and understanding, of extensive knowledge and large +Christian charity. +<p> +<p> +Scarborough, 10 mo. 16, 1833. +<p> +MY DEAR FRIENDS. +<p> +Accept my grateful acknowledgments, and through me those of all your +friends in this neighborhood, for the copies which I have received of your +interesting journals. It is indeed a cause of rejoicing to us that you +have been so favored in meeting with so many pious persons with, whom you +could hold Christian fellowship, and among whom there is strong reason for +believing your labors have not been in vain. It is to me very gratifying +that you feel and exercise so much Christian freedom in mingling among +persons of various denominations, whom, though owing to education and to +various circumstances, they may differ considerably in opinion on subjects +of minor importance, yet conscious of one common disease--that of sin, and +looking for or experiencing the only remedy--reconciliation with God +through one Saviour,--you can salute as brethren and sisters in the truth, +and feel your spirits refreshed whilst you enjoy the privilege of +refreshing theirs; and like Aquila and Priscilla, with Apollos, are made +the instruments, I trust, of "expounding unto them the way of God more +perfectly." My dear mother thinks that the persons you meet with must be +more spiritually-minded than Christians in this country. They have, +perhaps, from external circumstances, experienced deeper baptisms, and +have made greater sacrifices, than many amongst us have been called upon +to make; and we know that ease and outward prosperity have not been +favorable to the interests of the true Church: but, without doubt, they +are exposed to similar dangers to those in this land whose minds have been +awakened to the importance of religious truth. +<p> +<p> +After speaking of a journey which he had made with Samuel Tuke and Joseph +Priestman for re-arranging some of the Monthly Meetings in the West +Riding, the writer continues:-- +<p> +<p> +On the journey I received intelligence of the decease of Hannah Whitaker; +the account produced a strong sensation in the minds of Friends generally, +who felt much for our dear afflicted friend Robert Whitaker, and for the +loss which the institution at Ackworth has sustained. I have had a note +from R.W., written evidently under very desponding feelings; yet he knows +where alone consolation is to be sought, and I still cherish the hope that +his valuable services will not be lost to the establishment in which they +have been so long blessed. +<p> +We intend to meet as a Bible class on Second-day evening: our number will +be small, but I hope we shall persevere. Your house and garden look much +as usual; but I scarcely like to look at them, since I cannot go to spend +such pleasant evenings as I used to do there. However, I believe you are +in the way of your duty, and I know it would he wrong in me to repine at +the loss of your company. +<p> +I trust you do not forget our poor little company in your approaches to +the throne of grace. You are, I believe, the subjects of many prayers: O +that the parties who offer them were more worthy! +<p> +Your affectionate friend, +<p> +JOHN ROWNTREE. +<p> +<p> +This letter was endorsed by one from J.R.'s mother (the Elizabeth Rowntree +whom the reader may remember as the hostess of J. and M. Yeardley on their +first visit to Scarborough,) from which we extract a few lines. +<p> +<p> +The accounts I have received have often helped to cheer my drooping mind, +to hear how many you have met with in various places, who could sit down +with you in worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. I have thought +of the privileges many of us have had, yet I think many you have met with +may make us ashamed of ourselves; and the desire of my heart has often +been that we may be more deepened. +<p> +<p> +John Rowntree's letter contained the information that Richard Cockin, of +Doncaster, a Friend universally known and respected in the Society, had +been physically disabled by a stroke of paralysis. R. C. himself wrote at +the same time to John and Martha Yeardley, describing his affliction, +which he received with childlike resignation as a message of love from a +Father's hand. +<p> +<p> +I have, he says, no expectation of getting again to meeting, and it does +not appear probable I shall be able again to get down stairs. With respect +to the state of my mind, it was an occasion of grateful admiration to me +that such & poor unworthy creature as I felt myself to be, should be so +favored as to have my will entirely subjected, as to become resignedly +willing either to live or die; and, for a time, the prospect of not +continuing long appeared to be most probable. I, however, felt no reliance +upon anything that I had done or could do; my dependence was entirely upon +the unmerited mercy of God through Jesus Christ. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XII. +<p> +<p> +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1833-4. +<p> +PART II.--GREECE +<p> +On the 21st of the Eleventh Month John and Martha Yeardley left Ancona, +and had a safe but suffering voyage of two days to Corfu, the capital of +the island of that name. +<p> +<p> +The atmosphere in this place, writes J. Y., soon after they landed, is +different from Ancona in every respect. It has to us a feeling of home, +and our minds are clothed with peace and, I trust, gratitude to the Father +of mercies. What we may find to do is yet a secret to us, but He who has +brought us here will in his own time open the way before us. +<p> +Isaac Lowndes of the London Missionary Society received us with much +affection and kindness, and his wife and daughter are very desirous to +promote our comfort. They took us to see a furnished house in the town, a +part of which will suit us remarkably well. We think it a providential +thing to have such comfortable quarters to come to. +<p> +<p> +Some extracts from the Diary and the Journal letters will show in what +kind of service they were engaged during their three months' residence in +this island. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 24.--I went with J. L. to the First-day school in the +village about a mile from the town. A delightful morning, and a delightful +sight to see about sixty fine Greek children reading the New Testament in +the modern language. Their countenances are lovely and interesting, and +their anxiety to hear and answer questions is great; their aptitude in +comprehending the subjects offered to them exceeds all I have hitherto +seen in any class of children of similar standing. The little group was +composed of nearly all girls, clean and neatly dressed in the costume of +the country. +<p> +27<i>th</i>.--To-day we received a long visit from Lord Nugent, President +of the Ionian Government, who had heard of our arrival on the island, and +was anxious to see us. He is very kind and extremely open with respect to +his plans for the improvement of the jail, and for cottage cultivation. He +desired me to go and see some unoccupied land without the gate. +<p> +28<i>th</i>.--According to appointment we went to the palace, and were +received by Lady Nugent with marked simplicity and kindness. We were +introduced to Lord L. and other persons of influence, took tea, and spent +a most agreeable evening, and I hope a profitable; for all our +conversation was on the subject of bettering the condition of the poor and +destitute children. +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 3.--This morning we received a visit from a roomful of +Greeks. We are desirous to cultivate the acquaintance of the Greeks as the +object of our visit of gospel love. Yesterday we were visited by several +of the military officers and their wives, who will I hope co-operate with +our plans of benevolence. Lord Nugent's taking us by the hand opens the +way to all others of rank and standing. +<p> +11<i>th</i>,--This morning we had a visit from Dapaldas, Greek professor +of theology in the university. He is a pleasing and enlightened man, and +speaks French well, which gave us the opportunity of conversing with him +pretty freely. I feel to love him much. He is one of the laborers in +translating the Old Testament. +<p> +13<i>th</i>.--To-day we have received letters from England. Many of our +beloved friends have been called from this state of being to another +world. How much my heart feels humbled; how unworthy I am of the least of +the mercies daily received at the hand of a bountiful Creator. Since we +have been here I have been favored with a strong conviction that we are +here in the ordering of Divine Providence. What may in time open before us +in the way of gospel labor I know not. It requires time, caution, and much +perseverance, to find a way to the hearts and best feelings of the Greeks. +I greatly desire that we may be found in humble watchfulness and prayer; +and that, if found worthy to be the feeble instruments of declaring the +way of salvation to the natives of these islands, we may embrace every +opportunity to preach repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus +Christ, for this is the great object for which we have left our native +land and all that is dear to us in this world. +<p> +26<i>th</i>.--Argyri left us and is gone to Syra. She was very sorrowful, +and the parting to us all was painful. Although reserved and timid, she +has become extremely attached to us, and we trust the three months we have +passed together will not soon be forgotten. Her company has often been +sweet and cheering, and in our little meetings for worship her heart has +not unfrequently been tendered with religious feeling. She is desirous of +being useful in schools, and of making a stand against the many +superstitions which prevail, influencing others by her example, and +through the aid of divine grace leading them to that vital religion in +which she was instructed at Locle, and which is now a strength and comfort +to her own mind. +<p> +1834. 1 <i>mo</i>. 6.--To-day we received a visit from the young Count +Francois Sardina. We had much conversation with him on the subject of the +intercession of saints. He could not admit that they practiced the +adoration of saints, they only meant to hold them up as examples of piety +and virtue, and to induce others to follow them. We pointed out to him the +importance of taking Him for our example who spake as never man spake, and +has left us an example that we should follow his steps. This young man is +very inquisitive and inclined to be sceptical, but under all has serious +impressions. Many of the Greeks who are not entirely built up in their +superstitions are inclined to doubt respecting the truths of Christianity. +We were glad to put into his hand J. J. Gurney's <i>Evidences</i>. +<p> +23<i>rd</i>.--This evening we had another long visit from the Count. We +entered very fully into Church discipline, and left few points of faith +and doctrine untouched, either in his Church or ours. I do not remember +ever to have been more closely questioned; but I think this young person +sincere in his inquiries. I believe it is a precious time of visitation to +his soul; he is very amiable and affectionate, and acknowledges the evils +and vanity of the world. +<p> +27<i>th</i>.--This evening we have had a long conversation with Pathanes, +our teacher in the language, and a deacon in the Greek Church. He is much +attached to the rites of his own Church, but acknowledges the necessity of +regeneration. They have a fatal error in the ceremony of baptism, +positively asserting that when the child (or individual) has received +this, he is really born again, and a fit heir of salvation. Such is the +efficacy which they attach to this ceremony, that their creed sets forth, +in the most unqualified manner, that whoever receives not the form cannot +enter the kingdom. We could not forbear lifting up our testimony against +the injurious effects of such a creed. +<p> +28<i>th</i>.--We have had a ride to-day with I. Lowndes and family across +the island, sixteen miles, to the sea on the other side. Our road led us +through a perfect wood of olive-trees, thickly planted and loaded with +fruit. The hills are often variegated with the cypress, &c., and near to +the sea are beautifully romantic. We dined at the fortress of +Paleocastazza, on the top of a high hill, on provisions we took with +us,--the air good, and the prospect delightful. This place was formerly a +convent; the church still remains in use, and we visited two of the old +Greek priests. One of them is ninety-five years old; he was lying on a +dirty hard couch in a miserable apartment; the other performs the liturgy. +I. L. gave him the book of Genesis, which he could read but very +indifferently. He was besides extremely cross, full of complaints of the +soldiers who were stationed there. What a proof that to those who are in +the gall of bitterness there is no peace, even in such a remote place. +<p> +2 <i>mo</i>. 1.--Another long and pleasant visit from Count Sardina. He is +mild and condescending, but close in argument His mind appears gradually +to become impressed with the truths of the gospel; and I trust the notions +he has received from sceptical writers are giving way to a hope of +salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Fearful of doing anything to make +the members of his own Church his enemies, he comes to us by night,--not +for fear of the Jews, but for fear of the Greeks. +<p> +<p> +9<i>th</i>.--How often our hearts are ready to sink within us in the midst +of this dark and superstitious people. We have now been here nearly three +months, and have not had one opportunity of publicly preaching the gospel. +The power of prejudice in favor of their own superstitious rites, and the +overwhelming influence of moral evil, seem entirely to close our way in +this line. We have had much conversation with our friend, Isaac Lowndes, +who has resided on this island thirteen years, on the subject of publicly +preaching the gospel to the people; and he says that such is their +attachment to the ceremonies of their own church that they cannot be +prevailed upon to attend the ministry of any other denomination. +I. Lowndes is a character with whom we feel much Christian unity, and his +family is like a little lamp shining in the midst of gross darkness. +<p> +This darkness, adds Martha Yeardley, is increased by the dissipation of +the greater part of the English. The military have great influence here, +and their practices tend greatly to demoralize the unhappy people. We have +just heard that they have obtained leave of the Senate to hold a ball in +the new school-rooms, and to break down the partition-wall between them +for this purpose, which will prevent the school from being opened for +another month. +<p> +<p> +On the 23rd John Yeardley continues:-- +<p> +<p> +To-day my drooping spirit has been refreshed by six precious letters from +England, expressing the interest of our dear friends in our mission; but +oh, how my heart is humbled in the sense of how little we do. During our +stay here I have been closely engaged in translating Judson's Questions on +Scripture. The correction is nearly finished, and we propose having a +number printed for the school. +<p> +<p> +Ignorance of the language was a perpetual hindrance in their way. Although +they devoted a very large portion of time to acquiring it, the difficulty +was almost insurmountable. They learned to read and translate; but to +converse in Greek was for a long time almost entirely beyond their power. +<p> +Although to preach and teach the gospel was the primary object of John and +Martha Yeardley's errand, the temporal improvement of their fellow-men +was by no means foreign to their mission; and we have often seen that +plans for the promotion of industry and self-support were to the former +objects of peculiar interest. During their residence at Corfu no small +portion of his time was occupied with the establishment of a model farm, +which seems to have been a joint scheme on his part and that of the +administration. A grant of land was obtained from the Senate, and the +prisoners, with some of the poor, were set to work to cultivate it. Some +of the landowners watched the progress of the experiment, with the +intention, if it should be successful, of introducing the plan upon their +estates. +<p> +We may conclude this account of their residence in Corfu with some general +remarks on the religious character and condition of the inhabitants. +<p> +<p> +We trust, say they, our sojourn in Corfu may not have been in vain: if we +may only be permitted to prepare the way for the further enlargement of +the Saviour's kingdom on the earth, we may well be content. Preparing the +way it may truly be called, for there is a great deal to be done among a +people just emerging from barbarism, and bringing with them all the fixed +habits of ignorance and superstition, before a door can be opened for the +direct preaching of the gospel. Their mode of reasoning is strong and +wily, and they ask questions which can only be answered in private +conversation and by Scripture proof. A great means of affording help must +be by educating the rising generation and by the diffusion of Scriptural +knowledge. Many of the priest are extremely ignorant, and some of them +have only learned by <i>rote</i> the service of their own church in the +ancient Greek; their knowledge, therefore, cannot be founded on their own +search for Scriptural truth, seeing they have not had the opportunity of +examining for themselves. In some instances when we have presented to them +the New Testament in the modern language, they have said, with a look of +anxious gratitude, This is what we want; we priests teach in the churches +what we do not ourselves understand. +<p> +<p> +On the 26th of the Second Month they crossed the sea to Santa Maura, +having a delightful passage of eight hours. Captain McPhail, the governor, +a friend of William Allen's, met them himself with a boat, and conducted +them to his house. He showed them every attention during their short +sojourn, and introduced them to those persons whom they desired to see. +They made an interesting call on the bishop;-- +<p> +<p> +A nice old man, who was many years priest in a village in the mountains, +and, what is a wonder, he has been promoted on account of his virtuous +life. He was a good example in his own village, and a great promoter of +schools. The old man is candid enough to confess that he was happier among +his rustic peasants than he is now in more refined society. "We gave him +the book of Genesis in Modern Greek; and it was highly gratifying to us to +see the surprise and pleasure of his countenance on being presented with +an account of the Creation and works of the Almighty in his native tongue. +We thought the opportunity favorable for proposing the Scriptures to be +read by the clergy in the modern instead of the ancient language. He made +no objection, and appeared to see the great utility which might arise from +it." +<p> +<p> +Something has been said about the semi-barbarism of the Greeks. What our +friends learned respecting crime and violence, whilst in this island, +places the manners of the people in a very strong light. +<p> +<p> +Nothing can show more strongly the demoralized state of these islands than +the frightful acts of cruelty done to the cattle out of pure revenge. One +shudders to think of the skinning of beasts alive, cutting off the ears of +asses, breaking the legs of horses; yet of these sorts of cruelty not less +than 500 acts have been committed in the last four years, and the +offenders have escaped being brought to conviction! +<p> +<p> +This dark picture is happily relieved by some traits of moral beauty. The +narrative of a ride into the mountains of Santa Maura, which J.Y. made +under the escort of the governor, proves to how great a degree virtuous +and gentle manners grew and flourished in the remoter parts of this +island. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 1.--This morning we set out for a ride about nine miles up +the mountains to a village called Carià, which contains about 1200 +inhabitants, and in the surrounding hamlets there are about the same +number. +<p> +About half-past 9 o'clock we started; Captain McPhail and myself on his +two sure-footed horses, and another English gentleman on a fine mule. +After we had left the newly-made road, we pursued a track perfectly +unequalled in any part where I have travelled; rugged precipices, shelving +rocks, and large loose stones, which assailed the feet of the poor beasts +every step they took. However, for my part, I was well rewarded; it gave +me an opportunity not only of seeing the interior of the island, but also +a specimen of the disposition of the natives. Before we reached the +village, I observed, with some surprise, a tribe of people assembled on +the top of the cliffs to see us come in, and on ascending a few more paces +of rock, we found the children of the boys' school arranged like a little +army, with myrtle branches in their hands to welcome us to their +sequestered hamlet. After greeting us with great respect, they followed us +to the country-house of our English friend. +<p> +The mountain multitude waited with patience until we had made our repast, +when a few of the leading villagers were introduced to our room. And what +was their request? A school for their daughters. They were asked what they +would give towards its support. They answered, Whatever we can afford; we +that are able will pay for the poor, and they shall go free. It was then +intimated to them, that their friends would assist them in establishing a +school; but that they themselves must join in the effort, and that it +would be well to consult together, and put down their names and the number +of children they would send. Here the town-crier came forward, and said he +had for the last twenty years cried everything the government wished to be +made known in the town, free of cost, and he would now go round and cry +for the benefit of the school. Next came forward the father of the young +woman proposed for the mistress, who it was proposed should be further +instructed in the village, and then sent to the town to learn the system. +We asked them if they were sensible of the advantages of a school for +girls, of having them brought up to be good wives, capable of managing +their households, and able to read the precious things in the New +Testament. One of them replied, Without instruction what are we?--we are +like the beasts. One peasant had been so anxious for his daughter to learn +to read, that he had made interest to send her to the boys' school. When +we asked why he did so, he said, Because I had no other means, and I +wished to have her read the New Testament to us; now I have the advantage +of hearing that precious book read to me by my own daughter. It was +delightful to witness a feeling like this in a people so uncultivated; +surely the friends of education in Greece have encouragement to go on and +prosper. +<p> +After this pleasing interview we proceeded to the boys' school, followed +by as many as could get into the room. When the boys had read, I desired +that questions might be put to them on what they had been reading, but +soon found that this important mode of instruction was neglected; the +master promised to introduce the questions which we are having printed, if +we would send him the books. On returning to our quarters, we found among +the crowd who were still present, the three priests, come, I suppose, to +pay their respects to the governor. We were glad of an opportunity of +conversing with them. On asking their opinion as to a school, one of them +said, in Greek, It is good, blessed and honorable. I could not let this +favorable opportunity pass without impressing on them, through McPhail, +the advantage of reading the Scriptures to the people in the modern tongue +which they could understand, telling them that the book of Genesis was +already printed in Modern Greek. They could hardly believe me, and on my +showing them a new copy of this and of the Psalms, their eyes sparkled +with pleasure. Our friend the governor read aloud a portion of Genesis, +and one of the priests a little out of the Psalms. The long-robed, +patriarchal looking man said, Ah, this is what we want! We priests read in +the churches what we don't understand ourselves, and how can we explain it +to others. They modestly asked if they might have the books for a while; +and when we said they were given to them, there was a little jealousy who +should have them; this we removed by saying that more should be sent. Many +of the kind-hearted people accompanied us to the precipice, and ran before +to clear the way; and, through divine mercy, we reached the dwelling of +our kind host in safety; not without a steeping of mountain rain. +<p> +When the good Bishop of Santa Maura heard the result of our interview with +the peasants, he sent one of his most influential priests with a +subscription book for his people to put down their names towards a fund +for the schools, thus promptly giving his sanction to general education. +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 2.--First-day. After breakfast we read a chapter and held our +meeting with Captain McPhail and his wife, and felt a little comfort in +holding up the standard of religious worship. Something was given us to +utter, both in testimony and supplication. +<p> +The next evening we dined with the governor. It was a state dinner, given +to the judges and persons of rank in the town; about twenty of us sat +down; the repast was splendid and the dishes innumerable. At the head of +the table was Captain McPhail in full uniform; on his right our hostess in +a rich Greek dress; on his left a young lady in the full Italian style; my +M.Y. and myself were not the least singular in appearance. All was done in +good order, and a sweet feeling prevailed. +<p> +4<i>th</i>.---We are like prisoners at large, not being able to leave the +island till the steamer returns. Captain McPhail has kindly proposed our +paying a visit to the continent to see a little colony of the natives who +live in wigwams. These people like many others suffered greatly from the +Turks, and took refuge in Santa Maura, which has excited in them a feeling +of gratitude for the protection of their English neighbors. +<p> +About 9 o'clock we started in the Captain's boat, a family party, not +leaving even the baby at home. We had a pleasant sail of less than an +hour, and found seven ponies waiting for us at the landing-place. The +ponies were brought into the sea, and we mounted the pack-saddles; some of +our company being carried from the boat on men's backs. Thus arranged we +set out, one by one, along the narrow goat-paths, accompanied by our +retinue, some going before, and some following with the baggage. We +winded our way among bushes of myrtle and mastic till we reached the +willow-city. It consists of about sixty perfect wigwams of one room each, +with no other light but what is admitted by the doorway, four feet high, +with here and there a glimpse that makes its way through the wattles. +<p> +The people having received notice of our visit had made a general-holiday, +and were all assembled, with lively good-humor in their countenances, to +greet our arrival. This in the first year that they have been left to +enjoy their lands in peace since the destruction by the Turks of their +little town, which stood at about half an hour's distance. Some of them +possess property in land and cattle, and all live on the produce of their +own farms, and produce their own clothing. These simple-hearted people +show their good sense by avoiding all lawsuits, so common among the +Greeks. They choose one upright old man, with two assistants, to govern +them, to whose judgment they submit, and the greatest punishment is to be +shut up for two or three days in a solitary room in the convent. +<p> +The wigwam where we alighted was soon filled with visitors. We were served +with coffee by our hostess,--an interesting woman, with much expression of +mildness in her countenance. After conversing awhile with the villagers, +and satisfying their curiosity as well as we could, I thought it a +suitable time to bring about the primary object of our visit, and inquired +who among them could read. A young man came forward who had been educated +in the school at Santa Maura; we gave him a New Testament, and he read the +greater part of a chapter in the Gospels. Those who were in the room +listened with surprise and attention, and many without looked eagerly in +at the doorway to hear what was going on. This was probably the first time +they had heard the gospel in their own language. We gave them a few copies +of the New Testament and some tracts, for which they hardly knew how to +express their gratitude; and we requested the reader to continue the +practice he had commenced. +<p> +When this scene of interest was over we took a turn round the other huts. +They are situated on the side of the hill, among myrtles, and command a +delightful view of the valley. We passed by the common oven, and on +looking in saw our dinner preparing. The table was spread in the +hospitable wigwam which we first entered, a clean white tablecloth and +napkins on a large board, with cushions around on boxes for chairs. The +repast consisted of a whole lamb, well roasted, and two sorts of +Yorkshire-pudding, one of which was particularly good. +<p> +This patriarchal repast being finished, we again went forth, and visited +the convent of Plijâ, distant from the wigwams about ten minutes' walk. +Many of our new friends accompanied us, the judge with great solidity of +manner leading the way. We passed a beautiful fountain at the head of the +glen, and entered the monastic edifice, which is built of stone. The +abbot, a fine old man, met us at the door with a pleasant countenance. He +invited us into his cell; we had to stoop very low to save our heads, and +the door-case was rubbed bright on all sides by the friction of this +solitary inmate passing in and out. The hermitage consists of one room +with a bed in the corner, screened by a slight partition; a lattice-window +admitted a peep into the rich and lovely vale below, and the pure air of +the mountain was not obstructed by glass. I had often heard of the Eastern +custom of sitting cross-legged, but never till now experienced it in +reality. We were desired to sit on cushions spread on the floor for our +reception, and were served with the finest walnuts and honey I ever +tasted; and while we partook of this hermit-like repast, there was a +precious feeling of good, and I believe we had the secret prayers of the +good abbot, as he had ours. When we presented him with the New Testament, +Genesis, and the Psalms, he kissed the books and pressed them to his +bosom, expressing his gratitude for the treasure. +<p> +Our next visit was to the habitation of the judge, which is of the same +description as the rest, where we were served again with coffee. What +pleased us was the sweet feeling of quiet which prevailed, of which I +think some of them were sensible; one woman, our first hostess, put her +hand to her heart and said very sweetly, "I love you." +<p> +They would not let us depart without showing us their ancient custom of +taking hold of hands and dancing round, singing meanwhile a sort of chant. +Many of them came with us to the water's edge, and prayers were raised in +our hearts for their good, and thanksgiving to our Divine Master for the +comfort and satisfaction of the day. +<p> +3 <i>mo</i> 8.--Under the hospitable roof of Captain McPhail we have felt +much at home. His wife said our coming had been a blessing to her; she is +near to us in gospel love. The captain accompanied us in his boat to the +steamer. +<p> +<p> +From Santa Maura they proceeded to Argostoli, the chief town of +Cephalonia. +<p> +<p> +We arrived about five o'clock in the morning. The entrance to the town for +a considerable distance is like a perfect lake: the white houses along the +side of the harbor, and the craggy hill with the olives growing out of the +rocks, had a pretty appearance at the break of day. Our young Greek +interpreter, Giovanni Basilik, was with us. We had to call up the +inhabitants of the only inn in the place before we could get shelter. At +first the host refused to receive our little company, but after some +explanation he consented to arrange the desolate-looking rooms into +habitable order. +<p> +<p> +They visited the schools and the prison, and they received from the +Resident, H.G. Tennyson, and the schoolmaster and mistress, a friendly +reception; but the islanders are generally careless of instruction, and +progress of all kinds is slow. +<p> +From Cephalonia they traversed the sea to the beautiful island of Zante. +Though they had ten men to row, the passage occupied thirteen hours. +<p> +<p> +Contrary wind, writes John Yeardley, compelled us to approach the island +slowly, which gave us an opportunity of viewing the villages and scattered +houses at the foot of the mountain. The town of Zante is very long; the +main street has piazzas on each side for a considerable distance. In many +of the windows (I suppose a Turkish custom) there are something like +cages, through which the women peep without being seen, under the pretence +of modesty; but it is horrid to hear of the wickedness committed in-doors. +However, I am glad to find the custom is dying away, and that the young +women are now permitted to walk in public more than they were a few years +ago. This island is by far the finest we have visited; it is very fertile +and well cultivated, and supplies England with currants; but, like their +neighbors, the people have the character of being immoral, treacherous, +and revengeful. It is sorrowful to think that, under the system of +picture-worship, there is scarcely a sin of which the poor Greek is not +guilty to an enormous extent. With God all things are possible--he can +change the hard heart of man by the power of his Divine Spirit; but, +morally speaking, it must be some great convulsion that can work a real +change in the nation. W.O. Croggon has labored here more than seven years, +and knows not of one conversion among the rich Greeks--not one attends the +service for worship. He is the Methodist missionary here, and is called +the friend of every man: he has been a real friend to us. +<p> +The Governor and his wife have paid us marked attention. The former took +us to see the prison, which is well conducted, and the prisoners are +classed. We suggested the benefit likely to result from the prisoners +being employed, and Major Longley [the Governor] intends to introduce +basket-making. We have, in addition to the public schools, visited several +private ones, and are pleased to find so many children receiving +education: this is really the chief source of hope for improving the +morals of the Greeks, and dispersing the gross darkness which surrounds +this people, whose long servitude and sufferings under very hard masters +have almost driven them back to barbarism. +<p> +17<i>th</i>.--There was a shock of earthquake, more violent than has been +felt for some years in this place. Our room shook almost like a ship at +sea; the walls, beds, tables, and glasses were all in motion, and the +sensation, while it lasted, was that of sea-sickness. The noise may be +compared to the rolling of a carriage with many horses coming at full +speed, and suddenly stopping at the dwelling. (See <i>Eastern +Customs</i>, p. 78.) +<p> +<p> +Having thus explored the four principal islands of the Ionian Archipeligo. +John and Martha Yeardley turned their course towards the Morea. +<p> +<p> +30<i>th</i>.--At 6 o'clock in the morning we put ourselves once more at +the mercy of the waves of the Mediterranean, and had a quick passage of +fourteen hours. The landing at Patras was frightful; a sudden squall threw +us off the shore, and caused us to lose part of the rudder, so that we +were obliged to get into a very small boat, which threatened to upset +every moment. We were, however, favored to land in safety on a projecting +rock: it was nearly dark, and the whole had a terrific appearance. +<p> +The plains near Patras, once beautifully planted with currants, olives and +vines, are now perfectly desolate. The castle was in possession, of the +Turks eight years, who made continual sallies from it for provision and +firewood; while, in order to disappoint them, the Greeks themselves +assisted in the destruction of all vegetation; so that there is scarcely +any green thing to be seen. The old town is a scene of ruins; the site of +the new town is near the sea, where temporary shops and houses have been +erected. +<p> +It was difficult to find a shelter for the night; but a kind +fellow-traveller assisted us, and at length we were pressed into a +miserable dirty room, with only a board for a bedstead. +<p> +At Patras we had abundance of consultation, whether to undertake the +journey to Corinth and Athens by land, or to encounter the gulf. We +concluded to venture on the latter, and contracted with the captain of a +little boat to depart at five the next morning. He deceived us by not +sailing at the time proposed; but we made an agreement with other sailors +to go off in the evening, hoping to get to Corinth the next morning: but, +after tossing all night, we found in the morning the ship had only made +twenty miles; and about mid-day the captain declared he could not get to +Corinth, and must put into a small port on the opposite side of the gulf, +called Galaxidi, and wait for better weather. We were so exhausted as to +feel thankful in the prospect of being once more on land. Nothing can be +more comfortless than these small Greek vessels; in the cabin you can +neither stand nor lie at full length. +<p> +After some difficulty in getting on shore, we were led to the khan, a very +large room with a fire in one corner for boiling water, and a wine store; +and round the side were benches which served for sitting by day, and on +which the traveller spreads his mattress for the night, if he has one; if +not, he must go without. We were desired to mount a ladder to a loft like +a corn-floor, badly tiled in, and divided into four parts by boards about +five feet high. The one division of this place assigned to us had no door, +and when the windows were shut, which were of wood, there was no light +what shone through the tiling or was admitted between the boards. The +place was soon furnished, for the boy brought us a mat and spread it on +the floor, which was all we had a right to expect; but as we seemed to be +visitors who could pay pretty well, they brought also a rough wooden table +and three wooden stools. +<p> +2<i>nd</i>.--Galaxidi is in ruins, presenting only mud cottages and +temporary wooden houses; ships also are in building. +<p> +4<i>th</i>.--This morning we walked among the huts of the town, and found +an old man keeping school near the ruins of his own school-room, which had +been destroyed by the Turks. It happened to be his dinner-time, and he was +seated cross-legged on a stone, with a footstool before him, enjoying a +few olives and a morsel of bread. Around him stood his ragged pupils, +reading from leaves torn out of old books, some of which were so worn and +dirty that the poor boys could scarcely discover what they had once +contained. The weather was by no means warm, yet we could not wonder at +his choosing the open air for the place of instruction, when we saw his +dwelling, which was a mud hut not quite nine feet square, with no opening +for light but through the doorway. In this hovel he taught his forty +scholars when the inclemency of the weather did not permit their being out +of doors. The grey-headed father was surprised that his humble company had +attracted the notice of strangers; but, seeing the interest we manifested +in his calling, he inquired for a New Testament, which we gladly +furnished, with the addition of some tracts to such of the children as +could read them. This sight was gratifying to us as showing a disposition +to teach and to learn, even under the most disadvantageous circumstances. +<p> +Our quarters at the khan became more uncomfortable; the people were so +uncivil they would hardly give us cold water without grumbling. The second +night we witnessed one of the most dreadful storms we ever remember to +have seen. Violent gusts of wind shook our desolate abode, while the rain +poured down in torrents and found entrance in various parts of our +apartment. +<p> +<p> +They intended, as we have seen, to go to Athens by way of Corinth, and +when they were disappointed of sailing to that city, and thrown upon the +opposite shore of the gulf, they still seem to have supposed it impossible +to reach the capital by any other route. +<p> +<p> +5<i>th</i>.--Being, says John Yeardley, on the contrary side of the gulf, +and thus deprived of helping ourselves by means of horses, we gave up all +hope of reaching Athens, and thought we must of necessity return to +Patras. We therefore inquired for a vessel to take us thither; but never +shall I forget my feelings of horror while trying to contract with a man +for a boat. I said in my heart, O that I might be permitted to try the +fleece once more in turning our faces towards Athens. The man was +exorbitant in his demands, and it was too late to reach Patras without +risking the night on the sea. To stay where we were was next to impossible +without serious injury, especially to my dear Martha. Strong indeed was +our united prayer for direction and help in this time of distress, and +ever-blessed be the name of our adorable Lord who heard and answered our +prayer. Out of the depths of distress a little light sprung up, and we +thought if we could take a boat and cross over to Scala, a little port on +the opposite side of the creek, we might then take mules to [Castri the +ancient] Delphi, and if not able to proceed further on our way, the change +we hoped would be use to M.Y. We did make the effort, and were favored to +get to Scala, where we found only a few scattered mud houses; but on +landing, there was a change of feeling immediately experienced. We were +rescued from ship-builders and sailors, the vilest of the vile, and placed +among a simple country people, +<p> +The master of the custom-house, to whom we had a few lines of +recommendation, invited us to his house and gave us coffee. He provided us +with four mules; three for the interpreter and ourselves, and the fourth +for the baggage. It was about eight miles, or two and a half hours' ride, +to Delphi; and no sooner had we begun to feel the mountain air than my +dear M. began to revive. We had to climb precipices where nothing but +mules could have carried us. At the foot of the mountain we came in +company with two camels, which was a new sight to us. +<p> +The situation of Delphi is the most beautiful that eyes can behold: +mountains of rock, such as we never before saw, and in the back ground the +far-famed Parnassus, covered with snow. The village consists of about one +hundred cottages, some of them built in the rock. We were conducted to one +of the best of these rustic dwellings, and met with a very friendly +reception from the inmates. The house consisted of two rooms, and we were +offered the use of one of them; they furnished us with mattresses laid +upon a sort of dresser, where we slept much better than for many previous +nights; even the hen and her thirteen chickens under our bed did not +disturb us. The novelty of the visiters soon brought in several of the +neighbors, who did not leave us, even while we took our tea. As there was +a good feeling, we thought it well to improve the opportunity, and +inquired who could read. The master of the house, a sensible man, said +there were only about twenty in the village who know anything of letters, +but that he could both read and write, for his father was a priest. +<p> +After tea we produced a New Testament and the book of Genesis, and our +interpreter read aloud the first two chapters of Genesis. Our host had +never seen the Scriptures in his own language, and we think we never +beheld a countenance more full of delight and intelligence than his was +during the reading. After a short explanation of what had been read, and a +word of exhortation, we thought to close; but the company were so pleased +with hearing the account of the creation and fall of man [from the sacred +record itself], that they requested us to read more. I desired them to ask +any questions on the subject they might wish; and the first which our host +put was, What kind of tree it was, the fruit of which Adam was forbidden +to eat? We answered that it was translated in our language <i>apple</i>. +He said they thought it was a <i>fig</i>. We told them it might be a fig, +or it might be an apple; but that the object of the Almighty was to try +Adam's obedience. They at once agreed to this; and the master of the house +wisely observed, Jesus Christ came to restore to us what was lost by +Adam's transgression. He then said, It would have been better if Adam, +after his transgression, instead of hiding himself, had confessed his sin +to God, and begged his forgiveness. We all agreed that it was a natural +act for man, in his fallen state, to wish to seek excuse, rather than to +confess his sin and repent. We then made some remarks on the prophecy of +the Saviour in the third chapter of Genesis, and ability was given us to +preach the Gospel of life and salvation. All hearts seemed touched, and +our own overflowed with gratitude. We may in truth say, Our Heavenly +Father has plucked our feet out of a horrible pit and out of the miry +clay, and set them upon a rock, and put a new song into our mouth, even +praise to his glorious name. On considering afterwards our situation, we +could not but behold the hand of a gracious Providence which had led us to +this spot; had we attempted to go by Corinth to Athens, we should [as they +afterwards learned] have been stopped by the waters, and have missed +seeing this interesting people; but from hence the way was passable, and +only four days' journey by land. +<p> +After dinner we walked through the village up to the rock. We came to a +fountain where several women were washing; one of them, a young-looking +person, suddenly left her companions, and with hasty step and entreating +air advanced towards us, as we supposed to ask something; but she bowed +her head almost to the ground, and then kissed our hands; after which she +withdrew in a cheerful and diffident manner. The reason of this salutation +was, that the young woman had lately been married, and it was customary +for the last bride of the village to kiss the hands of strangers. +<p> +The temple of Apollo once occupied nearly half an acre of ground: a great +many of its marble pillars are still to be seen, half buried by the +plough, and corn growing over them. About a hundred yards from this temple +is the cave in the rock from whence the priestess pronounced the oracle. +Among the curiosities of this wonderful place, the tombs in the rocks are +not the least remarkable. They are built of the most beautiful white +marble; the entrance is by a large archway, and round the circle are +several recesses in the stone, one above another, where the dead had +evidently been deposited. They illustrate the history of the maniac +dwelling among the tombs (Mark v. 3.), for these caves formed a perfect +sort of house in which persons might dwell. +<p> +8<i>th</i>.--We were not able to leave Delphi on account of the high wind +with some rain. In the evening we again enjoyed our Scripture reading on +the hearth. We continued the book of Genesis, and our host inquired +whether those who died before the birth of the Saviour were lost. He was +informed they were saved through faith in the promise. He had supposed +they went into hell, and that when Christ came he released them. We asked +him if Enoch, who walked with God and was translated, could have been sent +to hell. Of this he knew nothing, never having read the Scriptures. +<p> +9<i>th</i>.--This morning we procured four mules and four men, and +proceeded on our pilgrimage towards Livadia, thirty-three miles from +Delphi. Our kind host recommended us to the special care of one of the +muleteers, who put his hand to his heart, and feelingly accepted the +trust. We were most of the day winding round Parnassus, whose height above +us was tremendous. The road was frightful; over rocks, waters, and swampy +ground; we could hardly have believed it possible to pass through the +places where our mules penetrated. The muleteer performed his trust +faithfully, rendering us all the assistance in his power. On parting we +presented him with some tracts; he could read, and was much gratified with +the gift. +<p> +At Livadia we were badly lodged, in a smokey room, and suffered much from +extreme fatigue; but we found ourselves with an interesting family, to +whom we read the Scriptures, seated with them on the floor; and we could +not but feel grateful to our Divine Master, for leading us among those who +were thirsting to receive the Holy Scriptures in a language they could +understand. +<p> +10<i>th</i>.--We travelled on horses through a comparatively flat country, +despoiled of all its verdure by the ruthless hand of war. The evening was +wet; we reached the once celebrated Thebes in the dark, and were glad to +take shelter in a smoky room, in the first house that could receive us. +The situation is fine, but the present town occupies only the part which +was the fortress of ancient Thebes. +<p> +11<i>th</i>.--This day we had much mountain country to pass through. Every +tree we could see was either partly burnt or partly cut away. Towards the +end of our day's travel we went through an immense wood, difficult of +passage, on leaving which the Gulf of Aegina appeared in view. We rested +for the night at a little settlement of Albanians near the coast. We +obtained shelter in the cottage of an old woman, who seemed a little +startled at the appearance of strangers, whose language she could not +understand. Concluding, however, that we had the common wants of nature, +and having no bread to offer us, she quickly prepared a little meal, made +a cake, and baked it on the hearth under the ashes. We made signs to be +furnished with a vessel in which we might prepare a little chocolate, our +frequent repast under such circumstances; and, at length, a very rough +homely-looking pitcher was produced; but the greater difficulty was to +find something in which to boil the milk and water. After waiting till +their own soup had been prepared, we obtained the use of the saucepan. +These difficulties overcome, we enjoyed our meal; and offered some to a +Greek woman who had walked beside our mules for the sake of company, on +her dreary journey to Athens; but she refused, with thanks, saying, I am +not sick; for the Greeks seldom take beverage of this sort, except when +they are indisposed. As the inmates of this homely cottage, as well as the +neighbors, who usually come in to see travellers of our uncommon +appearance, did not understand Greek, we were deprived of the opportunity +of reading the Holy Scriptures to them, or of conversing with them on the +subject of religion. All that we could do was to prepare for rest, of +which we stood in great need, having had a very fatiguing ride through the +woods to this place. The room in which we had taken shelter was also to be +our sleeping-place, in common with the old woman and her family and the +Greek traveller; in another part of the room were also a sheep and several +other animals. We swept as clean as we could a space in the neighborhood +of the quiet sheep, and spread what bedding we had upon the mud floor, +surrounding it with our baggage, except our carpet-bags, which served us +for pillows; and after commending ourselves and the household to the +protecting care of the great Shepherd of Israel, we obtained some +refreshing repose. (See <i>Eastern Customs</i>, pp. 17-19.) +<p> +12<i>th</i>.--We started with tired bones. After a pleasant ride of four +hours the Acropolis of Athens burst upon our view. The city is beautifully +situated in a plain bounded by mountains, and near to a rich grove of +olive-trees, which has been spared amid the ravages of war. I felt, says +John Yeardley, low and contemplative; many and various thoughts crowded +into my heart. Every foot we set in Greece, we Bee desolation. I can +scarcely believe that I am in the place where the great Apostle of the +Gentiles desired to know nothing but Christ crucified; and in sight of +Mars Hill, from which the same apostle preached to the Athenians the true +God. +<p> +We reached the only inn in the town, much worn by fatigue and bad +accommodation, yet very grateful for having been preserved from any +serious accident during our perilous journey, and under a precious sense +that it was in right ordering we persevered in coming to this place. +<p> +We introduced ourselves to the American missionaries, Hill and King, and +met with a hearty reception. The schools under their care are the most +gratifying sight we have seen. J. Hill and his wife have nearly 500 +children on their list. We were much pleased with the arrangements of the +schools: the classification is the best I have ever seen, and the children +exhibit intelligence and thirst for instruction. The effect of Scriptural +instruction on the minds of the Greek children is very gratifying. A young +girl whom the directors had taken into the school as an assistant teacher, +entered the family with a mind fortified in the superstitions taught in +her own church, observing scrupulously the feast and fast-days, the making +the sign of the cross before eating, and the kissing of pictures. The +mistress wisely avoided interfering with what the girl considered to be +her religious duties; but after she had attended the Scriptural reading +and the family worship for a short time, the light of divine truth broke +in upon her heart; and as she embraced the substance of the religion of +Jesus Christ, her attachment to the superstitious forms became gradually +weakened, until at length she left them altogether. The mistress one day +said to her, I observe you do not keep the fast-days, nor cross yourself +before eating, nor kiss the pictures. No, replied the child, I am +convinced that making the outward sign of the cross cannot purify the +heart from sin; and as to meat and drink, I read in the Scriptures, that +it is not that which goeth into the mouth that defiles the man. +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--Visited the schools under the direction of Jonas King, of +the Boston mission. He has an academy for young men, and a school for +mutual instruction, containing together 150. I think the mode of Scripture +lessons particularly efficient. The instruction given in the schools at +Athens seems more complete than in any we have visited during the journey. +J.K. has service in modern Greek three times on First-days, at which some +of the young men attend, along with other Greeks, but not many. +<p> +During our stay in this city we visited many Greek families, and +distributed among them religious tracts and portions of the Holy +Scriptures, and exhorted them to the observance of their religious duties, +often calling their attention to those points in which their own practices +are at variance with the doctrine of Holy Scripture. +<p> +The ancient ruins are exceedingly grand, and raise mingled feelings in the +heart not easily described, but tending to humble the pride of human +greatness. We saw the Temple of Theseus, the prison of Socrates, the +famous Temple of Minerva; but the spot that most nearly interested us was +Mars Hill, whose rocky mount was in view from lodgings, where we sat and +conversed together of the Apostle Paul preaching the true God; and in the +sweet stillness which covered our spirits, earnestly desired that the pure +Gospel might again be freely preached and received throughout this +interesting but desolated country. +<p> +There are not more than sixty really good houses built in the town; but, +including great and small, there may be 1500 dwellings. It is settled that +Athens shall be the seat of the Greek government; and the young king, +Otho, laid the foundation-stone of the new palace in his last visit to +this place. +<p> +18<i>th.</i>--Being anxious to get to Patras in time to sail by an English +packet to Corfu, we set off for the port. J. Hill met us, to see us embark +in a boat for Kalimichi. The Greek sailors have a superstition against +sailing at any time but in the night; but after being deceived by one +captain, we prevailed, on another to set sail [in the daytime], in the +full hope of reaching Kalimichi the same evening. A favorable gale wafted +us on for some time, but a slight storm coming on, the cowardly captain +ran us into a creek, and kept us tossing all the night in his open boat. +About eight o'clock the next morning we were favored to reach Kalimichi in +safety, where we procured mules and reached Corinth to dinner. +<p> +Here there are only a few houses standing in the midst of ruins. We took +up our abode at the only inn, from the windows of which we looked upon the +busy scene of a fair. Our hearts were not enlarged, as the great Apostle's +was; for our spirits were clothed with mourning in contemplating the +darkness of the place. Many persons to whom we spoke could not read; and +on offering a Testament to the man of the inn he refused to receive it. +<p> +We pursued our travels, and at mid-day met with a trying detention from +the muleteer having neglected to obtain a permission. We were at length +suffered to proceed, but arrived late at a miserable khan, where we passed +the night in a loft. This poor place could only furnish two mules and a +donkey, with a man to attend them; but we were encouraged to hope we +should find four horses about two hours further on; but here we were +disappointed, and could get no horses to proceed. We felt truly destitute, +and took refuge in a loft from the scorching rays of the sun. We had very +little food with us, and saw no probability of quitting our desolate abode +till the next day at any rate. Thus situated we were endeavoring to be +reconciled to our allotment, when most unexpectedly, about two o'clock, we +espied a small fishing-boat sailing towards Patras, and immediately ran +down to the shore, a considerable distance, to make signals to the +boat-man, and inquire whether he would convey us to Vostizza, a place +within a day's journey of Patras. We directly procured a mule to convey +our baggage to the shore, and descended by a very rough path to a creek +where the boat lay to. Here we were again detained by the guard making +great difficulty in allowing the boatman to take passengers without a +permit, which could only be obtained in the town, so strict and perplexing +are the regulations for travellers under the new government. However, +after detaining us an hour and causing us to lose most of the fair wind, +he suffered the man to take us. We sailed along pretty well for a time, +when the wind suddenly changed, and the boatman told us we could not get +to Vostizza that night, but added they would put us on shore where we +should be within an hour's walk of it, and that we could readily find a +mule to carry our baggage. This we gladly accepted, and were soon landed +and on our way. +<p> +Although sick and weary on board, we seemed to receive new strength for +our walk, and arrived at Vostizza at about eight o'clock. Here our +accommodation for the night was much like our former lodging; for this +large town has also been burned by the enemy, and presents a scene of +ruins. We engaged horses for the next day to convey us to Patras, and were +a little cheered with the prospect of being near that place of attraction. +The man of the house where we lodged could not read, but informed us there +was a school in the town of fifty boys. We saw a person in the next shop +writing, and offered him a Testament, which he very gratefully received, +and sent for the schoolmaster, who seemed much pleased with our offer to +send him books and lessons. We also gave books to several we met with, +who began eagerly to read them aloud, and soon obtained hearers, so that +it became a highly interesting scene: boys who received tracts from us +showed them to others, and numbers crowded about us, even to the lust +moment of our stay. If we had had a thousand books we could have disposed +of them. What a difference between this place and poor Corinth! +<p> +Our trying journey through Greece has given us an opportunity of judging +of the state of things, and I hope will enable us to relieve some of their +wants. It is cause of humble thankfulness to the Father of mercies that he +has preserved us in the midst of many dangers, and brought us in safety so +far back on our way with hearts filled with love and praise. +<p> +<p> +They arrived at Patras on the 22nd, but found that the English steamer had +sailed two days before. They employed the interval before the sailing of +another packet in establishing a girls' school, which was commenced soon +after their departure. At Corfu they received information of the opening +of the school, conveyed in a letter from the sister of the English consul +in the following encouraging terms:-- +<p> +<p> +I am sure you will be gratified to hear that the school which was +established by your benevolent exertions has been opened under the most +favorable auspices. The first day we had twenty-two girls; we have now +forty-eight. Nothing can exceed the eagerness shown by the children to be +admitted, and their parents seem equally anxious to send them; with very +few exceptions they come clean, and on the whole are attentive and well +behaved. Of the forty-eight there are only nine who can read. The little +Corfuot you recommended is first monitor, and of great use. +<p> +<p> +They reached Corfu on the 12th of the Fifth Month, and were kindly +accommodated at the office of the Commissary Ramsay. +<p> +<p> +Immediately on our arrival at Corfu, our young friend the Count Sardina +renewed his visits. We saw him almost daily; our conversations were often +truly spiritual; he opened his heart to us, and we rejoiced to believe +that he had attained to a degree of living faith in his Redeemer. +<p> +<p> +It will be recollected that their inability to collect the inhabitants in +a meeting for worship was a source of discouragement to John and Martha +Yeardley in their former visit to Corfu. Now, on revisiting this island, +they had the satisfaction of holding two meetings for worship with Isaac +Lowndes' congregation. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo.</i> 1.--Isaac Lowndes had now obtained leave to hold his meeting +for worship in the large school-room, and I felt at liberty to propose +having an opportunity to address the congregation. This he gladly +accepted, and gave notice of our intention. It was pretty well attended, +but not full; a good feeling prevailed. +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--We had another meeting with the little company who meet in +the school-room. The room was better filled than on the former occasion: +it was a precious season of divine favor; utterance was given to preach +the word, and I trust there were some into whose hearts it found entrance. +<p> +A few days before we left the island, I.L. took us to visit the Jewish +Rabbi, who, though full of argument, appears extremely dark and +bewildered, dwelling on mysterious words whose interpretation is confined +to the rabbinical office. He said they looked for a temporal king, who +should give a temporal kingdom to Israel. It was a truly painful visit, +and we left him with the desire that he might be instructed even out of +his own law, which, if properly understood, would prove as a schoolmaster +to bring him to Christ. +<p> +<p> +After spending about five weeks at Corfu on this second visit, they again +crossed the Adriatic to Ancona. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XIII. +<p> +<p> +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1833-4. +<p> +PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE. +<p> +Of the numerous letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from +England during this long journey, very few have been preserved. We shall +extract short passages from two which came to their hands not long before +they left the Islands. The first is from John Rowntree, and is dated the +13th of the First Month, 1834. +<p> +<p> +On my own account, and on behalf of the Friends of our Monthly Meeting, I +feel grateful for the information respecting your proceedings. There is +some difficulty in satisfying the eager anxiety of my friends to know all +that is to be known about your engagements, and I may truly say that the +kind interest which you feel about us is reciprocal. Often do I picture +you to myself, laboring in your Master's cause, receiving as +fellow-partakers of the same grace all whose hearts have been touched +with a sense of his love, who are hoping to experience salvation through +Him alone. +<p> +Our reading meetings are pretty well attended this winter. We have been +reading James Backhouse's journal: he was still engaged, when he sent the +last account of his proceedings, in Van Diemen's Land. Like you, he and +his companion rejoice at meeting with those to whom, although not exactly +agreeing with us in some respects, they can give the right hand of +fellowship as laborers under the same Master. Like you, too, they devote +considerable attention to the improvement of schools, and the improvement +of the temporal condition of the poorer classes among whom they labor. +<p> +<p> +In a letter from William Allen, written the 31st of the Third Month, occur +the following words of encouragement:-- +<p> +<p> +I have heard, through letters to your relations and others, that you have +been much discouraged at not finding a more ready entrance for your gospel +message; but really, considering the darkness; the sensuality, and the +superstition of the people in those parts, we must not calculate upon much +in the beginning. If here and there one or two are awakened and +enlightened, they may be like seed sown, and in the Divine Hand become +instruments for the gathering of others. Should you be made the means of +accomplishing this, in only a very few instances, it will be worth all +your trials and sufferings. And again, you must consider that, in the +performance of your duty, seed may be sown even <i>unknown by you</i>, +which may take root, and grow, and bring forth fruit to the praise of the +Great Husbandman, though you may never hear of it. Be encouraged +therefore, dear friends, to go on from day to day in simple reliance on +your Divine Master, without undue anxiety for consequences; for depend +upon it, when he has no more work for you to do, he will make you sensible +of a release. +<p> +<p> +The passage to Ancona was tedious. +<p> +<p> +We embarked at noon, and had a long passage to Ancona of twelve days. We +landed on the 29th, and soon found ourselves occupying an empty room in +the Lazaretto, without even the accommodation of a shelf or closet. The +term of quarantine is fourteen days, but four days are remitted by the +Pope. The heat is oppressive, and the mosquitoes annoy us much, but we are +preserved in a tolerable degree of health; and in taking a review of our +visit to Greece and the Ionian Islands, we are still sensible of a very +peaceful feeling, under a belief that we have followed the pointings of +the Great Master, and a hope that the day is not far distant when the way +will be more fully opened in those countries to receive the gospel. The +preaching of John in the wilderness has often appeared to us to be +applicable to this people,--Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. +<p> +7 <i>mo.</i> 6.--We left Ancona, and took the route through Foligno and +Arezzo to Florence. That part of the Pope's dominions through which we +have passed is highly picturesque; hill and dale continually, and the +whole country cultivated absolutely like a garden. Most of the towns are +on the hills, and nothing can exceed the beauty of their situation. But as +to vital religion, the spirit of those who desire the promotion of the +Redeemer's kingdom, on the broad and sound basis of common Christianity, +must be clothed with mourning in passing through this superstitious and +illiberal country. What we have seen of Tuscany is not so fine, but the +appearance of the peasants is much superior. The inns are much more +agreeable than we found them on the road from Geneva to Ancona. +<p> +We arrived at Florence on the 10th. The persons to whom we had +recommendations were absent, on account of the heat of the season, except +the Abbot Valiani, a spiritually-minded man, who showed us great kindness. +He has refused many advantageous offers of promotion, choosing to be +content with a little, rather than to be hampered with fetters which I +believe he thinks unscriptural, and not for the good of the Church; he is +of the opinion that it would be better for the common people to have the +Bible, and to be more acquainted with its contents. He conducted us to see +the School for Mutual Instruction, founded under the patronage of the +Grand Duke, about twelve years ago. The school-room is very large, airy, +and well lighted; it was formerly a convent. The system of education +differs a little from that practiced in England; but the children, about +240 in number, are apparently under an efficient course of instruction and +discipline. The younger boys have a string put round the neck, which +confines them to the place during the lesson, but I observed it did not +confine their attention. We were much pleased with the countenance and +manners of the director, the Abbot Luigi Brocciolini; his heart appears to +be in his work, which is by no means easy. +<p> +We left Florence early on the 13th, and had four days' hard travelling to +Genoa. From Sestri to Genoa, a day's journey, is by the sea, and under the +mountains, some of them of a tremendous height, and beautifully covered +with olives, vines, and figs: the houses hang quite on the sides of the +mountains amidst the olives; I do not remember to have passed through any +country equally picturesque. +<p> +We had packed as many books and tracts as we well could in our wardrobe +trunks, which were not once opened at the different custom-houses, but the +surplus tracts, &c., we were obliged to put into a spare box by +themselves, and this box was not suffered to pass the frontier of +Sardinia. The first officer was embarrassed, not knowing how to act, and +sent a gendarme with us to the bureau of Sarzana, the next town. The +officer there was remarkably civil, but told us the law is such that books +cannot enter except on conditions to which we could not in our conscience +submit. We therefore left them in the bureau, desiring that they might be +made useful: a person in the office said, in a half-whisper, These are the +books to turn the people's heads. We were glad this loss did not prevent +us from distributing others out of our remaining store, at the inns, and +pretty freely on the road. +<p> +<p> +Their object in returning by Genoa was to visit the valleys of Piedmont. +They reached Turin on the 19th, and proceeded on the 22nd to Pignerol. +From this place they visited most of the valleys, went into all the +families where Stephen Grellet had been, and had frequent religious +conversation with the pastors and some of the people. +<p> +<p> +We spent, says J.Y., five days amongst them. The old pastor Best died soon +after the time that Stephen Grellet was there. We met his son, lately +appointed chaplain to the Protestant congregation at Turin. He is a young +man of talent, lively and intelligent, and desirous of being useful in his +new sphere of action. He came to us often at our little inn, and made many +inquiries as to the nature of our religious principles; our conversation +mostly turned on the necessity of the assistance of the Holy Spirit in the +exercise of Christian ministry. This he fully admitted, but was not +prepared to dispense with the necessity of an academical preparation. I +fear that sending the young men to Geneva for this purpose has not always +had a salutary effect. +<p> +We thought it right to attend their worship on First-day morning at La +Tour. The congregation consisted of about 900 clean and well-dressed +peasants, many of whose countenances looked serious. The short discourse +of Pastor Peyron was orthodox, and the application impressive and edifying. +He afterwards dined and spent the afternoon with us at the widow Best's, +with several branches of her interesting and pious family. I humbly trust +this day was spent to mutual comfort. +<p> +<p> +They were disappointed to find that strangers were forbidden by law to +hold public meetings, or preach in the assemblies of the Protestants; and +although they met with many pious individuals, they thought the life of +religion on the whole at a low ebb, and deplored the prevalence of the +forms and ceremonies used by the Church, of England. The schools, too, +they found to be in a very poor state; the masters deficient in education +and badly paid, and the schools conducted without system. The ministers +showed them great kindness, and on their quitting La Tour, Pastor Best +encouraged them by the expression of satisfaction with their visit. They +returned to Turin on the 28th. +<p> +Passing over Mont Cenis, they directed their course to Geneva, where they +arrived on the 3rd of the Eighth Month, rejoiced to be once more on the +English side of the Alps. On their outward journey their sojourn in this +city had been short, but now they found it needful to make a longer visit, +and were thankful in being permitted to mingle again in intimate communion +with those who understood the language of the Spirit. They paid and +received many visits, and held two religious meetings at their hotel, at +the latter of which about fifty persons were present. +<p> +One of the most interesting occasions of which they speak was a Missionary +Meeting, in which the minister Olivier unfolded his experience of a divine +call to leave his country, and go abroad on the service of the gospel. The +voice which he described as having been sounded in his spiritual ear, and +the manner in which he received it, must have struck John Yeardley as +singularly in accordance with the call to a similar service which he +himself had heard so distinctly in his younger days, and which, like +Olivier, he had for a long time hidden in his heart. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 4.--In the evening I attended the Missionary Meeting in the +Chapel de l'Oratoire. Pastor Merle [d'Aubigné] opened the meeting by a +short prayer, and singing, and then gave a narrative of the liberation of +the slaves in the English colonies, according to the account received from +England. Pastor Olivier, from Lausanne, was present. He is about to depart +for Lower Canada, and he spoke in a very touching manner of the way in +which the mission had first opened on his own mind. When the concern was +made known in his heart, he kept it there in secret prayer to the Lord for +direction, and whenever he heard what he believed to be the same voice, it +was always--Go, and the Lord will go with thee. A real unction attended +while he gave us this account; the way in which he spoke of it resembled +the manner of one of our Friends laying a concern before a meeting: many +hearts present felt the force of his words. His exhortation to the young +persons was excellent. Pastor Gaussen concluded the meeting with an +address and lively prayer. +<p> +<p> +Among the friends with whom they had religious intercourse were Pastors +L'Huillier, Gallon, and Molinier. The last was a "father in the church" to +them. After some conversation on the state of religion in Geneva, he +proposed their sitting awhile in silence, well knowing the practice of the +Society of Friends in this respect. John and Martha Yeardley had each a +gospel message to deliver to him, after which he took them both by the +hand, and offered up prayer for their preservation and the prosperity of +the Society to which they belonged. "It was," says J.Y., "the effusion of +the Holy Spirit, accompanied with power, and refreshed our spirits." +<p> +With Pastor Gallon John Yeardley had a long conversation on the principles +and operations of the Société Evangelique. +<p> +<p> +I find them, he says, more liberal in their views than had been +represented, and their extent of usefulness is already considerable. In +their Academy they instruct young men with a view to their becoming +ministers, missionaries, school-masters, &c., as the prospect for their +future usefulness may open under the direction of Divine Providence. In a +place like Geneva, such an institution may be well: while we regard it +with some caution lest it should run too high on points of doctrine, we +cannot but hail with peculiar satisfaction such a favorable opportunity of +educating young men in the sound principles of Christianity, that they may +happily prove instruments in the Divine Hand to check the spread of +infidelity. +<p> +<p> +From Geneva they went to Lausanne. Their old friend, Professor Gaudin, +took them to see several pastors, and other pious persons, and on +First-day, the 17th, he and his family, with some other serious-minded +individuals, joined them in their hour of worship at the inn. +<p> +<p> +It was, says J.Y., a time of a little encouragement to our tried minds, +for we had been brought into doubt as to the utility of resting here, +although we had seen, as we believed, in the true light, that we ought to +seek out a few who could unite with us in our simple way. +<p> +<p> +On the 18th they went on to Neufchâtel, where they were received as before +with much affection, and where they proposed to settle down for the +winter, after making a tour in some neighboring parts of Switzerland. +<p> +On the 20th they went to Berne, and hired a lodging, for the purpose of +devoting themselves to religious intercourse with persons of the +<i>interior</i> class. As soon as it was known they had arrived, their +acquaintance rapidly increased, and they found it difficult to receive all +who came. One of their first acts was to renew their intercourse with the +Combe family at Wabern, where their visit in 1828 had left a sweet +remembrance. +<p> +They spent a fortnight in Berne and the neighborhood, and some passages +from John Yeardley's account of this interesting visit may properly find a +place here. The continual flow of Christian sympathy which it was now +their happiness to experience, formed a strong contrast to the dreary +spiritual wastes they had traversed in Italy and Greece. It was at this +time that they contracted or renewed a friendship with Sophie +Würstemberger, since well known to many other English Friends. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 24.--How greatly I feel humbled under the prospect before us +in this place; many thirsting souls are looking to us for help, and we +feel poor and weak; we can only direct them to Him from whom all strength +comes. O my Saviour, forsake us not in this trying hour; give us the +consolation of thy Holy Spirit, and a portion of strength to do thy will! +Our meeting is appointed for this evening; enlighten our understanding, O +Lord, that we may be enabled to instruct the people in the right way. +<p> +25<i>th</i>.--More came to the meeting last evening than we expected. They +were still, and a good feeling prevailed; there were those present who +knew something of inward retirement with their Saviour. +<p> +Madame Combe called yesterday to ask some questions on the Supper and +Baptism. I believe it would be an advantage to these pious people, if they +were to read and compare one part of the Scripture with another more +diligently. She left us well satisfied with the explanation given to her +questions. We never touch on these points, unless we are asked questions +upon them. +<p> +The various visits received this day have closed with one of no common +interest from Dr. Karl Bouterwek, a young man from Prussia. He told as he +had received much benefit in the church of the Dissidents, but was on the +point of separating from them, because he could not agree in acknowledging +they were the <i>only true</i> visible church. After some observations on +the Supper, &c., we observed that there were individuals in this place +whom the Most High was calling into more spirituality and purity of +worship. He asked why we thought so. Our reasons were given, and he made +no reply; but a most solemn and precious silence came over us, which it +was beyond our power to break by uttering words. Our hearts were filled +with love, and the dear young man went away to avoid showing the feelings +of his heart by the shedding of tears. +<p> +28<i>th</i>.--Took tea at the Pavilion, a pleasant country walk of twenty +minutes from town, with Mad'e de Watteville and her daughter. She had +invited a number of friends to meet us. We passed a couple of hours, +pleasantly conversing, mostly on religious subjects. It is a little +extraordinary, with what openness some of these dear people speak to us of +the state of their minds. When the circle was seated, we formed a pretty +large company. The daughter of Mad'e de W. whispered to my M.Y., Are we +too dissipated to have something good? We told her it was always good to +endeavor to retire before the Lord in humility of soul. I trust a parting +blessing was felt amongst us. +<p> +30<i>th</i>.--From 9 o'clock till half-past 12, we received visits in +succession, I think not fewer than fifteen. At half-past 2, Mad'e de Tavel +accompanied us to the Penitentiary prison. For cleanliness and order, I +think, it exceeds all I ever saw of the kind. I fear the religious +instruction is very superficial; none but formal prayers and written +sermons are used. +<p> +31<i>st</i>.--Attended Mad'lle Berthom's Scripture class, at the +Institution for the Destitute. There are eighteen girls in the house to +bed and hoard; it has been established about six years. M.B.'s method of +examining the children is the most simple and spiritual of any that I have +seen; she has an extraordinary gift for the purpose. +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 2.--Attended the Monthly Meeting in the missionary room. Many +of the company were peasants from some distance. The singing excepted, it +resembled a Monthly Meeting for worship in our Society; for all had +liberty to speak one after the other, five or six speaking by way of +testimony: the doctrine was sound, and the way in which they coupled this +with their Christian experience was really excellent. I had much unity +with the concluding prayer by Pastor Merley. +<p> +2<i>nd</i>.--The evening was spent at Mad'e W.'s, with a pretty large +company. ---- proposed for a few verses to be sung; afterwards he read a +chapter, and gave a long exposition, somewhat dry. When this and a prayer +were gone through, it was late; neither my M.Y., nor myself, were able to +express what was on our minds. Some uneasiness and disappointment were +expressed by several; and two of these dear friends came to our lodgings +the next day, with whom we had a precious time. My M.Y. had to speak a few +words to the particular state of M.B., and at the close she acknowledged, +in brokenness of spirit, that it was the truth. +<p> +There is a remarkable awakening in the town and canton of Berne, both +among those of the higher walks of life and the peasants; but there is not +strength enough to come out of the forms. There are thirty females to one +man among those who are lately become serious. +<p> +<p> +From Berne, J. and M.Y. proceeded to Zurich, arriving there on the 5th of +the Ninth Month. They spent three days in the city, chiefly in the company +of the Gessner-Lavater family, and renewed with the various members of it +the intimate friendship of former years. A short passage descriptive of +this sojourn is hero appended. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 7.--We attended the worship of the National Church, and heard +the pious Gessner. What he said was excellent, but I never enter these +places without feeling regret that good Christians can be so bound by +book-worship; it certainly damps the life of religion in the assemblies. +How much we ought to rejoice in being delivered from the forms. +<p> +I was instructed yesterday evening by hearing a reply of one of the first +missionaries of the Moravians [?]. He had labored diligently for +twenty-five years, and when asked how many souls had been turned to the +Lord by his means, he modestly answered, Seven. The person expressing +surprise at the smallness of the number in so many years, he replied, How +happy shall I be to stand in the Lord's presence at the last day, and to +say, Lord, here am I and the seven children whom thou hast given me. We +ought to labor in faith, and not expect to see fruit. +<p> +<p> +The next town where they halted was Schaffhausen, like Zurich, dear to +them in the recollections of past visits. Here they examined the school +for poor children in the town, and that of Buch in the neighborhood. They +were delighted with both these institutions. The mistress of the former +possessed an extraordinary natural talent for her office; she was +originally a servant, when, instead of seeking her own pleasure on the +First-days of the week, as other servants did, she would take a few +children to teach them to read and instruct them in the Bible. Their visit +to the school at Buch is described by John Yeardley in No. 10 of his +Series of Tracts, <i>The Six Secrets</i>. +<p> +On the 13th they went to Basle, where they conversed with most of the +pastors, and several other individuals of religious character. +<p> +<p> +Serious, retired persons, says John Yeardley (9 mo. 21), frequently come +to us and open the state of their minds with great freedom and confidence. +If we are of any use to their thirsty souls, it is the Saviour's love that +draws us into sympathy with them, and his good Spirit that enables us to +speak a word in season to their condition. +<p> +<p> +As usual, they visited the Mission House. Inspector Blumhardt informed +them that the translation which had been made of J.J. Gurney's "Essays on +Christianity," and of which 2000 copies were printed, had been productive +of great good; they had been distributed chiefly among those who were +connected with the German universities. +<p> +They remained at Basle until the 1st of the Tenth Month, and then returned +by way of Berne to Neufchâtel. At Berne a sudden diversion was given to +the current of their thoughts by the intelligence of the death of Thomas +Yeardley. J.Y. has left a memorandum of the occurrence, and of the +singular foreshadowing of it upon his own mind which took place at Zurich. +<p> +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 2. <i>Berne</i>.--We found many letters from England waiting +for us here, one of which, from my nephew John Yeardley, brought the +sorrowful intelligence of the sudden and unexpected removal of my +dearly-beloved brother Thomas, of Ecclesfield Mill. This took place on the +6th of the Ninth Month, about 20 minutes past 2, without sigh or groan, +even as a lamb. These are the expressions of J.Y.; he adds several sweet +expressions of my precious brother's, which show that the solemn change to +him was a joyful one: and I do believe his tribulated spirit is now at +rest. On recurring to the 6th ultimo to see where we were, and what were +the contemplations of my mind, I find we were at Zurich. That morning the +following lines which I heard when a child, and had not repeated for the +last twenty years, came forcibly into my mind:-- +<blockquote> + It's almost done, it's almost o'er,<br> + We're joining them that are gone before;<br> + We soon shall meet upon that shore<br> + Where we shall meet to part no more.<br> +</blockquote> +I not only repeated them to myself the whole of the day, but even sung +them aloud so often that my dear M.Y. said to me, "Whatever can be the +meaning that thou so often repeats these lines?" I replied, "I do not know +that I have repeated them for the last twenty years, but to-day they are +continually with me." This can have been nothing but the spirit of +sympathy with the soul of my dear departing brother, for the awful +impression of sorrow and solemnity in my mind on that day will never be +forgotten; I mourned with the bereaved family without knowing it. My M.Y. +had opened her portfolio to begin a letter to our sister Rachel, and I +wrote the verse on a piece of loose paper, and she slipped it into her +papers, and said to herself, Surely these lines are not prophetic of +something that is going to happen? Last evening she handed me out of her +portfolio the piece of paper containing the lines. +<p> +<p> +At Berne they received also the tidings that "the excellent" M.A. Calame +was no more; the Christian mother of 250 orphan children was taken from +the scene of her labors and the conflicts of time to the heavenly rest in +her Saviour. The following appear to be among the last words which she +wrote; they were no doubt addressed to her faithful companion Zimmerlin:-- +<p> +<p> +In my numerous shortcomings I have enough constantly to humble me, and +without being surprised at it, since evil is my heritage; but my help is +in the Lord, who delights in mercy. I have hope also for all my brethren +whom I love, whatever name they hear. There are twelve gates by which to +enter into the Holy City, and if they have passed through the great gate, +which is Christ, I am sure that those who enter from the east, as well as +those who have been brought in by the west, will be there; but those who +enter with me are better known to me than the rest whom I shall meet in +that celestial Jerusalem, whither my sighs daily carry me, yet in +submission to the heavenly decrees, desiring only that the will of God our +Saviour be done. +<p> +You think my task is light? Ah, no! the love which the Lord has given me +spends itself on so many hearts closed to their true interests; I see the +hand of the enemy in their souls; I am so often deceived in my hopes, that +my work is watered by my tears. From time to time, however, the Lord gives +me hope; a soul awakes from sleep, and is kindled into light by the torch +of the gospel. +<p> +And now, dear sister, have no longer any esteem or consideration for me; +only let the love of Christ live in thy heart for me: the desires of my +heart carry you with it to the feet of Him who is Love. +<p> +<p> +When they returned home, John and Martha Yeardley printed a short memoir +of this extraordinary woman, whose name, though comparatively little known +upon earth, is doubtless enshrined in the hearts of many who still +survive, and shall one day shine with a lustre which the most brilliant of +her sex, whose ambition it is to adorn the court, the concert or the +drawing-room, will desire in vain to wear. +<p> +At Berne J. and M.Y. commenced a Bible class, similar in kind to the +Scarborough reunion, which was continued until their departure, and was +the source of much pleasure and profit to those who attended. Before +quitting Berne, thinking it might perhaps be the last opportunity they +should have of meeting with their numerous and beloved friends in that +city, they invited them to join them in worship in their apartment. +<p> +<p> +Many, says John Yeardley, gave us their company; much tenderness of spirit +was felt, and through the mercy of Divine Love many present were, I trust, +comforted and refreshed. +<p> +We quitted Berne on the 30th. We had become so affectionately attached to +many Christian friends, that parting from them was severely felt. But what +happiness Christians enjoy even in this world I those who love the Saviour +remain united in Him when outwardly separated. +<p> +<p> +Neufchâtel, for the sake of those who resided there, was equally +attractive to them as Berne. +<p> +<p> +We arrived at Neufchfâtel, writes John Yeardley, on Fifth-day, and on +Seventh-day (11 mo. I) settled into a comfortable lodging on the border of +the lake. It feels to us the most like home of any residence we have had +during our pilgrimage in foreign lands. Our suite of cottage-rooms runs +alongside the water, with a gallery in front, and the little boats on the +lake, and the mountains in the distance, covered with snow, are objects +pleasing to the eye. What gives us the most satisfaction is the feeling of +being in our right place, and to meet with such a warm reception from our +dear friends. +<p> +<p> +This feeling was succeeded by some religious service of an interesting +character, in reviewing which John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +23<i>rd</i>.--Among those who meet with us, a little few know how to +appreciate true silence, others are not come to this. But for what purpose +are we here? If it may please our Heavenly Father to make use of us as +feeble instruments of drawing a single individual into nearer communion +with the Beloved of souls, we ought to be content; and, blessed be his +Holy Name, his presence is often felt in our hearts. +<p> +<p> +As has been already said, they looked forward to spending the winter at +Neufchâtel. This intention, and their ulterior project of visiting Germany +in the spring, were frustrated by the alarming illness of Adey Bellamy +Savory, Martha Yeardley's only brother, the news of which reached them on +the 29th of the Eleventh Month. +<p> +<p> +This day's post, writes John Yeardley, brought us the sorrowful news of +the severe illness of our dear brother A.B. Savory. The family at +Stamford-hill have expressed a strong desire for us to return, if we could +feel easy so to do, and seeing that we have pretty much got through what +we had in prospect in Switzerland, we are, on the whole, most comfortable +to go direct for London, and leave Germany for the present. Our great +Master is very gracious to us, giving us to feel sweet peace in the +termination of our labors, and to look forward with hope to seeing our +native land once more. +<p> +<p> +The next day was First-day; the parting with their Neufchâtel friends was +very affecting. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>. 30.--A precious meeting this morning. The presence of Him +who died for us was near, to help and comfort us; our hearts were much +tendered by his divine love. The taking leave of our dear friends here was +almost heartrending. There is a precious seed in this place, which I +trust, is a little deeper rooted since our last visit, and it is the +prayer of my heart, that the Saviour may water and watch over it, and that +it may produce abundance of fruit to his praise. +<p> +<p> +They took their departure on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, and arrived in +London on the 13th, travelling through the north of France twelve days and +six nights. +<p> +<p> +Through divine mercy we arrived safe in London, on Seventh-day evening, +and lodged with our beloved relations at Highbury, who received us with +all possible affection. Our spirits on meeting, mingled in silent sorrow, +while we were enabled to rejoice in God our Saviour. On First-day morning +we went over to Stamford-hill, and soon were introduced to our beloved +brother, who was perfectly sensible, but extremely weak. The peace and +serenity which we were favored to feel by him was an inexpressible comfort +to our sorrowful hearts. +<p> +<p> +A.B. Savory died the next Third-day evening, and his remains were interred +on the First-day following. +<p> +<p> +21<i>st</i>.--This was the day fixed for the solemn occasion of +accompanying the remains to the tomb. The body was taken into the +meeting-house at Newington, and the company of mourners and all present +were, I believe, comforted and edified through the tender mercies of our +Heavenly Father. J.J. Gurney's communication was particularly precious; he +also paid a consoling visit to the family after dinner. +<p> +<p> +We shall conclude this chapter with some reflections made by John +Yeardley, on reviewing the changes which death had produced in the circle +of his relations:-- +<p> +<p> +1835. 1 <i>mo</i>. 31.--Waking this morning, I took a view of the great +ravages death had made in our families; when this exhortation pressed +suddenly and with peculiar force on my heart,--Be thou also ready. My soul +responded, Thou Lord, alone, canst make me ready. O gracious Saviour, who +died for me, be pleased to redeem me from the bond of corruption, and +purify my heart from earthly things. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XIV. +<p> +<p> +FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, IN 1834, TO THE +COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH, IN 1842. +<p> +During the seven years comprised in this chapter, the materials which +exist for delineating John and Martha Yeardley's history are meagre. Of +the numerous journeys which they made in the course of this period, the +record kept by the former frequently consists of a mere itinerary. +<p> +After attending the Leeds Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month, they +returned to their home at Scarborough, but soon left it again to be +present at the Yearly Meeting in London. The Society of Friends began +about this time to be agitated by differences of opinion, chiefly on +points of doctrine. John Yeardley not only kept himself sedulously free +from the spirit of party, but, whether from a natural aversion to public +life, or from the fear of exceeding the limit of his own calling and +abilities, he abstained from taking a prominent position, and left it very +much to others to sway the affairs of the Church. But he was not unmindful +of the dangers by which the Society was assailed, and he bent the force of +his mental vigor and Christian experience towards the promotion of +individual growth in grace and faithfulness to the divine call, and the +diffusion of clear and comprehensive views of Scriptural truth; and when +the hour came for sympathising with those who were harassed by doubts, or +such as were subjected to trial by the effect of religious dissension, he +was ready, with his beloved partner, to share the burden of the afflicted, +to probe the wounds of those who had been bruised, and to pour in the oil +of heavenly consolation. +<p> +His note regarding the Yearly Meeting is short:-- +<p> +<p> +The business was of a most important nature, and sometimes very trying. We +had strong proof that many spirits professing to have made long progress +in the Christian life were not enough subdued by the humbling power of +divine grace; but through all, I trust, our heavenly Father dealt with us +in mercy, and sent help and wisdom to direct and strengthen his poor +tribulated children. +<p> +<p> +On returning to Scarborough, he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +I humbly trust our hearts are truly grateful to the Author of all our +mercies, who has granted us once more a little rest of body and sweet +peace of mind; but, as it regards myself, I must say that inward poverty +has prevailed more since my return home than it has done for the last two +years of absence. It is well to know how to suffer want, as well as to +abound. +<p> +<p> +Want of occupation was not one of John Yeardley's trials, even when +"standing," as he expressed it, "free from any prospect of immediate +service, and feeling much as a vessel not likely to be brought into use +again." Scriptural inquiry, the study of languages, and of the history of +the Church, watching the progress of religious light and liberty on the +Continent of Europe, his garden, the binding of his books--these were the +employments of his industrious leisure. To these must be added the time +bestowed on several small publications from his own and his wife's pen +(the latter chiefly poetical), of which the "Eastern Customs," a volume +which was the product of their united labor, and the materials for which +were supplied by their journey to Greece, is the best known. +<p> +But there was another object which drew largely on John Yeardley's time +during his residence at Scarborough. This was the unsectarian schools +established in the town for the education of the industrial classes. Of +these the Lancasterian School for girls was his favorite, and the deep and +steady interest which he manifested for the improvement of the children, +as well as the peculiar talent which he evinced for attracting and +developing the youthful mind, are shown in an affectionate tribute to his +memory by the late mistress of the school:-- +<p> +<p> +For many years he was a visitor at our Lancasterian School, where it was +his delight to impart knowledge to a numerous class of girls. He had a +happy method of communicating information. The children used to listen +with the greatest attention and delight; they never wearied of his +lessons. Scriptural instruction was his first object; the children were +questioned on what they had read, and it was delightful to watch their +countenances whilst he explained portions of Scripture, which he +frequently illustrated by the manners and customs of Eastern nations; and +this he did in a way that rendered his teaching valuable, as he did not +fail to make an impression and gain the affections of his hearers. +<p> +One little girl we had whom he used to call the <i>oracle</i>; and indeed +she was not inappropriately so-called; for whenever any of the girls were +at a loss for an answer, they invariably turned to her, and seldom failed +to receive a response to their silent appeal. This gifted child died +between the ages of sixteen and eighteen; he was a frequent visitor at her +bedside during a lingering illness, and it was his privilege to see that +his labors had not been in vain. +<p> +I shall <i>never</i> forget him, not only for the important instruction I +derived from him, but also for his valuable assistance. During my labors +of more than twenty-five years, I had none to help me as he did. When at +home he never failed to visit as every afternoon: no matter what the state +of the weather was--snow, wind or rain--he was to be seen at half-past +two, with his large cape folded round him, bending before the blast, +toiling up the hill near the school. So accustomed were we to him that his +coming was deemed a matter of course. +<p> +After our Scripture lesson a portion of time was devoted to geography, +particularly Bible geography; then he would talk to them of places where +he had travelled: his descriptions of the Ionian Islands, the people and +the schools he had visited there, used to be a favorite theme, and very +interesting. In this way our afternoons were passed, and truly they were +times of profitable instruction. +<p> +He seemed to care less for the boys' school; he did occasionally visit +them, but the girls were his pets. I have sometimes thought his knowledge +of the ignorant and degraded state of the females in Greece was the cause +of his taking so much interest in the education of the females in his own +land. +<p> +In addition to J. Yeardley's labors at the Lancasterian School, some of +the older girls and a few others who belonged to the school assembled at +his house one evening in the week, whom he instructed in reading and +Scriptural knowledge. Some of these still speak with gratitude of the +benefit they then received. +<p> +<p> +In the Ninth Month of 1835, John and Martha Yeardley visited Settle +Monthly Meeting, and Knaresborough, under appointment of the Quarterly +Meeting. On their way thither they took up at York their aged and valued +friend Elizabeth Rowntree of Scarborough, who was on the appointment. +<p> +<p> +Her company, says J.Y., was a strength and comfort to us; she exercised +her gift as an elder in a very acceptable manner, in many of the families +we visited, as well as in the meetings for discipline. +<p> +<p> +This notice is succeeded almost immediately by the record of Elizabeth +Rowntree's sudden decease:-- +<p> +<p> +On the 25th of the Eleventh Month, we were introduced into deep affliction +by the sudden removal of our precious elder, E. Rowntree. Her dependence +for salvation was fixed on her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the +help of whose Spirit she had been enabled to lead a life of godliness and +of usefulness to her fellow-mortals, and was always concerned to give the +praise to Him to whom it was due,--the Lord of Lords. +<p> +<p> +This event, with the removal of another pilgrim to become an inhabitant of +the world of beatified spirits, and the pressing subject of the divisions +in the Society, form the topics of the following letter from Martha +Yeardley to Elizabeth Dudley:-- +<p> +<p> +Scarborough, 12 mo. 5, 1835. +<p> +During our long sojourn last spring, in and about my native city, my +spirit was deeply oppressed, nor did the conflicts endured appear to +produce much benefit either to myself or others. Here the way is more +open, and, although we also deeply feel the effects of the storm which has +been permitted to assail our little Society, we are more able to endure +it; and desire to abide in our tents, except when called upon to defend +that immediate teaching of the blessed Saviour, upon which we depend for +our little portion of daily bread. I can truly sympathise with thee, my +beloved Betsy, an having to bear more of the burden and heat of the day, +and I do fervently believe with thee, that the more, as individuals, we +commit and confide the cause to the Great Master, in humble prayer, the +sooner it will be extricated from the perplexities which now harass and +distress those who are truly devoted to it. +<p> +We have deeply to mourn for our endeared and highly valued E. Rowntree, +suddenly taken from us about ten days since. She and her sister R.S., from +Whitby, had spent the preceding evening with us; she was in usual health, +and sweetly cheerful, rejoicing that she had been enabled to assist dear +Sarah Squire in a family visit to Friends of this meeting, though she did +not sit with her in the families. I heard of her illness and hastened to +her; she appeared sensible but for a very few moments after having been +got to bed; yet was heard begging for patience under extreme agony; then +added, We had need live the life of the righteous, for it is an awful +thing to die. Then she suddenly sank into a slumber, and lay till a little +after nine at night, when her purified spirit was peacefully liberated. +<p> +We have got through Pontefract and some meetings in the neighborhood to +our comfort, and on the journey had an opportunity of sitting beside the +dying bed of dear Sarah Dent, which was indeed a peaceful scene. She was +perfectly sensible, and so animated that I could hardly give up hope of +her restoration. But she had not herself the least prospect of life, and +said that, although she had found it a hard struggle to give up her +husband and children, she had, through the mercy of her gracious Redeemer, +attained to perfect resignation. This was about a week before her death, +and we have heard since, that a little before the close, she said, The +Lord Jesus is near, I want you all to know that He is near indeed! +<p> +Dear Ann Priestman has united with us in visiting this Monthly Meeting: it +seems now best for us to remain at home for a short time, under the +bereavement which our own meeting has suffered. +<p> +<p> +In 1836 they again attended the Yearly Meeting; of which John Yeardley +thus speaks:-- +<p> +<p> +The Yearly Meeting was, I think, on the whole, satisfactory, much more so +than many Friends could look for, considering the discouraging +circumstances under which we came together. The main bent in all the +important deliberations on subjects of great moment to the well-being of +our small section of the universal church, was to adhere to the long-known +principles of the Society, and to turn aside the sentiments of opposing +individuals in the spirit of gentleness, forbearance and love. +<p> +<p> +They visited many meetings in going from and returning to Scarborough. The +most interesting of these visits was at Thame, in Oxfordshire, which John +Yeardley thus describes:-- +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo.</i> 14.--Went in the evening to Thame, and had a meeting with a +few who have met in the way of Friends for about five years at Grove End. +There are only seven or eight who meet regularly, but they are often +joined by a few others. No notice had been given to their neighbors of our +coming, but on seeing us go to the meeting many followed; the room was +quite filled, and a precious meeting it was. Their hearts are like ground +prepared for the good seed of the kingdom. The nature of spiritual worship +was pointed out, and testimony borne to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. +<p> +This little company reminded us of many such which we met with in foreign +countries, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. We had a good deal of +conversation with William Wheeler, who was one of the first to meet in +silence. He was a leader in the Wesleyan congregation, and became uneasy +with giving out hymns to be sung with those whose states he knew did not +correspond with the words. He would then sometimes select a hymn most +suited by its general character to the company; at other times he would +leave out a few verses, and select others which he thought might be sung +with truth by the whole congregation; but the thing became so burdensome +that he was obliged, for conscience' sake, to leave it altogether, and sit +down with a few others in silence. At first they met with opposition, and +even persecution, from persons who came to their meeting to disperse them. +On one of these occasions a few rude young men had banded together to +beset them the next meeting-day, and disperse them. W.W. was strongly +impressed that it was right for him to proclaim an awful warning to +some--that the judgments of the Almighty awaited them, that eternity was +nearer than they were aware and he wished them to consider and prepare for +it. One of the disturbers was taken suddenly ill, and died before the next +meeting-day; which produced such an effect on the others that they never +more molested the little company in their worship. +<p> +<p> +In reviewing this journey, J.Y. says, under date of the 25th of the Sixth +Month:-- +<p> +<p> +I trust my faith is afresh confirmed in the gift of the Holy Spirit to +lead in the way of religious duty, and to give strength to do His will. +Lord, grant that the remainder of my days, whether few or many, be +entirely devoted to the holy cause of endeavoring to promote the Saviour's +kingdom on earth. +<p> +<p> +In 1837, John and Martha Yeardley were occupied with making circuits in +the service of the gospel through several counties of England. They were +attracted to Lancashire, which they visited in the autumn, by the peculiar +state of some meetings in that county, an extensive secession having taken +place not long before. The difficulties which they had to encounter on +this journey are represented in a letter from Martha Yeardley to her +sisters, written at Manchester the 4th of the Ninth Month, 1837. +<p> +<p> +I do not recollect that, in my little experience, I ever had more +preparatory exercise of mind to pass through; and I believe it has been +the same with my dear J.Y. We have, however, in many of our visits, been +much comforted under the belief that those who remain firm in the +testimonies given us to bear are in a more lively state, and more banded +together, than has been the case heretofore, and that, through the mercy +of our holy Head and High Priest, there is a renewed visitation to many. +In the public meetings, of which we have had many, there has been a rather +remarkable openness to receive the truths of the gospel, united with our +view of the spirituality of this blessed dispensation. +<p> +We approached this place in deep prostration of spirit; and truly we feel +that all the previous baptism has been needful, in order to enable us in +any degree to perform our duty here. There has been a sore rending of the +tenderest ties, and the wounds are not yet healed. There are a few who +entertain ultra views, and their over-activity tends to keep up excitement +in those who are wavering and have not yet left the Society: this makes it +very difficult for moderate people to stand between them, and calls for +very deep indwelling with the blessed source of love. On the other hand +there are, I fear, very many who rejoice in the delusive suggestions of +our unwearied enemy--that the cross of Christ is not necessary--that they +may speak their own words and wear their own apparel, and still be called +by the name of Him who died for them. I think we never have had more to +suffer than in some of the meetings we have attended, from a disposition, +perhaps in some degree on both sides, to criticise ministry: still there +are, I believe, many precious individuals among the young and middle-aged +who are under the forming hand for usefulness. There is indeed a loud call +for laborers in this large and mixed meeting; and we are ready to weep +over the vacant seats of those who have deserted their post, and, I +greatly fear, are seeking to warm themselves and others with sparks of +their own kindling. +<p> +<p> +Another letter from M.Y., written at the conclusion of this journey, +supplies a few more traits of the Christian service into which they were +led in the course of it. +<p> +<p> +Scarborough, 10 mo. 7. +<p> +We remained nearly a month in our lodgings at Manchester, receiving and +paying visits, some of which were very interesting. Dear H. Stephenson and +family were extremely attentive, and her daughter Hannah was our constant +guide in that large place. We spent First-day at Rochdale, and in the +evening a large number of young Friends took tea with us, between thirty +and forty. This has mostly been the case on First-days, both at Manchester +and elsewhere, and these opportunities have tended to our relief. +<p> +After this we bade farewell to Lancashire, under feelings of thankfulness +which I cannot describe, for having been mercifully helped and preserved +through such a warfare. +<p> +<p> +In the autumn of 1839 they again travelled southwards, directing their +steps through the eastern counties of England, and London, Surrey, and +Hampshire, to the Isle of Wight, where they spent five weeks exploring its +coasts and corners, in search, not of the naturally picturesque, but of +the beautiful and hopeful in the moral and religious world. They returned +home by Bristol and Birmingham. +<p> +So attractive to their spirits was the Isle of Wight, that the next year +they repeated the visit, going thither after the Yearly Meeting. In the +Seventh Month they attended the Quarterly Meeting at Alton, and on their +return to Newport were accompanied by Elizabeth and Mary Dudley and +Margaret Pope. They remained in Newport and the vicinity several weeks, +during which time, amongst other engagements, they conducted a Scripture +class with some young persons three evenings a week. In a letter dated the +27th of the Sixth Month, J.Y. says:-- +<p> +<p> +My dear Martha feels deeply for the Unitarians in this place; we sometimes +think the way may open for us to help them a little. Their great +stumbling-stones are, the want of clearness in the mystery of the oneness +in the Godhead, and of faith in the practical influences of the Holy +Spirit, as operating on the heart of man. Our morning reading opens a +suitable door of communication for those whose curiosity prompts them to +seek our company. +<p> +<p> +In company with Elizabeth Dudley they hold several public meetings at +various places on the island. They have left no record of this service, +but we have a notice of the meeting at Porchfield, in a letter from E.D. +<p> +<p> +The meeting was very satisfactory, sweet and refreshing to our spirits. +The road was rough and hilly. We were behind time, and our friends being +punctual, the house looked full when we got there, though more followed, +until not only within but outside the walls there was a crowd of orderly, +attentive people. Many of them were happily acquainted with the power of +religion in their hearts, and prepared for spiritual worship. The assembly +was composed of various denominations from a straggling village and more +remote habitations. The chapel was built many years ago, by a pious man, +now above eighty years old, who was with us, and who enjoys to have the +place used by any who from love to Christ and the souls of men are +attracted to visit them. The simplicity and openness to be observed and +felt that evening was a comforting indication of freedom from party +spirit, and those vain disputations which in so many instances keep +Christians at a distance, and mar their individual peace as well as +usefulness. +<p> +<p> +Before they left Newport, they provided, with the help of several friends, +suitable accommodation for the little meeting of Friends in that town. On +taking leave of the island, which they did in the Eighth Month, John +Yeardley remarks:-- +<p> +<p> +We have had much comfort and satisfaction in our sojourn in this place: a +strong evidence is felt in our hearts that it has been ordered by the +Lord. We have cause to acknowledge that our labors have been owned by the +Divine Presence in our various exercise for the promotion of the Saviour's +kingdom. +<p> +<p> +In the spring of 1841 they repeated their visit to the Isle of Wight, +spent great part of the summer in religious service in Essex, and visited +afterwards Bristol, Bath, and other parts of Somersetshire. +<p> +At Bath they remained for some weeks. Soon after their arrival in the +city, they were introduced into sympathetic sorrow on account of the death +of John Rutter, whose guests they were, and who was suddenly removed, by +an accident, from time to eternity. This event is described in a letter +from John Yeardley to his sister R. S. +<p> +<p> +Bath, 9 mo. 24, 1841. +<p> +The affectionate family of the Rutters gave us a hearty reception, and we +remained under their hospitable roof until Second-day, when they were +plunged into deep distress by the awfully sudden removal of their beloved +father. He went out before breakfast, and called at his son's wharf. A +cart of coals being about to be weighed, he was leading the horse on to +the machine; the animal, being a little unruly, suddenly rushed forward +and pushed down J. R, and the wheel passed over his body. He was +immediately conveyed to his own shop, when the spark of life became +extinct, and he ceased to breathe, without apparent pain or emotion. We +were nearly ready to leave our room, about half-past 6. o'clock, when one +of the sons knocked at our door, and related the awful occurrence. I went +down immediately: the scene may be more easily imagined by you than +described by me. We endeavored to calm them as much as possible; and, +though deeply afflicted, they bear the stroke with sweet resignation. I +wrote letters at their request to most of their near relatives; and as we +could not think of leaving the sorrowing family to go as proposed to +Bristol, we immediately procured a lodging and settled in, in the evening. +<p> +On Third-day afternoon we went to the Quarterly Meeting at Bristol, and +returned to Bath on Fifth day, not wishing to be long absent from the dear +sorrowing ones. We have a pleasant situation on the hill-side, called +Sidney Lodge, from which, when the gas is lighted, the city is presented +to our view like a beautiful panorama. +<p> +<p> +Their minds had been for some time in preparation for renewing, on the +Continent of Europe, Christian intercourse with some of their old friends, +and for exploring new veins of religious life in countries which they had +not yet visited. Accordingly, in the Fourth Month of 1842, they acquainted +the Friends of their Monthly Meeting with the prospect of missionary +service which had opened before them, informing them that from the +conclusion of their last European journey they had believed it would one +day be required of them to re-enter that field of labor. The Monthly +Meeting accorded its full and sympathetic approbation, which was endorsed +by the Quarterly Meeting at a conference of men and women Friends, of +which John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +The great solemnity which prevailed was truly refreshing to our spirits, +and I believe to the spirits of many others. Our friends gave us their +full unity, <i>encouragement, sympathy,</i> and <i>prayers</i>. +<p> +<p> +Martha Yeardley thus expresses the feelings with which she contemplated +this arduous journey, in a letter to Josiah Forster:-- +<p> +<p> +It is indeed an awful engagement, now in the decline of life, and, with +respect to myself, under increasing infirmities; but I believe it best for +me not to look too far forward, but simply to confide in the mercy and +guidance of that blessed Saviour who has been our support and consolation +under many deep trials, humblingly believing that whether enabled to +accomplish the important prospect or not, it was an offering required at +our hands, and that we must leave the event to the Great Disposer of all +things. +<p> +<p> +In the same letter she mentions their having heard of the death of Louis +A. Majolier of Congenies, which, she says, although a cause of rejoicing +as it regards him, was read by us with mournful feelings, from the +recollection of his fatherly kindness in days that are past, and also from +renewed solicitude for the little flock in that country. +<p> +Before their departure they went once more into the West Riding, to see +how their brethren of J. Y.'s earliest acquaintance fared. They were +joined by William Dent of Marr, near Doncaster, with whom they were +"sweetly united in the fellowship of the gospel;" and they returned to +Scarborough with "grateful and peaceful hearts." +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XV. +<p> +<p> +THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1842-3. +<p> +In the journey which now lay before them, John and Martha Yeardley were +about to explore a part of Europe hitherto untried,--the province of +Languedoc, conspicuous in past ages for its superior enlightenment, but +now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in ignorance and +gloom. In this mission, the opportunities which they found for reviving +and gathering together the scattered embers of truth, were nearly confined +to social intercourse; in seeking occasions for which, they availed +themselves of introductions by pious Prostestants from place to place, +whilst they were careful, as had always been their practice, to wait, in +every successive step, for the direction of the Divine Finger. The mission +was performed in much weakness of body, and under frequent spiritual +poverty; yet it will be readily acknowledged that theirs was a favored +lot, to be able, with the clue of gospel love in their hand, to trace the +pathway of Christian truth, and the footsteps of true spiritual worship, +and of a faithful testimony for Christ, through the midst of a degenerate +and benighted land. +<p> +They went to London on the 2nd of the Eighth Month, and spent the time +before they sailed in gathering information and counsel for their +approaching journey, and in social visits. Speaking of one of these visits +(to their nephew J. S., at Clapton), John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +Before parting we had a religious opportunity, in which a word of +exhortation flowed in gospel love, and ability was granted to approach the +throne of mercy in solemn supplication. I often wish we were more faithful +in raising our hearts to the Lord before separating from our friends when +met on social occasions; a blessing might attend such simple offerings. +<p> +<p> +In a visit they paid to Thomas and Carolina Norton, the subject of +establishing a school for the children of Friends in the South of France +came under consideration; a project which, as we shall see, they were able +in their visit to that part of the country to carry into effect. +<p> +They left London on the 16th, and on the 19th arrived at Amiens, where +they halted for a few days. They found in this city a movement among the +Roman Catholics, a number of whom had joined the Protestant worship. The +Protestant Pastor, Cadoret, was very friendly to them; when he heard that +they belonged to the Society of Friends, he pressed John Yeardley's hand +and said, I am very glad to make your acquaintance; it is the first time I +have seen any of your Society, of whom I have heard much. +<p> +On the 20th J.Y. writes, in allusion to the spiritual darkness which so +generally covered the land of France;-- +<p> +<p> +My soul is cast down, but when I am afflicted because of the wickedness of +the people, I call to remembrance these words: "Fret not thyself because +of evil-doers. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the +land, and verily thou shalt be fed."--Psalm xxxvii. 1, 3. +<p> +<p> +A large number of workmen of various nations are employed at Amiens in +weaving. J. and M. Y, visited several of these in their cottages, and +before they left the city invited the people of this class to a meeting, +especially intended for their own countrymen, but open to all who were +willing to come. The meeting, says J. Y., was an occasion precious to our +souls; the Lord gave us ability to declare his word. I spoke in English +and my dear Martha in French. +<p> +At Paris, whither they proceeded on the 22nd, they were disappointed in +finding that the majority of the persons at whose houses they called were +in the country, and some with whom they had taken sweet counsel in former +years had been removed by death. Pastor Audebez was at home, and received +them with a cordial welcome. They were detained in Paris longer than they +had anticipated, by the illness of Martha Yeardley, and did not leave till +the 9th of the Ninth Month. The morning after they had entered Paris the +words of Job were brought to J. Y.'s recollection in a forcible +manner:--"Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath +preserved my spirit." (Job x. 12); and in going out of the city he was +refreshed with the joyful language of David,--"How excellent is thy +loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust +under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the +fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy +pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we +see light."--Psa. xxxvi. 7-9. +<p> +Some letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from England during +their sojourn in Paris show, the strong sympathy which accompanied them in +their journey, and contain, at the same time, references to events which +will be interesting to the reader. +<p> +<p> +South Grove, Peckham, 8 mo. 12, 1842. +<p> +Numbers vi. 24-27:--"The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his +face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his +countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name +upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them." To be pronounced by +Aaron the high, priest and his successors, as the type of Him by whom all +blessing and favor are bestowed on the church and her children. +<p> +The above portion of Holy Scripture, with the 121st Psalm, has been so +sweetly in my remembrance since parting with my beloved friends John +and Martha Yeardley, that, before retiring for the night, I transcribe the +words which convey, so much better than any language of my own, the +renewed and abiding desire under which they are committed to the care and +guidance of the Good Shepherd, in humble but confiding belief that he will +equally watch over, guard and keep, those who go and those who stay; +causing each, amidst all variety of circumstances, to realize the +soul-cheering truth, that, at the throne of grace, mercy is obtained and +grace to help in time of need. May the peace which passeth all +understanding keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, prays your +nearly-attached friend and sister, +<p> +E. DUDLEY. +<p> +THE SAME TO MARTHA YEARDLEY. +<p> +Peckham, 8 mo. 21, 1842. +<p> +While in the sick-chamber of my sister, instead of at meeting, it feels +pleasant to devote part of the evening to thee, my beloved friend. I have +enjoyed the thought of your having a good Sabbath at Paris, where, no +doubt, a sphere of duty will be found, and perhaps many exercises of faith +and patience attend the labor of love which may await you there; while, in +the spirit of true dedication and acquiescence so mercifully bestowed upon +you, no commandment will be counted grievous, nor any service for your +Lord too hard or painful. His words come sweetly to my mind as really the +portion of a brother and sister dear in the bond and power of an endless +life,--"Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they +hear." +<p> +Accounts from various parts of this land continue to indicate much +unsettlement, and there have been large companies of Chartists in the +immediate vicinity of London; but happily the civil power proved equal to +their dispersion. One would hope the abundant harvest, now ready to be +gathered, may turn the current of feeling, and induce the desire rather to +praise the Lord for his goodness, than to spend time and strength in +murmurings and disputings with their fellow-mortals. The destruction, not +only of property, but of life; in some recent contests, is quite +appalling, and we certainly live in very eventful times; the tendency, +however, both of the good and evil, is so obviously towards an increase of +light and knowledge, that it seems warrantable to expect <i>all</i> will +be overruled to better views and practices becoming more general, and the +kingdoms of this world being thankfully surrendered to the righteous +government of the Prince of Peace. But alas! deep and complicated may be +the sufferings yet behind for the church and her children to endure, +whether in being sharers in, or but the witnesses of, what is pronounced +upon the world of the ungodly. +<p> +FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. +<p> +Scarborough, 8 mo. 29, 1842. +<p> +The account of your proceedings at Amiens has been particularly +interesting to me. Whether manufacturing employments are unfavorable or +otherwise to moral and religions character; or whether it is merely the +larger earnings which artizans receive, enabling them more glaringly to +gratify their natural and corrupt inclinations than agricultural laborers, +can do; whether the passive ignorance of the country laborer, or the more +active and intelligent habits, yet combined with moral darkness, of the +manufacturing operative, most retards the diffusion of religious truth, +are serious questions for us in this country. Our manufacturers have been +alarming the whole nation, and threatening us with something like +political revolution; but they have received a severe lesson, and many of +our jails are filled with the victims of unprincipled agitators. +Considering how little of the Christian spirit is generally found in the +operations of government, the treatment of these poor creatures has on the +whole been lenient, and no very severe punishments are anticipated. +<p> +Whether the people of this nation have learned more of righteousness from +the judgments of the Lord, which have I think evidently been made known in +this part of his earth, is perhaps known only to Him who knoweth all +things. I often fear;--for surely there is very much of darkness and +wickedness among us--yet I can not unfrequently hope that light is +spreading, and that although the powers of evil are active and strongly +developed, yet the active diffusion of the means of good more than keeps +pace with them. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the +world," is still a consoling assurance to many dejected yet hoping +believers. Our dear friend Hannah C. Backhouse is strong in the faith that +light increasing, that the fields are white already for harvest, and that +the Lord of the harvest is preparing and sending forth laborers into his +harvest. +<p> +The Protestants whom you found at Amiens, and in some other places, would +probably remain totally unknown to ordinary travellers, and perhaps we do +not enough consider how little known in a great nation the salt that +preserves it may be. The reports from the agent of the Bible Society in +France seem to me more than usually encouraging. I hope you may be enabled +to impart some spiritual gift or knowledge to many hidden ones who appear +to be hungering and thirsting after righteousness in that vain-glorious +nation, and that your faith may be strengthened by meeting with such. +<p> +<p> +John and Martha Yeardley arrived at Lyons on the 13th, and, after making +some calls, intended to proceed to Nismes the next day. But not feeling +satisfied to leave the city so soon, they concluded to remain there one +day more; and they had cause to be thankful in having taken this course. +<p> +<p> +For, says J.Y., we have made the acquaintance of several religious +persons. An evangelist and colporteur named Hermann Lange, a German Swiss, +took us to see some Protestant converts, amongst whom we have found much +of the interior life. The Lord gave me a word of exhortation for them, and +helped me to utter it in French. We had a conversation with our friend +Lange respecting the ministry in our Society. Like many other persons he +supposed we had no recognized ministers; we explained the usage of +Friends, and showed him our certificates, with which he was pleased. He +admired the good order in use amongst us, and said that he had for a long +time desired to be informed respecting the principles of Friends; that he +thought as we did, that an express call of the Holy Spirit was necessary +to the ministry, and that women as well as men ought to be allowed to +preach, I felt intimately united to him in spirit: on parting we gave him +some tracts explanatory of our principles. +<p> +Lyons is the head-quarters of popery; the Jesuits here exert a strong +influence with the government against the Protestants. We visited a good +man named Elfenbein, who with his wife, is very useful to the awakened +Protestants. He is a colporteur, and introduces the Holy Scriptures into +families to whom he speaks concerning the things of God. He and his wife +called upon us in our hotel. On parting he proposed we should pray +together. This gave us the opportunity of explaining our sentiments +regarding prayer; and we proposed remaining a while in silence, and if it +should please the Lord to put words of prayer into our heart, we would +express them with the help of the Holy Spirit. After a time of silence, +Elfenbein prayed for us with unction in a few words: it was a favored +time; thanks be to God. +<p> +<p> +On the 15th they resumed their journey, and passing through Nismes +proceeded to Congenies. They found there Edward and John Pease, who were +travelling on a religious errand, and were about concluding their labors +in those parts. The meeting was a source of comfort on both sides. The +next day, which was First-day, was a solemn season: the gospel message was +largely delivered in the little meeting-house, and Christine Majolier +interpreted for those who spoke in English. The Two-months' Meeting was +held, and here, as well indeed as on every other occasion, the English +Friends missed the company and help of their valued friend, Louis A. +Majolier. +<p> +After residing for a while at Congenies, they removed to Nismes, where +they preached to the strangers who attended the usual meetings for +worship, distributed religious tracts in the city and its environs, and +instituted a Scripture Reading Meeting for the young. But the object which +most strongly engaged their attention at Nismes was the foundation of a +boarding-school for the daughters of Friends. Louis Majolier, during a +great part of his life had conducted a day-school at Congenies: this +school was, of course, not accessible to the children of those Friends who +lived at a distance; and soon after L.M. died even this was given up, and +the means of education in the Society failed altogether. In their project +for supplying this deficiency, John and Martha Yeardley found the parents +and other Friends ready to second their efforts; and at the Two-months' +Meeting in the Eleventh Month, it was resolved to establish in the first +place a school for girls only at Nismes, and a committee was appointed to +carry this resolution into effect. A mistress was found without much +difficulty in Justine Bénézet, a valuable Friend, who had had for sixteen +years the superintendence of the Orphan Asylum, and whose health had in +some degree given way under the too onerous charge, +<p> +In reference to the accomplishment of this undertaking, J.Y. writes:-- +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 14.--<i>Nehemiah</i> i. 11:--"O Lord, I beseech thee, let +now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer +of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, +thy servant this day." I often think of these words of the prophet, and +they [have supported me] when my soul has been cast down on account of the +school. +<p> +<p> +During their abode at Nismes they visited the little congregations of +Friends which lie to the westward of that city, and had to record that +the presence of their Divine Master went with them, giving them his word +to declare, and inclining the hearts of the hearers to receive it. +<p> +A letter from John Rowntree, which reached them towards the end of the +year, contains some observations on the work they had found to do in their +journey, with an interesting notice of what was passing in England. +<p> +<p> +Scarborough, 11 mo. 14, 1842. +<p> +MY DEAR FRIENDS, +<p> +.... The plan of your meetings for Scripture instruction seems to me +particularly good; you will, through them, have numerous opportunities for +impressing on the minds of your hearers the inestimable value of the Holy +Scriptures, when properly received, and made available by the enlightening +influence of the Holy Spirit, and the worthlessness--nay, the danger--of +resting satisfied with a mere knowledge of their words. The words of our +Lord were "spirit and life" to those who would receive them as such; yet +how many who heard them were to be judged by them at the last day, because +they believed not. +<p> +We still hear sad accounts of distress in the manufacturing districts of +the country. Some of your friends have probably informed you that at our +last Quarterly Meeting much sympathy was expressed for the destitute +artizans, and a liberal subscription was commenced, and was to be carried +forward in all our meetings for their relief: a few days ago it amounted +to £800--I hope it will exceed £1000: but what is that, it may be said, +among so many? yet I hope much good may be done by it, and Friends in +other parts of the nation seem to be considering whether they ought not to +make some efforts for similar purposes. At Liverpool we hear that upwards +of £200 has been raised. +<p> +You will probably have heard of the very sudden death of Jonathan +Backhouse, whilst his wife was laboring under a religious engagement in +the north of our county. His change seemed a translation from that state +of strong but imperfect love which a member of the militant Church might +feel here below, to that fullness of love which his Saviour had purchased +for him above. +<p> +<p> +In the Third Month, 1843, they quitted Nismes, taking their young friend +Jules Paradon as their companion. +<p> +<p> +The parting, says J.Y., from the dear family at the school was sorrowful. +Before taking leave, we had a religious opportunity with the children, in +which all hearts were touched. +<p> +<p> +They arrived at Montpelier on the 7th. The pious characters to whom they +were introduced in this city were mostly of the upper class--bankers, +doctors, lawyers, and professors. They found that the principles of the +Society of Friends were very little known there, but that many were +desirous of being acquainted with them. Being pressed in their spirit to +propose a meeting for worship with such as were disposed to give their +company, their new friends readily agreed to it, and about thirty-five +persons sat down with them at their inn. The assembly was, as they +believed, owned by the great Master, who showed himself to be their +strength in the time of weakness, and gave them power to preach the gospel +and explain the nature of true worship. Pastor Lissignol and Dr. Parlier +were amongst those to whom they were the most united. The latter filled +the office of mayor when Josiah Forster and Elizabeth Fry were at +Montpelier. He told John and Martha Yeardley that the meeting they had +just held had been strengthening to his faith. That the Lord by his Spirit +should move the hearts of his children in a distant land to visit his +heritage in other countries, he regarded as a proof of his love; and he +spoke of the unity of spirit which is felt by those of different nations +who love the same Lord, as a precious mark of discipleship. +<p> +<p> +The town of Montpélier, say J. and M.Y., is built with taste and elegance, +and the situation is most delightful: there are 4,000 Protestants in a +population of 86,000. On Sixth-day (the 10th) we left this place of deep +interest, with hearts grateful to the God and Father of all our sure +mercies, in that he had enabled us to bear a testimony to the spirituality +of worship as set forth by our Saviour himself. +<p> +<p> +After leaving Montpélier, they continue the narrative of their journey +as follows:-- +<p> +<p> +We lodged that night at Passanas, a dark Roman Catholic town. Inquiring if +there were any Protestants, the chambermaid replied, "Protestants! what is +that?" When we had made her understand, she said there were a few, but +they went to Montagnac to <i>mass</i>. +<p> +11<i>th</i>.--We slept at Narbonne, an ancient town of 10,000 inhabitants. +No openness to receive even a tract; the inquiry for a Protestant excited +an evident bitterness in the reply. +<p> +On the 12th, held our little meeting with our faithful friend Jules, in +which ability was granted to supplicate for the spread of divine light +over this benighted district. At 9 o'clock we set out to make a +Sabbath-day's journey: the wind extremely high and always in our face, +which fatigued Nimrod [their horse] as well as ourselves. We dined at +Lesengnan: not a Protestant in the place, yet we met with a circumstance +worth recording. Jules, who is ever watchful to find out who can read, +gave a few tracts to some boys in the stable-yard. When I went out, writes +J.Y., to see our horse, several rather bright-looking boys followed me, +asking for books. After ascertaining that they, could read, I supplied +them. This was no sooner known, than boys and girls came in crowds, soon +followed by many of their parents. As our visitors increased, I ran +upstairs to fetch my dear M.Y., and we embraced the opportunity to speak +to them on the importance of religion. No doubt curiosity drew many to us, +for we were a novel sight there, and the mingled multitude was not less so +to us. Among our auditors was a messenger of Satan to buffet us. He was a +good-looking man, who expressed a seeming approval of what we had done, +saying we made many friends. We told him they were all children of the +same Almighty Parent, and that there was but one true religion, and one +heaven. This observation drew off his mask, and he began to express doubts +whether either heaven or hell really existed, and brought forward the +threadbare argument of not believing what he could not see or prove. We +asked him if he had a soul: he said he had. We asked him how be knew that +he had a soul, for he could not see it: he replied, he believed that he +had a soul, but that his soul would die with his body. We then asked him +why two and two made four: he said he could not tell, and yet acknowledged +he was bound to believe it. The countenances of many around beamed with +joy at seeing this darkling perplexed; and we did not shrink from +exhorting him to repentance and faith in Christ, who died for him and for +all men. +<p> +On returning to our room the landlady entered with a fine-looking girl, +for whom she begged a book. This opened our way to speak to her of things +connected with salvation. She said,--"We have not much of religion here." +"Why so?" we asked. "Because the people do not like to confess to +the priests." "And what is the use," said we, "of confessing to man?" +"Because," she replied in somewhat trembling accents, "we think it eases +our consciences, for the priests are the appointed ministers to take +charge of our souls." "What," we replied, "a man take charge of immortal +souls! God never committed the power to forgive sins to man: Jesus Christ +alone can pardon sins; he died to save us!" I shall never forget the +countenance of this dear woman, which seemed to express her long-shaken +confidence in her spiritual guides. We exhorted her to come to the +Saviour, who intercedes for us without the aid of man, and gave her a New +Testament, which she said she would read. +<p> +12<i>th</i>.--Went to Maux to sleep. The landlady was communicative: she +told us that some travellers like ourselves some time ago had given her a +New Testament, which she had lent about the village, together with tracts, +and that she wished for more. We inquired if there were any persons in the +village who would like to come to us for books. She soon sent us an +interesting young woman, a schoolmistress, to whom on her entrance we +presented some tracts. She regarded them with an air of thoughtfulness +which seemed to measure the quantity to be taken by the price she would +have to pay for them. When she found they were to be had gratis, her +countenance brightened, and with it the brightness of her mind showed +itself. On speaking with her of the responsibility of her profession, and +the importance of imbuing the minds of children with just principles, she +said, "I am desirous of instructing the children in the religion of the +heart. Religion," added she, "though a good thing, is badly put in +practice in our church; the people do not like to confess to the priests, +and there is a great desire for instruction and to receive books." +<p> +<p> +They saw again at the Inn at Maux the man who had opposed them at +Lessengnan, and found him much better disposed than he had been the day +before. He told them he had been a Romish priest, but being disgusted with +the practices of his church, he had left it and joined the army: he +promised to read the books they gave him. +<p> +<p> +Our present mode of travelling (with our own horse), they continue, though +somewhat slow, affords opportunities of endeavoring to do a little good, +which we should miss in travelling by Diligence or extra-post. It is +curious and instructive to observe the various dispositions of the people +in the dark places through, which we pass: sometimes they are so fanatical +as to tear a tract before our face; others receive them with joy. During a +half-hour's rest for our horse at a village near Castelnaudry, my M.Y. +made the acquaintance of an aged woman at the door of her cottage, who +really did us good. On inquiring if she could read, "It is my +consolation," said she, "to read the Scriptures." "And we have great need +of consolation," we answered. "Yes," said she, "I am a widow of near +eighty years, and have had many cares; but I pray to God, and he grants me +the consolation of his Holy Spirit, and if I confide in him he will never +forsake me." +<p> +<p> +At Castelnaudry they left the main road and crossed the mountains to +Saverdun, in order to visit the Orphan Institution in that place. +<p> +<p> +By not going first to Toulouse, remarks John Yeardley, we saved about +thirty miles of travelling; but it was ill-spared, for one part of the +road was so bad that it required a forespan of two oxen to drag the +carriage through the deep mire and over the dangerous ditches. After a +little dinner at a poor place in the mountains, we procured a mule as a +reinforcement; for we stuck so fast in the mud that I never expected we +should be able to extricate ourselves. My poor M.Y. had to walk a great +part of the way; I am quite sure extra strength was given us for the +emergency. We lodged at Mazères, where we called on the Protestant +minister Bésière, a most open-hearted Christian. He knew some of our +Society, and wherever this is the case it insures us a welcome. On our +telling him the dangers we had encountered on the road, and that we had +escaped unhurt, he sweetly said,--"The Angel of the Lord encampeth round +about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."--Psal. xxxiv. 7. +<p> +On arriving at Saverdun, on the 17th, we immediately pursued the object of +our visit, and proceeded to the Institution, where we delivered our +letters of recommendation, and received a cordial reception from the +director, Pastor Enjalbal. When the <i>little porters</i> opened the door, +they cried one to another, "Voilà des Anglais!" The director seems to be +wonderfully fitted for the post he fills. He was once a captain in the +army. After his conversion, his heart was penetrated with gratitude to his +Saviour for bringing him to a knowledge of the truth, and he desired to +devote the remainder of his days in doing good to his fellow-creatures, +particularly in the instruction of youth. The project of the Saverdun +school was then in agitation, and a manager was wanted. The excellent +Pastor Chabrand applied to him, knowing him to be the man for the office +if he would only undertake it. When he visited him for this purpose on +behalf of the committee, he found him in his chamber weeping, and, as his +confidential friend, he asked him what was the matter. "Why," said he, "my +heart overflows with love to the Saviour, for all that he has done for me, +and I seem to live without doing anything for his cause in return." +"Well," said the pastor, "but the way is now open for you; I am come with +a proposal from the committee for you to accept the government of the +Saverdun Institution; but I will not have an answer from you at present: +weigh the matter for a fortnight, and I will come again and receive your +decision." A sense of duty decided him to accept the offer. +<p> +The superintendent conducted us to the members of the committee, to whom +we had brought a kind introduction from Pastor Frossard of Nismes. The +supporters of this institution, are the most influential in the town, +rich, and withal pious characters. The Mayor, their secretary, is very +active: he with his wife, an excellent woman, and several members of the +committee, met us in the evening at our inn; they appeared to be greatly +interested in works of benevolence, and in everything connected with +religion and education. +<p> +<i>Toulouse</i>, 3 <i>mo</i>. 20.--We arrived in this great and busy city +on Seventh-day evening. Our first call was on the brothers Courtois, to +whom we had letters of introduction from our Christian friends at Nismes. +They received us in a most cordial manner and were very open and +communicative. +<p> +On First-day morning, after our little meeting, we called on Professor F. +Banner; he was rejoiced to see my M.Y., whom he knew at Congenies twenty +years ago. He was then a Roman Catholic; indeed, in name he is not +changed; but he is become very spiritually-minded, and much attached to +Friends and our principles, believing them, as he said, to be the nearest +in accordance of any with the doctrines of the New Testament. He has been, +with his wife, several times to our hotel, and we feel sweet unity with +his quiet exercised spirit. His situation here is important, having a +boarding-school for the children of Protestants, with a few Roman +Catholics, his piety and sincerity securing to him the confidence of both +parties, which is matter of wonder in this day of religious conflict. He +is one of those characters, more of whom we are desirous of finding; one +who wishes rather to enlighten than to censure the dark prejudices of men. +<p> +We spent the evening with our kind friends the Courtois, and attended +worship in their house. F.C. read the parable of the great supper +(Luke xiv.), and made some remarks in explication of it; after which +Pastor Chabrand spoke with much feeling on the influence of the Holy +Spirit, the gradual operation of the Spirit in the secret of the soul, and +the preciousness of dwelling in Christ, as the branch in the vine, in +order to bear fruit. +<p> +Pastor Chabrand told us in conversation that the first time he really saw +the state of his soul and his need of a Saviour, was in the meeting-house +at Westminster during half an hour's silence. After this time of precious +silence a minister arose<a name="FNanchor8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> and spoke in so remarkable a manner to his +state, unfolding the history of his life, that he was melted to tears. +Ever since that time he has appreciated the principles of our religious +Society, and particularly our practice of waiting upon God in silence. +These remarks opened our way to speak on a subject which has often given +us pain in our intercourse with pious people, viz., the practice of going +suddenly from one religious exercise to another. We expressed our opinion +that Christians, in general, in their worship, would derive more +edification from what is spoken, if they were to dwell under the good +feeling which is sometimes raised, before passing so precipitately to +singing, or even to prayer. With this he entirely agreed, and thought it a +point of the utmost importance; he wished it could be put in practice, for +their church in general suffered loss for want of more quiet gathering of +spirit before God. +<p> +<p> +John and Martha Yeardley did not go further towards the west than +Toulouse; on quitting that city they turned northwards to Montauban. +<p> +<p> +For several days, so they write, before reaching the extent of our journey +westward, we travelled through a fertile country, having the Pyrenean +mountains on the south, covered with snow, a magnificent sight for those +who travel to see the beauties of nature, but our hearts are often too +heavy to enjoy them. +<p> +<i>Montauban</i>, 3 <i>mo</i>. 23.--Last evening we reached this pretty +town, part of which is built on a high cliff overlooking the river Tarn, +and commanding an extensive view over a fertile plain. Our first call was +on Professor Monod; his wife is an Englishwoman; she was pleased to see +her compatriots, and introduced us to Professor de Félice and some other +pious individuals. Professor Monod invited us to spend the evening at +their house, along with a number of persons who join in their family +reading, and we did not think it right to refuse the invitation. A pretty +large company assembled in the professor's room at 8 o'clock, among whom +were some students of the college. The eighth chapter of the Epistle to +the Romans was read, and some remarks made by the professor; he then +kindly said, if we had any word of exhortation in our hearts, he hoped we +should feel quite at liberty to express it. We felt it right to make some +observations with reference to the fore-part of the chapter, which sets +forth that state of Christian experience in which the mind is prepared to +participate in the many precious promises contained in the middle and +latter portions; ability was also given us to express our faith in the one +Saviour and Mediator, and in the influence and guidance of the Holy +Spirit, and his office in the sanctification of the soul. This favored +opportunity closed with supplication. We are well satisfied with our visit +to this place; it has removed some prejudices from our minds, and perhaps +may have shown to those with whom we have had intercourse that Friends are +sound in the faith. The short time we spent with Professor de Félice has +left a sweet impression on our minds. He mourned over the want of +spiritual life among the Protestants of Montauban, amid, as he said, "much +preaching, and many appeals to conscience." +<p> +<p> +At Castres, where they stopped on the 26th, they visited the Orphan House, +and held intercourse with the pastors, and with a pious lawyer. +<p> +<p> +On our journey, says John Yeardley, we had heard of a man near this town +who bore the name of Quaker, and we inquired of the lawyer if he knew +whether he was sound in the Christian faith. The lawyer spoke with respect +of the so-called Quaker, but thought that in his opinions he favored +Arianism. "If so," said I, rather hastily, "we will not seek him or +recognize." "Why," said the advocate, "it is the very reason you should go +to see him, and try to do him good." At this reply my conscience was stung +on account of my hasty conclusion; and after reflecting on the matter, we +walked next morning five or six miles into the country in search of the +new Friend. He received us with joy, and we soon satisfied ourselves as to +his soundness in the Christian faith; but he was rather ardent in his +expectations of the reign of Christ on the earth. Twenty years ago he +refused to take an oath on a jury; the judge told him he must go to +prison, to which the Friend replied, "I am willing to go to prison, but I +cannot swear to condemn any person to death; if you place me as juryman I +shall acquit all the criminals." The judge, believing his scruples to be +sincere, dismissed him without further trouble. This dear man attached +himself to us in such a manner that it was difficult to part from him; he +pressed us to remain some days in his house, but this our duty did not +permit. +<p> +<p> +From Castres they returned through Béziers to Nismes, visiting various +little companies of Protestants by the way, and arrived in the latter city +on the 1st of the Fourth Month. They found that the school had increased +in numbers, and the scholars had made good progress. +<p> +<p> +On entering the school-room, says J.Y., the girls all flocked to us, their +black eyes sparkling with joy, while they clung round us with their little +arms to be embraced. The harmony and peaceful feelings which pervade the +family are truly comforting to our hearts. +<p> +<p> +In taking a retrospect of what they had done up to this time, they write +thus to their Friends in England:-- +<p> +<p> +The manner in which our gracious Lord has condescended to open the way for +a portion of labor in this part of his vineyard, adds a grain to our +faith: the service which has hitherto fallen to our lot on this journey is +of that nature towards which we had a view before we left our native land; +and we are bound gratefully to acknowledge, amid many conflicts and +discouragements, that sweet peace is sometimes our portion. But our dear +friends in England will readily conceive that our baptisms are various and +deep, during our separation from the bosom of our own little visible +church; and we hope to retain a place in their sympathy and prayers, when +they are favored with access to the throne of mercy. Our love flows freely +and unceasingly to all our dear friends, from whom it is always comforting +to hear. Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free +course and be glorified. +<p> +<p> +On the 18th of the Fourth Month they again left Nismes, and commenced +their journey towards Switzerland, accompanied, as before, by Jules +Paradon. On their way to Grenoble, they had opportunities of spreading +many copies of the <i>Scripture Extracts</i>, which they had with them, +among the Roman Catholics; and they had also some interesting conversation +with individuals of that profession. +<p> +<p> +At Tullins, they write, the eagerness to receive books was so great, that +a crowd soon assembled around us, and we found it difficult to satisfy +them; again, at the moment of our departure, they pressed round our +carriage, and we could hardly separate ourselves from them. +<p> +On the 22nd (to continue their own narrative) we arrived at Grenoble, with +a view to spend First-day there. A letter from one of our acquaintances at +Nismes to Pastor Bonifas procured us a kind reception, and he invited us +to spend First-day evening at his house, where a meeting was to be held. +We did not, however, feel quite at liberty to attend, as we found the +regular church-service would be performed. The next day we received +another invitation from the Pastor to a meeting where only the Scriptures +would be read. We thought it best to accept it, and by going a little +before the time proposed, we had a very interesting conversation with the +Pastor, his wife, and a young Englishwoman, on our peculiar views. The +meeting was an assembly of various classes, with a preponderance of young +persons, and was a very interesting occasion: many of the young people +were deeply affected. In the morning of this day we had been to see an +aged Catholic woman of the Jansenist persuasion: she appeared to have no +dependence but on her Saviour, and, full of faith and love, to have her +conversation in heaven; she gave us a sweet benediction at parting. +<p> +<p> +They left Grenoble on the 25th, and pursued their way by Chambéry to +Geneva, taking care to dispose of most of their French tracts by the way, +lest they should be stopped at the Savoy custom-house. They arrived in the +city of Calvin on the 27th. +<p> +Here, as on former occasions, they found much to interest them. Several of +the ministers and professors whom they had known before, seemed to have +become more spiritually-minded; and with the flock of the deceased Pastor +Monnié, in particular, "of precious memory," they were united in near +Christian fellowship. +<p> +<p> +It seems to us, they write, that the feeling is spreading of the necessity +of the immediate guidance of the Holy Spirit; and we believe that this +view of the gospel, with that of the universality of divine love, is much +more calculated to win upon unbelievers, and to enlighten Romanists, than +the high Calvinistic doctrines which have so generally prevailed, and +which impede the growth of Christian humility and daily dependence on +divine help. +<p> +At our little meeting on First-day morning, we had the company of a widow +and her daughter. The former is like a mother to those around her who are +seeking spiritual things, and we were much comforted together. She invited +us to tea, and to have a meeting in her house the next evening: a +considerable number were collected, among whom were a pastor, several +professors, and many females. The pastor read a chapter; and when, after a +time of silence, the way opened for communication, it was like casting +seed into prepared ground, and the retirement of spirit before the Lord +which we recommended seemed really to be experienced before we separated; +it was a silence to be felt better than expressed. +<p> +<p> +Amongst other pious persons in this city, they had an introduction to the +Countess de Sellon. +<p> +<p> +She received us, says J.Y., with open heart, saying, "I am fond of the +principles of your Society, believing they have the real substance of +religion, stripped of its forms." She asked us many questions, and we felt +sweet unity with her. +<p> +<p> +On the 3rd of the Fifth Month they went to Lausanne, where they renewed +their friendship with Professor Gaudin, and had interviews with several +other seeking persons. +<p> +<p> +We were, they say, most interested by a pious magistrate, Frossard de +Saugy, near relative to a dear friend of ours at Geneva. He inquired +respecting the education of children, of whom he has many--by what means +he could make them sensible of vital religion. We replied that all we +could do was to represent to them the love and mercy of our blessed +Redeemer, and recommend them to cherish the convictions of his Holy +Spirit, which are very early bestowed upon us all: he entirely united in +our views. +<p> +<p> +From Lausanne they went to Yverdun, and the day after to Neufchâtel. Since +their last visit in 1834, some who were very dear to them had been +summoned to eternal rest, which cast a shade of natural sorrow over their +entrance into the place: and they were called upon, in addition, deeply to +sympathise with some of those who remained. +<p> +<p> +The family of Professor Pétavel has sustained a great loss in the death of +his eldest son, accompanied, by circumstances peculiarly striking. This +young man was about nineteen years of age. He had been very serious for +some time before his illness, and wished much to be employed as a +missionary. Early instructed by his mother in the importance of seeking +divine influence, his mind was prepared to receive the baptism of the Holy +Spirit; and he had a deep conflict to pass through, which he confided to +his mother, and which he seemed to think was the presage to suffering. In +performing some gymnastic exercises he received a fall on the head, which +after some time was followed by a paralytic affection of the whole body, +so that he became entirely helpless, and his speech was taken away. It was +only his tender mother who could ascertain his wants and administer to +them, which she did with unceasing assiduity. After about six months his +speech was almost miraculously restored, and he used it in praising the +Lord for the remarkable support and consolation of his Spirit. He said he +had been sensible of all that had passed, and that he had been abundantly +confirmed in the belief that true religion consists in hearing the voice +of our blessed Redeemer, and seeking to do his will. After some time the +capability of speaking much again forsook him; yet he lingered some months +longer, and when M.Y. beheld him soon after our arrival, he appeared like +a precious lamb purified, and waiting to be gathered to the everlasting +fold. The resignation of his parents was truly edifying: they proposed +that we should both come the next day, and sit quietly beside him for a +while. This proved a deeply impressive time; the presence of the Great +Shepherd was evidently with us, and called forth thanksgiving for the +mercies received and the deliverance anticipated. While listening to a few +words addressed to him at parting, he fixed his dying eyes upon us with an +expression not to be forgotten, and before midnight the precious spirit +was received into the arms of its Saviour. As we left for Locle early in +the morning, we did not hear of this until our return the day following. +<p> +<p> +Their visit to their favorite orphan-institution was, as ever, very +interesting. They thus describe the state in which they found it:-- +<p> +<p> +Our dear German friend M. Zimmerlin, the associate of dear M. A. Calame, +still lives: she received us with overflowing affection. After tea, which +we took there, she hastened to show us the improvements in the premises, +which, she said, our kind friends in England had contributed to procure by +their donations through us. The institution appears to be now in excellent +order. In the evening, the children, 138 in number, were collected with +the mistresses and family, and we had a very satisfactory opportunity with +them. The same precious influence seems to prevail which we have noticed +heretofore. +<p> +<p> +They returned to Neufchâtel the next evening, where they heard that the +remains of Paul Pétavel were to be interred the next day. +<p> +<p> +His father, they add, was desirous that the meeting we intended to hold +with our friends should be held at his house that evening. When M.Y. went +to see the family, she found the parents fall of gratitude and praise. The +funeral was attended by the students from the college, and a large number +of others; for the professor is much beloved, and the affecting situation +of his son has been a lesson of instruction to the young people who used +to associate with him, and seems to have had an effect on the whole town. +The evening of this day proved to be a memorable time: a considerable +number were collected, among whom were several pastors and a number of +young persons. I seldom, says J.Y., remember to have attended a more +solemn occasion. The Saviour's presence was near, to console and instruct. +After my M.Y. and I had relieved our minds in testimony and supplication, +the professor and the other pastors spoke with much feeling; I think it +was evident they were constrained by the Spirit. We parted (to resume the +words of their joint epistle) from the family under a strong conviction of +the support and consolation which those experience who depend in living +faith upon their blessed Redeemer. +<p> +<p> +From Neufchâtel, John and Martha Yeardley went to Berne, where they +renewed the bond of friendship with those to whose spiritual state they +had ministered in former years. With these they united several times in +worship and in social religious intercourse. At the close of one of these +meetings, the lady of the house, an active and benevolent character, +acknowledged, that she was sensible of the truth of what they had heard, +and believed that in the present day the Lord was leading many of his +devoted children to listen to his voice, that they might be brought more +under the teachings of his Spirit, and from this would flow their +consolation. "This (they observe) is the more remarkable, as, when we were +here before, she held views on election and the <i>finished</i> work of +grace, almost to the exclusion of the work of 'regeneration and the +renewing of the Holy Ghost.'" +<p> +<p> +We find in some here, writes John Yeardley in his Diary, a desire for food +of a more spiritual nature: they really enjoy waiting on the Lord in +silence; but the customary activity is strong, and not easily broken +through. I trust the day will come when silence will more prevail in the +assemblies of the people. We left Berne with feelings of peace and of much +affection for many in that place, and thankful to our Heavenly Father, in +that he had prepared the hearts of his people to receive the invitation to +feed on that spiritual food which alone can nourish the soul to eternal +life. +<p> +<p> +They arrived at Basle on the 17th. Since they had visited this city in +1834, Hoffmann, the director of the institution at Kornthal, had succeeded +Blumhardt in the superintendence of the Mission-house. He received them +with his usual kindness, and one evening they supped with the students, +and had a religious meeting with them. They spent another evening with a +pious family, where several missionaries and pastors were present. In +speaking of this occasion, John and Martha Yeardley were led into a +reflection which deserves to be pondered by Christians of every name. +<p> +<p> +Before separating, they say, the Scriptures were read, and some of the +missionaries spoke on the importance of uniting in desire for a more +general outpouring of the Spirit: J.Y. also spoke much to the same effect. +It was, we trust, a profitable season; but the reflection arose on this +occasion, as it has done on some others when among serious persons not of +our profession, that if they would but suffer the degree of divine +influence mercifully afforded thoroughly to baptize the heart with the +true baptism, much creaturely activity would be done away, and the light +of the gospel would shine in them and through them in much greater purity. +<p> +We paid and received visits, they continue, from some of the +<i>Intérieurs</i> whom we had known before, and had to lament something of +a visionary spirit in the midst of right feeling. We recommended +simplicity, and close attention to the Scriptures and to the Shepherd's +voice. +<p> +<p> +One day John Yeardley went into the mountains to see an establishment +called the Pilgrim Mission Institution, where he was interested in meeting +three young men from Syria, who had come there to escape the scenes of war +in their own country, and with the desire to be rendered capable of +instructing their countrymen. +<p> +They left Basle on the 22nd, and entered Germany. They were, for a time, a +good deal embarrassed with the change of language from French to German, +having had little or no occasion to use the latter tongue during their +journey. They stopped at Carlsruhe, where they called, with an +introduction, on the Princess of Würtemberg. +<p> +<p> +She received us, they say, very kindly, and we had a satisfactory +interview with her, and also with an interesting female who has the charge +of her children. After much conversation with the princess in French, she +introduced us to her three lovely children, and asked J.Y. to give them a +word of exhortation. We remained silent awhile, and, under a precious +feeling, offered prayer for the divine blessing on this family and all its +branches; after which the word of sympathy and exhortation flowed freely. +At parting, the princess took a cordial leave of us, and said she received +our visit as a blessing from the Lord. +<p> +<p> +The next day they pursued their way towards Pyrmont. Being weary with +travelling, and their horses also needing rest, they tarried two days at +Frankfort. Here they saw their old friend Von Meyer; and spent much of +their time in the company of Dr. Pinkerton. "I was instructed," says J.Y., +"with seeing the charity and Christian meekness in which he daily lives." +<p> +On the 3rd of the Sixth Month they reached Pyrmont, where they remained a +few weeks. They attended on the 2nd of the Seventh Month the Two-months' +Meeting, at Minden. Many peasants were present in the meeting for worship, +and on John and Martha Yeardley's return to Pyrmont, some of them came to +the meeting there on First-day, and begged the Friends to go to Vlotho to +meet a company of their brethren. They gave the peasants liberty to call a +meeting at that place for Third-day, the 18th. +<p> +On Second-day, as they were setting off, an accident happened to John +Yeardley. +<p> +<p> +He had left the horse's head, writes M.Y., to attend to placing the +baggage, when, hearing another carriage drive rapidly up, our horse set +off, and my J.Y., in attempting to stop him by catching hold of the reins, +fell, and was much bruised, but through mercy no limb was broken. We +applied what means were in our power, and I urged our remaining at +Pyrmont, and sending to defer the meeting; but he would go on to Lemgo. +His whole frame was much shaken, and we passed a sleepless night, so that +the meeting next day was not a little formidable. It proved a much longer +journey to Vlotho than we had expected; when we arrived we found a large +number assembled. Five of our Friends came from Minden to meet us, and it +was a remarkable meeting, notwithstanding we had gone to it under so much +discouragement: we have cause to bless and adore our Divine Master, who +caused his presence to be felt amongst us. August Mundhenck interpreted +for J.Y. and for me. J.R. also suffered his voice to be acceptably heard +in testimony, after which the meeting closed in solemn supplication. We +pursued our way that night to Bielefeld and the next day towards the +Rhine. +<p> +<p> +On their way home they stopped at Düsseldorf. The ten years which had gone +by since they had visited the Orphan Asylum at Düsselthal, near this town, +had wrought a great change in the physical condition of Count Von der +Recke. He looked worn and ill, the effect of care and anxiety for his +numerous adopted family; but he evinced a spirit of pious resignation, and +had a hearty welcome ready for his visitors. They returned to England +through Belgium, and arrived in London on the 8th of the Eighth Month. +<p> +They did not at once return to their home at Scarborough, but spent a +month in Hertford, Oxford and Buckinghamshire, attending the meetings of +Friends in these counties, and visiting that of Berkhamstead several +times. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XVI. +<p> +<p> +REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL +JOURNEY. +<p> +1843-48. +<p> +The tour which John and Martha Yeardley made in and around +Buckinghamshire, and which is mentioned at the conclusion of the last +chapter, was undertaken in quest of a new place of abode. In a letter from +Martha Yeardley to her sister, Mary Tylor, written on the 3rd of the +Eleventh Month, she says:-- +<p> +Thou art aware that we have thought, if way should open of going nearer to +you, and of pitching our tent within the Quarterly Meeting of +Buckinghamstead. We offered to purchase a cottage at Berkhamstead, but for +the present that has quite fallen through: we therefore intend to rest +quietly here for the winter, in hopes that in the spring or summer +something may offer, either at B. or in that quarter, to which we feel +attracted; yet desiring to commit this and all that concerns us into the +all-directing hand of our great Lord and Master, who has a right to do +with us what seemeth him good. +<p> +<p> +Not long afterwards they purchased a house at Berkhamstead, called Gossom +Lodge, to which they removed in the Fourth Month, 1844. +<p> +Very soon after they had taken possession of their new dwelling, they made +a circuit through the meetings of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, +holding a few public meetings by the way: and the next summer they +undertook a more extensive religious visit--viz., to the six northern +counties of England. +<p> +In the course of the same year we find them meditating a further removal, +into the immediate vicinity of London. One of the few entries in his Diary +which were made by John Yeardley during this period, speaks of the +apprehension of duty under which they contemplated this change: it was +written after their removal. +<p> +<p> +For some years past I have often thought the time might come when we might +see it right to settle within Stoke Newington Meeting. This feeling now +began (1845) to fasten more strongly on our minds than it had done before, +and we thought it right to make an effort to let Gossom Lodge, and seek a +residence at Stamford Hill; and we have reason to believe that in this +important step our prayer has been answered, and that all our +deliberations have been guided by that wisdom which is from above. Very +strong is my conviction that our Heavenly Father is not unmindful of the +outward circumstances of those who seek his counsel, and desire to act +under the guidance of his Holy Spirit. We were favored to let our house at +Berkhamstead without trouble; the very first person to whom we made it +known took it off our hands: and with equal ease we found another dwelling +at Stamford Hill, which I consider as a proof that our prayer was heard +and answered in this serious step: the signs I had asked were granted. +<p> +<p> +They removed to Stamford Hill on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, 1845. As +soon as they had settled in, John Yeardley became seriously indisposed +with his old complaint, which ended in the jaundice. In the course of the +spring and summer of 1846 he repaired with M.Y. to Bath, and afterwards +to Harrowgate, to seek a restoration of his health. +<p> +<p> +The waters of the last-named place proved, he says, very efficacious both +to my beloved M.Y. and myself. My precious dear, he continues, suffered +much in her health through the fatigue of nursing me during the winter. +How my soul overflows with gratitude to my Heavenly Father that he has +united me to such a partner, who takes more than a full share in all my +sorrows; and, thanks be unto our God, we have often to rejoice also +together in Him! +<p> +<p> +On their return from Harrowgate they visited many of the meetings in +London and the vicinity,--a service which they had always had in view, in +looking towards a residence at Stamford Hill; and from the Eleventh Month, +1846, to the First Month, 1847, they were occupied in a religious visit to +the families of the members and attenders of Gracechurch-street Monthly +Meeting, in which their service was very acceptable. +<p> +<p> +The friends appointed to arrange the visits, says J.Y., have done so with +willingness and efficiency, and we have, I believe, the help of their +spirits. In passing from house to house, we are made sensible of our +inability to render aid to others unassisted by the Spirit of our Divine +Master. Wherever we have gone we have been received with kindness and +Christian cordiality; and in thus being permitted to mingle our feelings +with those who are bound up with us in religious profession, we feel sweet +peace and comfort, and our hearts are filled with thankfulness to the +Lord, that he has enabled us to do that which we believe he put in our +hearts. +<p> +<p> +They returned the minute which had been granted them for this service on +the 6th of the First Month. Many who read this Memoir will remember how +the tidings of the death of Joseph John Gurney, who suddenly expired on +the 5th, spread through the Society, and produced wherever it came an +impression of sorrowful but heavenly solemnity. The event is referred to +in the notice of this meeting which is contained in the Diary. +<p> +<p> +The meeting for worship was particularly solemn. The spirit of our dear +departed friend J.J.G. seemed present with us. The event had impressed our +minds with the awful uncertainty of time. My dear M.Y. ministered to our +comfort, and so did dear ----. I was constrained, under a sense that the +Lord had withdrawn many laborers from his vineyard, to lift up a prayer +for the remnant that is left, to crave prosperity for the blessed work of +grace in the hearts of all present, and to ask for more devotedness to the +Lord's cause. +<p> +<p> +The next day they received intelligence of the decease of one of their +Scarborough friends, whose dying words are worthy to be preserved in +lasting remembrance. +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 7.--On returning from meeting we found a letter informing us +of the sudden decease of Isaac Stickney of Scarborough. When the doctor +attempted to give him brandy in his sinking state, he said, Doctor, don't +cloud my intellect; if this be dying, I die in the arms of Jesus. These +last words of my beloved and long-known friend are sweetly consoling to my +spirit. +<p> +<p> +In the Second Month of 1848, John Yeardley again prepared to go forth and +preach the Gospel in several countries on the Continent of Europe. He was +accompanied by his beloved wife, partly in the character of a +fellow-laborer, constrained by the force of Christian love to the same +field of service, and partly as his companion and helper in countries +where she did not otherwise feel herself called to labor. The course of +their anticipated travel is described in the following extract from the +Diary. They were unable, as it proved, to obtain admission into the +Russian Empire; and this part of the mission was accomplished by John +Yeardley alone, and at a later period. +<p> +<p> +1848. 2 <i>mo</i>. 8.--At our Monthly Meeting at Gracechurch street, I +proposed my concern to visit some parts of South Russia, particularly the +German colonies; also some places in the Prussian and Austrian dominions, +parts of Switzerland and France, particularly Ardêche, and a few places in +Belgium, and to revisit parts of Germany. My precious M.Y. also was +constrained in gospel love to tell her friends that she had long thought +of a visit to France and Belgium; and, if health permitted, should think +it her religious duty to accompany me to South Russia. We had the full +unity of our friends, who expressed much sympathy and encouragement, to +our great comfort. It is about twenty years since I first thought +seriously that I might have to visit the Crimea, and for thirty years I +have had a prospect of some parts of Bohemia. Truly the vision has been +for an appointed time; and if the period be now come, I trust it is the +Lord's time, and that his presence may go with us. Many have been the +conflicts and deep the baptisms through which I have passed, before coming +to a willingness to offer to do what I believe to be the will of my +Divine Master. Feeble as are my powers, I desire they may be devoted to +his cause for the remainder of my days; and I do esteem it a great mercy +to have arrived at a clear pointing in this important prospect. May the +blessing of preservation rest upon the beloved partner of my sorrows and +my joys, and on myself; and may He whom we desire to serve heal all our +maladies of body and mind! +<p> +<p> +While their attention was thus turned to foreign lands, a storm was +gathering in France which in the course of this month burst upon Europe +with extraordinary violence, and overturned or endangered half the thrones +on the Continent. This convulsed state of the European nations rendered it +needful for them to wait a few months before they commenced their +undertaking. In the Seventh Month, John Yeardley speaks of having obtained +the further concurrence of the church, and of the feelings which the +immediate prospect of the journey awakened in his mind. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 1.--At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, our friends entered very fully into our proposed +visit to the Continent. The expression of sympathy and full unity was +abundant; there was a strong evidence of the good presence of the Lord +being near during the deliberations, which proved a strength and comfort +to myself and my beloved partner. The needful certificates are now all in +our possession, and are expressed in terms the most appropriate and +encouraging. My mind is deeply humbled at the near approach of our +departure, in the present state of affairs on the continent of Europe: but +I feel a confiding hope in the divine power for protection and safe +guidance. May the Lord Almighty give us strength and resignation to commit +our lives into his hand, and to say, Thy will be done. Amen! +<p> +<p> +This series of travels was the last in which John and Martha Yeardley were +to be engaged as joint-laborers in their Lord's work. The health of the +latter had been for several years seriously affected; and although she +continued to take a deep interest in the spiritual condition of the +countries they had visited before, and was enabled to the end to afford +her husband the assistance of her strong sympathy and of her religious +exercise of mind, the fatigue of constant travelling told more and more +upon her enfeebled frame, and she did not long survive the accomplishment +of this journey. John Yeardley, less advanced in years, and possessing a +hardy constitution, had not yet lost the fire of his earlier days. The +same spring and impulse was still strong within him which had animated him +in former journeys, and which those who knew him in middle life will not +fail to remember. Some of these will have before them the mental image of +his person and manner--the fixed resolution, the concentrated mind, the +ardent and devoted spirit, which shone through his impressive countenance +and his whole figure, when he was engaged in his Lord's work; and perhaps +also they may call to mind the very words of faithful counsel, or of +encouragement, drawn from the well-spring of gospel sympathy, which fell +from his lips. +<p> +John and Martha Yeardley did not accomplish the extensive mission which +now lay before them at one stroke, but in three stages, returning to +England between each. The most prominent object in the first journey was +Belgium; in the second, the Rhine country; in the third, they were called +to sow seeds of Christian doctrine in lands lying beyond the limit of any +former travel--viz., in Silesia and Bohemia. +<p> +This was the first time that the Roman Catholic country of Belgium had +called forth the exercise of their Christian charity. They left London in +the Seventh Month, and spent about three weeks in travelling through the +country, resting chiefly at Ghent, Brussels, Charleroi and Spa. They were +accompanied as far as Brussels by Robert and Christine Alsop, and through +the whole journey, by an ingenuous young man whom they had engaged to +assist them, named Adolphe Rochedieu. The religious opening which awaited +them at Brussels was very encouraging; few incidents which arose in the +course of their numerous journeys were of a more animating character than +the acquaintance which they made with the pastor Van Maasdyk and some of +his flock. We give the narrative from J.Y.'s Diary and letters. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 19.--H. Van Maasdyk paid us a long visit this morning. He was +educated in a convent in Belgium, and becoming a priest, he exercised the +functions which devolved upon him with much credit to himself, and to the +satisfaction of his superiors, until the year 1836. He possessed a Bible +in Latin, which he never read. He had the cure of a large parish, in +which, down to the year above mentioned, there was not a single copy of +the Scriptures in the Flemish tongue. About that time the colporteurs +introduced the New Testament in Flemish, and some copies of the Bible, +which greatly excited the priests, and in particular the bishop, who said +the translation was mutilated and falsified, and commanded that the +members of the Catholic Church who had received copies, should either burn +them themselves, or bring them to the curés for that purpose. Van +Maasdyk's parishioners accordingly brought their Bibles and Testaments +(five copies) to him to be burned. He was zealous in the Romish faith, and +had preached violently against the distributors of the wicked books, as +they were called; and he was about to fulfil the command to burn them, +when suddenly he felt something in his heart which restrained him, and he +thought, I will at least first examine the foundation of the bishop's +charges. He took up his Latin Bible, and placing beside it the copy in +Flemish, began with the charge of mutilation. He found it not at all +abridged. He then went to the charge of falsification, and found the two +copies to agree with slight variations here and there; in fact, the modern +translation proved to have been made from the Vulgate, which was the one +in his possession. He read the denunciation of our Saviour, "Woe unto you +Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," and it struck him forcibly; he felt +that he must say, "Woe is me, I am one of those who deceive the people." +He read again, "There is one Mediator between God and man;" and here again +his conscience smote him: "Woe is me, I teach the people in their +confessions that the saints make intercession." His sorrow was so deep, +that he thought he could die a thousand deaths rather than continue a +Romish priest. +<p> +Now his persecution began. He was beloved by his flock, who entreated him +not to leave them. After much conflict of mind, he wrote a decided letter +to his bishop, who in the end gave him his dismissal. Still feeling +himself called to proclaim the Gospel, he began to assemble the people in +little companies, and to instruct them in the Scriptures. At the entreaty +of his friends he settled at Brussels, where there was a wide field for +labor amongst the poorest of the Roman Catholics, who speak only Flemish. +His congregation consisted at first of some fifteen or twenty persons; but +such was the success he met with, that they have been obliged four or five +times in succession to seek a larger building, and his congregation now +consists of 500. He is said to be one of the most powerful preachers in +the Flemish language. It is delightful to be in his company; his heart is +filled with gratitude, and his eyes sparkle with joy, when he is with +those who love the Saviour. Nothing is paid him by his congregation; he +has a little property of his own, and sometimes receives a little help +from the Adolphus Society. +<p> +After a long conversation with him on the spiritual nature of worship, he +took us to see some of his flock, with whom we had family sittings from +house to house. This is exactly the class our hearts longed to visit; +thanks be to our Heavenly Father who has thus opened our way. +<p> +20<i>th</i>.--The meeting at Pastor Marzial's last evening was much larger +than we had expected. Van Maasdyk came in unexpectedly after the service +which had been held at his dwelling, and with him a part of his flock. +Many of the company were those who had renounced Romanism; some of the +young men interested us exceedingly. I had a deal of conversation with +them as to their religious experience. There were several young Germans +among them, who are residing in Brussels; with these I conversed in their +own language, which was highly gratifying to them. As Pastor Marzial +speaks English well, I clung to him in the hope of having him for an +interpreter; but he encouraged me to speak as well as I could in French, +as the natives like it much better, and consider it a compliment to their +language. This made me very low, it being a company of well-educated +persons, and I asked Van Maasdyk what I should do. I would rather, he +replied, hear ten words from your own mouth, than ten thousand through the +mouth of another; we shall understand you, and what comes from the heart +goes to the heart. This settled the question; I gave myself up to the +language, and was helped through. My M.Y. was favored in her +communication. After a short address from M., I concluded the meeting with +supplication, also in French. I do believe the Spirit was poured upon us +from on high; many hearts were touched, and tears flowed freely from many +eyes. +<p> +The Lord has indeed opened a wide door for us in this place; the dear +people follow us from meeting to meeting, entreating us for an opportunity +of the like kind in their own houses; but we must be watchful to see our +own way. However, if the oil is staid, it is not for want of vessels, for +what we have to communicate seems like seed cast into the prepared ground. +May the Lord himself be their teacher, and carry on his own work; for it +is most assuredly his. To those who are spiritually minded, to hear of a +society holding spiritual views, is like marrow to their bones. It is not +so much what we are able to say to them, but our being as living witnesses +to the truth which these awakened people feel in their own hearts. +<p> +21<i>st</i>.--Attended a meeting of Van Maasdyk's in the poorer district +of Brussels; about seventy to eighty persons present, consisting of +converted Romanists, seeking Protestants, and two awakened Jews. Two of +the company were blind men, very pious, who gain their living by selling +matches. Our friend read, explained, and applied the tenth chapter of +John, in Flemish; he also interpreted for me a few words, which I spoke in +German. +<p> +<p> +On their way to Charleroi, after passing through Mons, they traversed the +great Belgium iron and coal country, where the people speak a patois but +understand French. Here they made a free distribution of the religious +tracts they had taken with them, and found an able co-adjutor in their +postillion. When he understood what their object was, he allowed few +opportunities to pass by without putting these little messengers into the +hands of his fellow-countrymen. +<p> +At Charleroi, where they arrived on the 22d, they enjoyed Christian +association of the most interesting kind, especially with Pastors Poinsot +and Jaccard, and with Marzial, who followed them from Brussels. They seem +to have found much more of the life of religion among the newly-awakened +in Belgium than they had expected. +<p> +<p> +We have, says J.Y., good reason to believe that the burden we have so long +felt for the inhabitants in some parts of Belgium was laid upon us by our +Divine Master, who is now pleased to make way for us to throw it off; +thanks be to his great name. +<p> +<p> +From Charleroi they went by Liège to Spa, where they procured a lodging in +order to enjoy a period of needful rest. The tracts they gave away on the +road were received with eagerness. Adolphe handed them out freely right +and left, and when any one hesitated to take them, a significant nod from +the postillion never failed to secure a ready reception. +<p> +<p> +The country from Namur to Liège, writes John Yeardley, and particularly +from Liège to Spa, is beautiful, the road running along the banks of the +Meuse, amid wooded rocks. These are the works of my Heavenly Father, but I +sigh after the workmanship of his hands, created after his own image. +<p> +<p> +Passing over several incidents of religious intercourse and labor, we +select a circumstance which illustrates the state of the country, and of +their own feelings in relation to it. +<p> +Under date of Spa, the 2nd of the Eighth Month, John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +My M.Y. made acquaintance with an interesting young woman in a shop, and +gave her some of the <i>Scripture Extracts</i>. She came to us last +evening, and remained some time conversing on the Romish religion. She had +never seen the Bible. When we asked her what was the nature of the mass, +she said she did not understand it, but she attended it because others +did. We gave her the Bible used by ourselves, having no other at our +disposal. Her eyes sparkled with joy at the newly-acquired treasure. Her +heart is touched by the Spirit of God, and I humbly hope her eyes will be +enlightened to seek for strength independently of her blind guides. I +never saw and felt more sensibly the awful account the priests will have +to give for thus deceiving the people in the things which belong to their +salvation. +<p> +<p> +On the 3rd they quitted Belgium, and proceeded to Bonn. Here they had the +pleasure of meeting their old friend, Charles Majors, formerly of +Strasburg. In a walk which they took with him, they renewed the sweet +intercourse of former days. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 5.--We took a walk with Majors and his family to the top of +"Mount Calvary," and mounted a steep hill pitched with sharp stones, on +which the poor Romanists go barefooted, repeating prayers at each station, +supposed to be as many as the times when our Lord rested when bearing his +cross from the gate of Jerusalem to Mount Calvary. Having descended, we +sat down at the foot of a cross, and spoke of Him who bore our sins on the +cross in his own body. A desire was felt and expressed that the little +company might ever dwell near to Him who died on the cross. +<p> +<p> +At Mannheim, John Yeardley writes:-- +<p> +<p> +I took a walk in the public gardens, opposite the Hotel de l'Europe, where +we lodge. All very quiet without, and I felt peaceful within myself, +reading a chapter and sitting alone. The Spirit of my Divine Master was +near, and I felt assured that there was something in this place with which +we could unite. +<p> +<p> +They found here a little company, who met together without any regular +pastor. +<p> +<p> +"They gave us", says John Yeardley, "a cordial reception, and their +countenances indicated that they had been with Jesus; and, although +scattered as sheep among wolves, they appeared to belong to the fold of +the true Shepherd. After a few family calls, we were conducted to the +house of a pious widow, where the meetings were usually held. As we were +in haste, these Christian people kindly appointed a meeting for worship, +to be held the same evening, to receive our visit, which, through divine +mercy, proved like a refreshing brook by the way: the Saviour's presence +being over us, his doctrine dropped like dew on the thirsty ground."<a name="FNanchor9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> +<p> +<p> +At Strasburg they found Pastor Ehrmann, and several other pious persons +whom they had known in 1833, with whom and with some others they had much +conversation on religious subjects, and were called upon to explain the +views held by Friends, particularly on marriage, education, and the care +of the poor. +<p> +<p> +"Before parting", says John Yeardley, M. Passavant asked for silence, and +we had a sweet time of religious communion, in which consolation and +encouragement were offered, and thanks rendered for the favor of being +permitted to meet together, and for the favor of the Divine Presence. +<p> +<p> +Basle was their next halting-place. A letter written by Martha Yeardley +from this city, contains some notice of the social and religious life by +which their tarriance in foreign cities was characterised, and of her own +peculiar position as a gospel minister. +<p> +<p> +The pious Spittler, she says, has just been with us; he is still full of +faith and good works. M.L., whom we knew as a nice girl at Corfu, is +married to a serious merchant of this place; a sister of C. Majors' wife +at Bonn, with her husband, also resides here; and we have fixed to take +tea with them and some of their friends to-morrow evening. My J.Y. is gone +with a converted Jew, Spittler, and one who has been a missionary to +Jerusalem, to a lecture this afternoon, where it is probable he may have +an opportunity of speaking to those assembled. As it is to be all German, +I excused myself in order to rest and continue my letter. I have deeply +felt on this journey, as on others, that it is difficult for females to +make their way as gospel ministers; we have always found it tolerated, but +I am always sensible of a prejudice against it. On some occasions my J.Y. +has explained our views on this important subject. +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--Yesterday we went to see a remarkably interesting +institution for missionaries, on the top of a high mountain, called +Chrischona Berg. It was established by Spittler, and, is well worth the +trouble of a little fatigue in getting to it. Twelve young men of the +poorer class, who have offered themselves from a sense of duty to become +missionaries, are there taught various languages, and retained until some +field of labor opens for them to which they feel bound. It is also a +working institution; they are taught various trades, in order that when +they go out they may earn their living. After viewing the premises and +hearing a lesson in Arabic, we saw the pupils assembled in the schoolroom. +Instead of a hymn in English, which they had learned, we asked for a +little silence, which was felt to be precious. My J.Y. then addressed them +in German, and was much helped. The superintendent, a very interesting +man, was in England for some time; and in consequence of a hurt received +on the head in Malta, was sent to the <i>Retreat</i> at York, where he +became acquainted with several Friends, Samuel Tuke in particular. Under +the gentle treatment there he recovered, but he lost his wife and one +child at York, and has left two others in England. I felt much for him, +and ventured to offer him a little consolation, and also to express my +interest for the institution, which Spittler desired him to repeat in +German.--(<i>Letter to Mary Tylor</i>, 8 <i>mo</i>. 13.) +<p> +<p> +Whilst at Basle they visited Pastor Lindel, an old friend of theirs. He +related to them that he had been some time before applied to, to join the +Evangelical Alliance. "I told them," he said, "we have got further than +you have. In looking over your rules, I observe there is a class of +Christians in England whom you exclude; and we can receive them. Our bond +of union extends much beyond yours; it embraces, without any distinction, +all who love the Lord Jesus Christ." +<p> +From Basle they went to Berne and Neufchâtel. Their visit to these +favorite spots was, as at former times, accompanied by a good measure of +the blessing of the gospel of Christ. +<p> +<p> +18<i>th</i>. <i>Berne</i>.--Many of our former friends having heard of our +arrival, came this morning to our inn; and having called together a few +other serious persons, we had a precious meeting. They have suffered much +since our last visit; our hearts were dipped into sympathy for them, and +our tears were mingled together. The Lord's presence was over us, and he +caused the word of consolation, exhortation, and supplication to flow +freely. Some precious souls whom we have known in this place have been +taken to their rest since we last saw them. Soon shall we also be inquired +after and not found! Lord, grant that we may be prepared to meet thee at +thy coming! +<p> +20<i>th. Neufchâtel, First-day</i>.--The meeting was held in a saloon at +our hotel, (<i>Des Alpes</i>). The room was quite crowded; we were +surprised to see them continue to come in, by twos and threes together, at +so short a notice. The unhallowed thought arose, Where shall we find bread +to feed this multitude? But, thanks to Him who is the Bread of Life, he +dispensed food to the refreshing of our souls. My M.Y. supplicated for us, +and the gospel-word flowed freely: the meeting closed with thanksgiving by +me. +<p> +<p> +Sad reflections on the political and religious state of the country +oppressed their minds while travelling through Switzerland. +<p> +<p> +21<i>st</i>.--In all the times we have visited Neufchâtel, I never saw it +look more beautiful. But the place was dull, and a depressed feeling +manifested the life of religion to be wanting. Switzerland has suffered +through the recent changes in the governments: infidelity is sorrowfully +increasing. An abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and +Nature everywhere smiles on ungrateful man. Woe to the nations when the +ungodly bear rule! Persecution still rages in the Canton de Vaud. +<p> +<p> +Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaintance with the French and +German languages afforded them, John Yeardley observes:-- +<p> +<p> +How I long that some of our dear young friends in England might give up +their minds and a portion of their time to the acquisition of these +languages--and, above all, give up their hearts to be prepared for the +Lord's work! How wide is the field of labor! +<p> +<p> +From Neufchâtel they proceeded to Geneva, and thence to Grenoble. Here +they were received in the most open-hearted manner by the Protestant +minister, Amand; but their feelings were severely tried by the martial +display which the city presented. +<p> +<p> +26<i>th.</i>--On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the name of the +Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of time. So soon as he +understood the object of our journey, he offered us his chapel for a +meeting; or, if it would be more agreeable to us, he would convoke a +meeting in the schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a number of persons +who usually meet there. We accepted the latter proposal. It is comforting +to find such a brother in the gospel; but O for the morrow! how my heart +fails me for fear! Lord, help us, and give us to trust in thee! +<p> +27<i>th.</i>--This day is a day of suffering. The soldiers, the drums, the +trumpets, with the shouting and dancing of the people, is enough to sink +the heart of the reflecting Christian beyond hope, had he not a refuge in +retirement before the Lord. The whole course of the military system tends +to evil, and the corruption of manners. +<p> +<p> +The meeting was well attended, and they were thankful in being enabled to +mingle in spirit with a company of sincere and pious Christians. The +pastor called on them the next day. He had succeeded their good friend +Bonifas, spoken of in the journey of 1843. Conversing with him on points +on which Christians may differ, he observed, "The Church of Christ is like +a great house built on a rock. There are different apartments for the +various classes of Christians; but they are in the same house, and on the +same rock, Christ." +<p> +After attending to some other gospel-service at Grenoble, they resumed +their journey, held meetings in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing +the Rhone, entered Ardêche. A meeting which they held at Privas was an +occasion of remarkable stillness and solemnity. +<p> +<p> +31<i>st.</i>--There was a room filled with serious persons, who +immediately settled into silence like a Friends' meeting: indeed, I wish +our meetings in England were always times of as much good feeling. A +chapter, the second of the Acts, was read; after which I supplicated, and +my M.Y. spoke in testimony, as well as myself. M.Y. closed the opportunity +in supplication. +<p> +<p> +They held another meeting at Vals, a village in the Cevennes mountains, +near the town of Aubenas. Lindley Murray Hoag, from America, had had a +meeting there not long before. There was no resident pastor, and the +schoolmaster called on John and Martha Yeardley, and informed them that +when no one was present to preach, the congregation were accustomed to +read a sermon, the liturgy, and prayers. They explained to him their +objection to written sermons, and he appeared to be sensible of the +inconsistency of them with true gospel ministry, but alleged that the +people would not be satisfied without having the greater part of the time +occupied with "service." As they could not undertake that this should be +the case, it was agreed that they should be informed when the usual +engagements were concluded, and that the schoolmaster should give notice +of their intention to hold a religious meeting. In the morning +(First-day), unexpectedly, a young man arrived, who came to see if he +could be established in the place as pastor, and the schoolmaster +introduced him to J. and M.Y. He raised no objection to their speaking +after the service, but the sermon which he preached, as they afterwards +found, was on the politics of the day, and when it was concluded, they +were still kept waiting during a conference which the consistory had with +him. This delay, and their persuasion that the members of the consistory +were not the men to sympathise with them in their religious exercise, was +exceedingly proving to faith, and they entered the chapel under a pressure +of mind almost beyond utterance. After a pause John Yeardley rose and +spoke in French, in which he felt himself to be much helped; an influence +superior to words was spread abroad, lifting up the messengers above the +fear of man. Martha Yeardley followed, inviting the people to come under +the teaching of the Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ Jesus, and +especially addressing herself to the mothers. +<p> +They remained at Vals a week. +<p> +<p> +Our lodging, says J.Y., is situated amid scenery the most romantic: +high-planted rocks, deep glens, and purling streams. For reading and +writing we spend much time on a spacious open gallery, protected from the +penetrating rays of the sun by a roof; and in the interstices are +creepers, vines, and flowers, delightful and airy. +<p> +11<i>th</i>.--This has been a trying week. I have been low in mind and +suffered much in body, but, thanks to a merciful God, I am restored to +comparative health, and my beloved one is better. The peasants who inhabit +the mountains can only come to the town on First-days; and as they live +dispersed in places almost inaccessible, we concluded to wait over another +First-day to see some of them at Vals. We had them invited to the +schoolroom. A small number only assembled, but it was a feeling time: I +hope a few were instructed, and we were satisfied in having done what we +could. +<p> +<p> +From Vals John and Martha Yeardley proceeded to Nismes, where they had +some interesting service, both within and beyond the little Society of +their fellow-professors. The account given by J.Y. of the way in which +one of their evenings was spent may be transcribed. +<p> +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--The wife of De Hauteville came to invite us to spend the +evening with a few religious friends, who met at her house for reading the +Bible. We had known the pious young woman years before, and were most easy +to accept the invitation. The little company mostly knelt down, and waited +some time in silence; and then a young man offered a short and sweet +prayer. The fourth chapter of the Hebrews was then read, and nearly all +present offered a sentiment on the subject, in meekness and in love, +though they did not agree in their interpretation. They spoke one after +the other, until all seemed tired; looking earnestly at me, as wondering +what I would say, not having spoken on the question. At length one of the +company asked my opinion. I felt freedom at once to say I found no +difficulty in the matter; I could well understand the text, but I could +not understand their interpretation of it. This remark surprised them, and +raised an air of pleasantness on every countenance. My remarks on the +passage closed the subject, and I think they were accorded with in the +general. Stillness was then had, and myself and dear M.Y. spoke to the +company. There was a precious feeling, and we were glad in not having +missed uniting with such spirits in passing an hour or two instructively +together. +<p> +<p> +The service which remained for them to do before returning to England +consisted chiefly of religions labor amongst the Friends of Congenies and +the vicinity, and in printing and distributing a large number of tracts. +They found the Society of Friends in a drooping condition as to spiritual +things, and in going round to their little meetings, Martha Yeardley felt +it to be her last visit, and she labored to clear her conscience towards +those among whom she had long been conversant, and for whose eternal +welfare she felt deeply concerned. +<p> +They returned to London on the 20th of the Tenth Month. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XVII. +<p> +<p> +COMPLETION OP THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. +<p> +1849-50. +<p> +The disorganized state of Germany presented a serious obstacle to John and +Martha Yeardley's resuming their labors on the Continent. +<p> +<p> +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY TO JOHN KITCHING. +<p> +Scarborough, 6 mo. 23, 1849. +<p> +We spent two days at Malton with our dear friends Ann and Esther +Priestman, in their delightful new abode on the bank of the river: we were +comforted in being at meeting with them on First-day. On Second-day we +came to Scarborough, and soon procured two rooms near our own former +residence. The sea air and exercise are beneficial to the health of my +M.Y. and myself. Scarborough is certainly a most delightful place. The +changes in the little society here are great: we miss many whom we knew +and loved when we were resident here. It feels pleasant, though mournful, +once more to mingle our sympathies with the few Friends who are left. +<p> +We sometimes sigh under the weight of our burden on account of poor +Germany, from which land the accounts continue unsatisfactory. Mannheim, +where we had such a sweet little meeting with a few pious persons last +year, is now being bombarded; also in several other parts of the Rhine the +insurrection is not yet subdued. Our friend Dr. Murray returned on +Second-day last from a tour through part of France, Belgium and the Rhine. +He told us he was obliged to return after having proceeded as far as +Mayence, as the steamers were interrupted in their course beyond that +place, south. This is the very line which we had thought to pursue; we +cannot tell how soon an alteration may suddenly take place for the better. +We must wait in patience, faith and hope. +<p> +<p> +The political horizon soon became clearer, and they resumed their journey +on the 2nd of the Eighth Month. They again passed through Belgium, +stopping at several places, and distributing a large number of religious +tracts. +<p> +On reaching Elberfeld they were received in a very cordial manner by R. +Hockelmann, and they held a satisfactory meeting in that city with a +company of serious persons, originally Roman Catholics, who had at first +followed Ronge, but afterwards separated from him. John Yeardley says of +them: +<p> +<p> +They are rejected by the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. They have adopted +the name of German Catholics to attract the Romanists to them. There is +real life of religion with some of them; perhaps with still a little +obscurity on some important points of doctrine. Light does not always +shine clearly all at once; nor is it always obeyed, so as to be received +in its fulness. +<p> +Still more interesting was a meeting they had at Mühlheim on the Ruhr, +where, it will be remembered, they found an open door for their ministry +on their first continental journey. We give the narrative in John +Yeardley's words:-- +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 17.--On our arrival at Mühlheim we received a visit from the +three pastors resident here and in the neighborhood, along with Pastor +Bochart, from Schaffhausen, whom we had known some years before. One of +them, Schultz, immediately asked me if we were not the parties who had +held a meeting in a school-room in this place twenty-four years ago. We +entered very fully into the awakening that had taken place in this +neighborhood. The spiritual seed of Tersteegen has never died out; and +they told us of a person, Mühlenbeck, in Sarn, who represents those who +are acquainted with the interior life. The youngest minister said +directly, I will fetch him. In an hour's time he came again, accompanied +by a middle-aged man, much like a good old Friend. He recollected us +again, and spoke of our meeting. When we went to see him the next day in +the village, he took us to the house in which he had lived in 1825, and +placing me in the centre of the room said, There stood thou twenty-four +years ago, and preached the gospel in this room; there sat thy dear wife +and her friend, with the young man who interpreted for her. +<p> +They soon set about making a meeting for us, which is to be held this +evening in a large room in the house of one of the brethren. O, my +Saviour, strengthen us for this evening's work, and forsake us not in the +time of need! +<p> +18<i>th</i>.--The meeting last evening was got well over. There were two +rooms filled with men and a few women; their minds seemed sweetly centred +on the Source of good. A precious silence prevailed, and I was enabled to +address them in German from Acts xi. 23:--"When Barnabas was come to +Antioch and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and exhorted them all +that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." The nature of +silent worship was also dwelt upon, and freedom from sin, through +repentance and faith in Christ. My M.Y. spoke a few words in German, and I +supplicated in the same language. Many hearts are prepared to receive the +doctrine of the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit: it seemed like +marrow to their bones. +<p> +After the meeting some came to our inn, and remained till 10 o'clock. They +seemed as if they could not part from us. We spoke of our ministry, +missionary journeys, baptism and the Supper, in which we seemed to be one +in sentiment and heart. Our short tarriance here has excited curiosity to +know who and what we are, and a great desire for books; and a liberal +supply has been furnished them. Those tracts on our religious principles +are just the food many are prepared to receive. +<p> +In coming this morning from Mühlheim to Elberfeld, my heart was tendered +under a sense of the Lord's mercies. I feel poor and unworthy, but it is +impressed on my heart from day to day that my little remaining strength +and my few uncertain remaining days must be devoted to my Great Master's +cause. I am thankful that we have not through discouragement been deterred +from entering on this part of our religious service; for, after all we +have passed through on the occasion, I do believe the present time is +seasonable.-- +(<i>Diary and Letter</i>) +<p> +<p> +Before leaving the neighborhood, they had a second meeting at Elberfeld, +the holding of which was endangered by the animosity which prevailed +between the different religious parties. After the place and hour were +advertized, it appeared the room would be required for a missionary +meeting. The president of the missionary society was so unfriendly to +those who associated with John and Martha Yeardley, that he not only +refused to let them have the room, but refused also to let notice be given +at his meeting of the alteration in time and place which it was needful to +make in theirs. They therefore hastily arranged their meeting for another +day, and the alteration was announced in the daily newspaper. The +disappointment proved, in the end, to be a subject for thankfulness on +their parts; for just before the hour of assembly of the missionary +society, an alarming fire broke out, and threw the whole town into +commotion; and the missionary meeting was obliged to disperse as soon as +the opening hymn had been sung. +<p> +The Friends' meeting, which took place two days afterwards, was held in +quiet. John Yeardley preached on a subject which seems to have engaged his +mind ever since he had entered the place,--viz., the Fall of Man. While in +Elberfeld he printed a tract on this subject; and in a conversation which +he and Martha Yeardley had with a doctor from Charleroi, the doctor told +them it was the very thing which was wanted, being exactly adapted to the +condition of the numerous sceptics in that part, of whom he had once been +one. +<p> +Their sojourn at Bonn, where they arrived on the 31st of the Eighth Month, +was exceedingly cordial to their religious feelings. The persons with whom +they were the most intimately united were two ladies, Alexandrine +Mackeldey and the Countess Stynum; the latter of whom had come to know the +way of salvation during a visit to England. J.Y. describes the opening for +service which they found in this city, in a letter to Josiah Forster:-- +<p> +<p> +This morning, the 1st of the Ninth Month, we received an early visit from +a pious young woman, <i>interior</i>. On her entering the room we felt the +Spirit of Jesus was near. As soon as we discovered the piety of her mind, +and her sweet and open disposition, I said to her: Now, tell us who there +are in this place who are really spiritually-minded persons. She said, I +will; and instantly took the pen, and put down about six or seven names, +among which was the name of the Countess Stynum. This lady, said she, I am +sure, will be rejoiced to see you; she is too weakly to leave her house, +but I am going to her and will tell her you are here. +<p> +Our kind helper soon returned with the expression of a warm desire from +the Countess that we would remain tomorrow and hold a meeting in her +saloon in the evening, and invite any of our acquaintance, and she would +give notice to her own friends. There was so evidently a pointing of the +Great Master's finger in this matter, that we were at once constrained to +accept the invitation. +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 3.--A little before six o'clock last evening the Countess +sent for us to take coffee with her, to have an hour of our company before +the meeting. She gave us a hearty reception, and in such Christian +simplicity, that we soon felt at perfect ease in her company. She has a +well-informed and enlightened mind and a strong understanding, and lives, +believe, in the fear of the Lord. She asked many questions about the +religious sects in England, as to the state of real piety, their forms, +baptism, &c. Then she came to our own Society. I was in poor plight for +answering questions; however, I explained the spiritual view we took of +those subjects, and asked permission to send her books, in the reception +of which she seemed to promise herself much gratification. +<p> +Her commodious and elegant saloon was conveniently seated and pretty well +filled. Our manner of worship was quite new to every one present. We first +explained it privately to the countess, who immediately comprehended our +view; there was no wish at all shown to sing or read; a precious solemnity +prevailed, and I was enabled to speak, in German, first on the nature of +our silent worship, then on what [else] rested on my mind. The young woman +above-mentioned, A. Mackeldey, interpreted for my dear M.Y., who, I +thought, had the best service; and she did it so well and so seriously +that the right unction seemed to be preserved, and prevailed over us; and +after a supplication in German we parted under a very precious solemnity. +<p> +A.M. said afterwards that she had been instructed by what she had heard, +and was prepared to appreciate the value of silence. She observed, I think +it a marked favor of Providence that you should have come at the present +perplexing time, to comfort and confirm the faith of some in this place, +and of me in particular. +<p> +<p> +Speaking of those with whom they had intercourse in this city, John +Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 2.--Should it be the will of our Heavenly Father, I hope we +may be permitted to see those precious souls again, and water the seed the +Great Husbandman has deposited in their hearts. I consider such little +companies, or individuals, as a little leaven working silently in a +corrupt mass. +<p> +I never remember, he writes the next day, to have had more satisfaction in +distributing Friends' books, or having intercourse with pious persons, +than thus far on the present journey. The thinking part of the people, +under the tossing of the present moment, are really thirsting for food +more spiritual than they have hitherto received. +<p> +<p> +At Neuwied they were informed that the <i>Inspirirten</i> whom they saw +there twenty-four years before, had, with the exception of a few families, +emigrated to America, and that those whom they visited at Berlenburg had +done the same. +<p> +From Neuwied they went to Kreuznach. This was a place to which they had no +thought of going when they left England; indeed, John Yeardley, though +passing near it on former journeys, was not aware of its existence. But +when they were at Elberfeld, a swarthy youth from Cape Town, an inmate of +the Mission-house at Barmen, mentioned to them that four of his +fellow-countrymen had been for a time at Kreuznach. On hearing this place +named, it occurred to J.Y. that it would be well for them to take it in +their way. They had good reason to believe, before they left the place, +that it was the Lord who had directed their steps thither, and that he had +prepared the hearts of some who dwelt there to receive them. John Yeardley +thus relates what occurred:-- +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 6.--On our sending to a tailor named Ott, he could not come +to us by reason of bodily infirmity; but on paying him a visit I found him +a meek and spiritual man. He undertook to speak with some others of the +same way of thinking, to meet us in our hotel at 7 o'clock. On making it +known he found more were desirous of coming than he had expected; a number +of young people asked permission to be present, so that our commodious +saloon was pretty well filled. We read the fourth chapter of John, and +then I addressed the company with great freedom; my M.Y. also spoke in +German, and was well understood. Friend Ott said, "You may travel about, +and think your journeyings and labors will do but little good, but they +will be blest far beyond what you may expect. What you have said this +evening has gone to my heart. If we had only some one to whom we could +look in holding meetings, we should grow." He was reminded of Him, the +Head of his church, to whom we must all look. Of this he was fully aware, +but said, as they were mostly of the lower class, they had no room, and +the pastors did not encourage such meetings. +<p> +7<i>th</i>.--This morning our new-made friend accompanied us to three of +the villages, to visit several of his friends. We were pleased with the +simplicity and real Christian feeling with which, they received us. We +arranged for a meeting in one of these places for First-day afternoon, and +one with our Kreuznach friends in the evening. My poor soul can only say, +Lord, help!<a name="FNanchor10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> +<p> +8<i>th</i>.--Called again on J.A. Ott, and found him looking very serious. +He told me he had read farther in the books we left with him, and the more +he saw, the more conviction was brought into his mind that what they +unfolded was the truth; and that he believed it his duty thoroughly to +weigh the matter, and then speak with a few of those who united with him, +to see whether they could unite in holding a meeting after our manner, but +that it was a serious matter, and they required time to mature it. We +were quite of his mind in this respect; at the same time I believe if they +had strength to meet together it would be advantageous. +<p> +10<i>th</i>.--Yesterday we met the little company in Horweiler, a room +well filled with souls thirsting, I believe, for spiritual food. "All thy +children shall be taught of the Lord," was much dwelt upon by me. My dear +M.Y. was wonderfully helped in German. It was a precious season; the +presence of the Lord was near, uniting our hearts in him. +<p> +At 7 o'clock we had the meeting in our room. It was not so lively as the +one in the country; but we can thankfully acknowledge the Great Master was +near to help in the needful time. It was a day of great exercise of body +and mind. Our friend Ott accompanied us throughout the day's labor, and I +felt the help of his spirit. +<p> +There are several villages around Kreuznach (some of which we have +visited), where dwell a good many spiritually-minded people, who meet +together for improvement. We have just received a sweet visit from Adam +Tiegel of Schwabenheim, who is come to have a little talk with us. He +seems to be the first who was awakened in 1805, and was made the means of +awakening others, who now hold meetings in an old monastery.<a name="FNanchor11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> +<p> +<p> +Passing on to Mannheim, they saw the effects of the revolution in Baden; +the fine stone bridge over the Rhine had been blown up, and not yet +replaced. The handful of pious persons with whom they had met in 1848 had +been preserved in the midst of the danger; and their meetings had been +maintained and were increased in numbers. One of these, a widow, told them +that, during the bombardment of the city, a cannon-ball had entered her +house, and had passed by her bedside when her children were in the room, +and also that a shell had burst before her door; but on neither occasion +were any of the family hurt.<a name="FNanchor12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12"><sup>[12]</sup></a> +<p> +At Stuttgardt they received the affecting intelligence of the decease of +Elizabeth Dudley, who died of cholera on the 6th of the Ninth Month. The +removal of this, one of her earliest and dearest friends, was a severe +stroke to Martha Yeardley, and sensibly affected her bodily health. In a +letter to her sisters, of the 14th of the Ninth Month, she thus gives vent +to her feelings:-- +<p> +<p> +It would not be possible to set forth in words what we have felt from the +affecting intelligence contained in dear R.'s letter. What shall we do but +seek ability at the Divine footstool to bow in humble resignation to this +afflictive dispensation? I have had for some time a strong impression that +something of this kind awaited us in our immediate circle; and it was with +a trembling hand that I opened the letters. The tie which bound me to her, +and which is now perhaps for a very short time broken, as far as relates +to earthly things, was sealed upon my heart by a communion of more than +forty-eight years, and includes all the various changes of an eventful +life, during which my best feelings were ever cherished and encouraged, +both by example and precept, and by the tenderest affection. But I must +not dwell upon this subject, lest I become unfitted for the duties which +our present engagement daily calls for. +<p> +<p> +To these afflictive tidings was added some discouragement in respect to +their proposed journey to Russia. The little hope that John Yeardley still +entertained of being allowed to cross the Russian frontier was +extinguished by the information he received at Stuttgardt. A large number +of the German emigrants who settled in the South Russian colonies were +from the neighborhood of this city, and John Yeardley inquired of some of +their ministers, who had served in the colonies, how far the country was +likely to be accessible to a foreigner going thither to preach the gospel. +The information he received was unfavorable, and his endeavors to obtain +in this city the signature of the Russian ambassador to his passport were +fruitless. +<p> +They had, however, something to console them under these trials. +<p> +<p> +In all our former travels in Germany, says J.Y., we never experienced such +an open door and spirit of inquiry among the people as in the present +journey. It is said that there is scarcely a village in all Würtemberg +where meetings for worship are not held in private houses. The late +revolutionists declare vengeance against these people, the pietists, as +they call them, and that if the war breaks out again, they are to be the +first to be cut off. But the present king gives them their liberty and his +protection, and has openly said the pietists have saved his +country.--(<i>Letter of 9 mo</i>. 15.) +<p> +<p> +Before they left Stuttgardt they were refreshed by a social evening's +recreation, one of those occasions of the familiar intercourse of +friendship, under the canopy of divine love, in which John Yeardley +especially delighted. +<p> +<p> +17<i>th</i>.--Our two young friends, Reuchlin, came to conduct us to their +garden among the vine-hills in the environs of the town. We there met +their precious mother, and were joined by a good many <i>interior</i> +ones, who had been invited to meet us. We had a precious little meeting in +the arbor, after which we gave them some account of the religious movement +in Belgium, &c., which pleased them much. We afterwards partook of fruit, +biscuits, and wine. I shall reckon this garden visit among the happy +moments of my life, because the presence of the Most High was with us. +<p> +<p> +On the 18th they went to Kornthal to visit the interesting society in that +place. Hoffmann's widow, who seems to have returned from Basle after the +death of her husband, was there, but so aged and infirm as to be confined +to the house. The inmates of the establishment were therefore convened in +some apartments adjoining her chamber, so that she could partake in the +spiritual repast. Their kind friend Reuchlin had prepared the way for +them; and when the assembly took their seats, a solemn silence ensued. +John Yeardley and "Brother" Kölne addressed the meeting, and the former +supplicated at the conclusion. On their way back to Stuttgardt, Madame +Reuchlin interrogated them on the doctrine of election, and was rejoiced +to hear from them their full belief in the universality of the grace of +God; and as they communicated to one another their convictions respecting +this great truth, their spirits were knit together in the love of the +gospel. +<p> +From another pious person in this city, John Yeardley received a word of +timely encouragement. He was anxious about their going into Bohemia, not +having, as he thought, a sufficiently clear guidance to determine his +course. +<p> +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 19.--A very acceptable visit from a worthy brother, Weiz. He +introduced himself and commenced speaking on the guidance and consolations +of the Holy Spirit, and spoke of his own experience as though he had known +the thoughts of my heart. I have, said he, sometimes earnestly prayed to +the Lord for direction what way to take, and have received no intimation; +all has been dark within; I knew not whether to go right or left, and I +have been compelled to go forward. I have then said, Lord, thou knowest my +heart, be pleased to prosper my way; I leave the consequence to thee. +<p> +<p> +The conclusion to which they came in regard to Bohemia was, not to attempt +the journey at that time, but to return to England for the winter, and +leave the remoter districts of the circuit which they had in prospect till +another year. They therefore returned by Heilbronn to Kreuznach, where +they again found many opportunities of instructing and strengthening such +as had made some progress in the Christian course. +<p> +<p> +26<i>th</i>.--This evening had about a dozen serious persons to tea. After +a long conversation, we read a chapter, and made some remarks: there was +also a time of silence, with supplication. +<p> +10 <i>mo</i>. 1. <i>First-day</i>.--This afternoon we attended a meeting +at Schwabenheim, a few miles from here. Notice had been given of our +intention to be present, and the company was consequently larger than +usual. They meet in an old convent, the other end of which forms the +parish place of worship. After the singing and a short prayer, the good +old A. Tiegel read a chapter in the New Testament, and was proceeding to +make some remarks upon it, when I stopped him, feeling something on my +mind to say to the people. I was led to recommend a patient waiting upon +God for the renewed help of his Spirit, and also to speak on the progress +of the Gospel Church from Isaiah ii. 2, 3, &c. My M.Y. spoke a little in +German on the "still small voice," and the teaching of the Spirit. I did +not in this instance feel quite easy to put aside the whole of their +service. After meeting we had coffee with Tiegel, and took back in our +carriage a few of our Kreuznach friends who had walked to the meeting.<a name="FNanchor13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13"><sup>[13]</sup></a> +<p> +4<i>th</i>.--Yesterday evening we had a few friends with us two hours, by +appointment, to speak concerning the rules, &c., of our Society. Many +questions were asked, and a pretty detailed account given by us, as well +as we were able. The company were all satisfied, and wished to come again. +<p> +6<i>th</i>.--To-day we received a visit from a young English lady. She +came to ask how we understood the passages in Paul's Epistles forbidding +women to speak in the church. We soon gave her an answer, and handled the +matter so fully that she was quieted down before she left, little +thinking, as she acknowledged, that so much could be said in defence of +the practice among Friends. She even said she thought it to be a general +loss to the Christian Church that women are not permitted to take part in +the ministry. She is a thorough Millenarian, and said the prophecy in +Joel, that the Spirit should be poured out on all flesh, referred to the +coming of Christ to reign on the earth, until I reminded her of what +happened on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said expressly that it was +the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Two other ladies were with her. We +parted friendly, and she thanked me for the information I had given her. +<p> +7<i>th</i>.--Went to Treisen to a meeting. The little company meet only +about eight persons usually, but we found about thirty assembled in a +small room. I thought it one of the most lively meetings we have had. They +wished me to conduct it in our own way. I told them we always commenced +our worship by sitting in silence. They said, We will also sit still. I +was favored with strength to speak to them of the pool of Bethesda, when +the angel troubled the water, and on the nature and advantage of true +silence before God. At the close, none seemed to wish to depart, but +entered into serious conversation. I think I never saw more satisfaction +exhibited at receiving books than on this occasion. After coffee, we +returned to our lodgings with thankful hearts. +<p> +In the evening came three young women, with an elderly lady, the mother of +one of them. We had much conversation, and a precious little meeting, +which concluded with solemn supplication--a nice finish to our sojourn in +interesting Kreuznach. +<p> +Our friend Ott has accompanied us; he has been to us as eyes in the +wilderness. +<p> +<p> +From Kreuznach they returned to Bonn, stopping at Darmstadt, Wiesbaden and +Neuwied. John Yeardley had allowed some discouragement to enter his mind +in regard to the meeting they had had the previous month at the Countess +Stynum's. They found, however, on repeating their visit to this place, +that the occasion in question had been one "of peculiar benefit and +encouragement." They renewed their religious intercourse with the Countess +and her friends to their great refreshment and joy. +<p> +<p> +12<i>th</i>.--The evening was spent with the Countess, in a quiet and more +private interview than she had with us the last time, owing to so many +strangers being present. After tea we had a long conversation on various +religious subjects, particularly on some points relating to the principles +of Friends, arising from what she had read in the books we left with her +in our former visit. We were glad of an opportunity to answer her +questions. A few of her private friends were present, much to our comfort. +Before leaving, the forty-sixth Psalm was read, and we had a comforting +time together: the Lord be praised! How sweet in him is the fellowship of +the gospel! +<p> +<p> +Writing to Josiah Forster from Bonn, John Yeardley makes some general +remarks on the religious state of Germany, as they had found it in their +frequent intercourse with individuals of various character during this +journey. +<p> +<p> +There is no doubt that there is in the German character generally a +tendency to the visionary. We have found a few who hold doctrines on +certain points, which it might do harm to publish; but we find or hear +nothing of fanaticism now as formerly. Those who are spiritually-minded +are more chastened, and more sound and scriptural in their views of +religious truth; but not without exception. +<p> +<p> +A meeting at Mühlheim "not large, but a good time," closed their religious +service in this part of their long and arduous engagement. +<p> +They arrived in England on the 20th of the Tenth Month, "with peaceful +feelings, and in gratitude to their Heavenly Father for all his mercies +towards his unworthy servants;" but "mourning the loss of some beloved +ones who had died in the Lord in their absence." +<p> +After about five months passed in the quiet of home, they made preparation +once more for accomplishing the work to which they had been called. The +prospect of distant travel was discouraging, both on account of Martha +Yeardley's weak health and of the state of the Continent; but, writes John +Yeardley, "my mind is peaceful, and I have an abiding conviction that it +is right to proceed, trusting in the Lord for light, strength and safety." +<p> +On their way through Belgium, the same feeling was strongly impressed upon +his mind. +<p> +<p> +1850. 4 <i>mo</i>. 7.--In the train, soon after leaving Brussels, my +spirit was melted under a feeling of the Lord's goodness. The object of +our journey came weightily before me, and I considered we had left our +home and every object most dear to our natural affections, with the sole +view to serve our Lord and Master, and in the desire to use our feeble +powers to draw souls to Him, that they might partake of spiritual +communion with the Beloved of souls, through his grace. A degree of +precious resignation followed; and, whatever may be the result as it +regards ourselves, I believe it is the Lord's will for us thus to go +forth, in his name; and should I or the precious partner of my bosom not +be permitted again to see our native land, we shall be happy and at rest, +through the mercy of that Saviour who gave his precious life for us. +<p> +<p> +On arriving at Berlin their first duty was to apply to the Russian +ambassador for his signature to their passport, with permission to enter +the Russian territory at Odessa. Their application met with an immediate +and positive refusal, and the extinction of his hopes in this respect was +to John Yeardley a grievous disappointment. +<p> +The next evening, after they had borne their burden all the day, dejected +in spirit, and uncertain which way to turn, their hearts were lightened by +a visit from August Beyerhaus, who at once attached himself to them and +offered them help. He could indeed do nothing to facilitate their entrance +into Russia, but he was the means of diverting their minds from the +consideration of what had now become hopeless, and of opening to them, in +Berlin, a door of usefulness. Through his introduction they became +acquainted with several devoted Christians, some of them of wide +reputation in the Church. These interviews, which were occasions of +heartfelt spiritual communion, are thus noticed in the Diary:-- +<p> +<p> +4 <i>mo</i>. 22.--Samuel Elsner is an aged warm-hearted Christian, full of +faith and good works: he gave us important information, and will send me +some names of pious persons in Silesia. +<p> +Pastor Gossner we found green in old age; seventy-five years of a +variegated life have taught him many useful lessons. His refuge now is +strong faith in the Saviour. He was at work in his arm-chair, and was much +pleased to see us. +<p> +23<i>rd</i>.--Pastor Knack, successor to Gossner, is a man of a lively +spirit, to whom we at once felt united. He very liberally offered us the +liberty of speaking to his flock (the Bohemian congregation in Berlin); +and also invited us to visit the little company in the village where we +propose going this evening. +<p> +At 3 o'clock we had a sweet interview with Professor Neander, an aged man +of a striking figure and a Jewish countenance, pervaded by heavenly +calmness, and illumined by the bright shades of gospel light. His eyes are +become dim through excessive study; his heart is very large, full of love +and hope in Jesus Christ. He seemed pleased to hear some account of the +order of our Society, particularly with regard to the ministry and gospel +missions, observing, "With you, then, there is liberty for all to speak +when moved by the Holy Spirit, just as in the primitive church." This +observation led us to several points of our discipline, and he seemed +delighted that a society existed whose practice, in many things, came so +near to that of the primitive church. Before parting the spirit of +supplication came over us, under which prayer was offered, particularly +for this aged servant of the Lord. His disinterestedness is great. The +king will sometimes give him money, that he may take relaxation in going +to the baths, &c. But so susceptible is his heart for many who are +necessitous, that he will often give to others all that he has received. +The good king has then to repeat his gift, and send him away almost by +force from his labors. +<p> +<p> +After these choice visits, John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +24<i>th</i>.--A ray of light and hope has broken in upon our gloomy +path,--not into Russia; there <i>Satan</i> is still permitted to hinder; +but in this city. +<p> +<p> +They spent two days at Rixdorf, the village alluded to above, three miles +from Berlin, where was a small congregation of Bohemian Brethren, who took +refuge there in 1737. The women of the society held religious meetings by +themselves twice a week. These meetings had been instituted many years +before by Maria Liestig, to whom John and Martha Yeardley were introduced, +and whom they found to be of a meek and intelligent spirit. She gave them +a relation of her extraordinary conversion, which John Yeardley published +in No. 3 of his Series of Tracts, under the title of the <i>Conversion of +Mary Merry</i>. They held a meeting in the village, in which they both had +to "speak closely on the necessity of silence in worship." They had also a +small meeting at their hotel in Berlin, when "the gospel message flowed +freely, in speaking of the spiritual dispensation in which we live, and +the progress of light." +<p> +On the 29th they left Berlin, and went to the beautiful watering-place of +Warmbrunn, in Silesia. The dwellings of the laborers in Silesia struck +them as being of a wretched description. "What they do." says J.Y., "in a +rigorous winter, like the last, I cannot tell; they appeared to be mostly. +Roman Catholics." +<p> +They resided a month at Warmbrunn. Some of the simple incidents which +befel them there form the subjects of the following extracts:-- +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 10.--Yesterday was a thorough rainy day; but in the +afternoon, to our surprise, came in eight men together, who had heard of +strangers having arrived in Warmbrunn to visit those who love the Saviour. +We explained to them our religious principles; their countenances +brightened when we spoke of the Spirit being poured out upon all--sons and +daughters. A sweet feeling was present with us, and supplication was +offered under much solemnity. +<p> +11<i>th</i>.--I have had a long conversation with C.W. Grossner, of +Breslau, on the Supper, &c. We opened the Testament, and read the various +passages, and I explained our views as well as I could. I think he is +brought under serious thoughtfulness, and half convinced of our principles +with regard to the rites, which he acknowledges are vain without the +substance. "Religion with many, nowadays," he observed, "is like a +polished shell without kernel." +<p> +13<i>th</i>.--The Countess Schaffgotsch sent her butler with a message +from the castle that she would be glad if we would call on her. She gave +us a hearty reception, and thanked us for taking so much interest about +the people. On our presenting her with some books;--But I am a Catholic, +she said. We told her that made no difference to us; we loved all who +loved the Lord Jesus. She spoke very sweetly of the influence of the +spirit. +<p> +14<i>th</i>.--The Countess paid us a long visit, and spoke much of the +Roman Catholic faith. She has no more faith in the efficacy of the prayers +of the saints than I have, and said she had not prayed to them now for +four years; their church only <i>advises</i>, not <i>commands</i> it. +<p> +16<i>th</i>.--We went to dine with the Countess Reden and her sister, who +live at the castle in Buchwald, one of the most lovely spots in the most +lovely of countries. It is truly a peaceful abode, whose inmates fear +their God, love their neighbor, and greatly esteem their king. We had been +announced to the Countess from Berlin a week before; she and her amiable +sister received us as a brother and sister beloved in the Lord. I never +witnessed more intelligence combined with Christian politeness and real +simplicity. The Countess is about seventy-six years of age; she is the +president of the Bible Society, and the spiritual mother of all that is +good in the neighborhood. She nursed the present king on her lap when he +was a baby, and her great influence with him now she always turns to good +account in serving benevolence and religion. Both she and her sister spoke +with much affection of dear Elizabeth J. Fry, and her visit with Joseph +John Gurney. +<p> +26<i>th</i>.--Our last meeting, on First-day evening, consisted of all +men, several of whom had come from Erdmannsdorf and the colonies of the +Tyrolese. They seemed to appreciate the time of silence, and expressed +much satisfaction with having made our acquaintance, and with the meeting. +<p> +<p> +On the 30th of the Fifth Month, J. and M. Y. quitted Warmbrunn and +proceeded towards Bohemia. +<p> +<p> +We passed, says the former, through Hirschberg. Goldberg, Liegnitz, and to +Dresden, Leipzig, and Halle, making acquaintance in all these places with +serious persons, and, I hope, scattering here and there a little gospel +seed; but truly we may say, It is sown in weakness. At Halle we were much +gratified with our visit to Dr. Tholuck, but I think, not less so with his +wife, a most lovely person, delighting to <i>feel</i> and to <i>do</i> +good. +<p> +<p> +On arriving at Dresden, it became evident that Martha Yeardley, who had, +suffered much for some time from an affection of the windpipe, required +repose and medical care; and they concluded to rest awhile at the baths of +Töplitz. The illness of his wife, and some degree of bodily indisposition +from which he himself suffered, did not prevent John Yeardley from +employing the time in the diffusion of evangelical truth. +<p> +He had heard at Berlin that within a few months several hundred Bibles and +Testaments had been sent into Bohemia, and had been eagerly bought there +by awakened persons. He thought that if a translation could be made into +the Bohemian language of some simple religious tracts, much good might be +done by their dissemination; but he supposed that the intolerant laws of +the Austrian Empire, which forbad all freedom of religious action, were +still in full force. His account of his feelings and those of Martha +Yeardley under the burden which this supposition imposed on them, and of +the agreeable manner in which permission was unexpectedly granted them to +print and circulate their little messengers of peace, must be given in his +own words:-- +<p> +<p> +Our hearts yearned towards the people, but we were afraid to give them +tracts, which in other places had often been the means to conversation and +to making acquaintance. This brought us low in mind; the body was already +weak enough before. We thought it would not do to pass through the country +in this state of depression, without trying to remove the cause. I went, +therefore, the next morning to the head of the authorities, took with me +one of our little tracts, mostly Scripture extracts, and asked whether I +might be allowed to have the little book, or such as I then presented to +him, printed for circulation. He received me politely, indeed kindly, and +looked pleased with my tract, saying as be turned over its innocent little +pages, Ah, nothing about politics; nothing against the religion of the +country: it is very good, it is beautiful. You are quite at liberty to +print and circulate such tracts as these. And when he found that the +object was to do good to all, without cost to the receiver, he said, That +is lovely.--(<i>Letter of 6 mo. 23.</i>) +<p> +<p> +The Bohemian translations were not made until J. and M. Y. went to Prague, +which they did on the 22nd. Their feelings on entering this city, and the +manner in which they were helped in their work of love, are described in +the following diaries:-- +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo.</i> 23.--Last evening we arrived at Prague. Our heart sunk on +approaching this great city. The twenty-eight statues of saints, &c. on +the bridge, with the many lamps devoted to these images, the crucifixes, +&c., all indicated that superstition rages rampant. +<p> +We lost no time in sending to the Protestant pastors, one of whom kindly +came to us in the evening, and we conversed till late. I showed him my +little <i>Spiritual Bread for Christian Workmen</i>, with which he was +much pleased. I told him I wanted it translated into the Bohemian +language. This afternoon he paid us another visit, and brought his wife to +see my M.Y. He produced the translation of the introduction to the little +tract. We are to have 2000 printed. Most of the poor people read only the +Bohemian language. I have promised to place 1000 at the disposal of the +pastor; he is delighted with the opportunity of having anything of the +kind <i>printed in Prague</i>. +<p> +Much, adds J. Y. in a letter, as I have suffered in the long prospect of a +visit to this place, I feel a peculiar satisfaction that it has been +deferred until there is liberty to print and circulate gospel tracts. +Small as such a privilege may appear, until very recently such +distribution of books would have been visited with a very inconvenient +imprisonment on the individual transgressing the law.--(6 <i>mo</i>. 23.) +<p> +24<i>th</i>.--I gave Pastor Bennisch for perusal, and choice for +translation, William. Allen's <i>Thoughts on the Importance of +Religion</i>, and our tracts on the <i>Fall, Regeneration and Redemption, +True Faith, and the Voice of Conscience</i>. There is a great movement +among the Catholics; they have need to be instructed in the first +principles of Christianity, and it is very important that the doctrine of +faith in Christ should be combined with that of the practical working of +the Spirit as set forth in many of our tracts. On this account, I am glad +they are likely to take precedence of others in their circulation; for I +do not hear that any tracts decidedly religious have yet been printed in +Prague. +<p> +<p> +During their stay in the city, and after they left, there were printed +12,000 copies of the tracts in Bohemian, and 1000 in German. +<p> +At Töplitz, which they revisited before leaving Bohemia, occurred the +interesting incident of the Bohemian soldier, which is related under that +title in John Yeardley's series of tracts, No. 4. +<p> +When they finally quitted the country, they took the nearest road to +Kreuznach. On the way, they distributed tracts in the villages, at one of +which, where they were detained for want of horses, the inhabitants +flocked so eagerly to them to receive these little messengers, that they +had difficulty in satisfying them. Notwithstanding this circumstance, the +reflection with which John Yeardley concludes his account of their travels +in Bohemia was, "It will require a power more than human to make the +<i>dry bones of Bohemia</i> live." +<p> +They spent three weeks at Kreuznach, confirming the faith of the brethren, +and printing German translations of several tracts. In passing through +Neuwied, they intended only to spend the night there; but hearing that +much inquiry after the way of salvation had recently manifested itself in +the villages around, they decided, after the horses had been ordered for +departure, to remain and visit one of these villages. A meeting was +called, and so many attended that the room could not contain them all. It +was a good season; De Freis, the friend who had made them acquainted with +the religious condition of the place, accompanied them as guide, and was a +true helper in the work. He had been twenty years missionary in Greenland +and South Africa. +<p> +They returned home, both of them worn with travelling, and Martha Yeardley +exhausted with disease, which was making sure progress in her debilitated +frame; but they were supported by the peaceful consciousness of having +accomplished all the service to which they had been called to labor in +common. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XVIII. +<p> +<p> +DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO NORWAY. +<p> +1851-2. +<p> +Martha Yeardley continued very unwell during the autumn, and by the end of +the year her disorder assumed a more alarming form. It soon became evident +that her dedicated life must at no distant period be brought to a close; +and after many weeks of suffering, with confinement to the chamber during +the latter part of the time, she expired, full of peace and hope in Christ +Jesus, in the Fifth Month, 1851. The following memorandum, touchingly +descriptive of her illness and death, was penned by her bereaved husband, +probably soon after her decease. +<p> +<p> +After our return from the Continental journey my beloved M.Y. became more +poorly. A severe influenza cold weakened her much; and a second attack she +seemed never to recover. It was succeeded by a regular rheumatic fever. +From the commencement of 1851, with but little exception, she was confined +to the house, and for a little while to her bed, until the 8th of the +Fifth Month, when her sweet and purified spirit ascended to her Saviour, +and commenced an eternity of bliss. +<p> +Thus was I deprived of my only earthly treasure. She was the Lord's +precious loan, granted me for nearly a quarter of a century, for which I +can never be sufficiently [thankful]. She was his own, bought with the +blood of his dear Son, and he saw meet to take her from me. Ours was a +blessed union, and a happy life, spent, I hope, unitedly in the service of +our Lord. In all our imperfections we did desire, above all earthly +things, to do the work of our Divine Master, and to labor for the +promotion of his kingdom, and for the spread of his knowledge in the +earth. +<p> +I was her only nurse till within ten days of her happy close. Long had a +covenant been made between us, in the time of health, that whichever of us +was taken ill the first, should be nursed by the surviving one, if +permitted and strength afforded; which it mercifully was to me, and a +happy season was the sick-room. We seemed to live together in heaven; +never, I think, could two mortals be more favored with the answer to +prayer. +<p> +In the early part of her illness she spoke much of the satisfaction she +had felt in our three last journeys to the Continent, and that she was +thankful in having been enabled to go through the whole of the service +which her Lord had put into her heart. I have since thought it was a mercy +that I did not proceed into South Russia, as, in all probability, my +precious one would have fallen on the journey, and never seen her peaceful +home again. +<p> +During the whole of the illness her delight was to speak of the joy of +heaven. My sins of omission and of commission, she said, are all passed +by; my iniquities are all forgiven, and washed away in the blood of the +Lamb; and now I rejoice in God my Saviour. His love and mercy to me are +beyond all bounds; and so strong is my faith in my precious Saviour, that +I have scarcely known, the whole of the illness, what it has been to be +troubled with an evil thought. +<p> +When she expressed a desire to go to Heaven, I reminded her of my +loneliness when she should be taken from me. The Lord will care for thee, +was her constant reply. He has promised me over and over again that he +will care for thee; the answer to my prayer has always been, I will care +for him. +<p> +Nearly the last conversation she had with any of her beloved relatives was +with ----, to whom she observed: My affection for thee is strong; I +believe thou lovest thy Saviour: I desire that thou mayest keep nothing +back that the Lord may require of thee, but serve him with greater +devotedness of heart; and if ever thou art called to bear public testimony +to his truth, be sure to preach the whole gospel, faith in Christ, and the +necessity of the practical work of the Holy Spirit to produce holiness of +life. To [another of her near relatives] she observed: Thou hast often +been sweetly visited by the love of thy Saviour, and be assured thou wilt +never find any joy equal to that of yielding thy heart in prompt obedience +to the will of thy Lord. Her last words to her affectionate sisters were, +The Lord bless you all: Farewell. +<p> +<p> +Towards the end of the year John Yeardley again communed with himself in +the language of sorrow, but also of humble resignation. At the same time +he speaks of an engagement of gospel labor from which he had then recently +returned, the first which he had undertaken alone since his marriage with +Martha Savory. Having seen his faithful and well-tried comrade fall by his +side, he had now to learn again to gird himself and enter, as in the days +of his youth, alone into the combat. +<p> +<p> +1851. 12 <i>mo.</i> 13.--How often have I prayed that the portion of her +Lord's spirit which animated her devoted life may rest on me! Her heart, +her tongue, and her pen were all employed in promoting the cause of her +Divine Master, whom she delighted to serve. All my earthly joy was now +gone to heaven, and I felt alone in the world; but my spirit seemed never +to be separated from her: she seemed to be hovering over me constantly. My +heart does sorrow for the loss of her sweet society; to me she was a wise +and sound counsellor, and a never-failing consoler in all my troubles. I +do mourn, but I dare not murmur. I hope my merciful Heavenly Father will +keep me in the hour of temptation, and be with me in the last trying hour, +and prepare me to join this precious one and all by whom she is surrounded +with her God and Saviour in the centre of bliss. +<p> +I had often mentioned to my precious one a prospect of religious service +in Ireland, and once since our return home from our last Continental +journey; when she replied, "I have no concern to go to Ireland--thou must +do that when I am taken from thee." It cost me many tears and prayers +before I could be resigned to request a certificate, alone, for the first +time since our union; but, looking seriously at the subject, the language +was constantly in my heart, The hour cometh when no man can work. Life is +uncertain, and I can only expect sustaining grace by faithfully following +my Lord: and, blessed be his name, he has kept and sustained me in every +trial. +<p> +This day would have been the twenty-fifth anniversary of our union. How +near it has brought my precious one to me in spirit, and how strong are my +prayers that my Lord may preserve me faithful to the end of the race! I +can say my desire is, when he cometh, he may not find me idle. +<p> +<p> +The visit which John Yeardley made in Ireland was general, comprehending +all, or nearly all, the meetings of Friends in the island, and including a +few public meetings in Leinster province. He has left very few notes of +this journey, except an itinerary of the places at which he stopped, but +makes frequent mention of the hospitality and kindness of Friends. From +Cork he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +I am in the midst of a family visit to the Friends of Cork, and shall +have, I expect, from ninety to a hundred sittings. I am lodged a few miles +in the country, in a mansion surrounded by beautiful grounds, and all the +beloved inmates most affectionate and helpful to me. They send me to my +work in or about the city mostly to breakfast; and I return, in the +evening, and enjoy the refreshing breezes and the quiet: but then I have +the family visits to resume next morning. In riding to town to-day, I +tried to raise my heart to God; when the language sweetly occurred to me, +Bread shall be given thee, thy water shall be sure.--(<i>Letter of 8 mo. +5, 1851.</i>) +<p> +<p> +A few days after his return from Ireland, he left home again to visit the +Isle of Man, in company with Barnard Dickenson. On his return, he was +refreshed by a visit to Dover, where he spent three weeks in the company +of his kind and sympathising friend Margaret Pope. +<p> +The interval which elapsed before the recommencement of his missionary +labors was to be short. In the First Month of 1852, we find him again +under exercise of mind for foreign travel; having, this time, to direct +his course towards the interesting community of religious persons in +Norway, whose principles and practices are the same as those of Friends. +The Diary which follows is the utterance of his heart in the prospect of +this work. +<p> +<p> +1852. 1 <i>mo.</i> 24.--This has been a precious morning unto my soul; +such a season of spiritual comfort I have not been permitted to experience +for a long time. I think it is vouchsafed me through the efficacy of +earnest prayer, which has brought me to resignation to my Lord's will. I +have now no more doubt as to Norway. Light springs on my path. How +powerful is the love of God when it fills the heart; there is not a place +on the Lord's earth where I think I could not go, if favored with the +strength, and blessed with the presence of my God and Saviour. +<p> +Unto thee, Lord, do I commit all my concerns, spiritual and temporal; do +thou give to thy unworthy servant an answer of peace. Keep me faithful and +patient to the end of the race. Lord, grant that my ministry, which thou +hast entrusted to me, may proceed purely and entirely from thy love, and +be exercised in thy fear and under the unction of thy Holy Spirit. Lord, +keep my heart fixed, on the last, last awful moment that I may have to +breathe; grant that it may be breathed out in the bosom of my adorable +Saviour; all sting of death taken away, my robes washed in his blood, and +my spirit purified and ready to be united to those beloved ones who are +already enjoying a blissful eternity with thee! +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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:-- +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +They reached Kiel by easy stages in seven days. From this place he +writes:-- +<p> +<p> +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.--(<i>Letter of +7 mo.</i> 2, 1852.) +<p> +<p> +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. +<p> +<p> +At a meeting which they held in this city, both John Yeardley and Peter +Bedford were engaged to minister to the spiritual wants of the people; A. +Kloster interpreting for them. The company were so much interested, that +many of them went afterwards to the hotel to converse and ask for tracts. +<p> +The Friends left Christiania on the 10th, and sailed through the +rock-bound sea to Christiansand, the passage between the cliffs being in +some places so narrow that there was no more room than was sufficient for +the vessel to pass. +<p> +In this town they enjoyed much freedom in the gospel, and held two public +meetings. Regarding the first of these, John Yeardley says:-- +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 13.--Our large room at the hotel was filled half an hour +before the time appointed, and it was with difficulty that we made our way +to our seats. A little unsettlement prevailed from the desire to enter, +which subsided after a few explanatory words. A time of quiet ensued, and +there was much openness to receive the gospel message. Before the close of +the meeting I became exceedingly thoughtful about appointing another for +the next evening; and on intimating the same to P.B., I found he was under +the same impression. It was, therefore, announced to the assembly before +they separated, and appeared much to satisfy them. The dear people were +unwilling to part from us without a shake by the hand.--(<i>Diary and +Letter</i>.) +<p> +<p> +At one of the meetings which they held in this town, whilst John Yeardley +was preaching, he became sensible that his interpreter had himself +received something to communicate to the congregation; he therefore +stopped speaking, and the interpreter, faithful to his duty, took up the +word until he had cleared his mind from its burden. After he had finished, +John Yeardley resumed his discourse. +<p> +On the 14th the Friends drove out a few miles into the country to "pay +some family visits." They had two double carrioles, or gigs: the road over +which they passed was "steep and rugged beyond description." In returning, +the carriole in which Peter Bedford rode struck against a rock at a sharp +corner and was overset. Peter Bedford's right shoulder was dislocated, and +he otherwise bruised. In conveying him into Christiansand he suffered much +from the shaking of the car; but the joint was quickly set by a skilful +surgeon; and, in the evening, the love he felt for the people was so +strong, that he could not remain absent from the meeting which had been +appointed for that time, and he even took part in its vocal exercise. +<p> +<p> +It was, writes John Yeardley, a favored time. Peter Bedford gave some +account of the difference between our religious Society and other +professing Christians. It opened the way for me to speak on the peculiar +doctrines and practices of Friends at more length than I ever remember to +have done before; after which the glad tidings of the gospel flowed +freely, and the people were invited to come to Christ and partake of the +full blessedness of his teaching by the Holy Spirit. A precious solemnity +prevailed, and the serious attention of the company was great. A good many +soldiers, and some officers, were present; but the expression of our +dissent from all wars and fightings had not displeased them, for they +shook hands with US most kindly.--(<i>Diary and Letter</i>.) +<p> +<p> +Besides being interested for the people of Christiansand in general, John +Yeardley and Peter Bedford were especially attracted towards several young +men who had embraced the doctrines of Friends, without any knowledge of +the Society, and without any instruction from man. With these persons they +met more than once. John Yeardley writes:-- +<p> +<p> +"We had a precious meeting with them. They were invited to embrace the +doctrines of the gospel in living faith, and to give full room to the +workings of the Spirit of Jesus, whose voice they had already heard +inviting them to come under his teaching. We encouraged them to meet for +divine worship." +<p> +<p> +On the 16th the Friends proceeded thirty-five miles to Mandal, travelling +post. From thence, John Yeardley and Asbjön Kloster went by the road to +Stavanger, leaving Peter Bedford and William Robinson to follow by +steam-vessel, the former being unable to bear the motion of the Norwegian +carriages. +<p> +John Yeardley, in one of his letters, in a lively manner describes the +mode of travelling:-- +<p> +<p> +The usual vehicle in this country is the single-seated carriole, made +exactly to fit the figure of the traveller, and no spare room except a +little well under his feet. The seat is placed on two crossbars fixed to +the long shafts, the spring of which is intended to mitigate the jolting +of the road. We chose double cars on iron springs, which we found <i>not +too easy</i>: they were like old-fashioned, worn-out, and very shabby +English gigs. The posting is under government regulation, and is performed +by sure-footed ponies kept by the farmers, who are obliged to supply them +under any circumstances after having had notice. A <i>forbud</i> is sent +on with printed notices filled up with the time at which the traveller +expects to arrive at each station. This <i>avant-courier</i> is often a +little boy, and sometimes, to save the expense of a horse, for which the +traveller has paid, he is sent on foot. On one occasion we met a young +girl, with bare feat, who had walked sixteen miles with notice papers, as +our <i>forbud</i>. Now away goes the traveller, accompanied by a man, or +more often a boy, or it may be a little girl, to bring back the pony. They +run by the side, but down hills always seat themselves behind on the +luggage as best they can. The traveller drives himself, and the little +horses are so brisk that, whatever the state of the road may be, they run +down the mountains as fast as they can clatter, and so sure-footed that +they are scarcely ever known to fall; but a person of weak nerves has no +business to be the rider. +<p> +From Christiansand to Stavanger is about 200 miles, which took us four +days. Our road lay occasionally over a wild and stony heath by the sea, +sometimes along the river-banks, lakes, or fiords, but more often among +and upon the high and rugged rocks; the passing of some of which is, I +think, more difficult than crossing the Alps between Switzerland and +Italy.--(<i>letter of 8 mo. 3.</i>) +<p> +<p> +On the way towards Stavanger John Yeardley had a public meeting at +Flekkefiord, the first time such a meeting had been held in the place. It +was "a good time," and so well attended that the town-hall could not +contain nearly all who came together. +<p> +Immediately on arriving at Stavanger, the Friends commenced visiting the +families of the Friends in the town and on the adjacent islands; and on +the next First-day held a meeting about eleven miles up one of the fiords, +to which so many flocked from all directions that they were obliged to +assemble in the open air:-- +<p> +<p> +It was, says J.Y., a lovely sight to see so many clean-dressed peasants, +in their mountain costume, with a seriousness in their countenances which +indicated that a motive better than curiosity had brought them together. I +was reminded and had to speak of the miracle of our blessed Saviour, when +he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass, and fed them with +five barley loaves and two fishes. +<p> +Since this time, he says in a letter, we hold our public meetings in the +open air, and the stillness that prevails is quite remarkable. Last +evening we had a solemn opportunity in a plantation belonging to one of +our Friends by the seaside. The hushing of the trees, the gentle rolling +of the waves behind a strong sea-wall, and the warbling of the little +birds, all seemed to aid our worship; but these would have been nothing +had not the presence of our Divine Master been near. After the meeting, as +many as could be seated partook of tea, &c. The seriousness, simplicity, +kindness and hospitality, are great. All flock together as if they were +one family.--(7 <i>mo</i>. 28.) +<p> +<p> +After this the Friends availed themselves of the efficient assistance of +Endré Dahl, and of the active peasants who form a large portion of the +Society of Friends there, in a more extensive excursion which they made up +one of the fiords which in so remarkable a manner intersect the country. +John Yeardley gives a graphic description of this voyage. +<p> +<p> +Our efficient helper prepared his own boat; our ship's company are all +volunteers. We set out with seven, but were joined by others on the way, +so that this morning we started with ten men. They are a most cheerful and +playful company, all interested in the object of our voyage. It does my +heart good to see with what delight they bring planks for seats, and run +in all directions to give notice of our meetings. Each seems to strive +which shall show us the most attention, even anticipating our wants. They +enjoy our family readings and worship; their conduct is instructive; and +the solemnity on these occasions precious. +<p> +On Fifth-day we landed on an island (Findon) sprinkled with trees, and +with a park-like bank sloping to the water. This was refreshing to the eye +after having seen nothing but bare rook for many days. The meeting was at +our friend's house who owned the pretty little farm. It was sweet and +refreshing; and afterwards a number of these people accompanied us to the +boat, and did not quit their standing till we were out of sight. My heart +yearned towards them in gospel love. +<p> +Next morning we started before 6 o'clock, and when we had rowed fourteen +English miles put into a little village, Ielsom. We were all strangers in +the place, and Friends and their principles unknown. Our friend Endré Dahl +had a pointing that we should try for a meeting, which was appointed for +2 o'clock. After waiting till 3, only one or two persons came, and we had +a consultation whether we should proceed on our voyage, but concluded it +safer to go in and sit down. When we were seated (I may say in faith), +first one and then another came in, till the large room and passage were +filled, and a number were outside under the windows. It was quite a +remarkable meeting, and we were well satisfied in having exercised +patience as well as a little faith. We were informed that it was the +custom of the place not to attend any appointed meeting till an hour after +the time named. +<p> +We arrived at Sand about 9 o'clock, after hard rowing, the tide being +against us. Sand is beautifully placed at an opening in the rocks, at the +mouth of a river where salmon-fishing is good. As soon as we landed, our +ship's company made the object of our journey known, when a +serious-looking man immediately offered to go about six miles to inform a +person who he knew would like to attend. Two individuals in this place +have for some time been in the practice of holding a silent meeting for +worship; they had no knowledge of Friends, nor Friends of them. +<p> +<p> +Fixing the meeting for the First-day evening, John Yeardley and his +companions pursued their way the next morning, which was Seventh-day, to +Sävde, situated at the head of the fiord, and consequently the extreme +point of their voyage. Before starting they went a little way up the Sand +river, to view one of the grand Norwegian waterfalls, and also to see how +the salmon-fishery is conducted. +<p> +<p> +A hamper of about six feet in diameter, and the same height, made by the +fisherman of the roughest wicker-work, is placed in a side stream of the +rock, in the bed of the river. The anxiety of the salmon to mount up the +stream is so great, that he forces himself through a hole into the hamper, +as the easiest way of advancing upwards, from which position he cannot +again escape. In this manner, in a favorable season, sixty-three salmon +have been caught in one night in a single basket. It is a source of wealth +to the little town of Sand. +<p> +<p> +At Sävde they held a meeting on First-day morning. +<p> +<p> +We reached the head of the fiord, writes John Yeardley by 12 o'clock, and +found but poor accommodation. We three had one room with three beds; Endré +Dahl with his willing-hearted and contented men lodged in a barn on straw. +There was time enough to arrange for a meeting in the morning, and we +applied for a room at the inn; but a little knot of illiberal Haugeans +[followers of Hauge], or <i>Saints</i>, as they call themselves, persuaded +our landlord not to let us meet in his house. But we obtained better +accommodation under the rocks in a house containing two rooms connected by +a passage, and, seating ourselves in the centre, could be well heard by +those outside the door. We had a good meeting. +<p> +<p> +Returning to Sand, he continues:-- +<p> +<p> +The wind being against us, the men had to work very hard at the oar to +bring us in time for the meeting appointed for 6 o'clock at Sand. Some of +the Friends from near Sävde accompanied us in their small boat; and some +from Sand had gone many miles to attend the meeting at Sävde, and returned +to the one at Sand. Their zeal is great and their love fervent. This was a +very crowded meeting, and proved a satisfactory time. We found here a few +of the <i>Saints</i>, but of a more liberal cast; they expressed great +grief that their brethren at the head of the fiord had refused the +peaceable messengers of the gospel from a far country a house in which to +meet. This unwelcome news had reached them long before our arrival. +<p> +<p> +At a later date, John Yeardley relates an occurrence which happened at +Sand, worthy of note in itself, and which must have been not a little +confirmatory of his faith. It came to his knowledge after his return to +Stavanger. +<p> +<p> +When we were at Sand, one of the Friends who joins in holding the silent +meeting invited several of our ship's company to his house; but the man's +wife was so exasperated that she drove them away, saying she would not +have such folks under her roof. She had confounded the principles of +Friends with those of some wild persons who had gone about the country +spreading ranterism, and giving the people the idea that they were of our +Society. It was in vain to reason with her, and the husband, for the sake +of peace, mildly consented to let the Friends withdraw. However, she +attended our public meeting, where the gospel doctrine of our Society was +pretty fully illustrated; and I felt constrained also to preach on the +unreasonableness of persecution for conscience' sake, either by the +government, private persons, or families. Conviction seized her heart, and +she became broken to pieces. After the meeting she sought up the Friends +whom she had driven from her house, and told them she could not be happy +unless they would give her a proof of forgiveness by taking up their abode +in her family so long as they might remain in the place. Several of them +accepted the invitation, which gave them an opportunity for free and +satisfactory conversation. +<p> +How merciful are the Lord's doings with us in sending help in the needful +time! I was so spent when we arrived at Sand, having had nothing from +breakfast till 5 o'clock, that I said in my heart, It is impossible to get +through the meeting this evening. +<p> +<p> +The Friends had some religions service at several other places about +Stavanger, and on the 6th of the Eighth Month proceeded northward to +Bergen, accompanied by Endré Dahl and his wife and Asbjön Kloster. Their +chief service in this city was a public meeting, at which there was a +large attendance. John Yeardley says of the meeting:-- +<p> +<p> +There was a great mixture of feeling. Many pious, thirsty souls, I +believe, were present, and I hope such were encouraged and comforted; but +the strong impression on my mind was to call the sinner to repentance. +<p> +<p> +On their way back to Stavanger, among the passengers were two Finland +convicts, for whose peculiar case they felt much sympathy. +<p> +<p> +On board our steamer were two prisoners on the deck, in heavy irons. They +were natives of Finland, and had been sentenced to some months' +confinement in irons at Christiania, for having, it is said, committed +some outrage on the priest in disturbing the national worship. There has +for some time past been a great awakening about religion in Finland and +other parts of the North, and the most active among this number, in their +zeal not tempered with right knowledge, have transgressed the law. I +heartily pitied the two poor creatures, inasmuch as I feared justice had +not been done them; the prejudices of the priests and judges are so great +in all matters connected with any separation from the national worship. +They were chained together, and were clothed in their native reindeer +skins, and on their ironed feet were snow-sandals turned up with a long +toe. We offered them money, but they turned from it; and when acceptance +of it was pressed, their change of countenance indicated anger. They +understood nothing but the Finnish language. +<p> +<p> +On their return to Stavanger, Peter Bedford felt that his share in the +work was accomplished, and that it was not his part to accompany John +Yeardley in the service which remained for the latter to do in Norway. +After being present at another public meeting in Stavanger, and in a +parting interview with the Friends of the town, he went with William +Robinson direct to Kiel. John Yeardley had two or three more meetings in +the neighborhood of Stavanger, where the desire of the people to attend +was more remarkable than ever. +<p> +On the 11th of the Eighth Month he bade farewell to this interesting +place, and, accompanied by Endré Dahl, again crossed the mountains to +Christiansand, holding meetings at several places on the sea-coast, where +none had ever been held before. His notices of some of these meetings are +well worth transcription. +<p> +<p> +14<i>th</i>--Journeyed about fourteen miles up the fiord, into the +mountains, to Aamut in Qvindesdalen. This meeting was the most solemn of +any we have had. Many said, in tears, at the conclusion, This is a +doctrine that we cannot resist; it goes to our heart, and meets the +conviction of our own experience. What shall we do?--our heart burns +within us! +<p> +15<i>th</i>.--We returned to Foedde to a meeting this afternoon, which +was, I think, the largest we have had. There were two large rooms filled, +and a number seated on planks on the grass; not less than about 700 +persons were present. Many followed us to the lodging, to converse on +subjects that lay near their hearts, and to ask for tracts and books. +Among them was a man who goes about to exhort the people to amendment of +life. He appeared to be a simple, sincere character, and was much +satisfied with our meeting, saying, as if from the bottom of his heart, +How remarkably, how wonderfully, have the truths of the gospel been opened +and explained to us this day! +<p> +16<i>th</i>.--At Fahrsund we had some difficulty to procure a place for a +meeting. It is a brandy-drinking place. No one would bear anything of our +business. A rich old lady has a large room which she lets for all kinds of +purposes except for anything connected with <i>religion</i>; she gave an +abrupt refusal to the application. E. Dahl and I went to the English +vice-consul, showed him my certificate, and explained to him the object of +my visit to Fahrsund. He kindly accompanied us to the old lady, and told +her that we belonged to a respectable religious society in England and +were not the persons she supposed, come to preach wild doctrines. She +consented to let us occupy the entrance-hall, which was good and spacious. +The consul then went with me to call on the sheriff; he said he and his +lady would attend the meeting, which they did, with a good many of the +respectable inhabitants, but the common people would not come near us. One +man to whom a notice was offered, when he saw the word <i>worship</i>, +immediately tore it to pieces. The lady to whom the room belonged sat near +me all the meeting, and looked serious before the close; and she took +leave of us with very different feeling from that in which she first met +us. The sheriff came to me after the meeting and offered his hand, saying, +I thank you for the present occasion--I shall never forget it. +<p> +<p> +Before the meeting at Foedde John Yeardley had an opportunity of +refreshing his mind with the charms of Norwegian nature. +<p> +<p> +My friend E. Dahl and I went out for a quiet walk. It was a lovely Sabbath +morning; the sky cloudless, and the sun shining brightly on the water as +it rapidly foamed down the cliffs. After gathering a few cranberries we +seated ourselves on a shady rock to meditate. All was silent +around--nothing heard but the shepherd-boy playing his horn; the sound +coming from the distant mountains into the wooded valley where we sat, +first shrill, then softening into a simple irregular note. My friend asked +me what I thought the instrument was. It is made, said he, of a goat's +horn, and is blown to keep the fox from taking the young lambs, and as a +means of communication with other shepherds when widely separated on the +mountains; the sound of this horn also keeps the sheep from straying. +<p> +<p> +They arrived at Christiansand on the 19th; and Endré Dahl, finding a +vessel sailing for Stavanger, engaged a passage in it for himself. After +parting with him, John Yeardley writes:-- +<p> +<p> +E. Dahl and I have been closely united in the gospel bond; he has been a +truly affectionate sympathizer and efficient helper. I am thus, he +continues, left alone in a strange land; but I do feel a peaceful and a +thankful heart to my Heavenly Father that he has in mercy blessed me with +light, strength, and faith to go through this service in Norway. +Imperfectly has it been performed, I know; but I have done what I could, +and a song of thanksgiving is due to my Lord. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley returned by Germany to England. At Obernkirchen, near +Minden, where some persons had not long before been convinced of Friends' +principles, he had a meeting, in which he was joined by a number of +Friends from Minden. A few years before, Thomas Arnett, from America, +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 Bückeburg, in which the town is situated, and +within the Hessian frontier, which includes, in fact, a part of +Obernkirchen. +<p> +<p> +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 +<i>pitch our tent</i> 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. +<p> +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." +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XIX +<p> +<p> +HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA. +<p> +1853. +<p> +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 the manner in which the concern had been revived, saying he had +been, before he was thus aroused, like <i>the prophet asleep</i>. +<p> +He re-opened the prospect of this service before his Monthly Meeting, on +the 3rd of the Fifth Month, 1853. In a letter written the same day, he +says:-- +<p> +<p> +I am just returned from our Monthly Meeting in London, where I mentioned +to my friends my concern to visit the German colonies in the South of +Russia, which, thou wilt probably recollect, was included in my +certificate for religious service on the Continent of Europe, five years +ago. I received the expression of much sympathy and unity from my +friends, and the certificate was ordered, including on my return, if +permitted, any service that may present in Constantinople, the island of +Malta, and some places in the South of France. Weak as I am, I cast myself +once more into the hand of our Lord and Blessed Protector, in holy +confidence that he will do all things well. +<p> +<p> +On receiving a passport from the Secretary of State, with the requisite +counter-signature of the Russian Ambassador, he wrote to John Kitching, +the 25th of the Fourth Month:-- +<p> +<p> +I want thee to know that, through the kind and efficient aid of our +mutually dear friend Samuel Gurney, I have at length been enabled to +procure a Russian passport, and also a letter of recommendation to one of +the first houses in Petersburg. Thou knowest, my dear friend, for a long +time this matter has been heavy on my mind. It is a great comfort to have +the ground cleared in this respect. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley left London at the end of the Sixth Month, and went to Hull +to take the steam-packet direct to Petersburg. In the narrative which +follows, we have interwoven with the Diary extracts from his letters to +his sisters; and we have been allowed the use of William Rasche's Journal, +in relating and describing many circumstances of which J. Y. himself made +no record. +<p> +<p> +<i>Petersburg. 7 mo.</i> 10.--On the 30th of the Sixth Month I left my +peaceful home at Stamford Hill for my Russian journey. At our kind friend +Isabel Casson's at Hull I met my young companion William Rasche. We were +affectionately cared for by dear I. C. and her daughter, and she and +several other friends saw us on board the steamer. It is a fine ship, well +ventilated, with good sleeping accommodation and provisions: the captain +is a kind, religious man. +<p> +On First-day evening, the captain invited us to the ship's service--an +invitation which we gladly embraced. When he had finished, I addressed the +company, much to my own comfort: great seriousness prevailed. After I had +relieved my mind, the captain closed with a few sweet and feeling words. +When the occasion was over, he came to me and expressed his thankfulness +that I had been enabled to strengthen his hands by throwing in a word of +exhortation. He said that sometimes, when he had felt indisposed and +unprepared for his religious duty, he had given himself to a quiet +dependence on the Lord, and had been mercifully helped, to the benefit of +his own soul, in endeavoring to do his duty to others. +<p> +There is great uncertainty (he says in a letter written during the +voyage), how we shall find things at Petersburg, and whether they will +permit us to proceed to the South; but this I must leave. Whatever way it +may please Providence to turn the matter, as it regards myself I believe I +shall be relieved from Russia in having made this last attempt. +<p> +<p> +They arrived at Petersburg on the 9th of the Seventh Month, after a safe +and agreeable passage of seven days. +<p> +<p> +Before we reached Cronstadt, to quote from J.Y.'s Diary, we encountered a +strong gale, so that the officers from the guardship, who came to see that +all was in order, had hard work to get on board. There were eighteen +Russian sailors with oars, yet they could not draw the boat, and our +steamer was obliged to throw ropes and haul her in. The sight of Cronstadt +was formidable; for more than two miles in and near the harbor there was a +line of ships of war. At Cronstadt we had to be put on board a smaller +steamer, which caused us much detention. At the custom-house all passed +off well; they were more civil and less strict in their examination than +in England. The Russian sailors look very unbright; they are not active in +managing a boat. They not unfrequently received a few strokes from the +fist of the helmsman, or a rope's-end, either of which they took with that +unconcerned composure which showed they were accustomed to it. We are +located at the hotel of H. Spink, an intelligent Yorkshireman; his wife is +very kind and attentive. +<p> +13<I>th</I>.--Spent this day at Peterhoff, with W.C. Gillibrand and wife, +with two of their friends. It is the first opportunity we have had for +serious conversation in this place, and I hope it was to mutual comfort. +They took us a drive after dinner to see several of the Emperor's +pavilions, mostly surrounded by beautiful pieces of water. There was an +intelligent man present, who had spent some time in India, ---- Watson; he +now has charge of the British school in Petersburg. We find the Scripture +Lessons are no more in use in the school; nor is the New Testament in the +Russian language allowed to be circulated in the country. The Bible +Society is just alive, but can hardly breathe; other institutions languish +for want of support; party spirit has crept in to their great injury. The +law is still very stringent in not allowing a member of one religious body +to join another; but the different sects are allowed their own worship and +schools. +<p> +20<i>th</i>.--Left Petersburg by the train at 11 o'clock yesterday, and +arrived at Moscow about nine this morning. The road, with but little +exception, is flat and uninteresting. The forests are immense, mostly of +firs and birch, which being thickly set grow small. Many of the stations +are superb. The line of railway did not conduct us near any towns or +villages that I could observe, but by some of the poorest scattered huts +I ever saw in any country. +<p> +<p> +At Moscow, John Yeardley and his companion called on Pastor Dietrich, a +German, residing a little out of the city:-- +<p> +He is, says J.Y., in one of his letters, a worthy pastor of the Old +Lutheran Church, a sweet venerable-looking man with long white locks. He +was at dinner with his family when we called, but he would not allow us to +go away, but took us up to the attic story to his study; primitive indeed, +but clean, and to him I have no doubt a room of prayer, as well as of +study. He seemed delighted to find our mission was to the Colonies. "But +what will you do about the language?" said he; "they speak nothing but +German." I wish the dear girls could have seen his countenance lighted up +with cheerful brightness, when he found we could speak German: "Ah, I need +not trouble you any longer with my poor English!" He knows a great many of +the pastors, and will give us letters of introduction to the little flocks +in the Colonies and the Crimea. +<p> +<p> +As might be expected, it was with a sinking heart that John Yeardley +contemplated the formidable journey before him; but, as in other times +of extremity, he cast himself wholly upon the Lord, and found his soul to +be sustained, and his courage renewed to undergo the hardships that +awaited him. +<p> +<p> +7 <i>mo</i>. 21.--Rose this morning much cast down in mind at the thought +of our long journey, and a want of a knowledge of the Russian language. +Poured my complaint in fervency of soul before the Lord, and was a little +comforted in believing that he would still care for us and preserve us in +this strange and long wilderness travel. It is his own cause in which I am +engaged, and I am willing to endure any bodily fatigue if I may only be +strengthened to do the works to which my blessed Master has called me. The +Divine Finger seems pointing to the place where the people I am seeking +are to be found. +<p> +I went after breakfast to the dear Pastor Dietrich. His heart was filled +with love for me, and I felt the sweetness of his spirit to encourage me; +preciously was the divine unction spread over us. He gave me some +information of the religious state of things here. There seems to be about +800 of the evangelical party in Moscow, including the French and English +Protestants, and the different classes of Lutherans; a small number out of +350,000 souls which the city contains; the rest are Roman Catholics and of +the Greek church, mostly the latter. God knows the hearts of all. +<p> +22<i>nd</i> [?]. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be +ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; +deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defence to +save me."--(Ps. xxxi. 1, 2.) "Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; +give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."---(Ps. +xvii. 1.) The above sweet words were brought home to my heart with power +this morning after a time of conflict in spirit. Lord, grant me faith and +patience to the end of the race, when I shall have to say, Now, Lord, +lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Amen. +<p> +<p> +Providing themselves with food, and with small change of money for the +journey--two things indispensable to Russian travel--John Yeardley and +William Rasche left Moscow on the 23rd, by <i>malle-poste</i> for Orel. +They stopped some hours at Toula: the land south of this town they found +to be well-cultivated, and the harvest had begun; it consisted mostly of +rye. The journey to Orel occupied forty-four hours. Among their +fellow-travellers was a resident of Moscow, Charles Uyttenhoven, who spoke +English, German, French and Russ, and who, like themselves, was going to +Kharkov. He was a pleasant and gentlemanly companion, and was of great +service to them in acting as spokesman on the road. +<p> +From Orel there was no <i>malle-poste</i> in which they could continue +their journey, and they were obliged to hire a <i>tarantas</i>, or +posting-carriage, a very inferior kind of conveyance. In consequence, +besides, of the fair at Pultowa, every vehicle of this description had +been taken up except one, which was of course the worst in the town. When +they had loaded their luggage and spread hay to lie upon, they started; +but before they were out of sight of the stable the crazy vehicle broke +down, and they were detained till nearly eleven o'clock at night, whilst +it was being repaired. In this new kind of conveyance they experienced +great discomfort: they could neither sit nor lie with ease, as the space +was much too small for three passengers. The country they passed, through +was very rich; it may be called the granary of Russia; they found the +harvest more advanced the farther they penetrated into the south. +<p> +At Koursk they hired a fresh <i>tarantas</i>. The roads were inferior to +those along which they had travelled, but the country was more +picturesque, still fertile, and producing much wheat; the weather was very +hot, as it had been all the way from Petersburg. On the 27th, at midnight, +they reached Kharkov. +<p> +<p> +We have travelled, says John Yeardley, four days and nights in succession +from Moscow to this place. The conveyances of the country are exceedingly +bad; they almost shook our bones asunder. +<p> +<p> +The next day they visited Pastor Landesen, to whom they had a letter of +introduction from Pastor Dietrich. They spent the day with the family of +this intelligent and pious man. Tea was spread in the garden, to which +meal a number of Christian friends were invited. +<p> +<p> +The pastor's wife, says John Yeardley, is a sweet-spirited woman. After +much social converse our garden-visit closed with a religious occasion, in +which I expressed a few words of exhortation. I think we were sensible of +the nearness of the presence of our Divine Master, which proved a brook by +the dreary way. We met at the pastor's Louse Superintendent Huber, a +worthy and experienced Christian, kind and fatherly to us. +<p> +<p> +The next day William Rasche went with Pastor Landesen to hire a carriage. +No such thing, however, was to be had, and they would have been happy if +they could have engaged as good a vehicle as their old crazy +<i>tarantas</i>; for the only alternative was a <i>bauer-wagen</i> +(peasant's cart), if we except the very expensive extra-post carriage, +with which they would have been obliged to take a conductor. It happened +that a young man, an apothecary's assistant, wanted to go to +Iekaterinoslav; his ancestors were German, and he could speak both that +language and Russ. By Landesen's recommendation they took him as their +companion, and he was very useful to them on the road. The +<i>bauer-wagen</i> was much more uncomfortable than the <i>tarantas</i> +had been; travelling in it was like gallopping over a bad road in an +English farmer's waggon; and, as the vehicle had no cover, the travellers +were exposed without protection to the full power of the sun. The floor of +the waggon was spread with mattresses, and, thus furnished, it served them +for parlor, kitchen, and lodging-room. +<p> +They travelled in this way through the night, but the next day were +obliged to wait at a small dirty station for horses till the afternoon; +and in the evening John Yeardley became so ill, from hard travelling and +exposure to the heat, that they were compelled to alight at another little +station near Novomoskovsk, and make the best of the poor accommodation +they could procure. The next morning, somewhat refreshed by rest, they +went forwards to Iekaterinoslav, where they happily met with a clean inn, +the Hotel Suisse, kept by a German. +<p> +The same day they went in a boat up the river Samava, to Rybalsk, seven +miles, to see a German schoolmaster named Schreitel, to whom they had a +letter of introduction. This is a colony of twenty-five families, founded +in 1788: the schoolmaster, who was also the minister, received them in a +brotherly manner. It was here that their mission properly commenced. From +this place a succession of German colonies extend in a south-easterly +direction to the Sea of Azov. The villages are all built on the same +pattern, being formed of one straight street of neat houses on both sides, +adorned with trees in front and gardens behind. The German colonists +consist principally of Mennonites and Lutherans. The former are the most +numerous and thriving; they were invited to settle there by Catherine the +Great, in order to improve the state of agriculture; but their example has +not had the desired influence on the surrounding districts. Although his +German neighbor is in an infinitely better condition than himself, the +Russian peasant will not imitate the husbandry which is practised so +successfully before his eyes. +<p> +At Rybalsk, John Yeardley had a Scripture reading and a religious +opportunity with a few serious persons who came to the house; and the next +evening he held a meeting for worship with the colonists. +<p> +On the 3rd, they left for Neuhoffnung. They travelled in a covered +carriage, which, though without springs, was a great improvement on their +last vehicle. They came the first day as for as Konski, where they passed +the night, sleeping in the carriage, the air being very mild the night +through. In the afternoon they arrived at another Mennonite colony, +Schönweise, where they had a short interview with Pastor Obermanz and a +few of his flock. These people produce a small quantity of silk. The +travellers were now on the Steppes; they found them very thinly peopled, +so that all the country out of sight of the villages appeared like a vast +desert. On the 4th they passed through three colonies--Grünthal, Priship, +and Petershagen. The settlers here are from all parts of Germany, mostly +from Prussia and Würtemberg. Next came Halbstadt, the seat of the Bishop, +and Alexanderwohl, where the Friends passed the night. They were +surrounded by a large number of settlements on all sides. +<p> +These were the places where, according to his previous impressions and +apprehension of duty, John Yeardley was to have entered on that work of +gospel-labor to which he had so long looked forward. But, instead of +finding, as on former occasions of a similar kind, his heart enlarged and +his mouth opened to preach the word, he seems now to have felt himself +straitened in spirit, and to have been obliged to pass in silence from +colony to colony, a wonder perhaps to others, a cause of humiliation to +himself. Never before, in all his many journeyings, had such a trial +befallen him; and it may be supposed that, coming so soon after the +copious and unrestrained exercise of his gift which he had experienced in +Norway, it would press upon him with peculiar force. The people to whom he +was now come, seem, it is true, to have been in a different state from the +simple-hearted Norwegians, who thirsted for the "pure milk of the word;" +and their comparative indifference to spiritual things may have been a +main cause of the silence which he felt to be imposed upon him. With the +reserve natural to him, he has left but little clue to the motives and +feelings under which he acted. Great must have been the relief when, as +happened on several occasions, his bonds were loosened, and the command +was renewed to speak in the name of his only-loved and gracious Lord. +<p> +On the 5th they passed through several colonies to Gnadenfeld, where, says +J.Y.:-- +<p> +<p> +We halted to breakfast with one of the colonists, and found him a +sweet-spirited man, and his family pious. His name is David Voote. He +appreciated the object of our mission, and spoke of the awakening that +had taken place of late; telling us that devotional meetings had been +established, but that some of their preachers did not approve of them. We +sent for one of the ministers, with whom I was pleased; he invited us to +hold a meeting with them on a future occasion if we could make it accord +with our journey, which I hope will be accomplished. +<p> +We obtained some information respecting the Molokans, and were directed to +Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has communication with them. We +found him a delightful man, quite of the right sort to be useful to us. As +the Molokans speak nothing but Russ, we shall be in want of an interpreter +in our visit to them. I told him he must go with us; and he immediately +said. I will go with pleasure; whenever you return here and incline to go, +I will be at home and will accompany you. This seemed an opening of +Providence, and removes one great difficulty in the way of a visit to this +people, for whom I have felt more than towards any others in South Russia. +N. Schmidt is a wealthy farmer, and sets himself at liberty to promote the +extension of the Saviour's kingdom; I felt at once at home with him as a +friend and brother. +<p> +<p> +From Steinbach, which lay a few versts out of the direct road, they +proceeded to Stuttgardt, and the next day, the 6th, to Neuhoffnung, where +they were accommodated at a farmer's, and had the comfort of a good clean +apartment and kind attention to their wants. This is the principal seat of +the German Lutheran colonists. +<p> +<p> +On Seventh-day, says John Yeardley, we attended the school-children's +meeting, about 200 present. After Pastor Wüst had questioned on or +explained the Scriptures, I had an opportunity to address them. On +First-day afternoon we held an appointed meeting [with Wüst's +congregation], which was not large, on account of many [with the Pastor +himself] having to attend an interment in the neighborhood. After the +meeting we received a salutation from some of the young sisterhood, who +came to us and surprised us with their sweet melodious voices, singing in +concert a hymn well suited to our present situation. After they had ended +I went out and had a long conversation with them. +<p> +In all my journeyings, he touchingly continues, I was never so much cast +down as in this scene of labor; I never before so much missed the help and +consolation of my precious one as I now do; but, blessed be a gracious +God, she is safe with Him, and free from a toil which she could never have +endured. I marvel, and praise his great name for upholding me thus far; I +am astonished at the way in which I am enabled to bear the hardships of +this journey, and am preserved in health. It is the doing of my gracious +Saviour, and I thank him out of a grateful heart. Should I never be +permitted to return to my earthly home, I have a joyful hope he will take +me to a glorious rest with himself and with those I have so tenderly loved +on earth. +<p> +<p> +On the 8th, William Rasche went to Berdjansk, on the Sea of Azov, to +change some English money, and to inquire if there were any religious +people there. He met with some interesting persons, who seemed at first to +be prejudiced against the Friends but after some conversation became very +loving, and desired he would bring J. Y. to see them the next day. +Accordingly, on the 9th, J. Y. and W. R. went to Berdjansk, accompanied by +Pastor Wüst and several others. The meeting which they went to attend was +held in a private house. It commenced in the usual manner, with singing; +after which, ---- Buller read a chapter, and the pastor commented upon it; +and then they asked J. Y. what he had to say regarding it. He answered by +giving his view of the subject, and afterwards addressed them in the +ministry. Various individuals then related their experience, one after the +other, as is usual in the more private religious meetings in these +churches. +<p> +<p> +---- Buller (writes J. Y.. in recording this meeting) is an interesting +man; I had much conversation with him as to his own conversion. It seems +to have been a work of the Spirit, without, in the first instance, any +other instrumentality than reading the Bible. I met several pious persons +in the meeting-room, and held converse with them to mutual comfort. They +are simple and sincere. We took tea in the garden after the meeting, and +did not reach our lodging in Neuhoffnung until 12 o'clock the same night. +<p> +<p> +10<i>th</i>.--This morning they started for Elizabethsdorf, accompanied by +Robert Lehmkuhle, a teacher from Kharkov. Their way lay entirely through +the boundless steppes, where so many ways ran into each other that the +driver missed the road, and they wandered about until 10 p. M., when they +took shelter at a German colonist's. The inmates, who had gone to rest, +rose to give them milk and bread. +<p> +The next day they proceeded to Elizabethsdorf, being escorted on the way +by hospitable members of the settlements through which they passed. At +Elizabethsdorf they were received by schoolmaster Seib, a brotherly +Christian man, whose conversation was "seasoned with grace." +<p> +<p> +After tea, says John Yeardley. we held a devotional meeting, in which I +had an opportunity to address the little company; but the people generally +in the colonies are busy till late in the evening. Being much weary with +our jolting journey, I retired to the waggon for the night, as I supposed; +but W.R. soon came to inform me that a number of young persons, men and +women, were come, it being as early as they could be liberated from their +day's labor, to have some of our company. I sprang from the waggon with +joy, and we had a delightful meeting, with a pretty large company. They +sang repeatedly, and betweentimes I related to them something of my +travels in Germany and Greece, with which they appeared wonderfully +pleased. We were all served with tea out of doors, and the company +remained together till after eleven o'clock, and then returned joyfully +home. +<p> +I was much pleased with Seib. He and another schoolmaster, named Kapper, +have been dismissed from their office of teacher, because of their holding +private meetings and preaching in them, or explaining the Scriptures. Some +of the Lutheran ministers are so lifeless that they will not allow the +people to meet in private for their edification. The dead persecute the +living, and light struggles with darkness. This is even the case in some +districts among the Mennonites. The ministers fear that their people +should go before them in religious light. The more I see of the <i>one-man +system</i>, the more I prize the gospel liberty in my own beloved +religious Society. +<p> +<p> +They returned to Neuhoffnung, and on the 13th went to Nicolai Schmidt's at +Steinbach. +<p> +<p> +Attended the meeting there in the morning, and at Gnadenfeld in the +evening, in both which places opportunity was given me to communicate what +was in my heart for the people. +<p> +<p> +The settlements of the Molokans, consisting of three villages, each of +about a thousand inhabitants, lie to the south of the German colonies. +These people are native Russians and seceders from the Russo-Greek church; +they receive their name from the word <i>Moloko</i>, milk, because they +drink milk on fast-days, which is forbidden by the national religion. The +Steppes are their Siberia, to which they have been banished. Their worship +is simple, commencing with silence and prayer, and they do not use the +ceremonies and discipline common among most other Christians; but they are +firm believers in the Christian faith, and many of them are +spiritually-minded people. +<p> +On the 15th John Yeardley and William Rasche, under the conduct of N. +Schmidt, left Neuhoffnung to visit the Molokans. The first village they +came to was Novo-Salifks, a prosperous colony in worldly matters, but said +to be behind the others in spiritual life. At the next, Wasilowkov, they +met with Terenti Sederhoff, the apostle of the Molokans, whose remarkable +history J.Y. related in a tract called <i>The Russian Peasant</i>, forming +No. 12 of his series. Here they also met with A. Stajoloff, who remembered +William Allen's visit in 1819. Sederhoff accompanied them to the third +village, Astrachanka, where they had a conversational meeting with several +of the chief men, but the intercourse was carried on at a double +disadvantage. +<p> +<p> +They spoke, says John Yeardley, nothing but Russ. T never regretted more +the want of the language. Schmidt had a manifest unwillingness to +interpret all I wanted to say, because it did not accord with his own +sentiments, and he feared it might strengthen the people in those views +from which the Mennonites would draw them. There was a precious feeling +over us, and I felt assured they appreciated our motive in visiting them; +they often pressed my hand when comparing Scripture texts on which we were +of one mind. I felt satisfied in having done what I could to direct them +in the right way, and to strengthen them in it. They are well read in the +Scriptures. +<p> +<p> +The travellers passed the night at this village, sleeping as usual in +their carriage; and the next day, taking a loving leave of their friends, +directed their course over the steppes into the Crimea. Here they found +themselves in the heart of the Tartar country, beyond the verge of +civilized life. +<p> +<p> +The Tartar villages, says John Yeardley, are the meanest possible, +consisting sometimes of mere holes dug in the earth, or huts standing a +little above the ground. The men wear wide drawers with the pink shirt +over them; the women have a chemise reaching to the calf of the leg, dirty +and coarse, an apron round the waist, sometimes so scanty or so ragged +that it will not meet, and a handkerchief tied in a slovenly manner on the +head. In these three articles of dress they drive the horses and oxen; the +sun burns them to a dark brown, almost black. The children we saw were +quite naked. Various attempts have been made to civilize and instruct +them, but without success. One missionary pursued the work so far as to +feed and clothe the children, and collect them for instruction, which they +received for a while, but all at once and with one consent it was at an +end. When I see the Tartar galloping over the steppe as if riding on the +wind, it constantly makes me think of the wild Arabs. When we are anxious +to find a well of water where we may take our meal, and when we see +travellers assembled to water their cattle and flocks, and the camels +running loose on the steppes--which they do till autumn, when they are +sought up for work,--all reminds us of customs of the East. +<p> +This evening they halted at a Tartar village, where the occupant of the +<i>traktir</i>, or house of entertainment, persuaded the driver to take +out his horses for the night. The conduct of this man and his companions +was suspicious; they eagerly examined the mattresses of the travellers, +which were of superior quality; and when William Rasche came to make the +tea, which he did by the moonlight outside the hut, the boiling water +which he poured in to rinse the teapot came out into the tumblers a white +liquid; and after the tea was put in the innkeeper held up the pot against +the moon, and looked curiously into it. Instead of retiring early, as the +Tartars always do, the men in the hut kept a watch upon the travellers; +and the suspicions even of the driver were awakened, when one of them came +to him, as he was lying by his horses, to borrow his knife. His horses, +however, were so weary, and he himself so unwilling to move, that the +travelers contented themselves with harnessing the horses, and making +ready to depart in case of necessity. Soon after midnight, finding they +were still watched by the Tartars, and apprehending that these waited only +till they should all be asleep, to carry off their horses or to rob their +persons, they decided to make the best of their way out of their hands. +The driver being slow to move, W.R. jumped into his place, seized the +reins, and drove quickly off, thankful to have effected a safe escape. It +is very common for the Tartars to prowl about in the night, and steal the +horses and waggons, of their more settled and thrifty neighbors. +<p> +After about three hours' driving, the moon shining so bright that they +could see to read by it, they arrived at another village, of a less +suspicious character. +<p> +On the 18th they reached Simpheropol, where they were glad to rest. The +next day they wished to visit Pastor Kilius of Neusatz, to whom they had +an introduction: as they were considering how they should get to him, he +opportunely came to the hotel. He introduced them to several estimable +persons, and took them the next day to his dwelling, situate in a +picturesque mountain village, twenty versts from the city. At Neusatz +commences another chain of German colonies, settled by the Evangelical +Lutherans. The next morning they attended the public worship, and in the +afternoon the Scripture-teaching for the children. On the 22nd they went +to Zürichthal, a village formed of well-built houses, but where they found +the school in a very low state. The 23rd they started early for the Sudag +colony, intending to spend the time there until the departure of the +steamer for Odessa; but they found nothing to interest them in this +settlement, and accordingly proceeded to Feodosia, (or Kaffa,) a +watering-place on the south coast of the Crimea. The German inns in this +place were all full, and to procure a wholesome lodging, the; drove the +next day four miles among the hills, where they hired a large apartment at +the house of a German. The situation was romantic, with an extensive +prospect over sea and mountains; and on the hill-side was a thicket, +forming a delightful bower, where John Yeardley and his companion "live by +day, walked, talked, reposed, and wrote." In this retreat, breathing cool +air and quietude, J.Y. received the physical refreshment he so much +needed, while he reviewed the course of his laborious journey. +Notwithstanding his discouragements, he was able to cast all his burden +upon his Saviour, with whom he seems to have dwelt in nearer communion as +his day on earth went down. +<p> +<p> +8 <i>mo</i>. 26.--This morning I felt more sweet union with my God in +spirit than for a long time; and a strong desire has arisen to live in +closer communion with Jesus, the beloved of my soul, the only access to +the Father--the only place of rest, safety, and true <i>peace</i>. I long +more than ever not to be troubled with cross occurrences over which I have +no control, and which have too long perplexed me and disturbed my inward +peace. I long more than ever to spend my few remaining days on earth as +with my God in heaven, to refer everything to Him, and to pray more +earnestly and diligently for his grace to preserve me near to himself +under <i>all</i> circumstances, until he shall have prepared me to be +taken to heaven, to join the happy company there in a blissful eternity. +"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because +he trusteth in thee."--Isa. xxvi. 3. +<p> +On the 1st of the Ninth Month they sailed to Odessa, where they had to +remain eight days. In this city they received a visit from a pastor, who +conversed with them on the work of the heavenly kingdom then going on in +the Bast, especially in Constantinople and Asia Minor. +<p> +<p> +The Saviour's kingdom, writes John Yeardley, in allusion to this +conversation, is spreading, and many instruments are being raised up in +various nations to help forward the great work. The kingdom of Satan is in +danger; he sees it, and stirs up the jealousy of men, setting them against +one another, and, by their seeking through party-spirit to exalt their own +particular religion, hindering the Lord's work. Into whatever nation the +beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine, the inhabitants begin to inquire +the way to Zion, and turn their faces thitherward. This alarms the rulers +whose kingdom is of this world. +<p> +<p> +From Odessa to Constantinople they had a quick and safe passage. At +Constantinople John Yeardley was deeply interested in the institutions +which the American missionaries have founded for the religious and +temporal improvement of the Armenians. He visited two of these, the high +school at Bebek and the girls' seminary at Has-keuï, both beautifully +situated on the shores of the Bosphorus. In the former they found +forty-eight young men,--sixteen Greek and thirty-two Armenian. The +industrial part of the education was particularly gratifying to him. +<p> +<p> +Cyrus Hamlin, he says, who has the superintendence of their studies and +labor, is wonderfully adapted for his vocation. He is assisted only by +native teachers. The young men looked serious: some of their countenances +were peculiarly impressive, indicating that they had been with Jesus. I +saw them assembled in the school-room, and addressed them for some time; +and C. Hamlin most willingly interpreted into Armenian what I said. It was +a sweet and memorable time. The Armenian teacher would scarcely let go my +hand after the meeting, he had been so touched with the power of divine +love. In the girls' boarding-school we found twenty-five girls, all +Armenians, with the exception of two or three Greeks. It was a lovely +sight to see so many of this class under a course of religious and useful +instruction. Many of the countenances were marked and pleasing, and were +<i>fixed</i> on me with great apparent seriousness while I addressed them, +along with some of the neighbors.----Everett (the conductor of the school) +kindly and most willingly interpreted what I had to communicate. He and +his wife have also a day-school for boys and girls. I consider these +institutions as bright and hopeful spots in the East, from which much +good may arise. +<p> +<p> +The persevering and well-directed efforts of the American missionaries for +the evangelization of the Armenians, and the field of Christian labor +which was thus opened, took firm hold of J.Y.'s mind; he longed to visit +the schools and congregations in Isnik and Brusa, and probably only +abandoned the journey at this time in the hope of undertaking it at some +future day. John Yeardley describes Constantinople as-- +<p> +<p> +Built entirely on the hills which slope from a considerable eminence down +to the Bosphorus. The trees towering among the houses, the high spires and +gilded domes, have a most imposing effect; but what is the astonishment of +the traveller when he commences his ascent up steep, narrow, +clumsily-pitched streets. I could only compare them to the +worst-constructed bridle-roads in England which the packhorses traversed +centuries ago. The three days we were in the city I only saw one or two +carriages,--the most curious vehicles; indeed, there is scarcely a street +in which two carriages can pass. Donkeys are the chief carriers. As to +dogs, they are born and bred in the streets and are the property of the +town, and in the day-time He by dozens in the streets, young and old, are +always under the feet of the traveller, and he must constantly poke them +out of the way with his stick; by night they are furious. The shops +present a jumble of all kinds of wares; and the Turks sit cross-legged in +the window, or work at their trade inside. +<p> +<p> +They left Constantinople on the 15th, and on the 17th went on shore at +Smyrna, where, at the house of the American missionary Ladd, they met with +another missionary, named Stacking, returning with his family from Persia, +where he had labored sixteen years among the Nestorians. The account which +he gave John Yeardley of the creed and condition of the Nestorian Church, +and of the schools which had been opened in Persia, aroused his deep +sympathy and produced an abiding impression on his mind. +<p> +Smyrna, like the other Turkish cities which they saw, vividly impressed +the travellers with its Oriental character. +<p> +<p> +Like Constantinople, says J.Y., it is a town of all nations. The streets +are narrow, with a run of dirty water down the middle. We met docile +camels in great number, bringing figs from the interior. In the +fig-market were thousands of boxes being prepared and packed for +exportation. It is a sight of interest to see Turks, Greeks, &c., huddled +together, walking, talking, or sitting cross-legged and smoking their long +pipes. We took donkeys and ascended the hill, where we obtained a good +view of the town, and then examined the ruins where the ancient city +stood, and saw the place where the message from Heaven was received by the +angel of the church of Smyrna. The church of Polycarp stood not far from +that of John the Baptist. After a visit of peculiar interest, I returned +to the steam-ship and read the message to the church of Smyrna, which gave +rise to more reflections than I can here record. +<p> +Steaming on the sea of Marmora, (to continue J.Y.'s narrative of his +homeward journey), the Bosphorus and the Greek waters, was very pleasing. +We had a good sight of the walls of ancient Troas, where the apostle Paul +received the message in vision from the man of Macedonia, to come over and +help them. The quarantine prevented us from landing at Syra; but I +conveyed a note through the English Consul to my old friend Hildner, who +came alongside our steamer. I learned from him that Argyri Climi was five +years in his school, and usefully filled the office of teacher of the +higher classes; had been married about ten years to a lieutenant in the +army; had three children, and was living happily with her husband at the +Piraeus. It appears she retains her religious principles. +<p> +21<i>st</i>.--Arrived at Malta. Ours is the first steamer that has reached +the island since the removal of the quarantine; we went on shore directly +after breakfast. Isaac Lowndes was rejoiced to see me. We met in the +street, and he conducted us to his house. He has been in Malta seven +years, acting for the Bible Society; he gives no bright account of among +the Greeks, as to spiritual religion, nor of the island generally. The +present governor has admitted the Jesuits into the island, who are doing +mischief; privileges are being granted to the Romanists to the prejudice +of the Protestants; and a regulation has been proposed which would subject +a Protestant to six months imprisonment for not taking off his hat when he +meets the procession of the Host. +<p> +<p> +Isaac Lowndes took John Yeardley and William Rasche to visit Selim Aga, +or, as he was named after baptism, Edward Williams; who with his wife, +sister-in-law, and four children, formed an interesting Christian +household. J.Y. published the history of this man in No. 13 of his series +of tracts, <i>Turkey and the Converted Turk</i>, where also he has +depicted several scenes from the latter part of this journey. +<p> +Arriving at Marseilles, they proceeded quickly on to Nismes. It was with a +gush of natural sorrow that J.Y. revisited a place whore he had often +sojourned with his beloved wife. +<p> +<p> +The thought, he writes, of the difference in my circumstances now and when +last in this place fills me with sorrow. The beloved one of my bosom, then +the stay and solace of my heart, is no more with me to help and comfort me +in the toils of life. Yet when I consider what a large amount of suffering +she has escaped, I cannot but rejoice that she is at rest with her God and +Saviour, where I humbly hope soon to meet her. Lord, prepare thy unworthy +worm for that awful but joyful day! +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley held a small public meeting at Nismes, and the next day, the +3rd of the Tenth Month, set out for the bathing-place of Bagnères de +Bigorre, in the Pyrenees. His principal reason for going there was to +recruit his shattered health. "On our arrival at Nismes," he says, "and +during our few days' sojourn there, I began to feel the effects of my +long, toilsome Russian journey; and, in the hope of preventing a return of +my suffering complaint, I thought it justifiable to make trial of the +sulphur baths and water of Bagnères." But he had also another object in +view: "I had long thought," he adds, in a letter from Bigorre, "whether +there was not a seeking people in this neighborhood, and now I think there +is." +<p> +His first care on arriving at Bigorre, was to call on Pastor Frossard, +formerly of Nismes, who feelingly reminded him of the changes which had +happened to each of them since they had met before. He proposed to John +Yeardley to meet some Christian friends at his chapel. This was just what +J.Y. had been wishing for. The meeting was held; and after it was over he +gave the company an account of his travels in Russia, with which they were +highly gratified. +<p> +In a letter to his sister, Mary Tylor, which he wrote from this place, is +the following characteristic sentiment: +<p> +<p> +Thy welcome letter duly readied me at Nismes, and drew forth my tender +sympathy for thee and your whole circle in the loss of a kind and beloved +brother. It is another link taken from the family chain, and the shorter +it becomes the nearer we are drawn together in the bond of affection. How +the spirit seems to ascend with those loved ones who are taken from us, +and from earth to heaven! Our desire for a blissful eternity becomes more +ardent, because they have already entered upon it; but above all, we +desire to be with Him in whom we shall be one, and all will be glory. +<p> +<p> +Returning to Nismes, he occupied himself with holding meetings in many +places in that neighborhood. In some meetings which he attended in the +city, he had for fellow-laborers Eli and Sybil Jones, from the United +States, with their companions. Amongst the audience at one of these +meetings were three soldiers, who, with two others, had been awakened at +Lyons, and who manifested the progress they had made in Christian doctrine +by refusing to kneel before the procession of the Host. Their officer +observing their disregard of this required practice, held his sword over +the neck of one of them, saying he would strike off his head if he did not +bow down. The man was firm in his refusal, and was sent to prison. To +encourage one another in their new profession, these men were accustomed +to keep religious meetings. They were in consequence accused of sedition, +and when they asserted the simply religions character of their meetings, +one of them was required to swear to the truth of his statement; he +refused to take an oath, pleading that the New Testament commanded him not +to swear. A second was then called upon in the same way; he also refused; +and their stedfastness was reported to the commanding officer as an act of +contumacy. The officer happened to be a Protestant, of an enlightened and +pious disposition; he said that soldiers were called upon to vindicate the +innocence of their companions, not to procure their condemnation, and that +if they did not choose to give evidence the law would not compel them. Two +of the five received their discharge from the army; the rest were removed +to Nismes. John Yeardley had some conversation with these three after the +meeting, with which he was well satisfied. They told him that when they +were awakened they wrote and received so many letters that it excited +suspicion, and that the police who examined the letters took the texts of +Scripture, or rather the figures that referred to the chapters and verses, +for a secret language, used to deceive their vigilance. +<p> +On the 8th of the Eleventh Month, J. Yeardley and W. Rasche, accompanied +by Jules Paradon, went to Valence, and visited Bertram Combe, at Pialoux, +where they remained a few days. B.C. had fitted up a commodious room +adjoining his own dwelling, where he held meetings regularly:-- +<p> +<p> +And where, says J.Y., we had several solemn and edifying occasions; and as +our being there became more known the attendance increased, so that the +last gathering was quite a large one, and peculiarly quiet and +satisfactory. Among some meetings which we appointed in the neighborhood +two were held in the <i>temple</i> of the Protestant Church, which was a +mark of great liberality; these two occasions were peculiarly favored. In +the latter B.C. alluded to the persecution he had had to endure on account +of the disuse of the Supper and Baptism. He boldly avowed the conviction +he felt as to the non-use of these things, and that the preaching of the +gospel ought to be free. I have seldom been in a district where there is +more openness for the gospel message in its simplicity, than in this +mountain region. +<p> +<p> +From Valence, John Yeardley returned direct to England, only stopping at +Friedrichsdorf. where he visited the boarding-school. +<p> +<p> +I reached my home, he says, on the 24th of the Eleventh Month, with a +thankful heart to my Heavenly Father for his merciful preservation. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XX. +<p> +<p> +FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY. +<p> +1853-1858. +<p> +John Yeardley had scarcely returned to England before war was declared +with Russia. The confirmation he received from this lamentable event, that +his journey had been made at the opportune time, filled his heart with +gratitude. The work he had been able to do had been small, but he had the +satisfaction of knowing that it had been accomplished at the only juncture +in which it would have been practicable. +<p> +<p> +The year 1853, he writes, closed with many mercies to a poor unworthy +servant. I consider it a great blessing to have accomplished the visit +through Russia and to Constantinople before the horrible war broke out. +What a frightful state are things in at the present moment!--no access +could be had to those countries. +<p> +<p> +In the Spring of 1854 he spent some time at Bath. He attended, whilst +there, a public meeting appointed by Sarah Squire, in which he had a +testimony to offer in the gospel. Hearing afterwards that a military man +who was present had been brought to conviction by the doctrine which had +been declared, J.Y. noted in his Diary the subject on which he had +preached. +<p> +<p> +4 <i>mo</i>. 2.--I recollect, he says, alluding to the awful state of the +times in which we live, and the need of a refuge in God, and the +blessedness of the consolations of the Holy Spirit in a time of trouble. +That the Spirit of God was the first agent in the work of man's salvation, +bringing to the Saviour who died for sinners: the Father drawing to the +Son, the Son perfecting the work, and presenting each member of the living +church without spot or wrinkle to the Father. Blessed unity of Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit! The Father creating, the Son redeeming, the Holy +Spirit sanctifying. +<p> +<p> +In making a brief note of the Yearly Meeting this year, John Yeardley +takes occasion to record his sentiments on a subject which then, as now, +strongly engaged the attention of the Society. +<p> +<p> +The Yearly Meeting has been a precious time; it has strengthened the bond +of love and unity. There is, under all discouragements, a love to the +Society manifested in the young people of both sexes. It is true there is +a great want of bearing of the cross, and many are seeking for excuses to +persuade themselves that many of those things that have long distinguished +our Society are now no longer of use. But I still think there is more +religion in many of our young members than their outward appearance would +authorize us to believe. I love to cleave to the good, and to hold out a +helping hand to encourage the tender budding of grace, and for the good to +overcome the evil. I want them to be brought to conviction, and to be told +that they are not required to wear plain clothes, and to use plain speech, +because our Friends have done so, but because Christianity leads into +simplicity, and the language of Scripture is that of truthfulness, and to +follow the changing fashions of the world is too low for the notice of the +Christian whose heart is placed on heavenly things, and whose time is too +precious to be spent on trifles. There is no peace to the regenerated +heart equal to a devotedness of life in promoting the extension of the +Saviour's kingdom upon earth. +<p> +<p> +He soon after alludes to the Memoir of Joseph John Gurney, then just +published, and to the sharp stimulus which he received from its perusal--a +stimulus which minds fixed upon improvement always receive from the vivid +representation of time and talents diligently employed. +<p> +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 16.--Many of my solitary moments are cheered, and I am +greatly edified, in reading J.J. Gurney's Memoirs. It is a real privilege +to be introduced into the daily walk of the life of a Christian man with +such an enlightened and enlarged mind, whose expansive heart is filled +with love for the whole human race. Strengthened by faith, and filled with +the unction of the Spirit, his life was devoted to doing good to the +family of man, laboring for the conversion of sinners, and comforting +believers. +<p> +The diligence of J.J. Gurney in study, &c., has stimulated me to renew the +reading of the Greek New Testament, but I sink into the dust when I see +what he accomplished in comparison of my own insignificance. It is, +however, a comfort to know that I have a merciful Lord, who will not +require of me the exercise of gifts that I have not received. O that I may +he more faithful in the employment of the capacity which has been +entrusted to me, for the good of souls and the honor of my Lord! +<p> +<p> +The reflections which follow add another to the numberless testimonies of +the saints' experience, that the Christian life is a continual warfare. +<p> +<p> +I am sensible of having lost ground for some time past for want of more +diligence in watchfulness and prayer. I have been deeply sorry for it, and +I do hope my compassionate Lord has forgiven me. As a proof of his +forgiveness, I am permitted to enjoy once more the smiles of his +countenance, which cheer my lonely walk. How greatly do I long for more +intimate communion with the Beloved of my soul, the precious Saviour! Lord +<i>preserve</i> me in <i>every moment</i> of <i>temptation</i>, and make +me more entirely thine! Grant me more confidence in the immediate action +of thy Spirit in the ministry of the word, that my communications of this +nature may be deep and clear, and under the unction of thy Holy Spirit. +<i>Amen</i>! +<p> +6 <i>mo</i>. 23.--This morning I have been favored, more than usual, in my +endeavor to pour out my soul before God in prayer, in desiring more purity +of heart, more faith; and that it might please my compassionate Lord to +sustain and console me in my solitary lot, and preserve me faithful to the +end of the race. Many relatives and near friends were brought to my +remembrance, whom I endeavored to present to the mercy of a merciful God. +<p> +<p> +In the same diary is an appropriate notice of Dr. Steinkopf, and a tender +tribute to the memory of Martha Yeardley. +<p> +<p> +The other evening was spent at J. and M.C.S.'s with Dr. Steinkopf. "The +hoary head" of this aged and experienced Christian is as "a crown of +glory," for "it is found in the way of righteousness." He is full of love, +speaking constantly out of a grateful heart of the mercies of his God. +Before parting he read a few verses, exhorted us and supplicated for us. +<p> +A little more than three years have fled away since my precious and +dearly-beloved M.Y. entered on a blissful eternity. How do I feel the loss +of her sweet, cheerful, and edifying society! Ever since her blessed +spirit fled from earth to heaven, she has never by night or day been long +absent from my thoughts. How often does my soul pant and pray for a +preparation of heart for that blissful state where she now is, near to her +precious Saviour, who redeemed her with his own blood. He enabled her to +serve him when on earth, and now she sings his praises in heaven. What a +charm did she impart to my daily life! Our pursuits were always one and +the same; and now what a desert I still have before me,--but it may be +very short. +<p> +<p> +In the Eighth Month, John Yeardley went to Minden on a visit to Ernst +Peitsmeyer, whose daughter Sophie had been for some time his kind and +cheerful companion, and who now, with her parents and other friends, +welcomed him again to Germany. Whilst at Minden he derived benefit from +the sulphur baths of the Klause, not far from the town. +<p> +<p> +The bath, he says, is one hour's gentle exercise on the saddle. The farm +where the spring is stands quite alone in the midst of a wood, and the way +to it is delightful,--much suited to my taste. Sophie rides sometimes with +me: it cheers me to have her trotting by my side. +<p> +<p> +The handful of inquiring persons at Obernkirchen, whom J. Y. visited on +his return from Norway, continued to claim his sympathy, and one First-day +he joined them at their usual place of worship. +<p> +<p> +It was, he writes, a refreshing time in this little meeting. When the +little company first met together they were dragged into the street by the +police; but they persevered, and, on making an appeal to the magistrate at +Rinteln, stated their case with so much simplicity that the government has +granted them liberty to meet together undisturbed. How marvellous, the +Friends are protected; and the Baptists, under the same government, are +persecuted with increasing rigor! No interference on their behalf has been +of the least use.--(<i>Dairy and Letter</i>.) +<p> +<p> +In the Fourth Month of 1855 John Yeardley received a certificate "to visit +his friends in Yorkshire, and to hold meetings with persons not in +church-fellowship" with Friends. +<p> +<p> +I arrived at Halifax, he says, in a letter of the 28th of the Fourth +Month, on Fifth-day evening, and attended the Monthly Meeting of Brighouse +on the 20th. It looked formidable to me in prospect on the first entering +into harness; but I hope the meeting proved a good introduction, and I saw +a good specimen of a large, harmonious, and well-conducted Monthly +Meeting. There might be near 250 members present. +<p> +<p> +When he had completed the service, he took a week of repose at Harrowgate, +where he briefly reviews his journey. +<p> +<p> +5 <i>mo</i>. 29.---In passing along through my native county, I found many +countenances missing which were very familiar to me years ago, and who are +now gone to their rest. But I was comforted to find in many places a race +of young people springing up who bore the marks of being plants of my +Heavenly Father's right-hand planting, and who gave hopes of becoming +useful in his Church. It is with a grateful heart that I record the mercy +of my Lord, in that he has granted me strength in a remarkable manner to +do what he put in my heart to do, from place to place. Blessed be his +name! +<p> +After having finished the service in Yorkshire, I have had a week's +tarriance at Harrowgate. The rest and quiet have proved beneficial to my +health, and very precious have been the seasons of sweet communion I have +been permitted to hold with my God in this retirement. +<p> +<p> +This summer he repeated his visit to Minden, and hired a lodging at the +Klause. A reflection in one of the letters which he wrote from this +retreat affords a pleasing glimpse of his mind:-- +<p> +<p> +I sometimes think that a large portion of comfort and joy are allowed to +those who really love the Lord; and how chastened are the pleasures of the +humble Christian! They abide with us long after the causes of them are +passed away; and the more our permitted pleasures are enjoyed under a +grateful sense of the goodness of the bountiful Giver, the longer they may +be permitted to us. +<p> +<p> +In the Ninth Month, he attended the Two-months' Meeting at Pyrmont. It was +not without emotion that he visited once more the place which had been so +familiar to him in earlier days. The hopes he had then conceived, and +which, as we have seen, he had so fondly cherished, with regard to the +Society of Friends in that part, had been disappointed; the little company +had dwindled in numbers and declined in religious influence; and when he +took leave of Pyrmont for the last time, it was with a sorrowful heart. +<p> +From Minden, accompanied by Sophie Peitsmeyer, he went southwards, and +took up his abode at the little town of Neuveville, on the Lake of Bienne, +in Switzerland. +<p> +<p> +I spent, he says, two or three days at Neufchatel, and visited many of my +old friends in the place and neighborhood; but it was affecting to find +how many of those I had known years ago were no longer on this earth. +Madame Pétavel was as warm-hearted as ever; the professor, her husband, +is ripening for heaven. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley had gone to Neuveville with the intention of passing the +winter in Switzerland. After remaining a month, however, he returned to +England; and this change of mind was the result of a remarkable +circumstance. He became silent and reserved, with the air and manners of +one who is not at peace with himself; until one night, when he was heard +to cry out in a loud tone, as though speaking to some one. The next +morning at breakfast he appeared subdued and full of tenderness; and on +his young friend inquiring what had made him cry out in the night, he told +her that he must return home, for there was more work for him to do. He +said that a prospect of service in the gospel had latterly opened before +him, and that as he had greatly desired to remain in Switzerland, he had +striven against the sense of duty and refused to yield; but that during +the night he had had a vision, in which he heard the command repeated to +return home and enter again upon his labor, and that he felt, as he +thought, the touch of the heavenly messenger's hand. This caused him to +call out; and when he awoke, he found that willingness of spirit had taken +the place of his former obstinacy. Thus turned from his own purpose, he +set about to accomplish the will of his gracious Master with his usual +resolution, and they made the best of their way back to England. The +nature of the service which he saw before him is touched upon in the +following passage from a letter, dated Neuveville, the 14th of the Tenth +Month. +<p> +<p> +My home duties press heavily upon me.... Very long have I thought about +the young men, and the younger part of our Society; and I have a hope the +way will be made for my finding access to them, in a religious and social +point of view. Should it be permitted, the Lord grant that it may tend to +mutual comfort. +<p> +<p> +John Yeardley returned through Paris. He spent a day or two in that great +city, which he never saw "so quiet and free from soldiers." We extract +from his Diary a short note of a conversation which took place at the +<i>table d'hôte</i> of the hotel where he lodged, and which appears to us +to be of an instructive character. +<p> +Two men contended respecting the motive by which mankind are influenced to +good actions. One attributed it to <i>reason</i>; the other held that it +was <i>virtue</i> which restrains from evil and impels to good, and +maintained that we must do good actions from the love of justice and +virtue, and not from the fear of punishment or the hope of reward. The +latter had the advantage over his antagonist in the argument:-- +<p> +<p> +I had not, says J.Y., taken part in the conversation; but at the close I +felt constrained to tell the <i>Christian</i> that I confessed myself on +his side, because he had defended the truth; only that what he called +<i>virtue</i>, I called <i>the action of the spirit of God in the heart of +man</i>. With much animation, he clasped, my hand in his, and cried, +"That is the very thing,--that is just what I mean!" +<p> +<p> +In the year 1856, he engaged in two religious visits at home, both of them +in accordance with the kind of service which had been unfolded to him in +the retirement of Neuveville, viz., mingled religious and social +intercourse with his younger fellow-members. +<p> +In reading the expression of his feelings in the prospect of the former of +these engagements, it is instructive to remark, that the same sense of +entire dependence which had bowed his spirit when required in early life +to make the first offering of this kind, was present with him when now +called upon to go forth in his Master's name for the twentieth time, and +when age and experience had given him reverence among men. +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 8.--To-morrow is our Monthly Meeting, when I expect to +propose to my Friends a visit to the meetings composing the Quarterly +Meetings of Bristol and Somerset, and Gloucester and Wilts. Every time any +fresh exercise turns up for me, it always feels as if it was the +<i>first</i> time of entering into the holy harness. If my friends permit +me to proceed, I hope I shall be helped through it; but it looks +formidable. +<p> +21<i>st</i>.--Bristol is like a great mountain looking me in the face, and +weighing heavily upon my heart. +<p> +<p> +The following short memoranda of the way in which he was engaged at +Bristol are taken from his letters; the Diary, during his later years, +supplies few notes, either of his labors or his experience:-- +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>.--I met at Richard Fry's house a large number of young men and +women teachers of the First-day School; forty-eight were present. An +opportunity was offered for my receiving and also communicating +information respecting schools and education. What makes the subject more +interesting in Bristol, is the attendance of more than one hundred of the +school children at meeting on First-day mornings, which, I think, has been +the practice for about ten years, and their behavior is orderly and good. +<p> +31<i>st</i>.--I am somewhat busily employed in this busy city in visiting +the young men. I find very ready access to them, and my engagement has the +hearty concurrence of all my friends. I am abundantly convinced that it +would have been a great mistake to have ran away from the place without +making the attempt at the performance of the present service. The usual +meetings for worship have been seasons of divine favor, some of them, I +think, extraordinarily so, which I consider a great mercy in my Heavenly +Father, when I consider the weakness of the poor instrument. It has been +announced for me to give a lecture this evening in the large +meeting-house, on my travels in Europe, a <i>sound</i> which almost +frightens me. Friends really do not know what a poor thing I am. +<p> +<p> +By the kindness of a friend, we have been supplied with a pleasing +personal reminiscence of John Yeardley's visit to Bristol, which will help +to represent him as he was in later years. +<p> +<p> +Bristol, 6 mo. 8, 1859. +<p> +Since thou informed me of thy intention to compile a memoir of our late +dear friend John Yeardley, I have endeavored to recall the circumstances +of his visit to this city in the spring of the year 1856. +<p> +My impression is, that the most striking feature in his character was his +childlike simplicity, both in word and conduct. This very characteristic, +whilst it really increased his influence for good, especially with the +young, rendered it perhaps more difficult to trace, and now to describe, +the precise manner in which it was exercised. I believe that his Christian +labors here were very seasonable and very important, and that he was +enabled to perform a service which scarcely any one else would have been +equally qualified to render. +<p> +There was in him, so far as my observation went, no approach towards an +assumption of spiritual dignity; nor was there, on the other hand, that +which is perhaps a more frequent defect, anything of <i>feigned</i> +humility. His whole character seemed to me perfectly unaffected. To +whatever extent, therefore, his natural disposition may have fitted him +for profitable intercourse with the young, I think that the qualities +which I have attempted to describe rendered him peculiarly acceptable to +them. Many times, whilst he was amongst us, he alluded--I believe even in +his public ministry--to his delight in their society, somewhat in this +manner: "I love the company of those who tread the earth with an elastic +step." This prominent trait in his character was a striking illustration +of what may be termed <i>the corrective tendency</i> of true religion, by +which in advanced life he was enabled to place himself, under the precious +influence of the love of Christ, in thorough sympathy with those whose +circumstances, in many respects, were so different from, his own. +<p> +But my object was to describe John Yeardley's meetings in Bristol. The +truth is, however, that in describing the man, one seems most truly to +describe his service. In addition to his family visits, he met a large +company of our members in our meeting-house, and gave an interesting +narrative of his journeys in Southern Russia and Greece. He afterwards +invited many of our young friends, especially those who were engaged as +teachers in our First-day Schools, to spend an evening with him. Meeting +at the house of a kind friend, we had an opportunity of hearing from his +own lips some interesting details of his labors, chiefly, I think, in +reference to the schools in Greece. With characteristic simplicity, he +made various inquiries respecting our own First-day Schools, in which he +felt a deep interest. The occasion was of a very sociable and easy +character, and well calculated to promote in his young friends the +<i>healthy tone</i> of religious feeling which seemed so peculiarly to +belong to himself. +<p> +<p> +After Martha Yeardley's decease, and as years rolled on, his mind dwelt +still more habitually and more confidingly than ever on the approaching +end of the race. +<p> +<p> +4 <i>mo.</i> 24.--I cannot say my spirits are always high. There is an +individuality in the allotment of each of us which we must seek for grace +and aid to endure to the end. The road may be now and then a little rough, +but it cannot be very long, at least to some of us; and when the eye +closes under the last gleam of earthly light, and then opens in the full +brightness of eternal glory, to enjoy the fulness of a Saviour's love, it +will be bliss indeed. +<p> +Thinking his state of health unequal to the attendance of the Yearly +Meeting, he left London and again, resorted for a while to the baths near +Minden, where he passed two months in tranquil retirement. He had in +former visits been deeply interested in the sufferings of a Prussian +soldier who refused conscientiously to bear arms. The late Samuel Gurney +wrote to the King of Prussia, on behalf of the young man, who was in +consequence liberated from military service, but was sentenced to two +years' imprisonment. The term was not nearly expired; but John Yeardley, +whilst at Minden, heard that he had been released from prison by immediate +command of the King. J.Y. had "spent a First-day with him within the +gloomy walls in Duisburg," and was consequently the more ready to rejoice +in his liberation. +<p> +On his return to England, John Yeardley proceeded to Birmingham. His +service in this and the neighboring towns was similar to that which he had +had to perform at Bristol. He says: +<p> +<p> +By day I called on the sick and such as were confined at home. In the +evenings I met companies of young men and women. They were invited to the +Friends' houses where tea was first served, and then a religious occasion +of silence and exhortation, with supplication when felt to be under right +pointing. The remainder of the evening was spent in social converse. I am +very favorable to the mixing of social intercourse with gospel labor. All +seemed pleased, and I trust we were mutually edified. I was often +requested to give some account of my late journey and the state of +religion in the various countries where I had travelled; and the +conversation often, turned on points connected with our religious +principles. +<p> +Joseph Sturge, he continues, was from home. At the request of his wife I +dined at their house with twenty-five young culprits, whom J.S. has in his +Reformatory at Stoke, near Bromsgrove. They came in a van with horses to +spend the day. They are all such as have been once or twice in prison, +mostly for theft. I addressed them after dinner, and at tea-time I +questioned them as to Jesus Christ our Redeemer, on God, Heaven and Hell, +how to gain Heaven and avoid misery. I left them with a more favorable +impression than I otherwise should have had. Severe measures had failed to +improve them, but they seemed susceptible of kind treatment, and some of +them gave hopes of amendment. +<p> +9 <i>mo</i>. 21.--Visited the Boys' and Girls' First-day Schools. +Breakfasted with thirty teachers (young men) at the schools. About 370 +boys present in two rooms. None are taken under fourteen years of age. +Also a large class of adults. I addressed the two companies: then went to +the girls; heard them read, and addressed them. There are about twenty +young women teachers, and perhaps 270 to 300 girls. +<p> +The morning meeting was large. I was much pressed in spirit to speak on +the nature of the fall of man, and on the necessity of having clear views +of gospel truth. I was told afterwards that there was a Unitarian present. +<p> +<p> +He attended the Quarterly Meeting at Leicester on the 24th, and the two +following days met companies of young persons, who were, he says, "much +tendered in spirit." After some similar service at Stourbridge and +Coventry, he returned on the 27th to Stamford Hill. He remarks in his +Diary: "I believe the service of the young Friends in the First-day +Schools has been a blessing to themselves as well as to their pupils." +<p> +The next month John Yeardley made a religious visit to Hertfordshire, and +had two social-religious meetings with the younger Friends at Hitchin; +after which he remained at home until the beginning of the Twelfth Month, +when he left England for Nismes. +<p> +One object in this journey was to revisit the school which had been +established by himself and Martha Yeardley in 1842: another was the +renewal of his declining health. Susan Howland and Lydia Congdon, from the +United States, who were then on a visit to Europe, were bound for the same +destination, and John Yeardley gave them his company. +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 6.--On entering France, he says, we found a sprinkling of +snow and frost, but on leaving Lyons we left all the wintry weather +behind, and travelled on under a hot sun, and bright, cloudless sky, which +seemed to impart to us all fresh vigor and spirits. S. Howland remarked, +In such an atmosphere she felt another being. +<p> +At Nismes, the party found Eliza P. Gurney, and Robert and Christine +Alsop, on their way home from the valleys of Piedmont. John Yeardley +lodged at the school, spent much of his time with the children, and with +the other English and the American Friends gave his aid in some plans for +their recreation. +<p> +<p> +12 <i>mo</i>. 25.--The evening of this day was a lively and pleasant +scene. The girls' countenances were brightened and their hearts cheered by +the presents made to them by the English Friends present. The "tree" was +new to them; it was beautifully lighted with tapers, and bore a variety of +fruit both for mind and body. +<p> +1857. 3 <i>mo</i>. 2.--My dear friend ----- proposed my giving the school +girls a treat before I left Nismes. We contrived a visit to the sea, +distant from Nismes about twenty miles. We procured two omnibuses with six +horses, and started at 5 o'clock in the morning. Long before the time +appointed, the little maidens were in the entrance-hall with their +satchels in their hand, containing each her dinner; twenty-seven in all. +The pleasure on the road was novel and great; but when they arrived at the +sea-shore their delight was complete; with light hearts and quick heels, +running and picking up shells, meeting the waves as they advanced and +receded. On our return we visited the ancient town of Aigues-Mortes, near +the sea, famous for having been the place where the Protestant women were +confined and punished even to death. We entered most of the strong and +gloomy cells, and saw the instrument of torture. The tower and fortress +are a perfect model of a feudal castle. +<p> +<p> +On his return to England, John Yeardley was taken ill with bronchitis, +which produced great bodily weakness, and caused him "many wearisome" +nights and days; but, he says, "my Saviour was near to console and sustain +me." He went for change to Bath, and afterwards to Brighton with Margaret +Pope:-- +<p> +<p> +We made, he says, speaking of this visit many calls, and my hospitable +hostess had many of the Friends to tea and dinner visits. Our social +readings in the evening were often instructive in the conversation upon +what we read, particularly over Hippolytus, who lived and wrote in the +first half of the second century. The Chevalier Bunsen did good service to +the Christian Church in bringing the life and some of the writings of this +good man to light. +<p> +<p> +On his return home we find him still solicitous, as he had been in former +years, for the intellectual improvement of his young friends. +<p> +<p> +11 <i>mo</i>.--During my stay at home I have renewed my German class for a +few of my young friends. We have also commenced a soiree for German and +French conversation. I love the society of my young friends, and am +always, anxious to promote their learning to speak German and French. +<p> +<p> +The Diary for 1858, the last year of his life, commences with, a New +Year's dedication of himself afresh to the service of his faithful +Creator, and a prayer for a fresh anointing in the exercise of his +ministry. +<p> +<p> +1858. 1 <i>mo</i>. 4.--How many and various are the thoughts which crowd +on the mind on the commencement of a new year; perhaps none more important +than to think I am one year nearer to eternity. A desire does live in my +heart (cherish it, O, my God) to live more to thy glory on earth. How I +long to be favored with strength to do something for the cause of truth and +righteousness, so long as I may be permitted to remain on the Lord's +earth. I think with gratitude that he has blessed me with a little more +faith of late in my ministry, and my very soul prays that in these +requirings he may be pleased to put the unction of his Spirit into my +heart, and his words into my mouth, and that under a right pointing, they +may go forth with power. Grant me, Lord, more devotedness of life, and a +right and sure preparation for a peaceful death and a blissful eternity. +<p> +<p> +For some years before his decease, John Yeardley's thoughts were +frequently occupied with the subject of the Millennium. Like some other +good men, he thought he saw in the events which were taking place, the +impending accomplishment of those predictions, whose fulfilment was to +precede the "great and terrible day of the Lord." On one occasion, after +mentioning a number of these "signs of the times," he winds up the +enumeration and the thoughts to which it gave rise, with the following +reflection:-- +<p> +<p> +Happy is the Christian who, in this time of conflict, can look beyond the +passing events of time to the Great First Cause, and behold, as with the +eye of faith, the providence of his God watching over all things, waiting +to bring good out of evil, and causing all things to work to the one great +point, when he will cause the wrath of man to praise him, and the +remainder of wrath will he restrain. "Come, my people, enter thou into thy +chambers and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself, as it were for a +little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold the Lord +cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their +iniquity." (Isaiah xxvi. 20, 21) +<p> +<p> +In the Second Month he spent a week at Chelmsford with Susanna Corder. His +visit was prefaced by the following letter:-- +<p> +<p> +Stamford Hill, 1 mo. 13, 1858. +<p> +MY DEAR FRIEND, +<p> +It would seem to me as if there were only left here and there a link of +the chain of my original connexion on this earth. The best end of this +chain is attached to those loved ones in heaven who are drawing me every +day nearer to their happy and blissful abode, through the love of our +glorified Redeemer. It is now many years since thou received her once so +dear to me as a bosom friend, to partake of thy wise counsels, and in her +troubles especially to enjoy the sympathy of thy warm and affectionate +heart. +<p> +I am now left alone for a short time; my young companion is at Norwich. If +thou wert at home, pretty well in health, and withal not so much occupied +as sometimes, it would be a great pleasure and gratification to me to pay +thee a short visit; but, as an absolute condition, I must request thee to +say, in perfect freedom, if it would be quite convenient. I want to ask +thee <i>many, many</i> things. +<p> +Thy friend, affectionately and very sincerely, +<p> +JOHN YEARDLEY. +<p> +<p> +After his return home, having also visited Saffron Walden, he writes:-- +<p> +<p> +1 <i>mo</i>. 25.--Just returned from a visit to Essex. I lodged a week at +my dear friend S.C.'s, and was edified and comforted in her company. It +has been a promised pleasure of some years' standing. The morning meeting +on First-day, as well as the one on Fourth-day, was a season of spiritual +refreshment, for which I was truly thankful. The Friends testified their +unity and comfort: I called on most of them. +<p> +On the Seventh-day, C.M. conveyed me across the country to Saffron Walden. +On the way we paid a sweet visit to the afflicted family of ----. At +Walden I was affectionately cared for, and was much interested in the +Friends there, whom I had not seen for eighteen years. +<p> +<p><br> +<p> +<p> +CHAPTER XXI. +<p> +<p> +LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858.--CONCLUDING REMARKS. +<p> +We are now arrived at the closing scene of John Yeardley's labors. The +impression which he had received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of +the opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern countries, had never +been obliterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his +ability to accomplish such an undertaking had proportionately diminished. +This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies, +and, according to his apprehension, no other course remained for him but +to prepare for a visit to the missionary stations in Asia Minor and the +countries beyond, in order to deliver to the inquiring inhabitants amongst +whom those stations are planted, the message of Christ's love to their +souls with which he believed himself to be charged. And when he +communicated to his friends the apprehension that this journey was +required of him as the last offering of thanksgiving before his day +closed, they were satisfied to "lay their hands upon him" for the work, +thinking, perhaps, that the veteran soldier could not better end his +campaign than with his arms in his hands, actively contending for the +faith. That such might not improbably be the issue of the enterprise, John +Yeardley himself believed; but it is doubtful if he correctly estimated +the arduous nature of the journey. It would have been a bold undertaking +in the vigor of his days: at his time of life, and with his declining +strength, it was, humanly speaking, impossible that he should accomplish +nearly all he had in view. +<p> +His Diary unfolds his spiritual exercises and his natural feelings in the +prospect before him. +<p> +<p> +3 <i>mo</i>. 17.--The last two months have been to me an awful time of +deep conflict of spirit, arising out of a prospect of a religious visit to +some places in Asiatic Turkey, and parts adjacent. I do not know when I +have had more conflict to arrive at a clear pointing. I prayed earnestly +and waited long for that clear pointing of Divine Wisdom, without which I +can never move in concerns of this importance. In the end, I am thankful +to say, the cloud was removed and the sun stone with brightness, and no +longer was my poor tried mind left in doubt as to the line of religions +duty; and before mentioning it to any one, I communicated it to the +Monthly Meeting in the Second Month. Much unity and sympathy were +expressed, and the certificate ordered. It is now signed, and is a sweet +document, short and explicit. +<p> +I see and deeply feel the perils and sufferings which await me, in +venturing on untrodden ground, as it regards any minister of our Society, +and to such a distance, and among, for the most part, an unbelieving +people. But I can and do look forward in calm confidence, trusting, as I +have ever done, in the aid and protecting care of my Heavenly Father, +whose cause I desire to serve, and whose will I wish above all other +things to do. My earthly career can never end better than in the work of +my Divine Master; and should it be his will to terminate my life in the +Arab tent, I shall have more consolation there than in an English home +under the stinging sense of a dereliction of my religious duty. +<p> +I am giving all my leisure hours to learn something of the Turkish +language, for travelling purposes, and for a little social intercourse. +Ever since this concern fastened on my mind, it has been connected with +having the company of my young friend from the South of France, Jules +Paradon. +<p> +May the Lord grant me resignation, faith, grace, and strength to do his +holy will; and then, whether it end in life or death, his great name shall +be praised. This testimony I record in gratitude and love to the mercy of +my God. Amen. +<p> +<p> +Before leaving England, he paid a visit to Staines. +<p> +<p> +<i>4 mo.</i> 20.--I went down to Staines, and spent two weeks with +Margaret Pope, which sojourn proved a strength and comfort to me. This +dear friend is a succorer of many, and, I can truly say, of me in +particular. We had several pleasant drives, and made friendly visits to +the neighboring meetings and Friends. I also applied pretty diligently to +the Turkish language. +<p> +<p> +Amply provided, by the kindness of many friends, with whatever could +administer to his wants or ease the roughness of Eastern travel, John +Yeardley left his home on the l5th of the Sixth Month. He arrived at +Nismes on the 17th, and was joined there by Jules Paradon. His Diary +supplies some notes of the voyage to Constantinople. +<p> +<p> +23<i>rd</i>.--Malta. Here we arrived at 4 o'clock this morning, after a +favorable passage; thanks to the Preserver of our lives; great is his +mercy and his love. My heart is filled with deep thoughtfulness, and I am +very anxious to procure an interpreter, either at Smyrna or +Constantinople. My faith is weak, but I trust the Lord will provide. +<p> +On descending the lower deck adjoining: the large saloon, I found my +faithful companion in calm but very earnest conversation with the +commissary of the ship and a passenger of respectability, the Spanish +consul of Smyrna. They had sifted from Jules the object of our journey, +and when they found it connected with a religious mission, they both +attacked him earnestly and showed themselves really opposed to the truth. +But my young friend stood his ground well, and maintained the Christian +religion. The opponents were both Romanists. They quieted down before the +close, and treated us respectfully the remainder of the journey; we parted +with them at Smyrna. I am thankful to have in my companion such a defender +of the faith. +<p> +27<i>th</i>.--We arrived at Smyrna this morning, and in order to meet some +of our Christian friends to whom we had letters of recommendation, we met +them after their worship. Edward Van Lennep, the Dutch consul, and his +brother Charles, the Swedish consul, received us with great kindness and +cordiality through the letters from one of our Members of Parliament. It +was very sweet to find these two brothers so imbued with religious +feeling; they gave their hearts to help us in our prospect. +<p> +<p> +On the 30th John Yeardley and his companion landed at Constantinople; they +found the heat and noise of the city very oppressive. +<p> +<p> +The people in the streets, says John Yeardley, are numerous beyond all +description; thousands, and tens of thousands, standing, sitting, running, +following, or pushing one against the other, talking and shouting in the +ceaseless noise of the Armenian, Turkish, Greek, Syriac, Italian, French +and English languages. The services of my dear Jules are most valuable: he +makes his way with every one through his earnest kindness to serve the +good cause, +<p> +When passing through the islands, he adds, the prospect was extremely +beautiful; but my mind was always anxious in the prospect of the long +journey before us; but the mercy of my God is great, and deeply humbles me +in thankfulness for his goodness.--(<i>Letter of</i> 7 <i>mo</i>. 4.) +<p> +<p> +Very soon after their arrival, walking several hours in the heat of the +day, John Yeardley had a slight attack of sun-stroke. The effect appeared +quickly to pass off, and he was able to perform such religious duty as +opened before him in the city and its immediate neighborhood. +<p> +<p> +<i>Diary</i>. 7 <i>mo</i>. 4.--We made a call at Bebek: Dr. Hamlin had +gone to the city, but Dr. Dwight received us kindly. These two dear +Christian, friends called on us yesterday. This morning we attended the +meeting in the Armenian chapel, and at half-past 1 we had a full company +in the same meeting-house. They received in a free and brotherly +disposition what I was favored to express in gospel freedom; I concluded +in supplication. A kind and Christian man interpreted with simplicity into +the Turkish language. The morning service was in the Armenian. We have +already had many calls from these loving Christian friends in our hotel. +What a mercy, and how encouraging, to be thus received in gospel by +strangers! +<p> +<p> +Respecting this meeting Jules Paradon says:-- +<p> +<p> +About thirty-five or forty were present. Our dear friend's communication +was short and simple; it breathed love to all. In fact, what he seemed to +have most on his mind in all his public communications was, to show his +hearers how much God loved them in even giving his own Son for them, and +the high privilege we can enjoy in loving him. +<p> +<p> +They went also to Has-Keui, where J.Y. desired to have a meeting with the +girls of the school; but many had left for the vacation, and he was +obliged to give up his intention. +<p> +On the 10th they went to Brusa, in Asia Minor, six hours by steam-vessel +across the Sea of Marmora to Moudania, and six on horseback from Moudania +to Brusa. The land journey was oppressive. A narrow path winds through a +very rugged country; and there is only one halting-place, a guard hut, +where they took a cup of coffee, the only refreshment the inmates had to +offer. John Yeardley suffered much in this day's journey. +<p> +He had two meetings in the Protestant meeting-house at Brusa:-- +<p> +<p> +Both, says Jules Paradon, took place after the usual service, which was +expressly made short. The hearers, to the number of about 120, were +impressed and interested to hear and see our dear friend come from so far +to visit them in the love of the gospel. Twelve or fourteen men came two +evenings to see us at our lodgings; and on both occasions our dear friend +addressed them very sweetly. The heat tried him very much, but he felt +pleased and happy to be helped to sympathize with so many simple, +kind-hearted people. +<p> +<p> +At Demirdash (six miles from Brusa), he had a short religious opportunity +with a few persons. +<p> +On their return to Constantinople, finding that a box of luggage he +expected from London, containing a tent and other equipments, had not +arrived, without which he could not pursue his journey into the interior, +he employed the interval in visiting Isnik, (the ancient Nicomedia,) and +Bargheghik, two places in Asia Minor, not far from the coast. Accordingly +they started early the next day, and reached Isnik late in the evening, +weary and exhausted, having been able to procure very little refreshment +on the way. They proceeded to Bargheghik the day following; John Yeardley +walking about four miles in the middle of the day, with which he was +extremely fatigued. +<p> +<p> +He had a meeting, continues Jules Paradon, late in the evening, which +proved highly interesting. About thirty men and one woman attended. Our +dear friend encouraged and consoled the weak and the afflicted. The next +day we returned to Isnik, having to bear the heat of the sun from +half-past eight till three in the afternoon. We had a meeting the same +afternoon at half-past four, towards the close of which he felt weak, and +seemed to end his address rather abruptly. +<p> +<p> +The fact was, that paralysis had supervened; and on his return the next +day to Constantinople, his bodily and mental strength were seen to be +rapidly diminishing. He still clung, however, to the desire of +accomplishing the object which lay so near his heart, and could not be +satisfied without going to Bebek to consult his missionary friends about +his journey into the interior. Probably they perceived that he was totally +unequal to the effort, and advised him to relinquish it; for on his return +to the city he was induced to abandon the thought of proceeding farther, +and to turn his mind towards home. On the 23rd he said, If after what had +been done he was permitted to go home, it would be a satisfaction.<a name="FNanchor14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14"><sup>[14]</sup></a> +<p> +On the 26th they embarked for Marseilles. John Yeardley bore the voyage +well, walking on deck every day, but becoming continually weaker. They +arrived at Marseilles on the 4th of the Eighth Month, and passed through +France as rapidly as his state would allow. On the evening of Second-day, +the 9th, he was favored to reach Stamford Hill; and though unable to +speak, he recognized several of his near relatives, and signified his +pleasure in being once more at home. +<p> +He continued to sink until Fifth-day, the 11th, when he quietly breathed +his last, an expression of peace resting on his venerable face. We may +say, with one of his most intimate friends on the Continent, when he heard +of his decease:--"So our beloved friend has been called to enter into his +Lord's joy. Now he will see God, to whom he often used to pray. 'With thee +is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.'" +<p> +His remains were interred at Stoke Newington, on the 18th of the Eighth +Month. +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +Of the fruits which John Yeardley has bequeathed to us in the history of +his life and Christian experience, none perhaps are of higher value than +his diligent improvement of the talents he possessed and his steady and +persevering pursuit of what he had in view. It is not so much what +abilities a man has that determines his place in society, and the amount +of his influence, as the use which he makes of them. Of this truth John +Yeardley was a striking example. We have heard him say, in one of his +early diaries: "I have clearly seen, for what service I am designed in the +church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of divine +grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main design." +The service to which he was called was the Christian ministry; and, laying +aside every meaner ambition, and indeed every other object, he addressed +himself to preparation for this service as the labor of his life. He +cultivated those habits of mind and body, and confined himself to the +acquisition of those branches of knowledge, which, while they left his +heavenly gift free and unsullied, would best subserve the exercise of it. +<p> +His industry and perseverance were remarkable. In none of his pursuits +were these qualities more conspicuous than in his study of languages. It +cost him, especially, an almost incredible amount of labor to master +French. The slight elementary knowledge of this language which he acquired +at Bentham cannot have given him so much as an insight into it; his +acquaintance with it may be said to date from his visit to Congenies, when +he had reached his fortieth year. Yet, by indefatigable exertion, +maintained during many years, he became able to write and speak it +fluently, though, not correctly, and even to preach without an +interpreter. The difficulty which he encountered in the acquisition of +languages, from the late period of life at which he commenced, was +enhanced by his ignorance of Latin, that best trainer of the youthful +faculties, and by a natural inaptitude for the memory of words. A proof of +the latter occurred when, with his quick-witted wife, he was occupied in +conning over the Italian and Modern Greek Grammars, in preparation for +their journey to the Ionian Islands. The difference in their natural +capacities in this respect is shown in her playful expression; "I got my +lesson in half an hour; while John has been three or four hours over his, +and does not know it yet." +<p> +But although slow in study, he was quick and shrewd in the observation of +actual life. This was apparent in his daily converse; and it may also be +continually traced in his Diary, where, describing those with whom he +became acquainted in his numerous travels, he seizes, on the prominent +feature of their mind or manners, and with a word affixes to each his own +particular mark. Of the hundreds of individuals who rise into view one +after another in the course of these journeys, scarcely two are alike; a +result which is, perhaps, due as much to the pen of the writer, as to the +inherent diversities of the human character. +<p> +To this shrewdness of observation, he added a racy humor which those who +knew him in his hours of relaxation and familiarity will not easily +forget. His mind was stored with quaint and pithy phrases, and apt +illustrations, which he not unfrequently seasoned with his native idiom, +the broad Barnsley dialect. His north-country pronunciation, indeed, never +entirely forsook him; and the singular graft of German which he made upon +it during his residence abroad, caused it to be commonly supposed, by +those who were strangers to his history, that he was a native of Germany. +<p> +The same moral constitution that enabled John Yeardley to pursue his +objects with indomitable perseverance, sometimes betrayed him, as may +easily be imagined, into a tenacity of purpose, bordering upon obstinacy. +To the same strength of will also, acting on the defects incident to a +neglected education in early life, must be attributed those strong +prejudices which were at times to be remarked in him, and of which he +found it extremely difficult to divest himself. But it was the triumph of +grace, that whilst these faults of character and disposition remained for +the most part only as a hidden thorn, the messenger of Satan to buffet +him, the virtues to which they were allied, and all the faculties of his +mind, were consecrated to the service of God and of his fellow-man, and +his whole nature was enlarged, refined and elevated, by the all-powerful +energy of the gospel. +<p> +"Very sweet and instructive are our recollections of the humility of his +walk amongst us, and of the liveliness of his ministry, marked as it was +by much simplicity, love and earnestness." To this testimony of his +Monthly Meeting, all who were accustomed to hear him will readily +subscribe. +<p> +We are able to append some notes of a few of his public testimonies, which +we give as likely to be at once gratifying and instructive to the reader. +The friend to whom we are indebted for them informs us that "the notes +were written immediately after meeting, and are as nearly the words used +as his memory would furnish." He adds, "They bring before the mind's eye +and ear the face and voice of a dear departed friend, and, I believe, a +true and enlightened servant of the Lord." +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +(8 <i>mo</i>, 1850.) +<p> +<i>Keep thy heart, with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of +life</i>.--(Proverbs iv. 23.) +<p> +We often are made to feel the force of this truth, when we have been +unwatchful, and some cross occurrence has tried our tempers. How often we +are made to see, and to show before others, what manner of spirit is in +as..... +<p> +Sometimes we are favored with such clear convictions of the worthlessness +of mere worldly possessions and pursuits, and such delightful realizations +of the happiness of seeking to do the Lord's work, that we are ready to +express our astonishment that any human beings can be found so foolish as +to devote their energies to the pursuit of things which never can give +satisfaction, and which must needs perish. And then, perhaps, we are +brought into a state of darkness and despondency, to show us our utter +helplessness and unworthiness, and the need there is for every one of us +to "keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of +life.".... +<p> +Every individual, no doubt, has his own particular path of duty, which is +designed to promote his own best happiness and the well-being of all +mankind. How important for each to follow that path in watchfulness and +obedience, that the work may not be marred! How important to keep the +heart with all diligence, that the issues of life may be in accordance +with divine will! +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +(9 <i>mo</i>. 1, 1850.) +<p> +<i>Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the +Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty</i>.--(2 Chronicles +xxxi. 10.) +<p> +These words have been impressed upon my mind this morning, and I have +thought they were instructive, in a spiritual sense. I believe, if we were +more earnest in bringing offerings into the house of the Lord--if each one +of us was more diligent in contributing his share, and doing his part of +the Lord's business,--we should have less anxiety about worldly things; we +should have faith in the Lord's providence, and, not only spiritually, but +naturally also, we should have "enough to eat and plenty left." +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +(11 <i>mo</i>. 24, 1850.) +<p> +In looking at the world around, we may be apt to think that the day is +very far off when the Lord's kingdom, shall be established in peace: but +to those who, through the regenerating power of Christ, have become +subjects of the Prince of Peace, that day has commenced already; and +whatever storms may rage without, they will experience peace within. For +"he will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are staid on him, because +they trust in him." +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +(9 <i>mo</i>. 19, 1852.) +<p> +John Yeardley addressed the children with much feeling, telling them to +rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ways--to let him carry them in +his bosom, and to run to him in danger or trouble, as they would to their +tender mothers. +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +You sometimes are restless in these meetings, not knowing how to keep your +thoughts fixed on heavenly things, and perplexed for want of some visible +means of instruction. I believe your tender Saviour may often feed you, +even while in this state, with food convenient for you. But remember, dear +children, that he is always calling to every one of you, Come unto Me. +Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not. O! come to +him, my precious lambs, and he will feed you, and "lead you beside the +still waters, and make you lie down in green pastures." +<p> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<p> +<p> +(12 <i>mo</i>. 8, 1854 At a Funeral.) +<p> +<i>And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs +and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, +and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.</i>--(Isa. xxxv. 10.) +<p> +In the pain of parting with the beloved object of our heart's affection, +we forget the rejoicing which welcomes the ransomed spirit to its +everlasting rest. But when the time is come for the Lord to pour in the +healing balm into the sorrowing soul, then we find a little comfort. .... +<p> +"Watchman! what of the night? Watchman! what of the night? The watchman +said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire +ye: return; come." There are many in this company in the morning of life, +enjoying the prospect of many days, and forming many plans for the future, +with all the ardor of their youthful minds. May the present occasion prove +the morning of their spiritual day; and may they remember that the +<i>night cometh as well as the morning</i>. +<p> +How thin is the partition which separates the present state from that of +eternity! We mourn over those who are taken away from us, and we fancy we +are left alone. But we are called to be <i>one in Christ</i>. I have great +faith in the communion of saints, in the union of saints on earth with +saints in heaven. And we are all called to be saints by walking in faith, +by leading a life of holiness in the fear of the Lord. We say our beloved +friends who have gone before us are dead. <i>They are not dead: they have +but just entered into life.</i> Let us not mourn, then, as those who have +no hope. Let us rather rejoice with them and for them, and so live that we +may be among the ransomed of the Lord, who shall return and come to Zion +with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing +shall flee away. +<p> +THE END. +<p> +<a name="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor1">[1]</a><blockquote><br> +The memorandum here referred to is in the Diary, under date of the 18th of +the Sixth Month.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor2">[2]</a><blockquote><br> +Life of B. Grubb, 2nd ed., p. 219.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor3">[3]</a><blockquote><br> +The introduction was made by Thomas Shillitoe, at the time of the Yearly +Meeting. He said to M.S., "Let me introduce thy brother to thee." +"<I>Brother</I>!" she exclaimed, with surprise. "Yes," answered the good +old man; "all who have been on the Continent are brothers and sisters."</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor4">[4]</a><blockquote><br> +Pastor Fliedner has since become more extensively known by the institution +for Deaconesses which he has founded at Kaiserswerth, where, with many +other useful and exemplary women, Florence Nightingale was trained. +Kaiserwerth has become the parent of several other kindred institutions.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor5">[5]</a><blockquote><br> +This is one of the earliest burial-grounds which belonged to Friends. Over +the gateway was a curious inscription on brass, now removed to Barnsley. +It is as follows: +<p> +"Anno Domini 1657. Though superstitious minds doe judge amisse of this +buriall plane, yet lett them know hereby that the Scripture saith, The +earth, it is the Lord's. And I say soe is this, therefore seeing we, and +by his people also sett apart for the churches use, or a buriall place, it +is holy, or convenient and good for that use and service, as every other +earth is. And it is not without Scripture warrant or example of the holy +men of God to burie in snoh a place; for Joshua, a servant of the Lord and +commander in chiefe or leader and ruler of the people of God when he died +was neither buried in a steeple-house now called a parish church, nor in a +steeple-house-yeard, but he was buried in the border of his inheritance, +and on the north side of Mount Gaash, as you may read; see Joshua, the +24th chapter, and the 29th and 30th verses. And Eleazer, Aaron's son, who +was called of the Lord, when he died, (they buried him not in a parish +house, nor a steeple-house yeard, but) they buried him in the hill of +Phinehas, his son, which was given him in Mount Ephraim, as you may read, +Joshua, the 24th, the 33rd v. And these were noe superstitious persons, +but beloved, of the Lord, and were well buried. And soe were they In +Abraham's bought field, Genesis, the 23rd chapter, the 17, 18, 19, and 20 +verses: though superstitious minds now are unwilling unto the truth to +bow, who are offended at such as burie in their inheritance or bought +field, appointed for that use."</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor6">[6]</a><blockquote><br> +This young person, under the name of Amanda, is the subject of No. 7 of a +series of small tracts published by John Yeardley in the latter years of +his life.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor7">[7]</a><blockquote><br> +She brought an affectionate epistle from M.A. Calame. The felicity of +style and beauty of penmanship which distinguished the letters of this +extraordinary woman agreed with the rest of her character. We have the +epistle in question now before us, exquisitely written. It ends with these +words;-- +<p> +"Il nous eût étè bien doux de prononger les moments de la voir encore, +mais la sagesse demande que tout se fasse avec ordre; voilà pourquoi notre +chère enfant vous est confiée plus tôt; que le seigneur l'accompagne et +vous aussi, precieux amis; nous vous confions tous trois à la garde +divine, et nous vous assurons encore ici de l'affection Chrétienne qui +unit nos ames aux vôtres en Celui qui est le lieu indissoluble. +<p> +"M. A. Calame. +<p> +"Locle, 24 du 9 mois, '33."</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor8">[8]</a><blockquote><br> +We believe Joseph John Gurney is here referred to.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor9">[9]</a><blockquote><br> +See <i>The Widow's Mite</i>, No. 5 of J.Y.'s Series of Tracts.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor10">[10]</a><blockquote><br> +The visits of J. and M.Y. to Kreuznach, in this journey, form the subject +of No. 8 of John Yeardley's Series of Tracts, <i>The German Farmer become +Preacher.</i> We extract from it the following more particular description +of their visit to the three villages mentioned in the text:-- +<p> +"We started on a bright, hot sunny morning; and a pleasant drive, through +the vines and under the agreeable shade of double rows of fruit trees, +brought us to the place of destination. At the first farmhouse where we +alighted the people were busy at their out-door work, which, however, on +hearing of the arrival of strangers, they soon left, and came to welcome +the travellers with outstretched hand and smiling countenances. They soon +gave proof of their hospitality, by ordering us to be served with fruit, +milk, and butter-bread, nor were we allowed to depart before partaking of +a cup of coffee. The master of the house was an intelligent, pious man, +and gave us much information as to the state of religion among the people. +After wending our way from village to village and from house to house, we +returned to our lodgings, favorably impressed with the piety and apparent +sincerity of this simplehearted people."</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor11">[11]</a><blockquote><br> +The history of this worthy man is given in the Tract mentioned in the last +note, <i>The German Farmer</i>, &c.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor12">[12]</a><blockquote><br> +See John Yeardley's Tract, No. 5, <i>The Widow's Mite cast into the +Heavenly Treasury.</i></blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor13">[13]</a><blockquote><br> +or a fuller description of this visit, see J.Y.'s Tract, <i>The German +Farmer</i>, &c.</blockquote> +<p> +<a name="Footnote_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor14">[14]</a><blockquote><br> +After his return, a letter was received from one of the missionaries at +Constantinople, expressive of the pleasure which his visit had given +there, the regret of the writer that age and fatigue prevented him from +pursuing his journey to the more remote stations, and the cordial welcome +which "such Christian friends of any denomination" might always reckon +upon from the missionary brethren.</blockquote><p> +<hr class="full"> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIR AND DIARY OF JOHN YEARDLEY, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 10369-h.txt or 10369-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/6/10369">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/6/10369</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel + +Author: John Yeardley + +Release Date: December 2, 2003 [EBook #10369] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN YEARDLEY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Sheila Vogtmann and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + +MEMOIR AND DIARY + +OF +JOHN YEARDLEY, + +Minister of the Gospel. + + +EDITED BY CHARLES TYLOR. + +"Should time with me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that +love for mankind which believes 'every nation to be our nation, and every +man our brother.'"--_Diary of J. Yeardley._. + +PHILADELPHIA: +HENRY LONGSTRETH, +1336 CHESTNUT STREET. +1860. + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY'S CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS PUBLIC +MINISTRY, 1803-15. + +Birth and occupation +Joseph Wood, of Newhouse +Anecdote of Thomas Yeardley +John Yeardley's conversion +He enters T. D. Walton's linen warehouse +Joins the Society of Friends +Marriage with Elizabeth Dunn--Commencement of his Diary +A. Clarke's "Commentary" +Enters into business on his own account +Visit of Sarah Lameley +Call to the ministry + + +CHAPTER II. + +FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN +GERMANY IN 1820. + +First offerings in the ministry +Is unsuccessful in business +Removes to Bentham +His views on the Christian ministry +Visit of Hannah Field +Is recorded a minister +Visits Kendal and Lancaster, in company with Joseph Wood +Visit to Friends at Barnsley +Journey to York +Letters to Thomas Yeardley + + +CHAPTER III. + + +FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820, TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY +IN 1822. + +Prospect of residing in Germany +Visit from John Kirkham +Liverpool Quarterly Meeting +Public meeting at Wray +Visit of Ann Jones +Journey to Leeds +Death of Joseph Wood +Illness of Elizabeth Yeardley +Her death +John Yeardley goes to Hull +Extracts from Elizabeth Yeardley's letters +Testimony concerning Joseph Wood + + +CHAPTER IV. + +HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY, 1822-24. + +Sails to Hamburg--His lodging at Eppendorf +Arrives at Pyrmont +Friedensthal +Religious service with Thomas Shillitoe +Establishment of the Reading and Youths' meetings at Pyrmont +Mode of bleaching +Visiters at the Baths attend Pyrmont meeting +J.Y. visits Minden and Eidinghausen +Plan for helping the Friends of Minden +Journey to Leipzig +Returns to England + + +CHAPTER V. + +FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST +CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. + +Mental depression +Journey with Elizabeth H. Walker through the Midland Counties +Yearly Meeting +Returns to Friedensthal +Humiliation +Certificate for the South of France +Martha Savory's visit to the Continent +Journey to Rotterdam + + +Chapter VI. + +HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1825-26. + +John Yeardley and his companions leave Pyrmont +Visit Elberfeld, Creveldt, Muehlheim, &c. +Neuwied--the Inspirirten +Journey to Berlenburg +Are placed under arrest at Erndebrueck +Set at liberty by the Landrath of Berlenburg +The Old and New Separatists +Gelnhausen and Raneberg +Pforzheim--H. Kienlin +Stuttgardt, Basle, &c. +Zurich--the Gessner family +Berne +Geneva +Journey to Congenies +Religious service in the South of France +St. Etienne +Return to England + + +CHAPTER VII. + +HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY, 1826-27. + +John Yeardley goes into Yorkshire +Death of his parents +Marriage with Martha Savory +Biographical notice of Martha Savory +Letter from Martha Yeardley +J. and M. Y. take up their abode at Burton, near Barnsley + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. + +PART I.--GERMANY. + +J. and M.Y. sail to Rotterdam +Minden, &c. +Journey to the shores of the North Sea +Visit to the colonists on the _Grodens_ +Fredericks-Oort +Frankfort +Darmstadt--Durkheim +Stuttgart +Kornthal +Wilhelmsdorf + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. + +PART II.--SWITZERLAND. + +Schaffhausen +Beuggen +Zurich +Hofwyl--Geneva--A. Bost +Lausanne +Neufchatel +Berne and the neighborhood +Montmirail--Neufchatel +Locle--Mary Anne Calame +Journey through France +Guernsey--Accident on the water + + +CHAPTER X. + +HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1828-33. + +Illness of Martha Yeardley +Letter from M.A. Calame +Yearly Meeting +Letter from Auguste Borel--Public meetings in Yorkshire +Death of James A. Wilson--Journey through the Western Counties +Various religious engagements +Journey through Wales with Elizabeth Dudley +Visit to Lancashire +Removal to Scarborough +Establishment of a Bible-class at ditto +Prospects of a journey to Greece +Argyri Climi +Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE, 1833-34. + +PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. + + +Paris +Death of Rachel Waterhouse +Nancy +Phalsbourg--Strasburg--Pastor Majors +Ban de la Roche +Basle +Neufchatel +Polish Count and Countess +Geneva +Journey through Italy +Letters from Friends in England + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. + +PART II.--GREECE. + +Corfu +Count F. Sardina +Santa Maura +Wigwam village on the mainland +Cephalonia--Zante +Patras--the Gulf of Corinth +Galaxidi--Trying situation +Castri (the ancient Delphi) +Journey to Athens +Athens +Corinth +Detentions--Vostizza +Patras +Corfu + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. + +PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE. + +Letters from John Rowntree and William Allen +Ancona +Florence +The Custom-house--Piedmont +Geneva +Lausanne +Berne +Zurich--Schaffhausen +Basle--Death of Thomas Yeardley +Death of M.A. Calame +Neufchatel +Return to England--Death of A.B. Savory + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1834 TO THE COMMENCEMENT +OF THE FOURTH IN 1842. + +Divisions in the Society of Friends +Employment of leisure time +Girls' Lancasterian school at Scarborough +Death of Elizabeth Rowntree--Letter from M.Y. to Elizabeth Dudley +Visit to Thame +Visit to Lancashire +Visits to the Isle of Wight +Death of John Rutter +Prospect of revisiting the Continent + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1842-43. + +Amiens +Paris +Letters from E. Dudley and J. Rowntree +Lyons +Nismes--Boarding-school for girls +Letter from John Rowntree +Montpelier +Lesengnan +Maux +Saverdun +Toulouse +Montauban--Castres +Tullins--Grenoble +Geneva +Lausanne +Neufchatel--Paul Petavel +Locle +Berne +Basle +Carlsruhe--Frankfort +Accident to J.Y.--Vlotho + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL +JOURNEY, 1843-48. + +Removal to Berkhamstead +Removal to Stamford-hill +Visit to the families of Gracechurch-St. Monthly Meeting +Death of J.J. Gurney and I. Stickney +Prepare for revisiting the Continent +Brussels +H. Van Maasdyk +Charleroi--Spa +Bonn +Mannheim, Strasburg +Basle +Berne-Neufchatel +Grenoble +Privas--Vals +Nismes--Congenies + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1849-50. + +Letter from J.Y. to John Kitching +Elberfeld--Muehlheim +Bonn +Kreuznach--J.A. Ott +Mannheim +Stuttgardt--Death of Elizabeth Dudley +Kornthal +Kreuznach +Bonn +Return home--Resume their journey +Berlin--A. Beyerhaus +Warmbrunn +Illness of Martha Yeardley-Toeplitz +Prague--Translation of tracts into the Bohemian language +Kreuzuach--Neuwied + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO +NORWAY, 1851-52. + +Illness and death of Martha Yeardley +J.Y. visits Ireland +Prospect of a journey to Norway +Homburg--Illness of J.Y. +Christiana--Christiansand +Stavanger +Excursion up one of the fiords +Bergen +Meetings at Foedde and other places +Obernkirchen + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA, 1853. + +Passport--Sails from Hull +Petersburg +Moscow +Journey to Iekaterinoslav +Kharkov +Rybalsk--The German Colonies +The Molokans +The Crimea--The Tartars +A suspicious halting-place--Simpheropol +Feodosia +Odessa--Constantinople +Smyrna +Syra--Malta +Nismes--Bagneres de Bigorre +Pialoux + + +CHAPTER XX. + +FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY, 1853-1858. + +Visits Bath +The Yearly Meeting--Life of J. J. Gurney +Visit to Minden--Religious service in Yorkshire +Goes again to Minden +Neuveville +Paris +Visit to Bristol and Gloucester Quarterly Meetings +Minden +Visit to Birmingham, Leicester, &c. +Goes to Nismes +Visits Chelmsford, &c. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858. CONCLUDING REMARKS. + +Religious Mission to Asiatic Turkey +Voyage to Constantinople +Sun-stroke +Meetings in the neighborhood of Constantinople +Is seized with paralysis, and returns home +His death--Remarks on his character +Notes of some of his public testimonies + + + +MEMOIR + +OF + +JOHN YEARDLEY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY's CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT +OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY. + +1803--1815. + +John Yeardley was born on the 3rd of the First Month, 1786, at a small +farm-house beside Orgreave Hall, in the valley of the Rother, four miles +south of Rotherham. His parents, Joel and Frances Yeardley, farmed some +land, chiefly pasture, and his mother is said to have been famous for her +cream-cheeses, which she carried herself to Sheffield market. She was a +pious and industrious woman; but, through the misconduct of her husband, +was sometimes reduced to such straits as scarcely to have enough food for +her children. + +Before they left Orgreave they were attracted towards the worship of +Friends, and several of the family, including two of Joel Yeardley's +sisters, embraced the truth as held by the Society. In the year 1802 they +removed to a farm at Blacker, three miles south of Barnsley, and attended +the meeting at Monk Bretton, or Burton, near that town, where the +meeting-house then stood. At Blacker it was John's business to ride into +Barnsley daily on a pony, with two barrels of milk to distribute to the +customers of his mother's dairy. His elder brother Thomas worked on the +farm. + +Their attendance at Burton meeting brought the family under the notice of +Joseph Wood, a minister of the Society, residing at Newhouse, near +Highflatts, four miles from Penistone. Joseph Wood had been a Yorkshire +clothier, but relinquished business in the prime of life, and spent the +rest of his days in assiduous pastoral labor of a kind of which we have +few examples. To attend a Monthly Meeting he would leave home on foot the +Seventh-day before, with John Bottomley, also a Friend and preacher, and +at one time his servant, for some neighboring meeting. He would occupy the +evening with social calls, dropping at every house the word of exhortation +or comfort. The meeting next day would witness his fervent ministry. In +the afternoon they would proceed to the place where the Monthly Meeting +was to be held the following day, which they would attend, filling up the +time before and after with social and religious visits. In the intervals +of the Monthly Meetings, when not engaged on more distant service, it was +his practice to appoint meetings for worship in the villages around +Highflatts, and very frequently to visit those places where individuals +were "under convincement," particularly Barnsley and Dewsbury, where at +that time many were added to the Society. On his return home from these +services he would spend the day in an upper room, without a fire, even in +the severest weather, writing a minute account of all that had happened. + +It was in 1803 that Joseph Wood first had intercourse with Joel Yeardley's +family. Under date of the 19th of the Fourth Month, he says, speaking of +himself and some other concerned Friends:-- + + +We felt an inclination to visit Joel Yeardley's family, who are under +convincement, and who have lately removed from near Handsworth Woodhouse. +We went to breakfast. He and Frances his wife, with Thomas and John their +sons, the former about nineteen, the latter seventeen years of age, +received us in a very kind and affectionate manner, expressing their +satisfaction at our coming to see them. They appeared quite open, and gave +us a particular account of the manner of their convincement and beginning +to attend Friends' meetings, which was about four years ago. I believe +there is a good degree of sincerity in the man and his wife, and the two +sons appear to be tender and hopeful. + + +The next month Joseph Wood repeated his visit, and gives an account of the +interview in the following words:-- + + +5 _mo_., 1803.--Having ever since I was at Joel Yeardley's the last +month, felt my mind drawn to sit with the family, and this appearing to me +to be the right time, I set out from home the 14th of the Fifth Month, in +company with John Bottomley. Got to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and five +o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samuel Coward of Barnsley came +to meet us there. In the evening we had a precious opportunity together, +in which caution, counsel, advice, and encouragement flowed plentifully, +suited to the varied states of the family. I had a long time therein +first, from 1 Cor. xv. 58; John Bottomley next. Afterwards I had a pretty +long time, after which J.B. was concerned in prayer. At the breaking up of +the opportunity I had something very encouraging to communicate to their +son Thomas, who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt +very nearly united. + + +Joel Yeardley unhappily did not long remain faithful to his convictions. +He not only himself drew back from intercourse with Friends, but was +unwilling his sons should leave their work to attend week-day meetings, +and did all in his power to prevent them. This is shown by the following +narrative from Joseph Wood's memoranda:-- + + +As William Wass and I were going to attend a Committee at Highflatts, on +our Monthly Meeting day, in the morning, we met with Thomas Yeardley of +Blacker, near Worsbro', a young man who is under convincement. I was a +little surprised to see him having on a green singlet and smock frock. He +burst out into tears; I inquired the matter, and if something was amiss at +home; he only replied, "Not much;" and we not having time to atop, +proceeded, and he went forward to my house. This was on the 19th of the +Ninth Month, 1803. + +After the Monthly Meeting was over, I had an opportunity to inquire into +the cause of his appearance and trouble, and found that he was religiously +concerned to attend weekday meetings, which his father was much averse to; +and in order to procure his liberty he had worked almost beyond his +ability; but all would not do, his father plainly telling him that he +should quit the house. The evening before, he applied to him for leave to +come to the meeting at Highflatts to-day; but he refused, and treated him +with very rough language. However, as the concern remained with him, he +rose early in the morning and got himself ready; but his father came and +violently pulled the clothes off his back, and his shirt also, and took +all his other clothes from him but those we met him in, telling him to get +a place immediately, for he should not stop in his house. Being thus +stripped, he went to his work in the stable; but, not feeling easy without +coming to meeting, he set out as he was, not minding his dress, so that he +might but be favored to get to the meeting. + +This evening we had an opportunity with him in my parlor, much to our +satisfaction. The language of encouragement and consolation flowed freely +and plentifully towards him through William Wass, John Bottomley, and +myself; and afterwards, in conference with him, we found liberty to advise +him to return home (he having before thought of procuring a place), +believing if he was preserved faithful, way would in time be made for him, +and that it might perhaps be a means of his father's restoration; as at +times, he said, he appeared a little different, not having wholly lost his +love to Friends, and always behaved kindly to them. He took our advice +kindly, and complied therewith. After stopping two nights at my house, he +returned home. + + +Joseph Wood did not suffer much time to elapse before he paid another +visit to Blacker, to comfort the afflicted family. It was from this visit, +as we apprehend, that John Yeardley dated his change of heart. "I was +convinced," he said on one occasion, "at a meeting which Joseph Wood had +with our family." + + +7 _mo_. 17, 1803.--Thomas Walker Haigh and William Gant accompanied +us to Joel Yeardley's, where we tarried all night; but the two young men +from Barnsley returned home after supper. Joel was from home, but after +tea we had a religious opportunity with the rest of the family, in which I +had a very long consolatory and encouraging testimony to bear to the +deeply-suffering exercised minds from John xvi. 33. Afterwards I had a +pretty long time, principally to their son John, who I believe was under a +precious visitation from on high. He was much broken and tendered, and I +hope this season of remarkable favor will not soon be forgotten by him. + + +On his return home Joseph Wood wrote him the following letter:-- + + +Newhouse, 10 mo. 24, 1803 + +BELOVED FRIEND, JOHN YEARDLEY, + +Thou hast often been in my remembrance since I last saw thee, accompanied +with an earnest desire that the seed sown may prosper and bring forth +fruit in its season, to the praise and glory of the Great Husbandman, who, +I believe, is calling thee to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. +And O mayest thou be willing in this the day of his power to leave all and +follow him who hath declared, "Every one who hath forsaken houses, or +brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or +lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall +inherit everlasting life." + +Not that we should be found wanting in our duty to our near connexions, +for true religion does not destroy natural affection, but brings and +preserves it in its proper place. When our earthly parents command one +thing, and the Almighty another, it is better for us to obey God than man, +and herein is our love manifested unto him by our obedience to his +commands though it may sometimes clash against our parents' minds. At the +same time it is our duty to endeavor to convince them, that we are willing +to obey all their lawful commands, where they do not interfere with our +duty to Him who hath given us life, breath, and being, and mercifully +visited us by his grace. I thought a remark of this kind appeared to be +required of me, apprehending if thou art faithful unto the Lord, thou wilt +find it to be thy duty at times to leave thy worldly concerns to attend +religious meetings, which may cause thee deep and heavy trials; but +remember for thy encouragement, the promise of the hundred-fold in this +world, and in that which is to come, eternal life. + +Thou art favored with a pious though afflicted mother, and a +religiously-exercised elder brother, who, I doubt not, will rejoice to see +thee grow in the truth. May you all be blessed with the blessing of +preservation, and strengthened to keep your ranks in righteousness, and +may you be a strength and comfort to each other, and hold up a standard of +truth and righteousness in the neighborhood where your lot is cast. Do not +flinch, my beloved friend; be not ashamed to become a true follower of +Christ. When little things are required of thee, be faithful; thus shalt +thou be made ruler over more; when greater things are manifested to be thy +duty, remember the Lord is able to support, who declared by the mouth of +his prophet formerly, "Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the +birds round about are against her." But if the Lord be on our side, it +matters little who may be permitted to arise against us, for his power is +above all the combined powers of the wicked one, and he will bless and +preserve those who above all things are concerned to serve him faithfully, +which that thou mayest be is the sincere desire of thy truly loving and +affectionate friend, + +JOSEPH WOOD. + + +The word which had been so fitly spoken took deep root in John Yeardley's +heart, and on the following New-year's day he went up to Newhouse to +converse with his experienced and sympathizing friend. + + +On the 1st of the First Month, 1804, (writes Joseph Wood,) John Yeardley +came to my house, on purpose to see me. He got here betwixt ten and eleven +o'clock in the forenoon, attended our meeting and tarried with us until +after tea, and then returned home. He is a hopeful youth, tender in +spirit, and of a sweet natural disposition; was convinced of the truth in +an opportunity I had at his father's house, and, I hope, is likely to do +well. I love him much, and much desire his preservation, growth, and +establishment upon the everlasting foundation, against which the gates of +Hell are not able to prevail. + + +Shortly after this, we obtain from John Yeardley's own hand an insight +into the depth of those religious convictions which had so mercifully been +vouchsafed to him. The manner in which this interesting memorandum +concludes is quaint, but it expresses a resolution to which he was enabled +to adhere in a remarkable degree throughout the course of his long life; +for of him it may be said that, beyond many, his pursuits, his aims, and +his conversation were not of the world, but were bounded by the line of +the Gospel, and animated by its self-denying spirit. + + +_Blacker_, 2 _mo_. 9, 1804.--As I pursued these earthly +enjoyments, it pleased the Lord, in the riches of his mercy to turn me +back in the blooming of my youth, and favor me with the overshadowing of +his love, to see the splendid pleasures that so easily detained my +precious time. He was graciously pleased to call me to the exercise of +that important work which must be done in all our hearts, which appears to +me no small cross to my own will, and attended with many discouragements; +yet I am made to believe it is the way wherein I ought to go; and I trust +Thou, O Lord, who hast called, will enable me to give up, and come forward +in perfect obedience to the manifestations of thy divine light, so as a +thorough change may be wrought, that I may be fitted and prepared for a +place in thy everlasting kingdom. Though at times I am led into great +discouragement, and almost ready to faint by the way, fearing I shall +never be made conqueror over those potent enemies who so much oppose my +happiness, O be Thou near in these needful times, and underneath to bear +me up in all the difficulties which it is necessary I should pass through +for my further refinement, whilst I have a being in this earthly +pilgrimage. Strong are the ties that seem to attach me to the earth; but +O! I have cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of +thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affection. Great and +frequent are the trials and temptations, and narrow is the way wherein we +ought to walk; alas! too narrow for many. O may I ever be preserved, +faithfully forward to the eternal land of rest! + +Dear Lord, who knowest the secret of all hearts, thou knowest I am at +times under a sense of great weakness; but thou, who art always waiting to +gather the tender youth into thy flock and family, hast mercifully reached +over me with thy gathering arm. Mayst thou ever be near to strengthen me +in every weakness; and make me willing to leave all, take up my daily +cross, and follow thee in the denial of self, not fearing to confess thee +before men. Always give me strength to perform whatsoever thou mayest +require at my hands; wean my affections more and more; attract me nearer +to thyself; and lead me through this world as a stranger, never to be +known to it more but by the name of JOHN YEARDLEY. + + +In the Third Month Joseph Wood again addressed his young friend by letter, +encouraging him to be steadfast in trial, and to beware of the gilded +baits of the enemy; and promising him, that if he followed the Lord +faithfully, his works should appear marvellous in his eyes, his wonders be +disclosed to him in the deeps, and he on his part would be made willing to +serve him with a perfect heart. + +In the Sixth Month, again visiting Blacker, he had a "precious, +heart-tendering religious opportunity with all the family." + +About this time Joel Yeardley was so much reduced in his circumstances as +to be obliged to give up farming, which compelled his sons to seek their +own means of livelihood. Thomas and John went into Barnsley, where they +applied themselves to the linen manufacture, and were taken into the +warehouse of Thomas Dixon Walton, a Friend, who afterwards married a +daughter of Thomas Shillitoe. + +In the First Month, 1806, Joseph Wood records another interesting +interview with his young friend:-- + + +1 _mo_. 7.--I called on Thomas Dixon Walton and John Yeardley, with +whom I had a religious opportunity in which the language of encouragement +flowed freely; I being opened unto them from Luke xii. 32; "Fear not, +little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the +kingdom." + + +In the Third Month of this year John Yeardley made application for +membership in the Society of Friends, and was admitted in the Fifth Month +following, being then twenty years of age. His brother Thomas had joined +the Society some time before. The brothers are thus described by one who +knew them intimately:--Thomas, as a man of homely manners, of hearty and +genial character, and greatly beloved; John, as possessing a native +refinement which made it easy for him in after-life to rise in social +position, but whose reserved habits caused him to be less generally +appreciated. + +The call which John Yeardley received, and which he so happily obeyed, to +leave the world and enter by the strait gate into the kingdom of heaven, +was accompanied, as we shall afterwards see more fully, by a secret +conviction that he would one day have publicly to preach to others the +Gospel of salvation. A sense that such was the case seems to have taken +hold of Joseph Wood's mind, in a visit which he made him some time after +his admission into the Society. + + +1 _mo_. 29, 1808.--Sat with T.D. Walton and his wife, and his man +John Yeardley. I had two pretty long testimonies to bear from Colossians +iv. 17. I had to show the necessity there was for those who had received a +gift in the ministry to be faithful, and, as Satan was as busy about these +as any others, to be careful to withstand his temptations, that nothing +might hinder our fulfilment of this gift, nor anything be suffered to +prevail over us that might hinder its proper effect upon others. + +After Thomas was gone to breakfast, my mind was unexpectedly opened in a +pretty long encouraging testimony to John, from John xxi. 22--"What is +that to thee? follow thou me;" having gently to caution him not to look at +others to his hurt, but faithfully follow his Master, Jesus Christ, in the +way of his leadings. + + +In 1809 John Yeardley married Elizabeth Dunn. She was much older than +himself, "plain in person," but "full of simplicity and goodness," and of +a "most lovable" character. Like her husband she had come into the Society +by convincement; and like him she had partaken in a large degree of the +paternal sympathy and oversight of Joseph Wood. She had been a Methodist, +and was one of the first who joined with Friends at Barnsley in the +awakening which took place there in the beginning of the century. + +John Yeardley and his wife inhabited, on their marriage, a small house at +the southern extremity of the town, whither very soon afterwards was +transferred the afternoon meeting which it was customary to hold at some +Friend's house in Barnsley. The morning meeting continued to be held at. +Burton until 1816, when a new meeting-house was built in the town. + +They had only one child, a son, who died in infancy. + +John Yeardley commenced his Diary in 1811; and this valuable record of his +religious experience, and of his travels in the service of the Gospel, was +maintained with more or less regularity to the end of his life. The motive +which induced him to adopt this practice is given in the following lines, +with which the manuscript commences:-- + + +It may seem a little strange that I should, in my present situation, +attempt to keep any memorandums of the following kind; but feeling +desirous simply to pen down a few broken remarks as they may at times +occur to my mind, I apprehend no great harm can arise; and if, by causing +a closer scrutiny into my future stepping along, they should in any degree +exercise my mind to spiritual improvement, the intended purpose will be +fully answered. + + +The first entry is dated the 6th of the Tenth Month, 1811:-- + + +_First-day_.--Have been sweetly refreshed at our little meeting this +morning. I have long felt assured that Time calls for greater diligence in +me than has hitherto been rendered. And when I consider the innumerable +favors and privileges which I enjoy at the hands of Divine Providence, +beyond many of my fellow-creatures, and the few returns of gratitude I am +making, it raises in me an inexpressible desire that my few remaining days +may be dedicated, in humble obedience, to Him whose great and noble cause +I am professing to promote. + +How unstable is human nature! On sitting down in meeting this evening I +got into a state of unwatchfulness, which continued so long as to deprive +me of the refreshment my poor mind so often stands in need of. + + +In the entries which follow, the progress of the inward work and the +preparation for future service are very evident:-- + + +13_th_.--Went to our morning gathering in a low frame of mind, and +was made afresh to believe that were we more concerned to dwell nearer the +pure principle of Truth when out of meetings, we should not find such +difficult access when thus collected, but each one would be encouraged to +come under the precious influence of that baptizing power which would +cement and refresh our spirits together. O then, I firmly believe, our +Heavenly Father would in an eminent manner condescend to crown our +assemblies with the overshadowing of his love, and enable us not only to +roll away the stone, but to draw living water as out of the wells of +salvation. + +17_th_.--"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit +within me," was a language which secretly passed my mind in meeting this +morning; and though inwardly poor as I am, yet I dare not but acknowledge +it a privilege to be favored even with a good desire. + +24_th_.--Was a little refreshed at our morning gathering, my spirit +being exercised under a concern that I might not rest satisfied with +anything short of living experience; and I felt comforted with a lively +hope that He whom my soul loveth will not fail to manifest his divine +regard to one who is sincerely desirous to become acquainted with his +ways. O, how shall I render sufficient thankfulness for such a favor, thus +to be made once more sweetly to partake of the brook by the way. + +Thought the evening sitting rather dull, though the ministry of T. S. was +lively, which is a confirming proof that however favored we may be at +certain seasons, yet if at any time we suffer our attention to be diverted +from the real object, it frustrates the design of Him who I believe +intends that we should wait together to renew our strength. + + +In the Eleventh Month Henry Hull, from the United Slates, accompanied by +John Hull of Uxbridge, visited Burton, and had good service their, both +amongst Friends and with the public. They lodged at John Yeardley's, and, +in describing their labors and the pleasure he derived from their society, +he records his thankfulness at being placed in a situation in life such as +afforded him the opportunity of entertaining the Lord's servants. + +His disposition was lively and strongly inclined to humor, and he early +felt the necessity of having this natural trait of character subjected to +the rule of heavenly wisdom. Under date 27th of the Eleventh Month he +says:-- + + +I feel a little compunction for having these few days past given way too +much to the lightness of my disposition, and not being sufficiently +concerned to seek after that stability and serious reflection which never +fails to improve the mind. + + +On the 26th of the Twelfth Month he records a state of spiritual poverty. + + +Such, he says, has been the instability of my mind, that my "Beloved is +unto me as a fountain sealed." But, he adds, I feel a little tendered this +evening, on reading over a few comfortable expressions in a letter from my +friend, Joseph Wood. + + +This condition of mind continued for some months, when he thus breaks +forth:-- + + +3 _mo_. 8, 1812.--How pleasant it is once more to be favored with a +few drops of living water from the springs of that well which my soul has +had for many weeks past to languish after, and which I trust has been +wisely withheld in order to show me that, although it is our indispensable +duty to persevere in digging for it, yet it is only in His own time that +we are permitted to drink thereof. + + +His just appreciation of the nature of meetings held for the discipline of +the Church, and of the spirit in which they are to be conducted, is shown +in an early part of the Diary. + + +3 _mo_. 15.--Was at our Preparative Meeting. The queries having to be +answered, I was led into deep thoughtfulness respecting the same, and +inwardly solicited that the Father of mercies would lend his divine aid, +in the performance of such important duties; which I have reason to +believe was in some measure answered, for they were gone through with a +degree of ease and comfort to my own mind. May I ever keep in remembrance +the testimonies of his love which are so often manifested! + +8 _mo_. 17.--Meeting for discipline at Burton. The forepart was +conducted, I think, to edification; but in the latter, one subject +occupied much time unnecessarily, and did not conclude to general +satisfaction. When some whose spirits are not well seasoned, speak to +circumstances which they may not have sufficiently considered, it +sometimes does more harm than they may at first apprehend. + + +The entries in the Diary at this time shew many alternations of +discouragement and comfort, and of that deep searching of his own heart +from which he seldom shrank, and which is the only way to the liberty and +peace of the soul. + + +4 _mo_. 12.--In contemplating the gracious dealings of the Almighty +with me from time to time, I have been led to query, Is it not that I +might, by patiently submitting to the turnings and overturnings of his +most holy hand, become fashioned to show forth his praise? But alas! where +are the fruits? Is not the work rather marring as on the wheel; can I, in +sincerity say, I am the clay, Thou art the potter? I feel weary of my own +negligence; for it seems as if the day with me was advancing faster than +the work, I fear lest I should be cast off for want of giving greater +diligence to make my calling sure. O may he who is perfect in wisdom +strengthen the feeble desire which remains, and melt my stubborn will into +perfect obedience by the operation of his pure spirit. + + +In the next memoranda which we shall transcribe we see when and how his +mind was imbued with the love of Scriptural inquiry and illustration. Two +or three good books well read and digested in younger life often form the +thinking habits of the man, and supply no small part of the substance, or +at any rate the nucleus, of his knowledge. This shows the vast importance +of a wise choice of authors, at the time when the mind is the most +susceptible of impressions, and the most capable of appropriating the food +which is presented to it. Those who knew John Yeardley will recognise the +intimate connexion between these early studies and the character of his +future life and ministry. If any should think his language on this or +kindred subjects marked by excessive caution, they must bear in mind the +comparative by unintellectual circle in which he moved. + + +I trust, he writes, under date of 4 mo. 28, a few of my leisure hours for +two or three weeks past have been spent profitably in perusing some of A. +Clarke's Notes on the Book of Genesis; and although I am fully aware that +the greatest caution is necessary, when these learned men undertake to +exercise their skill on the sacred text, yet I am of opinion, if used with +prudence and a right spirit attended to, it may tend considerably to +illustrate particular passages. I think this pious man has not only shown +his profound knowledge of the learned languages, but some of his +observations are so pertinent and so judiciously made, as may have a +tendency to produce spiritual reflection in the mind of the reader. + +5 _mo_. 24.--Having read with some attention Fleury's "Manners of the +Israelites," by A. Clarke, I am convinced that even a slight knowledge of +those ancient customs tends to facilitate the proper study of the sacred +writings; for many of the metaphors so beautifully made use of by the +prophets and apostles, and even our dear Redeemer himself, to convey a +spiritual meaning, seem to have had an evident allusion to the antique +manners and customs which I find explained in this little volume. + + +The commotions referred to in the reflections which follow, were no doubt +the great European war which was then raging. Buonaparte, it may be +remembered, was at that time making preparation for his Russian campaign, +and a universal alarm prevailed as to the final result of his insatiable +lust of conquest. + + +5 _mo_. 7.--In viewing the commotions of the times, it has induced me +seriously to consider the great importance of procuring, as far as ability +may be afforded, a free access to the never-failing source of our help; +and in a little contemplating this subject I have been comforted in a hope +that, if we only abide stedfast and immovable, He whom the waves of the +sea obeyed will in his own time speak peace to the minds of his tossed +ones, and a calm will ensue. + + +The perusal of Elizabeth Smith's "Fragments" occasions him to remark how +profitable it is to read the writings of others; but he wisely adds:-- + + +I am often desirous not to rest satisfied with a bare perusal of these, +believing they are only advantageous to us so far as they stimulate to a +closer attention to that inward gift, which alone can enable us to witness +the same experience. It is often a query with me, how am I spending this +precious time, which passes so swiftly away never to return? and, in order +to answer this query aright, how desirable it is to dwell with thee, sweet +solitude! to turn inward, to examine and correct the defects of our own +disordered minds; how delightful it is to walk alone and contemplate the +beautiful scenes of nature. Yet in these retired moments, when viewing the +works of a divine hand springing up to answer the great end for which they +were created, I am often deeply perplexed with a distressing fear lest I +should not be found coming forward faithfully to answer the end of Him who +has created man for the purpose of his own glory. + + +The meetings for the discipline of the Society were often times of +spiritual refreshment to him. + + +6 _mo._ 23.--I left home to attend our Quarterly Meeting at York. The +meetings for business were generally satisfactory; on re-examining the +answers to the queries, divers very weighty remarks were made. I thought +the two meetings for worship favored seasons; and, although I left home +with reluctance, I cannot but rejoice at having given up a little time to +be made a partaker of the overflowing of that precious influence which, I +trust, made glad the hearts of many present. + + +The extracts which follow develope still further the progress of his inner +life, and the secret preparation of the future preacher of the Gospel and +overseer of the flock of Christ. + + +6 _mo._ 29.--A deep-searching time at meeting yesterday, wherein I +was given to see a little of my own unworthiness The secret breathings of +my spirit were to the Father and fountain of life, that he might be +pleased more and more to redeem me from this corrupted state of human +nature, and draw me by the powerful cords of his love into a nearer union +with the pure spirit of the Gospel. + +7 _mo._ 6.--Thought an awful solemnity was the covering of our small +gathering yesterday morning, under which I felt truly thankful to the +Dispenser of every gift; and was enabled to crave his assistance to +maintain the watch with greater diligence, and pursue the ways of peace +with alacrity of soul. + +29_th and_ 30_th._--The General Meeting at Ackworth was large, +and I thought very satisfactory through all its different sittings. The +meeting for worship was a remarkable time; the pure spring of gospel +ministry seemed to flow, as from vessel to vessel, until it rose into such +dominion as to declare the gracious presence of Him who is ever worthy to +be honored and adored for thus condescending to own us on such important +occasions. Iron is said to sharpen iron; and I thought it was a little the +case with me at this season, feeling very desirous to enjoy that within +myself which I so much admire in others. + +8 _mo_. 13.--Many days have I gone mourning on my way, for what cause +I know not; but if I can only abide in patience till the day break and the +shadows flee away, then I trust the King of righteousness will again +appear. + +25_th_.--In contemplating a little the character of that good man, +Nehemiah, I cannot but think it worthy our strictest imitation, when we +consider the heartfelt concern he manifested for the welfare of his +people, in saying, "Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that +we be no more a reproach." This proved him to be a man of a noble spirit +and a disinterested mind, and, I say, worthy our strictest imitation; for +to what nobler purpose can we dedicate our time than in endeavoring to +build up the broken places which are made in the walls of our Zion? + + +In the following entry is shown a just insight into the nature of man, and +a discernment of the uses and limits of human knowledge. Although John +Yeardley's talents were not brilliant, and his opportunities were scanty, +he possessed that intellectual thirst which cannot be slaked but at the +fountain of knowledge. At the same time he was sensitively alive to the +necessity of having all his pursuits, of whatever kind, kept within the +golden measure of the Spirit of Truth. + + +11 _mo_. 11.--In taking a view of some of the temporal objects to +which my attention has of late been more particularly turned, with a +desire to enlarge my ideas and improve my understanding in some of the +more useful and extended branches of literature, it has excited in me a +considerable degree of caution, lest thereby I should, in this my infant +state of mind, too much exclude the operation of that pure in-speaking +word which has undoubtedly a prior right to govern all my actions. But I +have long been convinced that the active mind of man must have some object +in pursuit to engage its attention when unemployed in the lawful concerns +of life, otherwise it is apt to range at large in a boundless field of +unprofitable thoughts and imaginations. I am aware that we may be +seasonably employed in suitable conversation to mutual advantage, and I +trust I am not altogether a stranger to the value of _sweet +retirement_; but there is a certain something in every mind which +renders a change in the exercise of our natural faculties indispensable, +in order to make us happy in ourselves and useful members of society; and +it is under these considerations that I am induced to apply a few of my +leisure hours towards some degree of intellectual attainment, in the +humble hope that I may be preserved in that path which will procure at the +hands of a wise Director that approbation which I greatly desire should +mark all my steps. + + +The next extract from the diary will find a response in the hearts of many +who read these pages. + + +1813. 2 _mo_. 17.--Never, surely, was any poor creature so weary of +his weakness! Almost in everything spiritual, and even useful, I have not +only been as one forsaken, but it has seemed as though I was to be utterly +cast off. When I have desired to feel after good, evil has never failed to +present itself. O, when will He whose countenance has often made all +within me glad, see meet to return and say, "It is enough!" + + +6 _mo_. 27.--The thoughts which he put into writing under this date +seem to have been occasioned by entering into business on his own account. + + +Am now about to enter the busy scenes of life, which sinks me into the +very depth of humility and fear, lest the concerns of an earthly nature +should deprive me of my heavenly crown, which I have so often desired to +prefer even to life itself. But O, should there remain any regard in the +breast of the Father of mercies, for one who feels so unable to cope with +the world, may he still be pleased to preserve me in his fear, and not +only to take me under the shadow of his heavenly wing, but make me willing +to abide under the guidance of his divine direction! + +7 _mo_. 15.--"Cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the +scribe, lest I die there." These words of our weeping prophet have +sensibly affected my heart this morning, under a prevailing desire that my +gracious rather may not permit me to remain as in the prison-house of +worldly affairs, lest I die my spiritual death there. + + +We shall see that he was not successful in business; and it may be that +the disappointments he experienced in this way were in some sort an answer +to these ardent prayers to be kept from the spirit of the world. + +Under date 21_st_ of the First Month, 1814, he writes: + + +I trust the few temporal disappointments I have met with of late have been +conducive to my best interest, having had a tendency to turn my views from +a too anxious pursuit after the things of time to a serious consideration +of the very great importance of a more strict reliance on the +never-failing arm of divine support, for the want of which I believe I +have suffered unspeakable loss. + + +About this time he had frequently to mourn over the difficulty of fixing +his mind in meetings for worship. He often complains of "wandering in the +unprofitable fields of vain imagination;" but sometimes also he bears a +joyful testimony to the Lord's power in enabling him to unite in spirit +with the living worshippers. + +The fear of man is one of the most universal of the besetments which try +the faith of the Christian; and it may be encouraging to some to see on +this point the confession of one whose natural character was that of a +strong and independent mind. + + +2 _mo_. 6.--I am too apt to let in that slavish fear about men and +things which render me unable to cope with the world, and even unfits me +for properly seeking after the assistance of my Maker. O, may He who sees +my weakness enable me to overcome it! + + +During the summer of this year, several parties of Friends travelling in +the work of the ministry came to Burton; Sarah Lamley of Tredington, with +Ann Fairbank of Sheffield; Ann Burgess (afterwards Ann Jones); Elizabeth +Coggeshall from New York, with Mary Jefferys of Melksham; and John Kirkham +of Earl's Colne. The labors of these Friends are recorded by John Yeardley +with delight and thankfulness. He accompanied John Kirkham to Sheffield, +where they found Stephen Grellett. + + +How sweet it is, he remarks, to enjoy the company of these dedicated +servants, whom their great Master seems to be sending to and fro to spread +righteousness in the earth! I often think it has a tendency to help one a +little on the way towards the Land of Promise. When I consider these +favors, I am led to covet that a double portion of the spirit of the +Elijahs may so rest on the Elishas that others may also be raised to fill +up the honorable situations of those worthies, when they shall be removed +from works to rewards. + + +But of all the above-named, the visit of Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank was +for him by far the most memorable, and was the means of developing that +precious gift of ministry to which he had been called from his youth. The +extracts from his Diary which are given below speak of this visit, and +most instructively describe the time and manner in which he first received +his gift, as well as the weight which the approaching exercise of it +brought upon his mind. + + +5 _mo_. 27.--Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank lodged six nights with us, +and I accompanied them to Dirtcar and Wakefield. I can acknowledge their +innocent and agreeable company has been truly profitable to me, and has +united me very closely to their spirits in tender sympathy. + +7 _mo_. 30.--Such a load of exercise prevails over my spirit, that it +requires some extra exertion to support it with my usual cheerfulness of +countenance. If I go into company, I find no satisfaction; for I cannot +appear pleasant in the society of my friends, feeling it irksome to +discourse even on matters of common conversation. From the feelings which +have attended my mind, it is evident that the cloud is at present resting +on the tabernacle, and I never saw more need for me to abide in my tent. +And O that patience may have its perfect work! for there is much to be +done in the vineyard of my own heart, before I can come to that state of +usefulness which I believe the Great [Husbandman] designs for me. The +secret language of my heart is, May his hand not spare nor his eye pity +until he has subdued all in me which obstructs the progress of his divine +work! + +31_st_.--I trust I was once more favored, in meeting this morning, to +put up my secret petition in humble sincerity to the Shepherd of Israel, +that he would be graciously pleased to help my infirmities. In the +afternoon meeting I thought the petition was measurably answered; for +towards the conclusion the rays of divine light so overshadowed my mind as +to induce a belief that I should be assisted to overcome that spirit of +opposition which has too long existed to the detriment of my best +interests, if there was only a willingness to abide under the forming +hand. + +8 _mo_. 1.--I now feel freedom to give a short account how it was +with me under this concern from its commencement down to the present time. + +I remember well, about the year 1804, when in my father's house at +Blacker, once being in my chamber, in a very serious, thoughtful frame of +mind, receiving an impression that if ever I came to receive the truth +which I was then convinced of, to my everlasting benefit, I should have +publicly to declare of the gracious dealings of Divine Goodness to my +soul. The impression passed away with this remark deeply imprinted in my +mind, that if ever a like concern should come to be matured, I should date +the first intimation of it from this time. I was apt to view it for a +long, time as the mere workings of the enemy on my mind, and when it has +come before my view, I have often secretly said, "Get thee behind me, I +will not be tempted with such a thing." By these means I put it from me, +as it were, by force, not thinking it worthy of notice and often praying +to be delivered from such a gross delusion. At other times it would come +with such, weight on my spirit, that I could not avoid shedding tears, and +acknowledging the power which accompanied the revival of so important a +matter; and was led to query, If there is no real intention of a heavenly +nature, why am I thus harassed? and O the fervent sincerity in which I +desired that the right thing might have place, and if it was wrong, that I +might be enabled to find a release in His time who had appointed the +conflict! And I do believe, could I then have come at a perfect +resignation to the divine will, I might have been brought forward in a way +which would have afforded permanent relief to my own mind; but such was my +dislike to the work, that I suffered myself to be lulled into a state of +unbelief as to the rectitude of the concern. + +Thus many outward circumstances transpired, and some years passed over, +with my only viewing the matter at a distance, until He who first laid the +concern upon me was pleased to bring it more clearly home to me, and +seemed at times to engage his servants, both in public and private, to +speak very clearly to my condition. And although I had a concurring +testimony in my own mind to their declarations, yet I had always an excuse +to flee unto by secretly saying, It may be intended for some one else; +until the Most High was graciously pleased, by the services of his sincere +handmaids, Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank, in their family visits to +Friends of Barnsley, as mentioned last Fifth Month, to speak so clearly to +my situation in their private opportunity with us, as to leave no room for +excuse; but I was forced to acknowledge, Thou art the man. Indeed, Sarah +Lamley was led in such an extraordinary manner, that I had no doubt at all +but that she was favored with a clear and fall sense of my state. She +began by enumerating the many fears which attended the apostles in their +various situations; how that Satan had desired to have some of them that +he might sift them as wheat in a sieve; "but," added she, "I have prayed +for thee, Peter, that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted +strengthen thy brethren." And how it was with Moses when the Almighty +appeared to him in a flame of fire in the bush, and that it was not until +the Most High had condescended to answer all Moses' excuses that he was +angry with him, and even then he condescended to let him have Aaron, his +brother, to go with him for a spokesman. Also how it was with Peter when +the threefold charge was given him to feed the lambs and the sheep. "It is +not enough," said she, "to acknowledge that we love the Lord, but there +must be a manifesting of our love by doing whatsoever he may command." +Methinks I still hear her voice, saying, "And O that there may not be a +pleading of excuses, Moses-like!" Thus was this valuable servant enabled +to speak to my comfort and encouragement, which I trust I shall ever +remember to advantage; but O that I may be resigned to wait the appointed +time in watchful humility, patience, and fear! for I find there is a +danger of seeking too much after outward confirmations, and not having the +attention sufficiently fixed on the great Minister of ministers, who alone +is both able and willing to direct the poor mind in this most important +concern, and in his own time to say, "Arise, shine; for thy light is +come." + +12 _mo_. 22.--My poor mind has been so much enveloped in clouds of +thick darkness for months past, that I have sometimes been ready to +conclude I shall never live to see brighter days. Should even this be the +case I humbly hope ever to be preserved from accusing the just Judge of +the earth of having dealt hardly with me, but acknowledge to the last that +he has in mercy favored me abundantly with a portion of that light which +is said to shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. + + +We shall leave for the next chapter the relation of his first offerings in +the ministry, and conclude this with a striking passage which we find in +the Diary for this year. + +John Yeardley was all his life very fond of the occupations of the garden. +A small piece of ground was attached to his house at Barnsley, which he +cultivated, and from which he was sometimes able to gather spiritual as +well as natural fruit. + +Under date of the 22nd of the Seventh Month, he writes:-- + + +A very sublime idea came suddenly over my mind when in the garden this +evening. It was introduced as I plucked a strawberry from a border on +which I had bestowed much cultivation before it would produce anything; +but now, thought I, this is a little like reaping the fruit of my labor. +As I thus ruminated on the produce of the strawberry-bank, I was struck +with the thought of endless _felicity_, and the sweet reward it would +produce for all our toils here below. My mind was instantly opened to such +a glorious scene of divine good that I felt a resignation of heart to give +up all for the enjoyment of [such a foretaste] of _endless felicity_. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN +GERMANY IN 1820. + +1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley +passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with +brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; +and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry +in a simple and affecting manner. + + +1 _mo._ 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's +house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought +I could almost have publicly declared it; but not feeling that weight and +certainty which I had apprehended should accompany the performance of such +an important act, I was afraid of imparting that to others which might be +intended only for my own instruction; and so it has ended for the present. +But I am thankful in hoping that I am come a little nearer to that state +of resignation which was so beautifully exemplified by our great Pattern +of all good, who when He desired the bitter cup might pass from Him, +nevertheless added, "Not my will, but thine be done." And if I am at all +acquainted with my inward feelings, I trust I can in some degree of +sincerity say that my heart desires to rejoice more in the progress of +this state of happy resignation, than at the increase of corn, wine, or +oil. + + +He first opened his mouth in religious testimony in the First Month of +this year. The occurrence seems to have taken place in his own family; it +yielded him a "precious sense of the Divine Presence." He began to preach +in public a few months later, but not without another struggle against the +heavenly impulse. + +The friendship which Joseph Wood entertained for John Yeardley +strengthened with revolving years. When he visited Barnsley, he was +accustomed to lodge at his house; and writing to him in the year 1811, +about a public meeting which he felt concerned to hold, he says, "I can +with freedom write to thee, feeling that unity with thy spirit which +preserves us near and dear to each other, and in which freedom runs." + +In the Fourth Month of this year, when Joseph Wood received a certificate +to visit some of the midland counties, J.Y. felt desirous "of setting him +a little on his way." + + +On the 14th, he says, we went to Woodhouse, where we had a meeting, and my +friend was enabled to speak very closely to the states of many present. +When in the meeting, I felt a very weighty exercise to attend my mind +with an intimation publicly to express it. But this exposure I dared not +yield to, under an apprehension that it might be wrong in me, considering +the occasion on which I had come out; but truly I left the place under a +burden which I was scarcely able to bear. + + +It was on the 20th of the Fourth Month that he began to speak in public as +a minister of the Gospel. He thus records the event:-- + + +I felt myself in such a resigned frame of mind in our little week-day +meeting, that I could not doubt the time was fully come for me to be +relieved from that state of unspeakable oppression which my poor mind had +been held in for so many years past. Soon after I took my seat, my mind +became unusually calm, and the presence of the Most High seemed so to +abound in my heart and spread over the meeting, that after some inward +conflict I was unavoidably constrained publicly to express it, in nearly +the following words: "I think I have so sensibly felt the precious +influence of divine love to overshadow our little gathering, that I have +been ready to say, It is good for us to be here; or I might rather say, It +is good for us to feel ourselves under the precious influence of that +protecting power which can alone preserve us from the snares of death." +This first [public] act of submission to the divine will was done with as +much stability of mind and body as I was capable of; and I thought the +Friends present seemed sensible of my situation and sympathized with me +under the exercise. I trust the sweet peace which I afterwards felt was a +seal to my belief that I had been favored with divine compassion and +approbation in the needful time. + + +In the Fifth Month John Yeardley attended for the first time the Yearly +Meeting in London. He describes the business as very various and +instructive, but bewails his own condition as that of "one starving in the +midst of every good thing." + + +It seemed at times, he says, as though Satan himself was let loose upon +me, and permitted to try my faith and patience to the utmost; but I hope +the conflict had its use in teaching me to know that it is not by might, +nor by power, but by the Lord's Spirit, that we are enabled to prevail. + + +This was the commencement of another season of spiritual poverty. In +reading a few of his memoranda during this time, many a Christian +traveller may see his own mourning countenance reflected as in a glass. + + +11 _mo_. 8.--I have for a long time felt so depressed in spirit, and +so inwardly stripped of every appearance of good, that I have often +secretly had to say with tried Job, "O that I were as in months past, as +in the days when God preserved me!" + +16_th_.--Death and darkness are still the covering of my poor mind, +and I am ashamed to acknowledge that I have for months past sat meeting +after meeting a victim to the baneful consequences of wandering thoughts, +scarcely being able to recollect myself so much as to ask excuse of Him +who sees in secret. In these times of deepest desertion I am selfish +enough to feel a longing desire for a ray of light or a smile from the +countenance of Him, under whose banner I have many times sat with the +greatest delight in days that are past. + +O, how hard it is to regain divine favor when once sacrificed through the +sorrowful act of disobedience! O may I sit as in dust and ashes, and, with +the noble resignation and spirit of a true, dedicated follower, say, I +will patiently hear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned +against him! + + +Nevertheless, even in his times of deepest humiliation, moments of +heavenly comfort were interspersed. + + +11 _mo_. 23.--A more improved meeting than I had reason to hope from +cross occurrences, which are too apt to ruffle the unstable mind. Daring +our silent sitting together, I was comforted in contemplating the many +encouraging passages we have left on sacred record; two of which, spoken +by one of large experience, were particularly solacing to my exercised +feelings: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord +delivereth him out of them all;" and "The young lions do lack and suffer +hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." O, +thought I, if we could only procure Him on our side who has the thoughts +of all men in his keeping, what should we have to fear! We should then be +brought to acknowledge that it behooves a Christian traveller to crave the +assistance of Him who can enable us to suffer with becoming fortitude and +resignation all the afflicting dispensations of life, rather than desire +to be preserved from meeting them. + + +The hard mutter which is the subject of the next extract embodies a +difficulty that has perplexed many. It is always encouraging to find +companionship in doubts and trials, and perhaps the consideration which +pacified the mind of John Yeardley may be helpful to some who are tried in +the same way. The passage, no doubt, has reference to his own want of +better success in business. + + +11 _mo._ 30.--When any circumstance in the common course of life, +which has appeared to turn up in the direction of Divine Providence, has +not answered my expectation, or on deliberate consideration it has not +seemed prudent for me to step into it, I have sometimes felt greatly +discouraged, and been ready to conclude, How could this thing be ordered +under the direction of best wisdom! But let me ever remember, He who has +his way in the whirlwind knows what is best for us; and were it not for +these incitements to an exercise of feeling, the mind would be apt to lie +dormant, and not be preserved alive in a proper state to prove all things +and hold fast that which is best. + + +About the end of the year he was obliged to spend several days in London +on business. The course of his affairs seems to have been uneven, and the +great city was probably uncongenial to his retired habits. He says:-- + + +12 _mo_. 15.--I do not remember that my feelings were ever more +discouraging, both inwardly and outwardly. When the mind is ruffled about +the things of time, it is hard work to make any progress towards the land +of peace. I try to get to the well of water; but truly it may be said I +have nothing to draw with. + + +Yet even under these circumstances his daily religious practices--those +which no competitor for the meed of peace and the crown of glory can +dispense with--were not without avail. + + +16_th_.--In reading and retirement before I left my room, I received +a little hope that I should be preserved in a good degree of patience +through the cross occurrences of the day, which was measurably the case. + + +The life of a Christian is very much the history of outward and inward +trials. How happy it is when these serve only to deepen his experience! +The nature of John Yeardley's spiritual trials has been fully shown: his +temporal crosses have also been glanced at; they consisted mainly of want +of success in business, in which, indeed, he was little fitted to excel, +under the keen competition of modern times. + + +1816. 1 _mo_. 4.--A new year has commenced, but the old afflictions +are still continued, both inwardly and outwardly; for even in temporal +affairs disappointments rage high. But O what a privilege to sink down to +the anchor-hope of divine support! This is what I can feelingly +acknowledge this evening to be as a brook by the way to refresh my poor +and long-distressed mind. O, how ardently do I desire that this season of +adversity may be sanctified to me for everlasting good, and prove the +means of slaying that will in me, which has too long been opposed to the +will of Him who paid the ransom for my soul with nothing less than the +price of his own precious blood. + + +The difficulty of making his way in the commercial world increased until +the risk of "failure began to stare him in the face." The fear of such a +result sank him exceedingly low; but through all he was permitted to keep +his footing upon the rock, and to behold a spiritual blessing under the +guise of temporal adversity. + + +7_th_.--Surely it is a mark of divine favor to feel the supporting +hand of my heavenly Father underneath, to bear up my drooping spirits in +this time of adversity. I think I was never more sensible of his powerful +arm being made bare for my deliverance; and yet, unaccountable to tell, I +am almost afraid to trust in him. O, my soul, wherefore dost thou doubt, +when thou feelest the glorious presence of thy Redeemer's countenance to +shine upon thee? + +In the meeting this morning, he continues, my mind was profitably +exercised in contemplating the following subject. When our dear Lord was +about to perform the miracle of feeding the multitude, he commanded them +to sit down upon the grass. They were undoubtedly hungry, and this might +create in them too great an anxiety to be satisfied in their own time; but +that all things might be done in order, and without interruption, they +were commanded to sit down and wait the disposal of their food from the +bountiful hand of their great Master. In looking at the subject, I thought +it a lively representation of the state of mind we ought to labor after, +when favored to feel hunger and thirst after righteousness; not +frustrating the design of the Most High by being too anxious to be filled +in our own will and way, but patiently waiting the time of Him who giveth +to all their meat in due season, and that which is most convenient for +them. And what greater privilege could we desire than to be fed at the +Lord's table? + +9_th_.--As my precious wife and I were consoling each other this +evening, she remarked that the dispensation we were now suffering under +was probably in answer to our prayers. This brought strikingly to my +remembrance a secret petition which I have frequently put up in the most +fervent manner I have been capable of, when deeply lamenting my +unsubjected will; I have even cried out aloud, "O make me willing; do, +Lord, make me willing, make me willing!" + +O then may I submit to the means, if for this end they are appointed, and +resign my all, body, soul and spirit, into the hands of Him who gave them; +and may I patiently endure the swelling of Jordan in a manner that will +enable me to bring from the bottom, stones of everlasting memorial. + + +After this he was led for a while by the Good Shepherd into the green +pastures and beside the still waters. + + +1_st mo_. 15.--Our Monthly Meeting at Wakefield, and a heavenly +meeting it was. + +29_th_.--I left home for a journey into the north on business. I had +many precious seasons of retirement as I rode along, and I humbly trust my +soul has been enabled to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with her +Beloved, in such a way as will not easily be erased from my remembrance. + + +Notwithstanding the deep and varied experience he had passed through, his +unwillingness to expose himself as a preacher of the gospel was still +strong, and sometimes obstructed the performance of his duty. + + +8 _mo_. 20.--Joseph Wood had a public meeting at Pilley. I felt +something on my spirit to communicate to the people in the early part, but +thinking the meeting was not sufficiently settled to receive it, I +reasoned away the right time; another did not offer during the whole +meeting for me to relieve my poor mind, so I brought my burden home with +me, which indeed proved such as I really thought I should have sunk under. + + +The "severe stripes," as he terms it, which he received on this occasion +at length produced a willing mind. + + +9 _mo_. 10.--I went with my dear wife to attend the burial of my +cousin Joseph Watts at Woodhouse, and was at the meeting there on +Fourth-day the 11th. It was largely attended by relations and friends. I +felt so sensibly the danger that some present were in of trifling away the +reproofs of conviction, that I could not forbear reviving the language +which was proclaimed to the Prophet Jonah, when he had fled from the +presence of the Lord and was fallen asleep in the ship, "What meanest +thou, O sleeper, arise, call upon thy God." After commenting a little on +the subject, I sat down under great solemnity which seemed to cover the +meeting, and I can thankfully say the fruit of obedience was sweet to my +taste. + +12 _mo_. 1.--Went to meeting this morning with a fearful apprehension +lest I should have to expose myself in that which is so contrary to my +natural inclination. And so it proved; for I had not sat long, before I +was made willing to express what rested weightily on my mind, and that was +the case of Gideon, when the angel appeared to him under the oak as he +threshed wheat. I commented a little on the subject, which afforded me +great satisfaction and joy. + + +In the following entry, notwithstanding the tardy obedience which it +records, we find his commission as one of the Lord's watchmen sealed upon +his mind. + + +1817. 4 _mo_. 7. In meeting yesterday morning I was enabled publicly +to relieve myself of a little matter which had been a burden on my mind +for two or three meetings past, in which I had felt pretty smartly the rod +which, is held over the head of the disobedient. In this instance, human +nature seemed stubborn in a double degree, but after it was over I felt my +peace flow as a river. Methinks I now hear this language proclaimed in the +secret of my heart: I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; +therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. O what +an important charge! May I duly consider the weight of it, and so watch +over my own conduct, in thought, word and action, that I may not be +pulling down with one hand that which I may be endeavoring to build up +with the other. If I am to be an instrument in the hand of the Almighty, +may he graciously condescend to prepare and sharpen the arrows he may see +meet to shoot through the medium of his poor servant, so that they may +sink deep, wound the hypocrite, and comfort the pure divine life in the +hearts of his children. + + +A few weeks after this, John Yeardley attended a remarkable meeting held +by Joseph Wood, in which they were made to sit in heavenly places in +Christ Jesus. + + +4 _mo_. 29.--I attended another public meeting appointed by J.W. at +Middletown, about ten miles from here. When I entered the town I felt very +flat, and was ready to say, The fear of the Lord is not in this place; but +after the meeting was gathered, I soon found what poor creatures we are, +to judge of these things without waiting for best direction; for I think +it was the most extraordinary time I ever knew. My friend bore a long and +powerful testimony, to the tendering of many present. If I ever forget it +while in my natural senses, I fear I shall be near losing my habitation +the truth; for it was as if heaven opened, and the Most High poured down +his blessed Spirit in an unbounded degree. + + +All this time his business affairs went on more and more adversely; and +although he never failed punctually to meet all his money engagements, his +want of success led in this year to a change of residence to Bentham. + +Three months before he left Barnsley he writes:-- + + +"Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they +fine it." Pecuniary difficulties seem as if they would eat up every green +thing; but I hope and trust that He who has often said, Peace, be still, +will so regulate the heat of the furnace that I may be able to bear it +with becoming patience, until there be nothing left in me but what +resembles the pure gold fit for the Master's use. When I reflect on what +my poor mind has passed through for more than two years past, I am +convinced nothing short of that Arm which brought the Israelites through +the Red Sea could have supported me. And O, should he ever loose my hands, +that I may serve Him freely, may I never forget the many covenants made +with Him who has so often heard and answered my prayer when in deep +distress! + + +Through the assistance of some of his Barnsley friends, an offer was made +to him of a situation in a flax-spinning mill at Bentham, which was then +or had lately been the property of Charles Parker, a minister in the +Society of Friends. He accepted the offer; and an extract from a letter to +his wife, when on a journey, will show the motives under which he acted in +this important step. + + +Hawkshead, 6 mo. 28, 1817. + +MY VERY PRECIOUS DEAR, + +When I wrote thee last, my time and feelings would not permit me to say +much on our impending prospect of leaving Barnsley; but since then this +very important subject has obtained my most serious and weighty +consideration, and I am now free to communicate to thee my feelings, in +order that thou mayest weigh them duly and compare them with thy own while +we are separated. In the first place, in taking such a step, we must be +reconciled to sacrifice our present comfortable home, our relations and +friends--in short, all that may seem near and dear to us as to the +outward. With respect to our spiritual prospect, I must confess, if any +service is designed for me in the Church militant, I have sometimes +apprehended it might be within the compass of our present Particular and +Monthly Meetings; but should this be ordered otherwise in best wisdom, I +trust I shall be relieved from the oppressive feeling, and in a short time +see my way clear. On the other hand, if this change takes place, we have a +probability of a comfortable living, and of being relieved from the +extreme anxiety attendant on trade, when the whole responsibility rests on +our own shoulders. + +H.R. [one of the firm who had offered to employ him] seemed rather +desirous for me to come. If we should agree, he wants me to go over +directly to lay down plans for a few weavers' houses, and to make other +arrangements to save time until we could remove. + +I don't much like the situation of the house in the town, but I think +another might be had if required. They have a nice one in Low Bentham, +with a good garden attached, which would be at liberty in next Fifth +Month; this would be a pleasant walk from the mill by the water-side all +the way, which might be useful to my health after being confined in the +warehouse, and much nearer to the meeting. It is a very small meeting +indeed; there are only about two female Friends; but, should we be in the +right place, the smallness of the number would not preclude our access to +the divine spring. + +I don't know how we shall come on with the thread trade, but it seems as +if we were to be done out with both thread and linens, for there is +scarcely any thing selling with me on this journey. + + +John Yeardley and his wife removed to Bentham in the Eighth Month, 1817. +Bentham is a considerable village on the north-west border of Yorkshire, a +few miles from the foot of Ingleborough; and it was at that time, +according to the division of the county adopted by the Society of Friends, +comprised in the Monthly Meeting of Settle. + +After a season of deep spiritual poverty, during which he found no place +for the exercise of his gift, John Yeardley began to speak in ministry in +the little meeting to which he now belonged. On recording the circumstance +he remarks:-- + + +Thus does a gracious Father lead on his children step by step, baptizing +them first into one state and then into another, in order to qualify them +to drop a word in season for the comfort of others. Little did I think +under the recent buffetings of the Enemy, that I should ever have had to +open my mouth again in the way of declaring the everlasting goodness of a +gracious Redeemer. + + +This memorandum was made a few days after the occurrence to which it +refers, on his return from Settle Monthly Meeting, and is accompanied +the record of a fresh unfolding to his mental eye of the need of gospel +laborers, and of his own vocation to the work. In my return I had rather +an unusual opening into the state of society, and the great want of +laborers therein; and querying with myself, By whom shall the Lord send? I +thought I felt the weight and power of the everlasting gospel upon me to +preach, so that I was willing to say, Here am I; send me. O the importance +of this language! May the same Spirit, which I trust raised it in my heart +preserve me in every state to the end of time! Amen. + + +The extract which follows treats of the same subject,--the calling and +exercise of the ministry. From this, and from the whole tenor of what has +been extracted from the Diary, will be seen in what his ministry +consisted, and what was the call and the power which was required in every +successive exercise of it. May it serve as a word of caution and +instruction to such as are disposed to reduce this heavenly gift to a mere +effort of Christian good-will, or to consider the exercise of it as +placed, whether in regard to time or subject, at the disposal of the +minister. It will be observed how John Yeardley, in after life so abundant +in word and doctrine, and so catholic in his ideas and sympathies, +received his vocation as a divine gift immediately from above, and served +in it an apprenticeship altogether spiritual, and apart from human +learning or instruction. + + +10 _mo_. 26.--I have been very much instructed to-day in reading and +reflecting on the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. When the prophet was asked if +the dry bones could live, he was wise enough cautiously to answer, "O Lord +God, thou knowest;" but when he was commanded to prophesy unto them, and +say, "O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord," this was hard work, yet +there was no conferring with flesh and blood. No reasoning from +probabilities, nothing but an implicit faith and dependence on the divine +power which was then upon him, could have enabled him to do it. O what an +instructive lesson! When the poor instruments may feel so weak and the +state of things so low, that there may not be the least probability of +good arising, it is enough if they can only do the will of their great +Master, and be enabled to say with the holy prophet, "I prophesied as the +Lord commanded." + + +John Yeardley did not take his actual farewell of Barnsley until the end +of the year. The reflections which he has recorded on leaving his home of +so many years are very characteristic of the man:-- + + +1818. 1 _mo_.--The Twelfth Month was spent at Barnsley in settling my +affairs. Just before I left Bentham for that purpose, I was exceedingly +unhappy at the idea of leaving my home, friends, &c. at Barnsley, and +thought the parting feeling would be almost more than I could support. I +was enabled to pray fervently to the Father of spirits, that he would be +pleased to afford me strength to bear the change with Christian fortitude, +and resign all to the disposal of his divine will; and thankful I am to +relate, he so answered my request that I could leave the place to which I +had been so long attached without a sigh. I have no doubt my removal, +without consulting more of my friends, will appear strange to many. This I +could never feel liberty to do; nor could I make any person living +acquainted with my entire motive, but my precious wife. Whatever may be +the opinion of others, this is a matter which rests between me and my God; +and I often think it a favor that we are not accountable to man, who views +too much the outside appearance, while He with whom we have to do looks at +the heart. + +After I had left Barnsley I went to Pontefract, to spend a few days with +my friends there, where my poor lass had been for a week. I don't know +that this time was unprofitably spent; but this I know--it never requires +more care and watchfulness to be preserved in a seasonable frame of spirit +than when the mind is set at ease to enjoy the company of a few intimate +friends. We are too apt to get our thoughts dissipated, and thus our +conversation becomes less seasoned with grace than it would be if the +girdle of truth were kept tightly bound. + + +The next entry notices a remarkable interview which, he had with a woman +Friend from America:-- + + +15_th_.--This day a meeting has been held at the desire of Hannah +Field from North America. I stepped down to see her at J. Stordy's; and in +the few minutes we were together, before she took leave, she addressed +herself to me in a very feeling manner. Although she was an entire +stranger, she spoke so pointedly to my state of mind, and expressed the +reward of faithfulness in such encouraging terms, that my feelings were in +nowise able to resist the power which attended, but I was forced to +acknowledge it as a nail fastened in a sure place. + + +Amongst some letters addressed by Elizabeth Yeardley to Susanna Harvey of +Barnsley, is one in which mention is made of the visit of Hannah Field to +Bentham; and, although the passage does not relate to the private +interview described above, it is interesting as the reminiscence of a +remarkable woman. + +Bentham, 2 _mo_. 2, 1818. + +We have been favored lately with a visit, unexpected but highly +acceptable, from that great minister, Hannah Field, from America. She very +much resembles Sarah Lamley; and when she began, it seemed as if one had +been informing her of the state of the meeting. Her discourse began with +the parable of the Ten Virgins, which was very beautiful but awful. +Addressing herself again, she was very consolatory and affecting. She is +tall and inclined to _embonpoint_; her age fifty-three. + + +In the Third Month of this year, the Monthly Meeting from which he had +recently removed, that of Pontefract, recorded its approval of his +ministry. It is not usual for meetings to do this in the case of one who +has gone to reside elsewhere. The practice at that time was, in Yorkshire +at least, in issuing a certificate of removal for a Friend who had begun +to exercise the ministry and was still under probation, to notice the fact +of his preaching, without pronouncing a judgment upon it. But when the +usual document of removal was asked for at the Monthly Meeting, on behalf +of John Yeardley, the meeting paused upon the words which noticed his +offerings in the ministry, and solemnly resolved then and there to give +him a full certificate as a minister in unity, and to "recommend him as +such to the Quarterly Meeting." It happened that men and women Friends +were together, the latter remaining whilst Joseph Wood laid a concern for +some religious service before the joint meeting. + +John Yeardley remarks on this act of his late Monthly Meeting:-- + + +The concurrence of my friends with my small offerings cannot but feel +comfortable and encouraging to a poor timorous creature like me; but the +awful consideration of ranking among the servants who speak in the Lord's +name humbles me to the dust. Surely those who are designed to minister +before the Lord in his holy temple ought to bear the inscription of +holiness upon them. The means by which this inscription, is obtained is so +painful to flesh and blood that we are always ready to shrink from the +operation. When we have borne the furnace heated to a certain degree, we +are ready to fancy nothing but pure gold remains; until the refining hand +sees meet to administer fresh [trials], then we are ready again to cry +out, If it be thy will, let this cup pass by. + + +In the Sixth Month he joined Joseph Wood and William Midgley of Rochdale, +in visiting some neighboring meetings. Of Kendal, which was one, he says +it appeared to him "as if a remarkable revival was taking place in those +parts;" and he concludes his short account of the journey with an +acknowledgment of the satisfaction he felt in having given up to this +little service. + +Joseph Wood in his diary relates the same visit more at large. We have +extracted the account of that portion of it in which John Yeardley was +engaged, and believe the reader will find it interesting in several +respects. + + +1818. 6 _mo_. 10.--Reached my beloved friend John Yeardley's house, +in Bentham, about half-past eight o'clock, where we took up our quarters, +and where we were favored with a renewed feeling of that love which had +many times nearly united our spirits together. + +On the 11th we spent this day very comfortably with these long-beloved and +truly valuable friends, and in the evening Lad a public meeting appointed +for Friends and people of other societies in their meeting-house in +Bentham, about a mile and a half from their house. We walked thither, it +being very pleasant through the fields. The meeting began at half-past +six, and held two hours and a quarter. A pretty many who usually attend +meetings, and a great concourse of people of other societies, attended, +that the meeting-house, both above and below stairs, was well filled, and +several were in the passage and in an adjoining room. A precious solemnity +mercifully overshadowed us, whereby the minds of many were prepared to +receive what the Lord was pleased instrumentally to communicate to the +many different states; and O that they may individually profit thereby! +for sure it was a time of favor unto many. I had a very long testimony to +bear therein, first from Isaiah lviii. 1, 2. John Yeardley held a pretty +long time next, from John ii. 4. I next, from 1 Cor. xiv. 19. + +On the 12th we set out for Wray in Lancashire, five miles, John Yeardley +being our guide, taking his wife and Ann Stordy along with him in a taxed +cart. We had a very pleasant ride thither, down a beautiful valley, +through which the river Wenning runs; had on our right hand a line view of +Hornby Castle, now in part gone to decay. Got to Wray about half-past ten, +and went to the meeting, which began at eleven o'clock. Twenty-three +persons attended, one of whom appeared to be of another society. I sat +therein for a considerable time in a very low state, and feeling a concern +to stand up, I gave up, although in great weakness: different states +opened and were spoken to in the authority of the gospel; and I had a long +testimony to bear from Luke xv. 8. John Yeardley had a pretty long time +next, from Lam. iii. 26; afterwards I was concerned in prayer, and felt +truly thankful for the renewed mark of divine favor, and secretly rejoiced +that my lot was cast here. + + +On the 13th John Yeardley accompanied Joseph Wood to Kendal. + + +It was with difficulty, says J.W., we got into the town for the crowd of +people; the Parliament being dissolved, and a new election of members +about to take place; and there being an opposition in this county; Henry +Brougham, the favorite candidate of the people, against the Lonsdales. +They were waiting his arrival in the town to canvass for votes. After tea +I went to Thomas Wilson's; his house was nearly opposite the inn where +Henry Brougham put up. When he arrived the populace took his horses from +the carriage, and hurried him into the town, and to the inn, four flags +flying and a band of music went before him. After he alighted he went into +an upper room, and addressed the largest multitude of people that I ever +saw collected, from the window, for about an hour, in a very impressive +manner; and so great was the crowd in the street that many fainted. All +was quiet, and, after he had done, they separated in a becoming manner. + +On the 14th we attended their meetings in Kendal. The forenoon meeting +began at ten o'clock. It is large, and was pretty open and satisfactory. I +had a long testimony to bear therein, first, from John xv. 14. John +Yeardley had a pretty long time next. He opened from these words: "O thou, +the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, manifest thyself that thou yet +reignest in Israel." I next, from Proverbs ix. 12. + + +After visiting several other meetings, Joseph Wood came to Lancaster, +where he was again met by John Yeardley. + + +On the 21st we attended both their meetings in Lancaster. The forenoon +meeting began at ten o'clock. When we got there we were agreeably +surprised to find dear John Yeardley, who had walked this morning fifteen +miles to meet us. The meeting was large of Friends, and it proved a time +of renewed visitation unto many who were afar off, and of encouragement to +those who were nigh. I had a very long testimony to bear therein, from +Matt. xxii. 12. John Yeardley had a short but very acceptable time next, +from Esther iv. 14. Afterwards I was concerned in prayer. + + +Elizabeth Yeardley speaks of this visit in one of her letters:-- + + +J.Y. went to Lancaster, though the day was unfavorable. He trudged on foot +to meet Joseph Wood, and got in good time for the meeting, fifteen miles +distant, and returned home the same evening. J. W. was very much favored +all the time he was in those parts; he really appears endowed with +astonishing powers. + + +The same letter affords a glimpse of the social position, which John and +Elizabeth Yeardley occupied at Bentham:-- + + +We are very quiet, have kind neighbors, a very pleasant habitation, and +little society, plenty of books both of the religious and amusing kind, +and leisure to meditate on the one thing needful, which is to fit us for +that place to which we are fast hastening:-- + + + "For who the longest lease enjoy + Have told us with a sigh, + That to be born seems little more + Than to begin to die." + +(13_th of Seventh Month_, 1818.) + + + +John Yeardley, no less than his wife, found in Bentham a seasonable +retreat from the harassing cares of the world. A memorandum made in the +autumn of this year shows that the doubts with which he was perplexed on +the subject of his removal from Barnsley, were entirely dispelled, and +that the change in his abode and position had been the happy means of +relieving him from the load of anxiety which once seemed ready to crush +him. + + +1819. 9 _mo_. 15.--The tender, merciful Father who shelters our heads +in battle has covered mine when many things were hot upon me. He has +provided a retreat for me until the fury of the oppressor be overpast. I +have often wondered at the cause which drove me from my former residence, +but I now begin to see pointedly the hand of Providence bringing me to +this place of quiet retreat. Should He who has brought me thus far see it +to be for my good to set me on the banks of deliverance, may I have no +desire to live for anything but to sing his praise! + + +After being recognised by the Church as a minister, he was again tried +with a season of spiritual desertion; and this phase in his religious +history, with his reflections upon it, and the holy resolution and hope +with which he concludes, may be useful in strengthening the faith of +others under similar circumstances. + + +10 _mo_. 4.--O what a stripping time have I had since I wrote last! +My pen would fail to set forth the inward desertion I have experienced for +months past, so that my poor mind is almost worn out with waiting and +watching in the absence of the Bridegroom of souls. My enemy seems to have +set up his throne in me, and leads my wandering thoughts captive at his +pleasure. I have no weapons of my own to fight him with, and it seems as +if Infinite Goodness had refused me the grant of that armor which I have +before experienced the means of putting my adversary to flight. For what +end this may be I know not, but the suffering time is hard to the natural +part. If I am left to perish, O may it be in praying, trusting and +believing in my Redeemer's love! and if I am not suffered to behold again +the brightness of his glorious countenance here on earth, may I be favored +with it shining on me in heaven! + + +At the commencement of this year, 1819, apprehending himself required to +pay a religious visit to the families of Friends in Barnsley, he consulted +Joseph Wood on the subject, who encouraged him "not to be afraid to +pursue" the path which had been opened before him. In relation to this +prospect of service, J.Y. has the following pertinent remarks on the +ministry:-- + + +2 _mo_. 19.--If I am suffered to go, may the humble spirit of Jesus +go with me, and put a word in my heart that may prove as a sword in my +hand, with which I may fight his battles! This is the only way in which +his servants can minister so as to reach the witness in the hearts of his +children. We might speak on subjects which might seem right and fit in +themselves, but it is as our hearts come to be acted upon immediately by +the Spirit of truth, the same principle which prepares us to utter sound +words, prepares also a counterpart in the minds of others to receive them. +Thus it may be said we become _one_ in spirit and truly edified +together in the love of the Gospel. + + +In order to perform the visit, J.Y. had, in the good order in use amongst +Friends, to receive the concurrence of his Monthly Meeting. + + +3 _mo_. 10.--Was at the Monthly Meeting, where I mentioned to my +friends my prospect of visiting Barnsley, and obtained their sympathetic +concurrence, with a copy of a minute expressing their full unity and +approbation. + +My feelings on the occasion were very different from what I had +anticipated. A divine solemnity appeared so to cover the minds of all +present, that the enemy was trodden under foot, and not a fear was +suffered to approach. What condescending goodness of a tender Father to +his weak children! + + +Some interesting notice of this service, and of the journey which he made +to perform it, is contained in his Diary. + + +13_th_.--The evening before I set off, I was earnestly engaged in +supplicating for divine protection both inward and outward; and an +assurance was given me that it should be granted, and in a manner so clear +as I had no right to expect. These words were as if spoken distinctly in +my outward ears: "A hair of thy head shall not be hurt." In the confidence +of this promise I went forth, and found it mercifully made good; for +though I was overturned in the mail on the road, a hair of my head was not +hurt, and not so much as a fear was suffered to come near. + + +On the 18th, after visiting all the families, he attended the Week-day +Meeting, where he had to review his labors, and to address the assembled +Friends "nearly in these words:--In the course of my little proceedings +among my friends in this place, I have sometimes been baptized for the +dead, while at other times I have been made to rejoice in the resurrection +of life: I hope this is a language my friends will understand." After this +he preached to them on the case of Nicodemus, saying that there may be a +time when our Heavenly Father, in his tender compassion for our infant +state, permits us to come to Jesus by night or in secret; yet when he is +pleased to say, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the +Lord is risen upon thee," danger will betide us if we then flinch from an +open confession. Some time after he had finished, a woman Friend rose and +uttered a few words. She had never before been able to overcome the force +of her natural fears. + +In noticing this circumstance, J.Y. says he does so because, before he +went to Barnsley, he asked that if his small services were acceptable, the +Most High would give him a sign, by owning his labors with his sensible +approbation, and making him an instrument to help forward his work in the +hearts of his children. + +On another occasion, in allusion to a similar occurrence, he has the +following reflections:-- + + +"The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach +Christ crucified." I am like the two former, because I dare even to ask a +sign and to seek after wisdom; but to be like the latter is what I covet +most sincerely--to preach Christ crucified, not only in words, but in life +and conversation. If I err in sometimes asking for a sign, I trust it will +be forgiven, because it is done in the simplicity of my heart, to know my +Father's will, and we have examples of this having been granted to the +worthies in times of old.--(12 _mo_. 8.) + + +In the Twelfth Month of 1819, John Yeardley attended the Quarterly Meeting +at York, and has some religious service on the way. His account of this +little journey is preceded by some instructive reflections on his own +infirmities and lack of ready obedience. + + +9 _mo_. 15.--I feel exceedingly discouraged at my own obstinacy in +not keeping more humble, watchful, and attentive to the inward monitor. I +am sensible loss is sustained in a religions sense by giving way too much +to an airy disposition. + +12 _mo_. 12.--When I consider the many years which have elapsed since +I first enlisted under the Lord's banner, I find cause deeply to reproach +myself for want of a more early and implicit obedience to the _divine +will_; the want of which, I fully believe, has been the means of +plunging me into seas of trouble and years of perplexity. I fear the time +lost will never be redeemed. O, should I ever have to warn others to +beware of the rock on which I have split, surely it may be done through +heartfelt experience indeed! And as the glorious light of the sun begins +mercifully to verge from under the cloud, O, may I never, never forget the +sacred covenant made in the days of my deep distress, that if the Lord +would loosen my bonds, then would I serve him freely. + +25_th_.--I went to Thornton to R.W.'s, and next day to Lothersdale +Meeting, accompanied by D.W. and some other part of R.W.'s family. The +forepart of that meeting was very trying, at which I did not wonder, if we +might judge from a previous feeling; for ever since the prospect of this +little visit presented to my view, I felt a load on my spirit which I +could not by any means cast off. On entering the place, I thought, when +our dear Lord sent forth his disciples, he commanded them to take neither +purse nor scrip; and that if this state of poverty of spirit was any badge +of discipleship, some of us might claim to wear it. The language of the +weeping prophet came also before me--"O that my head were waters, and mine +eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of +the daughter of my people." It was hard work for me, a poor stripling, to +have to intimate such close things; but the conclusion was easier to the +natural part, I having to address a few to whom the language seemed to go +forth, of "Mary, the Master is come, and calleth for thee." + +I went from thence to the Quarterly Meeting at York, which was thinly +attended. The meeting for worship seemed a cloudy season; however a little +matter impressed my mind which I was thankful in being enabled to get rid +of, though hard to flesh and blood, it being the first time my voice has +been heard in this Quarterly Meeting in ministry. The meeting for business +was long and tedious, being protracted four and a half days by an appeal. +It was disagreeable in its nature, but was conducted in a way to afford +information and instruction to the minute observer of men, manners and +things. + + +1820.--Our first extract from this year's diary contains a short but +beautiful reflection:-- + + +2 _mo_. 18.--I am convinced it would be better for us to live more in +the inward spirit of prayer; we should live in nearer union with the +Father of love; receive more of his heavenly embraces; the heart would be +prepared to know more of his holy will, and receive power to perform it. + + +When John Yeardley left Barnsley he commenced a correspondence with his +brother Thomas, which lasted until the death of the latter, J.Y.'s letters +have been preserved, and supply us with much that is valuable in his +character and Christian experience. The following extract shows the power +of sympathy which he possessed towards those with whom he was entirely +intimate:-- + + +4 mo. 24, 1820. + +Thy affectionate letter I received with pleasure, though some parts of its +contents penetrated the deepest recesses of my heart, and excited in me +every tender sympathetic feeling of a brother and a friend. + +I rejoice that thou hast found freedom to speak so candidly the +undisguised language of thy heart; to me it seems like a voice from the +dead, because I conceive it to be the voice of that awakened principle in +thee which, as in many others, may have been held too long in captivity +through the predominance of the surfeiting cares of the world. Whenever +thou inclinest to unbosom to me thou mayest do it with freedom and in +confidence, for, be assured, if thy complaints cannot meet with relief, +they will at least meet with a welcome reception and a heartfelt +condolence; for I could have no claim to the least of the Christian +virtues, if I were destitute of a feeling regard for the sufferings of a +friend, and especially a brother. + + +A few months afterwards he was again called upon deeply to sympathise with +his brother. The occasion this time was the perplexity in matters of +business in which Thomas Yeardley was involved. He expressed his feelings +in a letter in which he not only gives the soundest Christian counsel, but +also shows how he was himself indebted to the same maxims for the +preservation of his honor and of his spiritual life and usefulness. The +firm and practical manner in which the subject is treated render his +remarks of permanent value. + + +Bentham, 8 mo. 7, 1820, + +MY DEAR BROTHER, + +Thy affectionate letter of the 24th I have received, and need not tell +thee how sensibly I am concerned for thy present situation. + +I do hope thou wilt not lose sight of the object thou hast now in view, to +get relieved in some way from the excessive load of business which presses +upon thee, for we can none of us carry fire in our bosoms too long without +being burnt. We shall not be justified in the sight of Him with whom we +have to do, if we do not endeavor to place ourselves in such a situation +as will best answer the end for which he has designed us. It would convict +us of a very weak and erroneous idea of a Supreme Being, to suppose that +he could not or would not prosper our endeavors with equal success in a +more restricted way of trade, when our motives are purely to serve him +faithfully. Surely, He who cares for the sparrows will not suffer +_us_ to fall to the ground without his notice. + +Thou wilt be ready to say it is an easy matter to speak of these things on +paper; but believe me, my dear brother, I know a little of what I say. +There was a time when I was as extensively engaged in business, +_according to my means_, as you are now. I have had large sums of +acceptances to provide for, with nothing towards them but what was in the +uncertainty of the drapers' hands. When I have set out on a journey I have +had to take the distressing fear along with me, that if I failed of +getting in almost every shilling that was due to me, I failed in paying my +acceptances. Add to this, the painful prospect of losing my property until +I could not pay my just debts, and then mention a situation which would +place an honest mind in a greater degree of perplexity. O! had it not been +for the preserving hand of my gracious Redeemer, I had never lifted up my +head above the waters which were ready to overwhelm me. In the midst of +all this I received a firm conviction, that if I wound up as speedily as +circumstances would admit, I should measurably be safe; but if I suffered +the impression to pass away disregarded, I might be hurled along with the +stream and never more be able to recover myself. It seemed as if my eye +was fixed on a star which shone quite on the other side of the [waters]; +and I was thus enabled to wade through, without, knowing what course to +take when I got to the other side. I do not mention this as being in the +whole applicable to thy case; but as a fellow Christian traveller towards +the celestial city, I earnestly intreat thee, in the love of the gospel, +never to consider thyself on a level, or at liberty to act in full scope, +with the man of business, who thinks himself created to pursue the things +of time without being responsible to his Creator for endeavoring to reach +a situation in life which would enable him to prepare for eternity. Thou +wilt not be long at a loss what to do if thou dost not overlook the secret +motive in thy own breast. Do not grieve at losing a little of what thou +hast; it will come again, if for the best, and may bring the double reward +of peace. If thou attendest to that directing Hand which has hitherto +preserved thee as a monument of thy Heavenly Father's mercy, thy victory +is already sure, though thou mayst not know it. It is not for the test, +consequently not permitted, that we should always see our way. Were this +the case there would be no exercise of faith. The servant of the prophet +was blind as to the power which preserved them, when he saw a host of the +enemy encamped against them: he cried out, "Alas, my master, how shall we +do!" But his master answered, "Fear not; for they that be with us are more +than they that be with them;" and the prophet prayed that the young man +might be made to see. And when his eyes were opened, what did he see? Why, +he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about them. +The Lord's chosen people are continually encircled with these chariots of +fire, otherwise it would not be possible to be so mercifully preserved +from harm. Should it be insinuated to thee that thou art not of this +chosen race, let me tell thee, we become children of the Most High as soon +as he has raised in us a desire to serve him, and we become willing to +abide under his protecting wing whatever changes may take place in our own +feelings during the operation of his holy hand upon us. + + +Nothing is more important in the life of a Christian than the manner in +which he turns to account the opportunities for serving his Lord which +continually spring up before him. + + +6 _mo_. 23.--Going last evening to Wenington, to repeat my French +lesson, my friends there asked me to call with them on a sick person; +feeling quite free to do so, I went with them. On sitting quietly by the +bedside, a little matter came before me, which was communicated from these +words: "Affliction cometh not forth of the dust." + +On my return home, I could not but reflect on the necessity of having our +bow strung, and being always alive to the interest of souls, and +endeavoring to imitate the example of our great Master, whose whole life +was employed in continually going up and down doing good. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820 TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY +IN 1822. + +In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. As his residence abroad +constituted one of the most remarkable turns in his life, and exercised a +powerful influence on the rest of his career, we shall develop as fully as +we are able the motives by which he was induced to leave his native +country. By means of his Diary we can trace the early appearance and +growth, if not the origin, of the strong Christian sympathy he ever +afterwards manifested with seeking souls in the nations on the continent +of Europe, and especially amongst the German people. + +The first hint concerning his desire to go abroad is contained in the +account of a dream, under date of the 2nd of the Ninth Month, 1818, +regarding which he felt much disappointed, because he could not recollect +the names of the places in Germany about which he had in his dream been +interested. The next year (the 19th of the Fifth Month) he had a second +dream on the same subject, in which he supposed his friend Joseph Wood was +about to go on a religious mission to the Continent, and he brought out +his Atlas to find the places for him. On being asked if he meant to +accompany him, he said he "was not prepared to answer at present." In the +relation of a third dream, which he had the next year (the 25th of the +Eighth Month, 1820), the locality to which his mind was attracted is first +indicated. "Pyrmont and Minden," he says, "rested very closely with me, +and to them I felt bound." + +It might not have been worth while to have made allusion to these dreams, +which ought perhaps to be rather as the continuation or echo of his +thoughts than as their original source, but for the deep importance which +John Yeardley himself attached to them. He considered that by them was +first made known to him the divine will respecting his future course; and +that his longing desire to recover the name of the forgotten locality of +the first dream was answered in the last. It can admit of little doubt +that the same conviction of their more than common significance, which led +him to cherish as sacred the remembrance of these night-visions, helped to +form and sustain his resolution in carrying out the project with which he +connected them. + +Just before the occurrence of the last dream, his faith in the heavenly +source of the invitation which, whether waking or sleeping, he had +received, to go over and help his Christian brethren on the Continent, was +confirmed by a prophetic message from John Kirkham, who, in the course of +his religious travels, again visited Yorkshire. + + +8 _mo_.--Our dear friend, John Kirkham, from Earl's Colne, Essex, +slept at our house on Second-day, the 7th, and had a meeting with our few +on Third-day. How wonderfully was he enlarged; and I could not but admire +how he was favored to speak to the states of some present. I could set my +seal to every word he uttered, and say, This is the very truth. Before he +left us he had a select opportunity in our family, and said a great deal +stout being faithful to our own vision. He seemed to answer a question in +my mind as fully as I had any right to expect; for I had almost asked it +as a sign that if I were not deceived in my vision he should be led to +speak on the subject. He said emphatically, "We cannot be faithful to the +vision of another man, we do not know it except it be revealed to us; but +we must be FAITHFUL TO OUR OWN VISION." + +On the 9th I accompanied him to the Monthly Meeting at Settle, and I once +more desired that, if my feeling in former times had not deceived me, this +servant of the Lord might be led to speak on the same subject; and indeed +he scarcely said anything else but what had the strongest bearing on my +request. What encouraging favors do I receive at the hands of so good a +Master! + + +A few months later we find the charge to foreign labor renewed, with +intimation of the wide field in which he would have to work; an intimation +which was amply verified in his future travels. + + +11 _mo_. 26.--At meeting something involuntarily entered my mind like +this, I will make thee a preacher of righteousness to many nations. I felt +not only a desire to be made willing to be sent, but also a desire to be +prepared. + + +A few days after noting this impression he thus communes with himself on +this topic, which now began to absorb the greater portion of his thoughts. + + +12 _mo_. 3, _First-day_.--As I walked alone to the meeting this +morning, I thought within myself, What can be the cause that I so often +feel drawn in spirit towards the land of ----? My thoughts have now for a +long time past so frequently and so involuntarily revolved on the subject +that I begin to be very jealous over them, and to query whether it is the +workings of self-imaginations. If this is the case, O that I may be +relieved from them. But however unaccountable my feelings may be, a secret +love towards some unknown souls in ---- is so strong at times, that if I +had wings I should for my own inward peace visit them in body as I now do +in spirit. It seems as if my spiritual eye saw in those parts what we may +call a seed (the seed of the kingdom sown in the heart) that wants to take +root downwards and spring upwards, but which is almost choked with the +tares of superstition. Are there not scattered up and down in ----, many +whose souls are verging from under the clouds of thick darkness, and from +under the bonds of idolatrous superstition, towards that glorious liberty +which is brought to light by the gospel? Something in me secretly craves +an opportunity to tell those precious creatures that the time appears near +at hand when this glorious gospel light will shine so clearly that they +will discover a Saviour in the secret of their own hearts; and it is to +him (I could tell them) that they must look for the perfection of their +salvation. Should there be anything of the right savor in my heart +concerning this matter, I humbly hope that in due time it will be brought +to maturity, and my way made plain and easy--_plain_, so that I +cannot possibly mistake the pointing hand of divine wisdom, and +_easy_, so that when I hear the command I may be enabled to obey. + +A very instructive time at meeting. The subject abovementioned glanced in +my view, and with it the Dover-failing objection, If I am at all "apt +to teach," can it or will it be required of me to leave those here and +others in this land who have need of instruction? This objection was +immediately answered in a way which I never before experienced. They +have, besides many teachers, the unerring light of Jesus in their own +hearts unto which they know they ought alone to look for direction. And if +they neglect or overlook the means in themselves, it is not in my power, a +poor instrument, to do them any good. So it may be said of others to whom +I may apprehend myself called. It all revolves on this single and +important point,--What is the _divine will_ concerning me? If I can +only know this and am enabled to do it, all will be well. + + +In the Autumn he attended Liverpool Quarterly Meeting, an occasion which +was one of the most memorable seasons of his life. His narrative of it is +very characteristic:-- + + +9 _mo_. 19.--My dear wife and I left home to attend Liverpool +Quarterly Meeting. Through mercy we arrived safe there, but I, as usual +when from home, felt very low and poor in spirit, and was ready to call in +question my coming to the place. For although I received, as I thought, a +proper signal before I left home, yet one or two circumstances occurred to +discourage me from going, which I pressed through with some firmness; +however, such was my uneasiness the first night in Liverpool, that I was +very desirous, if my being there was in right wisdom, something might turn +up to convince me that I had not done wrong in leaving home. And blessed +be the name of Jesus, I had not been long in the first meeting (their +Monthly Meeting the day before the Quarterly,) before I was perfectly +satisfied. There were present Willett Hicks and Huldah Sears from America, +and Mary Watson from Ireland. In the early part of the meeting my mind was +engaged in meditating on--"God will enlarge Japhet and dwell in the tents +of Shem," and so it proved. The silence was broken by W. Hicks with these +words: "Great men are not always wise, neither do the ancients understand +wisdom." Others present were much favored, and the meeting ended in +heavenly harmony. + +After it was over I found to my surprise and joy, my brother and sister +from Barnsley, whom I had expected to come to Bentham to accompany us to +Liverpool, and their not coming to Bentham first was one of the causes +which had discouraged me in leaving home; for I once had concluded, in my +wavering, to leave my going for their determination, thinking if they came +it would be the means of getting me off, if not, I should give it up; but +it so fell out that they took the nearest way to meet us there, without +writing us word, and it would have been a great disappointment had I not +been there. I should not have written so much about a seeming trifle but +to show the necessity of firmness in doing what is pointed out, unless +some reasonable cause prevents. + +Now to the opening of the Quarterly Meeting for worship, which was like +the day of Pentecost, when the place was filled with a rushing mighty wind +from heaven. The first stream of ministry flowed again through W.H., who +appeared from these words: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, +Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and +drink." It was indeed applicable; for all seemed athirst, and were invited +and admitted to drink of the waters of life freely; those who were afar +off drew nigh, and those who were near were enabled to acknowledge the +might of Him who had called them to his footstool, and crowned them with +his presence. Huldah Sears and Mary Watson were also much favored in +testimony. What opened on my mind to express was this: "God speaketh once, +yea, twice; yet man perceiveth it not." I thought we were bound to +acknowledge that our God still reigned in Israel, and was condescending to +speak to his people. Immediately afterwards M.R. appeared a long time in +supplication, and then H.S. both very powerfully; so that goodness seemed +to rise higher and higher, until we swam in divine life. This blessed, +heavenly meeting will be remembered by some to the latest period of time. + + +After this event John Yeardley speaks of being favored with more +enlargement of love towards the members of his small meeting; and also of +having, when attending a public meeting at Wray with Joseph Wood, to kneel +down in prayer for the congregation. + + +10 _mo_. 20.--To my humbling admiration, he writes, I had in the +conclusion to kneel down and call on the name of the holy and high God of +the whole earth, that he would be pleased to continue the blessing which +he had already condescended to pour down on our heads. This is a most +awful act of worship: I trust the intimation to it was attended with +proper weightiness of spirit. + + +This meeting was a remarkable season, and is thus described in Joseph +Wood's journal:-- + + +_Bentham_, 10 _mo_. 20.--We [J.W. and James Harrison] set out +for Wray, our beloved friend John Yeardley being our guide. We called by +the way at Thomas Barrow's, of Wenington Hall, and drank tea; then +proceeded to Wray. There were but few Friends here, but they have a very +large ancient meeting-house, and my concern being principally towards the +inhabitants, and proper information thereof being given, abundance +attended; the meeting-house both above and below stairs was pretty well +filled; and their behavior was deserving of commendation. The Lord's +presence eminently crowned the assembly, and the truths of the gospel were +largely and livingly declared amongst them, and it was a time of +extraordinary favor to many. I had first a long testimony to bear therein, +from Luke iv. 41. A pretty long time of silence then ensued, and great was +the solemnity which appeared to cover the assembly. After which John +Yeardley stood up and said, Some were ready to say there was no worship +without words, but from the precious solemnity which he believed had +covered many minds since the former communication, he was ready to +conclude many were feelingly convinced to the contrary. He was then pretty +largely led forth in opening the advantage of silently waiting upon God. I +a pretty long time next, from Isaiah liv. 11,13. James Harrison next, from +Matt. xiii. 44. John Yeardley was next concerned in prayer. The meeting +held about two hours and a half. + +21_st_.--About the middle of the day my companion (J.H.) called upon +me, and betwixt twelve and one o'clock we left here for Lancaster, Thomas +Barrow being our guide, and his wife, Charlotte Russell, and Emma Hodgson, +accompanying us. Emma Hodgson is the daughter of a clergyman of Rochdale: +she had been some time on a visit at Thomas Barrow's and went with the +family to the meeting at Bentham when we were there, and was much reached +and tendered therein; and attending the meeting at Wray last evening she +declared after her return that she was fully convinced of the truth. + + +Returning to John Yeardley's diary for this year, we find some passages +from which profitable instruction may be gathered. + + +11 _mo._ 8 was the Monthly Meeting at Settle; my dear love and I both +attended. To me it was a poor low season; if there were any good, I was +too much like the heath in the desert,--I knew not when it came. In +addition to this, it felt as if I had to mourn over the barren state of +some others. O, how I dread the state of a lukewarm Quaker! May I ever be +preserved from this sorrowful state of a lukewarm Quaker! I believe it is +often the means of bringing a damp over our solemn assemblies. + +12 _mo._ 7.--_Query._ What is the most likely means for me to +adopt to approach nearer to holiness? _Answer._ To spend more time in +retirement silently to wait upon God. The more conversant I am with him, +the more I shall know of his will and receive power to do the same. To do +the will of the Almighty is the way to perfect holiness. The nearer +acquaintance we cultivate with him, the stronger will become the ties of +his affection. The more devoted we are to him, the more confidence will he +repose in us. + + +Catching then a glimpse of the glorious calling of the Gospel minister, he +breaks forth in the following strain:-- + + +If I am ambitious in anything on earth, it is to be eminently useful in +His cause. I can say with the wise man, I ask neither riches nor honor, +except the honor which cometh from doing the will of God; but I do ask for +"an understanding heart." I trust I can say in the deepest sincerity that +I could renounce, if they were in my power, the riches and honor of ten +thousand earthly worlds in purchase of a double portion of that holy +unction which rested on Elisha's spirit. These are bold sayings, but my +Saviour tells me that as there is no limitation to his goodness to grant, +so there is no limitation in asking of him for the gift of his Holy +Spirit. But then what manner of man ought this to be on whom shall be +conferred such great honor! Surely it must be left to Himself to prepare +the vessel before he pours in the oil. + + +We have already made an extract from the diary of the 3rd of the Twelfth +Month in connection with John Yeardley's call to visit Germany. The same +diary supplies us with the description of a spiritual opening for the +benefit of others with which he was favored in the same meeting. + + +In my minute for First-day last I mentioned its being an instructive +meeting to me. Towards the conclusion a simile of this kind arose and +spread before my view: As wax when melted by the fire or the candle is +then only capable of receiving the impression of the stamp put upon it, so +also are our minds only capable of receiving impressions of divine good +when our spirits are melted and contrited before the Lord. As these +seasons are not at our command, it appeared to me to be of the highest +importance for us to endeavor to preserve and improve them as the best +means of testifying our gratitude to the great Donor. The impression which +the above contemplation made on my spirit proved like a morsel of bread to +my soul, which I found I could not conceal, though I struggled hard to eat +it alone, it seeming so insignificant to hand to others; but at length I +gave up, and felt it to be a time wherein some among the few present were +melted as wax before the fire, and had a portion of divine goodness afresh +imprinted on their minds; and my spirit craved that they might not prove +as "the morning cloud and as the early dew that goeth away." + + +On the 7th of the Twelfth Month Elizabeth Yeardley was suddenly prostrated +by an alarming attack of illness, from which, however, she soon rallied, +though she never entirely regained her previous state of health. Possibly +her husband alludes to this afflictive occurrence in the following +memorandum:-- + + +12 _mo_. 10.--How varied is our passing along in this vale of tears! +First-day last was a day of brightness, and this day has been one of +comparative death and darkness. I have been made to know something of the +saying recorded by the prophet,--"Who is among you that feareth the Lord," +&c., "that walketh in darkness and hath no light." This has appeared to be +my portion this day, and I find it hard work to "trust in the name of the +Lord and stay upon my God." + + +Some further remarks in his diary for this day turn upon the subject of +the ministry, and the passage he quotes shows how deep and heart-searching +is the work of preparation for an enlarged and effectual gospel ministry, +whatever be the denomination among men to which the preacher belongs:-- + + +In the course of reading the life of Mary Fletcher I find much deep +instruction and encouragement. Many of her remarks have proved like a goad +to spur me on in the way of holiness. An extract made by her from Dr. +Doddridge's life aptly speaks the language of my heart, when in my silent +breathing to the Almighty I am led to crave an enlargement of my gift in +spiritual things:-- + +"There must be an enlargement of soul before any remarkable success on +others; and a great diligence in prayer and strict watchfulness over my +own soul previous to any remarkable and habitual enlargement in my +ministry; and deep humiliation must precede both." + + +1821.--The first entry in the diary of this year turns upon the +ever-present subject of his going abroad, and is penned under feelings of +the deepest solemnity. It is followed the next day by another on the great +duty of self-examination. + + +1 _mo_. 2. This day I have felt singularly impressed with a desire to +be more devoted to my Maker. I believe it is his will that I should be +more given up to serve him; and if spared with life and strength, my few +remaining days must be spent in his cause. A presentiment of this kind has +for some time past prevailed with me; and from the calm, awful, and +weighty manner in which it is at times brought over my spirit, I am +induced to think it cannot be the mere phantom of the imagination. The +prospect of a temporary residence on the ---- seems rather to increase +than otherwise. How it may terminate, or the time when to move, is yet +uncertain to me. O, how the prospect humbles me! I trust I can, in some +degree say, with the good old patriarch, that his God shall be my God, and +if He will only give me bread to eat and raiment to put on, I desire to +serve him. + +1 _mo_. 3.--This day I am thirty-five years old. Whether I may be +spared as many more, or whether I may only survive as many months, weeks, +days or hours, as I have now lived years, is altogether in the breast of +Him who has hitherto preserved me as a monument of his mercy. How awful +the consideration! To think that we may be called to give an account at +any hour of the day, and not frequently to examine the state of affairs +between us and our God, is complete infatuation. Strange as it may seem, +as it regards myself I stand condemned. I am sensible sufficient attention +is not paid to the important work of self-examination. O that this fresh +year may produce fresh vigilance! + + +In the Second Month, Ann Jones, accompanied by her husband and Isabel +Richardson, visited Bentham on a religious mission. Ann Jones had much +service, both in public and private. What she had to declare to John +Yeardley in particular was very remarkable, and reminded him of the +discourse of Sarah Lamley in 1814. He says;-- + + +She said a good deal which so struck home to my feelings, that I have not +been so deeply reached in the same manner since dear Sarah Lamley visited +families at Barnsley. (_Letter to his brother._) + + +In the Third Month he found it to be his duty to attend some meetings of +Friends in going and returning from the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds. In his +diary of the 14th of the Third Month he speaks of making the necessary +application to the Monthly Meeting for its sanction, and, in that and some +succeeding entries, records his feelings on the occasion, and the help +which he received by the way. + + +This was new work to me; how I was humbled before I could be made willing +to mention my concern to my friends! which was done in such a faltering +manner that I believe many sympathized with me. When I had received the +meeting's approbation, I was thoughtful how I should get most conveniently +on my way. After our meeting I received a letter from dear S.S., saying +that he had felt a prayer raised in his heart, that I might be helped in +my undertaking by Him from whom best help comes, and that he was most easy +to propose accompanying me on my way in his gig. A very agreeable +companion he proved to be, and for this little act of dedication he shall +not lose his reward. + +I left home on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the Fells. There fell +much rain the day before, which swelled the waters so that my wife and I +became very thoughtful how I should get over the river to Newton, over +which there is no bridge. I thought that should I be favored to get over +safe and dry I would take it as a sign for good in the journey; and so it +was in mercy granted; for when I came to the water-side, I met a man on +horseback who let me ride his horse over. This was in a wild part of the +country, with not a house near. Simple as this may appear to some, I could +not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was thankful. + +At Newton, where I expected to meet only three or four, more assembled +than the larger end of the house would hold. I was met by dear D.W. from +Stockton; I could not but think we looked like two poor striplings before +a great army. I should have sunk under my fears, had I not been enabled to +get down to that Power which can bear up above the fear of man. + +In the afternoon I went to Thornton, and sat down with the family. This +was a precious season, and it felt doubly so from our having been on the +barren mountains, both literally and spiritually. + +I went next morning, accompanied by D.W., to Lothersdale. This was also a +good meeting: I had reason to believe the God whom I was endeavoring to +serve had answered my prayer in sending his angel before to prepare the +way; I seemed almost borne off my feet by the power of Divine love. + +We dined at S.S.'s; and after dinner I could not quit the room without +expressing what I felt towards him, which melted us all into tears. S.S. +joined me, and we went to Skipton to be at the meeting at five o'clock. +Before we came there I felt such a sense of poverty that it seemed as if +my spiritual life was going to be taken from me; and even when I got to +meeting, the same feeling remained, which introduced my spirit into a +state of suffering not easily to be conceived. On our sitting down I felt +there was something on the mind of S.S., and I feared lest, by suffering +the reasoner to prevail, he should be unfaithful; but he expressed a few +words which seemed as the key to the treasury. + +I went that evening to Addingham, and had a meeting next morning, where I +sensibly found a little strength: we seemed to sit under our own vine and +fig-tree, where none could make us afraid. We lodged and dined at our kind +friend J. Smith's, in whose family I had something given to me to minister. + + +From Addingham they went to the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds, where John +Yeardley received intelligence of the sudden decease of his beloved friend +Joseph Wood. J.W. had been engaged in testimony and supplication in the +meeting at Highflatts on First-day morning, and was taken unwell during +the evening, and died in a few hours. After the Quarterly Meeting John +Yeardley went to attend the interment, and on his way had a meeting with +the Friends at Barnsley. + + +It was, he says, a favored time, and we were humbled and instructed +together. We went to Highflatts to tea; when I got to the place where the +remains of my dear friend were laid, I stood silently by the coffin in +tears, saying in spirit, If it be thy mantle I am designed to wear, may I +receive it with humility, reverence and fear! This feeling awfully +impressed my mind, because my dear friend had said more than once to me, +If I have any place in the body, I bequeath it to thee. The meeting was +very large and was a precious season; the occasion on which we were met +seemed to give wings to our spirits to fly upwards. + + +This spring Elizabeth Yeardley's disorder began to assume a serious form. +A short memorandum from her hand discloses in a touching manner her state, +both physical and spiritual. + + +3 _mo_. 29.--"Regard not distant events: this uneasiness about the +future is in opposition to the grace received." This sentence from my old +favorite, Fenelon, was much blest to my spirit this evening, when I had +foolishly been thinking about future sufferings. O, sufficient for the day +is the evil thereof. Perhaps a few rolling suns may, through the merits +and mercies of my Lord, see this poor worm translated to his Paradise. + + +The first direct allusion to anxiety on her account which appears in her +husband's diary bears date the 5th of the Fifth Month. Her debilitated +state seems to have been the cause of their deferring to a future day +their contemplated removal to Germany, which was otherwise to have taken +place about this time. + +In the summer of this year he was himself laid for some weeks upon a bed +of sickness, with a complaint of the stomach. He viewed this time of +suffering as profitable in assisting his resolution to undertake the +religious mission to which his mind was still continually directed. In a +letter to Thomas Yeardley, of the 1st of the Ninth Month, he says, "Such +is my stubborn will that I am not to be effectually pleaded with, until I +am brought down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, or judgment." His wife, +who was too ill to leave her chamber, has a memorandum respecting her +husband's illness, under date of the 29th of the Eighth Month. It seems to +have been the last which her pen ever traced. + + +Since I wrote, my dear husband has had an awful attack; but the Lord has +again been merciful in restoring him to ease once more. Yesterday (may the +Lord enable us to keep covenant) we laid our _Isaac_ on the altar. O, +to be wholly our kind, our Heavenly Master's, who cares to provide for us, +for soul and body; who takes nothing from us but what he knows would harm +us, and gives us a hundred-fold of that which is good in lieu. + + +Prior to this time John Yeardley had not confided to his brother the +thought which so long had occupied his mind. In the letter just referred +to he speaks of it as "an important concern which had long been the +companion of his secret thoughts by day and his visions by night," +and says:-- + + +It now seems to be approaching so near a state of maturity that I feel +freedom to communicate it to thee. + +For about three years past I have had an increasing apprehension that it +would be required of me to take up a _temporary residence_ among +those who profess with Friends on the other side of the water, +particularly with the few in the neighborhood of Minden and Pyrmont, and +probably at some time with those in the South of France. But my visit is +likely to be paid in a way different from any that have been made before. +I have never seen that the nature of my concern would require any document +from the Quarterly or Yearly Meetings; neither do I think it would answer +my present views; because the secret language of my heart has been for +many months past, "Go dwell among them, go dwell with them." + +I should be in want of some employment, and the first thing that presents +to my view is to offer my services to a few of my friends in the yarn and +flax trade; articles which are largely imported into Yorkshire, and which +seem to be the natural production of the country, within the circle where +I should be likely to reside. + + +His brother's answer to this letter was most consoling and encouraging: in +reference to it he says, it seemed with him as it was with Peter in the +prison, when the angel smote him and the irons fell off. + + +And O, he adds, that I may be willing, now that a little light begins to +shine, to gird myself, bind on my sandals, cast my garment about me, and +follow my Lord, thinking no hardship too much to endure for so good a +Master. (_Diary, 9 mo. 21_.) + + +Although in reality not far from her end, his wife's state had not as yet +excited immediate alarm. On the 23rd of the Ninth Month J.Y. writes:-- + + +My precious E.Y. is yet so weak that there is a probability of its being +an obstacle in the way of our removal; but there is this consolation,--if +the work be of the Lord he will not frustrate his own design; if it be not +his doing we must submit to have the whole overturned. + + +In a few days he became aware of her critical state. + + +9 _mo_. 29.--The indisposition of my dear wife has taken such an +alarming turn that I yesterday began to have serious apprehensions as to +the issue. I have watched with her night and day, and my prayers have been +unceasing for her restoration, I trust not without a due reverence to the +divine will. But I did not feel as though nature could give her up until +yesterday, when as I stood retired by the bed-side of my dear lamb, +endeavoring to feel after resignation, I gave her up as fully as human +nature, through divine aid, was capable of. Then it sprang in my heart, +Where is the man that can offer up an Isaac? He shall go for me, and I +will send him. There seems a spark of hope that even now, when the knife +is lifted up, the voice may yet be heard,--"Lay not thy hand upon the lad, +for now I know that thou fearest me." + +My precious dear has been to me in my late exercise a never-failing +instrument of strength, comfort, and encouragement: in general her faith +has been much stronger than my own. Should it please Heaven to restore +her, O that there may be an increased desire that it may be for no other +cause, but that her heart, her hands and her feet, may unite with mine in +sounding forth our Redeemer's praise, if required, even to the ends of the +earth. + + +The following entries record the last hours of the dying Christian wife, +and the feelings of her bereaved husband:-- + + +10 _mo_. 25.--Last night we expected my dear lamb would have sunk +away. How the awful event is to terminate is known only to Him on whose +bosom I trust she has always rested; for in no other place could she be +preserved in the state of peace which she appears to possess. + +29_th_.--A most awful morning; my dear lamb is no more! She sweetly +fell asleep in the bosom of her Saviour, at one o'clock this morning. The +closing scene was perfect ease and peace. From the first of her illness +she seemed aware how it would terminate, and was perfectly resigned. +During our being at Bentham she has often said it was a place provided by +Providence to afford her that religious retirement she had long desired, +and which she took the most scrupulous care to improve. When in health she +would tell me of late that perhaps she might be taken away in order to set +me more fully at liberty to do the Lord's work. + +11 _mo_. 18.--This day two weeks was the solemn ceremony of +committing to the silent dust the remains of my very precious and dearly +beloved Elizabeth. I had dreaded the day very much; but through prayer, +mixed with a degree of faith, which was mercifully granted, I was +wonderfully supported. In the meeting I felt the divine influence so near, +and so to prevail over my spirit, that I was constrained publicly to thank +the Father of mercies for his goodness. + +This day I visited, perhaps for the last time, the place which encloses +the cold relics of one so dearly beloved; and as I stood weeping over the +grave, it sprang in my heart, She is not here but (she) is risen. What an +unspeakable consolation to be enabled to leave the dust behind, and hold +sweet communion and converse with the spirit. Ever since her departure it +feels as though her spirit had never left me, but was hovering and +fluttering around me to administer comfort on every afflicting occasion; +and O, saith my spirit, that this precious feeling may remain with me for +ever. + +12 _mo_. 20.--I feel to lament the loss of my dear lamb more than +ever, at least so far as I dare. No one but myself knows the comfort which +the late awful event has deprived me of; but I no sooner remember the hand +which administered it than all complaining is hushed into silence, and I +am made to rejoice that she is so safely deposited where trouble cannot +reach. + + +From this moment John Yeardley felt himself quite free to pursue the path +of duty which had been opened before him, viz., to go and reside in +Germany. + +In the Eleventh Month he left Bentham to sojourn awhile with his brother, +and on the 9th of the First Month, 1822, he received a certificate of +removal from Settle Monthly Meeting, addressed to the Friends of Pyrmont +and Minden, which certified that he was a member of the Society of +Friends, and a minister well approved by the church. + +Before we pursue further the sequence of events, two passages from the +diary may be here transcribed, which could not have been inserted in the +order of time without interrupting the narrative. The first of these +conveys a lesson of practical wisdom, and exhibits the method by which the +writer was able to succeed and to excel in what he undertook. It is the +true comprehension and resolute acting upon maxims such as these, which +makes so much of the difference between one man and another. + + +1821. 7 _mo_. 2.--No man can excel in everything; therefore it is +highly important for each mind to consider attentively for what it is +calculated, and what end it is designed to answer by him who created it. +As secular affairs are often more expedited by a judicious arrangement, +than by hard doing indiscriminately at the mass; so will undertakings of +superior importance be more advantageously attained by keeping a single +eye, and looking for best direction to make a proper selection of what +ought to be done and what ought not to be done. I was long too much +wavering on this head, to my great loss; but I now hope it is become a +settled point, find I have clearly seen for what service I am designed in +the church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of +divine grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main +design. For a little mind to aim at great things would be to thwart the +whole; but to endeavor to be faithful in small things, seems to be the way +to attain the end. + + +From the other entry we shall extract only a few words, but they are words +fraught with deep instruction:-- + + +9 _mo_. 7.--"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Without +purity of heart we cannot see the pointing of the Divine Finger. + + +On the 18th of the Second Month, John Yeardley attended Pontefract Monthly +Meeting, held at Wakefield. + + +It was, he says, a precious season; I felt my friends very near to me in +spirit, and expressed to them in tenderness and love what lay on my mind; +and in the conclusion the power and goodness of the Most High were so +awfully felt that I could not forbear kneeling down to offer him thanks, +and to supplicate that he would he pleased once more to bind up the +breaches in the walls of our Zion, and grant that when we were separated +one from another we might never he separated from his presence. + +I now begin, he continues, to feel very anxious to set forward for my +destination on the other side of the water. What an awful situation mine +appears to be! O that faith and patience may be granted equal to the +occasion! + +1822. 2 _mo_. 26.--I never read in my dear lamb's diary but it feels +to season my heart with good. It is as though her writings were +impregnated with a degree of sincerity and resignation which, were so +eminently the characteristics of her innocent spirit. O, I repeat it, that +my precious Saviour may be pleased to appoint her angel spirit to be my +guardian through life, until I shall be joined with her in heaven and +we both unite in singing his praise. + + +About this time his brother, Thomas Yeardley, began to exercise the +ministerial office. + + +3 _mo_. 3.--Attended Woodhouse Meeting, which was to me a very trying +one. My brother Thomas spoke the feeling of my heart in something like +these words:--"They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit +before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do +them." + +3 _mo._ 18.--This day was held the Monthly Meeting at Barnsley. The +Testimony concerning our much-esteemed friend Joseph Wood was read and +signed by the meetings at large. When I consider the legacy, so to speak, +which this dear friend used to say he should bequeath to me, this language +seems to prevail in my heart:--"Moses my servant is dead; now therefore +arise. As I was with Moses, so I will he with thee; I will not fail thee, +nor forsake thee."--Joshua i. 2, 5. This is an awful consideration; but +why should any despair? May not the faithful mind say, "This God is our +God; he will be our guide, even unto death." I desire most sincerely to be +kept in humility, whatever the probations may be which are necessary to +fit me for the design of Him who hath given me life, breath and being. + + +On the 2d of the Fourth Month he quitted Barnsley, accompanied by his +brother Thomas. + + +I think it a favor indeed, he says, to be relieved from a doubting mind as +to whether I should go or stay; for I can truly say that, let the result +prove what it may. I go with an undivided heart. + +Elizabeth Dell had a meeting at Pontefract this day, where I met her; it +was a very satisfactory meeting, and it was pleasant to meet with several +Friends here whom I did not expect to have seen again. The parting +opportunity with E.D. has left a savor on my mind which I hope will not +soon be forgotten. + +Before he left England he opened negotiations with several mercantile +houses, who gave him orders for linen yarn from Germany. At Hull he +writes: + + +4 _mo._ 12.--My detention here, waiting for a fair wind to Hamburg, +has not been unpleasant; my friends are exceedingly kind, but my feelings +in a religious sense have been rather depressing. + + +His heart was full of serious thoughts in anticipation of the voyage, +which was then more formidable than it is now; but the joyful hope of a +glorious immortality, if death should be suffered to overtake him, bore +him up above his fears. + + +14_th_.--May I be preserved in a holy reliance on the Arm of strong +Power for help. "O Lord God, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee, or to +thy faithfulness round about Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when +the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest, them." O may it please him to +carry me in his bosom, and protect me from the dangers of the sea. But +should it please him to permit that I go down to the bottom, may I be +fully resigned in humble confidence that I shall again arise to shine +brighter with him in everlasting glory. Amen. + + +We shall conclude this chapter with a few extracts from Elizabeth +Yeardley's letters, which well depict her character and experience; and +with a copy of the weighty and pertinent testimony regarding Joseph Wood +which was issued by Pontefract Monthly Meeting. + + * * * * * + + +7 _mo._ 13, 1818.--The broad way seems more and more crowded, while +the road to Zion is thinly scattered with poor wayworn travellers; each, +or nearly so, of the former living as if there were to be no hereafter, +and earth was to be their eternal home. I have thought that as our Blessed +Redeemer's arms were extended wide on the cross to embrace perishing +sinners, so do these short-sighted mortals extend their arms and their +wishes in grasping unsubstantial vanities, and that craving one of +_Mammon_, the most fascinating of all, as it increases with age. + +9 _mo_. 24, 1819.--I hope by what I have felt of the keen arrow of +adversity piercing the heart, it will teach me, when I see it wounding any +of my fellow-mortals, to endeavor to soothe, if I have nothing else in my +power towards healing the wound. Let thee and me be determined, in the +name of the holy Jesus, to follow him and not look on others. He is +leading us into the pure green, ever green, pasture of humiliation, where +the sheep of his pasture love to lie. I own the road is not very pleasant; +the descent is rugged, and many times the poor traveller is ashamed of +being seen hobbling down by his former acquaintance; but when once within +the sacred enclosure, the sweet air that breathes humility hushes all +stormy passions to rest. I read and read again of all those holy folks +being divested of self, and anxiously do I desire to be so too, but by the +marks they lay down I am very far from that attainment. However, He who +said, Let there be light, and there was light, can add this to the rest of +his inestimable blessings showered on my unworthy head. + +4 _mo_. 14, 1820.--We are sometimes led to expect pity from people +where we think we have a sort of claim, and here we often feel +disappointed. Persons at ease cannot feel for the sensations of pain in +others, any more than prosperity can feel the seasons of adversity. +Couldst thou have a look into the houses and bosoms of the inmates of most +in B. or other places, thou wouldst find a something sorrowful, a burden +the possessor would be glad to be quit of. Let us, then, go forward with +hope, and endeavor to be truly thankful for the many mercies showered on +our heads, who have not rendered as we ought that gratitude so greatly His +due. O look at the bulk of the population in England, whose children are +looking up to them for a meal, and they have it not for them; and then let +the tear of thankfulness fall. To be thankful is to feel a spark of +heavenly flame; to be thankful is to increase the blessing already poured +forth. O that I possessed more of this blessed spirit; for truly it is +angelic! + + * * * * * + + +_A Testimony of Pontefract Monthly Meeting concerning_ JOSEPH WOOD, +_deceased_. + +This our esteemed friend was born at Newhouse, near Highflatts, within the +compass of this Monthly Meeting, on the 26th of the Fourth Month, 1750. +His parents, Samuel and Susanna Wood, members of our Society, were +concerned for the best interest of their children. In his youth he gave +way to some of the vanities incident to that period of life, but when +approaching manhood he was happily brought under the restraining power of +Truth, and often humbled in deep inward exercise. Once being in the fields +in the night season, he exclaimed, Lord what shall I do, or whither shall +I go? The answer in the secret of his own heart was as intelligible as if +spoken to his outward ear,--Whither wilt thou go, Have not I the words of +eternal life? Soon after this he attended a neighboring meeting, when a +ministering Friend, who was a stranger, stood up with the words which he +had received as an answer to his inquiry, and enlarged upon the subject in +a manner suited to his tried state of mind. + +In the year 1779, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, was his first +appearance in the ministry, in great fear and broken-ness of spirit: but +being obedient to the manifestations of truth, he experienced an +advancement therein, and was a good example, adorning his profession by a +circumspect life. His testimony was not with the enticing words of man's +wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Neither was he +forward to offer his gift, patiently abiding in the deep till he felt the +holy fire burn. He was at times led in a plain close manner to the +unfaithful professors of truth, but had the word of consolation to the +rightly exercised, unto whom he was indeed a nursing father. He was +especially useful to such as the Lord was gathering from the barren +mountains of an empty profession to the knowledge of the truth, and he was +frequent, in solemn supplication for these, and for the awakening of those +who were at ease in Zion. His heart being enlarged in gospel love, he was +anxious for the salvation of all, and was frequently engaged to appoint +meetings amongst those not in profession with us. For this service he was +eminently gifted, and his ministry on these occasions was often attended +with the powerful baptizing influence of the Spirit, to the convincement +of many. He was concerned to impress on the minds of his friends the +necessity of a due attendance of week-day meetings, believing that such as +were negligent in this duty never experienced an attainment to the state +of strong men in the truth. That our dear friend was zealous for the +proper support of discipline in our religious body was sufficiently +evident from the part he took in the exercise of it in his own Monthly +Meeting; for active service in this important branch of church government +he was eminently gifted. + +In the course of his religious labors, he visited the meetings of Friends +generally in most of the Quarterly Meetings in England, and many meetings +within the principality of Wales; and divers of them repeatedly. + +During the latter period of his life, feeling his bodily strength decline, +he was anxiously desirous that no service required of him should be +omitted. His zeal increased with his years, and he became more abundant in +labor for the promotion of the Christian cause. In a memorandum made about +a year before his death, he writes, "This day I attained the seventieth +year of my age. May the remainder of my days be so devoted to the Lord's +service, as, when the solemn message of death is sent, I may have nothing +to do but to render up my accounts with joy!" In the last Monthly Meeting +he attended, he expressed amongst us that he had seen in the vision of +life that day, that there were of the youth there present those who, if +they were faithful and kept in their innocency, would become instruments +of good, and finally would shine as the stars, for ever and ever. + +The day before his death, the first day of the week, he appeared in his +own meeting at Highflatts, in a powerful testimony, beginning with these +words of Moses to Hobab: "We are journeying unto the place of which the +Lord said, I will give it you. Come thou with us, and we will do thee +good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." In the course of +his testimony he had in strong terms to urge the necessity of a +preparation for an awful eternity. In the afternoon of the same day he +complained of a pain in his breast and arms, but was not considered in +danger. He retired to bed at his usual hour; but he slept little, and +quietly departed about five o'clock the following morning, the 26th of the +Third Month, 1821; and was buried at Highflatts the 31st of the same; +(many Friends and others attended the meeting on this solemn occasion, +which was eminently owned by the presence of the Great Shepherd of +Israel;) aged seventy-one years, a minister about forty-two years. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY. + +1822-24. + +John Yeardley left Hull on the 14th of the Fourth Month, and arrived at +Hamburg on the 21st. For the purpose of attending the Exchange, and of +becoming acquainted with the language, he hired a lodging in the +neighborhood of the city, where he remained for some weeks. Writing to his +brother, under date of the 23rd of the Fourth Month, he says,-- + + +In the neighborhood of Hamburg, lodgings are not easily obtained for so +short a time as a month. We succeeded in procuring a room three miles from +the town, at Eppendorf, in the house of three young women, sisters. It is +a charming walk, mostly over the fields. It is quite a cross for me to go +on 'Change; but as it is the only place for information, I must submit to +it, my visit to this place being for instruction in the language and mode +of conducting business: but, from what I have yet seen, it will be quite +the best for me to proceed into the interior of the country in a few +weeks. + + +What his reflections were when he found himself actually an inhabitant of +the land where for so long a time he had mentally dwelt, will be seen by +the following entry in his Diary. The maxim with which it concludes may be +said to be the motto which he inscribed on his shield for the remainder of +his life. + + +This morning I am thankful to feel something of a peaceful serenity to +cover my mind, and am well contented in being placed on this side of the +German Ocean. I consider it an unspeakable blessing that I do not feel so +much as a wish to return, until the time may come that I can see clearly +that it is right for me so to do. Should I not be favored with health and +strength to do what I have sometimes thought designed for me before I set +my foot in this land, or should my Heavenly Father see meet to cut short +the work in righteousness and not permit that I ever see my native country +again, his gracious _will be done_. I leave this as a testimony that +none need to fear his rightly sending forth those who ask and rightly wait +for his counsel. I do not know why I should thus write: I trust it +proceeds from a resigned heart; and I will add, for fear I should never +have another opportunity, that I should wish all to know who have known +me, that I have no reason to doubt the rectitude of my crossing the water +with a prospect of a residence in this country, and that should time with +me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that love for mankind +which believes "every nation to be our nation, and every man our +brother."--(6 _mo._ 8.) + + +The next day's diary consists of a short but earnest prayer. + + +_First-day morning,_--O, gracious and most merciful Father, be +pleased to strengthen my hands for the work that is before me; be pleased +to give me the power of speech; be pleased to give me thy word, with +power to publish it to those whose hearts thou shalt be pleased to prepare +for the reception of it. + + +The family with whom he lodged at Eppendorf strongly engaged his religious +sympathy. + + +I spent, he says in his diary of the 8th of the Seventh Month, about nine +weeks at E. in a very agreeable manner with the family of three young +women. The one who is the mistress of the house is very seriously +inclined. She told me she had read a play-book giving a description of our +Society in the character of one of its members, and ever since she had had +a particular desire to see one of us, and that she could not but admire +with thankfulness that she had been gratified in having one to reside +under her roof. She had heard of Thomas Shillitoe's being in Hamburg; and +when I told her he was now in Norway, she asked me his business there, I +told her that our Friends had sometimes a desire to visit their brethren +and other religiously-disposed people in foreign lands, and that such was +his errand. She replied, "Yes, and I believe it is also yours: this is +Gospel love indeed; while so many here will not think for themselves, you +come so far to visit and help them." In saying this she was overcome with +tears. + + +John Yeardley left Hamburg on the 2nd of the Seventh Month, and arrived at +Pyrmont on the 5th. Writing to his brother, he says: + + +I have now had a specimen of German travelling. Thou wilt be sure I was +very bold to set off quite alone except the driver, but it proved far +easier than I had anticipated. Instead of having a conveyance to seek when +I got over to Harburg, there was a man on the steam-packet who offered to +take me in his carriage, and the whole of my packages, to Pyrmont. + +A great part of the country between Harburg and Hanover is very dreary and +barren, much resembling Bentham Moor; but the road is much worse, being in +many places not less than eighteen inches or two feet deep in sand. When +we came near Celle and Hanover, the country became quite different, being +very fruitful, and the prospect charming. Nearly all the way from Hanover +to Pyrmont it is beautiful travelling, and the road mostly good. Pyrmont +and the scenery in the surrounding neighborhood is beautiful beyond +description. + + +At Eppendorf he had been cheered by a visit from Benjamin Seebohm and John +Snowdon, from Bradford, who informed him that a committee from the Yearly +Meeting were on their way to Pyrmont. This was to him most welcome news, +and the Friends reached Pyrmont almost as soon as he did; but though their +company was so cordial to his mind, their presence did not relieve him +from the burden of religious exercise which he began to feel on behalf of +the members of the Society in that place, as soon as he took up his +residence amongst them. + + +_Diary.--7 mo._ 16.--The Committee from the Yearly Meeting--viz., +Josiah Forster, Joseph Marriage, and Peter Bedford--have visited the +families of Friends here, and attended the Preparative Meeting which was +held on First-day last. Things here appear to be very low every way among +those who profess with us; yet there are a few sincere-hearted to whom I +already begin to feel closely united in spirit. + +From the time of my arrival until First-day last, I do not remember ever +to have been more oppressed in mind. I could, if I dared, almost have +wished myself in England again, for I feared I should not be able to +obtain any relief. I went to meeting on First-day in fear and trembling; +but, as is sometimes the case, it proved better than I had expected. +When we are stripped of all help but what comes from the Lord alone, it is +then that he delights most to help us. Through the acceptable assistance +of my friend B. Seebohm, I was enabled to communicate what came before me, +and the great dread which I had always had of speaking through an +interpreter was mercifully removed, for which I was truly thankful. The +three Friends were favored most instructively to labor in the meeting for +business. They are now gone to Minden; I feel tenderly united to their +spirits in much love. + + +John Yeardley's residence was at Friedensthal, a hamlet about a mile from +the town of Pyrmont. In a letter to his brother he thus describes the +situation of the place, and his own comfortable accommodation:-- + + +My mother inquires as to my mode of living, and if I have comfortable +accommodations. Please to tell her that I am provided for in a way which +is exceedingly agreeable to me. I have a large airy sitting-room with +three windows, and a bed-room adjoining, situated, on one side, under the +shelter of a wood, and the other opens to a beautiful and romantic dale. +The mode of cooking is just as I would wish it; I am only anxious +sometimes that my very kind friends of the house are too much concerned +for my help and comfort. It seems scarcely possible to find an outward +situation more suited to my wishes. When I have studied in the house, I +take my books in suitable weather into the wood, and there walk and read +and think. It is true I am sometimes very flat for want of company; but if +I incline to go to Pyrmont, they are always pleased to see me, and would +willingly have me always with them.--(2 _mo._ 17, 1823.) + + +Very soon after his arrival at Pyrmont, John Yeardley entered into active +service in behalf of the gospel. In what religious state he found the +people towards whom he had so long been attracted in spirit, and how he +was enabled to preach to them the word of life, is exhibited in several +entries in his Diary. + + +7 _mo._ 21.--The Two-months' Meeting was held at Minden; I went, +along with several of my friends from here. The first sitting was very +large, many coming in who do not usually attend. It was a very solid +meeting; I thought there was the good savor of an honest-hearted few to be +felt among a mixed multitude. Such was the sweet, peaceful satisfaction I +felt after this meeting, that I almost said in my heart, This is enough to +repay me for setting my feet in Germany. These are precious seasons, yet I +always recur to such in fear, and rejoice with trembling; for in the midst +of the Lord's goodness to his children one seems to be falling on one +hand, and another on another; so that the language seems to be, "Will ye +also go away?" and truly we shall never be able to stand if we look not +for help to Him who has the words of eternal life. + + +About this time Thomas Shillitoe arrived in Germany, in the course of his +religious visit on the Continent; and John Yeardley, on his return to +Pyrmont, united with him in a visit to the families of Friends belonging +to that meeting. + + +8 _mo_. 13.--My feelings are this morning deeply discouraged. I am +entering on a visit to the families here with my dear friend T.S., whose +company I have had since the 23rd ult. This service is to me a very +important one. It is an easy matter to say to a brother or a sister, Be +comforted, be strengthened; but it is no light matter to dip so feelingly +into the state of our fellow-mortals, as to feel as though we could place +_our_ soul in their soul's stead, in order that they might be +strengthened and comforted. + +8 _mo_. 20.--The visit has been got over to our great satisfaction. +In some sittings, deep exercise and mourning; in others, cause of +rejoicing over the precious seed of the kingdom, which is alive in the +hearts of some. There seems to be a remarkable visitation once more +extended, especially to the youth. + + +In conjunction with Thomas Shillitoe he proposed to the Friends, as only +one meeting was held on First-days, to have one in the evening for +religious reading, holding it at Friedensthal in the summer, and at +Pyrmont in the winter. The proposal was immediately complied with, and the +institution proved a valuable auxiliary to the edification of the members. + + +8 _mo_. 25.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious +season; O, how all spirits were melted together! May the blessing of the +Lord rest upon this humble endeavor as a means of bringing us nearer to +himself. + +28_th_,--Our English Friends [Benjamin Seebohm and John Snowdon] have +taken their departure. I feel a little solitary, but I think it a great +favor to be preserved from a wish to go with them; nothing will do for me +but entire resignation to the Lord's will and work. Little did I think +when I left my home in England, that a work of this sort awaited me in +Germany; indeed, I came blind in the gospel; I knew nothing; but now I see +such a field of labor if I am faithful: how shall it ever be accomplished? +O, prepare me, dearest Lord, for without thy heavenly hand to assist me I +must faint. O, may I ever seek thy counsel; and be thou pleased to lead me +step by step, and give strength according to the day. + +29_th._--To-day I have for the first time expressed a few sentences +in broken German in our little meeting. I do not know whether they might +be very clearly understood, but I hope the attempt to do what I conceived +to be the Lord's will, will be accepted by him. O, that he may he pleased +to give me the power of speech! + + +In the Ninth Month he went to Hanover with Thomas Shillitoe, who had a +concern to see the authorities regarding the observance of the First-day. +They did not meet with much success in their object; but they made the +acquaintance of Pastors Gundel and Hagemann, the latter "nearly blind and +very grey, but truly green in the feeling sense of religion," and who +rejoiced in his heart to find a brother concerned to reform those things +which had long laid heavy on his mind. + +The two friends travelled together to Minden, where they parted, and John +Yeardley returned to Pyrmont by Bielefeld. + + +The neighborhood of this town, he says, is remarkably fine. There is a +very high hill, partly formed by nature, and partly by art, from which we +can see quite round, without any interruption, even into Holland. Here, +from the appearance of the bleach-grounds, I could fancy myself in +Barnsley. But, as Sarah Grubb says, I can have no pleasure in fine +prospects; my mind in these journeys is always too much exercised with +matters of a more serious nature. + + +In the latter part of the month John Yeardley went again to Minden, to +unite with Thomas Shillitoe in a visit to the families of Friends. They +commenced their visit at Bueckeburg, where they had a remarkable interview +with the family of the Kammer-rath Wind, which is related at length in +T. S.'s journal (vol. i., p. 388). + +The place which seems in these visits to have engaged J.Y.'s sympathies +the most strongly was the village of Eidinghausen. + + +We had, he says, a very favored meeting in the room where their meeting +is usually held. In the sitting in the evening, with the family where we +lodged, many of the neighbors came in, who seemed to have no wish to leave +us. I thought of the words of the dear Saviour, when seeing the multitudes +he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep having no shepherd. +Truly these have no outward shepherd who cares much for their spiritual +interests. I felt my heart much warmed in gospel love towards them, and we +invited them to give us their company again next day, which most of them +did. In this meeting there was something expressed so remarkably suited to +the states of some present, that after it was over a woman confessed it +had been as was declared, that she herself was one to whom it belonged; +and she gave us a short relation how it had been with her in former days. + +The love which these simple, honest-hearted creatures manifest towards us +does away with all distinctions and the difference of language. O, that He +who teaches as never man taught may be pleased to guide them and bring +them to himself that there may be one shepherd and one sheep-fold. All our +toils in this weary land will not be too much if we can he made the +instruments of helping only one poor soul on its way Zionwards. + +10 _mo_. 8.--I returned yesterday evening from Minden, with a +thankful heart, to come again to my quiet and romantic habitation in +Peacedale. The strong fortifications which are made, and now making, +around Minden, give it an appearance of gloom and oppression which is +scarcely to be borne. O, how uncomfortable do I feel when within its +walls; but in its neighborhood there are a few friends to whom I am +tenderly united in spirit. + + +He concludes this entry with an allusion to the homely and even hard +manner of life to which many of these were accustomed. + + +To some of our Friends in England who are dissatisfied with their outward +situation, I would say, Come and see how these live on the Continent. + + +The 29th of the Tenth Month was the anniversary of his wife's death. His +diary for this day is an affecting transcript of his feelings on the +occasion. + + +The shock which my earthly happiness received this day twelvemonths has +been, this evening, piercingly renewed in the recollection of almost every +minute transaction which accompanied the awful event of the closing +moments of my precious lamb. For truly like a lamb she lived, and was well +prepared to become an angel-spirit. O, happy spirit, thou art at rest; +then why should I mourn thy loss? Surely He who knows the weakness of our +frame will forgive, for he himself gave us the example in weeping over +those he loved. The Almighty has been very good to me; he has put it in +the hearts of those with whom I reside to care for me with an affectionate +interest. O, for greater diligence, that the day's work may keep pace with +the day. What shall I do, but pray for more strength to be made able to do +all that may be required of me. I never saw the advice of our dear Saviour +more necessary for myself than at the present time, "Be ye wise as +serpents and harmless as doves." + + +Soon after this he had a return, of his complaint in the stomach, which +caused him to exclaim-- + + +We are indeed but dust and ashes; how quickly the slender thread may be +cut, and reduce this frail tabernacle to that state of earthly composition +from which it was formed. But the spiritual part in us must have an +abiding somewhere _for ever_; this is the awful consideration which +ought continually to affect our hearts. Is it not a strange infatuation to +rank the moments of affliction among the evil events of our lives, when +these may prove the very means of bringing back our wandering feet to the +path which leads to everlasting life? + + +He then reviews his own situation, his calling and his work. + + +It is often the consideration of my heart, What has brought me into this +country? what have I done? what am I doing? and what have I to do? The +enemy is not wanting to distress my poor mind on the point of these four +important queries. But to the first I can answer, An humble submission to +what I believe to be the leadings of Divine Wisdom. To the second, through +the assistance of never-failing love, I have done what I could and have +found peace. To the third, I am desirous through divine aid to do what I +can; and to the fourth, which refers to the future, I must commit it into +the hands of the Judge of the whole earth, who alone is able to guide my +feet in the sure path. I feel in the present moment desirous to keep +eternity continually before my view, and to let outward things hang more +fully on the dependence of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the +ground without his notice. (11 _mo_. 30.) + +12 _mo_, 1.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious +time. Our spirits have been much tendered in reading some account of the +lives and deaths of our worthy Friends recorded in Sewel's History. Tears +so overpowered the reader and the hearers, that the reading was at times +obliged to be suspended until we had given relief to our feelings. + + +In addition to this meeting, John Yeardley established another for the +young, to be held on Fourth-day evening, "in which they might improve +themselves in reading, and acquire a knowledge of the principles of the +Society, with other branches of useful information." The young women were +to bring their work; and it was his delight to interrupt the reading with +religious instruction, and such remarks as a father makes for the +improvement and gratification of his children. We see him here for the +first time in a character in which he was well known to the present +generation in various parts of England, viz., as an instructor and guide +of the youth. In noticing in his Diary the formation of the Youths' +Meeting at Pyrmont, he comments with pleasure on the innocent cheerful +manners of his audience, and on the advantages which might be looked for +from this kind of social intercourse. + +The last entry in this year records an occasion of near approach to the +throne of grace in prayer in the little congregation at Pyrmont. + + +12 _mo_. 29, _First-day_.--A most remarkable season of divine +favor in our evening assembly. The awe which I had felt over my spirit the +whole of the day, and not feeling freedom to break my mind in the meeting +in the morning, induced me to look to the evening opportunity with fear +and trembling, which indeed is always the case when I feel the Master's +hand upon me. The most solemn act of worship, that of public supplication, +so powerfully impressed my mind, that I believed it right to yield to the +motion, which I humbly trust was done in due reverence and humility of +soul. Our spirits were so humbled under feelings of good that it seemed as +if the secrets of all hearts were presented before the throne of grace, to +ask forgiveness for former transgressions, strength to serve the Most High +with more acceptance, and to be finally prepared to reign with him in +glory. O how these seasons of refreshing will rise up against us in the +great day of account, if we are not concerned to improve by them! Grant, +dearest Father, that I may experience a nearer and stronger tie to do thy +will more perfectly; and let it please thee to remember those in this +place and this land for whom my spirit so often secretly mourns and prays. + + +The Diary of 1823 opens with a profound and solemn reflection. + + +1823. 1 _mo_. 4.--For want of faith we are too much inclined to serve +ourselves before we are willing to serve the Great Master, thinking we may +be able to do much for him afterwards, when it will more accord with our +situation in life. But, alas! this time may never come; if we thus put by +the _acceptable season_, our lives may close with our only having +performed very imperfectly the part which had been designed for us in the +Church militant. Painful would be the sting when appealing to the Judge of +the earth, in a moment when we no longer possessed the capability of +serving him, should the declaration be, Thou hadst a desire to serve me +when in health and strength, but thou wished _first_ to _serve +thyself_. My time was not then thy time, therefore _thy time_ is +not now _my time_. + + +A letter to his brother, written in the summer of this year (6 mo. 9), +gives a description of the mode of bleaching in use in Germany, which +will, we believe, be interesting to the English reader. John Yeardley +says: + + +Wilt thou not be surprised when I tell thee that I am about to commence +yarn-bleaching? Thou mayst be sure there is a pretty certain prospect of +considerable advantages, with not much risk, to induce me to make the +attempt. The advantages are threefold--safety, expedition and cheapness. +The first consists in the simplicity of treatment and safety of the +ingredients, no chemical process being made use of; the second arises from +the heat of the climate; the last is easily accounted for from the low +price of labor and the cheapness of the raw material, which is produced in +abundance in the neighborhood. In the country around, for a very +considerable distance, almost every family make their own linen; they grow +or buy the flax, spin the yarn and get it woven, and either bleach it +themselves or send it to others who have better conveniences in water, &c. +As the spring commenced, I noticed these little bleaching-plots wherever I +went, and often wondered that the color was so good. Knowing that such +people could not possibly be at any great expense or risk in the +operation, I concluded it must be done by dint of time and labor, +supposing that the yarn and cloth must lie at least a few months on the +grass; but, on inquiry, I was surprised to find it was made quite white in +three weeks or a month. To make a further proof, I sent two bundles of +yarn to two different places to bleach; it is now returned of a very good +color and perfectly strong, though it has been in blenching only a month +and two or three days, and although the greater part of the Fifth Month +has been unfavorable for bleaching. As to any risk of the yarn being +tendered, it is quite out of the question; it seems to be done by the +operation that nature points out. I have found a very convenient place For +the purpose of making trial; there is plenty of good clear water. There is +a prospect of having honest workpeople, and at very reasonable wages--not +more than 6_d_. or 8_d_. a day; there are many honest creatures +to be had at these wages who have nothing in the world to do. + +From the first of my leaving England, I had no expectation of being +liberated from this country before the expiration of about four years, and +I have always been desirous that something should turn up that would +afford me support by suitable employment; so that what I have now in view +does not seem to clash with my former prospects. It is (he adds with +affectionate feeling) a source of great consolation that I can always +unbosom my mind so freely to thee; and I consider it among the greatest +blessings I enjoy, that thou hast never yet failed of being made an +instrument of support to me, and my prayer is that thou mayst never lose +thy reward. + + +Pyrmont is one of the oldest watering-places north of the Alps. The +inhabitants are very much dependent on the visitors who resort thither +during the three summer months, and amongst whom may frequently be +reckoned some of the first families in Europe. This year, 1823, the Prince +and Princess of Prussia (the present Regent of Prussia and his consort) +were there, and one Fourth-day morning attended the Friends' Meeting. The +meeting-house stands in one of the _allees_, and although its +position is not central, it is sufficiently public to be an object of +attraction to the curiosity of strangers. A memorandum under date of the +18th of the Sixth Month records the royal visit, and John Yeardley's +spiritual exercise on the occasion. + + +6 _mo_. 18.--To-day the young prince and Princess of Prussia, with +the Princess their mother, and the Hofmeister, have been at our Fourth-day +meeting. They entered with such seriousness on their countenances that I +felt my spirit suddenly drawn towards them in love, and a secret prayer +was raised in my heart for their everlasting good. Feeling the influence +of divine love to increase, I believed it right to kneel down, and in +brokenness of spirit I expressed what had opened on my mind, which +afforded me peace; and I hope good to others was imparted, although I may +say through the unworthiest of instruments. For truly I have for some time +been as in a state of death and darkness, owing to my unwatchfulness. O +what would I give for more circumspection, that I might be more prepared +to receive the _word_, and when command is given, publish the same. +But, unworthy creature, I often deprive myself and others of seasons of +good through my negligence and barrenness. When will the time come when I +can say, all earthly things are under my feet, and the cause of religion +and virtue rules predominant in my heart! Lord, hasten the day; and +preserve my feet in thy path in the midst of many snares; and rather let +me die than be suffered to do anything which would dishonor thy gracious +and holy Name, and the profession I am making of thee before the world. +Loose my bands, and enable me to say in sincerity of heart, I am willing +to serve thee freely. + + +With the cause for self-condemnation, which is alluded to in this entry +was no doubt connected the neglect to keep up his Diary; no entry occurs +for more than five months previous. It was probably much more difficult in +the position which he occupied in Germany to maintain a spirit of +watchfulness and self-recollection than among his more experienced Friends +in Yorkshire. There is an allusion to this in an entry of a little later +date. + + +7 _mo_. 8.--My mind feels a little more gathered than it has been for +some time past; but the little outward difficulties which are continually +arising have a great tendency to disperse the best feelings. I think it is +almost the greatest lesson that we have to learn, to stand so fast in +times of trouble as not to suffer loss. If we would so conduct ourselves +that the change of times and seasons should not have such an unfavorable +influence on our minds, this would be one great point gained; it would +enable us to meet the difficulties of the day in a better state to combat +with them. + + +But if daily trials abounded of a nature the most likely to retard his +spiritual progress, we shall see that He who had appointed his lot, +provided in his faithfulness the needful corrective, and by the discipline +of filial fear in the ministry of the word, kept him safe in his +sanctuary. + +The attendance of visitors at the meeting-house was often numerous, +although it was seldom that they remained during the whole time of +worship. Meetings of this kind were very trying to John Yeardley's faith +and feelings; but sometimes they were seasons of heavenly blessing such +abundantly to make amends for past humiliation. + + +7 _mo_. 6.--To-day the small meeting-house and passage were quite +filled with strangers, and I was told many went away who could not get in, +and some remained under the windows. No creature on earth knows what my +poor mind suffers when I go to meeting under such circumstances. Many whom +curiosity brings in the expectation to hear words may some times be +disappointed, but I hope there are some whose intentions are sincere, and +who are desirous to be informed the way to Zion. I hope strength was +afforded me to preach Christ crucified. O that the Lord may support me in +these very trying seasons, and take from me the fear of man, and fill my +heart with a holy fear of offending Him whom I humbly trust I am desirous +of choosing to be my Lord and Master. + +7 _mo_. 27.--"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me +bless his holy name." Notwithstanding my many seasons of poverty and +inward distress, the foregoing language is sometimes put into my heart on +my return from our meetings, which are, in the bathing season, almost +always crowded with strangers. Their manner of coming in and going out +during the time of worship is exceedingly disturbing, and yet I cannot but +admire the stillness which prevails when anything is delivered. The help +which I at times experience in these trying seasons is wonderful in my +eyes. When I am concerned to stand up in His dread and fear, what have I +else to fear? This fear would always cast out the fear of man which ever +brings death; and yet so weak am I, that after all these precious helps +and comforting times, I tremble when the meeting-day comes again lest, I +should fail in doing the Lord's will. Such is my fear before I can rise to +my feet in meetings that I say with Samson, Be with me this once more that +I may bear testimony to thy name; then, if it be thy will let me die for +thee, and I will not think it too much, to suffer. O that He would be +pleased to enlarge his gift in my heart, and he unto me mouth and wisdom, +and give me tongue and utterance to declare his name unto the nations. + +7 _mo_. 30.--Our Fourth-day meeting to-day has been a precious +heavenly season. Much more weightiness of spirit appeared to exist in the +strangers who attended, and consequently more stillness. I had not long +taken my seat before I believed it right to stand up with the words of the +apostle, "Awake to righteousness and sin not, for some have not the +knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." The women's side was nearly +full of richly-clad females; they bore the marks of worldly distinction, +and were indeed as fine as hands and pins could make them. But the +tenderings of divine love reached the hearts of some among them in a +particular degree. I felt such a nearness of spirit towards them that I +had great openness in speaking of the things which came before me. After +meeting they very willingly accepted of some books. One of them was much +reached, and went into the little plantation to weep. Another went to her +to comfort her; but she replied, Go from me and leave me alone. We may +truly say with the apostle that God is no respecter of persons, but those +who fear him and work righteousness will be accepted of him, to whatever +nation, kindred, tongue or people they may belong. All distinctions of +religious sects and party spirit are laid aside when our hearts become +prepared to embrace each other in true Christian love. I do believe the +Lord's work is begun in the hearts of many in this land; and the fervent +prayer of my spirit is that he may be pleased to carry it on to +perfection, and that we may live to see the glorious day when +righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the channels of +the sea. O Germany, Germany, what does my heart feel on account of thy +inhabitants! It seems as if I could tread thy soil for the remainder of my +days if I could only be made the instrument of helping on their way those +scattered ones who are athirst for the sincere milk of the word of life. + +One of the females who visited our meetings came to the school room on +Seventh-day, and requested the favor of having a few books to peruse and +circulate. She said she was from Osnabrueck, and that there were a number +of people in that place who had a great love to the Friends of our +Society. Such opportunities afford the means of circulating a knowledge of +the truth to those whose hearts may be preparing to receive it; and if +such are only awakened to seek after the ways of holiness, although they +may never come to be of our number on earth, they will he found among the +number of the saints in heaven. The bathing-list this season already +amounts to 2500 persons, in which number there are many who are desirous +to inquire the way to Zion. It is much to be desired that the peculiar +advantages which Pyrmont affords for spreading in the different parts of +the Continent books illustrative of our religious principles should be +judiciously embraced, particularly as there appears such an openness to +receive them. I can truly say I have been thankful that my lot has been +here this summer, and I trust I have not flinched from doing what I +believed to be required of me. + + +In his letters to his brother, John Yeardley makes frequent mention of his +mother. In the Ninth Month he heard of her being seriously ill, and he +thus writes in reference to her state, in a letter elated the 29th of the +Ninth Month:-- + + +The state of my dear mother's health is truly alarming; but as I have +received no further account from thee, I am flattering my poor panting +heart with a comfortable hope that she may have taken a turn for the +better, and will yet live to see the hour when we shall once more embrace +each other in my native land. If she should be taken away without my being +permitted to see her again, it would be a cup which I could not tell how +to drink. This brings poignantly to my remembrance one of the most trying +hours of my life, and yet the support then received was wonderful. + +As I rode along the road in the course of this summer on a journey of +business, my dear mother was brought to my remembrance in such a very +remarkable manner, that I seemed to have a spiritual interview with her; +and she was brought so near to my feelings, that I thought it probable I +should never see her again until we met in eternity. I scarcely know how I +felt, but it was as if my spirit accompanied hers into the regions above. +I noted down the circumstance when I got home; for it had made such an +impression on my mind, that I should not then have been surprised to have +heard of her departure.[1] + + +The following instructive remarks occur in the Diary about this time:-- + + +10 _mo_. 27.--My retirement and reading this morning has been more +tendering to my spirit than for a long time past. I read and considered +the institution of the Passover, when the Israelites were led out of +Egypt; and it appears clear to me that the sprinkling the door-posts with +the blood of the lambs, as commanded, was a type of our Saviour's blood +which was shed for our transgressions, and that we must be saved by his +becoming our paschal lamb. As the destroying angel only passed over the +doors and preserved those who had received the mark, so can we only be +saved by being willing to apply the blood of our dear Saviour to wash and +cleanse us from our sins. What a beauty there is in the connection of +Scripture truths when we read them with a simple heart prepared to receive +the right impression which may be opened! + + +The Friends of Minden and the little company of awakened people at +Eidinghausen, who on his first coming to Germany had taken so firm a hold +of John Yeardley's mind, continued to excite his religious sympathy, and +he again visited them in the latter part of this year. + + +(_Minden_.)--On Seventh-day last, the 1st of the Eleventh Month, I +left home in company with some of my dear Pyrmont friends to attend the +Two-months' Meeting, and to spend a few days with my dear friends of this +place. I lodge with Frederick Schmidt, and feel myself perfectly at home. +It is a most orderly and agreeable family, consisting of himself, +daughter, and housekeeper; and the time passes pleasantly away when I am +only enough concerned to improve the opportunities afforded by this good +man's company. He was one of the first in this place who was convinced of +the religious principles of Friends, and his beginning was small both in +temporals and spirituals. I cannot but admire how his endeavors have been +prospered. He remarked the other evening in conversation, that it was of +great advantage to the Friends to persevere in their outward callings, and +not to jump (us he expressed it) out of one thing into another. This would +be the means of establishing their credit as men of business. + +11 _mo_. 7.--Sarah Grubb mentions[2] that when she visited Minden, +she met with great kindness and attention from a councillor of the place, +who on their leaving accompanied them a little way out of the town to an +inn, where he had provided coffee, and had invited a few of his friends to +take leave of them. This was at the house of my worthy host [Frederick +Schmidt], who then kept the inn at Kuckuk, and had for some time been +under deep [religious] impressions. He related to me that her discourse in +the meeting she had Lad in the town had affected him, and yet he could not +give her his hand, but went into the garden to weep; but after she had got +into the carriage and driven from the door, she suddenly made a stop, came +again into the house, and asked for him. He being called, she had a +remarkable opportunity with him; she told him she believed the Lord had a +work for him to do in this place, and that he would have to stand foremost +in the rank, and when the time came he must not flinch from doing what his +Master would require. This has in a remarkable manner been fulfilled to +the present day, and affords an encouraging example to the poor tried +servants of the Lord to be faithful to apprehended duty. Although they may +not live to see the effect of their labors, yet their Lord and Master will +not leave himself without a witness in the hearts of his people; praised +be his name. + +14_th_. Since Thomas Shillitoe and I visited Eidinghausen, there has +been a remarkable revival to a sense of religion; a number come together +in a sort of society every First-day afternoon, to read, sing, and pray +for the edification one of another. As all things have a beginning, this +may perhaps prove a step to a more perfect way of worship. I had long felt +inclined to visit the meeting in Eidinghausen, and had looked towards +accomplishing it from Minden. + +I went there on the 9th inst., and my intention to be there being known a +few days before caused many of these awakened people to attend the meeting +so that the little school-room was quite full, and many stood in the +passage. I was truly thankful to be amongst them, for it proved a most +satisfactory season. They are a rustic set of folks, but have each a soul +to save or to lose, and all souls are of equal value in the sight of the +Judge of the whole earth. Lewis Seebohm kindly gave up his time to attend +me as interpreter, for I still prefer help of this sort when it can be +done through one who is so feelingly capable. I often feel as a poor +wandering stranger in a strange land, and yet I dare not complain. The +goodness of the Lord is great towards me; he opens the hearts of those +whom I am concerned to visit, to receive me into their hearts and houses, +so that it affords me great freedom in speaking to them on serious +subjects relating to their best interests, both spiritual and temporal. I +am convinced 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 helping themselves by suitable employment. The +families who live in the neighborhood of Minden, mostly on small parcels +of land, have until now got on with a tolerable degree of comfort, by +cultivating their land in summer and spinning yarn in winter; but now the +depression is so great that if they could be put into the way of earning +threepence a day, they would embrace it with thankfulness. I have been +very diffident in proponing any plan for their assistance, knowing that +some former proposals have failed of accomplishing the end. But I have +consulted with those who are best acquainted with their situation, and we +think it safest for them to continue their own employment of spinning +yarn, and endeavor to mend their trade by placing it on this footing. They +must spin such an article as I can make use of in sending it, with what I +buy from other people, to my friends in the linen business in England. I +am to give them a little higher price than they can elsewhere obtain, and +those who have no flax of their own must have a little money advanced to +purchase some, which they must repay in yarn. When the yarn is disposed +of in England, and a profit on the same can be obtained, it must be +distributed among them as a premium to encourage industry and good +management in producing a good article. If this does not answer, I cannot +see any thing at present that will. + + +How far this scheme was put in practice we are unable to say, but we +believe it was not accompanied by any successful result. + +In the next entry he speaks of the advantage which he derived from keeping +a diary. + + +11 _mo_. 17.--I was this evening accidentally induced to read over a +few of my former memorandums; and it humbled my spirit to retrace the +dealings of my merciful Father with me. I am glad that I have from time to +time penned down a few remarks by way of diary, although it has been done +interruptedly and very imperfectly. It proves a means of enabling me to +see a wonderful concurrence in the ways of Divine Wisdom which has led me +in a way that I knew not, and hitherto preserved me through the mercies of +his love: praise be to his Name now and for ever. Amen. + + +After his return from Minden he accompanied John and William Seebohm, who +were going on a journey of business to Leipzig. They went by way of +Brunswick and Halberstadt, and returned by Nordhausen and Eimbeck. In this +tour through the heart of Germany, John Yeardley made many observations on +the state of agriculture, the cities, and the character of the people. Of +the last they met with several curious traits, some of them sufficiently +annoying. + + +On many great roads, says J.Y., there is a summer and a winter way, +running parallel to each other, with a rail across, on which is a notice +that the way is forbidden by a fine of 6_d_. or 8_d_, for each +horse, that the traveller may know when to take the summer or the winter +road. We stopped on the way [they were not far from Wolfenbuettel] to give +our horses a little bread, and our coachman drove to the side of the road +to make way for carriages to pass. But he had inadvertently gone over the +setting on of the road; and the roadmaster came to us, and told us we must +not feed our horses there, as it was not allowed to drive over the stones +on the side, under a penalty of three shillings per horse. The evening of +the same day we fed our horses at an inn, and walked before, leaving the +man to follow us. I and my young friend W.S. sought the cleanest part of +the way by walking in the course made for the water, which was green and +clean; but so soon as we came by the inspectors, who are mostly employed +on the road, one of them told us we must mind for the future and keep the +right footpath, or pay 6_d_. each. This I considered as an +infringement of English liberty, and was ready to reason with him on the +subject; but I reflected that I was a stranger, and that it is always +better and more polite to submit quietly to the regulations of the country +in which we live, than bring ourselves into difficulty through incivility +or contention. + + +In returning from Leipzig, J.Y. and his friends committed a more serious +offence against the pragmatical regulations of the German States. + + +On our journey homewards we had much perplexity with some cloth, &c. which +J.S. had bought in Leipzig to bring to Pyrmont. This arose from want of +better information respecting the laws of the Prussian territory. They are +exceedingly strict as to duties. All kinds of wares are allowed to pass +through the country at what may be called a reasonable excise; but those +travellers who have excise goods with them must preserve a certain road, +called the Zoll-strasse. It was our lot to miss this road; for +apprehending ourselves at liberty to pursue what road we pleased, we took +another way. But we found our mistake when we came to the place where the +duty is paid; for we were informed we had taken the wrong road, and that +transit duty could not be received; we must either pay the full excise as +when goods remain in the Prussian territory, or return back until we came +again into the Zoll-strasse. It took some time to consider which was best +to be done. To be sent about we knew not whither, and on roads scarcely +passable, would prove a serious inconvenience; and on the other hand it +was exceedingly mortifying to pay for such a trifle so enormous an excise. +The officer was very civil, but told us it was not in his power to do +otherwise. We concluded it would be best and cheapest to pay dearly for +our error rather than be retarded on our journey. We had a regular receipt +for what we paid, but inadvertently departing again from the appointed +way, we were in danger of paying the full duty a second time, or having +the goods taken from us. So much for travelling with excise goods. + + +Early in 1824, John Yeardley returned for a few months to England. He had +ingratiated himself so thoroughly into the esteem and love of his Pyrmont +friends, that his departure even for a short time was the signal of +lamentation through the whole meeting. On the 11th of the First Month he +had a farewell meeting at Friedensthal, which was attended by almost all +his friends. With his parting blessing he had some counsel to impart. + + +I have so much place, he says, in their minds, that whatever I say, either +in counsel or reproof, is always received in love. Such a scene I never +witnessed; the dear lambs all wept aloud; we were indeed all melted +together. May the Shepherd of Israel never leave them nor forsake them, +and may they become willing to follow his leading. I can truly say that on +their behalf my pillow has been often wet with my tears. + + +On the 3rd of the Second Month, he left Friedensthal, accompanied by a +young Friend whom he was to conduct to a temporary residence in England, +and in whose religious welfare he was deeply interested. While waiting in +Hamburg for a vessel, he felt keenly his solitary situation in the world. + + +2 _mo_. 9.--I think I never felt poorer in spirit and more +discouraged than at present. It seems as if visiting my native land had no +cheering prospect for me. If it were right in the divine sight I could +almost wish to spend the whole of my life in solitude; but I must be +willing patiently to suffer, and endeavor to fill the place appointed for +me on this stage of action. + + +A vessel sailed for England the day before their arrival at Hamburg, a +circumstance which at first made him regret he had not used more +expedition on the way. But he immediately recollected it might he for the +best that he was left behind. This proved to be the case; for the vessel +with which he would have sailed, meeting with contrary winds and dark +weather, ran aground, and was obliged to put back, and when J.Y. left the +Elbe she was lying in Cuxhaven harbor. + +They landed at Hull on the 19th. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST +CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. + +On setting foot again in England, the dejected state of mind which had +accompanied him on the journey returned with renewed force. + + +2 _mo_. 19.--I do not know how to describe my feelings in landing on +my native shore: I feel a poor discouraged creature. May He who knows the +sincerity of my heart be pleased to strengthen my poor mind, for I feel +almost overwhelmed with fears and difficulties. + + +Still deeper was his emotion on visiting again the home of former days. + + +2 _mo_. 20.--Left Hull, and came by way of Selby and Wakefield to +Barnsley. I felt my heart exceedingly burdened before I reached the place: +it seemed as if all the bitter cups I had drunk in former times were going +to be handed to me afresh. This may not be, perhaps, altogether on my own +account. There is at times a fellow-feeling with others; and on my +reaching this place, I soon felt my spirit dipped into sympathy with some +of my dear connexions, who are not without their trials. + + +A few days afterwards, in allusion to the religious service of Elizabeth +H. Walker of West Chester, U.S., in a public meeting for worship at +Barnsley, he says:-- + + +I do not really know what is the matter, but I fear I am going backwards +from all that is good. When I look at the usefulness of others, O what an +insignificant, useless being I appear! + +This lowly opinion of himself, however, was not to serve as an excuse for +idleness, and it was proposed to him to bear Elizabeth Walker company in a +religious circuit in some of the midland counties, previous to the +occurrence of the Yearly Meeting. He accepted the proposal; and they +travelled together through part of Staffordshire, Warwick, Worcester, and +Oxfordshire, visiting the meetings of Friends, and sometimes inviting the +attendance of the public. + +The dispirited state of mind which John Yeardley had brought with him from +Germany accompanied him on this journey, and on the 30th of the Fourth +Month he writes:-- + + +I walked last evening in the fields, in a solitary frame of mind, being +very low in spirits on many accounts. My own unfaithfulness deprives me of +strength to cast off my burden as I go along; consequently I grow weaker +and weaker, which is indeed diametrically opposite to growing stronger and +stronger in the Lord. Lamentable case! O for a alteration for the better! + +_Fifth-day, the 6th of Fifth Month, at Sibford_.--This is a pretty +large meeting, and there are a good many sweet-looking young folks. The +lovely countenances of such are always refreshing to me, and it is not +much wonder if I have a little more openness for labor, winch was the case +in this place. But in general I sit and bemoan my own uselessness. I have +been a burden to myself in this little journey, in fearing I might be so +to my friends; but I ought to be very thankful that they do not seem to +think me so, but are desirous to encourage me. I think if it was +otherwise, it would be more than I could bear. + + +In the Fifth Month, he attended the Yearly Meeting in London. At the +Meeting of Ministers and Elders, an unusual number of certificates were +granted for religious service abroad. These various concerns drew from him +the following reflections:-- + + +As I sat under the weighty consideration and disposal of these subjects, I +felt a degree of rejoicing to spring in my heart, that there are still +members who hold the promotion of the cause of righteousness in the earth +dear to the best feelings of their hearts. It is indeed cause of heartfelt +gratitude that the Divine Master is directing the feet of his messengers +not only to the borders of this isle, but also into distant parts of the +earth. + +During the Yearly Meeting John Yeardley lodged at William Allen's, at +Plough-court and Stoke Newington, and was introduced to several Friends +with whom he had not before been acquainted. + + +The acquaintance which I have made with many dear and valued Friends in +the neighborhood of London has, I hope, been a little strength to me in +the best things. It is truly pleasant to be treated with such genuine +kindness; but it is nothing for the soul to build upon,--we must look for +a more sure foundation than the favor of the great and good. + + +Elizabeth H. Walker had a meeting with the younger part of the Society in +London and the neighborhood. In noticing this meeting J.Y. has some +discriminating remarks on the exercise of the ministry. + + +During this as well as many other meetings for worship, I sat under +religious exercise, but could seldom believe it required of me to take +part in the public ministry. I often think, when many exercised brethren +and sisters are present; there would be a danger of interrupting the true +gospel order, if all were not careful to wait on the Great Minister of the +Sanctuary. If we patiently abide under the rightly baptizing power, what +we may apprehend preparing in our hearts for utterance may often be +delivered by others, and we only have to say, as it were, Amen. We may +also be brought into a right willingness to speak in the Lord's name, and +still be excused; this may be, perhaps, a preparation of an offering which +may be called for at another place. O the importance of knowing the word +rightly to be divided, and when and where the offering is required! + + +A part of Elizabeth Walker's errand in coming to Europe was to visit the +Friends in Germany; mid it was proposed that John Yeardley should take +charge of her and her companion, Christiana A. Price of Neath, on his +return to Pyrmont. They went together through Essex and Suffolk, having +meetings on their way; but at Ipswich it appeared that C.A. Price's health +was unequal to the journey, and Elizabeth Walker proceeded to Hull to +cross the water from thence with another company of Friends who were bound +for the Continent. J.Y. was thus left to proceed alone to Pyrmont, and he +sailed from Harwich on the 19th of the Sixth Month. When in Suffolk he +went to Needham to see "dear ancient Samuel Alexander." + + +I had, he says, long known this fatherly man by name and person, but had +had no acquaintance with him until now: his company and conversation were +exceedingly pleasant and instructive to me. In the evening I took a walk +in a large plantation which he had himself planted when young, and had now +lived to see afford him a comfortable retreat. + + +John Yeardley was taken ill when in Suffolk, and on settling down again +in his quiet home at Friedensthal he writes: + + +7 _mo_. 15.--I am drinking salt-spring-water, and my health is +mercifully restored. The air of this country seems to suit my constitution +better than that of England. Time is very precious. I think, to keep a +more correct journal of what I do each day might be very useful, by +inducing a more narrow scrutiny how each hour is spent; for I know not how +many more may be allowed me to prepare for eternity. + + +To this resolution he did not adhere. With the exception of two short +entries in the same month, he wrote nothing in his diary for the remainder +of the year. The difficulties of his position, perhaps a lack of +sufficient employment, and the want of that instant watchfulness without +which the disciple is ever prone to stray from his Master's side, seem to +have again produced, as they did twelve months before, a season of +spiritual famine. + +His own gloomy condition did not, however, altogether disable him from +sympathizing with others. In a letter to his brother of the 4th of the +Eleventh Month he says;-- + + +I have of late been in such a low tried state of mind, that I have been +discouraged from writing thee, under an apprehension I should say nothing +that would afford thee any satisfaction in reading. But though I may not +have it in my power to relieve thee, I hope it will not be unpleasant to +thee to know that thou art still more dear and near to me than ever thou +wast in the times of more apparent outward prosperity. It is a high +attainment to know how to set a right value on perishable things, and it +requires no small degree of fortitude to bear the depression of apparent +temporary adversity, in that disposition of mind which becomes the +character of a true Christian. Although, according to our apprehensions, +the storm may last long, yet it most assuredly will blow over, and then +greater will be our peace than if we had never known a tempest. + + +On resuming his Diary, which he did in the First Month of 1825, John +Yeardley gives an account of the events which happened to him during the +previous few months. + +In the Seventh Month 1824, Thomas Shillitoe and Elizabeth H. Walker came +to Pyrmont, and to the latter J.Y. gave his assistance in various +religious engagements. After her departure he again visited Minden, with +the neighboring villages of Eidinghausen and Hille. His visit to the +last-named place (1 mo. 13, 1825) was marked by a singular circumstance. + + +Finding a sudden draft [in my mind] to be at the reading meeting in Hille, +to begin at two o'clock, there seemed but little time; however, proposing +it to my dear friend John Rasche, he was quite willing to accompany me, +and driving quickly we came in due time. When the [meeting] was over, the +Friends told me they thought it very remarkable that we should come +unexpectedly on that day, and that what was communicated after the reading +was particularly suited to the state of a woman Friend present, who was +laboring under the temptation that she had committed the unpardonable sin, +and could find no rest day or night. I could not prevent them from +expressing their thankfulness for such a mark of Providential +interference, in this way to afford the poor woman a little relief and +encouragement. + + +Four days afterwards, having then returned to Friedensthal, J.Y. +adds:--"Since our visit to Hille, the person above-mentioned is dead!" + +The depression under which John Yeardley labored, from the loss of that +comfortable presence of his Lord which had been almost from his youth as a +lamp shining continually upon his head, seems to have reached its lowest +point in the early part of this year. Under date of the 24th of the Second +Month he says:-- + + +I have this morning once more been enabled to pour out my sorrowful spirit +before the Father of mercies in a way that has afforded me some relief and +encouragement. In bitterness, and, I may almost say, in agony of soul have +I spread before him some of those circumstances which have been a cause of +unspeakable distress to me for many months past, and rendered me unfit for +almost every service, temporal or spiritual. + +Thou knowest, O gracious Father, I long to have my ways and steps +regulated by thy holy will. Therefore I beseech thee, have mercy on my +faults, and blot out from thy remembrance all my sins, and everything +wherein I have in weakness offended thee; and be pleased to give me +strength to become more perfectly and lastingly thine. O how sensibly do I +feel my own weakness, and that without thee I can do nothing, not for a +moment preserve my own steps. + + +In the midst of his discouragement his mind was directed towards the +accomplishment of another part of the commission which had been entrusted +to him before he left England.--viz., to sojourn for a time amongst the +Friends in the South of France. Accordingly, early in the Third Month he +went to Minden, and laid before the Two-months' Meeting, his intention of +going to Congenies for this purpose, and also of seeking a religious +interview with some serious people in the neighborhood of Cologne. + + +This information, he says, was received by my friends with much sympathy +and, I trust, weightiness of spirit, and I felt a little strengthened by +the expression of their feelings and unity with me in this concern. A +certificate of their approbation was ordered to be drawn up. No creature +on earth knows how this prospect humbles me. I always think I am dealt +with in a remarkable manner,--somewhat different perhaps from others. +Notwithstanding all the seemingly insurmountable difficulties which stand +in the way, and which are far too numerous to particularize, my peace is +connected with my obedience. What will be the result I know not; the way +appears not yet quite clear us to the time of departure. O Lord, favor me +to wait on thee for the spirit of discernment not to step forth in the +wrong time. + + +The obedience which he practised in committing himself in simple faith to +this religious prospect prepared the way for a temporal blessing, as well +as for the return of inward joy. He little knew, when persecuted by the +Accuser of the brethren, and mourning over the weakness of his own corrupt +nature, that his Lord was about to provide for him a congenial and helpful +companion, in the room of her whose loss had left him solitary in the +world. Without this timely sacrifice of his own will, it could not have +been so easy for him to make the journey to France in the way in which it +was done, and which was the means of bringing about the union which shed +so much comfort on the remainder of his life. + +Between two and three months after the meeting at Minden, he received the +information that Martha Savory, accompanied by Martha Towell, was about to +pay a religious visit to the Friends at Pyrmont and Minden. He had been +introduced in London to Martha Savory as a minister of the gospel, and one +who had been abroad in its service, but his acquaintance with her seems to +have been slight.[3] On receiving this intelligence he writes:-- + + +The prospect of seeing a few dear Friends from my native land would be +cheering, but I am really so cast down that I seem as if I could not, and +almost dare not, rejoice in anything. May this low proving season answer +the end for which it is permitted! + + +As he apprehended the Friends who were coming from England might require a +guide, John Yeardley went to meet them at Rotterdam. His journey, and the +singular coincidence of Martha Savory's concern with his own, are +described in a letter to his brother, written after his return from +Holland. + + +Friedensthal, Pyrmont, 7 mo. 14,1825. + +MY DEAR BROTHER, + +On my return from Holland I received thy long and very interesting letter. +Martha Savory and her companion Martha Towell are now acceptably with us. +They expect to spend two or three months with us, and then we have some +prospect of going in company to the South of France. As this has fallen +out in a rather remarkable manner, it may not be amiss just to explain it +to thee. We were entire strangers to each other's concern; but as soon as +my friends in London heard of my prospect from the copy of the minutes of +our Two-months' Meeting and of my certificate, dear William Allen wrote to +me desiring a more particular description of my views, time of departure, +&c., and mentioned at the same time M.S.'s concern, which had already +passed the Quarterly Meeting, and it was fully expected she would be +liberated [by the Meeting of Ministers and Elders] to visit Pyrmont and +Minden, and afterwards, if _suitable company offered_, proceed to +some parts of the banks of the Rhine, Switzerland, and Congenies, in the +south of France. I wrote to W.A., and explained to him my prospect, which +was to visit a few individuals in the neighborhood of Cologne and pass +through Switzerland to Congenies. I then received a letter from our dear +friend M. Savory, stating that she and W.A. had been much struck with the +remarkable coincidence in our views; our prospects being to the same +places and in the same way; and that it seemed in the pointing of Truth +for us to join in company. + +Fifth mo. 26th, I left Friedensthal to visit my friends in Minden and its +neighborhood; and after spending about two weeks there, I felt very much +inclined to give our friends the meeting at Rotterdam. I set off, +accordingly, the 7th of the Sixth Month, and travelled seven days through +a desert country to Amsterdam, I went almost one half of the way by water, +across the Zuider Zee from Zwolle to Amsterdam. After spending a few days +in Amsterdam, I went, with J.S. Mollet, who is the only Friend in that +city, to Rotterdam, where we met with M.S. and M.T. Thomas Christy, +junior, had accompanied them, from London. M.S. had letters of +recommendation to many persons in Amsterdam, whom we visited; and though +some of them were first-rate characters in the place, it is surprising +with what affection and kindness they received us. J.S. Mollet accompanied +us to Pyrmont. + + +An account of his journey, both going and returning, is also contained in +J.Y.'s diary: it presents some additional notices which claim a place +here. + +Before leaving Minden for Rotterdam, he twice visited Eidinghausen, and +saw some young men who were under suffering because of their refusal to +serve in the militia. + + +One in particular (he says, in writing up the diary), a sweet young man, +at this moment may be in torture. O, how I feel for him! My soul breathes +to the Almighty Father of mercies on his account, that he may he +strengthened to endure all with patience for the sake of his Lord, who has +given him a testimony to bear against the spirit of war and fighting. + + +At the conclusion of the second meeting at Eidinghausen, he says:-- + + +The meeting was fully attended, and I afterwards dined alone in the +schoolroom with a light heart. I thought I could say, After the work is +done, food tastes sweet. + + +At Rotterdam, John Yeardley and his companions made the acquaintance of a +"very interesting missionary student, who believes he has a call to go on +a mission to the Greeks, and is waiting for an opening: his name is +Guetzlaff." At Amsterdam, a letter from Guetzlaff introduced them to the +priest of the Greek church in that city, Helanios Paschalides, a man of +child-like spirit, and long schooled in affliction, who had become +awakened to his own religious wants, and who believed himself called to +return to Greece and instruct his countrymen. These two interviews are +memorable, as being, probably, the commencement of the strong interest +which J. and M.Y. evinced in the Greek people, and which issued, years +afterwards, in a religious tour in that country. At Zeist, where there is +a settlement of Moravians, the ministers, finding the Friends desired to +convene their members in a meeting for worship, readily consented. + + +The meeting, writes J.Y., was more fully attended than we had expected. +There is much sweetness of spirit to be felt about these people, but a +want of stillness. I thought some of the hearers were prepared to see +further than their teachers, and the time may yet come when some may be +drawn into a more spiritual worship. We left them a few tracts, and they +kindly gave us a few little boots of theirs. It is remarkable in what a +spirit of love they received us. + + +The Friends reached Pyrmont on the 1st of the Seventh Month, and shortly +afterwards made a visit amongst the members from house to house in that +place, and at Minden. On the 28th they visited a number of seriously +awakened persons at Lenzinghausen, who felt the necessity of spiritual +worship, and to whom their hearts were much enlarged in gospel love. + + +Walking in the garden, writes John, Yeardley, in a very solemn and +solitary frame of mind before the meeting, I had such a feeling as I +scarcely ever remember to have had before. I thought I saw, as in the +vision of light, as if a people would be gathered in that neighborhood to +the knowledge of the truth. It appeared to me to be in the divine +appointment that our dear M.S. was come to visit Germany, and a large +field of labor seems to be appointed for her in this land if she is +faithful. + + +The next two months were occupied with various religious services, public +and private, not omitting meetings at Eidinghausen and Hille, where, as on +former occasions, J.Y. found his heart to go out towards the people with +strong emotions of Christian love. About 150 attended at the former, and +300 at the latter place. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1825-6. + +The time was now come for John Yeardley and Martha Savory to pursue their +journey to the Rhine, Switzerland and France. They left Pyrmont on the +11th of the Tenth Month, 1825, and beside Martha Towell, were accompanied +as far as Basle by William Seebohm as interpreter. Every member of the +party wrote in one way or other an account of the journey, and we have +availed ourselves of these various sources in the following narrative. + +Passing through Paderborn, they arrived at Herdecke on the 13th. Regarding +his feelings in this place John Yeardley writes:-- + + +This morning I was greatly dejected, and fearful we might find none of the +people whom we were seeking. As I was walking pensively outside the town, +I recollected what I once read in "Cecil's Remains,"--that a way may +suddenly open before us when we the least expect it. This was now to be +verified; for after we had entered the carriage with the intention of +going to Elberfeld, and while we were waiting for a road-ticket, I +accidentally fell into conversation with our hostess, and making inquiry +for people of religions character, learnt that there were a number of such +in the neighborhood. + + +The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this little society who +resided in the town. He informed them that a meeting was held at Hageney, +about six miles distant, at the house of a pastor named Huecker. Being +disposed to visit this pastor, they took their informant with them as +guide, turned their horses in the direction opposite to Elberfeld, and +drove along a very bad road to his house. They found him occupied in +teaching some poor children. He told them that their visit was opportune +and remarkable, for that he had been denounced as a delinquent before the +Synod of Berlin, which had sent him a string of questions on doctrine and +church-government. He had returned a reply to the questions, and was then +waiting the determination of the synod, whether he was to be displaced +from his cure or not. The Friends examined his answers, and were well +satisfied with them: the worship which he and his little flock (about +thirty in number) practised was of a more spiritual character than that of +the national church. Martha Savory expressed her deep sympathy with him in +his difficult and painful situation, and John Yeardley also addressed him +in words of consolation and encouragement. + +At Elberfeld, where they arrived on the 15th, they met with several +interesting persons. One of these, a young pastor named Ball, became +greatly endeared to them. He informed them that when he had been severely +tempted, he had found support and deliverance in silent waiting on the +Lord. Another was Pastor Lindel, who resided at some distance from the +city, in the Wupperthal; he had been brought up a Roman Catholic, had seen +many changes, and suffered not a little persecution. He took them to see a +neighbor, an aged man, weak in body, but strong and lively in spirit. This +man told them he was present at a meeting at Muehlheim held by Sarah Grubb, +about thirty years before; and that, although ninety years old, he +recollected the words with which she concluded her discourse: "By this +shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to +another." This love, say the narrators of the occurrence, was felt amongst +us on this occasion, and at parting the good old man gave us his blessing. + +They quitted Elberfeld on the 19th, and proceeded to Duesseldorf, where the +reception they met with was equally open and gratifying. They spent an +evening at Kaiserswerth with Pastor Fliedner, who was occupied in +vigilantly guarding a little nock of Protestants surrounded by +unscrupulous Romanists. He evinced much interest in the management of +prisons, and was endeavoring to introduce improvements in that of +Duesseldorf: he had met with Martha Savory in one of her visits at +Newgate.[4] + +The next day they went to Duesselthal, and inspected the institution there. +The Count Von-der-Recke conducted them himself through every department. + + +His countenance, says John Yeardley, evinces the magnanimity and kindness +of his heart; it is remarkable and precious that so young a man should +dedicate his whole time and fortune for the benefit of the orphan and the +destitute. + + +At Creveldt, the next town where they stopped, Pastor Molinaar and his +wife, who were Mennonists received them in a very cordial manner: the +latter had seen Thomas Shillitoe at Amsterdam. J.Y. relates several visits +which these worthy persons and some of their Christian friends paid to +them at the inn. + + +22_nd._--In the evening Pastor Molinaar came, with his wife and some +friends, to tea. They inquired very narrowly respecting our principles. +Pastor M. turned the conversation on women's preaching, and, after some +explanation, appeared to be pretty well satisfied with our views on this +subject. The Mennonists hold strongly to the use of Water Baptism, and the +pastor and his wife defended this practice, the latter with much +earnestness. But when we had unfolded our sentiments, and William Seebohm +had read a passage from Tuke's "Principles," the pastor, seeing that we +aimed only at the spiritual sense, acknowledged that he had often queried +with himself whether the usage could not properly be dispensed with, and +said that he intended still further to examine the question. Our +certificates were then read; and after we had conversed on our church +discipline, the company separated in mutual love. + + +The Friends inquired of the Mennonists whether any of their Society would +incline to sit with them on the First-day evening. + + +Our friend, Martha Savory, told them we could not promise that anything +should be uttered, seeing this could only take place through the immediate +operation of the Holy Spirit. At the appointed time there assembled about +fifty persons. After a short conversation they seated themselves, and when +we had sat awhile in silence, M.S. found herself moved to address them in +a feeling manner, W.S. interpreting; and I relieved my mind in German as +well as I was able. Before we separated, Pastor Molinaar rose, and in the +name of the rest expressed his heartfelt satisfaction, adding that he +hoped we should remember them for good, as they should not fail to pray +for our preservation. + +24_th._--We told Pastor M. that it would be agreeable if he and any +others of his friends who wished to take leave of us would come to the +hotel. At seven o'clock, instead of a few as we expected, there came about +thirty. The ladies seated themselves quite sociably, and took out their +work, but were evidently prepared to lay it aside in the hope of having +another religious sitting. But as we believed there were those present who +had come from too great a desire to hear words, we were on the guard not +to satisfy this excited inclination; and the evening was spent in +agreeable conversation. Before we separated, however, we thought it well +to read our Yearly Meeting's Epistle, which was acceptable to all. Pastor +M. especially was pleased with the part about church-discipline, and said +he considered it of real advantage that the epistle had been read in +that company, as there were several young women present who might receive +benefit from it. + + +Feeling attracted towards the inhabitants of Muehlheim on the Ruhr, the +Friends again turned out of the direct road and crossing the Rhine a +little beyond Duisburg, arrived in the evening at Muehlheim. They found a +company of Separatists in the neighborhood of the town, some of whom they +visited; and the next day they passed over the Ruhr, and, with the +assistance of a school-master, convened a meeting for worship. At the time +appointed nearly three hundred persons assembled, mostly of the poorer +class. They were seated in a large school-room, the men on one side and +the women on the other, waiting in silence. They had a good meeting, and +at the conclusion the auditory expressed their unwillingness to part, and +their desire that those who had ministered to them should visit them +again. + +On the 27th, after calling upon some descendants of Gerhard Tersteegen, +our Friends proceeded through Duesseldorf to Cologne. They were +disappointed of finding in the neighborhood of this city, that company of +religious people on whose account they had felt much interested, and of +whom they had heard that "they held principles like the Quakers, and were +as obstinate in them as they are." They did no more here than call upon a +few serious persons in the city, and then went forwards to Neuwied, hoping +there to hear of them. + +At Neuwied, besides becoming acquainted with the Moravian preachers and +others, they were called upon by some of the _Inspirirten_, who +invited them to their meetings. They attended one of these; but, being +dissatisfied with the manner of the service, and not finding relief for +their spiritual exercise, though the opportunity of speaking was offered +without reserve, they in turn invited the company to meet with them the +next morning after the manner of Friends. The meeting was held to mutual +satisfaction, and one of the leading men amongst the _Inspirirten_ +expressed the hope that it would be blessed to them; for he was, he said, +sensible of the want of less activity and more of silent waiting in their +religious assemblies. + +The society to which these people belonged divided in 1818 into two +branches, after an awakening which took place that year; those who +separated believing it to be incumbent upon them to lead more self-denying +lives, and dwell more closely under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This +new connection was the people of whom our Friends had heard; and they +learnt that they had retired to a place called Schwartzenau, near +Berlenburg, a small town at the eastern end of the barren hilly region +known as the Sauerland. The distance of this place from Neuwied is +considerable, and the roads amongst the worst in Germany; but John +Yeardley and Martha Savory apprehended they could not peacefully pursue +their journey without attempting to visit them. + +Accordingly they left Neuwied on the 1st of the Eleventh Month, and +proceeded to Montabauer. The road led them at first amongst some of the +choicest scenery of the Rhine; but after a while they left the river and +struck into the interior of the country, in a north-easterly direction. +The next day they passed through a place where, a few months before, a +Diligence had been robbed. The robbers, who had been taken a fortnight +after the offence, were then, as they were informed, in Limburg gaol, and +were to be hanged the next day. They were ten in number, all members of +one family. At Burbach they met with an English landlord, thirty-five +years resident in Germany; he was delimited to see his fellow-countrymen, +and exerted himself to give them the best entertainment his house +afforded. The country they passed through was very hilly, and overgrown +with forest; now and then a solitary dwelling was seen in the bottom of +the deep valleys. + +On the 3rd they came to Siegen, an ancient and antique town on the side of +a high hill, looking, as one of the party observed, as though they had +reached the end of the world. And, indeed, it seemed almost like the end +of the civilised world; for they were informed that the road from thence +to Berlenburg was in such a miserable condition that they could take their +carriage no farther. They resolved, however, to make the attempt, and +providing themselves with a tandem horse (_vorspann_) and a guide, +and sending on their luggage, they set forth on the way to Letze, a +village where they proposed to lodge; but the waters were abroad from the +overflow of the rivers, and the road being extremely narrow, and the ruts +deep, they made very slow progress. Sometimes the way was so impracticable +that they had to take the carriage through the woods which skirted the +road. Darkness and rain coming on obliged them to halt for the night at +Netphen, and seek shelter in the humble dwelling of a woman, who at first +took alarm at the unexpected appearance of so many strangers. The account +which the guide gave respecting the travellers dispelled her fears, and +she did what she could by hospitality to make up for the scantiness of her +accommodation. She gave them also some information respecting the +_Inspirirten_, whom they were on the way to visit, speaking favorably +of them. The next morning, before they started, they were able to offer +her spiritual good in return for her temporal kindness, John Yeardley +ministering to her condition under religious exercise; and they trusted +his words found entrance into her soul. + +On the 4th they pursued their way, up hill and down, the carriage +sometimes becoming so firmly fixed in the narrow deep ruts, that it was +necessary to take out the horses, and for the men of the party, with the +assistance of passers-by, to lift it over to more even ground. + +At length they arrived at Erndebrueck, and drove to an inn; but not finding +their luggage, they went to another, and while they were preparing to +start for Berlenburg, William Seebohm went to the Custom-office to show +the ticket of clearance they had received on entering the Prussian +territory at Burbach. This ticket should have obviated all delay attendant +on the examination of the luggage; but it happened, most unfortunately, +that the custom officer was the landlord of the inn they first came to. +Their leaving his house without taking refreshment was, in his eyes, an +unpardonable offence, and on William Seebohm presenting to him the ticket, +his countenance and language betrayed the passion which raged in his +breast. He declared their trunks should be examined in the strictest +manner; and when they represented the necessity they were under of +speedily pursuing their journey, and desired him to despatch the business +as quickly as possible, he replied by detaining them until they were +obliged to send back the horse and guide, and consent to pass the night +under his roof. He then demanded their passports, and finding they had not +been _vise'd_ at all the towns through which they had passed, and +that the travellers had departed from the route described in them, he sent +for a gendarme, and placed them under arrest. They were not allowed to +take anything from their trunks without being watched by the gendarme; and +when they took out a letter of recommendation, written by Dr. Steinkopf to +the clergyman of the place, whom they had requested to call upon them, the +gendarme insisted on first reading it. On their expostulating with the +landlord at being treated in this manner, instead of making a direct +reply, he strutted up and down the room, repeating continually, "Ja, ja, +ja, ja! they shall know what they went away from my house for, and that +there is a custom-office here." The Friends took their evening meal, as is +usual in Germany, in-one of the sleeping-rooms--that which had been +allotted to Martha Savory and Martha Towell. Into this chamber, when they +had eaten, the landlord brought a party of eight or nine men to take their +supper. After supper the men smoked, and some of them did not even refrain +from showing their ill-breeding in a more disagreeable way. William +Seebohm overheard the landlord and the gendarme say to each other, "These +people are travelling this way to visit the Separatists, and strengthen +them in their religious opinions; but we will disappoint them." + +The next morning they were favored with a short season of solemn +communion, in which they were given to believe that the Name of the Lord +would be their strong tower. Their liberation, in fact, was near; for +their envious jailor, finding probably no excuse for longer detaining +them, suffered them to depart, but sent the gendarme to guard them as far +as Berlenburg. The man proved to be an excellent guide, and being eager to +bring them to the magistrate of that town, where they could be more +effectually checked in their schismatical object, he was very useful in +shouldering the carriage when they came to a stand in the miserable roads. + +The town of Berlenburg presented a dismal spectacle, the greater part +having recently been burnt down; so that they had some difficulty in +making their way through the ruins. They were subjected to no delay at the +Custom-house, but, before being allowed to go to an inn, were conducted by +the gendarme to the Castle, to be examined by the _Landrath_, or +magistrate. While John Yeardley and William Seebohm were taken into the +justice-chamber, Martha Savory and Martha Towell remained in the carriage, +where they were presently surrounded by a crowd, who gazed with +astonishment at their equipage, no such vehicle having been seen in the +town for many years, and probably never any persons in such attire. Being +weary of waiting, and anxious to know the result of the examination, they +left the carriage and ascended to the magistrate's room. They were +politely received, and arrived just as he had concluded the examination +and was declaring the Friends entirely free from, the requisitions of the +law. The letters of recommendation which they presented were very helpful +in procuring this result. At the Landrath's request, they stated the +object of their journey, and the reasons which had induced them to deviate +from the route described in the passports, of all which he caused a note +to be taken. At the conclusion he politely dismissed them with the +salutation, "Go where you will, in God's name;" and the abashed and +disappointed gendarme was obliged to imitate his superior and make them a +parting bow. The magistrate referred them to two of the citizen, for +information regarding the Separatists, but remarked that he considered a +visit to Schwartzenau at that critical moment would not be without danger. + +One of the persons on whom the Landrath recommended the Friends to call +was the Inspector of the Lutheran or State Church of the country; and on +the 6th, which was First-day, after a time of worship in their own +apartment, they received a visit from this personage. Wishing to act with +entire openness, they informed him of their desire to see the Separatists, +and invited him to accompany them. He gave them the names of several with +whom they might freely have intercourse. As the interview proceeded mutual +confidence increased, particularly after reading their certificates; and +the Inspector expressed himself gratified with the liberality entertained +by Friends towards people of other religious persuasions. + +It snowed all the next day, and the roads were deep in water, so that M.S. +and M.T. remained in-doors; but J.Y. and W.S. walked to Homburgshausen, a +village about a mile and a-half from Berlenburg, to call upon an aged man, +a Separatist of the old connection. He had heard of their arrival, and was +overjoyed to see them; he looked upon it as a providential occurrence that +they should have been sent there at that juncture. His forefathers, he +said, had been settled there many years, and had hitherto enjoyed liberty +of conscience; but now he feared they were about to be deprived of that +privilege. Before the Friends left Berlenburg, he called at their inn with +several more of his society; he appeared to be a truly pious man, and +looked, they say, exactly like a _good old Friend_. He declared +himself to be fully convinced of the value of silent worship, but said +that their people in general were not prepared to adopt it; however they +rejected outward baptism, and the use of the bread and wine, and refused +to bear arms. He had been many times summoned before the magistrates to be +examined upon his religious belief. On one of these occasions the Landrath +asked why he did not take the bread and wine, and why he did not have his +children baptised. He answered that if he was to conform to these +ceremonies it would be as though he had received a sealed letter in which +nothing was written. He and his people were solicitous with the Friends to +have a meeting with them; but the minds of John Yeardley and his +companions were pre-occupied with a desire first to see the New +Separatists, who were then under persecution, and they did not think it +proper to accede to the request. + +In reply to a message which they sent to some of the new society, they +received, through a young woman (for the men were afraid to come to the +inn), a pressing invitation to visit some of them who lived in a retired +spot called Schellershammer, not far distant. They immediately accepted +the invitation. The road, which was impassable for a carriage, was covered +with mud and water. They were received into a very humble dwelling by a +pious young man and his family, with whom also they found some of the New +Separatists from Schwartzenau. On. sitting down with this company the +restraining presence of the Lord was felt, under which they remained for +some time in silence. Then the poor people opened to them their situation +with humility and freedom. The young man above-mentioned had just drawn up +a statement of their religious principles, which had been sent to the +authorities. This statement he showed to the Friends, as also a letter to +the King of Prussia, which had been prepared by one of their ministers, +but which, from its lofty assumption of prophetic authority, they could +not approve. These people called their ministers, _Instruments_; and +they had fallen into the specious error of attributing to their effusions, +whether spoken or written, equal authority with the Holy-Scriptures. On +other points their principles resembled those of Friends; as the disuse of +outward ceremonies and of oaths, and their testimony against war. It was +on these accounts that they were persecuted. They appeared to dwell under +the cross of Christ, and to live in much quietness of spirit. Under the +existing circumstances the Friends did not feel bound to appoint a general +religious meeting with these people. They contented themselves, therefore, +with unfolding their sentiments in conversation, giving them books, and +before they left Berlenburg, addressing them by letter, in which they +enlarged particularly on the subject of the ministry. They also left some +copies of their Friends' books with the old society; and both parties +declared their belief that the visit they had received was in the order of +Divine Providence, and took leave of them in love and confidence. + +The friends quitted Berlenburg on the 9th of the Eleventh Month, and +proceeded towards Frankfort. After a day's journey over bad roads, they +were glad to find themselves once more on the _chaussee_. They +arrived on the 11th at Frankfort, where they called on a few pious +individuals, but stayed a very short time in the city, being desirous of +visiting some Old and New Separatists at Lieblose near Gelnhausen, about +twenty-four miles from Frankfort. + +The next morning they accordingly went to Gelnhausen, and had social +interviews with members of both associations, but failed to make use of +the opportunity they had of holding a meeting for worship with the Old +Separatists, which they afterwards regretted. + +They then went forward to Raneberg, about six miles distant, to see the +_Instrument_ who wrote the letter to the King of Prussia which was +shown to them at Schellershammer. They found him a young man, inhabiting +an apartment in a lonely castle, romantically situated on a high hill. The +access to the spot was through a forest, and by a very bad road. Whatever +prejudice in regard to him they might have imbibed from the style of his +letter was at once dispelled by his appearance; his look was so humble, so +devoted, and with such "extreme sweetness of countenance." John Yeardley +and Martha Savory conversed with him a long time; he did not rightly +comprehend the nature of the Christian ministry, but he listened calmly +and patiently to all they had to say. They left some books with him, and +received some in return, descriptive of the awakening which gave rise to +the division in the society of _Inspirirten_. He was then about to +set out on foot to pay a religious visit to the members of his own +profession in various parts of the country; when at home he worked at his +trade, which was that of a carpenter. + +The party retraced their steps to Hanau, and the next day pursued their +way southwards. They passed through Darmstadt and Heidelberg to Pforzheim. +Here they called on Henry Kienlin, whom they found a _Friend_ in +principle and practice, and who had given many proofs of his fidelity to +his principles by the persecution he had endured from his relations, and +the pecuniary loss he had suffered for refusing to comply with +ecclesiastical and military demands. He was a man of station and influence +in the town. He had not previously had personal acquaintance with any +members of the Society of Friends, but had read many of their writings. He +accompanied the travellers five miles out of the town to a little flock of +Separatists, who had not yet obtained religious liberty, and to whom it +was forbidden under a severe penalty to attend meetings held by strangers. +On the visiters entering the house of one of them, a number presently +collected; and as they stood together, a solemn feeling pervaded the +assembly, and John Yeardley was moved to address them in gospel testimony. +Henry Kienlin followed, explaining the principles of Friends clearly, and +giving them some suitable advice. They were laboring under the want of +discipline and organization, and of some one properly to represent their +case to the government. Some of them called the next day at Pforzheim, to +see the Friends again before they left. + +The next place where they halted was Stuttgardt, to which city H. Kienlin +gave them his company. Here they visited Queen Catharine's Institution, a +school for the training of girls in reduced circumstances, as teachers, +&c., where 170 young persons were being educated. They were also +introduced to a number of pious individuals, and among them to Pastor +Hoffmann of Kornthal, whose excellent institution they were unable at this +time to visit. An appointment had been made for them to meet at Basle +Louis A. Majolier of Congenies, who was to serve as their guide and French +interpreter through Switzerland and France, and they felt obliged on being +informed of this appointment to pursue their journey more quickly than +they otherwise would have done. + +Returning to Pforzheim, they stopped at Muehlhausen, where they called on +Mueller, minister of a congregation, consisting of 170 persons, who had +separated a few years before from the Catholics. This young man received +them with openness and affection, and before they parted, John Yeardley +had something to say to him under religious exercise, which he received in +the love in which it was spoken. From Pforzheim they went direct to Basle, +through Freiburg. On their arrival they were much disappointed to find +that Louis Majolier had waited for them many days, and hearing no tidings +of them, had returned to Geneva, supposing they had gone on to that city +by another route. + +At Basle they were introduced to many pious persons, conspicuous among +whom was Blumhardt, inspector of the Mission-house, who behaved towards +them "as a loving and kind father in Christ." He encouraged them in their +concern to have a religious meeting with the students. The meeting took +place in the evening when the young men were collected for supper and +devotion; they received the word which was preached to them in gospel +love, and manifested towards our friends no small degree of tenderness and +affection. John Yeardley says:-- + + +We had reason to believe there are among them many precious young men who +are preparing for usefulness. The grounds on which this place is conducted +are different from most of the kind. None are sent out but those who can +really say they feel it to be their religious duty to go to any certain +people or country. A sweet young man, who was extremely attentive to us, +Charles Haensel, is since gone to Sierra Leone to teach the poor negroes, +from a conviction of duty. + + +One day during their sojourn, C. Haensel took them to a meeting for +worship, held in the house of C. F. Spittler. + + +J.Y. says, we sat until they had performed part of their worship, and then +the leader signified to the company that a few Friends from England were +present, and told us that if we had anything to offer we had full liberty +to do so. Silence ensuing, dear M.S. found herself constrained to address +them in a way suited to the occasion; I was also enabled to express what +came before me. They afterwards expressed their thankfulness for the +opportunity. + + +From Basle William Seebohm returned to Pyrmont, and the English Friends, +hoping that they might meet Louis Majolier at Berne, went forward to that +city, but were again disappointed. + +Although they were anxious to reach Geneva as quickly as possible, the +attraction of gospel love towards Zurich was so strong that they could not +continue their journey until they had visited that city. They arrived +there on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month. The state of their own feelings and +the refreshing Christian intercourse which awaited them are thus described +in the Diary:-- + + +First-day, we sat down to hold our little meeting. It was to me a low +time, but I still thought the hand of divine help was near to comfort us, +and before the close dear M. S. was drawn into supplication in a way which +expressed the feelings of all our hearts. After this season of spiritual +refreshment, we called on Professor Gessner, who, with his wife and +family, was truly glad to see us. Being near dinner-time, we could not +stay long; but their daughter offered to accompany us to her aunt's this +afternoon, and accordingly came to our inn, and went with us to "Miss" +Lavater, who, with Gessner's wife, is a daughter of the pious author +Lavater. She received us with open arms, but spoke only German, or at +least but very little French, so that M. S. conversed with her in German. +She spoke of Stephen Grellet with much interest and affection: he lives in +the remembrance of all in this country who have seen and known him, as +well as William Allen. How pleasant it is to find that such devoted +instruments have left such a good savor behind them! Wherever we follow +dear Stephen, his presence has made a sufficient introduction to us; but I +regret exceedingly my own incapability of being sufficiently useful in +these precious opportunities which we meet with: but, as we often say in +our little company, This is like a voyage of discovery; and our humble +endeavors, however weak, may have a tendency to open the way for others +who may be made more extensively useful, should such ever be led to visit +the solitary parts where we have been. + +We were invited to drink tea this afternoon by our friend Gessner, and on +a nearer acquaintance found this a precious family; his wife is a +sweet-spirited person, and their daughters pious young women. One of them, +in particular, I thought not only bore the mark of having been with her +Saviour, but a desire was also expressed in her countenance to abide with +him: may He who has visited her mind draw her more and more by the cords +of his love and preserve her from the evil which is in the world! When tea +was ended, we dropped into silence, and Pastor Gessner offered up a prayer +from the sincerity of his heart, and it was evidently attended by the +spirit of divine grace and life. Afterwards dear M.S. and I expressed what +was on our minds; I interpreted for her as well as I could, and I hope +they understood it. We were all much tendered in sympathy together, and I +think the visit to this family will not soon be forgotten: we took leave +of them in the most affectionate manner, they expressing sincere desires +for our preservation. + + +On their return to Berne they met with some pious ladies: + + +One of whom, says John Yeardley, spoke German with me, and entered pretty +suddenly on the subject of the bread and wine supper, or sacrament. She +seemed to have lost sight that there is a spiritual communion which the +soul can hold with its Saviour, and which needs not the help of outward +shadows; but it is remarkable when our reasons for the disuse of such +things are given in simplicity and love, how the feelings of others become +changed towards us; they then see we do not refuse the administration of +them out of obstinacy, but from a tender conscience. + + +On the 8th they drove to Lausanne, and the next day to Geneva. John +Yeardley has preserved, in his diary of this part of the journey, a little +anecdote of French character which naturally struck him the more forcibly +from his having hitherto been conversant only with the phlegmatic +temperament of the Germans. The coachman, it should be said, was of that +nation. + + +On the road between Nyon and Geneva a little incident occurred which +showed us the liveliness of the French temperament. A man got up behind +our carriage, and our coachman very naturally whipped him down. The man +followed us quietly for a while, but at length his wounded dignity +overcame his patience, and he came up to our coachman and began to speak +furiously on the impropriety of his having whipped him. Finding he could +make nothing of one who understood not what he said, he addressed himself +to our friend Martha Towell, and said he knew he had done wrong; but the +coachman should have told him to get down, which was customary in their +country, and not to have whipped him. M.T. was prepared to appease his +wrath by a mild reply, which eased the poor man very much; otherwise I +think we should have had more trouble with him; but he seemed to be +quieted, and said, Teach your coachman to say, in French, "descendez." + + +They reached Geneva just in time to prevent the departure of Louis +Majolier: + + +Who, says Martha Savory, was indeed rejoiced to see us after all his +anxiety. But, she continues, great as was our mutual satisfaction at +meeting, I am inclined to think it would have been better if this plan had +never been proposed, as it was a means of preventing some movements which +might have tended much to our relief; and his mind was in such an anxious +state about home that he could not give himself to anything that might +have opened at Geneva or Lausanne (to which I expected to return), but +begged us, very earnestly, to return with him to Congenies, as soon as +possible.-- + +(_Letter to E. Dudley_.) + + +They found the religious world at Geneva in a state of convulsion. + + +The secret poison of infidelity, says J.Y., has a good deal sapped the +principle of real religion; and the clergy of the Established Church have +preached a doctrine tending to Socinianism. A few young ministers have +boldly come forth and separated themselves, and are determined, in the +midst of persecution, to preach Christ and him crucified. Some of these +seem to have gone to the opposite extreme, for they hold too strongly the +principles of predestination. It is a remarkable time in this +neighborhood, as well as at Lausanne, where many are awakened to seek more +after the substance of religion. + + +At Geneva they formed a friendship with several persons, among whom were +Pastors Moulinier and L'Huillier, and Captain Owen, an Englishman. With +the last-named they were united in close bonds of religious affection; +they were enabled to administer to his spiritual wants, and he was forward +to render them assistance in every possible way. + + +The journey from Geneva to Nismes was tedious, occupying more than a week. + + +On approaching Nismes, John Yeardley says, the beautiful olives and +vineyards, together with the wild rocky aspect around, form a pleasing +sight; and to see them pruning, digging and dunging about the trees, +reminds one of the relations of Scripture history. + + +At Nismes they went to see the amphitheatre:-- + + +From the top of which, says J.Y., we had a view of the city and the +surrounding neighborhood, which is indeed beautiful. The great number of +olives, vines, fig-trees, &c., excite a train of ideas pleasing and +indescribable. + + +In travelling through Switzerland John Yeardley had been often brought +into a low state of mind, and on approaching Congenies, the final object +of the journey, his heart was stirred to its depths. It is very +instructive to observe what were his feelings in reaching a place to which +his mind had been, so long directed. + + +The road, he says, was better, and the outward prospect a little +enlivening; but it is not easy to describe the feelings my mind was under +in approaching a place which has so long occupied my thoughtfulness to +visit. The prospect is discouraging, but I must be content and sink down +to the spring of life, which can alone make known the objects of duty and +qualify for their fulfilment. In the midst of all my spiritual poverty a +stream of gratitude flows in my heart to the Father of mercies, that he +has been pleased to preserve us in many dangers, and bring us safe to this +part of his heritage; and if it should be his will that I should have +nothing to do but to suffer for his name's sake, may he grant me patience +to bear it. + + +Martha Savory's feelings on the same occasion were also those of deep +gratitude for the preservation experienced during their journey, united, +she says, with an humbling sense of many omissions and great unworthiness, +yet of help having been mercifully administered in the time of +need.--(_Letter of 2 mo. 10, 1826_.) + +Edward Brady was spending the winter at Congenies for the sake of his +health, and his society was a source of no little comfort to John +Yeardley; who, however, still, frequently labored under spiritual +depression. + + +Before dinner, he writes under date of the 23rd of the Twelfth Month, we +took a walk to M.S.'s windmill, from whence we had a fair view of +Congenies and the neighborhood, which is of a wild description. On +reflecting on the place and circumstances connected with it, my mind was +filled with various ideas, but none of them of an encouraging nature. + + +His discouragement was increased by ignorance of the language, and, with +his accustomed diligence, on the morrow after his arrival he commenced +learning French. On the recurrence of his birth-day, which was nearly +coincident with the beginning of the year, he says:-- + + +I am once more entered on a new year of my life, I fear without the last +having been much improved; and to form resolutions of amendment in my own +strength can avail me nothing. May He who knows my infirmities assist me +to overcome them and to become more useful in his cause. My discouragement +still continues; I don't feel those refreshing seasons which I have often +experienced in times past; the pure life is often low in meeting, and I am +not so watchful and diligent to improve my time and talent as I ought to +be. I often feel as one already laid by useless, and the language of my +heart is, "O that I were as in days past!" + + +Soon after their arrival at Congenies, Martha Savory met with a serious +accident. Thinking a ride would be beneficial to her health, when the rest +of the party drove one afternoon to Sommieres, she accompanied them on +horseback. She had not a proper saddle, and her horse being eager to keep +up with the carriage set off downhill at so rapid a rate as to throw her +to the ground. The cap of one knee was displaced by the fall, and, +although she soon recovered so as to be able to walk, the limb continued +to be subject to weakness for some years. + +As soon as M. S. was sufficiently recovered, she and her companions +visited the Friends at Congenies and the neighboring villages from house +to house, and also assembled on one occasion the heads of families, and on +another the young people of the Society. In reviewing a part of this +service John Yeardley says:-- + + +3 _mo_. 6.--It has been a deeply exercising time, but has tended much +more to the relief of our minds, at least as regards myself, than I had +anticipated. From the discouraged state of mind I passed through for the +first few weeks at this place, I expected to leave it burdened and +distressed, but am thankful to acknowledge that holy help has been near to +afford relief to my poor tossed spirit, and I have cause to believe it is +in divine wisdom that I am here. + + +On the 13th of the Third Month they took leave of their friends at +Congenies to return to England, being accompanied by Edward Brady, and +during part of the journey by Louis Majolier. By the way they had some +religious intercourse with Protestant dissenters at a few places; but at +St. Etienne, where they had expected to remain a fortnight, they found the +door nearly closed to their entrance; a company of pious persons in this +town were at that time so nearly united with Friends as to bear their +name. + + +These, says John Yeardley, in a letter, are now reduced to about twenty in +number. They have suffered and still suffer much persecution from the +Roman Catholics. They are forbidden by heavy fines to meet together, +except in very small companies. We met them several times in their small +meetings to much comfort; there are a few among them who have stood firm +through the heat of trial, and these are precious individuals. The priests +are exceedingly jealous. On our arrival in the town we held our little +meeting with, these pious people on First-day morning; the priest came to +the house of the woman Friend where we had been to demand who we were and +where we lodged, and said it was we who had caused them to err, and he +would convince us in their presence that we were not only in error +ourselves, but had led them into error also. But we saw nothing of him, +and left the place in safety, which we considered a great favor; for such +has been their rage that they have dared to shoot at some missionaries who +have been in the neighborhood (_Letter to Thomas Yeardley, 4 mo. +19_.) + + +The rest of the journey through France was in general dreary, the external +accommodation being bad, and the consolation of spiritual intercourse very +scanty. At Arras, however, they were refreshed by the company of a +Protestant minister, a liberal and worthy man, who had "to stand alone in +a large district of weak-handed Protestants among strong-headed +Catholics." + +Arriving at Calais, Martha Savory and Martha Towell, with Edward Brady, +crossed over to England, leaving John Yeardley to follow at a later +period. On the 14th of the Fourth Month he writes:-- + + +My dear companions left for England. I watched them from the pier until I +could bear to stay no longer, and then returned sorrowfully to my +quarters, and soon repaired to the little retired lodging we had engaged +for me in the country, where I spent a few days in learning French, &c. In +taking a retrospect of our long journey I feel a large degree of peaceful +satisfaction in having been desirous to fulfil (though very imperfectly) a +religious duty; and these feelings of gratitude excited a wish that the +remainder of my few days might be more faithfully devoted to the service +of my great Lord and Master. + + +The little lodging of which he speaks was "a retired chamber on the +garden-wall;" and having left it for a few days to go to Antwerp with the +carriage and horses which they had used on the journey, on his return it +had already acquired, in his view, something of the character of home. + + +The beautiful green branches, says he, modestly looking in at the window, +give me a silent welcome; and the little birds chirruping in the garden, +which is my drawing-room and study. I cannot but acknowledge how grateful +I feel in being permitted to rest in so quiet a retreat, shut up from many +of those anxious cares which have perplexed the former part of my +life.--(_Diary, 4 mo. 27_.) + + +The last few words of this memorandum may seem at first sight to refer to +his temporary seclusion from the world in his little hermitage at Calais; +but there is little doubt that they have a wider significance, and contain +also an allusion to his anticipated union with Martha Savory. The prospect +of this union seems to have sprung up during the journey, and to have +become matured before they separated at Calais; and the effect of it was, +amongst other things, to set him free from the necessity of pursuing +business any longer as a means of livelihood, and to ensure to him a +provision sufficient for his moderate wants. + +On the 12th of the Fifth Month, John Yeardley left Calais for London. At +the inn in Calais, a little incident occurred, the relation of which may +be useful to others. + + +A serious Frenchman, who was going on board the same packet, was struck +with my not paying for the music after dinner, and was much inclined to +know my reason, believing my refusal was from a religious motive. At a +suitable opportunity he asked me, and confessed he had felt a scruple of +the same kind, and regretted he had not been faithful. This slight +incident was the means of making me acquainted with an honest and +religious man, as I afterwards found him to be. + +How important it is to be faithful in very little things, not knowing what +effect they may have on others! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY. + +1826-27. + +During his stay in London, John Yeardley attended the Yearly Meeting, and +the Annual Meetings of the School, Anti-slavery, and other Societies, with +which he was much gratified. Soon after the termination of the Yearly +Meeting, he went into Yorkshire to see his mother. + + +6 _mo._ 13.--I left London in the mail for Sheffield, and on the 14th +slept at my dear brother Thomas's at Ecclesfield, who took me on the 15th, +to Barnsley. I was truly thankful to be favored to see my precious mother +once more. On the 19th, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Highflatts. It +is not easy to describe the various thoughts which rushed into my mind on +seeing so many Friends whom I had known and loved in former days. The +meeting was a much-favored time, although we felt the want of some of the +fathers and mothers who are removed. + + +In the next entry there is an allusion to the disastrous commercial panic +by which this year was distinguished. + + +7 _mo._ 24.--Have been very low and deserted in mind for a long time +past. It is a time for the trial of my patience, and yet I have many +favors for which I ought to be truly thankful. It is a precious privilege +to be relieved from the commercial difficulties which at present abound in +the trading world. May it be my lot ever to keep so, if consistent with +the divine will. + +8 _mo._ 21.--Monthly Meeting at Wooldale. The meeting was exceedingly +crowded with strangers; there was not room in the house to hold all who +came. I had been very low all the morning, and to see such a number of +people at the meeting sunk me low indeed. I was enabled to turn inward to +Him from whom help alone comes; and blessed be his holy Name, he did not +forsake me in the needful time, but was pleased once more to give strength +and utterance to communicate what came before me. My certificates from +Germany and Congenies were read and accepted, and many Friends expressed +much unity and sympathy with me on my return to them, which was a comfort +and strength to me. + + +On the 1st of the Ninth Month, he again went to London. During his stay in +the city, he took the opportunity of visiting the Industrial Schools at +Lindfield, founded by William Allen; a kind of institution which always +engaged his warmest sympathy and approbation. + +With the new turn which was given to the course of his life by his +betrothal to Martha Savory, it is not surprising that he should have +considered his residence abroad to be brought, in the order of Divine +Providence, to a natural termination, and that he now turned his attention +to taking up his abode again in his native land. In selecting a place of +residence, he seems to have had no hesitation in making choice of the +neighborhood of Barnsley; the spot, as the reader may remember, which +seemed to him, when he was obliged to remove to Bentham, as that which had +the first claim upon his gospel services. The state of his mind, whilst +preparing his intended residence at Burton, the same village where he used +to attend meeting in his early days, may be seen by the following +memorandum:-- + + +9 _mo_. 26. _At York_.--It was a large Quarterly Meeting. Living +ministry flowed freely, and I thought even poor me was a little refreshed: +but I have been for a long time in a deplorable state, in a spiritual +sense. + +Since the Quarterly Meeting, my time and thoughts have been much occupied +in fitting up our intended residence at the cottage at Burton; and I may +truly say, I have been cumbered about "many things," which, I think, has +kept my mind in a poor, barren state. O the many weeks that I have had to +sit with my mouth in the dust to bemoan my own inward misery! My conflict +of mind has been increased by the trying state of my precious mother's +health. My attendance on her in this poorly state, and at this season of +the year, when I lost my poor dearest Bessie, reminded me strongly of my +dear departed lamb. + + +Before his marriage with Martha Savory was accomplished, he was called +upon to attend the deathbed of his mother, and to follow the remains of +his father to the grave. + + +11 _mo_. 16.--On the 3rd I left the cottage, and took my luggage to +go from Barnsley by the coach to London. Stepped down to take leave of my +dear mother, but found her so weak that I could not at all think of +leaving her; and was indeed glad that I did not go, for the dear creature +continued to grow weaker and weaker till a quarter past three o'clock on +Seventh-day morning, 4th of Eleventh Month, when she peacefully breathed +her last. She was fully sensible to the close, and also fully sensible +that her end was near. + +Her precious remains were interred at Burton on the 7th, after a meeting +appointed for the occasion at Barnsley. In her room, before we left +Redbrook [where she had resided], I was enabled to petition the throne of +mercy for a little help and strength through the remainder of the solemn +scene, which, I think, was in a remarkable manner granted. After having +paid the last tribute of affection and duty to our endeared parent, +fourteen of our dear friends and relations dined with me at the cottage. +It is remarkable that the opening of our residence should be in this awful +manner; but we were much comforted in feeling in the midst of all our +sorrow, the greatest degree of peace and quietude on the solemn occasion. + +On Fourth-day, being the day after we had taken leave of our precious +mother's remains, I went with my brother and sister to see our poor dear +father, who had been ill in bed about two weeks. We arrived about seven +o'clock; but, to our great surprise, about an hour before we reached the +place, our beloved father had fallen asleep, never to wake more in this +world. This was indeed awful, but the Judge of the earth must do right. We +attended the interment on First-day, the 12th. The meeting-house at +Woodhouse was pretty full, and a good and tendering meeting it was. It +felt hard work to labor among a number of worldly-minded people; but I +have learned to consider it one of the greatest of privileges to be +appointed to service, even though attended with suffering. Since this time +my poor mind has felt more tender and more susceptible of good. O that it +may continue, and that I may remain humble and watchful for the time to +come, and live prepared for that awful change which I. know not how soon +may be sent to my dwelling!--(11 _mo_. 16.) + + +On the 18th he pursued his journey to London, and on the 21st, at +Gracechurch-street Monthly Meeting, he presented his intention of marriage +with Martha Savory. "In a private interview at Elizabeth Dudley's," he +writes, "Richard Barrett and E. Dudley expressed their full unity with our +intended union, in terms of much interest and encouragement." On the 13th +of the Twelfth Month the marriage took place at Gracechurch-street +Meeting-house. + + +The time in silence, says the Diary, was very solemn, and acceptable +testimonies were borne by William Allen and Elisabeth Dudley. After +meeting we adjourned to the Library to take leave, where a stream of +encouragement flowed to us from several of our dear friends, which felt +truly strengthening. About twenty of our friends and relations dined at +A.B. Savory's at Stoke Newington. The day was spent, I trust, profitably, +and on parting, about seven o'clock, we had a comfortable time, and +something was expressed by my M. and self, and dear W. Allen. After taking +a very affectionate leave, we posted on to Barnet. My brother Thomas and +J.A. Wilson took us up the next morning; and we four came down in the +coach to Sheffield, and [the nest day] to Ecclesfield to dinner, and +arrived at our humble cottage the 15th of the Twelfth Month, I trust with +thankful hearts. + + * * * * * + + +It is appropriate to give in this place some account of Martha Savory's +character and Christian experience. That our notice is brief and +incomplete, is owing to the loss of most of her own memoranda, and of the +letters she addressed to those with whom she was on intimate terms. She +possessed, it will be seen, an intellectual character and disposition, as +well as an experience, very different from those of her husband. It does +not follow, however, that this dissimilarity was a hindrance to their +joint service in the gospel, any more than to their social harmony and +love. It may be, on the contrary, that Martha Savory's quickness of +understanding and of feeling, the readiness with which she apprehended the +sentiments and condition of others, her conversancy with the allurements +of city life, and the perils of unbelief from which she had been rescued, +fitted her in a peculiar degree to be her husband's helper in the +ministry, especially in their travels on the Continent. + +She was born in London in 1781, and was the daughter of Joseph and Anna +Savory. To an active and vigorous understanding she united a strength of +will which would brook little control, together with much energy and +fearlessness; and the propensity to follow the vain inclinations of the +unregenerate heart displayed itself in an indulgence in much that was +inimical to the restraints of Christian principle. Her disposition was +generous; all her emotions were ardent, and were seldom subjected to the +discipline of a corrected judgment. There were, however, various +occasions, even in her very early years, when, through the visitations of +heavenly love, her mind was forcibly aroused to a conviction of the need +of redeeming grace. She was particularly impressed by the preaching and +influence of William Savery, whose home in London was at her father's +house. In some memoranda of this period, she remarks, "Frequently in the +meetings appointed by him, I was greatly wrought upon by his living +ministry;" and notwithstanding that she subsequently wandered far from the +way of peace, there is good ground to believe that the remembrance of +those truths which had penetrated her heart through the instrumentality of +this gospel messenger, was never altogether effaced. + +Being naturally endowed with a lively imagination and a taste for +literature, she sought to suppress the upbraidings of conscience in +intellectual pursuits, and employed much time in the composition of verses +that were merely a transcript of visionary and romantic ideas, afterwards +published under the title of "Poetical Tales." This volume obtained but a +limited circulation; for, soon after it had issued from the press, the +conviction that it had been an unhallowed and unprofitable exercise of her +understanding was so impressed upon her spirit, that, although the +sacrifice was considerable, she caused all the unsold copies to be +destroyed. It is interesting to observe how, in later years, this talent +for metrical rhythm, which had been so misapplied, became consecrated, as +were all her faculties, to the promotion of piety and virtue. + +During the long period in which her mental energies were thus misdirected, +a cloud of darkness enveloped her spirit. She had, when about nineteen +years of age, imbibed sceptical views in reference to the truths of +revealed religion; and as she seldom read the Holy Scriptures, and was +almost a stranger to their sacred contents, her imagination pictured an +easier way to escape from the power and the consequences of sin than in +that self-renunciation which the Gospel enjoins. In some memoranda of her +experience, she says, in reference to the snares by which her mind was +entangled:--"I was led to a love of metaphysical studies, and fancied I +discovered, with clearness, that human vice, and consequently human +misery, sprang from ignorance of the nature of virtue, and that if mankind +would become instructed they would become good; and that it was only +necessary to behold virtue in its native beauty, to love it and to +practise it. O how fallacious was this reasoning! 'The world by wisdom +knows not God; the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of +God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because +they are spiritually discerned.'" + +At length, however, when, in 1811, Martha Savory had completed the +thirtieth year of her life, she became deeply impressed by the conviction +that she was wandering on the barren mountains of doubt and error; and +through the renewed visitation of divine love, the light of the Sun of +righteousness again shined into her heart, and its humbling influence +brake the rock in pieces. Some circumstances occurred that were +instrumental in promoting this great change. She was introduced into +frequent communication with some honored servants of the Lord, +particularly with the late Mary Dudley, and her daughter Elizabeth. An +attack of indisposition prostrated her bodily strength, and afforded +opportunity for serious reflection. Whilst from this cause confined to her +chamber, a young person (Susanna Corder), with whom she was only very +slightly acquainted, but to whom she was ever afterwards united in an +intimate and confidential friendship, was attracted to visit her. The +interview was a memorable one; the overshadowing wing of goodness and +mercy being permitted to gather their spirits under its blessed influence. +On her recovery from this illness, Martha Savory paid a short visit to her +new friend, which afforded an opportunity for the manifestation of +continued deep Christian interest; and, on her quitting the house, Susanna +Corder put into her hand a copy of the "Olney Hymns." When she had +proceeded a few steps towards home, she opened the book, and without +noticing even the title, instantly cast her eyes on the lines, "The +rebel's surrender to grace," commencing-- + + + "Lord, Thou hast won; at length I yield; + My heart, by mighty grace compelled, + Surrenders all to Thee; + Against thy terrors long I strove, + But who can stand against thy love? + Love conquers even me." + + +She was deeply affected by the remarkable application of the whole of the +hymn to the experience which she was then passing through; she could not +refrain from weeping, and to avoid the observation of passersby, she +walked through secluded streets, giving vent to her emotion; and she +afterwards repeatedly expressed her belief that there was, in this +apparently casual incident, a divine interposition and guidance; "for," +said she, "_every word_ of that hymn appeared as if purposely written +to describe _my_ case, so that I could scarcely read it from the many +tears I shed over it. It is no exaggerated picture." + +She now spent much time alone, almost constantly reading the Bible; and so +precious was the influence that operated on her spirit, whilst thus +employed, and so wonderfully were the blessed truths of the gospel +unfolded to her understanding, that, as she expressed it, "every page of +it seemed, as it were, illuminated." Sustained by the joy and peace of +believing, she was enabled to follow in faith the leadings of the Holy +Spirit, and, through divine strength, to become as a whole burnt sacrifice +on the altar of that gracious Redeemer, who had, in his rich mercy, +plucked her from the pit of destruction. Having had much forgiven, she +loved much, and shrunk not from the many and deep humiliations which were +involved in such a course of dedication to her Lord. Even her external +appearance strikingly bespoke her altered character. There had always been +in her countenance an expression of benevolence, but it had not indicated +a gentle or diffident mind. In her demeanor and personal attire, she had +conspicuously followed the vain fashions of the times; but now, humility, +with a modest and retiring manner, marked her conduct; everything merely +ornamental was discarded, and the softening, effect of a sanctifying +principle imparted to the features of her face a sweetness which, +impressing the beholder with a consciousness of the regenerating power +that wrought within, was, to more than a few of her acquaintance, both +arousing and instructive. She changed her residence from Finsbury to the +borough of Southwark, and settled near her friend Susanna Corder, with +whom she united in the formation of a philanthropic association, +"The Southwark Female Society for the relief of sickness and extreme +want." The late Mary Sterry, and several other estimable members of +Southwark meeting, together with benevolent individuals among the +different religious denominations of the district, soon joined them, and +the society became a highly influential channel through which assistance +has been variously rendered to many thousands of the indigent poor; and it +still continues, though with a reduced scale of operations, to be an +important source of help to the sick and destitute. + +Martha Savory devoted to this work of mercy much time and personal +exertion; but a more important service was also designed for her. She felt +constrained to give evidence of her love to Christ by a public testimony +to the grace which had been vouchsafed to her through Him who is "the way, +the truth, and the life." Deep were the conflicts of spirit which she +endured ere she could yield to this solemn requirement, but "sweet peace" +was, she says, as she records the sacrifice, the result of thus +acknowledging her gracious Lord. "This step," she continues, "appears to +me to involve the greatest of all possible mental reduction, but I +reverently believe it was necessary for me, and mote, perhaps on my own +account than on account of others; for, without this bond, and the +necessary baptisms attending this vocation, I should have been in danger +of turning back, and perhaps altogether losing the little spiritual life +which has been mercifully raised." She adds a fervent petition for +preservation and guidance, and that, by whatever means, however suffering +to nature, the vessel might be purified, and fitted for the Master's use. +She first spoke as a minister in the year 1814. The humiliation and +brokenness of spirit which marked these weighty engagements, were felt by +many, especially among her youthful friends, to be peculiarly impressive, +as tokens of the soul-cleansing operations of omnipotent love, and as an +awakening call to yield to the same regenerating influence. + +She was acknowledged as a minister by Southwark Monthly Meeting, in the +year 1818, when she had reached the age of 36; and in 1821, with the +cordial approval of the meetings of which she was a member, she commenced +that course of missionary labor in the gospel, to which she was +subsequently so much devoted. Her mission, on this occasion, was to +Congenics, where, and in the surrounding villages, she remained twelve +months. + +A letter to one of her sisters, written a few years after her marriage, so +fully represents her religious sentiments, and the doctrine she was +concerned to preach and maintain, that it may not improperly conclude this +outline of her mental and religious character. + + +Burton, 13th of Twelfth Month, 1830. + +I read thy remarks, my endeared sister, on the present state of things +amongst us, with much interest, from having had corresponding feelings +frequently raised in my own mind in this day of general excitement on +religious subjects. + +It remains to be a solemn truth that nothing can draw to God but what +proceeds from him; and whatever may be the eloquence or oratory of man, if +it be not the gift of God, and under his holy anointing, which always has +a tendency to humble the creature and exalt the Creator, it will in the +end only scatter and deceive. It has long appeared to me that true vital +religion is a very simple thing, although from our fallen state, requiring +continual warfare with evil to keep it alive. It surely consists in +communion, and at times a degree of union, with our Omnipotent Creator, +through the mediation of our Holy Redeemer. And seeing these feelings +cannot be produced by eloquent discourses or beautiful illustrations of +Scripture, but by deep humiliation and frequent baptisms of spirit, +whereby the heart is purified and fitted to receive a greater degree of +divine influence; seeing it is produced by daily prayer, by giving up our +own will, and seeking above all things to do the will of our Heavenly +Father, surely there is cause to hope that those who are convinced of +this, and who have tasted of spiritual communion through this appointed +means, will never be satisfied with anything however enticing which, if +not under the influence of the Holy Spirit, may well be compared to +"sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." + +I am far from confining this influence to the ministers of our little +Society, but assuredly believe that those who are brought under the +immediate teachings of the Spirit, under every profession, will be more +and more convinced that they cannot preach to profit the people, in their +own will and at their own command; and that as true and spiritual religion +prevails they must in this respect come to us, and not we go to them. Yet +still it is certainly a day of much excitement, and of danger especially +to the young and unawakened, and there never was a time when the members +of our Society were more loudly called upon to watch unto prayer both on +their own account and on account of others, humbly to implore, not only +that the Holy Spirit may not be taken from us, but that a greater +effusion of it may be poured upon us as a body, that so we may all be made +and kept alive in Him in whom is life, and the life is the light of men. I +believe this would be much more our experience, if the things of this +world were kept in subjection by fervent daily prayer and the obedience of +faith, which remain to be the means pointed out by our gracious Redeemer, +of communion with the Father through Him. What can be more pure than the +profession we make to be guided by the Holy Spirit? and if we really are +so, we shall be concerned to maintain this daily exercise of heart before +the Lord, and yet become what I reverently believe is his gracious will +respecting us, and _all_ under every name who are thus guided and +have become living members of the Church of Christ, even that we should be +as lights in the world, or a city set upon a hill which cannot be hid. + + * * * * * + +The dwelling which John and Martha Yeardley occupied was on the highest +ground in the village, commanding a wide and cheerful prospect, and +overlooking, on the western side, the valley of the Dearn and the +conspicuous town of Barnsley, which, notwithstanding the smoke that +envelopes it, stands out in fine relief on the opposite hill. Their +cottage adjoined the Friends' burial-ground; and just on the other side of +the wall reposed the remains of Frances Yeardley, on the site formerly +occupied by the meeting-house.[5] + +The house, says Martha Yeardley in a letter to her sister R. S., is warm +and comfortable, though at best what Londoners would esteem a poor place. +We feel quite satisfied with it; and when we get our garden in order, and +a cow and a few chickens, it will be equal to anything that I desire in +this world. To-day the snow has disappeared, and John is very busy with +his garden.--(1 _mo_. I, 1827.) + + +John and Martha Yeardley did not remain long idle in their new position. +In the First Month, 1827, they received a "minute" for visiting the +meetings in their Monthly Meeting; and in the Second Month they commenced +a tour amongst the meetings in some other parts of Yorkshire. These duties +occupied them until the 19th of the Fourth Month. We may extract from the +Diary recording the former of these engagements, a brief note of their +visit to Ackworth School. + + +1 _mo_. 20.--Lodged at J. Harrison's. On First and Second-day +evenings had some time of religious service with the young people at the +school, and felt much united in spirit to this interesting family. On +Fourth-day, Robert Whitaker accompanied us to Pontefract, and we were +comforted in his company, for we felt poor and weak--much like children +needing fatherly care. + +Among John Yeardley's notes made during the more general visit, we meet +with a memorandum which may be taken to mark a stage or era in his +Christian experience. The daily record of religious exercise and feeling +which is so useful to many in the hidden season of tender growth and +preparation for future service, is less likely to be maintained--and, it +may be, less necessary--in the meridian of life, when the time and +strength are taken up with active labor. + + +3 _mo_.--I could write much as to the state of my mind, but have of +late thought it safer not to record all the inward dispensations which I +have to pass through. I feel strong desires to be wholly given up to serve +my great Lord and Master, and that I may above all things become qualified +for his service; but the baptisms through which I have to pass are many, +and exceedingly trying to the natural part. Nothing will do but to rely +wholly on the Divine Arm of Power for support in pure naked faith. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1827-28. + +PART I.--GERMANY. + +After John and Martha Yeardley had visited their friends at home, their +minds were directed to the work which they had left uncompleted on the +continent of Europe; and, on their return from the Yearly Meeting, they +opened this prospect of service before the assembled church to which they +belonged. + + +(_Diary_) 6 _mo_. 18.--Were at the Monthly Meeting at +Highflatts, where we laid our concern before our friends to revisit some +parts of Germany and Switzerland, and to visit some of the descendants of +the Waldenses in the Protestant valleys of Piedmont; and, on our way home, +our friends and some other serious persons in the Islands of Guernsey and +Jersey. Our dear friends were favored to enter most fully and feelingly +into our views, and under a precious solemnity, a general sentiment of +unity and concurrence spread through the meeting, which constrained them, +(as the certificate expresses it) to leave us at liberty, accompanied with +warm desires for our preservation. Hearing the certificate read brought +the concern, if possible, more weightily than ever upon me, and a secret +prayer was raised in my heart that we might be enabled to go through the +prospect before us to the honor of Him who has called us into his work. + + +They attended the Quarterly Meeting in the latter part of this month, and +returned by way of Ackworth, where, says John Yeardley, + + +We had a comfortable parting with dear Robert and Hannah Whitaker, in +their own room. E.W. has passed with us through the deeps, and has indeed +been a true spiritual helper to us under our weighty exercises of mind. + + +On the 8th of the Seventh Month they set out, and on the 17th attended the +Meeting of Ministers and Elders in London. + + +The Morning Meeting was a precious and refreshing time to our poor tried +minds. There was a very full expression of near sympathy and entire unity +with us in our intended religious service. It is a strength and +encouragement not only to have the concurrence of our friends, but also to +know that we have a place in their prayers for our preservation and +support in every trying dispensation. + + +On the eve of their departure from London, a circumstance occurred of a +very disagreeable character. The shop of their brother, A.B. Savory, in +Cornhill, was broken open; many valuable articles were taken, and their +travelling trunks, which had been left there, were ransacked. Although +their loss was trifling, the annoyance of such a contretemps may easily +be conceived. J.Y. says:-- + + +It is far from pleasant thus to be plundered of any part of our property; +but I consider it as much the duty of a Christian to bear with becoming +fortitude the cross-occurrences of common life as to be exercised in +religious service. + + +They left London on the 22nd, for Rotterdam. On their arrival, a +disastrous occurrence happened which gave a shock to their feelings. The +manner in which J.Y. mentions the event evinces his tenderness of mind in +commencing a long journey, in which his vocation was to be to sympathise +with the poor and afflicted. + + +Since we landed safely on shore a circumstance has occurred which has +brought a gloom over us. One of our shipmen being busy about the sails, +part of a beam fell from the top-mast and struck him on the head. He never +spoke more, but died instantly. He has left a widow and two children, not +only to weep for him, but also to feel bitterly his loss in a pecuniary +way. We intend to recommend their situation to some of our benevolent +friends in London. My heart is much affected in having to commence my +journal on a foreign shore by recording such an afflicting event. And, as +it regards ourselves, how much we have which calls for thankfulness that +we have so mercifully escaped. + + +From Rotterdam they directed their course to Pyrmont, passing through +Gouda, Utrecht, Arnheim, and Muenster; at the last place they were laid by +from the heat and weariness. They reached Friedenthal on the 4th of the +Eighth Month, and John Yeardley makes the following reflections on +re-entering his German home:-- + + +As I find myself again in this country, many thoughts of former days +spring up in my mind. Since I was last here I have passed through much; +nevertheless the Lord has guided my steps, and I have cause to give Him +thanks. + + +They visited Minden and the little meetings around, bestowing much labor +on them; but at Pyrmont, to suffer, rather than to do, was their allotted +portion. + + +It sometimes seems to me, writes J.Y., that we have in this place little +to do and much to suffer. I am often cast down, and have to sit in silence +and darkness. This state of mind is an exercise of faith and patience, +through which much may be gained if it is turned to right account. + +Of the Two Months' Meeting, he says: + + +On the whole a favorable time. But I am not without my fears that the +little Society in this place will lose ground, in a religious sense, if +more faithfulness is not manifested in little things. + + +Soon after their arrival in Germany they turned their steps towards the +north-west corner of that country, and the borders of Holland. The object +of this journey was to visit some places on the shores of the North Sea, +near Friesland, where the inundations of 1825 had caused great desolation, +and where a new colony had been formed by the government from among the +ruined families. This little journey was so emphatically, an act of faith, +and the course of it lay so much through a part of Europe seldom visited +by travellers, that we shall transcribe the diary of it without much +curtailment. + + +9 _mo_. 4.--Having for sometime felt an impression to visit +Friedrichgroden and other places on the store of the North Sea, near the +confines of East Friesland, we set out from Pyrmout in company with our +dear friend Louis Seebohm, travelling with extra-post in our own carriage. +We found this a pretty expeditions way of travelling for this country, +being able to make about fifty-five English miles a day. Between Oldendorf +and Bueckeburg, we experienced a remarkable preservation from danger. Our +postillion being a little sleepy, had not sufficient care of the reins, +and the horses suddenly turned off towards an inn, but missing the turn, +instantly fell into a deep ditch, one horse quite down, and the other +nearly so; the carriage wanted only a few inches further to go, and then +it would have come upon the horses, so that a few plunges must have upset +the whole concern. We sprang instantly out, and set the quiet animals +free. The man was so frightened he could scarcely step from, the box. The +whole affair did not last more than a few minutes, when we were on our way +again, with great cause for thankfulness to the Preserver of our lives. +The driver was so honest in acknowledging his fault, that I gave him his +_trinkgeld_, and our friend L. S. gave him some advice. We got well +on through Minden to Diepnau and lodged there. + +Next morning set out about seven o'clock, and that day travelled late to +reach Oldenburg, which we accomplished at about one in the morning. Next +morning we were in a dilemma which way to take to find our place of +destination. The landlord was kind in sending out several times to gain +information, but in vain: at length there came into the room a deaf and +dumb man who frequented the house, and who, when he knew our inquiry, +immediately wrote down the particulars of the place, and explained it by +signs on the table. We left two books for this intelligent man for his +kindness, and set forward. Dined at Varel, and had two poor tired horses +and an awkward driver to Jever. We gave him several severe lectures +without much effect; at length we came to a small inn on the road, where +he made a stand, and said he could go no further without two more horses, +which we really believed was true, for if he had not got them we must have +stuck in the sand. The horses being procured we got to Jever about eleven +o'clock. + +Here was a good inn, and we rested pretty well; but in the morning +discouragement took hold of my spirits in a way that I have seldom +experienced. I was ready to conclude we were altogether wrong and out of +the way of our duty; but forward we must now go to see the end of this +exercising journey. The country about Varel and Jever is remarkably +fertile in pasture. The cows handsome, rolling in abundance of grass, and +pretty much the whole country had the appearance of ease and plenty; in +Varel we saw the poor-house, a building capable of containing 400 persons, +and only four individuals were there. The inhabitants live in simplicity, +but also in the general ignorance and indifference as to religion. I was +exceedingly low in mind on the way, but felt once more that we were in our +right place, and my precious M. Y. encouraged me by saying we should not +go there in vain. On opening the Bible, I was comforted in turning to +Psalm lxxviii. 12-14. + +After having thus travelled some days, as it were in the dark, we arrived +at Friedrichen Siel, near Carolinen Siel, in which neighborhood, on the +border of the North Sea, lie Friedrichgroden, New Augustengroden, and New +Friedrichgroden. It is a tract of land gained from the sea of about ten or +twelve hundred acres, banked round in three divisions, and made arable, on +which are built about twenty farmhouses, which form almost a new world. +This land is the property of the government; a small sum is paid on +entering, and a yearly ground-rent, and then it is the property of the +purchaser for ever. + +As soon as we stepped on the banks of one of these _grodens_, and I +set my eye on one of these retired abodes, I felt no longer at a loss +where we should go or what we should do. It opened suddenly on my mind as +clear as the sun at noon-day, that we must remain here a day or two and +visit these new settlers in their dwellings. Accordingly we drove to the +inn at Carolinen Siel. On asking for a map of the surrounding country, one +was put into oar hands containing a plan of the places which had suffered +so severely by the floods in the spring of 1825; which rendered those +people much more interesting to us. + +After dinner we commenced our visit, and called on a young man and his +sister who live on one of the farms, and have about seventy acres of land. +They received us with a hearty welcome, and entered into friendly +conversation. The house was one of the first on New Augustengroden, built +in 1816, [swept] down by the water in 1825, and rebuilt the same year. He +was an intelligent young man, and answered many inquiries which we made. + +Finding the distance might be too great to walk, next morning we procured +horses, and started about seven o'clock, taking from our small stock of +books one for each family. We commenced intercourse with them by first +interesting ourselves about their families and domestic concerns, not +unmindful of every suitable opportunity to turn the conversation on the +subject of religion, which is too much neglected by most of them. They are +of the Lutheran profession; but the church being at some distance, they do +not regularly attend. Most of them have as many as six children, and some +eight, with fine countenances. We felt deeply interested, particularly for +the mothers, some of whom are tender-spirited, amiable women, and wept +much in the opportunities we had with them. Their late afflictions have +made on some a deep impression, and it was a time when, I trust, such a +visit might be of advantage. In the floods, several had their houses swept +away; and one lost thirty-six head of cattle, and had to drag his children +out of the water naked, and take refuge on the tops of the houses. But the +most touching case was that of a man who lost his wife and five children, +his father, mother, and servants. They were sent away in a waggon, as a +means of escape; but the waggon was swept away by the torrent, and all +perished. The husband, who was left alone in the house, got to land on +some boards, part of the wreck of the house, and expected to find his +family safe; what must have been his feelings when he found they had all +perished in the deep! We felt truly prepared to sympathise with them, and +think they were sensible of our visit being in the sincere love of the +Gospel. Their kindness towards us exceeded description. In going from +house to house, one of them seeing us in the field, and not knowing our +errand, thought we had missed our way, and came running almost out of +breath to set us in the road. When he found that our visit was intended +to him, he seemed overjoyed, and conducted us to his home and his +interesting wife. His name is Friedrich Fockensllammen. He soon showed us +all that was in his house and barns; and I may say he was equally ready to +tell us all that was in his heart. We could not get away without taking +coffee with 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 +the poor-house. We were informed that near Norden there is a colony for +thieves and gipsies, who are sent to this place and compelled to build +themselves huts and cultivate the land. They are strictly watched by the +police, and severely punished when they attempt to go away without leave. + +We had a long and tedious ride, through deep sand, to Leer. On our arrival +we made inquiry about Fredericks-Oort, but could obtain no intelligence, +nor could we find it on the maps which we borrowed for examination. This +was very discouraging; for I had hoped, if it was right for us to go, we +should find some one to give us certain directions to it. I slept but +little, and next morning set again to work, and found there was a Jew in +the town who travelled much in Holland. I desired he might be sent for; he +came, and immediately gave us directions where to find the places we +wanted. + +I ought not to omit remarking the comfortable feeling that I was favored +with, riding from Wittmund to Aurich [on the way to Leer]. In reflecting +in stillness where we had been and what we had done, I felt not only peace +and inward satisfaction, but thankfulness filled my heart that we had been +thus far enabled to do what we believed to be in the way of our duty. This +Scripture language passed through my mind: "Blessed are ye that sow beside +all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass." (Isa. +xxxii. 20.) + +11_th_.--Left Leer about eleven o'clock in the morning, and expected +to arrive at Assen at eleven or twelve at night, but to our great +disappointment we travelled the night through, and only reached Assen at +seven next morning. At Wehndam on our way we rested the horses. Our friend +L.S. went for an hour to bed, and my M.Y. and self sat in the carriage and +would have slept, but there came so many admirers of our vehicle that we +could not sleep for their almost continual remarks about its elegance, +convenience, &c. + +This part of Holland is fruitful; the houses are clean and neat; and the +dress of the women very singular. Their caps have a plate of silver or +gold on each side almost like a helmet, and sometimes very costly. At the +inn at Nieuweschans [on the borders of Germany and Holland], the cook had +one of these golden helmets which had cost about 150 florins. + +In these flat countries they have no spring water; the land lies so much +below the sea that all is impregnated with salt. Rain water is used for +drinking, and the method of preserving it is in a deep reservoir lined +with boards and puddled with clay. I was surprised to find it kept good so +long: it is seldom known to go bad. One of the farmers on the Grodens drew +water out of his well and handed me a glass to drink; it had a yellowish +tinge, but except this I never saw clearer and have seldom tasted +pleasanter spring water, and the beat tea I ever drank was made from rain +water so preserved. One thing which contributes to its quality is the +great surface of tile which it has to run down, and which tends to filter +it. + +The mode of manuring the land is similar to that practised in Brabant, and +the produce proves that it is excellent; for no better meadows, or corn +land in a higher state of cultivation are to be seen than in some parts we +have lately passed through. + +The cows, when fresh in milk, are milked three times a day, by which means +more milk is obtained than in the common method; any one wishing to make a +fair experiment of this must try it not for two or three days only, but +for a week or ten days. + + +John and Martha Yeardley found the institution at Fredericks-Oort of a +deeply interesting kind. It was Established by private benevolence to +improve the condition of the poor, and to relieve the country from +beggars, and was commenced in 1818. The poor families which are placed +there are employed, some in manufacture, some in cultivating the soil, and +every means is made use of to encourage industry and provident habits. +When our friends visited the colony, it comprised 2900 souls, including +the staff by which the institution is worked, and which is necessarily +numerous. They thought the method of instruction in use in the schools +excellent, and found that religious liberty was strictly respected. + +From Fredericks-Oort they went on to Ommershaus, where is the poor-house +and penal colony belonging to the former institution. Thirteen hundred +beggary, orphans, and criminals were then in the colony. + + +How much, remarks J.Y., such an institution is wanted in England; every +inducement is held out for improvement in civil society, and a most +effectual check placed against vice and idleness. + + +The travellers fared badly in Holland, and they were rejoiced to "set foot +again in honest Germany, where they know how to use strangers with an +honest heart." They returned through Bentheim and Osnabrueck, and arrived +at Pyrmont on the 19th. Here they spent ten days in resting, and in +preparing to pursue their journey through South Germany. + +On First-day, the 30th, they took leave of their friends. + + +First-day, says John Yeardley, was a solemn time, both at meeting and at +the reading in the afternoon; I hope both my M.Y. and I were enabled to +clear our minds. In the evening we took an affectionate and affecting +leave of them all; it was to me particularly trying. I could not refrain +from weeping much. + + +Not much occurs in the diary to claim attention, until they reached +Friedberg, not far from Frankfort. + + +10 _mo_. 7.--Sat down to our little meeting, after breakfast, and +reading, on First day morning. It was to us both a season of deep feeling. +My dear M.Y. was so filled with a sense of our own weakness, and the +Almighty's goodness towards us in a wilderness travel through a dark +country, that she knelt, and was enabled to pour forth a heart-felt +supplication for a precious seed of the kingdom in the hearts of the +people among whom we were; and also that He would in his tender mercy +remember us his poor instruments, and in the right time cause light to +break forth on our path, preserve us in the way we ought to go, and make +us willing to suffer for the sake of his suffering cause: to which my +heart said, Amen! + + +At Frankfort they formed acquaintance with J.H. von Meyer, ex-burgomaster +of the city, a learned and pious man, who had made a new translation of +the Bible into German, and had stood firm for the cause of real +Christianity in the midst of much declension. In the afternoon they drove +to Offenbach to see J.D. Marc, a Christian Jew, who had earned experience +in the school of suffering. He said, amongst other things, that he could +never preach but when he believed it to be his duty, and then he could +declare only what was given him at the time; this he considered to be the +only preaching that could profit the hearers. His views on the inutility +of water baptism were so decided, that when converted Jews asked him to +administer to them this rite, he told them he could not recommend it, for +it would do them no good. He gave them many names of awakened persons in +the Palatinate:-- + + +Where, says John Yeardley, there is still a lively-spirited people who hold +meetings for religious improvement; perhaps the descendants of those who +were visited by W. Penn in former days. + + +The next day they returned to Frankfort, and made the acquaintance of +Pastor Appia, a Piedmontese, who, with his wife, was very friendly; and +when he heard that they had left their own land to visit his native +country, marked out a route for them, and gave them letters of +introduction. "When I am with such good people," observes J.Y., in +relating their interview with Appia, "I am always uneasy in my mind that I +am not more worthy. May the Lord strengthen me!" + +On the 10th, they went to Darmstadt, where they met with several +enlightened Christians. One of these, Leander van Ess, had been a Roman +Catholic priest; and although a zealous promoter of Christianity in the +face of persecution, and favored with a more than ordinary degree of +spiritual light, he had thought it right not altogether to forsake that +communion, but remained amongst the Romanists to do them good. He had +translated the New Testament for their use. At parting with his new +friends he embraced them, gave them his blessing, and wished them a +prosperous journey. "I felt myself," says J.Y., "comforted and +strengthened by this visit." + + +On the way to Heppenheim, he continues, (to which place they next directed +their course), I felt quiet, in mind, and was once more assured that we +were in the way of our duty. As I thought of the difficulties which might +await us, these words were brought to my remembrance, "Touch not mine +anointed, and do my prophets no harm." + + +Crossing the Rhine, at Mannheim, they stopped, on the 12th, at Duerkheim, +where they became acquainted with Ludwig Fitz, a man of a frank and +inquiring disposition. + + +For three years, writes J.Y., he has held meetings in his house; in the +commencement he had to suffer no little persecution. On his entering our +room he observed that it was the Lord who had thus brought us together. I +have scarcely been half an hour with you, he said, after a while, but it +seems as if I had known you for seven years. He, with his wife and +daughter, took us to call on a Mennonist, a pious man, who holds firmly by +Baptism and the Supper. He soon began to speak on these points. I replied +to what he said as well as I could, maintaining that in Scripture there +are two baptisms spoken of; that, as the soul of man is spiritual, it can +be reached only by that which is spiritual, and that therefore I did not +see the necessity of maintaining that which, is outward. He said he +desired to possess the former, and not to neglect the latter. As to the +Supper they both advanced is proof of the observance being good, that +often, whilst using it, they experienced inward joy and refreshment. I +said we must not limit to a certain time or place this joy in the Lord, as +if the use of the Supper only were the cause of it. The gracious Lord is +ready at all times to sup with us, and to refresh the sincere and cleansed +soul, and make it joyful in him. We took leave of each other in love; I +said we did not travel for the purpose of turning people from one form to +another, but with the desire only that they might all be brought nearer to +the Lord. It was pleasant to me that Fitz's wife was with us; during the +conversation she remained still and weighty in spirit. + +We inclined to attend the evening devotion at Fitz's, but prefaced our +request with the hope that they would not be offended if we did not take +part in their observances. This was immediately granted; and Fitz said, I +feel that your spirit is true and sincere, and I have unity with it. When +their service was ended, we asked them to remain a while in silence, and I +trust may say we were enabled to utter what was required of us in +testimony and supplication. + +In Duerkheim there are eleven converted Jews, who dare not meet except in +secret for fear of the rabbins. One night the rabbins attempted to take +away their bibles and other books, but they received a hint of their +intention, and sent the books to Fitz's house. One of them, a servant +girl, as soon as she heard that some Christian friends were come into the +town, went to Fitz's, and took up one of the books we had given him. She +read a little in it hastily, put it in her bosom, and ran home. Her +curiosity and love of the truth impelled her to come to our hotel, and +wait unobserved in the hall to catch a glimpse of us as we came out. We +felt much for these awakened ones of Abraham's offspring; their oppressed +condition rested much upon our hearts; but as we had no opportunity of +conversing with them, I wrote a few lines from Friedelsheim to the young +woman, and sent them with some books by Fitz, who accompanied us to that +place. _Tuke's Principles_ finds much entrance among the awakened +Jews. + + +Travelling through Spires, Carlsruhe, and Pforzheim, they came on the 16th +to Stuttgardt, where they found Henry Kienlin, of Pforzheim, who, as the +reader will remember, had won so large a place in their love and esteem on +their former journey. + + +He not only, says John Yeardley, professes our principles, but bears a +clear and fearless testimony for them. His wife is of the same mind with +him, although she does not yet show it in the simplicity of her dress. + +On the 18th, we set out in company with our good friend to Ludwigsburg to +see the prison. There are about 600 prisoners, of both sexes, for the most +part employed in labor. Order and cleanliness prevail, and the food is +good. The governor, Kleth, is a worthy, pious man; he himself reads the +Holy Scriptures to the prisoners, and endeavors to promote their spiritual +improvement. When we entered a room in which were a number of men, they +rose, and stood serious and quiet as though they expected we should +address them; and for a short time the love of God was felt amongst us in +an impressive manner; but nothing was given us to utter. + + +It will be recollected that when John and Martha Yeardley were at +Stuttgardt in 1826, they met with the Pastor Hoffman, and that they +desired to visit the institution at Kornthal, of which he was the +director, but were obliged to forego this visit in order to hasten forward +to Basle. They now prepared to discharge this debt of Christian love. +Kornthal is situated four miles from Stuttgardt; it was founded in 1819 by +dissenters from the Moravians and Lutherans, and consisted in 1825 of +about seventy families. J. and M.Y. went there on the 19th. + + +We were received, says the former, in a brotherly manner by the Director +Hoffman. On entering the room we were informed that their pastor had died +the night before; but instead of sorrow there seemed to be joy. This +society holds it for a religious duty to rejoice when any of their members +are favored to enter a state of endless bliss. This is religious fortitude +which but few possess, but I believe it is with them sincere, for in going +over the institution with the Director, I observed they spoke of it as a +matter of holy triumph. + + +No meeting was held with the members of the establishment during this +visit; it was left for J. and M.Y. to attend the usual evening assembly on +First-day, the 21st; and they were informed that it would be an occasion +on which any present who were moved by divine influence might freely +relieve their minds. + + +At three o'clock, J.Y. writes, we set off to Kornthal under most trying +feelings; I do not know when I have suffered so much from discouragement. +On account of the death of the pastor, many were come to attend the +interment which was to take place the next day. This caused the meeting to +be large; not less than 700 persons were present, and among them six or +seven pastors. The service commenced with a few verses; the first words +were these:-- + + + "Holy Spirit come unto us, + And make our hearts thy dwelling-place." + + +I can truly say I was awfully impressed with their meaning, and a secret +prayer rose in my heart that it might be experienced amongst us. After the +singing, a silence truly solemn ensued, and I intimated that I felt an +impression to say a few words. When I sat down our kind friend the +Director summed up the substance of what I had said, and repeated it in an +impressive and becoming manner. He did this with the idea that some +present who only understood Low German might not have clearly got the +sense; however, we were told afterwards that they had understood every +word that I had said. Hoffman generously acknowledged to the hearers that +what had been delivered was strictly conformable with Scripture doctrine, +and that he united most fully with it. + +Next morning the children being assembled for religious instruction, at +the conclusion I requested they might remain awhile, and I had a few words +to say to them, which was a relief to my mind. Hoffman asked if they had +understood; they almost all answered, Ja, ja, ja. + +This visit has afforded an opportunity of our becoming acquainted with +many serious characters out of the neighborhood who were come to the +interment; many of them felt near to me in spirit. Hoffman's wife is a +precious, still character; there is much sweetness in her countenance. All +received us heartily in Christian love; it felt to me as if it were the +night before one of our Monthly Meetings, and I was at a Friend's house, +so much freedom was to be felt. The inn is kept by Hoffman; they would +make us no charge, saying love must pay all. We were most easy to make a +present to the box for the institution, but they would have refused it, +saying feelingly, Travellers like you have many expenses. + + +The cause for J.Y.'s peculiar discouragement in the prospect of this +meeting was the want of an interpreter. Any one who knows the difficulty +of public speaking or continuous discourse in a foreign language, will +comprehend the anxiety which he felt when he saw no alternative but that +of committing himself to preach in German. Though very familiar with the +language, he never completely overcame the want of early and of thoroughly +grammatical instruction in that difficult and intricate tongue. It was +with feelings of this kind that he penned the following memorandum before +going to Kornthal:-- + + +18_th_.--Extremely low in mind and in want of faith. No creature can +conceive what I suffer in the prospect of having to speak in a foreign +tongue in a religious meeting. + + +At Stuttgardt they took leave of their endeared friend, Henry Kienlin. + + +It is, says J.Y., hard to part; but every one must follow his calling, +and mind only the direction of the Lord. + + +On quitting Stuttgardt, John Yeardley makes a few remarks regarding the +religious state of Wuertemberg. + + +22_nd_.--Wuertemberg is a favored land. In Feldbach, three hours from +Stuttgardt, there are about 800 Christian people who hold meetings in each +other's houses: some of them belong to the Kornthal Society. Years ago, +many emigrated to America and Russia, to gain religious liberty; now it is +granted them by their own Government. + + +On the 22nd, they journeyed to Tuebingen, where they visited the worthy +Professor Streundel. + + +He was surprised and shy when we entered, as if he wanted to say, The +sooner you take leave the better. But as soon as he knew where we came +from, his countenance changed, and he received us heartily. He had his +wife called--a very polite person. He asked many questions as to our +church discipline, &c.; the order of our Society pleased him much. He had +undertaken the study of divinity from an apprehension of duty, and said +that it was only by the assistance of the Holy Spirit we could be made +instrumental in the ministry. + + +On the 25th they came to Wilhelmsdorf, on the Lake of Constance, where is +a branch of the Kornthal Association. They found the director "a man of +great simplicity, but of inward worth." + + +He was, continues John Yeardley, six years in Kornthal, and seems to be +sensible of the importance of the situation he fills, and of his +incapability to be useful to others unless assisted by divine grace. He +read our certificate attentively, and said, in a weighty manner, Yes; one +Lord over all, one faith, one baptism. We found they have no regular +preacher, but meet for worship every evening and on First-day mornings. We +were desirous of seeing them together, and they were pleased to find such +was our intention. The bell was rung, and in a few minutes the whole +colony assembled, about two hundred, with children. Much liberty was felt +in speaking among them; and some of them appeared to be sensible of the +value of true silence, and from whence words ought to spring; many shed +tears under the melting influence of divine love which was so preciously +to be felt amongst us. We took an affectionate leave, well satisfied in +visiting this little company, to strengthen them to hold up the cause of +their Lord and Master, in the midst of darkness. Within about thirty +English miles there are none but rigid Roman Catholics, not one +Evangelical congregation. At our departure my wife said: "These words +arise in my mind for thy comfort: Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." + +At the inn where we stopped at Wilhelmsdorf, we were spectators of an +occurrence rarely to be seen. Among the laborers who dined there, the one +who had finished first read a chapter from the Bible to the rest. When all +had done eating, one offered a prayer; and then all went quietly back to +their work. This practice shows at least the sincerity of their hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1827-28. + +PART II.--SWITZERLAND. + +On the 27th of the Tenth Month John and Martha Yeardley crossed the Swiss +frontier to Schaffhausen, where their presence was welcomed by several +pious persons. Amongst these were a young woman, Caroline Keller, who from +a religions motive had altered her dress and manners to greater +simplicity, and John Lang, Principal of the United Brethren's Society. In +a social meeting convened on the evening of their arrival, J.L. directed +the conversation to the principles of friends, and J. and M.Y. explained +the views held by the Society on silent worship, the ministry, and the +disuse of ceremonies. + + +The [French] language, says J.Y., was difficult to me; but by the grace +of God I was helped, and they were quite ready to seize the sense of what +we endeavored to convey. The love of God was felt among us, and the +Principal said, at parting, that he had not before been so impressed with +our views. I sent him Tuke's "Principles," and he told me yesterday he was +attentively studying it. My dear M.Y. told me it had been given her to +believe we were in our right place, and that we were called by religious +intercourse to bear witness for our Lord and Master and his good cause. + +I am afraid, he remarks in a letter in which he describes their service at +Schaffhausen, I am afraid thou wilt think me too minute in my details; but +really when I enter into the feeling which accompanied us in these visits, +it seems as if I could scarcely quit it. + + +They spent the 29th at Schaffhausen in close Christian communion with two +pious families. To C.K. particularly, at whose house they dined, they felt +so nearly united, that they scarcely knew how to part from her. + + +We have cause to be thankful, says J.Y., for our visit to Schaffhausen; +but if we were more faithful we should be more useful. Our friends were +quite inclined for us to have had a meeting with them, but we were too +fearful to propose it. O vile weakness! + + +On the 31st they saw the Agricultural School for poor children at Beuggen. +Amongst the boys were twelve young Greeks, who were being instructed in +ancient and modern Greek, and in German. They had been sent to Switzerland +by the German missionaries, and most of them had been deprived of their +parents by the cruelty of the Turks. It was the intention of their +benefactors that they should return to Greece to enlighten their +countrymen. Their religious instruction was based simply upon the Bible, +without reference to any particular creed. + + +In the Greek school, writes John Yeardley, we observed a serious man about +thirty years of age, who had the appearance of a laborer, learning Greek. +This was a little surprising, and led us to inquire the cause. The +inspector readily gratified us: and gratifying indeed it was to hear that +this poor man had given up his work of ship-carpenter, from pure +conviction that he was called to go and instruct the poor Greeks at his +own expense. He is intending to spend the winter in learning the modern +Greek, and to proceed in the spring to Corfu. He intends to provide for +his own living by working at his trade, and he will take for instruction +about four boys at a time, and as soon as he has brought them forward +enough, set them as monitors over others. Some time ago two young men were +sent out by the Bible Society to Corfu; but before they reached the place +of their destination they were deterred by the missionaries on account of +the unsettled state of the country, and dared not proceed further for fear +of losing their lives. It is remarkable that, at the juncture when these +two young men were turned back by discouragement, this poor man should +receive the impression to go to the same place. We desired to have an +interview with him, and he was instantly sent for to the Inspector's room. +After a few remarks which opened for us to make to him, he confessed he +had no peace but when he thought of giving up to this feeling of duty, and +that when he looked towards going he felt happy in the prospect of every +hardship. It was remarked that, as this call was made from above, the +great Master alone could guide his steps; he appeared fully sensible from +whom his help must come. He is beloved by his employers, and has an +excellent certificate from the pastor, of his moral and religious +character. + + +On the 2nd of the Eleventh Month they went to Zurich, and the same day +drove out over a very bad road to Pfaeffikon to visit the Herr von +Campagne. + + +We had a cold wet journey, but the good old man gave us a hearty welcome +to his house. He is seventy-six years of age. He asked us pleasantly how +we came to think of visiting an old man who was on the brink of the grave. +He had heard much of Friends, and wished, he said, to become personally +acquainted with some of the Society. He is a most benevolent character, +but we could not unite with all his religious views; he does not think it +necessary to meet for religious worship; in short, his principles are much +the same as those held by Jacob Boehmen. + +We slept at his house, and next morning returned to Zurich, where we +called on our particular friend Professor Gessner and his family, and we +rejoiced mutually to see each other again. + + +In the afternoon they called on Pastor Koch, tutor to the young Prince of +Mecklenburg, who was at that time in Switzerland, and the next morning, +First-day, as they were holding their little meeting for worship, the +Prince himself, with Herr Koch and the Herr von Brandenstein, gave them a +visit. The Prince spoke English; and J.Y. says:-- + + +I had a strong impression to speak to him in a serious way, which I was +enabled to do at some length. On parting he held me with both his hands in +mine, and said, "I thank you, sir, for your kind and instructive +communication; I shall never forget it so long as I live." + +A little before twelve o'clock, he continues, came our kind young friend, +Hannah Gessner, to accompany us to the ancient and worthy Bishop Hess. He +is in his eighty-seventh year, but lively in spirit and active in mind. He +is uncommonly liberal in his religious opinions, and his enlarged heart +seemed to overflow with Christian love towards the followers of Christ +under every name. He treated us as a father, and I felt instructed in +being in his company. He gave us his portrait as a token of respect and +friendship. + +In the evening we took tea with Professor Gessner's sister, Lavater, in +company with seven of the professor's daughters and sons, who are all +serious persons. After some conversation on the order and ministry of our +Society, it was proposed by dear Hannah, through her aunt, whether we +would like to have a Meeting or the Scriptures read. After a portion of +Scripture had been read silence ensued, in which my dear M. Y. and I said +what was on our minds in testimony and supplication. It is a time of +precious visitation to some of them. We felt sweet unity with Pastor +Gessner, and believe him to be a gospel minister. On parting he took me in +both arms, and said, in such a feeling manner that the words went to my +very heart, "The Lord bless thee, and put the words of his wisdom into thy +mouth." + + +On the 6th they went to Berne, and the next morning they inspected +Fellenberg's institution at Hofwyl. + + +It is, says John Yeardley, what it professes to be, for education in the +fullest extent of the word, to give to those committed to their care an +education suited to their circumstances and their future prospects in +life. There is a first-rate boarding school, for young gentlemen; a middle +school, for tradesmen, &c.; a [boys' and] girls' poor school of industry, +for those who can pay nothing.--(_Letter to Josiah Forster_.) + + +To J.Y. the most interesting department of this institution was the school +of industry for poor children, in which at that time a hundred boys were +clothed and educated. He describes at some length, and with evident +approbation, the system on which the school was conducted; but adds, "I +cannot say much as to religious instruction." + +From Hofwyl they proceeded through Lausanne to Geneva, where, being +desirous of improving themselves in French, and the season not permitting +them to travel, they hired a lodging, intending to remain two or three +months. + +As on their former visit, they held frequent intercourse with pious +persons, several of them well known in the Christian world; such as +Gaussen, Bost, and L'Huillier. Of Theodore L'Huillier. minister of the New +Church, John Yeardley says:-- + + +Though a moderate Calvinist, he embraced us at once on the broad principle +of Christianity. We became acquainted with him two years ago, but think +him now much deeper in the root of real religion. + +11 _mo_. 19.--We called yesterday evening on our dear friend Owen, +and met there a pious lady, Fanny Passavant. We had much serious +conversation, I hope to profit, at least to our own minds; for we were +given to see a little the importance of the situation in which we stand, +and the necessity of being, in our intercourse with these religious +persons, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. + +1828. 1 mo. 13.--We have had much satisfaction in becoming acquainted with +Ami Bost. He was one of the first who bore testimony to the light which +broke forth in the corrupt church of Geneva, and he suffered much in +defending the doctrines of the New Church. In Germany he was, with his +wife and six or seven children, driven from town to town by the police, +for holding religious meetings in his house, and for refusing to have his +children baptised. His sentiments in the office of the ministry and the +appointment of preachers, are in perfect unison with those of Friends; +also on the ordinances of the Supper, &c. + +1 _mo_. 20.--During the greater part of our stay at this place I have felt +my mind extremely poor, but a secret desire and prayer has been maintained +to be preserved in patience, believing it to be as necessary to learn to +suffer as to do. And although it is apparently little we can do here, we +have felt repeatedly the assurance that it is the ordering of Best Wisdom, +and as such we are well satisfied. + +After our little morning meeting we went to dine with dear Captain Owen, +and spent the remainder of the day with a few religious friends there. +When the evening reading was finished, we had a solemn time under the +seasoning influence of divine love. Our hearts were too full for any +religious communication, except supplication, which was offered both by my +dear M.Y. and myself. + + +Martha Yeardley also gives an account of this meeting, and of a visit they +paid to the Female Prison. + + +Before our departure for Lausanne and Neufchatel, a relation of Mary Ann +Vernet's kindly attended us to the female prison, and introduced us to +others of the committee; and in the evening we had a religious opportunity +with the few confined there, during which they evinced much feeling. Our +interesting companion told us the next morning that she trusted the +circumstance would be blessed to them. We had also a very interesting +opportunity at Charles Owen's the evening before we left, at which was +present, as often before, a very precious friend of ours, of the name of +Fanny Passavant, a single woman, very rich, yet who lives in great +self-denial, and gives almost all she has to feed the poor. She is what +they call in this country a very _interior_ character; which means +one that cherishes the inward life. In her company we often felt baptized +together, and she gave us strong recommendations to some of the same class +at Neufchatel, who are desiring to learn in the school of +Christ.--(_Letter to Elizabeth Dudley_.) + + +At the expiration of their sojourn in Geneva, they did not, as they had +expected to do, proceed to the valleys of Piedmont, but, as the last +extract intimates, turned their steps towards Neufchatel. The motives +which influenced them in this change of purpose are described by John +Yeardley, in a letter to his brother, of the 11th of the Second Month, +1828. + + +In my last to thee I signified our intention of departing for the valleys +of Piedmont, which did not take place. After due consideration of the +subject for more than two months, in a state of humble resignation to be +directed aright in this important matter, we did not feel it press with +sufficient weight on our minds to warrant our moving in the face of so +much difficulty as is at present in the way. We have always considered our +safety in such engagements to depend on taking step by step in the fresh +light afforded; and it is a favor to know when and where to stand, as well +as when to go forward. + + +While the way to Piedmont was thus for a time obstructed, a door was set +open for them in a part of Switzerland which they had not yet visited. +From John Yeardley's reflections before they left Geneva, it would appear +that in the discouragement they felt in the prospect of a long journey +through France, they were little aware of that plentiful repast of +spiritual food which was to be served to them before they would have to +cross the Jura. + + +In looking towards the long journey before us, writes J.Y., I have been +much discouraged, almost fearing to depart from this place without first +being favored with more quietude of mind, which I was this morning favored +to feel in a greater degree than has been the case for a long time. In my +last solitary walk to La Traille, I was led to pray in secret for +preservation on our journey, and almost to ask an assurance of protection, +but received for answer, "Go, in faith." + + +On the 21st of the First Month, they left Geneva and went forward to +Lausanne, where they were again refreshed with the society of some +spiritually-minded persons. + + +23_rd_--We visited several of the pastors. We found M. Fevaz, +minister of the Seceders in this place, very interesting, humble, and +spiritual. He related to us, in much simplicity and candor, that in the +commencement of their separation they were strenuous to preach doctrinal +sermons, but now they had been favored to see the necessity of preaching +purification of heart through the operation of the Spirit. + +Called on ---- Gaudin, who keeps a boarding-school in a beautiful +situation near the town. We had not been long in the company of him and +his dear wife, before we felt much contrited together, and had a precious +religious opportunity. At parting, the dear man, with myself, was quite +broken into tears. We left with him, as well as with the others, Judge +Hale's "Testimony to the Secret Support of Divine Providence," which we +had translated, and had got printed at Geneva. + +On the 24th they proceeded to Neufchatel. This was a memorable visit. + + +We soon found cause, writes John Yeardley, to believe the Great Master had +been before us, to prepare the way in the hearts of many to receive the +doctrine he has mercifully enabled us to preach. Our dear F. Passavant had +given us a letter of introduction to Auguste Borel, a man of few words, +but of a remarkably weighty and sweet spirit, who received us with the +greatest affection. He has lately separated from the national worship, and +retires in silence in his own chamber. He soon made us acquainted with a +few others of a similar turn of mind. + + +Martha Yeardley, describing the commencement of their religious service in +this place, says:-- + + +We were invited to a meeting which we felt most easy to attend, and my +husband was given full liberty to speak if he felt inclined; but for a +while the usual activity of their meetings--such as singing, commenting on +texts with Calvinistic explanations, &c.--entirely closed our way. But +before they separated I ventured to request, in the name of my husband, +that such as inclined would favor us with their company a while longer, +and rest a little in silence. Nearly all remained, and under a solemn +covering he addressed the company, while I translated in much fear, yet +ventured at the end to say a few words for myself. Several of the company +attended us home, and expressed much satisfaction: and from this time a +door was opened to us at Neufchatel in a very remarkable manner. They +flocked to our inn at all times in the day and in considerable numbers, +many acknowledging, in the course of very interesting conversation, that +they thirsted for something more satisfying than mere doctrines +continually repeated--something that would preserve from evil, that would +cleanse the heart, that would bring into nearer communion with the +Saviour.--(_Letter to Elizabeth Dudley_.) + +On the 27th, continues the Diary, A. Borel conducted us to a meeting with +some _interior_ persons, about three miles from town. It was a time +of close exercise of mind, but ended to satisfaction, and, I hope, to the +edification and strength of some present. The master of the house, +Professor Petavel, said that never until that evening had he been able to +see clearly the beauty and advantage of pure spiritual worship, contrasted +with outward forms. + +After, having taken tea with a large company, our kind guide conducted us +through woods and over mountainous and bad roads to a village, where a +large concourse of people were assembled for worship. A schoolmaster was +speaking on a chapter which had been read: we had full unity with what he +delivered, which was accompanied with a power which convinced us that he +really preached the gospel. After he had done, we were introduced as +religious strangers from England; and silence ensuing, opportunity was +given for us to express what came before us. + +28th.--Some of the most _interior_ told us they had long been +exercised about spiritual worship, and had often wished to see some of the +Society of Friends. On hearing of our intended visit two years ago, they +said if we had come then [we should have found them] wrapped up in +doctrines, but now they were given to see they could not live on the +letter alone, they must be born again, and partake of that bread which +cometh down from heaven. Many of these awakened persons came to our inn at +all hours, and our hearts were filled with love towards them as a cup +overflowing; so that it was given to us to minister to them almost +individually as they came to us. + + +On the 29th they went to Berne, and the following morning walked over to +Wabern, where some of A. Borel's friends resided, who received them with +open arms. + + +After dinner M. Combe drove us in his car to Scherli. We alighted at the +house of one of the peasant-farmers, situated quite among the mountains, +with the Alps fair in view. They received us in the name of disciples with +every mark of love and respect. They were more disposed to sit in silence +than to ask questions. On my asking if they had seen or heard of any of +our Friends, in these parts, one of them, innocently replied, No; we do +not know anything of your religious principles. I then began to explain +them; and when I spoke of our manner of worship, belief, &c., and of some +of our peculiar tenets respecting Baptism, the Supper, &c., it is not +possible to express their emotion; their eyes turned first towards one and +then towards another, and seemed to sparkle with joy, without their +uttering a word till I had done. These were entirely the principles they +held, and about a year ago they separated from the church, about twenty in +number, and attempted to meet for religious worship. This was prevented by +the police; for although, they live in a very remote situation, they are +strictly watched by the pastor, who wishes to compel them to come to his +worship. We were there only an hour or two, but a number of these +innocent-hearted people came flocking to the house, and immediately +settled into a silence truly solemn. We could indeed say our hearts burned +with love towards them. + +Two of these young men came to us the nest day, and spent most of the day +with us. One of them, Christian Speicher, told me he did not know how to +express the satisfaction he felt to hear of a body of professing +Christians in a distant land, who held the same religious principles as +they in their isolated situation had been long seeking after and had been +made willing to suffer for. + +During our stay under this hospitable roof [M. Combe's at Wabern] it was +an open house for all comers, and they were not few. Our spirits were so +united with many of them we did not know how to leave them; but our great +concern was to recommend them to remain with Him who had so mercifully and +powerfully visited them. + + +On the 31st they returned to Berne, and the next day called upon a pious +chimney-sweeper, waiting whilst he changed his sooty clothes. + +We were not a little surprised to hear him of his own accord, without +knowing who we were, declare the same doctrine as we are concerned to +preach. There are a few _inward_ persons who assemble at his house, +and hold the same sentiments. About a year and a half or two years ago, +there was a remarkable awakening in the canton of Berne, and a few here +and there of a more spiritually-minded sort seceded. There is a ferment to +prevent their meeting together, and to compel them to go to the usual +place of worship; but in vain, for nothing but spiritual food can satisfy +their hungry souls. + + +On their return to Neufchatel they visited the celebrated school of the +Moravians at Montmirail, where, says Martha Yeardley-- + + +We soon felt quite at home with a precious, spiritually-minded man, the +master, and his agreeable English wife. This is an excellent institution, +for females only, and several English are there. We were about seventy in +company at dinner, and much sweet feeling prevailed. The master of this +interesting family was delighted to hear something of Friends to whom he +had never before been introduced. + + +At Neufchatel, on First-day (2 mo. 3,) they met large companies in the +morning and evening, and the next morning took leave of their friends in +that city, "deeply humbled under a sense of the great Master's work among +them." They went to Locle under the conduct of A. Borel, whose "kindness +exceeded all description." + + +On the way, writes John Yeardley, we took refreshment at a pious man's +house in the morning, and dined at another friend's, with whom, we had a +precious religious opportunity. It reminded me of the mode of visiting our +own dear Friends in England; we find in the hearts of these visited +children of the Universal Parent genuine hospitality; they hand us of all +they have in their houses in the name of disciples. + +At Locle they were met by Mary Anne Calame, with whom their hearts became +instantly knit in the strongest Christian friendship. + + +She came before we were well alighted. We had heard much of the character +and benevolent exertions of this dear woman but could say in truth the +half had not been told us. Her countenance is strong and impressive, her +hair jet black, cut short, and worn without cap; her dress of the most +simple and least costly kind. Her sole desire seems to be to do the will +of her Lord and Master in caring for 170 poor children, who are in the +institution at bed, board, and instruction. The forenoon was spent in +looking over the schools and hearing the children examined. The house is a +refuge for the lame, blind, deaf, dumb, and sick. Peace and contentment +prevail through the whole. This establishment was commenced about twelve +years ago with five children, and has prospered in a remarkable manner. +M.A.C. is one with Friends in principle, and, as well as some others of +the family, entirely separated from the usual forms of worship. + + +Martha Yeardley, in a letter from which we have already quoted, describes +the origin of the asylum. + + +About twelve years since M.A. Calame believed herself called to form an +institution for orphans and unfortunate children. She associated some +others with her for this object, but having peculiar views on religious +subjects, and more perseverance than her colleagues, she was soon left +nearly alone, with means entirely inadequate to the increasing demands, +viz., about three francs yearly from a very limited number of persons. The +children daily augmented, and she dared not refuse admission: when in +necessity she was encouraged to trust from unexpected donations. This +increased her faith; and after some years, a boys' school was added. In +this way the institution has been supported without any regular funds. + +Her faith is still often very severely tried, but they have never yet been +suffered to want. Her refuge in times of extremity is prayer, and it has +been in some instances very evidently answered, so that she has severely +reproached herself for daring to doubt. In speaking on this subject she +said to me: "I am at times much beset with temptations when I consider the +number I have thus collected without any visible or certain means of +support; but how can I dare to doubt after so many proofs of the care of +the great Master? He knows our wants; he knows these dear children have +need of food and clothing, and he provides it for them; and he knows that +all I desire is to do his will." + +On remarking to her the sweet tranquillity and order which reign in these +schools, she said, "It is the Master's work; they are taught to love him +above all, and to do all for his sake." We felt very nearly united to her +and to an intimate friend who resides with her: they are both what are +called deeply interior characters, and have long withdrawn from the places +of public worship, but fully unite with our views. + +She is really a very extraordinary character, extremely simple and +cheerful in her manners, possessing great natural talents, and evincing in +her conducting of the institution, not only the Spirit, but the +understanding also.--(_To Elizabeth Dudley, 2 mo. 7, 1828._) + + +With Locle, John and Martha Yeardley's mission to Switzerland for this +time terminated. They crossed the frontier into France, and made the best +of their way through that country, in order to proceed to the Channel +Islands. + + +This morning (2 mo. 5,) writes J.Y., Mary Anne Calame and her friend +Zimmerling, with A. Borel, accompanied us two leagues to the ferry, and +saw us safe over into France. This last parting with friends so dear to us +in a foreign land, was very touching; our hearts were humbled under a +sense of the Heavenly Father's love. + +6th.--Passing the custom-house made us late at our quarters, where they +are not accustomed to receive such guests. Their curiosity to see and know +who we are is very great. To prevent French imposition, my M.Y. was to +bargain beforehand for what we had. On asking what the meal would cost, we +were answered they could not tell, for they did not know how much coffee +we should drink. This simple but appropriate reply so amused us that it +put an end to our bargaining. + +I shall not soon forget the sensation I felt on passing the river into +France. I could not forbear drawing the discouraging contrast of quitting +those to whom we had become united in the gospel of peace, in a country +the most beautiful that Nature can present, with a long journey in +prospect through a dreary country whose inhabitants wish only to get what +they can from us. These discouraging fears could only be silenced by +reflecting that the same protecting Providence presides over all and +everywhere. + + +Travelling with their own single horse, their favorite _Poppet_, the +progress they made was necessarily slow, and they did not reach Paris till +the 19th. After spending a few days in that city, they proceeded to +Cherbourg, and arrived there after six days of hard travelling. At this +place John Yeardley writes:-- + + +3 _mo_. 2.--In looking back on our late travels, a degree of sweet +peace and thankfulness covered my mind in the humble belief that our weak +but sincere desires to do the great Master's will was a sacrifice +well-pleasing in his holy sight. In looking forward to the dangers we had +still to encounter, I was led closely to examine on what our hope of +preservation was fixed. Should it please Him who had hitherto blessed us +with his presence and protecting care, to put our faith again to the test, +how we could bear it, how we should feel at the prospect of going down to +the bottom of the great deep. I felt a particular satisfaction that our +great journey had first been accomplished; if this had not been the case +it would have been a sting in my conscience. But now an awful resignation +was experienced, and it came before me as an imperious duty to be resigned +to life or death; and the joyful hope resounded in my heart, All will be +well to those who love not their lives unto death. + + +The presentiment of danger which this passage describes was speedily +fulfilled, as was also the hopeful promise by which it was accompanied. +They were detained at Cherbourg until the 13th, waiting for a vessel. +Leaving port early that morning, they landed in Guernsey the next day; and +it was in going ashore that they were exposed to some danger of their +lives. John Yeardley thus relates the occurrence:-- + + +I descended first into a little boat, and standing on the side to take my +M.Y. down, the man not holding the boat secure to the ship, our weight +pushed it from us, and we plunged headlong into the sea. My dear M.Y.'s +clothes prevented her from sinking, and she was first assisted again into +the boat. I went overhead, and had to swim several turns before I could +reach the boat. The salt water being warm, and the time not long, we +received no further injury. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his +mercies to us, his poor unworthy servants! how often has he made bare his +mighty arm for our deliverance. In the midst of danger fear was removed +from us, and we were blessed with the unspeakable advantage of presence of +mind, and enabled to use the best means under Divine Providence to save +our lives. + +They visited the Friends and a few other persons in Guernsey and Jersey, +and then proceeded to Weymouth, and on the 25th to Bristol. At Bristol +and Tewkesbury they were deeply interested in the state of the meetings, +and had some remarkable service in both places. Taking also Nottingham and +Chesterfield in their way, and being "well satisfied in not having overrun +them," they arrived at the cottage at Burton on the 8th of the Fourth +Month, having been absent about nine months. + + +In the retrospect, say they, of this long and arduous journey, we have +this testimony unitedly to bear,--that the Arm of divine love has been +underneath to support and help us; and although we have had many deep +baptisms to pass through, especially when we beheld how in many places the +fields are white unto harvest, and were fully sensible of our own +inability to labor therein, yet He who, we trust, sent us forth was often +pleased to raise us from the depth of discouragement, to rejoice in him +our Saviour. If any fruits arise from our feeble efforts to promote his +cause, it will be from his blessing resting upon them, for nothing can +possibly be attached to us but weakness and want of faith. But, blessed be +his holy name, he knew the sincerity of our endeavors to do his will, and +has been pleased in his condescending mercy to fill our hearts with his +enriching peace. Amen. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. + +1828--1833. + +On their return home Martha Yeardley was attacked with a severe illness, +consequent probably on hard travelling and bad accommodation during the +journey. + +Under date of the 18th of the Fifth Month, J.Y. writes:-- + + +How circumstances change! Last Yearly Meeting we were in London with the +prospect of a long journey before us, and now my dear Martha is on a bed +of sickness, and I have myself suffered; but through all there is a degree +of peaceful resignation in the belief that all is done well that the Great +Master does, and that what He keeps is well kept. + + +Later in the day he thus continues his Diary:-- + + +This has been a day of great trial on account of my dear Martha being much +worse. My poor mind has been distressed at her weak state: I should sink +under discouragement, did I not consider that He who sends affliction can +support in it, and he who brings low can raise up in his own time, if it +be his blessed will, to which all must be submitted. + + +In the Seventh Month he took her to Harrowgate, where her health became +very much restored, and soon after their return they paid a religious +visit to Ackworth School and to the families of Friends in Barnsley. + + +Some of the opportunities at Ackworth, writes John Yeardley, were seasons +of much contrition of spirit; feeling deeply humbled under a sense of +Divine goodness and mercy in restoring this large family to usual health +after a time of deep affliction. + + +In the latter part of this year they were much occupied in establishing an +Infant School at Barnsley; and also in collecting and remitting +subscriptions to Mary Anne Calame for her Orphan Institution. In +acknowledging to Martha Yeardley one of these remittances, M.A.C. writes +thus: + + +May our Heavenly Father render thee a hundredfold what thy charity has +prompted thee to do for my numerous family of children; and may his +blessing rest on all those who have contributed to it. + +We think of you every day, and we desire to live only to do the holy will +of our God. Your visit has been a testimony of his love towards us; he has +permitted that it should be blessed to us; for the remembrance of you +carries as towards Him who is the finisher of our faith, where we mingle +with you in the unfathomable sea of the divine mercy. + +My large family is much blessed; good and happy tendencies manifest +themselves in many, and in general peace reigns through the house. The +assistant masters and mistresses walk more or less in the presence of the +Lord; the governess [M. Zimmerling] especially grows deeper in the divine +life: she is often ill, but she bears this cross, by the help that is +given her from above, with much submission and faith. + +Last month we had the pleasure of making a little journey to Berne and the +neighborhood, to visit our friends there who love you so much. We heard +that you had both fallen into the sea, and that thou wast ill in +consequence. Thou mayst understand how the wishes of our hearts +encompassed thee; I have felt my soul for ever united to thine in the +Lord; and it seems to me that if my eyes should never again meet thine in +this land of exile, I should speedily recognize thee in the happy mansions +where the goodness of the Redeemer has prepared us a place. O, my sister, +may he bless thee, may he bless John whom he has given thee to accomplish +his work; may he open thy mouth and direct all thy steps, and give seals +to thine and thy husband's ministry, and make you increase together unto +the stature of Christ.--(12 _mo_. 14, 1828.) + + +The entries in the Diary at this period are not numerous: we select from +them the following short memorandum:-- + + +1829. 4 _mo_. 9.--In our usual reading this morning, I was struck +with these words: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything +that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in +heaven." (Matt, xviii. 19.) A fervent desire was raised in my heart that +we might unitedly ask for faith and strength to do the will of our +Heavenly Father, and that his blessing and preservation might attend all +that concerns us. + +In the Fifth Month they attended the Yearly Meeting; and John Yeardley was +present at the anniversary of the Peace Society. + + +5 _mo_. 19.--Attended a meeting of the Peace Society, much to my own +satisfaction. It was truly gratifying to hear from those not in profession +with us, such strong and decided sentiments against all war, as being not +only inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity, but also contrary to +sound policy. I am convinced _public_ meetings are necessary to keep +alive _public_ feeling, as well as to excite individual interest. As +it regards myself, I can say, before attending the meeting I felt but +little concern with respect to this great question. + + +Soon after their return home, they were comforted by the intelligence that +a few of those persons at Neufchatel who had so joyfully received their +gospel message, had found strength to establish a meeting for worship. +This information was contained in a letter from Auguste Borel, from which +the following is an extract:-- + + +He who tries the heart, and who knew the sincerity of my desires, deigned +to hear my prayer on the 24th of February, when, without any previous +understanding, we met four in number at my house at ten o'clock in the +morning. This day is called with us _Torch Sunday_, and is a day of +rejoicing in the world; and, if I ought to say so, during my carnal life +it was to me a day of true pleasure, which I always looked for with +impatience, because of the great bonfires which are then lighted, and +which are seen from our city, illuminating every point of the wide +horizon. It is my hope that the God of love, in the analogy of the +spiritual order of things, may have kindled in our hearts his sacred fire, +and will condescend to maintain and increase it in time and in eternity. +Since that time we have continued our meetings without interruption: our +number has not yet exceeded six or seven. We do not force the work, but, +recognising that it is the Lord alone who has begun it, I feel daily more +and more that He alone ought to direct it. + + +A portion of this summer and autumn was occupied by John and Martha +Yeardley with holding public meetings for worship within the compass of +Pontefract and Knaresborough Monthly Meetings. Amongst the notices in the +Diary of these meetings, are the following:-- + + +8 _mo_. 16.--A public meeting at Wooldale, to which name many more +people than could get into the house. The Friends said they never saw so +large a meeting in that place. Many of those present expressed their +satisfaction by saying they could have sat till morning to hear what was +delivered. It is an easy matter to become hearers of the word; but it was +the doers of the word that were pronounced happy. + +23_rd_.--Meeting at Otley, in the Methodist chapel. It was not very +full, but very solid and satisfactory. The last public meeting in this +place was held in silence, which might probably be the cause of a small +attendance on this occasion. It is bard work to bring the people to see +and feel the advantage of silent worship: the time is not yet come, and +perhaps never may. We must be willing to help them in the way pointed out, +and try to strengthen the good in all; for if they are only brought to the +Father's house, it matters not in what way or through what medium. + + +In the Eleventh Month they returned to the Monthly Meeting the minute +which had been granted them, and received at the same time a certificate +to visit some meetings of Friends in the midland and south-western +counties. + +Before they left home for this journey, they received intelligence that +John Yeardley's early and intimate friend James A. Wilson was no more. + + +11 _mo_. 24.--My heart, says J.Y., is pained within me, while I +record the loss of one with whom I have been for many years on the most +intimate terms. He has long had an afflicted tabernacle and a suffering +mind, which, I believe, contributed to his refinement, and prepared him +for the awful change. He had been recommended to go to a warmer climate, +and had taken up his residence at Glouchester, where he died, which +prevented us from attending him in his last moments. He possessed much +originality of character, joined to sincerity and genuine piety; and I +doubt not he experienced the fulfilment of this promise: "Behold, I have +caused thy iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change +of raiment." (Zech. iii. 4.) + + +On the 11th of the Twelfth Month they left home, and during the next two +months were closely occupied in visiting various meetings from Yorkshire +to Devonshire. + +Their service commenced with an encouraging meeting at Monyash, in +Derbyshire. + + +13_th_.--The first meeting we attended was at Monyash. It was larger +than we had expected, in consequence of strangers coming in, and proved +rather a lively commencement to our spiritual course of labor. + + +On the 14th they held a meeting in the Potteries, in a cottage belonging +to one of the few Friends in the place. Word having got abroad that +strangers were expected, many of the neighbors came in, so that the rooms +below-stairs were filled: it was a refreshing time. They found in the +woman to whom the cottage belonged a bright example of piety and charity. + + +She has been, says J.Y., a cripple from her childhood; but is able to +maintain herself by keeping a school for little children; she is not +unmindful, also, to help her poorer neighbors out of her small earnings. + + +At Bristol, where they arrived on the 1st of the First Month, 1830, they +rested a few days at H. and M. Hunt's. + + +We had, says J.Y. much pleasure in being in this family. Bristol is the +largest meeting we have in our Society in England, and to me it was a very +trying one on the First-day morning. I was much cast down after meeting; +but we staid over the Monthly Meeting on Third-day, which afforded me +relief of mind, and I left with as much comfort as I could well desire. + + +At Plymouth John Yeardley found an object of lively interest in Lady +Rogers' Charity School, established to fit girls for becoming household +servants. He was gratified with the good order, simplicity, and economy, +which pervaded the institution. Martha Yeardley suffered much during their +journey in Devonshire, from the inclemency of the weather; and a heavy +fall of snow on the night of the 17th prevented their leaving Plymouth at +the time intended. In consequence of this, they hired a lodging, and +employed themselves in visiting the Friends from house to house, and in +organising an infant school, which the Friends had long desired to see +established. + +On their return from Plymouth they stopped at Sidcot, where they spent +some time at the Friends' school. Here the subject of offering prizes to +children came under the notice of J.Y., and like all other subjects +connected with education, engaged his serious reflection. + + +It would certainly be better, he says, if the basis of good actions could +be laid in the children's minds on a principle of rectitude and justice, +so that they might be taught to do well from a love of truth, and not from +a fear of punishment or a hope of reward; but so long as human nature +remains unchanged, a check against the one and an incitement to the other +seem to be necessary, as a help to overcome the evil in the mind, until +that which is good shall become predominant. + + +They returned to Yorkshire through Warwick and Leicester, and on reviewing +the journey John Yeardley has the following reflections:-- + + +2 _mo_. 22.--Almost all the meetings we attended on this journey of +800 miles are very small, except Birmingham and Bristol, and the life of +religion is low among the members in general; which is not much to be +wondered at, when we consider that many of those meetings are constituted +[chiefly] of a few individuals who have had a birthright in the +Society--born members but not new-born Christians, without the power or +form of religion, no outward means to excite them to faith and good works. +If they neglect the spirit of prayer in themselves, it is not surprising +they should grow cold in love and zeal for the noble cause of truth on the +earth. But in the lowest of these [meetings] there is something alive to +visit, and in going along we felt the renewed evidence that we were in our +right allotment in thus going about, endeavoring to strengthen the things +that remain; and though we have had to pass through much suffering, both +outward and inward, yet we have also experienced times of rejoicing in +doing the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. + + +After the Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month they visited each of the +meetings within their own Monthly Meeting, "thinking," says J.Y., "a +little pastoral care was due to our Friends at home, seeing we are often +concerned to go abroad." + +In the Fifth Month they went up to the Yearly Meeting, via Lincolnshire, +taking several meetings in the way. Among the subjects which occupied +Friends in their annual conference this year was that of missions to the +heathen, which, it was proposed by some, should he taken up by the +Society. + + +The subject, writes John Yeardley, was fully entered into, and the +interest was very great. Many Friends spoke their sentiments freely and +feelingly, and the subject was taken on minute to be revived nest year. If +this important matter were brought home to each individual of us, there +would be more missionaries prepared and sent forth to labor; but we love +ease and our homes, contenting ourselves with reading and talking about +what is going forward in the great cause of religion and righteousness in +the earth. + + +They returned home through the midland counties, visiting most of the +meetings in Oxfordshire, and in the parts adjacent; which they had been +unable to do the previous year in returning from the West. + +It was comforting to us, John Yeardley says, to be with Friends in +Oxfordshire, whom we had so long thought of. Many of their meetings are +small; but there are a few individuals among them precious and improving +characters, who, I believe, are under the preparing hand for greater +usefulness in the Lord's church. With these we were often dipped into near +union of spirit, which sometimes caused the divine life to rise among us +to the refreshing of our spirits. + + +In the Sixth Month they again left home, being minded to see how the +churches fared in the eastern part of Yorkshire. The point which most +interested them in this tour was Scarborough, where they were attracted +both by the town itself and by the little society of Friends. "It felt to +us," says J.Y., "very much like a home. We lodged at Elizabeth Rowntree's, +a sweet resting-place." (7 _mo_. 4.) + +At the same time that they reported to their Monthly Meeting the attention +they had paid to this service, they received its sanction to undertake a +journey in Wales. + + +It is truly humbling to us, writes John Yeardley, in describing this +occasion, thus to have to expose ourselves, poor and weak as we are; but +the cause is not our own, but is in the hands of our great Lord and +Master. May he help us! (7 _mo_. 19.) + + +They left home on the 7th of the Eighth Month, and spent the 11th at +Coalbrookdale, in the company of Barnard Dickinson and his wife. From +thence Samuel Hughes accompanied them as guide into Wales, and continued +with them a week. + + +He proved, says J.Y., a most efficient helper in this wild country, +knowing the roads well, and he was kind and attentive to us and our horse. +The stages are long and hilly, and we are often obliged to go many miles +round the mountains to make our way from one place to another. The road to +Pales is over the moors; we scarcely saw a house for miles, except here +and there a little cot, on a plot of ground obtained as a grant to +encourage industry. These little dwellings were generally surrounded by a +few acres of well-cultivated land enclosed from the moor. It is much to be +regretted that the plan of cottage culture is not more generally promoted; +wherever I see it practised I view it with pleasure, as tending to +increase the comforts of the poor. + + +On the 19th they attended the Half-year's Meeting at Swansea. A Committee +of the Yearly Meeting was present. Elizabeth Dudley was also there, with a +certificate for religious service; and she and John and Martha Yeardley, +finding that the errand on which they were come was the same, resolved to +join company and travel together through South and North Wales. They were +accompanied throughout the journey by Robert and Jane Eaton of Bryn-y-Mor. + +As there are very few meetings of Friends in Wales, the chief part of +their service was beyond the limits of the Society. They met with great +openness in many places from the Methodists and other preachers and their +congregations. From the notes which John Yeardley made of their religious +labors in this journey, we select several passages. + + +9 _mo_. 13. Aberystwith.--Our first object was to inquire for a place +of meeting. We found they were all engaged for that evening, which +detained us here a day longer than we had expected; but this little +detention enabled us to make acquaintance with two of the Independent +preachers, to whom we became much attached in gospel fellowship, A. +Shadrach and his son. The father preaches in Welsh, and the son in +English. It was comforting to us to meet with two such pious, +humble-minded Christians, laboring diligently to forward the cause of +religion. They kindly offered us their chapel for the evening, and after +the meeting they both expressed much satisfaction in having been favored +with such an opportunity. + +9 _mo_. 15.--We arrived pretty early at Machynlleth, which is a clean +little town. We did not know but that we might have proceeded on our +journey after having refreshed ourselves and our horses; but, E.D. feeling +much interested for the people of the town, it seemed best to have a +meeting with them. I walked out, and seeing a good meeting-house, inquired +to what persuasion of people it belonged, and found it was an Independent +chapel, and that the minister lived about a mile and a half in the +country. + +The prospect of being unable to make the people understand us was +discouraging; for in the streets there was nothing to be heard but Welsh. +However there was no time for reasoning, it being near twelve o'clock, and +all must be arranged by seven in the evening. After some difficulty we +found the preacher, a kind-hearted pious man, who readily granted his +chapel, and undertook to act as interpreter should occasion require. This +was the only place where we adopted the vulgar mode of giving notice by +the town-crier, so common on all occasions in this country; but the time +was short, and many of the people were not able to read our English +notices, which we generally filled up for the purpose. + +The meeting was pretty fully attended, and the people were mostly quiet, +considering there were many who could not understand. When E.D. sat down +the minister repeated in substance what she had said; for, not being used +to speak through an interpreter, she declined his giving sentence by +sentence. When he had done, I felt something press on my mind towards the +poorer classes present, who I was sure could not understand English: so I +stepped down from the pulpit, and placing myself by the minister, +requested he would render for me a few sentences as literally as he could. +This he did kindly, and, I believe, faithfully, to the relief of my mind. +He then addressed a few words on his own account to the assembly and +dismissed them. We regretted the want of the native language, as we could +not have the same command over the meeting as would otherwise have been +the case. + + +At Barmouth, instead of convening the people to hear the word, they had to +exercise a Christian gift of a different kind--the gift of spiritual +judgment. + + +9 _mo_. 19.--On entering Barmouth we thought of a meeting with the +inhabitants; but on feeling more closely at the subject the way did not +appear clear; there was something which we could neither see nor feel +through. This power of spiritual discrimination is very precious. How +instructive it is to mark our impressions under various circumstances and +at different times! + +9 _mo_. 25.--At Ruthin we obtained information respecting the few +individuals at Llangollen who profess with Friends, and set off to pay +them a visit. We arrived at the beautiful vale of Llangollen to dinner, +and alighted at the King's Head Inn, at the foot of the bridge, which +afforded us a fine view of the Dee. There are at present only four or five +persons who meet regularly as Friends. They live scattered in the country, +and are in the humbler walks of life; but we thought them upright-hearted +Christians who had received their religious principles from conviction. We +saw them on First-day morning in the room where they usually meet, and +again in the evening at our inn, and were much comforted in being with +them. The room where they meet is in such [an obscure situation] that we +should never have found it without a guide. We thought it right to procure +them a more convenient room, which we did. + +27_th_.--In the evening we had a public meeting in the Independent +Chapel, which was crowded; there is much openness in the minds of the +people to receive the truths of the gospel. Before the assembly separated, +we proposed to them to establish a school for poor children; several +present their conviction of the want of such an institution, and the +minister was so warm, in the cause that he proposed their commencing +without delay. + +28_th_.--We went to Wrexham, and had a meeting in the evening. The +notice was short, but the people came punctually, and a precious time it +was. After it was over several bore testimony to the good which had been +extended to them that evening, and were ready to cling to the instruments, +inviting us to have a meeting with them when we came again that way. + +This favored time, at the close of our labors among a people whom I much +love, seemed like a crown on our exit from long-to-be-remembered Wales. My +heart was humbled in reverent thankfulness to the Father of all our +mercies, who had graciously preserved us in outward danger, and sustained +us in many an inward conflict. + + +At Coalbrookdale they bade an affectionate and gospel farewell to the +Friends with whom they had been so closely united in this long journey, +and returned to Burton on the 20th of the Tenth Month. + +In the Eleventh Month they made a circuit through Lancashire, taking all +the meetings of Friends in course. They found "several meetings chiefly +composed of such as had joined the Society on the ground of convincement, +mostly in places where no ministering Friend resided." In visiting one of +these small meetings, John Yeardley relates a circumstance in the gospel +labors of his friend Joseph Wood:-- + + +We visited a little newly-settled meeting at Thornton Marsh, near Poulton +in the Fylde. Our worthy friend Joseph Wood had the first meeting of our +Society that was ever held in this part. It is so thinly inhabited that +the Friends wondered at his concern to request a meeting; but one was +appointed for him at an inn, I think a solitary house; a good many poor +people came, and it was a most remarkable time. J.W. said afterwards he +believed there would be a meeting of Friends in that neighborhood, but +perhaps not in his time. It has now been settled about eighteen months. + + +This journey occupied them about two weeks, and on returning home John +Yeardley makes the following animating remark:-- + + +The retrospect of this journey in connexion with that of Wales afforded a +sweet feeling of peace. We were often low and discouraged, but help was +mercifully extended in the time of need. I often wish I had more faith to +go forth in entire reliance on the Divine Arm of power, for truly in the +Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. + + +On the conclusion of this engagement followed a month of quiet but +industrious occupation at home. + + +12 _mo_. 25.--A month has been spent in the quiet, in reading, writing, +and many other things in course. Leisure being afforded, I have spent a +good deal of time in reading diligently and attentively the Holy +Scriptures, I trust to some profit. + + +After this seasonable pause, John and Martha Yeardley were much occupied +with a projected change in their place of residence, which issued in their +removal, in the spring of 1831, to Scarborough. The motive which induced +them to make choice of this place, and the feelings under which the change +was accomplished, are fully unfolded in the Diary. + + +We have for some time been on the look-out for a change in our residence. +Inclination would have led us to remain in our own Monthly Meeting, but a +strong impression that it might be right for us to remove for some time to +Scarborough, has remained with us ever since we visited that place in the +Seventh Month, and has always stood in the way of our fixing elsewhere, +although very often have we tried to put it from us. We were so desirous +to settle at C. [near Pontefract], that only five pounds a year in the +rent saved us from taking the step. It was my prayer at the time, and +always has been, that we might be rightly directed, and I had a hope that +if it was not right for us to go to C. something might turn up to prevent +it. And since we could not agree for the house which was offered us in +that place, we concluded to go for a short time to Scarborough, and try +the fleece there, under the belief that we should then be enabled rightly +to determine. This I hope has been the case, for we had not been many +days, I may say hours, in the town, before we were fully convinced it was +the place for us to settle in. + + +Having made trial of Scarborough, they returned to Burton to arrange for +their removal, which took place on the 7th of the Fifth Month. + +We have now seen John Yeardley for many years in the devoted exercise of +his calling of a gospel minister. It is instructive to follow him, as we +are able to do soon after his removal to Scarborough, into his chamber, +and see how, when alone with the gracious Giver, he was wont to regard the +precious gift; how he lamented that he had not used the talent more +diligently; and how his mind was enlarged to see the grace and power which +the Lord is ready to bestow on those who seek and trust him with their +whole heart. + + +6 _mo_. 8.--The important duty of a gospel minister has this day been +brought closely under my consideration. It is most assuredly the imperious +duty of those who are called to feed the flock, to labor diligently for +the good of others. With respect to myself, I feel greatly ashamed; and it +has occurred to me that should I he cast on a bed of sickness, or +otherwise be deprived of an opportunity of exercising this gift, it would +be an awful consideration, and cause of deep regret, that I had not better +improved the time. The hardness of heart in others, as well as in one's +self, is difficult to penetrate; nothing but the power of divine grace can +reach it, and this requires not only waiting for, but also laboring to +overcome the wandering and unsettled thoughts to which the poor mind is +subject. Merciful Father, give me more confidence in the gift which, thou +hast bestowed on me, and favor me with a greater portion of strength to +minister thy word faithfully. "Who then is that faithful and wise steward +whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their +portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when +he cometh shall find so doing."--(Luke xii. 42, 43.) + + +Tenderly mindful of the religious wants of those whom they had lately +left, so early as the Seventh Month John and Martha Yeardley revisited the +several congregations in Pontefract Monthly Meeting. They were both +humbled and comforted in the course of this visit. + + +We were, says J.Y., united in sympathy to many dear friends within the +circle from whence we have removed, and I was strengthened to labor +according to the ability received from day to day. + +Since this little journey, he continues, we have been pretty much at home +attending the meetings in course in the neighborhood. We are comfortably +settled in our new abode, which feels to us really a home as to the +outward in every respect; and in a religious sense we entirely believe it +is our right allotment for the present. + + +In this new halting-place of his earthly pilgrimage, John Yeardley +experienced an increase of freedom, of spirit, and of faith and joy in his +Saviour. + + +10 _mo_. 7.--For a few days past I have felt my mind raised above the earth +and fixed on heavenly things. I desire that the blessed Saviour may more +and more be the medium through which I may view every object as worthy [or +unworthy] the pursuit of a devoted Christian. I humbly trust this quietude +of mind is in answer to prayer; for I have long supplicated for a renewal +of faith, and that a little spiritual strength might he given me to rise +above the slavish fear of man. My heart was almost sick with doubting; but +on Fourth-day last a bright hope livingly sprang in my soul that I should +yet be favored to attain to greater liberty in the exercise of my gift in +the ministry, if I were faithful in accepting the portion of strength +which is offered. Grant that this may be the case, dearest Saviour! + +10 _mo_. 23.--My heart is filled with wonder, love and praise, in +contemplating the goodness of Almighty God to his poor, unworthy +creatures. When we have done all that is required of us, we are +unprofitable servants; but how often we come short of doing this. And yet +so gracious, so good, and so just is our Divine Master, that he suffers +not the least act of obedience to lose its reward, but is continually +encouraging and stimulating us to greater devotedness of heart. + + +The persuasion which he and Martha Yeardley entertained of the need there +was in the Society for increased means of scriptural instruction, led +them, soon after they removed to Scarborough, to propose the establishment +of a Bible class. The plan was for questions on the Scriptures, to be +given in anonymously in writing by the members, and answers to be returned +in the same way at the next meeting. The scheme was at that time almost, +if not quite, a novelty in the Society, but it was accepted with pleasure +and confidence by the Friends of Scarborough, and the meetings were +maintained for many years. There is an intermission in J.Y.'s diary at +this period, but he makes allusion to the class soon after its +establishment in a letter to his sisters S. and R.S. + + +Chapel House, 6 mo. 30, 1832. + +By way of a relaxation from haymaking this charming morning, I have been +again perusing your affectionate notes, which you were so kind and +thoughtful as to forward us by our dear brother and family. I felt the +deprivation exceedingly of not attending the last Yearly Meeting, but +quite think it may have been all for the best. + +But I will proceed at once to the real object of my now addressing you, +which is to say we cannot be satisfied without your paying us a visit this +summer. We think we have much to invite you to. I think you would feel +some interest in our Bible class: it becomes increasingly instructive and +agreeable to all engaged in it. I so highly approve of this mode of +Scripture instruction, that I think the time is not far distant when they +will become more general. We meet once every two weeks when nothing +intervenes to prevent. + + +The autumn of this year was taken up with a series of public meetings, +mostly in the East Riding, in the greater part of which J. and M.Y. had +the company of Isabel Casson of Hull. + +In the Eleventh. Month, at the same time that they returned the minute +which had been granted them, for this service, they laid before their +friends the prospect of more extensive travel in the work of the Gospel +than any they had undertaken before. The time was come for John Yeardley +to pay that debt of Christian love to the benighted inhabitants of Greece +which he had felt to press for years upon his mind; and at the same time +he and Martha Yeardley believed it to be required of them to revisit some +of the places of their former service, and to take up their abode for a +while with companies of persons whom they should find like-minded with +themselves; and also to perform the unaccomplished duty of visiting the +Piedmontese valleys. Considering the extent of country over which they +travelled, the varied nature of their labors, and the large number of +serious-minded and sympathizing persons with whom they were brought into +relation, this journey may perhaps be regarded as the most active and +fruitful period of their lives. We are able, as we have so often been +before, to read their impressions of duty, and their feelings, their +hopes, doubts, and aspirations, in J.Y.'s simple and faithful Diary. + + +11 _mo_. 7.--Yesterday was our Monthly Meeting at Pickering, and to me a +very memorable one. We stated to our friends the prospect of a visit to +some of the Grecian Islands and the Morea, the Protestant valleys of +Piedmont, and some parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France. It is about +five years since I first received the impression that it would be my +religious duty to stand resigned to a service of the above kind. For the +last nine months it has not been absent from my thoughts for many hours +together. It has cost me not a little to come at resignation; but my +Heavenly Father has been very gracious, and has brought me into a +willingness to do his will. If I know my own heart I have one prevailing +desire, and that is to devote the remainder of my days to his service; and +my prayers are very fervent that he may be pleased to give me faith, +patience, and perseverance to do and to suffer all that his wisdom may +permit to befal me. I am often ready to covenant with him to go where he +may be pleased to send, even to the ends of the world, if he will +strengthen me with his strength, enlighten me with his light, guide me by +his counsel, and prepare me for glory. "If thy presence go not with me, +carry us not up hence." + + +They left Scarborough in the Second Month, and spent the time which +intervened before the Yearly Meeting in social visits in London and the +neighborhood, in preparing for the journey and studying the modern Greek +language. + + +Nothing, says J.Y., could exceed the interest which our friends take in +doing all in their power to forward our views with respect to the +important mission before us.--(3 mo. 4.) + + +A chief desideratum had been to find a Greek who should accompany them as +guide into his native country. "Ever since," says M.Y., in a letter of the +Twelfth Month, 1832, "we have resigned ourselves to this arduous mission, +my dear husband has frequently said, 'If we are to go into Greece, how I +wish we might find some companion for the journey, some _Greek_ to +conduct us into his country, to us altogether strange and unknown!'" A +letter from Stephen Grellet to William Allen, which was sent down to J. +and M. Yeardley, was the opportune means of supplying this want. It spoke +of a Greek girl then at the school at Locle, named Argyri Climi, who was +exceedingly desirous of returning to Greece, and whose simple and +teachable character recommended her at once to their attention. "When," +continues M.Y., "we came to this part of Stephen Grellet's letter, we were +both deeply moved, believing that thus the way might be prepared before +us." + +They communicated their thoughts on this interesting subject to M.A. +Calame, proposing when they visited Locle to take A. Climi as their +companion into Greece. During their sojourn in London they received a +letter from A. Climi, written in French, in which that amiable young +person signified the pleasure and gratitude with which she accepted their +proposal. + + +Locle. 29th of April, 1833. + +Excuse the liberty which I take of writing to testify my great gratitude +for your kind intention to take me with you and bring me back to my +country. How could I have ventured to hope that I should have the +happiness of being with such kind and beloved friends. I cannot express +the joy I felt when Mademoiselle Calame made your proposal known to me. +How great is the mercy of God! How often might he have turned away his +face from me and cast me off; but instead of forsaking me he has looked +upon me in mercy, and shown me that he wills not that sinners should +perish, but that they should have eternal life. Was it not he who saved me +from the hands of the Turks, and brought me to Switzerland, and placed me +with charitable protectors, who are never weary of doing me good? And now +he has crowned it all, by giving you to me as guides and protectors in my +long journey, and that I may settle again in my own country. + +Your grateful + +ARGYRI CLIMI.[6] + + +The meeting in London at which their prospect of foreign travel was +ratified, was a time of spiritual favor. With such credentials, and with a +sense of the divine commission and guidance, clear and unmistakable, like +that which John Yeardley enjoyed, many may be ready to exclaim, Who would +not go forth on an errand like this to the ends of the earth! Such may be +reminded, for their consolation, that if the will is laid as an unbroken +offering at the foot of the cross; if all their powers are consecrated to +the Lord, and his Spirit is suffered to penetrate and transform every part +of their being; though a field of labor such as that which was appointed +to John and Martha Yeardley may not be appointed to them, they will, in an +equal degree, inherit the blessing of doing their Lord's will, and may +rest in the promise, "They that wait upon Him shall not want any good +thing." + + +5 _mo_. 21.--Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. Third-day morning. Our +visit to the Grecian Islands, &c. claimed the attention of the meeting. It +was a very precious time; a sweet solemnity prevailed; several Friends +said afterwards, they thought they had never known quite so full an +expression of unity and encouragement on any former occasion. What a favor +it is to have the sympathy and concurrence of the church in such important +concerns! My heart's desire and prayers are that we may be preserved +humble and watchful, relying for help and strength on nothing short of our +Divine Master, the holy Head of his own church. Whatever may befal us on +our intended journey, I wish once more to record my firm conviction that +it is the Lord's requiring, and come life, come death, I desire that my +heart and soul may be given up fully to follow Him who laid down his own +precious life for my sake,--a poor unworthy sinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE. + +1833-4. + +PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA. + +John and Martha Yeardley left London on the 21st of the Sixth Month, 1833. + +Travelling through France they found in the places where they halted more +of simplicity and Christian life than they had expected. In Paris, +especially, they were quickly brought into contact with a number of pious +persons to whom their society and their doctrine were welcome, and they +visited many benevolent institutions conducted on broad Christian +principles. This was in the early part of Louis Philippe's reign, and +under the administration of Guizot. In reading their account of these +institutions, we are painfully reminded how much the rising tide of +religious liberty has been checked and driven back by the bands of +priestcraft and arbitrary power. + +Here, and elsewhere during their journey, they wrote letters to members of +the Foreign Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings, descriptive of their +religions labors, from which, after their return, a selection was printed +for the use of Friends. Besides these letters, John Yeardley kept his +usual Diary, which often enables us to add to the narrative, traits of +character and reflections not to be found in their joint epistles. + +Amongst the first persons upon whom they called in Paris, were the +Protestant bookseller Risler, and Pastor Grandpierre: the former they +found to be devoted heart and soul to the diffusion of evangelical +religion; the latter they had known on their former journey, and he +received them as his Christian friends. He introduced them to Mademoiselle +Chabot, a lady who spent her time in translating religious and useful +books into French, and had a class of children in the First-day school. +Respecting this lady, they say:-- + + +Our introduction to this precious character was much to our comfort. We +rejoiced together in contemplating the wonderful work which the Lord has +in mercy begun, and is carrying on in this great city. On First-day +afternoons she attends a school, to which the children of the rich go, as +well as the poor, to be instructed in the Scriptures. The young persons in +her class learn texts, and are questioned to see if they thoroughly +understand the subject. On our asking whether the children answered the +questions from what they had learnt by heart, she replied, "No; it would +be of no use, you know, for the dear children to repeat merely by rote; we +want the great truths of the gospel to sink into their hearts." + +After this visit, which refreshed our spirits a little, we called on +Madame D'Aublay, sister-in-law to Brissot, who was executed in the time of +Robespierre. She is a Roman Catholic, and thinks the groundwork of true +religion to be in their church, but that their customs and the mass are +nothing worth. We left her some tracts, and amongst them one of Judge +Hale's, which struck her so forcibly on reading it, that she followed us +to our hotel, to say how much it was suited to her state of mind. + + +6 _mo_. 30.--After our little meeting this morning with the few +friends resident here, and some others, we went to the Protestant Chapel, +in the Rue Taitbout, to hear the children examined in the Scriptures. Many +of the parents were present. The class which we attended was conducted by +Mademoiselle Chabot. The subject was the crucifixion of our Saviour, the +27th chapter of Matthew. The children repeated the portion they had +learnt, and then Mademoiselle C. questioned them in a simple, sweet, and +instructive manner, calculated to impress the great truths of Christianity +on their minds. A gentleman examined a class of boys; and after this +course of exercise was finished, De Pressense gave them a lecture from the +Old Testament. The subject was the healing of Naaman, and the manner of +proceeding was simple; the child called upon stood up and answered pretty +much as they do at Ackworth; he repeated a few verses directly bearing on +the subject, and the application which was made was admirable. We were +really edified in being present. How much this kind of instruction is +wanted for many of our poor children in England! How delightful it is to +see a large room filled with Roman Catholic children and parents, all +receiving Christian instruction together! The Roman Catholics no longer +object to send their children to Protestants, because they know they will +be well instructed. The chapel is a beautiful room, with a circular +gallery supported on pillars, and a dome top; and it is the identical +place where, only two years ago, the Saint Simonians held forth their +doctrines:-- + + + ...... Oh reformation rare, + The den of modern infidels is become a house of prayer! + + +7 _mo_. 2.--We had a long walk to the Rue St. Maur, to meet by +appointment our kind friend De Pressense to visit the schools for mutual +instruction. At this season of the year the children are more busy with +their parents than usual; but in winter there are 200 boys, 200 girls, and +200 children in the infant school, with an evening school for adults. +Scripture extracts are made use of, and also the Scriptures themselves. We +were struck with the quiet and good order of all these schools. I have +seen very few in England where the same stillness is observable. With the +exception of some three or four, all the children are Roman Catholics; and +on First-days, particularly in winter, the room is filled with Roman +Catholic men and women, mostly parents of the children, who come to hear +them examined in the Scriptures and to receive instruction themselves. Our +conductor showed us the boys' gardens. On the walls were grapes hanging in +large bunches, belonging to the master. The boys are so far from stealing +them, that if they find any on the ground, they take them to him. Of the +children who attend at the school, forty-six are provided with bed, board, +and clothing, at a neighboring establishment. + + +One of the most interesting men with whom J. and M.Y. became acquainted +was Pastor Audebez. + + +He was, say they, formerly minister at Bordeaux, but received a strong +impression that it was his religious duty to come to Paris. Soon after he +left Bordeaux, a great awakening took place in that neighborhood under the +ministry of his successor, while with himself at Paris all seemed darkness +and discouragement. This induced him to think he had done wrong in +removing, and he was much distressed; but as he persevered in doing what +presented as his duty, his way for usefulness in this great city opened in +a remarkable manner. He first opened the chapel in the Taitbout, and then +one in the Faubourg du Temple, where his labors have been crowned with +success. He told us with great simplicity that he never premeditated or +wrote his sermons, but after reading a portion of Scripture proceeded to +speak from what he felt to impress his mind at the time. He said some of +the ministers considered their discourse before delivering it, and he +believed their mode of preaching was also blessed. Being accustomed to +arrange their thoughts in methodical order, perhaps such might not perform +so well in any other way, and the people were used to it; but he preferred +speaking from a more spontaneous spring of thought, though not so well +arranged as to theological order. + +We felt much inclined to hear him for ourselves, and attended in the Rue +St. Maur on First-day evening; and we have this testimony to bear,--that +we heard the _gospel_ preached to the _poor_. He first read the +25th Psalm, and then part of the Epistle to the Romans, which formed the +basis of his exhortation. It reminded me of [what I have read of] the +preaching of the early Christians. My very heart went with his impressive +exhortation to believe in the Lord Jesus as the only means of salvation, +and of the necessity of bringing forth fruits unto holiness. + +7 _mo_. 5.--Pastor Grandpierre came to pay us a visit with four of +his missionary students. We had a precious religious opportunity with +them. The Pastor expressed his belief that the power and presence of the +Saviour had been evidently felt among us. The young men were much +tendered; one of them was a grandson of the late Pastor Oberlin, and had +been sensibly affected by what Stephen Grellet had said in a meeting at +his father's place of worship in the Ban de la Roche. Three of the young +men who were in the institution at our last visit to Paris are now in +Africa. We admire the principle on which this establishment is conducted; +the inmates are not sent out unless they believe it to be their duty to +go; if this be not the case at the expiration of their term, they return +home. + + +On the 7th John Yeardley, accompanied by Joseph Grellet, brother of +Stephen Grellet, visited the Sabbath-school in the Rue St. Maur. Martha +Yeardley was indisposed and unable to leave the house. + + +When the classes had finished, says J.Y., De Pressense proposed to give a +lecture on a subject from the Old Testament, and bestowed great pains to +make it clear to the infant capacities of the children. I had intimated to +my worthy friend a desire for liberty to express what might arise in my +mind when he had done, which was most readily granted, and after I had +spoken to the children, there seemed great liberty in addressing the +teachers, parents and young persons present. There was much seriousness +the whole time and a precious sense of divine love was over us. Our kind +friend, J. Grellet, interpreted for me in an impressive and clear manner. + + +The name of Mark Wilks has been for many years identified with the cause +of evangelical religion in Paris. John Yeardley had an interview with him, +and makes an interesting note in his Diary regarding his opinions on the +state of religious parties at this period. + + +7 _mo_. 9.--This morning I had an interview with Mark Wilks. He +received me very cordially, and, as I expected, I found him full of +religious intelligence; he is just returned from a tour in Switzerland, +and speaks encouragingly of the state of the Christian church in general. +He has resided in Paris fifteen years, and of course seen many changes. He +assured me that the arm of infidelity is weakening; nothing like the same +exertion is made to spread the vile doctrine. The fact is, in some degree, +the people are too indifferent to trouble themselves about it, and would +not spend a son for its promotion; on the other hand, zealous Christians +are doing all in their power to promote the spread of gospel truth. + + +On the 15th John S. Mollet, who had arrived in Paris after them, +accompanied J. and M.Y. to Madame d'Aublay's. + + +We met, they say, several of her relations who professed to be Catholics, +but were rather of the philosophical school. They were interested in the +conversation, though nothing of a religious nature occurred. Madame +d'Aublay has distributed many of our books and tracts. The next day she +took us to see more of her friends, much of the same character. We have a +hope that our drawing some of these to the really Christian characters may +do good, since each class expressed surprise to hear us speak to them of +the other. It will be no small satisfaction if any of our Society here +should be like the mortar to bind parties together, and weaken prejudice, +that the one true knowledge may increase. + +21_st_--Attended the chapel at the Taitbout this morning. Heard a +discourse by Pastor Grandpierre; he preaches the gospel in its purity, +with much of the right unction. We did not feel out of our place in being +present, and I trust it may have its use both on ourselves and others. +This kind of Christian liberty seems to open our way among the people. In +the evening we had quite a large meeting in our room; several of the +attenders at the Taitbout coming in, together with the Friends in Paris. +It was, adds John Yeardley, a precious tendering time, and I trust +strength was given to preach the gospel; the sick and afflicted were not +forgotten by my M. Y. In supplication. + + +By "the sick" in the foregoing passage was probably intended Rachel, wife +of Dr. Waterhouse of Liverpool, and daughter of David and Abigail Dockray. +This young Friend, who was ill in the neighborhood of Paris, was about to +be removed to England, but at the very time when the carriage was at the +door she was struck with paralysis. This happened two days before the +meeting just described, and J. and M.Y. had hastened to offer their +sympathy and aid to her afflicted husband and mother. They deferred their +departure from Paris in order to remain with the family, and they both +took turns in assisting to watch, by the bed-side of the sufferer. She +survived only a few days, and expired, in the hope and peace of the +gospel, the day after they quitted the city. + +We may conclude the narrative of this interesting visit to Paris with a +short reflection by Martha Yeardley. + + +I have been renewedly confirmed since being in Paris that our first +religious awakening proceeds from the immediate influence of the Spirit on +the heart of man, and this is the doctrine preached and maintained by the +writings of the truly devoted Christians in this place, who are brought to +profess living faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the +Beginning and the End. + + +They found the country on the road to Nancy very agreeable. + + +29_th, evening_.--The white houses among the trees, and the vines on the +hill-sides, form a picturesque landscape. The reapers were busy in the +harvest fields; and the ground that is cleared of its burdens gives proof +of the diligence of the French farmer; the plougher, if not the sower, +literally overtakes the reaper. In the forepart of the route we saw much +wood and water, hill and dale, with cattle feeding in the peaceful +pastures, which is a lovely sight. As we advanced towards Chalons, it +became less interesting, more flat, with fewer trees and meadows. +Everywhere the harvest more forward than in England, but the crops much +more light and thin. + + +They entered Nancy under a feeling of gloom, and it was some time before +they could find relief to their minds; but by patiently pursuing the paths +of intercourse which opened before them, they were enabled to deposit with +some serious individuals their accustomed testimony to the simple +spiritual nature of the gospel. In allusion to this trial of their +patience John Yeardley remarks:-- + + +I cannot, I dare not, complain, when I think of the difficulties some of +our Friends had to encounter who travelled on the Continent years ago, +when darkness prevailed to a much greater extent. The want of the +language, &c., which some of them experienced, must have been very trying. +It is to me an unspeakable comfort to be able to understand the language +of the country where we travel. + + +Travelling by the Diligence being too rapid for Martha Yeardley's state of +health, they hired a carriage and horses to take them to Strasburg, and +found this mode of travelling less expensive, as well as much less +fatiguing, than the public conveyance. + + +8 _mo_. 5.--Left Nancy at 6 o'clock in the morning, and had a +delightful journey. I feel particularly peaceful in spirit, and a degree +of resignation pervades my heart to be given fully up to do the will of my +Heavenly Father. + +Our mode of travelling afforded us an opportunity of calling at +Phalsbourg, where we found a handful of Protestants, about twenty-six +families, mostly German settlers. On inquiring for the minister, we found +he was engaged with his class at the college. His wife appeared surprised +at seeing such strangers, thinking from our dress and our speaking French, +we were no doubt Roman Catholics. We soon perceived the family were +Germans, and I then addressed them in their native tongue, which +immediately, opened the way to their hearts. Nothing would satisfy the +good woman but that we must call at the college to see her husband. He was +embarrassed on being so suddenly called out of the class, and appeared a +little fearful; but when he understood who we were, and our mission, he +became almost overjoyed to see us. There has been a little awakening in +this place, and a desire to obtain the Scriptures. One of them said, "I +have been accustomed to smoke tobacco, but have now left it off, and I +will put the money into the box to save for a Bible." Another said, "I +have been accustomed to take snuff, but I will now save the money for a +Bible." And another said, "I have drunk more wine than I need; I will take +less, and subscribe for a Bible." This little account in such a dark +place was quite cheering; for they are surrounded and oppressed by the +Roman Catholics, in whose presence they are afraid to speak. + +On entering Alsace, the view of the country was enchanting. We dined at +Sarrebourg, which appeared at a distance like a town in the midst of a +wood. + + +At Strasburg they were received in an ingenuous manner by some enlightened +Roman Catholics, who did all in their power to forward their object; but +it was not until they fell in with the Protestant Professor Cuvier, that +they found the proper channel for the work of the gospel. In few places +did they find brighter tokens of inward spiritual religion. + + +8 _mo_. 6.--Called on Professor Cuvier and delivered the letter which +Mark Wilks had kindly given us. We found the professor an humble-minded +Christian, kind and affectionate. He conducted us to Pastor Majors, who +was born in Prussia, and speaks German and French well. We soon became +united to him in spirit. He is one of the _inward_ school, and a +diligent laborer in the Lord's vineyard. He has been here about three +months as pastor of a little handful of Christians. He is fully sensible +of the necessity of a right preparation of heart before acceptable worship +can be performed. He said when the people came to their place of worship +they were full of the world, and the word preached did not profit, because +it did not sink into their hearts. I believe he fully comprehends the +nature of true silence; and he is acquainted with many _interior_ +persons whom we wish to see in Switzerland, &c. This dear man was nine +months in Corfu, preparing to be a missionary there; but he was taken ill, +and suffered much in body and mind. The way in which he mentioned the +wonderful dealings of the Lord with him was to me very instructive. He +told me he had not been sufficiently careful to seek divine counsel before +he undertook the mission; and it had pleased the Almighty to bring him +into the deeps, and instruct him in the school of affliction; and he can +now most fully acknowledge there is no safety but under the guidance of +the Holy Spirit. He and a few others have united for the purpose of +printing and circulating small tracts, purely Scripture extracts. They +are now engaged in forming a selection for every day in the year, from the +Old and New Testament. I accord much with their work; it is just what I +have thought of for a long time. + +Pastor Majors conducted us to Professor Ehrmann, a worthy Christian, +simple-hearted and spiritually-minded. His two daughters are precious +young women; the older of them recollected to have seen us at Kornthal, +in 1827. She knew us instantly, and appeared overcome with joy and +surprise, though we could not recollect her. It is no wonder we should +have felt so much attraction to this place, though on entering the town I +was, as usual, extremely discouraged, and I feel unworthy to be employed +in the least service of my holy Redeemer. + + +On the 7th they dined at the La Combes, a Catholic family, who took them +to see the House of Correction, where John Yeardley interrogated the boys +in the prison school, and afterwards addressed them. In the evening they +were present at Pastor Majors' Bible-class. + + +It is composed, says J.Y., of ten young men, who meet once a week at his +lodging, and he instructs them in the Scriptures. I rejoiced to meet with +them. Before the conclusion we had a religious opportunity, in which I was +strengthened to express what was on my mind. The pastor offered a prayer +in which our hearts truly united. The Saviour's love was very precious to +our souls, and I trust we were edified together in the Lord. + +8_th_.--The Pastor Majors called for us to pay a few visits. He is so +spiritual and _interior_ in his walk with God that it does me good to +be in his company. Passing along the street, he said, We will just speak +to a man who has been in England; he will be pleased to see you. He was +alone in his meal and flour shop, which is apart from the house. He +received us heartily; and on our coming away he pressed us to go up and +speak to his daughters. After hesitating a few moments we went to the room +and to our surprise found a little company of young females met to work +for the missionaries, and to read. After sitting a while with them, one of +the girls in much simplicity handed the Bible to our friend, and he read a +chapter in the First Epistle of Peter, which was followed by a Friends' +meeting with these dear young persons. I felt great openness in addressing +them, and thankfulness filled my heart to the Father of mercies for +having given us this casual opportunity of preaching the gospel. + +In the evening we went to meeting with Pastor M.'s flock. He has taken the +first floor of a good house, and appropriates three rooms opening one into +another for a meeting-house, placing his pulpit, which is on wheels, in +the doorway, so that when the meeting hour is over he can put the pulpit +aside and make the rooms his dwelling. The rooms are fitted with long +benches; the men and women sit separate and enter by different doors. The +worship is conducted with much solemnity; they have for the present +discontinued singing. They sat in silence some time at the commencement, +when Majors offered a short prayer, and then read and expounded a small +portion of Scripture. When he had finished he introduced us as English +friends. He had told me previously that if I felt anything to say, I had +only to intimate it to him. This liberty was acceptable to me, for I had +felt much exercise of mind for the people; and after we had rested some +time in silence, I was strengthened to speak with great freedom, and the +power of the Most High was over us. Many thirsty souls were present, who, +I believe, know the value of true silence. The two rooms for the women +were crowded, and the stillness which pervaded was remarkable. A military +man addressed me after the meeting, in English, expressing his great +satisfaction and joy in being present; he is a regular attendant at this +place of worship. The pastor said he was comforted and thankful that the +Spirit of the Lord had been with us, and divided his word to the state of +the people. + + +On the 9th, Professor Krafft and Pastor Majors conducted them to the +Agricultural School for destitute children at Neuhoff, four miles from the +city. This well-known institution was founded by a man who had been taken +as a child out of the streets, and whose wife had been brought up in an +orphan-house. John Yeardley says:-- + + +The arrangement of the farm-yard, &c., and the cropping of the land are +pretty much the same as at Beuggen, near Basle, and what is now practised +at Lindfield; and it is just what we want Rawden to be--at least what I +should like to see it. Before leaving the premises, we had the children +assembled in the schoolroom, and held a meeting with them, with which we +were well satisfied. There is a sweet spirit of inward piety in the master +and mistress. + + +On First-day, the 11th, they attended Pastor Majors' meeting in the +morning, and in the afternoon appointed a meeting of their own in the same +place, at which some hundreds were present. + + +It was a precious tendering season; much openness was felt in preaching +the word, and I trust many hearts were reached by the power of the Holy +Spirit. At 7 o'clock we held our usual meeting in the room at the inn, to +which came many of our friends; and I trust we were again favored with the +presence of the Divine Master. To conclude the evening, we went to +Professor Ehrmann's, where we partook of tea, fruit, wine, &c. It felt to +us a true feast of love. + +This has been a day of much exercise; but best help has been near in the +time of need, and I feel sweet peace. There is a great awakening in this +place; thirty of the young women are preciously visited. In accompanying +them home, some of them expressed to me that it had been a blessed and +happy day, they hoped never to be forgotten. These dear lambs are near to +us in gospel love, and I am glad they have such a minister in Pastor M.: +he stands quite alone, not being connected with any other Society. + + +In reading of days spent like that which has just been described, we see +in a striking manner what was the nature of that work of the ministry for +which John Yeardley was prepared at Barnsley and Bentham by so many deep +baptisms and sharp trials of his faith and obedience. The stage on which +he was called to act was not the most public; the part which he had to +perform was unobtrusive; but when the value of strengthening the weak, +comforting the afflicted, and, above all, skilfully dividing the word of +truth in the anointed ministry of the gospel, comes rightly to be +estimated, it cannot be said but that the fruit was in some sort +commensurate with the power of the call and the extent of the preparation. + +The next day and the succeeding were occupied by John and Martha Yeardley +in an excursion to the Ban de la Roche, of which the former gives the +following account in his Diary. + + +12_th_.--In company with Majors, we set off at 6 o'clock to the Ban +de la Roche. We had a most delightful drive by the side of the river, +flowing along the fertile meadows: the hills on each side variegated with +trees of almost every color, and occasional vineyards added to the +richness of the scene. After travelling twelve leagues, we arrived at +Foudai, where we met with an affectionate and hearty welcome from the +whole family of the Legrands. The two families live together in one house, +with their lovely children. We took tea with them, and then proceeded up +Steinthal to Waldbach, to the house of the late pious Oberlin. Pastor +Raucher's wife and daughter were out when we arrived; but we spent a +little time with the dear old Louise, who is lively in spirit, us to be +near her. The pastor's wife and daughter came home in the evening, and +received us with open arms. We spent the night there, and they accompanied +us the next morning to the Legrands' to breakfast, about a league in +distance. After we had breakfasted, we requested a chapter might be read, +and then had a precious meeting with them. We were so knit together in +spirit, that we could hardly separate from one another. They accompanied +us, on leaving, all the way up the hill, when we again took an +affectionate farewell. + +The conversation of our dear friend Majors has been to me truly +instructive, and I trust our being thus thrown together is in divine +wisdom. We have gone very fully into the nature, of our church discipline, +and have had much spiritual conversation to the refreshment of our souls. + +We arrived at Strasburg about 7 o'clock, and I attended the class of his +young men, which afforded me once more an opportunity to speak to them of +the things that belong to their eternal peace. + + +Their religious service in Strasburg finished with a visit to the family +of Professor Ehrmann, in which Martha Yeardley ministered to the company, +and they commended one another in solemn supplication to the safe keeping +of Israel's Shepherd. + +Both the German and French languages are spoken in Strasburg. In their +religious communications to those who spoke German, J. and M.Y. sometimes +availed themselves of the interpretation of Pastor Majors, who they found +was never at a loss, and who said, "It is no difficulty for me to +interpret for you, because you say the very things that are in my heart." + +From Strasburg they went on to Colmar and Muelhausen. The latter place, +particularly interested them, from the number of persons recently awakened +there, and they held several meetings in the town. John Yeardley says:-- + + +In the whole district of Alsace there is a great deal of spiritual +religion among the different professors; but in some of the ministers +there is great deadness, or else infidelity. + + +The next halting-place on their route was Basle. This city, and the little +canton of which it is the capital, were then in a state of civil war. The +great political eruption of 1830, by which half Europe had been convulsed, +continued to agitate Switzerland long after it had spent its force +elsewhere. On the 3rd of the month, a little more than two weeks before +the date at which we are arrived, a large body of the citizens, under +arms, went out to reduce the peasants to subjection: the latter gave them +battle amongst the hills and entirely defeated them, killing 200 of their +number. The ferment was gradually subsiding when J. and M.Y. were in the +city. + +They found the town pretty quiet, though full of soldiers. A general +sentiment seemed to prevail amongst serious persons, that the judgments of +the Lord were upon the country. + + +Poor Switzerland, exclaims J.Y., what an awful judgment is come upon thee! +Is it to be wondered at? within the last six months they have persecuted +and banished twenty ministers from the Canton of Basle, simply because +they preached the gospel, and the unbelieving inhabitants could not bear +it. + + +They visited the Mission-House, and held a large meeting there with the +students and others; Pastor Majors, who was present, from Strasburg, +interpreting for them. "It was," says J.Y., "a season long to be +remembered." + +From Basle, they took the Diligence direct to Locle, where they spent two +days with M.A. Calame's large and interesting family. They were introduced +to Argyri Climi, whom they describe as a girl of "pensive character and +genteel manners." On the 26th they descended the slope of the Jura to +Neufchatel. + + +About 5 o'clock, says John Yeardley, we came in sight of the snow-capped +Alps. I saw them for some time through the trees, but the sun shone so +bright that I did not for a moment imagine they were any other than +clouds; but coming out from the wood I soon discovered my mistake; and a +most majestic, sublime sight, indeed it is. + + +At Neufchatel they took a lodging a little way out of the town, by the +lake, and remained there a month, receiving and making calls and holding +meetings for worship at the houses of their friends, as Professor +Petavel's, ---- Chatelain's, and in their own rooms. At the close of a day +spent in this manner J.Y. says:-- + + +I feel this evening a degree of sweet peace, and a strong desire to become +more united to my Saviour, who died that we might live. When the mind is +fixed on eternity, how little do all other things appear! Lord, redeem me +from the world, and grant me power to live for thee alone!--(9 +_mo_. 1.) + + +His observations on another similar occasion mark the religious state of +the deeply interesting company in this place, amongst whom they went about +in the liberty of the gospel. + + +9 _mo_. 24.--In the afternoon had a long walk with our dear friend +Petavel's family, quite to the top of the mountains, from which we had the +most delightful view possible. In the evening we took tea with them; and, +a few others coming in, we had a religious opportunity before parting. It +is extraordinary how great is the desire to hear the word in its +simplicity; they love the simplicity of the gospel, but probably are not +prepared, as yet, to hold silent meetings alone. They all say it is +remarkable we should be sent among them in this time of war in the land +with the message of peace. + + +The little meeting which had been begun by Auguste Borel had been +discontinued in consequence of his removal into the country. He visited +them, and they found him alive in the truth and full of affection as +before. + +Amongst a number of new acquaintances, one of the most interesting was a +Polish Countess. She lodged near them, with her husband and child, and +sent to desire the liberty of calling on them. Martha Yeardley had often +longed to become acquainted with her; and she, as she told them +afterwards, had felt so strongly inclined towards them when she met them +on the promenade that she could not rest without seeking their +acquaintance. + + +At the time fixed, say J. and M.Y., the Countess came alone, her husband +being unwell, and asked a few questions respecting our views in +travelling. She is a Roman Catholic by profession, but has been brought up +in great ignorance of her religion, and quite in the gaiety of the world. +She deeply lamented the state of her unhappy country, to which a fatality +seemed to attach, and spoke of her own particular trials, having lost four +of her children. Whilst we were endeavoring to make her sensible of the +mercies which are often hid under the most painful dispensations, an +English missionary, who had been engaged in preaching to many of the +Polish refugees in the country, came in with Professor Petavel. They +became much interested for the Countess, and in reply to some of her +questions, the missionary explained the truths of the gospel in a clear +and satisfactory way. We rejoiced in the unexpected meeting; several +others came in, and it proved a memorable visit. + +When again alone with the Countess she continued her history, opening her +heart to M.Y. with the greatest confidence. In former years, she said, she +had been drawn to seek the Lord, but for awhile affliction seemed to +harden her heart, and she lost the religious impressions she had received; +but now she felt again a desire to become acquainted with her Saviour, for +she was miserable and felt the need of such a refuge. + +22_nd_.--In the afternoon the Count and Countess paid us a visit. He +is a man of strong mind, weary of the disappointing pleasures of the +world, and happily turned to seek comfort in the substantial truths of +religion. The Countess was delighted to find that we were of the same +Society as William Penn, whose name her father much revered. They desired +permission to attend our meeting; and a little before the hour we called +on them, and they accompanied us to Professor Petavel's, where we had a +room quite filled and a good meeting. At the conclusion M.Y. made some +apology to the Countess for the imperfect manner in which the +communication was made; but she replied, "It comes from the heart, and it +goes to the heart." After the meeting none seemed disposed to move, and +the Countess commenced asking questions directing to passages of the +Scriptures, apparently desirous to confirm the practices of the Romish +Church, but sincerely seeking to have the conviction of her own heart +confirmed that they were errors. It is not easy to describe the interest +which this scene presented. An accomplished Roman Catholic lady proposing +questions of the deepest moment, and the learned but pious and humble +Professor Petavel answering them with the Bible in his hand, while a +roomful of attentive hearers were, we trust, reaping deep instruction. +Argyri joined them on the 27th at Neufchatel,[7] and they left that city +the same day for Geneva. + +Here they tarried nearly a fortnight, were received with much affection by +their old friends, and had a few religious meetings. Martha Yeardley +says:-- + + +We met with several very interesting persons at Geneva, and had three +religious opportunities with them; at the last meeting the number was much +increased, but the place is not like Neufchatel. The different societies +make bonds for themselves and for one another, so that love and harmony do +not sufficiently prevail amongst them. + +Our stay in this place, writes John Yeardley, has been a time of distress +of mind and perplexity of thought, arising probably from the great weight +and importance of the journey before us, and the anxiety of providing a +conveyance through a strange and dark country. After much difficulty, we +have concluded a written contract with an Italian _voiturier_ to take +us to Ancona. May our Divine Keeper, in his infinite mercy, grant us +protection and safety, even in the hands of ungodly men! + + +The journey to Ancona took them seventeen days; they crossed the Alps by +the Simplon, and traversed Italy through Milan and Bologna. Martha +Yeardley touches upon a few points of the journey in a letter to Elizabeth +Dudley. + + +Ancona, 11 mo. 4. + +We had much to do before we could meet with a suitable conveyance, and at +length trusted ourselves with our Italian coachman, who could not speak +French. For a certain sum he was to give us three places in his coach, and +provide us with food and lodging by the way. The other passenger inside +was an Englishman, who spoke very little French and no Italian, and +another Englishman outside was in the same situation. We could not but +feel ourselves a very helpless company when arriving at the inns, which +were quite of an inferior class, and little or no French spoken. We did +pretty well, however, till we got to Milan, where we rested some days; and +our Englishmen were exchanged for an Italian priest who spoke no French, +and a Swiss who was a little useful to us as far as Bologna; after this +place we travelled five days alone. The inns on this side of Milan are +much worse, and from the detention of our passports in the towns we passed +through, we were often prevented from reaching the place of destination, +and obliged to lodge at villages, where we suffered much in the way of +food and lodging; yet through all we were favored to bear the journey much +better than I expected. My J.Y. was rather poorly for two days, and I was +extremely anxious about him; but the sight of the Gulf of Venice seemed to +help to restore him. + +At Sinigaglia, a town eighteen miles from this, they told us that we +should just meet the vessel which was to sail on the 30th. Judge then what +was our disappointment when, on arriving at the inn here, we found that it +was gone. + + +This disappointment was a severe trial of their patience; but they +consoled themselves with reflecting that "good in some shape might arise +out of the seeming evil." + + +Ancona, says John Yeardley, is beautifully situated on the side of a high +hill, in appearance at a distance a perfect model of Scarborough. There +are in the place a good many Greeks, one of whom Argyri recognised as we +inquired at his shop the way to the Post-office. On returning she made +herself known to him, and he shows us every attention; he is a fine +looking man, with a countenance as strong as brass. We are comfortably +lodged, with a delightful view of the harbor, but our hearts are in Corfu. + +Our young companion, adds M.Y., is amiable and very quick, but not of much +use to us respecting her native tongue, which she retains but very +imperfectly, and is not at all fond of speaking it. + +The houses are high, and many of the streets narrow and offensive, for +want of cleanliness and from an immense population; such numbers are +continually in the streets, that there is no quiet or good air in the +town. The darkness is extreme, and the dissipation apparently very great; +the oppression of our spirits at some periods is almost insupportable; and +yet I am at times very sensible of the calming influence of divine love, +with a sense that, having acted to the best of our judgment, we must +resign ourselves to wait for the return of the steam-packet from England. + +When on arriving here we found there were no letters, and that probably +they were sent to Corfu, my heart sank within me. We have, however, been +since cheered by receiving a very kind letter from dear Robert Forster; +nothing could have been more in season than this token of remembrance. + + +Finding no suitable vessel for Corfu, with the assistance of their Greek +friend they hired a lodging, and gave their time to the study of Italian +and the Modern Greek. Religions labor was hardly to be thought of; the +government of the town and every public office was under the direction of +the Roman Catholic priests, of whom there were more than 400. However, +they were enabled to hold improving intercourse with some individuals, +mostly Greeks; "for whom," says Martha Yeardley, "we felt much interest, +and some, I believe, became attached to us; we gave them a few books." + +Before commencing with their visit to the Ionian Islands, it will be +interesting to glance at the circle of Friends whom they had left in +England. From the letters which have been preserved, we select the +following extract: the first is from the pen of one who may be described +as sound in heart and understanding, of extensive knowledge and large +Christian charity. + + +Scarborough, 10 mo. 16, 1833. + +MY DEAR FRIENDS. + +Accept my grateful acknowledgments, and through me those of all your +friends in this neighborhood, for the copies which I have received of your +interesting journals. It is indeed a cause of rejoicing to us that you +have been so favored in meeting with so many pious persons with, whom you +could hold Christian fellowship, and among whom there is strong reason for +believing your labors have not been in vain. It is to me very gratifying +that you feel and exercise so much Christian freedom in mingling among +persons of various denominations, whom, though owing to education and to +various circumstances, they may differ considerably in opinion on subjects +of minor importance, yet conscious of one common disease--that of sin, and +looking for or experiencing the only remedy--reconciliation with God +through one Saviour,--you can salute as brethren and sisters in the truth, +and feel your spirits refreshed whilst you enjoy the privilege of +refreshing theirs; and like Aquila and Priscilla, with Apollos, are made +the instruments, I trust, of "expounding unto them the way of God more +perfectly." My dear mother thinks that the persons you meet with must be +more spiritually-minded than Christians in this country. They have, +perhaps, from external circumstances, experienced deeper baptisms, and +have made greater sacrifices, than many amongst us have been called upon +to make; and we know that ease and outward prosperity have not been +favorable to the interests of the true Church: but, without doubt, they +are exposed to similar dangers to those in this land whose minds have been +awakened to the importance of religious truth. + + +After speaking of a journey which he had made with Samuel Tuke and Joseph +Priestman for re-arranging some of the Monthly Meetings in the West +Riding, the writer continues:-- + + +On the journey I received intelligence of the decease of Hannah Whitaker; +the account produced a strong sensation in the minds of Friends generally, +who felt much for our dear afflicted friend Robert Whitaker, and for the +loss which the institution at Ackworth has sustained. I have had a note +from R.W., written evidently under very desponding feelings; yet he knows +where alone consolation is to be sought, and I still cherish the hope that +his valuable services will not be lost to the establishment in which they +have been so long blessed. + +We intend to meet as a Bible class on Second-day evening: our number will +be small, but I hope we shall persevere. Your house and garden look much +as usual; but I scarcely like to look at them, since I cannot go to spend +such pleasant evenings as I used to do there. However, I believe you are +in the way of your duty, and I know it would he wrong in me to repine at +the loss of your company. + +I trust you do not forget our poor little company in your approaches to +the throne of grace. You are, I believe, the subjects of many prayers: O +that the parties who offer them were more worthy! + +Your affectionate friend, + +JOHN ROWNTREE. + + +This letter was endorsed by one from J.R.'s mother (the Elizabeth Rowntree +whom the reader may remember as the hostess of J. and M. Yeardley on their +first visit to Scarborough,) from which we extract a few lines. + + +The accounts I have received have often helped to cheer my drooping mind, +to hear how many you have met with in various places, who could sit down +with you in worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. I have thought +of the privileges many of us have had, yet I think many you have met with +may make us ashamed of ourselves; and the desire of my heart has often +been that we may be more deepened. + + +John Rowntree's letter contained the information that Richard Cockin, of +Doncaster, a Friend universally known and respected in the Society, had +been physically disabled by a stroke of paralysis. R. C. himself wrote at +the same time to John and Martha Yeardley, describing his affliction, +which he received with childlike resignation as a message of love from a +Father's hand. + + +I have, he says, no expectation of getting again to meeting, and it does +not appear probable I shall be able again to get down stairs. With respect +to the state of my mind, it was an occasion of grateful admiration to me +that such & poor unworthy creature as I felt myself to be, should be so +favored as to have my will entirely subjected, as to become resignedly +willing either to live or die; and, for a time, the prospect of not +continuing long appeared to be most probable. I, however, felt no reliance +upon anything that I had done or could do; my dependence was entirely upon +the unmerited mercy of God through Jesus Christ. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1833-4. + +PART II.--GREECE + +On the 21st of the Eleventh Month John and Martha Yeardley left Ancona, +and had a safe but suffering voyage of two days to Corfu, the capital of +the island of that name. + + +The atmosphere in this place, writes J.Y., soon after they landed, is +different from Ancona in every respect. It has to us a feeling of home, +and our minds are clothed with peace and, I trust, gratitude to the Father +of mercies. What we may find to do is yet a secret to us, but He who has +brought us here will in his own time open the way before us. + +Isaac Lowndes of the London Missionary Society received us with much +affection and kindness, and his wife and daughter are very desirous to +promote our comfort. They took us to see a furnished house in the town, a +part of which will suit us remarkably well. We think it a providential +thing to have such comfortable quarters to come to. + + +Some extracts from the Diary and the Journal letters will show in what +kind of service they were engaged during their three months' residence in +this island. + + +11 _mo_. 24.--I went with J. L. to the First-day school in the village +about a mile from the town. A delightful morning, and a delightful sight +to see about sixty fine Greek children reading the New Testament in the +modern language. Their countenances are lovely and interesting, and their +anxiety to hear and answer questions is great; their aptitude in +comprehending the subjects offered to them exceeds all I have hitherto +seen in any class of children of similar standing. The little group was +composed of nearly all girls, clean and neatly dressed in the costume of +the country. + +27_th_.--To-day we received a long visit from Lord Nugent, President +of the Ionian Government, who had heard of our arrival on the island, and +was anxious to see us. He is very kind and extremely open with respect to +his plans for the improvement of the jail, and for cottage cultivation. He +desired me to go and see some unoccupied land without the gate. + +28_th_.--According to appointment we went to the palace, and were +received by Lady Nugent with marked simplicity and kindness. We were +introduced to Lord L. and other persons of influence, took tea, and spent +a most agreeable evening, and I hope a profitable; for all our +conversation was on the subject of bettering the condition of the poor and +destitute children. + +12 _mo_. 3.--This morning we received a visit from a roomful of +Greeks. We are desirous to cultivate the acquaintance of the Greeks as the +object of our visit of gospel love. Yesterday we were visited by several +of the military officers and their wives, who will I hope co-operate with +our plans of benevolence. Lord Nugent's taking us by the hand opens the +way to all others of rank and standing. + +11_th_,--This morning we had a visit from Dapaldas, Greek professor +of theology in the university. He is a pleasing and enlightened man, and +speaks French well, which gave us the opportunity of conversing with him +pretty freely. I feel to love him much. He is one of the laborers in +translating the Old Testament. + +13_th_.--To-day we have received letters from England. Many of our +beloved friends have been called from this state of being to another +world. How much my heart feels humbled; how unworthy I am of the least of +the mercies daily received at the hand of a bountiful Creator. Since we +have been here I have been favored with a strong conviction that we are +here in the ordering of Divine Providence. What may in time open before us +in the way of gospel labor I know not. It requires time, caution, and much +perseverance, to find a way to the hearts and best feelings of the Greeks. +I greatly desire that we may be found in humble watchfulness and prayer; +and that, if found worthy to be the feeble instruments of declaring the +way of salvation to the natives of these islands, we may embrace every +opportunity to preach repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus +Christ, for this is the great object for which we have left our native +land and all that is dear to us in this world. + +26_th_.--Argyri left us and is gone to Syra. She was very sorrowful, +and the parting to us all was painful. Although reserved and timid, she +has become extremely attached to us, and we trust the three months we have +passed together will not soon be forgotten. Her company has often been +sweet and cheering, and in our little meetings for worship her heart has +not unfrequently been tendered with religious feeling. She is desirous of +being useful in schools, and of making a stand against the many +superstitions which prevail, influencing others by her example, and +through the aid of divine grace leading them to that vital religion in +which she was instructed at Locle, and which is now a strength and comfort +to her own mind. + +1834. 1 _mo_. 6.--To-day we received a visit from the young Count +Francois Sardina. We had much conversation with him on the subject of the +intercession of saints. He could not admit that they practiced the +adoration of saints, they only meant to hold them up as examples of piety +and virtue, and to induce others to follow them. We pointed out to him the +importance of taking Him for our example who spake as never man spake, and +has left us an example that we should follow his steps. This young man is +very inquisitive and inclined to be sceptical, but under all has serious +impressions. Many of the Greeks who are not entirely built up in their +superstitions are inclined to doubt respecting the truths of Christianity. +We were glad to put into his hand J. J. Gurney's _Evidences_. + +23_rd_.--This evening we had another long visit from the Count. We +entered very fully into Church discipline, and left few points of faith +and doctrine untouched, either in his Church or ours. I do not remember +ever to have been more closely questioned; but I think this young person +sincere in his inquiries. I believe it is a precious time of visitation to +his soul; he is very amiable and affectionate, and acknowledges the evils +and vanity of the world. + +27_th_.--This evening we have had a long conversation with Pathanes, +our teacher in the language, and a deacon in the Greek Church. He is much +attached to the rites of his own Church, but acknowledges the necessity of +regeneration. They have a fatal error in the ceremony of baptism, +positively asserting that when the child (or individual) has received +this, he is really born again, and a fit heir of salvation. Such is the +efficacy which they attach to this ceremony, that their creed sets forth, +in the most unqualified manner, that whoever receives not the form cannot +enter the kingdom. We could not forbear lifting up our testimony against +the injurious effects of such a creed. + +28_th_.--We have had a ride to-day with I. Lowndes and family across +the island, sixteen miles, to the sea on the other side. Our road led us +through a perfect wood of olive-trees, thickly planted and loaded with +fruit. The hills are often variegated with the cypress, &c., and near to +the sea are beautifully romantic. We dined at the fortress of +Paleocastazza, on the top of a high hill, on provisions we took with +us,--the air good, and the prospect delightful. This place was formerly a +convent; the church still remains in use, and we visited two of the old +Greek priests. One of them is ninety-five years old; he was lying on a +dirty hard couch in a miserable apartment; the other performs the liturgy. +I. L. gave him the book of Genesis, which he could read but very +indifferently. He was besides extremely cross, full of complaints of the +soldiers who were stationed there. What a proof that to those who are in +the gall of bitterness there is no peace, even in such a remote place. + +2 _mo_. 1.--Another long and pleasant visit from Count Sardina. He is +mild and condescending, but close in argument His mind appears gradually +to become impressed with the truths of the gospel; and I trust the notions +he has received from sceptical writers are giving way to a hope of +salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Fearful of doing anything to make +the members of his own Church his enemies, he comes to us by night,--not +for fear of the Jews, but for fear of the Greeks. + + +9_th_.--How often our hearts are ready to sink within us in the midst +of this dark and superstitious people. We have now been here nearly three +months, and have not had one opportunity of publicly preaching the gospel. +The power of prejudice in favor of their own superstitious rites, and the +overwhelming influence of moral evil, seem entirely to close our way in +this line. We have had much conversation with our friend, Isaac Lowndes, +who has resided on this island thirteen years, on the subject of publicly +preaching the gospel to the people; and he says that such is their +attachment to the ceremonies of their own church that they cannot be +prevailed upon to attend the ministry of any other denomination. +I. Lowndes is a character with whom we feel much Christian unity, and his +family is like a little lamp shining in the midst of gross darkness. + +This darkness, adds Martha Yeardley, is increased by the dissipation of +the greater part of the English. The military have great influence here, +and their practices tend greatly to demoralize the unhappy people. We have +just heard that they have obtained leave of the Senate to hold a ball in +the new school-rooms, and to break down the partition-wall between them +for this purpose, which will prevent the school from being opened for +another month. + + +On the 23rd John Yeardley continues:-- + + +To-day my drooping spirit has been refreshed by six precious letters from +England, expressing the interest of our dear friends in our mission; but +oh, how my heart is humbled in the sense of how little we do. During our +stay here I have been closely engaged in translating Judson's Questions on +Scripture. The correction is nearly finished, and we propose having a +number printed for the school. + + +Ignorance of the language was a perpetual hindrance in their way. Although +they devoted a very large portion of time to acquiring it, the difficulty +was almost insurmountable. They learned to read and translate; but to +converse in Greek was for a long time almost entirely beyond their power. + +Although to preach and teach the gospel was the primary object of John and +Martha Yeardley's errand, the temporal improvement of their fellow-men +was by no means foreign to their mission; and we have often seen that +plans for the promotion of industry and self-support were to the former +objects of peculiar interest. During their residence at Corfu no small +portion of his time was occupied with the establishment of a model farm, +which seems to have been a joint scheme on his part and that of the +administration. A grant of land was obtained from the Senate, and the +prisoners, with some of the poor, were set to work to cultivate it. Some +of the landowners watched the progress of the experiment, with the +intention, if it should be successful, of introducing the plan upon their +estates. + +We may conclude this account of their residence in Corfu with some general +remarks on the religious character and condition of the inhabitants. + + +We trust, say they, our sojourn in Corfu may not have been in vain: if we +may only be permitted to prepare the way for the further enlargement of +the Saviour's kingdom on the earth, we may well be content. Preparing the +way it may truly be called, for there is a great deal to be done among a +people just emerging from barbarism, and bringing with them all the fixed +habits of ignorance and superstition, before a door can be opened for the +direct preaching of the gospel. Their mode of reasoning is strong and +wily, and they ask questions which can only be answered in private +conversation and by Scripture proof. A great means of affording help must +be by educating the rising generation and by the diffusion of Scriptural +knowledge. Many of the priest are extremely ignorant, and some of them +have only learned by _rote_ the service of their own church in the +ancient Greek; their knowledge, therefore, cannot be founded on their own +search for Scriptural truth, seeing they have not had the opportunity of +examining for themselves. In some instances when we have presented to them +the New Testament in the modern language, they have said, with a look of +anxious gratitude, This is what we want; we priests teach in the churches +what we do not ourselves understand. + + +On the 26th of the Second Month they crossed the sea to Santa Maura, +having a delightful passage of eight hours. Captain McPhail, the governor, +a friend of William Allen's, met them himself with a boat, and conducted +them to his house. He showed them every attention during their short +sojourn, and introduced them to those persons whom they desired to see. +They made an interesting call on the bishop;-- + + +A nice old man, who was many years priest in a village in the mountains, +and, what is a wonder, he has been promoted on account of his virtuous +life. He was a good example in his own village, and a great promoter of +schools. The old man is candid enough to confess that he was happier among +his rustic peasants than he is now in more refined society. We gave him +the book of Genesis in Modern Greek; and it was highly gratifying to us to +see the surprise and pleasure of his countenance on being presented with +an account of the Creation and works of the Almighty in his native tongue. +We thought the opportunity favorable for proposing the Scriptures to be +read by the clergy in the modern instead of the ancient language. He made +no objection, and appeared to see the great utility which might arise from +it. + + +Something has been said about the semi-barbarism of the Greeks. What our +friends learned respecting crime and violence, whilst in this island, +places the manners of the people in a very strong light. + + +Nothing can show more strongly the demoralized state of these islands than +the frightful acts of cruelty done to the cattle out of pure revenge. One +shudders to think of the skinning of beasts alive, cutting off the ears of +asses, breaking the legs of horses; yet of these sorts of cruelty not less +than 500 acts have been committed in the last four years, and the +offenders have escaped being brought to conviction! + + +This dark picture is happily relieved by some traits of moral beauty. The +narrative of a ride into the mountains of Santa Maura, which J.Y. made +under the escort of the governor, proves to how great a degree virtuous +and gentle manners grew and flourished in the remoter parts of this +island. + + +3 _mo_. 1.--This morning we set out for a ride about nine miles up +the mountains to a village called Caria, which contains about 1200 +inhabitants, and in the surrounding hamlets there are about the same +number. + +About half-past 9 o'clock we started; Captain McPhail and myself on his +two sure-footed horses, and another English gentleman on a fine mule. +After we had left the newly-made road, we pursued a track perfectly +unequalled in any part where I have travelled; rugged precipices, shelving +rocks, and large loose stones, which assailed the feet of the poor beasts +every step they took. However, for my part, I was well rewarded; it gave +me an opportunity not only of seeing the interior of the island, but also +a specimen of the disposition of the natives. Before we reached the +village, I observed, with some surprise, a tribe of people assembled on +the top of the cliffs to see us come in, and on ascending a few more paces +of rock, we found the children of the boys' school arranged like a little +army, with myrtle branches in their hands to welcome us to their +sequestered hamlet. After greeting us with great respect, they followed us +to the country-house of our English friend. + +The mountain multitude waited with patience until we had made our repast, +when a few of the leading villagers were introduced to our room. And what +was their request? A school for their daughters. They were asked what they +would give towards its support. They answered, Whatever we can afford; we +that are able will pay for the poor, and they shall go free. It was then +intimated to them, that their friends would assist them in establishing a +school; but that they themselves must join in the effort, and that it +would be well to consult together, and put down their names and the number +of children they would send. Here the town-crier came forward, and said he +had for the last twenty years cried everything the government wished to be +made known in the town, free of cost, and he would now go round and cry +for the benefit of the school. Next came forward the father of the young +woman proposed for the mistress, who it was proposed should be further +instructed in the village, and then sent to the town to learn the system. +We asked them if they were sensible of the advantages of a school for +girls, of having them brought up to be good wives, capable of managing +their households, and able to read the precious things in the New +Testament. One of them replied, Without instruction what are we?--we are +like the beasts. One peasant had been so anxious for his daughter to learn +to read, that he had made interest to send her to the boys' school. When +we asked why he did so, he said, Because I had no other means, and I +wished to have her read the New Testament to us; now I have the advantage +of hearing that precious book read to me by my own daughter. It was +delightful to witness a feeling like this in a people so uncultivated; +surely the friends of education in Greece have encouragement to go on and +prosper. + +After this pleasing interview we proceeded to the boys' school, followed +by as many as could get into the room. When the boys had read, I desired +that questions might be put to them on what they had been reading, but +soon found that this important mode of instruction was neglected; the +master promised to introduce the questions which we are having printed, if +we would send him the books. On returning to our quarters, we found among +the crowd who were still present, the three priests, come, I suppose, to +pay their respects to the governor. We were glad of an opportunity of +conversing with them. On asking their opinion as to a school, one of them +said, in Greek, It is good, blessed and honorable. I could not let this +favorable opportunity pass without impressing on them, through McPhail, +the advantage of reading the Scriptures to the people in the modern tongue +which they could understand, telling them that the book of Genesis was +already printed in Modern Greek. They could hardly believe me, and on my +showing them a new copy of this and of the Psalms, their eyes sparkled +with pleasure. Our friend the governor read aloud a portion of Genesis, +and one of the priests a little out of the Psalms. The long-robed, +patriarchal looking man said, Ah, this is what we want! We priests read in +the churches what we don't understand ourselves, and how can we explain it +to others. They modestly asked if they might have the books for a while; +and when we said they were given to them, there was a little jealousy who +should have them; this we removed by saying that more should be sent. Many +of the kind-hearted people accompanied us to the precipice, and ran before +to clear the way; and, through divine mercy, we reached the dwelling of +our kind host in safety; not without a steeping of mountain rain. + +When the good Bishop of Santa Maura heard the result of our interview with +the peasants, he sent one of his most influential priests with a +subscription book for his people to put down their names towards a fund +for the schools, thus promptly giving his sanction to general education. + +3 _mo_. 2.--First-day. After breakfast we read a chapter and held our +meeting with Captain McPhail and his wife, and felt a little comfort in +holding up the standard of religious worship. Something was given us to +utter, both in testimony and supplication. + +The next evening we dined with the governor. It was a state dinner, given +to the judges and persons of rank in the town; about twenty of us sat +down; the repast was splendid and the dishes innumerable. At the head of +the table was Captain McPhail in full uniform; on his right our hostess in +a rich Greek dress; on his left a young lady in the full Italian style; my +M.Y. and myself were not the least singular in appearance. All was done in +good order, and a sweet feeling prevailed. + +4_th_.--We are like prisoners at large, not being able to leave the +island till the steamer returns. Captain McPhail has kindly proposed our +paying a visit to the continent to see a little colony of the natives who +live in wigwams. These people like many others suffered greatly from the +Turks, and took refuge in Santa Maura, which has excited in them a feeling +of gratitude for the protection of their English neighbors. + +About 9 o'clock we started in the Captain's boat, a family party, not +leaving even the baby at home. We had a pleasant sail of less than an +hour, and found seven ponies waiting for us at the landing-place. The +ponies were brought into the sea, and we mounted the pack-saddles; some of +our company being carried from the boat on men's backs. Thus arranged we +set out, one by one, along the narrow goat-paths, accompanied by our +retinue, some going before, and some following with the baggage. We +winded our way among bushes of myrtle and mastic till we reached the +willow-city. It consists of about sixty perfect wigwams of one room each, +with no other light but what is admitted by the doorway, four feet high, +with here and there a glimpse that makes its way through the wattles. + +The people having received notice of our visit had made a general-holiday, +and were all assembled, with lively good-humor in their countenances, to +greet our arrival. This in the first year that they have been left to +enjoy their lands in peace since the destruction by the Turks of their +little town, which stood at about half an hour's distance. Some of them +possess property in land and cattle, and all live on the produce of their +own farms, and produce their own clothing. These simple-hearted people +show their good sense by avoiding all lawsuits, so common among the +Greeks. They choose one upright old man, with two assistants, to govern +them, to whose judgment they submit, and the greatest punishment is to be +shut up for two or three days in a solitary room in the convent. + +The wigwam where we alighted was soon filled with visitors. We were served +with coffee by our hostess,--an interesting woman, with much expression of +mildness in her countenance. After conversing awhile with the villagers, +and satisfying their curiosity as well as we could, I thought it a +suitable time to bring about the primary object of our visit, and inquired +who among them could read. A young man came forward who had been educated +in the school at Santa Maura; we gave him a New Testament, and he read the +greater part of a chapter in the Gospels. Those who were in the room +listened with surprise and attention, and many without looked eagerly in +at the doorway to hear what was going on. This was probably the first time +they had heard the gospel in their own language. We gave them a few copies +of the New Testament and some tracts, for which they hardly knew how to +express their gratitude; and we requested the reader to continue the +practice he had commenced. + +When this scene of interest was over we took a turn round the other huts. +They are situated on the side of the hill, among myrtles, and command a +delightful view of the valley. We passed by the common oven, and on +looking in saw our dinner preparing. The table was spread in the +hospitable wigwam which we first entered, a clean white tablecloth and +napkins on a large board, with cushions around on boxes for chairs. The +repast consisted of a whole lamb, well roasted, and two sorts of +Yorkshire-pudding, one of which was particularly good. + +This patriarchal repast being finished, we again went forth, and visited +the convent of Plija, distant from the wigwams about ten minutes' walk. +Many of our new friends accompanied us, the judge with great solidity of +manner leading the way. We passed a beautiful fountain at the head of the +glen, and entered the monastic edifice, which is built of stone. The +abbot, a fine old man, met us at the door with a pleasant countenance. He +invited us into his cell; we had to stoop very low to save our heads, and +the door-case was rubbed bright on all sides by the friction of this +solitary inmate passing in and out. The hermitage consists of one room +with a bed in the corner, screened by a slight partition; a lattice-window +admitted a peep into the rich and lovely vale below, and the pure air of +the mountain was not obstructed by glass. I had often heard of the Eastern +custom of sitting cross-legged, but never till now experienced it in +reality. We were desired to sit on cushions spread on the floor for our +reception, and were served with the finest walnuts and honey I ever +tasted; and while we partook of this hermit-like repast, there was a +precious feeling of good, and I believe we had the secret prayers of the +good abbot, as he had ours. When we presented him with the New Testament, +Genesis, and the Psalms, he kissed the books and pressed them to his +bosom, expressing his gratitude for the treasure. + +Our next visit was to the habitation of the judge, which is of the same +description as the rest, where we were served again with coffee. What +pleased us was the sweet feeling of quiet which prevailed, of which I +think some of them were sensible; one woman, our first hostess, put her +hand to her heart and said very sweetly, "I love you." + +They would not let us depart without showing us their ancient custom of +taking hold of hands and dancing round, singing meanwhile a sort of chant. +Many of them came with us to the water's edge, and prayers were raised in +our hearts for their good, and thanksgiving to our Divine Master for the +comfort and satisfaction of the day. + +3 _mo_ 8.--Under the hospitable roof of Captain McPhail we have felt +much at home. His wife said our coming had been a blessing to her; she is +near to us in gospel love. The captain accompanied us in his boat to the +steamer. + + +From Santa Maura they proceeded to Argostoli, the chief town of +Cephalonia. + + +We arrived about five o'clock in the morning. The entrance to the town for +a considerable distance is like a perfect lake: the white houses along the +side of the harbor, and the craggy hill with the olives growing out of the +rocks, had a pretty appearance at the break of day. Our young Greek +interpreter, Giovanni Basilik, was with us. We had to call up the +inhabitants of the only inn in the place before we could get shelter. At +first the host refused to receive our little company, but after some +explanation he consented to arrange the desolate-looking rooms into +habitable order. + + +They visited the schools and the prison, and they received from the +Resident, H.G. Tennyson, and the schoolmaster and mistress, a friendly +reception; but the islanders are generally careless of instruction, and +progress of all kinds is slow. + +From Cephalonia they traversed the sea to the beautiful island of Zante. +Though they had ten men to row, the passage occupied thirteen hours. + + +Contrary wind, writes John Yeardley, compelled us to approach the island +slowly, which gave us an opportunity of viewing the villages and scattered +houses at the foot of the mountain. The town of Zante is very long; the +main street has piazzas on each side for a considerable distance. In many +of the windows (I suppose a Turkish custom) there are something like +cages, through which the women peep without being seen, under the pretence +of modesty; but it is horrid to hear of the wickedness committed in-doors. +However, I am glad to find the custom is dying away, and that the young +women are now permitted to walk in public more than they were a few years +ago. This island is by far the finest we have visited; it is very fertile +and well cultivated, and supplies England with currants; but, like their +neighbors, the people have the character of being immoral, treacherous, +and revengeful. It is sorrowful to think that, under the system of +picture-worship, there is scarcely a sin of which the poor Greek is not +guilty to an enormous extent. With God all things are possible--he can +change the hard heart of man by the power of his Divine Spirit; but, +morally speaking, it must be some great convulsion that can work a real +change in the nation. W.O. Croggon has labored here more than seven years, +and knows not of one conversion among the rich Greeks--not one attends the +service for worship. He is the Methodist missionary here, and is called +the friend of every man: he has been a real friend to us. + +The Governor and his wife have paid us marked attention. The former took +us to see the prison, which is well conducted, and the prisoners are +classed. We suggested the benefit likely to result from the prisoners +being employed, and Major Longley [the Governor] intends to introduce +basket-making. We have, in addition to the public schools, visited several +private ones, and are pleased to find so many children receiving +education: this is really the chief source of hope for improving the +morals of the Greeks, and dispersing the gross darkness which surrounds +this people, whose long servitude and sufferings under very hard masters +have almost driven them back to barbarism. + +17_th_.--There was a shock of earthquake, more violent than has been +felt for some years in this place. Our room shook almost like a ship at +sea; the walls, beds, tables, and glasses were all in motion, and the +sensation, while it lasted, was that of sea-sickness. The noise may be +compared to the rolling of a carriage with many horses coming at full +speed, and suddenly stopping at the dwelling. (See _Eastern +Customs_, p. 78.) + + +Having thus explored the four principal islands of the Ionian Archipeligo. +John and Martha Yeardley turned their course towards the Morea. + + +30_th_.--At 6 o'clock in the morning we put ourselves once more at +the mercy of the waves of the Mediterranean, and had a quick passage of +fourteen hours. The landing at Patras was frightful; a sudden squall threw +us off the shore, and caused us to lose part of the rudder, so that we +were obliged to get into a very small boat, which threatened to upset +every moment. We were, however, favored to land in safety on a projecting +rock: it was nearly dark, and the whole had a terrific appearance. + +The plains near Patras, once beautifully planted with currants, olives and +vines, are now perfectly desolate. The castle was in possession, of the +Turks eight years, who made continual sallies from it for provision and +firewood; while, in order to disappoint them, the Greeks themselves +assisted in the destruction of all vegetation; so that there is scarcely +any green thing to be seen. The old town is a scene of ruins; the site of +the new town is near the sea, where temporary shops and houses have been +erected. + +It was difficult to find a shelter for the night; but a kind +fellow-traveller assisted us, and at length we were pressed into a +miserable dirty room, with only a board for a bedstead. + +At Patras we had abundance of consultation, whether to undertake the +journey to Corinth and Athens by land, or to encounter the gulf. We +concluded to venture on the latter, and contracted with the captain of a +little boat to depart at five the next morning. He deceived us by not +sailing at the time proposed; but we made an agreement with other sailors +to go off in the evening, hoping to get to Corinth the next morning: but, +after tossing all night, we found in the morning the ship had only made +twenty miles; and about mid-day the captain declared he could not get to +Corinth, and must put into a small port on the opposite side of the gulf, +called Galaxidi, and wait for better weather. We were so exhausted as to +feel thankful in the prospect of being once more on land. Nothing can be +more comfortless than these small Greek vessels; in the cabin you can +neither stand nor lie at full length. + +After some difficulty in getting on shore, we were led to the khan, a very +large room with a fire in one corner for boiling water, and a wine store; +and round the side were benches which served for sitting by day, and on +which the traveller spreads his mattress for the night, if he has one; if +not, he must go without. We were desired to mount a ladder to a loft like +a corn-floor, badly tiled in, and divided into four parts by boards about +five feet high. The one division of this place assigned to us had no door, +and when the windows were shut, which were of wood, there was no light +what shone through the tiling or was admitted between the boards. The +place was soon furnished, for the boy brought us a mat and spread it on +the floor, which was all we had a right to expect; but as we seemed to be +visitors who could pay pretty well, they brought also a rough wooden table +and three wooden stools. + +2_nd_.--Galaxidi is in ruins, presenting only mud cottages and +temporary wooden houses; ships also are in building. + +4_th_.--This morning we walked among the huts of the town, and found +an old man keeping school near the ruins of his own school-room, which had +been destroyed by the Turks. It happened to be his dinner-time, and he was +seated cross-legged on a stone, with a footstool before him, enjoying a +few olives and a morsel of bread. Around him stood his ragged pupils, +reading from leaves torn out of old books, some of which were so worn and +dirty that the poor boys could scarcely discover what they had once +contained. The weather was by no means warm, yet we could not wonder at +his choosing the open air for the place of instruction, when we saw his +dwelling, which was a mud hut not quite nine feet square, with no opening +for light but through the doorway. In this hovel he taught his forty +scholars when the inclemency of the weather did not permit their being out +of doors. The grey-headed father was surprised that his humble company had +attracted the notice of strangers; but, seeing the interest we manifested +in his calling, he inquired for a New Testament, which we gladly +furnished, with the addition of some tracts to such of the children as +could read them. This sight was gratifying to us as showing a disposition +to teach and to learn, even under the most disadvantageous circumstances. + +Our quarters at the khan became more uncomfortable; the people were so +uncivil they would hardly give us cold water without grumbling. The second +night we witnessed one of the most dreadful storms we ever remember to +have seen. Violent gusts of wind shook our desolate abode, while the rain +poured down in torrents and found entrance in various parts of our +apartment. + + +They intended, as we have seen, to go to Athens by way of Corinth, and +when they were disappointed of sailing to that city, and thrown upon the +opposite shore of the gulf, they still seem to have supposed it impossible +to reach the capital by any other route. + + +5_th_.--Being, says John Yeardley, on the contrary side of the gulf, +and thus deprived of helping ourselves by means of horses, we gave up all +hope of reaching Athens, and thought we must of necessity return to +Patras. We therefore inquired for a vessel to take us thither; but never +shall I forget my feelings of horror while trying to contract with a man +for a boat. I said in my heart, O that I might be permitted to try the +fleece once more in turning our faces towards Athens. The man was +exorbitant in his demands, and it was too late to reach Patras without +risking the night on the sea. To stay where we were was next to impossible +without serious injury, especially to my dear Martha. Strong indeed was +our united prayer for direction and help in this time of distress, and +ever-blessed be the name of our adorable Lord who heard and answered our +prayer. Out of the depths of distress a little light sprung up, and we +thought if we could take a boat and cross over to Scala, a little port on +the opposite side of the creek, we might then take mules to [Castri the +ancient] Delphi, and if not able to proceed further on our way, the change +we hoped would be use to M.Y. We did make the effort, and were favored to +get to Scala, where we found only a few scattered mud houses; but on +landing, there was a change of feeling immediately experienced. We were +rescued from ship-builders and sailors, the vilest of the vile, and placed +among a simple country people. + +The master of the custom-house, to whom we had a few lines of +recommendation, invited us to his house and gave us coffee. He provided us +with four mules; three for the interpreter and ourselves, and the fourth +for the baggage. It was about eight miles, or two and a half hours' ride, +to Delphi; and no sooner had we begun to feel the mountain air than my +dear M. began to revive. We had to climb precipices where nothing but +mules could have carried us. At the foot of the mountain we came in +company with two camels, which was a new sight to us. + +The situation of Delphi is the most beautiful that eyes can behold: +mountains of rock, such as we never before saw, and in the back ground the +far-famed Parnassus, covered with snow. The village consists of about one +hundred cottages, some of them built in the rock. We were conducted to one +of the best of these rustic dwellings, and met with a very friendly +reception from the inmates. The house consisted of two rooms, and we were +offered the use of one of them; they furnished us with mattresses laid +upon a sort of dresser, where we slept much better than for many previous +nights; even the hen and her thirteen chickens under our bed did not +disturb us. The novelty of the visiters soon brought in several of the +neighbors, who did not leave us, even while we took our tea. As there was +a good feeling, we thought it well to improve the opportunity, and +inquired who could read. The master of the house, a sensible man, said +there were only about twenty in the village who know anything of letters, +but that he could both read and write, for his father was a priest. + +After tea we produced a New Testament and the book of Genesis, and our +interpreter read aloud the first two chapters of Genesis. Our host had +never seen the Scriptures in his own language, and we think we never +beheld a countenance more full of delight and intelligence than his was +during the reading. After a short explanation of what had been read, and a +word of exhortation, we thought to close; but the company were so pleased +with hearing the account of the creation and fall of man [from the sacred +record itself], that they requested us to read more. I desired them to ask +any questions on the subject they might wish; and the first which our host +put was, What kind of tree it was, the fruit of which Adam was forbidden +to eat? We answered that it was translated in our language _apple_. +He said they thought it was a _fig_. We told them it might be a fig, +or it might be an apple; but that the object of the Almighty was to try +Adam's obedience. They at once agreed to this; and the master of the house +wisely observed, Jesus Christ came to restore to us what was lost by +Adam's transgression. He then said, It would have been better if Adam, +after his transgression, instead of hiding himself, had confessed his sin +to God, and begged his forgiveness. We all agreed that it was a natural +act for man, in his fallen state, to wish to seek excuse, rather than to +confess his sin and repent. We then made some remarks on the prophecy of +the Saviour in the third chapter of Genesis, and ability was given us to +preach the Gospel of life and salvation. All hearts seemed touched, and +our own overflowed with gratitude. We may in truth say, Our Heavenly +Father has plucked our feet out of a horrible pit and out of the miry +clay, and set them upon a rock, and put a new song into our mouth, even +praise to his glorious name. On considering afterwards our situation, we +could not but behold the hand of a gracious Providence which had led us to +this spot; had we attempted to go by Corinth to Athens, we should [as they +afterwards learned] have been stopped by the waters, and have missed +seeing this interesting people; but from hence the way was passable, and +only four days' journey by land. + +After dinner we walked through the village up to the rock. We came to a +fountain where several women were washing; one of them, a young-looking +person, suddenly left her companions, and with hasty step and entreating +air advanced towards us, as we supposed to ask something; but she bowed +her head almost to the ground, and then kissed our hands; after which she +withdrew in a cheerful and diffident manner. The reason of this salutation +was, that the young woman had lately been married, and it was customary +for the last bride of the village to kiss the hands of strangers. + +The temple of Apollo once occupied nearly half an acre of ground: a great +many of its marble pillars are still to be seen, half buried by the +plough, and corn growing over them. About a hundred yards from this temple +is the cave in the rock from whence the priestess pronounced the oracle. +Among the curiosities of this wonderful place, the tombs in the rocks are +not the least remarkable. They are built of the most beautiful white +marble; the entrance is by a large archway, and round the circle are +several recesses in the stone, one above another, where the dead had +evidently been deposited. They illustrate the history of the maniac +dwelling among the tombs (Mark v. 3.), for these caves formed a perfect +sort of house in which persons might dwell. + +8_th_.--We were not able to leave Delphi on account of the high wind +with some rain. In the evening we again enjoyed our Scripture reading on +the hearth. We continued the book of Genesis, and our host inquired +whether those who died before the birth of the Saviour were lost. He was +informed they were saved through faith in the promise. He had supposed +they went into hell, and that when Christ came he released them. We asked +him if Enoch, who walked with God and was translated, could have been sent +to hell. Of this he knew nothing, never having read the Scriptures. + +9_th_.--This morning we procured four mules and four men, and +proceeded on our pilgrimage towards Livadia, thirty-three miles from +Delphi. Our kind host recommended us to the special care of one of the +muleteers, who put his hand to his heart, and feelingly accepted the +trust. We were most of the day winding round Parnassus, whose height above +us was tremendous. The road was frightful; over rocks, waters, and swampy +ground; we could hardly have believed it possible to pass through the +places where our mules penetrated. The muleteer performed his trust +faithfully, rendering us all the assistance in his power. On parting we +presented him with some tracts; he could read, and was much gratified with +the gift. + +At Livadia we were badly lodged, in a smoky room, and suffered much from +extreme fatigue; but we found ourselves with an interesting family, to +whom we read the Scriptures, seated with them on the floor; and we could +not but feel grateful to our Divine Master, for leading us among those who +were thirsting to receive the Holy Scriptures in a language they could +understand. + +10_th_.--We travelled on horses through a comparatively flat country, +despoiled of all its verdure by the ruthless hand of war. The evening was +wet; we reached the once celebrated Thebes in the dark, and were glad to +take shelter in a smoky room, in the first house that could receive us. +The situation is fine, but the present town occupies only the part which +was the fortress of ancient Thebes. + +11_th_.--This day we had much mountain country to pass through. Every +tree we could see was either partly burnt or partly cut away. Towards the +end of our day's travel we went through an immense wood, difficult of +passage, on leaving which the Gulf of Aegina appeared in view. We rested +for the night at a little settlement of Albanians near the coast. We +obtained shelter in the cottage of an old woman, who seemed a little +startled at the appearance of strangers, whose language she could not +understand. Concluding, however, that we had the common wants of nature, +and having no bread to offer us, she quickly prepared a little meal, made +a cake, and baked it on the hearth under the ashes. We made signs to be +furnished with a vessel in which we might prepare a little chocolate, our +frequent repast under such circumstances; and, at length, a very rough +homely-looking pitcher was produced; but the greater difficulty was to +find something in which to boil the milk and water. After waiting till +their own soup had been prepared, we obtained the use of the saucepan. +These difficulties overcome, we enjoyed our meal; and offered some to a +Greek woman who had walked beside our mules for the sake of company, on +her dreary journey to Athens; but she refused, with thanks, saying, I am +not sick; for the Greeks seldom take beverage of this sort, except when +they are indisposed. As the inmates of this homely cottage, as well as the +neighbors, who usually come in to see travellers of our uncommon +appearance, did not understand Greek, we were deprived of the opportunity +of reading the Holy Scriptures to them, or of conversing with them on the +subject of religion. All that we could do was to prepare for rest, of +which we stood in great need, having had a very fatiguing ride through the +woods to this place. The room in which we had taken shelter was also to be +our sleeping-place, in common with the old woman and her family and the +Greek traveller; in another part of the room were also a sheep and several +other animals. We swept as clean as we could a space in the neighborhood +of the quiet sheep, and spread what bedding we had upon the mud floor, +surrounding it with our baggage, except our carpet-bags, which served us +for pillows; and after commending ourselves and the household to the +protecting care of the great Shepherd of Israel, we obtained some +refreshing repose. (See _Eastern Customs_, pp. 17-19.) + +12_th_.--We started with tired bones. After a pleasant ride of four +hours the Acropolis of Athens burst upon our view. The city is beautifully +situated in a plain bounded by mountains, and near to a rich grove of +olive-trees, which has been spared amid the ravages of war. I felt, says +John Yeardley, low and contemplative; many and various thoughts crowded +into my heart. Every foot we set in Greece, we Bee desolation. I can +scarcely believe that I am in the place where the great Apostle of the +Gentiles desired to know nothing but Christ crucified; and in sight of +Mars Hill, from which the same apostle preached to the Athenians the true +God. + +We reached the only inn in the town, much worn by fatigue and bad +accommodation, yet very grateful for having been preserved from any +serious accident during our perilous journey, and under a precious sense +that it was in right ordering we persevered in coming to this place. + +We introduced ourselves to the American missionaries, Hill and King, and +met with a hearty reception. The schools under their care are the most +gratifying sight we have seen. J. Hill and his wife have nearly 500 +children on their list. We were much pleased with the arrangements of the +schools: the classification is the best I have ever seen, and the children +exhibit intelligence and thirst for instruction. The effect of Scriptural +instruction on the minds of the Greek children is very gratifying. A young +girl whom the directors had taken into the school as an assistant teacher, +entered the family with a mind fortified in the superstitions taught in +her own church, observing scrupulously the feast and fast-days, the making +the sign of the cross before eating, and the kissing of pictures. The +mistress wisely avoided interfering with what the girl considered to be +her religious duties; but after she had attended the Scriptural reading +and the family worship for a short time, the light of divine truth broke +in upon her heart; and as she embraced the substance of the religion of +Jesus Christ, her attachment to the superstitious forms became gradually +weakened, until at length she left them altogether. The mistress one day +said to her, I observe you do not keep the fast-days, nor cross yourself +before eating, nor kiss the pictures. No, replied the child, I am +convinced that making the outward sign of the cross cannot purify the +heart from sin; and as to meat and drink, I read in the Scriptures, that +it is not that which goeth into the mouth that defiles the man. + +15_th_.--Visited the schools under the direction of Jonas King, of +the Boston mission. He has an academy for young men, and a school for +mutual instruction, containing together 150. I think the mode of Scripture +lessons particularly efficient. The instruction given in the schools at +Athens seems more complete than in any we have visited during the journey. +J.K. has service in modern Greek three times on First-days, at which some +of the young men attend, along with other Greeks, but not many. + +During our stay in this city we visited many Greek families, and +distributed among them religious tracts and portions of the Holy +Scriptures, and exhorted them to the observance of their religious duties, +often calling their attention to those points in which their own practices +are at variance with the doctrine of Holy Scripture. + +The ancient ruins are exceedingly grand, and raise mingled feelings in the +heart not easily described, but tending to humble the pride of human +greatness. We saw the Temple of Theseus, the prison of Socrates, the +famous Temple of Minerva; but the spot that most nearly interested us was +Mars Hill, whose rocky mount was in view from lodgings, where we sat and +conversed together of the Apostle Paul preaching the true God; and in the +sweet stillness which covered our spirits, earnestly desired that the pure +Gospel might again be freely preached and received throughout this +interesting but desolated country. + +There are not more than sixty really good houses built in the town; but, +including great and small, there may be 1500 dwellings. It is settled that +Athens shall be the seat of the Greek government; and the young king, +Otho, laid the foundation-stone of the new palace in his last visit to +this place. + +18_th_.--Being anxious to get to Patras in time to sail by an English +packet to Corfu, we set off for the port. J. Hill met us, to see us embark +in a boat for Kalimichi. The Greek sailors have a superstition against +sailing at any time but in the night; but after being deceived by one +captain, we prevailed, on another to set sail [in the daytime], in the +full hope of reaching Kalimichi the same evening. A favorable gale wafted +us on for some time, but a slight storm coming on, the cowardly captain +ran us into a creek, and kept us tossing all the night in his open boat. +About eight o'clock the next morning we were favored to reach Kalimichi in +safety, where we procured mules and reached Corinth to dinner. + +Here there are only a few houses standing in the midst of ruins. We took +up our abode at the only inn, from the windows of which we looked upon the +busy scene of a fair. Our hearts were not enlarged, as the great Apostle's +was; for our spirits were clothed with mourning in contemplating the +darkness of the place. Many persons to whom we spoke could not read; and +on offering a Testament to the man of the inn he refused to receive it. + +We pursued our travels, and at mid-day met with a trying detention from +the muleteer having neglected to obtain a permission. We were at length +suffered to proceed, but arrived late at a miserable khan, where we passed +the night in a loft. This poor place could only furnish two mules and a +donkey, with a man to attend them; but we were encouraged to hope we +should find four horses about two hours further on; but here we were +disappointed, and could get no horses to proceed. We felt truly destitute, +and took refuge in a loft from the scorching rays of the sun. We had very +little food with us, and saw no probability of quitting our desolate abode +till the next day at any rate. Thus situated we were endeavoring to be +reconciled to our allotment, when most unexpectedly, about two o'clock, we +espied a small fishing-boat sailing towards Patras, and immediately ran +down to the shore, a considerable distance, to make signals to the +boat-man, and inquire whether he would convey us to Vostizza, a place +within a day's journey of Patras. We directly procured a mule to convey +our baggage to the shore, and descended by a very rough path to a creek +where the boat lay to. Here we were again detained by the guard making +great difficulty in allowing the boatman to take passengers without a +permit, which could only be obtained in the town, so strict and perplexing +are the regulations for travellers under the new government. However, +after detaining us an hour and causing us to lose most of the fair wind, +he suffered the man to take us. We sailed along pretty well for a time, +when the wind suddenly changed, and the boatman told us we could not get +to Vostizza that night, but added they would put us on shore where we +should be within an hour's walk of it, and that we could readily find a +mule to carry our baggage. This we gladly accepted, and were soon landed +and on our way. + +Although sick and weary on board, we seemed to receive new strength for +our walk, and arrived at Vostizza at about eight o'clock. Here our +accommodation for the night was much like our former lodging; for this +large town has also been, burned by the enemy, and presents a scene of +ruins. We engaged horses for the next day to convey us to Patras, and were +a little cheered with the prospect of being near that place of attraction. +The man of the house where we lodged could not read, but informed us there +was a school in the town of fifty boys. We saw a person in the next shop +writing, and offered him a Testament, which he very gratefully received, +and sent for the schoolmaster, who seemed much pleased with our offer to +send him books and lessons. We also gave books to several we met with, +who began eagerly to read them aloud, and soon obtained hearers, so that +it became a highly interesting scene: boys who received tracts from us +showed them to others, and numbers crowded about us, even to the lust +moment of our stay. If we had had a thousand books we could have disposed +of them. What a difference between this place and poor Corinth! + +Our trying journey through Greece has given us an opportunity of judging +of the state of things, and I hope will enable us to relieve some of their +wants. It is cause of humble thankfulness to the Father of mercies that he +has preserved us in the midst of many dangers, and brought us in safety so +far back on our way with hearts filled with love and praise. + + +They arrived at Patras on the 22nd, but found that the English steamer had +sailed two days before. They employed the interval before the sailing of +another packet in establishing a girls' school, which was commenced soon +after their departure. At Corfu they received information of the opening +of the school, conveyed in a letter from the sister of the English consul +in the following encouraging terms:-- + + +I am sure you will be gratified to hear that the school which was +established by your benevolent exertions has been opened under the most +favorable auspices. The first day we had twenty-two girls; we have now +forty-eight. Nothing can exceed the eagerness shown by the children to be +admitted, and their parents seem equally anxious to send them; with very +few exceptions they come clean, and on the whole are attentive and well +behaved. Of the forty-eight there are only nine who can read. The little +Corfuot you recommended is first monitor, and of great use. + + +They reached Corfu on the 12th of the Fifth Month, and were kindly +accommodated at the office of the Commissary Ramsay. + + +Immediately on our arrival at Corfu, our young friend the Count Sardina +renewed his visits. We saw him almost daily; our conversations were often +truly spiritual; he opened his heart to us, and we rejoiced to believe +that he had attained to a degree of living faith in his Redeemer. + + +It will be recollected that their inability to collect the inhabitants in +a meeting for worship was a source of discouragement to John and Martha +Yeardley in their former visit to Corfu. Now, on revisiting this island, +they had the satisfaction of holding two meetings for worship with Isaac +Lowndes' congregation. + + +6 _mo._ 1.--Isaac Lowndes had now obtained leave to hold his meeting +for worship in the large school-room, and I felt at liberty to propose +having an opportunity to address the congregation. This he gladly +accepted, and gave notice of our intention. It was pretty well attended, +but not full; a good feeling prevailed. + +15_th_.--We had another meeting with the little company who meet in +the school-room. The room was better filled than on the former occasion: +it was a precious season of divine favor; utterance was given to preach +the word, and I trust there were some into whose hearts it found entrance. + +A few days before we left the island, I.L. took us to visit the Jewish +Rabbi, who, though full of argument, appears extremely dark and +bewildered, dwelling on mysterious words whose interpretation is confined +to the rabbinical office. He said they looked for a temporal king, who +should give a temporal kingdom to Israel. It was a truly painful visit, +and we left him with the desire that he might be instructed even out of +his own law, which, if properly understood, would prove as a schoolmaster +to bring him to Christ. + + +After spending about five weeks at Corfu on this second visit, they again +crossed the Adriatic to Ancona. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1833-4. + +PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE. + +Of the numerous letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from +England during this long journey, very few have been preserved. We shall +extract short passages from two which came to their hands not long before +they left the Islands. The first is from John Rowntree, and is dated the +13th of the First Month, 1834. + + +On my own account, and on behalf of the Friends of our Monthly Meeting, I +feel grateful for the information respecting your proceedings. There is +some difficulty in satisfying the eager anxiety of my friends to know all +that is to be known about your engagements, and I may truly say that the +kind interest which you feel about us is reciprocal. Often do I picture +you to myself, laboring in your Master's cause, receiving as +fellow-partakers of the same grace all whose hearts have been touched +with a sense of his love, who are hoping to experience salvation through +Him alone. + +Our reading meetings are pretty well attended this winter. We have been +reading James Backhouse's journal: he was still engaged, when he sent the +last account of his proceedings, in Van Diemen's Land. Like you, he and +his companion rejoice at meeting with those to whom, although not exactly +agreeing with us in some respects, they can give the right hand of +fellowship as laborers under the same Master. Like you, too, they devote +considerable attention to the improvement of schools, and the improvement +of the temporal condition of the poorer classes among whom they labor. + + +In a letter from William Allen, written the 31st of the Third Month, occur +the following words of encouragement:-- + + +I have heard, through letters to your relations and others, that you have +been much discouraged at not finding a more ready entrance for your gospel +message; but really, considering the darkness; the sensuality, and the +superstition of the people in those parts, we must not calculate upon much +in the beginning. If here and there one or two are awakened and +enlightened, they may be like seed sown, and in the Divine Hand become +instruments for the gathering of others. Should you be made the means of +accomplishing this, in only a very few instances, it will be worth all +your trials and sufferings. And again, you must consider that, in the +performance of your duty, seed may be sown even _unknown by you_, +which may take root, and grow, and bring forth fruit to the praise of the +Great Husbandman, though you may never hear of it. Be encouraged +therefore, dear friends, to go on from day to day in simple reliance on +your Divine Master, without undue anxiety for consequences; for depend +upon it, when he has no more work for you to do, he will make you sensible +of a release. + + +The passage to Ancona was tedious. + + +We embarked at noon, and had a long passage to Ancona of twelve days. We +landed on the 29th, and soon found ourselves occupying an empty room in +the Lazaretto, without even the accommodation of a shelf or closet. The +term of quarantine is fourteen days, but four days are remitted by the +Pope. The heat is oppressive, and the mosquitoes annoy us much, but we are +preserved in a tolerable degree of health; and in taking a review of our +visit to Greece and the Ionian Islands, we are still sensible of a very +peaceful feeling, under a belief that we have followed the pointings of +the Great Master, and a hope that the day is not far distant when the way +will be more fully opened in those countries to receive the gospel. The +preaching of John in the wilderness has often appeared to us to be +applicable to this people,--Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. + +7 _mo._ 6.--We left Ancona, and took the route through Foligno and +Arezzo to Florence. That part of the Pope's dominions through which we +have passed is highly picturesque; hill and dale continually, and the +whole country cultivated absolutely like a garden. Most of the towns are +on the hills, and nothing can exceed the beauty of their situation. But as +to vital religion, the spirit of those who desire the promotion of the +Redeemer's kingdom, on the broad and sound basis of common Christianity, +must be clothed with mourning in passing through this superstitious and +illiberal country. What we have seen of Tuscany is not so fine, but the +appearance of the peasants is much superior. The inns are much more +agreeable than we found them on the road from Geneva to Ancona. + +We arrived at Florence on the 10th. The persons to whom we had +recommendations were absent, on account of the heat of the season, except +the Abbot Valiani, a spiritually-minded man, who showed us great kindness. +He has refused many advantageous offers of promotion, choosing to be +content with a little, rather than to be hampered with fetters which I +believe he thinks unscriptural, and not for the good of the Church; he is +of the opinion that it would be better for the common people to have the +Bible, and to be more acquainted with its contents. He conducted us to see +the School for Mutual Instruction, founded under the patronage of the +Grand Duke, about twelve years ago. The school-room is very large, airy, +and well lighted; it was formerly a convent. The system of education +differs a little from that practiced in England; but the children, about +240 in number, are apparently under an efficient course of instruction and +discipline. The younger boys have a string put round the neck, which +confines them to the place during the lesson, but I observed it did not +confine their attention. We were much pleased with the countenance and +manners of the director, the Abbot Luigi Brocciolini; his heart appears to +be in his work, which is by no means easy. + +We left Florence early on the 13th, and had four days' hard travelling to +Genoa. From Sestri to Genoa, a day's journey, is by the sea, and under the +mountains, some of them of a tremendous height, and beautifully covered +with olives, vines, and figs: the houses hang quite on the sides of the +mountains amidst the olives; I do not remember to have passed through any +country equally picturesque. + +We had packed as many books and tracts as we well could in our wardrobe +trunks, which were not once opened at the different custom-houses, but the +surplus tracts, &c., we were obliged to put into a spare box by +themselves, and this box was not suffered to pass the frontier of +Sardinia. The first officer was embarrassed, not knowing how to act, and +sent a gendarme with us to the bureau of Sarzana, the next town. The +officer there was remarkably civil, but told us the law is such that books +cannot enter except on conditions to which we could not in our conscience +submit. We therefore left them in the bureau, desiring that they might be +made useful: a person in the office said, in a half-whisper, These are the +books to turn the people's heads. We were glad this loss did not prevent +us from distributing others out of our remaining store, at the inns, and +pretty freely on the road. + + +Their object in returning by Genoa was to visit the valleys of Piedmont. +They reached Turin on the 19th, and proceeded on the 22nd to Pignerol. +From this place they visited most of the valleys, went into all the +families where Stephen Grellet had been, and had frequent religious +conversation with the pastors and some of the people. + + +We spent, says J.Y., five days amongst them. The old pastor Best died soon +after the time that Stephen Grellet was there. We met his son, lately +appointed chaplain to the Protestant congregation at Turin. He is a young +man of talent, lively and intelligent, and desirous of being useful in his +new sphere of action. He came to us often at our little inn, and made many +inquiries as to the nature of our religious principles; our conversation +mostly turned on the necessity of the assistance of the Holy Spirit in the +exercise of Christian ministry. This he fully admitted, but was not +prepared to dispense with the necessity of an academical preparation. I +fear that sending the young men to Geneva for this purpose has not always +had a salutary effect. + +We thought it right to attend their worship on First-day morning at La +Tour. The congregation consisted of about 900 clean and well-dressed +peasants, many of whose countenances looked serious. The short discourse +of Pastor Peyron was orthodox, and the application impressive and edifying. +He afterwards dined and spent the afternoon with us at the widow Best's, +with several branches of her interesting and pious family. I humbly trust +this day was spent to mutual comfort. + + +They were disappointed to find that strangers were forbidden by law to +hold public meetings, or preach in the assemblies of the Protestants; and +although they met with many pious individuals, they thought the life of +religion on the whole at a low ebb, and deplored the prevalence of the +forms and ceremonies used by the Church, of England. The schools, too, +they found to be in a very poor state; the masters deficient in education +and badly paid, and the schools conducted without system. The ministers +showed them great kindness, and on their quitting La Tour, Pastor Best +encouraged them by the expression of satisfaction with their visit. They +returned to Turin on the 28th. + +Passing over Mont Cenis, they directed their course to Geneva, where they +arrived on the 3rd of the Eighth Month, rejoiced to be once more on the +English side of the Alps. On their outward journey their sojourn in this +city had been short, but now they found it needful to make a longer visit, +and were thankful in being permitted to mingle again in intimate communion +with those who understood the language of the Spirit. They paid and +received many visits, and held two religious meetings at their hotel, at +the latter of which about fifty persons were present. + +One of the most interesting occasions of which they speak was a Missionary +Meeting, in which the minister Olivier unfolded his experience of a divine +call to leave his country, and go abroad on the service of the gospel. The +voice which he described as having been sounded in his spiritual ear, and +the manner in which he received it, must have struck John Yeardley as +singularly in accordance with the call to a similar service which he +himself had heard so distinctly in his younger days, and which, like +Olivier, he had for a long time hidden in his heart. + + +8 _mo_. 4.--In the evening I attended the Missionary Meeting in the +Chapel de l'Oratoire. Pastor Merle [d'Aubigne] opened the meeting by a +short prayer, and singing, and then gave a narrative of the liberation of +the slaves in the English colonies, according to the account received from +England. Pastor Olivier, from Lausanne, was present. He is about to depart +for Lower Canada, and he spoke in a very touching manner of the way in +which the mission had first opened on his own mind. When the concern was +made known in his heart, he kept it there in secret prayer to the Lord for +direction, and whenever he heard what he believed to be the same voice, it +was always--Go, and the Lord will go with thee. A real unction attended +while he gave us this account; the way in which he spoke of it resembled +the manner of one of our Friends laying a concern before a meeting: many +hearts present felt the force of his words. His exhortation to the young +persons was excellent. Pastor Gaussen concluded the meeting with an +address and lively prayer. + + +Among the friends with whom they had religious intercourse were Pastors +L'Huillier, Gallon, and Molinier. The last was a "father in the church" to +them. After some conversation on the state of religion in Geneva, he +proposed their sitting awhile in silence, well knowing the practice of the +Society of Friends in this respect. John and Martha Yeardley had each a +gospel message to deliver to him, after which he took them both by the +hand, and offered up prayer for their preservation and the prosperity of +the Society to which they belonged. "It was," says J.Y., "the effusion of +the Holy Spirit, accompanied with power, and refreshed our spirits." + +With Pastor Gallon John Yeardley had a long conversation on the principles +and operations of the Societe Evangelique. + + +I find them, he says, more liberal in their views than had been +represented, and their extent of usefulness is already considerable. In +their Academy they instruct young men with a view to their becoming +ministers, missionaries, school-masters, &c., as the prospect for their +future usefulness may open under the direction of Divine Providence. In a +place like Geneva, such an institution may be well: while we regard it +with some caution lest it should run too high on points of doctrine, we +cannot but hail with peculiar satisfaction such a favorable opportunity of +educating young men in the sound principles of Christianity, that they may +happily prove instruments in the Divine Hand to check the spread of +infidelity. + + +From Geneva they went to Lausanne. Their old friend, Professor Gaudin, +took them to see several pastors, and other pious persons, and on +First-day, the 17th, he and his family, with some other serious-minded +individuals, joined them in their hour of worship at the inn. + + +It was, says J.Y., a time of a little encouragement to our tried minds, +for we had been brought into doubt as to the utility of resting here, +although we had seen, as we believed, in the true light, that we ought to +seek out a few who could unite with us in our simple way. + + +On the 18th they went on to Neufchatel, where they were received as before +with much affection, and where they proposed to settle down for the +winter, after making a tour in some neighboring parts of Switzerland. + +On the 20th they went to Berne, and hired a lodging, for the purpose of +devoting themselves to religious intercourse with persons of the +_interior_ class. As soon as it was known they had arrived, their +acquaintance rapidly increased, and they found it difficult to receive all +who came. One of their first acts was to renew their intercourse with the +Combe family at Wabern, where their visit in 1828 had left a sweet +remembrance. + +They spent a fortnight in Berne and the neighborhood, and some passages +from John Yeardley's account of this interesting visit may properly find a +place here. The continual flow of Christian sympathy which it was now +their happiness to experience, formed a strong contrast to the dreary +spiritual wastes they had traversed in Italy and Greece. It was at this +time that they contracted or renewed a friendship with Sophie +Wuerstemberger, since well known to many other English Friends. + + +8 _mo_. 24.--How greatly I feel humbled under the prospect before us +in this place; many thirsting souls are looking to us for help, and we +feel poor and weak; we can only direct them to Him from whom all strength +comes. O my Saviour, forsake us not in this trying hour; give us the +consolation of thy Holy Spirit, and a portion of strength to do thy will! +Our meeting is appointed for this evening; enlighten our understanding, O +Lord, that we may be enabled to instruct the people in the right way. + +25_th_.--More came to the meeting last evening than we expected. They +were still, and a good feeling prevailed; there were those present who +knew something of inward retirement with their Saviour. + +Madame Combe called yesterday to ask some questions on the Supper and +Baptism. I believe it would be an advantage to these pious people, if they +were to read and compare one part of the Scripture with another more +diligently. She left us well satisfied with the explanation given to her +questions. We never touch on these points, unless we are asked questions +upon them. + +The various visits received this day have closed with one of no common +interest from Dr. Karl Bouterwek, a young man from Prussia. He told as he +had received much benefit in the church of the Dissidents, but was on the +point of separating from them, because he could not agree in acknowledging +they were the _only true_ visible church. After some observations on +the Supper, &c., we observed that there were individuals in this place +whom the Most High was calling into more spirituality and purity of +worship. He asked why we thought so. Our reasons were given, and he made +no reply; but a most solemn and precious silence came over us, which it +was beyond our power to break by uttering words. Our hearts were filled +with love, and the dear young man went away to avoid showing the feelings +of his heart by the shedding of tears. + +28_th_.--Took tea at the Pavilion, a pleasant country walk of twenty +minutes from town, with Mad'e de Watteville and her daughter. She had +invited a number of friends to meet us. We passed a couple of hours, +pleasantly conversing, mostly on religious subjects. It is a little +extraordinary, with what openness some of these dear people speak to us of +the state of their minds. When the circle was seated, we formed a pretty +large company. The daughter of Mad'e de W. whispered to my M.Y., Are we +too dissipated to have something good? We told her it was always good to +endeavor to retire before the Lord in humility of soul. I trust a parting +blessing was felt amongst us. + +30_th_.--From 9 o'clock till half-past 12, we received visits in +succession, I think not fewer than fifteen. At half-past 2, Mad'e de Tavel +accompanied us to the Penitentiary prison. For cleanliness and order, I +think, it exceeds all I ever saw of the kind. I fear the religious +instruction is very superficial; none but formal prayers and written +sermons are used. + +31_st_.--Attended Mad'lle Berthom's Scripture class, at the +Institution for the Destitute. There are eighteen girls in the house to +bed and hoard; it has been established about six years. M.B.'s method of +examining the children is the most simple and spiritual of any that I have +seen; she has an extraordinary gift for the purpose. + +9 _mo_. 2.--Attended the Monthly Meeting in the missionary room. Many +of the company were peasants from some distance. The singing excepted, it +resembled a Monthly Meeting for worship in our Society; for all had +liberty to speak one after the other, five or six speaking by way of +testimony: the doctrine was sound, and the way in which they coupled this +with their Christian experience was really excellent. I had much unity +with the concluding prayer by Pastor Merley. + +2_nd_.--The evening was spent at Mad'e W.'s, with a pretty large +company. ---- proposed for a few verses to be sung; afterwards he read a +chapter, and gave a long exposition, somewhat dry. When this and a prayer +were gone through, it was late; neither my M.Y., nor myself, were able to +express what was on our minds. Some uneasiness and disappointment were +expressed by several; and two of these dear friends came to our lodgings +the next day, with whom we had a precious time. My M.Y. had to speak a few +words to the particular state of M.B., and at the close she acknowledged, +in brokenness of spirit, that it was the truth. + +There is a remarkable awakening in the town and canton of Berne, both +among those of the higher walks of life and the peasants; but there is not +strength enough to come out of the forms. There are thirty females to one +man among those who are lately become serious. + + +From Berne, J. and M.Y. proceeded to Zurich, arriving there on the 5th of +the Ninth Month. They spent three days in the city, chiefly in the company +of the Gessner-Lavater family, and renewed with the various members of it +the intimate friendship of former years. A short passage descriptive of +this sojourn is hero appended. + + +9 _mo_. 7.--We attended the worship of the National Church, and heard +the pious Gessner. What he said was excellent, but I never enter these +places without feeling regret that good Christians can be so bound by +book-worship; it certainly damps the life of religion in the assemblies. +How much we ought to rejoice in being delivered from the forms. + +I was instructed yesterday evening by hearing a reply of one of the first +missionaries of the Moravians [?]. He had labored diligently for +twenty-five years, and when asked how many souls had been turned to the +Lord by his means, he modestly answered, Seven. The person expressing +surprise at the smallness of the number in so many years, he replied, How +happy shall I be to stand in the Lord's presence at the last day, and to +say, Lord, here am I and the seven children whom thou hast given me. We +ought to labor in faith, and not expect to see fruit. + + +The next town where they halted was Schaffhausen, like Zurich, dear to +them in the recollections of past visits. Here they examined the school +for poor children in the town, and that of Buch in the neighborhood. They +were delighted with both these institutions. The mistress of the former +possessed an extraordinary natural talent for her office; she was +originally a servant, when, instead of seeking her own pleasure on the +First-days of the week, as other servants did, she would take a few +children to teach them to read and instruct them in the Bible. Their visit +to the school at Buch is described by John Yeardley in No. 10 of his +Series of Tracts, _The Six Secrets_. + +On the 13th they went to Basle, where they conversed with most of the +pastors, and several other individuals of religious character. + + +Serious, retired persons, says John Yeardley (9 mo. 21), frequently come +to us and open the state of their minds with great freedom and confidence. +If we are of any use to their thirsty souls, it is the Saviour's love that +draws us into sympathy with them, and his good Spirit that enables us to +speak a word in season to their condition. + + +As usual, they visited the Mission House. Inspector Blumhardt informed +them that the translation which had been made of J.J. Gurney's "Essays on +Christianity," and of which 2000 copies were printed, had been productive +of great good; they had been distributed chiefly among those who were +connected with the German universities. + +They remained at Basle until the 1st of the Tenth Month, and then returned +by way of Berne to Neufchatel. At Berne a sudden diversion was given to +the current of their thoughts by the intelligence of the death of Thomas +Yeardley. J.Y. has left a memorandum of the occurrence, and of the +singular foreshadowing of it upon his own mind which took place at Zurich. + + +10 _mo_. 2. _Berne_.--We found many letters from England waiting +for us here, one of which, from my nephew John Yeardley, brought the +sorrowful intelligence of the sudden and unexpected removal of my +dearly-beloved brother Thomas, of Ecclesfield Mill. This took place on the +6th of the Ninth Month, about 20 minutes past 2, without sigh or groan, +even as a lamb. These are the expressions of J.Y.; he adds several sweet +expressions of my precious brother's, which show that the solemn change to +him was a joyful one: and I do believe his tribulated spirit is now at +rest. On recurring to the 6th ultimo to see where we were, and what were +the contemplations of my mind, I find we were at Zurich. That morning the +following lines which I heard when a child, and had not repeated for the +last twenty years, came forcibly into my mind:-- + + + It's almost done, it's almost o'er, + We're joining them that are gone before; + We soon shall meet upon that shore + Where we shall meet to part no more. + + +I not only repeated them to myself the whole of the day, but even sung +them aloud so often that my dear M.Y. said to me, "Whatever can be the +meaning that thou so often repeats these lines?" I replied, "I do not know +that I have repeated them for the last twenty years, but to-day they are +continually with me." This can have been nothing but the spirit of +sympathy with the soul of my dear departing brother, for the awful +impression of sorrow and solemnity in my mind on that day will never be +forgotten; I mourned with the bereaved family without knowing it. My M.Y. +had opened her portfolio to begin a letter to our sister Rachel, and I +wrote the verse on a piece of loose paper, and she slipped it into her +papers, and said to herself, Surely these lines are not prophetic of +something that is going to happen? Last evening she banded me out of her +portfolio the piece of paper containing the lines. + + +At Berne they received also the tidings that "the excellent" M.A. Calame +was no more; the Christian mother of 250 orphan children was taken from +the scene of her labors and the conflicts of time to the heavenly rest in +her Saviour. The following appear to be among the last words which she +wrote; they were no doubt addressed to her faithful companion Zimmerlin:-- + + +In my numerous shortcomings I have enough constantly to humble me, and +without being surprised at it, since evil is my heritage; but my help is +in the Lord, who delights in mercy. I have hope also for all my brethren +whom I love, whatever name they hear. There are twelve gates by which to +enter into the Holy City, and if they have passed through the great gate, +which is Christ, I am sure that those who enter from the east, as well as +those who have been brought in by the west, will be there; but those who +enter with me are better known to me than the rest whom I shall meet in +that celestial Jerusalem, whither my sighs daily carry me, yet in +submission to the heavenly decrees, desiring only that the will of God our +Saviour be done. + +You think my task is light? Ah, no! the love which the Lord has given me +spends itself on so many hearts closed to their true interests; I see the +hand of the enemy in their souls; I am so often deceived in my hopes, that +my work is watered by my tears. From time to time, however, the Lord gives +me hope; a soul awakes from sleep, and is kindled into light by the torch +of the gospel. + +And now, dear sister, have no longer any esteem or consideration for me; +only let the love of Christ live in thy heart for me: the desires of my +heart carry you with it to the feet of Him who is Love. + + +When they returned home, John and Martha Yeardley printed a short memoir +of this extraordinary woman, whose name, though comparatively little known +upon earth, is doubtless enshrined in the hearts of many who still +survive, and shall one day shine with a lustre which the most brilliant of +her sex, whose ambition it is to adorn the court, the concert or the +drawing-room, will desire in vain to wear. + +At Berne J. and M.Y. commenced a Bible class, similar in kind to the +Scarborough reunion, which was continued until their departure, and was +the source of much pleasure and profit to those who attended. Before +quitting Berne, thinking it might perhaps be the last opportunity they +should have of meeting with their numerous and beloved friends in that +city, they invited them to join them in worship in their apartment. + + +Many, says John Yeardley, gave us their company; much tenderness of spirit +was felt, and through the mercy of Divine Love many present were, I trust, +comforted and refreshed. + +We quitted Berne on the 30th. We had become so affectionately attached to +many Christian friends, that parting from them was severely felt. But what +happiness Christians enjoy even in this world I those who love the Saviour +remain united in Him when outwardly separated. + + +Neufchatel, for the sake of those who resided there, was equally +attractive to them as Berne. + + +We arrived at Neufchfatel, writes John Yeardley, on Fifth-day, and on +Seventh-day (11 mo. 1) settled into a comfortable lodging on the border of +the lake. It feels to us the most like home of any residence we have had +during our pilgrimage in foreign lands. Our suite of cottage-rooms runs +alongside the water, with a gallery in front, and the little boats on the +lake, and the mountains in the distance, covered with snow, are objects +pleasing to the eye. What gives us the most satisfaction is the feeling of +being in our right place, and to meet with such a warm reception from our +dear friends. + + +This feeling was succeeded by some religious service of an interesting +character, in reviewing which John Yeardley says:-- + + +23_rd_.--Among those who meet with us, a little few know how to +appreciate true silence, others are not come to this. But for what purpose +are we here? If it may please our Heavenly Father to make use of us as +feeble instruments of drawing a single individual into nearer communion +with the Beloved of souls, we ought to be content; and, blessed be his +Holy Name, his presence is often felt in our hearts. + + +As has been already said, they looked forward to spending the winter at +Neufchatel. This intention, and their ulterior project of visiting Germany +in the spring, were frustrated by the alarming illness of Adey Bellamy +Savory, Martha Yeardley's only brother, the news of which reached them on +the 29th of the Eleventh Month. + + +This day's post, writes John Yeardley, brought us the sorrowful news of +the severe illness of our dear brother A.B. Savory. The family at +Stamford-hill have expressed a strong desire for us to return, if we could +feel easy so to do, and seeing that we have pretty much got through what +we had in prospect in Switzerland, we are, on the whole, most comfortable +to go direct for London, and leave Germany for the present. Our great +Master is very gracious to us, giving us to feel sweet peace in the +termination of our labors, and to look forward with hope to seeing our +native land once more. + + +The next day was First-day; the parting with their Neufchatel friends was +very affecting. + + +11 _mo_. 30.--A precious meeting this morning. The presence of Him +who died for us was near, to help and comfort us; our hearts were much +tendered by his divine love. The taking leave of our dear friends here was +almost heartrending. There is a precious seed in this place, which I +trust, is a little deeper rooted since our last visit, and it is the +prayer of my heart, that the Saviour may water and watch over it, and that +it may produce abundance of fruit to his praise. + + +They took their departure on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, and arrived in +London on the 13th, travelling through the north of France twelve days and +six nights. + + +Through divine mercy we arrived safe in London, on Seventh-day evening, +and lodged with our beloved relations at Highbury, who received us with +all possible affection. Our spirits on meeting, mingled in silent sorrow, +while we were enabled to rejoice in God our Saviour. On First-day morning +we went over to Stamford-hill, and soon were introduced to our beloved +brother, who was perfectly sensible, but extremely weak. The peace and +serenity which we were favored to feel by him was an inexpressible comfort +to our sorrowful hearts. + + +A.B. Savory died the next Third-day evening, and his remains were interred +on the First-day following. + + +21_st_.--This was the day fixed for the solemn occasion of +accompanying the remains to the tomb. The body was taken into the +meeting-house at Newington, and the company of mourners and all present +were, I believe, comforted and edified through the tender mercies of our +Heavenly Father. J.J. Gurney's communication was particularly precious; he +also paid a consoling visit to the family after dinner. + + +We shall conclude this chapter with some reflections made by John +Yeardley, on reviewing the changes which death had produced in the circle +of his relations:-- + + +1835. 1 _mo_. 31.--Waking this morning, I took a view of the great +ravages death had made in our families; when this exhortation pressed +suddenly and with peculiar force on my heart,--Be thou also ready. My soul +responded, Thou Lord, alone, canst make me ready. O gracious Saviour, who +died for me, be pleased to redeem me from the bond of corruption, and +purify my heart from earthly things. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, IN 1834, TO THE +COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH, IN 1842. + +During the seven years comprised in this chapter, the materials which +exist for delineating John and Martha Yeardley's history are meagre. Of +the numerous journeys which they made in the course of this period, the +record kept by the former frequently consists of a mere itinerary. + +After attending the Leeds Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month, they +returned to their home at Scarborough, but soon left it again to be +present at the Yearly Meeting in London. The Society of Friends began +about this time to be agitated by differences of opinion, chiefly on +points of doctrine. John Yeardley not only kept himself sedulously free +from the spirit of party, but, whether from a natural aversion to public +life, or from the fear of exceeding the limit of his own calling and +abilities, he abstained from taking a prominent position, and left it very +much to others to sway the affairs of the Church. But he was not unmindful +of the dangers by which the Society was assailed, and he bent the force of +his mental vigor and Christian experience towards the promotion of +individual growth in grace and faithfulness to the divine call, and the +diffusion of clear and comprehensive views of Scriptural truth; and when +the hour came for sympathising with those who were harassed by doubts, or +such as were subjected to trial by the effect of religious dissension, he +was ready, with his beloved partner, to share the burden of the afflicted, +to probe the wounds of those who had been bruised, and to pour in the oil +of heavenly consolation. + +His note regarding the Yearly Meeting is short:-- + + +The business was of a most important nature, and sometimes very trying. We +had strong proof that many spirits professing to have made long progress +in the Christian life were not enough subdued by the humbling power of +divine grace; but through all, I trust, our heavenly Father dealt with us +in mercy, and sent help and wisdom to direct and strengthen his poor +tribulated children. + + +On returning to Scarborough, he writes:-- + + +I humbly trust our hearts are truly grateful to the Author of all our +mercies, who has granted us once more a little rest of body and sweet +peace of mind; but, as it regards myself, I must say that inward poverty +has prevailed more since my return home than it has done for the last two +years of absence. It is well to know how to suffer want, as well as to +abound. + + +Want of occupation was not one of John Yeardley's trials, even when +"standing," as he expressed it, "free from any prospect of immediate +service, and feeling much as a vessel not likely to be brought into use +again." Scriptural inquiry, the study of languages, and of the history of +the Church, watching the progress of religious light and liberty on the +Continent of Europe, his garden, the binding of his books--these were the +employments of his industrious leisure. To these must be added the time +bestowed on several small publications from his own and his wife's pen +(the latter chiefly poetical), of which the "Eastern Customs," a volume +which was the product of their united labor, and the materials for which +were supplied by their journey to Greece, is the best known. + +But there was another object which drew largely on John Yeardley's time +during his residence at Scarborough. This was the unsectarian schools +established in the town for the education of the industrial classes. Of +these the Lancasterian School for girls was his favorite, and the deep and +steady interest which he manifested for the improvement of the children, +as well as the peculiar talent which he evinced for attracting and +developing the youthful mind, are shown in an affectionate tribute to his +memory by the late mistress of the school:-- + + +For many years he was a visitor at our Lancasterian School, where it was +his delight to impart knowledge to a numerous class of girls. He had a +happy method of communicating information. The children used to listen +with the greatest attention and delight; they never wearied of his +lessons. Scriptural instruction was his first object; the children were +questioned on what they had read, and it was delightful to watch their +countenances whilst he explained portions of Scripture, which he +frequently illustrated by the manners and customs of Eastern nations; and +this he did in a way that rendered his teaching valuable, as he did not +fail to make an impression and gain the affections of his hearers. + +One little girl we had whom he used to call the _oracle_; and indeed +she was not inappropriately so-called; for whenever any of the girls were +at a loss for an answer, they invariably turned to her, and seldom failed +to receive a response to their silent appeal. This gifted child died +between the ages of sixteen and eighteen; he was a frequent visitor at her +bedside during a lingering illness, and it was his privilege to see that +his labors had not been in vain. + +I shall _never_ forget him, not only for the important instruction I +derived from him, but also for his valuable assistance. During my labors +of more than twenty-five years, I had none to help me as he did. When at +home he never failed to visit as every afternoon: no matter what the state +of the weather was--snow, wind or rain--he was to be seen at half-past +two, with his large cape folded round him, bending before the blast, +toiling up the hill near the school. So accustomed were we to him that his +coming was deemed a matter of course. + +After our Scripture lesson a portion of time was devoted to geography, +particularly Bible geography; then he would talk to them of places where +he had travelled: his descriptions of the Ionian Islands, the people and +the schools he had visited there, used to be a favorite theme, and very +interesting. In this way our afternoons were passed, and truly they were +times of profitable instruction. + +He seemed to care less for the boys' school; he did occasionally visit +them, but the girls were his pets. I have sometimes thought his knowledge +of the ignorant and degraded state of the females in Greece was the cause +of his taking so much interest in the education of the females in his own +land. + +In addition to J. Yeardley's labors at the Lancasterian School, some of +the older girls and a few others who belonged to the school assembled at +his house one evening in the week, whom he instructed in reading and +Scriptural knowledge. Some of these still speak with gratitude of the +benefit they then received. + + +In the Ninth Month of 1835, John and Martha Yeardley visited Settle +Monthly Meeting, and Knaresborough, under appointment of the Quarterly +Meeting. On their way thither they took up at York their aged and valued +friend Elizabeth Rowntree of Scarborough, who was on the appointment. + + +Her company, says J.Y., was a strength and comfort to us; she exercised +her gift as an elder in a very acceptable manner, in many of the families +we visited, as well as in the meetings for discipline. + + +This notice is succeeded almost immediately by the record of Elizabeth +Rowntree's sudden decease:-- + + +On the 25th of the Eleventh Month, we were introduced into deep affliction +by the sudden removal of our precious elder, E. Rowntree. Her dependence +for salvation was fixed on her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the +help of whose Spirit she had been enabled to lead a life of godliness and +of usefulness to her fellow-mortals, and was always concerned to give the +praise to Him to whom it was due,--the Lord of Lords. + + +This event, with the removal of another pilgrim to become an inhabitant of +the world of beatified spirits, and the pressing subject of the divisions +in the Society, form the topics of the following letter from Martha +Yeardley to Elizabeth Dudley:-- + + +Scarborough, 12 mo. 5, 1835. + +During our long sojourn last spring, in and about my native city, my +spirit was deeply oppressed, nor did the conflicts endured appear to +produce much benefit either to myself or others. Here the way is more +open, and, although we also deeply feel the effects of the storm which has +been permitted to assail our little Society, we are more able to endure +it; and desire to abide in our tents, except when called upon to defend +that immediate teaching of the blessed Saviour, upon which we depend for +our little portion of daily bread. I can truly sympathise with thee, my +beloved Betsy, an having to bear more of the burden and heat of the day, +and I do fervently believe with thee, that the more, as individuals, we +commit and confide the cause to the Great Master, in humble prayer, the +sooner it will be extricated from the perplexities which now harass and +distress those who are truly devoted to it. + +We have deeply to mourn for our endeared and highly valued E. Rowntree, +suddenly taken from us about ten days since. She and her sister R.S., from +Whitby, had spent the preceding evening with us; she was in usual health, +and sweetly cheerful, rejoicing that she had been enabled to assist dear +Sarah Squire in a family visit to Friends of this meeting, though she did +not sit with her in the families. I heard of her illness and hastened to +her; she appeared sensible but for a very few moments after having been +got to bed; yet was heard begging for patience under extreme agony; then +added, We had need live the life of the righteous, for it is an awful +thing to die. Then she suddenly sank into a slumber, and lay till a little +after nine at night, when her purified spirit was peacefully liberated. + +We have got through Pontefract and some meetings in the neighborhood to +our comfort, and on the journey had an opportunity of sitting beside the +dying bed of dear Sarah Dent, which was indeed a peaceful scene. She was +perfectly sensible, and so animated that I could hardly give up hope of +her restoration. But she had not herself the least prospect of life, and +said that, although she had found it a hard struggle to give up her +husband and children, she had, through the mercy of her gracious Redeemer, +attained to perfect resignation. This was about a week before her death, +and we have heard since, that a little before the close, she said, The +Lord Jesus is near, I want you all to know that He is near indeed! + +Dear Ann Priestman has united with us in visiting this Monthly Meeting: it +seems now best for us to remain at home for a short time, under the +bereavement which our own meeting has suffered. + + +In 1836 they again attended the Yearly Meeting; of which John Yeardley +thus speaks:-- + + +The Yearly Meeting was, I think, on the whole, satisfactory, much more so +than many Friends could look for, considering the discouraging +circumstances under which we came together. The main bent in all the +important deliberations on subjects of great moment to the well-being of +our small section of the universal church, was to adhere to the long-known +principles of the Society, and to turn aside the sentiments of opposing +individuals in the spirit of gentleness, forbearance and love. + + +They visited many meetings in going from and returning to Scarborough. The +most interesting of these visits was at Thame, in Oxfordshire, which John +Yeardley thus describes:-- + + +6 _mo._ 14.--Went in the evening to Thame, and had a meeting with a +few who have met in the way of Friends for about five years at Grove End. +There are only seven or eight who meet regularly, but they are often +joined by a few others. No notice had been given to their neighbors of our +coming, but on seeing us go to the meeting many followed; the room was +quite filled, and a precious meeting it was. Their hearts are like ground +prepared for the good seed of the kingdom. The nature of spiritual worship +was pointed out, and testimony borne to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. + +This little company reminded us of many such which we met with in foreign +countries, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. We had a good deal of +conversation with William Wheeler, who was one of the first to meet in +silence. He was a leader in the Wesleyan congregation, and became uneasy +with giving out hymns to be sung with those whose states he knew did not +correspond with the words. He would then sometimes select a hymn most +suited by its general character to the company; at other times he would +leave out a few verses, and select others which he thought might be sung +with truth by the whole congregation; but the thing became so burdensome +that he was obliged, for conscience' sake, to leave it altogether, and sit +down with a few others in silence. At first they met with opposition, and +even persecution, from persons who came to their meeting to disperse them. +On one of these occasions a few rude young men had banded together to +beset them the next meeting-day, and disperse them. W.W. was strongly +impressed that it was right for him to proclaim an awful warning to +some--that the judgments of the Almighty awaited them, that eternity was +nearer than they were aware and he wished them to consider and prepare for +it. One of the disturbers was taken suddenly ill, and died before the next +meeting-day; which produced such an effect on the others that they never +more molested the little company in their worship. + + +In reviewing this journey, J.Y. says, under date of the 25th of the Sixth +Month:-- + + +I trust my faith is afresh confirmed in the gift of the Holy Spirit to +lead in the way of religious duty, and to give strength to do His will. +Lord, grant that the remainder of my days, whether few or many, be +entirely devoted to the holy cause of endeavoring to promote the Saviour's +kingdom on earth. + + +In 1837, John and Martha Yeardley were occupied with making circuits in +the service of the gospel through several counties of England. They were +attracted to Lancashire, which they visited in the autumn, by the peculiar +state of some meetings in that county, an extensive secession having taken +place not long before. The difficulties which they had to encounter on +this journey are represented in a letter from Martha Yeardley to her +sisters, written at Manchester the 4th of the Ninth Month, 1837. + + +I do not recollect that, in my little experience, I ever had more +preparatory exercise of mind to pass through; and I believe it has been +the same with my dear J.Y. We have, however, in many of our visits, been +much comforted under the belief that those who remain firm in the +testimonies given us to bear are in a more lively state, and more banded +together, than has been the case heretofore, and that, through the mercy +of our holy Head and High Priest, there is a renewed visitation to many. +In the public meetings, of which we have had many, there has been a rather +remarkable openness to receive the truths of the gospel, united with our +view of the spirituality of this blessed dispensation. + +We approached this place in deep prostration of spirit; and truly we feel +that all the previous baptism has been needful, in order to enable us in +any degree to perform our duty here. There has been a sore rending of the +tenderest ties, and the wounds are not yet healed. There are a few who +entertain ultra views, and their over-activity tends to keep up excitement +in those who are wavering and have not yet left the Society: this makes it +very difficult for moderate people to stand between them, and calls for +very deep indwelling with the blessed source of love. On the other hand +there are, I fear, very many who rejoice in the delusive suggestions of +our unwearied enemy--that the cross of Christ is not necessary--that they +may speak their own words and wear their own apparel, and still be called +by the name of Him who died for them. I think we never have had more to +suffer than in some of the meetings we have attended, from a disposition, +perhaps in some degree on both sides, to criticise ministry: still there +are, I believe, many precious individuals among the young and middle-aged +who are under the forming hand for usefulness. There is indeed a loud call +for laborers in this large and mixed meeting; and we are ready to weep +over the vacant seats of those who have deserted their post, and, I +greatly fear, are seeking to warm themselves and others with sparks of +their own kindling. + + +Another letter from M.Y., written at the conclusion of this journey, +supplies a few more traits of the Christian service into which they were +led in the course of it. + + +Scarborough, 10 mo. 7. + +We remained nearly a month in our lodgings at Manchester, receiving and +paying visits, some of which were very interesting. Dear H. Stephenson and +family were extremely attentive, and her daughter Hannah was our constant +guide in that large place. We spent First-day at Rochdale, and in the +evening a large number of young Friends took tea with us, between thirty +and forty. This has mostly been the case on First-days, both at Manchester +and elsewhere, and these opportunities have tended to our relief. + +After this we bade farewell to Lancashire, under feelings of thankfulness +which I cannot describe, for having been mercifully helped and preserved +through such a warfare. + + +In the autumn of 1839 they again travelled southwards, directing their +steps through the eastern counties of England, and London, Surrey, and +Hampshire, to the Isle of Wight, where they spent five weeks exploring its +coasts and corners, in search, not of the naturally picturesque, but of +the beautiful and hopeful in the moral and religious world. They returned +home by Bristol and Birmingham. + +So attractive to their spirits was the Isle of Wight, that the next year +they repeated the visit, going thither after the Yearly Meeting. In the +Seventh Month they attended the Quarterly Meeting at Alton, and on their +return to Newport were accompanied by Elizabeth and Mary Dudley and +Margaret Pope. They remained in Newport and the vicinity several weeks, +during which time, amongst other engagements, they conducted a Scripture +class with some young persons three evenings a week. In a letter dated the +27th of the Sixth Month, J.Y. says:-- + + +My dear Martha feels deeply for the Unitarians in this place; we sometimes +think the way may open for us to help them a little. Their great +stumbling-stones are, the want of clearness in the mystery of the oneness +in the Godhead, and of faith in the practical influences of the Holy +Spirit, as operating on the heart of man. Our morning reading opens a +suitable door of communication for those whose curiosity prompts them to +seek our company. + + +In company with Elizabeth Dudley they hold several public meetings at +various places on the island. They have left no record of this service, +but we have a notice of the meeting at Porchfield, in a letter from E.D. + + +The meeting was very satisfactory, sweet and refreshing to our spirits. +The road was rough and hilly. We were behind time, and our friends being +punctual, the house looked full when we got there, though more followed, +until not only within but outside the walls there was a crowd of orderly, +attentive people. Many of them were happily acquainted with the power of +religion in their hearts, and prepared for spiritual worship. The assembly +was composed of various denominations from a straggling village and more +remote habitations. The chapel was built many years ago, by a pious man, +now above eighty years old, who was with us, and who enjoys to have the +place used by any who from love to Christ and the souls of men are +attracted to visit them. The simplicity and openness to be observed and +felt that evening was a comforting indication of freedom from party +spirit, and those vain disputations which in so many instances keep +Christians at a distance, and mar their individual peace as well as +usefulness. + + +Before they left Newport, they provided, with the help of several friends, +suitable accommodation for the little meeting of Friends in that town. On +taking leave of the island, which they did in the Eighth Month, John +Yeardley remarks:-- + + +We have had much comfort and satisfaction in our sojourn in this place: a +strong evidence is felt in our hearts that it has been ordered by the +Lord. We have cause to acknowledge that our labors have been owned by the +Divine Presence in our various exercise for the promotion of the Saviour's +kingdom. + + +In the spring of 1841 they repeated their visit to the Isle of Wight, +spent great part of the summer in religious service in Essex, and visited +afterwards Bristol, Bath, and other parts of Somersetshire. + +At Bath they remained for some weeks. Soon after their arrival in the +city, they were introduced into sympathetic sorrow on account of the death +of John Rutter, whose guests they were, and who was suddenly removed, by +an accident, from time to eternity. This event is described in a letter +from John Yeardley to his sister R. S. + + +Bath, 9 mo. 24, 1841. + +The affectionate family of the Rutters gave us a hearty reception, and we +remained under their hospitable roof until Second-day, when they were +plunged into deep distress by the awfully sudden removal of their beloved +father. He went out before breakfast, and called at his son's wharf. A +cart of coals being about to be weighed, he was leading the horse on to +the machine; the animal, being a little unruly, suddenly rushed forward +and pushed down J. R, and the wheel passed over his body. He was +immediately conveyed to his own shop, when the spark of life became +extinct, and he ceased to breathe, without apparent pain or emotion. We +were nearly ready to leave our room, about half-past 6. o'clock, when one +of the sons knocked at our door, and related the awful occurrence. I went +down immediately: the scene may be more easily imagined by you than +described by me. We endeavored to calm them as much as possible; and, +though deeply afflicted, they bear the stroke with sweet resignation. I +wrote letters at their request to most of their near relatives; and as we +could not think of leaving the sorrowing family to go as proposed to +Bristol, we immediately procured a lodging and settled in, in the evening. + +On Third-day afternoon we went to the Quarterly Meeting at Bristol, and +returned to Bath on Fifth day, not wishing to be long absent from the dear +sorrowing ones. We have a pleasant situation on the hill-side, called +Sidney Lodge, from which, when the gas is lighted, the city is presented +to our view like a beautiful panorama. + + +Their minds had been for some time in preparation for renewing, on the +Continent of Europe, Christian intercourse with some of their old friends, +and for exploring new veins of religious life in countries which they had +not yet visited. Accordingly, in the Fourth Month of 1842, they acquainted +the Friends of their Monthly Meeting with the prospect of missionary +service which had opened before them, informing them that from the +conclusion of their last European journey they had believed it would one +day be required of them to re-enter that field of labor. The Monthly +Meeting accorded its full and sympathetic approbation, which was endorsed +by the Quarterly Meeting at a conference of men and women Friends, of +which John Yeardley says:-- + + +The great solemnity which prevailed was truly refreshing to our spirits, +and I believe to the spirits of many others. Our friends gave us their +full unity, _encouragement, sympathy,_ and _prayers_. + + +Martha Yeardley thus expresses the feelings with which she contemplated +this arduous journey, in a letter to Josiah Forster:-- + + +It is indeed an awful engagement, now in the decline of life, and, with +respect to myself, under increasing infirmities; but I believe it best for +me not to look too far forward, but simply to confide in the mercy and +guidance of that blessed Saviour who has been our support and consolation +under many deep trials, humblingly believing that whether enabled to +accomplish the important prospect or not, it was an offering required at +our hands, and that we must leave the event to the Great Disposer of all +things. + + +In the same letter she mentions their having heard of the death of Louis +A. Majolier of Congenies, which, she says, although a cause of rejoicing +as it regards him, was read by us with mournful feelings, from the +recollection of his fatherly kindness in days that are past, and also from +renewed solicitude for the little flock in that country. + +Before their departure they went once more into the West Riding, to see +how their brethren of J.Y.'s earliest acquaintance fared. They were +joined by William Dent of Marr, near Doncaster, with whom they were +"sweetly united in the fellowship of the gospel;" and they returned to +Scarborough with "grateful and peaceful hearts." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1842-3. + +In the journey which now lay before them, John and Martha Yeardley were +about to explore a part of Europe hitherto untried,--the province of +Languedoc, conspicuous in past ages for its superior enlightenment, but +now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in ignorance and +gloom. In this mission, the opportunities which they found for reviving +and gathering together the scattered embers of truth, were nearly confined +to social intercourse; in seeking occasions for which, they availed +themselves of introductions by pious Prostestants from place to place, +whilst they were careful, as had always been their practice, to wait, in +every successive step, for the direction of the Divine Finger. The mission +was performed in much weakness of body, and under frequent spiritual +poverty; yet it will be readily acknowledged that theirs was a favored +lot, to be able, with the clue of gospel love in their hand, to trace the +pathway of Christian truth, and the footsteps of true spiritual worship, +and of a faithful testimony for Christ, through the midst of a degenerate +and benighted land. + +They went to London on the 2nd of the Eighth Month, and spent the time +before they sailed in gathering information and counsel for their +approaching journey, and in social visits. Speaking of one of these visits +(to their nephew J. S., at Clapton), John Yeardley says:-- + + +Before parting we had a religious opportunity, in which a word of +exhortation flowed in gospel love, and ability was granted to approach the +throne of mercy in solemn supplication. I often wish we were more faithful +in raising our hearts to the Lord before separating from our friends when +met on social occasions; a blessing might attend such simple offerings. + + +In a visit they paid to Thomas and Carolina Norton, the subject of +establishing a school for the children of Friends in the South of France +came under consideration; a project which, as we shall see, they were able +in their visit to that part of the country to carry into effect. + +They left London on the 16th, and on the 19th arrived at Amiens, where +they halted for a few days. They found in this city a movement among the +Roman Catholics, a number of whom had joined the Protestant worship. The +Protestant Pastor, Cadoret, was very friendly to them; when he heard that +they belonged to the Society of Friends, he pressed John Yeardley's hand +and said, I am very glad to make your acquaintance; it is the first time I +have seen any of your Society, of whom I have heard much. + +On the 20th J.Y. writes, in allusion to the spiritual darkness which so +generally covered the land of France;-- + + +My soul is cast down, but when I am afflicted because of the wickedness of +the people, I call to remembrance these words: "Fret not thyself because +of evil-doers. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the +land, and verily thou shalt be fed."--Psalm xxxvii. 1, 3. + + +A large number of workmen of various nations are employed at Amiens in +weaving. J. and M.Y., visited several of these in their cottages, and +before they left the city invited the people of this class to a meeting, +especially intended for their own countrymen, but open to all who were +willing to come. The meeting, says J.Y., was an occasion precious to our +souls; the Lord gave us ability to declare his word. I spoke in English +and my dear Martha in French. + +At Paris, whither they proceeded on the 22nd, they were disappointed in +finding that the majority of the persons at whose houses they called were +in the country, and some with whom they had taken sweet counsel in former +years had been removed by death. Pastor Audebez was at home, and received +them with a cordial welcome. They were detained in Paris longer than they +had anticipated, by the illness of Martha Yeardley, and did not leave till +the 9th of the Ninth Month. The morning after they had entered Paris the +words of Job were brought to J.Y.'s recollection in a forcible +manner:--"Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath +preserved my spirit." (Job x. 12); and in going out of the city he was +refreshed with the joyful language of David,--"How excellent is thy +loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust +under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the +fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy +pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we +see light."--Psa. xxxvi. 7-9. + +Some letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from England during +their sojourn in Paris show, the strong sympathy which accompanied them in +their journey, and contain, at the same time, references to events which +will be interesting to the reader. + + +South Grove, Peckham, 8 mo. 12, 1842. + +Numbers vi. 24-27:--"The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his +face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his +countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name +upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them." To be pronounced by +Aaron the high, priest and his successors, as the type of Him by whom all +blessing and favor are bestowed on the church and her children. + +The above portion of Holy Scripture, with the 121st Psalm, has been so +sweetly in my remembrance since parting with my beloved friends John +and Martha Yeardley, that, before retiring for the night, I transcribe the +words which convey, so much better than any language of my own, the +renewed and abiding desire under which they are committed to the care and +guidance of the Good Shepherd, in humble but confiding belief that he will +equally watch over, guard and keep, those who go and those who stay; +causing each, amidst all variety of circumstances, to realize the +soul-cheering truth, that, at the throne of grace, mercy is obtained and +grace to help in time of need. May the peace which passeth all +understanding keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, prays your +nearly-attached friend and sister, + +E. DUDLEY. + +THE SAME TO MARTHA YEARDLEY. + +Peckham, 8 mo. 21, 1842. + +While in the sick-chamber of my sister, instead of at meeting, it feels +pleasant to devote part of the evening to thee, my beloved friend. I have +enjoyed the thought of your having a good Sabbath at Paris, where, no +doubt, a sphere of duty will be found, and perhaps many exercises of faith +and patience attend the labor of love which may await you there; while, in +the spirit of true dedication and acquiescence so mercifully bestowed upon +you, no commandment will be counted grievous, nor any service for your +Lord too hard or painful. His words come sweetly to my mind as really the +portion of a brother and sister dear in the bond and power of an endless +life,--"Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they +hear." + +Accounts from various parts of this land continue to indicate much +unsettlement, and there have been large companies of Chartists in the +immediate vicinity of London; but happily the civil power proved equal to +their dispersion. One would hope the abundant harvest, now ready to be +gathered, may turn the current of feeling, and induce the desire rather to +praise the Lord for his goodness, than to spend time and strength in +murmurings and disputings with their fellow-mortals. The destruction, not +only of property, but of life; in some recent contests, is quite +appalling, and we certainly live in very eventful times; the tendency, +however, both of the good and evil, is so obviously towards an increase of +light and knowledge, that it seems warrantable to expect _all_ will +be overruled to better views and practices becoming more general, and the +kingdoms of this world being thankfully surrendered to the righteous +government of the Prince of Peace. But alas! deep and complicated may be +the sufferings yet behind for the church and her children to endure, +whether in being sharers in, or but the witnesses of, what is pronounced +upon the world of the ungodly. + +FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. + +Scarborough, 8 mo. 29, 1842. + +The account of your proceedings at Amiens has been particularly +interesting to me. Whether manufacturing employments are unfavorable or +otherwise to moral and religions character; or whether it is merely the +larger earnings which artizans receive, enabling them more glaringly to +gratify their natural and corrupt inclinations than agricultural laborers, +can do; whether the passive ignorance of the country laborer, or the more +active and intelligent habits, yet combined with moral darkness, of the +manufacturing operative, most retards the diffusion of religious truth, +are serious questions for us in this country. Our manufacturers have been +alarming the whole nation, and threatening us with something like +political revolution; but they have received a severe lesson, and many of +our jails are filled with the victims of unprincipled agitators. +Considering how little of the Christian spirit is generally found in the +operations of government, the treatment of these poor creatures has on the +whole been lenient, and no very severe punishments are anticipated. + +Whether the people of this nation have learned more of righteousness from +the judgments of the Lord, which have I think evidently been made known in +this part of his earth, is perhaps known only to Him who knoweth all +things. I often fear;--for surely there is very much of darkness and +wickedness among us--yet I can not unfrequently hope that light is +spreading, and that although the powers of evil are active and strongly +developed, yet the active diffusion of the means of good more than keeps +pace with them. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the +world," is still a consoling assurance to many dejected yet hoping +believers. Our dear friend Hannah C. Backhouse is strong in the faith that +light increasing, that the fields are white already for harvest, and that +the Lord of the harvest is preparing and sending forth laborers into his +harvest. + +The Protestants whom you found at Amiens, and in some other places, would +probably remain totally unknown to ordinary travellers, and perhaps we do +not enough consider how little known in a great nation the salt that +preserves it may be. The reports from the agent of the Bible Society in +France seem to me more than usually encouraging. I hope you may be enabled +to impart some spiritual gift or knowledge to many hidden ones who appear +to be hungering and thirsting after righteousness in that vain-glorious +nation, and that your faith may be strengthened by meeting with such. + + +John and Martha Yeardley arrived at Lyons on the 13th, and, after making +some calls, intended to proceed to Nismes the next day. But not feeling +satisfied to leave the city so soon, they concluded to remain there one +day more; and they had cause to be thankful in having taken this course. + + +For, says J.Y., we have made the acquaintance of several religious +persons. An evangelist and colporteur named Hermann Lange, a German Swiss, +took us to see some Protestant converts, amongst whom we have found much +of the interior life. The Lord gave me a word of exhortation for them, and +helped me to utter it in French. We had a conversation with our friend +Lange respecting the ministry in our Society. Like many other persons he +supposed we had no recognized ministers; we explained the usage of +Friends, and showed him our certificates, with which he was pleased. He +admired the good order in use amongst us, and said that he had for a long +time desired to be informed respecting the principles of Friends; that he +thought as we did, that an express call of the Holy Spirit was necessary +to the ministry, and that women as well as men ought to be allowed to +preach, I felt intimately united to him in spirit: on parting we gave him +some tracts explanatory of our principles. + +Lyons is the head-quarters of popery; the Jesuits here exert a strong +influence with the government against the Protestants. We visited a good +man named Elfenbein, who with his wife, is very useful to the awakened +Protestants. He is a colporteur, and introduces the Holy Scriptures into +families to whom he speaks concerning the things of God. He and his wife +called upon us in our hotel. On parting he proposed we should pray +together. This gave us the opportunity of explaining our sentiments +regarding prayer; and we proposed remaining a while in silence, and if it +should please the Lord to put words of prayer into our heart, we would +express them with the help of the Holy Spirit. After a time of silence, +Elfenbein prayed for us with unction in a few words: it was a favored +time; thanks be to God. + + +On the 15th they resumed their journey, and passing through Nismes +proceeded to Congenies. They found there Edward and John Pease, who were +travelling on a religious errand, and were about concluding their labors +in those parts. The meeting was a source of comfort on both sides. The +next day, which was First-day, was a solemn season: the gospel message was +largely delivered in the little meeting-house, and Christine Majolier +interpreted for those who spoke in English. The Two-months' Meeting was +held, and here, as well indeed as on every other occasion, the English +Friends missed the company and help of their valued friend, Louis A. +Majolier. + +After residing for a while at Congenies, they removed to Nismes, where +they preached to the strangers who attended the usual meetings for +worship, distributed religious tracts in the city and its environs, and +instituted a Scripture Reading Meeting for the young. But the object which +most strongly engaged their attention at Nismes was the foundation of a +boarding-school for the daughters of Friends. Louis Majolier, during a +great part of his life had conducted a day-school at Congenies: this +school was, of course, not accessible to the children of those Friends who +lived at a distance; and soon after L.M. died even this was given up, and +the means of education in the Society failed altogether. In their project +for supplying this deficiency, John and Martha Yeardley found the parents +and other Friends ready to second their efforts; and at the Two-months' +Meeting in the Eleventh Month, it was resolved to establish in the first +place a school for girls only at Nismes, and a committee was appointed to +carry this resolution into effect. A mistress was found without much +difficulty in Justine Benezet, a valuable Friend, who had had for sixteen +years the superintendence of the Orphan Asylum, and whose health had in +some degree given way under the too onerous charge. + +In reference to the accomplishment of this undertaking, J.Y. writes:-- + + +12 _mo_. 14.--_Nehemiah_ i. 11:--"O Lord, I beseech thee, let +now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer +of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, +thy servant this day." I often think of these words of the prophet, and +they [have supported me] when my soul has been cast down on account of the +school. + + +During their abode at Nismes they visited the little congregations of +Friends which lie to the westward of that city, and had to record that +the presence of their Divine Master went with them, giving them his word +to declare, and inclining the hearts of the hearers to receive it. + +A letter from John Rowntree, which reached them towards the end of the +year, contains some observations on the work they had found to do in their +journey, with an interesting notice of what was passing in England. + + +Scarborough, 11 mo. 14, 1842. + +MY DEAR FRIENDS, + +.... The plan of your meetings for Scripture instruction seems to me +particularly good; you will, through them, have numerous opportunities for +impressing on the minds of your hearers the inestimable value of the Holy +Scriptures, when properly received, and made available by the enlightening +influence of the Holy Spirit, and the worthlessness--nay, the danger--of +resting satisfied with a mere knowledge of their words. The words of our +Lord were "spirit and life" to those who would receive them as such; yet +how many who heard them were to be judged by them at the that day, because +they believed not. + +We still hear sad accounts of distress in the manufacturing districts of +the country. Some of your friends have probably informed you that at our +last Quarterly Meeting much sympathy was expressed for the destitute +artizans, and a liberal subscription was commenced, and was to be carried +forward in all our meetings for their relief: a few days ago it amounted +to L800--I hope it will exceed L1000: but what is that, it may be said, +among so many? yet I hope much good may be done by it, and Friends in +other parts of the nation seem to be considering whether they ought not to +make some efforts for similar purposes. At Liverpool we hear that upwards +of L200 has been raised. + +You will probably have heard of the very sudden death of Jonathan +Backhouse, whilst his wife was laboring under a religious engagement in +the north of our county. His change seemed a translation from that state +of strong but imperfect love which a member of the militant Church might +feel here below, to that fullness of love which his Saviour had purchased +for him above. + + +In the Third Month, 1843, they quitted Nismes, taking their young friend +Jules Paradon as their companion. + + +The parting, says J.Y., from the dear family at the school was sorrowful. +Before taking leave, we had a religious opportunity with the children, in +which all hearts were touched. + + +They arrived at Montpelier on the 7th. The pious characters to whom they +were introduced in this city were mostly of the upper class--bankers, +doctors, lawyers, and professors. They found that the principles of the +Society of Friends were very little known there, but that many were +desirous of being acquainted with them. Being pressed in their spirit to +propose a meeting for worship with such as were disposed to give their +company, their new friends readily agreed to it, and about thirty-five +persons sat down with them at their inn. The assembly was, as they +believed, owned by the great Master, who showed himself to be their +strength in the time of weakness, and gave them power to preach the gospel +and explain the nature of true worship. Pastor Lissignol and Dr. Parlier +were amongst those to whom they were the most united. The latter filled +the office of mayor when Josiah Forster and Elizabeth Fry were at +Montpelier. He told John and Martha Yeardley that the meeting they had +just held had been strengthening to his faith. That the Lord by his Spirit +should move the hearts of his children in a distant land to visit his +heritage in other countries, he regarded as a proof of his love; and he +spoke of the unity of spirit which is felt by those of different nations +who love the same Lord, as a precious mark of discipleship. + + +The town of Montpelier, say J. and M.Y., is built with taste and elegance, +and the situation is most delightful: there are 4,000 Protestants in a +population of 86,000. On Sixth-day (the 10th) we left this place of deep +interest, with hearts grateful to the God and Father of all our sure +mercies, in that he had enabled us to bear a testimony to the spirituality +of worship as set forth by our Saviour himself. + + +After leaving Montpelier, they continue the narrative of their journey +as follows:-- + + +We lodged that night at Passanas, a dark Roman Catholic town. Inquiring if +there were any Protestants, the chambermaid replied, "Protestants! what is +that?" When we had made her understand, she said there were a few, but +they went to Montagnac to _mass_. + +11_th_.--We slept at Narbonne, an ancient town of 10,000 inhabitants. +No openness to receive even a tract; the inquiry for a Protestant excited +an evident bitterness in the reply. + +On the 12th, held our little meeting with our faithful friend Jules, in +which ability was granted to supplicate for the spread of divine light +over this benighted district. At 9 o'clock we set out to make a +Sabbath-day's journey: the wind extremely high and always in our face, +which fatigued Nimrod [their horse] as well as ourselves. We dined at +Lesengnan: not a Protestant in the place, yet we met with a circumstance +worth recording. Jules, who is ever watchful to find out who can read, +gave a few tracts to some boys in the stable-yard. When I went out, writes +J.Y., to see our horse, several rather bright-looking boys followed me, +asking for books. After ascertaining that they, could read, I supplied +them. This was no sooner known, than boys and girls came in crowds, soon +followed by many of their parents. As our visitors increased, I ran +upstairs to fetch my dear M.Y., and we embraced the opportunity to speak +to them on the importance of religion. No doubt curiosity drew many to us, +for we were a novel sight there, and the mingled multitude was not less so +to us. Among our auditors was a messenger of Satan to buffet us. He was a +good-looking man, who expressed a seeming approval of what we had done, +saying we made many friends. We told him they were all children of the +same Almighty Parent, and that there was but one true religion, and one +heaven. This observation drew off his mask, and he began to express doubts +whether either heaven or hell really existed, and brought forward the +threadbare argument of not believing what he could not see or prove. We +asked him if he had a soul: he said he had. We asked him how be knew that +he had a soul, for he could not see it: he replied, he believed that he +had a soul, but that his soul would die with his body. We then asked him +why two and two made four: he said he could not tell, and yet acknowledged +he was bound to believe it. The countenances of many around beamed with +joy at seeing this darkling perplexed; and we did not shrink from +exhorting him to repentance and faith in Christ, who died for him and for +all men. + +On returning to our room the landlady entered with a fine-looking girl, +for whom she begged a book. This opened our way to speak to her of things +connected with salvation. She said,--"We have not much of religion here." +"Why so?" we asked. "Because the people do not like to confess to +the priests." "And what is the use," said we, "of confessing to man?" +"Because," she replied in somewhat trembling accents, "we think it eases +our consciences, for the priests are the appointed ministers to take +charge of our souls." "What," we replied, "a man take charge of immortal +souls! God never committed the power to forgive sins to man: Jesus Christ +alone can pardon sins; he died to save us!" I shall never forget the +countenance of this dear woman, which seemed to express her long-shaken +confidence in her spiritual guides. We exhorted her to come to the +Saviour, who intercedes for us without the aid of man, and gave her a New +Testament, which she said she would read. + +12_th_.--Went to Maux to sleep. The landlady was communicative: she +told us that some travellers like ourselves some time ago had given her a +New Testament, which she had lent about the village, together with tracts, +and that she wished for more. We inquired if there were any persons in the +village who would like to come to us for books. She soon sent us an +interesting young woman, a schoolmistress, to whom on her entrance we +presented some tracts. She regarded them with an air of thoughtfulness +which seemed to measure the quantity to be taken by the price she would +have to pay for them. When she found they were to be had gratis, her +countenance brightened, and with it the brightness of her mind showed +itself. On speaking with her of the responsibility of her profession, and +the importance of imbuing the minds of children with just principles, she +said, "I am desirous of instructing the children in the religion of the +heart. Religion," added she, "though a good thing, is badly put in +practice in our church; the people do not like to confess to the priests, +and there is a great desire for instruction and to receive books." + + +They saw again at the Inn at Maux the man who had opposed them at +Lessengnan, and found him much better disposed than he had been the day +before. He told them he had been a Romish priest, but being disgusted with +the practices of his church, he had left it and joined the army: he +promised to read the books they gave him. + + +Our present mode of travelling (with our own horse), they continue, though +somewhat slow, affords opportunities of endeavoring to do a little good, +which we should miss in travelling by Diligence or extra-post. It is +curious and instructive to observe the various dispositions of the people +in the dark places through, which we pass: sometimes they are so fanatical +as to tear a tract before our face; others receive them with joy. During a +half-hour's rest for our horse at a village near Castelnaudry, my M.Y. +made the acquaintance of an aged woman at the door of her cottage, who +really did us good. On inquiring if she could read, "It is my +consolation," said she, "to read the Scriptures." "And we have great need +of consolation," we answered. "Yes," said she, "I am a widow of near +eighty years, and have had many cares; but I pray to God, and he grants me +the consolation of his Holy Spirit, and if I confide in him he will never +forsake me." + + +At Castelnaudry they left the main road and crossed the mountains to +Saverdun, in order to visit the Orphan Institution in that place. + + +By not going first to Toulouse, remarks John Yeardley, we saved about +thirty miles of travelling; but it was ill-spared, for one part of the +road was so bad that it required a forespan of two oxen to drag the +carriage through the deep mire and over the dangerous ditches. After a +little dinner at a poor place in the mountains, we procured a mule as a +reinforcement; for we stuck so fast in the mud that I never expected we +should be able to extricate ourselves. My poor M.Y. had to walk a great +part of the way; I am quite sure extra strength was given us for the +emergency. We lodged at Mazeres, where we called on the Protestant +minister Besiere, a most open-hearted Christian. He knew some of our +Society, and wherever this is the case it insures us a welcome. On our +telling him the dangers we had encountered on the road, and that we had +escaped unhurt, he sweetly said,--"The Angel of the Lord encampeth round +about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."--Psal. xxxiv. 7. + +On arriving at Saverdun, on the 17th, we immediately pursued the object of +our visit, and proceeded to the Institution, where we delivered our +letters of recommendation, and received a cordial reception from the +director, Pastor Enjalbal. When the _little porters_ opened the door, +they cried one to another, "Voila des Anglais!" The director seems to be +wonderfully fitted for the post he fills. He was once a captain in the +army. After his conversion, his heart was penetrated with gratitude to his +Saviour for bringing him to a knowledge of the truth, and he desired to +devote the remainder of his days in doing good to his fellow-creatures, +particularly in the instruction of youth. The project of the Saverdun +school was then in agitation, and a manager was wanted. The excellent +Pastor Chabrand applied to him, knowing him to be the man for the office +if he would only undertake it. When he visited him for this purpose on +behalf of the committee, he found him in his chamber weeping, and, as his +confidential friend, he asked him what was the matter. "Why," said he, "my +heart overflows with love to the Saviour, for all that he has done for me, +and I seem to live without doing anything for his cause in return." +"Well," said the pastor, "but the way is now open for you; I am come with +a proposal from the committee for you to accept the government of the +Saverdun Institution; but I will not have an answer from you at present: +weigh the matter for a fortnight, and I will come again and receive your +decision." A sense of duty decided him to accept the offer. + +The superintendent conducted us to the members of the committee, to whom +we had brought a kind introduction from Pastor Frossard of Nismes. The +supporters of this institution, are the most influential in the town, +rich, and withal pious characters. The Mayor, their secretary, is very +active: he with his wife, an excellent woman, and several members of the +committee, met us in the evening at our inn; they appeared to be greatly +interested in works of benevolence, and in everything connected with +religion and education. + +_Toulouse_, 3 _mo_. 20.--We arrived in this great and busy city +on Seventh-day evening. Our first call was on the brothers Courtois, to +whom we had letters of introduction from our Christian friends at Nismes. +They received us in a most cordial manner and were very open and +communicative. + +On First-day morning, after our little meeting, we called on Professor F. +Banner; he was rejoiced to see my M.Y., whom he knew at Congenies twenty +years ago. He was then a Roman Catholic; indeed, in name he is not +changed; but he is become very spiritually-minded, and much attached to +Friends and our principles, believing them, as he said, to be the nearest +in accordance of any with the doctrines of the New Testament. He has been, +with his wife, several times to our hotel, and we feel sweet unity with +his quiet exercised spirit. His situation here is important, having a +boarding-school for the children of Protestants, with a few Roman +Catholics, his piety and sincerity securing to him the confidence of both +parties, which is matter of wonder in this day of religious conflict. He +is one of those characters, more of whom we are desirous of finding; one +who wishes rather to enlighten than to censure the dark prejudices of men. + +We spent the evening with our kind friends the Courtois, and attended +worship in their house. F.C. read the parable of the great supper +(Luke xiv.), and made some remarks in explication of it; after which +Pastor Chabrand spoke with much feeling on the influence of the Holy +Spirit, the gradual operation of the Spirit in the secret of the soul, and +the preciousness of dwelling in Christ, as the branch in the vine, in +order to bear fruit. + +Pastor Chabrand told us in conversation that the first time he really saw +the state of his soul and his need of a Saviour, was in the meeting-house +at Westminster during half an hour's silence. After this time of precious +silence a minister arose[8] and spoke in so remarkable a manner to his +state, unfolding the history of his life, that he was melted to tears. +Ever since that time he has appreciated the principles of our religious +Society, and particularly our practice of waiting upon God in silence. +These remarks opened our way to speak on a subject which has often given +us pain in our intercourse with pious people, viz., the practice of going +suddenly from one religious exercise to another. We expressed our opinion +that Christians, in general, in their worship, would derive more +edification from what is spoken, if they were to dwell under the good +feeling which is sometimes raised, before passing so precipitately to +singing, or even to prayer. With this he entirely agreed, and thought it a +point of the utmost importance; he wished it could be put in practice, for +their church in general suffered loss for want of more quiet gathering of +spirit before God. + + +John and Martha Yeardley did not go further towards the west than +Toulouse; on quitting that city they turned northwards to Montauban. + + +For several days, so they write, before reaching the extent of our journey +westward, we travelled through a fertile country, having the Pyrenean +mountains on the south, covered with snow, a magnificent sight for those +who travel to see the beauties of nature, but our hearts are often too +heavy to enjoy them. + +_Montauban_, 3 _mo_. 23.--Last evening we reached this pretty +town, part of which is built on a high cliff overlooking the river Tarn, +and commanding an extensive view over a fertile plain. Our first call was +on Professor Monod; his wife is an Englishwoman; she was pleased to see +her compatriots, and introduced us to Professor de Felice and some other +pious individuals. Professor Monod invited us to spend the evening at +their house, along with a number of persons who join in their family +reading, and we did not think it right to refuse the invitation. A pretty +large company assembled in the professor's room at 8 o'clock, among whom +were some students of the college. The eighth chapter of the Epistle to +the Romans was read, and some remarks made by the professor; he then +kindly said, if we had any word of exhortation in our hearts, he hoped we +should feel quite at liberty to express it. We felt it right to make some +observations with reference to the fore-part of the chapter, which sets +forth that state of Christian experience in which the mind is prepared to +participate in the many precious promises contained in the middle and +latter portions; ability was also given us to express our faith in the one +Saviour and Mediator, and in the influence and guidance of the Holy +Spirit, and his office in the sanctification of the soul. This favored +opportunity closed with supplication. We are well satisfied with our visit +to this place; it has removed some prejudices from our minds, and perhaps +may have shown to those with whom we have had intercourse that Friends are +sound in the faith. The short time we spent with Professor de Felice has +left a sweet impression on our minds. He mourned over the want of +spiritual life among the Protestants of Montauban, amid, as he said, "much +preaching, and many appeals to conscience." + + +At Castres, where they stopped on the 26th, they visited the Orphan House, +and held intercourse with the pastors, and with a pious lawyer. + + +On our journey, says John Yeardley, we had heard of a man near this town +who bore the name of Quaker, and we inquired of the lawyer if he knew +whether he was sound in the Christian faith. The lawyer spoke with respect +of the so-called Quaker, but thought that in his opinions he favored +Arianism. "If so," said I, rather hastily, "we will not seek him or +recognize." "Why," said the advocate, "it is the very reason you should go +to see him, and try to do him good." At this reply my conscience was stung +on account of my hasty conclusion; and after reflecting on the matter, we +walked next morning five or six miles into the country in search of the +new Friend. He received us with joy, and we soon satisfied ourselves as to +his soundness in the Christian faith; but he was rather ardent in his +expectations of the reign of Christ on the earth. Twenty years ago he +refused to take an oath on a jury; the judge told him he must go to +prison, to which the Friend replied, "I am willing to go to prison, but I +cannot swear to condemn any person to death; if you place me as juryman I +shall acquit all the criminals." The judge, believing his scruples to be +sincere, dismissed him without further trouble. This dear man attached +himself to us in such a manner that it was difficult to part from him; he +pressed us to remain some days in his house, but this our duty did not +permit. + + +From Castres they returned through Beziers to Nismes, visiting various +little companies of Protestants by the way, and arrived in the latter city +on the 1st of the Fourth Month. They found that the school had increased +in numbers, and the scholars had made good progress. + + +On entering the school-room, says J.Y., the girls all flocked to us, their +black eyes sparkling with joy, while they clung round us with their little +arms to be embraced. The harmony and peaceful feelings which pervade the +family are truly comforting to our hearts. + + +In taking a retrospect of what they had done up to this time, they write +thus to their Friends in England:-- + + +The manner in which our gracious Lord has condescended to open the way for +a portion of labor in this part of his vineyard, adds a grain to our +faith: the service which has hitherto fallen to our lot on this journey is +of that nature towards which we had a view before we left our native land; +and we are bound gratefully to acknowledge, amid many conflicts and +discouragements, that sweet peace is sometimes our portion. But our dear +friends in England will readily conceive that our baptisms are various and +deep, during our separation from the bosom of our own little visible +church; and we hope to retain a place in their sympathy and prayers, when +they are favored with access to the throne of mercy. Our love flows freely +and unceasingly to all our dear friends, from whom it is always comforting +to hear. Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free +course and be glorified. + + +On the 18th of the Fourth Month they again left Nismes, and commenced +their journey towards Switzerland, accompanied, as before, by Jules +Paradon. On their way to Grenoble, they had opportunities of spreading +many copies of the _Scripture Extracts_, which they had with them, +among the Roman Catholics; and they had also some interesting conversation +with individuals of that profession. + + +At Tullins, they write, the eagerness to receive books was so great, that +a crowd soon assembled around us, and we found it difficult to satisfy +them; again, at the moment of our departure, they pressed round our +carriage, and we could hardly separate ourselves from them. + +On the 22nd (to continue their own narrative) we arrived at Grenoble, with +a view to spend First-day there. A letter from one of our acquaintances at +Nismes to Pastor Bonifas procured us a kind reception, and he invited us +to spend First-day evening at his house, where a meeting was to be held. +We did not, however, feel quite at liberty to attend, as we found the +regular church-service would be performed. The next day we received +another invitation from the Pastor to a meeting where only the Scriptures +would be read. We thought it best to accept it, and by going a little +before the time proposed, we had a very interesting conversation with the +Pastor, his wife, and a young Englishwoman, on our peculiar views. The +meeting was an assembly of various classes, with a preponderance of young +persons, and was a very interesting occasion: many of the young people +were deeply affected. In the morning of this day we had been to see an +aged Catholic woman of the Jansenist persuasion: she appeared to have no +dependence but on her Saviour, and, full of faith and love, to have her +conversation in heaven; she gave us a sweet benediction at parting. + + +They left Grenoble on the 25th, and pursued their way by Chambery to +Geneva, taking care to dispose of most of their French tracts by the way, +lest they should be stopped at the Savoy custom-house. They arrived in the +city of Calvin on the 27th. + +Here, as on former occasions, they found much to interest them. Several of +the ministers and professors whom they had known before, seemed to have +become more spiritually-minded; and with the flock of the deceased Pastor +Monnie, in particular, "of precious memory," they were united in near +Christian fellowship. + + +It seems to us, they write, that the feeling is spreading of the necessity +of the immediate guidance of the Holy Spirit; and we believe that this +view of the gospel, with that of the universality of divine love, is much +more calculated to win upon unbelievers, and to enlighten Romanists, than +the high Calvinistic doctrines which have so generally prevailed, and +which impede the growth of Christian humility and daily dependence on +divine help. + +At our little meeting on First-day morning, we had the company of a widow +and her daughter. The former is like a mother to those around her who are +seeking spiritual things, and we were much comforted together. She invited +us to tea, and to have a meeting in her house the next evening: a +considerable number were collected, among whom were a pastor, several +professors, and many females. The pastor read a chapter; and when, after a +time of silence, the way opened for communication, it was like casting +seed into prepared ground, and the retirement of spirit before the Lord +which we recommended seemed really to be experienced before we separated; +it was a silence to be felt better than expressed. + + +Amongst other pious persons in this city, they had an introduction to the +Countess de Sellon. + + +She received us, says J.Y., with open heart, saying, "I am fond of the +principles of your Society, believing they have the real substance of +religion, stripped of its forms." She asked us many questions, and we felt +sweet unity with her. + + +On the 3rd of the Fifth Month they went to Lausanne, where they renewed +their friendship with Professor Gaudin, and had interviews with several +other seeking persons. + + +We were, they say, most interested by a pious magistrate, Frossard de +Saugy, near relative to a dear friend of ours at Geneva. He inquired +respecting the education of children, of whom he has many--by what means +he could make them sensible of vital religion. We replied that all we +could do was to represent to them the love and mercy of our blessed +Redeemer, and recommend them to cherish the convictions of his Holy +Spirit, which are very early bestowed upon us all: he entirely united in +our views. + + +From Lausanne they went to Yverdun, and the day after to Neufchatel. Since +their last visit in 1834, some who were very dear to them had been +summoned to eternal rest, which cast a shade of natural sorrow over their +entrance into the place: and they were called upon, in addition, deeply to +sympathise with some of those who remained. + + +The family of Professor Petavel has sustained a great loss in the death of +his eldest son, accompanied, by circumstances peculiarly striking. This +young man was about nineteen years of age. He had been very serious for +some time before his illness, and wished much to be employed as a +missionary. Early instructed by his mother in the importance of seeking +divine influence, his mind was prepared to receive the baptism of the Holy +Spirit; and he had a deep conflict to pass through, which he confided to +his mother, and which he seemed to think was the presage to suffering. In +performing some gymnastic exercises he received a fall on the head, which +after some time was followed by a paralytic affection of the whole body, +so that he became entirely helpless, and his speech was taken away. It was +only his tender mother who could ascertain his wants and administer to +them, which she did with unceasing assiduity. After about six months his +speech was almost miraculously restored, and he used it in praising the +Lord for the remarkable support and consolation of his Spirit. He said he +had been sensible of all that had passed, and that he had been abundantly +confirmed in the belief that true religion consists in hearing the voice +of our blessed Redeemer, and seeking to do his will. After some time the +capability of speaking much again forsook him; yet he lingered some months +longer, and when M.Y. beheld him soon after our arrival, he appeared like +a precious lamb purified, and waiting to be gathered to the everlasting +fold. The resignation of his parents was truly edifying: they proposed +that we should both come the next day, and sit quietly beside him for a +while. This proved a deeply impressive time; the presence of the Great +Shepherd was evidently with us, and called forth thanksgiving for the +mercies received and the deliverance anticipated. While listening to a few +words addressed to him at parting, he fixed his dying eyes upon us with an +expression not to be forgotten, and before midnight the precious spirit +was received into the arms of its Saviour. As we left for Locle early in +the morning, we did not hear of this until our return the day following. + + +Their visit to their favorite orphan-institution was, as ever, very +interesting. They thus describe the state in which they found it:-- + + +Our dear German friend M. Zimmerlin, the associate of dear M. A. Calame, +still lives: she received us with overflowing affection. After tea, which +we took there, she hastened to show us the improvements in the premises, +which, she said, our kind friends in England had contributed to procure by +their donations through us. The institution appears to be now in excellent +order. In the evening, the children, 138 in number, were collected with +the mistresses and family, and we had a very satisfactory opportunity with +them. The same precious influence seems to prevail which we have noticed +heretofore. + + +They returned to Neufchatel the next evening, where they heard that the +remains of Paul Petavel were to be interred the next day. + + +His father, they add, was desirous that the meeting we intended to hold +with our friends should be held at his house that evening. When M.Y. went +to see the family, she found the parents fall of gratitude and praise. The +funeral was attended by the students from the college, and a large number +of others; for the professor is much beloved, and the affecting situation +of his son has been a lesson of instruction to the young people who used +to associate with him, and seems to have had an effect on the whole town. +The evening of this day proved to be a memorable time: a considerable +number were collected, among whom were several pastors and a number of +young persons. I seldom, says J.Y., remember to have attended a more +solemn occasion. The Saviour's presence was near, to console and instruct. +After my M.Y. and I had relieved our minds in testimony and supplication, +the professor and the other pastors spoke with much feeling; I think it +was evident they were constrained by the Spirit. We parted (to resume the +words of their joint epistle) from the family under a strong conviction of +the support and consolation which those experience who depend in living +faith upon their blessed Redeemer. + + +From Neufchatel, John and Martha Yeardley went to Berne, where they +renewed the bond of friendship with those to whose spiritual state they +had ministered in former years. With these they united several times in +worship and in social religious intercourse. At the close of one of these +meetings, the lady of the house, an active and benevolent character, +acknowledged, that she was sensible of the truth of what they had heard, +and believed that in the present day the Lord was leading many of his +devoted children to listen to his voice, that they might be brought more +under the teachings of his Spirit, and from this would flow their +consolation. "This (they observe) is the more remarkable, as, when we were +here before, she held views on election and the _finished_ work of +grace, almost to the exclusion of the work of 'regeneration and the +renewing of the Holy Ghost.'" + + +We find in some here, writes John Yeardley in his Diary, a desire for food +of a more spiritual nature: they really enjoy waiting on the Lord in +silence; but the customary activity is strong, and not easily broken +through. I trust the day will come when silence will more prevail in the +assemblies of the people. We left Berne with feelings of peace and of much +affection for many in that place, and thankful to our Heavenly Father, in +that he had prepared the hearts of his people to receive the invitation to +feed on that spiritual food which alone can nourish the soul to eternal +life. + + +They arrived at Basle on the 17th. Since they had visited this city in +1834, Hoffmann, the director of the institution at Kornthal, had succeeded +Blumhardt in the superintendence of the Mission-house. He received them +with his usual kindness, and one evening they supped with the students, +and had a religious meeting with them. They spent another evening with a +pious family, where several missionaries and pastors were present. In +speaking of this occasion, John and Martha Yeardley were led into a +reflection which deserves to be pondered by Christians of every name. + + +Before separating, they say, the Scriptures were read, and some of the +missionaries spoke on the importance of uniting in desire for a more +general outpouring of the Spirit: J.Y. also spoke much to the same effect. +It was, we trust, a profitable season; but the reflection arose on this +occasion, as it has done on some others when among serious persons not of +our profession, that if they would but suffer the degree of divine +influence mercifully afforded thoroughly to baptize the heart with the +true baptism, much creaturely activity would be done away, and the light +of the gospel would shine in them and through them in much greater purity. + +We paid and received visits, they continue, from some of the +_Interieurs_ whom we had known before, and had to lament something of +a visionary spirit in the midst of right feeling. We recommended +simplicity, and close attention to the Scriptures and to the Shepherd's +voice. + + +One day John Yeardley went into the mountains to see an establishment +called the Pilgrim Mission Institution, where he was interested in meeting +three young men from Syria, who had come there to escape the scenes of war +in their own country, and with the desire to be rendered capable of +instructing their countrymen. + +They left Basle on the 22nd, and entered Germany. They were, for a time, a +good deal embarrassed with the change of language from French to German, +having had little or no occasion to use the latter tongue during their +journey. They stopped at Carlsruhe, where they called, with an +introduction, on the Princess of Wuertemberg. + + +She received us, they say, very kindly, and we had a satisfactory +interview with her, and also with an interesting female who has the charge +of her children. After much conversation with the princess in French, she +introduced us to her three lovely children, and asked J.Y. to give them a +word of exhortation. We remained silent awhile, and, under a precious +feeling, offered prayer for the divine blessing on this family and all its +branches; after which the word of sympathy and exhortation flowed freely. +At parting, the princess took a cordial leave of us, and said she received +our visit as a blessing from the Lord. + + +The next day they pursued their way towards Pyrmont. Being weary with +travelling, and their horses also needing rest, they tarried two days at +Frankfort. Here they saw their old friend Von Meyer; and spent much of +their time in the company of Dr. Pinkerton. "I was instructed," says J.Y., +"with seeing the charity and Christian meekness in which he daily lives." + +On the 3rd of the Sixth Month they reached Pyrmont, where they remained a +few weeks. They attended on the 2nd of the Seventh Month the Two-months' +Meeting, at Minden. Many peasants were present in the meeting for worship, +and on John and Martha Yeardley's return to Pyrmont, some of them came to +the meeting there on First-day, and begged the Friends to go to Vlotho to +meet a company of their brethren. They gave the peasants liberty to call a +meeting at that place for Third-day, the 18th. + +On Second-day, as they were setting off, an accident happened to John +Yeardley. + + +He had left the horse's head, writes M.Y., to attend to placing the +baggage, when, hearing another carriage drive rapidly up, our horse set +off, and my J.Y., in attempting to stop him by catching hold of the reins, +fell, and was much bruised, but through mercy no limb was broken. We +applied what means were in our power, and I urged our remaining at +Pyrmont, and sending to defer the meeting; but he would go on to Lemgo. +His whole frame was much shaken, and we passed a sleepless night, so that +the meeting next day was not a little formidable. It proved a much longer +journey to Vlotho than we had expected; when we arrived we found a large +number assembled. Five of our Friends came from Minden to meet us, and it +was a remarkable meeting, notwithstanding we had gone to it under so much +discouragement: we have cause to bless and adore our Divine Master, who +caused his presence to be felt amongst us. August Mundhenck interpreted +for J.Y. and for me. J.R. also suffered his voice to be acceptably heard +in testimony, after which the meeting closed in solemn supplication. We +pursued our way that night to Bielefeld and the next day towards the +Rhine. + + +On their way home they stopped at Duesseldorf. The ten years which had gone +by since they had visited the Orphan Asylum at Duesselthal, near this town, +had wrought a great change in the physical condition of Count Von der +Recke. He looked worn and ill, the effect of care and anxiety for his +numerous adopted family; but he evinced a spirit of pious resignation, and +had a hearty welcome ready for his visitors. They returned to England +through Belgium, and arrived in London on the 8th of the Eighth Month. + +They did not at once return to their home at Scarborough, but spent a +month in Hertford, Oxford and Buckinghamshire, attending the meetings of +Friends in these counties, and visiting that of Berkhamstead several +times. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL +JOURNEY. + +1843-48. + +The tour which John and Martha Yeardley made in and around +Buckinghamshire, and which is mentioned at the conclusion of the last +chapter, was undertaken in quest of a new place of abode. In a letter from +Martha Yeardley to her sister, Mary Tylor, written on the 3rd of the +Eleventh Month, she says:-- + +Thou art aware that we have thought, if way should open of going nearer to +you, and of pitching our tent within the Quarterly Meeting of +Buckinghamstead. We offered to purchase a cottage at Berkhamstead, but for +the present that has quite fallen through: we therefore intend to rest +quietly here for the winter, in hopes that in the spring or summer +something may offer, either at B. or in that quarter, to which we feel +attracted; yet desiring to commit this and all that concerns us into the +all-directing hand of our great Lord and Master, who has a right to do +with us what seemeth him good. + + +Not long afterwards they purchased a house at Berkhamstead, called Gossom +Lodge, to which they removed in the Fourth Month, 1844. + +Very soon after they had taken possession of their new dwelling, they made +a circuit through the meetings of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, +holding a few public meetings by the way: and the next summer they +undertook a more extensive religious visit--viz., to the six northern +counties of England. + +In the course of the same year we find them meditating a further removal, +into the immediate vicinity of London. One of the few entries in his Diary +which were made by John Yeardley during this period, speaks of the +apprehension of duty under which they contemplated this change: it was +written after their removal. + + +For some years past I have often thought the time might come when we might +see it right to settle within Stoke Newington Meeting. This feeling now +began (1845) to fasten more strongly on our minds than it had done before, +and we thought it right to make an effort to let Gossom Lodge, and seek a +residence at Stamford Hill; and we have reason to believe that in this +important step our prayer has been answered, and that all our +deliberations have been guided by that wisdom which is from above. Very +strong is my conviction that our Heavenly Father is not unmindful of the +outward circumstances of those who seek his counsel, and desire to act +under the guidance of his Holy Spirit. We were favored to let our house at +Berkhamstead without trouble; the very first person to whom we made it +known took it off our hands: and with equal ease we found another dwelling +at Stamford Hill, which I consider as a proof that our prayer was heard +and answered in this serious step: the signs I had asked were granted. + + +They removed to Stamford Hill on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, 1845. As +soon as they had settled in, John Yeardley became seriously indisposed +with his old complaint, which ended in the jaundice. In the course of the +spring and summer of 1846 he repaired with M.Y. to Bath, and afterwards +to Harrowgate, to seek a restoration of his health. + + +The waters of the last-named place proved, he says, very efficacious both +to my beloved M.Y. and myself. My precious dear, he continues, suffered +much in her health through the fatigue of nursing me during the winter. +How my soul overflows with gratitude to my Heavenly Father that he has +united me to such a partner, who takes more than a full share in all my +sorrows; and, thanks be unto our God, we have often to rejoice also +together in Him! + + +On their return from Harrowgate they visited many of the meetings in +London and the vicinity,--a service which they had always had in view, in +looking towards a residence at Stamford Hill; and from the Eleventh Month, +1846, to the First Month, 1847, they were occupied in a religious visit to +the families of the members and attenders of Gracechurch-street Monthly +Meeting, in which their service was very acceptable. + + +The friends appointed to arrange the visits, says J.Y., have done so with +willingness and efficiency, and we have, I believe, the help of their +spirits. In passing from house to house, we are made sensible of our +inability to render aid to others unassisted by the Spirit of our Divine +Master. Wherever we have gone we have been received with kindness and +Christian cordiality; and in thus being permitted to mingle our feelings +with those who are bound up with us in religious profession, we feel sweet +peace and comfort, and our hearts are filled with thankfulness to the +Lord, that he has enabled us to do that which we believe he put in our +hearts. + + +They returned the minute which had been granted them for this service on +the 6th of the First Month. Many who read this Memoir will remember how +the tidings of the death of Joseph John Gurney, who suddenly expired on +the 5th, spread through the Society, and produced wherever it came an +impression of sorrowful but heavenly solemnity. The event is referred to +in the notice of this meeting which is contained in the Diary. + + +The meeting for worship was particularly solemn. The spirit of our dear +departed friend J.J.G. seemed present with us. The event had impressed our +minds with the awful uncertainty of time. My dear M.Y. ministered to our +comfort, and so did dear ----. I was constrained, under a sense that the +Lord had withdrawn many laborers from his vineyard, to lift up a prayer +for the remnant that is left, to crave prosperity for the blessed work of +grace in the hearts of all present, and to ask for more devotedness to the +Lord's cause. + + +The next day they received intelligence of the decease of one of their +Scarborough friends, whose dying words are worthy to be preserved in +lasting remembrance. + + +1 _mo_. 7.--On returning from meeting we found a letter informing us +of the sudden decease of Isaac Stickney of Scarborough. When the doctor +attempted to give him brandy in his sinking state, he said, Doctor, don't +cloud my intellect; if this be dying, I die in the arms of Jesus. These +last words of my beloved and long-known friend are sweetly consoling to my +spirit. + + +In the Second Month of 1848, John Yeardley again prepared to go forth and +preach the Gospel in several countries on the Continent of Europe. He was +accompanied by his beloved wife, partly in the character of a +fellow-laborer, constrained by the force of Christian love to the same +field of service, and partly as his companion and helper in countries +where she did not otherwise feel herself called to labor. The course of +their anticipated travel is described in the following extract from the +Diary. They were unable, as it proved, to obtain admission into the +Russian Empire; and this part of the mission was accomplished by John +Yeardley alone, and at a later period. + + +1848. 2 _mo_. 8.--At our Monthly Meeting at Gracechurch street, I +proposed my concern to visit some parts of South Russia, particularly the +German colonies; also some places in the Prussian and Austrian dominions, +parts of Switzerland and France, particularly Ardeche, and a few places in +Belgium, and to revisit parts of Germany. My precious M.Y. also was +constrained in gospel love to tell her friends that she had long thought +of a visit to France and Belgium; and, if health permitted, should think +it her religious duty to accompany me to South Russia. We had the full +unity of our friends, who expressed much sympathy and encouragement, to +our great comfort. It is about twenty years since I first thought +seriously that I might have to visit the Crimea, and for thirty years I +have had a prospect of some parts of Bohemia. Truly the vision has been +for an appointed time; and if the period be now come, I trust it is the +Lord's time, and that his presence may go with us. Many have been the +conflicts and deep the baptisms through which I have passed, before coming +to a willingness to offer to do what I believe to be the will of my +Divine Master. Feeble as are my powers, I desire they may be devoted to +his cause for the remainder of my days; and I do esteem it a great mercy +to have arrived at a clear pointing in this important prospect. May the +blessing of preservation rest upon the beloved partner of my sorrows and +my joys, and on myself; and may He whom we desire to serve heal all our +maladies of body and mind! + + +While their attention was thus turned to foreign lands, a storm was +gathering in France which in the course of this month burst upon Europe +with extraordinary violence, and overturned or endangered half the thrones +on the Continent. This convulsed state of the European nations rendered it +needful for them to wait a few months before they commenced their +undertaking. In the Seventh Month, John Yeardley speaks of having obtained +the further concurrence of the church, and of the feelings which the +immediate prospect of the journey awakened in his mind. + + +7 _mo_. 1.--At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, our friends entered very fully into our proposed +visit to the Continent. The expression of sympathy and full unity was +abundant; there was a strong evidence of the good presence of the Lord +being near during the deliberations, which proved a strength and comfort +to myself and my beloved partner. The needful certificates are now all in +our possession, and are expressed in terms the most appropriate and +encouraging. My mind is deeply humbled at the near approach of our +departure, in the present state of affairs on the continent of Europe: but +I feel a confiding hope in the divine power for protection and safe +guidance. May the Lord Almighty give us strength and resignation to commit +our lives into his hand, and to say, Thy will be done. Amen! + + +This series of travels was the last in which John and Martha Yeardley were +to be engaged as joint-laborers in their Lord's work. The health of the +latter had been for several years seriously affected; and although she +continued to take a deep interest in the spiritual condition of the +countries they had visited before, and was enabled to the end to afford +her husband the assistance of her strong sympathy and of her religious +exercise of mind, the fatigue of constant travelling told more and more +upon her enfeebled frame, and she did not long survive the accomplishment +of this journey. John Yeardley, less advanced in years, and possessing a +hardy constitution, had not yet lost the fire of his earlier days. The +same spring and impulse was still strong within him which had animated him +in former journeys, and which those who knew him in middle life will not +fail to remember. Some of these will have before them the mental image of +his person and manner--the fixed resolution, the concentrated mind, the +ardent and devoted spirit, which shone through his impressive countenance +and his whole figure, when he was engaged in his Lord's work; and perhaps +also they may call to mind the very words of faithful counsel, or of +encouragement, drawn from the well-spring of gospel sympathy, which fell +from his lips. + +John and Martha Yeardley did not accomplish the extensive mission which +now lay before them at one stroke, but in three stages, returning to +England between each. The most prominent object in the first journey was +Belgium; in the second, the Rhine country; in the third, they were called +to sow seeds of Christian doctrine in lands lying beyond the limit of any +former travel--viz., in Silesia and Bohemia. + +This was the first time that the Roman Catholic country of Belgium had +called forth the exercise of their Christian charity. They left London in +the Seventh Month, and spent about three weeks in travelling through the +country, resting chiefly at Ghent, Brussels, Charleroi and Spa. They were +accompanied as far as Brussels by Robert and Christine Alsop, and through +the whole journey, by an ingenuous young man whom they had engaged to +assist them, named Adolphe Rochedieu. The religious opening which awaited +them at Brussels was very encouraging; few incidents which arose in the +course of their numerous journeys were of a more animating character than +the acquaintance which they made with the pastor Van Maasdyk and some of +his flock. We give the narrative from J.Y.'s Diary and letters. + + +7 _mo_. 19.--H. Van Maasdyk paid us a long visit this morning. He was +educated in a convent in Belgium, and becoming a priest, he exercised the +functions which devolved upon him with much credit to himself, and to the +satisfaction of his superiors, until the year 1836. He possessed a Bible +in Latin, which he never read. He had the cure of a large parish, in +which, down to the year above mentioned, there was not a single copy of +the Scriptures in the Flemish tongue. About that time the colporteurs +introduced the New Testament in Flemish, and some copies of the Bible, +which greatly excited the priests, and in particular the bishop, who said +the translation was mutilated and falsified, and commanded that the +members of the Catholic Church who had received copies, should either burn +them themselves, or bring them to the cures for that purpose. Van +Maasdyk's parishioners accordingly brought their Bibles and Testaments +(five copies) to him to be burned. He was zealous in the Romish faith, and +had preached violently against the distributors of the wicked books, as +they were called; and he was about to fulfil the command to burn them, +when suddenly he felt something in his heart which restrained him, and he +thought, I will at least first examine the foundation of the bishop's +charges. He took up his Latin Bible, and placing beside it the copy in +Flemish, began with the charge of mutilation. He found it not at all +abridged. He then went to the charge of falsification, and found the two +copies to agree with slight variations here and there; in fact, the modern +translation proved to have been made from the Vulgate, which was the one +in his possession. He read the denunciation of our Saviour, "Woe unto you +Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," and it struck him forcibly; he felt +that he must say, "Woe is me, I am one of those who deceive the people." +He read again, "There is one Mediator between God and man;" and here again +his conscience smote him: "Woe is me, I teach the people in their +confessions that the saints make intercession." His sorrow was so deep, +that he thought he could die a thousand deaths rather than continue a +Romish priest. + +Now his persecution began. He was beloved by his flock, who entreated him +not to leave them. After much conflict of mind, he wrote a decided letter +to his bishop, who in the end gave him his dismissal. Still feeling +himself called to proclaim the Gospel, he began to assemble the people in +little companies, and to instruct them in the Scriptures. At the entreaty +of his friends he settled at Brussels, where there was a wide field for +labor amongst the poorest of the Roman Catholics, who speak only Flemish. +His congregation consisted at first of some fifteen or twenty persons; but +such was the success he met with, that they have been obliged four or five +times in succession to seek a larger building, and his congregation now +consists of 500. He is said to be one of the most powerful preachers in +the Flemish language. It is delightful to be in his company; his heart is +filled with gratitude, and his eyes sparkle with joy, when he is with +those who love the Saviour. Nothing is paid him by his congregation; he +has a little property of his own, and sometimes receives a little help +from the Adolphus Society. + +After a long conversation with him on the spiritual nature of worship, he +took us to see some of his flock, with whom we had family sittings from +house to house. This is exactly the class our hearts longed to visit; +thanks be to our Heavenly Father who has thus opened our way. + +20_th_.--The meeting at Pastor Marzial's last evening was much larger +than we had expected. Van Maasdyk came in unexpectedly after the service +which had been held at his dwelling, and with him a part of his flock. +Many of the company were those who had renounced Romanism; some of the +young men interested us exceedingly. I had a deal of conversation with +them as to their religious experience. There were several young Germans +among them, who are residing in Brussels; with these I conversed in their +own language, which was highly gratifying to them. As Pastor Marzial +speaks English well, I clung to him in the hope of having him for an +interpreter; but he encouraged me to speak as well as I could in French, +as the natives like it much better, and consider it a compliment to their +language. This made me very low, it being a company of well-educated +persons, and I asked Van Maasdyk what I should do. I would rather, he +replied, hear ten words from your own mouth, than ten thousand through the +mouth of another; we shall understand you, and what comes from the heart +goes to the heart. This settled the question; I gave myself up to the +language, and was helped through. My M.Y. was favored in her +communication. After a short address from M., I concluded the meeting with +supplication, also in French. I do believe the Spirit was poured upon us +from on high; many hearts were touched, and tears flowed freely from many +eyes. + +The Lord has indeed opened a wide door for us in this place; the dear +people follow us from meeting to meeting, entreating us for an opportunity +of the like kind in their own houses; but we must be watchful to see our +own way. However, if the oil is staid, it is not for want of vessels, for +what we have to communicate seems like seed cast into the prepared ground. +May the Lord himself be their teacher, and carry on his own work; for it +is most assuredly his. To those who are spiritually minded, to hear of a +society holding spiritual views, is like marrow to their bones. It is not +so much what we are able to say to them, but our being as living witnesses +to the truth which these awakened people feel in their own hearts. + +21_st_.--Attended a meeting of Van Maasdyk's in the poorer district +of Brussels; about seventy to eighty persons present, consisting of +converted Romanists, seeking Protestants, and two awakened Jews. Two of +the company were blind men, very pious, who gain their living by selling +matches. Our friend read, explained, and applied the tenth chapter of +John, in Flemish; he also interpreted for me a few words, which I spoke in +German. + + +On their way to Charleroi, after passing through Mons, they traversed the +great Belgium iron and coal country, where the people speak a patois but +understand French. Here they made a free distribution of the religious +tracts they had taken with them, and found an able co-adjutor in their +postillion. When he understood what their object was, he allowed few +opportunities to pass by without putting these little messengers into the +hands of his fellow-countrymen. + +At Charleroi, where they arrived on the 22d, they enjoyed Christian +association of the most interesting kind, especially with Pastors Poinsot +and Jaccard, and with Marzial, who followed them from Brussels. They seem +to have found much more of the life of religion among the newly-awakened +in Belgium than they had expected. + + +We have, says J.Y., good reason to believe that the burden we have so long +felt for the inhabitants in some parts of Belgium was laid upon us by our +Divine Master, who is now pleased to make way for us to throw it off; +thanks be to his great name. + + +From Charleroi they went by Liege to Spa, where they procured a lodging in +order to enjoy a period of needful rest. The tracts they gave away on the +road were received with eagerness. Adolphe handed them out freely right +and left, and when any one hesitated to take them, a significant nod from +the postillion never failed to secure a ready reception. + + +The country from Namur to Liege, writes John Yeardley, and particularly +from Liege to Spa, is beautiful, the road running along the banks of the +Meuse, amid wooded rocks. These are the works of my Heavenly Father, but I +sigh after the workmanship of his hands, created after his own image. + + +Passing over several incidents of religious intercourse and labor, we +select a circumstance which illustrates the state of the country, and of +their own feelings in relation to it. + +Under date of Spa, the 2nd of the Eighth Month, John Yeardley says:-- + + +My M.Y. made acquaintance with an interesting young woman in a shop, and +gave her some of the _Scripture Extracts_. She came to us last +evening, and remained some time conversing on the Romish religion. She had +never seen the Bible. When we asked her what was the nature of the mass, +she said she did not understand it, but she attended it because others +did. We gave her the Bible used by ourselves, having no other at our +disposal. Her eyes sparkled with joy at the newly-acquired treasure. Her +heart is touched by the Spirit of God, and I humbly hope her eyes will be +enlightened to seek for strength independently of her blind guides. I +never saw and felt more sensibly the awful account the priests will have +to give for thus deceiving the people in the things which belong to their +salvation. + + +On the 3rd they quitted Belgium, and proceeded to Bonn. Here they had the +pleasure of meeting their old friend, Charles Majors, formerly of +Strasburg. In a walk which they took with him, they renewed the sweet +intercourse of former days. + + +8 _mo_. 5.--We took a walk with Majors and his family to the top of +"Mount Calvary," and mounted a steep hill pitched with sharp stones, on +which the poor Romanists go barefooted, repeating prayers at each station, +supposed to be as many as the times when our Lord rested when bearing his +cross from the gate of Jerusalem to Mount Calvary. Having descended, we +sat down at the foot of a cross, and spoke of Him who bore our sins on the +cross in his own body. A desire was felt and expressed that the little +company might ever dwell near to Him who died on the cross. + + +At Mannheim, John Yeardley writes:-- + + +I took a walk in the public gardens, opposite the Hotel de l'Europe, where +we lodge. All very quiet without, and I felt peaceful within myself, +reading a chapter and sitting alone. The Spirit of my Divine Master was +near, and I felt assured that there was something in this place with which +we could unite. + + +They found here a little company, who met together without any regular +pastor. + + +"They gave us", says John Yeardley, "a cordial reception, and their +countenances indicated that they had been with Jesus; and, although +scattered as sheep among wolves, they appeared to belong to the fold of +the true Shepherd. After a few family calls, we were conducted to the +house of a pious widow, where the meetings were usually held. As we were +in haste, these Christian people kindly appointed a meeting for worship, +to be held the same evening, to receive our visit, which, through divine +mercy, proved like a refreshing brook by the way: the Saviour's presence +being over us, his doctrine dropped like dew on the thirsty ground."[9] + + +At Strasburg they found Pastor Ehrmann, and several other pious persons +whom they had known in 1833, with whom and with some others they had much +conversation on religious subjects, and were called upon to explain the +views held by Friends, particularly on marriage, education, and the care +of the poor. + + +"Before parting", says John Yeardley, M. Passavant asked for silence, and +we had a sweet time of religious communion, in which consolation and +encouragement were offered, and thanks rendered for the favor of being +permitted to meet together, and for the favor of the Divine Presence. + + +Basle was their next halting-place. A letter written by Martha Yeardley +from this city, contains some notice of the social and religious life by +which their tarriance in foreign cities was characterised, and of her own +peculiar position as a gospel minister. + + +The pious Spittler, she says, has just been with us; he is still full of +faith and good works. M.L., whom we knew as a nice girl at Corfu, is +married to a serious merchant of this place; a sister of C. Majors' wife +at Bonn, with her husband, also resides here; and we have fixed to take +tea with them and some of their friends to-morrow evening. My J.Y. is gone +with a converted Jew, Spittler, and one who has been a missionary to +Jerusalem, to a lecture this afternoon, where it is probable he may have +an opportunity of speaking to those assembled. As it is to be all German, +I excused myself in order to rest and continue my letter. I have deeply +felt on this journey, as on others, that it is difficult for females to +make their way as gospel ministers; we have always found it tolerated, but +I am always sensible of a prejudice against it. On some occasions my J.Y. +has explained our views on this important subject. + +15_th_.--Yesterday we went to see a remarkably interesting +institution for missionaries, on the top of a high mountain, called +Chrischona Berg. It was established by Spittler, and, is well worth the +trouble of a little fatigue in getting to it. Twelve young men of the +poorer class, who have offered themselves from a sense of duty to become +missionaries, are there taught various languages, and retained until some +field of labor opens for them to which they feel bound. It is also a +working institution; they are taught various trades, in order that when +they go out they may earn their living. After viewing the premises and +hearing a lesson in Arabic, we saw the pupils assembled in the schoolroom. +Instead of a hymn in English, which they had learned, we asked for a +little silence, which was felt to be precious. My J.Y. then addressed them +in German, and was much helped. The superintendent, a very interesting +man, was in England for some time; and in consequence of a hurt received +on the head in Malta, was sent to the _Retreat_ at York, where he +became acquainted with several Friends, Samuel Tuke in particular. Under +the gentle treatment there he recovered, but he lost his wife and one +child at York, and has left two others in England. I felt much for him, +and ventured to offer him a little consolation, and also to express my +interest for the institution, which Spittler desired him to repeat in +German.--(_Letter to Mary Tylor_, 8 _mo_. 13.) + + +Whilst at Basle they visited Pastor Lindel, an old friend of theirs. He +related to them that he had been some time before applied to, to join the +Evangelical Alliance. "I told them," he said, "we have got further than +you have. In looking over your rules, I observe there is a class of +Christians in England whom you exclude; and we can receive them. Our bond +of union extends much beyond yours; it embraces, without any distinction, +all who love the Lord Jesus Christ." + +From Basle they went to Berne and Neufchatel. Their visit to these +favorite spots was, as at former times, accompanied by a good measure of +the blessing of the gospel of Christ. + + +18_th_. _Berne_.--Many of our former friends having heard of our +arrival, came this morning to our inn; and having called together a few +other serious persons, we had a precious meeting. They have suffered much +since our last visit; our hearts were dipped into sympathy for them, and +our tears were mingled together. The Lord's presence was over us, and he +caused the word of consolation, exhortation, and supplication to flow +freely. Some precious souls whom we have known in this place have been +taken to their rest since we last saw them. Soon shall we also be inquired +after and not found! Lord, grant that we may be prepared to meet thee at +thy coming! + +20_th. Neufchatel, First-day_.--The meeting was held in a saloon at +our hotel, (_Des Alpes_). The room was quite crowded; we were +surprised to see them continue to come in, by twos and threes together, at +so short a notice. The unhallowed thought arose, Where shall we find bread +to feed this multitude? But, thanks to Him who is the Bread of Life, he +dispensed food to the refreshing of our souls. My M.Y. supplicated for us, +and the gospel-word flowed freely: the meeting closed with thanksgiving by +me. + + +Sad reflections on the political and religious state of the country +oppressed their minds while travelling through Switzerland. + + +21_st_.--In all the times we have visited Neufchatel, I never saw it +look more beautiful. But the place was dull, and a depressed feeling +manifested the life of religion to be wanting. Switzerland has suffered +through the recent changes in the governments: infidelity is sorrowfully +increasing. An abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and +Nature everywhere smiles on ungrateful man. Woe to the nations when the +ungodly bear rule! Persecution still rages in the Canton de Vaud. + + +Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaintance with the French and +German languages afforded them, John Yeardley observes:-- + + +How I long that some of our dear young friends in England might give up +their minds and a portion of their time to the acquisition of these +languages--and, above all, give up their hearts to be prepared for the +Lord's work! How wide is the field of labor! + + +From Neufchatel they proceeded to Geneva, and thence to Grenoble. Here +they were received in the most open-hearted manner by the Protestant +minister, Amand; but their feelings were severely tried by the martial +display which the city presented. + + +26_th._--On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the name of the +Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of time. So soon as he +understood the object of our journey, he offered us his chapel for a +meeting; or, if it would be more agreeable to us, he would convoke a +meeting in the schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a number of persons +who usually meet there. We accepted the latter proposal. It is comforting +to find such a brother in the gospel; but O for the morrow! how my heart +fails me for fear! Lord, help us, and give us to trust in thee! + +27_th._--This day is a day of suffering. The soldiers, the drums, the +trumpets, with the shouting and dancing of the people, is enough to sink +the heart of the reflecting Christian beyond hope, had he not a refuge in +retirement before the Lord. The whole course of the military system tends +to evil, and the corruption of manners. + + +The meeting was well attended, and they were thankful in being enabled to +mingle in spirit with a company of sincere and pious Christians. The +pastor called on them the next day. He had succeeded their good friend +Bonifas, spoken of in the journey of 1843. Conversing with him on points +on which Christians may differ, he observed, "The Church of Christ is like +a great house built on a rock. There are different apartments for the +various classes of Christians; but they are in the same house, and on the +same rock, Christ." + +After attending to some other gospel-service at Grenoble, they resumed +their journey, held meetings in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing +the Rhone, entered Ardeche. A meeting which they held at Privas was an +occasion of remarkable stillness and solemnity. + + +31_st._--There was a room filled with serious persons, who +immediately settled into silence like a Friends' meeting: indeed, I wish +our meetings in England were always times of as much good feeling. A +chapter, the second of the Acts, was read; after which I supplicated, and +my M.Y. spoke in testimony, as well as myself. M.Y. closed the opportunity +in supplication. + + +They held another meeting at Vals, a village in the Cevennes mountains, +near the town of Aubenas. Lindley Murray Hoag, from America, had had a +meeting there not long before. There was no resident pastor, and the +schoolmaster called on John and Martha Yeardley, and informed them that +when no one was present to preach, the congregation were accustomed to +read a sermon, the liturgy, and prayers. They explained to him their +objection to written sermons, and he appeared to be sensible of the +inconsistency of them with true gospel ministry, but alleged that the +people would not be satisfied without having the greater part of the time +occupied with "service." As they could not undertake that this should be +the case, it was agreed that they should be informed when the usual +engagements were concluded, and that the schoolmaster should give notice +of their intention to hold a religious meeting. In the morning +(First-day), unexpectedly, a young man arrived, who came to see if he +could be established in the place as pastor, and the schoolmaster +introduced him to J. and M.Y. He raised no objection to their speaking +after the service, but the sermon which he preached, as they afterwards +found, was on the politics of the day, and when it was concluded, they +were still kept waiting during a conference which the consistory had with +him. This delay, and their persuasion that the members of the consistory +were not the men to sympathise with them in their religious exercise, was +exceedingly proving to faith, and they entered the chapel under a pressure +of mind almost beyond utterance. After a pause John Yeardley rose and +spoke in French, in which he felt himself to be much helped; an influence +superior to words was spread abroad, lifting up the messengers above the +fear of man. Martha Yeardley followed, inviting the people to come under +the teaching of the Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ Jesus, and +especially addressing herself to the mothers. + +They remained at Vals a week. + + +Our lodging, says J.Y., is situated amid scenery the most romantic: +high-planted rocks, deep glens, and purling streams. For reading and +writing we spend much time on a spacious open gallery, protected from the +penetrating rays of the sun by a roof; and in the interstices are +creepers, vines, and flowers, delightful and airy. + +11_th_.--This has been a trying week. I have been low in mind and +suffered much in body, but, thanks to a merciful God, I am restored to +comparative health, and my beloved one is better. The peasants who inhabit +the mountains can only come to the town on First-days; and as they live +dispersed in places almost inaccessible, we concluded to wait over another +First-day to see some of them at Vals. We had them invited to the +schoolroom. A small number only assembled, but it was a feeling time: I +hope a few were instructed, and we were satisfied in having done what we +could. + + +From Vals John and Martha Yeardley proceeded to Nismes, where they had +some interesting service, both within and beyond the little Society of +their fellow-professors. The account given by J.Y. of the way in which +one of their evenings was spent may be transcribed. + + +15_th_.--The wife of De Hauteville came to invite us to spend the +evening with a few religious friends, who met at her house for reading the +Bible. We had known the pious young woman years before, and were most easy +to accept the invitation. The little company mostly knelt down, and waited +some time in silence; and then a young man offered a short and sweet +prayer. The fourth chapter of the Hebrews was then read, and nearly all +present offered a sentiment on the subject, in meekness and in love, +though they did not agree in their interpretation. They spoke one after +the other, until all seemed tired; looking earnestly at me, as wondering +what I would say, not having spoken on the question. At length one of the +company asked my opinion. I felt freedom at once to say I found no +difficulty in the matter; I could well understand the text, but I could +not understand their interpretation of it. This remark surprised them, and +raised an air of pleasantness on every countenance. My remarks on the +passage closed the subject, and I think they were accorded with in the +general. Stillness was then had, and myself and dear M.Y. spoke to the +company. There was a precious feeling, and we were glad in not having +missed uniting with such spirits in passing an hour or two instructively +together. + + +The service which remained for them to do before returning to England +consisted chiefly of religions labor amongst the Friends of Congenies and +the vicinity, and in printing and distributing a large number of tracts. +They found the Society of Friends in a drooping condition as to spiritual +things, and in going round to their little meetings, Martha Yeardley felt +it to be her last visit, and she labored to clear her conscience towards +those among whom she had long been conversant, and for whose eternal +welfare she felt deeply concerned. + +They returned to London on the 20th of the Tenth Month. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +COMPLETION OP THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. + +1849-50. + +The disorganized state of Germany presented a serious obstacle to John and +Martha Yeardley's resuming their labors on the Continent. + + +FROM JOHN YEARDLEY TO JOHN KITCHING. + +Scarborough, 6 mo. 23, 1849. + +We spent two days at Malton with our dear friends Ann and Esther +Priestman, in their delightful new abode on the bank of the river: we were +comforted in being at meeting with them on First-day. On Second-day we +came to Scarborough, and soon procured two rooms near our own former +residence. The sea air and exercise are beneficial to the health of my +M.Y. and myself. Scarborough is certainly a most delightful place. The +changes in the little society here are great: we miss many whom we knew +and loved when we were resident here. It feels pleasant, though mournful, +once more to mingle our sympathies with the few Friends who are left. + +We sometimes sigh under the weight of our burden on account of poor +Germany, from which land the accounts continue unsatisfactory. Mannheim, +where we had such a sweet little meeting with a few pious persons last +year, is now being bombarded; also in several other parts of the Rhine the +insurrection is not yet subdued. Our friend Dr. Murray returned on +Second-day last from a tour through part of France, Belgium and the Rhine. +He told us he was obliged to return after having proceeded as far as +Mayence, as the steamers were interrupted in their course beyond that +place, south. This is the very line which we had thought to pursue; we +cannot tell how soon an alteration may suddenly take place for the better. +We must wait in patience, faith and hope. + + +The political horizon soon became clearer, and they resumed their journey +on the 2nd of the Eighth Month. They again passed through Belgium, +stopping at several places, and distributing a large number of religious +tracts. + +On reaching Elberfeld they were received in a very cordial manner by R. +Hockelmann, and they held a satisfactory meeting in that city with a +company of serious persons, originally Roman Catholics, who had at first +followed Ronge, but afterwards separated from him. John Yeardley says of +them: + + +They are rejected by the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. They have adopted +the name of German Catholics to attract the Romanists to them. There is +real life of religion with some of them; perhaps with still a little +obscurity on some important points of doctrine. Light does not always +shine clearly all at once; nor is it always obeyed, so as to be received +in its fulness. + +Still more interesting was a meeting they had at Muehlheim on the Ruhr, +where, it will be remembered, they found an open door for their ministry +on their first continental journey. We give the narrative in John +Yeardley's words:-- + + +8 _mo_. 17.--On our arrival at Muehlheim we received a visit from the +three pastors resident here and in the neighborhood, along with Pastor +Bochart, from Schaffhausen, whom we had known some years before. One of +them, Schultz, immediately asked me if we were not the parties who had +held a meeting in a school-room in this place twenty-four years ago. We +entered very fully into the awakening that had taken place in this +neighborhood. The spiritual seed of Tersteegen has never died out; and +they told us of a person, Muehlenbeck, in Sarn, who represents those who +are acquainted with the interior life. The youngest minister said +directly, I will fetch him. In an hour's time he came again, accompanied +by a middle-aged man, much like a good old Friend. He recollected us +again, and spoke of our meeting. When we went to see him the next day in +the village, he took us to the house in which he had lived in 1825, and +placing me in the centre of the room said, There stood thou twenty-four +years ago, and preached the gospel in this room; there sat thy dear wife +and her friend, with the young man who interpreted for her. + +They soon set about making a meeting for us, which is to be held this +evening in a large room in the house of one of the brethren. O, my +Saviour, strengthen us for this evening's work, and forsake us not in the +time of need! + +18_th_.--The meeting last evening was got well over. There were two +rooms filled with men and a few women; their minds seemed sweetly centred +on the Source of good. A precious silence prevailed, and I was enabled to +address them in German from Acts xi. 23:--"When Barnabas was come to +Antioch and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and exhorted them all +that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." The nature of +silent worship was also dwelt upon, and freedom from sin, through +repentance and faith in Christ. My M.Y. spoke a few words in German, and I +supplicated in the same language. Many hearts are prepared to receive the +doctrine of the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit: it seemed like +marrow to their bones. + +After the meeting some came to our inn, and remained till 10 o'clock. They +seemed as if they could not part from us. We spoke of our ministry, +missionary journeys, baptism and the Supper, in which we seemed to be one +in sentiment and heart. Our short tarriance here has excited curiosity to +know who and what we are, and a great desire for books; and a liberal +supply has been furnished them. Those tracts on our religious principles +are just the food many are prepared to receive. + +In coming this morning from Muehlheim to Elberfeld, my heart was tendered +under a sense of the Lord's mercies. I feel poor and unworthy, but it is +impressed on my heart from day to day that my little remaining strength +and my few uncertain remaining days must be devoted to my Great Master's +cause. I am thankful that we have not through discouragement been deterred +from entering on this part of our religious service; for, after all we +have passed through on the occasion, I do believe the present time is +seasonable.-- + +(_Diary and Letter_) + + +Before leaving the neighborhood, they had a second meeting at Elberfeld, +the holding of which was endangered by the animosity which prevailed +between the different religious parties. After the place and hour were +advertized, it appeared the room would be required for a missionary +meeting. The president of the missionary society was so unfriendly to +those who associated with John and Martha Yeardley, that he not only +refused to let them have the room, but refused also to let notice be given +at his meeting of the alteration in time and place which it was needful to +make in theirs. They therefore hastily arranged their meeting for another +day, and the alteration was announced in the daily newspaper. The +disappointment proved, in the end, to be a subject for thankfulness on +their parts; for just before the hour of assembly of the missionary +society, an alarming fire broke out, and threw the whole town into +commotion; and the missionary meeting was obliged to disperse as soon as +the opening hymn had been sung. + +The Friends' meeting, which took place two days afterwards, was held in +quiet. John Yeardley preached on a subject which seems to have engaged his +mind ever since he had entered the place,--viz., the Fall of Man. While in +Elberfeld he printed a tract on this subject; and in a conversation which +he and Martha Yeardley had with a doctor from Charleroi, the doctor told +them it was the very thing which was wanted, being exactly adapted to the +condition of the numerous sceptics in that part, of whom he had once been +one. + +Their sojourn at Bonn, where they arrived on the 31st of the Eighth Month, +was exceedingly cordial to their religious feelings. The persons with whom +they were the most intimately united were two ladies, Alexandrine +Mackeldey and the Countess Stynum; the latter of whom had come to know the +way of salvation during a visit to England. J.Y. describes the opening for +service which they found in this city, in a letter to Josiah Forster:-- + + +This morning, the 1st of the Ninth Month, we received an early visit from +a pious young woman, _interior_. On her entering the room we felt the +Spirit of Jesus was near. As soon as we discovered the piety of her mind, +and her sweet and open disposition, I said to her: Now, tell us who there +are in this place who are really spiritually-minded persons. She said, I +will; and instantly took the pen, and put down about six or seven names, +among which was the name of the Countess Stynum. This lady, said she, I am +sure, will be rejoiced to see you; she is too weakly to leave her house, +but I am going to her and will tell her you are here. + +Our kind helper soon returned with the expression of a warm desire from +the Countess that we would remain tomorrow and hold a meeting in her +saloon in the evening, and invite any of our acquaintance, and she would +give notice to her own friends. There was so evidently a pointing of the +Great Master's finger in this matter, that we were at once constrained to +accept the invitation. + +9 _mo_. 3.--A little before six o'clock last evening the Countess +sent for us to take coffee with her, to have an hour of our company before +the meeting. She gave us a hearty reception, and in such Christian +simplicity, that we soon felt at perfect ease in her company. She has a +well-informed and enlightened mind and a strong understanding, and lives, +believe, in the fear of the Lord. She asked many questions about the +religious sects in England, as to the state of real piety, their forms, +baptism, &c. Then she came to our own Society. I was in poor plight for +answering questions; however, I explained the spiritual view we took of +those subjects, and asked permission to send her books, in the reception +of which she seemed to promise herself much gratification. + +Her commodious and elegant saloon was conveniently seated and pretty well +filled. Our manner of worship was quite new to every one present. We first +explained it privately to the countess, who immediately comprehended our +view; there was no wish at all shown to sing or read; a precious solemnity +prevailed, and I was enabled to speak, in German, first on the nature of +our silent worship, then on what [else] rested on my mind. The young woman +above-mentioned, A. Mackeldey, interpreted for my dear M.Y., who, I +thought, had the best service; and she did it so well and so seriously +that the right unction seemed to be preserved, and prevailed over us; and +after a supplication in German we parted under a very precious solemnity. + +A.M. said afterwards that she had been instructed by what she had heard, +and was prepared to appreciate the value of silence. She observed, I think +it a marked favor of Providence that you should have come at the present +perplexing time, to comfort and confirm the faith of some in this place, +and of me in particular. + + +Speaking of those with whom they had intercourse in this city, John +Yeardley says:-- + + +9 _mo_. 2.--Should it be the will of our Heavenly Father, I hope we +may be permitted to see those precious souls again, and water the seed the +Great Husbandman has deposited in their hearts. I consider such little +companies, or individuals, as a little leaven working silently in a +corrupt mass. + +I never remember, he writes the next day, to have had more satisfaction in +distributing Friends' books, or having intercourse with pious persons, +than thus far on the present journey. The thinking part of the people, +under the tossing of the present moment, are really thirsting for food +more spiritual than they have hitherto received. + + +At Neuwied they were informed that the _Inspirirten_ whom they saw +there twenty-four years before, had, with the exception of a few families, +emigrated to America, and that those whom they visited at Berlenburg had +done the same. + +From Neuwied they went to Kreuznach. This was a place to which they had no +thought of going when they left England; indeed, John Yeardley, though +passing near it on former journeys, was not aware of its existence. But +when they were at Elberfeld, a swarthy youth from Cape Town, an inmate of +the Mission-house at Barmen, mentioned to them that four of his +fellow-countrymen had been for a time at Kreuznach. On hearing this place +named, it occurred to J.Y. that it would be well for them to take it in +their way. They had good reason to believe, before they left the place, +that it was the Lord who had directed their steps thither, and that he had +prepared the hearts of some who dwelt there to receive them. John Yeardley +thus relates what occurred:-- + + +9 _mo_. 6.--On our sending to a tailor named Ott, he could not come +to us by reason of bodily infirmity; but on paying him a visit I found him +a meek and spiritual man. He undertook to speak with some others of the +same way of thinking, to meet us in our hotel at 7 o'clock. On making it +known he found more were desirous of coming than he had expected; a number +of young people asked permission to be present, so that our commodious +saloon was pretty well filled. We read the fourth chapter of John, and +then I addressed the company with great freedom; my M.Y. also spoke in +German, and was well understood. Friend Ott said, "You may travel about, +and think your journeyings and labors will do but little good, but they +will be blest far beyond what you may expect. What you have said this +evening has gone to my heart. If we had only some one to whom we could +look in holding meetings, we should grow." He was reminded of Him, the +Head of his church, to whom we must all look. Of this he was fully aware, +but said, as they were mostly of the lower class, they had no room, and +the pastors did not encourage such meetings. + +7_th_.--This morning our new-made friend accompanied us to three of +the villages, to visit several of his friends. We were pleased with the +simplicity and real Christian feeling with which, they received us. We +arranged for a meeting in one of these places for First-day afternoon, and +one with our Kreuznach friends in the evening. My poor soul can only say, +Lord, help![10] + +8_th_.--Called again on J.A. Ott, and found him looking very serious. +He told me he had read farther in the books we left with him, and the more +he saw, the more conviction was brought into his mind that what they +unfolded was the truth; and that he believed it his duty thoroughly to +weigh the matter, and then speak with a few of those who united with him, +to see whether they could unite in holding a meeting after our manner, but +that it was a serious matter, and they required time to mature it. We +were quite of his mind in this respect; at the same time I believe if they +had strength to meet together it would be advantageous. + +10_th_.--Yesterday we met the little company in Horweiler, a room +well filled with souls thirsting, I believe, for spiritual food. "All thy +children shall be taught of the Lord," was much dwelt upon by me. My dear +M.Y. was wonderfully helped in German. It was a precious season; the +presence of the Lord was near, uniting our hearts in him. + +At 7 o'clock we had the meeting in our room. It was not so lively as the +one in the country; but we can thankfully acknowledge the Great Master was +near to help in the needful time. It was a day of great exercise of body +and mind. Our friend Ott accompanied us throughout the day's labor, and I +felt the help of his spirit. + +There are several villages around Kreuznach (some of which we have +visited), where dwell a good many spiritually-minded people, who meet +together for improvement. We have just received a sweet visit from Adam +Tiegel of Schwabenheim, who is come to have a little talk with us. He +seems to be the first who was awakened in 1805, and was made the means of +awakening others, who now hold meetings in an old monastery.[11] + + +Passing on to Mannheim, they saw the effects of the revolution in Baden; +the fine stone bridge over the Rhine had been blown up, and not yet +replaced. The handful of pious persons with whom they had met in 1848 had +been preserved in the midst of the danger; and their meetings had been +maintained and were increased in numbers. One of these, a widow, told them +that, during the bombardment of the city, a cannon-ball had entered her +house, and had passed by her bedside when her children were in the room, +and also that a shell had burst before her door; but on neither occasion +were any of the family hurt.[12] + +At Stuttgardt they received the affecting intelligence of the decease of +Elizabeth Dudley, who died of cholera on the 6th of the Ninth Month. The +removal of this, one of her earliest and dearest friends, was a severe +stroke to Martha Yeardley, and sensibly affected her bodily health. In a +letter to her sisters, of the 14th of the Ninth Month, she thus gives vent +to her feelings:-- + + +It would not be possible to set forth in words what we have felt from the +affecting intelligence contained in dear R.'s letter. What shall we do but +seek ability at the Divine footstool to bow in humble resignation to this +afflictive dispensation? I have had for some time a strong impression that +something of this kind awaited us in our immediate circle; and it was with +a trembling hand that I opened the letters. The tie which bound me to her, +and which is now perhaps for a very short time broken, as far as relates +to earthly things, was sealed upon my heart by a communion of more than +forty-eight years, and includes all the various changes of an eventful +life, during which my best feelings were ever cherished and encouraged, +both by example and precept, and by the tenderest affection. But I must +not dwell upon this subject, lest I become unfitted for the duties which +our present engagement daily calls for. + + +To these afflictive tidings was added some discouragement in respect to +their proposed journey to Russia. The little hope that John Yeardley still +entertained of being allowed to cross the Russian frontier was +extinguished by the information he received at Stuttgardt. A large number +of the German emigrants who settled in the South Russian colonies were +from the neighborhood of this city, and John Yeardley inquired of some of +their ministers, who had served in the colonies, how far the country was +likely to be accessible to a foreigner going thither to preach the gospel. +The information he received was unfavorable, and his endeavors to obtain +in this city the signature of the Russian ambassador to his passport were +fruitless. + +They had, however, something to console them under these trials. + + +In all our former travels in Germany, says J.Y., we never experienced such +an open door and spirit of inquiry among the people as in the present +journey. It is said that there is scarcely a village in all Wuertemberg +where meetings for worship are not held in private houses. The late +revolutionists declare vengeance against these people, the pietists, as +they call them, and that if the war breaks out again, they are to be the +first to be cut off. But the present king gives them their liberty and his +protection, and has openly said the pietists have saved his +country.--(_Letter of 9 mo_. 15.) + + +Before they left Stuttgardt they were refreshed by a social evening's +recreation, one of those occasions of the familiar intercourse of +friendship, under the canopy of divine love, in which John Yeardley +especially delighted. + + +17_th_.--Our two young friends, Reuchlin, came to conduct us to their +garden among the vine-hills in the environs of the town. We there met +their precious mother, and were joined by a good many _interior_ +ones, who had been invited to meet us. We had a precious little meeting in +the arbor, after which we gave them some account of the religious movement +in Belgium, &c., which pleased them much. We afterwards partook of fruit, +biscuits, and wine. I shall reckon this garden visit among the happy +moments of my life, because the presence of the Most High was with us. + + +On the 18th they went to Kornthal to visit the interesting society in that +place. Hoffmann's widow, who seems to have returned from Basle after the +death of her husband, was there, but so aged and infirm as to be confined +to the house. The inmates of the establishment were therefore convened in +some apartments adjoining her chamber, so that she could partake in the +spiritual repast. Their kind friend Reuchlin had prepared the way for +them; and when the assembly took their seats, a solemn silence ensued. +John Yeardley and "Brother" Koelne addressed the meeting, and the former +supplicated at the conclusion. On their way back to Stuttgardt, Madame +Reuchlin interrogated them on the doctrine of election, and was rejoiced +to hear from them their full belief in the universality of the grace of +God; and as they communicated to one another their convictions respecting +this great truth, their spirits were knit together in the love of the +gospel. + +From another pious person in this city, John Yeardley received a word of +timely encouragement. He was anxious about their going into Bohemia, not +having, as he thought, a sufficiently clear guidance to determine his +course. + + +9 _mo_. 19.--A very acceptable visit from a worthy brother, Weiz. He +introduced himself and commenced speaking on the guidance and consolations +of the Holy Spirit, and spoke of his own experience as though he had known +the thoughts of my heart. I have, said he, sometimes earnestly prayed to +the Lord for direction what way to take, and have received no intimation; +all has been dark within; I knew not whether to go right or left, and I +have been compelled to go forward. I have then said, Lord, thou knowest my +heart, be pleased to prosper my way; I leave the consequence to thee. + + +The conclusion to which they came in regard to Bohemia was, not to attempt +the journey at that time, but to return to England for the winter, and +leave the remoter districts of the circuit which they had in prospect till +another year. They therefore returned by Heilbronn to Kreuznach, where +they again found many opportunities of instructing and strengthening such +as had made some progress in the Christian course. + + +26_th_.--This evening had about a dozen serious persons to tea. After +a long conversation, we read a chapter, and made some remarks: there was +also a time of silence, with supplication. + +10 _mo_. 1. _First-day_.--This afternoon we attended a meeting +at Schwabenheim, a few miles from here. Notice had been given of our +intention to be present, and the company was consequently larger than +usual. They meet in an old convent, the other end of which forms the +parish place of worship. After the singing and a short prayer, the good +old A. Tiegel read a chapter in the New Testament, and was proceeding to +make some remarks upon it, when I stopped him, feeling something on my +mind to say to the people. I was led to recommend a patient waiting upon +God for the renewed help of his Spirit, and also to speak on the progress +of the Gospel Church from Isaiah ii. 2, 3, &c. My M.Y. spoke a little in +German on the "still small voice," and the teaching of the Spirit. I did +not in this instance feel quite easy to put aside the whole of their +service. After meeting we had coffee with Tiegel, and took back in our +carriage a few of our Kreuznach friends who had walked to the meeting.[13] + +4_th_.--Yesterday evening we had a few friends with us two hours, by +appointment, to speak concerning the rules, &c., of our Society. Many +questions were asked, and a pretty detailed account given by us, as well +as we were able. The company were all satisfied, and wished to come again. + +6_th_.--To-day we received a visit from a young English lady. She +came to ask how we understood the passages in Paul's Epistles forbidding +women to speak in the church. We soon gave her an answer, and handled the +matter so fully that she was quieted down before she left, little +thinking, as she acknowledged, that so much could be said in defence of +the practice among Friends. She even said she thought it to be a general +loss to the Christian Church that women are not permitted to take part in +the ministry. She is a thorough Millenarian, and said the prophecy in +Joel, that the Spirit should be poured out on all flesh, referred to the +coming of Christ to reign on the earth, until I reminded her of what +happened on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said expressly that it was +the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Two other ladies were with her. We +parted friendly, and she thanked me for the information I had given her. + +7_th_.--Went to Treisen to a meeting. The little company meet only +about eight persons usually, but we found about thirty assembled in a +small room. I thought it one of the most lively meetings we have had. They +wished me to conduct it in our own way. I told them we always commenced +our worship by sitting in silence. They said, We will also sit still. I +was favored with strength to speak to them of the pool of Bethesda, when +the angel troubled the water, and on the nature and advantage of true +silence before God. At the close, none seemed to wish to depart, but +entered into serious conversation. I think I never saw more satisfaction +exhibited at receiving books than on this occasion. After coffee, we +returned to our lodgings with thankful hearts. + +In the evening came three young women, with an elderly lady, the mother of +one of them. We had much conversation, and a precious little meeting, +which concluded with solemn supplication--a nice finish to our sojourn in +interesting Kreuznach. + +Our friend Ott has accompanied us; he has been to us as eyes in the +wilderness. + + +From Kreuznach they returned to Bonn, stopping at Darmstadt, Wiesbaden and +Neuwied. John Yeardley had allowed some discouragement to enter his mind +in regard to the meeting they had had the previous month at the Countess +Stynum's. They found, however, on repeating their visit to this place, +that the occasion in question had been one "of peculiar benefit and +encouragement." They renewed their religious intercourse with the Countess +and her friends to their great refreshment and joy. + + +12_th_.--The evening was spent with the Countess, in a quiet and more +private interview than she had with us the last time, owing to so many +strangers being present. After tea we had a long conversation on various +religious subjects, particularly on some points relating to the principles +of Friends, arising from what she had read in the books we left with her +in our former visit. We were glad of an opportunity to answer her +questions. A few of her private friends were present, much to our comfort. +Before leaving, the forty-sixth Psalm was read, and we had a comforting +time together: the Lord be praised! How sweet in him is the fellowship of +the gospel! + + +Writing to Josiah Forster from Bonn, John Yeardley makes some general +remarks on the religious state of Germany, as they had found it in their +frequent intercourse with individuals of various character during this +journey. + + +There is no doubt that there is in the German character generally a +tendency to the visionary. We have found a few who hold doctrines on +certain points, which it might do harm to publish; but we find or hear +nothing of fanaticism now as formerly. Those who are spiritually-minded +are more chastened, and more sound and scriptural in their views of +religious truth; but not without exception. + + +A meeting at Muehlheim "not large, but a good time," closed their religious +service in this part of their long and arduous engagement. + +They arrived in England on the 20th of the Tenth Month, "with peaceful +feelings, and in gratitude to their Heavenly Father for all his mercies +towards his unworthy servants;" but "mourning the loss of some beloved +ones who had died in the Lord in their absence." + +After about five months passed in the quiet of home, they made preparation +once more for accomplishing the work to which they had been called. The +prospect of distant travel was discouraging, both on account of Martha +Yeardley's weak health and of the state of the Continent; but, writes John +Yeardley, "my mind is peaceful, and I have an abiding conviction that it +is right to proceed, trusting in the Lord for light, strength and safety." + +On their way through Belgium, the same feeling was strongly impressed upon +his mind. + + +1850. 4 _mo_. 7.--In the train, soon after leaving Brussels, my +spirit was melted under a feeling of the Lord's goodness. The object of +our journey came weightily before me, and I considered we had left our +home and every object most dear to our natural affections, with the sole +view to serve our Lord and Master, and in the desire to use our feeble +powers to draw souls to Him, that they might partake of spiritual +communion with the Beloved of souls, through his grace. A degree of +precious resignation followed; and, whatever may be the result as it +regards ourselves, I believe it is the Lord's will for us thus to go +forth, in his name; and should I or the precious partner of my bosom not +be permitted again to see our native land, we shall be happy and at rest, +through the mercy of that Saviour who gave his precious life for us. + + +On arriving at Berlin their first duty was to apply to the Russian +ambassador for his signature to their passport, with permission to enter +the Russian territory at Odessa. Their application met with an immediate +and positive refusal, and the extinction of his hopes in this respect was +to John Yeardley a grievous disappointment. + +The next evening, after they had borne their burden all the day, dejected +in spirit, and uncertain which way to turn, their hearts were lightened by +a visit from August Beyerhaus, who at once attached himself to them and +offered them help. He could indeed do nothing to facilitate their entrance +into Russia, but he was the means of diverting their minds from the +consideration of what had now become hopeless, and of opening to them, in +Berlin, a door of usefulness. Through his introduction they became +acquainted with several devoted Christians, some of them of wide +reputation in the Church. These interviews, which were occasions of +heartfelt spiritual communion, are thus noticed in the Diary:-- + + +4 _mo_. 22.--Samuel Elsner is an aged warm-hearted Christian, full of +faith and good works: he gave us important information, and will send me +some names of pious persons in Silesia. + +Pastor Gossner we found green in old age; seventy-five years of a +variegated life have taught him many useful lessons. His refuge now is +strong faith in the Saviour. He was at work in his arm-chair, and was much +pleased to see us. + +23_rd_.--Pastor Knack, successor to Gossner, is a man of a lively +spirit, to whom we at once felt united. He very liberally offered us the +liberty of speaking to his flock (the Bohemian congregation in Berlin); +and also invited us to visit the little company in the village where we +propose going this evening. + +At 3 o'clock we had a sweet interview with Professor Neander, an aged man +of a striking figure and a Jewish countenance, pervaded by heavenly +calmness, and illumined by the bright shades of gospel light. His eyes are +become dim through excessive study; his heart is very large, full of love +and hope in Jesus Christ. He seemed pleased to hear some account of the +order of our Society, particularly with regard to the ministry and gospel +missions, observing, "With you, then, there is liberty for all to speak +when moved by the Holy Spirit, just as in the primitive church." This +observation led us to several points of our discipline, and he seemed +delighted that a society existed whose practice, in many things, came so +near to that of the primitive church. Before parting the spirit of +supplication came over us, under which prayer was offered, particularly +for this aged servant of the Lord. His disinterestedness is great. The +king will sometimes give him money, that he may take relaxation in going +to the baths, &c. But so susceptible is his heart for many who are +necessitous, that he will often give to others all that he has received. +The good king has then to repeat his gift, and send him away almost by +force from his labors. + + +After these choice visits, John Yeardley says:-- + + +24_th_.--A ray of light and hope has broken in upon our gloomy +path,--not into Russia; there _Satan_ is still permitted to hinder; +but in this city. + + +They spent two days at Rixdorf, the village alluded to above, three miles +from Berlin, where was a small congregation of Bohemian Brethren, who took +refuge there in 1737. The women of the society held religious meetings by +themselves twice a week. These meetings had been instituted many years +before by Maria Liestig, to whom John and Martha Yeardley were introduced, +and whom they found to be of a meek and intelligent spirit. She gave them +a relation of her extraordinary conversion, which John Yeardley published +in No. 3 of his Series of Tracts, under the title of the _Conversion of +Mary Merry_. They held a meeting in the village, in which they both had +to "speak closely on the necessity of silence in worship." They had also a +small meeting at their hotel in Berlin, when "the gospel message flowed +freely, in speaking of the spiritual dispensation in which we live, and +the progress of light." + +On the 29th they left Berlin, and went to the beautiful watering-place of +Warmbrunn, in Silesia. The dwellings of the laborers in Silesia struck +them as being of a wretched description. "What they do." says J.Y., "in a +rigorous winter, like the last, I cannot tell; they appeared to be mostly. +Roman Catholics." + +They resided a month at Warmbrunn. Some of the simple incidents which +befel them there form the subjects of the following extracts:-- + + +5 _mo_. 10.--Yesterday was a thorough rainy day; but in the +afternoon, to our surprise, came in eight men together, who had heard of +strangers having arrived in Warmbrunn to visit those who love the Saviour. +We explained to them our religious principles; their countenances +brightened when we spoke of the Spirit being poured out upon all--sons and +daughters. A sweet feeling was present with us, and supplication was +offered under much solemnity. + +11_th_.--I have had a long conversation with C.W. Grossner, of +Breslau, on the Supper, &c. We opened the Testament, and read the various +passages, and I explained our views as well as I could. I think he is +brought under serious thoughtfulness, and half convinced of our principles +with regard to the rites, which he acknowledges are vain without the +substance. "Religion with many, nowadays," he observed, "is like a +polished shell without kernel." + +13_th_.--The Countess Schaffgotsch sent her butler with a message +from the castle that she would be glad if we would call on her. She gave +us a hearty reception, and thanked us for taking so much interest about +the people. On our presenting her with some books;--But I am a Catholic, +she said. We told her that made no difference to us; we loved all who +loved the Lord Jesus. She spoke very sweetly of the influence of the +spirit. + +14_th_.--The Countess paid us a long visit, and spoke much of the +Roman Catholic faith. She has no more faith in the efficacy of the prayers +of the saints than I have, and said she had not prayed to them now for +four years; their church only _advises_, not _commands_ it. + +16_th_.--We went to dine with the Countess Reden and her sister, who +live at the castle in Buchwald, one of the most lovely spots in the most +lovely of countries. It is truly a peaceful abode, whose inmates fear +their God, love their neighbor, and greatly esteem their king. We had been +announced to the Countess from Berlin a week before; she and her amiable +sister received us as a brother and sister beloved in the Lord. I never +witnessed more intelligence combined with Christian politeness and real +simplicity. The Countess is about seventy-six years of age; she is the +president of the Bible Society, and the spiritual mother of all that is +good in the neighborhood. She nursed the present king on her lap when he +was a baby, and her great influence with him now she always turns to good +account in serving benevolence and religion. Both she and her sister spoke +with much affection of dear Elizabeth J. Fry, and her visit with Joseph +John Gurney. + +26_th_.--Our last meeting, on First-day evening, consisted of all +men, several of whom had come from Erdmannsdorf and the colonies of the +Tyrolese. They seemed to appreciate the time of silence, and expressed +much satisfaction with having made our acquaintance, and with the meeting. + + +On the 30th of the Fifth Month, J. and M. Y. quitted Warmbrunn and +proceeded towards Bohemia. + + +We passed, says the former, through Hirschberg. Goldberg, Liegnitz, and to +Dresden, Leipzig, and Halle, making acquaintance in all these places with +serious persons, and, I hope, scattering here and there a little gospel +seed; but truly we may say, It is sown in weakness. At Halle we were much +gratified with our visit to Dr. Tholuck, but I think, not less so with his +wife, a most lovely person, delighting to _feel_ and to _do_ +good. + + +On arriving at Dresden, it became evident that Martha Yeardley, who had, +suffered much for some time from an affection of the windpipe, required +repose and medical care; and they concluded to rest awhile at the baths of +Toeplitz. The illness of his wife, and some degree of bodily indisposition +from which he himself suffered, did not prevent John Yeardley from +employing the time in the diffusion of evangelical truth. + +He had heard at Berlin that within a few months several hundred Bibles and +Testaments had been sent into Bohemia, and had been eagerly bought there +by awakened persons. He thought that if a translation could be made into +the Bohemian language of some simple religious tracts, much good might be +done by their dissemination; but he supposed that the intolerant laws of +the Austrian Empire, which forbad all freedom of religious action, were +still in full force. His account of his feelings and those of Martha +Yeardley under the burden which this supposition imposed on them, and of +the agreeable manner in which permission was unexpectedly granted them to +print and circulate their little messengers of peace, must be given in his +own words:-- + + +Our hearts yearned towards the people, but we were afraid to give them +tracts, which in other places had often been the means to conversation and +to making acquaintance. This brought us low in mind; the body was already +weak enough before. We thought it would not do to pass through the country +in this state of depression, without trying to remove the cause. I went, +therefore, the next morning to the head of the authorities, took with me +one of our little tracts, mostly Scripture extracts, and asked whether I +might be allowed to have the little book, or such as I then presented to +him, printed for circulation. He received me politely, indeed kindly, and +looked pleased with my tract, saying as be turned over its innocent little +pages, Ah, nothing about politics; nothing against the religion of the +country: it is very good, it is beautiful. You are quite at liberty to +print and circulate such tracts as these. And when he found that the +object was to do good to all, without cost to the receiver, he said, That +is lovely.--(_Letter of 6 mo. 23._) + + +The Bohemian translations were not made until J. and M. Y. went to Prague, +which they did on the 22nd. Their feelings on entering this city, and the +manner in which they were helped in their work of love, are described in +the following diaries:-- + + +6 _mo._ 23.--Last evening we arrived at Prague. Our heart sunk on +approaching this great city. The twenty-eight statues of saints, &c. on +the bridge, with the many lamps devoted to these images, the crucifixes, +&c., all indicated that superstition rages rampant. + +We lost no time in sending to the Protestant pastors, one of whom kindly +came to us in the evening, and we conversed till late. I showed him my +little _Spiritual Bread for Christian Workmen_, with which he was +much pleased. I told him I wanted it translated into the Bohemian +language. This afternoon he paid us another visit, and brought his wife to +see my M.Y. He produced the translation of the introduction to the little +tract. We are to have 2000 printed. Most of the poor people read only the +Bohemian language. I have promised to place 1000 at the disposal of the +pastor; he is delighted with the opportunity of having anything of the +kind _printed in Prague_. + +Much, adds J.Y. in a letter, as I have suffered in the long prospect of a +visit to this place, I feel a peculiar satisfaction that it has been +deferred until there is liberty to print and circulate gospel tracts. +Small as such a privilege may appear, until very recently such +distribution of books would have been visited with a very inconvenient +imprisonment on the individual transgressing the law.--(6 _mo_. 23.) + +24_th_.--I gave Pastor Bennisch for perusal, and choice for +translation, William. Allen's _Thoughts on the Importance of +Religion_, and our tracts on the _Fall, Regeneration and Redemption, +True Faith, and the Voice of Conscience_. There is a great movement +among the Catholics; they have need to be instructed in the first +principles of Christianity, and it is very important that the doctrine of +faith in Christ should be combined with that of the practical working of +the Spirit as set forth in many of our tracts. On this account, I am glad +they are likely to take precedence of others in their circulation; for I +do not hear that any tracts decidedly religious have yet been printed in +Prague. + + +During their stay in the city, and after they left, there were printed +12,000 copies of the tracts in Bohemian, and 1000 in German. + +At Toeplitz, which they revisited before leaving Bohemia, occurred the +interesting incident of the Bohemian soldier, which is related under that +title in John Yeardley's series of tracts, No. 4. + +When they finally quitted the country, they took the nearest road to +Kreuznach. On the way, they distributed tracts in the villages, at one of +which, where they were detained for want of horses, the inhabitants +flocked so eagerly to them to receive these little messengers, that they +had difficulty in satisfying them. Notwithstanding this circumstance, the +reflection with which John Yeardley concludes his account of their travels +in Bohemia was, "It will require a power more than human to make the +_dry bones of Bohemia_ live." + +They spent three weeks at Kreuznach, confirming the faith of the brethren, +and printing German translations of several tracts. In passing through +Neuwied, they intended only to spend the night there; but hearing that +much inquiry after the way of salvation had recently manifested itself in +the villages around, they decided, after the horses had been ordered for +departure, to remain and visit one of these villages. A meeting was +called, and so many attended that the room could not contain them all. It +was a good season; De Freis, the friend who had made them acquainted with +the religious condition of the place, accompanied them as guide, and was a +true helper in the work. He had been twenty years missionary in Greenland +and South Africa. + +They returned home, both of them worn with travelling, and Martha Yeardley +exhausted with disease, which was making sure progress in her debilitated +frame; but they were supported by the peaceful consciousness of having +accomplished all the service to which they had been called to labor in +common. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO NORWAY. + +1851-2. + +Martha Yeardley continued very unwell during the autumn, and by the end of +the year her disorder assumed a more alarming form. It soon became evident +that her dedicated life must at no distant period be brought to a close; +and after many weeks of suffering, with confinement to the chamber during +the latter part of the time, she expired, full of peace and hope in Christ +Jesus, in the Fifth Month, 1851. The following memorandum, touchingly +descriptive of her illness and death, was penned by her bereaved husband, +probably soon after her decease. + + +After our return from the Continental journey my beloved M.Y. became more +poorly. A severe influenza cold weakened her much; and a second attack she +seemed never to recover. It was succeeded by a regular rheumatic fever. +From the commencement of 1851, with but little exception, she was confined +to the house, and for a little while to her bed, until the 8th of the +Fifth Month, when her sweet and purified spirit ascended to her Saviour, +and commenced an eternity of bliss. + +Thus was I deprived of my only earthly treasure. She was the Lord's +precious loan, granted me for nearly a quarter of a century, for which I +can never be sufficiently [thankful]. She was his own, bought with the +blood of his dear Son, and he saw meet to take her from me. Ours was a +blessed union, and a happy life, spent, I hope, unitedly in the service of +our Lord. In all our imperfections we did desire, above all earthly +things, to do the work of our Divine Master, and to labor for the +promotion of his kingdom, and for the spread of his knowledge in the +earth. + +I was her only nurse till within ten days of her happy close. Long had a +covenant been made between us, in the time of health, that whichever of us +was taken ill the first, should be nursed by the surviving one, if +permitted and strength afforded; which it mercifully was to me, and a +happy season was the sick-room. We seemed to live together in heaven; +never, I think, could two mortals be more favored with the answer to +prayer. + +In the early part of her illness she spoke much of the satisfaction she +had felt in our three last journeys to the Continent, and that she was +thankful in having been enabled to go through the whole of the service +which her Lord had put into her heart. I have since thought it was a mercy +that I did not proceed into South Russia, as, in all probability, my +precious one would have fallen on the journey, and never seen her peaceful +home again. + +During the whole of the illness her delight was to speak of the joy of +heaven. My sins of omission and of commission, she said, are all passed +by; my iniquities are all forgiven, and washed away in the blood of the +Lamb; and now I rejoice in God my Saviour. His love and mercy to me are +beyond all bounds; and so strong is my faith in my precious Saviour, that +I have scarcely known, the whole of the illness, what it has been to be +troubled with an evil thought. + +When she expressed a desire to go to Heaven, I reminded her of my +loneliness when she should be taken from me. The Lord will care for thee, +was her constant reply. He has promised me over and over again that he +will care for thee; the answer to my prayer has always been, I will care +for him. + +Nearly the last conversation she had with any of her beloved relatives was +with ----, to whom she observed: My affection for thee is strong; I +believe thou lovest thy Saviour: I desire that thou mayest keep nothing +back that the Lord may require of thee, but serve him with greater +devotedness of heart; and if ever thou art called to bear public testimony +to his truth, be sure to preach the whole gospel, faith in Christ, and the +necessity of the practical work of the Holy Spirit to produce holiness of +life. To [another of her near relatives] she observed: Thou hast often +been sweetly visited by the love of thy Saviour, and be assured thou wilt +never find any joy equal to that of yielding thy heart in prompt obedience +to the will of thy Lord. Her last words to her affectionate sisters were, +The Lord bless you all: Farewell. + + +Towards the end of the year John Yeardley again communed with himself in +the language of sorrow, but also of humble resignation. At the same time +he speaks of an engagement of gospel labor from which he had then recently +returned, the first which he had undertaken alone since his marriage with +Martha Savory. Having seen his faithful and well-tried comrade fall by his +side, he had now to learn again to gird himself and enter, as in the days +of his youth, alone into the combat. + + +1851. 12 _mo._ 13.--How often have I prayed that the portion of her +Lord's spirit which animated her devoted life may rest on me! Her heart, +her tongue, and her pen were all employed in promoting the cause of her +Divine Master, whom she delighted to serve. All my earthly joy was now +gone to heaven, and I felt alone in the world; but my spirit seemed never +to be separated from her: she seemed to be hovering over me constantly. My +heart does sorrow for the loss of her sweet society; to me she was a wise +and sound counsellor, and a never-failing consoler in all my troubles. I +do mourn, but I dare not murmur. I hope my merciful Heavenly Father will +keep me in the hour of temptation, and be with me in the last trying hour, +and prepare me to join this precious one and all by whom she is surrounded +with her God and Saviour in the centre of bliss. + +I had often mentioned to my precious one a prospect of religious service +in Ireland, and once since our return home from our last Continental +journey; when she replied, "I have no concern to go to Ireland--thou must +do that when I am taken from thee." It cost me many tears and prayers +before I could be resigned to request a certificate, alone, for the first +time since our union; but, looking seriously at the subject, the language +was constantly in my heart, The hour cometh when no man can work. Life is +uncertain, and I can only expect sustaining grace by faithfully following +my Lord: and, blessed be his name, he has kept and sustained me in every +trial. + +This day would have been the twenty-fifth anniversary of our union. How +near it has brought my precious one to me in spirit, and how strong are my +prayers that my Lord may preserve me faithful to the end of the race! I +can say my desire is, when he cometh, he may not find me idle. + + +The visit which John Yeardley made in Ireland was general, comprehending +all, or nearly all, the meetings of Friends in the island, and including a +few public meetings in Leinster province. He has left very few notes of +this journey, except an itinerary of the places at which he stopped, but +makes frequent mention of the hospitality and kindness of Friends. From +Cork he writes:-- + + +I am in the midst of a family visit to the Friends of Cork, and shall +have, I expect, from ninety to a hundred sittings. I am lodged a few miles +in the country, in a mansion surrounded by beautiful grounds, and all the +beloved inmates most affectionate and helpful to me. They send me to my +work in or about the city mostly to breakfast; and I return, in the +evening, and enjoy the refreshing breezes and the quiet: but then I have +the family visits to resume next morning. In riding to town to-day, I +tried to raise my heart to God; when the language sweetly occurred to me, +Bread shall be given thee, thy water shall be sure.--(_Letter of 8 mo. +5, 1851._) + + +A few days after his return from Ireland, he left home again to visit the +Isle of Man, in company with Barnard Dickenson. On his return, he was +refreshed by a visit to Dover, where he spent three weeks in the company +of his kind and sympathising friend Margaret Pope. + +The interval which elapsed before the recommencement of his missionary +labors was to be short. In the First Month of 1852, we find him again +under exercise of mind for foreign travel; having, this time, to direct +his course towards the interesting community of religious persons in +Norway, whose principles and practices are the same as those of Friends. +The Diary which follows is the utterance of his heart in the prospect of +this work. + + +1852. 1 _mo._ 24.--This has been a precious morning unto my soul; +such a season of spiritual comfort I have not been permitted to experience +for a long time. I think it is vouchsafed me through the efficacy of +earnest prayer, which has brought me to resignation to my Lord's will. I +have now no more doubt as to Norway. Light springs on my path. How +powerful is the love of God when it fills the heart; there is not a place +on the Lord's earth where I think I could not go, if favored with the +strength, and blessed with the presence of my God and Saviour. + +Unto thee, Lord, do I commit all my concerns, spiritual and temporal; do +thou give to thy unworthy servant an answer of peace. Keep me faithful and +patient to the end of the race. Lord, grant that my ministry, which thou +hast entrusted to me, may proceed purely and entirely from thy love, and +be exercised in thy fear and under the unction of thy Holy Spirit. Lord, +keep my heart fixed, on the last, last awful moment that I may have to +breathe; grant that it may be breathed out in the bosom of my adorable +Saviour; all sting of death taken away, my robes washed in his blood, and +my spirit purified and ready to be united to those beloved ones who are +already enjoying a blissful eternity with thee! + + +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 Mueller 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. Mueller +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 Asbjoen +Kloster of Stavanger, who had come to meet them, and for two weeks had +been waiting their arrival. + + +At a meeting which they held in this city, both John Yeardley and Peter +Bedford were engaged to minister to the spiritual wants of the people; A. +Kloster interpreting for them. The company were so much interested, that +many of them went afterwards to the hotel to converse and ask for tracts. + +The Friends left Christiania on the 10th, and sailed through the +rock-bound sea to Christiansand, the passage between the cliffs being in +some places so narrow that there was no more room than was sufficient for +the vessel to pass. + +In this town they enjoyed much freedom in the gospel, and held two public +meetings. Regarding the first of these, John Yeardley says:-- + + +7 _mo_. 13.--Our large room at the hotel was filled half an hour +before the time appointed, and it was with difficulty that we made our way +to our seats. A little unsettlement prevailed from the desire to enter, +which subsided after a few explanatory words. A time of quiet ensued, and +there was much openness to receive the gospel message. Before the close of +the meeting I became exceedingly thoughtful about appointing another for +the next evening; and on intimating the same to P.B., I found he was under +the same impression. It was, therefore, announced to the assembly before +they separated, and appeared much to satisfy them. The dear people were +unwilling to part from us without a shake by the hand.--(_Diary and +Letter_.) + + +At one of the meetings which they held in this town, whilst John Yeardley +was preaching, he became sensible that his interpreter had himself +received something to communicate to the congregation; he therefore +stopped speaking, and the interpreter, faithful to his duty, took up the +word until he had cleared his mind from its burden. After he had finished, +John Yeardley resumed his discourse. + +On the 14th the Friends drove out a few miles into the country to "pay +some family visits." They had two double carrioles, or gigs: the road over +which they passed was "steep and rugged beyond description." In returning, +the carriole in which Peter Bedford rode struck against a rock at a sharp +corner and was overset. Peter Bedford's right shoulder was dislocated, and +he otherwise bruised. In conveying him into Christiansand he suffered much +from the shaking of the car; but the joint was quickly set by a skilful +surgeon; and, in the evening, the love he felt for the people was so +strong, that he could not remain absent from the meeting which had been +appointed for that time, and he even took part in its vocal exercise. + + +It was, writes John Yeardley, a favored time. Peter Bedford gave some +account of the difference between our religious Society and other +professing Christians. It opened the way for me to speak on the peculiar +doctrines and practices of Friends at more length than I ever remember to +have done before; after which the glad tidings of the gospel flowed +freely, and the people were invited to come to Christ and partake of the +full blessedness of his teaching by the Holy Spirit. A precious solemnity +prevailed, and the serious attention of the company was great. A good many +soldiers, and some officers, were present; but the expression of our +dissent from all wars and fightings had not displeased them, for they +shook hands with US most kindly.--(_Diary and Letter_.) + + +Besides being interested for the people of Christiansand in general, John +Yeardley and Peter Bedford were especially attracted towards several young +men who had embraced the doctrines of Friends, without any knowledge of +the Society, and without any instruction from man. With these persons they +met more than once. John Yeardley writes:-- + + +"We had a precious meeting with them. They were invited to embrace the +doctrines of the gospel in living faith, and to give full room to the +workings of the Spirit of Jesus, whose voice they had already heard +inviting them to come under his teaching. We encouraged them to meet for +divine worship." + + +On the 16th the Friends proceeded thirty-five miles to Mandal, travelling +post. From thence, John Yeardley and Asbjoen Kloster went by the road to +Stavanger, leaving Peter Bedford and William Robinson to follow by +steam-vessel, the former being unable to bear the motion of the Norwegian +carriages. + +John Yeardley, in one of his letters, in a lively manner describes the +mode of travelling:-- + + +The usual vehicle in this country is the single-seated carriole, made +exactly to fit the figure of the traveller, and no spare room except a +little well under his feet. The seat is placed on two crossbars fixed to +the long shafts, the spring of which is intended to mitigate the jolting +of the road. We chose double cars on iron springs, which we found _not +too easy_: they were like old-fashioned, worn-out, and very shabby +English gigs. The posting is under government regulation, and is performed +by sure-footed ponies kept by the farmers, who are obliged to supply them +under any circumstances after having had notice. A _forbud_ is sent +on with printed notices filled up with the time at which the traveller +expects to arrive at each station. This _avant-courier_ is often a +little boy, and sometimes, to save the expense of a horse, for which the +traveller has paid, he is sent on foot. On one occasion we met a young +girl, with bare feat, who had walked sixteen miles with notice papers, as +our _forbud_. Now away goes the traveller, accompanied by a man, or +more often a boy, or it may be a little girl, to bring back the pony. They +run by the side, but down hills always seat themselves behind on the +luggage as best they can. The traveller drives himself, and the little +horses are so brisk that, whatever the state of the road may be, they run +down the mountains as fast as they can clatter, and so sure-footed that +they are scarcely ever known to fall; but a person of weak nerves has no +business to be the rider. + +From Christiansand to Stavanger is about 200 miles, which took us four +days. Our road lay occasionally over a wild and stony heath by the sea, +sometimes along the river-banks, lakes, or fiords, but more often among +and upon the high and rugged rocks; the passing of some of which is, I +think, more difficult than crossing the Alps between Switzerland and +Italy.--(_letter of 8 mo. 3._) + + +On the way towards Stavanger John Yeardley had a public meeting at +Flekkefiord, the first time such a meeting had been held in the place. It +was "a good time," and so well attended that the town-hall could not +contain nearly all who came together. + +Immediately on arriving at Stavanger, the Friends commenced visiting the +families of the Friends in the town and on the adjacent islands; and on +the next First-day held a meeting about eleven miles up one of the fiords, +to which so many flocked from all directions that they were obliged to +assemble in the open air:-- + + +It was, says J.Y., a lovely sight to see so many clean-dressed peasants, +in their mountain costume, with a seriousness in their countenances which +indicated that a motive better than curiosity had brought them together. I +was reminded and had to speak of the miracle of our blessed Saviour, when +he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass, and fed them with +five barley loaves and two fishes. + +Since this time, he says in a letter, we hold our public meetings in the +open air, and the stillness that prevails is quite remarkable. Last +evening we had a solemn opportunity in a plantation belonging to one of +our Friends by the seaside. The hushing of the trees, the gentle rolling +of the waves behind a strong sea-wall, and the warbling of the little +birds, all seemed to aid our worship; but these would have been nothing +had not the presence of our Divine Master been near. After the meeting, as +many as could be seated partook of tea, &c. The seriousness, simplicity, +kindness and hospitality, are great. All flock together as if they were +one family.--(7 _mo_. 28.) + + +After this the Friends availed themselves of the efficient assistance of +Endre Dahl, and of the active peasants who form a large portion of the +Society of Friends there, in a more extensive excursion which they made up +one of the fiords which in so remarkable a manner intersect the country. +John Yeardley gives a graphic description of this voyage. + + +Our efficient helper prepared his own boat; our ship's company are all +volunteers. We set out with seven, but were joined by others on the way, +so that this morning we started with ten men. They are a most cheerful and +playful company, all interested in the object of our voyage. It does my +heart good to see with what delight they bring planks for seats, and run +in all directions to give notice of our meetings. Each seems to strive +which shall show us the most attention, even anticipating our wants. They +enjoy our family readings and worship; their conduct is instructive; and +the solemnity on these occasions precious. + +On Fifth-day we landed on an island (Findon) sprinkled with trees, and +with a park-like bank sloping to the water. This was refreshing to the eye +after having seen nothing but bare rook for many days. The meeting was at +our friend's house who owned the pretty little farm. It was sweet and +refreshing; and afterwards a number of these people accompanied us to the +boat, and did not quit their standing till we were out of sight. My heart +yearned towards them in gospel love. + +Next morning we started before 6 o'clock, and when we had rowed fourteen +English miles put into a little village, Ielsom. We were all strangers in +the place, and Friends and their principles unknown. Our friend Endre Dahl +had a pointing that we should try for a meeting, which was appointed for +2 o'clock. After waiting till 3, only one or two persons came, and we had +a consultation whether we should proceed on our voyage, but concluded it +safer to go in and sit down. When we were seated (I may say in faith), +first one and then another came in, till the large room and passage were +filled, and a number were outside under the windows. It was quite a +remarkable meeting, and we were well satisfied in having exercised +patience as well as a little faith. We were informed that it was the +custom of the place not to attend any appointed meeting till an hour after +the time named. + +We arrived at Sand about 9 o'clock, after hard rowing, the tide being +against us. Sand is beautifully placed at an opening in the rocks, at the +mouth of a river where salmon-fishing is good. As soon as we landed, our +ship's company made the object of our journey known, when a +serious-looking man immediately offered to go about six miles to inform a +person who he knew would like to attend. Two individuals in this place +have for some time been in the practice of holding a silent meeting for +worship; they had no knowledge of Friends, nor Friends of them. + + +Fixing the meeting for the First-day evening, John Yeardley and his +companions pursued their way the next morning, which was Seventh-day, to +Saevde, situated at the head of the fiord, and consequently the extreme +point of their voyage. Before starting they went a little way up the Sand +river, to view one of the grand Norwegian waterfalls, and also to see how +the salmon-fishery is conducted. + + +A hamper of about six feet in diameter, and the same height, made by the +fisherman of the roughest wicker-work, is placed in a side stream of the +rock, in the bed of the river. The anxiety of the salmon to mount up the +stream is so great, that he forces himself through a hole into the hamper, +as the easiest way of advancing upwards, from which position he cannot +again escape. In this manner, in a favorable season, sixty-three salmon +have been caught in one night in a single basket. It is a source of wealth +to the little town of Sand. + + +At Saevde they held a meeting on First-day morning. + + +We reached the head of the fiord, writes John Yeardley by 12 o'clock, and +found but poor accommodation. We three had one room with three beds; Endre +Dahl with his willing-hearted and contented men lodged in a barn on straw. +There was time enough to arrange for a meeting in the morning, and we +applied for a room at the inn; but a little knot of illiberal Haugeans +[followers of Hauge], or _Saints_, as they call themselves, persuaded +our landlord not to let us meet in his house. But we obtained better +accommodation under the rocks in a house containing two rooms connected by +a passage, and, seating ourselves in the centre, could be well heard by +those outside the door. We had a good meeting. + + +Returning to Sand, he continues:-- + + +The wind being against us, the men had to work very hard at the oar to +bring us in time for the meeting appointed for 6 o'clock at Sand. Some of +the Friends from near Saevde accompanied us in their small boat; and some +from Sand had gone many miles to attend the meeting at Saevde, and returned +to the one at Sand. Their zeal is great and their love fervent. This was a +very crowded meeting, and proved a satisfactory time. We found here a few +of the _Saints_, but of a more liberal cast; they expressed great +grief that their brethren at the head of the fiord had refused the +peaceable messengers of the gospel from a far country a house in which to +meet. This unwelcome news had reached them long before our arrival. + + +At a later date, John Yeardley relates an occurrence which happened at +Sand, worthy of note in itself, and which must have been not a little +confirmatory of his faith. It came to his knowledge after his return to +Stavanger. + + +When we were at Sand, one of the Friends who joins in holding the silent +meeting invited several of our ship's company to his house; but the man's +wife was so exasperated that she drove them away, saying she would not +have such folks under her roof. She had confounded the principles of +Friends with those of some wild persons who had gone about the country +spreading ranterism, and giving the people the idea that they were of our +Society. It was in vain to reason with her, and the husband, for the sake +of peace, mildly consented to let the Friends withdraw. However, she +attended our public meeting, where the gospel doctrine of our Society was +pretty fully illustrated; and I felt constrained also to preach on the +unreasonableness of persecution for conscience' sake, either by the +government, private persons, or families. Conviction seized her heart, and +she became broken to pieces. After the meeting she sought up the Friends +whom she had driven from her house, and told them she could not be happy +unless they would give her a proof of forgiveness by taking up their abode +in her family so long as they might remain in the place. Several of them +accepted the invitation, which gave them an opportunity for free and +satisfactory conversation. + +How merciful are the Lord's doings with us in sending help in the needful +time! I was so spent when we arrived at Sand, having had nothing from +breakfast till 5 o'clock, that I said in my heart, It is impossible to get +through the meeting this evening. + + +The Friends had some religions service at several other places about +Stavanger, and on the 6th of the Eighth Month proceeded northward to +Bergen, accompanied by Endre Dahl and his wife and Asbjoen Kloster. Their +chief service in this city was a public meeting, at which there was a +large attendance. John Yeardley says of the meeting:-- + + +There was a great mixture of feeling. Many pious, thirsty souls, I +believe, were present, and I hope such were encouraged and comforted; but +the strong impression on my mind was to call the sinner to repentance. + + +On their way back to Stavanger, among the passengers were two Finland +convicts, for whose peculiar case they felt much sympathy. + + +On board our steamer were two prisoners on the deck, in heavy irons. They +were natives of Finland, and had been sentenced to some months' +confinement in irons at Christiania, for having, it is said, committed +some outrage on the priest in disturbing the national worship. There has +for some time past been a great awakening about religion in Finland and +other parts of the North, and the most active among this number, in their +zeal not tempered with right knowledge, have transgressed the law. I +heartily pitied the two poor creatures, inasmuch as I feared justice had +not been done them; the prejudices of the priests and judges are so great +in all matters connected with any separation from the national worship. +They were chained together, and were clothed in their native reindeer +skins, and on their ironed feet were snow-sandals turned up with a long +toe. We offered them money, but they turned from it; and when acceptance +of it was pressed, their change of countenance indicated anger. They +understood nothing but the Finnish language. + + +On their return to Stavanger, Peter Bedford felt that his share in the +work was accomplished, and that it was not his part to accompany John +Yeardley in the service which remained for the latter to do in Norway. +After being present at another public meeting in Stavanger, and in a +parting interview with the Friends of the town, he went with William +Robinson direct to Kiel. John Yeardley had two or three more meetings in +the neighborhood of Stavanger, where the desire of the people to attend +was more remarkable than ever. + +On the 11th of the Eighth Month he bade farewell to this interesting +place, and, accompanied by Endre Dahl, again crossed the mountains to +Christiansand, holding meetings at several places on the sea-coast, where +none had ever been held before. His notices of some of these meetings are +well worth transcription. + + +14_th_--Journeyed about fourteen miles up the fiord, into the +mountains, to Aamut in Qvindesdalen. This meeting was the most solemn of +any we have had. Many said, in tears, at the conclusion, This is a +doctrine that we cannot resist; it goes to our heart, and meets the +conviction of our own experience. What shall we do?--our heart burns +within us! + +15_th_.--We returned to Foedde to a meeting this afternoon, which +was, I think, the largest we have had. There were two large rooms filled, +and a number seated on planks on the grass; not less than about 700 +persons were present. Many followed us to the lodging, to converse on +subjects that lay near their hearts, and to ask for tracts and books. +Among them was a man who goes about to exhort the people to amendment of +life. He appeared to be a simple, sincere character, and was much +satisfied with our meeting, saying, as if from the bottom of his heart, +How remarkably, how wonderfully, have the truths of the gospel been opened +and explained to us this day! + +16_th_.--At Fahrsund we had some difficulty to procure a place for a +meeting. It is a brandy-drinking place. No one would bear anything of our +business. A rich old lady has a large room which she lets for all kinds of +purposes except for anything connected with _religion_; she gave an +abrupt refusal to the application. E. Dahl and I went to the English +vice-consul, showed him my certificate, and explained to him the object of +my visit to Fahrsund. He kindly accompanied us to the old lady, and told +her that we belonged to a respectable religious society in England and +were not the persons she supposed, come to preach wild doctrines. She +consented to let us occupy the entrance-hall, which was good and spacious. +The consul then went with me to call on the sheriff; he said he and his +lady would attend the meeting, which they did, with a good many of the +respectable inhabitants, but the common people would not come near us. One +man to whom a notice was offered, when he saw the word _worship_, +immediately tore it to pieces. The lady to whom the room belonged sat near +me all the meeting, and looked serious before the close; and she took +leave of us with very different feeling from that in which she first met +us. The sheriff came to me after the meeting and offered his hand, saying, +I thank you for the present occasion--I shall never forget it. + + +Before the meeting at Foedde John Yeardley had an opportunity of +refreshing his mind with the charms of Norwegian nature. + + +My friend E. Dahl and I went out for a quiet walk. It was a lovely Sabbath +morning; the sky cloudless, and the sun shining brightly on the water as +it rapidly foamed down the cliffs. After gathering a few cranberries we +seated ourselves on a shady rock to meditate. All was silent +around--nothing heard but the shepherd-boy playing his horn; the sound +coming from the distant mountains into the wooded valley where we sat, +first shrill, then softening into a simple irregular note. My friend asked +me what I thought the instrument was. It is made, said he, of a goat's +horn, and is blown to keep the fox from taking the young lambs, and as a +means of communication with other shepherds when widely separated on the +mountains; the sound of this horn also keeps the sheep from straying. + + +They arrived at Christiansand on the 19th; and Endre Dahl, finding a +vessel sailing for Stavanger, engaged a passage in it for himself. After +parting with him, John Yeardley writes:-- + + +E. Dahl and I have been closely united in the gospel bond; he has been a +truly affectionate sympathizer and efficient helper. I am thus, he +continues, left alone in a strange land; but I do feel a peaceful and a +thankful heart to my Heavenly Father that he has in mercy blessed me with +light, strength, and faith to go through this service in Norway. +Imperfectly has it been performed, I know; but I have done what I could, +and a song of thanksgiving is due to my Lord. + + +John Yeardley returned by Germany to England. At Obernkirchen, near +Minden, where some persons had not long before been convinced of Friends' +principles, he had a meeting, in which he was joined by a number of +Friends from Minden. A few years before, Thomas Arnett, from America, +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 the manner in which the concern had been revived, saying he had +been, before he was thus aroused, like _the prophet asleep_. + +He re-opened the prospect of this service before his Monthly Meeting, on +the 3rd of the Fifth Month, 1853. In a letter written the same day, he +says:-- + + +I am just returned from our Monthly Meeting in London, where I mentioned +to my friends my concern to visit the German colonies in the South of +Russia, which, thou wilt probably recollect, was included in my +certificate for religious service on the Continent of Europe, five years +ago. I received the expression of much sympathy and unity from my +friends, and the certificate was ordered, including on my return, if +permitted, any service that may present in Constantinople, the island of +Malta, and some places in the South of France. Weak as I am, I cast myself +once more into the hand of our Lord and Blessed Protector, in holy +confidence that he will do all things well. + + +On receiving a passport from the Secretary of State, with the requisite +counter-signature of the Russian Ambassador, he wrote to John Kitching, +the 25th of the Fourth Month:-- + + +I want thee to know that, through the kind and efficient aid of our +mutually dear friend Samuel Gurney, I have at length been enabled to +procure a Russian passport, and also a letter of recommendation to one of +the first houses in Petersburg. Thou knowest, my dear friend, for a long +time this matter has been heavy on my mind. It is a great comfort to have +the ground cleared in this respect. + + +John Yeardley left London at the end of the Sixth Month, and went to Hull +to take the steam-packet direct to Petersburg. In the narrative which +follows, we have interwoven with the Diary extracts from his letters to +his sisters; and we have been allowed the use of William Rasche's Journal, +in relating and describing many circumstances of which J.Y. himself made +no record. + + +_Petersburg. 7 mo._ 10.--On the 30th of the Sixth Month I left my +peaceful home at Stamford Hill for my Russian journey. At our kind friend +Isabel Casson's at Hull I met my young companion William Rasche. We were +affectionately cared for by dear I. C. and her daughter, and she and +several other friends saw us on board the steamer. It is a fine ship, well +ventilated, with good sleeping accommodation and provisions: the captain +is a kind, religious man. + +On First-day evening, the captain invited us to the ship's service--an +invitation which we gladly embraced. When he had finished, I addressed the +company, much to my own comfort: great seriousness prevailed. After I had +relieved my mind, the captain closed with a few sweet and feeling words. +When the occasion was over, he came to me and expressed his thankfulness +that I had been enabled to strengthen his hands by throwing in a word of +exhortation. He said that sometimes, when he had felt indisposed and +unprepared for his religious duty, he had given himself to a quiet +dependence on the Lord, and had been mercifully helped, to the benefit of +his own soul, in endeavoring to do his duty to others. + +There is great uncertainty (he says in a letter written during the +voyage), how we shall find things at Petersburg, and whether they will +permit us to proceed to the South; but this I must leave. Whatever way it +may please Providence to turn the matter, as it regards myself I believe I +shall be relieved from Russia in having made this last attempt. + + +They arrived at Petersburg on the 9th of the Seventh Month, after a safe +and agreeable passage of seven days. + + +Before we reached Cronstadt, to quote from J.Y.'s Diary, we encountered a +strong gale, so that the officers from the guardship, who came to see that +all was in order, had hard work to get on board. There were eighteen +Russian sailors with oars, yet they could not draw the boat, and our +steamer was obliged to throw ropes and haul her in. The sight of Cronstadt +was formidable; for more than two miles in and near the harbor there was a +line of ships of war. At Cronstadt we had to be put on board a smaller +steamer, which caused us much detention. At the custom-house all passed +off well; they were more civil and less strict in their examination than +in England. The Russian sailors look very unbright; they are not active in +managing a boat. They not unfrequently received a few strokes from the +fist of the helmsman, or a rope's-end, either of which they took with that +unconcerned composure which showed they were accustomed to it. We are +located at the hotel of H. Spink, an intelligent Yorkshireman; his wife is +very kind and attentive. + +13_th_.--Spent this day at Peterhoff, with W.C. Gillibrand and wife, +with two of their friends. It is the first opportunity we have had for +serious conversation in this place, and I hope it was to mutual comfort. +They took us a drive after dinner to see several of the Emperor's +pavilions, mostly surrounded by beautiful pieces of water. There was an +intelligent man present, who had spent some time in India, ---- Watson; he +now has charge of the British school in Petersburg. We find the Scripture +Lessons are no more in use in the school; nor is the New Testament in the +Russian language allowed to be circulated in the country. The Bible +Society is just alive, but can hardly breathe; other institutions languish +for want of support; party spirit has crept in to their great injury. The +law is still very stringent in not allowing a member of one religious body +to join another; but the different sects are allowed their own worship and +schools. + +20_th_.--Left Petersburg by the train at 11 o'clock yesterday, and +arrived at Moscow about nine this morning. The road, with but little +exception, is flat and uninteresting. The forests are immense, mostly of +firs and birch, which being thickly set grow small. Many of the stations +are superb. The line of railway did not conduct us near any towns or +villages that I could observe, but by some of the poorest scattered huts +I ever saw in any country. + + +At Moscow, John Yeardley and his companion called on Pastor Dietrich, a +German, residing a little out of the city:-- + +He is, says J.Y., in one of his letters, a worthy pastor of the Old +Lutheran Church, a sweet venerable-looking man with long white locks. He +was at dinner with his family when we called, but he would not allow us to +go away, but took us up to the attic story to his study; primitive indeed, +but clean, and to him I have no doubt a room of prayer, as well as of +study. He seemed delighted to find our mission was to the Colonies. "But +what will you do about the language?" said he; "they speak nothing but +German." I wish the dear girls could have seen his countenance lighted up +with cheerful brightness, when he found we could speak German: "Ah, I need +not trouble you any longer with my poor English!" He knows a great many of +the pastors, and will give us letters of introduction to the little flocks +in the Colonies and the Crimea. + + +As might be expected, it was with a sinking heart that John Yeardley +contemplated the formidable journey before him; but, as in other times +of extremity, he cast himself wholly upon the Lord, and found his soul to +be sustained, and his courage renewed to undergo the hardships that +awaited him. + + +7 _mo_. 21.--Rose this morning much cast down in mind at the thought +of our long journey, and a want of a knowledge of the Russian language. +Poured my complaint in fervency of soul before the Lord, and was a little +comforted in believing that he would still care for us and preserve us in +this strange and long wilderness travel. It is his own cause in which I am +engaged, and I am willing to endure any bodily fatigue if I may only be +strengthened to do the works to which my blessed Master has called me. The +Divine Finger seems pointing to the place where the people I am seeking +are to be found. + +I went after breakfast to the dear Pastor Dietrich. His heart was filled +with love for me, and I felt the sweetness of his spirit to encourage me; +preciously was the divine unction spread over us. He gave me some +information of the religious state of things here. There seems to be about +800 of the evangelical party in Moscow, including the French and English +Protestants, and the different classes of Lutherans; a small number out of +350,000 souls which the city contains; the rest are Roman Catholics and of +the Greek church, mostly the latter. God knows the hearts of all. + +22_nd_ [?]. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be +ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; +deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defence to +save me."--(Ps. xxxi. 1, 2.) "Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; +give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."--(Ps. +xvii. 1.) The above sweet words were brought home to my heart with power +this morning after a time of conflict in spirit. Lord, grant me faith and +patience to the end of the race, when I shall have to say, Now, Lord, +lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Amen. + + +Providing themselves with food, and with small change of money for the +journey--two things indispensable to Russian travel--John Yeardley and +William Rasche left Moscow on the 23rd, by _malle-poste_ for Orel. +They stopped some hours at Toula: the land south of this town they found +to be well-cultivated, and the harvest had begun; it consisted mostly of +rye. The journey to Orel occupied forty-four hours. Among their +fellow-travellers was a resident of Moscow, Charles Uyttenhoven, who spoke +English, German, French and Russ, and who, like themselves, was going to +Kharkov. He was a pleasant and gentlemanly companion, and was of great +service to them in acting as spokesman on the road. + +From Orel there was no _malle-poste_ in which they could continue +their journey, and they were obliged to hire a _tarantas_, or +posting-carriage, a very inferior kind of conveyance. In consequence, +besides, of the fair at Pultowa, every vehicle of this description had +been taken up except one, which was of course the worst in the town. When +they had loaded their luggage and spread hay to lie upon, they started; +but before they were out of sight of the stable the crazy vehicle broke +down, and they were detained till nearly eleven o'clock at night, whilst +it was being repaired. In this new kind of conveyance they experienced +great discomfort: they could neither sit nor lie with ease, as the space +was much too small for three passengers. The country they passed, through +was very rich; it may be called the granary of Russia; they found the +harvest more advanced the farther they penetrated into the south. + +At Koursk they hired a fresh _tarantas_. The roads were inferior to +those along which they had travelled, but the country was more +picturesque, still fertile, and producing much wheat; the weather was very +hot, as it had been all the way from Petersburg. On the 27th, at midnight, +they reached Kharkov. + + +We have travelled, says John Yeardley, four days and nights in succession +from Moscow to this place. The conveyances of the country are exceedingly +bad; they almost shook our bones asunder. + + +The next day they visited Pastor Landesen, to whom they had a letter of +introduction from Pastor Dietrich. They spent the day with the family of +this intelligent and pious man. Tea was spread in the garden, to which +meal a number of Christian friends were invited. + + +The pastor's wife, says John Yeardley, is a sweet-spirited woman. After +much social converse our garden-visit closed with a religious occasion, in +which I expressed a few words of exhortation. I think we were sensible of +the nearness of the presence of our Divine Master, which proved a brook by +the dreary way. We met at the pastor's Louse Superintendent Huber, a +worthy and experienced Christian, kind and fatherly to us. + + +The next day William Rasche went with Pastor Landesen to hire a carriage. +No such thing, however, was to be had, and they would have been happy if +they could have engaged as good a vehicle as their old crazy +_tarantas_; for the only alternative was a _bauer-wagen_ +(peasant's cart), if we except the very expensive extra-post carriage, +with which they would have been obliged to take a conductor. It happened +that a young man, an apothecary's assistant, wanted to go to +Iekaterinoslav; his ancestors were German, and he could speak both that +language and Russ. By Landesen's recommendation they took him as their +companion, and he was very useful to them on the road. The +_bauer-wagen_ was much more uncomfortable than the _tarantas_ +had been; travelling in it was like gallopping over a bad road in an +English farmer's waggon; and, as the vehicle had no cover, the travellers +were exposed without protection to the full power of the sun. The floor of +the waggon was spread with mattresses, and, thus furnished, it served them +for parlor, kitchen, and lodging-room. + +They travelled in this way through the night, but the next day were +obliged to wait at a small dirty station for horses till the afternoon; +and in the evening John Yeardley became so ill, from hard travelling and +exposure to the heat, that they were compelled to alight at another little +station near Novomoskovsk, and make the best of the poor accommodation +they could procure. The next morning, somewhat refreshed by rest, they +went forwards to Iekaterinoslav, where they happily met with a clean inn, +the Hotel Suisse, kept by a German. + +The same day they went in a boat up the river Samava, to Rybalsk, seven +miles, to see a German schoolmaster named Schreitel, to whom they had a +letter of introduction. This is a colony of twenty-five families, founded +in 1788: the schoolmaster, who was also the minister, received them in a +brotherly manner. It was here that their mission properly commenced. From +this place a succession of German colonies extend in a south-easterly +direction to the Sea of Azov. The villages are all built on the same +pattern, being formed of one straight street of neat houses on both sides, +adorned with trees in front and gardens behind. The German colonists +consist principally of Mennonites and Lutherans. The former are the most +numerous and thriving; they were invited to settle there by Catherine the +Great, in order to improve the state of agriculture; but their example has +not had the desired influence on the surrounding districts. Although his +German neighbor is in an infinitely better condition than himself, the +Russian peasant will not imitate the husbandry which is practised so +successfully before his eyes. + +At Rybalsk, John Yeardley had a Scripture reading and a religious +opportunity with a few serious persons who came to the house; and the next +evening he held a meeting for worship with the colonists. + +On the 3rd, they left for Neuhoffnung. They travelled in a covered +carriage, which, though without springs, was a great improvement on their +last vehicle. They came the first day as for as Konski, where they passed +the night, sleeping in the carriage, the air being very mild the night +through. In the afternoon they arrived at another Mennonite colony, +Schoenweise, where they had a short interview with Pastor Obermanz and a +few of his flock. These people produce a small quantity of silk. The +travellers were now on the Steppes; they found them very thinly peopled, +so that all the country out of sight of the villages appeared like a vast +desert. On the 4th they passed through three colonies--Gruenthal, Priship, +and Petershagen. The settlers here are from all parts of Germany, mostly +from Prussia and Wuertemberg. Next came Halbstadt, the seat of the Bishop, +and Alexanderwohl, where the Friends passed the night. They were +surrounded by a large number of settlements on all sides. + +These were the places where, according to his previous impressions and +apprehension of duty, John Yeardley was to have entered on that work of +gospel-labor to which he had so long looked forward. But, instead of +finding, as on former occasions of a similar kind, his heart enlarged and +his mouth opened to preach the word, he seems now to have felt himself +straitened in spirit, and to have been obliged to pass in silence from +colony to colony, a wonder perhaps to others, a cause of humiliation to +himself. Never before, in all his many journeyings, had such a trial +befallen him; and it may be supposed that, coming so soon after the +copious and unrestrained exercise of his gift which he had experienced in +Norway, it would press upon him with peculiar force. The people to whom he +was now come, seem, it is true, to have been in a different state from the +simple-hearted Norwegians, who thirsted for the "pure milk of the word;" +and their comparative indifference to spiritual things may have been a +main cause of the silence which he felt to be imposed upon him. With the +reserve natural to him, he has left but little clue to the motives and +feelings under which he acted. Great must have been the relief when, as +happened on several occasions, his bonds were loosened, and the command +was renewed to speak in the name of his only-loved and gracious Lord. + +On the 5th they passed through several colonies to Gnadenfeld, where, says +J.Y.:-- + + +We halted to breakfast with one of the colonists, and found him a +sweet-spirited man, and his family pious. His name is David Voote. He +appreciated the object of our mission, and spoke of the awakening that +had taken place of late; telling us that devotional meetings had been +established, but that some of their preachers did not approve of them. We +sent for one of the ministers, with whom I was pleased; he invited us to +hold a meeting with them on a future occasion if we could make it accord +with our journey, which I hope will be accomplished. + +We obtained some information respecting the Molokans, and were directed to +Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has communication with them. We +found him a delightful man, quite of the right sort to be useful to us. As +the Molokans speak nothing but Russ, we shall be in want of an interpreter +in our visit to them. I told him he must go with us; and he immediately +said. I will go with pleasure; whenever you return here and incline to go, +I will be at home and will accompany you. This seemed an opening of +Providence, and removes one great difficulty in the way of a visit to this +people, for whom I have felt more than towards any others in South Russia. +N. Schmidt is a wealthy farmer, and sets himself at liberty to promote the +extension of the Saviour's kingdom; I felt at once at home with him as a +friend and brother. + + +From Steinbach, which lay a few versts out of the direct road, they +proceeded to Stuttgardt, and the next day, the 6th, to Neuhoffnung, where +they were accommodated at a farmer's, and had the comfort of a good clean +apartment and kind attention to their wants. This is the principal seat of +the German Lutheran colonists. + + +On Seventh-day, says John Yeardley, we attended the school-children's +meeting, about 200 present. After Pastor Wuest had questioned on or +explained the Scriptures, I had an opportunity to address them. On +First-day afternoon we held an appointed meeting [with Wuest's +congregation], which was not large, on account of many [with the Pastor +himself] having to attend an interment in the neighborhood. After the +meeting we received a salutation from some of the young sisterhood, who +came to us and surprised us with their sweet melodious voices, singing in +concert a hymn well suited to our present situation. After they had ended +I went out and had a long conversation with them. + +In all my journeyings, he touchingly continues, I was never so much cast +down as in this scene of labor; I never before so much missed the help and +consolation of my precious one as I now do; but, blessed be a gracious +God, she is safe with Him, and free from a toil which she could never have +endured. I marvel, and praise his great name for upholding me thus far; I +am astonished at the way in which I am enabled to bear the hardships of +this journey, and am preserved in health. It is the doing of my gracious +Saviour, and I thank him out of a grateful heart. Should I never be +permitted to return to my earthly home, I have a joyful hope he will take +me to a glorious rest with himself and with those I have so tenderly loved +on earth. + + +On the 8th, William Rasche went to Berdjansk, on the Sea of Azov, to +change some English money, and to inquire if there were any religious +people there. He met with some interesting persons, who seemed at first to +be prejudiced against the Friends but after some conversation became very +loving, and desired he would bring J.Y. to see them the next day. +Accordingly, on the 9th, J.Y. and W.R. went to Berdjansk, accompanied by +Pastor Wuest and several others. The meeting which they went to attend was +held in a private house. It commenced in the usual manner, with singing; +after which, ---- Buller read a chapter, and the pastor commented upon it; +and then they asked J.Y. what he had to say regarding it. He answered by +giving his view of the subject, and afterwards addressed them in the +ministry. Various individuals then related their experience, one after the +other, as is usual in the more private religious meetings in these +churches. + + +---- Buller (writes J.Y. in recording this meeting) is an interesting +man; I had much conversation with him as to his own conversion. It seems +to have been a work of the Spirit, without, in the first instance, any +other instrumentality than reading the Bible. I met several pious persons +in the meeting-room, and held converse with them to mutual comfort. They +are simple and sincere. We took tea in the garden after the meeting, and +did not reach our lodging in Neuhoffnung until 12 o'clock the same night. + + +10_th_.--This morning they started for Elizabethsdorf, accompanied by +Robert Lehmkuhle, a teacher from Kharkov. Their way lay entirely through +the boundless steppes, where so many ways ran into each other that the +driver missed the road, and they wandered about until 10 p. M., when they +took shelter at a German colonist's. The inmates, who had gone to rest, +rose to give them milk and bread. + +The next day they proceeded to Elizabethsdorf, being escorted on the way +by hospitable members of the settlements through which they passed. At +Elizabethsdorf they were received by schoolmaster Seib, a brotherly +Christian man, whose conversation was "seasoned with grace." + + +After tea, says John Yeardley. we held a devotional meeting, in which I +had an opportunity to address the little company; but the people generally +in the colonies are busy till late in the evening. Being much weary with +our jolting journey, I retired to the waggon for the night, as I supposed; +but W.R. soon came to inform me that a number of young persons, men and +women, were come, it being as early as they could be liberated from their +day's labor, to have some of our company. I sprang from the waggon with +joy, and we had a delightful meeting, with a pretty large company. They +sang repeatedly, and betweentimes I related to them something of my +travels in Germany and Greece, with which they appeared wonderfully +pleased. We were all served with tea out of doors, and the company +remained together till after eleven o'clock, and then returned joyfully +home. + +I was much pleased with Seib. He and another schoolmaster, named Kapper, +have been dismissed from their office of teacher, because of their holding +private meetings and preaching in them, or explaining the Scriptures. Some +of the Lutheran ministers are so lifeless that they will not allow the +people to meet in private for their edification. The dead persecute the +living, and light struggles with darkness. This is even the case in some +districts among the Mennonites. The ministers fear that their people +should go before them in religious light. The more I see of the _one-man +system_, the more I prize the gospel liberty in my own beloved +religious Society. + + +They returned to Neuhoffnung, and on the 13th went to Nicolai Schmidt's at +Steinbach. + + +Attended the meeting there in the morning, and at Gnadenfeld in the +evening, in both which places opportunity was given me to communicate what +was in my heart for the people. + + +The settlements of the Molokans, consisting of three villages, each of +about a thousand inhabitants, lie to the south of the German colonies. +These people are native Russians and seceders from the Russo-Greek church; +they receive their name from the word _Moloko_, milk, because they +drink milk on fast-days, which is forbidden by the national religion. The +Steppes are their Siberia, to which they have been banished. Their worship +is simple, commencing with silence and prayer, and they do not use the +ceremonies and discipline common among most other Christians; but they are +firm believers in the Christian faith, and many of them are +spiritually-minded people. + +On the 15th John Yeardley and William Rasche, under the conduct of N. +Schmidt, left Neuhoffnung to visit the Molokans. The first village they +came to was Novo-Salifks, a prosperous colony in worldly matters, but said +to be behind the others in spiritual life. At the next, Wasilowkov, they +met with Terenti Sederhoff, the apostle of the Molokans, whose remarkable +history J.Y. related in a tract called _The Russian Peasant_, forming +No. 12 of his series. Here they also met with A. Stajoloff, who remembered +William Allen's visit in 1819. Sederhoff accompanied them to the third +village, Astrachanka, where they had a conversational meeting with several +of the chief men, but the intercourse was carried on at a double +disadvantage. + + +They spoke, says John Yeardley, nothing but Russ. T never regretted more +the want of the language. Schmidt had a manifest unwillingness to +interpret all I wanted to say, because it did not accord with his own +sentiments, and he feared it might strengthen the people in those views +from which the Mennonites would draw them. There was a precious feeling +over us, and I felt assured they appreciated our motive in visiting them; +they often pressed my hand when comparing Scripture texts on which we were +of one mind. I felt satisfied in having done what I could to direct them +in the right way, and to strengthen them in it. They are well read in the +Scriptures. + + +The travellers passed the night at this village, sleeping as usual in +their carriage; and the next day, taking a loving leave of their friends, +directed their course over the steppes into the Crimea. Here they found +themselves in the heart of the Tartar country, beyond the verge of +civilized life. + + +The Tartar villages, says John Yeardley, are the meanest possible, +consisting sometimes of mere holes dug in the earth, or huts standing a +little above the ground. The men wear wide drawers with the pink shirt +over them; the women have a chemise reaching to the calf of the leg, dirty +and coarse, an apron round the waist, sometimes so scanty or so ragged +that it will not meet, and a handkerchief tied in a slovenly manner on the +head. In these three articles of dress they drive the horses and oxen; the +sun burns them to a dark brown, almost black. The children we saw were +quite naked. Various attempts have been made to civilize and instruct +them, but without success. One missionary pursued the work so far as to +feed and clothe the children, and collect them for instruction, which they +received for a while, but all at once and with one consent it was at an +end. When I see the Tartar galloping over the steppe as if riding on the +wind, it constantly makes me think of the wild Arabs. When we are anxious +to find a well of water where we may take our meal, and when we see +travellers assembled to water their cattle and flocks, and the camels +running loose on the steppes--which they do till autumn, when they are +sought up for work,--all reminds us of customs of the East. + +This evening they halted at a Tartar village, where the occupant of the +_traktir_, or house of entertainment, persuaded the driver to take +out his horses for the night. The conduct of this man and his companions +was suspicious; they eagerly examined the mattresses of the travellers, +which were of superior quality; and when William Rasche came to make the +tea, which he did by the moonlight outside the hut, the boiling water +which he poured in to rinse the teapot came out into the tumblers a white +liquid; and after the tea was put in the innkeeper held up the pot against +the moon, and looked curiously into it. Instead of retiring early, as the +Tartars always do, the men in the hut kept a watch upon the travellers; +and the suspicions even of the driver were awakened, when one of them came +to him, as he was lying by his horses, to borrow his knife. His horses, +however, were so weary, and he himself so unwilling to move, that the +travelers contented themselves with harnessing the horses, and making +ready to depart in case of necessity. Soon after midnight, finding they +were still watched by the Tartars, and apprehending that these waited only +till they should all be asleep, to carry off their horses or to rob their +persons, they decided to make the best of their way out of their hands. +The driver being slow to move, W.R. jumped into his place, seized the +reins, and drove quickly off, thankful to have effected a safe escape. It +is very common for the Tartars to prowl about in the night, and steal the +horses and waggons, of their more settled and thrifty neighbors. + +After about three hours' driving, the moon shining so bright that they +could see to read by it, they arrived at another village, of a less +suspicious character. + +On the 18th they reached Simpheropol, where they were glad to rest. The +next day they wished to visit Pastor Kilius of Neusatz, to whom they had +an introduction: as they were considering how they should get to him, he +opportunely came to the hotel. He introduced them to several estimable +persons, and took them the next day to his dwelling, situate in a +picturesque mountain village, twenty versts from the city. At Neusatz +commences another chain of German colonies, settled by the Evangelical +Lutherans. The next morning they attended the public worship, and in the +afternoon the Scripture-teaching for the children. On the 22nd they went +to Zuerichthal, a village formed of well-built houses, but where they found +the school in a very low state. The 23rd they started early for the Sudag +colony, intending to spend the time there until the departure of the +steamer for Odessa; but they found nothing to interest them in this +settlement, and accordingly proceeded to Feodosia, (or Kaffa,) a +watering-place on the south coast of the Crimea. The German inns in this +place were all full, and to procure a wholesome lodging, the; drove the +next day four miles among the hills, where they hired a large apartment at +the house of a German. The situation was romantic, with an extensive +prospect over sea and mountains; and on the hill-side was a thicket, +forming a delightful bower, where John Yeardley and his companion "live by +day, walked, talked, reposed, and wrote." In this retreat, breathing cool +air and quietude, J.Y. received the physical refreshment he so much +needed, while he reviewed the course of his laborious journey. +Notwithstanding his discouragements, he was able to cast all his burden +upon his Saviour, with whom he seems to have dwelt in nearer communion as +his day on earth went down. + + +8 _mo_. 26.--This morning I felt more sweet union with my God in +spirit than for a long time; and a strong desire has arisen to live in +closer communion with Jesus, the beloved of my soul, the only access to +the Father--the only place of rest, safety, and true _peace_. I long +more than ever not to be troubled with cross occurrences over which I have +no control, and which have too long perplexed me and disturbed my inward +peace. I long more than ever to spend my few remaining days on earth as +with my God in heaven, to refer everything to Him, and to pray more +earnestly and diligently for his grace to preserve me near to himself +under _all_ circumstances, until he shall have prepared me to be +taken to heaven, to join the happy company there in a blissful eternity. +"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because +he trusteth in thee."--Isa. xxvi. 3. + +On the 1st of the Ninth Month they sailed to Odessa, where they had to +remain eight days. In this city they received a visit from a pastor, who +conversed with them on the work of the heavenly kingdom then going on in +the Bast, especially in Constantinople and Asia Minor. + + +The Saviour's kingdom, writes John Yeardley, in allusion to this +conversation, is spreading, and many instruments are being raised up in +various nations to help forward the great work. The kingdom of Satan is in +danger; he sees it, and stirs up the jealousy of men, setting them against +one another, and, by their seeking through party-spirit to exalt their own +particular religion, hindering the Lord's work. Into whatever nation the +beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine, the inhabitants begin to inquire +the way to Zion, and turn their faces thitherward. This alarms the rulers +whose kingdom is of this world. + + +From Odessa to Constantinople they had a quick and safe passage. At +Constantinople John Yeardley was deeply interested in the institutions +which the American missionaries have founded for the religious and +temporal improvement of the Armenians. He visited two of these, the high +school at Bebek and the girls' seminary at Has-keui, both beautifully +situated on the shores of the Bosphorus. In the former they found +forty-eight young men,--sixteen Greek and thirty-two Armenian. The +industrial part of the education was particularly gratifying to him. + + +Cyrus Hamlin, he says, who has the superintendence of their studies and +labor, is wonderfully adapted for his vocation. He is assisted only by +native teachers. The young men looked serious: some of their countenances +were peculiarly impressive, indicating that they had been with Jesus. I +saw them assembled in the school-room, and addressed them for some time; +and C. Hamlin most willingly interpreted into Armenian what I said. It was +a sweet and memorable time. The Armenian teacher would scarcely let go my +hand after the meeting, he had been so touched with the power of divine +love. In the girls' boarding-school we found twenty-five girls, all +Armenians, with the exception of two or three Greeks. It was a lovely +sight to see so many of this class under a course of religious and useful +instruction. Many of the countenances were marked and pleasing, and were +_fixed_ on me with great apparent seriousness while I addressed them, +along with some of the neighbors.----Everett (the conductor of the school) +kindly and most willingly interpreted what I had to communicate. He and +his wife have also a day-school for boys and girls. I consider these +institutions as bright and hopeful spots in the East, from which much +good may arise. + + +The persevering and well-directed efforts of the American missionaries for +the evangelization of the Armenians, and the field of Christian labor +which was thus opened, took firm hold of J.Y.'s mind; he longed to visit +the schools and congregations in Isnik and Brusa, and probably only +abandoned the journey at this time in the hope of undertaking it at some +future day. John Yeardley describes Constantinople as-- + + +Built entirely on the hills which slope from a considerable eminence down +to the Bosphorus. The trees towering among the houses, the high spires and +gilded domes, have a most imposing effect; but what is the astonishment of +the traveller when he commences his ascent up steep, narrow, +clumsily-pitched streets. I could only compare them to the +worst-constructed bridle-roads in England which the packhorses traversed +centuries ago. The three days we were in the city I only saw one or two +carriages,--the most curious vehicles; indeed, there is scarcely a street +in which two carriages can pass. Donkeys are the chief carriers. As to +dogs, they are born and bred in the streets and are the property of the +town, and in the day-time He by dozens in the streets, young and old, are +always under the feet of the traveller, and he must constantly poke them +out of the way with his stick; by night they are furious. The shops +present a jumble of all kinds of wares; and the Turks sit cross-legged in +the window, or work at their trade inside. + + +They left Constantinople on the 15th, and on the 17th went on shore at +Smyrna, where, at the house of the American missionary Ladd, they met with +another missionary, named Stacking, returning with his family from Persia, +where he had labored sixteen years among the Nestorians. The account which +he gave John Yeardley of the creed and condition of the Nestorian Church, +and of the schools which had been opened in Persia, aroused his deep +sympathy and produced an abiding impression on his mind. + +Smyrna, like the other Turkish cities which they saw, vividly impressed +the travellers with its Oriental character. + + +Like Constantinople, says J.Y., it is a town of all nations. The streets +are narrow, with a run of dirty water down the middle. We met docile +camels in great number, bringing figs from the interior. In the +fig-market were thousands of boxes being prepared and packed for +exportation. It is a sight of interest to see Turks, Greeks, &c., huddled +together, walking, talking, or sitting cross-legged and smoking their long +pipes. We took donkeys and ascended the hill, where we obtained a good +view of the town, and then examined the ruins where the ancient city +stood, and saw the place where the message from Heaven was received by the +angel of the church of Smyrna. The church of Polycarp stood not far from +that of John the Baptist. After a visit of peculiar interest, I returned +to the steam-ship and read the message to the church of Smyrna, which gave +rise to more reflections than I can here record. + +Steaming on the sea of Marmora, (to continue J.Y.'s narrative of his +homeward journey), the Bosphorus and the Greek waters, was very pleasing. +We had a good sight of the walls of ancient Troas, where the apostle Paul +received the message in vision from the man of Macedonia, to come over and +help them. The quarantine prevented us from landing at Syra; but I +conveyed a note through the English Consul to my old friend Hildner, who +came alongside our steamer. I learned from him that Argyri Climi was five +years in his school, and usefully filled the office of teacher of the +higher classes; had been married about ten years to a lieutenant in the +army; had three children, and was living happily with her husband at the +Piraeus. It appears she retains her religious principles. + +21_st_.--Arrived at Malta. Ours is the first steamer that has reached +the island since the removal of the quarantine; we went on shore directly +after breakfast. Isaac Lowndes was rejoiced to see me. We met in the +street, and he conducted us to his house. He has been in Malta seven +years, acting for the Bible Society; he gives no bright account of among +the Greeks, as to spiritual religion, nor of the island generally. The +present governor has admitted the Jesuits into the island, who are doing +mischief; privileges are being granted to the Romanists to the prejudice +of the Protestants; and a regulation has been proposed which would subject +a Protestant to six months imprisonment for not taking off his hat when he +meets the procession of the Host. + + +Isaac Lowndes took John Yeardley and William Rasche to visit Selim Aga, +or, as he was named after baptism, Edward Williams; who with his wife, +sister-in-law, and four children, formed an interesting Christian +household. J.Y. published the history of this man in No. 13 of his series +of tracts, _Turkey and the Converted Turk_, where also he has +depicted several scenes from the latter part of this journey. + +Arriving at Marseilles, they proceeded quickly on to Nismes. It was with a +gush of natural sorrow that J.Y. revisited a place whore he had often +sojourned with his beloved wife. + + +The thought, he writes, of the difference in my circumstances now and when +last in this place fills me with sorrow. The beloved one of my bosom, then +the stay and solace of my heart, is no more with me to help and comfort me +in the toils of life. Yet when I consider what a large amount of suffering +she has escaped, I cannot but rejoice that she is at rest with her God and +Saviour, where I humbly hope soon to meet her. Lord, prepare thy unworthy +worm for that awful but joyful day! + + +John Yeardley held a small public meeting at Nismes, and the next day, the +3rd of the Tenth Month, set out for the bathing-place of Bagneres de +Bigorre, in the Pyrenees. His principal reason for going there was to +recruit his shattered health. "On our arrival at Nismes," he says, "and +during our few days' sojourn there, I began to feel the effects of my +long, toilsome Russian journey; and, in the hope of preventing a return of +my suffering complaint, I thought it justifiable to make trial of the +sulphur baths and water of Bagneres." But he had also another object in +view: "I had long thought," he adds, in a letter from Bigorre, "whether +there was not a seeking people in this neighborhood, and now I think there +is." + +His first care on arriving at Bigorre, was to call on Pastor Frossard, +formerly of Nismes, who feelingly reminded him of the changes which had +happened to each of them since they had met before. He proposed to John +Yeardley to meet some Christian friends at his chapel. This was just what +J.Y. had been wishing for. The meeting was held; and after it was over he +gave the company an account of his travels in Russia, with which they were +highly gratified. + +In a letter to his sister, Mary Tylor, which he wrote from this place, is +the following characteristic sentiment: + + +Thy welcome letter duly readied me at Nismes, and drew forth my tender +sympathy for thee and your whole circle in the loss of a kind and beloved +brother. It is another link taken from the family chain, and the shorter +it becomes the nearer we are drawn together in the bond of affection. How +the spirit seems to ascend with those loved ones who are taken from us, +and from earth to heaven! Our desire for a blissful eternity becomes more +ardent, because they have already entered upon it; but above all, we +desire to be with Him in whom we shall be one, and all will be glory. + + +Returning to Nismes, he occupied himself with holding meetings in many +places in that neighborhood. In some meetings which he attended in the +city, he had for fellow-laborers Eli and Sybil Jones, from the United +States, with their companions. Amongst the audience at one of these +meetings were three soldiers, who, with two others, had been awakened at +Lyons, and who manifested the progress they had made in Christian doctrine +by refusing to kneel before the procession of the Host. Their officer +observing their disregard of this required practice, held his sword over +the neck of one of them, saying he would strike off his head if he did not +bow down. The man was firm in his refusal, and was sent to prison. To +encourage one another in their new profession, these men were accustomed +to keep religious meetings. They were in consequence accused of sedition, +and when they asserted the simply religions character of their meetings, +one of them was required to swear to the truth of his statement; he +refused to take an oath, pleading that the New Testament commanded him not +to swear. A second was then called upon in the same way; he also refused; +and their stedfastness was reported to the commanding officer as an act of +contumacy. The officer happened to be a Protestant, of an enlightened and +pious disposition; he said that soldiers were called upon to vindicate the +innocence of their companions, not to procure their condemnation, and that +if they did not choose to give evidence the law would not compel them. Two +of the five received their discharge from the army; the rest were removed +to Nismes. John Yeardley had some conversation with these three after the +meeting, with which he was well satisfied. They told him that when they +were awakened they wrote and received so many letters that it excited +suspicion, and that the police who examined the letters took the texts of +Scripture, or rather the figures that referred to the chapters and verses, +for a secret language, used to deceive their vigilance. + +On the 8th of the Eleventh Month, J. Yeardley and W. Rasche, accompanied +by Jules Paradon, went to Valence, and visited Bertram Combe, at Pialoux, +where they remained a few days. B.C. had fitted up a commodious room +adjoining his own dwelling, where he held meetings regularly:-- + + +And where, says J.Y., we had several solemn and edifying occasions; and as +our being there became more known the attendance increased, so that the +last gathering was quite a large one, and peculiarly quiet and +satisfactory. Among some meetings which we appointed in the neighborhood +two were held in the _temple_ of the Protestant Church, which was a +mark of great liberality; these two occasions were peculiarly favored. In +the latter B.C. alluded to the persecution he had had to endure on account +of the disuse of the Supper and Baptism. He boldly avowed the conviction +he felt as to the non-use of these things, and that the preaching of the +gospel ought to be free. I have seldom been in a district where there is +more openness for the gospel message in its simplicity, than in this +mountain region. + + +From Valence, John Yeardley returned direct to England, only stopping at +Friedrichsdorf. where he visited the boarding-school. + + +I reached my home, he says, on the 24th of the Eleventh Month, with a +thankful heart to my Heavenly Father for his merciful preservation. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY. + +1853-1858. + +John Yeardley had scarcely returned to England before war was declared +with Russia. The confirmation he received from this lamentable event, that +his journey had been made at the opportune time, filled his heart with +gratitude. The work he had been able to do had been small, but he had the +satisfaction of knowing that it had been accomplished at the only juncture +in which it would have been practicable. + + +The year 1853, he writes, closed with many mercies to a poor unworthy +servant. I consider it a great blessing to have accomplished the visit +through Russia and to Constantinople before the horrible war broke out. +What a frightful state are things in at the present moment!--no access +could be had to those countries. + + +In the Spring of 1854 he spent some time at Bath. He attended, whilst +there, a public meeting appointed by Sarah Squire, in which he had a +testimony to offer in the gospel. Hearing afterwards that a military man +who was present had been brought to conviction by the doctrine which had +been declared, J.Y. noted in his Diary the subject on which he had +preached. + + +4 _mo_. 2.--I recollect, he says, alluding to the awful state of the +times in which we live, and the need of a refuge in God, and the +blessedness of the consolations of the Holy Spirit in a time of trouble. +That the Spirit of God was the first agent in the work of man's salvation, +bringing to the Saviour who died for sinners: the Father drawing to the +Son, the Son perfecting the work, and presenting each member of the living +church without spot or wrinkle to the Father. Blessed unity of Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit! The Father creating, the Son redeeming, the Holy +Spirit sanctifying. + + +In making a brief note of the Yearly Meeting this year, John Yeardley +takes occasion to record his sentiments on a subject which then, as now, +strongly engaged the attention of the Society. + + +The Yearly Meeting has been a precious time; it has strengthened the bond +of love and unity. There is, under all discouragements, a love to the +Society manifested in the young people of both sexes. It is true there is +a great want of bearing of the cross, and many are seeking for excuses to +persuade themselves that many of those things that have long distinguished +our Society are now no longer of use. But I still think there is more +religion in many of our young members than their outward appearance would +authorize us to believe. I love to cleave to the good, and to hold out a +helping hand to encourage the tender budding of grace, and for the good to +overcome the evil. I want them to be brought to conviction, and to be told +that they are not required to wear plain clothes, and to use plain speech, +because our Friends have done so, but because Christianity leads into +simplicity, and the language of Scripture is that of truthfulness, and to +follow the changing fashions of the world is too low for the notice of the +Christian whose heart is placed on heavenly things, and whose time is too +precious to be spent on trifles. There is no peace to the regenerated +heart equal to a devotedness of life in promoting the extension of the +Saviour's kingdom upon earth. + + +He soon after alludes to the Memoir of Joseph John Gurney, then just +published, and to the sharp stimulus which he received from its perusal--a +stimulus which minds fixed upon improvement always receive from the vivid +representation of time and talents diligently employed. + + +6 _mo_. 16.--Many of my solitary moments are cheered, and I am +greatly edified, in reading J.J. Gurney's Memoirs. It is a real privilege +to be introduced into the daily walk of the life of a Christian man with +such an enlightened and enlarged mind, whose expansive heart is filled +with love for the whole human race. Strengthened by faith, and filled with +the unction of the Spirit, his life was devoted to doing good to the +family of man, laboring for the conversion of sinners, and comforting +believers. + +The diligence of J.J. Gurney in study, &c., has stimulated me to renew the +reading of the Greek New Testament, but I sink into the dust when I see +what he accomplished in comparison of my own insignificance. It is, +however, a comfort to know that I have a merciful Lord, who will not +require of me the exercise of gifts that I have not received. O that I may +he more faithful in the employment of the capacity which has been +entrusted to me, for the good of souls and the honor of my Lord! + + +The reflections which follow add another to the numberless testimonies of +the saints' experience, that the Christian life is a continual warfare. + + +I am sensible of having lost ground for some time past for want of more +diligence in watchfulness and prayer. I have been deeply sorry for it, and +I do hope my compassionate Lord has forgiven me. As a proof of his +forgiveness, I am permitted to enjoy once more the smiles of his +countenance, which cheer my lonely walk. How greatly do I long for more +intimate communion with the Beloved of my soul, the precious Saviour! Lord +_preserve_ me in _every moment_ of _temptation_, and make +me more entirely thine! Grant me more confidence in the immediate action +of thy Spirit in the ministry of the word, that my communications of this +nature may be deep and clear, and under the unction of thy Holy Spirit. +_Amen_! + +6 _mo_. 23.--This morning I have been favored, more than usual, in my +endeavor to pour out my soul before God in prayer, in desiring more purity +of heart, more faith; and that it might please my compassionate Lord to +sustain and console me in my solitary lot, and preserve me faithful to the +end of the race. Many relatives and near friends were brought to my +remembrance, whom I endeavored to present to the mercy of a merciful God. + + +In the same diary is an appropriate notice of Dr. Steinkopf, and a tender +tribute to the memory of Martha Yeardley. + + +The other evening was spent at J. and M.C.S.'s with Dr. Steinkopf. "The +hoary head" of this aged and experienced Christian is as "a crown of +glory," for "it is found in the way of righteousness." He is full of love, +speaking constantly out of a grateful heart of the mercies of his God. +Before parting he read a few verses, exhorted us and supplicated for us. + +A little more than three years have fled away since my precious and +dearly-beloved M.Y. entered on a blissful eternity. How do I feel the loss +of her sweet, cheerful, and edifying society! Ever since her blessed +spirit fled from earth to heaven, she has never by night or day been long +absent from my thoughts. How often does my soul pant and pray for a +preparation of heart for that blissful state where she now is, near to her +precious Saviour, who redeemed her with his own blood. He enabled her to +serve him when on earth, and now she sings his praises in heaven. What a +charm did she impart to my daily life! Our pursuits were always one and +the same; and now what a desert I still have before me,--but it may be +very short. + + +In the Eighth Month, John Yeardley went to Minden on a visit to Ernst +Peitsmeyer, whose daughter Sophie had been for some time his kind and +cheerful companion, and who now, with her parents and other friends, +welcomed him again to Germany. Whilst at Minden he derived benefit from +the sulphur baths of the Klause, not far from the town. + + +The bath, he says, is one hour's gentle exercise on the saddle. The farm +where the spring is stands quite alone in the midst of a wood, and the way +to it is delightful,--much suited to my taste. Sophie rides sometimes with +me: it cheers me to have her trotting by my side. + + +The handful of inquiring persons at Obernkirchen, whom J.Y. visited on +his return from Norway, continued to claim his sympathy, and one First-day +he joined them at their usual place of worship. + + +It was, he writes, a refreshing time in this little meeting. When the +little company first met together they were dragged into the street by the +police; but they persevered, and, on making an appeal to the magistrate at +Rinteln, stated their case with so much simplicity that the government has +granted them liberty to meet together undisturbed. How marvellous, the +Friends are protected; and the Baptists, under the same government, are +persecuted with increasing rigor! No interference on their behalf has been +of the least use.--(_Dairy and Letter_.) + + +In the Fourth Month of 1855 John Yeardley received a certificate "to visit +his friends in Yorkshire, and to hold meetings with persons not in +church-fellowship" with Friends. + + +I arrived at Halifax, he says, in a letter of the 28th of the Fourth +Month, on Fifth-day evening, and attended the Monthly Meeting of Brighouse +on the 20th. It looked formidable to me in prospect on the first entering +into harness; but I hope the meeting proved a good introduction, and I saw +a good specimen of a large, harmonious, and well-conducted Monthly +Meeting. There might be near 250 members present. + + +When he had completed the service, he took a week of repose at Harrowgate, +where he briefly reviews his journey. + + +5 _mo_. 29.--In passing along through my native county, I found many +countenances missing which were very familiar to me years ago, and who are +now gone to their rest. But I was comforted to find in many places a race +of young people springing up who bore the marks of being plants of my +Heavenly Father's right-hand planting, and who gave hopes of becoming +useful in his Church. It is with a grateful heart that I record the mercy +of my Lord, in that he has granted me strength in a remarkable manner to +do what he put in my heart to do, from place to place. Blessed be his +name! + +After having finished the service in Yorkshire, I have had a week's +tarriance at Harrowgate. The rest and quiet have proved beneficial to my +health, and very precious have been the seasons of sweet communion I have +been permitted to hold with my God in this retirement. + + +This summer he repeated his visit to Minden, and hired a lodging at the +Klause. A reflection in one of the letters which he wrote from this +retreat affords a pleasing glimpse of his mind:-- + + +I sometimes think that a large portion of comfort and joy are allowed to +those who really love the Lord; and how chastened are the pleasures of the +humble Christian! They abide with us long after the causes of them are +passed away; and the more our permitted pleasures are enjoyed under a +grateful sense of the goodness of the bountiful Giver, the longer they may +be permitted to us. + + +In the Ninth Month, he attended the Two-months' Meeting at Pyrmont. It was +not without emotion that he visited once more the place which had been so +familiar to him in earlier days. The hopes he had then conceived, and +which, as we have seen, he had so fondly cherished, with regard to the +Society of Friends in that part, had been disappointed; the little company +had dwindled in numbers and declined in religious influence; and when he +took leave of Pyrmont for the last time, it was with a sorrowful heart. + +From Minden, accompanied by Sophie Peitsmeyer, he went southwards, and +took up his abode at the little town of Neuveville, on the Lake of Bienne, +in Switzerland. + + +I spent, he says, two or three days at Neufchatel, and visited many of my +old friends in the place and neighborhood; but it was affecting to find +how many of those I had known years ago were no longer on this earth. +Madame Petavel was as warm-hearted as ever; the professor, her husband, +is ripening for heaven. + + +John Yeardley had gone to Neuveville with the intention of passing the +winter in Switzerland. After remaining a month, however, he returned to +England; and this change of mind was the result of a remarkable +circumstance. He became silent and reserved, with the air and manners of +one who is not at peace with himself; until one night, when he was heard +to cry out in a loud tone, as though speaking to some one. The next +morning at breakfast he appeared subdued and full of tenderness; and on +his young friend inquiring what had made him cry out in the night, he told +her that he must return home, for there was more work for him to do. He +said that a prospect of service in the gospel had latterly opened before +him, and that as he had greatly desired to remain in Switzerland, he had +striven against the sense of duty and refused to yield; but that during +the night he had had a vision, in which he heard the command repeated to +return home and enter again upon his labor, and that he felt, as he +thought, the touch of the heavenly messenger's hand. This caused him to +call out; and when he awoke, he found that willingness of spirit had taken +the place of his former obstinacy. Thus turned from his own purpose, he +set about to accomplish the will of his gracious Master with his usual +resolution, and they made the best of their way back to England. The +nature of the service which he saw before him is touched upon in the +following passage from a letter, dated Neuveville, the 14th of the Tenth +Month. + + +My home duties press heavily upon me.... Very long have I thought about +the young men, and the younger part of our Society; and I have a hope the +way will be made for my finding access to them, in a religious and social +point of view. Should it be permitted, the Lord grant that it may tend to +mutual comfort. + + +John Yeardley returned through Paris. He spent a day or two in that great +city, which he never saw "so quiet and free from soldiers." We extract +from his Diary a short note of a conversation which took place at the +_table d'hote_ of the hotel where he lodged, and which appears to us +to be of an instructive character. + +Two men contended respecting the motive by which mankind are influenced to +good actions. One attributed it to _reason_; the other held that it +was _virtue_ which restrains from evil and impels to good, and +maintained that we must do good actions from the love of justice and +virtue, and not from the fear of punishment or the hope of reward. The +latter had the advantage over his antagonist in the argument:-- + + +I had not, says J.Y., taken part in the conversation; but at the close I +felt constrained to tell the _Christian_ that I confessed myself on +his side, because he had defended the truth; only that what he called +_virtue_, I called _the action of the spirit of God in the heart of +man_. With much animation, he clasped my hand in his, and cried, +"That is the very thing,--that is just what I mean!" + + +In the year 1856, he engaged in two religious visits at home, both of them +in accordance with the kind of service which had been unfolded to him in +the retirement of Neuveville, viz., mingled religious and social +intercourse with his younger fellow-members. + +In reading the expression of his feelings in the prospect of the former of +these engagements, it is instructive to remark, that the same sense of +entire dependence which had bowed his spirit when required in early life +to make the first offering of this kind, was present with him when now +called upon to go forth in his Master's name for the twentieth time, and +when age and experience had given him reverence among men. + + +1 _mo_. 8.--To-morrow is our Monthly Meeting, when I expect to +propose to my Friends a visit to the meetings composing the Quarterly +Meetings of Bristol and Somerset, and Gloucester and Wilts. Every time any +fresh exercise turns up for me, it always feels as if it was the +_first_ time of entering into the holy harness. If my friends permit +me to proceed, I hope I shall be helped through it; but it looks +formidable. + +21_st_.--Bristol is like a great mountain looking me in the face, and +weighing heavily upon my heart. + + +The following short memoranda of the way in which he was engaged at +Bristol are taken from his letters; the Diary, during his later years, +supplies few notes, either of his labors or his experience:-- + + +3 _mo_.--I met at Richard Fry's house a large number of young men and +women teachers of the First-day School; forty-eight were present. An +opportunity was offered for my receiving and also communicating +information respecting schools and education. What makes the subject more +interesting in Bristol, is the attendance of more than one hundred of the +school children at meeting on First-day mornings, which, I think, has been +the practice for about ten years, and their behavior is orderly and good. + +31_st_.--I am somewhat busily employed in this busy city in visiting +the young men. I find very ready access to them, and my engagement has the +hearty concurrence of all my friends. I am abundantly convinced that it +would have been a great mistake to have ran away from the place without +making the attempt at the performance of the present service. The usual +meetings for worship have been seasons of divine favor, some of them, I +think, extraordinarily so, which I consider a great mercy in my Heavenly +Father, when I consider the weakness of the poor instrument. It has been +announced for me to give a lecture this evening in the large +meeting-house, on my travels in Europe, a _sound_ which almost +frightens me. Friends really do not know what a poor thing I am. + + +By the kindness of a friend, we have been supplied with a pleasing +personal reminiscence of John Yeardley's visit to Bristol, which will help +to represent him as he was in later years. + + +Bristol, 6 mo. 8, 1859. + +Since thou informed me of thy intention to compile a memoir of our late +dear friend John Yeardley, I have endeavored to recall the circumstances +of his visit to this city in the spring of the year 1856. + +My impression is, that the most striking feature in his character was his +childlike simplicity, both in word and conduct. This very characteristic, +whilst it really increased his influence for good, especially with the +young, rendered it perhaps more difficult to trace, and now to describe, +the precise manner in which it was exercised. I believe that his Christian +labors here were very seasonable and very important, and that he was +enabled to perform a service which scarcely any one else would have been +equally qualified to render. + +There was in him, so far as my observation went, no approach towards an +assumption of spiritual dignity; nor was there, on the other hand, that +which is perhaps a more frequent defect, anything of _feigned_ +humility. His whole character seemed to me perfectly unaffected. To +whatever extent, therefore, his natural disposition may have fitted him +for profitable intercourse with the young, I think that the qualities +which I have attempted to describe rendered him peculiarly acceptable to +them. Many times, whilst he was amongst us, he alluded--I believe even in +his public ministry--to his delight in their society, somewhat in this +manner: "I love the company of those who tread the earth with an elastic +step." This prominent trait in his character was a striking illustration +of what may be termed _the corrective tendency_ of true religion, by +which in advanced life he was enabled to place himself, under the precious +influence of the love of Christ, in thorough sympathy with those whose +circumstances, in many respects, were so different from, his own. + +But my object was to describe John Yeardley's meetings in Bristol. The +truth is, however, that in describing the man, one seems most truly to +describe his service. In addition to his family visits, he met a large +company of our members in our meeting-house, and gave an interesting +narrative of his journeys in Southern Russia and Greece. He afterwards +invited many of our young friends, especially those who were engaged as +teachers in our First-day Schools, to spend an evening with him. Meeting +at the house of a kind friend, we had an opportunity of hearing from his +own lips some interesting details of his labors, chiefly, I think, in +reference to the schools in Greece. With characteristic simplicity, he +made various inquiries respecting our own First-day Schools, in which he +felt a deep interest. The occasion was of a very sociable and easy +character, and well calculated to promote in his young friends the +_healthy tone_ of religious feeling which seemed so peculiarly to +belong to himself. + + +After Martha Yeardley's decease, and as years rolled on, his mind dwelt +still more habitually and more confidingly than ever on the approaching +end of the race. + + +4 _mo._ 24.--I cannot say my spirits are always high. There is an +individuality in the allotment of each of us which we must seek for grace +and aid to endure to the end. The road may be now and then a little rough, +but it cannot be very long, at least to some of us; and when the eye +closes under the last gleam of earthly light, and then opens in the full +brightness of eternal glory, to enjoy the fulness of a Saviour's love, it +will be bliss indeed. + +Thinking his state of health unequal to the attendance of the Yearly +Meeting, he left London and again, resorted for a while to the baths near +Minden, where he passed two months in tranquil retirement. He had in +former visits been deeply interested in the sufferings of a Prussian +soldier who refused conscientiously to bear arms. The late Samuel Gurney +wrote to the King of Prussia, on behalf of the young man, who was in +consequence liberated from military service, but was sentenced to two +years' imprisonment. The term was not nearly expired; but John Yeardley, +whilst at Minden, heard that he had been released from prison by immediate +command of the King. J.Y. had "spent a First-day with him within the +gloomy walls in Duisburg," and was consequently the more ready to rejoice +in his liberation. + +On his return to England, John Yeardley proceeded to Birmingham. His +service in this and the neighboring towns was similar to that which he had +had to perform at Bristol. He says: + + +By day I called on the sick and such as were confined at home. In the +evenings I met companies of young men and women. They were invited to the +Friends' houses where tea was first served, and then a religious occasion +of silence and exhortation, with supplication when felt to be under right +pointing. The remainder of the evening was spent in social converse. I am +very favorable to the mixing of social intercourse with gospel labor. All +seemed pleased, and I trust we were mutually edified. I was often +requested to give some account of my late journey and the state of +religion in the various countries where I had travelled; and the +conversation often, turned on points connected with our religious +principles. + +Joseph Sturge, he continues, was from home. At the request of his wife I +dined at their house with twenty-five young culprits, whom J.S. has in his +Reformatory at Stoke, near Bromsgrove. They came in a van with horses to +spend the day. They are all such as have been once or twice in prison, +mostly for theft. I addressed them after dinner, and at tea-time I +questioned them as to Jesus Christ our Redeemer, on God, Heaven and Hell, +how to gain Heaven and avoid misery. I left them with a more favorable +impression than I otherwise should have had. Severe measures had failed to +improve them, but they seemed susceptible of kind treatment, and some of +them gave hopes of amendment. + +9 _mo_. 21.--Visited the Boys' and Girls' First-day Schools. +Breakfasted with thirty teachers (young men) at the schools. About 370 +boys present in two rooms. None are taken under fourteen years of age. +Also a large class of adults. I addressed the two companies: then went to +the girls; heard them read, and addressed them. There are about twenty +young women teachers, and perhaps 270 to 300 girls. + +The morning meeting was large. I was much pressed in spirit to speak on +the nature of the fall of man, and on the necessity of having clear views +of gospel truth. I was told afterwards that there was a Unitarian present. + + +He attended the Quarterly Meeting at Leicester on the 24th, and the two +following days met companies of young persons, who were, he says, "much +tendered in spirit." After some similar service at Stourbridge and +Coventry, he returned on the 27th to Stamford Hill. He remarks in his +Diary: "I believe the service of the young Friends in the First-day +Schools has been a blessing to themselves as well as to their pupils." + +The next month John Yeardley made a religious visit to Hertfordshire, and +had two social-religious meetings with the younger Friends at Hitchin; +after which he remained at home until the beginning of the Twelfth Month, +when he left England for Nismes. + +One object in this journey was to revisit the school which had been +established by himself and Martha Yeardley in 1842: another was the +renewal of his declining health. Susan Howland and Lydia Congdon, from the +United States, who were then on a visit to Europe, were bound for the same +destination, and John Yeardley gave them his company. + + +12 _mo_. 6.--On entering France, he says, we found a sprinkling of +snow and frost, but on leaving Lyons we left all the wintry weather +behind, and travelled on under a hot sun, and bright, cloudless sky, which +seemed to impart to us all fresh vigor and spirits. S. Howland remarked, +In such an atmosphere she felt another being. + +At Nismes, the party found Eliza P. Gurney, and Robert and Christine +Alsop, on their way home from the valleys of Piedmont. John Yeardley +lodged at the school, spent much of his time with the children, and with +the other English and the American Friends gave his aid in some plans for +their recreation. + + +12 _mo_. 25.--The evening of this day was a lively and pleasant +scene. The girls' countenances were brightened and their hearts cheered by +the presents made to them by the English Friends present. The "tree" was +new to them; it was beautifully lighted with tapers, and bore a variety of +fruit both for mind and body. + +1857. 3 _mo_. 2.--My dear friend ----- proposed my giving the school +girls a treat before I left Nismes. We contrived a visit to the sea, +distant from Nismes about twenty miles. We procured two omnibuses with six +horses, and started at 5 o'clock in the morning. Long before the time +appointed, the little maidens were in the entrance-hall with their +satchels in their hand, containing each her dinner; twenty-seven in all. +The pleasure on the road was novel and great; but when they arrived at the +sea-shore their delight was complete; with light hearts and quick heels, +running and picking up shells, meeting the waves as they advanced and +receded. On our return we visited the ancient town of Aigues-Mortes, near +the sea, famous for having been the place where the Protestant women were +confined and punished even to death. We entered most of the strong and +gloomy cells, and saw the instrument of torture. The tower and fortress +are a perfect model of a feudal castle. + + +On his return to England, John Yeardley was taken ill with bronchitis, +which produced great bodily weakness, and caused him "many wearisome" +nights and days; but, he says, "my Saviour was near to console and sustain +me." He went for change to Bath, and afterwards to Brighton with Margaret +Pope:-- + + +We made, he says, speaking of this visit many calls, and my hospitable +hostess had many of the Friends to tea and dinner visits. Our social +readings in the evening were often instructive in the conversation upon +what we read, particularly over Hippolytus, who lived and wrote in the +first half of the second century. The Chevalier Bunsen did good service to +the Christian Church in bringing the life and some of the writings of this +good man to light. + + +On his return home we find him still solicitous, as he had been in former +years, for the intellectual improvement of his young friends. + + +11 _mo_.--During my stay at home I have renewed my German class for a +few of my young friends. We have also commenced a soiree for German and +French conversation. I love the society of my young friends, and am +always, anxious to promote their learning to speak German and French. + + +The Diary for 1858, the last year of his life, commences with, a New +Year's dedication of himself afresh to the service of his faithful +Creator, and a prayer for a fresh anointing in the exercise of his +ministry. + + +1858. 1 _mo_. 4.--How many and various are the thoughts which crowd +on the mind on the commencement of a new year; perhaps none more important +than to think I am one year nearer to eternity. A desire does live in my +heart (cherish it, O, my God) to live more to thy glory on earth. How I +long to be favored with strength to do something for the cause of truth +and righteousness, so long as I may be permitted to remain on the Lord's +earth. I think with gratitude that he has blessed me with a little more +faith of late in my ministry, and my very soul prays that in these +requirings he may be pleased to put the unction of his Spirit into my +heart, and his words into my mouth, and that under a right pointing, they +may go forth with power. Grant me, Lord, more devotedness of life, and a +right and sure preparation for a peaceful death and a blissful eternity. + + +For some years before his decease, John Yeardley's thoughts were +frequently occupied with the subject of the Millennium. Like some other +good men, he thought he saw in the events which were taking place, the +impending accomplishment of those predictions, whose fulfilment was to +precede the "great and terrible day of the Lord." On one occasion, after +mentioning a number of these "signs of the times," he winds up the +enumeration and the thoughts to which it gave rise, with the following +reflection:-- + + +Happy is the Christian who, in this time of conflict, can look beyond the +passing events of time to the Great First Cause, and behold, as with the +eye of faith, the providence of his God watching over all things, waiting +to bring good out of evil, and causing all things to work to the one great +point, when he will cause the wrath of man to praise him, and the +remainder of wrath will he restrain. "Come, my people, enter thou into thy +chambers and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself, as it were for a +little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold the Lord +cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their +iniquity." (Isaiah xxvi. 20, 21) + + +In the Second Month he spent a week at Chelmsford with Susanna Corder. His +visit was prefaced by the following letter:-- + + +Stamford Hill, 1 mo. 13, 1858. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +It would seem to me as if there were only left here and there a link of +the chain of my original connexion on this earth. The best end of this +chain is attached to those loved ones in heaven who are drawing me every +day nearer to their happy and blissful abode, through the love of our +glorified Redeemer. It is now many years since thou received her once so +dear to me as a bosom friend, to partake of thy wise counsels, and in her +troubles especially to enjoy the sympathy of thy warm and affectionate +heart. + +I am now left alone for a short time; my young companion is at Norwich. If +thou wert at home, pretty well in health, and withal not so much occupied +as sometimes, it would be a great pleasure and gratification to me to pay +thee a short visit; but, as an absolute condition, I must request thee to +say, in perfect freedom, if it would be quite convenient. I want to ask +thee _many, many_ things. + +Thy friend, affectionately and very sincerely, + +JOHN YEARDLEY. + + +After his return home, having also visited Saffron Walden, he writes:-- + + +1 _mo_. 25.--Just returned from a visit to Essex. I lodged a week at +my dear friend S.C.'s, and was edified and comforted in her company. It +has been a promised pleasure of some years' standing. The morning meeting +on First-day, as well as the one on Fourth-day, was a season of spiritual +refreshment, for which I was truly thankful. The Friends testified their +unity and comfort: I called on most of them. + +On the Seventh-day, C.M. conveyed me across the country to Saffron Walden. +On the way we paid a sweet visit to the afflicted family of ----. At +Walden I was affectionately cared for, and was much interested in the +Friends there, whom I had not seen for eighteen years. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858.--CONCLUDING REMARKS. + +We are now arrived at the closing scene of John Yeardley's labors. The +impression which he had received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of +the opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern countries, had never +been obliterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his +ability to accomplish such an undertaking had proportionately diminished. +This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies, +and, according to his apprehension, no other course remained for him but +to prepare for a visit to the missionary stations in Asia Minor and the +countries beyond, in order to deliver to the inquiring inhabitants amongst +whom those stations are planted, the message of Christ's love to their +souls with which he believed himself to be charged. And when he +communicated to his friends the apprehension that this journey was +required of him as the last offering of thanksgiving before his day +closed, they were satisfied to "lay their hands upon him" for the work, +thinking, perhaps, that the veteran soldier could not better end his +campaign than with his arms in his hands, actively contending for the +faith. That such might not improbably be the issue of the enterprise, John +Yeardley himself believed; but it is doubtful if he correctly estimated +the arduous nature of the journey. It would have been a bold undertaking +in the vigor of his days: at his time of life, and with his declining +strength, it was, humanly speaking, impossible that he should accomplish +nearly all he had in view. + +His Diary unfolds his spiritual exercises and his natural feelings in the +prospect before him. + + +3 _mo_. 17.--The last two months have been to me an awful time of +deep conflict of spirit, arising out of a prospect of a religious visit to +some places in Asiatic Turkey, and parts adjacent. I do not know when I +have had more conflict to arrive at a clear pointing. I prayed earnestly +and waited long for that clear pointing of Divine Wisdom, without which I +can never move in concerns of this importance. In the end, I am thankful +to say, the cloud was removed and the sun stone with brightness, and no +longer was my poor tried mind left in doubt as to the line of religions +duty; and before mentioning it to any one, I communicated it to the +Monthly Meeting in the Second Month. Much unity and sympathy were +expressed, and the certificate ordered. It is now signed, and is a sweet +document, short and explicit. + +I see and deeply feel the perils and sufferings which await me, in +venturing on untrodden ground, as it regards any minister of our Society, +and to such a distance, and among, for the most part, an unbelieving +people. But I can and do look forward in calm confidence, trusting, as I +have ever done, in the aid and protecting care of my Heavenly Father, +whose cause I desire to serve, and whose will I wish above all other +things to do. My earthly career can never end better than in the work of +my Divine Master; and should it be his will to terminate my life in the +Arab tent, I shall have more consolation there than in an English home +under the stinging sense of a dereliction of my religious duty. + +I am giving all my leisure hours to learn something of the Turkish +language, for travelling purposes, and for a little social intercourse. +Ever since this concern fastened on my mind, it has been connected with +having the company of my young friend from the South of France, Jules +Paradon. + +May the Lord grant me resignation, faith, grace, and strength to do his +holy will; and then, whether it end in life or death, his great name shall +be praised. This testimony I record in gratitude and love to the mercy of +my God. Amen. + + +Before leaving England, he paid a visit to Staines. + + +4 _mo._ 20.--I went down to Staines, and spent two weeks with +Margaret Pope, which sojourn proved a strength and comfort to me. This +dear friend is a succorer of many, and, I can truly say, of me in +particular. We had several pleasant drives, and made friendly visits to +the neighboring meetings and Friends. I also applied pretty diligently to +the Turkish language. + + +Amply provided, by the kindness of many friends, with whatever could +administer to his wants or ease the roughness of Eastern travel, John +Yeardley left his home on the 15th of the Sixth Month. He arrived at +Nismes on the 17th, and was joined there by Jules Paradon. His Diary +supplies some notes of the voyage to Constantinople. + + +23_rd_.--Malta. Here we arrived at 4 o'clock this morning, after a +favorable passage; thanks to the Preserver of our lives; great is his +mercy and his love. My heart is filled with deep thoughtfulness, and I am +very anxious to procure an interpreter, either at Smyrna or +Constantinople. My faith is weak, but I trust the Lord will provide. + +On descending the lower deck adjoining: the large saloon, I found my +faithful companion in calm but very earnest conversation with the +commissary of the ship and a passenger of respectability, the Spanish +consul of Smyrna. They had sifted from Jules the object of our journey, +and when they found it connected with a religious mission, they both +attacked him earnestly and showed themselves really opposed to the truth. +But my young friend stood his ground well, and maintained the Christian +religion. The opponents were both Romanists. They quieted down before the +close, and treated us respectfully the remainder of the journey; we parted +with them at Smyrna. I am thankful to have in my companion such a defender +of the faith. + +27_th_.--We arrived at Smyrna this morning, and in order to meet some +of our Christian friends to whom we had letters of recommendation, we met +them after their worship. Edward Van Lennep, the Dutch consul, and his +brother Charles, the Swedish consul, received us with great kindness and +cordiality through the letters from one of our Members of Parliament. It +was very sweet to find these two brothers so imbued with religious +feeling; they gave their hearts to help us in our prospect. + + +On the 30th John Yeardley and his companion landed at Constantinople; they +found the heat and noise of the city very oppressive. + + +The people in the streets, says John Yeardley, are numerous beyond all +description; thousands, and tens of thousands, standing, sitting, running, +following, or pushing one against the other, talking and shouting in the +ceaseless noise of the Armenian, Turkish, Greek, Syriac, Italian, French +and English languages. The services of my dear Jules are most valuable: he +makes his way with every one through his earnest kindness to serve the +good cause. + +When passing through the islands, he adds, the prospect was extremely +beautiful; but my mind was always anxious in the prospect of the long +journey before us; but the mercy of my God is great, and deeply humbles me +in thankfulness for his goodness.--(_Letter of_ 7 _mo_. 4.) + + +Very soon after their arrival, walking several hours in the heat of the +day, John Yeardley had a slight attack of sun-stroke. The effect appeared +quickly to pass off, and he was able to perform such religious duty as +opened before him in the city and its immediate neighborhood. + + +_Diary_. 7 _mo_. 4.--We made a call at Bebek: Dr. Hamlin had +gone to the city, but Dr. Dwight received us kindly. These two dear +Christian, friends called on us yesterday. This morning we attended the +meeting in the Armenian chapel, and at half-past 1 we had a full company +in the same meeting-house. They received in a free and brotherly +disposition what I was favored to express in gospel freedom; I concluded +in supplication. A kind and Christian man interpreted with simplicity into +the Turkish language. The morning service was in the Armenian. We have +already had many calls from these loving Christian friends in our hotel. +What a mercy, and how encouraging, to be thus received in gospel by +strangers! + + +Respecting this meeting Jules Paradon says:-- + + +About thirty-five or forty were present. Our dear friend's communication +was short and simple; it breathed love to all. In fact, what he seemed to +have most on his mind in all his public communications was, to show his +hearers how much God loved them in even giving his own Son for them, and +the high privilege we can enjoy in loving him. + + +They went also to Has-Keui, where J.Y. desired to have a meeting with the +girls of the school; but many had left for the vacation, and he was +obliged to give up his intention. + +On the 10th they went to Brusa, in Asia Minor, six hours by steam-vessel +across the Sea of Marmora to Moudania, and six on horseback from Moudania +to Brusa. The land journey was oppressive. A narrow path winds through a +very rugged country; and there is only one halting-place, a guard hut, +where they took a cup of coffee, the only refreshment the inmates had to +offer. John Yeardley suffered much in this day's journey. + +He had two meetings in the Protestant meeting-house at Brusa:-- + + +Both, says Jules Paradon, took place after the usual service, which was +expressly made short. The hearers, to the number of about 120, were +impressed and interested to hear and see our dear friend come from so far +to visit them in the love of the gospel. Twelve or fourteen men came two +evenings to see us at our lodgings; and on both occasions our dear friend +addressed them very sweetly. The heat tried him very much, but he felt +pleased and happy to be helped to sympathize with so many simple, +kind-hearted people. + + +At Demirdash (six miles from Brusa), he had a short religious opportunity +with a few persons. + +On their return to Constantinople, finding that a box of luggage he +expected from London, containing a tent and other equipments, had not +arrived, without which he could not pursue his journey into the interior, +he employed the interval in visiting Isnik, (the ancient Nicomedia,) and +Bargheghik, two places in Asia Minor, not far from the coast. Accordingly +they started early the next day, and reached Isnik late in the evening, +weary and exhausted, having been able to procure very little refreshment +on the way. They proceeded to Bargheghik the day following; John Yeardley +walking about four miles in the middle of the day, with which he was +extremely fatigued. + + +He had a meeting, continues Jules Paradon, late in the evening, which +proved highly interesting. About thirty men and one woman attended. Our +dear friend encouraged and consoled the weak and the afflicted. The next +day we returned to Isnik, having to bear the heat of the sun from +half-past eight till three in the afternoon. We had a meeting the same +afternoon at half-past four, towards the close of which he felt weak, and +seemed to end his address rather abruptly. + + +The fact was, that paralysis had supervened; and on his return the next +day to Constantinople, his bodily and mental strength were seen to be +rapidly diminishing. He still clung, however, to the desire of +accomplishing the object which lay so near his heart, and could not be +satisfied without going to Bebek to consult his missionary friends about +his journey into the interior. Probably they perceived that he was totally +unequal to the effort, and advised him to relinquish it; for on his return +to the city he was induced to abandon the thought of proceeding farther, +and to turn his mind towards home. On the 23rd he said, If after what had +been done he was permitted to go home, it would be a satisfaction.[14] + +On the 26th they embarked for Marseilles. John Yeardley bore the voyage +well, walking on deck every day, but becoming continually weaker. They +arrived at Marseilles on the 4th of the Eighth Month, and passed through +France as rapidly as his state would allow. On the evening of Second-day, +the 9th, he was favored to reach Stamford Hill; and though unable to +speak, he recognized several of his near relatives, and signified his +pleasure in being once more at home. + +He continued to sink until Fifth-day, the 11th, when he quietly breathed +his last, an expression of peace resting on his venerable face. We may +say, with one of his most intimate friends on the Continent, when he heard +of his decease:--"So our beloved friend has been called to enter into his +Lord's joy. Now he will see God, to whom he often used to pray. 'With thee +is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.'" + +His remains were interred at Stoke Newington, on the 18th of the Eighth +Month. + + * * * * * + + +Of the fruits which John Yeardley has bequeathed to us in the history of +his life and Christian experience, none perhaps are of higher value than +his diligent improvement of the talents he possessed and his steady and +persevering pursuit of what he had in view. It is not so much what +abilities a man has that determines his place in society, and the amount +of his influence, as the use which he makes of them. Of this truth John +Yeardley was a striking example. We have heard him say, in one of his +early diaries: "I have clearly seen, for what service I am designed in the +church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of divine +grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main design." +The service to which he was called was the Christian ministry; and, laying +aside every meaner ambition, and indeed every other object, he addressed +himself to preparation for this service as the labor of his life. He +cultivated those habits of mind and body, and confined himself to the +acquisition of those branches of knowledge, which, while they left his +heavenly gift free and unsullied, would best subserve the exercise of it. + +His industry and perseverance were remarkable. In none of his pursuits +were these qualities more conspicuous than in his study of languages. It +cost him, especially, an almost incredible amount of labor to master +French. The slight elementary knowledge of this language which he acquired +at Bentham cannot have given him so much as an insight into it; his +acquaintance with it may be said to date from his visit to Congenies, when +he had reached his fortieth year. Yet, by indefatigable exertion, +maintained during many years, he became able to write and speak it +fluently, though, not correctly, and even to preach without an +interpreter. The difficulty which he encountered in the acquisition of +languages, from the late period of life at which he commenced, was +enhanced by his ignorance of Latin, that best trainer of the youthful +faculties, and by a natural inaptitude for the memory of words. A proof of +the latter occurred when, with his quick-witted wife, he was occupied in +conning over the Italian and Modern Greek Grammars, in preparation for +their journey to the Ionian Islands. The difference in their natural +capacities in this respect is shown in her playful expression; "I got my +lesson in half an hour; while John has been three or four hours over his, +and does not know it yet." + +But although slow in study, he was quick and shrewd in the observation of +actual life. This was apparent in his daily converse; and it may also be +continually traced in his Diary, where, describing those with whom he +became acquainted in his numerous travels, he seizes, on the prominent +feature of their mind or manners, and with a word affixes to each his own +particular mark. Of the hundreds of individuals who rise into view one +after another in the course of these journeys, scarcely two are alike; a +result which is, perhaps, due as much to the pen of the writer, as to the +inherent diversities of the human character. + +To this shrewdness of observation, he added a racy humor which those who +knew him in his hours of relaxation and familiarity will not easily +forget. His mind was stored with quaint and pithy phrases, and apt +illustrations, which he not unfrequently seasoned with his native idiom, +the broad Barnsley dialect. His north-country pronunciation, indeed, never +entirely forsook him; and the singular graft of German which he made upon +it during his residence abroad, caused it to be commonly supposed, by +those who were strangers to his history, that he was a native of Germany. + +The same moral constitution that enabled John Yeardley to pursue his +objects with indomitable perseverance, sometimes betrayed him, as may +easily be imagined, into a tenacity of purpose, bordering upon obstinacy. +To the same strength of will also, acting on the defects incident to a +neglected education in early life, must be attributed those strong +prejudices which were at times to be remarked in him, and of which he +found it extremely difficult to divest himself. But it was the triumph of +grace, that whilst these faults of character and disposition remained for +the most part only as a hidden thorn, the messenger of Satan to buffet +him, the virtues to which they were allied, and all the faculties of his +mind, were consecrated to the service of God and of his fellow-man, and +his whole nature was enlarged, refined and elevated, by the all-powerful +energy of the gospel. + +"Very sweet and instructive are our recollections of the humility of his +walk amongst us, and of the liveliness of his ministry, marked as it was +by much simplicity, love and earnestness." To this testimony of his +Monthly Meeting, all who were accustomed to hear him will readily +subscribe. + +We are able to append some notes of a few of his public testimonies, which +we give as likely to be at once gratifying and instructive to the reader. +The friend to whom we are indebted for them informs us that "the notes +were written immediately after meeting, and are as nearly the words used +as his memory would furnish." He adds, "They bring before the mind's eye +and ear the face and voice of a dear departed friend, and, I believe, a +true and enlightened servant of the Lord." + + * * * * * + + +(8 _mo_, 1850.) + +_Keep thy heart, with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of +life_.--(Proverbs iv. 23.) + +We often are made to feel the force of this truth, when we have been +unwatchful, and some cross occurrence has tried our tempers. How often we +are made to see, and to show before others, what manner of spirit is in +as..... + +Sometimes we are favored with such clear convictions of the worthlessness +of mere worldly possessions and pursuits, and such delightful realizations +of the happiness of seeking to do the Lord's work, that we are ready to +express our astonishment that any human beings can be found so foolish as +to devote their energies to the pursuit of things which never can give +satisfaction, and which must needs perish. And then, perhaps, we are +brought into a state of darkness and despondency, to show us our utter +helplessness and unworthiness, and the need there is for every one of us +to "keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of +life.".... + +Every individual, no doubt, has his own particular path of duty, which is +designed to promote his own best happiness and the well-being of all +mankind. How important for each to follow that path in watchfulness and +obedience, that the work may not be marred! How important to keep the +heart with all diligence, that the issues of life may be in accordance +with divine will! + + * * * * * + + +(9 _mo_. 1, 1850.) + +_Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the +Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty_.--(2 Chronicles +xxxi. 10.) + +These words have been impressed upon my mind this morning, and I have +thought they were instructive, in a spiritual sense. I believe, if we were +more earnest in bringing offerings into the house of the Lord--if each one +of us was more diligent in contributing his share, and doing his part of +the Lord's business,--we should have less anxiety about worldly things; we +should have faith in the Lord's providence, and, not only spiritually, but +naturally also, we should have "enough to eat and plenty left." + + * * * * * + + +(11 _mo_. 24, 1850.) + +In looking at the world around, we may be apt to think that the day is +very far off when the Lord's kingdom, shall be established in peace: but +to those who, through the regenerating power of Christ, have become +subjects of the Prince of Peace, that day has commenced already; and +whatever storms may rage without, they will experience peace within. For +"he will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are staid on him, because +they trust in him." + + * * * * * + + +(9 _mo_. 19, 1852.) + +John Yeardley addressed the children with much feeling, telling them to +rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ways--to let him carry them in +his bosom, and to run to him in danger or trouble, as they would to their +tender mothers. + + * * * * * + + +You sometimes are restless in these meetings, not knowing how to keep your +thoughts fixed on heavenly things, and perplexed for want of some visible +means of instruction. I believe your tender Saviour may often feed you, +even while in this state, with food convenient for you. But remember, dear +children, that he is always calling to every one of you, Come unto Me. +Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not. O! come to +him, my precious lambs, and he will feed you, and "lead you beside the +still waters, and make you lie down in green pastures." + + * * * * * + + +(12 _mo_. 8, 1854 At a Funeral.) + +_And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs +and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, +and sorrow and sighing shall flee away._--(Isa. xxxv. 10.) + +In the pain of parting with the beloved object of our heart's affection, +we forget the rejoicing which welcomes the ransomed spirit to its +everlasting rest. But when the time is come for the Lord to pour in the +healing balm into the sorrowing soul, then we find a little comfort. .... + +"Watchman! what of the night? Watchman! what of the night? The watchman +said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire +ye: return; come." There are many in this company in the morning of life, +enjoying the prospect of many days, and forming many plans for the future, +with all the ardor of their youthful minds. May the present occasion prove +the morning of their spiritual day; and may they remember that the +_night cometh as well as the morning_. + +How thin is the partition which separates the present state from that of +eternity! We mourn over those who are taken away from us, and we fancy we +are left alone. But we are called to be _one in Christ_. I have great +faith in the communion of saints, in the union of saints on earth with +saints in heaven. And we are all called to be saints by walking in faith, +by leading a life of holiness in the fear of the Lord. We say our beloved +friends who have gone before us are dead. _They are not dead: they have +but just entered into life._ Let us not mourn, then, as those who have no +hope. Let us rather rejoice with them and for them, and so live that we +may be among the ransomed of the Lord, who shall return and come to Zion +with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing +shall flee away. + +THE END. + +[Footnote 1: +The memorandum here referred to is in the Diary, under date of the 18th of +the Sixth Month.] + +[Footnote 2: +Life of B. Grubb, 2nd ed., p. 219.] + +[Footnote 3: +The introduction was made by Thomas Shillitoe, at the time of the Yearly +Meeting. He said to M.S., "Let me introduce thy brother to thee." +"_Brother_!" she exclaimed, with surprise. "Yes," answered the good +old man; "all who have been on the Continent are brothers and sisters."] + +[Footnote 4: +Pastor Fliedner has since become more extensively known by the institution +for Deaconesses which he has founded at Kaiserswerth, where, with many +other useful and exemplary women, Florence Nightingale was trained. +Kaiserwerth has become the parent of several other kindred institutions.] + +[Footnote 5: +This is one of the earliest burial-grounds which belonged to Friends. Over +the gateway was a curious inscription on brass, now removed to Barnsley. +It is as follows: + +"Anno Domini 1657. Though superstitious minds doe judge amisse of this +buriall plane, yet lett them know hereby that the Scripture saith, The +earth, it is the Lord's. And I say soe is this, therefore seeing we, and +by his people also sett apart for the churches use, or a buriall place, it +is holy, or convenient and good for that use and service, as every other +earth is. And it is not without Scripture warrant or example of the holy +men of God to burie in snoh a place; for Joshua, a servant of the Lord and +commander in chiefe or leader and ruler of the people of God when he died +was neither buried in a steeple-house now called a parish church, nor in a +steeple-house-yeard, but he was buried in the border of his inheritance, +and on the north side of Mount Gaash, as you may read; see Joshua, the +24th chapter, and the 29th and 30th verses. And Eleazer, Aaron's son, who +was called of the Lord, when he died, (they buried him not in a parish +house, nor a steeple-house yeard, but) they buried him in the hill of +Phinehas, his son, which was given him in Mount Ephraim, as you may read, +Joshua, the 24th, the 33rd v. And these were noe superstitious persons, +but beloved, of the Lord, and were well buried. And soe were they In +Abraham's bought field, Genesis, the 23rd chapter, the 17, 18, 19, and 20 +verses: though superstitious minds now are unwilling unto the truth to +bow, who are offended at such as burie in their inheritance or bought +field, appointed for that use."] + +[Footnote 6: +This young person, under the name of Amanda, is the subject of No. 7 of a +series of small tracts published by John Yeardley in the latter years of +his life.] + +[Footnote 7: +She brought an affectionate epistle from M.A. Calame. The felicity of +style and beauty of penmanship which distinguished the letters of this +extraordinary woman agreed with the rest of her character. We have the +epistle in question now before us, exquisitely written. It ends with these +words;-- + +"Il nous eut ete bien doux de prononger les moments de la voir encore, +mais la sagesse demande que tout se fasse avec ordre; voila pourquoi notre +chere enfant vous est confiee plus tot; que le seigneur l'accompagne et +vous aussi, precieux amis; nous vous confions tous trois a la garde +divine, et nous vous assurons encore ici de l'affection Chretienne qui +unit nos ames aux votres en Celui qui est le lieu indissoluble. + +M. A. Calame." + +Locle, 24 du 9 mois, '33.] + +[Footnote 8: +We believe Joseph John Gurney is here referred to.] + +[Footnote 9: +See _The Widow's Mite_, No. 5 of J.Y.'s Series of Tracts.] + +[Footnote 10: +The visits of J. and M.Y. to Kreuznach, in this journey, form the subject +of No. 8 of John Yeardley's Series of Tracts, _The German Farmer become +Preacher._ We extract from it the following more particular description +of their visit to the three villages mentioned in the text:-- + +"We started on a bright, hot sunny morning; and a pleasant drive, through +the vines and under the agreeable shade of double rows of fruit trees, +brought us to the place of destination. At the first farmhouse where we +alighted the people were busy at their out-door work, which, however, on +hearing of the arrival of strangers, they soon left, and came to welcome +the travellers with outstretched hand and smiling countenances. They soon +gave proof of their hospitality, by ordering us to be served with fruit, +milk, and butter-bread, nor were we allowed to depart before partaking of +a cup of coffee. The master of the house was an intelligent, pious man, +and gave us much information as to the state of religion among the people. +After wending our way from village to village and from house to house, we +returned to our lodgings, favorably impressed with the piety and apparent +sincerity of this simplehearted people."] + +[Footnote 11: +The history of this worthy man is given in the Tract mentioned in the last +note, _The German Farmer_, &c.] + +[Footnote 12: +See John Yeardley's Tract, No. 5, _The Widow's Mite cast into the +Heavenly Treasury._] + +[Footnote 13: +or a fuller description of this visit, see J.Y.'s Tract, _The German +Farmer_, &c.] + +[Footnote 14: +After his return, a letter was received from one of the missionaries at +Constantinople, expressive of the pleasure which his visit had given +there, the regret of the writer that age and fatigue prevented him from +pursuing his journey to the more remote stations, and the cordial welcome +which "such Christian friends of any denomination" might always reckon +upon from the missionary brethren.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, +Minister of the Gospel, by John Yeardley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN YEARDLEY *** + +***** This file should be named 10369.txt or 10369.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/6/10369/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Sheila Vogtmann and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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