EARLHAM COLLEGE LIBRARY ***** Class J^o. Book... Books for General Reading due within two weeks. Books for Reference due morning of succeeding day. 'Y^LIE-^IMWlEl^SlIinf' ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE MEMOIR AND DIARY JOHN YEARDLEY, pnister 0f t\i (§m^tl EDITED BY CHARLES TYLOE. " Should time with me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that lore for mankind which believes 'every nation to be our nation, and every man our brother.'" — Diary of J. Teardleg. See p. 82. PHILADELPHIA: HENRY LONGSTRBTH, 1336 CHESTNUT STREET. 1860. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. FROM JOHN YEARDLEY S CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY, 1803-15. PAGE Birth and occupation 1 Joseph Wood, of Newhouse.. 2 Anecdote of Thomas Yeard- ley 4 John Yeardley's conversion... 5 He enters T. D. Walton's linen warehouse 9 Joins the Society of Friends.. 10 PAGB Marriage with Elizabeth Dunn — Uomraencement of his Diary 11 A. Clarke's " Commentary". . . 16 Enters into business on his own account 20 Visit of Sarah Lamley 22 Call to the ministry 23 CHAPTER II. FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN GERMANY IN 1820. First offerings in the minis try 27 Is unsuccessful in business. ... 32 Removes to Bentham 36 His views on the Christian ministry 39 Yisit of Hannah Field, 41 Is recorded a minister 42 Visits Kendal and Lancaster, in company with Joseph Wood 43 Visit to Friends at Barnsley. . 47 Journey to York 50 Letters to Thomas Yeardley. . 51 CHAPTER III. FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820, TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY IN 1822. Prospect of residing in Ger many 55 Visit from John Kirkham .... 56 Liverpool Quarterly Meeting. 59 Public meeting at Wray..-. ... 60 Visit of Ann Jones 65 Journey to Leeds 66 Death of Joseph Wood 68 Illness of Elizabeth Yeardley. 69 Her death 72 John Yeardley goes to Hull . . 75 Extracts from Elizabeth Yeardley's letters 76 Testimony concerning Joseph Wood 78 (iii) IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. , kiS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY, 1822-24. Sails to Hamburg— His lodg ing at Eppendorf. 81 Arrives at Pyrmont 83 Priedensthal 84 Religious service with Tho mas Shillitoe 86 Establishment of the Read ing and Youths' meetings at Pyrmont 86, 91 Mode of bleaching 92 Visiters at the Baths attend Pyrmont meeting 94 J. y. visits Minden and Eidinghausen 99 Plan for helping the Friends of Minden 102 Journey to Leipzig 104 Returns to England 106 CHAPTER V. FROM, HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OP HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825. Mental depression 108 Journey with Elizabeth H. Walker through the Mid land Counties 109 Yearly Meeting 110 Returns to Friedensthal Ill Humiliation 112 Certificate for the South of France 114 Martha Savory's visit to the Continent 115 Journey to Rotterdam 116 CHAPTER VI. HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL John Yeardley and his com panions leave Pyrmont... 120 Visit Elberfeia, Creveldt, MUhlheim, &c 121 Nenwied — the Inspirirten 125 Journey to Berlenburg 126 jLre placed under arrest at Erndebriick : . 127 Set at liberty by the Land- rath of Berlenburg 130 The Old and New Separatists 131 JOURNEY, 1825-26. Gelnhausen and Raneberg... 133 Pforzheim— H. Kienlin 134 Stuttgardt, Basle, &c 135 Zurich — the Uessner family. . 137 Berne 138 Geneva 139 Journey to Congenies 140 Religious service in the South of Prance 142 St. Etienne 143 Return to England 144 CHAPTER VII. HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY, 1826-27. John Yeardley goes into Yorkshire 146 Death of his parents 148 Marriage with Martha Sa vory 149 Biographical notice of Mar tha Savory 150 Letter from Martha Yeard ley 156 J. and M. Y. take up their abode at Burton, near Barnsley 153 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VIII. THB SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. PART I. — GERMANY. PASS J. and M. Y. sail to Rotter dam 162 Minden, &c 163 Journey to the shores of the North Sea 164 Visit to the colonists on the Grodens 166 Frederioks-Oort 170 Frankfort 172 Darmstadt — Diirkheim 173 Stuttgardt 175 Kornthal 176 Wilhelmsdorf 179 CHAPTER IX. THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28. PART II. — SWITZERLAND. SchafFhansen 180 Beuggen 181 Zurich 182 Hofwyl — Geneva — A. Bost. . 184 Lausanne 187 Neufchatel 188 Berne and the neighborhood. 189 Montmirail — Neufch&tel .... 191 Locle — Mary Anne Oalame.. 192 Journey through Prance.... 194 Guernsey — Accident on the water , 195 CHAPTER X. HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1828-33 Illness of Martha Yeardley. . 197 Letter from M. A. Calame.. . 198 Yearly Meeting 199 Letter from Augusts Borel — Public meetings in York- shire 200 Death of James A. Wilson — Journey through the West ern Counties 201 Various religious engage ments , 204 Journey through Wales with Elizabeth Dudley. 205 Visit to Lancashire. .'. 210 Removal to Scarborough.. . . 211 Establishment of a Bible- class at ditto 213 Prospects of a journey to Greece 214 Argyri Climi 216 "Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders , .' "' CHAPTER XL THE TSIRD continental JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE, 1833-34. PART I. — THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA.. , Paris 222 Death of Rachel Waterhouse. 225 Nancy 226 Phalsbourg — Strasburg — Pastor Majors 227 Ban de la Roche 233 Basle 234 Neufchatel 235 Polish Count and Countess. . 236 Geneva 237 Journey through Italy 238 Ancona 239 Letters from Friends in En gland 241 Yl CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. PART n. — GREECE. PAOE Corfu.. 244 Count F. Sardina 246 Santa Maura 250 Wigwam village on the main land 254 Cephaloaia — Zaate 257 Patras— the Gulf of Corinth. 259 Galaxidi— Trying situation. . . 260 Castri (the ancient Delphi) . . 262 Journey to Athens 264 Athens 266 Corinth 268 Detentions — Vostizza 269 Patraa 270 Corfu 271 CHAPTER XIII. THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34. PART III. — THB RETURN FROM GREECE. Letters from John Rowntree and William Allen 272 Ancona 274 Florence 275 The Custom-house — Pied mont. 276 Geneva 278 Lausanne 279 Berne j-. 280 Zurich — Schaffhansen 283 Basle — Death of Thomas Yeardley 284 Death of M. A. Calame 285 Neufch&tel .. ; 287 Return to England — Death of A. B. Savory 288 CHAPTER XIV. PROM THE END OF THB THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1834 TO THB COMMENCEMENT OP THE FOURTH IN 1842. divisions in the Society of Friends 291 Employment of leisure time.. 292 Girls' Lancasterian school at Scarborough 293 Death of Elizabeth Rowntree — Letter from M. Y. to Elizabeth Dudley 295 Visit to Thame ,.... 297 Visit to Lancashire 298 Visits to the Isle of Wight... 300 Death of John Rutter 302 Prospect of revisiting the Continent 303 CHAPTER XV THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1842-43. Amiens 306 Paris 307 Letters from E. Dudley and J. Rowntree 308 Lyons 310 Nismes — Boarding-school for girls 312 Letter from John Rowntree.. 313 Montpelier 314 Lesetgiian 316 Manx 317 Saverdun 319 Toulouse 320 Montauban — Oastres 322 TuUins— Grenoble 324 Geneva 325 Lausanne 326 Neufchatel— Paul P6tavel. . . 32T Locle 328 Berne 329 Basle 330 Carlsrnhe — Frankfort 331 Accident to J. Y.— Vlotho . . 332 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER XVI. ttKUOTAL TO BTAMFOBD-HILL, AND OOHMENOBHBNI OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNBT, 1843-48. BemoTal to Berkhamstead.. . 334 Removal to Stamford^hill .. . 335 Visit to the families of Graeechureh-St. Monthly Meeting; 336 Death of- J. J. Gurney and I. Stickuey. . 337 Prepare for revisiting the Continent ^ . 338 Brussels 340 RVanMaasdyk 341 Charleroi-^Spw.;. ^ Bonn 345 Mannheim, Strasburg. 346 Basle... 34t Berne-^NeufchSrtel 348 Grenoble . ........:;;...;.. 350 Privas— Vals 351 Nismes — Congenies 353 CHAPTER XVII. COMPLETION OF THB FIFTH Letter from J. Y. to John Kitehtrig 355 Elberfeld— MUhlheim 356 Bonn 359 Kreuznaoh— J. A. Ott 361 Mannheim 363 Stuttgardt — Death of Eliza beth Dudley 364 Kornthal 366 Ereuznach 367 Bonn 369 CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1849-50. Beturii home — Resume their - journey 370 Berlin — A. Beyerhaus. 371 Warmb'runn 373 Illness of Martha Yeardley — Toplitz 375 Prague — Translation of tracts into the Bohemian lan guage, 376 Kreuznach — Neuwied 378 CHAPTER XVIIL DEATH OP MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEy'S JOURNEY TO NORWAY, 1851-52. Illness and death of Martha Yeardley 379 J. Y. visits Ireland 382 Prospect of a journey to Norway 383 Homburg— Illness of J. Y. . . 384 Christiana — Christiansand.... 386 Stavanger 389 Excursion up one of the fiords 390 Bergen 394 Meetings at Foedde and other places 395 Obernkirchen 397 CHAPTER XIX. HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA, 1853. Passport — Sails from Hull.. 400 Petersburg 401 Moscow 403 Journey to lekaterinoslav... 404 Kharkov 405 Rybalsk — The German Colo nies 407 The Molokans 413 The Crimea— The Tartars . . 414 A suspicious halting-place — Simpheropol 415 Feodosia 416 Odessa — Constantinople .... 417 Smyrna 419 Syra— Malta 420 Nismes — Bagnferes de Bi- gorre 421 Pialoux 424 V.ll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XX. FROM HIS RETURN FROM EUSSLA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY, 1853-58. Visits Bath 425 The Yearly Meeting— Life of J. J. Gurney 426 Visit to Minden — Religious service in Yorkshire 429 Goes again to Minden 430 Neuveville 431 Paris...... 432 Visit to Bristol and Glouces ter Quarterly Meetings.... 433 Minden 436 Visit to Birmingham, Leices ter, &c 437 Goes to Nismes 438 Visits Chelmsford, &c 441 CHAPTER XXI. LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858. CONCLUDING REMARKS. Religious Mission to Asiatic Turkey .' 443 Voyage to Constantinople. . . 445 Sun-stroke 446 Meetings in the neighborhood of Constantinople 447 Is seized with paralysis, and returns home 449 His death — Remarks on his character 450 Notes of some of his public testimonies 453 MEMOm JOHN YEARDLEY. CHAPTER I. FBOM JOHN TEAEDLET'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 miscon duct 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, in cluding 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, (1) 2 JOSEPH WOOD OF NEWHOUSE. [1802. or Burton, near that town, where the meeting-house then stood. At^ Blacker it was John's business to ride into Barnsley daUy 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 York shire 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 Avould 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 Dews- bury, 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. MT. 17.] VISITS THE YEARDLEY FAMILY. 3 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, re ceived 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' meet ings, 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 hopefal. 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. Grot to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and five o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samiiel 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 concemed in prayer. At the breaking up of the opportunity I had some thing very encouraging to communicate to their son Thomas, who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt very nearly united. 4 ANECDOTE OF THOMAS YEARDLEY. [1803. 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 meet ings, 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 stop, 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 week day 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 High flatts 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 imme diately, 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. MT. 17.] JOHN yeardley's CONVERSION. 5 This evening we had an opportunity with him in my parlor, much to our satisfaction. The language of encou ragement 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 there with. After stopping two nights at my house, he returned home. Joseph Wood did not suff'er 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 tes timony to bear to the deeply-suffering exercised minds from John xvi. 33. Afterwards I had a pretty long time, prin cipally 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 foUowing letter : — 6 LEl'i-tiR FROM JOSEPH WOOD. [1803. 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 Grreat 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 destrov 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 com mands 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 laAvful 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 wi.h 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 MT. 17.] VISIT TO JOSEPH WOOD. 7 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 con cerned 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 8 SPIRITUAL EXERCISE. [1804. him. The manner in which this interesting memo randum concludes is quaint, but it expresses a resolu tion 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 hot 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, 0 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, 0 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 0 1 I have cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affec tion. Great and frequent are the trials and temptations, and narrow is the way wherein we ought to walk; alas! too narrow for many. 0 may I ever be preserved, faithfully pressing forward to the eternal land of rest I MT. 18.] SPIRITUAL EXERCISE. 9 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 stead fast 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 farm ing, which compelled his sons to seek their own means of livelihood. Thomas and John went into Barnsley, where they applied themselves to the linen manufac ture, 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 2 10 call to the MINISTRY. [1808. Yeardley, with whom I had a religious opportunity in which the language of encouragement flowed freely ; I being opened unto them from Luke xii. . 82 ; " 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 follow ing, 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 \)e less generally appre- ciateid. The caU 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 accom panied, 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 tim:e 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 testi monies 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 nis tempta tions, that nothing might hinder our fulfilment of this gift. MT. 22.] MARRIAGE. 11 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 unex pectedly 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 hke him she had partaken in a large degree of the paternal sym pathy and oversight of Joseph Wood. She had been a Methodist, and was oi^e of the first who joined with Friends at Barnsley in the awakening which took place there in- the beginning ofthe century. John Yeardley and his -wife inhabited, on their mar riage, 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 rehgious 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 foUowing lines, with which the manuscript commences : — It may seem a little strange that I should, in my present 12 COMMENCEMENT OF HIS DIARY. [1811. 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 meet ing 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 I'aises in me an infepressible 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 : — 13i/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 MH. 25.] DIARY. 18 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. 17th. — " Create in me a clean heart, 0 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^/). — 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. 0, how shall I render sufficient thankfulness for such a favor, thus to be made once mqre 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 States, 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 de rived 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 hea- 14 DIARY. [1812. venly 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 sufiiciently 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 thoughtful- ness respecting the same, and inwardly solicited that the Father of mercies would lend his divine aid, in the perform ance of such important duties; which I have reason to believe was in some measure answered, for they were gone iET. 26.] MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 15 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 fore part 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 Hberty 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. 0 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 shaU 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 Hfe often form the thinking habits of the man, and supply no small part of the substance, or at any rate the 1^ A. Clarke's commentary. [1812. nucleus, of his knowledge. This shows the vast import ance 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 pre sented 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 under take 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 know ledge 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 Israebtes," 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 Eedeemer him self, 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 MT. 26.] TROUBLES OP THE TIMES. 17 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 pro curing, 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" occa sions 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, belie'ving 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 ia 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 dis tressing fear lest I should not be found coming forward faith fully to answer the end of Him who has created man for the purpose of his o'wti glory. The meetings for the discipHne of the Society were often times of spiritual refreshment to him. 18 YORK QUARTERLY MEETING— DIARY. [1812. 6 mo. 23. — I left home to attend our Quarterly Meeting at York. The meetings for business were generally satisfac tory; on re-examining the answers to the queries, divers very weighty remarks were made. I thought the two meet ings 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 tf 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. 29ih and 30ih. — 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 a;nd 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, feel ing very desirous to enjoy that within myself which I so much admire in others. MT. 26.] INTELLECTUAL THIRST. 19 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. 25th. — 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 mani fested for the welfare of his people, in saying, " Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a re proach." 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 foUowing 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 can not be slaked but at the fountain of knowledge. At the same time he was sensitively ahve 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 particu larly 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 concems of life, otherwise it is apt to range at large in a boundless 20 THOUGHTS ON ENTERING INTO BUSINESS. [1813. 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 ara not altogether a stranger to the value oi 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 in tellectual attainment, in the humble hope that I may be pre served 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 !" -'s'- 6 mo. 27. — The thoughts which he put into writing under this date seem to have been occasioned by enter ing 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 heav enly 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 hia MT. 28.] DIARY. 21 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 morn ing, under a prevailing desire that my gracious Father may not permit me to remain as in the prison-house of worldly affairs, lest I die my spiritual death there. We shaU 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 21st 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 renders me unable to cope with the 22 VISITS FROM MINISTERING FRIENDS. [1814. world, and even unfits me for properly seeking after the assistance of my Maker. 0, may He who sees my weak ness 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 aU the above-named, the visit of Sarah Lamley and Ann Fairbank was for him by far the most memo rable, 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 weU 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 ^T. 28.] CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 28 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 vine yard 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 ! 81st. — ^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 con clusion 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 detri ment 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 24 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. [1814 my mind, that if ever a like concern should come to be ma tured, 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 i! would come with such weight on my spirit, that I could no1v,^void shedding tears, and acknowledging the power which accompanied the revival of so important a mat ter ; and was led to query. If there is no real intention of a heavenly nature, why am I thus harassed ? and 0 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 dis tance, 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 concu.rring 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 hand maids, 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 oppor tunity 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 T had MT. 28.] CALL TO THE MINISTRY. . 25 no doubt at all but that she was favored with a clear and full 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 spokes man. 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 whatso ever he may command." Methinks I still hear her voice, saying, "And 0 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 0 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 atten tion 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 some times 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. 3 26 SPIRITUAL FRUIT FROM THE GAEDEN. [1814. 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 aU his life very fond of the occu-. pations 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 cul tivation 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 ,felidty, 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 foUow describe his first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting manner. 1 mo. 5. — The subject of the prophet's going do'wn 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 iu 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 (27) 28 FIRST OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. [1815. 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, feeHng 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 inti mation 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 be came 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 .ET. 29.] FIRST OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. 29 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 sub mission 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 sympa thized 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 !" l&th. — Death and darkness are still the covering of my poor mind, and I am ashamed to acknowledge that I have for 80 DIARY. [1815. months past sat meeting after meeting a victim to the bane ful 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 sacri ficed through the sorrowful act of disobedience ! 0 may I sit as in dust and ashes, and, with the noble resignation and spirit of a true, dedicated follower, say, I will patiently bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him I 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. During 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 exer cised 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." 0, 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 Hira 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 matter which is the subject of the next extract embodies a difficulty that has perplexed many. MT. 19.] INWARD AND OUTWARD TRIALS. 81 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 re member, He who has his way in the whirlwind knows what is best for us ; and were it not for these incitements to an exer cise 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. 82 INWARD AND OUTWARD TRIALS. [1816. 16th. — In reading and retireraent 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 teraporal crosses have also been glanced at; they consisted mainly of Avant of success in business, in which, indeed, he was little fitted to excel, under the keen com petition 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 0 what a privilege to sink down to the anchor-hope of di vine 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 raind. 0, 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 spir itual blessing under the guise of temporal adversity. 7tk — 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 MT. 30.] DIARY. 83 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 Eedeemer's countenance to shine upon thee ? In the meeting this morning, he continues, my mind was profitably exercised in contemplating the foUo'wing 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 tirae ; 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 righteous ness ; 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 ? 9th. — 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 peti tion which I have frequently put up iu the most fervent manner I have been capable of, when deeply lamenting my unsubjected will ; I have even cried out aloud, " 0 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 meraorial. After this he was led for a while by the Good Shep herd into the green pastures and beside the stiU waters. 84 EARLY OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. [1816. 1st mo. 15. — Our Monthly Meeting at Wakefield, and a heavenly meeting it was. 29th. — 1 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 remerabrance. 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 some times obstructed the performance of his duty. 8 mo. 20. — Joseph Wood had a public meeting at Pilley. I felt something on ray spirit to coramunicate to the people in the early part, but thinking the meeting was not suffi ciently 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 sorae present were in of trifling away the reproofs of conviction, that I could not forbear reviving the language which was proclairaed to the Prophet Jonah, when he had fled from the presence of the Lord and was fallen asleep in the ship, " What meanest thou, 0 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 Bweet to ray taste. ,^T. 80.] EARLY OFFERINGS IN THE MINISTRY. 85 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 ray natural inclination. And so it proved ; for I had not sat long, before I was made willing to express what rested weightily on ray 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 ray mind for two or three meetings past, in which I had felt pretty sraartly the rod which is held over the head of the disobedient. In this instance, huraan 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 ray heart : I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel ; therefore hear the word at ray mouth, and give them warning from me. O what an important charge! May I duly consider the weight of it, and so watch over mj 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 Al mighty, 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 yemarkable meeting held by Joseph Wood, in which they were made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 86 CONTEMPLATES A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE. [1817- 4 mo. 29. — I attended another public meeting appointed by J. W. at Middletown, about ten railes from here. When I entered the town I felt very fiat, 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 in the truth; for it was as if heaven opened, and the Most High poured down his blessed Spirit in an unbounded degree. AU this time his business affairs went on more and more adversely; and although he never failed punc tually 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 Eed Sea could have supported me. And 0, should he ever loose my bands, that I may serve Him freely, may I never forget the many ¦ covenants made with Him who has so often heard and ans-wered 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 miU at Bentham, which was then or had lately been the MT. 81.] LETTER TO HIS WIFE. 37 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 rae to say much on our impending prospect of leaving Barnsley; but since then this very iraportant subject has obtained ray raost serious and weighty consideration, and I am now free to communicate to thee ray feelings, in order that thou mayest weigh them duly and compare thera with thy own while we are separated. In the first place, in taking such a step, we raust be reconciled to sacrifice our present corafortable horae, 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 wisdora, I trust I shall be relieved frora the oppressive feeling, and in a short time see my way clear. On the other hand, if this change takes place, we have a proba bility of a comfortable living, and of being relieved frora the extrerae anxiety attendant on trade, when the whole respon sibility rests on our own shoulders. H. E. [one of the firm who had offered to employ him] seemed rather desirous for rae 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 38 REMOVAL TO BENTHAM. [1817. way, which might be useful to my health after being confined in the warehouse, and much nearer to the meeting. It is a very sraall meeting indeed ; there are only about tjf o female Friends ; but, should we be in the right place, the smallness of the nuraber 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 an other, 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 good ness of a gracious Eedeemer. This memorandum was made a few days after the occurrence to which it refers, on his return from Settle Monthly Meeting, and is accompanied by the record of a fresh unfolding to his mental eye of the need of gospel laborers, and of his own vocation to the work. MT. 31.] ON THE NATURE OF THE MINISTRY. 89 In my return I had rather an unusual opening into the state of society, and the great want of laborers therein ; and querying jyith 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. 0 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 caUing and exercise of the ministry. From this, and from the whole tenor of what has been extracted fr'om the Diary, will be seen in what his ministry con sisted, 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 dis posed to reduce this heavenly gift to a mere effort of Christian gobd-wiU, or to consider the exercise of it as placed, whether in regard to time or subject, at the dis posal of the minister. It will be observed- how John Yeardley, in after life so abundant in word and doctrine, and so cathoHc 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 m^. 26. — I have been very much instructed to-day in reading and reflecting on the 87th chapter of Ezekiel. When the prophet was asked if the dry bones could live, he was wise enough cautiously to answer, "0 Lord God, thou knowest;" but when he was commanded to prophesy unto them, and say, "0 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 40 ON LEAVING BARNSLEY. [1818. do it. 0 what an instructive lesson ! When the poor in struments 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 coramanded." John Yeardley did not take his actual fareweU 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 lea'ving 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 ara to relate, he so answered my request that I could leave the place to which I had been so long attached without a sigh. T have no doubt my reraoval without consulting raore of my friends, will appear strange to many. This I could neyer 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 ray 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 ^T. 32.] VISIT FBOM HANNAH FIELD. 41 few intimate friends. We are too apt to get our thoughts dis sipated, and thus our conversation becomes less seasoned with grace than it wordd 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 : — 15lh. — 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 raanner. Although she was an entire stranger, she spoke so pointedly to my state of mind, and expressed the reward of faithfulness in such encouraging terras, that my feel ings 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 in terview described above, it is interesting as the reminis cence of a remarkable woraan. 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 inforraing her of the state of the raeeting. Her discourse began with the parable of the Ten Yirgins, 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 Meet- 4 42 IS RECORDED AS A MINISTER. [1818. ing from which he had recently removed, that of Ponte fract, 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, \yithout 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 rehgious service before the joint meeting. John Yeardley remarks on this act of his late Monthly Meeting : — The concurrence of my friends with my sraall offerings cannot but feel comfortable and encouraging to a poor timor ous creature like rae ; but the awful consideration of ranking among the servants who speak in the Lord's name hurables me to the dust. Surely those who are designed to minister before the Lord in his holy teraple ought to bear the in scription 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. .ET. 32.] VISIT FROM JOSEPH WOOD. 43 In ¦ the Sixth Month he joined Joseph Wood and WiUiam Midgley of Rochdale, in visiting some neigh boring 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 ac count 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 wiU find it interesting in several respects. 1818. 6 mo. 10. — Eeached my beloved friend John Yeard ley'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 raany 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 had 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, so 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 solem nity mercifully overshadowed us, whereby the minds of many were prepared to receive what the Lord was plfeased instru- mentally to communicate to the many different states ; and 0 that they may individually profit thereby I for sure it was a time of favor unto many. I had a very long testimony to bear therein, first from Isaiah Iviii. 1, 2. John Yeardley held a pretty long time next, from John ii. 4. I next, from 1 Cor. xiv. 19.. 44 VISIT TO KENDAL. [1818. 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 plea sant ride thither, down a beautiful valley, through which the river Wenning runs ; had on our right hand a fine 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 con siderable 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 gos pel ; 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 'v^as concemed 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 Parliaraent being dissolved, and a new election of members about to take place ; and there being an oppostion 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 Thoraas 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 becoraing manner. On the 14th we attended their meetings in Kendal. The MT. 32.] AND L.iNCASTER. 45 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 : " 0 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 raany who were afar offj 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. Af terwards 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 tirae he was in those parts ; he really appears endowed with astonishing powers. The same letter affords a glimpse of the social posi tion 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 arausing kind, and leisure to meditate on the 46 BENTHAM. [181&. one thing needful, which is to fit us for that place to which we are fast hastening : — ' For wlio tlie longest lease enjoy Have told us with a sigh, That to be horn seems little more Than to begin to die." (13«A 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 overpa.st. 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 vaj 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 reflec tions 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. — 0 what a stripping time have I had since I wrote last ! My pen would fail to set forth the inward deser- MT. 83.] ON THE MINISTRY. 47 tion 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 seeras 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, 0 may it be in praying, trusting and believing in my Eedeeraer'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, apprehend ing himself required to pay a rehgious visit to the fa mUies of Friends in Barnsley, he consulted Joseph Wood on the subject, who encouraged him "not to be afraid to pursue" ihe path which had been opened before him. In relation to this prospect of service, J. Y. has the fol lowing 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 ia which his servants can minister so as to reach the witness in the hearts of his chil dren. 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 coun terpart 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 48 VISIT TO BARNSLEY [1819. 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 ex pressing 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 eneray was trodden under foot, and not a fear was suffered to approach. What conde scending 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 lus Diary. 13i!/t. — The evening before T set off, I was earnestly engaged in supplicating for divine protection both inward and out ward ; 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 w.ords were as if spoken distinctly in ray outward ears : " A hair of thy head shall not be hurt." In the confidence of this promise I went forth, and found it mercifully raade good ; for though I was overturned in the mai? 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 Httle proceed ings among my friends in this place, I have sometimes been baptized for the dead, whUe at other times I have been made to rejoice in the resurrection of life : I hope this is a language my friends wiU understand." After this he preaehed to them on the case of Nicodemus, MT. 33.] VISIT TO BARNSLEY. 49 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 wiU 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 occur rence, he has the foUowing reflections : — "The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom ; but we preach Christ crucified." I am like the two forraer, 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 soraetiraes asking 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 had some rehgious 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. 50 JOURNEY TO YORK. [1819. 9 ma. 15.— I feel exceedingly discouraged at my own obsti nacy in not keeping more humble, watchful, and attentive to the inward monitor. I am sensible loss is sustained in a religious sense by giving way too much to an airy dispo sition. 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. 0, 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 glo rious light of the sun begins mercifully to verge frora under the cloud, 0, may I never, never forget the sacred covenant made in the days of my deep distress, that if the Lord would loosen raj"- bonds, then would I serve hira freely. 25th. — I went to Thornton to E. W.'s, and next day to Lothersdale Meeting, accompanied by D. W. and some other part of E. W.'s family. The forepart of that meeting was very trying, at which I did not wonder, if we might judge frora a previous feeling ; for ever since the prospect of this little visit presented to ray 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 comraanded them to take neither purse nor scrip ; and that if this state of poverty of spirit was any badge of dis- cipleship, sorae of us might claim to wear it. The language of the weeping prophet came also before me — " 0 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 seeraed to go forth, of " Mary, the Master is come, and calleth for thee." I went from thence to the Quarterly Meeting at York MT. 34.] LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. 51 which was thinly attended. The meeting for worship seemed a cloudy season ; however a little raatter impressed my mind which I was thankful in being enabled to get rid oi] though hard to flesh and blood, it being the first time my voice has been heard in this Quarterly Meeting in ministry. The raeet ing 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 con tains 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 ; receiv^ 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 untU 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 tbat awakened principle in thee which, as in many others, may have been held too long in captivity through the predomi- 52 LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. [1820. nance 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 espe cially 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 pre servation of his honor and of his spiritual life and use fulness. 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 pre sent situation. I do hope thou wilt not lose sight of the object thou hast now in view, to get relieved in sorae 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 whora 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 de signed 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 MT. 34.] LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. 53 serve him faithfully. Surely, He who cares for the sparrows will not suffer ms 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, accordhig 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. 0 ! had it not been for the preserving hand of my gracious Eedeemer, 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 irapression to pass away disre garded, 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 raan of business, who thinks himself created to pursue the things of tirae 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 fpr the best, and may bring the double reward of peace. If thou attendest to that directing Hand which has 54 VISIT TO A SICK PERSON. [1820. 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 best, 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 thera : 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 thera ;" 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 b6 insinuated to thee that thou art not of this chosen race, let me tell thee, we becorae 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 : " Afaiction cometh not forth of»the dust." On my return home, I could not but reflect on the neces sity 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 continu ally going up and down doing good. CHAPTER III. FROM HIS COMMISSION TO BESIDE 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 shaU develop as fully as we are able the motives by which he was in duced 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 especiaUy 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 locaHty to which his mind was attracted is first indicated. (55) 56 DREAMS. [1820. " 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 regarded rather as the continuation or echo of his waking thoughts than as their original source, but for the deep importance which John Yeardley himself at tached 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 locaHty 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 goover 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 York shire. 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 about 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 MT. 34.] COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD. 57 if I were not deceived in ray vision he should be led to speak on the subject. He said eraphatically, " We cannot be faith ful 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 re quest. 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 an 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 soraething involuntarily entered my mind like this, I will make thee a preacher of righteous ness to raany 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 com munes 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 raorning, 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 fre quently and so involuntarily revolved on the subject that I begin to be very jealous over thera, and to query whether it is the workings of self imaginations. If this is the case, 0 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 5 58 PROSPECT OF SERVICE ABROAD. [1820. do in spirit. It seems as if my spiritual eye saw in those parts what we raay call a seed (the seed of the kingdom sown in the heart) that wants to take root downwards and spring upwards, but which is alraost choked with the tares of super stition. Are there not scattered up and down in , raany whose souls are verging frora under the clouds of thick dark ness, 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 raust look for the perfection of their salvation. Should there be anything of the right savor in my heart concerning this matter, I hurably 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 coramand I raay be enabled to obey. A very instructive time at raeeting. The subject above- mentioned glanced in my view, and with it the never-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 immedi ately 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 raay be said of others to whom I may apprehend rayself called. It all revolves on this single and important point, — What is the divine will concerning me ? If I can only know this and ara enabled to do it, all will be well. In the Autumn he attended Liverpool Quarterly Meeting, an occasion which was one of the most memo- MT. 34.] LIVERPOOL QUARTERLY MEETING. 59 rable seasons of his Hfe. His narrative of it is very characteristic: — 9 mo. 19. — My dear wife and I left horae to attend Liverpool Quarterly Meeting. Through raercy wc arrived safe there, but I, as usual when from horae, felt very Igw 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 circum-'- stances 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 desir ous, if ray being there was in right wisdora, soraething might turn up to convince me that I had not done wrong in lea'ving 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. Jn the early part of the meeting my raind was engaged in meditating on — i "God will enlarge Japhet and dwell in the tents of Shera," and so it proved. The silence was broken by W. Hicks with these words : " Great raen are not always wise, neither do the ancients understand wisdom." Others present were much favored, and the meeting ended in heavenly har mony. After it was over I found to my surprise and joy, my brother and sister frora Barnsley, whora I had expected to corae to Benthara to accorapany us to Liverpool, and their not coming to Bentham first was one pf the causes which had discouraged rae in leaving home ; for I once had concluded, in my wavering, to leave ray going for their deterraination, thinking if they carae it would be the means of getting rae 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 60 LIVERPOOL QUARTERLY MEETING. [1820; 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 flrst 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 nie 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 Hira who had called them to his footstool, and crowned them with his presence. Huldah Sears and Mary Watson "Were also touch 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 after wards M. E. appeared a long time in supplication, and then fi. 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 Gdd of the whole earth, that he would be pleased to continue the blessing which he had already con descended to pour down on our heads. This is a most a-vrflii act of worship : I trust the intimation to it was attended trith proper weightiness of spirit. MT. 84.] PUBLIC MEETING AT WRAY. ,61 This meeting was a remarkable season, and is thus described in Joseph Wood's journal : — JBentham, 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 Wen ington 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 de serving, of comraendation. The Lord's presence eminently crowned the assembly, and the truths of the gospel were largely and li'vingly 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 solera ¦ nity 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. Jaraes Harrison next, from Matt. xiii. 44, John Yeardley was next concerned in prayer. The raeeting held about two hours and a half 21st. — About the raiddle of the day ray corapanion (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 Eussell, and Eraraa Hodgson, accompanying us. Emma Hodgson is the daughter of a clergyman of Eoch- dale : 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 de- 62 ¦ DIARY. [1820. clared 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 rauch 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 sorae others. 0, 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 asserablies. 12 mo. 7. — Query. What is the most likely means for me to adopt to approach nearer to holiness? Ansiver. To spend more tirae in retirement silently to wait upon God. The more conversant I am with hira, the raore 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 acquaint ance we cultivate with hira, 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 ghmpse of the glorious caUing of the Gospel minister, he breaks forth in the following strain : — If I ara arabitious in anything on earth, it is to be emi nently 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 understand ing' heart." I trust I can say in the deepest sincerity that I could renounce, if they were in ray 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. -SIT. 34.] ILLNESS OF HIS -WIFE. 63 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 caU to visit Germany. The same diary sup- pHes 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 re- cei'ving the impression of the stamp put upon it, so also are our minds only capable of receiving irapressions 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 insig nificant 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 EHzabeth Yeardley was suddenly prostrated by an alarming attack of iUness, 64 ON THE MINISTRY. [1820. from which, however, she soon rallied, though she never entirely regained her previous state of health. Possibly her husband alludes to this afiiictive 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 eff'ectual gospel min istry, 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 re marks 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 reraarka ble success on others; and a great diligence in prayer and strict watchfulness over my own soul previous to any re markable and habitual enlargement in my ministry; and deep humiliation raust precede both." 1821. — The first entry in the diary of this year turns upon the ever-present subject of his going abroad, and MT. 35.] SELF-EXAMINATION. 65 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 seeras rather to increase than otherwise. How it may terminate, or the time when to move, is yet uncertain to me. 0, 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 raany 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. 0 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 rehgious inission. Ann Jones had much service, both in public and private. What she had to declare to John Yeardley in particular was very remarkable, and 66 JOURNEY TO LEEDS. [1821. 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 hurabled before I could be raade willing to raention 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 raight 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 horae on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the Fells. There fell rauch 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 MT. 35.] NEWTON— LOTHERSDALE — SKIPTON. 67 not a house near. Simple as this raay appear to some, I could not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was thanliful. At Newton, where I expected to raeet 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 ray 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 faraily. This was a precious season, and it felt doubly so from our having been on the barren mountains, both lite rally and spiritually. I went next raorning, accompanied by D. W.. to Lothers dale. This was also a good meeting : I had reason to believe the God whora I was endeavoring to serve had ansvvered 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 raeeting at five o'clock. Before we came there I felt such a sense of poverty that it seemed aa if my spiritual life was going to be taken frora me ; and even when I got to meeting, the same feeling remained, which in troduced 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 rea soner 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 raorning, 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 faraily I had something given to me to minister. 68 DEATH OF JOSEPH WOOD. [1821. From Addingham they went to the Quarterly Meet ing at Leeds, where John Yeardley received inteUigence 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 cof&n in tears, saying in spirit. If it be thy mantle I ara designed to wear, raay I re ceive it with humility, reverenee 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 assurae a serious form. A short memorandum from her hand discloses in a touching manner her state, both physical and spiritual. 3 mo. 29. — " Eegard 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 fijrst direct allusion to anxiety on. her account JET 85.] ILLNESS. 69 which appears in her husband's diary bears date the Sth 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 stiU con tinually directed. In a letter to Thomas Yeardley, of the 'Ist of the Ninth Month, he says, "Such is my stubborn wiU that I am not to be effectually pleaded with, until I am brought down into the valley of Jehosha- phat, or judgment." His wife, who was too ill to leave her chamber, has a memoranduiri respecting her hus band's iUness, 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 hira to ease once raore. Yesterday (raay the Lord enable us to keep covenant) we laid our Isaac on the altar. 0, 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 Golnpanion of his secret thoughts by day and his visions by night," and says: — 70 LETTER TO THOMAS YEARDLEY. [1821. 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 appre hension that it would be required of rae 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 neighbor hood of Minden and Pyrmont, and probably at sorae tirae 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 frora 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 thera, go dwell with thera." I should be in want of some eraployraent, 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 consoHng 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 feU off". And 0, he adds, that I raay be willing, now that a little light begins to shine, to gird rayself, 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 proba bility of its being an obstacle in the way of our removal ; but MT. 35.] HIS 'wife's illness. 71 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 raust subrait to have the whole overturned. In a few days he became aware of her critical state. 9 ')no. 29. — The indisposition of ray 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 ray 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 ray dear larab, 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 seeras 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 encourage- raent : in general her faith has been much stronger than my own. Should it please Heaven to restore her, 0 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 Eedeemer'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 larab would have sunk away. How the awful event is to terrainate 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. 72 HIS wife's DEATH. [1821. 29th. — A raost awful raorning ; ray dear larab is no more I 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 pro vided by Providence to afford her that religious retirement she had long desired, and which she took the raost 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 coraraitting to the silent dust the reraains of ray very pre cious 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 ray heart, She is not here but (she) is risen. What an unspeakable consola tion to be enabled to leave the dust behind, and hold sweet coramunion 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 0, saith my spirit, that this precious feeling may reraain 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 remeraber the hand which adrainistered it than all complaining is hushed into silence, and I am made to rejoice that she is so safely deposited where trouble cannot reach. 1 From this moment John Yeardley felt himself quite MT. 35.] DIARY. 73 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 comprehen sion 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 ; there fore it is highly important for each mind to consider atten tively 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, and 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 6 74 MONTHLY MEETING AT WAKEFIELD. [1821. 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 instruc tion : — 9 mo. 7. — "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Without purity of heart we cannot see the pointing of the Di-vine Finger. On the 18th of the Second Month, John Yeardley attended Pontefract Monthly Meeting, held at Wake field. It was, he says, a precious season ; I felt my friends very near to me in spirit, and expressed to thera in tenderness and love what lay on ray 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 be 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 be 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 raine 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. 0, 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. MT. 86.] GOES TO HULL. 75 8 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 Testiraony concerning our rauch-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 lan guage seems to prevail in my heart: — "Moses ray servant is dead; now therefore arise. As I was with Moses, so I will be 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 faithfnl 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 Hira. who hath given rae 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 DeU 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 B. 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 hira orders for Hnen yarn from Germany. At Hull he writes : 4 mo. 12. — My detention here, waiting for a fair wind 76 EXTRACTS FROM E. YEARDLEY'S LETTERS. [18'22, to Hamburg, has not been unpleasant; my friends are ex ceedingly 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 raore 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.—-'M.B,j I be preserved in a holy reliance on the Arm of strong Power for help. " 0 Lord God, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee, or to th^ 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 con fidence 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 Meet ing. 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 Eedeemer's arms were extended wide on the cross to embrace perishing sinners, so do these short-sighted mortals extend their arma and their wishes in grasping' unsubstantial vanities, and that craving one of Mammon, the most fascinating of all, as it increases with age. MT. 36.] TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. 77 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 humilia tion, 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 soraetiraes led to expect pity from people where we think we have a sort of claira, 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 for ward 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. 0 look at the bulk of the population in England, whose children are look ing up to thera for a raeal, and they have it not for them ; and then let the tear of thankfulne.ss fall. To be thankful is to feel a spark of heavenly flame ; to be thankful is to increase the blessing already poured forth. 0 that I possessed more of this blessed spirit ; for truly it ia angelic ! 78 TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. [1822. A Testimony of Pontefract Monthly Meeting concerning Joseph Wood, deceased. This our esteeraed friend was born at Newhouse, near Highflatts, within the compass of this Monthly Meeting, on the 26th of the Fourth Month, 1750. His parents, Sarauel 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. Onee 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 raanner 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 mountain^ 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 salva- .ST. 36.] TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. 79 tion of all, and was frequently engaged to appoint meetinga 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 convinceraent of raany. He was concerned to irapress on the rainds 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 ex ercise 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 raeetings within the principality of Wales ; and divers of thera 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 pro motion 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 ray days be so devoted to the Lord's service, as, when the soleran message of death is sent, I may have nothing to do but to render up my accounts with joy !" In the last Monthly Meet ing 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 in nocency, 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 ap peared in his own meeting at Highflatts, in a powerful testi mony, 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 80 TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH WOOD. [1822. 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 after noon 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, 182*1 ; 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 pres ence 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 pro ceed 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 mentaUy dwelt, will be seen by the foUow ing entry in his Diary. The maxim with which it con cludes 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 ofa peaceful serenity to cover my mind, and am well contented in being placed on this side of the German Ocean. I consider it an (81) 82 DIARY. [1822. unspeakable blessing that I do not feel so much as a wish to return, until the tirae 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 soraetiraes 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 wliy 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 raankind 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. — 0, 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 faraily 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 MT. 86.] FROM HAMBURG TO PYRMONT. 83 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 thera." In saying this she was over corae with tears. John Yeardley left Hamburg on the 2d 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 raan on the steara-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 84 SPIRITUAL EXERCISES. [1822. 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 Coraraittee from the Yearly Meet ing — viz., Josiah For.ster, 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 pro fess with us ; yet there are a few sincere-hearted to whom I already begin to feel closely united in spirit. From the tirae of my arrival until First-day last, I do not remember ever to have been raore oppressed in mind. I could, if I dared, almost have wished rriyself 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 mbst 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 instruc tively to labor in the meeting for business. They are now gone to Minden; I feel tenderly united to th.eir 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 corafortable accommodation : — ^T. 86.] FRIEDENSTHAL — MINDEN. 85 My mother inquires as to my mode of living, and if I have comfortable accoramodations. 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 ray 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 ray books in suitable weather into the wood, and there walk and read and think. It is true I ara sometimes very flat for want of corapany; but if I incline to go to Pyrraont, 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 hstd 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 ray friends frora here. The first sitting was very large, many coraing in who do not usually attend. It was a very solid raeeting ; 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 raidst of the Ijord's goodness to his children one seems to be falling on one hand, and another on another; so that the language seeras to be, " Will ye also go away ?" and truly we shall 86 VISITS THE FAMILY AT PYRMONT. [1822. 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 hira in a visit to the families of Friends belonging to that raeeting. 8 mo. 13. — My feelings are this morning deeply discour aged. I am entering on a "visit to the farailies 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 satis faction. In some sittings, deep exercise and mourning; in others, cause of rejoicing over the precious seed of the king dom, which is alive in the hearts of sorae. 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 Pyr mont 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 hiimble endeavor as a means of bringing us nearer to himself. ^T. 36.] HANOVER. 87 28^^. — 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 rae in Germany; indeed, I came blind in the gospel; I knew nothing ; but now I see such a field of labor if I ara faithful : how shall it ever be accomplished ? 0, prepare rae, dearest Lord, for without thy heavenly hand to assist me I must faint. 0, may I ever seek thy counsel, and be thou pleased to lead me step by step, and give strength according to the day. 29th. — 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. 0, that he may be pleased to give me the power of speech ! In the Ninth Month he went to Hanover with Thomas ShiUitoe, 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 Hage- mann, 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 ap- 88 EIDINGHAUSEN. [1822. pearance 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 flature. 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 Biickeburg, where they had a reraarkable inter" view 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 faraily where we lodged, many of the neigh bors 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 thera to give us their company again next day, which most of thera did. In this meeting there was soraething 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. 0, 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. AU our toils in this weary land will not be too much if we ^T. 36.] DIARY. .g9 can be made the instruments of helping only one poor soul on its way Zion wards. 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. 0, 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, Corae and see how these live on the Continent. The 29 th 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 a-wful event of the closing moraents of ray precious lamb. For truly like a lamb she lived, and was well prepared to become an angel-spirit. 0, 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. 0, 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 7 90* SELF-EXAMINATION. [1822. may be required of me. I never saw the advice of our dear Saviour more necessary for rayself than at the present tirae, " Be ye wise as serpents and harraless 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 raay be cut, and reduce this frail tabernacle to that state of earthly coraposition frora 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 dis tress my poor raind on the point of these four iraportant queries. But to the first I can answer, An humble submission to what T 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 coramit 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 mo ment desirous to keep eternity continually before my view, and to let outward things hang more fully on the dependence of Hira who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the ground with out his notice. (11 mo. 30.) 12 mo. 1. — The reading raeeting this evening has been A precious time. Our spirits have been much tendered in MT. 36.] youth's MEETING AT PYRMONT. ' 91 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 esta blished another for the young, to be held on Fourth-day evening, " in which they might iraprove themselves in reading, and acquire a knowledge of the principles of the Society, with other branches of useful inforraation." The young woraen 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 plea sure on the innocent cheerful raanners of his audience, and on the advantages which might be looked for frora 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 soleran 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 92 SOLEMN REFLECTIONS. [1823. 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. 0 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 I 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 Dot be surprised when I tell thee that I am about to commence yam-bleaching? Thou mayst be sure MT. 37.] BLEACHING. 93 there is a pretty certain prospect of considerable advantages, with not much risk, to induce rae to make the attempt. The advantages are threefold — safety, expedition and cheapness. The first consists in the simplicity of treatraent 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 frora 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 consider able distance, alraost 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 cominenced, 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 raake 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 bleaching only a month and two or three days, and although the greater part of the Fifth Month has been unfavorable for bleachin'g. 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 raaking trial; there is plenty of good clear water. There is a prospect of having honest workpeople, and at very reasonable wages — not more than 6d. or 8d. 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 frorn this country before the expiration of about four years, and I have always been desirous that some thing should turn up that would afford rae support by suit able employment ; so that what I have now in view does not 94 PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA. [1823. 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 meet ing-house stands in one of the allies, and although its position is not central, it is sufficiently public to be an object of attraction to the curiosity of strangers.. A memorandura 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 entefed 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 ray 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. 0 what would I give for more circumspec tion, that I might be more prepared to receive the word, and when command is given, publish the same. But, unworthy MT. 37.] DIARY. 95 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 rae to say in sincerity of heart, I ara 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 difiicult in the position which he occupied in Germany to main tain a spirit of watchfulness and self-recoUection than among his more experienced Friends in Yorkshire. There is an aUusion to this in an entry of a Httle 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 dis perse 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 our selves 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 diffi culties of the day in a better state to combat with them. But if daily trials abounded of a nature the raost likely to retard his spiritual progress, we shall see that He who had appointed his lot, provided in his faithful ness the needful corrective, and by the discipline of filial fear in ^e ministry of the word, kept him safe in his sanctuary. 96 MEETINGS AT PYRMONT. [1823. The attendance of visitors at the meeting-house was often numerous, althogh it was seldom that they re mained 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 heav enly blessing such as 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 -windo-ws. No creature on earth knows what my poor raind suffers when I go to meeting under such circumstances. Many whom curiosity brings in the expectation to hear words may sorae tiraes be disappointed, but I hope there are some whose in tentions are sincere, and who are desirous to be informed the way to Zion. I hope strength was afforded me to preach Christ crucified. 0 that the Lord may support me in these very trying seasons, and take frora rae the fear of man, and fill ray heart with a holy fear of offending Him whom I humbly trust I ara desirous of choosing to be my Lord and Master. 7 mo. 27. — " Bless the Lord, 0 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 soraetiraes 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 disturb ing, and yet I cannot but admire the stillness which prevails when anything is delivered. The help which I at times ex perience 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 tha meeting-day comes again lest I should fail MT. 37.] MEETINGS AT PYRMONT. 97 in doing the Lord's will. Such is my fear before I can rise to ray feet in meetings that I say with Samson, Be with me this once more that I may bear testimony to thy narae ; then, if it be thy will let me die for thee, and I will not think it too much to suffer. , 0 that He would be pleased to enlarge his gift in my heart, and be 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 pre cious heavenly season. Much more weightiness of spirit appeared to exist in the strangers who attended, and conse quently 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 sharae." The woraen '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 di-vine love reached the hearts of some among them in a par ticular 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 rae and leave rae 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 inhabi tants! It seems as if I could tread thy soil for the remainder ^8 HIS mother's ILLNESS. [1823. of my days if I could only be made the instrument of helping on their way those scattered ones who are athirst for the sin cere railk of the word of life. One of the females who visited our meetings came to the school roora on Seventh-day, and requested the favor of having a few books to peruse and circulate. She said she was frora Osnabriick, and that there were a nuraber of people in that place who had a, great love to the Friends of our Society. Such opportunities aSbrd the raeans of circulating a knowledge of the truth to those whose hearts may be pre paring 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 nuraber on earth, they will be found among the nuraber of the saints in heaven. The bathing-list this season already amounts to 2500 persons, in which nuraber there are raany who are desirous to inquire the way to Zion. It is rauch to be desired that the peculiar advantages which Pyrraont 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 thera. I can truly say I have been thankful that my lot has been here this suraraer, and I trust I have not flinched frora doing what I believed to be required of me. In his letters to his brother, John Yeardley raakes 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 dated 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 raay 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 with out my being permitted to see her again, it would be a cup MT. 37.] THE PASCHAL LAMB. 99 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 suraraer on a journey of business, my dear mother was brought to my re membrance in such a very remarkable raanner, that I seemed to have a spiritual interview with her ; and she was brought 60 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.circurastance when I got horae ; for it had raade such an impression on my mind, that I should not then have been surprised to have heard of her departure.'* 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'a 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 connec tion 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 * The memorandum here referred to is in the Diary, under date of the 18th of the Sixth Month. 100 FREDERICK SCHMIDT. [1823r coming to Germany had taken so firra a hold of JohO; Yeardley's raind, continued to excite his religious sym pathy, and he again visited thera m the latter part of this year. (Mindeii.) — On Seventh-day last, the 1st of the Eleventh Month, I left horae in company with some of my dear Pyr mont friends to attend the Two-months' Meeting, and to spend a few days with my dear friends of this place. I lodge with B'rederick Schmidt, and feel rayself perfectly at home. It is a most orderly and agreeable faraily, consisting of him self, daughter, and housekeeper; and the time passes pleas antly 'away when I am only enough concerned to improve the opportunities afforded by this good raan's corapany. He was one of the first in this place who was convinced of the re ligious 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 (as 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* 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 invite.d 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 tirae been under deep [religious] impressions. He related to rae that her discourse in the meeting she had had 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, carae again into the house, and asked * Life of S. Grubb, 2nd ed., p. 219. MT. 87.] EIDINGHAUSEN. 101 for him. He bein,g called, she had a reraarkable 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 fore most 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 exaraple 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 hiraself without a witness in the hearts of his people ; praised be his narae. 14/A. Since Thoraas Shillitoe and I visited Eidinghausen, there has been a reraarkable 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 raay 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 ray intention to be there being known a few days before caused raany 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 thera, for it proved a raost satis factory 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 rae 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 coraplain. The goodness of the Lord is great towards rae; he opens the hearts of those whora I ara 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 teraporal. I am con vinced if we raean to be useful to a people of a strange land, all must be done in a spirit of love and humility ; with the 102 CIRCUMSTANCES OF FRIENDS IN GERMANY. [1828. weak we raust be willing to become weak ; only we must be on our guard and not flinch from our well-known testimonies. The refiection contained in the passage which foUows is of deep significance, and the lesson it conveys is one which the Church has as rauch need to learn now as at any former period. 15th. — 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 theraselves, 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 raore watchful over my thoughts, words and actions, and iraprove my seasons of retireraent ; 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 hira to leave his native land, and which he says had not diminished during his eighteen months' resi dence among them. To these thoughts he adds some considerations regarding the teraporal 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 Ger many, who suffer under oppression, on account of the many MT. 37.] SCHEME FOR HELPING THEM, 103 discouraging circumstances which have existed araong them, and which yet prevail, to the great hindrance of the Lord's work. There are causes for which no huraan reraedy can be prescribed. I have often said in ray 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 rauch 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 seeras yet to fail, — that of putting the farailies in the way of helping theraselves by suit able eraployraent. The farailies who live in the neighbor hood of Minden, mostly on small parcels of land, have until now got on with a tolerable degree of comfort, by cultivating their land in suraraer 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 proposing any plan for their assistance, knowing that someforraer proposals haye failed of accomplishing the end. But I have consulted with those who are best acquainted -with their situation, and we think it safest for thera to continue their own eraployraent of spinning yarn, and endeavor to raend 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 frora 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 o-wn 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 dis tributed among them as a premium to encourage industry and good manageraent 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 beheve it was not accompanied by any successful result. 104 POLICE AND FISCAL REGULATIONS. [1823. 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 forraer raeraorandums; 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 rae to see a wonderful concurrence in the ways of Divine Wisdora which has led me in a way, that I knew not, and hitherto preserved rae through the mercies of his love : praise be to his Narae now and for ever. Araen. 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 Eirabeck. 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 thera 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 M. or %d. for each horse, that the traveller raay know when to take the summer or the winter road. We stopped on the way [they were not far from Wolfenblittel] 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 inad vertently gone over the setting on of the road; and the road- master 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 MT. 37.] OF THE GERM.VN STATES. 105 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 Qd. each. This I con sidered 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 com mitted 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 thb laws of the Prussian territory. They are ex ceedingly strict as to duties. All kinds of wares are allowed to pass through the country at what may be called a reason able excise ; but those travellers who , have excise goods with them must preserve a certain road, called tbe 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 incon venience; and on the other hand it was exceedingly mortify ing 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 8 106 LEAVES PYRMONT [1324" 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 hav ing 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 esteera 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 ofthe 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 what ever 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 tha 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, accorapanied by a young Friend whora he was to conduct to a temporary residence in England, and in whose re hgious welfare he was deeply interested. While waiting in Hamburg for a vessel, he felt keenly his sohtary 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 Mt. 38.] RETURNS TO ENGLAND. 107 the divine sight I could almost wish to spend the whole of my liffe 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 arri val at Hamburg, a circumstance which at first made him regret he had not used more expedition on the way. But he iraraediately recoUected it might be for the best that he was left behind. This proved to be the case ; for the vessel with which he would have saUed, meeting with contrary winds and dark weather, ran aground, and was obhged to put back, and when J. Y. left the Elbe she was lying in Cuxhaven harbor. They landed at HuU on the 19th. CHAPTER Y. FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCE MENT OF H-IS 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 raind, for I feel alraost 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 Wake field to Barnsley. I felt ray heart exceedingly burdened be fore 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 acco-unt. There is at times a fellow-feeling with others ; and on ray reaching this place, I soon felt ray spirit dipped into sympathy with some of ray dear connexions, who are not without their trials. A few days afterwards, in allusion to the religious ¦service of EHzabeth H. Walker of West Chester, U. S., in a pubhc 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, 0 what an insignificant, useless being I appear ! (108) iET. 38.] JOURNEY THROUGH THE MIDLAND COUNTIES. 109 This lowly opinion of himself, however, was not to serve as an excuse for idleness, and it was proposed to him to bear Elizabeth WaUier company in a reUgious 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 accorapanied 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 I 0 for a speedy alteration for the better ! Fifth-day, the 6th of Fifth Month, at iSibford.—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 rauch wonder if I have a little more openness for labor, which 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 thankfnl 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 iu London. At the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, an unusual number of certificates were granted for reH- 110 ON THE MINISTRY. [1824. gious service abroad. These various concerns drew from hira 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 proraotion of the cause of righteousness in the earth dear to the best feelings of their hearts. It is indeed cause of heartfelt gra titude that the Divine Master is directing the feet of his raessengers not only to the borders of this isle, but also into distafit parts of the earth. During the Yearly Meeting John Yeardley lodged at William AUen'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 neighbor hood. In noticing this meeting J. Y. has some dis criminating 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 MT. 38.] RETURN TO GERMANY. Ill 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. 0 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 ; and 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 pro ceeded to Hull to cross the water from thence with another corapany of Friends who were bound for the Continent. J. Y. was thus left to proceed alone to Pyrmont, and he sailed frora Harwich on the 19 th of the Sixth Month. When in Suffolk he went to Need- ham 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 hiraself planted when young, and had now lived to see afford him a corafortable retreat. John Yeardley was taken ill when in Suffolk, and on settling down again in his. quiet horae 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 112 UNWATCHFULNESS. [1824. my constitution better than that of England. Tirae is very precious. I think, to keep a raore 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 raore raay be allowed rae 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 ov^n glooray condition did not, however, altogether disable hira 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 frora writing thee, under an apprehen sion I should say nothing that would afford thee any satisfac tion 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 tiraes 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 sraall degree of fortitude to bear the depression of apparent teraporary 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 resuraing his Diary, which he did in the MT 39.] SORROW AND HUMILIATION. 113 First Month of 1825, John Yeardley gives an account of the events which happened to him during the pre vious 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 raind] 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 Easche, he was quite willing to accompany me, and driving quickly we came in due tirae. When the [raeeting] was over, the Friends told me they thought it very reraarkable that we should corae unexpectedly on that day, and that what was comraunieated after the reading was particularly suited to the state of a woraan Friend present, who was laboring under the temptation that she had coraraitted 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 woraan a little relief and encouragement. Four days afterwards, having then returned to Friedensthal, J. Y. adds : — " Since our visit to HiUe, 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 continuaUy 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 114 CERTIFICATE FOR THE SOUTH OF FRANCE. [1825. my sorrowful spirit before the Father of mercies in a way that has afforded rae sorae relief and encouragement. In bitterness, and, I may almost say, in agony of soul have I spread before him some of those circurastances which have been a cause of unspeakable distress to me for many months past, and rendered rae unfit for alraOst every ser-vice, temporal or spiritual. Thou knowest, 0 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 remem brance all my sins, and everything wherein I have in weak ness offended thee ; and be pleased to give me strength to become more \ perfectly and lastingly thine. 0 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 raidst 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, — \iz., 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 ray 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 appro bation was ordered to be drawn up. No creature on earth knows how this prospect humbles me. I always think- 1 am dealt with in a remarkable manner, — somewhat different perhaps frora others. Notwithstanding all the seemingly insurmountable difficulties which stand in the way, and which are Hi too numerous to particularize, my peace is connected ^T. 39.] MARTHA SAVORY'S VISIT TO THE CONTINENT. 115 with my obedience. What will be the result I know not ; the way appears not yet quite clear as to the time of departure. O Lord, favor me to wait on thee for the spirit of discern ment not to step forth in the wrong time. The obedience which he practised in committing him self in simple faith to this religious prospect prepared the way for a temporal blessing, as well as for the return of inward joy. He Httle knew, when persecuted by the Accuser of the brethren, and mourning over the weak ness 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 sohtary in the world. Without this tiraely sacrifice of his own wiU, 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 Hfe. 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.* 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 ¦* The introduction was made by Thomas Shillitoe, at the tirne of the Yearly Meeting. He said to M. S., " Let me introduce thy brother to tliee." " Brother!" she exclaimed, -with surprise. " Yes," answered the good old man ; " all who have been on the Continent are brothers and sisters." 116 SINGULAR COINCIDENCE!. [1825. seem as if I could not, and alraost dare not, rejoice in any" thing. May this low proving sea,son answer the end for which it is perraitted 1 As he apprehended the Friends who were coming from England might require a guide, John Yeardley went to meet thera at Eotterdara. 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, 1 ino. 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 remarkakle 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 ray 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 tirae 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 suitabte company offered, proceed to sorae parts of the banks of the Rhine, Switzer land, 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 S-w-itzerland to Congehies. I then received a letter from our dear friend M. Savory, stating that she and W. A. had been much struck with the reraarkable coincidence in our views ; our prospects being to the same places and in the MT. 39.] JOURNEY TO ROTTERDAM. 117 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 Eotterdara. I set off, accordingly, the 7th of the Sixth Month, and travelled seven days through a desert country to Amsterdara. I went alraost one half of the way by water, across the Zuider Zee from Zwolle to Amsterdam. After spending a few days in Amsterdara, I went, with J. S. Mollet,-who is the only Friend in that city, to Eotterdara, where we raet with M. S. and M. T. Thomas Christy, junior, had accompanied thera from London. M. S. had letters of recommendation to many persons in Amster dara, whora we visited ; and though sorae of thera were first- rate characters in the place, it is surprising with what affection and kindness they received us. J. S. Mollet accora panied us to Pyrraont. ' An account of his journey, both going and returning, is also contained in J. Y.'s diary : it presents some addi tional notices which claim a place here. Before leaving Minden for Rotterdam, he twice visited Eidinghausen, and saw sorae 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 raan, at this raoraent raay be in torture. 0, how I feel for him ! My soul breathes to the Alraighty Father of mercies on his account, that he raay be 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 Eiding hausen, he says : — The meeting was ; fully attended, and I afterwards dined 118 AMSTERDAM. [1825. alone in the schoolroom with a light heart. I thought I could say, After the work is done, food tastes sweet. At Eotterdara, John Yeardley and his corapanions made the acquaintance of a " very interesting mis sionary student, who believes he has a caU to go on a mission to the Greeks, and is waiting for an opening : his name is Giitzlaff." At Amsterdam, a letter from Giitzlaff 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 caUed 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 settle ment of Moravians, the ministers, finding the Friends desired to convene their raembers in a meeting for worship, readily consented. The raeeting, writes J. Y., was raore 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 tirae raay yet come when some raay be drawn into a more spiritual worship. We left them a few tracts, and they kindly gave us a few little books 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 merabers frora house to house in that place, and at Minden. On the 28th they visited a number of seriously awakened persons at Lenzinghausen, who felt MT. 39.] LENZINGHAUSEN. 119 '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 frarae of mind before the meeting, I had such a feeling as I scarcely ever remeraber 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 rae to be in the divine appointraent that our dear M. S. was corae 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 forraer 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 Ehine, 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 WiUiam 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 foUowing narrative. Passing through Paderborn, Ijhey 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 1 once read in "Cecil's Eeraains," — 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 inten tion of going to Elberfeld, and while we were waiting for a road-ticket, I accidentally fell into conversation with our hostess, and raaking inquiry for people of religious charac ter, learnt that there were a nuraber of such in the neighbor hood. The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this Httle society who resided in the town. He informed (120) MT. 39.] ELBERFELD. 121 them that a meeting was held at Hageney, about six miles distant, at the house of a pastor named Hiicker. 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 deter mination of the synod, whether he was to be displaced from his cure or not. The Friends examined his an swers, and were well satisfied with them: the worship which he and his Httle 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 diificult 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 Eoman Catholic, had seen many changes, and suffered not a Httle 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 9 122 DUSSELDORF. [1825. Miihlheira held by Sarah Grubb, about thirty years before ; and that, although ninety years old, he recol lected the words with which she concluded her dis course : " By this shaU 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 ns on this occasion, and at parting the good old man gave us his blessing. They quitted Elberfeld on the 19th, and proceeded to Diisseldorf, 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 flock of Protestants sur rounded by unscrupulous Eomanists. He evinced much interest in the management of prisons, and was endeav-, oring to introduce improvements in that of Diisseldorf: he had raet with Martha Savory in one of her visits at Newgate.* The next day they went to Diisselthal, and inspected the institution there. The Count Von-der-Recke con ducted thera himself through every department. His countenance, says John Yeardley, evinces the magna nimity and kindness of his heart ; it is remarkable and precious that so young a raan should dedicate his whole tirae and for- tane 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 * 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. Kaiserswerth has become the parent of several other kindred institutions. MT. 39.] CREVELDT — MENNONISTS. 123 received them in a very cordial raanner: the latter had seen Thoraas Shilhtoe at Amsterdam. J. Y. relates several visits which these worthy persons and some of their Christian friends paid to them at the inn. 22nd. — In the evening Pastor Molinaar carae, with his wife and some friends, to tea. They inquired very narrowly re specting 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 niuch earnestness. But when we had unfolded our senti ments, and William Seebohm had read a passage from Tuke's "Principles," the pastor, seeing that we airaed 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 exaraine 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 iraraediate operation of the Holy Spirit. At the appointed time there assembled about fifty persons. After a short conversation they seated theraselves, and when we had sat awhile in silence, M. S. found herself moved to address thera in a feeling raanner, W. S. interpreting ; and I relieved my mind in Gerraan 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 remeraber them for good, as they should not fail to pray for our preservation. 124 MUHLHEIM. [1825. 2'lth. — 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 corae to the hotel. At seven o'clock, instead of a few as we expected, there carae about thirty. The ladies seated theraselves quite sociably, and took out their work, but were evidently prepared to lay it aside in the hope of having an other 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 Miihlheim on the Ruhr, the Friends again tumed out of the direct road and crossing the Rhine a Httle beyond Duisburg, arrived in the evening at Miihlheim. They found a corapany 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 raeeting for worship. At the tirae 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 un willingness to part, and their desire that those who had ministered to them should visit them again. On the 27th, after calhng upon some descendants of Gerhard Tersteegen, our Friends proceeded through Diisseldorf to Cologne. They were disappointed of .ST. 39.] NEUWIED— THE INSPIRIRTEN. 125 finding in the neighborhood of this city, that company of religious people on whose account they had felt rauch 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 dis satisfied 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 re hgious 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 incumbpnt upon them to lead more self-denying lives, and dwell raore 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 Berlen burg, 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 126 JOURNEY TO BERLENBURG. [1825. and Martha Savory apprehended they could not peace fully 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 thera 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 DUigence had been robbed. The robbers, who had been taken a fortnight after the offence, were then, as they were in formed, in Limburg gaol, and were to be hanged the next day. They were ten in number, all merabers of one family. At Burbach they met with an English landlord, thirty-five years resident in Gerraany ; he was delighted 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 dwell ing 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 hiU, 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 civihsed 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, howeyer, to make the at tempt, 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 iET. 39.] JOURNEY TO BERLENBURG. 127 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 flrst 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 in formation 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 kind ness, 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 soraetiraes 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 raore even ground. At length they arrived at Erndebriick, and drove to an inn; but not finding their luggage, they went to another, and while they were preparing to start for Berlenburg, WUham Seebohra went to the Custora-ofiice to show the ticket of clearance they had . received on entering the Prussian territory at Burbach. This ticket should have obviated aU delay attendant on the ex amination ofthe luggage; but it happened, most unfor tunately, that the custom officer was the landlord of the 128 THEY ARE PUT UNUER ABEEST. [1825. 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, bis countenance and language betrayed the pas sion which raged ih 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 obhged to send back the horse and guide, and consent to pass the night under his roof He then demanded their pass ports, and finding they had not been vise'd at aU 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, wTritten by Dr. Steinkopf to the clergyman of the place, whom they had requested to call upon them, the gen darme insisted on first reading it. On their expostu lating with the landlord at being treated in this manner, instead of making a direct reply, he strutted up and down the room, repeating continuaUy, " 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 evenuig meal, as is usual in Germany, in one of the sleeping-rooms— that which had been aUotted to Martha Savory and Martha ToweU. 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 MT. 39.] JUDICIAL EXAMINATION. 129 from showing their ill-breeding in a raore disagreeable way. William Seebohm overheard the landlord and the gendarme say to each other, " These people are travel ling this way to visit the Separatists, and strengthen them in their rehgious opinions ; but we will disappoint them." The next morning they were favored with a short season of soleran coramunion, 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 thera to depart, but sent the gendarrae to guard them as far as Berlenburg. The man proved to be an excellent guide, and being eager to bring thera 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 reraained 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, aud probably never any persons in such attire. Being weary of waiting, and anxious to know the result of the examination, they left 130 LIBERATION. [1825. 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 jour ney, 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 disap pointed gendarme was obliged to imitate his superior and make them a parting bow. The magistrate referred them to two of the citizens, for information regarding the Separatists, but remarked that he considered a visit to Schwartzenau at that critical raoraent would not be without danger. One of the persons on w^hora the Landrath recom mended the Friends to call was the Inspector of the Lutheran or State Church of the country ; and on the Gth, 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 whora they raight freely have intercourse. As the interview proceeded mutual con fidence increased, particularly after reading their certi ficates; and the Inspector expressed himself gratified with the liberality entertained by Friends towards -peo ple of other religious persuasions. It snowed aU the next day, and the roads were deep .iET. 39.] THE OLD SEPARATISTS. 131 in water, so that M. S. and INI. 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 caUed 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 soHcitous 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 sorae of the new society, they received, through a young woman 132 THE NEW SEPARATISTS. [1825 (for the men were afraid to come to the inn), a pressing invitation to visit some of thera who lived in a retired spot called Schellersharamer, 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-men tioned 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 rainisters, but which, frora its lofty assuraption 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 prin ciples 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 circurastances the Friends did not feel bound to appoint a general religious meeting with these people. They contented themselves, therefore, with unfolding their sentiraents in conversation, giving them books, and before they left Berlenburg, addressing MT. 39.] RANEBERG — VISIT TO AN " INSTRUMENT." 133 them by letter, in which they enlarged particularly on the subject of the ministry. They also left sorae copies of their Friends' books with the old society ; and both parties declared their belief that the visit they had re ceived 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 chauss^e. They ar rived on the 11th at Frankfort, where they called on a few pious individuals, but stayed a very short tirae in the city, being desirous of visiting sorae Old and New Separatists at Lieblose, near Gelnhausen, about twenty- four miles from Frankfort. The next morning they accordingly went to Geln hausen, 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 Schel- lershamraer. They found him a young man, inhabiting an apartraent in a lonely castle, roraantically situated on a high hiU., The access to the spot was through a forest, and by a very bad road. Whatever prejudice in regard to hira they raight have irabibed frora 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 184 PFORZHEIM — HENRY KIENLIN. [1825. ministry, but he listened calmly and patiently to aU 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 In spirirten. 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 per sonal acquaintance with any merabers of the Society of Friends, but had read many of their writings. He accorapanied the travellers flve miles out of the town to a little flock of Separatists, who had not yet obtained rehgious 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 thera, a nuraber presently collected ; and as they stood together, a solemn feeling pervaded the assembly, and John Yeardley was moved to address thera in gospel testi mony. Henry Kienlin followed, explaining the princi ples of Friends clearly, and giving them some suitable advice. They were laboring under the want of dis cipline and organization, and of some one properly to represent their case to the government. Some of them MT. 39.] STUTTGARDT AND MUHLHAUSEN. 135 caUed 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 thera 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 tirae to visit. An appointraent had been made for thera to meet at Basle Louis A. MajoHer of Congenies, who was to serve as their guide and French interpreter through Switzerland and France, and they felt obhged on being inforraed of this appointment to pursue their journey raore quickly than they otherwise would have done. Returning to Pforzheira, they stopped at Miihlhausen, where they called on MiiUer, 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 soraething to say to him under religious exercise, which he received in the love in which it was spoken. Frora Pforzheim they went direct to Basle, through Freiburg. On their arrival they were much disappointed to flnd 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 raany pious persons, conspicuous among whom was Blumhardt, inspector of the Mission-house, who behaved towards them " as a 136 BASLE. [1825. 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 difierent from raost 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 extreraely 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 WiUiam Seebohm returned to Pyrmont, and the English Friends, hoping that they might meet Louis MajoHer at Berne, went forward to that city, but were again disappointed. MT. 39.] ZURICH— THE GESSNER FAMILY. 137 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 inter course 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 oSered to accom pany 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 Gerraan. She spoke of Stephen Grellet with rauch in terest and affection : he lives in the reraerabrance of all in this country who have seen and known hira, as well as Wil liam Allen. How pleasant it is to find that such devoted instruments have left such a good savor behind them I 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 exten sively 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 10 138 BERNE. [1825. Gessner, and on -a nearer acquaintance found this a precious family ; his wife is a sweet -spirited person, and their daugh ters 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 bim : may He who has visited her raind draw her more and more by the cords of his love and preserve her frora the evil which is in the world ! When tea was ended, we dropped into silence, and Pastor Gessner off'ered up a prayer frora 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 inter preted 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 faraily 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 sacraraent. She seeraed to have lost sight that there is a spiritual coraraunion which the soul can hold with its Saviour, and which needs not the help of out ward shadows ; but it is reraarkable when our reasons for the disuse of such things are given in siraplicity and love, how the feelings of others becorae changed towards us ; they then see we do not refuse the administration of them out of obsti nacy, but frora a tender conscience. On the Sth 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 MT. 39.] ANECDOTE OF A FRENCHMAN. 139 with the phlegmatic temperament ofthe 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 tem perament. A man got up behind our carriage, and our coachman very naturally whipped him down. The raan fol lowed us quietly for a while, but at length his wounded dignity overcarae his patience, and he came up to our coach man 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 hiraself 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 rauch ; other wise I think -ftre 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 de parture of Louis Majolier : Who, says Martha Savory, was indeed rejoiced to see us after aU 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 moveraents 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. 140 GENEVA. [1825. 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 MouUnier and L'HuUHer, and Captain Owen, an EngHshman. With the last-named they were united in close bonds of re hgious affection ; they were enabled to administer to his spiritual wants, and he was forward to render them assist ance 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, dig ging, and dunging about the trees, reminds one of the rela tions 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 beaur tiful. The great number of olives, vines, fig-trees, &c., excite a train of ideas pleasing and indescribable. In traveUing through Switzerland John Yeardley had been often brought into a low state of mind, and on approaching Congenies, the final object of the journey, MT. 89.] CONGENIES — DISCOURAGEMENT. 141 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 dis couraging, but I must be content and sink down to the spring of life, which can alone raake known the objects of duty and qualify for their fulfilment. In the raidst 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 rae patience to bear it. Martha Savory's feelings on the same occasion were also those of deep gratitude for the preservation ex perienced during their journey, united, she says, with an humbling sense of many omissions and great unworthi ness, yet of help having been mercifully administered in the tirae 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 Avindmill, frora whence we had a fair view of Congenies and the neighbor hood, which is of a wild description. On reflecting on the place and circumstances connected with it, my raind was filled with various ideas, but none of Jhera of an encouraging nature. 142 ACCIDENT TO M. SAVORY. [1826. His discouragement was increased by ignorance of the language, and, with his accustomed diligence, on the morrow after his arrival he coraraenced learning French. On the recurrence of his birth-day, which was nearly coincident with the beginning of the year, he says : — I ara 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 ray own strength can avail me nothing. May He who knows my infirmities assist me to overcome them and to becorae 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 iraprove my time and talent as I ought to be. I often feel as one already laid by useless, and the language of ray heart is, " 0 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 Sorarai^res, she accorapanied them on horseback. She had not a proper saddle, and her horse being eager to keep up with the carriage set off down hill 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 : — MT. 40.] ST. ETIENNE. 143 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 ray 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 Eoman Catholics. They are for bidden by heavy fines to meet together, except in very small companies. We met thera several tiraes in their small meetings to rauch comfort ; there are a few among them -who have stood firm through the heat of trial, and these are pre cious individuals. The priests are exceedingly jealous. On our arrival in the town we held our little raeeting with these pious people on First-day raorning ; the priest carae 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; fpr such has been their rage that they have dared to shoot at 144 CALAIS. [1826. sorae raission.iries who have been in the neighborhood (Letter to Tliomas Yeardley, 4 mo. 19.) The rest of the journey through France was in general dreary, the external accomraodation being bad, and the consolation of spiritual intercourse very scanty. At Arras, however, they were refreshed by the com pany of a Protestant rainister, a liberal and worthy man, who had " to stand alone in a large district of weak-handed Protestants among strong-headed Catho Ucs." Arriving at Calais, Martha Savory and Martha ToweU, 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 corapanions 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 raore 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. t The beautiful green branches, says he, modestly looking in at the window, give me a silent welcome ; and the little birds MT. 40.] BETROTHAL TO MARTHA SAVORY. 145 chirruping in the garden, which is ray drawing-room and study. I cannot but acknowledge how grateful I feel in being per mitted to rest in so quiet a retreat, shut up frora raany of those anxious cares which have perplexed the former part of my me.— (Diary, 4 mo. 27.) The last few words of this memorandum may seera at first sight to refer to his teraporary seclusion from the world in his little hermitage at Calais; but there is little doubt that they have a wider significance, and con tain 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 raatured be fore they separated at Calais ; and the effect of it was, amongst other things, to set hira free from the necessity of pursuing business any longer as a means of livelihood, and to ensure to hira a provision sufficient for his mode rate wants. On'the 12th of the Fifth Month, John Yeardley left Calais for London. At the inn in Calais, a Httle 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 oppor tunity 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 raail for Sheffield, and on the 14th slept at ray dear brother Thoraas's at Ecclesfield, who took me on the 15th, to Barnsley. I was truly thankful to be favored to see ray 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 raind on seeing so raany Friends whora I had known and loved in forraer days. The raeeting 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 aUusion to the disastrous coraraercial panic by which this year was distinguished. 7 mo. 24. — Have been very low and deserted in mind for a long tirae past. It is a time for the trial of ray patience, and yet I have raany favors for which I ought to be truly thank ful. It is a precious privilege to be relieved frora the com mercial 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 TOO. 21. — Monthly Meeting at Wooldale. The meeting (146) MT. 40.] NEW RESIDENCE. 147 was exceedingly crowded with strangers ; there was uot room in the house to hold all who carae. I had been very low all the morning, and to see such a number of people at the meet ing sunk me low indeed. I was enabled to turn inward to Hira from whora help alone comes ; and blessed be his holy Narae, he did not forsake rae in the needful time, but was pleased once more to give strength and utterance to comraunicate what came before me. My certificates from Germany and Congenies'- were read and accepted, and many Friends ex pressed much unity and sympathy with rae 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 oppor tunity 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 sur prising 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 at tention to taking up his abode again in his native land. In selecting a place of residence, he seeras 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 Ben tham, 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 viUage where he used to attend meeting in his early days, may be seen by the foUowing meraorandum: — 9 mo. 26. At York. — It was a large Quarterly Meeting. Living ministry flowed freely, and I thought even poor me 148 DEATH OF HIS MOTHER. [1826. 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 cum bered about "raany things," which, I think, has kept ray mind in a poor, barren state. 0 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 try ing state of my precious raother's health. My attendance on her in this poorly state, and at this season of the year, when I lost ray poor dearest Bessie, rerainded me strongly of my dear departed lamb. Before his marriage with Martha Savory was accom plished, 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 Eedbrook [where she had resided], I was enabled to petition the throne of mercy for a little help and strength through the reraainder 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 MT. 40.] AND OF HIS FATHER. 149 dined with me at the cottage. It is reraarkable that the opening of our residence should be in this awful manner; but we were much comforted in feeling in the raidst 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 raust do right. We attended the interraent on First-day, the 12th. The raeeting-house at Woodhouse was pretty full, and a good and tendering meeting it was. It felt hard work to labor among a nuraber of worldly-rainded 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 raore tender and more susceptible of good. 0 that it raay con tinue, and that I raay reraain hurable and watchful for the tirae to corae, and live prepared for that awful change which I know not how soon raay be sent to ray dwelling! — (11 TOO. 16.) On the 18th he pursued his journey to London, and on the 21 st, 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 Grace- chuich-street Meeting-house. The time in silence, says the Diary, was very solemn, and acceptable testimonies were borne by William Allen and 150 MARRIAGE. [1836. Elizabeth 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 Stolce Newington. The day was spent, I trust, profitably, and on parting, about seven o'clock, we had a corafortable tirae, and soraething was expressed by ray M. and self, and dear W. Allen. After taking a very affectionate leave, we posted on to Barnet. My brother Thoraas and J. A. Wilson took us up the next raorning ; and we four carae down in the coach to Sheffield, and [the next day] to Ecclesfield to dinner, and arrived at our hurable cottage the 15th of the Twelfth Month, I trust with thankful hearts. It is appropriate to give in this pla,ce 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 terras. She possessed, it wiU 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 unbe lief from which she had been rescued, fitted her in a peculiar degree to be her husband's helper in the minis try, 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 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF MARTHA SAVORY. 151 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 cor rected judgment. There were, however, various occa sions, 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 WiUiam Savery, whose horae in London was at her father's house. In sorae meraoranda of this period, she remarks, "Frequently in the meetings appointed by him, I was greatly wrought upon by his Hving ministry ;" and notwithstanding that she subse quently wandered far from the way of peace, there is good ground to beheve 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 convic tion that it had been an unhallowed and unprofltable exercise of her understanding was so impressed upon 152 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE her spirit, that, although the sacriflce 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 aU 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 en tangled : — " I was led to a love of metaphysical studies, and fancied I discovered, with clearness, that human vice, and consequently huraan misery, sprang from ignorance of the nature of virtue, and that if mankind would becorae 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 dis cerned.' " 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 wan dering on the barren raountains of doubt and error; OF MARTHA SAVORY. 153 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 in strumental in promoting this great change. She was introduced into frequent comraunication 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 conflned to her chamber, a young person (Susanna Corder), with whom she was only very slightly acquainted, but to whom she was ever after wards united in an intiraate and confidential friendship, was attracted to visit her. The interview was a raemo- rable 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 Hnes, " The rebel's surrender to grace," commencing — "Lord, Thou hast won ; at length I yield ; My heart, hy mighty grace compelled, Surrenders all to Thee ; Against thy terrors long I strove, But who can statid against thy love ? Love conquers even me." She was deeply affected by the remarkable applica tion of the whole of the hymn to the experience which 11 15'4 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE she was then passing through; she could not refrain from weeping, and to avoid the observation of passers- by, she walked through secluded streets, giving vent to her emotion ; and she afterwards repeatedly expressed her belief that there was, in this apparently casual inci dent, 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 raany tears I shed over it. It is no exaggerated picture." She now spent much time alone, alraost 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 frora the pit of destruction. Having had much forgiven, she loved much, and shrunk not ft-om 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, humil ity, with a modest and retiring manner, raarked her conduct ; everything merely ornamental was discarded, and the softening effect of a sanctifying principle im- OF MARTHA SAVORY. 155 parted 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 whora she united in the formation of a philanthropic association, " The South-.. wark Female Society for the relief of sickness and ex treme want." The late Mary Sterry, and several other estimable merabers of Southwark raeeting, together with benevolent individuals araong 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 im portant source of help to the sick and destitute. Martha Savory devoted to this w^ork of mercy much time and personal exertion; but a more important ser\ice was also designed for her. She felt constrained to give evidence of her love to Christ by a public testi mony 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 more, perhaps on my own account than on account of others ; for, without this bond, and the necessary baptisms attending this 156 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE 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 humi liation and brokenness of spirit which raarked these weighty engagements, were felt by many, especially among her youthful friends, to be pecuHarly impressive, as tokens of the soul-cleansing operations of omnipotent love, and as an awakening caU to yield to the same re generating 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 Congenies, where, and in the surrounding villages, she remained twelve months. A letter to one of her sisters, written a few years after her raarriage, so ftiUy represents her religious sentiments, and the doctrine she was concerned to preach and maintain, that it may not improperly con clude 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. OF MARTHA SAVORY. 157 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 raan, 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 tiraes a degree of union, -with our Oranipotent Creator, through the mediation of our Holy Redeemer. And seeing these feelings cannot be produced by eloquent discourses or beautiful illus trations 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 com munion 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 iraraediate teachings of the Spirit, under every profession, will be raore and more convinced that they cannot preach to profit the people, in their own will and at their own comraand ; and that as true and spiritual religion prevails they must in this respect corae to us, and not we go to them. Yet still it is certainly a day of rauch exciteraent, and of danger especially to the young and unawakened, and there never was a time when the merabers 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 efPiision of it may be poured upon us as a body, that so we may all be made and kept alive in Hira in whom is 158 BURTON COTTAGE. [1827. life, and the life is the light of men. I believe this would be much raore our experience, if the things of this world were kept in subjection by fervent daily prayer and the obedience of faith, which reraain to be the means pointed out by our gracious Redeemer, of communion with the Father through Hira. What can be raore 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 dweUing which John and Martha Yeardley occupied was on the highest ground in the village, comraanding a wide and cheerful prospect, and over looking, on the western side, the vaUey of the Dearn and the conspicuous town of Barnsley, which, notwith standing the smoke that envelopes it, stands out in fine relief on the opposite hUl. Their cottage adjoined the Friends' burial-ground ; and just on the other side of the waU reposed the remains of Frances Yeardley, on the site formerly occupied by the meeting-house.* * 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 place, 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 nse 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 such a place ; for Joshua, a servant of the Lord and commander in chiefe or leader and ruler of the people MT. 41.] RELIGIOra VISITS IN YORKSHIRE. 159 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 wiU 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. 7, 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 com menced 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 faraily. 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. 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 burled 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. Aud Eleazer, Aaron's son, who was called of the Lord, when he died, (they buried him not in a parish church, nor a, steeple-house yeard, butj they buried him iu 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." 160 DIARY. [1827. Among John Yeardley's notes made during the more general visit, we meet with a memorandum which may be taken to raark a stage or era in his Christian experi ence. The daily record of rehgious exercise and feehng which is so useful to many in the hidden season of ten der 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 a^ to the state of my mind, but have of late thought it safer not to record all the inward dis pensations 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 becorae qualified for his service ; but the baptisras 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. Aeter John and Martha Yeardley had visited their friends at horae, their minds were directed to the work which they had left uncompleted on the continent of Europe; and, on their return frora 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 High flatts, where we laid our concern before our friends to revisit sorae 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 feel ingly into our views, and under a precious solemnity, a general sentiment of unity and concurrence spread through the meet ing, 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 con cern, if possible, more weightily than ever upon rae, 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 (161) 162 DEPARTURE. [1827. part of this month, and returned by way of Ackworth, where, says John Yeardley, We had a comfortable parting with dear Robert and Han nah Whitaker, in their own room. R. 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 re ligious 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 sup port in every trying dispensation. On the eve of their departure frora London, a cir- curastance occurred of a very disagreeable character. The shop of their brother, A. B. Savory, in CornhiU, was broken open; many valuable articles were taken, and their travelhng trunks, which had been left there, were ransacked. Although their loss was trifling, the annoy ance 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 Chris tian 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 feehngs. The manner in which J. Y. mentions the event evinces his tenderness of mind MT. 41. J PYRMONT AND MINDEN. 163 in comraencing 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 gloora over us. One of our shipraen being busy about the sails, part of a beara 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 sorae of our benevolent friends in London. My heart is rauoh 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 Miinster ; at the last place they were laid by from the heat and weariness. They reached Friedenthal on the 4th ofthe 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 ray raind. Since I was last here 1 have passed through much ; nevertheless the Lord has guided my steps, and I have cause to give Him thanks. They visited Minden and the Httle meetings around, bestowing much labor on them; but at Pyrmont, to suffer, rather than to do, was their aUotted portion. It soraetiraes seems to me, writes J. Y., that we have in this place little to do and rauch to suffer. I ara often cast do-wn, 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. 164 JOURNEY TO THE NORTH SEA. [1827. 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 raore faithfulness is not manifested in little things. Soon after their arrival in Gerraany they tumed 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 empha tically, an act of faith, and the course of it lay so much through a part of Europe seldom visited by travellers, that we shaU transcribe the diarv of it without much curtailment. 9 mo. 4. — Having for soraetirae felt an impression to visit Friedrichgroden and other places on the shore of the North Sea, near the confines of Bast Friesland, we set out from Pyrraont in company with our dear friend Louis Seebohm, travelling with extra-post in our own carriage. We found this a pretty expeditious way of travelling for this country, being able to make about fifty-five English miles a day. Be tween Oldendorf and Biickeburg, we experienced a remark able 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 fur ther 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 MT. 41.] VAREL AND JEVER. 165 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 raan who frequented the house, and who, when he knew our inquiry, iraraediately wrote down the particulars of the place, and explained it by signs on the table. We left two books for this intelligent raan for his kindness, and set forward. Dined at Varel, and had two poor tired horses and an awkward driver to J ever. 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 ray 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 appear ance of ease and plenty ; in Yarel 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 in ignorance and indifference as to reli gion. 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 Ixxviii. 12-14. 166 VISIT TO THE COLONISTS. [1827. After having thus travelled sorae 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 Friedrich groden. It is a tract of land gained frora the sea of about ten or twelve hundred acres, banked round in three divisions, and raade arable, on- which are built about twenty farm houses, which forra alraost a new world. This land is the property of the governraent ; a sraall sura 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 grodeiis, 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 sur rounding country, one was put into our 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 raore 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 raade. Finding the distance raight be too great to walk, next morning we procured horses, and started about seven o'clock, taking from our sraall stock of books one for each family. We coraraenced intercourse with them by first interesting ourselves about their farailies and doraestic concerns, not unmindful of every suitable opportunity to turn .the conver sation 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 iET. 41.] THE INUNDATION OF 1825. 167 attend. Most of thera have as many as six children, and some eight, with fine countenances. We felt deeply inte rested, partiiiularly for the mothers, sorae of whom are tender-spirited, amiable woraen, and wept rauch in the oppor tunities we bad with thera. Their late afflictions have made on sorae a deep irapression, 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 raost touching case was that of a raan who lost his wife and five children, his father, raother, and servants. They were sent away in a waggon, as a raeans of escape ; but the waggon was swept away by the torrent, and all perished. The hus band, who was left alone in the house, got to land on sorae 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, aud think they were sensible of our visit being in the sincere love of the Gospel. Their kindness towards us exceeded description. In going frora house to house, one of thera 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 hira, he seeraed overjoyed, and conducted us to his horae and his interesting wife. His narae is Friedrich Fockensllararaen. 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. Ha-ving felt much towards seeing thera together, the way seeraed open to propose to this raan to have a raeeting. He feadily undertook to consult with a few others; and he carae to our inn next raorning 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 168 .RELIGIOUS STATE OF" THE COLONISTS. [1827. way they had done, had it not been for the kind and effectiial assistance received from England. After an interesting con versation 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' terri tories belonging to Hanover than in any part of the Con tinent that I have seen, and the greatest religious ignorance prevails there. The cause raay 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 theraselves. . The Edict of Stade has lately been' renewed, prohibiting religious raeetings; no unauthorised persons (as they call it), are perraitted to preach or hold meetings, on pain of iraprisonment; all, foreign missionaries to be immediately sent beyond the boundaries. The settle ment 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 Hol land. 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 neigh borhood is relieved from poor-rates, except for the support iET. 41.] JOURNEY TO FREDERICKS-OORT. 169 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 at tempt 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 sorae 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 reraarking the corafortable feeling that I was favored with, riding frora 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 ray heart that we had been thus far enabled to do what we believed to be in the way of our dut}'. 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.) 11th. — Left Leer about eleven o'clock in the raorning, and expected to arrive at Assen at eleven or twelve at night, but to our great disappointraent we travelled the night through, and only reached Assen at seven next morning. At Wehn- dam 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 alraost 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 12 170 FREDERICKS-OOHT. [1827. have a. plate of silver or gold on each side almost like a helmet, and soraetiraes very costly. At the inn at Nieuweschans [on the borders of Gerraany 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 rauch below the sea that all is irapregnated with salt. Rain water is used for drinking, and the method of pre serving it is in a deep reservoir lined with bo^^rds and puddled with clay. I was surprised to find it kept good so long : it is seldora known to go bad. One of the farraers on the Grodens drew water out of his well and handed rae 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 best tea I ever drank was made from rain water so pre served. 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 sirailar to that practised in Brabant, and the produce proves that it is excellent ; for no better raeadows, or corn land in a higher state of cultiva tion are to be seen than in sorae parts we have lately passed through. The cows, when fresh in milk, are milked three times a day, by which raeans more railk is obtained than in the com mon method ; any one wishing to raake a fair experiment of this must try it not fof 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 con dition of the poor, and to reUeve 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 provi dent habits. When our friends visited the colony, it MT. 41.] RETURN TO PYRMONT. 171 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 exceUent, and found that 'rehgious 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 beggars, or-~ phans, 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 traveUers 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 Osnabriick, and arrived at Pyrmont on the 19th. Here they spent ten days in resting, and in preparing to pursue their journey through South Gerraany. 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 break fast, and reading, on First day morning. It was to us both 172 FRANKFORT. [1827. a season of deep feeling. My dear M. Y. was so filled with a sense of our own weakness, and Jhe Almighty's goodness towards us in a wilderness travel through a dark country, that she knelt, and w^s 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 firra 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 beheved it to be his duty, and then he could declare only what was given him at the tirae; this he considered to be the only preaching that could profit the hearers. His views on the inutihty of water baptism were so decided, that when converted Jews asked him to administer to them this rite, he told them he could not recoraraend 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 MT. 41.] DARMSTADT — HEPPENHEIM. 173 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 thera 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 rae !" 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 ordi nary 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 part ing 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 raine anointed, and do ray prophets no harra." Crossing the Rhine, at Mannheim, they stopped, on the 12th, at Diirkheim, 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 per- 174 DURKHEIM— L. FITZ. [1827. secution. 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 year.s. 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 in 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 re mained still and weighty in spirit. We inclined to attend the evening devotion at Fitz's, hut prefaced our request with the hope that they would not be offended if vve did not take part in their observances. This was iraraediately 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 thera to remain a while in silence, and I trust I may say we were enabled to utter what was required of us in testimony and supplication. In Diirkheim 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 iET. 41.] LUDWIGSBURG. 175 soon as she heard that sorae Christian friends were come into the town, -went to Fitz's, and took up one of the books we had given hira. 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 carae out. We felt rauch for these awakened ones of Abrahara'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 woraan, and sent them with sorae books by Fitz, who accorapanied us to that place. Tuke's Principles finds much entrance araong the awakened Jews. Travelhng through Spires, Carlsruhe, and Pforzheim, they came on the 16th to Stuttgardt, where they found Henry Kienlin, of Pforzheira, who, as the reader will remeraber, had won so large a place in their love and esteera on their former journey. He not only, says John Yeardley, professes our principles, but bears a clear and fearless testiraony for them. His wife is of the same mind with him, although she does not yet show it in the siraplicity of her dress. On the 18th, we set out in corapany 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 cleaaliness prevail, and the food is good; The governor, Kleth, is a worthy, pious man ; he hiraself reads the Holy Scriptures to the prisoners, and endeavors to proraote their spiritual iraproveraent. When we entered a rooin in which were a number of men, they rose, and stood serioiis and quiet as though they expected we should address them ; and for a shCrt time the love of God was felt amongst us in an impressive manner ; but nothing was' given us to utter. It will bo recollected that when John and Martha Yeardley were at Stuttgardt in 1826, they met with the 176 KORNTHAL. [1827. Pastor Hoffman, and that they desired to visit the insti tution at Kornthal, of which he was the director, but were obliged to forego this visit in order to hasten for ward 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 Hoffraan. On entering the roora 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 raembers 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 merabers 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 reheve 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." MT. 41.] KORNTHAL. 177 I cam truly say I was a-wfully impressed with their meaning, and a secret prayer rose in my heart that it might be expe rienced 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 sorae present who only understood Low Gerraan might not have clearly got the sense ; however, we were told afterwards that they had understood every word that I had said. Hoffraan generously acknowledged to the hearers that what had been delivered was strictly conforraable with Scrip ture doctrine, and that he united raost fully with it. Next raorning 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 ray raind. Hoffman asked if they had understood ; they almost all answered, Ja, ja, ja. This visit has afforded an opportunity of our becoraing acquainted -with many serious characters out of the neigh borhood who were come to the interraent ; 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 raake us no charge, saying love must pay all. We were most easy to raake a present to the box for the institution, but they would have refused it, saying feelingly. Travellers like you have raany 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 compre hend the anxiety which he felt when he saw no alter- 178 WURTEMBERG [1827. native but that of committing himself to preach in German. Though very famUiar with the language, he never corapletely overcame the want of early and of thoroughly gramraatical instruction in that difficult and intricate tongue. It was with feelings of this kind that he penned the following raemorandura before going to Kornthal : — 18th. — 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 raeeting. 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 Wurtemberg. 22nd. — Wiirteraberg is a favored land. In Feldbach, three hours frora Stuttgardt, there are about 800 Christian people who hold raeetings in each other's houses : some of them belong to the Kornthal Society. Years ago, many eraigrated to Araerica and Russia, to gain religious liberty ; now it is granted thera by their own Governraent. On the 22nd, they journeyed to Tiibingen, 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 carae 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 hirfi much. He had undertaken the study of divinity from an .ST. 41.] WILHELMSDORF. 179 apprehension of duty, and said that it was only by the assist ance of the Holy Spirit we could be made instrumental in the rainistry. On the 25th they came to Wilhelmsdorf, on the Lake of Constance, where is a branch of the Kornthal Asso ciation. They found the director "a man of great simplicity, but of inward vvorth." He was, continues John Yeardley, six years in Kornthal, and seeras 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 morn ings. 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 speak ing among them ; and some of thera appeared to be sensible of the value of true silence, and from whence words ought to spring; raany shed tears under the raelting influence of divine love which was so preciously to be felt araongst us. We took an affectionate leave, well satisfied in visiting this little com pany, to strengthen thera 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 ray 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. SW^ITZERLAND. On the 27th of the Tenth Month John and Martha Yeardley crossed the Swiss frontier to Schaffhansen, where their presence was welcomed by several pious persons. Amongst these were a young woraan, Caroline Keller, who from a rehgious 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 rae ; 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 vie-ws. 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 ara afraid, he remarks in a letter in which he describes their service at Schaffhansen, I am afraid thou wilt think me too minute in my details ; but really when I enter into the (180) MT. 41.] THE MISSIONARY CARPENTER. 181 feeling which accorapanied us in these visits, it seeras as if I could scarcely quit it. They spent the 29th at Schaffhansen in close Chris tian 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 Schaff'hausen ; but if we were raore faithful we should be raore useful. Our friends were quite inclined for us to have had a meeting with them, but w-e were too fearful to propose it. 0 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 thera 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 en lighten 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 appear ance of a laborer, learning Greek. This was a little sur prising, 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 raodern Greek, and to proceed in the spring to Corfu. He intends to provide for his own li-ving 182 THE HERR VON CAMPAGNE. [1827. by working at his trade, and he will take for instruction about four boys at a time, and as soon as he has brought thera for ward enough, set thera as raonitors over others. Sorae tirae ago two young raen were sent out by the Bible Society to Corfu; but before they reached the place of their destination they were deterred by the raissionaries on account of the un settled state of the country, and dared not proceed further for fear of losing their lives. It is remarkable that, at the junc ture when these two young men were turned back by discour agement, this poor raan 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 con fessed 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 re marked that, as this call was raade frora above, the great Master alone could guide his steps ; he appeared fully sensible frora whom his help raust corae. He is beloved by his em ployers, and has an excellent certificate frora 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 Pf affikon 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 becorae personally acquainted with some of the Society. He is a most benevo lent character, but we could not unite with all his religious views ; he does not think it necessary to raeet for religious worship ; in short, his principles are much the same as those held by Jacob Bohmen. We slept at his house, and next morning returned to Zurich, where we called on our particular friend Professor iET. 41.] ZURICH. 183 Gessner and his faraily, 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 raeeting for worship, the Prince himself, with Herr Koch and the Herr von Brandenstein, gave thera 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 t-welve o'clock, he continues, came our kind young friend, Hannah Gessner, to accorapany us to the ancient and worthy Bishop Hess. He is in his eighty-seventh year, but lively in spirit and active in raind. He is uncom monly liberal in his religious opinions, and his enlarged heart seemed to overflow with Christian love towards the followers pf Christ under every name,. He treated us as a father, and I felt instructed in being in his corapany. 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 corapany with seven of the professor's daughters and sons, who are aU serious persons. After sorae conver sation on the order and rainistry of our Society, it was proposed by dear Hannah,' through her auilt, 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 testi mony 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 sueh a feeling manner that 184 HOFWYL. [1827. the words went to ray very heart, " The Lord bless thee, and put the words of his wisdora into thy raouth." On the 6th they went to Berne, and the next morn ing 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 coraraitted to their care an education suited to their circum stances and their future prospects in life. There is a first- rate boarding school, for young gentleraen; a raiddle school, for tradesraen, &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 departraent 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 thera to travel, they hired a lodging, intending to remain two or three months. As on their former visit, they held frequent inter course with pious persons, several of them well known in the Christian world ; such as Gaussen, Bost, and L'Huillier. Of Theodore L'HuUHer, minister of the New Church, John Yeardley says : — Though a raoderate 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 MT. 42.] GENEVA. 185 had rauoh serious conversation, I hope to profit, at least to our own rainds ; for we were given to see a little the iraport ance 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 rauch in defend ing 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 raeetings in his house, and for refusing to have his children baptised. His sentiments in the of&ce of the rainistry 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 extreraely poor, but a secret desire and prayer has been raaintained 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 reraainder 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 rayself 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 Yernet's kindly attended us to the feraale prison, and introduced us to others of the coraraittee ; and in the evening we had a religious opportunity with the few confined there, during which they evinced much feeling. 13 186 CHANGE OF PURPOSE. [1828. Our interesting corapanion told us the next raorning that she trusted the circurastance would be blessed to thera. 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 narae 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 corapany 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 Flizdheth 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 thera in this change of purpose are described by John Yeardley, in a letter to his brother, ofthe nth ofthe Second Month, 1828. In raj 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 raonths, in a state of hurable resignation to be directed aright in this iraportant matter, we did not feel it press with suf&- cient weight on our minds to warrant our moving in the face of so rauch difficulty as is at present iu the way. We have always considered our safety in such engageraents 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 \ MT. 42.] LAUSANNE. 187 would appear that in the discouragement they felt in the prospect of a long journey through France, they were Httle 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, alraost 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 alraost 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 spirituaUy-minded persons. 23rc?. — We visited several of the pastors. We found M. F^vaz, minister of the Seceders in this place, very inter esting, humble, and spiritual. He related to us, in much simplicity and candor, that in the coraraenceraent 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 Di-yine Provi dence," which we had translated, and had got printed at Geneva. 188 NEUFCHATEL. [1828. 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 rehgious service in this place, says:-^ We were invited to a meeting which we felt most easy to attend, and my husband was given full Hberty to speak if he felt inclined ; but for a while the usual acti-vity of their meet ings — such as singing, coraraenting on texts with Cal-vinistio 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 horae, 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 evD, that would cleanse the heart, that would bring into nearer com munion with the Saviour.— (Ze^CT- to Elizaheth Dudley) On the 27th; continues the Diary, A. Borel conducted ua MT. 42.] BERNE— SCHBRLI, 189 to a meeting with some interior persons, about three railes from town. It was, a time of close exercise of mind, but eiided to satisfaction, and, I hope, to the edification and S,txength of some present. The master of the house, Professor P^tavel, said that never until that evening had he been able to see clearly the beauty and advantage of pure spiritual worship, contrasted with outward forras. 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 schoolraaster 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 lie had done, we were introduced as rel igious strangers from England ; and silence ensuing, opportunity was given for us tP express what came before us. 28th. — Sorae of the raost interior told us they had long heeii exercised about spiritual worship, and had often wished to see sonxe of the Society of Friends. On hearing of our intended visit two years ago, they said if we had come then lw.e should have found thera] w'rapped up in doctrines, . but ;iOW they were given to see they could not live on the letter alone, they raust be born again, and partake of that bread which, cometb do,wn, frora heaven. Many of these awakened persons carae to our inn at all hours, and our hearts were filled with love towards thera as a cup overflowing ; so that it was given to us to minister to thera alraost individually as they carae to us. On the 29th they went to Berne, and the following morning walked over to Wabern, where sorae of A. ^oyel's friends resided, who received them with open arms. After dinner M. Corabe drove us in his car to Scherli. We alighted at the house of one of the peasant-farraers, situated quite among the mountains, with the Alps fair in view. They 190 PIOUS CHIMNEY-SWEEPER. [1828. received us in the name of disciples with every mark of love and respect. They were more disposed to sit in sUence 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 atterapted 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 corae to his worship. We were there only an hour or two, but a nuraber 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 next day, and spent most of the day with us. One of them. Christian Speicher, told me he did not know how to express the satis faction 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 recomraend thera to remain with Him who had so mercifully and powerfully -visited them. On the 31st they returned to Berne, and the next day caUed upon a pious chimney-sweeper, waiting whilst he changed his sooty clothes. MT. 42.] MONTMIRAIL — LOCLE. 191 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 persona who assemble at his house, and hold the same sentiments. About a year and a half or two years ago, there was a re markable 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 thera 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 cele brated 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 feraales 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,) tliey 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 araong them." They went to Locle under the conduct of A. Borel, whose "kindness exceeded aU 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 Eno-land: we find in the hearts of these visited children O I of the Universal Parent genuine hospitality; they hand ua of all they have in their houses in the name of disciples. ' 192 MARY ANNE CALAME. [1828. , At Locle they were raet by Mary Aniie 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 heariilg the children examined. The house is a refuge for the lame, blind, deaf, dumb, and sick. Peace and contentraent prevail through the whole. This establishment was coraraenced about twelve years ago -with five children, and has prospered in a remarkable raanner. M. A. C. is one with Friends' in principle, and, as well as some others of the faraily, 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 chil dren. She associated some others with her for this object, but having peculiar "views- on religious subjects, and more persever ance 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 per sons. 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. MT. 42.] LEAVE SWITZERLAND. 193 Her faith is still often very severely t^ied, but they have never yet been suffered to want. Her refuge in times of ex- treraity is prayer, and it has been in sorae instances very evi dently 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 con sider 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 reraarking 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 hira above all, and to do all for his sake." We felt very nearly united to her and to 'an intiraate 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 sim ple 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 tro. 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 custora-house raade us late at our quar- 194 JOURNEY THROUGH FRANCE. [1828 ters, 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, ray 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 discour aging contrast of quitting those to whom we had become united in the gospel of peace, in a country the raost beautiful that Nature can present, with a long journey in prospect through a dreary country whose ir^habitants wish only to get what they can frora us. These discouraging fears could only be silenced by reflecting that the sarae protecting Providence presides over aU and everywhere. Travelhng with their own single horse, their favorite Poppet, the progress they made was necessarily slow, and they did not reach Paris tiU the 19th. After spend ing 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 thaiikfulness covered ray mind in the hurable 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 exaraine 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 .ST. 42.] ACCIDENT ON THE WAl'ER. 195 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 de scribes was speedily fulfilled, as was also the hopeful promise by which it was accompanied, ^hey 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 frora 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 tirae not long, we received no further injury. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his raercies to us, his poor unworthy servants ! how often has he raade bare his mighty arm for our deliverance. In the midst of danger fear was reraoved frora us, and we' were blessed with the unspeakable advantage of presence of mind, and enabled to use the best raeans under Divine Providence to save our lives. They visited the Friends and a fQW other persons in Guernsey and Jersey, and then proceeded to Wey mouth, and on the 25 th to Bristol. At Bristol and Tewkesbury they were deeply interested in the state of the meetings, and had sorae reraarkable service in both places. Taking also Nottinghara and Chesterfield in their way, and being "weU satisfied in not having 196 RETURN HOME. [1828. overrun them," they arrived at the cottage at Burton on the Sth of the Fourth Month, having been absent about nine raonths. In the retrospect, say they, of this long and arduous jour ney, 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 raany places the fields are white unto harvest, and were fully sensible of our own ina bility to labor therein, yet He who, we trust, sent us forth was often pleased to raise us frora the depth of discourage ment, to rejoice in him our Saviour. If any fruits arise from our feeble efforts to proraote his cause, it will be from his blessing resting upon thera, for nothing can possibly be at tached to us but weakness and want of faith. But, blessed be his holy name, he knew the sincerity of our endeavors to do his \i ill, 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 trav elling and bad accommodation during the journey. , Under date of the 18th of the Fifth Month, J. Y. vvrites : — How circurastances 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 ray dear Martha being rauch worse. My poor raind has been distressed at her weaK state : I should sink under discourage ment, did I not consider that He who sends affliction can sup port in it, and he who brings low can raise up in his own tirae, if it be his blessed will, to which all raust be subraitted. In the Seventh Month he took her to Harrowgate, where her health became very much restored, and soon after their rqturn they paid a religious visit to Ackworth School and to the families of Friends in Barnsley. Some of the opportunities at Ackworth, writes Jonn (197) 198 LETTER FROM M. A. CALAME. [1828. 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 tirae of deep affliction. In the latter part of this year they were much occu pied in establishing an Infant School at Barnsley ; and also in collecting and remitting subscriptions to Mary Anne Calame for her Orphan Institution. In acknow ledging to Martha Yeardley one of these remittances, M. A. C. writes thus: May our Heavenly Father render thee a hundredfold what thy charity has prorapted thee to do for ray numerous family of children ; and raay 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 testi mony of his love towards us ; he has permitted that it should be blessed to us ; for the reraerabrance of you carries us towards Hira who is the finisher of our faith, where we raingle with you in the unfathoraable sea of the divine mercy. My large faraily is rauch blessed; good and happy ten dencies manifest theraselves in many, and in general peace reigns through the house. The assistant masters and mis tresses walk more or less in the presence of the Lord ; the governess [M. Ziramerling] especially grows deeper in the divine life : she is often ill, but she bears this cross, by the help that is given her frora above, with much subraission and faith. Last raonth we had the pleasure of raaking a little journey to Berne and the neighborhood, to visit our friends there who, love you so rauch. 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 rae that if my eyes .should never again meet thine in this land of exile, I should speedily recognize iET. 43.] DIARY. thee i"n the happy mansions where the goodness of the Redeemer has prepared us a place. 0, my sister, raay he bless thee, raay he bless John whom he has given thee to accom plish 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 Iiumerous: we select from them the foUowing short memorandura : — 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 thera of ray 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 anni versary 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 rayself, 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 200 LETTER FROM A. BOREL. [1829. message, had found strength to establish a meeting for worship. This inforraation was contained in a letter frora Auguste Borel, frora 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 nuraber at my house at ten o'clock in the raorning. 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 rae 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 frora our city, illurainating every point of the wide horizon. It is ray 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 con descend to raaintain and increase it in tirae and in eternity. Since that tirae 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 corapass of Pontefract and Knaresborough Monthly Meetings. Araongst the notices in the Diary of these meetings, are the fol lowing : — 8 mo. 16. — A public raeeting at Wooldale, to which came many raore 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 becorae hearers of the word ; but it was the doers of the word that were pronounced happy. .ST. 43.] DEATH OP J. A. WILSON. 201 23rd — Meeting at Otley, in the Methodist chapel. It was not very full, but very solid and satisfactory. The last publio meeting in this place was held in silence, which might pro bably be the cause of a small attendance on this occasion. It is hard work to bring the people to see and feel the advan tage 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 aU ; 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. WUson 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 raind, which, I believe, contributed to his refinement, and prepared him for the awful change. He had been recoraraended to go to a warraer climate, and had taken up his residence at Gloucester, 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 expe rienced the fulfilment of this promise: "Beholdj 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 Devon shire. 14 202 BRISTOL — PLYMOUTH. [1830. Their service commenced with an encouraging meet ing at Monyash, in Derbyshire. ISth. — The first meeting we attended was at Monyash. It was larger than we had expected, in consequence of strangers coraing in, and proved rather a lively- coraraenceraent to our spiritual course of labor. On the 14th they held a raeeting 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 whora 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 neigh bors out of her sraall 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., rauch pleasure in being in this family. Bristol is the largest meeting we have in our Society in England, and to rae it was a very trying one on the First- day raorning. I was rauch 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 corafort as I could well desire. At Plymouth John Yeardley found an object of Hvely interest in Lady Rogers' Charity School, esta blished to fit girls for becoming household servants. He was gratified with the good order, sirapHcity, and economy, which pervaded the institution. Martha MT. 44.] REVIEW OF THE JOURNEY. 203 Yeardley suffered much during their journey in Devon shire, 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 theraselves in visiting the Friends frora house to house, and in organising an infant school, which the Friends had long desired to see established. On their return frora 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 rainds 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 huraan nature reraains unchanged, a check against the one '"and an incitement to the other seem to be necessary, as a help to overcorae 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 TOO. 22. — Alraost all the raeetings we attended on this journey of 800 miles are very small, except Birrainghara and Bristol, and the life of religion is low among the merabers in general; which is not much to be wondered at, when we consider that raany 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 forra of religion, no outward means to excite them to faith and good works. If they neglect the spirit of 204 YEARLY MEETING. [1830. prayer in theraselves, it is not surprising th.ey shordd grow cold in love and zeal for the noble cause of truth on the earth. But in the lowest of these [raeetings] there is some thing 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 raeetings within their own Monthly Meeting, " thinking," says J. Y., " a little pastoral care was due to our Friends at home, seeing we are often concemed to go abroad." In the Fifth Month they went up to the Yearly Meeting, via Lincolnshire, taking several raeetings in the way. Araong the subjects which occupied Friends in their annual conference this year was that of mis sions to the heathen, which, it was proposed "by some, should be 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 next 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. M!T. 44.] JOURNEY TO WALES. 205 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 indi viduals 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 soraetiraes 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 Hke a home. We lodged at EHzabeth Rowntree's, a sweet resting-place." (7 mo. 4.) At the same time that they reported to their Monthly Meeting iJie 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 TOO. 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 thera a week. He proved, says J. Y., a most efficient helper in this -wild country, knowing the roads well, and he was kind and atten tive to us and our hotse. The stages are long and hilly, and 206 JOURNEY TO WALES. [1830. we are often obliged to go raany miles round the mountains to raake 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 frora the raoor. 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. EHzabeth Dudley was also there, with a cer tificate for reUgious 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 accorapanied throughout the journey by Robert and Jane Eaton of Bryn-y-Mor. As there are very few raeetings of Friends in Wales, the chief part of their service was beyond the Hmits 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 raade 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 MT. 44.] ABERYSTWITH — MACHYNLLETH. 207 forward the cause of religion. They kindly offered us their chapel for the evening, and after the meeting they both ex pressed much satisfkction 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 inight have proceeded on our journey after having refreshed our selves and our horses; but, B. D. feeling much interested 'for the people of the town, it seemed best to have a meeting with thera. 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 raake the people under stand us was discouraging; for in the streets there was nothing to be heard but Welsh. However there was no tirae for reasoning, it being near twelve o'clock, and all raust be arranged by seven in the evening. After sorae 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 coraraon 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 to-wards 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 208 LLANGOLLEN. [1830. •account to the assembly and dismissed them. We regretted the want of the native language, as we could not have the sarae coraraand 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 dif ferent kind — the gift of Spiritual judgraent. 9 mo. 19. — On entering Barmouth we thought of a meeting Avith the inhabitants ; but on feeling raore closely at the sub ject the way did not appear clear ; there was something which we could neither see nor feel through. This power of spir itual discrimination is very precious. How instructive it is to mark our impressions under various circumstances and at different times 1 9 TOO. 25. — At Ruthin we obtained inforraation 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 re ligious principles from conviction. We saw them on First- day raorning in the roora where they usually raeet, 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 thera a more convenient room, which we did. 27th. — In the evening we had a publio 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 asserably separated, we proposed to them to establish a school for poor children ; several present expressed their conviction of the want of such an institution MT. 44.] LLANGOLLEN. 209 and the minister was so warm in the cause that he proposed their commencing without delay. 28th. — We went to Wrexham, and had a raeeting in the evening. The notice was short, but the people carae punc tually, and a precious tirae 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 instruraents, inviting us to have a meeting with them when we carae again that way. This favored time, at the close of our labors araong a peo ple whom I much love, seeraed like a crown on our exit from long-to-be-reraembered Wales. My heart was hurabled in reverent thankfulness to the Father of all our raercies, 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 whora they had been so closely united in this long journey, and returned to Bur ton on the 20th of the Tenth Month. In the Eleventh Month they raade a circuit through Lancashire, taking all the meetings of Friends in course. They found " several raeetings 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 tirae. J. W. said afterwards he believed there would be a meeting 210 VISIT TO LANCASHIRE. [1830. 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 foUowing animating remark: — The retrospect of this journey in connexion with that of Wales aff'orded a sweet feeling of peace. We were often low and discouraged, but help was mercifully extended in the tirae 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 TOO. 25. — A raonth has been spent in the quiet, in reading, writing, and raany other things in course. Leisure being afforded, I have spent a good deal of tirae in reading diligently and attentively the Holy Scriptures, I trust to some profit. After this seasonable pause, John and Martha Yeard ley 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 raotive 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 sorae tirae 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 raight be right for us to reraove for some tirae to Scar borough, 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 MT. 45.] REMOVAL TO SCARBOROUGH. 211 put it frora us. We were so desirous to settle at C. [near Pontefract], that only five pounds a year in the rent saved us frora taking the step. It was ray 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. soraething 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 tirae 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 reraoval, 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 foUow 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 raore dihgently ; and how his mind was enlarged to see the grace and power which the Lord is ready to bestow on those who seek and tmst him with thefr whole heart. 6 TOO. 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 respeict to myself, I feel greatly ashamed ; and it has occurred to me that should I be cast on a bed of sickness, or otherwise be deprived of an opportunity of exercising this gift, it would be an a-wful consideration, and cause of deep regret, that I had not better improved the tirae. The hardness of heart 212 DIARY. [1881. 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 faith fully. "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 whora his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." — (Luke xii. 42, 43.) Tenderly mindful of the rehgious wants of those whom they had lately left, so early as the Seventh Month John and Martha Yeardley revisited the severd 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 abUity 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 neigh borhood. 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 TOO. 7. — ^For a few days past I have felt my mind raised above the earth and fixed on heavenly things. I desire that MT. 45.] DLARY. 213 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 hurably 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 be given me to rise above the slavish fear of man. My heart was alraost sick with doubting; but on Fourth-day last a bright hope livingly sprang in ray 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 off'ered. Grant that this may be the case, dearest Saviour ! 10 TOO. 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 obedi ence to lose its reward, but is continually encouraging and stimulating us to greater devotedness of heart. The persuasion which he and Martha Yeardley enter tained of the need there was in the Society for increased means of scriptural instruction, led them, soon after they removed to Scarboroug*h, to propose the establishment ol a Bible class. The plan was for questions on the Scriptures to be given in anonymously in writing by the raerabers, and answers to be returned in the same way at the next meeting. The scheme was at that tirae 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 main tained 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 estabhshment in a letter to his sisters S. and R. S. 214 BIBLE CLASS. [1832. Chapel House, 6 mo. 30, 1832. By way ofa relaxation frora haymaking this charming morn ing, I have been again perusing your aff'ectionate notes, which you were so kind and thoughtful as to forward us by our dear brother and faraily. 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 tirae is not far distant when they will becorae 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 raeetings, 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 th'eir 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 raind; and at the sarae time he and Martha Yeardley believed it to be required of them to revisit some of the places of their former ser vice, and to take up their abode for a whUe with compa nies of persons whom they should find like-minded with themselves ; and also to perforra the unaccomplished duty of visiting the Piedmontese vaUeys. Considering M!T. 46.] PROSPECT OF A JOURNEY TO GREECE. 215 the extent of country over which they travelled, the varied nature of their labprs, and the large number of serious-minded and sympathizing persons with whom they were brought into relation, this journey may per haps 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 feel ings, their hopes, doubts, and aspirations, in J. Y.'s sim ple and faithfril Diary. 11 TOO. 7. — Yesterday was our Monthly Meeting at Picker ing, and to rae a very raeraorable one. We stated to our friends the prospect of a visit to sorae of the Grecian Islands and the Morea, the Protestant valleys of Piedraont, and some parts of GermaiUy, 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 frora my thoughts for many hours together. It has cost me not a little to corae at resignation ; but ray 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 pre vailing desire, and that is to devote the remainder of ray days to his service; and my prayers are very fervent that he may be pleased to give me faith, patience, and perse verance to do and to suffer all that his wisdom may permit to befal me. I am often ready to covenant with hira 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 rae 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 pre- 216 PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOURNEY. [1833. paring for the journey and studying the raodern 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 iraportant mission before us. — (3 mo. 4.) A chief desideratum had been to find a Greek who should accompany them as guide into his native coun try. "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 sorae corapanion for the journey, sorae 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 de sirous of returning to Greece, and whose simple and teachable character recoraraended her at once to their attention. " When," continues M. Y., " we carae to this part of Stephen GreUet's letter, we were both deeply raoved, behoving 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. Chrai as their corapanion into Greece. During their sojourn in London they received a letter from A. CHmi, written in French, in which that amiable young person signified the pleasure and gratitude with. which she accepted their proposal. J^S. 47.] ARGYRI CLIMI. 217 Loole, 29th of April, 1833. Excuse the liberty which I take of writing to testify ray great gratitude for your kind intention to take rae with you and bring me back to ray 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 1 How often might he have turned away his face frora me and cast rae 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 ray own country. Your grateful Argyri Climi.* 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, Hke 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 * 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 tho latter years of his life. 15 218 MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. [1833. was appointed to John and Martha Yeardley may not be appointed to them, they wiU, in an equal degree, inherit the blessing of doing their Lord's wiU, and may rest in the promise, " They that wait upon Him shaU 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 raeeting. 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 1 My heart's desire and prayers are that we raay 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 corae life, corae 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 imworthy 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. Travelhng 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 whora their society and their doctrine were welcorae, and they visited many benevolent insti tutions conducted on broad Christian principles. This was in the early part of Louis Phihppe'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 hands of priestcraft and arbitrary power. Here, and elsewhere during their journey, they wrote letters to members of the Foreign Comraittee of the Meeting for Sufferings, descriptive of their rehgious labors, frora 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 reflec tions not to be found in their joint epistles. (219) 220 PARIS. [1833. 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 tirae 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 raercy begun, and ia carrying on in this great city. On Fir^t-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 Madarae D'Aublay, sister-in-law- to Brissot, who was executed in the time of Eobespierre. She is a Eoman Catholic, and thinks the groundwork of true religion to be in their church, but that their custoras 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 TOO. 30. — After our little meeting this morning with the few friends resident here, and some others, we went to the Protestant Chapel, in the Eue Taitbout, to hear the children examined in the Scriptures. Many of the parents were MT. 47.] PARIS. 221 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 raanner, calculated to impress the great truths of Christianity on their minds. . A gentleraan exarained a class of boys; and after this course of exercise was finished, De Pressens6 gave them a lecture from the Old Testaraent. The subject was the healing of Naaraan, and the manner of proceeding was sim ple ; the child called upon stood up and answered pretty rauch as they do at Ackworth ; he repeated a few verses directly bearing on the subject, and the application which was raade was adrairable. We were really edified in being present. How rauch this kind of instruction is wanted for raany of our poor children in England 1 How delightful it is to see a large roora filled with Eoman Catholic children and parents, all receiving Christian instruction together 1 The Eoman Catholics no • longer object to send their children to Pro testants, because they know they will be well instructed. The chapel is a beautiful roora, with a circular gallery supported on pillars, and a dome top ; and it is the identical place where, only two years ago, the Saint Siraonians held forth their doctrines :— Oh reformation rare, The den of modern infidels is become a house of prayer I 7 mo. 2. — We had a long walk to the Eue 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 eveiling 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 Eoman 222 PARIS. [1833. Catholics ; and on First-days, particularly in winter, the room is filled -with Eoman Catholic men and women mostly parents of the children, who come to hear thera examined in the Scriptures and to receive instruction theraselves. Our con ductor showed us the boys' gardens. On the walls were grapes hanging in large bunches, belonging to the raaster. The boys are so far frora 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 pro-vided with bed, board, and clothing, at a neighboring establishment. One of the most interesting raen with whom J. and M. Y. became acquainted was Pastor Audebez. He was, say they, forraeriy rainister at Bordeaux, but received a strong impression that it was his religious duty to come to Paris. Soon after he left Bordeaux, a great awaken ing took place in that neighborhood under the rainistry of his successor, while with himself at Paris all seeraed darkness and discourageraent. This induced him to think he had done wrong in remo-ving, and he was rauch distressed ; but as he persevered in doing what presented as his duty, his way for usefulness in this great city opened in a reraarkable raanner. He first opened the chapel in the Taitbout, and then one in the Faubourg du Teraple, 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 tirae. He said sorae of the ministers consid ered 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 theo logical order. We felt much inclined to hear hira for ourselves, and attended in the Eue St. Maur on First-day evening ; and .ET. 47.] PARIS. 223 we have this testimony to bear, — that we heard the gospel preached to the poor. He first read the 25th Psaira, and then part of the Epistle to the Eoraans, 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 neces.sity of bringing forth fruits unto holiness. 7 TOO. 5. — Pastor Grandpierre came to pay us a visit witli 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 Sa-viour 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 Eoche. 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 establishraent 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 GreUet, brother of Stephen GreUet, 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 Pressens6 proposed to give a lecture on a subject from the Old Testa ment, 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 di-vine love was over us. Our kind friend, 224 PARIS. [1833. J. Grellet, interpreted for rae in an impressive and clear manner. The name of Mark Wilks has been for many years identified with the cause of evangehcal 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 TOO. 9. — This raorning I had an interview with Mark Wilks. He received rae very cordially, and, as I expected, I found hira 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 sarae exertion is raade to spread the vile doctrine. The fact is, in sorae degree, the people are too indifferent to trouble themselves about it, and would not spend a sou for . its proraotion ; on the other hand, zealous Christians are doing all in their power to promote the spread of gospel truth. On the 15 th John S. Mollet, who had arrived in Paris after them, accompanied J. and M. Y. to Madame U'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. Madarae d'Aublay has distri buted many of our books and tracts. The next day she took us to see more of her friends, rauch of the sarae character. We have a hope that our dra-wing 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. MT. 47.] DEATH OF RACHEL WATERHOUSE. 225 21si!. — 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 roora ; several of the attenders at the Taitbout coming in, together with the Friends in Paris. It was, adds John Yeardley, a precioas 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 reraoved 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 reraain with the ^family, and they both took turns in assisting to watch by the bed-side of the suf ferer. 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 iraraediate influence of the Spirit on the heart of raan, and this is the doctr'ne preached and maintained by the writings of the 226 NANCY. [1833. truly devoted Christians in this place, who are brought to profess living faith in our Loi i Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. They found the country on the road to -Nancy very agreeable. 29th, evening.- — The white houses among the trees, and the vines on the hill-sides, forra 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 over takes the reaper. In the forepart of the route we saw much -w-ood and water, hill and dale, with cattle feeding in the peaceful pastures, which is a lovely sight. As we advanced towards Chalons, it becarae less interesting, raore flat, with fewer trees and meadows. Everywhere the harvest more forward than in England, but the crops rauch raore light and thin. They entered Nancy under a feeling of gloora, and it was some time before they could find relief to their rainds ; but by patiently pursuing the paths of inter course which opened before thera, 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, 1 dare not, coraplain, when I think of the diffi culties some of our Friends had to encounter who travelled on the Continent years ago, when darkness prevailed to a rauch greater extent. The want of the language, &c., which some of them experienced, raust have been very trying. It is to rae an unspealcable corafort 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 MT. 47.] PHALSBOURG. 227 and horses to take them to Strasburg, ahd found this mode of traveUing 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 ray heart to be given fully up to do the will of ray Heavenly Father. Our raode of travelling afforded us an opportunity of calling at Phalsbourg, where we found a handful of Protestants, about twenty -six farailies, 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 Eoman Catholics. We soon per ceived the family were Gerraans, and I then addressed them in their native tongue, which iraraediately opened the way to their hearts. Nothing would satisfy the good woraan but that we raust 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 becarae alraost 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 wUl 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 raore 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 ahd oppressed by the Eoman Catholics, in whose presence they are afraid to speak. On entering Alsace, the view of the country was enchant ing. 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 228 STRASBURG. [1833. 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 Professoy 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 TOO. 6. — Called on Professor Cuvier and delivered the letter which Mark Wilks had kindly given us. We found the professor an hurable-rainded Christian, kind and affec tionate. He conducted us to Pastor Majors, who was bom in Prussia, and speaks Gerraan 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 raonths 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 per forraed. He said when the people carae 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 raany interior persons whom we wish to see in Switzerland,' &c. This dear raan was nine raonths in Corfu, preparing to be a raissionary 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 bim was to me very instructive. He told me he had not been suf&ciently careful to seek divine counsel before he undertook the mission ; and it had pleased the Almighty to bring him into the deeps, and instruct hira in the school of affliction; ,and he can now raost fully acknowledge there is no safety but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He and a few others have united for the purpo.se of printing and circulating small .tracts, purely Scripture extracts. They are now engaged in forming a selection for every day in the year, frpm the Old and New Testament. I accord much with their work ; it ia just what I have thought of for a long tirao, M:. 47.] STRASBURG. 229 Pastor Majors conducted us to Professor Ehrmann, a worthy Christian, simple-hearted and spiritually-minded. His two .daughters are precious young woraen ; the older of them recollected to have seen us at Kornthal, in 1827. She knew us instantly, and appeared overcorae 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 Eedeemer. On the 7th they dined at the La Combes, a CatlioHc 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 S»rip- tures. I rejoiced to raeet 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 Saviouf's love was very precious to our' souls, and I trust we were edified to gether in the Lord. Sth. — Th« 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 com pany of young females met to work for the raissionaries, and to read. After sitting a while with thera, one of the girls in 230 STRASBURG. [1833. 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 raeeting with Pastor M.'s flock. He has taken the first floor of a good house, and appropriates three rooras opening one into another for a meeting-house, placing his pulpit, which is on wheels, in the doorway, so that when the raeeting hour is over he can put the pulpit aside and make the rooms his dwelling. The rooms are fitted with long benches; the raen 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 commence ment, 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 rauch exercise of raind for the people ; and after we had rested sorae 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 railitary raan addressed me after the meet ing, in English, expressing his great satisfaction and joy in being present ; he is a regular attendant at this place of wor ship. 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 Kraff't and Pastor Majors con ducted them to the Agricultural School for destitute children at Neuhoff, four miles from the city. This MT. 47.] STRASBURG. 231 weU-known institution was founded by a man wno nad been taken as a child out of the streets, and whose wife had been brought up in an orphan-house. John Yeard ley 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 Eawden to be — at least what I should like to see it. Before leaving the premises, we had the children as sembled in the schoolroom, and held a raeeting with thera, 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 raany hearts were reached by the power of the Holy Spirit. At 7 o'clock we beld our usual raeeting in the roora at the inn, to which carae 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 tirae of need, and I feel sweet peace. There 'is a great awakening in this place ; thirty of the young wo men are preciously visited. In accompanying thera home, some of them expressed to rae that it had been a blessed and happy day, they hoped never to be forgotten. These dear larabs 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 Hke that which has just 232 BAN DE LA ROCHE. [1833. been described, we see in a striking manner what was the nature of that work of the rainistry for which John Yeardley was prepared at Barnsley and Benthara 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 affUcted, and, above all, skil fully 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 commensu rate 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 foUowing account in his Diary. 12th. — In company with Majors, we set off at 6 o'clock to the Ban de la Eoche. We had a raost 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 tha scene. After travelling twelve leagues, we arrived at Foudai, where we raet 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 Eaucher's wife and daughter were out when we arrived ; but we spent a little tirae -with the dear old Louise, who is li-vely in spirit, and though she could not speak much, it was refreshing to 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 .ET. 47.] ALSACE. 233 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 na ture of our church discipline, and have had rauch spiritual iConversation to the refreshraent of our souls. We arrived at Strasburg about 7 o'clock, and I attended the class of his young raen, which afforded me once raore 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 comraunications to those who spoke German, J. and M. Y. sometimes availed themselves of the interpretation of Pastor Ma jors, who they found was never at a loss, and who said, " It is no difficulty for rae to interpret for you, because you say the very things that are in ray heart." From Strasburg they went on to Colmar and Miilhausen. 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 araong the different professors ; but in some of the ministers there is great deadness, or else infidelity. 16 234 BASLE. [1833. 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 pohtical 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 raore than two weeks before the date at which we are arrived, a large body of the citizens, under arras, went out to reduce the peasants to subjection : the latter gave them battle araongst the hills and en tirely defeated thera, kiUing 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 sol diers. 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 min isters 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 meet ing 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." Frora Baslie, 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 Cliitni, whora they describe as a girl of " pensive character and genteel manners." On the 26th they descended the slope of the Jura to Neufchatel. MT. 47.] NEUFCHATEL. 235 About 5 o'clock, says John Yeardley, we carae in sight, of the snow-capped Alps. I saw them for sorae tirae 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, Ch§,telain'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 becorae more united to ray Saviour, who died that we raight live. When the mind is fixed on eternity, how little do all other things appear ! Lord, redeera me frora the world, and grant rae power to live for thee alone! — (9 TOO. 1.) His observations on another similar occasion raark the rehgious state of the deeply interesting company in this place, amongst whom they went about in the liberty of the gospel. 9 TOO. 24. — In the afternoon had a long walk with our dear friend Petavel's family, quite to the top of the moun tains, from which we had the most delightful view possible. In the evening- we took tea with thera; 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 thera in this time of war in the land with the niessage of peace. 236 NEUFCHATEL. [1823. The little meeting which had been begun by Auguste Borel had been discontinued in consequence of his removal into the country. He visited thera, and they found him alive in the truth and fuU of affection as before. Amongst a nuraber 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 tirae 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 Eoman 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 -«'ere en deavoring to make her sensible ofthe mercies which are often hid under the most painful dispensations, an English mis sionary, who had been engaged in preaching to many of the Polish refugees in the country, carae in with Professor Petavel. They becarae 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 con fidence. In former years, she said, she had been drawn to seek the Lord, but for awhile affliction seemed to harden her MT. 47.] A POLISH COUNT AND COUNTESS. 237 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 raiserable and felt the need of such a refuge. 22nd. — 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 Williara Penn, whose name her father rauch revered. They desired per mission to attend our meeting ; and a little before the hour we called on them, and they accorapanied us to Professor Pfetavel'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 com munication was made; but she replied, "It coraes frora the heart, and it goes to the heart." After the meeting none seemed disposed to move, and the Countess coraraenced asking questions directing to passages of the Scriptures, apparently desirous to confirra the practices of the Eoraish Church, but sincerely seeking to have the conviction of her own heart confirmed thd,t they were ei-rors. It is not easy to describe the interest which this scene presented. An accomplished Eoman Catholic lady proposing questions of the deepest moment, and the learned but pious and hurable Professor Petavel answering thera with the Bible in his hand, while a roomfnl of attentive hearers were, we trust, reaping deep instruction. Argyri joined them on the 2Tth at Neufchatel,* and they left that city the same day for Geneva. Here they tarried nearly a fortnight, were received * She brought an affectionate epistle from M. A. Calame. The felicity of style and beauty of penmanship -w-hioh distinguished the letters of this extraordinary -woman agreed with the rest of her character. We have the epistle in question now before us, exfjiiisitely written. It ends with these words : — "II nous edt fetfe bien doux de prolonger les moments de la voir 238 GENEVA. [1833. with much affection by their old friends, and had a few rehgious 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 theraselves and for one another, so that love and harraony do not sufficiently prevail amongst them. Our stay in this place, writes John Yeardley, has been a tirae 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 EHzabeth Dudley. Ancona, II 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 proiride us with food and lodging by the way. The other passenger encore, mais la sagesse demande que tout se fasse avec ordre ; Toili pourquoi notre oMre enfant vous est confifee plus t6t ; que le seigneur I'accompagne et Tous aussl, precieux amis ; nous vous conflons tons trois k la garde divine, et irous vous assurons encore ici de I'affection Chretienne qui unit nos ames aux ydtres en Celni qui est le lien indissoluble. " M. A. Calame." Locle, 24 du 9 mois, '33. MT. 47.] JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY. 239 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 corapany 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 sorae days; and our Englishraen were exchanged for an Italian priest who spoke no French, ahd a Swiss who was a little useful to us as far as Bologna ; after this place we triavelled 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 Yenice 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 sorae shape might arise out of the seeming evil." Ancona, says John Yeardley, is beautifully situated on the side of a high Mil, 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-officei 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 com- ifortably lodged, with a delightful view of the harbor, but our hearts are in Corfu. ' Our young Companion, adds M. Y., is amiable and very 240 ANCONA. [1833. quick, but not of rauch 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 raany of the streets narrow and offensive, for want of cleanliness and frora an iraraense popu lation; such nurabers are continually in the streets, that there is no quiet or good air in the town. The darkness is extrerae, and the dissipation apparently very great ; the oppression of our spirits at some periods is almost insupport able ; and yet I ara at tiraes very sensible of the calming influence of divine love, with a sense that, having acted to the best of our judgraent, we raust resign ourselves to wait for the return of the steam-packet frora England. When on arriving here we found there were no letters, and that probably they were sent to Corfu, ray heart sank within me. We have, however, been since cheered by receiving a very kind letter from dear Eobert Forster; nothing could ha-y-e been more in season than this token of remembrance. Finding no suitable vessel for Corfu, with the assist ance of their Greek friend they hired a lodging, and gave their tirae to the study of Italian and the Modern Greek. Religious labor was hardly to be thought of; the governmetit 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 \ 2 rwo. 1.^ — Another long and pleasant visit from Count Sardina. He is mild and condescending, but close in argu- 248 HINDRANCES TO LABOR. [1834. raent. 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 raembers of his own Church his eneraies, he coraes to us by night, — not for fear of the Jews, but for fear of the Greeks. 9th. — 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 raonths, and have not had one opportunity of publicly preaching the gospel. The power of prejudice in favor of their own superstitious rites, and the overwhelraing influence of raoral evil, seera entirely to close our way in this line. We have had rauch 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 attachraent to the cereraonies of their own church that they cannot be pre vailed 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-rooras, 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 pre cious 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 MT. 48.] MORAL STATE OF THE ISLANDERS. 249 on Scripture. The correction is nearly finished, and we pro pose 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 raission ; 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 tirae was occupied with the establishment of a model farm, which seems to have been a joint scheme on his part and that of the adrainistration. 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 success ful, of introducing the plan upon their estates. We may conclude this account of their residence in Corfu with some general remarks on the rehgious char acter and condition of the inhabitants. We trust, say they, our sojourn in Corfu may not have been in vain : if we raay only be perraitted to prepare the way for the further enlargeraent of the Saviour's kingdora 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 frora barbarism, and bringing with them all the fixed habits of ignorance and superstition, ~ 17 250 SANTA MAURA— THE BISHOP. [18.34. 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 con versation and by Scripture proof A great raeans of affording help raust be by educating the rising generation and by tlie diffusion of Scriptural knowledge. Many of the priests 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 exaraining for theraselves. In sorae 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 -v^'ant; 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 WiUiam Allen's, met them himself vvith a boat, and conducted thera 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 raany years priest in a village in the raountains, 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 proraoter of schools. The old raan 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 MT. 48.] A VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 251 the ancient language. He made no objection, and appeared to see the great utility which might arise frora it. Soraething 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 Hght. 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 raanners grew and flourished in the remoter parts of this island. 3 mo. 1. — This raorning we set out for a ride about nine miles up the mountains to a village called Caria, which con tains about 1200 inhabitants, and in the surrounding hamlets there are about the sarae nuraber. 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 252 A VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. [1834. 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 intiraated 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 govemment 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 woraan proposed for the mistress, who it was proposed should be further instructed in the vijlage, and then sent to the towni to learn the system. We asked them if they were sensible of the advantages of a school for girls, of having thera 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, With out 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 Testa ment to us ; now I have the advantage of hearing that precious book read to me by ray own daughter. It was delightful to wit ness a feeling like this in a people so uncultivated ; surely the friends of education in Greece have encouragement to go on and prosper. .^T. 48.] A VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 253 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 oppor tunity of conversing with thera. On asking their opinion as to a school, one of thera said, in Greek, It is good, blessed and honorable. I could not let this favorable opportunity pass without impressing on thera, 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 Psalras, 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 I 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 raore should be sent. Many of the kind-hearted people accorapanied 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. 254 EXCURSION TO THE MAINLAND. [1834. 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. Soraething 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 ; ray M. Y. and rayself were not the least singular in appearance. All was done in good order, and a sweet feeling prevailed. ^th. — We are like prisoners at large, not being able to leave the island till the stearaer 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 frora 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 araong 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 MT. 48.] A WIGWAM VILLAGE. 255 general holiday, and were all assembled, with lively good- humor in their countenances, to greet our arrival. This is 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 coraraon araong 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 a while with the villagers, and satisfying their curiosity as well as we could, I thought it a suitable tirae to bring about the priraary object of our visit, and inquired who araong thera could read. A young raan carae forward who had been educated in the school at Santa Maura ; we gave hira a New Testament, and he read the greater part of a chapter in the Gospels. Those who were in the roora listened with surprise and attention, and raany without looked eagerly in at the doorway to hear what was going on. This was probably the first tirae 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 prac tice 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 comraand a delightful view of the valley. We passed by the coraraon oven, and on looking in saw our dinner preparing. The table was spread in the hospitable wigwara 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, 256 THE HERMITAGE AND THE ABBOT. [1834. and two sorts of Yorkshire-pudding, one of which was par ticularly good. This patriarchal repast being finished, we again went forth, and visited the convent of Plija, distant frora the wigwams about ten rainutes' walk. Many of our new friends 'accom panied us, the judge with great solidity of raanner leading the way. We passed a beautiful fountain at the head of the glen, and entered the raonastic 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 roora with a bed in the corner, screened by a slight partition; a lattice- window adraitted a peep into the rich and lovely vale below, and the pure air of the raountain was not obstructed by glass. I 'had often heard of the Eastern custora of sitting cross- leggedy but never till now experienced it in reality. We .-vs'ere 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 herrait-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 hira with the New Testaraent, Genesis, and the Psalras, he kissed the books and pressed thera 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 thera were sensible ; one woraan, 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 thera came ¦vfith us to the -yvater'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. MT. 48.] CEPHALONIA — ZANTE. 257 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 cap tain accompanied us in his boat to the steamer. « Frora Santa Maura they proceeded to Argostoli, the chief town of Cephalonia. We arrived about five o'clock in the morning. The en trance to the town for a considerable distance is like a perfect lake : the white houses along the side of the harbor, and the eraggy 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 ie.%sed to receive our little company, but after sorae explanation he consented to arrange the desolate-looking rooras into habitable order. They visited the schools and the prison, and they received frora the Resident, H. G. Tennyson, and the schoolraaster and mistress, a friendly reception ; but the islanders are generally careless of instruction, and pro gress of all kinds is slow. From Cephalonia they traversed the sea to the beau tiful 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 aii 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 raany of the windows ( I suppose a Turkish custom) there are some thing 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 publio more than 258 ZANTE. [1834. they were a few years ago. This island is by far the finest we have visited ; it is very fertile and well culti /ated, and supplies England with currants; but, like their neighbors, the people have the character of being imraoral, treacherous, and revengeful. It is sorrowful to think that, under the systera of picture-worship, there is scarcely a sin of which the poor Greek is not guilty to an enorraous extent. With God all things are possible — he can change the hard heart of raan by the power of his Divine Spirit ; but, morally speak ing, it must be sorae great convulsion that can -work a real change in the nation. W. 0. Croggon has labored here more than seven years, and knows not of one conversion araong the rich Greeks — not one attends the service for wor ship. He is the Methodist raissionary here, and is called the friend of every raan : he has been a real friend to us. The Governor aud 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 receiv ing education : this is really the chief source of hope for im proving the morals of the Greeks, and dispersing the gross darkness which surrounds this people, whose long servitude and sufferings under ve^y hard raasters have alraost driven thera back to barbarism. 17th. — There was a shock of earthquake, more violent than has been felt for some years in this place. Our roora 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 coraing at full speed, and sud denly stopping at the dwelling. ( See Eastern Customs, p. 78.) Having thus explored the four principal islands of the Ionian Archipelago, John and Martha Yeardley turned their course towards the Morea. MT. 48.] PATRAS — THE GULF OF CORINTH. 259 30th. — At 6 o'clock in the raorning 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 cur rants, olives and vines, are now perfectly desolate. The castle was in possession of the Turks eight years, who made continual sallies frora it for provision and firewood ; while, in order to disappoint thera, the Greeks theraselves 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 teraporary 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 raiserable dirty roora, 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 raorning. 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 morn ing the ship had only made twenty miles; and about raid-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 raore comfortless than these small Greek vessels ; in the cabin you can neither stand nor lie at full length. After sorae difficulty in getting on shore, we were led to the 260 A PRIMITIVE GREEK SCHOOL. [1834. 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 assjigned to us had no door, and when the windows were shut, which were of wood, there was no light but 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 seeraed to be visitors who could pay pretty well, they brought also a rough wooden table and three wooden stools. 2nd. — Galaxidi is in ruins, presenting only raud cottages and teraporary wooden houses ; ships also are in building. 4ith. — This raorning 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-tirae, and he was seated cross- Jegged 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 warra, yet we could not wonder at his choosing the open air for the place of instruction, when we saw his dwelling, which was a raud hut not quite nine feet square, with no opening for light but through the doorway. In tliis hovel he taught his forty scholars when the incleraency 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 sorae tracts to such of the children as could read thera. This sight was gratifying to us as showing a disposition to teach, and MT. 48.] LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 261 to learn, even under , the most disadvantageous circum stances. Our quarters at the khan became raore uncomfortable ; the people were so uncivil they would hardly give us cold water without grurabling. The second night we witnessed one of the raost dreadful storras we ever reraember 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 apartraent. * 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 seera to have supposed it impossible to reach the capital by any other route. 5th. — Being, says John Yeardley, on the contrary side of the gulf, and thus deprived of helping ourselves by raeans of horses, we gave up all hope of reaching Athens, and thought we raust 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, 0 that I might be perraitted to try the fleece once raore in turning our faces towards Athens. The raan was exorbitant in his demands, and it w^as 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 useful to M. Y. We did raake the effort, and were favored to get to Scala, where we found only a few scattered mud houses ; but on landing, there was 262 DELPHI. [1834. a change of feeling immediately experienced. We were rescued frora ship-builders and sailors, the -vilest of the vile, and placed araong a siraple country people. The raaster of the custora-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 inter preter 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 raountain air than my dear M. began to revive. We had to climb precipices where nothing but miiles could have carried us. At the foot of the mountain we carae in corapany with two caraels, 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 thera built in the rock. We were conducted to one of the best of these rustic dwellings, and raet with a very friendly reception from the inmates. The house consisted of two rooms, and we were offered the use of one of thera; they famished us with raattresses laid upon a sort of dresser, where we slept rauch better than for raany 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 iraprove 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 o-wn 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, MF. 48.] READING THE SCRIPTURES. 263 and a word of exhortation, we thought to close; but the comp>any were so pleased with hearing the account of the creation and fall of man [frora the sacred record itself], that they requested us to read raore. 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 Adara was forbidden to eat ? We answered that it was trans lated 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 Alraighty was to try Adara's obedience. They at once agreed to this ; and the raaster of the house wisely observed, Jesus Christ carae to restore to us what, was lost by Adara's transgression. He then said, It would have been better if Adara, after his transgression, instead of hiding hiraself, had confessed his sin to God, and begged his forgiveness. We all agreed that it was a natural act for raan, in his fallen state, to wish to seek excuse, rather than to confess his sin and repent. We then raade sorae 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 raay in truth say. Our Heavenly Father has plucked our feet out of a horrible pit and out of the miry clay, and set thera 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 watei-s, 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 cora panions, 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 264 FROM DELPHI TO ATHENS. [1834. hands ; after which she withdrew in a cheerful and diffident manner. The reason of this salutation was, that the young woraan 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 ah acre of ground ; a great many of its raarble pillars are still to be seen, half buried by the plough, and corn growing over tBeiri. About a hundred yards frora this teraple is the caVe in the rock frora whence the priestess pronounced the oracle. Among the curiosities of this wonderful place, the tombs in the rocks are not the least reraarkable. 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 forraed a perfect sort of house in which persons raight dwell. 8th. — 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 sup posed 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. 9th. — This morning we procured four raules 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 raost of the day winding round Parnassus, whose height above us was treraendous. The road was frightful ; over rocks, waters, and swarapy ground ; we could hardly have believed it pos sible 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 MT. 48.] THEBES — AN ALBANIAN VILLAGE. 265 with sorae 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 whora 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. 10th. — We travelled on horses through a coraparatively 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 sraoky 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. Uth. — This day we had much raountain 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 ^gina 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 seeraed a little startled at the appearance of strangers, whose language she could not understand. Con cluding, however, that we had the coraraon 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 overcorae, we enjoyed our meal ; and offered some to a Greek woraan who had walked beside our raules for the sake of corapany, on her dreary journey to Athens; but 'she refused, with thanks, 18 266 ATHENS. [1834. saying, I am not sick ; for the Greeks seldora take beverage of this sort, except when they are indisposed. As the inraates of this horaely 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 coramon with the old woman and her family and the Greek traveller ; in another part of the room were also a sheep and several other aniraals. We swept as clean r.s we could a space in the neighborhood of the quiet sheep, snd spread what bedding we had upon the raud floor, sur- jfounding it with our baggage, except our carpet-bags, which served us for pillows; and after coraraending ourselves and the household to the protecting care of the great Shepherd of Israel, we obtained sorae refreshing repose. (See Eastem Customs, pp. 17-19.) 12th. — 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 raoun tains, 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 see deso- .lation. I can scarcely believe that I ara in the place where the great Apostle of the Gentiles desired to know nothing but Christ crucified ; and in sight of Mars Hill, frora which the sarae apostle preached to the Athenians the true God. We reached the only inn in the to-wn, much worn by fatigue and bad accomraodation, yet very grateful for ha-ving been preserved from any serious accident during our perilous journey, and under a precious sense that it was in right ordering we persevered in coraing to this place. "We introduced ourselves to the American missionaries, HiU and King, and met with a hearty reception. The schools .ET. 48.] ATHENS. 267 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. 15th. — ^Visited the schools under the direction of Jonas King, of the Boston mission. He has an acaderay 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 raore coraplete than in any we have visited during the journey. J. K. has ser-vice in modern Greek three times on First-days, at which some of the young men attend, along with iOther. 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 thetc 268 ATHENS — CORINTH. [1834. 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. huraan 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 our 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 to-vni; but, including great and sraall, 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 -^risit to this plaoe. I8th. — Being anxious to get to Patras in time to sail by ta 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 sailora 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 favor able gale wafted us on for some time, but a slight storm comijig on, the cowardly captain ran us into a Creek, and kept us tossing aU 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 MT. 48.] DELAYS AND HARDSHIPS. 289 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 raet 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 loftl This poor place could only furnish two mules and a donkey, with a man to attend thera ; 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 sraall fishing- boat sailing towards Patras, and iraraediately ran down to the shore, a considerable distance, to raake 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 per plexing are the regulations for travellers under the new government. However, after detaining us an hour and causing us to lose raost of the fair wind, he suffered the man to take UB. We sailed along pretty well for a tirae, when the wind suddenly changed, and the boatraan 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 accoraraodation for the night > was 270 VOSTIZZA — PATRAS [1834. much like our forraer lodging ; for this large town has also been burned by the eneray, 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 raan 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 Testaraent, which he very gratefully received, and sent for the schoolraaster, who seeraed 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 thera to others, and numbers crowded about us, even to the last raoraent 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 oppor tunity of judging of the state of things, and I hope will enable us to relieve sorae of their wants. It is cause of hurable thankfulness to the Father of raercies 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 eraployed the interval before the sailing of another packet in estabhshing a girls' school, which was com mended soon after their departure. At Corfu they received information of the opening of the school, con veyed in a letter from the sister of the English consul in the foUowing 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 MT. 48.] CORFU. 271 can exceed the eagerness shown by- the children to be ad mitted, 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 httle Corfuot you recoraraended is first monitor, and of great use. They reached Corfu on the 12th of the Fifth Month, and were kindly accommodated at the ofiice of the Com missary Ramsay. Immediately on our arrival at Corfu, our young friend the Count Sardina renewed his visits. We saw him alraost daUy ; 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 Eedeeraer. It wiU be recollected that their inabUity 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 haa 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 con gregation. This he gladly accepted, and gave notice of our intention. It was pretty well attended, but not full ; a good feeling prevailed. 15th. — 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 Eabbi, who, though full of argument, appears 272 DEPARTURE FROM GREECE. [1834. extremely dark and bewildered, dwelling on mysterious words whose interpretation is confined to the rabbinical office. He said they looked for a teraporal king, who should give a temporal kingdora to Israel. It was a truly painful visit, and we left hira with the desire that he might be instructed even out of his o-wn 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 JOURNET. 1833-4. PART ni. — THE RETURN FROM GREECE. Op the numerous letters which John and Martha Yeardley received from England during this long jour ney, 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 o^wn account, and on behalf of the Friends of our Monthly Meeting, I feel grateful for the information respect ing 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 proceed ings, in Van Diemen's Land. Like you, he and his com panion 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 (273) 274 LETTERS FROM ENGLAND. [1834. to the improveraent of schools, and the iraprovement of the teraporal condition of the poorer classes among whora they labor. In a letter frora William Allen, written the 31st of the Third Month, occur the following words of encour agement : — I have heard, through letters to your relations and others, that you have been rauch discouraged at not finding a more ready entrance for your gospel raessage ; but really, consider ing the darkness^ the sensuality, and the superstition of the people in those parts, we raust 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 Di-yine Hand become instruraents for the gathering of others. Should you be raade the raeans of accoraplishing this, in only a very few instances, it will be worth all your trials and sufferings. And again, you raust consider .that, in the per forraance of your duty, seed raay be sown even unknown hy you, which raay take root, and grow, and bring forth fruit to the praise of the Great Husbandraan, though you raay 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 raore work for you to do, he will raake 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 our selves occupying an empty room in the Lazaretto, ¦without even the accoraraodation of a shelf or closet. The term of quaran tine 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 stUl sensible of a very peaceful feeling, under a behef iET. 48.] JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY — FLORENCE. 275 that we have followed the pointings of the Great Master, and a hope that the day is not far distant when the way ivill be more fully opened in those countries to receive the gospel. The preaohing of John in the wilderness has often appeared to us to be applicable to this people, — Ecpent, 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 pictu resque ; 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 Eedeemer's kingdom, on the broad and sound basis of comraon Christianity, raust be clothed witli raourning in passing through this superstitious and illiberal country. What we have seen of Tuscany is net so fine, but the appearance of the peasants is rauch superior. The inns are rauch 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 recoraraendations were absent, on account of the heat of the season, except the Abbot Valiani, a spiritually-rainded man, who showed us great kindness. He has refused raany advantageous offers of proraotion, 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 dis cipline. The younger boys have a string put round the neck, which confines them to the place during the lesson, but 276 THE SARDINIAN CUSTOM-HOUSE. [1834. I observed it did not confine their attention. We were rauoh 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 meaiis 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 bythe 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 raany books and tracts as we well could in our wardrobe trunks, which were not once opened at the different custora-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 thera 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 reraaining store, at the inns, and pretty freely on the road. Their object in returning by Genoa was to visit the valleys of Piedraont. They reached Turin on the 19th, and proceeded on the 22nd to Pignerol. From this place they visited most of the valleys, went into aU the famihes 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 araongst them. The old pastor Best died soon after the time that Stephen Grellet was MT. 48.] PIEDMONT. 277 there. We met his son, lately appointed chaplain to the Protestant congregation at Turin. He is a young raan 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 adraitted, 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 eff'ect. 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, raany of whose counte nances looked serious. The short discourse of Pastor Peyron was orthodox, and the application irapressive and edifying. He afterwards dined and spent the afternoon with us at the widow Best's, with several branches of her interesting and pious faraily. I hurably trust this day was spent to rautual 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 raany 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 systera. 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 278 GENEVA. [1834. Month, rejoiced to be once more on the Enghsh side of the Alps. On tbeir outward journey tbeir sojourn in this city had been short, but now they found it needful to malce 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 ha-ving 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 sirailar 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 Meet ing in the Chapel de I'Oratoire. Pastor Merle [d'Aubignd] opened the raeeting 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 -ivhich he spoke of it resembled the manner of one of our F 'iends laying a concern before a raeeting: many ^T. 48.] GENEVA. 279 hearts present felt the force of his words. His exhortation to the young persons was excellent. Pastor Gaussen con cluded 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 thera. 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 raessage to deliver to hira, after which he took thera 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, accorapanied with power, and refreshed our spirits." With Pastor Gallon John Yeardley had a long con versation on the principles and operations of the Society Evangelique. I find thera, he says, more liberal in their views than had heen represented, and their extent of usefulness is already considerable. In their Acaderay they instruct young raen with a -view to their becoraing ministers, raissionaries, 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 sorae 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, 280 BERNE. [1834. and other pious persons, and on First-day, the 17th, he and his family, with some other serious-minded indi viduals, joined them in their hour of worship at the inn. It was, says J. Y., a tirae of a little encourageraent to our tried rainds, 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 siraple way. On the 18th they went on to ]N' eufchatel, where they were received as before with rauch 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 inter course with persons of the interior class. As soon as it was known they had arrived, their acquaintance rapidly increased, and they found it difiicult to receive aU who came. One of their first acts was to renew their inter course with the Combe famUy at Wabern, where their visit in 1828 had left a sweet remerabrance. They spent a fortnight in Berne and the neighbor hood, and sorae 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 con trast to the dreary spiritual wastes they had traversed ir. Italy and Greece. It was at this time that they contracted or renewed a friendship with Sophie Wiirstemberger, since well known to raany other Enghsh Friends. 8 mo. 24. — How greatly I feel humbled under the prospect before us in this place ; raany thirsting souls are looking to MT. 48.] BERNE. 281 US for help, and we feel poor and weak ; we can only direct them to Him from whom all strength comes. 0 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 willl Our raeeting is appointed for this evening ; enlighten our understanding, 0 Lord, that we may be enabled to instruct the people in the right way. 25//t. — 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. Madarae 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 raore diligently. She left us well satisfied with the explanation given to her questions. We never touch on these points, unless we are asked ques tions 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 us 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 ac knowledging 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. 28th. — Took tea at the Pavilion, a pleasant country walk of twenty minutes frora town, with Mad«- de Watteville and her daughter. She had invited a nuraber of friends to raeet us. We passed a couple of hours, pleasantly conversing, mostly on religious subjects. It is a little extraordinary, 19 282 BERNE. [1834. 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 Made- de W. whispered to my M. Y., Are we too dissipated to have something good ? We told her it was always good to en deavor to retire before the Lord in humility of soul. I trust a parting blessing was felt amongst us. 30th. — Frora 9 o'clock till half-past 12, we received visits in succession, I think not fewer than fifteen. At half past 2, Made- 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 superfi cial ; none but forraal prayers and written sermons are used. 31st. — Attended Mad"^- Berthom's Scripture class, at the Institution for the Destitute. There are eighteen girls in the house to bed and board ; 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 ex traordinary gift for the purpose. 9 mo. 2. — Attended the Monthly Meeting in the mis sionary room. Many of the corapany were peasants from sorae 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 testi mony : the doctrine was sound, and the way in which they coupled this with their Christian experience was really ex cellent. I had much unity with the concluding prayer hy Pastor Merley. 2nd. — The evening was spent at Made-'W.'s, with a pretty large company. proposed for a few verses to he ;6ung; afterwards he read a chapter, and gave a long exp6- .fiition, 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. Mj M. Y. had to speak a few words to the particular state of M. B., and at the iET. 48.] ZURICH. 283 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 araong those who are lately becorae serious. Frora Berne, J. and M. Y. proceeded to Zurich, ar- ri'ving 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 forraer years. A short passage descriptive of this sojourn is here '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 asserablies. 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 sur prise 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 Schaffhansen, Hke Zurich, dear to them in the recoUections of past -visits. Here they examined the school for poor children in the town, and that of Buch in the neighborhood. They 284 BASLE. [1834. were delighted with both these institutions. The mis tress of the former possessed an extraordinary natural talent for her ofl&ce ; she was originally a servant, when, instead of seeking her own pleasute on the First-days of the week, as other servants did, she would take a few children to teach thera to read and instruct thera in the Bible. Their visit to the school at Buch is de scribed 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 raost 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 sym pathy 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 pro ductive 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 Neuf chatel. At Berne a sudden diversion was given to the current of their thoughts by the inteUigence of the death of Thomas Yeardley. J. Y. has left a memoran dum df the occurrence, and ofthe singular foreshadow ing of it ulpon his own mind which took place at Zurich. MT. 48.] DEATH OF THOMAS YEARDLEY ; 285 10 mo. 2. Berne. — We found raany letters frora 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 rainutes past 2, without sigh or groan, even as a larab. These are the expressions of J. Y. ; he adds several sweet expressions of ray 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 conterapla- tions of my raind, I flnd we were at Zurich. That raorning the following lines which I heard when a child, and had not repeated for the last twenty years, oame forcibly into my mind : — " It's almost doBe, 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 raeaning 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 soleranity in ray mind on that day will never be forgotten; I mourned with the bereaved family without knowing it. My M. Y. had opened her port folio to begin a letter to our sister Eachel, 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. At Berne they received also the tidings that "the excellent" M. A. Calame was no more ; the Christian 286 AND OP M. A. CALAME. [1834. mother of 250 orphan children was taken from the scene of her labors and the conflicts of time to the heavenly rest in her Sa"\doUr. The following appear to be araong 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 hurable me, and without being surprised at it, since evil is my heritage ; but ray help is in the Lord, who delights in raercy. I have hope also for all my brethren whora I love, whatever narae they bear. 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 ara 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 whora I shall meet in that celestial Jerusalem, whither ray sighs daily carry me, yet in submis sion to the heavenly decrees, desiring only that the will of God our Saviour be done. You think ray 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 eneray in their souls ; I ara so often deceived in ray hopes, that my work is watered by my tears. Frora tirae to tirae, however, the Lord gives me hope ; a soul awakes frora sleep, and is kindled into light by the torch of the gospel. And now, dear sister, have no longer any esteera or con sideration 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 Hira who is Love. When they returned horae, John and Martha Yeard ley printed a short memoir of this extraordinary woman, whose name, though comparatively Httle known upon earth, is doubtless enshrined in the hearts of many who StiU survive, and shaU one day shine with a lustre MT. 48.] NEUFCHATEL. 287 which the raost brilliant of her sex, whose arabition it is to adorn the court, the concert or the drawing-room, wiU 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 proflt 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 in'vited 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 raercy of Divine Love raany present were, I trust, coraforted and refreshed. We quitted Berne on the 30th. We had becorae so affectionately attached to raany Christian friends, that parting frora thera was severely felt. But what happiness Christians enjoy even in this world 1 those who love the Saviour remain united in Him when outwardly separated. Neufchatel, for the sake of those who resided there, was equaUy attractive to them as Berne. We arrived at Neufchatel, writes John Yeardley, on Fifth- day, and on Seventh-day (11 mo. 1) settled into a com fortable lodging on the border of the lake. It feels to us the most like home of any residence we have had during our pilgriraage in foreign lands. Our suite of cottage-rooras 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 288 ILLNESS AND DEATH [1834. of an interesting character, in reviewing which John Yeardley says : — 2Zrd. Among those who meet with us, a little few know how to appreciate true silence, others are not. corae to- this. But for what purpose are we here? If it raay please our Heavenly Father to raake use of us as feeble instruments of drawing a single individual into nearer coraraunion with the Beloved of souls, we ought to be content ; and, blessed be his Holy Name, his presenee 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 rauch got through what we had in prospect in Switzerland, we are, on the whole, most com fortable to go direct for London, and leave Gerraany 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 pre sence of Hito who died for us was near, to help and comfort ns ; our hearts were much tendered by his diyine love. The taking leave of our dear friends here was almost heart rending. There is a precious seed in this place, which I MT. 49.] OF A. B. SAVORY. 289 trust, is a little deeper rooted since our last visit, and it ia 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 ^norning we went over to Stamford-hill, and soon were intro duced 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. 21st. — 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 comraunication 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 290 DIARY. [1835. 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. 0 gracious Saviour, who died for me, be pleased to redeem me frora the bond of corruption, and purify my heart frora 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 numer ous journeys which they made in the course of this period, the record kept by the former frequently con sists of a raere itinerary. After attending the Leeds Quarterly Meeting in the Third Month, they returned to their horae at Scar borough, but soon left it again to be present at the Yearly Meeting in London. The Society of Friends began about this tirae 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 pubhc Hfe, or from the fear of exceeding the Hmit of his own caUing and abilities, he abstained from taking a prominent posi tion, 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, (291) 292 EMPLOYMENTS OF HIS LEISURE. [1835. with his beloved partner, to share the burden of the afiiicted, 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 sorae tiraes 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 raercies, who has granted us once raore a little rest of body and sweet peace of raind ; 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 suff'er 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 Hght 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 pubhca- tions 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 ^T.,49.] THE girls' lancasterian school. 293 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 Scar borough. 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 iraprovement of the children, as well as the pecuhar 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 raany years he was a visitor at our Lancasterian School, where it was his delight to impart knowledge to a nuraerous class of girls. He had a happy raethod of coraraunicating 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 raanners and custoras of Eastern nations ; and this he did in a way that rendered his teaching valuable, as he did not fail to raake an impression and gain the affections of his hearers. One little girl we had whora he used to call the orach; and indeed she was not inappropriately so-called ; for when ever any of the girls were at a loss for an answer, they inva riably 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 instruc tion I derived from him, but also for his valuable assistance. During my labors of more than twenty-five years, I had 294 THE girls' lancasterian school. [1835. none to help rae as he did. When at horae he never failed to visit us every afternoon : no raatter 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 hira, bending before the blast, toiling up the hill near the school. So accustoraed were we to hira 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 interest ing. 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 occa sionally visit them, but the girls were his pets. I have sorae tiraes thought his knowledge of the ignorant and degradedi state of the feraales in Greece was the cause of his taking so much interest in the education of the feraales 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, whora 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 Knares borough, under appointment of the Quarterly Meeting. On their way thither they took up at York their aged and valued friend Elizabeth Eowntree of Scarborough, who was on the appointraent. 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 farailies we visited, as well as in the meetings for discipline. iET. 49.] LETTER FROM M. YEARDLEY TO E. DUDLEY. 295 This notice is succeeded almost immediately by the record of EHzabeth Rowntree's sudden decease : — On the 25th of the Eleventh Month, we were introduced into deep affliction bythe sudden reraoval 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 con cerned to give the praise to Him to whora 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 con flicts 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 storra 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, ray beloved Betsy, as ha-ving to bear more of .the burden and heat of the day, and I do fervently believe with thee, that the more, as individuals, we corarait and confide the cause to the Great Master, in hurable 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. Eowntree, suddenly taken from us about ten days 296 YEARLY MEETING. [1836- since. She and her sister R. S., from Whitby, had spent the preceding evening wi-th 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 farailies. I heard of her illness and hastened to her ; she appeared sensible but for a very few moraents 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 a-wful thing to die. Then she suddenly sank into a sluraber, 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 corafort, 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 aniraated that I could hardly give up hope of her restoration. But she had not herself the least pros pect of life, and said that, although she had found it a hard struggle to give up her husband and children, she had, through the raercy of her gracious Eedeeraer, 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 Priestmaii has united with us in visiting this Monthly Meeting : it seems now best for us to remain at home for a short tirae, under the bereavement which our own meet ing 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, satis factory, 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 delibe rations on subjects of great moment to the well-being of our .SIT. 50.] THAME. 297 small section of the universal church, was to adhere to the long-known principles of the Society, and to turn aside the sentiraents of opposing individuals in the spirit of gentleness, forbearance and love. They visited many meetings iu going from and return ing 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 Tharae, 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 rerainded us of many such which we met with in foreign countries, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. We had a good deal of conversation with Wil liam Wheeler, who was one of the first to raeet in silence. He was a leader in the Wesleyan congregation, and becarae un easy with giving out hyransto be sung with those whose states he knew did not correspond with the words. He would then soraetiraes select a hymn raost suited by its general character te 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 raen had banded together to beset them the next meeting-day, and disperse 20 298 VISIT TO LANCASHIRE. [1837. them. W. W. was strongly impressed that it was right for him to proclaim an awful warning to sorae — that the judg ments of the Almighty awaited thera, that eternity was nearer than they were aware and he wished thera to consider and prepare for it. One of the disturbers was taken suddenJy ill, and died before the next raeeting-day ; which produced such an effect on the others that they never raore raolested the little corapany in their worship. In reviewing this journey, J. Y. says, under date of the 25th ofthe Sixth Month: — I trust ray faith is afresh confirraed 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 reraainder of my days, whether few or many, be entirely devoted to the holy cause of endeavoring to promote the Saviour's kingdom on earth. i 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 exten sive 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 reraain firm in the testimonies .given us to bear are in a raore lively state, and more banded ¦together, than has been the case heretofore, and that, through .^.T. 51.] VISIT TO LANCASHIRE. 299 the raercy of our holy Head and High Priest, there is a renewed visitation to raany. In the public raeetings, of which we have had raany, there has been a rather reraarkable 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 pre"vious baptism has been needful, in order to enable us in any degree to perforra our duty here. There has been a sore rending of the tendereet" ties, and the wounds are not yet healed. There are a few who entertain ultra views, and their over-activity tends to keep up e;xoiteraent in those who are wavering and have not yet left the Society : this raakes it very difiicult for raode rate 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 sorae 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 frora M. Y., written at the conclusion of this journey, supplies a few raore traits of the Christian service into which they were led in the course of it. Soarhorough, 10 mo. 7. We remained nearly a month in our lodgings at Man chester, receiving and paying visits, some of which were very 300 JOURXEYS TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT. [1839. 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 nuraber of young Friends took tea with us, between thirty and forty. This has raostly 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 auturan of 1839 they again traveUed south wards, directing their steps through the eastem 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 Birrainghara. 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 tirae, amongst other engagements, they conducted a Scripture class with sorae 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 feith ih the practical influences of the Holy Spirit, as MT. 53.] ISLE OF \VIGHT. 301 operating on the heart of raan. Our raorning reading opens a suitable door of comraunication for those whose curiosity prorapts them to seek our company. In company with Ehzabeth Dudley they held several public meetings at various places on the island. They have left no record of this service, but we have a notice of the raeeting at Porchfield, in a letter from E. I). 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 torderly, attentive people. Many of them were happily acquainted with the power of religion in their hearts, and prepared for spiritual worship. The asserably was coraposed 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 frora love to Christ and the souls of raen are attracted to visit them. The siraplicity and openness to be observed and felt that evening was a coraforting indication of freedora frora party spirit, and those vain disputations which in so raany instances keep Christians at a distance, and raar their individual peace as well as usefulness. Before they left Newport, they provided, with the help of several friends, suitable accomraodation 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 corafort and satisfaction in our sojourn in this place : a strong e^vidence is felt in our hearts that it has been ordered by the Lord. We have cause to acknow ledge that our labors have been owned by the Divine 802 DEATH OF JOHN RUTTER. [1841. Presence in our various exercises for the promotion of the Saviour's kingdora. 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 reraained for sorae weeks. Soon after their arrival in the city, 1;hey 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 faraily of the Rutters gave us a hearty reception, and we reraained under their hospitable roof until Second-day, when they were plunged into deep distress by the awfully sudden reraoval 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 raachine ; the aniraal, being a little unruly, suddenly rushed forward and pushed down J. R., and the wheel passed over his body. He was iraraediately conveyed to his own shop, when the spark of life becarae extinct, and he ceased to breathe, without apparent pain or eraotion. We were nearly ready to leave our roora, about half-past 6 o'clock, when one of the sons knocked at our door, and related the awful occurrence. I went down iraraediately : the scene raay be raore easily imagined by you than described by me. We endeavored to calm them as much as possible ; and, though deeply afiiicted, 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 faraily to go as proposed to Bristol, we iraraediately procured a lodging and settled in, in the evening. MT. 56.] PROSPECT OF REVISITING THB CONTINENT, 303 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 frora 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 sorae 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 thera that frora 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 fuU and sympathetic approbation, which was endorsed by the Quarterly Meeting at a conference of raen 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 feeUngs 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 804 DEATH OF L. A. MAJOLIER. [1842. many deep trials, humbbngly believing that whether enabled to accomplish the iraportant 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 hira, was read hy us •with raournful feelings, frora the recol lection of his fatherly kindness in days that are past, and also frora renewed solicitude for the Httle flock in that country. Before their departure they went once raore 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 feUowship 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, con spicuous in past ages for its superior enUghtenment, but now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in ignorance and gloom. In this mission, the opportunities ¦vyhich 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 Protestants from place to place, whilst they were careful, as had always been their practice, to wait, in every succes sive step, for the direction of the Di-vine Finger. The mission was performed in much weakness of body, and under frequent spiritual poverty ; yet it wiU 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 gather ing information and counsel for their approaching iourney, and in social visits. Speaking of one of these visits (to their nephew J. S., at Clapton), John Yeardley (305) 306 AMIENS. [1842. 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 supplica tion. I often wish we were raore faithful in raising our hearts to the Lord before separating from our friends when met on social occasions; a blessing might attend such siraple offerings. In a vist 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 considera tion ; 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 thev 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 tirae I have seen any of your Society, of whora I have heard rauch. 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 beeause of the wickedness of the people, I call to remembrance these words : " Fret not thyself because of e-vil-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 MT. 56.] PARIS. 307 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 aU whp were willing to come. The meeting, says J. Y., was an occasion precious to our souls ; the Lord gave us abUity 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 welcorae. They were detained in Paris longer than they had anticipated, by the illness of Martha Yeardley, and did not leave till the Qth of the Ninth Month. The raorning after they had entered Paris the words of Job were brought to J. Y.'s recoUection in a forcible manner : — " Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved ray spirit." (Job x. 12); and in going out of the city he was refreshed with the joyful language of David, — " How exceUent is thy loving-kindness, O God ! therefore the children of raen 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 Hfe : in thy light shaU we see light." — Psa. xxxvi. 7-9. Some letters which John and Martha Yeardley re ceived frora 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 wiU be interesting to the reader. 308 LETTERS FROM ELIZABETH DUDLEY. [1842. South Grove, Peckhapi, 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 reraerabrance 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 Jesug 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 ray 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 ha-ying 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 BO mercifuUy bestowed upon you, no commandment will be counted grievous, nor any service for your Lord too hard or painful. His words corae sweetly to my mind as really the MT. 56.] LETTER FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. 309 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 frora various parts of this land continue to indi cate rauch unsettleraent, and there have been large corapanies of Chartists in the iraraediate vicinity of London; but happily the civil power proved equal to their dispersion. One would hope the abundant harvest, now ready to be gathered, raay turn the current of feeling, and induce the desire rather to praise the Lord for his goodness, than to spend tirae and strength in raurraurings 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 becoraing more general, and the kingdoms of this world being thanlcfully surrendered to the righteous government of the Prince of Peace. But alas ! deep and coraplicated may be the suffer ings 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 raoral and religious character ; or whether it is merely the larger earn ings which artizans receive, enabling them more glaringly to gratify their natural and corrupt inclinations than agricul tural 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 310 letter from JOHN rowntree. [1842. have been alarming the whole nation, and threatening us with soraething like political revolution ; but they have received a severe lesson, and raany of our jails are filled with the victiras of unprincipled agitators. Considering how little ofthe Christian spirit is generally found in the operations of government, the treatraent of these poor creatures has on the whole been lenient, and no very severe punishraents are anti cipated. Whether the people of this nation have learned raore of righteousness frora the judgments of the Lord, which have I think evidently been raade known in this part of his earth, is perhaps known only to Hira. ¦w^ho knoweth all things. I often fear ; — for surely there is very rauch of darkness and wicked ness araong 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 raore than keeps pace with thera. " Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world," is still a consoling assurance to raany dejected yet hoping believers. Our dear friend Hannah C. Backhouse is strong in the faith that light is 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 whora 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 raay be enabled to irapart sorae spiritual gift or know ledge to raany hidden ones who appear to be hungering and thirsting after righteousness in that vain-glorious nation, and that your faith may be strengthened by raeeting with such. John and Martha Yeardley arrived at Lyons on the 13th, and, after raaking 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 .2ET. 56.] LYONS. 311 one day more; and they had cause to be thankful in ha-ving taken this course. For, says J. Y., we have made the acquaintance of several religious persons. An evangelist and colporteur named Hermann Lange, a Gerraan Swiss, took us to see sorae Pro testant converts, araongst whom we have found rauch of the interior life. The Lord gave rae a word of exhortation for them, and helped me to utter it in French. We had a con versation 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 araongst us, and said that he had for a long tirae desired to be inforraed respecting the principles of Friends ; that he thought as we did, that an express call of the Holy Spirit was necessary to the rainistry, and that woraen as well as men ought to be allowed to preach. I felt intimately united to hira in spirit : on parting we gave hira 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 naraed Elfenbein, who -with his wife, is very useful to the awakened Protestants. He is a colporteur, and introduces the Holy Scriptures into fami lies to whora he speaks concerning the things of God. He and his wife called upon us in our hotel. On parting he pro posed we should pray together. This gave us the opportunity of explaining our sentiraents regarding prayer ; and we pro posed 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 tirae of silence, Elfenbein prayCd for us with unction in a few words : it was a favored tirae ; thanks be to God. On the 15th they resumed their journey, and passing through Nismes proceeded to Congenies. They found 812 ESTABLISHMENT OF NISMES SCHOOL. [1842. 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 soleran 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 raeetings for worship, distributed religious tracts in the city and its environs, and insti tuted 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 Hfe had conducted a day-school at Congenies : this school was, of course, not accessible to the children of those Friends who Hved 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 diificulty in Justine Benfezet, a valuable Friend, who had had for sixteen years the superintendence of MT. 56.] LETTER FROM JOHN ROWNTREE. 313 the Orphan Asylura, and whose health had in some degree given way under the too onerous charge. In reference to the accomplishraent of this under taking, J. Y. writes : — 12 mo. 14. — Nehemiah i. 11 : — "0 Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, aiid to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy narae ; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day." I often think of these words of the prophet, and they [have sup ported rae] when ray soul has been cast down on account of the school. During their abode at Nismes they -visited the little congregations of Friends which He 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 seeras 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 raere knowledge of their words. The words of our Lord were "spirit and life" to those who would receive thera as 21 314 MONTPELIER. [1843, such ; yet how raany who heard them were to be judged by thera at the last day, because they believed not. We still hear sad accounts of distress in the raanufacturing districts of the country. Some of your friends have probably inforraed you that at our last Quarterly Meeting rauch sympa thy 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, araong so raany ? 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 raake sorae efforts for sirailar 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 seeraed a translation from that state of strong but iraperfect love which a raeraber of the militant Church might feel here below, to that fullness of love which his Saviour had pur chased for him above. In the Third Month, 1843, they quitted Nismes, taking their young friend Jules Paradon as their com- .panion. The parting, says J. Y., frora the dear faraily 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, I)ut that many weire desirous of being acquainted with MT. 57.] MONTPELIER. S15 them. Being pressed in their spirit to propose a meet ing 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 hiraself 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 tho office of mayor when Josiah Forster and Elizabeth Fry were at Montp6Her. He told John and Martha Yeardley that the meeting they had just held had been strength ening 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 36,000. 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 testiraony to the spirituality of worship as set forth by our Saviour hiraself. After leaving Montpelier, they continue the narrative of their journey as foUows : — We lodged that night at Passanas, a dark Roraan Catholic town. Inquiring if there were any Protestants, the charaber- maid replied, " Protestants ! what is that ?" When we had made her understand, she said there were a few, but they went to Montagnac to mass. 816 JOURNEY THROUGH LANGUEDOC. [1843- Uth. — 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 Jhe reply. On the 12th, held our little meeting with our faithful friend Jules, in which abUity 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 Nirarod [their horse] as well as ourselves. We dined at Lesengnan : not a Protestant in the place, yet we raet 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 multi tude was not less so to us. Araong 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 hira if he had a soul : he said he had. We asked him how he 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 coun tenances of raany around bearaed with joy at seeing this darkling perplexed ; and we did not shrink from exhorting MT. 57.] JOURNEY THROUGH LANGUEDOC. 317 hira to repentance and faith in Christ, who died for him and for all men. On returning to our roora 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 rauch 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 con fessing to raan?" "Because," she replied in soraewhat trerabling accents, "we think it eases our consciences, for the prifests 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 1" I shall never forget the countenance pf this dear woraan, which seeraed to express her long-shaken confi dence in her spiritual guides. We exhorted her to come to the Saviour, who intercedes for us without the aid of raan, and gave her a New Testaraent, which she said she would read. 12th. — Went to Manx to sleep. The landlady was com municative: she told us that sorae travellers like ourselves some tirae 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 woraan, a schoolmistress, to whom on her entrance we presented sorae 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 ara desirous of instructing the children in the religion ofthe 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. 318 JOURNEY 'THROUH LANGUEDOC. [1843. and there is a great desire for instruction and to receive books." They saw again at the Inn at Manx the man who had opposed them at Lesengnan, and found him much better disposed than he had been the day before. He told them he had been a Romish priest, but being dis gusted with the practices of his church, he had left it and joined the army : he promised to read the books they gave hira. ' ' Our present raode of travelling (with our own horse), they continue, though soraewhat slow, affords opportunities of endeavoring to do a little good, which we. should raiss in travelling by Diligence or e-x;tra-post. It is curious and instructive to observe the various dispositions of the people in. the dark places through which we pass: soraetiraes 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 ara a widow of near eighty years, and have had many cares ; but I pray to God, and he grants me the conso lation of his Holy Spirit, and if I confide in him he will never forsake rae." At Castelnaudry they left the main road and crossed the mountains to Saverdun, in ordet 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 MT. 57.] SAVERDUN. 319 over the dangerous ditches. After a little dinner at a poor place in the mountains, we procured a mule as a reinforce ment ; 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 Maz^res, where we called on the Protestant minister Besi^re, a most open-hearted Christian. He knew some of our Society, and wherever this is the case it insures us a welcorae. On our telling hira 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 thera." — Psal. xxxiv. 7. On arri-ving at Saverdun, on the 17th, we iraraediately pursued the object of our visit, and proceeded to the Insti tution, where we deUvered our letters of recoraraendation, and received a cordial reception frora the director. Pastor Enjalbal. When the little porters opened the door, they cried one to another, " Yoil^ des Anglais !" The director seems to be wonderfully fitted for the post he fills. He was once a captain in the array. 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 reraainder 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, kno^wing him to be the man for the ofS.oe if he would only undertake it. When he visited hira for this purpose on behalf of th© committee, he found hira in his charaber 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 rae, and I seera 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 coramittee for you to accept the government of the Saverdun Institu tion ; but I will not have an answer from you at present : 820 TOULOUSE. [1843. weigh the matter for a fortnight, and I wall come again and receive your decision." A sense of duty decided him to accept the offer. The superintendent conducted us to the merabers of the comraittee, 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 out 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 whora we had letters of introduction from our Christian friends at Nismes. They received us in a most cordial manner and were very open and comraunicative. On First-day raorning, after our little raeeting, we called on Professor F. Barnier ; he was rejoiced to see my M. Y., whom he knew at Congenies twenty years ago. He was then a Roraan Catholic; indeed, in name he is not changed; but he is become very spiritually-rainded, and rauch 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 Roraan Catholics, his piety and sincerity securing to him the con fidence 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 raade sorae remarks in MT. 57. TOULOUSE. 321 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 Sa^vioux, was in the meeting-house at Westminster during half an hour's silence. After this time of precious silence a minister arose* 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 ex pressed our opinion that Christians, in general, in their worship, would derive raore pdification frora what is spoken, if they were to dwell under the good feeling which is some times 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 to- - wards 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 coun try, 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 hea-vy to enjoy them. ¦* We believe Joseph John Gurney is here referred to. 822 MONTAUBAN. [1843, Montauban, 3- rno. 23. — Last evening^^ wef ireached thia pretty town, part of which is built on a high cliff overlooking the river Tarn, and commanding an extensive -view over a fertUe plain. Our first call was on Professor Monod; hia wife is an Englishwoman ; she was pleased to see her com patriots, and introduced us to Professor de Felice and some other pious individuals. Professor Monod invited us to spend the evening at thdr house, along with a number of persona 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 roora at 8 o'clock, araong whom were sorae students of the college. The eighth chapter of the Epistle to th© Roraans was read, and sorae remarks made by the professor ; he then kindly said, if we had any word of exhortation in our hearts, e hoped we should feel quite at liberty to express it. We felt it right to make sorae observa^ tions -with reference to the fore-part of the chapter, which sets forth that state of Christian experience in which the mind is prepared fo participate in the many precious promises con tained in the middle and latter portions; ability was also given us to express our faith in the one Saviour and Mot diator, and in the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and his ofi&oe in the sanctification of the soul. This favored opportunity closed with supplioatiom. We are well satisfied -with our visit to this place ; it has reraoved sorae prejudices from our minds, and perhaps raay have sho-wn to those with whom we have had intercourse that Friends are sound in the feith. The short time we spent with Professor de Felice has left a sweet impression on our minds. He mourned oyer 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 MT. 57.] CASTRES — RETURN TO NISMES. 323 man near this town who bore the narae 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 him." "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 raanner that it was difB.cult to part frora 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 raade 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 824 TULLHSrS— GRENOBLE. [1843. to this time, they write thus to their Friends in Eng land : — 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 raany 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 frora 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 coraforting 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 Switzer land, 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 indi viduals of that profession. At TuUins, they write, the eagerness to receive books was so great, that a crowd soon asserabled around us, and we found it dif&cult to satisfy thera ; 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 MT. 57.] GENEVA. 325 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 perforraed. The next day we received another invitation frora the Pastor to a raeeting 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 raeeting was an asserably of various classes, with a preponderance of young persons, and was a very interesting occasion : raany of the young people were deeply affected. In the morning of this day we had been to see an aged Catholic woraan 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 Charabery to Geneva, taking care to dispose of most of their French tracts by the way, lest they should be stopped at the Savoy custora-house. They arrived in the city of Calvin on the 27th. Here, as on forraer occasions, they found rauch to interest them. Several of the ministers and professors whom they had known before, seemed to have become more spiritually-minded; and with the fiock 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 iraraediate guidance of the Holy Spirit ; and we believe that this view of the gospel, with that of the universality of divine love, is rauch raore calculated to win upon unbelievers, and to enlighten Roraanists, than the high Calvinistic doctrines which have so generally prevailed, and which impede the growth of Christian humility and daily dependence on divine help. 326 LAUSANNE. [1843. At our little raeeting on First-day morning, we had the corapany of a widow and her daughter. The former is like a ,mother to those around her who are seeking spiritual things, and we were rauch comforted together. She invited us to tea, and to have a meeting in her house the next evening : a considerable number were collected, araong whom were a pastor, several professors, and many females. The pastor read a chapter ; and when, after a tirae of silence, the way opened for coramunication, it was like casting seed into pre pared ground, and the retireraent 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 SeUon. 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 forras." She asked us many questions, and we felt sweet unity with her. On the 3rd of the Fifth Month they went to Lau sanne, where they renewed their friendship with Pro fessor Gaudin, and had interviews with several other seeking persons. We were, they say, raost interested by a pious raagistrate, 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 raeans 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. MT. 57.] PAUL PETAVEL. 327 From Lausanne they went to Yverdun, and the day after to Neufchatel. Since their last visit in 1834, some who were very dear to thera had been suraraoned 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 faraily of Professor Petavel has sustained a great loss iu the death of his eldest son, accompanied by circum.stances peculiarly striking. This young raan was about nineteen years of age. He had been very serious for sorae tirae before his illness, and wished rauch to be employed as a raissionary. Early instructed by his raother in the importance of seeking divine influence, his mind was prepared to receive the bap tism 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 becarae entirely helpless, and his speech was taken away. It was only his tender mother who could ascertain his wants and administer to thera, which she did with unceasing assiduity. After about six months his speech was alraost rairaculously restored, and he used it in praising the Lord for the remarkable support and consola tion 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 sorae time the capability of speaking much again forsook hira ; 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 rbeside him for a while, This proved a deeply 328 LOCLE — FUNERAL OF PAUL PETAVEL. [1843. 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 raorning, 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 Gerraan friend M. Ziraraerlin, the associate of dear M. A. Calame, still lives : she received us with over flowing 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 ap pears to be now in excellent order. In the evening, the children, 188 in number, were collected -with the mistresses and faraily, 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 full 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 MT. 67.] BERNE. 829 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, araong whora were several pastors and a number of young persons. I seldom, says J. Y., re member 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 testiraony 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 resurae the words of their joint epistle) from the faraily 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 beheved 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 frora this would fiow their consolation. " This ( they observe) is the raore remarkable, as, when 'we were here before, she held views on election and ihe finished work of grace, almost to the exclusion of the work of ' regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.'" , We find in sorae 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 22 330 BASLE. [1843. the day will corae 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 thera. They spent another evening with a pious faraily, where several missionaries and pastors were present. In speaking of this occasion, John and Martha Yeardley were led into a refiection -vy>'hich 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 iraportance of uniting in desire for a raore general outpouring of the Spirit : J. Y. .also spoke much to the sarae effect. It was, we trust, a profitable season ; but the reflection arose on this occasion, as it has done on sorae others when araong serious persons not of our profession, that if they would but suffer the degree of divine influence raercifully 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 laterieurs whom we had known before, and had to lament .somethin.g of a visionary spirit in the raidst of right feeling. We recoraraended siraplicity, and close attention to the Scrip tures and to the Shepherd's voice. MT. 57.] CARLSRUHE. 831 One day John Yeardley went into the raountains to see an estabhshment called the PUgtim Mission Insti tution, 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 country men. 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, ha-ving had little or no occasion to use the latter tongue during their journey. They stopped at Carlsruhe, where they caUed, with an introduction, on the Princess of Wiirtera berg. She received us, they say, very kindly, and we had a satisfactory inter-view 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 reraained silent awhUe, and, under a precious feeling, offered prayer for the divine blessing on this family and aU 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 neit day they pursued their way towards Pyrmont. Being weary with traveUing, and their horses atsO needing rest, they tarried two days .at Frank fort. Here they saw their old friend Von Meyet ; and spent much of their time in the company of Dr. Pinkerton. "I was instructed," says J. Y., "with seeing the charity iand Christian meekness iti which he daily Hvos." On the 3rd of the Sixth Month they ireached 832 ACCIDENT TO J. Y. — VLOTHO. [1843, Pyrmont, where they reraained 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, sorae 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 caU 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 raeeting ; but he would go on to Lemgo. His whole frarae was much shaken, ahd we passed a sleepless night, so that the meeting next day was not a little formidable. It proved a much longer journey to Ylotho 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 reraarkable meeting, notwith standing 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 Mund- henck 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 Ehine. On their way home they stopped at Diisseldorf. The ten years which had gone by since they had visited the Orphan Asylum at Diisselthal, near this town, had MT. 57.] COUNT VON DER RECKE. 333 wrought a great change in the physical condition of Count Von der Recke. He looked worn and Ul, the effect of care and anxiety for his nuraerous 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 Scar borough, but spent a month in Hertford, Oxford and Buckinghamshire, attending the meetings of Friend^ 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 Buckinghamshire. We off'ered to pur chase 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 siunraer soraething raay offer, either at B. or in that quarter, to which we feel attracted ; yet desiring to corarait 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, caUed Gossom Lodge, to which they removed in the Fourth Month, 1844. Very soon after they had taken possession of their new dweUing, they made a circuit through the meetings of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, holding a few pubhc raeetings by the way : and the next summer (834) MT. 60.] REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL. 335 they undertook a more extensive religious visit — viz., to the six northern coimties of England. In the course of the same year we find them medi tating a fiirther removal, into the iraraediate -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 tirae raight corae 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 abo-Ve. Yery strong is my con-viction that our Heavenly Father is not unmindful oi 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 sprihg and summer of 1846 he repaired with M. Y. to Bath, and afterwards to Harrowgate, to seek a restoration of his health. 836 DEATH OP J. J. GURNEY. [1847. The waters of the last-named place proved, he says, very ef&cacious both to ray beloved M. Y. and rayself My pre cious dear, he continues, suffered much in her health through the fatigue of nursing me during the ¦winter. How my soul overflows with gratitude to ray Heavenly Father that he has united rae to such a partner, who takes more than ftfuU share in all my sorrows ; and, thanks be unto our God, we have often to rejoice also together in Hira ! On their return from Harrowgate they visited raany 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 farailies of the merabers 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 efBciency, 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 into 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 wiU remember how the tidings of the death of Joseph John Gurney, who sud denly expired on the 5th, spread through the Society, and produced wherever it carae an impression of sorrow- MT. 62.] DEATH OF J. J. GURNEY AND I. STICKNEY. 337 ful but heavenly solemnity. The event is referred to in the notice of this raeeting which is contained in the Diary. The raeeting for worship was particularly soleran. The spirit of our dear departed friend J. J. G- seeraed present with us. The event had irapressed our rainds 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 raany laborers frora his vineyard, to lift up a prayer for the reranant that is left, to crave prosperity for the blessed work of grace in the hearts of all present, and to ask for raore 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 reraerabrance. 1 mo. 7. — On returning frora raeeting we found a letter inforraing us of the sudden decease of Isaac Stickuey of Scarborough. When the doctor atterapted to give him brandy in his sinking state, he said, Doctor, don't cloud my intellect ; if this be dying, I die in the arras of Jesus. These last words of ray beloved and long-known friend are sweetly consoling to ray 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 accora panied by his beloved wife, partly in the character of a feUow -laborer, constrained by the force of Christian love to the same field of service, and partly as his com panion 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, 838 PROSPECT OF REVISITING THE CONTINENT. [1848. to obtain adraission into the Russian Empire ; and this part of the mission was accomplished by John Yeardley aloiie, 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 Gerraan colonies ; also sorae places in the Prussian and Austi-ian dominions, parts of Switzerland and France, particularly Ardeobe, and a few places in Belgiura, and to revisit parts of Gerraany. 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 perraitted, should think it her religious duty to accorapany me to South Russia. We had the full unity of our friends, who expressed much sympathy and encourageraent, to our great corafort. It is about twenty years' since I first thought seriously that I raight have to visit the Criraea, and for thirty years T have had a prospect of sorae parts of Boheraia. Truly the vision has been for an appointed tirae ; and if the period be now corae, 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 ray Divine Master. Feeble as are ray powers, I desire they may be devoted to his cause for the reraainder of ray days ; and I do esteera 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 ray joys, and on rayself; 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, H storm was gathering in France which in the course of this raonth 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 ^T. 62.] CERTIFICATES. 339 months before they commenced their underiaking. 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 jour ney awakened in his raind. 7 mo. 1. — At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Blder.s, our friends entered very fully into our proposed visit to the Continent. The expression of sympathy and full unity was abundant ; there wasa strong evidence of the good presence of the Lord being near during the deliberations, which proved a strength and corafort 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 raind is deeply hura bled at the near approach of our departure, in the present state of aff'airs 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 corarait 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 con dition of the countries they had visited before, and was enabled -to the end to afford her husband the assistance of her strong syra pathy and of her religious exercise of raind, the fatigue of constant travelling told more and more upon her enfeebled frarae, and she did not long survi-ve the accoraplishment 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 340 BELGIUM. [1848 which had aniraated hira in forraer journeys, and which those who knew hira in raiddle life will not fail to re member. Some of these will have before thera the raen tal iraage of his person and raanner — the fixed resolution, the concentrated raind, 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 raay call to raind the very words of faithful counsel, or of encouragement, drawn from the weU-spring of gospel sympathy, which fell frora his lips. John and Martha Yeardley did not accomplish the extensive raission which now lay before thera at one stroke, but in three stages, returning to England between each. The raost prorainent object in the first journey was Belgium ; in the second, the Rhine country ; in the third, they were called to sow seeds of Christian doc trine in lands lying beyond the limit of any former travel — viz., in Silesia and Boheraia. This was the first tirae that the Roraan Catholic country of Belgiura 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 chiefiy 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, naraed Adolphe Rochedieu. The rehgious opening which awaited them at Brussels was very encouraging ; few incidents which arose in the course of their numerous journeys were of a more ani mating character than the acquaintance which they made •with the pastor Van Maasdyk and sorae of his fiock. We give the narrative from J. Y.'s Diary and letters. / MT. 62.] BRUSSELS — H. VAN MAASDYK. 341 7 mo. 19. — H. Yan 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 rauch credit to hiraself, 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 raentioned, there was not a single copy of the Scriptures in the Flemish tongue. About that tirae the colporteurs introduced the New Testa raent in Flemish, and sorae copies of the Bible, which greatly excited the priests, and in particular the bishop, who said the translation was rautilated and falsified, and comraanded that the members of the Catholic Church who had received copies, should either burn them themselves, or bring them to the cur^s for that purpose. Yan Maasdyk's parishioners accord ingly 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 comraand to burn thera, when suddenly he felt soraething in his heart which restrained hira, 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 raodern translation proved to have been made from the Yulgate, 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 hira : " Woe is rae, I teach the people in their confessions that the saints make inter cession." His sorrow was so deep, that he thought he could die a thousand deaths rather than continue a Romish priest. 342 BRUSSELS. [1848. 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 proclaira the Gospel, he began to asserable the people in little corapanies, 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 Roraan Catholics, who speak only Fleraish. His congre gation consisted at first of sorae fifteen or twenty persons ; but such was the success he raet with, that they have been obliged four or five tiraes 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 soraetiraes 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 Heav enly Father who has thus opened our way. 20th. — The meeting at Pastor Marzial's last evening was much larger than we had expected. Yan Maasdyk came in unexpectedly after the service which had been held at his dwelling, and with hira a part of his flock. Many of the company were those who had renounced Romanism; sorae 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 MV. 62.] BRUSSELS. 848 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 Yan Maasdyk what I should do. I would rather, he replied, hear ten words from your own raouth, 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 rayself up to the language, and was helped through. My M. Y. was favored in her comraunication. 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 raust 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 seeras like seed cast into the prepared ground. May the Lord hiraself be their teacher, and carry on his own work ; for it is raost 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^i. — Attended a meeting of Yan Maasdyk's in the poorer district of Brussels ; about seventy to eighty persons present, consisting of converted Romanists, seeking Protest ants, 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, t^ey travetsed the great Belgium iron and coal 844 CHARLEROI. [1848. country, where the people speak a patois but understand French. Here they made a free distribution of the religious tracts they had taken with thera, 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 thera out freely right and left, and when any one hesitated to take thera, a significant nod from the postillion never failed to secure a ready reception. The country from Naraur to Li^ge, writes John Yeardley, and particularly from Li^ge 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. ^T. 62.] SPA— BONN. 845 Passing over several incidents of religious inter course and labor, we select a circumstance which illus trates the state of the country, and of their own feehngs 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 sorae time con versing 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 hira, they renewed the sweet intercourse of former days. 8 mo. 5. — We took a walk with Majors and his faraily 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 23 346 MANTTHEIM — STRASBURG. [1884. desire was felt and expressed that the little corapany might ever dweU 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 I'Europe, where we lodge. All very quiet without, and I felt peaceful within myself, reading a chapter and sitting alone. The Spirit of ray Divine Master was near, and I felt assured , that there was something in this place with which we could unite. They found here a Httle corapany, 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 araong 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.* At Strasburg they found Pastor Ehrmann, and several other pious persons whora they had known in 1833, with whora 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 com munion, in which consolation and encouragement were * See The Widow's Mite, No. 5 of J. Y.'s Series of Tracts. MT. 62.] BASLE. 347 offered, and thanks rendered for the favor of being per mitted 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 Hfe by which their tarriance in foreign cities was characterised, and of her own pe cuhar 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. dif&cult for females to make their way as gospel ministers; we have always fouiid it tolerated, but I am always sensible of a prejudice against it. On sorae occasions my J. Y. has explained our views on this important subject. 15th. — 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 848 BERNE. [1848. 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 treatraent 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.) WhUst 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 Evangehcal Alliance. " I told thera," 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 thera. 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, accorapanied by a good measure of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 18th. 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 sup phcation, to flow freely. Some precious souls whom we have MT. 62.] NEUFCHATEL. 349 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 raay be prepared to meet thee at thy coraing ! 20th. NeufcMtel, 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 multi tude ? But, thanks to Him who is the Bread of Life, he dis pensed food to the refreshing of our souls. My M. Y. suppli cated for us, and the gospel-word flowed freely : the meeting closed with thanksgiving by rae. Sad refiections on the political and religious state of the country oppressed their rainds while travelling through Switzerland. 21si. — 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 want ing. Switzerland has suffered through the recent changes in the governraents : infidelity is sorrowfully increasing. An abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and Nature everywhere srailes on ungrateful man. Woe to the nations when the ungodly bear rule! Persecution still rages in the Canton de Yaud. Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaint ance with the French and Gerraan 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 350 GRENOBLE. [1848. From Neufchatel they proceeded to Geneva, and thence to Grenoble. Here they were received in the raost open-hearted manner by the Protestant minister, Amand ; but their feelings were severely tried by the raartial display which the city presented. 26i!A. — On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the narae of the Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of tirae. So soon as he understood the object of our journey, he offered us his chapel for a raeeting; or, if it would be more agreeable to us, he would convoke a meeting in the schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a nuraber of persons who usually raeet there. We accepted the latter proposal. It is coraforting to find such a brother in the gospel ; but 0 for the raorrow ! how my heart fails me for fear ! Lord, help us, and give us to trust in thee ! 27th. — This day is a day of suffering. The soldiers, the druras, the trurapets, 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 retireraent before the Lord. The whole. course ofthe railitary systera tends to evil, and the corruption of raanners. The raeeting was weU attended, and they were thankful in being enabled to raingle 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 hke a great house buUt 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 resuraed their journey, held meetings -SiT. 62.] PRIVAS — VALS. 351 in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing the Rhone, entered Ardeche. A meeting which they held at Privas was an occasion of remarkable stUlness and solemnity. 31st. — There was a roora filled with serious persons, who immediately settled into silence Uke a Friends' raeeting: 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 testiraony, as well as rayself 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 raeeting 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 accustoraed to read a serraon, the Uturgy, 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 aUeged that the people would not be satisfied without ha^ving the greater part of the tirae 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 352 YALS. [1848. after the serviee, but the serraon 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 hira. This delay, and their persuasion that the raembers of the consistory were not the men to sympathise with them in their religious exercise, was exceedingly pro-ving to faith, and they entered the chapel under a pressure of raind alraost beyond utterance. After a pause John Yeardley rose and spoke in French, in which he felt himself to be rauch helped; an infiuence 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 puiiing 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. Uth. — This has been a trying week. I have been low in mind and suffered much in body, but, thanks to a merciftil God, I ara 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 hve dis persed in places almost inaccessible, we concluded to wait over another First-day to see some of them at Yals. 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 eould. MT. 62.] NISMES. 853 From Yals 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 tran scribed. 15th. — 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 woraan years before, and were raost easy to accept the invitation. The little corapany raostly knelt down, and waited sorae tirae in silence ; and then a young raan offered a short and sweet prayer. The fourth chapter of the Hebrews was then read, and nearly all present off'ered a sentiraent on the subject, in raeekness and in love, though they did not agree in their interpretation. They spoke one afterthe other, until all seeraed tired ; looking earnestly at rae, as wondering what I would say, not having spoken on the question. At length one of the company asked ray 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 reraark 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 rayself 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 in structively together. The ser-vice which remained for thera to do before returning to England consisted chiefly of religious labor araongst the Friends of Congeiiies and the -vicinity, and in printing and distributing a large number of tracts. They found the Society of Friends in a drooping con- 354 RETURN TO LONDON. [1848;, dition as to spiritual things, and in going round to their Httle raeetings, Martha Yeardley felt it to be her last visit, and she labored to clear her conscience towards those araong whora she had long been con versant, and for whose eternal welfare she felt deeply concerned. They returned to London on the 20th of the Tenth Month. CHAPTER XVII. COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 1849-50. The disorganized state of Germany presented a serious obstacle to John and Martha Yeardley's re suming 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 Priestraan, 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 carae to' Scar borough, and soon procured two rooras 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 raany whora 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 s-weet 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. Murmy 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 (355) 356 MUHLHEIM. [1849. 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 raanner 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 Rouge, but afterwards separated from him, John Yeardley says of them : They are rejected by the Lutheran and Reforraed Churches. They have adopted the narae 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 Miihlheim on the Ruhr, where, it wUl be remerabered, they found an open door for their ministry on their first continental journey. We give the narrative in John Yeardley's words : — 8 OTO. 17.^-0n our arrival at Miihlheim we received a visit from the three pastors resident here and in the neigh borhood, along with Pastor Bochart, from Schaffhansen, 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 fuUy into the MT. 63.] MUHLHEIM. 357 awakening that had taken place in^ this neighborhood. The spiritual seed of Tersteegen has never died out ; and they told us of a person, Muhlenbeck, in Sarn, who represents those who are acquainted with the interior life. The young est rainister said directly, I will fetch hira. In an hour's time he carae again, accompanied by a middle-aged raan, much like a good old Friend. He recollected us again, and spoke of our raeeting. When we went to see hira the next day in the village, he took us to the house in which he had lived in 1825, and placing rae in the centre of the room said, There stood thou twenty-four years ago, and preached the gospel in this roora ; there sat thy dear wife and her friend, with the young man who interpreted for her. They soon set about making a raeeting for us, which is to be held this evening in a large room in the house of one of the brethren. 0, my Saviour, strengthen us for this evening's work, and forsake us not in the time of need ! 18^/i. — The raeeting last evening was got well over. There were two rooras filled with raen and a few woraen; 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 seeraed as if they could not part from us. We spoke of our rainistry, missionary journeys, baptism and the Supper, in which we seemed to be one in sentiraent and heart. Our short tarriance here has excited curiosity to know who and what we are, and a great desire for books; and a Uberal supply has been furnished them. Those tracts 358 ELBERFELD. [1849. on our religious principles are just the food many are pre pared to receive. In coming this morning from Miihlheim to Elberfeld, my heart was tendered under a sense of the Lord's mercies. I feel poor and unworthy, but it is irapressed on my heart from day to day that ray little reraaining strength and my few uncertain reraaining days raust be devoted to ray Great Master's cause. I ara thankful that we have not through discourageraent been deterred frora entering on this part of our religious service; for, after all we have passed through on the occasion, I do believe the present tirae is seasonable. — (Diary and Letter) Before leaving the neighborhood, they had a second meeting at Elberfeld, the holding of which was endan gered by the animosity which prevailed between the different religious parties. After the place and hour were advertized, it appeared the roora would be required for a raissionary meeting. The president of the mis sionary 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 raake in theirs. They therefore hastily arranged their meeting for an other day, and the alteration was announced in the daily newspaper. The disappointraent proved, in the end, to be a subject for thankfulness on their parts ; for just before the hour of asserably of the raissionary society, an alarraing fire broke out, and threw the whole town into coraraotion ; and the raissionary raeeting was obhged to disperse as soon as the opening hymn had been sung. The Friends' raeeting, which took place two days afterwards, was held in quiet. John Yeardley preached on a subja-'t which seems to have engaged his mind JUT. 63.] BONN. 359 ever since he had entered the place, — viz., the FaU of Man. WhUe 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 whora he had once been one. Their sojourn at Bonn, where they arrived on the 31st of the Eighth Month, was exceedingly cordial to their rehgious feelings. The persons with whom they were the most intimately united were two ladies, Alexandrine Mackeldey and the Countess Stynum ; the latter of whora had corae 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 Jhe expression of a warm desire frora the Countess that we would reraain to morrow 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. 860 BONN. [1849. 9 mo. 3. — A little before six o'clock last evening the Count ess sent for us to take coff'ee with her, to have an hour of our company before the meeting. She gave us a hearty re ception, and in such Christian siraplicity, that we soon felt at perfect ease in her company. She has a well-informed and enlightened raind and a strong understanding, and lives, I 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 carae to our own Society. I was in poor plight for answering questions ; how ever, 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 proraise herself much gratification. Her coraraodious and elegant saloon was conveniently seated and pretty well filled. Our raanner of worship was quite new to every one present. We first explained it pri vately to the countess, who iraraediately comprehended our -view ; there was no wish at all shown to sing or read ; a pre cious soleranity prevailed, and I was enabled to speak, in Gerraan, first on the nature of our silent worship, then on what [else] rested on ray mind. The young woraan 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 Provi dence 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, MT. 63.] KREUZNACH. 361 and water the seed the Great Husbandraan has deposited in their hearts. I consider such little companies, or individuals, as a little leaven working silently ih 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 raore 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 whora they visited at Berlenburg had done the sarae. Frora 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 frora Cape Town, an inraate of the Mission-house at Barraen, raentioned to thera that four of his fellow- countrymen had been for a time at Kreuznach. On hearing this place naraed, it occurred to J. Y. that it would be well for thera 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 sorae 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 under took to speak with sorae others of the same way of thinking, to meet us in our hotel at 7 o'clock. On making it known 24 862 KREUZNACH. [1849. 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 maji expect. What you have said this evening has gone to ray heart. If we had only sorae one to whora we could look in holding raeetings, we should grow." He was rerainded of Him, the Head of his church, to whom we raust 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 en courage such meetings. 7th. — This raorning our new-raade friend accorapanied 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 !* * The visits of J. aud M. Y. to Kreuznach, in this journey, form the subject of No. 8 of John Yeardley's Series of T:facts, The German Farmer become Preacher. We extract from it the following more particular de scription 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 shado of double rows of fruit trees, brought us to the place of destination. At the first farm- ihouse 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 oame to welcome the travellers \yit,h 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 vil lage to village and from house to house, we returned to our lodgings, favorably impressed with the piety and apparent since>ity of this simple- ihearted people." MT. 63.] KREUZNACH. 363 8^^. — Called again on J. A. Ott, and found him looking very serious. He told me he had read further in the books we left with him, and the raore he saw, the raore 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 raatter, and they required tirae to raature it. We were quite of his mind in this respect ; at the same tirae I believe if they had strength to meet together it would be advantageous. 10th. — ^Yesterday we met the little corapany 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 roora. 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 accorapanied us throughout the day's labor, and I fel'. 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 improveraent. We have just received a sweet visit frora Adara Tiegel of ^chwabenheim, who is come to have a little talk with us. He seeras 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.* Passing on to Mannheim, they saw the effects of the revolution in Baden; the fine stone bridge over the Ehine had been blown up, and not yet replaced. The * The history of this worthy man ia given in the Tract, mentioned in the last note, The German Farmer, &c. 364 DEATH OF ELIZABETH DUDLEY. [1849. handftil 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 in creased m 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 famUy hurt.* At Stuttgardt they received the affecting intelligence of the decease of EHzabeth Dudley, who died of cholera on the Gth 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 feeUngs : — It would not be possible to set forth in words what we have felt from the afi'ecting intelligence contained in dear E.'s letter. What shall we do but seek ability at the Divine foot stool to bow in humble resignation to this afiflictive dispensa tion ? I have had for some tirae 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 tp earthly things, was sealed upon my heart by a coraraunion 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 exaraple and precept, and by the tenderest affection. But I must not dwell upon this subject, lest I become unfitted for the duties which our pj-esent engagement daily calls for. * See John Yeardley's Tract, No. 5, The Widow's Mite cast into the Heavenly Treasury. ^T- 63.] STUTTGARDT. 365 To these afiiictive tidings was added some dis couragement in respect to their proposed journey to Russia. The little hope that John Yeardley stUl enter tained of being allowed to cross the Russian frontier was extinguished by the information he received at Stuttgardt. A large number of the Gerraan 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 signa ture of the Russian ambassador to his passport were fruitless. They had, however, soraething to console thera under these trials. In all our forraer travels in Gerraany, 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 Wiirteraberg where meetings for worship are not held in private houses. The late revolu tionists 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 thera 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 especiaUy de- Hghted. 866 KORNTHAL. [1849. 17th. — Our two young friends, Eeuchlin, carae to conduct us to their garden araong the vine-hills in the environs of the town. We there met their precious raother, and were joined by a good raany interior ones, who had been invited to meet us. We had a precious little meeting in the arbor, after which we gave thera some account of the religious moveraent in Belgium, &c., which pleased them much. We afterwards partook of fruit, biscuits, and wine. I shall reckon this garden visit araong the happy raoments of ray life, because the presence of the Most High was with us. On the 18th they went to Kornthal to visit the in teresting society in that place. Hoffmann's widow, who seeras to have returned frora Basle after the death of her husband, was there, but so aged and infirra as to be confined to the house. The inraates of the establish raent were therefore convened in sorae apartraents adjoining her charaber, so that she could partake in the spiritual repast. Their kind friend Reuchhn had pre pared the way for thera ; and when the asserably took their seats, a soleran silence ensued. John Yeardley and " Brother " Koine addressed the meeting, and the forraer supphcated at the conclusion. On their way back to Stuttgardt, Madame Reuchhn interrogated them on the doctrine of election, and was rejoiced to hear frora thera their full belief in the universality of the grace of God; and as they comraunieated 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 Boheraia, not ha-ving, as he thought, a sufficiently clear guidance to determine his course. .ST. 63.] KREUZNACH. 367 9 mo. 19. — A very acceptable visit from a worthy brother, Weiz. He introduced himself and coraraenced 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, soraetiraes earnestly prayed to the Lord for direction what way to take, and have received no intiraation ; all has been dark within ; I knew not whether to go right or left, and I have been corapelled to go forward. I have then said, Lord, thou knowest ray heart, be pleased to prosper my way ; I leave the consequence to thee. The conclusion to which they carae 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. 26th. — 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 Schwabenbeim, a few miles from here. Notice had been given of our intention to be present, ^ and the company was consequently larger than usual. They raeet 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 3Q8 KREUZNACH. [1849. little in Gerraan on the " still sraall 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 coff'ee with Tiegel, and took back in our carriage a few of our Kreuznach friends who had walked to the meeting.* ith. — 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 corapany were all satisfied, and wished to corae again. 6th.- — To-day we received a visit frora a young English lady. She carae to ask how we understood the passages in Paul's Epistles forbidding woraen to speak in the'church. We soon gave her an answer, and handled the raatter so fully that she was quieted down before she left, little thinking, as she acknowledged, that so rauch could be said in defence of the practice araong Friends. She even said she thought it to be a general loss to the Christian Church that woraen are not perraitted to take part in the rainistry. She is a thorough Millenarian, and said the prophecy in Joel, that the Spirit should be poured out on all flesh, referred to the coraing of Christ to reign on the earth, until I rerainded her of what happened on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said expressly that it was the fulfilraent of the prophecy of Joel. Two other ladies -were with her. We parted friendly, and she thanked rae for the information I had given her. 7th. — Went to Treisen to a raeeting. The little company meet only about eigh^ persons usually, but we found about thirty assembled in a sraall roora. I thought it one of the most lively meetings we have had. They wished me to con duct 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 thera of the pool of Bethesda, when the angel troubled the water, and on * For a, fuller description of this visit, see J. Y.'s Tract, The German Farmer, &c. MT. 63.] BONN. 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 carae three young women, with an elderly lady, the mother of one of them. We had rauch conversation, and a precious little meeting, which concluded with solemn supplication — a nice finish to our sojourn in interesting Kreuznaoh. Our friend Ott has accompanied us ; he has been to us as eyes in the wUderness. From Kreuznach they returned to Bonn, stopping at Darmstadt, Wiesbaden and Neuwied. John Yeardley had allowed some discourageraent to enter his raind in regard to the meeting they had had the previous month at the Countess Stynura's. Thpy found, however, on repeating their visit to this place, that the occasion in question had been one " of peculiar benefit and encou rageraent." They renewed their religious intercourse with the Countess and her friends to their great re freshment and joy. 12th. — The evening was spent with the Countess, in a quiet and more private interview than she had with us the last tirae, 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 corafort. Before leaving, the forty-sixth Psaira was read, and we had a coraforting time together: the Lord be praised ! How sweet in him is the fellowship of the gospel ! Writing to Josiah Forstei from Bonn, John Yeardley 370 RETURN TO ENGLAND. [1850- makes some general remarks on the r€ligious state of Germany, as they had found it in their frequent inter course 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 raorfe sound and scriptural in their views of religious truth ; but not without- exception. A meeting at Miihlheim "not large, but a good tirae," 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 feehngs, and in gratitude to their Heavenly Father for aU 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. lS50. 4 mo. 7. — In the train, soon after leaving Brussels my spfrit was melted under a feeling of the Lord's goodness. ^T. 64.] BERLIN. 871 The object of our journey carae weightily before rae, and I considered we had left our horae and every object raost 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 Hira, that they raight partake of spiritual coramunion 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 narae ; and should I or the precious partner of ray bosora 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 pass port, with permission to enter the Russian territory at Odessa. Their application met with an iraraediate and positive refusal, and the extinction of his hopes in this respect was to John Yeardley a grievous disappoint ment. 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 thera help. He could indeed do nothing to facilitate their entrance into Russia, but he was the means of diverting their minds frora the con sideration of what had now becorae hopeless, and of opening to them, in Berlin, a door of usefulness. Through his introduction they became acquainted -with several devoted Christians, sorae of them of wide reputation in the Church. These interviews, which were occasions of heartfelt spiritual communion, are thus noticed in the Diary : — 372 BERLIN. [1850. 4 mo. 22. — Samuel Eisner is an aged warm-hearted Chris tian, full of faith and good works : he gave us important in formation, and will send rae 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. 28rd. — Pastor Knack, successor to Gossner, is a man of a lively spirit, to whora 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 8 o'clock we had a sweet interview with Professor Neander, an aged raan of a striking figure and a Jewish coun tenance, 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 seeraed pleased to hear some account of the order of our Society, particularly with regard to the rainistry 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 observa tion led us to several points of our discipline, and he seemed delighted that a society existed whose practice, in many things, carae so near to that of the priraitive church. Before parting the spirit of supplication came over us, under which prayer was off'ered, particularly for this aged servant of the Lord. His disititerestedness is great. The king will soraetiraes give hira raoney, 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 : — ^T. 64.] WARMBRUNN. 378 24^/i. — A ray of light and hope has broken in upon our gloomy path, — not into Eussia ; there Satan is still perraitted to hinder ; but in this city. They spent two days at Rixdorf, the viUage alluded to above, three miles from Berlin, where was a smaU congregation of Bohemian Brethren, who took refuge there in 1737. The women of the society held reli gious meetings by themselves twice a week. These meetings had been instituted raany 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 thera a relation of her extraordinary conversion, which John Yeardley pub lished in No. 3 of his Series of Tracts, under the title of the Conversion of Mary Merry. They held a raeet ing 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 Berhn, 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 beauti ful watering-place of Warrabrunn, in Silesia. The dwellings of the laborers in Silesia struck thera 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 Warrabrunn. Sorae of the siraple incidents which befel them there form the sub jects of the foUowing extracts : — 5 mo. 10. — Yesterday was a thorough rainy day ; but in the afternoon, to our surprise, carae in eight raen together, who had heard of strangers having arrived in Warrabrunn 874 WARMBRUNN. [1850. 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 suppli cation wal offered under much solemnity. Uth. — I have had a long conversation with C. W. Grossner, of Brcslau, on the Supper, &c. We. opened the Testaraent, and read the various passages, and I explained our views as well as I could. I think he is brought under serious thought fulness, and half convinced of our principles with regard to the rites, which he acknowledges are vain without the sub stance. "Eeligion with raany, nowadays," he observed, "is like a polished shell ¦without kernel." 13th. — 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 diff'erence to us; we loved all who loved the Lord Jesus. She spoke very sweetly ofthe influence of the Spirit. 14^^. — The Countess paid us a long visit, and spoke much ofthe Eoraan Catholio 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 thera now for four years; their church only advises, not commands it. 16th. — We went to dine with the Countess Eeden 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 inraates fear their God, love their neighbor, and greatly esteem their king. We had been announced to the Countess from Berlin a week before; she ahd her araiable sister received us as a brother and sister beloved in the Lord. I never witnessed more intelligence combined with Christian politeness and real simpHcity. The Countess is about seventy-six years of age ; she is the presi dent of the Bible Society, and the spiritual raother of all that is good in the neighborhood. She nursed the present king MT. 64.] BOHEMIA. 875 on her lap when he was a baby, and her great influence with him now .she always turns to good account in serving benevo lence and religion. Both she and her sister spoke with much affection of dear Elizabeth J. Fry, and her visit with Joseph John Gurney. 26th. — Our last meeting, on First-day evening, consisted of all men, several of jivhom had come from Erdmannsdorf and the colonies of the Tyrolese. They seeraed to appreciate the tirae of silence, and expressed rauch satisfaction with having raade our acquaintance, and with the raeeting. On the 30th of the Fifth Month, J. and M. Y. quitted Warrabrunn and proceeded towards Boheraia. We passed, says the former, through Hirschberg. Gold berg, Liegnitz, and to Dresden, Leipzig, and Halle, making acquaintance in all *hese places with serious persons, and, I hope, scattering here and there a little gospel seed; b'u^t 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 becarae e-vident that Martha Yeardley, who had suffered rauch for some time from an affection of the windpipe, required repose and medical care ; and they concluded to rest awhile at the baths of Toplitz. The iUness 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 pf evangelical truth. He had heard at Berhn that within a few months several hundred Bibles and Testaments had been sen^t into Bohemia, and had been eagerly bought there by awakened peKSOps. He thought that if a translation could be made into the Bohemian language pf soBie simple religious 'tracts, much good might be done by 376 PRAGUE. [1850. their dissemination ; but he supposed that the intolerant laws of the Austrian Empire, which forbad aU freedom of religious action, were stiU in full force. His account of his feelings and those of Martha Yeardley under the burden which this supposition iraposed on thera, and of the agreeable raanner in which perraission was unex pectedly 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 tnoming to the head of the authorities, took with me one of our little tracts, mostly Scripture extracts, and asked whether L might be allowed to have the little book, or such as I then presented to hira, printed for circulation. He received me politely, indeed kindly, and looked pleased with my tract, saying as he 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 Boheraian 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 foUowing 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 .^T. 64.] PRAGUE. 877 devoted to these images, the crucifixes, &c., all indicated that Superstition' rages rampant. We lost no time in sending to the f*rotestant pastors, one of whom kindly carae 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 Boheraian language. This afternoon he paid us another visit, and brought his wife to see my M. Y. He produced the translation of the introduc tion 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 ofthe kind printed in Prague. Much, adds J. Y. in a letter, as I have suff'ered 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. Sraall as such a privilege may appear, until very recently such distribution of books would have been visited -with a very inconvenient imprisonnlent on the individual transgressing the law. — (6 mo. 23.) 24:th. — I gave Pastor Bennisch fbr perusal, and choice for translation, William Allen's Thoughts on the Importance of Religion, and our tracts on the Fall, Regeneration and Re demption, True Faith, and the Voice of Conscience. There is a great moveraent araong the Catholics ; they have need to be instructed in the first principles of Christianity, and it is very iraportant that the doctrine of faith in Christ should be corabined with that of the practical working of the Spirit as set forth in many of our tracts. On this account, I ara glad they are likely to take precedence of others in their circula tion ; 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 Bohe mian, and 1000 in German. At Toplitz, which they revisited before leaving .25 878 NEUWIED. [1850. 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 finaUy quitted the country, they took the nearest road to Kreuznach. On the way, they distri buted tracts in the -villages, at one of which, where they were detained for want of horses, the inhabitants fiocked so eagerly to thera to receive these little raessengers, that they had difficulty in satisfying thera. Notwith standing this circurastance, the refiection with which John Yeardley concludes his account of their travels in Bohemia was, " It wiU require a power more than huraan to make the dry bones of Bohemia Hve." They spent three weeks at Kreuznach, confirming the faith of the brethren, and printing Gerraan transla tions of several tracts. In passing through Neuwied, they intended only to spend the night there ; but hear ing 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 caUed, 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 thera as guide, and was a true helper in the work. He had been twenty years missionary in Greenland and South Africa. They returned horae, both of them worn with travel ling, and Martha Yeardley exhausted with disease, which was making sure progress in her debiUtated frame ; but they were supported by the peaceful consciousness of ha-ving accomplished all the service to which they had been caUed to labor in coramon. CHAPTER XVIII. DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO NORWAY. 1851-2. Martha Yeardley continued very unweU during the autumn, and by the end of the year her disorder assuraed a raore alarraing form. It soon became e-vident that her dedicated life raust 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, fuU of peace and hope in Christ Jesus, in the Fifth Month, 1851. The foUowing memo randum, 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. Frora 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 Sa-viour, and commenced an eternity of bliss. Thus was I deprived of my only earthly treasure. She was the Lord's precious loan, granted rae 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 (379) 380 DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY. [1851. union, and a hap.py life, spent, I hope, unitedly in the service of our Lord. In all our imperfections we did desire, above all earthly things, to do tha 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 Eussia, as, in all probability, my precious one would have fallen on the journey, and never seen her peaceful horae again. During the whole of the illness her delight was to speak of the joy of heaven. My sins of oraission and of cora- missiouy 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 e-vil 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 : iET. 65.] DIARY. 881 My affection for thee is strong ; I believe thou lovest thy Saviour: I desire that thou raayest keep nothing back that the Lord raay 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 comrauned with hiraself in the language of sorrow, but also of hurable resignation. At the same time he speaks of an engageraent 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 com rade fall by his side, he had now to learn again to gird hiraself 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 frora her: she seeraed 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 counseUor, and a never-failing consoler in all my troubles. I do mourn, but I dare not murmur. I hope ray merciful Heavenly Father wUl keep me in the hour of temptation, 382 VISIT TO IRELAND. [1851. and be with rae in the last trying hour, and prepare rae to join this precious one and all by whora 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 horae frora our last Coijtinental 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 raany 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 ray 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 ine faithful to the end of the race ! I can say my desire is, when he cometh, he may not find rae idle. The visit which John Yeardley made in Ireland was general, coraprehending aU, or nearly aU, 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 raention 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 ara lodged a few miles in the country, in a mansion sur rounded 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 MT. 65.] PROSPECT OF A JOURNEY TO NORWAT. 383 quiet: but then I have the family visits to resurae next raorning. 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 ma. 5, 1851.) A few days after his return from Ireland, he left horae 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 recommence ment 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 comraunity of religious persons in Norway, whose principles and practices are the sarae 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 corafort I have not been permitted to experience for a long time. I think it is vouch safed 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 comrait all ray 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 384 HOMBURG— SEVERE ILLNESS. [1852. entrusted to m3, raay proceed purely and entirely frora thy love, and be exercised in thy fear and under the unction of thy Holy Spiiit. 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 ray 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 raission. Since I last wrote any notes in this journal, I have passed through raany conflicts respecting ray long-thought-of visit to Norway. When the subject was proposed to ray friends in London, it raet with the warra encourageraent and syrapa- thy of all, iu every stage, to the receiving the full unity of the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. I ara accorapanied by ray 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 ofthe Lord. Our friend William Eobinson 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 Miiller at Friedrichsdorf, near that town. Whilst at Horaburg he was suddenly attacked with a severe and painftil disorder, and was reduced to great extremity. After about two weeks of suffering, he was restored to con valescence, 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 MT. 66,] PROCEEDS TO CHRISTIANIA. 885 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 bosora, for life or death. I knew ray Lord and Master could do without ray poor un worthy service in Norway ; but if he had work for rae to do in that land he would raise rae up in his own tirae ; 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. MiiUer 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, 0, what sweet peace and resig nation were the clothing of my humbled spirit. There seemed nothing in my way to heaven, whether frora Gerraany or Norway. I do believe ray eye and heart are fixed on my precious Saviour, and he has been ray stay in the hour of sore conflict of body, but none of raind. All seeraed peace and bliss when I glanced at the happy home above, already in habited by my precious one and raany more who were dear to us on esiTth.— (Letter of 7 mo. 2, 1852.) On the Sth 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 886 CHRISTIAN bAND. [1852. ofthe journey. On landing at Christiania they were refreshed by seeing Asbjon 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 inter preting for thera. The company were so much inte rested, 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 pass age between the cliffs being in some places so narrow that there was no more roora than was sufficient for the vessel to pass. In this town they enjoyed much freedom in the gos pel, and held two public meetings. Regarding the first of these, John Yeardley says : — 7 mo. 13. — Our large roora at the hotel was filled half an hour before the tirae appointed, and it was with difficulty that we raade our way to our seats. A little unsettleraent prevailed frora the desire to enter, , which subsided after a few explanatory words. A tirae of quiet ensued, and there was rauch openness to receive the gospel message. Before the close of the meeting I becarae exceedingly thoughtful about appointing another for the next evening ; and on inti- raating the same to P. B., I found he was under the same impression. It was, therefore, announced to the asserably before they separated, and appeared rauch to satisfy thera. The dear people were unwilling to part from, us without a shake by the hand. — ( Diary and Letter) At one of the meetings wnich they held in this town, whilst John Yeardley was preaching, he became sen- MT. 66.] ACCIDENT TO P. BEDFORD. 387 sible that his interpreter had himself received some thing 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 faraily 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 Christian sand 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 frora 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 prac tices 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) 388 MODE OF TRAVELLING IN NORWAY. [1852. Besides being interested for the people of Christian sand 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 instruc tion from man. With these persons they met more than once. John Yeardley writes : — We had a precious raeeting with thera. They were invited to erabrace the doctrines of the gospel in li-ving faith, and to give full rOora to the workings of the Spirit of Jesus, whose voice they had already heard inviting thera to corae under his teaching. We encouraged thera to raeet for divine worship. On the 16th the Friends proceeded thirty-five miles to Mandal, travelling post. From thence, John Yeardley and Asbjon Kloster went by the road to Stavanger, leaving Peter Bedford and William Robinson ^o follow by steam-vessel, the forraer being unable to bear the motion of the Norwegian carriages. John Yeardley, in one of his letters, in a lively manner describes the raode of travelling: — The usual vehicle in this country is the single-seated carriole, raade exactly to fit the figure of the traveller, and no spare roora 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 raitigate 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 governraent regulation, and is performed by sure-footed ponies kept by the farmers, who are obliged to supply them under any circum stances after ha-ving 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, MT. 66.] STAVANGER. 889 for which the traveller has paid, he is sent on foot. On one occasion we met a young girl, with bare feet, 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 theraselves behind on the luggage as best they can. The traveller drives hiraself, and the little horses are so brisk that, whatever the state of the road raay be, they run down the raountains 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. Frora Christiansand to Stavanger is about 200 railes, which took us four days. Our road lay occasionally over a wild and stony heath by the sea, soraetiraes along the river-banks, lakes, or fiords?, but raore often among and upon the high and rugged rocks; the passing of sorae 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 pubUc raeeting at Flekkefiord, the first time such a meeting had been held in the place. It was " a good tirae," and so well attended that the town-hall could not contain nearly all who came together. Immediately on arriving at Stavanger, the Friends coraraenced ¦visiting the farailies 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 fiocked from aU 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 serious ness 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 390 EXCURSION UP THE FIORD. [1852. Saviour, when he coraraanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass, and fed them with five barley loaves and two fishes. Since this tirae, he says in a letter, we hold our public meetings in the open air, and the stillness that prevails is quite reraarkable. Last evening we had a solemn opportunity in a plantation belonging to one of our Friends by the sea side. The hushing of the trees, the gentle rolling of the waves behind a strong sea-wall, and the warbling of the little birds, all seeraed to aid our worship ; but these would have been nothing had not the presence of our Divine Master been near. After the meeting, as raany as could be seated partook of tea, &c. The seriousness, simplicity, kindness and hospi tality, 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 corapany are all volunteers. We set out with seven, but were joined by others on the way, so that this raorning we started with ten raen. 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 ^T. 66.] TO SAND AND SAVDE. 391 bare rock 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 acc6m panied us to the boat, and did not quit their standing till we were out of sight. My heart yearned towards thera in gospel love. Next raorning we started before 6 o'clock, and when we had rowed fourteen English railes put into a little village, lelsora. We were all strangers in the place, and Friends and their principles unknown. Our friend Endrd 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 carae, 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 carae in, till the large room and passage were filled, and a nuraber were outside under the windows. It was quite a reraarkable meeting, and we were well satisfied in having exercised patience as well as a little faith. We were inforraed that it was the custom of the place not to attend any appointed raeeting till an hour after the tune naraed. 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 raade the object of our journey known, when a serious-looking raan iraraediately offered to go about six railes to inforra a person who he knew would like to attend. Two individuals in this place have for sorae tirae been in the practice of holding a silent raeeting 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 Savde, situated at the head of the fiord, and consequently the extreme point of their voyage. Before starting they 392 SAVDE. [1852 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 haraper of about six feet in diaraeter, and the sarae 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 streara is so great, that he forces hiraself through a hole into the haraper, as the easiest way of advancing upwards, frora which position he cannot again escape. In this raanner, in a favorable season, sixty-three salraon have been caught in one night in a single basket. It is a source of wealth to the little town of Sand. At Savde 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 accoramodation. We three had one roora with three beds ; Endr6 Dahl with his willing-hearted and contented raen lodged in a barn on straw. There was tirae enough to arrange for a raeeting in the morning, and we applied for a roora at the inn ; but a little knot of illiberal Haugeans [followers of Hauge], or Saints, as they call theraselves, persuaded our landlord not to let us raeet in his house. But we obtained better accora modation under the rocks in a house containing two rooras connected by a passage, and, seating ourselves in the centre, could be well heard by those outside the door. We hadti good raeeting. 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 Savde accorapanied us in their sraall boat; and some from Sand had gone raany miles to attend the meeting at Savde, and returned to the one at Sand. Their zeal is great and their love fervent. This was a very crowded meeting, and proved ¦41T. 66.] MEETING AT SAND. 893 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 Httle 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 raeeting invited several of our ship's corapany 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 sorae 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 con sented to let the Friends withdraw. However, she attended our public meeting, where the gospel doctrine of our Society was pretty fully illustrated ; ahd 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 thera 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 opportunit}'- for fi-ee 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 frora breakfast till 5 o'clock, 26 394 FINLAND PRISONERS. [1852. that I said in my heart, It is impossible to get through the meeting this evening. The Friends had sorae religious service at several other places about Stavanger, and on the Gth of the Eighth Month proceeded northward to Bergen, accom panied by Endre Dahl and his wife and Asbjon Kloster. Their chief ser^vice in this city was a public meeting, at which there was a large attendance. John Yeardley says of the raeeting : — There was a great mixture of feeling. Many pious, thirsty souls, I believe, were present, and I hope such were encouraged and coraforted ; but the strong impression on my raind was to call the sinner to repentance. On their way back to Stavanger, among the passengers were two Finland con-victs, for whose pecuhar 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' confineraent in irons at Christiania, for having, it is said, coraraitted sorae outrage on the priest in disturbing the national worship. There has for sorae tirae past been a great awakening about religion in Finland and other parts of the North, and the most active araong this nuraber, in their zeal not terapered with right knowledge, have transgressed the law. I heartily pitied the two poor creatures, inasmuch as I feared justice had not been done thera ; the prejudices of the priests and judges are so great in all raatters 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 tamed 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. ^T. 66.] AAMUT — FCEDDB. 895 On their return to Stavanger, Peter Bedford felt that his share in the work was accomplished, and that it was not his part to accorapany John Yeardley in the service which reraained for the latter to do in Norway. After being present at another pubUc raeeting in Stavanger, and in a parting interview with the Friends of the to-wn, he went with William Robinson direct to Kiel. John Yeardley had two or three raore raeetings in the neigh borhood of Stavanger, where the desire of the people to attend was raore reraarkable than ever. On the 11th of the Eighth Month he bade farewell to this interesting place, and, accorapanied by Endr^ 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 sorae of these meetings are well worth transcription. 14:th. — Journeyed about fourteen miles up the fiord, into the mountains, to Aaraut in Qvindesdalen. This raeeting 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 ! 15th. — We returned to Foedde to a raeeting this afternoon, which was, I think, the largest we have had. There were two large rooras filled, and a nuraber 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. Araong 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 ! 396 FAHRSUwn. [1852. 16th. — At Fahrsund we had sorae difficulty to procure a place for a meeting. It is a brandy-drinking place. No one would hear 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 ray certificate, and explained to him the object of ray visit to Fahrsund. He kindly accorapanied 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, corae 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 whora a notice was offered, when he saw the word worship, immediately tore it to pieces. The lady to whora the roora belonged sat near rae all the raeeting, and looked serious before the close ; and she took leave of us with very different feeling from that in which she first raet us. The sheriff came to me after the meeting and off'ered 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 fpr 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 our selves on a shady rock to meditate. All was silent around — nothing heard but the shepherd-boy playing hia horn ; the sound coming from the distant mountains into the wooded valley where we sat, first shrUl, then softening into a simple irregular note. My friend asked me what I thought the MT. 66.] OBERNKIRCHEN. • 397 * instruraent 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 comraunication with other shepherds when widely separated on the raountains ; the sound of this horn also keeps the sheep from straying. They arrived at Christiansand on the 19th ; and Endr6 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 aff'ectionate sympathizer and efficient helper. I ara thus, he continues, left alone in a strange land ; but I do feel a peaceful and a thankful heart to ray Heavenly Father that he has in mercy blessed rae with light, strength, and faith to go through this service in Norway. Imperfectly has it been perforraed, I know; but I have done what I could. and a song of thanksgiving is due to ray Lord. John Yeardley returned by Gerraany to England. At Obernkirchen, near Minden, where sorae persons had not long before been con-vinced 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 accoraplished by engaging a room without the limits of the state of Biickeburg, in which the town is situated, and within the Hessian frontier, which includes, in fact, a part of Obernkirchen. A public raeeting for Worship in that place (says John Yeardley, in a letter written after his return horae,) was such a new thing, that on our arrival we found a press of persons whora the room could by no means contain. The landlord readily granted us his barn, which was commodious, and we 898 OBERNKIRCHEN. [1852. ¦ threw open the large doors into the yard, which was seated; besides which, the people stood in nurabers. We had a soleran meeting. There is a little corapany who hold a raeeting at Obernkirchen ; several of these have suffered on account of their religious scruples in refusing baptisra to their children, &c. These we invited after raeeting to take coffee with us, about thirty persons, all serious. It was a delightful occasion. After the coffee we had a sweet parting raeeting with this truly interesting company. We had been given to expect that, although we had taken the precaution to pitch our tent without the liraits of the intolerant place, the police would be present, and would raost probably disperse our asserably. 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 caU 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 raight probably now be obtained, brought the subject again under his notice. The adra,o- nition was tiraely and effectual. After carefuUy ponder ing the matter — with, we doubt not, as on former occa sions, a chUdUke dependence on his Oraniscient 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 returifed in safety and peace to England, he aUuded more than once to the raanner in which the concern had been revived, saying he had been, before he was thtis aroused, like the prophet asleep. ' He re-opened the prospect of this service before his Monthly Meeting, on the 3rd ofthe Fifth Month, 1853. In a letter written the sarae day, he says : — I am just returned from our Monthly Meeting in London, where I raentioned to ray friends ray concern to visit the German colonies in the South of Eussia, which, thou wilt probably recollect, was included in my certificate for religious (399) 400 CERTIFICATE AND PASSPORT. [1853 service on the Continent of Europe, five years ago. T 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 sorae places in the South of France. Weak as I ara, I cast rayself once raore 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 Sarauel Gurney, I have at length been enabled to procure a Eussian passport, and also a letter of recoraraendation to one of the first houses in Petersburg. Thou knowest, my dear friend, for a long time this matter has been heavy on ray raind. It is a great corafort 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 frora his letters to his sisters; and we have been allowed the use of WiUiam Rasche's Journal, in relating and describing many circumstances of which J. Y. hiraself made no record. Petersburg. 7 mo. 10.— On the 30th of the Sixth Month I left my peaceful horae at Stamford Hill for my Eussian journey. At our kind friend Isabel Casson's at Hull I met my young companion William Easche. We were affection ately cared for by dear I. C. and her daughter, and she and several other friends saw us on board the steamer. It is a MT. 67.] THE VOYAGE — PETERSBURG. 401 fine ship, well ventilated, with good sleeping accommodation and provisions : the captain is a kind, religious raan. 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 corapany, rauch 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 rae and expressed his thankfulness that I had been enabled to strengthen his hands by throwing in a word of exhortation. He said that soraetiraes, when he had felt indisposed and unprepared for his religious duty, he had given hiraself to a quiet dependence on the Lord, and had been raercifully 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 perrait us to proceed to the South ; but this I raust leave. Whatever way it raay please Provi dence to turn the raatter, as it regards rayself I believe I shall be relieved from Eussia in having made this last atterapt. They arrived at Petersburg on the 9 th of the Seventh Month, after a safe and agreeable passage of seven days. Before we reached Cronstadt, to quote frora J. Y.'s Diary, we encountered a strong gale, so that the officers frora the guardship, who came to see that all was in order, had hard work to get on board. There were eighteen Eussian 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 Cron stadt we had to be put on board a sraaller stearaer, which caused us much detention. At the custora-house all passed off' well ; they were raore civil and less strict in their exarai- 402 PETERSBURG. [1858. nation than in England. The Eussian sailors look very unbright ; they are not active in raanaging a boat. They not unfrequently received a few strokes from the fist of the helms man, 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. 13th. — 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 rautual corafort. They took us a drive after dinner to see several of the Eraperor's pavilions, raostly surrounded by beautiful pieces of water. There was an intelligent man present, who had spent some tirae 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 Testaraent in the Eussian language allowed to be circulated in the country. The Bible Society is just alive, but can hardly breathe ; other institu tions languish for want of support ; party spirit has crept in to their great injury. The law is still very stringent in not aUowing a meraber of one religious body to join another ; but the different sects are allowed their own worship and schools. 20th. — Left Petersburg by the train at 11 o'clock yester day, and arrived at Moscow about nine this morning. The road, with but little exception, is flat and uninteresting. The forests are iraraense, raostly of firs and birch, which being thickly set grow sraall. 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 corapanion caUed on Pastor Dietrich, a German, residing a Httle 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 ¦ffiiT. 67.] MOSCOW. 403 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 ; priraitive indeed, but clean, and to hira I have no doubt a roora 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 Gerraan." I wish the dear girls could have seen his countenance lighted up with cheerful brightness, when he found we could speak Gerraan : " Ah, I need not trouble you any longer with ray poor English !" He knows a great raany 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 jour ney 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 hira. 7 mo. 21. — Eose this morning rauch cast down in mind at the thought of our long journey, and a want of a knowledge of the Eussian language. Poured my complaint in fervency of soul before the Lord, and was a little comforted in believ ing 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 ara 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 ; preaiously was the divine unction spread over us. He gave me some information of the reli gious state of things here. There seems to be about 800 of the evangelical party in Moscow, including the French and 404 JOURNEY FROM MOSCOW. [1853. English Protestants, and the different classes of Lutherans ; a sraall nuraber out of 850,000 souls which the city contains ; the rest are Eoraan Catholics and of the Greek church, mostly the latter. God knows the hearts of all. 22nd [?]. "In thee, 0 Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed : deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to rae ; 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 ray prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips." — (Ps. xvii. 1.) The above sweet words were brought home to ray 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. Araen. Providing theraselves with food, and with sraaU change of money for the journey — two things indis pensable to Russian travel — John Yeardley and William Rasche left Moscow on the 23rd, by malle-poste for Orel. They stopped sorae hours at Toula : the land south of this town they found to be weU-cultivated, and the harvest had begun ; it consisted mostly of rye. The journey to Orel occupied forty-four hours. Among their fellow-traveUers 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 ser-vice 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 obhged 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 MT. 67.] TO lEKATERINOSLAV. 405 worst in the town. When they had loaded their lug gage 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 smaU 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 rauch 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 frora Moscow to this place. The con veyances of the country are exceedingly bad ; they alraost 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 faraily of this inteUigent and pious man. Tea was spread in the garden, to which meal. a nuraber 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 406 RUSSIAN TRAVELLING. [1853. the presence of our Divine Master, which proved a brook by the dreary way. We met at the pastor's house Superinten dent Huber, a worthy and experienced Christian, kind and fatherly to us. The next day Williara 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 hauer-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 lekaterinoslav ; his ancestors were German, and he could speak both that language and Russ. By Landesen's recommenda tion they took hira as their corapanion, and he was very useful to thera on the road. The ''hauer-wagen was rauch 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 fioor 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 . travelhng and exposure to the heat, that they were corapelled to alight at another little station near Novoraoskovsk, and make the best of the poor accommodation they could procure. The next morning, somewhat refreshed by rest, they went forwards to lekaterinoslav, where they happily .^T. 67.] RYBALSK — THE COLONIES. 407 met with a clean inn, thjs Hotel Suisse, kept by a German. The same day they wont in a boat up the river Samava, to Rybalsk, seven miles, to see a German school raaster 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 coraraenced. Frora this place a succession of Gerraan 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 Gerraan colonists consist principally of Mennonites and Lutherans. The forraer are the raost nuraerous and thriving ; they were invited to settle there by Catherine the Great, in order to iraprove the state of agriculture; but their example has not had the desired infiuence on the sur rounding districts. Although his German neighbor is in an infinitely better condition than himself, the Russian peasant -will not imitate the husbandry which is prac tised 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 iraprovement on their last vehicle. They came the first day as far as Konski, where they passed the night, sleeping in the carriage, the air being very mUd the night through. In the afternoon they 408 THE GERMAN COLONIES. [1858. arrived at another Mennonite colony, Schonweise, where they had a short interview with Pastor Obermanz and a few of his fiock. These people produce a small quantity of silk. The travellers were now on the Steppes ; they found thera very ihinly 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 — Griinthal, Priship, and Petershagen. The settlers here are from all parts of Germany, mostly frora Prussia and Wiirteraberg. Next carae 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 pre- "vious 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 forraer occasions of a similar kind, his heart enlarged and his raouth opened to preach the word, he seems now to have felt hiraself straitened in spirit, and to have been obliged to pass in silence frora colony to colony, a wonder perhaps to others, a cause of huuiihation to himself Never before, in all his . many journeyings, had such a trial befallen hira ; and it raay be supposed that, coraing so soon after the copious and unrestrained exercise of his gift which he had expe rienced in Norway, it would press upon hira with pecuhar force. The people to whom he was now come, seem, it is true, to have been in a different state from the siraple-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 MT. 67.] GNADENFELD. 409 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 'hap pened on several occasions, his bonds were loosened, and the coraraand was renewed to speak in the narae of his only-loved and gracious Lord. On the Sth they passed through several colonies to Gnadenfeld, where, says J. Y. : — We halted to breakfast with one of the colonists, and found hira a sweet-spirited raan, and his family pious. His name is Da-vid 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 sorae of their preachers did not approve of them. We sent for one of the ministers, with whora I was pleased ; he invited us to hold a raeeting with them on a -future occasion if we could raake it accord with our journey, which I hope will be accoraplished. We obtained sorae information respecting the Molokans, and were directed to Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has comraunication with thera. We found hira a delightful . raan, quite of the right sort to be useful to us. As the Molokans speak nothing but Euss, we shall be in want of an interpreter in our visit to thera. I told hira he must go with ns ; and he iraraediately said, I will go with pleasure ; when ever you return here and incline to go, I will be at horae and will accorapany you. This seeraed an opening of Providence, and removes one great difficulty in the way of a visit to this people, for whom I have felt raore than towards any others in South Eussia. N. Schraidt is a wealthy farraer, and sets himself at liberty to proraote 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 27 410 NEUHOFFNUNG. [1853. day, the 6th, to Neuhoffnung, where they were accom modated at a farmer's, and had the corafort of a good clean apartraent 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 Wiist had questioned on or explained the Scriptures, I had an opportunity to address thera. On First-day afternoon we held an appointed raeeting [with Wiist's congregation], which was not large, on account of raany [with the Pastor hiraself] having to attend an interraent in the neighborhood. After the nieeting we received a salutation from sorae of the young sisterhood, who carae 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 thera. In all ray journeyings, he touchingly continues, I was never so rauch cast down as in this scene of labor ; I never before so rauch raissed 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 narae for upholding rae thus far; I ara astonished at the way in which I ara enabled to bear the hardships of this journey, and ara preserved in health. It is the doing of my gracious Saviour, and I thank hira out of a grateful heart. Should I never be permitted to return to my earthly horae, I have a joyful hope he will take me to a glorious rest with hiraself and with those I have so .tenderly loved on earth. On the Sth, William Rasche went to Berdjansk, on the Sea of Azov, to change some English money, and to inquire if there were any rehgious people there. He met with sorae interesting persons, who seemed at first to oe prejudiced against the Friends but after some MT. 67.] BERDJANSK. 411 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, accom panied by Pastor Wiist and several others. The raeeting which they went to attend was held in a private house. It commenced in the usual manner, with singing ; after which, BuUer read a chapter, and the pastor cora- raented upon it; and then they asked J. Y. what he- had to say regarding it. He ansv/ered by giving his view of the subject, and afterwards addressed thera in the rainistry. Various individuals then related their experience, one after the other, as is usual in the raore private religious raeetings in these churches. BuUer (writes J. Y., in recording this meeting) is an interesting man ; I had much conversation with hira as to his own conversion. It seeras 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 raeeting- room, and held converse with thera to mutual corafort. They are siraple and sincere.' We took tea in the garden after the meeting, and did not reach our lodging in Neuhoff'nung until 12 o'clock the same night. 10th. — This morning they started for Elizabethsdorf, accompanied by Robert Lehmkuhle, a teacher frora Kharkov. Their way lay entirely through the bound less 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 Gerraan 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 merabers of the settlements through which they passed. At Elizabeths- 412 ELISABETHSDORF. [1858- dorf 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. E. soon carae to inforra 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 sorae of our corapany. I sprang frora the waggon with joy, and we had a delightful meeting, with a pretty large company. They sang repeatedly, and betweentiraes I related to thera something of ray travels in Germany and Greece, with which they appeared wonderfully pleased. We were all served with tea out of doors, and the corapany reraained together till after eleven o'clock, and then returned joyfully horae. I was much pleased with Seib. He and another school master, naraed Kapper, have been disraissed from their office of teacher, because of their holding private meetings and preaching in thera, or explaining the Scriptures. Sorae 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 sorae districts araong 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 Xhe meeting there in the hiorning, and at Gnadenfeld in the evening, in both which places oppor- JBT. 67.] THE MOLOKANS. 413 tunity was given me to communicate what was in my heart for the people. The settlements of the Molokans, consisting of three viUages, each of about a thousand inhajpitants, lie to the south of the Gerraan colonies. These people are native Russians and seceders from the Russo-Greek church ; they receive their narae from the word Moloko, milk, because they drink railk 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, comraencing with silence and prayer, and they do not use the ceremonies and discipline common araong most other Christians; but they are firm be lievers in the Christian faith, and many of them are spiritually-minded people. On the 15th John Yeardley and WilHam 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 raatters, 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 reraarkable history J. Y. related in a tract called The Russian Peasant, forraing No. 12 of his series. Here they also raet with A. Stajoloff, who remembered WUIiam Allen's visit in 1819. Sederhoff accompanied them to the third village, Astrachanka, where they had a conversational meeting with several of the chief raen, but the intercourse was carried on at a double disadvantage. They spoke, says John Yeardley, nothing but Euss. I 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 414 THE TARTARS. [1853. feared it raight strengthen the people in those views from which the Mennonites would draw thera. There was a pre cious feeling over us, and I felt assured they appreciated our motive in visiting thera ; 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 tp 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 Criraea. Here they found them selves 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 raere 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 wiU 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, alraost black. The children we saw were quite naked. Various atterapts 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 Tar tar galloping over the steppe as if riding on the wind, it con stantly 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 auturan, when they are sought up for work, — all reminds us of the customs of the East. MT. 67.] A SUSPICIOUS HALTING-PLACE. 415 This evening they halted at a Tartar viUage, 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 corapanions was suspicious ; they eagerly exarained the raattresses of the travellers, which were of superior quality ; and when William Rasche carae to raake the tea, which he did by the raoonhght outside the hut, the boiUng water which he poured in to rinse the teapot carae out into the turablers a white liquid ; and after the tea was put in the innkeeper held up the pot against the raoon, and looked curiously into it. Instead of retiring early, as _the Tartars always do, the men in the hut kept a watch upon the traveUers ; 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 unwiUing to move, that the travelers contented them selves 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 apprehend ing 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 anived at another village, of a less suspicious character. On the 18th they reached Simpheropol, where they 416 THE CRIMEA. [1853. were glad to rest. The next day they wished to visit Pastor Kilius of Neusatz, to whom they had an intro duction : as they were considering how they should get to him, he opportunely came to the hotel. He intro duced them to several estimable persons, and took thera the next day to his dwelling, situate in a pictur esque mountain -village, twenty versts frora the city. At Neusatz comraences another chain of German colo nies, 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 Ziirichthal, a village formed of well-built houses, but where they found the school iji 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 thera in this settleraent, and accordingly proceeded to Feodosia, (or Kaffa,) a water ing-place on the south coast of the Criraea. The Gerraan inns in this place were all full, and to procure a whole some lodging, they drove the next day four miles among the hills, where they hired a large apartraent at the house of a German. The situation was romantic, with an extensive prospect over sea and raountains ; and on the hill-side was a thicket, forming a deUghtful 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 phy sical refreshraent 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. MT. 67.] ODESSA — RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE EAST. 417 8 mo. 26. — This morning I felt more sweet union with my God in spirit than for a long tirae ; and a strong desire has arisen to live in closer coraraunion with Jesus, the beloved of my soul, the only access to the Fath'er— the only place of rest, safety, and true peace. I long raore than ever not to be troubled with cross occurrences over which I have no control, and which have too long perplexed rae 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 rae near to hiraself under all circum stances, until he shall have prepared me to be taken to heaven, to join the happy corapany there in a blissful eternity. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose raind is staye^ 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 frora a pastor, who conversed with thera on the work of the heavenly kingdora then going on in the East, especially in Constantinople and Asia Minor. The Saviour's kingdom, writes John Yeardley, in allusion to this conversation, is spreading, and raany 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 thera against one another, and, by their seeking through party-spirit to exalt their own particular religion, hindering the Lord's work. Into what ever nation the beams of the Sun of Eighteousness shine, the inhabitants begin to inquire the way to Zion, and turn their faces thitherward. This alarms the rulers whose king- doni is of this world. Frora Odessa to Constantinople they had a quick and safe passage. At Constantinople John Yeardley was deeply interested in the institutions which the Araerican 418 CONSTANTINOPLE — MISSIONARY bCHOOLS. [1853. 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 Bospborus. 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 voca tion. He is assisted only by native teachers. The young men lookgd serious : sorae of their countenances were pecu liarly irapressive, indicating that they had been with Jesus. I saw thera asserabled in the school-roora, and addressed thera for sorae tirae ; and C. Haralin 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 ofthe countenances were raarked and pleasing, and viere fixed on me with great apparent seriousness while I addressed thera, along with sorae of the neighbors. Everett (the conductor of the school) kindly and most willingly inter preted what I had to communicate. He and his wife have also a day-school for boys and girls. I consider these insti tutions as bright and hopeful spots in the East, from which much good raay 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 MT. 67.] SMYRNA — THE NESTORL-vNS. 419 Brusa, and probably only abandoned the journey at this tirae in the hope of undertaking it at sorae future day. John Yeardley describes Constantinople as — Built entirely on the hills which slope frora a considerable eminence down to the Bospborus. The trees towering araong the houses, the high spires and gilded doraes, have a most iraposing effect ; but what is the astonishment of the traveller when he commences his ascent up steep, narrow, clumsily- pitched streets. I could only corapare 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 raost 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-tirae lie by dozens in the streets, young and old, are always under the feet of the traveller, and he raust 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 15 th, 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 frora 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. 420 SMYRNA — ARGYRI CLIML [1858. Like Constantinople, says J. Y., it is a town of all n.ations. The streets are narrow, with a run of dirty water down the middle. We met docile camels in great number, bringing figs frora 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 Srayrna. The church of Polycarp stood not far from that of John the Baptist. After a visit of peculiar inte rest, I returned to the steam-ship and read the message to the church of Srayrna, which gave rise to raore reflections than I can here record. Steaming on the sea of Marmora, (to continue J. Y.'s narrative of his homeward journey), the Bospborus and the Greek waters, was very pleasing. We had a good sight of the walls of ancient Troas, where the apostle Paul received the raessage in vision frora the raan of Macedonia, to come over and help thera. The quarantine prevented us frora landing at Syra ; but I conveyed a note through the English Consul to my old friend Hildner, who carae alongside our stearaer. I learned from hira that Argyri Clirai was five years in his school, and usefully filled the offlce of teacher of the higher classes ; had been married about ten years to a lieutenant in the array ; had three children, and was living happily with her husband at the Piraeus. It appears she retains her religious principles. 21st. — 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 con ducted us to hjs house. He has been in Malta seven years, acting for the Bible Society ; he gives no bright account of progress airong the Greeks, as to .spiritual religion, nor of things in the island generally. The present governor has MT. 67.] MALTA — NISMES. 421 admitted the Jesuits into the island, who are loing mischief; privileges are being granted to the Eomanists to the pre judice of the Protestants ; and a regulation has been proposed which would subject a Protestant to six months imprisonraent for not taking off his hat when he raeets the procession ofthe Host. Isaac Lowndes took John Yeardley and Williara Rasche to -visit Selim Aga, or, as he was naraed after baptisra, Edward Williaras ; who with his wife, sister- in-law, and four children, forraed an interesting Chris tian household. J. Y. published the history of this man in No. 13 of his series of tracts, Turkey and the Con verted Turk, where also he has depicted several scenes frora the latter part of this journey. Arri-ving at Marseilles, they proceeded quickly on to Nismes. It was with a gush of natural sorrow that J. Y. revisited a place where he had often sojourned with his beloved wife. The thought, he writes, of the difference in ray circum stances now and when last in this place fills rae with sorrow. The beloved one of my bosom, then the stay and solace of my heart, is no more with me to help and corafort rae in the toils of life. Yet when I consider what a large amount of suffer ing 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 I 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 Bagn^res 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 422 BAGNERES DE BIGORRE. [1853. 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 Bag- neres." 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 neigh borhood, and now I think there is." His first care on arriving at Bigorre, -was to call on Pastor Frossard, forraeriy of Nismes, who feelingly re minded him of the changes which had happened to each of thera since they had raet before. He proposed to John Yeardley to meet sorae Christian friends at his chapel. This was just what J. Y. had been \vishing for. The raeeting was held ; and after it was over he gave the corapany an account of his travels in Russia, with which they were highly gratified. In a letter to his sister, Mary Tylor, which he wrote frora this place, is the following characteristic senti ment: Thy welcome letter duly reached 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. Ho-w the spirit seems to ascend with those loved ones who are taken frora us, and frora earth to heaven ! Our desire for a blissful eternity becoraes more ardent, because they have already entered upon it ; but above all, we desire to be with Hira in whom \\ e shall be one, and all will be glory. Returning to Nismes, he occupied hiraself with holding meetings in many places in that neighborhood. In some meetings which he attended in the city, he had for feUow-laborers Eli and Sybil Jones, from the MT. 67.] NISMES. 423 United States, with their companions. Amongst the audience at one of these raeetings were three soldiers, who, -wdth two others, had been awakened at Lyons, and who raanifested the progress they had made in Chris tian 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 raan 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 rehgious character of their meetings, one of thera was required to swear to the truth of his stateraent; he refused to take an oath, pleading that the New Testa ment 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 command ing officer as an act of contumacy. The officer hap pened 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 thera. Two of the five received their discharge frora the array ; the rest were reraoved to Nisraes. John Yeardley had sorae conversation with these three after the raeeting, 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 poHce who examined the letters took the texts of Scripture, or rather the figures that referred to the 424 PIALOUX. [1853. chapters and verses, for a secret language, used to de ceive their vigilance. On the Sth 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 com modious room adjoining his own dwelling, where he held meetings regularly: — And where, says J. Y., we had several soleran and edifying occasions ; and as our being there becarae raore known the attendance increased, so that the last gathering was quite a large one, and peculiarly quiet and satisfactory. Araong Borae meetings which we appointed in the neighborhood two were held in the temple of the Protestant Church, which was a raark of great liberality ; these two occasions were pecu liarly favored. In the latter B. C. alluded to the persecution he had had to endure on account of the disu.se of the Supper and Baptisra. 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 seldora 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 ray horae, 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 confirraation 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 accoraplished the visit through Eussia and to Constantinople before the horrible -R'ar broke out. What a frightful state are t'nings in at the present raoraent ! — 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 raeeting appointed by Sarah Squire, in which he had a testimony to offer in the gospel. Hearing afterwards that a railitary raan 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, nlluding to the awful state of the times in which we live, and the need of a refuge in God, and the blessedne.ss of thf. consolations of the Holy Spirit in a time of trouble. ThaJ, the Spirit of God was the 28 (425) 426 THE YEARLY MEETING. [1854. first agent in the work of raan's salvation, bringing to the Saviour who died for sinners: the Father drawing to the Son,. the Son perfecting the work, and presenting each, meraber of the living church without spot or wrinkle to the Father. Blessed unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ! The Father creating, the Son redeeraing, the Holy Spirit sanctifying. In raaking a brief note of the Yearly Meeting this year, John Yeardley takes occasion to record his senti ments on a subject which then, as now, strongly engaged the attention of the Society. The Yearly Meeting has been a precious tirae : it has strengthened the bond of love and unity. There is, under all discourageraents, 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 raany of our young merabers 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 overcorae the evil. I want thera 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 siraplicity, and the language of Scripture is that of truthful ness, 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 tirae is too precious to be spent ¦on trifles. There is no peace to the regenerated heart equal to a devotedness of life in proraoting the extension of the Saviour's kingdora upon earth. He soon after alludes to the Meraoir of Joseph John 'Gurney, then just pubhshed, and to the sharp stiraulus which he received frora its perusal — a stiraulus which .^T. 68.] LIFE OF J. J. GURNEY — DIARY. 427 minds fixed upon improveraent always receive from the vi-vid representation of tirae and talents diligently employed. 6 mo. 16. — Many of my solitary raoments are cheered, and 1 am greatly edified, in reading J. J. Gurney's Meraoirs. 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 stiraulated me to renew the reading of the Greek New Testament, but I sink into the dust when I see what he accomplished in com parison 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. 0 that I may be more faithful in the eraployraent of the capacity which has been entrusted to rae, for the good of souls and the honor of ray Lord I The reflections which follow add another to the num berless testiraonies of the saints' experience, that the Christian life is a continual warfare. I ara sensible of having lost ground for some tirae past for want of raore 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 smUes of his countenance, which cheer my lonely walk. How greatly do I long for more intimate coraraunion with the Beloved of ray soul, the precious Saviour I Lord preserve rae in every moment of temptation, and make me raore entirely thine I Grant me more confidence in the iraraediate action of thy Spirit in the ministry of the word, that my comraunications of this nature 428 DIARY. [1854. 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 compasisionate Lord to sustain and console me in ray 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 sarae diary is an appropriate notice of Dr. Steinkopf, and a tender tribute to the raemory 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 raore 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 1 Ever since her blessed spirit fled from earth to heaven, she has never by night or day been long absent frora ray 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 MT. 69.] MINDEN. 429 had been for some time his kind and cheerful cora panion, and who now, with her parents and other friends, welcoraed hira again to Germany. Whilst at Minden he derived benefit frora 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 raidst of a wood, and the way to it is delightful, — rauch suited to my taste. Sophie rides soraetiraes with rae ; it cheers rae to have her trotting by ray side. The handful of inquiring persons at Obernkirchen, whom J. Y. -visited on his return frora Norway, con tinued to claira his sympathy, and one First-day he joined them at their usual place of worship. It was, he writes, a refreshing tirae in this little raeeting. When the little corapany first met together they were dragged into the street by the police ; but they persevered, and, on making an appeal to the raagistrate at Einteln, 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 I No inter ference on their behalf has been of the least use. — (Diary 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-feUowship" 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 for midable to me in prospect on the first entering into harness ; 480 VISIT TO YORKSHIRE. [1855. but I hope the raeeting proved a good introduction, and I saw a good specimen of a large, harmonious, and well-con ducted Monthly Meeting. There might be near 250 members present. When he had completed the ser-vice, he took a week of repose at Harrowgate, where he briefiy reviews his journey. 5 mo. 29. — In passing along through my native county, I found many countenances missing which were very familiar to rae years ago, and who are now gone to their rest. But I .was coraforted to find in raany places a race of young people springing up who bore the marks of being plants of my Hea venly Father's right-hand planting, and who gave hopes of becoraing useful in his Church. It is with a grateful heart that I record the raercy of ray Lord, in that he has granted rae strength in a remarkable raanner to do what he put in my heart to do, frora place to place. Blessed be his narae ! 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 coraraunion I have been perraitted 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 : — T soraetiraes think that a large portion of corafort and joy are allowed to those who really love the Lord ; and how chastened are the pleasures of the hurable Christian ! They abide with us long after the causes of them are passed away; and the raore our perraitted 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' •S!E. 69.] NEUVEVILLE. 431 Meeting at Pyrmont. It was not without emotion that he visited once more the place which had been so fami liar to hira in earUer 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 Httle corapany had dwindled in nurabers and declined in jreligious influence; and when he took leave of Pyrraont for the last tirae, it was with a sorrowful heart. Frora Minden, accorapanied by Sophie Peitsraeyer, he went southwards, and took up his abode at the little town of NeuveviUe, on the Lake of Bienne, in Switzer land. I spent, he says, two or three days at Neufchatel, and visited many of ray old friends in the place and neighbor hood ; but it was affecting to find ho-w raany of those I had known years ago were no longer on this earth. Madarae Petavel was as warm-hearted as ever; the professor, her husband, is ripening for heaven. John Yeardley had gone to NeuveviUe with the intention of passing the winter in Switzerland. After reraaining a raonth, 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 him self; until one night, when he was heard to cry out in a loud tone, as though speaking to sorae 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 raore work for him to do. He said that a prospect of service in the gospel had latterly opened before hira, and that as he had greatly 432 PARIS. [1855. 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 comraand repeated to return horae and enter again upon his labor, and that he felt, as he thought, the touch of the heavenly messenger's hand. This caused hira to caU out ; and when he awoke, he found that wiUingness of spirit had taken the place of his former obstinacy. Thus turned fi'ora his own purpose, he set about to accorapHsh the will of his gracious Master with his usual resolution, and they raade 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 horae duties press hea-vily upon rae. . . . ' . Yery long have I thought about the young raen, and the younger part of our Society ; and I have a hope the way will be raade for my finding access to thera, in a religious and social point of view. Should it be perraitted, 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 frora soldiers." We extract from his Diary a short note of a conversation which took place at the tahle d'hdte 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 attri buted 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 ^T. 70.] PARIS. 438 of justice and -virtue, and not from the fear of punish ment 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 Ood in the heart of man. With much animation, he clasped my hands 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 hira in the retire raent of Neuve-vUle, -viz., raingled religious and social intercourse with his younger fellow-raerabers. In reading the expression of his feehngs in the prospect of the former of these engagements, it is in structive to remark, that the sarae 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 caUed 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 raeetings cora- posing the Quarterly Meetings of Bristol and Soraerset, and Gloucester and Wilts. Every tirae any fresh exercise turns up for rae, 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. 21st. — ^Bristol is like a great mountain looking me in the face, and weighing heavily upon ray heart. The following short meraoranda of the way in which 434 -VISIT TO BRISTOL. [1856. he was engaged at Bristol are taken from his letters ; the Diary, during his later years, suppHes few notes, either of his labors or his experience : — 3 mo. — I met at Eichard Fry's house a large number of young men and woraen teachers of the First-day School; forty-eight were present. An opportunity was offered for ray receiving and also communicating inforraation respecting schools and education. What makes the subject more inte resting in Bristol, is the attendance of raore 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. 31s^. — I am somewhat busily eraployed in this busy city in visiting the young men. I find very ready access to them, and my engageraent has the hearty concurrence of all my friends. I am abundantly convinced that it would have been a great raistake to have run away frora the place with out making the attempt at the perforraance of the present service. The usual raeetings for worship have been seasons of divine favor, sorae of thera, I think, extraordinarily so, which I consider a great mercy in ray Heavenly Father, when I consider the weakness of the poor instruraent. It has been announced for rae to give a lecture this evening in the large raeeting-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. 6, 1859, Since thou informed me of thy intention to compile a memoir of our late dear friend John Yeardley, I have endea vored to recall the circumstances of his visit to this city in the spring of the year 1856. MT. 70.] CHARACTER OF HIS SERVICE THERE. 435 My irapression is, that the raost striking feature in his character was his childlike siraplicity, 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 raanner in which it was exercised. I believe that his Christian labors here were very seasonable and very iraportant, and that he was enabled to perforra a service which scarcely any one else would have been equally qualified to render. There was in him, so far as ray observation went, no ap proach towards an assuraption of spiritual dignity; nor was there, on the other hand, that which is perhaps a raore fre quent defect, anything of /eiV/^ieJ humility. His whole char acter seemed to rae perfectly unaffected. To whatever extent, therefore, his natural disposition raay have fitted him for profitable intercourse with the young, I think that the qualities which I have attempted to describe rendered hira peculiarly acceptable to thera. Many times, whilst he was araongst us, he alluded — I believe even in his public ministry — to his delight in their society, somewhat in this raanner: "1 love the corapany of those who tread the earth with an elastic step." This prorainent trait in his character was a striking illus tration of what raay 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 circurastances, in many respects, were so different frora his own. But ray object was to describe John Yeardley's meetings in Bristol. The truth is, however, that in describing the man, one sfeeras raost truly to describe his service. In addi tion to his faraily visits, he raet a large corapany of our members in our meeting-house, and gave an interesting nar rative of his journeys in Southern Eussia and Greece. He afterwards invited raany 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 ofa kind friend, we had an opportunity of hearing frora his own lipS 486 MINDEN. [1856. some interesting details of his labors, chiefly, I think, in reference to the schools in Greece. With characteristic siraplicity, 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 seeraed so peculiarly to belong to himself After Martha Yeardley's decease, and as years roUed on, his mind dwelt still more habitually and more con fidingly than ever on the approaching end of the race. 4 mo. 24. — I cannot say ray spirits are always high. There is an individuality in the allotraent 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 attend ance 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 retireraent. He had in forraer visits been deeply interested in the sufferings of a Prussian soldier who refused conscientiously to bear arras. The late Sarauel Gurney wrote to the King of Prussia, on behalf of the young man, who was in consequence liberated frora railitary ser-vice, but was sentenced to two years' iraprisonment. The term was not nearly expired; but JoTin Yeardley, whilst at Minden, heard that he had been released from prison by iraraediate command of the King. J. Y. had " spent a First-day with him within the gloomy waUs in Duis- MT. 70.] BIRMINGHAM. 437 burg," and was consequently the more ready to rejoice in his hberation. On his return to England, John Yeardley proceeded to Birrainghara. His service in this and the neighbor ing towns was sirailar to that which he had had to per form at Bristol. He says : By day I called on the sick and such as were confined at horae. In the evenings I raet corapanies of young raen and woraen. 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 reraainder of the evening was spent in social converse. I ara very favorable to the raixing of social inter course with gospel labor. All seemed pleased, and I trust we were mutually edified. I was often requested to give some account of ray late journey and the state of religion in the various countries where I had travelled ; and the con versation often turned on points connected with our religious principles. Joseph Sturge, he continues, was frora horae. At the re quest of his wife I dined at their house with twenty -five young culprits, whora J. S. has in his Eeformatory at Stoke, near Bromsgrove. They carae 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 Eedeemer, on God, Heaven and Hell, how to gain Heaven and avoid misery. I left them with a more favorable impression than I other wise should have had. Severe raeasures had failed to iraprove them, but they seeraed susceptible of kind treatraent, and some of thera gave hopes of araendraent. 9 mo. 21. — Visited the Boys' and Girls' First-day Schools. Breakfasted with thirty teachers ( young raen) at the schools. About 370 boys present in two rooras. 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 438 NISMES. [1856. thera read, and addressed thera. There are about twenty young woraen teachers, and perhaps 270 to 300 girls. The raorning meeting was large. 1 was rauch 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 ofthe young Friends in the First-day Schools has been a bless ing to theraselves as well as to their pupils." The next raonth John Yeardley raade a religious visit to Hertfordshire, and had two social-religious raeetings with the younger Friends at Hitchin ; after which he reraained at home until the beginning of the Twelfth Month, when he left England for Nismes. One object in this journey was to re-visit 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 irapart to us all fresh vigor and spirits. S. Howland reraarked, In such an atmosphere she felt another being. MT. 71.] NISMES. 439 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 Araerican 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. thera by the English Friends present. The " tree " was new to thera ; 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 ray giving the school girls a treat before I left Nisraes. We contrived a visit to the sea, distant frora Nisraes 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 coraplete ; with light hearts and quick heels, running and picking up shells, raeeting 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 iU with bronchitis, which produced great bodily weak ness, and caused him "many wearisome" nights and days; but, he says, "my Sa-viour was near to console and sustain me." He went for change to Bath, and afterwards to Brighton with Margaret Pope : — 440 BRIGHTON — DIARY. [1858. 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 sorae of the writings of this good man to light. On his return horae we find hira still solicitous, as he had been in forraer years, for the inteUectual improve ment of his young friends. 11 mo. — ^During my stay at horae I have renewed my Gerraan class for a few of ray young friends. We have also coraraenced a soiree for Gerraan and French conversation. I love the society of ray young friends, and ara always anxious to proraote their learning to speak Gerraan and French. The Diary for 1858, the last year of his life, com mences 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 raany and various are the thoughts which crowd on the raind on the coraraenceraent 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, 0, 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 reraain on the Lord's earth. I think with gratitude that he has blessed rae 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 iuto my mouth, and that under a right pointing, they may go forth with power MT. 63.] DIARY. 441 Grant me, Lord, more devotedness of life, and a right and sure preparation for a peaceful death and a blissful eternity. J' For some years before his decease, John Yeardley's thoughts were frequently occupied with the subject of the MiUennium. Like some other good raen, he thought he saw in the events which were taking place, the im pending accomplishment of those predictions, whose ftilfilment was to precede the *' great and terrible day of the Lord." On one occasion, after mentioning a number of these " signs of the tiraes," he winds up the enuraer- ation and the thoughts to which it gave rise, with the foUo-wing refiection : — ' 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, ray people, enter thou into thy charabers and shut thy doors about thee ; hide thyself, as it were for a little raoraent, until the indig nation 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 Chelrasford 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 Eedeemer. It is now many years since thou received her 29 442 -VISIT TO CHELMSFORD. [1858. 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 warra and affectionate heart. I an^i 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 sonietiraes, it would be a great pleasure and gratification to rae to pay thee a short visit ; but, as an absolute condition, I must request thee to say, in perfect freedora, if it would _be quite convenient. I want to ask thee m.a.ny., many things. Thy friend, affectionately and very sincerely, John Yeardley. After his return horae, having also visited Safiron Walden, he writes : — 1 mo. 25. — Just returned frora a visit to Essex. I lodged a week at ray 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 raeeting on First-day, as well as the one on Fourth-day, was a season of spiritual refresh ment, for which I was truly thankful. The Friends testified their unity and comfort : I called on raost of thera. On the Seventh-day, C M. conveyed me across the country to Saffron Walcjen. On the way we paid a sweet visit to the afflicted faraily of . At Walden I was affectionately cared for, and was rauoh interested in the Friends there, whora 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 obUterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his ability to accom plish such an undertaking had proportionately dimin ished. This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies, and, according to his appre hension, no other course reraained for hira 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 beheved himself to be charged. And when he coramunicated 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 irapro- bably be the issue of the enterprise, John Yeardley hiraself beheved ; but it is doubtful if he correctly esti mated the arduous nature of the journey. It would have been a bold undertaking in the vigor of his days : (448) 444 DIARY. [1858. at his time of life, and with his decHning strength, it was, humanly speaking, irapossible that he should accom plish 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 tirae of deep conflict of spirit, arising out of a prospect of a religious visit to sorae 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 iraportance. In the end, I am thankful to say, the cloud was removed and the sun shone with brightness, and no longer was my poor tried raind left in doubt as to the line of religious duty ; and before raen- tioning it to any one, I coramunicated 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. Bat I can and do look forward in calm confidence, trusting, as I have ever done, in the aid and protecting care of ray 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 ray life in the Arab tent, I shall have more conso lation 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 ha^ving the company of my young friend from the South of France, Jules Paradon. iET. 72.] VOYAGE TO CONSTANTINOPLE. 445 May the Lord grant rae resignation, faith, grace, and strength to do his holy will ; and then, whether it end in life or death, his great narae shall be praised. This testimony I record in gratitude and love to the raercy 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 raade friendly visits to the neighboring raeetings and Friends. I also applied pretty diligently to the Turkish language. Amply provided, by the kindness of many friends, with whatever could adrainister to his wants or ease the roughness of Eastern travel, John Yeardley left his horae on the 15th of the Sixth Month. He arrived at Nisra'es on the 17th, and was joined there by Jules Paradon. His Diary supplies sorae notes of the voyage to Con stantinople. 23rd. — Malta. Here we arrived at 4 o'clock this raorning, 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 ara very anxious to procure an interpre ter, 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 corapanion in calra but very earnest conversation with the coramissary of the ship and a passenger of respectability, the Spanish consul of Srayrna. 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 448 CONSTANTINOPLE. [1858. to the truth. But ray young friend stood his ground weU, and raaintained the Christian religion. The opponents were both Eoraanists. They quieted down before the close, and treated us respectfully the remainder of the journey; we parted with them at Smyrna. I ara thankful to have in my companion such a defender of the faith. 27th. — We arrived at Smyrna this morning, and in order to meet some of our Christian friends to whom we had letters of recoraraendation, we met thera after their worship. Edward Van Lennep, the Dutch consul, and his brother Charles, the Swedish consul, received us with great kindness and cordi ality through the letters from one of our Members of Parlia ment. It was very sweet to find these two brothers so im bued 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 nu merous beyond all description ; thousands, and tens of thou sands, 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 extreraely beautiful ; but my mind was always anxious in the prospect of the long journey before us ; but the raercy of my God is great, and deeply humbles rae 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 MT. 72.] BEBEK. 447 pass off, and he was able to perform such religious duty as opened before him in the city and its immediate neighborhood. Diary. 7 me. 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 dis position what I was favored to express in gospel freedom ; I concluded in supplication. A kind and Christian man interpreted with siraplicity into the Turkish language. The raorning 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 love by strangers 1 Respecting this meeting Jules Paradon says : — About thirty-five or forty were present. Our dear friend's coramunication 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 fof 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 obhged to give up his intention. On the 10th they went to Brusa, in Asia Minor, six hours by steara-vessel across the Sea of Marraora to Moudania, and six on horseback frora 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 448 BRUSA — BARGHEGHIK. [1858. a cup of coffee, the only refreshraent the inraates had to offer. John Yeardley suffered rauch in this day's journey. He had two raeetings in the Protestant raeeting- house at Brusa: — Both, says Jules Paradon, took place after the usual ser vice, which was expressly raade short. The hearers, to the nuraber of about 120, were impressed and interested to hear and see our dear friend come from so far to visit thera in the love of the gospel. Twelve or fourteen men came two even ings to see us at our lodgings; and on both occasions our dear friend addressed thera very sweetly. The heat tried hira very rauch, but he felt pleased and happy to be helped to sympathize with so many siraple, 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 frora London, containing a tent and other equipraents, had not arrived, without which he could not pursue his journey into the interior, he employed the interval in visiting Isnik, (the ancient Nico media,) 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 re freshment on the way. They proceeded to Bargheghik the day foUowing ; 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 MT. 72.] IS SEIZED -WITH PARALYSIS, AND RETURNS HOME. 449 to Isnik, ha-ving to bear the heat of the sun from half-past eight till three in the afternoon. We had a meeting the sarae 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 diminish ing. He still clung, however, to the desire of accom- pHshing 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 inte rior. Probably they perceived that he was totaUy 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 horae. On the 23rd he said, If after what had been done he was permitted to go home, it would be a satisfaction.* On the 26th they embarked for Marseilles. John Yeardley bore the voyage well, walking on deck every day, but becoraing 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 Qth, 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. * 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. 450 HIS DEATH. He continued to sink until Fifth-day, the 11th, when he quietly breathed his last, an expression of peace rest ing 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 raan has that determines his place in society, and the amount of his infiuence, as the use which he makes of theni. 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 subordina tion 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 REMARKS ON HIS CHARACTER. 451 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 reraarkable. In none of his pursuits were these qualities raore conspi cuous than in his study of languages. Tt cost him, especiaUy, an alraost incredible araount 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 mth it may be said to date frora his visit to Congenies, when he had reached his fortieth year. Yet, by indefatigable exertion, maintained during raany 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, frora 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 Modem 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 expres sion; "I got my lesson in half an hour; whUe 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 Hfe. This was apparent in his daUy converse; and it may also be continuaUy traced in his Diary, where, describing those with whom he became acquainted in his numerous travels, he seizes, 452 remaRKS on his character. on the prorainent 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 ofthe writer, as to the inherent diversities of the huraan 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 for sook him ; and the singular graft of Gerraan which he made upon it during his residence abroad, caused it to be coraraonly supposed, by those who were strangers to his history, that he was a native of Gerraany. The sarae raoral constitution that enabled John Yeardley to pursue his objects with indomitable per severance, soraetiraes betrayed hira, as may easily be imagined, into a tenacity of purpose, bordering upon obstinacy. To the sarae 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 Avhich 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 HIS MINISTRY. 453 nature was enlarged, refined and elevated,.- by the aU- powerful energy of the gospel. " Very sweet and instructive are our recollections of the humility of his walk amongst us, and of the live liness of his ministry, marked as it was by much sim plicity, 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 iraraediately after meet ing, and are as nearly the words used as his raemory 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 Z-^e.— (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 us 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 aston ishment 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 454 NOTES OF SOME OF HIS despondency, to show us our utter helplessness and un worthiness, 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 iraportant 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 the divine will ! ( 9 mo. 1, 1850.) Since the people began to bring ihe 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 provi dence, 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 regener ating power of Christ, have becorae subjects of the Prince of Peace, that day has coraraenced already ; and whatever storras 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." PUBLIO TESTIMONIES. 455 (9 mo. 19, 1852.) John Yeardley addressed the children with rauch feeling, teUing 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 raeetings, not knowing how to keep your thoughts fixed on heavenly things, and perplexed for want of sorae visible raeans of instruction. I believe your tender Saviour raay often feed you, even while in this state, with food convenient for you. But reraeraber, 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. 0 1 corae to hira, ray precious larabs, 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 fiee 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 ransoraed spirit to its everlasting rest. But when the time is come for the Lord to pour in the healing balm into the Borro^wing soul, then we find a little corafort " Watchman I 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 raany days, and forming raany plans for the future, with all the ardor of their youthful rainds. May the present occasion prove the morning of their spiritual 456 NOTES OP SOME OF HIS PUBLIO TESTIMONIES. day ; and raay they reraeraber that the night cometh as well as the Tnorning. How thin is the partition which separates the present state frora that of eternity ! We mourn over those who are taken away from us, and we fancy we are left alone. But we ar^ called to be one in Christ. I have great faith in the comrau nion 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 hfe. Let us not mourn, then, as those who have no hope. Let us rather rejoice with thera and for thera, and so live that we raay be araong the ransoraed of the Lord, who shall return and corae to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. THE END. 0294