Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the GospelYeardley, John
Religion
Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel
Yeardley, John
Clergy -- United States -- Biography; Quakers -- Biography; Yeardley, John, 1786-1858
We were received, says the former, in a brotherly manner by the Director
Hoffman. On entering the room we were informed that their pastor had died
the night before; but instead of sorrow there seemed to be joy. This
society holds it for a religious duty to rejoice when any of their members
are favored to enter a state of endless bliss. This is religious fortitude
which but few possess, but I believe it is with them sincere, for in going
over the institution with the Director, I observed they spoke of it as a
matter of holy triumph.
No meeting was held with the members of the establishment during this
visit; it was left for J. and M.Y. to attend the usual evening assembly on
First-day, the 21st; and they were informed that it would be an occasion
on which any present who were moved by divine influence might freely
relieve their minds.
At three o'clock, J.Y. writes, we set off to Kornthal under most trying
feelings; I do not know when I have suffered so much from discouragement.
On account of the death of the pastor, many were come to attend the
interment which was to take place the next day. This caused the meeting to
be large; not less than 700 persons were present, and among them six or
seven pastors. The service commenced with a few verses; the first words
were these:--
"Holy Spirit come unto us,
And make our hearts thy dwelling-place."
I can truly say I was awfully impressed with their meaning, and a secret
prayer rose in my heart that it might be experienced amongst us. After the
singing, a silence truly solemn ensued, and I intimated that I felt an
impression to say a few words. When I sat down our kind friend the
Director summed up the substance of what I had said, and repeated it in an
impressive and becoming manner. He did this with the idea that some
present who only understood Low German might not have clearly got the
sense; however, we were told afterwards that they had understood every
word that I had said. Hoffman generously acknowledged to the hearers that
what had been delivered was strictly conformable with Scripture doctrine,
and that he united most fully with it.
Next morning the children being assembled for religious instruction, at
the conclusion I requested they might remain awhile, and I had a few words
to say to them, which was a relief to my mind. Hoffman asked if they had
understood; they almost all answered, Ja, ja, ja.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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