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
When the classes had finished, says J.Y., De Pressense proposed to give a
lecture on a subject from the Old Testament, and bestowed great pains to
make it clear to the infant capacities of the children. I had intimated to
my worthy friend a desire for liberty to express what might arise in my
mind when he had done, which was most readily granted, and after I had
spoken to the children, there seemed great liberty in addressing the
teachers, parents and young persons present. There was much seriousness
the whole time and a precious sense of divine love was over us. Our kind
friend, J. Grellet, interpreted for me in an impressive and clear manner.
The name of Mark Wilks has been for many years identified with the cause
of evangelical religion in Paris. John Yeardley had an interview with him,
and makes an interesting note in his Diary regarding his opinions on the
state of religious parties at this period.
7 _mo_. 9.--This morning I had an interview with Mark Wilks. He
received me very cordially, and, as I expected, I found him full of
religious intelligence; he is just returned from a tour in Switzerland,
and speaks encouragingly of the state of the Christian church in general.
He has resided in Paris fifteen years, and of course seen many changes. He
assured me that the arm of infidelity is weakening; nothing like the same
exertion is made to spread the vile doctrine. The fact is, in some degree,
the people are too indifferent to trouble themselves about it, and would
not spend a son for its promotion; on the other hand, zealous Christians
are doing all in their power to promote the spread of gospel truth.
On the 15th John S. Mollet, who had arrived in Paris after them,
accompanied J. and M.Y. to Madame d'Aublay's.
We met, they say, several of her relations who professed to be Catholics,
but were rather of the philosophical school. They were interested in the
conversation, though nothing of a religious nature occurred. Madame
d'Aublay has distributed many of our books and tracts. The next day she
took us to see more of her friends, much of the same character. We have a
hope that our drawing some of these to the really Christian characters may
do good, since each class expressed surprise to hear us speak to them of
the other. It will be no small satisfaction if any of our Society here
should be like the mortar to bind parties together, and weaken prejudice,
that the one true knowledge may increase.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account