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
13_th_.--To-day we have received letters from England. Many of our
beloved friends have been called from this state of being to another
world. How much my heart feels humbled; how unworthy I am of the least of
the mercies daily received at the hand of a bountiful Creator. Since we
have been here I have been favored with a strong conviction that we are
here in the ordering of Divine Providence. What may in time open before us
in the way of gospel labor I know not. It requires time, caution, and much
perseverance, to find a way to the hearts and best feelings of the Greeks.
I greatly desire that we may be found in humble watchfulness and prayer;
and that, if found worthy to be the feeble instruments of declaring the
way of salvation to the natives of these islands, we may embrace every
opportunity to preach repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ, for this is the great object for which we have left our native
land and all that is dear to us in this world.
26_th_.--Argyri left us and is gone to Syra. She was very sorrowful,
and the parting to us all was painful. Although reserved and timid, she
has become extremely attached to us, and we trust the three months we have
passed together will not soon be forgotten. Her company has often been
sweet and cheering, and in our little meetings for worship her heart has
not unfrequently been tendered with religious feeling. She is desirous of
being useful in schools, and of making a stand against the many
superstitions which prevail, influencing others by her example, and
through the aid of divine grace leading them to that vital religion in
which she was instructed at Locle, and which is now a strength and comfort
to her own mind.
1834. 1 _mo_. 6.--To-day we received a visit from the young Count
Francois Sardina. We had much conversation with him on the subject of the
intercession of saints. He could not admit that they practiced the
adoration of saints, they only meant to hold them up as examples of piety
and virtue, and to induce others to follow them. We pointed out to him the
importance of taking Him for our example who spake as never man spake, and
has left us an example that we should follow his steps. This young man is
very inquisitive and inclined to be sceptical, but under all has serious
impressions. Many of the Greeks who are not entirely built up in their
superstitions are inclined to doubt respecting the truths of Christianity.
We were glad to put into his hand J. J. Gurney's _Evidences_.
23_rd_.--This evening we had another long visit from the Count. We
entered very fully into Church discipline, and left few points of faith
and doctrine untouched, either in his Church or ours. I do not remember
ever to have been more closely questioned; but I think this young person
sincere in his inquiries. I believe it is a precious time of visitation to
his soul; he is very amiable and affectionate, and acknowledges the evils
and vanity of the world.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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