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
This morning, the 1st of the Ninth Month, we received an early visit from
a pious young woman, _interior_. On her entering the room we felt the
Spirit of Jesus was near. As soon as we discovered the piety of her mind,
and her sweet and open disposition, I said to her: Now, tell us who there
are in this place who are really spiritually-minded persons. She said, I
will; and instantly took the pen, and put down about six or seven names,
among which was the name of the Countess Stynum. This lady, said she, I am
sure, will be rejoiced to see you; she is too weakly to leave her house,
but I am going to her and will tell her you are here.
Our kind helper soon returned with the expression of a warm desire from
the Countess that we would remain tomorrow and hold a meeting in her
saloon in the evening, and invite any of our acquaintance, and she would
give notice to her own friends. There was so evidently a pointing of the
Great Master's finger in this matter, that we were at once constrained to
accept the invitation.
9 _mo_. 3.--A little before six o'clock last evening the Countess
sent for us to take coffee with her, to have an hour of our company before
the meeting. She gave us a hearty reception, and in such Christian
simplicity, that we soon felt at perfect ease in her company. She has a
well-informed and enlightened mind and a strong understanding, and lives,
believe, in the fear of the Lord. She asked many questions about the
religious sects in England, as to the state of real piety, their forms,
baptism, &c. Then she came to our own Society. I was in poor plight for
answering questions; however, I explained the spiritual view we took of
those subjects, and asked permission to send her books, in the reception
of which she seemed to promise herself much gratification.
Her commodious and elegant saloon was conveniently seated and pretty well
filled. Our manner of worship was quite new to every one present. We first
explained it privately to the countess, who immediately comprehended our
view; there was no wish at all shown to sing or read; a precious solemnity
prevailed, and I was enabled to speak, in German, first on the nature of
our silent worship, then on what [else] rested on my mind. The young woman
above-mentioned, A. Mackeldey, interpreted for my dear M.Y., who, I
thought, had the best service; and she did it so well and so seriously
that the right unction seemed to be preserved, and prevailed over us; and
after a supplication in German we parted under a very precious solemnity.
A.M. said afterwards that she had been instructed by what she had heard,
and was prepared to appreciate the value of silence. She observed, I think
it a marked favor of Providence that you should have come at the present
perplexing time, to comfort and confirm the faith of some in this place,
and of me in particular.
Speaking of those with whom they had intercourse in this city, John
Yeardley says:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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