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
10 _mo_. 1. _First-day_.--This afternoon we attended a meeting
at Schwabenheim, a few miles from here. Notice had been given of our
intention to be present, and the company was consequently larger than
usual. They meet 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 little in
German on the "still small 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 coffee with Tiegel, and took back in our
carriage a few of our Kreuznach friends who had walked to the meeting.[13]
4_th_.--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 company were all satisfied, and wished to come again.
6_th_.--To-day we received a visit from a young English lady. She
came to ask how we understood the passages in Paul's Epistles forbidding
women to speak in the church. We soon gave her an answer, and handled the
matter so fully that she was quieted down before she left, little
thinking, as she acknowledged, that so much could be said in defence of
the practice among Friends. She even said she thought it to be a general
loss to the Christian Church that women are not permitted to take part in
the ministry. She is a thorough Millenarian, and said the prophecy in
Joel, that the Spirit should be poured out on all flesh, referred to the
coming of Christ to reign on the earth, until I reminded her of what
happened on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said expressly that it was
the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Two other ladies were with her. We
parted friendly, and she thanked me for the information I had given her.
7_th_.--Went to Treisen to a meeting. The little company meet only
about eight persons usually, but we found about thirty assembled in a
small room. I thought it one of the most lively meetings we have had. They
wished me to conduct 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 them of the pool of Bethesda, when
the angel troubled the water, and on 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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