Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel — John Shaqi
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
In the meeting this morning, he continues, my mind was profitably
exercised in contemplating the following subject. When our dear Lord was
about to perform the miracle of feeding the multitude, he commanded them
to sit down upon the grass. They were undoubtedly hungry, and this might
create in them too great an anxiety to be satisfied in their own time; but
that all things might be done in order, and without interruption, they
were commanded to sit down and wait the disposal of their food from the
bountiful hand of their great Master. In looking at the subject, I thought
it a lively representation of the state of mind we ought to labor after,
when favored to feel hunger and thirst after righteousness; not
frustrating the design of the Most High by being too anxious to be filled
in our own will and way, but patiently waiting the time of Him who giveth
to all their meat in due season, and that which is most convenient for
them. And what greater privilege could we desire than to be fed at the
Lord's table?
9_th_.--As my precious wife and I were consoling each other this
evening, she remarked that the dispensation we were now suffering under
was probably in answer to our prayers. This brought strikingly to my
remembrance a secret petition which I have frequently put up in the most
fervent manner I have been capable of, when deeply lamenting my
unsubjected will; I have even cried out aloud, "O make me willing; do,
Lord, make me willing, make me willing!"
O then may I submit to the means, if for this end they are appointed, and
resign my all, body, soul and spirit, into the hands of Him who gave them;
and may I patiently endure the swelling of Jordan in a manner that will
enable me to bring from the bottom, stones of everlasting memorial.
After this he was led for a while by the Good Shepherd into the green
pastures and beside the still waters.
1_st mo_. 15.--Our Monthly Meeting at Wakefield, and a heavenly
meeting it was.
29_th_.--I left home for a journey into the north on business. I had
many precious seasons of retirement as I rode along, and I humbly trust my
soul has been enabled to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with her
Beloved, in such a way as will not easily be erased from my remembrance.
Notwithstanding the deep and varied experience he had passed through, his
unwillingness to expose himself as a preacher of the gospel was still
strong, and sometimes obstructed the performance of his duty.
8 _mo_. 20.--Joseph Wood had a public meeting at Pilley. I felt
something on my spirit to communicate to the people in the early part, but
thinking the meeting was not sufficiently settled to receive it, I
reasoned away the right time; another did not offer during the whole
meeting for me to relieve my poor mind, so I brought my burden home with
me, which indeed proved such as I really thought I should have sunk under.
The "severe stripes," as he terms it, which he received on this occasion
at length produced a willing mind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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