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
_Bentham_, 10 _mo_. 20.--We [J.W. and James Harrison] set out
for Wray, our beloved friend John Yeardley being our guide. We called by
the way at Thomas Barrow's, of Wenington Hall, and drank tea; then
proceeded to Wray. There were but few Friends here, but they have a very
large ancient meeting-house, and my concern being principally towards the
inhabitants, and proper information thereof being given, abundance
attended; the meeting-house both above and below stairs was pretty well
filled; and their behavior was deserving of commendation. The Lord's
presence eminently crowned the assembly, and the truths of the gospel were
largely and livingly declared amongst them, and it was a time of
extraordinary favor to many. I had first a long testimony to bear therein,
from Luke iv. 41. A pretty long time of silence then ensued, and great was
the solemnity which appeared to cover the assembly. After which John
Yeardley stood up and said, Some were ready to say there was no worship
without words, but from the precious solemnity which he believed had
covered many minds since the former communication, he was ready to
conclude many were feelingly convinced to the contrary. He was then pretty
largely led forth in opening the advantage of silently waiting upon God. I
a pretty long time next, from Isaiah liv. 11,13. James Harrison next, from
Matt. xiii. 44. John Yeardley was next concerned in prayer. The meeting
held about two hours and a half.
21_st_.--About the middle of the day my companion (J.H.) called upon
me, and betwixt twelve and one o'clock we left here for Lancaster, Thomas
Barrow being our guide, and his wife, Charlotte Russell, and Emma Hodgson,
accompanying us. Emma Hodgson is the daughter of a clergyman of Rochdale:
she had been some time on a visit at Thomas Barrow's and went with the
family to the meeting at Bentham when we were there, and was much reached
and tendered therein; and attending the meeting at Wray last evening she
declared after her return that she was fully convinced of the truth.
Returning to John Yeardley's diary for this year, we find some passages
from which profitable instruction may be gathered.
11 _mo._ 8 was the Monthly Meeting at Settle; my dear love and I both
attended. To me it was a poor low season; if there were any good, I was
too much like the heath in the desert,--I knew not when it came. In
addition to this, it felt as if I had to mourn over the barren state of
some others. O, how I dread the state of a lukewarm Quaker! May I ever be
preserved from this sorrowful state of a lukewarm Quaker! I believe it is
often the means of bringing a damp over our solemn assemblies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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