Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel - John Yeardley
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MEMOIR AND DIARY
OF
JOHN YEARDLEY,
Minister of the Gospel.
EDITED BY CHARLES TYLOR.
"Should time with me now close, I die in peace with my God, and in that
love for mankind which believes 'every nation to be our nation, and every
man our brother.'"--_Diary of J. Yeardley._.
PHILADELPHIA:
HENRY LONGSTRETH,
1336 CHESTNUT STREET.
1860.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
FROM JOHN YEARDLEY'S CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS PUBLIC
MINISTRY, 1803-15.
Birth and occupation
Joseph Wood, of Newhouse
Anecdote of Thomas Yeardley
John Yeardley's conversion
He enters T. D. Walton's linen warehouse
Joins the Society of Friends
Marriage with Elizabeth Dunn--Commencement of his Diary
A. Clarke's "Commentary"
Enters into business on his own account
Visit of Sarah Lameley
Call to the ministry
CHAPTER II.
FROM HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY IN 1815, TO HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE IN
GERMANY IN 1820.
First offerings in the ministry
Is unsuccessful in business
Removes to Bentham
His views on the Christian ministry
Visit of Hannah Field
Is recorded a minister
Visits Kendal and Lancaster, in company with Joseph Wood
Visit to Friends at Barnsley
Journey to York
Letters to Thomas Yeardley
CHAPTER III.
FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820, TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY
IN 1822.
Prospect of residing in Germany
Visit from John Kirkham
Liverpool Quarterly Meeting
Public meeting at Wray
Visit of Ann Jones
Journey to Leeds
Death of Joseph Wood
Illness of Elizabeth Yeardley
Her death
John Yeardley goes to Hull
Extracts from Elizabeth Yeardley's letters
Testimony concerning Joseph Wood
CHAPTER IV.
HIS FIRST RESIDENCE IN GERMANY, 1822-24.
Sails to Hamburg--His lodging at Eppendorf
Arrives at Pyrmont
Friedensthal
Religious service with Thomas Shillitoe
Establishment of the Reading and Youths' meetings at Pyrmont
Mode of bleaching
Visiters at the Baths attend Pyrmont meeting
J.Y. visits Minden and Eidinghausen
Plan for helping the Friends of Minden
Journey to Leipzig
Returns to England
CHAPTER V.
FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST
CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825.
Mental depression
Journey with Elizabeth H. Walker through the Midland Counties
Yearly Meeting
Returns to Friedensthal
Humiliation
Certificate for the South of France
Martha Savory's visit to the Continent
Journey to Rotterdam
Chapter VI.
HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1825-26.
John Yeardley and his companions leave Pyrmont
Visit Elberfeld, Creveldt, Muehlheim, &c.
Neuwied--the Inspirirten
Journey to Berlenburg
Are placed under arrest at Erndebrueck
Set at liberty by the Landrath of Berlenburg
The Old and New Separatists
Gelnhausen and Raneberg
Pforzheim--H. Kienlin
Stuttgardt, Basle, &c.
Zurich--the Gessner family
Berne
Geneva
Journey to Congenies
Religious service in the South of France
St. Etienne
Return to England
CHAPTER VII.
HIS MARRIAGE WITH MARTHA SAVORY, 1826-27.
John Yeardley goes into Yorkshire
Death of his parents
Marriage with Martha Savory
Biographical notice of Martha Savory
Letter from Martha Yeardley
J. and M. Y. take up their abode at Burton, near Barnsley
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28.
PART I.--GERMANY.
J. and M.Y. sail to Rotterdam
Minden, &c.
Journey to the shores of the North Sea
Visit to the colonists on the _Grodens_
Fredericks-Oort
Frankfort
Darmstadt--Durkheim
Stuttgart
Kornthal
Wilhelmsdorf
CHAPTER IX.
THE SECOND CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1827-28.
PART II.--SWITZERLAND.
Schaffhausen
Beuggen
Zurich
Hofwyl--Geneva--A. Bost
Lausanne
Neufchatel
Berne and the neighborhood
Montmirail--Neufchatel
Locle--Mary Anne Calame
Journey through France
Guernsey--Accident on the water
CHAPTER X.
HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TRAVELS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1828-33.
Illness of Martha Yeardley
Letter from M.A. Calame
Yearly Meeting
Letter from Auguste Borel--Public meetings in Yorkshire
Death of James A. Wilson--Journey through the Western Counties
Various religious engagements
Journey through Wales with Elizabeth Dudley
Visit to Lancashire
Removal to Scarborough
Establishment of a Bible-class at ditto
Prospects of a journey to Greece
Argyri Climi
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders
CHAPTER XI.
THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, OR THE JOURNEY TO GREECE, 1833-34.
PART I.--THE JOURNEY TO ANCONA.
Paris
Death of Rachel Waterhouse
Nancy
Phalsbourg--Strasburg--Pastor Majors
Ban de la Roche
Basle
Neufchatel
Polish Count and Countess
Geneva
Journey through Italy
Letters from Friends in England
CHAPTER XII.
THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34.
PART II.--GREECE.
Corfu
Count F. Sardina
Santa Maura
Wigwam village on the mainland
Cephalonia--Zante
Patras--the Gulf of Corinth
Galaxidi--Trying situation
Castri (the ancient Delphi)
Journey to Athens
Athens
Corinth
Detentions--Vostizza
Patras
Corfu
CHAPTER XIII.
THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1833-34.
PART III.--THE RETURN FROM GREECE.
Letters from John Rowntree and William Allen
Ancona
Florence
The Custom-house--Piedmont
Geneva
Lausanne
Berne
Zurich--Schaffhausen
Basle--Death of Thomas Yeardley
Death of M.A. Calame
Neufchatel
Return to England--Death of A.B. Savory
CHAPTER XIV.
FROM THE END OF THE THIRD CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1834 TO THE COMMENCEMENT
OF THE FOURTH IN 1842.
Divisions in the Society of Friends
Employment of leisure time
Girls' Lancasterian school at Scarborough
Death of Elizabeth Rowntree--Letter from M.Y. to Elizabeth Dudley
Visit to Thame
Visit to Lancashire
Visits to the Isle of Wight
Death of John Rutter
Prospect of revisiting the Continent
CHAPTER XV.
THE FOURTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1842-43.
Amiens
Paris
Letters from E. Dudley and J. Rowntree
Lyons
Nismes--Boarding-school for girls
Letter from John Rowntree
Montpelier
Lesengnan
Maux
Saverdun
Toulouse
Montauban--Castres
Tullins--Grenoble
Geneva
Lausanne
Neufchatel--Paul Petavel
Locle
Berne
Basle
Carlsruhe--Frankfort
Accident to J.Y.--Vlotho
CHAPTER XVI.
REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL
JOURNEY, 1843-48.
Removal to Berkhamstead
Removal to Stamford-hill
Visit to the families of Gracechurch-St. Monthly Meeting
Death of J.J. Gurney and I. Stickney
Prepare for revisiting the Continent
Brussels
H. Van Maasdyk
Charleroi--Spa
Bonn
Mannheim, Strasburg
Basle
Berne-Neufchatel
Grenoble
Privas--Vals
Nismes--Congenies
CHAPTER XVII.
COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL JOURNEY, 1849-50.
Letter from J.Y. to John Kitching
Elberfeld--Muehlheim
Bonn
Kreuznach--J.A. Ott
Mannheim
Stuttgardt--Death of Elizabeth Dudley
Kornthal
Kreuznach
Bonn
Return home--Resume their journey
Berlin--A. Beyerhaus
Warmbrunn
Illness of Martha Yeardley-Toeplitz
Prague--Translation of tracts into the Bohemian language
Kreuzuach--Neuwied
CHAPTER XVIII.
DEATH OF MARTHA YEARDLEY, AND JOHN YEARDLEY'S JOURNEY TO
NORWAY, 1851-52.
Illness and death of Martha Yeardley
J.Y. visits Ireland
Prospect of a journey to Norway
Homburg--Illness of J.Y.
Christiana--Christiansand
Stavanger
Excursion up one of the fiords
Bergen
Meetings at Foedde and other places
Obernkirchen
CHAPTER XIX.
HIS JOURNEY TO SOUTH RUSSIA, 1853.
Passport--Sails from Hull
Petersburg
Moscow
Journey to Iekaterinoslav
Kharkov
Rybalsk--The German Colonies
The Molokans
The Crimea--The Tartars
A suspicious halting-place--Simpheropol
Feodosia
Odessa--Constantinople
Smyrna
Syra--Malta
Nismes--Bagneres de Bigorre
Pialoux
CHAPTER XX.
FROM HIS RETURN FROM RUSSIA TO HIS LAST JOURNEY, 1853-1858.
Visits Bath
The Yearly Meeting--Life of J. J. Gurney
Visit to Minden--Religious service in Yorkshire
Goes again to Minden
Neuveville
Paris
Visit to Bristol and Gloucester Quarterly Meetings
Minden
Visit to Birmingham, Leicester, &c.
Goes to Nismes
Visits Chelmsford, &c.
CHAPTER XXI.
LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858. CONCLUDING REMARKS.
Religious Mission to Asiatic Turkey
Voyage to Constantinople
Sun-stroke
Meetings in the neighborhood of Constantinople
Is seized with paralysis, and returns home
His death--Remarks on his character
Notes of some of his public testimonies
MEMOIR
OF
JOHN YEARDLEY.
CHAPTER I.
FROM JOHN YEARDLEY's CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT
OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.
1803--1815.
John Yeardley was born on the 3rd of the First Month, 1786, at a small
farm-house beside Orgreave Hall, in the valley of the Rother, four miles
south of Rotherham. His parents, Joel and Frances Yeardley, farmed some
land, chiefly pasture, and his mother is said to have been famous for her
cream-cheeses, which she carried herself to Sheffield market. She was a
pious and industrious woman; but, through the misconduct of her husband,
was sometimes reduced to such straits as scarcely to have enough food for
her children.
Before they left Orgreave they were attracted towards the worship of
Friends, and several of the family, including two of Joel Yeardley's
sisters, embraced the truth as held by the Society. In the year 1802 they
removed to a farm at Blacker, three miles south of Barnsley, and attended
the meeting at Monk Bretton, or Burton, near that town, where the
meeting-house then stood. At Blacker it was John's business to ride into
Barnsley daily on a pony, with two barrels of milk to distribute to the
customers of his mother's dairy. His elder brother Thomas worked on the
farm.
Their attendance at Burton meeting brought the family under the notice of
Joseph Wood, a minister of the Society, residing at Newhouse, near
Highflatts, four miles from Penistone. Joseph Wood had been a Yorkshire
clothier, but relinquished business in the prime of life, and spent the
rest of his days in assiduous pastoral labor of a kind of which we have
few examples. To attend a Monthly Meeting he would leave home on foot the
Seventh-day before, with John Bottomley, also a Friend and preacher, and
at one time his servant, for some neighboring meeting. He would occupy the
evening with social calls, dropping at every house the word of exhortation
or comfort. The meeting next day would witness his fervent ministry. In
the afternoon they would proceed to the place where the Monthly Meeting
was to be held the following day, which they would attend, filling up the
time before and after with social and religious visits. In the intervals
of the Monthly Meetings, when not engaged on more distant service, it was
his practice to appoint meetings for worship in the villages around
Highflatts, and very frequently to visit those places where individuals
were "under convincement," particularly Barnsley and Dewsbury, where at
that time many were added to the Society. On his return home from these
services he would spend the day in an upper room, without a fire, even in
the severest weather, writing a minute account of all that had happened.
It was in 1803 that Joseph Wood first had intercourse with Joel Yeardley's
family. Under date of the 19th of the Fourth Month, he says, speaking of
himself and some other concerned Friends:--
We felt an inclination to visit Joel Yeardley's family, who are under
convincement, and who have lately removed from near Handsworth Woodhouse.
We went to breakfast. He and Frances his wife, with Thomas and John their
sons, the former about nineteen, the latter seventeen years of age,
received us in a very kind and affectionate manner, expressing their
satisfaction at our coming to see them. They appeared quite open, and gave
us a particular account of the manner of their convincement and beginning
to attend Friends' meetings, which was about four years ago. I believe
there is a good degree of sincerity in the man and his wife, and the two
sons appear to be tender and hopeful.
The next month Joseph Wood repeated his visit, and gives an account of the
interview in the following words:--
5 _mo_., 1803.--Having ever since I was at Joel Yeardley's the last
month, felt my mind drawn to sit with the family, and this appearing to me
to be the right time, I set out from home the 14th of the Fifth Month, in
company with John Bottomley. Got to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and five
o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samuel Coward of Barnsley came
to meet us there. In the evening we had a precious opportunity together,
in which caution, counsel, advice, and encouragement flowed plentifully,
suited to the varied states of the family. I had a long time therein
first, from 1 Cor. xv. 58; John Bottomley next. Afterwards I had a pretty
long time, after which J.B. was concerned in prayer. At the breaking up of
the opportunity I had something very encouraging to communicate to their
son Thomas, who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt
very nearly united.
Joel Yeardley unhappily did not long remain faithful to his convictions.
He not only himself drew back from intercourse with Friends, but was
unwilling his sons should leave their work to attend week-day meetings,
and did all in his power to prevent them. This is shown by the following
narrative from Joseph Wood's memoranda:--
As William Wass and I were going to attend a Committee at Highflatts, on
our Monthly Meeting day, in the morning, we met with Thomas Yeardley of
Blacker, near Worsbro', a young man who is under convincement. I was a
little surprised to see him having on a green singlet and smock frock. He
burst out into tears; I inquired the matter, and if something was amiss at
home; he only replied, "Not much;" and we not having time to atop,
proceeded, and he went forward to my house. This was on the 19th of the
Ninth Month, 1803.
After the Monthly Meeting was over, I had an opportunity to inquire into
the cause of his appearance and trouble, and found that he was religiously
concerned to attend weekday meetings, which his father was much averse to;
and in order to procure his liberty he had worked almost beyond his
ability; but all would not do, his father plainly telling him that he
should quit the house. The evening before, he applied to him for leave to
come to the meeting at Highflatts to-day; but he refused, and treated him
with very rough language. However, as the concern remained with him, he
rose early in the morning and got himself ready; but his father came and
violently pulled the clothes off his back, and his shirt also, and took
all his other clothes from him but those we met him in, telling him to get
a place immediately, for he should not stop in his house. Being thus
stripped, he went to his work in the stable; but, not feeling easy without
coming to meeting, he set out as he was, not minding his dress, so that he
might but be favored to get to the meeting.
This evening we had an opportunity with him in my parlor, much to our
satisfaction. The language of encouragement and consolation flowed freely
and plentifully towards him through William Wass, John Bottomley, and
myself; and afterwards, in conference with him, we found liberty to advise
him to return home (he having before thought of procuring a place),
believing if he was preserved faithful, way would in time be made for him,
and that it might perhaps be a means of his father's restoration; as at
times, he said, he appeared a little different, not having wholly lost his
love to Friends, and always behaved kindly to them. He took our advice
kindly, and complied therewith. After stopping two nights at my house, he
returned home.
Joseph Wood did not suffer much time to elapse before he paid another
visit to Blacker, to comfort the afflicted family. It was from this visit,
as we apprehend, that John Yeardley dated his change of heart. "I was
convinced," he said on one occasion, "at a meeting which Joseph Wood had
with our family."
7 _mo_. 17, 1803.--Thomas Walker Haigh and William Gant accompanied
us to Joel Yeardley's, where we tarried all night; but the two young men
from Barnsley returned home after supper. Joel was from home, but after
tea we had a religious opportunity with the rest of the family, in which I
had a very long consolatory and encouraging testimony to bear to the
deeply-suffering exercised minds from John xvi. 33. Afterwards I had a
pretty long time, principally to their son John, who I believe was under a
precious visitation from on high. He was much broken and tendered, and I
hope this season of remarkable favor will not soon be forgotten by him.
On his return home Joseph Wood wrote him the following letter:--
Newhouse, 10 mo. 24, 1803
BELOVED FRIEND, JOHN YEARDLEY,
Thou hast often been in my remembrance since I last saw thee, accompanied
with an earnest desire that the seed sown may prosper and bring forth
fruit in its season, to the praise and glory of the Great Husbandman, who,
I believe, is calling thee to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life.
And O mayest thou be willing in this the day of his power to leave all and
follow him who hath declared, "Every one who hath forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall
inherit everlasting life."
Not that we should be found wanting in our duty to our near connexions,
for true religion does not destroy natural affection, but brings and
preserves it in its proper place. When our earthly parents command one
thing, and the Almighty another, it is better for us to obey God than man,
and herein is our love manifested unto him by our obedience to his
commands though it may sometimes clash against our parents' minds. At the
same time it is our duty to endeavor to convince them, that we are willing
to obey all their lawful commands, where they do not interfere with our
duty to Him who hath given us life, breath, and being, and mercifully
visited us by his grace. I thought a remark of this kind appeared to be
required of me, apprehending if thou art faithful unto the Lord, thou wilt
find it to be thy duty at times to leave thy worldly concerns to attend
religious meetings, which may cause thee deep and heavy trials; but
remember for thy encouragement, the promise of the hundred-fold in this
world, and in that which is to come, eternal life.
Thou art favored with a pious though afflicted mother, and a
religiously-exercised elder brother, who, I doubt not, will rejoice to see
thee grow in the truth. May you all be blessed with the blessing of
preservation, and strengthened to keep your ranks in righteousness, and
may you be a strength and comfort to each other, and hold up a standard of
truth and righteousness in the neighborhood where your lot is cast. Do not
flinch, my beloved friend; be not ashamed to become a true follower of
Christ. When little things are required of thee, be faithful; thus shalt
thou be made ruler over more; when greater things are manifested to be thy
duty, remember the Lord is able to support, who declared by the mouth of
his prophet formerly, "Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the
birds round about are against her." But if the Lord be on our side, it
matters little who may be permitted to arise against us, for his power is
above all the combined powers of the wicked one, and he will bless and
preserve those who above all things are concerned to serve him faithfully,
which that thou mayest be is the sincere desire of thy truly loving and
affectionate friend,
JOSEPH WOOD.
The word which had been so fitly spoken took deep root in John Yeardley's
heart, and on the following New-year's day he went up to Newhouse to
converse with his experienced and sympathizing friend.
On the 1st of the First Month, 1804, (writes Joseph Wood,) John Yeardley
came to my house, on purpose to see me. He got here betwixt ten and eleven
o'clock in the forenoon, attended our meeting and tarried with us until
after tea, and then returned home. He is a hopeful youth, tender in
spirit, and of a sweet natural disposition; was convinced of the truth in
an opportunity I had at his father's house, and, I hope, is likely to do
well. I love him much, and much desire his preservation, growth, and
establishment upon the everlasting foundation, against which the gates of
Hell are not able to prevail.
Shortly after this, we obtain from John Yeardley's own hand an insight
into the depth of those religious convictions which had so mercifully been
vouchsafed to him. The manner in which this interesting memorandum
concludes is quaint, but it expresses a resolution to which he was enabled
to adhere in a remarkable degree throughout the course of his long life;
for of him it may be said that, beyond many, his pursuits, his aims, and
his conversation were not of the world, but were bounded by the line of
the Gospel, and animated by its self-denying spirit.
_Blacker_, 2 _mo_. 9, 1804.--As I pursued these earthly
enjoyments, it pleased the Lord, in the riches of his mercy to turn me
back in the blooming of my youth, and favor me with the overshadowing of
his love, to see the splendid pleasures that so easily detained my
precious time. He was graciously pleased to call me to the exercise of
that important work which must be done in all our hearts, which appears to
me no small cross to my own will, and attended with many discouragements;
yet I am made to believe it is the way wherein I ought to go; and I trust
Thou, O Lord, who hast called, will enable me to give up, and come forward
in perfect obedience to the manifestations of thy divine light, so as a
thorough change may be wrought, that I may be fitted and prepared for a
place in thy everlasting kingdom. Though at times I am led into great
discouragement, and almost ready to faint by the way, fearing I shall
never be made conqueror over those potent enemies who so much oppose my
happiness, O be Thou near in these needful times, and underneath to bear
me up in all the difficulties which it is necessary I should pass through
for my further refinement, whilst I have a being in this earthly
pilgrimage. Strong are the ties that seem to attach me to the earth; but
O! I have cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of
thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affection. Great and
frequent are the trials and temptations, and narrow is the way wherein we
ought to walk; alas! too narrow for many. O may I ever be preserved,
faithfully forward to the eternal land of rest!
Dear Lord, who knowest the secret of all hearts, thou knowest I am at
times under a sense of great weakness; but thou, who art always waiting to
gather the tender youth into thy flock and family, hast mercifully reached
over me with thy gathering arm. Mayst thou ever be near to strengthen me
in every weakness; and make me willing to leave all, take up my daily
cross, and follow thee in the denial of self, not fearing to confess thee
before men. Always give me strength to perform whatsoever thou mayest
require at my hands; wean my affections more and more; attract me nearer
to thyself; and lead me through this world as a stranger, never to be
known to it more but by the name of JOHN YEARDLEY.
In the Third Month Joseph Wood again addressed his young friend by letter,
encouraging him to be steadfast in trial, and to beware of the gilded
baits of the enemy; and promising him, that if he followed the Lord
faithfully, his works should appear marvellous in his eyes, his wonders be
disclosed to him in the deeps, and he on his part would be made willing to
serve him with a perfect heart.
In the Sixth Month, again visiting Blacker, he had a "precious,
heart-tendering religious opportunity with all the family."
About this time Joel Yeardley was so much reduced in his circumstances as
to be obliged to give up farming, which compelled his sons to seek their
own means of livelihood. Thomas and John went into Barnsley, where they
applied themselves to the linen manufacture, and were taken into the
warehouse of Thomas Dixon Walton, a Friend, who afterwards married a
daughter of Thomas Shillitoe.
In the First Month, 1806, Joseph Wood records another interesting
interview with his young friend:--
1 _mo_. 7.--I called on Thomas Dixon Walton and John Yeardley, with
whom I had a religious opportunity in which the language of encouragement
flowed freely; I being opened unto them from Luke xii. 32; "Fear not,
little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom."
In the Third Month of this year John Yeardley made application for
membership in the Society of Friends, and was admitted in the Fifth Month
following, being then twenty years of age. His brother Thomas had joined
the Society some time before. The brothers are thus described by one who
knew them intimately:--Thomas, as a man of homely manners, of hearty and
genial character, and greatly beloved; John, as possessing a native
refinement which made it easy for him in after-life to rise in social
position, but whose reserved habits caused him to be less generally
appreciated.
The call which John Yeardley received, and which he so happily obeyed, to
leave the world and enter by the strait gate into the kingdom of heaven,
was accompanied, as we shall afterwards see more fully, by a secret
conviction that he would one day have publicly to preach to others the
Gospel of salvation. A sense that such was the case seems to have taken
hold of Joseph Wood's mind, in a visit which he made him some time after
his admission into the Society.