Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel - John Yeardley
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On the 3rd of the Second Month, he left Friedensthal, accompanied by a
young Friend whom he was to conduct to a temporary residence in England,
and in whose religious welfare he was deeply interested. While waiting in
Hamburg for a vessel, he felt keenly his solitary situation in the world.
2 _mo_. 9.--I think I never felt poorer in spirit and more
discouraged than at present. It seems as if visiting my native land had no
cheering prospect for me. If it were right in the divine sight I could
almost wish to spend the whole of my life in solitude; but I must be
willing patiently to suffer, and endeavor to fill the place appointed for
me on this stage of action.
A vessel sailed for England the day before their arrival at Hamburg, a
circumstance which at first made him regret he had not used more
expedition on the way. But he immediately recollected it might he for the
best that he was left behind. This proved to be the case; for the vessel
with which he would have sailed, meeting with contrary winds and dark
weather, ran aground, and was obliged to put back, and when J.Y. left the
Elbe she was lying in Cuxhaven harbor.
They landed at Hull on the 19th.
CHAPTER V.
FROM HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1824, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS FIRST
CONTINENTAL JOURNEY IN 1825.
On setting foot again in England, the dejected state of mind which had
accompanied him on the journey returned with renewed force.
2 _mo_. 19.--I do not know how to describe my feelings in landing on
my native shore: I feel a poor discouraged creature. May He who knows the
sincerity of my heart be pleased to strengthen my poor mind, for I feel
almost overwhelmed with fears and difficulties.
Still deeper was his emotion on visiting again the home of former days.
2 _mo_. 20.--Left Hull, and came by way of Selby and Wakefield to
Barnsley. I felt my heart exceedingly burdened before I reached the place:
it seemed as if all the bitter cups I had drunk in former times were going
to be handed to me afresh. This may not be, perhaps, altogether on my own
account. There is at times a fellow-feeling with others; and on my
reaching this place, I soon felt my spirit dipped into sympathy with some
of my dear connexions, who are not without their trials.
A few days afterwards, in allusion to the religious service of Elizabeth
H. Walker of West Chester, U.S., in a public meeting for worship at
Barnsley, he says:--
I do not really know what is the matter, but I fear I am going backwards
from all that is good. When I look at the usefulness of others, O what an
insignificant, useless being I appear!
This lowly opinion of himself, however, was not to serve as an excuse for
idleness, and it was proposed to him to bear Elizabeth Walker company in a
religious circuit in some of the midland counties, previous to the
occurrence of the Yearly Meeting. He accepted the proposal; and they
travelled together through part of Staffordshire, Warwick, Worcester, and
Oxfordshire, visiting the meetings of Friends, and sometimes inviting the
attendance of the public.
The dispirited state of mind which John Yeardley had brought with him from
Germany accompanied him on this journey, and on the 30th of the Fourth
Month he writes:--
I walked last evening in the fields, in a solitary frame of mind, being
very low in spirits on many accounts. My own unfaithfulness deprives me of
strength to cast off my burden as I go along; consequently I grow weaker
and weaker, which is indeed diametrically opposite to growing stronger and
stronger in the Lord. Lamentable case! O for a alteration for the better!
_Fifth-day, the 6th of Fifth Month, at Sibford_.--This is a pretty
large meeting, and there are a good many sweet-looking young folks. The
lovely countenances of such are always refreshing to me, and it is not
much wonder if I have a little more openness for labor, winch was the case
in this place. But in general I sit and bemoan my own uselessness. I have
been a burden to myself in this little journey, in fearing I might be so
to my friends; but I ought to be very thankful that they do not seem to
think me so, but are desirous to encourage me. I think if it was
otherwise, it would be more than I could bear.
In the Fifth Month, he attended the Yearly Meeting in London. At the
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, an unusual number of certificates were
granted for religious service abroad. These various concerns drew from him
the following reflections:--
As I sat under the weighty consideration and disposal of these subjects, I
felt a degree of rejoicing to spring in my heart, that there are still
members who hold the promotion of the cause of righteousness in the earth
dear to the best feelings of their hearts. It is indeed cause of heartfelt
gratitude that the Divine Master is directing the feet of his messengers
not only to the borders of this isle, but also into distant parts of the
earth.
During the Yearly Meeting John Yeardley lodged at William Allen's, at
Plough-court and Stoke Newington, and was introduced to several Friends
with whom he had not before been acquainted.
The acquaintance which I have made with many dear and valued Friends in
the neighborhood of London has, I hope, been a little strength to me in
the best things. It is truly pleasant to be treated with such genuine
kindness; but it is nothing for the soul to build upon,--we must look for
a more sure foundation than the favor of the great and good.
Elizabeth H. Walker had a meeting with the younger part of the Society in
London and the neighborhood. In noticing this meeting J.Y. has some
discriminating remarks on the exercise of the ministry.
During this as well as many other meetings for worship, I sat under
religious exercise, but could seldom believe it required of me to take
part in the public ministry. I often think, when many exercised brethren
and sisters are present; there would be a danger of interrupting the true
gospel order, if all were not careful to wait on the Great Minister of the
Sanctuary. If we patiently abide under the rightly baptizing power, what
we may apprehend preparing in our hearts for utterance may often be
delivered by others, and we only have to say, as it were, Amen. We may
also be brought into a right willingness to speak in the Lord's name, and
still be excused; this may be, perhaps, a preparation of an offering which
may be called for at another place. O the importance of knowing the word
rightly to be divided, and when and where the offering is required!
A part of Elizabeth Walker's errand in coming to Europe was to visit the
Friends in Germany; mid it was proposed that John Yeardley should take
charge of her and her companion, Christiana A. Price of Neath, on his
return to Pyrmont. They went together through Essex and Suffolk, having
meetings on their way; but at Ipswich it appeared that C.A. Price's health
was unequal to the journey, and Elizabeth Walker proceeded to Hull to
cross the water from thence with another company of Friends who were bound
for the Continent. J.Y. was thus left to proceed alone to Pyrmont, and he
sailed from Harwich on the 19th of the Sixth Month. When in Suffolk he
went to Needham to see "dear ancient Samuel Alexander."
I had, he says, long known this fatherly man by name and person, but had
had no acquaintance with him until now: his company and conversation were
exceedingly pleasant and instructive to me. In the evening I took a walk
in a large plantation which he had himself planted when young, and had now
lived to see afford him a comfortable retreat.
John Yeardley was taken ill when in Suffolk, and on settling down again
in his quiet home at Friedensthal he writes:
7 _mo_. 15.--I am drinking salt-spring-water, and my health is
mercifully restored. The air of this country seems to suit my constitution
better than that of England. Time is very precious. I think, to keep a
more correct journal of what I do each day might be very useful, by
inducing a more narrow scrutiny how each hour is spent; for I know not how
many more may be allowed me to prepare for eternity.
To this resolution he did not adhere. With the exception of two short
entries in the same month, he wrote nothing in his diary for the remainder
of the year. The difficulties of his position, perhaps a lack of
sufficient employment, and the want of that instant watchfulness without
which the disciple is ever prone to stray from his Master's side, seem to
have again produced, as they did twelve months before, a season of
spiritual famine.
His own gloomy condition did not, however, altogether disable him from
sympathizing with others. In a letter to his brother of the 4th of the
Eleventh Month he says;--
I have of late been in such a low tried state of mind, that I have been
discouraged from writing thee, under an apprehension I should say nothing
that would afford thee any satisfaction in reading. But though I may not
have it in my power to relieve thee, I hope it will not be unpleasant to
thee to know that thou art still more dear and near to me than ever thou
wast in the times of more apparent outward prosperity. It is a high
attainment to know how to set a right value on perishable things, and it
requires no small degree of fortitude to bear the depression of apparent
temporary adversity, in that disposition of mind which becomes the
character of a true Christian. Although, according to our apprehensions,
the storm may last long, yet it most assuredly will blow over, and then
greater will be our peace than if we had never known a tempest.
On resuming his Diary, which he did in the First Month of 1825, John
Yeardley gives an account of the events which happened to him during the
previous few months.
In the Seventh Month 1824, Thomas Shillitoe and Elizabeth H. Walker came
to Pyrmont, and to the latter J.Y. gave his assistance in various
religious engagements. After her departure he again visited Minden, with
the neighboring villages of Eidinghausen and Hille. His visit to the
last-named place (1 mo. 13, 1825) was marked by a singular circumstance.
Finding a sudden draft [in my mind] to be at the reading meeting in Hille,
to begin at two o'clock, there seemed but little time; however, proposing
it to my dear friend John Rasche, he was quite willing to accompany me,
and driving quickly we came in due time. When the [meeting] was over, the
Friends told me they thought it very remarkable that we should come
unexpectedly on that day, and that what was communicated after the reading
was particularly suited to the state of a woman Friend present, who was
laboring under the temptation that she had committed the unpardonable sin,
and could find no rest day or night. I could not prevent them from
expressing their thankfulness for such a mark of Providential
interference, in this way to afford the poor woman a little relief and
encouragement.
Four days afterwards, having then returned to Friedensthal, J.Y.
adds:--"Since our visit to Hille, the person above-mentioned is dead!"
The depression under which John Yeardley labored, from the loss of that
comfortable presence of his Lord which had been almost from his youth as a
lamp shining continually upon his head, seems to have reached its lowest
point in the early part of this year. Under date of the 24th of the Second
Month he says:--
I have this morning once more been enabled to pour out my sorrowful spirit
before the Father of mercies in a way that has afforded me some relief and
encouragement. In bitterness, and, I may almost say, in agony of soul have
I spread before him some of those circumstances which have been a cause of
unspeakable distress to me for many months past, and rendered me unfit for
almost every service, temporal or spiritual.
Thou knowest, O gracious Father, I long to have my ways and steps
regulated by thy holy will. Therefore I beseech thee, have mercy on my
faults, and blot out from thy remembrance all my sins, and everything
wherein I have in weakness offended thee; and be pleased to give me
strength to become more perfectly and lastingly thine. O how sensibly do I
feel my own weakness, and that without thee I can do nothing, not for a
moment preserve my own steps.
In the midst of his discouragement his mind was directed towards the
accomplishment of another part of the commission which had been entrusted
to him before he left England.--viz., to sojourn for a time amongst the
Friends in the South of France. Accordingly, early in the Third Month he
went to Minden, and laid before the Two-months' Meeting, his intention of
going to Congenies for this purpose, and also of seeking a religious
interview with some serious people in the neighborhood of Cologne.
This information, he says, was received by my friends with much sympathy
and, I trust, weightiness of spirit, and I felt a little strengthened by
the expression of their feelings and unity with me in this concern. A
certificate of their approbation was ordered to be drawn up. No creature
on earth knows how this prospect humbles me. I always think I am dealt
with in a remarkable manner,--somewhat different perhaps from others.
Notwithstanding all the seemingly insurmountable difficulties which stand
in the way, and which are far too numerous to particularize, my peace is
connected with my obedience. What will be the result I know not; the way
appears not yet quite clear us to the time of departure. O Lord, favor me
to wait on thee for the spirit of discernment not to step forth in the
wrong time.
The obedience which he practised in committing himself in simple faith to
this religious prospect prepared the way for a temporal blessing, as well
as for the return of inward joy. He little knew, when persecuted by the
Accuser of the brethren, and mourning over the weakness of his own corrupt
nature, that his Lord was about to provide for him a congenial and helpful
companion, in the room of her whose loss had left him solitary in the
world. Without this timely sacrifice of his own will, it could not have
been so easy for him to make the journey to France in the way in which it
was done, and which was the means of bringing about the union which shed
so much comfort on the remainder of his life.
Between two and three months after the meeting at Minden, he received the
information that Martha Savory, accompanied by Martha Towell, was about to
pay a religious visit to the Friends at Pyrmont and Minden. He had been
introduced in London to Martha Savory as a minister of the gospel, and one
who had been abroad in its service, but his acquaintance with her seems to
have been slight.[3] On receiving this intelligence he writes:--
The prospect of seeing a few dear Friends from my native land would be
cheering, but I am really so cast down that I seem as if I could not, and
almost dare not, rejoice in anything. May this low proving season answer
the end for which it is permitted!
As he apprehended the Friends who were coming from England might require a
guide, John Yeardley went to meet them at Rotterdam. His journey, and the
singular coincidence of Martha Savory's concern with his own, are
described in a letter to his brother, written after his return from
Holland.
Friedensthal, Pyrmont, 7 mo. 14,1825.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
On my return from Holland I received thy long and very interesting letter.
Martha Savory and her companion Martha Towell are now acceptably with us.
They expect to spend two or three months with us, and then we have some
prospect of going in company to the South of France. As this has fallen
out in a rather remarkable manner, it may not be amiss just to explain it
to thee. We were entire strangers to each other's concern; but as soon as
my friends in London heard of my prospect from the copy of the minutes of
our Two-months' Meeting and of my certificate, dear William Allen wrote to
me desiring a more particular description of my views, time of departure,
&c., and mentioned at the same time M.S.'s concern, which had already
passed the Quarterly Meeting, and it was fully expected she would be
liberated [by the Meeting of Ministers and Elders] to visit Pyrmont and
Minden, and afterwards, if _suitable company offered_, proceed to
some parts of the banks of the Rhine, Switzerland, and Congenies, in the
south of France. I wrote to W.A., and explained to him my prospect, which
was to visit a few individuals in the neighborhood of Cologne and pass
through Switzerland to Congenies. I then received a letter from our dear
friend M. Savory, stating that she and W.A. had been much struck with the
remarkable coincidence in our views; our prospects being to the same
places and in the same way; and that it seemed in the pointing of Truth
for us to join in company.
Fifth mo. 26th, I left Friedensthal to visit my friends in Minden and its
neighborhood; and after spending about two weeks there, I felt very much
inclined to give our friends the meeting at Rotterdam. I set off,
accordingly, the 7th of the Sixth Month, and travelled seven days through
a desert country to Amsterdam, I went almost one half of the way by water,
across the Zuider Zee from Zwolle to Amsterdam. After spending a few days
in Amsterdam, I went, with J.S. Mollet, who is the only Friend in that
city, to Rotterdam, where we met with M.S. and M.T. Thomas Christy,
junior, had accompanied them, from London. M.S. had letters of
recommendation to many persons in Amsterdam, whom we visited; and though
some of them were first-rate characters in the place, it is surprising
with what affection and kindness they received us. J.S. Mollet accompanied
us to Pyrmont.
An account of his journey, both going and returning, is also contained in
J.Y.'s diary: it presents some additional notices which claim a place
here.
Before leaving Minden for Rotterdam, he twice visited Eidinghausen, and
saw some young men who were under suffering because of their refusal to
serve in the militia.
One in particular (he says, in writing up the diary), a sweet young man,
at this moment may be in torture. O, how I feel for him! My soul breathes
to the Almighty Father of mercies on his account, that he may he
strengthened to endure all with patience for the sake of his Lord, who has
given him a testimony to bear against the spirit of war and fighting.
At the conclusion of the second meeting at Eidinghausen, he says:--
The meeting was fully attended, and I afterwards dined alone in the
schoolroom with a light heart. I thought I could say, After the work is
done, food tastes sweet.
At Rotterdam, John Yeardley and his companions made the acquaintance of a
"very interesting missionary student, who believes he has a call to go on
a mission to the Greeks, and is waiting for an opening: his name is
Guetzlaff." At Amsterdam, a letter from Guetzlaff introduced them to the
priest of the Greek church in that city, Helanios Paschalides, a man of
child-like spirit, and long schooled in affliction, who had become
awakened to his own religious wants, and who believed himself called to
return to Greece and instruct his countrymen. These two interviews are
memorable, as being, probably, the commencement of the strong interest
which J. and M.Y. evinced in the Greek people, and which issued, years
afterwards, in a religious tour in that country. At Zeist, where there is
a settlement of Moravians, the ministers, finding the Friends desired to
convene their members in a meeting for worship, readily consented.
The meeting, writes J.Y., was more fully attended than we had expected.
There is much sweetness of spirit to be felt about these people, but a
want of stillness. I thought some of the hearers were prepared to see
further than their teachers, and the time may yet come when some may be
drawn into a more spiritual worship. We left them a few tracts, and they
kindly gave us a few little boots of theirs. It is remarkable in what a
spirit of love they received us.
The Friends reached Pyrmont on the 1st of the Seventh Month, and shortly
afterwards made a visit amongst the members from house to house in that
place, and at Minden. On the 28th they visited a number of seriously
awakened persons at Lenzinghausen, who felt the necessity of spiritual
worship, and to whom their hearts were much enlarged in gospel love.
Walking in the garden, writes John, Yeardley, in a very solemn and
solitary frame of mind before the meeting, I had such a feeling as I
scarcely ever remember to have had before. I thought I saw, as in the
vision of light, as if a people would be gathered in that neighborhood to
the knowledge of the truth. It appeared to me to be in the divine
appointment that our dear M.S. was come to visit Germany, and a large
field of labor seems to be appointed for her in this land if she is
faithful.
The next two months were occupied with various religious services, public
and private, not omitting meetings at Eidinghausen and Hille, where, as on
former occasions, J.Y. found his heart to go out towards the people with
strong emotions of Christian love. About 150 attended at the former, and
300 at the latter place.
CHAPTER VI.
HIS FIRST CONTINENTAL JOURNEY.
1825-6.
The time was now come for John Yeardley and Martha Savory to pursue their
journey to the Rhine, Switzerland and France. They left Pyrmont on the
11th of the Tenth Month, 1825, and beside Martha Towell, were accompanied
as far as Basle by William Seebohm as interpreter. Every member of the
party wrote in one way or other an account of the journey, and we have
availed ourselves of these various sources in the following narrative.
Passing through Paderborn, they arrived at Herdecke on the 13th. Regarding
his feelings in this place John Yeardley writes:--
This morning I was greatly dejected, and fearful we might find none of the
people whom we were seeking. As I was walking pensively outside the town,
I recollected what I once read in "Cecil's Remains,"--that a way may
suddenly open before us when we the least expect it. This was now to be
verified; for after we had entered the carriage with the intention of
going to Elberfeld, and while we were waiting for a road-ticket, I
accidentally fell into conversation with our hostess, and making inquiry
for people of religions character, learnt that there were a number of such
in the neighborhood.
The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this little society who
resided in the town. He informed them that a meeting was held at Hageney,
about six miles distant, at the house of a pastor named Huecker. Being
disposed to visit this pastor, they took their informant with them as
guide, turned their horses in the direction opposite to Elberfeld, and
drove along a very bad road to his house. They found him occupied in
teaching some poor children. He told them that their visit was opportune
and remarkable, for that he had been denounced as a delinquent before the
Synod of Berlin, which had sent him a string of questions on doctrine and
church-government. He had returned a reply to the questions, and was then
waiting the determination of the synod, whether he was to be displaced
from his cure or not. The Friends examined his answers, and were well
satisfied with them: the worship which he and his little flock (about
thirty in number) practised was of a more spiritual character than that of
the national church. Martha Savory expressed her deep sympathy with him in
his difficult and painful situation, and John Yeardley also addressed him
in words of consolation and encouragement.
At Elberfeld, where they arrived on the 15th, they met with several
interesting persons. One of these, a young pastor named Ball, became
greatly endeared to them. He informed them that when he had been severely
tempted, he had found support and deliverance in silent waiting on the
Lord. Another was Pastor Lindel, who resided at some distance from the
city, in the Wupperthal; he had been brought up a Roman Catholic, had seen
many changes, and suffered not a little persecution. He took them to see a
neighbor, an aged man, weak in body, but strong and lively in spirit. This
man told them he was present at a meeting at Muehlheim held by Sarah Grubb,
about thirty years before; and that, although ninety years old, he
recollected the words with which she concluded her discourse: "By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another." This love, say the narrators of the occurrence, was felt amongst
us on this occasion, and at parting the good old man gave us his blessing.
They quitted Elberfeld on the 19th, and proceeded to Duesseldorf, where the
reception they met with was equally open and gratifying. They spent an
evening at Kaiserswerth with Pastor Fliedner, who was occupied in
vigilantly guarding a little nock of Protestants surrounded by
unscrupulous Romanists. He evinced much interest in the management of
prisons, and was endeavoring to introduce improvements in that of
Duesseldorf: he had met with Martha Savory in one of her visits at
Newgate.[4]