Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel | Page 4

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