Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel | Page 7

may be dedicated, in humble obedience, to Him
whose great and noble cause I am professing to promote.
How unstable is human nature! On sitting down in meeting this
evening I got into a state of unwatchfulness, which continued so long
as to deprive me of the refreshment my poor mind so often stands in
need of.
In the entries which follow, the progress of the inward work and the
preparation for future service are very evident:--
13th.--Went to our morning gathering in a low frame of mind, and was
made afresh to believe that were we more concerned to dwell nearer the
pure principle of Truth when out of meetings, we should not find such
difficult access when thus collected, but each one would be encouraged
to come under the precious influence of that baptizing power which
would cement and refresh our spirits together. O then, I firmly believe,
our Heavenly Father would in an eminent manner condescend to crown

our assemblies with the overshadowing of his love, and enable us not
only to roll away the stone, but to draw living water as out of the wells
of salvation.
17th.--"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me," was a language which secretly passed my mind in meeting
this morning; and though inwardly poor as I am, yet I dare not but
acknowledge it a privilege to be favored even with a good desire.
24th.--Was a little refreshed at our morning gathering, my spirit being
exercised under a concern that I might not rest satisfied with anything
short of living experience; and I felt comforted with a lively hope that
He whom my soul loveth will not fail to manifest his divine regard to
one who is sincerely desirous to become acquainted with his ways. O,
how shall I render sufficient thankfulness for such a favor, thus to be
made once more sweetly to partake of the brook by the way.
Thought the evening sitting rather dull, though the ministry of T. S.
was lively, which is a confirming proof that however favored we may
be at certain seasons, yet if at any time we suffer our attention to be
diverted from the real object, it frustrates the design of Him who I
believe intends that we should wait together to renew our strength.
In the Eleventh Month Henry Hull, from the United Slates,
accompanied by John Hull of Uxbridge, visited Burton, and had good
service their, both amongst Friends and with the public. They lodged at
John Yeardley's, and, in describing their labors and the pleasure he
derived from their society, he records his thankfulness at being placed
in a situation in life such as afforded him the opportunity of
entertaining the Lord's servants.
His disposition was lively and strongly inclined to humor, and he early
felt the necessity of having this natural trait of character subjected to
the rule of heavenly wisdom. Under date 27th of the Eleventh Month
he says:--
I feel a little compunction for having these few days past given way too
much to the lightness of my disposition, and not being sufficiently

concerned to seek after that stability and serious reflection which never
fails to improve the mind.
On the 26th of the Twelfth Month he records a state of spiritual
poverty.
Such, he says, has been the instability of my mind, that my "Beloved is
unto me as a fountain sealed." But, he adds, I feel a little tendered this
evening, on reading over a few comfortable expressions in a letter from
my friend, Joseph Wood.
This condition of mind continued for some months, when he thus
breaks forth:--
3 mo. 8, 1812.--How pleasant it is once more to be favored with a few
drops of living water from the springs of that well which my soul has
had for many weeks past to languish after, and which I trust has been
wisely withheld in order to show me that, although it is our
indispensable duty to persevere in digging for it, yet it is only in His
own time that we are permitted to drink thereof.
His just appreciation of the nature of meetings held for the discipline of
the Church, and of the spirit in which they are to be conducted, is
shown in an early part of the Diary.
3 mo. 15.--Was at our Preparative Meeting. The queries having to be
answered, I was led into deep thoughtfulness respecting the same, and
inwardly solicited that the Father of mercies would lend his divine aid,
in the performance of such important duties; which I have reason to
believe was in some measure answered, for they were gone through
with a degree of ease and comfort to my own mind. May I ever keep in
remembrance