REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH CONTINENTAL
JOURNEY.
1843-48.
The tour which John and Martha Yeardley made in and around
Buckinghamshire, and which is mentioned at the conclusion of the last
chapter, was undertaken in quest of a new place of abode. In a letter from
Martha Yeardley to her sister, Mary Tylor, written on the 3rd of the
Eleventh Month, she says:--
Thou art aware that we have thought, if way should open of going nearer to
you, and of pitching our tent within the Quarterly Meeting of
Buckinghamstead. We offered to purchase a cottage at Berkhamstead, but for
the present that has quite fallen through: we therefore intend to rest
quietly here for the winter, in hopes that in the spring or summer
something may offer, either at B. or in that quarter, to which we feel
attracted; yet desiring to commit this and all that concerns us into the
all-directing hand of our great Lord and Master, who has a right to do
with us what seemeth him good.
Not long afterwards they purchased a house at Berkhamstead, called Gossom
Lodge, to which they removed in the Fourth Month, 1844.
Very soon after they had taken possession of their new dwelling, they made
a circuit through the meetings of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire,
holding a few public meetings by the way: and the next summer they
undertook a more extensive religious visit--viz., to the six northern
counties of England.
In the course of the same year we find them meditating a further removal,
into the immediate vicinity of London. One of the few entries in his Diary
which were made by John Yeardley during this period, speaks of the
apprehension of duty under which they contemplated this change: it was
written after their removal.
For some years past I have often thought the time might come when we might
see it right to settle within Stoke Newington Meeting. This feeling now
began (1845) to fasten more strongly on our minds than it had done before,
and we thought it right to make an effort to let Gossom Lodge, and seek a
residence at Stamford Hill; and we have reason to believe that in this
important step our prayer has been answered, and that all our
deliberations have been guided by that wisdom which is from above. Very
strong is my conviction that our Heavenly Father is not unmindful of the
outward circumstances of those who seek his counsel, and desire to act
under the guidance of his Holy Spirit. We were favored to let our house at
Berkhamstead without trouble; the very first person to whom we made it
known took it off our hands: and with equal ease we found another dwelling
at Stamford Hill, which I consider as a proof that our prayer was heard
and answered in this serious step: the signs I had asked were granted.
They removed to Stamford Hill on the 2nd of the Twelfth Month, 1845. As
soon as they had settled in, John Yeardley became seriously indisposed
with his old complaint, which ended in the jaundice. In the course of the
spring and summer of 1846 he repaired with M.Y. to Bath, and afterwards
to Harrowgate, to seek a restoration of his health.
The waters of the last-named place proved, he says, very efficacious both
to my beloved M.Y. and myself. My precious dear, he continues, suffered
much in her health through the fatigue of nursing me during the winter.
How my soul overflows with gratitude to my Heavenly Father that he has
united me to such a partner, who takes more than a full share in all my
sorrows; and, thanks be unto our God, we have often to rejoice also
together in Him!
On their return from Harrowgate they visited many of the meetings in
London and the vicinity,--a service which they had always had in view, in
looking towards a residence at Stamford Hill; and from the Eleventh Month,
1846, to the First Month, 1847, they were occupied in a religious visit to
the families of the members and attenders of Gracechurch-street Monthly
Meeting, in which their service was very acceptable.
The friends appointed to arrange the visits, says J.Y., have done so with
willingness and efficiency, and we have, I believe, the help of their
spirits. In passing from house to house, we are made sensible of our
inability to render aid to others unassisted by the Spirit of our Divine
Master. Wherever we have gone we have been received with kindness and
Christian cordiality; and in thus being permitted to mingle our feelings
with those who are bound up with us in religious profession, we feel sweet
peace and comfort, and our hearts are filled with thankfulness to the
Lord, that he has enabled us to do that which we believe he put in our
hearts.
They returned the minute which had been granted them for this service on
the 6th of the First Month. Many who read this Memoir will remember how
the tidings of the death of Joseph John Gurney, who suddenly expired on
the 5th, spread through the Society, and produced wherever it came an
impression of sorrowful but heavenly solemnity. The event is referred to
in the notice of this meeting which is contained in the Diary.
The meeting for worship was particularly solemn. The spirit of our dear
departed friend J.J.G. seemed present with us. The event had impressed our
minds with the awful uncertainty of time. My dear M.Y. ministered to our
comfort, and so did dear ----. I was constrained, under a sense that the
Lord had withdrawn many laborers from his vineyard, to lift up a prayer
for the remnant that is left, to crave prosperity for the blessed work of
grace in the hearts of all present, and to ask for more devotedness to the
Lord's cause.
The next day they received intelligence of the decease of one of their
Scarborough friends, whose dying words are worthy to be preserved in
lasting remembrance.
1 _mo_. 7.--On returning from meeting we found a letter informing us
of the sudden decease of Isaac Stickney of Scarborough. When the doctor
attempted to give him brandy in his sinking state, he said, Doctor, don't
cloud my intellect; if this be dying, I die in the arms of Jesus. These
last words of my beloved and long-known friend are sweetly consoling to my
spirit.
In the Second Month of 1848, John Yeardley again prepared to go forth and
preach the Gospel in several countries on the Continent of Europe. He was
accompanied by his beloved wife, partly in the character of a
fellow-laborer, constrained by the force of Christian love to the same
field of service, and partly as his companion and helper in countries
where she did not otherwise feel herself called to labor. The course of
their anticipated travel is described in the following extract from the
Diary. They were unable, as it proved, to obtain admission into the
Russian Empire; and this part of the mission was accomplished by John
Yeardley alone, and at a later period.
1848. 2 _mo_. 8.--At our Monthly Meeting at Gracechurch street, I
proposed my concern to visit some parts of South Russia, particularly the
German colonies; also some places in the Prussian and Austrian dominions,
parts of Switzerland and France, particularly Ardêche, and a few places in
Belgium, and to revisit parts of Germany. My precious M.Y. also was
constrained in gospel love to tell her friends that she had long thought
of a visit to France and Belgium; and, if health permitted, should think
it her religious duty to accompany me to South Russia. We had the full
unity of our friends, who expressed much sympathy and encouragement, to
our great comfort. It is about twenty years since I first thought
seriously that I might have to visit the Crimea, and for thirty years I
have had a prospect of some parts of Bohemia. Truly the vision has been
for an appointed time; and if the period be now come, I trust it is the
Lord's time, and that his presence may go with us. Many have been the
conflicts and deep the baptisms through which I have passed, before coming
to a willingness to offer to do what I believe to be the will of my
Divine Master. Feeble as are my powers, I desire they may be devoted to
his cause for the remainder of my days; and I do esteem it a great mercy
to have arrived at a clear pointing in this important prospect. May the
blessing of preservation rest upon the beloved partner of my sorrows and
my joys, and on myself; and may He whom we desire to serve heal all our
maladies of body and mind!
While their attention was thus turned to foreign lands, a storm was
gathering in France which in the course of this month burst upon Europe
with extraordinary violence, and overturned or endangered half the thrones
on the Continent. This convulsed state of the European nations rendered it
needful for them to wait a few months before they commenced their
undertaking. In the Seventh Month, John Yeardley speaks of having obtained
the further concurrence of the church, and of the feelings which the
immediate prospect of the journey awakened in his mind.
7 _mo_. 1.--At the Quarterly Meeting, and also at the Yearly Meeting
of Ministers and Elders, our friends entered very fully into our proposed
visit to the Continent. The expression of sympathy and full unity was
abundant; there was a strong evidence of the good presence of the Lord
being near during the deliberations, which proved a strength and comfort
to myself and my beloved partner. The needful certificates are now all in
our possession, and are expressed in terms the most appropriate and
encouraging. My mind is deeply humbled at the near approach of our
departure, in the present state of affairs on the continent of Europe: but
I feel a confiding hope in the divine power for protection and safe
guidance. May the Lord Almighty give us strength and resignation to commit
our lives into his hand, and to say, Thy will be done. Amen!
This series of travels was the last in which John and Martha Yeardley were
to be engaged as joint-laborers in their Lord's work. The health of the
latter had been for several years seriously affected; and although she
continued to take a deep interest in the spiritual condition of the
countries they had visited before, and was enabled to the end to afford
her husband the assistance of her strong sympathy and of her religious
exercise of mind, the fatigue of constant travelling told more and more
upon her enfeebled frame, and she did not long survive the accomplishment
of this journey. John Yeardley, less advanced in years, and possessing a
hardy constitution, had not yet lost the fire of his earlier days. The
same spring and impulse was still strong within him which had animated him
in former journeys, and which those who knew him in middle life will not
fail to remember. Some of these will have before them the mental image of
his person and manner--the fixed resolution, the concentrated mind, the
ardent and devoted spirit, which shone through his impressive countenance
and his whole figure, when he was engaged in his Lord's work; and perhaps
also they may call to mind the very words of faithful counsel, or of
encouragement, drawn from the well-spring of gospel sympathy, which fell
from his lips.
John and Martha Yeardley did not accomplish the extensive mission which
now lay before them at one stroke, but in three stages, returning to
England between each. The most prominent object in the first journey was
Belgium; in the second, the Rhine country; in the third, they were called
to sow seeds of Christian doctrine in lands lying beyond the limit of any
former travel--viz., in Silesia and Bohemia.
This was the first time that the Roman Catholic country of Belgium had
called forth the exercise of their Christian charity. They left London in
the Seventh Month, and spent about three weeks in travelling through the
country, resting chiefly at Ghent, Brussels, Charleroi and Spa. They were
accompanied as far as Brussels by Robert and Christine Alsop, and through
the whole journey, by an ingenuous young man whom they had engaged to
assist them, named Adolphe Rochedieu. The religious opening which awaited
them at Brussels was very encouraging; few incidents which arose in the
course of their numerous journeys were of a more animating character than
the acquaintance which they made with the pastor Van Maasdyk and some of
his flock. We give the narrative from J.Y.'s Diary and letters.
7 _mo_. 19.--H. Van Maasdyk paid us a long visit this morning. He was
educated in a convent in Belgium, and becoming a priest, he exercised the
functions which devolved upon him with much credit to himself, and to the
satisfaction of his superiors, until the year 1836. He possessed a Bible
in Latin, which he never read. He had the cure of a large parish, in
which, down to the year above mentioned, there was not a single copy of
the Scriptures in the Flemish tongue. About that time the colporteurs
introduced the New Testament in Flemish, and some copies of the Bible,
which greatly excited the priests, and in particular the bishop, who said
the translation was mutilated and falsified, and commanded that the
members of the Catholic Church who had received copies, should either burn
them themselves, or bring them to the curés for that purpose. Van
Maasdyk's parishioners accordingly brought their Bibles and Testaments
(five copies) to him to be burned. He was zealous in the Romish faith, and
had preached violently against the distributors of the wicked books, as
they were called; and he was about to fulfil the command to burn them,
when suddenly he felt something in his heart which restrained him, and he
thought, I will at least first examine the foundation of the bishop's
charges. He took up his Latin Bible, and placing beside it the copy in
Flemish, began with the charge of mutilation. He found it not at all
abridged. He then went to the charge of falsification, and found the two
copies to agree with slight variations here and there; in fact, the modern
translation proved to have been made from the Vulgate, which was the one
in his possession. He read the denunciation of our Saviour, "Woe unto you
Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," and it struck him forcibly; he felt
that he must say, "Woe is me, I am one of those who deceive the people."
He read again, "There is one Mediator between God and man;" and here again
his conscience smote him: "Woe is me, I teach the people in their
confessions that the saints make intercession." His sorrow was so deep,
that he thought he could die a thousand deaths rather than continue a
Romish priest.
Now his persecution began. He was beloved by his flock, who entreated him
not to leave them. After much conflict of mind, he wrote a decided letter
to his bishop, who in the end gave him his dismissal. Still feeling
himself called to proclaim the Gospel, he began to assemble the people in
little companies, and to instruct them in the Scriptures. At the entreaty
of his friends he settled at Brussels, where there was a wide field for
labor amongst the poorest of the Roman Catholics, who speak only Flemish.
His congregation consisted at first of some fifteen or twenty persons; but
such was the success he met with, that they have been obliged four or five
times in succession to seek a larger building, and his congregation now
consists of 500. He is said to be one of the most powerful preachers in
the Flemish language. It is delightful to be in his company; his heart is
filled with gratitude, and his eyes sparkle with joy, when he is with
those who love the Saviour. Nothing is paid him by his congregation; he
has a little property of his own, and sometimes receives a little help
from the Adolphus Society.
After a long conversation with him on the spiritual nature of worship, he
took us to see some of his flock, with whom we had family sittings from
house to house. This is exactly the class our hearts longed to visit;
thanks be to our Heavenly Father who has thus opened our way.
20_th_.--The meeting at Pastor Marzial's last evening was much larger
than we had expected. Van Maasdyk came in unexpectedly after the service
which had been held at his dwelling, and with him a part of his flock.
Many of the company were those who had renounced Romanism; some of the
young men interested us exceedingly. I had a deal of conversation with
them as to their religious experience. There were several young Germans
among them, who are residing in Brussels; with these I conversed in their
own language, which was highly gratifying to them. As Pastor Marzial
speaks English well, I clung to him in the hope of having him for an
interpreter; but he encouraged me to speak as well as I could in French,
as the natives like it much better, and consider it a compliment to their
language. This made me very low, it being a company of well-educated
persons, and I asked Van Maasdyk what I should do. I would rather, he
replied, hear ten words from your own mouth, than ten thousand through the
mouth of another; we shall understand you, and what comes from the heart
goes to the heart. This settled the question; I gave myself up to the
language, and was helped through. My M.Y. was favored in her
communication. After a short address from M., I concluded the meeting with
supplication, also in French. I do believe the Spirit was poured upon us
from on high; many hearts were touched, and tears flowed freely from many
eyes.
The Lord has indeed opened a wide door for us in this place; the dear
people follow us from meeting to meeting, entreating us for an opportunity
of the like kind in their own houses; but we must be watchful to see our
own way. However, if the oil is staid, it is not for want of vessels, for
what we have to communicate seems like seed cast into the prepared ground.
May the Lord himself be their teacher, and carry on his own work; for it
is most assuredly his. To those who are spiritually minded, to hear of a
society holding spiritual views, is like marrow to their bones. It is not
so much what we are able to say to them, but our being as living witnesses
to the truth which these awakened people feel in their own hearts.
21_st_.--Attended a meeting of Van Maasdyk's in the poorer district
of Brussels; about seventy to eighty persons present, consisting of
converted Romanists, seeking Protestants, and two awakened Jews. Two of
the company were blind men, very pious, who gain their living by selling
matches. Our friend read, explained, and applied the tenth chapter of
John, in Flemish; he also interpreted for me a few words, which I spoke in
German.
On their way to Charleroi, after passing through Mons, they traversed the
great Belgium iron and coal country, where the people speak a patois but
understand French. Here they made a free distribution of the religious
tracts they had taken with them, and found an able co-adjutor in their
postillion. When he understood what their object was, he allowed few
opportunities to pass by without putting these little messengers into the
hands of his fellow-countrymen.
At Charleroi, where they arrived on the 22d, they enjoyed Christian
association of the most interesting kind, especially with Pastors Poinsot
and Jaccard, and with Marzial, who followed them from Brussels. They seem
to have found much more of the life of religion among the newly-awakened
in Belgium than they had expected.
We have, says J.Y., good reason to believe that the burden we have so long
felt for the inhabitants in some parts of Belgium was laid upon us by our
Divine Master, who is now pleased to make way for us to throw it off;
thanks be to his great name.
From Charleroi they went by Liège to Spa, where they procured a lodging in
order to enjoy a period of needful rest. The tracts they gave away on the
road were received with eagerness. Adolphe handed them out freely right
and left, and when any one hesitated to take them, a significant nod from
the postillion never failed to secure a ready reception.
The country from Namur to Liège, writes John Yeardley, and particularly
from Liège to Spa, is beautiful, the road running along the banks of the
Meuse, amid wooded rocks. These are the works of my Heavenly Father, but I
sigh after the workmanship of his hands, created after his own image.
Passing over several incidents of religious intercourse and labor, we
select a circumstance which illustrates the state of the country, and of
their own feelings in relation to it.
Under date of Spa, the 2nd of the Eighth Month, John Yeardley says:--
My M.Y. made acquaintance with an interesting young woman in a shop, and
gave her some of the _Scripture Extracts_. She came to us last
evening, and remained some time conversing on the Romish religion. She had
never seen the Bible. When we asked her what was the nature of the mass,
she said she did not understand it, but she attended it because others
did. We gave her the Bible used by ourselves, having no other at our
disposal. Her eyes sparkled with joy at the newly-acquired treasure. Her
heart is touched by the Spirit of God, and I humbly hope her eyes will be
enlightened to seek for strength independently of her blind guides. I
never saw and felt more sensibly the awful account the priests will have
to give for thus deceiving the people in the things which belong to their
salvation.
On the 3rd they quitted Belgium, and proceeded to Bonn. Here they had the
pleasure of meeting their old friend, Charles Majors, formerly of
Strasburg. In a walk which they took with him, they renewed the sweet
intercourse of former days.
8 _mo_. 5.--We took a walk with Majors and his family to the top of
"Mount Calvary," and mounted a steep hill pitched with sharp stones, on
which the poor Romanists go barefooted, repeating prayers at each station,
supposed to be as many as the times when our Lord rested when bearing his
cross from the gate of Jerusalem to Mount Calvary. Having descended, we
sat down at the foot of a cross, and spoke of Him who bore our sins on the
cross in his own body. A desire was felt and expressed that the little
company might ever dwell near to Him who died on the cross.
At Mannheim, John Yeardley writes:--
I took a walk in the public gardens, opposite the Hotel de l'Europe, where
we lodge. All very quiet without, and I felt peaceful within myself,
reading a chapter and sitting alone. The Spirit of my Divine Master was
near, and I felt assured that there was something in this place with which
we could unite.
They found here a little company, who met together without any regular
pastor.
"They gave us", says John Yeardley, "a cordial reception, and their
countenances indicated that they had been with Jesus; and, although
scattered as sheep among wolves, they appeared to belong to the fold of
the true Shepherd. After a few family calls, we were conducted to the
house of a pious widow, where the meetings were usually held. As we were
in haste, these Christian people kindly appointed a meeting for worship,
to be held the same evening, to receive our visit, which, through divine
mercy, proved like a refreshing brook by the way: the Saviour's presence
being over us, his doctrine dropped like dew on the thirsty ground."[9]
At Strasburg they found Pastor Ehrmann, and several other pious persons
whom they had known in 1833, with whom and with some others they had much
conversation on religious subjects, and were called upon to explain the
views held by Friends, particularly on marriage, education, and the care
of the poor.
"Before parting", says John Yeardley, M. Passavant asked for silence, and
we had a sweet time of religious communion, in which consolation and
encouragement were offered, and thanks rendered for the favor of being
permitted to meet together, and for the favor of the Divine Presence.
Basle was their next halting-place. A letter written by Martha Yeardley
from this city, contains some notice of the social and religious life by
which their tarriance in foreign cities was characterised, and of her own
peculiar position as a gospel minister.
The pious Spittler, she says, has just been with us; he is still full of
faith and good works. M.L., whom we knew as a nice girl at Corfu, is
married to a serious merchant of this place; a sister of C. Majors' wife
at Bonn, with her husband, also resides here; and we have fixed to take
tea with them and some of their friends to-morrow evening. My J.Y. is gone
with a converted Jew, Spittler, and one who has been a missionary to
Jerusalem, to a lecture this afternoon, where it is probable he may have
an opportunity of speaking to those assembled. As it is to be all German,
I excused myself in order to rest and continue my letter. I have deeply
felt on this journey, as on others, that it is difficult for females to
make their way as gospel ministers; we have always found it tolerated, but
I am always sensible of a prejudice against it. On some occasions my J.Y.
has explained our views on this important subject.
15_th_.--Yesterday we went to see a remarkably interesting
institution for missionaries, on the top of a high mountain, called
Chrischona Berg. It was established by Spittler, and, is well worth the
trouble of a little fatigue in getting to it. Twelve young men of the
poorer class, who have offered themselves from a sense of duty to become
missionaries, are there taught various languages, and retained until some
field of labor opens for them to which they feel bound. It is also a
working institution; they are taught various trades, in order that when
they go out they may earn their living. After viewing the premises and
hearing a lesson in Arabic, we saw the pupils assembled in the schoolroom.
Instead of a hymn in English, which they had learned, we asked for a
little silence, which was felt to be precious. My J.Y. then addressed them
in German, and was much helped. The superintendent, a very interesting
man, was in England for some time; and in consequence of a hurt received
on the head in Malta, was sent to the _Retreat_ at York, where he
became acquainted with several Friends, Samuel Tuke in particular. Under
the gentle treatment there he recovered, but he lost his wife and one
child at York, and has left two others in England. I felt much for him,
and ventured to offer him a little consolation, and also to express my
interest for the institution, which Spittler desired him to repeat in
German.--(_Letter to Mary Tylor_, 8 _mo_. 13.)
Whilst at Basle they visited Pastor Lindel, an old friend of theirs. He
related to them that he had been some time before applied to, to join the
Evangelical Alliance. "I told them," he said, "we have got further than
you have. In looking over your rules, I observe there is a class of
Christians in England whom you exclude; and we can receive them. Our bond
of union extends much beyond yours; it embraces, without any distinction,
all who love the Lord Jesus Christ."
From Basle they went to Berne and Neufchâtel. Their visit to these
favorite spots was, as at former times, accompanied by a good measure of
the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
18_th_. _Berne_.--Many of our former friends having heard of our
arrival, came this morning to our inn; and having called together a few
other serious persons, we had a precious meeting. They have suffered much
since our last visit; our hearts were dipped into sympathy for them, and
our tears were mingled together. The Lord's presence was over us, and he
caused the word of consolation, exhortation, and supplication to flow
freely. Some precious souls whom we have known in this place have been
taken to their rest since we last saw them. Soon shall we also be inquired
after and not found! Lord, grant that we may be prepared to meet thee at
thy coming!
20_th. Neufchâtel, First-day_.--The meeting was held in a saloon at
our hotel, (_Des Alpes_). The room was quite crowded; we were
surprised to see them continue to come in, by twos and threes together, at
so short a notice. The unhallowed thought arose, Where shall we find bread
to feed this multitude? But, thanks to Him who is the Bread of Life, he
dispensed food to the refreshing of our souls. My M.Y. supplicated for us,
and the gospel-word flowed freely: the meeting closed with thanksgiving by
me.
Sad reflections on the political and religious state of the country
oppressed their minds while travelling through Switzerland.
21_st_.--In all the times we have visited Neufchâtel, I never saw it
look more beautiful. But the place was dull, and a depressed feeling
manifested the life of religion to be wanting. Switzerland has suffered
through the recent changes in the governments: infidelity is sorrowfully
increasing. An abundant harvest has been gathered into the barns, and
Nature everywhere smiles on ungrateful man. Woe to the nations when the
ungodly bear rule! Persecution still rages in the Canton de Vaud.
Speaking of the great advantage which an acquaintance with the French and
German languages afforded them, John Yeardley observes:--
How I long that some of our dear young friends in England might give up
their minds and a portion of their time to the acquisition of these
languages--and, above all, give up their hearts to be prepared for the
Lord's work! How wide is the field of labor!
From Neufchâtel they proceeded to Geneva, and thence to Grenoble. Here
they were received in the most open-hearted manner by the Protestant
minister, Amand; but their feelings were severely tried by the martial
display which the city presented.
26_th._--On arriving at Grenoble, we inquired the name of the
Protestant minister, and called on him without loss of time. So soon as he
understood the object of our journey, he offered us his chapel for a
meeting; or, if it would be more agreeable to us, he would convoke a
meeting in the schoolroom for to-morrow evening with a number of persons
who usually meet there. We accepted the latter proposal. It is comforting
to find such a brother in the gospel; but O for the morrow! how my heart
fails me for fear! Lord, help us, and give us to trust in thee!
27_th._--This day is a day of suffering. The soldiers, the drums, the
trumpets, with the shouting and dancing of the people, is enough to sink
the heart of the reflecting Christian beyond hope, had he not a refuge in
retirement before the Lord. The whole course of the military system tends
to evil, and the corruption of manners.
The meeting was well attended, and they were thankful in being enabled to
mingle in spirit with a company of sincere and pious Christians. The
pastor called on them the next day. He had succeeded their good friend
Bonifas, spoken of in the journey of 1843. Conversing with him on points
on which Christians may differ, he observed, "The Church of Christ is like
a great house built on a rock. There are different apartments for the
various classes of Christians; but they are in the same house, and on the
same rock, Christ."
After attending to some other gospel-service at Grenoble, they resumed
their journey, held meetings in Valence and the neighborhood, and crossing
the Rhone, entered Ardêche. A meeting which they held at Privas was an
occasion of remarkable stillness and solemnity.
31_st._--There was a room filled with serious persons, who
immediately settled into silence like a Friends' meeting: indeed, I wish
our meetings in England were always times of as much good feeling. A
chapter, the second of the Acts, was read; after which I supplicated, and
my M.Y. spoke in testimony, as well as myself. M.Y. closed the opportunity
in supplication.
They held another meeting at Vals, a village in the Cevennes mountains,
near the town of Aubenas. Lindley Murray Hoag, from America, had had a
meeting there not long before. There was no resident pastor, and the
schoolmaster called on John and Martha Yeardley, and informed them that
when no one was present to preach, the congregation were accustomed to
read a sermon, the liturgy, and prayers. They explained to him their
objection to written sermons, and he appeared to be sensible of the
inconsistency of them with true gospel ministry, but alleged that the
people would not be satisfied without having the greater part of the time
occupied with "service." As they could not undertake that this should be
the case, it was agreed that they should be informed when the usual
engagements were concluded, and that the schoolmaster should give notice
of their intention to hold a religious meeting. In the morning
(First-day), unexpectedly, a young man arrived, who came to see if he
could be established in the place as pastor, and the schoolmaster
introduced him to J. and M.Y. He raised no objection to their speaking
after the service, but the sermon which he preached, as they afterwards
found, was on the politics of the day, and when it was concluded, they
were still kept waiting during a conference which the consistory had with
him. This delay, and their persuasion that the members of the consistory
were not the men to sympathise with them in their religious exercise, was
exceedingly proving to faith, and they entered the chapel under a pressure
of mind almost beyond utterance. After a pause John Yeardley rose and
spoke in French, in which he felt himself to be much helped; an influence
superior to words was spread abroad, lifting up the messengers above the
fear of man. Martha Yeardley followed, inviting the people to come under
the teaching of the Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ Jesus, and
especially addressing herself to the mothers.
They remained at Vals a week.
Our lodging, says J.Y., is situated amid scenery the most romantic:
high-planted rocks, deep glens, and purling streams. For reading and
writing we spend much time on a spacious open gallery, protected from the
penetrating rays of the sun by a roof; and in the interstices are
creepers, vines, and flowers, delightful and airy.
11_th_.--This has been a trying week. I have been low in mind and
suffered much in body, but, thanks to a merciful God, I am restored to
comparative health, and my beloved one is better. The peasants who inhabit
the mountains can only come to the town on First-days; and as they live
dispersed in places almost inaccessible, we concluded to wait over another
First-day to see some of them at Vals. We had them invited to the
schoolroom. A small number only assembled, but it was a feeling time: I
hope a few were instructed, and we were satisfied in having done what we
could.
From Vals John and Martha Yeardley proceeded to Nismes, where they had
some interesting service, both within and beyond the little Society of
their fellow-professors. The account given by J.Y. of the way in which
one of their evenings was spent may be transcribed.
15_th_.--The wife of De Hauteville came to invite us to spend the
evening with a few religious friends, who met at her house for reading the
Bible. We had known the pious young woman years before, and were most easy
to accept the invitation. The little company mostly knelt down, and waited
some time in silence; and then a young man offered a short and sweet
prayer. The fourth chapter of the Hebrews was then read, and nearly all
present offered a sentiment on the subject, in meekness and in love,
though they did not agree in their interpretation. They spoke one after
the other, until all seemed tired; looking earnestly at me, as wondering
what I would say, not having spoken on the question. At length one of the
company asked my opinion. I felt freedom at once to say I found no
difficulty in the matter; I could well understand the text, but I could
not understand their interpretation of it. This remark surprised them, and
raised an air of pleasantness on every countenance. My remarks on the
passage closed the subject, and I think they were accorded with in the
general. Stillness was then had, and myself and dear M.Y. spoke to the
company. There was a precious feeling, and we were glad in not having
missed uniting with such spirits in passing an hour or two instructively
together.
The service which remained for them to do before returning to England
consisted chiefly of religions labor amongst the Friends of Congenies and
the vicinity, and in printing and distributing a large number of tracts.
They found the Society of Friends in a drooping condition as to spiritual
things, and in going round to their little meetings, Martha Yeardley felt
it to be her last visit, and she labored to clear her conscience towards
those among whom she had long been conversant, and for whose eternal
welfare she felt deeply concerned.
They returned to London on the 20th of the Tenth Month.