LAST JOURNEY AND DEATH, 1858.--CONCLUDING REMARKS.
We are now arrived at the closing scene of John Yeardley's labors. The
impression which he had received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of
the opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern countries, had never
been obliterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his
ability to accomplish such an undertaking had proportionately diminished.
This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies,
and, according to his apprehension, no other course remained for him but
to prepare for a visit to the missionary stations in Asia Minor and the
countries beyond, in order to deliver to the inquiring inhabitants amongst
whom those stations are planted, the message of Christ's love to their
souls with which he believed himself to be charged. And when he
communicated to his friends the apprehension that this journey was
required of him as the last offering of thanksgiving before his day
closed, they were satisfied to "lay their hands upon him" for the work,
thinking, perhaps, that the veteran soldier could not better end his
campaign than with his arms in his hands, actively contending for the
faith. That such might not improbably be the issue of the enterprise, John
Yeardley himself believed; but it is doubtful if he correctly estimated
the arduous nature of the journey. It would have been a bold undertaking
in the vigor of his days: at his time of life, and with his declining
strength, it was, humanly speaking, impossible that he should accomplish
nearly all he had in view.
His Diary unfolds his spiritual exercises and his natural feelings in the
prospect before him.
3 _mo_. 17.--The last two months have been to me an awful time of
deep conflict of spirit, arising out of a prospect of a religious visit to
some places in Asiatic Turkey, and parts adjacent. I do not know when I
have had more conflict to arrive at a clear pointing. I prayed earnestly
and waited long for that clear pointing of Divine Wisdom, without which I
can never move in concerns of this importance. In the end, I am thankful
to say, the cloud was removed and the sun stone with brightness, and no
longer was my poor tried mind left in doubt as to the line of religions
duty; and before mentioning it to any one, I communicated it to the
Monthly Meeting in the Second Month. Much unity and sympathy were
expressed, and the certificate ordered. It is now signed, and is a sweet
document, short and explicit.
I see and deeply feel the perils and sufferings which await me, in
venturing on untrodden ground, as it regards any minister of our Society,
and to such a distance, and among, for the most part, an unbelieving
people. But I can and do look forward in calm confidence, trusting, as I
have ever done, in the aid and protecting care of my Heavenly Father,
whose cause I desire to serve, and whose will I wish above all other
things to do. My earthly career can never end better than in the work of
my Divine Master; and should it be his will to terminate my life in the
Arab tent, I shall have more consolation there than in an English home
under the stinging sense of a dereliction of my religious duty.
I am giving all my leisure hours to learn something of the Turkish
language, for travelling purposes, and for a little social intercourse.
Ever since this concern fastened on my mind, it has been connected with
having the company of my young friend from the South of France, Jules
Paradon.
May the Lord grant me resignation, faith, grace, and strength to do his
holy will; and then, whether it end in life or death, his great name shall
be praised. This testimony I record in gratitude and love to the mercy of
my God. Amen.
Before leaving England, he paid a visit to Staines.
4 _mo._ 20.--I went down to Staines, and spent two weeks with
Margaret Pope, which sojourn proved a strength and comfort to me. This
dear friend is a succorer of many, and, I can truly say, of me in
particular. We had several pleasant drives, and made friendly visits to
the neighboring meetings and Friends. I also applied pretty diligently to
the Turkish language.
Amply provided, by the kindness of many friends, with whatever could
administer to his wants or ease the roughness of Eastern travel, John
Yeardley left his home on the 15th of the Sixth Month. He arrived at
Nismes on the 17th, and was joined there by Jules Paradon. His Diary
supplies some notes of the voyage to Constantinople.
23_rd_.--Malta. Here we arrived at 4 o'clock this morning, after a
favorable passage; thanks to the Preserver of our lives; great is his
mercy and his love. My heart is filled with deep thoughtfulness, and I am
very anxious to procure an interpreter, either at Smyrna or
Constantinople. My faith is weak, but I trust the Lord will provide.
On descending the lower deck adjoining: the large saloon, I found my
faithful companion in calm but very earnest conversation with the
commissary of the ship and a passenger of respectability, the Spanish
consul of Smyrna. They had sifted from Jules the object of our journey,
and when they found it connected with a religious mission, they both
attacked him earnestly and showed themselves really opposed to the truth.
But my young friend stood his ground well, and maintained the Christian
religion. The opponents were both Romanists. They quieted down before the
close, and treated us respectfully the remainder of the journey; we parted
with them at Smyrna. I am thankful to have in my companion such a defender
of the faith.
27_th_.--We arrived at Smyrna this morning, and in order to meet some
of our Christian friends to whom we had letters of recommendation, we met
them after their worship. Edward Van Lennep, the Dutch consul, and his
brother Charles, the Swedish consul, received us with great kindness and
cordiality through the letters from one of our Members of Parliament. It
was very sweet to find these two brothers so imbued with religious
feeling; they gave their hearts to help us in our prospect.
On the 30th John Yeardley and his companion landed at Constantinople; they
found the heat and noise of the city very oppressive.
The people in the streets, says John Yeardley, are numerous beyond all
description; thousands, and tens of thousands, standing, sitting, running,
following, or pushing one against the other, talking and shouting in the
ceaseless noise of the Armenian, Turkish, Greek, Syriac, Italian, French
and English languages. The services of my dear Jules are most valuable: he
makes his way with every one through his earnest kindness to serve the
good cause.
When passing through the islands, he adds, the prospect was extremely
beautiful; but my mind was always anxious in the prospect of the long
journey before us; but the mercy of my God is great, and deeply humbles me
in thankfulness for his goodness.--(_Letter of_ 7 _mo_. 4.)
Very soon after their arrival, walking several hours in the heat of the
day, John Yeardley had a slight attack of sun-stroke. The effect appeared
quickly to pass off, and he was able to perform such religious duty as
opened before him in the city and its immediate neighborhood.
_Diary_. 7 _mo_. 4.--We made a call at Bebek: Dr. Hamlin had
gone to the city, but Dr. Dwight received us kindly. These two dear
Christian, friends called on us yesterday. This morning we attended the
meeting in the Armenian chapel, and at half-past 1 we had a full company
in the same meeting-house. They received in a free and brotherly
disposition what I was favored to express in gospel freedom; I concluded
in supplication. A kind and Christian man interpreted with simplicity into
the Turkish language. The morning service was in the Armenian. We have
already had many calls from these loving Christian friends in our hotel.
What a mercy, and how encouraging, to be thus received in gospel by
strangers!
Respecting this meeting Jules Paradon says:--
About thirty-five or forty were present. Our dear friend's communication
was short and simple; it breathed love to all. In fact, what he seemed to
have most on his mind in all his public communications was, to show his
hearers how much God loved them in even giving his own Son for them, and
the high privilege we can enjoy in loving him.
They went also to Has-Keui, where J.Y. desired to have a meeting with the
girls of the school; but many had left for the vacation, and he was
obliged to give up his intention.
On the 10th they went to Brusa, in Asia Minor, six hours by steam-vessel
across the Sea of Marmora to Moudania, and six on horseback from Moudania
to Brusa. The land journey was oppressive. A narrow path winds through a
very rugged country; and there is only one halting-place, a guard hut,
where they took a cup of coffee, the only refreshment the inmates had to
offer. John Yeardley suffered much in this day's journey.
He had two meetings in the Protestant meeting-house at Brusa:--
Both, says Jules Paradon, took place after the usual service, which was
expressly made short. The hearers, to the number of about 120, were
impressed and interested to hear and see our dear friend come from so far
to visit them in the love of the gospel. Twelve or fourteen men came two
evenings to see us at our lodgings; and on both occasions our dear friend
addressed them very sweetly. The heat tried him very much, but he felt
pleased and happy to be helped to sympathize with so many simple,
kind-hearted people.
At Demirdash (six miles from Brusa), he had a short religious opportunity
with a few persons.
On their return to Constantinople, finding that a box of luggage he
expected from London, containing a tent and other equipments, had not
arrived, without which he could not pursue his journey into the interior,
he employed the interval in visiting Isnik, (the ancient Nicomedia,) and
Bargheghik, two places in Asia Minor, not far from the coast. Accordingly
they started early the next day, and reached Isnik late in the evening,
weary and exhausted, having been able to procure very little refreshment
on the way. They proceeded to Bargheghik the day following; John Yeardley
walking about four miles in the middle of the day, with which he was
extremely fatigued.
He had a meeting, continues Jules Paradon, late in the evening, which
proved highly interesting. About thirty men and one woman attended. Our
dear friend encouraged and consoled the weak and the afflicted. The next
day we returned to Isnik, having to bear the heat of the sun from
half-past eight till three in the afternoon. We had a meeting the same
afternoon at half-past four, towards the close of which he felt weak, and
seemed to end his address rather abruptly.
The fact was, that paralysis had supervened; and on his return the next
day to Constantinople, his bodily and mental strength were seen to be
rapidly diminishing. He still clung, however, to the desire of
accomplishing the object which lay so near his heart, and could not be
satisfied without going to Bebek to consult his missionary friends about
his journey into the interior. Probably they perceived that he was totally
unequal to the effort, and advised him to relinquish it; for on his return
to the city he was induced to abandon the thought of proceeding farther,
and to turn his mind towards home. On the 23rd he said, If after what had
been done he was permitted to go home, it would be a satisfaction.[14]
On the 26th they embarked for Marseilles. John Yeardley bore the voyage
well, walking on deck every day, but becoming continually weaker. They
arrived at Marseilles on the 4th of the Eighth Month, and passed through
France as rapidly as his state would allow. On the evening of Second-day,
the 9th, he was favored to reach Stamford Hill; and though unable to
speak, he recognized several of his near relatives, and signified his
pleasure in being once more at home.
He continued to sink until Fifth-day, the 11th, when he quietly breathed
his last, an expression of peace resting on his venerable face. We may
say, with one of his most intimate friends on the Continent, when he heard
of his decease:--"So our beloved friend has been called to enter into his
Lord's joy. Now he will see God, to whom he often used to pray. 'With thee
is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.'"
His remains were interred at Stoke Newington, on the 18th of the Eighth
Month.
* * * * *
Of the fruits which John Yeardley has bequeathed to us in the history of
his life and Christian experience, none perhaps are of higher value than
his diligent improvement of the talents he possessed and his steady and
persevering pursuit of what he had in view. It is not so much what
abilities a man has that determines his place in society, and the amount
of his influence, as the use which he makes of them. Of this truth John
Yeardley was a striking example. We have heard him say, in one of his
early diaries: "I have clearly seen, for what service I am designed in the
church militant here on earth; therefore, through the assistance of divine
grace, I hope to pursue nothing but in subordination to this main design."
The service to which he was called was the Christian ministry; and, laying
aside every meaner ambition, and indeed every other object, he addressed
himself to preparation for this service as the labor of his life. He
cultivated those habits of mind and body, and confined himself to the
acquisition of those branches of knowledge, which, while they left his
heavenly gift free and unsullied, would best subserve the exercise of it.
His industry and perseverance were remarkable. In none of his pursuits
were these qualities more conspicuous than in his study of languages. It
cost him, especially, an almost incredible amount of labor to master
French. The slight elementary knowledge of this language which he acquired
at Bentham cannot have given him so much as an insight into it; his
acquaintance with it may be said to date from his visit to Congenies, when
he had reached his fortieth year. Yet, by indefatigable exertion,
maintained during many years, he became able to write and speak it
fluently, though, not correctly, and even to preach without an
interpreter. The difficulty which he encountered in the acquisition of
languages, from the late period of life at which he commenced, was
enhanced by his ignorance of Latin, that best trainer of the youthful
faculties, and by a natural inaptitude for the memory of words. A proof of
the latter occurred when, with his quick-witted wife, he was occupied in
conning over the Italian and Modern Greek Grammars, in preparation for
their journey to the Ionian Islands. The difference in their natural
capacities in this respect is shown in her playful expression; "I got my
lesson in half an hour; while John has been three or four hours over his,
and does not know it yet."
But although slow in study, he was quick and shrewd in the observation of
actual life. This was apparent in his daily converse; and it may also be
continually traced in his Diary, where, describing those with whom he
became acquainted in his numerous travels, he seizes, on the prominent
feature of their mind or manners, and with a word affixes to each his own
particular mark. Of the hundreds of individuals who rise into view one
after another in the course of these journeys, scarcely two are alike; a
result which is, perhaps, due as much to the pen of the writer, as to the
inherent diversities of the human character.
To this shrewdness of observation, he added a racy humor which those who
knew him in his hours of relaxation and familiarity will not easily
forget. His mind was stored with quaint and pithy phrases, and apt
illustrations, which he not unfrequently seasoned with his native idiom,
the broad Barnsley dialect. His north-country pronunciation, indeed, never
entirely forsook him; and the singular graft of German which he made upon
it during his residence abroad, caused it to be commonly supposed, by
those who were strangers to his history, that he was a native of Germany.
The same moral constitution that enabled John Yeardley to pursue his
objects with indomitable perseverance, sometimes betrayed him, as may
easily be imagined, into a tenacity of purpose, bordering upon obstinacy.
To the same strength of will also, acting on the defects incident to a
neglected education in early life, must be attributed those strong
prejudices which were at times to be remarked in him, and of which he
found it extremely difficult to divest himself. But it was the triumph of
grace, that whilst these faults of character and disposition remained for
the most part only as a hidden thorn, the messenger of Satan to buffet
him, the virtues to which they were allied, and all the faculties of his
mind, were consecrated to the service of God and of his fellow-man, and
his whole nature was enlarged, refined and elevated, by the all-powerful
energy of the gospel.
"Very sweet and instructive are our recollections of the humility of his
walk amongst us, and of the liveliness of his ministry, marked as it was
by much simplicity, love and earnestness." To this testimony of his
Monthly Meeting, all who were accustomed to hear him will readily
subscribe.
We are able to append some notes of a few of his public testimonies, which
we give as likely to be at once gratifying and instructive to the reader.
The friend to whom we are indebted for them informs us that "the notes
were written immediately after meeting, and are as nearly the words used
as his memory would furnish." He adds, "They bring before the mind's eye
and ear the face and voice of a dear departed friend, and, I believe, a
true and enlightened servant of the Lord."
* * * * *
(8 _mo_, 1850.)
_Keep thy heart, with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of
life_.--(Proverbs iv. 23.)
We often are made to feel the force of this truth, when we have been
unwatchful, and some cross occurrence has tried our tempers. How often we
are made to see, and to show before others, what manner of spirit is in
as.....
Sometimes we are favored with such clear convictions of the worthlessness
of mere worldly possessions and pursuits, and such delightful realizations
of the happiness of seeking to do the Lord's work, that we are ready to
express our astonishment that any human beings can be found so foolish as
to devote their energies to the pursuit of things which never can give
satisfaction, and which must needs perish. And then, perhaps, we are
brought into a state of darkness and despondency, to show us our utter
helplessness and unworthiness, and the need there is for every one of us
to "keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of
life."....
Every individual, no doubt, has his own particular path of duty, which is
designed to promote his own best happiness and the well-being of all
mankind. How important for each to follow that path in watchfulness and
obedience, that the work may not be marred! How important to keep the
heart with all diligence, that the issues of life may be in accordance
with divine will!
* * * * *
(9 _mo_. 1, 1850.)
_Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the
Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty_.--(2 Chronicles
xxxi. 10.)
These words have been impressed upon my mind this morning, and I have
thought they were instructive, in a spiritual sense. I believe, if we were
more earnest in bringing offerings into the house of the Lord--if each one
of us was more diligent in contributing his share, and doing his part of
the Lord's business,--we should have less anxiety about worldly things; we
should have faith in the Lord's providence, and, not only spiritually, but
naturally also, we should have "enough to eat and plenty left."
* * * * *
(11 _mo_. 24, 1850.)
In looking at the world around, we may be apt to think that the day is
very far off when the Lord's kingdom, shall be established in peace: but
to those who, through the regenerating power of Christ, have become
subjects of the Prince of Peace, that day has commenced already; and
whatever storms may rage without, they will experience peace within. For
"he will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are staid on him, because
they trust in him."
* * * * *
(9 _mo_. 19, 1852.)
John Yeardley addressed the children with much feeling, telling them to
rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ways--to let him carry them in
his bosom, and to run to him in danger or trouble, as they would to their
tender mothers.
* * * * *
You sometimes are restless in these meetings, not knowing how to keep your
thoughts fixed on heavenly things, and perplexed for want of some visible
means of instruction. I believe your tender Saviour may often feed you,
even while in this state, with food convenient for you. But remember, dear
children, that he is always calling to every one of you, Come unto Me.
Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not. O! come to
him, my precious lambs, and he will feed you, and "lead you beside the
still waters, and make you lie down in green pastures."
* * * * *
(12 _mo_. 8, 1854 At a Funeral.)
_And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs
and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away._--(Isa. xxxv. 10.)
In the pain of parting with the beloved object of our heart's affection,
we forget the rejoicing which welcomes the ransomed spirit to its
everlasting rest. But when the time is come for the Lord to pour in the
healing balm into the sorrowing soul, then we find a little comfort. ....
"Watchman! what of the night? Watchman! what of the night? The watchman
said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire
ye: return; come." There are many in this company in the morning of life,
enjoying the prospect of many days, and forming many plans for the future,
with all the ardor of their youthful minds. May the present occasion prove
the morning of their spiritual day; and may they remember that the
_night cometh as well as the morning_.
How thin is the partition which separates the present state from that of
eternity! We mourn over those who are taken away from us, and we fancy we
are left alone. But we are called to be _one in Christ_. I have great
faith in the communion of saints, in the union of saints on earth with
saints in heaven. And we are all called to be saints by walking in faith,
by leading a life of holiness in the fear of the Lord. We say our beloved
friends who have gone before us are dead. _They are not dead: they have
but just entered into life._ Let us not mourn, then, as those who have no
hope. Let us rather rejoice with them and for them, and so live that we
may be among the ransomed of the Lord, who shall return and come to Zion
with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing
shall flee away.
THE END.
[Footnote 1:
The memorandum here referred to is in the Diary, under date of the 18th of
the Sixth Month.]
[Footnote 2:
Life of B. Grubb, 2nd ed., p. 219.]
[Footnote 3:
The introduction was made by Thomas Shillitoe, at the time of the Yearly
Meeting. He said to M.S., "Let me introduce thy brother to thee."
"_Brother_!" she exclaimed, with surprise. "Yes," answered the good
old man; "all who have been on the Continent are brothers and sisters."]
[Footnote 4:
Pastor Fliedner has since become more extensively known by the institution
for Deaconesses which he has founded at Kaiserswerth, where, with many
other useful and exemplary women, Florence Nightingale was trained.
Kaiserwerth has become the parent of several other kindred institutions.]
[Footnote 5:
This is one of the earliest burial-grounds which belonged to Friends. Over
the gateway was a curious inscription on brass, now removed to Barnsley.
It is as follows:
"Anno Domini 1657. Though superstitious minds doe judge amisse of this
buriall plane, yet lett them know hereby that the Scripture saith, The
earth, it is the Lord's. And I say soe is this, therefore seeing we, and
by his people also sett apart for the churches use, or a buriall place, it
is holy, or convenient and good for that use and service, as every other
earth is. And it is not without Scripture warrant or example of the holy
men of God to burie in snoh a place; for Joshua, a servant of the Lord and
commander in chiefe or leader and ruler of the people of God when he died
was neither buried in a steeple-house now called a parish church, nor in a
steeple-house-yeard, but he was buried in the border of his inheritance,
and on the north side of Mount Gaash, as you may read; see Joshua, the
24th chapter, and the 29th and 30th verses. And Eleazer, Aaron's son, who
was called of the Lord, when he died, (they buried him not in a parish
house, nor a steeple-house yeard, but) they buried him in the hill of
Phinehas, his son, which was given him in Mount Ephraim, as you may read,
Joshua, the 24th, the 33rd v. And these were noe superstitious persons,
but beloved, of the Lord, and were well buried. And soe were they In
Abraham's bought field, Genesis, the 23rd chapter, the 17, 18, 19, and 20
verses: though superstitious minds now are unwilling unto the truth to
bow, who are offended at such as burie in their inheritance or bought
field, appointed for that use."]
[Footnote 6:
This young person, under the name of Amanda, is the subject of No. 7 of a
series of small tracts published by John Yeardley in the latter years of
his life.]
[Footnote 7:
She brought an affectionate epistle from M.A. Calame. The felicity of
style and beauty of penmanship which distinguished the letters of this
extraordinary woman agreed with the rest of her character. We have the
epistle in question now before us, exquisitely written. It ends with these
words;--
"Il nous eût étè bien doux de prononger les moments de la voir encore,
mais la sagesse demande que tout se fasse avec ordre; voilà pourquoi notre
chère enfant vous est confiée plus tôt; que le seigneur l'accompagne et
vous aussi, precieux amis; nous vous confions tous trois à la garde
divine, et nous vous assurons encore ici de l'affection Chrétienne qui
unit nos ames aux vôtres en Celui qui est le lieu indissoluble.
M. A. Calame."
Locle, 24 du 9 mois, '33.]
[Footnote 8:
We believe Joseph John Gurney is here referred to.]
[Footnote 9:
See _The Widow's Mite_, No. 5 of J.Y.'s Series of Tracts.]
[Footnote 10:
The visits of J. and M.Y. to Kreuznach, in this journey, form the subject
of No. 8 of John Yeardley's Series of Tracts, _The German Farmer become
Preacher._ We extract from it the following more particular description
of their visit to the three villages mentioned in the text:--
"We started on a bright, hot sunny morning; and a pleasant drive, through
the vines and under the agreeable shade of double rows of fruit trees,
brought us to the place of destination. At the first farmhouse where we
alighted the people were busy at their out-door work, which, however, on
hearing of the arrival of strangers, they soon left, and came to welcome
the travellers with outstretched hand and smiling countenances. They soon
gave proof of their hospitality, by ordering us to be served with fruit,
milk, and butter-bread, nor were we allowed to depart before partaking of
a cup of coffee. The master of the house was an intelligent, pious man,
and gave us much information as to the state of religion among the people.
After wending our way from village to village and from house to house, we
returned to our lodgings, favorably impressed with the piety and apparent
sincerity of this simplehearted people."]
[Footnote 11:
The history of this worthy man is given in the Tract mentioned in the last
note, _The German Farmer_, &c.]
[Footnote 12:
See John Yeardley's Tract, No. 5, _The Widow's Mite cast into the
Heavenly Treasury._]
[Footnote 13:
or a fuller description of this visit, see J.Y.'s Tract, _The German
Farmer_, &c.]
[Footnote 14:
After his return, a letter was received from one of the missionaries at
Constantinople, expressive of the pleasure which his visit had given
there, the regret of the writer that age and fatigue prevented him from
pursuing his journey to the more remote stations, and the cordial welcome
which "such Christian friends of any denomination" might always reckon
upon from the missionary brethren.]