On the 1st of the First Month, 1804, (writes Joseph Wood,) John Yeardley came to my house, on purpose to see me.  He got here betwixt ten and eleven o’clock in the forenoon, attended our meeting and tarried with us until after tea, and then returned home.  He is a hopeful youth, tender in spirit, and of a sweet natural disposition; was convinced of the truth in an opportunity I had at his father’s house, and, I hope, is likely to do well.  I love him much, and much desire his preservation, growth, and establishment upon the everlasting foundation, against which the gates of Hell are not able to prevail.

Shortly after this, we obtain from John Yeardley’s own hand an insight into the depth of those religious convictions which had so mercifully been vouchsafed to him.  The manner in which this interesting memorandum concludes is quaint, but it expresses a resolution to which he was enabled to adhere in a remarkable degree throughout the course of his long life; for of him it may be said that, beyond many, his pursuits, his aims, and his conversation were not of the world, but were bounded by the line of the Gospel, and animated by its self-denying spirit.

Blacker, 2 mo. 9, 1804.—­As I pursued these earthly enjoyments, it pleased the Lord, in the riches of his mercy to turn me back in the blooming of my youth, and favor me with the overshadowing of his love, to see the splendid pleasures that so easily detained my precious time.  He was graciously pleased to call me to the exercise of that important work which must be done in all our hearts, which appears to me no small cross to my own will, and attended with many discouragements; yet I am made to believe it is the way wherein I ought to go; and I trust Thou, O Lord, who hast called, will enable me to give up, and come forward in perfect obedience to the manifestations of thy divine light, so as a thorough change may be wrought, that I may be fitted and prepared for a place in thy everlasting kingdom.  Though at times I am led into great discouragement, and almost ready to faint by the way, fearing I shall never be made conqueror over those potent enemies who so much oppose my happiness, O be Thou near in these needful times, and underneath to bear me up in all the difficulties which it is necessary I should pass through for my further refinement, whilst I have a being in this earthly pilgrimage.  Strong are the ties that seem to attach me to the earth; but O!  I have cause to believe, from a known sense, stronger are the ties of thy overshadowing Spirit than all the ties of natural affection.  Great and frequent are the trials and temptations, and narrow is the way wherein we ought to walk; alas! too narrow for many.  O may I ever be preserved, faithfully forward to the eternal land of rest!