Catching then a glimpse of the glorious calling of the Gospel minister, he breaks forth in the following strain:—­

If I am ambitious in anything on earth, it is to be eminently useful in His cause.  I can say with the wise man, I ask neither riches nor honor, except the honor which cometh from doing the will of God; but I do ask for “an understanding heart.”  I trust I can say in the deepest sincerity that I could renounce, if they were in my power, the riches and honor of ten thousand earthly worlds in purchase of a double portion of that holy unction which rested on Elisha’s spirit.  These are bold sayings, but my Saviour tells me that as there is no limitation to his goodness to grant, so there is no limitation in asking of him for the gift of his Holy Spirit.  But then what manner of man ought this to be on whom shall be conferred such great honor!  Surely it must be left to Himself to prepare the vessel before he pours in the oil.

We have already made an extract from the diary of the 3rd of the Twelfth Month in connection with John Yeardley’s call to visit Germany.  The same diary supplies us with the description of a spiritual opening for the benefit of others with which he was favored in the same meeting.

In my minute for First-day last I mentioned its being an instructive meeting to me.  Towards the conclusion a simile of this kind arose and spread before my view:  As wax when melted by the fire or the candle is then only capable of receiving the impression of the stamp put upon it, so also are our minds only capable of receiving impressions of divine good when our spirits are melted and contrited before the Lord.  As these seasons are not at our command, it appeared to me to be of the highest importance for us to endeavor to preserve and improve them as the best means of testifying our gratitude to the great Donor.  The impression which the above contemplation made on my spirit proved like a morsel of bread to my soul, which I found I could not conceal, though I struggled hard to eat it alone, it seeming so insignificant to hand to others; but at length I gave up, and felt it to be a time wherein some among the few present were melted as wax before the fire, and had a portion of divine goodness afresh imprinted on their minds; and my spirit craved that they might not prove as “the morning cloud and as the early dew that goeth away.”

On the 7th of the Twelfth Month Elizabeth Yeardley was suddenly prostrated by an alarming attack of illness, from which, however, she soon rallied, though she never entirely regained her previous state of health.  Possibly her husband alludes to this afflictive occurrence in the following memorandum:—­

12 mo. 10.—­How varied is our passing along in this vale of tears!  First-day last was a day of brightness, and this day has been one of comparative death and darkness.  I have been made to know something of the saying recorded by the prophet,—­“Who is among you that feareth the Lord,” &c., “that walketh in darkness and hath no light.”  This has appeared to be my portion this day, and I find it hard work to “trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon my God.”