d quite open, and gave
us a particular account of the manner of their convincement and beginning
to attend Friends' meetings, which was about four years ago. I believe
there is a good degree of sincerity in the man and his wife, and the two
sons appear to be tender and hopeful.

The next month Joseph Wood repeated his visit, and gives an account of the
interview in the following words:--

5 _mo_., 1803.--Having ever since I was at Joel Yeardley's the last
month, felt my mind drawn to sit with the family, and this appearing to me
to be the right time, I set out from home the 14th of the Fifth Month, in
company with John Bottomley. Got to Joel Yeardley's betwixt four and five
o'clock. After tea, Thomas Dixon Walton and Samuel Coward of Barnsley came
to meet us there. In the evening we had a precious opportunity together,
in which caution, counsel, advice, and encouragement flowed plentifully,
suited to the varied states of the family. I had a long time therein
first, from 1 Cor. xv. 58; John Bottomley next. Afterwards I had a pretty
long time, after which J.B. was concerned in prayer. At the breaking up of
the opportunity I had something very encouraging to communicate to their
son Thomas, who, I believe, is an exercised youth, to whom my spirit felt
very nearly united.

Joel Yeardley unhappily did not long remain faithful to his convictions.
He not only himself drew back from intercourse with Friends, but was
unwilling his sons should leave their work to attend week-day meetings,
and did all in his power to prevent them. This is shown by the following
narrative from Joseph Wood's memoranda:--

As William Wass and I were going to attend a Committee at Highflatts, on
our Monthly Meeting day, in the morning, we met with Thomas Yeardley of
Blacker, near Worsbro', a young man who is under convincement. I was a
little surprised to see him having on a green singlet and smock frock. He
burst out into tears; I inquired the matter, and if something was amiss at
home; he only replied, "Not much;" and we not having time to atop,
proceeded, and he went forward to my house. This was on the 19th of the
Ninth Month, 1803.

After the Monthly Meeting was over, I had an opportunity to inquire into
the cause of his appearance and trouble, and found that he was religiously
concerned to attend weekday meetings, which his father was much averse to;
and in order to procure his liberty he had worked almost beyond his
ability; but al