ment desirous to keep
eternity continually before my view, and to let outward things hang more
fully on the dependence of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the
ground without his notice. (11 _mo_. 30.)

12 _mo_, 1.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious
time. Our spirits have been much tendered in reading some account of the
lives and deaths of our worthy Friends recorded in Sewel's History. Tears
so overpowered the reader and the hearers, that the reading was at times
obliged to be suspended until we had given relief to our feelings.

In addition to this meeting, John Yeardley established another for the
young, to be held on Fourth-day evening, "in which they might improve
themselves in reading, and acquire a knowledge of the principles of the
Society, with other branches of useful information." The young women were
to bring their work; and it was his delight to interrupt the reading with
religious instruction, and such remarks as a father makes for the
improvement and gratification of his children. We see him here for the
first time in a character in which he was well known to the present
generation in various parts of England, viz., as an instructor and guide
of the youth. In noticing in his Diary the formation of the Youths'
Meeting at Pyrmont, he comments with pleasure on the innocent cheerful
manners of his audience, and on the advantages which might be looked for
from this kind of social intercourse.

The last entry in this year records an occasion of near approach to the
throne of grace in prayer in the little congregation at Pyrmont.

12 _mo_. 29, _First-day_.--A most remarkable season of divine
favor in our evening assembly. The awe which I had felt over my spirit the
whole of the day, and not feeling freedom to break my mind in the meeting
in the morning, induced me to look to the evening opportunity with fear
and trembling, which indeed is always the case when I feel the Master's
hand upon me. The most solemn act of worship, that of public supplication,
so powerfully impressed my mind, that I believed it right to yield to the
motion, which I humbly trust was done in due reverence and humility of
soul. Our spirits were so humbled under feelings of good that it seemed as
if the secrets of all hearts were presented before the throne of grace, to
ask forgiveness for former transgressions, strength to serve the Most High
with more acceptance, and to be finally prepared to reign with hi