able to support, who declared by the mouth of
his prophet formerly, "Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the
birds round about are against her." But if the Lord be on our side, it
matters little who may be permitted to arise against us, for his power is
above all the combined powers of the wicked one, and he will bless and
preserve those who above all things are concerned to serve him faithfully,
which that thou mayest be is the sincere desire of thy truly loving and
affectionate friend,

JOSEPH WOOD.

The word which had been so fitly spoken took deep root in John Yeardley's
heart, and on the following New-year's day he went up to Newhouse to
converse with his experienced and sympathizing friend.

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
Tho