nviting us to have a meeting with them when we came again that way.

This favored time, at the close of our labors among a people whom I much
love, seemed like a crown on our exit from long-to-be-remembered Wales. My
heart was humbled in reverent thankfulness to the Father of all our
mercies, who had graciously preserved us in outward danger, and sustained
us in many an inward conflict.

At Coalbrookdale they bade an affectionate and gospel farewell to the
Friends with whom they had been so closely united in this long journey,
and returned to Burton on the 20th of the Tenth Month.

In the Eleventh Month they made a circuit through Lancashire, taking all
the meetings of Friends in course. They found "several meetings chiefly
composed of such as had joined the Society on the ground of convincement,
mostly in places where no ministering Friend resided." In visiting one of
these small meetings, John Yeardley relates a circumstance in the gospel
labors of his friend Joseph Wood:--

We visited a little newly-settled meeting at Thornton Marsh, near Poulton
in the Fylde. Our worthy friend Joseph Wood had the first meeting of our
Society that was ever held in this part. It is so thinly inhabited that
the Friends wondered at his concern to request a meeting; but one was
appointed for him at an inn, I think a solitary house; a good many poor
people came, and it was a most remarkable time. J.W. said afterwards he
believed there would be a meeting of Friends in that neighborhood, but
perhaps not in his time. It has now been settled about eighteen months.

This journey occupied them about two weeks, and on returning home John
Yeardley makes the following animating remark:--

The retrospect of this journey in connexion with that of Wales afforded a
sweet feeling of peace. We were often low and discouraged, but help was
mercifully extended in the time of need. I often wish I had more faith to
go forth in entire reliance on the Divine Arm of power, for truly in the
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

On the conclusion of this engagement followed a month of quiet but
industrious occupation at home.

12 _mo_. 25.--A month has been spent in the quiet, in reading, writing,
and many other things in course. Leisure being afforded, I have spent a
good deal of time in reading diligently and attentively the Holy
Scriptures, I trust to some profit.

After this seasonable pause, John and Martha Yeardley were much occupied