ever
to be separated from her: she seemed to be hovering over me constantly. My
heart does sorrow for the loss of her sweet society; to me she was a wise
and sound counsellor, and a never-failing consoler in all my troubles. I
do mourn, but I dare not murmur. I hope my merciful Heavenly Father will
keep me in the hour of temptation, and be with me in the last trying hour,
and prepare me to join this precious one and all by whom she is surrounded
with her God and Saviour in the centre of bliss.

I had often mentioned to my precious one a prospect of religious service
in Ireland, and once since our return home from our last Continental
journey; when she replied, "I have no concern to go to Ireland--thou must
do that when I am taken from thee." It cost me many tears and prayers
before I could be resigned to request a certificate, alone, for the first
time since our union; but, looking seriously at the subject, the language
was constantly in my heart, The hour cometh when no man can work. Life is
uncertain, and I can only expect sustaining grace by faithfully following
my Lord: and, blessed be his name, he has kept and sustained me in every
trial.

This day would have been the twenty-fifth anniversary of our union. How
near it has brought my precious one to me in spirit, and how strong are my
prayers that my Lord may preserve me faithful to the end of the race! I
can say my desire is, when he cometh, he may not find me idle.

The visit which John Yeardley made in Ireland was general, comprehending
all, or nearly all, the meetings of Friends in the island, and including a
few public meetings in Leinster province. He has left very few notes of
this journey, except an itinerary of the places at which he stopped, but
makes frequent mention of the hospitality and kindness of Friends. From
Cork he writes:--

I am in the midst of a family visit to the Friends of Cork, and shall
have, I expect, from ninety to a hundred sittings. I am lodged a few miles
in the country, in a mansion surrounded by beautiful grounds, and all the
beloved inmates most affectionate and helpful to me. They send me to my
work in or about the city mostly to breakfast; and I return, in the
evening, and enjoy the refreshing breezes and the quiet: but then I have
the family visits to resume next morning. In riding to town to-day, I
tried to raise my heart to God; when the language sweetly occurred to me,
Bread shall be given thee, thy water shall be sure