enabled to perform a service which scarcely any one else would have been
equally qualified to render.

There was in him, so far as my observation went, no approach towards an
assumption of spiritual dignity; nor was there, on the other hand, that
which is perhaps a more frequent defect, anything of _feigned_
humility. His whole character seemed to me perfectly unaffected. To
whatever extent, therefore, his natural disposition may have fitted him
for profitable intercourse with the young, I think that the qualities
which I have attempted to describe rendered him peculiarly acceptable to
them. Many times, whilst he was amongst us, he alluded--I believe even in
his public ministry--to his delight in their society, somewhat in this
manner: "I love the company of those who tread the earth with an elastic
step." This prominent trait in his character was a striking illustration
of what may be termed _the corrective tendency_ of true religion, by
which in advanced life he was enabled to place himself, under the precious
influence of the love of Christ, in thorough sympathy with those whose
circumstances, in many respects, were so different from, his own.

But my object was to describe John Yeardley's meetings in Bristol. The
truth is, however, that in describing the man, one seems most truly to
describe his service. In addition to his family visits, he met a large
company of our members in our meeting-house, and gave an interesting
narrative of his journeys in Southern Russia and Greece. He afterwards
invited many of our young friends, especially those who were engaged as
teachers in our First-day Schools, to spend an evening with him. Meeting
at the house of a kind friend, we had an opportunity of hearing from his
own lips some interesting details of his labors, chiefly, I think, in
reference to the schools in Greece. With characteristic simplicity, he
made various inquiries respecting our own First-day Schools, in which he
felt a deep interest. The occasion was of a very sociable and easy
character, and well calculated to promote in his young friends the
_healthy tone_ of religious feeling which seemed so peculiarly to
belong to himself.

After Martha Yeardley's decease, and as years rolled on, his mind dwelt
still more habitually and more confidingly than ever on the approaching
end of the race.

4 _mo._ 24.--I cannot say my spirits are always high. There is an
individuality in the allotment of each of us which we m