required of me, apprehending if thou art faithful unto the Lord, thou wilt
find it to be thy duty at times to leave thy worldly concerns to attend
religious meetings, which may cause thee deep and heavy trials; but
remember for thy encouragement, the promise of the hundred-fold in this
world, and in that which is to come, eternal life.

Thou art favored with a pious though afflicted mother, and a
religiously-exercised elder brother, who, I doubt not, will rejoice to see
thee grow in the truth. May you all be blessed with the blessing of
preservation, and strengthened to keep your ranks in righteousness, and
may you be a strength and comfort to each other, and hold up a standard of
truth and righteousness in the neighborhood where your lot is cast. Do not
flinch, my beloved friend; be not ashamed to become a true follower of
Christ. When little things are required of thee, be faithful; thus shalt
thou be made ruler over more; when greater things are manifested to be thy
duty, remember the Lord is 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.