be honored and adored for thus condescending to own us on such important
occasions. Iron is said to sharpen iron; and I thought it was a little the
case with me at this season, feeling very desirous to enjoy that within
myself which I so much admire in others.

8 _mo_. 13.--Many days have I gone mourning on my way, for what cause
I know not; but if I can only abide in patience till the day break and the
shadows flee away, then I trust the King of righteousness will again
appear.

25_th_.--In contemplating a little the character of that good man,
Nehemiah, I cannot but think it worthy our strictest imitation, when we
consider the heartfelt concern he manifested for the welfare of his
people, in saying, "Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that
we be no more a reproach." This proved him to be a man of a noble spirit
and a disinterested mind, and, I say, worthy our strictest imitation; for
to what nobler purpose can we dedicate our time than in endeavoring to
build up the broken places which are made in the walls of our Zion?


In the following entry is shown a just insight into the nature of man, and
a discernment of the uses and limits of human knowledge. Although John
Yeardley's talents were not brilliant, and his opportunities were scanty,
he possessed that intellectual thirst which cannot be slaked but at the
fountain of knowledge. At the same time he was sensitively alive to the
necessity of having all his pursuits, of whatever kind, kept within the
golden measure of the Spirit of Truth.


11 _mo_. 11.--In taking a view of some of the temporal objects to