The soul-winner: : a sketch of facts and incidents in the life and labors of Edmund J. Yard, for sixty-three years a "Class-Leader" and Hospital-Visitor in Philadelphia

Preface

MANY friends of Edmund J. Yard have expressed a desire for the publication of a record of his life.

It has seemed to me that the work of preparing such a record should be performed by

some one more competent than myself, but those whom I deem judicious advisers insist that the task — pleasing in itself, yet beset with many difficulties — should be undertaken by his only sister.

A^ a feeble tribute to one of the best of brothers, it is sent forth with the fervent prayer that He who made Edmund J. Yard what he was, may use it for the encouragement and profit of many of His dear children,

4 Preface.

and especially that by it some may be incited to earnest effort on the lines of Christian usefulness in which he moved.

The fields for such usefulness are ever open,

and the wants of perishing humanity within them are ever pleading for sympathizing workers. Those who are disposed to respond to the calls of the Master for laborers to work in his vineyard, but feel their lack of the skill and perseverance necessary to large success will do well to study the examples of Christian work narrated in the following pages.

Introduction

"TV If Y personal acquaintance with the subject of the following memoir commenced in 1843, when I was pastor of the Green-street Church, Trenton, N. J., in which his mother, brother, sister, and other relatives were members. From that time forward to the close of his earthly pilgrimage, I counted him among my dearest Christian friends. I was accustomed to call upon him whenever I could, and always found my interviews with him instructive and refreshing in a religious point of view. He was thoroughly in sympathy with all the duties and enterprises in which, from time to time, I was engaged, whether pastoral, editorial, secretarial, or educational. His experiences, in fact, though in a local sphere, touched upon all these lines of Christian effort, and became to me in my official work an added inspiration. I can therefore testify from personal knowledge to his large-hearted hospitality, his Christian generosity, and his intelligent appreciation of every branch of Church work, as well as to his tireless zeal to win souls for Christ and build them up in Christian character by every means in his power.

For many years I was accustomed to speak of him as the MODEL CLASS-LEADER, and to say that for this characteristic, if for no other, his life ought to be handed down to posterity in a well-written biography. But when to this characteristic were added those of the hospital visitor, the revival worker, the Bible giver, the Christian letter-writer, and the man who had the capacity, the tact, and the faith to win souls for Christ in all varieties of circumstances, I deemed it of no small importance that memorials of his life and labors should be prepared for publication. I was, therefore, greatly pleased when his sister, Mrs. James, although in feeble health and pressed with other engagements, undertook the task of writing the present volume. How favorable was the result anticipated by others also may be seen from the following resolutions passed respectively by the Philadelphia and New Jersey Conferences at their sessions of 1880.

The session of the Philadelphia Conference for that year was held in the Union Church, of which Mr. Yard had been so long an honored member. It was therefore with exceeding appropriateness that the Rev. Joseph Castle, D.D., who had once been his pastor, and who has since departed this life, offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

Whereas, The late Edmund J. Yard was extensively known and greatly beloved in his capacity of class-leader and hospital visitor in the city of Philadelphia ; and

Whereas, We have learned with pleasure that a memoir of his life and labors has been nearly completed by his esteemed sister, Mrs. James ; and

Whereas, We believe a record of his worthy example as a Christian worker will be greatly calculated to do good, both in the present and in coming generations; therefore,

Resolved, That this Conference heartily commends to our Book Editors and Agents in the New York publication of the proposed memoir in such style and form as will conduce to its wide circulation.

The New Jersey Conference met the same year in the city of Camden. In that body a similar paper was offered by Revs. Charles H. Whitecar and John S. Heisler. It was passed with cordial unanimity in the following terms :

Whereas, The late Edmund J. Yard, who was for the long period of sixty-three years, a successful class-leader and hospital visitor in Philadelphia, was well and favorably known to many ministers of this Conference, and to many members of our churches ; and

Whereas, We have learned that Mrs. Mary D. James, also well known to us as an able writer, has nearly completed a memoir of the life and labors of her lamented brother, under a most appropriate title, "The Soul Winner;" and

Whereas, We cannot doubt that such a work will be extensively popular and useful ; therefore,

Resolved, That we respectfully recommend to the Book Agents at New York the prompt publication of the said memoir, pledging ourselves hereby to promote its circulation as extensively as practicable among our people.

Now that the book, as prepared by Mrs. James, is accessible to the public, it may be commended as adapted to general and widespread circulation. Although brief and unpretentious, it will be found worthy to take rank with the best religious biographies, and as such to serve as a means of instruction and edification to all who may peruse its pages.

To many surviving friends it will come as a io Introduction.

joyous and profitable reminiscence of a person only known to be loved and venerated. To those who are inquiring how they may become useful as Christians, it will give the plainest and most satisfactory answers possible in the form of a practical example.

The following characteristics of the book entitle it to a deserved popularity :

1. It is American. Much of the religious biography circulated in this country is of foreign origin, and although excellent in character and influence, is less relevant to the circumstances of American readers than the matter of the present volume.

2. It presents a beautiful example of Christian character and influence from common and secular life. A large proportion of religious biography, both English and American, is clerical and, therefore, limited in the range of its special instructiveness. Here is an example taken from e very-day business life, and yet

Introduction. i i

abounding in admirable traits of character and incidents of extraordinary usefulness. On every page it illustrates the principle so well embodied in a couplet of the hymn entitled, "Your Mission:"

" If you want a field of labor, You can find it anywhere."

3. In size, style, and subject it is adapted to interest and instruct the young. Hence it should have a place in every Sunday-school library and in many families, and should be commended to children and youth who desire to make their lives beautiful if not sublime.

4. It is specially adapted to be placed in the hands of Christian converts as a means of teaching them by example how to develop Christian character through acts and habits of usefulness. Hence it should be widely circulated as a tract volume.

5. Added to all this, the book has special charms for persons advancing in years. It exhibits a rare instance of an old age green and beautiful, notwithstanding the ills and adversities to which humanity is subject. It shows how the palm-tree, planted by the river of God, bears fruit in old age, while its leaf does not wither till transplanted to the paradise above. D. P. K.

New York, Sept., 1881.

Chapter I Boyhood

Birth and parentage — Early traits — Helpfulness to his mother — Religious convictions Page 21

Chapter II. Won By The Word

Bible-reading — A. great change — Love for God, his word, his worship, and his people — Methodist meetings — A decisive act — Opposition — Joining the Church — A rebuke to triflers — Persecutions and triumphs 25

Chapter III. First Trophies

Opposers conquered by love — Personal effort — A young man forsakes the ball-room for the prayer-meeting — Young men converted and their subsequent career — First Methodist church in Trenton, N. J. — " Bethesda " — The ' ' boy preacher " and the effect of his message Page 35

Chapter IV. Light On The Pathway

Helpers — "Living grace" and "dying grace" — Made a class-leader — Camp-meeting — Learns of the "higher Christian life " — Meeting for the promotion of holiness 44

Chapter V. New Power

Conference in Philadelphia — Devoted women — Rev. Joseph Lybrand — Experience of perfect love — Divine anointing for work — Views of the Christian life 53

Chapter VI. New Opportunities

Removal to Philadelphia — Helpful associations — Mrs. Page and her work in prisons and hospitals — Influence of her example — Signal answer to prayer — His mother — Her happy death 62 chapter vii.

TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY.

Marriage — Domestic felicity — Entrance into business — Reverses — Months of darkness — A message from God — The way providentially opened — An honest insolvent — Bereavement — Refining influence of trial Page 69

Chapter VIII. Self-sacrificing Labor

Christian effort among sick colored people — Trophies — A hard heart melted by love — A consumptive healed, body and soul — Joy in work for Jesus 77

Chapter IX. In The Class-room

Class-leaders sub-pastors — Mr. Yard's work and popularity in this sphere 1 — Recollections of one of his class-members — Use of the sword of the Spirit — Skill in enlisting sympathy and prayer in behalf of the afflicted and impenitent — Happy results — Leading four classes each week — Habits of promptness — Visits to the sick — Bedford Street mission-class 86 chapter x.

AT THE HOSPITAL.

Sabbath afternoons among sufferers — Characters reached — The benediction of his presence and words — The young Dane — The wounded coal-heaver — The dying consumptive — "The sailor-boy" — "Nobody cares for sailors" — An orphan — Converted — Discouraged — Reclaimed— Bravery in naval engagement — Subsequent illness and triumphant death — Honored at his funeral Page 99

Chapter XI. At Camp-meetings

Too busy for summer vacations — The patriarch in his cherished work amid the spiritual influences of the tented grove — A hardened young man awakened — Terrific conflict — Forgives and is forgiven 119

Chapter XII. On The Wing

Conversations on steam-boats and railway trains — A summer excursion and its results— An invalid— Indifference melted away by kindness— The sick man and his kindred saved— A skeptical soldier conquered for Christ 129 chapter xiii.

WRITING LETTERS FOR JESUS.

The value of religious correspondence — The large circle of Mr. Yard's correspondents — A Christian friend counseled and encouraged — Appeals to a young man to decide for God Page 138

Chapter XIV. Labor Varied And Abundant

Public addresses — Not a preacher, yet popular and effective as a speaker — Secret of his power — Among firemen — A member of ' ' Hope Hose Company " — Influence with this class of young men — A sick fireman saved — Work among prisoners — A wanderer reclaimed — Visiting the almshouse — Distributing Bibles — Thousands of copies of the sacred word given to fire men, soldiers, and young converts 148

Chapter XV. Indirect Influence

The ever- widening influence of efforts for souls — Many such waves set in motion by this " soul- winner " — The young bookkeeper's conversion — The Sabbath-keeping firm in a Western 2 town — Religious worship — The town transformed — Regard for God's day rewarded Page 166

Chapter XVI. Home Life

The protracted suffering of Mrs. Yard — Her husband's devotion — Her death — The removal of his son's family to his house — A Thanksgiving Day reunion — The death of his first-born — Hospitality — Wounded soldiers at his table — Guests during the Centennial Exhibition — A granddaughter's tribute 173

Chapter XVII. Trials And Triumphs Of Advancing Years

Reverses — Losses not permitted to interrupt his joy — Bereavements — A letter full of Christian hope — Graces tested — Patience having its perfect work 188

Chapter XVIII. Translated

Failing faculties — A memorable Sabbath — The last prayer at the hospital — "One more day's work for Jesus" — "He was not, for God took him.". 198 chapter xix.

TRIBUTES AND REMINISCENCES.

Letters from Bishop Scott, Rev. J. M. Freeman, D.D. f Rev. R. J. Carson— Tribute from Rev. E. H. Stokes, D.D.— He enters Union Church a stranger — Kneels at the altar — Is greeted by Mr. Yard — Describes his ways of working for souls — His sympathetic nature — Scene at a camp-meeting — The angel's visit Page 205

Chapter XX. Closing Words

The affectionate, helpful brother— The inspiration of his example and success in soul-winning— Sympathy and counsel in later years— The last visit— Poem, "Transferred to the Brighter World" — The Source of his power accessible

THE

SOUL-WINNER

> 4 > » <

Chapter I. Boyhood

T^DMUND JONES YARD was born -"■"-^ Trenton, New Jersey, January 19, 17 His parents were Benjamin and Priscilla Ya He was the second of ten children. His ther, though not known to be an experimer Christian, was esteemed as an upright and c scientious man, and was by birthright a me ber of the " Society of Friends," or " Qu ers," his parents having been connected w them.

Edmund's mother had become an earr Christian previous to his birth, and care ly trained her children in the knowle< of God.

Edmund was, from early childhood, serious and thoughtful. He daily repeated the Lord's Prayer, with solemnity and reverence, and often thought deeply of eternal things. His outward life, according to his mother's account, was most remarkable. His affectionate treatment of the members of his own family, and his kind and amiable manner toward all, were such as to attract attention and call forth remark.

To his mother, especially, he was a treasure — gladly relieving her of care and helping her in all her household labors. Often when finding her weary from a day's toil, he would insist upon her retiring early, saying, " I will take care of the baby." Then, with his foot upon the cradle-rocker and his hands busily sewing, he would keep the little one from its tired mother, thus affording her hours of refreshing sleep. Sometimes it would be midnight before the baby's waking would be the signal for him to commit it to its mother's arms. Then, retiring to his bed, he felt su-

Boyhood. 23

premely happy in the thought that he could thus share the burdens of one to whom he owed so much. The eight children, younger than himself, afforded him many " privileges," as he called them, of helping his dear mother, and of smoothing her rough pathway.

His mother's own statement was, " Edmund was always good, from his birth, and never needed correction, nor even reproof."

Notwithstanding his pure and admirable life, he had keen convictions of inward depravity. By the illumination of the divine Spirit the native corruption of his heart was revealed, and he knew it must be changed by the power of God or he could not be saved. His inability to live up to his own standard of right deeply pained him, and he would say, " Ah, it is sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting over and over." While others were praising him, his own deep consciousness of guilt in God's sight made him dissatisfied, and often unhappy. The language of Paul, Rom. vii, 24, was scarcely too strong to be applied to himself by this young man whose life was so exceptionally beautiful in the eyes of those around him : " O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? "

Chapter II. Won By The Word

TN the year 1808 Edmund J. Yard com- -*■ menced reading the word of God with refence to the salvation of his soul. He had read the Bible as a school book, and was familiar with its sacred truths, but at that time his mind was drawn by the Holy Spirit, without any other influence, to read it, that he might learn the way of salvation. By this reading he was made increasingly sensible of his sinfulness before God, and was enabled to see clearly the way of salvation in Christ.

With sincere repentance and great earnestness, he sought pardon and peace, and it was not long before h'e felt the power of saving grace and was consciously born of God. 1

The work was very gradual. There was no distinct period to which he could subsequently refer as the hour or the day when the great work was effected, for it was as the dawning of the day, so gently breaking upon the darkness of his soul, that he could not tell just when the night had departed. But he knew that the darkness was gone, and felt that his soul was now " light in the Lord ;" for " the Sun of righteousness " had arisen upon him " with healing in his wings."

Then began his delight in the worship and service of the Lord. He attended different churches as often as opportunity offered, and became greatly interested in every thing pertaining to the cause of Him whom he now delighted to serve ; " loving " all Christians of whatever evangelical sect "with a pure heart fervently."

The most enlarged charity was a distinguishing trait that marked not only his early Christian life, but his whole character. Some of his most cherished friends and associations were among those not of his own denomination. From the hour of his espousals to God communion with saints, next to that with

Him who is " chief among ten thousand and altogether lovely," was the joy of his life.

During the early part of his religious life the society of many devout Christians — ministers and others, who visited the home of his parents — afforded him great spiritual aid, as well as unspeakable delight. From their lips he would catch with eagerness the precious words of gospel experience and teaching.

His mother's heart rejoiced as she found her son evincing so deep an interest in spiritual things, and thinking it would be conducive to his religious advancement, she gave him a room to himself, where he spent much time alone in reading, meditation, and prayer.

The first time he attended a Methodist meeting he felt it his duty to kneel during prayer, but had a severe conflict in his mind, thinking that such a step would at once sever his connection with all his associates. At that time there was not, so far as he knew, one young person in the city of his residence who made a profession of religion, and Methodists were looked upon with contempt and treated with derision. To kneel in one of their meetings would be to commit himself fully on the Lord's side, and would indicate his coming out from the world. Besides, it would subject him to great scorn and persecution. But after having counted the cost, he resolved to do what God required, though it might involve the loss of every human friend. Kneeling, at once he began to reckon himself among the followers of Jesus.

Anticipating speedy assaults of persecution, he sought to be equipped for the onset, and became " strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man."

The first attack occurred on the following day. One of his friends said :

" So, Edmund, the Methodists have got you, have they ? "

He replied, " No, the Methodists haven't got me, but I have resolved to serve God."

The young man ridiculed him, and tried to persuade him to give up his religion. He replied, " You may say and do what you please, but you can't move me. I am determined to be a Christian and go to heaven."

At that time Edmund had commenced learning a trade, and his shopmates tried every possible means and device to allure or drive him from the path of piety. One day a young man said to him,

" I heard a good Methodist lady say that * Edmund Yard's fiery edge would soon wear off.' "

This affected him seriously, coming from one whom he had regarded as a Christian, and he felt sad.

The young man added, " You wont hold out long, you'll soon give it up."

Edmund, lifting his heart to God, felt strengthened, and replied, " Well, they that live longest will know most," and turned away from his comrade with a smile.

Soon after Edmund had committed himself by kneeling in church, he again attended a Methodist meeting, and heard Rev. Jacob

Hevener, then on Trenton Circuit, preach. After the close of the sermon an invitation was given to join the Church. Edmund at once resolved to unite himself with that people, and, never having seen any one join a Church, he asked an old member who sat beside him what he should do to connect himself with the Church. " Father Kotts " replied, " Why, just go forward and stand at the altar." He did so, and the minister took his name and assigned him to a class.

Although in the ardor of his first love all Christian Churches seemed alike to him, and he continued to love all, yet, when he came to understand the usages and privileges of the Church of his choice, he saw that God's hand had led him there ; for the peculiar helps of the Methodist Church, as he frequently said, were just what he specially needed. The class-meetings, the band-meetings, the lovefeasts, and prayer-meetings proved so strengthening to his Christian graces that he believed Methodism was just adapted to him and he to it; so he was always glad he had found a home in a Church that was warm in religious fervor, and which set forth a high standard of experience as the Christian's duty and privilege.

The low estimation in which the Methodist Episcopal Church was at that period held, and the contumely and persecution then endured by its adherents every-where, furnished a severe test to a young man of elevated ideas, great ambition, and native pride of character. Yet, so clear were his convictions that God was pleased with his decision, that he soon rose superior to the frowns and smiles of the world, and exulted in a consciousness that he was among the children of the great King, and an heir to the kingdom which shall endure when earthly distinctions shall be forgotten.

In the midst of his ecstatic joy, at a meeting one evening he observed some young men laughing and making sport of the exercises and the devout worshipers. When an opportunity offered he stepped upon a seat and repeated this stanza of one of our Wesleyan hymns :

" On all the mighty kings of earth,

With pity I look down, And claim, in virtue of my birth,

A never-fading crown ! "

He then spoke to them in words so exultant and so impressive, that the game-makers were awed into seriousness, and there was no more trifling that evening. Indeed, some were so moved upon by the Spirit of God that they were soon found among the humble seekers of salvation.

Not long after Edmund had identified himself with "the sect every-where spoken against," he was told that a lady friend of his mother had made the remark that she pitied Mrs. Yard because her son Edmund had disgraced her and her family by becoming connected with the Methodists. The same lady was informed by one of his shopmates that they had tried their best to make the young Methodist angry, but could not succeed ; nothing they could say or do would move him. The ladysaid, " There is a way to make him angry, and if you will try that you will be sure to gain your point." Alluding to a woman called "a sanctified Methodist," she said it was considered by some impossible to make her angry, but a man said he knew how to make her mad. So, one day, when she came to the house where he lived, as she stepped upon the porch he threw the contents of the basin in which he had washed his hands into her face, and she was very angry. " Now," said the lady, "you try that. Wash your hands or feet and then throw the dirty water into Edmund's face, and see if that don't do it." One of the boys concluded to try it, but first told Edmund the story, as related by the lady, adding, " I am going to try it with you ;" but, finding him unmoved by the threat, concluded it was not worth while to make the experiment. The boys, however, did try another plan to tease and disturb him. They undertook to compel him to drink rum, designing 3 to make him drunk. Two of them held him, and the third attempted to pour it into his mouth, but, raising his foot, he pushed his tormentor away.

"Who shall contend with God? or who can hurt whom God delights to save ? "

After many experiments Edmund's associates came to the conclusion that he was beyond their power to move, and they might as well let him alone. They were convinced, also, of his unwavering fidelity and consistency of conduct, and of the reality of the religion he professed. Consequently their confidence in him increased daily, while growing respect caused them to treat him with kindness.

Chapter III. First Trophies

r I ^HE young soldier was not content with having conquered a truce with his associates. He longed to have them enlisted with him in the service of his new Captain. Some of them were made the subjects of special prayer. Influenced by his evident interest in the evening meetings, one and another would attend those gatherings of humble worshipers. Usually a new-comer would take the backseat. But interest was sure to be awakened, and each evening would find the young man one seat in advance of that previously occupied. Edmund's prayers were unceasing, and he eagerly watched for tokens of answer. About midway up the aisle was a seat which, in his eye, marked the line between ordinary interest and the state of mind which rendered it advisable for a personal appeal to be made. One who had occupied that seat, as he passed out the door, would find an arm kindly thrown around him, with an invitation to take a walk in a retired street near by.

Then Edmund would take the opportunity to earnestly press his friend to yield to God's claims. Not in a single case was such an effort unsuccessful.

Sometimes the walk and the conversation would be continued till a late hour of the night ; but before they would separate the young man would promise to give his heart to Christ. In this way a large number were won for Jesus. It was said, " When Edmund Yard gets his arm around a young man he is sure to come."

One evening he fixed his eyes upon one of the proudest and gayest young men in the city, who was not accustomed to attend Methodist meetings, but had been drawn there by curiosity on that occasion. All the time during service Edmund was praying, " Lord, help me to win that soul for thee ! " He observed a seriousness in the young man's face, and thought the good Spirit was working in his heart. In this case he did not wait for further indications, but, as soon as the meeting had closed, hastened to his young friend, overtook him, and drawing him around to the favorite walk in which so many had found the way of life, began to recommend the service of Christ to him. The young man was fond of the world's pleasures and vanities, and having been previously invited to attend a ball on an evening of the ensuing week, did not feel quite ready to start for heaven. Edmund pleaded with him till his heart yielded, and he promised to attend the prayer-meeting instead of the ball, both being on the same evening. When the time arrived the temptation to participate in the gay entertainment was so strong that he was about to yield, when Edmund entered his room, and renewed his request for him to accompany him to the place of prayer. Had he not gone again in pursuit of him that precious soul, instead of being within reach of saving power on that evening, would have been on Satan's premises, and might have been led back into captivity. But the faithful Christian victor bore away the trophy won for Jesus, and there was "joy that night in the presence of the angels of God over that sinner who repented " and was born into the kingdom before the meeting had closed.

What a conquest for Christ ! That young man — dressed for a scene of worldly amusement and revelry — found in a prayer-meeting, a humble penitent, seeking salvation I In the house of a colored family the proud votary of fashion bowed in contrition at the mercy-seat and found pardoning grace ! The young man thus won was James Rogers, who afterward resided in Burlington County, N. J., and filled various positions of honor and trust. He became and remained a pillar in the Church of God during his long and useful life, which he closed in gospel triumph in Trenton, the city of his natural and spiritual birth. Many times has it been the writer's privilege to listen to his joyous utterances as a class-leader and conductor of social religious meetings. He was a man of sterling piety and true nobility of soul, remarkable for his large benevolence, and greatly respected and beloved in the Church and community where he resided. He was the father of Rev. William R. Rogers, deceased, of the New Jersey Conference, and the excellent Mrs. Dr. Harlow, of Philadelphia, and grandfather of Rev. James Rogers and Rev. William Rogers, both now in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church.