Memoir of James Backhouse

MEMOIR

JAMES BACKHOUSE.

BY HIS SISTER.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will
be his God, and he shall be My Son." — Rev. xxi. 7.

SECOND EDITION.

YORK:
WILLIAM SESSIONS, LOW OUSEGATE.

LONDON:

S. HARRIS & CO., BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT.

1877.

PEEFACE

To the First Edition.

The following brief Memoir of James Backhouse lias
been chiefly compiled from Memoranda, most of which
were revised by himself within a few years of his decease.

Some notices of his sjjiritual condition were recorded at
a more recent date.

Private letters have also been made use of in carrying
out the narrative, which although they very inadequately
pourtray his abundant labours in the Lord's vineyard, will,
we believe, be read with interest by many to whom his
memory is precious.

May the perusal of a life dedicated to the service of
God, prove a means of stimulating others in pursuing that
path, which, in the experience of the dear departed, was
through Divine Grace, so fraught with blesings.

Sarah Backhouse.

Holdgate House, 4th month, 1870.

CONTENTS

CHAPTEE I.

Page.

His birth — Parental influence — Meetings for worship— School-
Bible — Irritable temper — Prayer — Business — Health —
Botany — Mental conflict — Christian counsel I

CHAPTER II.

Scripture reading — Botany— Nursery at Norwich — Guarded
deportment — Religious influence — Ministry — Impression re-
specting Foreign service — Divine teaching — Return home —
Scotch Nurseries 7

CHAPTER III.

York Nursery — Removal of his mother and family from Dar-
lington— ^Jane Backhouse's death— Prayer and Faith —
Ministry — Temptations — Marriage — Edmund and Elizabeth
Janson — Deborah Backhouse's illness, ministry and death — •
Death of Thomas Backhouse's wife ; and his sister A. D.
Backhouse H

CHAPTER lY.

Preaches on Race Course — Tract on Racing — Musical Festival —
Preaches on Market Cross— Religious visits — Temperance —
Adult School 22

CHAPTER y.

Certificates— G. W. Walker— Ballotted for Militia— Sentiments

on War— Leaves home— Detention in London 32

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE VI.

Page.
Sails for Australian Colonies — Hobart Town — Macquarie Har-
bour—Prisoners—Tasmania—State of Church at home —
Diversity of gifts — Arrival of Daniel and Charles Wheeler —
First Yearly Meeting in Hobart Town— Lieutenant Gover-
nor's courtesy 40

CHAPTER YII.

Sails for Sydney — Norfolk Island — Sydney — Letter — Silent
Meetings— Governor's permission to visit Prisoners-^ Wel-
lington Valley — Scientific knowledge — Chain Gangs —
Aborigines — Moreton Bay — Governor Sir R. Bourke's
Message 54

CHAPTEE YIII.

Voyage back to Hobart Town— Letter to his Mother — Voyage
to Port Philip — Melbourne — Letter — Western Australia —
Mauritius — Letter to Friends at Sydney — Sails for the Cape
of Good Hope 64

CHAPTEE IX.

Cape of Good Hope — Letter — Cape Town — Projected School —
Friends' Meetings — John Williams — Prayer — Outfit for
African Journey — Descriptive letter — His Mother's death —
Trials of patience — Daniel Wheelei-'s death — Study of the
Dutch Language 75

CHAPTEE X.

Visit to Mission Stations — Hankey — Slavery ceased in British
Colonies— Total Abstinence Pledge— Hottentots — Llewellen
Cupido Michels— Wild Animals — Letter to one of his
Sisters — Cafifers — Missionary Influence — Journey across the
C^reat Karroo— Lily Fountain— Return to Cape Town 85

co^"^ENTs. vii

CHAPTEE XI.

Page.
Death of M. Bragg — G. W. Walker sails for Tasmania —

School premises —Letter to his Sisters — Preparing Tracts —

Farewell meetings — Stormy Voyage to England — Peace of

Mind — Lands at London Bridge— Meets his sister Elizabeth —

Reaches home 2nd Mo. 2ist, 1841 — Returns Certificates —

G. W. Walker's Marriage 103

CHAPTER XII.

Prayer— Letter— Abigail and Thomas Backhouse's death— Letter
to African Missionaries — Irrigation — Scripture Lessons —
Total Abstinence — Caffer War — Letter 114

CHAPTER XIII.

Visit to Ireland — Religious visits in England — Gospel Ministry —
Willing service — Schools — Visits in Scotland — Calvinistic
views 130

CHAPTER XIV.

Excursion to Norway in 185 1 — Scenery — Natural productions —
First association with Friends at vStavanger. Second visit

in 1853, a Religious Mission — From Christiansand to Ham-
merfest, &c. — Meetings for Worship — Tract distribution . . 139

CHAPTER XV.

Third visit to Norway in i860 — a religious visit from Christian-
sand to the North Cape 156

CHAPTER XVI.

Health— Botany — Tracts and Books — Meetings in Scotland —

Silent waiting — Prayer — Ministry — Letter — Illness 170

CHAPTER XVII.

Last Certificate returned — Evening of Life — Illness and Death . 179

MEMOIR OF

JAMES BACKHOUSE.

CHAPTER I.

His birth — Parental influence — Meetings for worship — School — Bible
— Irritable temper — Prayer — Business — Health — Botany — Mental
conflict — Christian Counsel.

James Backhouse, the subject of the following Memoir,
was the fourth child of James and Mary Backhouse, of
Darlington; he was born the 8th of 7th mo. 1794. His
Father dying in 1804, when his son James was little more
than nine years of age, his religious training, with that of
his brothers and sisters, nine in number, devolved chiefly
upon their Mother.

He was a remarkably volatile, imaginative child, often
occasioning much thought to his Father, who in his de-
clining health would sometimes remark, '' James will either
be a great comfort or a great grief to his Mother." His
Father's death, with that of his eldest brother, a few
months after, affected him much, and there is reason to
believe produced a salutary and lasting effect upon his
mind. But at this period of his life, his dear Mother's
influence was greatly blessed to him. '' She directed our
attention," he says in memoranda left by him, " to the
teaching of the Holy Spirit in the secret of our own hearts,
making us unhappy when we did wrong, and comfortable
when we did right. She read to us in the Bible and other

2 EARLY LIFE.

books calculated to encourage piety, and she suffered no
School or other arranp^ements to interfere with our reg^ular
attendance of Meetings for worship, but impressed upon
us, that our duty to God, was in all cases to have the first
place. The Meetings for worship which we attended, were
often held in silence, but though our minds might frequently
be little engaged in them, in the intended object, these
Meetings were very useful in training us to habits of self-
control, and I retain a vivid recollection of the sweet
feeling, which in my childish days, I had, under the
ministry of some Friends, especially of one who occupied
a side seat and who spoke briefly and in great humility
and meekness.

" My attention being thus early directed to the Lord,
and to the convictions of His Spirit, I have no recollection
of a period of first awakening ; but as I grew in under-
standing I became more enlightened respecting divine
things and especially the love of my Saviour."

In his School life he entered more fully into the conflict
between the flesh and the spirit which marks the fallen
nature of man — " I loved," he says, " what was good, but
had not learned to distrust myself, and consequently evil
had a great influence over me. This often brought me
under strong condemnation, so that I many times sought
the Lord with tears ; and He graciously passed over my
transgressions, and renewed my peace. When this was the
case, I sometimes poured out my soul in prayer for myself
and my schooKellows, and I felt almost constrained when
in Meeting to invite them to seek the Lord."

At the period of which we are now writing. Bibles were
very scarce and expensive in comparison with what they
are at the present time ; but few of the boys at J. Tatham's

EARLY LIFE. 3

boarding school at Leeds, at which he was placed, pos-
sessed the treasure. The boys were assembled every
evening before going to bed when a portion of Scripture
was read to them, but at James's particular request his
Master purchased a Bible for him and encouraged him in
diligently reading it. '' About this time," he says, " I read
George Fox's Journal with great interest, and received
many beneficial impressions which were never effaced."

His memory was very retentive, and consequently he had
little difficulty in learning his daily lessons, but the school
was a very mixed one, and many of his schoolfellows were
very uncongenial to him. " My temperament," he records
'' was irritable, and once on something vexing me I went
into a rage of anger ; I afterwards felt very strongly con-
demned, and in my humiliation before my Heavenly Father
I promised Him that if He would help me, I would not so
sin against Him again ; and this promise He graciously
enabled me to keep. But my baitings in many other ways
have been numerous.

'' Often ' when I would do good, evil was present with
me, so that the good that I would I did not, and the evil
I would not that I did,' until I came in faith to trust more
fully in Jesus Christ, and not in myself for strength, as
well as for redemption."

On leaving School he went as an assistant to two Friends
at Darlington, who were in the Grocery, Drug, and Chem-
ical business. He was much interested in the study of
Chemistry ; but his health never vigorous, giving way, he
was obliged to seek an out-door occupation. An attack
of inflammation of the lungs, from which for a long time
recovery seemed doubtful, for three winters confined him
to the house j the intervening summers being spent with

4 EARLY LIFE.

Friends in tlie country engaged in Farming occupations.

It was daring this period of feeble health, and whilst
seeking the out-door employment which it rendered neces-
sary, that J. B.'s attention was drawn to the study of Botany.
This pursuit was encouraged by several of his relatives
who took a warm interest in various branches of Natural
History. But it was mainly to the powerful stimulus which
the rich alpine flora of Teesdale ofi'ered to the explorer,
that James Backhouse's life-long love of Botany was at-
tributable. Invited to stay a few weeks, for the benefit of
his health, with some kind friends who resided at the old
hall at Sledwick, near Barnard Castle, he found frequent
opportunities for visiting this district. Upper Teesdale
was then a wild, and almost trackless region, and many
a weary mile the young botanist wandered over dreary fell
and moorland in pursuit of his favoui'ite study, spurred on
from time to time by the sight of some rarity which be-
guiled the tedium of the way. These excursions were
frequently taken in company with John Binks, an intelli-
gent man, whose health, impaired by working in the
noxious air of the lead mines, alike needed the invigorating
influence of the pure mountain breezes ; and to the
penetrating eyes and persevering efforts of these joint
explorers, many of those discoveries are due, which have
given to the flora of Teesdale an interest, which, in
England, is perhaps without parallel. Nor, doubtless,
was the training these often repeated rambles afforded,
without effect, in preparing for long and arduous journeys
over still wilder regions in far distant lands.

In 1812, accompanied by some of his friends, he attended
the Quarterly Meeting at York. '* This," he remarks,
'' was a time of great exercise of mind to me, and had I

EARLY LIFE. 5

not kept back, by a sense of my own want of proper
subjection to the law of Christ, I believe I might rightly
have addressed an exhortation to my cotemporaries in
age, to consider how far they were in the first place
desiring to do the will of God. By hesitation I often
lost strength, and Satan gained advantage over me in
other respects, till the Lord in His compassion again lifted
me up. It seems evident that the Apostle Paul passed
through great conflict with the evil of fallen nature, —
the body of death to which he felt enchained, — after he
began to preach, and before he obtained the deliverance
he sought, and afterwards found through Jesus Christ ;
with the ability, by dependence upon the grace of Christ,
to keep his own body in subjection, lest after having
preached to others he should become a castaway. This
lesson I also had to learn, and I was long about it, under
the chastening hand of my forbearing Lord, as well as
under the teaching of His good Spirit.

" On one occasion, whilst I was in the country musing
on my feeble state of health, with little prospect of being
able to obtain a livelihood for myself, and my patrimony
being small, the words of Jesus were brought to my mind
with a force as if they were addressed to myself. ' Seek
first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added.' I accepted this in faith, as
now directed to me by the Lord, and cheered up under it,
trusting in Him to provide ; and now whilst penning this,
in my old age, I have thankfully to acknowledge that He
has bountifully fulfilled His promise."

About this time James Backhouse appeared to receive
much help in his Christian course by association with
those of more experience than himself; on this subject he

6 EAKLY LIFE.

writes : — " I liave sometimes heard complaints, of elder
people being unwilling to converse with younger ones on
religious subjects, but I did not find it so, and I doubt if
any would, who sought the company and counsel of the
elder in a meek and teachable spirit.

** In this year 1812, I assisted some Friends in appoint-
ing Meetings for Stephen Grellet in Durham and Yorkshire.
His ministry was very instructive, and I had peace in the
service, though the invitation to these Meetings was far
from being courteously received in some places in that
day. I was afterwards present with a small number of
Friends whom Stephen Grellet addressed, telling them,
* that if faithful to the Lord, there were those present who
would be sent * as to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw
the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, to
declare the glory of the Lord.' My cousins, Jonathan
Backhouse and John Pease, who subsequently visited
America, also my cousins William and John Backhouse,
who as well as myself afterwards became ministers, were
among those addressed. Isaac Stephenson was also one
of this little company ; he then lived at Stockton-on-Tees,
and had already become a minister. He afterwards tra-
velled in that capacity extensively in North America."

MEJS^TAL CULTURE.

CHAPTEE II.

Scripture reading — Botany — Nursery at Norwich — Guarded deportment
— Religious influence — Ministry — Impression respecting Foreign
service — Divine teaching — Return home — Scotch Nurseries.

*' The reading of the Scriptures, and the history and
biography of Friends was much encouraged among our
relatives, who made themselves in a great degree the
companions of their children. To this circumstance,
under the Divine blessing, may be attributed much of the
prosperity and true happiness of the family circle.
" My uncle Jonathan Backhouse, though a Banker, was
fond of rural pursuits, and I sometimes joined him in
pruning Larch trees in a wood of his own planting, and
he advised me to continue this kind of occupation through
the winter, and though I had been confined to the house
the three previous winters, I was not confined as many
days for the following thirty years.

*' My uncle Edward Eobson was well known as an acute
Botanist, and in his garden he cultivated an extensive
variety both of British and Foreign plants ; I spent much
time with him in this interesting pursuit, and the know-
ledge I gained proved of great use to me in future years.

" In the study of Botany, as well as in other things, I
found it necessary to keep * to the limitations of the Spirit
of Truth,' lest these things should gain an undue place in
my mind, and become as idols, drawing my attention
from that love and service to God, which was needful to
my growth in grace, and due from me to the Author of
all the mercies I enjoyed. My health being greatly im-
l^roved, I had much consideration as to what business I

8 MEXTAL CULTURE.

sliould follow, and finding an opening for gaining instruc-
tion in an extensive Nm-sery Ground in the neiglibourliood
of Norwicli, I embraced it, and remained there two years."
In this situation James Backhouse was associated with
some who, though " gentlemanly in appearance and kind
in deportment," had not come under the restraining
influence of religion. He was particularly pained by
frequently hearing the Divine name profaned, and there
is reason to believe that his own circumspect example,
and marked disapproval, had a great effect in checking
the sinful practice, and he had the satisfaction of seeing
some of these individuals for whom he had felt great
interest, turned from the bondage of Satan, to seek for-
giveness and reconciliation with God

" Under great pressure of sjjirit," he remarks, '' I often
expostulated with persons whom I heard swearing, or
taking the name of God in vain. This was frequently
the case, as I had to pass through the City to my lodgings.
In these cases I met with much openness, as I kept to the
meekness and gentleness of Christ, but when in zeal
against evil, I ventured to rebuke in the heat of my own
spirit, I sometimes met with but a rough reception.
During my residence in Norwich, I lodged at the house
of an honest, zealous Friend ; and my kind friend, Mary
Martin, made her house my home on First-days. She was
an elder of large experience, and was as a mother to me
in counsel and care. I also received much kind attention
and advice from Joseph and Jane Gurney, and other
branches of that family, and many other Friends of that
Meeting. Indeed I have ever found an open door among
Friends everywhere ; and I count it among the great
privileges of my life, and blessings from my Heavenly

MENTAL CULTURE. 9

ITatlier, that I have in my journe}" through life, been
acquainted with a very large number of kindly consistent
Christians, both within the Society of Friends and out
of it.

* ' From my school days, I had at intervals impressions
of duty to speak in ministry in Meetings for worship, but
I flinched from them, and in consequence, became, time
after time, like one given over into the hand of his enemy.
This conflicting state continued till toward the end of
1814. At that time I had accompanied two Friends in a
visit of sympathy to Henry Bidwell, a young man involved
in affliction, b}^ the death, within a few days, of his wife
and two childi^en. On entering the room where several
of his relations were assembled, he drew me to a chair by
him. I had not been long seated when I felt it my duty
to pray for him vocally. I shrank from this public
ofl'ering, praying in spirit for him, and desiring of the
Lord that that might be accepted instead.

" Mtev some time Hannah Evans, of Woodbridge,
addressed the company, and subsecj^uently we remained
some time in silence, when a movement toward with-
drawing was made, and we all arose from our seats. My
burden had now become too heavy to be borne any longer,
and I uttered a few sentences as we stood. A solemn
pause ensued, after which we took leave of the afflicted
family, my heart overflowing with gratitude to God,
who, after permitting me to feel my own weakness, had
strengthened me thus openly to avow myself in His service.
The ofl'ence of the cross was taken away in a moment, and
my mind was filled with peace. Thus in great weakness
began that ministry which the Lord has called for the
exercise of, and made way for, so extensively. And from

10 MENTAL CULTURE.

this time my af&icted friend, Henry Bidwell, became to
me as a dear brother in Christ. He filled the station of
Elder in Norwich Meeting for many years, and died in
1865, aged 80.

'' A few weeks after this, something was impressed upon
my mind to be communicated in the Meeting at Norwich,
and after much hesitation, I was enabled to give expression
to it. From time to time, during the continuance of my
residence in that city, I was thus exercised ; and I often
had a few words of Christian exhortation to address to
Friends in the domestic circle. These offerings were made
in great weakness and fear, and from my constitutional
trepidation, in much trembling. About this time I was
first impressed with the belief that it was the will of the
Lord that, at a future time, I should go on a Gospel errand
into Australia. The impression was sudden but very
clear. It occurred as I was standing in the Nurserj^-
ground at Norwich, not thinking on such subjects. I felt
as though I could have sunk under it, but I dared not to
oppose it, and I prayed in spirit that if it were indeed the
will of God, He would be pleased to prepare me for it,
and to open the way for it, both in my own mind and in
the minds of my Friends.

<' Often afterwards, even when sunk very low through
unfaithfulness in other respects, if I turned to this subject
in the same confiding state, the feeling of heavenly peace
attended it ; so that solemn as was the prospect, it was to
me as a table spread in the wilderness, full of the feeling
of the love of God in His dear Son. Notwithstanding
these favours from the Lord, I soon got into a state of
great weakness. I put on a remarkably plain dress, with
a view to mortify an inclination in the opposite direction,

MENTAL CULTURE. 11

instead of seeking grace from the Lord to enable me to
keep all things in their proper places. And I ran into
speculations about the unit}^ of the Godliead. Under
these circumstances I became much beclouded, and seemed
to lose hold of my past experience ; but the Lord in His
mercy did not forsake me. He gave me to see, that in
this state of darkness I must beware of adopting any
theory by the mere natural understanding, lest I should
settle down in error ; and that I must be content to feel
my ignorance, and wait patiently till He should give me
light.

" My way closed up in regard to ministry, and the enemy
of my soul often triumphed over me. But this led me
continually to Jesus, as the Fountain set open, in the mercy
of the Father, for sin and uncleanness, and as I was
humbled under a feeling of my need of such a Saviour,
the Holy Spirit brought comfort to my soul, with the
evidence of my sins being forgiven for Jesus' sake.

"I was also given to see, in process of time, that all
our good desires are awakened by the Holy Spirit, sent to
us of the Father, in the name of the Son, and received by
us through the mediation of Jesus ; that thus in every
act of true worship ; — ' worship in spirit and in truth ' ; —
whether the understanding be cognizant of the fact or not,
the Father, the Son and the Spirit are unitedly, inseparably,
and simultaneously worshipped, and hence are correctly
set before us as one true God.

*' I was also enabled to recognize the fact, humbling
indeed to the pride of fallen human nature, but neverthe-
less philosophically clear, that the finite mind of man
cannot comprehend that which is infinite, either in space,
duration, or deity, although according to its capacity, and

12 MENTAL CTJLTTJEE.

the measure of light it has received, it may apprehend
something respecting them. Thus under the feeling of
the love and mercy of the Father, the efficacy of the
redemption, mediation, and intercession of the Son, the
comfort and teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the con-
viction of the finiteness of m}^ own mind, I was enabled
to settle down in reverent adoration of God, and in daily,
almost constant, communion with Him, through the media-
tion of His dear Son, brought home to me by the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit ; by which also I was kept, in a large
degree, in the confiding, prayerful and teachable spirit of
a little child, and in much of that peace with God, which
was as a seal to my having entered the Heavenly kingdom
under the government of Christ, and which is designed
to be the portion of all who truly accept Him as their
Saviour and their Lord.

''The object of my residence at Norwich being accom-
plished, I returned to Darlington in the summer of 1815,
and in the autumn of the same year, went into Scotland
to visit the Nursery-grounds in that country, in order to
improve my knowledge of the business."

After attending the General Meeting at Aberdeen,
James Backhouse records : — " On my way home I attended
the week-day Meeting at Newcastle, in which Martha
Brewster addressed a state present, as being brought into
a condition of spiritual famine, but in which there was
something known like the ' barrel of meal and the cruise
of oil of the widow of Zarephath,' and which as faith
was maintained, would not be permitted to fail till the day
of plenty. This I felt belonged to me, and through the
mercy of God, this message by His handmaid, was helpful
for many years in keeping me from sinking below hope.

MENTAL CULTURE. 13

I also on this journey attended a meeting at Whitehaven,
in which that eminent servant of the Lord, Jane Pearson,
preached from the text, ' Abstain from all appearance of
evil.' She was in a very feeble state, frequently having
to pause, but her ministry was attended with such demon-
stration of the Spirit and power as fixed her text on my
mind thenceforward.

'' In the summer of 1816, 1 attended the General Meeting
at Ackworth. In the concluding Meeting for Worship,
Abigail Pim stated that she had been brought into sym-
pathy with the state of some one, whose condition might
be compared to that of Nebuchadnezzar, as seen by himself
in a vision, as a tree hewn down and bound with a band of
iron and brass, but having its roots alive in the earth, and
which should yet shoot forth when seven times had passed
over it. This message also of a handmaid of the Lord, came
home to me, as did the former one at Newcastle ; and like
that, it remained with me, and in due time I witnessed
its fulfilment ; my bonds were broken, and the goodly tree
again grew in my heart, and shot forth branches to the
glory of God. In the meantime, while I was passing
through that which was deeply humbling, and calculated
to fix the conviction that ' in my flesh dwelt no good thing,'
the Lord condescended to grant these encouragements to
the exercise of faith, hope, and patience."

14 KESIDEXCE IX YORK.

CHAPTEE III.

York Nursery — Removal of his Mother and family from Darlington —
Jane Backhouse's death — Prayer and Faith — Ministry — Temptations
— Marriage — Edmund and Elizabeth Janson — Deborah Backhouse's
illness, ministry, and death— Death of Thomas Backhouse's Wife ;
and his Sister A. D. Backhouse.

On James Backhouse's return to Darlington, in 1815,
it was with, the intention of commencing business as a
Nurseryman there. He was pleased with the idea of
settling in his native place, and felt somewhat disap-
pointed when he found that the old and well-established
Nursery business of John and George Telford, of York,
was to be disposed of. *' I felt," he says, "the importance
of a right decision, and besought the Most High that He
would condescend to direct me, and He in mercy heard and
answered my prayer. On going to consult a relative, my
mind still bent on my former plans, a clear impression of
its being best for me to go to York, broke in upon me with
such a feeling of sweetness, as at once overcame my pre-
dilection for Darlington. Keeping to this impression
under the belief that it was from the Lord, my mind never
became perplexed with doubts upon the subject.

" Accompanied by my cousin Jonathan Backhouse, who
was one of my Father's executors, I went to York, and we
soon made the needful arrangements for my taking the
concern, but being convinced it was too large for myself
alone, my brother Thomas consented to join me in it.
This arrangement brought us into a position in which, with
industry, and the income we had from other sources, we

RESIDENCE IN YORK. 15

were placed in comfortable circumstances. Neitlier of us
desired afEuence, and we felt that we liad cause for great
thankfulness to our Heavenly Father, who had thus opened
the way for our temporal provision.

" The business had been in the occupation of the Telford
family for one hundred and fifty years. I removed to York
in the 11th month of the same year, and my Brother fol-
lowed soon after we had obtained possession in the 5th
month of 1816. We lived in lodgings about a year, and
then took a house in Micklegate, and our beloved Mother,
with the rest of the family, came to live with us.

" Among the servants in the business there were some
who were a great comfort to us, — men of good Christian
principle ; and we have been favoured to have a succession
of such, so that, notwithstanding some trying exceptions,
we have had much of the comfort and blessing of being
compassed about by the righteous.

*' In 1818, we had the trial of parting with my eldest
sister, Jane Backhouse, who died in great peace. She was
28 years of age, and had been a faithful and sympathizing
helper to our beloved Mother in her widowhood, and a
kind instructor and a good example to the rest of the
family. In the course of her illness I spent a litte time
daily in reading to her in the Bible, and the remembrance
of the comfort we had together, before the Lord, is still
fresh with me.

"From the time of my settling in York, till the
year 1821, I passed through much conflict, through the
abounding evidence of my own weakness, and the power
of temptation over me. Often Satan found me off the
watch, and unprepared, after the example of my Saviour,
to meet his lying suggestions with a Scriptural reply. I

10 IIESIDENUE IX YORK.

was permitted deeply to feel, not only the natural corrup-
tion of man in his fallen state, but something of the
aggravation of this corruption through habitual sin. In
all this, however, my constant remedy was in Jesus Christ,
whom in the love and mercy of my Heavenly Father, I
was granted to feel, was indeed my atoning sacrifice, the
propitiation for my sins, and that it was by His grace alone
in the power of the Holy Spirit ministered by Him, that
I could withstand the tempter. Often my prayer was that
the Lord would be pleased rather to take my life than to
permit me so to fall, as to bring reproach on His cause.
Awful as this time of conflict was, I now am permitted to
see, that through the over-ruling of a merciful God, it
was made of service in preparing me to sympathize with,
and to entertain hope for, the poor degraded Convicts and
others deeply sunk in sin, to whom He was designing to
send me with the message of mercy and of hope, through
Jesus Christ. This was also a time in which lessons on
my own utter helplessness and unworthiness were deeply
and practically engraven on my heart.

''In the latter part of 1821, I again began to say a
few words in Meetings for worship, under the constraining
of the love of Christ ; having, with few exceptions, kept
silence in this respect since the summer of 1815. And as
I strove to have my mind turned to the Lord, I had to
call to others from this time forward to come and partake
of His mercies. As I endeavoured to keep to the feeling
of the Anointing, my ministrations found a place in the
minds of my Friends ; and in 1824, the Monthly Meeting
signified its unity with my communications, by acknow-
ledging me as a Minister. I did not, however, find that
Satan ceased to pursue me with temptations, nor was it

RESIDENCE AT YORK. 17

reasonable I should expect it, when he only departed for
a season from Jesus after the forty days' temptation in the
wilderness ; — and when the Apostle Paul was permitted
to be buffeted of Satan lest he should be exalted above
measure, by the manifold revelations made to him of the
Lord, so that he earnestly prayed for the temptation to be
taken away ; but was referred to the grace of the Lord
Jesus as sufficient for his preservation. I had still to come
to Christ as the Fountain set open for sin and uncleanness ;
and humblingly to feel myself a slow learner in His school,
requiring to have the same lesson often repeated. But
the Lord did largely reveal to me His love and mercy in
Christ Jesus, and powerfully constrained me to proclaim
it to others. I could not say as the Apostle Paul did, that
Christ counted me faithful, putting me into this ministry ;
but rather, that He knowing and foreknowing all my
weakness and baitings, saw meet to lay this ministry
upon me, so that I, at least, knowing that I had this
treasure in an 'earthen vessel,' might be kept in mind
that ' the excellency of the power was of God,' and not
of myself, and might therefore give Him all the glory.

" In 1822, I was united in marriage to Deborah Lowe,
of Tottenham. She was a few months my senior, and had
been recorded as a Minister a short time before our union.
We sought counsel of the Lord from the first in connexion
with this step, and we had evidence to our own minds
that it was in His ordering, and He blessed us greatly in
it ; notwithstanding He saw meet to dissolve it at the
expiration of five years. "We had three children, 1st,
Elizabeth, who became the wife of Joseph Crosfield, and
died in 1852, leaving three sons and one daughter; 2nd,
James, married to Mary, daughter of Isaac and Sarah

18 RESIDENCE AT YORK.

Kobson, of Huddersfield : they have three children, two
sons and one daughter; and 3rd, my little Mary, who
died an infant, a few months before her beloved mother.
I felt her death keenly. The instinctive bond placed in
the wisdom of our Heavenly Father between parents and
their offspring was torn asunder ; and for long after,
when I saw a tree from which a limb had been rent, I
thought I felt as the tree looked — bereft ! Nevertheless
my heart was submissively bowed before the Lord, and
thankful that she was spared the temptations and trials
which attend lengthened days, and I have no doubt she
is among the redeemed by Jesus Christ. For 'where
there is no law, there is no transgression.' * And sin is
not imputed where there is no law ; ' and there is plainly
no law to little children. Whatsoever was lost to them
by the fall, was restored to them in Christ ; and justice is
one of the attributes of God, who therefore cannot con-
demn for sin, where He allowed no opportunity for its
commission.

* ' In our married life we had a large measure of happi-
ness, being of one mind, in the Lord, and our chief
object being His glory. We had a large circle of like-
minded relatives and friends with whom we took sweet
counsel, and who rejoiced with us in seasons of rejoicing,
and sympathized with us and helped us in seasons of trial.
We were occasionally separated for short periods by my
taking journeys on business, and also by my going from
home on religious errands.

**In 1825, our dear brother and sister, Edmund and
Elizabeth Janson, paid us a long visit : Edmund had given
up business under the belief it was required of him to do
so ; he had also a strong impression that the residence of

RESIDENCE AT YOIIK. 19

his family was to be under my roof, evidently without any
view that when that should come to pass, he would not be
one of the number. He had long had the impression that
if faithful, the Lord would call him to the work of the
ministry ,- and one First-day he stood up in the Meeting
at York, and quoted the words — * Awake, thou that
sleepest, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light.' From that time he was almost constantly occupied
in the ministry of the Gospel. "Within a year he visited
most of the Meetings in London and Middlesex Quarterly
Meeting, and had religious interviews with individuals
both in our own Society and out of it. He remarked it
was very unexpected to himself to be thus all at once
drawn into such continuous labour ; but when he thought
upon it, the words of the Lord Jesus came before him,
' Work while it is day, for the night cometh wherein no
man can work.' After he had thus been labouring to
bring people to a close attention to their own state before
the Lord, he suddenly fell ill with a low fever, which in a
few days closed his useful Kfe : he died 9th month, 2nd,
1826, aged 28. His widow was sustained by Divine help,
and in the course of the following summer she came to
York to be with my beloved wife, whose health had been
long decKning, bringing her two children with her ; and
my precious one dying in the 12th month, her sister gave
up her house at Tottenham, and took up her abode with
her family under my roof, according to the presentiment
of her deceased husband. From this time our families
were united, and our children brought up together to our
mutual comfort, the blessing of our Heavenly Father
resting largely on this arrangement.

" Toward the close of my beloved Deborah's life we

20 RESIDENCE AT YORK.

took her to Scarborough, in the hope that the sea air might
revive her, as it had done at some former times ; but it
soon became evident that the balance of life was going
down. I was greatly distressed at the prospect of losing
her, and cried to the Lord in my sorrow ; I appealed to
Him as having strengthened the faith of Abraham, so as
to enable him to offer up his son Isaac ; and I begged Him
in like manner, to strengthen me to offer up my beloved
one, in true resignation to His disposal ; and the Lord
heard and answered my prayer, and He enabled her also
to resign myself and our dear children into His holy
keeping. He comforted and strengthened us together, so
that we became able to converse calmly on the prospect
before us. And when the end came. He gave me for many
days a wonderful sense of the glory of the redeemed spirit
of my precious one, taken home to Himself. She died at
York on the 10th of 12th month, 1827."

Deborah Backhouse first spoke as a minister in 1819.
Her communications in this line of labour were neither
frequent nor long, but were clear and edifying. About a
year after her marriage, with the concurrence of her
Monthly Meeting, and in company with her friend Ann
Alexander, she visited in Grospel love the families belonging
to York Meeting. She was a very affectionate wife and
mother, exemplary in religious care over her children and
servants, and very methodical in -her domestic concerns.

Not a fortnight had elapsed from the death of Deborah
Backhouse, before the family were again brought into
deep sorrow by the removal of Hannah, the wife of Thomas
Backhouse. She died a few weeks after her confinement,
leaving an infant daughter. As might be supposed, the
two Brothers were brought into tender sympathy with

EESIDEXCE AT YORK. 21

each other under these very affecting circumstances. **And
in little more than a year," James Backhouse remarks in
his memoranda, *' We were again called to part with
another precious member of our family, my youngest
sister, Ann Dorothy Backhouse : she died in the 4th month,
1829, aged nearly 24 years."

In these bereavements, following each other in rapid
succession, J. B.'s Christian resignation was conspicuous.
His heart responded to the language, ** It is the Lord, let
Him do what seemeth Him good." Much mercy had
been extended to these dear members of his family, and
they were permitted to have the blessed assui'ance of an
eternal inheritance through their Saviour's love.

22 llELIGIOUS LABOUR

CHAPTEE IV.

Preaches on Race Course — Tract on Racing — Musical Festival —
Preaches on Market Cross — Religious visits — Temperance — Adult
School.

Foe, some years James Backhouse was brought under
great concern on behalf of the people, who on the occur-
rence of the York Eaces assembled on the Eace Course,
for the purpose of seeing the horses led out on the previous
Sabbath day. In the summer of 1825, he believed the
time had arrived when he was required to go among them,
and address them on their eternal interests. After much
conflict of mind he consulted some of his friends, and
accompanied by his relative, Caleb Williams, and a worthy
Elder, George Baker, they proceeded and took their stand
in the midst of about two thousand people, who attracted
by their appearance, soon drew around them. "I was
so buried in the crowd," he remarks, "that a man selling
drink in a booth offered to empty a barrel for me to stand
upon, but seeing a frame such as casks are placed on, he
brought it, and I stood upon it. Feeling much for their
eternal welfare, I called their attention to it, and to the
necessity of repentance, and of taking up the cross and
following Christ, if they would become His disciples ; also
the danger of living in an unregenerate state, even though
called Christians. A solemn silence ensued, and continued
till we withdrew, which we did before the horses were
brought out. The circumstance was favourably noticed
in the newspapers the following week, though it was

RELIGIOUS LABOUR. 23

remarked, * They feared it was but like the spilling of a
bucket of water upon a dusty road.' " J. B. never felt it
laid upon him to visit the people on a similar occasion, but
he joined, he records, '' Thomas Eichardson, a pious
clergyman of the Episcopal Church, in preparing and
circulating a Tract pointing out the evils of horse-racing."

In the autumn of this year, a Musical Festival was held
in the Minster at York, and under great concern lest on
account of its being under the semblance of religion any
well disposed people should be ensnared by it, James
Backhouse issued an addi'ess of warning, in which he
says, — *' Seeing that * God is a Spirit, and they that
worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth,'
according to the declaration of Christ, the question natur-
ally arises, What is there in all this pomp and parade ? Is
the mind rendered more sensible of its fallen and lost
state ? Are the audience humbled into a sense of their
own inability to do anything of themselves to save them-
selves from under the dominion of sin ? Is their faith
strengthened in dependence upon the help that is in Christ
alone? Is it not rather the case, that the mind being
drawn into a sort of solemn admiration of those sounds,
which the imagination represents as having the semblance
of heavenly sounds, runs into danger of bowing to a fancied
image of things above? ^'' '^' ••' "^^

*' If we consider the Musical Festival as an amusement,
we must even tremble for those who run into it ; who thus
amuse themselves with the most solemn subjects connected
with the Divine Being, and with man's salvation, and who
encourage the performers, many of whom are selected
from Theatres and other places of vain amusement, to
take the name of the Most High into their mouths, for

24 RELIGIOUS LABOUR.

their amusement. How will sucli stand before Him in
the day of judgment, who has commanded, ' Thou shalt
not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the
Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in
vain?'"

Between the year 1824, when James Backhouse was
recorded as a Minister, and the period when he was left a
widower, in 1827, he was at intervals engaged in religious
labour, chiefly within the compass of his own Monthly
Meeting and in Lincolnshire.

At Thirsk, he believed it was required of him to preach
to the people who had assembled for the market there.
The subject had at previous times been before him ; but
on driving out of the town with a view of appointing a
Meeting at Northallerton, he says, '* The matter came so
weightily before my mind, I mentioned it to my com-
panion, John Johnson, of Sutton, and he signified his
willingness to accompany me. We turned back ; I gave
my gig in charge to the ostler of an inn close at hand, and
went directly to the market cross. I was so strengthened
for the occasion, that I remembered the walls of Jericho
falling down, so that the people went straight up before
them. After standing still a short tim^ it sprang in my
heart to speak on the necessity of repentance toward Grod,
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to our
becoming true Christians; and to point out the unprofitable-
ness of a profession of Christianity without a corresponding
practice. The people gathered around, and I observed
some of the women, with their baskets on their arms
wiping away their tears with the corners of their shawls.
I concluded my brief address with the words of gracious
invitation : ' Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

RELIGIOUS LABOUR. 2o

iinrlgliteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto
the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our
God, for He will abundantly pardon.'

*' We left the cross, which has since been removed, for
the better accommodation of the market, just before the
market began, with thankful hearts, for the help the Lord
had granted us for the fulfilment of this little service."

** In the spring of 1827 I joined my dear senior Friends,
Mabel Hipsley and Isabel Casson, in a visit to friends in
Lincolnshire, The conversation of these my more ex-
perienced friends was cheering and edifying to me, and a
friendship for them, and for some others who helped us
in our service for the Lord, was formed in the unity of the
Spirit and the love of Christ, which continued to the end
of their respective lives."

Parting with the two Friends before named, James
Backhouse, accompanied by a worthy Elder, held several
Meetings on the eastern side of Lincolnshire. *' People,"
he remarks, " seemed very ready to respond to the in-
vitation to these Meetings, and we distributed a large
number of tracts and small books among them. Some
books were placed in Circulating Libraries, in the hope
that they might counteract, at least in some small degree,
the evil principles which many of the books generally
found in these libraries are calculated to foster.

"A Meeting at Eavendale was held out of doors; the
people who were collected from ten villages standing. We
were favoured with a precious feelicg of Divine influence,
drawing us into a reverent state of mind before the Lord,
and we parted from them under a remarkable degree of
the feeling of the love of our Heavenly Father.

" At the close of the Meeting, a person from each village

26 RELIGIOUS LABOUR.

was requested to come forward to receive a parcel of tracts,
previously prepared for tliem. Many of the people re-
mained standing on the spot in silent meditation, when
we passed them some time after, on our way to Grimsby.

** On returning the minute liberating me for service in
Lincolnshire, I obtained one for holding Meetings with
the public within the compass of York Monthly Meeting.
After holding several of these, some of which were very
large, I felt released from the exercise, and this earlier
than I had expected, but I found my good Lord and Master
thus dealt with me in great mercy ; for the health of my
precious wife soon after began to decline, so as to render
my constant attention to her necessar3^"

After the decease of Deborah Backhouse, as before
stated, James Backhouse, in the following spring, joined
his friend Benjamin Seebohm in a visit to the Meetings of
Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

'* On our way into Norfolk," he remarks, "we were at
some of the Meetings in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire,
Leicestershire, and Cambridgeshire. In several meetings
which were appointed for us we had very little to express,
and in some, including one to which the public were
invited, we were wholly silent, being thus led contrary to
the wisdom of man, to preach by example dependence on
Divine direction and teaching. Our chief service seemed
to be toward those who might be compared to stray sheep,
and yet who were not insensible to their own condition,
and our labour among these was not altogether in vain.
We had also to extend encouragement to such as were
desiring a closer acquaintance with the Good Shepherd.
After attending the Yearly Meeting in London, and holding
a few Meetings by public invitation, we returned home ;

KELTGIOUS LABOUR. 27

but shortly after, united again in visiting the Friends of
Settle and Knaresbro' Monthly Meeting, in their families.
Many of these were among the poor of this world, but not
a few of them were rich in faith, and were noble examples
of contentment and inde]3endence.

''In the summer of 1829, my dear friend Benjamin
Seebohm again joined me in visiting the families com-
prising the Meetings of Friends in York Monthly Meeting,
whether in membership or"not. This occupied us closely
for about five weeks, for we believed it required of us in
many cases, to see the young people apart from the elder,
and in some to see the members of the famiKes individually.
I was much kept in a condition deeply sensible of being
' compassed with infirmity ; ' often in the interval of these
services, in great conflict through evil propensities, such
as human nature is heir to, through the fall of our first
parents, and which are often greatl}^ aggravated by having
been yielded to. But in the condescension of Divine
mercy, I was given deeply to understand the declaration,
'As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.'
The love of Christ, and the efiicacy of His blood in
cleansing me from sin, I largely experienced. And hum-
bling as the evidence of my own weakness was, and still
is, it was graciously over-ruled in bringing me into
enduring ' compassion for the ignorant and them that are
out of the way ; ' though I often felt it was in the Lord's
mercy, I was not utterly cast down."

In the early part of 1830, James Backhouse was again
engaged in religious service in several of the Midland
Counties. In some places he felt drawn to the inhabitants
who were not professing with Friends, and held a few
Meetings with them. And to some scattered Meetings of

28 RELIGIOUS LABOUE.

Friends, which he was unable to attend, he addressed the
following Epistle : —

"Dear Friends,

** Being unexpectedly prevented from getting to
see you, in the course of a visit to Friends in these parts,
I adopt this mode of communicating to you the exercise of
my mind on your account.

*' Believing that all are invited of our Heavenly Father
to participate in the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel
of Christ, even to witness restoration by Christ, to that
image of God in which man was created, I earnestly desire
that none of you may be resting satisfied short of attain-
ing to this mark, and that all may be engaged to leave
the things that are behind, and to reach forward toward
it, that so they may obtain the prize of our high calling
of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

"Be entreated to examine your own states, lest by any
means the enemy of your souls should be inducing any of
you to rest short of the * rest which is prepared for the
people of God.'

" Eemember the first and great commandment is, 'Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind,' and if we give the
world, or the things of it, the first place in our affections,
we are sinners in His sight, before whom we must give an
account. Let these considerations stimulate you to diligence
in daily bringing your deeds to the light of Christ, in order
that it may be made manifest to you how far they are
wrought in God. Then if your hearts condemn you not,
you shall have confidence toward God, but if your hearts

RELIGIOUS LABOUR. 29

condemn yon, whether for omissions or commissions,
remember, *God is greater than your hearts, and knoweth
all things.' Therefore when condemnation is felt, lose no
time in humbling yourselves in His sight, and in confessing
your faults before Him, and in praying unto Him to forgive
your sins for the sake of Christ who died for us ; and wait
upon Him, to feel the evidence of this being sealed upon
your minds by the Holy Spirit. For unless we maintain
a daily exercise of soul before God, we shall soon become
languid and dry in religion, and shall lose that sense of
acceptance with God, and that communion of Spirit with
the Father, and with the Son, which those who yield their
hearts and affections to the influence of the Holy Spirit,
enjoy ; and which we ought never to rest satisfied without.
For without this we cannot have the witness of the Holy
Spirit in our hearts, that we are the children of God. And
if we have not this witness, what is the ground of our hope
of salvation ?

''And, dear Friends, when made sensible in the secret
of your hearts of your own wants, whether of strength, or
of grace, or of pardon, or of what sort soever they may be,
be encouraged to pour out your petitions for the supply of
your need at the Throne of Grace, remembering that if
we ask in the name of Jesus we shall receive.

'' A sense of necessity is a right qualification for prayer.
Be not therefore content with merely feeling your wants.
The promise, 'Ye shall receive,' is not to those who only
feel their wants, but to those who also ask.

" And seeing that the evil propensities of our fallen
nature, and the temptations of Satan, dispose us to neglect
and forget these things, be engaged to use diligently the

30 RELIGIOUS LABOUR.

means put into your power for keeping you in remem-
brance of tliem. Amongst these are the daily reading of
the Holy Scriptures, both in private and in your families
collectively, and retirement for meditation and prayer.

These practices pursued in simplicity and sincerity receive
blessing from Grod. And if we should sometimes be sensible
in pursuing them, of nothing but our own weakness, poverty,
and unworthiness, this is no just cause for discouragement.
For it is very necessary that we should be kept sensible of
these in order that we may be preserved in that humble
dependent state of mind, with which ' the High and Lofty
One, who inhabiteth eternity,' condescends to dwell. And
it is needful we should be sensible of our own inability to
supply our own wants, in order that we may be induced,
with fervency of soul to pray for supplies of Spiritual
food, — even of the Bread which cometh down from Heaven.
And that you may daily seek for this, so that your souls
may be nourished up unto eternal life, is the earnest desire
of your Friend,

James Backhouse.

Dated from Tamworth,

28th of 5th month, 1830."

Our dear Friend was ever ready to co-operate in philan-
thropic movements, so far as he felt ability to do so. The
best interests of his fellow-citizens were very near to his
heart. And believing that intemperance was at the root
of much misery and degradation, he was very earnest in
promoting the Temperance cause. " I was," he writes,
" among the number who early signed the Temperance
Pledge, and with many years' experience, I am fully
satisfied of the benefit of so doing. Indeed, no single act

RELIGIOUS LABOUR. 31

of my life has, in the retrospect, afforded me more unmixed
satisfaction. And the same may be said of the experience
of countless thousands to whom it has proved an inestimable
blessing."

In conjunction with his friend Samuel Tuke and others,
he was diligent in attention to an adult evening School.
An old man, who through their instrumentality was
enabled to read his Bible, was an object of great interest
to his teachers. He was seventy years of age when he
first learned to read. Having mastered the difficulty of
spelling through a few verses of the New Testament, with
joy he would call to his neighbours to " come in and hear
the sweet words of Jesus ! " Sustained by his Saviour's
love, and rejoicing in the truths of the Gospel, this aged
Christian, " poor in this world, but rich in faith," in great
peace finished his earthly course.

32 PREPAllES FOR LEAVING HOME.

CHAPTEE Y.

Certificates — G. W. Walker — Ballotted for Militia — Sentiments on
"War — Leaves Home — Detention in London — Sails for Australian
Colonies.

Again we copy from tlie memoranda : '* The subject of
paying a religious visit to the Australian Colonies, pressed
so much on my mind toward the close of 1830, that I be-
lieved the time to be come for moving in it. My dear aged
friend, Thomas Shillitoe had had a view to a similar service
several years before, and had cast it before his Monthly
and Quarterly Meeting, and the Yearly Meeting of
Ministers and Elders, and had obtained certificates of
their unity ; but no companion presenting, the subject
rested with him from year to year. Previous to his going
to America, on a religious visit, I mentioned to him my
feelings, and told him if he saw his way to proceed
to New South Wales, I was prepared to offer to accompany
him. He replied that America was then before him, and
he did not know how it might be should he be permitted
to return. On his return I again spoke to him on the
subject, and told him, that I believed the time was come
for me to move in the matter, whether he did or not. He
said he had long dwelt under the exercise ; and alluding
to his own advanced age, and that of his wife, signified that
he did not now know how it might be with him in regard
to this service. It proved, however, that the further steps
I took in the matter, the more the burden was removed
from his mind. Thus our good Lord and Master saw meet

PREPARES POK LEAVING HOME. 33

to take the burden off the shoulders of His aged servant
and to lay it upon one who was younger.

'' When I mentioned my prospect, which now also ex-
tended to South Africa, to my brother Thomas, he feelingly
remarked, 'Well, it is proper such impressions should be
attended to.' This seemed to be the view of all my dear
relatives notwithstanding the long separation such a
service would necessarily occasion, and that some of them
would have to take charge of my family and affairs during
my absence ; but they feared the Lord, and desired the
extension of His kingdom above every other consideration.
I opened the subject to York Monthly Meeting in the
11th month of 1830, and though no doubt of my being
called of the Lord to this service appeared amongst those
assembled, they prudently referred the further considera-
tion of it till the following 12th month, when a Certificate
of its unity was given me, ' To visit in the love of the
Gospel the Inhabitants of the British Colonies and
Settlements in New Holland, Van Diemen's Land, and
South Africa.' This Certificate was also indorsed by York
Quarterly Meeting the same month.

** The subject also received the solid deliberation of the
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, in the 5th month
of 1831 ; but this Meeting expressed its judgment that I
should not proceed without a suitable companion, the
approval of whom, and other needful arrangements,
devolved on the Meeting appointed to carry out such
preliminaries."

Much interest was felt by Friends generally, in the
prospect of this devoted Servant's religious labour in parts
of the world which at that period were but little known in
England, in comparison with what is now the case. The

D

34 PREPARES FOR LEAVING HOME.

voyage was one of many months' duration, and conse-
quently epistolary communication was very slow.

Whilst he was engaged in making arrangements for a
long absence from his native land, he received a notice
that he was ballotted to serve in the Militia, with an order
that he *' was required to appear before the Deputy Lieu-
tenants, to be inspected, to take the oath in that behalf
required, and to be enrolled to serve in the Militia as a
private Militia man, for the space of five years ; otherwise
to produce a Substitute ! "

" One of the Deputy Lieutenants," J. B. remarks,
*'was a clergyman of the Episcopal Church of England,
and both were persons with whom I had a friendly ac-
quaintance. Being so engaged at the time fixed upon as
to be unable to appear before them in person, I addressed
to them the following letter : — ' Having received a notice
of being ballotted for the Militia, with an order to appear
before you on the 20th day of the present month, to be
inspected, to take the oath in that behalf required, and to
be enrolled in the Militia or otherwise to produce a sub-
stitute for the same ; I beg leave to state to you that I
have long ago enlisted in the service of Christ, whose
coming into the world was announced by Angels, with the
anthem, ' Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace,
good will toward men,' And who, when personally
assaulted, would not allow His immediate followers to
fight, even in His own defence ; but said, ' If My kingdom
were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I
should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is My King-
dom not from hence.' He also commanded His disciples
not to swear at all. I therefore as a Christian cannot
•swear, nor can I become a soldier, neither can I engage

PREPARES FOR LEAVING HOME. 35

any one to become one in my stead ; as I cannot conscienti-
ously do that by proxy, which I cannot for conscience sake
do in person.

** In saying so much, however, I do not wish to be
understood to conclude, that amongst soldiers there are
no Christians. I hope there are many ; but I am fully
satisfied that the profession of a soldier is no part of their
Christianity ; and that when Christian Principles become
fully recognized by Christians there will be none found as
soldiers, and that Christians will attend to the command
of Christ, not to swear.

" I soon after received notice that the Deputy Lieu-
tenants, as I had not appeared before them, had hired a
substitute in my stead, for the sum of six pounds seven
shillings and sixpence, and for this sum they issued a
warrant of distress on my goods and chattels. A spring
clock was taken from my passage to raise the amount.
The constables who took it making no claim for expenses,
though allowed to do so by warrant."'^

In looking forward to the service before him, James
Backhouse remarks, *'I have always shrunk from re-
garding it as arduous ! I knew that of the attendant
troubles, only those of one day would come at once, and
I did not doubt but my Heavenly Father would grant
grace and strength according to the declaration, ' As thy
days, so shall thy strength be 1 ' And compared with the
sacrifices men make for worldly objects, a^dthe risks they
run for the attainment of them, those contemplated seemed
insignificant, when looked upon for so much more worthy

* This Timepiece was sold to a Clockmaker in York, and was some
time after purchased for the Friends' Girls' School, and from that
institution it was a^ain seized in lieu of Church-rates.

36 PREPARES FOR LEAVIN-Q HOME,

an object. I therefore looked forward to it without any
dismal forebodings or reluctant withholdings. I felt that
my God was my strength. And He gave me such a con-
straining sense of His love in Christ Jesus, as made it
in a great degree my meat and drink to do His will.

^' In this prospect of an absence of several years from
my family, and which extended from 5th month, 1831, to
2nd month, 1841, arrangement was made for my two
children remaining with my sister-in-law Elizabeth Janson,
who kindly cared for them with her own for a short time ;
but her health failing, combined with some other causes,
they were transferred to my own dear Mother and my sister
Elizabeth Backhouse, who also watched over them with
maternal solicitude.

'' To be able to leave my dear ones under the care of
these, and of my brother Thomas Backhouse, and also
under the notice of many others to whom I was closely
united in the fellowship of the Gospel, was a great
privilege, and an unsj^eakable blessing.

*' Several pious persons, not connected with the Society
of Friends, took an interest in the view I had of visiting
the Prisoner Population of our Convict Colonies, and took
considerable pains to bring the subject under the favour-
able notice of Lord Goderich, the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, and from whom, in consequence, I obtained
introductions to the Governors, which greatly facilitated
the carrying out of the object. Among these were Miss
Harcourt, the daughter of the Archbishop of York. She
kindly brought it before Lord Morpeth ; afterwards the
Earl of Carlisle ; and he wrote to Lord Goderich com-
mending me to his notice. Sir T. Powell Buxton also took
pains to make way for me : he accompanied me to the

PREPARES FOR LEAVIK-G HOME. 37

Colonial Office, where he said much more for me than I
should have dared to say for myself, but he had a firm
belief that the Lord would sustain me, and make way for
the service required."

Having made the needful arrangements for so long an
absence, James Backhouse took leave of his friends at York,
and accompanied by his Mother and other relatives,
proceeded to London, where after attending the Yearly
Meeting, he records, — ''At Tottenham I took leave of my
dear relatives who came up with me. It proved a final
parting with my beloved Mother ; they returned home,
and I remained with my kind relatives, William and
Mary Janson, till I sailed for Van Diemen's Land, in the
9th month."

An extract from a letter to his sister Sarah Backhouse,
dated Tottenham, 9th of 6th month, 1831, will best
describe his feelings.

He writes: "I have just parted with our beloved
Mother and sister Elizabeth, aunt Eobson, and cousin
Edward Backhouse, Junior.

'' Mother bore the parting better than might have been
expected. It did not seem to me like a final separation,
and I shall not be surprised if I see you again at York
before I get off; but this must be left for the present.

'' Our separation was a very silent one, but thou knowest,
my beloved Sister, there are times when much is felt and
there is no capacity to speak, nor yet to hear to profit ;
when expression only tends to excite further the already
over-excited nervous sensibilities ; and in these we must
be content to feel in silence, and in silence to commit one
another to Divine protection, sparing one another's feelings.
For my own part, notwithstanding sympathy made tears

38 PREPARES FOR LEAVING HOME.

hard to suppress on this affecting occasion, my mind was
preserved in a degree of the same peaceful serenity with
which I have been so much favoured for the last two
weeks, and which has only been interrupted a few times
by my not keeping the watch so steadily as I ought to
have done, but which has soon been restored again, through
that compassionate loving kindness of our Heavenly Father,
which healeth our backslidings, forgives our iniquities, and
restores our souls, when we are humbled under a sense of
our own deviations, and pray for mercy in the name of
Jesus, and in faith in His blood shed for us on the Cross.

" This time of suspense with regard to a companion, is
made quite a Sabbath to me ! How wonderful are the
operations of God ! How does He in His mercy over-rule
events, and bring out of them, or with them effects, which
human wisdom or foresight could never have looked for !
"Who could have anticipated that to an anxious, restless mind
like mine, such suspense would have been accompanied by
such a calm ! but it is Grod Himself who thus worketh in
us, and who enables us in times of trial to rest in quietness
and in confidence, casting all our care upon Him. To
Him alone be ascribed the glory and the praise."

*' During my detention," he continues, " I attended most
of the Meetings of Friends in and about London. I also
visited Newgate, along with Elizabeth Fry and her com-
panions, in her labours among the female prisoners.

" I attended the Committees of the British and Foreign
Bible Society, and the Eeligious Tract Society, from both
of which, as well as the British and Foreign School
Society, and Friends' Tract Society, I was largely supplied
with books and tracts.

" The subject of a suitable companion for the journey

niEPARES FOll LEAVING HOME. 39

engaged my attention as well as that of many kind friends ;
several were suggested, but after much prayer and patient
waiting, my friend George Washington Walker, of New-
castle-on-Tyne, was presented to my mind, as the individual
whom the Lord had chosen for the work." " I know," he
says, writing to his mother on the subject, '' it will afford
thee, and my other relatives and friends, much satisfaction
to be informed there is a probability of my having my
dear friend George W. Walker as my companion. If he
be liberated for the service, I think we shall all be of the
mind that such a companion is well worth waiting for.
As regards my own feelings, though I was resigned to
have gone alone, I shall regard the provision as a special
blessing and mercy from God, who remains to be wonder-
ful in working, and excellent in counsel."

G. W. Walker's mind had been so under preparation
for the work, that he speedily gave up to it, and in less
than three months from the subject being proposed to him,
he had taken leave of his friends in England, and the two
Gospel messengers embarked on board the *' Science,"
bound for Tasmania.

40 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

CHAPTEE VI.

Sails for Australian Colonies — Hobart Town — Macquarie Harbour —
Prisoners — Tasmania — State of Church at home — Diversity of
gifts — Arrival of Daniel and Charles Wheeler — First Yearly Meeting
in Hobart Town — Lieutenant Governor's courtesy.

On tlie 2nd of 9tli Montli, 1831, James Backhouse wrote,
"We have got our things packed and are to sail to-
morrow. We have received letters from Lord Goderich
to the Secretaries of the Australian Colonies, sanctioning
their granting us leave to visit the convicts remaining
under the special care of Government. Numerous are
our other letters of introduction, and Friends continue to
exhibit a very lively interest in our comfort and accom-
modation ; which is cause of thankfulness to the God of
all our mercies."

Thus dependent upon the Lord for guidance and strength,
James Backhouse set out on this long and arduous mis-
sionary expedition to the Australian Colonies. In that
region he spent many years, visiting the Settlers generally
in Tasmania, and in many parts of New South Wales, as
well as in the young colonies then known as Port Philip,
Adelaide, King George's Sound, and the Swan Eiver.
His Christian labours were not limited to sect or station.
Prom the highest to the lowest rank, — from the Governors
of the Colonies down to the wretched Convicts working in
chain gangs upon the roads, — from the wealthy Settler to
the Felon in prison ; all were included as objects of his
Christian solicitude. Salvation, free and full, through
faith in the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour

Al'STRALIAN COLONIES. 41

Jesus Christ, was every where his theme ; not unassociated
however, with the all important declaration that a saving-
faith, must be a "living faith," working by love to the
purifying of the heart ; as is illustrated by the words,
" Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom
of God." From persons of every religious denomination,
he and his companion met with the greatest kindness and
assistance in the prosecution of their labours. Writing
from Hobart Town on the 20th of 2nd Month, 1832, he
remarks on the open door they found, and the great
kindness of the Lieutenant Governor, Sir George Arthur
to them. *'He is," he says, "a very spiritually minded
man, and he behaves towards us with the kindness and
tenderness of a father. We took tea with him yesterday,
and spent a very pleasant and edifying evening in his
family ; in which the presence of the Son of Peace is to
be felt. Indeed I seldom recollect to have sat down to a
Scripture Reading where there was more feeling of
Heavenly solemnity ; and the fatherly care he exercises
"over the Colony is attended with an evident blessing. It
appears to be a general cause of satisfaction that he is
likely to remain longer in office, except on the part of a
few individuals, where his care to j)revent moral degrada-
tion falls in the way of the mercenary spirit of some of
the Colonists, or he is regarded by them as too strict in
not patronizing public amusements. We have just re-
turned from the jail where he has been personally inspecting
the convicts brought out by the " Elizabeth," and address-
ing them on the importance and advantage of moral
reformation. After he had finished his address I asked
his leave to say something to them, having before promised
that when I had any wish for such interviews, I would

42 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

inform him. He most readily granted my request, and I
had a full opportunity of expressing what was upon my
mind. It is an inexpressible comfort to be with such a
man ; his mind seems to be so enlarged, that he takes a very
comprehensive view of the way in which things are likely
to operate upon human society, and in consequence of
this, no one can more heartily welcome labourers in the
cause of religion and morality than he does. The only
impression that variety in religious sentiment seems to
make upon him, so long as the great principles of the
gospel are acknowledged, is the feeling of the necessity
of not interfering with the religious scruples of others."

The incidents of the voyages and travels of James
Backhouse and his companion, having been published in
the volumes entitled, "Narrative of a visit to the Aus-
tralian Colonies, the Mauritius and South Africa," and
also in ** The Life and, Labours of George Washington
Walker," — render it unnecessary to recapitulate them,
but a few extracts from his private letters, will, we believe,
be read with interest. Among these is the following'
written from Port Davey, at that time an uninhabited
inlet on the south western coast of Tasmania, the shelter
of which was occasionally taken advantage of in stormy
weather.

'^ Port Davey, Yan Diemen's Land,

22nd of 5th month, 1832.

" I suppose this may be the first letter ever dated
from this place, and the Brig ' Tamar,' of Hobart Town,
in which we are passengers, must bring us and it away
together. We are on our way to the penal settlement in
Macquarie Harbour, and by the kindness of Lieutenant

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. 43

Governor Arthur, are favoured witli a free passage and
rations, suck as are allowed to soldiers ; in addition to
wkich. lie sent us a quantity of vegetables from the Gov-
ernment gardens, and his lady sent us a box of preserved
fruit, &c. The ' Tamar ' is a complete prison ship, built
at the Penal Settlement by the Convicts transported from
Hobart Town, and of this class of twice transported
prisoners, we have nineteen on board in irons ; — six of
the eight sailors and the steward are also Convicts. A
sergeant and ten privates are on board as a guard over
the prisoners. Captain Burns, a sensible and agreeable
man, has charge over her this voyage. We have the
company of J. A. Manton, a Wesleyan Missionary, 24
years of age, who is going to the Station at the Penal
Settlement for a time ; he with the Captain, Mate, and
ourselves occupy the cabin.

** 25th of 5th month. We remain here still ; the storm
which drove us into Port Davey is not abated ; yesterday
it was very rough, with much thunder and rain ; but we
do not feel our delay tedious, being at anchor in a fine
basin where the vessel rides securely. ^'' ^- * ^•' ^'
I find the retirement from the excitement of Hobart Town
beneficial to my health and strength, both of body and
mind.

''Two of the prisoners have been ill, and I have again
had to act as apothecary, one of the cases is yet of very
uncertain issue. After remaining seventeen days in Port
Davey the wind changed so as to allow us to put to sea
again ; we encountered some very rough weather till the
4th of 6th month, when we were favoured to pass the
dangerous bar at the mouth of Macquarie Harbour in
safety, and to reach the settlement on Sarah's Island, that

44 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

evening. We were received by tlie officers with the
greatest kindness. During the seventeen days we spent
there, I was the guest of Major Baylee the Commandant,
and G. W. Walker of our shipmate, J. A. Manton. Major
Baylee is remarkably adapted for the station he occupies.
He rules with firmness and kindness, and is greatly res-
pected both by the officers and the prisoners. It was
quite in vain for me to expostulate with him about putting
himself to inconvenience on my account, and making
■unnecessary provision for me, and when we left he sent
us half a sheep on board, and he has, during the time we
have been delayed here at AVellington Head, now a week,
waiting for a fair wind to recross the bar, sent us a live
sheep with vegetables, &c. These are no common acts of
kindness where the Officers themselves have their rations
in salt beef and pork, and have rarely any fresh meat
except fowls, or a piece of mutton when they kill a sheep
of their own, of which they have very few. Government
sent down some sheep for them by the " Tamar," and we
turned them on to a little island in Port Davey, where
they found a tolerable subsistence, but some of them died
in the storm, and if we had been out another day, the
whole of them must have perished. The Settlement in
Macquarie Harbour, is of convicts chiefly sent from Yan
Diemen's Land, and amongst them are some very desperate
characters ; but they are kept in subordination under a
guard of soldiers ; they are employed in felling timber,
building ships and boats, and as carpenters, turners, shoe-
makers, tailors, &c. They generally conduct themselves
well ; and there are some who have turned to the Lord,
and have become bright examples of the power of Divine
Grace, from among the very worst. Some of these were

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

such as had been reprieved from sentence of death, and
sent to this place, where they say, the Lord found them,
when they sought Him not. We attended several of their
religious opportunities to our comfort, and had liberty to
labour in them ; and had free access to the prisoners at
all times. The ofl&cers of the Settlement are the Com-
mandant, Surgeon, Missionary, Assistant Deputy Com-
missariat General, and Master Shipwright. We sailed
from the Settlement on the 21st Instant, having on board,
beside the ship's crew, H. F. Woolcabe the son of the
'Commissariat, G. W. Walker, and myself in the cabin ;
five soldiers, one of them a sergeant, two of their wives
and five children ; and fourteen prisoners returning to
Hobart Town, some of them having nearly, or quite served
out the time of their sentence, and others being recom-
mended for indulgence on account of good conduct. Three
of the latter are of the number that have become religious
men ; they seem to be of the description of those who having
had much forgiven, love much. As there is no danger of
prisoners escaping on their return to Hobart Town from
Macquarie Harbour, they are without chains, and walk
about on deck where they please. In an evening we
assemble with them, and such of the soldiers and sailors
as choose to join us in their prison, and read the Bible to
them, and give expression to such counsel, exhortation or
prayer as we apprehend required of us. And truly we
have often seen the * den of thieves become a house of
prayer,' for among those who have turned from darkness
to light, some were desperate, hardened thieves. One of
them told me me that he was so hardened he thought
nothing of committing robbery. This man was awakened
by hearing the tract for children, entitled ''Little Jane, or

46 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

the Young Cottager ' read ; another at the Settlement, had
been sentenced three times to it, and he says the gallows
were no terrror to him ; he did what he liked in defiance of
the laws of God or man, until he met with a severe
accident and lost his arm. Another was awakened by
the perplexity and suffering, himself and his companions
were brought into, in an attempt to run away from the
Settlement, and which they were wise enough at last to
overcome, by returning and giving themselves up. * *

" During the time we were lying under Wellington
Head, a young man, one of the reformed prisoners, twice
addressed his fellow prisoners in exhortation to receive
the doctrines of the Grospel, and to forsake their evil ways,
and once he prayed for them in one of our religious assem-
blies, much to our comfort. He appealed to them as
having known him living in sin, and as having forsaken it
through Divine help. He said he had sought and found
pardon through Christ ; and he declared to them the peace
and comfort he had in serving the Lord, and how much
greater it was, than he had any idea of, while serving
Satan, and he exhorted them to repent and turn to the
Lord, and warned them of the dreadful consequence of
remaining in sin.

'' We came safely to anchor in Sulivan's Cove, close to
Hobart Town, on the morning of the 13th of 7th month.
I received many greetings from our friends and acquain-
tance, amongst whom various reports of the Tamar's being
lost had got afloat. We were informed by our Wesleyan
friends that many prayers had been put up for us. The
Lieutenant Governor expressd great pleasure at seeing us
again ; he had been so anxious respecting our safety, as to
have proposed sending a boat out to see after us, lest we

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. 4 7

should have been cast away, and be in a state of suffering
on any part of the coast, and probably he would not have
been dissuaded from doing so, had we been many days
longer. We feel well satisfied in having made the voyage,
which was deeply interesting to us."

After visiting the Settlement of Aborigines on Flinder's
Island, in Bass's Straits, — Circular Head, and the Hamp-
shire Hills, the travellers reached Launceston, from whence
J. B. wrote in reference to his feelings in passing through
districts where epistolary intercourse had been suspended.
" I felt it a trial being without any intelligence from
England for ten months, and gloomy forebodings would
sometimes arise of Cholera, &c. ; I was however favoured at
such seasons to attain to a degree of quietness and con-
fidence, in which there was peace in feeling renewedly that
I had committed all to the Lord, and in the belief that He
would not permit any trial to befall me, but what He
would also give me strength to bear. I was enabled to
repose upon His mercy and goodness, and now I can look
upon the providence by which I was prevented from
hearing the Cholera was really around you, till I also
heard that the plague was stayed, as a special blessing.
For though in the uncertainty of the case, often when in
every sense it was a very low season with me, I was
favoured to feel that sustaining help which took away the
fear of evil tidings, I cannot assure myself that had I really
known that you were surrounded by the pestilence, I
should so readily have admitted the consolation graciously
offered through the mercy of Him who continues ' High
Priest for ever, touched with the feeling of our infirmities.'
In this mercy I still wish to confide, knowing that it is only

48 AUSTRALIAX COLONIES.

through the condescending goodness of the Almighty that
we are kept in seasons of apparent safety. And whether
we be spared to see one another in the body again or not,
is not much a matter of anxiety with me, if we be but kept
from falling away, and prepared to meet the Lord at His
coming. The days of the sojourn of man on the earth are
but few, they pass rapidly away, and from within and
from without they are full of trouble, but if preserved in
the fear of the Lord; where tribulations abound, con-
solations abound also.

*'It is an unspeakable mercy to see poor creatures who
have lived in halting, backsliding, or neglect of obedience
to the will of God, at last brought under the visitation of
the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, and to hear them bear
testimony to the evidence of this mercy being extended to
themselves. But how unspeakably superior as regards
the glory of God, and the comfort of retrospective view,
is the state of those who having given heed to these things
in early life, have through repentance and faith, witnessed
their peace to be made with God ; and who have through
the remainder of their days, proved their love to Him,
' growing in grace,' and ' perfecting holiness in His fear.'
How unspeakably more glorious is the termination of life
in such as these ; though they only may receive a penny ;
yet they rest from their labours and their works do follow
them.

'' I am quite aware that these have nothing but Divine
Mercy to trust to ; and that they have nothing to boast of,
for the glory all belongs to God ; yet what a privilege to
be able to give Him the glory ! and what a comfort and
encouragement to those newly setting out, in their Christian
course, are such examples ! In fine : How much more

ArSTUALIAN COLOXIES. 40

desirable to see persons advancing from childhood in grace,
to the stature of young men and strong men in Christ,
serving the Lord and promoting His glory in their genera-
tion;— than to see persons die children in grace, when far
advanced in years ; dr if they have ever witnessed a birth
unto righteousness in early life, to be so blighted through
disobedience, and neglect of seeking a daily participation
in the Bread that cometh down from Heaven, as to
produce a state of dwarfishness and imbecility indicating
scarcely more than the existence of life."

"Writing again in reference to the state of the Church at
home, he thus expresses his views : — " I long that diversity
of gifts and administrations may not be mistaken for
difference of principle and doctrine, and thus Satan gain
an advantage.

''My wish and prayer is, that Friends may beware of
the subtleties of Satan, lest he should set them at variance
about words. And that Friends may become deepened in
spiritual exercise, looking to the Lord as their teacher,
and patiently abiding the baptisms of the Holy Grhost and
of fire, by which the evils of our nature are subdued.
Thus would they attain to a state to discern betwixt evil
and good, by having their senses exercised by use ; and
they would neither wink at evil in themselves, nor in
others, but when they fell into any temptation, they would
seek the renewal of their peace, through renewed submis-
sion to the power of the H(dy Spirit, and the exercise of
faith in the atoning blood of Christ, and they would become
increasingly concerned to direct others in the paths of life.
I am persuaded where there is unsoundness of doctrine, it
is among those who shrink from the cross, instead of
bowing with humiliation under the chastisements of the

50 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

Lord's hand for lukewarmness and other sins, and instead
of seeking patiently for mercy through faith in Christ and
for the help of the Spirit to enable them to increase in
diligence, in watchfulness and in prayer, under the feeling
of their own weakness and of the Lord's power and
willingness to save."

During the long and interesting visit of James Back-
house and George W. Walker in Tasmania, they "met
with many pious persons among members of the
Church of England, the Presbyterians, Independents and
Methodists. " The general state of society," he remarks,
*' is much better than I had expected, — quite equal to
what it is in most parts of England. The great number
of persons of intelligence and enterprise, who have come
out as settlers from various parts of the United Kingdom,
and especially from Scotland and Ireland, have by mixture
in association under circumstances in which their energies
are called forth, produced a population of an enlightened
kind. But if we look on the other side of the subject, it
is to be feared there is a much more numerous part of the
Settlers, who have come out merely with the view of
making money, and whose cupidity induces them <.to
sacrifice everything to it, both as to moral principle and
the hope of Heaven ; and there are numbers who become
inveterate tipplers both among the Settlers and that part
of the convict population that has become free. These
generally fall into indigence, or return to bad habits and
again get into prison, and many of them end their days by
sudden death, which is very frequent in this Island.

" There is great openness to acknowledge the conformity
of the views Friends have taken of the Gospel, with what
is set forth in Holy Scripture, and though very few may

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. 51

SO far take up the cross as to adopt them, I do believe
many who have been fighting as uncertainly, have had
their attention turned to the teaching of the Holy Spirit ,
so as to receive a clearer manifestation of the principles
of the Grospel, and more practical application of faith in
Jesus Christ, so as to have grown in grace ; others who
have had their understandings enlightened, and their
hearts warmed by the influence of the love of God, have
proved in too many instances, as men beholding their
natural faces in a glass — they have beheld themselves and
gone away, and straightway forgotten what manner of men
they were."

About twenty individuals in Hobart Town united in
religious worship with our friends ; and the little meeting
then gathered has been continued down to the present
period to the comfort and strengthening of many in their
christian course. Throughout the Colony there were
individuals, who were either members of the Society of
Friends, or who had some connexion with it ; and these
were encouraged to meet together as a Yearly Meeting.
Shortly before holding the first under this name, Daniel
and Charles Wheeler arrived from England; they were on
a Gospel mission to the Islands of the Pacific. Of this
event James Backhouse writes, '* It was very pleasant that
our dear friends arrived in time to attend the first Yearly
Meeting in Van Diemen's Land, and also the Monthly
Meeting held the previous day, both of which were times
of much favour ; the presence of the Great Head of the
Church being sensibly felt.

" The sense of heavenly unction that was vouchsafed in
the various sittings of this Yearly Meeting, and which
often incited to short testimonies, and to ofi'erino^s in vocal

52 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

prayer, strongly confirmed tlie belief that it was in the
Divine will that this little body of Friends should be thus
organized. Similar feelings have often attended the
Monthly Meetings, and also the Meetings for Worship ;
the minds of Friends being gathered inward to waiting
upon the Lord, as He is pleased to reveal Himself by the
Holy Spirit in the secret of the heart, these seasons have
often been blessed with the overshadowing of His Almighty
presence ; though at other times a sense of poverty and
weakness have been dispensed truly profitable in keeping
the creature dependent upon God for fulness and strength,
and relying on the mediation of our Great High Priest,
who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

"The company of our dear friends Daniel and Charles
Wheeler has been a real comfort and help to us ; and we
are likely in a few days to sail with them on board the
'Henry Freeling,' for Sydney.

*' It is a great favour to feel so clear of Van Diemen's
Land, and to be enabled to leave with the prospect that
the simple Truth as it is in Jesus, will be borne testimony
to by those we leave behind ; many of whom we do not
doubt are growing in grace. A few other persons are
drawing toward Friends, being awakened to a sense of the
necessity of ceasing from creaturely activity in religious
matters, and of waiting on God for the inward manifestation
of His will, and for strength to perform it. Some of these
have long made a profession of religion, and have been
esteemed for their piety among their fellow professors, and
have known much of the comfort of tlie evidence of past
sin being blotted out for Christ's sake, but they have found
that in order to 'perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord,'
it was necessary for them to cease from man, and to wait

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. 53

in stillness upon the Lord for the renewal of their strength
from day to day. I do believe the doctrine of the teaching
of the Spirit, as viewed by Friends, is the best calculated
to awaken sinners, and to lead them to Christ, and many
I have no doubt have felt it so in this Colony."

Before James Backhouse and G. W. Walker left Yan
Diemen's Land, now called Tasmania, they were warmly
thanked by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir George Arthur,
for " the services they had rendered the Government, by
their information, suggestions and recommendations in
connexion with the Penal Settlements, and also with the
Settlement on Flinder's Island, in Bass's Straits," where,
under the care of the Government the few remaining
Tasmanian Aborigines had been placed. These though
under careful supervision and instruction, gradually
diminished in number, and are now extinct, the last dying
in 1869.

54 AUSTRALIA .

CHAPTEE VII.

Sails for Sydney — Norfolk Island — Sydney — Letter — Silent Meetings —
Governor's pemiission to visit Prisoners — Wellington Valley —
Scientific Knowledge — Chain Gangs — Aborigines — Moreton Bay
— Governor Sir R. Bourke's Message.

On the 12tli of 12tli Month, 1834, in company with
their friends Daniel and Charles Wheeler, James Backhouse
and his companion, sailed in the *' Henry Freeling," for
Sydney; they passed Botany Bay on the 20th, and entering
Port Jackson, landed at Sydney Cove. On the 27th,
J. B. records : '* We proceeded to the office of the Colonial
Secretary who accompanied us to the Government House,
and introduced us to Major Greneral Sir Pichard Bourke,
the Governor, by whom we were courteously received.
He alluded to some interviews I had with him in London,
in 1831, and on my desiring permission to fulfil an appre-
hended duty in visiting the Penal Settlement on Norfolk
Island, in company with G. W. Walker, the Governor
informed us that care was exercised in preventing persons,
under ordinary circumstances, from landing there ; but he
readily consented to our going thither, under an appre-
hension of religious duty, and to our being put on shore
there by the ' Henry Freeling ' on her way to Tahiti, and
being left to be brought back by a Government vessel."

They sailed from Port Jackson, on the 13th of 2nd
month, 1835. The interval at Sydney having been much
occupied in holding religious meetings with the inhabitants,
and also with the Penal population. Norfolk Island, 1000
miles from Sydney, was the most distant point at which
they believed themselves called to labour, and by the

AUSTRALIA. 55

Officers of the Establishment, as well as the prisoners,
they were cordially received. On leaving the Island at
the expiration of about three months, the following address
was handed to them :

<' Norfolk Island, 29th of April, 1835.
" Gentlemen,

" We, the Prisoners of the Crown, embracing the
tenets of the Protestant Faith, cannot from pure motives
of unfeigned gratitude, allow you to quit this Island
without thus, publicly, expressing our sentiments for your
unwearied zeal, and attention to our best interests, since
you came amongst us, viz. : the salvation of our immortal
souls.

*' Permit us to implore, that you would convey to Major
Anderson, our Commandant, the deep sense we entertain
of his great anxiety, since he assumed the command, for
our well-being here and hereafter.

''That a kind Providence may conduct you both in
safety, through the trackless deep to the Haven where
you would wish to be, is. Gentlemen,

" The ardent wish of

* ' This Congregation . ' '

* The return voyage from Norfolk Island to Sydney,
occupied three weeks. During a storm on the night of
the 6th of 5th month, J. B. records, '' Eeflecting upon the
many snares that are in the world, I felt willing to perish,
rather than that I should be permitted to falsify the tes-
timony which the Lord has given me to bear to the truth
as it is in Jesus. Unworthy as I felt myself to be of the
least of the Lord's mercies, I prayed to Him, if He saw

56 AUSTRALIA.

meet to continue my life, to continue also the baptisms of
His Holy Spirit, until the very root of sin should perish.
While thus meditating and praying in the storm, I was
preserved very peaceful under a sense of the Divine
presence."

They were favoured to reach Sydney in safety, where
they remained several weeks, diligently labouring for the
religious and moral welfare of the inhabitants. The
misery engendered by the cheap sale of intoxicating
liquors, was a source of great grief to James Backhouse,
and he gave several lectures on the subject of Temperance.
While variously occupied for the benefit of those around
him, he did not forget those he had left at home. From
Sydney he writes under date, 15th of 8th month, 1835,
" I continue to feel a lively interest in what occurs in my
native land, and especially in regard to the things that
pertain to life and salvation. The deviation from sound
principle among some professing with Friends, is cause
for lamentation. I conclude that such cannot have ever
clearly understood their own principles, or that from want
of a simple and faithful obedience to the discoveries of
Divine Light they have relapsed into a measure of dark-
ness, so as not to know whither they go ; and to be setting
up a theoretical faith in Christ, in the place of a practical
faith in Him ; substituting an apprehension of the intellect
in regard to His atoning sacrifice and mediation, in the
place of submission to the Holy Spirit given through Him,
which renders these efficacious, to the sanctification of the
soul through obedience and the blood of Christ. I hope
that many may be stirred up to examine their ground, and
availingly to seek the knowledge of the Truth as it is in
Jesus, and to walk therein, so that instead of relapsing

AUSTRALIA. 57

into darkness, their path may shine more and more unto
the perfect day.

''I believe few who have been brought up among
Friends know fully their privileges ; certainly I did not
till I was cast so much among other people ; — till we
felt it our place to sit as spectators in other congregations
till their services were gone through, in order to obtain
opportunities for religious communication to the people at
the close of these services ; — I had no idea of the mono-
tonous repetitions of the same words for prayers and
thanksgivings, nor the effect, in leading away the hearers
from the immediate teaching of Christ, to leaning upon
the teaching of the ministers, that a paid ministry too
generally produces. Truly the solemnity, even of many
of our poorer silent meetings, and the instruction to bo
derived in them, and the liveliness of many plain and
brief sermons, delivered in homely style, in those that are
not quite silent, — are far to be preferred to this continual
repetition. I by no means wish to disparage these services,
however below their proper place, nor to say, that to those
who have seen no farther, they are of no use ; very far
otherwise, — for I believe that to those who have seen no
farther, the very rehearsal of these important truths is a
means of keeping them in remembrance, often profitably ;
and that among those who are sincere, yet do not see
their way aut of these things, a degree of the baptizing
power of the Spirit is often known. But many of these
congregations come nearer to the sincere worshippers,
through the medium of types and shadows, and rehearsals,
under the law of Moses, than to the spiritual worshippers
under the clearly and fully received dispensation of the
Grospel. I have no doubt but that those who fear God

58 AUSTRALIA.

and work righteousness under all the varied gradations
between the two, are accepted of Him. But whose privi-
leges are the greatest ? and who know the Lord with the
most certainty ? Truly those who are the most conformed
to the image of His Son, in whom there is light, and life,
and salvation, without the intervention of forms and
ceremonies."

From Sydney he again writes to a relative in England :
*' I desire to be reverently thankful to the Author of all
our mercies, who by the operation of His Holy Spirit, has
wrought upon your minds a willingness to give me up freely
for the work whereunto I cannot doubt He has called me —
even to proclaim the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus
amongst the most lost and depraved portions of the British
Nation. I am persuaded that nothing short of His
Almighty power could have produced this effect upon your
minds, or have prepared mine for the sacrifice, or kept me
from sinking under the attendant conflicts ; and my convic-
tion remains unshaken, that it is the perceptible operation
of His Spirit, by which my mind is sustained ; and the
revelation of His will by which we are enabled to take one
step after another with comfort in our course ; and that it
is by the immediate teaching of the same blessed Spirit
that a religious progress is to be made from its first step
to its final consummation ; also, that the more we attain to
a true silent waiting upon God, the more we shall be given
to know His holy will concerning us, and be qualified by
Him to speak or to do that which He requires of us ; — to
glorify God in our bodies, and in our spirits which are
God's.

'' The state of those professing with Friends in Sydney
is by no means very encouraging ; they are a care to us,

AUSTRALIA. 59

but if by our caring for them, any of them be established
in grace, we are willing to bear the burden."

Before proceeding on their journey in New South
Wales, the following Government despatch was forwarded
to them]: —

"Colonial Secretary's Office,

*' Sydney, 29th August, 1835.

*' Messrs. James Backhouse and George Washington
Walker, of the Society of Friends, having requested
permission to visit the Jails, Convict Barracks, Road
Parties, Ironed Gangs, Female Factory, and other places
where Convicts are employed or confined, in this Colony,
with the view of being able to diffuse religious and moral
instruction amongst them, His Excellency, Sir Eichard
Bourke, has been pleased to authorize that these gentlemen
be permitted accordingly, and to direct that the several
Superintendents, Jailers, and all others in charge, be
required to afford to them all possible facilities in the
execution of their laudable intentions.

By Command of

His Excellency the Governor,

Alexander Mc Leay." •

In accordance with the liberty granted, James Backhouse
and his companion set out on a visit to the interior as far
as Wellington Yalley, 200 miles from Sydney. This as
well as many other of J. B's. journeys in Australia, was
performed on foot, being as he remarked, " The most
independent mode, as well as giving the easiest access
to that part of the prisoner population assigned to the
Settlers as Servants."

60 AUSTRALIA.

J. B's. Botanical and Scientific knowledge, and Lis habits
of close observation rendered him not only an interesting
companion to many of the Settlers, but also a very useful
visitor in a comparatively newly settled Colony. The
study of the wonderful works of God, was ever to him a
source of enjoyment and of profit ; and these works of
creative wisdom, as seen in a region where new forms of
beauty frequently met his eye, proved to him a source of
relaxation and of refreshment during many a weary journey,
whilst engaged in this extensive and important mission.
The more extended results of his botanical observations
are thus referred to by Dr. Hooker, the director of the
Boyal Botanical Gardens at Kew. "The journey was
undertaken, as Mr. Backhouse's ' Narrative ' informs us,
solely for the purpose of discharging a religious duty, but
owing to his khowledge of Botany, his connexion with a
fine Horticultural Establishment at York, and his love of
observing, and collecting, the results of his journey have
proved extremely valuable in a scientific point of view,
and have added much to our familiarity with Australian
vegetation."

On returning to Sj^dney, on the 30th of 10th month,
1835, James Backhouse writes : '' We have safely accom-
plished our visit to the southern part of New South Wales,
which we were favoured to get through in about six
weeks ; the weather became very hot before we completed
it, but we were permitted to return in good health,
notwithstanding the general prevalence of an Influenza
which laid up whole families, and cases of which occurred
in almost every house. The visit yielded us some satis-
faction, and every where we found much hospitality, though

AUSTRALIA. 61

in many places, a lamentable neglect of attention to things
of eternal importance. We went as far as Goulburn, but
there are sheep stations for nearly 200 miles farther. The
white population is spreading like a mighty flood over
tbis extensive Country. The gangs of prisoners working
in chains, which we met with, were by the Governor's
permission, allowed to suspend their work whilst we
addressed them on subjects connected with their eternal
interest. On these occasions we assembled the men by
the road side, and extended religious counsel to them, the
guard standing at the time, as they generally do, in a
position to prevent any of the prisoners running away.
The soldiers often use irritating language, mixed with
curFes, in speaking to the prisoners, which is of bad
influence, in hardening them, when they greatly need to
be rendered more susceptible of good. While in the act of
assembling on one occasion, one man picked the pocket of
another of a tobacco-box ; he was seen, and knocked down
by one of the guard, near to the place where I was standing ;
this circumstance occasioned no perceptible disturbance
among the others, and I trust there were some present,
who, at least for a time, were brought to think on eternal
things.

*' The message of love and mercy often made a softening
impression on these prisoners, and we separated under
different feelings on their part, to those with which they
met us. The baptizing power of the Holy Spirit was felt,
and their attention turned to their own convictions of sin,
as the work of this blessed Spirit, and as the message of
the mercy of their Heavenly Father, seeking to lead them
to repentance, in order that they might obtain salvation
through His beloved Son. As we enjoined no forms of

62 AUSTRALIA .

worship, but simply after a pause said what was upon our
minds, or prayed for them, none seemed to take it amiss.
If it could be done, we always desired them to sit down in
order that they might rest at the same time, and if exposed
to the sun, we requested them to keep on their hats or
caps. These little considerations for their personal comfort,
often prepared the way for the reception of our counsel.
Near the barracks, we saluted a native Black and his wife,
and they returned our tokens of notice. They were the
first we had seen in their wild state."

The travellers met with a considerable number of the
Aborigines, during the course of this journey ; some of
these acted as guides through the bush — the path being
frequently indicated by notched trees, or at other times
followed by the direction of the Compass. J. B. proceeds:
" The Blacks of New South Wales are a decreasing race ;
they do not however appear to be inferior in intellect to
other nations ; but man when from under the influence of
religion and civil institutions, seems to be the same
degraded being all the world over."

During the year 1836, and the Spring of 1837, James
Backhouse and George W. Walker made repeated voyages
from Sydney to the distant Penal Settlements. They were
kindly allowed to sail in Government vessels, which were
transporting prisoners to their various places of destination.
Previous to sailing to Moreton Bay, they were informed
"That the Master Attendant had been desired to furnish
them with a passage on board the Schooner 'Isabella,'
and rations on the passage, and in returning ; also to allow
them to land at Port Macquarie if 2)racticable, and the
weather permitted. A communication was also made to
the Commandant of Moreton Bay to furnish them with

AUSTRALIA. 63

full rations during their stay, and to afford every facility
in visiting the Government Establishments, &c., and such
accommodation as the circumstances of the Settlement
would admit."

Our Friends were courteously received by the various
Officers attached to these stations, and for them as well as
for many of the Settlers, they entertained a warm Christian
interest.

On their again returning to Sydney they had the pleasure
of welcoming Daniel and Charles Wheeler, who had
accomplished a very satisfactory religious visit to the
Islands of the Pacific.

The time now drew near in which James Backhouse was
favoured to feel that his work in Australia was nearly
accomplished. Previously to himself and his companion
leaving the Colony, they circulated extensively, "A Chris-
tian address to the Free Inhabitants of New South Wales
and Yan Diemen's Land," and also one addressed to the
Prisoner Population.

Although the following message from Major General
Sir P. Bourke, was not received until J. B. had returned
to his native land, it may not be inappropriate to introduce
it here : In writing to a gentleman of his acquaintance he
says.: *' Make known to James Backhouse how highly I
appreciate the benevolent spirit, which led him with such
fatigue and danger through so many remote countries and
across such distant seas, for the temporal and spiritual
benefit of his fellow creatures in necessity and darkness —
his have been labours of love. I had much pleasure in
his company when I could catch him near me in Australia :
but he was indefatigable in the pursuit of his object, and
on this account I saw much less of him than I desired."

64 WESTERN AUSTllALIA.

CHAPTER YIII.

Voyage back to Hobart Town— Letter to his Mother — Voyage to Port
Philip— Melbourne— Letter— Western Australia — Mauritius— Letter
to Friends at Sydney— Sails for the Cape of Good Plope.

Aeter a very stormy voyage from Sydney, James
Baekliouse and George W. Walker once more arrived in
Tasmania, on the 1st of 4tli Month, 1837. They made
many unsuccessful inquiries respecting vessels proceeding
to the Mauritius, and touching at the Settlements on the
South Coast of Australia, and at the Swan River ; believing
it would be right for them to proceed in that direction for
the Cape of Good Hope so soon as way should open for
them. In the meantime they continued their labours for
the edification of those united with them in religious
profession, and for the welfare of the Colony generally.

The following extract of a letter from J. B. to his
Mother points out their projected progress.

''Hobart Town, 6th of 10th month, 1837.
" My beloved Mother,

"Though the tidings of thy declining state of
health have thrown a kind of uncertainty over thy life,
and consequent doubt of thy receiving this token of my
filial love, I am disposed again to write to thee under a
sort of impression that thou art still a sojourner on the
earth, and that though the time does not, even now, seem
likely to be a very short one that must elapse before I
reach m}^ native land, I may yet once again be permitted

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. G')

to see thee in this state of existence ; nevertheless, I desire
to leave this, and every other subject in the hands of my
Heavenly Father, in whose counsel I believe it is that
G. W. Walker and myself are thus detained here, and
whose good pleasure I still believe it to be, that we should
proceed in the direction pointed out before we left England.
There was a time when the idea of our dear Daniel and
Charles Wheeler being at liberty to return home before us,
was j)ainful to me. I hardly knew how to think of it, and I
also felt much for my dear companion in regard to our
very protracted continuance in so remarkably different a
field of labour, to what Friends absent from their homes
on religious service, have usually been engaged in. This,
however, through the efficacious operation of Divine Grace
I have been mercifully delivered from, and I am now
perfectly reconciled to their bearing tidings of us, and to
our proceeding by a westerly course, and as way may be
opened before us, entering upon one field of labour after
another until our dear Lord shall say it is enough. We
cannot be employed in better service.

There is a probability of our proceeding so far as King
George's Sound by the ' Eudora,' a fine vessel bound for
Calcutta, which is expected to sail about the end of the
present month, and to touch at the Spencer's Gulf to
deliver parts of her cargo before reaching King George's
Sound, from which place we hope to reach Swan Eiver by
some other conveyance, and from thence to proceed by
way of the Mauritius to the Cape of Good Hope. Until
I reach the Cape I must not expect any more letters from
any of you." ^' ^'' ^ ^>' ^- *^- ^

J. B. again writes, " Having engaged a passage to

66 WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

King George's Sound by way of Port Philip and South
Australia, on board the Barque * Eudora,' we embarked
on the 3rd of 11th month, taking rather a hasty leave of
our friends. A few of them accompanied us on board ;
among these were Daniel and Charles Wheeler, to whom
we had been much united in the fellowship of the Gospel,
and who sailed for England a few days afterwards. '1 he
vessel was quickly got under weigh, our friends bid us
farewell, and before we had well arranged our luggage
we were at the mouth of the Derwent. After watching
the places, in which we continued to feel a deep interest,
recede from our view till they disappeared, we retired to
rest, overpowered by nausea and fatigue."

To his brother Thomas Backhouse.

''Port Philip, S. Coast of New South Wales,

nth of 11th month, 1837.

" Although the frequency of the voyages of my friend
G. W. Walker and myself, may have in some degree
diminished the anxieties respecting us, which our dear
relatives and friends would naturally feel in the earlier
part of our absence from them, I am nevertheless disposed
to avail myself of the possibility of transmitting a letter to
inform you of our safe arrival here, by any vessel for
Hobart Town, or Sydney, that we may find when we arrive
at the anchorage near the new town of Melbourne. We
entered this large Port, or inland sea yesterday, after a
delightful voyage of six days from Hobart Town, and since
the break of day we have been traversing this fine expanse
of water by its Eastern Channel.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 67

'* We left our dear friends in Hobart Town rather hastily
at last ; but perhaps this was more desirable than a pro-
tracted parting. Indeed I always find it best to attend to
all important matters as much as possible, before the
excitement of parting commences, for when everything
connected with the last arrangements for the voyage is
attended to, I feel equal to very little beside.

*' 14th of 11th month. There are several small vessels
now lying at Melbourne, to which place those that do not
draw more than 8 feet of water can come close up. Two
or three of these are to leave for Hobart Town or Laun-
ceston in the course of the week, at the latter end of which,
we also are to sail for South Australia. We do not find
ourselves much of strangers here, this new Settlement
being formed principally of emigrants from Yan Diemen's
Land and New South Wales. Many of the people who
have left Europe for this part of the world, being of
rambling dispositions, they easily remove again ; and
though this is one of the finest countries in New South
Wales for sheep and horned cattle, yet in the inconveniences
of a new Settlement, the more respectable inhabitants find
so many drawbacks to their comfort, that had these been
foreseen, I think some of them would have taken more
time in deliberation before they had set out. It is how-
ever a fine country and climate; and has more green grass,
and fewer trees upon it than most parts, perhaps I might
say any part of New South Wales, that we have before
seen. We have had one Meeting in the town of Melbourne,
which perhaps, may already contain as many inhabitants
as the village bearing the same name near York ; and this
considering it is but about fifteen months old, is certainly
a large number. We are at present the guests of Gfeorge

68 WESTERN AUSTRALIA .

and Mary Langliorne at the Grovernment Mission House,
on the Yarra-yarra River. This worthy young couple,
assisted by J. T. Smith, a young man who addressed a letter
to me in Sydney about two years ago, on temperance, and
a man recovered to society by the Temperance Society at
Launceston, are engaged in instructing the juvenile Blacks,
and endeavouring to influence for good the older ones ;
they have already about a dozen fine boys under tuition,
whose parents have acquired confidence in the White
Population, and who now leave their children under their

Again J. B. addresses a relative, from the '' Gulf of St.
Vincent, South Coast of Australia, 27th of 11th month,
1837.

'' Our labours in New South Wales and Van Diemen's
Land have been protracted much beyond what we antici-
pated ; but of course, we could form no definite view of
the length of time we might be required to labour in these
fields, ' who knew not with what we might be required to
serve the Lord till we came thither ! '

" The promotion of Temperance, and of a better state
of Penal Discipline, have been subjects that from time to
time have engaged our attention ; as well as the more
fundamental objects of the Gospel ; which, if received,
will lead to both of the former, as well as to every thing
else that is truly good.

*' In the progress of our labours, we have had great
proof of the advantage of directing people to the inshining
of the light of Christ, in order that they might be brought
thereby to a proper sense of their sins, — to true repentance,
— and to the experimental knowledge of an interest in the

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 69

atoning blood and mediatorial intercession of their Saviour;
and into daily watchfulness and prayer in His name, and
consequent holiness of life. And though few take up their
cross, and deny themselves and follow Him, yet under the
immediate conviction of the Holy Spirit, very general at
the time has been the acknowledgment, that this is indeed
the Truth. And many have been our opportunities of
observing the shallowness, and instability, as well as the
formality of those who do not thus receive Christ, and who
either come to no clearness respecting the faith of the
Gospel, or who keeping under the convictions only until
they come to some enjoyment of pardon for Christ's sake,
then join in with a routine of vocal prayers, and praises,
and of outward observances, such as better accord with
the spirit of the Law than the Gospel. These too often
lose by degrees their spiritual mindedness, and ultimately
seem to have little of vitality left in their religion. But of
those who, in spite of these encumbrances, keep to the
vital part of religion, it may be said they are very near to
Friends in principle.

''I conclude thou art aware that a little Meeting of
those who have received the Truth, as we most assuredly
believe it, has been for some time established in Hobart
Town, and another at Great Swanport, Yan Diemen's Land.
In each of these Meetings there are those who already
stand on record, as approved Ministers ; and in Hobart
Town there are others, who have not yet had time to make
sufficient proof of their ministry. They however, not
unfrequently have silent meetings, and generally the com-
munications of those who speak among them are short,
and some of them, often, ver}^ impressive ; but the glory
of their assemblies is, the frequent prevalence of the

70 WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Divine oversliadowing ; often succeeding deep humiliation,
under the feeling that without the Lord they are nothing.
There is also a Meeting regularly held at Sydney, New
South Wales.

" George W. Walker and myself left our dear friends of
Hobart Town, on the 3rd instant, by the ' Eudora ' ; and
from the 10th, to the 17th, paid a visit to Port Philip, the
last settlement we are likely to see belonging to New
South Wales, and we are now about entering upon a
similar one in Vincent's Gulf, the nucleus of the New
Colony of Southern Australia."

After visiting Adelaide, they proceeded to King George's
Sound and Swan River, everywhere labouring for the
religious and moral welfare of the population.

Many religious Meetings were held, and some also for
advocating the importance of Temperance principles. In
the course of one of these, of the latter character, held at
Perth in the Swan Eiver district, a labouring man came
forward, and inquired, '' How persons like himself should
become members of Temperance Societies, when their
masters often paid them one third of their wages in spirits."
This seemed to be a prevailing custom ; and J. B. remarks,
" It is difficult to estimate the ruin that has been brought
upon the Colony by the consumption of spirits."

Having engaged berths on board the '* Abercromby,"
for the Mauritius, they took leave of their acquaintance,
and sailed from Freeman tie, on the 12th of 2nd Month,
1838. On this occasion James Backhouse thus records his
feelings: *' As the shores of Australia receded from my
view, I was favoured to feel clear of them, and thankful
that I had been enabled, while possessing a fair share of
lioalth and vigour, to discharge a debt of Christian love

^^'^STERN AUSTKALIA. 71

toward tlie inhabitants of these regions, for whom, both.
Aboriginal and European, I have felt much solicitude."

After a voyage of about three weeks J. B. and Gr. W. "W.
arrived at the Mauritius, on the 7th of 3rd month, 1838.

From Port Louis J. B. addressed the following fatherly
counsel to some friends at Sydney, * * '^''

" While you are diligent in providing things honest in
the sight of all men, watch vigilantly against the spirit of
the world, lest by any means Satan should gain an advan-
tage over you ; and by gradually introducing the cares of
this world, and the love of other things, and intoxicating
you by the deceitfulness of riches, should ' choke the good
seed, and render it unfruitful.' Keep close to the Foun-
tain of Life, that in the Light of the Lord you may see
light. Be careful to examine yourselves frequently before
God, and to lift up your hearts to Him, in the name of
His beloved Son, for the supply of your need. I do not
say daily, because I conceive this ought to be the exercise
of the true Christian much more often than daily. May
we all press after that state in which the eye of the mind
shall be ever toward the Lord, and the consequent sense
of our own weakness such, that, believing that power
belongeth unto God, our dependence may be so steadily
placed upon Him, with faith in His mercy in Christ, that
the state of our hearts ip.ay be compared to that of altars,
continually burning before Him. And let our walk be in
love one to another, remembering that * God is love, and
that he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in
him,' and that this commandment we have from Him, ' That
he who loveth God, love his brother also.' Constantly act
upon the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, in cases of
trial — such as come across the path of all mankind, to

72 MAurjTius.

prove their patience and depth of root in Christ, — ' Be ye
kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' If you
walk according to the Gospel, and thus let your light,
which must be sustained by ' the Anointing received from
God,' shine before men, I have no doubt but the Lord
will bless His work in your hands, and will enable you to
bear a faithful testimony for Him, according to the respec-
tive gifts He may have bestowed, or may confer upon you.
But do not forget, that all the members of the body have
not the same office, and that it is by each keeping its
place and acting in it vigorously, that an increase of the
Body is ' made unto the edifying of itself in love.' It is
scarcely necessary to say that our love extends to you all
in no common degree. ^ ^- ^ * *

"Tell our friend — that tea-cups being scarce on our
late voyage, I took my tea daily out of one of the little
white jars, that on a former occasion, she, according to her
wonted consideration for her friends, furnished us with,
filled with preserved fruit. Thus her beneficence often
brought her and her house, to pleasant recollection ; and
nut without aspirations to the Most High, that His bless-
ing might be with them."

James Backhouse and his friend George W. Walker,
did not remain in the Mauritius more than three months.
Everywhere in this beautiful Island, the fruits of sin, in-
fidelity and slavery were apparent. " The Papal religion,"
he remarks, '' after having this Island under its pretended
fostering care for more than a hundred years, has left it
in a deplorably ignorant and immoral condition. This
wreck, if left to itself might probably waste away, and
give place to something having more of the life of the

^rAURiTius. 73

Gospel in it, but by the help of Government salaries and
patronage, the priests who are generally despised by
the people, are enabled to make great efforts to imbue
them with superstition and prejudice, in the place of
religion. I am no friend to the abridgment of civil liberties
on account of difference of religious principle, but I see a
material distinction between the abridgment of privileges,
and the extension of aid to support an exclusive system of
reKgion.

" Those who labour in the Gospel from the love of
Chiist constraining them, would not only be enabled to
keep in the field of labour, without Government stipends,
but their way among the people would be left far more
open than is now the case.

'' The Sabbath in the Island is not kept as a day of
rest, by a large portion of the population ; work being
carried on as usual, and the chief market being held on
that day."

Our friends were however refreshed by meeting with
earnest labourers in the Gospel of Christ, and previous to
leaving for the Cape of Good Hope, J. B. records : —

" We took tea with the little company of Protestants of
various denominations, whom we often met during our visit
to this Island, and with whom we often took sweet counsel
in the fear of the Lord. After tea one of them usually
read a chapter in the Bible, time was then allowed for
the expression of anything that any of the company had
upon their minds ; sometimes much of the opportunity
was spent in silence ; at other times, exhortation, prayer,
thanksgiving, or praise, occuj)ied most of the time. These
exercises were entered upon with a simplicity and sincerity
that received much of the seal of divine approbation, in

( 4 MAURITIUS.

the perceptible influence of tlie love of the Shepherd of
Israel, spread over the little flock. We felt much in
leaving them, surrounded as they were, by a population in
great darkness."

On the 27th of 5th month, ** We were at John le Brun's
cha^^el in the morning, where a prayer for our preser-
vation was publicly offered up. Before leaving, I once
more addressed the audience, endeavouring to impress
upon them the necessity of attention to the convictions of
the Divine Spirit, which leads out of conformity to the
world, and into conformit}^ to Christ. I trust our being here
has tended to impress this important doctrine with more
depth and clearness on some pious minds, whose labour in
the promotion of that which is good, we have reason to
believe, would have been more effectual, if it had been
exerted more immediately under this precious direction.
Having discharged my debt of love to these people, I knelt
down among them and prayed for the blessing of the Most
High upon them, and for the extension of the knowledge
of His mercy in Christ Jesus, amongst the inhabitants of
the land universally. On leaving this assembly we returned
to our lodgings, took a hasty meal, and accompanied by
two of our kind acquaintance proceeded to the * Olivia,'
which lay at a little distance from the town, ready for
sailing. Our friends soon took leave of us and returned
on shore, and we set sail."

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 75

CHAPTER IX.

Capeof Good Hope — Letter — Cape Town — Projected School — Friends'
Meetings — ^John Williams — Prayer — Outfit for African Journey —
Descriptive Letter — His Mother's death — Trials of patience —
Daniel Wheeler's death — Study of the Dutch Language.

Memoranda continued: "The voyage from the Mau-
ritius occupied 31 days, in which we experienced two
gales : one of them was of great severity; but the "Olivia,"
was preserved uninjured, whilst many other vessels sus-
tained damage, and were placed for a time under very
uncomfortable circumstances. A light breeze enabled us
to enter Table Bay in the course of a fine clear night, but
in consequence of the wind failing at intervals, it was ten
o'clock in the forenoon ere we dropped anchor off Cape
Town. On going ashore, we were greeted on the beach
by my old school-fellow, Thomas Laidman Hodgson,
whom I had not seen for nearly thirty years, and who is
now the Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions in this
part of South Africa. We also received a kind and
Christian welcome from Dr. Philip of the London Mis-
sionary Society, as well as from various members of his
family."

Writing to one of his Sisters on the 2ist of 7th month,
J. B. continues : —

"A multiplicity of engagements has prevented me from
addressing letters to any of my beloved relatives since
G. W. Walker and myself were favoured to land on the
African Continent ; thy kind communications, with those
of many others whom I dearly love, did not however

/6 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

reach me for a long period, not until the 27th of 6th
month, the day of our landing, when I received the whole
of what had been accumulating at the Post Office, Cape
Town, for many months, and which I read, beginning at
the first date with an intensity of interest that cannot
easily be described, but which produced a sensation such
as is the effect of violent weeping, that did not subside
fur several daj^s. Often in the course of perusal was my
heart lifted up in thankfulness to the Father of mercies
for all His goodness to us ; and sometimes sorrow spread
over my mind on account of those who have turned aside
from that which still appears to me to be the plain,
scriptural path of self-denial ; humility and life in Christ
Jesus, in which the guidance of the Holy Spirit is known.
The recovery of our beloved mother from the serious
illness with which she has been visited, is indeed a com-
fort, for though we should have been consoled in the
retrospect had she been removed to the Church triumphant,
yet remaining ourselves a little longer members of the
church militant, it is truly comforting to have her life
continued here a little longer.

'' We paid a satisfactory visit to Bichard and Mary
Jennings. They are highly respected by the Wesleyans
here, but regarded by them as Friends in principle, and
somewhat as nonconformists as Wesleyans. The school
they had at Cape Town was given up when it had about
90 scholars, because it could not properly be said to be a
school of the children of heathens ! The measure how-
ever has not been generally approved. They both have
their hearts much disposed to pursue the instruction of
children in Africa, and if a salary of £100 a year could
be raised for them, tliey would prefer returning to this

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. / 7

employment, to continuing their present occupation, not-
withstanding it would probably yield them a better income.
We anticipate a long journey in the course of a few weeks ;
but the formidableness of African travelling is much
diminished.

'' G. W. Walker has had satisfactory intelligence from
"Van Diemen's land. Thomas Pierce has applied to be
received into membership with the little company of
Friends there, and is a comfort to them ; and his wife, we
conclude from some remarks has also been favoured to see
through the thick darkness of Unitarianism, in which she
had been involved for many years. "^'

During the necessary delay in Cape Town previous to
setting out for a general visit to the Missionary Stations
in the Colony, as well as to those beyond its boundary,
J. B. and G. W. W. believed it their duty to hold their
meetings for worship publicly, and for that purpose they
obtained the use of a school-room. At the first of these
meetings J. B. says : '' But a few persons attended in the
morning. In the evening about a hundred and fifty
were present. I had much to communicate to them, di-
recting them to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as that
which reproves for sin, in the secret of the heart, and as

* In one of the sittings of the Yearly Meeting in London in 1869,
Thomas Pierce bore the following testimony to the value of the Gospel
labours of James Backhouse in Tasmania. " I was a Unitarian in faith
and by profession. I was attracted to the Friends' Meeting-house in
Hobart Town by their loving demeanour one towards another. I heard
James Backhouse preach often ; I was brought unto Christ Jesus, my
Lord and Saviour, through his instrumentality ; but not by argu-
ment,— that I could have replied to, nor by discussion ; that I was
anxious for. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the
plain preaching of Christ crucified, that I was convinced of my undone
condition, and that I was lastingly brought to Him who had died

78 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

it is attended to, draws to Christ, the Lamb of God, which
taketh away sin.

''Among the various objects which occupied our atten-
tion at this time, was the revision of the Tract, entitled
* The way of Salvation by Jesus Christ,' of which we had a
large edition printed for general distribution ; we also had
it translated into Dutch.^*

" There is much doing for the reformation of the people
here, nevertheless there is much evil, and some in the
form of an increase of Mohamedanism.

*' We have been not a little interested with a visit from
John Williams, and a number of young people going with
him to the South Seas. They put into Simon's Bay, in
the ' Camden,' and propose calling at South Australia and
Sydney, where we hope the representations of what has
been done for the natives of many of the South Sea
Islands, may stir up exertions of a beneficial character on
behalf of the poor Aborigines of Australia."

To this interesting company, J. B. addressed a letter,
in which he remarks : "I suppose twenty more years may
have rolled over my head than over most of yours, and for
more than that length of time, I have been a labourer in
the Gospel. I will not boast of my own success in the
work ; the glory of what the Lord has blessed belongs to
Him alone ; and I am sensible, that had I been more

* See No. 47, York Friends' Tracts.

for me on the cross, who forgave me my sins and in whose presence
there is fulness of joy." Shortly after bearing this testimony Thomas
Pierce was seized with paralysis in one of the meetings, and never spoke
again. He died on the 4th of 6th month, 1869, aged 67. His wife
became a valued Member of the Society of Friends ; her decease took
place about three months previous to the death of her husband.

CAPE OF GOOD nOPE. /9

faithful to Him, and more patient under the baptisms of
His Holy Spirit, more fruit to His praise would have
been produced. I have also seen much of the defect
existing in the Gospel labours of many others, among the
various denominations of Christians ; and against the
causes of my own defects, as well as those of theirs, I
wish to caution you, as a brother in Christ ; desiring that
you may prove better servants of the best of Masters.

** Many cases are to be met with, even among pious
people, in which through inattention to the spirit of
devotional exercises, these have become formal and life-
less. Thus, lamentably often, sermons are preached from
the mere recollection of the doctrines and precepts, without
any fresh feeling of the matter, under the anointing of
the Holy' S^^irit ; and consequently they are devoid of the
demonstration of the Spirit and of power, and are more
calculated to cause the faith of the hearers to ' stand in the
wisdom of men, than in the power of God.' Too often
also, in the same manner, expressions are used in the form
of prayer, even when it is offered up extemporaneously, as
well as in the giving of thanks at meal-times. These
exercises when thus devoid of life, fail to promote piety,
and tend to encourage a feeling, already but too general,
as though it were possible to perform them by proxy, and
thus the spirit of prayer and thanksgiving is often low, or
even wanting, in >many of the public and family devotions
of persons, who, I would gladly believe do often hold
communion with the Lord in private.

*' I wish very affectionately to caution you against such
defects ; desiring that the fire of the daily burnt offering,
in a spiritual sense, may never go out on the altar of your
hearts, but that the ashes may be removed, and fresh

80 . CAPE OF GOOD J TOPE.

sacrifices offered up, of a sweet savour unto God through
Jesus Christ, our Holy High Priest."

In reference to this subject, on another occasion, he
thus expresses his views : " It is remarkable how persons,
in order to defend their creaturely activity in prayer,
construe the always into continually, instead of into on all
occasions. In the exhortation of the Apostle, to ' praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, &c.,'
it is clear to me that he does not mean, that they are to
be repeating continually vocal expressions of prayer ; but
that always when they do give vocal expression to prayer,
it is to be in the spirit."

The outfit for an African journey being a work of time ;
J, B. and G. W. W. were employed for several weeks, in
making preparations for theirs. A wagon had to be built,
and fitted up almost like a house or a ship, for all the
requirements of daily life, — two spans, or teams of fourteen
oxen in each, purchased ; as also a cow and a horse. The
company or household of the wagon consisted of an Irish
driver, who spoke Dutch fluently ; a cook and washerman,
who was also by trade a tailor ; a Hottentot leader, whose
business it was to guide occasionally the foremost pair of
oxen ; and lastly a man of colour, well acquainted with
the road, and thoroughly at home in the bush, to act as
guide and herdsman. These preparations for their de-
parture being accomplished, they addressed the following
document to the Colonial Secretary :

'' To the Colonial Secretary.

''Intending to commence our projected journey into the
interior in the course of a few days, we respectfully

CAl'E OF GOOD IIOI'E. bl

solicit leave to visit and inspect sucli prisons as we may
fall in with in the Colony.

We remain very respectfully,

James Backhouse,

Geouge Washington Walker.

Cape Town, 12th of 9th month, 1838."

" Indorsed as follows :

** Granted ; and all Magistrates, Jailers, and others,
are to act accordingly.

Colonial Oface, 13th September, 1838.

By order of the Governor,
John Bell,

Secretary to Government."

On the 27th of 9th month, 1838, the two travellers, after
taking leave of several persons in Cape Town, from whom
they had received great kindness, set out on their long
and arduous journey.

On the 2nd of Tenth month, J. B. writes to one of his
Sisters :

''Wilderness between Somerset and Caledon.

*'I have wished to write to thee for some days past
to acknowledge the receipt of thy affectionate letter of
the 11th of Sixth month, conveying the intelligence of
the decease of our beloved Mother. The event was one
that I was not unprepared for ; considering the age and
infirmities of our dear Parent. I could not however but

82 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

keenly feel the bereavement ; but having long given all my
dear relatives up into the Divine Hand, and entertaining
no doubt but all was granted to the dear object of our
affections that we could ask for on her behalf, the language
of thanksgiving and praise was the clothing of my mind,
rather than that of mourning. I could not desire that
my precious Mother should be restrained from realizing
the glories of a happy eternity for a year, or perhaps more,
to afford me an opportunity of seeing her again in this
state, in which her faith and patience had so long been
tried by much bodily suffering, as well as mental sorrow :
for these she partook of in large measure, notwithstanding
her many comforts and privileges, of which she was a
grateful recipient : and, I need not tell thee my beloved
Sister, how largely she was endowed with the ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit. We have indeed great cause
to give God thanks for having given us such a Mother.

'* 4th of 10th month. We have now advanced about
70 miles from Cape Town, much time is consumed in
arranging our bedding, and when anything is wanted that
is not close at hand, much time is lost in getting at it, so
that I fear we shall find little time for writing ; and for
this occupation our accommodation is far from equally good
with what it even usually is at sea. Perhaps a few weeks
may render us more reconciled to the inconveniences, but
at present we find many, with many trials of patience.
We have had a few opportunities of imparting religious
instruction, but they have been of a kind that is far from
smooth ; such as, by means of Interpreters, and of reading
in Dutch, which we are yet incompetent to do comfortably.
However as the matter appears to be right, we may hum-
bly trust that way will be made for its accomplishment; so

CAFE OF GOOD HOPE. 83

as to effect the end designed, and in time we shall be
brought through its trials and difficulties.

" It was a great comfort to me to obtain the box of books
the day before we left Cape Town. The unpacking of it,
thou mayest readily suppose, produced much mental
emotion in the remembrance of our precious Mother, and
the sight of the tokens of affectionate remembrance from
my dear children, &c.

'' I find it difficult to answer thy question respecting the
probable time of my return. I cannot calculate on
accomplishing this journey under a year, and possibly it
may be more. Should our lives be spared, and we be
enabled to discharge our duty toward Africa, so as to be
in England again by the Yearly Meeting of 1840, it would
be a satisfaction — at least so it looks in prospect, and
though we would wish to do all that is required of us, we
shall endeavour so far as in us lies, to aim at that point.
Till we arrived in this Colony, I did not feel able to look
toward home, as I now sometimes do.

** It was interesting to us to hear of our dear Daniel
Wheeler's fresh act of dedication : he told us in Hobart
Town, that he must get back to England, for he had work
to do in another direction."^-

On the 14th of 10th month J. B. remarks : *' We rested
the Sabbath day, in the wilderness, in a style somewhat

* In the Eleventh month of 1838, Daniel Wheeler left England on
a religious visit to America. He was recalled in the latter part of the
following year, by the illness and death of his son Charles. He again
embarked for America, on the 30th of 3rd month, 1840 ; but taking a
severe cold on the passage, he landed at New York in a very enfeebled
state. He was kindly cared for at the house of his friend, John Clapp,
until the 13th of 6th month, when in great peace his useful life was
closed, at the age of 68 years.

84 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

patriarchal; sitting under a tent-like appendage to our
wagon while reading m the Dutch version of the Scriptures
to our men. — When in Cape town, we took lessons in the
Dutch language, so as to acquire the pronunciation ; and
by daily reading in the Scriptures to our attendants,
whether we understand what we read, or not, we make
progress."

At a subsequent period James Backhouse remarked,
''By reading and by bringing Dutch words into our
conversation and thoughts, and by frequently referring to
a dictionary and grammar, we soon acquired the language
sufficiently to do without interpreters.

"I have felt particularly comforted in having the tract,
* The way of Salvation by Jesus Christ,' to distribute.
The Dutch version of it has enabled us to convey the ' glad
tidings of great joy,' to many to whom we were in lan-
guage, otherwise barbarians.

"The rest we enjoyed this day was grateful to ourselves
and helpful to our cattle ; but the many things necessary
to be attended to in the provision for the establishment,
and the constant watching of the cattle to prevent their
straying, somewhat disturbed its tranquility. From an
adj acent hill we could trace the windings of the Zondereinde,
and see beyond it a range of steep mountains having woods
in their Kloofs- The trees of these woods were the first
we had seen in a natural state since leaving Cape Town.
Our cattle were left loose during the night, as we were
informed they would be safe on this side the river. On
the opposite side hyenas were said to be numerous."

SOUTH AFRICA. 85

CHAPTER X.

Visit to Mission Stations — Hankey — Slavery ceased in British Colonies
— TotalAbstinencePledge — Hottentots — LlewellenCupido Michels
— Wild Animals— Letter to one of his Sisters — Cafifers — Missionary
Influence — ^Journey across the Great Karroo — Lily Fountain —
Return to Cape Town.

We cannot enter into a minute account of all tlie visits
paid by our friends to tlie various Mission Stations ; for
these we must refer our readers to J. B's. previously pub-
lished ** Narrative " ; suffice it to say they everywhere
received the most cordial welcome. Diversity of religious
sentiment on some points of doctrine, was not permitted
to close the way for the reception of their christian counsel
among those who, in all sincerity, were labouring for the
promotion of truth and righteousness. To these our friends
could freely adopt the language ** One is our Master even
Christ and all we are brethren." J. B's. sympathy and
interest were largelj' called forth for many of the Mission-
aries who were under circumstances of great self-denial,
in very isolated positions, and with many trials of faith
and patience : to these the visit of our friends was as a
'' brook by the way," cheering and encouraging them in
their arduous engagements, among the poor uneducated
sons of xlfrica.

On the 1st of 12th month, 1838, James Backhouse
records : *' This was the memorable day on which slavery
ceased in the Cape Colony. We arrived at Hankey in time
to join a considerable congregation of those who had been
in bondage, natives of Madagascar and Mozambique, ag
well as home-born slaves, who had come from places in

8n SOUTH AFRICA.

tlio surrounding country, to unite with, tliose on the Mission
Station, in praising God for their deliverance from bondage.
In the evening a meeting was held for mutual edification.
Several Hottentots and freed slaves addressed the con-
gregation. The next day being the Sabbath, was truly a
* high day ; ' about 500 freed slaves and Hottentots were
assembled. Early in the morning they held a prayer-
meeting, in which the language of thanksgiving was
poured forth by one of their number, lately in bondage.
In the assemblage for public worship in the morning,
William Kelly the Schoolmaster interpreted what I had
to express in magnifying the majesty of Grod, who by His
own power had brought to pass, that of which we were
now witnesses, the freedom of the oppressed! I also
exhorted them to seek, through Jesus Christ, deliverance
from that worst of all bondage ; — Slavery to Satan through
sin.

In the evening my dear companion was largely engaged
in testimony to the grace of God, and the congregation
united in * praising the Lord for His goodness, and for
His wonderful works to the children of men '; — to be thus
in contact, at this memorable period, with so many of
those whose freedom had long been the subject of the
persevering labours of many of our dear Friends, and
others of the excellent of the earth, was felt to be an
unspeakable privilege. The labourers in this cause were
not forgotten in the prayers of the people, several of whom
were pious Christians. Some of them had resorted to this
place, for instruction, from various distances within thirty
miles. A Temperance Tea-meeting was held the next
evening, and out of our stores we ventured to supply the
tea, and some flour, believing our friends in England

SOUTH AFRICA. 87

would not think the funds of the Society misapplied by
this distribution.

"The people were remarkably clean, and conducted
themselves with great propriety. After the tables were
cleared, and thanksgiving had been devoutly expressed,
Edward Yv^illiams, the Missionary, addressed the company
briefly on the object of the meeting. It was my privilege
to follow him in recommending total abstinence from
intoxicating liquors. Several Hottentots and freed slaves
then addressed the meeting, and Gr. W. Walker also spoke
at some length. At the conclusion of the meeting, the
book for signature to the pledge was opened, and one
hundred and sixty fresh names were received. As neither
G. VV. W. nor myself had hitherto signed the total absti-
nence declaration, we also added our names. A sweet
sense of the love of God overshadowed this meeting, not-
withstanding its object was not strictly devotional. The
Most High still condescends to grant the evidence of His
approbation upon those acts, which have for their object
the removal of the things by which He has been dishon-
oured, and by which His creatures have often been ruined,
temporally and eternally.

'' Some of the people are so poor as often to have to
subsist on wild roots ; the children of these have no other
clothing than a sheep-skin karross ; others of the people
are able to obtain a moderate supply of food, and are
clothed in cotton, woollen, or leathern garments.

" The children that are well fed make satisfactory
progress in their learning ; but those who obtain a bare
subsistence, are not so lively in intellect. The Hottentots
have cut about six miles of water-ditches, for irrigation,
and have cleared a considerable quantity of laud. Few

88 SOUTH AFRICA.

of them exhibit a lack of industry when they have proper
motives set before them, and are supplied with sufficient
food, but generally their diet is so low as to keep them
low in physical power, and of course indisposed for hard
labour.

"Some of the cottages at Hankey would rival those of
the English peasantry in cleanliness and order, but this is
the result of the assiduity of the Missionary and his wife,
whose frequent visits and expressions of approbation tend
much to these results."

We may here remark, that the failing health of Edward
Williams obliged him to abandon the Mission work, in
which he and his wife had been so successfully engaged.
They arrived in England in the early part of 1 843, bringing
with them Llewellen Cupido Michels, a Hottentot youth
of about 13 or 14 years of age, who for five years they
had educated in their own family and to whom they had
become much attached. Previous to residing with the
Missionary he had been in one of the schools, but had
been taken away by his mother owing to her inability to
provide him with food. He was a pure Hottentot, of royal
extraction, being great grandson to the famous Hottentot
Chief, Daniel Stuurman. He was a very talented, amiable
bo}^, and when brought to England was thoroughly ac-
quainted with the English language. Had the health of
Edward Williams been restored, it was his intention to
have returned to Africa, taking with him Cupido, who he
had fondly hoped might be made useful among his countr}^-
men, but it pleased the Divine disposer of events to call
this devoted and pious labourer to Himself, and a few
months after his death Cupido sank under pulmonary
disease ; he gave much evidence tliat the religious care

SOUTir AFRICA. 89

bestowed upon him had not been in vain ; he died in great
peace at the house of James Backhouse, at York, on the
9th of 9th month, 1846.*

The part of the country through which they now tra-
velled, was much infested by wild animals. On the 6th
of 12th month, J. B. writes: ''In the night a leopard
was heard prowling among the bushes near the wagon ;
the people who were sleeping on the ground, by a small
fire, did not appear afraid of it. As they were not under
a tree from which it could drop upon them, they said it
would not come near them. The next day, being a little
in advance of the wagon, I came upon a troop of baboons ;
on my approach they quickened their pace and made off
into a wood. The hyenas near the Station at Bethelsdorp
were very numerous, they were howling among the bushes
around our wagon all night. I distinctly heard the foot-
steps of one of them among the leaves, under a large
bush, to one side of which our horses were fastened, and
on the opposite side of which our men were sleeping by
the extinguished embers of their fire. Though the animal
howled, and made noises like a loud laugh, the men as
Avell as my companion slei^t undisturbed. Had it suc-
ceeded in making either the cattle or the horses run, it
would have attacked them behind, but it was too cowardly
to venture an attack in front. On another hyena, that
answered this, showing itself from among the bushes on
the other side, the dogs immediately drove it back to its
retreat. My bed being in such a position in the forepart
of the wagon as to allow me to look out, I watched with
interest the contempt with which these marauders of the
night were treated by the cattle.
* See Memoir of L, C Michels, Vor-k Tract, No. 5. Juvenile Series.

^0 SOUTH AFRICA.

''Our horses were so tired, that for a great part of the
way from the Zondag Eiver we could only travel slowly.
The country was bushy, and it was so dark when we
reached Enon we could scarcely discern the houses. We
received a kind greeting from the Missionaries, only one
of whom could speak English ; he enquired if we had seen
anything of lions on the way. We had indeed heard,
before reaching the Zondag Eiver, that the foot-prints of
some of these formidable animals had been seen in the
neighbourhood that morning ; but seeing some cattle
feeding at nightfall, we concluded that if the lions were
hungry they would probably take them. We now learned
that a bullock had been killed about two weeks previously
within thirty paces of the road, along which we had come
in the dark ; and that since that time two lions and a
lioness had been shot, and several others had been seen
in the vicinity. We however neither saw nor heard them ;
but by the protecting care of our Heavenly Father, ar-
rived in safety at the place of our destination."

At the time of the visit of James Backhouse and George
W. Walker to South Africa, comparatively few formidable
wild animals remained within the limits of the Cape
Colony. In the wooded ravines margining the course of
the Great Fish River, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes,
and lions were still occasionally met with. But in the
remote regions beyond the Colonial frontier, into which,
for a period of many months, the steps of the travellers
were turned, in obedience to apprehended duty, these
animals were numerous. Eeferring to this, and to the
declaration of their herdsman that he had that morn,ing
heard the growl of a lion at a distance, J. B. writes, " As
we came into the country infested by lions, I observed

SOUTH AFRICA. fU

considerable excitement among our company, in talking
about tbem. As I had seen sufficient proof that they were
such poor marksmen, as to be much more likely to enrage
a lion, than to destroy one by firing at him, I became
uncomfortable, being unable to obtain a promise from
them, that, if one should visit us, they would allow
him quietly to take an ox or a horse, without risking
their own safety by attempting to shoot at him ; but my
uneasiness was mercifully brought to an end by a feeling
of near access in prayer to the footstool of Him, who can
stop the mouths of lions, that we might be preserved from
all annoj^ance by wild beasts ; and that we might neither
hear the lion's roar, nor see the print of his foot."

On arriving at Koning's Fontein in the Griqua country,
he says, " This place is a great resort for wild animals ;
lions are often very troublesome here. A man at Daniel's
Kiul, where we recently halted, told us that about a
fortnight previously, he was obliged to tie up his oxen
when there, and to sit by them all night, cracking his
whip to frighten off the lions. We had not intended
remaining at this place overnight, but the oxen were too
weak to proceed." The next morning J. B. records, " No
lions were permitted to disturb us."

And though the close j)roximity of these animals was,
from time to time but too obvious, from the report of
others, J. B. states on a subsequent occasion, no doubt
with reference to his prayer for preservation, " Neither my
companion nor myself ever either heard the voice of a lion,
or saw the print of the foot of one, in the course of our
whole journey."

'' At Balfour, Kat Eiver, we purchased two horses, in-
tending to visit Caffraria on horseback in order to save
time, and* to rest our oxen."

92 SOUTH AFRICA.

After this visit, on the 8th of 5th month, 1839, J. B.
writes to one of his sisters.

" Having a little leisure, I am disposed to address a
few lines to thee, to inform my dear relatives that through
the continued goodness and mercy of our Heavenly Father,
we are safely returned to the Kat Biver, and are on the
eve of proceeding to the Bechuana Country. By this time
we might have been set out but for the straying of two
horses, which have again been found, and a few other
hindrances, such as African travellers are subject to. We
completed our journey through Caffraria satisfactorily,
and also through Albany, in the latter of which countries
we had several meetings among the Wesleyan Settlers.
Many of these have become Wesley ans since the war, and
there is much piety among them, but in not a few in-
stances, a strong prejudice against the frontier policy,
the Hottentots and the Caffers. The Gaffers are beyond a
doubt troublesome neighbours to the Colonists, on some
parts of the Frontier, being much given to stealing horses
and cattle ; and some people would like to resort to the
old system of making reprisals upon them, particularly
the military ; this however the Settlers generally deprecate.

" The Caffers we found exhibiting the common depravity
of human nature in its unregenerate state, but modified
in its features by circumstances, rude avarice and lasci-
viousness, leading to dreadful consequences ; nevertheless
some of their evil customs have given way in degree to
Missionary influence, and at the Missionary Stations these
are greatly subdued. A considerable number both of
children and adults have learned to read, and there are
some converts to Christianity at most, if not at all these
places, and a few whose lives are accordant with the

SOUTH AFllICA. 93

Gospel, and who are preaching to their countrymen with
a degree of zeal and simplicity, that might well instruct
Christians of other nations. The contrast between the
darkness in which they were brought up, and the great
light which they have seen, and walk in, is very great.
Perhaps it may be said that feeling they have been for-
given much, they love much.

** What we have seen of Missionary Stations, both in
Caffraria and in the Cape Colony, has convinced me that
few persons come to them, especially at first, from a desire
to know the way of Salvation ; but they are refuges of the
destitute, the afilicted and the tormented : people flee to
them to seek shelter from oppression and distress, and in
these Cities of Refuge, they hear the glad tidings of
Salvation, when they are in a very humbled state, and
some hear and believe to the saving of their souls, and
carry the joyful message to adjacent, or more distant
Kraals, and the Cafl'ers condescend to hearken to what
they say, and sometimes hear effectually. This rule is not
however without exception. The establishment of the
Mission among the Hottentots at Pacaltsdorp, resulted
from an application from some of that Nation living upon
the spot, who had heard a woman of their own race preach,
who had been converted to Christianity at Bethelsdorp,
and there are here at this time a Tambookie and a Fingo
Chief, soliciting teachers because of their earnest desire
to be instructed in the way of Salvation ; and a similar
application has been received within a few days from a
Mantatee chief, and another from a great Counsellor of
another tribe. Thus it is evident that there is a desire
awakened among some of these people, after the Gospel
itself, and others who have seen its effects have not been

94 SOUTH AFRICA.

without appreciating them. When the Caffer Chief Macomo
was told of these circumstances, and that some persons were
going to form a Station among a remnant of the Bushmen,
he said he was glad of it, for then they would have a
home ; a comfort which the tribes of Africa can scarcely
be said under other circumstances to possess, on account
of the wars they continually make one upon another.

" 10th of 5th month. I was prevented j)roceeding with
this letter as I had intended, and I now seize a few minutes
while our oxen are resting at Blinkwater, two stages from
Philipton, and one of the last Settlements on the Kat
Eiver we expect to see ; it is the place near which the
Chief Macomo resides. We resumed our wagon travelling
yesterday, and proceeded about twelve miles.

" Since writing the above, we have detected a fracture
in one of our axles, and must exercise patience till it be
repaired. We have cause again to be thankful under such
circumstances, that we are in good hands for the needful
repair ; a young man of pious and intelligent character, of
Hottentot and Dutch extraction, educated at Theopolis,
who made an excellent speech at a Total Abstinence
meeting at Philipton on the 7th instant, being a wagon
maker near this place : he is just the sort of person it is a
pleasure to employ.

"James Eead, who is here, tells us he has received
intelligence of a great awakening among the Hottentots
of Zourbraak, and which has extended to Swellendam ;
and to the great joy of the good old Missionary Henry
Helm, has included also some of his own children : he
says he kept count till 50 were awakened, and then they
became so numerous that he ceased to reckon. As is not
unusual in such cases, two or three who became anxious

SOUTH AFRICA. 95

respecting tlieir own state, found peace through the Lord
Jesus Christ ; and in the fulness of their first love,
proclaimed what Grod had done for their souls in their con-
version, and this under the Divine blessing was made the
means of leading others to reflect and to consider whether
they knew anything of God, as a reconciled Father, and
thus being brought to feel after Him, and earnestly to seek
Him, they were favoured to witness the fulfilment of the
promise, * Seek and ye shall find.' Such have much yet
to pass through, and it is a common cause of complaint
that many after having thus found peace through repent-
ance, and faith in Christ, seem to stop there, and to get
no farther, manifesting no evidence of growth in Grace,
but either talking of past experience, or continually sin-
ning and repenting. But lamentable as this is, there is
nevertheless often a marked difference between these, and
those who never have repented ; and we are sure that
those who make advances in the way, must first enter
therein through repentance and faith in Christ, who
remains to be ' the door into the sheepfold.' Bepentance
however, is not in all marked by the same features. In
those who have been brought up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord, it is most strongly marked by
watchfulness and prayer, and the fruit of these, practical
self-denial, attended with a conscious possession of peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ; and in these
repentance has a steady growth, exhibited in increasing
conformity to the mind of Christ, who is known not only
as having died for sin, but as having risen again for
justification — as being the Fountain set open' for sin and
uncleanness, and also as the Fountain of Life.

'' At Salam in Albany, we were most kindly entertained

96 SOUTH AFRICA.

by a family named Gush, the father of whom has for some
time been under convincement of the accordance of the
principles of Friends with the Gospel. To the considera-
tion of these principles he was led by observing the steady
course of the Society in pleading the cause of the oppressed ;
he has acted strikingly in conformity with the views we
entertain of the pacific nature of the Gospel, in several
proving instances.* We also received much kind attention
from many other persons in this part of the Colony, as well
as in Oaffraria at the Missionary Stations. The Scotch
Missionaries (of the Stations beyond the Frontier) excel in
Schools. There is a general want of occupation among
the people, such as might bring them in a little return
convertible into clothing and other necessaries, which are
greatly needed in most places.

" At Graham's Town we received letters from England,
Yan Diemen's Land, and New South Wales.

'' The various notices in our English letters were very
interesting to me ; it is always a great pleasure to keep
up my intercourse with those from whom I have so long
been separated.

**I still can, I think, truly say that my confidence for
deliverance from every danger, is solely in Him who made
even the beasts of the field for His own glory, and placed
the fear and dread of man upon them, for his protection.
It is remarkable how this principle prevails, so that not-
withstanding persons occasionally lose their lives by them,
such cases are of rare occurrence — generally when the
animals are overtaken suddenly, or put upon self-defence.
We heard ' a few days ago, of a woman of the Bushman
Nation, who had for many years dwelt alone in the
*See York Friends' Tracts, No. 69.

SOUTH AFRICA. 97

wilderness, avoiding all human haunts, lest she should
come under oppression and had subsisted on roots, and on
fragments left by the lion, the leopard, the jackal, or
the hyena ; her dwelling is literally among the beasts of
the field, of which she has less dread than of the tyranny
of man. Her case is considered very remarkable, even
among the people of her own country-, who have them-
selves been hunted and driven to fastnesses in the
mountains like wild beasts ; but with some of these, inter-
course has lately been had by some of the Kat Eiver people,
with a view of placing native teachers among them.

*' We are leaving the Kat River with feelings of great
esteem for the Missionaries, who take a lively interest in
promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare of the Native
Tribes ; and under the conviction that low as the Hottentots
are in the world, and much despised, many of them are
among ' the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of
the Kingdom that God hath appointed for them that love
Him.' There is an unsophisticated simplicity about them,
that prepares them to receive immediate communications
of the Divine Spirit, in faith, and in several instances to
preach the Gospel in a manner much more accordant with
the freedom of unfettered Christianity, than is generally
the case among those brought up in the trammels of Church
Establishments, and regulations of man's imposing: they
are not altogether free, liowever from these : sentiments
opposed to women's preaching, and inculcating a continued
string of vocal exercises on devotional occasions, having
been entailed upon them by the Missionaries. Yet in
regard to extending the liberty of preaching among the
men, our friends here, go beyond most.

" In our visits to the South African Stations, including

H

98 SOUTH AFiaCA.

those of Caffraria, we noticed a remarkable accordance
between tlie degree of progress in the influence of tlie
Gospel, and the degree in which a scriptural liberty in the
exercise of spiritual gifts was admitted ; and I have long
observed a proportionate shallowness of religious experi-
ence, to the measure in which vocal exercises were looked
upon as essential to public and social worship. Not that
I would be understood to think that no shallowness is to
be found among Friends, for I have often had to lament
its existence. But this I can say, that I have nowhere
met with such depth of religious experience as among the
spiritually minded in the Society of Friends, who I trust
are not a small number in their body. Oh, that Friends
would more generally walk steadily in the Spirit, and be
willing to do what their hands find to do, trusting in the
Lord for strength ; that they would anxiously seek daily
to know not only that their past sins were forgiven for
Jesus' sake, and some sense of peace in their own minds,
but also what the Lord had for them to do in promoting
His work in the Earth. Then surely there would be an
increase of labourers among them, in every department of
the Lord's vineyard."

The repairs of the wagon being completed, J. B. and
his companion finally left the Gaffer frontier, and the Kat
Eiver district, on the 15th of 5th month, 1839. After
crossing the Great Fish Eiver they proceeded on their
journey over a very poor and barren country, and on the
19th of 6th month, they out-spanned on the north bank of
the Great Orange Eiver, having left the Cape Colony and
entered the Griqua country. Passing through the Griqua,
Bechuana and Basutu countries, they visited the various

SOUTH AFRICA. 99

Mission Stations. Many of these were under the care of
the Paris Missionary Society, and in all our friends were
warmly welcomed, and way was willingly made for them
to deliver their Gospel message among the people.

In the 10th month they again entered the Cape Colony,
and in the 11th month James Backhouse writes :

"Beaufort, S. Africa, 22nd of 11th mo., 1839.

^' It was interesting to me on my arrival at Graaf
Eeinet, to receive a few particulars respecting the last
days and decease of my beloved sister-in-law Elizabeth
Janson, for whom we may indeed rejoice, in contemplating
her exchange of bodily suffering, and mental conflict, for
endless j)eace and joy in the presence of Him whom she
had known and loved as a Saviour and Redeemer, and
whose Spirit had been her Guide and Comforter, leading
her in a course of precious subjection to the will of her
Heavenly Father. But while we rejoice for her, we cannot
but feel the blank which her removal has made in our
family circle.

" We are undecided at this moment whether it may be
best for us to take the road across the Great Karroo to
Worcester, or to proceed by a way less tracked, but better
supplied with water and food for the oxen, over the Nieuve
Yald, and Eogge Yald, direct to Clan William, and which
would probably save us 200 miles travelling. But many
other things as well as distance are to be considered in
journeys through the great wildernesses of this land, which
are something like voyages ; and coming into the little
widely separated towns has much resemblance to coming
into port.

"It is remarkable how much we get to feel at home in

100 SOUTH AFRICA.

the wagon : when it arrives at the place of * outspan ' for
the night, the cattle and horses are usually turned loose to
feed, and after supper and reading in the Scriptures, we
go to bed as free from anxietj'', as if in an English inn ;
yet conscious that our slumbers may be disturbed by the
approach of some wild beast, and it is true jackals and
hyenas not unfrequently awake us ; but of these we have
no fear. Leopards might disturb our horses, but these
are generally left with the oxen to browse and shift for
themselves ; and though we have passed through several
lion districts, these formidable beasts have not been per-
mitted to disturb us, even by the lifting up of their voice.
Sometimes the cattle and horses wander ofiP in search of
water and better food, but our attendants readily find
their tracks, and follow them till they find them, and in
this sort of pursuit they are so dexterous, that notwith-
standing Africa itself is the field in which they roam, we
are seldom later than nine o'clock before being again in
progress with our journey, and we often resume our
travels before eight.

"We are much interested respecting the projected
School at Cape Town ; I do not think there will be any
difficulty in having it well superintended. I quite think
that if sufficient funds can be raised, it will be best to
possess a place for the School, but whether to purchase or
to build, must depend upon circumstances. I have
requested T. L. Hodgson to look out for premises.

*'It seems likely to be five or six months before we
reach Cape Town again, which way soever we may go
from this place. The journey is likely to be from three to
four weeks before we reach any of the towns on the
western side of the Colony."

SOUTH AFRICA. 101

J. B. continues, ** On the 28th we left Beaufort and
launched into the wilderness, our aim being to reach the
Weslejan Station of Lily Fountain, on the Kamesberg
Mountains, in Little Namaqualand ; we did not fear
arriving at this point, but we had no map on which a road
was laid down, and we could not find any person who had
travelled further in that direction, than the boundary of
the Beaufort District."

This portion of their journey, which occupied five months ,
was attended with great fatigue ; in many parts the great
heat and scarcity of water were very distressing, both to
themselves and also to their cattle ; but even in the most
lonely districts, solitary individuals or families were met
with, to whom the glad tidings of the Gospel were pro-
claimed, and to whom it proved indeed a joyful sound.

"Writing near the conclusion of this long and arduous
mission, James Backhouse thus refers to it.

''I cannot here give much account of our journey ; it
has been attended with much fatigue, but G. "VV. Walker
and I are both favoured to be in good health, and our
visit to the various classes of the inhabitants of this land
has been well received, and to ourselves has been very
interesting. At Griqua Town, the Kruman, and Motito,
there are many converts to Christianity of the Bechuana
Nation. At Griqua Town and in some adjacent places,
there are also many valuable Christians of Hottentot and
Dutch descent; and in Great and Little Namaqualand,
Christianity is making interesting progress. Many times
our spirits were refreshed, as we sat upon the ground, and
held meetings with little companies of Namaqua
Hottentots. Among the Dutch we have met with great
kindness, and in some instances with much openness; and

102 SOUTH AFRICA.

our visits to the Missionary institutions in some of the
towns, as well as in more remote situations, have afforded
us much comfort. It is truly gratifying to see the coloured
people so well cared for and instructed."

We pass over the remaining interesting details of this
African tour, the whole of which occupied 19 months. The
travellers re-entered Cape Town on the 11 th of 5th month,
1840, and very warmly was their safe return welcomed by
their friends ; many were the greetings they received as
they rode along the street to the house of Thomas Thwaits,
where they had previously been kindly accommodated, and
which during the remainder of their stay in South Africa,
they made their home.

For some weeks they felt much exhausted, but by care
and regular exercise, they were enabled to attend to such
things as they apprehended to be their religious duty.

In a memorandum written near the close of J. B's. life,
he thus refers to his religious visit to Africa, the Australian
Colonies, and the Mauritius.

"Peace from the Lord still attends my mind in the
retrospect of this service, and thankfulness that I was
called into it, and enabled to give up to it ; and for the
enlargement of my experience in the love of Christ, which
attended the performance of it ; and the increase of my
acquaintance with the Lord's children of various denomi-
nations, toward whom I feel the love of the brotherhood,
and mutual discipleship in Christ — that love which shall
endure to eternity."

RETURN TO ENGLAND. 103

CHAPTEE XI.

Death of M. Bragg— G. W. Walker sails for Tasmania— School
Premises — Letter to his Sisters — Preparing Tracts — Farewell
Meetings — Stormy Voyage to England— Peace of Mind — Lands
at London Bridge — Meets his sister Elizabeth — Reaches Home 2nd
Mo. 2ist, 1841 — Returns Certificates — G. W. Walker's Marriage.

Again J. B. writes to his family at York :

'' Cape Town, 23rd of 9tli Montli, 1840.

** G. W. Walker has felt keenly the intelligence
of the death of his maternal friend Margaret Bragg, but
the knowledge that this tie was broken, I think not only
tended to confirm him in the belief that his conclusion to
return to Yan Diemen's Land, without first visiting Eng-
land was right, but it rendered returning to his Tasmanian
friends less of a struggle to his mind, for while on one
hand his affections were strongly bound in Yan Diemen's
Land, and the pointing of the Divine finger seemed to be
in that direction, his mind clung with tender emotion to
his friends in England. He went comfortably on board
the ' Hamilton Boss ' yesterday afternoon, and she put to
sea this morning.

" We were favoured to part under a precious sense of
our Heavenly Father's love, and in the belief that our
union, association, and separation, were all in His counsel,
and to commemorate His goodness to us with thanksgiving
and to commend one another to His continued mercy in
Christ Jesus. Under these feelings we had a quiet oppor-
tunity by ourselves after breakfast, having little to say

104 EETURX TO ENGLAND.

before others, some of whom kindly accompanied us to the
shore, and a few to the ship, which we finally left after
W. Thwaits had assisted in fixing the luggage in G. W.
Walker's cabin. ^

*' I do not yet see the time for my own departure from
these shores ; but do not expect it will be in less than a
month, and possibly it may be longer, as the Gaffer Tract
is yet to be printed, and many others are to be put into
circulation ; it is likely to be ready for the press next week,
and I daily get forward in sending out the others."

Through the liberality of Friends in England, J. B. was
enabled to purchase suitable premises for the School he
had so much desired to see established, for the education
of the lower classes of the population of Cape Town, and
especially for the children of the coloured people. He
thus proceeds in reference to it: ''The School progres-
sively increases, and I hope soon to make permanent
arrangement for the payment of the salary of E. and M.
Jennings.

" Expecting so soon to be on the way to England, I find
it an effort to bend my mind to writing, but I thought you
would be desirous to know our movements and prospects.

" Cape Town, 27th of 11th month, 1840.

*' To his Sisters.

"Notwithstanding I have this day put into the

post a short note attached to my Journal, I am inclined to

* See the Memoir of G. W. Walker. He was a faithful fellow-
labourer with James Backhouse during his long Missionary tour, which
extended over nine yeai's. He returned to Van Diemen's Land, where
he married, and settled in Hobart Town. He was highly esteemed
both in his own religious Society and in the community at large, and
died in great peace in i<S59, aged 59 years.

EETURN TO ENGLAND. 10')

inform you a little more particularly of my present position
and prospects. My work here seems finished, with the
exception of sending off the Caffer Tract, and holding a
few farewell meetings ; which so far as I can see may be
accomplished in the course of next week. And though I
have not yet felt at liberty to look out for a passage, I
expect to be ready to embark to-morrow week, namely on
the 5th prox. There are several vessels in the bay, which
will be sailing soon, — but as the sailing of ships depends
on wind, weather and many other contingencies, possibly
I may not get off quite so soon. It is very pleasant thus
to be brought to the conclusion of the long travel; to the
end of which I could not see when it was entered upon,
or which I might rather say was mercifully hidden from
me ; and notwithstanding a deep sense of unworthiness,
to be favoured with a large measure of mental tranquillity
and peace.

'' The prospect of meeting my dear children, and many
other dear relatives and friends, is also very cheering,
though I by no means look for unmixed satisfaction. But
I trust the Lord, who has so mercifully sustained me in my
absence from my native land, will still graciously support
me, and enable me to bear without injury, all my joys and
sorrows.

" I shall not wish to stay many days in London, as it
will be necessary for me to be there again at the Yearly
Meeting, if I be spared and in health.

'* But perhaps you can send some wearing apparel : I
shall endeavour to have a pretty good suit of woollen
clothes to land in, but my wristbands are too ragged, or
will be, after another wearing at sea, to pass muster in
England, and my wardrobe is so worn, little will be worth
landing.

106 RETURN TO EXGLAXD.

" I intend writing immediately on arriving, but as one
ship sometimes sails much faster than another, do not be
uneasy if I should be a few weeks after the usual time.
Ten weeks is an average passage, but I have known it
much longer."

On the 9th of 12th month, 1840, James Backhouse
records in his Journal, '' Having taken leave of many kind
friends in Cape Town, I embarked on board the Schooner
' Invoice ; ' Daniel Steedman, Eichard Jennings and
James Thwaits accompanied me on board, and remained
for some time. We made sail about noon, and left Table
Mountain far behind before night."

Most of the voyage was attended with but little incident,
till the 5th of 2nd month, when J. B. again writes : '' We
lay-to after a dismally stormy night, in which some heavy
seas started our bulwarks, and carried away part of our
ports. I was favoured with tranquility of mind, in humble
dependence upon Him whom the wind and the sea obey,
but was destitute of that sense of the Divine presence by
which I have often been comforted in the hour of trial.
In the afternoon, the weather became finer.

'* 6th, the improvement in the weather was of short
duration; the wind began to blow again with great
violence last evening, and this morning while lying to, a
heavy roll carried away our topmast and jib-boom. 7th,
all hands were busy clearing away the wreck occasioned
by the accident of yesterday. The sea was very high and
it often washed over the disabled vessel. The assembling
of the men for religious purposes was impracticable. I
had usually read to them on First-days, from the Scrip-
tures, and I had often addi'essed them on the importance

PETUllN^ TO ENGLAXD. 107

of laying hold on eternal life, but to-day I sat alone in the
wet cabin, feeling the force of the words,

* Other refuge, have I none ;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee."

" 10th, while the gale lasted and we la3'-to in thick
weather, we were perpetually in danger of being run down
by vessels coming out of the English Channel. Sometimes
they had but just time to clear us after hearing our bell,
or seeing our light. In this state we beat backward and
forward between the coast of Ireland and that of France.
To-day the wind changed in our favour and we made sail.
"When near the S.cilly Islands we lost a man overboard,
whom every effort to save proved fruitless. In the haste
to bring the vessel to, the mainsail was split, and it
became so dark before we could again proceed, that we
descried the light called St Agnes, in such a position as
proved, that had it not been for the detention occasioned by
these accidents, we should probably have been hy this
time upon the rocks, for which we had evident^ been
standing in the fog. On discovering our dangerous
position, we immediately stood off the land, grateful for
our escape, but cast down by the loss we had sustained.

*' 12th, we entered the English Channel, and in the
course of the day we sighted land off Bolt Head.

" 13th, we passed the Channel Islands, and came within
sight of Beachy Head. Our crew were so exhausted that
they required much encouragement to prevail upon them
not to give up, two of them had been violently affected
with cramp, and the feet of the others were much swollen
with continued exposure to wet and cold.

" 14th, we took in a pilot between Dungeness and Dover^

108 RETUr.N TO SXGL.VND.

and had a fine run through the Downs, and as far up the
Thames as the Lower Hope. As we passed rapidly along
the well-known and greatly desired coasts, my soul was
much bowed before the Lord, in thanksgiving and praise
for the past, and in prayer for the future, under a lively
recollection of His goodness and mercy in bringing me in
health, safety and peace, to my native shores, after having
led me about in His service, over so many thousands of
miles of land and of water, preserved me in calms and
in storms, in the midst of dangers in the desert, and in the
wilderness, amongst wild beasts, and amongst savage and
barbarous, as well as amongst civilized men; so that
according to the prediction of one of the Lord's anointed
servants, at the commencement of my journeyings, neither
the briny wave, nor any other attendant danger, had been
permitted to prevail against me. I felt that I had indeed
occasion to adopt the language, ' Bless the Lord, 0 my
soul and all that is within me bless His holy name ! Bless
the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits ! '

" 15th, I went on board a steamer, and landed at London
Bridge, after an absence of nine years and five months
from my native land. I made my way to the house of my
friends John and Isabel Kitching, where I was soon joined
by one of my Sisters.

*' Several circumstances detained me in London till the
evening of the 20th, when accompanied by my Sister, I
proceeded to York, and arrived there early on the 21st of
2nd month, 1841, when I was favoured to meet my dear
relatives in much comfort, and was restored to my children
whom I had left young, and who were so much grown and
altered, I could not have identified them. Both here and
in London, as well as in other places, I received a cordial

IIETURN TO EXGLA^D. 109

greeting from my friends ; I was also favoured to partake
largely of that peace which is often dispensed in unmerited
mercy, to those who feel themselves to be unprofitable
servants, notwithstanding they may have been enabled in
some measure to perform their duty."

James Backhouse's residence was now with his two Sisters
and his Son and Daughter, The changes which had taken
place during his absence of ten years, came with vivid
reality before his mind ; there was no longer his beloved
and honoured mother, with whom he had been wont to
take sweet counsel, — his dear Sister-in-law Elizabeth
Janson, and her Son, were deceased ; as well as many
other dear friends, whose vacant places could not but cast
a shade over his otherwise joyful return ; but he gratefully
commemorated the mercies which had been extended to
these, whom the Lord had seen meet to take to Himself,
and thanksgiving and praise on their account, was the
covering of his spirit. "Old age," he remarks in his
memoranda, " had crept over many whom I had left in
the vigour of life, whilst some who were but children, had
in other instances become the heads of families. My
brother Thomas was again married, and now in addition
to his dear Mary, had an infant daughter and son.

"On all hands I was cordially welcomed back ; and
my peace abounded in Christ Jesus my Saviour — unpro-
fitable a servant as I felt myseK to be. On looking back
on the years spent abroad, the Lord gave me the renewed
feeling, that my service was accepted through Him. And
thankfulness still dwells with me that I was enabled to
give up to it, and to perform it in the strength of my
manhood, — my return was in the forty-seventh year of my
age.

no RETURN TO EXQLAND,

" My brother Thomas Backhouse had so cared for mj
affairs during my absence, that in a pecuniary point of
view, I found them rather improved than otherwise."

After returning the Certificates granted to J. B. by the
Monthly, and Quarterly Meetings of York, he proceeded
to deliver up that also which he had received from the
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders in London.

In doing this, he gave to the Yearly Meeting of 1841,
an interesting account of the religious service in which he
and his friend G. W. Walker had been engaged. From
a letter addressed to one of his family, we extract the fol-
lowing : " The details which J. B. has been enabled to give
in the various meetings, have been very instructive, simple,
full and clear. He gave a sweet account of his own early
exercises, showing how what might be considered ' little
things ' were required of him to bring his mind into sub-
jection to his Divine Teacher, — that Teacher who had since
so wonderfully condescended to guide and instruct' him.
Had he given way in the day of small things, which he
had been much tempted to do, he believed his Christian
progress would have been so retarded, that he never should
have been sent forth in the Lord's work as he had been,
and he encouraged his young friends to attend diligently
to those intimations of the Divine Spirit, which would
restrain from indulgences calculated to foster pride, and
the want of subjection in the heart, &c." ^* ^'

Again J. B. records, '^ On my return from the Southern
Hemisphere, I gave my attention to my temporal affairs,
assisting my brother in the management of our business.

*' From Van Diemen's Land, I am informed that my
late faithful companion in Gospel labour, George W.
Walker, was united in marriage to his friend Sarah Benson

RETURN TO ENGLAND. Ill

Mather, in a very favoured Meeting in Friends' Meeting
House, Hobart Town, on the 15th of 12th month, 1840 ;
the house was well filled, and though in the commencement
a whisper was now and then heard, the Meeting became
very settled, and a holy solemnit}^ spread over the company
that was very striking ; Francis Cotton, with others, were
engaged in Gospel labour on the occasion ; and not only
to those who could recognize the sense of the blessed
Master's presence was this a season of favour, but to some,
who probably scarcely recognized whence these feelings
arose, it was also a contriting time. Hobart Town is likely
to be the residence of this worthy couple, and G. W.
Walker is intending to pursue Linen Drapery, in the place
of 'Tent Making,' for the provision of his own necessities,
and the necessities of those who are with him. His wife,
after the example of Priscilla, unites with him in the
labours of the Gospel. Upon the whole the accounts from
Van Diemen's Land are comforting ; there are some
acknowledged Ministers in this little church, and a few
others who bid fair for usefulness in this line of service,
being careful to keep within the measure of their gifts,
and not to move but under the fresh putting forth of the
good Shepherd, and not diluting their exercises under a
multiplicity of words."

Writing to a Friend under date 6th month, 1841, in
reference to the impression which had been made upon his
own mind previous to leaving England, that it was the
Lord's will, that G. W. AValker should be his companion
in Gospel labour in the Southern Hemisphere, and which
it would appear, some one lacking in faith had called in
question as being '* a Divine intimation ; " J. B. proceeds :

112 KETURX TO ENGLAND.

**In regard to the impression of wliicli I spoke, in con-
nexion with, my late journeyings ; I have believed it right
not to conceal the Lord's goodness, in condescending by
this means to point out who was to be my companion in
the work : so as upon the strength of the impression that
the matter was from the Lord, to put me upon writing to
G. W. Walker to query with him, if upon seriously
weighing the subject, he felt anything toward accompany-
ing me, and encouraging him, if such were the case, to
give up to his sense of duty ; not however in the least
hinting my ground for asking the question. This was the
first opening of the matter with him, as well as with my-
self in regard to him as a companion : and the experience
of nine years' companionship fully confirmed the first
impression. Under these circumstances, what am I that
I should refuse to bear witness to the Lord's goodness in
thus condescending to make His will known in this im-
portant matter ? xlnd I see the more need of so doing,
because in this day, there are so many, even among pious
people, not excluding some in our own Society, who are
disposed to limit the Holy One of Israel, and not to allow
Him to instruct His people by causing ' young men to see
visions and old men to dream dreams ; ' and I am appre-
hensive that the sceptical spirit is, so far as it obtains in
our Society, a taint of the same that of late infested our
borders, and would not admit that the prophesying of the
sons and daughters was to be dependent alone on the
outpouring of the Spirit, but wished to make it more
regular by the interference of human arrangement, and
thus to divert the Society from the immediate and per-
ceptible guidance of the Spirit of Truth.

" I fully admit the right of private judgment in regard

RETURN TO ENGLAND. 113

to matters of religion, but it oiiglit to be exercised with
an awful sense of our individual responsibility to Him
before whose Judgment Seat we must all stand, as well as
with great care that we be not led astray by the delusions
of Satan, who still transformeth himself as an angel of
light, to deceive the unwary.

'*If at any time I have mistaken the voice of the Good
Shepherd, I have not admitted that as a ground for calling
it in question, but rather for questioning my own attention,
and proper state of mind ; and such mistakes have made
me more watchful and humble, and I hope ever may
do so."

114 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC.

CHAPTEE XII.

Prayer — Letter — Abigail and Thomas Backhouse's death — Letter to
African Missionaries — Irrigation— Scripture Lessons — Total Ab-
stinence— Caffer War — Letter.

Writing on tlie important subject of Prayer, James
Backhouse again expresses his views :

'' I have no doubt that many profit greatly by having
special seasons daily, at fixed times, for retirement before
the Lord, in which communion with Him in prayer is a
privilege frequently enjoyed ; and it is truly profitable to
turn the mind in simplicity to its own state before Him,
and to put up such petitions as arise from the present
sense of need, which is graciously given through the
enlightening power of the Holy Spirit.

"Some persons have strongly urged the use of words
on bended knees on these occasions ; but neither sounds
nor changed postures are necessary to commend our wants
to Divine notice ; and except for persons whose minds
cannot be kept to the object without these helps, they
appear to me undesirable.

''Por my own part, lean rarely secure set times for
retirement ; my great privilege is, to have my mind almost
constantly toward the Lord, and increasingly so ; and in
the midst of temporal concerns and mental conflicts, as well
as under more congenial circumstances, to pour out my
petitions mentally, under any sense of need, with the
simplicity of a little child to an afi'ectionate parent, in full
confidence in that mercy of our Heavenly Father, freely

EXTKACTS FKOM LETTERS, ETC. 1 1 5

offered to all, through His beloved Son, which notwitli-
standing I find frequent cause to complain of myself before
Him, and to ask forgiveness of trespasses for Jesus' sake
who died for me, I have with little interruption, an
abiding sense of, so that I do enjoy much of the fulfilment
of the promise of the Saviour to those who prove their
love to Him by keeping His words, — that with these He and
the Father will take up their abode. I sometimes marvel
that this precious influence should be so freely granted
to myself notwithstanding my many baitings ; for, however
I may, toward my fellow-men, at times appear ' strong in
the Lord and in the power of His might,' and even
* contend for the faith once delivered to the saints,' and
embraced by our forefathers, and by us who are among
their descendants, I feel before the Lord a poor, weak,
feeble, helpless, and halting child, dependent entirely
upon Him ; and to Him alone belongs all the glory, for it
is by His grace, I am what I am toward men."

The importance of cultivating habits of order, was often
impressively urged upon his young friends, especially in
connexion with their influence upon others ; to this subject
he alludes in a letter addressed to two young men com-
mencing business at Sj'dney : —

'* I know " he says, ^' a little of Sydney, and of the cold-
heartedness of a large portion of its inhabitants, and how
mammon is the object of their service, even while they
would persuade themselves that they are the servants of
God, and disciples of Christ. Be ye not like unto them ;
but while ye seek things honest in the sight of men with
diligence, be ' fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing
in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer,
and the God of peace Himself shall bless you.' Look unto

116 EXTRACTS EP.OM LETTERS, ETC.

Him for consolation, and not to man ; and beware of the
tempter, lest lie succeed in throwing discouragements into
your minds, with the design of turning you out of that field,
into which you have reason to believe the Lord has called
you for the promotion of His glory. Beware of changes ;
for many who have sufi'ered their minds to be chafed by
the untowardness of those around them, and, in conse-
quence have fallen easily into a temptation to remove, in
order to have the comfort of better society, when they
were already in their proper allotments, have consequently
suffered much loss ; and have had long to lament their
own folly in making such changes.

'' Attend properly to your own comfort in your habita-
tion ; this will re| ay you. Many young men suffer through
neglect in this respect. To have ' a place for everything
and everything in its place,' and to keep your dwelling
clean and neat, even at a little expense, if that be necessary
for the object, will be good for you, both in regard to body
and mind. And the sam^ care is serviceable i business,
and will attract more custom than the litter, by which
some untidy people endeavour to ape the appearance of
much bus ness, in order to catch customers.

" Keep a lively attention to promoting better moral and
religious feeling among the people with whom you have
intercourse ; watch for opportunities for speaking a word
of counsel in meekness and in the fear of the Lord ; and
beware of doing this with an unnecessarily gloomy aspect,
lest you thus give it a forbidding character ; rather do it
with as much cheerfulness as is compatible with the subject,
and take care to cultivate a kind manner, yet without much
familiarity, for this is apt to lower a person in the esteem
of others. Above all, seek daily to have your own minds

EXTRACTS FEOM LETTERS, ETC. 117

^o kept under Divine influence, that you may feel the love
of God, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost in yourselves ;
and that this may accompany your communications with
others. Thus j^ou will be enabled to fulfil the Apostolic
injunction, ' Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God ; ' and the Divine Power being
with you, you will baptise others into ' the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,' even by
the savour of the Divine Life that will attend you.

*' Keep up a lively interest in circulating religious and
moral tracts and books. Watch for opportunities to
invite attention to them ; remembering that ' man has no
natural appetite for religion, but requires to be invited to
it.' In a word, may you be diligent labourers in the
cause of Christ according to your respective gifts. Thus
seeking first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness,
needful temporal things will be added unto you : and seek
not great things for j^ourselves, but be ' good stewards of
the manifold grace of God.' " ^^ ^' ^' ^'

We again turn to Memoranda: ''On the 17th of 5th
month, 1841, my sister-in-law, Abigail Backhouse died
after a very short illness, but one in which Divine love and
mercy were very graciously extended to her. We were
introduced into great sympathy with my brother who was
thus a second time a widower ; my sister Sarah returned
to him and again took charge of his family, as she had
done after the decease of his first wife, performing a
mother's part to them, as my sister Elizabeth had done to
mine.

" My brother Thomas survived his wife only a few years :
he died in 1845. In the same year he withdrew from the
Nursery Business, in favour of my son, and he following

118 EXTRACTS FliOM LETTERS, ETC.

tlie example of his uncle, lias readily made way for my,
absence from time to time on Gospel errands, taking the
chief cares of business off my shoulders. He has long been
my companion and helper spiritually as well as temporally.

'.' From an early period of my brother Thomas's life he
possessed an awakened mind, and was a useful member of
our Eeligious Society, and a diligent attender of Meetings
for Wprship, never allowing business to interfere with
those held in the course of the week. He possessed great
talent for business, and the soundness of his judgment and
principles occasioned great confidence to be j)laced in him,
in positions which he occupied in public Companies, as
well as in a more private sphere. His illness was of short
duration but he was soon aware of its serious tendenc}^,
and settled his affairs with great calmness. In our afflic-
tion at the prospect of losing him, he endeavoured to comfort
us by reminding us of the merciful help from the Lord,
which we had already known, and spoke of the peace he
felt in having made way for me to discharge my religious
duties ; not he said, that he had any merit in having done
so, but peace was given him in the retrospect ; nevertl^e-
less this was not the ground of his hope of acceptance,
that hope was solely in his Saviour, a sense of whose
blessed presence he was favoured to experience."

At the death of this dear brother, additional duties
devolved upon James Backhouse in his home-life; but
amidst these, as well as on previous occasions, he did not
forget the claims of his African friends.

The following letter addressed to two of the Mission-
aries, is one among many which were written showing his
active desire to assist those among whom he had laboured,
and in whose welfare he continued to feel so lively an
interest.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC. 1 1 9

" York, 11th of 6tli month, 1841.
** My dear Friends,

" Peter Wright and Isaac Hughes.

'^ By the inclosed pamphlet you will perceive the
interest I have been endeavouring to excite among my
friends, on behalf of the objects of your christian care.
Subscriptions have come in to upwards of One Hundred
Pounds, which I have paid into Dr. Philip's account with
the London Missionary Society, apprising him that this is
the case, and that this sum is applicable to the formation
of the dam and other works for the irrigation from the
Yaal Biver ; for which purpose you are at liberty to draw
upon him for it. I also intend soon to send you some
boring apparatus, to try if the old spring at Griqua Town
can be bored out, so as again to afford a supply of water.
Should this be effected, it would still be my judgment that
the irrigation from the Yaal Eiver should be carried on,
and a Station more extensively agricultural than Griqua
Town be established there ; as this would materially
increase your temporal resources, and supply an increasing
population with means of subsistence.

"I think water might also be obtained in the great
limestone plain between you and the Kuruman, by digging
wells of moderate depth ; for where the level of the plain
is a little disturbed by basaltic dykes or other causes, the
water issues out and runs for a short distance, and where
there are holes, even of but small depth, as at Kegelbeen,
&c. they form ponds, and the water stands in them. By
boring, the level of the water might be ascertained, and
places could be formed where the cattle could reach the
water. It might be raised by artificial means, such as

120 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC.

pumps or draw-wells. I wish you would inform me by
letter of your progress, and of the probable expense of the
work at the Yaal Eiver, specifying any considerable items,
that I may be able to report to the subscribers the appli-
cation of their money ; — amount of wages and their daily
rate, — the expense of forming the dam, — and that of
cutting the water-course, might be usefully specified.

*' Though we may Seem to be caring more for your
temporal than for your spiritual concerns, it is not because
we think the former of the first importance, but because
the latter are cared for by the London Missionarj^ Society,
and by yourselves in connexion with them, according to
their and your own views ; while the temporal advance-
ment of the people, which is intimately connected with
their spiritual prosperity, is less amply provided for ; and
in the temporal we can aid you without any compromise
of principle on our part, in regard to such points as we
may view difi'erently. Nothwithstanding such diversity of
view, we earnestly desire that your Gospel labours may
be greatly blessed, and that your spiritual harvest may
yet much more abound to your own comfort, and the glory
of your gracious Lord and Saviour, in whom as the Head
of His church, we are united with all His redeemed
children, whether one in view with them in all things or
not.

" I shall be glad to hear of the state of your families,
and of the progress of the people both temporally and
spiritually, not forgetting their valued Chief A. Waterboer ;
salute them with my christian love and accept the same
salutation yourselves.

I remain your friend,

James Backhouse."

EXTKACTS FHOM LETTEllS, ETC. 121

The plans for the irrigation of the land, suggested in
the preceding letter were successfully carried out, and a
Station formed, which in the gratitude of the people they
designated by the name of their benefactor. It is now an
important Station upon which the blessing of the Lord
appears to have rested, and many have been drawn within
its influence to hear the joyful sound of a Saviour's love.

The subject of irrigation and of increased facilities for
the cultivation of land in connexion with some of the
Missionary Establishments, early forced themselves upon
J. B's. attention, not only as being likely to afford an
increase of sustenance, but also of training the native popu-
lation in habits of useful industry : he was energetic on
his return from Africa, in soliciting from his friends funds
for these objects ; and such was the interest which had
been excited during the course of his mission there, that
his appeals met with a ready response. Large quantities
of agricultural implements were sent out, apportioned to
such localities as he felt were most in need of help in these
respects. At Hankey a large reservoir was also formed
which has been of great advantage to the Station.

The next object which claimed J. B's. attention was one
of still greater moment, and of far more extended results
in a si)iritual point of view : — this was assisting with funds
for printing in the Sichuana Language, a large edition of
the " Scripture Lesson Book," which formed an epitome
of the Bible in the words of the text. The object was one
of great importance in respect to the promulgation of
Christianity among the black tribes in the middle portion
of Southern Africa, north of the Colony of the Cape of
Good Hope, and up to the present time it is to a consider-

122 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC.

able extent, tlie only portion of Scripture in their native
tongue which they possess.

The selection was originally made by our friends,
William Allen and Stephen Grellet for the use of Schools
in Eussia, but was afterwards adopted by the British and
Foreign School Society as their Scripture Lesson Book.
The translation into the Sichuana language, and care of
the printing, devolved upon Eobert Moffat who was then
in England ; but who had long been an honoured Mis-
sionary in South Africa. This devoted man has spent his
life under circumstances of great privation even to the
time of old age, in seeking to enlighten the dark sons of
Africa, pointing them to the Saviour ''who came to seek
and to save that which was lost." Six thousand copies
of the Scripture Lessons were printed in the Sichuana
language, at the cost of £352 10s. ; one thousand of which
were presented, *' on behalf of a number of persons of the
Society of Friends," to the Wesley an Missionary Society;
one thousand to the Paris Missionary Society, and the
residue, with a few exceptions, were placed at the disposal
of the London Missionary Society.

In a letter addressed to the Missionary at Hankey,
dated York 9th of Eighth month, 1841, J. B. thus expresses
his views on the subject of Total Abstinence. "My
connexion with the Hankey Temperance Society, founded
on the principle of Total Abstinence from all Intoxicating
Liquors, has not been forgotten. I have avowed it publicly
in some of the meetings here ; and the account I have been
enabled to give of the steadfastness of my Hottentot, and
other Coloured Brethren, and of the more general appre-
ciation of spiritual things, since acting on abstinence prin-
ciples, has encouraged very many. Some of my kind

EXTEACTS FROM LETTERS, ETQ. 123

friends have put it into my power to send out a quantity
of tracts on this momentous subject, as well as on the more
positively spiritual work.

" The cause of total abstinence from intoxicating drinks
is making progress in this land, and that of religion
also in connexion with it : nevertheless there is much
spurious excitement intermixed ; and many who ought to
be forward, both to stem the torrent of iniquity and to
promote the cause of righteousness, lag sadly behind.

" I would not have thee suppose that I approve of every
sentiment in the publications sent : this is indeed rarely
the case with any I meet with, but I trust that the general
tendency is good ; and those persons whose spiritual
senses have become quickened by Him, who alone, instru-
mentally or immediately, can open the blind eyes, unstop
the deaf ears, or give understanding to the heart, or raise
fi'om the dead in tresjJ asses and sing, must learn by the
using of these senses to distinguish between evil and good ;
and thus proving all things, to hold fast only to the latter."

The subject of Total Abstinence continued to claim
J. B's. attention to the close of his life. For many years
he attended the meetings in the City of York, for the
advocacy of the cause ; and his endeavours in impressing
its importance on individuals both by exam.ple and counsel
were abundant.

In 1850, J. B. writes : *' Having had more than twelve
years' experience of the safety and comfort of teetotal
practice, I wish all my friends to partake of the same
benefit. It effects a complete deliverance from a progress
toward that condition in which the inheritance of everlasting
life is endangered by intoxicating beverages, and preserves

124 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC.

from those lialtings and unhealthy excitements to which
the more restricted use of those liquors tends. And when
once the habit of abstinence is gained, there is a state of
comfort attained in which the desire for relief through the
means of such stimulants ceases."

In connection with the deplorable distress occasioned in
South Africa by the Gaffer war, James Backhouse writes :
" I am about to try to raise something toward the allevia-
tion of the distress of the frontier colonial Hottentots,
and some others, among whom I believe must be included
some of the Gaffers, who I have no doubt as soon as the
war which has so imprudently been made against them is
ended, will be found in great destitution. Surely the
present lesson ought to be received as one proving the
impolicy, and the anti-Ghristianity of war. Had all the
Christian teachers, both in the Colony and beyond its
frontiers, taught that all war is inconsistent with the
precepts of the Prince of Peace and the practice of the
Gospel, perhaps they might not have seen the fruit of their
labours scattered as to the winds, by the storm of the
terrible one, as in the present case. But God is dis-
honoured by the trust of professing Christians in armed
forces, and He at seasons permits these broken reeds on
which they lean, to run into their hands ; and such may
be expected to be the case until they have faith in His
protecting power, and carry out the principles of the
Gospel as those which alone are sound in a political point
of view. All human views of expediency which com-
promise Gospel principles, must be regarded as presump-
tuous intrusions of the arrogance of man, assuming that
he is wiser than God."

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC. 125

Whilst ever cultivating that spirit toward his fellow
beings " which hopeth all things, believeth all things,"
J. B. was swift to discern any disposition to self-deception,
and faithful in unfolding its fallacious and hidden depths,
to those who, he feared, were being held by it in the
bondage of Satan : thus we find him writing to an in-
dividual of this class :

To

" Since thy short visit to this place, I have often
had thee in remembrance with feelings of Christian
interest, and desires that the design of our Heavenly
Father, in permitting thee to be assailed by a painful
disease, may be fully accomplished.

'' Who shall question that He who cares even for the
sparrows, and who knows the number of the hairs of our
heads, has a design in such cases ? There is much truth
in the observation of one of old : ' Although affliction
Cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble grow
out of the ground ; yet man is born imto trouble, as the
sparks fly upward.' But if trouble had not been needful
discipline for us, ' He, who doth not afflict willingly, nor
grieve the children of men,' would not have so appointed
it.

'^ Perhaps, if thou wert to bow under the stroke of His
hand, and to draw near unto Him through His beloved
Son, the Lord might lighten the chastening ; certainly He
would sanctify it. Thou mayst perhaps query what I
think thou lackest in this respect. If I deal honestly
with thee, I must tell thee that I believe thou needest to
have a much clearer view of the holiness of God's law,
than I apprehend thou yet hast, and of the sinful state

126 EXTRACTS FHOM LETTEIIS, ETC.

of all wlio do not fulfil the first and great commandment,
' Thou slialt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.' If thou
allow thy attention to be called to the state of thy heart
and affections before the Lord, with the question of how
far thou art prepared to stand before Him in judgment,
desiring and waiting upon Him for the light of the Holy
Spirit upon the subject, I believe it will be given thee to
see, that thou hast been much in a state of sleep in this
matter ; and it is time for thee to hearken to the pro-
clamation, * Awake thou that sleepest ; arise from the
dead and Christ shall give thee light.' When thou art
awakened, it will not be necessary for any man to point
out thy sins ; thou wilt see them abundantly, and be
appalled at the sight, how unreproachfully so ever thou
may est have walked among men ; and thou wilt have no
peace till thou find pardon through Him who laid down
His life for thee, and who waits to be gracious unto thee,
and to sanctify thee by that Holy Spirit, which proceeds
from the Father, and cometh in the name of the Son, and
is the guide and the comforter of those who walk in the
fear of the Lord.

■ "I remain with the salutation of love thy friend,

James Backhouse."

Although the following was written to a Friend some
years after J. B's. return from the Southern Hemisphere,
and recapitulates some of the early exercises of his mind,
as recorded in a former part of this memoir, it contains so
much of the counsel of an aged christian to a young
disciple under bonds, we cannot omit it.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC. 127

''To

** Like thyself, I was favoured with a guarded and
religious education, and with the visitations of heavenly-
love, in early life. I was enabled also to bow, in some
measure, under its influence, and to desire to be what the
Lord would have me to be. My path was nevertheless
marked by many secret baitings.

*' After I had at times spoken in Meetings ; when about
twenty years of age, I gave way to reasonings and doubt-
ings on some fundamental Gospel truths ; but I prayed
often to the Lord to preserve me from adopting any
opinions that were not accordant with Truth, ' and He
inclined His ear unto me and heard my cry,' and as I
leaned uj^on Him, and submitted to feel myself to be a
fool as to these things, so far as regarded any capacity
to understand them by my natural powers, and waited
patiently to be taught of the Lord, He was pleased to
open my understanding progressively, and to give me an
experimental knowledge of the redemption that is in
Jesus Christ. The evidence I had of the efficacy of the
sacrifice which He offered upon the cross, in the remission
of sins, through faith in His blood, and of the power of
His mediation, in the working of the Holy Spirit upon
my mind, left no room for doubts or reasonings upon these
points.

''Previously to this time, I had become impressed with
the belief that it would be my duty at some period to visit
the Australian Colonies, as a messenger of the Gospel.
When this was first opened to my view, to use a figurative
expression, I felt ready to sink into the ground, but I was
preserved, as I leaned upon the Lord, from shrinking from
the prospect. The cry of my heart was, ' 0 Lord ! if this

128 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC.

be Tliy will, be pleased to make way for its accomplisli-
ment, both in my own mind, and in the minds of my
friends ; for Thou alone canst bring it to pass.' — Peace
succeeded this surrender, and whatever baitings I after-
wards fell into, I sought to be restored from, through
faith in Jesus Christ, which led to humble prayer, and
patient waiting for forgiveness, for Jesus' sake.

" Thus the Lord became my strength, and my hope and
trust were increasingly placed in Him. I was favoured
to feel much of communion with the Father and with His
Son Jesus Christ, and of the renewings of the Holy Spirit
given through Him.

''In this state, the prospect of visiting the Australian
Colonies came before me almost daily, and I continued to
bow before the Lord under it ; and He in mercy, enabled
me to bear it with increasing strength, until I could dwell
under it with comfort, and look forward to the fulfilment
of it with joy.

''In the mean time, I passed through many vicissitudes,
but in all great changes, especially, I kept this prospect
steadily in view ; and the Lord condescended to lead me,
evidently, in many things of comparatively small moment,
so as to confirm my faith. Time passed on. After having
spoken in Meetings for some months, my mouth was closed
for nearly seven years ; again it was opened to testify to
the grace of God, revealed in His beloved Son, and made
manifest in the heart of man by the Holy Spirit. I was
recorded as an approved Minister, and made some visits
to different parts of the kingdom on my good Master's
errands, and at the expiration of sixteen years from the
time I first received the impression, I clearly saw the time
to be come to lay before my friends my prospect of visiting

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, ETC. 129

Australia, with the addition, which, had been brought
before me in the mean time, of visiting also South Africa.
The result thou art acquainted with, and what I wish thee
to observe in this recital of the Lord's dealings with one
of His feeble and unworthy children, is, that when He was
looked to and trusted in, He brought His own will to pass.
This I believe He will always do, but His own time must
be waited for. Endeavour carefully in thy temporal con-
cerns, to keep a conscience void of offence toward God and
toward man; and do not allow any prospect of future
service to unsettle thy mind with regard to thy present
proper business. There is a distinct line between not
mentally rebelling against the Lord's will, and becoming
unsettled by the apprehension of future duty. Believe
that the Lord, who is rich in mercy, will give thee, as thou
trustest in Him, to know thy strength to be as thy day ;
and never forget that thou wilt not be required to do to-
morrow's work, with to-day's strength. If this be thy
engagement of mind, I have a good hope, that whether
thy way open or not in the direction thou hast alluded to,
thou wilt yet be a partaker of peace and mercy through
Jesus Christ.

I remain affectionately thy Friend,

James Backhouse,"

130 GOSPEL MINISTRY.

CHAPTER XIII.

Visit to Ireland — Religious visits in England — Gospel Ministry —
Willing service — Schools — Visits in Scotland — Calvinistic Views.

*'In tlie spring of 1843 I accompanied my friend Celia
Willcocks to Ireland : she liad extensive service in that
country. I attended the Yearly Meeting in Dublin, which
interested me greatly, but I thought I saw evidence of an
undue fear of everything that went out of a beaten track,
and which tended to restrain religious energy unduly,
through well intentioned Friends taking counsel of their
fears rather than of the Lord. Twice subsequently I at-
tended the Irish Yearly Meeting, but I never went further
into Ireland than the immediate vicinity of Dublin. In
my visits in 1854 and 1862, I noticed many changes, and
there were many evidences of progress ; so far as my
opportunities enabled me to judge, the doctrines of the
Gospel were more fully preached, and there was an
increase of spiritual-mindedness among Friends.

"In 1843 I visited the Meetings composing the Quarterly
Meeting of Cambridge and Huntingdon ; I was for several
years on a Committee of the Yearly Meeting, to visit and
assist this Quarterly Meeting, until it was united with that
of Norfolk and Norwich. The united Quarterly Meeting
was still very small. In the course of the years in which
I was very frequently in this district, I had several
Meetings to which persons not professing with Friends
were invited. On one of these occasions I felt it my place
to call^ttention to the fact, that a field might be broken
up, well ploughed, and kept clear of weeds, but unless

GOSPEL MINISTRY. lol

it was also sown with, good seed it would remain barren ;
and that in like manner, a man might be convinced of
sin, and become very circumspect, but unless he received
the good seed of the Kingdom into his heart, he would
remain barren as to the saving knowledge of God and of
Christ, and also of the fruit which this knowledge ought
to produce.

''In a Meeting at Lammas in Norfolk, a man inquired
why the Society of Friends did not read the Scriptures in
their Meetings for worship. I replied that Friends met
on such occasions to worship God, and not for the specific
object of Christian instruction — that God was worshipped
by our directing our attention to Him and to our own state
before Him, and lifting up our hearts to Him according
to the feeling we had of our wants, or of His mercies to
us, or giving expression to doctrine, exhortation, or prayer,
according to the impression of duty, under the constraining
of the Spirit at the time — that we expected that those
who met at such times were sufficiently acquainted with
Scripture to recognize it when quoted, and that we enjoined
on all our members to read the Scriptures in their families
daily — that we regarded religious worship, and religious
instruction, as different subjects, each having its proper
place, and considering the public reading of the Holy
Scriptures as religious instruction, we did not consider its
appropriate place to be our Meetings for worship. I
admitted however that some of the Meetings to which we
invited the public, might be regarded as partaking largely
of the character of Meetings for Christian instruction ;
and that in such, I had often read a portion of Scripture,
particularly in visiting some Penal Colonies, where I
apprehended the Scriptures were much neglected, or

132 GOSPEL MINISTRY.

where there existed an erroneous impression that Friends
did not believe in the Holy Scriptures.

*'0n some of these occasions in Australia, we believed
it right to read a portion of Scripture in the early part of
Meetings, which tended to keep persons unused to silence
quiet, till the Meetings were fully gathered, and to remove
this erroneous impression. On our paying a second, or third
visit to any place, we generally found among the people
an increased capacity to apprehend religious truths, and
to gather into silent waiting upon the Lord, without such
an introduction ; so that, in most instances, we believed
it our duty to commence Meetings for public worship in
silence, which on some occasions continued long, but
were attended by a sense of the overshadowing of Divine
influence, bowing the mind in reverent adoration and
stillness before the Lord. Of the benefit of this silent
waiting, some acknowledged their sensibility, and a few
were so convinced of its true accordance with spiritual
worship, as to frequent our Meetings, and to adopt the
principles of Friends ; believing them to be those of the
Gospel, carried fully into practice."

Writing to a Friend in connexion with his views of
Gospel Ministry, J. B. remarks, ''It was many years from
the time of my beginning to speak in Meetings, before my
Friends saw their way to record me as a Minister ; but I
believe I was more alive to the causes of hindrance in
myself than they were, and this kept me quiet and
humbled under these circumstances. I have long en-
deavoured to be very sharp sighted to my own failings,
and ready to make all the allowance for those of others
which I could; and ready to hope, when they were
painfully conspicuous, that they troubled themselves more

GOSPEL MINISTPvY. loG

than tliey troubled me. Whether I was mistaken or not,
I think this has tended to open the door for me to plead
with them, and as I have kept that mercy in view, which
has passed over my own transgressions for Jesus' sake,
I have been enabled to commend them to the same mercy,
and to extol the marvellous loving kindness of the Lord,
in providing such a way of return to Him for repenting
sinners, as well as His great goodness in granting the
help of His Grood Spirit to all who truly seek it, to enable
them to walk in holiness.

''There is no doubt in my mind that our testimony,
under a right exercise of mind, will find its way in the
minds of others, much in proportion to the degree in which
we ourselves walk in the Spirit, and consider ourselves,
lest we also be tempted. We may point out the sinfulness
of sin, and the danger of an unawakened state, and excite
opposition in the minds of others ; but if as Ambassadors
for Christ, we also beseech them in His stead, to be re-
conciled to God, I believe much of this opposition will not
only give way, but will be succeeded by a hearkening to
the message. Our worthy fore-elder George Fox, though
he so fully recognized the necessity of the putting forth
of the Spirit in regard to ministry, often extended counsel
to those who had received a testimony from the Lord, as
to the exercise of their gifts, shewing how conscious he
was of the importance of the understanding being en-
lightened respecting the things needful to be preached.
And in this way, I believe we may be still helpful one to
another, without improperly interfering with the gifts
and exercises one of another, or of attempting to limit
their diversity.

" I have apprehended that some who have begun well

134 GOSPEL MIITISTllY.

as Miuisters, have mistaken an extension of expression,
for a growth in their gifts. We were reminded in one of
the Yearly Meetings of Ministers and Elders, ' that there
were little gifts in many words, and great gifts in few
words.' A long communication, to be what it ought to be,
requires much matter, and a proportionate amount of the
baptizing power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the
exercise, and the expression. Bight exercise of mind,
if expressed in simple terms, will I believe tend to edifi-
cation, but if it be made more of than it is, or be beclouded
through unduly mystical expression, the edification will
be diminished, and the church may be burdened.

''While not doubting that matter for expression is often
brought before the mind of the party, whose duty it is to
utter it, in the words in which it is to be communicated,
nor by any means wishing to interfere with right exercises
of any kind, yet I believe that generally much of proper
delivery depends upon the parties engaged in the service.
I had unity with a friend who advised against an undue
reading in the Old Testament, and of allowing the mind
unduly to dwell on prophecy, instead of diligently reading
io the New Testament, and meditating on the goodness
of God in the Gospel of His dear Son, and seeking to
have the mind subjected to the government of Christ. I
have no doubt if this counsel were followed, it would in
some cases produce a change, like that efi'ected in the
ministry of Apollos by the labours of Priscilla and Aquilla :
they had unity with his gift before, but afterward, it
appears to have been exercised to better efi'ect.

" The remarks I made on a certain occasion, were made
under an apprehension of duty, and were designed for all
who could profit by them, not excluding myself ; for when

GOSPEL MINISTUY. \o5

I have anything to say, under an apprehension of duty,
either in Meetings for worship or discipline, it is my
practice to consider how far it is applicable to myself ; and
in so doing I have often derived advantage.

** "While we recognize with George Fox, the infallibility
of the teaching of the Holy Spirit, it is important that
with him, we also recognize the fallibility of those who
have to be taught, that * we have our treasure in earthen
vessels,' and that a needful degree of care is required to
be exercised, lest the sound of these earthen vessels should
be confused with that which is given to be communicated.
Some of us have had many humbling lessons to learn on
these subjects ; but where there is a teachable, meek and
humble spirit, this ought not to discourage us.

*' The calmness in which the voice is preserved in a
natural tone, is valuable also, in helping to keep the
mind to the anointing, under which ability is received to
clothe the exercise in words, according to the diversity of
gifts, so that the expression may be with the Spirit, and
with the understanding also.

"While Gospel Ministry does not indeed consist in
attention to voice and manner, but in a right exercise of
the gifts of the Spirit, under its renewed anointings,
voice and manner, do require such a measure of attention,
as may prevent their diverting the minds of the hearers
from what is spoken."

For many years James Backhouse was seldom long
together without feeling his mind drawn in Gospel love
toward some part of Great Britain ; his service was truly
a willing service, illustrating his simple abiding faith in
Divine help and guidance under every apprehended duty.
" They are poor servants," he would remark, "who require

136 SCOTLAND.

to be driven to tlieir Master's work ; " and truly he seemed
ever on the watch to do his Lord's bidding, and to testify
to his fellow men the grace of God, and the blessedness
of an humble child-like walk before Him. " We should
watch for opportunities to speak a word in season," he
would sometimes say ; and this maxim he carried out
to the benefit of many, not only in his home-life but
wherever he thought there was an opening for usefulness.

The Schools belonging to the Society of Friends were
objects of great interest to him, especially those of
Ackworth and York : he diligently attended the com-
mittees in connexion with these, and also of that for the
Flounder's Institute, a college for the education and
training of }■ oung men as Teachers. Having found the
advantage to himself of the cultivation of the mind, in the
study of natural and scientific objects, he warmly re-
commended such pursuits to his young friends.

For many years he, with few omissions, attended the
General Meetings of Friends in Aberdeen, and on several
occasions, with certificates of unity from his friends, he
paid more extended visits in Scotland. The Meetings of
those connected with the Society were few in number,
but with the Friends composing these, as well as for
individuals scattered in solitary places, he felt a deep
Christian interest ; his friend William Miller of Edin-
burgh, united with him in some of these journeys. In
1859 J. B. writes: *'Ihave been favoured to get along
peacefully, and Friends assure me my coming among
them at this time, has been a comfort to them. On
Third-day, a Meeting at Kinmuck was a solemn occasion,
in which I had to exhort the people not to be satisfied
without realizing the promises of the Gospel for them-

SCOTLAND. 137

selves. On my return to Glasgow, a Meeting was held in
the Trades Hall, and some public notice having been
posted on the walls, about 700 people attended ; I had
much to say to them on the nature and scope of the
Gospel, including some of those points in which Friends
accept more fully than most others, the doctrines of our
Saviour.

" I notice much evidence of the giving way of the strong
Calvinistic views, which in former times so greatly
narrowed up many minds in Scotland, and the spirit of
inquiry amongst the people is very interesting."

In 1861, accompanied by William Miller, and William
E. Turner of Liver230ol, James Backhouse proceeded to
Stromness and Orkney. He writes : *' We held many
Meetings in Scotland, public invitations to which were
frequently given by the Town-crier, drummer, or piper :
the attendance was generally large; and we were en-
abled to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, free from
all the limitations of a restrictive creed. Among the
people there was much ojDenness to receive our message,
and a comforting feeling of the love of our Heavenly
Father attended us."

From a letter, written to an individual in Scotland after
J. B's. visit in 1861, we extract the following sentiments.
" I regret to hear that religious controversy is so much
taking the place of practical i^iety among many, who, if
they kept to the teaching of the Holy Sj)irit, would be
enabled to understand the Scrij^tures better, and would
be given to know the Salvation that comes by Jesus
Christ, and to feel experimentally that they were par-
takers of it.

" Eeligious controversy requires great watchfulness ;

138 SCOTLAND.

for under it, a state of mind is liable to be aroused, which,
is not accordant with * the meekness and gentleness of
Christ ; ' and which is in danger of accepting the faulty
dogmas of men, instead of the truths of God.

" In compliance with thy wish, to obtain the opinions
of Friends upon the doctrines of Election and Reprobation,
or Predestination, I may state that as regards Election,
Friends believe that, " the grace of God that bringeth
salvation hath appeared to all men,' and that those who
accept this grace receive remission of sins through Jesus
Christ, and submitting to His government, become elect
in Him. But that those who reject this grace, and who
consequently remain the servants of Satan, are reprobate.

''With regard to unconditional Election and Eepro-
bation, Friends see that these are unscriptural ideas.
They know that Justice is an attribute of God ; and that
therefore, whatever difficulties any cases may present to
our understanding, they cannot be resolved on a plan
which robs God of the attribute of Justice.

''Many of the supposed difficulties are resolvable on
those Scriptural declarations which are in harmony with
Justice ; such as, ' Where there is no law, there is no
transgression,' and ' sin is not imputed where there is no
law.' Such expressions as, ' Elect according to the fore-
knowledge of God,' must also be accepted as subject to
the same rule. Possibly they may have no designed
application to individuals, as such, but may belong to the
circumstance, that it was before ordained that all who
should obey the Lord, should be elected or chosen in Christ
from the foundation of the world : and so chosen, whether
they had heard of Him or not ; or in regard to whatever
degree the will of God was made known to them ; for in
perfect harmony with God's attributes of Justice, it is
declared, that, ' a man is not accepted according to that
he hath not, but according to that he hath.' "

FIllST VISIT TO NORWAY. 139

CHAPTEE XIV.

Excursion to Norway in 185 1 — Scenery— Natural productions— First
association with Friends at Stavanger. Second visit in 1853, a
Religious Mission — From Christiansand to Hammerfest, &c. —
Meetings for Worship — Tract distribution.

James Backhouse was three times in Norway. His
j&rst visit in 1851, in company with his son James Back-
house, and his son-in-law Joseph Crosfield, was an excursion
undertaken on account of health. " This journey," he
remarks, '' was not taken without reference to the will of
God, and He blessed it in many ways, especially in regard
to health." The wild scenery of Norway, its mountains,
forests and cataracts, as well as its natural productions,
were all objects of great interest to him.

From Nystuan, 18th of 7th month he writes; "We
reached this Alpine place on the 13th, and propose re-
maining a few days longer. We have greatly enjoyed
the magnificent scenery on our way ; it was a continually
varying succession of lakes and mountains, the latter with
craggy sides, clothed with forests of spruce, Scotch pine,
aspen, and a species of, alder ; villages, scattered houses,
and waterfalls interspersed among the forests. Most of
the time we have been in Norway the weather has been
very wet, so as to render our Mackintosh equipment very
serviceable.

" Travelling in Norwegian carrioles is a most luxurious
mode of getting fresh air with little fatigue ; they are
admirably adapted for the country and the system of
posting.

140 FIRST VISIT TO NORWAY.

*' We went yesterday to see a herd of 300 reindeer
belonging to our landlord, wlio accompanied us, and
carried us successfully on his back over a river issuing
from an icy lake among the mountains, by the side of
which the reindeer were feeding, — the herbage being
chiefly Eeindeer and Iceland Moss. They were attended
by two young men who sleep in a hut scarcely larger than
is sufficient to hold them, by the side of the icy lake.
From one of the hills we had a grand panoramic view of
the snow- clad mountains around.

'' 20th of 7th month, First-day. We sat down to wait
upon God, by ourselves, and were permitted to feel a
comforting sense of His goodness and mercy to us in His
dear Son. The people here gladly accepted Danish
tracts ; but they appeared to us to suffer from the want
of a rallying point for social worship. Places for public
worship are far between in this land, and a large part of
the rural population rarely attend, a Minister being, in
their view, essential for a religious congregation. Noticing
this circumstance on the present occasion, brought us afresh
to feel the pre-eminent value of the views of Friends on
this subject, and to perceive how much more they are
calculated, than any other, for carr3dng out the privileges
and blessings of the Gospel to the whole human family."

After a very interesting journey, and having visited
many scenes of noted grandeur; J. B. and his sons re-
turned to Bergen, and from thence proceeded to Stavanger,
where he records : ''First-day, 1 7th of 8th month, 1851.
Easmus Sunde called and conducted us to Meeting, at 10
o'clock. Endre Dahl and Asbjorn Kloster were absent,
having gone to visit some persons in a mountain district
at some distance, who for a few years past have held

FIRST VISIT TO NORWAY. 141

similar views with Friends. In the afternoon the attend-
ance was larger. I had a few words to address to them
which Elias Tasted interpreted ; he evidently did this
with fear as to his own ability, but my sons thought he
gave the substance well. My concern was to express my
sense of the blessedness of being brought to the teaching
of Christ by the Spirit ; but that after being weaned
fi'om dependence on the teaching of men, and being brought
to depend on the teaching of Christ, it was needful dili-
gently to maintain watchfulness unto prayer ; otherwise
the Devil would again lead back into a sinful condition.
That it was important daily to maintain that communion
with Christ, in which there is a continued sense of our
sins being forgiven us, for the sake of the great sacrifice,
which He offered for us when He died for us upon the
Cross ; and of the love of God shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given to us. That, if this
were the case, there would be a growth in grace, and a
bringing forth of the fruits of righteousness to the glory
of God, and to the extension of His Kingdom on the earth.
In the evening a number of Friends came to our lodging,
and we had much interesting conversation with them,
taking into account their small knowledge of English, and
ours of Norsk."

After another week's travelling the party arrived at
Soeme i Hitterdal, and J. B. records : *' First-day, 24th of
8th month, 1851. "We remained here quietly this day,
sitting down together to wait upon the Lord, and in our
solitude feeling the promise of the Saviour fulfilled to us,
' Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in My
name, there am I in the midst of them.' This, though
not in any sense of great abounding, is often the portion

142 SECOND VISIT TO XOllWAY.

of the hamble Ckristian, in the feeling of the peace-giving
influence of the Lord's Spirit, even when those who thus
wait are sensible also of much infirmity and unworthiness.
Perhaps a measure of the feeling of these may indeed be
necessary to meeting together in the name of Christ ; for
if we be not sensible of our own weakness and unworthi-
ness, we are in danger of meeting in our own name, rather
than in the name of Christ."

The party now proceeded homeward, where they arrived
on the 4th of 9th month, and J. B. writes , " We were
favoured to reach home in safety, and to find our dear
relatives in the enjoyment of health. These and our many
other blessings claim our thankfulness to the Author of all
our mercies, who has preserved us in our journeyings, and
granted us, through the instrumentality of this visit to
Norway, an improvement in health."

Brief as was the visit of James Backhouse to the little
community professing with Friends at Stavanger, it
created a lively interest in their christian welfare, and
largely tended to increase that general concern for the
spiritual well-being of the people of Norway, which led
in after years to extended missionary labour in that land.

Second Visit to Norway.

In the Sixth month of 1853, James Backhouse united
with his friend Lindley M. Hoag, in a religious visit to
Friends and others in Norway. This, his second visit to
that land, was one of true christian interest in the eternal
well-being of the inhabitants. The journey occupied
about six months, and extended as far north as Hammer-
fest, within the Arctic Circle. They were kindly assisted
in the prosecution of their labours by a number of

SECOND VISIT TO NORWAY. 143

Norwegian Friends, who deeply sympathized in the work,
some of them acting as interpreters, and many cheerfully
assisting as guides, and in the management of boats, these
being much used in their shorter excursions to the various
islands and settlements on the borders of the Fiords.
The Gospel labours of our friends met with a ready
reception in the minds of the people, amongst whom
meetings were held almost daily. In writing J. B. says :
** Our visit was to places on the west coast, from
Christiansand to Hammerfest, and to some places on
the Hardanger Fiord and its branches, and among the
mountains. The Lord gave a large measure of His Spirit,
and enabled us to preach the Gospel of His dear Son
availingly to many; and blessed us with peace in the
fulfilment of the work. In visiting little companies, in
places often far apart one from another, and who in early
life, had been trained to the idea, that without a preacher
there could be no worship, we were brought into much
feeling ; and in the latter part of the time, the idea of
writing a Tract to be circulated among them, and in many
places where we could not go, strongly impressed me.
Dwelling under this impression I wrote the essay of the
one entitled, * On the Worship of God.' It was translated
into Norsk or Danish, and has been extensively circulated
from Friends' Tract and Book Depository in Stavanger.

'' 8th of 7th month : This was my 59th birthday, and a
memorable day it was, under the blessing of the Lord,
who has led me along thus far, and has subdued the
enemies of my soul under me ; and given me largely to
praise and magnify His great and glorious name, and to
invite others to come unto Him, and accept His rich
mercies in Jesus Christ. Yea, and in the enjoyment of

144 SECOND VISIT TO NORWAY.

His unmerited love, I am often drawn to rejoice that so
much of my pilgrimage is over ; not that I am tired of
life, but because the attractive glories of a future state of
blessedness are so opened before me. The Lord has
indeed been gracious and merciful unto me, and very
longsuffering and kind ; for I have been slow in reaching
the state of subjection unto Him, into which He has
condescended to bring me, and in which He has filled my
soul with the riches of His love in Christ Jesus my dear
Lord and Saviour."

On board the "Prinds Carl" steamer they proceeded
from Bergen to Hammerfest, and as the vessel stopped at
several places on the way, they furnished tracts to persons
going on shore at the various stations. J. B. continues :
"We crossed the Arctic Circle about noon on the 21st of
7th month, the day beautifully fine, and warm to excess in
the sun, which rose about 2 a.m. Our course has been
through a succession of sounds, running out into fiords, and
bounded by magnificent and variously peaked mountains
on the mainland and on some of the islands ; extensive
snow fields spread among the tops of the mountains, which
were extremely rocky and arid, but had some green spots
among them, with cottages and farms, and a few little
villages. At Bodo, the steamer anchored at 10 p.m., the
sun brightly shining, and ouly setting at midnight so as
to leave the clouds illuminated by its rays. We arrived
at Tromsoe on the 23rd, and had a large meeting in the
Hotel Yard next morning at 9 o'clock, it being First-day.
Some of the upper class were present, as well as some
Finns and Lapps, and others from this vicinity and from
distant parts ; the whole number, from 300 to 400, or
more. They were remarkably quiet, and a feeling of the

SECOND VISIT TO XORWAY. 145

Divine presence -vras over us from the beginning. Gospel
labour flowed freel}", directing the people to the teaching
of the Spirit, to faith in Christ, and to the experimental
nature of the Gospel, &c.

'' "We left Tromsoe at 3 p.m. At Kaafjord, the Agent
of the Copper Works carried on there, by the Alton
Copper Company in London, came on board and gave us
a kind invitation. We arrived at Hammerfest about
7 p.m. ; the town, the nothernmost in Europe, if not in
the world, is built on a little point of land at the foot of
a cliff and is neatly laid out at right angles. From the
sea it looks like little more than a tow of houses under
the cliff, fronted by warehouses and fishing vessels. The
whole place has a strong smell of fish and oil, the principal
trade being in these articles.

*' We had a Meeting with probably 300 people, among
the tumbled rocks, at 9.30 p.m., and separated soon after
11. It was a good Meeting. In this Arctic region it is
difficult to calculate the lapse of time, as now the sun is
always up. After our Meeting I ascended an adjacent
rocky hill, the Tyv (Thief) mountain to see again this
interesting sight. The sun was several degrees above the
sea horizon at midnight, and the mountain on which I
stood, as well as many others in view, were quite in the
blaze of sunshine, which lit up some of the glaciers among
their tops, and snow patches on their sides. The sun
does not set for several weeks in summer. A song of
thanksgiving was in my heart to the Lord, who has
brought us safely on our way hitherto, and a prayer that
for Jesus' sake, He would condescend to open before us
the way in which He would have us to go, and strengthen
us to preach the Gospel of His dear Son, according to His

146 SECOND VISIT TO NOKWAY.

own will, both in regard to time and place. I feel very
peaceful in having come hither, and this I esteem a great
mercy and favour from the Lord.

'' Some Eagles were disturbed by my presence ; they
screamed as they flew over me, making the solitary place
to ring.

" On the 26th we again embarked on board the * Prinds
Carl' for Kaafjord, and on the 28th we had a Meeting
with a considerable number of the officers and workpeople
of the Copper mines ; several Quains, who do not under-
stand Norsk were present, and a Finlander who is in office
as an overseer at the mine, interpreted into Quainish,
following E. Dahl in Norsk. The Meeting ended com-
fortably, though the idea of two interpreters made it
discouraging at the beginning. H. S. Thomas expressed
his satisfaction with the Meeting, and he kindly made
way for our having another the next day with many
Quains who were not at liberty to attend the first. The
Alton Copper Company promote the education of the
people by schools and reading rooms ; they have also a
Bible Association, which distributes the Testament in the
Norsk, Quainish, and Lappish languages, and Bibles in
the former.

''From 200 to 300 Quains or Finns, and a few Lapps
attended our second Meeting. The Gospel labour fell
entirely on myself, E. Dahl and the same Finlander who
helped us last evening interpreting ; some of the officers
of the Copper Company, and the Lutheran Minister were
present. The Governor of this District, Finmark, arrived
at Kaafjord, and as well as the Minister, was a guest
along with L. M. Hoag and myself at S. H. Thomas's.
From the Governor we obtained permission to visit the
Prison.

SECOND VISIT TO NORWAY. 147

**At Talvlg, on the 1st of 8tli montli, we had a
Meeting in two rooms at the hotel. It was well attended,
and the minds of the people became so turned to the Lord
as their teacher, that the solemn feeling was like that of
a Meeting of Friends. The landlord of the hotel, an
intelligent German has introduced agriculture to a con-
siderable extent among the people, who are chiefly
fishermen; potatoes are grown in large plots; rye
and barley are also grown, but ripen uncertainly.
Agricultural operations cannot be commenced till the
beginning of 5th month, so that the summer is short.
The sun is. not seen from the village for 100 days in
winter ; this is partly the effect of intervening mountains ;
but the Aurora is so constant that it is never dark, as in
more southern latitudes.

'' 3rd of 8th month, as from various causes we could
not get forward, we went to the mountains to see some of
the huts of the Lapps ; these were formed by poles set up
in a circular pj^ramid, and covered with canvas, except at
the top where an opening is left for the escape of smoke.
The j)eople kneel or lie round the fire. In summer they
are clad in woollen garments, and in winter in reindeer
skins, which are variously ornamented.

*' There is considerable i^iety among these people. One
who accompanied us reads the Testament in his native
tongue ; the one he had was much worn by use. He
made many inquiries respecting Friends, and particularly
if they drank brandy, and seemed pleased to find that we
were teetotallers. He said the awakened people among
them loved the New Testament."

After visiting some small places and going in a boat
about thirty miles, J. B. continues, " we left Skjervo at

148 SECOXD VISIT TO NORWAY.

2 p.m. by the steamer * Gyler,' and arrived at Tromsoe at
11 . 30 p.m. On our route we touched at 17 places.

'' 7th of 8th month. We slept on board the ' Gyler,'
but went to the hotel to breakfast. At 4 p.m. we had a
Meeting in a large room at the hotel ; though there were
probably 500 people in the house, many went away who
could not get in. The next evening we had a Meeting in
the hotel yard, and notwithstanding a little rain, it was
a satisfactory one.

" After an early breakfast on the 11th of 8th month, we
crossed the main, to visit some Lapps, and see their herds
of reindeer; these Lapps live about two English miles
up a valley opposite Tromsoe. In one of their huts was
a quarto clasped Bible, which seemed to be well read ; it
was in the Lappish language. The people were of
agreeable countenance, simple and kind manners, and of
brown complexion. We saw a herd of several hundred
reindeer. We returned to Tromsoe, and in the evening
had another Meeting ; this parting opportunity was a
solemn and touching one. Some of the people who have
been at all the six meetings which we have held, have
been brought very near to us in the love of Christ, and
the simple doctrines of the Gospel as we have been
enabled to preach them, have found considerable place in'
their hearts. Each Meeting we have held has left an
increased interest in regard to our principles among those
who have attended them, and has opened our way among
the people, notwithstanding that in some quarters a
different feeling has continued to exist.

'' 12th of 8th month, at 1 . 30 a.m. the steamer ' Prinds
Gustav ' left Tromsoe ; the day proved very stormy ; th^
wind against us."

SECOND VISIT TO NORWAY. 140

At Trondhjem and Bergen, tliey held Meetings, and
visited the few individuals professing with Friends.
J. B. again records; ''We left Bergen at 5p.m., and
were favoured to reach Stavanger in safety at 7 . 30 p.m.
I feel peaceful in the retrospect of our northern voj'age,
which I esteem a great cause of thankfulness to the Lord,
and a confirmation in respect to the undertaking itself.
The pressure on my spirit to go was strong, and faith to
enter upon the service was granted me. My dear friend
L. M. Hoag felt a willingness to go with me. It was
some trial to E. Dahl to accompany us, yet his devoted
spirit felt bound to the service, and in carrying it out he
has been made to rejoice in the evidence granted, that the
Lord is at work preparing the hearts of some in this land
to seek a closer acquaintance with Himself. Peder M.
Gronnestad has been a willing helper in the work, giving
notice of Meetings, distributing tracts, &c. Both E. Dahl
and he, have had good conversation with many enquiring
people with whom we have come into contact."

Our Eriends now continued their religious engagement
with those professing the same views of Gospel truth as
themselves, to many of whom they felt closely bound in
religious fellowship ; they attended many of their usual
Meetings for Worship in Stavanger, and also held others
for the inhabitants generally, which were largely attended.
From thence they pursued their course to places situated
among the fiords, holding a large number of Meetings,
generally composed of from 40 to 300 people. We can
only specify a few of these which we will do in J. B's.
own language. " Between Hylen and Yaage the journey
was through a pass among the mountains, rising 1500
feet, and thence on the Suledals Vand, 7 miles to Noes,

150 SECOXD VISIT TO NOllWAY.

where we liad a Meeting in tlie evening with about 100
people. The mountains surrounding Saledals Yand are
lofty, and dip almost j)6^p6ii^icularly into the water.
Language is incapable of setting forth the grandeur and
beauty of the scenery ; and the interest of the day was
not a little enhanced by the zeal of our rustic Friends,
who were boatmen, porters, and notifiers of the Meetings
in turns. The next day we travelled by a rough pass to
Botn, where we had a Meeting with about 80 people.
Here, some persons who have separated from the National
Church and meet for worship in silence, reside ; they
provided for us the best accommodation which their rustic
village afforded, in a clean room with straw beds, which
were sweet to travellers visiting the people in the love of
the Gospel, and valuing spiritual unity far beyond bodily
accommodation. The pass to this place is between lofty
mountains, and 500 feet higher than where snow is still
lying.

'' 30th of 9th month, we went to Fieldo, where we had
a good Meeting with about 70 persons. It is united by a
rude bridge to another island, called Klostero, on which
the remains of a Cloister are now occupied as a Lutheran
Church, a dwelling-house and other useful purposes. The
voyage to Fieldo, 10 English miles, was stormy. Asbjorn
EJ-Oster was our interj^reter, and his father and brother
were part of our efficient and voluntary boat's crew; the
family came from Klostero, and take their name from the
island. Knud Fjsen, a Friend who is a shipbuilder, was
one of our kind helpers in the boat, and his skill was very
valuable to us in a stormy sea. It is a great comfort to
me to be very free from nervous fear in a boat, and enabled
comfortably to commit myself to the care of my friends,

SECOND VISIT TO XOKWAY. * 151

wlio I know are skilful sailors, and though I cannot say-
that I do not in some degree shrink from the idea of
being drowned, yet I am favoured to be able to think, that
if this were to be permitted of the Lord, it might be a
less painful mode of relief from the mortal shackles than
many others, so that all I have to care about is to be ready,
and on this point I am satisfied, when I feel the love of
Grod shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost, which
He hath given us through Jesus Christ our Saviour and
Redeemer. And thus, our minds being at ease, we pass
comfortably among the stormy billows.

"The Norwegians, with their simple habits, readily
accommodate strangers. A little straw in a crib, or in a
substitute for one, formed by boxes, &c., with a blanket
over it, makes a bed of a comfortable kind, and a hay
mow often serves as a sleeping place. Their coverings
are generally either down or feather cushions ; in many in-
stances their sheets are woollen, but they have often linen
for strangers, especially for foreigners. Their fare is also
very simple, consisting much of sour milk with the cream
on it, thin oat or barley cakes, potatoes, butter, cheese,
and a little salt meat.

** The Priests in some places are much stirred up against
Friends, in consequence of a few of their former hearers
having left them, and joined Friends. One of the most
zealous of this class of Priests, has visited such persons,
and has tried to prove to them that Friends are out of the
pale of salvation, because they do not practice water bap-
tism, or partake of what he calls the Lord's supper. This
ignorance of the way of salvation, in those who can find
nothing in the New Testament placing salvation on such
grounds, has had rather a confirming effect upon proselytes

1-52 SECOND VISIT TO NORWAY.

to a sound faith in Christ as their Saviour. They had
indeed heard of Him before by the hearing of the ear, but
now they have come to Him in Spirit, and they experience
what it is to be baptized of Him, with the Holy Ghost and
with fire, and to eat His flesh and drink His blood, so as
to abide in Him, and He in them ; and their faith is no
longer in carnal ordinances, nor in ceremonial observances,
but they feel that they are complete in Christ, who took
the hand-writing of ordinances out of the way, nailing it
to His Cross.

'' Stavanger, 5th of 12th month. The Two Months'
Meeting was held. The Meeting for worship was large,
and was a time of favour from on high. L. M. Hoag
laboured in it with convincing power, and near access was
granted to the Throne of Grace in prayer.

'' In the Meeting for discipline, six persons were re-
ceived into membership on the ground of convincement,
and there were two fresh applications.

*' We feel that our labours in this part of Norway are
brought nearly, if not quite to a close, and we desire
sincerely to see if it be right for us to return home, but
have not yet come to the clearness we desire. I feel peace
in being willing to stay some months longer, or to return
and come again as should appear to be the Lord's will.
Being brought into a state in which I am enabled to say,
* The Lord's will be done,' I trust His will, will be made
manifest. I record with heartfelt gratitude to my God and
Saviour, that I have been greatly blessed in my own soul,
during this visit among people of a strange tongue, which
I have only yet learned to lisp. The feeling of the love
of God has rarely, if at all, been absent from me, and the
enemies of my soul have been kept under by the power of

SECOND VISIT TO NORVAY. 15;>

the Lord Jesus; and abiding in Him, and witnessing Him
to abide in me, a capacity lias been granted to bring forth
some fruit to His glory and praise. The Lord has granted
many seals to our labours, to the glory of His own great
and excellent name.

'* 9th of 12th month. Several of our seafaring friends,
having expressed doubts respecting our attempting the
voyage to England at this season of the year, in a small
vessel, and having heard that the * Courier ' steamer for
Hull, is expected to leave Christiansand for that port on
the 18th, we have concluded to set out in that direction on
Second-day.

"First-day. The Meetings were large and solemn.
Many hearts were tendered, and we were enabled again
to commend our beloved Friends to the Lord, and to the
word of His grace, and to part from them under much of
the feeling of the love of Christ.

''We reached Christiansand on the 16th. The day was
stormy with a 'continued fall of very fine snow, but the
pine forests sheltered us much from the cutting wind. We
found that the ' Courier ' left on the 3rd, the last time for
the winter; and that the most likely passage for England
was by a smack carrying lobsters and wildfowl. Having
concluded to attempt a passage by this vessel, the ' Gowland,'
we parted from our dear friend Endre Dahl on the 22nd,
he having been with us now 28 weeks, and having entered
feelingly into our exercises, and been a willing helper in
the Lord's work.

'' The following afternoon, the vessel having taken in
its cargo of 9000 lobsters, we sailed. The registered ton-
nage of the ' Gowland ' was about 40 tons ; the central
part of the vessel was a well, communicating by perforations

154 SECOND VISIT TO NORWAY.

in tlie bottom -witli the sea ; in this the lobsters were put,
and the motion kept them from settling so as to injure one
another. The master, and crew five in number, fishermen
from Barking in Essex, were kindly attentive, and skilful
navigators. They all had their berths in the cabin, and
took their meals there ; this gave us a better acquaint-
ance with them, than would have been afforded in the
usual arrangements of a ship. There is among this class
much to encourage labour for their improvement. The
cooking was done on the cabin fire, and the provisions
which were good, were taken in the rustic style of seafaring
people of this class. A biscuit usually served as a plate,
and each person used his own pocket knife. Tin dishes
and pots, and a few stoneware mugs, formed the equipage
of the meal chest, which served as a table. The drink on
board was water of good quality, and morning and evening
good coffee, in which they managed to have milk and cream,
keeping these articles in bottles in the water of the wells.

** Our berths could not be commended for fresh washed
linen, but they were warm and dry, and we were thankful
for the accommodation thus afforded us to return to
England.

*' First-day 25th, though feeling much mental torpor,
yet quietly peaceful in thus returning from the field of
labour, in which the Lord had so signally blessed us in
the work which He saw meet to lay upon us.

'' 27th, becalmed most of the night. A snow storm
at day-break prevented us seeing the land ; when this
dispersed, the day became bright ; we were off Lowestoft,
and we soon beat through Yarmouth Eoads into Lowestoft
Harbour. We took up our quarters for the night at the
Suffolk Hotel, and were tliankful again to be on shore,

SECOND VISIT TO NOKWAY. 155

especially as the weather was stormy with showers of
snow. The next day, I spent a short time pleasantly with
Francis and Richenda Cunningham, and some of their
nephews and nieces. These connexions and descendants
of the Gurney family were interested in hearing a little of
our Norwegian visit, and I was glad of the opportunity of
renewing my acquaintance with them. When a young
man I occasionally assisted Richenda Cunningham, then
Gurney, in her school at Earlham, and was instructed by
her pious exhortations to the children ; she is still lively
in spirit to the Lord.

" 28th, we proceeded by train to York, and were
favoured to arrive in safety. It was very grateful to meet
my dear relatives in health, and on my part to return to
them much more vigorous than I left them, and with the
addition of the unspeakable blessing of a peaceful mind.
While in Norway I was kept as in the hollow of the
Lord's hand, and preserved from the power of my soul's
enemy in a greater degree than at any former period of
my life, and a large measure of communion with my God
and Saviour was granted me. All praise and glory be
unto Him."

156 THIRD VISIT TO NOKWAY.

CHAPTER XY.

Third visit to Norway in i860 — a religious visit from Christiansand to
the North Cape.

The third and last time of James Backhouse being in
Norway, was in 1860. ''On this occasion/' he writes:
*'my friend Robert Doeg, at this time residing at
Stavanger, but a member and acknowledged minister of
Carlisle Monthly Meeting was my companion, greatly to
my help and comfort. After receiving certificates of unity
from my friends, I joined Robert and Sarah Ann Doeg,
on their return to Norway, after a visit they had paid in
England, and we sailed from Hull on the 21st of Fourth
month, and landed at Christiansand on the 23rd.

"After a religious interview with a family, who had
for several years kept up a meeting for worship after the
manner of Friends, in their own house at Christiansand,
we embarked in the ' Midelven,' which was crowded with
passengers, and arrived at Stavanger at 7 p.m. on the
24th. Having telegrajDhed from Christiansand, several of
our Stavanger friends were waiting our arrival. They
greeted us warmly, and took us and our luggage on shore,
and helped us to R. Doeg's house with it ; here, when in
Stavanger, my friends made me a comfortable home.
R. Doeg and his wife have resided in Norway upwards of
three years, their house is pleasantly situated, at a con-
siderable elevation, in the environs of that fine j^ort on the
Bukken Fjord, and in view of the numerous islands and
varied rocky mountains of that portion of the countrj^, which
indeed throuofhout has so much of this character, that I

TnmD VISIT TO NORWAY. 157

know of no part of Norway from south to north, out of
sight of rocks. Stavanger, probably signifies City of
Meadows ; and there is fine grass land among its hills.
On the 25th we received calls from several of our warm-
hearted Friends. I dined with Endre and Maria Dahl,
who reside in comfortable rooms at the Meeting house,
and who had kindly pressed me to be their guest. Our
good old friend Elias E. Tasted looks more vigorous than
he did seven years since ; except Ole Kro, he is the only
survivor of the company of Norwegian sailors who were
made prisoners of war by England, in the early part of
the present century, and who were often visited on board
their floating prison, near Rochester, by some Friends,
whose religious care of them was blessed, and whose
religious principles they adopted.

''Stavanger has the appearance of considerable im-
provement since I was here seven years since ; many good
buildings have been erected, and it is cleaner and better
painted."

James Backhouse's first religious engagement at this
time, appears to have been that of visiting all the families
composing the Meeting of Stavanger. It was very
interesting to him to be again with those to whom he had
before felt united in the love of Christ.

''Our Friends here," he continues, "have translated
the Tract, No 60 of the York Series, on the ' Worship of
God,' and have just got out an edition of 2000 of it. It
is a satisfaction to me to have it thus ready for circulation.
I wrote the essay of it when in Christiansand in 1853,
under a feeling of abiding religious duty, and with a
special view for service in Norway, and now I seem
brouo^ht here to forward its circulation.

158 THIRD VISIT TO NORWAY.

" 1st of 5th month, our friend Pedor M. Gronnestad
arrived last evening ; he had been visiting several of the
settlements of Friends in the fiords, &c., with Bibles and
Testaments. It is greatly to our comfort to have the
prospect of his efficient help with us in our anticipated
labours. He is very helpful in collecting' the people and
is well esteemed in regard to his ministry, which was
exercised in a lively manner in a Meeting held at Densivig,
this evening ; the meeting was greatly blessed with a
sense of the Lord's presence.

'' 7th of 5th month. We returned to Stavanger, after
an interesting excursion to Finno, and the Star Islands.
Our company consisted of E. Doeg and myself, Peder M.
Gronnestad, and four other of our friends. We arrived
at Finno in good time, and were kindly greeted and enter-
tained by Ole 0. Pegelstad and his family ; he is much
respected among his neighbours, and has received a gift
in the ministry, which he exercises to the comfort and
edification of his friends. A meeting is kept up at his
house, but is seldom attended by any but his own family,
and that of another living at some distance. His near
neighbour and friend Bjorn Nerland who often accom-
panied us in 1853, was drowned, by the upsetting of his
boat in the following spring.

*' On Sixth-day we rowed through a stormy sea to
Talgo, one of the Star Islands, and there our companions
soon gathered a meeting in the house of an interesting
Friend, and the only one living on this island. In the
afternoon we crossed to Kickeo, and had a large meeting
in the house of a man who kindly entertained our
company. Here we were lodged in simple Norwegian
style; our company, according to the custom of the

THIRD VISIT TO NORWAY. 159

country, having broiiglit their own provisions with them.

*' The night was stormy, with snow, and the wind so
strong from the north in the morning, as to forbid our
proceeding in any other direction than to Finno. "We
landed on a northerly part of that island, and held a
meeting at which about 80 were present. On First-day
at 1 1 o'clock, a meeting was held at Eegelstad ; the large
family room was seated with planks. The number who
attended the Meeting this morning was calculated at 120.
In the evening another Meeting was convened, in the
house of a friendly man in the northern part of the island,
and was still more crowded, two rooms and the passage
being filled with people, and some standing outside.

''All these meetings were times of refreshing from the
presence of the Lord, who blessed us with the feeling of
His power, and enabled us to preach the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, under the constraining of His love. Asbjorn
Kloster was my interpreter, and both he and P. M.
Gronnestad also had large service in all these meetings,
and E,. Doeg and 0. 0. Eegelstad in several of them, — ■
such fellow helpers greatly lightened my burden. To me
it was delightful to hear their truly apostolic sermons,
delivered with a fervency becoming the all-important
subject, — repentance toward God, and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ, — including the acceptance of the gift
of the Holy Ghost, sent of the Father, in the name of His
dear Son, to lead His disciples into all truth."

It does not appear necessary to follow J. B. to many of
those places, where, seven years before he had sought so
earnestly to turn the attention of the people to their own
spiritual condition, and to that Teacher, who teacheth as
never man taught. " To be permitted to see some fruit,"

160 THIRD VISIT TO NORWAY .

he remarks, '' was comforting and encouraging, but it is
not always best for us to see the fruit of our labours, lest
in our weakness we should take any glory to ourselves ;
all glory belongeth to the Lord alone, who gives the ability
to labour in His vineyard, and blesses the labour, whether
He permits us to see the fruit or not."

A few extracts from J. B's. journal will show more fully
the nature of the service in which he was engaged.

" 15th of 6th month, we proceeded seven English miles
along the Suledal Lake to Noesflod. The weather was
rainy, but as according to Norwegian custom to avoid
currents, we kept near the shore, we had the advantage
of inspecting closely the numerous cascades which were
falling among the higher wooded cliffs, and streaming
down the lower rocks in endless variety. Some were
merely white lines of water, others foaming cataracts
falling from one ledge to another. Noesflod is the place
for embarking goods and people from the north, and here
we were greeted by one of our young friends, who had
lately been a prisoner of the Lord at Bergen, where he
was incarcerated for three weeks for maintaining his
allegiance to the Prince of Peace, by refusing military
service. He had come to Noesflod on business, along with
two brothers and a sister ; they had brought half a ton
of rye from their home in the E-oldal valley, and they
readily engaged to carry most of our luggage back, and
to bring it three English miles further to Botn in Eoldal.
These hardy mountaineers carry burdens over these rough
tracks, such as could scarcely be conveyed by any other
method. After having a Meeting at Noesflod, we crossed
the mountain pass to Botn, at the south end of Eoldal
Lake. The journey though toilsome, was very interesting.

THIRD VISIT TO NOilWAY. 161

Four of our party rode much of it on ponies, which seemed
quite at home on the rough track, ascending for several
miles. Many patches of snow had to be crossed. A few
soldiers returning home, after having been up for exercise,
and carrying their burdens of clothes, &c., joined our
party. The men of peace, and these men of war travelled
very quietly together ; and some of the former used the
opportunity of calling the attention of the latter, to the
nonconformity of their profession to the peaceable prin-
ciples of the Gospel of Christ, the Prince of Peace. It
was a subject they had thought very little about ; they
had considered active obedience to the Grovernment a
matter of necessity, though it was against their inclin-
ation. The precepts of the King of Kings over-riding
the commands of earthly 'powers that be,' did not
seem to have entered their minds ; but might with
the information they received, at least explain to
them the grounds of the refusal of two of their Poldal
neighbours to bear arms, and their submission to imprison-
ment for so doing. The little cottages, and the Meeting
House of Friends, constitute the village of Botn. The bed
accommodation, in the ujjper story of the Meeting House
is limited to three cribs. As our party consisted of eight
persons, those who could not find room in these, laid down
straw in the Meeting room, and thus supplied the deficiency.
This Meeting House was erected by the liberality of one or
more friends in England, and is a great accommodation to
those visiting Friends in this district ; for though since our
visit in 1853, the awakening has spread, and nearly all
the adult population of Botn have turned to the Lord and
become Friends, their cottages are so small, and afford such
scanty accommodation to their inmates, that it was a

M

162 THIRD VISIT TO NORWAY.

difficulty to obtain shelter among them, not because of their
want of hospitality, for that is abundant, but from their
want of power. We were most kindly waited upon by a
young woman, who told me, she and her sister had slept
in the cow-house ever since they were born.

*' We called upon most of the Friends in their own little
dwellings ; and on Third-day morning they assembled in
the Meeting House, and we had our morning Scripture
Reading with them ; after which a few j)arting words of
Christian interest were addressed to those present, and we
commended one another to Divine protection and care,
and took our leave of each other in the love of Christ,
not without many tears. Our party then commenced
ascending the mountain to return, several others accom-
panying us for longer or shorter distances."

On the 27th J. B. writes : "On our return to Stavanger,
having increased a cold which I took in the beginning of
the month, I was under the necessity of submitting to
keep to the house for some days.

"I felt satisfied if it had been best for me to be at
Meeting on the 24th, when many Friends were in the city,
ability would have been given me, but as this was not the
case, I endeavoured cj^uietly to rest on the feeling of my
Saviour's presence, which I am favoured to be rarely
without. But when I have not this feeling, I know that
He is still with me. He has given me to trust in the
promise, ' I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' He
has been with me to the ends of the earth, and has led
me about and instructed me.

" Though having a troublesome cough, I was able to
attend the Yearly Meeting on the 30th of 6th month.
The usual routine of business was attended to, and at the

THIRD VISIT TO XORWAY. 163

conclusion the meeting gathered into very solemn feeling,
under a sense of the presence of Christ as the head of His
own Church ; and some pertinent counsel was given by
several individuals, and there was the expression of
prayer, thanksgiving and praise.

*' First-day, 1st of 7th month. The meetings for
worship were at 10, and 4. The house which seats about
200, was well filled, chiefly with persons professing with
Friends. As on the occasions of public worship yesterday,
the overshadowing of the love of our Heavenly Father
was powerfully felt, and access to Him, through His dear
Son, was granted, so that there was in no small measure
felt, the true communion of the Holy Spirit ; — the feeding
on, and with Christ ; redemption by Christ, and His love
and fulness in all His offices ; and the love and mercy of
the Father in Him, were warmly dwelt on in lively
testimonies, and acknowledged in prayer, thanksgiving,
and praise. The young were cautioned against the voice
of the stranger, which strives in various ways to lead
them to look for communion with Christ in ceremonial
rites ; and thus to draw them from that communion with
Him in spirit, which those who are His sheep know, and
who hearkening to His voice, are joj'fully led and fed by
Him. Eight Friends beside myself were engaged in the
ministry in these meetings, and all but myself spoke in
Norsk. I was glad to condense what I had to say into
small compass, and to listen to the preaching of Christ
under the unction of His Spirit, by those who were gifted
for the service in the tongue of the people.

" 3rd of Seventh month. This evening, Eobert Hoeg,
Asbjorn ELloster, Peder Matthieson Grronnestad, and
myself, embarked on board the steamer for Bergen. It

164 THIRD VISIT TO NORWA-Y.

was mucli crowded, and we had to lodge as best we could.
There was a general disposition among the passengers to
make the best of circumstances. My cough was very-
noisy, but no one complained of it ; and there were kindly
indications of sj^mpatliy with the ' sick old man.' I passed
a sweet night in the feeling of communion with my
Saviour. The perception of what He has done for me,
and in me, with the freshness of the present feeling of His
love, and the assurance that He will never leave me nor
forsake me, were inexpressibly precious. I felt that I
had received all that is proposed to man in the Gospel of
Christ, and that entirely to His glory; for it has been
wrought in me by the power of His Spirit, in the deep
sense of my own sinfulness, and unworthiness, and of
the preciousness of that sacrifice by which He forever
obtained forgiveness for all the world, if they would
accept it, but specially for all who repent and believe in
Him. In this state I could not choose as to life or death ;
for I partook of the Apostle's experience when he said,
* To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' I was there-
fore perfectly at ease on the subject, knowing that if He
had more work for me. He would raise me up for it, and
if not, that He would take me to Himself as one of His
redeemed and sanctified children.

*' Calling at Bergen, wbere we had a meeting with
persons professing as Friends, and also at Trondhjem,
where we had a large public meeting, we reached
Tromsoe, the principal town of the Arctic part of Norway,
on the 1 6th. Here we held several Meetings, and on Pirst-
day met those professing witb Friends at our lodgings.

*' On the 31st, we again embarked for Hammerfest, and
the next evening had a Meeting in a large room, the

THIRD VISIT TO XOU\\'AY. 105

weather not permittiug us to be out of doors, as in 1853.
About 120 persons were present. Tkere is very little
cultivation about Hanimerfest, the nature of the ground
scarcely admitting it, but there are a few farms up a valley
near the town. Many goats, and a few sheep feed on the
rocky hills, which are well adapted for the former.
Domestic animals having to be housed in winter, occasions
many thousands of acres of short grass to remain uneaten.
The little wool produced is home spun and manufactured
for domestic use ; every farm having its loom, spinning-
wheels, &c.

*'E. Doeg and I crossed the bay in a boat, to. call on
the English Consul. Near his house stands a pillar of
polished granite, about ten feet high, with an inscription
in Norsk and Latin, signifying that the pillar marks the
northern termination of the line measured, with great
labour, on the meridian of 25° 15' East Long., extending
from the Danube, and occupying the surveyors from 1816
to 1852, under the auspices of Oscar, King of Sweden
and Norway, and Nicholas, Emperor of E-ussia."

From Hammerfest our Friends sailed, and on the 9th of
8th month, J. B's. Journal continues : ''We rounded the
North Cape about 1 p.m. It is formed by a fine bold
rugged cliff nearly vertical, of a dee^^ brown colour, and
traversed by some obKque white quartz veins. About
3 o'clock in the morning of the 10th, we passed Svserholt,
the great breeding place of gulls. Our attentive captain
called me in time to see the interesting sight, and had a
gun fired when we were opposite the place. The air
immediately became filled with galls, like a swarm of
bees or a shower of snow.

" At Tana Fiord our captain kindly sent us on shore in

166 THIRD YISIT TO NORWAY.

one of the ship's boats, and we spent an hour among the
rocky slopes at the foot of the mountains, and collected
some plants. We landed at Yardo at 10 a.m. and found
accommodation at the house of a person who kept a store.
Yardd is a town of about 500 inhabitants, chiefly supported
by fishing, and to which there is a great resort of fishermen
in the winter, which is eight weeks without sun. There is
one Friend residing in Yardo, the wife of a cooper. She
has adopted the principles of our Society from conviction,
and has had much to endure in carrying them out, but has
been furnished with grace and wisdom according to her
need.

" 13th of 8th month, we crossed the Yeranger Fiord to
Syd Yeranger, about four English miles from the Eussian
chapel on the frontier of Eussian Finland, but we did not
think it advisable to attempt visiting it, as the steamer
only staid four hours at Syd Yeranger; we therefore
distributed tracts to the people on the spot and returned
to the steamer.

''The thought that we had now turned our faces in a
homeward direction was moving to me. A grateful
acknowledgment of the mercy of our Heavenly Father who
had brought us safely hither, sprang in my heart ; with
thankfulness also for the clear evidence that we were not
required to proceed into Finland, viz : the country under
the dominion of Paissia : that under Norway being called
Finmark."

"Writing on their return to Bergen, 18th of 9th month,
J. B. continues: "Our visits within the Arctic Circle
have been very relieving to us ; and it is no small confirm-
ation to our faith in that constraining of the Spirit, which
we felt strongly in that direction, that when there, we

TnniD VISIT TO XOK^VAY. 167

found so many to visit who were desiring to serve the Lord
in the true liberty and simplicity of the Gospel, but who
had been so bewildered by education among forms and
ceremonies, that they required help. And it is a great com-
fort that while the}^ perceive with increasing clearness the
spirituality of the Gospel, and the necessity of being ' born
again,' they appreciate strongly the atonement for sin by
Christ, and His intercession for us, as our great High
Priest, and Intercessor with the Father. If these keep
their places, I cannot doubt but they will be multiplied,
and will be a leaven of life to many around them, who are
much deadened by dependence on priests and ceremonials.

" We seem now to have got a long way south again.
We have been ten days steaming from Tromsoe, but in the
interval were two days in Trondhjem. The steamers now
anchor at night, as it is dark for some hours." J. B.
again writes :

"In the course of this visit which occupied about six
months, as well as in that of 1853, our hearts became
united in the love of Christ to many who had become of
the number of His spiritually-minded, self-denying dis-
ciples. These being awakened to their need of redemption,
and not finding what their souls longed for in the doctrines
or teaching of the Lutheran Church, which holds baptismal
regeneration, and the presence of Christ in the bread and
wine of what is called the Lord's Supper, and many of
whose priests are not enlightened Christians, — not finding
in these things, nor in their teaching, what their souls
longed for, they had had their attention turned to their
Bibles, and their own experience, and had thus been
brought to an acquaintance with Christ as revealed by the
Spirit in the secret of the heart, and to faith in His

168 THIRD VISIT TO NORWAY.

enlightening the mind, and leading into practical holiness,
as well as giving witness to' the forgiveness of past sin
for the sake of the sacrifice which He offered for us on the
cross. And feeling the evidence of His presence, as they
meditated on these things, they had drawn together as
Friends. — We also met with many others whose ears were
open to the simple preaching of the Gospel, and whose
minds were readily gathered to the Lord, under the feeling
of His love and power, on sitting down in silence to wait
upon Him. To these, the Gospel messages often flowed
freely ; and there was often a capacity received from the
Lord, to draw near with them to His footstool in vocal
prayer, thanksgiving and praise.

''3rd of 10th month. We expect to leave Stavanger
to-morrow, after the Two Months' Meeting, on our way
to Quinnesdal, where we hope to be on First-day ; and we
shall probably go from thence to Christiania ; from
whence I expect to take the steamer for England, which
calls at Christiansand on its way.

" At my request Friends of Stavanger were invited to a
Meeting last evening, but so many others came that it
assumed the character of a public Meeting. This I did
not regret, as it was a time of favour from the Lord. The
vocal labour fell to my lot, A. Kloster interpreting, except
that S. A. Doeg was engaged in very solemn prayer.

" My mind is much relieved from the exercise for Norway,
which I felt strongly before I left England, and in con-
siderable degree till we finished our Arctic visit ; now I
feel much drawn home -ward.

" At 9 p.m. on the 10th we reached Christiania; the air
frosty, some snow having fallen."

After holding a few Meetings, J. B. again records; —

THIRD VISIT TO NORWAY. 169

" IStli of lOth month. Apprehending ourselves now at
liberty to leave Chi'istiania, we made arrangements for
doing so by the steamer ' Nordstiermen.' On the 16th we
embarked amidst heavy rain ; the evening being dark and
foggy, we anchored for the night, and on the 1 7th proceeded
again at daylight, the weather very stormy. The shelter
of the numerous islands on the coast of Norway is a great
boon to voyagers. The islands are constituted of rock,
and most of them look very barren from the sea.

**18th of 10th month. After leaving Arendal last
evening, the sky again became overcast and a storm suc-
ceeded. We were obliged to keep to the open sea in
consequence, but were favoured to come safely to Chris-
tiansand."

Here J. B. embarked on board the steamer for Hull,
and on the 22nd of 10th month, he again writes : " About
6 a.m. we put to sea, and at 1 p.m. lost sight of land.
The day was fine and we made good progress.

" 23rd, continued fine weather ; the thoughts of reaching
home soon, very pleasant. We approached the English
we shores by a fine moonlight, but the moon setting,
lay-to, till daylight, when the coast of Holderuess was
in view. On the 24th we landed at Hull about noon ; and
I was cheered by seeing some of my friends who were
waiting on the Quay to receive me. They kindly welcomed
me to my native land, with expressions of thankfulness for
my preservation."

170 FAILING HEALTH.

CHAPTEE XYI.

Health — Botany- Tracts and Books — Meetings in Scotland — Silent
Waiting — Prayer— Ministry — Letter— Illness.

At intervals, during many of tlie latter years of James
Backhouse's life, there were indications of the existence
of disease of the heart ; but it did not prevent him from
taking a large amount of exercise ; indeed nothing seemed
so invigorating to his health, as a long ramble in Teesdale,
or among the mountains of Scotland, or those of North
"Wales. In these excursions his botanical knowledge was
brought into full requisition, and not unfrequently did the
discovery of some rare plant in a new locality, produce in
his mind an amount of simple pleasure such as none but
a true botanist can appreciate.

In these excursions he was generally accompanied by
his son, who warmly sympathized in his father's pursuits ;
and occasionally by some of their botanical friends. Much
as his mind was capable of unbending in the acquisition
of scientific knowledge, there was ever the higher aim
apparent of seeking to draw those with whom he came
in contact, to the Saviour of men. Traversing districts
far away from the usual track of tourists, he frequently
fell in with wayfarers, to whom words of kindness and
instruction were addressed, and to whom the ready tract
was presented. Some of these have been known to declare
they had never heard the truths of the Gospel so clearly
explained, and to some, we believe, the impression made
was not a transient one.

The writing of Tracts, and the distribution of them

FAILING HEALTH. 171

engaged much of J. B's. attention. He was also active in
placing books for loan in country districts, and in several
instances, these have proved the nucleus of Libraries now
numbering some hundreds of volumes.

In 1863, he attended the Yearly Meeting in London,
and from thence he records in a letter to his son, the first
severe attack of the complaint which afterwards gradually
prostrated his strength.

"I have been," he says, " affected on walking fast, and
on some other times, with a feeling of oppression in the
chest and aching in the arms ; probably it may be the effect
of advanced age, with the influence of a recent cold. "Were
it not for the rest I feel in a Saviour's love, and in the
Fatherly care of Him who regardeth even the sparrows,
I should be mentally greatly distressed by these feelings ;
but knowing that He careth for me, and that whether the
end Cometh now, or many years hence, it will be when He
sees best, I feel calm and peaceful, and though during
these times of bodily distress, not so much so as at many
other times, yet through all I have a comforting sense of
the presence of the Lord, confirming my faith in His love
and mercy, and in my union with Christ, so that I would
rather give thanks than complain.

''I would not have you unduly anxious about me, but
I thought you ought to know how the brittleness of the
thread of life, and the increased uncertainty when it may
be snapped, is brought before me ; in the intervals of the
attacks, I feel much as usual."

On J. B's. return home these threatening symptoms
subsided, and during the summer he again visited the
meetings of Scotland with his friend William Miller.
From Wick, he writes : " 24th of 8th month ; after

172 FAILING HEALXn.

meeting yesterday morning we went to see the Gaelic
Congregation, assembled as is customary with them, in
the open air during the fishing season. They might be
about 4000 in number, chiefly men, a large proportion
from the Western Highlands, and engaged in the herring
fishery : their costume was that of sailors, and their head-
dresses, the broad blue bonnet, the Scotch cap, the
southwester, &c., and the women mostly in blue cloaks,
and thick white caps. They were seated on the ground,
or on stools, or chairs brought by them, and on the walls.
Their preacher, one of the Free Church, occupied a wide
portable pulpit. His manner was energetic, his voice
strong, and his congregation devoutly attentive. Though
we could not understand the language, its effect seemed
very impressive on those who could, and deep solemnity
was to be felt on the occasion. In the evening we were
at a * prayer meeting ' of a few serious people, whose
exercises indicated considerable religious perception and
devotion, and to whom we also addressed a few words of
counsel and encouragement.

''In 1864, and 1865, I was again in Scotland. In the
latter year I had a large meeting in J. Morrison's Chapel
in Glasgow. At my request a special invitation was given
to persons of thoughtful character. — On most former oc-
casions when holding meetings by public invitation, my line
of service had been in the inculcation of the first principles
of the Gospel ; but now I had to point out to professors,
the great loss sustained by the community from the im-
perfect acceptance by their ministers, of the doctrines of
Christ. That in consequence of this, way was made for
war, slavery, and swearing, with other evils which afflict
humanity, and which the Gospel was designed to remove.

TAILING HEALTn. 173

The people listened attentively to my plain speaking ; and
some indicated their concurrence with the sentiments

" On my way home I had similar meetings, at Carlisle,
Kendal, and Marsden, at which places I had held meetings
several times before."

Throughout this journey his health was in a very feeble
state. At Kendal he was the guest of his valued friend
Samuel Marshall, and during the night spent at his
house, he had a painful attack of Angina-Pectoris. He
was so far able to surmount it, as to aj)pear in the
morning much as usual, and was thankful in being able
to continue his journey homeward without apprising his
kind friends of the state of suffering he had been in.

After J. B's. last visit in Scotland in 1865, the attacks
on his chest became much more frequent. The state of
his health is alluded to, in the following letter addressed
to his son-in-law, Joseph Crosfield.

** Holgate, 20th of 2nd mo., 1865.

"The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers few
in proportion. It is, however, a comfort that many in
one way or other, according to the measure of faith, are
endeavouring to direct people to their Saviour, and to the
Holy Spirit sent into their hearts in His name by the
Pather, to guide them into all truth, and to have evidence
at home and abroad, that their labour is not in vain in
the Lord. I feel this the more now that my own day's
work is evidently drawing towards a close ; and am
peacefully thankful, that I was enabled, as respects such
service, to work while it was day, both as regarded the

174 FAILING HEALTH.

requisite physical and mental power. And now I am
favoured with, a calm evening, enlivened with the feeling
of my Saviour's presence and love, and of the mercy of my
Heavenly Father in Him ; he having healed my back-
slidings, -forgiven my iniquities, and restored my soul as
I have gone along, for Jesus' sake, and for His own great
Name's sake. Now therefore that I am approaching the
valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, because the
Lord is with me.

''With regard to the condition of my health, I am
favoured to be free from the feeling of languor or sickness,
though I have still daily some impending sensation in my
chest and arms, especially in walking, but it soon subsides
on stopping, excepting at more remote times when the
attacks are more violent. Still such an affection, at
three-score years and ten, must be regarded as making
life very uncertain."

In the latter part of 1866, J. B's. health had so much
declined as to preclude his taking distant journeys with
comfort, but his desire to attend the marriage of his
niece, Sarah Jane Backhouse, with Thomas Burtt, which
was solemnized at Marsden in Lancashire, overcame the
difhculties, and this proved nearly the last time of his
leaving home. He was however still busy with his pen ;
and he thus records some important sentiments in regard
to the Society of Friends.

"My apprehension is, that Friends generally, have
more appreciated the privilege of silently waiting on the
Lord (and a great privilege it is) than of ' exhorting one
another, and praying one for another,' according to
apostolic exhortation, and which prevailed to a large
extent among our early Friends. This they saw infringed

SENTIMENTS OF FPvIENDS. 175

upon, by the system of appointing one man to preach and
pray, in order to secure these performances.

*' AVhat we want, and what our principles point to, is,
not only to meet, and commune with our own hearts and
with the Lord, in silence, but under such feeling as may
extend to others, to give expression, in exhortation or
prayer, including also thanksgiving on their behalf and
our own. Were this done in simplicity, not making
more or less of it, by setting self to work instead of
keeping to the feeling of Christian interest, I have no doubt
but it would be found to edification ; for it is the Holy
Spirit which gives this feeling of interest in the Christian
welfare one of another, when we have come to Christ for
ourselves, and found mercy with God the Father through
Him.

"This also applies to our own families when we read
the Holy Scriptures with them, and to other occasions,
when we turn to the Lord with them for instruction or
prayer or thanksgiving.

" I would encourage my dear Friends to cultivate the
sentiment, that we have each a service for the Lord ; one
after this manner, and another after that ; and specially re-
garding our own families ; and to pray perseveringly for
ability to perform it."

In regard to Ministry, he continues: ''When I was a
young Minister, an experienced Elder cautioned me
against rising a second time, saying, that unless the
feeling of its being best to do so, was very urgent, it was
well to rest under the belief, that the matter which had
been brought before the congregation, might open further
on the minds of the hearers without my help, and perhaps
more profitably than with it ; as under the teaching of the

176 SENTIMEJS'TS OX FllIENDS.

Holy Spirit, it miglit open to some in one direction and to
others in anotlier, according to their need ; and he
believed, if I was careful not to speak prematurely, I
should seldom find it needful to stand up a second time in
the same meeting. This I have found to be the case,
though it has generally seemed my place to speak rather
early, than late, in meetings ; and seldom in my own
meeting at much length."

To a young friend he writes: *'I feel much for thee
under the exercises thou art passing through, and would
encourage thee to be patient under them. It may be
comforting to thee to know, that in these, ' no new thing
has happened to thee ; ' but that they are such as I, and
many others have had to be disciplined under, to bring
us to trust simply in Christ.

" When the feeling of the Lord's presence is withdrawn,
it is good for us to remember, that it is not Himself, but
our perception of His presence that is gone ; that He still
sees us, though we do not see Him ; and that He dispenses
these lessons to teach us to walk by faith, when we are
not privileged to walk by sight.

*' When a cloud comes between us and the sun, we do
not suppose that the sun is removed ; but the rain which
distils from the cloud, be it ever so dark, prepares the
earth to be more fruitful ; and those things that grow up
on it, flourish more vigorously when again the sun breaks
forth in its brightness. In like manner, our humiliations,
self-examinations, contritions and repentances, in the
season of the hiding of the Lord's countenance, prepare
us more singly to cast ourselves on Christ, and on the great
offering of Himself that He made for us, and more singly

SENTIMENTS ON FKIENDS. 177

to trust in Him, and to rejoice in Him alone, wlien He
sees meet again to reveal Himself to us.

" We may often be in a state in whieli we may cry out,
* Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul ? ' and in which it is
needful for us to remember the further expression of the
Psalmist, * Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
who is the health of my countenance and my God.

** We may have much to ]3ass through to wean us from
trusting in ourselves, and from tampering with temptation,
and to bring us into diligence in watchfulness and prayer,
and likewise into preparation to sympathize with others,
in order that we may point them to Christ, and lead them
to Him. Let us therefore trust in Him and not be
afraid."

In the First month of 1867 J. B. had a very severe and
suffering illness ; oppression on the chest being so great
as to render him unable to recline. Some nights he spent
sitting in his chair, the whole or greater part of the time ;
but in this state of suffering, he was still favoured to feel
the '* Eternal God" to be his refuge, and that underneath
were the " Everlasting Arms." He recounted his mercies,
saying, how different was his condition to that of his dear
Saviour : He when nailed to the cross for our sins, could
not in His sufferings obtain relief by a change of posture,
whilst to himself there was every alleviation that affection
could suggest.

'' I had for a few years past," he remarks, '^ been affected
with the disease called Angina Pectoris ; but though its
attendant pain in the chest and arms often interfered with
my walking and sleeping, it did not interfere with my
speaking, so as to hinder my preaching, but after the

178 SENTIMENTS ON FRIENDS.

severe attack in my chest connected with congestion, and
spasmodic asthma, I was much confined to the house during
the cold weather, and to our own premises when it was
warmer. It pleased my Heavenly Father to administer a
daily warning of the uncertainty of life ; and at the same
tfme to deal not only mercifully, but bountifully with me,
by the sweet influences of His good Spirit, and the sense
of communion with Him, and with Jesus Christ my
Saviour, Eedeemer, and Advocate with the Father."

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 179

CHAPTER XVII.

Last Certificate returned — Evening of Life — Illness and Death.

Memoeanda continued : "On the 12th of 6th Month,
1867, I returned to York Monthly Meeting the Minute I
had received in 1865, setting me at liberty, as had also
been the case on several former occasions, to appoint
Meetings in various parts of Great Britain. After giving
some information respecting my journey to Glasgow, and
Meetings there, and in other places, I proceeded to state :

'' Since that time, I have often found opportunity to
express a fervent desire for the full acceptance of the
teaching and invitations of Christ, on the occasions of
marriages, and funerals, and in our regularly constituted
Meetings. These Meetings, from the failure of health
incident to advanced age, I have been unable to attend
for some months past.

''But while unable to meet with those to whom I am
united in spirit, for the purpose of the public worship of
God, I have been comforted and sustained by the presence
and love of my Saviour.

"I greatly rejoice that^ the preaching of the Gospel
devolves on so many others ; I earnestly desire their en-
couragement, and that they also may be enabled to do
their day's work in the daytime, and at its close, be favoured
with a like peaceful release from the field of labour, to
that which our good Lord and Master has mercifully
granted to me ; feeling as I do, that I am an unprofitable
servant; and that wherein I have failed to do my Lord's
will, it is of His unmerited mercy that I have forgiveness,

180 ILLTs^ESS AXD DEATH.

and that wherein it has been done, it has been hy the help
of His grace ; and that therefore, ' to Him alone belongs
the glory.' "

At the request of the Monthly Meeting, a copy of the
following Minute was handed to James Backhouse by
William Pumphrey, Clerk to the Meeting.

" In receiving back the Minute granted to our dear
Friend, in the 9th month, 1865, we desire to record our
sense of the goodness that has sustained our Friend in so
many and such arduous labours, and our thankfulness,
that now, in the evening of his life, he is enabled so fully
to realize the comfort and support of his Saviour's presence.
"We sympathize deeply with him in the trials of failing
health and strength ; but we also rejoice with him in the
peace and joy mercifully granted to him."

Eeferring to this, J. B. writes : "The sympathy of my
friends, to whom I am united in the love of Christ, is very
precious. In reference to my labours in the Gospel, they
have used the word, arduous ; I always feel ashamed of
the term when api)lied to anything in which I have been
engaged. Compared with the trials and privations to
which worldly minded men subject themselves, for the
accomplishment of their purposes, what are those to which
labourers in the Gospel are subjected ? and in which they
are under the superintending care of Him who puts them
forth ? He has promised to go before them, and to supply
them with strength according to the need of the day, and
He is faithful to His promises. He may permit us to see
difficulties, and to feel our weakness, in order that we
may be kept looking to Him for guidance and strength.
But let his servants not count anything arduous to which
He calls, but remember, that, though without Christ they

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 181

can do notliing, tliey can do all things througli His strength.-
ening them.

" 8th of 7th month, 1867 : this day I have entered my
74th year, and have to make the grateful acknowledgment
that ' goodness and mercy have followed me all the days
ofmyHfe.'"

Under the same date J. B. writes, ''a few weeks since
I had a call from my dear friend John Candler, now 80
years of age, an4 whom I have known more than half a
century, as one fearing and serving the Lord, and as a
man of a cheerful contented disposition. He remarked,
that he could not join with those who spoke much of this
world as a 'vale of tears,' — that though he had had his
trials, he had had much enjoyment of life ; that the world,
in which we live, is one of great beauty, and in which sin
is the chief barrier to enjoyment. With these sentiments I
cordially concur, and bless God for all His love and mercy
of so large a share of which, I also have partaken, and do
partake.

" Some persons partake much more largely than others,
of the promised inheritance of the righteous on this side
of Jordan ; and thus to partake largely has been my
privilege. I have been enabled to keep in mind the
exhortation, 'Eejoice evermore, and in all things give
thanks ; ' not that I do not likewise need constantly to
keep in mind the Saviour's injunction, ' Watch and pray
that ye enter not into temptation.'

'' 28th of 8th month. I was strengthened to meet with
my beloved Friends, for the public worship of God, after
being absent from infirmity, since First Month. I was
enabled in much quietness to rest in the Lord, under the
feeling of His love and mercy in Christ Jesus to my soul,

182 ILLNESS AND DEATH,

and to lift up my heart in prayer for myself and others,
and to unite in the vocal prayer uttered by my relative,
Caleb Williams, in which I was touchingly remembered.

" 29th of 10th month. To-morrow will be our Quarterly
Meeting at Leeds; I attended it a year ago, but had
considerable suffering from Angina ; now, I feel very
peaceful in remaining at home. There is a time for every
purpose under the sun ; and now, through the mercy of
God in Christ Jesus, I am permitted to know that it is my
time to rest from labour."

For a considerable time James Backhouse had been
withdrawing from appointments involving trust. " Com-
mittees on philanthropic objects," he remarked, '* should
be left to younger men ; — old age should have its time of
repose." He rejoiced when the last appointment he held
was transferred to others, and so far had he carried out
this principle, which also involved the settling of his own
affairs, that his latter days were free from care.

''15th of 2nd month, 1868; twenty-seven years have
now passed since I was permitted to rejoin my family
after an absence of over nine years. Many changes have
marked these twenty-seven years ; and now, my days on
earth are nearly spent, but I am well satisfied in the
prospect of their conclusion, that through the mercy of my
Heavenly Father, in His dear Son, a mansion is prepared
for me in His Eternal Kingdon, where I may join in the
unceasing anthem of glory, and honour, and praise to the
Lord God and the Lamb.

" 9th of 7th month, 1868 : yesterday I completed my
Seventy-fourth year. Goodness and mercy still follow me.
I am now able to attend our meetings for worship held in
a forenoon, and at a slow pace to walk to my son's at

ILLNESS AXD DEATH. 183

West Bank, about 500 yards distant, and often to spend
an Iiour or two in oar Nursery Grounds.* I have still
attacks of Angina every day, or rather every evening and
night. My time is, of course, very uncertain ; but I am
so nursed and cared for, and so fi^eed from care, and so
quiet and peaceful in mind, through the mercy of my God
and Saviour, that my days may yet be prolonged beyond
what at one time seemed likely : but be this as it may, I
desire continually to bless God in the remembrance of all
His benefits. My devotional feelings are less emotional
than when I was younger ; but when observing those of
others, warm in this respect, I am constantly reminded of
the words of the Father of the Prodigal to his complaining
son, who had remained with him ; * Son thou art ever
with me ; all that I have is thine.' And when I feel the
smallness of my love, I am reminded of the words of an
Apostle, when he said, *I judge not my own self;' and
conclude that though my love is small, it is perhaps pro-
portioned to my capacity ; and my acceptance is not so
much grounded on my love to God, as on His love to me
in His dear Son, and for His sake.

''12th of 7th month, 1868. Unable in a wakeful part
of the night, to meditate on the wonders of redeeming love
without bringing on an attack of pain ; but permitted to rest
on this love without emotion, effort, or pain. Wonderful
mercy ! to be permitted thus to repose on the love of God

* J. B. had for sevei-al years resided with his two sisters at Holdgate
House. They felt it a great privilege that circumstances attending the
changes in their family circle, permitted their reunion as one family in
the evening of their life. J. B's. near proximity to his son's family was
peculiarly pleasant to him ; and during a long season of weakness, he
was enabled to maintain his interest in the Nursery Grounds, and in the
cukivation of the plants in his own garden.

184 ILLNESS AND DEATH.

in His dear Son, in the quietness of a child ! No anxiety
about anything ! "

This memorandum, the last from the pen of this aged
Christian, had evidently been written under great difficulty,
from the extreme shaking of his hand. For many months
he was seldom able to rest a whole night in bed ; but he
often recounted the mercy it was that in the intervals of
the attacks he was generally free from pain ; — his patience
under acute suffering was remarkable, and no sooner was
he relieved, than the ready and cheerful acknowledgment
was made, in order that the anxiety of those who were
attending to him, might be mitigated.

Toward the latter part of the year he remarked ; he did
not suppose it probable he should live over the winter,
a very painful attack had so reduced his strength, he
thought he should not be able to walk as far as to his son's
house again ; but added with much feeling, *' My times
are in Thy hand, — I have been thinking what a favour it
is to be kept as in the land of Beulah ; I feel as though I
rested under a canopy of peace."

About this time, he remarked ; that he had never
been so impressed as of late, with the amazing love of
Grod, as indicated in the expression; "God so loved the
world," — the extent of the meaning of the word. World, —
all the different states of man ! " God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth on Him, might have life."

He then dwelt on the efficacy of prayer. "Asking in
the name of Jesus for the pardon of sin, how it is removed
out of the way — cleansed in the blood of Jesus ! What a
blessed experience this is ! And in the prospect of the
laying down of the earthly tabernacle, — the breaking of

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 185

the bonds of the flesh, there is no sting, — no fear, it is
only the entrance to life ; to another state of being of
eternal blessedness ! and all through the love and mercy
of the Saviour! "

Addressing one of his sisters, he said: ''Having been
permitted to have a hope vrithin the veil, it seems to me
to make little difference when the suffering body is put
off; our separation cannot be for long! How differently
we feel at our age to what we should have done in our
youth."

He said he did not expect to go to Meeting again, and
remarked with a smile; "I think I have preached my
last sermon, and I have been thinking it was not an
inappropriate winding up, though it did not occur to me
that 'such was the case at the time."

It was not until the latter end of the II th month that
his increasing weakness obliged him to remain in bed.
At this time the complaint assumed a different aspect, the
violence of the spasms abated and a rapid diminution of
strength took place.

It would be difficult to convey an accurate idea of the
peace of mind, and patience evinced by him, during the
seven weeks in which he was confined to his bed. At one
time when feeling in a very sinking state he remarked ;
that after all the Lord's goodness to him, it was only
likely that he would be permitted to feel the sinkings of
nature : — "How wonderful was the experience of our
Saviour, when He said, ' My God, My God, why hast Thou
forsaken Me.' — Surely, it was permitted in great mercy
that He, who was perfect in holiness, should thus be tried,
for the encouragement of His poor feeble followers.

" I have been sensible," he continued, *' of a large

186 ILLNESS AND DEATH.

measure of the love of Christ during this season of weak-
ness. The Everlasting Arms are indeed underneath ! I
have great occasion to trust in the Lord ; " and after a
solemn pause, he added : ''I will trust in Him and not
be afraid."

From time to time his expressions indicated his deep
Christian experience. His confidence in His Saviour
never wavered, and though there were seasons in which
for a time, his perception of his Lord's presence was not
so distinct as on other occasions, he never let go his trust.

Once he remarked, '' It would be cause for great
thankfulness if the end were not far distant. I have long
looked to this time as the termination ; — I rest in, * Thy
will be done ; ' — what a rest it is ! In early life I was
permitted to hear the ' Spirit and the Bride say come,'
and I was enabled to yield a willing obedience, which has
been fraught with blessings."

On being told that the 17th Chapter of the Gospel of
John, had been read in the family down stairs, and the
encouraging prayer being quoted, " Father I will that they
also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am,
that they may behold My glory ; " applying it to himself
he solemnly responded, — " Soon to be realized."

At another time, he made allusion to a conversation
which he had had with a priest in Norway, who opposed
his labours, with those of other Friends ; particularly
objecting to them on the ground of their not availing
themselves of Water Baptism, and not partaking of the
''Lord's Supper," "as he mistakenly called it! I tpld
him," he said, "that I had never been baptized with
water, and I had never partaken of what he called the
Lord's Supper, but I believed I had partaken of all the

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 187

fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ. And on
thinking on the subject at the present time, I feel that I
can say the same now."

On one occasion he remarked : '' The separation of the
soul from the body is a great mystery, and the change to
a futiu-e state, is a great mystery ; but leaning upon th^
dear Eedeemer, and being found in Him, we are safe.
' In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand
are pleasures for ever more.' I have been thinking of the
multitudes before the Throne, who have ' washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb;'
many that we have known, and multitudes we have not
known."

'* The love of God seems to me like a great circle en-
closing all manner of men. Christ offers His Spirit,
which if accepted is sufficient for regeneration ; but what
different states are enclosed in that circle ! Some that
have accepted the Divine gift, and are drawn near through
the blood of Christ; others that reject the offers of mercy,
and are very far off."

An account of a Friend being read to him, who had
often laboured in the Lord's service, under feelings of
great discouragement, he remarked that his own course
had been very different. '' I have laboured in the fullness
of joy ! When George Walker and I were in Australia,
frequently going out in the early morning, and going from
one party of Eoad Convicts to another, the sense of the
Divine Presence with us was most remarkable, enabling
us to enter into sympathy with them, and not unfrequently
to rejoice in hope ; — Yes ! " — he continued in reference to
poor benighted wanderers under the hard bondage of
Satan; — ^' I did then feel great sjTupathy for them, but

188 ILLNESS AXD DEATn.

nothing like the sympathy I have since felt for poor out-
casts from the Fold. I have sometimes felt as though my
gift was peculiarly for labour among such, seeking to draw
them to repentance, and faith in Christ."

At another time when feeling great weakness, he said :
'*I should esteem it a great mercy if the thread of life
might be soon cut, and I permitted to escape," — adding —
''that is a sweet passage, * God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.' He
is the door into the Sheepfold, and He cares for His
own sheep."

On allusion being made to the peaceful feeling in his
room, he feelingly remarked; ''Where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there the enemy cannot come."

On a relative inquiring how he felt, he replied ; " I am
very feeble, and the end cannot be far distant ; but when
the peace of Grod, that passes all human understanding, is
felt to keep the heart and mind through faith wliich is in
Christ Jesus, it matters nothing whether it be a few days
earlier or later." He afterwards added, that he felt like
a man about to set off on a very pleasant journey, and it
was of no consequence when he took his departure.

The sudden decease of a young woman, who had been
a member of the famity seventeen years, and to whom
they felt much attached, and who had assisted in waiting
upon him very faithfully and tenderly, took place three
weeks before his own death. In reference to this event,
he remarked, it was a great comfort to believe that she
was ready. In her faithful service to the family she had
given evidence that she was not only actuated by love to
them, but to her Saviour also. He said she had stejiped

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 189

down into the ''Pool" a little while before liim, but
added " it will only be a little while."

At another time he said : " Whether the span of life be
thi'ee score years, or three score years and ten, matters
little, but to have a well grounded hope of acceptance with
Christ, in whose presence is fullness of joy; this precludes
all vain speculations respecting a future state.

*' I have been thinking about a visit I once paid to

; he asked me to pray for him ; I told him I could

not j)ray in my own strength, but we would lift up our
hearts to the Lord, and endeavour to know His will ;
when such a sense of His presence was permitted as was
wonderful ! But there was nothing to pray for, it was all
giving of thanks and praise. I have felt that I have
nothing now, to ask for ; thankfulness and praise are the
covering of my spirit. But do not think that I have any
merit of my own, in any service I have been called to
perform. It is ' not by works of righteousness that we
have done, but of His mercy in Christ Jesus that He
saveth us.' " He then dwelt on the great mercy of the
Lord, in his own experience.

During his illness he frequently liked to have a few
verses of Scripture read to him, or a hymn repeated,
several times asking for that beginning —
One sweetly solemn thought,

Comes to me o'er and o'er, &c.

He spoke of the great advantage it was to have the
memory stored with portions of Scripture and hj'-mns, in
early life, and with what comfort they often recurred to
us in more mature age. On one occasion, after a hymn
had been read to him, in which were some sentiments
depreciating the works of creation, he said: *'I have no

190 ILLNESS AND DEATH.

sympathy with those views. The Great Creator pro-
nounced them all to be good, and I have found them to be
so ; the study of them has not only been a source of great
pleasure to me, but one of great profit also."

He frequently spoke of the necessity of dependence in
faith upon the Saviour, that, **As Moses lifted up the
Serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man
be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have eternal life."

While asleep one evening, he was heard to give vocal
expression to the following ejaculation : " We thank thee
and praise thee Gracious Lord, for all Thy mercies to us
through Jesus Christ."

He frequently acknowledged the many mercies and
blessings by which he was surrounded ; and gratefully
accepted the loving attentions of those who were privileged
to wait upon him.

On the night of the 18th of 1st month, 1869, he said,
*' What a mercy it is to have the blood of Jesus to look
to ! A sense of the great love of God in sending His dear
Son to die for our sins, has been much before my mind : ' '
and after a solemn pause; " The language is; behold I
have cast all thy sins behind My back ! "

On the morning of the 20th, he appeared to be fully as
well as for some days previously, having passed a quiet
night. He spoke of the goodness and mercy of the Lord
having followed him all the days of his life, again adding
his sense of assurance that he should dwell in the house
of the Lord for ever. He also spoke of the increased
clearness of his perception of Gospel Truth ; " Not that I
ever doubted the truths of the Gospel, but I see them now
with a clearness beyond what I ever saw before."

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 191

He passed most of the afternoon in sleep, but awoke
suddenly about half-past Four, and mentioned some
feeling of discomfort in his chest. After taking a cup of
tea, he requested to be moved to the couch, thinking
it might afford him some relief. This was accordingly
done, and in less than five minutes, he laid back his head,
closed his eyes, and after a few deep breathings, quietly
passed away, to be, as we doubt not, for ever with the
Lord, whom even from his childhood, he had been seeking
to love and serve.

W. Sesstcns, Printer, York.

;

DATE DUE

UPI 261-2505 G PRINTED IN U.S.A.

922,86

Backhouse, Sarah,

B127ni

1803-1877.

C.1

Memoir of Janes

Backhouse

922.86 Backhouse, Sarah,
B127n 1883-1877.
C.I Menoir of Janes
Backhouse

DATE DUE

BORROWERS NAME

-IL.— - -