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MEMOIRS 


OF 


JOSEPH   JOHN    GURNEY; 


^cltttions    from    ^ts    |onmaI    mx^    ^orresponbcufe. 


EDITED   BY 


JOSEPH  BEYAN  BRAITHWAITE. 


"Herein  do  I  exercise  myself,  to  have  always  a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God 
and  toward  men."  Acts  xxiv,  \G.—Moito  selected  by  J.  J.  Gurney  for  some  of  the 
earlier  volumes  of  his  Journal. 


IN   TWO   VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I. 


NORWICH  : 
FLETCHER    Ai^D    ALEXANDER; 

LONDON:   W.   &    F.  G.   CASH,    BISHOPSGATE    WITHOUT; 
THOMAS    HATCHARD,     PICCADILLY; 

EDINBURGH  :    MENZIES  ;    DUBLIN  :    m'GLASHAN  AND    GILPIN. 


MDCCCLIV. 


5^  ^ 


PREFACE 


When,  towards  the  close  of  the  year  1849,   I  was   requested  by 
the  widow  and  family  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  to  undertake  the 
editing   of  a   Memoir   of    his   Life,  I  naturally   shrank   from    so 
responsible  a  task.     Little  as  I  felt  myself  qualified  successfully  to 
pourtray  the  varied  features  of  such  a  character,  I  could  not  but 
recollect   that   nearly   three  years   had    already  elapsed    since   his 
decease ;    and   that,  with  the  very  limited   leisure  which  I  could 
command,  amidst  the  pressure  of  professional  and  other  duties,  my 
engaging  in  the  work  would  necessarily  postpone   its  appearance 
several    ydars    longer.      Finding,   however,    that,  notwithstanding 
these  difficulties,  it  was  still  the  decided  wish  of  those  most  nearly 
connected  with  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  that  I  should  undertake 
the  work,  I  finally  concluded   to  engage   in  it,  though   under   a 
deep   sense   of  my  own  want  of  qualification.     Since  that    time, 
(the  beginning  of  the  year  1850,)  I  have  endeavoured  to  pursue  this 
interesting  object  with  as  much  assiduity  as  my  limited  intervals 
of  leisure  would  admit ;  and  I  wish  to  take  this  opportunity  of 
acknowledging  my  grateful  sense  of  the  large  measure  of  warm  and 
cordial  encouragement  and  assistance,  which  I  have,  from  time  to 


IV  PREFACE. 

time,  received  during  the  progress  of  the  work  from  the  various 
members  of  his  family,  and  from  other  vahicd  friends. 

The  materials  which  I  have  had  before  me  have  been  rich  and 
abundant.  To  say  nothing  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  numerous  pub- 
lished writings ;  the  manuscript  volume  of  Autobiography,  written 
in  the  year  1837,  whilst  on  his  voyage  to  America,  and  which 
contains  many  passages  of  deep  interest ;  the  fifteen  volumes  of  his 
private  Journal,  commenced  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  continued, 
with  but  little  interruption,  until  Avithiu  a  few  days  of  his  death ; 
together  with  a  large  mass  of  papers,  letters,  and  correspondence, 
have,  altogether,  furnished  a  repository  in  regard  to  which  the  task 
of  judicious  selection  and  arrangement  has  been  the  principal 
difficulty.  In  making  the  selection,  the  omission  of  much  that 
was  in  itself  deeply  instructive  has  often  appeared  unavoidable. 
The  continued  reiteration  of  similar  sentiments,  however  excellent, 
tends  to  weaken  their  force  upon  the  mind,  by  impairing  its  relish 
for  them.  Impressed  as  I  have  been  with  the  truth  of  this 
obsei-vation,  it  has  not  been  without  pain  that  many  passages 
have  been  iTJectcd,  in  themselves  striking  and  interesting.  And 
I  may  tnily  say  tliat  few  parts  of  my  labour  have  been  attended 
with  greater  difficulty,  or,  at  times,  with  less  of  confidence  in  the 
correctness  of  my  o\vn  judgment. 

No  faithful  portrait  of  Joseph  John  (iumey  could  represent  him 
otherwi.sc  than  as  an  cunitst  and  consisltnt  memljcr  of  tlie  Society 
of  Friends.  Being  myself  fully  persuaded  of  the  accordance  of 
the  principles  of  this  Society  with  those  of  primitive  f'liristianity, 
I  have  liafl  no  inclination,  nor  would  it  have  been  practicable,  to 
throw  into  tlio  shade  his  views  and  feelings  in  reference  to  these 
important  subjects.  It  is  not  improbable  that  the  peculiar  tone 
which  this  circumstance  necessarily  imparts  to  the  present  work. 


PREFACE.  V 

may  render  it  especially  attractive  to  his  fellow-members  in  the 
same  religious  society.  And  yet,  in  the  recollection  of  his  enlarged 
and  Catholic  spirit,  and  of  his  varied  services  in  the  universal 
Church,  I  venture  to  hope  that  there  are  those — and  not  a  very 
few — among  other  denominations  of  Christians,  who  will  feel  some 
interest  in  tracing,  in  his  experience,  the  "life,  walk,  and  triumph" 
of  the  same  precious  faith,  "once  delivered  to  the  saints." 
Even  in  the  case  of  the  more  general  reader,  it  is  difficult  to 
believe  that  any  heart  can  be  stirred  up  by  highly-wrought  recitals 
of  feelings  and  actions  wholly  fictitious  and  imaginary,  and  yet  not 
be  touched  by  the  simple  and  truthful  records  of  a  life  devoted  to 
the  service  of  Christ,  and  to  the  welfare  of  man.  And  to  the  sincere 
hearted  Christian  it  can  surely  afford  no  uninstructive  object  of 
contemplation,  to  watch  the  growth  of  the  intellectual,  moral,  and 
religious  character  of  oue  who,  in  a  position  in  which  he  was 
exposed,  in  no  common  degree,  to  the  alluring  blandishments  of 
the  world,  was  enabled,  in  so  conspicuous  a  manner,  to  choose 
"the  better  part;"  and,  consistently  with  other  duties  and 
engagements  of  no  ordinary  interest,  to  maintain,  above  all,  the 
important  position  of  a  Christian  minister,  called,  qualified,  and 
ordained,  by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church. 

The  ample  materials  before  me  have  enabled  me  in  general  to 
introduce  Joseph  John  Gumcy  as  relating  his  own  history,  leaving 
me  little  else  to  pei*form,  than  to  add  such  observations  as  appeared 
necessary  for  the  due  illustration  and  connexion  of  the  narrative. 
Amidst  the  variety  of  transactions  and  sentiments  which  are  here 
brought  under  review,  it  would  be  unreasonable  to  expect  an 
entire  harmony  of  feeling,  in  regard  to  each  particular,  amongst  the 
readers  of  these  pages.  Into  the  region  of  controversy  I  have 
little    disposition    to    enter.     Such  a   life    stands   in    need    of    no 


VI  PREFACE. 

laboured  vindication.  And  I  feel  assured  that  none  can  give  to 
Joseph.  John  Gurney's  own  statements  a  fair  and  candid  perusal, 
without  being  satisfied  that  it  was,  at  least,  his  earnest  and 
continued  desire  so  to  act,  in  the  varied,  and  often  peculiar, 
circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed,  as  to  have  always 
"a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God  and  toward  men." 

Far,  indeed,  is  it  from  my  desire  to  exalt  the  instrument.  Few 
were  more  deeply  sensible  than  ho  was,  that,  in  so  far  as  he  had 
himself  become  "a  partaker  of  Clu-ist,"  or  had  been  made,  in  any 
degree,  a  blessing  to  others,  it  was  all  of  rich  and  unmerited  mercy ; 
truly  not  of  himself,  but  of  "the  grace  of  God.'''  And,  in  holding 
out  the  language  of  affectionate  exhortation  to  others,  his  frequent 
expression  was,  in  accordance  with  the  tenor  of  his  whole  life, 
"Follow  me,  so  far,  and  so  far  only,  as  I  have  follovv^ed  Christ." 
Greatly  shall  I  rejoice  if  the  perusal  of  these  pages  be  made  the 
means,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  of  leading  any  to  a  more  deep- 
felt  sense  of  what  lies  at  the  ycvj  foundation  of  all  true  Christian 
experience,  and  to  yet  more  earnest  and  steady  endeavours ^after  an 
humble,  watchful,  constant,  and  confiding  walk  with  God. 

Very  sensible  as  I  am  of  the  deficiencies  that  abound  in  the 
present  work,  it  is  -with  sincere  difiidcnce  that  I  uoav  venture  to 
commend  it  to  the  candid  perusal  of  the  reader ;  and,  above  all,  to 
the  blessing  of  Him  who  can  alone  prosper  any  of  our  labours,  and 
cause  thorn  to  lirin;^  forth  fruit  to  liis  praise. 

J.  H.  Braitiiwaite. 

MORNIXfJTON    Ko.VI), 

Rkoent'h  Pa  UK,  London, 
5tli  month,  18.)1. 


CONTENTS.  Vll 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Pase. 


Birth ;  Family ;  the  first  John  Gurney ;  his  two  Sons,  John 
and  Joseph;  John  Gurney  of  Earlham;  his  Wife;  his 
Daughter  Catherine ;  Description  of  Joseph  John  Gurney 
by  one  of  his  Sisters ;  Extracts  from  Autobiography ;  his 
Sister  Catherine's  Letter  of  Advice  on  his  going  to  Oxford         1 

CHAPTER  II. 

John  Rogers ;  Extracts  from  Letters ;  Life  at  Oxford  ;  Studies ; 
"Rest  "Week;"  Return  Home  ;  Settlement  in  the  jSTorwich 
Bank;  "  Quarterly  Review;"  Death  of  his  Brother  John's 
Y>"ife;  Extract  from  the  Journal;  Edward  Edwards; 
Friends'  Week-day  Meetings       .     .     .     • 19 

CHAPTER  III. 

Studies  ;  Butler's  Analogy ;  his  Literaiy  Associations ;  Habit 
of  Self-Examination ;  Quajstiones  IS'octurna) ;  Extracts 
from  his  Journal  and  Letters  ;  Death  of  his  Father      .     .       36 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Reflections  after  his  Father's  Decease;  Review  of  his  Objects; 
Studies;  his  first  essay  as  an  Author;  Correspondence 
with  Sir  William  Drummond ;  gradual  Attraction  towards 
Friends ;  attends  the  Yearly  Meeting ;  Extracts  from  his 
Journal 55 


VIU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Page. 

Growing  intci'cst  in  the  welfore  of  others ;  Lancasterian 
School ;  Establishment  of  the  Norfolk  and  Norwich 
Auxiliary  Bible  Society ;  Parties  at  Earlham ;  Course  on 
becoming  more  of  a  Eriend        69 

CHAPTER  VI. 

His  Review  of  his  Progress  up  to  1815;  his  Uncle  Joseph 
Gurney ;  Bristol ;  Letter  to  a  Eriend  on  his  Marriage  ; 
Thomas  Eoster's  Appeal;  Death  of  his  Brother  John  ;  his 
Cousins  Joseph  and  Henry  Gurney;  Capital  Punishments; 
Wilbcrforce ;  Retrospect  from  Autobiography     ....       89 

CHAPTER  YII. 

Extracts  from  Autobiography  and  Journal ;  Jonathan  Hutch- 
inson; Engagement  in  Marriage;  first  Speaks  as  a 
Minister ;  his  Marriage ;  Letter  to  William  Forster ; 
Chas.  Simeon ;  Correspondence  with  Jonathan  Hutchinson ; 
Journey  on  the  Continent ;  Visit  to  London ;  Visit  of  the 
Ma3-or  and  Corporation  of  Norwich  to  Earlham;  he  is 
acknowledged  a  Minister        117 

CHAPTER  Till. 

Earlham ;  Family  Meetings ;  Position  in  Business  and  as  a 
Cliristian  Minister ;  Journey  to  Scotland  and  the  North 
of  England  with  his  Sister  Elizabeth  Fry;  Edinburgh; 
(jrlasgow ;  first  "  Public  ^Meeting ;"  Visit  to  the  Earl  of 
Derby  at  Knowsley;  Publishes  his  first  Book;  Notes 
upon  Prisons ;  Letters  from  William  Wilbcrforce ;  Cor- 
spondcncc  with  Edward  Harbord ;  Exertions  to  save  three 
Prisoners;  Birth  of  his  Son 136 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Ackworth  School;  Joseph  John  Guniey's  Labours  there; 
Scriptural  Instruction ;  Extracts  from  Letters  and  Auto- 
biography; Extracts  from  Journal        165 


CONTENTS.  IX 


CHAPTER  X. 


Pa'je. 


Extracts  from  Journal  and  Letters ;  his  first  Day  School ; 
Journey  to  Bristol ;  William  Forster's  Departure  for 
America;  Yearly  Meeting  ;  Letters  from  Jonathan  Hutch- 
inson and  William  Wilberforce  ;  Letter  to  Thomas  FowcU 
Buxton;  Illness  and  Death  of  Priscilla  Gurney  .     .     .     .     181 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Extracts  from  Journal  and  Letters;  Letter  from  William 
Wilberforce;  Tract  on  the  Authority,  Importance,  and 
Effect  of  Christianity ;  Illness  and  Death  of  his  Wife     .      199 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal ;  commencement  of  Work 
on  the  Distinguishing  Principles  of  Friends;  Home 
Pursuits;  Literary  Journal;  Anti- Slavery  Movements; 
Eeligious  Services  in  Essex  and  Suffolk  ;  Hannah  More  ; 
Religions  Yisit  to  Yarmouth 216 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Visit  to  Friends  at  Bury;  Amelia  Opie ;  Anti-Slavery  Speech 
at  iS'orwich ;  Publication  of  his  Letter  on  the  Authority 
of  Christianity,  and  of  his  Work  on  the  Distinguishing 
Yiews  and  Practices  of  Friends        233 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Extracts  from  Journal  and  Letters ;  Journey  to  the  North  of 
En"iand;  Letters  to  Thomas  FoweU  Buxton  and  Lord 
Snffield;  Eeturn  Home;  Yisit  to  Suffolk 257 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Extracts  from  Journal ;  Letter  from  \^'illiam  Wilberforce  on 
his  retirement  from  Parliament ;  Yisit  to  Lincolnshire ; 
Alfred  Corder ;  Yearly  Meeting;  Coimty  Meeting  on 
Slavery ;  Publication  of  his  Essays  on  Christianity'      .     .     279 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

Page. 

Panic  in  the  Monetary  and  Commercial  World ;  Engagement 
in  Man-iage  with  Mary  Fowler ;  Journeys  in  the  West  of 
England  and  in  the  Midland  Counties;  Extracts  from 
Journal  and  Letters ;  Prospect  of  a  Visit  to  Ireland  with 
his  Sister  Elizabeth  Fry 299 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Departure  for  Ireland ;  Labours  in  Dublin ;  Visit  to  the 
Marquis  Wellesley,  the  Lord  Lieutenant  ;  Prisons  ; 
Dr.  Murray;  Archbishop  Magee;  Archbishop  of  Tuam; 
Trim ;  Cotehill ;  Armagh ;  Lisburn ;  John  Couran ; 
Lurgan;  Belfast;    Londonderry 319 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Iloute  to  Sligo;  State  of  the  Country;  Hibernian  Blunder; 
Galway ;  Illness  of  Elizabeth  Frj^ ;  Clonmel ;  Carlow  ; 
Dr.  Doyle ;  Ballitore ;  Yearly  Meeting  in  Dublin ;  Final 
Visit  to  Lord  Wellesley;  AVicldow;  Enniscorthy;  Wex- 
ford ;  Waterford ;  Eeturn  to  England         339 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Arrival  in  London ;  Alarming  Illness  of  his  Brother-in-law, 
Thomas  Fowcll  Buxton  ;  Miiniage  with  Mary  Fowler;  his 
Sister  Rachel  Gunicy's  Illness  and  Death;  Publication  of 
Report  on  Ireland ;  Various  Jouruies ;  Extracts  from 
Letters  and   Journal 357 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Interest  in  Norwich  Poor;  Breakfast  to  Operatives  at  Earlham  ; 
Visits  to  Prison  ;  John  Stratford  ;  the  Bethel ;  Reconciling 
Letter ;  Visits  of  School  Children  to  Earlham ;  Advice  to 
a  Young  Friend  on  his  Miu-riage ;  Giving  and  Receiving ; 
Day  upon  a,  Stage  Coach ;  Household  Discipline  ;  Economy 
of  Time;  Youthful  Recollections  of  Earlham     ....     382 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Page. 

Visit  to  Friends  in  Suffolk ;  Letter  to  Sir  James  Mackintosh  on 
Capital  Punishment  for  Forgery;  Yearly  Meeting ;  Chalmers 
and  Wilberforcc ;  Journey  in  Scotland  and  Cumberland ; 
Detention  at  Edinburgh;  Chalmeriana;  Southey;  Carlisle; 
Penrith;  Kendal;  Manchester;  Return  Home;  Death  of 
his  Uncle  Joseph -401 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Publication  of  the  Biblical  jSTotes  and  Dissertations ;  Letters 
respecting  them;  Work  upon  the  Sabbuth;  Religious 
Engagements  at  Bristol;  "Teaching"  Meetings;  Letter 
to  his  Son,  describing  an  Evening  at  Cambridge  and  a 
Morning  at  Oxford        429 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal;  Essay  on  the  Moral 
Character  of  Christ ;  Controversy  in  the  Bible  Society  on 
the  admission  of  Unitarians  ;  Terms  of  Union  ;  the  Portable 
Evidence  of  Christianity;  Religious  Visits  to  Birmingham 
and  Lancashire;  Meetings  in  the  Open  Air;  Address  to 
the  Mechanics  of  Manchester ;  Death  of  Joseph  Kinghorn ; 
Conference  in  London  on  the  Revision  of  the  "  Book  of 
Extracts" 454 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

Anti- Slavery  Proceedings;  Meeting  of  Delegates;  Passing  of 
Emancipation  Act ;  Election  at  Norwich ;  Petition  against 
Bribery ;  Prospect  of  entering  Parliament ;  Doubts  re- 
specting it ;  ultimate  Decision ;  commencement  of  Visit 
to  Friends  in  London  and  its  Neighbourhood  ;  Letter  to  a 
young  Friend;  Letter  to  his  Children;  Rachel  Fowler; 
George  Withy;  William  Wilberforcc 473 


XU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXT. 

Page. 

Visit  of  Dr.  Chalmers  at  Earlham ;  Conversations  with  him  ; 
Extracts  from  Journal ;  further  Labours  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  London  ;  Letters;  Sermon  at  Devonshire  House  .     497 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Further  Labours  in  London  ;  Interview  with  Earl  Grey  and 
Edward  G.  Stanley ;  Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal ; 
Visit  to  Ackworth  ;  Essay  on  Love  to  God ;  Conclusion  of 
Labours  in  London ;  Death  of  Jonathan  Hutchinson     .     .     522 


APPENDIX        539 


LIFE 


OF 


JOSEPH    JOHN    GUPiNEY. 


CHAPTER   I. 

1788—1803.     ^T.  1—16. 

birth;    family;    the   first    JOHN    GITBITET;    his   two    sons,  JOHN    AND 

joseph  ;  john  gimner  of  eaelham  ;  his  wife  ;  his  daughter 
catherine;  description  of  joseph  john  gurnet  by  one  of  his 
sisters;  extracts  from  autobiography;  his  sister  Catherine's 
letter  of  advice  on  his  going  to  oxford. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  was  born  at  Earlham  Hall, 
near  Norwich,  on  the  2nd  of  the  8th  mo.,  1788.* 
The  family  of  Gurney,  or  Gournay,  is  said  to 
have  sprung  from  a  house  of  Norman  barons,  who 
followed  William  the  Conqueror  into  England,  and 
obtained  large  estates  in  this  country,  chiefly  in  the 
county  of  Norfolk.  Prom  them  descended  a  line  of 
country  gentlemen,  who  maintained  themselves  at 
Harpley  and  West  Barsham  in  that  county  for 
many  generations,  and   from  a  very   early   period 

*  It  was  not  until  he  entered  into  active  life  that  he  assumed  the 
lengthened  name  of  Joseph  John  Gurney,  to  distinguish  himself 
from  his  uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  of  Lakenham  Grove,  near  JS'orwich, 
who  had  also,  at  that  time,  a  son  Joseph  Gurney. 

B 


FAMILY    HISTORY. 


had  one  of  their  residences  in  the  city  of  Norwich. 
The  last  of  these  dying  without  male  issue,  ahout 
the   commencement   of  the   reign   of  Charles   the 
Second,   the   old    family   estates   became,    at   that 
period,  mostly  dispersed  among  females.    The  name 
of  Gurney  was,  however,  honourably  continued  in 
Norfolk,    through    a    descendant    of    one    of    the 
vouno-er    sons    of    an    earlier    generation  —  John 
Gurney,    (or   Gourney,  as   he  usually   spelled  his 
name,)   the   ancestor   of   the   present   family.     He 
was  born  in  the  year  1655,  and,  notwithstanding 
his  family  connexions,  commenced  life  in  Norwich 
in  somewhat   straitened   circumstances.     Deroting 
himself,  in  his  youtli,  to  the  cause  of  religion,  we 
llnd  him  in  the  year  1678,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three,  already  connected  witli  the  then  oppressed 
and   persecuted   Quakers.     Ricliard   Hubberthorn, 
from  Yealand,  in    North  Lancashire,  and   George 
Whitehead,    from   Westmoreland,    (then   a    yoimg 
man    scarcely    eighteen,)    were    among    the    iirst 
imder    that   name   who   visited    Norwich.     There, 
about  the  year  1654,  they  were  encouraged,  amidst 
severe   suffering,  by   finding   some  who  were   pre- 
pared to  receive  the  truths  which  tliey  were  com- 
misioned  to  declare;*  and   a  meeting   of  Tricnds 
was  then   established  which  has  been  kept  up  to 
the   present    time.     The    family   of   John   Gurney 
appear    previously  to   have   had    some    connexion 
with  the  Puritans.    Henry  Gurney,  indeed,  of  West 
Barsham,  the  representative  of  the  family  in  the 
early   part    of   the   I7th   century,   had   a   distaste 
for    Puritanism,    if,    at    least,    we    are    to    judge 

*  Sec  Georje  Whitehead's  Christian  Progress,  pp.  23,  24,  et  seq. 


THE    FIRST    JOHN    GURNEY.  '    6 

from  the  insertion  in  his  will,  (proved  in  1623,)  of 
a  sj)ecial  charge  to  his  younger  sons  "that  none 
hould  any  fantasticall  or  erroneous  opinions,  so 
adjudged  by  our  Bishop  or  civill  Lawes."  But 
Edmund  Gurney,  rector  of  Harpley,  one  of  these 
younger  sons,  who  was  a  person  of  influence, 
became  known  as  a  zealous  Puritan;  he  declined 
wearing  the  surplice,  and  was  probably  among 
those  who  took  the  Covenant  in  1643.*  After 
him  John  Gurney  successively  named  two  of  his 
children.  Others  of  his  connexions  were  also 
inclined  to  Puritanism,  and  some  of  them,  like 
himself,  joined  the  Society  of  Priends.  In  the 
case  of  the  early  Priends  generally,  their  ultimate 
settlement  in  those  gospel  principles  by  which  they 
became  distinguished  from  others,  was  preceded  by 
a  state  of  much  religious  awakening  and  earnest 
seeking  after  God,  in  which  they  "  searched  the 
Scriptures  daily,  whether  these  things  were  so." 
Tlirough  what  course  of  experience  John  Gurney 
arrived  at  his  conviction,  the  scanty  materials  of 
his  history  do  not  inform  us.  Let  it  suffice  us 
to  know  that  what  he  became  convinced  of  Avas 
precious  to  him  as  the  truth,  and  that  for  it  he 
was  prepared  to  suffer.  On  the  29th  of  the  9th 
mo.,  (O.  S.,)  1682,  (so  the  records  of  Priends  in 
Norwich  inform  us,)  "Priends  being  kept  out  of 
their  meeting  house,  met  together  in  the  street  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord;"  and,  being  there,  John 
Gurney  and  another  Priend  were  violently  pulled 
out  from  among  the  rest,  "as  if  they  had  been 
malefactors,"  and  carried  before  a  Justice  of  the 

*  See  Master's  History  of  Corpus  Cliristi  College,  Cambridge,  p.  301. 

B    2 


4  HIS    TWO    SOXS^    JOHN    AND    JOSEPH. 

Peace,  by  whom,  as  they  declined  giving,  on  such 
an  account,  the  required  bail,  they  were  committed 
until  the  next  Quarter  Sessions.  In  the  following 
year,  1683,  he  was  again  imprisoned*  for  refusing 
to  take  an  oath;  and  continued  in  prison,  under 
successive  recommitments,  nearly  three  years.  He 
died  in  the  year  1721,  having  greatly  prospered 
in  his  temporal  concerns;  and,  what  is  far  more 
important,  liaving,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
those  who  knew  him,  taken  "particular  care  in 
the  religious  education  of  all  his  children,"  and 
"continued  faithful  to  the  end."t 

His  two  elder  sons,  John  and  Joseph,  were  both 
men  of  marked  character.  John  was  gifted  with 
much  natural  eloquence,  and  obtained  considerable 
reputation  by  the  spirit  and  abihty  with  which 
he  successfully  defended  the  Norwich  trade  before 
a  Committee  of  the  House  of  Lords,  against  some 
apprehended  encroachments.  He  subsequently  re- 
ceived from  Sir  Kobert  Walpole  the  offer  of  a  seat 
in  Parliament,  which,  however,  he  declined,  as 
inconsistent  with  his  religious  principles  in  the 
then  state  of  the  law.  Heligion  had  early  taken 
possession  of  his  heart,  and  about  the  twenty- 
second  year  of  his  age,  in  obedience  to  the  call 
of  apprehended  duty,  he  had  yielded  himself  to 
the  work  of  the  public  ministry  of  the  Gospel, 
in  which  service  lie  laboured  diligently  for  many 
years;  neither  "the  temptation  of  prosperity,"  nor 
"the  kindness   and  esteem  of  great  men  of  this 

•    *  See  Bcssc's  Sufferings  of  the  People  called  Quakers,  vol.  1, p.  51o. 

f  See  Collection  of  Testimonies  concerning  several  Ministers  of 

the  Gospel  among  the  People  called  Quakers,  London,  1760,  p.  134. 


KESWICKj    EARLHAM,    AND    THE    GllOVE.  5 

world,"  being,  in  the  simple  but  forcible  language 
of  the  memorial  respecting  him,  "permitled  to 
separate  him  from  tliat  truth  which  tlie  Lord  had 
eminently  convinced  him  of."*  Besides  numerous 
other  descendants,  he  was  the  grandfather  of  Martha 
Birkbeck,  whose  daughter  Jane  became,  as  will  be 
seen,  the  first  wife  of  Joseph  John  Gurney. 

Joseph  Gurney,  his  younger  brother,  who, 
towards  the  close  of  his  life,  fixed  his  residence 
at  Keswick,  near  Norwich,  also  became  a  valued 
minister  of  the  Gospel  among  Friends.  His  Chris- 
tian profession  was  eminently  adorned  by  a  life  of 
humility,  benevolence,  and  moderation.  He  died 
in  the  year  1750,  after  a  suffering  illness,  which  he 
bore  with  exemplary  resignation,  giving  a  final 
evidence  of  the  truth  of  what  he  then  expressed — 
that  it  had  been  "  the  business  of  his  whole  life  to 
be  prepared  for  such  a  time."t 

His  eldest  son,  John  Gurney,  was  a  man  of  great 
activity  and  energy,  and,  notwithstanding  his  exten- 
sive engagements  in  business,  devoted  much  of  his 
time  to  the  interests  of  his  own  religious  Society, 
to  the  prihciples  of  which  he  was  warmly  attached. 
In  the  midst  of  a  course  of  remarkable  temporal 
prosperity,  it  is  instructive  to  observe  the  fear 
which  he  expresses  in  one  of  his  private  memoranda, 
lest  his  increasing  opulence  should  lead  away  his 
children  from  those  religious  habits  and  associa- 
tions in  which  they  had  been  educated.  He  left 
three  sons,  all  of  whom  married  and  settled  near 

*  See  Collection  of  Testimonies,  p.   139,  and  Life   of  Tlioma§ 
Story,   p.  617. 

t  See  Collection  of  Testimnnios,  pp.  238—240. 


6  JOHN    GURNEY    OF    EARLHAM,    HIS    WIFE, 

Norwich.*  Uicliard  Gurney,  the  eldest,  on  his 
father's  decease,  in  1770,  became  the  occupant  of 
the  family  residence  at  Keswick.  John  Gurney, 
the  second  son,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  had,  previously  to  Joseph  John  Gurney' s 
birth,  settled  at  Earlham.  Joseph  Gurney,  the 
youngest,  resided  at  Lakenham  Grove.  The  three 
families  were  naturally  much  associated,  and  exer- 
cised an  important  influence  upon  each  other. 
At  a  later  period  especially,  the  consistency  with 
which  Joseph  Gurney,  of  the  Grove,  was  enabled 
to  maintain  his  position  as  a  Priend  and  as  a  Chris- 
tian minister,  rendered  his  influence  peculiarly 
valuable. 

To  those  who  have  read  the  Memoirs  of  the  late 
Elizabeth  Pry  and  Sir  Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  the 
character  of  John  Gurney,  of  Earlham,  cannot  fail 
to  be  familiar.  Generous,  ardent,  and  warm- 
hearted, he  abounded  in  kindness  to  all,  uniting 
remarkable  activity  both  in  public  and  private 
business,  with  an  acute  intellect  and  extensive  in- 
formation. Though  he  did  not  in  all  respects 
strictly  maintain  the  habits  of  a  Eriend,  he  was 
accustomed  to  treat  Eriends  with  the  warmest 
respect,  his  house  was  ever  open  to  receive  their 
ministers,  and  he  entertained,  through  life,  a 
decided  prefcn-ence  for  their  religious  principles. 
His  wife  was  Catherine  Eell,  a  daugliter  of  Daniel 
Bell,  of  Stamford  Hill,  near  London,  lier  mother 
being   a   grand-daughter   of   Robert   Barclay,    the 

*  The  elder  Joseph  Gurney  wag  also  the  grandfather  of  Priscilla 
Hannah  Giimcy,  and  Joseph  Gurney  Bevan,  both  highly  esteemed 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 


AND    DAUGHTER    CATHERIXE. 


well-knowTi  author  of  the  "Apology."  She  is 
described  as  a  woman  "  of  very  superior  mind,  as 
well  as  personal  charms,  who  in  her  latter  years 
became  a  serious  Christian  and  a  decided  Eriend." 
An  animated  portraiture  of  her  character  is  drawn 
in  the  memoirs  of  her  highly  gifted  daughter.* 
Eminently  fitted,  as  she  appeared  to  be,  for  her 
responsible  position,  the  stroke,  by  which  she  was  so 
early  removed  from  it,  was  not  a  little  appalling. 
She  died  in  the  autiunn  of  the  year  1792,  leaving 
her  sorro;ving  husband  the  widowed  parent  of 
eleven  children,  f  the  youngest  not  yet  two  years  old. 
The  maternal  mantle  was,  however,  in  a  remarkable 
manner  cast  upon  the  elder  sisters,  more  especially 
upon  Catherine  the  eldest.  Though  scarcely  seven- 
teen at  her  mother's  death,  her  capacities  ripened 
into  an  early  maturity,  which  admirably  fitted  her 
for  the  necessities  of  the  occasion.  In  her  were 
seen  blended  a  judgment  at  once  sound  and  com- 
prehensive, a  quiet  firmness  and  promptitude  in 
action,  a  sympathy  quick  to  discern,  and  a  noble 
disinterestedness,    eager    to   supply    the  wants    of 

*  Memoirs  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol.  i,  p.  3,  &c. 

f  Tlie  following  list  of  the  names  may  be  found  useful : — 
Catherine  died  unmarried,  1850. 
Rachel  died  unmarried,  1827. 

Elizabeth,  married  in  1800  to  Joseph  Fry,  of  London,  died  in  1845. 
JoHX  died  1814. 

EiCHENDA,  man-iedin  1816,  to  Francis  Cunningham. 
Hanijah,  married  in  1807,  to  Thomas  Fowcll  Buxton. 
Louisa,  married  in  1806  to  Samuel  Hoare,  died  in  1836. 
Peiscilla  died  unmarried,  1821. 
Samuel. 

Joseph  [John]  died  in  1847. 
Daniel. 


8  CATHERINE    GURNEY.  1788 1803. 

tliose  around  her.  All  this,  hrought  out  and 
matured  in  her  new  situation,  and,  with  increasing 
years,  sanctified  and  enriched  by  divine  grace,  gave 
her  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  her  younger  brothers 
and  sisters,  which  few  besides  a  mother  could  have 
filled.  Her  advice,  usually  the  result  of  a  confer- 
ence with  her  father,  occasionally  assisted  by  her 
two  sisters  the  next  in  age,  became  law,  not  so 
much  l)y  reason  of  any  authority  of  her's,  as  that 
it  was  illustrated  by  her  own  conduct,  and  felt  by 
the  younger  members  of  the  family  to  be  mingled 
with  so  much  wisdom  and  sisterly  love.  Her 
system,  if  such  it  might  be  called,  was  marked  by 
but  little  restraint.  This  was  doubtless,  in  part, 
owing  to  the  peculiarity  of  her  position.  As  a 
sister  she  preferred  the  gentler  influences  of  ex- 
ample and  persuasion,  and  as  her  principles  became 
gradually  more  decided,  she  above  all  sought  to  en- 
courage a  healthy  self-control  under  the  discipline 
of  religion.  Constant  in  her  own  course  of  duty, 
the  more  conspicuous  services  in  which  others  of 
the  family  younger  than  herself  were  afterwards 
engaged,  awakened  no  unhallowed  feelings  in  her 
heart.  She  rejoiced  in  their  faitlifulness  and  in 
their  fruits,  and  still  sought  to  strengthen  their 
hands,  without  forsaking  her  own  more  private 
path  of  usefulness.*  Thus  much  seemed  due  to 
the  memory  of  one,  whose  early  influence  upon  her 


*  Interest  in  the  welfare  of  young  persons  was  throughout  life 
a  marked  feature  in  Catherine  Gumey's  character.  She  deliglited 
to  attach  herself  to  those  of  this  class  who  visited  Earlham,  en- 
couraging and  directing  them  in  useful  pursuits,  and  frequently 
giving  them  important  advice  upon  their  course  of  reading,  &c. 


.ET.   1 15.  THE    CIRCLE    AT    EARLHAM.  9 

own  family,  and,  not  the  least  so,  upon  her  brother 
Joseph,  was  so  richly  blessed.  It  will  be  seen 
tliat  in  later  years  thev  had  to  feel  the  trial  of 
separation  in  outward  religious  communion.  This, 
especially  to  a  mind  so  susceptible  as  his,  was  not 
without  its  pain.  But,  through  all,  the  harmony  of 
their  fellowship  in  essential  truth  continued  un- 
broken. And  as  life  advanced,  the  bond  which 
more  and  more  closely  united  them,  was  among  the 
many  tokens  of  a  growing  meetness  for  that  glori- 
ous rest,  where  the  redeemed  "  see  eye  to  eye,"  and 
all  their  aspirations  after  a  union  of  holiness  and 
perfected  love  are  satisfied  for  ever. 

The  state  of  mind  and  feeling  which  prevailed 
in  this  young  and  interesting  family,  under  their 
altered  circumstances,  is  so  fully  before  the  reader 
in  the  works  already  referred  to,  that  it  seems 
unnecessary  to  do  more  than  briefly  allude  to  it. 
The  naturally  grave  and  practical  disposition  of 
their  sister  Catherine  hardly  formed  an  exception 
to  the  general  liveliness  and  gaiety  which  pervaded 
the  circle,  and  rendered  the  members  of  it  peculi- 
arly liable  to  be  led  away  by  the  various  temptations 
to  which  they  were  exposed.  Their  earlier  years 
were,  in  fact,  distinguished  by  much  which  they 
afterwards  felt  to  have  partaken  largely  of  the 
vanity  of  youth,  but  which  was  yet  singularly  min- 
gled with  not  a  little  of  an  opposite  character. 
The  evening  dance,  vrith  its  whirl  of  mirth  and 
merriment,  the  excitement  of  the  youthful  day- 
dream, gave  i)lace,  in  their  turns,  to  days  of 
industry  and  study,  to  concern  for  the  poor,  and  at 
times  to  religious  seriousness.  The  contrast  was 
striking  and  not  without  promise. 


10  EARLY  CHILDHOOD.         1788 1803. 

In  this  large  family,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  or 
Joseph  as  he  was  then  called,  was  the  tenth  in 
order  of  age,  there  being  hut  one  brother  younger 
than  himself. 

"  My  first  recollections  of  our  dearest  brother/'  writes  one 
of  his  sisters,  "  are  those  of  a  lovely  boy,  who,  from  his  great 
beauty  and  sweetness  of  disposition  and  manner,  was  a  very 
gratifying  child  to  his  mother.  He  was  so  quick  that  he 
learned  French  words  almost  as  soon  as  he  coidd  speak  at  aU ; 
full  of  tender  feeling,  of  love,  and  gentleness,  and  possessing 
a  temper  that  nothing  could  irritate  or  render  fretfid.  After 
the  death  of  his  mother  he  became  closely  attached  to  his 
sisters,  and  very  dependent  upon  us,  choosing  ever  to  miite 
with  us,  and  to  follow  us  in  our  gardening,  building,  and 
other  projects. 

"  Joseph  had  been  nursed  by  the  gardener's  wife,  who  lived 
in  the  park  by  the  bridge.  He  was  very  fond  of  'nurse 
Norman,'  and,  when  five  or  six  years  old,  would  escape  to  her 
cottage,  and  share  with  her  children  their  usual  homely  fare. 
We  woidd  amuse  ourselves  by  following  him,  and  finding  him 
seated  at  the  Uttle  table  with  the  poor  family  by  the  cottage 
window. 

"He  was  always  studious,  and  fond  of  reading,  and  had  a 
real  taste  for  his  lessons,  to  which  he  apphed  with  industry. 
Whether  at  school  or  at  home,  he  bore  the  character  of  a  boy 
of  unsullied  conduct,  of  fine  disposition,  and  excellent  talents. 

"  As  he  grew  older,  he  became  more  and  more  delightful 
to  his  father,  and  brothers  and  sisters.  He  was  fond  of  join- 
ing the  latter  in  their  schemes  of  benevolence,  and  frequently 
accompanied  them  in  their  visits  to  the  poor.  His  return 
lioine  at  the  vacation  was  always  pecidiarly  agreeable.  His 
life  and  playfulness,  his  spirit  and  zeal  in  every  pursuit, 
rendered  his  company  most  enlivening.  He  spent  his  holi- 
days with  great  method,  allotting  much  time  to  study,  reading 
Latin  with  Louisa,  and  books  on  serious  subjects  with  Rachel, 
and  woidd  join  our  family  circle  in  the  evening  in  hearing 
amusing  reading,  while  he  drew." 


^T.  1 15.    EXTRACTS  FROM  AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  11 

Many  years  later,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  his 
autobiography,  thus  recalls  his  own  impressions  of 
his  early  life. 

"I  remember  that  in  the  family  order,  my  three  eldest 
sisters,  Catherine,  Rachel,  and  Elizabeth,  were  classed 
together;  after  them  came  John,  my  eldest  brother,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Richenda,  Hannah,  Louisa,  and  Priscilla,  usually 
ranged  together  under  the  familiar  name  of  "  the  four  girls  -j" 
Samuel  followed  between  Priscilla  and  me,  and  my  youngest 
brother  Daniel  concluded  the  series.  It  was  a  material 
disadvantage  to  this  circle  of  young  people,  that  Norwich, 
soon  after  my  mother's  death,  was  remarkable  as  the  residence 
of  certain  talented  unbelievers;  and  these  persons  were  the 
means  of  introducing  occasional  visitors,  [at  Earlham,]  who 
united  decided  democracy  in  poHtics  with  very  low  sentiment 
on  the  subject  of  religion.  *  *  "^  *  But  the  God  of  all  grace 
had  better  things  in  store  for  us.  He  did  not  permit  us  to 
be  carried  off  into  the  cold  regions  of  infidel  speculation. 
Catherine,  our  eldest  sister,  was  naturally  of  a  sober  mind, 
fond  of  reading,  which  had  some  approach  at  least  to  subjects 
of  a  serious  import;  and  she  gi'aduaUy  became  the  decided 
Christian.  Her  influence  was  soon  foimd  to  be  invaluable 
with  her  younger  brothers  and  sisters.  By  degrees  she 
became  to  them  a  check  on  the  vanities  of  the  world,  a 
faithful  guardian  against  loose  and  dangerous  %aews  of 
rehgion,  and  a  cherisher  of  all  that  is  good  and  valuable, 
whether  intellectual  or  spiritual.  ^  ^  -^ 

"  I  do  not  look  back  upon  my  childliood  with  much  comfort 
or  satisfaction.  ^  ^  *  \  was  a  very  fearful,  nervous  child, 
not,  I  believe,  fractious  in  temper,  nor  by  any  means  destitute 
of  a  relish  for  enjoyment,  but  acutely  alive  to  suffering  of 
mind.  Often  in  the  night  I  was  overtaken  by  an  indescribable 
nervous  agitation,  as  if  the  very  walls  were  falling  down  upon 
me  to  crush  me ;  and  many  a  time  did  I  spring  fit-om  my  bed, 
and  seek  refuge  with  some  kind  friend  or  sister,  particularly 
my  sister  Elizabeth,  who  well  understood  me,  and  never 
failed,  as  occasion  required,  to  pity  and  protect  me. 


12  EXTRACTS  FROM  AUTOBIOGRAPHY.   1788 1803. 

''I  was  by  no  means  insensible,  in  very  early  life,  to 
religious  considerations;  being  no  stranger,  from  the  first 
opening  of  my  mental  faculties,  to  tliose  precious  visitations 
of  Divine  love,  which  often  draw  the  young  mind  to  its 
Creator,  and  melt  it  into  tenderness.  If  religion  has  indeed 
grown  in  me,  (as  I  humbly  believe  it  has,  though  amidst 
inrmmerable  backslidings,)  it  has  pretty  much  kept  pace  with 
the  growth  of  my  natural  faculties ;  for  I  cannot  now  recall 
any  decided  turning  point  in  this  matter,  except  that  which 
afterwards  brought  me  to  plain  '  Quakerism.'  Cases  of  this 
description  are,  in  my  opinion,  in  no  degree  at  variance  with 
the  cardinal  Christian  doctrine  of  the  necessity  of  conversion, 
and  of  the  new  birth  unto  righteousness.  The  work  which 
effects  the  vital  change  from  a  state  of  natm-e  to  a  state  of 
grace,  is  doubtless  often  begun  in  very  early  childhood — nay, 
it  may  open  on  the  soul,  with  the  earliest  opening  of  its 
rational  faculties ;  and  that  its  progress  may  sometimes  be  so 
gradual,  as  to  preclude  our  perceiving  any  very  distinct  steps 
in  it,  we  may  learn  from  our  blessed  Lord's  parable :  '  So  is 
the  kingdom  of  God,  as  if  a  man  should  cast  seed  into  the 
ground,  and  should  sleep,  and  rise  night  and  day,  and  the 
seed  should  spring  and  grow  up,  he  knoweth  not  how;  for 
the  earth  bringeth  forth  fiaiit  of  herself — first  the  blade,  then 
the  ear,  after  that  the  friU  corn  in  the  ear.'  I  have  no  doubt 
that  some  seed  was  sown  in  my  heart  when  I  was  little  more 
than  an  infant,  through  the  agency  of  my  watchful  mother; 
and  afterwards  that  seed  was  sedulously  watched  and  culti- 
vated by  my  dearest  sister  Catherine.  Yet  I  believe  that 
much  of  the  feeling  into  which  my  young  mind  was  at  times 
brought,  on  the  subject  of  religion,  was  the  simj)le  result  of 
those  gracious  \nsitations,  which  are  independent  of  all  human 
agency,  and  like  the  wind  which  'bloweth  where  it  listeth.' 

"My  pursuits  as  a  child  were  very  far  from  being  of  the 
hardy  order;  I  was  fond  of  reading,  often  made  verses,  and 
loved  to  keep  company  with  my  sisters,  rather  than  unite  with 
my  elder  brother  Samuel  in  manly  games,  and  in  following 
the  farming  men  in  their  various  pursuits,  riding  on  the  team 
to  the  hay-fiekl,  kc.  *  *  ^ 


JET.   1 15.    EXTRACTS  FROM  AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  13 

"  I  was  about  twelve  years  old,  when  I  rode  on  horseback 
from  Earlham  to  Colne,  in  Essex,  the  residence  of  Fowell 
Buxton's  mother,  in  company  with  her  and  her  childi-en,  and 
spent  some  weeks  in  their  society.  It  was  a  very  wholesome 
change  for  me,  and  imder  the  influence  of  my  companions 
Fowell  and  [his  brother]  Charles,  whom  I  heartily  loved,  I 
was  tramed  to  greater  manliness  of  piu'suit,  and  by  their 
favourite  attendant,  Abraham  Plaistow,*  thi-ough  a  somewhat 
severe  disciplinary  method,  I  was  taught  to  swim.  Well  do 
I  remember  pkmging  into  a  deep  stream,  with  a  rope  romid 
my  body,  and  that  when  with  a  vast  effort  I  had  contrived  to 
reach  the  opposite  banlv,  my  teacher  pulled  me  back  again,  in 
a  state  of  great  exhaustion,  to  the  bank  from  which  I  had 
made  the  leap.  However,  by  the  help  of  my  comrades,  I 
recovered  ray  spmts,  and  soon  mastered  the  art ;  which  I  am 
the  more  inclined  just  to  mention,  as  it  was,  many  years 
aftei-wards,  the  means  of  saving  my  life.  -^  ^  ^-  During  this 
pleasant  and  usefrd  ^dsit  at  Colne,  the  strong  foimdation  Avas 
laid  of  that  warm  fi*iendship  whicli  I  have  always  since  main- 
tained Avith  Fowell  Bvixton,  who  afterwards  married  my  sister 
Hannah.  *  *  ^ 

"  It  was  when  (as  far  as  I  remember)  I  was  eight  or  nine 
years  old,  that  my  brother  Samuel  and  I  were  sent  to  a 
boarding  school,  at  Norwich,  kept  by  Simon  Browne,  a  person 
eminent  for  his  penmanship ;  his  son  a  respectable  clergyman, 
superintending,  with  considerable  ability,  the  classical  depart- 
ment. The  old  gentleman  died,  and  John  Hemy  Browne,  his 
son,  removed  after  a  time  to  Hingham,  a  country  town,  about 
twelve  miles  fr'om  Earlham,  where  I  continued  at  school  until 
I  had  nearly  completed  my  fifteenth  year.  The  classics  and 
some  other  parts  of  literatm-e,  were  well  taught  by  om'  master, 
who  had  been  one  of  Dr.  Parr's  scholars ;  and  being  much 
inclined  to  study,  I  made  considerable  progress  under  his 
care,  filling  up  some  of  my  leism-e  hom's  with  English  read- 
ing. ^  "^  It  may  be  remarked,  that  in  sending  us  to  this 
school,  om-  dear  parent  did  not  much  protect  om-  (Quakerism. 

*  See  Memoirs  of  Su-  T.  F.  Buxton,  ch.  i,  p.  6,  firpt  cd. 


14,  HIS  sister's  letter  of  advice.  1803. 

However,  even  this  subject  was  not  entirely  forgotten ;  for  lie 
arranged  with  a  Friend,  who  lived  at  a  distance  of  about  two 
miles,  to  convey  us  every  First  day  to  Wymondham  Meeting. 
Many  a  pleasant  drive  have  we  enjoyed  in  this  worthy  farmer's 
cart,  and  seldom  did  we  fail  to  partake  of  his  generous  hos- 
pitality on  cm'  return  from  Meeting." 

In  the  autumn  of  1803,  soon  after  Joseph  John 
Gurney  had  completed  his  fifteenth  year,  he  was 
sent  to  Oxford,  with  his  cousin  Gurney  Barclay,  to 
pursue  his  studies  under  the  care  of  John  Rogers, 
a  private  tutor  then  resident  there.  His  elder 
hrother  John  had  lately  finished  his  education  with 
the  same  tutor,  and  his  ever  watchful  sister  Cathe- 
rine had  prevailed  upon  her  father  to  allow  her 
brother  Joseph  a  similar  opportunity  of  improving 
himself.  Previously  to  his  leaving  home,  she  ad- 
dressed to  him  a  letter  of  advice,  from  which  a 
somewhat  lengthened  extract  may  he  here  given. 

"  Tliat  I  may  not  quite  lose  my  influence  over  thee,  in  thy 
absence,  dear  Joseph,  I  mean  to  give  thee,  in  writing,  some 
general  principles  of  conduct,  which  it  wovild  be  a  great  com- 
fort to  me  to  believe  thou  wouldst  attend  to.  *  ^  The  next 
two  or  three  years  will  be  most  important  to  thee ;  and  on 
the  right  use  of  them  thy  future  good  will  in  great  measm*e 
depend.  *  *  Nothing  but  experience  wiU  fidly  convince  thee 
of  this,  but  I  can  now  see  it  for  thee ;  and  will  leave  nothing 
undone  that  it  is  in  my  power  to  do,  to  satisfy  my  own  con- 
science concerning  thee,  and  to  make  thy  path  safe  and  easy. 
I  wish  thou  mayst  sometimes  recollect  what  a  friend  thou 
hast  in  me,  atul  that  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  there  is  scarcely 
anything  I  would  not  sacrifice  for  thy  sake. 

"  Whilst  I  have  anxiously  and  affectionately  thought  over 
all  that  concerns  thee,  it  has  struck  me  that  thy  duties 
may  be  comprised  mider  three  principal  divisions.     Those  of 


^T.  16.  HIS  sister's  letter  of  advice.  15 

religion,  those  of  social  life,  and  those  more  particularly  owing 
to  thyself,  or  which  relate  to  thy  own  objects  and  pui'suits. 

"First. — The  duties  of  religion  differ  in  their  external 
form,  according  to  the  capacities  and  circumstances  of  the 
indiAidual,  thovigh  the  internal  principle  must  be  the  same 
in  all,  and  this  principle  leads  to  a  simple  endeavour  to  make 
acting  right,  whatever  may  be  our  situation,  our  first  object, 
and  in  order  to  do  this,  to  make  inclination  and  impulse 
secondary  to  conscience.  ^  "^  "^  It  requires  little  or  no  ap- 
pearance of  peculiar  devotion,  but  it  resides  in  the  heart,  and 
manifests  itself  in  the  conduct.  Something  external  is  how- 
ever necessary  to  confirm  the  internal  principle  of  religion, 
and  as  thou  wilt  now  be  cii'cumstanced,  it  will  be  more 
incumbent  on  thee,  than  it  has  before  been,  to  attend  to  this ; 
for  the  more  external  temptation  there  is,  the  more  do  we 
require  to  have  that  principle  fortified  which  can  alone  stand 
against  temptation.  Thou  art  now  about  to  enter  upon  a  new 
era  of  life,  in  which  thy  own  principle  must  be  thy  chief 
security,  and  hence  whatever  tends  to  confirm  this  is  of  far 
more  importance  to  thee  than  ever.  To  require  a  peculiar 
degi-ee  of  strictness,  as  to  the  externals  of  religion,  at  thy 
age,  [is  not  my  aim.]  All  I  desire  of  thee  is  to  avoid  a  few 
things,  and  to  do  a  few  things.  Above  all,  I  desire  thee  to 
avoid  joking  on  religious  subjects,  a  fault  which  is  veiy  com- 
mon to  young  people.  Whatever  relates,  either  remotely  or 
immediately^  to  religion,  I  wish  thou  mayst  be  able  to  treat 
seriously,  or  say  nothing  about.  Much  depends  on  the  habit 
of  mind  acquired  by  conversation  and  sympathy.  And 
though  I  do  not  ask  thee  to  stand  forth  as  the  champion  of 
religion,  yet  shouldst  thou  hear  the  subject  imworthily  spoken 
of,  I  earnestly  wish  thee  to  avoid  taking  a  part  in  what  must 
corrupt  thy  heart,  and  is  moreover  a  proof  of  a  narrow,  pre- 
judiced, illiberal  mind.  And  if  the  temptation  be  ever  thrown 
in  thy  way,  I  also  beg  of  thee  to  avoid  reading  books  wi'itten 
against  religion,  of  whatever  kind,  whether  of  argument  or 
satire — at  least  till  experience  shall  have  fully  confirmed  thy 
own  principles.  As  to  what  thou  art  to  do,  it  is  but  little,  but 
that  little  ought  to  be  more  conscientiously  observed.     Tliou 


16  HIS  sister's  letter  of  advice.  1803. 

wiltj  of  course^  always  go  to  meeting  on  a  Sunday,  and  per- 
haps sometimes  to  church  also,  and  if  it  is  only  to  oblige  7ne, 
do  not  lay  aside  the  distinction  of  Sundays  from  other  days, 
in  thy  own  mind,  nor  in  thy  pm'suits.  Taking  it  only  in  a 
moral  point  of  view,  but  much  more  in  a  religious  one,  re- 
collect how  salutary  an  institution  it  is,  and  how  much  it  is 
for  the  general  interest  of  society,  as  well  as  for  our  own 
indi^^dual  good,  to  set  the  day  apart,  as  much  as  we  can,  for 
sober  reflection  on  our  own  conduct,  for  reading  the  Scriptures, 
and  any  other  reading  of  a  moral  or  religious  tendency.  I 
believe  thou  hast  too  much  principle,  and  good  sense,  as  well 
as  good  taste,  to  pass  the  day  in  idleness,  as  so  many  loiterers 
do :  I  had  far  rather  thou  shouldst  work  hard  at  the  common 
business  of  a  week-day,  than  do  so.  "^  "^  ^  Do  not  fear  being 
ridiculed  for  appearing  religious.  Amongst  well-bred  and 
judicious  people,  such  as  I  trust  thou  wilt  be  with,  there  is  no 
danger  of  it;  on  the  contrary  thou  wouldst  be  the  more 
respected  for  it.  Thy  father  and  I  have  so  fully  made  known 
our  sentiments,  on  these  subjects,  to  INIr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers, 
that  they  would  rather  expect,  than  be  surprised  at  such  an 
appearance.  And  when  thou  art  reading  the  Scriptures, 
remember  that  there  is  much  that  thou  must  expect  to  find 
mysterious,  and  some  passages  perhaps  to  thee  wholly  un- 
intelligil)le ;  l)ut  let  not  this  shake  thy  confidence  in  their 
divine  authority,  nor  thy  belief  in  Christianity,  nor  lead  thee 
into  reasonings  above  thy  understanding. 

"  Secondly. — With  regard  to  thy  social  duties,  I  must 
entreat  thee  to  beware  of  entering  into  any  pleasiu'cs,  or 
forming  any  connexions,  of  whatsoever  kind,  that  thy  con- 
science tells  thcc  thy  father  or  I  should  disapprove.  This,  till 
thou  hast  attained  more  experience,  will  be  thy  best  and  safest 
guide ;  and  I  earnestly  hope  thou  wdt  attend  to  this  precept, 
as  being  one  of  the  most  important  of  any  I  shall  give  thee. 
*  *  And,  dearest  Joscjih,  cultivate  a  principle  of  true  honour, 
which  comj)rchcuds  much.  Though  in  different  terms,  it  ap- 
pears to  mc  to  be  almost  the  same  thing  in  spirit,  as  the 
Christian  maxim  of  '  doing  to  others  as  we  would  they  shoidd 
do  to  us.'     Beware  of  sath'izing  those  who  may  not  suit  thy 


JET.  16.  HIS    sister's    LETTER    OF   ADVICE.  17 

tem  per  or  thy  taste ;  and  endeavour  to  speak  generously,  as 
weU  as  to  feel  benevolently,  towards  others.  Be  very  cautious 
never  to  betray  secrets,  especially  the  affairs  of  thy  own  family, 
through  inadvertency,  for  otherwise  thou  wouldst  never  do  it. 
Recollect  how  important  it  is  for  our  conversation  to  be  well- 
timed.  I  need  scarcely  ad^dse  thee  to  be,  as  far  as  thou  art 
able,  the  gentleman.  Thy  taste  evidently  leads  thee  to  this, 
as  well  as  to  despise  low  and  debasing  pleasures  and  associa- 
tions. Equally  avoid  low  and  debasing  subjects  of  conversa- 
tion, vulgar  jokes,  &c. ;  which,  more  than  almost  any  thing, 
undermine  Adrtuous  principle. 

"Thirdly. — As  to  thy  objects  of  pursuit,  thou  vrilt  be 
chiefly  regulated  by  Mr.  Rogers,  and  to  him  I  wish  thee  to 
look,  in  the  first  instance,  for  every  thing  of  the  kind.  "^  * 
In  thy  leism'e  hom's  have  a  decided  object,  either  of  exercise 
and  recreation,  or  of  intellectual  amusement;  and  if  the 
choice  of  books  depends  at  all  on  thyself,  choose  the  best, 
and  those  of  the  most  established  repute  of  every  kind;  and 
if  it  is  only  from  a  principle  of  honour  towards  me,  refrain, 
dear  Joseph,  from  reading  any  that  are  said  to  have  a  licen- 
tious tendency. 

"  Whether  or  not  it  is  Mr.  Rogers'  plan  with  his  pupils  for 
them  to  rise  early,  I  recommend  thee  to  keep  to  the  practice 
of  it.  I  have  mentioned  it  to  him  as  one  of  thy  good 
qualities,  and  I  have  no  doubt  thou  wilt  find  it  more  and 
more  beneficial  as  thy  emplo}Tiients  increase  upon  thee. 
General  temperance  and  sobriety  of  conduct  I  scarcely  need 
mention;  but  I  must  observe,  that  as  years  increase,  tempta- 
tions increase ;  temptations  to  pleasm-e  under  various  forms ; 
and  as  temperance  is  the  law  which  forbids  all  kinds  of  im- 
moderate or  unlawfxd  pleasures,  it  becomes,  as  we  advance  in 
life,  a  most  important  duty  to  cultivate  this  principle  in  our 
hearts.  ^  ^  All  umiecessary  indulgence  degrades,  while  the 
reverse  ennobles  our  nature. 

" '  My  son  forget  not  my  law ;  but  let  thy  heart  keep  my 
commandments.'  '  For  length  of  days  and  long  life  and  peace 
shall  they  add  to  thee.'  '  Let  not  mercy  and  truth  forsake 
thee;    bind  them  about  thy  neck,  write  them  upon  the  table 

C 


18  SISTERLY    SOLICITUDE.  1803. 

of  thine  heart.'     '  So  shalt  thou  find  favour  and  good  under- 
standing, in  the  sight  of  God  and  man :'  "  Prov.  iii. 

To  this  striking  illustration  of  sisterly  love,  the 
following  extract  may  be  subjoined  as  an  additional 
proof  of  the  place  which  the  young  student  had  in 
the  hearts  of  his  sisters,  at  this  critical  period.  It 
is  from  the  journal  of  his  sister  Rachel : — 

"  Eveninff — walking  and  talking  with  Kitty  of  dear  Joseph's 
going  to  Oxford.  It  is  a  trial  to  us  both.  I  went  to  bed 
imder  the  sweet  influence  of  religious  hope,  and,  therefore, 
with  more  comfort  about  him.  I  humbly  endeavoured  to 
tranquillize  my  mind  by  committing  him  to  the  merciful  care 
of  the  Searcher  of  all  hearts,  who  alone  knows  om-  earnest 
desire  for  this  dear  boy." 

Was  this  solicitude — were  these  prayers  in  vain  ? 


^T.   16.  AKIllVAL    AT    OXTOUT).  19 


CHAPTER  II. 

1803—1808.      ^T.  16—20. 

JOHX  ROGERS;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS;  LIFE  AT  OXFORD;  STUDIES; 
"rest  week;"  return  home;  settlement  in  THE  NORWICH 
bank;  "  aUARTERLT"  review  ;"  DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN's 
WIFE;  EXTRACT  FROM  THE  JOURNAL;  EDWARD  EDWARDS;  FEIENDs' 
WEEK-DAY   MEETINGS. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  continued  at  Oxford  tAvo 
years,  with  the  exception  of  the  vacations,  which  he 
spent  mostly  at  home.  His  tutor,  though  resident 
at  Oxford,  was  not  in  that  character  connected  with 
the  University,  or  with  any  of  the  coUeges.  "  He 
was,"  in  tlie  words  of  the  autobiography,  "  a  very 
worthy  man,  but  in  no  small  degree  singular." 
His  eccentricity  had  manifested  itself  early.  "  Born 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  London,  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed, when  young,  to  ride  about  Epping  Eorest, 
standing  on  his  horse,  and  spouting  Homer  as  he 
went."  Previously  to  the  present  period  he  had 
been  the  incumbent  of  a  considerable  living  in  Dor- 
setshire, which  he  had  resigned  from  conscientious 
motives,  but  liad  again  joined  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  besides  his  labours  in  private  tuition,  he 
was  now  the  corrector  of  Greek  for  the  Clarendon 
press. 

"For  him/'  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "I  soon  felt  a 
warm   aftection.      He    was    an  admhable   tutor,   taught    us 

c  2 


20  ARRIVAL  AT  OXFORD.  1803- 

thorouglily,  worked  us  hard,  and  gave  us  variety  of  study 
by  way  of  recreation.  We  often  read  fourteen  hours  in  the 
coui*se  of  the  day.  Tlie  habits  which  he  enjoined  upon  us 
con"esponded  with  my  taste.  "^  "^  [Under  him]  I  pursued  my 
classical  and  other  studies  with  a  delightful  relish,  and  was 
enabled  to  form  the  habit  of  persevering  literary  labour.'^ 

Whilst  at  Oxford  Joseph  John  Gui-ney  was  accus- 
tomed to  write  a  weeldy  account  of  his  proceedings 
to  one  of  his  sisters.  Most  of  these  letters  have 
been  preserved.  They  are  full  of  liveliness  and 
good  feeling,  and  as  characteristic  of  the  youthful 
student,  a  few  extracts  may  be  not  unsuitably  given. 
He  highly  prized  the  opportunities  which  his  jour- 
nevs  to  and  from  Oxford  afforded  him  of  more 
frequent  intercourse  with  his  sister  Elizabeth,  who 
had  been  married,  three  years  before,  to  Joseph 
Ery,  and  was  now  settled  at  Mildred's  Court,  in 
London.*  The  decided  change  had  ah'eady  taken 
place  A\hich  had  been  marked  by  her  adoption  of 
the  principles  and  practices  of  Eriends,  but  her 
example,  in  this  respect  had  not  as  yet  been  followed 
by  any  of  her  family. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  he  writes 

TO    HIS    SISTER    CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  Friday  CTening,  Sept.  lOtli,  1808. 

My  examination  took  place  this  morning;  I  can  hardly 
say  what  it  was  to  me.  Mr.  Rogers  put  into  my  hands 
Cicero's  Offices;  I  read  and  construed  some  lines  to  him. 
He  then  made  me  constiiie  an  ode  of  Horace.  I  got 
through  with  the  Latm  better  than  I  expected;    but  I  am 

*  See  Life  of'EUzabeth  Fry,  ch.  5. 


^T.   16.  LIFE    AT    OXFORD.  21 

sure  I  should  haA-^e  been  much  better  off,  if  I  had  not  been  in 
such  a  trepidation.  Greek  came  next,  a  still  harder  trial. 
He  gave  me  Xenophon's  Memoraljilia ;  I  luckily  construed 
tliree  or  four  sentences  Avithout  much  hesitation,  and  with  no 
mistakes.  He  then  set  me  directly  into  a  difficult  part  of 
Em-ipides,  which  I  had  never  read;  but  by  summoning  up 
my  fortitude,  I  got  through  as  well  with  that  as  with  Xeno- 
phon :  aftenvards  he  made  me  write  Greek  and  Latin,  in 
which  I  made  no  mistakes.  As  soon  as  this  long  and  terrible 
examination  was  over,  ]\Ir.  Rogers  began  quite  a  discom-se : 
he  said  that  he  had  never  had  a  boy  who  had  been  so  well 
taught,  and  thought  I  had  made  great  progress  under  Mr. 
Browne's  care,  which  he  heard  was  aided  by  my  own  industiy, 
&c.  As  I  feel  disposed  to  tell  thee  the  real  state  of  every 
thin^,  I  thought  I  ought  to  put  this  in  with  other  things,  and 
I  cannot  sav  what  a  relief  it  was  to  me  when  his  judgment 
was  pronoimced.  As  to  Gumey,  I  begin  to  like  him  extremely; 
he  is  really  clever,  very  agreeable,  and  is  quite  free  in  his 
conversation  from  too  much  joking.  -^  ^  I  was  quite  dis- 
com-aged  when  I  heard  him  talking  of  reading  1000  hues  of  a 
Greek  Play  in  one  morning,  but  as  Mr.  Rogers  says  that  I 
am  very  nearly  equal  to  him,  I  hope,  by  application,  in  time 
to  be  entirely  so.  *  ^  As  to  my  own  feelings,  I  see  no  reason 
for  being  uncomfortable;  but  still  the  parting  from  you  has 
had  a  great  efiFect  upon  me.  I  am  sm'e  I  feel  all  that  you 
have  done  for  me,  though  I  was  not  able  to  express  it.  ^  *  I 
value  thy  writing  more  than  any  thing  I  have,  and  shall  often 
read  it. 

TO    THE    SAME. 

Oxford,  Friday,  Sept.  17,  1803. 
Vfe  began  our  regular  studies  on  Monday.  ^  *  *  Mr. 
Rogers  has  fixed  seven  o'clock  to  be  the  time  of  beginning 
before  breakfast,  but  Gurney  and  I  get  up  a  little  before  six, 
and  take  some  exercise  in  the  public  walks  to  fortify  us 
against  the  bterary  fatigues  of  the  day.  We  stay  in  the 
study  till  nine  o'clock,  which  is  our  breakfast  hour ;  the  time 
is  employed  in  algebra,  geometi'y,  witing,  and  ciphering  in 


3^  LIFE    AT    OXFORD.  1804. 

their  turns ;  and  we  constantly  read  a  chapter  of  [the]  Greek 
Testament  before  we  go  up  to  breakfast.  We  are  allowed 
an  hour,  fi'om  9  to  10,  for  breakfasting  and  taking  a  run. 
We  then  go  in  and  settle  to  Greek,  &c.,  till  one.  At  one 
we  either  take  a  walk,  or  go  to  bathe  till  two,  when  we  settle 
to  our  studies  till  three,  which  is  our  dining  time.  The 
remaining  two  hom's  are  taken  from  the  afternoon,  and  much 
to  my  comfort,  the  evening  is  leisure.  Perhaps  eight  hours 
may  seem  too  little,  but  we  are  kept  so  close  to  study  dm-ing 
these  eight  hom-s,  that  I  seem  to  do  more  than  I  did  at  Mr. 
Browne's.  ^  '^  There  is  not  the  least  probability  of  my  get- 
ting acquainted  with  any  of  the  young  collegians,  so  thee 
need  have  no  anxiety  on  that  head.  ^  -^  I  read  thy  TVTiting 
over  last  Sunday,  and  intend  to  do  it  eveiy  week,  as  nothing 
does  me  so  much  good,  and  I  shall  endeavour  as  much  as  I 
can  to  keep  to  thy  injunctions. 

TO    HIS    FATHER. 

Oxford,  Sept.  25,  1803. 

*  ^  ^  Mr.  Rogers  is  a  very  pleasant  and  learned  gentleman; 
he  makes  us  fag,  but  treats  us  very  kindly  and  sociably. 
Altogether  I  like  him  extremely.  ^  *  We  write  copies  eveiy 
other  morning,  besides  exercises  and  themes,  which,  according 
to  thy  injunctions,  he  makes  me  ivrite  neatbj.f  ^  ^  On 
Sunday  we  go  to  Meeting  about  11  o'clock.  Tliere  is  only 
one  family  besides  Gumey  and  me,  and  we  sit  in  a  private 
room.  The  family  is  very  respectable,  and  I  see  no  reason 
for  not  having  as  good  meetings  there  as  any  where  else. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  Sunday  Morning,  May  28tli,  1804. 

I  often  think  that  I  never  lived  more  pleasantly  anywhere 
than  I  do  here,  for  in  such  continued  occupation  I  have  really 
Ko  time  to  think  of  anything  micomfortablc.     We  are  going 

f  See  the  rcraarlts  on  writing  well,  in  the  Thoughts  on  Habit, 
p.  123,  8vo.  edition. 


JET.   16.  LIFE    AT    OXFORD.  23 

on  better  than  ever  in  our  different  pursuits.  In  Latin  we 
are  wading  through  Tacitus^  and  have  almost  got  to  the  end 
of  Lucretius.  ^  *  ^A'hat  time  I  have  to  spare,  which  has  been 
actually  none  for  the  last  week  or  two,  I  employ  in  wi'iting 
Latin. t    *    ^    In  Greek  we  have  read^  this  half  year,  a  great 

f  He  thus  describes  his  daily  habits  in  a  Latin  epistle,  which  he 
wrote  about  this  time  to  his  sister  Louisa.  As  the  production  of  a 
boy  not  yet  sixteen,  the  extract  may  not  be  without  its  interest  to 
some  readers. 

*  *-  *-  *  pi-ocedo  semper  iisdem 
In  studiis  constans  ;  tempusque  volubile  currit. 
Cum  primum  Phcebus  dispergit  lumina  grata, 
Assiduus  surgo ;  recipit  me  bibliotheca ; 
Lectito,  vel  scribo  ;  cerebrum  geometrica  vexant. 
Sobria  post  ha3C  solantur  jentacula  fessum ; 
Biityrum  panisque  novus  cum  lacte  recenti. 

*-         ^i         *         * 
Mox  iterum  petimus  Musis  sacrata  sacella, 
Ac  modo  Thucydides,  Sophocles  modo  conterit  horas. 
Cum  vero  Phoebus, — namque  is  mensura  diei, — 
Coenileam  cceli  curru  jam  transiet  arcem, 
Et  declinat  equos,  libros  dimittimiis ;  atque 
Aut  animum  recreant  corpusque,  virentia  rura, 
Aut  apud  Oxonii  collegia  sancta  vagamur. 

•*         *         *         * 
Ad  libros  tandem  redimus  ;  doctrinaque  rursum 
Gaudia,  sudores  prsebet.     Mox  advenit  hora 
Laetarum  dapium,  mensoeque  struuutur  opimae. 
Vescimur ;  atque  focum  pransi  cncumdamus  omnes, 
Dulci  colloquio  major  pars  turn  fugit  hora?. 
Jam  Rogera  sales,  jam  nunc  Gurneius  edit 
Germanus  noster ;  Roger  us  et  ipse  relaxat. 

^S  *-  *  1^ 

Caetera  pars  studiis  solitis  dcvota  diei  ; 
Annales  Taciti  legimus,  Carumque  profundum, 
Aut  Popius  noster  delectat  carmine  mcntem. 
Adveniunt  tandem  tenebrosa)  tcmpora  noctis, 
Tempora  defessis,  credas,  gratissima  nobis  ! 


24  "best  week/'  1804. 

deal  of  Tluicydides  and  Sophocles.  What  we  do  least  of  is 
Mathematics.  "^  *  We  attend  a  good  deal  more  to  the  different 
kinds  of  Philosophy,  Law,  and  History.  -^  -^  I  have  finished 
reading  Ecclesiasticus  on  Sundays ;  I  like  it  very  much,  but 
not  nearly  so  well  as  the  New  Testament. 

TO    THE    SAME. 

Oxford,  June  11th,  1804. 

I  have  not  spent  my  time  quite  so  pleasantly  since  I  last 
wrote ;  for  our  tedious  "  rest  week "  pm-suits  have,  as  usual, 
thrown  a  gloom  over  our  party,  particularly  over  poor  Gmiiey, 
who  is  certainly  liable  entirely  to  lose  his  spirits,  by  being  too 
much  fagged.  To  explain  this  to  thee  in  the  most  concise 
manner: — we  have  been  reading  aloud  constantly  every  day  to 
Mr.  Rogers,  and  writing  down  sheet  after  sheet  of  what  he  has 
dictated  to  us,  from  about  seven  before  breakfast  till  nine  or 
half-past  nine  at  night,  at  least  with  but  few  intermissions. 
Thee  may  imagine  how  tedious  this  must  be. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Autobiography  will 
throw  further  light  upon  this  singular  misnomer. 

Sometimes  the  eccentricities  of  my  preceptor  jjuzzled  me 
not  a  little.  I  well  remember  that  when  we  were  reading 
Livy  together,  he  insisted  on  oui'  writing  down  tlie  patriotic 
harangues  which  he  poured  forth  at  eveiy  lesson,  in  defence 
of  the  People,  versus  the  Patricians.  It  was  an  xmprofitable 
task,  until  I  bethought  myself  of  writing  down  in  Latin  the 
effusions  which  my  teacher  spouted  in  English.  This  im- 
promptu translation  was  of  course  extremely  inaccurate, 
but  it  gave  me  a  facility  in  writing  Latin,  of  which  I  find 
mvself  even  now  not  whoUv  destitute.  I  obsei*ved  that 
Rogers  alhu'cd  us  into  industrs"-,  by  frequently  varying  our 
lessons.  One  exception  to  this  inile,  however,  fell  to  our  lot 
during  the  closing  week  of  the  half  year,  which  went  by  the 
name  of  "  rest  week,'*  when  he  insisted  on  our  re-construing 
to  him  the  whole  of  the  Latin  or  Greek  which  he  had  been 


JET.  16.  HOLIDAY    PURSUITS.  25 

reading  for  months  pre\iously.  Never,  while  memory  lasts, 
shall  I  forget  our  thus  translating  to  liim  the  whole  of  Lon- 
ginus  in  a  single  day.  I  knew  the  book  pretty  well,  and 
went  on  glibly  enough  with  the  work,  but  my  companion 
stumbled  sadly,  and  at  last  lost  his  temper  and  half  kicked 
down  the  table  at  which  we  were  sitting,  but  it  was  all  in 
vain;  our  master  was  peremptory,  and  the  task  was  finished 
before  we  retii'ed  to  bed. 


TO    HIS    SISTER    CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  8tli  July,  1804. 

I  had  kept  my  learning  Itahan  a  secret,  in  order  to 
sm'prise  Priscilla  with  a  letter  in  that  language.  I  like  it 
extremely,  and  am  reading  Dayila  and  Tasso.  "^  * 

He  thus  notices  his  holiday  pursuits  in  a  letter 
to  his  future  hrother-in-law  Thomas  Towell  Buxton, 
then  a  student  at  the  University  of  Dublin,*  who 
had  recently  returned  thither  after  spending  his 
vacation  at  Earlham. 

5tli  September,  1804. 

I  have  passed  another  very  pleasant  month  with  my  sisters. 
Dan  came  home  from  Cromer,  and  I  was  appointed  his  master 
in  classical  studies ;  but  this,  though  pleasant,  was  but  a  poor 
substitute  for  reading  Xenophon's  Memorabilia  with  you. 
With  Priscilla  I  continued  to  study  Italian  dming  the  couj-se 
of  the  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  Avhole  party  used 
generally  to  assemble  in  the  dressing  room  and  listen  to 
some  interesting  work.  My  father  headed  these  parties  and 
seemed  highly  to  enjoy  them.  ^  ^  We  continued  our  nightly 
wanders  in  the  garden,  but  really  their  spirit  had  weU  nigh 
fled  away  with  you  to  Ireland.  -^  *  I  stayed  at  Earlham 
over  the  1st  of  September,  carried  my  gun,  and  shot — nothing. 
How  I  long  to  borrow  a  little  of  yom'  power  in  that  line ! 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap.  2. 


26  LIFE    AT    OXFORD.  1805. 

TO    niS    SISTER    CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  Sunday,  lOtli  February,  1805. 

"We  began  on  Tuesday  with  putting  all  onr  things  in 
order,  after  which  I  once  more  commenced  fagging.  I 
walked  a  good  deal  about  the  town  in  order  to  find  one 
of  Dr.  Kidd's  advertisements,  but  as  I  saw  none,  in  any 
hole  or  corner,  all  good  judges  considered  it  as  a  proof 
that  he  had  not  begun  his  lectures,  and  therefore,  by  their 
ad\ice,  I  staid  quietly  at  home,  employing  myself  chiefly 
with  Greek  and  Hebrew.  "^  *  On  Thm'sday  evening, 
the  next  lectui'e  night,  I  sent  the  boy  to  the  Cellar,  as 
it  is  called,  in  order  to  make  myself  quite  certain  that  Dr. 
Kidd  had  not  yet  begim,  when,  to  my  surprise  and  mortifica- 
tion, he  brought  me  word  that  he  had  seen  a  hght  and  heard 
a  voice.  I  flew  directly  to  the  place,  and,  sure  enough,  found 
the  Dr.  in  the  midst  of  his  harangue.  I  was  really  disap- 
pointed to  find  I  had  missed  three  lectiu'cs  upon  the  Nitric, 
Mm'iatic,  and  Carbonic  Acids;  but  have  partly  made  up  for 
my  loss,  by  studying  an  account  of  them  in  chemical  books. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    RACHEL. 

Oxford,  23rd  February,  1805. 

My  studies  go  on  in  rather  a  flourishing  way.  I  have  read 
this  week  almost  half  through  one  of  yEschylus^  plays,  a 
great  deal  of  Thucydides  and  Joseplius,  two  or  three  acts  of 
Plautus,  a  gi'cat  part  of  Caligula's  reign  in  Suetonius,  four 
cantos  of  Dante,  and  a  proportionate  quantity  of  Davila; 
a  tolerable  number  of  verses  in  the  Hebrew  Bible,  some  Eu- 
clid, and  a  great  deal  of  Algebra ;  a  crowd  of  German  gram- 
marians, with  i^ortions  of  Locke,  Gregory,  and  Ferguson. 
Besides  these  things,  I  have  been  employed  by  exercises  of 
all  kinds,  Latin  verses,  chemical  lectures,  and,  to  conclude 
the  whole,  the  composition  of  a  long  dissertation  in  Greek  : — 
rather  a  good  week's  work. 


^T.   17 18.  RETURN    HOME.  27 

TO    HIS    BROTHER    DANIEL. 

Oxford,  Oth  July,  1805. 

I  am  tiiily  glad  to  hear  of  tlie  very  satisfactoiy  manner 
in  which  you  are  now  going  on  with  yom*  studies.  Never 
despair;  fag  on,  and  you  will  soon  have  your  reward.  I 
know  I  have  not  made  much  proficiency  myself  in  different 
lanffuaffcs ;  vet  little  as  I  may  have  made,  there  is  not  one 
of  them  that  does  not  now  afford  me  real  pleasiu^e.  Learning 
Greek  is  so  arduous  an  undertaking,  that  I  should  not  wonder 
if  you  now  and  then  felt  a  little  damped  about  it.  Never 
imagine  yourself  more  backward  than  you  really  are.  I  hope 
]Mr. does  not  follow 's  method  of  not  laying  suffi- 
cient stress  upon  the  grammar.  Unless  you  know  that  per- 
fectly, you  wiU  always  find  Greek  difficult.  *  ^  Never  let  a 
ivord pass  without  knowing  every  circumstance  belonging  to  it. 
You  will  find  this  method  tedious  at  first,  but  it  wiU,  I  assm-e 
you,  soon  smooth  down  yom*  difficulties. 

He  was  scarcely  seventeen  when  he  was  removed 
from  the  care  of  John  Rogers,  in  the  8tli  month, 
1805.  He  had  become  attached  to  his  tutor  and 
to  his  studies,  and  quitted  the  place  with  regret ; 
but  there  was  brightness  in  the  thought  of  settling 
at  home. 

"  In  three  months  I  shall  be  with  you,"  he  wrote  to  one  of 
his  sisters,  "  What  a  delightfid  prospect !  I  have  set  my 
mind  upon  cutting  some  figm-e  in  busmess  V 

The  bank,  in  which  his  father  was  a  partner,  had 
been  established  in  Norwich,  in  the  year  1770. 
Since  that  time  the  concern  had  been  considerably 
extended,  and  several  branch  banks,  at  Lynn, 
Pakenham,  Yarmouth,  and  other  places,  were  now 


28     SETTLEMENT  IN  THE  NORWICH  BANK.     1805 1807. 

connected  with  it.  His  elder  brotiier  John  had 
been  placed  in  the  establishment  at  Lynn.  His 
brother  Samuel  had  been  sent  np  to  London,  where 
he  finally  became  the  head  of  a  distinct  concern;  so 
that  circumstances  had  prepared  the  way  for  that 
which  Joseph  John  Gurney  had  himseK  all  along 
desired, — a  place  in  the  bank  at  Nor^dch.  Here,  in 
the  enjojanent  of  daily  communication  mth  his 
father,  and  a  home  at  Earlham  with  his  sisters,  the 
ensuing  three  years  passed  in  what  then  appeared  to 
him  almost  uninterrupted  happiness.  The  family 
cbcle  was,  for  some  time,  but  little  broken  in  upon. 
Of  his  sisters,  Elizabeth  only  was  married.  The 
two  elder  ones  continued  to  watch  over  the  progress 
of  his  mind,  and  the  gradual  formation  of  his 
character,  with  an  almost  maternal  solicitude.  All 
were  ardent  in  their  thirst  for  knowledge,  and 
anxious  for  self  improvement,  and  their  society  T^^as 
at  once  delightful  and  stimulating  to  their  younger 
brother. 

In  the  year  1806  he  accompanied  his  father,  and 
a  large  family  party,  in  the  tour  through  Scotland, 
and  the  English  Lakes.  Several  important  changes 
in  the  family  circle  quickly  followed.  His  sister 
Louisa  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Hoare,  of  Hamp- 
stead,  and  his  sister  Hannah  was  soon  afterwards 
married  to  Thomas  Powell  Buxton.  A  warm  friend- 
ship had  long  subsisted  between  himself  and  his 
new  brothers-in-law,  which  more  frequent  associa- 
tion and  closer  intimacy  served  only  continually  to 
strengthen  as  they  advanced  in  life.  Bright,  indeed, 
appeared  these  days  of  his  early  manhood.  Happy 
in  his  family  cu'cle,  the  world  around  seemed  to 
him  to  partake  of  its  loveliness.     His  fondness  for 


MV.  18 — 19.  "quarterly  review."  29 

music  and  daiicing  gave  an  additional  fascination 
to  some  of  tlie  more  specious  allurements  of  pleasure, 
and  whilst  the  duties  of  business  were  not  neglected, 
and  his  studies  were  pursued  with  unremitting 
eagerness,  he  became  at  this  period  a  frequent 
visitor  at  balls  and  other  similar  entertainments, 
where  his  engaging  manners  and  person,  and  varied 
accomplishments  rendered  him  an  object  of  general 
attraction.  It  is  plain,  however,  from  his  private 
memoranda,  that  Divine  Grace  was  through  all 
secretly  working  in  his  heart.  He  had  early  accus- 
tomed himself  to  the  habit  of  self-examination, 
and  soon  after  his  return  from  Oxford  he  com- 
menced the  practice  of  periodically  reviewing  his 
conduct  upon  paper.  The  following  are  from  the 
earliest  that  have  been  preserved  of  these  "Quarterly 
Reviews,"  as  he  called  them  : — 

22nd  Fehi'uary,  1807.  *  *  Alas  !  I  am  still  a  prey  to  evil 
desires.  But  thanks  be  to  God^  his  gra'ce  has  visited  me  at 
seasons.  I  do  feel  and  know  my  own  great  weakness,  and 
have  been  enabled  at  times  to  pray  fei-vently  to  the  Lord  of 
our  salvation  for  his  gracious  assistance.  *  -^^  -^  He  knoweth 
the  frailty  of  •  our  natures,  and  I  am  humbly  led  to  hope  that 
the  sphitual  light  Avith  which  he  has  lately  favom-ed  his  sin- 
ful servant  may  be  the  beginning  of  his  work  on  my  heart, 
and  may  fortify  me  in  time  against  the  many  temptations 
that  surround  me.  O  may  a  continual  watchfulness  and  lui- 
shaken  perseverance  on  my  part  bring  down  upon  me  the  in- 
crease of  his  grace  and  prepare  me  for  the  more  constant 
influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit.  -J^-  ^  ^  -J^-  My  studies  have  been 
subject  to  family  interruptions.  But  since  the  marriages 
have  been  completed,  and  a  few  of  us  have  been  left  at  home 
in  delightful  quiet,  1  have  accomplished  a  great  deal,  and  that 
wiih  much  satisfaction  to  myseh.  I  have  not  yet  by  any 
means  perfected  myself  in  the  habit  of  digesting^  and  reason- 


30  "quarterly  review."  1807. 

ing  upon  what  I  read.  I  am,  however,  improved  in  this 
respect,  and  am  more  than  ever  sensible  of  its  importance. 
As  to  my  manners ;  would  that  I  could  stamp  that  doctrine 
more  firmly  on  my  heart,  of  preferring  others  in  all  things 
little  and  great  to  ourselves.  This,  I  have  often  thought,  is 
the  true  spring  of  politeness.  Another  consideration  which 
has  lately  occupied  much  of  my  attention  is  this,  whether  or 
no  I  should  give  up  the  amusement  of  field  sports.  I  have 
often  taken  great  delight  in  the  pursuit  of  them,  but  am  in 
my  heart  convinced  that  they  are  morally  wrong.  I  have 
this  day  come  to  my  determination,  and  have  solemnly  re- 
nounced them  for  ever.  May  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  support 
me  in  this,  as  in  all  other  good  resolutions,  for  of  myself  I 
am  nothing. 

December  20fh,  1807.  "^  *  "^  It  is  impossible  forme  to  ex- 
press how  deeply  I  feel  that  the  ffrace  of  God  has  been  ex- 
ercised towards  me.  I  ascribe  to  myself  no  merit.  The 
Saviour  of  the  world,  and  the  Lord  of  light  has  been  my 
comfort  and  my  cm-e.  O  that  my  gratitude  may  be  com- 
mensm'ate  with  his  ffift.  O  that  I  may  continue  to  be  con- 
scious in  deep  humility  of  my  own  entire  insufficiency,  and 
of  the  excellence  and  necessity  of  his  redeeming  grace.  *  ^ 
From  the  experience  which  I  have  now  had,  I  am  sure  that 
if  I  do  really  humble  myself  before  my  graciovis  Creator  he 
wiU  continue  to  protect  me,  and  that  all  my  failings  will  be 
expelled,  at  last,  by  the  power  of  his  grace.  "^  "^  For  if  our 
nature  were  not  capable  of  perfection,  Jesus  would  never  have 
commanded  us  to  be  perfect,  even  as  our  Father  which  is  in 
heaven  is  perfect.  But  how  impossible  for  us  to  attain  to 
such  a  state  Avithout  the  merits  of  our  Redeemer  and  the 
grace  of  our  God. 

March  20th,  1808.  *  ^  -^  It  has  struck  me  most  forcibly 
this  day  how  constantly  the  thoughts  of  all  mankind  are 
occupied  about  their  worldly  business,  and  though  many  may 
believe  in  Christ,  yet  how  little  they  tldnk  of  him.  O  that 
our  souls  could  be  enlightened,  so  that  we  might  not  only 
believe,  but  know,  not  only  know  but  feel  that  we  are  now 
existing  in  a  state  of  trial,  that  it  signifies  little  whether  we 


lET.   19 20.  DEATH    OF    HIS    BROTHER    JOHX's    WIFE.  31 

are  rich  or  poor,  fortunate  or  iinfortimate,  that  the  period  of 
this  life  is  but  as  a  speck  in  eternity,  and  that  if  we  continue 
to  be  thoughtless  through  that  little  life  we  lose  our  chance 
of  happiness  for  ever.     O  think  what  these  words  imply. 

O  Father,  aU  merciful,  be  thou  pleased  to  lighten  oiu* 
darkness  so  that  we  may  be  comdnced  that  the  things  of  this 
world  are  as  a  flower  that  withereth,  as  a  shadow  that  fleeth 
away.  Be  pleased  to  make  us  carefnl  of  our  eternal  welfare, 
and  so  to  order  our  lives  that  we  may  walk  in  thy  way,  and 
through  Christ  obtain  thy  mercy.  Establish  us  upon  the 
rock  of  thy  faith,  that  when  the  floods  beat,  and  the  wmds 
blow,  we  may  stand  fast,  and  be  thine  for  evermore ! 

It  Avas  not  Ions:  before  an  event  occm'red  wliicli 
was  made  the  means  of  effectually  confirming  these 
impressions.  His  sister-in-law  Elizabeth,  the  lovely 
and  accomplished  wife  of  his  eldest  brother  John,  the 
dauo:hter  of  his  uncle  Ptichard  Gm'nev,  and  the 
favourite  of  the  whole  cii'cle,  sank  into  a  rapid  de- 
cline, and  died  about  a  year  after  her  marriage,  on 
the  12th  of  the  5th  mo.  1808. 

"  This,"  he  writes  in  the  Autobiography,  "  was  oiu"  first 
grand  di'aught  of  family  affliction,  smce  my  mother's  death — 
a  di'aught,  which,  in  the  bitterness  and  dismay  of  our  spirits, 
we  ah  drank  together  to  the  veiy  di-egs.  Never,  I  believe, 
shall  I  forget  the  solemn  summer  evening,  when  our  sister's 
remains  arrived  at  Earlham,  the  hearse  slowly  advancing  to 
the  house  thi'ough  the  avenue  of  lime  trees.  Never  shall  I 
forget  the  overwhelmuig  woe  of  om-  beloved  brother.  His 
bodily  health  was  dangerously  affected  by  his  long  watching 
and  nm-sing ;  but,  thanks  be  to  the  Author  of  all  good,  the 
affliction  was  blessed  to  his  soid,  and  was  the  means  of 
bringing  him,  in  repentance  and  humiliation  of  spirit,  to  the 
Saviom-'s  feet.  There  he  found  his  home,  for  this  world,  and 
I  humbly  trust  for  that  which  is  to  come." 


32  HIS    REFLECTIONS    ON  1808. 

Joseph  Joiin  Gurney's  "  Quarterly  E,eview," 
written  soon  after  tliis  event,  records  in  a  striking 
manner  the  state  of  his  mind  at  this  period. 

June  I9th,  1808.  Many  things  have  conduced  to  render 
this  last  quarter  deeply  interesting.  In  March,  I  was  in 
London,  attending  a  brother's  wedding  ;''*■  in  May,  how  dif- 
ferent was  the  scene  produced  by  a  sister's  death !  I  pray  God 
that  the  impression  of  this  last  sad  event  may  never  be  lost 
on  the  minds  of  any  of  us ;  at  least  that  the  effects  of  it  may 
last  for  ever.  I  may  truly  say,  it  has  left  upon  me  a  comfort- 
able impression.  While  it  has  convinced  me  by  bitter 
experience  of  the  instability  of  every  human  thing,  it  has  led 
me  to  look  forward,  at  times,  in  deep  humility,  to  that  eternal 
rest,  which  is  awarded  to  the  righteous  by  "the  Father  of 
lights,"  and  which  ought  to  be  the  constant  object  of  our 
desires  and  oui*  energies. 

O  may  this  blessed  prospect  incite  me  and  all  of  us,  not 
only  to  call  Lord,  Lord !  but  to  do  the  wiU  of  our  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.  Indeed  I  have  strongly  felt  lately  that 
it  is  not  by  word  alone,  not  by  maldng  profession,  but  in 
acting  up  to  the  precepts  of  a  Saviour  in  all  humility,  that  we 
must  expect  salvation.  We  have  the  comfort  to  think  that 
the  mind  of  our  dear  departed  Elizabeth  had  long  been 
influenced  by  the  religion  of  life :  we  may  reasonably  hope, 
therefore,  that  she  is  blessed  in  the  sight  of  God;  and  if  we 
also  strive  in  the  same  good  cause,  we  may  trust  through  the 
grace  of  God  that  we  shall  be  reunited  to  her,  and  that  in 
bliss ;  not  in  this  motley,  passing,  and  unsatisfying  scene,  but 
in  the  purity  of  heaven,  and  the  everlasting  presence  of  our 
Lord. 

How  light  is  affliction,  if  Christ  be  our  refuge — "Come 
unto  me,  aU  ye  that  labour  and  arc  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest ;  for  my  yoke  is  easy,  and  ray  burden  is  light." 

But  I  must  turn  to  the  review  of  myself.  It  is  discom-ag- 
ing,  amidst  such  lessons,  to  find  myself  still  a  prey  to  many 

*  Tho  maniage  of  his  brother  Samuel  Gui-ney. 


^T. 


20.  HEll    DEATH.  33 


imperfections : — but  I  am  improved.  I  have  been  less 
addicted  to  vaj  various  faidts  this  quarter  than  I  was  before : 
may  I  not  say  that  I  have  been  more  devoted  to  Jesus  my 
SaA-iour?  May  I  be  patient,  therefore,  under  all  my  dis- 
com-agements  till  the  Lord  shall  have  perfected  his  work. 
JNIy  principal  faults  I  have  enmnerated  in  my  nightly 
questions;"^  they  are  still  with  me,  but  I  trust  they  are 
diminished  in  substance,  though  not  in  number.  They  arise 
from  my  natm*e  which  is  very  weak,  far  weaker  I  believe, 
than  that  of  mv  neishbom-s.  Thence  it  is  that  I  do  not 
always  boldly  adhere  to  the  "plain  imaltered  truth — thence 
that  I  am  immoderate  in  my  diet  or  miseemly  in  my 
thoughts — thence  that  I  am  personally  vain — thence  that  I 
am  ever  afraid  of  the  rebukes  and  accidents  of  life.  In  pro- 
portion as  I  become  in  any  degree  more  devoted  to  religion,  I 
lind  these  defects  decrease;  which  convinces  me  that  religion 
and  only  that,  affords  a  remedy ;  and  that  in  religion  I  may 
finally  experience  a  complete  remedy.  It  remaineth,  then, 
that  I  should  more  and  more  fen^ently  pray  for  the  assistance 
of  my  Sa^iom' — more  and  more  earnestly  endeavom*  to  do  his 
Avill.  "^ 

Almighty  and  everlasting  Father !  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  been  pleased  to  chastise  me,  because  I  know  that  thou 
chastisest  him  whom  thou  lovcst.  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  vouchsafed  to  di-aw  me  one  step  nearer  to  thee ;  to  wean 
me  in  some  measm-e  from  the  transitoiy  scenes  of  this  life ; 
and,  O  Lord,  I  entreat  thee  to  perfect  the  work  which  thou 
hast  begim,  to  make  me  daily  more  humble,  more  pm-e,  more 
godly;  and  nOt  me  only,  but  aU  those  whom  I  tenderly 
love;  that  in  miion  of  spirit  we  may  sen-e  thee  here,  and 
together  partake  hereafter  of  thy  rest  eternal  in  the  heavens ! 

Business. — I  have  but  little  to  say  on  business.  It  has 
gone  on  much  as  usual.  I  am  not  sufficiently  diligent.  In 
a  late  instance  I  fear  I  have  exulted  in  the  misfortunes  of 
others.     This  must  not  be. 

Studies. — On  a  review  of  my  studies,  I  find  that  they  have 


*  See  infra,  p.  41. 


34  EDWARD    EDWARDS. 


1808. 


been  much  intenaipted  by  my  jom-ney  to  London,  my  sad 
sojoiirn  at  Ljam,  and  other  succeeding  circumstances;  but 
they  have,  at  times,  unusually  prospered,  and  on  the  average, 
have  been  very  faiiiy  getting  on.  I  hope  I  begin  to  learn 
not  to  consider  study,  that  is  to  say,  literatm-e,  my  first 
object.  May  I  more  and  more  keep  the  first  of  all  objects  in 
view,  through  this  and  all  other  of  my  pm-suits.  I  have  felt 
great  satisfaction  lately  in  many  of  my  studies,  themselves 
conducuig  to  the  fiirtherance  of  the  great  cause  in  my  own 
heart. 

As  a  consequence  of  the  above  event,  his  brother 
John  was  brought  into  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  Edward  Edwards,  of  Lynn,  a  i^ious  minister  of 
the  Church  of  England,  the  friend  of  Charles 
Simeon  and  of  Henry  Venn,  who  became  a  prin- 
cipal means  of  drawing  him,  together  with  his 
sister  Catherine,  and  several  other  members  of  the 
family,  into  a  more  decided  religious  course  in  con- 
nexion with  the  Church  of  England.  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  ovm  course,  however,  continued 
for  some  time  undecided,  though  every  year 
strengthened  the  hold  of  religion  upon  his 
mind. 

"Daily  prayer,''  says  he  in  his  Autobiography,  "was,  I 
believe,  my  unfailing  practice  at  this  time.  Possibly,"  he 
adds,  "  it  might  sometimes  be  too  much  in  my  own  strength ; 
but  I  am  thorougldy  cominced  that  the  duty  of  private 
devotion  demands,  on  our  part,  a  real  diligence;  and  that 
very  great  care  is  requisite,  that,  under  the  plea  of  oiu* 
natural  inability  to  seek  the  Lord,  we  do  not,  in  this  primary 
concern,  fall  into  neglect  and  indolence.  The  promise  re- 
mains to  be  sure,  "  Ask  and  ye  shall  receive,  seek  and  ye 
shall  find,  knock  and  it   shall  be  opened  mito  you." 


^T.  20.  WEEK    DAY    MEETINGS.  35 

Further  on  lie  remarks,  in  allusion  to  Ms  attend- 
ance of  the  Meetings  of  Friends, — 

In  the  retrospect  of  the  period  now  alluded  to,  and,  indeed, 
of  my  whole  life  since  my  return  home  from  Oxford,  I  can 
with  truth  acknowledge  that  no  greater  means  of  usefidness 
and  happiness  have  fallen  in  my  way,  than  our  week-day 
meetings.  These  I  have  regidarly  attended  fi'om  my  seven- 
teenth year  to  the  present  time.  Deeply  am  I  responsible 
for  the  refreshment  and  edification  which  I  have  often 
derived  fr*om  them.  Thefr  quietness,  the  seriousness  of  those 
Friends  who  were  in  the  regular  habit  of  attending  them,  the 
sweet  feehng  of  unity  in  om'  worship,  and  the  liveliness  of  the 
ministry  sometimes  uttered  on  these  occasions,  are  all  hal- 
lowed in  my  mind  and  feelings ;  and  were  I  asked,  what  has 
been  the  happiest  portion  of  my  life,  I  believe  I  should  not 
be  far  wrong  in  rephdng,  the  hours  abstracted  fi'om  the 
common  business  of  the  world  for  the  purpose  of  public 
worship.  The  sacrifice  is  greater  than  that  which  we  have 
to  make  on  the  First  Day  of  the  week,  when  all  business 
ceases ;  and  the  reward  graciously  bestowed  has  been  to  me, 
and  I  believe  to  many  others,  gi'eat  in  proportion.  May  none 
of  my  yoimg  friends  and  relations,  who  belong  to  the  Society, 
ever  throAv  themselves  out  of  the  way  of  so  precious  a 
pri\alege."^ 

*  On  this  subject,  see  also  his  remarks  in  the  Thoughts  on 
Habit  and  Discipline,  p.  210,  8vo.  edition,  a  work  which  can 
hai'dly  be  too  strongly  recommended  to  the  youthful  reader. 


D   2 


36  STUDIES.  1808. 


CHAPTER  III. 

1808—1809.      ^T.  20—21. 

STTTDIES  ;      BTJTLEe's     AKALOGT  ;      HIS     LITERARY     ASSOCIATIONS;     HABIT 

or    self-examination;    qtj^stiones    nocttjen^;    extkacts   from 

HIS   journal   and    letters  ;    DEATH    OF   HIS   FATHER. 

Notwithstanding  his  regular  attendance  at  the 
Bank,  and  his  other  frequent  interruptions,  the  first 
few  years  after  Joseph  John  Gurney's  return  from 
Oxford  had  been  characterised  by  considerable 
literary  efPort.  "I  do  not  know,"  he  writes  in  his 
Autobiography,  "  that  I  ever  exerted  myself  in  this 
way  more  than  during  the  first  two  years  of  my 
residence  at  home."  Whilst  maintaining  his 
acquaintance  with  the  Greek  and  Latin  poets,  his 
attention  appears  to  have  been  at  the  same  time 
steadily  directed  to  the  ancient  historians,  most  of 
whose  works  he  carefully  perused  in  the  original. 

"  The  course  of  Greek  History,"  he  remarks,  writing  to  a 
young  friend  many  years  latcr,"*^  "whieh  I  adopted  for  myself, 
and  which  I  went  through  with  great  plcasm-e,  was  nearly,  if 
not  exactly,  as  follows : — Diodorus  Sicidus,  up  to  the  time 
at  which  Herodotus  commences;  Herodotus,  Thucydides, 
Xenophon's  Hellenics,  Xenophon's  Anabasis,  Polybius, 
Diodorus  Siculus  again,  filling  up  all  the  gaps  with  him. 
He  is  a  delightful  historian.  *  ^  I  forgot  to  mention 
Joscphus,  the  latter  part  of  whose  work  ought  to  be  read." 

*  Under  date  3rd  mo.  17th,  1820. 


JET.  20.  STT'DIES.  37 

Gradually,  however,  his  attention  became  in- 
creasingly devoted  to  Biblical  literature,  which 
continued  for  many  years  to  absorb  much  of  his 
leisure.  To  an  enlarged  knowledge  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments  in  the  original  languages,  he  added 
a  diligent  study  of  Jewish  history  and  antiquities, 
and  a  critical  acquaintance  with  the  ancient  trans- 
lations of  the  Scriptures,  more  particularly  with  the 
Septuagint  and  the  Syriac  version  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. His  ardour  in  these  pursuits  led  him  to 
the  study  of  the  Chaldee  Targums,  and  of  the 
works  of  Philo  and  Maimonides  and  parts  of  the 
Talmud ;  and  to  the  careful  perusal  of  most  of  the 
extant  monuments  of  the  early  Christian  Church. 
The  writing's  of  Justin  Martvr,  Clement  of  Alexan- 
dria,  Irenseus,  Tertullian,  Origen,  Eusebius,  and 
Athanasius,  with  the  Commentaries  of  Chrysostom 
and  Theophylact,  may  be  named  among  those  with 
which  he  became  more  or  less  familiar.  These, 
however,  were  the  labours  of  maturer  years.  The 
picture  of  him  at  the  present  time,  given  by  Edward 
Edwards,  who  was  introduced  to  him  soon  after  the 
decease  of  his  sister-in-law,  is  that  of  "an  extra- 
ordinary young  man,  al30ut  twenty,  actively  em- 
ployed in  the  bank  at  Norwich,  yet  in  the  habit  of 
devoting  so  much  time  to  study  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, as  to  have  read  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Old 
Testament  in  the  original  Hebrew." 

His  habits  of  study  were  eminently  methodical, 
exemplifying  his  favourite  maxim,  which  he  was 
afterwards  accustomed  strongly  to  inculcate  upon 
his  young  friends,  "  Be  a  whole  man  to  one  thing  at 
a  time."     The  facility  at  composition  which  cliarac- 


38  butler's  analogy.  1808. 

terised  him  in  later  years,  was  doubtless,  mainly  tlie 
result  of  the  severe  training  to  which  he  thus  early 
disciplined  his  mind.  Among  the  works  of  English 
authors,  few,  perhaps,  impressed  him  more  deeply 
at  this  period  than  those  of  Bishop  Butler,  He 
was  introduced  to  them  by  his  sister  Catherine  who 
had  long  known  their  worth. 

"  My  first  recollection  of  tliis  valuable  old  book/'  (to  use 
the  words  of  a  memorandum  written  by  lier  in  the  fly-leaf  of 
her  copy  of  the  '  Analogy/)  "  is  seeing  my  mother  reading  it 
in  her  early  morning  walks  on  the  Earlham  lawn.  I  do  not 
remember  that  she  ever  mentioned  or  recommended  it  to  me, 
but  several  years  afterwards,  when  she  was  no  more,  and  I 
was  groping  my  way  to  find  the  tiiith,  I  read  many  books  in 
search  of  it,  and  being  greatly  perplexed  by  '  philosophy  and 
vain  deceit,'  I  was  led  to  take  up  Butler,  which  immediately 
fastened  me.  My  inquiring  mind  was  met  by  his  just  and 
comprehensive  view  of  the  truth  of  religion.  I  was  fully 
convinced,  and  my  future  coirrse  became  decided.  -^  •5«-  I  read 
Butler  over  and  over  again,  and  always  with  profit,  so  that  I 
have  ever  considered  it  as  one  of  the  marked  providences  of 
my  life  that  I  was  first  instructed  by  so  sound  and  compre- 
hensive a  writer.  From  my  recommendation,  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  took  to  it,  especially  Louisa  and  Joseph. 
The  latter  profited  greatly  by  it,  and  infused  much  of  its 
spirit  into  some  of  his  own  writings,  the  Portable  E\-idences 
in  particidar." 

His  position  and  tastes  introduced  him  to  the 
highly  cultivated  society  for  which  Norwich  was  at 
that  time  remarkable.  At  the  house  of  his  cousin 
Hudson  Gurney,  in  particular,  he  was  accustomed 
to  meet  many  persons  eminent  for  then'  parts  and 
learning. 


^T.  .20.  LITERARY    ASSOCIATIONS.  39 

Among  tliese^  he  writes  in  the  Autobiography,  were  "  the 
late  Dr.  Saver,  the  poet;  Dr.  Micldletou,  afterwards  tlie 
first  Bishop  of  Calcutta;  Walpole,  the  author  of  'a,  Tour 
in  Greece ' ;  Wm.  Taylor,  abounding  in  learning,  but  veiy 
unsound  in  sentiment ;  Pitchford,  a  pious  and  well-informed 
Roman  Catholic,  and  several  others.  After  I  became  a  de- 
cided Friend  I  lost  my  interest  in  this  kind  of  society,  and 
it  soon  ceased  of  itself.  Dr.  Sayer,  the  brightest  and  the 
wittiest  of  the  cii'cle,  died.  INIiddleton  and  Walpole  left 
Norwich ;  Taylor's  infidelity  became  intolerable  to  me ;  and 
Pitchford  settled  in  the  neighbom-hood  of  London.  Thus 
the  whole  affair  passed  away  just  after  my  own  change  had 
given  a  new  tui'n  to  my  thoughts  and  feelings." 

He  had  early  become  a  favourite  with  Dr.  Bath- 
urst,  then  Bishop  of  Norwich ;  and  their  intercourse 
gradually  ripened  into  a  warm  friendship,  which  was 
maintained  unbroken  until  the  Bishop's  decease  in 
1837,  at  the  advanced  age  of  93. 

"  He  was  a  man,''  remarks  Joseph  John  Gurney,  writing 
soon  after  his  decease,  "of  singular  Hberahty  of  mind,  an 
orthodox  Christian,  and  friendly  to  the  cause  of  religion; 
a  staunch  advocate  of  the  Bible  Society,  over  which,  in  Nor- 
folk, he  presided;  remai'kable  for  a  tenacious  memoiy,  a 
great  quoter,  much  read  in  the  ancient  classics,  and  general 
'belles  lettres,'  full  of  anecdote  respecting  olden  times, 
and  one  of  the  most  amiable  and  gentlemanlike  persons, 
with  whom  I  have  ever  commmiicated.  His  memory  will 
always  be  dear  to  me." 

Whilst  at  Oxford,  and  for  some  tune  after  his 
return,  Joseph  John  Gm'ney's  motives  for  study 
were  not  unconnected  with  literary  ambition.  But 
religion  failed  not  to  bring  with  it  hmubler  views. 


40  PRACTICE    OF    SELF-EXAIMINATION.  1808. 

Writing  to  one  of  his  sisters,  under  date  "  December 
1st,  1809,"  he  says  :— 

"  I  once  thonglit  of  establishing  a  learned  name.  I  now 
see  I  bave  no  cbance  of  doing  any  tbing  more  tban  veiy  par- 
tially to  instruct  myself.  But  I  often  think  that  fifty  years 
hence,  and  perhaps  far  less,  it  will  signify  nothmj 


5J 


Erom  the  time  of  his  sister-in-law's  decease  his 
periodical  reviews  of  his  religions  and  literary  pro- 
gress become  more  instructive. 

"  This  practice  of  self  examination,"  he  wi-ites  in  his  Auto- 
biogi^aphy,  "was,  I  think,  useful  to  me,  and  afterwards 
resulted  in  my  keeping  a  regular  journal,  the  wiiting  of  a 
perpetual  letter  to  myself  for  my  o^y\\  private  use.  Thoroughly 
as  I  am  aware  of  my  owu  deficiencies,  I  may  ventm'e  warmly 
to  recommend  to  all  my  young  finends,  the  tAvo  practices  to 
which  I  thus  early  habituated  myself  ; — the  reading  of  the 
Scriptures  in  the  original  languages,  especially  the  New 
Testament,  and  the  keeping  of  a  private  journal  chiefly  -v^ith  a 
view  of  close  self-examination  before  Him  who  '  searcheth  the 
reins  and  the  heart ;'  and  who  will  render  to  every  one  of  us 
according  to  our  works." 

The  most  remarkable  feature  of  his  private  memo- 
randa at  this  period  consists  in  the  anxiety  which 
they  manifest,  that  whilst  study  is  pursued  with 
regularity  and  diligence,  the  culture  of  the  heart 
and  the  formation  of  moral  and  religious  habits  may 
ever  be  the  first  object  of  desire.  With  this  \iew 
we  find  him  accustomed  to  test  himself  by  a  series 
of  heart-searching  questions,  often  recording  with 
humiliation  a  varietv  of  faults,  and  at  other  times 


JET.  20.  QU^STIONES    NOCTCRN.E.  41 

thankfully  noting  apparent  improvement.  The 
following  will  illustrate  the  general  character  of  the 
questions.  They  are  from  an  isolated  page  of  the 
Journal,  headed 

QU^STIONES    NOCTURNiE. 

Have  I  this  day  been  guarded  in  all  my  conversation, 
saying  not  one  thing  inconsistent  with  truth,  piu'ity,  or 
charity  ? 

Have  I  felt  the  love  towards  my  neighhoui-  ? 

Have  I  done  my  part  towards  my  own  family  ? 

Have  I  been  temperate  in  all  respects,  fi'ee  from  unlawfid 
desires,  habits,  and  anxieties  ? 

Have  I  been  diligent  in  business  ?  Have  I  given  fidl  time 
to  effectual  study? 

Have  I  admitted  any  other  fear  than  that  of  God? 

Have  I  passed  through  the  day  in  deep  humility,  depending 
constantly  upon,  and  earnestly  aspiring  after,  divine  assist- 
ance? 

And  have  I  in  every  thing  acted  to  the  best  of  my  know- 
ledge according  to  the  will  of  God  ? 

Have  I  worshipped  him  morning  and  evening? 

It  is  possible  that  in  the  early  stages  of  his  experi- 
ence, there  may  have  been,  in  the  habitual  use  of 
these  questions,  somewhat  of  a  bondage  to  form; 
but  the  honest  diligence  and  earnestness  which  they 
manifest  are  highly  instructive.  Gradual  as,  from 
his  own  description,*  the  work  of  conversion  in  his 
case  appears  to  have  been,  his  Journal  affords  con- 
vincing evidence  of  its  reality  and  depth.  Paith 
and  holiness  are  here  every  where  spoken  of  in 
their   mutual  and   essential  connexion.      No   less 

*  See  sicpra,  p.  12. 


43  EXTRACTS  FROM  HIS  JOURNAL.  1808. 

emphatic  is  the  testimony   borne  to  tlie  absolute 
necessity  of  the  inward  and  immediate  operations 
of  the  Spirit  of  God.     With  no  object  in  view  but 
his  o^vn  improvement,  and  not  knowing  the  things 
wliich  sliould  befall  him  in  later  years,  he  here  speaks 
with  plainness  and  simplicity  of  what  he  himself  had 
heard  and  seen  and  handled  of  the  Word  of  Life. 
Hio'h  indeed  is  the  standard  of  moral  excellence 
which  is  set  before  us  in  the  Gospel.     And  in  pro- 
portion as  the  mind  is  raised  to  it,   so  does  the 
judgment  upon  the  thoughts,  words,  and  actions, 
become  more  and  more  severe.      This  may  in  part 
account  for  the  depression  that  appears  predominant 
in  some  of  the  following  extracts ;  yet  it  is  instruc- 
tive to  observe  how  hope  breathes  through  all,  still 
cheering  onwards  in  the  path  of  faith  and  holiness. 
Doubtless  there  is  something,  may  it  not  be  said,  of 
sacredness,  belonging  to  such  communings  of  the 
soul  with  itself,  and  with  its  Maker,  and  it  is  right 
that  this  sliould  be  felt.     The  sense  of  it  is  calcu- 
lated to  awaken  that  seriousness  in  which  alone  we 
can  profit  by  their  perusal.     And  happy  will  it  be 
for  the  reader  if  he  be  thereby  stimulated  to  seek 
with  equal  diligence,  that  tlirough  the  power  of  the 
same   Spu-it   his  mind  and   heart  may  become  as 
effectually  disciplined  to  "the  habitual  exercise  of 
love  to  God." 

July  8th,  1808.  It  is  really  wonderful,  after  even  the 
little  experience  I  have  had  in  a  Christian  course,  that  I 
should  be  in  the  state  I  now  am.  *  *  I  feel  no  longer;  be- 
lieve no  longer;  remember  no  longer;  I  seem  entirely  a 
prey  to  the  weak  and  ivicked  inclinations  of  my  o^ti  self; 


JET.  21.  JOURNAL.  43 

and  as  my  spii'itual,  so  my  temporal  concerns — all  go  on 
badly;  late  in  the  morning;  lazy  in  the  afternoon;  little 
study,  and  no  relish  for  that  little ;  and  an  inattention  to  all 
that  is  good.  I  put  myself  down  upon  paper  that  I  may  see 
my  deformity  more  clearly.  I  feel  as  if  I  could  not  look  for 
the  divine  help,  because  I  do  not  deserve  it.  Indeed  I  do 
not  deserve  it;  yet  whither  else  can  I  fly?  O  cleanse  my 
foul  heart,  Lord!  that  it  may  [be]  rendered  a  fit  vessel  to 
receive  thy  mercy.  I  can  indeed  say  with  the  publican, 
"  have  mercy  upon  me  a  miserable  sinner." 

I  feel  a  spring  mthin  me  at  this  moment,  as  if  I  could 
return  to  the  right  path ;  may  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  attend 
it,  and  I  shaU  prosper  once  more. 

August  8th.  I  often  think  of  that  passage  in  the  [New] 
Testament,  "not  those  who  say  unto  me  Lord!  Lord!  but 
those  who  do  the  wiU  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven,  shall 
enter  the  kingdom."  To  do  my  duty  sm-ely  is  to  do  his  will ; 
and  what  is  my  duty?  My  duty  appears  to  be  threefold 
— ^to  myself,  to  my  neighbovir,  and  to  my  God. 

My  duty  to  myself  is  to  keep  myself  pure,  avoiding 
every  thought  that  cometh  of  e\il,  and  keeping  my  spirit 
fixed  upon  the  one  simple  and  principal  thing.  It  is  also  a 
part  of  my  duty  to  myself  to  attend  diligently  to  my  studies 
and  private  pursuits,  inasmuch  as  they  clearly  tend  to  en- 
lighten and  improve  me. 

Secondly.  My  duty  to  my  neighboiu'.  To  fulfil  this,  let 
me  be  diligent  in  business,  and  careful  of  the  interests  of  those 
under  whom  I  act ;  let  me  attend  to  social  claims,  by  cheering 
my  father,  and  being  constantly  yielding,  obliging,  and  polite, 
in  my  family  circle :  let  this  extend  in  the  proper  proportion 
to  other  relations  and  fnends.  Above  all  let  me  become 
more  and  more  active  in  ser\ing  the  distressed  and  poor ;  and 
let  me,  on  all  occasions,  prefer  others  to  myself;  walking 
with  all  humility  in  the  sight  of  my  fellow  creatm-es. 

In  my  duties  to  God,  are  included  all  that  I  have  classed 
under  the  [other]  two  heads ;  but  my  devotional  duties  are 
those  peculiarly  due  to  Him.     To  fiilfil  these  I  must  study 


41  HYMN.  1808. 

the  Scriptures  diligently;  pray  every  morning  and  evening 
with  a  fervent  and  honest  spirit,  adding  the  tribute  of  thanks- 
giving and  praise  to  the  Almighty.  Moreover,  I  must 
constantly  humble  myself  before  him,  acknowledging  my 
weakness  and  smfidness,  and  giving  glory  to  my  Redeemer, 
through  whom  I  hope  for  pardon.  I  must  bear  a  steady 
testimony  to  the  truth  in  this  world,  I  must  bow  with 
perfect  resignation  to  the  will  of  my  God  in  all  temporal  and 
spiritual  trials.  In  short  I  must  draw  near  unto  Christ, 
and  if  need  be,  take  up  my  cross  to  follow  him. 

The  hymn  which  immediately  follows  the  above 
extract,  although  subsequently  published,  is  too 
characteristic  of  his  present  feelings  to  he  here 
omitted. 

HYMN. 

Whilst,  lost  in  universal  dream, 

The  giddy  crowd  is  hurl'd 
Along  the  gaily  eddying  stream 

Of  this  deceitful  world ; 

Jesus,  in  secret  still  to  thee 

0  !  point  my  holier  way ; 
Bid  me  from  each  gay  chain  be  free 

To  own  a  SaAdour's  sway  : 

Bid  me,  beneath  thy  parent  wing, 

Still,  Lord,  in  peace  remain  ; 
That  every  charm  the  world  can  bring 

May  tempt  my  soul  in  vain. 

So  shall  that  soul  to  heaven  above, 

To  thcc  in  heaven  aspire ; 
And  thy  celestial  light  and  love 

Be  all  that  soul's  desire. 

August  19th,  1808. 

He  thus  alludes  to  the  progress  of  his  studies  in  a 


JET.  21.  JOURNAL.  45 

letter  to  his  brother-in-law,  Thomas  Eowell  Buxton, 
under  date 

September  4th,  1808. 

^  ^  ^  jNIy  time  is  occupied  by  the  minor  prophets^  Greek 
poetry  ia  Sophocles  and  Brimck's  Analecta,  some  Itahan 
reading,  Joseplius,  hbry,  and  the  Eastern  TraveUers.  Besides 
these,  I  am  endeavom'ing  thoroughly  to  study  the  Greek 
Testament,  AVi-iting  notes  and  making  extracts  as  I  go  along. 
I  smcerely  hope  you  wiU  not  absolutely  give  up  Greek,  if  it 
be  only  that  you  may  read  the  New  Testament  in  the  original. 
Schleusner's  Lexicon  of  the  Greek  Testament  is  a  book  I  have 
just  bought,  and  find  of  the  greatest  use.  -^  -^  I  do  not  go  on 
with  Arabic,  which  is  a  work  of  fifteen  years ;  but  have  enough 
of  it  to  be  of  considerable  use  to  me.  *  "^ 

Notwithstanding  this  apparent  diligence,  he  writes 
in  his  Journal : — 

September  22nd.  I  was  to  have  passed  September  in  the 
most  industrious,  steady  manner ;  alas !  how  frail  are  all  our 
resolutions.  I  have  done  scarcely  anything  for  the  last  three 
weeks.  ^  ^  I  will  endeavom-,  if  possible,  for  the  remaining 
week,  to  make  a  gi^eat  exertion,  be  up  at  four  every  morning, 
doing  at  least  a  chapter  of  Hebrew,  one  of  Lvke,  and  then 
Josephus  till  breakfast;  beginning  in  the  afternoon  at  five, 
Livy  till  half-past  six,  Josephus  till  half-past  eight,  and  Sandys 
tiU  bed  time;  endeavom-  not  to  go  out  once,  and  to  be 
extremely  temperate  all  the  while,  which  will  render  the 
efibrt  easier. 

The  memorandum  appended  is  instructive. 

Not  done,  nor  anything  like  it.  O  the  folly  of  an 
extravagant  resolution. 

September  25th.  "^  ^  I  have  felt  not  only  an  indifference, 
but  an  antipathy  to  rehgion.  I  have  been  disposed  to  look  in 
a  gloomy  point  of  view  \ipon  that  which  at  this  moment  I  feel 
to  be  the  som'ce  of  all  light  and  comfort,  and  joy,  and  peace. 


46  LETTER    TO    THOS.    FOWELL    BUXTON.  1808. 

Now  that  my  eyes  are  more  open  to  the  truth,  I  see  that 
there  is  nothing  in  the  Christian  rehgion  which  warrants 
either  gloom  or  discontent.  "^  "^  If  therefore  I  have  looked 
upon  revelation  with  a  gloomy  mind,  it  must  be,  because  that 
mind  has  been  misled  by  the  temptation  of  worldly  and  sinful 
pleasm-es.  This  is  the  explanation  and  the  fact.  I  have  [been] 
in  a  worldly  state,  and  when  in  such  a  state,  it  is  impossible 
to  look  upon  religion,  which  condemns  it,  but  in  a  gloomy 
point  of  view.  Religion  has  no  comforts  for  the  uni'epenting 
sinner.  It  is  to  this  worldly  spirit,  which  has  been  imusually 
predominant  in  my  mind,  that  I  trace  all  the  evils  of  the  past 
quarter.  I  speak  it  with  sorrow — I  am  not  improved ;  I  am 
gone  backward.  I  mean  more  particidarly  in  those  duties 
which  respect  myself;  in  that  duty,  I  should  say,  for  the 
whole  may  be  comprised  in  one  word,  "  Temperance."*  O 
the  blessing,  the  beauty  of  temperance !  how  ardently  do  I 
desire  it,  and  how  constantly,  through  the  weakness  of  my 
soul,  do  I  fail  from  the  attainment  of  my  object.  I  have  been 
intemperate  in  my  love  of  worldly  dissipation.  I  believe  and 
hope  that  it  is  not  our  duty  to  give  up  general  society.  We 
are  made  to  live  in  it ;  but  we  should  enter  into  it  with  pure 
hearts  and  clean  hands,  with  all  the  caution  of  carefid 
Christians,  lest  it  should,  at  any  time,  steal  away  om'  hearts 
fi-om  that  wliich  ought  to  be  our  primary,  nay,  only  object. 

TO    THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTON. 

December  1st,  1808. 
^  •^  *  *  I    am  obliged  to    attend    at   the   Bank   at   nine 
o'clock  every  morning,  which  cuts  off  a  good  hour  from  my 

*  The  comprehensive  meaning  attached  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
to  the  word  temperance,  may  be  best  illustrated  by  the  following 
extract  from  liis  Thoughts  on  Habit  and  Discipline.  "  The 
'temperate'  man  of  the  Now  Testament,"  says  he,  "is  sy^ariig, 
which  means,  '  the  man  who  has  power  m  himself  over  himself.' 
Hence  it  follows  that  the  temperance  (Jyxpare/a)  of  Scripture  is  a 
most  comprehensive  virtue,  embracing  the  whole  scope  of  that 
internal  government,  which,  under  grace,  it  is  our  duty  to  exercise 
over  our  own  proj^cnsities."    8vo.  edition,  p.  182. 


^T.  31.  JOURNAL.  47 

time  before  breakfast,  and  tends  not  a  little  to  prevent  my 
getting  on  with  anything.  Whatever  be  the  cause,  I  am  son-y 
to  inform  you  I  get  on  with  nothing.  It  is  weU  that  learning 
is  not  absolutely  essential,  for  I  begin  to  discover  I  shall  never 
be  learned.  ^  ^  Nor  am  I  conscious  of  being  reaUy  improving 
in  my  moral  capacity,  which  fills  me  at  this  moment  with 
rather  despondent  feeUngs,  but  I  trust  in  time  I  shaU  be 
enabled  to  make  a  httle  progTcssion.  Of  one  thing  I  am 
certain,  that  I  much  reqiiire  it.  I  am  reading  Butler,  whom, 
as  far  as  I  now  know  him,  I  exceeduigly  admii-e. 

Januai-y  \st,  1809.  I  sit  down  in  a  weak  state  of  mind  to 
perform  a  duty,  which  would  only  become  heaAier  by  being 
deferred.  It  is  the  first  day  of  the  new  year.  This  is  to  me 
a  most  serious  consideration.  I  wish  I  could  feel  it  more 
than  I  do.  But  as  it  is,  it  imperiously  demands  of  me  to 
think  where  I  am,  what  I  have  been  domg,  and  what  I  am 
going  to  do — whether  I  am  advancing  or  going  backwards  in 
that  path  which  alone  leads  to  eternal  life.  -^  -^  * 

During  the  last  three  months,   my   external   temptat'ons 
have  been  such  nothings,  that  there  is  little  excuse  for  my 
not  having  conducted  myself  entirely  to  the  approbation  of 
my   conscience.     I  have  at  many  times  had   deep  religious 
feelings;    I  have   felt    faith   in  the    S ardour   of  the  world; 
true  love  to  God,  and  the  things  of  God;    and  have    often 
prayed    to    him    fervently,    that    he    would    vouchsafe    to 
visit  me  with   his    Spu'it,  that    I    might    in    all   things    be 
obedient  to  his  wiU.     But  then,  O  how  wonderful  it  is,  that 
in  the  time  of  trial  I  stand  no  longer  with  the  Lord.     I  have 
in  several  instances  yielded  to  present  temptations,  and  have 
been  so  blinded  as  not  to  see  dming  those  seasons  of  proba- 
tion, how  infinitely  preferable  is  the  light  and  purity  of  a 
Christian  soul  to  the  foul  deceitfulness  of  siu.      O  how  hate- 
ful is  sin  in  its  nature,  yet  how  does  it  tempt  us  and  carry  us 
aAvay. 

It  is  a  consideration  of  the  utmost  importance,  that  sm,  in- 
dependently of  the  punishments  which  are  due  to  it  fi'om  the 
justice  of  God,  must,  in  its  nature,  unfit  us  for  heaven.     A 


48  JOURNAL.  1808. 

sinful  man,  a  sensual  man,  must  be  incapable  of  beaven.  ^  ^ 
May  be  wbo  is  powerful,  voucbsafe  to  supply  my  weakness. 
May  be  do  tliat,  wliicb  I  can  never  do  myself — renew  a  rigbt 
spirit  witbin  me,  and  so  regenerate  my  foul  beart,  as  to  ren- 
der it  truly  incapable  of  sin. 

Wbo  sball  say  tbat  we  may  not  be  perfect,  even  in  tbis  world  ? 
We  may,  by  tbe  divine  grace,  or  otbervvise  we  sbould  never 
bave  been  commanded  to  "  be  perfect,  even  as  our  Fatber, 
wbicb  is  in  beaven,  is  perfect." 

I  proceed  witb  tbe  order  of  my  nigbtly  queries.^  Have 
I,  in  bonesty  of  beart,  constantly  adbered  to  tbe  trutb? 
Not  entirely.  I  bave  at  times  fallen  into  equivocation.  I  am 
not  straigbtforward  enougb ;  I  am  not,  in  tbis  respect,  like 
Edwards,  Jobu,  Hudson,  my  uncle  Josepb.  Let  me  propose 
tliem  to  myself,  as  examples  on  tbis  bead. 

Have  I  been  cbaritable?  Tbis  query  embraces  mucb — 
very  mucb.  ■5«-  -^  I  observe  a  want  of  politeness ;  a  want  of 
activity,  in  exerting  myself,  m  very  little  tilings,  in  tbe  service 
of  otbers.  *  *  My  calling  prcA^ents  my  making  exertions  for 
tbe  poor,  wbicb  I  sbould  otberwise  wisb  to  make.  I  fear  I 
bave  not  sufficiently  counteracted  tbis  effect  of  business.  As 
to  tbe  widest  notion  of  cbarity,  I  am  not  Cbristian  enougb  to 
be  always  cbaritable.  I  am  stdl  incautious  in  my  manner  of 
speaking  of  otber  people;  and  surely  my  feelings  towards 
tbem  bave  been,  very  often,  far  otber  tban  brotberly.  Yet  is 
not  tbis  one  of  my  beaviest  trials,  because  my  temper  is 
smootb,  and  very  little  teased  by  otbers.  ^  "^ 

Have  I  been  fi*ee  from  vanity  and  worldly  pride?  Far 
from  it.  Tbe  more  I  tbink  on  tbis  subject,  tbe  more  I  see 
that  Cbristianity  is  tbe  only  remedy  for  tbe  e^•ils  in  ques- 
tion. Cbristian  buniility  is  indeed  rarely  attained  to,  yet, 
doubtless,  absolutely  necessary  to  prepare  us  for  tbe  blessings 
of  lieaven.  May  tbe  Lord  abase  me  to  tbe  very  eartb ;  sbow 
me,  witli  full  ligbt,  wbat  an  insignificant,  coiTupt,  worth- 
less creature  I  am.  Then  may  I,  indeed,  become  ripe  for 
exaltation — for  tbe  true  honour,  which  cometh  from  God 
oidy.  *  ^ 

*  JSec  si'2)ra,  p.  -11. 


iET.  21.  STUDIES.  49 

I  begin  this  year  with  an  earnest  desire  to  be^  throughout 
its  course,  careful  in  business,  diligent  in  study,  straight- 
forward in  speaking  the  truth,  careful  to  perform  my  social 
duties,  moderate  in  my  diet,  temperate  in  all  things,  charitable 
to  all  men,  without  fearfulness  and  without  vanity,  trusting 
in  the  Lord,  obedient  to  his  will,  and  full  of  his  Spirit ;  and 
whenever  he  is  pleased  to  call  me  away  from  this  transient 
scene,  may  I  be  ready  to  give  up  all  for  him. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

January  27th,  1809. 

^  ^  "^  I  do  not  know  when  I  have  felt  more  easy  and 
happy.  "^  "^  1  am  reading  Daniel,  the  Greek  Testament, 
ApoUonius  Rhodius,  Prideaux,  (an  excellent  book  in  its  way,) 
Livy,  and  Ariosto.  I  have  lately  finished  Butler,  from  whom  I 
hope  I  have  derived  real  advantage.  His  comprehensive  and 
clear  \dew  of  religion,  and  his  unanswerable  arguments  are 
very  confirming  to  me  as  far  as  they  go.  Though  at  the  same 
time  I  deeply  feel  the  extremely  superior  importance  of  the 
religion  of  the  heart,  over  the  religion  of  the  head,  and  that, 
after  all,  the  doctrines  of  religion  are  of  importance  to  us 
now,  only  as  they  affect  practice.  But  then  I  fully  see  of  how 
much  practical  importance  these  doctrines  are,  because  the 
relations  which,  according  to  them,  exist  between  the  Deity 
and  us,  have  the  most  positive  duties  annexed  to  them. — But 
Fowell  vrill  kindly  tell  me  I  am  stealing  out  of  Butler.  So 
farewell  my  dearest  H. 

The  practical  tendency  of  his  mind,  indicated  in 
the  foregoing  letter  is  also  instructively  apparent, 
notwithstanding  some  obscurity  of  conception,  in 
the  following  extract  from  his  Journal.  His  pub- 
lished writings  abundantly  manifest  the  increased 
clearness,  though  not  less  practical  character  of  his 
views  in  later  years,  on  the  points  more  particularly 
adverted  to  in  the  first  paragraph. 

E 


50  LETTER    TO    HANNAH    BUXTON.  1809. 

April  2nd,  1809.  I  believe  I  am  prejudiced  against  that 
set  of  people  who  call  themselves  Evangelical.  But  inde- 
pendently of  all  prejudice,  I  certainly  clearly  differ  from  them 
in  some  points.  I  differ  fi^om  them  in  their  favourite  doctrine 
of  the  inefficacy  of  good  works ;  though  my  opinions  may 
bear  towards  the  same  point.  St.  Paul  frequently  tells  us 
that  no  man  is  saved  by  his  works,  and  why  ?  not  because 
good  works  are  inefficacious  to  salvation,  but  because  no  man 
has  good  works  sufficient  for  salvation.  *  *  "^ 

As  to  prejudice,  it  is  a  sin,  and  I  pray  that  I  may  be  de- 
livered from  it.  Pain  I  certainly  have  felt,  in  the  inclination 
of  our  family  towards  Calvinism  and  Calvinists.  At  the  same 
time,  I  deeply  feel,  that  as  long  as  the  grand  thing — practical 
Christianity — is  kept  in  view  by  us  aU,  we  have  no  reason  to 
be  discontented  at  differing  fi'om  one  another  on  secondary 
points.  "^  * 

This  is  now  the  time  for  re\aewing  my  own  conduct  during 
the  last  quarter.  How  inexpressibly  do  I  long  for  a  manly 
spirit,  that  I  may  fear  nothing  but  God,  and  for  a  heart  so 
pure,  as  to  be  incapable  of  corruption.  I  can,  at  this  moment, 
say  that  I  am  humbled  under  the  sense  of  my  own  sins  and 
weakness.  At  what  an  infinite  distance  am  I  from  doing  ah 
that  Christ  has  commanded.  May  the  Lord  bring  it  home  to 
my  heart  that  of  myself  I  am  nothing.  This  is  the  first  step 
towards  confidence  in  him,  towards  that  faith  whereby  I 
may  be  saved. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Earlham,  Sunday,  April  30tli,  1809. 

I  rather  think  the  family  have  given  up  their  old  habit  of 
writing  letters  on  a  Sunday,  but  I  confess  I  do  not  feel  alive 
to  the  impropriety  of  the  practice,  especially  if  our  letters  are 
made  the  means  of  our  communication  on  those  subjects 
which  are  of  infinitely  greater  im])ortance  than  any  thing 
else.  I  was  very  much  struck  at  ^Sleeting  an  hour  ago,  by 
the  extreme  injudiciousness  which  there  is  in  oiu*  not  commu- 
nicating more  freely  witli  one  another  on  those  points  which  I 


^T.  31.  LETTER   TO    HANNAH    BUXTON.  51 

trust  we  all  feel  to  be  our  chief  concern.  How  plainly  is  it  a 
matter  of  importance  that  we  should  endeavour  to  help  one 
another  along  in  om-  spiritual  path,  or  at  least^  that  we  should 
be  open  and  intimate  on  the  subject.  If  it  does  not  lie  in 
thisj  in  what  does  lie  our  intimacy  and  brotherly  love?  I 
was  induced  to  \\Tite  to  you,  my  dearest  brother  and  sister, 
by  reading  a  sermon  of  Paley's  Avitli  John  this  morning, 
which  is  most  strikingly  applicable  to  me,  and  to  you,  Fowell, 
and  to  all  of  us  as  men  of  business.  It  is  that  in  Avhich  he 
lays  do^Ti  in  such  clear  colom's,  the  danger  there  is  lest 
men  of  business  should  be  brought  by  a  continued  roimd  of 
temporal  interests  and  occupations,  to  a  state  of  religious  in- 
difference. -^  ^  -^  John  and  I  both  agreed  that  it  was  abso- 
lutely essential  to  us  all,  that  we  should,  while  engaged  in 
business,  even  at  the  most  hurried  times,  abstract  the  mind 
from  the  cares  of  this  world,  if  it  were  only  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, to  think  of  those  of  the  next.  Forgetfulness  and 
torpor  are  the  evils  which  of  all  others,  we  are  in  the  most 
danger  of  incurring. — I  am  ready  to  make  an  apology,  even 
to  you,  for  writing  on  these  subjects,  yet  I  am  sure  this  is  a 
false  feeling.  It  appears  to  me  to  be  a  crust  which  it  is  our 
positive  duty  to  break  through ;  only  you  must  not  imagine 
me  from  this  to  be  much  advanced  in  my  own  spiritual 
course.  -^  ^-  I  am  fully  conscious  of  the  need  I  stand  in  of 
improvement,  and  that  my  own  endeavours  are  not  alone 
sufficient;  I  may  also  say  that  I  do  look  for  help  to  him 
from  whom  cometh  every  good  and  perfect  work. 

My  father  is  certainly  better,  and  much  more  comfortable, 
though  I  believe  him  to  be  still  fiiUy  persuaded  that  he  is  in 
great  danger.  This  idea  is  most  gi'oundless,  according  to  aU 
the  best  opinions,  but  it  is  impossible  to  root  it  out  of  his 
mind.  Priscdla  is  thoroughly  engaged  by  her  poor,  the 
school,  and  her  bible.  As  for  myself,  I  am,  as  you  know, 
rather  an  unsteady  reed,  but  have  seldom  been  more  com- 
fortable in  all  respects  than  at  present.  My  studies  really 
floiu-ish  very  tolerably,  though  I  give  up  the  idea  of  being  a 
colossus  in  learning.  I  wish  to  say  before  I  conclude,  that  I 
am  far  from  approving  the  practice  of  never  writing  to  each 

E    2 


52  COMPLETION    or    HIS    TWENTY-FIRST  YEAR.  1809. 

other  witliout  filling  our  letters  with  religion;  but  when  our 
minds  are  alive  to  the  subject,  I  do  not  see  why  we  should 
not  communicate  on  our  highest,  as  well  as  on  our  lowest 
interests. 

On  the  2nd  of  the  8th  month,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  completed  his  21st  year.  A  few  days 
afterwards  he  writes  : — 

August  6th.  ^  *  It  has  been  forcibly  brought  to  my  muid 
this  morning,  that  my  manifold  transgressions  and  defects, 
though  known  only  to  myself  and  my  Maker,  are  sufficient 
to  weigh  me  down  for  ever,  had  I  not  a  merciftd  Sa^doiu"  to 
whom  to  look  for  svipport.  I  deeply  feel  that  I  have  no 
power  in  myself,  to  extricate  me  from  my  present  imperfect 
state,  but  that  there  is  a  Spirit,  and  a  Comforter,  who  will 
lead  me  in  time,  if  I  put  a  humble  rehance  in  his  mercy, 
through  a  pm^e  path  to  eternal  rest ;  who  will  disipate  these 
dark  clouds  of  indifference  and  insensibility,  and  fill  my  soul 
with  liffht.  ^  ^  Certain  it  is  that  much  of  our  dissatisfaction 
on  religious  pomts,  much  of  our  impious  doubting,  is  owing 
to  our  not  sufficiently  pelding  up  our  reason  and  oui-  souls  to 
the  word  and  to  the  ivill  of  God.  ^  ^  ^  ^ 

I  have  not  yet  learnt  to  keep  strictly  on  every  little  occa- 
sion to  the  straight-forward  path  of  truth.  I  feel  as  if  I 
possessed  integi'ity,  yet  in  very  little  things,  and  in  a  huny, 
without  thinking,  I  sometimes  exaggerate  or  equivocate. 
This  is  mean  and  pitifid,  a  disgrace  to  the  religion  I  profess, 
and  to  myself;  it  arises  entirely  from  the  fear  I  have  of  other 
people.  This  fear  is,  I  think,  subsiding.  j\Iay  the  gi'ace  of 
God  so  strengthen  me,  that  in  futm-e  I  may  totally  banish  it. 

I  am  improved  with  respect  to  the  manner  in  which  I 
speak  of  others.  The  tongue  is,  indeed,  the  sign  of  our  faith. 
Nothing  can  be  more  unlike  a  Christian  than  to  blab  the 
faidts  of  others,  and  [it]  is  infallibly  joined  to  forgetfulness 

of  our  own. 

Worldly  pride  and  vanity,  I  trust,  have  not  been  increasing 
in  my  mind.     I  see  their  folly,  and  earnestly  pray  that  I  may 


^T.  22.  DEATH    OF   HIS    FATHER.  53 

indeed    become   a  humble   follower    of    him   who   humbled 
himself  for  us. 

I  am  often  uncomfortable^  when  I  think  how  little  I  do 
for  the  distressed.  I  have  only  one  or  two  objects  under  my 
care.  Yet  I  trust  I  have  not  lost  what  opportunities  I  have 
had  of  doing  good  to  others^  and  I  am  comforted  when  I 
think  [that]  every  man  does  good  by  filling  up  his  own 
station  in  Yde,  as  he  feels  to  be^  each  day,  his  duty.  *  ^ 

I  am  just  come  of  age.  I  feel  it  a  strikmg  period,  and  am 
thanlcfid  to  the  Almighty  giver  of  all  good  things,  that  he 
has  vouchsafed  to  bring  me  into  it,  thi'ough  a  path  of  peace 
and  prosperity. 

Most  merciful  Father,  succour  thou  the  weak-hearted. 
Help  me,  for  I  know  that  I  am  a  sinner,  and  that  of  myself 
I  cannot  stand.  I  thank  thee  for  all  the  spiritual  blessings 
wherein  thou  hast  mercifidly  vouchsafed  to  lead  me  unto  this 
age,  and  I  pray  thee  that  they  may  daily  increase,  so  that  I 
may  be  truly  born  again  of  thy  Spirit,  that  I  may  become,  in 
all  things,  devoted  xmto  thee,  as  a  little  child,  in  simplicity 
and  submission  of  soul ;  that  no  impurity  may  lead  me  away 
from  thy  paths,  which  only  are  the  paths  of  pleasantness  and 
peace;  but  that  I,  and  all  of  us,  in  union  of  spii'it,  may 
receive  the  one  faith,  and  hold  it  fast,  and  so  walk  in  activity 
and  watchfulness,  that  we  may  be  ready,  at  thy  call,  to  con- 
sign oui'selves  into  thy  hands,  that  we  may  live  the  life,  and 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous;  even  in  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord. 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year  he  was  deprived  of 
his  l)eloved  father,  who  sank  under  the  effects  of  a 
surgical  operation,  on  the  28th  of  the  10th  month. 
The  whole  family  assembled  at  Earlham  on  the 
occasion  of  his  funeral,  which  was  rendered  addi- 
tionally touching  by  the  few  words  of  solemn 
thanksgiving,  which  his  daughter  Elizabeth  Ery, 
was  strengthened  to  utter  at  the  side  of  his  grave ; 


54  DEATH    OF    HIS    FATHER.  1809. 

being  her  first  public  offering  in  the  ministry.* 
To  this  Joseph  John  Gurney  alludes  in  a  memoran- 
dum penned  a  few  days  after  the  funeral. 

Sunday,  November  5th.  "Marvellous  are  thy  works  O 
God^  most  merciful,  thou  King  of  Saints !  Accept  thou  the 
thanksgiving  of  our  hearts/^  May  I  be  enabled  heartily  to 
join  in  this  prayer,  which  was  pronounced  by  dear  Elizabeth, 
at  my  father's  grave !  Is  it  not  indeed  marvellous  ?  He 
who  was  my  greatest  pleasure  and  greatest  stimidus  in  life, 
the  constant  object  of  every  day,  whom  I  fondly  hoped  to 
have  retained  with  us  yet  many  years,  is  gone  for  ever. 

On  Tuesday,  the  10th  October,  he  submitted  to  the  opera- 
tion. It  was  too  much  for  his  nervous  system — he  was 
thrown  into  spasms,  and  on  Satiu'day,  the  28th,  he  died. 
While  he  was  on  his  death  laed  I  was  seized  with  the  scarlet 
fever,  which,  though  not  severe,  has  thrown  my  feelings  into 
a  distressing  maze,  from  which  they  are  only  now  beginning 
to  recover.  Yet  shall  I  ever  look  back  with  joy,  to  Wednes- 
day, the  25th,  the  day  before  I  was  ill,  and  during  which  I 
attended  him  constantly.  It  was  a  day  of  joy.  His  mind, 
which  had  passed  through  the  deepest  contrition,  on  that  day 
rested  in  the  assurance  of  hope,  rested  on  the  mercy  of  God 
tlirough  Jesus  Christ. 

How  unspeakably  great  has  been  thy  mercy  O  God,  in  thus 
preparing  his  soid  for  the  last  stroke  of  thy  providence.  May 
we  also  be  mercifidly  led  to  an  end  as  blessed,  through  lives 
of  purity,  charity,  and  peace ! 

*  See  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol  i,  p.  144. 


JET.    2.2.       REFLECTIONS    AFTER    HIS    FATHER's    DECEASE.  55 


CHAPTEU  IV. 

1809—1811.     ^T.  22—23. 

REFLECTIONS   AFTER   HIS  FATHEk's   DECEASE;     BETIEW   OF  HIS  OBJECTS; 

studies;  his  first  essay  as  an  author;  correspondence  with 
sir  william  dkummond ;  gradual  attraction  towards  friends ; 
attends  the  xearlt  meeting;  extracts  from  his  journal. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet  was  but  just  21,  when,  as 
one  of  his  father's  executors,  as  a  partner  in  the 
Bank,  and  his  father's  representative  at  Earlham, 
new  and  grave  responsibilities  devolved  upon  him. 
That  he  felt  the  blow  most  keenly,  is  sufficiently 
evident  from  his  Jom-nal.  But  religion  had  akeady 
instructed  him  to  seek  relief,  not  in  "nm-sing  liis 
sorrow,"  but  in  zealously  tm^ning  his  mind  to  the 
performance  of  duty.  His  father  upon  his  death- 
bed, had  exhorted  him  "  to  persevere,"  and  nobly 
did  he  strive  to  respond  to  the  exhortation. 
Thus  he  writes  two  days  after  the  funeral : — 

Now  that  the  faneral  is  over,  and  every  earthly  trace 
of  my  beloved  father  is  gone  for  ever,  I  begin  most  painfully 
and  deeply  to  feel  the  void  that  is  left.  It  is  indeed  a  wide 
void,  and  God  alone  can  supply  it.  But,  under  all  circum- 
stances, I  feel  it  my  duty  to  enter  with  spu'it,  once  more,  into 
the  engagements  of  life.  To  begin  to-moiTow,  at  an  early 
hour,  and  re-commence  my  studies,  to  attend  carefully  and 
with  activity  to  the  gloomy  offices  of  an  executor,  and  reso- 
lutely to  applv  to  busmess. 


56  OBJECTS    IN    LIFE.  1809. 

An  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  his  sister 
Hannali  Buxton,  dated  "  December  1st,  1809,"  will 
introduce  the  reader  to  the  family  party  at  Earlham 
under  then'  altered  circumstances. 

We  are  going  on  remarkably  comfortably;  Catherine, 
Rachel^  Richenda,  Priscilla,  and  I^  form  so  harmonious  a 
party,  and  are  so  entu-ely  united  in  all  our  cares,  pleasures, 
and  piu"suits.  -^  ^  I  am  extremely  busy,  ha\ang  my  time  and 
mind  quite  crammed  with  the  variety  of  my  pursuits.  The 
executors'  accounts,  banking,  and  study,  are  alternately 
uppermost.  In  the  last  item,  I  go  on  as  usual,  sometimes 
flomishing,  more  often  thwarted  and  unsuccessful.  '^  *  Last 
week  I  was  interrupted  every  day.  *  *  We  had  a  delightful 
visit  from  Edwards.  I  never  enjoyed  his  company  so  much 
before,  and  never  felt  so  much  at  ease  with  him.  I  strongly 
feel  how  invaluable  a  blessing  it  is,  to  have  such  friends,  now 
we  are  so  bereft.  The  loss  of  one  hold  makes  one  cUng  to 
the  supports  which  are  left  behind.  I  am  sure  the  afflicting 
event  has  had  a  powerfol  effect  m  bringing  us  more  closely 
together.  "^  "^ 

His  objects  in  life  are  thus  reviewed  in  his  Journal: — 

November  19th,  1809.  Launching  afresh  into  life,  as  I 
now  am,  under  totally  new  cu'cumstances,  and  in  a  situation 
wlierein  I  shall  always  be  obhged  to  act  for  myself,  I  feel  the 
various  objects  of  my  life  crowding  upon  me  so  thickly,  as  to 
render  it  absolutely  necessaiy  to  make  a  proper  and  strict 
arrangement  of  time. 

My  objects  are  these  : — 

1st.       Prayer,  reflection,  and  waiting  upon  God. 

2ndly.  My  studies. 

3rdly.  The  Bank. 

4thly.  The  business  devolving  on  us  by  my  father's 
decease. 

Sthly.  The  poor. 


MT.  22.  JOURNAL.  57 

6thly.  Bodily  exercises. 

7tlily.  Recreation  and  social  pleasures. 

Let  the  regular  time  allotted  for  the  first  head,  be  when  I 
first  rise  in  the  morning,  and  last  before  I  lie  down  to  sleep. 
Also  the  time  of  public  worship,  on  a  Simday  and  a  Tuesday,-^ 
which  I  desire  more  and  more  to  prize  and  tirrn  to  accoimt. 
Let  me  also  throughout  the  day,  wherever  I  am,  and  whatever 
I  am  doing,  be  mindful  of  the  Lord,  and  from  time  to  time, 
silently  turn  my  soul  to  him  in  prayer,  doing  all  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  ^  *  * 

January  7th,  1810.  *  ^  In  reviewing  myself  during  the 
last  quarter,  I  humbly  trust  that  the  deeply  afiecting  scenes 
it  has  presented,  and  carried  away  for  ever,  have  left  somewhat 
of  a  right  impression  upon  my  soul — have  ia  some  measure 
brought  me  nearer  to  the  fountain  of  light  and  life.  Yet 
many  have  been  the  imperfections  in  my  conduct  dm-ing  that 
period.  It  is  not  only  in  particular  actions,  but  in  the  spirit 
of  eveiy  action,  great  or  small,  that  I  want  and  desire  an 
improvement.  To  wear  in  all  things  the  Spirit  of  Christ 
Jesus )  and  to  do  all  in  his  name.  In  this  general  spiritual 
maimer  of  acting,  which  is  something  I  know  but  cannot 
describe,  I  desire  to  make  dear  Elizabeth  my  example.  *  * 

April  \st.  O  Thou,  that  art  light  in  our  darkness,  grant 
me  a  single  and  enlightened  eye,  that  I  may  see  and  know 
thy  truth ;  and  an  obedient  and  courageous  spirit,  that  I  may 
be  enabled  to  follow  its  precepts.  Grant,  O  Father !  that  my 
wiU  may  more  and  more  be  subjected  vmto  thine ;  that  I  may 
not  fear  to  make  sacrifices  for  thy  sake.  Whatever  be  the 
temptations  and  trials  which  assail  me,  be  pleased  to  uphold 
me  with  thy  right  hand,  and  finally  to  bring  me  to  thine 
everlasting  kingdom,  for  the  sake  and  merits  of  thine  only 
Son,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

April  22nd. — Sunday  after  meeting.  *  "^  *  1  do  indeed 
live  amongst  those  who  are  faithful  to  the  Lord  Jesus — 
whose  conduct  is  regidated  by  the  principles  of  Christian 

*  The  day  on  which  the  meeting  for  worship  of  Friends  at  ISov- 
wich,  during  the  week,  was  usually  held. 


58  STUDIES.  1810. 

truth.     A  most  affecting  and  striking  instance  I  have  had  of 
this  in  one  of  my  beloved  sisters^  this  morning.     May  I  be 
enabled  to  follow  her  example ;  may  I,  like  her,  walk  through 
this  world  without  selfishness;    willing  to  bear  the  burthens 
of  our  neighbours,  for  the  Lord's  sake;    and,  without  fear, 
willing  to  risk  anything  in  the  cause  of  duty,  and  humbly 
walking  in  the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  ^  ^  ^  I  thank 
God  that  he  has  given  me  many  objects  in  life ;  and  I  pray  that 
he  may  be  pleased  to  enable  me  so  to  give  them  my  diligent 
attention  that  my  course  may  not  be  run  in  vain ;  at  the  same 
time  that  I  may  always  remember,  it  is  but  a  short  course, 
that  eternity  is  at  hand ;  that  all  I  do  here,  is,  or  ought  to  be 
but  a  preparation  for  what  follows :  that  I  may  do  all,  there- 
fore, in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 

May  20th.  I  thank  my  Almighty  and  All-merciful  Father 
that  he  has  been  pleased  to  preserve  me  through  this  past 
week  in  the  path  wherein  I  shoidd  tread.  My  nightly 
catechisms,  with  one  or  two  small  exceptions,  have  been 
satisfactorily  answered.  I  have  been  uniformly  diligent,  and 
I  humbly  trust,  generally  speaking,  under  the  wing  of  the 
Lord.  I,  indeed,  know  that  it  is  he  that  worketh  in  us  both 
to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.  -^  ^  I  desu"e  to  humble 
myself  more  and  more  before  him,  that  he  may  be  willing 
more  and  more  to  exalt  me  with  that  true  honour  which 
cometh  from  God  only. 

The  ardour  with  which,  amidst  the  other 
numerous  engagements  now  pressing  upon  him, 
he  continued  to  pursue  his  varied  studies,  at 
this  period,  is  evident  from  many  passages  in  the 
Journal.  The  following  may  suffice  as  an  example. 
It  is  under  date 

January  7th,  1810.    I  wish  to  complete  the  Psalms,  attend- 
ing a  little  to  Syriac  and  Chaldee  as  I  go  along.     After  that, 

*  Elizabeth  Yry,  then  on  a  visit  at  Norwich. 


^T.   23.  FIRST    ESSAY    AS    AN  AUTHOR.  59 

to  read  Solomon^  then  Job  again;  to  make  myself  master 
of  the  Jewish  laws,  and  translate  the  "  Yad  Hachazekah/'  of 
Maimonides ;  to  study  the  New  Testament  critically,  and  with 
a  particular  view  to  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Trinity  and  the 
atonement;  to  finish  Ancient  History  in  Plutarch,  Sallust, 
Cicero,  Cnesar,  &c.,  after  that  to  read  Tacitus,  then  Gibbon;  to 
read  every  afternoon  a  hundred  lines  of  Greek  Poetry,  and  go 
on  ^vith  Pindar.  After  I  finish  Michaelis  I  shall  laimch  into 
English  History,  and  follow  it  up,  if  possible,  with  English 
Law. 

It  was  at  this  period,  when  he  was  little  more 
■han  22,  that  he  made  his  first  essay  as  an  author, 
in  an  article  published  in  the  Classical  Journal,  in 
the  9th  month,  (Septemher,)  1810,  under  the  title 
of  a  Critical  Notice  of  Sir  William  Drummond's 
Dissertations  in  the  Herculanensia.  The  late  Sir 
"William  Drummond,  a  name  well  known  in  literary 
circles,  was  for  some  years  the  representative  of 
the  British  Government  at  the  Court  of  Naples, 
and  had  long  cherished  the  idea  of  editing  the 
Herculanean  Manuscripts,  and  Tvdth  that  view  he 
had  published  the  dissertations,  which  thus  hecame 
the  object  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  animadversion. 
It  was  the  first  and  the  last  time  that  the  latter 
appeared  in  the  character  of  a  critic.  The  article 
extends  over  twenty-three  octavo  pages,  and  contains 
an  elaborate  exposure  of  Sir  William  Drummond's 
mistakes  and  shortcomings,  which  are  detected 
with  great  acuteness.  The  comments  upon  them 
are  pungent,  and  at  times  severe;  displaying 
on  the  part  of  the  youthful  critic  no  common 
acquaintance  with  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew 
learning,  and  with   the   remains  which  had  then 


60  FIRST    ESSAY    AS    AN    AUTHOR.  1810. 

been  discovered  of  the  old  Etruscan.  His  numerous 
references  and  quotations,  made  apparently  without 
effort,  evince  a  surprising  familiarity  not  only  with 
the  great  writers  of  antiquity,  but  also  with  those 
whose  works  are,  by  ordinary  students,  but  little 
read  or  consulted,  such  as  Apuleius,  Macrobius, 
Aulus  Gellius,  Maximus  Tyrius,  Pausanias,  &c. 
Whilst  regretting  the  small  degree  of  attention 
paid  in  England  to  the  cultivation  of  Hebrew, 
he  will  not  admit  this  as  any  justification  of  Sir 
William  Drummond's  errors ;  observing,  with  some 
warmth,  "  Nor  are  the  boldness  of  his  assertions, 
or  the  inacciu^acy  of  his  quotations,  the  less  to  be 
lamented,  because  they  are  characteristic  of  the 
age."  He  even  ventures  severely  to  criticise  Sir 
William's  Arabic,  producing  several  quotations  to 
shew  that  "it  is  still  more  extraordinary  than  his 
Hebrew."  The  whole  is  written  in  a  style  at  once 
forcible  and  graceful,  neat  and  easy,  devoid  of 
mannerism,  clear,  and  very  pleasing.  Though  not 
in  its  spirit  and  object  what  in  his  calmer  judg- 
ment he  even  then  fully  approved,  the  effort  may 
be  regarded  as  some  index  of  what  he  might  have 
accomplished  had  he  yielded  to  the  fascination  of  a 
mere  literary  ambition.*  In  consequence  of  the 
ability  which  the  article  displayed.  Sir  William 
Drimimond  was  induced  to  submit  for  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  perusal  an  essay  which  he  had 
sulisequently  prepared  for  publication. 

*  The  article  is  in  the  Classical  Journal,  Yol.  II,  No.  3,  p.  524. 
Having  been  mj-sclf  unable  to  procure  a  copy  of  it,  I  am  indebted 
for  the  substance  of  the  above  account  to  my  friend  .James  Grant,  of 
the  Middle  Temple,  barrister-at-law. 


^T.  23.  SIR    WILLIAM    DRUMMOXD.  61 


SIR    WILLIAM    DRUMMOND    TO    JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNEY. 

No.  47,  Harley  Street,  Londrjn, 

September  29th,  1810. 

Sir — I  take  advantage  of  the  liberty  which  you  gave  me  to 
send  you  the  proof  sheets  of  my  essay.  I  flatter  myself  that 
you  wiU  have  the  goodness  to  correct  any  errors  which  may 
strike  you.  -^^^  -^  ^ 

Upon  coming  to  town  I  looked  over  some  of  my  notes,  which 
prove  to  me  beyond  a  doubt,  that  some  of  the  errors  which 
you  have  pointed  out  have  resulted  from  eiTors  of  the  press, 
to  which  I  did  not  sufficiently  attend,  when  I  transmitted  the 
printed  sheets  from  Palermo.  "^  ^  In  your  critique  upon  my 
"  dissertations "  you  have  been  more  fortunate  in  a  printer. 
You   made    a   mistake,    however,   about   that    same    Arabic 
word  for  which   you  have  given  me  so  sharp  a  reprimand. 
When  I  was  with  Mr.  Valpy,  yesterday,  I  told  him  of  the 
error.     He  informed  me  that  it  had  been  already  corrected ; 
but   not   by   you.      Do   not    suppose,  however,  that   I    shall 
not  do  justice  to  your  acuteness  and  learning,  of  which  I 
really  think  very  highly.     I  have  not  yet  had  time  to  consult 
my  books,  nor  do  my  notes  furnish  me  with  means  by  which 
I  can  account  for  some  of  the  misquotations  which  I  have 
made;  but  with  respect  to  some  particular  words  I  have  found 
some  of  my  papers  which  have,  in  some  measiu'C,  explained 
the  causes  of  the  mistakes.  *   *  In  deference,  however,  to 
your  opinion,  I  mean  to  cancel  the  109th  page  of  my  present 
opusculum.     I  am  afraid  you  will  think  that  my  suggestions 
concerning  Hannibal,  in  my  letter  to  Lord  Aberdeen,  (prefixed 
to  the  Essay,)  are  too  bold.     I  think  them  so  myself,  but 
some  of  my  fi-iends  have  encouraged  me  so  much  as  to  make 
me  leave  the  statement  as  I  first  di'cw  it  out. 

When  you  have  a  little  leisure  I  shall  be  happy  to  hear 
from  you. 

I  remain.  Sir,  your  most  faithfid, 

humble  SeiTant, 

W.  DRUMMOND. 


63  ATTRACTION    TOWARDS    FRIENDS.  1810. 

Sir  William  Drumniond  subsequently  writes, 
under  date 

October  5th,  1810. 

^  ■^  "^  I  feel  tliat  I  have  taken  a  great  liberty  in  troubling 
you  with  my  work  in  its  present  state,  and  m.  begging  you  to 
examine  and  correct  it.  I  cannot  conceive  tbat  much  of  it 
goes  beyond  the  sphere  of  your  learning,  unless  it  be  that 
part  which  relates  to  the  Ethiopian.  Of  the  inscription  you 
are  quite  competent  to  judge. 

Gratifying  as  these  expressions  must  have  been  to 
a  young  man,  Joseph  John  Gurney  could  afterwards 
thankfully  acknowledge  that  the  restraining  hand 
was  near  to  preserve  him  from  being  allured  out  of 
his  own  proper  field  of  labour  into  one  more  flowery, 
perhaps,  but  far  less  usefully  productive.  In  his 
Journal,  under  date  "September  2nd,  1810,"  he 
thus  adverts  to  the  subject : — 

During  this  time,  besides  business,  the  school,  and  somewhat 
of  my  usual  studies,  I  have  been  much  employed  in  finishing 
my  critique  on  Sir  W.  Drummond.  In  this  I  am  apprehensive 
I  have  not  strictly  followed  the  hght  that  was  given  me.  I 
now  sincerely  wish  I  had  never  engaged  in  it,  for  it  has  not 
been  a  work  of  Christian  love.  I  have  offered  to  withdi'aw  it : 
whether  it  is  too  late  or  not  I  do  not  yet  know,  but  I  am 
resolved,  if  it  please  the  Lord,  never  more  to  engage  in  a 
similar  undertaking,  unless  it  be  in  the  simple  semce  of  God 
and  rehgion. 

His  mind  was  now  becoming  increasingly  drawn 
towards  the  principles  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  many  of  his  allusions  to  his  feelings  on  this 
subject  are  peculiarly  interesting  and  instructive. 
"  My  course  in  religion,"  he  writes,  in  his  Journal, 

*  Under  date  "July  14th,  1811." 


* 


.EX.  23.  JOURNAL.  63 

"is  a  matter  of  great  weight  to  me.  It  is  my 
indispensable  duty  to  stir  myself  up  to  greatei 
diligence,  to  more  earnest  investigation.  Above 
all,"  he  emphatically  adds,  "may  I  never  fail  to 
watch  and  'pray.  Por  I  believe  he  ^ill  guide  us, 
if  we  look  to  him  as  the  Shepherd  of  the  flock." 

The  example  of  Ms  sister  Elizabeth  Fry,  as  well 
as  of  his  sister  Priscilla,  who,  like  her,  became  a 
decided  Eriend  and  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
strengthened  his  growing  convictions.  But  the 
influence  of  the  other  members  of  the  family  who 
resided  at  Earlham,  as  well  as  of  many  other 
estimable  persons  with  whom  he  was  intimately 
associated,  tended  in  an  opposite  direction.  This 
peculiarity  of  his  position  should  not  be  overlooked 
by  those  who  would  trace  the  gradual  course  of  his 
mind.  The  change  was  to  him  emphatically  a  work 
of  conviction  and  of  faith. 


July  \st,  1810.  During  the  last  week  I  have  derived  some 
spiritual  advantage,  by  God's  grace,  from  the  preaching  and 
influence  of  Friends,  particidarly  Priscilla  Hannah  Gurney, 
and  Ann  Crowley.  I  attended  the  Quarterly  Meetmg  through- 
out, with  much  satisfaction  and  peace  of  mind ;  and  I  trust  I 
am  more  and  more  desirous  of  subjectmg  my  will  to  that  of 
my  heavenly  Father.  At  the  same  time  I  am  not  yet  a 
believer  in  the  pecidiar  pretensions  of  Fi'iends ;  nor  has  any- 
thing which  I  have  witnessed  this  week,  tended  to  make  me 
so.  Yet  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  to  bring  me  more  nearly  to 
them,  I  earnestly  pray  that  no  countervailmg  dispositions  of 
my  own  may  stand  in  his  way.  This  day  I  am  gomg  to  Lon- 
don. Most  mercifid  Father !  grant  me  thy  protection  during 
this  journey;  that  I  may,  in  no  one  thing,  disobey  thy 
heavenly  wiU ;  but  that  I  may  cautiously  and  diligently  keep 
iQ  the  path,  wherein  thou  wouldst  that  I  should  walk. 


64  JOURNAL.  1810. 

September  2nd.  "  Shew  me  thy  ways,  O  Lord  !  teach  me 
thy  paths !  lead  me  in  thy  truth  and  teach  me,  for  thou  art 
the  God  of  my  salvation." 

"  The  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and 
he  win  shew  them  his  covenant." 

That  I  may  experimentally  know  the  ways  of  the  Lord, 
his  truth,  his  teaching,  his  secret,  and  his  covenant,  I  may 
say  is  the  desire  of  my  soul.  Shall  I  not  know  them  if  I  fear 
him,  that  is  if  I  so  fear  him  as  to  become  humble  in  his 
sight,  and  subjected  to  his  holy  will?  *  * 

The  last  four  months  contain  a  motley  history.  From 
April  22nd  to  July  1st,  I  was  much  employed.  At  home  I 
made  some  progress  in  my  studies ;  abroad,  I  was  much  occu- 
pied with  business  of  all  sorts.  In  Jime,  Ami  Crowley,  and 
other  Friends  were  at  Norwich.  Their  preaching  animated 
and  affected  me ;  but  I  am  apprehensive  that  I,  in  measure, 
deceived  mvself  into  throwing  off  the  effect,  by  entering  soon 
after,  into  gay  and  dissipated  scenes,  at  Oxford  and  Chelten- 
ham. I  think  I  have  had  experience  enough  to  shew,  that 
this  sort  of  dissipation  improves  not  the  heart,  bvit  rather, 
that  it  forcibly  turns  it  away  from  thmgs  of  infinitely  greater 
importance. 

^  -^  I  have  been  a  good  deal  imder  the  influence  of 
Friends;  and  am  more  aware  of  their  opinions,  and  better 
understand  their  system  than  before.  I  have  also  great 
doubts  about  the  sacraments;  and  am  at  this  moment 
perfectly  imcertain,  whether  it  will,  or  will  not,  be  required 
of  me  to  become  more  of  a  Friend.  It  would  indeed  be 
difficult  to  the  outward  man.  It  is  [the]  path  of  [the]  cross. 
I  humbly  desire  that  the  Lord  may  be  willing  to  help  me 
through  all  external  and  spiritual  conflicts,  with  which  it  may 
please  him  to  ^^sit  me, — that  I  may  become  victorious  over 
myself,  in  whatever  way  it  may  be  required  of  me,  through 
the  Spirit  and  grace  of  Christ. 

Dost  thou  desire  to  have  eternal  life?  Then  must  thou 
do  the  commandments;  thou  must  take  up  the  cross,  and 
follow  the  Lord  Jcsiis,  denying  thyself.  St.  John  says, 
"And  I  looked  and  lo,  a  Lamb  stood  on  the  Mount  Zion, 


JET.  23.  JOURNAL.  65 

and  with  him  an  hundi-ed  and  forty  and  four  thousand,  having 
his  Father's  name  written  on  their  foreheads.  iVnd  I  heard 
a  voice  from  heaven; — These  are  they  which  follow  the 
Lamb  whithersoever  he  leadeth  them.'' 

September  9th.      In  the  first  part  of  this  week,  which  has 
been  spent  midisturbedly  at  home,  except  one  day's  company, 
I  was  blessed  with  the  presiding  wing  of  di^dne  Providence 
sensibly  protecting,   enlightening,   and  comforting  my  soul. 
I  have,  I  believe,  endeavoured,  throughout  the  week,  to  pray 
for  divine  aid,  and  to  follow  divine  guidance ;  yet  I  certainly 
mark  a  relaxation  in  the  last  three  days.     O  how  deeply  does 
it  impress  me  with  the  knowledge  of  my  own  weakness,  that 
I  cannot,  even  for  one  week,  persevere  in  holiness  unbroken, 
before  God !    That,  at  the  very  moment  after  earnest  prayer, 
and  eager  desires  after  righteousness,  I  should  be  ready  to 
sink  into  indifference  and  false  rest.     This  false  rest  is  the 
greatest  danger  to  which  I  am  exposed.     I  long  to  have  my 
soul  more  ahve  to  the  infinite  peril  of  doing  wi'ong,  or  for- 
getting the  Lord.     The  natural  and  infallible  consequence 
of  continued  sin  is  death.     There  is  but  one  means  of  escape, 
— justification  through   the  blessed    Sa\doui*.      And  in  this 
justification  we  have  no  part  if  we  are  not  sanctified  by  his 
Holy  Spirit,  and  always  walk  in  obedience  to  his  will. 

January  6th,  1811.  *  *  I  bebeve  I  may  say  that  my  de- 
sire to  live  under  subjection  to  the  oidy  safe  Guide  is  increased. 
May  He  be  pleased  to  render  this  desire  effectual.  I  have 
had  some  powerful  doubts  on  my  mind,  whether  or  not  it  was 
my  duty  to  adopt  the  phraseology  of  Friends;  whether  in 
not  doing  it,  I  was  not  paying  something  like  a  false  tri- 
bute to  other  people.  I  desii-e  that  I  may  not  drive  away 
these,  or  any  other  scruples,  and  yet  that  I  may  be  favom-ed 
with  a  clear  discernment  of  what  is  really  my  duty.  At  pre- 
sent, as  such  a  step  would  involve  large  consequences,  and  as 
the  thing  itself  is  not  now  very  forcibly  on  my  mind,  I  beheve 
I  may  rest,  tiU  I  have  more  closely  investigated  the  differences 
which  exist  between  Friends  and  others.  For  this  purpose  I 
wish,  (d.v.)  to  read  Barclay  and  Hooker,  and  to  renew  a  dili- 
gent search  into  the  Scriptm-es.     But  in  this  research,  I  know 

F 


66  ATTENDS    THE    YEARLY    MEETING.  1811. 

how  important  it  is,  not  to  lean  to  my  own  powers  of  under- 
standing, nor  to  suffer  in  my  own  mind  anything  like  sophism, 
but  to  be  willing  to  be  moulded,  even  as  the  Lord  woidd 
mould  me.  *  "^  I  pray  that  I  may  be  quite  independent  of  all 
the  world,  doing  simply  that  which  is  right, 

March  4th.  For  the  last  few  weeks,  I  beUeve  I  may  say, 
I  have  striven  against  my  sins  and  imperfections.  But  I  stiU 
labour  under  the  same  want  of  feeling  and  want  of  power. 
In  keepmg  to  my  resolution,  [as  to  early  rising]  I  have  found 
it  necessary  to  be  pretty  firm,  and  I  desire  to  have  a  renewed 
care  this  week  about  it,  and  to  guard  myself  if  possible 
against  discouragement,  O  for  more  of  the  life,  and  the 
spirit,  and  the  faith !  Gird  me,  O  Lord,  to  a  diligent  and 
watchful  conduct  throughout  this  week,  that  in  all  my  works 
begun,  contmued,  and  ended  in  thee,  I  may  have  peace. 

May  I9ih.  I  am  this  day  going  to  London  chiefly  for  the 
purpose  of  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends;  also 
with  much  business  on  my  hands. 

It  is  my  earnest  desire,  that  I  may  keep  myself  ahve, 
whilst  I  am  there,  to  a  humble,  religious,  and  diligent  state ; 
that  I  may  remember,  that  I  am  only  an  inquirer,  and  that  I 
may  conduct  my  inquiry  under  the  wing  and  protection  of 
Almighty  God,  Above  all,  I  desire  that  nothing  human  may 
influence  my  judgment,  that  my  eyes  may  be  open  to  the 
truth,  my  heart  sensible  of  the  life  of  the  gospel,  and  my 
whole  soul  brought  under  subjection  to  the  Author  of  aU 
good ;  and  may  he  be  pleased,  graciously  to  regard  the  ex- 
treme weakness  of  his  servant,  to  Hghten  his  eyes,  confirm 
his  steps,  and  finally  accept  him,  for  the  sake  of  his  ever 
blessed  Redeemer ! 

June  25th.  I  came  do^vn  this  morning  [at]  a  quarter  past 
seven,  after  having  determined  to  be  do\\Ti  always  at  a  quarter 
past  six.  I  am  sensible  this  is  a  transgression,  an  act  of  dis- 
obedience to  the  Spirit  of  light  within,  and  I  desire  to  impress 
upon  myself  the  necessity  of  obeying  that  call  more  pmictually 
in  these  little  things,  (which  in  themselves,  however,  are  to  me 
of  great  importance,)  lest  the  Spirit  be  grieved  and  my 
strcngtli  impaired. 


MT.  23.  REFLECTIONS    ON    FRIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  67 

July  14M.  It  is  now  more  than  lialf  a  year  since  I  regu- 
larly rcAdewed  myself  on  paper.  It  has  been  a  half  year  full 
of  business  of  many  sorts,  and,  I  trust,  not  entirely  unpro- 
ductive of  good.  -^  ^  At  some  times  during  this  period  I  have 
known  what  it  is  to  live,  as  it  were,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Beloved ;  and  O  may  that  blessed  and  only  satisfying  lot  be- 
come, through  faith  and  patience,  more  my  constant  portion  ! 
*  ^  *  I  beheve  that  if  I  do  more  humbly  and  more  sed- 
ulously endeavour  to  observe  and  to  foUow  the  wiU  of  my 
Great  Master,  he  -will  in  his  own  good  time  give  me  more 
power  and  more  hght.  In  the  meantime  let  me  humble  myself 
in  his  presence,  acknowledging,  with  contrition  of  spirit,  that 
of  myself  I  can  do  nothing ;  and  let  me  come  imto  Jesus,  as 
a  httle  child,  desirous,  in  simplicity  of  heart  and  eye,  to  know 
and  to  do  his  will. 

In  May,  I  went  to  the  Yearly  INIeeting  of  Friends.  It 
was  an  interesting  time,  and  I  think  wholesome  to  me  in 
many  ways.  In  the  first  place  it  afforded  me  a  fresh  stimulus, 
on  general  grounds,  to  seek  the  Lord  with  all  my  heart ;  and 
secondly,  it  introduced  me  to  a  more  particular  acquaintance 
with  the  Society.  I  thought,  some  time  since,  I  was  advancing 
to  a  greater  agreement  with  this  most  excellent  religious 
body ;  but  I  now  feel  a  little  thrown  back  : — but  this  is  at  a 
time  of  general  weakness. 

I  can,  in  theory,  agree  with  them  in  much  of  their  doctrine 
of  spiritual  guidance ;  but  I  fear  greatly  that  my  practice  is 
contrary  to  the  precepts  they  build  upon  it.  If  it  be  true, 
that  there  is  this  living  power  which  will  direct  us,  under  all 
circumstances,  in  the  sure  path  which  leadeth  to  life,  O  what 
a  happiness  to  know  it ;  and  what  a  misery  to  be  without  it. 
O  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  give  me  this  holy  gift  in 
larger  measure,  and  to  bestow  upon  me  a  heart  to  foUow  and 
obey  him. 

I  also  think,  that  Friends  have  reason  on  their  side  with 
respect  to  the  ministry ;  because  I  can  hardly  conceive  any 
other  authority  for  the  ministry,  than  the  direct  gift  of  the 
Spirit.  *  ^  Their  testimonies  about  oaths  and  war,  piit  them,  I 
think,  upon  a  very  high  ground ;  and  their  ecclesiastical  dis- 

p  2 


68  REFLECTIONS    ON    FRIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  1811.. 

cipline  is  very  admirable.  I  also  think  there  is  some  reason 
in  their  minor  testimonies,  about  plainness  of  speech  and 
dress.  Indeed,  I  have  felt  so  much  about  the  former,  that  I 
have  adopted  their  modes  in  some  degree.  How  far  the 
reason  of  the  thing  will  bear  me  out  I  know  not ;  but  my 
having  made  such  a  change,  should  induce  a  state  of  watch- 
fulness and  prayer,  in  a  far  greater  degree  than  is  at  present 
my  portion.  If  it  be  the  Lord's  pleasure  that  I  should  adopt 
these  things,  may  I  be  enabled  to  do  so  with  all  Christian 
boldness.  Let  me  not  be  afraid  of  approaching  my  Saviour 
in  solemn  waiting  to  know  his  wiU.  With  respect  to  the 
sacraments,  I  own  they  are  matters  of  great  doubt ;  may  I 
use  aU  my  efforts  to  discover  the  divine  will  respecting 
them. 

O  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  wiUest  not  the  death  of  a 
sinner,  but  rather  that  he  should  turn  from  his  wickedness  and 
live,  redeem  me  by  thy  holy  power  and  Spirit  from  the  lusts, 
cares,  and  affections  of  this  life ;  and  be  thou  pleased,  O  Lord, 
to  centre  my  soul  on  thee,  the  eternal  rock  of  salvation ;  that 
I  may,  with  fuUer  purpose  of  heart,  dedicate  myself  to  thy 
service,  which  is  perfect  freedom. 


MT.  24*  LANCASTERIAN    SCHOOL.  69 


CHAPTER  V. 

1811—1812.     ^T.  24—25. 

GKOWIXG  INTEREST  IN  THE  -WELEAIIE  OF  OTHEES ;  LANCASTEEIAK 
SCHOOL  ;  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  NOKFOLK  AND  NORWICH  AUXILIAEY 
BIBLE  SOCIETY ;  PARTIES  AT  EARLHAM  ;  COURSE  ON  BECOMING  MORE 
OF    A    FRIEND. 

Whilst  Joseph  John  Gurney's  religious  convictions 
were  thus  gradually  drawing  him  into  a  narrower 
path  in  connexion  with  the  Society  of  Eriends,  his 
heart  was  becoming  increasingly  enlarged  in  Chris- 
tian concern  for  the  welfare  of  others.  He  had 
abeady  warmly  interested  himseK  in  the  formation 
of  a  Lancasterian  School  in  Normcli,  an  institution 
which  long  continued  to  have  his  effective  support. 
The  establishment  of  an  Auxiliary  Bible  Society  in 
that  city,  was  an  object  into  which  he  now  entered 
Tvith  youthful  ardom\  The  General  Meeting  for  its 
formation  was  held  on  the  11th  of  the  9th  mo.,  1811. 

"  We  had  a  rare  day  indeed  on  Wednesday,"  he  writes,  two 
days  afterwards,  to  his  Aunt  Jane  Gurney;  "nothing  could 
pass  off  more  pleasantly  than  our  Bible  Society  ISIeeting. 
Understanding  that  considerable  numbers  would  attend,  we 
were  obhged  to  transfer  ourselves  from  the  IVIarket  Hall  to 
the  Hall  of  St.  Andi-ew's.  Every  thing  was  prepared;  a 
scaffolding  for  the  speakers,  and  seats  for  the  company,  which 
was  most  respectable,  imexpectedly  clerical,  and  mustered 
about  six  hmidred  in  number.      John  Owen  and  myself  con- 


70  AUXILIARY    BIBLE    SOCIETY.  1811. 

tiived  the  order  of  business  witli  the  Bishop  in  the  morning. 
*  *  The  Bishop  first  harangued^  and  admirably  well^  upon 
the  excellence  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society^  its 
objects,,  constitution,  and  effects.  He  then  introduced  the 
Secretaries.  Steinkopff,  a  most  interesting  German  and 
Lutheran,  and  (as  far  as  I  can  judge  fi'om  an  acquaintance  of 
three  days)  a  remarkably  simple  and  devoted  character,  first 
came  forward.  He  told  the  tale  of  what  the  society  had 
done  in  Germany  and  other  parts  of  Europe,  in  broken  but 
good  English;  and  by  degrees  warmed  the  meeting  into 
enthusiasm.  He  was  followed  by  Hughes,  the  Baptist  Secre- 
tary, an  eloquent,  sohd,  and  convincing  orator.  The  company 
was  now  ready  for  the  resolutions.  The  Bishop  proposed 
them,  I  seconded  them ;  and  after  I  had  given  a  little  of  their 
history  and  purport,  they  were  carried  with  acclamation. 
FeUowes  moved  thanks  to  the  Bishop;  Kinghom  seconded, 
with  some  excellent  remarks  upon  the  Bishop's  hberaUty. 
The  Bishop  replied,  and  said  some  fine  things  of  Kinghom. 
It  was  reaUy  dehghtful  to  hear  an  old  Puritan,  and  a  modem 
Bishop,  sajdng  every  thing  that  was  kind  and  Chiistian-Hke 
of  each  other.  The  Bishop's  heart  seemed  quite  full,  and 
primitive  Kinghorn,  when  the  Bishop  spoke  of  him  so  warmly, 
seemed  ready  to  sink  into  the  earth  with  surprise  and  terrified 
modesty.  Owen  closed  the  meeting,  with  an  unnecessarily 
splendid,  but  most  effective  address.  More  than  £700  was 
collected,  before  the  company  left  the  HaU.  ^  ^  -^ 

FROM    JOHN    TALWIN    SHEWELL    TO    A    FRIEND. 

Ipswich,  9th  mo.  13th,  1811. 

^  ^  The  opening  of  the  Auxiliary  Bible  Society  at  Nor- 
wich has  been  delightful  and  most  satisfactory  in  every 
respect,  and  we  have  returned  much  encouraged  to  try  and  do 
likewise.  -J*-  -^  ^  •'<■  The  union  of  all  denominations  of 
Christians,  in  this  great  and  glorious  work,  was  very  interest- 
ing; and  has  left  an  impression  upon  the  minds  of  most 
present,  not  likely  to  be  soon  effaced.  At  five  we  adjourned 
to  EarUiam  HaU  to  dinner,  where  we  sat  down  to  a  bountiful 


jET.  24.  CHRISTIAN    FELLOWSHIP.  71 

entertainment^  thirty-three  or  thirty-four  in  number,  a  mix- 
ture of  different  sects  and  persuasions^  eminent  for  their  parts, 
their  piety,  and  their  virtue.  Words  cannot  adequately  express 
the  deUghtful  feeling  that  reigned ;  so  pure  in  its  nature  and 
object,  it  seemed  somewhat  like  a  foretaste  of  that  blessed  com- 
mimion  which  the  just  of  all  generations  shall  finally  partake 
of.  Soon  after  the  cloth  was  removed,  our  dear  friend,  Eliza- 
beth Fry,  knelt  down  in  supplication,  in  a  most  sweet  and 
impressive  manner  imploring  the  di^Tne  blessing  upon  the 
present  company,  upon  the  peculiar  labours  of  the  day,  and  for 
the  general  promotion  of  truth  upon  the  earth.  On  her  rising, 
the  Secretary,  Joseph  Hughes,  observed  in  a  solemn  man- 
ner— "Now,  of  a  truth,  I  perceive  that  God  is  no  respecter 
of  persons,  but  that  in  every  age  and  nation,  those  who  fear 
him  and  work  righteousness,  are  accepted  of  him  " — and  the 
conversation  becoming  more  general,  flowed  on  in  so  pleasing 
and  edifying  a  strain,  as  surely  "  had  less  of  earth  in  it  than 
heaven."  The  wine  and  dessert  were  kept  back,  and  the 
servants  dismissed  for  half  an  hour,  that  nothing  might 
interrupt  the  soul  refreshing  current.  The  like  was  never 
witnessed  by  most  of  us  before, 

"For  this  was  converse,  such  as  it  behoves 
Man  to  maintain,  and  such  as  heaven  approves." 

After  tea,  most  of  the  company  still  remaining,  we  again 
assembled,  and  that  chapter  of  Isaiah  being  read  wliicli  begins, 
"  Arise !  shine,  for  thy  Hght  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  is  risen  upon  thee,"  the  Foreign  Secretary,  C.  F.  Steiu- 
kopff,  in  his  usual  affectionate  and  simple  manner,  knelt 
down  in  extempore  supplication,  and  we  all  retired  to  rest. 
Amongst  the  family  present  on  this  occasion,  were  Samuel 
and  Louisa  Hoare,  Joseph  and  Ehzabeth  Fry,  and  Catherine, 
Rachel,  Priscilla,  and  Joseph  John  Gurney.  Of  Priscilla  I 
had  known  a  little  previously,  but  she  appears  to  more 
advantage,  if  possible,  at  home  than  abroad.  She  is  the 
nearest  to  Hannah  More's  Lucilla,  of  any  one  I  ever  saw, 
in  person  and  manners,  in  benevolence  and  piety.     We  left 


72  CHRISTIAN    FELLOWSHIP  1811. 

this  interesting  and  peculiar  group  with  feelings  of  regret, 
mingled  with  a  belief,  that  he  who  is  guiding  them  in 
different  Avays,  no  doubt  for  piu'poses  of  his  own  glory, 
win  conduct  them  to  peace  and  happiness,  as  his  wisdom 
sees  best,  for  although  they  do  not  "  walk  by  the  same  rule," 
they  "  mind  the  same  thing,"  and  appear  aU  equally  earnest 
to  foUow  their  Guide  and  Pattern  in  all  simplicity  and  low- 
liness of  mind. 

The  simplicity  and  deep  Christian  importance  of 
the  objects  of  the  Bihle  Society  attached  Joseph 
John  Grurney  warmly  to  it,  and  henceforward  it 
ranked  amongst  the  objects  nearest  to  his  heart. 
He  was  appointed  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the 
infant  Association,  and  for  many  years  he  was 
accustomed  to  devote  the  principal  part  of  several 
weeks  in  each  year,  to  \dsiting,  on  its  hehalf, 
various  places  in  his  own  county,  besides  not  unfre- 
quently,  as  occasion  offered,  advocating  the  cause 
in  other  parts.  The  anniversaries  at  NorTvdch 
became  connected  with  Earlham  hy  associations 
which  imparted  to  them  a  peculiar  interest.  The 
large  dining  room  at  the  Hall,  which  had  heen 
built  by  a  former  occupier  for  electioneering  pur- 
poses, was  now,  to  use  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
words,  "devoted  to  the  friends  of  Christ  and  his 
precious  cause."  Here,  for  a  full  quarter  of  a 
century,*  a  large  company  of  Christians  of  various 
denominations,  the  party  sometimes  amounting  to 

*  These  meetings  at  Earlham  were  continued  from  the  year  1811 
to  1836  inclusive,  when  they  were  given  up  during  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  lengthened  absence  in  America.  In  the  latter  years  of 
his  life,  after  his  return,  he  usually  invited  large  companies  of  the 
friends  of  the  cause  to  breakfast  at  Earlham  previously  to  the 
Annual  Meeting. 


^T.  24.  AT    EARLHAM    HALL.  73 

eighty  persons,  were  accustomed  to  meet  on  the 
day  of  the  anniversary,  many  of  them  remaining  as 
guests  in  the  house  for  several  days,  to  attend 
other  meetings  usually  held  ahout  the  same  time. 
His  heloved  daughter,  in  a  short  sketch  written 
during  the  hrief  interval  between  his  decease  and 
her  own,  thus  vividly  recalls  her  impressions  of 
these  anniversaries : — 

"  Fi'om  the  time  that  my  dearest  father  put  me  as  a  little 
child  on  the  table  at  dessert,  to  look  at  a  party  of  90,  (the 
largest  we  ever  had,)  mitil  they  were  discontinued,  I  looked 
forward  to  them  as  a  great  treat.  But  they  were,  for  better 
reasons,  occasions  of  extreme  interest,  and  I  have  no  doubt  were 
the  means  of  great  good  in  uniting  many  in  Christian  fellow- 
ship, who  would  otherwise  have  known  each  other  only  by  name. 

Though  my  fatliei'  steadily  maintained  his  own  views  as  a 
Friend,  he  was  always  ready  to  give  a  warm  welcome  to  the 
individuals  who  came  down  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the 
Missionary  and  Jews  Societies :  which  were  held  in  the  same 
week  with  that  of  the  Bible  Society.  He  treated  the  mission- 
aries and  agents  with  the  greatest  kindness,  and  helped  them 
in  those  parts  of  their  objects  in  which  he  coidd  do  so  con- 
sistently with  his  principles,  especially  in  the  distribution  of 
the  Hebrew  Scriptures  to  the  Jews,  and  in  the  schools  of  the 
missionaries.  He  certainly  had  a  remarkable  power  of 
showing  love  and  friendsliip  towards  his  fellow-christians, 
while  he  always  openly  acknowledged  and  mamtamed  his  own 
opinions  on  particular  points.  A  more  complete  illustration 
of  this  part  of  his  character  there  could  not  be,  than  in  his 
mode  of  conductmg  the  very  lai'ge  parties  at  Earlham  of  which 
I  am  speaking.  There  were  always  three  dinner  parties  on 
the  3rd,  4th,  and  5th  days  of  the  week  of  the  meetmgs. 
His  brothers-in-law  (my  micle  Biixton  and  my  uncle  Cunning- 
ham) were  generally  his  helpers  on  such  occasions,  and 
invited  whom  they  pleased;  and  certauily  the  dinmg  room 
fiUed  on  those   days  was   no  common  sight.      There   were 


74  CHRISTIAN    FELLOWSHIP.  1811. 

persons  of  all  denominations ;  among  the  rest,  many  of  the 
Norwich  Friends,  most  of  them  indeed,  on  one  of  the  three 
days.  It  was  so  different  from  a  party  called  together  for 
mere  amusement ;  so  fine  a  feeling  pervaded  the  whole,  while 
he,  as  master,  was  wonderfully  enabled  to  keep  up  the  tone  of 
conversation,  so  that  I  should  think  it  never  sank  to  a  mere 
chit-chat  level.  My  impression  is  that  while  he  greatly  felt 
the  responsibility  of  these  occasions,  he  most  truly  enjoyed 
them,  having  often  around  him  those  whose  conversation  was 
a  feast  to  him,  such  as  Wilberforce,  Simeon,  Legh  Richmond, 
John  Cunningham,  and  many  others.  I  never  saw  my 
dearest  father  look  more  beautifid,  than  he  did  at  the  bottom 
of  those  long  tables.  As  soon  as  the  cloth  was  removed,  he 
would  extract  from  his  guests  their  varied  stores  of  information 
in  the  most  happy  manner."^  Thus  the  time  was  turned  to 
account,  and  I  have  no  doubt  these  days  were  often  very 
profitable  to  many,  as  it  was  his  most  earnest  desire  they 
should  be.  He  was  careful  to  be  attentive  to  guests  of  every 
degree,  and  was  particidarly  kind  to  those  whom,  from  their 
position  in  life  or  otherwise,  he  thought  liable  to  be  over- 
looked." 

His  watchful  endeavours  to  maintain,  with  steady- 
consistency,  his  own  religious  principles  was  not  the 
least  striking  feature  of  these  anniversary  meetings. 
To  this  they  doubtless  owed  no  small  measure  of 
their  peculiar  interest,  and  many  who  have  been 
privileged  to  meet  there  can  recur  with  genuine 
satisfaction  to  the  sweet  and  tranquilising  influence 

*  "I  recall  one  day,"  writes  one  of  his  nieces  who  was  frequently 
present,  "when  the  sitting  at  the  breakfast  table  was  prolonged 
half  the  morning,  by  a  deeply  interesting  conversation,  and  com- 
paring of  notes  between  him  and  the  present  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  on 
the  important  subject  of  the  Christian  ministry,  the  late  Sir  To  well 
Buxton  also  taking  a  lively  part,  and  pointing  out  the  defects  to 
which  he  considered  the  delivery  of  the  message  the  most  liable." 


^T.  24.  SELF-EXAMINATION.  75 

that  has  appeared  to  preside  over  the  large  and 
varied  party,  when  the  liveliness  of  conversation  has 
heen  succeeded  by  the  calm  of  an  impressive  silence ; 
and  they  have  been  permitted  to  feel,  amidst  all 
outward  separations,  something  of  that  communion 
which  subsists  between  the  members  of  the  "  one 
fold,"  under  the  "one  Shepherd."  "Very  sweet 
and  solemn,"  he -writes  in  his  Autobiography,  "have 
the  family  readings  and  other  religious  opportunities 
been  found  at  these  times.  It  has  been  a  rallying 
point,  a  point  of  union  to  many,  in  this  world  of 
uncertainty  and  dispute."  Rare  indeed  were  the  cu'- 
cumstances  in  which  so  many  individuals,  separated 
by  so  many  differences  of  character  and  position, 
could  be  thus  drawa  together  as  to  a  common  centre. 
Rarer  still  was  that  peculiar  combination  of  learn- 
ing, talent,  and  refinement,  dignified  by  the  graces 
of  the  humble  Christian,  and  exercised  under  the 
powerful  influence  of  Christian  love,  which  was  re- 
quired in  the  host  who  could  give  the  tone  to  so 
varied  an  assemblage,  making  the  occasion  of  their 
meeting  at  once  delightful  and  instructive. 
To  turn  once  more  to  the  Journal : — 

November  \Oth,  1811.  I  am  now  in  my  twenty-fourth 
year,  and  sm'ely  it  behoves  me  to  delay  no  longer  coming 
into  the  fold  of  my  Saviour,  there  to  remain  in  his  service 
established  for  evermore.  -^  ^  I  feel  deeply  the  weakness 
of  my  natui'e,  which  is  constantly  retarding  all  my  efforts 
to  enter  in  at  the  narrow  gate.  I  labom*,  and  may  say 
mourn,  at  this  moment,  under  a  sense  of  deplorable  indolence 
and  want  of  power;  of  a  sluggish  inability  to  receive  and 
dwell  on  the  sacred  truths,  upon  which  are  founded  aU  my 
hopes.  I  grievously  fear  lest  the  foundation  I  have  laid 
should  at  length  be  found  sandy.     My  principles  want  clear- 


76  SELF-EXAMINATION.  1811. 

ness,  strength,  and  depth.  I  long  for  that  well-grounded 
undeviating  faith,  which  wiU  produce  a  persevering  and 
unalterable  course  of  righteousness,  and  bear  [me]  up  beyond 
all  the  trials  of  this  world  and  death  itself.  "This  is  life 
eternal,  to  know  thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  thou  hast  sent.''  To  have  an  experimental  knowledge 
of  God  our  Saviour,  to  feel  that  we  are  kept  by  his  power, 
and  thus  solidly  to  trust  in  his  living  grace  and  the  multitude 
of  his  tender  mercies — this  is  indeed  life  eternal ;  this  is  that 
joy  which  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away.  O  the 
entanglements  of  the  world !  I  have  many  piu-suits ;  many 
cares;  and  though  these  cares  are  generally  of  a  nature 
pertaining  to  the  duty  of  a  Christian,  yet  in  these  very  things 
I  fall  from  the  Lord.  *  "^^  "  My  spirit  cleaveth  unto  the  dust ; 
quicken  thou  me  according  to  thy  word.  My  soul  melteth 
for  heaviness ;  strengthen  thou  me  according  unto  thy  word.'' 
How  can  we  walk  in  peace  on  the  waves  of  this  troubled  sea ; 
this  sea  of  hopes,  and  fears,  and  cares ;  unless  we  have  faith  in 
him  upon  whom  help  is  laid  ?  *  ^  O  thou,  in  whose  presence 
is  fulness  of  joy,  merciful  Redeemer,  thou  Lamb  without 
blemish  and  without  spot,  may  it  please  thee  to  purify  thy 
servant.  Burn  up  the  chaff,  O  Lord.  Let  not  thine  hand 
spare,  nor  thine  eye  pity,  till  thou  hast  made  me  that  which 
thou  wouldst  have  me  to  be :  that  when  this  world  and  all  its 
vain  cares  and  lusts  are  passed  away  for  ever,  thou  mayst  still 
be  my  Light,  my  Lord,  my  present  Saviour,  and  my  God. 

In  allusion  to  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society, 
at  Norwich,  lie  says  : — 

It  was  a  profitable  thing  to  be  thrown  into  the  company  of 
so  many  good  and  zealous  ])ersons ;  though  I  fear  I  did  not 
reap  that  benefit  from  it  which  some  experienced.  Diu'ing 
the  whole  of  this  period  my  dear  sister  Fry's  example  and 
ministry  were  affecting  to  me,  and  I  hope  useful.  But  how 
is  every  earthly  help  in  a  religious  life  a])t  to  become  of  no 
avail,  unless  the  mind  is  thoroughly  awake  to  receive  the  gift ! 


^T.  24.  IMPRESSIONS    FROM    FRIENDS.  77 

His  con^dctions  in  favour  of  the  principles 
of  Friends  were  now  gradually  deepening,  though 
it  was  his  lot  for  some  time  longer  to  struggle 
with  many  conflicting  feelings.  It  is  instructive 
to  mark  how  strongly  he  continued  to  feel 
the  discovery  of  the  truth  to  he  chiefly,  or 
indeed  only  important,  as  it  affected  his  prac- 
tice; how  the  earnest  disciplining  of  his  heart  in 
righteousness  appears,  through  all,  as  his  primary 
ohject. 

November  lOth.  ^  *  "When  I  wrote  my  last  review,^  I  had 
"been  under  strong  impressions  h'om  Fiiends;  these  impressions 
were  increased  by  aU  that  passed  about  the  time  of  my  imcle's 
funeral. t  Hemy  Hidl,  Ann  Burgess^  and  Ehzabeth  Robson, 
were  in  Norwich.  The  first  a  most  excellent  simple-hearted 
American,  was,  I  think,  very  deep  in  his  religious  experience; 
wonderfully  devoted  to  his  Master's  service,  and  embracing  a 
large  and  orthodox  \new  of  religion ;  but,  for  my  own  part,  I 
was  chiefly  impressed  by  the  ministiy  of  Ann  Burgess,  which, 
on  one  Tuesday  morning,  in  particidar,  was  dehghtfully 
encouraging  to  me,  when  I  was  in  a  state  of  doubt  about  my 
rehgious  course.  I  was  now  plainer  in  my  di'ess  and  using 
Friends'  language  in  part.  The  month  of  August  I  spent 
with  John  at  Yarmouth  and  Aldborough.  Priscilla,  with 
Louisa  and  her  chddren,  joined  us  at  Aldborough.  I  read 
some  of  Butler's  Analogy  with  Louisa,  and  had  many 
oppoi-tunities  of  becoming  more  nearly  acquainted  with  the 
sweetness  and  greatness  of  her  character.  During  this  time 
the  impression  from  Fi'iends,  certainly,  I  believe,  through  my 
own  weakness  subsided. 

December  15th,  Sunday.  The  present  day  has  been  passed 
satisfactorily.  ^  ^  The  bm-den  of  it  has  been  the  necessity  of 
regeneration;  of  the  knowledge  which  is  fr'om  the  Spirit;  and 

*  See  extract,  sv^ra^.  67.         f  His  uncle  Eichard  Gumey. 


78  BIBLE    SOCIETY.  1812. 

of  more  complete  dedication  of  heart  to  the  service  of  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord.  O  may  I  be  enabled  to  pass  the  coming 
week  in  the  presence  and  fear  of  the  Lord.  May  it  be  my 
only  pleasure  and  object  to  do  his  will;  and^  aided  by  his 
Spirit_,  to  apply  myself  eflPectuaUy  to  the  different  departments 
of  my  business  in  Hfe ;  stiU  looking  forwards  to  the  city  not 
built  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

January  3rd,  [1812.]  [On]  Thursday,  [26th  December,] 
to  Lynn.  Spent  a  week  there  with  John  and  Daniel:  a 
pleasant  and  satisfactory  time.  At  chm'ch  on  Sunday  after- 
noon, where  E.  Edwards  preached  a  striking  sermon  on  the 
shortness  of  life.  On  Tuesday  night,  the  31st,  Edwards  with 
us;  the  last  hour  or  two  of  the  old  year  introduced  an 
interesting  conversation  and  prayer  from  E.  Edwards. 

TO    JOHN    TALWIN    SHEWELL. 

Lynn,  1st  January,  1812. 

When  we  were  strolling  together  last  summer  upon  Aid- 
borough  shingle,  we  Httle  expected  that  we  should  so  soon  see 
two  flourishing  Bible  Associations  in  Norfolk  and  Suffolk. 
The  important  work  has  prospered  mider  our  hands  more 
than  we  could  have  hoped  for,  and  in  a  manner  which  ought 
to  lead  us  humbly  to  return  thanks  to  him  from  whom  cometh 
"  every  good  and  perfect  gift."  You  appear  to  have  managed 
your  concerns  better  than  we  did.  You  are  evidently  right 
in  having  at  once  set  to  work  to  increase  your  funds  by  per- 
sonal applications,  and  the  establishment  of  minor  associa- 
tions. I  trust  ive  shall  ultimately  effect  the  same  thing. 
The  committee  at  Norwich,  has  been  lately  occupied  by  the 
subject  of  home  distribution,  which  it  has  at  last  determined  to 
effect  through  the  subscribers.  We  began  with  Norwich 
where  there  were  more  than  1500  families  containing  readers, 
entirely  without  the  Scriptures.  Many  of  these  have  already 
been  supplied  by  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Know- 
ledge, and  I  hope  that  when  our  distribution  is  effected,  no 
great  deficiency  will  remain.  Our  school  at  Norwich  has 
taken  up  still  more  of  my  time  than  the  Bible  Society.     It  is 


^T.  24.  JOURNAL.  79 

already  "brought  into  excellent  order^  and  I  am  at  last  pretty 
confident  of  its  ultimate  success. 

I  heartly  unite  with  thee  in  the  sincere  desire,  that  while 
we  are  looking  to  the  good  of  others,  we  may  not  be  neglect- 
ing ourselves.  May  we  all  be  advancing  in  obedience  to  the 
will  of  God,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ : 
— the  latter  is  the  consequence  of  the  former.  "  He  that 
hath  my  commandments  and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that 
loveth  me ;  and  he  that  loveth  me,  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father, 
and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to  him."  This 
text  affords  great  consolation  to  those  who  are  very  sensible, 
as  I  own  I  am,  of  the  darkness  which  surrounds  us  here.  If 
we  humbly  endeavour  to  do  our  Master's  will,  he  will  manifest 
himself  to  us.  I  humbly  hope  and  pray,  that  this  new  year 
may  bring  us  both  nearer  to  the  Fountain  of  living  waters. 
I  wi*ite  it  with  a  deep  impression  of  my  own  instability ;  but 
may  we,  through  divine  assistance,  not  be  ^'  of  them  who 
draw  back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them  that  believe  to  the 
saving  of  the  soul." 

The  following  are  from  liis  Joiu'nal : — 

Sunday,  5th  January.  The  new  year  is  now  before  me, 
and  I  can  truly  say,  that  I  earnestly  desire  it  may  be  spent 
more  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  more  to  my  own  peace,  than 
the  year  which  is  gone  by.  My  objects  are  numerous  and 
important.  O  may  I  not  fail  from  my  duty  in  any  of  them, 
and  may  my  heart  be  so  fixed  on  my  Maker,  that  all  things 
may  be  carried  on  in  subjection  to  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  with 
a  view  to  serving  him. 

The  Bible  Society  lies  pretty  easy  upon  me.  The  school 
will  require  constant  attention ;  so  wiU  the  Bank ;  so  will  the 
cultivation  of  my  own  mind.  ^  "^  Before  breakfast  I  purpose 
to  employ  myself  with  quotations  ;"^  [the]  critical  study  of 
the  New  Testament ;  and  Tomline's  Refutation  of  Calvinism. 

*  This  refers  to  the  comparison  with  the  Hebrew  original,  of  the 
quotations  from  the  Old  Testament  occun-ing  ia  the  New,  in  which 
he  was  now  engaged.     See  infra,  p.  104. 


80  JOURNAL.  1812. 

For  the  present^  to  be  at  the  Bank  regularly  at  nine ;  to  visit 
the  school  daily ;  to  fill  up  my  leisure  every  afternoon  with 
English  History  and  Greek.  I  deeply  feel  how  uncertain  it 
is  whether  my  life  and  health  wiU  enable  me  to  execute  my 
plans.  Truly  I  hold  everything  at  the  hand  of  my  God;  he 
giveth,  and  if  he  taketh  away,  blessed  be  his  name. 

Sunday,  I9th  January.  Read  with  Rachel  before  breakfast; 
attended  at  the  Sunday  school,  where  I  tasted  pure  pleasure ; 
a  striking  visit  after  Meeting  to  an  insane  person;  at 
Kinghorn's  chapel  in  the  afternoon,  tedious  but  striking  ser- 
mon upon  Isaiah  hv.  13  :  "  All  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of 
the  Lord." 

Saturday,  Sth  February.  ^  *  I  have  great  doubts  whether 
I  have  not  disregarded  Quaker  scruples  to  my  hurt.  May  I 
be  enabled  simply  to  perform  the  Lord's  will  in  this  and  aU 
other  respects ;  and  may  it  please  thee,  O  Lord,  to  strengthen 
me  in  that  which  is  right,  and  to  shine  once  more  upon  my 
wandering  mind.  Let  me  remember,  that  it  is  the  very  pm-- 
pose  of  multiplied  trials,  whether  little  or  great,  to  loosen  our 
hold  of  this  world,  and  to  fix  our  prospects  upon  the  world 
which  is  to  come. 

Sunday,  2lst  March.  To  day  twice  at  Meeting.  Beautiful 
testimony  borne  by  dear  Elizabeth  to  the  power  and  offices  of 
our  Saviour; — reading  satisfactory.  Next  week  must  be  a 
busy  one.  Improved  exertion  will  be  necessary  before  break- 
fast ;  let  me  never  enter  upon  the  day  without  the  due  pre- 
paration. The  Bible  Society,  the  school,  the  Bank,  Friends,  my 
studies,  will  I  hope  find  respectively  their  right  places.  May 
I,  by  a  closer  walk  with  God,  enjoy  in  aU  things  a  sweet  com- 
munion with  him ;  and  that  dkection,  safe  and  clear,  which 
is  given  to  all  who  seek  it  in  sincerity.  Let  my  watchwords 
be  temperance,  diligence,  watchfulness,  prayer. 

April  \Wi,  Sunday.  ^  *  To-day  has  through  mercy  been 
peacefnl  and  refreshing.  Read  life  of  Penington  with 
Priscilla  before  breakfast;  walked  to  Norwich;  two  very 
reviving  meetings.  *  *  May  the  good  impressions  given  this 
day  continue  with  me  for  my  benefit  during  the  week  to 
come.     17th.    [After  alluding  to  a  religious  visit  from  his 


^T.  24.  JOURNAL.  81 

uncle  Joseph  Gumey  and  another  friend,  he  remarks,]  I  have 
felt  that  if  ever  I  go  forth  in  the  Lord's  sendee,  I  must  first 
pass  through  tribulation  and  deep  trials  of  faith.  ^^  ■^  I  am 
conscious  of  my  own  manifold  past  transgressions;  I  am 
conscious  of  the  instances  in  which,  I  believe,  I  have  fought 
against  the  Lord's  Spirit ;  and  am  truly  conscious  of  my  pre- 
sent weakness  and  ignorance.  I  beheve,  I  may  add,  that  I 
feel  a  simple  and  sincere  desire  to  be  actuated  by  his  grace  in 
the  heart,  to  bow  before  him  and  to  do  his  will,  whithersoever 
he  may  be  pleased  to  lead  me. 

O  Lord,  enable  me  to  be  faithful  imto  thee ;  try  me  not 
with  greater  temptation  than  I  can  bear.  Give  me  the 
knowledge  of  thy  holy  truth,  and  finally  accept  us  all,  for  the 
sake  of  thy  beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

May  Srd.  Since  I  wrote,  it  has  been,  I  fear,  a  dark  and 
unfruitful  time  in  my  own  mind.  The  Edwardses  here  from 
Monday  the  20th,  to  Tuesday,  the  28th  of  April.  Their  visit 
very  dehghtfid,  and  I  trust  not  unprofitable,  though  I  fear 
my  soul  was  very  barren.  On  Sunday,  the  26th  April, 
Edwards  preached  in  the  afternoon  on  forgetfulness  of  God, 
and  pronounced  a  very  striking  comment  in  the  evening,  upon 
the  3rd  chapter  of  John.  Priscilla,  Rachel,  he,  and  I,  read 
his  and  dear  Elizabeth's  correspondence  upon  the  doctrinal 
faith  of  Friends.  May  the  Lord  graciously  enable  me,  in  my 
course  with  them,  to  hold  fast  to  Jesus  Clu"ist  crucified,  the 
only  hope  of  glory.  ^  ^  Tuesday,  parted  with  E.  E.,  after  a 
solemn  prayer  from  him.  O  the  vail,  the  phlegm,  the 
poverty  of  my  spirit,  which  prevented  my  reaping  more 
benefit  from  the  society  of  this  dear  fr-iend. 

May  17 th.  [After  alluding  to  a  Bible  meeting  at  Faken- 
ham.]  There  is  great  danger  lest  self  should  be  exalted  in 
these  public  matters.  I  desii-e  to  be  presented  from  this 
danger.  May  the  Lord  be  pleased  yet  to  guide  me,  though  I 
have,  indeed,  to  confess  myself  a  poor  wandering  sheep. 

To-morrow  I  intend  going  to  the  Yearly  INIeeting.  *  *  Mj 
wish  is — 1st.  To  stand  fast,  on  fimdamentals,  in  general  Christi- 
anity. 2nd.  To  conform  to  Friends  wherever  it  may  appear 
my  duty.     Srd.  To  seize  this  opportunity  of  laying  my  heart 


83  JOURNAL,  1812. 

open  to  God ;  to  get  upon  good  ground ;  to  expose  my  chaff 
to  the  fire. 

O  thou  Saviour  who  changest  not,  be  pleased  to  comfort 
and  restore  thy  servant.  Do  with  him  as  thou  wilt ;  enable 
him  on  this  occasion  to  do  his  duty ;  cleanse  him  from  all  im- 
purity; teach  him  thy  ways;  clothe  him,  gracious  Lord,  in 
the  robe  of  thy  righteousness;  give  liim  faith,  and  present 
him  spotless  in  holiness  to  the  throne  of  grace. 

June  Qth.  Returned  this  day  from  London,  where  I  have 
passed  eighteen  busy  and  interesting  days.  The  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, which  engrossed  me  almost  entirely,  has  been  interesting, 
and  I  hope  profitable.  I  have  been  enabled  to  unite  with 
Friends  in  their  spirituality,  and  have  thought  I  had  reason 
to  be  satisfied  with  their  mode  of  spiritual  worship.  The 
first  few  days  were  to  me  a  season  of  humiliation  and  peace ; 
little  communication  Avith  particular  individuals,  but  great 
satisfaction  in  observing  generally  the  striking  manner  in 
which  the  character  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  cross, 
were  frequently  brought  forward. 

July  I2th,  Sunday.  ^  *  "^  1  desire  to  thank  my  God  for 
his  unmerited  blessings  this  day;  during  which  I  have 
experienced  the  necessity  of  humiliation  and  watchfulness; 
a  willingness  to  obey  the  Lord,  and  a  humble  desire  to  be 
led  about  and  instructed  by  him.  The  principal  point  in  my 
mind,  the  necessity  of  greater  and  more  complete  integrity. 
A  questioning,  whether  it  may  not  soon  be  right  for  me  to 
conform,  in  other  little  matters,  to  the  habits  of  Friends. 

Sunday,  July  26th.  Another  week  passed  in  considerable 
indolence,  the  effect  of  visiting  far  from  profitable;  very 
little  done,  and  this  morning  my  miad  very  low.      Yesterday 

I  went  to 's,  and  doubted  whether  it  was  not  my  duty  to 

go  into  the  room  with  my  hat  on.  I  did  not  do  it,  and 
believe  it  was  not  absolutely  required  of  me;  still  I  was 
afraid  of  trusting  the  impression  on  my  mind.  Be  pleased, 
O  great  God,  to  deliver  this  poor  worm  fi-om  the  workings 
and  scruples  of  his  own  creation,  but  graciously  enable  him, 
by  thy  mighty  power,  to  do  whatsoever  thou  wilt;  yea,  Lord, 
create  an  honest  and  an  upright  heart  within  me,  and  dehver 


MT.  24f-25.  CLOSER    UNION    WITH    FRIENDS.  83 

me,  for  thou  art  God :  this  I  pray,  for  the  sake  of  thy  beloved 
Son  Jesus  Chi'ist. 

TO    ONE    OF    HIS    SISTERS. 

Cromer,  Sunday  Afternoon,  July  26tli. 

I  am  just  arrived  at  this  place  on  a  visit  to  the  Grove 
family.  While  part  of  the  family  are  walking,  Jane  and  I 
are  seated  by  a  window  looking  upon  the  sea,  and  I  thought  I 
might  as  well  employ  myself  by  sending  thee  a  few  lines.  ^  * 
Every  day^s  experience  serves  to  prove  that  the  Lord  leads 
his  children  by  diiferent  ways  to  the  same  end.  For  my  own 
part,  though  just  now  faint  and  discouraged,  and  feeling 
with  more  than  common  force  the  obstructions  which  my 
nature  is  opposing  to  divine  grace,  yet  I  believe  I  am  moving 
on  slowly,  and  in  a  line  somewhat  diverging  from  thine. 
Far  as  our  external  paths  may  diverge,  if  we  each  can  but  be 
faithful  to  the  light  given  us,  I  believe  our  hearts  and  our 
religious  sympathies  wUl  always  remain  strong  and  near. 

I  am  much  and  increasingly  under  the  power  of  some  of 
the  minor  difficulties  which  Friends  have  to  bear ;  my  judg- 
ment is  also  increasingly  accordant  with  them  on  some  very 
important  points,  particularly  about  ministry.  I  have  been 
engaged  lately  in  reading  the  Bible,  with  the  desire  of  form- 
ing a  scriptural  view  of  the  mode  of  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  I  must  own  that,  whether  it  be  a  warped 
mind,  or  whether  it  be  the  truth,  the  result  of  my  researches 
is  much  in  favour  of  the  opinion  of  Fi-iends.  At  the  same 
time  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  I  have  not  many  doubts,  I 
only  wish  that  I  more  watchfiilly  and  completely  acted  up  to 
the  knowledge  given. 

The  entry  in  the  Journal  which  follows,  written 
upon  his  25th  birthday,  a  few  days  after  he  had 
penned  the  foregoing  letter,  is  the  first  which  is 
dated  according  to  the  usage  of  Priends. 

First  day,  8th  mo.,  2nd,  1812.  I  believe  I  may  rejoice  in 
having  had  the  assistance  of  the  Lord  in  the  past  week.     On 

G   2 


84  CLOSER    UNION    WITH    FRIENDS.  1813. 

sixth  day,  on  my  return  from  Cromer,  I  made  up  my  mind, 
I  humbly  trust,  with  the  divine  blessing,  to  conform  more 
entirely  with  Friends  in  plainness  of  speech  and  apparel. 
Another  little  difficulty,  which  I  mentioned  last  week,  (great 

in  prospect  to  so  poor  a  creature,  but  surmounted  at ^s 

on  sixth  day,  I  believe  for  the  best,)  has  been  the  only  thing 
which  has  caused  me  much  pain,  though  my  mind,  through- 
out the  week,  has  been  a  good  deal  oppressed.  I  now  feel 
thankful  and  at  ease,  and  I  trust  the  experience  of  the  last 
week,  has  been  confirming  through  mercy,  to  my  general 
faith.  I  do  humbly  desire  to  be  enabled  to  look  to  Christ,  as  a 
precious  Saviour,  who  has  shed  his  blood  for  my  justification, 
and  giveth  his  Spirit  for  my  sanctifi cation.  I  desire  to  love 
and  obey  him  without  reserve;  conscious,  however,  that 
nothing  can  be  done  in  my  own  strength. 

Many  years  later,  in  his  Autobiography,  he  thus 
reviews  this  important  period  of  his  life  : — 

I  am  not  sure  of  the  precise  time,  but  I  think  it  was  very 
soon  after  my  father's  decease,  and  after  a  visit  from  my 
dearest  sister  Fry  to  our  family  and  meeting,  that  as  I  lay  in 
bed  one  night,  light  from  above  seemed  to  beam  upon  me 
and  point  out  in  a  very  explicit  manner,  the  duty  of  sub- 
mitting to  decided  Quakerism,  more  particularly  to  the 
humbling  sacrifice  of  "plainness  of  speech,  behaviour,  and 
apparel."  The  visitation  was  strong,  but  my  will  was 
stronger ;  I  would  not,  I  did  not  comply ;  putting  off 
what  appeared  to  me  almost  unbearable,  to  a  more  "con- 
venient season."  I  was  then  rather  more  than  twenty  one 
years  old,  and  the  morning  sacrifice  was  not  l)0und  to  the 
horns  of  the  Lord's  altar  with  the  integrity,  boldness,  and 
simplicity,  which  the  case  required.  Many  persons  might 
say  that,  taking  into  view  the  danger  of  imagination  in  such 
measures,  1  did  well  in  resisting  this  call.  After  a  space  of 
nearly  thirty  years,  full  of  a  variety  of  experience,  I  am  not 
of  this  judgment ;  for  I  believe  that  nothing  is  more  profit- 
able than  the  ready  obedience  of  faith,  and  nothing  more 


^T.  24-25.  CLOSER    UNION    WITH    FRIENDS.  85 

dangerous  than  the  contrary.  In  my  own  case,  the  effect  of 
irresolution  was  a  painfiil  state  of  spii'itual  weakness;  and 
when  at  last  I  made  the  sacrifice,  it  was  but  lamely  done,  and 
under  circumstances  of  still  greater  humiliation  to  the  pride 
and  vanity  of  my  own  heart  than  it  would  have  been  at  first. 
In  the  mean  time  I  enjoyed  some  very  precious  religious 
privileges,  two  of  Avhich  deserve  to  be  particularly  recorded. 
The  first  was  a  visit  to  oiu:  meeting  from  our  friend  Ann 
Jones,  (then  Ann  Burgess.)  I  was  powerfully  affected  and 
subdued  under  her  ministry,  almost,  if  not  qvute  constrained 
to  surrender  at  discretion  by  the  love  of  Christ.  The  second 
was  an  attendance  at  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  which,  in  despite 
of  my  youth  and  lapelled  coat,  I  w  as  appointed  representative. 
I  well  remember  insisting  in  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  on  the 
reading  of  the  advice  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  respecting  what 
ought  to  be  the  character  of  representatives,  by  way  of  show- 
ing myself  unfit,  but  the  Friends  prevailed.  "^  "^  The  Yearly 
Meeting  was  to  me,  in  this  as  in  other  years,  an  occasion  of 
inexpressible  solemnity — I  hope  of  edification. 

Soon  after  my  return  home,  I  was  engaged  to  a  dinner 
party  at  the  house  of  one  of  our  first  county  gentlemen. 
Three  weeks  before  the  time  was  I  engaged,  and  three  weeks 
was  my  young  mind  in  agitation,  fi'om  the  apprehension,  of 
which  I  could  not  dispossess  myself,  that  I  must  enter  his 
drawing  room  with  my  hat  on.  From  this  sacrifice,  strange 
and  unaccountable  as  it  may  appear,  I  could  not  escape.  In 
a  Friend's  attire,  and  with  my  hat  on,  I  entered  the  di'awing 
room  at  the  dreaded  moment,  shook  hands  with  the  mistress 
of  the  house,  went  back  into  the  hall,  deposited  my  hat, 
spent  a  rather  comfortable  evening,  and  returned  home  in 
some  degTce  of  peace.  I  had  afterwards  the  same  thing  to 
do  at  the  Bishop's;  the  result  was,  that  I  foimd  myself  the 
decided  Quaker,  was  perfectly  understood  to  have  assumed 
that  character,  and  to  dinner  parties,  except  in  the  family 
cu'cle,  was  asked  no  more. 

To  some  readers  sncli  an  incident  may  appear 
almost  inexplicable.     That  true  religion  leads  into 


86  CLOSER    UNION    WITH    FRIENDS.  1812. 

no  wayward  eccentricities  may  be  readily  admitted. 
Yet  if  there  be,  as  every  believer  in  the  New 
Testament  must  acknowledge,  a  reality  in  the 
being  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  it  cannot 
surely  be  denied  that,  under  such  a  guidance, 
adapted  as  it  is  to  all  the  varieties  of  individual 
character  and  circumstances,  there  may  be  cases  in 
which  the  awakened  soul  is  constrained  to  do  or 
to  leave  undone,  things  which,  at  other  times,  and 
under  other  circumstances,  may  be  felt  to  be 
matters  of  indifPerence.  The  workings  of  imagi- 
nation, leading  into  the  ever  varying  forms  of 
"will  worship,  and  voluntary  humility,"  have  been 
doubtless,  at  times,  mistaken  for  divine  illumina- 
tion. But  it  is  not  imagination — it  is  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  alone — which,  whilst  calling  for 
the  sacrifice,  humbles  the  soul,  draws  it  from  evil, 
and  establishes  it  in  holiness;  which,  apart  from 
all  excitement,  can  inspire  living  faith  in  Christ, 
true  love  to  God,  and  simple  resignation  to  his  will 
in  all  things.  And  shall  the  errors  of  a  mis- 
guided fancy,  or  the  mistakes  even  of  good  men, 
lead  any  to  doubt  the  truth  or  the  safety  of  his 
heavenly  direction  when  so  evidenced.  To  the 
religious  mind  the  view  here  presented  of  the 
young  disciple,  but  a  few  years  before  conspicuous 
for  his  elegant  accomplishments  in  the  ball  room, 
now  made  mlling,  in  obedience  to  the  call  of  appre- 
hended duty,  to  "  become  a  fool "  amongst  his  for- 
mer acquaintance  for  the  sake  of  his  Divine  Master, 
cannot  fail  to  furnish  matter  for  profitable  reflection. 

"  The  wearing  of  the  hat  in  the  house,"  continues  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  ''  is  not  my  practice.     I  have  no  wish  to  re- 


MT.  24 25.  CLOSER    UNION    WITH    FRIENDS.  87 

peat  what  then  happened ;  but  I  dare  not  regret  a  circum- 
stance which  was,  mider  the  divine  blessing,  made  the  means 
of  fully  deciding  my  course,  and  thus  of  facilitating  my 
future  progress.  Here  I  would  observe  that  when  scruples 
on  points  of  a  religious  and  practical  nature  are  well  founded, 
they  abide  the  test  of  time  and  experience.  This  has  been 
completely  the  case  with  me,  as  it  relates  to  plainness. 
Never  have  I  regretted  the  change  which  I  then  made; 
never  have  I  doubted,  that  in  that  direction  precisely,  lay  my 
appointed  course  of  religious  duty.  I  might  have  taken  a 
more  dazzling  course  in  the  world,  or  even  in  the  "  religious 
world ; "  but  I  believe  that,  in  proportion  to  my  willingness 
to  be  circumscribed  within  these  somewhat  himiiliating 
boundaries,  has  been,  in  fact,  the  scope  both  for  usefulness 
and  happiness.  Let  it  always  be  remembered,  that  the 
restraints  of  the  Spirit  are  most  abundantly  recompensed  by 
its  blessed  liberty." 

The  passage  in  the  Journal  under  date  8tli  month, 
2nd,  after  recording  his  decision  as  above  noticed, 
closes  with  the  following  reflections:* — 

In  thus  entering  more  completely  into  a  small  society  of 
Christians,  I  feel  satisfied  on  the  gromid  of  believing  that 
they  hold  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  in  many  respects,  more  in 
its  original  pm-ity  than  any  other  sect.  At  the  same  time, 
my  judgment  differs  fi'om  them  about  some  particulars;  I 
think  I  may  say,  it  does  about  the  sacraments ;  and  I  seem 
to  see  how  much  Friends  would  be  improved,  by  a  more  ex- 
tensive knowledge  and  profession  of  the  great  offices  of  a 
Saviour's  love.  I  also  think,  that  there  is  a  danger  in  the 
Society  of  laying  too  great  a  stress  upon  trifles.  Thus  im- 
pressed, I  earnestly  hope  I  shall  ever  be  able  to  stand  upon  a 
broad  basis,  whereon  I  can  heartily  unite  vrith  all  Christians. 

*  The  extract  given  at  p.  83  supra,  with  that  here  inserted,  consti- 
tute the  whole  of  this  important  entry.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to 
add  that  it  is  printed  verbatim  as  it  stands  in  the  Jomnal. 


88  CLOSER    UNION    WITH    FRIENDS.  1812. 

I  desire  a  catholic  spirit;  a  truly  liimible  and  dependent 
mind ;  an  increase  of  faith,  hope,  watchfulness,  and  knowledge 
of  scriptm-al  truth. 

This  day  completes  my  24th  year.  I  can  with  sincerity  re- 
turn my  humble  and  hearty  thanks  to  the  Author  of  all  good, 
that  he  has  been  pleased  graciously  to  look  upon  one  who 
has  greatly  sinned.  May  he  still  preserve  me  upright  and 
free  from  error.  May  he  lead  me  and  all  of  us  in  the  way 
of  life  everlasting. 

They  who  have  accompanied  Joseph  John  Gurney 
thus  far,  conversing  with  his  most  retired  thoughts, 
may  have  been  not  unfrequently  reminded,  how 
gradual  is  often  the  growth  of  conviction,  how 
varied  are  the  phases  which  the  mind  assumes 
during  its  progress ;  and  that  even  after  the  judg- 
ment has  ripened  on  some  points,  there  may  he 
others,  hardly  less  important,  which  remain  to  be 
matured  under  the  influence  of  increased  light  and 
experience.  In  further  illustration  of  this  remark, 
it  may  not  perhaps  be  unfitting  to  close  the  present 
chapter  with  a  striking  passage  of  the  journal, 
written  many  years  later,*  where  he  thus  sums  up 
the  convictions  of  maturer  years  : — 

''  I  own  no  priesthood,  but  the  priesthood  of  Christ ;  no 
supper  in  worship,  but  in  spiritual  communion  with  him  and 
his  followers  at  his  own  table  in  his  kingdom ;  no  baptism, 
as  an  introduction  to  the  hopes  and  citizenship  of  the  Chris- 
tian believer,  but  that  of  the  Holy  Ghost  f  adding  emphati- 
cally ;  "  I  heartily  crave  and  pray  that  the  blessed  principle 
in  me  of  light  and  life  and  love,  (even  the  perceptible,  opera- 
tive influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Clirist,)  may  consummate  its 
victory." 

*  Under  date  8th  month,  1st,  1840. 


-^T.  25.  RETROSPECT.  89 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1812—1817.     ^T.  25—29. 

HIS  EETTE-n-  OF  HIS  PEOGRESS  HP  TO  1815  ;  HIS  UNCLE  JOSEPH  GURNET  ; 
BRISTOL ;  LETTER  TO  A  FRIEND  ON  HIS  MARRIAGE ;  THOMAS  FOSTEr's 
APPEAL ;  DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN  ;  HIS  COUSINS  JOSEPH  AND 
HENRY  gurnet;  CAPITAL  PUNISHMENTS;  WILBERFORCE ;  RETROSPECT 
FROM    AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 

The  foUoTving  reflections  from  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
Journal,  written  in  liis  twenty- seventh  year,  may 
form  an  appropriate  introduction  to  the  present 
chapter : — 

2nd  mo.,  27th,  1815.  *  ^  Occupied  several  hours  since 
yesterday  afternoon  m  perusing  my  Journals  up  to  this  period. 
I  could  hardly  read  them  without  pitying  myself.  When  a 
mere  lad,  from  18  to  19^,  I  appear  to  have  been  much  the 
prey  of  some  e^dl  habits  and  passions,  to  my  own  distress ;  in 
some  degree  open  to  the  utility  and  charm  of  the  truth ;  but 
stni  yielding,  yielding ;  and  never  established  on  a  sufficiently 
firm  foundation.  From  the  time  of  my  father's  death,  in  the 
10th  mo.,  1809,  to  the  present,  many  relapses,  and  veiy  many 
uncomfortable  seasons  of  weakness  and  non-performance  of 
duty  are  noted ;  but  with  increasing  stability  as  to  practice,  in 
later  years,  which  is  some  encom'agement  to  me.  In  the 
autumn  of  1810,  I  was  forcibly  imj)ressed  with  its  being  my 
duty  to  use  the  language  of  Friends.  I  resisted  this  im- 
pression, which  was  gi-aciously  repeated  about  seven  months 
afterwards,  when  I  yielded  to  it ;  and  since  that  time  I  have 


90  RETROSPECT.  1812 1813. 

been  drawn  pretty  close  to  the  Society  in  religious  sentiment 
and  habit.  I  believe  that  this  resistance  has  been  one  of  my 
great  errors  in  life ;  and  that  want  of  timely  obedience  to  clear 
manifestations  [of  duty]  has  probably  been  one  cause  of  my 
vision  having  been  so  long  and  so  much  obscured.  The  years 
1810^  11,  12j  13,  and  14,  have  been  marked  with  a  constant 
tide  of  employment,  which  has  brought  with  it  an  unfixed 
and  ineffective  condition  of  mind,  to  my  frequent  trial  and 
distress.  Greater  steadiness  and  quietness  have  of  late,  in 
some  measure,  arisen ;  and  I  am  inclined  to  hope  that,  after 
much  stormy  weather,  my  gracious  Master  will  indulge  me 
with  a  little  calm.  In  my  sense  of  rehgion  I  am  somewhat 
clouded ;  and  I  stiU  feel  the  power  of  silent  waiting  to  be  a 
principal,  if  not  the  principal  desideratum.  Nevertheless  I 
hope  to  remember  that  I  am  a  traveller ;  that  heaven  is  the 
object  of  my  journey;  and  that  my  Saviom'  is  my  master, 
leader,  and  counsellor.  The  objects  which  life  presents  are 
the  duties  in  which  I  have  to  seek  to  know  and  execute  his 
will.  These  objects  are  much  the  same  as  formerly,  though  a 
little  varied  and  altered  in  their  proportions.  I  shall  consider 
it  an  unspeakable  favour  if  the  Lord  will  enable  me  to  eye 
him  in  all  that  I  do ;  and  if  he  will  graciously  keep  me  more 
abased  in  my  own  eyes  than  my  proud  heart  would  have  me 
be.  ■^  *  [May]  the  practical  residt  of  my  retrospection  be  a 
deeper  feeling  that  I  deserve  nothing ;  and  a  more  constant, 
and  ardent,  and  faithful  aspiration,  for  the  grace  which  availeth 
to  sanctification,  redemption,  and  eternal  life ! 


His  pursuits  and  engagements  during  tliis  period, 
numerous  as  they  were,  and  calling  for  close  atten- 
tion, do  not  present  much  variety  of  incident,  though 
the  register  of  them  in  the  Journal  affords  abundant 
evidence  of  his  steady  diligence.  "Without  fatiguing 
the  reader  by  too  minute  a  detail,  the  following 
selection  may  perhaps  sufficiently  indicate  the  course 
of  his  mind,  and  the  more  important  circumstances. 


jET.  25.  JOSEPH    GURNEY.  91 

Qth  mo.,  ^Ast,  [1812.]  The  stream  of  life  has  been  fall 
and  rapid,  Bible  Society ;  school ;  banking ;  Richard  PhiUips ; 
the  BiL\tons ;  Hoares ;  much  pleasure ;  much  business.  Yester- 
day (first  day)  was,  I  trust,  not  without  its  blessings.  Thomas 
Clarke  at  the  afternoon  meeting.  His  sermon  came  home  to 
me :  addressed  to  those  who  were  labom-ing  under  a  sense  of 
not  being  able  to  reach  di\-ine  things.  God  is  faithful  who 
promises ;  these  feelings  and  difficulties  are  not  his  work ;  the 
deficiency  is  all  on  our  side ;  the  true  way  to  meet  it  is  to 
humble  ourselves,  and  become  poor  in  spirit : — "  Blessed  are 
the  poor  in  spmt,  for  theu's  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.^' 

4^th  mo.,  25th,  1813,  First  day  evening.  This  day  has  been,  I 
trust,  in  some  measure,  filled  with  the  things  of  God.  In  the 
morning  meeting  I  was  enabled  to  take  a  clear  view  of  my  sins, 
of  my  hope  in  Chi-ist,  and  of  the  necessity  of  clinging  to  the  rock 
of  my  salvation.  The  afternoon  meeting  very  solemn ;  a  deep 
feeling  of  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  something  of  an  aching 
anxiety  for  the  presei-vation  of  every  individual  in  our  family. 
Powerful  testimony  borne,  both  by  my  uncle  Joseph  and  my 
dear  sister  Fiy,  to  the  sinner's  hope  of  salvation  in  Jesus 
Christ. 

There  were,  perhaps,  few  among  his  immediate 
connexions  by  whom  he  was,  at  this  period,  more 
cheered  and  assisted  in  his  religious  course  than 
his  uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  his  father's  younger 
brother,  and  a  minister  in  the  Society  of  Eriends. 
"  He  had,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his  Auto- 
biography, "  as  much  of  native  charm  of  character 
about  him  as  any  person  I  have  ever  known ;  and 
was  a  man  of  original  thought,  always  prepared  to 
look  at  the  '  other  side  of  the  question,'  when  any 
point  was  presented  to  him,  and  particularly  when 
it  was  strongly  urged.  We  lived  on  the  most  easy 
and  happy  terms  together,  and  I  was  in  the  uniform 
practice  of  dining  with  him  at  least  once  a  week. 


92  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  ATONEMENT.  1813. 

He  was  lively  in  Ms  ministry,  though  seldom  tread- 
ing any  heaten  path ;  sometimes  a  little  obscure,  hut 
always  interesting,  and  increasingly  evangelical  as 
he  advanced  in  years  and  experience." 

6/A  mo.,  26th.  My  uncle  Joseph  desu'ed  me  to  give  him 
in  tweh'e  lines^  the  account  of  my  faith  "with  respect  to  the 
Atonement.     I  have  written  the  following  : — 

Under  some  sense  of  my  own  poverty^  and  a  desire  not  to 
handle  deep  doctrines  without  divine  help_,  I  trust  I  maj'  safely 
make  the  following  confession  of  faith. 

Had  I  been  during  the  whole  course  of  my  life^  perfectly 
obedient  to  the  Divine  law,  I  should  still  be  an  improfitable 
ser\^ant,  without  surplus  of  merit.  But  since,  on  the  contrary, 
I  have  grievously  offended  in  many  particulars,  I  not  only  de- 
serve no  favour,  but  have  become  subject  to  God's  just  wrath. 
Under  the  effects  of  this  just  wrath,  I  believe  I  must  have 
fallen,  had  not  God  pro\dded  for  me  a  way  of  escape  in  his 
own  free  pardoning  grace,  through  the  sufferings,  death,  and 
sacrifice  of  his  son  Jesus  Christ. 

I  beheve  that  God  hath  appointed  this  sacrifice,  in  its 
nature  propitiatory,  as  the  means  of  atonement  or  recon- 
ciliation, and  that  he  hath  therein  at  once  displayed  his  mercy 
to  the  sinner  and  his  judgment  upon  sin.  This  pardonuig  of 
sinners,  for  Christ's  sake,  is  what  I  miderstaud  by  the  term 
"justification." 

In  order  to  partake  of  these  mercies,  I  beheve  I  must  pos- 
sess a  li\ing  faith,  which  shall  lead  me,  first,  to  place  my  whole 
hope  of  acceptance  with  God  in  the  merits  of  ray  Redeemer; 
and,  secondly,  to  obey  the  dictates  of  the  Holy  Spu-it,  whom 
Christ  has  scut  to  bring  me  to  repentance,  to  pm-ge  me  from 
all  sin,  and  to  guide  me  in  the  way  to  life  eternal.  This  work 
of  the  Spirit,  by  which  we  become  freed  from  sin,  born  again, 
new  creatures,  is  what  I  understand  by  the  term  "  santifica- 
tion." 

These  two,  justification  and  santification,  I  believe  to  be 
necessaiy  and   sufficient  for  the  salvation  of  my  soul — the 


^T.  26.  RULES    Foil    HIS    OWN    GUIDANCE,  93 

first,  the  caiise — the  second,  the  condition ;  hoth  the  result  of 
the  grace  of  God,  in  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord. 

8th  mo.,  8th.  *  *  This  day  has  heen  very  peaceful  and  quiet, 
and  I  hope  profitable.  At  the  morning  meeting  I  endeavoured 
to  examine  my  conduct  in  life  a  little  more  methodically  than 
I  have  for  some  time  been  accustomed  to  do,  and  have  several 
things  to  note. 

In  the  sight  of  him,  who  calleth  thee  to  be  holy  as 
he  is  holy,  and  whom  without  holiness  it  is  impossible  to 
please,  take  care  never  to  entertain  an  impure  idea.  Dismiss 
it,  the  instant  it  occurs  to  thee.  Endeavour  to  be,  in  this 
respect,  as  an  infant;  knowing  nothing  and  thinking  no 
evil. 

Be  strong  in  the  Lord.  Cultivate  a  close  dependence  both 
on  the  pro\-idence  and  promises  of  God.  Then,  if  thou  art 
blessed  with  a  deep  sense  that  the  Lord  governeth  all  things 
for  good,  and  with  a  certam  expectation  that  "  whosoever 
liveth  and  believeth  in  him  shall  never  die,"  thou  wilt  live  in 
quietness  and  hope,  and  fear  no  evil. 

Never  act  fi'om  motives  of  fear,  contrary  to  thy  judgment. 
When  thou  art  anxious  on  any  subject,  do  not  magnify  e^il 
in  anticipation,  and  learn  to  expect  good  rather  than  evil. 
Let  the  presence  of  the  Lord  restrain  and  counsel  thee  in  thy 
choice  of  employment;  and,  having  found  thy  right  place, 
whatsoever  thou  doest,  do  it  heartily,  as  imto  the  Lord  and 
not  unto  man. 

Give  thy  mind  to  one  thing  at  a  time ;  nevertheless,  in  all 
things  maintain  thy  recollection  of  heaven.  For  this  purpose 
allow  thyself,  during  the  hours  of  business,  occasional  short 
pauses  for  devotional  meditation.  Take  care  also,  not  to  suffer 
thy  time  for  recreation  to  be  disturbed  by  the  thoughts  and 
cares  of  business. 

Whatsoever  is  committed  to  thy  care  demands  thy  atten- 
tion. Be  watchful,  therefore,  not  to  forget  thy  lesser  me- 
moranda. But  load  not  the  muid  w4th  memoranda ;  rather 
execute  without  delay  whatsoever  can  be  effected  as  well  at 
the  present  as  at  a  future  moment.     Nevertheless,  think  twice 


94  RULES  FOR  HIS  OAVN  GUIDANCE.  1814. 

about  everything,  and  in  all  tliy  concerns  endeavour  to  dwell 
under  the  direction  of  the  best  Guide. 

Keep  thy  secrets  carefully ;  and,  in  conducting  business  with 
any  one,  be  sure  to  speak  no  more  words  than  the  case  re- 
quires. Above  all  things,  be  strictly  honest  and  upright  in 
all  thy  dealings.  Rigidly  adhere  to  the  truth  on  little  as 
well  as  great  occasions. 

If  thou  art  careful  never  to  act  except  upon  good  grounds, 
thou  wilt  afterwards  have  no  temptation  to  be  otherwise  than 
candid,  fair,  and  open  in  thy  communications  with  others. 
Let  thy  light  shine  therefore ;  be  transparent ;  let  thy  neigh- 
bour see  through  thee,  that  there  is  no  evil  way  in  thee. 

"  Let  thy  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men.  The  Lord 
is  at  hand."  Present  thy  body  "a  living  sacrifice,  holy  and 
acceptable  unto  God.''  Sleep  and  food  are  mercifully  be- 
stowed on  thee  for  the  preservation  of  thy  health.  Enjoy 
them,  as  far  as  they  are  required  for  that  purpose ;  no  fm-ther. 
Judge  not,  lest  thou  be  judged.  Never  expose  the  faults  and 
infirmities  of  others,  except  for  a  decidedly  good  purpose. 
Let  it  be  thy  general  rvde,  never  to  mention  what  is  amiss  in 
thy  neighbour  to  a  tliird  person,  until  thou  hast  been  faithful 
in  communicating  thy  sentiments  to  the  indi\ddual  himself. 

Be  in  love  and  charity  with  all.  Love  "  thinketh  no  evil," 
and  speaketh  no  evil,  "  is  not  puffed  up  and  is  kind."  Be 
kind  in  sentiment,  kind  in  manner,  kind  in  action ;  yet  away 
with  all  ostentation.  Take  care  that  thy  left  hand  knoweth 
not  what  thy  right  hand  doeth.  In  all  things  let  self  be 
abased.  Be  willing  to  suffer  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  His  word 
will  be  "  a  lamp  unto  thy  feet  and  a  light  imto  thy  path." 
Watch  for  his  guidance,  follow  it  with  a  firm  and  manly  step ; 
dwell  deep  in  the  power  of  his  love ;  live  not  to  thyself,  but 
live  as  Christ  liveth  in  thee. 

The  increasing  illness  of  his  brother  John  now 
called  him  to  Clifton.  After  his  return  he  writes : — 

\st.  mo.,  23rd,   1814..  ^  ^  *  I  continued  with   my  dear 


iET.  26.  VISIT    AT    BRISTOL.  95 

brother  at  Clifton  till  fourth  day,  the  12th  of  this  month,  a 
highly  interesting  three  weeks.  When  in  his  company,  we 
were  chiefly  employed  in  reading  together,  Pascal,  Fox's 
History,  Plato,  Greek  Testament,  Milner. 

I  was  glad  to  know  Bristol.  It  is  a  noble  place,  full  of 
zeal,  of  almsgi^ing,  and  of  good  works.  It  was  pleasant  to 
form  an  acquaintance  M-ith  many  individuals — John  Hilton, 
Richard  Reynolds,  William  Lewis,  John  Waring,  &c.  Of 
Mary  Ann  Schimmelpennink  we  saw  much,  and  with  real 
pleasure.  With  our  cousin  Priscilla  Hannah  Gumey,  who 
was  staying  at  Richard  Reynolds's,  we  had  much  intimate 
communication.  ^  ^  Upon  the  whole,  I  trust,  that  my 
sojourn  at  Clifton  has  been  attended  with  some  spiritual 
edification.  It  was  a  time  of  leisure,  and  my  mind  had,  in 
every  way,  opportunity  for  rehgious  progress.  I  have  strongly 
felt  the  necessity  of  having  aU  that  belongs  to  the  creature, 
humbled  and  laid  prostrate  at  the  footstool  of  the  Creator. 
Yet  I  have  too  truly  found  the  great  difficulty  of  being 
really  set  free  fi'om  self-love.  I  would,  it  seems,  be  some- 
body of  importance  in  the  Church,  and  can  hardly  reconcile 
myself  to  the  idea  of  being  kept  in  the  back-ground.  I  do, 
notwithstanding,  heartily  pray  that  I  may  be  made  willing 
to  do  and  to  be  that  and  that  only  which  seemeth  right  to 
him  "  who  seeth  not  as  man  seeth." 

2nd  mo.,  6th.  ^  ^  I  have  been  of  late  in  the  practice  of 
waiting,  morning  and  evening,  in  silent  attempts  at  worship. 
Though  sensible  of  much  weakness  in  it,  I  have  experienced 
some  beneficial  result,  and  desire  to  persevere  in  this  impor- 
tant duty.  *  *  In  my  many  communications  with  my  beloved 
uncle,  I  have  lately  remarked  the  weight  of  sound  and  real 
sense  to  be  observed  in  all  he  says.  O  for  that  true  wisdom 
profitable  for  this  world,  as  well  as  for  that  which  is  to 
come. 

2nd  mo.,  \2th.  *  *  My  endeavom's  to  wait  on  God 
in  silence  have  increased.  I  desire  that  they  may  in- 
crease and  that  in  patience  I  may  possess  my  soul.  I 
have  felt  this  afternoon  a  willingness  to  fill  any  station, 
however  low,  in  religious  society;  but  to  fill  any,  to  be  in 


96  LETTEE    ON    MARRIAGE.  1814. 

any  degree  the  servant  of  Christ,  I  must  fairly  bear  the  cross 
and  the  yoke.  How  often  have  I  flinched  from  bearing  it. 
May  I  be  led  therein,  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  my  God. 


TO    A    FRIEND    UPON    HIS    MARRIAGE. 

Yarmouth,  3rd  mo.,  18tli,  1814. 

■^  ^  One  thing  I   am  convinced  of,  that  your  happiness, 
my  dear  friend,  in  married  life,  will  depend  much  less  upon 
external  circumstances,  than  upon  your  uniting  "in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  in  walking  in  his  ways."  ^  *  I  often  think 
of  the  blessing  which  ,David  pronounces  upon  the  man  who 
walks  "in  the  fear  of  God."    (See  Psalm  128th.)    Few  things 
are  so  likely  to  aflbrd  comfort  to  persons  setting  ofi"  in  life 
under  a  right  influence,  (as  I  believe  you  are  now  doing,)  as  a 
just  view  of  the  doctrine  of  providence,  which  is  beautifully 
unfolded  in  the  psalm  I  have  mentioned.     With  the  Jews,  the 
moral  government  of  God,  as  it  relates  to  this  life  only,  was, 
perhaps,  carried  into  more  exact  fulfilment,  than  is  the  case 
under  the  present  dispensation.     With  them,   definite  sins, 
both  national  and  individual,  appear  to  have  been  punished, 
by  definite,  temporal  calamities.     Although   our  \dews  are 
more  exclusively  directed  to  reward   and   punishment  in  a 
world  to  come,  I  believe  we  cannot  too  firmly  trust  in  that 
providence   which   cares   for   us  here  as   well   as  hereafter. 
I  give  literal   credit  to   David's  declaration   "  that  he  never 
saw  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging  bread;" 
and  that  the  sajdng  is  in  as  gi'cat  a  degree,  at  least,  applicable 
to  our  times,  as  it  was  to  his.     Neither  of  us,  to  be  sm-e, 
have  lived  very  long,  but  I  question  whether  we  have  ever 
seen  an  instance  of  real  misery  which  may  not  be  traced  to 
some  deficiency  of  principle.  "^  ^  No  doubt  the  most  righteous 
have  to  bear  affliction,  but  it  is  the  affliction,  not  of  punish- 
ment, but  of  discipline,  and  can  only  be  intended  to  promote 
their  more  essential  happiness.  ^  ^ 


Srd  mo.,  27th.  *  *  This  week  I  have  been  favoured  with  a 
portion  of  the  Lord's  sweet  presence.     Yet  I  have  to  acknow- 


JET.  26.  YEARLY    MEETING.  97 

ledge  the  weakness  and  doubtfulness,  the  clouds,  the 
indifference  which  stiU  beset  me.  I  still  find  it  very,  perhaps 
increasingly,  difficult  not  to  seek  my  own  gloiy.  Lord  !  what 
am  I,  that  I  should  thus  be  mindful  of  myself.  Do  thou  so 
display  mito  me  my  real  self,  that  I  may  be  bowed  at  thy 
footstool,  as  in  dust  and  ashes;  to  live  only  as  Christ  liveth 
in  me. 

First  day  morning,  4th  mo.,  17th.  "^  *  The  day  has  been 
comfortable.  After  meeting  held  satisfactory  counsel  about 
a  school  for  men.  I  desired  a  blessing  upon  our  undertaking. 
May  the  instrument  in  all  things  be  kept  low. 

4th  mo.,  24ith.  I  long  to  be  so  .ordered  by  the  pre- 
vailing influence  of  the  Di\ine  Spirit,  that  the  tendency  to 
creatm'ely  activity  and  self  exaltation  which  is  still  sti'ong 
in  my  mind  may  be  utterly  desti'oyed.  ^  ^  How  acceptable 
would  it  be  to  me,  how  like  a  shower  of  rain  to  di*y  ground, 
were  I  enabled  truly  to  wait  on  God,  were  I  enabled  to  reach 
that  deeply  internal  principle  which  can  alone  hold  com- 
munion with  the  Author  of  life  and  light.  Until  this  point 
is  attained,  I  can  never  be  fit  to  serve  God  in  his  temple. 

^th  mo.,  \st.  *  *  My  expedition  to  Yarmouth  is  worth 
remembering.  As  I  rode  thither  on  the  outside  of  the  coach, 
reading  parts  of  Romans  vii,  and  1  Corinthians  xiii,  I  was 
favoured  with  more  insight  into  the  truth,  than  is  often 
my  lot.  The  depra^ity  of  human  nature,  the  purpose  of  re- 
demption, and  the  extent  and  tendency  of  love,  were  in  some 
degree  opened  to  my  view,  and  sweetly  impressed  on  my 
mind.  The  latter  part  of  the  7th  of  Romans  appeared  to 
me,  contrary  to  my  former  opinion,  to  describe  a  state  of  one 
not  without  grace,  and  I  felt  it  clearly  applicable  to  my  own 
condition.  O  may  I  be  delivered  by  the  prevalence  of  the 
true  principle  of  divine  life,  e\ex\.  in  Christ  Jesus,  my  Lord. 

In  the  5th  month  of  this  year,  he  attended  the 
Yearly  Meeting  in  London ;  where  he  took  part  in 
a  deeply  interesting  deliberation  upon  a  case  in- 
volving the  important  question  whether  Friends,  as 

H 


98  THOMAS  Foster's  appeal.  1814. 

a  body,  could  sanction  the  promulgation  of  Uni- 
tarian doctrine.  The  case  will  he  hest  understood 
from  his  own  account  written  a  few  years  later. 

"  In  the  year  1814,  Thomas  Foster,  a  man  of  talent  and  edu- 
cation, was  disowned  by  the  Montlily  Meeting  of  Eatchffe,  for 
subscribing  to  the  Unitarian  Book  Society.  He  had  long  been 
supposed  to  entertaui  low  views  of  the  person  of  Christ ;  and  had 
he  kept  those  views  to  himself,  he  woidd  probably  have  been  left 
by  Friends  to  pursue  his  own  course.  But  no  sooner  did  he 
pubhcly  assist  in  the  diffusion  of  them,  than  he  became,  from 
this  overt  act,  a  proper  object  of  the  discipline  of  the  Society, 
and  accordingly  lost  his  membership.  The  Monthly  Meeting 
among  Friends  sometimes  acts  in  a  judicial  capacity,  from  the 
decision  of  which  the  appeal  hes  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  as 
the  superior  body,  and  from  that  to  the  general  assembly  of 
Friends  at  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Thomas  Foster  appealed  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Lon- 
don and  Middlesex,  which  confirmed  his  disownment;  but, 
still  dissatisfied,  he  carried  forward  his  appeal  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  at  which  I  had  the  privilege  of  being  present. 
Such  cases  come,  in  the  first  instance,  before  the  Committee 
of  Appeals,  which  is  composed  of  one  of  the  representatives 
of  each  Quarterly  Meeting,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  appealed 
against  alone  excepted.  I  was  appointed  for  Norfolk  and 
Norwich,  and  acted  as  clerk  to  the  committee.  After  hearing 
a  long  speech  from  Thomas  Foster,  and  the  answer  of  the 
respondents  from  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  London  and 
Middlesex,  we  were  left  to  make  our  decision.  I  drew  up  a 
plain  series  of  resolutions,  which  terminated  with  one,  con- 
firming the  disownment.  The  resolutions  were  read  seriatim 
to  the  committee.  Each  in  its  turn  met  their  unanimous  ap- 
probation ;  and  never,  I  trust,  shall  I  forget  the  feeling  of 
unity  of  mind  with  which,  during  a  most  solemn  pause,  we 
all  gave  our  silent  assent  to  the  concluding  resolution.  We 
were  twenty-seven  in  number,  collected  out  of  every  part  of 
the  kino-dom,  and  previously  but  little  acquainted  with  each 
other's  sentiments ;  but  it  was  as  if  we  were  moulded  together 


JET.  26.  THOMAS    FOSTEr's    APPEAL.  99 

into  one  man.  At  length  the  silence  was  broken  by  Jonathan 
Hutchinson^  who  expressed,  in  a  few  pointed  words,  his  entire 
concurrence  with  the  decision  of  the  committee.  "  I  do  not 
know/'  he  added,  "what  may  have  been  the  experience  of 
my  bretlu'cn,  but  for  myself  I  can  truly  say,  that  without 
Christ  I  shoidd  be  of  all  men  most  miserable."  Our  imani- 
mity  being  ascertained  by  the  signatures  of  the  whole  com- 
mittee, our  report,  confirming  the  disowTiment,  was  presented 
to  the  Yearly  jNIeeting. 

Against  our  decision,  Thomas  Foster,  as  in  right  entitled 
to  do,  made  his  final  appeal  to  the  body  at  large,  con- 
sisting of  about  1200  men  Friends,  of  various  ages  and 
conditions,  without  any  written  creed,  and  without  any 
human  president.  Then,  indeed,  came  on  the  trial  of  the 
Society's  faith,  the  gTcat  question  being  immediately  before 
us,  whether  orthodox  Cliristianity  or  Unitarianism  was  the 
belief  of  Friends.  The  appellant's  speech  was  long  and 
insinuating,  calculated  to  amuse  the  young  and  perplex 
the  old.  The  reply  of  the  respondents  was  plain  and 
luminous,  and  accompanied  by  abundant  e\ddence,  selected 
from  the  wi'itings  of  the  early  Friends,  of  the  miiform  ad- 
herence of  the  Society  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Deity  and 
Atonement  of  Christ.  These  extracts  were  compared  with  the 
notes  of  the  Unitarian  New  Testament,  and  it  soon  appeared 
that  the  contrast  between  them  was  as  palpable  as  between 
day  and  night.  After  the  appellant  had  repHed,  both  parties 
withdrew,  and  our  large  assembly  was  left  to  form  its  decision 
on  the  vital  and  all-important  question.  A  solemn  silence 
overspread  the  whole  meeting,  and  continued  for  a  consider- 
able time  uninterrupted.  At  length  William  Grover  arose ; 
an  elderly  man,  as  remarkable  for  his  clearness  of  mind,  as  he 
was  striking  from  his  pleasing  and  venerable  appearance.  In 
a  single  expressive  sentence  he  pronoimced  his  judgment 
against  the  appellant.  After  him  our  elder  Friends  rose  one 
after  another,  all  with  the  same  sentiment  in  their  mouths ; 
then  Friends  in  the  middle  stages  of  life,  then  the  young,  the 
more  and  the  less  serious,  the  plain,  and  those  whom  we  some- 
what teclmically  call  the  gay.    I  never  heard  so  many,  or  so 

H    2 


100  SLAVE    TRADE.  1814. 

various  Friends  speak  to  any  point  in  our  annual  assembly ; 
and,  blessed  be  the  name  of  bim  whom  alone  we  acknowledge 
to  be  our  Saviour  and  our  Head^  all  were  of  one  accord.  I 
am  almost  ready  to  question  whether  1200  men,  gathered 
together  without  previous  concert,  from  so  many  different 
places;  persons  of  such  various  ages,  circumstances,  and 
characters,  were  ever  before  known  to  manifest,  on  a  theo- 
logical subject,  so  perfect  an  unanimity.^" 

Soon  after  liis  return  from  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
he  thus  briefly  notices  his  first  public  effort  on  the 
suhject  of  slavery. 

Ith  mo.,  4:th.  The  latter  part  of  the  week,  especially  sixth 
day,  has  been  occupied  by  the  Slave  Trade  business.t  The 
petition  is  now  signing  largely,  and  on  sixth  day  morning, 
we  were  favoured  with  complete  success,  after  much  oppo- 
sition, at  the  public  meeting.  I  pleaded  for  the  cause  very 
earnestly,  but  have  since  had  to  understand,  with  too  much 
"  posture/'  and  probably  too  little  simpHcity.  "^  "^  O  that  the 
quieting,  humbling  spirit  of  divine  love  may  be  permitted  to 
guide  me  safely,  through  the  troubles,  cares,  and  occupations 
of  the  present  week. 

7th  mo.,  Z\st.  On  fourth  day  to  Holt  with  Brereton. 
The  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society  not  at  all  elevating  to  my- 
self. I  had  to  reproach  myself  for  too  hastily  using,  in  my 
speech,  the  name  of  the  Almighty.  May  I  henceforward 
never  pronounce  or  write  that  name,  without  awe  and  rever- 
ence. 

^th  mo.,  21s/.  *  *  On  the  9th  I  left  home,  and  was  occu- 
pied on  the  10th,  11th,  and  12th  by  the  arbitration  in  the 
case  of .     Francis  Gibson  was  my  able  and  exemplary 

*  See  Chalmeriana,  pp.  51 — 55.  The  Journal  contains  only  a 
reference  to  a  "paper,"  which  probably  contained  the  account  of 
these  proceedings,  but  which  has  not  been  found. 

f  See  Life  of  William  Allen,  vol.  i,  p.  192. 


JET.  27.  DEATH    OF    HIS    BROTHER    JOHN.  101 

coadjutor.  The  business,  through  the  divine  blessing,  ended 
in  the  restoration  of  harmony.  On  the  evening  of  the  12th 
to  Brampton,  [Lady  OKvia  Sparrow's.]  There  I  staid  till 
first  day  morning,  the  14th,  among  many  of  the  gTeat  of  this 
world;  not  I  trast,  excluding  the  next.  This  peep  at  high 
life  was  cui-ious  and  instructive,  and  I  hope  not  hurtful  in 
the  main,  though  it  set  me  a  httle  afloat. 

His  brother  John,  whose  declining  state  of  health 
liad  been  for  some  time  an  occasion  of  much  solici- 
tude, breathed  his  last  on  the  8th  of  the  9th  mo. 
He  had  never  recovered  from  the  effect  of  his 
anxious  watcliing  and  nursing  during  liis  A^ife's 
illness.  Partial  paralysis  soon  began  to  appear, 
which  was  accompanied  by  a  general  state  of  bodily 
feebleness.  Notwithstanding  his  increasing  infir- 
mity he  successfully  applied  himself  to  recover  his 
knowledge  of  Greek,  with  a  \dew  to  reading  the 
New  Testament  in  the  original ;  the  study  of  which, 
together  with  the  perusal  of  the  ancient  Greek  his- 
torians and  poets,  became  an  object  of  deep  interest 
to  him  dm'ing  his  protracted  illness. 

"  We  were  occasionally,''  says  Joseph  John  Gumey,  in  his 
Autobiography,  "^  united  very  pleasantly  in  these  pm'suits. 
The  last  few  months  of  his  life,"  he  continues,  "though 
humbhng  to  the  vicAV  of  his  friends,  were  to  him  without  a 
thorn.  Obscured  as  his  fine  intellect  now  was  on  aU  other 
topics,  it  was  clearer  and  brighter  than  ever  on  the  subject  of 
rehgion.  The  part  that  was  to  live  for  ever  shone  with  a 
mellowed  lusti'e  like  the  setting  sun.  As  the  day  of  his  death 
approached,  his  happiness  increased.  Evei'ji;hing  was  beautiful 
in.  Ms  eyes;  the  hymn  sung  by  one  sister,  and  the  prayer 
uttered  by  another,  were  to  him,  in  his  childlike  condition, 
like  the  orisons  of  angels.  *  *  I  loved  him  dearly,  but  the 
cup  of  sorrow  was  mingled  to  us  all  with  hope  and  peace  and 

•joy-" 


102  DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN.  1814. 

A  few  days  after  the  funeral  lie  thus  writes  in  his 
Journal : — 

Wi  mo.,  12th.  "^  ^  *  Tlie  event,  wliich  has  just  occurred, 
is  a  precious  talent,  of  which  I  have  much  use  to  make. 
First :  let  me  consider  it  as  affording  an  evidence  of  the  truth 
of  reHgion. 

What  is  practical  religion?  Is  it  not  the  work  of  God's 
Spirit  upon  the  soul  of  man,  bringing  it  to  a  spiritual  know- 
ledge of  the  Saviour,  and  redeeming  it  from  all  sin.  Has  it 
not  been  marvellous  to  observe  this  work  carried  on,  and, 
humanly  speaking,  perfected  in  my  dear  brother,  at  a  time 
when  his  merely  rational  faculties  were  so  decayed  ?  Does  it 
not  evince  that,  independently  of  the  rational  faculties,  there 
is  a  soul  capable  of  being  filled  with  faith,  and  hope,  and 
love?  Does  it  not  also  evince  that  there  is  an  influence, 
which  works  upon  the  soul,  which  sows  the  seed,  and  rears 
the  plant,  and  produces  the  fruit  ?  Our  dear  brother  afforded 
us  a  striking  instance  of  the  assurance  which  the  Spirit  of 
God  gives  of  the  things  of  God.  He  was  truly  brought  to 
the  simplicity  of  a  child.  In  that  simplicity  he  saw  the  things 
of  God,  not  clouded  and  perplexed  as  we  see  them,  through  a 
maze  of  fleshly  feelings  and  worldly  cares,  but  clearly,  and  in 
their  real  brightness.  He  doubted  not.  He  appeared  to 
have  that  sort  of  evidence  about  the  truth  that  the  eye  gives 
us  of  things  \dsible.  *  *  Another  great  point,  which  has 
been  particidarly  manifested  in  his  case,  is,  that  "the  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ  taketh  away  all  sin."  He  knew  it !  May  I 
be  permitted  to  know  it  more  and  more  !  ^  "^ 

Referring  to  his  own  position,  he  adds, — 

Mv  worldlv  situation  is  altered.  I  am  become  the  master 
of  Earlhara  and  have  received  some  addition  to  my  old  stock 
of  ctiranda.  I  am  very  sensible  of  the  importance  of  order, 
and  true  economy  of  mind  and  time,  rather  than  of  money,  in 
all  my  concerns.  What  can  I  say,  but  that  I  desire  direc- 
tion? 


^T.  27.  JOURNAL.  103 

lOth  mo.,   lOth.      On   fiftli  day   went  to   tlie    Yarmontli 

Bible  Society  Meeting,  vni[\ and .     Nothing  coidd 

be  less  successful  than  my  attempt  as  it  regarded  myself. 
OtherTrise  I  ti-ust  it  answered  some  purpose.  Their  company 
was  interesting,  though  I  am  sorry  to  find  them  such  Cahiii- 
ists.  ^  ^  Is  there  not  a  predestination  according  to  fore- 
knowledge ?  And  does  this  afiect  the  freedom  of  man's  wiU  ? 
Surely  not. 

Wth  mo.,  2\st.  *  "*  1  exceedingly  desu-e  to  gTOw  every  day 
in  the  Imowledge  of  the  truth.  May  I  live  this  week  with 
renewed  care  and  watclifuhiess,  remembering  that  every  day 
ought  to  make  me  one  degree  fitter  for  heaven ;  as  it  brings 
me,  I  trust,  one  step  nearer  to  it. 

First  day,  \2th  mo.,  \Wi.  *  -^  I  hope  I  am,  in  some 
degree,  brought  to  a  A^iUingness  to  be  little, — to  be  nothing, 
if  it  be  the  \vt11  of  God.  There  is  at  the  bottom  of  my  heart 
a  lurking  desire  to  obtain  the  praise  of  man.  It  certainly  is 
so;  it  is  a  drying,  limiting,  paltry  feeling.  It  is  a  great 
enemy,  and  one  which  adheres  closely  to  me ;  but  may  I  not 
yet  encourage  a  hope,  that  my  Lord  and  Master  hath  power 
even  over  the  inmost  evils  of  my  soul  ? 


TO    ONE    OF    HIS    SISTERS. 

Nonvich,  1st  month,  14th,  1815. 

*  *  What  are  we  to  say  to  this  full  and  rapid  stream  of 
worldly  employment  which  hurries  us  along  so  quickly  that 
we  cannot  even  stop  for  a  minute  to  speak  to  one  another  ? 
I  am  half  ashamed  of  saying  that  I  have  as  much  on  my 
hands  as  ever,  perhaps  more;  and  were  it  not  for  being 
favom-ed,  just  now,  with  a  tolerably  quiet  mind,  I  think  I 
should  be  quite  swallowed  up.  I  hope  and  believe  that  I  am 
more  able  than  I  used  to  be  to  give  my  undivided  self  to  one 
thing  at  once.  This  is  a  lesson  which  we  shall  all  do  well  to 
learn.  And  if  we  can,  at  the  same  time,  attain  the  habit  of 
more  constantly  looking  forward  to  the  end  of  om-  jom-ney, 
we  may  pass  through  life  pleasantly  and  profitably,  even 
amidst  multitudinous  worldly  cares.     I  have  often  felt  lately 


104  DILIGENCE    IN    STUDY.  1814. 

that  I  do  not  sufficiently  bear  in  mind  tlie  true  object  of  a 
religious  course,  namely,  the  attainment  of  a  heavenly  reward. 
B/cligious  progress  itself  is  too  apt  to  be,  as  it  were,  the  final 
object  of  my  wishes.  *  * 

O  what  a  fine  tiling  it  would  be  really  to  get  rid  of  self, 
and  of  self  dependence,  and  self  seeking.  We  may  talk  a 
great  deal  about  atonement,  and  yet  secretly  and  in  the  centre 
of  our  hearts,  entertain  a  feeling,  if  not  a  notion,  of  merit. 
We  may  talk  of  humiliation  in  the  presence  of  God  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  all  human  pride,  and  yet  secretly  desire  our  own 
glory.  We  may  talk  of  our  dependence  upon  the  guidance 
of  our  Lord,  and  yet  allow  our  own  imagination  and  under- 
standing privately  to  hold  the  rudder.  So  it  is  at  times  with 
me;  perhaps  always;  and  yet  I  do  not  wish  to  complain, 
hoping  that  there  is  that,  which,  if  sought,  will  more  and  more 
deliver  from  the  bondage  of  corruption. 

His  continued  diligence  in  study,  amidst  the 
pressure  of  his  varied  engagements,  is  remarkable. 

'^Our  business  being  extensive,"  he  writes,  in  the  Auto- 
biography, in  allusion  to  tiiis  portion  of  his  life,  "and 
requiring  great  care,  and  public  objects  of  a  philanthropic 
kind  pressing  upon  me  a  good  deal,  my  literary  leisure  was 
more  curtailed  than  I  could  have  wished ;  but  study  was  not 
altogether  neglected ;  and  at  the  period  of  which  I  am  now 
speaking,  and  for  a  few  years  afterwards,  I  read  and  wrote 
much,  and  continued  to  be  greatly  interested  in  my  bibhcal 
pursuits.  One  object  which  I  pm'sued  with  some  industry 
was  to  compare  the  quotations  from  the  Old  Testament, 
contained  in  the  Gospels  and  Epistles,  with  the  present  text 
of  the  Hebrew  Original,  and  of  the  Septuagint ;  and  to  show 
what  are  the  collateral  evidences  which  confirm  the  evangelical 
use  made  of  many  of  these  passages  in  the  New  Testament. 
I  have  by  me  some  rather  long  manuscripts  on  this  subject; 
but  they  were  the  Avork  of  a  young  student,  and,  though 
useful  to  myself,  quite  unfit  for  publication." 


^T.  26.  BIBLICAL    STUDIES.  105 

''  Now  is  the  time/^  he  writes  in  the  Journal,*  "  for  whole 
mincledness  and  industry.  The  Old  Testament;  the  New 
Testament  with  quotations ;  Herodotus,  and  Bacon's  No^Tim 
Organum,  after  Clarendon  is  finished,  I  intend  shall  be  my 
intellectual  pursuits." 

"  I  wish  to  push  Justin  INIartyr,"  is  his  obsen^ation  a  few 
months  later. 

The  spirit  in  which  he  studied  is  admirahly 
indicated  in  the  following  sentences  from  a  work 
ascribed  to  the  last  mentioned  author,  which  he 
copied,  in  the  original,  on  the  cover  of  one  of  the 
early  volumes  of  his  Journal. 

Ovh\  yao  ^co^  oiviv  ynojffsujg^  ovhl  yvajaig  aa^ukrig  clnv 
Zforig  aX7i0ovg. 

'O  yu^  vo[jji(^ojv  slMvcct  n,  clnv  yvajffscog  a,X'/]0ovg  zcct  (/jCio- 
TV^ov(jAr/jg  v'TTo  T?jg  ^arjg,  ovz  'iyw  vxo  rov  o<tzci)g  icyMvarai, 

Epistle  to  Diognetus,  c.  xii. 

''  For  neither  is  there  life  without  knowledge,  nor  is  there 
any  sure  knowledge  without  the  true  life.'' 

"  For  he  that  thinketh  that  he  knoweth  any  thing  without 
the  knowledge  that  is  true,  and  borne  witness  to  by  the  life, 
knoweth  not,  but  is  deceived  by  the  serpent."t 

He  thus  notices  his  "  designs,"  under  date — 

6//i  mo.,  11/^,  1814.     [After  alluding  to  the  Banks.] 
Public    objects. — Bible      Society — Nonvich     Association; 

Branch  Meetings;    School;    the  Scriptures  with  the  Boys; 

Adult  school  twice  a  week ;    Benevolent  Society — to  raise  a 


*  Under  date  10th  mo.  Slst,  1813. 
f  It  has  been  lately  suggested,  with  some  appearance  of  probability, 
that  the  conclusion  of  this  Epistle,  in  which  the  foregoing  passages 
occiu',  formed  part  of  a  Treatise  of  Hippolytus.     Sec.  1,  Bunsen's 
Hippolytus,  186—195. 


106  HIS    COUSINS    JOSEPH    AND    HENRY,  1814. 

fund;    Coals   for   the   winter;     Provident    Society;     Public 
Houses. 

Literature. — To  press  on  in  "the  Quotations'^  and  in  the 
Hebrew  Bible,  with  particular  reference  to  the  subject  of  the 
Spirit ;  Texts  regularly ;  Family  reading  as  before ;  Robertson 
to  be  studied ;  (Edipus  Tyrannus ;  Demosthenes  de  Corona ; 
Lucretius. 

He  characteristically  adds, — 

And  what  does  this  castle  in  the  air  signify,  if  I  do  not 
hold  the  foundation  ? 

In  addition  to  these  ohjects,  it  had  heen  of  late 
one  of  his  recreations,  to  assist  his  nncle  Joseph 
Gurney's  two  sons,  Joseph  and  Henry,  who  were 
now  growing  np  to  manhood,  in  the  further  im- 
provement of  their  minds.  Referring  to  a  visit  of 
his  two  cousins  at  Earlham,  he  writes 


TO    HIS    AUNT    JANE    GURNEY. 

Norwich,  lltli  mo.,  18th,  1814. 

*  *  Thou  wilt  think  me  a  preceptor  of  some  influence, 
when  I  tell  thee  that  I  have  induced  them  every  morning  to 
exchange  their  beds  in  pretty  good  time,  for  my  study  fire- 
side, and  the  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians.  This  Epistle,  of 
which  we  have  read  about  half,  has  occupied  us  before  break- 
fast ;  and  I  have  been  agreeably  surprised  to  find  Joseph  so 
much  at  home  in  his  Greek.  Harry's  scholarship  I  did  not 
doubt,  and  he  has  it  evidently  in  his  power  to  become 
thoroughly  accomplished  in  classical  literature.  *  *  In  the 
afternoon  we  have  been  reading  Cicero's  orations,  and  Juvenal. 
In  the  evening  Richenda  assumes  the  character  of  drawing 
mistress,  and  something  is  read  aloud  for  general  edification. 
It  is  pretty  clear  from  my  account  that  we  have  not  been  fag- 
ging very  hard ;  but  it  is  something  to  encourage  a  taste  for 
intellectual  pursuits.      This,  indeed,  is  my  chief    desire   in 


MT.  27.  DEATH    OF    HIS    COUSIN    HENRY.  107 

reading  witTi  them,  because  I  see  that  it  is  the  chief  thing 
wanted.  *  *  No  employment  is  more  gi-atifying  to  me,  and  I 
feel  it  quite  a  relief,  after  Bible  Society  speeches,  banking 
journeys,  &c.  Daniel  has  been  w^tli  us  for  a  few  days,  which 
was  the  highest  delight  to  the  boys,  though  it  was  not  without 
the  effect  of  thro-oing  me  and  my  books  into  somewhat  dis- 
tant backgi'ound.  *  * 

Upon  the  whole,  I  am  sure  they  find  the  Earlham 
atmosphere  cheerfid,  though  a  little  iuclmed  to  be  serious. 
Not  that  Joseph  objects  to  seriousness  iu  its  place,  for  he 
has  volunteered  several  sentiments  which  have  given  me  real 
pleasm-e,  and  which  prove  that  his  mind  is  a  good  deal  directed 
to  the  most  important  objects ;  and  I  trust  the  same  may  be 
fairly  believed  of  Harry.  ^  ^ 

Dressing  Eoom,  alone  at  liome,  2nd  mo.,  27th,  1815. 

The  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  throw  a  gloom  over  our 
family,  by  an  event  scarcely  exceeded  in  melancholy  by  any 
that  had  before  taken  place  amongst  us.  On  the  very  day^ 
when  I  last  wrote  iu  this  book,  my  beloved  cousin  Henry  died. 
We  were  summoned  to  the  Grove  after  breakfast,  and  found 
him  completely  overcome  by  a  violent  apoplectic  attack,  and 
in  the  strift  of  death.  The  scene  was  overwhelming.  The 
ano-uish  of  om-  spirits,  as  we  sun-ounded  his  bed  side,  was 
relieved,  at  length,  by  earnest  and  deeply  impressive  prayer 
from  Priscilla.  Then  indeed  was  the  time  to  know  the  value 
of  a  Savioiu- !  About  half  an  hour  afterwards,  he  quietly  and 
almost  imperceptibly  breathed  his  last,  lea\ing  us  all  with  a 
sweet  impression,  that  his  spirit  was  retm^ned  to  the  bosom  of 
the  Father,  and  centi-ed  in  the  presence  of  the  everlasting 
Shepherd.  *  ^  The  stroke  came  home  to  my  tenderest  affec- 
tions. I,  too,  have  lost  an  object  which  I  fondly  and  dearly 
cherished. 

During  the  spring  of  this  year,  liis  friend  William 
Porster   visited    Norwich    in    the   character   of   a 

*2iiclmo.,  10th,  1815. 


108  WILLIAM    FORSTER.  1816. 

minister  of  the  gospel  amongst  Priends,  and  held 
many  religious  meetings  in  that  city  and  its  neigh- 
bourhood. The  mind  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  was 
powerfully  impressed,  and  he  afterwards  spent 
several  weeks  as  William  Porster's  companion  in 
a  journey  through  parts  of  Lincolnshire,  Cambridge- 
shire, and  the  Eastern  Counties;  an  engagement 
which  laid  the  foundation  of  a  warm  and  lasting 
friendship  between  them,  and  was  the  means  of 
deepening  his  attachment  to  the  principles  and 
practices  of  Friends.  A  few  days  after  his  return 
from  this  journey  he  writes, 

7th  mo.,  3rd,  1815.  *  *  My  excursion  lias  greatly  refreshed 
me.  *  *  I  have  felt  an  iacrease  of  faith  in  Cluist ;  more  in- 
clination and  ability  to  stay  myself  upon  his  merits  and  mercy. 
To  iTruvaTravia^Kt  roj  X^/^^y,  is  I  trust  a  desire  increasing 
in  me.    This  is  a  great  favour. 

The  year  1816  opens  with  the  following  entry  in 
his  Journal : — 

\st  mo.,  Srd,  1816.  I  desire  not  to  commence  a  new  year 
without  some  effort  at  self-examination.  With  regard  to  my 
religious  state,  if  I  were  not  so  insensible  to  everything,  I 
think  I  should  be  sensible  of  more  alarm  about  it.  It  is,  in 
fact,  alarming,  not  to  attain  to  more  of  the  life  and  reality  of 
religion ;  and  not  a  little  so,  that  the  habit  of  a  wandering 
mind  continues  to  impede,  almost  constantly,  that  spiritual 
communion  with  God,  which  I  feel  to  be  essential  to  my  true 
interest.  Sometimes,  indeed,  I  have  felt  a  good  deal  alarmed, 
and  the  prayers  of  my  perturbed  spirit  have  been  permitted 
to  bring  the  blessing  of  peace  :  on  the  whole,  I  have  just 
now  a  good  hope,  that,  notwithstanding  the  many  discourage- 
ments which  I  have  so  long  felt,  I  may  yet,  through  abundant 
mercy,  be  amongst  the  few  who  shall  be  led  by  the  narrow 


MT.   28.        MEEKNESS  WITH  NONCONFORMITY,  109 

way  to  everlasting  life.  *  *  If  I  have,  witli  any  degree  of 
right  vision,  seen  the  guidance  of  Providence  respecting  me, 
I  certainly  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Lord  cast  my  lot 
among  Friends,  and  it  is  on  this  account  that  I  may  well  feel 
discouraged  at  my  peculiar  infirmities.  More  simplicity  !  Oh, 
for  more  simplicity !  I  believe  that  if  I  did  but  dwell  more  as  a 
little  child,  I  should  more  find  and  feel  my  right  place  in  the 
church.  *  *  Lord  draw  me  nearer  to  thyself,  and  keep  me 
from  evil.  Make  me  sensible  that  my  only  safe  position  of 
soul,  is  that  of  complete  prostration  before  thee.  Grant  that 
in  this  humiliation  I  may  so  be  permitted  to  depend  livingly 
upon  thy  mercy,  that  my  joy  in  thee  may  more  and  more 
abovmd.  Once  more  I  entreat  thee  to  set  my  heart  upon  the 
kingdom  of  thine  everlasting  rest  and  glory,  and  mayest  thou 
be  pleased  so  to  deal  with  me  dm'ing  my  pUgi'image  here,  that 
I  may  accomplish  that  whereunto  thou  sendest  me ;  and  con- 
tinue to  ascribe  unto  thy  holy  name  all  honom",  praise,  and 
thanksgiving,  for  ever  and  ever. 

On  Ms  return  from  a  short  visit  to  London  at 
the  beginning  of  the  year,  he  passed  a  few  days 
at  the  house  of  Lord  Calthorpe.  Erom  thence  he 
writes — 

Ampton,  1st  mo.,  23rd,  1816. 

*  *  Though  I  could  not  kneel  at  their  prayers,  I  was  really 
cheered  by  the  seriousness  and  simplicity  with  which  this  duty 
was  performed ;  and  by  the  apparent  order  of  the  household. 
May  we,  whilst  we  display  our  nonconformity,  ever  remember 
to  what  a  holy  conversation,  to  what  a  spirit  of  love,  meek- 
ness, and  watchfulness,  our  profession  calls  us.  If  we  were 
but  sufficiently  alive  to  this  call,  I  think  our  Httle  peculiarities 
would  be  merged,  as  it  relates  to  others,  in  the  savour  of  our 
spirits,  so  that  they  would  offend  no  one ;  and  as  for  ourselves, 
they  certainly  help  to  keep  us  humble,  if  rightly  adopted;  for 
they  are  very  mortifying  to  the  natural  man. 

Whilst  at  home  during  the  preceding  autumn  he 
had  entered  upon  the  composition  of  a  work,  which, 


110  MANUSCRIPT    HISTORY    OF    CHRIST.  1816. 

though  never  published  in  its  original  form,  after- 
wards furnished  the  material  for  several  important 
chapters  in  the  Essays  on  Christianity  and  the 
Biblical  Notes. 

"  It  was,"  to  use  his  own  words,  "  the  history  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  hi  its  largest  character  and  bearings,  as  set 
forth  in  scripture.  It  consisted  of  three  parts  :  Christ  ia  his 
pre-existence ;  clui'ing  his  abode  on  earth ;  and  in  his  reign  of 
glory.  Each  part  was  divided  into  chapters,  and  illustrated 
by  copious  notes.  This  work  formed  the  principal  object  of 
my  literary  attention  for  some  years,  and  led  into  no  small 
extent  of  collateral  investigation  and  study.  My  chief  aim  in 
it  was,  clearly  to  set  forth  the  scriptural  proofs  of  the  glorious 
doctrine  of  our  Saviour's  proper  Deity ;  and  I  can  truly  say, 
the  more  I  scrutinised  the  evidence,  the  more  largely  I  collected, 
compared,  and  assorted  it,  the  more  complete  became  my  own 
convictions  of  this  blessed  truth.  The  manuscript  of  the 
work  was  long,  and  completed  with  great  care;  but  had  I 
pubUshed  it,  would,  I  doubt  not,  have  betrayed,  in  various 
points  of  view,  the  inexperience  of  a  young  writer." 

TO    HIS    SISTER-IN-LAW,    ELIZABETH    GURNEY. 

Norwich,  Srd  mo.,  5th,  1816. 

^  *  I  am  deeply  interested  in  my  book,  which  however 
proceeds  slowly.  "^  *  A  large  field  is  opening  before  me :  the 
undertaking  is  truly  an  arduous  one.  *  *  May  I  have  my 
d  pendence  rightly  placed  with  respect  to  it. 


*  * 


The  subject  of  Capital  Punishments  had  already 
claimed  much  of  his  serious  attention,  and  ever 
afterwards  continued  to  he  a  matter  of  deep  and 
painful  interest  to  him.  Under  date  4th  mo.,  8th, 
1816,  he  particularly  alludes  to  his  attendance  "  on 
poor  Lea,"  a  convict,  before  his  execution,  and  later 


^T.  28 29.  CAPITAL    PUNISHMENTS.  Ill 

in  the  year  lie  felt  it  his  duty  to  make  a  vigorous 
effort  to  save  the  life  of  a  prisoner  under  sentence 
of  death  for  bui'glary.  Gunton,  the  prisoner  in 
question,  had  been  convicted  on  the  evidence  of  a 
young  woman,  who  had  lived  as  servant  in  the 
house  which  had  been  robbed,  and  some  cncum- 
stances  transpired,  which  led  to  the  belief  that  her 
evidence  had  been  misapprehended  either  by  the 
court  or  by  the  jury.  A  re-consideration  of  the 
case  appeared  to  be  most  important,  but  this  could 
not  be  obtained,  unless  the  witness  could  be  brought 
before  the  proper  authorities.  In  the  mean  time 
the  period  for  the  execution  was  approaching; 
immediate  exertions  were  necessary,  but  the  young 
woman,  after  whom  inquiry  had  been  made  in  every 
direction,  could  not  be  found.  The  case  now 
appeared  hopeless.  At  length,  however,  the  witness 
was  traced,  and  Joseph  John  Gm-ney  took  her 
to  London,  travelling  with  all  practicable  speed 
through  the  night.  He  quickly  obtained  a  respite, 
which  was  immediately  forwarded  to  the  sheriffs  at 
Norwich ;  and  on  the  following  morning  he  himself 
arrived,  bringing  with  him  a  reprieve ;  and  Gunton' s 
sentence  was  commuted  to  transportation  for  Hfe. 
But  though  his  efforts  in  tliis  case  were  happily 
successful,  three  other  prisoners  were  left  under 
sentence  of  death.  On  the  day  of  theu'  execution 
he  thus  addressed  his  fellow  citizens  in  a  letter 
published  in  the  Norwich  Mercury: — 

Norwich,  8tli  mo.,  31st,  1816. 

I  have  observed  vast  flocks  of  people — men,  women^  and 
children,  apparently  of  various  conditions,  but  chiefly  of  tke 
lower   orders,   passing   througli   tlie   streets,   crowding  with 


112  CAPITAL   PUNISHMENTS.  1816. 

eagerness,  and,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  not  without  feelings  of  a 
j)leasurable  nature,  to  witness  a  scene  the  most  dreadful  and 
melancholy,  when  properly  considered,  that  the  mind  of  man 
can  conceive !  They  are  now  returning  in  large  numbers. 
What  is  the  sight  which  they  have  been  beholding?  Three 
poor  victims  of  folly,  vice,  and  crime,  put  to  a  cruel  and 
untimely  death. 

It  is  by  such  sights,  and  by  the  repetition  of  them,  that  we 
become  callous  to  the  woes  and  torments  of  our  fellow 
creatures  !  The  momentary  compassion  which  they  excite,  is 
soon  exchanged  for  a  feeling  of  pleasure  in  the  excitement 
itself,  and  a  most  stupid  indifference  to  the  sufferings  of 
others !  Thus  that  hard  heart,  which  is  the  source  of  every 
crime,  becomes  harder  and  harder  still;  and,  therefore,  yet 
more  productive  of  the  same  results.  The  deterring  influence 
of  the  "example'^  is  seldom  felt  by  obdurate  sinners.  At 
any  rate,  it  becomes  weaker  and  weaker  by  repetition;  and 
were  it  even  much  stronger  than  it  is,  would  be  little  in  point 
of  real  effect,  in  comparison  with  the  contrary  tendency  of  a 
spectacle  which  strengthens  criminality  in  its  root ! 

Let  us,  as  Clu'istians,  look  at  the  facts  of  these  cases. 
Men  who  have  immortal,  accountable  souls,  are  suddenly 
transferred  from  their  only  state  of  probation  to  their 
eternal,  unalterable  state,  by  the  hands  of  other  men.  These 
sufferers  are  generally  persons  of  depraved  character;  and 
as  the  tree  falls  it  must  lie.  The  facts,  therefore,  involve 
doubts  and  probabilities  of  most  tremendous  magnitude. 
And  is  poor  frail  man  to  take  the  responsibility  of  these 
doubts  upon  himself?  Is  he  to  throw  the  die  by  which  the 
awfvd  question  is  decided  ?  Ai'c  there  any  considerations  of  a 
merely  temporal  nature,  relating  either  to  individuals  or  to 
nations,  which  can  possibly  justify  it,  especially  in  a  Christian 
coimtry?  The  religion  which  teaches  us,  that  the  eternal 
allotment  of  one  soul  is  of  greater  importance  than  the  tem- 
poral prosperity  of  a  whole  nation,  prohibits  us,  by  its  very 
principles,  from  taking  upon  ourselves  the  responsibility  of 
that  allotment,  for  any  pui'poses  which  terminate  on  this  side 
of  the  grave. 


JET.  28 29.  WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE.  113 

To  return  to  the  Journal : — 

6th  mo.,  7th.  ^  ^  [After  spending  a  few  days  in  London.] 
Tlie  Yearly  Meeting  was  refreshing,  confirming,  and  comfort- 
ing to  my  spirit.  Let  me  record  my  full  belief,  that  tlie 
affairs  of  the  society  liave  been  conducted,  under  the  weight 
and  power  and  in  the  spirit  of  diAine  truth.  Love  and  unity 
have  been  the  portion  of  the  body.  I  am,  I  trust,  thankful 
for  this  renewed  evidence  of  having  found  my  right  place  in 
the  Clrristian  church.  May  the  Lord  be  pleased  to  preserve 
the  savour  of  divine  truth  on  my  mind.  How  do  I  desire  to 
be,  indeed,  one  of  his  servants  and  children ;  in  aU  my  life  to 
magnify  and  glorify  his  holy  name. 

8th  mo.,  17 th.  *  ^  My  own  experience,  which  has  certainly 
of  late  partaken  considerably  of  pain,  is  sufficient  to  prove 
that  there  is  no  peace  in  placing  our  dependence  upon  the 
world,  no  peace  whatever  but  in  a  living  faith  in  God,  and  in 
a  real  participation  of  his  promises  in  Christ  Jesus.  *  ^  Oh, 
there  is  no  safety  but  in  the  lowest  spot.  When  our  own 
plans,  which  seemed  to  be  the  right  plans,  are  unexpectedly 
overturned,  it  is  a  trial  of  faith  and  patience.  T7ien  we  must 
get  lower.  Lord  do  all  things  according  to  thy  will !  Help 
thy  children  and  thy  servants.  Be  pleased  to  extend  the 
wing  of  thy  pity  over  us !  Relieve  the  pressure  which  we  are 
not  able  to  bear !  Above  aU,  grant  us,  we  beseech  thee,  such 
a  sense  of  thy  truth,  that,  whether  in  heights  or  in  depths,  in 
prosperity  or  in  trouble,  we  may  ever  rejoice  in  thy  love, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

The  ninth  month  of  this  year  was  rendered 
memorable  to  him  by  a  visit  which  laid  the  foundation 
of  an  intercourse,  that  was,  at  intervals,  in  after 
years,  the  source  of  much  lively  interest  and  pleasure. 
The  circumstance  is  thus  graphically  related  in  a 
Pamiliar  Sketch  of  the  late  William  Wilberforce, 
which  he  subsequently  published. 

"I  was  introduced  to  Wilberforce,''  writes  Joseph  John 
Gurney,  "in  the  autumn  of  1816.     He  was  staying  with  his 

I 


114  WILLIAM   WILBERFORCE.  1816. 

family  by  tlie  seaside  at  Lowestoft,  in  Suffolk.  I  well  remember 
going  over  from  Earlham,  partly  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  so 
great  a  man,  and  partly  for  that  of  persuading  bim  to  join 
om-  party  at  the  time  of  tbe  approaching  anniversaries  of  the 
Norfolk  Bible  and  Church  Missionary  Societies.  I  was  then 
young,  but  he  bore  my  intrusion  with  the  utmost  kindness  and 
good  humour ;  and  I  was  much  delighted  with  the  affabiUty 
of  his  manners,  as  weU  as  with  the  fluency  and  brightness  of 
his  conversation.  Happily  he  acceded  to  my  solicitations,  nor 
could  I  hesitate  in  accepting  his  only  condition,  that  I  should 
take  into  my  house  not  only  himself,  but  his  whole  family 
group,  consisting  of  his  amiable  lady  and  several  of  their 
children,  two  clergymen  who  acted  in  the  capacity  of  tutors, 
his  private  secretary,  servants,  &c.  We  were,  indeed,  to  be 
quite  full  of  guests,  independently  of  this  accession ;  but  what 
house  would  not  prove  elastic  in  order  to  receive  the  abolisher 
of  the  Slave  Trade  ?  In  point  of  fact,  by  dint  of  various  con- 
trivances, we  managed  the  affair  with  tolerable  facility.  It  was 
a  large  party,  composed  of  persons  of  several  denominations,  who 
were  all  anxious  to  promote  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  their 
Redeemer;  and  Wilberforce  was  the  star  and  life  of  our  circle."* 

A  few  days  after  this  visit,  he  writes  in  the 
Journal : — 

Wi  mo.,  30th.  The  last  has  indeed  been  an  eventful  and 
interesting  week.  We  have  had  a  vast  party  in  the  house. 
Francis  and  Kiclienda,t  Samuel  Hoare,  FoweU  and  Hannah, 
the  Carrs,  John  Cunningham,  the  WUberforce  Family, 
Langton,  Rolleston,  G.  Kett,  &c.  No  society  could  have  been 
much  more  pleasant,  and  I  hope  it  has  also  been  profitable. 
The  Bible  Society  Meeting  on  fifth  day  passed  off  dehghtfuUy : 
Wnberforce's  speaking  most  interesting ;  about  sixty  at  dinner, 
at  Earlham.  Since  that  time,  we  have  been  almost  entirely 
occupied  by  the  Wilberforces ;  his  mind  is  indeed  rich,  and 

*  See  Minor  "Works,  vol.  ii.,  p.  228.  See  also  Life  of  Wilberforce, 
vol.  iv.,  p.  298. 

f  His  sister  Eichenda  had  been  recently  married  to  Francis 
Cunningham. 


^T.  29.  JOSEPH    GURNEY,    JUN.  115 

varied,  and  elevated.      It  is  equally  pleasant  and  instructive 
to  enjoy  liis  company. 

I  hope  I  have  not  materially  departed  from  my  testimonies 
dm-ing  this  week.  O,  I  desire  to  see  clearly  what  and  where 
I  am,  and  though  the  heavens  have,  at  times,  felt  around  me 
as  brass,  impenetrable  and  inaccessible,  I  still  hope  that  the 
Lord  will  help  me.  Sure  I  am,  that  an  attentive  inspection 
of  my  own  great  infirmities  is  sufficient  to  prevent  all  pride  or 
vain  glory.  O  Lord,  sanctify  me  I  pray  thee  with  thy 
truth,  that  my  inmost  coiTuptions  may  be  reached  by  the 
cleansing  efficacy  of  thy  Spirit.  Create  in  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
more  of  a  willingness  to  give  up,  for  thy  sake,  whatsoever  thou 
may  est  require  at  my  hands. 

His  cousin  Joseph,  tlie  only  surviving  son  of  his 
uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  had  heen  in  declining  health 
since  his  brother  Henry's  death.  Joseph  John 
Gurney  writes — 

\Wi  mo.,  2nd,  1816.  The  past  week  has  been  rendered 
deeply  interestiag  by  the  last  scenes  of  dear  Joseph's  Hfe.  He 
died  on  sixth  day  evening,  as  the  clock  was  striking  nine,  in 
great  peace  and  perfect  quietude,  after  a  day  of  much  suffering. 
What  heart-rending  scenes  are  we  called  upon  from  time  to  time 
to  witness !  To  day  we  are  immersed  in  all  the  cares,  the 
pleasures,  and  the  business  of  hfe ;  to-morrow  we  are  dead : 
and,  what  is  still  more  wonderful,  the  sm'vivors  go  on  nearly  as 
before,  the  wheel  never  stops  !  How  watchful,  how  diligent, 
are  we  called  upon  to  be,  by  the  uncertainty  of  our  tenure. 

His  review  of  this  and  the  preceding  period  of  his 
life,  wi'itten  many  years  later  in  the  autobiography, 
may  properly  close  the  present  chapter. 

My  spiritual  condition  from  my  twenty-second  to  my 
twenty-ninth  year  was  by  no  means  a  high  one, — generally 
very  much  the  contrary.  Notwithstanding  all  the  advantages 
of  my  situation  I  often  went  moiuming  on  my  way,  athirst  for 

I  2 


116  RETROSPECTION.  1816 

the  waters  of  eternal  life.  Many  disconsolate  hours  after  this 
sort  used  to  fall  to  my  lot,  and  in  looking  back  upon  this 
period  of  my  course,  I  have  frequently  compared  it  to  a  journey 
in  the  wilderness  after  passing  tlu'ough  the  Red  Sea.  I 
ascribe  this  state  of  things  to  two  causes;  first,  my  own 
unwatchfulness ;  for  the  enemy  too  often  prevailed  over  me 
with  his  secret  temptations,  so  that  as  a  convert,  I  trust,  to 
the  truth,  yet  not  far  advanced  towards  "  the  measure  of  the 
stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ,"  I  could  apply  to  myself 
the  plaintive  language  of  the  apostle,  "  I  delight  in  the  law  of 
God  after  the  inward  man,  but  I  see  another  law  in  my 
members,  bringing  me  into  captivity.  O  wretched  man  that 
I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death !"  * 
But  secondly,  I  doubt  not  that  this  dispensation  was  allotted 
me  for  the  trial  of  my  faith  and  patience,  and  for  my  further 
humiliation,  by  way  of  preparation  for  future  service. 

Nor  can  I  deny  that  my  gracious  Lord  and  Master  was  at 
times  pleased  to  speak  comfortably  to  me.  "  I  will  allure  her 
(the  church)  into  the  wilderness,  and  will  speak  comfortably 
to  her,  and  will  give  her  her  vineyards  from  thence,  and  the 
valley  of  Achor  for  a  door  of  hope."  t  The  valley  of  my  soul's 
humiliation  was,  at  times,  made  a  door  of  hope  to  me;  and 
although  I  was  very  weak  and  wandering,  a  poor  struggler 
after  worship  at  many  or  most  of  our  meetings,  they  were,  at 
times,  seasons  of  great  refreshment  to  me.  The  ministry  of 
Friends  affected  me  greatly,  and  was  often  a  means  of  comfort 
and  strength.  I  never  suflPered  myself  to  criticise  it,  but  acted 
on  the  uniform  principle  of  endeavouring  to  obtain  from  what 
I  heard  all  the  edification  which  it  aflbrded.  This  is  a 
principle  which  I  would  warmly  recommend  to  my  yoimg 
friends  in  the  present  day;  for  nothing  can  be  more  mis- 
chievous than  for  learners  to  turn  teachers,  and  young  hearers, 
critics.  I  am  persuaded,  that  it  is  often  the  means  of  drying 
up  the  waters  of  life  in  the  soul ;  and  sure  I  am,  that  an  exact 
method  of  weighing  words  and  balancing  doctrines,  in  what  we 
hear,  is  a  miserable  exchange  for  tenderness  of  spirit,  and  for 
the  dews  of  heaven. 

*Eom.  vii,  22,  24.  f  Hos.  ii,  14,  15. 


^T.  29.  AN    IMPORTANT  YEAR.  117 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1817—1818.     ^T.  29—30. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  ATJTOBIOGEAPHT  AND  JOURNAL  ;  JONATHAN  HUTCHIN- 
SON ;  ENGAGEMENT  IN  MARRIAGE  ;  FIRST  SPEAKS  AS  A  MINISTER ; 
HIS  MARRIAGE  ;  LETTER  TO  WILLIAM  FORSTER  ;  CHARLES  SIMEON  ; 
CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON;  JOURNEY  ON  THE 
CONTINENT ;  TISIT  TO  LONDON ;  VISIT  OF  THE  MAYOR  AND  CORPO- 
RATION OF  NORWICH  TO  EARLHAM ;  HE  IS  ACKNOWLEDGED  A 
MINISTER. 

"The  year  1817,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney  in 
his  Autobiography,  "was  one  of  great  importance 
to  me — my  29th  year.  The  early  part  of  it  was 
characterized  by  no  small  measure  of  mental  weak- 
ness and  lowness ;  but  the  Lord  who  saw  me  in  my 
adversity,  had  two  precious  gifts  in  store,  both  of 
which  were  freely  and  bountifully  bestowed  upon 
me  in  the  course  of  that  year ;  a  faithful  partner  of 
my  joys  and  sorrows,  and  a  part  in  the  ministry  of 
the  glorious  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.  The  two  things  were  connected  in  a 
manner  which  might  appear  very  singular  to  those 
who  have  not  been  accustomed  to  watch  the  har- 
monious workings  of  external  providence  and 
inward  grace.  But  'whoso  is  wise  and  wiU 
observe  these  things,  even  they  shaU  understand 
the  lovino^  kindness  of  the  Lord.'  "  The  course  of 
his  mind  is  thus  exhibited  in  the  Journal. 

1st  mo.,  7th,  [1817.]   *  *  To-day  I  leave  home  on  a  bank- 
ing expedition  to  Halesworth  and  Yarmouth.     How  beautiful 


118  JOURNAL.  1817. 

is  that  text,  "  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  in  thy  going  out 
and  in  thy  coming  in,  from  henceforth  and  even  for  evermore." 

1*^  mo.,  \Wi.  Second  and  third  days  and  part  of  fourth, 
Lord  Gosford  here ;  very  pleasant  party  in  the  house ;  after- 
noons swallowed  up  by  it.  *  *  Most  earnestly  [do  I]  desire 
to  he  preserved  and  redeemed  from  all  evil,  and  to  he  clothed 
with  that  pure  spirit  of  faith  and  love,  which  will  he  ever 
seeking  heaven  supremely,  and  which  leadeth  a  man  to  seek 
'also  another  man's  weal,  rather  than  his  own.  But,  indeed, 
I  have  foimd  myself  painfully  immersed  in  the  world  and  the 
flesh,  and  at  a  distance  from  the  Lord.  O  this  unstable 
heart !  this  wandering  imagination !  I  have  no  other  plea,  O 
Lord  God  Almighty,  for  approacliing  thy  holy  presence,  but 
this  plea;  that  thou  wiliest  not  the  death  of  a  simier,  but 
rather  that  he  should  turn  from  his  wickedness  and  live. 
"Turn  me  O  Lord  and  I  shall  be  turned;  heal  me  and  I 
shall  be  healed." 

2nd  mo.,  IGth.  [Last]  third  day  morning  meeting,  and 
the  Montlily  Meeting  were  favoured  and  consoling  opportuni- 
ties. That  afternoon  I  passed  an  interesting  time  with  poor 
Aram  Mackie  on  his  deathbed.  I  did  not  feel  easy  without 
commending  him  to  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
and  afterwards  foimd,  to  my  encouragement,  (having  been 
depressed  on  the  subject,)  that  my  visit  was  acceptable  to 
him.     He  died  the  next  morning,  and  I  trust  is  at  rest. 

Second  day  morning,  [2nd  mo.,  24//«.]  Yesterday  on  the 
whole  satisfactory.  Rather  an  imusual  concern  felt  for  the 
body  [of  Friends]  ;  a  doubt  on  my  mmd,  whether,  notmth- 
standing  all  my  sins  and  infirmities,  it  may  not  lead  to  speak- 
ing in  meeting.  I  have  felt  this  morning  an  earnest  desire 
that  my  life  hencefoi-ward  may  be  to  Christ,  and  not  to  the 
world. 

The  name  of  Jonathan  Hutcliinson  has  been 
already  mentioned.  The  close  intimacy  which  so 
long  subsisted  between  him  and  Joseph  John 
Gurney,  seems  to  claim  for  him  a  little  further 
notice  in  this  memoir.     Though  he  had  been  for 


iET.  29.  JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  119 

many  years  the  friend  and  correspondent  of  his 
uncle  Joseph  Giirney,  and  they  had  previously  met 
more  than  once  in  London,  it  was  whilst  travelling 
in  Lincolnshire,  with  William  Porster,  in  the  course 
of  the  preceding  year,  that  Joseph  John  Gurney 
liad  heen  first  brought  to  a  nearer  acquaintance 
with  the  sterling  worth  of  liis  character.  Born  at 
Gedney,  in  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire,  a  respectable 
yeoman  in  station,  he  was  a  man  under  whose  re- 
markably simple  and  unadorned  appearance  lay 
concealed  a  tlioughtful  and  well-cultured  mind, 
and  a  heart  subdued  and  chastened  by  the  power  of 
divine  grace.  Though  a  skilful  practical  grazier, 
and  carefully  attentive  to  the  business  by  which 
he  maintained  his  family,  he  had  read  much  and 
variously,  and  thought  deeply  and  largely  on  many 
subjects ;  and  his  lively  imagination  was  no  stranger 
to  the  walks  of  poetry.  As  a  minister  of  the  gospel 
amongst  Priends  his  communications  were  usually 
short,  but  full,  pertinent,  and  lively;  his  prayers 
fervent,  simple,  and  emphatic.  He  had  known 
what  it  is  to  doubt,  and  almost  to  despair,  and  was 
prepared  by  a  somewhat  peculiar  and  severe  course 
of  discipline  to  sympathise  with  others.  "Our 
close  agreement,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,*  "  on 
all  points  of  a  religious  nature,  and  on  many  of  a 
merely  intellectual  character,  was  the  means  of 
bringing  us  into  a  near  and  easy  friendship,  which 
I  shall,  I  believe,  always  look  l)ack  upon  as  one  of 
the  choicest  privileges  of  my  life." 

*  In  a  Short  Tribute  to  the  Memory  of  Jonathan  Hutchinson, 
prefixed  to  a  volume  of  his  letters,  published  in  1841.  London: 
Harvey  and  Darton. 


120  JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1817 


FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  3rd  mo.,  17th,  1817. 

*  *  Thy  letter  confirmed  me  in  a  thought,  at  which  perhaps 
I  hinted  in  my  last,  that,  however  different  in  some  things  we 
may  be, — in  age  this  difference  is  doubtless  great, — yet  that 
there  are  certain  experiences  common  to  each  of  us,  and 
certain  sentiments  wherein  we  are  agreed ;  and  that  thus  it 
should  be,  with  travellers  on  the  same  road,  and  with  the 
same  object  in  view,  need  not  surprise  us.  I  was  so  far  from 
thinking  thee  "too  open,"  that,  on  the  contraiy,  I  reaUy  have 
considered  myself  benefited  by  those  very  passages  in  thy 
letter,  wherein  thou  seemed  to  apprehend  some  danger  of 
being  thus  thought.  There  is,  though  one  can  hardly  teU 
why,  as  thy  dear  deceased  relation,  Joseph  Gurney  Bevan,  in 
a  letter  once  said  to  me,  a  "kind  of  consolation  in  finding 
that  others  are  no  better  off  than  ourselves,"  especially  if  we 
have  imagined  very  differently ;  and  I  truly  felt  something  of 
this,  on  discovering,  by  thy  affecting  complaints,  that  I  had 
at  least  one  companion  in  a  way  wherein  I  have  been  often 
ready  to  consider  myself  alone.  ^  ^  Well,  "be  of  good 
cheer,"  for  I  believe  the  Master  has  called,  and  is  calling 
thee,  and  whatever  difficulties  thou  mayest  meet  with  in 
endeavouring  to  obey  his  call,  yet  as  thou  art  concerned  to 
foUow  him  in  simplicity,  and  as  entire  dedication  is  thy  only 
aim ;  as  thus  thou  perseverest,  thou  shalt  ultimately  witness 
that  "  overcoming "  to  which  so  many  precious  promises  are 
annexed.  *  * 

To  continue  the  Journal : — 

Srd  mo.,  2Mh.  My  corrupt  nature  has  agam  suffered 
\'iolent  temptation.  Thence  has  arisen  the  deepest  depression. 
I  have  felt  imable  to  help  myself,  and  have  cried  out,  "  The 
enemy  hath  smitten  my  life  down  to  the  very  ground."  *  * 
During  this  painful  season  I  fear  I  have  been  too  ready  to 
complain.     What  little  hope  I  have  had  has,  I  trust,  been 


^T.  29.  JANE    BIRKBECK.  121 

directed  to  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.  This  morning  I 
feel  more  hopeful,  and  I  earnestly  pray  that  the  hand  of 
discipline  may  bring  me  into  a  state  of  greater  holiness  and 
nearness  to  God.  May  he  condescend  yet  to  purifj^,  help, 
and  guide  me. 

4:th  mo.,  Qth.  Visited  two  poor  lads,  who  are  to  be  executed 
for  highway  robbery.  How  awful  and  afflicting  do  I  feel 
their  doom  to  be,  and  how  inconsistent  with  the  tenor  of 
Christian  humanity. 

He  had  long  clierislied  a  warm  regard  for  Jane 
Birkbeck,  daughter  of  John  Birkbeck,  of  Lynn. 
The  bond  of  a  somewhat  distant  relationship  had 
been  strengthened  by  freqnent  intercourse. 

"  We  had  known  each  other,"  to  use  his  own  words  in  his 
autobiography,  "from  early  childhood;  our  pursuits  were 
similar,  and  she,  like  myself,  had  become  a  decided  Friend 
from  conviction.  In  some  other  respects  [our  characters] 
were  different.  Generous,  stedfast,  and  lively,  she  had  one  of 
those  hardier  souls,  on  which  weakness  is  prone  to  lean,  but 
her  feelings  were  nevertheless  warm  and  acute.  She  knew 
and  adored  her  Saviour,  and  remarkably  walked  by  that  rule, 
'  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  giving  thanks  unto  God  and  the  Father  by 
him.' " 

Her  father  was  now  deceased,  and  she  was  resid- 
ing with  her  widowed  mother,  Martha  Birkbeck, 
when  she  accepted  Joseph  John  Gurney's  proposals 
of  marriage  in  the  5th  month  of  this  year.  He 
afterwards  writes — 

Qth  mo.,  7th.  How  extraordinary  is  the  change  wi'ought 
in  my  circumstances,  and  in  my  mind,  since  I  last  wrote. 
How  beautifully   has    the    atmosphere   cleared !    and    after 


122  PROSPECT    OF    MARRIAGE.  1817. 

some  of  the  deepest  conflicts,  which.  I  have  ever  yet  gone 
through,  how  delightful  a  calm  am  I  introduced  into  !  How 
do  I  desire  to  be  bowed  down  in  thankfulness  to  the 
God  of  my  life,  for  liis  abundant  blessings.  How  do  I 
desire  to  receive  from  him  renewed  ability  to  love  and  serve 
him  with  my  whole  heart !  Ah !  may  I  never  prefer  the 
creature  to  the  Creator,  nor  any  eartlily  dehght,  to  the  cause 
of  the  crucified  Jesus  ! 

I  left  home  about  the  20th  of  4th  month;  arrived  at 
E/Uncton  very  unwell;  remained  a  full  fortnight,  my  mind 
deeply  absorbed  by  the  subject  of  marriage.  Inexpressibly 
deep  were  the  conflicts,  and  as  great  the  happiness  and  peace, 
which  were  my  allotment  during  that  memorable  fortnight ;  I 
believe  the  Lord  was  A\dth  me,  and  laid  his  hand  upon  me,  in 
a  remarkable  manner.  Never  have  I  so  experienped  and 
known  the  reality  and  the  power  of  the  religious  principles 
which  I  had  adopted.  After  acute  suffering,  I  had  to  rejoice 
as  in  the  presence  of  my  God.  I  hope  I  shall  never  forget 
the  sweet  peace  and  genuine  happiness  I  enjoyed  at  Hun- 
stanton,* in  the  society  of  one,  who  is  now  likely  to  be 
brought  into  such  near  union  with  me.  This  step  seems  to 
have  been  closely  connected  Tvith  something  like  a  change  for 
the  better,  in  my  spiritual  course;  something  of  a  clearer 
atmosphere  and  brighter  view;  more  of  the  liberty  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ ;  less,  I  hope  of  the  intolerable  impertinence 
of  self. 

He  adds, 

I  think  it  right  to  record  that  my  mouth  has  been  several 
times  opened  in  ministry. 

On  the  third  day  evening,  at  Hunstanton,  after  I  had  been 
wonderfully  delivered  from  conflict,  I  expressed,  in  dear 
Rachel's  room,  two  or  three  sentences  of  thanksgi\dng ;  the 
next  morning  in  our  little  meeting  in  the  summer  house,  I 

*•  The  country  residence  of  Martha  Birkbeck,  ou  the  sea  coast  of 
Norfolk. 


JET.  29.  FIRST    ENGAGEMENTS    IN    THE    MINISTRY.  123 

had  something  to  say  on  the  searching  of  heart,  which  we  had 
all  gone  thi'ough,  and  of  my  confidence  that  the  Lord  would 
rightly  direct  us,  did  we  put  om-  whole  trust  in  him.  The 
following  first  day  afternoon,  at  the  Lynn  Meeting,  I  simply 
said,  "I  cannot  feel  satisfied  to  leave  this  little  gathering, 
without  expressing  the  aflectionate  salutation  of  my  heart; 
grace  be  with  you  all  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
sincerity."  Whether  this  is  likely  to  go  on,  I  know  not.  I 
feel  it  will  be  to  my  encom'agement  if  it  do ;  but  I  heartily 
desire  to  commit  my  way  unto  the  Lord.  *  *  My  chief  fear 
is,  lest  I  should  not,  on  this  head,  be  sufficiently  simple ;  but 
may  I  watch  and  pray,  lest  I  enter  into  temptation. 

Often  did  he  afterwards  recur  to  his  feelings  in 
the  Meeting  at  Lynn  above  noticed;  the  first  in 
which  he  was  publicly  engaged  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  "  O  the  delightful  flow  of  quiet  happiness," 
is  his  exclamation  many  years  later  in  reference  to 
it,  "  which  continued  to  be  my  portion,  through  the 
whole  of  that  day.  No  words  can  adequately  set  it 
forth;  and  the  savour  of  it  is  even  now  fresh  in 
my  remembrance.  Pew  such  days  have  I  yet  spent 
on  earth.  Similar  feelings,"  he  adds,  "  though  not 
in  so  liish  a  deo^ree,  followed  the  further  exercise  of 
the  gilt ;  and  the  Lord  led  me  gently  forward  in  his 
work,  o-ivino;  me  to  feel  the  sweetness  of  obedience 
to  his  commands,  and  of  a  siuTender  of  soul  to  his 


service." 


6th  mo.,  I5th.  Last  first  day  was  interesting.  *  *  In  the 
afternoon  I  had  to  encom-age  the  faithful  to  closer  dedication. 
*  *  It  was  veiy  difficult.  I  aftei-wards  rejoiced  that  I  did 
not  bring  my  burden  away.  On  fifth  day  I  had  something 
on  my  mind  at  meeting,  but  did  not  feel  obliged  to  express  it. 
Yesterday,  before  dinner,  at  the  founchy,  I  fear  I  was  not 
ready  for  the  service,  and  have  painfully  felt  the  deficiency 


134  LETTER    TO    HIS  1817. 

since.      But  I  trust,  unworthy  and  unwilling  as  I  am,  I  shall 
not  be  cast  off. 

2)th  mo.,  \Wi.  ^  *  My  ministerial  gift,  which  I  have  felt 
very  precious  to  me,  though  it  is  attended  by  its  conflicts  and 
crosses,  has  continued  to  show  itself.  It  is  wonderful  to  me, 
to  find  myself  actually  under  such  an  influence.  Truly  it  is 
"as  the  wind  that  bloweth  where  it  listeth."  So  far  the 
work  has  been  attended  by  a  deeper  feeling  than  I  ever 
before  experienced,  of  my  own  imworthiness,  incompetency, 
and  nothingness ;  and  of  the  power,  love,  and  present  wisdom 
of  the  Almighty.  Wonderful,  indeed,  is  his  condescension  to 
us  and  care  for  us  ! 

Prom  Ackworth,  where  lie  was  engaged  on  one  of 
those  visits  tlie  results  of  wMcli  t\t11  be  hereafter 
noticed,  lie  wrote  to  his  sister  Hannali  Buxton, 
who,  with  her  husband,  was  then  deeply  feeling  the 
recent  death  of  their  brother  Charles  Buxton.* 

Ackworth,  8th  mo.,  1st,  1817. 
My  dearest  Hannah, 

*  *  *  For  thee,  for  Fowell,  for  dear  Martha,  and  for  all 
who  have  more  immediately  entered  into  this  deep  cloud  of 
suffering,  I  feel  most  sincerely,  and  earnestly  desire  that  it 
may  be  the  means  of  bringing  you  individually  into  a  closer 
dependence  upon  Israel's  everlasting  Shepherd.  *  *  I  am 
deeply  convinced  that  nothing  will  do,  that  nothing  will  stand 
us  in  stead,  but  yielding  ourselves  wholly  to  the  guidance  and 
protection  of  our  heavenly  Master.  And  when  we  consider 
how  greatly  we  have  all  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory 
of  God,  may  we  not  acknowledge  that  his  love  in  shedding 
his  precious  blood  for  us,  in  redeeming  us  from  sin  by  the 
influence  of  his  Spirit,  in  deahng  with  us  and  disciplining  us 
after  the  tenderest  mercy,  and  in  speaking  peace  to  us  from  time 
to  time,  in  the  midst  of  the  necessary  conflicts,  and  finally  in 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap,  v,  p.  66. 


Ml.  29.  SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON.  125 

preparing  for  us  an  everlasting  inheritance,  where  the  joys  of 
the  righteous  are  far  above  all  that  hath  yet  entered  into  our 
hearts ;  can  we  not  acknowledge  that  such  love  is  indeed  mar- 
vellous ;  and  ought  we  not  individually  to  enter  into  solemn 
covenant  to  serve  him  with  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  in 
all  our  ways?  *  * 

As  regards  myself,  my  experience  durmg  the  last  few 
months  has  been  a  Kttle  out  of  the  usual  course,  or  at  least 
?ny  usual  course.  I  wish  to  say  it  in  reverence,  bvit  I  seem  to 
have  got  out  of  a  thick  wood,  into  a  verdant  and  beautiful 
plain,  where  the  riches  of  the  Lord's  bounty  are  displaying 
themselves  on  every  side.  Deeply  and  totally  unworthy  am  I 
of  such  a  favour.  I  have  indeed  cause  for  thankfulness  under 
the  sense  which  is  just  now  permitted  me,  of  my  clouded 
atmosphere  being  cleared,  of  my  loins  being  more  girt  up ;  of 
a  light  within  me,  not  of  my  own  creating,  being  commanded 
to  burn  a  httle  for  my  spiritual  improvement  and  consolation. 
I  may  add  to  the  list  of  di\diie  mercies,  my  near  prospect  of  a 
settlement  in  life,  after  my  own  heart's  desire.  Yet  I  have 
had  my  conflicts  to  pass  through  as  well  as  my  joys.  May 
we  all  abide  in  true  humiliation,  and  when  the  sunshine 
becomes  overcast,  (for  its  being  so  occasionally  is,  I  doiibt 
not,  necessary  for  us  all,)  may  patience  equal  to  the  day  be 
aflbrded.  *  *  I  have  several  times  felt  it  my  indispensable 
duty  to  break  the  silence  of  our  meetings,  and  the  work 
appears  more  Hkely  to  proceed  than  to  wither  away,  if  I  am 
faithful  to  its  requisitions.  But  my  gift  is  at  present  very 
small;  and  perhaps  thou  art  little  aware  how  entirely  it 
appears  to  be  out  of  my  power  to  choose  for  myself  [in  it.] 
I  may  acknowledge  that  I  find  it  not  only  a  deeply  interesting, 
but  a  purifying  work.  That  it  is  one  calling  for  peculiar 
dedication,  and  submission  must  be  fully  admitted.  I  feel 
that  I  must  wholly  resign  myself  to  the  Spirit  which  "  bloweth 
where  it  listeth,"  and  if  it  be  not  given  me  to  know  "  whence 
it  cometh  or  whither  it  goeth,"  I  must  be  content.  -^  ^  -^^ 

On  the  lOtli  of  the  9th  mo.,  he  was  married  to 
Jane  Birkbeck.     He  was  scarcely  settled  at  Earl- 


126  HIS    MARRIAGE.  1817. 

ham  after  the  event,  hefore  other  interests  crowded 
upon  him. 

TO    WILLIAM    FORSTER. 

Norwicli,  9th  mo.,  30th,  1817. 

■^  *  Strange  and  new  things  have  indeed  happened  to  me ; 
and  I  am  but  just  finding  my  footing  on  the  new-found  land 
of  married  life  and  ministerial  duty.  It  makes  me  feel  as  if 
I  could  not  understand  myself;  but  I  trvist  that  thankfulness 
is  the  prevailing  feeling  of  my  heart.  I  know  that  I  have 
been  greatly  helped,  blessed,  and  comforted ;  and  I  know  also, 
from  ha^dng  passed  through  depths  unknown  before,  that  I 
have  needed  the  help,  the  blessing,  and  the  consolation  which 
I  have  received. 

But  to  proceed  to  more  historical  information,  I  am 
married,  happily  and  satisfactorily  married.  The  event  took 
place,  as  was  intended,  at  WeUs  Meeting,  on  the  10th  of  this 
month.  The  meeting  and  the  day  were  I  think  highly 
favoured  by  the  owning  and  cheering  presence  of  the  Master 
whom  I  desire  to  serve.  The  former  was  very  solemn.  *  ^ 
I  was  constrained  by  a  most  sweet  influence  to  supplicate 
that  we  might  be  enabled,  on  that  solemn  occasion,  to  enter 
into  covenant  with  God,  to  serve,  honour,  and  obey  him  in  all 
our  ways;  and  that,  in  things  temporal  and  things  spiritual, 
in  heights  and  in  depths,  we  might  be  more  and  more  taught 
to  place  an  unqualified  dependence  upon  his  mercy  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  lodged  at  a  nice  country  inn  about 
seven  miles  from  Hunstanton,  and  amved  at  Earlham  to 
dinner  on  the  following  day.  The  sun  shone  sweetly  upon 
us,  and  that  dear  place  received  us  with  open  doors  in  all  its 
brightest  colours.  There  we  spent  some  quiet  days  of  solitude 
before  our  friends  came  in  upon  us.  For  the  last  week  we 
have  had  the  house  frill,  a  delightful  party  of  brothers  and 
sisters,  my  mother-in-law,  and  some  interesting  friends  of  the 
Bil)le  Society,  especially  Charles  Simeon,  of  Cambridge,  a  man 
eminent  for  talent,  for  piety,  and  for  singularity.  This  is  a 
brief  sketch  of  our  external  histoiy :  -svith  regard  to  the 
esoteric  part  of  it,  it  has  been  deeply  interesting,  and  I  think 


^T.  30.  HIS    MARRIAGE  AND    MINISTRY.  127 

I  may  add,  affecting  to  me.     The  change  is   so  great,  so 
important,  the  union  so  close,  so  heart  tendering. 

After  alluding  to  his  part  in  tlie  work  of  the 
ministry,  he  proceeds, — 

I  believe  the  baptisms  I  have  had  to  pass  through  have 
been  intended  to  prepare  me  for  this  work,  but  they  have  not 
taken  the  shape  of  discom*agement  about  the  work  itself:  yet 
indeed  I  know  and  have  felt  its  humiliations.  How  does  it 
behove  me  to  be  watchful  and  dedicated  to  the  Lord's  will. 
I  do  indeed  feel  the  awfubiess  of  my  profession. 

The  following  are  from  his  Journal. 

9/A  mo.,  15/A.  [After  briefly  describing  his  marriage]  — 
and  now  I  may  record  the  thankfulness  I  have  felt,  and  do 
feel,  to  the  Author  of  every  blessing,  for  the  marvellous  manner 
in  which  he  has  first  suffered  my  faith  to  be  tried,  and  then 
delivered  me  from  conflict,  and  set  my  foot  upon  the  rock. 
In  my  wife  he  has  been  pleased  to  bestow  upon  me  a  most 
precious  treasure,  exactly  suited  to  my  need,  and  I  feel  his 
presiding  wing  merciftdly  extended  over  us. 

9/A  mo.,  2S?'d.  It  has  been  our  Quarterly  Meeting.  The 
meeting  for  worship  was  highly  favoured  by  the  divine  pre- 
sence. It  was  upon  me  to  pray  at  considerable  length,  and 
under  a  very  solemn  influence,  which  continued  after  my 
prayer  was  finished.  What  a  blessing, — how  high  a  privilege 
is  the  spirit  of  prayer ! 


FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Geclney,  9th  mo.,  29tli,  1817. 

*  *  With  an  affection  and  a  solicitude  which  are  as  foreign 
to  mere  compliment  as  it  is  a  stranger  to  them,  I  now  congratu- 
late you  on  a  union  which  has  so  much  of  mind  in  it,  as  well 
as  of  outward  advantages,  as  to  promise  the  greatest  share  of 
temporal  felicity.     And  yet  I  would  apprize  you  that  even 


128  LETTER    FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1817. 

these  satisfactions  and  privileges  sliould  be  enjoyed  in  reference 
and  subordination  to  tbe  Giver  of  "every  good  and  perfect 
gift ;"  tbat  they  ought  frequently  to  be  offered  in  sacrifice  at 
his  footstool ;  and  that  whilst  you  admit  no  inferior  competi- 
tor into  your  hearts^  he,  the  Creator  of  the  heart,  must  reign 
unrivalled  there.  I  would  also  apprize  you,  that,  without  any 
fault  of  ours,  the  sweetest,  the  most  innocent  earthly  enjoyment, 
is  liable  to  frequent  and  unexpected  interruptions.  In  this 
ordeal,  this  prison  of  the  soul,  many  things  combine  against  our 
present  happiness.  The  war  of  elements,  the  more  fierce  and 
cruel  war  of  men^s  passions,  prejudices,  and  interests,  all  aggra- 
vated by  the  maUce  of  an  unwearied  and  potent  enemy,  will  one 
or  other  of  them  be  frequently  reminding  the  most  prosperous 
and  the  most  happy  that  this  world  affords  not  the  ultimate 
rest  of  an  immortal  spirit, — that  earth  is  not  its  final  home. 
Of  these  things,  beloved  pair,  though  you  knew  them  before,  I 
have  thought  it  might  not  be  amiss,  even  in  the  zenith  of 
your  allowable  enjoyment,  to  put  you  again  in  remembrance. 
But  there  is  another  thing,  which  perhaps  you  may  not  so 
readily  admit,  or  so  easily  credit,  but  which  I  think  it  may  be  at 
least  safe  for  me  to  communicate,  and  that  is  a  belief  which  has 
attended  me,  particularly  since  your  marriage,  that  the  way 
cast  up  for  you  is  rather  an  arduous  than  an  easy  one;  and 
whilst  I  hope  it  will  have  many  roses  in  it,  I  am  apprehensive 
it  will  also  have  its  thorns; — amidst  other  causes,  on  this 
especial  and  scriptural  ground,  that  "  they  who  will  live  godly 
in  Christ  Jesus,  shall  sufifer  persecution;" — for  though  racks 
and  other  torments  of  the  body  are,  for  the  present,  excluded 
our  favoured  land,  yet  there  remain  in  it,  in  pretty  frill  play, 
two  small  but  powerful  engines  of  mental  disquietude,  the 
tongue  and  the  pen.  The  former  of  these,  in  certain  heads, 
and  under  a  certain  direction,  is  strongly  characterized  by  the 
Psalmist  and  the  apostle  James;  and  the  latter,  as  perhaps 
some  of  us  think,  is  not,  when  serving  the  same  Master,  either 
less  mischievous  or  poignant. 

Sixth  day  morning,  \Oth  mo.,  \Oth.  Yesterday  was  a  happy 
day.  In  the  morning  meeting  I  beheved  it  my  duty  to  pray 
in  the  following  words  : — 


^T,  30.        PUBLIC  PRAYER  AND  MINISTRY.  129 

"  We  reverently  thank  thee,  O  Lord  God  Almighty,  *  * 
because  thou  art  healing  all  our  diseases,  and  forgiving  all  our 
iniquities ;  because  thou  art  redeeming  our  life  from  destruc- 
tion, and  crowning  us  with  loving  kindness  and  tender 
mercies.  We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  so  to  impress  upon  our 
spirits,  a  sense  of  thine  abmidant  loving  kindness  in  Christ 
Jesus,  that  we  may  be  constrained  by  his  love,  to  enter  in  at 
the  'strait  gate ;  to  walk  in  the  narrow  way ;  to  take  up  our 
daily  cross  in  simpHcity  and  godly  sincerity ;  and  to  follow  the 
Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth.  Thus,  O  Lord,  though  we  are 
indeed  unworthy  in  thy  sight,  suffer  thine  own  works  to  praise 
thee ;  and  whilst  thou  art  making  us  sensible  that  of  ourselves 
we  can  do  nothing,  enable  us  to  acknowledge,  that  great  and 
marvellous  are  thy  works.  Lord  God  Almighty,  just  and  true 
are  all  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  Saints." 

I  felt  it  a  privilege  thus  to  be  brought  to  the  sense,  and  to 
the  expression  of  thanksgiving;  but  I  have  since  felt  in  the 
midst  of  our  large  and  pleasant  party,  and  abounding  luxm-ies, 
and  indolent  tendencies,  a  fear  lest  the  narrow  path  shoidd  be 
forgotten.  May  this  never  lie  the  case.  I  do  feel  a  genuine 
desire  that  all  may  be  kept  in  true  and  right  order,  by  thf^ 
Spirit  and  power  of  my  Lord  and  Master. 


TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  10th  mo.,  11th,  181  r. 

How  is  the  Christian's  faith,  at  times,  permitted  to  be  tried, 
even  to  a  hair's  breadth,  and  after  these  seasons  of  probation, 
how  wonderfully  is  rehef  afforded,  when  perhaps  least  expected, 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  I  am  writing  to  one  who 
knows  far  more  of  these  things  than  I  do,  but  I  believe  thou 
mayest  receive  me,  if  thou  wilt,  as  a  fellow  traveller  in  suffer- 
ing, as  well  as  in  rejoicing.  To  open  my  mouth  in  pubHc 
ministry,  is  a  duty  which  I  have  had  deep  reason  to  believe 
has  been  required  at  my  hands  not  unfrequently.  It  has 
seemed  to  me  impossible  to  do  otherwise,  consistently  with  my 
own  peace,  than  to  go  straight  forward  in  it,  without  much 
looking  to  the  judgment  of  others.     What  others  think  of  me 


130  TOUR  ON  THE  CONTINENT.  1817. 

I  know  not_,  but  I  heartily  desire  to  live  more  simply  in  this 
and  everything  else,  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  man. 

Towards  the  close  of  tlie  year,  in  company  with 
his  wife,  his  brother  Samuel  Gurney,  his  brother 
and  sister  Buxton,  and  Prancis  and  Richenda 
Cunningham,  he  took  a  short  tour  upon  the  conti- 
nent of  Europe,  their  principal  objects  being  to 
establish  a  Branch  Bible  Society  in  Paris,  and  to 
procure  information  as  to  the  systems  of  prison 
discipline  adopted  in  the  jails  of  Antwerp  and 
Ghent.  In  crossing  over  to  Calais  they  were 
surrounded  by  a  dense  fog,  in  which  they  drifted 
about  for  two  days  and  nights,  and  narrowly  escaped 
running  the  vessel  ashore.  Joseph  John  Gurney' s 
own  account  of  this  journey  has  not  been  preserved, 
but  the  reader  will  find  several  interesting  details 
respecting  it,  in  the  life  of  Sir  Thomas  Eowell 
Buxton.*  Having  accompKshed  their  objects,  they 
returned  home  after  an  absence  of  about  a  month. 


TO    HIS    SISTER-IN-LAW    ELIZABETH    GURNEY. 

Normch,  12th  mo.,  9th,  1817. 

*  *  We  arrived  late  on  seventh  day  evening.  A  hearty 
welcome,  and  a  warm,  bright  house  awaited  us :  dear  Catherine 
and  Priscilla  looking  charmingly,  and  all  the  household  in  good 
order.     What  a  blessing  is  there  in  such  an  arrrival  at  home. 

*  *  It  was  very  comfortable  yesterday  to  find  ourselves 
once  more  seated  in  Goat  Lane.t  Our  morning  meeting  was 
solemn.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  also  comfortable,  and  a 
satisfactory  reading  at  Earlham,  and  cheerful  evening  over  the 
great  parlour  foe,  concluded  the  day.     Yesterday  brought  the 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap.  v. 
f  One  of  the  Meeting-houses  of  Friends,  in  Norwich. 


MT.  30.  PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  131 

usual  round  of  banking,  writing,  reading,  &c.     How  pleasant 
is  the  settlement  into  regular  domestic  life  ! 

My  wife  and  I  spend  our  evenings  alone  together.  I  do  not 
think  our  dear  sisters  will  be  the  least  interruption  to  us.  *  * 

The  occasions  on  which  he  felt  called  to  speak  as 
a  minister  were  now  more  frequent,  "  though  often," 
as  he  says,*  "attended  with  unusual  conflict,  and. 
much  in  the  cross  and  fear."  "How  vain,"  he 
remarks  in  another  place, f  "would  he  my  own 
efforts  to  minister  without  the  command." 

Early  in  the  year  1818,  private  business  called 
him  to  London.  His  sister  Elizabeth  Ery  had  pre- 
viously entered  upon  her  important  labours  for  the 
benefit  of  the  prisoners  in  Newgate,  and  for  the 
improvement  of  prison  discipline  generally.  Joseph 
John  Gurney  warmly  entered  into  his  sister's  views, 
accompanied  her  to  the  Committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons  on  the  occasion  of  her  giving  her  evidence, 
and  afterwards  to  Lord  Sidmouth,  then  Secretary  of 
State  for  the  Home  Department.!  On  his  return, 
he  thus  briefly  alludes  to  his  visit. 

Srd  mo.,  9th,  1818.  The  [last]  fortnight  has  been  a  very 
interesting  one.  After  two  busy  days  of  preparation,  we  left 
home  on  fourth  day,  (the  25th  ult.)  by  day  coach,  and  arrived 
that  night  at  Upton.  *  * 

Sixth  day,  to  London,  to  the  Committee  of  the  House 
of  Commons,  with  dear  Elizabeth;  afterwards  to  dine  with 
W.  Smith,  M.P.,where  wemet  Wilberforce  and  Sir  S.  EomiUy. 
A  very  interesting  time. 


*  Journal  under  date  2nd  mo.,    1st,    1818. 
t  Under  date  2nd  mo.,  11th,  1818. 
I  See  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol.  i,  p.  292—313. 

K   2 


132  MAYOR  AND  CORPORATION  VISIT  EARLHAM.  1818. 

Seventh  day,  breakfasted  with  WiUiam  Smith;  corrected 
my  sister's  evidence ;  retm-ned  with  her  in  the  evening  to 
Upton. 

First  day  began  in  lowness,  followed  by  deep  exercise  of 
spirit,  and  a  great  flow  in  the  ministry  at  Plaistow :  in  the 
morning,  on  giving  up  the  world  to  come  to  Christ ;  "  who 
hath  beheved  our  report  ?"  &c.,  with  prayer  for  the  different 
states  in  the  meeting  :  in  the  afternoon,  comfort  and  advice 
to  the  discouraged,  and  prayer  for  them.  ^  ^ 

Second  day,  interesting  visit  to  Newgate;  solemn  meeting 
there.  ^  ^ 

Third  day  with  my  sister  to  Lord  Sidmouth. 

Fourth  day,  breakfasted  with  Wilberforce;  met  Lord 
Rocksavage.  ^  * 

His  visit  to  London,  and  the  pamphlet  on  Prison 
Discipline  soon  afterwards  published  by  liis  brother- 
in-law,  Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  tended  to  deepen  in 
his  own  mind  a  sense  of  the  importance  of  that 
subject ;  and  an  opportunity  soon  occurred  for  en- 
deavouring to  influence  the  authorities  at  Norwich 
to  some  exertion  respecting  it.  The  Mayor  and 
Corporation,  attended  by  the  Sheriffs  and  other 
citizens,  whilst  perambulating  the  boundaries  of  the 
county  of  the  city,  were,  by  his  desire,  invited  to 
partake  of  refreshment  in  passing  by  the  Hall  at 
Earlham.  Besides  those  immediately  connected 
with  the  magistracy,  many  others  assembled,  the 
whole  company  consisting  of  about  800  persons. 
On  this  occasion,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  an 
address  to  the  Mayor  and  Corporation,  urged  the 
erection  of  a  new  jail,  and  its  establishment  on 
better  principles,  with  a  view  to  the  employment  of 
the  prisoners  and  the  improvement  of  their  morals ; 


JET.  30.  POLITICS.  133 

enforcing  his  appeal  by  a  reference  to  the  extra- 
ordinary change  that  had  then  recently  taken  place 
in  Newgate  through  the  exertions  of  a  committee 
of  ladies,  and  concluding  by  offering  a  donation  of 
£100  towards  the  object.  The  effort  was  not 
without  fruit,  though  the  result  was  not  immedi- 
ately apparent. 

In  the  spring  of  1818,  a  dissolution  of  parliament 
took  place,  wliich  was  followed  by  a  general  elec- 
tion. Upon  religious  and  philanthropic  grounds  he 
had  long  desired  to  see  his  brother-in-law,  Thomas 
Eowell  Buxton,  in  ParKament,  and  now  rejoiced 
with  him  in  his  success  at  AYeymouth.  His  letter 
to  him  on  the  occasion,  Avliich  is  akeady  before  the 
public,*  is  sufficiently  expressive  of  the  hopes  which 
he  indulged  as  to  his  parliamentary  career,  hopes 
not  of  political  distinction,  but  of  the  powerful  and 
successful  advocacy  of  the  cause  of  righteousness 
and  love.  As  regarded  himself,  he  was  called  into 
a  different  sphere.  His  advocacy  of  this  cause  was 
to  be  elsewhere  than  in  the  House  of  Commons. 
Much,  however,  as  he  disliked  the  strife  of  politics, 
he  was  involved  in  some  effort  at  the  election  at 
Norwich,  in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  a  near 
relative,  who  was  one  of  the  candidates.  "  It  Avas 
my  endeavour,"  he  writes  in  his  Joiu'nal,  "not  to 
yield  myseK  up  to  the  interests  of  the  election,  but 
being  called  upon,  I  made  one  speech  to  the  electors, 
in  which  I  communicated  my  whole  mind  on  the 
subject  before  us,  and  endeavoured  to  raise  their 
minds  to   something   higher   than    mere    politics. 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap,  vi,  p.  78. 


134  HE    IS    ACKNOWLEDGED    AS    A    MINISTER.  1818. 

The  whole  effect,"  he  adds,  "has  been  rather 
lowering  to  the  best  things."  "When  we  look,  on 
the  one  hand,"  is  his  subsequent  reflection  in  the 
Autobiography,  in  allusion  to  this  incident,  "  to  the 
party  spirit,  the  dissipation,  and  corruption  which 
attend  these  political  strifes,  and,  on  the  other  hand, 
to  the  meekness,  quietness,  impartiality,  and  purity, 
which  ought  to  mark  the  character  of  Christians, 
we  can  scarcely  avoid  the  conclusion  that  the  less 
we  have  to  do  with  such  affairs  the  better ;  at  the 
same  time  we  are  not  to  forget  our  character  as 
citizens  of  the  state,  and  ought  neither  to  despise 
our  rights,  nor  neglect  our  duties  in  that  capacity. 
'  Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order.'  " 

It  was  in  the  sixth  month  of  this  year,  that  the 
Monthly  Meeting  of  Eriends  in  Normch  recognized 
him  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  called  to  the  work 
by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church.  E^eferring  to 
this  and  to  his  previous  attendance  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  London,  he  writes  in  his  Journal : — 

Qth  mo.,  20th.  *  *  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  exceedingly 
interesting,  and,  in  most  respects,  quite  satisfactory.  To  me 
it  was  a  period  of  much  religious  exercise ;  I  had  frequently 
to  speak,  and  both  to  open  and  conclude  the  Yearly  Meeting 
in  supplication.  I  met  with  much  kind  encouragement  and 
some  useful  warnings.  *  *  On  fifth  day,  the  11th,  at  our 
Monthly  Meeting,  I  was  acknowledged  a  minister:  much 
was  felt,  and  the  unity  of  Friends  appeared  complete.  This 
has  been  a  consolation  to  me.  I  feel  the  necessity  of  being 
very,  very  watchful,  that  my  practice  may  not  linger  behind 
my  high  profession. 

First  day  morning,  \Q>th  mo.,  2\st.'\  I  feel  a  good  deal  at 
sitting  [as  a  minister]  in  the  gallery,  not  being  to  my  own 


^T,  30.         HIS  FEELINGS  ON  THAT  EVENT.  135 

apprehension,  adequately  spiritual ;  but  I  believe  help  will  be 
afforded.  May  I  be  enabled  to  enter  afresh  into  covenant 
with  my  Redeemer,  to  renounce  the  whole  spirit  of  the  world, 
and  to  serve  him  faithfully  ! 

Night.  I  feel  thankful  for  the  day's  experience.  In  the 
afternoon  I  uttered  a  few  sentences  in  supplication ;  the  first 
time  of  opening-  my  mouth  in  ministry,  in  my  new  situation. 
It  has  afiforded  me  rehef. 


136  EARLHAM.  1818. 


CHAPTEE  VIII. 

1818—1819.     ^T.  31. 

EAELHAM;  family  meetings;  position  in  BTJSnSTESS  AND  AS  A 
OHEISTIAN  MINISTEK  ;  J0I7ENEY  TO  ECOTLAND  AND  THE  NOETH  OP 
ENGLAND  WITH  HIS  SISTER  ELIZABETH  FEY  ;  EDINBUEGH  ;  GLASGOW ; 
FIEST  "public  MEETING;"  TISIT  TO  THE  EAEL  OF  DEEBY  AT 
KNOWSLEY;  PUBLISHES  HIS  FIEST  BOOK;  "NOTES  UPON  PEISONS ;" 
LETTEES  FEOM  WILLIAM  WILBEEFOECE  ;  COEEESPONDENCE  WITH 
EDWAED  HAEBOED;  EXEETIONS  TO  SAVE  THEEE  PEISONEES ;  BIETH 
OF    HIS     SON. 

After  his  marriage  Joseph  John  Gurney  continued 
at  Earlham,  and  the  hall  where  his  father  had 
resided,  and  in  which  he  had  himself  lived  from  his 
birth,  may  be  henceforth  regarded  as  his  settled 
residence.  To  this  place,  "with  its  lovely  lawn, 
nested  among  large  trees,"  possessing  within  itself 
those  ample  accommodations  which  it  was  his  enjoy- 
ment to  share  with  his  friends,  and  combining  a 
convenient  proximity  to  a  large  and  important  city, 
with  great  quietness  and  retirement,  he  was  strongly 
attached.  And  they  who  knew  him  there  can  still 
picture  him  in  his  study  among  his  books;  or  in 
his  drawing  room  amongst  his  friends,  his  coun- 
tenance beaming  with  love  and  intelligence,  the 
life  of  the  whole  circle ;  or  in  his  garden  amongst 
his  flowers,  with  his  Greek  Testament  in  his  hand, 
still  drawing  from  the  l)ooks  "  of  nature  and  of 
grace"  that  lay  open  before  him,  new  motives  to 
raise  the  heart  to  the  Author  of  all  his  blessings. 


^T.  31.  FAMILY    MEETINGS.  137 

Placed  by  circumstances,  though  not  the  elder 
brother,  in  the  position  which  his  father  had  occu- 
pied in  Norfolk,  as  master  of  Earlliam  and  a  partner 
in  the  Bank,  it  was  his  delight  as  far  as  possible,  to 
continue  Earlham  as  the  family  house.  Even  after 
his  marriage,  his  sisters  Catherine,  Rachel,  and 
Priscilla  continued  to  live  with  him,  occupying 
their  o\\ti  apartments;  and  it  was  the  custom  of 
the  other  members  of  the  family  frequently  to  meet 
there  as  under  a  common  roof.  "  How  often,"  (is 
his  characteristic  exclamation,)  "has  the  large 
family  circle  assembled  there ;  and  how  often  have 
we  found  occasion  when  so  collected  to  acknowledge 
the  loving  kindness  of  the  shepherd  of  Israel !  " 
Up  to  the  period  of  his  brother  John's  decease,  and 
for  some  time  afterwards,  it  was  the  habit  of  his 
brothers  and  himself,  with  their  brothers-in-law 
Thomas  Eowell  Buxton  and  Samuel  Hoare,  to  im- 
prove these  occasions  by  a  mutual  impartial  exami- 
nation of  their  conduct,  in  which  each,  ^\^th 
brotherly  openness,  stated  what  he  conceived  to  be 
the  others'  faults.  Happy  indeed  was  such  an  inter- 
course between  such  minds.  "  It  has  inspired  me," 
remarks  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  allusion  to  it  on 
one  occasion,*  (and  his  Journal  contains  many 
similar  allusions,)  "  with  a  fresh  desire  to  be  bold, 
resolute,  honest,  straightforward." 

Besides  this,  to  him,  delightful  band  of  brothers 
and  sisters,  his  house  was,  as  must  have  been  ah-eady 
apparent  to  the  reader,  freely  opened  to  a  large  circle. 
Whilst  every  year  strengthened  liis  conviction  of  the 
soundness  and  importance  of  the  Christian  princi- 

*  Journal,  under  date  lOth  mo.,  25tli,  1812. 


138  HIS    POSITION    AS    A    FRIEND  1818. 

pies    which    he    professed,   he    rejoiced   in    "that 
liberty  wherewith  Christ "  had  made  him  "  free  "  to 
embrace  as  brethren  all  those  in  whom  he  thought 
he  could  discern  traces  of  his  heavenly  image.     His 
natural  character  doubtless  led  him  to  dwell  rather 
on  the  points  of  union  than  of  difference  with  those 
around  him.    With  his  expansive  feelings,  it  was  to 
him  peculiarly  painful  to  be  separated  in  outward 
religious    fellowship    from   some  whom  he  much 
loved,  from  many  whom  he  highly  valued,  and  from 
the  great  bulk  of  his  fellow  professors  of  the  Chris- 
tian name.     Notliing,  it  may  be  said  with  truth, 
but  a  deep  sense  of  duty,  an  absolute  necessity  laid 
upon  him,  would  have  reconciled  him  to   such   a 
separation.     It  is  in  this  point   of  view  that  his 
decision  is   entitled  to  the   greater   weight;    and, 
under  his  circumstances,  the  degree  in  which  his 
natural  sensitiveness,  almost  amounting  to  timidity, 
was  gradually  overcome,  the  courage  and  firmness 
with  which  he  was,  on  various  occasions,  enabled  to 
act  out  his  convictions,  were  not  the  least  striking 
evidences  of  the  work  of  divine  grace  upon  his  heart. 
Whatever  may    be  the   advantages   of    smaller 
circles,  it  may  be  a  question  whether  these  advan- 
tages have  not  been  sometimes  overrated.      To  the 
tender  plant  they  are  often  highly  serviceable  if  not, 
absolutely  essential.    But  are  there  not  instances  in 
which,  if  there  has  been  less  to  obstruct  the  forma- 
tion of  the  character,  there  has  been,  on  the  other 
hand,  less  to   develope   and  invigorate  it,  where, 
instead  of  growing  up  to  a  healthful  maturity,  it 
has  been  either  permanently  crippled,  or  what  is 
equally    disastrous,    permanently    deformed;    one 
limb  or  member  growing  out  of  its  due  place  or 


^T.  31.  AND    AS    A    MINISTER.  139 

proportion,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  rest.  They  who 
have  been  accustomed  always  to  associate  with 
those  of  similar  opinions,  and  who  are  acquainted 
only  with  the  habits  and  modes  of  thou£^ht  of  their 
ov,!!  particular  circles,  are  naturally  but  ill  prepared 
to  understand  and  sympathize  with  the  difficulties 
of  others.  That  which  is  kno^\ii  is,  in  far  too  many 
cases,  all  that  exists,  to  them  that  know  nothing 
beyond.  Ignorance  is  thus  apt  to  beget  exclusive- 
ness,  and  the  mind  and  the  heart  become  contracted 
together.  And,  even  assuming  the  educational 
opinions  of  such  individuals  to  be  strictly  correct,  it 
may  well  be  doubted  whether  the  discipline,  or 
rather  the  absence  of  discipline,  through  which 
these  opinions  have  been  imbibed,  has  led  them  to 
so  deep  an  understanding  and  heartfelt  an  appre- 
ciation of  them  as  he  possesses  who  has  "bought 
the  truth  "  at  the  price  of  much  inward  and  out- 
ward conflict,  and  has  had  to  contest,  as  it  were, 
every  inch  of  the  ground  on  which  he  stands. 

The  reader  has  now  to  view  Joseph  John  Gurney 
not  only  in  the  varied  relations  of  private  life,  l)ut 
in  the  important  character  of  a  Christian  minister. 
The  work  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  is  one  of  the 
most  serious  and  responsible  in  which  man  can  be 
engaged.  In  Joseph  John  Gurney 's  mind  the  sense 
of  its  importance  was  not  diminished  by  the  peculi- 
arity of  his  position.  He  was  weU  aware  that  it 
was  not  his  learning  or  his  talents  that  had  qualitied 
him  for  such  a  ser^dce.  He  had  received  no  ordi- 
nation from  human  authority,  nor  any  "call"  or 
appointment  from  the  congregation.  The  "  acknow- 
ledgment "  of  his  friends,  was  simply  a  recognition 
of  the  gift  which   both   he   and  they  felt  to  be 


140  A    MAN    OF    BUSINESS  1818. 

altogether  dependent  npon  the  free  and  unrestrained 
mercy  of  the  glorified  Head  of  the  Church,  bestowed 
through  the  agency  of  that  Spirit  who  "  divideth 
severally  to  every  man  as  he  will,"  and  for  the  due 
exercise  of  which  the  steward  entrusted  with  it 
must  give  a  strict  account.  His  course  of  life  bears 
witness  to  the  earnestness  of  his  desire  to  be  found 
faithful  in  this  stewardship.  His  labours  were  ex- 
tensive and  abundant;  yet  he  did  not  esteem  the 
duties  in  which  he  became  on  this  account  involved, 
incompatible  with  those  of  his  ordinary  calling. 
And  whilst  his  secular  occupations  led  him  into  a 
closer  intercourse  with  others,  and  made  him  better 
acquainted  with  the  difficulties  and  conflicts  of 
ordinary  life,  thereby  enlarging  his  heart  to  a  more 
extended  sympathy  with  those  among  whom  he  was 
called  to  labour,  they  tended  at  the  same  time  to 
refresli  and  invigorate  his  mind  and  afi'ections,  by 
the  very  diversion  of  them  from  the  contemplative 
to  the  more  practical  parts  of  religion.  As  a  man 
of  business  he  was  exact  and  methodical.  Prompt- 
ness and  dispatch  equally  characterized  him.  It 
was  his  endeavour,  through  that  assistance  without 
which  he  felt  himself  weak  even  in  these  things,  to 
act  out  the  scriptural  maxim,  "whatsoever  thy 
hand  fmdeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might."  Whilst 
this  strikingly  marked  his  conduct  in  the  ordinary 
duties  of  business,  it  became  especially  apparent  in 
times  of  difficulty  and  danger.  And  on  more  than 
one  occasion  of  great  commercial  distress  and 
anxiety,  the  quiet  firmness  and  effective  decision 
which  he  was  enabled  to  evince,  afforded  practical 
evidence,  of  no  mean  value,  of  the  reality  and  power 
of  his  Christian  princii)les.       Deeply  was  he  im- 


^T.  31.  AND    A    CHRISTIAN.  141 

pressed  ^vith  the  responsibilities  of  his  position. 
Deeply  did  he  feel  that  to  perform  duties  so  various 
as  those  of  a  man  of  business,  and  of  a  Christian 
minister,  requires  (may  it  not  be  said)  a  double 
portion  of  divine  wisdom  and  grace.  But  in  his 
example,  as  in  that  of  many  others,  there  is  en- 
couraging evidence,  that  the  right  combination  of 
these  ser\dces,  so  far  from  tending  to  dim  the  lustre 
of  the  Christian's  armour,  serves  rather  to  brighten 
his  weapons,  and  to  nerve  his  limbs  the  more 
effectively  to  wield  them.  His  comparative  afHu- 
ence  doubtless  materially  facilitated  the  carrying  out 
of  his  views,  and  relieved  him  from  those  corroding 
cares  which  are  so  apt  to  absorb  or  wear  down  the 
mind ;  but  it  placed  him,  at  the  same  time,  within 
the  reach  of  other  and  not  less  dangerous  tempt- 
ations. Solemn  indeed  is  the  language,  "How 
hardly  shall  they  that  have  riches,  enter  into  the 
kins^dom  of  heaven."  And  whilst  the  assurance 
that  "with  God  it  is  possible,"  ought  to  prevent 
any  from  being  dismayed,  it  should  never  be  for- 
gotten that  the  power  of  divine  grace  is  peculiarly 
exemplified  in  the  character  of  those  who,  amidst 
the  allurements  of  ease  and  pleasure,  and  the  tempt- 
ations of  worldly  ambition,  have  been  enabled, 
through  unmerited  mercy,  "  to  fight  the  good  fight 
of  faith,  and  to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 

In  the  8th  and  9tli  months  of  this  year,  (1818,) 
in  company  with  his  wife,  his  sister  Elizabeth  Pry, 
and  one  of  her  daughters,  he  took  a  journey  into 
Scotland,  visiting  many  of  the  prisons  both  there 
and  in  the  north  of  England,  besides  attending 
many  of  the  meetings  of  Eriends.  On  this  occasion, 
in  conformity  with  the  Christian  order  established 


142  VISITS    SCOTLAND  1818. 

in  the  Society  of  Eriends,  he  was  furnished  with 
a  minute  or  testimonial  expressing  the  concurrence 
of  the  Eriends  of  his  o^\ti  "  Monthly  Meeting  "  in 
his  prospects  of  religious  service.     They  proceeded 
throusrh  Darlino^ton  and  Newcastle  to  Edinburgh 
and  Dundee,  and  thence  by  Montrose  to  Aberdeen, 
where  thev  attended  the  General  Meeting  of  Eriends 
in  Scotland.      Eeturnins^  bv  wav  of  Perth,   after 
ha^-ins^  visited  the  families  of  Eriends  at  Kilmuck, 
the  first  service  of  this  kind  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
and  which  he  describes  as  "humbling  and  difficult," 
— they    proceeded   to    Edinburgh,    and    thence   to 
Glasgow,  where,  amidst  a  pressure  of  other  duties, 
he  held  his  tu'st  "  public  meeting."    After  attending 
the  meetings  of  Eriends   in   Cumberland   and  at 
Kendal,  they  came  to  Liverpool,  from  which  place 
they  visited  the  Earl  of  Derby  and  his  family  at 
Knowsley  Park.     Proceeding  homeward  by  way  of 
York,  they  arrived  at  Earlham  in  the  early  part  of 
the  10th  month.      The  particulars  of  this  journey 
are  already  so  fully  before  the  public  in  the  Memoirs 
of    Elizabeth  Ery,*  and  through  the  work    upon 
prisons  published  by  Joseph  John  Gm-ney,  that  it 
seems  unnecessary  to  give  more  than  the  following 
extracts  from  his  Journal. 

Stonehaven,  Sth  mo.,  2Sth,  1818.  Om-  day's  jommey  lias 
been  remarkably  agreeable.  We  crossed  the  ferry  to  Dundee 
after  an  early  breakfast ;  a  very  pleasant  sail  of  two  miles  ;  a 
fresh  gale  blowing,  and  the  morning  delightful.  The  mouth  of 
the  Tay  makes  a  noble  harboiu',  and  Dundee  is  a  place  of  much 
trade;  the  number  of  its  inhabitants  35,000.  The  retm-n 
for  salmon  there  is  £100,000  per  annum,  and  they  manufac- 

*  Memoirs  of  Elizabeth  Try,  vol.  i,  p.  328. 


^T.  31.  WITH    ELIZABETH    FRY.  143 

tui'e  broAvn  linen  in  great  quantities.  We  called  upon  two  of 
the  magistrates.  One  of  them  shewed  us  the  jail,  which  like 
other  Scotch  jails  is  quite  defective.  It  contains  no  criminals 
at  this  time.  It  is  a  rare  thing  to  have  a  criminal  in  this 
jail,  which  serves  not  only  for  this  populous  town,  but  for  a 
large  district  of  the  coimtv  of  Forfar.  The  scarcity  of  crime 
in  Scotland,  which  is  very  striking  to  an  English  obsener, 
must  be  attributed  to  the  early  and  rehgious  education  of  the 
whole  people.  The  population  appears  in  a  healthy  state  of 
morals.     Would  it  were  so  with  us  ! 

The  road  hither  j&'om  Dundee  by  Aberbrothock,  or  Arbroath, 
iNIontrose,  and  Ber%ie,  runs  along  the  coast  of  Forfar,  and  pre- 
sents a  dehghtful  variety  of  sea  ^iews.  The  towns  are  pleasant 
and  prettily  situated.  At  Arbroath  we  visited  the  jail,  veiy 
dirt}%  though  not  an  old  building,  and  with  the  usual  accom- 
modations of  Scotch  jails,  and  nothing  more.  Not  a  single 
criminal  in  it. 

At  jSIonti'ose  we  were  shown  the  prison  by  Provost  Barclay, 
a  distant  relation  of  the  Uiy  family,  strongly  resembhug 
some  of  the  Barclays  in  person.  Like  every  other  Scotchman 
in  authority  whom  we  have  yet  met  with  he  was  extremely 
cIatI.  There  is  a  real  readiness  to  serve  amongst  the  Scotch, 
and  they  often  expect  no  pay  for  many  of  the  Uttle  things 
with  which  they  furnish  us. 

The  drive  between  ]Montrose  and  Bervie  is  beautiful, 
especially  on  account  of  the  sea  views,  and  the  little  %illages 
of  Johnshaven  and  Gordon  situated  at  the  foot  of  lofty  hiLls, 
and  on  the  rocky  shore  of  the  sea,  quite  sheltered  from  the 
world  but  apparently  populous.  There  is  also  a  highly  beauti- 
ful deep  and  riclily  wooded  ravine,  tlu'ough  which  a  mountain 
stream  mns  over  the  dark  rocks  into  the  sea,  in  one  place 
forming  a  cataract  seventy  or  eighty  feet  in  height.  There  is 
nothing  remai'kable  between  the  little  town  of  Berrie  and 
Stonehaven,  except  the  approach  down  the  side  of  a  steep  lull 
to  the  latter  place,  which  is  beautifully  situated  round  a  natural 
basin  of  the  sea. 

9th  mo.,  hth.  We  left  Perth  at  noon  and  were  three  hom^s 
on  om-  road  to  Kinross.    Om-  way  lay  through  some  beautiful 


144  AT    EDINBURGH.  1818. 

scenery.  On  leaving  Perth  for  Edinburgh,  the  traveller 
ascends  a  hill  from  which  there  is  a  dehghtful  view  of  the  town, 
the  bridge,  the  mountains,  and  the  river  Tay.  The  hill  called 
Kiimoul  on  the  right  of  the  town  is  particularly  beautiful, 
finely  cultivated,  and  adorned  with  pretty  white  houses  on  one 
side,  and,  on  the  other,  a  precipitous  barren  rock.  About 
eight  miles  from  Perth  we  came  to  the  beautiful  rocky  and 
wooded  glen  of  Nairn  through  which  the  road  winds  for  about 
a  mile.  On  our  approach  to  Kinross  we  had  a  fine  view  of 
Lochleven,  and  the  old  castle  where  queen  Mary  was  confined. 
The  jail  of  Kinross,  and  a  dinner  upon  Lochleven  trout,  de- 
tained us  not  an  hour,  and  we  reached  the  North  Queen's 
Ferry  by  half-past  six,  we  crossed  the  Firth  in  about  an  hour, 
the  Avind  being  contrary,  but  the  evening  dehghtful,  and  did 
not  reach  our  hospitable  quarters  [at  Alexander  Cruickshank's, 
Edinbm-gh]  before  half-past  ten. 

Wi  mo.,  \2th.  First,  second,  and  part  of  third  day 
were  spent  at  Edinbiu-gh.  Second  day  was  one  of  great 
labour  and  religious  exercise.  We  spent  an  hour  pleasantly 
at  the  "deaf  and  dumb  asylum,''  where  the  interesting 
company  of  intelligent  children  struck  us  very  much.  There 
is  a  naivete  and  cleverness  about  them  which  is  dehghtful. 
They  are  excellently  taught  to  read,  write,  cypher,  &c. ;  and 
had  evidently  received  good  rehgious  instruction.  Here  we 
were  met  by  Erskine  of  Mar,  a  generous  old  man,  a  great 
supporter  of  pubUc  charities  and  very  cordial  to  us.  Ten  or 
eleven  family  visits  occupied  the  remainder  of  the  day.  In 
the  evening  returned  to  supper  at  Alexander  Cruickshank's, 
where  we  were  met  by  John  Wigham,  jun.,  Thomas  AUan, 
Leonard  Horner,  &c.,  and  having  got  well  through  the  labours 
of  the  day,  we  passed  the  first  watch  of  the  night  very 
pleasantly  together.  On  thii'd  day  morning  a  fine  party  col- 
lected at  breakfast,  Leonard  Homer,  Archibald  Constable  and 
family,  my  friend  Andi-ew  Hamilton,  Henderson,  an  active 
dissenting  minister.  Sir  George  and  Lady  Grey,  with  their 
son  and  daughter.  I  very  much  enjoyed  their  society,  and 
before  we  parted  my  dear  sister  Fry  was  solemnly  engaged  in 
prayer. 


M,T.  31.  MEETING    AT    GLASGOW.  145 

Fh'S't  day  morning,  [9th  mo.,  14^A.]  [In  alhision  to  the 
public  meeting  at  Glasgow  held  the  preceding  fifth  day.]  The 
class  who  met  us  were  of  the  thinkings  and  rather  superior 
kind.  We  were  both  engaged  in  preaching  and  in  prayer. 
My  text  was,  "  Search  the  scriptm-es,  for  they  are  they  which 
testify  of  me."  It  was  a  solemn,  quiet,  and  I  trust  edifying 
time ;  and  there  seemed  much  openness  and  cordialitj^  amongst 
the  people.  -^  -^  I  may  truly  say  that  this  public  meeting, 
and  many  other  occasions  since  I  left  home,  have  been 
abundantly  sufficient  to  convince  me  how  near  the  Lord  is 
to  help  us  if  we  place  our  trust  in  him.  I  have,  from  time  to 
time,  been  made  sensible  of  my  own  entire  poverty ;  but  have 
never  been  disappointed  when  I  have  gone,  with  fuU  purpose 
of  heart,  to  the  only  true  som-ce  of  help.  *  *  [Last]  fifth 
day  was  the  anniversary  of  my  man'iage,  and  was  also  marked 
by  my  first  public  meeting.  On  looking  back  upon  the  past 
twelve  months,  I  have  indeed  much  cause  for  thankfulness. 
How  have  I  been  blessed  and  comforted  in  [my]  union;  and 
though  we  have  met  with  one  affliction,'^  how  much  cause 
have  I,  even  for  this,  to  praise  him  who  has  thus  been 
merciftJly  with  us,  both  in  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  heights 
and  in  depths.  My  gift  in  the  ministry  has  been  very  much 
enlarged,  and  I  humbly  trust  there  may  have  been  some 
spiritual  progress  accompanying  it;  yet  on  looking  into  myself 
impartially,  I  seem  to  find  nothing  but  cause  for  repentance. 
How  often  am  I  brought  to  feel  the  necessity  of  leaving  that 
which  is  behind,  and  of  clinging  to  him  who  can  save. 

9th  mo.,  19th.  [Referring  to  the  decease  of  a  devoted 
servant  of  Christ.]  The  accoimt  we  heard  of  her  mental 
suflFerings  in  her  last  days,  was  afiectuig ;  and  shows  that  even 
the  most  devoted  of  the  Lord's  serv^ants  are,  at  times,  permitted 
to  know  a  deep  cloud  when  they  pass  tlirough  the  vaUey  of  the 
shadow  of  death.  Too  much  stress  ought  not  to  be  laid  on 
death-bed  scenes,  nor  ought  the  expectation  to  be  too  much 
fixed  on  sunshine  in  that  awfid  hour ;  though  it  is  sometimes 
my  prayer,  that  sunshine  may  be  my  portion  in  it. 

*  In  allusion  to  his  wife's  confinement,  and  the  death  of  the  infant. 

L 


146  KNOWSLEY  HALL.  1818. 

^ih  mo.,  26th.  ^  "^  We  have  more  than  once  been  cheered 
in  the  course  of  this  journey  by  meeting  with  dear  friends 
green  in  old  age^  alive  in  the  truth,  and  evidently  fast  ripening 
for  the  garner.  Such  instances  strongly  confirm  the  truth  of 
religion,  and,  as  I  think,  more  particularly  so,  when  they  are 
attended  by  a  decay  of  intellectual  powers.  "^  ^ 

breakfasted  with  us,  and  afterwards  nict  us  at  the 

prison,  and  to  dinner.  I  was  much  pleased  with  him.  He  is 
evidently  a  man  of  remarkable  amiability,  uncommon  cultiva- 
tion, and  very  considerable  talent.  His  company  and  conver- 
sation afforded  me  real  pleasure;  but  it  grieved  me  to  think 
that  he  never  attends  any  place  of  worship,  and  is  probably  not 
thoroughly  convinced  of  Christianity.  Such  characters  may  do 
much  harm.  Here  is  a  man,  presenting  many  charms,  with  a  life 
of  excellent  morals,  and  yet  not  publicly  professing  Christianity, 
and  perhaps,  not  believing  in  it.  There  may  be,  and  I  believe 
there  is,  a  deception  of  the  enemy  in  this  pleasant  picture ! 

Referring  to  their  visit  at  Knowsley,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  writes  : — 

Lord  and  Lady  Derby,  with  others  of  the  family,  met 
us  at  the  door,  and  received  us  most  heartily.  Lord  Derby 
is  an  elderly  man,  remarkably  kind  and  attentive,  and 
without  anything  of  manner  to  make  one  feel  his  rank. 
Lady  Derby  is  somewhat  younger;  a  very  interesting  and 
pleasing  woman;  her  mind  much  too  great  for  affectation  or 
pride;  her  disinterestedness  conspicuous  in  the  little  occurrences 
of  the  day ;  and  her  conversation  attractive  from  the  force  of 
her  mind,  which  is  evidently  under  the  power  of  religion.  She 
lost  her  only  son  about  a  year  ago;  a  chastisement  which 
appears  to  have  had  much  effect  upon  her.  They  were 
surrounded  by  a  large  patriarchal  family  party,  consisting 
chiefly  of  the  Stanleys,  and  Hornl^ys.  The  most  conspicuous 
individuals  were  Lord  Stanley,  his  daughter  Charlotte,  and  his 
son  Edward;*  Lady  Mary,  Lady  Derby^s  only  remaining 
child;    the   mother  of   the  Hornbys,  Lord   Derby's   sister; 

*  The  present  Earl. 


MT.  31.  KNOWSLEY    HALL.  147 

smToimded  by  several  pleasing  daughters,  besides  sons  and 
sons'  wives.  There  were  also  some  agreeable  guests  in  the 
house ;  the  whole  party  about  thii'ty-five  in  number,  exclusive 
of  many  children.  I  have  seldom,  if  ever,  seen  so  much  love 
and  harmony  prevailing  Avithout  any  form,  over  a  large  family 
circle.  Lord  and  Lady  Derby  took  a  walk  Avith  us  before 
dimier,  and  showed  us  the  pictm'es  and  the  house.  The 
afternoon  and  evenmg  were  agreeably  spent  in  not  trifling 
conversation.  A  crowd  thronged  around  my  sister,  whose 
tales  were  thoroughly  relished.  I  passed  part  of  the  evening 
in  a  very  interesting  conversation  with  Lady  Derby  on  religious 
subjects.  *  "^  Before  breakfast  next  morning,  the  ladies  Mary 
and  Charlotte  took  us  in  the  carriage  to  see  their  gii-ls'  schools, 
which  are  in  excellent  order.  They  seem  to  take  great  pams 
with  their  poor  neighbours.  Lord  Derby  gives  prizes  annually 
to  those  of  his  cottagers  who  most  excel  in  neatness,  propriety, 
&c.  After  breakfast  we  ventured  to  propose  that  the  whole 
family  might  be  assembled.  My  dear  sister  had  felt  a  strong 
concern  for  this  object,  and  I  was  ready  to  bear  her  burthen 
with  her.  The  proposal  was  readily  acceded  to,  and  nearly 
the  whole  party,  including  the  senants,  about  seventy  persons 
in  all,  assembled  in  the  dining  room.  After  a  short  pause,  I 
began  by  reading  the  third  chapter  of  John.  The  rehgious 
opportunity  which  followed  lasted  nearly  an  hour,  and  was 
truly  solemn.  I  have  scarcely  ever  known  a  time  of  such 
apparent  baptism  of  the  Spiiit.  My  sister  prayed  almost  as 
soon  as  I  had  concluded  reading;  much  power  attending 
her.  I  afterwards  felt  miusual  liberty  in  preaching  the  gospel 
to  this  interesting  party,  from  one  of  the  verses  we  had  been 
reading ;  "As  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness," 
&c.  My  sister  afterwards  spoke,  and  I  was  enabled  to  pray 
in  conclusion.  We  may  thankftdly  acknowledge  that  our 
blessed  Master  was  pleased  on  this  occasion  to  send  us 
"^help  from  the  sanctuaiy."  Almost  all  present,  both  old 
and  young,  appeared  to  be  brought  to  tears;  some  to  many 
tears.  I  felt  thankful  for  having  so  favom'cd  an  opportunity 
of  plainly  declaring  the  truths  of  Christianity  to  the  family 
of  a  great  nobleman,  and  as  the  gi'ound  was  evidently  pre- 

L   2 


148  QUARTERLY  MEETING  AT  YORK.  1818. 

pared_,  I  trust  tlie  seed  did  not  fall  into  it  in  vain.  I  tliink 
we  read  of  cii'cumstances  very  much  resembling  this  visit,  in 
the  journals  of  the  earliest  Friends.  May  aU  the  praise  be 
attributed  where  alone  it  is  due  !  We  left  Knowsley  about 
twelve  o'clock  on  sixth  day  morning,  and  dined  at  Warrington 
with  tAVO  dear  old  friends,  John  and  Elizabeth  Bludwick.  They 
seemed  to  be  ripe  for  eternity !  With  them  also  we  were 
sweetly  engaged  in  waiting  and  prayer.^ 

lOth  mo.,  5th.  Fourth  day  [at  York]  was  devoted  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  large,  but  not  so  large  as  I 
expected.  The  day  was  very  interesting  to  me.  The  meeting 
for  worship  was  marked  principally  by  the  ministry  of  Benjamin 
White,  from  America,  and  Ann  Alexander.  The  meeting  for 
business  appeared  to  me  remarkably  weU  conducted.  The 
afternoon  sitting  was  chiefly  taken  up  by  considering  the  best 
mode  of  distributing  and  using  the  Yearly  Meeting's  addi'css 
on  the  subject  of  the  religious  instruction  of  children.  It  was 
peculiarly  gratifying  to  me  to  find  in  this  Quarterly  Meeting 
so  great  an  unanimity,  and  such  an  uncommon  weight  of 
exercise  on  this  great  point  of  religious  instruction.  It  was 
agreed  that  a  committee  of  men  and  women  Friends  should  be 
appointed  in  each  of  the  Monthly  Meetmgs  to  read  the  address, 
and  commimicate  advice  on  the  subject,  in  the  families  of 
Friends.  ^  ^ 

On  fifth  day  morning,  10th  mo.,  1st.,  we  all  brealdasted 
at  Samuel  Tuke's,  where  a  large  party  of  Friends  and  others 
met  us,  including  J.  Graham,  a  very  active  evangelical  clergy- 
man. He  seemed  much  satisfied  with  a  religious  opportvmity, 
which  took  place  before  we  parted.  [The  meeting  for  worship, 
which  followed,]  was  largely  attended,  principally  by  Friends. 
The  ministiy  lay  entirely  on  my  dear  sister,  Jonathan  Hutchin- 

*  In  his  autobiography  Joseph  John  Guruey  adds,  "  I  afterwards 
carried  on  a  correspondence  with  Lady  Derby,  and  some  of  the  young 
people.  I  had  recommended  their  searching  out  texts  on  particular 
subjects  in  the  bible,  as  a  useful  exercise.  This  became  their  regular 
weekly  practice  ;  and,  at  the  close  of  the  week,  some  one  of  the  party 
was  appointed  judge  of  the  selection,  and  expressed  his  decision  in 
writing,  in  the  form  of  a  brief  essay." 


^T.  31.  RETURN    IIOAIE.  149 

son,  and  myself;  and  I  think  that  very  many  were  tndy 
baptized  that  day  into  one  body.  It  was  a  great  consolation 
after  om*  heart  sinkings,  and  low  feelings,  in  Scotland  and 
Cnmberland,  to  be  brought  amongst  so  many,  who  appeared 
settled  and  established  in  the  blessed  truth.  After  my  sister 
had  been  engaged  very  beautifidly  in  supplication,  Jonathan 
Hutchinson  preached  in  a  pecidiarly  touching  manner,  on  the 
case  of  those  who  had  at  one  time  been  enabled  to  testifv, 
"  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,"  and  were  afterwards  induced  to 
inquire  "  Is  this  the  Christ,  or  look  we  for  another?" — also  of 
those  who  were  almost  persuaded  to  be  Christians.  After  he 
sat  down  I  felt  much  liberty  in  speaking  on  the  apostle's 
exhortation :  "  I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  that  ye  walk 
worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  ye  are  called."  It  Avas  a 
time  of  real  feeling,  and  love  seemed  to  flow  Uke  a  river.  It 
was  truly  comforting,  thus  to  finish  our  course  with  the  warm 
sympathy  and  concurrence  of  our  friends.  We  left  York 
immediately  after  the  meeting,  and  proceeded  to  the  Arch- 
bishop's palace.  There  we  were  kindly  received  by  the 
Arch])ishop,  and  Lady  Ann  Vernon,  his  wife,  with  their  son 
and  daughter.  He  is  a  fine  dignified  looking  man,  and  very 
polite.  He  entered  cordially  into  the  prison  cause,  and  Lady 
Ann  is  to  preside  over  the  York  ladies'  committee. 

We  arrived  at  Lynn  after  a  comfortable  and  quiet  jom-ney, 
on  seventh  day,  the  3rd.  There  I  left  my  sister  and  my  dear 
wife,  and  reached  Earlham  to  breakfast  yesterday  morning. 
I  feel  like  a  vessel  which  has  been  fiUed,  but  is  now  empty ; 
quiet  and  not  uncomfortable,  thankful  in  my  small  measure 
for  the  help  and  preservation  experienced  in  the  coiu-se  of  oirr 
long  travel,  and  desirous  to  resume  my  home  duties  Avith 
vigom-,  as  "  imto  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men." 

10th  mo.,  17th.  This  week  our  party  [has  been]  almost 
entirely  confined  to  our  own  family.  I  have  felt  it  no  small 
pri\dlege  thus  to  renew  my  old  affection  for  my  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  to  find  these  afiections  liAing  with  unabated  force. 
I  am  indeed  remarkably  and  most  imdeservedly  favoured  by  a 
gi-acious  Master  and  Saviour;  a  spiritual  course  open  before 
me  in  a  manner  which  at  one  time  I  little  expected,  and  to 
which  I  was  altogether  a  stranger,  and  old  fears  and  son'ows. 


150  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1818. 

best  known  to  myself,  completely  done  away.  "  O  for  a  closer 
walk  with  God." 

11^^  mo.,  Wi.  To  Hvmstanton  on  second  day;  my  ride  in 
part,  at  least,  profitable  by  reading  and  reflection.  I  thought 
very  intently  for  some  time  on  the  svibject  of  religious  instruc- 
tion— perhaps  the  seed  of  a  future  pamplilet.  Whilst  there, 
I  wrote  a  good  quantity  in  my  prison  book.  Fifth  day ;  Lynn 
meeting;  a  comfortable  time,  after  much  feeling  of  lowness. 
I  went  to  meeting  impressed  with  the  sad  account  of  Sir 
Samuel  RomiUy's  death,  and  preached  on  the  evils  of  the 
world,  and  on  the  only  remedy.  I  afterwards  prayed  for  all 
in  affliction,  and  particularly  for  the  king  and  queen,  in  which 
I  felt  much  satisfaction.  Home  on  sixth  day :  delightful  to  be 
there  again;  PoweU,  Hannah,  and  Priscilla,  our  almost  constant 
companions.  I  felt  burthened  this  morning  with  business, 
but  am  now  very  much  relieved.  May  grace  govern  me  through 
the  day.  Second  day  morning  ;  I  may  acknowledge  that  this 
was  in  a  degree,  my  case  yesterday,  for  I  was  drawn  out  of 
cares  into  duties  to  my  own  consolation. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  12th  mo..  3rd,  1818. 
*  *  It  is  now  more  than  two  months  since  we  reached  home^ 
and  very  swift  and  full  has  been  the  stream  which  during  that 
period  has  been  carrying  us  along.  Almost  the  first  object 
was  the  Bible  Society,  and  a  large  meeting,  not  only  of  our 
own  family,  but  of  several  religious  and  agreeable  guests  at 
Earlham.  This  was  attended  by  some  exertion,  but  the  scene 
passed  off  very  pleasantly,  not  without  real  edification.  *  * 

Amongst  our  guests  was  the  Countess  of  G ,  a  lady 

who,  through  many  sufferings,  internal  and  external,  has  been 
brought  to  a  deep,  and  at  length,  a  consohng  sense  of  religion. 
Our  large  party  has  for  some  time  been  dispersed,  except  that 
Powell  Buxton  and  his  wife  are  living  for  a  few  months 
at  Earlham  lodge — a  house  which  was  occupied  when  thou 
wast  last  here  by  Charles  Brereton.  I  wish  thou  knew  some- 
thing of  Powell.  He  has  one  of  those  noble  and  excelling 
minds  with  which  it  is  very  useful  and  stimulating  to  come 
into  contact.     He  is  rather  a  singular  instance  of  a  person 


JET.  31.  HIS    FIKST    BOOK.  151 

going  into  parliament  for  the  simple  purpose  of  doing  as  much 
good  as  he  can.  *  ^ 

NotAvithstanding  aU  my  weaknesses,  I  have  frequently  felt 
the  priA^lege  of  being  united  in  the  bonds  of  love  with  many 
righteous  sen^ants;  and  more  especially  have  I  prized  my 
connexion  with  our  own  Society ;  which  though  it  may  be  in 
a  very  low  state,  certaiidy  contains  much  substantial  worth, 
and  does  not  yet  fail  in  supplying  our  minds  with  a  home,  in 
which  Ave  are  often  permitted  to  experience  true  rest.  Whether 
it  be  declining  or  not,  I  know  not — I  hope  the  contrary, — in 
most  parts  of  the  kingdom.  With  us  certainly,  there  does  not 
at  present,  appear  a  very  bright  prospect;  oiir  yoimg  people 
are  so  estranged  fi-om  the  simplicity  which  ought  to  distinguish 
them,  and  seem  to  have  so  little  of  an  ear  open,  that  one  hardly 
sees  what  is  to  become  of  us,  when  the  support  of  our  chm-ch 
wiU  come  to  depend  externally  upon  this  rismg  generation. 
But  let  us  not  encom-age  a  shortness  of  faith.  "  The  husband- 
man waiteth  for  the  precious  fruit  of  the  earth,  and  hath  long 
patience  for  it,  until  he  receive  the  early  and  the  latter  rain." 
This  is  a  good  example  for  Christian  ministers,  who  are  some- 
times led  to  suppose,  by  external  appearance,  that  their  labour 
of  love  is  nothing  availing. 

"  On  my  return  liome,"  lie  writes  in  his  Auto- 
biography, after  aUuding  to  his  northern  jom-ney, 
"  I  published  mj  first  book, — Notes  of  a  Visit  made 
to  some  of  the  Prisons  of  Scotland,  and  the  North 
of  England,  in  company  with  Elizabeth  Fry,  with 
some  general  remarks  on  the  subject  of  prison 
discipline.  Buxton  had  published  liis  extraordinary 
pamphlet  on  prison  discipline  the  year  before, 
which  had  met  with  a  warm  and  very  general 
reception;  my  little  work  was  regarded  in  the 
light  of  a  supplement  to  his,  and  three  thousand 
copies  of  it  were  sold.  I  trust  it  might  be  useful 
in  calling  the  further  attention  of  the  public  to  a 
subject  of  much  practical  importance,  but  some  of 


152  TO    KLIZABETII    FRY.  1819. 

the  local  managers  of  the  prisons  whom  I  had  not 
spared,  were  angry  enough.  This  was  of  little 
consequence,  and  I  helieve  in  some  cases,  they  were 
shamed  into  reformation."* 

2nd  mo.,  1st,  1819.  I  have  been  troubled  about  the  Norwich 
jailj  but  having  done  what  I  eould,  I  must  leave  it  to  him,  in 
whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  all  men.  The  idea  of  being  the 
object  of  a  sort  of  sour  grumbling  feeling  with  some  of  my 
fellow  citizens,  is  somewhat  depressing;  but  I  desire  afresh  to 
hve  near  the  source  of  quietude  and  true  peace,  that  I  may  be 
clothcd_,  far  more  than  I  am,  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    PRY. 

Earlhani,  Ist  mo.,  19th,  1819. 

My  dearest  Betsy, 

"  He  tliat  giveth,  let  him  do  it  with 
simplicity."  In  the  desire  to  fulfil  this  precept,  I  may  state 
that  I  have,  on  the  settlement  of  my  accounts,  j£;500  to  spare; 
and  after  some  consideration,  believe  it  my  duty  to  apply  it  to 
the  oiling  of  thy  wheels.  I  therefore  put  it  into  SamueVs 
hands,  to  whom  thou  mayest  ai)ply  for  the  money,  as  wanted. 
My  intention  is,  that  it  should  be  a  little  stock  in  haiul,  to 
meet  thy  private  and  personal  exigencies.  My  condition  is, 
that  thou  wilt  not  say  a  word  about  it  to  any  one.  Of  course 
I  take  no  refusal,  and  can  admit  but  very  little  gratitude. 
I  finished  coiTceting  my  press  last  fifth  day,  and  am  wishing  to 
know  wlicther  the  book  is  published.  I  have  ordc^red  copies 
to  John  Smith,  Wilberforce,  and  the  Derby  family. 

In  haste,  thy  very  affectionate  Brother, 

J.  J.  Gurney. 

P.S. — I  shall  consider  myself  very  ill  used,  if  thou  art  ever 
detected  in  walking,  when  it  is  better  for  thy  health  that  thou 
shouldst  ride,  or  if  thou  art  ever  denying  thyself  any  of  the 
comforts  of  life,  which  arc  needful  for  thee. 

*  An  edition  in  8vo.  wua  published  iu  1847,  uniform  with  Joseph 
John  Gurney' s  other  works. 


.i\T.   31.  FUOM    WILLIAM     \V1  LBKUIOUCE.  153 


FROM    WILLIAM    Wl  LHEUF011CK, 


(who  Imd,  tliic*  days  before,  presented  a  petition  from  the  Society  of  Friends,  against 
tLe  sovei-e  enactments  of  the  penal  code.*) 

London,  Fehruaiy  12tli,  1810. 

M\   DEAR  Friend, 

Yoiu"  afteetiouate  letter,  just  now  i)eruscd, 
calls  forth  a  feeling  wliieli  nnist  have  vent. 

The  subject  of  our  eriniinal  laws,  (more  especially  as  it 
regards  capital  punishments,)  has  long  occupied  my  mind,  and 
I  owu,  1  think,  the  just  principles  on  that  subject  lU'C  clearly 
ascertained.  But  [on  presenting  the  petition]  I  sincerely,  as 
well  as  explicitly,  disclaimed  all  idea  of  bringing  any  proposition 
forward  myself;  and  1  called  on  the  llonsc,  not  uithont  a 
previous  anticipation  that  Sir  Janu^s  Mackintosh  would  answer 
the  siuumons.  lie  has  many  of  the  requisites  for  such  a  task; 
though  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  is  so  much  a  party  man. 
I  believe  we  never  have  discussed  that  ipicstion  of  party.  I 
own  I  have  a  strong  sense  that  when  pushed  to  any  extent, 
(for  of  coiu'se  occasional  co-ojieration  and  concert,  among 
those  who  concur  in  sentiment,  is  advisable  and  e\  en  necessary;) 
the  political,  and  not  less  the  moral  evils  of  pai'ty,  arc  very 
gi'cat.  Shall  1  confess  to  you  what  I  assm-e 

[yon]  is  the  honest  truth,  that  I  do  not  recollect  a  single 
occasion  of  any  kind  of  importance,  in  which  I  Mas  so  dissatisfied 
with  my  owu  performance,  as  on  that  of  presenting  the 
petition;  ami  my  siu'prisc  was  as  great  as  my  pleasniv, 
when  1  found  that  jNIr.  Sauuiel  (jiu'ney,  and  one  or  two  others, 
had  been  pleased.  The  fact  is,  that  the  House,  before  1  got 
up,  had  becu  very  inattentive  and  noisy.  It  grew  latish,  and  it 
appeared  to  me  that  everybody  >vas  in  haste  to  get  to  dinner, 
llnder  this  impression,  thongh  1  had  ideas  and  ])rinciples 
snllicieut,  1  did  not  at  all  put  them  together,  or  ari'angc  them  in 
my  mind,  but  got  up  wholly  unprepared,  as  1  may  say,  nu\n\ing 
to  utter  but  a  very  few  words.    V>\\\  when  1  had  hci;nn,  1  fotmd 

*  Sec  Life  of  WilbortlnTO,  vol  v,  pp.  TJ-M. 


154  EDWARD    HARBORD.  1819. 

a  very  attentive,  and,  contrary  to  my  expectation,  a  very 
sympatliising  audience.  So  that  then,  if  I  conld  have  collected 
myself  sufficiently,  I  would  have  gone  somewhat  into  the 
rationale  of  the  subject.  But  Hke  a  general,  whose  troops 
were  scattered,  I  could  not  at  once  call  them  into  order,  so 
that  I  was  fain  merely  to  pour  forth  what  was  uppermost. 
This  happened  to  be  what  interested  my  own  feelings  deeply, 
and  when  that  is  the  case,  we  often  interest  the  feehngs  of 
others. 

Though  I  have  rather /e/^  than  seen  my  way  along  my  paper, 
my  eyes  feel  overdone,  and  I  must  say  farewell : — begging  you 
to  continue  your  prayers  for  me  and  mine,  and  to  beheve  me, 

Ever  your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

William  Wilberforce. 

It  was  about  this  period  that  Joseph  John 
Gurney  became  acquainted  with  Edward  Harbord, 
afterwards  Lord  Suffield,  an  acquaintance  which 
soon  ripened  into  friendship,  and  was  maintained 
at  intervals,  until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1835. 
"  Connected  as  he  was  by  family  ties,  and  by  the 
predilections  of  education,  with  the  high  party  in 
church  and  state,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in 
allusion  to  the  period  when  Edward  Harbord  first 
offered  himself,  in  1818,  as  a  candidate  to  serve  in 
parliament  for- the  city  of  Norwich,  "the  internal 
struggle  of  liberal  principles  had  made  great  way 
in  his  mind.  He  was  already  a  friend  to  pubhc 
improvement,  especially  adverse  to  all  kinds  of  war- 
fare, opposed  to  capital  punishment,  and  zealous 
for  the  administration  of  prison  discipline.  These 
common  interests  presently  united  us.  In  comjjany 
with  his  wife,  (a  daughter  of  the  late  Lord  Vernon's,) 
he  visited  us  at  Earlham,  and  we  commenced  a 
correspondence  which  lasted  for  many  years.' 


5> 


XT.  31.  BRIBERY    AT    ELECTIONS.  155 

The  sliameless  system  of  bribery  which  then 
■unhaj^pily  disgraced  the  municipal  elections  at  Nor- 
wich, had  called  forth  a  public  remonstrance  fi'om 
Joseph  John  Gm'ney.  This  at  once  excited  the 
attention  of  Edward  Harbord,  who  immediately 
wrote 


Deab,  Sir^ 


TO    JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNET.* 

March  20th,  1819- 


I  have  this  instant  read  in  the  Norwich 
paper,  with  the  siacerest  pleasure,  your  note,  or  postscript, 
relative  to  certaia  ward  elections.  I  willingly  suiTcnder  to 
you  the  gloiy  of  having  strack  the  fost  blow,  but  as  the  field 
is  yet  open,  I  must  beg  leave  to  put  in  my  claim  as  an  ally 
and  coadjutor,  not  of  the  past,  but  of  yom-  futm-e  efforts,  iu  a 
scheme  which  I  hope  I  may  now  say  we  have  in  view.  ^  * 
I  formed  my  determination  while  I  was  last  at  Norwich,  and 
was  once  on  the  point  of  communicating  my  pm-pose  to  you ; 
but  contemplating  it  as  a  work  of  difficulty,  and  one  in  which 
the  concuiTent  exertion  of  two  hostile  paities,  is  indispensable, 
I  deemed  it  prudent  to  deliberate  a  few  days  upon  the  best 
mode  of  opening  the  campaign,  before  I  hoisted  my  standard. 
I  will  teU  you  candidly  the  com-se  I  thought  of  pm'siung.  *  * 
If  you  should  be  disposed  to  favour  me  with  any  suggestions, 
you  may  di-aw  upon  me  to  any  amount  of  caution,  for  the 
attainment  of  om-  mutual  object.  There  shall  be  no  more 
"cooping.^^  ^  -^  -H- 

JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNEY    TO    EDWARD    HARBORD. 

Earlham,  3rd  mo.,  22iid,  1819. 

*  *  The  corrupting  effects  of  our  ward  elections  I  have  not 
painted  in  too  strong  language.     Nothing  can  exceed  them. 

*  For  this  correspondence  I  am  indebted  to  the  interesting 
unpublished  memoir  of  Lord  Suffield,  by  Richard  Mackenzie  Bacon. 
See  pp.  71—81. 


156  BRIBERY  AT  ELECTIONS.  1819. 

Independently  of  the  utter  annihilation,  by  dint  of  bribery,  of  all 
right  political  motives  in  the  minds  of  the  poor  men,  the  dissipa- 
tion, drunkenness,  and  confusion  produced  by  this  annual  battle 
are  excessive.  Husbands  are  taken  from  their  families,  kept 
in  a  state  of  intoxication  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  then 
returned  upon  them  whoUy  imfitted  for  the  duties  of  domestic 
life.  Young  men  not  yet  settled  in  life,  are  plunged  into  scenes 
of  dissipation,  from  the  efiects  of  which  they  never  recover. 
And  young  and  old  are  wrought  up  into  that  state  of  violent 
excitement  and  enmity  one  towards  another,  which  keeps  the 
whole  town  in  almost  constant  fermentation;  and  all  this 
really  for  nothing — the  object  being  one  perfectly  unimportant 
as  it  regards  the  general  elections. 

I  fear  that  nothing  now  can  prevent  the  "  cooping  "  and  the 
bribery  of  this  season ;  for  it  is  afready  begun,  and  I  beheve 
each  side  is  already  provided  with  a  purse.  On  this  subject, 
however,  I  mean  to  make  some  further  inquiries  in  the  course 
of  to-day.  With  regard  to  the  future,  perhaps  a  public 
declaration,  signed  by  everybody  of  any  importance  in  the  two 
interests,  might  prevent  it.  If  both  sides  would  agree  not  to 
open  a  single  public  house,  and  not  to  spend  one  farthing,  the 
object  might  be  effected.  Wliy  should  not  the  poor  men  go 
quietly  up  to  the  haU  and  vote,  and  then  go  back  again  to 
their  homes  ?  ^  ^  I  conceive,  however,  that  it  would  not  be 
thy  wish  to  confine  thy  views  to  the  ward  elections.  Let  us 
get  rid  if  we  can,  of  the  whole  system;  for  at  present,  our 
general  elections  bring  with  them  an  immense  mass  of 
corruption.  Perhaps  thou  art  hardly  aware  to  what  extent 
"  cooping "  is  carried  on  on  these  occasions  also.  ^  "^  ^ 

EDWARD    HARBORD    TO    JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNET. 

Park  Place,  March  23rd,  1819. 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  received  your  veiy  obliging  letter  this 
morning,  and  shall  gladly  avail  myself  of  your  suggestion. 
Our  sentiments  are  in  perfect  unison  on  the  subject  of  elections. 
A  declaration  signed  by  principals  on  both  sides,  may  be,  and 


^T.  31 32.  BRIBERY    AT    ELECTIONS.  157 

certainly  is  desirable,  but  we  must  have  better  security  than 
that  will  afford,  I  fear,  to  accomplish  our  purpose.  Impossible 
as  it  has  been  for  any  man  of  character  to  defend  or  justify  the 
proceedings  alluded  to,  each  party  has  hitherto  reconciled 
itself  to  the  system,  under  the  necessity  of  keeping  pace  ^ath 
the  measures  of  its  opposite.  Each  charges  the  other  with  its 
origin,  and  both  console  themselves  with  the  belief  that  good 
will  be  the  result,  however  bad  the  means. 

Our  endeavoiu'  must  be  to  invert  and  transpose  this  mode 
of  reasoning.  Fii'st,  if  the  law  will  enable  us,  we  must  make 
it  the  object  of  both  parties  to  detect  the  other  in  a  breach  of 
covenant ;  and  to  punish  it  when  detected ; — in  this  measure 
the  lamentable  hostility  which  prevails,  will  leave  us  little  to 
perform.  Secondly,  we  must  endeavoiu*  to  inculcate  the  eiTors 
of  the  principle  at  present  acted  upon;  and  persuade  our 
friends  that, however  good  the  object  aimed  at,  the  means  used 
in  its  attainment  should  not  be  bad ;  that,  however  bright  the 
gem  labom'ed  for,  its  lustre  may  be  tarnished  by  the  instruments 
employed  in  procuring  it.  "^  "^  ^ 

Some  montlis  elapsed  before  Joseph  John  Giir- 
ney  again  wrote  upon  the  sul)ject. 

TO    EDWARD    HARBORD. 

Hunstanton,  8th  mo.,  18th,  1819. 
My  DEAR  Friend, 

I  suppose  thou  Avilt  deem  it  a  proof  of  some 
neglect,  that  I  have  not  sooner  reported  our  proceedings,  in 
the  matter  of  the  Norwich  elections.  I  can,  however,  assure 
thee  that,  in  the  midst  of  many  engagements,  and  with 
the  interruption  of  a  journey  into  the  North,  our  joint 
important  concern  has  not  been  laid  aside.  I  have 
no  objection  to  the  allowance  of  a  little  time  in  the  case. 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  labour  connected  with  it,  and  as 
far  as  I  am  concerned,  this  labom*  must  be  brought  to  bear 
gradually,  I  also  think  that  the  difficulties  which  we  now 
have  with  several  individuals,  will  be  surmounted  by  patient 


158  A  FRIENDLY  HINT.  1819. 

perseverance ;  and  that  the  determined  guilty  ones  will  be  at 
length  effectually  blockaded.  I  am  inclined  to  hope  that  the 
mere  step  of  getting  the  declaration  generally  signed,  and  the 
subsequent  publication  of  it  with  the  names  attached,  will  be 
sufficient  to  give  a  deadly  blow  to  these  corrupt  practices. 
But  this  hope  will  not  prevent  our  forming  in  due  time  a  com- 
mittee of  management  to  draw  up  certain  regulations ;  and  in 
the  end  to  carry  forward  the  necessary  prosecutions. 

*  -sf-  *  *  ^  * 

I  am  now  going  to  perform  the  office  of  a  true  friend,  and 
to  find  a  little  faidt  with  thee.  Thy  heart  is  remarkably  set 
upon  a  variety  of  benevolent  objects;  and  I  can  truly  say, 
Euge  frater,  i,  secundis  afflatus  zephyris ;  but  it  has  appeared 
to  me,  (and  I  have  heard  it  remarked  by  others,)  that  thou 
art  too  much  in  the  habit  of  making  these  matters  the  subject 
of  conversation.  Thou  wilt  perhaps  think  me  heretical,  but 
it  does  not  suit  my  notions  about  these  things  that  they  should 
much  intrude  themselves  into  the  intercourse  of  private  life. 
I  would  not  entirely  exclude  them,  but  I  feel  that  these  things 
are  our  business,  our  labour ;  and  that  the  intellectual  and 
social  intercourse  between  friends  is  om-  recreation,  our  re- 
freshment, our  plaij.  I  very  often  have  to  communicate  with 
others  on  these  subjects,  and  when  this  is  the  case,  I  endeavour 
to  take  a  suitable  opportunity  of  saying  "my  say''  rather 
as  a  matter  of  business  and  duty  than  anything  else,  and  the 
"  say "  if  necessary  can  be  repeated,  and  then  there  is  pro- 
bably an  end  of  it.  I  do  not  find  it  answer  with  others  (nor 
do  I  Hke  it  for  myself)  to  make  these  things  very  prominently 
the  subjects  of  what  may  be  called  social  intercourse.  I  know 
not  whether  thou  wilt  quite  imderstand  me,  for  I  find  it 
difficult  to  express  my  meaning  clearly ;  but  I  am  confident 
thou  wilt  beai*  with  me,  and  we  can  talk  more  about  it  when 

we  meet. 

*  ^  *  *  ^       •      -x- 

Beheve  me  with  affectionate  regard. 

Thy  sincere  friend, 

J.  J.  GURNEY. 


MT.  32.  BRIBERY    AT    ELECTIONS.  159 


TO    THE    SAME. 

Norwich,  9th  mo.,  11th,  1819. 

My  dear  Friend, 

The  exceeding  pressure  of  many  engage- 
ments must  be  my  apology  for  not  proceeding  quite  so  quickly 
as  we  should  both  wish.  I  must  acknowledge  that  my  hopes 
are  somewhat  dashed  by  the  kind  of  suspicious  and  deter- 
minately  prejudiced  feeling,  which  appears  to  prevail  against 
the  object  amongst  the  decided  party  men;  but  we  must  do 
om-  best,  and  leave  the  result  to  him,  in  whose  hands  are  the 
ends  of  it.  I  have  kept  back  the  idea  oi prosecution  because  I 
find  it  vei-y  unpopular.  We  pledge  ourselves  in  the  declaration 
to  no  particular  method,  and  I  have  simply  stated  our  inten- 
tion of  calling  together  those  who  sign  it,  and  of  then  con- 
sidering the  mode  to  be  adopted.  On  the  other  hand  several 
have  expressed  their  opinion  that  prosecution  is  the  best  mode, 
and  I  have  not  hesitated  to  state,  wJien  called  upon,  that  this 
is  my  own  view. 

I  suppose  that  the  anonymous  letters  in  our  papers  on  the 
subject  of  prison  discipline  are  tliine.  I  like  them  exceed- 
ingly, and  have  no  doubt  they  will  do  real  good.  I  tnily 
rejoice  in  thy  thus  being  enabled  to  employ  thy  time, 
talents,  and  influence  in  the  cause  of  humanity,  and  may  I 
not  say  Chiistianity  ?  Most  heartily  do  I  wish  thee  well  on 
thy  way,  and  may  the  presening  power  of  the  Lord  be  with 
thee  to  protect,  bless,  and  sanctify  all  thy  proceedings,  and  thy 
whole  self,  in  body,  soul,  and  spirit ! 

Notwithstanding  these  efforts,  the  elections  at 
Norwich  still  continued  to  present  disgraceful  scenes 
of  bribery  and  corruption.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
w^as  more  successful  in  his  exertions,  in  connexion 
with  the  same  zealous  coadjutor,  to  save  the  lives  of 
three  men  who  had  heen  convicted  of  burglary  in 
the  spring  of  this  year.  In  allusion  to  this  effort 
he  writes  in  his  Journal : — 


160  CAPITAL    PUNISHMENTS.  1819. 

Uh  mo.,  Wth.  A  busy,  broken,  and  rather  troubled  fort- 
nigbt ;  the  chief  interest  in  it,  the  case  of  the  three  men  left 
for  execution,  which  took  me  to  Bury  to  see  Judge  Graham 
on  fourth  day  week.  The  case  alluded  to  has  cost  me  much 
labour  of  head  and  heart,  and,  amongst  other  things,  led  me 
into  a  remarkably  interesting  correspondence  with  Edward 
Harbord.  Two  of  the  three  [are]  saved,  the  thii'd  [Belsham] 
suffered  yesterday. 


JOSEPH    JOHN    GUBNEY    TO    EDWARD    HARBORD. 

Norwich,  4tli  mo.,  10th,  1819. 

I  spent  some  little  time  with  poor  Belsham  yesterday  after- 
noon, and  was  much  comforted  by  my  visit.  I  was  engaged 
with  him  in  prayer.  *  "^  He  wept  much,  but  in  the  midst  of 
his  weeping,  he  displayed  a  quietness  and  a  steadiness  which 
will,  I  believe,  go  far  to  disarm  death  of  its  terrors.  *  *  May 
God  have  mercy  upon  him,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  saying,  how  much  I  have  rejoiced 
for  thy  sake,  and  the  sake  of  many  others,  in  the  zeal,  energy, 
judgment,  and  feeling,  which  thou  hast  manifested  on  this 
occasion.  To  flatter  thee  is  very  far  from  my  wish,  but  I 
must  say  two  things  on  the  subject.  The  first  is,  that  after 
what  is  past,  it  is  impossible  not  to  feel  a  warm  personal 
interest  in  thee.  The  second  is,  that  such  a  heart  and  mind, 
are  talents  to  be  employed  in  thy  Master's  service. 


TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Norwich,  4th  mo.,  30th,  1819. 

*  *  With  regard  to  the  attacks  made  upon  our  prison  book, 
they  are  of  no  importance,  and  do  not  now  trouble  me.  I  have 
ascertained  my  con-ectness  in  all  the  cases.  The  Yorkshire 
magistrates  are  already  answered.^    I  am  right  in  every  point 

*  This  answer  will  be  found  printed  at  the  end  of  the  last  edition, 
published  in  1847,  of  the  Notes  on  Piisons. 


^T.  31.  THE    CLAIMS    OF    BUSINESS.  161 

between  us,  and  they  have  made  me  appear  wrong,  only  by 
stating  the  improvements  made  since  our  \dsit,  as  if  they  had 
existed  at  the  time  when  we  made  it.  I  quite  think  with  thee 
that  there  is  as  much  inclination  to  set  us  down  as  to  raise 
us  up,  but  if  our  motives  are  pure,  our  dependence  riglitly 
placed,  and  oiu'  conduct  correct,  neither  praise  nor  blame 
will  hm't  us. 

I  was  much  mtercsted  at  Yarmouth  a  day  or  two  since,  by 
a  mantua-maker,  who  has  been  induced  to  give  up  the  time 
and  earnings  of  one  day  in  every  week,  in  order  to  visit  the 
wretched  prisons  in  that  place.  She  has  sm*moimtcd  many 
difficulties  and  has  produced  great  effects."^ 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  5th  mo.,  8th,  1819. 

*  *  I  cannot  think  that  my  business  claims  a  very  inferior 
share  of  my  attention,  for  it  is  extensive,  and  multifarious, 
and,  if  not  attended  to  sedulously,  would  soon  brmg  me  and 
all  my  professions  into  disrepute.  Yet  why  should  I  be  so 
circimistanced  ?  Is  it  right  for  one  who  feels  called  upon  to 
preach  Christianity  to  occupy  such  a  station  in  life  ?  Indeed, 
my  dear  friend,  I  must  leave  it  to  thee,  to  answer  these 
questions.  I  can  only  say,  that  such  is  the  situation  in  which 
my  predecessors  placed  me,  in  which  I  have  long  continued, 
in  which  I  now  am,  and  from  which,  as  far  as  I  now  see,  I 
cannot  extricate  myself.  On  the  other  hand  I  must  acknow- 
ledge, that  if  business  were  less  prevalent  with  me,  I  shoidd 
probably  have  more  both  of  time  and  mind,  to  serve  the 
Lord  and  his  people.  On  the  whole,  I  believe  it  to  be  best 
quietly  to  wait,  and  to  watch  the  divme  dispensations  towards 
me.  Perhaps  the  day  wiU  come,  when  cu'cumstances  will,  at 
least  in  part,  relieve  me  of  my  bm'thcn.  In  the  mean  time 
let  me  be  thankful  for  aU  the  blessings  both  temporal  and 
spiritual  with  which,  though  thoroughly  unworthy,  I  con- 
tinue to  be  so  bountifully  supphed !  -^  -^  -^ 

*  See  the  brief  but  interesting  sketch  of  the  life  of  the  late 
Sarah  Martin,  of  Yarmouth,  pubhshed  there  in  18-14. 

M 


163  PARLIAMENTARY    COMMITTEE,  1819. 

First  day  evening,  ^th  mo.,  IGth.  Began  this  day  with 
several  uncomfortable  impressions,  thoughts  and  feelings  not 
to  be  admitted;  but  through  sdent,  though  earnest,  prayer  I 
found  my  rest  in  God.  The  day  has  been  spent  leisurely,  for 
I  have  so  far  done  very  little  but  attend  the  two  meetings. 
I  have  felt  "waiting  on  the  Lord"  to  be  my  main  duty, 
connected  with  a  watchfubiess  to  fulfil  the  calls  of  my 
ministry. 

5th  mo.,  25th.  [Last]  third  day,  the  18th,  my  plans  of 
quietude  mterrupted  by  a  simimons  to  attend  the  Parha- 
mentary  Committee  on  Jails.*  I  determined  to  go,  though  I 
felt  real  difficulty  in  leaving  my  wife.  After  a  hot,  restless 
jom-ney,  I  arrived  on  sixth  day  morning  at  Plashet ;  [thence] 
to  Gracechurch  Street  meeting,  which  was  very  comfortable 
and  restoring.  From  meeting,  rapidly  to  the  house  of 
Commons;  met  by  Buxton,  Benett,  and  others.  My 
examination  before  the  Committee  lasted  about  two  hours, 
and  was  on  the  whole  satisfactory.  I  found  it  very  much  so, 
on  the  correction  of  my  evidence.  Pleasant  interview  with 
Wnberforce,  F.  Calthorpe,  &c. 

TO    JOHN    HODGKIN,    JUN. 

Earlham,  7th  mo,,  11th,  1819. 

■x-  *  -Jt  During  my  very  short  stay  in  London,  my  time 
was  chiefly  occupied  by  the  Parliamentary  Committees,  and  I 
had  not  that  room  left  for  friends  which  I  should  so  much 
have  liked  to  enjoy.  I  was  quite  pleased  to  get  even  a  peep 
of  thee,  and  should  have  been  truly  so  to  have  obtained  more 
of  thy  company.  But  the  world  is  full  of  vortices,  and 
amidst  the  variety  of  circumstances  which  hurry  every  one  of 
us  separately  down  our  own  stream  of  life,  it  is  well  for  those 
who  love  each  other,  to  have  their  fi*iendship  grounded  on 
that  rock,  which  will  abide  when  the  world,  with  aU  its  interests 
and  casualties,  shall  vanish  from  our  view.  I  have  no  very 
important  intelligence  to  communicate  respecting  myself. 
My  time  is  ftdly  occupied  with  the  usual  variety  of  business, 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap,  vi.,  p.  87. 


iET.  31.  TO    JOHN    HODGKIN.  1 G3 

meetings,  public  objects,  study,  and  home  delights.  In  the 
last  particular  I  believe  I  spend  a  great  deal  more  time  than 
"would  be  consistent  with  thy  elevated  standard  of  perennial 
industry.  But  thou  knowest  how  I  fail  in  this  respect,  and 
whether  it  be  owing  to  the  mental  occupation  which  my  avo- 
cations in  life  occasion  me,  or  to  bodily  constitution,  /  cannot 
help  it.  "^  "^  A  certain  portion  of  time  after  breakfast  is, 
however,  devoted  to  my  book^  almost  daily.  I  have  Avritten 
the  dissertation  on  the  Hebrews  again,  on  a  new  construc- 
tion, and  with  emendations;  and  have  since  been  employed 
chiefly  by  the  other  notes,  which  I  find  must,  with  little 
exception,  be  written  over  again.  Just  now  I  am  engaged 
by  a  veiy  laborious  critical  discussion  of  the  readings  ^goV, 
og  and  o,  in  1  Tim.  iii,  16.  I  hope  that  some  good  may  arise 
out  of  this  engagement,  and  I  am  resolved  if  possible,  to 
persevere. 

Now  for s  manuscript.     It  would  have  been  shameful 

had  I  refused  to  look  it  over  for  thee.  I  tliink  it  interesting, 
and  there  is  something  very  attractive  and  engaging  in  the 
mind  which  produced  it.  "With  regard  to  the  principles  laid 
down  in  the  essay,  this  is  the  only  part  in  which  I  do  not 
folly  unite.  I  cannot  accede  to  the  proposition  that  a  nation 
must  be  civilized  before  the  gospel  ought  to  be  introduced 
to  its  attention.  The  two  things  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  go 
hand  in  hand.  I  cannot  at  all  imderstand  how  those  wlio 
know  the  value  of  Christ  can  settle  amongst  comparatively 
savage  tribes  and  continue  with  them  for  years,  and  yet  make 
no  effort  to  communicate  that  knowledge. 

6th  mo.,  24:th.  I  have  again  to  acknowledge  some  ex- 
perience of  the  redeeming  and  preserving  love  of  God,  and  I 
trust  that  as  I  am  enabled  to  maintain  himiility  and  watch- 
fulness, I  shall  continue  to  find  safety.  *  *  Joseph  Wood 
and  his  companion  breakfasted  with  us.  After  breakfast  I 
accompanied  them  as  guide,  they  in  their  wicker  cart,    and 

*  The  allusion  here  is  to  the  unpublished  work  mentioned 
supra  p.  110. 

M    2 


164  BIRTH    OF    HIS    SON.  1819. 

I  on  horseback,  first  to  Attleborougli,  and  then  back  to 
Wymondham ;  a  small  public  meeting  at  Attleborough,  and 
a  larger  one  in  the  evening  at  Wymondham ;  both  highly 
favom-ed.  Eetmmed  home  in  much  peace  about  ten  o'clock, 
leaving  the  dear  friends,  with  whom  I  felt  closely  united,  at 
Wymondham.  Joseph  Wood  is  a  deep  and  able  minister,  a 
thoroughly  honest,  innocent  man.  Ah !  what,  in  point  of 
effect,  is  to  be  compared  to  the  forming  hand  of  the  Lord 
willingly  and  completely  submitted  to. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  7th  month,  his  domestic 
happiness  was  crowned  by  the  birth  of  a  son. 


t( 


May  I  be  preserved,''  is  his  remark  in  allusion  to  this 
event,  "  in  a  humble  and  thankful  frame  of  spirit.  What  can 
I  render  ?  " 


iET.  31.  ACKWORTH    SCHOOL.  1G5 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1813—1819.     ^T.  25—32. 

ACKWORTH  school;  JOSEPH  JOHN  GURNEy's  LABOURS  THEEK ;  SCIUP- 
TTJEAL  INSTRTTCTION  ;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS  AND  AUTOBIOGRAPHY  ; 
EXTRACTS   FROM   JOURNAL. 

In  the  retired  village  of  Ackworth  near  Pontefract, 
in  Yorkshire,  stands  a  large  and  commodious  build- 
ing, erected  for  a  branch  establishment  of  the 
London  PoundKng  Hospital,  but  now,  and  for  many 
years  past,  occupied  as  a  school  for  the  children  of 
Priends  not  in  affluent  circumstances.  This  latter 
institution  was  founded  about  the  year  1778,  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  late  Dr.  Pothergill,  whose  efforts 
were  warmly  supported  by  the  great  body  of  Priends, 
among  whom,  David  Barclay,  a  grandson  of  the 
"Apologist,"  and  the  late  William  Tuke,  of  York, 
were  two  of  his  earliest  and  most  efficient  coadjutors. 
In  this  school,  at  a  very  moderate  charge,  in  most  in- 
stances much  below  the  real  cost,  about  300  children 
of  both  sexes  are  educated.  It  is  under  the  care 
of  a  committee  annually  appointed  by  a  "  General 
Meeting"  composed  of  Priends  from  various  parts 
of  the  nation,  which  every  year  reports  upon  the 
state  of  the  school  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London. 
The  object  of  the  founders  of  this  institution  was  to 
impart  a  sound  literary  and  religious  education  in 
accordance  with  the  principles  of  Priends ;  and,  from 


166  ACKWORTH  SCHOOL.        1813 — 1816, 

its  first  establishment,  great  care  was  exercised  to 
shield  the  children  from  evil  example,  and  to  train 
them  in  moral  and  religious  habits,  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord.*  Wlien  Joseph  John  Gurney  com- 
menced his  labours  at  Ackworth,  it  was  the  practice 
to  read  the  Scriptures  at  least  daily,  to  the  children ; 
short  Scripture  passages  illustrative  of  particular 
truths,  were  required  to  be  committed  to  memory ; 
a  few  Bibles  were  placed  in  a  library  to  which  the 
pupils  had  access  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of 
the  week ;  and  a  copy  was  presented  to  each  child 
on  leaving  the  school.  No  arrangement,  however, 
existed  for  ascertaining  the  extent  of  the  children's 
acquaintance  with  the  inspired  volume  on  first 
coming  to  school,  or  for  supplying  each  child  with 
the  Scriptures  during  his  stay  there;  and  it  was 
manifest  from  the  examination  which  Joseph  John 
Gurney  instituted,  that  something  more  was  re- 
quired than  the  existing  provision  for  imparting 
scriptural  knowledge. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  supervision  exercised 
by  the  managing  committee,  it  was  the  custom, 
once  a  year,  at  the  time  of  the  General  Meeting,  to 
examine  the  children  more  publicly  in  the  various 
branches  of  their  learning.  It  was  to  attend  this 
meeting  in  the  year  1813,  that  Joseph  John  Gurney 
first  visited  Ackworth,  in  company  with  his  sister 
Priscilla.     In  his  Journal  he  describes  the  meeting 


*  An  interesting  narrative  of  the  proceedings  in  relation  to  the 
establishment  of  Ackworth  School,  is  to  be  found  in  Part  3  of  the 
papers  published  by  the  Friends'  Educational  Society,  "  On  the  past 
proceedings  and  experience  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  connexion 
with  the  education  of  Youth." 


JET.  25 29.  ACKWORTH    SCHOOL.  1G7 

as  "very  interesting;"  and  his  visits  were  subse- 
quently repeated,  but  without  resulting  in  any  par- 
ticular effort  until  the  year  1816.  In  that  year,  he 
again  attended  the  General  Meeting,  and,  upon 
examining  the  children  as  to  their  knowledge  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  he  found  among  them  not  a  little 
ignorance.  Impressed  with  the  great  importance 
of  the  subject,  he  suggested  that,  instead  of  the 
plan  then  acted  upon,  of  giving  a  Bible  to  each 
scholar  on  leaving  the  school,  every  child  should  be 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  sacred  volume  immedi- 
ately on  entering  the  institution ;  a  suggestion 
which  was  at  once  cordially  agreed  to.  He  then 
proposed  to  the  children  that  they  should  study  the 
scriptm'es  during  the  ensuing  year  with  particular 
reference  to  several  important  subjects  which  he 
pointed  out  to  them,*  offering  to  examine  them 
himseK  at  the  close  of  the  year,  and  to  reward  them 
according  to  their  proficiency  and  good  conduct,  t 

On  his  return  from  the  General  Meeting,  he 
thus  unfolded  his  views  to  Robert  Whitaker,  then 
superintendent  of  the  establishment. 

Lynn,  9th  mo.,  3rd,  1816. 

WMst  I  feel  deeply  convinced  that  the  religious  improve- 
ment of  the  children  is  a  subject  of  essential  importance  to 

*  These  subjects  were  embodied  in  the  form  of  a  "proposition," 
which  was  circulated  among  the  children.  It  had  reference  to  the 
books  of  the  Bible,  their  order,  authors,  contents,  &c. ;  to  the  history 
from  Genesis  to  the  book  of  Acts ;  to  the  Prophecies  concerning  our 
Saviour,  and  their  accomplishment  as  shewn  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment; to  the  doctrines  and  moral  precepts;  and  to  the  evidence 
from  Scripture  confirmatory  of  the  views  of  Friends. 

f  On  this  and  other  occasions  the  rewards  usually  consisted  of 
books  selected  by  himself  or  the  teachers. 


168  RELIGIOUS    INSTRUCTION.  1816. 

the  well-being  of  the  school  and  of  our  religious  society,  I 
am  sensible  that  great  difficulties  attend  it.  What  is  the 
thing  wanted?  To  speak  freely  with  thee,  I  am  of  opinion 
that  the  minds  of  the  boys  are  not  properly  cultivated  on  the 
subject  of  religion.  They  are  remarkably  sheltered  fi'om 
e^dl ;  but  do  not  appear  to  me  to  be  positively  enough  led  to 
good.  The  common  round  of  reading,  grammar,  writing  and 
ciphering,  does  little  for  the  improvement  of  the  mind ;  and  a 
pursuit  which  would  draw  forth  their  powers  of  thought  and 
reflection,  and,  at  the  same  time,  operate  in  forming  and 
strengthening  their  religious  piinciples,  would  be  of  incalcu- 
lable advantage  to  them.  Such  a  pursuit  appears  to  me  to 
be  the  study  of  the  Bible.  It  is  a  duty  devohdng  on  those 
who  have  the  care  of  youth,  to  give  them  rehgious  knowledge 
and  form  their  religious  principles;  and  though  I  am  well 
aware  that  God  alone  can  give  the  increase,  yet  Paul  must 
plant  and  Apollos  must  water;  and  this  truth  is  pecuharly 
evident  as  it  relates  to  the  education  of  children. 

This  is  a  duty,  a  religious  one  indeed,  but  widely  differing 
in  its  mode  fi'om  that  of  the  Chiistian  ministry.  It  calls  into 
action  diflerent  powers,  and  a  different  gift;  and  must  be 
performed  as  a  simple  duty,  in  the  liberty  of  that  Gospel 
which  commands  us  to  bring  up  our  children  "  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord."  Now  if  it  be  a  simple  duty 
to  enlighten  and  cultivate  the  minds  of  children,  concerning 
the  one  thing  needful,  it  will  sm'cly  be  allowed  that  the 
Scriptures,  which  contain  the  authorised  account  of  the  whole 
matter,  present  us  with  the  most  important  means  of  doing 
so.  FoiTQS,  catechisms,  and  compendiums  of  doctrine  may 
probably  be  useful,  when  nothing  better  is  to  be  obtained; 
but  this  is  clearly  an  inferior  mode  of  gi^^ng  religious  instruc- 
tion. It  is  besides  open  to  some  strong  objections.  It  is 
dry  and  unedifying.  It  exercises  the  powers  of  memory, 
wliilst  it  leaves  those  of  reflection  untouched.  It  flattens  the 
study  of  the  Bible,  from  which  it  selects  the  most  precious 
texts,  and  presenting  them,  in  a  dry  foim,  side  by  side,  as 
mere  proofs  of  propositions,  it  takes  away  half  their  value ;  and 
renders  the  Bible  itself  far  less  interesting,  by  forestalling  its 


JET.  29.  SCRIPTURE    BETTER    THAN    CATECHISMS.  169 

chief  beauties.  Children  should  be  taught  to  search  in  the 
original  mines,  to  find  these  jewels  for  themselves,  and  then 
they  would  know  how  to  value  them.  In  short,  I  long  to 
have  the  children  taught  the  Scriptures.  If  they  are  left 
entirely  to  themselves  in  this  study,  something  may  come  of 
it,  but  not  much :  not  enough,  in  my  opinion,  to  justify  you 
in  laying  aside  your  compenclivmis,  however  disadvantageous 
they  may  be  in  some  respects.  Tliey  must  be  led  to  the 
study  of  the  Bible ;  and  helped  in  it  by  those  who  have  the 
care  of  them.  If  thou  coiddest  give  up  an  hour  every  morn- 
ing to  the  religious  instruction  of  the  boys,  much  might  be 
done.  I  should  have  them  all  together,  and  all  with  their 
Bibles  in  their  hands.  I  should  read  the  Bible  through  with 
them;  omitting  such  parts  as  appeared  unsuitable  for  very 
young  persons;  yet  not  much.  I  shoidd  make  remarks  as  I 
went  along,  explaining  what  was  difficidt,  impressing  what 
was  important,  and  comparing,  all  the  way  through,  such 
passages,  fi'om  other  parts  of  the  Bible,  as  might  throw 
additional  light  on  any  occurring  subject.  When  I  com- 
pared another  passage  with  one  before  me,  I  woidd  make  all 
the  boys  turn  to  it  and  mark  it.  The  last  quarter  of  the 
time,  or  more,  should  be  employed  in  thoroughly  questionmg 
the  children  on  the  lesson  of  the  day.  This  woidd  ensure 
habits  of  general  attention;  and  give  a  life  to  the  object 
which  no  other  mode  of  instruction  will  impart. 

Such  a  plan  woidd  give  thee,  or  any  truly  religious  Friend, 
abundant  opportunity  of  fixing  the  best  principles  on  the 
chddi'en's  minds,  and  more  especially  of  unfolding  to  them 
the  scriptui'al  grounds  on  which  we  Ijuild  our  faith.  There 
are  one  or  two  other  points  I  should  endeavoiu*  to  introduce. 
Instead  of  compendiums,  the  boys  might  occasionally  get  by 
heart  from  the  Bible  itself.  Many  of  the  most  striking 
Psalms  and  chapters  of  Isaiah ;  many  of  the  most  pithy  parts 
of  the  New  Testament,  might  thus  be  made  to  form  in  their 
memories  a  store  from  which  much  good  woidd  afterwards  be 
derived.  They  ought  to  be  encouraged  to  private  devotional 
duties,  morning  and  evening ;  to  read  small  portions  of  scrip- 
ture by  themselves,  and  to  lift  up  their  hearts  in  prayer  for 


170  EFFECT  UPON  THE  CHILDBEN.    1816 1817. 

the  blessing  which  can  alone  preserve  them  day  and  night. 
Whether  this  point  can  be  accomplished  more  than  is  now  the 
case,  I  know  not ;  but  it  is  sirrely  of  importance  to  bring  up 
children  in  this  particvdar  habit.  Thou  art  aware  by  what  I 
have  already  written,  that  I  do  not  mean  common-place, 
formal,  dry  tuition.  I  mean  the  instruction  which  every 
Christian  parent  is  bound  in  conscience  to  give  to  his  child; 
"  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 

Thus  encouraged,  the  superintendent  and  teachers 
warmly  seconded  his  views.  The  interest  awakened 
in  the  minds  of  the  children  was  remarkable. 
"  They  received,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his 
Autobiography,  "  every  one  a  copy  of  the  Bible,  and 
well  thumbed  was  that  copy,  in  a  great  plurality  of 
instances,  in  the  course  of  the  appointed  time. 
The  children  took  their  Bibles  to  bed  with  them, 
read  them  by  the  early  morning  light,  pored  over 
them  at  leisure  hours  during  the  day,  and  especially 
on  first  days.  The  teachers  rendered  them  their 
best  assistance;  knowledge  of  the  subject  rapidly 
increased,  and  with  it  good;  and  when  I  visited 
them,  at  the  close  of  twelve  months,  the  whole 
aspect  of  affairs  was  changed." 

The  result  is  thus  noticed  in  a  letter 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Ackworth,  8th  mo.,  1st,  1817. 

*  -x-  *  ]yjy  journey  has  been  one  involving  both  labour  and 
difficulty,  but  has  been  crowned,  in  rather  a  remarkable 
manner,  with  success  and  peace.  A  few  seeds  which  I  was  the 
means  of  sowing  here  last  year  with  respect  to  religious 
instruction,  have  unexpectedly  and  abundantly  brought  forth 
fruit.  The  children  have  made  gi*eat  progress  in  the  know- 
ledge of  Scripture,  and  many  of  them  seem  imder  a  very 
serious    influence.      Their    general    deportment    is   already 


^T.  29.  SECOND    PKOPOSITION.  171 

changed  by  it.  I  have  hardly  ever  heen  sensible  of  so  sweet 
a  spiritual  influence  as  during  the  last  week  in  this  place.  It 
seems  to  accompany  iis  on  aU  occasions ;  in  meetings ;  in  the 
schools ;  and  at  table.  It  has  brought  to  my  mind  more  of 
the  communion  of  saints  than  I  have  ever  felt  before,  unless 
perhaps  in  a  few  instances. 

He  now  issued  a  second  "proposition,"  to  a 
number  of  the  more  forward  boys,  which  formed 
the  basis  of  the  useful  manual,  which  he  subse- 
quently published,  under  the  title  of  Guide  to  the 
Instruction  of  Young  Persons  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures ;  including  the  Lock  and  Key,  or  passages  of 
the  Old  Testament  which  testify  of  Jesus  Christ, 
explained  by  others  in  the  New  Testament. 

Prom  this  time  forward  the  Scripture  examina- 
tions were  continued  with  great  regularity  after 
each  Greneral  Meeting;  and  were  for  some  years 
principally  conducted  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
himself.  Gradually,  however,  the  subject  was 
brouo'ht  under  the  care  and  control  of  the  school 
committee,  after  Avliich  his  visits  were  occasionally 
intermitted,  though  seldom  for  more  than  two 
years. 

"  Many  precious  seasons/'  he  writes  in  his  Autobiogi-aphy, 
"of  reverent  waitmg  on  the  Lord,  and  of  true  religious 
comfort  and  edification,  have  I  enjoyed  with  my  beloved 
Friends,  in  that  favoured  spot.  Many  a  time  have  we 
rejoiced  together  in  that  Sa-sdour  who  redeemed  us  with 
his  precious  blood.  Yet  natural  cheerfulness  always  had  its 
play  amongst  us ;  and  with  the  children  especially  I 
endeavoured  to  mamtain  it.  Much  may  be  done  in  this  way 
for  their  benefit ;  and  I  know  of  no  line  of  service,  secondary 
as  it  may  appear,  which  has  yielded  me  more  satisfaction  in 
the  result." 


172  ENDEARING    INTERCOURSE.  1819. 

The  pleasure  whicli  these  opportunities  seem  to 
have  afforded  himself,  was  largely  shared  hy  his 
young  friends. 

"  The  kind  and  engaging  manners  of  our  dear  Friend," 
writes  one  of  the  masters  at  Ackworth,"^  ^^the  hearty  and 
innocent  cheerfulness  of  his  intercourse  with  the  scholars 
during  their  play  hours  endeared  him  to  us  all,  and  prepared 
our  miads  to  benefit  by  his  more  serious  engagements 
amongst  us.  Constantly  did  we  watch  for  his  arrival,  and 
greet  his  entrance  on  the  play  ground  by  a  rush  of  earnest 
congratulation.  And  ever  during  his  leisure  moments,  did 
we  love  to  cluster  around  him  to  listen  to  his  cherished  con- 
versation ;  which  from  the  most  lively  familiarity  was  always 
rising  to  a  higher  tone,  carrying  up  our  youthful  thoughts  to 
"  whatsoever  things  were  lovely  and  of  good  report."  How 
often,  amidst  groups  of  eager  and  happy  listeners,  would  he 
comment  on  the  importance  of  good  manners  and  good 
habits,  and  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge ;  frequently 
referring  to  George  Fox's  enlightened  desire  that  youth  might 
be  taught  "  all  things  civil  and  useful  in  the  creation,"  and 
not  forgetting  to  iuculcate  his  own  favourite  maxim,  "Be 
a  whole  man  to  one  thing  at  a  time."  The  wonderful 
structure  of  the  human  body  was  a  theme  on  which  he  loved 
to  dwell ;  and  his  last  visit  to  Ackworth,  very  shortly  before 
his  death,  was  distinguished  by  a  familiar  but  beautifully 
lucid  description  of  the  wise  and  ciu-ious  provision  made  by 
the  Creator,  in  the  formation  of  the  eye.  His  great  aim  was 
to  expand  the  thoughts  of  the  children,  to  excite  the  love 
of  knowledge  and  the  play  of  the  intellect,  as  subservient  to 
the  great  ends  of  man's  being,  and  to  an  enlightened  appre- 
ciation of  religious  truth;  that  the  young  mind  might  rise 
from  the  wonders  of  creative  wisdom,  to  the  marvels  of 
redeeming  grace.  His  Scripture  questionings  were  miiformly 
made  occasions  for  illustrating  the  grounds  of  Friends'  princi- 

*  John  Newby,  in  a  letter  to  the  Editor. 


^T.  31.  SPIRITUAL    INFLUENCE.  173 

pies,  and  the  nature  of  Christian  truth  generally;  by  the 
sacred  history  itseK,  by  selected  texts,  by  the  prophecies  that 
spoke  before  of  the  better  covenant,  and  by  the  preaching  of 
Christ,  and  the  writings  of  his  apostles.  The  excellence  of 
the  Christian  character,  and  the  beauty  of  Christian  consis- 
tency were  forcibly  exhibited ;  and  often  did  the  examination 
melt  away  into  rehgious  silence,  when  the  solemn  prayer 
arose,  or  the  fervent  exhortation  sank  into  hearts  softened 
to  receive  the  seed  of  the  kingdom.  The  remembrance  of  the 
heavenly  influence  which  overshadowed  us  on  some  of  these 
occasions  is  very  precious ;  and  particularly  do  I  recall  one 
very  solemn  meeting  with  the  boys,  which  closed  the  religious 
engagements  of  a  full  week,  in  which  the  beautiftd  parable  of 
Christ  the  vine  was  enlarged  upon,  and  the  necessity  and 
blessedness  of  abiding  in  him." 

Joseph  John  Gurney  was  convinced  from  the 
depths  of  his  own  experience,  that  to  render  the 
knowledge  of  scriptural  truth  availing  to  the 
progress  of  the  work  of  religion  in  the  soul,  it 
must  be  accompanied  by  an  humble  subjection  of 
the  heart  and  understanding  to  the  immediate 
operations  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  He  was  anxious 
that  religious  instruction,  to  use  his  own  words  in 
the  Autobiography,  "  should,  as  far  as  possible,  be 
made  a  pleasure  rather  than  a  task ;  that  a  taste 
for  Scripture  should  he  cultivated,  and,  above  all, 
that  the  practical  nature  and  issue  of  true  religion 
should  ever  he  held  up  to  view,  and  a  reverent 
dependence  inculcated  on  that  blessed  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  without  which  knowledge  is  vanity, 
and  the  profession  of  the  truth  mere  hypocrisy." 

The  anxiety  thus  manifested  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  for  the  religious  education  of  youth  was  no 
new  thing  in  the  Society  of  Priends.     The  Yearly 


174  THE  EARLY  FRIENDS_,  AND  1819. 

Meeting  had  frequently  issued  pertinent  advice 
upon  the  subject,*  and  it  was  one  of  the  circum- 
stances especially  marking  the  wisdom  with  which 
the  mind  of  George  Fox  had  been  imbued,  that  he 
had  so  earnestly  and  pointedly  pressed  this  subject 
upon  the  attention  of  his  friends.  So  early  as  1656 
he  thus  writes  to  them,  who,  it  must  be  remembered, 
had  many  of  them  been  brought  up  as  Puritans, 
accustomed  diligently  to  instruct  and  catechise 
their  children : — 

Dear  Friends,  exhort  aU  your  families  at  times  and- 
seasons,  whether  they  be  servants  or  children,  that  they  may 
be  informed  in  the  truth.  For  when  ye  were  professors, 
many  of  you  did  exhort  and  instruct  them  in  the  form,  when 
ye  had  not  the  power,  and  therefore  now,  being  brought  into 
the  truth,  ye  should  be  more  diligent  to  exhort,  admonish, 
and  instruct  them.t 

So  far  was  he  from  thinking  that  increased 
spirituality  led  to  a  neglect  of  these  duties ;  in  his 
view,  it  rather  led  to  the  more  punctual  and  diligent 
performance  of  them.  Robert  Barclay,  as  is  well 
known,  had  compiled  a  catechism  expressly  to 
assist  in  the  instruction  of  children,  and  his  work 
is  especially  remarkable  as  carefully  stating  each 
answer  in  the  very  words  of  Holy  Scripture. 
Joseph  John  Gurney  might  therefore  well  feel  that 
in  urging  his  views  on  the  importance  of  religious 

*  See  the  interesting  paper,  published  as  Part  2  of  "  Past  pro- 
ceedings and  experience  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  connexion 
with  the  education  of  Youth." 

t  See  the  valuable  Selection  from  the  Epistles  of  George  Fox, 
pubHshed  by  Samuel  Tuke,  p.  50.  See  also  pp.  126,  210,  211, 
247,  249,  265. 


Ml.  31.  SCRIPTURAL    INSTRUCTION.  175 

instruction,  lie  was  only  enforcing  that  which  had 
been    desired    from    the    very   foundation   of    the 
Society.     So  far  as  it  had  been  neglected,  it  had 
been  neglected,  not  upon  principle,  but   througli 
weakness,  and  he  desired  that  that  weakness  should 
be   removed,  in   simple   dependence  upon   tlie   all 
sufficient  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus.      It  was  not,  as 
will    have    been    observed,    formal    or    systematic 
doctrinal  teaching,  but  simple  scriptural  instruction 
that  he  sought  to  encourage.     The  Holy  Scriptures, 
*'  given  by  the  inspiration  of  God,"  formed,  in  his 
opinion,  a  manual  for  religious  instruction,  better 
adapted  to  the  object,  and  more  in  accordance  AA-ith 
"  the  mind  of  the  Spirit "  than  any  mere  catechism 
or  compendium  of  doctrine.     He  accepted  them,  as 
above  all  other  books,  "  profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,    for    correction,    and    for    instruction    in 
righteousness,"  being  fully  persuaded  that,  "through 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  they  are  "  able  to 
make  wise  unto  salvation."     But  there  were  those, 
some  of  them,  at  that  time,  young  in  years  and  in 
religious  experience,  who  from  a  fear  (and  doubt- 
less it  was  a  sincere  one)  of  these  engagements  being 
entered  upon   in  a  merely   formal   manner,   were 
not  prepared  at  once    to    co-operate  with  him  so 
cordially  as  he  could  have  desired.     With  as  great  a 
dread  of  a  formal  and  lifeless  religion  as  they  could 
have,  he  felt  anxious   that  no  mistaken  impression 
as  to  his  views  should  hinder  the  work  tliat    had 
been  so  happily  begun.     On  this  point  he  wi'ites 

TO    HIS    BROTHER    SAMUEL    GURNEY. 

Earlham,  12th  mo.,  7th,  1818. 

"I    am    inclined    to    think    tliat    there   exists    in    some 
individuals  considerable  misimdcrstanding  of  our  views.     1 


176  FRUITS    OF    A    CHRISTIAN    SPIRIT.  1819. 

go  the  whole  length  with  them  in  believing  and  in  feeling  that 
no  efforts  or  labours  of  ours  can  produce  religion  m  the  minds 
of  children ;  but  surely  we  may,  and  we  ought,  in  dependence 
on  divine  help,  to  prepare  the  ground,  "to  plant  and  to 
water."  I  believe  that  such  labours  are  simple  Christian 
duties,  that  if  we  neglect  these  duties,  we  are  not  making 
use  of  the  talents  committed  to  us  for  the  Master's  use ;  and 
I  also  beheve  that  he  who  can  alone  give  the  increase  will 
give  it.  These  general  principles  must,  I  tliink,  be  allowed 
on  all  hands.  Differences  of  opinion  may  arise  as  to  the 
mode.  I  agree  with  those  who  think  catechetical  forms,  &c. 
an  undesirable  mode,  and  that  it  is  better  to  lead  children  to 
search  the  Scriptures  for  themselves.  The  plan  of  questioning 
them  on  what  they  have  read  is  peculiarly  important,  simply 
because  it  habituates  them  to  read  attentively,  nor  can  I  see 
the  advantage  of  doing  anything  superficially. 

The  duty  of  giving  religious  instruction  can  only  be  per- 
formed well  by  those  who  are  alive  themselves  to  the  subject 
of  religion.  When  it  is  done  by  such,  and  is  attended  by  a 
real  exercise  of  mind  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  children, 
its  benefits  seldom  fail  to  be  known  by  its  fruits.  But  though 
these  only  are  rightly  qualified,  I  would  exhort  all  who  have 
the  care  of  children  to  the  work,  as  I  would  exhort  them  to 
any  other  Christian  duty.  If  they  want  a  heart  and  ability 
for  its  right  execution,  let  them  seek  help  where  alone  it  is  to 
be  found. 

In  allusion  to  the  same  subject  he  writes  in  his 
Journal,  under  date, 

7th  mo.,  2Srd,  1819.  It  is  my  desire  to  dweU  deeply  in 
the  root  of  life,  and  to  be  preserved  in  that  spirit  of  true 
love,  which  judgeth  not.  There  are  two  or  three  consider- 
ations which  it  is  well  for  me  to  advert  to.  First,  that  such 
is  the  weakness  and  corruption  of  man,  that  the  religious 
world,  in  this  scene  of  being,  is  in  a  very  imperfect  state; 
which  is  manifested  by  nothing  more  than  by  this,  that  those 
who  truly  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are  nevertheless  so 
frequently  attached  and  subjected  to  a  portion  of  error  and 


^T.  32.  SUCCESS    AT    ACKWORTH.  177 

prejudice.  Look  at  the  liigli  CahTaist  on  the  one  side.  On 
the  other  side  look  at  those  who  pervert  their  dependence  on 
universal  and  sensible  grace,  to  the  almost  total  rejection  of 
those  outward  means,  which  God  has  provided  for  our  help. 
Such  is  the  constitution  of  things,  and  often  must  it  occasion, 
to  every  sincere  inquirer,  deep  exercise  of  mind ;  and  he  may 
weU  put  the  question  to  himself,  is  it  not  in  some  point  or 
other  so  with  me  ?  In  the  mean  time,  let  him  he  willing  to 
"  hear  all  tilings." 

Secondly,  that  the  duty  of  studjong  the  Scriptures,  and  of 
leading  om*  children  to  study  them,  rests  upon  the  direct 
authority  of  our  divine  Master,  and  is,  therefore,  to  be 
maintained  by  me  perseveringly  and  unhesitatingly  whatever 
be  the  conseqviences. 

Thirdly,  that  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  there  is  a  mass 
of  good  feeling  and  good  sense  in  om*  society,  which  will,  in 
the  end,  be  found  sufficient  to  uphold  this  principle. 

Fourthly,  that  my  dependence  ought  not  to  be  placed  on 
any  one  Christian  commmiity,  but  simply  on  him,  who  is  the 
head  of  the  whole  bodv,  and  who  careth  for  all  its  members. 

The  result  has  shown  the  value  and  importance 
of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  eiforts.  "  All  the  doubts 
and  scruples,"  (says  the  superintendent,  in  a  letter 
to  him  under  date  20th  of  10th  mo.,  1825,)  "  Avhich 
were  raised  at  first  to  our  examination  plan,  have 
gradually  subsided,  and  we  now  hear  nothing  from 
any  quarter,  respecting  our  endeavours,  but  appro- 
bation and  encouragement."  The  first  "proposition" 
became  the  basis  of  the  Ackworth  course  of  scrip- 
tural instruction,  and  the  system  thus  introduced 
was  gradually  adopted  in  all  the  public  schools  of 
the  Society  of  Eriends. 

To  return  to  the  Journal : — 

Earlham,  Sth  mo.,  Sth,  [1819.]  Last  second  day,  after  a 
quiet   momiag   at   home,   I   set   off  in   the   mail    [towards 

N 


178  SUCCESS    AT    ACKWORTH.  1819. 

Ackwoi-th.]  ^  *  My  visit  [there]  was  peciiliarly  interesting, 
and  lias  afforded  me  fresli  cause  for  thankfulness.  In  the 
sub-committee  the  task  of  examining  the  children  was 
laborious,  and  I  hardly  knew  how  to  enter  into  it.  Samuel 
met  me  and  worked  with  me,  which  was  a  real  delight  and 
consolation. 

Fifth  day;  finished  the  examination  of  oui'  class  most  com- 
fortably with  the  Scriptures;    a  sweet  feeling  over  us;  and 
afterwards  took  the  evidence  of  two  of  the  masters.     Of  the 
eight  sub-committees,  seven  examined  in  the  Scriptures,  and 
brought  in  highly  satisfactoiy  reports.     Josiah  Forster  drew 
up   a   general  report   to   the   same   effect;  hght  and  truth 
eminently  prevailed,  and  the  concluding  meeting  was  truly  a 
very  favoured  one.    Seventh  day  was  one  of  peculiar  exertion ; 
the  girls  in  the  morning,  and  the  boys  in  the  afternoon ;  reading 
and  examination.     The  time  with  the  girls  was  spent  sweetly, 
the  life  flowed,  and  words  had  access.     In  the  afternoon, 
(probably  from  the  hot  weather  and  other  external  circum- 
stances,)   it  was  a  time  of   difficult   labour,    and   I   left  off 
discouraged.  "^  -^  ^  I  passed  the  night  partly  in  deep  conflict 
of  si3irit,  and  was  so  entirely  cast  down,  that  I  little  thought 
I  should  rise  again  soon.      First  day,  however,  was,  through 
mercy,  one  of  complete  restoration.      The  victory  over  the 
adversary  was  given  in  the  power  of  Christ.     The  ministry 
flowed  in-esistibly ;  first,  with  the  teachers  at  their  breakfast 
table ;  then,  very  openly  at  meeting ;  with  the  girls  at  parting ; 
and  with  the  boys  after  dinner  in  the  family.     AU  little  diffi- 
culties and  great  discom^agements  were  alike  removed,  and  I 
finally  left  Ackworth  about  three  o^ clock  with  full  satisfaction. 
What  catise  for  thankftdness  ! 

In  the  afternoon  Hannah  Kilham,  Henry  Brady,  and 
myself  proceeded  to  Pontefract,  where  I  was  engaged  to  unite 
with  Ann  Alexander  in  a  public  meeting,  at  five  o'clock,  in 
the  Town  Hall.  The  meeting  was  eminently  favoured.  Ann 
Alexander  finely  explained  our  views  relative  to  Water  Baptism 
and  the  Supper.  iUl  well  at  home  on  my  arrival  on  third  day 
evening.  ^  -^^  * 

I  have  been  a  little  frightened  dunng  this  late  rapid  course 


^T.  33.  TO    EDWARD    IIAKBORD.  179 

of  my  ministry,  lest  my  o"syn  personal  progi*ess  in  grace  and 
salvation  should  be  neglected.  I  feel  a  renewed  call  to 
watchfulness  and  prayer. 

lOth  mo.,  Uh.  Whilst  at  Upton  my  sister  Priscilla 
cautioned  me  against  length  in  ministry,  and  quoting  many 
passages  of  Scripture  towards  the  conclusion,  led  on  by  their 
beauty  rather  than  the  life.     Nota  Bene. 

TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  10th  mo.,  2n(i,  1819. 

I  have  felt  shocked  by  some  instances,  lately  under  my 
notice,  of  the  miserably  low  moral  standard  prevailing  in  the 
world.  It  makes  me  cling  to  the  remedial,  redeeming, 
reforming  principle.  O  that  all  would  come  to  it !  O  that 
all  could  be  brought  to  the  reverent  acknowledgment  that 
"  the  Lord  reigneth." 

TO    EDWARD    HARBORD. 

Norwich,  11th  mo.,  19th,  1819. 

■5^  *  *  I  am  grieved  at  hearing  of  thy  being  involved,  by  thy 
late  manly  conduct,  in  any  personal  and  private  difficulties,  but 
yet  I  can  truly  rejoice  in  thy  having  publicly  asserted  the 
unalienable  right  of  man — to  think  for  himself.  What  a 
capital  thing  in  life  is  it  to  be  tenax  propositi.  I  know  of 
nothing  more  important,  and  when  the  character  is  applied  to 
religion,  it  is  certainly  all-important.  In  thy  situation  in 
life,  thou  hast,  of  course,  some  political  duties,  and  these  to  a 
religious  man  become  religious  duties.  Whilst  this  is  the 
case,  all  is  right.  But  I  am  decidedly  of  opinion  that  if  in 
politics,  as  in  other  things,  our  first  motive  be  not  to  sei-ve 
God,  we  shall  soon  become  involved  in  a  most  dangerous  vortex. 

Earlham,  lOth  mo.,  I8th.  My  uncle,  on  fifth  day  morn- 
ing, spoke  on  the  case  of  Dives  and  Lazarus;  and  it  was 
brought  home  to  my  serious  and  anxious  consideration, 
whether  I  am  not,  as  Dives,  faring  sumptuously  every  day. 
I  trust  it  is  not  in  the  spirit  of  Dives.     Earlham  is  certainly 

N    2 


180  CHRISTIAN    MODERATION.  1819 

kept  up,  after  the  old  sort,  freely  and  handsomely.  There  are 
two  or  three  points  connected  with  the  subject,  which  strike 
me.  Spending  money  is  better  and  less  injurious  to  the  spirit, 
than  saving  it  unduly;  nevertheless.  Christian  moderation,  in 
mode  of  liTdng,  furniture,  &c.,  is  called  for  by  my  profession. 
I  wish  the  establishment  to  be  liberally  conducted,  with  this 
principle  always  in  view.  I  am  living  according  to  the  mode 
of  life,  in  which  those  with  whom  I  associate  are  accustomed 
to  live.  How  far,  in  doing  this,  and  in  aiming  at  a  generous 
system,  I  exceed  Christian  moderation,  I  doubt.  But  on  the 
whole,  my  uneasiness  on  the  subject  does  not  dwell  deeply 
with  me. 

11/^  mo.,  21st.  Proceeded  in  our  family  visits;  a  service 
attended  by  great  exercise  of  mind,  and  whether  or  no 
attended  by  fruits,  I  cannot  judge.  I  have  been  discouraged 
by  observing  the  appearance  of  the  contrary  in  particular 
cases ;  and  yet  1  trust  it  was  right  ."^ 

12th  mo.,  17th.  Read  the  accounts  of  Jesse  Cadbury,  and 
Charles  Coleby — highly  instructive.  Surely  such  are  blessed, 
in  being  removed  from  temptation  to  security,  from  doubt  to 
certainty,  from  trouble  to  peace. 

*  These  visits  were  undertaken  in  company  with  a  few  other 
Friends,  with  a  view  to  the  distribution  among  Friends  at  Norwich, 
of  the  advices  that  had  been  issued  by  the  late  Yearly  Meeting  on 
the  subject  of  the  attendance  of  meeting. 


JET,  33.  EXTRACTS    FROM    JOURNAL.  181 


CHAPTER  X. 

1820—1821.     vET.  32—33. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS;  HIS  FIRST  DAY  SCHOOL; 
JOURNEY  TO  BRISTOL;  WILLIAM  FORSTER's  DEPARTURE  FOR  AMERICA; 
YEARLY  MEETING  ;  LETTERS  FROM  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON  AND 
WILLIAM  WILBERFORCE  ;  LETTER  TO  THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON  ; 
ILLNESS   AND    DEATH    OF    PRISCILLA    GURNEY. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

12th  of  1st  mo.,  1820.  [At  the  Bank,  seventh  day.] 
*  *  Thougli  SO  busy  that  my  miiid  has  hardly  time  to  turn 
itself  roimd,  yet  I  may  acknowledge  that  I  am  permitted  to 
experience  something  of  the  staying  principle^  even  in  the 
midst  of  the  whii'lwind,  to  which  my  occupations  on  this  day 
may  well  be  compared.  How  beautiful  is  the  idea,  and  how 
comforting  the  experience  of  "staying"  om-selves  "upon 
God  !"  What  a  privilege  for  those  who  feel  their  own  utter 
weakness,  and  their  perpetual  liability  to  fall,  to  have  the 
divine  arm  of  love  to  lean  upon !  What  shoidd  we  do  or  be 
without  it?  Certain  it  is  that  I  know  something  of  the 
"  plague  of  my  own  heart ;"  and  that  I  can  adopt  the  words 
which  on  a  memorable  occasion,  (the  conclusion  of  the  labours 
of  the  committee  on  Thomas  Foster's  case,)  I  once  heard  thee 
use  in  ministry,  "Without  Christ  I  am  of  all  men  most 
miserable." 

2nd  mo.,  28th.  Public  events  in  a  high  degree  striking  : 
the  assassination  of  the  Due  de  Berri,  and  the  horrible  plot 
so  providentially  detected  in  London,  which  woidd  otherwise, 
in  all  probability,  have  proved  fatal  to  many  of  oiu*  governors. 
Notwithstanding  all,  it  is  my  behef  that  good  will  prevail. 


18.2  LETTER    TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON.  1820. 

In  the  prospect  of  the  election  at  Weymouth,  he 
writes, 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Earlham,  2ud  mo.,  29th,  1820. 

I  am  of  course  mucli  interested  about  thy  dear  husband ; 
and  heartily  wish  him  in  again,  from  a  behef  that  his 
parliamentary  career  is  of  real  importance  to  the  cause  of 
humanity  and  Christianity.  At  the  same  time,  we  are,  even 
the  wisest  of  us,  miserable  judges  and  counsellors ;  and  it 
ought  to  be  our  chief,  our  only  desire,  that  the  government 
may  be  upon  the  shoulders  of  him,  who  is  worthy  to  reign 
over  us,  and  who  will  arrange  all  things  for  the  ultimate  good 
of  those  who  love  and  fear  him.  I  rejoice  in  my  confidence 
that  Fowell  is  one  of  these,  and  that  neither  disappointment 
nor  success  will  be  permitted  to  harm  him,  if  he  do  but  abide 
in  his  Saviour. 

I  have  been  exceedingly  busy  ever  since  you  left  us, 
sometimes  depressed  and  sometimes  encouraged,  but  on  the 
whole  dwelling  a  httle  too  much  on  the  gloomy  side  of 
things.  There  is  something  in  the  fearful  aspect  of  public 
affairs  which  strongly  induces  this  state  of  mind.  But  it  is 
our  duty  to  wash  and  anoint,  that  we  appear  not  unto  men  to 
fast.  We  serve  an  Almighty  Redeemer,  who  in  his  own  good 
time  wUl  triumph  over  all. 

First  day  night,  2>rd  mo.,  \Wi.  This  morning  my  uncle 
Joseph  Gurney  [in  the  prospect  of  leaving  home,]  gave  us  a 
warm  and  affectionate  parting  exhortation.  Towards  the  close 
of  the  meeting  I  found  rehef  and  fresh  strength  in  prayer, 
especially  commending  the  travellers  to  him  whom  they  go 
forth  to  serve.  The  school  comfortable  and  edifying.  The 
afternoon  meeting  a  time  of  outpouring :  I  know  not  when  I 
have  been  enabled  so  to  commit  the  flock  to  its  Shepherd.  I 
trust  I  am  humbled  and  not  exalted  by  the  mercies  of  the 
day.  The  creature  can  liave  nothing  to  glory  in ;  all  that  he 
has  is  not  his  own,  but  another's.  The  Creator  alone  is 
worthy.     How  clearly  have  I  seen  this  truth  to-day. 


JET.  32.  FIRST    DAY    SCHOOL;    HliNRY    BRADY.  183 

His  frequent  notice  of  his  attendance  at  the  first 
day  school,  even  after  his  marriage,  and  notAvith- 
standing  the  numerous  other  claims  upon  his  time 
and  attention,  cannot  fail  to  be  encouraging  to  those 
who  are  engaged  in  similar  services.  How  often  is 
the  unobserved  path  of  laborious  duty,  the  way  of 
fullest  comfort. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY,* 

Norwich,  3rd  mo.,  17th,  1820. 

I  have  had  increasing  satisfaction  in  my  little  first  day- 
school  at  Norwich,  from  the  real  approach  to  seriousness  in 
some  of  my  pupils,  and  I  thmk  more  particularly  in  our 
Norwich  new  Girls'  School,  where  the  same  work  is  going 
forward  imder  the  auspices  of  a  friend  of  admirable  character. 

With  regard  to  the  right  mixture  of  cheerfulness  and 
seriousness  in  teaching  the  Scriptm-es,  I  would  say,  "Be 
natm-al,''  let  the  mind  have  its  play.  I  should  never  fear  thy 
undertaking  such  an  office  othei*wise  than  on  serious  groimds, 
and  with  a  secret  breathing  for  divuie  help ;  and,  this  being 
my  confidence,  I  have  the  less  fear  in  repeatmg  my  precept, 
"  Be  natural." 

Some  objection  having  been  made  to  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  attendance  at  a  public  meeting  held 
at  Norwich,  on  the  subject  of  the  severe  measures, 
attended  with  bloodshed  and  loss  of  life,  which  had 

*  Henry  Brady  was  one  of  the  principal  teachers  at  Ackworth 
school,  "a  young  man,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "of  rare  worth, 
piety,  and  talents.  He  long  superintended  the  reHgious  instruction 
there  with  great  effect  and  ability,  and  was  very  successful  in  other 
departments,  especially  the  Latin  class.  We  carried  on  an  intimate 
correspondence ;  and  inexpressibly  affectmg  it  was  to  me  when  he 
caught  the  typhus  fever,  which  had  been  raging  in  the  school,  and 
died,  I  think,  in  1828.  He  had  just  before  come  forth  with  bright- 
ness in  the  ministry  ;  but  the  Lord  had  higher  ser\'ices  for  him  than 
any  to  be  found  on  earth,  and  took  him  home  to  himself." 


184  CHRISTIAN    CITIZENSHIP.  1820. 

been  resorted  to  by  the  soldiery  at  Manchester,  in 
the  dispersion  of  the  vast  assemblage  of  upwards  of 
60,000  persons  congregated  there,  under  the  leader- 
ship of  the  notorious  Hunt,  in  the  8th  mo.,  1819, 
he  thus  continues  : — 

Thou  wilt  be  pleased  to  inform  all  inquirers — 1st,  That  it  was 
no  radical  meeting  at  all :  it  was  certainly  called  for  a  political 
object,  but  that  object  was  unexceptionable,  being  simply  to 
ask  for  inquiry  into  the  transactions  at  Manchester.  It  was  a 
meeting  summoned  and  presided  over  by  the  high  Sheriff,  and 
procm'ed  and  conducted  by  a  large  number  of  the  most 
respectable  gentlemen  in  Norfolk. 

2nd,  That  I  attended  the  meeting  simply  as  an  observer, 
and  without  the  slightest  intention  of  speaking.  Against  my 
attendance  I  felt  no  scruple,  but  on  the  contrary  do  stiU 
believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  moderate  men,  who  happen  to 
have  considerable  local  influence,  to  attend  such  meetings. 

3rd,  That,  being  there,  I  found  that  it  was  in  my  power  to 
be  of  use  in  promoting  a  spirit  of  peace  and  good  will,  and  in 
fixing  the  assembly  in  a  marked  disapprobation  of  radical 
irreligion.  For  this  purpose  I  spoke.  I  presume  my  speech 
was  misreported  in  the  London  papers.  But  it  nevertheless 
succeeded,  and  I  accomplished  the  objects,  (Christian  objects 
I  hope  I  may  call  them,)  which  I  had  in  view. 

No  persons  mistake  me  more  than  those  who  suppose  I  feel 
the  slightest  interest  in  party  politics :  I  dislike,  as  much  as 
I  disapprove  both  the  spirit  and  the  principle  of  party ;  and  I 
quite  admit,  that  religious  people,  whether  Friends  or  others, 
ought  to  be  exceedingly  careful,  how  they  meddle  with  politics 
in  any  shape.  Nevertheless,  there  are  matters  in  politics  which 
religious  people  ought  to  concern  themselves  ia;  and  where 
humanity,  justice,  virtue,  and  moral  and  religious  improve- 
ment, are  concerned,  I  for  one,  am  more  than  willing  to  be 
concerned  also. 

Zrd  mo.,  26th.  Yesterday  I  was  much  affected  by  dis- 
covering that  two  poor  fellows  are  left  for  execution.     This 


^T.  32.  WILLIAM  FORSTER  SAILS  FOR  AMERICA.  185 

seems  again  to  involve  me  in  lahonr,  and  exercise  both  in- 
ward and  outward,  almost  to  sickness  of  heart.  Alas,  that 
these  afflicting  calamities  should  l)c  renewed  amongst  us  every 
half  year !  I  hardly  know  how  to  bear  it,  but  I  desire  to 
commit  the  cause  to  the  Lord. 

His  retirement  at  home  during  the  spring  of  this 
year  was  interrupted  by  a  journey  to  Bristol  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  leave  of  his  friend  William 
Eorster,  then  about  to  sail  from  that  port  on  a 
religious  visit  to  Priends  in  America.  From  Bristol 
he  writes, 

TO    HIS    UNCLE    JOSEPH  GURNEY. 

Bristol,  4th  mo.,  10th,  1820. 

When  I  heard  that  William  Forster  had  determined 
to  sail  so  speedily,  I  could  not  be  at  all  satisfied  without  seeing 
him  and  attending  him  on  his  departure.  As  soon  therefore 
as  circumstances  admitted,  I  set  off,  and  on  arriving  at 
Bristol  on  second  day  morning,  found  him  and  his  wife  at 
John  Waring' s,  and  very  heartily  pleased  we  were  to  meet. 
They  are  wonderfully  supported ;  calm,  strong,  and  happy  in 
the  Lord ;  appearing  to  reap  something  of  the  hunched-fold, 
even  before  the  sacrifice  has  been  completed.  This  state  has, 
I  believe,  succeeded  one  of  very  sore  conflict  and  natui*al 
distress.     The  lesson  is  peculiarly  instructive. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  fifth  month  he  attended 
the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Wi  mo.,  17 th.  We  reached  Upton  on  the  .20th  of  the  5th 
month.  Never  has  a  visit  to  my  dear  brother  been  moi*e  ac- 
ceptable and  delightful  to  both  parties.  The  Yearly  Meeting 
for  Ministers  and  Elders  on  second  day,  interesting  chieflv  on 
accomit  of  Stephen  Grellett,  and  William  Allen,  who  rendered 
theu'  short,  lively,  and  humble  accoimt  of  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for  them  on  their  jom-ney."^     Third    day;    the  Prison 

*  See  Life  of  William  Allen,  chapters  x — xiv. 


186  THE    YEARLY    MEETING.  1820. 

Discipline  Meeting,  which  was  extraordinary,  as  to  the  vastly 
mixed  attendance;  and  on  the  whole  very  interesting  and 
stimulating. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  opened  on  the  fourth  day  morning. 
I  was  appointed  assistant  clerk,  which  office  I  performed 
without  much  difficulty,  and  felt  in  my  right  place.  From 
that  day  to  second  day  morning  the  6th  instant,  the  Yearly 
Meeting  continued,  and  I  was  at  last  thoroughly  engrossed 
and  occupied  by  its  concerns.  The  points  which  were  most 
interesting  were — 1st,  The  subject  of  rightly  conducting  our 
meetings  for  Discipline.  2nd,  The  Appeal  of  Gracechurch 
Street  Monthly  Meetmg,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
happily  disposed  of.  3rd,  The  history  of  Stephen  Grellett  and 
William  Allen's  journey.  4th,  The  law  of  appeals  to  Quarterly 
Meetings ;  in  discussing  which  we  finally  succeeded  in  estab- 
lishing a  very  important  principle  to  om*  great  relief.  The  busi- 
ness of  the  meeting  was  conducted  in  great  harmony.  Some  of 
the  meetings  for  worship  were  worthy  of  being  remembered ; 
particularly  that  on  sixth  day  at  Gracechurch  Street ;  Edward 
Harbord  there.  Sarah  Grubb  preached  an  admirable  gospel 
sermon,  with  clearness  and  authority.  The  meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders,  held  on  the  second  day  afternoon  after 
the  conclusion  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  was  exercising  and 
solemn.  Some  of  the  hints  given  as  to  ministry  that  day 
were  very  excellent. 

1 .  Not  too  much  of  "  Friends  " — "  dear  Friends,"  &c. 

2.  Not  to  rise  immediately  after  another  sits  down. 

3.  To  be  faithful  in  preaching  Christ  crucified. 

4.  To  avoid,  as  much  as  possible,  the  mixture  of  human 
with  divine,  matter  of  our  own  with  that  suggested  of  the 
Lord ;  a  mixture  to  which  our  Society  is  much  more  exposed, 
than  to  absolutely  spurious  ministry.  With  this  view  always 
keep  within  rather  than  exceed  the  feeling. 

Qth  mo.,  2\st.  [After  alluding  to  a  successful  efibrt  on 
behalf  of  the  Bible  Society.]  How  necessary  is  it  that 
a  day  in  which  so  much  of  the  divine  blessing  has  been 
experienced  should  in  no  way  elevate  self.  What  have  I,  that 
I  have  not  received  ? 


iET.  33.  LETTERS.  187 

In  the  8tli  month,  he  again  visited  Ackworth, 
and,  besides  his  usual  engagements  at  the  school, 
was  occupied  by  holding  several  religious  meetings 
there  and  in  the  neighbourhood. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  8tli  mo.,  18th,  1820. 

■X-  -jf  -jf  There  are  some  who  make  a  difficulty  of  discharging 
duty  from  a  hope  of  reward,  as  being  imwortliy  and  imperfect 
in  its  motives ;  but  I  am  not  sure  whether  this  nicety  does 
not  savour  more  of  the  pride  of  the  natm*al  man,  than  of  the 
humility  of  a  regenerated  Christian.  For  my  own  part, 
sheltered  by  the  example  of  him  who,  "for  the  joy  set  before 
him,  endured  the  cross,  despismg  the  shame,"  I  am  not  aware 
of  aspiring  after,  or  acting  upon  any  higher  principle.  Indeed 
I  very  much  question  its  beuig  either  a  required  or  a  practicable 
duty  for  us,  poor  creatm-es  of  an  hour  as  we  are,  to  be  divested 
of  aU  seK  love — and  with  such  a  sentiment,  the  mj  unction 
to  love  our  neighbour  as  ourselves,  appears  to  me,  to  be  so  far 
from  interfering,  that  I  think  it  rather  sanctions  it. 

Ah  !  'tis  humility — and  by  whatever  means  we  may  be 
brought  to  it — it  is  deep  and  still  deeper  humility  that  we 
want ;  and  that  must  be  the  cure,  if  ever  they  are  cured,  of 
our  many  diseases  whether  general  or  particular. 

FROM    WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE. 

Bath,  Oct.  23rd.  1820. 
My  dear  Friend, 

I  can  truly  assure  you  that  you  caimot  wish  more 
than  I  do,  that  we  could  again  partake  of  your  Earlham 
hospitahties,  and  I  scarcely  need  say  that  I  here  include  those 
of  the  mind ;  all  the  kindness ;  aU  the  interchange  of  thought 
and  feehng.  I  shoidd  dehght  to  see  you  with  your  httle  one 
in  your  arms.  But  it  just  occurs  to  me  to  tell  you  that  you 
should  have  imitated  my  example,  and  have  published  your 
book*  before  you  married.     Seriously — how  and  why  is  it  so 

*  Joseph  John  Guniey  was  still  engaged  upon  the  unpublished 
work,  mentioned  suj)ra,  p.  110. 


188  BIRTH    OF    A    DAUGHTER.  1820. 

long  delayed? — All  this  time  that  hateful  subject,  (for  I  really 
think  we  may  deem  it  a  fit  object  of  hatred,)  of  the  Queen^s 
business  has  been  presenting  itself  to  my  mind,  and  pressing 
for  discussion.  Yet  I  must  resist  the  impulse ;  I  have  not 
time  or  eyesight  to  state  my  sentiments  sufficiently  to  insure 
my  not  being  misunderstood.  In  one  particular  I  am  sure 
we  should  agree — ^in  thinking  we  may  recognise  in  our  present 
situation  the  chastening  hand.  *  *  -^ 

First  day  evening,  lOth  mo.,  22nd.  Enabled  this  afternoon 
to  speak  for  a  short  time  on  gifts  and  grace,  the  transitory 
nature  of  the  former,  and  the  permanence  of  the  latter.  We 
must  be  careful  not  to  deceive  ourselves,  even  in  our  humilia- 
tions, by  mistaking  the  disuse  of  our  talents  for  a  paucity  of 
talents. 

Second  day  morning,  Wth  mo.,  6th.  Yesterday,  a  day  of 
silence  and  internal  humiliation.  Such  days  I  feel  to  be  pro- 
fitable, perhaps  more  so  than  those  when  the  work  and  the 
word  flow.  My  prayer  is  that,  through  the  power  of  divine 
grace,  I  may  be  delivered  from  sin  in  deed,  word,  thought,  and 
imagination.     O  that  I  may  drink  daily  of  the  living  water ; 

Theophylact,  [in  Joann  :  iv,  10.] 

12th  mo.,  22nd.  Yesterday,  about  two  o'clock,  I  received 
the  delightful  intelligence  of  the  birth  of  my  little  girl,  and 
the  well  doing  of  her  mother.  *  *  This  morning,  after  having 
been  enabled  to  return  thanks  with  my  family  circle,  I  feel 
unusually  peaceful  and  happy.  How  undeservedly,  is  known 
only  to  the  Searcher  of  hearts. 

The  year  closes  with  a  visit  to  Ipswich,  respecting 
which  he  remarks: — 

*  "  Living  water,  bubbling  up,  springing  up,  ever  moving."  The 
passage  of  Theophylact  from  which  this  quotation  is  extracted, 
seems  to  have  been  a  favourite  one.  In  one  of  his  memorandum 
books  Joseph  John  Gurney  refers  to  it  as  "  singularly  clear  and  in- 
structive ;"  it  is  quoted  at  length  in  a  note  at  the  close  of  the  fii'st 
section  of  the  Essay  on  Love  to  God. 


I 


I 

I 


^T.  33.  PRISCILLA    GURNEy's    ILLNESS.  189 

I  can  acknowledge  with  thankfulness  and  even  joy  that 
much  help  was  afforded  me  in  the  various  ser\dces  which 
attended  (it).  *  *  My  heart  flows  with  love  towards  those 
whom  I  have  been  visiting^  and  I  feel  it  a  cause  for  thankful- 
ness, that  the  last  day  of  the  year  should  have  been  a  day 
peculiarly  devoted  to  my  divine  master. 

1st  mo.,  Hth,  1821.  We  are  apt  to  imagine  that  the  trials 
of  business  are  almost  unbearable,  and  that  even  rehgion 
does  not  come  in  to  aid  them ;  but  rehgion  will  apply  itself 
to  these  as  well  as  to  all  other  trials,  and  submission  to 
the  will  of  God  and  confidence  in  his  love,  will  help  us 
through  everything. 

1*/  mo.,  29th.  The  last  twenty  days  have  been  replete  with 
interest  and  occupation.  The  first  of  the  three  weeks  spent 
industriously  at  home,  till  sixth  day,  when  I  went  to  Cromer. 
Memorable,  indeed,  to  me  was  my  visit  there,  chiefly  on  accoinit 
of  our  dearest  Priscilla,  to  whom  I  was  enabled  to  devote 
myself,  and  whose  state  of  mind  is  in  the  greatest  degree 
satisfactory  and  instructive. 

Her  decline  appears  rapid,  but  her  sky  cloudless.  On  first 
day  morning  oiu*  family  party  assembled  in  her  room.  Fowell 
and  Hannah,  Catherine,  Rachel,  and  myself.  It  was  a  season 
of  close  exercise  of  spirit  and  of  true  baptism.  Seldom  haAe 
I  been  so  drawn  out  into  supplication,  particidarly  for  every 
member  of  om'  family  successively,  for  the  church,  for  the  poor 
Africans,  for  the  world  at  large.  Priscilla  beautifidly  addressed 
Fowell.     It  was  altogether  a  time  of  peculiar  favour. 

On  second  day  I  retm'ned  home,  and  the  same  afternoon 
went  off  by  mail  to  London,  There  I  spent  a  highly  interesting 
fortnight :  saw  many  interesting  people ; — the  Due  de  Cazes, 
Wilberforce,  Brougham,  &c.,  and  dehghtfully  partook  of  the 
society  of  all  my  brothers  and  sisters,  in  and  about  London. 
Business  was  at  times  sorrowfully  perplexing ;  yet  hope  and 
strength  were,  fi'om  time  to  time  afforded.  The  spiritual 
blessings  of  these  two  weeks  were  great ;  and  fi'om  day  to  day 
I  experienced  something  of  the  "word  of  Christ"  dwelling  in 
me  "richly." 

2nd  mo.,   Uth.      Dearest  Priscilla's  state   [continues  to] 


190  DEATH    OF    JANE    BIRKBECK.  1821. 

engross  much  attention,  and  to  excite  near  feeling  and 
sympathy.  Two  days  last  week  I  passed  at  Cromer,  and  found 
her  greatly  sunk.  Whilst  I  cannot  but  weep  over  the  mortal 
decay  of  a  most  beloved  sister,  let  me  remember  my  blessings 
and  my  joys.  First  of  all,  the  blessing  of  an  assured  belief, 
that  the  spirit  of  our  sister  is  washed  white  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb,  is  purified  for  heaven,  ready  to  ascend  into  the 
society  of  the  angelic  host.  O  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  !  O  the 
call  for  thankfulness  and  joy  !  And  next  let  me  look  at 
home.  Have  I  not  cause  to  be  very  thankful.  And  why 
should  I  be  so  very  careful  ?  Why  shoidd  I  so  often  go  as 
one  burthened  on  my  way?  Unto  thee,  most  dear  and 
honom-ed,  and  gracious  Master,  I  desire  to  commit  myself,  my 
wife,  my  children,  my  brothers  and  sisters,  my  loved  ones  of 
every  description,  my  goods  and  estate,  my  body,  soul,  and 
spirit.  Do  with  me  as  thou  seest  meet.  Enable  me  quietly 
to  cast  every  care  upon  thee.  Comfort  me  with  the  hourly 
remembrance  that  thou  art  my  Saviour,  my  Shepherd,  my 
King,  and  my  Friend;  yea,  that  thou  art  thyself  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  my  infirmities.  Raise  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
above  every  mortal  fear,  every  worldly  entanglement ;  deepen 
and  enliven  my  faith,  and  plant  my  affections  in  that  celestial 
region  of  love  and  peace,  where  they  will  ever  flourish  to  thy 
praise,  and  yield  sweet  fruits  of  honour,  service,  and  thanks- 
giving, acceptable  unto  thee,  my  God. 

Wliilst  thus  watcliing  the  gradual  decline  of  his 
sister,  another  affecting  event  unexpectedly  occurred. 
In  the  third  month  of  the  preceding  year,  his 
hrother-in-law  Henry  Birkbeck  had  married  his 
cousin  Jane,  the  daughter  of  his  uncle  Joseph 
Gurney.  On  the  21st  of  the  2nd  mo.  of  this  year 
she  breathed  her  last,  a  few  days  after  the  birth  of 
her  only  child. 

2nd  mo.,  26th.  Alas  !  where  are  we  ?  Truly,  sorrow  and 
dismay  have  been  our  allotment.     Second  day  was  the  last 


^T.  33.  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  191 

day  of  hope  respecting  dearest  Jane.  On  the  following  morn- 
ing we  were  greatly  alarmed  by  the  return  of  her  symptoms ; 
no  strength  was  left  to  bear  the  application  of  remedies,  and 
she  breathed  her  last  early  on  fourth  day  morning.  *  *  Third 
day  was  one  of  exceedingly  great  affliction.  This  was  heightened 
to  me  bv  the  absence  of  mv  dear  wife,  who  was  then  at  Cromer. 
In  the  evening  my  mother  and  I  went  to  the  Grove  together, 
and  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that  in  the  very  heat  of  the 
fieiy  trial,  there  was  to  be  felt  there,  that  evening,  a  sweet 
peace  and  great  tranquillity.  It  was  evident  that  di^'ine  support 
was  near  at  hand  to  help  the  afflicted  party.  The  beloved 
invalid  was  at  first  disappointed  at  hearing  from  the  medical 
attendant  that  there  was  no  longer  any  hope;  and  I  believe 
she  passed  through  deep  humiliation  and  conflict,  in  the 
apprehension  of  her  imfitness  for  the  awful  change.  But  her 
religion  was  pure,  just,  and  genuine,  and  her  faith  gradually 
arose,  so  that  she  was  enabled  to  throw  herself,  just  as  she 
was,  on  the  bosom  of  a  merciful  Saviour.  Her  messages  to 
her  friends  were  instructive  and  full  of  love ;  her  mind  clear 
and  very  bright,  to  the  last.  Her  sufierings  were  not  great, 
and  her  end  comparatively  easy ;  truly  and  richly  blessed,  we 
may  thankfidly  believe  ! 

Under  the  same  date  lie  contmues  : — 

On  sixth  day  morning  I  settled  some  afiairs ;  wrote  a  little 
in  my  book ;  visited  the  Grove ;  looked  in  at  the  prison ;  and 
then  proceeded  to  Cromer,  where  I  foiuid  another  party  of 
mourners.  I  stayed  there  until  first  day  afternoon,  and  was 
much  with  dearest  Priscilla.  ^  "^  Sweet  is  the  influence  which 
accompanies  and  siurounds  her,  and  truly  lovely  and  desu'able 
is  her  frame  of  mind.  She  bes  most  quietly,  and  her  calm 
appears  to  be  unbroken.  Several  times  she  spoke  in  ministry, 
and  her  whole  state  seems  to  indicate  heaven  at  hand.  It  is 
peculiarly  soothing  to  be  with  her,  and  an  imspeakablc  mercy 
that  she  is  so  favoured  with  comparative  outward  ease,  and 
with  such  eminent  inward  tranquillity,  and  true  peace.  Not  a 
doubt  appears  to  pei-plex  her  path.  Her  soul  is  centered  in 
God. 


193  TO  THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON.  1821. 

Three  weeks  later  he  writes  to  his  brother-in-law 
Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  who  was  then  in  London, 
attending  upon  his  duties  in  Parliament : — 

Cromer,  Srd  mo.,  17th,  1821. 

*  *  In  thinking  of  thee^  I  feel  entire  satisfaction  in  thy 
having  quitted  for  a  time,  thy  retirement,  and  again  launched 
thy  vessel  upon  the  world's  ocean.  Thy  situation  is  undoubt- 
edly one  of  great  importance,  and  thy  character  is  likely  to 
obtain  the  more  influence,  because  thy  zeal  for  life,  liberty, 
and  truth,  will  move  along  in  straight  lines,  and  be  disfigured 
by  no  canting  or  ivhining.  Let  no  vain  glory,  no  worldly 
lusts,  no  confidence  in  thy  own  strength,  pollute  its  fair 
colours.  Dwell  low  and  deep  in  the  humility  which  preserves, 
and  mind  what  our  dearest  PrisciUa  said  to  thee  when  she 
exhorted  thee  to  receive  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  fulness 
of  his  love,  light,  and  power,  not  only  as  thy  Redeemer,  but 
as  thy  Governor,  and  thy  Guide.  Thy  fond  brethren  may 
praise,  perhaps  flatter  thee,  but  thy  Master  will  ever  be  found 
an  "unflattering  witness."  He  wiU  show  thee  where  thou 
art,  and  what  thou  art.  The  denial  of  self,  the  bearing  of  the 
cross  of  Jesus,  the  arduous  stepping  on  in  the  strait  and 
narrow  path,  the  reduction  of  the  creature's  wUl  to  its  proper 
nothingness,  wiU  all  be  set  before  thee,  and  must  all  be 
accepted  with  submission.  Yet,  through  all,  will  the  smile  of 
alluring  mercy,  of  everlasting  lovingkmdness,  of  free  redeeming 
grace,  gladden  and  brighten  every  prospect,  and  teach  the 
disconsolate  pilgrim  that  all  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  "pleasant- 
ness, and  all  his  paths  peace."  "^  *  * 

I  have  had  great  comfort  in  being  here.  Dearest  Priscilla's 
state  is  to  me  increasingly  consoling.  Her  sufferings  appear 
to  be  considerably  alle^^ated,  and  her  spirit  is  like  that  of  a 
little  child.  She  has  felt,  thought,  acted,  and  known  as  much 
as  manv,  and  manfidly  has  she  siistained  the  gi'cat  cause  of 
righteousness  and  truth.  Now  all  is  hushed;  brought  into 
rest  and  stillness ;  and,  as  I  said  before,  her  soid  is  like  a  weaned 
child.  Nothing,  in  my  apprehension,  can  be  more  lovely  or 
beautiful  than  such  a  state.    There  is  in  it  such  an  absence  of 


^T.  33.  DEATH    OF    PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  193 

enthusiasm,  such  freedom  from  all  false  colouring,  such  true 
fitness  for  an  entrance  through  the  pearl  gates  into  the  city  of 
God? 

Srd  mo.,  SI st.  *  "^  On  fourth  day  morning,  the  21st,  as 
we  were  sitting  at  breakfast,  we  received  a  note  from 
Dalrymple,  to  inform  us  that  he  had  been  to  visit  Priscilla, 
that  he  found  her  near  death,  and  that  he  recommended 
my  setting  oflP  without  delay.  I  felt  imdisturbed  by  this 
intelligence;  and  having  completed  what  requii'cd  attention 
at  home,  we  left  Earlham,  and  arrived  at  Cromer  before 
dinner  time,  where  we  continued  until  last  fifth  day  morning, 
the  29th.  On  our  introduction  to  dear  Priscilla,  we  found  her 
greatly  simk.  Much  of  the  time,  whilst  she  was  awake,  was 
passed  in  reading  the  Bible,  hymns,  Friends^  books — chiefly 
Samuel  Scott's  Diary,  and  the  History  of  the  ]\Ioravian 
Missions.  Every  now  and  then  sweet  openings  of  the  li\ing 
spring,  and  opportunities  for  short  verbal  ministry. 

Seventh  day  was  indeed  a  memorable  one.  She  was 
evidently  herself  dming  the  whole  day;  seemed  to  enter 
into  what  was  read  to  her,  and  received  the  ministry  of  her 
brothers  and  sisters,  especially  that  of  Fowell.  The  13th 
of  1st  Corinthians  was  read,  and  the  enduring  natiu'C  of 
true  love  dwelt  upon.  She  in  vain  endeavom-ed  to  address 
Fowell,  but  could  not  speak.  She  offered  her  hand  to  differ- 
ent individuals  repeatedly,  in  token  of  love ;  to  me  sweetly, 
amongst  the  rest.  About  half-past  nine  in  the  evening,  we 
were  aU  summoned  into  the  room,  as  there  were  increased 
appearances  of  approaching  death.  Solemn  and  sweet  was 
the  time  we  then  passed  together.  Prayer  and  thanksgi%dng 
were  offered.  Our  dear  sister  Fry,  wonderfully  strengthened 
in  faith,  and  empowered  of  the  Spirit,  addressed  the  dying 
beloved  one,  in  a  strain  of  confident  and  assured  encourage- 
ment; as  it  were,  helping  her  over  the  waters  of  Jordan.  In 
the  course  of  the  opportunity,  Priscilla  clearly  smiled;  and 
repeatedly  and  distinctly  expressed  the  word,  "Farewell." 
■^  *  I  sat  up  with  her  dming  the  night.  It  was  a  night  of 
dying ;  and  early  in  the  morning  I  was  exceedingly  overcome. 

O 


194  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  1821. 

About  nine^  we  were  all  again  assembled  with  her^  and  whilst 
our  sister  Fry  was  in  the  act  of  commending  lier  into  the 
hands  of  her  God  and  Father,  one  gentle  sigh  closed  the 
awful,   yet   peaceful   scene !     I  repeated   the   words  from  a 

hymn : — 

"One  gentle  sigh  her  fetters  breaks; 

"We  scarce  can  say  she's  gone, 
Before  the  willing  spirit  takes 
Her  mansion  near  the  throne." 

Great  and  dehghtful  was  the  flow  of  peace  which,  after  much 
deep  distress,  ensued  to  my  own  mind,  for  about  half  an  hour. 

Thus  early  was  Priscilla  Giirney  called  to  rest 
from  those  labours  which  had  promised  a  career  of 
so  much  usefulness.  Though  the  youngest  sister, 
she  was  the  first  that  was  taken  away,  giving  in  the 
quiet  assurance  of  her  Christian  hope,  a  sweet  fore- 
taste to  those  who  were  left  behind,  of  the  all- 
sufficiency  of  his  grace  who  had  thus  loved  her  and 
washed  her  from  her  sins  in  his  own  blood.  She 
was  born  in  the  year  1785,  and  quickly  became  a 
conspicuous  ornament  of  that  bright  and  lively 
family  circle,  of  which  a  sketch  has  already  been 
given.  Partaking,  like  the  rest,  of  the  gaiety  of 
youth,  she  was  with  them  also  made  a  partaker  of 
the  gracious  visitations  of  redeeming  love.  In  the 
year  1810  she  was  led  to  unite  herseK  more  closely 
to  the  Society  of  Priends,  and  after  passing  through 
deep  mental  conflict,  she  felt  it  her  duty,  some  years 
later,  to  speak  as  a  minister  in  their  religious  meet- 
ings. 

"  Of  all  the  ministry  I  was  accustomed  to  hear,"  writes 
Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his  Autobiography,  "none  perhaps 
was  so  beneficial  to  me,  as  that  of  my  beloved  sister  Priscilla. 
It  was  generally  in  good  authority,  weU  expressed,  lucid,  and 


^T,  33.  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  195 

scriptural ;  and  to  me  rendered  ranch  the  more  effectual  by 
her  life  and  conversation,  which  afibrded  rae  a  pattern  of  no 
mean  value.  The  language  of  her  whole  conduct,  to  her 
younger  brother  in  the  tnith,  was,  "  Follow  me,  as  I  follow 
Christ."* 

After  having  been  engaged  in  various  religious 
labours  among  Friends  in  her  native  county,  she 
accompanied  her  cousin  Hachel  Gurney,  whose 
health  was  then  rapidly  declining,  and  several  other 
members  of  the  family,  to  the  South  of  France  in 
the  year  1816,  and  spent  some  time  in  religious 
ser\dce  among  the  few  who  profess  the  principles  of 
Friends  in  those  parts.  Whilst  absent  upon  this 
journey  she  wrote 

TO    HER    BROTHER    JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNEY. 

Nice,  12th  mo.,  26th,  1816. 

Tliere  are  few  passages  in  Scripture  that  have  been  more 
animating  or  comforting  to  me  than  the  promises  in  the 
Revelation  to  those  who  overcome.  I  have  dwelt  on  them 
with  peculiar  interest  and  with  a  renewed  desire  for  us  that 

*  One  feature  of  her  private  character  may  be  particularly  noticed 
— her  assiduous  attention  to  the  wants  of  the  distressed  and  poor. 
"You  had  more  opportunity,"  wi-ites  Thomas  Fowcll  Buxton,  to 
one  of  her  sisters,  "of  knowing  the  extent  to  which  she  was  devoted 
to  their  service,  and  how  many  of  the  days  in  every  week  she  was 
employed  exclusively  in  visiting  the  sick  and  distressed.  I  can  only 
speak  of  the  manner  in  which  she  was  prepared,  as  soon  as  breakfast 
was  over,  to  proceed  to  her  task,  her  basket  in  readiness,  filled  with 
such  Uttle  presents  as  she  thought  might  be  useful  or  acceptable  to 
those  who  were  suffering  from  disease.  *  *  Within  a  short  peiiod 
of  her  death,  she  said  to  me,  that  she  had  no  wish  to  recover,  but  if 
there  was  anything  which  recalled  her  to  Hfe,  it  was  the  desire  to 
be  more  diligent  in  attending  to  the  sick ;  adding,  'I  have  been  well 
nursed,  admirably  nursed;  but,  after  all,  sickness  to  me  is  a  sore 
thing;  and  what  must  it  be  to  those  who  want  everything?'  " 

o  2 


196  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  1821 

we  may  with  more  faith^  more  bumility,  and  more  entire  and 
simple  obedience,  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the  Captain  of 
our  salvation;  that  we  may  follow  him  whithersoever  lie 
leadeth  us.  It  is  the  prayer  of  my  heart,  my  dearest  Joseph, 
that  thou  mayest  be  encouraged  and  enabled  yet  to  go  on, 
yet  to  press  forward  in  every  religious,  domestic,  and  pubHc 
duty,  in  quietness  and  humility,  '^not  slothful  in  business," 
"fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord."  When  the  curtain 
drops  and  the  scene  closes  here,  how  is  then  every  sacrifice  in 
the  cause  of  religion,  how  is  every  act  of  faith  and  obedience 
to  be  prized ;  how  inestimable  do  they  become  as  evidences  of 
that  grace  by  which  alone  we  are  saved. 

On  her  return  to  Earlhani  in  the  summer  of  1817, 
she  again  hecame  the  warm  and  affectionate  helper 
and  counsellor  of  her  brother  in  his  various  engage- 
ments, taking  an  especial  interest  in  his  efforts 
in  favour  of  scriptural  instruction.  With  his 
assistance  she  compiled  the  valuable  selection  of 
Hymns  for  Young  Persons,  which  was  soon  after- 
wards published,  and  has  since  passed  through 
many  editions  in  England  and  America. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year  1817,  she  was 
engaged  in  a  short  journey  amongst  Priends  in 
Cambridgeshire  and  Huntingdonshire,  and  in  the 
following  spring,  in  company  with  Anna  Porster, 
she  paid  a  general  visit  to  Priends  in  Ireland. 
Soon  after  her  return  from  Ireland,  her  liealth 
began  to  give  way,  and  with  a  view  to  its  amend- 
ment, she  was  induced  to  pass  some  months  on  the 
southern  shore  of  the  Isle  of  Wight.  The  change 
appeared,  for  a  time,  to  produce  the  desired  effect, 
and  in  the  4th  month  of  1820  she  again  resumed 
her  position  at  Earlham.  There,  however,  her 
strength  gradually  declined,  and  in  the  8th  month 


JET.  33.  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  197 

of  that  year  she  finally  removed  to  tlie  house  of  her 
brother-in-law,  Thomas  Eowell  Buxton,  near  Cro- 
mer, where  she  died  on  the  25th  of  the  3rd  month, 
1821. 

Amons:  many  other  letters  received  on  the 
occasion  of  her  decease,  that  to  one  of  her  sisters, 
written  by  the  late  Charles  Simeon,  and  published 
in  his  Memoirs,*  as  weU  as  the  sketch  given  of  her 
character  bv  her  brother-in-law  Thomas  Powell 
Buxton,!  are  snfhcient  e^ddences  of  the  deep 
impression  which  she  had  made  upon  those  with 
whom  she  was  associated.  But  among  them  all, 
there  were  few,  if  any,  who  more  deeply  felt  her 
loss  than  her  brother  Joseph  John  Gurney.  HaAdng 
lived  toorether  under  a  common  roof;  a  sister  not 
only  in  natm-al  affection,  but  as  he  was  wont  to  say, 
*'in  the  unchangeable  truth,"  it  was  a  dispensation 
imder  which  he  bowed  in  reverent  submission,  but 
which  he  ceased  not  deeply  to  mourn. 

"  Exceedingly  precious  to  many/'  ai-e  his  \rords  in  allusion  to 
her  many  years  later  in  his  Autobiography,  ''  is  the  recollec- 
tion of  her  sweetness  and  delicacy,  and  at  the  same  time, 
strength  and  clearness  of  mind ;  of  her  umesenxd  dedication 
of  heart  to  the  Saviour  whom  she  loved ;  and  of  her  instruc- 
tive offerings  in  prayer  and  preaching,  both  in  pubhc  and  in 
private.  Her  image  comes  before  me  at  this  moment^with 
imcommon  sweetness  V 

The  funeral  took  place  on  the  2nd  of  the  4th 
month,  and  was  very  largely  attended. 

*  See  p.  551. 
t  See  Memoirs  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  pp.  100,  101. 


198  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  1821. 

"  There  was  something  with  us/'  says  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
"  of  which  words  might  be  the  channel,  but  which  was  far 
better  than  words.  We  may  acknowledge,  that  we  have  been 
greatly  favoured  by  the  divine  love  and  presence,  ever  since 
our  sister's  death,  and  we  cannot  be  too  thankful  for  this 
renewed  extension  of  heavenly  favour ;  but,  alas  !  how  mourn- 
fully have  I  at  times  felt  the  depth,  height,  length,  and 
breadth  of  my  loss  !  Priscilla  was,  indeed,  a  most  valued  and 
cherished  sister  \" 


MT.  33.  COMMON    DUTIES.  199 


CHAPTER  XI. 

1821—1822.      ^T.  33—34. 

EXTHACTS  FKOM  JOURXAL  AND  LETTERS  ;  LETTER  FROJI  "SVILLIAM  WIL- 
BERFORCE  ;  TRACT  ON  THE  AUTHORITY,  IMPORTANCE,  AND  EFFECT 
OF    CHRISTIANITY;    ILLNESS   AND    DEATH    OF    HIS    WIFE. 

Deeply  sorromng,  yet  not  as  tliose  who  are  witli- 
out  hope,  Joseph  John  Gm-ney  thus  prepares  for 
again  engaguig  in  his  ordinary  duties. 

Fourth  mo.  6th,  1821.  I  prayed  this  morning  for  ability  to 
recommence  my  common  duties  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and 
with  a  ddigent  spirit.  This  work  is,  I  hope,  begun.  I  have 
been  ^dsiting  poor  William  Anderson  on  his  death  bed.  A 
sudden  illness,  and  as  fatal  as  siidden !  How  awful  is  such  a 
summons.  I  was  strengthened  to  pray  for  him,  and  to  du'cct 
his  attention  to  a  crucified  Jesus. 

Fourth  mo.  I6th.  On  fifth  day  at  the  Monthly  Meeting,  I 
proposed  a  pubUc  meeting  [at  Norwich]  for  last  first  day 
night.  I  felt  much  peace,  and  even  joy,  in  consequence; 
something  resembling  the  feeling  which  was  permitted  me 
when  I  first  spoke  m  the  ministry ;  but  lowness  and  appre- 
hension were  at  times  prevalent.  The  meeting  was  full  and 
very  reheving.  I  experienced  much  power  working  in  my 
weakness,  enabling  me  to  preach  the  gospel  of  my  Lord  and 
Saviour. 

Fifth  mo.  Sth.  Returned  last  night  fi-om  London;  the  week 
spent  there  marked  chiefly  by  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society, 
and  Fowell's  parhamentary  dinner  party ;  the  latter  entertain- 
ing, the  former  highly  interesting.     Being  invited  to  speak,  I 


200  EVILS    OF    PANEGYRIC.  1821. 

took  the  opportunity  of  disc^^ssing  the  right  method  of  con- 
ducting public  meetings,  and  bore  a  strong  and  generally, 
though  I  believe  not  universally,  acceptable  testimony  against 
want  of  simplicity,  votes  of  thanks,  flattery,  &c.  As  usual, 
though  my  speech  was  against  self,  I  found  self  too  busy,  too 
eager  after  some  satisfaction  when  the  eflbrt  was  over. 

Tlie  passage  of  his  speecli  to  wliicli  he  here  refers 
is  reported  as  follows.* 

"  I  long  to  see  the  day  when  the  General  Meetings  of  the 
Bible  Society  shall  be  conducted  with  perfect  simplicity,  and 
when  we  shall  studiously  avoid  everything  like  panegyric  or 
eulogy.  This  line  of  conduct  we  have  adopted  at  Noi'wich, 
and  it  appears  to  me  to  have  greatly  increased  the  success  of 
the  Bible  Society  there.  We  have  always  endeavoured  to 
have  as  few  resolutions  as  possible ;  and  to  make  them  all  as 
much  as  possible  of  a  practical  natm-e.  My  heart  went  along 
with  my  fnend  from  North  Britain,  when  he  was  speaking  of 
the  evils  of  panegyric.  We  do  not  come  here  to  panegyrize, 
but  to  acknowledge  the  unmerited  mercies  of  our  God  and 
Saviour.  We  come  to  acknowledge,  as  in  the  dust,  that  we 
have  aU  sinned  and  come  short  of  his  glory ;  and  that  so  far 
from  having  any  degree  of  merit  for  what  we  have  done,  we 
have  cause  to  lament  that  we  have  done  so  little.  I  am  fuUy 
sensible  how  much  benefit  this  Society  has  derived  from  its 
president,  from  its  secretaries,  and  from  its  committee ;  and 
one  reason  why  I  wish  to  promote  the  distribution  of  the 
Scriptures  is  because  while  they  teach  us  to  fear  God,  they 
teach  us  also  to  give  honour  where  honour  is  due,  tribute  to 
whom  tribute  is  due,  respect  where  respect  is  due.  But  when  I 
remember  that  our  object  is  a  religious  one ;  that  we  come 
together  as  the  unworthy  subjects  and  servants  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  I  feel  that  we  shoidd  not  take  that  opportunity 
of  bestowing  praise  on  each  other." 

*  See  the  Monthly  Extracts  from  the  correspondence,  &c.  of  the 
British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  of  that  period. 


JET.  33.  MINISTRY    AND    YEARLY    MEETING.  201 

Second  day,  5th  mo.  4th.    Yesterday  brought  with  it  some 
edification.     The  ministry  was  exercised  shortly  in  both  tlie 
meetuigs ;  considerably  in  the  cross  to  myself.     In  the  morn- 
ing I  spoke  of  the  advantage  of  our  mode  of  worship,  as  leading 
to  the  experience  that  we  can  of  oui'selves  do  ver}'  little  to 
help  or  insti-uct  one  another,  that  there  are  times  when  the 
tongue  of  the  teacher  langnishcth,  and  when  the  voice  of  the 
preacher  is  scarcely  heard;   and  how  profitable  these  times 
might  be  made  to  us,  if  they  induced  us  to  make  God  our 
only  reftige,  and  to  draw  near  to  the  true  minister  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, whose  sacred  touch  can  make  the  heart  to  glow,  and 
whose  anointing  "  teacheth  of  aU  things,  and  is  truth  and  no 
lie."     In  the  afternoon,  I  quoted  the  words  of  Isaiah,  "  How 
beautiful  on  the  mountains,"  &c.,  and  spoke  to  the  case  of 
those  who,  bemg  to  a  certain  degree  awakened,  were  ready  to 
acknowledge  the  goodness  of  the  tidings,  and  the  beauty  of 
the  feet  of  the  messengers ;  but  who  were  nevertheless  unwil- 
ling*to  pay  the  price,  to  sell  aU  that  they  have,  and  to  present 
their  whole  selves  an  acceptable  sacrifice.    How  desirable  that 
I  should  take  these  lessons  home  to  myself;  that  my  body 
and  heart  be  kept  under  true  subjection,   so  that  "having 
preached  to  others,"  I  may  not  myself  become  "  a  castaway  !" 

Sixth  mo.  24th.  My  dearest  wife  and  I  left  home  on  the 
third  day  preceding  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  have  been  absent 
foiu-  weeks.  This  verj^  interesting  period  was  occupied  first 
by  Fowell  and  his  criminal  code  debate  •*  secondly,  by  the 
Yearly  Meetmg ;  thirdly,  by  my  own  religious  duties ;  holding 
various  meetings,  some  in  the  neighbovirhood  of  London,  and 
some  on  my  way  home.  Deeply  interesting  have  been  these 
successive  objects.  I  have  seen  great  talents  devoted  to  the 
Lord's  service  and  glorj^ ;  I  have  seen  a  large  body  of  persons 
deliberating  for  many  days,  under  what  I  truly  believe  to  be 
the  immediate  influences  of  the  Lord's  Spirit;  I  have  seen 
produced  these  precious  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  love,  quietness, 
and  great  solemnity,  which  have  evinced  the  solidity  and 
substantial  tnith  of  our  religious  principles ;  and  in  the  various 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  108. 


202  REVIEW  OF    HIS    OBJECTS    IN    LIFE.  1821. 

public  and  other  meetings^  in  which  I  have  been  myself  en- 
gaged, I  have  had  to  acknowledge  both  the  power  and  the 
love  of  God,  manifested  in  renewed  visitations  to  his  unworthy 
servants  and  to  their  hearers.  Surely  then  I  ought  to  be 
animated  by  this  fresh  cloud  of  witnesses,  "  to  lay  aside  every 
weight/^  and  to  press  forward. 

In  allusion  to  a  Eriend's  having  "hinted  at  dis- 
unity with  his  gift"  in  the  ministry,  he  remarks  : — 

Had  it  not  been  for  this  circumstance,  I  believe  I  should 
have  returned  home  not  only  peaceful,  but,  in  my  measure, 
rejoicing  in  the  Lord.  It  is  well,  however,  to  be  brought  into 
yet  deeper  searching  of  heart,  and  into  truer  silence  of  soul; 
and  I  beheve  this  dispensation  wiU  be  made  profitable  to  me. 
It  is  my  desire  to  get  rid  of  that  secret  pride  and  presumption, 
which  would  arrogate  to  myself  the  right  in  this  matter ;  and 
to  humble  myself  more  and  more  before  God  and  man ;  and 
yet  I  beheve  it  needful,  that  I  should  not  take  too  much  heed 
to  any  human  judgment,  but  rather  with  simpHcity  and  firm- 
ness follow  my  God. 

The  following  are  some  of  his  reflections  upon  a 
review  of  his  objects  in  life  at  this  period. 

7M  mo.,  Sth.  I  suppose  my  leading  outward  object  in  life, 
may  be  said  to  be  the  bank.  It  sometimes  startles  me  to  find 
my  leading  object  of  such  a  nature,  and  now  and  then  I  doubt 
whether  it  is  quite  consistent  with  my  rehgious  pm'suits  and 
duties.  I  remember,  however,  that  it  has  been  the  allotment 
of  providence;  that  I  was  introduced  into  the  business  in 
obedience  to  my  father,  in  early  life ;  that  my  religious  pursuits 
have  found  me  in  this  situation;  and  that  hitherto,  the  two 
things  have  not  proved  incompatible.  It  is,  however,  a 
very  serious  thing,  to  be  so  largely  engaged  in  the  cares  and 
transactions  of  money  matters.  It  calls  for  real  watclifulness 
against  avarice,  agamst  a  careful  spirit,  and  against  worldliness 
in  various  forms.     It  is  much  my  desire,  that  should  it  be  the 


JET.  34.  REVIEW    OP    HIS   OBJECTS    IN    LIFE.  203 

will  of  my  gracioiis  leader  and  commander  entirely  to  divert 
my  attention  at  any  time  from  this  object,  that  will  may  be 
made  known  to  me,  and  some  oi)ening  for  escape  given. 
While  I  am  a  banker,  the  bank  must  be  attended  to.  It  is 
obviously  the  religious  duty  of  a  trustee  to  so  large  an  amoimt, 
to  be  diligent  in  watching  his  trust.  It  appears  to  me,  on 
the  whole,  that  our  concern  was  never  better  watched  or 
conducted  in  its  several  ramifications,  and  I  ti-ust  it  may  please 
a  gracious  pro^-idence  to  preserve  us  from  very  rough  waters. 
•^  "^  Public  charitable  objects  are,  in  this  age,  numerous.  "With 
respect  to  myself,  they  are  brought  into  far  better  order  than 
formerly,  and  by  no  means  occupy  a  great  proportion  of  time, 
with  the  single  exception  of  the  Bible  Society,  which  I  continue 
to  feel  one  of  my  most  important  objects  in  life.  The  school 
is  pretty  regularly  visited,  and  goes  on  well.  The  prison  I 
have  not  \'isited  since  my  return ;  but  intend  to  resimie  my 
operations  there.  The  mendicity  office,  vaccination,  and 
dispensary,  occasionally  claim  attention. 

My  religious  duties,  or  those  which  may  be  more  peculiarly 
called  so,  alone  remain  to  be  noticed.  My  "  overseership,"  * 
in  Norwich  meeting;  my  ministry;  both  are  interestuig  to 
me.  It  is  a  great  comfort,  inexpressibly  so,  that  this  ministry 
is  not  at  my  own  command ;  that  it  comes  and  goes ;  that  I 
can  neither  stop  it,  nor  set  it  going.  O  there  is  sweet  rest  in 
this.  At  present  I  am  brought  to  an  imusual  feeling  of 
nothingness,  and  it  is  my  desire  more  and  more  to  lie  low 
under  the  mighty  hand  of  God.  My  stock  of  faith,  and 
spiritual  grace  seems  often  very  low,  yet  hope  springs  up  from 
time  to  time;  and  I  do  not  forget  that  the  "blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  cleanseth  fi'om  aU  sin.'' 

I  have  been  pictm-ing  to  myself  my  outward  history.  My 
soul,  however,  is  the  thing  to  be  chiefly  watched.     It  is  well 


*  It 


•  Overseers  "  are  officers  in  the  Society  of  Friends  appointed,  as 
the  name  implies,  to  watch  over  their  fellow-members,  and  to  give 
such  Christian  advice  and  counsel  as  may  appear  needful.  The  office 
is  by  no  means  confined  to  those,  whose  call  to  the  ministry  has  been 
recognised  by  the  body. 


204  SEVERE    INDISPOSITION.  1821. 

to  have  before  me  an  orderly  arrangement,  a  coloured  map  of 
things  to  be  done  outwardly ;  but  the  great  lesson  is  to  dwell 
deeply  with  the  fountain  of  life,  more  earnestly  to  seek  God, 
more  thoroughly  to  cleave  to  the  Lamb  immaculate,  who 
commands  me  to  follow  him.  As  this  is  the  case,  I  need  not 
greatly  burden  myself  with  my  outward  cares,  but  I  shall 
receive  ability,  day  by  day,  to  move  forwards  with  a  meek  and 
quiet  spirit,  towards  "  the  final  rest.^'  My  beloved  wife  and 
children  are  treasures  inexpressibly  precious.  May  my  duties 
towards  them  never  be  neglected.  So  happily  and  completely 
are  these  duties  interwoven  with  every  day^s  course,  that  I  would 
almost  hope  that  the  neglect  of  them  may  be  impossible. 

"  How  differently  from  our  expectations,"  he  writes  in  the 
entry  which  immediately  follows  the  above,  "  are  sometimes 
ordered  the  ways  of  pro\ddence  !  The  preceding  analysis  says 
much  of  business,  and  varied  occupation  of  mind  and  body ; 
the  ways  of  providence  have  brought  with  them  the  com- 
mand,  ^be  still.' 

"  I  think  it  was  about  the  18th  of  the  7th  mo.,  that,  after 
a  severe  attack  of  indisposition,  which  had  confined  me  about 
two  weeks,  my  dearest  wife  and  I,  with  our  children,  left  home 
to  spend  a  few  quiet,  restorative  days  at  Cromer  hall.  Those 
few  days  were  extended  to  two  weeks,  which  were  succeeded 
by  three  weeks  at  Hunstanton,  and  these  by  five  weeks  of 
journeying  through  Derbyshire,  Warwickshire,  &c., which  have 
at  last  brought  us  back  to  our  beloved  and  long  left  home. 
I  could  have  but  one  excuse  for  such  a  mode  of  passing  ten 
weeks  of  precious  time ; — the  restoration  of  health." 

Announcing    his    arrival    at    Hunstanton,    he 
pyrites : — 

8th  mo.,  1st,  1821. 
■^  *  On  our  way  hither,  my  fancy  was  greatly  caught  by 
the  wUd  flowers  which  bloomed  in  the  hedges  between  Cromer 
and  Holt,  and  of  which  I  counted  ui  blossom  more  than  seventy 
species.  How  profuse  and  variegated  are  the  results  of  the 
wisdom  and  goodness  of  God! 


/ET.  34.  LETTER   AND    JOURNAL.  205 


TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Matlock,  9th  mo.,  2nd,  1821. 

Thou  well  knowest  how  warm  and  heartfelt  an  aftectiou  I 
have  for  thee,  and  for  other  dear  friends  at  Ackworth,  and  how 
deeply  interested  I  am  in  yom-  welfare,  and  that  of  the 
institution  over  which  you  are  presiding.  May  you  be 
encom-aged  and  helped  by  the  Author  of  all  our  sure  mercies, 
faithfully  to  perform  your  arduous  duties,  and  more  and  more 
diligently  to  lead  the  lambs  of  the  fold  to  their  only  true 
Shepherd.  Who  knows  but  that  the  language  of  "  cease  from 
your  labours  "  may  be  proclaimed  to  some  of  you,  and  how 
desirable,  in  such  a  moment,  to  look  back  with  peace  upon  a 
stewardship  duly  executed.  I  have  been  quite  a  wanderer, 
absent  from  home  about  two  months.  How  good  it  is  for 
me  to  be  thus  (after  a  manner  somewhat  no^"el  to  me,) 
convinced  of  my  insignificance  and  powerlessness.  May  it 
be  my  own  prayer,  and  that  of  my  friends,  that  in  all  things 
I  may  be  found  truly  subject  to  the  will  of  him,  who  loved 
us  and  gave  himself  for  us. 

10/7/  mo.,  9th.  *  *  The  societies,  and  the  annual  gatherings 
at  Earlham,  appear  to  have  gone  on  well  in  our  absence,  which 
is  a  true  satisfaction ;  and  it  has  been  much  of  a  pleasure  to 
open  my  doors  wide,  though  not  myself  a  partaker.  I  Imow, 
however,  that  there  is  no  security  in  these  things,  imless  they 
arise  fi-om  a  simple  and  unsophisticated  desire  to  "  honour  the 
Lord  with  our  substance,  and  with  the  first  fruits  of  all  om* 
increase."  May  this  honoui-ing  of  the  Lord  be  increasingly 
my  only  aim  !  There  still  dwells  deeply  in  my  heart  a 
tendency  to  many  and  various  evds,  which  I  have  long 
endeavoured  to  investigate  and  correct ;  but  the  work  is  by  no 
means  completed.  How  cleai'ly  do  I  perceive  that  the  Christian 
weapons  of  watchfulness,  prayer,  and  earnest  seeking  after 
God,  can  never  cease  to  be  necessary  whilst  we  are  in  this 
state  of  beiag  !  Though  there  is  no  limit  to  the  work  of  grace ; 
and  though  the  standard  held  out  to  us  and  closely  enjoined, 


206  FROM    WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE.  1822. 

is  nothing  short  of  the  standard  of  perfection,  yet  mnst  we 
expect  that  the  contest  will  continue  to  the  end. 

I2th  mo.,  10th.  The  whole  of  yesterday,  which  was  a  low 
yet  edifying  sabbath,  I  felt  real  satisfaction  in  being  silent.  *  * 
How  iavaluable  is  the  liberty  of  the  Spirit,  as  professed  and 
enjoyed  by  Friends.  In  the  afternoon  meeting  my  mind  was 
peculiarly  drawn  in  near  love  and  unity  to  our  own  society; 
and  the  desolate  heritages  were  commended  in  secret  prayer 
to  him  who,  I  feel  persuaded,  has  called  us  forth  to  bear 
peculiar  yet  living  testimonies;  and  thus  to  answer,  in  his 
church  universal,  a  specific  purpose.  Would  that  that  purpose 
were  more  fully  accomphshed  in  us  and  by  us ;  but,  alas ;  the 
backwardness,  waywardness,  and  carelessness  of  fallen  man  ! 

First  day  morning,  \Wi  mo.,  2Srd.  At  home  from  meeting 
this  morning  in  great  quietness  and  retirement.  I  have  felt 
enabled  to  pour  out  my  heart  in  prayer  for  myself,  my  wife, 
my  children,  and  many  others,  for  the  church,  and  for  the 
cause  of  truth.  It  is  indeed  a  solemn  and  awful  thing  thus 
to  draw  near  in  spirit  to  the  Most  High ;  and  what  an  unspeak- 
able privilege  not  to  be  separated  from  him  by  a  state  of  sin ; 
what  a  paramount  blessing  to  know  an  access  unto  him  by 
that  new  and  living  way  which  he  hath  himself  revealed. 

FROM    WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE. 

(Written  a  few  days  after  the  decease  of  his  eldest  daughter.*) 

Harden  Park,  January  15th,  1822. 

■^  *  We  yesterday  returned  to  the  house  in  which  our  dear 
child  had  passed  a  few  days  of  comparative  health  and  bodily 
enjoyment,  and  many  weeks  of  languor  and  pain.  My  wife  was 
naturally  much  affected  at  first ;  but  her  grand  cordial  is  of  an 
efficacy  as  imlimited  in  point  of  place,  as  of  time  and  circum- 
stance. It  is  the  assm'cd  persuasion  that  our  dear  child  is 
gone  to  a  better  world.  I  own  I  had  wished,  and,  with 
submission  I  trust,  had  prayed,  that  it  might  please  God  to 
grant  her  a  measure  of  joy  as  well  as  peace  in  believing — 

*  See  Life  of  Wilberforcc,  vol.  v.  pp.  109—113. 


MT.  34.  FROM    WILLIAM    WILBEKFORCE.  207 

some  of  that  holy  exultation  of  which  we  so  often  read  in  the 
last  hours  of  the  dying  people  of  God ;    and  yet,  except  in 
some  few  particular  instances,  I  know  not  but  that  the  hum])le, 
but  siu'c  though  trembling  hope  of  a  contrite  heart,  often 
approves  itself  to  the  judgment  as  a  still  more  stable  and 
soHd   ground   for   consolation.     And   it   is   observable,   that 
though  joy  be  sometimes  held  forth  as  a  pri^-ilege,  and  even 
commanded  as  that  to  which,  as  Christians,  we  have  a  right, 
yet  there  are  no  promises  made  to  it  as  an  evidence.     But, 
"  the  Lord  is  nigh  mito  them  that  be  of  a  contrite  heart,  and 
will  save  such  as  be  of   an  humble  spirit."     Joy  needs  no 
consolatory  assm-ances,  as  does  the  humble,  trembling  penitent. 
To  him  that  exquisitely  beautiful  assurance  is  given,  the  Lord 
delighteth  in  mercy ;    not  merely  kindness,  but  met'cy ;  kind- 
ness to  those  who  deserve  punishment.     O,  how  often  are  we 
reminded  that  God  is  love !     Though  a  tender  mother  cannot 
but  feel  deeply,  yet  she  can  rejoice  too ;  and  blessed  be  God, 
while  tears  are  transient  as  an  April  shower,  the  joy  will  be 
immortal  as  the  light  of  heaven,  as  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
light  of  the  Lamb.  *  ^  O  my  friend,  what  a  world  of  glories 
does  Christianity  pom-  forth  upon  us  when  we,  cc(po§c!jvTeg, 
fix  on  it  our  steady  and  warm  regards.     What  a  gloomy — 
what  a  November  evening  prospect  would  present  itself  to  the 
mind's  eye  of  a  man  lilvc  myself,  advancing  into  the  vale  of 
years,  but  for  this  blessed  flood  of  light  and  love  which  flow 
forth  from  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb.     My  dear 
friend,  pray  for  us,  that  what  has  passed,  may  not  have  merely 
a  transient  effect,  but  a  deep  and  lasting,  aye,    everlasting 
influence;  that  it  may  impress  us  with  a  disposition  to  be 
more  diligent,  that  we  may  be  ''  found  of  him  in  peace  without 
spot  and  blameless." 

It  was  about  this  time,  as  appears  from  a  memo- 
randum in  his  literary  Journal,*  that  Joseph  John 
Gurney  wrote  the  original  of  the  tract  which  he 

*  Under  date  4th  mo.,  8th,  to  4th  mo.,  22nd,  1822 ;  see  tho  note 
p.  223,  infra. 


208  LETTER    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  1822. 

publislied  in  a  revised  and  enlarged  form  towards 
the  beginning  of  tlie  year  1824,  under  the  title  of, 
A  letter  to  a  Friend  on  the  Authority,  Purpose, 
and  Effects  of  Christianity,  and  especially  on  the 
Doctrine  of  Uedemption.  In  this  letter  he  gives 
a  condensed  hut  clear  and  forcible  statement  of  the 
evidences  of  tlie  Christian  religion;  thence  pro- 
ceeding, at  somewhat  greater  length,  with  the 
arguments  drawn  from  Scripture  in  proof  of  the 
great  doctrines  of  Christian  redemption,  particularly 
dwelling  upon  the  efficacy  of  the  atoning  sacrifice 
of  Christ,  and  the  necessity  and  reality  of  the 
operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  the  awakener  of 
the  world,  the  witness  for  Christ,  and  the  comforter 
and  sanctifier  of  the  believer. 

The  friend  to  whom  the  letter  was  addressed 
had  long  been  known  to  the  family  at  Earlham. 
Distinguished  by  learning,  talent,  and  intelligence, 
his  heart  was  enlarged  by  a  widely  extended 
benevolence,  and  for  a  long  series  of  years,  his 
doors,  during  certain  hours  of  each  day,  had 
been  regularly  opened  to  the  distressed  poor, 
and  his  time  freely  devoted  to  the  alleviation  of 
their  sufferings  and  wants.  But,  with  all  his  ex- 
cellencies, one  thing  was  wanting,  without  which 
his  mind  could  not  rest.  He  was  yet  a  stranger  to 
the  joy  and  the  peace  which  spring  from  a  settled 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  now  far 
advanced  in  years,  and  had  known  Joseph  John 
Gurney  from  his  childhood,  and  his  position  and 
character,  coupled  with  the  long  familiarity  of 
friendship,  made  the  prospect  of  a  religious  visit  to 
him  not  a  little  formidable. 


^T.  34.  LETTER    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  209 

"So  weak  was  my  faith/'  wi'ites  Joseph  John  Gumey, 
"  that  it  seemed  impossil)lej  and  1  did  not  yiekl  to  the  im- 
pression for  a  fidl  mouth.  Finding  no  peace,  liovvcvcr,  on 
any  other  terms,  I  at  length  called  upon  hiui,  and  induced 
him  to  allow  me  to  sit  down  with  him  in  silence.  He  was 
very  restless,  and  my  ministration  as  weak  as  possible. 
However,  in  broken  terms,  I  exi)ressed  my  sense  of  the 
miutterable  importance  of  simple  faith  in  Christ." 

"  Some  considerable  time  afterwards,  he  was  exposed  to 
gi'eat  personal  danger  on  his  way  home  from  Loiulon,  in 
consequence  of  the  horses  in  the  coach  running  away.  He 
was  alarmed.  The  Lord  applied  that  alarm  to  the  highest 
pm'poses ;  and  he  awoke  to  a  painful  solicitude  respecting  the 
state  of  his  immortal  soid.  In  this  condition  he  applied  to 
>me  for  a  selection  of  passages  from  scriptm-e  on  the  subject  of 
the  atonement.  (O  !  the  importance  of  that  only  refuge  for 
the  awakened  sord.)  Most  ^villingly  did  I  avail  mj^self  of  the 
opportunity,  and,  without  delay,  I  sat  down  and  wrote  the 
original  of  my  Letter  to  a  friend  on  the  Authority,  Importance, 
and  Effects  of  Christianity.  -5^  ^  I  anxiously  awaited  the  re- 
sult, and  soon  found  to  my  great  joy,  that  it  was  weU  received. 
He  placed  the  letter  under  the  cushion  of  his  arm-chair,  and  for 
several  weeks  read  it  daily.  The  Bible  was  read  to  him  from 
time  to  time,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  his  mind  was 
changed.  It  was  the  Lord's  doing,  and  was  marvellous  in  oiu' 
eyes.  He  was  much  afflicted  by  a  painful  disease,  which  he 
bore  with  exemplary  patience.  On  calling  upon  him  one  day, 
I  expressed  a  desire  for  his  preservation  in  the  truth.  "  I  do 
assure  you,"  he  replied,  "  I  have  not  one  sceptical  feeling  left," 
and  he  allowed  me  to  take  away  the  following  prayer  Avhich 
he  had  just  been  writing,  and  which  I  foiuid  lying  on  his 
table. 

"  Almighty  God,  and  most  merciful  Father  !  I  humbly 
beseech  thee  to  ease  my  pain,  increase  my  patience,  and  lay 
upon  me  no  more  than  I  am  able  to  bear,  although  1  have 
deserved  it  all ;  and  grant,  that  when  my  soul  is  released  from 
this  prison  of  my  body,  it  may  be  admitted  into  that  rest 

P 


210     INFLUENCE  OF  THE  LETTER  ON  HIS  FRIEND.    1822. 

whicli  is  appointed  for  all  such  as  repent,  amend,  and  believe ; 
as,  I  trust,  does  this  thy  unworthy  servant,  who  now  lies 
prostrate  before  thee,  in  humble  rehance  on  the  atoning  merits 
of  thy  beloved  Son,  who  suffered  death  that  we  might  enjoy 
life  eternal,  and  to  whom  be  all  honour,  domuiion,  and  power, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 

He  continued  stedfast  in  the  faith  until  his  death, 
which  took  place  about  two  years  afterwards.  Though 
unhesitating  in  his  belief,  he  was  often  in  conflict  respect- 
ing himself,  but  evidently  kept  his  hold  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
Standing  by  his  bedside,  two  or  three  days  before  his 
end,  I  said,  addressing  him,  "  Ah,  what  a  comfort  it  is,  that 
the  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin."  "  Yes  ! "  he 
replied  with  intense  feeling,  "  if  it  were  not  for  that,  I  know 
not  what  would  become  of  me !  " 

Since  its  first  publication,  the  Letter  on  Chris- 
tianity has  been  widely  circulated,  several  hundred 
thousand  copies  having  been  distributed  through 
various  channels.  "  Eor  such  a  result,"  says  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  above  nar- 
rative, "  I  ought  to  be  very  thankful,  and  humbly 
trust  that  it  may  have  been  blessed  to  many.  If 
so,  the  Lord  alone  be  praised." 

An  event  was  now  approaching  which  put  his 
principles  to  their  severest  test.  Little  as  he  appears 
himself  to  have  anticipated  it,  the  following  entry 
in  the  journal,  written  a  few  weeks  previously, 
possesses  a  peculiar  interest. 

^th  mo.,  4//i,  1822.  Why  are  we  so  much  surprised,  and 
discouraged  at  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous?  Are  they 
not  appointed  for  good,  in  whatever  shape  they  appear  ?  And 
are  they  not,  in  comparison  with  eternal  things,  of  almost 
momentary  duration  ?     O  for  an  increase  of  true  and  lively. 


MT.  34,  ANTICIPATION    OF    TRIALS.  211 

and  reposing  faith  in  God,  -vrith  reference  to  those  things 
which  are  in\'isible,  and  for  ever, 

A  few  days  later  lie  A^Tites  : — 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON, 

^  "^  How  in  circumstances  of  trial,  I  should  practise,  I  know 
not.  One  thinsr  I  know,  that  mv  nature  most  sensibly  shrinks 
fi'om  pain  and  trial,  and  that  a  true  and  cheerfid  submission 
will  never  be  displayed  by  me,  indess  I  am  immediately  helped 
by  him,  whose  grace  is  sufficient,  however  deep  the  thorn, 
however  torn  and  wounded  the  flesh. 

Still  later  he  "vrrites  in  his  Journal : — 

5th  mo.,  26th.  First  day.  I  have  been  more  than  usually 
engaged  in  ministry  to  day.  This  afternoon  on  the  nature 
of  Christian  fidelity;  "Be  thou  faithfid  unto  death;"  and 
upon  the  particulars  unfolded  in  Scriptm'e,  respecting  the 
heavenly  state ;  "  And  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life."  How 
earnestly  do  I  desire  that  my  practice  may  not  faU  short  of 
my  public  profession,  that  my  life  and  conversation  may,  far 
more  than  they  now  do,  "adorn  the  doctrine  !"  It  is  affecting  to 
me  to  consider  that  I  seem,  for  the  most  part,  to  dwell  at  such 
a  distance  from  heavenly  things;  but,  I  trust,  the  jNIaster 
whom  I  desire  to  serve,  will  bring  me,  and  all  of  us,  nearer  to 
himself. 

The  next  entry  thus  continues  his  history  : — 

Qth  mo.,  \9th.  Tliis  great  purpose  has,  I  trust,  in  measure, 
been  effected,  by  the  awful  and  most  afflicting  dispensation, 
which  has  been  permitted  to  overtake  me.  On  the  10th 
instant,  my  tenderly  beloved  wife  was  removed  from  this 
mortal  scene,  to  one,  as  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  of 
infinitely  greater  happiness  and  joy ! 

I  will  endeavour  for  my  own  comfort  and  benefit,  and  that 
of  my  beloved  family^  to  record  the  circumstances. 

p  2 


212  HIS  wife's  illness  1823. 

A  considerable  cold  and  cough  induced  my  dear  wife  to 
take  more  than  usual  care  of  herself,  during  the  week  before 
last.  On  first  day  morning,  the  2nd  instant,  however,  she 
was  well  enough  to  attend  the  morning  meeting,  and,  indeed, 
seemed  quite  well.  She  remained  at  home  in  the  afternoon, 
not  being  strong  enough  for  a  further  effort,  and  when  I  came 
back  she  requested  me  to  take  her  a  drive  in  the  pony  chair. 
The  evening  was  bright  and  pleasant,  and  our  minds  were 
calm  and  united;  but  it  is  probable  that  the  north  wind, 
which  then  blew  upon  us,  was  made  the  cause  of  her  death. 

On  fifth  day  afternoon,  speaking  of  her  illness,  she  said, 
"  I  have  no  wish  that  it  should  be  otherwise.  I  have  prayed 
that  something  might  bring  me  to  a  livelier  sense  of  religion ;" 
and  again,  turning  to  me  with  gi'cat  sweetness,  she  observed, 
"  this  is  to  bring  down  the  high  places."  On  sixth  day  night, 
my  sisters,  Rachel  and  E-ichenda,  came  with  me  into  her  room. 
We  found  her  asleep  :  when  she  awoke,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord, 
(a  spirit  of  humiliation,  yet  confidence,)  appeared  to  be  with 
her;  and  it  was  with  great  power  that  she  addressed  us, 
"  How,"  said  she,  "  has  the  love  of  God  been  opened  to  my 
soul  lately!"  adding,  "\  look  upon  this  to  be  an  awfid 
and  sudden  call  out  of  the  world,  and  from  all  things  that 
are  in  it."  She  emphatically  described  herself  as  a  simier; 
declared  that  she  was  deeply  prostrated,  and  at  the  same 
time  spoke  with  fulness  of  the  good  hope  and  sweet 
consolation,  which  had  attended  her  through  this  illness. 
Soon  after  my  sisters  left  the  room,  she  said,  "  Give  my  kind 
regards  to  the  servants,  and  tell  them  how  much  I  have  desired 
that  they  might  be  brought  under  the  influence  of  vital 
religion. 

*  ¥r  ¥r  *  ^  ^ 

On  first  day  morning  her  mind  became  less  occupied  with 
painful,  and  more  with  pleasurable  emotions.  Sweet  smiles 
dwelt  on  her  countenance,  and  her  delirium,  for  the  most  part, 
was  that  of  a  person  who  felt  at  once  innocent  and  easy.  This 
was  an  inexpressible  reUef  to  me,  and  the  sorrow  which  I  had 
to  experience  through  this   sabbath  day,   though  deep  and 


ET.  34.  AND    DEATH.  213 

poignant,  was  a  quiet  sorrow,  mu-uffled  by  the  storm  of  the 
enemy.  It  was  that  of  giving  up  unto  death  my  tenderly 
beloved  one ;  and  whilst  under  the  influence  of  this  sorrow, 
the  future  assumed  the  appearance  of  dark  melancholy.  I, 
nevertheless,  experienced  true  peace  in  recommitting  her  to 
her  God  and  Father.  In  the  afternoon,  a  painful  struggle 
was  excited,  by  the  suggestion  of  a  hope  of  recovery,  and  it  was 
only  in  the  full  resignation  of  that  hope  that  I  again  felt  peace. 
I  retired  to  rest  on  first  day  night,  and  obtained  some  hoiu's 
of  refreshing  sleep. 

About  half-past  foiir  o'clock,  Rachel  called  me,  and 
informed  me  that  there  were  marked  appearances  of  the 
approaching  change.  I  w^as  soon  again  with  my  beloved 
^vife.  I  w^as  agitated,  fearful,  and  nervous,  but  after  some 
time,  I  was  sti'engthened  to  kneel  down,  and  a  song  of  prayer 
and  praise  broke  forth  spontaneously  from  me,  nearly  in  the 
following  words : — "  And  now,  O  Lord,  cut  short  the  work  in 
righteousness.  Thou  hast  washed  her  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb ;  thou  hast  regenerated  her  by  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  thou 
hast  clothed  her  with  thy  salvation.  Thou  art  about  to 
receive  her  into  thy  kingdom,  where  her  sun  shall  no  more  go 
down,  neither  her  moon  withdraw  itself;  for  thou,  O  Lord, 
shalt  be  her  everlasting  light — her  God — her  glory  !"  As  the 
last  breath  trembled  on  her  lips,  (and  gentle  was  that  breath,) 
the  power  of  the  Lord  again  came  over  me,  and  I  cried  out, 
with  a  spu-it  not  my  own,  ''The  work,  the  glorious  work  is 
finished,  to  his  praise,  to  her  eternal  happiness,  and  to  my 
peace." 

]\Iy  dearest  wife  died  on  second  day  morning,  the  10th 
of  the  6th  month,  exactly  fom-  years  and  nine  months 
after  our  happy  marriage  day.  A  sense  of  holy  and  elevated 
calm,  was  the  immediate  effect  of  this  touching,  solemn,  and 
blessed  scene.  Here  for  the  present  I  leave  my  history.  The 
change  wrought  in  my  condition  is  wonderful.  The  mighty 
hand  of  the  Lord's  discipline  and  dealing  has  been  upon 
me,  and  his  Comforter  is  now  with  me ;  at  his  feet  I  feel 
sweet  unbroken  peace.  There  let  me  ever  dwell,  O  Lord 
my  God! 


214  CONSOLATORY    REFLECTIONS.  1823. 

TO    THE    BISHOP    OF    NORWICH. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  10th,  1822. 

"I  have  this  mornmg  parted  with  my  dearest  earthly 
treasure,  and  have  bid  her  God  speed  to  the  heavenly  regions, 
where  Christ  dwelleth  in  his  glory.  One  short  week  has 
maiTed  my  fond  and  pleasant  pictures.  My  dearest  wife  on 
this  day  week  was  attacked  with  violent  pleurisy,  and  is  now 
numbered  with  the  dead;  may  I  not  rather  say  with  the 
living ;  with  those,  who  like  her,  have  placed  a  firm  trust  in 
their  omnipotent  Redeemer,  and  who  have  faithfully  endea- 
voured to  serve  him ;  "  therefore  are  they  before  the  throne 
of  God."  It  has  been  to  me  a  period  of  the  deepest  anguish, 
and  conflict  of  mind ;  but,  at  times,  the  storms  have  aU  been 
hushed  by  that  divine  power,  of  which  I  have  indeed  experienced 
the  healing  virtue,  and  on  which  it  wiU,  I  humbly  trust,  be  my 
endeavour  to  wait  aU  my  life  long." 

A  few  days  after  tlie  funeral,  he  thus  ^^Tites  in 
his  journal : — 

Qth  mo.,  2\st.  "^  "^  As  I  lay  down  last  night,  I  endeavoured 
to  console  and  strengthen  myself  with  the  following  con- 
siderations : — 

It  has  been  our  true,  however  feeble  endeavour,  to  live 
together  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  the  faith  and  love  of  Christ. 
And  on  this  ground,  I  am  persuaded,  that  we  have  been,  as 
two  individuals,  and  as  one  pair,  under  the  special  dealing  of 
our  heavenly  Father ;  and  this  dealing  has  been  displayed  with 
power,  in  the  awful  dispensation  which  has  brought  our 
delightful  outward  union  to  a  close.  -^  -^  I  have  also  assuredly 
to  believe,  that  there  is  in  this  awful  dispensation,  mercy  to 
me,  as  well  as  to  her.  The  shaft  has  been  directed  of  the  Lord 
to  my  spiritual  benefit.  My  dependence  on  earthly  things 
required  to  be  afcaken.  I  was  in  need  of  something  to  dislocate 
me  from  thmgs  visible ;  and  to  bring  me  to  a  nearer  and  more 
satisfactory  apprehension  of  the  heavenly  inheritance.     Now 


MT.  34.  CONSOLATOllY    REFLECTIONS.  215 

my  attractions  to  heaven  are  strengthened ;  those  towards  the 
earth  proportionahly  weakened.  The  very  great  suffering 
which  has  been  allotted  me,  was,  I  believe,  needfid  for  settling 
me  more  deeply  in  the  truth.  I  hope  I  shall  be  permitted,  by 
degrees,  to  rise  out  of  it  with  fresh  and  profitable  experience ; 
better  fitted  than  before  to  minister  to  others;  and  much 
strengthened,  I  humbly  trust,  for  the  working  out  of  my  own 
salvation.  And  yet  tridy  I  am  nothing,  "  a  worm  and  no  man." 
Well  do  I  know  that  my  strength  is  in  God,  and  that  my  only 
position  of  safety  is  that  of  total  prostration  at  his  feet. 


21Q  THE    DlSCIPLIiNE    OF    LOVE.  1822. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

1822—1823.     ^T.  34^36. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTEES  AND  JOURNAL  ;  COMMENCEMENT  OF  WORK  ON 
THE  DISTINGUISHING  PRINCIPLES  OF  FRIENDS;  HOME  PTTESIJITS  ; 
LITERARY  JOURNAL  ;  ANTI-SLAVERY  MOVEMENTS  ;  RELIGIOUS  SERVICES 
IN  ESSEX  AND  SUFFOLK;  HANNAH  MORE;  RELIGIOUS  VISIT  TO 
YARMOUTH. 

There  is  a  beautiful  passage  in  Baxter's  Saint's 
Eest,  in  which  the  believer  is  represented  as  thus 
addressing  himself  on  his  entrance  into  glory. 
"Now  thou  art  sufSciently  convinced  that  the 
ways  thou  caUedst  hard,  and  the  cup  thou 
calledst  bitter,  were  necessary;  that  thy  Lord 
had  sweeter  ends,  and  meant  thee  better  than 
thou  wouldst  beUeve;  and  that  thy  Hedeemer 
was  saving  thee  as  well  when  he  crossed  thy 
desires  as  when  he  granted  them,  and  as  well 
when  he  broke  thy  heart  as  when  he  bound  it 
up."*  Such  was  the  experience  which  Joseph 
John  Gurney  was  now  invited  to  realise.  The 
hand  of  the  "  Kefiner "  Avas  upon  him ;  the 
discipline  was  painful,  but  he  knew  its  purpose, 
and  had  been,  in  mercy,  taught  to  receive  it  as 
a  discipline  of  love. 

^^  rage  32,  ed.  1677. 


iET.  34.  STUDY    AND    SORROW.  ^\ 


TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Earlham,  7tli  mo.,  loth,  1822. 
Through  the  awM  dispensation  which  has  been  allotted  me, 
I  may  acknowledge  that,  however  sorely  tried,  I  have  not 
been  forsaken.  Sometimes  I  am  permitted  to  feel  an  almost 
abounding  happiness;  and  generally  a  great  calm  over  mv 
mind  and  spirit.  So  that  I  have  been  constrained  to  proclaim 
from  past  experience  the  tender  mercies  of  our  God. 

During  the  few  months  succeeding  his  loss  he 
continued  mostly  at  home,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
society  of  his  sisters  Catherine  and  E-achel ;  his 
children  hecoming  increasingly  the  objects  of  his 
tender  solicitude. 

In  the  mean  time,  besides  attending  to  the 
necessary  claims  of  business,  and  to  the  various 
public  objects  that  had  long  shared  his  interest,  he 
sedulously  devoted  his  leisure  to  study;  finding 
relief,  as  he  intimates,  not  in  the  indulgence  of 
sorrow,  but  in  a  diligent  attention  to  the  calls 
of  duty.  "  My  time  is  fully  occupied,"  he  writes 
in  his  Journal,*  "and  I  have  no  opportunity  to 
nurse  my  sorrow.  Had  I  more  opportunity,  I 
know  it  would  be  wrong  to  do  so.  It  is,  and  will 
be  deep." 

Qth  mo.,  2Wi,  1822.  The  last  three  or  four  days  have 
brought  with  them  times  of  great  iowness ;  yet  I  believe  my 
faith  has  not  failed,  and  the  prayer  which  I  have  repeatedly 
offered  in  secret,  that  I  might  be  preserved,  through  all,  in 
that  submission  which  precludes  a  single  murmur,  has  been 
much  blessed  to  me,  and  I  trust  answered. 

*  Under  date  7th  mo.,  29th,  1822. 


218  VISITS    HUNSTANTON.  1823. 

Qth  mo.,  2Sth.  This  morning  lias  been  passed  in  very 
satisfactory  communications  with  the  servants.  It  is  cause  of 
gratitude  to  the  Author  of  all  our  mercies  that  the  household 
generally  appear  to  be  in  so  feeling  and  serious  a  frame  of 
mind ;  so  that,  even  in  taking  their  beloved  mistress  from  them^ 
the  Lord  has,  in  measure  at  least,  accomplished  her  main 
desire  for  them,  and  will,  I  trust,  continue  to  bless  the  event 
to  that  great  end.  Since  1  last  wrote  I  have  passed  tlirough 
periods  of  deep  sorrow ;  but  thanks  be  to  my  beloved  Re- 
deemer, I  am  not  forsaken.  The  weaning  process  is  wonder- 
fully painful,  but,  no  doubt,  it  is  needful,  and  I  humbly  trust 
it  makes  progress. 

7th  mo.,  8th.  Affecting  accounts  are  received  of  the  sudden, 
and  I  fear  fatal  illness  of  Charles  Parker,  who  has  been  so 
lately  with  us  evincing  his  spiritual  exercise  on  our  behalf, 
and  his  own  fitness  for  the  eternal  world."^  Alas !  what  a 
shadow,  what  a  dream  is  our  life !  Yet  why  should  we  com- 
plain because  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe  is  gathered  into 
the  Master's  garner. 

7th  mo.,  15th.  ^  "^  Dearest  Louisa  has  just  left  us,  after 
committing  me  with  prayer  and  praise  to  our  heavenly  Father. 
She  was  led  to  speak  of  my  learning  further  obedience  by  the 
things  which.  I  suffer.  I  desire  to  remember  this  hint  for  good, 
for  I  feel  persuaded  that,  as  it  relates  to  myself,  it  is  the  main 
import  of  this  awful  dispensation. 

9th  mo.,  Uh.  From  first  day,  8th  mo.,  4th,  to  the  following 
seventh  day,  I  was  vigorously  employed  in  clearing  off  the 
various  claims  of  business,  and  left  home  for  Hunstanton,  on 
the  9th  ult.,  with  clear  hands,  and  I  trust  not  without  a  feeling 
of  thankfulness  towards  the  Author  of  all  good.  Our  journey 
was  pleasant,  but  our  arrival  at  Hunstanton,  a  place  fuU  of 
the  most  affecting  and  tender  associations,  was  very  mournful. 
I  strolled  down  by  myself  in  the  dark  to  the  cliff,  and  poured 
out  my  heart  in  bitter  weeping,  in  the  remembrance  of  my  lost 

*  An  interesting  notice  of  Charles  Parker  is  to  be  found  in  "  Piety 
Promoted,"  part  11,  p.  280. 


^T.  35.     THE  DISTINGUISHING  PRINCIPLES  OF  FRIENDS.  219 

treasure.  How  many  houi's  of  sweet  and  pure  enjoyment 
have  we  been  permitted  to  taste  together  in  that  place.  I 
continued  at  Himstanton  thi'ee  weeks,  and  in  tlie  society  of 
my  dear  mother,  my  dear  sister  Fry,  and  Rachel,  experienced 
much  true  tranquilHty  and  enjoyment.  The  Edwardses  were 
also  vahiahle  companions.  Dear  Eliza])eth's  health  strikingly 
improved  during  our  stay,  and  her  company  and  influence 
were  at  once  re^'i^ing  and  instructive.  Her  deep  humihty 
was  particularly  striking  amidst  the  love  and  applause  of  her 
fellow  creatures,  who  seem  on  all  occasions  to  gather  round 
her.  With  the  consent  of  our  Norwich  elders,  I  ventured  to 
incite  the  inhabitants  to  a  public  meeting,  which,  though  a  time 
of  personal  humihation,  was  followed  by  great  relief  and  peace 
of  mind.  Two  first  days  were  passed  at  L}Tin,  where  there  is 
a  ver}^  interesting  little  company  of  "  convinced  "  indiAdduals. 
Would  that  they  may  be  led  onwards  in  that  narrow  way 
which  has  been  thus  cast  up  for  them  !  "^  *  My  dear  home  seems 
peacefid,  notwithstanding  its  covering  of  mourning ;  nor  do  I 
find  a  great  rush  upon  me,  of  things  to  be  done  and  cared 
for.  But  dihgence  is  very  needful,  and  brings  consolation 
with  it. 

"VYhilst  at  Hunstanton,  he  entered  upon  the 
composition  of  his  work,  on  the  Distinguishing 
Principles  of  Friends.  In  a  letter  to  Jonathan 
Hutchinson,  he  describes  it  as  "  an  attempt  at 
something  more  easy  and  familiar  than  Barclay, 
and  deeper  than  Henry  Tuke." 

"I  hope,^'  he  writes  in  his  Journal,  "the  task  is  rightly 
undertaken.  O  for  that  humble,  self-denying,  waiting  state, 
in  which  om'  works  are  not  our  own,  but  the  Lord's  !  Were 
it  more  attained  to,  how  pure,  how  beautLftil,  would  become 
the  oflFerings  of  the  righteous  I" 

9th  mo.,  9th.  Second  day  \norning.  The  solemnities  of 
yesterday  were  far  from  being  destitute  of  the  divine  blessing. 
Amidst  all  om-  trials  the  Lord  is  with  us,  and  at  times,  he  is 


220  WILBERFORCE_,    MACAULAY,    AND    BUXTON.  1822. 

pleased  to  proclaim  a  sabbath  from  the  evil  imaginations  of 
the  heart,  and  the  temptations  of  the  adversary. 

Retirinsj  for  a  few  days  to  Cromer  hall,  he  found 
a  large  and  interesting  circle.  Amongst  others,  the 
late  William  Wilberforce,  and  Zachary  Macaulay 
were  there,  deliberating  with  his  hrother-in-law 
Thomas  Eowell  Buxton,  on  the  position  and  pros- 
pects of  the  Anti-slavery  Question.  It  was  the 
occasion  on  which  the  latter  appears  to  have  arrived 
at  his  "  final  decision,"  to  accept  the  responsible  post 
of  advocate  of  the  cause,  as  successor  to  Wilberforce.* 
In  this  important  undertaking,  and  throughout  the 
succeeding  struggle,  Joseph  John  Gurney  gave 
him  his  warm  and  efficient  encouragement  and 
support. 

Earlham,  9th  mo.,  28th.  Wilberforce,  his  wife,  daughter, 
and  two  sons,  are  om-  guests ;  and  after  a  ^dsit  of  fom'  days, 
are  about  to  leave  us  this  morning.  My  commmiications  with 
him  have  been  of  an  interesting  and  very  animating  nature. 
To  describe  him  is  difficidt ;  for  seldom,  if  ever,  have  I  met 
with  anything  so  beautiful  as  his  mind.  He  hves,  or  appears 
to  live,  in  perpetual  sunshine ;  humility  and  love  may  be  said 
to  cover  him,  and  the  variety  of  his  intellectual  powers,  and 
profusion  of  mental  ornaments,  render  him,  in  a  very  peculiar 
degree,  a  delightful  companion. 

We  have  just  been  permitted  to  enjoy  together,  an  oppor- 
tunity of  solemn  waiting  and  fervent  prayer,  during  which  I 
was  strengthened  to  minister  to  him,  his  wife,  and  his  children, 
and  to  commit  them  to  the  everlasting  Father  of  his  people ; 
also  to  pour  out  our  united  petitions  on  behalf  of  the  poor 
slaves,  and  for  their  oppressors ;  and  for  the  hastening  of  that 
day,  in  which  the  imiversal  sabbath  from  those  cruelties  and 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  122. 


^T.  35.  THANKFULNESS    IN  AFFLICTION.  221 

contentions  which  now  lay  waste  mankind,  shall  l)c  proclaimed 
in  the  earth. 

10/A  mo.,  Qth.  Oui"  Bible  Society  parties  have  been  large 
but  quiet,  and  a  spirit  of  love  and  humility  has,  1  hope,  in 
a  measnre,  reigned  amongst  us.  Charles  Simeon  and  John 
Cunningham,  have  been  both  interesting  guests.  The  former 
is  of  a  very  marked  character;  full  of  elevated  hopes,  and 
Christian  joy  and  love.  I  have  enjoyed  liis  society,  and  pi"ized 
his  influence;  at  the  same  time  I  find  myself  reverting  with 
feelings  of  peace  and  satisfaction  to  the  unexciting  simplicity 
of  my  own  religious  profession. 

First  day  evening,  lOth  mo.,  I3lh.  "  Out  of  the  depths  have 
I  cried  mito  thee,  O  God,  Lord  hear  my  prayer;  let  thine 
ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice  of  my  supplications.  If  thou. 
Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquity,  O  Lord,  who  shall  stand.  But 
there  is  forgiveness  w^ith  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be  feared." 
Such  is  the  language  of  my  soul  this  evening,  after  a  week  of 
much  depression,  and  after  a  sabbath  m  which  my  gracious 
Master  has  been  pleased  to  display  a  glimpse  of  his  own 
countenance;  so  that  I  am,  on  the  one  hand,  prostrated 
before  him,  and  on  the  other,  not  destitute  of  some  degree 
of  ability  to  rejoice  in  the  hope  set  before  me  in  the  gospel. 
Our  two  meetings  have  been  to  me,  through  di\dne  fa^'our, 
opportmiities  of  much  silent  reverent  waiting  on  God;  and 
I  have  both  inwardly  and  vocally,  prayed  that  I  might 
be  armed  afresh  of  him,  for  the  combat  with  my  spiritual 
adversary. 

Second  day,  Wth  mo.,  Wth.  *  *  Truly,  I  may  adore  the 
mercy  of  a  long-suft'ering  and  gi-acious  God,  who  has  not  left 
me  to  perish  in  the  corruptions  of  my  fallen  nature,  but 
wonderfully  proclaims  to  me,  from  season  to  season,  his  gi-eat 
_  salvation.  Seldom  have  I  felt  such  deep  lowncss  as  I  did 
yesterday ;  but  I  found  it  was  wholesome  for  mc  thus  to  suffer. 
The  morning  meeting  was  spent  in  silent,  awful  prostration  of 
soul  before  God.  In  the  afternoon,  with  much  fear,  I  preached 
on  the  invitation  of  the  halt,  poor,  blind,  and  maimed,  to  the 
marriage  supper,  and  on  the  wedding  garment  of  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ. 


322  LETTERS.  1822, 


TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Norwich,  lltli  mo.,  13th,  1822. 

^  -^  It  is  not  Cliristian  to  be  cast  down  without  measure,  by 
the  death  even  of  our  dearest  friends.  I  dare  not  allow  it  in 
myself,  and  I  must  venture  to  forbid  it  in  thee.  Why  should 
we  mourn  as  those  that  are  without  hope?  And  how  is  it 
that  in  the  affairs  of  affection,  we  are  so  dependent  upon  the 
flesh  ?  I  know  of  nothing  more  to  the  credit  of  religion,  than 
cheerfulness  and  thankfulness  under  affliction.  Our  consolations 
are  unspeakable  and  abounding.  As  to  thy  inward  trials  of 
mind,  I  can  indeed  sympathize  with  thee,  for  I  know  what  it 
is  to  be  deeply  cast  down ;  and  the  corruption  of  the  human 
heart  is  the  very  thing  which  has  often  brought  me,  as  it  has 
been  bringing  thee,  into  this  state.  But  be  of  good  courage, 
there  is  one,  whose  holy  hand  will  I  believe,  however  secretly, 
sustain,  uplift,  protect,  and  dehver  through  all.  Cultivate  a 
sound,  deep,  scriptural  view  of  the  redemption  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Accustom  thyself  not  to  dwell  on  thyself,  but 
on  him,  as  assuredly  made  imto  thee  of  God,  "wisdom, 
righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption."  Let  his  mer- 
cies and  his  merits  be  thy  strength  and  thy  stay,  and  pray  for 
ability  to  "  rejoice  in  the  Lord."  AVe  mourn  and  pine  because 
we  dwell  so  much  in  and  on  om-selves ;  no  sooner  is  our  faith 
in  Christ  strengthened  and  illuminated,  than  we  rejoice  in 
him. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Cromer  HaU,  11th  mn.,  17th,  1822. 

*  ^  *  Thou  wilt  believe  me  that  it  is  my  desire  to  be 
preserved  in  cheerful  submission.  I  endeavour  after  this  state, 
and  sometimes  I  am  uplifted  into  natural  cheerfulness  without 
any  effort  of  my  own.  O  !  that  I  may  learn  oliedience  fi'om 
that  which  I  suffer  !  that  "  the  sword"  which  hath  "entered 
into  my  bones"  may  cut  and  clear  away  everythmg  that 
defileth.  I  well  know  that  I  had  need  of  this  discipline : 
pray  for  me,  that  it  be  not  in  vain.  -^  *  ^ 


^T.  35.  LITERARY    LABOURS.  223 

llth  mo.,  I9th.  I  have  found  myself  of  late  much  melted 
in  sorrow.  My  own  demerits  are  often  spread  before  me,  and 
I  ought  far  more  than  I  do,  to  lift  up  the  song  of  gratitude 
and  praise,  that,  sueh  as  I  am, — I  am  "  not  appointed  unto 
wrath,"  but  freely  in\ited  "  to  obtain  salvation  through  Jesus 
Christ  mv  Lord." 

I2th  mo.,  Sth.     "  He  putteth  his  mouth  in  the  dust  and 
keepeth  silence,  because  he  hath  borne  it    (the  yoke)   upon 
him."     This  description  is,  I  trust,  in  a  degi'ee  applicable  to 
my  experience,   during  this  low  and  sombre    sal)bath    day ! 
I  have  uttered  a  few  words  in  ministry ;  otherwise,  the  day 
has  been  passed  much  in  silence,  and  I  hope  in  prostration  of 
soul.     I  may  acknowledge  that  uoav,  at  the  approach  of  night, 
and  m.  the  prospect  of  a  week  of  peculiarly  active,  and  not 
very  pleasing  business,  I  find  sueh  a  sabbath  strengthening. 
And  oftentimes  have  I  known  myself  most  strengthened  in 
the  result,  when  I  have  been  most  clothed,  in  my  own  appre- 
hension, with  weakness,   coldness  and  lamentation  :  a  fresh 
lesson  net    to   depend  upon  ourselves,  but   upon   him   that 
raiseth  the  dead.     Lord  grant  that  I  may  have  my  fruit  unto 
holiness,  and  the  end  everlasting  life. 

The  year  1823  was  one  of  peculiar  and  varied 
exertion.  Besides  carefnlly  re^dsing  for  pu]3lication 
his  Letter  on  the  Authority  of  Christianity,  and 
preparing  for  the  press  his  work  on  the  Distinguish- 
ing Principles  of  Friends,  to  which  he  devoted 
much  time  and  diligent  research ;  the  book  which 
had  already  occupied  him  so  long,  and  which 
ultimatelv  formed  the  basis  of  his  Essays  on 
Christianity,  and  the  Biblical  Notes,  still  en- 
g-aged  his  attention.  "I  cannot  add  to  my 
literary  labours,"  he  writes  to  a  friend,  "  for  I 
have  already  three  works  on  hand."  He  found 
time,  hoAvever,  as  will  be  seen,  for  considerable 
effort  in  the  Anti- Slavery  cause.  Some  idea 
may    be    formed    of    his    home    pursuits    by    the 


224      READING  AND  PREPARING  FOR  THE  PRESS.     1823. 

perusal  of  the  following  extracts  from  his  literary 
journal  *  at  this  period. 

1st  mo.,  9th,  to  1st  mo.,  19th.  Two  weeks.  Wrote  an 
introductory  chapter,  (vasto  labore  et  mentis  et  pennse,)  on 
universal  religious  privileges,  and  foui'  folio  pages  on  oatlis. 
Finished  Barclay  on  Saving  Light,  also  on  Oaths  and  War. 
Finished  Tuke's  Principles.  Read  Jesse  Kersey's  ditto,  Read 
three  or  four  of  Cowper's  didactic  pieces ;  half  the  Life  of 
Dr.  Doddridge,  and  part  of  Samuel  Scott's  Diary. 

1st  mo.,  19th,  to  1st  mo.,  26th.  A  rather  iaefFectual  week; 
wrote  chapter  ii,  on  Religious  Peculiarities,  only  three  folio 
pages ;  and  three  more  (roughly)  of  chapter  iii,  on  the  Per- 
ceptibility of  Spiritvial  Guidance;  (I  must  get  on  at  a  greater 
pace  if  possible;)  finished  Doddridge's  Life;  some  of  Cecil's 
Remains. 

2nd  mo.  2nd,  to  2nd  mo.,  Sth.  Corrected  chapter  iii; 
altered  and  rewrote  part  of  chapter  ii ;  wrote  note  and  pas- 
sage on  Conscience  in  chapter  i;  studied  for  chapter  iv, 
read  original  one ;  read  Selden,  Hammond,  Lightfoot,  Rees, 
Wall,  and  Robinson  on  JcAvish  Baptisms ;  read  R.  Barclay  on 
Baptism  and  the  Supper.  Finished  first  Epistle  of  John, 
and  read  second  Epistle;  proceeded  with  Cecil's  Remains. 
Epistolpe  varise  and  accounts. 

4/A  mo.,  13th,  to  4^th  mo.,  20th.  Alterations  in  chapter  ix; 
researches  and  reading  continued,  especially  R.  Barclay  and 
the  "Fathers"  for  chapters  x  and  xi,  and  one  page  and  a 
half  written.  I  must  be  very  diligent  for  these  three 
weeks  or  I  shall  be  foundered.  Plato  continued :  Gibbs  on 
Baptism  read.  Isaiah,  &c.  Made  speech  on  Slaveiy,  wrote 
letters,  &c. 

11th  mo.,  9th,  to  11th  mo.,  17th.  Finished  the  Revelation 
in  Greek  Testament ;  letters,  &c. ;  corrected  three  sheets  of 
Appendix ;  read  over  and  reconsidered  Letter  to  a  Friend  on 

^''  Besides  his  ordinary  journal,  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  in  the 
habit  of  keeping  in  a  distinct  form  a  regular  account  of  his  lead- 
ing and  literary  labours.  It  extends  from  about  the  year  1811  to 
1837,  when  it  was  interrupted  by  his  journey  to  America, 


^T.  35.  JOURNAL.  225 

Christianity;  thought  much  on  the  subject,  and  read  Soame 
Jenyns,  J.  Scott,  Porteus,  Doddi-idge,  and  Cecil  on  tlie 
Evidences  of  Christianity. 

To  return  to  his  ordinary  Journal : — 

1st  mo.,  6th,  1823.  ^  ^  ^  I  find  myself  still  soiTowftil ; 
I  hope  and  believe  not  murmiu'ing.  The  pains  arising  out  of 
my  bereaved  situation  arc  of  a  very  abiding  kind.  The 
apostle  knew  how  to  abound  and  how  to  suffer  need.  How 
needful  is  such  a  knowledge,  especially  for  ministers  of  the 
gospel.  It  was  my  lot  to  abound  yesterday ;  it  is  not  much 
less  so  to  suffer  need  to  day.  The  waters  have  passed  thi'ough 
me ;  and,  though  I  trust  they  have  cleansed  in  their  course, 
they  have  left  me  empty  and  poor.  Yet  I  do  not  approve  of 
too  close  a  notice  of  the  variations  in  one's  state  of  mind. 
We  ought  rather  to  think  little  of  ourselves,  and  steadily  to 
dwell  on  Clirist,  who  changes  not. 

2nd  mo.,  Sth.  The  history  of  the  week  just  passed  much 
resembles  that  of  its  forerunner.  Some  hea%y  cares  con- 
nected with  temporals,  and  pubHc  affairs  very  awful  and 
threatening.  The  rumours  of  many  wars  prevalent,  and 
great  danger  lest  this  coimtry  shoidd  become  engaged  in  the 
conflict.  Yet  I  am  not  destitute  of  some  sustaining  hope 
that  it  mav  please  the  God  of  aU  comfort  to  stay  the 
desolating  sword,  and  to  calm  the  turbulence  of  his  creatm*es. 
This  was  the  substance  of  a  prayer  I  felt  engaged  publicly  to 
offer  in  our  morning  meeting.  I  also  prayed  for  the  king  of 
this  country,  that  he  might  be  brought  into  the  fear  and  faith 
of  God,  and  be  prepared  by  divine  grace  for  the  exchange  of 
a  mortal  crown  for  one  invisible  and  eternal ;  also,  and  more 
especially,  for  the  universal  church  of  Clirist,  that,  amidst  all 
the  courses  of  providence,  and  the  turmoils  of  the  world,  she 
mierht  flourish  and  be  more  and  more  filled  with  love. 

Sweet  is  the  recollection  this  evening  of  the  mother*  and 

*  Joseph  John  Gurney's  mother-in-law,  Martha  Birkbeck,  had 
died  a  few  weeks  previously,  on  the  Uth  of  the  12th  month,  1822. 

Q 


226  DISCOURAGEMENTS    AND    LABOURS.  1823. 

the  daughter.  Ah,  what  a  world  of  dreams  is  this,  and  shall 
it  indeed  be  succeeded  by  one  of  infinite  realities?  How 
awful,  yet  how  animating  is  such  a  thought. 

2nd  mo.,  I5th.  I  fear  I  am  going  but  lamely  on  my  way; 
and  have  sometimes  apprehensions,  lest  my  theological  studies 
should  separate  me  from  him,  who  is  to  be  worshipped  not  in 
the  letter  but  in  the  spirit. 

O  gracious  Lord,  who  knowest  all  the  infirmities  of  the 
heart  of  thy  servant,  and  art  acquainted  with  my  deep  sorrow, 
and  with  the  dismay  which  is  at  times  my  allotment  because 
of  the  power  of  my  soul's  enemy,  may  it  please  thee  to  arise 
for  my  help  and  deliverance.  Keep  me  from  the  power  of 
temptation,  and  shelter  me  amidst  all  the  storms  and  anxieties 
of  life.  Draw  me  nearer  to  thyself,  thou  everlasting  fountain 
of  aU  good ;  and,  as  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  take  away  from 
me  my  tenderly  beloved  partner  in  life,  enable  me  to  bow 
with  ready  cheerfidness  under  thy  chastening  rod;  and  so 
quicken  and  preserve  me  by  thy  grace,  that  I  may  finally 
inherit,  with  her,  the  joys  of  thy  salvation,  through  our  Lord 
and  Sa\dour  Jesus  Chiist. 

Srd  mo.,  Srd.  The  principal  features  in  the  past  week  have 
been  excessive  labour  in  completing  my  chapter  on  Baptism 

and  the   Supper,  and  a  very  pleasant  visit  from  C and 

Lady  J.  W .     The  communication  with  them  was,  to  me, 

both  profitable  and  refreshing,  and  affords  a  lesson  agamst 
too  great  a  shutting  up  of  ourselves.  Yesterday  I  rode  by 
myself  to  Tasburgh  meeting,  and  was  comforted  in  the  com- 
pany of  fourteen  friends,  to  whom  I  had  httle  to  administer 
but  encouragement.  I  felt  it  very  salutary  to  be  taken  out 
of  myself.     Truly  we  serve  no  hard  master. 

Srd  mo.,  16th.  The  last  two  weeks  have  floated  on  much 
in  the  iisual  manner.  My  book  has  brought  me  discourage- 
ments, and  labours  also.  Two  visits  to  the  sick  chamber  of 
my  old  friend,  Joseph  Geldart,  whose  death  seems  now  rapidly 
approaching.  His  humility,  submission,  quietness,  and  hope 
in  Christ,  plainly  indicate  the  latter  end  of  the  righteous. 
He  seems  polished,  purified,  and  brightened  for  the  last 
solemn  stage  of  his  mortal  pilgrimage.  *  ^  Other  visits  to 
the  sick  have  also  been  satisfactory. 


>ET.  35.  ANTI-SLAVERY    OPERATIONS.  227 

Srd  mo.,  2Sth.  I  remember  being  a  good  deal  oppressed, 
about  two  weeks  ago,  mider  the  apprehension,  that,  through 
unwatchfukiess,  and  perhaps  tlirough  study,  my  gift  in  the 
ministry  was  declining ;  but  it  has  seldom  been  brought  more 
thoroughly  into  exercise,  than  in  the  present  week.  On 
third  day,  at  the  Quarterly  ]Meeting,  I  felt  constrained  under 
the  gentle  influences  of  di^'ine  love,  to  preach  Christ  crucified ; 
and  my  way  opened  very  satisfactoiily  as  I  went  along.  I 
thought  that  I  afterwards  lost  a  Uttle  ground,  in  taking  too 
active  a  part  in  the  discipline — a  memorandum  this  for  the 
Yearly  Meeting ;  one,  I  trust,  which  will  not  be  forgotten. 
The  love  and  imity  felt  were  re^"i^'ing ;  and  a  little  fresh  hope 
appears  to  arise,  from  time  to  time,  that  we  shall  yet  be 
maintamed  as  a  society  on  the  face  of  the  earth . 

Anti- slavery  operations  were  now  eonunencing 
with  vigour  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  Early 
in  the  present  year,  William  Wilberforce  had  pub- 
lished his  Appeal  on  behaK  of  the  Slaves.  About 
the  same  time  the  Anti- slavery  Society  was  formed. 
"PubKc  feeling,"  says  the  editor  of  the  Life  of  Sir 
Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  "was  soon  roused  into 
activity,  and  petitions  began  to  flow  in ;  the  lead 
was  taken  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  it  was 
determined  that  the  presentation  of  their  appeal  by 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Wilberforce  should  be  the  open- 
ing of  the  Parliamentary  campaign."*  Joseph 
John  Gumey  was  not  inattentive  to  the  occasion. 
He  had  met  Zachary  Macaulay  a  few  weeks  before 
at  KesT\ick,  and  had  but  just  parted  from  his 
brother-in-law  Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  who  had 
been  spending  some  days  at  Earlham  on  his  way  to 
London.  Though  pressed  with  engagements,  he 
consented  to   explain  the  present  ^position  of  the 

*  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  127. 

Q  2 


228  MINISTERIAL    ENGAGEMENTS.  1823. 

question,   before   a  public   meeting   of  his   fellow 
citizens  in  Norwich. 

He  afterwards  writes  : — 

Seventh  day ;  (2Qth  of  the  4th  mo. J  Yesterday  morning  we 
held  our  public  meeting  at  Norwich,  for  petitioning  Parlia- 
ment for  the  gradual  but  complete  abolition  of  slavery 
throughout  the  British  Colonies.  It  was  largely  attended. 
It  fell  to  my  lot  to  lay  the  subject  before  the  meeting,  for 
which  purpose  I  spoke  for  about  an  hour-and-a-half.  The 
meeting  was  conducted  with  great  spirit  and  unanimity.  I 
thought  it  a  cause  for  thankfuhiess,  that  the  affecting  and 
interesting  subject  should  meet  with  so  many  open  and  zealous 
hearts,  and  personally,  I  am,  I  trust,  thankfid  at  having  been 
favoured  with  the  needful  ability  to  meet  the  occasion. 

In  the  fifth  month,  after  attending  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  London,  he  was  engaged  in  holding 
religious  meetings  at  several  places  in  Middlesex, 
Essex,  and  Suffolk,  and  in  visiting  the  families  of 
Priends  at  Saffron  Walden  and  Woodbridge. 
After  an  absence  of  about  five  weeks,  he  writes  : — 

6^^  mo.  20th.  I  can  acknowledge  that  my  prayer  has 
been  abundantly  answered.  The  Lord  has  been  with  me,  in 
my  going  out  and  in  my  coming  in.  He  has  preserved  my 
best  life  from  destruction  or  decay.  He  has  poured  forth  of 
his  Holy  Spirit  upon  me,  and  again  and  again  has  he  em- 
powered me  to  declare  his  righteousness  and  his  praise  in  the 
great  congregation.  He  has  also  been  graciously  present 
with  those  whom  I  left  behind,  preserving  them  in  health, 
both  of  body  and  soul,  and  the  darling  children  have  sweetly 
flourished  under  his  parent  wing.  Peace  marks  my  return  to 
this  delightful  spot,  and  I  feel  entirely  relieved  of  my  burthen; 
but  over  that  peace  and  relief,  sorrow  and  the  memory  of  past 
happy  days  still  diffuse  a  tone  of  deep  seriousness  and  per- 
haps, in  some  degree,  of  melancholy.     But  I  will  seek  for 


^T.  35.  JOURNAL.  229 

ability  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  to  joy  in  the  God  of  my 
salvation.  What  a  year  has  rolled  over  my  head !  and  now, 
though  the  aflFecting  anniversary  is  past,  the  brightness  of  the 
sunshine,  the  beauty  of  the  summer  flowers,  and  the  abun- 
dant verdure  of  this  place,  powerfidly  recall  the  period,  vrhen 
nature  wore  a  similar  aspect,  and  when  inexpressible  sorrow 
and  conflict  of  soul  raged  in  the  midst  of  that  lovely  scene. 
O  Lord,  bow  me  in  the  dust  before  thee;  that,  in  the  utter 
humiliation  of  the  pride  of  man,  I  may  be  preserved  from  all 
murmuring,  and  may  receive  ability  to  adore  thy  holy  name, 
for  all  thy  unspeakable  goodness  to  me  and  mine.  -5^  -^^  *  ^ 

On  my  arrival  at  Upton,  after  a  fatiguing  journey,  on  7th 
day,  (5th  mo.,  17th,)  I  was  met  with  the  mournfiil  intelK- 
gence  of  Mary  H anbury's*  death.  Deep  was  the  conflict 
into  which  this  most  touching  event  was  the  means  of  intro- 
ducing me.  I  was  brought  into  the  very  depths  with  the 
sufferers,  nor  did  I  obtain  relief  tiU  I  had  seen  them,  and 
poured  forth  my  heart  with  them  in  prayer  and  praise.  The 
funeral  at  Winchmore  Hill,  on  the  following  sixth  day,  was 
memorably  calm;  and  sweet  and  heavenly  was  the  influence 
spread  over  us.  The  chief  mourners  on  this  touching  occasion 
have  been  throughout  eminently  clothed  in  the  protecting 
armour  of  their  Lord.  ^  *  ^  * 

9ih  mo.,  3rd.     Last  week  and  were  with 

us.  Their  visit  was  interesting.  Some  discussions  on  our 
peculiarities  into  which  we  fell  were  not  very  pleasant, 
and  brought  me  into  secret  conflict  of  mind.  But  ail  was 
removed,  and  the  power  of  truth  remarkably  manifested  to 
our  humiliation  and  instruction,  in  our  meeting  on  fifth  day, 
which  was  attended  by  our  whole  party.  What  can  be 
compared  with  thy  wisdom  and  power,  and  with  the  influence 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  O  Lord  ! 

On  first  day  my  dear  uncle  and  I  went  together  to  the 
funeral  of  a  Friend  at  Tivetshall.     It  was  to  me  a  day  of 

*  The  only  child  of  "William  Allen.  Her  death  occurred  but 
little  more  than  a  year  after  her  marriage  with  Corn(?lius  Hanbiiry. 
See  Life  of  William  AUen,  vol.  iii,  p.  222,  and  348—351. 


230  HANNAH  MORE.  1823. 

much  trials  and  of  little  comfort;  and  though  I  prized  a 
quiet  ride  with  my  uncle,  I  had  reason  to  apprehend  I  should 
have  been  more  in  my  place,  in  my  own  meeting.  Such 
mistakes  are  instructive ;  they  give  us  a  useful  warning,  and 
call  for  closer  watchfulness. 

Prom  London  in  the  ninth  month,  he  accom- 
panied his  sister  Elizabeth  Pry  in  a  short  journey 
to  Bristol,  where,  as  usual,  they  found  much  occu- 
pation. In  allusion  to  a  call  on  Hannah  More,  he 
writes : — 

We  were  delighted  with  our  interview  with  this  extraordi- 
naiy  and  excellent  person.  She  is  now  78  years  old,  hut 
most  vivacious  and  productive.  Very  like  Wilberforce. 
She  was  gTcatly  pleased  at  the  opportunity  of  seeing  my  sister ; 
and  we  parted  after  solemn  prayer. 

Soon  after  his  return  he  met  with  an  accident 
by  a  fall  from  his  horse,  which  severely  bruised  his 
arm  and  elbow  joint.  Though  much  disabled,  he 
did  not  wholly  discontinue  his  exertions.  The 
feeble  tremulousness  of  the  hand-writing  in  the 
original,  gives  an  additional  interest  to  the  follow- 
ing extract. 

9th  mo.,  29th.  I  have  felt  low,  chiefly  because  of  the 
apprehended  low  estate  of  the  church.  But  we  must  wash 
and  anoiat,  and  endeavour  to  encourage  a  hopefid  view.  O 
that  the  Lord  may  arise,  and  have  mercy  upon  Zion !  Why 
should  I  doubt  his  doing  so  ? 

John  and  Sarah  Grubb  have  paid  me  a  highly  acceptable 
visit.  How  aflfecting  when  compared  with  their  former  one, 
when  they  had  so  deep  a  sense  of  our  sufferings  to  come ! 
They  were  brought  into  much  feeling  of  unity  with  the  be- 
loved departed  spirit,  and  expressed  an  assurance  both  of 
her  happiness,  and  of  the  specialty  of  the  providence  which 


^T.  36.  WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  231 

directed  the  fatal  shaft.  How  entirely  do  I  still  feel  that  the 
most  intimate  tie  is  no  more !  How  impossible  that  such  a  loss 
should  be  supplied  by  any  other  description  of  human  associ- 
ation. Solitude,  as  to  the  outward,  is  now  my  greatest 
happiness.  It  gives  the  wounded  mind  leisure^  both  to  know 
and  to  bear  itself. 


TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Eai-lham,  10th  mo.,  14t]i,  1823. 

With  a  fractured  elbow,  of  which  thou  mayest  probably 
have  heard,  I  find  much  difficulty  in  writing,  but  I  know 
well  how  greatly  I  am  in  thy  debt,  and  must  attempt  to 
scratch  on  paper  a  fresh  testimony  of  the  love  I  continue  to 
feel  for  thee.  It  gives  me  pain  to  hear  of  thy  indisposition. 
Thou  art  precious  to  many  of  us,  and  we  are  unwilling  to  let 
thee  go ;  but  our  Heavenly  Father  knows  what  is  best  for  us 
and  for  his  church.  He  may  remove  prop  after  prop;  but, 
thanks  be  to  him,  the  chief  corner  Stone  can  never  be  taken 
away.  "  The  Son  abideth  ever."  Did  I  teU  thee  how  busily 
I  have  been  engaged  during  the  last  twelve  months  by  com- 
posing a  book  on  the  peculiar  views  and  practices  of  Friends  ? 
I  have  now  sent  it  to  my  printer,  but  suppose  it  will  hardly 
be  published  before  the  second  month.  I  hope  it  may  be  of 
some  use  to  our  little  society,  "  stripped,  robbed,  and  spoiled," 
as  it  is,  in  a  spiritual  sense.  Would  that  we  might  once 
more  arise  and  shine  in  the  brightness  of  true  hght,  the  light 
of  the  Lord's  countenance!  Yet  if  this  be  denied,  let  us 
cultivate  such  a  disposition  as  will  ever  prompt  the  language, 
"  Not  our  win  but  thine  be  done."  It  may  be  that  we  have 
already  served  our  appointed  purpose.  But  I  encourage 
brighter  and  better  hopes.  *  -^  * 

Wth  mo.,  9th.  Dined  on  fifth  day  with  Sir  J.  Smith,  to 
meet  WiUiam  Roscoe,  and  was  gratified  by  his  zealous  and 
able  defence  of  anti-slavery.  I  have  been  since  reflecting  on 
the  state  of  the  world;  the  aboxmding  of  vice;  the  slave 
trade;  the  cruel  murders  that  have  been  lately  committed; 


233  ENGAGEMENTS  AT  YARMOUTH.  1823. 

the  obstructions  to  good ;  the  influence  of  popery  and  politi- 
cal despotism,  increasing,  I  fear,  rather  than  diminishing ;  and 
I  have  felt  amazed  and  afflicted.  But,  through  all,  the  one 
thing  needful  exists  and  spreads.  The  gates  of  hell  shall  not 
prevail  against  the  church  of  God. 

Second  day;  17 th.  Another  week  floated  away,  and  added 
to  the  amount  of  the  reckoning,  which  I  must  sooner  or  later 
make  of  my  stewardship.  Awful  thought !  Yesterday  was 
one  of  spiiitual  fasting,  and  of  very  deep  humiliation.  How 
earnestly  have  I  desired,  that  in  the  use  of  my  gift  in  the 
ministry,  (which  I  feel  to  be  very  precious  to  me,)  I  may  be 
preserved  in  purity  and  simplicity,  and  that  the  life  may 
never  be  withdrawn  from  it.  I  trust  I  feel  an  increasing  love 
for  the  cause,  and  for  him  whom  I  am  endeavouring  to 
serve. 

12th  mo.,  1st.  [In  allusion  to  various  religious  engage- 
ments at  Yarmouth;]  I  have  seldom  passed  through  a  time 
of  closer  exercise,  being  led  deeply  to  sympathize  with  the 
afflicted,  and  loudly  to  arouse  the  careless.  The  family  visit- 
ing particularly,  I  found  to  be  an  exercising  work  of  faith, 
and  at  times  I  hardly  knew  how  to  proceed  in  it.  Yet  the 
opening  which  appeared  to  be  afforded  me  on  each  successive 
occasion,  was  wonderfrd  to  myself,  and  the  impressions  which 
I  felt  in  meeting  on  first  day  morning,  were  confirmed  and 
cleared  as  I  went  along  from  family  to  family.  The  pubUc 
meetings  were,  I  trust,  favoured  with  life. 

First  day  night,  I2th  mo.,  28th.  May  the  privilege  of  holy 
communion  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  through  adorable 
mercy,  be  my  portion  more  and  more,  that  all  my  life  and 
works  may  be  thereby  sanctified  and  consecrated.  To-day, 
the  Cromer  Hall  party  all  at  meeting  with  us.  Both  meet- 
ings very  serious  times  to  me.  In  the  morning,  I  was 
engaged  first  in  prayer,  and  afterwards,  at  some  length,  on 
the  right  preparation  for  heaven.  The  cause  of  righteousness 
is,  I  trust,  increasingly  precious  to  many  of  us.  May  it 
prosper !  saith  my  soul. 


JET.  36.  AT    AMPTON    AND    BURY.  233 


CHAPTEU  XIII. 

1824.     ^T.  36. 

TISIT  TO  FEIENDS  AT  BTTRY  ;  AMELIA  OPIE  ;  ANTI-SLAVERY  SPEECH 
AT  NORWICH  ;  PITBLICATION  OF  HIS  LETTER  ON  THE  AUTHORITY 
OF  CHRISTIANITY,  AND  OF  HIS  WORK  ON  THE  DISTINGITISHING 
VIEWS    AND     PRACTICES     OF     FRIENDS. 

The  opening  of  the  year  1824,  found  Joseph  John 
Gurney  still  busily  occupied. 

Seventh  day,  1st  mo.,  10th,  1824.  The  week  hitherto  has 
been  a  fagging  one;  literature,  banking,  letters^  slavery 
committee.  I  am  going  to  day  to  Ampton,  with  a  view  of 
holding  one  or  two  public  meetings  at  Bury ;  and  one  for  the 
upper  classes  is  appointed  for  to-morrow  evening. 

1st  mo.,  18th.  Arrived  at  Ampton  [Lord  Calthorpe's]  to 
dinner  on  7th  day,  the  10th;  found  the  Wilberforces,  Lady 
Olivia  Sparrow,  &c.  My  engagements  at  Bury  occupied  first, 
second,  and  sixth  days,  and  consisted  of  two  meetings  with 
Friends,  two  public  meetiags,  and  about  seventeen  religious 
visits  to  the  families  of  Friends.  The  retrospect  of  these 
services  is  satisfactory. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  1st  mo.,  19th,  1824. 

■^  ^  The  low  state  of  our  little  church  is  sometimes  cause 
of  secret  mourning ;  but  when  we  are  favoured  to  arrive  on 
the  heavenly  shores,  shall  we  not  find  an  innumerable  host  of 
true  Quakers  ?  Will  there  be  any  worshippers  there  in  the 
letter,  and  not  in  the  life  ?  Any  prayers  and  praises  uttered 
out  of  the  immediate  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?      Any 


234  AMELIA    OPIE.  1824. 

ceremonial  observances  ?  Any  oaths  ?  Any  compliments  ? 
Any  war  ?  A  broad  negation  meets  every  one  of  these  ques- 
tions. And  surely  we  may  hence  derive  a  confirming  evidence 
that  we  are  not  altogether  in  the  wrong.  May  we  patiently 
persevere  to  the  end,  placing  our  whole  confidence  in  him/ 
who  I  believe  will  not  suffer  the  pure  light  of  truth  to  be 
quenched,  even  within  the  borders  of  his  church  militant.  ^  * 

1st  mo.,  22nd.  I  never  before  more  entirely  appreciated 
the  excellence  of  our  religious  principles.  They  are  invaluable. 
May  we  cleave  closely  to  them,  at  the  same  time  that  we 
embrace,  in  the  arms  of  true  love,  all  who  are  serving  the 
same  Master,  though  in  different  ways.  It  is  an  inexpressible 
privilege  to  be  brought  into  what  appears  to  my  apprehension, 
with  great  clearness,  to  be  the  purest,  truest,  and  most  spiritual 
administration  of  the  Christian  system. 

The  warm  and  steady  friendship  which  suhsisted 
between  Amelia  Opie  and  the  various  members  of 
the  family  at  Earlham,  demands  some  notice  in  the 
present  memoir.  It  was  about  this  time,  that  after 
passing  through  deep  mental  conflict,  she  believed 
it  her  duty  to  become  more  closely  united  in  religious 
profession  with  Priends ;  though  her  admission  into 
actual  membership  with  them  did  not  take  place 
until  the  following  year,  [1825,]  a  little  previously 
to  her  father's  decease.  So  remarkable  a  change 
could  not  fail  to  be  watched  with  great  interest  by 
Joseph  John  Gurney.  Known  in  earlier  life  as  the 
accomplished  daughter  of  Dr.  Alderson,  of  Norwich, 
she  became  in  1798,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  the 
wife  of  John  Opie,  the  eminent  painter;  and  soon 
afterwards  entered  upon  a  career  of  authorship, 
which,  joined  to  her  brilliant  powers  of  conversation, 
quickly  secured  for  her  a  distinguished  position  in 


^T.  36.  AMELIA    OPIE.  235 

a  widely  extended  literary  and  fasliionable  circle. 
Upon  lier  husband's  decease  in  1807,  she  returned 
to  Norwich,  where  she  continued  to  reside  during 
the  remainder  of  her  life;  though  her  frequent 
visits  to  London  enabled  her  to  maintain  her  former 
intercourse  with  the  literary  and  fashionable  world, 
among  whom  her  tales  and  her  poetry  were  alike 
popular. 

"Admired  for   her   amiability,  her   talents,  and  her  ac- 

comphshments,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  a  short  notice 

of  her  contained  in  his  Autobiography,  "she  was  received 

in   London   at  the  houses    of    many   of    the    nobility,   and 

wherever    she    went    she  was    a    welcome  guest.     But    she 

gradually  discovered  that  aU  her  vanities,  her  position  in  the 

world,  and  her  novel  writing,  in  which  her  reputation  was 

hisrh,  must  be  laid  down  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  of  Christ. 

Not    satisfied   with   the   forms  of  the  Chm-ch   of  England, 

or  of  any  class  of  the  Dissenters,  she  took  refuge   in  the 

quietness  of  our  silent  meetings,  which   she  attended  with 

gi-eat  assiduity.     In  the  meantime  it  was  evident  that  Christ 

himself  was   becoming  her  peaceful  and   permanent  home; 

and   by   degrees   she   became  thoroughly  convinced   of  the 

principles  of   Friends.      Her    friendship   with    Priscilla   and 

myself  appears   to  have  been  one  principal   means  allotted 

in  the  order  of  providence  for  the  working  of  this  change." 

Among  the  letters  addressed  by  Joseph  John 
Gumey  to  Amelia  Opie,  two  have  been  preserved 
among  her  papers,  from  which  the  following  extracts 
can  scarcely  fail  to  interest  the  reader.  *  They  are 
both  dated,  it  will  be  observed,  in  the  year  1814. 

*  The  Editor  is  indebted  for  these  letters  to  the  kindness  of 
Thomas  Brightwell,  Amelia  Opie's  executor. 


236  AMELIA    OPIE.  1814. 

The   first   opens  with  an  allusion   to   his   brother 
John's  illness. 

Norwicli,  6th  mo.,  14th,  1814. 

I  remember  with  true  pleasure  thy  affectionate  conduct  to  us 
all  during  the  last  few  months  of  affliction.  Thy  sympathy 
has  been  hke  that  of  a  sister,  and  has  been  prized  by  us,  I 
trust,  as  it  ought  to  be.  Thou  mayest  assure  thyself,  therefore, 
that,  however  thou  mayest  be  engaged  in  the  gay  whirlpool  of 
London,  thou  art  not  forgotten  by  thy  retired  friends  at 
Earlham. 

Thy  last  note  is  an  instructive  ramate  of  my  pocket-book,- 
inasmuch  as  it  bespeaks  a  tender  conscience.      It  appears  to 
me  that  thy  mind  is  particularly  alive  to  the  duties  of  Christian 
charity,  and  I  would  express  the  desire  that  the  same  fear, 
(shall  I  call  it  "godly  fear?")  may  attend  thee  in  all  thy  com- 
munications with  the  world.     I  will  refer  thee  to  two  texts. 
"Pure  religion  and  imdefiled  before  God  and  the  Father  is 
this,  to  visit  the  widow  and  fatherless  in  their  affliction,  and 
to  keep  oneself  unspotted  from  the  world.''     "  Be  not  conformed 
to  this  world,  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your 
mind,  that  ye  may  prove  what  is  that  good,  and  acceptable, 
and  perfect  will  of  God.''     Thou  wilt  perhaps  say  that  thy 
friend    knows    nothing    of   "the  world,"    misinterprets    the 
meaning  of  the  apostle,  and  is  frightened  by  the  bugbear  of 
a  name.      There  may  be  some  truth  in  this  observation,  and 
I  must  allow  that  the  world  is  not  idolatrous  now  as  it  was 
then ;  that  we  are  all  alike  citizens  of  "  the  world ;"  and  that 
there  is  no  department  of  it  which  is  not  tinctured  with  evil. 
But  I  refer  particularly  to   the  fashionable  world,  of  which 
I  am  apt  to  entertam  two  notions:    the  first,  that  there  is 
much  in  it  of  real  evil ;  the  second,  that  there  is  much  also  in 
it,  which  though  not  evil  in  itself,  yet  has  a  decided  tendency 
to  produce  forgetfulness  of  God,  and  thus  to  generate  evil 
indirectly.     On  the  other  hand,  there  is  little  in  it,  perhaps, 
which  is  positively  good.  "^  -^  It  is  my  earnest  desire  for  thee 
and  for  myself,  that  we  may  be  redeemed  from  a  ivorldly  spirit, 
and  that  in   our   communications  with   the   world,  whether 
fashionable,  commercial  or  common-place,  we  may  be  enabled 


MTj.  28.  AMELIA   OPIE.  237 

simply  to  follow  an  unerring  guide  within  its,  which  will 
assuredly  inform  us,  if  we  will  but  wait  for  direction,  what  to 
touch  and  what  to  shrink  from;  what  to  follow,  and  what  to 
eschew.  "^  ^ 

Earlham,  7tli  mo.,  22nd,  1814. 
I  am  sure  I  had  some  meaning  in  my  mind,  my  dear  friend, 
when  I  requested  thee  "  not  to  be  angry  with  me  "  for  my  last 
letter.  I  might  indeed  use  a  wrong  word,  for  I  really  believe 
thy  temper  very  seldom  suffers  thee  to  be  angrj- ;  but  did  I 
not  run  some  risk  of  being  thought  impertinent,  by  addressing 
something  in  the  shape  of  advice  to  one  so  much  older  and 
more  experienced  than  myself?  Of  one  thing  I  beg  thee  to 
assure  thyself,  that,  though  more  than  a  month  has  elapsed 
since  I  received  thy  letter,  I  have  not  forgotten  thee.  Indeed 
I  have  often  thought  of  thee ;  and  often  secretly  wished  thee 
well  on  thy  way  to  heaven.  It  is  a  great  favour  to  feel,  and 
to  feel  acutely,  about  our  religious  state ;  it  is  a  great  favour 
to  be  gifted  with  a  devotional  spirit;  and  I  heartily  rejoice  to 
find  how  sensitive  thy  mind  is  and  how  Hvely  are  its  impressions 
on  this  subject,  of  all  others  the  most  important.  It  affords 
a  clear  proof  that  the  blessing  of  God's  presence  has  attended 
thee ;  and  I  dovibt  not  that  thou  art  sensible  not  only  of  the 
consolations  of  his  presence,  but  of  his  secret  dii'ection  to  the 
particulars  of  thy  duty.  My  chief  desire  for  thee  is,  that 
thou  raayst  be  made  willing  simply  and  obediently  to  follow 
this  direction,  and  to  give  up  everything  which  the  light  of 
truth  may,  by  degrees,  point  out  to  thee  as  inconsistent  with 
the  holy  ^ill  of  God.  True  happiness  here  or  hereafter  can  con- 
sist in'nothing,  but  in  conformity  with  that  wiU.  The  world  has 
undoubtedly  many  pleasures  to  bestow ;  perhaps  no  pleasure 
so  great  as  that  of  being  universally  liked,  admired,  and 
flattered ;  but  it  is  not  in  the  world,  that  we  are  to  find  that 
peace  "  which  passeth  all  understanding.^^  It  is  striking  to 
observe  the  essential  difference  which  exists  between  the 
pleasm-es  of  the  world,  and  the  religious  happiness  of  the 
soul.  The  temporary  natm-e  of  the  former  seems  to  be 
proved  by  their  aU  being  conveyed  to  us  through  our  natural 
senses ;  but  "eye  hath  not  seen,  neither  hath  ear  heard,  neither 


238  AMELIA   OPIE.  1814. 

have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  things  which  God 
hath  prepared    for  them  that  love  him."     How  clearly  one 
sees  that  the  one  belongs  to  our  mortal,   the  other  to  our 
immortal  part !     Thou  wilt  observe,  my  dear  friend,  that  I 
have  underscored  the  words  "  liked,  admired,  and  flattered." 
It   is  because  I  know  that  thou  art  "liked,  admired,  and 
flattered ;  "   and  unless  thou  art  of  a  very  different  composition 
from  myself,  I  am  satisfied  it  must  afford  no  small  temptation 
to  thee,  and  require  on  thy  part  the  utmost  stretch  of   thy 
watchfulness.   "^  ^  "^   Wilt  thou   allow  me   to   quote  a  few 
texts  ?    "  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  which 
shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."     "  Thy  word 
is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet  and  a  light  unto  my  path.     I  have 
sworn  and  I  will  perform  it,  that  I  wiU  keep  thy  righteous 
judgments."      "O  send  forth  thy  light  and  thy  truth;    let 
them  lead  me  !  let  them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hiU,  and  to 
thy  tabernacles."     The  "word"  to  which  David  refers  in  the 
second  text  caimot  mean  the  written  word,  because  the  written 
word,  with  the  exception   of    the  Pentateuch   and   the   first 
historical  books,  was  not  then   written.     Dost  thou  not  think 
that  the  "  word  of  God "  in  Scripture  means  generally  that 
by  which   the   tinith  of  God  is  communicated  to  the  soul; 
whether  by  speech,  writing,  or  the  secret  influence  of  the  Spirit  ? 
And  dost  thou  not  think  that  the  "  word,"  which  David  here 
speaks  of,  is  the  very  same  as  is  alluded  to  by  John,  when  he 
says,  "But  the  anointing  which  ye  have  received  of  him,  abideth 
in  you :  and  ye  need  not  that  any  man  teach  you :  but  as  the 
same  anointing  teacheth  you  of  all  things,  and  is  truth,  and  is 
no  lie,  and  even  as  it  hath  taught  you,  ye  shall  abide  in  him," 
May  we  not  trace  the  same  doctrine  and  principle  in  the  14th 
chapter  of  John  ?    "  He  that  hath  my  commandments  and 
keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me,  and  he  that  loveth  me 
shall  be  loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love  him  and  will 
manifest  myself  to  him."     "  But  the  Comforter,  which  is  the 
Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  will  send  in  my  name,  he  shall 
teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance 
whatsoever  I  have  said  unto  you."       "  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel;  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God 


^T.  26.  AMELIA   OPIB.  239 

which  teacheth  thee  to  profit,  which  leadeth  thee  in  the  way 
that  thou  shouldest  go.  O  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  unto 
my  commandments !  then  had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and 
thy  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea.^^  The  subject  is  so 
interesting  that  I  have  multiplied  my  texts  already  perhaps 
too  much,  and  coidd  remultiply  them,  with  a  few  references 
to  mv  concordance ;  but  what  I  have  now  cited  will  suffice  to 
shew,  that  there  is  indeed  a  spiritual  communication  between 
God  and  the  souls  of  his  creatures,  which  constitutes  at  once 
their  happiness  and  their  safety.  May  we  be  enabled,  in  our 
respective  situations,  to  hold  fast  this  blessing,  and,  by  a  strict 
adherence  to  the  dictates  of  divine  truth  thus  manifested  to 
the  mind,  may  we,  my  dear  friend,  "  work  out  our  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling." 

Perhaps  thou  art  now  saying  to  thyself,  this  is  true 
Quakerism.  Quid  mihi  refert  ?  Indeed  I  had  no  intention 
to  plead  for  Quakerism  as  such,  but  only  for  that  which  must, 
after  all,  constitute  the  practical  part  of  Christianity,  (con- 
nected as  it  is  with  all  the  other  branches  of  the  system,)  in 
whatsoever  shape  Christianity  is  to  be  found. 

I  see  I  am  involved  in  an  essay  which  may  carry  me  into 
my  next  sheet.  Shall  I  go  on,  or  shall  I  not  ?  I  know  thou 
wilt  allow  me  a  few  lines  more. 

Well  then,  Christianity  appears  to  me  to  consist  of  the  work 
which  is  wrought  for  us ;  and  the  work  which  is  wrought  in 
us,  justification  and  sanctification.  By  the  one  our  sins  are 
forgiven,  by  the  other,  they  are  purged  away ;  by  the  former 
we  are  reconciled  to  God,  "  who  imputeth  not  our  trespasses 
unto  us,"  by  the  latter  we  are  made  fit  for  the  inheritance 
prepared  for  us.  I  feel  some  delicacy  in  making  my  state- 
ment; because  I  do  not  know  how  far  the  habits  and 
principles  of  the  denomination  of  Christians,"^  amongst  whom 
my  friend  has  been  educated,  may  have  impressed  her 
with  different  views.  Thou  must,  therefore,  take  what  I  say, 
as  a  statement  of  my  own  belief;  as  a  proof  of  intimacy 
with  one  for  whom,  under  every  possible  diflPerence  of  opinion, 
I  feel  the  most  sincere  friendship.      Now  the  two  branches  of 

*  The  Unitarians. 


240  AMELIA  OPIE.  1814 — 1817. 

Christian  tnith,  to  wbich  I  have  referred,  are  undoubtedly 
one  in  design  and  origin;  inseparably  and  intimately  con- 
nected :  flowing  together  from  the  boundless  mercy  of  God, 
in  Christ  Jesus  ovir  Lord.  Yet  I  have  believed,  and  do  still 
believe  that  obedience  to  the  will  of  God,  as  declared  by  his 
Holy  Spirit  in  our  souls,  is  the  main  thing  for  us  to  attend  to;  be- 
cause it  is  not  only  the  means  whereby  we  become  sanctified  and 
capable  of  heaven ;  but  it  will  bring  us  to  that  near  and  nearer 
union  with  our  Maker,  in  which  our  spiritual  understanding 
becomes  enlightened  about  Christian  doctrine  in  general.  By 
co-operation  with  the  work  which  is  vrrought  in  us,  we  are 
effectually  made  acquainted  with  the  work  which  has  been 
wrought  for  us.  None  are  so  truly  aware  of  their  dependence 
upon  the  merits  of  Christ,  as  those  who  obey  his  precepts. 
"  He  that  doeth  my  will  shall  know  of  my  doctrine."  "The 
secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and  he  will 
shew  unto  them  his  covenant." 

Thou  wilt  not  imagine  that  I  am  for  superseding  the  use  of 
means,  which  are  mercifully  bestowed  upon  us  by  God,  and 
are  talents  for  which  we  must  give  account;  and  I  suppose 
we  shall  unite  in  considering  that  of  the  means  given  us,  none 
are  more  important  than  the  study  of  the  Scriptures.  Still  it 
can  never  suffice  to  cultivate  the  intellect  on  this  subject, 
which  seems  to  me  much  the  object  of  thy  friend  Bishop 
Horsley.  "No  man  knoweth  the  things  of  a  man,  save  the 
spirit  of  man  which  is  in  him.  Even  so  the  things  of  God 
knoweth  no  man  but  the  Spirit  of  God." 

I  need  say  no  more  about  Horsley ;  perhaps  I  am  prejudiced 
about  him.  Wliatever  he  was,  he  certainly  does  not  wear  the 
garb  of  much  Christian  simplicity  and  humihty.  He  was  not 
much  of  a  little  child.  As  to  Paley,  he  is  pellucidly  clear, 
and  of  a  sound  and  practical  understanding.  Still  I  do  not 
feel  when  I  read  him  as  much  as  I  should  wish  to  feel.  Is  he 
sufficiently  spiritual  ?  But  I  am  not  very  greedy  of  sermons. 
I  think  I  like  Friends'  Journals  better.  I  have  only  one 
thing  to  add,  which  is,  that  my  letter  is  a  great  deal  better, 
(little  as  thou  mayest  esteem  it,)  than  myself.    Again  farewell. 

In  a  few  stanzas  addressed  to  her  in  tlie  year 


JET.  26 29.  AMELIA    OPIE.  241 

1817,  after  aUuding  to  some  of  the  excellent  points 
of  her  character — 

"  The  sympathies  that  all  thy  bosom  fill, 
The  charity  that  speaks  and  thinks  no  ill, 
The  temper,  genial  as  the  western  breeze. 
The  haste  to  help,  the  watchfulness  to  please" — 

Joseph  John  Gurney  continues  : — 

"  But  most  I  love  to  mark  devotion's  flame 
Eise  from  thy  bosom  in  thy  Maker's  name  : 
0  how  I  bless  the  ray  of  love  divine 
That  first,  within  thee,  taught  that  flame  to  shine, 
From  mists  of  error  drew  thy  steps  away. 
And  bade  thee  freely  own  a  Saviour's  sway  !" 

Concluding  with  the  following  earnest  appeal : — 

"And  canst  thou  join  the  unsubstantial  dream. 
Where  pleasure's  idle  votaries  vainly  gleam? 
And  must  thou  with  the  painted  crowd,  be  hurl'd 
Down  the  gay  eddies  of  a  thankless  world  ? 
Shall  fashion's  lure,  shall  flattery's  heartless  smile, 
Thy  higher,  better,  safer  hope  beguile  ? 
Ah  think  again !  that  Saviour  bleeding  see ; 
That  thou  might' st  live  to  him,  he  died  for  thee  : 
He  died  to  save  thee  from  a  world  of  woe, 
Tricked  in  the  flippant  pageantry  of  show. 
Though  in  sweet  chime  its  gilded  fetters  ring. 
Thou  know'st  its  sorrows,  tJiou  hast  felt  its  sting. 
Ah  !  think  again !  and  from  the  busy  strife, 
The  gay  delusion  and  the  pride  of  life. 
Let  Israel's  God  thy  pKant  footsteps  lead 
By  the  still  waters  in  the  verdant  mead ! 
Thine  be  the  spirit  willing  to  obey, 
The  faithful  watching  and  the  narrow  way ; 
Thine  be  the  Christian's  daily  cross  to  bear, 
His  labour  and  his  burden  thine  to  share ! 
Light  is  the  burden,  easy  is  the  yoke, 
Eest  for  thy  soul,  a  meek  Redeemer  spoke, 
Rest  for  thy  soul,  and  peace  without  alloy, 
And  overflowing  balm,  and  everlasting  joy." 


243  AMELIA    OPIE.  1824. 

"  Great  was  the  conflict/'  continues  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
in  his  notice  of  his  long  valued  friend,  "when  she  found 
herself  constrained  to  make  an  open  profession  of  Quakerism. 
I  rememher  her  telhng  me  of  the  agony  of  her  mind  in 
the  view  of  changing  her  dress,  and  of  addressing  her 
numerous  friends  and  acquaintances  by  their  plain  names, 
and  with  the  humbling  simplicity  of  'thee'  and  'thou.' 
But  her  great  Master  was  mth  her  in  this  time  of  need, 
and,  with  remarkable  decision  and  fortitude,  she  made  the 
change  at  once,  and  openly  declared  herself  a  Friend. 
Seldom  has  a  more  striking  improvement  been  TVTOught 
in  any  one  who  has  passed  imder  my  notice.  Ti'uly  may 
it  be  said,  that  her  valuable  qualities  have  been  sanctified ; 
whdst  her  play  of  character  has  not  been  lost,  but  has 
been  rendered  more  interesting  than  before.  Every  one  who 
knows  her  is  aware  of  her  truthiness,  and  appreciates  her 
kindness ;  and  '  Quaker '  as  she  is,  and  a  determined  one, 
she  is  still  sought  after  by  some  of  her  old  friends  in 
high  station." 

"  May  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,"  he  adds,  "  be  with  her  to 
guide,  instruct,  and  comfort  her  during  the  remainder  of  her 
pilgrimage ;  and  may  she  be  his  to  all  eternity.""^ 

*  Amelia  Opie  died  on  the  2nd  of  the  12th  month,  1853,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  84.  I  have  retained  the  concluding  paragraph  in 
the  above  extract  in  accordance  with  her  own  desire,  expressed  in 
an  interesting  correspondence  which  I  had  with  her  ia  connexion 
with  the  present  Memoir.  The  following  brief  extract  from  a  note 
then  received  from  her,  written  in  her  82nd  year,  is  strikingly 
descriptive  of  the  state  of  her  mind  towards  the  close  of  her  long 
life. 

"  How  I  love  to  repeat  those  lines — 

*  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me 
And  that  thou  bid'st  me  come  to  thee, 

0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! ' 

I  am  deep  in  Chalmers's  Life,  and  humbly  desire  to  be  enabled  to 
profit  by  it." 


^T.  36.  AMELIA   OPIE.  24-3 

The  Journal  proceeds  :— 

2nd  mo.,  22nd.  Amelia  Opie  made  her  appearance  to-day 
m  a  Friend's  dress ;  her  miud  being  now  fidly  made  np  to  be 
in  all  respects  a  Fi'iend.  I  thouglit  she  had  been  marvellously 
helped  through  her  conflicts^  and  had  been,  a  striking  example 
of  faithftdness.  A  song  of  praise  was  raised  in  my  heart  on. 
her  account.     May  she  be  preserved  to  the  end  ! 

Brd  mo.,  1st.  -^^  ^  ^  I  have  no  value  for  the  peculiarities 
of  Friends  quasi  pecidiarities,  but  solely  because  I  think  they 
are  the  natural  and  necessary  consequences  of  what  I  consider 
to  be  the  highest  and  purest  standard  of  Christian  truth  and 
worship ;  and,  in  holding  out  the  highest  and  purest  standard, 
as,  in  my  best  judgment,  I  deem  it  to  be,  I  entertain  the 
humble  hope  that  I  may  be  made  of  some  little  use  to  the 
flock  of  Christ,  however  diversified.  Yet  the  very  fact  of 
being  thus  obliged  to  dwell  for  a  time  on  our  distinguishing 
features,  ought  to  be  guarded  by  its  antagonist  muscle — I 
mean  a  godly  watchfidness  to  dwell  deeply  in  those  fundamen- 
tal truths  of  Christianity,  in  which  the  whole  of  that  flock  is 
one,  and  under  one  Shepherd. 

Zrd  mo.,  8th.  To  see  Friends  prospering  in  the  best  sense 
of  the  term ;  to  behold  a  real  "  growth  in  the  truth  "  amongst 
them,  together  with  some  little  encouragement  fi'om  con- 
vincement,  would  indeed,  be  an  inexpressible  joy  to  my  soid ; 
but  even  in  these  things  I  must  learn  to  be  content  with  httle 
— very  little, — and  cast  myself  on  the  Lord  alone;  that  in 
him  my  soul  may  rest  and  be  satisfied. 

To  turn  once  more  to  the  subject  of  slavery. 
Since  the  anti-slavery  meeting  at  Norwich  in  the 
preceding  spring,  the  cause  had  assumed  a  different 
aspect.  The  debate  which  had  followed  the  motion 
then  made  by  Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  had  draAvu 
from  the  House  of  Commons  certain  important 
resolutions,  tending  to  the  amelioration  of  the  con- 
dition  of   the   slaves,    and    the    Government    had 

R  2 


244  ANTI-SLAVERY    MEETING    AT    NORWICH.  1824. 

issued  a  circular  letter,  founded  upon  them,  to  the 
various  colonial  authorities.*  The  steps  thus  taken 
at  home  had  exasperated  the  planters,  and,  in  many 
of  the  colonies,  "  for  some  weeks  after  the  arrival 
of  the  dispatches,  not  the  slightest  restraint  seems 
to  have  heen  put  upon  the  violence  of  their  rage, 
which  drove  them  to  the  wildest  designs." f  News 
of  the  excitement  at  once  chilled  the  zeal  of  Govern- 
ment, and  it  required  all  the  ardour  and  steady 
determination  of  the  older  abolitionists  to  maintain 
their  stand.  "Even  at  Norwich,"  writes  Thomas 
Powell  Buxton  to  Zachary  Macaulay,  "  our  friends 
were  somewhat  intimidated."  Clarkson,  however, 
had  heen  there  and  had  done  his  work  well.  "  His 
address  to  about  forty  persons  at  the  Town  Hall," 
says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "was  satisfactory  and 
singularly  interesting.  I  was  much  pleased  with 
the  simplicity,  constancy,  gentleness,  and  firmness 
of  the  man."  The  crisis  was  important.  The 
vacillating  disposition  of  Government  made  it 
obviously  desirable  that  the  hands  of  the  anti- 
slavery  leaders  in  parliament  should,  as  far  as 
practicable,  be  strengthend  by  a  demonstration  of 
feeling  in  the  country.  Anxious  to  serve  the  cause, 
so  far  as  his  influence  extended,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  zealously  co-operated  with  other  warm 
friends  in  Norwich,  ha.  obtaining  the  appointment 
of  a  public  meeting  in  that  city,  for  the  purpose  of 
petitioning  parliament  to  support  and  carry  into 
effect  the  late  resolutions  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons. His  speech  was  forcible  and  effective.  It 
was  subsequently  published ;  and,  as  an  example  of 

*  Sec  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  134.     f  Idem,  p.  137. 


MT.  36.  ANTI-SLAVERY    ADDRESS.  2-45 

his  mode  of  address  on  such  occasions,  a  somewhat 
lengthened  extract  may  he  here  given.  After 
alluding  to  the  resolutions  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, and  to  Lord  Bathurst's  oificial  dispatch  to 
the  Colonies  founded  upon  them,  he  proceeds  : — 

Were  the  abohtion  of  slavery  a  perfectly  easy  matter,  were 
there  no  opposition  to  encounter  and  no  difficulties  to  surmount, 
it  would  be  wholly  unnecessary  for  the  people  to  repeat  their 
petitions.  We  might  sit  still  in  the  comfortable  persuasion 
that  the  government  would  effect  the  object  without  un- 
necessary delay.  But  what  is  the  real  state  of  the  question  ? 
How  has  Lord  Bathm'st's  communication  been  received  ?  In 
several  of  the  islands  it  has  been  met  by  a  determined,  and 
even  furious  contradiction.  By  the  legislature  of  Jamaica,  a 
series  of  resolutions  has  been  drawn  up  in  opposition  to  the 
minister's  recommendations,  which,  were  it  not  almost  too 
ridiculous  to  imagine,  might  even  be  construed  as  expressing 
an  intention  of  rebellion  against  the  mother  country.  ^  ^ 
Among  the  senators  of  the  colonial  legislatui-e,  one  gentleman 
in  Barbadoes,  is  pleased  to  meet  the  injunctions  of  our  colonial 
secretary  respecting  the  flogging  of  women,  not  only  with 
violent  opposition,  but  with  vulgar  jokes  on  the  gallantry  of 
Englishmen.  Such  raillery  on  a  suliject  of  so  delicate  and 
afifecting  a  nature,  does,  I  confess,  appear  to  me  to  be  utterly 
abominable.  In  the  island  of  Trinidad,  a  large  pubHc  meeting 
of  the  planters  has  been  held,  to  pass  a  series  of  resolutions, 
in  which  they  declare  that  the  flogging  of  women,  as  well  as 
of  men,  is  indispensably  necessary  to  the  good  order  of  the 
colonies ;  that  it  is  quite  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  holding 
of  Sunday  markets  is  any  profanation  of  the  sabbath;  and 
that  nothing  more  is  needed,  with  respect  to  the  evidence  of 
slaves,  since  that  evidence  is  aheady  received,  when  it  is  cor- 
roborated by  two  free  men.  The  vengeance  of  West  Indians  has 
even  been  wreaked  on  the  ministers  of  religion,  and  the  gentle- 
men of  Barbadoes  have  united  their  forces  in  demolisliing  the 
meeting-house  of  a  methodist  missionary,  and  in  forcing  him 


246  ANTI-SLAVERY    ADDRESS.  1824 

to  flee  from  the  island  for  his  life^  on  account  of  his  supposed 
connection  Tvdth  "the  villainous  African  institution.''  And 
when  a  proclamation  was  issued  by  the  governor,  offering  a 
reward  on  the  conviction  of  the  offenders,  it  was  received  by 
these  gentlemen  rioters  with  nothing  but  insult  and  mockery. 
— Such  is  the  nature  of  the  opposition  which  renders  it  so 
desirable  for  us  to  strengthen  the  hands  of  Government  by 
our  petitions  to  parliament. 

In  reference  to  "the  vehement  declarations  of 
some  of  the  colonial  legislatm^es,  that  the  benevo- 
lent proceedings  of  Government  could  not  fail  to  be 
productive  of  the  most  formidable  insurrections 
among  the  slaves ;  that  the  planters  would  be  the 
martyrs  to  a  heedless  philanthropy;  and  that  all  the 
islands  would  unquestionably  overflow  with  blood ;" 
he  remarks : — 

Is  it  kindness?  is  it  benevolence?  is  it  the  hope  of  future 
relief  from  hardship,  which  induces  a  man  to  rise  up  in  anger 
agamst  his  neighbour?  Certainly  not,  for  these  things  have 
no  other  tendency  than  to  pacify  and  to  please.  It  is  the 
continuance  of  oppression,  it  is  the  despair  of  amelioration  in 
the  condition  of  the  oppressed,  which  produces  a  disposition 
to  rise  in  arms  against  the  oppressor.  *  *  These  observations 
may  serve  to  exemplify  and  confirm  a  very  plain  principle  of 
which  our  friend  Clarkson  reminded  us  a  few  nights  since, 
that  we  ought  ever  to  distinguish  between  the  occasion  and 
the  cause  of  events.  Whatsoever  may  have  been  the  occasion 
of  the  insurrections  which  have  at  various  times  taken  place 
in  the  West  Indies,  the  cause  of  them  is  unquestionably  to  be 
found  in  slavery,  and  in  slavery  alone.  Nor  shall  we  ever  get 
rid  of  a  liability  to  these  frightfid  disasters,  until  we  are 
delivered  from  that  um'ighteous  system,  out  of  which  they 
arise. 

Adverting  to  "the  heavy  condemnation,"  by  one 
of  the  leading  periodicals,  of  the  assertion  of  "  that 


iET.  36.  ANTI-SLAVERY    ADDRESS.  247 

great  and  good  man,  William  Wilberforce,"  that  the 
proposition  that  the  condition  of  the  West  Indian 
slaves  is  fully  equal  to  that  of  the  free  peasantry 
of  this  country,  "  is  monstrous  in  itself,  and  implies 
a  total  insensibility  to  the  native  feeling  and  moral 
dignity  of  man," 

"Let   us/'  continues  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "briefly  run 
through  the  comparison  between  the  two  parties.     The  slaves, 
it  is  said,  are  clothed,  fed,  and  housed;  and  we  grant  that  a 
certain   pro\dsion  of  clothing,   such    as    that    warm    cbmate 
requires,  is  directed  by  the  Colonial  law  to  be  given  to  them, — 
that  they  have  a  small  allowance  of  salt  fish,  and  have  provision 
grounds,  which  they  are  permitted  to  cultivate  principally  on 
the  sabbath  day.    In  these  two  points  I  conceive  that  the  com- 
parison is  still  to  the  advantage  of  the  British  peasant.     The 
same  may  certainly  be  said  with  reference  to  habitation,  as 
the  huts  of  the  negroes  are  greatly  inferior  to  English  cottages. 
And  with  regard  to  laboiu-,  our  peasantry  would,  I  presume, 
be  very  unwilling  to  change  their  condition  ^ith  that  of  those 
unfortunate  bondsmen,  who  not  only  work  like  themselves  for 
nine  or  ten  hours  during  the  day,  but  who,  for  several  months 
in  the  year,  are  compelled  to  continue  their  drudgery  during 
half  of  every  night,  or  the  whole  of  every  other  night.     But 
let  it  be  conceded  for  a  moment,  that  in  point  of  clothing, 
food,  housmg,  and  labour,  the  condition  of  the  West  Indian 
slave  and  that  of  the  free  British  peasant  are  equal.      There 
are  still  a  few  other  particulars  of  no  very  inferior  moment,  in 
which  a  strange  difiference  will   be  found   between  the  two 
parties  in  the  comparison.     The  British  peasant  settles  when 
he  pleases  in  married  life,  as  easily  as  any  other  person,  and 
thenceforward  no  man  may  interfere  with  his  domestic  com- 
forts.   The  slave  who  takes  a  woman  for  his  companion,  is  for 
the  most  part  not  married  at  all.    *   ^    But  be  he  married  in 
form  or  not,  his  connubial  connexion  is  totally  unprotected 
by  law ;  and  the  caprice  of  his  master,  or  the  sale  by  auction 
of  the  property  of  which  he  forms  a  part,  may  at  any  time 


248  ANTI-SLAVERY   ADDRESS.  1824. 

tear  his  wife  from  his  bosonij  and  separate  his  helpless 
childreii  from  their  parents.  The  negro  works  under  the 
stimulus  of  the  lash,  and  the  laws  of  our  colonies  bestow  upon 
his  master  or  overseer  a  full  authority  for  inflicting  upon  him, 
his  wife,  or  his  daughter,  thirty-nine  lashes  for  any  fault  or 
misbehaviour.  Now  I  do  not  know  what  one  of  our  free 
peasants  would  say  to  such  assault  and  battery,  but  I  rather 
apprehend  that  he  would  be  found  to  rise  up  in  his  own 
defence,  and  that  in  no  very  inefficacious  way.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  the  law  is  always  open  to  him,  just  as  open  as  to  our 
worthy  chairman  liimself,  or  to  the  king  upon  his  throne. 
But  how  is  it  with  the  miserable  slave  ?  If  his  master  even 
exceed  the  prescribed  number  of  his  lashes — if  he  multiply 
the  tens  into  hundreds — if  he  absolutely  murder  him  in  cold 
blood,  and  if  there  be  present  ten  thousand  witnesses ;  yet,  if 
all  those  witnesses  be  slaves  like  himself,  the  laws  of  the 
colonies  afford  no  effective  redress  or  satisfaction,  and  the 
offender  may  enjoy  an  absolute  impunity.  "^  ''^  In  short  the 
British  peasant  is  his  own  master,  and  a  free  man.  The  West 
Indian  slave  is  a  mere  chattel.  He  is  reduced  to  the  condition 
of  the  beast  of  burden.  He  may,  it  is  true,  be  very  kindly 
treated.  He  may  also  be  bought,  sold,  divorced  from  his  wife, 
separated  from  his  children,  worked  hard,  flogged,  tortured, 
branded  with  red  hot  iron,  and  under  particular  circumstances, 
even  murdered,  according  to  the  arbitrary  determination  of 
his  fellow  men.  I  may  appeal  to  the  whole  of  this  meeting 
whether  it  be  not  indeed  true,  that  the  proposition  to  which  I 
have  been  alluding  is  "  monstrous,  and  that  it  imphes  a  total 
insensibility  to  the  native  feelings  and  moral  dignity  of  man.*^ 
Utterly  is  it  at  variance  with  the  dictates  of  Christianity,  that 
one  man  should  be  regarded  as  the  mere  chattel  of  another ; 
utterly  at  variance  with  those  dictates,  that  we  should  compel 
our  fellow  creatures  to  labour  for  us,  and  give  them  no  wages 
for  their  labour;  that  we  should  inflict  upon  them  the  cruel 
punishment  of  the  whip  at  our  own  discretion ;  that  we  should 
degrade,  expose,  and  torture,  even  the  female  sex;  that  we 
shoidd  subject  whole  families  to  writs  of  venditioni  exponas, 
by  which  the  nearest  tics  of  affection  may  be  forcibly  torn 


JET.  36.  ANTI-SLAVERY    ADDRESS.  249 

asunder;  and  finally,  that  we  sliould  allow  of  a  system, 
under  which  persons  who  like  oui'selves  possess  immoital 
souls,  are  regarded  and  treated  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 
Assuredly,  all  these  particulars  are  in  absolute  contradiction 
to  that  golden  rule — "Do  unto  others  as  ye  would  have 
others  do  unto  you."  *  *  •'^  While,  therefore,  I  would 
encourage  every  disposition  to  moderation  and  charity,  while 
I  can  sincerely  declare  that  no  persons  connected  with  the 
present  question  appear  to  me  to  be  so  much  the  objects  for 
deep  commiseration  as  the  oppressors  themselves,  yet  I  can- 
not but  remember  that  in  groimding  our  proceedmgs  on  the 
noble  principles  of  the  British  Constitution,  and  on  the  celestial 
sanctions  of  Christianity  itself,  we  are  standing  on  a  rock 
which  cannot  be  shaken.  I  must,  therefore,  implore  our 
benevolent  and  energetic  Chairman,  I  must  implore  our 
worthy  Member  for  the  County,  (now  present,)  I  must 
implore  you  all,  whatever  situations  you  may  occupy,  never 
to  relax  your  efforts  in  this  holy  cause,  but  to  go  forward 
with  a  step  at  once  measured  and  determined,  at  once  gentle 
and  resolute,  until  that  happy  day  shall  arrive  when  every 
indiridual  within  the  whole  circuit  of  the  British  dominions, 
shall  be  able  to  lift  up  his  head  with  thankfulness  and  joy, 
and  say,  behold  I  am  free." 

His  faitli  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the  cause 
was  strong,  and  the  formidable  opposition  that  was 
now  aroused  against  it  did  not  dishearten  him. 
The  difficulties  from  without  were  at  this  time 
increased  by  a  difference  of  opinion  in  the  anti- 
slavery  councils,  as  to  the  course  to  he  pursued  in 
consequence  of  the  altered  disposition  of  Govern- 
ment. Without  venturing  to  advise  at  a  distance 
upon  questions  of  detail,  Joseph  John  Gurney  was 
one  who  felt  bound  to  support  his  brother-in-law  in 
making  a  decided  stand. 

A  few  days  before  the  debate  upon  the  question, 
in  which  the  latter  had  determined  to  attack  the 


250  LETTER    TO    BUXTON.  1824. 

vacillating  policy  of  Government,  he  thus  writes  to 
him.* 

Norwich,  3rd  mo.,  lOth,  18'24. 

My  dear  Brother, 

I  feel  miicli  for  thee  and  for  our  cause  in  the 
prospect  of  the  approaching  discussion  in  parliament,  and 
having  been  enabled  to  remember  both  the  one  and  the  other 
in  my  prayers,  I  feel  inclined  to  remind  thee  (however  need- 
lessly) of  the  apostle's  injunction,  ''  Quit  you  like  men,  be 
strong."  I  do  not  mean  to  advise  against  that  course  of 
moderation,  or  rather  spirit  of  moderation,  to  recommend 
which  I  have  already  been  busy ;  but  to  administer  my  feeble 
encouragement  in  the  belief  that  the  cause  is  identified  with 
that  which  is  just,  holy,  and  true ;  that  it  has  been  in  the 
line  of  thy  Christian  duty  that  thou  hast  undertaken  it,  and 
that  therefore  there  is  assuredly  one,  who  will  "  send  thee 
help  from  his  sanctuary,  and  strengthen  thee  out  of  Zion.'^ 
I  am  well  assured  that  on  this  momentous  occasion  thou  art 
looking  for  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need,  and  as  this  is  the 
case  with  thee,  he  will,  I  believe,  be  found  unto  thee  "  strength 
and  wisdom,  tongue  and  utterance."  -^  -^  -^ 

■^  "^  ^  I  look  upon  colonial  slavery  as  a  monster  who  must 
have  a  very  long  succession  of  hard  knocks  before  he  will 
expire.  Why  should  we  expect  to  get  his  extinction  into  full 
train,  in  less  than  ten  years  ?  -^^  -J^-  Public  opinion  is  now,  I 
think,  much  advancing  in  our  favour.  A  knowledge  of  the 
subject  is  extendiag,  and  with  it  a  great  deal  of  feeling :  and 
all  this  in  the  long  run,  will  tell. 

Nor  do  I  think  the  extravagance  of  the  West  Indians, 
especially  where  it  issues  in  such  abomiuable  injustice  as  at 
Demerara,  at  all  unfavourable  to  oiu"  views. 

With  regard  to  thyself,  as  I  am  fond  of  thy  popularity, 
I  am  prone  to  dislike  the  contrary;  but  I  have  a  strong 
belief  that  in  due  time  thy  history  will  aflFord  a  plain 
exemplification  of  the  certainty  of  the  di\dne  promise,  "  Them 
that  honour  me,  I  will  honour."    TiU  then  be  content  to  suffer 

*  Part  of  this  letter  has  been  already  printed  in  the  Life  of  Sir 
T.  r.  Buxton,  p.  145. 


^T.  30.  VIEWS    AND    PRACTICES    OF    FRIENDS.  251 

thy  portion  of  persecution,  and  let  no  frowns  of  adversaries, 
no  want  of  faith,  no  private  feelings  of  thy  own  incompetency, 
either  deprive  thee  of  thy  spirits  or  spoil  thy  speech ! 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  he  published  his  Letter 
to  a  Eriend  on  the  Authority  of  Christianity,  abeady 
referred  to,  and  soon  afterwards  his  Observations 
on  the  Distinguishing  Views  and  Practices  of  the 
Society  of  Eriends.  The  history  of  the  latter 
work  is  thus  re\dewed  in  the  Autobiography. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  [to  me]  sorrowful  summer  of  1822, 1 
spent  some  time  quietly  at  Hunstanton,  on  the  sea  coast,  with 
my  bereft  and  beloved  mother-in-law.  There  I  commenced 
the  first  sketch  of  my  work  on  the  Religious  Peculiarities 
(since  called  the  Distinguishing  Views  and  Practices)  of  the 
Society  of  Friends. 

I  soon  Ijecame  warmly  interested  in  this  undertaking,  and 
pursued  the  object  with  the  diligence  which  it  required. 
Here,  indeed,  I  found  some  refuge  from  sorrow,  and  I  can 
say,  from  my  own  experience,  that  the  steady  and  determined 
occupation  of  mind  in  the  pursuit  of  any  desirable  object,  is 
one  of  the  best  alleviations  of  grief  that  this  world  affords. 
"VMien  the  work  was  completed,  I  took  it  up  to  the  revising 
body  appointed  for  the  Society,  the  IMorning  Meeting."^  The 
principle  on  which  I  have  acted  in  reference  to  this  subject 
has  been  to  pubhsh  general  views  of  doctrine,  without  this 
check  on  my  own  responsibility;  but  whenever  I  have 
written  on  behalf  of  the  body,  then  to  give  Friends  the 
opportunity  of  revisal ;  a  course  which  is  obviously  dictated 
by  common  justice.     I  beheve  the  distinction  now  drawTi  is 

■'•'  The  Morning  Meeting  is  a  meeting  of  the  ministers  and  elders 
among  Friends  in  and  about  London,  which  sits  monthly;  to 
which  manuscripts  written  by  Friends  "relating  to  the  Christian 
piinciples  and  practices"  of  the  Society,  are  recommended  to  be 
submitted  previously  to  publication  :   see  Eules  of  Discipline,  p.  1 70. 


252  WORK    ON    THE    DISTINGUISHING  1824. 

fiilly  reco^ized  amongst  us ;  and  it  is  a  ground,  on  either 
hand,  which  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  he  steadily  maintained. 
A  committee  was  appointed  hy  the  meeting  to  revise  the 
work.  This  committee  gave  much  time  to  the  ohject,  and 
remarkably  interesting  and  satisfactory  to  me  were  the  hours 
which  were  spent  over  it.  The  work  finally  received  the 
cordial  confirmation  of  the  meeting,  and,  on  my  return  home 
for  the  purpose  of  publishing  it,  memorable  was  the  flow  of 
peace  with  which  I  was  mercifully  favoured.  This  seal  of 
peace  was  the  more  valuable,  as  the  work,  when  published, 
gave  oflence  to  some  very  dear  to  me,  on  the  ground  of 
its  opposing  the  outward  rites  of  baptism  and  the  supper ;  or 
rather  of  its  shewing  that  Friends  have  good  scriptural  rea- 
sons for  disusing  them.  These  were  tender  points  with  some 
of  our  circle,  and  though  I  had  handled  the  subject  with  much 
care,  I  had  more  than  a  little  to  sufifer  respecting  it.  Among 
Friends  the  work  met  with  an  extensive  circulation,  and  the 
seventh  edition,  with  some  important  corrections  and  ad- 
denda, was  pubhshed  in  1834.  After  the  experience  of  many 
years,  I  am  not  aware  that  I  regret  anything  in  the  work ; 
much  less  do  I  feel  at  liberty  to  shrink  from  those  Christian 
testimonies  to  the  purity  and  spirituality  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  which  it  is  intended  to  develope  and  defend. 

The  first  chapter  of  this  work  contains  a  brief 
exposition  of  the  grounds  of  religious  union  be- 
tween the  true  followers  of  Christ  everywhere. 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  statement  of  his  views  of 
the  universality  of  divine  grace,  of  the  efficacy  of 
the  atoning  sacrifice  of  Christ  to  those  who  are 
destitute  of  the  outward  knowledge  of  it,  and  of 
the  free  extension  to  all  men  of  the  love  and  mercy 
of  their  one  Pather  and  Creator  in  heaven,  is  striking 
and  appropriate ;  and  when  he  dwells  on  the  peculiar 
privileges  which  are  common  to  all  true  believers, 
his  heart  warms  with  the  theme,  and  he  does  not 
repress  liis  longings  that    "  the  love  which  cements 


^T.  36.  VIEWS    AND    PRACTICES    OP    FRIENDS.  253 

together  the  varied  memhers  of  the  mystical  body 
of  Christ  may  more  and-  more  abound ;  that  the 
barriers  Avhich  ignorance  or  prejudice  has  reared 
amongst  them  may  be  broken  through  and  de- 
molished; that  Christians  may  be  enabled  in- 
creasingly to  strive  together  for  the  hope  of  the 
gospel;  and  that,  whilst  they  individually  draw 
nearer  to  the  Fountain  of  all  good,  they  may  be 
enabled  yet  more  perfectly  to  enjoy  'the  communion 
of  the  Holy  Ghost ; '  to  '  keep  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.'  "  * 

From  these  general  views  he  proceeds  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Peculiarities  of  Friends.  "The 
term  peculiarities,^'  he  says,  in  an  explanatory 
note  wliich  ought  not  to  be  overlooked,  "  has  been 
adopted  for  the  sake  of  convenience  and  perspicuity, 
and  I  conceive  it  to  be  accurately  descriptive  of 
those  opinions  and  customs  which  distinguish  from 
other  parts  of  the  church  any  one  community  of 
Christians.  It  is  far  from  my  intention,  by  the  use 
of  such  a  term,  to  convey  the  idea  that  such  dis- 
tinctions are  of  little  practical  consequence."*  The 
term  as  it  stood  in  the  title  page  of  the  work  was 
afterwards  exchanged  for  another  more  appropriate, 
but  it  is  right  that  the  reader  should  have  before 
him  the  author's  owti  explanation  of  it  as  originally 
used.  The  third  chapter,  on  the  Perceptible  Influ- 
ence and  Guidance  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  deserves 
the  attentive  perusal  of  every  serious  reader.  The 
doctrine  involved  in  it  must  ever  be  of  the  utmost 
practical  importance ;  as  upon  its  complete  accept- 
ance depends,  in  no  small  measure,  our  appreciation 

*  Page  48,  seventh  ed.  *  Page  69. 


254  WORK    ON    THE    DISTINGUISHING  1824. 

and  enjoyment  of  "the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ."  Joseph  John  Gurney's  belief 
that  the  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  the 
soul  are  "  immediate,  direct,  and  perceptible,"  that 
"  all  are  furnished  with  an  inward  guide  or  monitor 
who  makes  his  voice  known,  and  who,  if  faithfully 
obeyed  and  closely  followed,  will  infallibly  conduct 
us  into  true  virtue  and  happiness,"  *  a  belief  which 
he  here  explicitly  declares  and  largely  insists  upon, 
was  to  him  increasingly  precious.  And  who  that 
has  traced  his  progress  in  his  Journal  can  doubt  but 
that  he  now  wrote  of  what  he  had  himself  known 
and  experienced,  "  tasted  and  handled  ?  "  To  that 
large  class  of  professing  Christians  who  are  deterred 
from  accepting  this  truth  by  the  dread  of  falling 
into  the  snares  of  enthusiasm,  his  observations  on 
the  marks  by  which  the  voice  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
are  to  be  discerned  from  the  voice  of  the  stranger 
may  be  especially  commended,  f 

In  the  4th  chapter  the  reasons  which  have  led  the 
Society  of  Eriends  to  the  disuse  of  all  typical  rites  in 
the  public  worship  of  God  are  stated  with  clearness. 
In  connexion  with  his  own  experience,  as  recorded 
in  his  Journal,  this  chapter  is  peculiarly  interesting, 
as  marking  the  progress  of  conviction  in  his  own 
mind.  And  they  who  are  willing  to  admit,  (and 
what  serious  reader  of  the  New  Testament  will 
shrink  from  the  admission  ?)  that  Christianity  is 
an  essentially  spiritual  religion,  can  hardly  fail  to  be 
impressed  with  the  force  of  the  author's  conclusions. 
One  remark  appears  to  be  especially  applicable  in 
the  present  day. 

*  Page  76.  f  See  pp.  90—96. 


^T. 


36.  VIEWS    AND    PRACTICES    OF    FRIENDS.  255 


"I  would  suggest/'  lie  says,  'Hhat  the  ceremonies  which  we 
have  been  considering,  so  far  from  being,  like  the  moral  law  of 
God,  universally  salutary,  are  e^ddently  fi^aught  with  no  little 
danger,  as  occasions  by  which  the  deceitful  disposition  in  the 
human  heart  is  naturally  excited,  and  brought  into  action. 
Here  our  appeal  may  be  made,  not  only  to  theory,  but  to 
facts ;  for  it  is  indisputable  that  the  outward  rites  of  baptism 
and  the  supper,  as  observed  among  the  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity, have  been  the  means  of  leading  multitudes  into  gi'oss 
superstition.  How  many  thousands  of  persons  are  there, 
as  every  spiritually  minded  Cliristian  will  allow,  who  place  upon 
these  outward  rites  a  reliance  which  is  warranted  neither  by 
reason  nor  by  Scripture ;  and  which,  so  far  fi'ora  bringing  them 
nearer  to  God,  so  far  from  reminding  them  of  Christ,  operates 
in  the  most  palpable  manner  as  a  diversion  from  a  true  and 
living  faith  in  theii*  Creator  and  Redeemer.  How  often  has  the 
ignorant  sinner,  even  in  the  hour  of  death,  depended  on  the 
'  sacrament '  of  the  Lord's  supper  as  upon  a  saving  ordinance  ! 
And  how  many  a  learned  theologian,  both  ancient  and  modern, 
has  been  found  to  insist  on  the  dangerous  tenet,  that  the  rite 
of  baptism  is  regeneration."  "^ 

The  succeeding  chapters,  "  on  the  nature  and 
character  of  the  Christian  Ministrv,"  "on  the 
selection,  preparation,  and  appointment  of  the 
ministers  of  the  gospel,"  on  their  "  pecuniary 
remuneration,"  "  on  the  ministry  of  women,"  and 
on  silent  worship,"  will  all  repay  an  attentive 
perusal,  as  well  as  those  in  which  the  principles  of 
Priends  on  the  important  subjects  of  war  and  oaths, 
and  upon  plainness  and  simplicity  in  dress,  and  the 
disuse  of  complimentary  language,  are  stated  with 
much  force,  clearness,  and  feeling.  In  the  seventh 
edition  a  chapter  was  added  explanatory  of  the 
Christian    discipline  and  internal   government    of 

*  Page  169. 


256  WORK  ON  friends'  principles.  1824. 

the  Society.  Tliey  wlio  peruse  the  work  in  a 
humble  serious  spirit  can  hardly  fail  to  profit  by  it. 
And  if  the  younger  members  of  his  own  society  do 
not  find  every  difficulty  that  may  suggest  itself  to 
their  minds  fully  cleared,  they  should  not  forget 
that  in  this  state  of  being,  and  until  the  eye  is 
opened  to  see  the  whole  truth  in  its  completeness, 
the  portion  which  may  be  already  discovered  must 
necessarily  appear  imperfect,  and,  in  consequence, 
present  difficulties  greater  or  less  according  to  the 
extent  of  such  imperfection.  Let  them  carefully 
weigh  not  only  the  difliculties  which  may  appear  to 
them  attendant  upon  the  author's  conclusions,  but 
also  those  which  necessarily  attach  to  the  opposite 
ones.  And  above  all  let  them  be  very  faithful  to 
that  which  they  know  to  be  the  truth,  and  never 
suffer  any  doubts  as  to  that  which  they  do  not  yet 
fully  understand,  to  draw  them  away  from  those 
convictions,  which,  in  moments  of  serious  reflec- 
tion, when  their  hearts  have  been  humbled  and 
made  tender,  have  been  plainly  manifested  to  them 
to  be  of  the  Lord, 


^T.  S6.  JOURNAL.  ^57 


CHAPTEU  XIV. 

1824.     ^T.  36—37. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  JOTTBNAL  AND  LETTERS;  JOTJRNET  TO  THE  NORTH 
OF  ENGLAND  ;  LETTERS  TO  THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON  AND  LORD 
StTFFIELD ;     RETURN    HOME ;    VISIT    TO    SUFFOLK. 

Earlham,  4th  mo.,  8th,  1824.  How  probable  that  tins 
may  turn  out  to  be  the  last  volume  of  my  Journal !  How 
little  do  we  know  what  a  day^  a  month,  a  year  may  bring 
forth  !  How  many  are  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  their  plans  of 
usefulness  and  service  whilst  those  plans  are  still  immature, 
or  only  half  executed  !  I  have,  certainly,  interesting  views  of 
usefulness  before  me,  especially  in  my  literary  career;  and 
should  I  be  enabled  to  accomphsh  them  before  the  thread  of 
life  is  cut,  I  shall  be  thankful.  But  the  Lord  only  knows 
what  is  best  for  me;  best  for  the  church;  best  for  his  own 
cause.  May  I  ever  be  found  believing  and  submitting. 
While,  however,  the  day  and  the  strength  of  life  are  continued, 
let  me  endeavour  to  labour  diligently,  remembering  the 
ad\dce  of  Solomon :  ''  Let  thine  eyes  look  right  on,  and  let 
thine  eyelids  look  straight  before  thee.  Tm'n  not  to  the 
right  hand  nor  to  the  left,  and  let  aU  thy  ways  be  established.'' 

The  Essays  on  Christianity  were  now  closely 
engaging  his  attention.  After  noticing  the  kind- 
ness of  his  partners  in  the  Bank,  through  which  he 
was  enabled  not  unfrequently  to  devote  himself 
exclusively  to  this  object,  he  writes  : — 

4th  mo.,  IQth.  I  have  been  closely  engaged  in  writing  my 
essay  On  Man :  not  without  some  painful  exercise  of  mind 

S 


258  TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1824. 

in  reference  to  parts  of  the  subject.  The  doctrine  of  eternal 
punishment^  a  doctrine  far  too  explicitly  stated  in  Scripture 
to  admitj  in  my  opinion,  of  any  refutation,  has  especially 
dwelt  with  me;  and  at  times  my  own  hopes  have  been  very 
considerably  clouded.  But  I  have  found  consolation  in 
endeavouring  after  an  entire  submission  to  the  divine  will  as 
it  relates  to  myself;  and  a  cliildlike  willingness  to  receive  the 
truth  as  it  is,  without  murmuring.  -^  ^  I  can  acknowledge 
that  Christ  alone  is  the  way  through  whom  I  can  obtain 
salvation;  and  am  permitted  in  my  inmost  spirit  to  beheve, 
that  he  is  my  Saviour,  and  that  therefore,  notwithstanding 
every  past  sin,  I  shall  be  forgiven  and  live.  May  I  abide  more 
and  more  in  this  only  effective  and  sustaining  faith,  and  may 
the  Lord  be  pleased  to  cleanse  my  inward  thoughts  and 
secret  motives,  and  to  present  me  blameless  before  the  throne 
of  his  glory.  "^  "^^  I  have  ventured  during  the  past  week  to 
read  a  little  in  my  beloved  departed  Tvdfe's  Journal.  It  is 
written  in  a  heavenly  spirit,  and  though  it  has  brought 
mournful  things  to  my  recollection  with  fresh  force,  it  has 
administered  consolation  and  instruction. 


TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  5th  mo.,  1st,  1824. 

[After  alluding  to  the  state  of  his  health.]  It  is  a  mercy 
that  the  inevitable  change  is  so  gradual,  and  a  far  greater 
one  to  know  something  of  the  renewal  of  the  inward,  during 
the  decay  of  the  outward  man.  What  could  the  apostle 
mean  by  the  '^  inward  man,''  but  that  never  dying  part 
which  holds  commimion  with  God,  and  is  formed  after 
the  image  of  his  own  eternity?  How  unspeakable  the  im- 
portance of  having  that  never  dying  part  washed  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  and  clothed  in  the  per- 
fect righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God !  That  it  is  so  with 
thee,  that  it  ever  will  be  so,  I  can  and  do  believe;  and  I 
heartily  desire  that  as  thy  hoary  head  descends  towards  the 
grave,  thou  mayest  know  every  cloud  more  and  more  to  give 
way  to  sunshine,  and  every  note  of  mourning  to  the  song  of 


^T.  36.  BIBLE    SOCIETY.  259 

thankfulness  and  praise.  I  well  know  that  while  mortality- 
lasts,  the  enemy  who  has  the  power  of  it,  lasts  also,  and  wiU 
continue  to  buffet  and  aflSict  at  seasons.  Let  us  humbly 
bear  it;  and  endeavour  always  to  remember  that  he  is 
possessed  neither  of  omniscience  nor  of  omnipotence,  attri- 
butes which  do  most  assuredly  belong  to  the  Saviour  whom  we 
love  and  serve^  and  who  is  and  ever  will  be,  (I  humbly  trust,) 
on  our  side.  I  am  busy  preparing  for  second  editions  of  my 
works:  and  have  other  literary  labours  in  hand.  *  ^  Fare- 
well !  Excuse  the  lameness  of  the  effusions  of  a  banker  on  a 
market  day. 

5th  mo.,  I6th.     I  have  passed  an  interesting  time  since  I 
last  wrote.     A  pleasant  journey  by  the  Day  coach,  in  company 
with  the  Sidneys  and  Francis  Cunningham,  during  which  we 
talked  much  and  read  much,  brought  me  to  Upton  on  second 
day   evening,  the  4th,  where  I  found  all  well  and  happy. 
Third  day,  the  5th.     Peaceful  meeting  at  Plaistow,  delight- 
ful  again   to   be  sitting   beside   dearest   Elizabeth.      I   was 
pleased    by  a   warm   and   affectionate   greeting    from    dear 
John    Barclay,   my  partner    (alas !)    in    yoimg    widowhood. 
Fom-th  day.     "Went  to  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society  at 
Freemason's  Hall.     The  meeting  was  very  large,  admirably 
conducted,  and  fraught  with  high  interest.     The  report,  which 
unfolded  many  a  blessed  prospect,  was  well  read  by  the  able 
new    secretary,    Andrew    Brandram.      The    speakers    were 
Lords    Harrowby,    Bexley,    Roden,    Barham,    Teignmouth, 
Charles  G-rant,  Sir  R.  H.  Inglis,  Sir  George  Rose,  Morrison, 
myself,  Wardlaw,  John  Cmmingham,  &c.     The  Earl  of  Roden 
detailed,  with   uncommon   feeling,   simplicity,  and   apparent 
integrity  of  intention,  his  own  conversion,  occasioned,  in  the 
first  instance,  by  the  attendance  of  a  meeting  of  the  Bible 
Society.      I    made   a  speech   of   some  length,  in   which  I 
revived    the   consideration  of  the  main,  original   principles 
of  the   Bible  Society;    that   all   Scripture   is  given  by  in- 
spiration; that  divine  truth  is  to  be  trusted  by  itself;    and 
that    sectarian  distinctions  sink  into  almost   nothing,  when 
Christians  are  engaged  in  promulgatmg  their  common  gospel. 

s  2 


260  JOURNAL.  1824. 

Second  day,  the  lltli.  To  London  with  Samuel.  Meeting 
of  tlie  British  and  Foreign  School  Society — Duke  of  Sussex 
in  the  chair.  A  warming,  useful  occasion.  Buxton  spoke 
capitally,  and  I  followed  him  on  religious  instruction,  &c. 
Third  day.  Meeting  at  Plaistow.  The  voice  of  warning 
sounded  as  an  alarm.  May  it  have  entered  the  hearts  of  some! 
Afterwards,  to  London  to  the  African  Institution  Meeting. 
This,  also,  was  highly  interesting,  and,  on  the  whole,  satis- 
factory; but  many  gloomy  things  were  that  day  reported. 
The  death  of  Macarthy^  particidarly,  and  the  dreadful 
enormous  prevalence  of  the  horrid  trade  in  men.  I  spoke, 
advancing  the  proposition,  that  the  true  remedy  for  the  slave 
trade  was  to  be  found  in  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves 
in  our  own  colonies.  Buxton  drew  a  capital  comparison 
between  the  King  of  France  and  the  King  of  Madagascar. 
Fourth  day.  Returned  by  Day  coach  to  Nor\^dch.  Read- 
ing and  very  fair  company  rendered  the  journey  agreeable, 
and  I  was  rather  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  withdrawing  my 
frail  mind  from  the  influence  of  public  excitement.  Dearest 
Louisa  gave  me  a  good  hint  when  I  was  with  her,  chiefly  in 
reference  to  my  works.  "  Do  thy  duty,  and  care  not  whether 
people  praise  or  blame — ^leave  it." 

Second  day  morning,  [5/A  mo.,  24^A.]  It  seems  to  me  the 
leading  defect  in  my  religious  life,  that  the  course  in  which  I 
am  treading  derives  its  deep  interest,  (and  deeply  interesting 
it  assuredly  is,)  too  much  from  present  associations,  and  too 
little  from  future  prospects.  It  is  very  seldom  that  I  enjoy  a 
tangible,  unquestionable  sense  of  the  soul's  immortal  bliss. 
And  yet,  at  times  I  have  known  it,  and  I  trust,  through 
adorable  grace  and  mercy,  I  shall  know  it  more  and  more. 

Sixth  day  morning,  [5M  mo.,  29/^.]  I  can  scarcely  describe 
the  pleasure  which  I  have  felt  for  some  days  past,  in  observing 
that  a  work  of  spiritual  religion  is  really  (through  adorable 
and  uimierited  mercy)  going  forward  among  our  young  people. 
I  have  had  to  notice  it  to  my  inexpressible  comfort,  in  several 
individuals.     May  the  Lord  preserve  them  !     May  no  enemy 

*  The  Governor  of  Sierra  Leone.  See  Life  of  William  Allen, 
vol.  ii.,  p.  383. 


JET.  3G.  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  261 

be  permitted  to  mar  the  work !  May  the  wilderness  still 
become  (as  I  humbly  believe  it  will)  the  fruitful  field,  the 
garden  of  roses  ! 

On  third  day  evening  I  went  out  for  a  ride,  and  the  gentle 
intimations  of  divine  love  in  the  heart,  brought  me  into  con- 
siderable service.    I  felt  it  right  to  shape  my  course  to . 

There  I  had  an  encouraging  conversation  with  ,  and 

a  somewhat  powerful  opportunity  with  the  poor,  struggKng, 
and  yet  umvilling,  mother  of  the  family.  May  the  Shepherd 
bring  her  into  the  fold !  Afterwards  I  went  to  see  a  poor 
woman  in  the  last  stage  of  a  consumption.  I  found  her  in 
a  suffering  state,  but  I  believe  open  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  I  ministered  the  gospel  to  her ;  and  solemn  prayer  on 
her  accoimt  followed.  There  was  both  power  and  peace  to  be 
felt  on  the  occasion,  and  I  subsequently  found  that  she  died 
six  hours  afterwards  in  peace. 

In  allusion  to  a  letter  from  a  valued  relative, 
strongly  disapproving  of  his  work  on  the  Dis- 
tinguishing  Principles  of  Eriends,  he  writes : — 

6th  mo.,  7th.   's  letter  on  the  subject  of  my  book  has 

been  answered  deliberately,  and  with  a  degree  of  serenity,  in 
which  I  have  felt  comfort;  and  I  have  been  favoured  to  feel  also, 
after  considerable  exercise  of  mind,  an  increased  settlement  in 
the  blessed  truth,  as  Friends  have  been  led  to  hold  it.  This  I 
can  say  without  judging  others ;  for  I  do  fully  believe  that  grace 
will  be  with  all  them  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Clu-ist  in  sincerity. 
On  the  whole,  seriousness  of  mind  seems  extending  itself  a  little 
amongst  us,  which  I  esteem  an  unspeakable  favour. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  6th  mo.,  30th,  1824. 

It  seems  to  be  my  lot  to  give  satisfaction  and  dissatisfaction, 
to  pass  "through  good  report  and  evil  report:"  and  being 
rather  sensitive,  I  sometimes  a  little  shrink  from  the  touch  of 
man.     These  obsei^ations  are  suggested  by  some  kind,  but 


262  TO    ELIZABETH    FRY.  1824. 

very  disapproving  remarks  sent  by  a  valued  relative,  who  views 
things  in  a  different  light  fi-om  myself,  on  the  subject  of  my 
work  on  Friends'  principles  :  but  I  should  say  that  from 
Friends  uniformly  who  have  mentioned  the  subject,  and  from 
several  others,  I  have  received  much  encouragement.  May  I 
look  less  and  less  to  man,  and  more  and  more  to  God  ! 

To  his  sister  Elizabeth  Pry,  who  was  then  at 
Brighton,  in  a  feeble  state  of  health,  he  writes : — 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  2nd,  1824. 

My  beloved  Sister, 

*  *  It  has  been  a  matter  of  painful 
feeling  to  me,  even  selfishly,  to  have  thee  brought  so  low ;  and 
now  I  can  equally  rejoice  in  the  happy  prospect  of  thy  gradual 
recovery;  for  I  often  find  myself  much  alone,  without  one  in 
my  own  home  circle  with  whom  I  can  fully  communicate.  *  ^ 
I   had  been   occupied  in   perusing   some   sheets   of  almost 

unmixed  disapprobation  of  my  book  from ,  when  thy 

letter  arrived,  stating  ^'^John  Glaisyer's  satisfaction  in  every 
sentence."  I  was  quite  thankful  for  such  a  verdict,  from  one 
whose  judgment  I  so  highly  respect;  for  it  is  impossible  not 
to  be  sensible  to  pain  from  the  decided  turn  against  my 
authorship,  which  it  has  given  to  a  certain  small  proportion  of 
our  own  connexions.  The  ceremony  of  the  supper  is  certainly 
as  the  ^'  apple  of  the  eye,''  to  many  in  our  circle,  to  a  degree 
which  it  is  difficult  to  me  to  comprehend.  Should  we  be 
favoured  to  land  safely  on  yon  blissful  shore,  we  shall  be  all 
Quakers  there,  requiring  no  commemorative  ordinances ;  no 
uninspired  ministry ;  no  judicial  oaths ;  no  defensive  warfare  ! 
It  appears  to  me  that  ours  is  not  what  some  woidd  make  it 
out  to  be,  a  narrow  system  of  human  construction,  but  the 
absence  of  system,  the  natural  result  of  genuine  and  unmixed 
Christianity.  This  is  what  Quakerism  ought  to  be ;  and  what 
it  is,  when  the  life  of  truth  has  full  sway  with  us.  However, 
the  occasion  which  I  have  lately  found  to  insist  so  much  on 
our  peculiarities,  has  made  me  very  sensible  how  needful  it  is 
to  dwell  in  that  love,  which  can  overflow  all  obstructions  and 


^T.  36.  JOURNAL.  263 

distinctions  of  feeling  between  party  and  party,  and  sect  and 
sect.  And  yet  with  the  deepest  desire  to  be  preserved  in  this 
root  of  harmony,  I  am  much  bound  in  spirit  to  the  promotion 
of  our  own  cause ;  and  have  often,  of  late,  felt  constrained  to 
uphold  it  very  boldly  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  Is  it  not, 
after  all,  essentially  connected  with  that  which  is  best  in  the 
world?  ^  ^  * 

The    duodecimo    edition   of    my  book,   is   begun    to  be 
printed;  and  I  suppose  will  appear  in  about  two  months.     I 
have  a  fourth  edition  also  in  hand,  of  the  octavo  size.     The 
universal   approbation  of   Friends   has   certainly   been   very 
satisfactory;  and  there  are  the  scattered  few  amongst  others 
also,  whose  minds  it  has  remarkably  met.      Last  evening  we 
had  a  party  of  Friends,  which  was  pleasant,  and  ended  with  a 
sweet  solemnity.     Indeed,  we  have  in  these  parts,  cause  for 
thankfulness    in   obser\ing    no    ambiguous    symptoms  of  a 
"  growth  in  the  truth."     Some  of  our  yoimg  men  especially, 
have  now  given  in  their  names ;  and  as  a  little  evidence  of  it, 
have  become  plain  in  their  dress  and  language.    The  meetings 
too,  have  been  sweet  and  solemn,  and  weU  attended.     What 
a  mercy  this  is !      Some  tangible  e\idence  that  we  are  not 
forsaken. 

7th  mo.,  2nd.  Night.  If  the  Lord  appoint  me  the  continuance 
of  that  sohtary  path  which  I  am  now  treading,  often  in  great 
loneliness  of  feeling,  may  I  be  more  than  willing  to  tread  it, 
and  with  regard  to  the  darhng  children,  may  I  be  enabled  to 
assist  a  little  in  training  them  up  for  eternity.  *  * 

I  am  low  at  this  dark  and  silent  hour,  and  have  no  one  to 
whom  it  is  possible  for  me  fidly  to  mifold  my  heart,  except  my 
beloved  Lord  and  Master,  whom  I  trust  I  have  not  by  any 
wilful  errors  greatly  offended.  I  am  sometimes  favoured  with 
a  sense  of  his  love,  so  that  a  little  hope  arises  for  myself,  for 
Friends,  for  the  church  at  large.  But  cannot  I  say  "  I  am  a 
worm  and  no  man." 

Ill  the  prospect  of  religious  service  in  the  North 
of  England  to  which  he  now  believed  himself  called, 
he  writes, 


264  PROSPECT    OF    RELIGIOUS    SERVICE.  1824. 

1th  mo.,  %Qth.  The  week  passed  in  as  close  and  determined 
occupation  as  I  could  well  manage ;  the  result  of  which  was 
the  complete  clearing  off  of  all  business  engagements,  and  the 
satisfactory  finishing  (except  the  notes)  of  Section  2,  Essay 
10.  To  crown  the  week,  I  found  it  necessary  to  go  to  Acle  on 
seventh  day  evening  to  attend  their  Bible  meeting,  in  a  barn, 
an  effort  which  I  did  not  regret,  as  it  was  a  very  favoured 
time.  Lord  Calthorpe,  who  had  been  paying  me  a  visit  at 
Earlham,  was  our  excellent  chairman.  I  value  the  steadi- 
ness and  almost  nearness  of  his  friendship.  Enoch  Jacobson, 
(the  Friend  from  Norway,)  again  pleasantly  with  me  one  day. 
In  the  adjournment  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  on  5th  day,  I 
laid  open  to  men  and  women  Friends,  my  view  of  holding 
meetings  with  Friends  in  Yorkshire,  Durham,  Lancashire, 
Nottinghamshire,  and  Lincolnshire — an  arduous  prospect — 
one  which,  though  of  old  date,  has  become  more  defined 
within  the  last  few  days,  and  has  spread  not  a  little. 
Yesterday  I  was  furnished  mth  a  full  certificate,  signed 
by  all  present,  and  evidently  signed  heartily.  By  this 
sweet  unity  of  my  brethren  and  sisters,  I  trust  I  may  be 
strengthened  in  the  prosecution  of  ray  undertaking.  ^  *  ^ 
The  afternoon  meeting  (on  the  following  first  day)  was  very 
touching.  I  spoke  on  the  declaration  of  Paul,  that  our  citi- 
zenship is  in  heaven;  and  the  flowings  of  the  tenderest 
Christian  love,  under  which  I  was  enabled,  in  parting,  to  set 
forth  the  virtue,  the  unspeakable  virtue,  of  the  name  of 
Jesus,  brought  myself  and  many  others  I  believe  to  tears. 

TO    SAMUEL    AND    ELIZABETH    GURNEY, 

Norwich,  7tli  mo.,  22nd,  1824. 

My  DEAREST  Brother  and  Sister, 

I  have  quite  longed  for  some  communication 
with  you,  and  sometimes  pined  over  our  inevitable  separation. 
I  want  to  enjoy  more  of  a  fellowship  with  you  outwardly,  in 
the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  Inwardly  I  trust  we  do 
enjoy  it,  and  increasingly  prize  it.  Mayest  thou,  my  beloved 
brother,  be  preserved  in  a  condition  of  close  watchfulness, 
with  prayer,  that  the  trammels  of  the  world  may  not  hinder 


JET.  3G.  NORTHERN    JOURNEY.  265 

the  growth  of  the  precious  imfnortal  seed,  or  prevent  thy 
being  wholly  dedicated  to  the  love,  fear,  and  service  of  God. 
The  world  will  have  its  cares,  but  we  need  not  imbibe  its  spirit ; 
and  let  us  henceforth  endeavour  yet  more  sedulously  to  keep 
oiu*  hands  clean,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

The  following  details  of  his  journey  are  from  his 
Journal.  After  describing  his  progress  as  far  as 
Wansford,  in  Northamptonsliii'e,  he  continues  : — 

I  left  Wansford  on  third  day  morning,  7th  mo.,  27th,  at 
half-past  five,  on  the  outside  of  the  Edinbui'gh  Mail ;  and  an 
agreeable  journey,  in  the  company  of  a  pious,  well-informed, 
and  travelled  stranger.  Dr.  Gaultier,  with  whom  I  read  the 
Greek  Testament  and  Magee,  brought  me  to  Robin  Hood's 
Well,  about  six  miles  from  Doncaster,  in  the  afternoon; 
whence  I  came  in  a  chaise  to  Ackworth.  Many  friends  had 
arrived  before  me,  and  others  were  fast  collecting.  The 
meeting  for  worship  on  fourth  day  morning  was  large,  and 
much  favoured  with  what  I  apprehend  to  be  an  immediate 
divine  influence,  I  had  breakfasted  very  pleasantly  at  Luke 
Howard's  agreeable  Adlla,  and  walked  thither  again  in  the 
evening ;  when,  with  the  family  and  several  other  friends,  we 
heard  read  some  of  Hannah  Kilham's  letters,"^  and  had,  in  a 
very  precious  religious  opportunity,  to  remember  with  close 
sjnnpathy  our  distant  friends  who  are  toiling  for  the  cause 
of  Christ  under  a  burning  sun.  O  that  a  true  missionary 
spirit,  in  accordance  with  our  own  principles,  may  more  break 
forth  amongst  us ! 

On  fifth  day  the  general  committee  digested  their  report 
[of  the  examination,]  and  the  whole  discussion  on  it  was 
attended  with  feelings  of  satisfaction  and  I  hope  thankfulness. 
Certainly  after  an  absence  of  four  years,  I  am  greatly  struck 
with  the  real  progress  and  improvement  of  this  most  interest- 
ing institution.     There  is  in  the  whole  system  more  of  spirit 

*  Hannah  Kilham  was  at  this  time  engaged  in  religious  laboiu-s 
en  the  coast  of  Africa. 


266  AT   ACKWORTH.  1824. 

and  effect ;  and  among  the  dear  children,  more  of  civility, 
more  of  piety,  more  of  mind.  On  reflection,  I  felt  best  satis- 
fied to  go  through  the  scriptural  examination  of  the  whole 
school.  Accordingly  sixth  day  was  devoted  to  the  girls,  and 
seventh  day  to  the  boys.  Both  days  brought  their  blessing 
with  them.  The  girls  performed  very  weU  on  the  whole ;  the 
upper  classes  exceedingly  weU.  After  their  examination,  and 
tea  with  my  dear  friend  Luke  Howard,  I  returned  with  him 
to  read  with  the  girls  at  seven  o'clock.  The  opportunity 
which  followed  was  indeed  an  hour  of  weeping  to  the  dear 
children.  How  precious  are  the  tears  of  softness  and  con- 
trition ! 

To  examine  in  succession  the  five  classes  of  boys  on  the 
following  day,  I  found  somewhat  laborious,  though  highly 
interesting  and  every  way  encouraging.  After  tea  we  settled 
down  to  a  religious  opportunity  with  them  at  seven  o'clock. 
I  attempted  to  read  to  them  the  eighth  of  Romans,  but 
explanation  became  ministry,  and  I  was  under  the  necessity 
of  laying  down  the  book,  after  reading  a  very  few  verses. 
The  httle  fellows  were  soon  melted ;  the  greater  part  of  them 
I  believe;  and  there  was  a  precious  solemnity  over  us.  I 
afterwards  visited  many  of  the  children  in  bed,  and  found 
them  very  sweet  and  tender.  ^  -^  ^  -^ 

On  second  day  morning,  (8th  mo.,  2nd,)  an  agreeable  ride 
over  a  fine,  and  in  parts  almost  a  mountainous  country, 
brought  me  to  Manchester.  This  was  (though  I  forgot  it  at 
the  time,)  my  birthday ;  and  I  have  now  lived  somewhat 
more  than  thirty-six  years.  How  clearly  does  this  consider- 
ation bring  home  the  inadequate  fidfilment  of  my  stewardship  ! 
In' the  afternoon  proceeded  to  Stockport,  where  a  very  kind 
reception  awaited  me  at  the  house  of  OUive  Sims.  George 
Jones  called  upon  me,  and  we  made  arrangements  for  his 
republication  of  my  Letter  on  Christianity;  and  I  have  since 
adopted  similar  measures  at  Manchester  and  Liverpool. 
Elizabeth  Robson  has  also  taken  it  out  to  America,  to  be 
reprinted  there ;  so  that  Friends  appear  to  have  taken  up  this 
performance,  as  well  as  the  work  on  our  principles,  warmly 
and  decisively. 


^T.  37.  AT  LORD  derby's.  267 

After  noticing  meetings  at  Stockport  and  Man- 
chester, he  proceeds  : — 

Before  I  left  [Manctiester]  I  earnestly  recommended 
the  formation  of  an  association  for  promoting  moral  and 
Christian  order  in  factories^  which  I  trust  will  lead  to 
some  practical  frait.  The  object  is  of  the  first  importance  in 
my  view,  considering  that  the  great  mass  of  the  population 
is  engaged  in  these  factories.  A  wet  ride  on  the  outside 
of  the  Liverpool  mail,  after  a  wann  leave  taking  with 
Friends,  brought  me  in  the  afternoon  to  Prescot,  whence 
I  took  a  chaise  for  Knowsley.  Lord  and  Lady  Derby 
gave  me  a  cordial  reception.  It  was  their  public  day; 
and  we  had  a  magnificent  dinner  in  their  almost  royal  new 
dining  room.  Our  party  consisted  of  Lord  and  Lady  Derby, 
Lord  Stanley,  his  daughters  Louisa  and  Eleanor,  and  several 
others.  I  endeavom'ed  to  give  the  conversation  in  the 
evening  something  of  a  religious  turn,  and  read  a  little  to 
them. 

Sixth  day  was  pleasant  and  interesting.  Many  hours 
were  spent  in  Lady  Derby's  sitting  room,  in  scriptural 
investigation.  The  divinity  of  Christ  was  our  subject;  and 
the  conversation  and  intercom-se  were  highly  interesting. 
I  also  rode  with  Lord  Derby  about  the  park,,  and  pleaded  in 
vain  against  cock-fighting,  racing,  &c.  The  next  morning  I 
felt  under  a  weight  of  exercise,  which  seemed  as  if  it  could 
have  no  vent ;  but  at  last  opportunity  offered  for  the  reading 
of  a  psalm,  with  silence,  ministry,  and  prayer,  in  Lady  Derby's 
room  with  herself  and  her  husband.  It  was  an  affecting 
time,  and  I  aftei*wards  parted  fi'om  them  under  a  sense  of 
reciprocal  love.  Sarah  Benson's  carriage  came  for  me,  and 
conveyed  me  to  her  son  Robert  Benson's  house  of  moui-ning  at 
Linacre,  four  miles  from  Liverpool,  on  the  mouth  of  the 
Mersey.  His  dear  and  excellent  wife  died  after  her  confine- 
ment, a  few  weeks  since,  and  has  left  him  with  four  children. 
I  have  not  often  seen  a  more  real  mourner.  Sarah  Benson 
is  a  nobly  comprehensive  person,  of  deep  piety  and  sound 
judgment. 


268  AT    LIVERPOOL.  1824. 

First  day  [at  Liverpool]  was  one  of  much  close  exercise, 
and  of  some  real  siiffering  for  tlie  trutli.  The  Friends  at  the 
morning  meeting  numerous ;  the  ministry  close  and  almost 
severe.  I  felt  myself  much  a  mourner  and  much  "  in  honds." 
These,  however,  were  broken  asunder  in  a  large  and  favoured 
public  meeting  in  the  evening,  in  which  the  gospel  had  free 
course,  and  was,  I  humbly  tmst,  glorified  amongst  us. 

On  second  day  morning  we  were  agreeably  surprised  by 
the  appearance  of  the  gallant  I'  Canada "  coming  into  the 
^Mersey,  her  mark  being  known  to  Robert  Benson,  and  we 
had  the  pleasure  of  descr\dng  Anna  Braithwaite  in  her, 
through  the  telescope.  I  did  not  however  see  her  face  to 
face  till  my  retiu'n  to  Linacre  at  night,  when  I  was  much 
gratified  by  obsendng  her  to  be  in  health,  and  at  ease.  Her 
story  respecting  America  is,  in  a  high  degree,  interesting  and 
affecting.  She  seems  to  have  indeed  gone  forth  in  the  need- 
ful hour,  to  detect  the  secret  places  of  infidelity,  and  to 
proclaim  the  truth  with  boldness.  I  should  conceive,  from 
her  statements,  that  di\dne  truth  is  gradually  regaining  its 
ascendancy  among  our  ti'ansatlantic  brethren.  On  third  day 
morning,  the  12th,  I  breakfasted  with  the  family  of  the 
Waterhouses.  One  of  the  sons,  [Benjamin,]  an  interesting 
young  man  of  twenty  two,  is  now  my  travelling  companion. 
After  breakfast  to  the  prison ;  very  defective ;  but  the  women 
under  the  kind  care  of  a  committee.  With  them  we  held 
a  solemn  meeting.  Then  a  visit  to  the  beautiful  docks. 
What  a  wonderful,  busy,  ingenious,  adventurous  creature  is 
man !  How  unlikely  that  such  an  one  should  be  created  for 
the  mere  span  of  seventy  years,  and  for  that  only !  We 
dined  at  James  Cropper's,  and  after  a  little  needful  rest, 
he  and  I  called  upon  his  neighbour,  and  my  worthy  friend 
William  Boscoe.  I  asked  for  silence,  and  in  ministry 
encouraged  him  in  the  continuance  of  his  works  of  benevo- 
lence, and  preached  to  him  the  gospel  of  Christ,  very  shortly, 
but,  I  believe,  in  the  life.  We  left  him  tender  and  grateful. 
He  is  not,  I  believe,  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God ;  but  oh ! 
the  obstructions  thrown  in  the  path  of  men  by  an  unsound  or 
incomplete  faith  t  -J*-  ^  -^^  * 


^T.  37.  TO    THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTOX.  269 

Fifth  day;  parting  oppoi-tunity  after  breakfast  ^vitll ; 


dose  exercise  felt  and  expressed  on  his  accomit,  that  -without 
further  delay  he  might  close  in  with  \rhat  I  helieve  to  be  the 
divine  will  for  him,  and  become  a  consistent  Friend.  How 
happy  should  I  be  to  hear  of  this  result.  There  is  much  in 
him  greatly  to  esteem  and  value.  A  high  integrity  of  chai-ac- 
ter,  and  a  love  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

The  Fiieuds  met  me  xery  generally  at  their  week-day  meet- 
ing that  morning.  It  was  our  parting  assemblage ;  and  verv 
close  and  clear  was  the  exercise  of  mind  into  which  I  found 
myself  introduced.  *  *  The  love  felt  after  the  meeting 
concluded  was  almost  inexpressible,  and  it  appeared  to  be 
mutual.     I  felt  particularly  bound  to  some  of  the  young  men. 

After  dining  Avith and  a  religious  opportunity  in  their 

family,  my  dear  young  friend,  Benjamin  TVaterhouse  and 
myself,  ascended  the  outside  of  a  crowded  stage  coach,  which 
conveyed  us,  with  rather  a  fi'ightfiil  rapidity,  to  Preston, 
thirty  two  miles.  Tired  and  exhausted,  I  foimd  a  comfortable 
abode  at  the  house  of  my  kind  friends,  Ralph  and  Mary 
Alderson. 

Prom  Preston  his  course  was  directed,  by  way  of 
Lancaster  and  Settle,  to  Darlins^ton.  "Writinsr  to 
Ms  brother-in-law  Thomas  Powell  Buxton,  after 
an  affectionate  remonstrance  on  the  subject  of 
shooting  for  diversion,  he  says : — 

Settle,  8th  mo.,  18th,  1824. 
■^  *  I  do  feel  an  earnest  desire  that  all  thy  ways  may  be 
ordered  by  the  noon  day  principles  of  Christian  truth;  that 
thou  mayest  remember  how  considerable  a  degree  of  question- 
ableness  attaches  to  every  path  in  life,  in  which  se/f  is  not 
denied ;  and  that  every  thing  may  drop  off  from  thy  system  of 
liA-ing  and  action  which  cannot  be  done  to  the  glory  of  God, 
and  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  Great  confidence  in  thy 
Cliristianity  I  have  long  felt,  and  still  feel;  and  yet  I  think 
thy  public  life  affords  reasons  why  a  deep,  determined,  steady, 
abiding  watchfulness  and  continued  reUgious  exercise  of  mind. 


270      WATCHFULNESS  ESSENTIAL  TO  RELIGIOUS  GROWTH.      1824. 

are  peculiarly  needful.      "The  whole  world  (says  the  apostle) 
lieth  in  wickedness/^  and  they  whose  interests  in  connexion 
with  it  are  the  strongest,,  (and  I  consider  thy  parliamentary 
life,  however  right,  a  most  powerful  worldly  interest,)   have 
the  more  need  ever  to  watch  and  pray,  "  lest  they  enter  into 
temptation,"  lest  their  standard  should  become  lowered,  lest 
they  should  shde  down-hiU,     Thy  personal  religious  growth 
is  more  connected  with  the  welfare  of  man  and  the  glory  of 
God,  than  that  of  many.    With  thee  not  a  few  deeply  interest- 
ing objects,   (as  far  as  the  measure  of  an  individual  goes,) 
appear  ready  to  stand  or  fall ;  and  I  am  intimately  persuaded 
that  nothing  will  serve  thy  purpose,  or  the  purposes  which  in 
some  degree  centre  in  thee,  but  divine  grace.     It  ought  to  be 
the  root  and  spring,  and  protection  of  aU  thy  proceedings.    It 
will  make  its  way,  where  to  all  other  principles  the  door  is 
shut.    It  comes  from  him,  who  can  and  will  gradually  execute 
his  own  gracious  designs ;  and,  as  for  thyself,  thou  hast  in  my 
apprehension,  nothing  of  so  much  importance  to  do,  as  to  he 
low  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  that  he  may  sanctify  all 
thy  talents,  enlarge  aU  thy  capacities,  direct  all  thy  movements, 
and    preserve    the    instrument    in   its   true    brightness   and 
sharpness,  free  from  the  rust  of  the  world,  which  would  soon 
render  it  comparatively  inefficacious.      Pray,  therefore,  that 
thou  mayest  dwell  deeply  in  the  root  of  life,  even  in  Christ 
Jesus,  "  the  wisdom  and  the  power  of  God.'^ 

At  Darlington,  besides  holding  two  public  meet- 
ings, lie  visited  the  families  of  Eriends.  In  allusion 
to  these  services,  he  writes  in  his  Journal : — 

The  burthen  seemed  very  considerable;  but  I  found  it 
greater  than  I  expected,  for  my  private  opportunities  were 
upwards  of  seventy  in  number.  The  week  was,  of  course,  a 
very  laborious  one ;  for  besides  these  private  visits,  (almost  all 
of  which  were  accompHshed  before  the  conclusion  of  the 
following  first  day,  four  only  being  left  till  the  next  morning,) 
there  were  the  meetings  with  the  Darlington  Friends  on  the 
following  first  day  morning,  and  with  the  pubhc  on  third  day. 


JET.  37.  DARLINGTON    AND    NEWCASTLE.  271 

and  again  on  the  following  first  day  evening;   and  on  fifth 
day,  a  meeting,  a  funeral,  and  several  private  opportunities  at 
Stockton.       The   family  visiting   was,    (as   it   always   is,)    a 
peculiarly  close   labour.      Earnestly,   however,  did   I  crave 
divine  assistance  to  divide  the  word  of  truth  aright ;  which 
prayer  was  the  more  needed,  because  I  find  myself  almost 
constantly  led  on  these  occasions,  as  well  as  in  meetings,  to 
speak  to  particular  states;    to  enter  into  feeling  for  almost 
every  indi\idual,  individually.     On  the  whole,  I  like  solitary 
family  visitiug  best.      The  visits  were  generally  satisfactory, 
quite  confirming  the  favourable  impressions  received  in  the 
precedhig  meetings.     Tears  almost  everywhere,  the  fruit,  in 
my  estimation,  of  real  sensibility,  not  of  sentimentality.     In 
some  instances,  the  work  was  painfully  close  and  searching, 
I  fully  beheve  rightly  so,  but  I  was  reproved  in  foro  conscientice, 
for  mentioning,  though  in  intimacy,  a  case  or  two  of  this  sort. 
A  holy  discreetness  in  keeping  counsel,  is  indeed,  essential  to 
the  Christian   minister.  "^   ^   The  concluding  meeting  with 
Friends  at  Darlington,  on  first  day  morning,  the  29th,  was 
very  solemn  and  afiiecting.     I  trust  some  were  reached  in  the 
heart,    to   use  a  quaint  but    expressive   word.      I    left   this 
interesting  and  truly  floiu-ishing   place,   (O  may  it  through 
watchfulness  and  humiUty  long  continue  so  !)    for  Durham 
and  Sunderland,  on  second  day,  the  30th  of  the  8th  month. 

T'rom  Darlington,  by  way  of  Sunderland  and 
Shields,  he  proceeded  to  Newcastle,  and  thence,  by 
way  of  Hedcar,  to  Whitby.  At  Sunderland  he 
writes : — • 

I  held  a  satisfactory  meeting  with  the  young  people,  among 
whom  (as  I  have  since  done  at  Shields,  Newcastle,  and 
Whitby,)  I  endeavoured  to  iustitute  an  association  for 
reading  Friends'  books  in  company,  each  sex  separately,  and 
of  course  under  proper  superintendence,  I  beUeve  a  real 
blessing  would  attend  such  Uttle  efibrts  for  good. 

^  ^  [At  Newcastle]  on  first  day,  [the  4th  of  the  9th  mo.,] 
the  morning  meeting  was,  I  believe,  larger  than  usual.     It 


273  AT    WHITBY.  1824. 

was  one  of  close  exercise  with  me.  ^  *  I  dined  afterwards 
with  my  dear  friend  George  Richardson,  where  I  met  a  small 
party  of  Friends.  He  is  the  individual  under  whose  ministry 
dearest  Priscilla  was  brought  home  to  Friends,  and  is  a  person 
whose  light  is  shining  brightly  aU  aroimd.  Would  that  such 
more  abounded  amongst  us.  Several  family  visits  were  paid 
in  the  course  of  second  day,  through  no  inconsiderable  fatigue. 
The  most  interesting  was  one  to  David  Sutton  and  his  wife, 
the  old  man  88,  and  his  wife  a  complete  invalid.  There  was 
true  life  to  be  felt  in  their  company.  After  taking  tea  at  our 
aged  Friend  Robert  Foster's,  I  held  a  meeting  in  the  evening 
with  about  eighty  young  people.  It  lasted  two  hours  and 
a  half,  for  the  life  rose  into  something  like  dominion,  and  it 
was  a  time  of  great  solemnity.  I  hope  my  plan  for  reading 
Friends'  books  will  go  on  among  them. 

In  the  afternoon  of  third  day,  Margaret  and  Mary  Bragg 
accompanied  me,  very  pleasantly,  to  Durham,  where  a  public 
meeting  was  appointed.  It  was  not  large,  and  a  time  of  some 
real  lowness  and  difficulty.  It  seemed  clearly  laid  upon  me 
to  uphold  the  doctrine  of  the  universal  light  of  Christ  in  the 
heart,  and  to  explain  our  several  peculiar  rehgious  testimonies. 
I  hope  and  believe  there  were  individuals  present  who  could 
receive,  perhaps  rejoice  in  the  doctrine. 

Two  days  afterwards,  the  8tli  of  the  9th  month  : — 

*  ^  After  a  short  stormy  night,  the  more  so  to  me  from 
the  fracture  of  a  large  pane  of  glass  by  my  bedside  through 
the  A-iolence  of  the  wind,  I  rose  a  little  after  four  o'clock,  and 
my  two  young  companions  having  joined  me  from  the  inn, 
we  went  forward  [fi'om  Redcar]  over  a  wretched  road,  a  long 
ride  of  five  hours,  to  Whitby.  The  meeting  of  the  Friends  there 
was  appointed  at  half-past  ten,  and  after  a  hasty  meal,  we  found 
ourselves  seated  in  it  before  eleven  o'clock.  Never  scarcely 
did  I  feel  more  entirely  oppressed  Avith  bodily  and  mental  infir- 
mity, so  that  entering  into  religious  exercise  seemed  impossible. 
But  with  my  gracious  Saviour  and  Leader  all  things  are  pos- 
sible, and  I  shall  not  soon  forget  how  I  was  unexpectedly  and 


^T.  37.  TO    LORD    SUFFIELD.  273 

almost  suddenly  brought  into  close  sympathy  with  a  suffering 
afflicted  mournful  company  of  brethren  and  sisters,  for  many 
such,  as  I  afterwards  found,  there  were  present,  chiefly  from 
outward  causes.  I  mmistered  to  them  the  sweet  oil  of  con- 
solation, and  was  also  much  engaged  in  endeavouring  to 
arouse,  alarm,  and  brmg  to  Christ  the  children  of  the  world, 
who  had  a  name  to  live  but  were  dead.  *  ^  In  the  evening 
I  met  the  young  people,  about  thirty;  on  which  occasion, 
though  I  greatly  felt  my  own  weakness,  I  believe  the  necessary 
help  was  afforded. 

Prom  York,  Joseph  John  Gurney  wrote 

TO       LORD       SUFFIELD. 

(On  tlie  decease  of  his  wife.)* 

York,  9th  mo.,  30th,  1824. 

I  cannot  express,  my  dear  friend,  how  deeply  I  have 
felt  interested  in  the  events  which  have  been  passing  in  thy 
family.  I  well  know  the  sore  distress  which  must  have 
been  thy  portion  during  the  time  of  afflicting  suspense,  and 
during  the  bitter  change  fi-om  hope  to  hopelessness ;  and  how 
the  whole  is  summed  up  by  the  mournful  blank  of  such  a 
termination  of  anxiety.  But  I  feel  confident  that  mercy  has 
been  richly  mingled  with  the  cup  of  woe.  I  doubt  not  but 
thou  hast  found  that  there  is,  in  such  scenes,  much  which  tends 
to  satisfy  the  mind  that,  in  striding  after  the  attainment  of 
vital  religion  through  faith  in  a  Redeemer,  we  have  not  been 
following  any  cunningly  devised  fable,  but  substantial  and 
ever  enduring  truth.  *  "^  ^ 

I  cannot  help  writing  freely  to  thee,  my  dear  and  honom-ed 
friend.  With  regard  to  thyself  I  cannot  but  believe  that 
thou  hast  been  strengthened  to  bow  in  reverent,  holy  resigna- 
tion to.  the  will  of  thy  heavenly  Father,  and  that  he  has  been 
pleased  to  administer  that  precious  support  by  which  alone 
such  ti'ials  can  be  rightly  endiu^ed.  Ah !  my  dear  friend ; 
may  this  severe  affliction  abundantly  yield  the  peaceable  fruits 

*  See  Memoir  of  Lord  Suffield,  by  Richard  Mackenzie  Bacon, 
pp.  202—203. 

T 


274  RETURN    HOME.  1824. 

of  righteousness.  May  it  be  the  means  of  more  entirely 
weaning  thee  from  a  too  attractive  world_,  of  fixing  thy  whole 
heart  on  God,  and  of  exciting  thee  to  a  holy  dedication  of 
thyself  and  of  aU  thy  talents  to  his  service,  who  has  bought 
thee  with  a  price,  even  with  the  precious  price  of  his  own 
blood.  In  the  path  of  religion  and  duty,  I  can  venture  to 
say  thy  consolations  in  Christ  will  abound,  and  a  precious 
union  of  spirit  will  still  be  felt  with  her  who  has  (I  humbly 
trust)  winged  her  flight  before  thee  to  the  realms  of  light 
and  bliss.  ^  ^  *  . 

I  am  almost  daily  engaged  in  these  parts,  chiefly  on  a  visit 
to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  expect  to  be  detained  a  few 
weeks  longer  from  home.     I  hope  Buxton  has  been  with  thee. 

I  am,  my  dear  friend. 

Ever  faithfully  thine, 

J.  J.  GURNEY. 

Tlie  remainder  of  Josepli  Jolin  Gurney's  journey 
was  occupied  by  engagements  similar  to  those 
already  described  at  various  places  in  Yorkshire, 
and  the  adjacent  counties  of  Lincoln,  Nottingham, 
and  Derby. 

Earlham,  Wth  mo.,  5th.  At  most  of  the  larger  towns 
I  passed  two  or  three  days,  and  held  public  meetings 
very  generally,  and  youths'  meetings  in  many  places.  Deep 
and  various,  I  may  truly  say,  were  the  exercises  which  I 
passed  through ;  yet  ought  I  gratefully  to  acknowledge,  that 
in  every  place  the  power  of  truth  seemed  to  prevail.  If  the 
question  be  asked,  " lackedst  thou  any  thing ?"  1  can  indeed, 
humbly  answer,  "  nothing.  Lord ; "  for  my  merciful  Saviour 
has  not  failed  me,  that  I  am  aware  of,  in  a  single  instance. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  the  strength  given  seemed  only  just 
equivalent  to  the  need.  At  other  times  it  was  dispensed 
abundantly  and  powerfully.  My  gift  has  often  been  search- 
ing, dissecting,  severe ;    yet,  I  trust,  always  in  true  love. 

On  second  day  morning  I  returned  to  this  dear  place,  and 


^T,  37.  TO    A    FRIEND.  275 

found  Rachel  and  the  darling  children  at  home.  I  have  to 
record  with  thankfulness  the  health,  sweetness^  good  behaviour, 
and  general  improvement  of  these  little  ones.  May  they 
ever  be  the  children  and  followers  of  the  Sa^dour.  His  for 
life,  his  for  eternity.  They  were  overjoyed  to  meet  me;  we 
had  been  separated  fifteen  weeks.  Dearest  Catherine  came 
home  to  dinner ;  and  Francis  and  Richenda,  Louisa,  and  her 
little  ones  are  with  us,  very  delightfully.  And  yet,  in  this 
change,  (shadowed  as  it  is  by  old  causes  of  deep  sorrow,)  I 
have,  to  tell  the  truth,  passed  tlrrough  much  lowness.  The 
solitude  of  my  path,  as  it  relates  to  Friends,  was  almost 
overpowering  to  my  spirit  on  my  return,  but  I  am  cheerful 
and  happy  now.  I  was  truly  thankful  to  find  the  meeting  of 
yesterday  large,  and  something  very  precious  to  be  felt  with 
that  beloved  flock,  as  if  there  had  been  a  little  growth  in 
grace,  an  increased  settlement  in  the  truth.  O  that  it  may 
be  so ! 

TO    A    FRIEND. 

Earlham,  first  day  night,  11th  mo.,  7th,  1824. 

It  is  sweet  and  consoling  to  me,  amidst  many  discourage- 
ments, and  some  deep  trial  of  mind,  on  my  return  home  to 
an  allotment  which  is,  in  some  very  important  respects, 
solitary,  to  think  of  thee ;  and  to  dwell  on  the  happy  prospect 
of  thy  becoming  more  entirely  rniited  with  Friends.  Thou 
knowest  my  opinion  of  "  plainness  of  speech  and  apparel." 
It  is  my  deliberate  conviction  that  it  is  a  good  testimony, 
founded  on  true  gospel  principles,  and  that,  however  familiar 
and  universal  the  contrary  may  have  become.  Friends  are 
truly  bound  not  to  sacrifice  one  jot  or  tittle  of  that  testimony. 
I  am  pleading  for  no  form,  but  for  that  which  I  thoroughly 
believe  to  be  a  fruit  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ ;  and  I  am  cer- 
tainly anxious  that  nothing  should  prevent  thy  acceding  to  it ; 
not  only  because  I  am  persuaded  it  is  a  branch  of  our  duty, 
but  because  I  well  know  that  in  thy  case,  as  in  that  of  many 
others,  it  is  likely  to  be  a  little  door  to  a  wide  field — a  little 
link  on  which  a  great  chain  will  hang.     What  would  have 

T   2 


276  JOURNAL.  1824. 

become  of  my  dear  sister  Fry's  labours,  had  she  resisted  the 
early  call  of  duty,  and  reasoned  away  the  required  sacrifice  ? 

Let  me  earnestly  invite  thee  to  make  this  a  subject  of 
prayer,  and  to  refrain  from  any  farther  reasoning  or  specula- 
tion respecting  it.  Follow  the  Shepherd's  voice  with  childlike 
simpHcity.  Ours  must  be  a  life  of  faith;  and  we  must 
sometimes  suffer  our  gracious  Lord  and  Master  to  lead  us  for 
a  season  as  the  "  bhnd,  in  ways  which  we  knew  not,  and  in 
paths  which  we  have  not  known."  He  is  powerfully  alluring 
thee  into  "the  wilderness."  Follow  him  closely.  Cleave  to 
thy  holy  guide,  who  hath  loved  thee  and  given  himself  for 
thee.  He  will  give  thee  thy  rich  and  pleasant  vineyards  from 
thence,  and  the  valley  of  Achor — of  deep  humiliation — for  a 
door  both  of  hope  and  of  useftdness,  which  no  man  shall  ever 
shut. 

Wth  mo.,  \2th.  Yesterday  at  our  Monthly  Meeting  I 
dehvered  in  my  certificate,  and  had  to  acknowledge  the  kind- 
ness and  mercy  of  Israel's  Shepherd  who  was  with  me  in  the 
way,  guiding  me  and  helping  me ;  also  the  peace  I  felt  in 
the  humble  belief  that  I  had  not  been  out  of  my  right  place. 
I  added  a  few  words  on  the  evident  gathering  of  the  people 
in  many  places  to  Christ :  and  on  the  great  importance  that 
Friends  should  bear  all  their  testimonies  consistently  in  the 
sight  of  the  world.  I  felt  much  true  peace  afterwards.  In 
the  evening  I  began  to  re-read  Butler,  with  pleasure. 

This  morning,  I  have  been  conversing  with  dearest  Rachel, 
who  thinks  me  a  little  disjointed  from  home  associa- 
tions, and  has  her  jealousies  respecting  my  course.  Her 
cautions  have  often  been  useful  and  salutary  to  me.  May 
I  be  preserved  in  close  watchfulness  against  all  the  wiles 
of  the  enemy ! 

O  my  dearest  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  art  my  only  refuge 
and  way  to  the  Father,  in  this  often  dark  and  cloudy  world, 
permit  me  at  this  time  to  cast  myself  at  thy  feet,  and  to 
crave  thy  gracious  aid  and  protection.  Make  thy  way  straight 
before  me.  Defend  me,  I  humbly  beseech  thee,  from  the 
wiles  of  the  enemy  of  souls,  who  is  ever  ready  to  play  upon 


^T.  37.  JOURNAL.  277 

the  deep  deceitMness  of  tlie  human  heart.  Let  him  not 
mislead  me,  I  reverently  pray  thee ;  hut  be  thou  my  prophet, 
my  priest,  and  my  teacher,  my  guide  and  my  comforter  in  all 
my  ways,  words,  and  works.  I  humbly  thank  thee  for  the 
knowledge  of  thy  truth,  and  for  the  hopes  of  eternity :  and 
grant,  I  beseech  thee,  that  I  may  be  strengthened  of  thy 
grace  for  the  performance  of  my  daily  duty ;  and  that  I  may 
more  abound  in  pure,  unfeigned,  miinterrupted  love  towards 
all  who  love  and  serve  thee.  Let  me  ever  maintain  my 
footing  on  the  only  sure  foundation.  Let  me  be  kept  in  the 
valley  of  real  humiliation.  Let  me  ever  adhere  to  the 
sobriety  and  simplicity  of  thy  most  holy  truth :  and  since 
thou  hast  seen  meet  to  intrust  thy  unworthy  servant  with  a 
gift  in  the  ministry,  let  it  be  preserved,  I  pray  thee,  deep, 
clear,  sound,  wholesome,  to  my  own  peace,  to  the  good  of 
others,  and  to  thy  glory  ! 

Second  daij  morning,  Wth  mo.,  I5th.  ^  ^  ^  Yesterday  was 
a  very  peaceful  and  even  consoling  Sabbath  day.  Both  the 
meetings  large,  and  both  meat  and  drink  to  the  soul.  Ah  ! 
may  it  please  our  gracious  Master  to  gather  our  flock  in  this 
place  more  entirely  to  himself,  and  to  di-aw  others  into  the 
enjoyment  of  this  peculiarly  sweet  and  salutary  rest.  Surely 
the  work  of  convincement  must  in  the  end  go  forward.  For 
what,  after  all,  can  be  compared  to  the  preciousness  of  that 
principle,  which  truly  leads  into  the  silence  of  all  flesh  before 
the  Lord  Jehovah  ? 

First  day  night.  Confhct  of  mind,  the  secret  buflPeting  of 
the  enemy,  a  strange  mixture  of  unaccountable  bitters  in  my 
cup,  continued  to  be  my  portion,  till  last  night,  in  a  very 
considerable  degree ;  but  all,  it  may  be,  was  no  more  than  a 
needful  preparation  for  the  blessed  hope  and  elevation,  the 
sweet  peace  and  flowing  comfort  of  the  day  which  is  now 
brought  to  its  conclusion.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and 
all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name  !  " 

12th  mo.,  \7th.  Yesterday  I  heard  of  the  instantaneous 
and  easy  death,  (after  a  few  days  indisposition,)  of  my 
beloved  and  truly  honoured  friend,  Samuel  Alexander, 
aged  75.     I  have  often  said  of  late,  that  I  scarcely  knew  any 


278  JOURNAL.  1824. 

one  wto  so  mucli  corresponded  witli  my  idea  of  Christian 
pei-fection  as  this  dear  friend.  I  had  a  peculiar  reverence 
for  him,  the  more  so  because  of  his  deep  humility,  for  self 
was  of  no  reputation  with  him.  In  such  a  case  as  his,  I 
am  incHned  to  think  that  sudden  dissolution  may  be  esteemed 
a  real  blessing.  But  O  the  necessity  of  being  ready  at  a 
moment  ! 

12/^  mo.,  SOth.  My  rehgious  principles  are  likely  to  be  put 
(I  mean  in  my  own  mind)  to  rather  a  severe  test,  by  the 
reviews  which  are  now  rapidly  coming  out  of  my  work. 
How  can  I  expect  that  the  world,  or  the  church  at  large,  wiU 
do  otherwise  than  frown,  at  present,  on  the  peculiar  tenets  of 
our  httle  sect  ?  Yet  I  may,  I  think,  with  humility  and  grati- 
tude confess,  that,  after  much  conflict  from  fears  and  doubts 
which  are  very  apt  to  assail  me,  I  am  permitted  time  after 
time,  to  find  rest  in  the  persuasion,  that  the  truth  as  we 
have  been  taught  to  hold  it,  (without  any  disparagement  of 
others  in  their  own  place,)  is  "the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.^' 
And  never  am  I  so  sensible  of  this  satisfaction,  as  when  my 
soul,  in  the  hours  of  pubUc  worship,  is  gathered  into  deep 
quietness  and  solemnity  before  God. 


^T.  37.  .  JOURNAL.  279 


CHAPTEH  XV. 

1825.     ^T.  37—38. 

EXTBACTS  FEOM  JOUEXAL  ;  LETTEE  FEOM  WILLIAM  WILBEEFOKCE  ON 
HIS  EEXIEEMENl  FEOII  PAEIJAM.ENT  ;  TISIT  TO  LINCOLNSHIRE  ; 
ALFEED  COEDEK ;  TEAELY  MEETING  ;  COITNTT  MEETING  ON  SLAVEET  J 
PtTBLICATION    OF    HIS    ESSAYS    ON    CHEISTIANITY. 

The  year  1825  was  spent  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
mostly  at  home.  The  Joiumal  of  this  period  derives 
its  interest  more  from  the  value  of  the  experience 
which  it  unfolds,  and  the  reflections  which  are  here 
and  there  scattered  through  it,  than  from  the  new- 
ness or  variety  of  the  incidents  recorded.  Not  a 
few  will  read  with  an  additional  interest  the 
numerous  and  emphatic  allusions  made  by  Joseph 
John  Gurney  to  the  peculiar  principles  of  his  own 
religious  society,  whilst  they  recollect  that  he  was 
now  deeply  engaged  in  the  completion  of  his 
Essays  on  Christianity. 

1st  mo.,  30th.     The  past  week  has  been  exceedingly  fall. 

Earl  B here  two  days.      I  hope  the  right  standard  has 

been  in  some  degree  maintained. 

A  considerable  weight  of  discouragement  has  been  my  com- 
panion with  regard  to  our  religious  society.  I  am  sometimes 
laden  with  mom^nftd  apprehensions  that  it  is  decaying  and 
withering  away ;  and  that  this  "  good  thing/'  as  I  apprehend 
it  to  be,  should  after  a  season  be  no  more  seen  on  the  earth. 
Perhaps  there  is  nothing  which  requires  so  deep  a  submission 
of  soul  to  the  divine  will,  as  a  point  of  this  description.     Yet 


280  OVERSEERSHIP.  .  1825. 

how  obviously  incumbent  upon  us  it  is  to  bow  very  low  before 
the  Lord  our  God,  and  in  every  thing  to  breathe  the  language 
"  Thy  will  be  done."  Sometimes  brighter  hopes  arise,  and 
the  strong  persuasion  that  the  thiag  is  good,  and  calculated 
in  an  eminent  degree  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  gives  rise 
to  the  belief  that  it  will  yet  take  root,  and  again  in  due  time 
spread  among  men. 

2nd  mo.,  6th.  I  have  been  much  engaged  in  ^^overseership" 
with  some  individuals.  One  case  has  interested  me  rather 
anxiously.  It  is  that  of  a  young  woman,  who  I  beUeve  would 
do  well  in  adopting  the  language  and  simple  dress  of  the 
Friend.  Such  examples  are  wanted  amongst  us,  yet  we  have 
need  of  long  patience.  The  power  of  an  endless  life  is  the 
great  thing  to  aim  at ;  which  I  believe  is  much  promoted  by 
obedience  in  the  day  of  small  things;  and  I  humbly  trust 
more  of  this  power  will,  in  the  end,  be  manifested  within  our 
peaceful  borders.  "I  will  raise  up  the  tabernacle  of  David 
that  is  fallen,  and  close  up  the  breaches  thereof,  and  I  will 
raise  up  his  ruuis,  and  I  will  build  it  as  in  days  of  old."  "^  I 
cannot  doubt  that  this  prophecy  is  being  accomplished,  and 
will  be  accomplished  in  the  Christian  church ;  and  it  appears 
to  me  to  involve  the  ultimate  growth  and  establishment 
of  those  spiritual  and  unsophisticated  principles  which  our 
Society  professes.  But  the  Lord  only  knows  his  own  wise 
and  gracious  designs. 

Early  in  this  year  William  Wilberforce  retired 
from  parliament.  On  this  occasion  he  addressed 
to  Joseph  John  Gurney  the  following  "brief  but 
expressive  note."  f 

Near  Uxbridge,  Feb.  8tli,  1825. 

My  dear  Friend, 

If  I  do  not  deceive  myself,  you  will 
be  rather  glad  than  sorry  to  hear  that  I  have  determined  to 
retire  fi'om  the  House  of  Commons.     My  physician's  advice 

*  Amos  ix,   11. 
f  From  the  Familiar   Sketch  of  "William  Wilberforce.      Minor 
"Works,  vol.  ii,  p.  243. 


^T.  37.  LETTER    FROM    WILBERFORCE.  281 

was  such  as,  all  circumstances  taken  into  account,  led  me  to 
believe  it  to  be  my  duty  so  to  do ;  and  an  event  so  interesting 
to  me,  I  do  not  like  vou  to  hear  from  rumour  or  the  news- 
papers.  I  scarcely  need  assm'c  you  that  I  trust  I  shall  not  be 
less  occupied,  though  I  may  be  less  noisy  than  heretofore. 
Were  it  not  for  the  weakness  of  my  eyes,  I  shoidd  be  strongly 
tempted  to  pour  forth  the  train  of  thoughts  which  is  rising  in 
my  bosom;  but  I  must  check  myself  and  say  farewell,  my 
dear  friend.  I  hope  you  and  yours  are  in  good  health,  and 
that  you  are  blessed  with  that  peace  which  I  know  you  prefer 
to  all  earthly  enjoyments. 

May  you  be  favoiu-ed  with  a  long  com'se  of  usefulness  and 
comfort  m  this  life,  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  and  may  you  at 
length  be  an  abundant  partaker  of  those  pleasures  which  will 
be  infinite  in  degree,  and  eternal  in  contiauance. 
I  am  ever 

Your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

W,    WiLBERFORCE. 

^nd  mo.,  Wth.  I  have  been  a  good  deal  struck  and  affected 
with  the  extraordinary  want  of  spiritual  apprehension  which 
appears  to  me  to  be  evinced  by  the  re\dews  of  my  work  on 
Friends,  in  religious  publications.  How  is  it  that  the  rehgious 
world  refrises  its  sanction  so  entirely  to  practical  principles, 
especially  as  it  relates  to  the  ministry  and  the  guidance  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  I  may  say,  we  know  to  be  true  ? 
Lord,  send  forth  thy  light  and  thy  truth  !  What  is  man 
without  them  ? 

^nd  mo.,  27th.  The  present  day  has  been  one  of  very  close 
exercise  of  mind.  The  former  part  of  it  occupied  by  a  joiuTiey 
with  two  Friends  to  North  Walsham.  There  we  attended  the 
meeting  for  worship,  and  the  preparative  meeting,  in  which 
the  queries  were  answered ;  the  whole  of  which  was  satisfactory. 
We  returned  to  Norwich  to  tea,  and  at  seven  o'clock  were 
seated  in  the  Goat  Lane  meeting  house,  in  pursuance  of  the 
appointment  of  a  public  meeting,  to  which  the  gentry  were,  in 
my  name,  specially  invited.  Notwithstanding  the  weather, 
many  were  there ;  and  after  much  deep  exercise  of  mind,  all 


282  JOURNAL.  1825. 

has  again  ended  well.  The  truths  of  Christianity  were  plainly 
declared  to  a  very  mixed,  a  very  attentive,  and  a  very  reflecting 
congregation.  "  Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  G  od." 
I  felt  much  relieved,  and  very  full  of  love  towards  all,  when 
the  meeting  was  over.  How  ought  my  spirit  to  overflow  with 
humble  gratitude  to  that  most  Gracious  Being,  who  has  never 
yet  failed  me  in  the  needful  hour  ! 

I  wish  solemnly  to  record  my  full  and  clear  apprehension 
(much  sealed  on  my  spirit  this  week,)  that,  when  unassisted 
by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  I  am,  as  to  every  religious  work,  dry 
and  unprofitable.  God  alone  is  sufiicient  for  these  things. 
The  unction  is  everything.  May  I  not  then  heartily  subscribe 
to  the  inspired  exclamation,  "Not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  O 
Lord,  but  unto  thy  name  be  the  glory  \" 

4<th  mo.,  Sth.  My  time  and  mind  have  been  much  occupied 
since  first  day.  Some  successful  operation  on  the  book  : 
discussions  relative  to  business,  involving  no  little  feeling  and 
thought.  Emma  O'Brien's  visit,  with  Augustus  and  Angelina 
and  Julia  Noel.  They  came  on  fourth  day  morning,  and 
proceeded  with  me  to  Aylsham,  where  we  held  a  good  meeting 
of  the  Bible  Society.  Our  meeting  [for  worship]  yesterday 
was  attended  by  our  guests,  and  was  very  touching  and  solemn. 
O  that  the  mental  eye  of  more  of  the  Lord's  children  might, 
through  grace,  be  opened  to  behold  more  clearly  the  excellence 
of  such  a  mode  of  worship,  and  of  the  principles  of  Friends 
in  general !  They  increasingly  appear  to  me  to  be  very,  very 
precious. 

Sixth  day  morning.  I  have  just  parted  from  my  interesting 
guests,  after  a  solemn  reviving  time  of  religious  intercourse 
and  prayer.  O  the  sweetness  of  the  heavenly  oil !  How  well 
worth  waiting  for ;  how  well  worth  being  a  fool  for  !  And 
truly  it  is  not  to  be  obtained  in  man's  will,  or  at  man's  time. 
It  is  poured  forth  when  the  Master  pleases ;  and  happy  those 
ministers  of  gospel  truth,  who  are,  in  any  degree,  favoured  to 
know  when  to  speak,  and  when  to  be  silent  ! 

Mh  mo.,  18M.  The  past  week  has  been  very  busy;  and  in 
it  I  have  satisfactorily  finished  my  whole  Essay  on  "  Redemp- 
tion."   The  Monthly  Meeting  on  fifth  day  was  deeply  interest- 


Mt.  37.  ENGAGEMENTS    IN    LINCOLNSHIRE.  283 

ing.  I  laid  before  Friends  my  prospect  [of  religious  service] 
in  Lincolnshire;  and  the  applications  for  membership  after- 
wards brouglit  great  solemnity  over  the  meeting.  It  is 
re\^^ing  to  gather,  instead  of  scattering.  "^  *  \  am  clearing 
off  to-day.  To-moiTow  I  expect  to  be  on  the  wing  for 
Lincolnshire.  May  the  Shepherd  of  the  flock  graciously 
condescend  to  be  my  helper  and  guide. 

^th  mo.,  4th.  My  course  was  Wisbech,  Gedney,  Spalding, 
Boston,  Leak,  Wainfleet,  Holbeach,  Gedney  again.  Long 
Sutton,  Wisbech  again,  Downham;  and  throughout  I  was 
much  assisted  by  my  dear  and  sympathising  companion, 
Alfred  Corder.  How  dehghtfid  it  is  to  me  to  see  a  yoiuig 
man  so  prepared  and  anointed  for  the  Lord.  ^  At  all  the 
above-mentioned  places  I  held  pubhc  meetings,  some  of  which 
were  very  arduous  times.  In  others  there  was  an  easier  flow, 
and  a  quicker  entrance  for  the  word  of  life ;  in  all  considerable, 
in  some  profound  solemnity.  The  Friends  are  a  scattered 
few,  but  my  meetings  with  them  were  generally  much  favoured; 
and,  on  the  whole,  a  hope  has  been  felt,  that  the  precious 
principles  we  profess,  and  which  in  some  of  the  pubHc  meetings 
I  felt  a  full  liberty  to  unfold,  will  yet  be  maintained  in  these 
districts.  I  was  much  pleased  with  green  rural  Gedney ;  and 
dear  Jonathan  Hutchinson,  though  infii-m,  was,  as  usual,  a 
highly  interesting  and  truly  paternal  companion. 


*  Joseph  John  Gurney  had  soon  afterwards  to  record  the  early 
removal  of  this  promising  young  man.  With  his  usual  affectionate 
warmth  and  simplicity,  he  thus  briefly  notices  the  circumstance  in 
the  -Autobiography.  "The  autumn  of  1825,  is  marked  in  my 
remembrance  by  the  death  of  Alfred  Corder,  a  yoimg  Friend  who 
had  resided  at  Ipswich,  and  who  travelled  with  me  in  Lincolnshire, 
&c.  He  was  the  son  of  a  farmer,  and  an  ironmonger  by  trade,  but 
nature  and  grace  had,  as  it  were,  conspired  in  poHshing  him,  and 
his  mind  was  one  of  peculiar  sensitiveness  and  refinement.  Seldom 
have  I  known  any  one  who  more  excited  the  lively  affection  of  his 
friends,  and  for  my  own  part  I  loved  him  as  a  brother.  Little 
adapted  to  the  rigours  of  this  rough  world,  he  bore  his  living 
testimony  in  our  reHgious  meetings ;  and  soon  afterwards,  to  the 
inexpressible  grief  of  his  Mends,  sickened  and  died." 


284  ENCOURAGEMENT  TO  PRAYER.  1825. 

5th  mo.,  ISth.  After  a  somewhat  disturbed  night,  I  find 
myself  languid  and  spiritually  poor.  But  how  good  it  is  for 
us  to  be  brought  and  kept  low.  We  are  not  capable  here  of 
continued  spiritual  elevation, 

I  have  been  sauntering  in  the  meadows  this  fine  morning 
with  my  tenderly  beloved  children  :  they  are  truly  very  sweet 
and  precious.  O  may  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  keep  these 
tender  lambs  in  his  own  bosom. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  9th,  1825. 

*  *  I  have  been  often  led  of  late  to  reflect  on  the  very 
strong  encouragement  held  out  to  us  in  Scripture  to  pray  for 
the  Holy  Spirit.  I  wish  to  be  more  diligent  myself,  and  to 
encourage  those  I  love  to  greater  diligence  in  this  duty.  The 
Holy  Spirit  can  yet  do  wonders  for  us,  in  consoling  amidst 
sorrow,  in  cleansing  from  sin,  in  anointing  for  service.  May 
the  gift  of  grace  be  thine,  my  dear  friend,  in  all  these 
respects. 

I  never,  I  think,  felt  more  thoroughly  persuaded  of  the 
importance  of  your  labours  in  the  religious  instruction  of  the 
children  at  Ackworth.  The  late  Yearly  meeting  evidently 
shewed  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Society^s  increased  care  in  this 
respect.  Such  a  hopeful  rising  generation  I  think  I  never 
before  witnessed ;  and  many  Friends  who  had  attended  twenty 
or  thirty  Yearly  Meetings  or  more,  have  borne  a  similar 
testimony.  The  arising  of  the  power  of  divine  life  from 
meeting  to  meeting  was  most  cheering  and  animating.  My 
dear  sister  Elizabeth  Fry  and  myself  held  a  youths'  meeting ; 
an  evening  being  appointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the 
purpose.  It  was  a  noble  assemblage  :  I  suppose  nearly  two 
thousand  were  present,  and  some  hundreds,  it  was  said,  could 
find  no  entrance.  I  trust  it  was  a  time  of  instruction  and 
gathering  to  them,  as  it  was  of  the  deepest  exercise  to  us.  *  * 

I  have  been  holding  several  meetings  since  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  chiefly  in  Suffolk.  There  are  many  symptoms  I 
trust  abroad  that  the  truth  is  making  progress,  and  this  ought 
to  cheer  our  hearts.    And  though  I  suppose  we  are  never  likely 


^T.  37.  DEATH    OF    HIS    AUNT    GURNEY.  285 

to  be  a  great  multitude^  yet  I  feel  mucli  hope  that  we  shall  in 
due  season  be  a  strong  and  lively,  if  not  a  numerous  body. 

I  returned  home  to  the  funeral  of  my  beloved  aunt  Gm-ney, 
at  Keswick.  She  has  long  been  declining,  and  of  late  rapidly 
so,  and  made  a  very  peaceful  close.  She  was  a  true  Dorcas, 
and  lowly  in  spirit. 

TO    ANNA    GURNEY. 

London,  6th  n:o.,  4tli,  1825. 

My  dearest  Anna, 

On  arriving  at  Plashet  yesterday 

evening,  I  received  the  deeply  affecting  tidings  of  my  beloved 

aunt's  decease.    And  yet  what  can  I  say  when  I  reflect  on  the 

peacefulness   of  her   exit,  and  on  her   calm   and  exemplary 

reliance  on  the  miconquerable  Captain  of  Salvation.     I  must, 

and  I  do  rejoice  in  such  a  close  of  such  a  life ;  a  life  much 

chequered  with  sorrows  and  cares,  though  on  the  whole  one  of 

much  happiness,  and  certainly  one  of  no  common  humility, 

patience,  and  virtue. 

TO    HIS    BROTHER    AND    SISTER    BUXTON. 

Earlliam,  6tli  mo.,  13th,  1825. 

I  have  enjoyed  returning  to  this  delicious  place,  more 
peaceful  and  sweet  I  am  ready  to  think  than  ever,  and 
hope  soon  to  resume  my  usual  stroke  of  work.  -^  -^  I  am 
not  I  trust,  disposed  to  dweU  on  sorrow,  or  in  any  respect 
to  turn  sweet  sunshine  into  gloom.  Let  us  rather  dwell 
on  the  hopes  of  the  gospel,  and  on  the  joys  of  eternity. 
Let  us  take  a  little  hope  and  courage  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord;  and  press  forward  with  alacrity  towards  that  better 
coimtry  where  there  is  no  sorrow,  nor  sickness,  nor  sin, 
nor  slavery. 

Qth  mo.,  2Mh.  George  Withy  and  Mary  Alexander  were 
with  us  on  first  day.  In  the  evening,  at  George  Withy's 
request,  we  held  a  public  meeting.  It  was  full  and  very 
capital.  O  that  the  truth  may  spread;  the  original,  un- 
sophisticated, rmsectarianized  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.     Yester- 


286  FERVENT  PRAYER.  1825. 

day  our  flock  met^  with  little  exception  ;  George  Witliy  being 
with  us ;  he  was  very  singular,  very  close,  and  very  powerful ; 
and  I  think  made  no  small  impression.  A  large  party  of 
young  men  from  Norwich  breakfasted  here  a  few  mornings 
since.  There  is  much  hope  to  be  felt  respecting  them ;  and 
some  of  the  more  faithful  ones  are  evidently  advanced  in 
their  career. 

Having  returned  home  after  attending  the  General 
Meeting  at  Ackworth,  he  writes  : — 

Second  day  morning,  \^th  mo.,  8M.]  How  much  humbled 
ought  we  to  be  under  the  sense  of  the  Lord's  unmerited 
mercies,  always  remembering  that  all  that  we  possess  of  either 
natural  or  spiritual  talent,  we  have  received ;  and  what  is  more 
have  to  account  for,  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. 

O  most  merciful  Father,  the  creator  and  governor  of  all 
things,  sufier  one  of  the  most  unworthy  of  thy  children,  who 
is  often  secretly  buflPeted  and  tempted  by  his  soul's  enemy,  to 
draw  near  to  thee  for  help,  strength,  and  deliverance.  Let 
thy  holy  baptism  again  and  again  pass  through  me  and  over 
me,  until  all  is  subdued  and  purified.  Continue,  if  it  please 
thee,  to  anoint  me  abundantly  with  the  oil  of  thy  kingdom, 
that  I  may  preach  thy  word  instantly;  that  I  may  avail 
myself  of  all  right  opportunities  for  the  promotion  of  thy 
precious  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness.  Be  mercifully 
pleased  so  to  regulate  my  temporal  circumstances,  that  I  may 
be  set  more  at  liberty  to  serve  thee ;  yea,  to  dedicate  myself 
unto  thee  as  a  Priest  and  a  Levite.  Enable  me  to  complete 
my  present  work,  I  humbly  and  reverently  beseech  thee ;  and 
bless  it  largely  to  the  increase  of  thy  true  church,  and  to  the 
gloiy  of  thine  own  great  name.  O  my  God  and  Saviour, 
suffer  not  my  faith  to  fail.  Be  all  in  all  unto  me,  the  fulness 
of  strength,  joy,  and  peace.  Cover  all  my  transgressions. 
Let  me  rejoice  daily  in  wearing  the  spotless  robe  of  the 
righteousness  of  Jesus.  Bless  my  darling  children  from 
their  early  youth  upwards.  Let  them  always  be  thy  children. 
Let  them  be   deniers   of  self,   cross-bearers;    willing,    per- 


JET.  38.  JOURNAL    AND    LETTER.  287 

severing,  diligent,  fruitfal  followers  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
to  whom  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God, 
all-wise,  all-merciful,  eternal,  be  addressed  for  ever  from 
my  prostrate  soul,  the  melody  of  honour,  glory,  power,  and 
praise  !     Amen ! 

8th  mo.,  l&h.  On  fourth  day  we  finally  arranged  those 
matters  of  business  which  have  been  for  some  time  past  so 
weighty,  sometimes  so  oppressive  to  me.  This  settlement 
has  afforded  me  that  peculiarly  sweet  feeling  of  peace  which 
I  know  to  be  indicative  of  the  Master's  signet.  Often  have 
these  words  run  through  my  mind — "  In  his  quidem  hcec  mihi 
ambitio  est,  mi  Jesu,  vacate  tibi." 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Selby,  8tli  mo.,  22nd,  1825. 

I  was  last  evening  much  comforted  and  encouraged  by 
hearing  my  son  read  in  his  family,  the  first  six  chapters  in 
the  2nd  of  Corinthians.  Wliat  love  and  sympathy  at  this 
distance  of  time  we  sometimes  feel  for  eminent  Scripture 
characters !  I  think  mine  runs  the  strongest  toward  Paul  and 
David,  always  reserving  an  unmeasured  and  indescribable  por- 
tion for  the  once  suffering,  now  glorified  Redeemer ;  to  whom 
with  the  Father  be  all  honour,  thanksgiving,  and  praise,  in 
time,  and  in  eternity ! 

« 

A  short  visit  in  the  early  part  of  the  ninth  month 
to  his  friend  William  Eorster,  on  his  return  from 
America,  scarcely  interrupted  his  varied  pressing 
home  occupations. 

"  It  is  no  time  for  idleness,"  he  writes  to  Jonathan  Hutchin- 
son, '^  "I  am  deeply  engaged  in  many  things,  as  usual.  Just 
now  I  am  publishing  my  Essays,  which  is  a  considerable  effort. 
Next  week  we  are  to  have  a  Coimty  Meeting  on  Slavery.  We 
have  had  a  great,  and  I  hope  good  Bible  Meeting  already. 

*  Under  date  10th  mo.,  12th. 


288  ANTI-SLAVERY    MEETING.  1825. 

But  what^  after  all^  is  so  truly  exercising  as  tlie  duty  of  the 
Christian  Minister  ?     Indeed^  I  find  it  to  be  so. 

Second  day  afternoon,  \Oth  mo.,  \(}th.  Yesterday  was  one 
of  inexpressibly  deep  exercise  to  me.  In  the  morning  I  was 
long  engaged  on  the  great  prophecy  in  Isaiah  ii^  and  was 
unexpectedly  led  to  dwell  on  the  views  of  Friends  respecting 
the  true  nature  of  worship^  types^  &c.  The  same  strain  in 
prayer — that  the  great  Anti-type  might  be  over  all  types^  and 
his  power  over  all  forms.  It  certainly  was  very  confirming  to 
myself  to  be  thus  powerfully  led  on  this  subject.  Sweet  time 
between  meetings^  at  the  hospital  with  two  poor  men. 

lOth  mo.,  17th.  Yesterday  was  spent  away  from  Norwich. 
After  some  imeasiness  about  our  own  flock,  and  some  notion 
that  I  might  hold  a  public  meeting  in  the  evening,  I  felt 
quieted  in  the  belief  that  I  might  leave  Norwich,  and  all  its 
concerns,  to  the  Master ;  and  I  wish  to  record  it,  that  on  this 
and  other  occasions,  I  have  felt  quite  as  much  peace  in  abstain- 
ing from  services,  suggested  by  my  own  zeal  and  natural 
ardoiu'  in  piu'suit  of  the  great  object,  as  I  have  felt  at  other 
times  in  a  faithful  performance  of  that  which  he  really 
requires.      Let  me  take  the  lesson  deeply  home  ! 

My  dear  uncle  and  myself  passed  the  morning  in  attending 
Wymondham  meeting,  and  in  fulfilling  our  commission  re- 
specting a  visit  to  the  tithe-payers.  The  day  was  satis- 
factory. 

10th  mo.,  24th.  Since  I  last  wrote,  I  have  been  as  it  were, 
flooded  by  a  rapid  current  of  interest,  chiefly  in  the  Slavery 
concern ;  which,  with  the  party  at  Earlham  connected  with  it, 
occupied  fourth,  fifth,  and  part  of  sixth  day.  The  party  staying 
here  consisted  of  Lord  and  Lady  William  Bentinck,  Lord 
Gosford,  Lord  Calthorpe,  the  Lushingtons,  Buxtons,  Hoares, 
Hankinsons,  &c.  It  was  particularly  satisfactory,  pleasant, 
and  useful,  without  undue  excitation ;  and,  through  preserving 
favour,  I  did  not  feel  dislocated  from  my  usual  condition.  The 
readings  on  fifth  and  sixth  day  mornings  were  attended  by  all 
the  party,  and  were  very  solemn  and  reviving.  The  holy  oil 
was  poured  forth  for  our  instruction  and  refreshment — a  favour 


^T.  38.  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  289 

for  which  I  cannot  be  sufficiently  thankful ;  and  O,  that  under 
such  mercies,  self  may  be  kept  prostrate  in  the  dust ! 

The  Anti-slavery  Coimty  Meeting  on  fifth  day,  was  all  that 
could  be  desired,  and  far  better  than  we  had  reason  to  expect. 
It  was  a  flowing  and  interesting  occasion,  rendered  more 
especially  so  by  Buxton's  entire  success.  I  hope  the  impression 
produced  will  be  found  abiding,  and  productive  of  important 
results.  We  dined  afterwards — upwards  of  fifty ;  a  delightful 
party;  quiet,  orderly,  happy,  entertaining.  On  the  whole, 
I  have  great  reason  to  value  the  friendship  of  these 
persons,  whom  I  believe  I  have  never  gone  out  of  my  way  to 
meet. 

It  was  at  the  close  of  this  year  that  he  pubhshed 
the  elaborate  work,  in  which,  under  the  title  of 
Essays  on  Christianity,  he  has  embodied,  in  a  con- 
densed form,  the  result  of  the  meditation  and 
research  of  many  years.  With  singular  perspicuity 
of  arrangement  he  here  unfolds  the  evidences  and 
fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion; 
dwelling  with  peculiar  force  upon  the  great  truths 
of  redemption,  more  especially  upon  the  glorious 
offices  and  di\dne  character  and  perfections  of  the 
E-edeemer,  and  the  being,  power,  and  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  The  tenth  essay,  in  which  the  scrip- 
tui'al  argument  in  proof  of  the  Deity  of  Christ  is 
carefully  and  powerfully  stated,  contains  the  sub- 
stance of  the  more  extended  unpubhshed  work 
upon  the  subject,  which,  as  has  been  already  noticed, 
he  had  commenced  so  early  as  the  year  1815.  The 
whole  is  enforced  as  well  by  a  continued  reference 
to  the  practical  object  and  tendency  of  all  Christian 
truth,  as  by  a  particular  essay  devoted  to  the 
important  subjects  of  "  faith  "  and  "  obedience,"  in 
which  the  reasonableness   and  necessity   of  their 

V 


290  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  1825. 

combined  and  liarmonions  exercise  are  strikingly 
exhibited. 

Deeply  sensible  of  the  mysterious,  and,  to  use  his 
own  expression  in  his  Journal,*  "  unembraceable  " 
character  of  many  of  the  subjects  treated  of,  it  was 
his  desire  to  keep  strictly  within  the  limits  of  that 
which  has  been  revealed  respecting  them. 

"  I  wish  to  remark/'  lie  writes  in  his  Autobiography,  "  that 
throughout  this  work,  as  far  as  relates  to  doctrine,  I  profess 
nothing  more  than  to  present  a  clear  arrangement  of  Scripture 
evidence.  To  attempt  to  be  '  wise  above  that  which  is  written,' 
must  surely  be  esteemed  one  of  the  greatest  of  follies. f  May 
I  ever  be  preserved  from  it;  and,  in  dependence  on  the 
enlightening  and  guiding  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  may  I 
be  enabled  both  to  understand  and  apply  Scripture  with 
'  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,'  which  may  be  said  to  be, 
under  Christ,  the  keepers  of  the  true  key  to  its  hidden 
treasiu'es." 

The  whole  work  breathes  the  spirit  of  one  whose 
heart  is  warmed  and  animated  by  the  love  of  Christ. 
Taught  as  he  had  been  in  the  school  of  experience, 
and  strengthened,  in  no  small  measure,  to  consecrate 
his  faculties  to  the  service  of  his  Divine  Master,  he 
was  enabled  in  this  volume,  and  often  with  singular 
success,  to  employ  his  extensive  acquaintance  with 
the  original  languages  of  Scripture,  as  well  as  with 
Jewish  and  Rabbinical  learning,  and  the  remains  of 
early  Christian  antiquity,  in  throwing  a  clear  and 
steady  light  upon  the  momentous  topics  of  which 
he  treats.  Indeed  it  may  be  said,  without  dis- 
paragement to  the  many  other  valuable  treatises 

*  Under  date  3rd  mo.,  15th,  1825. 
f  A  similar  remark  occurs  in  the  Preface  to  the  Essays. 


^T.  38.  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  291 

extant  upon  these  subjects,  that  it  would  be  difficult 
to  find  a  volume  in  which  so  much  sound  and 
important  information  is  digested  in  so  small  a 
compass,  and  in  so  useful  and  practical  a  form,  as 
in  that  now  under  consideration.  Notwithstanding 
the  sound  scholarship,  apparent  in  almost  every 
page,  the  style  is  clear,  and  adapted  to  the  merely 
English  reader;  Avhilst  the  diligent  student  of 
the  Hebrew  and  Greek  Scriptures,  can  hardly  fail 
to  derive  instruction  from  the  manv  incidental 
explanations  scattered  throughout  the  work  of  ob- 
scure or  difficult  passages. 

Amidst  his  numerous  other  avocations,  and  his 
frequent  interruptions  from  company,  much  steady 
perseverance  was  necessary  to  the  completion  of 
such  a  work. 

"  To  wind  up  the  mind  to  the  effort  of  writing/'  he  remarks 
in  his  Jom'nal  in  allusion  to  it^"^  "  is  one  of  the  difficulties 
of  my  coui'se  of  life.  But/'  he  adds,  "  as  my  object  is  the 
promotion  of  truth  and  righteousness,  I  believe  I  may  rightly 
pray,  that  the  Lord  would  send  me  '  help  from  his  sanctuary, 
and  strengthen  me  out  of  Zion  /  and  if  I  should  succeed  in 
this  important  and  interesting  undertaking,  may  I  be  pre- 
served from  seeking  the  least  praise  for  myself,  but  give  the 
glory  where  alone  it  is  due !" 

It  was  in  the  same  spu-it  that  it  was  brought  to  a 
conclusion. 

"  To  finish  it,"  he  writes,  imder  date  12th  mo.,  5th,  "  after 
the  long  labour  and  thought  bestowed  upon  it,  was  strange  to 
my  feelings,  with  an  intermixtm'e  of  awfulness.  I  trust  I 
was  enabled  to  pray  that  the  di\ine  blessing  might  rest  upon 
the  undertaking." 

*  Under  date  6th  mo.,  27th,  182.5. 

u  2 


292  ROBERT  SOUTHEY.  1826. 

The  work,  upon  its  publication,  was  very  favour- 
ably received,  and  has  since  passed  through 
numerous  editions.*  In  a  few  warm  but  expressive 
lines,  the  Bishop  of  Norwich  assured  Joseph  John 
Gurney  of  "  the  high  opinion  which  he  entertained" 
respecting  it ;  and  from  his  brother-in-law  Thomas 
Powell  Buxton  he  learned  the  satisfaction  which  it 
had  given  to  the  Duke  of  Gloucester.  "  I  read  it," 
said  the  Duke,  "over,  and  over,  and  over  again." 
His  old  tutor  John  Hogers  wrote  with  a  warmth 
that  may  be  excused  towards  a  favourite  pupil : — 

In  the  composition  of  these  essays,  you  have  discovered  an 
intimate  acquaintance  with  the  subject  on  which  you  treat ; 
you  have  shown  that  your  mind  is  impressed  with  a  full  sense 
of  its  importance,  and  that  it  has  occupied  your  most  serious 
thoughts ;  you  have  displayed  a  great  knowledge  of  the 
original  languages,  in  which  the  old  and  the  new  covenants 
were  written,  as  well  as  of  the  Jewish  and  Christian  antiqui- 
ties ;  you  have  conducted  your  work  in  a  regular  and  perspi- 
cuous method;  and,  (what  gives  it  the  greatest  value,)  you 
have  evinced,  in  general,  that  excellent  temper,  and  that 
Christian  spirit,  which  ought  always  to  characterize  writings 
of  this  nature. 

FROM    ROBERT    SOUTHEY. 

Keswick,  4th  January,  1826. 

I  have  gone  through  your  volume,  with  wonder  as  well  as 
satisfaction,  and  I  hope  not  without  profiting  by  it.  It  woidd 
have  been  a  surprising  book  from  one  who  had  been  bred  to 
the  profession  of  divinity,  and  pursued  the  study  with  ardour 
during  a  long  life.     The  evidence  is  full  and  complete,  the 

*  It  has  been  re-published  in  America,  and  has  been  translated 
into  German  and  Spanish.  It  has  also  been  lately  published  in  a 
cheap  form  by  the  Religious  Tract  Society,  from  stereotype  plates 
presented  by  my  friend  John  Henry  Gurney. — Editor. 


^T.  38.  HANNAH    MORE    AND    CHARLES    SIMEON.  293 

deductions  everywhere  logical,  the  spirit  truly  Christian ;  and 
I  cannot  doubt,  but  that  it  will  be  the  means  of  bringing 
home  many  who  have  gone  astray,  and  of  preserving  others 
from  error. 

My  heart  went  with  you  everywliere.  There  are  two  points 
only  on  which  I  hesitate  in  opinion.  ^  *  ^  ^  Do  not  think 
me  presumptuous.  From  the  changes  tlu'ough  which  my 
mind  has  passed  I  have  learnt  the  useful  lesson  of  distrusting 
myself;  and  for  some  twelve  years  I  have  been  conscious  of 
no  other  change  than  an  increasing  sense  of  weakness,  and 
the  necessitv  of  a  saving  faith. 


FROM    HANNAH    MORE. 

Barley  Wood,  June  loth,  1826. 

It  is  a  necessity  to  which  I  am  too  frequently  driven,  when 
I  have  been  favoured  with  a  presentation  copy  of  a  work  from 
an  author,  whose  mediocrity  I  either  knew  or  suspected,  to 
retm-n  my  thanks  almost  immediately,  that  I  might  not  be 
compelled  to  the  painful  alternative  of  rudeness  or  flattery. 
You,  my  dear  sir,  are  an  author  whose  w^ork,  to  borrow  the 
language  of  one  of  the  collects  of  oiir  church,  one  may  "  read, 
mark,  learn,  and  inwardly  digest'^  before  one  acknowledges 
the  obligation  conferred.  There  is  much  judgment  in  the 
arrangement,  great  perspicuity  in  the  style,  as  well  as  depth 
and  truth  in  the  argument.  I  pray  that  it  may  please  our 
gracious  Heavenly  Father,  without  whom  nothing  is  strong, 
nothing  is  holy,  to  make  this  book  an  instrument  of  much 
good. 

FROM    CHARLES    SIMEON. 
•  K.  C.  Cambridge,  January  25tli,  1826. 

My  beloved  Friend  and  Brother, 

I  have  proceeded  half  through  your  book 
regularly  according  to  your  direction,^  and  have  read  it  with 
great  delight  and  edification.      Yom-  statements  throughout 

*  See  the  Preface  to  the  Essays. 


294  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  1826. 

are  judicious  and  satisfactory,  and  the  richness  of  your  appeals 
to  Scripture  renders  your  book  invaluable.  *  "^  *  ^  1  love 
your  recapitulations  exceedingly.  The  vast  advantage  of 
them  to  your  readers  is  obvious;  but  they  are  not  less  useful 
to  your  own  mind,  in  that  they  induce  a  habit  of  order,  of 
terseness,  of  perspicuity.  It  is  almost  impossible  for  a  man 
who  recapitulates,  either  to  run  riot,  or  to  talk  nonsense. 
Bishop  Pearson's  perorations  have  always  dehghted  me,  and 
yours  also  will  delight  and  ediiy  many. 

I  have  just  perused  your  most  elaborate  defence  of  the 
divinity  of  our  blessed  Lord.  I  think  that  the  whole  church 
will  bless  you  for  it ;  and  in  your  dying  hour  it  will  be  no  grief 
to  you  to  have  taken  so  much  pains  in  elucidating  and  con- 
finning  a  point  that  is  of  such  unspeakable  importance  to  all 
who  feel  their  need  of  a  divine  Saviour.  Go  on,  my  beloved 
brother,  and  may  God  long  preserve  you  to  be  a  blessing  to 
the  church  and  the  world. 

"  What  an  extraordinary  production  it  is,"  wrote 
his  early  friend  Edward  Edwards,  "  for  a  young  lay- 
man— for  a  banker — -above  all,  for  a  Friend.''  Not 
a  few  of  his  acquaintance  who  did  not  belong  to  the 
same  religious  body  with  himself,  were  in  fact  ready 
to  join  in  this  last  exclamation.  Accustomed,  it 
may  be,  to  view  Quakerism  through  a  somewhat 
prejudiced  medium,  to  take  the  opinions  of  the  early 
Friends  from  the  reports  of  their  opponents,  or  from 
a  view  of  their  writings,  too  much  confined  to  those 
published  in  the  heat  of  controversy,  they  were 
perhaps  hardly  aware  that  the  early  Eriends  sted- 
fastly  maintained  the  great  doctrines  of  the  proper 
manhood  and  Deity  of  Christ,  and  the  reality  and 
efficacy  of  his  propitiatory  sacrifice ;  and  that  the 
Ijurden  of  their  exhortations  was,  that  others  might 
he  brought  in  faith  and  obedience,  through  the  work 
of  his  Spirit  in  their  hearts,  effectually  to  know  him 


^T.    38.  ESSAYS    ON    CHKISTIANITY.  295 

in  all  his  gracious  offices.*  It  had  been  scarcely, 
perhaps,  enough  considered  that  some  of  their  most 
important  and  distinguishing  principles — those  on 
the  subjects  of  worship  and  ministry — were  simply 
results,  necessary  ones,  as  they  believed,  of  a 
complete,  heartfelt  apprehension  of  the  mediatorial, 
priestly,  and  regal  characters  of  the  Son  of  God.f 
Nor  had  it  been  sufficiently  recollected,  that  whilst 
nothing  short  of  regard  for  his  divine  authority 
could  have  supported  them,  almost  single-handed 
amongst  the  professors  of  Christianity,  in  the  main- 
tenance of  their  testimonies,  grounded  upon  his  plain 
precepts,  against  all  oaths  and  war ;  so  it  was  their 
reverence  for  him  and  for  his  truth,  their  deep 
sense  of  the  all-importance  of  his  one  peculiar  and 
distinctive  baptism  "  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  fire," 
and  of  the  necessity  of  eating  and  drinking,  by 
faith,  of  his  body  broken,  and  his  blood  shed  upon 
the  cross  for  them,  that  had  led  them,  in  rejecting 
the  commonlv  received  out\^  ard  rites  of  Christian 
communion,  to  press  after  the  reality  rather  than 
the  representation,  the  substance  rather  than  the 
shadow.  The  more  the  true  character  of  the  gospel 
dispensation,  as  draT\Ti  by  the  inspired  penman  of 

*  See  Selections  from  the  Epistles  of  George  Fox,  by  Samuel  Tuke, 
pp.  12,  63,  150,  214,  224,  260.  Indeed  the  whole  of  this  little 
volume  is  replete  with  instruction.  See  also  the  valuable  body  of 
evidence  on  the  Christian  principles  of  the  early  Friends,  especially  on 
the  important  subjects  of  the  Three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,  of 
the  Divinity  and  Offices  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
contained  in  the  "  Exposition  of  the  Faith  of  the  Religious  Society 
of  Friends  on  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion," 
by  Thomas  Evans,  Philadelphia,  1828. 

f  See  in  particular  the  little  Tract  issued  by  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  1840,  intituled  Testimony  to  the  authority  of  Christ  in  his  Church. 


29G  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY,  1826. 

the  New  Testament,  and  the  extent  to  which  it  was 
apprehended  by  the  early  Eriends,  are  considered 
and  understood,  the  less  will  it  excite  surprise, 
either  that  the  writer  of  the  Observations  on  the 
Distinguishing  Views  of  the  Society  of  Eriends 
should  maintain  the  truths  so  clearly  set  forth  in 
his  Essays  on  Christianity,  or  that  the  writer  of  tlie 
Essays  should  feel  bound  to  the  principles  which 
he  has  advocated  in  his  earlier  work.  In  his  view 
the  two  works  were  consistent  with  each  other,  both 
equally  represented  his  own  deep-felt  convictions, 
and  both  required  to  be  perused  in  order  to  the  full 
comprehension  at  once  of  the  extent  and  the  limits 
of  his  religious  belief. 

After  what  has  been  said,  it  will  not  be  necessary 
to  do  more  than  to  insert  extracts  from  a  very  few 
of  the  letters  which  he  received,  upon  its  publication, 
from  the  members  of  his  own  religious  society. 

FROM    WILLIAM    FORSTER. 

Bradpole,  [2ncl  of  3rcl  mo.,]  1826. 

Thou  must  allow  me,  in  true  brotherly  love,  to  offer  thee 
my  warmest  congratulations^  that  thou  hast  been  enabled  to 
bring  out  thy  Essays.  I  entertain  a  most  lively  and  cheering 
hope  of  the  usefulness  of  thy  "svork;  that  in  this  cloudy  and 
dark  day,  it  will  tend  to  the  establishment  of  the  wavering,  to 
the  fortifying  of  the  feeble-minded,  and  put  to  silence  the 
caddis  of  many  a  proud  and  self-sufficient  gainsayer.  To  the 
anxious  inquirer  after  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  I  firmly 
believe  it  will  be  rendered  pecuharly  helpful  and  valuable.  In 
short,  I  cannot  but  look  upon  it  as  one  of  those  labom's  of 
love  that  will  be  made  to  abound  "  by  many  thanksgivings 
unto  God."  It  would  be  strange  if  I  did  not  feel  more  than  a 
common  and  passing  interest  in  the  work;  for,  I  think,  I 
never  found  myself  upon  any  occasion  so  much  anticipated ; 


^T. 


38.  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  297 


it  gives  utterance  to  my  own  views  and  feelings  in  sucli  lucid 
and  convincing  language,  and  witlial  it  solves  some  of  my 
difficulties  so  tliorougldy  and  satisfactorily. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Geclney,  Stli  mo.,  1st,  1826. 

I  have  lately  finished  a  very  deliberate  reading  of  thy 
Essays,  and,  on  the  whole,  with  a  satisfaction  which  enables 
me  honestly  to  say,  that  I  am  glad  to  have  seen  such  a  book 
before  I  die.  I  rejoice  that  a  friend  so  dear  to  me,  should,' 
consistently  with  his  own  avowed  principle  of  human  incapacity 
for  any  work  that  can  be  denominated  good,  both  in  motive 
and  act,  have  been  enabled  to  write  it.  I  hope  this  effort 
of  labour  and  of  love,  for  such  I  consider  it,  will  prove  of 
advantage  to  many,  as  I  think  it  has  been  of  edification  to 
myself,  by  exciting  me  afi-esh,  even  under  life's  declining 
energies,  to  "  thank  God  and  take  corn-age,''  and,  under  some 
reneM^al  of  faith  and  hope,  reverently,  I  trust,  to  "put  on 
strength  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

It  was  witli  peculiar  satisfaction  that  he  received 
the  follo^ving  from  the  well-known  author  of  the 
English  Grammar,  then  far  advanced  in  years. 

Holdgate,  near  York,  2iicl  mo.,  1st,  1826. 

My  dear  and  much  esteemed  Friend, 

I  am  obliged  and  gratified  by  thy  kind 
remembrance  of  me,  in  the  distribution  of  thy  volume. 

Being  able  to  read  but  little  myself,  I  have  had  the  book 
read  to  me,  and  very  much  to  my  satisfaction.  Proofs  thou 
hast  given  abundantly  of  the  positions  contained  in  the 
volume  being  conformable  to  the  Holy  Scriptures.  The  work 
is  happily  calculated,  both  in  its  matter  and  manner,  to 
comfort  tiiose  who  miite  in  the  author's  views  and  sentiments, 
to  disperse  the  doubts  of  those  who  hesitate,  and  to  produce 
conviction  in  the  minds  of  gainsayers.     Thou  hast  indeed  by 


298  LINDLEY    MURRAY.  1826. 

this  pious  labour,  very  materially  served  ilie  cause  of  truth 
and  righteousness ;  and  I  trust  thou  wilt  be  blessed  for  it  by 
Him  whose  blessing  makes  truly  rich,  and  will  accompany 
thee  to  the  latest  hour  of  life. 

Farewell,,  dear  Joseph,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word ! 

I  remain  thy  very  affectionate  friend, 

LiNDLEY  Murray. 

Two  weeks  after  receiving  the  above  letter,  he 
writes  in  his  Journal  : — 

On  seventh  day  I  received  the  affecting  tidings  of  the 
decease  of  my  beloved  and  honoured  friend  Lindley  Murray. 
A  fortnight  before  his  death  he  wrote  me  a  letter  expressive 
of  his  unity  with  my  Essays.     How  valuable  that  letter  now  1 


iET.  38.  MONETARY    AND    COMMERCIAL    PANIC.  299 


CHAPTEH  XVI. 

1825—1827.     ^T.  38—39. 

PANIC  IN  THE  MONETARY  AND  COMMEKCIAL  WORLD  ;  ENGAGEMENT  IN 
MARRIAGE  WITH  MARY  FOWLER;  JOURNEYS  IN  THE  WEST  OF  ENG- 
LAiND,  AND  IN  THE  MIDLAND  COUNTIES;  EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL 
AND  LETTERS  ;  PROSPECT  OF  A  VISIT  TO  IRELAND  WITH  HIS  SISTER 
ELIZABETH   FRY. 

The  panic  in  the  monetary  and  commercial  world, 
and  the  sudden  run  upon  the  banks  in  London  and 
the  country,  have  rendered  memorable  the  winter  of 
1825-26.  As  a  banker,  Joseph  John  Gurney  did  not 
escape  his  share  of  anxiety.  A  few  months  previ- 
ously he  had  written  in  his  Journal  :* — 

Business  has  been  productive  of  trial  to  me,  and  has  led  me 
to  reflect  on  the  equity  of  God,  who  measures  out  his  salutary 
chastisements,  even  in  this  world,  to  the  rich  as  well  as  to  the 
poor.  I  can  certainly  testify  that  some  of  the  greatest  pains 
and  most  burdensome  cares  which  I  have  had  to  endure,  have 
arisen  out  of  being  what  is  usually  called  a  "  monied  man." 

These  cares  now  pressed  upon  him  with  unaccus- 
tomed force.  It  was  a  time  that  put  men's  charac- 
ters and  principles  to  the  proof.  Houses  of  old  and 
established  reputation  were  giving  way ;  the  weaker 
ones  had  been  already  forced  to  yield.  Credit  seemed 
for  a  time  annihilated.     Men  hardly  knew  whom  to 

*  Under  date  7th  mo.  10th,  1825. 


300  PANIC  IN  THE  MONETARY  1825. 

\ 

trust.  Each  post  brought  the  news  of  fresh  disas- 
ters, and  none  could  tell  whose  turn  might  come 
next.  Had  Joseph  John  Gurney  been  the  mere 
man  of  business,  his  constitutional  timidity  would 
have  ill  fitted  him  to  meet  such  a  crisis.  But  in  his 
case,  the  man  of  business  was  also  the  servant  of 
Christ.  And  they  who  witnessed  the  quiet  courage 
with  which  he  faced  the  storm,  his  wholemindedness 
to  the  occasion,  the  clear  and  sound  judgment,  and 
steady  firmness  with  which  he  met  each  new  emer- 
gency, and  through  all,  the  deep  repose  of  his  own 
spirit,  could  not  l)ut  acknowledge  the  reality  and 
excellence  of  the  fruits  arising  out  of  such  a  combi- 
nation of  character ;  whilst  all  may  be  instructed  in 
recollecting  that  had  the  Christian  minister  ceased 
to  be  the  man  of  business,  the  opportunity  for  thus 
illustrating  by  example,  the  practical  result  s  of  the 
relio-ion  of  Jesus  would  have  been  lost. 

His  Journal  at  this  period  strikingly  illustrates 
these  various  points  of  his  character. 

llth  mo.,  2Srd,  1825.  Since  I  last  wrote,  I  have  had  true 
cause,  amidst  much  trial  of  faith,  to  set  my  seal  to  the  decla- 
ration, that  the  "Lord  is  good,  and  that  his  righteousness 
endureth  for  ever."  What  a  week  it  has  been  !  The  post  of 
3rd  day,  the  15th,  brought  me  an  imexpected  letter  from  my 
brother  Samuel,  which  rendered  it  necessary  for  me  to  go  the 
next  day  to  London.  There  I  passed  5th,  6th,  and  7th  days ; 
an  interesting  but  deeply  trying  time;  the  city  m  general 
beinff  in  a  state  of  srreat  distress  for  want  of  money,  and  affairs 
at  their  acme  of  anxiety.  However  I  was  favom-ed  with  much 
calmness,  and  even  cheerfuLuess,  feeling  the  Lord  to  be  near 
to  us ;  and  was  enabled,  to  a  point  which  could  scarcely  have 
been  looked  for,  to  assist  in  arranging  everything  comfortably, 
and  to  quit  London  and  my  dear  brothers  and  sisters  with  an 


jET.  38.  AND    COMMERCIAL    WORLD.  301 

easy  mind,  by  mail,  on  seventh  day  night.  Seldom  have  I 
more  signally  experienced  the  special  pro^ddence  of  our  hea- 
venly Father,  I  arrived  in  Norwich  on  first  day  morning,  in 
time  for  meeting.  It  was  well  attended  and  was  a  favoured 
occasion.  I  was  engaged  m  thanksgiving  and  prayer,  and  in 
ministry  on  the  declaration,  "  Happy  is  the  man  who  hath  the 
God  of  Jacob  for  his  help,  whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his  God." 
The  afternoon  meeting  was  also  highly  favoured. 

Second  day.  Norwich  Anti-slavery  Meeting.  Driven  up  into 
a  corner  as  I  was,  and  absolutely  deprived  of  the  opportunity 
of  previous  study  or  much  reflection,  I  found  it  necessary  to 
wind  myself  up  to  a  great  eflbrt.  In  this  I  was  favoured  to 
succeed ;  and  the  meeting  passed  ofl:'  excellently. 

I2th  mo.,  5th.  After  our  successful  anti-slavery  meeting, 
on  this  day  fortnight,  I  was  variously  and  closely  engaged  for 
three  or  four  days.  On  the  sixth  day  morning,  I  corrected 
the  last  sheet  of  my  Essays  on  Christianity.  That  afternoon 
I  went  to  Yarmouth,  where  I  attended  a  large  and  hopeful 
Bible  Society  Meeting  in  the  evening,  and  made  along  speech, 
I  trvist  with  some  effect.  The  next  day  in  the  evening,  by 
the  mail,  fifty  miles  to  Ipsmcli.  The  following  first  day  there 
was  one  of  close  exercise.  It  was  hard  work  to  raise  the 
living  spring  from  the  hidden  weU.  The  public  meeting  in 
the  evening  was  very  large  and  relieving.  I  was  much  en- 
gaged in  prayer,  and  in  preaching  on  the  universaHty  of  the 
grace  of  God,  and  on  the  beauty  of  holiness.  Elizabeth  Dud- 
ley followed  me  in  the  same  strain,  and  concluded  the  meeting 
with  solemn  supplication. 

Second  day  was  very  affecting  to  me.  With  James  and 
Emma  Corder  I  travelled  to  CoggeshaU,  where  I  passed  seve- 
ral hours  with  that  family,  and  much  of  the  time  with  dear 
Alfred.  I  found  him  much  wasted  and  tried  with  a  sad  cough, 
but  beautifidly  calm,  quiet,  and  resigned.  I  have  not  often 
seen  Christian  principle  more  brightly  exemplified.  After  a 
quiet  affecting  leave-taking,  and  much  spiritual  exercise  in 
the  family  circle,  I  left  him  in  the  evening  for  Colchester; 
whence,  after  a  few  hours  sleep,  the  mail  brought  me  to  Nor- 
wich on  third  day  morning.    A  close  trial  of  faith  and  patience 


302  PANIC    IN    THE    MONETARY  1826. 

daily  going  forward  from  continued  London  anxieties.  It  has 
been  a  stormy  time  indeed !  and  I  fear  my  dear  brother  has 
had  much  to  endure.  Two  of  our  partners  went  up  on  fourth 
day.  This  has  enabled  me  to  stay  quietly  in  my  own  berth, 
which  was  the  more  needful,  as  I  had  appointed  a  pubhc 
meeting  for  yesterday  evening.  It  was  very  large,  and  I  be- 
lieve passed  off  weU. 

15/  mo.,  Wth,  1826.  The  very  day  after  I  last  wrote  in  this 
Journal,  arrived  a  letter  from  Samuel,  requiring  my  immediate 
presence  in  London,  on  account  of  the  gloomy  state  of  money 
affairs.  His  letter  coincided  with  my  own  plans ;  for  I  had 
previously  taken  my  place  for  that  day,  in  the  Ipswich  mail. 

The  day  to  which  I  allude  was  fifth  day,  12th  mo.,  8th.  It 
was  the  day  of  our  monthly  meeting,  at  which  Friends  signed 
my  certificate  for  my  intended  journey  to  the  south  and  west. 
Large  and  solemn  were  the  meetings  both  for  worship  and 
discipline,  and  eminently  with  us  appeared  to  be  that  Lord  of 
life  and  glory,  who  ever  has  been,  and  I  doubt  not,  ever  will 
be,  "  for  a  crown  of  glory,  and  for  a  diadem  of  beauty,  to  the 
residue  of  his  people."  My  address  to  the  assembly  was  that 
of  a  fi'iend  parting  fr'om  them  for  a  time,  and  deeply  concerned 
for  their  spiritual  welfare  and  progress.  I  called  upon  them 
to  walk  more  worthy  of  their  high  vocation,  as  Christians,  as 
Quakers ;  being  led  to  insist  on  the  genuine  excellence,  both 
of  the  foundation,  and  of  the  superstructure,  of  what  I  believe 
most  firmly  to  be  a  temple  in  which  God  delights  to  dwell. 

He  thus  continues  his  history  in  a  letter : — 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  1st  mo.,  21st,  1826. 

■X-  -x-  *  When  I  arrived  in  London  the  next  morning  by  the 
mail,  I  foimd  myself  entirely  arrested  by  the  very  painful  and 
anxious  state  of  the  monied  world.  The  path  of  duty  was 
clear,  viz.  to  continue  in  London  for  two  or  three  weeks.  An 
awful  stormy  time  it  was.  I  never  saw  the  like  before,  and 
truly  I  can  say  that  the  only  sure  refuge  was  the  "  strong 
tower" — the  name  of  the  Lord.     Many  were  deeply  distressed^ 


^T.  38.  AND    COMMERCIAL    WORLD.  303 

and  I  never  witnessed  any  thing  so  like  the  judgments  of  God 
on  a  people  who  had  made  for  themselves  idols  of  gold  and 
idols  of  silver.  It  has  occasioned  me  more  than  a  little  suf- 
fering, fi'om  the  feeling  of  my  own  numerous  and  important 
ties  to  the  earth ;  ties  which  it  would  be  wholly  out  of  my 
power  to  sever.  However  I  endeavoiu-ed  quietly  to  repose  in 
that  pro^ddence  by  which  I  seem  to  myself  to  have  been 
brought  into  my  present  situation  in  life ;  and  which  will,  I 
trust,  open  the  way  for  my  nevertheless  performing  my  reli- 
gious duties.  Ah !  how  closely  do  I  feel,  tlirough  all,  boimd 
in  spirit  to  Zion — the  city  of  the  saints'  solemnities.  How  do 
I  delight  in  her  privileges,  in  her  quiet  palaces,  in  her  streams 
of  livdng  water  !  And  how  mfinitely  desirable  does  it  appear 
to  me,  to  be  devoted  in  heart  and  soul  to  the  very  best,  the 
very  dearest  of  all  masters  ! 

When  things  had  become  a  httle  quiet  I  ventui'ed  into  the 
west  for  rather  more  than  a  week,  and  held  meetings  with 
Friends  and  others  at  Melksham,  Bath,  and  Bristol.  At  the 
last  place  I  spent  a  memorable  Sabbath  day,  in  which,  I  trust, 
the  "  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus"  was  in  some  degree  exalted,  and 
finallv  in  dominion. 

A  few  weeks  later  he  writes  in  Ms  Journal : — 

2nd  mo.,  20th.  The  week  has  in  part,  been  one  of  deep 
trial ;  almost  overwhelming  sohcitudes  about  business,  &c.,  and 
the  state  of  the  country  in  general,  alarming  to  every  thoughtful 
mind.  Memorable  are  the  lessons  which  these  events  are 
calculated  to  impress  on  our  own  Society ;  and  earnest  are  my 
desires,  that  we  may,  in  om*  various  allotments,  be  favoured 
with  ability  to  preserve  clean  hands,  and  to  uphold  with 
integi-ity  the  cause  of  our  Redeemer.  I  do  not  know  that  I 
feel  condemned  in  the  retrospect  and  examination  of  my 
temporal  calling ;  nor  am  I  aware,  that  I  have  ever  seen  an 
opening  for  quitting  my  post.  Yet  my  soul  is  exercised  in 
fen^ent  desires  that  nothing  may  stand  in  the  way  between  me 
and  my  Maker;  and  that  I  may  be  more  entii'ely  brought 
into  the  innocence  of  the  Christian  Hfe,  through  the  mighty 


304  MARY    FOWLER,  1826. 

power  of  that  Saviour^  in  whom  is  my  confidence,  and  whose 
blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 


Another  circumstance  was  at  this  time  deeply 
teresting  his  feelings 
the  Autohiography : — 


interesting  his  feelings.     It  is  thus  adverted  to  in 


When  the  commercial  troubles  had  subsided,  I  went  down 
into  the  west  of  England ;  and,  whilst  at  Melksham,  passed  a 
few  days  at  Elm  Grove,  a  lovely  place  in  the  country,  with 
Rachel  Fowler,  a  cousin  of  my  late  wife^s,  and  widow  of  Robert 
Fowler,  whose  grave  and  expressive  speeches  used  to  fall  with 
so  much  weight  on  my  ear  and  soul  during  my  earlier  atten- 
dances of  the  Yearly  Meeting.  She  was  left  with  three  sons 
and  two  daughters.  Mary,  the  youngest,  immediately  attracted 
my  attention.  She  was  fourteen  years  younger  than  myself, 
but  appeared  in  every  other  respect  precisely  adapted  to  my 
taste  and  need;  and  truly  may  it  be  said  that  wisdom  was 
''grey  hairs"  to  her,  for  never  did  I  meet  with,  in  any  young 
person,  so  accurate  a  discernment,  or  so  sound  a  judgment. 
I  had  previously  paid  the  family  a  visit ;  and,  having  now 
enjoyed  a  more  complete  opportunity  of  intercourse,  my  mind 
became  quite  clear,  and  I  mentioned  my  views  first  to  her 
mother,  and  afterwards,  with  her  mother's  full  sanction,  to 
herself.  It  was  evident  that  there  was  a  close  correspondence 
between  us  in  sentiment,  taste,  and  feeling;  and,  although 
nothing  was  then  decided,  I  was  well  satisfied  with  my  visit ; 
except  only  that  her  rapidly  increasing  delicacy  of  health 
made  me  anxious.  After  a  little  time,  her  mind  quietly  settled 
in  the  affirmative  of  the  question;  a  decision  for  which  she 
believed  she  had  the  sanction  of  that  gracious  Lord  whom  she 
desired  to  serve.  But  her  health  soon  appeared  more  and 
more  to  fail,  and  although  we  were  not  greatly  alarmed,  con- 
tinued to  excite  our  anxiety  and  close  watchfulness  for  nearly 
a  year  and  a  half.  Thus  was  I  introduced  to  a  new  description 
of  trial,  a  new  exercise  of  faith  and  patience ;  but  hope  lived 
through  all,  and,  whilst  involved  in  inevitable  suspense  on  a 
most  interesting  point,  I  endeavoured  as  steadily  as  I  coidd  to 


^T.  38.  JOURNAL.  305 

pursue  the  path  of  duty,  and  to  do  the  day's  work  in  the 
day. 

To  return  to  the  Journal : — 

First  day  night,  \st  mo.,  29th.  I  may  record  with  thank- 
fuhiess  a  peaceful  Sabbath,  after  a  more  than  usually  busy  and 
careful  week.  It  is  a  great  mercy  that  there  is  provided  one 
day  in  the  week,  for  the  stopping  of  the  big  wheel  which 
involves  so  many  rapid  interests. 

Third  day  morning.  The  sweetness  of  the  Sabbath  has 
been  mercifully  prolonged,  amidst  much  business,  and  much 
infirmity.  The  Lord  knows,  that  notwithstanding  all  my 
infirmities,  /  love  him  and  his  cause,  as  with  all  my  heart, 
and  gi'aciously  is  he  pleased  to  speak  peace  to  my  often 
wounded  spirit. 

2nd  mo.,  Srd.  This  morning  I  have  been  re-perusing  my 
chapter  ''  on  the  disuse  of  typical  rites,"  ^  and  am  favoured  to 
feel  much  satisfaction  in  it ;  so  that  I  can  praise  the  Lord,  in 
the  humble  behef,  that  he  has  been  graciously  pleased  to 
lead  me  into  his  truth,  not  only  as  it  relates  to  the  common 
Christian  ground,  but  as  it  regards  the  peculiar  views  and 
testimonies  of  our  scattered,  and  to  a  great  degree  despised, 
society — despised  not  as  indiAdduals,  but  as  a  profession. 

2nd  mo.,  7th.  Amelia  Opie  here.  We  have  passed  a  solemn 
time  in  the  family  reading ;  aU  the  servants,  the  children,  and 
ourselves  present.  I  felt  it  right  to  exhort  to  economy,  modera- 
tion, seriousness  of  mind,  to  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  the  love 
of  Jesus ;  and  was  afterwards  engaged  in  prayer  for  the  ser- 
vants, the  children,  &c.  There  seemed  to  be  an  open  door  in 
the  hearts  of  those  present.  I  feel  in  some  degree  inwardly 
gathered  to  the  centre  of  light  and  Hfe,  which  is,  I  believe,  a 
condition  peculiarly  needful,  in  the  present  day,  to  be  sought 
after  and  carefully  maintained. 

After  an  absence  from  home  of  several  months, 
during  which  he  was  principally  occupied  by  re- 

*  See  Observations  on  the  Distinguishing  Views  of  Friends,  chap.  4. 

X 


306  RELIGIOUS    SERVICES    IN    THE    WESTERN  1826. 

ligious  labours  in  the  West  of  England,  lie  writes : — 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  I9th.  A  strange  and  unusual  break  in 
my  history !  Much^  indeed,  has  passed  since  I  last  wrote.  I 
left  home  on  my  mission,  on  seventh  day,  3rd  mo.,  11th, 
and  passed  the  next  day  at  Plaistow;  thence  proceeded  by 
mail  to  Bristol  to  their  Quarterly  Meeting.  Most  closely, 
and,  I  may  add,  arduously,  was  I  engaged  ia  visiting  the 
three  Quarterly  Meetings  of  Bristol  and  Somerset,  Devon, 
and  Cornwall,  and  all  the  meetings  within  their  compass, 
one  very  small  one  excepted;  holding  public  meetings  in 
most  places,  and  paying  many  family  visits. 

During  this  journey,  I  was,  at  times,  inexpressibly  baptized 
into  deep  suffering  and  affliction  of  spirit ;  but  mostly  found 
that  this  experience  prepared  the  way  for  subsequent  elevation 
in  the  power  of  the  gift,  and  sometimes  for  joy  in  the  Lord. 
My  general  concern  towards  Friends  was,  to  awaken  them 
to  a  more  lively  sense  of  the  great  principles  of  truth,  and 
to  wean  them  from  a  dependence  on  a  mere  religion  of 
system  and  education.  In  Bristol,  I  had  warmly  to  plead 
amongst  them  for  "the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints." 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  kindness  with  which  I  was  received 
in  that  city  and  elsewhere.  It  might  have  been  spoiling  to 
me,  had  it  not  been  for  the  lowering  efficacy  of  the  deep  and 
frequent  conflict  of  my  own  spirit. 

Towards  the  public  my  general  duty  was  clearly  to  proclaim 
the  essential  truths  of  our  common  Christianity,  and  where 
more  preparation  was  evinced,  especially  id  Cornwall,  to  unfold 
the  most  spiritual  views  of  religion. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Norwich,  7th  mo.,  13th,  1826. 

■^  *  I  often  think  that  I  am  happier  in  meeting  than  any 
where  else.  It  is  indeed  a  high  privilege  to  be  emancipated 
for  the  time  from  the  discomposures,  cares,  and  sorrows  of 
this  rapidly  passing  and  constantly  varying  scene,  and  to  be 
permitted  to  sit  down  as  in  the  secret  place  of  God's  holy 
tabernacle.  *  ^ 


JET.  38.  AND    MIDLAND    COUNTIES.  307 

TO    THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTON. 

Nor^icli,  7th  mo.,  15th,  1826. 

■'^  *  I  feel  myself  to  be  so  intimately  boimd  up  with  thee 
in  mind  and  circumstances,  that  everything  which  touches 
thee,  touches  me  also,  and  probably  often  more  to  the  quick 
than  it  does  thee.  It  has  therefore  been  a  real  pain  to  me  to 
know  of  thy  being  under  some  discouragements.  Yet  I  trust 
that  thou  wilt  derive  benefit  fi'om  them,  in  weaning  thee  stiU 
more  entirely  from  all  things  temporal,  in  elevating  thy 
thoughts  more  towards  heavenly  things,  and  in  strengthening 
thy  akeady  strong  resolution,  to  glory  only  in  Christ  crucified, 
and  to  be  indeed  one  of  his  faithful  soldiers ;  a  soldier  invin- 
cibly simple-hearted,  and  persevering  in  the  great  contest 
which  is  now  going  on  between  light  and  darkness,  good 
and  evil. 

7th  mo.,  24ith.  Last  third  day,  Amelia  Opie  and  I  went  to 
Acle,  where  we  met  Lord  Calthorpe  at  E.  Sidney's,  and  held 
a  successful  anniversary  of  the  Bible  Society.  On  my  return 
at  night,  I  found  Wilberforce  and  his  family  at  Earlham. 
They  staid  till  seventh  day  morning.  Lord  Calthorpe  here  part 
of  the  time.  It  has  been  a  memorable  visit,  and  a  sweet 
renewal  and  confiinnation  of  our  now  old  friendship.  Numbers 
came  to  meet  Wilberforce  from  day  to  day,  and  very  delightful 
have  been  his  conversation  and  influence.  The  spirit  of  prayer 
was  much  poured  out  upon  me  during  this  time,  especially  in 
a  solemn  religious  opportunity  just  before  their  departure. 

The  eighth  month  of  this  year  was  devoted  to 
various  religious  services  in  Worcestershire,  Shrop- 
shire, and  the  Midland  Counties.  Writing  to  his 
cousin  Priscilla  Hannah  Gurney,  whom  he  had 
lately  visited,  he  thus  briefly  alludes  to  some  of 
these  engagements : — 

X  2 


308  AT    COALBROOKDALE,  1826. 

"Wellingboro,'  8th  mo.,  29th,  1826. 

My  beloved  Cousin, 

I  need  scarcely  tell  thee  that  since  we 
parted  it  has  been  my  lot  to  pass  through  much  and  various 
exercise  of  mind.      At  Worcester  I  met  a  cordial  reception 

from  the  N family,  at  their  pleasant  residence;  and  my 

visit  to  the  meeting  there  was  interesting  and  enlivening  to 
myself.  The  time  which  I  passed  with  the  young  people  one 
morning  before  breakfast  was  peculiarly  touching.  I  held  a 
satisfactory  meeting  in  the  prison,  besides  a  large  pubhc  one ; 
and  then  two  with  Friends,  who  form  a  body  of  tolerable  size. 
Thomas  and  Lydia  Newman  accompanied  me  on  third  day 
morning,  (now  a  fortnight  ago,)  to  Coalbrookdale,  where  I 
continued  until  the  following  seventh  day.  I  held  public 
meetings  at  the  Dale,  and  at  Madeley,  in  Mary  Fletcher^s 
bam.  The  latter  was  a  touching  occasion,  and  I  was  much 
interested  in  afterwards  visiting  the  house  and  the  room  where 
both  the  Fletchers  paid  the  last  debt  of  nature.  "^  *  At 
Birmingham  I  held  two  public  meetings,  one  with  upwards  of 
two  thousand  people  in  the  Independent  meeting  house. 
Through  mercy  it  was  much  crowned  with  peace.  On  fourth 
day  we  were  favoured  with  a  comfortable  farewell  meeting  with 
Friends.  Fifth  day  evening  at  Coventry.  Sixth  day  at  War- 
wick, besides  a  very  arduous  and  suffering  meeting  with  the 
butterfly  visitors  of  Leamington  Spa.  We  reached  North- 
ampton on  seventh  day  night,  where  I  found  plenty  of  work. 
I  am  just  returned  from  a  very  exercising  meeting  with 
Friends  of  this  place  and  neighbourhood,  and  purpose  a  pubhc 
meeting  in  the  evening.  To-morrow  the  same  at  Huntingdon. 
Fifth  day  I  mean  to  devote  to  my  old  friend  Lady  Olivia 
Sparrow,  at  Brampton;  and  on  sixth  day,  hope  to  hold  a 
pubhc  meeting  at  Cambridge,  which  place  I  have  for  some 
time  felt  bound  to,  and  then  to  Lynn,  on  my  way  home. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Brampton,  8th  month,  31st.,  1826. 

*  *  We  are  now  at  Lady  Ohvia  Sparrow^s.     The  scene  on 
our  arrival  last  night  was  very  striking.     The  approach  to 


^T.  39.  CAMBRIDGE,    AND    OTHER    PLACES.  309 

the  hall  is  through  a  large  conservatory,  and  as  we  entered 
the  latter,  we  saw  the  hall  crowded  with  people  all  kneehng, 
and  Malan  (from  Geneva,)  a  saint-like  looking  person  en- 
gaged in  fervent  prayer.  We  stood  contemplating  the  scene 
for  some  time ;  it  was  something  like  enchantment  from  the 
mixtm'e  of  splendour  and  apparently  deep  piety :  not  to 
mention  the  mingling  in  one  common  offering  of  earnest 
prayer,  of  many  individuals  of  high  rank  with  the  servants, 
cottagers,  &c.,  &c.  We  have  been  warmly  received  and  most 
kindly  treated.  There  are  many  religious  persons  of  the  party ; 
Lord  and  Lady  Mande^oUe,  Lady  William  Bentiuck,  &c.,  &c. 
and  I  have  been  much  engaged  in  ministry  among  them  this 
morning  after  the  morning  reading. 

His  visit  to  Cambridge  is  thus  noticed  in  tlie 
Autobiography. 

It  was  the  third  time  of  my  there  convening  a  public 
meeting,  and  my  dear  friend  Simeon  being  aware  of  my  in- 
tention, a  large  number  of  the  young  gownsmen  attended ; 
but  nothing  coidd  I  preach  on  the  occasion  but  those  views 
of  the  spirituality  of  worship,  ministry,  &c.,  which  distinguish 
our  own  Society.  Power  appeared  to  go  forth  with  the  word, 
and  certainly  it  was  clothed  in  love.  Nevertheless  my  open 
avowal  of  these  views  gave  considerable  offence ;  and  I  have 
but  little  reputation  to  lose  at  Cambridge,  as  a  preacher  ! 

Whilst  I  heartily  deprecate  sectarianism,  principle  is  prin- 
ciple, and  truth  is  truth,  and  they  c^miot  be  concealed.  To 
be  misconstrued  by  the  good,  is  a  trial  to  which  I  am  no 
stranger.  Such  things  belong  to  the  peculiar  infirmity  of 
our  present  condition;  but  they  must  be  patiently  borne. 
All  will  be  set  right  in  that  better  world,  where  error  and 
prejudice  will  for  ever  give  place  to  unmixed  truth  and  abso- 
lute unanimity. 

The  somewhat  brief  intervals  of  leisure  which  he 
enjoyed  at  home  at  this  period  were  not  unim- 
proved.    In  the  autumn  of  this  year  he  wrote  a 


310  LITERARY    LABOURS.  1826. 

few  observations  addressed  to  his  friend  Lady  P — , 
on  the  state  of  the  "religions  world,"  in  which  he 
briefly  bnt  pointedly  adverts  to  three  subjects  of 
much  practical  importance ;  the  proneness  to  place 
too  much  dependence  on  ceremonies,  on  ministers, 
and    on   words;    adding   a   short    but    expressive 
observation  on  Christian  practice  in  connexion  with 
"  that  most  desolating  of  the  scourges  of  the  world 
— the  practice  of  war."*     But  his  principal  literary 
engagement   was   one   of  much  more  weight  and 
importance ;  the  composition  of  the  Biblical  Notes 
and  Dissertations,  intended  chiefly  to  illustrate  and 
confirm  the  doctrine  of  the  Deity  of  Christ.     "  I 
had  long  been  collecting  materials  for  this  work," 
he  writes,  "  and  pleasant,  though  by  no  means  very 
easy,  was  the  labour  of  digesting  them,  adding  to 
them,  reducing  them  to  order,  clothing  the  bones 
with   muscles,    and  thus   preparing  them   for   the 
public.    But  great  care  was  necessary,  and  I  moved 
on  slowly." 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Norwich,  llth  mo.,  4th,  1826. 

■X-  -sf  ^  J  have  begun  my  studies  once  more  in  good  earnest, 
and  hope  I  shall  become  quite  interested  in  them.  Real 
study  is  peculiarly  wholesome  for  the  mind.  Indeed  I  know  of 
scarcely  anything  that  gives  me  the  same  satisfaction,  so 
long  as  I  can  believe  that  it  is  in  any  degree  in  promotion 
of  that  one  great  and  glorious  cause  to  which  my  soul  is 
bound.  I  have  collected  in  my  own  line,  a  very  useful  and 
comprehensive  library,  and  I  think  thou  would^st  have  been 

*  These  observations  were  subsequently  published  under  the  title 
of  The  Conti-ibution  of  a  Member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  to  a 
Lady's  Album,  and  passed  through  two  editions. 


^T.  39.  TO    MARY    FOWLER.  311 

amused  to  see  me  this  morning  amidst  a  sea  of  books  and 
papers^  looking,  I  doubt  not,  very  grave  and  abstract. 

I  am  expecting  some  public  calls  in  the  service  of  the 
Bible  and  Anti-slavery  Societies,  but  have  otherwise  a 
prospect  of  much  quietness,  which  is  very  preferable.  How- 
ever, the  root  of  quietness  lies  deeply  seated  in  our  own  hearts. 
It  is  a  conscience  void  of  offence  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
man.  Would  that  this  might  become  more  and  more  our 
blessed  and  soul-satisfying  portion. 

TO    THE    SAME. 

Norwich,  lltli  mo.,  11th,  1826. 

^  *  I  do  most  cordially  agree  with  thy  sentiments  on  the 
subject  of  literatiu'c  and  study.  There  is  scarcely  anything 
which  makes  me  more  sick  at  heart,  or  which  more  convinces 
me  in  what  a  wi-ong  state  is  this  fallen  world  of  ours,  than  to 
see  men  of  many  and  various  talents  making  idols  of  intel- 
lectual pirrsuits,  instead  of  steadily  aiming  through  them  at 
the  promotion  of  the  glory  of  God,  and  of  the  welfare  of 
mankind.  It  is,  on  the  other  hand,  very  pleasant  to  reflect 
how  much  a  single  eye  to  the  glory  of  God  will  enable  a  man 
to  effect,  even  in  the  cultivation  of  mind  and  intellect,  and 
how  much  the  work  of  divine  grace  refines  and  illuminates 
the  natural  faculties.  How  delightful  is  the  combination, 
in  some  persons  whom  I  know  and  love,  of  intellectual  vigour 
and  childlike  submission  to  the  grace  and  government  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Clirist.  How  abundantly  true  it  is  that  "  in  Him 
are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge." 

To  return  to  the  Journal:  — 

9^^  mo.,  lOth.  I  have  heartily  desired  to  have  my 
drowsy  powers  quickened  for  the  service  of  God.  This  is 
often  needful,  especially  in'  the  pursuit  of  my  studies.  I 
have  a  line  of  study  before  me,  but  am  fearful  these  pursuits 
may  never  again  be  very  productive.  Yet  I  trust  I  may  be 
preserved  from  allowing  the  garden  given  me  to  cultivate,  to 


312  EXCELLENCE    OF 


1826. 


rtm  to  waste.  Be  pleased,  O  Lord,  to  forgive  my  innumer- 
able transgressions  and  to  blot  tbem  out  of  thy  book ;  and 
bestow  upon  me,  I  pray  tbee,  a  comforting  assm-ance  that 
my  name  is  recorded  in  tby  book  of  life.  Be  with  me  in 
all  my  pm'suits,  and  in  the  performance  of  aU  my  duties,  that 
perpetual  protection  from  tbe  snares  of  tbe  enemy,  both  in 
prosperity  and  adversity,  may  be  my  peaceful  lot.  Suffer  me 
to  cast  on  thee  the  biirden  of  aU  my  temporal  cares,  and  of 
all  my  spii'itual  solicitudes.  Graciously  bless  the  little  flock 
over  which  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  call  me  to  be  an  over- 
seer in  the  Gospel,  and  grant  that  our  scattered,  and  in  some 
respects  degraded.  Society,  may  still  be  enabled  to  show  forth 
the  purity  of  thy  law,  and  the  spii'ituahty  of  thy  worship. 
And  be  thou  O  Lord,  with  thy  universal  church,  to  confirm, 
increase,  and  multiply,  that  thy  servants  may  rejoice,  and 
thy  own  holy  name  be  exalted  above  aU. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Norwich,  9th  mo.,  10th,  1826. 

*  -^  It  has  been  very  instructive  to  me  to  be  brought 
during  the  last  fortnight  so  much  into  the  society  of  pious 
people  not  of  our  profession.  I  tnist  it  has  still  farther 
enlarged  my  heart  towards  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus.  At 
the  same  time  it  has  had,  in  no  common  degree,  a  confirming 
effect  as  it  relates  to  my  own  principles.  I  have  felt  the 
beneficial  influence  of  my  Quakerism,  and  have  had  repeatedly 
to  believe  that  we  should  not  have  been  so  preciously  baptized 
together  into  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  had  not  the  arrangements 
been  upon  Quaker  principles.  Our  silence  has  been  peculiarly 
solemn. 

TO    HIS    UNCLE    AND    AUNT    JOSEPH    GURNEY. 

Nonvich,  9th  mo.,  16th,  1826. 

*  *  I  am  ready  to  mancl  at  now  fincGng  myself  the  only 
one  of  our  family  in  Norfolk  of  my  generation,  who  is  main- 
taining the  peculiar  religious  principles  handed  down  to  us 
by  our  forefathers.  Such  a  state  of  things  is,  indeed,  hum- 
bling, and  has  led  me,  as  I  doubt  not  it  has  you,  to  close 


JET.  39.  friends'  principles.  313 

searching  of  heart.  The  result,  as  far  as  I  know  it,  is  a  degree 
of  peaceful  confidence  that,  notwithstanding  all  discourage- 
ments— and  just  now  they  appear  to  me  to  be  more  than  a 
few — our  little  society  is  not,  and  will  not  be  forsaken;  and 
that  a  people  will  still  be  preserved,  who  shall  bear  a  con- 
sistent testimony  to  the  truth  as  we  view  it;  that  is,  (as  I 
still  beheve,)  to  the  truth  in  its  unmixed  simplicity  and 
spirituality.  Never  did  I  more  highly  value  our  simple  mode 
of  worship  ;  and  when  a  little  tempest-tossed,  I  am,  perhaps, 
too  apt  to  conceive  that  to  be  at  meeting  is  not  only  the 
happiest,  but  the  only  happy  thing  in  life.  With  respect  to 
the  outward  ordinances,  I  apprehend,  that  in  the  entire 
disuse  of  them,  we  are  bearing  a  noble  testimony  to  the 
spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation.  Oh  !  that  our  lives  and 
conversation  may,  more  and  more,  correspond  with  such  a 
testimony ! 

I  may  just  add,  that  I  increasingly  feel  how  much  an 
abiding  in  the  root  of  our  own  principles,  is  the  means  of 
enlarging  the  heart  towards  all  who  truly  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  Chi'ist.' 

After  the  week  of  tlie  Bible  Society  and  other 
religious  meetings  at  Norwich,  in  the  course  of 
which  they  had  enjoyed  a  flow  of  "peaceful  and 
not  soon  to  be  foro^otten  Christian  love  and  har- 
mony," he  writes 


&' 


9th.  mo.,  22nd.     I  sit  down  in  deep  solitude  of  soul,  and  in 
the  privacy  of  my  own  study,  the  throng  being  gone  to  hear 

our  dear  friend  Simeon  preach ;  and  my  cousin  Anna  G 

and  Legh  Richmond  being  together  in  the  drawing-room. 
My  spirits  are  very  low,  and  I  have  been  both  weeping  and 
praying.  After  the  extraordinary  flow  of  the  present  week, 
the  circumstances  of  this  evening  have  strongly  reminded  me 
of  my  solitude,  that  I  have  lost  the  beloved  wife  and  sister, 
who  once  sweetly  united  in  my  pecidiar  course;  and  the 
recollection  of  them  has  been  blended,  in  a  somewhat  melan- 


314  CONFLICT  AND  ENCOURAGEMENT.  1826, 

choly  manner,  with  that  of  dear  Alfred  Corder,  with  whom, 
for  a  short  but  bright  season,  I  enjoyed  more  intimacy,  as  a 
Friend,  than  I  have  ever  done  perhaps  with  any  other  person. 
May  I  not  hope  that  these  beloved  ones,  and  many  others 
with  them,  are,  through  the  infinite  mercies  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus,  for  ever  centred  in  bliss?  And  must  I  not  humbly 
endeavour  to  press  forwards  after  the  mark  for  the  same 
prize  ? 

My  soul  has  been  deeply  revolving  how  far  my  peculiar 
principles  can  stand  the  double  test  to  which  they  are  now 
subjected;  that  of  the  solitude,  poverty,  nakedness,  and 
apparent  dechne  to  which  we  poor  and  misunderstood 
Quakers  are  exposed;  and  on  the  other  hand,  that  of  the 
flowing  association,  the  high  tone  of  religious  feeling,  and  the 
evangehcal  prosperity  of  the  many  pious  persons,  not  Friends, 
by  whom  I  am  surrounded,  and  with  whom  I  have  been 
lately  permitted  very  sweetly  to  miite  in  essentials,  and  in  the 
social,  though  not  public,  worship  of  Almighty  God.  Can  I 
under  such  circumstances,  and  especially  under  that  probable 
deepening  and  heightening  of  the  pictm-e,  to  which  I  may 
look  forward,  live  and  die  a  Quaker  ?  The  question  is  to  me 
one  of  awful  and  solemn  interest ;  and  I  think  I  am  favoured 
at  this  time,  in  the  humiliation  and  silence  of  self,  with  a 
degree  of  quiet  decisiveness  to  answer  it  in  the  affirmative. 
Little  as  our  peculiar  profession  is  thought  of,  and  even 
despised  as  it  is  by  many,  I  yet  have  had  renewed  cause 
dm-ing  the  past  week,  to  believe  that  the  power  of  oiu* 
pnnciples  is  felt,  that  they  really  have  a  strong  practical 
influence.  Thus  a  hope  lives  with  me,  that  in  the  tender 
mercies  of  our  God,  we  shall  not  be  forsaken  or  destroyed; 
and  that  testimony-bearers  wiU  yet  be  raised  up,  who  shall, 
after  this  sort,  testify  of  the  perfection  and  spu-ituality  of  the 
gospel  dispensation. 

Quakerism  is,  I  trust,  nothing  to  me  as  a  name,  and 
nothing,  I  would  hope,  as  the  inscription  of  a  sect.  I  abhor 
sectarianism.  I  crave  to  possess  the  impartiality  and  com- 
prehensiveness of  the  wisdom  and  of  the  love  of  God,  so  far 
as  they  are  bestowed  upon  man.     All  I  desire  is,  that  there 


^T.  39.  LEGH    RICHMOND.  315 

may  be  preserved  among  the  Imng  members  of  the  universal 
church,  those  who  shall  uphold  a  complete  standard  of 
spmtuality  in  worship,  and  of  tnie  innocency  in  conduct, 
which  have  long  appeared  to  me  genuine  and  most  essential 
marks  of  real  Christianity. 

FROM    LEGH    RICHMOND. 

Turvey,  Olney,  Bucks,  October  4t]i,  1826. 
My  dear  Friend  and  Brother, 

Once  more  returned  to  the  bosom  of  my 
family  and  my  parish,  refreshed  by  the  recollections  of  your 
Christian  hospitalities,  and  strengthened  in  my  spiritual  course, 
as  I  trust,  by  the  public  and  private  intercourse  of  Norwich 
and  Earlham,  can  I  help  telling  you  how  greatly  you  and 
yours  are  thus  endeared  to  mv  heart  ?  It  was  indeed  a  season 
of  holy  festi^dty,  and  I  desire  to  bless  God  for  it.  Such  times 
are  like  the  oases  of  the  wilderness,  to  inrigorate  the  wearied 
traveller,  and  fill  him  with  peace  and  joy  thi'ough  belie\ing. 
My  Norfolk  excursion  has  left  indelible  marks  of  gratitude 
and  satisfaction  on  my  mind :  may  they  be  cherished  for 
time  and  eternity  by  the  goodness  of  him  '^  in  whom  we  live 
and  move  and  have  our  being  I"  Greatly  as  I  have  felt  obliged  to 
you  for  personal  kindness  towards  myself,  I  have  felt,  if  possible, 
stiU  more  indebted  to  you  for  your  Clu-istian  affection  shown 
to  my  very  dear  and  beloved  son.  He  is  so  near  to  my  hearths 
tenderest  feelings,  that  whatever  concerns  his  welfare  both  in 
sold  and  body  excites  the  most  earnest  breathings  of  my  soul 
towards  God.  I  hope  you  will  not  forget  him.  I  know  you 
will  not  in  prayer; — but  sometimes  write  to  him.  Your 
friendly  conduct  has  won  his  heart  and  may  be  of  essential 
service  to  him.  I  have  had  severe  trials  in  the  successive 
loss  of  his  two  elder  brothers.  The  one,  after  ten  years 
absence  in  India,  died  on  his  passage  home ;  but  I  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that  he  died  in  the  Lord.  The  other  died 
at  home,  exhibiting  beautiful  tokens  of  the  divine  love  towards 
him ;  his  death  was  blessed  to  not  a  few.  Deeply  grateful  to 
God  for  these  special  mercies,  I  nevertheless  feel  much ;  above 
all  I  often  anxiously  enquire  whether  these  affecting  bereave- 


316  SCHOOL  AT  CROYDON.  1826. 

ments  have  produced  their  right  effects  upon  my  own  soul, 
upon  my  ministry,  upon  my  domestic  habits. 

Your  Essays  please  me  more  and  more ;  I  delight  in  finding 
such  unity  of  sentiment  with  other  Christians.  The  Christian 
Observer  reviews  them  this  month  with  much  approbation, 
and  so  it  ought. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Norwich,  llth  mo.,  1st,  1826. 
^  "^  I  paid  a  very  satisfactory  and  comforting   visit  last 
week  to  the  school  at  Croydon.     It  seems  now  to  be  animated 
with  an  Ackworth  spirit ;  and  I  was  particularly  well  satisfied 

with  thy  cousin  E.  P.  B ,  the  present  superintendent, 

who  seems  superior  in  point  of  both  intellect  and  piety.  We 
had  all  the  children  collected,  both  boys  and  girls,  and  I  had 
them  under  instruction  for  two  hours  and  upwards.  A  sweet 
solemnity  crowned  alL  *  *  *  Art  thou  favoured  to  perceive 
in  any  of  the  dear  children  at  Ackworth,  marks  of  the  work 
of  grace  in  the  heart;  something,  I  mean,  beyond  outward 
propriety  of  behaviour  ?  How  affecting  have  been  the  deaths 
of  various  hopeful  young  persons  in  our  society,  and  how 
animating  would  be  the  belief  that  others  are  coming  forward 
to  supply  their  place  ! 

TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

nth  mo.,  1st,  1826. 

^  *  I  am  just  returned  home  from  a  short  western  journey. 
My  principal  object  was  to  pass  a  few  quiet  days  with  my 
beloved  friend  at  Melksham,  and  I  had  the  happiness  to  find 
her  radically  improved  in  health.  I  persuade  myself  she  is  a 
person  whom  thou  wilt  value  and  love.  Hopeful,  however, 
as  I  am  respecting  her  health,  I  do  not  look  to  the  speedy 
accomplishment  of  our  wishes.  It  may  be  that  while  she  is 
gradually  regaining  her  strength,  I  may  be  again  sent  forth 
to  labour  in  the  vineyard. 

The  prospect  of  a  lengthened  visit  to  Ireland,  in 
company  with  his  sister  Elizabeth  Ery,  was  now 
openJTjo:  before  him. 


^T.  39.  PROSPECT    OF    VISIT    TO    IRELAND.  317 

First  day  evening,  Wth  mo.,  26th.  After  a  week  of  con- 
siderable exertion,  I  have  been  graciously  permitted  to  enjoy 
an  edifying  peaceful  Sabbath.  The  reward  of  sweet  and  deep 
inward  quiet,  has  been  most  undeservedly  bestowed ;  apparently 
in  consequence  of  my  ha^dng  been  made  willing,  at  both  the 
meetings  and  in  families,  to  labour  in  the  vineyard.  The 
exercises  of  the  morniag  meeting  were  painfully  searching ; 
I  humbly  trust,  not  in  vain  ■;  those  of  the  afternoon  were  more 
easy  and  comforting  to  myself,  and  the  Scriptm*e  was  opened 
to  me  to  my  own  admiration.  The  prospect  of  service  among 
Friends  and  others,  in  Ireland,  has  gradually  gained  an 
ascendancy  over  my  mind;  and,  I  am  strongly  inclined  to 
believe,  I  shall  have  to  lay  it  before  my  friends  at  our  next 
Monthly  Meeting.  The  undertaking  is,  indeed,  one  that  calls 
for  close,  unreserved  dedication.  The  Lord  alone  is  sufficient 
for  these  things.  May  he  be  my  perpetual  help  and  protector. 
How  inexpressibly  precious  is  his  anointing.  May  I  ever 
be  preserved  from  crude  attempts  to  exercise  my  ministry 
without  it.  Indeed,  I  never  was  more  fully  sensible  of  the 
necessity  of  being  moved  in  all  things  appertaining  to  God's 
kingdom,  by  the  gentle  impulses  of  divine  wisdom  and  love, 
or  otherwise  of  not  being  moved  at  all. 

Fourth  day  morning.  I  can  breathe  a  sincere  prayer,  that 
every  thought  and  imagination  within  me  may  be  brought 
into  captiAdty  to  the  obedience  of  Christ;  that  his  mind 
may  be  my  mind ;  that  I  may  be  thoroughly  conformed  to 
the  whole  will  of  God  respecting  me ;  and  that  his  blessed, 
pure  truth,  may  never  be  wounded  through  my  want  of  faith- 
fulness or  courage. 

12th  mo.,  3rd.  The  week  agreeably  concluded  by  the 
arrival  of  my  dear  sister  Fry.  Our  Irish  prospect  seems 
a  good  deal  opening  upon  us ;  and  it  is  a  great  satisfaction  to 
me  to  find  her  views,  as  to  the  time  of  throwing  it  before 
Friends,  correspond  with  my  own.  Indeed,  it  seems  pretty 
clear  now,  that  I  must  mention  it  at  our  next  Monthly 
Meeting.     May  all  be  done  to  the  glory  of  God  ! 

12th  mo.,  11th.  My  uncle  was  telling  me,  the  other  day, 
on  the  authority  of  the  late  John  Bateman,  that  our  great 


318  PROPOSED    VISIT    TO    IRELAND.  1827. 

grandfather,  Joseph  Grumey,  a  meek  and  humble  man,  scarcely 
ever  failed  to  be  engaged  both  in  prayer  and  preaching, 
at  every  meeting  he  attended ;  but  always  in  the  life. 

The  frequent  repetition  of  services  of  this  description,  to 
which  I  find  myself  called,  often  tries  my  faith,  and  brings  me 
into  close  and  deep  exercise  of  soul :  but  I  must  follow  my 
holy  Leader.  O  that  I  may  never  be  found  presenting  un- 
savoury offerings  on  the  Lord's  altar  !  How  remarkable  it  is, 
that  from  generation  to  generation,  there  are  those  raised  up 
amongst  us  who  have  thus  to  bear  a  public  testimony  to 
redeeming  love  and  power.  May  it  continue  to  be  the  case, 
through  the  umnerited  goodness  of  Israel's  Shepherd,  and  in 
due  season  may  the  nmnber  of  anointed  priests  and  Levites 
be  multiplied  on  the  face  of  the  earth  !  I  fully  beheve  that 
this  description  applies  to  many  out  of  our  pale,  and  yet, 
perhaps,  not  in  the  same  way  and  degree. 

His  friends  ha\dng  given  their  sanction  and 
encouragement  to  his  proposed  visit  to  Ireland,  he 
writes,  after  a  vreek  spent  in  religious  labours  in 
Suffolk,  and  subsequent  short  visits  to  London  and 
Melksham,  the  intervals  being  closely  occupied  by 
literary  and  other  engagements  at  home  : — 

First  day  night,  \st  mo.,  28th,  1827.  I  am  likely  to  leave 
home  vrith  clear  hands;  and  may,  with  humble  gratitude, 
confess  that  a  remarkable  feeling  of  repose  has  been  my 
portion,  as  I  have  quietly  yielded  to  the  stream  which  is  con- 
veying me  onwards  to  an  arduous  and  extensive  field  of  gospel 
labour. 


iET.  39.  DEPARTURE  FOR  IRELAND.  319 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1827.     ^T.  39. 

BEPAKTURE  FOE  lEELAND  ;  LABOFES  IN  DUBLIN  ;  VISIT  TO  THE  MAR- 
ans  WELLESLEY,  THE  LOED  LIEUTENANT ;  PEISONS  ;  DR.  MUERAY  ; 
ARCHBISHOP  MAGEE  ;  ARCHBISHOP  OP  TUAM ;  TRIM  ;  COOTEHILL  ; 
ARMAGH ;  LISBUEN ;  JOHN  CONEAN  ;  LUEGAN  ;  BELFAST ;  LONDON- 
DERRY. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  left  Earlham  on  his  way  to 
Ireland,  on  the  2nd  of  the  second  mo.,  1827.  "  We 
were  in  that  island,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiography, 
*'  for  about  three  months,  in  all  its  counties  except 
four,  paying  a  general  visit  to  Priends,  holding 
many  public  meetings,  inspecting  prisons,  com- 
municating with  persons  in  authority  as  occasion 
required,  and  mingling  with  members  of  various 
denominations  in  the  pursuit  of  works  of  benevo- 
lence, Roman  Catholics,  at  times,  as  well  as  Protes- 
tants. When  not  engaged  in  ministerial  labom^s,  it 
was  very  much  my  office  to  help  my  beloved  sister 
in  her  comprehensive  designs  for  the  benefit  of  her 
fellow  men." 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

London,  2nd  mo.,  3rd,  1827. 

I  was  favoured  yesterday  to  leave  home  with  a  degree  both 
of  clearness  and  peace — clearness  because  all  my  memoranda 
and  agenda,  were  swept  away  to  my  satisfaction;  peace, 
in  the  belief  mercifidly  afforded  that  my  going  was  in  the 


320  DEPARTURE  FOR  IRELAND,  1827. 

ordering  of  divine  wisdom  and  love;  and  in  the  secret  per- 
suasion that  my  beloved  sister  and  children  on  the  one 
hand,  and  myself  on  the  other,  would  be  preserved  to  a  happy 
meeting  again.  However,  this  is  not  to  be  stamped  higher 
than  an  agreeable  presentiment.  ^  -^  *  I  increasingly  feel 
the  necessity  of  dwelling  deeply  in  the  root  of  true  wis- 
dom ;  that  I  may  not  be  deceived  by  any  superficial,  unautho- 
rized sensations,  but  may  be  enabled  quietly  and  faithfidly  to 
follow  the  true  Shepherd.  I  hope  thou  wilt  be  enabled  to  pray 
for  my  preservation  particularly  in  this  respect ;  for  I  imagine 
that  my  naturally  sanguine  temperament  exposes  me  to  the 
danger  of  error  more  than  many  others.  Probably  thou  hast 
found  this  out,  and  therefore  dost  not  regret  (nor  do  I)  that 
much  of  the  necessary  ballast  of  secret  suffering  falls  to  my  lot. 

His  Journal  of  this  visit,  is  contained  in  a  series 
of  letters  to  his  sisters  Catherine  and  Rachel,  from 
which  the  following  extracts  are  taken. 

Holyhead,  2nd  mo.,  9th,  1827. 

My  DEAR  Sisters, 

We  are  just  arrived  at  this  place,  in  good  health 

and  spirits,  after  an  interesting  journey.     E and  I  much 

enjoyed  our  peaceful  journey  to  Worcester.  It  was  a  peculiar 
pleasure  to  me,  to  pass  so  many  hom^s  with  her,  in  undisturbed 
tete  a  tete.  We  drove  through  the  vale  of  Rodburg,  and  were 
quite  inspirited  by  the  scenery.  A  large  party  of  Friends  met 
us  at  Worcester,  at  my  particular  request;  persons  about 
whom  I  had  been  interested  at  my  last  visit.  It  was  a  plea- 
sant rendezvous,  and  ended  in  a  religious  opportunity.  A 
young  man  present  poiu-ed  forth  an  acceptable  prayer  for  our 
preservation ;  and  it  was  cheering  to  me,  to  observe  an  evident 
piety  prevaihng  in  the  circle.  Yesterday,  after  an  early  break- 
fast, we  left  Worcester,  and  reached  Coalbrookdale  in  a  few 
hours.  There  we  dined  at  Barnard  Dickenson's,  and  met 
another  interesting  and  interested  circle  of  Friends.  Our 
evening  journey  was  somewhat  long,  and  we  did  not  reach  the 
beautiful  Llangollen,  till  ten  o'clock  last  night. 


^T.  39.  DUBLIN.  321 

Our  journey  of  to-day  has  been  delightful,  notwithstanding 
the  coldness  of  the  weather.  I  have  occupied  the  box  much 
of  the  way,  and  we  have  all  feasted  on  the  dehghtful  scenery. 
The  vale  of  Llangollen  was  the  first  lovely  object  which  greeted 
us.  Afterwards  we  passed  through  some  magnificent,  wild, 
mountain  districts ;  particularly  by  the  lake  Ogwen ;  scenery 
which  appeared  to  me,  about  equal  to  that  of  the  Trosacks  in 
Scotland;  and  though  we  missed  the  summer  verdure  and 
fohage,  these  were  in  some  measure  supplied  by  the  full  cata- 
racts and  large  icicles.  We  dined  at  an  inn,  within  a  mile 
of  Bangor;  and  after  dinner,  examined  and  passed  over  that 
wonderful  work  of  human  ingenuity,  the  Menai  bridge. 

We  have  been  travelling  all  day  by  the  finest  road  in 
England.  It  has  been  really  curious  to  trace  this  smooth 
and  perfect  work  of  art,  winding  along  through  the  roughest 
and  wildest  scenes  of  nature.  There  is  something  very 
animating  in  the  beauty  and  magnificence  of  these  scenes ; 
and  it  has  given  quite  a  flow  both  to  health  and  spirits. 
Our  dear  sister  is  writing  her  journal  home,  and  drawing 
the  INIenai  bridge  for  her  children.  We  hope  to  sail  at 
eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  We  are  favom-ed  with  a 
feeling  of  tranquillity  and  comfort,  though  sensible  of  the 
weight  and  importance  of  our  undertaking.  The  sympathy 
and  prayers  of  our  Mends  have  been  truly  welcome. 

Dublin,  2nd  mo.,  15th,  1827. 

Since  I  wrote  on  second  day  morning,  we  have  passed  three 
very  full  and  very  interesting  days,  having  gradually  found  our 
footing  on  this  island,  and  om-  way  amongst  Friends  and  others. 
On  second  day,  we  were  much  occupied  in  paying  a  variety 
of  visits ;  first  to  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution,  about  two 
miles  from  our  residence,  and  to  Joseph  Humfreys  and  his 
wife — superior  Friends,  under  whose  superintendence  it  is 
placed.  It  was  a  pleasant  sight  and  especially  instructive  to 
observe  J.  Himifreys'  manner  with  the  children,  to  whom  he 
had  managed  to  communicate  much  religious  instruction. 
Some  of  them  seemed  under  the  power  of  religion.  Then  to 
the  bed-ridden  widow  of  the  late  John  Hilton,  of  Bristol ;  then 


322  DUBLIN.  1827. 

to  an  afflicted  family,  known  to  dear  Priscilla,  of  the  name  of 
Stott.  In  all  these  \dsits,  and  many  similar  ones,  we  have 
had  religions  opportunities ;  and  it  is  particularly  comforting 
to  find  ourselves,  both  in  pubhc  and  in  private,  brought  into 
such  remarkable  unity  of  mental  exercise.  Before  dinner  I 
called  at  the  Secretary  of  Staters  office,  to  deliver  a  letter  from 
Peel,  and  was  very  kindly  received  by  the  Under-secretary  of 
State,  William  Gregory,  who  promises  every  assistance.  We 
dined  at  Robert  Fayle's.  This  was  the  family  with  whom 
dear  Priscilla  lodged.  Her  memory  is  precious  among  Friends 
in  Ireland. 

Third  day  was  devoted  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  the  largest 
and  longest  I  have  ever  attended ;  for  I  think  that  even  in  the 
meetings  for  business  (both  being  included)  there  were  not  less 
than  400  Friends ;  and  the  men's  meeting  did  not  conclude 
(with  an  interval,  of  course,  for  dinner)  until  half-past  nine  at 
night.  The  weight  and  variety  of  business  excited  my  sympathy 
towards  the  bearers  of  the  burthen.  It  was  a  memorable  day 
— the  divine  unction  continuing  to  flow  on,  very  remarkably, 
for  many  hours.  *  -^  * 

Yesterday,  after  making  arrangements  for  the  printing 
of  my  Scripture  Instruction  documents,  in  the  form  of  a  tract, 
we  again  set  off  on  a  series  of  \isits.  Seven  or  eight  interest- 
ing private  opportunities  with  Friends,  individually,  or  in 
families,  occupied  the  morning.  We  paid  a  visit  to  the  Dublin 
"  Retreat,"  where  are  about  fifteen  patients,  kindly  managed 
on  the  improved  system,  and  under  the  care  of  judicious 
Friends.  We  afterwards  dined  with  the  Doyle  family,  and  in 
the  evening  attended  a  youths'  meeting,  held  at  seven  o'clock^ 
by  oiu"  appointment.  It  was  a  very  solemn  but  exercising 
time ;  about  500  persons  present.  Some  were  there  who  had 
no  connexion  with  the  Society. 

2nd  mo.,  19tli,  1827. 

We  breakfasted  on  fifth  day,  at  Major  SIit's,  at  the  Castle. 
The  rest  of  the  morning  was  past  in  receiving  and  paying 
visits.  Before  dinner  we  went  together  to  the  Secretary  of 
State's  office,  and  met  a  very  cordial  reception  from  WiUiam 


jET.  39.  MARQUIS    WELLESLEY.  323 

Gregory,  the  Under-secretary.  V.'e  dined  witli  an  elderly 
and  pions  Friend,  Sarah  Phelps,  and  had  to  entertain  and 
instnict  a  party  of  fifty  in  the  evening.  It  passed  off  well, 
though  I  was  poorly,  the  commencement  of  rather  a  trying 
attack  of  cold  and  fever.  Notwithstanding  my  poorliness,  we 
were  under  the  necessity  of  attending  a  public  meeting  ap- 
pointed for  sixth  day  morning.  This  proved  a  memorable 
occasion,  and  did  me  no  harm.  I  Avas  enabled  to  unfold  the 
doctrines  appertaining  to  the  person  and  character  of  Christ, 
with  a  good  deal  of  clearness  and  power,  being  mads  strong 

out   of  much  bodily  and   mental   weakness.      Dear  E 

passed  part  of  the  morning  with  the  "  Sisters  of  Charity,"  at 
their  nunneiy.  They  seem  to  have  been  delighted  with  her 
visit.  On  seventh  day  moiTiing  she  took  an  early  dri^e 
through  the  "  Liberty,"  where  the  lowest  part  of  the  popu- 
lation dwell.  At  eleven  o'clock,  we  held  a  meeting  with  the 
heads  of  families,  &c.,  among  Friends.  It  was  one  of  deep 
and  close  exercise  of  mind ;  numerously  attended,  and  I  hope 
for  good.     Various  calls  from  gentlemen  and  ladies  at  our 

lodgings  afterwards ;  amongst  the  rest  the  pious  Lady  L 

and  her  daughter.  At  tlu'ce  o'clock  we  went  by  appointment 
to  call  on  the  Marquis  Wellesley,  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  at 
the  "\'ice-regal  Lodge,  Phoenix  Park.  The  park  is  beautiful, 
about  a  mile  from  Dublin,  with  a  noble  view  of  the  AVicklow 
mountains.  The  Viceroy  is  a  clever,  easy,  polite,  sensible, 
elderly  man ;  small  and  grey-headed.  He  entered  fully  into 
our  views;  promised  us  every  assistance  in  his  power;  and 
agreed  with  our  sentiments  on  capital  punishment,  prisons,  &c. 
Perhaps  there  may  be  a  little  of  the  courtier  about  him,  but 
I  believe  him  to  be  sincere.  His  wife,  (a  Roman  Catholic 
American  lady,)  was  confined  up  stairs  with  illness.  We 
afterwards  dined  at  Samuel  and  Jane  Gatchell's,  where 
in  the  evening  we  met  a  large  party;  among  the  rest 
John  Leslie  Forster's  wife,  a  pious  and  exemplary  woman. 
We  returned  home  very  tii'ed.  I  was  not  well  in  the  night, 
but  rose  refi'eshed  in  the  morning.  The  meeting  on  first  day 
was  crowded  by  Friends  and  others.  It  was  a  good  time,  in 
which  the  truth  was,  I  trust,  exalted.     Aftci-wards  wc  made 

Y   2 


324  DUBLIN.  1827. 

some  calls  on  the  afflicted;  dined  with  the  Bewley  family, 
interesting  and  pious  Friends.  Drank  tea  at  James  Martin 
Pike's,  one  of  the  Dublin  Philanthropists,  a  clever  Friend, 
with  a  lovely  family.  Held  a  large  public  meeting  at  seven 
o'clock,  in  which  the  doctrines  of  the  Atonement  and  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  were  largely  set  forth.  It  was  a  very  solemn 
meeting.  -^  -^  * 

At  Jolin  White's,  near  Edenderry,  King's  County,  2nd  mo.,  25th,  1827. 

Since  I  last  wrote,  we  have  passed  six  days  of  strong  and 
rapid  interest,  and  having  been  aU  of  us  but  poorly  in  the 
course  of  it,  we  consider  it  no  small  favour,  that  we  have 
been  permitted  to  quit  Dublin  in  peace,  and  to  enter  unhurt 
on  the  country  part  of  our  engagement.  It  would  have  been 
unsafe  to  have  continued  longer  in  that  city;  for  our  dear 
sister's  strength  would  probably  have  failed  under  the  im- 
petuous attentions  of  the  thronging  midtitude.  But  to  continue 
the  thread  of  our  history. — On  second  day,  after  breakfasting 
at  a  Friend's  house  with  a  large  party,  we  commenced  our 
visits  to  the  prisons,  and  examined  four  principal  ones  that 
morning.  Two  of  them  very  bad,  particularly  the  Dublin 
Newgate;  an  awful  scene  of  multitudinous  wickedness  and 
misery !  Vast  crowds  of  criminals,  without  occupation,  with- 
out instruction,  without  any  provided  clothing,  and  therefore 
half-naked,  herded  together  in  great  dens ;  for  such  was  the 
character  of  some  of  their  day  rooms.  Thence  to  the  City 
Marshalsea  prison,  for  small  debtors,  which  was,  if  possible, 
still  worse.  Then  another  large  debtors'  prison,  very  bad 
also ;  and,  lastly,  the  Sraithfield  Penitentiary,  where  there  are 
a  great  many  women  and  boys,  in  pretty  good  order.  We 
dined  that  evening  at  the  Secretary  Gregory's,  in  the  Phoenix 
Park.  He  is  one  of  our  kind  Friends.  We  met  a  select 
and  interesting  party;  amongst  others,  two  ladies  of  rank 
of  the  Clancarty  family,  of  which  Lady  Anne  Gregory, 
the  Secretary's  wife,  is  a  member,  and  their  brother  the 
Archbishop  of  Tuam ;  a  person  fidl  of  kindness,  intelligence, 
and  piety.     The  great  subject  of  conversation  at  these  Dublin 


^T.  39.  DUBLIN.  325 

parties^  now  seems  to  be  the  religious  stir  among  the  Homan 
Catholics,  which  is  already  technically  called  the  ^"^Reformation." 
The  Protestants  are  delighted  with  it;  consider  that  it  is 
spreading,  and  will  spread ;  and  mix  up  their  feelings  on  the 
subject  with  a  certain  degree  of  party  zeal,  against  which  we 
have  done  our  best  to  hold  up  a  yet  pm'cr  standard.  There 
is  prevalent  in  Dublin  great  zeal,  and  great  love  for  the 
truth ;  but  there  is  wanted  more  of  the  garment  of  imiversal 
charity,  and  more  of  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit. 
Yet  there  is  a  blessed  work  going  on,  which  is  far  more  con- 
spicuous in  the  upper  classes  of  society  there,  than  in  any 
part  of  England  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 

I  forgot  to  tell  you,  that  while  we  were  visiting  one  of  the 
prisons,  the  judges,  then  on  the  bench  of  a  neighbom'ing 
Court,  heard  of  us,  and  sent  a  message  to  invite  us  into  their 
presence.  We  thought  it  right  to  go,  and  were  ushered 
through  a  little  door,  on  to  the  Judge's  bench,  in  the  front 
of  a  crowded  and  inquisitive  assembly.  We  conversed  some 
time  with  Judges  Johnstone  and  Jebb,  both  eminent  men, 
and  found  them  true  men  on  the  subject  of  Capital  Punish- 
ment. On  third  day  we  attended  Meeting :  (they  hold  two 
week  day  meetings  in  Dublin,  on  third  and  sixth  days : )  it 
was  large,  flocked  to  by  many  not  Friends,  and  a  very  solemn, 
I  hope  profitable,  occasion.  Our  dear  sister's  ministry  was, 
as  usual,  very  touching.  I  think  it  has  produced  a  very 
considerable  impression,  her  way  having  been  remarkably 
made  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  After  meeting  we  resumed 
our  course  of  prison  visiting,  and  that  morning  inspected  two 
more  debtors'  prisons;  and  Kilmainham,  the  county  jail. 
This  jail  is  weU  conducted  and  superintended,  and  forms  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  Dublin  Newgate.  We  met  several 
gentlemen  of  importance  there,  among  whom  were  the  Sheriff 
of  the  County,  Sir  Thomas  Needham,  and  John  David 
Latouche,  the  banker,  a  man  of  eminent  liberality  and  respect- 
ability.    E and  I    (she  with  a  sad  cold  on  her  chest) 

went  at  six  o'clock  to  dine  at  Baron  Pennefather's,  one  of  the 
judges,  where  we  were  handsomely  entertained  by  some  very 
superior  people.     The  Baron  is  a  higldy  cultivated,  enlight- 


326  DUBLIN.  1837. 

ened  man^  and  his  wife  a  solid  Christian  character.  We  met 
there  two  interesting  clergymen :  Cleaver^  the  son  of  the  late 
Archbishop  of  Dublin;  and  James  Dann^  a  person  of  high 
reputation^  who  contiuues  to  preach  in  the  Church  of  England, 
but  from  motives  of  conscience,  has  given  up  two  valuable 

livings.   ,  We  returned   home   very   tired,    and   dear   E 

was  quite  poorly  for  the  next  day  or  two,  but  nursing  was 
impossible.  Out  of  weakness  we  were  made  strong  for 
services  various  and  arduous. 

On  foui'th  day  to  breakfast  at  a  lady's  named  Hoare,  where 
about  forty  serious  persons  were  assembled  to  meet  us.  It 
was  a  good  time  I  hope.  Thence  to  the  Richmond  Bridewell, 
a  great  prison,  where  we  were  met  by  several  gentlemen,  in- 
cluding the  Inspectors  General  of  the  prisons  of  Ireland,  and  I 
suppose  nearly  one  hundred  ladies,  many  of  them  of  consider- 
ation and  station.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  organize 
a  Ladies'  Association  for  visiting  prisons;  oiir  dear  sister 
was,  of  course,  in  the  chaii*,  and  I  sat  by  as  her  secretary; 
the  Inspectors  General  on  either  side.  She  managed  the 
whole  affair  with  great  ability.  The  association  was  formed, 
and  large  Visiting  Committees  appointed  for  the  four  principal 
prisons.     We  had  afterwards  to   examine  the  prison  itself. 

We  returned  home,  dear  E much  fagged,  but  obliged  to 

prepare  for  a  visit  to  Lady  Wellesley,  at  the  Phoenix  Park. 
*  ^  On  our  way  back  we  spent  a  short,  but  very  interesting 
time  with  Dr.  Murray,  the  Roman  Catholic  Archbishop  of 
Dublin.  He  is  a  pleasing  man,  of  humble  and  Christian 
deportment,  and  did  not  appear  to  object  to  any  of  our 
views.  There  was  something  very  sweet  in  the  manners,  and 
apparently  in  the  mind  of  this  Archbishop ;  but  with  it,  we 
apprehend,  a  strong  and  determined  attachment  to  his  own 
church.  In  point  of  simplicity  of  life  and  appearance,  he  is 
an  example  for  Christian  prelates.  We  dined  that  evening 
at  the  house  of  John  Hemy  North,  a  person  of  evident  genius, 
and  of  great  urbanity  and  elegance.  Dr.  Sniger,  of  the 
College,  a  learned  man,  was  there,  and  a  pious  clergyman  in 
great  repute,  of  the  name  of  Magee.  After  dinner,  many 
religious  persons  flocked  into  the  room.     Immediately  after 


^T.  39.  DUBLIN.  327 

tea^ stood  up,  holding-  a  little  Bible  iii  his  hand,  and  began 

to  read,  then  to  preach,  and  then  without  a  moment's  pause, 
called  on  "  om-  dear  friend  and  sister"  to  pray.  Forthwith 
the  company  dropped  on  their  knees.     I  was  obliged  to  ask 

them  to  sit  down  in  silence,  and  after  a  time  dear  E 

prayed  very  sweetly.  I  had  also  to  address  them.  This 
description  will  give  you  some  idea  of  the  state  of  society  in 
Dublin.  I  shovdd  imagine  that  these  Bible  readings  are 
extensively  supplanting  cards  and  other  such  amusements. 
We  rather  fear  that  there  is  with  it  all,  a  pretty  fuU  infusion 
of  high  Cahdnism. 

Fifth  day  was  equally  remarkable.  We  breakfasted  at 
home,  and  afterwards  received  an  interesting  visit  from  the 
famous  Magee,  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  We  conversed  together 
nearly  an  horn-,  particularly  respecting  his  book  on  the 
Atonement,  Friends'  Principles,  &c.  He  appeared  to  be  high 
church  in  his  views,!  an  acute  and  very  clever  man.  He 
promised  to  read  my  Essays,  as  did  Dr.  Murray;  Lord 
Wellesley  also  intends  reading  them.  They  are  but  little 
known,  in  this  land;  but  where  Imown,  appear  to  be  liked. 
Many  besides  the  Friends  seem  to  be  acquainted  with  the 
"  peculiarities." 

When  the  Archbishop  had  left  us,  we  went  to  the  House  of 
Industry ;  a  vast  receptacle  of  aged,  infirm,  lunatic,  and  idiot 
paupers,  imder  the  government  of  Colonel  ISIorris,  who  gave 
us  a  most  cordial  reception.  It  is  a  wonderfid  institution, 
supported  by  Government,  and  finely  managed.  The  same 
may  be  said  of  the  Richmond  Lunatic  Asylum,  which 
we  next  -sdsited  with  Dr.  Jackson,  the  physician.  In  both 
these  institutions  the  patients  are  kindly  treated,  and  to  a 
great  extent  employed  and  instructed.  Then  to  the  Richmond 
General  Penitentiary,  a  sort  of  home  Botany  Bay.  Here, 
however,  the  Governor,  who  considers  himself  amenable  only 
to  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  refused  to  allow  us  to  speak  to  the 
prisoners,  or  to  see  those  who  were  in  solitary  confinement 
and  under  punishment.  As  we  had  engaged  to  quit  Diiblm 
on  the  morrow,  it  was  difhcvdt  to  know  how  to  act ;  but  on 
our  return  to  our  lodgings,  we  fomid  our  kind  friend  the 


328  ,  DUBLIN.  1827. 

Archbishop  of  Tuam ;  and  he  and  I  went  to  the  Secretary's 
office^  where  I  was  furnished  with  the  Lord  Lieutenant's  com- 
mands to  the  Governor^  to  show  us  everything  we  wished.  I 
much  enjoyed  my  walk  with  the  Archbishop.  There  is  some- 
thing very  noble  and  pleasing  about  him.  His  Christian 
com'se  is  a  decided  one.  In  the  evening  we  were  at  home  and 
received  numerous  guests. 

On  sixth  day  we  rose  with  an  almost  overwhelming  prospect 
of  ser\'ice :  the  morning  meeting  with  Friends ;  the  difficult 
task  of  re-examining  the  penitentiary ;  a  report  to  make  of 
the  result  to  Government ;  and  then  a  journey  of  nearly  forty 
miles  to  be  accomplished.  However,  way  opened  for  the  whole, 
and  very  satisfactorily.  When  we  reached  the  meeting-house, 
we  foimd  it  thronged  to  excess,  and  had  considerable  difficulty 
in  reaching  the  gallery.  Hundreds  went  away  disappointed  of 
a  place.  About  1500  were  supposed  to  be  present.  With 
fidl  minds,  and  tired  bodies,  we  found  it  no  easy  task  to  cope 
with  such  a  meeting ;  but  it  proved  a  memorable  one.  There 
was,  I  think,  a  true  effusion  of  the  Spirit  on  the  occasion ;  and 
our  dear  sister  was  wonderfully  enabled  to  surmount  her 
bodily  weakness  and  mental  fears.  I  hardly  ever  heard  such 
preaching  as  hers  was  that  day ;  and  the  whole  was  concluded 
by  the  hearty  ascription  of  all  glory  where  alone  it  is  due. 
Her  text  was,  "Holiness  becometh  thine  house,  O  Lord, 
for  ever." 

Soon  after  meeting,  I  had  a  happy  rencontre  with  the 
Governor  of  the  Penitentiary  in  the  street.  We  took  him  to 
the  prison  in  our  caniage,  delivered  the  Government  order, 
and  made  a  thorough  \asitation  of  the  institution.  Happily, 
there  was  no  great  evil  lurking,  and  we  parted  with  our 
defeated  friend  in  harmony  ]  and  I  had  real  pleasure  in  going 
to  Secretary  Gregory,  and  making  a  favorable  report. 

In  the  end  we  got  through  all  our  labours  :  dined ;  packed 
our  carriage ;  left  Dublin  at  five  o'clock,  tridy  grateful  to  our 
friends,  of  the  Pim  family,  for  their  uncommon  kindness  and 
attention ;  and,  after  travelling  imtil  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
we  arrived  at  Christians-town,  county  Kildare;  at  the  hos- 
pitable house  of  our  dear  friend,  James  Forbes.  *  * 


JET.  39.  TRIM.  329 

At  Jonathan  Eichardson's,  Lisbura,  3rd  mo.,  4th,  1827. 

■'^  *  I  last  wrote  from  John  Wtiite's,  near  Edenderry.  "We 
left  his  house  about  ten  o'clock  on  second  day  morning  (the 
2Gth  ult.)  for  Trim,  the  county  town  of  Meath;  passing  through 
a  coimtry  very  incompletely  cultivated,  with  wretched  earthen 
huts  on  the  sides  of  the  road,  the  inhabitants  of  which  ap- 
peared to  be  but  little  elevated  above  the  condition  of  the 
heathen  world.  Thev  seem  to  understand  little  that  one  savs 
to  them,  and  nothing  can  well  exceed  the  filth  in  the  midst  of 
which  they  live.  Knowledge,  with  a  sense  of  need,  both  tem- 
porally and  spiritually,  is  that  first  step  to  improvement,  which 
does  not  seem  yet  taken,  in  many  parts  of  this  unhappy  land. 
I  believe,  however,  that  education  is  making  rapid  strides ;  and 
the  more  it  prevails,  the  more  imeasy  the  people  become,  both 
with  their  physical  and  their  spiritual  degradation.  I  find 
there  are  almost  daily  tidmgs  of  the  progress  of  "  the  Reforma- 
tion" in  many  places.  Trim  is  a  wretched  capital.  The  Duke 
of  Wellington's  towering  monument  being  in  true  Hibernian 
conti-ast  -with  the  filth  and  misery  which  surround  it.  The 
prison  was  once  the  pride  of  the  coimty,  but  is  now  considered 
one  of  the  worst  in  Ireland.  We  found  it,  as  we  do  all  the 
county  jails,  full  of  prisoners,  chiefly  for  rioting  and  the  work 
of  the  shiUelah.  It  is  kept  in  good  order,  and  is  carefully 
superintended.  We  endeavoured  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a 
ladies'  committee.  Thence  over  an  improving  country,  and 
past  several  gentlemen's  seats,  through  the  town  of  Kells,  to 
our  friend  Lord  Bective's,  at  Headfort.  It  is  a  fine  extensive 
nobleman's  place,  conducted  with  great  care  and  economy. 
We  an-ived  in  time  for  dimier,  and  were  most  kindly  received 
by  the  Earl  and  Countess.  There  is  something  truly  amiable 
about  them  both.  We  passed,  however,  rather  a  sleepy  even- 
ing, for  we  were  tilled ;  and  Lord  B was  obhged  to  leave 

us  at  night,  on  his  way  to  attend  Parhament,  on  the  Roman 
Catholic  question,  of  which  he  is  a  warm  supporter.  He  and 
his  wife  promoted  our  religious  intercourse  with  their  house- 
hold, and  the  next  morning  we  had  the  family  together, 
including  a  number  of  Roman  CathoHcs;  a  general  anxiety 


330  '  IRELAND.  1837. 

prevailing   to   see  tlie   stranger   guests.      Dear   E read 

Matt.  XXV,  and  we  had  a  remarkably  interesting  meeting 
afterwards^  a  little  like  that  at  Lord  Derby's^  in  days  of 
old.  Much  love  towards  us  was  manifested  by  all  the  party, 
especially  the    servants,  who  seemed  full  of  zeal  in  helping 

us.     We  spent  an  hour  or  two  with  Lady  B at  Kells, 

their  neighbouring  town,  in  inspecting  her  public  charities, 
and  a  wretched  little  prison,  happily  not  often  used ; 
and  we  then  drove  off  to  a  desolate  place  called  Bally- 
borough,  on  om*  way  to  the  next  meeting  of  Friends.  The 
people  seemed  anxious  for  tracts,  of  which  we  distributed  a 
large  quantity ;  and  there  being  no  horses  to  be  had  in  the 
place  fit  to  use,  we  were  happy  enough  to  meet  with  two  pairs 
on  their  return  home,  which  we  kept  for  two  days'  ser\ace. 
It  is  a  desolate  country  and  the  roads  very  bad ;  and  very  tired 
we  were  when  we  arrived  at  Cootehill,  a  little  town  in  the 
county  of  Cavan,  where  we  were  most  hospitably  entertained 

by  J.  C and  his  two  sisters.     The  change  from  the  vast 

chateau  to  their  humble  abode,  was  far  from  unpleasant ;  there 
was  so  mu.ch  cleanliness  and  comfort  in  the  accommodation 
provided. 

There  are  only  a  few  scattered  families  of  Friends  in  this 
place,  (Lisburn,)  which  is  one  of  some  importance,  being  a 
principal  linen  mart  for  the  north  of  Ireland.  The  domestic 
manufacture  of  linen  is  the  staple  of  this  part  of  the  country, 
and  every  poor  man  is  his  own  flax  grower,  weaver,  and  merchant. 
As  we  advance  towards  the  north,  the  peasantry  assume  a  more 
respectable  appearance.  The  children  may  like  to  know  that 
we  met  on  oiu'  road,  a  day  or  two  since,  a  vast  body  of  peasants, 
neatly  dressed,  attending  the  corpse  of  a  young  woman  to  its 
burial,  and  the  attendants  round  about  the  coffin  were  chaimt- 
ing  the  funeral  cry,  very  improperly  called  "  the  Irish  liowl.'^ 
It  was  a  touching  sound.  Tliis  is  a  fine  harvest  for  the  priest, 
who  levies  a  handsome  subscription  on  the  people  present  at 
the  biu'ial.  We  held  a  meeting  at  Cootehill  on  fourth  day 
morning.  It  was  largely  attended  by  a  mixed  company  of 
Friends,  Protestant  church-people,  and  lloman  Catholics.  It 
was  a  time  in  which  the  truth  was,  I  trust,  exalted,  and  many. 


^T.  39.  cootehill;  Armagh.  331 

especially  of  the  Roman  Catholics,  have  since  been  apphang  to 
our  host  for  tracts.  He  tells  me  his  whole  stock  has  been  ex- 
hausted, by  the  sudden  demand  our  meeting  occasioned.  The 
inquisitive  state  of  the  public  mind,  where  education  has  at 
all  prevailed,  is  deeply  interesting.  From  Cootehill,  om-  four 
horses,  which  we  had  met  vrith  the  day  before,  brought  us 
through  some  fine  nobleman's  domains,  and  afterwards  thi'ough 
a  dxdl  country  to  Monaghan ;  where  we  spent  an  hour  in  visit- 
ing a  new  and  very  tolerable  county  jail,  full  of  prisoners ;  and 
in  sowing  the  seeds  of  a  ladies'  committee.  We  dined  at  the 
inn,  and  reached  the  hotel  at  Armagh  in  the  evening.  The 
travelling  in  these  parts  is  imcommonly  tedious,  the  Irish 
stages  swelling  to  an  unreasonable  length ;  and  no  mile  stones. 
It  is  difficult  to  get  on  without  four  horses.  Fifth  day  morn- 
ing at  Armagh,  was  highly  interesting.  It  is  a  fine  inland 
town.  V.'e  first  visited  the  county  jail,  and  found  a  peculiarly 
open  door  for  intercourse  with  the  prisoners ;  the  first  time  this 
has  happened  to  us  in  Ireland.  Popeiy  has,  in  general,  o.p- 
peared  to  block  up  the  way  in  the  minds  of  the  prisoners. 
Fi-om  the  prison  we  proceeded  to  the  lunatic  asylum  for  five 
counties,  admirably  managed,  none  under  restraint,  and  a  con- 
siderable number  of  both  men  and  women  employed.  We 
then  went  to  Lady  LifFord's,  at  the  deanery.  She  knew  dear 
Priscilla,  and  is  a  close  ally  of  Lady  Gosford's.  Here  we  met 
several  ladies,  and  laid  the  fomidation  of  a  \-isiting  association. 
Lady  Liff'ord  is  a  charming,  elderly  lady ;  an  humble,  solid, 
practical  Christian,  abounding  in  good  works.  On  separating 
one  from  another  we  were  favoured  with  a  true  solemnity. 
Thence  to  Ilichill,  where  a  large  meetmg  of  Friends  and  others 
were  assembled  at  two  o'clock ;  I  believe  to  a  good  purpose, 
as  the  gospel  was  fully  preached  and  gladly  received.  That 
night  we  reached  Rhoane  Hill,  near  Grange,  where  we  were 
kindly  entertained  by  an  interestmg  family  of  Friends,  and  on 
sixth  day  morning  we  held  a  large  meeting  at  Grange.  It 
was  to  me  a  time  of  deep  exercise  of  mind.  These  were  the 
parts  in  which  Friends  were  once  so  led  away  by  infidelity, 
and  their  present  state  reminded  me  of  the  condition  of  the 
Jews  after  they  came  from  Babylon;  returned  indeed  from 


332  IRELAND.  1827. 

captivity^  but  yet  without  the  Urim  and  Thummim^  and  after 
a  time  without  prophets.  Through  all^  there  seemed  a  strong 
hope  of  re\-ival;,  and  two  young  people  have  lately  begim 
to  minister  there.  After  a  tedious  journey,  we  reached  this 
place  (Lishum)  on  sixth  day  evening,  and  find  ourselves  quite 
at  home  under  the  care  of  our  young  friend,  Jonathan  Rich- 
ardson, in  his  father^s  comfortable  house;  the  parents  in 
England.  There  is  an  excellent  Friends'  school  here,  the 
Hibernian  Ackworth,  and  most  of  yesterday  was  employed 
in  the  examination  of  the  children,  and  in  setting  on  foot  the 
Ackworth  plans  of  scriptural  instruction.  I  found  the  wheel 
move  rather  hea\'ily,  but  believe  success  is  likely  to  crown  the 
effort.  The  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  was  held  in  the 
evening.  I  am  sitting  up  now  to  finish  this  letter  after  a 
laborious  day.  A  large  meeting  with  Friends  this  morning, 
and  with  the  public  this  evening,  besides  a  continued  stream 
of  family  engagements.  One  of  our  companions  in  the  work 
has  been  John  Conran,  a  veteran  preacher  of  88  years,  who 
stood  his  ground  valiantly  in  the  time  of  the  secession,  and 
was  for  some  years  afterward  the  only  minister,  or  elder,  in 
the  north  of  Ireland.  He  has  already  been  joined  by  six 
more,  and  many  others  seem  likely  to  follow  in  the  train. 
Nothing  can  well  exceed  the  lovehness  of  this  dear  old  man's 
spirit.  His  preaching  highly  animating,  his  fine  white  locks 
flowing  over  his  shoidders.  Om-  meetings  have  been  much 
favoured  to-day,  and  I  think  we  all  retire  to  rest  with  the 
feelings  of  thankfulness  and  peace. 

Grace  Hill,  County  Antrim,  3rd  mo.,  14th,  1827. 

My  Journal  is  sadly  in  arrear.  I  last  wrote  on  first  day 
the  4th  from  Lisbum.  The  public  meeting  that  evening  was 
remarkably  interesting;  many  Roman  Catholics  there;  and 
my  doctrine,  as  I  supposed,  very  anti-papistical ;  but  the 
report  made  by  one  of  their  community  was,  that  I  preached 
the  same  things  as  their  own  priest ! 

The  following  day  was  devoted  to  the  business  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  large ;  twice  the  size  of  ours. 
It  was  a  day  of  unction.     Our  dear  sister  and  her  sister 


JET.  39.  LISBURX  ;    LURGAN.  333 

E.  F ^-isited  the  men's  meeting ;  and  John  Com*an,  that 

veteran  -vrarrior  in  the  army  of  the  Lamb,  preached  in  the 
com-se  of  the  morning  one  of  the  best  sermons  I  ever  heard, 
on  the  Sonship  and  Di^inity  of  our  Saviour.  A  young  man 
in  a  low  line  of  life,  knelt  doAvn  and  supplicated  very  power- 
fully. There  is  a  remarkable  breaking  forth  of  the  ministry 
in  these  pai'ts,  chiefly  in  the  poorer  class  of  the  society. 

On  third  day  a  concluding  meeting  for  worship,  with  a 
very  large  and  interesting  body  of  Friends ;  it  was  an  extra- 
ordinarv  time,  and  one  that  could  not  fail  to  leave  very 
encoiu'aging  impressions.  Then  to  the  Coimty  Infinnary,  a 
valuable  institution,  a  Ladies'  Committee  established;  then 
to  the  Pi'o-sincial  School,  to  diink  tea  with  the  childi'en, 
amongst  whom  I  finally  estabhshed  my  plan  of  scriptural 
instruction;  then  another  large  public  meeting.  The  state 
of  the  pubHc  mind  in  this  countiy  requires  a  nice  and  dehcate 
touch,  and  the  greatest  care  is  requisite  to  keep  clear  of  all 
sectarian  and  party  feeling. 

On  fotu'th  dav  we  left  Lisbum  on  our  wav  to  several 
country  meetings.  The  weather  wild.  After  attending  a 
large  meeting  at  Ballinderry,  we  went  through  a  diiving  snow 
to  Lm'gan,  county  of  Down,  the  original  settlement  of  Friends 
in  tills  land.  A  large  old  meeting  house,  and  a  small  scattered 
flock.  There  was  no  inritation,  and  the  weather  was  very 
severe,  yet  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  flocked  to  meeting, 
evidently  athirst,  in  no  common  degree,  after  hving  waters; 

and  a  vei^v  solemn  assemblv  we  had.     Dear  E was  much 

strengthened  for  the  occasion.  A  long  drive  through  wind 
and  snow,  brought  us  late  at  night  to  the  hospitable  mansion 
of  Thomas  Christv  Wakefield,  of  ]\Iovallan.  This  was  once  a 
flom-ishing  colony  of  Friends  in  a  beautiful  coimtry ;  a  village 
of  pretty  villas ;  but,  alas  !  the  bright  scene  has  vanished 
under  the  deadly  touch  of  infidelity.  ]\Iany  of  the  principal 
Friends  seceded  manv  vears  a^o,  and  have  remarkably  come 
to  nothing.  There  is  a  Httle  faithfid  band  presei-ved  from  the 
wreck,  some  of  whom  are  particularly  pleasing.  Notwith- 
standing the  snow,  we  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  in  the 
morning,  and  with  the  public  in  the  eveniag.     The  next  day. 


334  IRELAND.  1827. 

more  snow  having  fallen,  we  could  not  proceed  on  our  journey, 
the  roads  being-  impassable.  I  called  on  the  Friends,  and  in 
the  afternoon  and  evening  we  were  met  by  a  large  party  of 
young  people.  We  were  anxious  to  go  off  the  next  morning, 
and  four  horses  took  us,  with  considerable  difficulty,  to  Hills- 
borough, where  there  is  a  small  settlement  of  Friends.  We 
held  a  meeting  there,  to  which  many  came  through  a  pouring 
rain. 

On  seventh  day  night  we  retm'ned  to  our  old  lodgings  at 
Lisbui*n,  and  proceeded  on  first  day  morning  to  meeting,  at 
Belfast ;  a  beautiful  drive  of  seven  miles,  through  a  finiitfol 
valley,  under  fine  mountains.  Belfast  is  the  Liverpool  of 
Ireland.  A  few  years  ago  there  were  only  two  or  three 
Friends;  now  there  are  thirty  families.  A  remarkable 
seriousness  seemed  to  prevail  among  the  youn-g  people,  and 
here  we  heard  another  young  man  minister  very  acceptably. 
Om'  public  meeting  that  evening  was  held  in  a  large  school 
room,  on  an  upper  floor.  There  was  an  almost  frightful 
effusio  pojndi.  When  we  arrived  punctually  at  the  time 
appointed,  we  found  the  people  going  away  by  hundreds, 
disappointed  for  want  of  room.  We  were  put  to  difficulty  to 
get  into  the  room.  The  crowd  was  very  overpowering  to  our 
dear  sister,  and  I  was  afraid  she  would  have  fainted.  How- 
ever we  got  to  om^  places  at  last.  Protection  and  strength 
were  graciously  afforded.  I  was  enabled  to  declare  the 
gospel  with  rather  unusual  power,  and  all  was  soon  profoundly 
quiet ;  and,  in  the  end,  the  vast  assembly  dispersed  in  quiet- 
ness and  safety.  I  am  sure  you  would  have  felt  for  us,  could 
you  have  watched  our  movements  that  night. 

The  next  day  we  had  abundance  of  work  as  usual.  First, 
a  visit  to  the  House  of  CoiTCction,  with  a  crowd  of  ladies  and 
gentlemen  flocking  after  our  dear  sister;  amongst  the  rest, 
the  clergy,  English  Church,  Presbyterian,  and  Roman 
Catholic.  Dr.  Croly,  the  Roman  Catholic  Bishop,  was  with 
us,  a  very  liberal  man.  All  these  denomiriations  unite 
in  the  religious  instruction  of  the  prisoners.  I  sent  the 
bishop  both  my  works.  They  say  his  liberality  enables 
him  to  proselyte  more  successfully.     Then  to  Carrickfcrgus, 


^T.  39.  BELFAST  ;    CARRICKFERGUS.  335 

a  long  and  heautiM  drive  under  tlie  mountains  by  the  coast. 
There  is  a  large  coimty  jail  there  for  Antrim;  and  veiy 
thoroughly  we  inspected  it.     While  I  \asited  the  male  side, 

E succeeded   in    forming    a    ladies'    committee.      We 

returned  to  a  late  dinner  at  our  friend  William  Bell's;  a 
crowd  of  Friends,  chiefly  yoimg,  came  in  the  evening ;  and  it 
was  no  light  matter  to  meet  the  occasion  after  the  fatigue  of 
the  day.  However,  all  passed  off  well.  But  alas !  on  our 
retm'n  to  our  lodgings  to  supper,  hehold  another  party  to 
meet  us,  some  of  the  principal  Presbyterians.  The  Presby- 
terians form  the  largest  portion  of  the  population  in  this  part 
of    Ireland,    and   are    at   Belfast    di-sdded   into   two   parties. 

Orthodox    and    Arian,       By    dear    E 's    desire    another 

pixbhc  meeting  was  appointed  for  yesterday  morning,  at 
eleven,  to  which  the  upper  classes  were  principally  imited. 
It  was  a  beautiful  congTcgation  of  upwards  of  1000  orderly 
attentive,  weU-dressed  people ;  and  a  highly  favoured  occasion. 
The  place  which  our  dear  sister  has  among  them  all,  is  truly 
remarkable;  amongst  other  effects,  it  seems  in  a  singular 
degree  to  stop  the  objections  entertained  to  women's  preach- 
ing. A  clergyman  who  had  expressed  these  objections  before 
the  meeting,  said  after  it,  "  No  one  who  loves  the  truth 
would  dare  to  prevent  them."  A  variety  of  public  insti- 
tutions were  next  to  be  \dsited.  E went  to  the  Peni- 
tentiary, and  I  to  the  Schools ;  both  of  us  to  the  Poor-house, 
a  place  of  refuge   for  the  aged  and  infirm,  and  for  orphan 

children;   very  weU  managed.     In  the  evening  dear  E 

had  a  congTCgation  of  ladies  at  the  meeting-house,  to  arrange 
committees  for  visiting  the  Poor-house,  the  Penitentiary  and 
the  Prison.  I  went  to  Carrickfergus  again,  having  been 
brought  under  a  concern  of  mind  to  hold  a  public  meeting 
there.  The  rain  poured  in  torrents;  but  there  was  a  pretty 
good  congregation  in  the  Methodist  meeting-house.    *  "^  *  "^ 

Omagh,  county  Tyrone,  3rcl  mo.,  19th,  1827. 

My  dearest  Sisters, 

I  wrote  to  you  from  Grace  hiU,  the  Moranan 
settlement,  on  fourth  day  evening.     That  morning  we  passed 


336  IRELAND.  1827. 

an  interesting  houi'  in  surveying  the  settlement;  the  first 
I  had  ever  seen.  The  single  sisters,  about  fifty  in  number, 
occupy  one  large  house,  and  seemed  very  cheerful  and  happy ; 
but  they  do  not  appear  to  live  gi-eatly  for  the  benefit  of 
mankind;  not  attending  much  to  the  education  of  the  poor, 
and  leaving  the  sick  to  their  ministers.  We  left  our  various 
books,  and  proceeded  to  a  little  meeting  at  Low  Grange, 
consisting  of  an  aged  widow,  and  her  son  and  daughter,  with 
a  few  others.  However,  many  persons  came  in,  including 
two  clergymen,  and  we  had  a  very  comfortable  meeting. 

We  took  a  repast  of  eggs  and  bacon  at  a  public  house  in  a 
small  town  hard  by — Portglenone.  Here  we  distributed 
tracts.  The  empressement  of  the  people  to  obtain  these 
treasures,  is  really  interesting.  They  seemed  delighted  with 
my  letter  on  Christianity,  chiefly  because  of  its  neutrality. 
We  find  it  does  not  at  all  answer  for  us  to  issue  any 
controversial  tracts,  or  to  mix  ourselves  in  the  questions  now 
so  warmly  agitated  between  the  churches  of  Rome  and 
England.  It  seems  our  business  to  bring  home  to  the  one 
Foundation. 

We  arrived  in  the  evening  at  a  Friend's  hovise  in  the 
country,  where  we  held  a  meeting,  with  a  veiy  small  flock : 
including  a  young  Roman  Catholic  lady,  who  seems  convinced 
of  the  principles  of  Friends.  Her  brother  trod  the  same 
course  before  her,  and  undei-went  great  persecution,  and  has 
since  died  in  early  life.  We  travelled  that  day  on  the  banks 
of  Lough  Neagh.  Some  of  the  scenery  was  fine,  especially 
in  the  demesne  of  Earl  O'Neill,  whose  castle  overlooked  the 
lake,  tdl  it  was  consumed  by  fire.  It  is  now  a  pile  of  ruins.  *  * 

On  seventh  day,  we  proceeded,  chiefly  by  the  sea  coast  and 
the  banks  of  Lough  Foyle,  to  Londonderry ;  where  we  arrived 
early  in  the  afternoon,  having  appointed  a  rendezvous  at  the 
jail  at  three  o'clock. 

The  situation  of  this  little  city  is  highly  beautiful,  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Foyle,  and  with  a  good  harbour ;  the  town 
is  encircled  with  a  wall,  on  the  top  of  which  is  a  fine  walk ; 
and  the  cathedral,  finer  than  Irish  cathedrals  in  general, 
towers  over  the  whole  scene. 


S.1.  39.  LOXDONDERRV.  337 

On  our  arrival  at  the  jail,  we  found  our  letters  had  not 
reached  their  destination,  so  that  no  one  was  there  to  meet 
us.  But  it  was  cui'ious  to  obsene  how  soon  the  scene  was 
changed.  Fortli  came,  on  the  notice  of  the  moment,  the 
mayor,  the  government  inspector,  the  clcrgj',  (Presbyterian 
and  Church  of  England,)  the  bishop  and  his  lady,  and  many 
others.  The  openness  of  eveiybody  towards  us  was  interesting. 
After  our  business  had  been  effected,  we  tliree  dined  at  the 
bishoji's,  at  half-past  six,  and  met  rather  a  grand  party ;  chiefly 
of  the  Northland  (or  Knox)  family,  of  which  he  is  one.  He 
is  a  generous,  and  liberal-minded  man;  freely  spending  the 
large  income  which  his  see  produces.  He  is  the  head  and 
supporter  of  all  the  charitable  institutions.  It  was  amusing 
to  see  him  and  his  lady,  with  other  authorities,  an'angiiig  the 
seats  of  the  great  court  house,  for  our  meeting  in  the  morning. 
"We  may  truly  say  that  times  are  changed.  How  difl'erent 
from  the  persecutions  Friends  once  endui'cd ! 

Yesterday  was  one  of  deep  and  varied  exercise  of  mind, 
AVe  felt  it  very  much  in  prospect.  At  half-past  ten,  the  hour 
appointed,  the  court  house  was  rapidly  filled  with  the  gentry 
of  the  town  and  neighbourhood.  It  was  a  solemn  and  satis- 
factory meeting ;  many  seemed  deeply  impressed,  particularly 
a  lady  of  rank,  who  was  completely  broken  down.  She  said, 
after  our  afternoon  meeting,  that  she  must  have  come  to  it, 
had  it  even  cost  her  her  life.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  held 
at  the  Presbyterian  meeting  house,  at  half-past  three.  About 
2000  persons  there ;  the  bishop  himself  and  his  family  sitting 
immediately  in  fi-ont  of  us.  It  was  no  light  occasion.  I  never 
found  one  more  arduous.    But  all  ended  well,  though  through 

deep  humiliation.     After  it  was  over  dear  E met  the 

ladies,  and  completely  succeeded  in  forming  her  committee. 
The  bishop  took  me  in  his  ear,  to  see  the  Infirmary  and  other 
institutions.  AVe  tinned  our  backs  on  Londonderrv,  with 
peaceful  minds,  at  half-past  six  this  morning;  still  accom- 
panied by  om*  four  active  and  agreeable  guides,  Thomas  and 
Charles  Wakefield,  John  Christy,  and  William  Bell.  We 
have  visited  two  large  jails  to  day,  two  Infinuaries,  and  one 
Lunatic  Asvlum    at  Lifford,  the  county  town  of    Donegal. 

z 


338  IRELAND.  1827. 

Here  at  Omagli,  the  county  town  of  TjTone^  there  are  lO-i 
prisoners  for  trial ;  ten  for  murder  !  They  are  cases  of  violent 
political  feeling  and  revenge.  The  assizes  hegin  to-morrow, 
and  we  are  stopped  for  want  of  horses.  It  was  entertaining 
to  see  the  members  of  the  bar,  in  numbers,  running  down  the 
street,  on  our  arrival  being  known,  to  meet  us  at  the  prison. 
We  have  formed  our  committee,  and  our  dear  sister  has  been 
with  the  judges,  who  happily  agree  with  us  on  the  subject  of 
Capital  Punishment.  We  mean,  if  possible,  to  reach  Sligo 
to-morrow. 


iET.  39.  ROUTE    TO    SLIGO.  339 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

1827.     ^T.  39. 

EOUTE  TO  SLIGO;  STATE  OF  THE  COTTNTIIT  ;  HIBERNIAN  BLTTNDEK  J 
GALWAY  ;  ILLNESS  OF  ELIZABETH  FRY ;  CLONMEL  ;  CAKLOW  ;  DR. 
DOYLE  ;  BALLITORE  ;  YEARLY  MEETING  IN  DUBLIN  ;  FINAL  VISIT 
TO  LORD  AVELLESLEY  ;  WICKLOW  ;  ENNISCORTHY  ;  WEXFORD  ;  WATER- 
FORD  ;     RETURN    TO    ENGLAND. 

Mountniellick,  Queen's  County, 

3rd  mo.,  25th,  1827. 

I  wTote  last  from  Omag-h,  in  Tyi'one_,  where  we  stopped  in 
the  midst  of  the  confusion  of  the  assizes.  This  was  last 
second  day.  I  went  to  bed  very  tired,  and  rose  at  half-past 
four  in  the  morning,  not  greatly  refreshed  by  the  damp  little 
bed  which  had  fallen  to  my  lot.  We  were  oblisred  to  rise  thus 
early,  as  we  had  a  long  day's  jom'ncy  in  prospect.  A  very 
difficidt  stage  of  about  twenty  English  miles,  over  a  road 
dangerous  for  night  travelling,  brought  us  to  Tempo,  a  little 
village,  where  we  obtained  some  brealcfast  in  the  mud-floored 
room  of  a  public  house.  The  Homan  Catholic  population  of 
the  place  were  very  eager  for  our  tracts,  of  which  we  distributed 
many.  Indeed,  I  may  say  that  the  dissemination  of  them,  and 
particularly  of  the  Letter  on  Christianity,  has  been  one  of  oui' 
very  interesting  objects  during  the  past  week.  We  meet  on 
the  roads  vast  numbers  of  intelligent  looking  people,  to  whom 
the  gift  of  a  tract  is  most  acceptable.  They  commence  reading 
them  forthwith,  with  much  zeal.  Sometimes,  however,  they 
are  afraid  to  receive  them.  I  happened  to  give  a  poor  man  a 
copy  of  the  Letter,  just  as  a  priest  was  riding  towards  him. 
The  man  immediately  delivered  up  his  treasure  to  the  priest, 
who,  with  an  expression  of  peculiar  bitterness,  tore  it  in  halves, 

z  2 


340  IRELAND.  1827. 

and  threw  it  into  a  ditcli : — a  sly  little  boy,  however,  ran  off 
with  the  fragments.  The  thirst  for  information  which  prevails 
in  the  parts  of  Ireland  where  we  have  lately  been,  is  most 
remarkable,  I  believe  that  the  system  of  the  papal  priesthood 
begins  to  be  shaken  to  its  centre;  and  we  have  seen  enough 
to  convince  us,  that  provided  truth,  and  not  infidelity,  is 
the  alternative,  the  sooner  it  falls  the  better;  for  it  is  an 
iron  yoke. 

From  Tempo  to  Enniskillen,  a  populous  town,  prettily 
situated  on  the  banks  of  Lough  Erne.  Here  we  visited  the 
infirmary,  and  a  very  indifferent  jail,  in  which  were  six  persons 
under  a  charge  of  desperate  murder.  This  is  no  uncommon 
crime  in  Ireland.  Deeply  settled  revenge  is  in  general  the 
cause ;  and  it  is  often  attended  with  awful  barbarity.  I  do  not 
exaggerate  when  I  say  that  we  have  seen  dozens  of  murderers 
during  the  last  week.  In  Roscommon  jail  were  ten  more,  for 
the  murder  of  a  member  of  our  Society,  a  mere  nominal 
Friend,  who  had  a  quantity  of  arms  in  his  house,  which  were 
in  part,  the  object  of  pursuit.  He  defended  himself  vigor- 
ously, but  it  was  all  in  vain.  He  was  shot  by  the  assailants ; 
and  more  desperate  characters  than  they  appeared  to  be,  I 
never  beheld.  At  Sligo  there  was  a  prisoner  who  had  roasted 
a  poor  woman  ahve  !  Nothing  can  exceed  the  ferocity  into 
which  the  unbridled  passions  of  this  unhappy  people  lead 
them,  when  party  spirit  has  the  sway  over  them.  After 
forming  our  Committee  of  Ladies,  we  left  Enniskillen  in  the 
afternoon,  on  our  way  to  Sligo,  in  some  hopes  of  reaching  that 
place  before  night.  Our  drive  during  daylight  was  delightful ; 
the  scenery  like  that  in  the  Highlands,  under  fine  mountains, 
and  by  the  side  of  a  beautifidly  wooded  lake ;  Lord  Enniskil- 
len's  castle,  at  Florence  court,  being  a  principal  object  in  the 
scene.  The  peasantry  very  numerous,  well  dressed,  decent, 
and  intelligent.  We  enjoyed  supplying  them  with  tracts. 
The  linen  manfacture  extends  as  far  as  Sligo,  and  has  a  great 
effect  in  promoting  the  decency  and  welfare  of  the  population, 
it  being  entirely  a  domestic  manufacture. 

Our  efforts  to  reach  Sligo  proved  fruitless.  We  were  benighted 
just  as  we  arrived  at  an  inn,  called  the  Red  Lion,  which  the 


iET.  39.  SLIGO.  341 

persons  we  met  on  the  road  described  as  a  "very  grand" 
place ;  but  it  proved  so  wretched,  that  we  determined  to  push 
forwards  to  Manor  Hamilton,  ten  miles  farther,  notwithstand- 
ing the  risk  which  attends  travelling  by  night  on  these  roads ; 
both  from  the  deep  ditches  on  each  side,  and  ft-om  the  prevalence 
of  violent  robbery.  We  found  it  difficult  to  get  along,  and 
when  at  last  we  reached  the  town,  O  the  extreme  filth  and 
poverty  of  the  accommodation  which  awaited  us !  I  never 
before  lodged  in  so  sad  a  place;  and  felt  really  anxious  for 

dear  E ,  and  her  sister,  who  had  risen  at  four  in  the 

morning.  But  we  ought  to  be  more  than  content  to  suffer  a 
little — and  it  is  but  a  little — for  the  sake  of  a  good  cause. 

I  set  off,  with  two  of  the  guides,  early  for  Sligo,  on  fourth 
day  morning,  to  prepare  the  way.  Our  visit  there  was 
uncommonly  interesting.  We  came  total  strangers  to  the 
place,  but  all  sorts  of  people  had  open  arms  to  receive  us.  I 
soon  found  a  few  pious  persons,  they  called  on  others,  and 
early  in  the  afternoon  we  visited  the  prison,  in  company  with 
a  crowd  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  mcluding  the  High  Sheriff. 
The  assizes  were  going  on  in  the  town,  and  not  a  bed,  room, 
or  hovel,  was  to  be  had  at  any  inn.  We  took  private  lodgings, 
but  this  was  unnecessary,  so  many  were  desirous  of  making 
us  their  guests.  In  the  evening  we  went  to  the  rector's,  where 
we  were  met  by  a  large  inquisitive  party.  We  did  what  we 
could  to  interest  and  instruct,  and  formed  a  Ladies'  Committee 
very  satisfactorily. 

The  next  morning  was  very  interesting.  We  breakfasted 
at  the  house  of  some  pious  people  named  Whitacre,  who  had 
provided  me  with  a  lodging.  After  breakfast,  several  of  the 
late  converts  from  Popery  came  to  see  us.  Sligo  has  already 
added  forty-two  names  to  the  "  reformation,'^  and  fourteen 
more  were  to  come  forward  to-day  as  recanters  of  error.  The 
people  who  met  us  that  morning  excited  our  .sincere  regard 
and  interest.  They  were  mtelhgent  men  of  the  lower  middle 
class,  and  had  been  all  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
chiefly  through  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures.  Their  account 
of  the  faith  that  was  in  them,  and  of  their  scriptm-al  reasons 
for  renouncing  Popery,  was  wonderfully  clear.     They  were 


342  •  IKELAND.  1837. 

evidently  enlightened  by  a  power   more  than   human,   and 
appeared  spiritually  minded,  hungering   and   thirsting  after 
righteousness.     There  was  an  obvious  approach  in  some  of 
their  minds,  towards  the  principles  of  Friends.      It  is,  in- 
deed, a  wonderfid  work,  which  now  appears  to  be  rapidly  going 
forward  in  the  minds  of  this  afflicted,  but  interesting  people. 
As  the  morning  advanced,  we  held,  in  the  Linen  Hall,  a 
large  public  meeting ;  which  we  understood  to  have  been  the 
only   one  that  had  been  held    there    for   thirty   years  and 
upwards.      It   was   genteelly   attended,    which   I    attributed 
chiefly  to  E 's  public  character,  and  was  a  time  of  remark- 
able openness,  the  word  appearing  "  to  run"  and  find  entrance. 
It  was  difficult  to  make  oiu*  escape  from  Sligo,  the  people 
were  aU  so  loving.     However,  after  an  early  dinner  we  drove 
off,  and  arrived  in  the  evening  at  the  pretty  town  of  Boyle, 
county  of  Roscommon,  (still  in  Connaught,)  where  we  foimd 
a   comfortable    inn.       On   sixth   day   we   travelled   through 
much  of  that  desolate  looking  county,  and  reached  Roscom- 
mon to  dinner.     There  we  visited  the  Infirmary,  Jail,  and 
Lunatic   Asylum  ;    the   last    a   horrid   place    indeed,   which 
we  have  represented  to  Lord  and  Lady   Lorton,  the   most 
influential  people   in   the  county,  the  latter  of  whom   was 
repeatedly  with  us  in  Dublin.     Some  of  the  scenes  we  have  of 
late  witnessed  in  the  public  institutions  have  been  most  dis- 
tressing; vice  and  misery  in  abimdance.     Nobody  can  tell 
what  this  country  is,  without  visiting  it ;  but  long  must  be  our 
visit,  were  it  required  of  us  to  obtain  a  full  knowledge  of  the 
Irish  character.     We  held  our  evening  meeting  at  a  little 
village  called  Ballymurry,  where  there  are  a  few  Friends ;  and 
lodged  at  the  clean  comfortable  house  of  a  widow,  Margaret 
Robinson,  with  an  interesting  family  of  young  people.     Yes- 
terday morning  we  went  more   than  twenty  miles,  to  a  ten 
o'clock  meeting  at  INIoate,  in  Westmeath,  fi'om  which  place 
we  came  hither  last  evening.     Westmeath  is  one  of  the  most 
disturbed  of  the  counties;  murders  very  frequent.     Fifteen 
poor  men  are  expected  to  be  executed  at  the  jail  at  Mullingar  ! 
You  may  depend  on  our  not  running  any  unnecessary  risks. 
I  fully  believe  we  have  nothing  to  fear. 


^T.  39.  MOUNTMELLICK.  343 

We  find  a  large  Quarterly  Meeting  assembled  here,  about 
four  hundi'ed  Fi'ieuds,  and  the  day  has,  I  hope,  been  a  good 
one.  Dearest  Priscilla  is  remembered  with  peculiar  love 
and  delight.  We  have  been  spending  the  evening  at  the 
house  of  her  intimate  friend,  Ann  Shannon,  where  we  have 
seen  a  party  of  one  hundi-ed,  chiefly  young  people.  I  hope 
they  were  ministered  to  with  some  effect.  Fiiends  are  not 
satisfied  here  with  a  large  cu'cle  round  a  room,  the  whole 
square  surface  is  filled  like  a  Lancasterian  school-room.  *  ^ 


Galway,  4tli  mo.,  1st,  1827. 

After  a  deeply  exercising,  and,  in  various  respects,  serious 
day,  I  sit  down  to  contmue  my  jom-nal;  though  I  despair 
of  giving  to  any  persons,  who  do  not  see  Ireland  for  themselves, 
a  fall  notion   of  what  it  is,  and  what   the  people  are. 

Last  thu'd  day  morning  the  large  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Mountmellick,  for  the  province  of  Leuister,  concluded  with  a 
meeting  for  worship ;  in  which  there  was  an  uncommon  out- 
pouring of  that  influence,  which  prepares  both  for  the  utterance 
and  the  reception  of  the  gospel.  Friends  parted  from  us  in 
much  love.  Afterwards  I  had  three  considerable  schools  to 
visit,  in  all  of  which  I  succeeded  in  establishing  my  system  of 
scriptural  instruction.  The  Provincial  Friends'  school  at 
Mountmellick  has  been  reduced  to  a  very  low  ebb;  and,  I 
rather  hope,  om*  visit  to  it  will  have  a  considerable  effect  in 
its  re\ival.  In  the  evening  we  held  a  public  meeting,  which 
was  largely  attended. 

On  fourth  day  morning,  a  day  of  continued  and  impetuous 
rainj  we  went  to  breakfast  at  the  comitry  seat  of  James  Pirn, 
of  Monkstown,  the  brother  of  our  host  at  Dublin ;  where  we 
met  about  twenty-foiu*  of  that  family.  We  passed  an  in- 
teresting hour  with  them.  Then  to  the  county  jail  for  Queen's 
County,  at  Maiyboro' ;  carefully  superintended  by  a  pious  cler- 
gyman, named  Harj^er ;  for  all  the  jails  in  Ireland  are  imder 
the  care  of  local  inspectors :  a  very  good  arrangement.  The 
state  of  immorality  in  these  parts  is  tremendous.  There  were 
eleven  cases  of  murder  for  trial  at  the  assizes,  which  were 


344  IRELAND.  1827. 

then  about  to  commence.     Whilst  E was  forming  her 

Ladies'  Committee,  I  was  engaged  with  these  wretched  felons, 
who  appeared  considerably  affected,  especially  one  of  the  poor 
murderers. 

It  is  a  sad  circumstance,  that  the  priesthood  are  now  entirely 
set  against  the  schools  for  "  all/'  especially  in  the  diocese  of 
the  famous  Dr.  Doyle,  where  we  find  all  the  children  of  the 
Roman  Cathohcs  removed,  and  many  a  noble  Institution 
miserably  ruined  in  consequence.  It  may  truly  be  said,  that 
the  blind  teachers  of  this  blind  people,  prefer  darkness  to  light. 
The  effect  produced  by  the  reading  of  Scriptui-e,  has  alanned 
them  thoroughly,  and  the  consequence  is,  at  present,  very 
lamentable ;  but  there  are  cheering  symptoms  of  the  gradual 
breaking  of  this  truly  iron  yoke. 

We  held  good  meetings  at  Mountrath  and  Abbeylieux,  in 
Queen's  County,  and  took  up  our  quarters  for  the  night  at 
Abbeylieux  house.  Viscount  de  Vesci's.  Here,  in  consequence 
of  an  Hibernian  blunder,  (and  in  this  land  accuracy  is  a  scarce 
article,)  we  found  oiu-selves  in  the  hiunbling  character  of  unin- 
vited guests.  We  had  been  led  to  understand  that  we  were 
warmly  invited,  whereas  nothing  of  the  kind  had  taken  place ; 
and  this  was  not  intentional  deception,  but  only  that  total 
want  of  exact  representation  of  the  truth,  to  which  the  traveller 
in  Ireland  is  frequently  exposed.  The  result  in  the  present 
instance  was  curious ;  a  party  of  seven  Friends  drove  up  to  a 
nobleman's  house,  on  a  dark  night,  knocked  at  his  door,  and 
quietly  informed  him  that  they  were  come  to  lodge. 

Lord  and  Lady  de  Vesci  are  truly  kind,  hospitable  people, 
resident  on  their  own  beautiful  estate,  and  the  benefactors  of 
the  population  around  them.  They  received  us  kindly,  and 
took  five  of  us  in.  The  next  morning  we  held  a  public 
meeting,  which  passed  off  well,  and  left  them  in  peace,  on  our 
way  to  Kathdowny,  where  we  dined  with  a  newly  settled  young 
couple  of  Friends ;  and  proceeded  onwards  to  Knock,  to  attend 
a  little  country  meeting.  It  was  a  darksome  evening,  but  the 
meeting  was  well  attended  by  Friends  and  others,  and  was  a  very 
solemn  one.  We  lodged  at  Ballymalish,  the  house  of  Joseph 
Thacker,  a  county  magistrate.    He  is  connected  with  Friends, 


JET.  39.  ROSCREAj    BIRR^    AND    BALLYNASLOE.  345 

has  an  interesting  family^  and  received  us  with  great  hos- 
pitality ;  his  family  accompanying  us  in  their  carriage  to 
Roscrea  meeting  the  next  morning.  He  gives  a  curious 
account  of  the  Popish  population  by  which  he  is  surrounded. 
Their  late  "jubilee"  has  been  attended  by  very  injurious  moral 
effects ;  the  ceremonies  practised  on  the  occasion  being  thought 
to  have  the  effect  of  procuring  free  forgiveness  for  the  sius  of 
seven  years  past^  and  free  Hcense  for  the  sins  of  the  seven 
years  now  to  come.  This^  at  least,  appears  to  be  the  notion 
of  the  extremely  ignorant  amongst  them. 

The  meeting  at  Roscrea,  a  large  town  in  Tipperary  full  of 
curious  remains  of  antiquity,  was  a  large  one ;  and  the  truth 
seemed  to  make  its  way.  In  most  of  these  meetings,  besides 
the  small  company  of  Friends  we  have  their  neighbours  also, 
which  we  find  relieving  to  our  minds.  Indeed,  a  greater  de- 
gree of  selectness  seems  impossible,  for  there  is  a  vast  eagerness 
on  the  part  of  the  people  to  come  to  our  meetings.  In  the 
evening  we  held  a  large  public  meeting  at  Birr,  in  King's 
County;  a  fine  town;  where  the  Roman  Catholics  are  in  a 
state  of  much  agitation,  in  consequence  of  quarrels  between 
their  priests.  Many  of  them  came  to  the  meeting.  I  was 
much  led  to  insist  on  the  right  and  duty,  common  to  all,  of 
reading  the  Scriptures ;  and  on  the  guidance  of  the  Spirit.  I 
believe  they  were  generally  satisfied.  This  town  belongs  to 
the  Earl  of  Ross,  who  resides  near  it.  He,  and  his  wife  and 
children,  were  at  the  meeting,  and  seemed  much  pleased. 

On  seventh  day  we  travelled  seventy  Enghsh  miles,  through 
the  comity  of  Galway,  to  this  truly  foreign  place ;  and  in  the 
course  of  this  long  day's  journey,  held  a  good  public  meeting 
at  Ballynasloe,  a  large  town.  There  are  several  serious  clergy- 
men in  that  part  of  the  county,  who  gave  us  a  warm  reception ; 
amongst  the  rest  Archdeacon  Trench,  one  of  the  Archbishop 
of  Tuam's  brothers,  who  was  lately  in  danger  of  liis  life  at  one 
of  the  discussion  meetings.  The  "  Reformation"  is  going  on 
at  Ballynasloe.  The  Roman  Catholics  flocked  to  our  meeting, 
which  was  an  open  and  favoured  opportunity.  We  could  not 
but  believe,  that  a  work  of  true  rehgion  is  going  on  there. 
The  drive  to  Galway  is  through  an  uninteresting  comitiy. 


346  IRELAND.  1827. 

The  population  appears  pretty  well  attired ;  but,  in  some  parts, 
the  hovels  are  wretched  in  the  extreme.     On  ^dsiting  one  of 
them,  we  found  a  poor  Roman  Catholic  widow,  a  true  Chris- 
tian, H\dng  upon  almost  nothing,  and  full  of  a  peacefid,  thankfid 
spirit.     She  had  contrived  to  impart  an  uncommon  degree  of 
neatness  and  cleanliness  to  her  miserable  hut,  though  her  pig 
has  free  egress  and  ingress.     We  arrived  here  late  at  night. 
Galway  is  an  old  Spanish  town,  containing  40,000  inhabitants 
in  the  depths  of  popery,  150  priests,  three  nunneries  :  filth  and 
ignorance  abounding,  not^vithstanding  a  fine  harbom*  and  con- 
siderable trade.     We  have  passed  a  truly  strange  day.     Early 
in  the  morning  the  mayor  came  to  us,  to  say  that  if  we  chose 
to  hold  meetings  here,  he  should  feel  it  his  duty  to  mount  a 
guard  of  soldiers  over  our  congregation;  at  the  same  time, 
professing  a  readiness  to  assist  us.     He  seemed  completely 
alarmed  at  the  prospect,  and  it  required  a  little  steadiness  and 
faith  to  go  forward  in  the  path  of  duty.     We,  of  course,  de- 
clined a  guard,  and  endeavoured  to  quiet  his  fears.     We  have 
smce  held  oiu*  meetings  :  the  first  at  eleven  o'clock  in  a  large 
room  at  the  inn;  about  200  people  with  us.     The  power  of 
truth  was  remarkably  to  be  felt ;  and  we  fomid  ourselves  ena- 
bled to  preach  the  fundamental  doctrmes  of  Christianity,  and 
the  peaceableness  of  true  religion.     They  were  chiefly  Roman 
Catholics,  and  were  going  in  and  out  dming  most  of  the  meet- 
ing.    I  believe  we  were  as  strange  to  them  as  possible.     An- 
other meeting  was  appointed  for  four  o'clock  in  the  Com 
Exchange,  a  large  room.     This  was  to  us  all  an  inexpressibly 
exercising  meeting ;  a  time  of  real  conflict  of  mind.     There 
was  a  vast  croAvd,  chiefly  of  Roman  Catholics,  in  spite  of  their 
bishop,  and  some  tumult  on  the  stairs  and  at  the  doors ;  the 
congTcgation  itself  of  the  more  respectable  order.     In  the  pre- 
sent irritable  and  touchy  state  of  pubHc  feeling,  with  the  poor 
frightened  mayor  in  the  room,  we  had,  indeed,  need  of  the 
"  mind  of  Christ."     "We  were  marvellously  helped  tlu-ough. 
I  preached  on  faith  in  the  Father,  in  the  Son,  and  in  the  Holy 
Ghost.     Dear  E unfolded  the  practical  part  with  admir- 
able force  and  clearness,  and  E.  F concluded  with  prayer. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  poor  Irish  stamped  approbation. 


^T.  39.  GALWAY.  347 

We  were  greatly  relieved^  and  the  Roman  Catliolics  of  the 
upper  class  appeared  fully  satisfied,  as  well  as  the  Protestants ; 
who  are  here  a  small  minority,  about  one-fortieth  part  of  the 
population.  The  Roman  Catholics  were  heard  to  say,  that  if 
we  had  meetings  every  night,  they  would  be  sure  to  come, 
and  that  all  the  priests  in  the  kingdom  should  not  prevent 
them.  I  have  since  been  walking  by  the  harbour,  and  through 
the  crowded  streets.  It  is  like  one  of  the  populous  towns  in 
France,  quite  foreign  in  its  appearance.  We  have  jails,  schools, 
and  nunneries  to  visit  to-morrow. 

On  third  day  we  are  going  (if  not  prevented)  to  Sir  Edward 
and  Lady  O'Brien's,  on  our  way  to  Limerick.  We  are  all 
well,  though  the  weight  of  our  engagements  is  great  indeed. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Cork,  4tli  mo.,  8tli,  1827. 

*  *  *  On  third  day  we  proceeded  to  Ennis,  in  the  county 
of  Clare,  where  we  were  met  by  a  crowd  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men ;  inspected  the  county  prison,  poor  house,  and  infirmary, 
and  parted  after  a  short  solemn  meetmg  with  them.  We 
dined  and  slept  at  Dromland,  the  seat  of  Su'  E.  O'Brien.  The 
openings  for  religious  service  amongst  them  and  their  friends 
were  numerous ;  especially  in  a  little  town  called  Newmarket, 
where  Lady  O'Brien  employs  a  great  number  of  the  poor  in 
fine  needlcAvork,  which  sells  well  in  London.  Our  visit  being 
noised  abroad,  we  had  a  flock  to  meet  us  there,  chiefly,  I  suppose, 
from  a  desire  to  see  my  dear  sister ;  and,  amongst  the  rest,  the 
Roman  Catholic  dean  was  quite  caught  in  the  net.  I  read  the 
Scriptures  to  the  assembled  crowd,  and  we  had,  I  trust,  a  very 
precious  and  solemn  meeting.  We  went  thence  to  Limerick, 
where  we  were  most  kindly  entertained  by  our  dear  fi-iends 
Joseph  Massey  Harvey  and  his  wife.  We  passed  three  nights 
under  their  roof.  Whilst  in  that  city  we  could  a  little  under- 
stand what  the  apostle  Paul  meant  by  "  being  pressed  out  of 
measm-e,"  for  the  multitudes  that  came  after  my  dear  sister 
put  us  to  some  inconvenience  at  the  prisons  ;  and  the  meeting 
house  was  so  completely  fiUed  that  on  one  occasion  it  was  said 


348  IRELAND.  1827. 

500  went  away.  However_,  I  trust  and  believe,  the  Master 
was  with  us :  the  hearts  of  the  people  seemed  wonderfully 
opened  towards  us.  *  *  * 

At  this  period  of  their  journey  the  health  of  his 
sister,  EKzabeth  Pry,  began  to  give  way  under  the 
effects  of  over-exertion  and  fatigue,  and  they  were 
glad  to  avail  themselves  of  the  repose  and  unremit- 
ting attentions  afforded  them  under  the  hospitable 
roof  of  John  Strangman,  of  Waterford. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  subsequently  writes  to  his 
sisters  : 

Carlow,  4tli  mo.,  26th,  1827. 

We  passed  a  very  anxious  week  at  Waterford,,  our  invalid 
requiring  the  closest  watching  and  attention.  The  attacks 
of  fever  were  certainly  violent,  and  we  could  not  tell  what 
might  come  of  it,  as  a  dangerous  fever  was  very  prevalent 
in  the  place.  It  was  some  trial  of  faith  and  patience  to 
be  detained  day  after  day;  but  I  endeavoured  to  make  some 
use  of  spare  moments,  in  calling  upon  Friends,  &c.  Last  fifth 
day  after  meeting  I  went  to  examine  the  Mendicity  Institution. 
There  is  one  of  these  in  most  of  the  principal  towns — a  re- 
ceptacle where  the  extremely  indigent,  who  would  otherwise 
have  no  resource  but  begging,  are  fed  and  employed,  and 
their  children  instructed;  very  useful  institutions,  but  not 
now  adequate  to  meet  the  wants  of  a  half-starved  population. 
It  is  affecting  to  think  of  the  sufferings  of  the  poor,  in  the 
towns  particidarly.  The  landed  proprietors  have  driven  them 
off  their  estates,  in  large  numbers,  taldng  advantage  of  the 
expiration  of  the  leases  on  which  they  once  held  their  miser- 
able huts ;  and  they  have  no  refuge  but  in  the  towns,  where 
many  of  them  are  reduced  to  an  extremity  of  want.  They 
meet  their  afflictions  with  a  very  strong  principle  of  resigna- 
tion. It  is  one  of  the  effects  of  the  Roman  Catholic  religion 
here,  which  above  everything  else  preaches  "  submission." 

I  believe  the  bloody  and  riotous  part  of  the  population  are 


^T.  39.  WATERFORD    AND    CLONMEL.  349 

far  fi'om  being  tlie  most  distressed.  It  is  no  wonder,  witli  all 
this  want  and  misery,  tliat  the  low  fever  shoxdd  so  abound. 
In  Waterford  there  were,  while  we  were  there,  from  twenty  to 
thirty  applicants,  day  after  day,  for  admission  to  the  Fever 
Hospital.  This  hospital  I  did  not  -visit,  but  it  is  admirably 
attended  to,  and  there  are  two  or  tliree  noble  minded  men, 
(Friends,)  who  have  long  been  accustomed  to  risk  their  lives 
in  close  personal  attention  to  its  poor  inmates.  Happily, 
there  are  very  few  large  towns  in  Ireland  without  a  similar 
proA^sion. 

On  sixth  day  morning  last,  though  dear  E had  passed 

a  poor  night,  and  was  verj'  weak,  we  all  felt  it  right  to  move 
for  Clonmel,  where  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  to  commence 
on  the  following  day.  The  way  opened  for  us  beyond  ex- 
pectation; and  at  one  o'clock  we  were  in  the  carnage.  The 
drive  of  about  thirty  miles,  English,  Hes  through  the  "  golden 
vaUey,"  a  rich  and  beautiful  green  district,  watered  by  the 
Suir.  The  conti-ast  between  the  extreme  fertility  of  the  land, 
and  the  wi'etchedness  of  the  inhabitants,  which  we  never 
obsei'ved  more  striking  than  in  the  town  of  Carrick  on  Suir, 
is  melancholy  and  almost  unaccountable;  partly  to  be  attri- 
buted to  the  whiskey  shops,  which  abound  on  eveiy  side. 
Alas !  what  a  work  the  Prince  of  darkness  has  wi'ought  in 
this  land !  In  the  evening  we  arrived  at  Melbrook,  the 
picturesque   residence   of  the  widow  ]\Iary  Strangman,  and 

her  agi'ceable  daughters.     Dear  E bore  the  journey  very 

tolerably,  and  slept  fairly.  Whilst  she  remained  quiet  in  her 
room,  on  seventh  day,  I  passed  some  hom's,  after  the  select 
meeting,  in  a  laborious  risitation  of  the  prisons,  and  the  house 
of  industry. 

The  county  of  Tipperary  has  been  in  a  very  distm-bed  state, 
and  the  outrages  committed,  almost  nightly,  have  been  of  a 
horrid  character,  not  mvich  connected  with  pohtical  causes. 
They  are  rather,  I  fear,  symptoms  of  a  deep  moral  degeneracy. 
In  illustration  of  this,  I  may  mention  that  about  150 
ruffians  were  discharged  by  proclamation,  at  the  late  assizes 
at  Clonmel,  because  the  prosecutors  were  prevented  by  the 
law  of  terror  from  coming   forward  against  them.      These 


350  IRELAND.  1827. 

prosecutors  are  lia])le  to  a  fine  in  consequence^  wliich  is  paid 
by  the  offending  parties^  and  so  the  matter  is,  in  many  cases, 
compromised.    But  this  state  of  things  is  only  in  two  or  three 

of  the   counties.     Dearest   E was   able   to   attend   the 

morning  meeting  on  first  day,  (the  Quarterly  Meeting,)  and 
was  wonderfully  helped  to  minister.  It  was  a  time  of  close 
and  rather  painful  exercise  of  mind.  In  the  evening  she  went 
down  to  Anner  Mills,  where  we  took  up  our  abode  for  two 
days;  a  delightful  place,  inhabited  by  a  veteran  in  the  good 
cause,  Sarah  Grubb,  a  widow  upwards  of  80,  and  strong  in 
her  intellectual,  as  well  as  lively  in  her  spiritual  faculties. 
She  lives  with  her  daughter,  Elizabeth  Clibborn,  who  has 
twelve  fine  children.  It  is  truly  an  abode  of  peace,  a  Christian 
family.      Here   we   were   most   comfortably   accommodated. 

E 's  sister  and  I  joined    her    there   after    attending    a 

large  public  meeting  in  the  evening,  in  which  it  was  particu- 
larly laid  upon  me  to  unfold  the  spiritual  natui-e  of  the  gospel, 
and  the  imiversality  of  the  grace  of  God.  It  was  a  time  of 
deep  solemnity.  We  dined  that  day  with  Margaret  Grubb, 
an  aged,  but  lively  minister,  daughter  of  the  late  Richard 
Shackleton,  and  were  enabled,  I  trust,  to  minister  to  her 
consolation.  There  is  nothing  more  enlivening  than  a  green 
old  age.  We  have  seen  much  of  this  lately,  and  ought  to  be 
confirmed  in  our  course  by  it. 

On  third  day,  the  concluding  meeting  for  worship  was 
held,  a  very  large  one,  and  I  have  not  often  sat  in  a  meeting 
in  which  there  was  a  more  e^ddent  effusion  of  the  Spirit  of 
the  Great  Baptizer.  It  was  a  great  comfort  thus  to  end  well 
at  Clonmel,  and  to  leave  the  place  with  minds  so  much  re- 
lieved. After  parting  visits  of  an  interesting  nature,  to  our 
dear  Friends  at  Melbrook  and  Anner  Mills,  we  journeyed  on 
for  about  forty  miles  through  the  county  of  Kilkenny,  a  hue, 
arable,  cultivated  district,  to  the  Boyal  Oak,  a  country  inn, 
where  we  slept ;  our  beloved  invalid  evidently  improving. 

Dublin,  5th  mo.,  2nd,  1827. 
I  wrote  from  Carlow  last  fifth  day  morning.    That  day  turned 
out  to  be  one  of  rather  peculiar  interest.    Whilst  dear  E 


Ml.  39.  CARLOW;    BALLITORE.  351 

and  her  sister  visited  some  of  the  Friends,  I  undertook  the 
more  laborious  task  of  inspecting-  the  jail,  &c.  The  public 
mind  was  a  little  afloat  about  us,  and  numbers  of  the  gentry 
of  the  comity  met  me.  In  the  course  of  our  round  the  Roman 
Catholic  priest  made  his  appearance,  and  began  to  lodge  his 
complaints  with  me  (as  if  I  was  umpire)  against  the  crowd  of 
Protestants  present,  and  chiefly  the  Protestant  clergy,  for 
interfering  with  his  spiritual  cure  in  the  jail.  The  two  parties 
have  been  a  good  deal  aggravated  against  each  other  in  these 
parts,  and  it  seemed  peculiarly  important  that  we  should 
pacify  and  reconcile,  if  possible.  I  therefore  begged  the  priest 
and  the  Protestant  clergy  to  come  to  our  lodgings  to  discuss 
their  knotty  questions,  (chiefly  relating  to  the  use  of  the 
Scriptures  in  the  jail,)  with  my  sister  and  myself  quietly.  We 
happily  brought  them  to  terms,  and  I  went  afterwards  to  the 
Roman  Catholic  Bishop  Doyle  to  get  the  arrangement  con- 
firmed. He  is  considered  by  far  the  most  able  and  powerful 
supporter  of  the  Popish  system  in  this  land,  and  is  painted 
very  black  by  the  Protestants,  very  undeservedly  so  I  believe. 
He  gave  me  a  polite  reception,  and  is  not  more  acute 
than  gentlemanlike  and  pleasing.  He  gave  his  full  sanction 
to  the  aiTangement ;  but  you  will  a  little  judge  of  the  state  of 
things  here,  wlien  you  are  told  that  the  only  terms  on  which 
we  coidd  get  the  Scriptures  read  to  these  miserable  criminals 
were,  that  only  the  Douay  version  should  be  used,  that  the 
priest  should  select  the  chapters,  and  that  either  he  or  some 
Roman  Catholic  prisoner  shoidd  be  the  reader.  It  is  unques- 
tionable that  Popery  presents  an  effective  bar  to  free  and  fair 
religious  instruction.  There  is  a  perpetual  fight  going  on 
between  the  tyranny  of  their  system,  and  the  desire  for  know- 
ledge which  is  every  where  arising.  I  was  glad  to  add  Dr. 
Doyle  to  the  number  of  extraordinary  men  seen  and  known 

by  us  in  Ireland.     Whilst  I  was  with  him,  dear  E paid  a 

visit  to  the  nunnery,  where  she  was  warmly  received.  We 
proceeded  in  the  afternoon  a  long  stage  to  Ballitore,  not 
expectmg  a  meeting  there  till  the  next  morning,  and  being 
very  weary  with  the  day's  work ;  but  on  our  aiTival,  we  found 
both  Friends  and  other  people  assembling  to  meet  us,  and 


352  IRELAND.  1827. 

many  ali'eady  seated  in  the  meeting-house.  I  was  frightened 
for  om*  weary  invalid ;  but  there  was  no  alternative^  and  she 
was  wonderfully  carried  over  the  difficulty,  being  enabled  to 
minister  to  what  we  afterwards  found  to  be  the  state  of  those 
present,  with  much  effect.  The  minister  of  the  parish  was 
there,  as  is  the  case  in  most  of  our  meetings.  He  seemed  a 
serious  character,  and  expressed  much  satisfaction. 

Ballitore  is  classic  ground  among  Friends  in  Ireland,  having 
been  from  generation  to  generation,  the  residence  of  the 
Shackletons,  by  one  of  whom  Edmund  Burke  was  educated. 
Burke's  schoolfellow  and  intimate  friend,  Richard  Shackleton, 
a  venerable  elder,  is  still  remembered  in  Ireland  ^viih.  reverence 
and  affection.  Infidelity  made  sad  ravages  in  this  little  meet- 
ing at  the  time  of  the  secession.  The  school  is  still  main- 
tained by  a  learned  Friend,  named  James  White.  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  establishing  my  plan  of  scriptm'al  instruction, 
and  have  been  truly  glad  to  find  so  general  a  willingness  on 
the  part  of  Friends  to  co-operate  in  the  prosecution  of  this 
object. 

On  our  way  from  Ballitore  to  Dublin,  on  sixth  day,  we 
visited  the  jail  at  Naas,  the  county  town  of  Kiidare,  reaching 
the  house  of  our  hospitable  fi'iend  Jonathan  Pim,  in  the 
evening. 

On  seventh  day  morning  Richard  Pope  came  to  breakfast 
with  us.  He  is  the  talk  of  Ireland  just  now,  and  a  highly 
interesting  person.  He  has  broken  off  his  connexion  with  the 
Chm'ch  of  England,  which  clears  him  of  all  ecclesiastical 
authority,  and  he  moves  about  in  the  work  of  the  gospel 
where  and  as  he  pleases.  His  late  pubhe  disputation  with 
"  Father  "  Maguu-e,  in  Dublin,  which  lasted  several  days,  has 
excited  intense  interest.  The  Papists  claim  "  a  splendid 
victoiy,"  and  I  believe  the  Jesuit  troubled  poor  Pope  more 
than  was  expected,  but  there  is  little  doubt  that  the  cause  of 
tnith  will  be  promoted  by  the  discussion.  They  say  that 
Pope's  arguments  were  solid  and  conAincing,  and  his  eloquence 
at  times  surprising.  I  felt  a  real  love  for  him,  he  is  modest 
and  deep.  I  fear,  however,  that  his  bodily  powers  are  rapidly 
giving  way.     He  has  worked  too  hard. 


iET.  39.  VICE-REGAL    LODGE.  353 

I  hardly  know  how  to  enter  on  the  particulars  of  our 
Yearly  Meeting.  It  has  been  so  far  a  remarkable  occasion ; 
much  life  and  solemnity  in  most  of  the  sittings;  and  the 
meetings  for  worship  higlily  favoured  by  the  presence  of  him, 
who  can  alone  teach  his  disciples  how  to  worship  aright.  The 
Friends  are  collected  in  gi-eat  numbers,  and  we  have  the  com- 
pany of  many  from  England.  The  labour  is  considerable, 
many  pressing  after  us,  and  a  variety  of  visits  to  the  houses 
of  Friends  filling  up  all  the  intervals  between  the  meetings. 
Yesterday  we  had  a  very  agreeable  interview  at  the  castle, 
with  the  Lord  Chief  Justice  Burke,  a  very  superior  man, 
who  enters  warmly  into  our  views,  and  promises  all  the  aid 
he  can  give,  both  now  and  in  fature.  We  have  been  cer- 
tainly much  gi-atified  with  the  acquaintance  we  have  formed 
with  the  Irish  judges,  many  of  whom  are  very  usefid  cha- 
racters. 

To  day  we  again  paid  a  visit  to  Lord  WeUesley,  at  the 
Vice-regal  Lodge.  He  is  particularly  intelligent,  and  evidently 
very  desirous  to  promote  the  good  of  the  country.  Like  the 
king,  in  England,  he  has  the  power  of  life  and  death,  and  his 
hatred  of  capital  punishment  made  it  easy  for  us  to  intercede 
for  one  poor  man,  whom  we  are  anxious  to  save  from  the 
gallows.  Ever  since  our  dear  sister  spoke  to  this  poor 
creature,  (at  Ennis,  in  the  county  of  Clare,)  he  has  shown 
marked  evidence  of  contrition  and  reformation.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  the  man's  life  will  be  saved.  The  Lord  Lieutenant 
listened  with  the  greatest  attention  to  our  suggestions  on 
various  points,  and  it  is  agi-eed  between  us  that  we  are  to 
provide  him  with  a  written  report,  addressed  to  himself,  on 
every  subject  which  we  may  deem  worthy  of  notice  in  con- 
nexion with  the  state  of  Ireland.  This  he  intends  communi- 
cating to  the  government  at  home.  We  feel  the  responsibility 
much,  and  I  heartily  wish  I  may  be  enabled  to  draw  up  such 
a  report  as  will  be  usefrd  to  this  afficted  people.  ^ 

*   See  infra  p.  363,  a  notice  of  the  Eeport  subsequently   pre- 
pared by  Joseph  John  Gurney. 


A  A 


354  IRELAND.  1827. 

Milford  Haven,  5th  mo.,  11th,  1827. 
My  dearest  Sisters, 

I  shall  begin  this  concluding  sheet  of 

my  journal,  by  telling  you  that  fair  wind  and  fine  weather 

were  our  agreeable  companions  in  crossing  the  sea  to-day,  and 

we  arrived  safely  at  our  desired  haven  after  a  good  voyage  of 

ten  hours. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  in  Dublin  concluded  in  great  solemnity 
on  sixth  day  evening,  and  we  afterwards  met  a  very  large 
Irish  party  at  our  lodgings.  There  was  a  remarkable  in- 
fluence over  us  of  divine  love,  and  this  was  eminently  the 
case  the  next  morning  when  we  parted  from  our  kind 
friends  at  Wilham  street,  as  well  as  in  the  concluding 
meeting  for  ministers  and  elders. 

We  got  clear  of  the  great  city  after  a  final  call  at  the 
Secretary  of  State's  office,  that  afternoon;  and  a  drive  of 
thirty  English  miles,  through  a  very  pleasant,  rich,  and  fertile 
country,  brought  us  at  night  to  Joseph  Pirn's,  at  Wicklow,  a 
little  town  on  the  sea  coast,  something  hke  Cromer.  There 
we  passed  a  very  interesting  ^^  Sabbath;"  a  meeting  with 
Friends  in  the  morning,  a  public  one  in  the  evening ;  besides 
a  visitation  of  the  county  jail,  and  a  successful  eflbrt  in  form- 
ing a  Ladies'  Committee.  There  are  some  very  pleasing  and 
serious  people  in  that  neighbourhood.  The  pubhc  meeting, 
held  in  the  coiu't  house,  was  excessively  crowded,  and  brought 
us  into  deep  exercise  of  mind.  Such  meetings  in  Ireland, 
under  its  present  circumstances,  are  occasions  of  peculiar 
responsibility.  A  curious  circumstance  in  connexion  with 
this  meeting  deserves  to  be  recorded.  The  rector^s  usual 
service  was  appointed,  at  the  same  hour.  His  whole  congre- 
gation was  with  us,  with  the  single  exception  of  his  clerk,  who 
forthwith  preferred  a  humble  petition  that  he  also  might  go 
and  hear  the  Quakers.  The  rector  consented,  and  he  and  his 
clerk  came  to  the  meeting  together.  The  Protestants  are  in 
general  very  good  tempered  towards  each  other,  of  which  this 
is  a  specimen. 

On  second  day  we  took  a  fine  journey  through  one  of  the 
most  romantic  districts  in  Ireland — the  vales  of  Avoca  and 


MT.  39.  WICKLOW  ;    WEXFORD.  355 

Arklow.  The  weather  was  Hue,  and  the  scenery  veiy  admii'able 
— much  on  a  level  with  some  of  the  finest  parts  of  the 
Highlands.  It  was  refreshing  to  us  to  revel  a  little  on  the 
beauties  of  nature^  and  our  numerous  guides  were  delighted 
by  our  pleasure.  The  land  in  the  fertile  valleys  of  Wicklow 
lets  in  parts  for  five  pounds  or  six  poimds  per  Irish  acre.  The 
barren  mountains  which  they  intersect  are  chiefly  of  fine 
granite.  We  arrived  in  the  evening  at  the  little  village-city 
of  Ferns,  a  bishop's  see  of  many  thousands  per  annum,  with 
an  old  ruined  castle.  In  the  neighbourhood  is  a  quiet  meeting 
of  Friends  :  few  in  number,  but  of  the  right  sort.  We  had 
much  satisfaction  in  paying  them  a  visit.  On  third  day 
morning  we  held  a  meeting  at  Enniscorthy  with  Friends  of 
that  district,  a  scattered  flock,  which  is  the  more  affecting,  as 
the  last  generation  made  so  noble  a  stand  in  those  parts  at  the 
time  of  the  rebellion.  Their  deliverances  were  truly  wonderful. 
The  meeting  was  spontaneously  attended  by  numbers  of 
strangers.  The  hearts  of  many  are  open  to  receive  the 
truth  in  the  love  of  it.  We  were  kindly  entertained  there 
by  Ann  Thompson,  a  young  woman  who  devotes  her  time  to 
the  education  of  the  poor,  and  accompanied  Hamiah  Kilham 
to  Africa.  It  is  proposed  to  her  that  she  should  go  again  to 
Africa.  We  rather  advised  her  to  continue  in  Ireland.  No 
mission  more  important  I  believe.  The  county  of  Wexford  is 
a  very  interesting  part  of  Ireland ;  the  people  are  of  English 
origin,  and  in  some  parts  talk  the  old  Anglo-Saxon.  They 
are  much  more  decent  than  the  Irish  poor  in  general,  though 
deeply  distressed  at  present  by  the  failure  of  the  potato  crop. 
We  arrived  at  Wexford,  a  large  town  on  the  sea  coast,  early 
in  the  evening,  and  truly  it  was  an  evening  of  overpowering 
exertion.  Crowds  were  waiting  for  us  at  the  jail,  at  the  entry 
of  the  town.  It  was  in  vain  to  attempt  to  pass  by  it,  though 
a  pubUc  meeting  was  appointed  for  seven  o'clock :  we  visited  it, 
and  my  sister  formed  her  committee.  When  we  went  to  the 
appointed  place  of  meeting  in  the  evening — a  large  assembly 
room  on  an  upper  floor — we  found  it  fearfrilly  crowded,  and 

almost  insufferably  close.    Dear  E seemed  much  overcome, 

and  what  with  this,  and  what  with  the  ticklish  state  of  the  people, 

A   A   2 


356  DEPARTURE  FROM  IRELAND.  1827. 

the  noise  of  a  hooting  boy-mob  tinder  the  windows^  and  the  idea 
that  the  floor  might  possibly  or  probably  give  way,  it  was  a  time 
of  some  real  conflict  of  mind  to  us.  However,  we  were  enabled 
to  get  pretty  well  through  it,  and  the  truths  of  the  gospel  were 
plainly  uttered,  and  I  trust,  joyfully  received ;  and  no  accident 
occurred  beyond  the  occasional  breaking  of  a  form.  You 
can  hardly  imagine  how  really  appalling  some  of  our  public 
meetings  have  been  in  this  land ;  and  yet,  I  believe,  we  have 
been  engaged  in  no  service  which  has  told  so  much.  This 
place  is  one  of  the  strongholds  of  Popery,  and  it  was  in  vain 
that  we  proposed  to  the  Romish  priesthood,  our  conciliatory 
plans  for  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures  in  the  jail.  They  set 
their  faces  against  it,  under  every  modification.  How  long  will 
such  a  bondage  be  maintained  ? 

The  next  day  (fourth  day)  we  held  meetings,  summoned  for 
Friends,  but  public  in  effect,  at  Forest  and  Ross,  and  passed 
through  a  country  interesting  for  its  recollections.  Vinegar 
hill,  so  infamous  for  the  horrid  cruelties  practised  there  by  the 
rebels,  and  Scalabogue,  where  they  burnt  the  bam,  full  of  their 
Protestant  victims.  This  part  of  the  country  is  now  peculiarly 
peaceable,  and  free  from  crime.  We  dined  at  Hoareton  house 
with  a  county  magistrate,  once  a  Friend ;  and  at  Ross  were 
most  kindly  entertained  by  Samuel  Elly.  The  meeting  there 
formed  the  peaceable  and  solemn  conclusion  of  our  public 
services  in  Ireland. 

On  fifth  day  to  Waterford,  where  we  found  a  variety  of 
things  and  people  to  attend  to,  and,  in  the  evening,  with  many 
kind  attendants,  we  went  down  to  Dunmore,  the  harbour, 
where  we  were  glad  to  take  refuge  in  the  Vixen  steam  packet, 
which  has  now  so  happily  restored  us  to  our  own  land.  On 
the  retrospect  of  our  whole  deeply  interesting  journey,  we 
feel  quiet,  peaceful,  and  unexcited ;  and,  I  trust,  can  most 
sincerely  adopt  the  language  of  David,  "  What  shall  we  render 
unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  towards  us  ?^' 


J^T,  39.  ARRIVAL    IN    LONDON.  357 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

1827—1829.     ^T.  39—42. 

AEEIVAL  IN  LONDON;  ALARMING  LLLNTSS  OF  HIS  BEOTHEE-IN-LAW, 
THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON  ;  MAEEIAGE  "WITH  IHAKY  FOWLEE ;  HIS 
SISTER  RACHEL  GURNET'S  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH  ;  PUBLICATION  OF 
REPORT  ON  IRELAND ;  YARIOUS  JOURNEYS ;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS 
AND    JOURNAL. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet's  retiu'ii  from  Ireland  was 
somewhat  clouded  by  the  gradually  increasing  ill- 
ness of  his  sister  Rachel,  who,  with  his  children, 
had  heen  staying  at  Brighton  during  his  absence, 
for  the  benefit  of  her  health.  On  his  arrival  in 
London  he  found  his  brother-in-law  Thomas  Powell 
Buxton  deeply  absorbed  in  preparing  for  the  im- 
pending debate  upon  the  question  of  the  continuance 
of  the  slave  trade  in  the  Mam^tius.  His  brother's 
state  of  health  awakened  some  anxiety,  though  he 
little  anticipated  the  alarming  attack  of  illness  which 
soon  afterwards  threatened  suddenly  to  put  a  period 
to  his  important  labours.* 

TO    THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTON. 

Upton,  fourtli  day,  5th  mo.,  23rd,  1827. 

■X-  -x-  -x-  Pray,  my  dear  Buxton,  take  entire  rest  and  recrea- 
tion ;  and  do  not  overwork  the  Mauritius  case.     A  few  broad 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  pp.  189—194, 


358  ILLNESS    OP    THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTON.  1827. 

proofs  will  tell  better  in  tlie  House  than  any  vast  quantity  of 
detail.  I  believe  the  best  of  helpers  will  not  fail  to  be  with 
thee ;  and^  after  all,  nothing  will  do  but  putting  our  trust  in 
him. 

Be  sure  to  get  into  a  truly  Christian  spirit  towards  the  sup- 
posed offender_,  which  will  tell  more  than  much  scolding. 


EarlJiam,  6th  mo.,  6th,  1827.  Four  interesting  and  im- 
portant months  have  passed  away,  and  I  find  myself  once 
more  in  this  profoundly  quiet  and  peaceful  spot,  having  re- 
turned hither  by  the  Day  coach  last  second  day  evening.  ^  * 

On  fourth  day,  the  23rd  ultimo,  I  went  down  to  Brighton, 
where  I  was  greatly  comforted  and  refreshed  in  being  once 
more  with  my  beloved  sisters  and  children.  I  found  dearest 
Rachel,  however,  a  good  deal  fallen  in  my  absence.  The  dear 
children  gave  me  a  most  affectionate  reception.  *  *  * 

On  second  day,  we  received,  by  a  special  messenger,  the 
accomit  of  Fowell's  extreme  illness.  He  was  lying  insen- 
sible at  Ujiton.  We  waited  the  next  post,  which  brought 
somewhat  better  tidings,  and  with  Richenda  and  Edward,  I 
reached  Upton  on  thii'd  day  afternoon,  the  29th.  There  we 
had  the  happiness  to  find  our  beloved  brother  gradually  re- 
covering ;  and  since  then  he  has  been  making  a  rapid  daily 
improvement.  The  relief  has  been  inexpressible.  I  am  re- 
markably favoured  on  my  return  with  quiet  waters  outwardly, 
and  with  a  precious  degree  of  inward  peace.  Praised  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord  ! 

The  following  are  from  his  letters  to  Mary  Eowler 
at  this  period. 

Norwich,  6th  mo.,  6th,  1827. 
*  "^  ^  Having  passed  a  very  salutary  and  reviving  Sabbath 
at  Upton,  Plashet,  and  Plaistow,  I  was  the  more  prepared  to 
enjoy  a  quiet  joiu'ney  hither ;  in  the  course  of  which  I  read, 
with  much  pleasure,  nearly  a  whole  volume  of  Bishop  Watson's 
Apologies.  "5^  *  -^ 


^T.  39.  SCHOOL    AT    CROYDON.  359 

In  the  tender  mercy  of  my  heavenly  Father  I  am  favoured, 
on  my  retm-n  to  this  place,  with  more  than  a  common  portion 
of  the  reward  of  peace.  The  whole  place  is  clothed  in  abound- 
ing verdure^  and  I  promise  myself  that  thou  wilt  find  it  a 
peaceful  and  pleasant  home.  For  my  own  part,  I  feel  very 
thaulcful  that  such  a  resting  place  is  provided  for  us_,  and  I  see 
no  reason  to  believe  that  it  may  not  be  our  permanent  resi- 
dence ;  to  be  exchanged  only  for  one  infinitely  brighter,  purer, 
and  sweeter.  I  find  my  solitude  not  only  very  pleasant,  but 
very  convenient,  as  it  affords  me  the  opportunity  of  continuing 
with  some  portion  of  vigour  and  stillness  my  Report  to  the 
Irish  Govei-nment.  I  shall  not  be  thoroughly  relieved  about 
Ireland  till  this  is  finished  and  dispatched.  ^  * 

Earliam,  6th  mo.,  15tli,  1827. 

*  ^  To-day,  I  am  staying  at  home  to  write  my  Report.  I 
find  it  hard  work,  and  am  too  much  disposed  to  an  indolent 
feeling  about  it.  I  am  sure,  however,  it  cannot  be  right  for 
me  to  be  idle,  since  it  was  but  yesterday  that  I  was  preaching 
on  "WTiatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy 
might."  ^  *         . 

In  allusion  to  a  visit  to  the  school  at  Croydon,  he 
writes : — 

6thmo.,25t]i,  1827. 

*  *  My  visit  was  interesting.  Though  tired  with  my  jour- 
ney, I  got  well  through  the  examination  of  the  whole  school 
on  seventh  day.  With  the  boys  I  was  pleased,  with  the  girls 
delighted.  I  never  saw  children  in  better  training ;  and  their 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  corresponding,  as  it  does,  with 
their  conduct,  is  very  gratifying.  In  the  evening  we  had  a 
table  spread  on  the  lawn,  covered  not  with  meats,  but  with  a 
variety  of  books  for  rewards.  About  seventy  children  received 
prizes.  The  next  day  I  had  the  boys  and  girls  assembled  for 
an  hour  before  meeting.  They  all  had  their  Bibles,  and  turned 
to  a  variety  of  passages  by  way  of  commentary  on  the  part 
which  principally  engaged  us — Rev.  xxi. 


360  MARRIED    TO    MARY    FOWLER,  18.27. 

Earlham,  first  day  evening,  7tli  mo.,  1st,  1827. 

*  *  ^  How  apt  are  we  to  fail  both  in  faith  and  in  thank- 
fulness !  In  myself  I  can  truly  acknowledge  this  failure^  and 
it  is  my  prayer  that  in  both  of  us,  peace,  love,  gratitude,  and 
joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  may  more  and  more  abomid.  Our 
meetings  to  day  have  been  solemn  and  edifying.  I  have  been 
but  little  engaged  in  ministry  since  my  return  untU  this  morn- 
ing, when  the  stream  flowed,  I  beheve,  from  the  depths.  The 
feelings,  thoughts,  and  words,  came  to  me  as  if  they  rose 
spontaneously  out  of  a  foimtain  over  which  I  had  no  command, 
and  with  which  I  had  no  right  to  intermeddle.  *  ^  "^ 

I  am  getting  on  pretty  well  with  my  Report,  and  have 
received  a  very  pohte  communication  on  the  subject  from  the 
Lord  Lieutenant.  I  hope  it  will  not  turn  out  a  very  dry  docu- 
ment. It  is  well  I  have  it  to  do  in  this  interval,  I  might 
otherwise,  possibly,  be  fretful  and  impatient. 

I  have  been  meditating  during  my  solitary  walk  this  morn- 
ing on  the  infinite  advantage  of  having  an  aU-wise  and  almighty 
Friend ;  and,  I  think,  I  have  been  in  some  slight  degree  enabled 
to  commend  myself  and  my  beloved  ones,  our  pleasures,  pains, 
cares,  wishes,  and  hopes,  to  him.  ^  ^ 

On  the  18tli  of  the  7tli  month  lie  was  married  to 
Mary  Powler.  "  Bright,  hopeful,  and  happy,"  to  use 
his  own  words  in  the  Autobiography,  "was  our 
wedding  day.  We  dined  on  the  lawn,  a  large  united 
company,  and  rejoiced  together,  I  trust  in  the  Lord. 
Mary  and  I  left  the  party  at  Elm  Grove  in  the  after- 
noon for  North  Devon."     He  afterwards  writes  : — 

Linton,  North  Devon,  7th  mo.,  2Uh.  We  are  now  on  the 
point  of  quitting  the  delightful  scenery  of  this  place,  on  our 
way  to  Ilfracombe,  dearest  Mary  being  my  only  companion. 
In  waiting  from  time  to  time  on  the  Lord,  chiefly  in  silence, 
we  have,  I  think,  notwithstanding  our  great  un  worthiness^ 
(and  my  own  is  great  indeed,)  been  favoured  with  a  sweet, 
enlivening  sense  of  the  divine  presence  and  favour.     It  is,  I 


MT.  39 40.  RETURN    TO    EARLHAM.  361 

believe,  our  great  and  separate  desire  to  be  devoted  to  the 
service  of  trutli  in  this  evil  world.  And  O  that  we  may  be 
preserved  from  all  the  snares  of  the  enemy ! 

Earlham,  Hth  mo.,  5th.  On  sixth  day  evening,  after  a 
pleasant  jomTiey,  via  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  I  brought  my 
dear  wife  home.  Our  arrival  was  very  comfortable,  and  the 
darling  children  gave  us  a  truly  cordial  reception.  We  have 
since  settled  most  agreeably,  our  only  cloud  being  our  dearest 
RacheFs  state,  who  is  very  ill,  and  suffering  much.  It  is 
a  deep  interest  to  us  all,  but  adds  to  our  sense  of  the  value 
and  comfort  of  my  beloved  Mary's  arrival.  The  preciousness 
of  the  gift  bestowed  upon  me  is  inexpressible- 

Sih  mo.,  lOih.  The  death  of  Canning,  of  which  we  heard 
yesterday,  is  an  awfid  stroke.  It  is  a  singular  circumstance, 
that  he  should  have  ended  his  career  in  the  same  house,  and  I 
believe  the  same  room  as  Fox,  under  political  circumstances 
so  very  similar.  Each  of  them  attained  the  summit  of  his 
ambition  and  fell.  I  cannot  help  entertaining  a  strong  hope, 
that  his  repeated  warnings  may  have  been  the  means  of 
bringing  him  to  his  God  before  he  died. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  8tli  mo.,  2.5th,  1827. 

My  dear  sister  Rachel  is  greatly  sunk,  and  it  has  been  for 
the  last  two  weeks  our  affecting  task  to  watch  her  entrance 
on  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  In  the  frame  of  her 
spirit  she  is  as  one  who  has  beffun  to  die.  Remarkably 
redeemed  does  she  appear  to  be  from  all  dependence  on  human 
help.  She  finds  the  reality  of  those  things  in  which  she  has 
so  long  believed,  and  speaks  sweetly  of  the  inexpressible  privi- 
lege of  feeling  and  knowing  that  her  "  Redeemer  liveth." 

8^^  mo.,  27th.  On  our  return  with  Richenda,  from  Low- 
estoft, on  third  day,  we  found  our  dearest  Rachel  a  little 
farther  sunk,  and  we  have  been  chiefly  occupied  during  the 
week  in  attending  to  her.  She  seems  wonderfully  helped  to 
meet  the  approach  of  death.     On  's  throwing  out  a  hint 


362  RACHEL    GURNEy's    ILLNESS  1827 

respecting  the  ^^  sacrament/^  she  disclaimed  any  wish  or 
intention  to  partake  in  that  ceremony^  acknowledged  that  in 
past  days  she  had  received  benefit  from  the  services  of  the 
Church  of  England,  but  that  she  was  now  feeding  exclusively 
on  the  substance,  and  did,  indeed,  eat  the  flesh  and  drink  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  Man.  I  am  truly  thankful  for  her  being 
brought  to  this  experience.  Indeed  her  abstraction  from  all 
dependence  on  human  help  is  wonderftQ. 

His  sister's  illness  contiiiiied  to  engross  nnich  of 
his  attention  for  several  weeks.  The  following  are 
a  few  selections  from  his  own  more  detailed  account 
of  her  last  days.* 

One  morning  on  going  into  her  bed-room  after  our  reading, 
I  found  her  enjoying  a  sensible  visitation  of  divine  love,  and 
she  sweetly  uttered  the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  I  have  none 
in  heaven  but  thee,  nor  on  all  the  earth  that  I  desire  beside 
thee.'^  Another  time  when  my  sister  Fry  went  to  her  in 
the  night,  and  expressed  her  belief  that  peace  was  prevalent : 
"  jes,"  she  said,  "  I  feel  the  Ruler  and  Head  of  his  people  to 
be  very  near  to  me.''  ''  Yesterday,"  she  added,  "  was  one  of 
great  suffering;  such  an  one  as  I  never  passed  before,  but, 
through  aU,  I  leaned  on  the  Beloved." 

A  few  days  later,  upon  her  medical  attendant's  coming  into 
the  room,  she  said,  ''  I  must  tell  you  that  there  is  but  one 
principle  which  can  support  us,  the  love  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus ;"  and  speaking  of  her  own  feelings  she  added,  ''  Divine 
love  and  power  are  with  me  every  moment." 

The  day  before  her  death  she  had  a  most  affecting  and 
striking  interview  with  the  dear  children  and  their  attendant, 
whom  she  summoned  to  her  bedside.     The  cliildren  brought 

her  nosegays,  and  my  dear  wife  and  their  attendant  H 

S stood  beside  them.      Nothins:   could   exceed   dearest 


& 


*•  In  making  these  selections,  a  few  slight  additions  and  verbal 
alterations  have  been  made,  in  order  to  connect  the  sentences,  but 
not  so  as  to  alter  the  sense. 


^T,  40.  AND    DEATH.  363 

Rachel's  tender  and  affectionate  manner  towards  them,  and 
their  intense  interest  in  what  they  saw  and  heard  was  strongly 
marked.  She  spoke  to  them  of  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  of  her 
own  happiness,  of  her  love  to  them,  of  the  danger  of  aU  sin, 
and  that  evil  thoughts  were  sin,  &c.  The  whole  picture  and 
group  cannot  easily  be  forgotten. 

Her  death  took  place  on  second  day  morning,  the  24th  of 
the  9th  month,  whilst  we  were  all  assembled  round  her  bed ; 
dear  Louisa  being  engaged  in  very  solemn  prayer  for  the 
accomplishment  of  the  blessed  work.  After  the  close  had 
taken  place,  dear  Elizabeth  uttered  a  song  of  thanksgiving  in 
the  midst  of  our  great  sorrow. 

"  A  sister,"  adds  Joseph  John  Gumey,  "  so  persevering  in 
kindness,  so  entirely  interested  in  one's  concerns,  and  so 
affectionately  and  devotedly  attached,  few  brothers  have  ever 
enjoyed.  She  was  to  me  much  of  a  watcher  and  guardian, 
and  never  withheld  a  hint  that  could  be  useful.  Her  advices 
are  deeply  engraven  on  my  heart  and  recollection ;  and  I  can, 
with  respect  to  her,  feel  the  full  force  of  the  expression,  '  she 
being  dead,  yet  speaketh.'  May  I  be  enabled,  through  the 
love  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  rejoice  with  her  purified 
and  glorified  spirit." 

Joseph  John  Gumey  now  completed  his  Report 
on  the  state  of  Ireland,  which  he  addressed,  in  the 
joint  names  of  himself  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  Ery, 
to  the  Marquis  Wellesley,  and,  with  his  per- 
mission, subsequently  published.  In  this  report, 
he  takes  a  comprehensive  survey,  in  three  dis- 
tinct sections,  of  the  Prison,  the  Lunatic  Asylums, 
Houses  of  Industry,  Mendicity  Associations  and 
Infirmaries;  and  lastly,  of  the  general  condition 
of  the  people.  The  observations  on  this  last  sub- 
ject, in  particular,  will  still  repay  the  perusal  of 
the  reader  whose  heart  is  alive  to  the  welfare  of 
Ireland.     The  questions  of  pauperism  and  its  re- 


364  REPORT  ON  IRELAND.  1827. 

medies,  of  the  uncertainty  of  tenure,  of  the  system 
of  middlemen,  of  absenteeism,  emigration,  crime,  in- 
temperance, and  scriptural  education,  are,  amongst 
others,  successively  passed  under  review;  and,  much 
as  has  been  attempted  and  accomplished  for  the 
improvement  of  Ireland  since  its  first  publication, 
nearly  thirty  years  ago,  the  intelligent  reader  can- 
not fail  to  notice  how  many  of  the  observations 
are  applicable,  with  nearly  equal  force,  at  the  pre- 
sent day.  The  Report  has  passed  through  three 
editions,  the  last  of  which  was  printed  in  1847,  in 
a  size  uniform  with  the  octavo  edition  of  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  works.* 

*  In  the  course  of  the  late  Session  of  Parliament,  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1852,  the  late  Attorney-General  for  Ireland,  (Joseph  Napier,) 
on  moving  for  leave  to  bring  in  "a  series  of  measures,  having  for 
their  object,  the  adjustment  of  the  relation  between  Landlords  and 
Tenants  in  Ireland,"  alluded  to  this  Report  in  terms  of  high,  but 
not  undeserved  commendation.  After  referriug  to  the  labours  of 
the  Parliamentary  Committees  of  1819  and  1823,  who  "had 
appeared  to  arrive  at  the  conviction  that  the  people  of  Ireland 
were  a  nuisance,  and  that  the  main  question  was  how  to  get  rid 
of  them,"  and  stating  that  the  Committee  of  1827  had  "achieved 
only  the  proposition  of  some  equally  temporary  nostrum,"  he 
continued : — 

"He  had  perused  a  Report  from  another  source  on  the  same 
subject,  to  which  he  would  direct  the  attention  of  the  House. 
It  was  a  Report  emanating  from  some  members  of  the  Society 
of  Friends.  In  the  year  1827  the  excellent  Mrs.  Pry  and  her 
brother,  who  had  conceived  a  deep  interest  on  the  subject,  visited 
Ireland ;  they  examined  every  county,  and  made  the  most  minute 
inquiries  into  every  element  of  her  condition,  and  the  result 
was  that  they  prepared  a  kind  of  Report  on  the  subject  for  the 
Marquis  of  Wellesley ;  and  a  better  State  Paper  on  Ireland  never 
was  produced.  They  stated  that  what  they  found  in  Ireland  was 
want  of  employment,  a  defective  administration  of  justice,  and  a 
want  of  education  prevalent  throughout  the  country ;  and  they 
added  as  a  remarkable  feature,  that  scarcely  anything  was  made  the 


iET.  40.  TO  ELIZABETH  GURNEY.  365 


TO  HIS  SISTER-IN-LAW,  ELIZABETH  GURNEY. 

Earlham,  lOth  mo.,  20th,  1827- 

The  longer  I  live  the  more  I  become  persuaded  that  the 
Lord's  children,  imworthy  as  they  are,  are  the  objects  not 
only  of  his  spiritual  grace,  but  of  his  especial  proA^dence ;  that 
they  are  of  more  value  in  his  sight  "  than  many  sparrows," 
who  yet  fall  not  to  the  ground  without  him,  and  that 
"  the  very  hairs  of  their  head  are  numbered/'  If  this  belief 
is  well  founded,  if  it  is  proved  both  by  Scripture  and  experi- 
ence, what  a  repose  we  may  feel  in  it,  in  the  various  turns  and 
changes  of  our  mortal  pilgrimage.  Tridy  "all  things  shall 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God."  *   * 

Dear  Catherine  is,  on  the  whole,  wonderfully  well,  pursuing 
her  objects,  especially  the  teaching  of  our  children,  with  vigour. 

most  of,  and  that  everywhere  the  country  presented  the  spectacle  of 
a  fair  and  fruitful  land  with  utterly  inadequate  cultivation.  They 
expressed  their  conviction  that  if  sufficient  cultivation  was  apphed 
to  the  soil  by  the  adequate  employment  of  the  people,  any  failure  of 
the  potato  crop,  under  existing  circumstances  so  terrible  a  calamity, 
woidd  be  amply  and  most  beneficially  met  by  a  regrdar  supply  of  the 
more  suitable  and  far  more  nutritive  description  of  food,  wheaten  hread. 
They  considered,  they  said,  that  employment  would  be  a  far  better 
remedy  for  the  distressed  people  of  Ireland  than  emigration,  although, 
to  a  hmited  extent,  this  latter  remedy  also  might  be  useful ;  and  they 
insisted  as  a  grand  remedy,  upon  the  effectual  alteration  of  the 
system  under  which  high  nominal  rents,  low  wages,  and  insecurity 
of  tenure  afflicted  the  country ;  and  they  also  recommended  (for  this 
was  before  the  Emancipation  Act  of  1829)  the  establishment  of 
equaUty  of  civU  rights ;  adding  that  the  less  distinctions  of  religion 
were  insisted  on  in  civil  polity,  the  greater  would  be  the  probabUity 
of  the  establishment  of  a  state  of  things  leading  to  permanent  tran- 
quillity. Had  the  suggestions  made  by  these  able  and  benevolent 
persons  been  acted  upon  at  the  time,  he  would  venture  to  say — not 
scrutinizing  the  designs  of  the  Almighty  in  the  dispensations  which 
had  befallen  the  country,  nor  causes  over  which  men  had  no  control — 
he  would  ventmre  to  say,  humanly  speaking,  we  should  have  been 
spared  calamities  which  Ireland  had,  of  late  years,  endured." 
Hansard's  Debates,  House  of  Commons,  3rd  Series,  Vol.  123, 
column  312. 


366  LETTERS.  1827—1828. 

Mary  and  I  read  a  good  deal  together ;  the  prophets  in  the 
mornings  and  Barclay's  Apology  in  the  afternoon.  Our  Bible 
Society  week  was  passed  through  with  a  considerable  degree 
of  facility,  and  I  hope  not  without  edification.  Our  dear 
sister  Fry  may  be  informed  that  I  have  received  a  polite  letter 
from  Colonel  Shaw,  with  Lord  Wellesley's  full  permission  for 
the  reprinting  of  our  Irish  Report.     This  I  have  begun  doing. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Norwich,  10th  mo.,  6th,  1827. 

It  is  very  satisfactory  that  thy  first  engagement  in  the 
ministry  was  accompanied  by  such  a  flow  of  peace.  I  weU 
remember  the  happy  day  I  passed  after  a  Kke  occurrence. 
Yet  it  is  more  than  probable  that  thou  wilt  have  thy  deep 
tribulations  of  spirit  in  connexion  with  the  work.  In  such 
case  thou  wilt,  I  trust,  be  able  to  recur  to  the  love  and  joy  of 
"  thine  espousals,"  as  an  e\'idence  that  the  work  is  the  Lord's, 
and  that  all  will  yet  be  weU. 

TO    A    RELATIVE. 

10th  mo.,  Uth,  1827. 

*  *  Blest  as  thou  and  thy  dear  partner  in  life  are;  led 
along  by  so  many  tender  mercies,  how  peculiarly  are  you  boimd 
by  the  ties  of  gratitude  and  allegiance,  to  devote  yourselves 
and  your  all  to  him  who  hath  loved  you ;  or,  to  use  the  expres- 
sive phraseology  of  our  own  Society,  to  give  yourselves  up  to 
'^  the  service  of  truth."  That  this  may  be  the  case  with  both 
of  you  is  my  earnest  desire ;  and  if  either  of  you  are  sensible 
of  a  call  to  the  more  open  services  of  the  gospel,  it  will  be  well 
to  exercise  the  active  as  well  as  the  retiring  virtues,  aiid  not  to 
wait  until  the  ripe  fruit  begins  to  wither  and  decay.  That  I 
would  have  the  fruit  ripe,  I  trust,  I  need  not  assure  you.  But 
the  time  is  short,  and  the  responsibility  infinite. 

First  day  night,  {\Oth  mo.,  21.?^.]  Our  meetings  have  been 
peculiarly  solemn.  In  the  afternoon,  I  found  it  my  place  to 
exalt  the  doctrine  always  professed  by  Friends,  of  a  divine  seed. 


^T.  40.  RELIGIOUS    ENGAGEMENTS.  367 

or  princiijle,  placed  tlirough  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
in  the  hearts  of  all  men.  O !  may  I  more  and  more  vitally 
understand  this  myself;  that  I  may  more  and  more  effec- 
tually present  it,  both  by  example  and  precept,  to  the  attention 
of  others. 

The  close  of  the  year  was  devoted  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  to  various  religious  engagements,  principally 
in  Buckinghamshire  and  the  counties  of  Gloucester 
and  Wilts.  "  Some  of  the  meetings,"  he  writes  in 
his  Journal,  "especially  those  at  Cambridge  and 
Ayleshury,  were  evidently  times  of  great  solemnity 
and  of  the  putting  forth  of  what  we  may  believe  to 
be  the  divine  power ;  and  in  all  of  them,  I  may 
humbly  acknowledge  that  sufficient  strength  was 
afforded  to  meet  the  duties  of  the  day."  A  single 
incident  deserves  to  be  recorded.  At  one  of  the 
meetings  where  he  was  present,  a  marriage  was  so- 
lemnized, and  notwithstanding  the  apparent  unsuit- 
ableness  of  the  occasion,  he  felt  "  constrained,"  as 
he  expresses  it,  to  preach  upon  the  subject  of  death. 
A  few  weeks  had  scarcely  elapsed  before  three  of 
the  assembled  party,  including  the  bridegroom  him- 
self, were  called  to  meet  their  God. 

1st  mo.,  25th,  1828.  How  silent,  how  imperceptible,  yet 
how  awful  is  the  approach  of  death  and  eternity  !  The  Lord 
grant  that  I  may  be  ready  when  my  change  cometh;  that 
all  my  pollutions  may  then  have  been  cleansed  away,  and 
all  my  doubts  and  fears  scattered  before  the  Sun  of  Biglit- 
eousness. 

2nd  mo.,  25th.  Never  that  I  remember  has  the  rapid  flight 
of  time  been  so  awfully  impressed  on  me  as  of  late ;  "  the  sand 
is  runnmg  out  of  the  glass  irresistibly ;"  and  every  grain  that 
falls  is  bringing  me  nearer  to  death  and  eternity.  Is  it  pos- 
sible that  there  should  be  any  true  repose  but  in  Christ  ? 


368  SARAH    ALDRICH,  1828. 

First  day  night,  [3rc?  mo.,  \Q>th.'\  Deep  discouragement  was 
the  clothing  of  my  soul  during  the  greater  part  of  our  two  nearly 
silent  meetings,  chiefly  in  the  apprehension  that  several  amongst 
us  are  taking  retrograde  steps.  Alas!  for  the  power  of  the  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  enemy  !  An  increasing  neglect  of  meetings  is 
apparent  in  some  of  our  members  and  attenders ;  and  how  can 
we  expect  it  to  be  otherwise  with  those  who  refuse  to  take  up 
their  cross  and  follow  Jesus  ?  Some  painful  fears  have  also 
found  their  way  to  my  heart,  lest  a  lurking  infidelity  should 
have  insinuated  itself  into  the  bosoms  of  some  of  ova:  juniors. 
In  the  midst  of  these  som'ces  of  anxiety  and  depression,  I  was 
a  little  gladdened  by  a  visit  to  old  Sarah  Aldrich,  whom  I 
found  in  a  lively,  loving  frame  of  mind;  full  of  joy  and  thank- 
fulness in  the  midst  of  her  infirmities.  She  said  that  the  Lord, 
in  bringing  her  into  trial,  had  brought  her  into  his  "  banquet- 
ing house,"  and  that  her  consolations  in  Christ  were  inex- 
pressible. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  3rd  mo.,  22ud,  1828. 

■^  *  We  must  not  spend  all  our  time  and  our  strength  in 
merely  exclaiming  "  O  wretched  man  that  I  am  !"  but  rather 
consider  what  a  favour  it  is,  that  amidst  all  our  trials  and 
changes,  even  our  passions  may  be  restrained  and  regulated  by 
a  superior  principle,  and  directed  into  their  proper  channels 
by  the  pointing  of  an  unerring  hand.  And  does  not  this  view 
of  our  situation  raise  us  from  the  dust,  and  inspire  the  devout 
and  grateful  ejaculation,  "  thanks  be  to  God  T' 

Srd  mo.,  2Srd.  I  am  permitted  to  feel  some  substantial 
relief  this  evening,  after  a  well  attended  afternoon  meeting,  in 
which  I  was  brought  into  deep  exercise,  and  had  not  only  to 
supplicate  for  the  visited  ones,  the  wanderers,  and  the  poor  pri- 
soners appointed  to  die,  but  also  to  preach  Clirist  to  the  people 
as  the  Rock,  the  very  rock.  The  ministry  has,  I  trust,  arisen 
from  a  right  source,  but  it  has  of  late  been  to  me  unusually 
difficult  of  utterance.     O !  that  I  may  be  more  deeply  hum- 


iET.  40.        RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS    IN    YORKSHIRE,   ETC.  369 

bled ;  more  willing  to  be  as  a  fool ;  as  one  of  no  repute,  if  it 
can  but  serve  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness  ! 

In  the  fourth  month  he  was  again  engaged  in  the 
senice  of  the  gospel  in  Lincolnshire  and  Yorksliire, 
and  some  parts  of  the  counties  of  Nottingham  and 
Northampton.     From  Halifax  he  wrote 


TO    HIS    BROTHER    SAMUEL    GURNEY. 

4th  mo.,  9th,  1828. 
My  beloved  Brother, 

In  the  midst  of  some  deep  exercise  of  mind,  which 
must  be  expected  to  attend  me  as  I  pass  along  in  this  work, 
my  heart  very  much  turns  towards  thee,  from  whom  I  have  in 
every  way  derived  so  much  assistance  and  encouragement. 
I  find  myself  bowed  before  the  Lord  in  a  sense  of  great  weak- 
ness and  of  utter  inability  to  serve  him  and  promote  his  cause, 
except  through  the  gracious  renewal  of  his  love  and  power. 
We  left  Ackworth  early  this  morning,  and  arrived  here  in  time 
for  meeting  vrith.  the  increasing  body  of  Friends  in  this  place. 
I  am  resting  this  afternoon  in  the  prospect  of  a  public  meeting 
this  evening,  appointed  to  be  held  at  seven,  in  a  large  Metho- 
dist meeting  house.  To-morrow  the  hke  services  appear  to 
await  me  at  Huddersfield;  and  on  fifth  day  I  propose  being 
with  Friends  of  Wooldale  in  the  morning,  and  with  Fi'iends 
of  Shefiield  in  the  evening.  On  seventh  day  to  take  coach  for 
Leicester.  On  the  whole  the  journey  has  produced  a  feeling 
of  some  renewed  encouragement  as  to  the  prospects  of  our 
own  Society. 

I  feel  it  profitable  to  be  extricated  for  a  season  from  the 
thoughts  of  this  world,  and  am  the  more  easy  in  it,  as  I  left 
the  business  after  thorouglily  attending  to  my  own  department 
of  it.  That  thou  mayst  be  favoured  to  arise  from  time  to  time 
above  the  trammels  of  business,  and  to  hold  daily  communion 
with  God  in  spirit,  is  my  earnest  desire  and  prayer. 

4:th  mo.,  27th.     I  have  felt  a  peculiar  desii'e  to-day,  that 

B   B 


370  THE    MINISTRY   AND    ITS    HUMILIATIONS.  1828. 

the  ministry  in  me  may  be  preserved  within  its  true  limits, 
bright  and  deep.  It  is  a  powerful  principle  on  which  our 
ministry  turns,  if  faithfully  kept  to.  O  that  it  may  be  more 
and  more  appreciated  and  understood ! 

5/A  mo.,  2nd.  Notwithstanding  this  desire,  I  have  some 
reason  to  believe,  that  in  the  exercise  of  the  gift,  I  have  not 
always  the  unity  of  those  whom  I  greatly  love  and  approve  : 
and  this  sometimes  happens,  when,  to  my  own  apprehension, 
the  unction  has  been  rather  peculiarly  bestowed  upon  me, 
and  when  the  seal  of  peace  has  been  more  than  usually 
impressed.  On  such  occasions  I  do  not  wish  to  say,  "I  am 
right."  I  rather  look  upon  such  circumstances  as  evidences 
of  the  deep  imperfection  which  hangs  about  us  in  this 
comparatively  clouded  condition;  and  desire  that  every 
discouragement  of  the  kind  may  tend  to  my  further  humili- 
ation in  the  presence  of  him,  who  is  perfect  in  wisdom,  and 
who,  through  good  report  and  evil  report,  unity  and  disunity, 
has  an  undoubted  right  to  be  obeyed  and  served  to  the  very 
best  of  the  alDility  wliich  he  is  pleased  to  bestow.  In  the 
mean  time,  love  and  forbearance,  and  the  spirit  which  can 
prefer  another's  judgment  to  our  own,  are  great  matters. 

Third  day  morning,  \^th  mo.,  6/A.]  Yesterday  the  anti- 
slavery  meeting  was  well  got  through ;  large  and  interesting. 
The  exertion,  however,  was  considerable.  O  !  that  the  friends 
of  religion  may  be  more  and  more  awakened  and  bound  to  the 
cause,  and  that  it  may,  in  due  season,  please  infinite  wisdom 
and  grace  to  loosen  the  bands  of  the  oppressed !  The  detail 
of  the  subject  is  horrid  indeed  ! 

First  day  afternoon,  \pth  mo.,  11/A.]  The  scythe  of  the 
fell  destroyer  of  mankind  seems  put  forth,  stroke  after  stroke. 
O  that  I  were  divested  of  the  fear  of  death !  O  that  I  had 
faith  and  love  enough  to  rejoice  in  the  withering  away  of  that 
which  is  mortal !  Rapidly  advancing  towards  the  completion 
of  my  fortieth  year,  with  the  prospect  before  me  of  but  a 
short  additional  journey,  and  with  the  retrospect  of  innume- 
rable sins  and  infirmities  on  my  part,  and  of  many  great 
mercies  on  the  part  of  my  God,  I  think  I  can  preach  to 
myself  a  sermon  on  the  following  text  of  Scripture :   "  Thou 


JET.  40.  friends'  yearly  meeting.  371 

shalt  remember  all  the  way  Avhich  the  Lord  thy  God  hath 
led  thee,  these  forty  years  iii  the  wilderness,  to  humble  thee 
and  to  prove  thee,  to  know  what  was  in  thy  heart,  whether 
thou  wouldest  keep  his  commandments  or  no  :"  Deut.  ^aii,  2. 

7th  mo.,  IWi.  We  left  home  in  the  expectation  of  a  three 
weeks'  excursion,  and  returned  on  seventh  day  evening  after 
an  absence  of  eight  weeks.     So  little  are  we  in  our  ovm  power! 

On  my  journey  to  London,  I  was  exposed  for  a  short  time 
to  extreme  danger  from  an  accident,  being  thrown  from  the 
coach-box;  but  was  mercifully  delivered  \^^ltllOut  material 
injury.  Dearest  Mary,  however,  suffered  from  her  jom'ney; 
and  diu'ing  the  whole  of  our  sojourn  in  London  was  very 
unwell;  so  much  so  as  to  excite  great  uneasiness  and  even 
alarm  in  her  mother  and  myself.  It  was  a  comfort  to  me  to 
to  be  able,  nevertheless,  to  attend  our  Yearly  Meeting ;  my  dear 
wife  being  laid  up  in  the  interim  at  our  lodgings,  hard  by,  in 
Bishopsgate  street ;  so  that  I  could  undulate  between  private 
and  public  duties  without  difficulty.  The  Yearly  Meeting 
was  memorable ;  deeply  interesting  to  me,  from  the  natm*e  of 
the  subjects  brought  before  it,  especially  that  of  the  disturb- 
ances in  America."^  We  were  addressed  in  an  epistle  by  the 
seceding  Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia;  but  without  any 
dissenting  voice,  it  was  resolved  neither  to  read  nor  to  receive 
the  commvinication.  The  unity  and  harmony  of  the  body 
were  never,  in  my  recollection,  more  comfortably  experienced. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  a  meeting  of  the 
yoimg  people  was  appointed  at  my  request.  It  was  a  large 
and  beautifid  assembly,  and  I  hope  it  was  not  in  vain,  that 
gospel  principles  were  mifolded,  under  the  influence,  I  trust, 
of  the  love  and  power  of  Christ. 

•Amongst  the  many  dear  friends  who  were  at  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  it  was  peculiarly  pleasant  to  me  to  be  again  in  close 
intercourse  with  my  beloved  friends,  William  Forster  and 
Jonathan  Hutchinson.  I  also  enjoyed  some  precious  intimate 
hours   with   my   uncle   Joseph.     After   the  Yearly  Meeting 

*■  This  alludes  to  the  separation  from  Friends  in  America,  of 
Elias  Hicks  and  his  followers.     See  infra,  chap,  xxvii. 

B   B   2 


372  ELIZABETH    FRY.  1828. 

we  took  up  oiir  abode  for  a  time  at  Upton,  where  my 
dear  wife  gradually  improved.  I  was  occupied  in  the  mean 
time  by  the  meeting  for  suflFerings,  preparing  Friends^  petition 
on  slavery,  attending  Gracechurch  street  Monthly  Meetmg, 
&c.  As  soon  as  my  dear  wife  was  fit  to  move,  we  went  to 
Hastings  and  passed  three  weeks  there,  and  at  Brighton, 
Worthing,  and  Bognor.  On  our  return  we  made  short  visits 
to  Bury  Hill,  Tottenham,  Upton,  and  Saffron  Walden ;  all  of 
which  were  satisfactory,  and  were  favoured  at  length  to  arrive 
in  safety  with  our  beloved  mother,  at  this  peaceful  and 
pleasant  home. 

1th  mo.,  29th.  During  the  past  week,  visits  to  the  Bethel,^ 
visit  from  Friends,  and  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Association 
at  Melton,  were  satisfactory  points ;  also  our  reading  meeting 
here  last  evening.  To  live,  in  any  measure  for  the  good  of 
others,  gives  a  feeling  of  satisfaction  not  to  be  derived  from 
any  other  mode  of  life.  But  surely  a  vast  deal  of  self 
indulgence  is  worked  up  into  my  whole  system.  And  as  to 
philanthropy,  how  tainted  sometimes  are  its  secret  springs  ! 

9th  mo.,  17th.  The  time  which  has  passed  since  I  last 
wrote,  has  been  fraught  with  lively  interests.  My  dear  sister 
Fry^s  satisfactory  and  comforting  Adsit,  fi'om  fourth  to  seventh 
day  last,  was  perhaps  the  principal.  I  never  saw  her,  that  I 
remember,  in  a  more  favoured  condition,  and  she  was  the 
means  of  raising  me  considerably  in  the  scale  of  spiritual 
feeling,  wherein  I  am  so  very  apt  to  find  a  low  place.  Greatly 
gifted  she  assuredly  is,  both  by  nature  and  grace,  and  is 
enabled  to  exercise  a  gentle  and  unseen,  yet  powerful,  influence 
over  all  about  her.  She  was  present  at  our  large  and  highly 
favoured  Monthly  Meeting,  last  fifth  day,  and  was  memorably 
engaged  amongst  us  as  a  daughter  of  consolation. 

9th  mo.,  22nd.  Solemn  and  sober  silence  was  the  almost 
uninterrupted  characteristic  of  our  meeting  on  fifth  day.  I 
felt  the  value  of  it  as  a  release  to  myself,  and  as  profitable  to 
all.  On  sixth  day  a  pleasant  and  successful  expedition  with 
Kinghorn  and  BrightwcU,  to  the  Aylsham  Bible  Meeting.     I 

*  An  establishment  for  the  insane,  at  Norwich. 


^T.  40 41.  TYPHUS    FEVER    AT   ACKWORTH.  373 

found  the  Wilberforces  here  on  my  return,  and  very  much 
feasted  on  his  society  the  next  morning,  before  his  departure. 

In  the  tenth  month  he  again  left  home  in  the 
service  of  the  Gospel.    Upon  his  return  he  writes  : — 

llth  mo.,  9th.  *  *  During  my  late  journey  I  ^dsited  all 
the  meetings  of  Bedfordshire  and  Hertfordshii'e,  Cambridge- 
shu'e  and  Hmitmgdonshii'e,  a  large  proportion  of  the  famihes, 
particidarly  at  Hitchen  and  Hertford,  and  held  nineteen 
public  meetings.  It  has  been  a  time  of  deep  occasional 
depression ;  but,  I  clearly  experienced  the  value  of  the  guiding 
hand.  The  pubUc  meetings  were  generally  favoured  times, 
especially  so  at  Bedford  and  Cambridge. 

Durins:  the  autumn  the  institution  at  Ackworth 
was  visited  with  t\7)hus  fever,  which,  hesides  carry- 
off  several  of  the  children,  proved  at  length  fatal  to 
Henry  Brady,  in  whose  gradually  maturing  charac- 
ter Joseph  John  Gm-ney  had  long  taken  a  lively 
interest,  and  whose  loss  to  Ackworth  seemed  to  him 
at  the  time  almost  irreparable.  This  event,  together 
with  the  continued  delicacy  of  his  beloved  wife,  the 
decease  of  liis  valued  cousin  Priscilla  Hannah 
Gurney,  and  more  than  all,  the  deep  sorrows  into 
which  his  sister  Elizabeth  Fry  was  now  plunged, 
all  contributed  to  throw  a  shade  of  mourning  over 
the  conclusion  of  the  year.  Cast  down  and  brought 
very  low,  it  was,  to  use  his  own  expressive  words, 
"at  the  foot  of  the  cross,"  that,  "in  prayer  and 
supplication  "  he  was  permitted  to  find  refuge  and 
consolation. 

I2th  mo.,  1st.     The  gloom  which  rather  remarkably  hangs 
over  the  world  of  temporals,  has  been  accompanied  with  a 


374  TRIALS.  1828—29. 

measure  of  painful  anxiety.  I  wish  I  may  be  enabled  to 
imitate  tlie  example  of  Wesley,  who  tells  us,  that  although  he 
grieved,  he  never  fretted,  which  he  speaks  of  as  the  result  of 
many  fervent  prayers.  I  think  there  is  good  reason  to 
suppose  a  period  of  some  strift  and  considerable  loss  to  be  at 
hand.  Well,  let  it  be  so,  if  it  be  the  divine  will  and  purpose, 
and  let  me  be  quietly  resigned.  Why  should  I  perplex  myself 
by  anticipations  ?  Why  shoidd  I  not  rather  fix  my  whole 
soul  on  God,  and  grasp,  more  firmly  than  ever,  those  lui- 
scarchable  riches,  which  are  in  Clrrist  my  Lord? 

12/A  mo.,  \^th.  The  accounts  received  on  fifth  day  deter- 
mined me  to  go  to  Upton  the  next  morning.  On  first  day 
the  meeting  at  Plaistow  was  instructive  and  afiecting.  The 
necessity  and  benefit  of  complete  humiliation,  and  the  saving 
power  of  the  Redeemer  were  livingly  before  us ;  and  temporals 
in  some  measure  were  bidden  to  recede  from  our  view.  In 
the  evening,  previously  to  my  departure  by  the  Ipswich  mail, 
my  dear  sister  Fry  and  I  went  to  Newgate  to  pay  a  farewell 
visit  to  a  couAdct  who  was  appointed  to  suffer  the  awful  penalty 
of  death  the  next  morning.  The  interview  was  affecting,  but  in 
a  short  and  solemn  time  of  religious  retirement  a  remarkable 
degree  of  hope  and  encouragement  on  his  account  was  felt  by 
us  both. 

TO    A    FRIEND. 

Earlham,  12th  mo.,  22nd,  1828. 

I  am  grieved  to  hear  the  tidings  of  thy  dear  wife's  renewed, 
and  I  fear  severe  illness,  though  I  hardly  like  to  use  the  word 
severe,  in  reference  to  any  of  the  dispensations  of  a  most 
merciful  God  towards  his  imworthy  but  believing  children. 
O  that  we  may  all  be  enabled,  amidst  the  various  painful 
vicissitudes,  to  which  in  this  world  we  are  exposed,  to  place  a 
yet  firmer  trust  in  him  who  is  head  over  all  things  to  his 
churcli,  and  who  undoubtedly  orders  all  things  Avell  for  those 
who  love  and  serve  him  !  It  has  certainly  been  a  period  of 
deep  affhction  to  our  religious  society  since  thou  and  I  met. 
What  can  we  do  but  quietly  resign  all  into  the  hands  of  our 
heavenly  Father,  and  encourage  the  hope,  that  from  the  depth 


^T.  41.  TO    THE    BISHOP    OF    NORWICH.  375 

of  these  humiliations,  his  children  may  yet  arise  to  serve  and 
praise  him  in  the  beauty  and  strength  of  true  Christian 
principle  ? 

At  the  opening  of  the  following  year  Joseph  John 
Gurney  imtes : — 

1*^  mo.,  2nd,  1829.  I  rose  early  and  have  been  endeavouring 
to  pour  forth  my  heart  in  prayer  to  the  Almighty,  and  to 
commend  all  my  cares,  and,  above  all,  my  own  soul,  to  his 
merciful  providence.  In  temporals,  I  have  many  weights  and 
somewhat  extensive  solicitudes.  I  pray  to  be  preserved  from 
fretting  on  these  subjects,  doing  my  daily  duty  with  faithful- 
ness, and  leaving  all  results  in  quietness  to  him  who  hath 
the  disposing  of  all  our  matters.  '^  ^ 

The  condition  of  that  part  of  the  church  of  Chiist,  which 
is  within  the  borders  of  "  Quakerism,"  is  a  cause,  from  time 
to  time,  of  much  humiliation  and  depression.  Life  is  at  a 
low  ebb  amongst  us,  I  greatly  fear ;  and  the  removal  from  the 
scene  of  warfare  of  so  many  promising  young  persons,  seems, 
to  our  finite  eye,  almost  to  preclude  the  hope  of  revival. 
And  vet  in  such  a  notion,  I  am  sure  there  is  a  radical  want  of 
faith.  At  the  commencement  of  this  new  year,  which  begins 
in  clouds,  I  feel  a  renewed  persuasion,  that  it  is  my  place  and 
duty,  to  maintain  an  unbroken  testimony,  whether  Friends 
survive  or  perish,  to  the  spirituality,  simplicity,  fi-eedom, 
peaceableness,  and  perfection  of  the  gospel  dispensation. 


TO     THE      BISHOP      OF     NORAVICH. 

(Then  under  severe  domestic  affliction.*) 

Norwicli,  1st  mo.,  3rd,  1829. 
My  beloved  and  honoured  friend. 

Though  I  have  for  some  days  hesitated  respecting 
the  propriety  of  intruding  upon  thy  sorrows,  I  cannot  feel  satis- 
fied without  just  saying  that,  under  thy  present  circumstances, 

*  See  the  Life  of  Bp.  Bathurst,  by  his  daugliter,  p.  345. 


376  OLD  ROGER  NORMAN.  1829- 

thou  and  thy  family  have  my  sympathy  and  my  prayers.  For 
many  years  have  I  now  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  thy  friendship, 
and  I  can  truly  say  that  I  have  never  more  felt  the  value  and 
pleasm-e  of  it  than  during  our  late  intercourse.  I  have  con- 
templated thee  as  one  gi*adually  descending  with  a  peaceful 
step  to  the  grave,  mercifidly  endowed  with  unimpaired  facial- 
ties,  and  still  enabled  to  communicate  comfort  and  happiness 
to  thy  family  and  friends.  That  events  should  have  occurred, 
one  after  another,  to  disturb  thy  repose,  and  to  occasion  thee 
heartfelt  sorrow,  can  be  no  matter  of  indifference  to  one  who 
has  so  long  experienced  thy  kindness.  Nevertheless  I  enter- 
tain a  firm  conviction  that  these  painfid  dispensations  are 
graciously  intended  for  the  promotion  of  thy  eternal  welfare, 
through  a  yet  closer  commimion  with  God,  and  a  yet  more 
intimate  dependance  on  that  Redeemer,  whose  blood  alone 
cleanses  from  all  sin.  *  ^  * 

1*;  mo.,  5th.  In  the  afternoon  of  yesterday,  a  satisfactory 
time  of  solemnity,  beside  the  dying  bed  of  poor  old  Roger 
Norman,  who,  I  trust,  is  about  to  enter  into  the  rest  prepared 
for  the  righteous.  In  our  silent  waiting  this  morning,  (my 
dearest  wife  and  I  being  alone,)  I  could  not  do  otherwise  than 
express  ''  my  desire,  that  we  might  during  this  week,  dwell 
near  to  God,  and  be  found  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  of  Christ ; 
that  we  might  be  faithful  in  our  stewardship;  that  wliile 
diligent  in  the  performance  of  daily  duty,  we  might  have  our 
conversation  in  heaven ;  that  even  the  little  circumstances  of 
life  might  be  sanctified  to  us ;  that  the  life  which  we  now  live 
in  the  flesh,  we  might  live  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  who 
loved  us,  and  gave  himself  for  us." 

I*^  mo.,  12th.  Much  prosperity,  and  much  care  and 
responsibility,  seem  to  be  my  allotment  in  things  temporal, 
and  I  often  feel  anxious  that  neither  the  advantages,  nor  the 
perplexities  of  riches,  may  divert  me  from  the  one  thing 
needful.  I  would  have  deeply  impressed  on  my  soul,  our  blessed 
Saviom''s  precept,  "  Make  to  yourselves  friends  of  the  mam- 
mon of  mu'ighteousness,  that  when  ye  fail,  they  may  receive 
you  into  everlasting  habitations."   Comp.  1  Tim.,  vi.  [17 — 19.] 


^T.  41.  MEETINGS    AT    OXFORDj   ETC.  377 

2nd  mo.,  14th.  Tlie  trying  position  of  the  affairs  of 
some  of  my  near  friends,  is  one  of  the  crosses  of  the  day. 
Some  exercises  of  patience  must  be  expected;  yet  a  secret 
hope  lives  with  me,  that,  with  patience  and  watchfudness, 
I  shall  know  my  way  to  open  for  such  services  in  the  gospel, 
as  may  be  in  store  for  me.  In  the  mean  time,  it  is  my 
wish  to  be  like  the  poor  penitent,  who  lay  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
washing  them  with  her  tears,  and  wiping  them  with  the  hairs 
of  her  head. 

3rd  mo.,  ISth.  Some  precious  communion  vrith  God 
graciously  pennitted  this  morning,  and  often  of  late.  InAvard 
conflict  drives  even  wandering  minds  to  a  throne  of 
grace. 

Ha^dng  been  again  occupied  from  home  in  various 
religious  engagements,  lie  writes,  after  an  absence 
of  rather  more  than  ten  weeks  : — 

Eariham,  6th  mo.,  20th.  I  visited  all  the  meetings  in 
Berks    and   Oxon,   several   of  those   in    Bucks,   including  a 

■I  .     .  .    .  ^ 

general  \^sit  to  families,  and  holding  nearly  twenty  public 
meetings. 

The  visits  to  Reading  and  Oxford,  were  both  particularly 
interesting  to  me.  At  the  former  place,  two  meetings,  with  a 
large  company  of  young  people,  were  relieving  and  cheering. 
The  public  meeting  at  Oxford  was  very  large,  and  very  fairly 
attended  by  the  students.  A  great  many  Friends  met  us 
there,  and  it  was  a  memorable  occasion.     Tlu'ough  the  zealous 

inten-ention  of  A H ,  I  was  introduced  to  many  of 

the  pious  collegians,  whom  I  met  at  his  rooms,  the  day  after 
the  meeting,  at  brealifast  and  dinner.  More  ingenuous  youths 
than  the  young  students  among  them,  I  have  scai'cely  ever 
met  with,  and  their  piety  seemed  very  genuine.  Several  of 
them  accompanied  us  in  the  evening  to  Farringdou,  where  the 
public  meeting,  though  deep  and  difficidt  exercise  to  me, 
proved  to  be  a  very  uniting  time ;  and  the  yomig  men  seemed 
afterwards  to  overflow  with  love.  ^  ^  * 


378  TRIALS    AND    TRANQXTILLITY.  1829. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  was  very  absorbing  during  its  whole 
continuance,  and  certainly  was  an  occasion  of  powerfully 
renewed  favour.  It  was  well  attended,  and  the  unanimity 
which  prevailed  among  Friends,  especially  in  issuing  the 
document  respecting  America,  and  declaration  of  our  faith 
in  our  blessed  Redeemer,  was  peculiarly  precious."^ 

On  the  whole  retrospect  of  tliis  interesting  time,  I  feel  that 
I  have,  under  a  deep  sense  of  my  own  unworthiness,  abundant 
cause  for  thankfidness  to  the  Author  of  all  good,  who  has 
most  mercifully  led  me  about  and  instructed  me,  and  supported 
me  in  times  of  more  than  common  mental  trial ;  covering  me 
with  favour  as  with  a  shield,  and  anointing  me  from  time  to 
time  for  the  work  and  sendee  to  which,  I  believe,  he  was 
pleased  to  send  me  forth ;  and  now,  on  my  return  home,  I  am 
favoured  to  feel  a  degree  of  tranquillity  and  of  renewed 
encouragement  to  trust  in  his  holy  name. 

Qth  mo.,  \^th.  On  waking  this  morning,  I  was  favoured 
with  a  precious  tranquillizing  sense  of  the  Lord's  presendng 
care  and  midesen^ed  love.  How  dehghtfol  it  is  to  feel  the 
extension  of  the  wing  of  di\ine  goodness  ! 

After  writing  the  above,  I  went  to  the  bank,  and  came  home 
with  a  tried  and  perturbed  spirit,  the  world  not  having  pleased 
me.  Alas  !  how  great  is  my  weakness  !  Our  dear  friends 
William  and  Martha  Smith  came  to  dinner.  On  sitting 
together  after  tea,  we  were  emiaently  favoured  with  a  sense  of 

divine  love ;  and  M S was  particularly  enabled  to 

minister  to  us,  according  to  our  necessities.  The  trial  of  mind 
which  I  have  lately  passed  through,  was  aptly  described  by 
her,  and  strong  encouragement  given  to  persevere  in  the  work 
of  the  Lord,  fearing  nothing  but  disobedience  to  his  will. 

6th  mo.,  22nd.  *  -^  I  am  afresh  persuaded  that  I  shall 
never  gain  strength  by  committing  myself  to  the  guidance  of 
other  people's  scruples.  I  heartily  desii'c  to  follow  the 
"  anointing/'  and  verily  believe  that  our  society,  (never  more 
dear  to  me  than  at  present,)  can  be  preserved  and  improved, 

*  A  copy  of  this  document  is  inserted  infra,  in  the  Appendix  to  the 
second  volume. 


JET.  41 42.  BIBLK-MEETING    VISITORS.  379 

onlv  hv  our  indmduallv  followinoj  on  to  know  and  serve  the 
Lord  in  the  way  which  he  condescends  to  point  out  to  us.  In 
the  mean  time  may  we  be  preserved  from  judging  one  another ; 
may  love  reign  and  abound ;  and  may  the  ungodly  part  in  us  all 
be  judged,  condemned,  and  die,  through  the  Lord's  ovm. 
power,  that  nothing  may  obstruct  our  final  and  perfect  union 
with  him. 

7th  mo.,  lOth.  Friends  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  have  set 
me  at  liberty  to  hold  a  few  meetings  in  the  course  of  our 
intended  Ackworth  journey,  as  "Truth  may  open  the  way." 
I  have,  of  late,  heard  objections  raised  to  this  quaint  expres- 
sion, in  which  the  word  "  truth"  appears  to  stand  for  Christ, 
or  rather  the  Spirit  of  Christ;  as  it  operates  on  the  under- 
standing and  will.  For  one,  I  cleave  to  it  as  sound  and 
scriptural,  (John  xiv,  &c.,)  well  understood  by  Friends,  and 
rendering  luniecessary  the  too  familiar  or  frequent  expression 
of  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 

After  Ms  journey  to  Ackwortli,  and  the  attendance 
of  a  few  meetings  in  connexion  with  it,  which  occu- 
pied little  more  than  two  weeks,  he  continued  mostly 
at  home  until  towards  the  close  of  the  year.  During 
his  intervals  of  leisure  at  this  period,  he  was  still 
closely  engaged  in  the  completion  of  the  Bil^lical 
Notes. 

8^^  mo.,  SOth.  Yesterday  my  mind  was  brought  into  a 
considerable  degree  of  conflict,  but  in  the  evening  peace  seemed 
remarkably  restored,  and  was  permitted  to  flow  in  my  soul 
more  than  I  have  known  it  for  some  time  past.  This  day  has 
also  been  a  favoui'ed  one ;  in  the  morning  particularly  we  were 
permitted  to  know  the  breaking  of  bread  as  at  the  Master's 
table.  On  the  whole,  a  httle  rest  to  the  sole  of  the  foot  is 
just  now  experienced. 

9th  mo.,  nth.  Our  party  has  come,  and  is  gone;  our 
meetmgs  have  been  held  and  are  over.  Om*  Earlham  lodgers 
were  FoweU,  Edwards,  Steinkopff,  Fitzgerald,  Tyrell,  Long, 


380  CHRIST    THE    ONLY    REST.  1829. 

Weyland^  Lord  and  Lady  Radstock,  &c. ;  and  we  have  been 
mercifully  favoured  with  the  quieting  and  delightful  influence 
of  an  infinitely  more  glorious  and  powerful  Visitor  and  Guest ; 
and  on  fourth  day  morning  especially  were  enabled  to  obtain 
living  access  to  the  throne  of  grace.  The  public  meetings 
have  been  also  excellent.  That  of  the  Bible  Society  a  noble 
one  indeed. 


^  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  10th  mo.,  4tli,  1829. 

The  sanguine  hopes  of  youth  are  now  pretty  fairly  passed 
away  with  me,  (for  I  am  41,)  and  I  no  longer  entertain 
glowing  expectations  of  great  things  within  our  borders ;  but 
still  in  my  best  moments,  I  am  the  most  settled  in  the  behef, 
that  a  remnant  will  be  preserved  amongst  us,  by  whom  the 
principles  professed  by  us  will  still  be  manifested  in  some 
degree  of  brightness  and  purity.  For  ourselves,  as  individuals, 
I  am  increasingly  convinced  that  the  only  resting-place  is  in 
the  fulness  and  perfection,  which  are  in  Christ.  Come  what 
may  of  height  or  depth,  of  life  or  death,  we  may  still  flee  to 
him  as  to  an  all-sufficient  Saviour,  and  find  safety.  That  this 
is  thy  constant  refuge  I  am  assured,  and  cannot  doubt;  and 
that  it  is  one  which  will  never  fail  thee,  either  for  time  or 
eternity,  is  my  comforting  conviction. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year  he  was  engaged  in 
a  visit  to  all  the  meetings  and  families  of  Priends 
in  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Essex,  besides  holding 
many  religious  meetings  with  others  not  in  profes- 
sion with  Eriends;  an  arduous  engagement  which 
"afforded  close  hourly  occupation,"  for  the  greater 
part  of  six  weeks.  He  returned  home  commemora- 
ting the  mercy  through  which  his  "wants  in  every 
way  had  been  graciously  provided  for."  "  May  we," 
he  adds,  "be  filled  with  gratitude,  trust,  and  love." 


^T.  42.  .  REJOICING    IN    HOPE.  381 

"I  have  been  often  led  to  think  lately,"  he  writes  to 
Jonathan  Hutchinson,*  ''  of  the  Christian  grace  of  hope.  We 
are  to  be  ' rejoicing  in  hope'  as  well  as  ' patient  in  tribula- 
tion ;'  and  I  am  apt  to  think  that  many  of  our  dear  sorrowing 
Friends  are  more  exemplary  in  the  latter,  than  ia  the  former 
duty.  But  I  find  it  easier  to  preach  this  doctrine,  than  to 
apply  it  to  myself,  as  a  dark  cloud  is  often  permitted  to  rest 
on  my  path,  at  which  time,  patient  submission  seems  to  be 
nearly  all  that  I  can  attain  to." 


*  Under  date  12th  mo,,  25th. 


382  ACTIVE    BENEVOLENCE. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

ILLUSTRATIONS    OF    CHARACTER. 

INTEKEST  IIT  NORWICH  POOR  ;  BEEAKFAST  TO  OPERATIVES  AT  EARLHAM  ; 
VISITS  TO  PRISON ;  JOHN  STRATFORD  ;  THE  BETHEL  ;  RECONCILING 
LETTER  ;  VISITS  OF  SCHOOL  CHILDREN  TO  EARLHAM  J  ADVICE  TO  A 
TOUNG  FRIEND  ON  HIS  MARRIAGE ;  GIVING  AND  RECEIVING ;  DAY 
UPON  A  STAGE  COACH ;  HOUSEHOLD  DISCIPLINE  ;  ECONOMY  OF  TIME  ; 
YOtTTHFTTL    RECOLLECTIONS    OF    EARLHAM. 

Numerous  as  are  the  details  of  the  "  inner  life," 
furnished  by  such  a  Journal  as  Joseph  John  Gur- 
ney's,  it  is  yet  not  always  easy  to  collect  from  them 
the  materials  necessary  for  the  full  illustration  of 
his  character.  In  that  mirror  in  which  he  appears 
as  reflected  to  liimseK,  we  do  not  perceive  with 
sufficient  distinctness  how  he  appeared  in  the  sight 
of  others.  The  disclosure  of  the  inward  warfare  is 
necessarily  very  much  unconnected  with  the  exhi- 
bition of  those  practical  results  that  were  conspicuous 
to  all  around.  It  is  the  object  of  the  present  chap- 
ter to  endeavour  to  furnish  a  few  hints  that  may 
assist  the  reader  in  supplying  this  deficiency. 

None  can  have  attentively  perused  the  foregoing 
pages  without  perceiving  that  one  leading  feature  of 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  character  was  an  unwearied 
active  benevolence.  Like  his  sister,  Elizabeth  Ery, 
he  seemed  continually  to  live  under  a  deep  sense 


RESPONSIBILITY    TOWARDS    OTHERS.  383 

of  his  responsibility  toward  others.*  A  cheerful 
and  bountiful  giver,  it  was  not  merely  by  large 
pecuniary  assistance  that  he  proved  his  interest  in 
objects  connected  with  the  welfare  of  his  fellow  men : 
to  these  objects  he  was  exemplary  in  devoting  no 
common  share  of  time  and  personal  attention.  His 
steady  devotion  to  the  Anti-slavery  and  Bible  Socie- 
ties is  already  before  the  reader.  In  addition  to 
these  great  and  often  absorbing  interests,  his  exer- 
tions for  the  distressed  labouring  population  of 
Norwich  were  unremitting.  Year  after  year,  during 
the  winter,  or  on  any  occasion  when  their  distress 
was  aggravated  by  want  of  employment,  he  was  at 
his  post,  stii-ring  up  his  fellow  citizens  to  the  neces- 
sary measures  for  the  alleviation  of  their  wants. 
The  District  Visiting  Society,  (which  he  was  himself 
mainly  instrmnental  in  originating,)  f  the  Soup  So- 
ciety and  the  Coal  Society  found  in  liim  a  steady 
and  eifective  supporter.  Often  would  he  say  that 
the  painful  consciousness  of  the  poverty  and  suffer- 
ing of  many  thousands  around  him,  almost  prevented 
his  enjoyment  of  the  abundant  blessings  with  which 

*  "  I  may  say,  I  am  morning,  noon,  and  night  under  a  deep  im- 
pression of  my  responsibility  towards  others."  From  an  address  of 
Elizabeth  Fry  to  a  Bible  committee,  presei'ved  by  one  of  her  nieces. 
A  great  example  was  before  them,  Rom.  i,  14. 

.  f  He  led  the  way  towards  the  raising  of  the  necessary  funds  by 
a  donation  of  £500.  The  formation  of  the  Society  is  thus  noticed 
in  his  Journal  under  date  11th  mo.,  26th,  1830.  "In  JS'orwich  I 
have  been  deeply  interested  in  the  endeavour  to  form  a  District 
Society,  for  visiting  and  relieving  the  poor ;  and,  I  may  confess,  it 
has  been  a  subject  of  daily  prayer.  After  several  preparatory  meet- 
ings of  gentlemen,  in  a  private  way,  we  launched  our  vessel  yester- 
day, under  the  kind  and  masterly  pilotage  of  Charles  "VVodehouse, 
for  which  I  have  felt  truly  thankful." 


384  DISTRESS    DEPLORED    AND    MITIGATED. 

he  was  himself  so  richly  favoured.  On  one  occasion 
he  expended  a  considerable  sum  in  providing  the 
capital  for  an  attempt  to  supply  the  poor  weavers 
and  mechanics  with  employment  during  a  scarcity 
of  work.  But  though,  like  many  similar  attempts, 
it  failed  to  answer  the  expectation  of  the  promoter, 
and  was  abandoned,  it  served  at  least  to  furnish 
another  proof  of  the  sincerity  and  earnestness  with 
which  he  laboured  for  their  welfare. 

The  depression  in  trade  occasioned  by  the  "  panic" 
of  1825  will  be  long  remembered.  Norwich  did  not 
escape  its  influence.  As  a  banker,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  more  than  usually  absorbed  in  his  own 
more  immediate  cares,  but  his  heart  at  once  turned 
towards  his  suflPering  fellow-citizens.  "The  dreadful 
distress,"  he  writes  to  a  friend,*  "which  prevails 
in  the  great  mass  of  our  once  labouring,  now,  alas ! 
idle  population,  has  been  such  as  to  call  forth  my 
strenuous  efforts  on  their  behalf.  In  this,  success 
has  been  mercifully  vouchsafed,  and  many  thousands 
of  families  have  been  akeady  fed.  We  have  raised 
£3300  in  five  days." 

One  more  illustration  deserves  notice.  In  the 
winter  of  1829-30,  the  manufactures  of  Norwich 
were  again  greatly  depressed.  The  weavers  be- 
came unsettled,  holding  riotous  meetings  and  using 
threatening  language  against  their  employers.  The 
state  of  things  was  alarming.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
felt  it  his  duty  to  use  his  influence  in  checking  the 
spirit  of  discontent  that  was  rapidly  spreading.  He 
attended  one  of  the  very  large  and  tumultuous  meet- 
ings of  the  operatives,  and  endeavoured  to  persuade 
them  to  desist  from  their  disorderly  proceedings, 

*  Under  date  first  mo.,  21st,  1826. 


INTERVIEW    WITH    NORWICH    WORKMEN.  385 

and  quietly  to  resiune  their  work.  With  a  view  of 
still  further  ^^inning  them  hy  kindness,  he  invited  a 
deputation  from  those  assemhled,  to  breakfast  at 
Earlham  the  follomng  morning.  Between  forty 
and  fifty  of  them  came,  with  Dover,  a  notorious 
Chartist  leader,  at  their  head.  After  the  usual 
family  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  they  sat  down  to  a 
plentiful  repast,  which  had  been  provided  for  them 
in  the  large  dining  room,  of  wliich  they  partook 
heartily,  and  theu'  host  afterwards  addressed  them 
in  a  kind,  conciliatory  manner  upon  the  subject  of 
wages,  and  their  duty  to  their  employers.  The  men 
conducted  themselves  in  an  orderly  manner,  and 
appeared  grateful  for  the  attention  shown  them. 
The  scene  was  one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten. 

His  visits  to  the  prisoners  at  the  jail  have  been 
already  alluded  to.  These  visits,  whilst  doubtless 
greatly  contributing  to  the  benefit  of  many  a  poor 
degraded  criminal,  frequently  introduced  him  into 
considerable  personal  labour  and  great  mental  suffer- 
ing. This  was  particularly  the  case  in  regard  to 
prisoners  left  for  execution.  In  their  behalf  he 
would  spare  neither  trouble  nor  expense,  if  he 
thought  the  circumstances  such  as  to  warrj^nt  an 
application  for  a  reprieve.  Several  instances  of  this 
kind  have  been  abeady  noticed.  To  another  case 
arising  out  of  his  prison  labours,  we  owe  the  well- 
kno^vn  Tract  containing  the  touching  account  of 
John  Stratford.  The  story  is  thus  simply  recorded 
in  the  Autobiography  : — 

"It  was  at  the  summer  assizes  at  Norwich,  in  the  vear 
1829,  that  John  Stratford,  one  of  our  most  ingenious  me- 
chanics, was  condemned  to  death  for  poisoning.    He  had  been 

C   C 


386  JOHN    STRATFORD. 

guilty  of  gross  immorality ;  and,  in  attempting  to  destroy  the 
husband  of  the  object  of  his  shameful  passion,  he  occasioned 
the  death  of  another  individual,  and  endangered  the  lives  of 
several  more.  His  complicated  wickedness  was  the  practical 
result  of  infidelity ;  and  afforded  me,  when  I  visited  him  in 
prison,  an  awful  example  of  the  effect  of  those  dreadful  pub- 
lications, which  are  employed  by  the  enemies  of  religion  to  sap 
the  principles  of  the  working  classes.  He  was  a  man  of  strong 
understanding  and  warm  feelings.  In  his  low  estate  the  Lord 
opened  his  eyes  to  behold  his  aggravated  sinfulness.  I  was 
with  him  in  private  shortly  before  his  execution,  noted  down 
his  confessions,  and  listened  to  his  earnest  petitions  for  mercy. 
His  doubts  respecting  the  truth  of  rehgion  fled  swiftly  away 
at  the  awfal  approach  of  death.  As  far  as  I  could  judge,  he 
was  a  deep  and  thorough  penitent,  who  turned  to  Christ  with 
much  fervour  of  spirit ;  and  I  entertain  a  humble  belief,  that 
in  his  extremity  he  found  mercy  of  the  Lord.  He  died,  call- 
ing on  the  name  of  Jesus.  As  soon  as  possible  after  his  exe- 
cution, I  published  a  tract,  containing  an  account  of  the  case, 
and  put  out  an  advertisement,  offering  it  gratis  to  any  of  my 
fellow  citizens  who  chose  to  apply  for  it.  Aboiit  10,000 
copies  were,  on  these  terms,  rapidly  taken;  and  it  has  since 
been  largely  circulated  by  Tract  Societies,  and  through  other 
means."^  I  trust  the  Lord  of  whom  it  testifies,  may  have 
blessed  it  to  some. 

The  afflicted  inmates  of  the  Bethel  and  the 
Norfolk  and  Norwich  Hospital  were  also  objects  of 
his  Christian  solicitude,  and,  for  several  years,  he  was 

*  Besides  the  10,000  copies  which  were  thus  disposed  of,  more 
than  10,000  were  afterwards  sold  at  Id.  each.  Norwich  did  not 
then  possess  a  steam  press ;  and  the  comparatively  slow  operations 
of  the  ordinary  printing  press  were  insufficient  to  satisfy  the  eager- 
ness of  the  applicants.  So  great  was  the  rush  when  a  fresh  handful 
was  brought  out  of  the  printing  office,  that  it  was  not  safe  to  deliver 
them  in  the  shop  or  at  the  door ;  but  it  was  found  necessary  to  carry 
them  some  paces  into  the  market-place,  where  they  were  eagerly 
seized,  all  wet  and  unfolded  as  they  came  from  the  press. 


VISITS    TO    THE    AFFLICTED.  387 

in  the  habit  of  regularly  visiting  them  at  short  stated 
periods.  The  time  between  the  two  meetings  for 
worship  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  was  frequently 
devoted  to  this  object.  Not  very  long  after  his 
return  from  America,  as  he  was  travelling  in  an 
omnibus  between  Yarmouth  and  Lowestoft,  a  well- 
dressed  female,  with  an  anxious  countenance,  who 
had  sat  gazing  at  him  for  some  time,  suddenly  ex- 
claimed, "  You  are  Mr.  Gurney — I  am  sure  you  are. 
Ah !  it  was  a  bad  day  for  us  when  you  went  a\^^ay, 
Sir ;  we  felt  as  if  we  had  lost  our  best  friend.  How 
well  do  I  remember  your  blessed  Scripture  readings 
and  your  solemn  prayers."  He  recognized  her  as  a 
former  inmate  of  the  Bethel,  and,  taking  advantage 
of  a  pause,  observed,  "  Then  I  hope,  my  good  friend, 
my  visits  to  thyself  and  thy  poor  fellow  sufferers 
were  not  all  in  vain."  "  O  no,  indeed.  Sir,"  she 
replied,  "  we  used  to  watch  for  your  coming ;  all  you 
said  had  such  a  soothing  effect  upon  our  minds;  and 
we  missed  you  sadly  when  you  went  away.  I  shall 
never  forget  the  last  chapter  you  read  to  us,  Sii*. 
Here  it  is :"  and  she  pointed  to  the  103rd  Psalm. 
"  We  used  to  read  it  over  and  over  again;  and,  for 
my  o^Ti  part,  I  learned  it  all  by  heart."  He  then 
took  the  Bible  and  read  some  verses :  the  poor 
creature,  says  an  eye-witness,  seemed  to  cling  to 
him,  as  if  she  thought  he  had  indeed  the  power  to 
heal  the  malady,  which,  (though  she  was  no  longer 
an  inmate  of  the  Bethel,)  was  evidently  not  yet 
removed. 

The  following  letter  affords  an  apt  illustration  of 
another  feature  of  his  character.  It  relates  to  a 
member  of  another  denomination  of  Christians,  an 
individual  Avhom  he  greatly  esteemed. 

c  c  2 


388  RECONCILING    LETTER. 

TO    

Earlham,  8th  mo.,  Slst,  1832. 

Dear  Friend, 

From  information  which  I  have  received 

from  a  friend  of  mine,  not  connected  with  your  congregation, 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  illness  of  our  valued  friend 

is  partly  to  be  traced  to  great  vexation  of  mind  arising 

from  some  difference  in  his  church ;  and  I  very  much  fear 
that,  unless  this  vexation  can  be  removed,  his  recovery  will 
be  greatly  endangered.  I  understand,  on  further  inquiry, 
that  certain  resolutions  proposed  by  thyself  are  matters  of 
great  grief  and  agitation  to  him ;  indeed  I  am  pretty  certain 
that  this  is  the  fact,  to  an  extent  probably  quite  unknoAvn  to  thy- 
self. I  have  no  doubt  that  thy  resolutions  were  brought  forward 
with  a  good  intent ;  and,  of  course,  I  can  be  no  judge  of  the 
affairs  of  your  church.  But,  as  a  member  (I  trust)  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  I  do  feel  a  very  high  value  indeed  for  the 
life  of  our  honoured  friend ;  and  I  am  deeply  convinced  that 
the  carrying  of  a  point  in  your  own  body,  ought  not  to  be 
put  in  competition  with  the  interest  which  the  church  at  large 
has  in  the  labour  and  influence  of  this  our  exemplary  fellow- 
citizen.  I  venture,  therefore,  to  entreat  thee,  if  possible,  to 
set  his  mind  entirely  at  rest  on  the  subject.  As  a  common 
friend  I  thought  I  might  make  this  appeal,  but  I  can  assure 
thee  that  it  is  from  my  own  sense  of  duty,  and  of  true  regard 
to  both  parties  that  I  do  it ;  for  no  one  has  suggested  such  a 

thing  to  me. 

I  am  thy  sincere  friend, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 

After  what  has  already  appeared  in  the  preceding 
chapters,  it  will  not  be  needful,  in  this  place,  to 
dwell  long  upon  his  warm  and  affectionate  interest 
in  children  and  young  persons.  And  yet  a  trait  so 
prominent  and  characteristic  claims  some  further 
notice.  "  It  has  long  been  one  of  my  greatest 
pleasures,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiography,  (and 
they   who   knew  him    most  intimately   will  best 


VISITS    OF    SCHOOL-CHILDREN    TO    EARLHAM.  389 

appreciate  the  truth  of  his  words,)  "  to  communi- 
cate at  my  ease  with  children,  especially  in  schools, 
to  amuse  them,  and  play  upon  their  minds  as  on  an 
instrument  of  music;  to  bring  forth  their  powers, 
and  to  lead  them  as  through  a  flowery  path  into 
the  habitations  of  Zion."  Perhaps  few  occasions 
presented  a  more  complete  illustration  of  this  part 
of  his  character,  than  the  happy  summer  evenings 
which  the  children  of  many  of  the  different  schools 
in  Norwich  used  to  enjoy  at  Earlham  by  his  in- 
vitation. Year  by  year  he  delighted  to  share  in 
their  holiday  pleasure ;  and  beautiful  was  the  sight 
of  the  youthful  parties  seated  upon  the  lawn  in  front 
of  the  house,  in  companies  of  from  100  to  200, 
whilst  he  would  assist  in  handing  the  tea,  cake, 
and  fruit  provided  for  them ;  or,  with  joy  beaming 
upon  his  countenance,  would  listen  to  their  happy 
voices  reciting  the  hymn  or  psalm  which  he  had 
given  them  to  learn ;  or  when,  in  the  pause  which 
followed,  he  would  himself  affectionately  address 
them,  reminding  them  of  their  duty  to  their  teachers, 
their  parents,  and  above  all  to  that  Heavenly  Shep- 
herd who  had  given  his  life  for  the  sheep. 

The  playful  seriousness  of  his  character  is 
strikingly  exhibited  in  the  following  letter  to  a 
nephew,  who  had  gained  one  of  the  highest  positions 
in  the  university  examination. 

Earlham,  6tli  mo.,  7th,  1827. 
My  dear  Nephew, 

I   received  thy  laconic   epistle,   the 

"  vent,  vidi,  vicV  of  our  family  Csesar,  with  true  pleasure.    As 

right  I  have — 

"  I  swell  the  triumph,  and  partake  the  gale." 

At  the  same  time,  to  be  sincere  and  serious,  I  may  just  tell 


390  CONGRATULATIONS    ON    LITERARY    SUCCESS. 

thee  in  addition,  that  the  intelligence  conveyed  to  my  mind 
a  little  touch  of  anxiety ;  first,  lest  thou  shouldst  overwork 
thyself,  and  spoil  a  good  constitution  both  of  body  and  mind, 
by  a  vast  surplusage  (not  usable  in  after  life)  of  logic  and 
algebra :  and  secondly,  or  rather,  principally,  lest  the  glitter 
of  this  gUded  chaplet  should,  by  any  means,  divert  a  dear, 
innocent  lad  from  "  the  simplicity  which  is  in  Christ." 

For  the  first  point ;  endeavour  to  bear  in  mind  the  "modus 
in  rebus,"  the  "certi  denique  fines."  Unloose  the  bowstring; 
take  a  few  weeks  of  perfect  pastime.  Come  and  grace  the 
gTcen  solitudes  of  Eaiiham,  or  swim  over  the  sea  to  France. 
Be  any  thing,  for  the  next  month,  but  a  mathematician  and  a 
scholar.  Forget  that  thou  art  "  celeherrimus"  one  of  the 
"  ol  'TCuvv'' — be  a  child. 

As  to  the  second  point,  it  is  a  serious  one,  and  I  must  now 
look  grave.  Tridy  it  would  be  an  ill  exchange,  if  academic 
honours,  and  the  love  of  thy  own  doings,  and  the  flattery  of 
this  fair  world,  were  to  deprive  thee  of  that  old-fashioned 
apostolic  ground  of  joy : — "  This  is  my  rejoicing,  that  with 
simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  not  with  fleshly  wisdom,  but 
by  the  grace  of  God,  I  have  had  my  conversation  in  the  world." 
So  said  a  man  of  learning  and  genius,  under  the  powerful 
influence  of  pm-e  Christianity.  So  mayst  thou  say,  my  learned 
nephew,  mider  the  same  influence,  in  every  stage  of  thy 
career,  and  especially  at  the  near  approach  of  that  horn*  when 
thy  honours  must  sleep  in  the  dust,  and  thy  soul  awake  in 
eternity !  As  I  can  rise  no  higher  in  my  wishes  for  thee,  1 
had  better  conclude,  and  with  warm  congratulations  to  a  fond 
father  and  mother, 

I  remain,  thy  aflfectionate  Uncle, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 

TO   A   YOUNG    FRIEND    ON    HIS    MARRIAGE. 

Norwicli,  mil  mo.,  13tli,  1827. 

My  Dear  , 

I  have  ordered  Barclay  &  Co.  to  pay 

Denison  &  Co.  jglOO  on  thy  account.     I  quite  disapprove  of 

thy^borrowing  money,  either  of  me  or  any  body  else,  either  now 


j8100  and  good  advice.  391 

or  henceforward.  Let  me  as  an  old  aiid_,  I  trusty  dear  frieud 
advise  thee  never  to  do  it ;  but,  whatsoever  sacrifice  it  may 
involve,  to  cut  thy  coat  to  thy  cloth,  and  to  pay  for  everything 
at  once.  I  am  satisfied  that  if  thou  and  thy  dear  frieud  are 
MiUing,  with  all  simplicity  and  humility,  to  meet  your  real 
situation,  you  may  make  two  ends  meet  without  difficulty,  and 
save  a  little  into  the  bargain,  which  I  consider  indispensable. 
Make  it  a  Christian  duty  to  be  a  rigid  and  perfect  economist, 
and  let  thy  partner  do  the  same,  and  you  will,  I  believe,  find 
this  the  road  to  ease  and  comfort,  if  not  to  wealth. 

Having  bestowed  tliis  ad\dce  upon  thee,  I  need  scarcely 
add  that  the  £100  is  a  gift  and  not  a  loan.  *  '>^  "^ 

''  Wilt  thou  execute  a  little  commissiou  for  me  at 
Arch's  ?"  said  Joseph  John  Gurney,  addressing 
another  of  his  young  friends,  whom  he  had  kindly 
taken  one  day  to  dine  at  his  lodgings,  during  the 
interval  between  the  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
His  young  friend,  of  course,  readily  assented. 
Joseph  John  Gurney  wrote  a  few  lines  on  a  slip  of 
paper,  which  he  handed  to  his  young  friend,  enclosed 
to  his  booksellers,  but  without  giving  to  liis  young 
companion  any  intimation  of  its  contents.  The  note 
was  dulv  delivered,  and  the  circumstance  was  for- 
gotten  until,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  weeks,  the 
young  friend,  no  less  to  his  surprise  than  to  his 
delight,  received  a  large  parcel  sent  to  him,  as  he 
was  informed,  at  Joseph  John  Gurney' s  request, 
consisting  of  upwards  of  thirty  volumes,  comprising 
the  Lexicons  of  Simonis  and  Schleusner,  and  the 
Scholia  of  the  Eosenmiillers  (the  father  and  son)  on 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments  :  a  great  prize  indeed 
to  a  youthful  student.  Many  were  the  instances  in 
which  he  thus  encouraged,  amongst  his  young 
friends,  a  taste    for    reading,   more   especially  in 


392  -  WISE    LIBERALITY. 

connexion  with  those  pursuits,  in  which  he  himself 
delighted. 

His  gifts  were  made  additionally  acceptahle,  by 
the  "  simplicity"  and  "  cheerfulness"  with  which 
thev  were  bestowed.  He  s-aye  as  one  who  remem- 
bered  that  he  was  but  a  steward,  having  nothing 
that  he  had  not  received. 

"  Rest  assured/'  he  writes  on  one  occasion  to  a  Friend 
whom  he  had  assisted,  "  that  I  have  no  feeling  of  the  kind 
aUnded  to  in  thy  letter.  I  believe  that  the  assistance  I  gave 
thee  was,  on  my  part,  a  matter  of  duty,  and,  on  thine,  a  pro- 
vidential help.  How  precious  is  that  love  which  overflows 
the  boundary  line  of  giving  and  recei%-ing,  and  levels  us  all  in 
one  feeling  of  our  unworthiness  of  God's  unspeakable  gift.^' 

His  watchfulness  to  seize  and  to  take  advantage 
of  openings  for  usefulness,  was  another  striking 
point  in  his  character.  He  might  be  deceived  again 
and  again  by  false  appearances,  (and  perhaps  his 
charitable  ^iew  of  others,  contrasted  as  it  was  with 
his  severe  judgment  upon  himself,  might  be  con- 
sidered bv  some  to  amount  almost  to  an  infirniitv,) 
yet  still  he  went  on,  soT\'ing  his  seed  "  by  all  waters," 
humbly  confidins^  the  result  to  him,  who  could 
alone  cause  it  to  be  "found  after  many  days." 
But  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  this  Christian 
liberality  was  rarely,  if  ever,  allowed  to  interfere 
with  his  great  habitual  caution  and  discrimination 
in  matters  of  business.  "  Constantly,"  says  his  son, 
"  was  he  found  helping,  as  an  indi^-idual,  parties  to 
whom  he  refused  accommodation  as  a  banker." 

His  intercourse  with  the  poor  failed  not  to  afford 
him  many  illustrations  of  the  practical  power  of  the 
Gospel,  when  received  in  living  faith ; — a  theme  on 


A    POOR   AND    BLIND    CHRISTIAN.  393 

wliicli  he  loved  to  dwell.  One  day,  at  Earlham,  a 
poor  man  in  the  servants'  hall  attracted  his  atten- 
tion. He  was  old  and  hlind.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
addi-essed  him  with  the  voice  of  sympathy,  hut  he 
seemed  to  he  more  alive  to  his  blessings  than  his 
privations.  "  It  is  true,"  he  said,  "  I  have  not 
much  of  tliis  world's  goods,  and  my  sight  has  almost 
failed  me ;  but  I  have  food,  and  clothing,  and  every 
thing  I  need  during  my  earthly  pilgrimage,  and 
then  I  am  heir  to  a  kingdom — think  of  that." 
Joseph  John  Gurney  was  greatly  affected  by  the 
cheerful  and  contented  spirit  of  the  good  old  man, 
and  much  impressed  by  his  childlike  confidence; 
and  turning  away,  he  observed  to  one  of  his  sisters, 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  "  Who  would  not  exchange 
the  wealth  and  honours  of  this  T\^orld  for  the  simple 
faith  of  this  poor  old  man,  that  it  is  his  Father's 
good  pleasure  to  give  him  the  kingdom  ?" 

When  engaged  in  travelling  mth  others,  it  ap- 
peared to  be  Joseph  John  Gurney' s  habitual  aim  to 
make  such  opportunities  occasions  of  interesting  and 
profitable  communication.  A  day  passed  with  him 
upon  a  stage  coach  is  thus  described  by  one  of  his 
fellow  passengers : — 

It  was  on  a  lovely  day,  in  spring,  that  I  liad  the  pleasure  of 
travelling  from  Norwich  to  London  with  Mr.  Gurney.  We  met 
unexpectedly  at  the  coach  oflfice,  and,  with  our  respective  com- 
panions, had  taken  outside  places.  Mr.  Gurne/s  companion 
was  a  lady  whom  he  was  escorting  back  to  London  after  a  ^dsit  to 
Earlham ;  and,  besides  the  fi-iend  who  was  accompanpng  me  to 
the  "  May  meetings,"  two  excellent  dissenting  ministers,  Vwovra 
to  us  all,  had  taken  their  places  by  our  side.  We  were  a  party 
of  six,  just  filling  up  the  space  behind,  and  happily  leaving  no 
room  for  intruders.     It  was  not  very  long  after  Mr.  Gm-ney's 


394  DAY    UPON    A    STAGE    COACH. 

return  from  Ireland,  and  the  subject  of  Ireland  being  intro- 
duced, he  gave  us  a  very  animating  account  of  his  visit  to  that 
country  in  company  with  Mrs.  Fry.  Although  some  questions 
were  asked  as  he  proceeded,  we  were  listeners  rather  than 
talkers ;  and  when  he  had  finished,  there  was,  very  natvirally,  a 
pause.  After  a  short  interval  of  sUence,  Mr.  Gurney,  address- 
ing us,  said,  "  I  always  make  it  a  rule  to  read  a  portion  of 
Scripture  every  morning;^'  and,  having  proposed  to  read  a 
chapter  aloud,  inquired  whether  any  one  had  a  Testament. 
There  was  no  lack,  as  it  happened,  of  Greek  Testaments,  but, 
singularly  enough,  no  one  had  an  English  one.  He  accord- 
ingly took  out  his  pocket  Greek  Testament,  and,  translating  as 
he  went  on,  read  us  a  chapter  in  very  literal  English,  adding 
a  few  remarks,  explanatory  and  practical,  and  pausing  at  its 
close,  as  was  his  wont,  for  inward  devotion  and  prayer.  I 
very  much  regret  that  I  made  no  memoranda  of  the  conversa- 
tion of  the  day ;  for  though  the  general  impression  of  it  is 
left  deeply  engraven  on  my  mind,  the  incidents  and  remarks 
that  contributed,  in  so  large  a  degree,  to  make  it  what  it  was, 
have  faded  from  the  memory.  A  little  before  noon  we  arrived 
at  Bury,  and  were  quite  prepared,  by  a  ride  of  two-and-forty 
miles,  for  breakfast.  Mr.  Gurney  seemed  to  enjoy  his  wash 
and  his  breakfast  as  much  as  any  of  us,  and  when  he  took  his 
seat  again  on  the  coach,  called  for  the  bag  of  books  I  had  in 
charge,  and  handing  a  book  to  each  of  us  said,  "  I  have  been 
giving  out  all  the  morning,  I  must  now  be  taking  in.^^  We 
had  left  one  of  our  party  at  Bury,  and  had  taken  iip  in  his 
stead  a  yomig  man,  who  proved  to  be  a  student  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Glasgow ;  and  ha^dng  lent  him  the  Edinburgh  Be^dew, 
which  I  had  been  reading,  and  called  his  attention  to  certain 
paragraphs,  he  and  I  fell  into  conversation.  Mr.  Gurney, 
seeing  this,  said  to  me  quietly  aside,  "  I  see  thou  art  interested 
in  that  young  man ;  if  thou  would' st  like  to  give  him  a  copy 
of  my  Essays,  thou  mayst  call  at  Arch's  and  get  one."  This 
was  but  one  instance  among  a  thousand,  of  his  being  "  instant 
in  season  and  out  of  season,"  ever  looking  out  for  opportunities 
of  usefulness.  The  commission  was  not  forgotten ;  the  young 
man  received  the  book,  and  if  he  stOl  lives,  remembers,  I  doubt 


THE    LAW    OP    KINDNESS    AT    EARLHAM.  395 

not,  as  we  all  do,  "  the  day  upon  the  stage  coach."  Towards 
evening  there  was  a  shifting  of  places,  and  the  seats  vacated 
by  one  and  another  were  filled  by  drovers.  Mr.  Gurney 
adapted  himself  equally  to  his  less  refined  companions,  and, 
after  a  time  addressing  them  said,  "  We  commenced  the  day 
by  reading  a  chapter  of  the  Bible,  perhaps  you  will  not  object 
to  our  closing  it  in  the  same  manner."  There  was  a  hearty 
consent,  and  he  read  a  chapter  from  one  of  Paul's  Epistles, 
making  a  few  explanatory  remarks  as  he  went  on.  He  had 
not  long  concluded,  and  relapsed  into  silence,  when  we  arrived 
at  the  inn,  where,  finding  his  brother's  carriage  in  attendance, 
he  took  his  leave,  bidding  us  all  farewell. 

But  it  was  at  Earlham  that  lie  was  emphatically 
at  home.  To  this  beloved  retreat,  he  again  and 
again  returned  with  new  delight.  Here  he  was  to 
he  seen  at  his  ease,  and  it  was  here  that  the  peculiar 
brightness  of  his  character  was  displayed.  Love 
was  the  ruling  principle  that  reigned  in  his  house- 
hold ;  a  love  not  degenerating  into  a  weak  indul- 
gence, hut  strong  in  its  combination  with  Christian 
discipline.  Upon  his  servants,  upon  his  children, 
upon  all  that  came  within  the  range  of  his  influence, 
he  inculcated  by  precept,  and,  more  than  all,  by  his 
own  example,  the  inestimable  value  of  order,  method, 
and  true  economy  of  time.  It  was  a  grief  to  him 
when  moments  were  squandered  away  to  no  purpose. 
Even  when  walking  for  health  or  recreation,  he 
would  often  employ  himself  in  storing  his  memory 
with  some  new  hymn  or  passage  of  Scripture.  And 
he  was  especially  careful,  that  the  time  spent  with 
his  family,  or  with  a  more  extended  social  circle, 
should  be  improved  by  intelligent  conversation,  or 
useful  reading.  In  later  years  he  practised  the  art 
of  sketching  from  nature,  in  which  he  attained 


396  EARLHAM    VILLAGERS. 

considerable  facility  and  skill,  and  which  he  often 
pursued,  as  an  agreeable  recreation,  whilst  listening 
to  reading  or  conversation. 

Amidst  the  widely  extended  claims  upon  his  in- 
terest and  sympathies,  the  villagers  of  the  little 
hamlet  of  Earlham  were  not  forgotten.  Besides  the 
liberal  attention  to  their  varied  wants  afforded  them 
from  the  hall,  they  were  accustomed  for  nearly 
thirty  years  to  assemble  with  the  family  on  the 
evening  of  the  first  day  of  each  week ;  when  a  por- 
tion of  Scripture,  a  religious  tract,  or  a  selection  of 
Christian  Biography  was  read ;  the  opportunity  con- 
cluding in  deep  religious  silence,  broken,  at  times, 
under  the  constraining  influence  of  divine  love,  with 
affectionate  Christian  counsel  and  fervent  prayer. 
They  were  occasions  long  to  be  remembered  by 
those  present. 

His  beloved  daughter,  in  a  little  sketch  which 
will  find  a  more  appropriate  place  at  the  conclusion 
of  this  memoir,  has  beautifully  illustrated  his  cha- 
racter as  a  father.  It  may  not,  hoAvever,  be  im- 
proper here  to  introduce  the  following  letter  written 
to  his  son,  soon  after  his  first  settlement  at  school, 
which  may  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the  style  in 
which  he  was  accustomed  to  communicate  with  his 
children : — 

Earlham,  2nd  mo.,  28tli,  1830, 
My  dearest  J.  H , 

Since  thou  hast  been  at  school  nearly  two 
months^  I  begin  to  be  impatient  to  receive  a  nice,  long,  inti- 
mate letter  from  thee,  and  I  hope  thou  wilt  send  me  such  a 
one  without  delay.  I  think  thou  ought  to  write  a  few  lines  to 
some  one  of  us  every  week,  or  at  least  every  fortnight.  We 
aU  love  thee  dearly,  and  none  so  much  so,  perhaps,  as  papa 


LETTER    TO    HIS    SON    AT   SCHOOL.  397 

and  mamma.  My  own  heart  has  been  much  with  thee,  and  I 
cannot  tell  thee  with  how  much  earnestness  I  desire  thy  wel- 
fare. Not  merely  temporal  prosperity  and  good  bodily  health, 
though  I  trust  thou  mayst  be  mercifully  favoured  with  a  good 
share  of  even  these  blessings,  but  I  mean  chiefly,  the  welfare 
of  that  part  in  thee  which  will  endure  for  ever  and  ever.  O, 
my  precious  child !  how  greatly  does  thy  father  desire  that  thy 
soul  may  be  happy  through  all  eternity  !  Remember,  my  dear 
boy,  that  thou  art  bom  for  eternity,  and  that  the  great  object 
of  the  present  uncertain  state  of  being,  is  to  prepare  for  a 
state  which  will  never  have  an  end.  In  order  to  be  perfectly 
good  and  happy  in  the  world  to  come,  we  must  repent  of  all 
our  sms,  humble  ourselves  before  God,  come  to  Christ  as  our 
only  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  and  in  all  things  endeavour  to 
obey  and  follow  his  blessed  Spirit,  which  visits  and  enlightens 
our  dark  hearts.  This  Spirit  will  lead  thee  to  live  in  the  fear 
of  God,  and  to  serve  him  with  a  perfect  heart  and  a  willing 
mind. 

I  shall  now  repeat  some  of  the  advice  which  I  have  often 
given  thee. 

First.  Never  begin  or  end  the  day  Tvithout  prayer.  Wait 
on  the  Lord  more  often  than  the  day,  and  call  upon  his  holy 
name,  for  without  his  help  we  can  do  nothing  truly  well. 
Secondly.  Read  a  small  portion  of  Scripture  every  day,  by 
thyself,  in  thy  o^vn  private  chamber,  besides  attending  the 
family  reading.  The  Scriptures  are  the  best  of  books.  Learn 
to  love  them  dearly,  to  prize  them  highly,  and  to  use  them 
diligently.  Thirdly.  Keep  carefully  to  the  plain  language, 
and  never  be  ashamed  of  being  a  consistent  Friend.  Rest 
assured  that  to  be  half  a  Christian  and  half  not,  and  half  a 
Friend  and  half  not,  will  never  answer  any  good  purpose. 
Fourthly.  Be  a  whole  man  to  everj^thing.  At  Latin,  be  a 
whole  man  to  Latin.  At  geometry  or  history,  be  a  whole 
man  to  geometry  or  history.  At  play,  be  a  whole  man  to 
play.  At  washing  and  dressing,  be  a  whole  man  to  washing 
and  dressing.  Above  all,  at  Meeting,  be  a  whole  man  to  wor- 
ship. Fifthly.  Never  speak  or  think  highly  of  thyself.  Thou 
art  a  poor  unworthy  creature ;  a  mere  worm  of  earth.     Thou 


398  "reminiscences  of 

hast  not  a  single  talent  or  faculty  wliich  thou  hast  not  received 
from  God.  Dwell  in  humility  before  him.  Sixthly.  Avoid 
all  vain  and  evil  thoughts.  Remember  dearest  aunt  Rachel's 
saying,  "Evil  thoughts  are  sin."  Seventhly.  Mind  thy 
manners  as  well  as  thy  morals.  Do  not  be  clumsy  and  awk- 
ward. Be  always  ready  to  serve  and  please  all  around  thee. 
Be  swift  to  give  up  thy  own  will  to  the  will  of  others  in  little 
things :  tliis  is  the  way  to  be  a  true  gentleman.  Finally, 
"  whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might, 
for  there  is  no  work,  nor  device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom, 
in  the  grave  whither  thou  art  going." 

So  farewell,  my  dearest  boy.     We  are  all  well  and  happy. 

I  am  thy  loving  father, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 

The  following  graphic  reminiscences  of  youthful 
days  spent  at  Earlham,  may  form  an  appropriate 
conclusion  to  the  present  chapter. 

"  Activity  of  benevolence,  practical  kindness,  seemed  to  me 
to  be  the  riding  spirit  of  Earlham.  I  did  not  hear  much 
of  great  schemes,  but  I  saw  much  of  real  acts  of  charity ;  and 
these  recollections,  on  that  account,  are  both  pleasant  and 
profitable.  The  whole  household  seemed  imbued  with  the 
same  happy  feeling.  As  I  sat  pondering  on  how  little  I  had  ever 
done,  and  making  in  my  inmost  heart,  first  excuses,  and  then 
resolutions,  I  caught  sight  of  some  lady^s  maid,  or  upper  ser- 
vant of  the  family  cheerfully  crossing  the  scarcely  tracked  path, 
amidst  the  drifting  snow,  on  some  errand  of  mercy  to  a  poor 
neighbour.  I  have  forgotten  many  and  many  a  sermon  and 
lecture  on  the  duty  of  benevolence:  that  one  little  act  of 
self-denial  has  remained  in  my  memory  for  a  long  course  of 
years,  -J^-  -s^-  -^  -h- 

"  One  night — I  remember  it  well — I  received  a  severe  lesson 
on  the  sin  of  evil-speaking.  Severe  I  thought  it  then,  and 
my  heart  rose  in  childish  indignation  against  him  who  gave 
it ;  but  I  had  not  lived  long  enough  in  the  world  to  know  how 
much  mischief  a  child's  inconsiderate  talk  may  do,  and  how 


A 


GOOD    MAN^S    LIFE."  399 


frequently  it  happens,  that  great  talkers  ran.  off  the  straight 
line  of  truth.  I  was  talking  very  fast  about  some  female 
relative,  who  did  not  stand  particularly  high  in  my  estimation ; 
and  was  proceeding  to  give  particulars  of  her  delinquencies, 
failings  of  temper,  &c.,  to  the  amusement,  I  suppose,  of  one 
or  two  of  my  hearers.  In  a  few  moments  my  eye  caught  an 
expression,  in  that  of  one  of  my  auditors,  of  such  calm  and 
steady  disapprobation,  that  I  stopped  suddenly  short.  There 
was  no  mistaking  the  meaning  conveyed  by  that  dark,  speak- 
ing eye ;  it  brought  the  colour  to  my  temples,  and  confusion 
and  shame  to  my  heart.  I  was  silent  for  a  few  moments, 
when  Joseph  John  Gumey  asked  very  gravely, 

"  "■  Dost  thou  not  know  of  any  good  thing  to  tell  us  of ?' 

I  did  not  answer,  and  the  question  was  more  seriously  repeated. 
•^ Think,  is  there  nothing  good  thou  canst  tell  us  of  her?' 

'  Oh,  yes,  I  know  of  some  good  things  certainly,  but ' 

'Woiild  it  not  have  been  better  then  to  relate  those  good 
things,  than  to  have  told  us  that  which  must  lower  her  in  our 
estimation  ?  Since  there  is  good  to  relate,  would  it  not  be 
kinder  to  be  silent  on  the  evil  ? '  '  Charity  rejoiceth  not  in 
iniquity,'  thou  knowest.'  *  -^  ^ 

"  It  was  om-  custom  every  morning, — that  of  Miss  Gurney 
and  any  little  visitor  she  might  have  with  her, — to  go  before 
breakfast  into  the  room  adjoining  her  father's  dressing  room, 
and  recite  certain  portions  of  Scripture,  either  of  our  own 
choice  or  his  selection.  There  was  a  particular  appropriateness 
in  the  13th  chapter  of  1st  Corinthians,  which,  on  the  follow- 
ing morning,  I  was  desired  to  read,  and  aftei-wards  to  commit 
to  memory.  There  was  no  comment  made  on  what  I  read. 
It  was  unnecessaiy ;  the  reproof  was  felt  even  to  the  shedding 
of  tears ;  but  the  kind  voice  and  silent  caress  soon  spoke  love 
and  peace,  and  I  was  comforted.  '  A  word  spoken  in  season 
how  good  it  is.'  *  *  * 

"  Children  are  so  observant  of  inconsistency  in  those  who 
reprove,  that  had  I  ever  found  my  mentor  guilty  of  the  sin  of 
uncharitableness,  I  should  not  have  failed  to  put  it  down  in 
the  note-book  of  my  heart ;  but  I  can  truly  say  that  the  force 
of  that  beautiful  precept  was  never  weakened  by  a  contradictory 


400  "  REMINISCENCES  OF  A  GOOD    MAN's    LIFE/^ 

example.  I  never  heard  a  censorious  word  pass  those  calm 
lips,  nor  knew  a  cloud  of  unworthy  suspicion  to  darken  his 
bright  trusting  hope  of  the  best  of  every  one.  Most  emi- 
nently was  that  grace  his,  which  'hopeth  all  things.^  Every 
one  who  has  visited  Earlham,  must  have  been  impressed  with 
the  superior  tone  of  conversation  there ;  with  the  absence  of 
scandal  and  small  talk ;  and  when  persons,  rather  than  things, 
were  a  little  too  prominent  in  the  discourse  of  the  juniors,  how 
ingeniously  and  yet  how  kindly  has  the  subject  been  put  aside, 
and  some  other  matter  of  innocent  interest  introduced  in  its 
stead. 

"  Such  was  the  home  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  as  it  appeared 
to  a  child.  Clouds  there  were,  doubtless ;  from  human 
frailty  and  infirmity  it  was  not  entirely  exempt;  but  few 
Christian  households  display  a  happier  scene  of  concord, 
consistency,  and  holiness,  than  that  which  we  have  just 
visited.""^ 

*  From  Eeminiscences  of  a  Good  Man's  Life,  by  H.  R.  Geldart, 
whose  father,  the  late  Simon  Martin,  was  one  of  Joseph  John  Gur- 
ney's  partners  in  the  Norwich  Bank.  It  was  originally  printed  in 
the  Monthly  Christian  Spectator  for  the  third  month,  1852,  and  has 
since  been  published  in  a  separate  form. 


^T.  42.  VISIT    TO    FRIENDS    IN    SUFFOLK.  401 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

1830.     ^T.  42 — 43. 

VISIT  TO  FKIEKDS  IX  SUFFOLK;  LETTER  TO  STR  JAMES  MACKINTOSH  ON 
CAPITAL  PUNISHMENT  FOE  FOEGERT ;  XEAELT  MEETING;  CHALMERS 
AND  TVILBERFORCE ;  JOtTRNET  IN  SCOTLAND  AND  CUMBERLAND  ; 
DETENTION  AT  EDINBURGH ;  CHALMERIANA ;  SOUTHEY ;  CARLISLE  ; 
PENRITH  ;  KENDAL  ;  MANCHESTER  ;  RETURN  HOME  ;  DEATH  OF  HIS 
UNCLE   JOSEPH    GURNET. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  commenced  the  year  1830, 
witli  two  weeks  of  close  religious  labour  in  the 
county  of  Suffolk.  "  I  traversed  the  snows  in  my 
gig,"  he  writes  to  Jonathan  Hutchinson,*  "  in  order 
to  \dsit  the  scattered  meetings.  I  do  not  know  that 
I  ever  'roughed  it'  so  much  before,  nor  do  I 
remember  many  occasions  in  which  a  little  sacrifice 
in  the  cause  of  truth  was  more  rewarded." 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Normch,  1st  mo.,  19th,  1830. 

My  heart  and  mind  have  been  much  and  closely  with  thee 
for  some  time  past,  and  I  tinist  I  have  been  enabled  to  remember 
thee,  when  access  has  been  permitted  to  the  throne  of  grace. 
Thou  mayest  rest  assured  of  my  constant  imity  and  faithful 
sympathy  with  thee,  in  every  tribulation,  and  under  eveiy 

wave  of  conflict.  ^  ^  I  often  think  of with  great  interest. 

I  plead  not  for  forms ;  but  a  thorough,  imqualified  submission 
to  the  internal  power  of  the  cross  of  Christ  in  the  heart,  is  that 

*  Under  date  3rd  mo.,  I7tli,  1830. 

D  D 


402  ALARM    FROM    FIRE.  1830. 

which  I  folly  believe  -will  alone  satisfy  and  give  true  rest.  *  * 
We  had  a  very  uncomfortable  alarm  last  evening  at  Earlham, 
in  consequence  of  some  beams,  near  the  flue  in  the  hall, 
igniting.  What  a  mercy  that  it  did  not  happen  in  the  night ! 
As  it  was,  we  were  apparently  in  imminent  danger  of  an  over- 
whelming conflagration ;  but  happily,  the  fire  was  surmounted 
before  it  burst  forth.  We  have  felt  humbled  under  a  sense  of 
gratitude  for  this  merciful  deliverance. 

2nd  mo.,  1st.  The  continuance  of  this  very  wintry  weather 
is  affecting,  as  it  relates  to  the  poor.  Indeed,  the  chastising 
hand  seems  rather  remarkably  put  forth  on  this  nation ;  and 
who  can  wonder,  when  we  consider  the  vast  multitude  of  those 
who  are  lining  in  sin,  and  in  open  rebellion  against  the  Most 
High?  Neither  ought  our  faith  to  be  shaken,  if  those  who 
are  not  partakers  of  the  pollutions,  are  "partakers  in  the 
plagues."  The  time  is  coming,  when  all  apparent  inequalities 
wiU  be  made  even ;  when  he  shall  "  return,  and  discern  between 
the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  between  him  that  serveth  God 
and  him  that  serveth  him  not." 

2nd  mo.,  \^th.  Much  enjoyment  of  the  quietness  and 
loveliness  of  this  dear  place,  and  of  the  domestic  happiness 
which  it  is  still  permitted  to  contain.  Should  it  be  right  for 
me  to  quit  business  altogether,  it  would  follow,  I  think,  that 
Earlham  must  be  given  up.  If  the  Lord  condescends  to 
reqvdre  the  sacrifice,  I  trust  a  willingness  to  offer  it  will  be 
wrought  in  me.  I  think,  I  desire  no  more  than  clearly  to 
see  his  will. 

E^eference  has  been  more  than  once  made  to 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  strong  feeling  upon  the 
subject  of  capital  punishment.  Por  any  crime  short 
of  murder,  he  was,  in  fact,  altogether  opposed  to  it.* 

*  "I  cannot  say,"  he  writes  in  his  Journal,  under  date  8th  mo., 
17th,  1829,  "that  my  spirit  greatly  revolts  against  life  for  life; 
though  capital  punishment  for  anything  short  of  this,  appears  to  me 
to  be  execrable."  In  later  life  he  became  opposed  to  capital  punish- 
ment even  for  murder. 


JET.  42.  CAPITAL    PUNISHMENT.  403 

This    view  of   the   question   had   been    for    some 
years  gradually  gaining  ground.    Among  the  many 
salutary  practical  reforms  for  which  this  country 
is  indebted  to  the  late  Sir  Uobert  Peel,  not  the 
least  was  the  complete  revision  and  consolidation 
of  the  criminal  law;  by  which  many  barbarous  enact- 
ments were  swept  from  the  statute  book,  and  a  milder 
and   more   efficacious    system  of  punishment   was 
introduced.    This  distinguished  statesman,  who  was 
at  this  time  Home  Secretary,  was  now  turning  his 
attention  to  the  amendment  of  the  laws  relating  to 
forgery.     On  this  subject,  however,  he  was  not  pre- 
pared to  go  so  far  as  the  advocates  of  the  abolition 
of  capital  punishment  desii'ed.    His  bill  retained  the 
punishment  of  death  in  several  cases  of  forgery.   The 
opportunity  was  felt  to  be  an  important  one,  and 
the  advocates  of  a  more  lenient  system  lost  no  time 
in  availing  themselves  of  it.     Joseph  John  Gm^ney 
exerted  himself  in  Norwich,  in  procuring  a  petition 
to  Parliament  for  the  entire  abolition  of  the  pimish- 
ment  of  death  in  these  cases ;  and,  availing  himself 
of  his  practical  experience  as  a  banker,  he  subse- 
quently   addressed    the    following    letter    to    Sir 
James  Mackintosh,  with  the  view  of  strengthening 
his  hands  in  his  noble  advocacy  of  the  cause  of 
humanity. 

Norwich,  4tli  mo.,  20th,  1830. 
Esteemed  Friend, 

Although  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  more 
than  a  very  slight  personal  acquaintance  with  thee,  the  useful 
and  honorable  public  part  thou  hast  taken  in  the  cause 
of  the  abolition  of  capital  punishments,  mil,  I  trust,  afford  a 
sufficient  apology  for  my  addressing  thee  on  the  subject. 
It  has  been  a  matter  of  deep  regret  to  me  to  observe,  that 

D  D   2 


404  TO    SIR    JAMES    MACKINTOSH.  1830. 

the  alterations  and  amendments  proposed  by  the  Home 
Secretary,  in  regard  to  the  penal  acts  respecting  forgery,  are 
almost  exchisively  in  matter  of  form,  and  not  of  practice.  It 
seems  that  the  pristine  ferocity  of  the  law  is  to  continue 
without  aUe^dation,  as  it  relates  to  aU  instruments  representing 
money,  such  as  hills  of  exchange,  drafts  and  notes, — all 
instruments,  in  short,  with  which  a  banker  has  any  concern. 

I  have  long;  been  eno-aged  extensively  in  the  business  of  a 
banker,  and  have  always  considered  it  a  heavy  grievance  that 
the  law,  as  it  now  stands,  leaves  me  wholly  unprotected  from 
the  attacks  of  the  forger.  I  cannot  in  conscience  take  any 
steps  towards  destroying  the  life  of  a  fellow  creature,  whose 
crime  against  me  affects  my  property  only;  being  deeply 
couAdnced  that,  should  I  do  so,  I  shoidd  thereby  sacrifice  as 
plain  a  principle  of  equity  as  was  ever  proposed  to  the  attention 
of  mankind.  Besides  I  am  in  possession,  like  other  men,  of 
the  feelings  of  common  humanity ;  and  to  aid  and  abet  in 
procuring  the  destruction  of  any  man  li\Tng,  would  be  to  me 
extremely  distressing  and  horrible.  And  yet  I  consider 
forgery  a  shameful  and  heinous  crime.  I  well  know  the  cruel 
losses  and  inconveniences  to  which  it  subjects  the  money- 
changing  world ;  and  if  the  law  would  but  help  me  to  put 
such  an  offender  on  the  tread- wheel  for  a  couple  of  years,  I 
should  feel  the  highest  satisfaction  in  availing  myself  of  its 
provisions .  *  '^  Mine  is  no  insulated  or  uncommon  case : 
midtitudes  in  the  commercial  world  are  placed,  by  the  severity 
of  the  law,  in  the  same  uncomfortable  and  unprotected 
situation. 

Being  thoroughly  persuaded  that  all  penal  enactments  with 
which  the  public  cannot  heartily  co-operate,  are  bad  in  prin- 
ciple, and  injurious  in  operation,  I  have  only  to  express,  in 
conclusion,  my  earnest  wish,  that  thy  great  powers  may 
continue  to  be  steadily  directed  against  a  system  at  once  so 
unjust  and  so  ineffective. 

I  am,  with  much  respect. 

Thy  sincere  friend, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 


JET.  42.  CAPITAL    PUNISHMENT.  405 

It  is  satisfactory  to  know  that,  although  the 
efforts  made  at  this  time  did  not  then  result  in  any 
modification  of  the  proposed  measure  on  this  point, 
the  abolition  of  capital  punishment,  in  these  cases, 
has  been  since  conceded  by  the  legislature,  and  that 
no  person  has  suffered  death  for  forgery,  in  this 
country,  since  that  period.  * 

To  return  to  the  Journal : — 

5th  mo.,  3rd.  How  entirely  do  I  feel  that  all  my  hope  of  a 
happy  futurity  depends  on  my  casting  myself,  or,  rather,  on  my 
being;  cast  by  a  divine  hand,  on  the  mercies,  merits,  and 
righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ ;  that  I  may  be  seen  in  him ; 
judged  in  him;  justified  in  him;  glorified  in  him.  Be  thou  for 
ever  abased,  O  my  soul !  polluted  and  degraded  as  thou  art  in 
thyself,  in  the  contemplation  of  his  glorious  attributes,  his 
perfect  sufficiency  for  thy  eternal  salvation. 

5th  mo.  14th.  Our  beloved  friends  WiUiam  and  Anna 
Forster  left  us  this  morning  for  London.  Their  company 
and  ministry  amongst  us  have  been  very  acceptable.  Yester- 
day especially,  at  our  Monthly  Meeting,  the  former  was 
largely  and  nobly  engaged  in  preaching.  It  was  a  time  of 
much  sweetness  and  comfortable  ingathering,  for  which  we 
cannot  be  too  thankful.  The  same  precious  feeling  continued 
here  in  the  evening.  Some  banking  exigencies  have  been 
more  trying  to  my  sensitiveness,  this  week,  than  they  ought 

*  The  punishment  of  death  is  now  abolished  in  all  cases  of  forgery, 
except  where  the  act  amounts  to  High  Treason,  as  in  the  case  of 
counterfeiting  the  Royal  sign  manual,  or  the  Great  or  Privy  Seal. 
■  This  desirable  change  did  not,  however,  take  place  untU  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  reign,  in  1837.  Even  in  the  last  reign, 
several  new  forgeries  were  made  capital  felonies.  The  gradual 
progress  of  humane  legislation,  on  this  subject,  may  be  seen  by 
reference  to  the  statutes  11  Geo.  iv,  &  1  Will,  iv,  c.  66,  (Sir  Eobert 
Peel's  Act,  to  which  Joseph  John  Gurney's  letter  refers,)  2  &  3  Will. 
iv,  c.  123,  and  c.  125  ;  5  &  6  Will,  iv,  c.  45,  1  Vict.,  c.  14  ;  and  4  &  5 
Yict.,  c.  66  :  and  as  to  counterfeiting  the  coin,  see  statute  2  Will, 
iv,  c.  34. 


406  THE  YEARLY  MEETING.  1830 

to  have  been.  Unworthy  as  I  know  myself  to  be^  I  venture 
to  crave  divine  protection  even  in  these  affairs ;  and  I  think  I 
feel  a  degree  of  confidence  in  the  dealings  of  that  gentle  and 
paternal  hand;,  which  has  hitherto  led  me  along.  O  that  I 
may  be  blessed  with  quietness,  diligence,  faith,  and  fortitude ; 
that  I  may  be  arrayed,  earth-worm  as  I  am,  in  the  whole 
armour  of  my  God  ! 

Second  day  morning.  I  have  many  things  to  attend  to; 
but  am  favoured  with  a  precious  degree  of  calmness.  How 
delightful,  and  I  hope  edifying,  has  been  my  intercourse 
with  my  beloved  Mary  during  the  past  spring.  Such  happi- 
ness I  feel  to  be  quite  a  store;  a  pri\alege  to  have  enjoyed  it, 
let  the  future  produce  what  it  may. 

Qth  mo.,  ISth.  I  continued  alone  at  home  till  sixth  day, 
5th  mo.,  19th,  when  I  went  by  mail  to  London,  exchanging 
the  delightful  summer  solitude  of  Earlham,  for  a  busy  and 
exercising  scene,  into  which  I  made  my  plunge  on  seventh 
day.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  a  time  of  remarkable  interest. 
On  the  men's  part  well  attended,  sometimes  much  gathered ; 
at  other  times  too  much  of  what  was  superficial,  and  of  our- 
selves. We  seem  to  want  a  greater  depth,  and  O  that  it 
may  be  graciously  bestowed  upon  us !  Yet  we  had  cause  for 
thankfulness  on  account  of  the  general  harmony  and  aboimd- 
ino'  sense  of  brotherlv  love.  Of  the  sittings  I  slioidd 
distinguish,  as  the  most  remarkable,  that  in  which  the  claims 
of  the  heathen  were  considered,  which  resulted  in  the 
recognition  of  the  concern  as  worthy  of  the  deliberate  con- 
sideration of  the  meeting  next  year ;  and  the  last  sitting  but 
one,  in  which  a  Friend  spoke  most  powerfully  on  the  doctrine 
of  the  atonement. 

It  was  about  this  period,  whilst  on  a  visit  at 
Hampstead,  at  the  house  of  his  brother-in-law, 
Samuel  Hoare,  that  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  first 
introduced  to  the  late  Dr.  Chalmers,  who  was  then 
in  London.  In  the  interesting  memoranda  of  their 
intercourse,  which  has  since  been  printed,  Joseph 
John  Gurney  writes  : — 


MT.  42.  INTRODUCTION    TO    DR.  CHALMERS.  i07 

"We  walked  togetlier  for  an  hour  before  dinner  in  the 
garden ;  and  soon  found  that  we  were  led,  by  a  feeling  of 
congeniality,  into  familiar  intercoui'se.  He  had  just  been, 
presented  by  a  fi-iend  with  a  copy  of  my  Essays,  which 
led  to  much  interesting  conversation  on  the  Evidences  of 
Chi-istianity,  on  which  we  had  both  wiitten — their  cumulative 
and  harmonious  character,  and  the  enlargements  which  had 
been  made  in  this  branch  of  theological  knowledge  of  late 
years.  It  was  a  noble  encom-agement  to  a  good  cause  to  find 
that  these  evidences  were  better  understood,  and  more  fully 
appreciated,  eighteen  hundred  years  after  the  introduction 
of  our  religion,  than  at  any  period  of  Church  history,  since 
the  days  when  men  were  brought  into  actual  contact  with 
miracles. 

"  We  talked  over  the  subject  of  a  moral  law,  universally 
written  by  the  Moral  Governor  of  the  universe  on  the  hearts 
of  mankind.     He  allowed  the  existence  of  this  principle,  and 
its  universality,  although  we  were  both  aware  that  the  light, 
though  pure,  is  often  faint.     The  darkness  of  fallen  human 
nature  comprehendeth  it  not.     I  remarked  the  distinction 
which  exists  between  this  law  and  the  natural  faculty  of  con- 
science ;  the  law  being  the  light,  the  conscience  the  eye ;  the 
law   the    guide,    the    conscience   the   presiding  judge.       He 
admitted  this  distinction;    but  Avhen,   after  the  example  of 
Butler,  I  misnamed  this  law  the  moral  sense,  he  corrected 
me,   and  said,   'No,  the  moral  sense  is  identical  with  the 
conscience :    the  law  you  speak  of  is  that  which  the  moral 
sense  perceives.'     I  argued,  that  the  law  thus  Avi-itten  on  the 
hearts  of  aU  men,  although  faint,  and  perpetually  misread 
by  an  obscured  and  perverted  conscience,  is  in  itself  perfectly 
pure   and  holy,  an   efflux   of  the  divine   character.     When 
therefore  I  reflected  on  the  utter  coiTuption  of  human  nature, 
and  on  the  apostoUc  doctrine,  '  In  me,  that  is,  in  my  flesh, 
there  dweUeth  no  good  thing,'  I  could  not  but  conclude  that 
this  universal  law  is  a  work  of  tl:e  Spirit. 

"  Chalmers.      '  I  have  no  objection  to  admit  that  it  is  a 
work  of  the  Spirit.' 

"  This  was  a  conclusion,  worthy  of  the  breadth  and  liberality 


408  CHALMERIANA.  1830. 

of  Dr.  C's  mind,  and  of  tlie  simplicity  which  he  displays  in 
admitting  truth,  from  whatever  quarter  it  may  come.  It 
reminded  me  of  the  broad  assertion  twice  made  to  me,  in 
private  conversation,  by  William  Wilberforce,  that,  according 
to  his  full  belief,  an  effective  offer  of  salvation  was  made  to 
every  man  born  into  the  world.  I  will  just  add,  that  since 
Christ  is  expressly  declared  to  have  died  for  all  men,  and 
since  the  law  of  God — a  principle,  when  obeyed,  in  its  nature, 
saving — is,  as  we  believe,  universally  communicated  to  men, 
it  is  only  reasonable  to  believe  that  our  fallen  race  has 
obtained  this  blessing  through  the  redemption  which  is  by 
Christ  Jesus  own  Lord. 

"  At  dinner  we  had  an  interesting  party — Dr.  Bird  Sumner, 
Bishop  of  Chester;-^  Dr.  Lushington;  Buxton;  and  a  family 
party,  including  our  sister  Elizabeth  Fry.  The  conversation 
during  dinner  turned  to  the  subject  of  capital  pimishments. 
Lushington,  in  the  warmest  terms,  expressed  his  abhorrence 
of  the  system ;  and  declared  his  opinion,  that  the  poor  criminal 
was  thus  hurried  out  of  life,  and  into  eternity,  by  means  of 
the  perpetration  of  another  crime,  far  greater,  for  the  most 
part,  than  any  which  the  sufferer  himself  had  committed. 
He  even  indicated  a  feehng,  that  the  worse  the  criminal,  the 
more  improper  such  a  punishment. 

"  On  this  Buxton  rallied  him,  and  re-stated  his  argument 
with  great  pleasantry ;  '  The  doctor  assures  us  that  if  your 
Lordship  were  condemned  to  the  gallows,  or  that  you.  Dr. 
Chalmers,  were  about  to  suffer  the  ultimum  supplicium,  he 
would  be  the  last  man  to  interfere  with  the  execution  of  the  law, 
or  prevent  the  translation  of  the  virtuous  to  a  happier  state. 
But  to  terminate  the  probationary  existence  of  the  most 
degraded  of  our  race,  of  the  worst  of  robbers  or  the  most 
outrageous  of  murderers,  was  opposed  at  once  to  all  the  feelings 
of  humanity,  and  to  all  the  principles  of  religion.'  After  all, 
there  is  a  great  deal  of  truth  in  Dr.  Lushington's  statement, 
and  substantially  we  were  all  agreed. 

"After    dinner   a  brisk    discussion   arose    respecting   the 

*  Now  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 


^T.  42.  CHALMERIANA.  409 

comparative  religious  condition  of  the  long  parliament,  and  of 
our  representatives,  in  the  present  day  of  latitudinarianism 
and  laxity.  Lushington  contended  that  the  advantage  lay  on 
the  side  of  our  modern  senate ;  and  that  the  looseness  of  the 
present  was  a  less  crying  evil  than  the  hypocrisy  of  past  times. 
The  bishop  and  Chalmers  took  the  other  side ;  and  not  only 
demonstrated  the  religious  superiority  of  the  Puritans,  but 
strongly  insisted  on  the  great  principle,  that  it  is  godliness 
which  exalteth  a  nation,  and  which  can  alone  impart  true 
strength  and  stability  to  human  governments.  Chalmers 
stated  the  points  of  the  argument  with  great  strength  and 
clearness,  and  the  bishop  confirmed  what  he  said. 

"  Tn  the  evening  Joanna  Baillie  joined  om'  party;  and,  after 
the  bishop  and  others  were  gone,  we  formed  a  social  circle, 
of  which  Chalmers  was  the  centre.  The  evidences  of  Christi- 
anity became  again  the  topic  of  conversation.  The  harmony 
of  Scripture,  and  the  accordance  and  correspondence  of  one 
part  with  another  were,  I  think,  adverted  to.  This  evidence 
of  accordance  is  one  to  which  Dr.  C^s  mind  is  obviously 
much  alive.  He  knows  how  to  trace,  in  the  adaptation 
between  one  branch  of  truth  and  another,  and  especially 
between  God's  religion  and  man's  experience,  the  master-hand 
of  perfect  wisdom  and  goodness. 

"  Chalmers.  '  The  historical  evidences  of  Christianity  are 
abundantly  sufficieut  to  satisfy  the  scrutinizing  researches  of 
the  learned ;  and  are  within  the  reach  of  all  well-educated 
persons.  But  the  internal  e^ddence  of  the  truth  lies  within 
the  grasp  of  every  sincere  inquii*er.  Every  man  who  reads 
his  Bible,  and  compares  what  it  says  of  mankind  with  the 
records  of  his  own  experience;  every  man  who  marks  the 
adaptation  of  its  mighty  system  of  doctrine  to  his  own 
spiritual  need  as  a  sinner  in  the  sight  of  God;  is  furnished 
with  practical  proof  of  the  divine  origin  of  our  religion.  I 
love  this  evidence.  It  is  what  I  call  the  portable  evidence  of 
Christianity.' 

"  On  the  following  morning  Dr.  Chalmers  read  the 
Scriptures  to  the  family  circle,  and  selected  the  latter  half  of 
John  xiv.     The  verse  which  peculiarly  attracted  his  attention 


410  CHALMERIANA.  1830. 

was  the  twenty-first ;  '  He  that  hath  my  commandinents,  and 
keepeth  them^  he  it  is  that  loveth  me ;  and  he  that  loveth  me 
shall  be  loved  of  my  Father ;  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will 
manifest  myself  to  him/     The  observations  which  he  made 
on  this  verse,  and  on  the  whole  bearing  of  what  he  had  read, 
were   excellent;    and   completely  accordant   with   the  views 
which  Friends  have  so  long  been  accustomed  to  take  of  the 
true  method  of  obtaining  religious  knowledge.  '  While  we  are 
boimd/  he  observed  in  substance,  'to  make  a  diligent  use 
of  the  Scriptures,  that  appointed  depository  of  all  religious 
information,  we  are  ever  to  remember  that,  obedience  to  the 
law  of  Christ  is  the  means  of  bringing  us  into  a  capacity  of 
rightly  understanding  and  appreciating  their  contents ;  as  our 
Lord  has  himself  declared,  that  those  who  do  his  Father's 
will  shall  know  of  his  doctrine,  and  of  its  divine  authority. 
Every  act  of  childlike  obedience  to  the  dictates  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  prepares  the  way  for  an  increase  of  light ;  and  where 
Christ  manifests  'himself'  there  wiU  be  a  true  and  saving 
apprehension  of  religion.'      In  setting  forth  these  views.  Dr. 
Chalmers  was,  I  believe,  speaking  from  his  own  experience; 
for  it  seems  to  have  been  by  the  gradual  following  up  of  his 
convictions  of  duty,  and  through  the  operation  of  a  remarkable 
moral  energy,  that,  under  the  grace  of  God,  he  found  his  way 
out  of  the  dark  regions  of  barren  speculation,  into  the  green 
pastures  of  the  fold  of  Christ. 

"  When  comparatively  ignorant  and  worldly  he  was  called 
upon  by  his  learned  friend,  Dr.  Brewster,  to  write  the  article 
on  Christianity  for  the  Edinburgh  Encyclopedia.  He  obeyed 
the  summons,  though  himself  scarcely  a  believer;  and  his 
researches  in  order  to  this  end,  especially  the  study  of  Scrip- 
ture itself,  were  the  means  first  of  convincing  his  understanding 
of  the  truth  of  religion,  and  next  of  impressing  his  heart  with 
a  sense  of  its  imspeakable  importance  and  excellence.  In  the 
whole  of  this  process  he  was  doubtless  marvellously  assisted 
by  that  childlike  simplicity  of  mind  which  he  recommended  to 
us  so  beautifully;  and  which  is  so  marked  a  feature  in  his  own 
character.  '  The  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment,  the  meek 
will  he  teach  his  way.' 


MT.  42.  CHALMERS    AND    WILBERPORCE.  411 

"  Before  he  concluded  his  familiar  yet  impressive  discourse, 
he  powerftJly  contrasted  two  methods  of  religious  education. 
The  former — no  stranger  in  Scotland — that  of  imparting 
to  the  minds  of  children  a  complete  system  of  doctrinal 
orthodoxy;  and,  without  moral  culture,  lea^dng  that  system 
to  produce  its  own  fruits  as  it  might.  The  latter,  that 
of  training  children  in  such  a  course  of  virtuous  obedience 
to  the  di\'ine  law,  as  would  prepare  them  for  the  reception  of 
greater  and  greater  light  respecting  the  doctrines  of  religion. 
He  pointed  out  the  vast  superiority  of  the  latter  system.  He 
would  neglect  neither  moral  nor  religious  culture;  but  he 
would  make  the  former  the  pathway  to  the  latter.  ^  -^  -^ 

"  When  our  conversation  was  concluded,  my  brother,  Samuel 
Hoare,  took  me  with  him  on  the  box  of  his  chariot,  and  drove 
Dr.  Chalmers  and  his  pleasing  wife  to  Wilberforce's,  at  High- 
wood  Hall,  beyond  Hendon.  Dr.  Chalmers  and  his  lady  were 
engaged  to  stay  some  days  there;  and  we  were  glad  of  the 
opportunity  of  enjoying  the  company  of  the  senator  emeritus, 
together  with  that  of  Dr.  C,  for  a  few  hours.  Our  morning 
passed  delightfully.  Chalmers  was,  indeed,  comparatively 
silent,  as  he  often  is  when  many  persons  are  collected,  and  the 
stream  of  conversation  flowed  between  ourselves  and  the  ever 
lively  Wilberforce.  I  have  seldom  observed  a  more  amusing 
and  pleasing  contrast  between  two  great  men  than  between 
Wilberforce  and  Chahners.  Chalmers  is  stout  and  erect,  with 
a  broad  countenance;  Wilberforce  minute,  and  singularly 
twisted;  Chalmers,  both  in  body  and  mind,  moves  with  a 
deliberate  step ;  Wilberforce,  infii'm  as  he  is  in  his  advanced 
years,  flies  about  with  astonishing  activity  :  and  while,  vrith 
nimble  finger,  he  seizes  on  every  thing  that  adorns  or  diversi- 
fies his  path,  his  mind  flits  from  object  to  object  with  unceasing 
versatility.  Chalmers  can  say  a  pleasant  thing  now  and  then, 
and  laugh  when  he  has  said  it,  and  he  has  a  strong  touch  of 
humour  in  his  countenance ;  but  in  general  he  is  grave — his 
thoughts  grow  to  a  great  size  before  they  are  uttered  :  Wilber- 
force sparkles  with  life  and  wit,  and  the  characteristic  of  his 
mind  is  '  rapid  productiveness.'  A  man  might  be  in  Chalmers' 
company  for  an  hour,  especially  in  a  party,  without  knowing 


412  WILBERFORCE. 


1830. 


who  or  what  lie  was — though  in  the  end  he  would  be  sure  to 
be  detected  by  some  unexpected  display  of  powerful  originality; 
Wilberforce,  except  when  fairly  asleep,  is  never  latent :  Chal- 
mers knows  how  to  veil  himself  in  a  decent  cloud ;  WHberforce 
is  always  in  sunshine.  Seldom,  I  believe,  has  any  mind  been 
more  strung  to  a  perpetual  tune  of  love  and  praise.  Yet  these 
persons,  distinguished  as  they  are  from  the  world  at  large, 
and  from  each  other,  present  some  admirable  points  of  resem- 
blance. Both  of  them  are  broad  thinkers  and  liberal  feelers : 
both  of  them  are  arrayed  in  humility,  meekness,  and  charity  : 
both  appear  to  hold  self  in  little  reputation :  above  aU,  both 
love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  reverently  acknowledge  him 
to  be  their  onlv  Saviom*. 

"  Wnberforce  was  the  son  of  a  wealthy  merchant  at  Hull, 
and  was  scarcely  more  than  of  age  when  he  was  elected  mem- 
ber of  Parliament  for  that  town.     But  he  was  not  long  to 
occupy  this  station,  for  a  higher  one  awaited  him.    Immediately 
after  the   Hull  election,  he  attended  the  county  election  at 
York ;  where,  to  the  vast  assembly  collected  in  the  castle  yard, 
he  made  a  speech  on  the  popular  question  of  the  day — Fox^s 
India  bill.     His  eloquence,  especially  in  the  earlier  stages  of 
his  course,  was,  as  I  understand,  of  a  most  animated  and  diver- 
sified character ;  and  his  voice  sonorous  and  mellifluous.    The 
speech  produced  an  almost  magical  effect  on  the  assembled 
multitude ;  and  under  a  strong  and  apparently  unanimous  im- 
pulse, they  cried  out,  '  We  will  have  the  little  man  for  our 
member.'     In  short,  though  without  pretensions  from  family 
or  fortune  to  the  honour  of  representing  that  vast  county,  he 
was  elected  its  member  by  acclamation. 

"  Wilberforce  was  now  one  of  the  most  popular  of  men.  His 
fine  talents,  his  amiability,  his  wit,  his  gaiety,  adapted  him  for 
the  highest  worldly  circles  in  the  county.  Happily,  however 
that  heavenly  Father,  whom  his  pious  parents  had  taught  him 
to  love  in  early  life,  was  preparing  for  him  '  better  things'  than 
the  blandishments  of  the  world,  even  'things  which  accompany 
salvation.'  Not  long  after  his  election  he  was  travelling 
through  France,  in  order  to  visit  a  sick  relation  at  Nice,  in 
company  with  his  friend,  Isaac  Mibier,  afterwards  Dean  of 


^T.  42.  WILBERFORCE.  413 

Carlisle^  a  person  somewhat  older  and  more  serious  than  him- 
self. In  the  course  of  their  journey  they  happened  to  converse 
about  a  clergyman  in  Yorkshire,  who,  having  been  impressed 
with  evangelical  views,  was  remarkably  devoted  to  his  paro- 
chial duties. 

"  WiLBERFORCE.  'That  man  carries  things  a  great  deal  too 
far  in  my  opinion.' 

"  MiLNER.  '  Do  you  think  so?  I  conceive  that  if  you  tried 
him  by  the  standard  presented  to  us  in  the  New  Testament, 
you  would  change  that  opinion.' 

''WiLBERFORCE.  '  Indeed,  Milner — weU,  I  have  no  objection 
to  try  the  experiment.  I  will  read  the  New  Testament  with 
you,  if  you  like,  with  pleasure.' 

"  Important,  indeed,  were  the  results  of  this  casual  and  un- 
expected conversation.  The  two  friends  read  the  whole  of  the 
New  Testament  together  as  they  journeyed  on  towards  Nice  : 
and  this  single  perusal  of  the  records  of  inspiration  was  so 
blessed  to  Wilberforce,  that  he  became  a  new  man.  His 
opinions  awd  feelings  midei-went  a  rapid  revolution.  He  found 
himself  to  be  a  smner,  and  rejoiced  in  the  discovery  of  his 
Sa^aour.  He  renoimced  the  world,  and  devoted  himself  to  the 
fear  and  service  of  Almighty  God.  When  he  arrived  at  Nice, 
he  found,  in  the  chamber  of  his  sick  relative,  a  copy  of  Dr. 
Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul.  This 
usefid  manual  of  religious  experience  he  read  with  extreme 
eagerness,  and  it  appears  to  have  been  the  means  of  confirming 
and  completing  his  change. 

''  The  news  now  swiftly  flew  into  Yorkshire  that  their  popular 
young  member  was  gone  mad.  Wilberforce  followed  the  re- 
port, in  propria  persona  ;  threw  himself,  with  noble  boldness, 
amongst  his  friends  and  supporters ;  plainly  told  them  of  his 
change  of  sentiment ;  and  with  good  reason  adopted  (as  it  may 
be  presumed)  the  words  of  a  yet  more  eminent  convert,  '  I  am 
not  mad,  most  noble  Festus — I  speak  the  words  of  truth  and 
soberness.'  From  that  time  his  influence  in  the  county  was 
constantly  extending  itself ;  and  when,  many  years  aftei-wards, 
a  contested  election  took  place  between  Colonel  Lascelles  and 
Lord  Milton,  he  polled  almost  double  the  number  of  the  votes 


414  WILBERFORCE    AND    CHALMERS.  1830* 

of  either  of  the  other  candidates ;  and  a  voluntary  subscription 
flowed  in  of  about  £40,000^  to  defray  his  expenses.  A  great 
part  of  this  subscription  was  returned.  Wilberforce  afterwards 
voluntarily  retired  from  the  representation  of  the  county^  being 
unable^  from  want  of  health,  to  cope  with  the  weight  of  busi- 
ness which  it  threw  on  his  shoulders. 

"It  is  impossible  to  reflect  on  this  story  without  much 
pleasure.  What  a  mercy  to  Wilberforce  was  the  petty  and 
apparently  fortuitous  circumstance,  which  led  him  to  an  atten- 
tive perusal  of  the  New  Testament !  And  how  divine  the  book 
which,  through  the  blessing  of  its  almighty  Author,  could  bear 
with  so  irresistible  a  moral  and  spiritual  force  on  the  intellect, 
the  genius,  and  the  dispositions  of  Wilberforce  !  In  like  man- 
ner, what  a  mercy  to  Dr.  Chalmers  was  the  unexpected,  and 
at  that  time  unlikely,  application  made  to  him  by  Dr.  Brew- 
ster !  It  was  in  the  order  of  Providence  that  two  chance 
circumstances,  as  the  world  would  call  them,  should  be  the 
means  of  translating  two  mighty  minds  from  the  region  of 
spiritual  darkness,  into  the  kingdom  of  light ;  converting  the 
sceptical  philosopher  into  the  profound  theologian,  and  the 
witty  songster  into  the  abolisher  of  the  slave  trade,  the  faith- 
ftd  and  ardent  Christian  labourer  in  the  cause  of  justice  and 
humanity.* 

"  The  author  of  that  extraordinary  book,  the  Natural  His- 
toiy  of  Enthusiasm,  proposes  a  beautiful  analysis  of  the  order 
and  harmony  of  providence.  He  says,  that  events  may  be 
divided  into  two  classes — those  which  arise  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  experience ;  and  which,  being  regulated  by  certain 
known  laws,  natural  or  moral,  may,  to  a  certain  and  often  a 
great  extent,  be  calculated  beforehand;  and  thus  bring  into 
exercise  the  quality  of  prudence,  or  the  useful  facvdty  of  long- 
sightedness. Indeed,  a  careful  observation  and  right  estimate 
of  such  causes  and  efl'ects,  may  be  said  to  constitute  the  best 


*  The  foregoing  incidents  are  related  by  Joseph  John  Gurney  from 
information  received  in  conversation  with  Wilberforce  himself.  For 
Wilberforce' s  own  reflections  on  the  circumstances  of  his  life  here 
referred  to,  see  the  first  vol.  of  his  Life,  Appendix  pp.  379—384. 


^T.  43.  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  415 

kind  of  worldly  wisdom.  Ajiother  and  more  limited  class  of 
events  may  be  described  as  incidental  or  fortiiitous.  The«e 
intersect  tbe  common  course — the  straight  onward  line  of  our 
experience — fi-om  a  multitude  of  different  points.  They  bear 
laterally  upon  us,  and  arise  out  of  an  endless  and  ever  varied 
train  of  causes ;  connected,  very  probably,  with  the  life  and 
conduct  of  others — originating,  it  may  be,  in  some  idle  word, 
or  some  thoughtless  action,  of  some  mikno\Mi  person,  whose 
mortal  existence  has  been  closed  for  centuries.  And  yet  these 
apparently  stray  circumstances  often  intersect  our  path,  just 
at  such  a  time  and  in  such  a  manner,  as  enable  them  to  serv^e 
the  most  important  pm'poses  for  our  temporal  and  spiritual 
good.  How  perfect  must  be  the  skill  and  wisdom  of  that  om- 
niscient Being,  who  wields  this  infinitely  intricate  machinery; 
often  inclines  its  forces  in  answer  to  prayer,  and  never  fails  to 
apply  them  to  the  highest  advantage  of  his  behe^Tag  and 
obedient  children !" 


TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

(On  the  decease  of  one  of  his  daughters  ■within  a  year  after  her  man-iage.) 

London  6th  mo.,  3rd,  1S30. 

My  dearly  beloved  Friend, 

Thou  well  knowest  that  the  affecting  intelligence 
from  Leiston  must  come  closely  home  to  me  and  my  wife ;  for 
we  feel  so  nearly  united  with  thee  and  thine,  that  whatsoever 
you  suffer  becomes  our  suffering  by  reflection.  I  can  truly 
say  that  we  have  grieved  and  mourned  with  you  over  the  loss 
of  your  beloved  Lydia.  I  am  aware  that  she  was  peculiarly 
precious — that  she  was  one  of  those  who  imparted  a  charm  to 
life  in  the  circle  in  which  she  moved.  And  of  such  as  these  it 
often  pleases  a  wise  Providence  to  deprive  us,  that  we  may  be 
the  better  prepared  to  say,  "Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ? 
and  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee.^^  Tlius 
the  Lord  claims  an  undivided  sovereignty  over  our  affections, 
as  well  as  over  our  actions. 

Amidst  your  deep  sorrowing,  you  will  not,  we  feel  fully 
assured,  be  disposed  to  mm-mur.    We  trust  that  the  Christian's 


416  JOURNEY  1830. 

faith_,  by  which  he  sees  things  invisible  to  mortal  eye,  will 
gild  the  dark  cloud,  and  lead  you  ever  to  rejoice  for  her 
emancipated  spirit  with  ''a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory/'  Such  is  the  nature  of  the  Christian's  joy,  that  the 
tongue  of  human  wisdom  cannot  utter  it ;  and  there  is  a  full- 
ness of  glory  in  it,  even  here,  which  the  eye  unanointed 
cannot  perceive.  Nevertheless  we  know  it  is  progressive, 
admitting  of  almost  infinite  enlargement  and  elevation.  We 
will  not  therefore  mourn  for  those  who  have  happily  exchanged 
its  fainter  irradiations  for  its  meridian  fulness.  What  a 
solidity,  as  weU  as  brightness,  my  beloved  friend,  character- 
ises the  Christian's  life !  It  is  like  the  paving  of  that  holy 
city  of  apostolic  vision,  transparent  glass,  and  yet  piu'e, 
weighty  gold. 

In  reference  to  your  dear  departed  one,  I  have  been  led  to 
dwell  with  much  satisfaction,  on  the  security  which  attaches 
to  the  absence  of  self-righteousness;  and  to  a  quiet,  stead- 
fast dependence  on  the  mercy  of  God,  through  the  appointed 
Mediator.  Comparatively  blameless  as  she  was  in  the  eye  of 
man,  I  feel  a  persuasion  that  her  hope  rested,  not  on  the 
rewarding  of  her  virtue,  but  on  the  pardoning  of  her  sins. 
She  was  not  (I  fully  believe)  a  stranger,  either  in  heart  or 
understanding,  to  the  efl&cacy  of  that  blood,  by  which  all  sin 
is  obliterated  for  the  humble  believer. 

A  large  Committee  had  been  appointed  at  the 
late  Yearly  Meeting  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
general  visit  to  the  various  meetings  of  Friends  in 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  As  a  member  of  this 
committee,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  company  with 
several  other  Eriends,  attended  the  meetings  in 
Scotland  and  Cumberland,  and  was  also  engaged  in 
other  services  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  was 
absent  from  home  nearly  four  months. 

"  On  seventh  day,  the  24th  of  the  7th  month,"  he  writes  in 
his  Journal,  "  I  left  home  for  Upton,  in  order  to  attend  the 


^T.  42.  TO    SCOTLAND.  417 

interment  of  our  beloved  friend  and  cousin,  Lucy  Slieppard. 
I  found  the  Upton  party  in  deep  sorrow ;  and  truly  rejoiced 
in  being  present  to  sympathize  mth  them,  and  help  them  a 
little,  during  the  scenes  of  that  touching  and  sorrowful  day.  I 
joined  my  wife  at  Stamford,  on  second  day  evening,  and  pro- 
ceeded with  her  to  Ackworth,  where  the  general  meeting 
passed  off  much  to  our  satisfaction. 

On  seventh  day,  a  delightfid  journey  by  Fountain's  Abbey 
and  Richmond,  brought  us  to  Darlington;  where,  in  the 
absence  of  all  our  nearer  connexions,  we  were  most  hospitably 
received  by  our  dear  cousins  E.  and  R.  Pease,  and  remained 
until  foiu'th  day  morning.  Public  meetings  there,  and  at 
Staindrop,  and  Stockton.  .The  public  meeting  at  Staindrop 
much  favoured,  as  was  also  one  at  Sunderland  on  fourth  day 
evening.  The  meeting  with  Sunderland  Fi'iends  on  fifth  day 
morning,  was  much  to  my  satisfaction  and  relief;  and  there 
was  a  public  one  at  Newcastle  that  evening,  in  a  Dissenting 
Meeting  House.  Pleasant  visit  to  our  dear  cousin  Margaret 
Bragg.  The  meeting  of  Friends  on  sixth  day  morning  largely 
attended  by  young  people,  and  very  hopeful. 


TO    SAMUEL    GURNEY. 

Darlington,  8th  mo.,  1st,  1830. 

I  believe  that  as  Christians,  and  as  Friends,  we  must 
adhere  closely  to  our  religious  principles,  and  learn  to  bring 
everything  more  and  more  to  that  test ;  looking  quietly  for- 
wards to  the  day  when  "the  stone  cut  without  hands"  will 
become  "  a  great  mountain  "  and  fill  the  whole  earth.  ^  * 

The  commotions  in  France  are  somewhat  awftJ,  but  I  trust 
they  will  end  in  a  bloodless  revolution.  The  worst  featiu-e  in 
the  case  appears  to  me  to  be  the  infidelity  with  which  the 
support  of  freedom  is  connected.  Would  that  mankind 
knew  more  of  that  "  perfect  law  of  liberty "  which  is  pro- 
claimed to  us  in  the  Gospel  of  our  Redeemer ! 

After  attending  the  General  Meeting  for  Priends 

E    E 


418  DETENTION  AT  EDINBURGH.  1830. 

in    Scotland,  held    at    Aberdeen,   he   returned   to 
Glasgow ;  and  after  yarious  religions  services  there, 
and  in  the  neighbourhood,  proceeded  to  Edinburgh. 
Here  he  was  detained  nearly  fiye  weeks  from  the 
consequences  of  a  severe  bruise  on  the  leg,  received 
in  the  course  of  the  journey.     He  did  not,  however, 
allow  this  interval  of  comparative  repose  to  pass 
away  unimproved.     Under  the  hospitable  roof  of 
his  valued  friend  Alexander  Cruickshank,  he  had 
opportunities    of    religious    intercourse    mth    the 
individuals  composing  the  small  body  of  Eriends 
resident   at  Edinburgh,  and   three   meetings  with 
the  young  people.     He  was   also   enabled   to   be 
present,  one   first   day,  at  a  public   meeting,  held 
at   his   request,  wliich   was   attended  by  many  in 
the  upper  circles.     Besides  these  engagements,  his 
sojourn   at   Edinburgh  was   agreeably   relieved  by 
much   highly  interesting   social   intercourse.      Dr. 
Chalmers,  amongst  others,  was  a  frequent  visitor, 
"  coming,"   writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  from  a 
considerable  distance  about  every  other  day  to  sit 
with  me.     We  enjoyed  much  intiaiate  and  lively 
conversation,  which  I  was   accustomed   to   record 
from  day  to  day,  after  he  had  left  me,    as  I  lay 
upon   my    sofa."      A    brief  selection    from   these 
memoranda   will    give    the    reader    some    idea   of 
the   general    character    of  their   intercourse;    and 
few    will    object    to    listen  whilst    they    converse 
together.* 

The    conversation    one    day    turning   upon    the 


*  The  Chalmeriana  have  been  published  since  this  chapter  was 
compiled ;  but  I  have  not  thought  this  a  sufficient  reason  for  omit- 
ting the  extracts. 


^T.  43.  CHALMERIANA.  419 

wonderful  order  and  harmony   of    Divine    Provi- 
dence, 

"  I  observed,"  says  Joseph  John  Gm-ncy,  "  that  the  gi'eat 
object  of  Bishop  Butlei-'s  Analogy  was  to  parry  objections ; 
and  we  agreed  that  in  this  respect  that  noble  work  had  served 
a  most  important  piu'pose  in  promoting  the  cause  of  truth. 
Chalmers  expressed  his  admu'ation  of  Butler's  misophisticated 
mind  and  absence  of  affectation.  But  Butler  possessed  a  mind 
of  singular  depth  and  originality,  and  such  minds  are  beyond 
the  limits  of  affectation. 

"  Chalmers.  '  I  strongly  recommend  yom-  reading  Leibnitz, 
^Essais  sm-  la  Theodicee.'  He  combines  the  mind  .of  a  phi- 
losopher, and  a  profound  knowledge  of  metaphysics,  with  an 
unqualified  regard  for  Christianity  and  its  whole  system  of 
essential  doctrine.  I  was  telling  Mrs.  Gurney,  at  the  Mu- 
seum, of  the  hypothesis  by  which  he  accounts  for  the  origin 
of  evil.  Take  any  complete  part  of  creation — an  animal  for 
example.  How  perfect  is  the  machine,  how  beautiful  its  pro- 
portions, how  absolute  the  harmony  of  its  constituent  parts, 
how  admu-ably  it  works!  But  look  at  some  fragment  of 
the  creature ;  a  piece  of  a  nail,  a  broken  bit  of  bone  or  a 
claw.  How  unsightly  it  is,  how  unmeaning!  how  httle 
worthy,  as  far  as  appears,  of  the  master  hand  of  infinite  skill 
and  wisdom  !  Now  all  the  evil  which  we  perceive  around  us, 
afflicting  as  it  is  to  our  feelings,  and  trying  to  our  faith,  may 
be  nothuig  more  than  a  small  unsightly  fragment ;  and  yet,  in 
its  connexion  with  the  moral  universe  of  God,  it  may  form  a 
part  of  a  perfectly  harmonious  and  glorious  whole.' 

"■  I  mentioned  a  work,  popular  among  the  Unitarians,  which 
resolves  all  the  attributes  of  God  into  pm-e  benevolence; 
denominates  sin  '  moral  e\Tl ;'  ascribes  it  to  the  direct  appoint- 
ment of  God ;  and  presumes  to  infer  that  it  not  only  promotes 
the  general  good,  but,  taken  in  connexion  with  its  corrective 
consequences,  in  the  end  enhances  the  happiness  of  the  sinner. 

"  Chalmers,  at  is  a  dangerous  error  to  reduce  the  divine 
attributes  to  the  single  quality  of  goodness.  Our  best  meta- 
physicians (especially  Brown)  teach  us  that  the  ethical  virtues 

E    E    2 


420  DETENTION  AT  EDINBURGH.  1830. 

are  in  their  nature  unalterably  independent.  Justice  is  an 
ethical  virtue ;  distinct  in  its  origin,  character,  and  end,  and 
must  not  be  confounded  with  any  other.  These  principles 
apply  to  the  moral  attributes  of  God.' 

"  Yes,  I  said,  they  are  blended  but  not  confused. 
"  Chalmers.  '  There  is  union  in  them  but  not  unity.  The 
harmony,  yet  distinctness,  of  the  divine  moral  attributes,  is 
most  instructively  inscribed  on  the  atonement  of  Christ.' 
"Truly,  I  replied,  that  is  a  point  where  justice  and  benevo- 
lence meet ;  where  God  has  displayed  at  once  his  abhorrence 
of  sin,  and  his  mercy  to  the  sinner. 

"  Chalmers.  '  Brown  had  very  low  and  inadequate  views 
of  the  character  of  God.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Paley — 
witness  his  founding  his  system  of  morals  on  expediency. 
This  was  indeed  a  degradation  in  a  Cluistian  moral  philoso- 
pher; and  the  more  so,  as  even  a  Cicero  could  declaim  against 
*  utilitas'  as  the  basis  of  morals.' 

"  I  mentioned  an  anecdote  which  I  had  heard  of  Paley  in 
his  last  illness,  that  is  said  to  have  had  the  authority  of  Wm. 
Hey,  the  late  noted  surgeon  of  Leeds ;  and  which,  if  true,  is 
remarkably  consoling.  When  not  far  from  his  end,  Paley,  in 
conversing  with  some  of  his  family  or  friends,  took  a  calm 
re^dew  of  his  several  works.  He  expressed  the  deep  regret  and 
dissatisfaction  which,  at  that  awful  time,  he  felt  in  the 
recollection  of  his  '  Moral  Philosophy.'  He  was  happy  to 
believe  that  his  '  Natural  Theology'  and  '  EA^dences  of 
Christianity'  were  sound  and  useful  works ;  but  the  book  on 
which  his  mind  then  dwelt  with  the  greatest  pleasure  was  his 
'  Horse  Paulinse.' 

"Chalmers.  '\  am  not  sui'prised  at  this.  It  is  an  ad- 
mii'able  statement  of  evidence,  and  displays  a  more  masterly 
hand  than  any  of  his  other  works.' 

*  *  *  ^  ^  ^ 

"  Dr.  Chalmers'  conversations  with  us  have  been  much  more 
frequently  about  things  than  jjersons ;  and  indeed  he  has  too 
much  intelligence  and  power  of  mind  to  descend  to  a  species 
of  conversation  commonly  called  gossip,  which  is  the  fi'equent 
refuge  of  many  whose  understandings  are  meagTely  stored 
with  information. 


iET.  43.  CHALMERIANA.  421 

"  It  is  e\'ident  that  he  is  deeply  impressed  with  the  opinion, 
that  an  overwhehnmg  tide  is  but  too  likely,  ere  long,  to  sweep 
down  many  of  our  civil,  literary,  and  religious  institutions. 
The  spirit  which  prevails  abroad,  he  apprehends  to  be  in 
somewhat  active  operation  at  home,  and  he  ascribes  its  exist- 
ence and  increase  to  the  wide  dissemination  of  superficial 
knowledge. 

"  The  new  revolution  in  France,  and  the  commotions  which 
have  since  taken  place  in  other  parts  of  Eiu'ope,  have  all 
occurred  since  our  lot  has  been  cast  in  Scotland.  They  have, 
of  com-se,  been  the  subject  of  daily  thought,  meditation,  and 
converse.  Although  there  is  much  in  these  changes,  especially 
as  regards  France,  with  which  every  liberal  mind  must  sym- 
pathize, it  is  easy  to  perceive  that  the  spirit  of  insubordination 
is  increasingly  prevalent  in  the  world.  I  fear  it  runs  through 
many  both  of  our  private  and  pul^lic  relations ;  parent  and 
child,  master  and  servant,  magistrate  and  citizen,  king  and 
subject.  It  is  probable  also  that  even  the  Christian  church  is 
affected  by  this  change  of  feeling ;  and  that  in  every  denomi- 
nation there  is  less  of  wholesome  restraint,  and  a  greater 
impatience  of  discipline,  than  was  the  case  fifty  or  a  hundred 
years  ago.  If  this  be  one  of  the  consequences  of  '  the  march 
of  mtellect,'  it  is  assm-edly  a  fearful  one ;  and  I  know  of  no 
remedy  but  the  diffusion  of  the  gospel.  The  Scriptures  will 
never  cease  to  teach  us  to  fulfil  all  our  relative  duties  aright, 
'  and  to  be  subject  one  to'  another  in  love.'  I  believe  the 
spirit  of  rebellion  against  man  to  be  intimately  associated 
with  that  of  rebellion  against  God.  That  which  can  alone 
coimteract  both  is  genuine  Christianity. 

"  We  were  favoured  one  day  with  a  call  from  a  man  of  very 
■superior  parts,  John  Brown,  the  pious  and  able  minister  here 
of  one  of  the  largest  seceding  congregations.  When  we  asked 
him,  'What  dost  thou  think  will  be  the  end  of  all  these 
national  commotions  ?'  he  answered  emphatically,  '  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  the  Lord 
and  of  his  Christ.'  To  this  scriptural  declaration  we  can  all 
set  the  seal  of  a  willing  belief;  but,  in  the  meantime,  tribula- 
tions and  trials  of  faith  may  perhaps  be   ordained   for  the 


422  DEPARTURE    FROM    EDINBURGH.  1830. 

further  purification  of  tlie  followers  of  tlie  Lamb ;  preparatory^ 
it  may  be_,  to  their  final  victory. 

"  Chalmers.  '  I  think  the  Scriptures  afford  ns  good  reason 
to  believe,,  that  the  ultimate  diffusion  of  pure  Clmstianity  in 
the  worldj  must  be  preceded  by  commotion  and  confusion^  and 
distress  of  nations.  Look  at  the  new  French  revolution. 
There  is  much  that  one  approves  at  present,  both  in  its 
tendency  and  in  its  results.  But  you  see  it  has  been  eflFected  by 
the  growth  of  merely  human  intelligence ;  by  the  working  of 
the  unregenerate  mind,  without  a  particle  of  Christian  prin- 
ciple. It  is  just  the  striving  of  the  natural  wisdom  and  pride 
of  man,  after  that  which  we  are  apt  to  conceive  to  be  the  con- 
summation of  om*  happiness,  a  condition  of  independence.  I 
am  not  one  of  those  who  underrate  the  value  of  civil  and 
political  liberty ;  but  I  am  well  assured  that  it  is  only  the 
principles  of  Christianity,  which  can  impart  true  security, 
prosperity,  and  happiness,  either  to  individuals  or  to  nations. 
I  am  prepared  to  expect,  that  on  the  efforts  which  are  now 
making  in  the  world  to  regenerate  our  species,  ivithout  I'eligion, 
God  will  impress  the  stamp  of  a  solemn  and  expressive 
mockery ' 

"  We  parted  from  our  dear  friend  Dr.  Chalmers,  his  wife, 
and  daughters,^^  writes  Joseph  John  Gumey  at  the  conclusion 
of  the  memoranda  from  which  the  above  extracts  are  taken, 
"  as  well  as  from  some  other  persons  who  have  been  endeared  to 
us  in  Edinburgh,  after  a  solemn  and  refreshing  time  of  silence, 
ministry  and  prayer,  on  the  25th  of  the  9th  month,  1830.'^ 

rroin  Edinburgh,  Joseph  John  Grurney's  course 
was  directed  to  Cumberland.  Though  not  yet  equal 
to  his  usual  amount  of  continued  exertion,  he 
attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Cocker  mouth, 
on  the  30th,  in  company  with  the  rest  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting's  Committee  for  that  county;  and 
after  a  meeting  with  the  Eriends  there  on  the 
following  morning,  he,  with  his  wife,  proceeded,  by 
way  of  Keswick,  to  Whitehaven. 


^T.  43,  KESWICK;    WHITEHAVEN;    WIGTON.  423 

"At  Keswick/'  he  ^yl•ites  in  his  Journal^  "  we  spent  an  agree- 
able and  interesting  evening  with  Robert  Southey  and  family. 
He  read  us  some  of  his  unpublished  poetry,  and  we  had  much 
conversation,  ending  with  some  reHgious  communication. 
Southe/s  rehgious  feelings  are  sincere  and  warm,  but  his 
prejudices  more  than  a  few.  On  the  whole  he  is  a  man  whom 
one  cannot  help  liking,  and  I  have  no  doubt,  that  he  engages 
the  love  of  those  who  know  him  well. 

"  On  seventh  day,  10th  mo.,  3nd,  we  di'ove  through  a  country 
of  delightful  scenery,  the  weather  being  fine,  first  round  Der- 
wentwater  and  into  Borrowdale,  and  afterwards  over  the  moun- 
tains to  Scale  Hill,  and  thence  by  Crummock  and  Lowes- water 
to  "Whitehaven ;  which  place  we  reached  in  the  evening,  weaiy, 
yet  delighted  with  orn-  journey,  and  were  hospitably  received 
by  our  dear  friends,  Jolin  and  Mary  Spencer. 

"We  continued  at  Whitehaven  until  fifth  day  morning, 
during  which  time  the  families  were  visited,  much  to  my 
comfort ;  for  there  are  many  hopeful  Friends  there,  especially 
yoimg  married  persons.  O  that  the  enemy  of  souls  may 
not  be  permitted  to  mar  the  work  !  There  was  a  good  pubhc 
meeting  on  first  day  evening,  and  a  very  solemn  young 
people's  meetmg  at  John  Spencer's.  We  parted  from  aU 
om'  dear  Fiiends  in  true  love." 

After  various  religious  engagements  at  Pardshaw 
and  Cockermouth,  and  the  neighbouring  district, 
they  went  forward  to  Wigton. 

"Our  visit  to  the  school,"*  says  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
"  was  interesting  and  satisfactory.  We  were  much  pleased  with 
•  the  yomig  master  of  the  boys;  and  the  examination  of  the 
children  on  both  sides  of  the  house  was  encouraging.  That 
of  the  boys  was  delightfid,  and  the  tenderness  of  their  minds 
was  very  remarkable.  There  appeared  to  be  prevailing  in  this 
institution  a  really  religious  influence.      May  it  more   and 

*  An  Institution  similar  in  its  object  to  the  Friends'  school  at 
Ackworth,  but  on  a  much  smaller  scale. 


424  CARLISLE;  scotby;  1830. 

more   abound  among  them  !      On  the  whole,    I    think  this 
school  has  served,  and  is  still  serving,  an  admirable  pm-pose. 
We  had  a  large  and  solemn  public  meeting  in  the  evening. 
I  was  very  poorly  in  the  night,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  conclude 
that  it  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  attend  Beckfoot  meeting, 
as  fixed,  the  next  morning ;  twelve  miles  off,  and  a  desolate 
place  on  the  sea  coast.     However  in  the  morning  our  diffi- 
culties disappeared ;  and,  after  an  early  brealdast,  we  were  on 
the  road  for  Becldbot.     On  our  arrival,  we  found  the  meeting- 
house filled  with  a  considerable  number  of  country  Friends, 
and  the  whole  of  Joseph  Saul's  school,  more  than  one  hundred 
boys,  ushers,  &c.     I  had  to  plead  earnestly  for  Christianity,  and 
for  evangelical  doctrine,  combating  with  an  infidel  spirit.     I 
hope  it  might  not  be  in  vain,  as  power  was  to  be  felt  in  the 
meeting.     That  night   we  reached  Carlisle,  and  took  up  our 
abode,    very    comfortably    to    ourselves,    with    Thomas    and 
Elizabeth    Stordy.     The  week-day    meeting   there   the   next 
morning  was  largely  attended,  and  a  searching  time.     After- 
wards we  went  to  Scotby ;  dined  with  our  dear  Friends,  Lydia 
Sutton  and  Tabitha  Irwin,  and  held  a  meeting  there  in  the  after- 
noon ;  which  to  me  was  painfully  exercising,  but  ended  in  peace. 
Sixth  day  was  spent  in  a  long  excursion  to  Solport  and 
Kii-klington  meetings.     It  proved  one  of  our  most  interest- 
ing days.     Both  these  meetings  were  once  large,  but  are  now 
mere  relics,  especially  Solport,  on  the  borders  of  Scotland. 
There  is,  however,  a  valuable  little  body  of  Friends ;   and  we 
had  particular  pleasure  in  visiting  John  and  Peggy  Story,  at 
Moss-side ;  Friends  in  a  very  humble  line  of  life,  true  originals, 
and  alive  to  that  which  is  good.     On  our  way  to  Kirklington 
we  drank  tea  at  four  o'clock  with  some  other  friends,  not  much 
above  them  in   worldly  dignity,    Richard  Graham    and   his 
worthy  wife,  little  shopkeepers  by  the  road-side ;  and,  after  an 
exercising  meeting,  walked  across  the  country  to  old  William 
Dodson's,  where  we  met,  in  their  neat  little  kitchen,  an  agree- 
able company  of  simple  hearted  Friends.    After  a  solemn  little 
meeting,  we  parted  from  them  in  much  love,  and  returned  to 
Carlisle,  where  seventh  day  was  passed  in  writing,  rest,  and 
family  visits.  ^  ^  "^  * 


JET.  43.  PENRITH  J    KENDAL.  425 

On  fifth  day  morning  we  left  Carlisle  and  proceeded  to 
Gillfoot  meeting,  about  sixteen  miles,  over  a  fine  country ;  the 
weather  being  inclement.    We  met  a  poor  little  scattered  flock, 
the  rain  pom-ing,  and  the  large  old  meeting  house  being  now 
the  pictm-e  of  desolation.     We  dined  at  Joseph  Priestman^s ; 
and  in  the  afternoon  proceeded,  under  the  guidance  of  his  son, 
to  Penrith ;  where  we  took  up  oirr  abode  in  the  peaceful  dwell- 
ing of  our  dear  aged  friends  EUzabeth  Ritson  and  Hannah 
Walker,  who,  with  their  niece  Hannah  Hayton,  received  us 
most  hospitably.     We  much  enjoyed  the  company  of  this 
interesting  and  truly  pecidiar  trio ;  especially  that  of  E.  Ritson, 
who,    in   her    ninety-thii-d    year,    is    all    aUve,    intellectually 
and   spiritually,   and  a  cheerfid,  well  informed   companion. 
Meetings   at   Penrith,    with   Friends  in   the   morning,    and 
the  public  in  the  evening,  brought  close  exercise  of  mind. 
I  also  visited   most  of  their  Uttle  flock  (a  comfortable  body 
of  Friends)    in  their  own  houses.     Thomas  Wilkinson  met 
us    at    E.    Ritson's    in   the   morning,    and    although  almost 
entirely    blind     and    very    infirm,     he    is    very     cheerful; 
doing   credit    to   the    cause    of  truth,    which  is    so  near  to 
his   heart.     On   seventh  day,  after  a  visit   to   the  Beacon, 
and  also  to  the  workhouse,  two  stages,  through  a  wild  moun- 
tainous country,  brought  us  to  Kendal ;  where  we  met  a  cordial 
recejation  from  om^  dear  cousins,  W.  D.  and  Sarah  Crewdson. 
At  their  house  we  lodged  seven  nights;  and  six  days  were 
passed  amongst  Friends  of  that  place,  in  very  close  exercise 
and   labour.      There    was   a  true    baptism   on   the  young; 
especially,  perhaps,  on  many  of  the  young  men.    The  meetings 
with  Friends  were,  I  trust,  good  ones ;   particularly  one  on 
fifth    day   morning,    in   which    the   wondi'ous   machinery  of 
Christian  motives  was  set  in  order  before  me,  and  tlu-ough 
me,  before  others.     In  three  successive  evening  meetings  with 
the  yoimg,  I  had  to  consider  the  questions,  "  Why  am  1  a 
Christian,"    and    "Why    am   I    a    Quaker?"— the   external 
evidences  of  Christianity  ;    the  internal  e\ddences ;   (including 
a  statement  of  essential  doctrine;)  and  the  principles  of  Friends. 
They  were  times  of  arduous  exercise  of  mind  to  me,  but  I 
trust  were  of  some  use  in  the  way  of  teaching.     A  large  pubKc 


436  MANCHESTER;    RETURN     HOME.  1830. 

meeting  on  first  day  evening  also  passed  off  well.  My  subject 
was  "  As  in  Adam  all  die^  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive." 
We  greatly  prized  the  society  of  our  friends  and  numerous 
relatives. 

On  seventh  day,  10th  mo.,  30th,  Sarah  W.  Crewdson 
accompanied  us  to  Manchester.  We  were  somewhat  cheered 
on  our  way,  by  a  visit  to  the  Female  Penitentiary  in  Lancaster 
Castle,  where  we  had  a  heart-melting,  though  short  meeting, 
with  about  fifty  poor  criminals.  We  arrived  safely  at  night 
at  the  peaceful  dwelling  of  our  dear  friends  the  Dockrays,  at 
Ardwick. 

The  next  day,  first  day  the  31st,  was  to  me  an  arduous 
one.  Upwards  of  500  at  the  morning  meeting ;  a  large  mixed 
flock,  with  very  few  shepherds.  The  loss  of  Isaac  Stephenson 
greatly  to  be  felt  and  deplored.  We  dined  and  spent  the 
afternoon  with  our  dear  friends,  I.  and  E.  Crewdson;  and  in 
the  evening  there  was  a  vast  public  meeting,  about  2000 
people,  respectable  and  quiet.  I  felt  very  calm  on  taking  my 
seat ;  and  voice  as  well  as  inward  power  were  graciously  given 
to  me,  to  plead  for  "baptism,  the  true  and  living  baptism, 
into  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost."  There  was  afterwards  much  solemnity  to  be  felt  in 
prayer. 

They  returned  to  Earlliam  by  way  of  Melksliam 
and  London,  arriving  at  home  on  the  16th  of  the 
11th  month. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

12tli  mo.,  6th,  1830. 
I  was  pleased  with  thy  sketch  of  the  grand  scenery  of  some 
of  our  northern  comities ;  and  thy  connecting  it  with  a  line 
from  a  beautiful  and  devout  passage  of  my  favourite  Cowper, 
made  it  not  the  less  acceptable.  There,  too,  it  seems,  thou 
hast  found  a  poet's  comer,  surrounded  by  mountain,  lake,  and 
river.  In  many  respects,  I  think  such  a  situation  must  be  very 
favourable  to  hterary  pursuits,  if,  by  thus  abstracting  the  mind 
fr'om  practical  subjects,  it  does  not  too  much  favour  dreaming. 


^T.  43.  DEATH    OF    JOSEPH    GURNEY.  427 

It  might  be  well  that  thou  wast  there^  and  that  thou 
hadst  an  opportunity  of  endeavouring  to  rouse  a  certain 
celebrated  autlior  from  some  of  his  reveries ;  into  which, 
whilst  I  acknowledge  his  talents,  I  thmk  he  has  proved 
himself  liable  to  fall,  perhaps  both  in  prose  and  in  verse.  To 
some  such  cause  may  probably  be  attributed  his  classing 
Friends,  as  I  think  he  has  done,  in  his  Book  of  the  Chm*ch, 
among  the  ^'^ crazier"  sects.  If  neither  to  slumber  nor  to 
absence  of  mind,  to  what  must  we  ascribe  this  strange 
expression?  I  can  find  only  one  other  solution — that  the 
discipline  of  our  society,  which,  by  way  of  distinction,  we  may 
call  its  morality,  and  for  which  he  gives  us  high  credit,  was 
intelligible  to  his  understanding;  whilst  the  more  spiritual 
parts  of  oiu'  profession,  or  its  di\inity,  may  have  been  as 
little  comprehended  by  him  as  was  the  worship  of  the  early 
Chi'istians  by  those  who  called  it  heresy ;  or  the  reasoning  of 
the  apostle  before  Agrippa,  when  Festus  thought  him  mad. 

The  close  of  the  year  was  marked  by  the  decease 
of  his  uncle  Joseph  Gurney;  which  took  place, 
very  suddenly,  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  of  the 
12th  month.  Joseph  John  Gurney  afterwards 
writes : — 

12th  mo.,  27th.  I  saw  my  dear  uncle  last  on  fifth  day. 
He  was  sUent  at  our  meeting ;  which  was,  however,  a  solemn 
one :  Lucy  Aggs  was  well  engaged  in  ministry  on  the 
sufierings  of  oiu"  Redeemer.  My  uncle  expressed  to  me 
afterwards  his  satisfaction  in  her  testimony.  He  was 
nucommonly  glowing  and  tender.  I  met  him  at  the  Mag- 
dalen Committee,  and  walked  with  him  thence  to  the  bank. 
How  Httle  did  I  imagine  that  I  should  next  see  him 
stretched  on  the  floor,  a  corpse  ! 

Mild,  cheerful,  universally  benevolent,  strong  in  sense, 
in  principle,  and  in  manly  fortitude ;  he  was,  above  all,  the 
tender,  broken,  and  humble  Christian.  His  humility  was  the 
most  conspicuous  feature   of  his  character ;  and   his  lovely 


428  JOSEPH    GURNEY.  1830. 

temper  threw  a  gleam  of  sunshine  over  every  person  and  thing 
aroimcl  him.  To  associate  with  him  has  long  been  one  of  my 
greatest  delights  and  privileges;  and  there  was  no  one  to 
whom  I  was  so  much  accustomed  to  look  for  protection, 
advice,  and  help.  I  have  sometimes  been  ready  to  conclude 
that  I  could  not  do  without  him;  but  I  desire  to  bow 
submissively  imder  the  stroke ;  and  the  cutting  of  a  string, 
at  once  so  strong  and  so  tender,  wiU,  I  hope,  be  the  means  of 
compelling  a  yet  nearer  approach  to  the  Fountain  of  all  Good. 
My  dear  uncle's  ministry  has  increased  in  brightness  as  he 
advanced  in  age  and  experience.  It  was  to  me  a  source  of 
lively  pleasure,  as  well  as  edification.  On  the  whole,  nothing 
is  so  cheering,  among  many  cheering  things  in  the  retrospect, 
as  the  clear  views  which  he  has  of  later  times  evinced,  of  the 
fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity ;  and  especially  of  the 
exceeding  great  preciousness  of  that  blood  "  which  cleauseth 
from  all  sin."  This  was  the  subject  of  a  short  but  memorable 
address  which  he  delivered  to  our  young  men  at  the  close  of 
our  last  Preparative  Meeting.  May  it  have  simk  deeply  into 
many  hearts ! 


^T.  43.  JOURNAL.  429 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

1830—1831.     ^T.  43. 

PITBLICATIOjSr  OF  THE  BIBLICAL  NOTES  AND  DISSERTATIONS;  LETTEES 
EESPECTING  THEM;  WORK  UPON  THE  SABBATH;  EELIGIOTJS  ENGAGE- 
MENTS AT  BRISTOL;  "TEACHING"  MEETINGS;  LETTER  TO  HIS  SON, 
DESCRIBING  AN  ETENING  AT  CAMBRIDGE  AND  A  MORNING  AT 
OXFORD. 

1*^  mo.,  \st,  1831.  The  commencement  of  the  new  year  is 
marked  indeed.  I  hope  I  do  not  enter  upon  it  heedlessly. 
Forgiveness  for  the  past^  and  help  for  the  future,  are  what 
I  have  to  crave  at  the  hands  of  a  most  merciftJ  God  and 
Father.  When  rejoicing  predominates,  let  us  not  forget  to 
tremble.  When  trembling  more  especially  is  our  lot,  let  us 
still  endeavour  to  rejoice  ! 

First  day  night.     \st  mo.,  SOth.     This  afternoon has 

been  our  agreeable  guest  at  Earlham ;  having  been  brought  to 
Norwich  by  the  death  of  a  sister-in-law.  We  called  for  her 
at  the  Roman  Catholic  chapel,  out  of  which  a  large  crowd  was 
issuing;  and  from  her  account  it  appears  they  are  making 
many  converts.  What  a  strange  tendency  there  is  in  man  to 
believe  too  much  or  too  little ;  or,  in  other  words,  to  Popery 
or  Infidelity  !  Yet  these  extremes  are  often  foimd  to  meet.  I 
do  believe  there  is  much  amongst  this  people  of  an  honest 
seriousness  and  pursuit  of  eternal  things ;  but  they  appear  to 
lose  sight  of  the  distinction  between  things  contrary  to  reason, 
and  things  beyond  reason.  The  doctrine  of  the  Atonement  is 
beyond  reason.     May  I  be  preserved  from  ever  doubting  it ! 


430  BIBLICAL  NOTES  1830. 

Transubstantiation  is  contrary  to  reason.  Therefore,  as  reason 
is  a  divine  gift,  I  consider  that  I  have  divine  authority  for 
rejecting  it. 

The  composition  of  the  Biblical  Notes  and  Dis- 
sertations, chiefly  intended  to  confirm  and  illustrate 
the  Doctrine  of  the  Deity  of  Christ,  had  been  occu- 
pying Joseph  John  Gurney's  leisure  for  several  years. 
This  work  was  at  length  published  in  the  year  1830. 
Though  designed  principally  for  learned  readers,  the 
first  edition  sold  rapidly ;  and  a  second,  with  a  few 
corrections  and  additions,  was  published  in  1833. 
In  the  twenty-one  chapters  or  dissertations  of  which 
the  volume  is  composed,  the  author  has  carefully 
collected  and  arranged  a  large  amount  of  evidence, 
historical  and  critical,  on  some  of  the  most  inter- 
esting and  important  topics  of  biblical  research. 
The  canonical  authority  of  the  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews ;  the  eternal  pre-existence  of  "the  Word;" 
the  illustrations  which  this  doctrine  receives  from 
the  Chaldee  Targums,  and  from  the  theological 
literature  of  the  later  Jews ;  the  glorious  character 
and  attril)utes  of  Christ,  as  the  Creator  of  the  world, 
as  the  "image  of  the  invisible  God,"  as  the  "angel 
of  the  covenant,"  as  our  "  great  God  and  Saviour," 
and  as  he  is  "  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever," 
together  with  the  various  testimonies  of  Scripture 
relating  to  these  momentous  questions,  are  severally 
treated  with  great  depth  and  clearness ;  nor  are  the 
dissertations  on  the  important  and  difficult  pro- 
phecies in  Isaiah  vii,  viii,  ix ;  on  the  prophecy  of 
Jeremiah  xxiii,  5,  6  ;  and  on  the  correct  reading  of 
the  original  text  of  the  memorable  declaration  of 
the  apostle  Paul,  1  Tim.  iii,  16,  less  interesting  and 


MT.  43.  AND    DISSERTATIONS.  431 

instructive.*  The  whole  is  concluded  by  a  chapter 
in  which  the  practical  importance  of  faith  in  the 
Deity  of  Christ  is  powerfully  stated  and  enforced. 
The  spirit  which  pervades  the  work  is  admirably 
expressed  in  the  motto  from  Athanasius,  selected 
for  the  title-page.  In  the  preface  it  is  translated 
as  follows  : — 

'^I  know  that  lie  (the  Lord  Jesus  Christ)  is  truly  God,  from 
heaven,  impassible.  I  know  that  he  was  of  the  seed  of  David, 
according  to  the  flesh,  man,  and  passible.  I  do  not  inquire 
how  the  same  person  is  both  passible  and  impassible ;  hovj  he  is 
both  God  and  man ;  lest  whilst  I  busy  myself  about  the  how, 
and  am  investigating  the  mode,  I  should  miss  of  that  good 
THING  which  is  set  before  us." 

''•'  The  more  recent  researches  of  the  learned  do  not  appear  to  sup- 
port the  conclusion  at  which  Joseph  John  Gurney  arrives  in  his 
elaborate  defence,  (pp.  372 — 410,)  of  the  common  reading,  0goV 
i(pa,y&^&/d}],  in  1  Tim.  iii,  16,  against  the  criticisms  of  Griesbach. 
It  seems  now  clearly  ascertained  that  the  original  reading  of  the 
codices  A  and  C,  is  QC,  not  OC  ;  and  several  other  of  the  authori- 
ties on  which  Joseph  John  Gurney  relied,  in  support  of  the  received 
text,  are  now  discovered  to  be  favourable  to  the  other  reading.  The 
evidence  will  be  found  briefly  but  clearly  summed  up  in  a  valuable 
communication  with  which  Dr.  Tregelles  has  kindly  favoured  me, 
printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  present  volume.  (See  Appendix  A.) 
Those  who  desire  a  more  complete  discussion  may  consult  the  recent 
work  of  Dr.  Davidson  on  BibHcal  Criticism,  vol.  ii,  pp.  382 — 403. 
Without  venturing  to  differ  from  such  authorities,  they  whose 
opportunities  do  not  admit  of  such  investigations,  may  take  comfort 
in  remembermg  that  the  doctrine  of  the  Deity  of  Christ  is  so  firmly 
groimded  upon  other  evidence,  altogether  conclusive  in  its  character, 
that,  to  use  Joseph  John  Gurney' s  language,  "  it  is  wholly  unneces- 
sary to  insist  on  any  passage  of  Scripture,"  in  support  of  it,  "of 
which  the  reading  is  justly  liable  to  dispute."  (Biblical  Notes,  p.  373. ) 
Dr.  Tregelles  adds  his  strong  testimony  to  the  general  excellence  of 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  work.  "  Thoroughly,"  he  observes,  "  as  the 
field  of  criticism  has  since  changed,  the  value  of  that  book  remains." 


432  BIBLICAL  NOTES  1830—1831. 

"My  own  attainments  in  Biblical  criticism/'  observes  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  "  are  by  no  means  great.  Yet  I  know  enough 
of  that  pursuit  to  be  thoroughly  convinced  that,  when  con- 
ducted on  just  principles,  it  will  never  support  those  novel 
explanations  of  Holy  Writ  which  have  been  seized  upon  with 
eagerness  by  modern  writers  of  a  speculative  turn.  If  I  am 
not  greatly  mistaken,  it  condemns  all  the  floating  fancies  of  the 
sceptic,  and  ranges  itself  on  the  side  of  that  soimd  and  simple 
interpretation  of  Scripture,  which  has  been  familiar,  in  aU 
ages  of  the  Church,  to  the  humble  followers  of  a  crucified 
Redeemer." 

It  is  not  needful  to  dwell  upon  the  commendation 
of  a  work  whicli  cannot  fail  to  be  highly  valued  by 
the  sound  Biblical  scholar.  The  present  notice  of  it 
might,  however,  appear  imperfect  if,  from  amongst 
the  numerous  letters  received  upon  its  publication, 
a  few  were  not  here  presented  to  the  reader. 

FROM     DANIEL    WILSON, 

(now  Bishop  of  Calcutta.) 

October  27th,  (1830.) 

^  -jf  -sf  J  jjja^y  ^gi2  yQ^^  jjQ^  very  much  I  have  been  gratified 
by  the  entire  perusal.  I  wish  you  could  go  on  to  some  other 
line  of  scriptural  passages,  on  the  same  or  some  other  kindred 
subject.  The  bishops  of  London  and  SaHsbury^  have  expressed 
their  warmest  approbation. 

FROM    CHARLES    SIMEON. 

K.  C,  February  4th,  1831. 
My  BELOVED  Friend, 

Not  I  only,  but  the  whole  Cln'istian  world  are 
greatly  indebted  to  you.  How  you  ever  found  time  for  such 
research  I  cannot  imagine.     But  God  has  given  you  industry, 

*  This  was  the  late  Bishop  Burgess,  from  whom,  as  well  as  from 
the  Bishop  of  London,  and  several  others  of  the  English  bishops, 
Joseph  John  Gurney  himself  received  testimonials  of  their  high  value 
of  the  work. 


JET.  43.  BIBLICAL    NOTES.  433 

and  what  in  such  labours  is  of  no  less  value^  method ;  and  by 
these  you  have  accomplished  what  puts  us  ministers  all  to 
shame.  I  am  quite  delighted  with  the  clearness  of  your 
statements^  and  with  the  temperance  and  candour  with  which 
you  treat  those  from  whom  you  differ.  I  think  no  one  will 
henceforth  hesitate  to  ascribe  to  its  true  author,  the  epistle  to 
the  Hebrews.  For  all  your  criticisms  I  thank  you  from  my 
inmost  soul,  but  most  especially  for  that  on  Blayney's 
interpretation  of  Jer.  xxiii,  6.  I  had  exceedingly  grudged 
him  that  text,  and  lamented  that  I  was  not  able  to  rescue  it 
from  his  grasp.  And  all  who  love  oui"  most  adorable  Saviour 
will  bless  you  for  the  service  you  have  in  this  instance  rendered 
to  the  Church.  Had  I  conceived  that  yoiu'  powers  were  such 
as  I  now  see  them  to  be,  I  should  never  have  dared  to  ad^dse, 
as  I  did  about  nine  years  ago,  that  your  productions  should 
wait  for  the  nonum  annum.  But  I  do  not  repent  of  my 
rashness,  for  time  has  not  only  matured,  but  greatly  increased 
your  researches,  and  enabled  you  to  bring  them  forth  to  far 
greater  advantage.  May  God  of  his  infinite  mercy  long 
protract  your  life,  that  you  may  render  yet  greater  and  greater 
ser\dces  to  his  cause.  I  am  most  thankful  to  have  such  books 
as  that  and  your  last,  to  recommend  to  the  young  students  of 
the  University. 

And  now,  my  beloved  friend,  let  me  say,  that,  whilst  I 
admire,  and  honour,  and  love  the  talents  with  which  God  in 
his  mercy  has  endowed  you,  I  feel  anxious  that  you  should 
carefrdly  bear  in  mind  what  line  of  labour  that  is.  It  is  of 
immense  use  to  the  Church  of  God;  but  it  may  be  followed 
too  exclusively  as  it  respects  your  own  soul.  Do  not  mistake 
me.  I  do  not  intend  to  intimate,  in  the  sUghtest  degree,  that 
such  pursuits  must  operate  to  the  disadvantage  of  your  soul  in 
its  devotional  feelings,  but  only  to  suggest,  with  truly  brotherly 
affection,  that  they  may.  Vitam  perdidi  operose  nihil  agendo, 
was  the  dying  complaint  of  a  great  critic;  and  therefore  it 
will  be  well  to  bear  in  mind,  that  the  species  of  research, 
which  God  has  so  wonderfully  enabled  you  to  prosecute,  may, 
by  possibility,  become  a  snare,  and  rob  the  soul  whilst  it  is 
furnishing  the  mind.     It  may  doubtless  be  united,  as  I  am 

F    F 


434  BIBLICAL  NOTES.  1831. 

well  assured  it  is  in  you,  with  much  devotional  feeling,  and  be 

as  great  a  hlessing  to  yourself  as  it  is  to  the  world ;  but  as 

there  is  a  possibility  of  giving  it  too  exclusive  a  place  in  your 

heart,  I  venture,  with   all   humility  and  in  tender  love,  to 

suggest  the  idea  to  your  mind :    and  I  the  rather  do  this 

because,  whilst  others  may  be  afraid  of  offering  such  a  hint,  I 

am  no  more  afraid  of  your  imputing  it  to  me  for  evil,  or 

feeling  offended  at  it,  than  I  am  afraid  of  such  a  reception  of 

it  at  the  hands  of  my  heavenly  Father."^     If  you  needed  any 

proof,  you  would  find  in  it  a  proof  with  what  truly  Christian 

regard  I  am 

Your  much  edified  disciple, 

and  your  most  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

C.  Simeon. 

FROM    ABRAHAM    RAWLINSON    BARCLAY. 

Leytonstone,  28tli  1st  mo.,  1831. 

■^  "^  *  I  have  been  reading  at  my  ease  thy  last  work,  and 
have  been  much  interested  with  some  of  the  Essays,  especially 
the  critical  parts,  which  form  a  very  valuable  addition,  I  think, 
to  our  BibUcal  criticisms.  Number  sixteen  I  have  noted, f 
particiilarly  the  latter  half,  parts  of  which  are  beautifully 
striking.  ^  *  ^  With  thy  motto  from  Athanasius  I  have  often 
finished  off  my  reading ;  and  again  and  again  with  deep  profit. 

FROM    HENRY    HUNTINGFORD. 

Winchester,  June  27tli,  1832. 

Though  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  your  acquaintance,  yet 
the  perusal  of  your  works  on  Christianity  has  made  me  feel 
for  you  something  much  more  than  respect, — a  very  great 
esteem.     But  my  object  in  troubling  you  with  this  letter,  is 

*  How  much  alive  Joseph  John  Gumey  was  to  these  considerations 
his  Journal  bears  ample  testimony.  But  the  faithfulness  and  love 
which  this  letter  breathes,  may  surely  be  classed  among  the  fruits  of 
that  "one  Spirit  "  which  circulates  through  the  various  members  of 
the  "one  body"  of  Christ. 

I  On  the  Prophecies  of  Isaiah,  in  chap,  vii,  viii,  and  ix. 


^T.  43.  BIBLICAL    NOTES,  435 

to  mention  to  you  that,  had  my  beloved  and  revered  relative, 
the  late  Bishop  of  Hereford,  lived  longer,  you  would  have 
received  a  letter  from  him  expressing  the  very  great  satisfac- 
tion he  had  derived  from  reading  your  two  volumes;^  the 
sentiments  of  which  I  have  heard  him  often  say,  exactly 
corresponded  with  his  own.  He  delighted  in  your  strenuous 
support  of  Ssog  l(pavio(ijd7i^  and  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews ; 
and  in  the  exalted  notions  you  entertain  of  the  divine  nature 
and  supreme  and  uncreated  dignity  of  that  blessed  Saviour, 
in  whose  merits  alone  man  can  find  refuge  or  hope.  It  was 
my  dear  relative's  habit,  not  to  thank  any  author  for  sending 
a  work  till  he  had  read  it  through ;  which  he  had  not  had 
sufficient  leisure  to  do  with  yours,  till  lately.  He  had  half 
finished  a  letter  to  you,  containing  some  remarks  on  various 
passages,  when  it  pleased  a  merciful  Proridence  to  call  him 
from  this  state  of  trial,  into  the  presence  of  that  being,  m 
whom,  though  he  had  not  seen  him,  he  so  firmly  believed, 
and  so  affectionately  confided. 

To  return  to  the  Journal : — 

2nd  mo.,  6th.  Some  praises  bestowed  upon  me  in  the 
Quarterly  Review  are  mixed  with  abuse  of  the  sect  to  which  I 
belong.  There  is  often  to  be  observed  a  tendency  in  the  world, 
to  exalt  indiridual  Quakers,  and  utterly  to  ti'ample  on  the 
principles  which  give  birth  to  what  Httle  good  may  be  fomid 
in  them.  May  we  be  content  to  be  accounted  fools  for  our 
Redeemer's  sake !  And  may  we  be  increasingly  delivered 
from  everything  in  religion,  which  is  not  pure  and  simple 
Christianity  ! 

2nd  mo.,  20th.  A  fortnight  since  I  wrote.  I  find  it 
difficult  to  catch  time  in  its  rapid  flight.  What  a  ceaseless 
stream  is  bearing  me  onwards  to  eternity  !  On  sixth  day  the 
11th,  I  went  with  my  dear  sister  Fry,  (who  had  been  staying 
with  us,)  to  Upton,  reading  the  Chalmeriana  as  we  joiu-neyed. 
It  was  a  privilege  to  enjoy  her  society  quietly.      In  London 

*  The  Essays  on  Christianity,  and  the  Biblical  Xotes. 

F    F    2 


436  JOURNAL.  1831. 

and  its  neighbourliood,  many  duties,  some  pain,  and  more 
pleasure,  awaited  me.  An  anti-slavery  party  at  Buxton's, 
with  a  view  of  arranging  his  parliamentary  proceedings,  was  a 
lively  and  interesting  occasion.  Present,  Mackintosh,  Lush- 
ington.  Lord  Calthorpe,  Lord  Nugent,  Macaulay,  (father  and 
son,)  Evans,  Briscoe,  Wood,  Sykes,  Weyland,  (all  M.P's.,) 
Daniel  Wilson,  Richard  Watson,  Burnet  from  Ireland, 
James  Cropper,  Samuel  Hoare,  my  brother  Samuel,  and 
myself.  I  was  glad  to  be  enabled  to  give  the  discussion  a 
turn  in  a  way  that  helped  Fowell,  our  leader  and  chief 
labourer. 

2nd  mo.,  2Sth.  My  studies  have  been  in  some  degree 
prospered;  and  the  subject  of  the  Sabbath,  on  which  I  am 
now  writing,  has  become  deeply  interesting  to  me.  Yesterday 
was  a  solemn  sabbath  indeed,  especially  at  the  morning 
meeting,  in  which  the  apostolic  declaration  that  "whether 
we  live  or  die,  we  are  the  Lord's,"  was  treated  of  as  a  "  two- 
edged  sword,"  (Heb.  iv.)  for  the  alarm  of  the  ungodly,  and 
for  the  consolation  of  the  afflicted.  In  our  evening  reading, 
also,  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  state  were  much  before  us. 
I  earnestly  pray,  that  the  truth  of  these  things  may  be  brought 
home  to  my  own  spirit. 

Srd  mo.,  20th.  First  day  morning.  What  an  amazing 
pri\dlege  for  so  poor  and  vile  a  creature  as  I  am,  to  be  per- 
mitted to  hold  intercourse  with  a  being  of  perfect  purity,  and 
infinite  power  and  glory.  How  could  it  be  so,  were  it  not  for 
him  who  is  the  way  ?  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all 
that  is  vrithin  me,  bless  his  holy  name  !"  *  ^  Age  is  beginning 
to  make  perceptible  inroads  upon  us  aU.  May  we  be  pre- 
pared for  every  change  that  can  befall  these  short-lived  bodies! 
It  is  cheering  to  believe,  and  certainly  to  know  (on  the  sure 
evidence  of  God's  promise)  that  if  we  live  and  die  in  Christ, 
we  shall  be  made  partakers  of  a  glorious  resurrection,  and 
shall  inhabit  spiritual  bodies,  Hke  unto  the  body  of  our  Lord, 
glorious  and  incorruptible.  Christ  has  abolished  the  whole 
law  of  death.     "  Thy  dead  men  shall  live,"  &c.,  Isa.  xxvi,  19. 

Afternoon.  The  morning  meeting  was  to  me  unusually 
solemn,  and  I  humbly  hope  the  language  of  invitation  and 


JET.   43.  WORK  UPON  THE  SABBATH.  437 

exhortation  was  not  held  out  in  vain.  Yet  I  have  feared  lest 
in  the  flow  of  the  gift,  I  should  in  any  degree  lose  sight  of 
simplicity  and  humility.  How  needful  to  abide  in  them,  even 
as  the  little  child. 

TJiird  day  morning,  fSrd  mo.,  22nd. J  Having  felt  a  lively 
interest  in  the  parliamentary  reform  question,  I  wrote  a  long 
letter  on  the  subject  to  Lord  Calthorpe,  but  have  been  this 
morning  called  home  to  my  centre,  and  reminded  that  much 
of  these  matters  is  not  my  business.  Rather  let  me  leave  all 
with  prayer  to  the  gracious  care  of  my  God  and  Saviour. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year  he  was  closely 
engaged,  in  preparing  for  the  press  his  work  upon 
the  Sabbath. 

''When  the  Biblical  Notes  were  completed,"  he  writes  in 
his  Autobiography,  "^  I  believed  it  right  to  direct  my  studies 
to  a  subordinate  point  of  no  smaU  practical  importance,  the 
History,  Authority,  and  Use  of  the  Sabbath  day.  The  investi- 
gation occupied  the  leism'e  of  a  full  winter,  and  my  httle 
work  on  this  subject  was  the  result .■^' 

"The  Original  Sabbath,  the  Sabbath  under  the  Mosaic 
Law,  and  the  Sabbath  under  the  Gospel,  are  there  severally 
examined  with  a  good  deal  of  pains  and  attention.  The 
general  conclusion  in  which  the  pui'suit  of  this  study  fully 
confirmed  me  was,  that  the  practice  of  setting  apart  one- 
seventh  part  of  time,  for  the  special  pm-poses  of  rest  and 
worship,  belongs  to  that  law  of  the  Lord  which  changes  not ; 
that  it  is  no  affair  of  expediency,  but  clearly  a  duty  which 
has  received  the  divine  sanction  from  the  beginning.  Yet,  I 
think,  there  is  abundant  authority,  under  the  Gospel,  both  for 

*  The  title  of  the  work  is,  Brief  Remarks  on  the  History, 
Authority,  and  Use  of  the  Sabbath.  The  first  edition  was  pubHshed 
in  the  spring  of  1831,  and  numerous  editions  have  been  subse- 
quently issued.  It  has  been  reprinted  and  largely  circulated  in 
the  United  States,  with  a  preface  and  notes  by  the  late  Moses 
Stuart. 


438  WORK    UPON    THE    SABBATH.  1831. 

the  relaxation  of  legal  strictness  in  this  matter,  and  for  the 
change  of  day  from  the  seventh,  a  day  of  death  to  the 
SaAdour,  to  the  first  of  the  week;  when  he  afresh  displayed 
his  glorious  power  by  his  resurrection  from  the  dead.  Of 
that  most  important  event,  the  Christian  Sabbath,  held  on  the 
first  day  of  each  week,  has  been  a  Hving  and  effective,  though 
silent  witness,  in  each  succeeding  age  of  the  Church;  and 
will,  I  doubt  not,  continue  to  be  so,  until  she  is  finally 
glorified  where  the  Sabbath  never  ceases.-' 

"I   wish  it  to  be  distinctly  miderstood,"  he  remarks  on 

another   occasion,   "  that   in    sometimes    applying   the   term 

Sabbath  to  the  first  day  of  the  week,  as  it  is  observed  among 

Christians,  I  have  had  a  view  to  the  simple  meaning  of  the 

Hebrew  word,  viz  :    ^  cessation   from  labour.'     And,  while  I 

am  of  the  judgment  that  the  setting  apart  of  one  day,  after 

every  recurring  period  of  six  days  of  labour,  for  the  blessed 

piurposes  of  rest  and  worship,  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  matter 

of  mere  expediency,  but  as  a  moral  and  religious  duty,  truly 

belonging  to  the  law  of  oiir  God ;  I  frdly  unite  in  the  sentiment 

expressed  by  Robert  Barclay,  and  others  of  our  early  Friends, 

that  no  one  portion  of  time  ought  to  be  regarded  by  Christians 

as  in  itself  holier  than  another;  that  all  our  time  is  the 

Lord's;  and  that,  ceasing  from  our  own  wicked  works,  and  all 

the  willing  and  running  of  the  carnal  mind,  we  must  press 

forward'  after  that  glorious  rest,   (typified  by  the  sabbath  of 

the  Jews,)  of  which  a  precious  foretaste  is  bestowed  even  here ; 

and  which  is  perfected,  for  the  people  of  God,  in  the  world  to 

come."'^ 

FROM    SIR    FRANCIS    PALGRAVE. 

July  30th,  1831. 

I  cannot  deny  myself  the  pleasure  of  addressing  you  on  the 
subject  of  your  late  little  work.  It  is  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  thoroughly  argumentative  and  conclusive  of  any  of  the 
productions  of  a  similar  kind ;  and,  under  Providence,  we  may 

^  Letter  to  Stephen  A.  Chase,  dated  7th  mo.,  26th,  1846. 


^T.  43.  RELIGIOUS    ENGAGEMENTS    IN    BRISTOL.  439 

hope  that  its  utility  will  equal  its  merits.  The  seventh  day- 
cycle  must  have  been  adopted  simultaneously  (if  such  a  term 
can  be  used)  by  all  the  different  nations  who  adopt  it,  because 
they  all  seem  to  have  had  the  same  starting  point.  The  first 
day  of  the  Hindoos  is  the  same  actual  first  day  as  that  of  the 
Jews,  or  of  the  Teutonic  nations.  Had  it  been  merely 
arbitrary,  nations  might  have  agreed  in  employing  the  same 
cycle,  but  their  starting  points  would  not  necessarily  have  been 
imiform.  "^  -^  In  London  the  evil  arising  from  Sunday  papers 
is  incalculable,  though  it  is  hopeless  to  attempt  any  legislative 
remedy. 

In  the  Spring  of  this  year  lie  believed  himself 
called  into  religious  service  in  the  West  of  England, 
particularly  at  Bristol  and  its  neighbourhood.  After 
alluding  to  the  "deep  conflict"  into  which  his  mind 
had  been  plunged  in  reference  to  this  engagement, 
he  says : — 

O  that  I  may  be  for  ever  delivered  from  my  own  willings 
and  runnings,  and  have  faith  to  follow  the  clue  which  is 
leading  me,  I  trust,  through  the  mazes  of  life  to  a  joyful 
eternity. 

Whilst  absorbed  in  his  labours  at  Bristol,  one  of 
his  nephews,  resident  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lon- 
don, was  seized  with  a  violent  attack  of  illness. 

"  Were  my  engagements  of  a  different  kmd,"  he  writes  to 
his  sister  Catherine,  then  in  London,  "  it  would  be  the  greatest 
happiness  that  I  could  have,  imder  the  circumstances,  to  be 
with  my  dearest  brother  and  sister ;  whose  concerns  you  all 
know  to  be  as  near  to  me  as  almost  anything  in  life,  and 
I  believe  as  life  itself.  But  I  dare  not  quit  my  work  at 
present.*  I  never  before,  that  I  remember,  set  my  hand  to 
so  weighty  an  engagement." 

*'  This  sentence  is  slightly  transposed. 


440  MEETINGS    WITH    THE    YOUNG.  1831 

In  his  Autobiograpliy  he  writes,  in  allusion  to 
this  period : — 

About  270  visits  were  paid  to  the  famihes  of  Friends ;  many- 
public  and  other  meetings  were  held ;  and  the  conclusion  was 
marked  by  great  peace,  and  the  general  love  and  imity  of  my 
friends.  I  met  with  some  interesting  persons  at  Bristol 
besides  Friends;  among  others,  Conybeare,  the  geologist; 
and  Dr.  Prichard,  the  author  of  the  Physical  History  of 
Man,  &c. :  persons  in  whose  hands  science,  of  prime  order, 
comes  in  as  the  handmaid  and  supporter  of  religion.  Among 
the  meetings  held  at  my  request  at  Bristol,  four  were  for  the 
express  pm'pose  of  instructing  the  younger  part  of  the  Society 
in  the  evidences  of  the  Christian  religion,  historical,  pro- 
phetical, and  internal ;  also  the  scriptural  ground  of  the  views 
which  distmguish  our  own  body.  They  were  appointed  under 
a  direct  apprehension  of  duty,  then  and  there  impressed ;  and, 
I  may  truly  say,  in  as  much  of  dependence  on  divine  help  as 
meetings  of  a  higher  character.  Friends  entered  into  the 
concern  with  cordiality,  and  it  is  not  to  be  denied  that  the 
seal  of  solemnity  was  graciously  permitted  to  rest  upon  these 
meetings,  and  to  crown  their  termination.  I  had  previously 
held  meetings  of  this  kind  at  Kendal;  and  have  since  held 
many  of  the  same  description  in  Manchester,  Liverpool, 
Newcastle,  London,  &c. ;  always  with  the  sanction  of  the 
Friends  among  whom  my  lot  was  cast.  My  view  of  the 
subject  is,  that  there  is  to  be  known  and  used  in  the  Church, 
the  gift  of  teaching,  as  well  as  that  of  preaching ;  that  both 
these  gifts  are  from  the  Spirit  of  the  Redeemer ;  but  that  the 
former  allows  of  freer  exercise  of  our  natural  powers  than  the 
latter.  It  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  have  no  place  in  our 
meetings  for  worship;  but  on  other  occasions,  both  pubHc 
and  private,  may  be  rightly  exercised  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 
We  shall  never  thrive  upon  ignorance.  Om-  Creator  would  have 
us  cultivate  our  understandings  in  matters  of  a  religious  as 
well  as  civil  nature.  The  great  nde  is,  that  all  should  be 
subordinate  to  the  highest  object,  all  "  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  all  "  for  the  glory  of  God."     While  this 


MT.  43.  LETTER    TO    HIS    SON    AT    SCHOOL.  441 

rule  is  observed,  there  is  no  danger.  Wlien  I  speak  of 
teaching  as  having  no  place  in  our  meetings  for  worship,  I 
refer  to  that  lower  gift,  the  exercise  of  which  does  not  rise  to 
the  scale  of  gospel  ministry ;  but  in  a  wider  sense  of  the  term 
there  will  often  be  much  of  teaching  in  the  public  services  of 
rightly  qualified  ministers.  Like  the  apostles  of  old,  they  will 
"  not  cease  to  teach  and  to  preach  Jesus  Christ.^'* 

A  letter  to  one  of  his  children  has  already  been 
introduced.  His  mode  of  communicating  with  them 
may  he  further  illustrated  by  the  following  extracts 
from  a  letter  to  his  son  at  school,  written  whilst  at 
Melksham,  on  his  way  to  Bristol. 

Elm  Grove,  4tli  mo.,  8th,  1831. 

Tu   xoti^oo  hovXsuovTsg. 

Eom.  xii,  11.    Griesbach's  Text. 

My  Dear  J H 

I  suppose  thou  hast  observed  the  motto  on 
my  title-page,  and  I  trust  thou  hast  found  no  difficulty  in 
translating  it.     '^Serving  the  time.^^     The  more  commonly 

*  Some  idea  of  the  general  character  of  the  addresses  delivered  at 
the  meetings  here  referred  to  may  be  obtained  from  a  little  volume 
published  in  1835,  by  Hamilton,  Adams,  and  Co.,  under  the  title  of 
Four  Lectures  on  the  Evidences  of  Christianity,  deKvered  in  South- 
wark,  1834,  to  the  Junior  Members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  by 
J.  J.  Gurney,  Esq.  This  volume,  printed  from  short-hand  notes, 
never  received  Joseph  John  Gurney's  sanction,  and  abounds  with 
inaccxnacies  obvious  to  every  intelHgent  reader.  With  all  these 
disadvantages,  however,  the  excellent  spirit  that  pervades  the 
addresses,  as  here  given,  is  very  conspicuous;  and  many  of  the 
observations,  especially  in  the  third  lecture,  "On  the  Divinity  of 
Christ;"  and  in  the  fourth,  "On  the  Doctiine  of  the  Holy  Spirit," 
and  its  development  in  the  principles  and  practices  of  Friends,  are 
striking  and  appropriate,  and  throughout  highly  practical.  Far 
indeed  was  it  from  his  desire,  to  cherish  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
rather  than  that  deep-searching  heart- work  which  he  knew,  fi'om 
his  own  experience,  to  be  all-important. 


442  "serving  the  time,"  1831. 

received  text  is  rendered,  "  Serving  the  Lord;"  but  there  is  a 
preponderating  authority  of  ancient  manuscripts  and  versions 
in  favour  of  the  words  of  my  motto ;  and,  whilst  the  whole 
Scripture  is  calculated  to  impress  upon  us  the  primary  duty  of 
serving  the  Lord,  we  may  be  content  to   derive  from  this 
particular  passage  a  very  useful  though  subordinate  lesson. 
What  is  that  lesson?     It  is,  that  we  should  be  always  on  the 
watch  to  make  a  good  use  of  our  time.     As  the  servant  who 
waits  well  on  his  master  is  ever  on  the  qui  vive  to  know  what 
wiU  next  be  wanted,  so  are  we  to  wait  on  the  hours,  and  even 
on  the  moments,  of  each  passing  day,  to  know  what  duties 
they  point  out  to  us,  or  what  employment  they  suggest  for 
the   improvement   of  our   minds.      There   is   nothing   more 
astonishing,   or   more   calculated    to   impress    us   with    the 
glorious,  incomprehensible  nature  of  God,  than  the  infinite 
magnitude  and  minuteness  of  nature.    The  wonders  developed 
to   us   by   the   telescope   are  matched   by  those  which   the 
microscope  reveals — and  powerful  as  these  instruments  are 
become,  through  the  devices  of  modern  science,  they  each 
leave  unperceived   an   infinity  of  marvels   into   which   man 
cannot  dive.     Something  after  the  same  sort  may  be  observed 
as  it  relates  to  time.     Philosophers  are  sometimes  heard  to 
speak,  not  only  of  the  eternal  courses  of  ages  and  centuries, 
but  of  the  endless  divisibility  of  moments ;  and  the  best  of  aU 
philosophy  teaches  us  that  with  God  "  a  thousand  years  are  as 
one  day;"  and  also,  that  "one  day"  is  "as  a  thousand  years." 
How  watchful  and  diligent  then  ought  we  to  be  in  applying 
even  the  shortest  spaces  of  time  to  then-  right  use !    I  do  not 
mean  to  infer  that  we  are  always  to  be  on  the  strain;  far 
from  it.    We  do  not  serve  a  hard  Master.     I  mean  only,  that 
while  we  tread  the  course  of  life  with  a  step  at  once  steady 
and  easy,  we  should  never  degenerate  into  indolence ;   but  be 
quick  to  seize  every  passing  opportunity,  both  for  doing  good 
to  others  and  for  the  cultivation  of  our  own  minds.     We 
should     in    this   respect,    endeavour   to   form    the   habit   of 
vigilance     and   such  a  habit  will  be   sure  to   yield   us  an 
abundant  return  both  of  pleasure  and  profit. 

I  have  sometimes  endeavoured  to  apply  these  principles  to 


^T.  43.  APPLIED  AND  ILLUSTRATED.  443 

travelling,  in  which  a  considerable  portion  of  the  time  of  many- 
persons  is  ahnost  miavoidably  occupied.  A  call  of  duty  or 
business  may  often  carry  us  to  places  at  a  distance  fi'om  our 
owi\  homes.  Is  the  time  taken  up  by  t\ie  journey  to  be  one  of 
mere  indolence  ?  Is  the  convenience  of  being  conveyed  from 
one  place  to  another  to  be  the  only  profit  which  it  shall  yield  ? 
Ought  we  not  rather  to  make  a  pointy  on  such  occasions,  of 
adding  to  our  stock  of  knowledge,  and  of  useful  ideas,  by  read- 
ing, conversation,  and  reflection  ?  Is  there  no  object  of  interest 
which  may  be  examined  by  the  way  ?  Is  there  no  person  of 
piety  or  talent  with  whom  we  may  find  a  passing  opportunity 
of  communicating?  Are  the  motions  of  the  coach  or  the 
chariot  so  rapid  that  we  cannot  leave  behind  us,  as  we  pass 
from  place  to  place,  important  instruction,  in  the  form  of 
Bibles,  Testaments,  or  Tracts  ?  Much  may  not  be  requii'ed  of 
us,  but  it  is  well,  if  on  our  arrival  at  the  place  of  our  destina- 
tion, we  can  acknowledge  that  we  have  both  received  and 
communicated  a  little  good  in  the  com'se  of  our  journey. 

I  propose  to  illustrate  these  remarks  by  some  account  of 
the  incidents  of  the  journey  which  thy  dear  mother  and  I 
have  just  been  taking  from  Earlham  to  Elm  Grove :  not  be- 
cause we  consider  ourselves  by  any  means  so  watchful  over 
our  time  in  travelling,  as  we  .ought  to  be ;  but  because  it  so 
happened  that  this  transit  from  Norfolk  to  Wiltshire,  required 
as  it  was  by  the  calls  of  aficction  and  duty,  has  afforded  us 
some  unexpected  opportunities  both  of  pleasure  and  mental 
improvement.  Had  we  not  been  in  some  degree  on  the  watch 
for  them,  they  might  have  passed  by  us,  unnoticed  and  unim- 
proved. Since,  however,  our  route,  for  the  most  part,  lay 
through  an  uninteresting  country,  I  shall  confine  myself  to 
some  notice  of  an  afternoon  at  Cambridge,  and  a  morning  at 
Oxford,  for  both  these  places  were  on  om*  nearest  road. 

We  left  home  last  third  day  morning  before  breakfast, 
with  dear  little  Anna  for  our  companion,  and  arrived  at  Cam- 
bridge— sixty-three  miles — by  three  o^ clock  in  the  afternoon. 
How  grateful  ought  we  to  be  for  well  trained  horses,  and  well 
made  roads,  which  of  late  years  have  been  the  means  of  so 
curiously  compressing  distances;    so  that,  for  example,  the 


444  AFTERNOON    AT    CAMBRIDGE.  1831. 

citizen  of  Norwich  becomes  the  near  neighbour  of  the  citizen 
of  Cambridge.  Ere  long,  steam  may  probably  bring  us  into 
yet  closer  proximity  ! 

As  we  drove  up  to  the  Eagle  Inn,  we  met  our  dear  nephew, 
E —  B — ,  a  student  of  Trinity  college,  who  was  our  faithful 
companion  during  the  remainder  of  the  day ;  and  G —  H — 
afterwards  joined  us.  After  ordering  dinner  we  sallied  forth 
for  a  walk ;  but  first  sent  a  note  to  our  dear  friend,  Charles 
Simeon,  the  well  known  fellow  of  King's  College,  to  propose 
spending  part  of  the  evening  with  him.  While  we  were  absent 
from  the  inn,  there  arrived  a  small  characteristic  note,  hastily 
written  by  him  in  pencil — "  Yes,  yes,  yes,  come  immediately 
and  dine  with  me  ! "  Simeon  has  the  warm  and  eager  manners 
of  a  foreigner,  with  an  English  heart  beneath  them.  He  is 
full  of  love  towards  all  who  love  his  Master,  and  a  faithful, 
sympathizing  friend  to  those  who  have  the  privilege  of  sharing 
his  more  intimate  affections.  To  all  around  him,  whether 
religious  or  worldly,  he  is  kind  and  courteous ;  and  by  this 
means,  as  well  as  by  the  weight  of  his  character,  he  has  gra- 
dually won  a  popularity  at  Cambridge,  which  now  seems  to 
triumph  over  all  prejudice  and  persecution.  He  is  upwards  of 
seventy  years  of  age,  but  his  eye  is  not  dim,  his  joints  not 
stiffened,  his  intellect  not  obscured.  His  mind,  lips,  eyes,  and 
hands,  move  along  together  in  unison.  And  singularly  pliable 
and  rapid  is  he  both  in  his  mental  and  bodily  movements; 
quick  to  utter  what  he  feels,  and  to  act  what  he  utters.  His 
conversation  abounds  in  illustrations;  and,  while  all  his  thoughts 
and  words  run  in  the  channel  of  religion,  he  clothes  them 
with  brightness  and  entertainment;  and  men,  women,  and 
even  children,  are  constrained  to  listen.  -^  -J^-  ^ 

We  declined  his  invitation  to  dinner,  and  had  no  intention 
of  intruding  upon  him  before  the  evening ;  but  as  we  were 
walking  near  King's  College,  we  heard  a  loud  haUoo  behind 
us,  and  presently  saw  our  aged  friend,  forgetful  of  the  gout, 
dancing  over  the  lawn  to  meet  us.  Although  the  said  lawn  is 
forbidden  ground,  except  to  the  fellows  of  the  college,  we  had 
little  hesitation  in  transgressing  the  law  on  such  an  occasion ; 
and  our  hands  were  soon  clasped  in  his  with  all  the  warmth  of 


^T.  43.  SIMEON.  445 

mvitual  friendship.     He  then  became  our  guide,  and  led  us 
through  several  of  the  colleges.  ^  -^  ^ 

Our  venerable  friend  seemed  to  take  great  delight  in  show- 
ing us  the  beauties  of  his  favourite  Cambridge;  and  as  we 
walked  along,  we  conversed  pleasantly  together. 

I  was  obsendng  that  age  was  not  sufficiently  reverenced  in 
the  present  day. 

Simeon.  "  It  is  worthy  of  reverence  when  foimd  in  the  way 
of  righteousness.'' 

We  were  soon  afterwards  talking  of  the  crude  zeal  of  many 
persons,  who  lose  their  balance  in  religion,  and  seem  inclined 
to  di'ive  up  the  church  of  Christ  into  a  narrow  corner.  This 
led  us  to  think  of  the  wisdom  which  is  without  partiality. 

Simeon.  "I  have  long  pursued  the  study  of  Scripture  with 
a  desire  to  be  impartial.  I  call  myself  neither  a  predestinarian 
nor  an  anti-predestinarian ;  but  I  commit  myself  to  the  teach- 
ing of  the  inspired  writers,  whatever  complexion  it  may  assume. 
In  the  beginning  of  my  inquiries,  I  said  to  myself,  one  thing 
I  know  assuredly — that  in  religion,  of  myself,  /  know  nothing. 
I  do  not  therefore  sit  down  to  the  perusal  of  Scripture  in  order 
to  impose  a  sense  on  the  inspired  writers,  but  to  receive  one 
as  they  give  it  me.  I  pretend  not  to  teach  them ;  I  msh,  like 
a  child,  to  be  taught  by  them.  When  I  come  to  a  text  which 
speaks  of  election,  I  delight  myself  in  the  doctrine  of  election. 
When  the  apostles  exhort  me  to  repentance  and  obedience, 
and  indicate  the  freedom  of  my  will,  I  give  myself  up  to  that 
side  of  the  question,  and  behold  I  am  an  Anninian !  Don't 
you  know,  my  dear  brother,  that  the  wheels  of  yom-  watch 
move  in  opposite  directions  ?     Yet  they  are  all  tending  to  one 

result.     Let  two  balls  be  projected  from  equal  angles I  care 

not  what  angle  it  may  be — against  a  third  ball  lying  before 
them;  and  if  the  forces  are  even,  it  will  move  forward  in  a 
Ime  perfectly  straight.  But  if  the  ball  on  the  right  hand  be 
alone  projected  against  the  central  ball,  the  latter  wiU  fly  off 
to  the  left.  If  the  left  hand  ball  is  the  only  one  which  strikes 
it,  away  it  rolls  to  the  right.  So  it  is  in  religion.  Hope  and 
fear  are  the  strongest  motives  which  actuate  the  mind  of  man. 
Here  comes  the  doctrine  of  election,  fraught  with  hope  and 


446  AFTERNOON    AT    CAMBRIDGE.  1831. 

consolation,  and  strikes  the  mind  of  tlie  believer  from  one 
quarter.  From  the  opposite  quarter  comes  the  doctrine  of 
free-will  and  man's  responsibility,  calculated  to  excite  ovoc  fear. 
They  operate  in  true  harmony,  and  the  believer  moves  straight 
forward.  Let  him  embrace  the  doctrine  of  election  only,  and 
off  he  goes  to  the  left  hand ;  or  of  free-will  only,  and  away  he 
flies  to  the  right.  Nothing  will  preserve  him  in  a  straight 
line,  but  the  joint  action  of  both  motives,  or,  in  other  words, 
undivided  Christianity.  Why  in  Scotland,  Sir,  they  will  tell 
you  that  heaven  itself  is  not  large  enough  to  hold  John 
Wesley."  We  now  reached  the  new  hall  of  King's  just  as 
the  college  dinner  was  awaiting  him.  "  You  see  I  have  taken 
leave  of  the  gout,"  said  he  merrily,  as  he  leaped  up  the  steps. 

In  the  evening  we  walked  to  Simeon's  rooms,  and  met 
with  the  usual  warm  and  courteous  reception.  Over  the  chim- 
ney piece,  in  his  drawing  room,  hangs  an  interesting  picture 
of  Henry  Martjoi;  once  the  eleve  of  Simeon  at  Cambridge, 
and  senior  wrangler  in  his  year ;  afterwards  the  devoted  mis- 
sionary of  high  talent  and  love  unfeigned,  who  counted  not  his 
life  dear  unto  himself,  "  that  he  might  finish  his  course  with 
joy,  and  the  ministry  which  he  had  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.'' 

Simeon.  ^'The  picture  was  painted  in  India.  When  I 
went  to  the  India  House,  in  London,  and  saw  the  box  opened, 
I  started  back  with  mixed  emotions  of  sorrow  and  delight, 
when  I  beheld  the  countenance  of  my  beloved  Henrv.  As  I 
retreated  to  the  other  end  of  the  room,  I  heard  the  people 
saying — '  That  is  his  father.'  " 

Whilst  we  were  enjoying  our  cup  of  tea,  our  dear  friend 
continued  to  converse  in  his  own  peculiar  manner.  ^  -^^  * 

Simeon.  "  Perfect  religion  is  to  the  soul  what  the  soul  is 
to  the  body.  The  soul  animates  the  whole  person.  It  sees 
through  the  eye — hears  through  the  ear — tastes  through  the 
mouth — handles  through  the  hands — talks  through  the 
tongue — reflects  through  the  brain.  The  whole  body  is 
moved  and  regulated  by  an  impulse  from  within.  Let 
religion  take  full  possession  of  the  soul,  and  it  will  be  found 
to  actuate  all  its  movements,  and  direct  all  its  powers.     There 


^T.  43.  SIMEON.  447 

will  be  no  violent  efforts,  no  stijSness,  no  awkwardness.  All 
will  be  natm-al  and  easy.  An  unseen  and  gentle  influence 
will  pervade  the  whole  mind,  and  regidate  the  whole  conduct ; 
and  thus  the  creature  will  gradually  become  conformed  to  the 
image  of  his  Creator.    This,  my  brother,  is  perfect  religion.'' 

We  talked  of  spiritual  discernment.  I  mentioned  the 
declararation  of  Paul,  that  "the  spiritual  man  judgeth  all 
things  (-Travrcc  avccKPivsi)  and  is  judged  himself  of  no  man." 

Simeon.  "  Yes,  my  brother,  the  spiritual  man  has  a  sense 
of  his  o^\Ti;  or  rather,  his  natural  vision  is  corrected,  and 
rendered  applicable  to  divine  things,  by  an  influence  from 
above.  I  am  told  to  look  at  the  planets.  I  can  see  Jupiter 
and  Venus ;  but  there  is  the  Georgium  Sidus.  I  look  again 
— I  strain  my  eyes — I  cannot  see  it.  Here,  take  the  tele- 
scope. O  !  yes,  now  I  see  it.  How  beautifid  the  star !  how 
perspicuous  the  vision !  You  tell  me  to  read  that  almanack. 
I  am  young  and  short  sighted.  The  ball  of  my  eye  is  too 
convex :  the  rays  meet  before  they  arrive  at  the  retina.  My 
brother,  it  is  all  confusion.  I  am  old,  my  lens  is  flattened ; 
the  rays  meet  even  behind  my  head:  the  retina  is  leit 
untouched  by  them.  Give  the  young  man  those  spectacles 
with  a  concave  glass.  Now  he  sees !  now  he  can  read  the 
book  !  now  the  rays  meet  precisely  on  his  retina.  Here,  my 
old  friend,  take  these  convex  glasses;  they  will  rectify  your 
fading  vision.  He  sees  !  he  reads  !  again  the  retina  is  touched 
and  pencilled  with  nice  precision.  So  it  is  with  the  Spirit. 
In  whatever  manner  or  degree  the  vision  of  the  soul  is 
disordered,  the  Spirit  is  always  applicable — always  a  rectifier  ! 
The  worldling  is  like  the  mariner  of  ancient  times,  who  had 
nothing  to  guide  him  thi'ough  the  trackless  deep  but  the 
sUn,  the  moon,  and  the  stars :  when  these  were  veiled,  all 
was  obscurity,  guess  work,  and  perU.  But  the  religious  man, 
however  simple,  is  like  the  modern  mariner,  who  has  a 
compass  on  board,  wliich  will  always  guide  liim  aright,  liow- 
ever  cloudy  the  atmosphere,  however  dark  the  night.  The 
Christian  has  a  compass  within  him^.i  faithfid  monitor — a 
clear  director.  If  he  consult  his  compass  diligently,  he  wiU 
be  sure  to  form  a  right  decision  on  every  moral  question; 


448  MORNING    AT    OXFORD.  1831. 

while  the  proud  philosopher,  who  knows  no  such  teacher,  is 
tossed  on  the  waves  of  doubt  and  confusion.  And  how  is 
this  ?  Why,  my  dear  brother, '  he  is  renewed  in  the  sjnrit  of 
his  miad.^  It  is  because  his  dispositions  are  rectified,  that  his 
vision  is  restored." 

The  hour  of  the  evening  was  advancing,  and  these 
beautiftd  remarks  formed  a  happy  conclusion  to  familiar 
conversation.  His  respectable  elderly  female  servants  were 
now  called  in,  and  I  was  requested  to  read  the  Scriptures.  I 
chose  the  first  half  of  the  third  of  Lamentations,  and  the 
passage,  as  I  read  it,  seemed  to  me  to  be  full  of  marrow.  A 
very  precious  solemnity  ensued,  during  which  the  language  of 
prayer  and  praise  arose ;  I  humbly  hope  with  acceptance.  I 
believe  both  my  dear  wife  and  myself  were  ready  to  acknow- 
ledge that  we  had  seldom  felt  with  any  one  more  of  the  "unity 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.''  Under  this  feeling  we 
took  our  leave.  <c;. 

We  arrived  at  Oxford  the  following  evening  soon  after  dark. 
The  next  morning  we  rose  early,  and  sallied  forth,  the 
weather  being  fine,  for  a  stroll  before  breakfast.  Anna 
accompanied  us,  and  our  walk  was  very  agreeable. 

Adorned  as  Cambridge  is  with  new  bmldings,  we  were  con- 
strained to  confess  that  in  point  of  scale,  and  grandem*,  and 
classic  beauty,  Oxford  is  far  the  superior.  It  is  indeed  a 
delightful  city ;  rendered  peculiarly  pleasant,  by  the  intermix- 
ture of  broad  streets,  noble  buildings,  and  extensive  gardens. 
We  returned  after  breakfast  to  the  Hadcliffe  Library,  from 
the  roof  of  which  very  handsome  edifice  there  is  quite  an 
enchanting  coup  d'oeil,  which  fully  justifies  this  description. 
The  inside  of  the  Radcliffe  Library  furnishes  some  objects  of 
great  interest.  It  is  a  library  of  medicine  and  natural 
history;  with  the  exception  of  a  few  theological  books. 
Amongst  these  are  two  Bibles,  well  worthy  of  particular 
notice.  The  first  is  a  highly  finished  and  delicate  manuscript 
of  the  Hebrew  Scripture,  exquisitely  illuminated.  The  second 
is  Dr.  Kennicott's  own  manuscript,  from  which  was  published 
his  Hebrew  Bible,  with  coUations.  He  is  said  to  have  collated 
upwards  of  600  Hebrew  MSS.;  and  this  copy,  from  which  his 


^T.  43.  ,  DR.  MACBRIDE.  449 

great  work  was  printed,  affords  an  evidence  that  order  came 
to  the  assistance  of  his  industry.  A  slip,  contaming  a  single 
verse  of  printed  Hebrew,  is  pasted  on  the  top  of  every  blank 
space,  and  below  those  slips  the  Dr.  has  notified  all  the 
various  readings  with  a  neatness  and  beauty  of  penmanship 
which  are  quite  uncommon.  He  is  said  to  have  been  taught 
writing  by  his  father,  who  was  a  merchant's  clerk.  From 
this  work  of  elaborate  assiduity,  we  turned  to  some  of  the 
ever  varied,  ever  easy  sports  of  nature, — a  thousand  admirable 
specimens,  collected  and  arranged  in  beautiful  order,  of 
marbles,  alabasters,  gypsums,  lavas,  porphyries,  agates,  &c. 
The  collection  was  made  and  presented  to  the  University  by 
Corsi,  the  Itahan  natm'alist.  The  various  beauty  of  these 
stones,  which  are  all  finely  polished,  almost  overwhelms  the 
mind  with  a  sense  of  the  profusion  with  which  the  Creator 
has  scattered  his  ornaments  even  where  they  lie  deeply  hidden 
from  the  eye  of  man. 

"  Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene 
The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear ; 
Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  imseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

I  now  proposed  to  make  a  call  on  Dr.  Macbride,  the  master 

of  Magdalen  Hall.     He  is  a  man  who  bears  the  character  of 

much  literary  acquirement,  as  well  as  talent,  and  what  is 

better,  of  decided  piety.     He  has  supported  the  Bible  Society 

at  Oxford  with  a  noble  spirit  of  independence.     We  found 

him  at  home,  and,  with  his  lady,  he  received  us  very  courteously. 

I  had  sent  him  a  copy  of  my  Bibhcal  Notes,  which  I  was 

pleased  to  find  had  met  his  approbation,  and  we  soon  fell 

into  conversation.     He  told  me  that  the  number  of  rehgious 

young  men  in  the  University  was  increasing,  and  that  many 

of  them  bore  the  stamp  of  sober  piety.     One  preacher  at 

Oxford,  known  to  both  of  us,  flies  liigh  in  doctrine,  and  holds 

out  glowing  expectations  of  the  outward  reign  of  the  Messiah, 

even  venturing  to  declare  in  what  year  he  may  be  expected  to 

appear. 

G   G 


450  MORNING   AT    OXFORD,  1831. 

Macs  RIDE.  "  These  new  fancies  are  much  to  be  regretted. 
Persons  who  occupy  their  speculative  powers  ^-ith  calculations 
of  the  year  of  Christ's  coming,  may  easily  forget  to  prepare 
themselves  for  the  event  (whenever  he  may  be  pleased  to 
come)  by  watchfulness  and  prayer.  Such  persons,  instead  of 
preaching  the  home  truths  of  practical  Christianity,  convert 
religion  into  a  sort  of  romance." 

As  we  walked  along  to  the  New  Press,  we  enjoyed  some 
asreeable  intercourse,  and  I  soon  found  him  to  be  an  acute 
and  well-informed,  yet  unaffected  person.     He  told  us  that 
the  Bodleian  Library  had  now  increased  to  a  great  extent, 
but  that  it  was  of  no  great  use  to  the  resident  members  of  the 
Universitv.     Persons  engaged  in  authorship  often  come  from 
a  distance,  and  obtain  a  free  access  to  its  almost  imiumerable 
treasures.     The  New  Press,  situated  near  the  Observatory, 
and  on  the  borders  of  the  town,  is  an  extensive  and  superb 
structure.     The   centre  of  the  front  is   an  imitation  of  the 
triumphal  arch  of  Antoninus,  and  the  Corinthian  pillars  are 
remarkably  fine.     Dr.  Macbride  pointed  out  to  us  a  singular 
ornament  which  crowns  each  of  their  chapiters.     It  is  the 
figure  in  stone  of  a  small  open  Bible,  with  the  University 
motto,  (adopted  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,)  "  Dominits 
iLLUMiNATio  MEA."      A  tridy  appropriate  de^ice  !      On  our 
entrance  we  found  my  old  friend,  Samuel  Collingwood,  con- 
ductor of  the  press ;  who  first  introduced  us  to  the  spacious 
apartment  in  which  is  carried  on  the  miscellaneous  printing. 
It  is  a  curious  and  animating  scene ;  very  new  to  Anna,  who 
seemed  eager  to  take  a  lesson  from  one  of  the  compositors, 
who  was  picking  out  his  types  with  peculiarly  rapid  fingers. 
I  was  interested  in  obser\4ng  the  operation  of  the  roller, 
which  effects  a  far  more  even  distribution  of  the  ink  than  the 
old  ball  or  puff;    and  we  were  delighted  with  the  rapidity 
with  which  the  pressmen  were  converting  blank  sheets  of 
paper  into  the  well  printed  pages  of  Dr.  Burton's  new  edition 
of  the  Greek  Testament  with  English  notes.  *  * 

Samuel  Collingwood  now  led  us  to  the  other  side  of  the 
house  into  the  vast  room  where  the  Bibles  are  printed.  A 
more  interesting  sight  can  hardly  be  imagined.     To  behold 


^T.  43.  BIBLE    PRINTING.  451 

the  mighty  powers  of  the  press  dii'ected  exclusively  and 
perpetually  to  one  object,  and  that  object  the  diftusion  of  the 
truths  of  Cluistianity,  could  not  fail  to  excite  many  sensations 
of  a  very  satisfactory  as  well  as  interesting  kind.  Nor  does 
it  appear  that  the  business  of  this  part  of  the  University 
Press  will  be  diminished  even  if  the  printing  of  Bibles  (now 
restricted  by  law  to  the  King^s  pruiter  and  the  two  Universi- 
ties) should  be  thrown  open;  since  the  many  advantages 
which  they  possess  will  enable  them,  according  to  then*  own 
account,  to  defy  all  competitors.  CoUmgwood  is,  however,  of 
opinion,  that  the  measure  woidd  be  a  dangerous  one,  as  gi^Tug 
an  almost  unlimited  ojDportmiity  for  the  falsification  of  the 
sacred  text.  He  says  this  has  already  taken  place,  to  a 
dangerous  extent,  in  Bibles  printed  with  notes;  such  Bibles 
not  being  included  in  the  restriction.  Thus  are  we  often 
driven  in  this  world  of  variety  and  change,  to  a  choice  of  evile, ; 
for  the  present  restriction  is  certainly  in  some  respects  an  evil- 

Macbride.  "It  is  a  singular  cu'cumstance,  that  the 
exclusive  right  of  the  Universities  to  print  Bibles  is  grounded 
on  no  royal  grant  or  charter  given  to  us.  It  is  merely 
implied  in  a  few  Avords  of  exception,  contained  in  the  chai'ter 
of  the  King's  Printer." 

The  Doctor  now  began  to  time  the  printers,  and  to  calcu- 
late in  what  space  of  time  all  of  them  together  could  produce 
a  whole  Bible. 

CoLLiNGWooD.  "  I  will  savc  you  the  trouble  of  that  calcu- 
lation, as  I  have  gone  over  the  ground  before  you.  Supposing 
aU  our  presses  to  be  in  action,  (as  they  often  are,)  and 
supposing  the  work  to  be  distributed  for  the  pm'pose,  we 
should  produce  a  complete  Old  Testament,  New  Testament, 
and  Praver  Book  everv  minute.  This  is  the  rate  at  which  we 
pour  forth  religious  knowledge  into  Great  Britain." 

While  we  walked  up  and  down  the  apartment  we  enjoyed 
some  interesting  converse.  I  was  comparing  the  immense 
rapidity  of  production  thus  obtained,  through  the  art  of 
printing,  with  the  life-long  manual  labour  of  the  scribe  who 
produced  that  exquisite  manuscript  of  the  Hebrew  Scriptm'es 
which  we  had  just  been  examinmg  in  the  RadcHffe  Library. 

G  G   2 


453  MORNING   AT    OXFORD.  1831. 

Macbride.  "Yet  I  sometimes  think  that  the  art  of 
printing  came  before  its  time,  was  discovered  before  it  was 
wanted.  Many  years  elapsed  before  printed  books  were 
much  circulated.  Caxton's  productions,  for  example,  were 
kept  in  closets,  and  shewn  as  curiosities.^^ 

CoUingwood  who  now  joined  us,  recalled  our  attention  to 
his  own  subjects.  "  The  invention  of  stereotyping  is  so  far 
good  that  it  will  enable  us,  with  the  same  plates,  to  strike  off 
about  one  hundred  thousand  copies  of  a  book,  but  this  is  the 
extent.  After  this  number  the  book  becomes  very  shabby 
and  indistinct.  But  standing  types,  composed  in  the  usual 
way,  and  not  forming  one  plate,  are  vastly  more  efficacious. 
"With  these  we  can  print  more  than  a  million  copies  of  a  book 
with  scarcely  any  perceptible  deterioration.  Not  only  can 
we  rid  ourselves,  when  we  please,  of  a  defective  letter,  but  the 
manufacture  of  individual  letters  is  far  more  successful  than 
of  stereotype  plates.  The  article  produced  is  very  much 
stronger." 

He  now  shewed  us  the  hydraulic  presses,  used  in  compress- 
ing the  sheets  after  they  are  printed.  The  pressure  is  that 
of  water,  rising  in  a  tube  from  below;  and  although  the 
machine  is  not  large,  yet  with  a  very  small  amount  of 
manual  labour  it  exerts  a  force  equal  to  that  of  the  weight  of 
250  tons  of  water.  How  admirable,  how  unquestionably 
useful  is  such  an  application  of  natural  philosophy  !  And 
what  a  shame,  my  dear  boy,  that  any  of  us  should  be  igno- 
rant of  these  things ! 

We  were  now  led  through  the  wetting  room,  where  the 
quires  of  paper  are  dipped  and  sprinkled,  and  the  moisture 
diffused  by  pressure  through  the  whole  mass;  also  through 
the  drying  room,  where  innumerable  printed  sheets  are  hung 
like  linen  on  horizontal  poles ;  and  lastly  we  visited  a  sort  of 
warehouse,  where  stacks  of  mibound  printed  Bibles  and 
Prayer  Books  are  seen  rising  on  every  side  to  various 
elevations. 

Oiir  time  of  leisure  was  now  fully  spent,  we  took  a  cordial 
leave  of  om^  benevolent  and  agreeable  friends,  and  returned  to 
our  iim.       As  the  clock  struck  twelve,  our  carriage  came 


iET,  43.  EMPLOYMENT    OF    TIME.  453 

round  to  the  door,  and  we  soon  found  ourselves  on  the  road 
to  Melksham. 

Of  our  diligence  in  general,  or  of  the  use  which  we  make 
of  our  journeys,  we  freely  confess  that  we  have  nothing  to 
boast.  But  I  wish  thee  to  observe,  that  on  the  present 
occasion,  a  very  little  vigilance  and  activity  enabled  us  to  see 
much  that  was  worth  seeing,  and  to  hear  much  that  was 
worth  hearing  in  a  short  space  of  time. 


454  LETTERS  1831. 


CHAPTEE  XXIII. 

1831—1833.     ^T.  43—45. 

EXTRACTS  PEOM  LETTERS  AND  JOTTRNAIS ;  ESSAY  ON  THE  MORAL 
CHARACTER  OP  CHRIST ;  CONTKOTERST  IN  THE  BIBLE  SOCIETY  ON 
THE  ADMISSION  OF  UNITARIANS ;  TERMS  OF  UNION ;  THE  PORTABLE 
EVIDENCE  OF  CHRISTIANITY ;  RELIGIOUS  VISITS  TO  BIRMINGHAM  AND 
LANCASHIRE;  MEETINGS  IN  THE  OPEN  AIR;  ADDRESS  TO  THE  ME- 
CHANICS OF  MANCHESTER  ;  DEATH  OF  JOSEPH  KINGHORN  ;  CONFERENCE 
IN    LONDON    ON    THE   REVISION    OF    THE    "BOOK    OF   EXTRACTS." 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  6tli  mo.,  26tli,  1831. 

^  "^  I  do  love  and  hail  that  blessed  principle  of  the  Lord^s 
own  "  anointing"  which  fits  the  weakest  and  poorest  for 
his  service,  and  "  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings 
perfects  praise."  If  our  religious  Society  be  preserved  amidst 
the  shakings  of  the  day  it  must  be  by  our  adhering  firmly  to 
this  principle,  not  forgetting  the  foundation  on  which  it 
stands,  even  "Christ  crucified/'  our  "resurrection  and  our 
life/'  our  only  "  hope  of  glory." 

Ejeferring  to  the  illness  of  one  of  Ms  children,  he 
writes  in  his  journal : — 

Third  day  morning,  [7th  mo.,  12^A.]  Yesterday  was  one  of 
great  anxiety  respecting  our  dear  boy.  I  have  had  a  short 
time  of  religious  communication  with  him  this  morning.  I 
explained  to  him  that  as  his  medical  attendants  were  phy- 
sicians to  his  body,  so  Christ  is  the  physician  to  his  soul ; 
that  he  made  an  atonement  on  the  cross  for  our  sins,  and  that 
when  we  are  made  to  suffer  we  ought  to  remember  him  who 


JET.  43.  AND    JOURNAL.  455 

suffered  unutterably  for  us,  I  read  to  him  some  verses  of 
evangelical  consolation  from  1  Peter  ii,  and,  after  a  little 
silence,  pom'ed  forth  Avitli  him  a  few  words  of  thanksgiving 
and  prayer. 

Sixth  day  morning.  Since  the  last  entry  there  has  been 
gradual  amendment,  and  to-day  an  evident  appearance  of  con- 
valescence. It  is  to  me  hke  a  second  edition  of  this  precious 
gift  of  my  Heavenly  Father. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  7th  mo.,  16th,  1831. 

I  would  that  we  always  approached  the  wi'itings  of  our 
early  predecessors  with  caution  and  tenderness;  treading 
lightly  on  the  remains  of  the  honom'able  dead.  With  the 
controversies  of  these  ancient  w^orthies,  or  their  manner  of 
conducting  them  according  to  the  spirit  of  their  age,  we  have 
now,  I  apprehend,  little  or  nothing  to  do.  Neither  are  we 
called  upon  to  imitate  or  defend  the  occasional  obscurity  and 
tautology  of  their  style.  One  thing  it  may  be  well  for  us  to  re- 
member, that  from  these  voluminous  works  may  be  extracted 
an  essence  of  as  pure  and  subhme  truth  as,  (if  we  except  the 
Holy  Scriptm-es,)  ever,  perhaps,  fell  from  the  hps  or  flowed  fr'om 
the  pen  of  man ;  so  that,  on  the  whole,  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
the  best  apology  for  the  writings  in  question,  if  indeed  they 
need  one,  woidd  be  an  attentive  and  miprejudiced  perusal  of 
them,  when  they  woidd  themselves  be  foimd  to  be  their  best 
and,  perhaps,  altogether  sufficient  expositors. 

7th  mo.,  Zlst.     This  morning  we  committed  to  the  earth 

the  mortal  remains  of  poor ,  whom  I  have  several  times 

visited  on  his  death-bed,  and  to  whom  I  endeavoured  to  speak 
faitlifully.  He  was  one  for  whom  I  felt  a  regard,  though  the 
world  spoke  against  him,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  his 
illness  was  blessed  to  him,  as  the  means  of  bringing  him  home 
to  Christ  as  his  only  hope. 

In  tlie  8tli  and  9tli  months  of  this  year  Joseph 
John  Gurney  was  engaged  in  the  holding  of  various 


456  RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS. 


1831 


religious  Meetings  in  Hs  own  county,  and  after- 
wards, as  a  member  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's 
Commitee,  in  a  visit  to  Eriends  in  Suffolk. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  8th  mo.,  17th,  1831. 
^  •*«■  ^  I  sometimes  think  that  the  ministry  of  the  gospel 
is  the  only  thing  I  know  which  practice  never  makes  easy. 
I  believe  I  may  say  with  truth  that  much  engagement  of  this 
kind  was  never  preceded  in  me,  by  a  greater  degree  of 
conflict,  than  it  has  been  diunng  the  present  year.  I  doubt 
not  that  this  very  thing,  though  a  som-ce  of  suffering,  is  to  be 
numbered  among  the  tender  mercies  of  our  Lord.  *  *  *  How 
beautifal  is  the  idea  of  "  living,  ever  springing  water  !  "  An 
old  Greek  commentator  remarks  on  John  iv,  that  Paul  had 
di'imk  of  this  water,  when  he  said,  "  forgetting  those  things 
which  are  behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which 
are  before,  I  press  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high 
caUing  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.''  May  this  heavenly  spring 
continue  to  refresh  and  nourish  thee,  my  beloved  friend,  and 
may  it  yet  make  glad  the  whole  heritage  of  the  Lord ! 

^th  mo.,  25th.  My  dearest  wife  and  I  left  home  on  sixth 
day  afternoon,  after  a  busy,  clearing  morning,  the  9th  of  the 
9tli  month.  I  held  a  good  public  meeting  in  the  Methodist 
Meeting  House,  at  Attleborough,  that  evening ;  and  went  up 
the  next  day  to  Upton,  where  we  spent  an  interesting  Sabbath. 
The  death  of  our  dear  friend  Eliza  Masterman  cast  a  deep 
and  affecting  solemnity  over  the  day.  I  went  down  to  Chelms- 
ford on  third  day  morning.  There  I  met  my  brethren  on  the 
Suffolk  committee,  Peter  Bedford,  Joseph  Marriage,  and 
Richard  Bm-hngham.  The  Essex  Quarterly  Meeting  on  thii-d 
day  was  large ;  and,  to  my  apprehension,  a  time  of  remarkable 
and  dignified  solemnity. 

It  is  a  confirming  cu^cumstance  to  me  that,  looking  at  the 
multitude  of  hours  I  have  spent  at  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings,  I  have  never  found  reason  to  believe  that  time  so 
occupied  is  lost,  or  that  it  could  be  better  spent.     The  Master 


MT.  44.  RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS.  457 

often  condescends  to  smile  upon  us  at  such  times.  I  do  believe 
he  still  graciously  protects  om'  little  scattered  Society;  and 
sanctions  our  principles^  as  flowing  from  himself. 

10th  mo.,  Sth.  Seventh  day.  The  visit  of  the  [Yearly 
Meeting's]  committee  in  this  county  has  been  very  acceptable. 
They  have  all  been  staying  at  Earlham,  much  to  our  pleasui'e 
and  comfort,  and  we  desire  to  be  thankful  for  such  society 
and  intercourse. 

First  day.  We  have  our  friend  Richard  Cockin  still  with 
us.  His  bright  and  tender  old  age  is  very  animating,  and  I 
hope  his  example  and  Chiistian  deportment  will  long  live  in 
our  recollection. 

Second  day.  The  Reform  Bill,  it  seems,  is  thrown  out  by  a 
large  majority  (41)  of  the  Lords.  I  do  not  feel  either  grieved 
or  anxious;  yet  it  is  to  be  feared  th^-t  the  event  will  cause 
considerable  agitation.  May  the  protecting  hand  of  Divine 
Providence  be  over  the  nation,  and  with  its  head  ! 

10^/i  mo.,  24:th.  Visits  last  week  to  Tivetshall  and  HarHug, 
connected  with  the  subject  of  tithe  paying ;  in  which  some  few 
in  different  parts  of  the  county  continue  to  be  unfaithful. 
The  impoi'tance  of  the  testimony  which  Friends  bear  against 
the  ecclesiastical  system  has  been  confiiined  to  me  in  the 
course  of  this  little  service. 

After  feelingly  alluding  to  "  the  awful  riots,  con- 
flagrations, and  loss  of  life  at  Bristol,"  he  continues 
his  Journal  a  few  days  later  : — 

11th  mo.,  14:th.  The  accounts  of  the  cholera  at  Sunderland 
affecting  and  alarming ;  the  whole  prospect  calcidated  to  biing 
the  mind  into  much  seriousness.  But  I  have  felt  the  inex- 
pressible privilege  of  haring  a  "  Rock "  to  flee  to ;  and  have 
been  permitted,  at  times,  the  enjoyment  of  much  precious 
quietness  of  mind. 

First  day  morning,  [11th  mo.,  20th.']  A  fire  at  one  of  our 
neighbour's  farms ;  supposed  to  be  the  work  of  an  incendiary ; 
the  frequently  repeated  acts  of  this  description,  and  the  appa- 
rently imsettled  and  ungodly  state  of  the  population  are  deeply 


458  THE    CHOLERA.  1831. 

affecting.  The  cholera  at  Sunderland  appears  to  increase.  It 
has  been  my  prayer  this  morning,  for  all  near  and  dear  to  me, 
that  we  may  find  our  refuge  in  the  Ark  of  God.  May  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  graciously  condescend  to  bless  this 
Sabbath  day,  to  the  quieting  and  comforting  of  many  weak  and 
sorrowful  minds,  to  the  calming  of  many  fierce  passions,  and 
to  the  gathering  in  of  many  souls  from  the  reign  of  darkness 
and  sin,  to  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ! 

12th  mo.,  9th.  "We  were  favoured  with  a  comforting  meet- 
ing yesterday.  I  felt  the  oil  flow  in  a  way  to  which  I  have 
been  of  late  much  a  stranger ;  and  two  of  our  women  Friends 
were  lively  in  the  use  of  their  gifts.  How  different  from  the 
confusion  which  appears  to  mark  the  wild  notions  of  some 
worthy  people  in  the  present  day !  If  there  be  gifts  in  the 
church,  of  which  the  exercise  is  spontaneous,  and  imder  the 
immediate  influence  of  the  Spirit,  (in  however  low  a  degree,) 
silence  is  the  only  medium  in  which  they  can  be  exercised  in 
order ;  and  how  abundantly  good  in  itself  is  silence — the  silence 
of  the  soul.     May  we  increasingly  know  it  to  be  iu  the  life  ! 

12th  mo.,  11th.  The  accounts  of  the  more  rapid  increase  of 
the  cholera  at  Sunderland,  &c.,  are  affecting  and  alarming.  But 
let  us  remember  that  the  scourge  is  sent  in  perfect  wisdom 
and  righteousness ;  I  trust  also  in  mercy,  to  call  a  wandering, 
sinful  nation  home  to  God.  The  unemployed  and  half-starving 
state  of  the  poor  has  also  been  deeply  trying  to  my  feelings; 
and  business  has  been  fraught  with  considerable  cares.  O 
that  I  may  have  strength  given  to  me,  both  to  trust  and  to 
rejoice  in  the  Lord  my  God  ! 

12th  mo.,  16th.  My  wife  and  I  went  to  Tivetshall  Monthly 
Meeting  yesterday,  being  much  interested  about  an  appoint- 
ment of  overseers  there.  The  meeting  was  a  good  one,  and 
the  appointment  satisfactorily  made ;  so  that  we  returned  home 
with  a  peacefril  and  satisfied  feeling.  I  find  that  such  a  feeling 
peculiarly  rests  on  any  little  service  tending  to  build  up  or 
maintain  our  religious  Society  :  which,  I  trust,  amidst  all  dis- 
couragements, we  may  humbly  receive  as  a  token  for  good. 

First  day  night,  12th  mo.,  26th.  This  has  been  a  peaceful 
and  edifying  day.     I  rose  in  good  time  and  wrote  before 


jET.  44.  ESSAY  ON  THE  CHARACTER  OF  CHRIST.  459 

breakfast,  read  Isaiah  xx\i  in  Hebrew,  and  walked  to  Meet- 
ing. The  working  of  truth  in  the  mind  of  John  Fothergill, 
as  represented  in  his  Journal,  has  been  a  source  of  insti-uction 
to  me  this  afternoon.  May  the  same  "  anointing  "  be  in  me 
and  upon  me ;  and  may  the  Lord  still  graciously  make  a  way 
for  me,  that  I  may  be  devoted  to  his  ser^dce.  This  evening 
we  have  enjoyed  the  first  two  chapters  of  Luke.  It  is  a 
blessed,  dehghtful,  soul- satisfying  thing,  to  think  of  the 
unutterable  gift  of  ^  Savioui-.  O  that  all  men  knew  and 
loved  him ! 

The  year  1832  was  one  of  mucli  exertion.  In 
the  early  part  of  it,  Joseph  John  Gnrney's  intervals 
of  leisure  were  closely  occupied  by  several  important 
literary  undertakings,  whilst  other  labours  of  vari- 
ous kinds  continued  rapidly  to  succeed  one  another. 
In  the  course  of  the  preceding  summer  he  had 
written  a  brief  Essay  on  the  Moral  Character  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  which  was  soon  afterwards 
published.  The  following  characteristic  extract 
may  properly  find  a  place  here : — 

^'In  these  days  of  much  polemical  discussion,  of  various 
clashing  opinions,  and,  I  fear,  of  no  little  bitterness  of  spirit 
among  the  professed  followers  of  Jesus,  it  is  well  for  us  all  to 
remember  that,  in  Scriptiu'e,  his  example  is  presented  to  us 
with  an  especial  reference  to  love  and  union ;  humility  and 
condescension;  patience  and  forbearance.  ^If  I  then,  your 
Lord  and  Master,  have  washed  your  feet;  ye  ought  also  to 
wash  one  another's  feet.  For  I  have  given  you  an  example 
that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done  to  you.'^  'This  is  my 
commandment,  that  ye  love  one  another  as  I  have  loved 
you.'t  ^  ^  It  is  of  the  highest  importance  to  the  cause  of 
true  rehgion,  that  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  should 
keep    the    watch    over    theu'    own    spirits,    and    pray    for 

*  John  xiii,  14,  15.  f  John  xv,  12. 


460  CONTROVERSY    ON    THE    BIBLE    SOCIETY.  1832. 

ability  to  fulfil  these  injunctions.  In  order  to  this,  let  us 
cultivate  a  sense  of  our  ignorance  and  weakness,,  and  dwell  in 
deep  humility  before  God.  Let  us  be  more  ready  to  cast  the 
beam  out  of  our  own  eye  than  to  attempt  to  extract  the  mote 
out  of  the  eye  of  a  brother.  And  while  we  adhere  with 
unalterable  firmness  to  '  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus/  let  our 
rehgion  be  the  rehgion  of  principle  rather  than  of  opiiiion,  of 
the  heart  rather  than  of  the  head,^^^ 

With  such  views  and  feelings,  it  can  excite  no 
surprise  that  he  looked  with  anxiety  and  sorrow 
upon  the  controversy  that  was  now  agitating  the 
Bible  Society,  whether  Unitarians  should  be  allowed 
to  continue  in  membership  with  it ;  whether  some 
test  should  not  be  imposed  which  would  insure 
their  exclusion  ;  and  whether  prayer  should  not  be 
publicly  offered  at  the  various  meetings  of  the  insti- 
tution. The  object  of  the  Bible  Society  having 
been,  from  the  first,  the  circulation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  "  without  note  or  comment,''  nothing 
sectarian  had  hitherto  marked  its  character;  and 
no  other  test  of  membership  was  required  than  the 
desire  to  co-operate  in  the  circulation  of  the  inspired 
volume. 

"Like  other  old  fashioned  friends  of  the  cause,"  says 
Joseph  John  Gumey,  "I  was  anxious  to  maintaia  the 
original  principles  of  the  Society ;  and  in  support  of  them  I 
pubhshed  a  pamphlet  entitled  Terms  of  Union,  of  which 
many  thousands  were  circulated.  I  trust  it  was  beneficial  as 
showing  that  the  security  of  the  Society  lay  not  in  the 
ineffectual  bondage  of  a  test ;  but  ia  the  purity  and  evangeh- 
cal  bearing  of  its  object,  and  in  that  gracious  protection  of 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  with  which  it  had  hitherto  been 

*  From  the  Amethyst  for  1832;  reprinted  in  Joseph  Jolin 
Giirney's  Minor  Works,  Vol.  ii,  132 — 133. 


MT.  44.  TERMS    OF    UNION.  461 

favoured.  In  short,  the  strength  and  glory  of  the  Bible 
Society  consists  in  two  things,  the  godliaess  of  its  design, 
and  the  simplicity  of  its  constitution.  Many  there  were  of 
various  denomiuations,  who  then  rallied  round  the  old 
standard ;  the  Society  weathered  the  storm  and  continues  to 
floui'ish.  Most  wisely  have  its  managers  hitherto  abstained 
from  those  public  vocal  oflFerings  of  prayer,  which  would  have 
changed  the  true  character  of  the  meetings,  and  would  almost 
certainly  have  become  a  source  of  difficulty  and  contention 
among  the  different  denominations.  Yet  what  true  fi'iend  of 
this  noble  institution  does  not  feel  the  importance  of  conduct- 
ing all  its  concerns  in  the  spirit  of  prayer ;  and  in  reverent 
dependence  upon  him,  vdthout  whose  blessing  all  our  exertions 
in  his  cause  are  less  than  nothing  and  vanity?" 

The  follomng  extract  from  the  Terms  of  Tlniou, 
will  illustrate  his  views  upon  a  question  of  much 
practical  importance. 

"  I  have  often  thought  that  the  gTOunds  on  which  a  serious 
Christian  stands  in  connexion  with  other  men,  while  he 
prosecutes  his  various  objects  in  life,  may  be  compared  to  the 
successive  stories  of  a  pyramid.  When  he  is  transacting  the 
common  business  of  the  day,  with  men  of  aU  characters  and 
conditions,  he  is  surromided  by  vast  numbers  of  people,  and 
stands  on  the  broad  basement  story.  Here,  while  he  abstains 
from  e^dl  tilings,  he  is  compelled  to  commimicate  with  many 
e\il  persons;  and  he  calls  to  mind  the  words  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  '  I  pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the 
world,  but  that  thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  eril.' 
But  now  an  hospital  is  to  be  built ;  he  mounts  to  the  second 
story,  his  ground  is  nan'owed  and  his  company  lessens.  The 
utterly  selfish  and  dissolute  disappear  from  his  view ;  but  he 
still  finds  himself  in  commimication  with  the  worldly  as  well 
as  the  religious ;  with  the  infidel  as  well  as  with  the  behever. 
Christian  benevolence  however  has  new  services  in  store  for 
him.  A  society  is  formed  for  distributing  the  Scriptures 
without  note  or  comment.      The  object  is  one  of  undoubted 


463  THE    PORTABLE    EVIDENCE    OF    CHRISTIANITY.  1832. 

excellence^  and  he  heartily  engages  in  the  cause.  Here  he 
stands  on  the  third  section  of  the  pyramid.  Again  the 
company  is  diminished;  again  the  circumference  is  contracted. 
Yet  it  is  large  enough  to  comprehend  all  reflecting  persons  of 
every  class  who  value  the  Bible  and  approve  of  its  dissemi- 
nation. Our  philanthropist  knows  that  the  work  is  pure  and 
good,  and  though  he  by  no  means  agrees  in  sentiment  with 
all  who  co-operate  in  it,  the  last  thing  he  dreams  of  is  to 
narrow  the  circle  either  of  its  friends  or  of  its  efficacy. 

"  But  while  in  distributing  the  Bible  he  stands  on  a  com- 
mon level  with  all  who  approve  that  object,  he  well  knows 
the  importance  of  a  sound  interpretation  of  its  contents ;  and 
on  the  next  story  of  the  pyramid  he  finds  himself  engaged 
with  rather  fewer  companions,  and  within  somewhat  narrower 
boundaries  in  a  Missionary  Society,  or  in  a  sabbath-day 
school,  formed  for  the  express  purpose  of  affording,  to  those 
who  need  it,  evangelical  instruction.  The  merely  nominal 
Christian,  and  the  Socinian  subscriber  to  the  Bible  Society 
have  now  parted  from  him;  yet  he  is  still  encompassed  by 
many  persons  whose  religious  views,  on  secondary  points, 
differ  from  his  own.  He  ascends,  therefore,  when  occasion 
requires  it,  to  an  area  of  still  smaller  dimensions,  and  there 
he  joins  the  members  of  his  own  church,  in  distributing 
tracts  written  in  defence  of  the  sentiments  or  practices 
peculiar  to  themselves.  Finally  he  has  some  solitary  duty  to 
perform,  or  some  opinion,  all  his  own,  to  maintain  or  develope ; 
and  behold,  he  stands  alone  on  the  top  of  the  pyramid." 

The  Terms  of  Union  had.  engaged  Ms  leisure  in 
the  early  part  of  the  year.  Another  work,  of 
greater  magnitude  and  importance,  completed, 
about  the  same  time,  had  been  in  hand  for  a  much 
longer  period. 

"  Dr.  Chalmers  had  much  impressed  me,''  he  writes  in  the 
Autobiography,  "with  a  sense  of  the  value  of  the  Portable 
Evidence  of  Christianity,  as  he  called  it,  meaning  that  which 
every  Christian  carries   about  with   him   in  his  own  mind 


^T.  44.  KELIGIOUS    MEETINGS.  463 

and  experience.^  I  subseqnently  gave  up  no  inconsider- 
able portion  both  of  mind  and  time  to  the  thinking  out  of 
this  subject;  the  result  of  which,  after  some  delays^  was  the 
little  volume  published  by  me  imder  that  name.  I  am 
incHned  to  consider  it  the  most  useful  of  my  works ;  and  I 
hope  it  is  calculated  to  lay  hold  of  the  heart,  as  well  as  to 
convmce  the  head.  This,  at  least,  was  my  intention.  It  has 
sold  largely  in  England;  has  been  translated  into  French; 
and  has  been  republished  in  America  by  Dr.  Wayland, 
president  of  one  of  the  colleges.  The  Searcher  of  hearts 
knows  that  I  boast  not  of  the  performance.  If  there  be  any 
good  in  it,  it  is  all  of  him;  and  as  for  myself,  I  can  only 
wonder  that  such  an  one  should  be  employed  in  any  such 
service.  Praised  and  for  ever  adored  he  liis  holy  name ! 
May  it  be  glorified  by  me  whether  in  life  or  in  death.^'f 

The  Terms  of  Union  and  the  Portable  Evidence, 
were  both  of  them  published  early  in  the  Spring. 
They  were  hardly  completed  before  he  was  called 
into  another  extensive  field  of  labour.  He  left 
home  in  the  beginning  of  the  third  month;  and, 
after  visiting  the  families  of  Priends  at  Birmin"-- 
ham  and  its  neighbourhood,  proceeded  into  Lanca- 
shire, where,  especially  at  Liverpool  and  Manchester, 
and  the  adjacent  manufacturing  districts,  he  was 
largely  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel.  Prom 
Liverpool  he  writes 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

My  dear  Friend,  5th  mo.,  7th,  1832. 

The   constant   flow   of  religious   engagements 
(like  wave  after  wave)  has  prevented  my  earher  notice  of  thy 

*  See  supra,  p.  409. 
t  Besides  being  largely  circulated  tlirough  other  channels,  it  has 
been  published  in  a  cheap  form  by  the  Religious  Tract  Society  in 
London.      It   is   reprinted    in   the   first   volume    of  Joseph   John 
Gm-ney's  Minor  Works. 


464  YEARLY  MEETING.  1832. 

very  acceptable  and  timely  letter.  Tlie  train  of  thought 
which  it  contains  is  just  in  correspondence  with  my  own ;  for 
I  have  had  to  plead  for  immediate  revelation^  and  for  that 
ancient  principle  of  our  religious  profession,  the  Lord's 
"anointing,"  or  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  us,  and  upon  us, 
without  which  we  can  do  nothing  well  for  his  precious 
cause,  or  for  our  own  soul's  salvation.  There  are  many 
dangers  abroad  in  the  present  day.  Some  are  for  justifying 
themselves  by  their  own  works;  and  others,  while  they 
delight  in  the  evangelical  foundation,  are  too  apt  to  disregard 
that  superstructure  which  has  been  long  precious  to  some  of 
us,  as  well  as  to  our  forefathers  in  the  truth.  I  cannot 
describe  to  thee  the  exercise  of  mind  through  which  I  have 
passed,  especially  in  Manchester  and  at  this  place. 

His  labours  in  Lancashire  were  interrupted  by 
the  Yearly  Meeting  and  an  interval  of  rest  at  home. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  17 th.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  on  the 
whole  well  attended,  and  appeared  to  me  to  be  an  improvement 
upon  that  of  last  year.  Something  like  conflict  of  opinion  was 
apparent;  some  being  rather  prone  to  clip  the  gospel,  and 
others  full  enough  inclined  to  omit  a  sufficient  reference  to 
the  spiritual  work,  and  the  testimonies  of  Friends.  For  my 
own  part,  I  felt  deeply  concerned,  on  the  one  hand,  that  the 
glorious  gospel  should  have  free  course,  and  Christ  be  set  forth 
in  all  his  gracious  offices ;  and  on  the  other,  that  Friends  might 
be  called  home  to  their  ancient  spiritual  principles,  and  that 
we  might  be  encouraged  not  to  forsake  any  of  our  testimonies. 
I  found  it  my  duty  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  women  Friends,  when 
the  comparison  of  the  word  of  God  to  a  two-edged  sword  was 
deeply  before  me.  The  minister  of  Christ  must  cut  down  self- 
ri"-hteousness  by  the  right  hand  stroke  of  his  sword,  and  with 
the  left  hand  stroke,  self-indulgence.  It  was  a  deep  and 
difficult  exercise. 

In  allusion  to  various  communications  in  the 
ministry,  he  remarks : — 


iET.  44.  STEPHEN    GRELLET.  465 

I  felt  a  desire  to  open  my  ear  to  what  the  Spirit  might  say- 
to  the  chm*ches  through  whatever  instrument^  under  whatever 
complexion.  We  must  still  have  our  watchmen  and  watch- 
women  at  different  and  even  opposite  doors  :  but  O  that  it 
may  please  the  Head  of  the  Church  to  inspire  more  and  more 
of  unanimity  as  well  as  love^  and  preserve  us  in  the  unity  of 
the  Spirit  and  the  bond  of  peace  ! 

The  epistle  is  weighty^  Christian,  and  comprehensive,  A 
large  committee  sat  on  the  subject  of  the  heathen,  and  some 
important  principles  were  discussed,  and  I  hope  settled.  It 
was  an  interesting  circumstance  that  we  had  at  this  Yearly 
Meeting  the  company  of  four  American  brethren.  Jonathan 
Taylor,  who,  had  he  lived,  would  have  been  a  fifth,  died  in 
Ireland  last  autumn ;  and  left  behind  him  a  character  of  un- 
usual purity,  loveliness,  and  brightness. 

First  day  night,  6th  mo.,  17th.  I  have  to  record  a  delight- 
ful Sabbath,  rendered  peculiarly  instructive  by  the  company 
of  our  dear  friend,  Stephen  GreUet.  This  evening,  in  a  well- 
filled  public  meeting  at  Goat  Lane,  he  preached  on  the  new 
birth,  in  the  fulness  and  clearness  of  the  gospel.  It  was 
indeed  a  refreshing  and  satisfying  occasion.  May  it  sink 
deeply  into  many  hearts,  and  lead  to  the  production  of  much 
good  fruit ! 

Second  day  morning.  In  my  quiet  sitting  with  my  wife  this 
morning,  a  view  was  opened  to  me  of  several  distinct  evil 
tendencies  in  my  own  mind.  That  view  has  been  rather  ap- 
palling, and  reminds  me  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  our 
endeavouring,  through  prayer  and  watchfulness,  to  have  the 
work  of  sanctification  applied  to  our  particular  failings, — to  the 
sinfulness  which  actually  besets  us.  In  all  this  there  is  a  large 
scope  for  the  active  and  diligent  co-operation  of  the  beUever 
with  the  grace  of  God. 

7th  mo.,  2nd.  The  Quarterly  Meeting  last  week  was  weU 
attended,  and  was  a  time  of  renewed  gracious  visitation, 
chiefly  through  the  instrumentality  of  our  dear  friend  Charles 
Osborne,  from  Indiana.  He  passed  two  days  under  our  roof. 
His  simplicity,  humility,  and  Clu'istian  piety,  are  very  exem- 
plary.    Yesterday  evening  he  held  a  large  public  meeting  in 

H    H 


466  OPEN-AIR    MEETINGS.  1832. 

the  Gildencroft,  in  which  the  gospel  was  proclaimed  with 
power,  and  wliich  has  left  behind  it  a  sweet  savour  on  my 
mind. 

7th  mo.,  22nd.  We  intend  leaving  home  early  to-morrow 
morning.  Tidings  of  cholera  from  various  quarters ;  but  we 
desire  to  go  forth  trusting  in  the  Lord,  How  sweet  to  know 
that  we  belong  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  bought  us  with 
his  blood,  and  who  is  supreme  over  all  things,  natural  and 
spiritual,  to  his  church.  May  he  condescend  to  be  our  guide ; 
to  be  with  us  every  moment ! 

The  young  people's  meeting  last  sixth  day  evening  was 
very  relieving.  I  again  foimd  much  peace  in  explaining  the 
principles  of  Friends. 

The  completion  of  his  labours  in  Lancashire  was 
his  principal  object  in  again  leaving  home.  Re- 
ferring to  this  visit,  wliicli  occupied  about  five 
weeks,  he  writes  : — 

I  believed  it  to  be  my  duty  to  hold  several  meetings  in  the 
open  air  in  some  large  places;  particularly  at  Oldham  and 
Middleton,  where  the  population  is  at  once  very  large  and 
uncultivated.  A  waggon  was  prepared  for  me  at  both  places ; 
and,  besides  my  dear  wife,  our  friend  Abigail  Dockray  and 
others  were  my  companions.  At  Middleton,  where  about 
two  thousand  persons  were  present,  I  was  exposed  to  peculiar 
difficulty  in  consequence  of  having  nearly  lost  my  voice ;  but 
we  were  favoured  to  get  through  pretty  well.  At  Oldham, 
the  assembly  was  also  very  large,  and  I  have  seldom  attended 
a  more  solemn  and  satisfactory  meeting.  I  wish  we  had  more 
of  that  faith  which  dwelt  so  largely  in  our  forefathers,  and  led 
them  to  proclaim  the  truth  in  the  highways  and  market  places. 
It  is  obvious  to  me,  that  more  of  this  kind  of  aggressive  war- 
fare is  wanted ;  it  is  almost  impossible,  by  any  other  means, 
to  have  communication  with  a  large,  rough,  irreligious  popu- 
lation ;  such  as  still  exists  in  Lancashire,  notwithstanding  the 
increasing  diffusion  of  the  truth. 


^T.  45.  ADDRESS  TO  MECHANICS  AT  MANCHESTER.  467 

But  another  senice  in  which  I  was  at  this  time  engaged, 
was,  if  possible,  still  more  exercising  to  my  mind.  Feelmg  a 
lively  interest  in  the  mechanics  of  jManchester,  a  hard-headed, 
ingenious  set  of  men,  and  having  in  vain  attempted  to  obtain 
the  company  of  any  large  number  of  them  at  the  pubhc  meet- 
ings for  worship,  I  believed  it  right  to  give  a  lectiu'c,  at  the 
Mechanics'  Institution,  "  on  the  right  use  and  application  of 
knowledge."  The  advertisement  of  my  intention,  which  met 
the  approbation  of  the  committee,  was  published  a  fortnight 
beforehand.  In  the  meantime,  I  was  dadv  and  houi'lv  occu- 
pied  in  ministerial  labours,  and  utterly  unable  did  I  feel  to 
direct  my  thoughts  to  the  subject.  Only,  I  believed,  I  had 
that  blessed  sanction,  for  proposing  both  the  lecture  and  the 
subject,  which  I  have  ever  found  to  be  the  seed  of  a  happy 
result.  So  I  went  on  with  each  day's  work,  in  the  humble 
hope  that  the  Lord  would  be  with  me  in  the  hoiu*  of  need. 
When  the  day  came  I  was  very  poorly,  my  voice  almost  en- 
tirely gone.  As  I  lay  resting  on  my  bed  during  the  morning, 
and  reading  a  little  of  Beattie  and  some  other  writers,  a  very 
few  thoughts  only  was  I  able  to  collect  that  bore  on  the  sub- 
ject, so  that  in  the  evening,  I  went  to  the  appointed  place 
with  a  weak  body  and  unfurnished  mind,  yet  with  some  de^i'ee 
of  humble  confidence  in  the  Lord.  When  I  entered,  I  took 
my  station  on  the  floor,  and  could  not  but  enjoy  the  spectacle 
of  more  than  1200  mechanics,  occupying  the  raised  seats  of 
the  amphitheatre  to  a  verj^  considerable  elevation.  O  how 
merciful  was  the  Lord  to  his  poor  servant  on  that  occasion ! 
Many  were,  I  believe,  secretly  praying  for  me;  and  their 
prayers  were  answered.  After  speaking  for  about  ten  minutes, 
I  entirely  recovered  my  voice.  This  might  have  been  owing  in 
part  to  the  arrangement  now  alluded  to,  which  constrained 
me  to  lift  up  the  head  and  throw  out  the  chest ;  but  I,  never- 
theless, gratefully  acknowledge  it  to  have  been  a  special  favour 
from  the  hand  of  my  Divine  Master.  Clearness  of  ideas  and 
fluency  of  speech  were  also  graciously  bestowed ;  matter  in 
abvuidance  both  presented  and  developed  itself  as  I  proceeded ; 
the  audience  was  extremely  attentive ;  and  I  sjioke  for  an  hour 
and  three  quarters  without  difiiculty,  taking  them  by  guile, 

H    H    2 


468  ADDRESS  TO  MECHANICS  1832 

and  gently  leading  tliem  from  one  point  to  another,  until  we 
ended  with  Christ.* 

At  once  brief  and  comprehensive,  popular  and 
argumentative,  the  address  is  one  eminently  adapted 
for  the  class  to  whom  it  was  delivered.  None,  per- 
haps, of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  published  writings 
contain  so  many  thoughts  in  so  small  a  compass.  The 
littleness  of  man ;  his  ignorance  and  dependence  con- 
trasted with,  his  exhaustless  longings  as  an  immortal 
being ;  the  effect  of  all  true  knowledge  in  producing 
still  deeper  and  deeper  humility;  the  necessity  of 
faith  even  in  the  ordinary  transactions  of  life,  and 
much  more  in  our  relation  to  the  infinite  Creator ; 
the  matchless  wisdom,  harmony,  and  love  displayed 
in  all  the  works  of  God,  and,  above  all,  in  the  great 
and  glorious  facts  revealed  in  the  Christian  religion ; 
the  overwhelming  amount  of  evidence  in  support  of 
those  facts;  and  the  wondrous  adaptation  of  the 
doctrines  founded  upon  them  to  the  wants,  the 
capacities,  and  the  otherwise  unsatisfied  desires  of 
fallen  man,  are  among  the  important  topics  which 
are  here  successively  touched  upon  and  enforced. 
One  of  his  favourite  illustrations  may  serve  as  a 
specimen  of  the  whole. 

"  When  a  lock  and  key/'  he  says,  addressing  his  audience 
of  mechanics,  "  are  well  fitted,  a  fair  presumption  arises,  even 
though  they  be  of  a  simple  character,  that  they  were  made  for 
each  other.  If  tliey  are  complex  in  their  form,  that  presump- 
tion is  considerably  strengthened.    But  if  the  lock  is  composed 

*  This  address  was  soon  afterwards  published  upon  a  penny  sheet ; 
and  has  been  since  widely  circulated.  It  is  i-epriuted  in  Joseph 
John  Gumcy's  Minor  Works,  Vol.  ii,  pp.  169  to  199. 


JET.  45.  AT    MANCHESTER.  469 

of  such  strange  and  curious  parts  as  to  baffle  the  skill  even  of 
a  Manchester  mechanic — if  it  is  absolutely  novel  and  peculiar, 
differing  from  everything  which  was  ever  before  seen  in  the 
world — if  no  key  in  the  universe  will  enter  it,  except  one,  and 
by  that  one  it  is  so  easily  and  exactly  fitted,  that  a  child  may 
open  it,  then  indeed  are  we  absolutely  certain,  that  the  lock 
and  the  key  were  made  by  the  same  master-hand,  and  truly 
belong  to  each  other.  No  less  curiously  diversified,  no  less 
hidden  from  the  wisdom  of  man,  no  less  novel  and  pecidiar, 
are  the  prophecies  contained  in  the  Old  Testament  respecting 
Jesus  Christ,  No  less  easy,  no  less  exact,  is  the  manner  in 
"which  they  are  fitted  by  the  gospel  history.  Who  then  can 
doubt  that  God  was  the  author  of  these  predictions — of  the 
events  by  which  they  were  fulfilled — and  of  the  religion  with 
which  they  are  both  inseparably  connected?" 

FROM    THE    LATE    BISHOP    BURGESS. 

Palace,  Salisbury,  October  23rd,  1832. 

Respected  Friend, 

I  return  you  many  thanks  for  the  very  interesting 
and  valuable  Address  which  you  have  had  the  kindness  to  send 
me.  I  should  have  thought  it  very  improbable  that  a  lectm'e 
to  a  meeting  of  mechanics  could  have  given  any  one  an 
opportmiity  of  pressing  upon  their  attention  such  a  variety  of 
intellectual,  moral,  and  spiritual  views.  I  cannot  omit  this 
occasion  of  saying  how  much  I  have  been  lately  pleased  with 
your  beautiful  compendium  of  Christian  Evidences. 
I  am,  with  very  sincere  respect. 

Your  faithful  servant, 

T.  Sarum. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Geduey,  11th  mo.,  14tb,  1832. 

*  "^  *  Amidst  the  much  that  pleases  me  in  this  Address, 
there  is  one  sentiment  which  I  can  most  fully  and  cordially 
receive;  it  is  that  which  supposes  our  humility  to  bear  a 
considerable  proportion  to,  if  not  to  be  dependent  on,  the 
depth  of  our  knowledge,  whether  this  knowledge  be  derived 


470  JOSEPH    KINGHORN.  1832. 

from  self-examination,  philosophical  research,  religions  in- 
quiry, or  the  united  influence  of  all  these;  a  sentiment  in 
support  of  which  thou  hast  very  appropriately  introduced  the 
name  of  one  who,  on  account  of  his  eminence  both  in  science 
and  lowHness  of  mind,  has  been  justly  denominated  the  child- 
like sage.  As  the  true  Christian  would  not  desire  a  higher 
title,  so  perhaps  he  can  scarcely  propose  to  himself  a  brighter 
example  than  that  of  the  pious  philosopher,  Isaac  Newton. 

First  day,  9th  mo.,l2th.  On  our  arrival  at  Norwich  this 
morning,  we  were  met  by  the  affecting  news  of  Joseph 
Kinghorn's  death,  which  took  place  last  night  about  nine 
o'clock,  I  have  no  doubt  in  peace.  "  Siu-ely,"  have  I  said  in 
my  heart,  "  our  brother  rests  with  God."  He  was  a  man  for 
whom  I  have  long  entertained  a  settled  and  deep  esteem,  and 
■a  true  affection.  Although  not  without  his  prejudices,  he 
was  distinguished  by  unbending  integrity  and  true  piety, 
great  learning,  and  a  very  happy,  cheerful  disposition.  His 
conversation  has  been  often  delightful  to  me.  Very  few 
minds  are  better  stored  than  his  was ;  and  very  few  persons 
knew  better  how  to  bring  forth  from  their  treasury  "things 
new  and  old."  May  the  event  quicken  our  footsteps  towards 
that  celestial  city,  of  which  I  reverently  believe  he  is  now  an 
inhabitant !  His  death  has  reminded  me  of  that  of  my  beloved 
uncle.  I  think  they  were  two  of  the  most  thoroughly  respect- 
able and  estimable  men  in  Norwich ;  and  neither  of  them  has 
left  liis  like  behind. 

9th  mo. J  17th.  Catherine  and  I  attended  Joseph  Kinghorn's 
funeral  yesterday  morning.  After  the  service  was  over,  I 
addressed  a  few  sentences  to  the  congregation,  under  a  feeling 
of  great  solemnity,  and  bore  testimony  to  my  friend;  but 
more  especially  to  the  grace  and  goodness  of  the  Master  whom 
he  desired  to  serve. 

9th  mo.,  2lst.  The  day  of  the  Bible  Society  meeting.  We 
have  abundant  cause  to  be  thankful  for  the  aiding  and 
preserving  mercies  of  a  most  gracious  God.  I  invited  our 
Bible  party  to  our  Meeting  at  Goat  Lane.  It  was  a  very 
solemn  and  interesting  time. 


^T.  45.  BOOK    OF    EXTRACTS.  471 

In  the  eleventh  month  he  attended  a  Conference 
of  Priends  in  London,  appointed  to  assist  in  a 
general  review  of  the  volume  (then  known  as  The 
Book  of  Extracts)  containing  the  rules  and  advices 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which  more  particularly 
relate  to  the  internal  government  and  discipUne  of 
the  Society  of  Friends. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  lltli  mo.,  18th,  1832. 

The  revisal  of  The  Book  of  Extracts  brought  before  us,  in 
succession,  every  subject  of  interest  and  importance  to  our 
Society ;  and  some  of  the  discussions  were  at  once  lively  and 
weighty.  We  worked  very  hard  :  beginning  at  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  gouig  on  till  half-past  seven  in  the  evening, 
allowing  little  more  than  an  hour  for  dinner  and  about  twenty 
minutes  for  tea,  which  was  comfortably  provided  on  the 
premises.  This  daily  tea  drinking  appeared  to  me  to  be  a 
sort  of  love  feast.  We  were  about  eighty  in  number,  and  I 
think  every  sitting  was  begun  and  ended  in  a  feeling  of 
solemnity.  The  whole  was  concluded  by  a  meeting  for 
worship  last  fourth  day  morning  at  Gracechm^ch  Street."^ 

Thus,  my  dear  friend,  it  is  evident  that  we  are  not  forsaken 
of  our  great  and  glorious  Head.  May  we  trust  him  and  serve 
him  with  all  good  fidelity,  and  we  shall  yet  do  well.  I  suppose 
thou  hast  heard  of  our  friend  Daniel  Wheeler's  prospect  of 
visiting  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific,  Van  Dieman's  Land,  and 
New    South  Wales.     It  was  brought  before  the  "Morning 

*  The  results  of  the  deliberations  of  the  "Conference"  here 
alluded  to,  after  having  been  submitted  to  the  approval  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  of  1833,  were,  with  a  valuable  explanatory  preface, 
embodied  in  the  volume,  published  in  1834,  under  the  title  of  The 
Eoles  of  Discipline  and  Advices  of  the  Yearly  Meeting ;  a  volume 
which,  as  containing  an  authentic  account  of  the  discipline  and 
usages  of  Friends,  as  well  as  for  the  Christian  wisdom  breathed 
throughout  its  pages,  is  well  worthy  the  serious  attention  of  members 
of  other  bodies  of  professing  Christians. 


473  CLOSE  OF  THE  YEAR.  1832. 

Meeting"  on  second  day;  most  of  the  "Conference  Friends'* 
being  present ;  and,  after  serious  deliberation,  met  with  the 
full  unity  of  the  meeting.  John  and  Martha  Yeardley  have 
a  view  to  visiting  Greece  and  the  Islands  of  the  Archipelago. 
Thus  our  "  Missions"  are  going  on  apace  ! 

First  day  afternoon,  [\\th  mo.,  25^^.]  It  is  an  unspeakable 
blessing  to  have  our  faith  in  the  vast  realities  of  the  gospel 
enlivened  and  strengthened.  The  thought  of  many  beloved 
ones  now  centred,  I  trust,  with  their  Lord,  is  often  very 
sweet  to  me.  How  joyful  will  be  our  re-union,  where  trouble, 
sorrow,  and  death  will  be  no  more !  O  Christianity,  how  great 
are  thy  treasures,  and  what  rays  of  sunshine  art  thou  the 
means  of  casting  over  a  darkly  clouded  world  ! 

Fourth  day,  \\2th  mo.,  \\th.'\  Public  affairs;  the  strife  of 
party ;  the  \dctories  of  the  hot  Tory  partizans  on  the  one  side, 
and  the  brawlings  of  Radicals  on  the  other;  the  absence  of 
religious  and  even  decently  moral  restraint,  are  subjects  of 
deep  lamentation  to  me,  and  I  tremble  lest  the  righteous 
cause  of  the  Abolition  of  Slavery  should  still  be  frustrated. 
But  I  know  there  is  One  who  surmoimts  the  storm  and  rides 
on  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

[12/A  mo.,  26/A.]  I  found  it  best  to  take  the  mail  for 
Ipswich,  on  second  day  afternoon,  with  a  view  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  held  there  yesterday.  I  returned  this 
morning.  The  meeting  in  the  morning  was  large  and 
solemn,  and  in  the  evening  the  young  people  met  me  at 
the  house  of  our  dear  friend  Dykes  Alexander;  the  party 
amounting  to  nearly  ninety.  The  scriptural  grounds  of  our 
various  testimonies  were  unfolded.  I  trust  the  whole  day 
was  a  time  of  favom-ed  ^dsitation  to  many,  and  I  feel  refreshed 
and  comforted  by  the  retrospect.  What  a  mercy  that  one  so 
weak  and  unworthy  should  be  helped  in  time  of  need. 

\2th  mo.,  2>\st.  I  feel  the  present  a  period  of  some  critical 
importance  in  my  life,  and  my  soul  has  been  brought  into 
deep  exercise  and  conflict,  in  the  fear  lest  I  should,  in  any 
respect,  become  a  prey  to  the  enemy.  But  I  will  not,  I  dare 
not,  doubt  the  faithfulness  of  my  God  and  Saviour. 


JET.  45.  ANTI-SLAVERY    PROCEEDINGS.  473 


CHAPTEE   XXIV. 

1833.     ^T.  45. 

anti-slateet  proceedings;  meeting  of  delegates;  passing  of 
emancipation  act ;  election  at  nokwich  ;  petition  against 
bkebeky;  peospect  oe  enteeing  parliament;  doubts  respecting 
it ;  ultimate  decision  ;  commencement  of  visit  to  friends  in 
london  and  its  neighbourhood  ;  letter  to  a  toung  friend  ; 
letter  to  his  children;  rachel  fowler;  george  withy; 
william   wilberfoece. 

The  important  subject  of  Slavery,  which  had  of 
late  years  given  place  to  other  questions  of  a  more 
directly  domestic  and  absorbing  interest,  was  now 
again  beginning  to  claim  a  large  share  of  public 
attention.  The  efforts  of  the  Abolitionists  in  1823 
and  1824,  to  which  reference  has  been  already 
made,*  had  spurred  on  the  Government  to  some 
exertion ;  and  for  several  of  the  following  years  no 
way  had  appeared  open  for  more  decided  steps. 
But  the  opportunity  afforded  by  the  interval  was 
not  lost.  The  leading  Abolitionists  were  diligently 
occupied  in  watching  the  progress  and  working  of 
the  remedial  measures  of  the  Government,  and  the 
disposition  and  conduct  of  both  the  planters  and 
the  slaves ;  and  they  failed  not  to  take  advantage  of 
the  openings  that  were  presented  for  keeping  alive 

*  See  5W^m,  pp.  243 — 245. 


474  ANTI-SLAVERY    PROCEEDINGS,  1833. 

the  attention  of  parliament  and  the  public  to  the 
enormities  and  ruinous  consequences  attendant  upon 
the  system.  A  large  mass  of  important  evidence 
was  accumulated.  From  tables,  furnished  by  the 
Colonial  authorities  themselves,  it  was  proved,  in 
the  most  decisive  manner,  that  the  slave  population 
was  on  the  decline.  The  alarming  fact  was  disclosed, 
that  within  the  short  space  of  twenty-three  years, 
the  number  of  slaves  had  diminished  to  the  extent 
of  100,000.  And  yet,  while  ruin  was  thus  following 
in  the  train  of  oppression,  the  planters  had  turned 
a  deaf  ear  to  the  voice  of  warning.  The  golden 
opportunity  had  been  frittered  away  unimproved. 
Not  a  step  had  been  taken  by  any  of  the  Colonial 
legislatures  with  a  view  to  the  extinction  of  slavery. 
The  remedial  propositions  of  the  Government  had 
been  either  wholly  rejected  or  coldly  received  and 
studiously  evaded.  Meanwhile,  public  attention  in 
England  was  more  and  more  turned  to  the  subject. 
And  now  that  the  great  question  of  parliamentary 
reform  was  considered  for  the  present  settled,  the 
abolition  of  Slavery  became  a  leading  topic  of  dis- 
cussion ;  and  soon  ranked  amongst  the  most  popular 
questions  of  the  day.  The  details  of  the  movement 
are  stated  with  so  much  clearness  in  the  Memoirs  of 
the  late  Sir  Thos.  Towell  Buxton,*  that  it  is  equally 
unnecessary  as  it  would  be  out  of  place  to  repeat 
them  here.  The  part  taken  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
in  these  efforts  was  necessarily  subordinate,  but  his 
unabated  interest  in  the  cause  requires  that  they 
should  be  briefly  noticed.  Whether  the  call  was  to 
cheer  by  encouragement,  to  aid  by  counsel,  or  to 

*  See,  particularly,  Chapters  xvi  to  xx. 


^T.  45.  ANTI-SLAVERY    PROCEEDINGS.  475 

co-operate  in  a  more  active  way,  lie  was  ever  on  the 
watch  to  assist  his  brother-in-law  in  the  arduous 
stru2:2:le.  In  his  Journal,  towards  the  close  of 
1830,  he  describes  himself  as  "  closely  engaged " 
with  hun  "  in  arranging  his  parliamentary  plan  for 
the  Abolition  of  Slavery."  A  few  months  later, 
offering  to  share  his  expenses  in  the  contested 
election  at  Weymouth,  he  wTites*: — 

I  am  sure  that  whatsoever  thou  mayest  find  it  necessary  to 
spend  wiU  be  spent  \'irtuously.  Thy  return  to  parliament  was 
never  more  important  than  it  is  now  that  thou  hast_,  so 
satisfactorily  to  everybody,  taken  the  lead  in  the  Slavery 
question. 

And  when,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1833,  he 
saw  the  near  approach  of  what  he  felt  persuaded 
would  prove  the  final  conflict,  he  was  induced  at 
the  election  for  the  county  of  Norfolk  to  make  an 
exception  to  his  general  practice  of  non-interference; 
and  his  speech  to  the  electors  against  Slavery,  with 
that  of  another  gentleman  upon  the  same  subject, 
being  immediately  published  and  widely  cii'culated, 
had  considerable  influence  in  promoting  the  return 
of  the  Anti-slavery  candidate. 

Early  in  the  first  session  of  the  new  parliament, 
the  Government  were  prevailed  upon  to  undertake 
the  final  settlement  of  this  great  question.  They 
were  anxious,  however,  that  the  Anti-slavery  party 
should  accede  to  some  arrangement  which  Avould 
include  a  plan  for  compensation  to  the  slaveholder. 
This   occasioned  fresh   difiiculties.     In   1824,   the 

*  Under  date  4th  mo.,  30th,  1831.  See  also  Memoirs  of  Sh  T.  F. 
Buxton,  pp.  188—189. 


476  ANTI-SLAVERY    PROCEEDINGS.  1833. 

question  of  gradual  emancipation  had  been  con- 
nected, in  the  minds  of  many  of  its   advocates, 
(and  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  one  of  this  number,) 
with  the  idea,  in  a  form  more  or  less  defined,  of  com- 
pensation to  the  planter.     It  was  thought  (whether 
rightly  or  wrongly  this  is  not  the  place  to  inquire) 
that  the  state,  which  had  vested  in  the  master  the 
legal  right   of  property  in  the   slave,  could  not, 
without  sharing  in  the  loss,  honourably  undo  the 
wrong  which  it  had  itself  occcasioned.    But  gradual 
emancipation,  as  it  had  been  before  understood,  was 
now  abandoned  as  hopeless.     Nothing,  it  was  now 
felt,  was  practicable  but  the  total  and  immediate 
extinction   of    Slavery.      And  with   an   increased 
acquaintance  with  the  horrors  of  the  system,  and 
a  growing  detestation  of  its  inherent  evils,  many  of 
the  warm  friends  of  the  cause,  "  carried  away  by 
their  anxiety  to  do  justice  to  the  Negro,  deemed  all 
concession  to  his  owner  a  dereliction  of  principle; 
nor  could  they  endure  the  idea  of  striking  a  bargain 
with  the  oppressor." 

Notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  "  it  was  determined/'  to 
use  the  words  of  the  Memoir  already  referred  to,  "  that  the 
idea  of  acquiescing  in  some  system  of  compensation  should 
be  broached  to  the  Anti-slavery  Society  at  its  approaching 
annual  meeting.  This  meeting  was  held  on  the  2nd  of  April, 
Lord  Suffield  taking  the  chair;  and  Mr.  Buxton  undertook 
the  dehcate  task  of  introducing  the  proposal.  *  ^  *  He  was 
ably  followed  by  Dr.  Lushington,  Mr.  Joseph  J.  Gurney,  and 
others;  and  their  exertions  appeared  to  be  crowned  with 
unexpected  success.  *  *  "^  But  whde^the  leaders  of  the 
Anti-slavery  party  made  this  concession  to  Government,  they 
still  deemed  it  necessary  to  rally  aU  their  forces,  and  render 
their  victory  complete.  ^  ^  ^  A  circular  was  addressed  by 


^T.  45,  ABOLITION    OF    SLAVERY.  477 

the  Committee  to  the  friends  of  the  cause  in  every  considerable 
town^  requesting  them  to  appoint  delegates,  who  were  to  meet 
in  London  on  the  18th  of  the  month,  to  represent  in  person 
the  wishes  of  the  nation.  -^  -^  ^  The  call  was  answered  to  an 
unexpected  extent;  and  now  the  question  arose,  how,  most 
prudently  and  effectually,  to  wield  the  force  about  to  join 
them.  Nor  was  the  moment  unattended  with  anxiety.  It 
was  very  doubtful  whether  so  many  earnest  advocates  could 
be  brought  to  act  in  concert.  *  "^  "^  They  were  not  unlikely 
to  mistake  matters  of  expedience  for  matters  of  principle ;  and, 
in  particular,  to  think  that  it  would  be  a  crime  to  give  the 
planter  compensation,  however  much  the  interests  of  the 
Negro  might  require  concession.  It  was  an  occasion  which 
called  forth  all  Mr.  Buxton's  tact  and  powers  of  argument ; 
but  the  delegates,  strong  and  independent  as  their  views  were, 
placed  a  generous  confidence  in  their  leaders,  and  a  sufficient 
degree  of  unanimity  was  at  length  obtained. 

"It  was  necessary  to  frame  an  address  to  the  Premier 
which  should  embody  their  sentiments.  This  difficult  task 
fell  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  J.  J,  Gumey,  and  the  paper  which  he 
prepared  received  a  cordial  assent.  On  the  ensuing  day  they 
met  again  in  Exeter  HaU,  and  proceeded  in  a  body  to 
l)owning  Street."  ^ 

The  result  of  these  efforts  is  well  known.  The 
passing  of  the  Act  for  the  Abolition  of  Slavery 
before  the  close  of  the  session,  clogged  though  it 
was  with  the  apprenticeship  arrangement,  could 
not  but  be  hailed  with  satisfaction  and  gratitude ; 
and,  whatever  diversity  of  opinion  might  exist  as  to 
compensation,  there  were  few  indeed  who  could  not 
join  in  the  thankful  acknowledgment  of  William 
Wilberforce,  that  he  had  "  lived  to  witness  a  day  in 
which  England  was  willing  to  give  twenty  millions 
sterling  for  the  abolition  of  Slavery."  Scarcely  could 

*  Memoirs  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  pp.  313—317. 


478  EFFORTS  AGAINST  BRIBERY  1833. 

Josepli  Joliii  Gurney  have  ventured  to  look  for  such 
a  consummation  of  his  wishes,  when,  in  the  earlv 
part  of  the  year  1824,  in  a  letter  to  his  hrother-in- 
law,  an  extract  from  which  has  heen  already  given, 
after  cheering  him  with  the  prospect  of  ultimate 
success,  he  had  concluded  with  the  inquiry,  "  Why 
should  we  expect  to  get  the  extinction  of  the  monster 
into  full  train  in  less  than  ten  years  .^"* 

To  return  once  more  to  his  own  more  immediate 
course  of  lahour.  At  the  late  election  for  the  City 
of  Norwich, — ^the  first  since  the  passing  of  the 
Reform  Act, — ^the  Whig  candidates,  one  of  whom 
was  his  near  relative,  were  defeated  chiefly,  as 
was  generally  believed,  through  the  influence  of 
bribery. 

"  As  usual/'  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  I  took  little  or 
no  part  in  the  election ;  but  when  a  petition  was  presented  to 
Parliament  against  the  returned  members  on  the  score  of 
bribery,  I  imagined  it  to  be  my  place  to  subscribe  to  the 
object ;  and  wrote  a  letter  in  the  Norwich  newspapers  stating 
the  grounds  of  my  so  doing.  Those  grounds  were  in  no 
degree  personal,  but  simply  moral  and  Christian.f     But  the 

^'  See  supra,  p.  250. 
\  The  following  is  a  transcript  of  the  letter  in  question  : — 
To  the  Editor  of  the  Norfolk  Chronicle. 

While  it  is  my  earnest  wish  to  promote  good  order  and  virtuous 
habits  among  the  working  classes  of  the  community,  and  to  assist  in 
cutting  off  some  of  those  temptations  to  evil  by  which  they  are 
surrounded,  I  have  an  utter  abhorrence  of  party  spirit ;  I  know  it 
is  ever  interfering  with  the  quietness  and  welfare  of  our  city,  and 
am  fully  sensible  how  desirable  it  is,  as  a  general  rule,  to  avoid 
every  measure  calculated  to  excite  its  virulence  or  to  prolong  its 
reign.  Under  these  feelings,  it  has  been  to  me  a  subject  of  anxious 
consideration  whether  I  ought,  or  ought  not,  to  subscribe  to  the 


^T.  45.  AT    THE    NORWICH    ELECTION.  479 

"appearance"  of  evil  was  not  avoided.  The  measure  was 
misconstiiied  into  an  act  of  political  partizanship ;  and  I 
evidently  lost  ground  by  it  in  my  own  time  calling, — that  of 


expenses  of  the  Petition,  which  is  about  to  be  presented  to  Parlia- 
ment, against  the  election  of  our  present  members.  The  result  has 
been  a  determination  to  support  the  object ;  and  I  hope  thou  wilt 
kindly  allow  me,  through  the  medium  of  thy  journal,  a  public 
opportunity  of  stating  my  reasons. 

I  have  been  long  convinced  that  the  whole  system  of  Norwich 
electioneering  is  fraught  with  moral  mischief;  and  I  have  carefully 
abstained,  for  many  years  past,  from  mixing  myself  up  with  the 
proceedings  of  either  party,  and  especially  from  subscribing  a  single 
shilling  to  any  of  our  elections,  whether  local  or  general.  I  am 
desirous  of  having  this  system  fairly  brought  before  Parliament,  and, 
after  much  reflection  on  the  subject,  I  think  there  are  good  grounds 
for  hoping  that  it  will  receive  an  effectual  remedy. 

Our  Ward  Elections,  and  other  contests  of  a  merely  local  nature, 
have  long  been  a  scene  of  shameless  bribery,  licentiousness,  and 
corruption.  Thousands  of  pounds  have  been  spent  on  both  sides  in 
the  horrid  work  of  depriving  the  poor  voters  of  their  best  treasures  : 
integrity  and  temperance.  The  colours  of  an  idle  ribbon  have  been 
substituted  for  principle ;  and  without  the  smallest  reserve  has  the 
motto  been  adopted,  "Let  us  do  evil  that  good  may  come." 

In  the  meantime,  the  General  Elections  have  been  subject  to  some 
considerable  degree  of  decency  and  restraint.  Pure  indeed  they 
have  never  been  in  the  view  of  the  Christian  moralist,  nor  by  any 
means  inoffensive  in  the  eye  of  the  law.  For  my  own  part,  I 
consider  the  old  practice  of  treating  the  voters  in  public  houses  as  a 
preparation  for  the  election,  and  that  of  afterwards  remunerating 
them  with  guineas  or  half-guineas,  to  be  in  a  very  high  degree 
objectionable  and  improper.  It  is  very  probable  that  corruption 
may  have  gone  somewhat  farther  on  these  occasions  *han  I  am 
aware  of;  but  the  full  introduction  of  Ward  Election  iniquity  into 
the  election  of  members  has  unquestionably  been  reserved  for  our 
last  contest.  Entertainments  were  given  at  the  public-houses  on 
the  day  of  the  election  itself,  and  direct  bribery  was  practised  to  a  very 
large  extent.  So  many  cases  have,  without  my  seeking  them,  come 
under  my  personal  notice,  that  I  am  sure  of  the  fact ;  it  is  indeed 
notorious  and  indisputable. 

Now,  although  the   opposite   party   appear   to  have   met  this 


480  EFFORTS  AGAINST  BRIBERY.  1833. 

promoting  simple  Christianity  among  all  classes.  A  more 
watchful  endeavom"  to  follow  the  only  true  guide  in  the 
application  of  the  great  principles  of  Christian  truth  to  the 
common  affairs  of  life, — I  mean  the  immediate  teaching  of  the 
Holy  Spirit, — would,  as  I  now  believe,  have  preserved  me  from 
this  course." 

vigorous  warfare  with  a  comparatively  dumb  battery,  I  am  perfectly 
aware  that  the  violent  partizaus  on  either  side  are,  in  a  moral  point 
of  view,  equally  blameable.  The  legal  danger  of  bribery  and 
corruption  may  indeed  be  different  in  the  two  cases,  but  tlie  moral 
guilt  is  precisely  the  same,  whether  they  be  practised  in  an  election 
for  a  senator  or  in  one  for  a  sheriff.  But  certainly  it  does  appear  to 
me,  and  I  think  it  must  be  obvious  to  every  one,  that  the  notorious 
corruptions  of  our  late  General  Election  afford  us  an  opportunity  of 
bringing  the  whole  subject  before  Parliament  such  as  we  have  never 
had  before.  Had  our  local  follies  and  miseries  stood  alone,  we 
might  in  vain  have  solicited  the  aid  of  the  legislature ;  but  the 
wider  and  more  important  range  which  they  have  now  taken,  at 
once  insures  the  attention  of  a  committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons. 

Whatever  may  be  the  result  of  the  inquiry  as  it  relates  to  the 
present  members,  the  guilt  and  sorrow  of  our  city  wiU  unquestion- 
ably be  brought  to  light ;  and  it  is  surely  very  reasonable  to  expect, 
as  a  consequence,  such  a  re-arrangement  of  our  municipal  and 
elective  system  as  wiU  dehver  us  from  all  such  evils  for  the 
futui'e. 

For  these  plain  reasons,  and  without  the  smallest  degree  of  ill 
will  to  any  one,  I  am  willing  to  subscribe  to  the  object;  and  I 
certainly  consider  it  worthy  of  general  support.  I  cannot  conclude 
without  remarking,  that  among  the  various  animosities  which  arise 
from  the  weakness  and  folly  of  mankind,  there  are  two  which 
appear  to  me  to  be  pre-eminently  absurd  and  vicious. 

The  first  is,  a  cry  for  Eeform  going  hand-in-hand  with  a  lust  for 
corruption. 

The  second  is,  a  Conservative  attempt  to  maintain  the  institutions 
of  the  country  by  undermining  that  foundation  of  religion  and  morals 
on  which  alone  they  can  stand  with  safety. 

Apologizing  for  the  length  of  my  letter,  I  remain  thy  sincere 
friend, 

J.    J.    GUENEY. 
Earlham,  1st  mo.,  1st,  1833. 


^T.  45.  IMPORTANT    QUESTION.  481 

Anotlier  subject  of  great  importance  to  liimself 
was  at  this  time  occupying  Ms  mind.  He  thus 
alludes  to  it  in  a  letter 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  2nd  mo.,  28tli,  1833. 
■3f  *  4f  Tiig  question  which  has  pressed  upon  me  day  and 
night  is  this ;  whether  I  have  a  testimony  to  bear,  I  mean  a 
quiet,  patient,  persevering  testimony,  to  the  cause  of  Christianity 
in  the  British  Parliament?  If  this  be  indeed  the  Master^s 
will,  I  fnUy  believe  it  would  not  hinder  or  mar  "the  anointing" 
in  ministry.  I  may  confess  that  I  have  been  utterly  unable  to 
escape  from  the  consideration  of  the  case.  Of  course  thou 
wilt  understand  that  it  would  be  on  a  system  of  entu'e  purity, 
and  wholly  independent  of  party. 

The  progress  and  final  result  of  his  deliberations 
will  be  seen  in  the  following  extracts  from  his 
Journal  and  Autobiography: — 

1*^  mo.,  Qth,  1833.  I  cannot  express  the  serious  thought 
into  which  I  have  been  introduced,  in  regard  to  a  certain  pros- 
pect of  a  public  nature.  Deep  has  been  my  conflict,  for  some 
time  past,  in  the  fear  of  the  enemy ^s  snares.  I  desire  to  be 
preserv^ed  in  patience  and  simple  dependence,  resting  assured 
that  the  Lord  will  not  leave  me  without  a  light  to  follow : 
that  he  will  make  an  opening  in  his  providence  for  what- 
soever is  truly  his  own  will  concerning  me ;  or,  on  the  other 
hand,  that  he  will  graciously  condescend  to  close  every  door 
through  which  his  Spirit  forbids  an  entrance.  With  him  I 
leave  it,  and  feel  more  than  usually  able  to  repose  on  his 
bosom. 

"  So  strongly  was  my  mind  impressed  with  the  subject," 
he  writes  in  his  Autobiography,  "  that  in  the  prospect  of  an 
opening  that  was  likely  to  occur,  I  communicated  freely  with 
a  friend  of  mine,  a  gentleman  of  independent  principles,  and 
of  the  highest  character,  who  ftdly  agreed  to  unite  with  me  as 
a  candidate.     Yet  we  fixed  nothing,  and  in  the  meantime  I 

I  I 


482         DELIBERATIONS  ON  THE  PROPRIETY        1833. 

went  up  to  London  to  consult  a  few  Friends  on  the  subject. 
Solemn  and  interesting  was  the  conference,  and  very  close 
was  our  joint  deliberation  on  the  question  whether  a  minister 
of  the  gospel  could,  consistently  with  our  principles,  occupy 
a  seat  in  the  British  Parliament." 

In  his  Journal,  alluding  to  this  conference,  he 

says : — 

1st  mo.,  19th.  The  subject  of  the  incompatibihty  of  such 
a  prospect  with  the  duties  of  the  ministry  was  closely  searched ; 
and  the  dangers  on  all  hands  felt  and  examined.  Tliree  of 
the  speakers  were  almost  exclusively  on  the  cautionary  side, 
stUl  committing  it  to  the  only  safe  test — Divine  guidance. 
The  remaining  four  seemed  pretty  ftdly  prepared  to  close  in 

with  the  prospect.     's  testimony  to  his  earnest  wish  to 

discourage  it,  but  his  entire  inability  so  to  do,  was  especially 
striking.  Another  Friend  reminded  us  of  the  legislative 
functions  of  Friends,  ministers  as  well  as  others,  in  Pennsylvania; 
and  spoke  on  the  diversity  of  gifts,  even  in  one  person ;  and 
the  propriety  of  giving  to  each  its  proper  scope.  All  acknow- 
ledged the  preciousness  of  that  liberty  of  the  Spirit  under 
which  Friends  have  been  accustomed  to  act,  in  reference  to  the 
pursuit  of  worldly  duties,  notwithstanding  a  call  to  the 
ministry ;  and  I  had  to  testify,  that  in  my  own  experience, 
this  simple  principle  of  trusting  all  to  "the  anointing,"  has 
worked  well.  The  result  is,  that  I  am  fairly  left  at  hberty. 
May  I  be  rightly  guided  and  governed  in  this  most  important 
and  critical  question ! 

Earlham ;  first  day  night,  \lst  mo.,  27th.'\  To-day  has  been 
one  of  some  real  solemnity;  Daniel  Wheeler's  ministry  lively 
and  delightful.  In  the  afternoon  meeting  he  took  his  leave  of 
us;  and  it  was  laid  on  me  to  commend  him  to  our  heavenly 
Father  in  prayer.  He  has  just  been  addressing  our  large 
circle  after  our  Scripture  reading.  Long  shall  we  remember 
his  influence  and  Christian  example ! 

I  have  had  many  anxious  thoughts  as  to  my  future  lot  and 
proceedings,  and  some  conflict  between  opposite  views  of  duty ; 


^T.  45.  OF    ENTERING    PARLIAMENT.  483 

but  I  humbly  believe  tbat  the  Lord  is  graciously  disposed  to 
deal  gently  with  me ;  to  permit  me  time  to  try  the  fleece  wet 
and  dry ;  to  go  before  me  and  to  be  my  rearward.  To  him  I 
commit  my  cause^  but  sm'ely  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of 
his  regards. 

Fourth  day  morning.  I  feel  some  capacity  to  say  with  an 
honest  heart,  "  thy  will  be  done :"  and  to  recur  to  Christ  as 
the  groimd  of  repose,  and  as  the  centre  of  action,  is,  amidst 
all,  delightful  to  me.  Life  is  flowing  rapidly  away ;  death, 
judgment,  and  eternity  are  approaching.  The  Lord  grant  that 
I  may  stand  complete  in  all  his  will,  by  an  abiding  faith  in 
his  beloved  Son. 

^rd  mo.,  S?'d.  We  are  on  the  wing  this  morning  for  Bays- 
water  ;  trusting  that  a  time  of  quietness  of  mind,  and,  if  it  may 
be,  some  engagements  in  the  Lord's  service  await  me.  In 
the  meantime,  I  leave  public  interests  to  work  in  that  way 
which  a  good  pro\ddence  may  see  fit  to  direct,  being  clear  that 
my  own  course  must,  at  present,  be  one  pru'cly  passive ;  and 
humbly  trusting,  that  my  divine  and  holy  Master  will  not 
leave  his  unworthy  servant  without  help  and  guidance. 

Srd  mo.,  Uth.  I  deeply  feel  that  no  mortal  power  either 
in  myself  or  others,  could  have  delivered  my  soul  from  these 
bonds.  I  went  up  to  Bayswater,  desiring  in  quietness  and 
retirement,  both  outward  and  inward,  to  thi'ow  myself  on  the 
faithful  love  and  guidance  of  my  adorable  Saviour.  Up  to 
the  middle  of, last  sixth  day  night,  I  could  find  no  peace, 
except  in  resignation  to  the  parliamentary  prospect,  should  the 
Lord  clearly  open  the  way  for  it;  but  in  that  memorable 
midnight  hour  my  mind  became  relieved;  the  prospect 
gradually  disappeared,  and,  after  the  intense  conflict  which  I 
have  so  long  gone  through  on  the  subject,  I  am  now,  through 
the  infinite  condescension  of  my  Divine  Master,  left  without 
the  shadow  of  a  doubt.  The  whole  of  my  experience  in  refer- 
ence to  this  important  question,  and  especially  the  concluding 
stage  of  it,  has,  as  it  were,  brought  me  into  contact  with  an 
unseen  world.  The  dealuigs  of  God  with  me,  and  the  du-ect 
impressions  made  upon  my  mind  by  his  holy  hand,  have  been  as 
palpable  and  indubitable  to  me  as  things  visible  and  material. 

I  I  2 


484  DECISION    AGAINST    IT.  1833. 

Upon  learning  his  decision  his  intended  colleague 
thus  wrote  to  him : — 

March  13th,  1833. 
My  Dear  Friend^ 

Many  thanks  for  your  kind  letter.  So 
far  from  being  grieved  or  hurt  at  the  conclusion  to  which  you 
have  come^  I  cannot  but  entirely  approve  of  it^  and  my  wife 
begs  to  add,  from  her,  that  she  congratulates  you  upon  it.  I 
always  thought  the  pros  and  cons,  humanly  speaking,  nicely 
balanced ;  and  as  you  have  taken  coimsel  from  one  who  never 
fads  those  wbo  seek  him,  and  the  balance  is  cast  into  the  nega- 
tive scales,  I  am  quite  siu-e  aU  is  right.  This  also  is  quite 
clear  to  me;  you  never  can  repent  the  course  you  have  no sv 
taken,  inasmuch  as  it  preserves  you  in  your  present  obvious 
course  of  useful  exertion;  whereas,  had  you  determined  the 
other  way,  and  found  that  your  time  was  ^comparatively 
wasted  in  unavailing  or  abortive  attempts  to  serve  yom*  country 
and  mankind,  you  could  scarcely  have  avoided  feeling  much 
regret  and  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  course  you  had 
taken.  I  cannot,  however,  avoid  feeling  a  little  secret  regret, 
that  the  impression  which  your  appearance,  language,  and 
sentiments,  would,  as  I  beheve,  make  upon  a  reformed  House 
of  Commons,  is  not  hkely  to  be  realized. 

"  My  present  reflections  on  the  whole  matter,"  says  Joseph 
John  Gumey,  a  few  years  later  in  his  Autobiography,  "  are, 
first,  that  the  interference  with  the  Norwich  petition  woidd 
have  been  better  avoided ;  secondly,  that  the  consideration  of 
the  Parliamentary  question  was  permitted  for  some  good  pur- 
pose; and  thirdly,  that  the  conclusion  was  safe  and  sound, 
affording  abundant  cause  for  thaidifrdness  :  though  I  cannot 
friUy  agree  to  the  position,  that  the  entrance  of  a  gospel 
minister  on  such  a  service  would  necessarily  interfere  with  his 
higher  calling.  Such  a  position  does  not  seem  to  me  to  consist 
with  that  glorious  liberty  of  the  Lord's  Spirit  for  which  we 
plead.  Rare  and  peculiar,  however,  are  the  cases  which  would 
justify  such  a  course.'' 


^T.  45.  RELIGIOUS    LABOURS    IN    LONDON.  485 

TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  Srd  mo.,  16th,  1833. 
During  my  quiet  sojourn  at  Bayswater,  the  prospect  which 
has  been  long  before  my  mind  of  paying  a  religious  \dsit  to 
Fi'iends  of  London  and  Middlesex  assumed  a  clear  shape,  and 
so  obAdously  included  an  early  visit  to  the  families  as  entirely 
to  supersede,  and  in  the  end  to  remove  all  prospect  of  an 
inferior  nature.  The  Lord  graciously  heard  my  fervent 
prayers,  stayed  the  restless  efforts  of  the  tempter,  and  broke 
all  my  bonds  asimder.  My  soul  is  filled  with  praise  and  thanks- 
giving for  his  unmerited  goodness  towards  one  of  the  most 
unworthy  of  his  children ;  and  mider  such  circumstances,  it  is 
no  less  than  a  delight  to  me  to  go  forth  again  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  I  am  sm-e  thou  wilt  rejoice  with 
me,  and  offer  up  the  melody  of  the  heart  on  behalf  of  thy  un- 
worthy friend,  thus  graciously  and  mercifully  dealt  with. 

After  spending  several  months  in  London  he 
writes  in  his  Journal : — 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  ISth.  Four  months  have  passed  since 
my  last  entry  in  this  journal,  in  various  respects  very  differ- 
ently from  my  anticipations. 

In  the  first  place  I  must  remark,  that  even  had  I  not  been 
so  graciously  emancipated  from  the  prospect  of  supposed  public 
duties  of  a  civil  nature,  the  opening  would  have  closed  in  Pro- 
vidence more  painftdly  to  me.  It  afterwards  turned  out,  that 
no  opportunity  for  such  supposed  duties  was  to  occur.  Under 
these  circumstances,  I  am  peculiarly  thanldul  that  the  negative 
decision  was  arrived  at  so  satisfactorily,  independently  of  events. 
'  From  3rd  mo.,  19th,  for  three  weeks  and  upwards  I  was 
closely  engaged  in  visiting  the  families  of  Devonshu-e  House 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  in  holding  various  public  meetings, 
meetings  with  the  young  people,  &c.  I  resided,  during  this 
work,  with  my  beloved  friend  Peter  Bedford;  in  much  peace, 
and  sweet  harmony  and  unity,  with  him  and  his  nephews. 
My  ministry  was  often  very  close,. yet  I  had  to  acknowledge 
that  the  Lord's  gracious  anointing  was  not  withheld  from  me. 
When  going  from  house  to  house  in  Spitalfields,  I  felt  with 


486  ON  THE  CONTRAST  BETWEEN  1833. 

gratitude,  the  safety  of  my  allotment,  compared  with  what  it 
might  have  heen  in  a  far  more  secular,  and  at  the  same  time, 
a  more  arduous  employment.  Peculiar  strength,  was,  I  be- 
lieve, given  to  me  in  unfolding  the  principles  of  Friends  to 
young  people. 

These  engagements  were  followed,  with  some 
interruptions  from  illness,  by  others  of  a  similar 
character,  among  Priends  in  the  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Gracechurch  Street. 

TO    A    YOUNG    FRIEND 

(On  tlie  contrast  between  legal  and  gospel  obedience.) 

Upton,  6tb  mo.,  8th,  1833. 

My  Dear  Young  Friend, 

^  ^  -sf  ^  "^Vhen  we  call  to  mind 
that  we  are  by  nature  corrupt  and  sinful,  and  have  actually 
sinned,  (alas  !  how  much  and  how  often !)  dn  thought,  word, 
and  deed,  our  hearts  ought  to  overflow  with  gratitude  to  him, 
who  hath  redeemed  us  with  his  precious  blood.  Under  this 
feeling  of  gratitude  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  ardent 
love  for  God,  we  shall  be  constrained,  by  the  most  heart- 
cheering  of  motives,  to  take  up  oiu-  daily  cross,  to  walk  in  the 
paths  of  Christian  self-denial  and  to  "foUow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he  goeth.^^ 

Our  motive  then  is  love  2inA  the  e^ecii^  obedience.  Obedi- 
ence to  the  pure  law  of  Cod ;  as  it  is  written  in  the  page  of 
Scripture,  and  as  it  is  engraved  with  the  finger  of  light  on  the 
tablets  of  the  heart.  This  writing  of  the  law  on  the  heart  is 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter,  whom  Jesus  pro- 
mised to  his  disciples;  and  who  still  illuminates  their  con- 
sciences, and  guides  them  into  aU  truth. 

Now  it  requires  great  care  that  we  distinguish  between  a 
cheerful  obedience  to  this  pure  and  heavenly  guide,  and  that 
self-mortification,  or  "  volmitary  humility"  as  the  apostle  calls 
it,  into  which  the  Spirit  does  not  truly  lead ;  and  by  which, 
nevertheless,  it  is  very  natm-al  for  the  anxious  and  troubled 
soul  to  seek  to  recommend  itself  to  God.  When  we  have 
long  been  walking  in  darkness,  when  desertion  and  secret 


ET.  45.  LEGAL    AND    GOSPEL    OBEDIENCE.  487 

sorrow  liave  been  our  lot,  we  are  prone  to  exchange  the  gospel 
for  the  law ;  and  to  seek  out  some  peculiarly  trying  sen^ice  or 
sacrifice,  by  which  we  may  obtain  the  favoiir  of  the  Lord. 
This  is  precisely  the  principle  on  which  the  Monks  of  La 
Trappe,  and  other  Roman  Cathohcs,  have  so  long  acted.  Did 
they  know  the  fulness  of  the  love  of  Christ,  were  they  more 
sensible  that  it  is  his  blood  alone  which  can  cleanse  from  all 
sin,  and  his  righteousness  alone  which  can  open  for  us  the 
gates  of  heaven,  they  woidd  be  delivered  from  these  bonds ; 
and  woidd  no  longer  seek  to  obtain  the  favour  of  God  by 
sacrifices  which  the  law  of  God  does  not  require. 

That  law  is  emphatically  called  the  "  Law  of  Liberty ;"  for 
while  it  binds  doT\Ti  every  uni'uly  passion,  and  leads  into  true 
"  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  in  all  things,"  it  encourages  a 
noble  fi'eedom  of  action  in  the  ser^^ce  of  om-  Lord.  The  Spirit 
of  Christ  within  us,  is  a  Spirit  of  ''  love,  and  power,  and  of  a 
soimd  mind." 

Although  these  general  observations  are,  I  believe,  worthy 
of  thy  attention,  I  by  no  means  Avish  to  apply  them  hastily  to 
thy  particular  case.  I  would  rather  incite  thee  to  ponder 
them  before  the  Lord,  that  thou  mayst  know  whether 
thou  hast  or  hast  not  any  part  in  them.  With  regard  to 
plainness  of  dress,  I  heartily  approve  it ;  and,  as  thou  art  well 
aware,  do  not  fail  to  recommend  it.  I  thuik  we  cannot  adopt 
a  sounder  view  of  the  subject  than  that  of  Robert  Barclay ; 
who,  after  the  example  and  on  the  authority  of  Paul  and  Peter, 
recommended  a  modest  and  decent  attire,  distinguished  by 
true  simplicity;  and  worn  for  use  alone,  not  for  ornament. 
At  the  same  time  he  remarks,  that,  while  we  avoid  all  splen- 
dour and  costliness,  the  materials  of  which  our  dress  are 
composed,  ought  to  be  regulated  by  our  circimistances  in  life."^ 
If  I  mistake  not  he  mentions  sillc  as  proper  for  persons  in  a 
certam  line  of  life ;  and  since  his  day  it  has  become  a  much 
cheaper  and  more  common  article. 

Well,  thou  wilt  perhaps  answer,   all  these  things  are  very 
true  and  good,  but  must  I  not  follow  my  own  impressions  of 

*  See   Barclay's    Apology,     Prop,   xv.,   s.    2,   p.    352 — 53,    1st 
English  edition. 


488  LETTER    TO    HIS    CHILDREN.  1833. 

duty  ?  Assuredly  ttiou  must^  my  dear  young  friend ;  but  tlie 
Lord  is  no  hard  master.  He  would  liave  us  move  on  very 
gently  and  cautiously,  especially  when  the  impression  on  our 
minds  does  not  appear  to  accord  with  a  comprehensive  and 
scriptural  view  of  the  law  of  our  God.  Give  thyself  a  Httle 
time;  be  very  patient;  dwell  near  to  Christ;  pour  forth  thy 
heart  in  prayer ;  and  he  will  in  due  season  make  his  way  clear 
before  thee. 

I  well  remember  one  occasion  in  which,  during  several 
months,  I  felt  much  bound  in  spirit  to  a  particular  sacrifice. 
It  was  in  vain  that  some  of  my  most  intimate  and  judicious " 
friends  assured  me  that  it  was  unreasonable,  and  woidd  rather 
mar  than  mend.  I  coidd  find  no  peace  but  in  giving  way  to 
it,  so  far  as  to  be  entirely  willing  to  leave  myself  respecting  it 
in  the  Lord's  hand.  But  in  due  season,  the  permitted  tempta- 
tion, for  such  I  beheve  it  was,  was  withdrawn ;  and  I  was  left 
in  sweet,  peaceful  liberty.  Under  such  trials  we  cannot  de- 
liver ourselves,  or  put  a  force  upon  our  consciences ;  but  we 
can  leave  ourselves  to  the  Lord,  and  in  due  season  he  wiU  not 
fail  to  make  a  way  for  our  help. 

Commending  thee  in  faith  to  the  best  and  kindest  of  Friends 
and  Masters,  I  am. 

Thy  affectionate  friend  and  well-wisher, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 

The  increasing  illness  of  his  mother-in-law,  Rachel 
Powler,  called  Joseph  John  Gurney  into  the  West 
of  England  in  the  course  of  the  summer.  Whilst 
there,  he  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  a  parting  inter- 
view with  William  Wilberforce,  at  Bath,  about  three 
weeks  before  his  decease.  Two  days  after  the  inter- 
view, he  wrote  from  the  house  of  his  mother-in-law, 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

Melksham,  7th  mo.,  13th,  1833. 

My  dear  J.  H.  AND  A. 

The  longer  we  live  the  more  we  know,  or  ought 
to  know,  of  the  goodness  of  God ;  and  the  more  the  treasury 


^T.  45.  RACHEL    FOWLER.  489 

of  oiu"  heart  and  miderstanding  may  liecome  stored  with  the 
good  things  of  the  kingdom  of  om*  Redeemer.  It  is  the  pri- 
vilege of  Christians,  (O  that  it  may  always  be  yoiu's !)  to 
serve  a  prince  of  tender  compassion;  one  who  never  fails  to 
render  his  yoke  easy,  and  even  delightsome  to  his  obedient 
children.  And  what  shaU  we  say  of  the  wondi'ons  alchemy 
with  which  Chi'istianity  converts  aU  she  touches  into  gold? 
Bright  are  the  beams  with  which  the  religion  of  Jesus  is  some- 
times known  to  gild  the  darkest  gloom  of  the  valley  of  tears. 
Behold,  darkness  becomes  light ;  pain  is  changed  into  pleasure ; 
sickness  is  the  means  of  health ;  and  life  triumphs  over  death ! 
I  have  been  led  to  these  reflections  partly  by  watching  the 
condition  of  your  beloved  grandmother.  You  know  that  she 
is  suffering  from  a  malignant  disease,  which  in  all  human 
probability  must  soon  terminate  in  death.  There  was  a  time 
when  the  prospect  of  this  particular  visitation  of  the  diAone 
hand  was  the  object  of  her  terror,  and  occasioned  her  inex- 
pressible conflict  of  spirit;  but  now  peace  reigns ;  and  not 
only  is  she  resigned,  without  a  struggle  or  a  murmur,  to  the 
will  of  her  heavenly  Father ;  but  she  seems  to  care  but  Uttle 
by  what  means  it  may  please  him  to  close  her  mortal  career. 
Bather  does  she  rejoice  in  the  hope  gi'aciously  bestowed  upon 
her,  that  she  wid  so  soon  wing  her  way  from  all  things 
temporal,  into  regions  of  perfect  felicity. 

There  shall  she  bathe  her  weary  soul 

In  seas  of  endless  rest ; 
And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 

Across  her  peaceful  breast. 

In  this  happy  condition  she  has  nothing  to  mar  her  cheer- 
fulness and  comfort,  but  mere  bodily  pain,  which  she  endures 
with  humble  patience;  and  in  the  quietness  of  her  spirit, 
finds  alle^iation  for  body  as  weU  as  soul.  Her  Di\'ine  Master, 
whom  it  has  been  her  delight  to  follow,  and  mider  whose 
gracious  iafluence  she  has  abounded  in  kindness  to  the  poor 
and  needy,  is  now  accomplishing,  in  her  experience,  his 
gracious  promise,  "Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor; 
the  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble.     The  Lord  will 


490  LETTER    TO    HIS    CHILDREN,  1833. 

preserve  him  and  keep  him  alive.  The  Lord  will  strengthen 
him  upon  the  bed  of  languishing :  thou  wilt  make  all  his  bed 
in  his  sickness."  Fully  is  this  beloved  sufferer  aware,  that  to 
be  translated  into  the  more  immediate  presence  of  a  perfectly- 
holy  God,  and  to  stand,  unclothed  of  mortality,  before  the 
judgment  seat  of  the  Searcher  of  hearts,  is,  of  all  things,  the 
most  solemn  to  all  men ;  the  most  terrible  to  the  impenitent 
sinner.  But  with  this  prospect  before  her,  she  is  at  rest; 
because  she  entertains  a  humble  confidence,  that  through 
infinite  mercy  she  is  accepted  in  "  the  Beloved." 

A  few  evenings  ago,  when  a  little  company  of  intimate 
friends  was  surrounding  her,  she  addressed  them   nearly  as 
follows:    '' Although  I   am  suffering  from  indisposition,  and 
feel  great  weakness  of  mind  as  well  as  body,  I  think  it  right 
to  acknowledge  my  feelings  of  fervent  thankfulness  to  God, 
who  has  graciously  supported  me  under  all  my  sufferings  and 
has  permitted  me  to  feel  his  holy  arm  to  be  underneath.     I 
have  known  desertion,  temptation,  and  trial;    but  when  the 
enemy  of  souls  has  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Lord  has  lifted 
up  a  standard  against  him.     In  the  prospect  of  that  awful 
change  which  awaits  me,  I  am  fully  convinced  that  there  is 
nothing  for  me  to  trust  in  but  the  atoning  blood  of  a  merciful 
Saviour.      Having   more   experience   from   length   of  years, 
than  any  one  present,  I  would  exhort  you  all  to  be  steadfast 
in  the  faith,  and  never  to  harbour  a  doubt  in  your  minds 
respecting  these  great  truths.     We  must  know  him  to  be  our 
Mediator,  our  Advocate,  our  Intercessor  with  the  Father  during 
the  present  life ;  thus  it  is  that  our  mortahty  wiU,  in  the  end, 
be  gloriously  exchanged  for  immortality."    On  a  subsequent 
occasion  she  exclaimed,  "  We  can  do  nothing  for  ourselves  to 
merit  salvation ;   we  must  look  for  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  This,  I  may  say,  I  believe  I  have  unlimitedly  obtained." 
How    can   I   witness   such   a   scene,   without    feeling   an 
earnest   desire    for    you,    my  beloved    childi-en,    that    your 
views  of  Christian  doctrine  may,  like  hers,  be  clear  as  the 
noon   day,    and   stable   as   the   rock.     Decided   and   settled 
Christianity  may  be  said  to  make  room  for  pure  pleasure 
even  of  a  temporal  kind,  while  it  is  the  means  of  qualifying 


JET.  45.  GEORGE    WITHY.  491 

US  for  the  right  performance  of  every  duty.  Who  does  not 
perceive  that  in  its  working  on  the  human  mind,  and 
especially  in  its  ahoundiug  consolations  in  sickness  and  in 
sorrow,  we  have  a  practical  proof  that  God  is  the  author  of 
the  religion  of  Jesus ;  and  that  this  religion,  imbibed  in  the 
heart  by  faith,  is  the  pearl  of  great  price  !  Let  us  each  be 
willing  to  "sell  all  that  we  have;"  or,  in  other  words,  to 
sun-ender  our  whole  hearts  to  the  Lord,  that  we  may  possess 
this  pearl ! 

"There  lives  m  this   village   another  highly   interesting 
person,  a  gifted  minister  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  has 
just  completed  the  age  of  man.     You  have  both  heard  of 
George  Withy,   a  person  remarkable  for  strong  talent  and 
native  humour ;  but  one  who,  during  the  last  fifty  years  has 
been  grounded  iu  the  conviction  that  Christ  is  all  in  all.     He 
was  telling  me  this  morning  that  during  the  whole  of  this 
period,  his  views  of  Christian  truth  have  never  varied.     Like 
the  veteran  oak,  which  spreads  its  firm  roots  in  every  dii-ec- 
tion,  and  defies  the  blast,  this  experienced  Christian  is  stead- 
fast  and  immovable.      No  iafidel  caddis,  no  wind  of  false 
doctrine  can  shake  him  from  the  centre  of  his  strength,  and 
ii-om  the  som*ce  of  all  his  hope  and  comfort.     He  is  a  man  of 
warm  affections,  and  is  fondly  attached  to  his  large  family. 
Most  of  them  were  collected  in  his  peaceful  habitation  to 
celebrate  his  seventieth  anniversary.     It  was  the  Sabbath  day 
— a  day  of  dehghtfid  repose  and  solemnity — dui'ing  which  we 
felt  the  great  pri^dlege  of  the  pubUc  worship  of  God.     The 
silence  which  reigned  in  om-  httle  meeting,  both  morning 
and  evening,  was  remarkable;  and  though  broken,  was  not, 
I  trust,  marred  by  the  ministrj^  of  the  gospel.     All  seemed  to 
be  bound  together  in  love;    and  all  (I  trust)  were  united  in 
an  ardent  desire  to  be  found  in  Christ ;  ready  for  health,  or  for 
sickness,  for  joy  or  for  sorrow,  for  Hfe  or  for  death. 

Our  dear  friend  George  Withy  had  risen  early  in.  the 
morning,  and  had  occupied  a  few  quiet  hom-s  in  "WTiting  an 
address  to  his  children.  It  was  a  very  touching  one,  earnestly 
calling  on  them  to  press  after  the  salvation  of  theii-  immortal 
souls,  and  recommending  to  them  their  various  social  and 


492  LETTER    TO    HIS    CHILDREN.  1833. 

religious  duties.  One  thing,  however,  above  all  others, 
struck  me  in  this  address.  It  was  the  clear  and  oft-repeated 
declaration  of  this  servant  of  Christ,  that  he  had  no  trust 
whatsoever  in  his  own  righteousness ;  but  that  all  his  confi- 
dence was  in  the  Lord ;  all  his  hopes  of  future  happiness  in 
the  availing  mediation  and  perfect  righteousness  of  the 
Redeemer  of  men.  His  address,  like  the  letters  of  Paul,  was 
full  of  "  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified."  All  boasting  was 
excluded.  Deep  humiliation  was  the  distinguishing  mark  of 
each  passing  sentence.  Mercy,  mercy  was  the  theme;  and 
God  in  Christ  was  exalted  over  all.  Thus,  out  of  the  mouth 
of  two  experienced  witnesses,  has  the  gospel  of  life  and 
salvation  been  confessed  and  confirmed  in  our  hearing. 
And  in  both  cases  has  the  eye  as  well  as  the  «ar  perceived  its 
delightful  efficacy,  its  gladdening,  quickening  influence. 
"What  indeed  can  be  more  lovely  than  the  spectacle  of 
advancing  age  softened,  and  ripened,  and  mellowed  into 
sweetness,  \mder  the  sunshine  of  genuine  Christianity  ! 

Both  my  mother-in-law  and  George  Withy  are  persons 
of  a  marked  natural  character,  and  are  rendered  the  more 
interesting  by  their  peculiar  traits.  I  never  knew  in  any 
woman  more  of  a  quick  feminine  sensibility  than  in  Rachel 
Fowler;  nor  in  any  man  more  of  the  spirit  of  bold  and 
determined  independence  than  in  George  Withy.  But  the 
former  has  become  fearless  as  a  lion,  and  the  latter  gentle  as 
a  lamb.  The  pecidiar  dispositions  of  each  are  sanctified 
without  being  annulled ;  and  the  besetting  weaknesses  of  the 
two  characters  are  counteracted  by  sovereign  and  all-sufficient 
grace.  Such  is  the  unvarying  effect  of  the  influence  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit  on  the  hearts  and  conduct  of  the  believing  and 
obedient.  "  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every  mountain 
and  hill  shall  be  brought  low ;  and  the  crooked  shall  be  made 
straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain;  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and  all  flesh  shall  see  it  together." 
Both  these  cherished  individuals  are,  as  you  know,  attached 
and  faithful  members  of  our  own  society.  They  care  not, 
indeed,  for  sect  or  party,  but  they  have  long  been  deliberately 
convinced,  that  the  views  and  testimonies  which  distinguish 


^T.  45.  WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE.  493 

Friends,,  are  built  on  Ckrist  as  their  foundation^  and  tinily 
belong  to  primitive  Christianity.  Nor  are  these  views  shaken 
by  the  nearer  approach  of  death  and  judgment.  They  are 
still  consistent  advocates  of  what  they  conceive  to  be  the 
entire  spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation;  still  deeply 
solicitous  that  the  young  amongst  us  may  adhere  to  that 
restricted  course  which  they  have  themselves  found  to  be  a 
path  of  remarkable  peace  and  safety. 

I  have,  however,  another  witness  to  produce,  who,  though 
accustomed  to  a  somewhat  different  administration,  is 
descending  towards  the  gi'ave  in  the  same  essential  and  saAdng 
faith.  This  witness  is  the  well  known  and  long-beloved 
William  Wilberforce.  Long  beloved  I  may  well  call  him,  as 
regards  myself;  for  I  have  now  enjoyed  a  near  friendship 
with  him  for  nearly  seventeen  years,  and  I  shall  always  con- 
sider my  acquaintance  with  him  as  among  the  happiest 
circumstances  of  my  life.  I  well  remember  his  fii'st  visit  to 
Earlham,  (I  think  about  the  year  1816,)  at  the  time  of  our 
Bible  Society  Meeting,  when  we  were  already  crowded  with 
guests.  Wilberforce  was  the  star  and  life  of  the  party,  and 
we  all  thought  we  had  never  seen  a  person  more  fi'aught  with 
Cliristian  love,  or  more  overflowing  with  the  praises  of  his 
Creator.  He  was  then  possessed  of  comparatively  unim- 
paired powers.  His  eloquence  was  easy,  hvely,  and  capti- 
vating; and  his  cornucopia  of  thought  and  information 
rich  and  abundant.  I  never  met  with  so  discursive 
a  mind,  or  with  so  interesting  a  companion.  Many 
a  roam  have  we  enjoyed  together  over  gi-een  fields  and 
gardens;  and  very  delightful  has  it  been  to  me  to  di*aw  out 
of  his  treasury  things  new  and  old.  You  have  seen  him, 
and  cannot  fail  to  recall  his  curved  and  diminutive 
person ;  his  often  illuminated  countenance ;  his  beaming 
smile  of  love ;  and  the  perpetual  energj^  with  which  he  flitted 
from  one  object  of  attention  to  another,  like  the  bee  gather- 
ing honey  from  every  flower.  I  well  remember  that  as  he 
walked  about  the  house  he  was  generally  humming  the 
tune  of  a  hymn  or  psalm,  as  if  he  could  not  contain  his 
pleasurable  feelings  of  thankfidness  and  devotion. 


494  LETTER    TO    HIS    CHILDREN.  1833. 

Wilberforce  is  now  an  old  man — I  think  in  liis  seventy- 
sLxth  year — and  more  than  usually  frail  and  infirm  for 
his  age.  Since  my  first  acquaintance  with  him,  many 
sorrows  and  troubles  have  been  his  portion.  His  two  daughters 
were  his  great  delight : — the  cold  hand  of  death  has  smitten 
them  both ;  and,  in  consequence  of  the  imprudence  of  a  near 
relation,  he  has  been  deprived,  within  the  last  two  or  three 
years,  of  by  far  the  greater  part  of  his  property.  Frequent 
illness  has  also  visited  him,  and  increasing  years  have 
occasioned  some  failure  of  his  memory.  Nevertheless,  his 
eye  is  almost  as  lively  as  ever,  his  intellect  lucid,  and,  above 
aU,  the  sunshine  of  true  religion  continues  to  enlighten  and 
cheer  him  on  his  way. 

''What  a  gloomy,  what  a  November  evening  prospect," 
said  he  to  me  in  a  letter  describing  the  death  of  his  elder 
daughter,  "  would  now  lie  before  me,  were  it  not  for  the  flood 
of  light  and  of  love  which  flows  from  the  throne  of  God  and 
of  the  Lamb  ! "  This  flood  of  light  and  love  has  been  his 
chief  delight  since  his  twenty-second  year,  when  an  apparently 
accidental  perusal  of  the  New  Testament,  with  a  fellow  travel- 
ler throuo-h  France,  was  blessed  as  the  means  of  his  conversion ; 
and  now  that  his  infirmities  are  gathered  upon  him,  he  has 
the  same  comfort,  the  same  joy. 

I  called  upon  him  the  day  before  yesterday,  on  my  way 
from  Bristol  to  this  place.     I  was  introduced  to  an  apartment 
up-stairs,  where  I  found  my  beloved  aged  friend  reclining  on 
a  sofa,  with  his  feet  wrapped  in  flannel,  and  his  countenance 
bespeaking   increased  age,  as  weU  as  much  delicacy.      He 
received  me  with  warm  afiection,  and  seemed  delighted  by  the 
unexpected  sight  of  an  old  friend.      I  had  scarcely  taken  my 
seat  beside  him  before  I  felt  that  constraining  influence  of 
divine  love,   which   seemed   to   draw   us   in   secret   towards 
the  Lord  under  a  canopy  of  silence ;  and  I  could  not  do  other- 
wise than  freely  speak  to  him  of  the  good  and  glorious  things 
which,  as  I  believe,  assuredly  await  him  in  the  kingdom  of 
rest  and  peace.     It  seemed  given  me  to  remind  him  of  the 
declaration  of  the  psalmist,  "  Although  ye  have  lien  among 
the  pots,  yet  shall  ye  be  as  the  wings  of  a  dove  covered  with 


^T.  45.  LAST   VISIT    TO    WILBERFORCE.  495 

silver,  and  her  feathers  with  yellow  gold."  The  ministry 
flowed  towards  him  in  a  stream  which  I  dared  not  attempt  to 
stay ;  and  his  countenance,  in  the  meantime,  was  expressive  of 
profound  devotion  and  holy  joy.  Soon  afterwards,  he  unfolded 
his  own  experience  to  me  in  an  interesting  manner.  He  told 
me  that  the  text  on  which  he  was  then  most  prone  to  dwell, 
and  from  which  he  was  permitted  to  derive  peculiar  comfort 
was  a  passage  in  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Philippians  :  "  Be  careful 
for  nothing;  but  in  every  thing  by  prayer  and  supplication, 
with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made  known  imto 
God  ;  and  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding, 
shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  through  Clirist  Jesus."  Now 
that  frail  nature  shakes,  and  the  mortal  tabernacle  seems  ready 
to  be  dissolved,  this  "peace  of  God  "  appears  to  be  his  blessed 
and  abmidant  portion. 

Wilberforce  is  a  man  of  a  pohshed  and  cultivated  under- 
standing ;  but  he  well  knows  that  this  jewel  of  divine  peace 
transcends  in  value  all  merely  intellectual  riches ;  and  that  the 
human  mind,  in  its  own  strength,  (notwithstanding  its  vast 
resources,)  is  utterly  unable  even  to  comprehend  it.  It  is  the 
gift  of  God  by  his  own  Holy  Spuit,  and  it  stays  the  soul  in 
deep  and  hidden  reliance  on  him  from  whom  it  comes.  The 
mention  of  this  text  immediately  called  forth  one  of  his  bright 
ideas,  and  led  him  to  display,  as  in  days  of  old,  his  natui'al 
versatility  of  mind.  "How  admirable,"  said  he,  "are  the 
harmony  and  variety  of  St.  Paul's  smaller  epistles  !  You 
might  have  given  an  argument  upon  it  in  yom*  little  work  upon 
Evidence.  The  Epistle  to  the  Galatians  is  a  display  of  doctrine ; 
that  to  the  Colossians  is  a  union  of  doctrine  and  precept, 
shewing  their  mutual  coimexion  and  dependence ;  that  to  the 
Ephesians  is  seraphic ;  that  to  the  Philippians  is  all  love. 
With  regard  to  myself,"  he  added  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
"  I  have  nothing  whatsoever  to  urge,  but  the  poor  publican's 
plea,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

I  well  remember  his  own  definition  of  mercy,  "kindness 
to  the  criminal  who  deserv^es  punishment."  Ah,  my  dear 
childi-en,  if  Wilberforce,  who  has  been  labouring  for  these  fifty 
years,  in  the  cause  of  virtue,  religion,  and  humanity,  can  feel 


496  LETTER    TO    HIS    CHILDREN.  1833. 

himself  to  be  a  poor  criminal^  witli  no  hope  of  happiness  but 
through  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  surely 
we  ought  all  to  be  bowed  down  and  broken  under  similar 
feelings  !  Such  an  example  may  solemnly  remind  us  of  the 
Apostle's  question — "  If  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved,  where 
shall  the  ungodly  and  the  sinner  appear  ?  " 

Before  we  separated,  he  adverted  to  the  loss  of  his  fortune. 
''  I  am  afraid  of  telling  you  what  I  feel  about  it/'  said  he,  "  lest 
it  should  appear  like  affectation;  but  rest  assured,  that  the 
event  has  given  me  no  uneasiness — none  whatsoever.  In  fact^ 
it  has  only  increased  my  happiness.  I  have,  in  consequence, 
been  spending  the  whole  winter  with  my  son;  the  joyftd  witness 
of  his  gospel  labours."  In  short,  the  world  is  under  his  feet, 
grace  triumphs,  and  the  Saviour  whom  he  loves  reigns  over 
aU,  for  this  faithful  believing  servant.  The  covenant  of  his 
God  with  him  is  "  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure."  Thus  are  we 
taught  again  and  again,  that  "  this  is  the  victory  which  over- 
cometh  the  world,  even  our  faith."  "  Who  is  he  that 
overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that  believeth  that  Jesus  is 
the  Son  of  God?" 

And  now,  my  dear  children,  store  up  these  examples 
in  your  hearts,  and  keep  this  little  memorial  by  you,  for 
your  father's  sake,  to  remind  you  in  days  to  come  of  that 
which  he  feels  to  be  precious  above  all  things—  the  redeeming 
love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

It  would  be  easy  to  add  to  these  instances  of  the  happy 
work  of  true  religion.  What  can  account  for  this  uniformity 
of  Christian  experience  ?  Truth,  and  truth  alone.  May  it  be 
yours  to  know  and  to  love  "the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus;"  and 
may  it  make  us  aU  free,  entirely  free  from  the  bondage  of  this 
corrupt  and  evil  world. 

Now,  therefore,  "  unto  him  who  is  able  to  keep  you  from 
falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his 
glory  with  exceeding  joy,  to  the  only  wise  God  our  Saviour, 
be  glory  and  majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now  and 
ever.     Amen." 


MT.  45.  DR.  CHALMERS.  497 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

MT.  45—46.     1833. 

VISIT  OF  DR.  CHALMERS  AT  EARLITAM ;  CONVERSATIONS  WITH  HIM; 
EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL;  FITRTHER  LABOURS  IN  THE  NEIGHBOUR- 
HOOD   OF   LONDON;    LETTERS;    SERMON   AT    DEVONSHIRE    HOUSE. 

Joseph  John  Guhney's  labours  in  London  and  its 
neighbourhood,  the  commencement  of  which  is 
noticed  in  the  last  chapter,  were  proceeded  in  very 
gradually .  "I  always  b elieved, ' '  he  A^Tites  to  a  friend, 
"  and  said  when  I  asked  for  my  certificate,  that  [the 
service]  would  come  to  me  by  degrees." 

During  a  short  recess  at  home  after  his  return 
from  Melksham,  he  enjoyed  a  visit  from  his  friend, 
Dr.  Chalmers,  who  had  been  spending  a  few  weeks 
in  London.  In  his  letters  to  his  family  Dr. 
Chalmers  has  thus  recorded  his  impressions  of 
Earlham  and  its  inhabitants  : — * 

"Friday,  19^^.  Awoke  after  a  night  of  delicious  repose^ 
and  with  the  full  consciousness  of  being  embosomed  in  an 
abode  of  friendship  and  piety.  Gave  up  the  day  to  sauntering. 
A  spacious  and  commodious  house,  with  ample  store  both  of 
bed  and  pubhc  rooms.    My  excellent  friend,  Mr.  Bridges,  left 

*  See  Life  of  Dr.  Chalmers,  Vol.  iii,  pp.  398—400. 

K   K 


498  DR.    CHALMERS  1833. 

US  at  one  o'clock ;  but  not  without  leaving  on  my  heart  a 
profound  sense  of  his  Christian  devotedness  and  worth.  After 
he  went  out,  Mrs.  Francis  Cunningham,  the  lady  of  one  of 
our  best  English  clergymen,  came  in,  and  has  been  an  inmate 
dm-ing  my  abode  at  Earlham.  She  is  sister  to  Mr.  Gurney, 
and  is  really  a  very  attractive  person,  for  simplicity  and 
Christian  principle,  and  elegant  accomplishment,  and  withal 
high  intelligence  and  cultivation.  But  last  of  all,  another 
lady,  who  dined  and  spent  the  night,  now  aged  and  in  Quaker 
attire,  which  she  had  but  recently  put  on,  and  who,  in  early 
life,  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  oiu'  literary  women ; 
whose  works,  thirty  years  ago,  I  read  with  great  delight;  no 
less  a  person  than  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Opie,  authoress  of  the 
most  exquisite  feminine  tales,  for  which  I  used  to  place  her 
by  the  side  of  Miss  Edgeworth.  It  was  curious  to  myself 
that,  though  told  by  Mr.  Gurney  in  the  morning  of  her  being 
to  dine,  I  had  forgot  the  circumstance,  and  the  idea  of  the 
accomplished  novelist  and  poet  was  never  once  suggested  by 
the  image  of  this  plain-looking  Quakeress,  till  it  rushed  upon 
me  after  dinner;  when  it  suddenly  and  inconceivably  aug- 
mented the  interest  I  felt  in  her.  We  had  much  conversatioD, 
and  drew  gTeatly  together ;  walking  and  talking  together  with 
each  other  on  the  beautiful  lawn  after  dinner.  She  has  had 
access  into  all  kinds  of  society,  and  her  conversation  is  all  the 
more  rich  and  interesting.  -5^  ^  -J^-  I  felt  my  new  acquamtance 
with  her  to  be  one  of  the  great  acquisitions  of  my  present 
journey ;  and  this  union  of  rank,  and  opulence,  and  literature, 
and  polish  of  mind,  with  plainness  of  manners,  forms  one  of 
the  great  charms  of  the  society  in  this  house.'' 

The  following  are  extracted  from  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  reminiscences  of  this  visit. 

One  morning  we  conversed  on  the  subject  of  the  great 
minds  with  which  he  had  been  brought  rato  contact.  I  asked 
him  who  was  the  most  talented  person  with  whom  he  had 
associated,  especially   in  power   of  conversation.     He   said. 


^T.  45.  AT    EARLHAM.  499 

"  Robert  Hall  was  the  greatest  proficient  he  had  known  as  a 
converser ;"  and  spoke  in  high  terms  of  his  talents  and  of  his 
preaching.  "  But/'  said  he,  "  1  think  Foster  is  of  a  higher 
order  of  intellect;  he  fetches  his  thoughts  from  a  deeper 
spring ;  he  is  no  great  talker,  and  writes  very  slowly,  but  he 
moves  along  in  a  region  far  above  the  common  intellectual 
level.  There  are  passages  in  his  Essays  of  amazing  depth  and 
beauty,  especially  in  that  on  '  Popular  Ignorance.'  " 

"We  called  on  the  venerable  bishop,  now  in  his  ninetieth 
year,  and  very  delightfid  was  our  interview.  The  dear  old 
man  was  in  good  heart  and  health,  reading  without  spectacles, 
hearing  without  the  smallest  difficulty,  and  able  to  talk  with 
his  old  vivacity.  He  was  evidently  much  animated  by  seeing 
Dr.  Chalmers. 

Bishop.  "  Dr.  Chalmers,  I  am  very  glad  to  be  introduced 
to  you.  I  have  just  been  reading  your  Bridgewater  Essay, 
with  great  satisfaction;  and  am  especially  pleased  that  you 
have  insisted  so  much  on  the  views  of  Bishop  Butler,  whom  I 
have  always  reckoned  to  be  one  of  the  best  and  wisest  of 
writers." 

I  remarked  that  it  was  strange  that  a  writer  of  so  Uberal 
and  comprehensive  a  cast  should  be  accused  of  popery. 

Bishop.  "  There  is  no  ground  for  it ;  people  will  always 
call  names." 

They  then  conversed  on  Dr.  Adam  Smith's  ''Theory  of 
Moral  Sentiments." 

Bishop.  "1  am  sorry  to  find  from  your  work,  that  his 
splendid  passage  respecting  the  necessity  of  a  mediator  was 
omitted  in  the  second  edition." 

Chalmers.  "The  omission  was  probably  owing  to  his 
intimacy  with  Hume." 

I  asked  the  bishop  whether  he  had  not  himself  been 
acquainted  with  Hume. 

"  O  yes,"  he  rephed,  "  I  used  to  meet  him  at  the  old  Lord 
Bathurst's."  He  then  repeated  to  us  part  of  the  passage  from 
Dr.  Adam  Smith,  with  peculiar  accuracy  and  feeling,  telling 
us  that  it  had  been  fixed  in  his  memory  from  his  early  man- 

K  K   2 


500  DE.    CHALMERS  1833. 

hood.  He  afterwards  drew  a  lively  picture  of  tlie  talented  but 
hot-headed  Atterbury^  Bishop  of  Rochester,  who  was  well 
known  to  his  uncle,  Lord  Bathurst;  and  of  the  mighty  War- 
burton  with  whom  he  was  familiarly  acquainted.  He  described 
him  as  a  giant  in  conversation,  and  a  fearless  champion 
against  Hume  and  other  infidels. 

I  was  glad  to  hear  Chalmers  and  the  bishop  fully  according 
in  the  praise  of  Warburton's  "  Julian/'  which  surely  contains 
important  and  specific,  though  somewhat  indirect  evidence  of 
the  tmth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  -J^-  ^  -J^-  -^f- 

One  morning  the  Doctor  and  I  walked  down  to  a  fir  grove, 
at  the  extremity  of  the  park,  where  a  colony  of  herons  have 
lately  formed  a  settlement.  He  was  as  much  interested  and 
pleased  as  a  schoolboy  would  have  been,  in  watching  the 
singular  appearance,  gestures,  and  sounds  of  these  birds.  His 
mind  seemed  quite  occupied  by  the  fitness  between  the  length  of 
their  necks  and  that  of  their  legs,  and  also  by  the  circum- 
stance, that  as  they  swim  not,  but  only  stand  in  the  waters^ 
they  do  not,  like  other  aquatic  birds,  require  webs  to  their 
feet,  and  therefore  have  none !      It  is  remarkably  the  habit  of 

Dr.  C 's  mind  to  see  and  feel  God  in  everything ;  and 

what  can  be  more  desirable  ? 

We  talked  of  a  correspondence  respecting  the  Irish 
Education  Bill,  between  himself  and  E.  G.  Stanley,*  chief 
secretary  for  Ireland,  who  had  written  to  Dr.  Chalmers 
inquiring  his  opinion  of  the  measure. 

Chalmers.  "  I  expressed  my  disapprobation  of  the  system. 
I  think  we  ought  to  have  a  'Bible  Class'  in  every  school 
instituted  by  national  authority ;  and  that  it  should  be  left  to 
the  parents  of  the  children  to  decide  whether  they  should 
attend  that  class,  or  not.  A  Roman  Catholic  child  might 
avail  himself  of  all  the  other  parts  of  instruction  afforded  in 
the  school,  and  might,  nevertheless,  withdraw  from  the  Bible 
Class  at  the  bidding  of  his  parent.  According  to  the  present 
system,  the  Bible,  not  the  Roman  Catholic,  is  treated  as  the 
Dissenter.      It  is  not  that  the  Roman  Catholic  withdraws 

•'•'  Now  the  Earl  of  Derby. 


^T.  45.  AT    EARLHAM.  501 

because  he  does  not  like  the  Bible ;  it  is  that  the  Bible  with- 
draws because  the  Roman  Catholic  does  not  like  it." 

I  observed^  that  the  use  of  extracts  from  Scripture  in 
schools  appeared  to  me  to  be  unobjectionable. 

Chalmers.  "  Very  true  :  but  in  this  case  there  is  an 
objectionable  principle — it  is  the  omission  of  parts  of  Scripture 
on  the  ground  that  a  certain  class  of  men  object  to  their 
being  read." 

I  must  confess  that  these  remarks  have  considerable  weight ; 
andj  considered  in  connexion  with  the  eagerness  displayed  by 
the  Roman  Catholics  in  the  adoption  of  the  plan,  have  a  good 
deal  shaken  my  confidence  in  its  advantages.  -^^  ^  "^ 

We  were  talking  of  Fuller,  the  quaint  historian  of  the 
Chm-ch  of  England.  I  remarked  that  he  was  fond  of  a  dash 
of  hmnour.  "  Yes/^  said  Chalmers,  "  his  book  is  dashed  all 
over  with  it.  Even  so  grave  a  subject  as  the  death  of  a 
Bishop  he  cannot  treat  mthout  humour." 

One  evening  we  were  speaking  of  a  certain  class  of  persons 
who  imited  to  a  great  apparent  gentleness  and  pbability,  a 
peculiarly  effective  resistance  to  all  reform  in  church  or  state, 

Francis  Cunningham.  "  I  have  heard  Wilberforce  compare 
men  of  this  description  to  sacks  of  wool  lying  before  artillery ; 
yielding,  to  all  appearance,  to  the  impulse  of  the  cannon  baUs, 
yet  effectually  stopping  their  progress." 

Chalmers.  "The  great  fear  I  entertain  respecting  the 
operation  of  the  reform  bill,  is  lest  it  should  throw  the 
legislative  power  into  the  hands  of  men  of  business,  already 
fidl  of  all  kinds  of  occupation, — to  the  exclusion  of  men  who 
have  leisure  for  deep  study  and  reflection,  and  are  therefore 
able  to  cope  with  great  principles,  on  the  various  subjects  of 
legislation.  There  is  a  fine  passage  in  Ecclesiasticus,  on  the 
danger  of  entnisting  with  the  arcana  of  government,  men  whose 
hearts  and  hands  are  full  of  the  common  business  of  life.  ^ 
I  wish  we  were  more  alive  to  the  principles  which  are  there 
unfolded.  It  is  an  alarming  fact,  that  in  order  to  effect  a 
paltry  saving  of  two  or  three  thousand  pounds  per  annum, 

*  See  Ecclesiasticus,  chap,  xxxviii. 


503  DR.    CHALMERS.  1833. 

that  great  work,  the  trigonometrical  survey  of  Great  Britain, 
was  on  the  point  of  being  left  incomplete.  It  was  saved  by  a 
majority  of  only  two  votes,  in  a  committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons." 

*  -jf  *  *  *  * 

Fifth  day  morning,  \7th  mo.,  2hth.'\  Dr.  Chalmers  left  us 
yesterday  morning.  We  parted  with  him  the  preceding  night, 
after  a  time  of  Scripture  reading,  silent  waiting,  and  prayer, 
in  which  I  had  fervently  to  commend  him  and  his  family  to 
the  grace  of  God.     His  visit  has  been  memorable  indeed. 


FROM    DR.   CHALMERS. 

Edinbiirgli,  August  29th,  1833. 

I  arrived  at  home  only  yesterday,  and  this  is  the  reason 
why  you  have  been  so  long  vdthout  hearing  from  me.  I 
waited  tiU  I  could  apprize  you  of  my  safe  arrival,  and  of  the 
delivery  of  your  kind  letter  and  present  to  my  children.  They 
read  it  with  the  deepest  interest ;  and  I  can  assure  you  that 
they  have  all  been  inspired  by  you  with  the  greatest  desire  to 
visit  Earlham.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  enjoyment  I  had 
under  your  roof;  and  if  my  own  happiness  was  the  only 
element  included  in  the  deliberation,  I  should  not  be  long  in 
re-appearing  in  the  midst  of  you.  -^  ^  -^ 

I  shall  never  forget  your  great  kindness  to  me,  so  much 
beyond  my  deserts,  and  my  powers  of  requital,  in  any  way. 
Earlham  holds  out  many  temptations,  but  the  most  powerful 
of  them  all  is,  that  the  companionships  there,  are  those  that 
I  most  love;  all  its  accompaniments,  and  chief  of  all,  its 
society,  are  precious  to  me.  May  heaven^s  best  blessings  rest 
upon  you  and  yours  ! 

The  quotation  you  refer  to  is  from  Cicero,  though  at 
present  I  am  unable  to  state  from  what  part  of  his 
writings. 

^th  mo.,  2nd.  My  birthday ;  forty-five  years  completed  in 
this  mutable  scene.     Alas !  what  inexpressible  and  multiplied 


JET.  46.  RACHEL    FOWLEk's    DYING    ILLNESS.  503 

cause  have  I  for  humiliation  !  But  when  I  call  to  mind  the 
sparing  mercy  of  my  God^  have  I  not  equal  cause  for  thank- 
fulness ? 

Srd.  This  morning,  in  all  probability,  have  the  remains  of 
my  beloved  friend  William  Wilberforce,  been  followed  to  their 
last  home,  in  Westminster  Abbey,  by  a  large  number  of  peers 
and  commoners;  a  pomp  which  can  have  been  nothing  to 
him ;  but  we  may  value  a  tribute  paid  to  virtue,  humanity, 
and  religion. 

First  day.  I  woke  very  low  this  morning,  but  am  not 
without  a  hope  that  the  glorious  "  Master  of  Assemblies " 
will  condescend  to  bless  this  Sabbath  day  to  many  souls. 
Oh  that  his  church  may  be  preserved  in  life,  in  love,  and  in 
oneness ;  and  that  more  of  his  "  anointing,"  which  alone  fully 
leads  into  these  things,  may  be  experienced  by  all  who  love 
his  name. 

^th  mo.,  20th.  I  returned  home  yesterday  evening,  after  a 
week  of  mournful,  yet  peaceful  interest.  My  dear  wife  and  I 
left  home  on  second  day.  On  reaching  London,  the  next 
afternoon,  we  received  very  alarming  tidings  of  our  dear 
mother,  so  that  we  thought  it  best  to  traveL  through  most  of 
the  night,  and  we  arrived  at  Melksham  to  bi'qakfast  on  fourth 
day  morning.  We  found  her  much  reduced,  but  not  dying. 
Her  mind  is  bright  and  serene  as  ever,  and  she  can  assure  us, 
with  all  confidence,  that  she  has  not  followed  ^^cmmingly 
de^dsed  fables,"  in  embracing  for  herself,  and  in  making 
known  to  others,  the  power  and  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  I  took  leave  of  her  on  sixth  day  night.  It  was 
difficult  to  tear  myself  from  them,  and  my  jom'uey  to  London 
was  rather  mournful. 

On  arriving  in  London  it  was  a  great  delight  to  meet 
Fowell  and  Hannah ;  the  former  greatly  relieved  by  the  happy 
termination  of  the  Slave  Question  in  Parliament.  They  went 
with  me  to  Stoke  Newington  meeting;  to  which  I  had  felt  a 
particular  pointing.  It  was  a  large  meeting,  chiefly  of  the 
young,  and  very  solemn.  I  had  to  speak  on  the  Lord's 
method  of  teaching  his  people,  and  boldly  to  uphold  what  I 
believe  to  be  the  genuine  principles  of  Friends. 


504  DEATH  OF  RACHEL  FOWLER.  1833. 

[Earlham.]  Sth  mo.,  25th.  On  fourtli  day  arrived  the 
bishop  of  Winchester^  with  his  wife  and  four  children;  and 
our  brother  and  sister  Francis  and  Richenda  Cunningham. 
C.  Wodehouse  and  E.  Edwards  were  with  us  at  dinner.  We 
passed  a  very  pleasant  afternoon,  and  I  read  the  "  Sketch  of 
Wilberforce  "  to  them  in  the  evening.  The  bishop^s  courteous , 
and  gentle  manner,  and  evident  sweetness  of  mind,  are  very 
endearing.  On  sixth  day  morning  he  read  to  us,  1  John,  v, 
evidently  under  great  and  tender  feeling.  I  took  a  private 
walk  with  him  before  we  parted,  and  enjoyed  the  sweet  savour 
of  his  Christian  mind,  converse,  and  demeanour, 

9th  mo.,  12th.  The  [past]  fortnight  has  been  a  memorable 
time  to  me.  It  was,  I  believe,  well  that  I  followed  the  secret 
impression  of  duty  in  leaving  home,  although  at  the  time,  it 
seemed  rather  contrary  to  evidence.  In  consequence,  I  had 
the  satisfaction  of  attending  my  dear  mother's  dying  bed,  and 
of  being  with  my  beloved  wife  at  a  time  of  such  deep  and 
critical  interest  to  her;  a  debt  which  I  did,  indeed,  owe  to  so 
tender  and  devoted  a  companion.  I  arrived  at  Melksham  on 
third  day  evening,  and  found  my  mother  sinking  into  the 
arms  of  death ;  but  she  knew  me,  and  seemed  pleased  with  my 
coming.  I  do  not  think  our  beloved  sufferer  was  devoid  of 
consciousness ;  but  the  tabernacle  was  in  too  low  and  shattered 
a  state  to  allow  of  her  making  that  consciousness  much  known 
to  those  aroimd  her.  This  state  of  things,  when  almost 
nothing  but  the  suffering,  sinking  body  meets  our  perception, 
is  affecting,  and  in  some  degree  trying  to  the  faith;  but 
certainly  there  is  no  good  reason  why  it  should,  in  the  smallest 
degree,  affect  our  assurance  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul. 
This  truth  is  no  more  disproved  by  half  death,  than  by  whole 
death :  in  fact,  the  life  of  the  soul,  and  the  dying  and  death 
of  the  body,  are  mdependent  of  each  other.  On  one  occasion 
she  woke  up  in  rather  an  extraordinary  manner ;  and,  in  the 
recollection  of  a  letter  received  about  a  fortnight  before,  gave 
us  clearly  to  understand  her  wish,  that  money  shoidd  be  sent 
to  the  pious  captain  of  a  certain  steam  packet  for  the 
distribution  of  Bibles  on  the  north  coast  of  France.  These 
were  almost  her  last  intelligible  Avords.     The  funeral  took 


^T.  46.  JOURNAL.  505 

place  on  the  following  fourth  day  morning;;    many  Friends 
attended^  and  it  was  a  peaceful  and  edifying  occasion. 

[Earlham,']  9th  mo.,  29th.  First  day  night.  At  meeting 
this  afternoon^  (after  an  interesting  visit  to  the  Bethel,  and 
reading  in  three  wards,)  I  was  mnch  engaged  in  ministry. 
"  Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  tlie  evidence  of 
things  not  seen."  I  afterwards  rode  round  by  the  corner  of 
Heigham  Falgate,  where  I  stopped  my  horse,  and  was  soon 
surrounded  by  a  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached  for  about 
a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

Fourth  day  morning,  \\Oth  mo.,  30/A.]  Yesterday  morning 
we  received  the  affecting  tidings  of  the  death  of  our  beloved 
nephew,  S.  Hoare,"^  after  about  tlirec  months  illness;  a  rapid 
decline.  He  has  long  been  conspicuously  ranged  on  the 
Lord's  side,  and  appears  to  have  been  wonderfidly  favoured 
with  his  sustaining  power,  both  in  illness  and  death.  His 
last  words  were,  "  Lord,  I  am  thine." 


In  the  prospect  of  resuming,  for  a  short  time,  his 
lisrious  1 

o 

writes : — 


religious  labours  in  London,  Joseph  John  Gurney 


Wth  mo.,  20th.  I  look  to  it  with  a  degree  of  awe,  know- 
ing my  unfitness.  For  about  two  weeks  longer,  I  expect  to 
be  employed  at  home,  chiefly  on  the  revisal  of  my  work  on 
our  Distinguishing  Views.  Thus  Friends'  principles  are  a 
good  deal  brought  before  me,  and  have  not  been  weakened  in 
.  my  mind  by  fui'ther  research  and  thought.  I  feel  a  sincere 
and  earnest  desire,  that  the  "wisdom  from  above,  without 
partiality,"  may  be  given  to  me,  that  all  fear  of  man  may  be 
removed,  and  that  wholesome,  sound  truth,  may  ever  be 
upheld  by  me,  in  its  purity  and  strength. 

I2th  mo.,  27th.     The  annals  of  the  three  weeks,  (hiring 
which  I  have  been  absent  from  home,  I  know  not  how  to 

*   The   eldest   son  of  the  late   Samuel  and   Louisa  Iloare,  of 
Hampstead. 


506  RELIGIOUS    VISITS.  1833. 

enter  into.  Lynn  Monthly  Meeting;  my  dear  sister  Fry 
and  Jonathan  Hutchinson  there.  Journey  to  London. 
Call  on  Charles  Simeon  by  the  way.  The  religious  visits  at 
Stoke  Newington  gently  continued  during  two  weeks.  Some 
of  them  close  and  searching,  and  many  very  comforting; 
much  of  the  baptism  of  tears.  The  meetings  on  the  three 
first  days  were  of  a  very  serious  complexion.  On  the 
last  of  the  three,  we  were  much  favoured ;  a  blessed  day  we 
had,  through  the  mercy  of  our  God  and  Saviour. 

During  the  preceding  week,  I  held  three  young  people's 
meetings;  [the  subjects  before  me  being]  the  Evidences  of 
Christianity,  the  Atonement  and  Divinity  of  Christ,  the 
Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  Friends'  principles.  These 
meetings  made  their  way  through  unusually  deep  exercise  of 
mind.  The  last  was  remarkably  relieving.  A  display  of  this 
part  of  the  great  system  was,  as  I  have  much  reason  to 
beheve,  required  by  the  doubting,  cavilling  state  of  many 
minds.     O  that  aU  may  settle  into  truth  and  peace ! 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  for  London  and  Middlesex  on 
second  and  third  days,  was  a  very  favoured  time.  I  spent 
the  afternoon  and  evening  of  second  day,  with  Elisha  Bates, 
at  Bromley;  and  enjoyed  a  tete  a  tete  with  this  extraordinary 
man.     May  he  be  graciously,  and  in  all  respects,  preserved ! 

I  felt  constrained  in  the  men's  meeting  on  third  day,  to 
give  notice  for  a  meeting,  the  next  morning,  of  the  Friends  of 
the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Deep  was  the  conflict  which  I  went 
through  previously.  I  felt  the  ground  difficult  to  tread  on, 
and  the  responsibility  great,  but  we  were  favoured  with  a 
noble  meeting  for  which  I  felt  very  thankful.  *  *  "^ 

'^'The  dangers  of  one-sidedness  in  religion,"  he  writes  to 
Jonathan  Hutchinson,  a  few  days  afterwards,  "and  the 
essential  importance  of  embracing  and  holding  fast  the  whole 
truth,  were  points  which,  with  some  others,  arose  in  array 
before  me.  When  this  mountain  was  passed  over,  I  found 
the  tie  which  bound  me  to  London,  cut,  as  it  were,  in  a 
moment — I  mean  for  the  present — and  I  gladly  hastened 
home  by  mail  that  evening. 


MT.  46.  VINDICATION    OF    FRIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  507 

I  believe  there  is  a  fine  work  of  grace  going  on  amongst 
many  of  our  yoimger  fi'iends.  Oh  that  they  may  he  kept 
watchful,  humble,  impartial,  obedient !  Each  of  these  epithets 
has  a  meaning  of  much  importance. 

TO   

Norwich,  12th  mo.,  28th,  1833. 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  am  best  satisfied  to  express  the  love  and 
interest  I  feel  for  thee  under  thy  present  circumstances; — 
new  and  surprising  to  me^  I  may  truly  call  them.  I  can 
easily  understand  how  persons  who  have  been  educated  in 
our  Society,  but  who  have  never  been  properly  instructed  in 
•the  true  nature  and  scriptural  gi-ounds  of  our  religious 
principles,  sometimes  find  a  place  which,  they  apprehend  to 
suit  them  better,  in  other  departments  of  the  church ;  but 
that  those  who  have  undergone  the  process  of  convincement 
(which  I  had  before  supposed  to  have  been  thy  case,)  should 
turn  their  backs  upon  us,  is,  in  my  view,  much  more  remark- 
able. 

Thou  knowest,  my  dear  friend,  that  words  have  a  variety 
of  bearings ;  and  that  if  we  use  the  same  phrases  in  different 
meanings,  we  are  not  likely  to  understand  each  other. 

The  doctrine  of  "  universal  and  saving  light,^'  I  apprehend 
to  be  identical  with  that  which  the  Wesleyans  call  the 
doctrine  of  "universal  grace."  It  is  simply  that  the  moral 
law  of  God  is  written  by  his  Spirit,  (through  the  mediation 
of  Jesus  Christ,)  on  the  hearts  of  all  men ;  and  that  every 
man,  bom  into  the  world,  has  his  day  of  visitation.  This 
doctrine  is  held  not  merely  by  Friends,  but  by  a  large  pro- 
portion of  other  Christians,  especially  the  Methodists,  of 
which  thou  wilt  find  ample  proof  in  the  1st  vol.  of  Dr. 
Adam  Clarke's  life.  The  late  William  Wilberforce  decidedly 
embraced  it.  He  twice  told  me  that  he  fully  believed  "^  that 
an  effective  offer  of  salvation  is  made  to  eveiy  man  born  into 
the  world."  How  could  such  an  offer  be  made  but  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  ?  The  poet  Cowper  has  an  admirable  passage  on 
the  subject,  I  think  in  his  Truth. 


508  VINDICATION    OF  1833, 

"  Let  heathen  worthies,  whose  exalted  mind 

Left  sensuality  and  dross  behind, 

Possess  for  me,  their  undisputed  lot, 

And  take,  unenvied,  the  reward  they  sought. 

But  still,  in  virtue  of  a  Saviour's  plea, 

l^ot  blind  by  choice,  but  destined  not  to  see, 

Their  fortitude  and  wisdom  were  a  flame 

Celestial,  though  they  knew  not  whence  it  came ; 

Derived  from  the  same  source  of  light  and  grace 

That  guides  the  Christian  in  his  swifter  race. 
****** 

But  let  not  him  that  shares  a  bric/hter  day, 
Traduce  the  splendour  of  a  noon  tide  ray, 
Prefer  the  twilight  of  a  darker  time. 
And  deem  his  base  stupidity  no  crime." 

These  are  my  sentiments,  and  tliey  have  always  been  those 
of  our  Society.  Had  we  been  half  an  hour  together,  I  think 
I  could  show  thee  clear  proof  of  them  in  the  Scriptures.  By 
that  test,  like  all  other  doctrines,  they  must  stand  or  fall. 

To  speculate  on  the  eternal  prospects  of  the  heathen,  I  do 
not  apprehend  to  be  our  business.  We  may  rest  assured 
that  God  will  deal  with  all  the  rational  workmanship  of  his 
hands,  after  a  law  of  perfect  equity.  The  only  duty  which 
we  have  to  look  to  in  reference  to  them,  is  to  promote,  by 
every  means  in  our  power,  the  diffusion  of  gospel  light 
amongst  them.  There  cannot  be  a  moment^s  question  that  it 
is  our  plain  duty  to  communicate  to  them  the  superior 
blessings  which  we  enjoy  ourselves.  No  persons  were  clearer 
on  this  point  than  some  of  the  early  Friends,  especially 
George  Fox.  Hast  thou  really  ever  given  an  attentive 
perusal  to  his  deeply  interesting  journal?"^ 

From  what  I  have  now  said,  thou  canst  not  fail  to  perceive 
in  what  sense  Friends,  (as  well  as  others,)  deem  the  work  of 
the  Spirit  to  be  "independent  of  the  Holy  Scriptures." 
Thou  wilt  surely  not  venture  to  deny  that  the  Spirit 
graciously    acted   on   the   hearts   of   men,   long  before   the 

*  See  also  George  Fox's  Epistles,  pp.  205—208,  257,  &c.  of  the 
Second  Edition  of  Samuel  Tuke's  Selection. 


JET.  46.  friends'  principles.  509 

Scriptures  existed^  and  that,  had  it  not  been  for  the  '^inde- 
pendent "  operation  of  the  Spirit,  the  Scriptures  themselves 
could  never  have  been  a  divinely  authorized  record.  But 
my  dear  friend,  with  us,  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  and  the 
precious  gift  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  in  close  connexion. 
Fi'iends  have  always  asserted  just  as  strongly  as  other 
Christians,  (and  I  apprehend  more  frequently,)  that  it  is  our 
bounden  duty,  diligently  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
that  it  is  in  the  use  and  not  in  the  disuse  of  them,  that  we 
are  to  expect  the  guidance  and  government  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Canst  thou  point  out  any  one  doctrine  in  Scripture 
more  plainly  or  emphatically  stated  than  that  the  Spirit  is 
bestowed  on  those  who  truly  believe  in  Jesus,  as  a  Cleanser, 
as  a  Governor,  and  as  a  Guide  into  all  truth ;  that  they  need 
not  that  any  man  teach  them ;  but  that  "  the  anointing  "  will 
teach  them  all  things,  and  is  truth  and  no  lie ;  that  the  Spii-it 
will  take  of  the  things  of  Christ,  and  shew  them  to  our  souls  ? 

Woe  will  be  to  those,  whether  Friends  or  others,  who  let 
down  this  Christian  doctrine ;  who  refuse  obedience  to  that 
Holy,  inward  Teacher,  who  g-uides .  the  childi-en  of  God,  by 
that  safe  and  narrow  way  which  alone  leads  to  life  everlasting. 
I  own  I  feel  an  extreme  fear  lest  an  unwillingness  to  take  up 
our  cross  and  follow  Jesus,  should  be  at  the  bottom  of  the 
objections  which  some  make  to  the  testimonies  of  Friends. 
I  do  not  say  it  is  thy  case.  I  hope  not ;  but  thou  canst  not 
too  closely  scrutinize  thy  motives,  or  too  fervently  and 
honestly  ask  counsel  of  God. 

Is  it  possible  that  thou  canst  seriously  imagine  that  Friends, 
in  pleading  for  their  peculiar  testimonies,  make  their  appeals 
to  the  inward  Guide  alone,  exclusively  of  the  Scriptures? 
Such  seems  to  me  to  be  the  import  of  thy  letter.  Such  an 
appeal  would  be  utterly  at  variance  with  their  genuine 
principles.  We  assert  that  our  testimonies  respecting 
baptism,  the  supper,  silent  worship,  women's  ministry,  &c., 
are  not  founded  on  any  mere  impressions  made  on  our  own 
minds,  but  on  plain  and  simple  Scripture.  Thou  mayest, 
perhaps,  differ  from  us  in  opinion,  but  it  is  surely  a  mistake 
on  thy  part,  to  ascribe  an  origin  to  those  testimonies,  which 


510  VINDICATION    OF    FRIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  1833. 

we  ourselves  entirely  disavow^  and  which  our  forefathers  as 
distinctly  disavowed  before  us.  The  early  Friends  were 
always  ready  to  accept  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the  only 
proper  test,  by  which  all  their  doctrines  and  opinions  were  to 
be  tried.  Every  dogma,  however  specious,  which  goes  beyond 
Scripture,  or  takes  away  from,  or  (above  all)  contradicts 
Scripture,  they  always  professed  their  willingness  to  reject  as 
a  mere  delusion ;  and  we  make  the  same  profession  now. 

I  have  not  time  to  go  into  the  particulars  alluded  to  by 
thee ;  but  never  did  I  more  clearly  see  that  our  true  views, 
(not  the  exaggerated  ones  falsely  imputed  to  us,)  on  these 
several  subjects  are  absolutely  and  entirely  scriptural.  As 
such,  and  as  such  only,  I  hold  them  as  a  part  of  that  super- 
structure which  the  Lord  himself  would  have  us  to  build  on 
the  glorious,  broad  foundation  of  Jesus  Christ  and  him 
crucified. 

From  what  I  have  now  stated,  thou  wilt  understand  the 
sense  in  which  alone  we  declare  the  Spirit  to  be  "  superior  to 
the  Scriptures."  Who  will  deny  that  the  fountain  is  superior 
to  the  stream  ?  And  the  omnipotent,  all- wise  producer  to 
that  which  he  is  pleased  to  produce  ?  But  supposing  a  person 
to  say  "  I  have  such  and  such  impressions  which  I  take  to  be 
from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,"  and  suppose  that  the  Scriptures 
should  contradict  these  impressions,  dost  thou  really  suppose 
that  any  true  and  sound  Quaker  would  take  the  impression 
so  made  on  his  mind  as  a  guide  of  superior  authority  to  the 
Holy  Scriptures  ?  If  such  be  thy  idea  of  our  principles,  I 
must  say  that  it  is  utterly  false  and  unfounded.  Certainly 
we  should  still  hold  the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  superior  to  his  own 
written  word ;  but  we  regard  the  Scriptures  as  an  infallible 
standard,  and  the  contradiction  in  question  would  afford  us 
an  unanswerable  evidence  that  the  impressions  so  made  on 
the  mind  were  not  from  the  Spirit,  but  were  a  mere  delusion 
of  human  imagination.  ^  ^  *  ^ 

Frequent  as  are  the  notices  of  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  ministerial  labours  contained  in  the 
extracts  from  his  Journal,  they  are  not  of  a  nature 


^T.  45.  SERMON    AT    THE    QUARTERLY    MEETING.  511 

to  enable  the  reader  to  form  a  correct  idea  of  the 
general  tone  and  character  of  his  preacliing.  A 
lengthened  extract  from  notes,  soon  afterwards 
published,*  of  a  sermon  which  he  preached  at  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  of  Eriends  of  London  and 
Middlesex,  in  the  spring  of  tliis  year,  will  convey 
a  more  distinct  and  lively  impression  of  his  minis- 
try than  any  laboured  description.  This  extract 
may  properly  close  the  present  chapter.  It  should 
be  borne  in  mind  by  those  who  are  but  little 
acquainted  with  the  usages  of  Eriends,  that  what 
is  spoken  on  such  an  occasion  is  not  the  result  of 
previous  preparation.  The  whole  assembly  sits 
down  in  silence.  There  is  no  preconcerted  appoint- 
ment or  arrangement  as  to  the  services  in  the 
ministry.  Indeed  it  is  not  known  whether  any 
such  services  may  be  called  for,  or  offered.  Each 
waits  in  silence,  and  they  who  desu'e  to  be  true 
worshippers,  seek  to  have  their  hearts  turned  to 
the  Lord.  According  to  the  belief  of  Eriends, 
Christ  is  the  "  one  Mediator,"  and  none  other  is 
needed  either  to  lead  the  worship,  or  to  present  the 
prayers  of  the  people  unto  God.  In  their  persuasion 
the  true  worship  of  him  who  "  searcheth  the  heart " 
is  not  confined  to  that  which  is  seen  or  heard.  It 
may  be  without  words  as  well  as  with  them.     And 


*■  It  should  be  stated  that  these  notes  were  taken  down  and 
published  altogether  without  Joseph  John  Gumey's  knowledge  or 
permission.  The  excellence  of  the  matter  contained  in  them,  has 
prevailed  over  the  hesitation  felt  by  the  Editor  as  to  their  insertion. 
He  would  much  regret  appearing  to  give  a  general  sanction  to  the 
practice  of  taking  down  such  communications.  See  note  by  the  late 
John  Barclay,  iu  the  note  at  p.  275  of  his  Memoirs  of  "William 
Dewsbury. 


512  SERMON.  1833. 

if  words  are  spoken,  it  should  be  under  a  deep 
sense  of  individual  duty ;  and  of  a  call  and  qualifi- 
cation renewed  for  the  occasion. 

After  referring  to  the  declaration  of  the  Apostle 
Paul,  "  As  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all 
be  made  alive  ;"*  Joseph  John  Gurney  proceeded  : — 

I  wish  we  were  all  sensible  bow  worthy  we  are  of  death. 
I  wish  we  might  remember,  that  even  when  the  mourners  go 
about  the  streets;  when  we  lose  the  joy  of  our  hearts,  and 
the  delight  of  our  eyes;  when  our  own  strength  withers, 
and  we  descend  to  the  chambers  of  darkness,  that  these  are 
tokens,  these  are  proofs,  that  we  are  a  fallen  sinfid  race. 
But  there  is  a  death  of  a  deeper  kind;  there  is  a  darkness 
more  impenetrable  than  that  of  the  grave ;  there  is  a  destruc- 
tion infinitely  more  formidable  than  that  of  the  body ;  there 
is  the  death  of  that  which  iu  one  sense  can  never  die ;  the 
separation  of  the  soid  from  the  source  and  spring  of  life. 
And  we  are  dead,  my  brethren,  we  are  "  by  nature  the 
children  of  wrath  even  as  others."  We  are  separated  from 
our  God,  not  by  the  sin  of  Adam,  not  by  the  imputation  of 
the  fault  of  another,  but  by  the  awfid  consequences  of  the 
sia  of  our  first  parent,  traced,  as  it  is,  in  the  depravity  and 
corruption  of  our  nature,  and  finding  its  way  into  our  own 
selves.  I  wish  we  were  more  abve  to  this  truth  ;  for  many  of 
us  conduct  ourselves  very  difierently  from  condemned 
criminals,  dependent  on  the  pure  mercy  of  our  Sovereign 
Lord  God.  And  what  is  mercy,  my  dear  brethren  ?  There 
are  those  who  have  very  meagre  apprehensions  of  the  meaning 
of  this  word.  They  mistake  it  for  kindness  and  love  in  a 
general  point  of  view.  But  mercy  is  the  love  which  acquits  the 
criminal ;  mercy  is  the  love  which  obliterates  all  our  trans- 
gressions, through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant; 
mercy  is  the  love  which  delivers  us  from  the  bitter  paius  of 
eternal  death,  and  bestows  upon  us,  in  great  loving-kindness, 
the  glorious  gift  of  everlasting  life. 

*  1  Cor.  XV,  22. 


^T.  45.  SERMON.  513 

Where  then  is  our  humiliation  before  the  Lord?      Where 
are  om-   mouths  in   the    dust?     Where   is    om-  contrition? 
Where  is  the  breaking  to  pieces  of  the  rock  work  of  our 
hearts  ?       I  believe  that  we  stand  in  peculiar  need  of  coming 
under  the  immediate  influence  of  that  Word  from  heaven 
which  is  "  quick  and  powci'ful,  sharper  than  any  two  edged 
swordj  and  piercing  asunder ;"  for  there  are  many  among  us 
who  are  taking  up  a  false  rest;  mo^ing  on  the  surface  of 
things;  well  satisfied  with  the  system  in  which  they  have 
been  educated ;  and  all  the  while,  while  they  are  making  a 
pretty  good  profession,  thej^  are  slumbering  the  slumbers  of 
death,  they  are  sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  grave.     Alas  for 
such  a  condition  !     "  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  hast  a 
name    that   thou    livest,  and  art  dead.     Be  watchfid,   and 
strengthen  the  things  which  remain  that  are  ready  to  die; 
for  I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect  before  God."  * 

Beloved  young  friends,  ye  who  have  been  favoured  with  a 
guarded  and  religious  education;  ye  who  have  some  fleeting 
desires   in  yoior   minds    after   holiness    and   heaven,   do   not 
deceive  yourselves  I  beseech  you.     Whilst  you  continue  in 
yom*  unregenerate  nature  you  are  "  dead  in  ti'espasses  and 
sins;"    you    are,    with    all   your    amiability,    and    all   your 
steadiness,  "the  children  of  wrath  even  as  others."     I  dare 
not  flatter  you.     I  love  you  too  dearly.     I  long,  I  pray  for 
your  salvation.     I  want  you  to  be  humbled,  broken  to  pieces, 
brought  into  the  vaUey  of  tears,  made  sensiljle  of  your  loss ; 
of  your  liability  to  ruin  by  nature;  of  your  sinfulness;  of 
your  death.      Let  no  one  suppose  that  we  would  depreciate  a 
guarded  education,  a  moral  or  steady  life.     Oh !  no,  we  can 
rejoice  in  your  moral,  and  amiable,  and  steady  conversation. 
We  believe  that  you  have  often  been  visited  by  "  the  day- 
spring  from  on  high ;"  we  believe  that  the  Lord  is  at  work  in 
your  hearts ;  but  you  are  not  regenerate ;  you  cannot  be  bom 
again  until  you  make  the  unconditional  surrender.       It  is  no 
time  for  any  of  you  to  delay  and  trifle  with  eternal  things ; 
much  less  to  play  with  edged  tools ;  or  to  throw  yourselves  in 

*  Eev.  ill,  1,  2. 

L   L 


514  SERMON.  1833. 

the  way  of  temptation.  Now  is  your  time  to  become 
decided  in  your  religious  course ;  now  is  your  time  to  give  up 
aU  for  Christ;  now  is  your  time  to  surrender  without 
conditions,  that  the  Lord  may  make  of  you  what  he 
pleases,,  that  you  may  be  born  again  of  the  Spirit,  and  live 
everlastingly. 

There  are  more  than  a  few,  I  greatly  fear,  even  in  this 
assembly,  who  have  followed  the  devices  and  desires  of  their 
own  hearts,  until  they  have  become  the  very  slaves  of  Satan ; 
and  how  have  they  fallen?  O  the  deep  instructiveness  of 
their  history.  First  they  have  given  way  in  some  very  little 
things;  they  have  grieved  the  unflattering  witness  for  the 
truth  in  their  own  bosoms,  respecting  some  of  those  things 
which  the  world  calls  matters  of  indifierence;  and  thus  a 
small  aperture  has  been  made  in  the  wall  round  about  them, 
and  the  enemy  has  made  it  by  degrees  larger  and  larger. 
First  there  was  room  for  "  the  little  foxes "  just  to  pass 
tlirough  the  aperture  and  "  spoil  the  tender  gi'apes,"^  and  now 
there  is  room  for  the  ravenous,  and  deadly,  and  noisome 
beasts  of  the  forest  to  pass  and  repass  just  as  they  please. 

And  there  are  sins  of  the  intellect  which  have  done  desperate 
mischief  within  om*  borders.  We  do  not  distinguish  things 
aright,  we  misapply  our  powers,  we  are  ever  prone,  under 
the  influence  of  the  corruption  of  our  hearts,  to  call  good 
evil ;  and  evil  good ;  to  put  sweet  for  bitter,  and  bitter  for 
sweet.  Let  not  my  beloved  young  friends  suppose  for  a 
moment  that  some  of  us  who  are  anxious  for  their  welfare 
would  discourage  them  in  their  intellectual  pursuits.  Oh  !  no. 
We  delight  in  their  forming  a  refined  and  virtuous  taste;  we 
rejoice  in  their  zeal  for  the  acquirement  of  useful  knowledge ; 
we  know  the  plain  principle  of  our  holy  religion,  that  it  is  our 
bounden  duty  to  make  the  very  best  of  all  our  powers  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  for  the  welfare  of  man;  and  woe  unto 
those  who,  under  the  false  pretence  of  their  inability,  are 
wrapping  their  talent  in  a  napkin,  and  burying  it  in  the  earth. 
But  are  there  not  those   who  think  that   they  can   obtain 

*  Solomon's  Song  ii,  15. 


iET.  45.  SERMON.  515 

divine  knowledge  by  the  mere  application  of  their  natural 
powers  ?  are  there  not  those  who  are  prone  to  make  them- 
selves wise  above  that  which  is  ^vritten,  and  to  bmld  systems  of 
their  own  contrivance^  like  those   builders  in  days   of  old, 
hoping  to  scale  the  heavens  by  the  strength  of  their  own  wis- 
dom?— and  it  will  end  in  their  eternal  confusion.     Yes,  my 
dear  friends,  the  intellect  and  reason  of  man  have  their  pro- 
per pro^'ince,  even  in  religion ;  let  us  never  depreciate  their 
value.     It  is  our  duty  to  bring  them  to  bear,  and  for  the 
highest    of    purposes.      Would    to    God    that   the   patient, 
deliberate,  pious,  and  careful  examination  of  the  holy  Scrip- 
tui'es  more  abounded  among  us ;   that  we  might  be  more  like 
those  noble  Bereaus,  who  searched  the  Scriptures,  that  they 
might  know  whether  these  things  are  so,  yea  or  nay.     And 
let  me  tell  my  dear  yoimg  friends,  that,  whether  we  plead  for 
the  great  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  or  for  those 
Christian  testimonies  which  we  believe  to  rest  upon  them,  we 
are   bold,  as  our  forefathers  were  before  us,  to  make  our 
honest  appeal  to  the  inspired  records,  and  we  are  willing  that 
our  sentiments  and  our  practice  should  stand  or  fall  by  this 
test.      But,   beloved   friends,    when    we   bring   our   natural 
powers  into  their  right  office,  in  daily  reading  and  meditatmg 
on  Holy  Writ,  are  we  to  forget,  shall  we  for  a  moment  forget, 
that  the  very  ground,  and  spiing,  and  root  of  the  authority  of 
Scripture  is  immediately  from  revelation?     Shall  we  for  a 
moment  forget,  that  it  is  "  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah," 
who  alone  holds  "  the  key  of  David,"  and  "  openeth  and  no 
man  shutteth,  and  shutteth  and  no  man  openeth  ?"    Ah  !  my 
friends,  let   us   endeavour  to   gather  our  minds  into   deep 
dependence  on  the  power  of  a  risen  Saviour,  and   on  the 
guidance  of  his  Holy  Spirit ;  that  the  Spirit  of  truth  himself 
may  take  of  the  things  of  Ckrist,  and  open  them  to  our  mi- 
derstandings,  and  apply  them  to  our  hearts.     There  is  the 
animal  faculty  and  there  is  the  rational  faculty  in  man,  and 
woe  unto    those   in   whom  the  animal   faculty   rebels   even 
against  the  plainest  dictates  of  common  reason ;  and,  above 
the  rational  faculty,  there  is  the  light  of  heaven,  and  woe  imto 
those  in  whom  the  rational  faculty  is  not  subject  to  the  light 

L   L    2 


516  SERMON.  1833. 

of  heaven ;  light,  and  life,  my  dear  brethren,  going  hand  in 
hand,  and  being  inseparable  companions. 

"  In  Him," — in  Jesus,  in  our  Saviour, — "  was  light,  and  the 
light  was  the  Hfe  of  men."  I  have  feared  that  there  are  some 
among  us,  who  would  not  only  discard  what  may  be  called  the 
outside  of  our  system,  but  that  which  belongs  to  the  very  root 
and  ground  of  our  religious  profession — immediate  revelation. 
And  I  am  bold  to  assert  that  mankind  woidd  for  ever  have 
groped  in  the  darkness  of  the  chambers  of  death,  had  it  not 
been  for  immediate  revelation.  "What !  friends,  shall  we,  a 
poor,  corrupt,  sinful  people ;  shall  we  think  lightly  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ  ?  shall  we  clip  it ;  shall  we  narrow  it  by  any 
system  of  our  otvti;  shall  we  circumscribe  God's  glorious 
plan  of  redemption  ?  Oh  !  no,  friends,  let  us  have  the  gospel 
in  its  length,  and  breadth,  and  height,  and  depth,  in  all  its 
fullness,  as  that  light  from  heaven  which  will  manifest  to  us 
our  own  darkness,  and  our  own  sirifulness.  Then  we  shall 
see  the  perfect  fitness  of  the  Saviour  to  the  sinner ;  and  "  as 
in  Adam  all  died,  so  in  Cln-ist  shaU  all  be  made  alive." 

There  is  but  one  way  for  any  of  us  to  experience  "  the 
redemption  [even]  the  forgiveness  of  sins,"  and  that  is 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is 
"  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only  but  also 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  Now  the  word  "propitiation" 
is  synonymous,  in  the  common  acceptation  of  it,  with  the 
word  "atonement;"  and  those  who  are  accustomed  to  the 
reading  of  the  origmal  text,  are  well  aware  that  what  is 
caUed  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement  is  plainly  stated  in 
Scripture,  in  terms  that  cannot  be  mistaken,  under  the  word 
"  propitiation."  Yes,  friends,  he  came  from  heaven  in  his 
infinite  mercy  and  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient 
unto  death,  and  bore  the  burden  of  all  our  sins ;  and,  by  this 
most  important  of  all  facts,  God  has  displayed  for  our  in- 
struction his  own  immutable  holiness,  and  his  boimdless 
mercy,  to  a  lost  and  sinfid  world.  And  I  beseech  you,  for 
ever  to  discard  all  dependence  on  your  own  works  as  the 
ground  of  the  favour  of  God ;  even  your  best  works,  even 
those  which  you  may  humbly  hope  you  perform  under  the 


JET.  45.  SERMON.  517 

influence  of  his  good  Spirit.  Do  not  mistake  the  superstruc- 
ture for  the  foundation — ''  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay 
than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Christ  Jesus."  The  veil  is  rent  for 
you ;  God  hath  consecrated  for  you  a  new  and  living  way 
through  the  veil ;  that  is  to  say  through  the  flesh  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  was  broken  for  you  on  the  cross ;  and  I  beseech 
you  not  to  attempt  to  enter  into  the  pastures  of  life  by  any 
other  way.  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus;  humble  your- 
selves at  his  feet ;  wash  your  garments  by  faith  in  his  blood  ; 
it  is  the  ground  of  your  acceptance,  the  foundation  of  your 
hope,  the  rock  on  which  your  peace  is  built  for  ever. 

Remember  how  it  was  with  our  honorable  elder,  George 
Fox,  when  he  was  brought  under  sore  conflicts ;  when  he  was 
laid  loAV  as  a  young  man  before  the  Lord.     Would  to  God 
that  many  of  our  young  men  could  be  brought  into  this  con- 
dition !    They  covdd  be  if  they  would.     Woidd  that  we  might 
see  that  day !    Would  that  we  might  be  delivered  from  our 
superficial  walk!     Would  that  we  might  be  baptized;  that 
the  Lord's  hand  might  be  laid  with  power  on  our  vanity,  our 
folly,  and  our  pride !     I  believe  that  if  we  were  better  ac- 
quainted with  the  experience  of  our  forefathers  in  the  truth, 
we  should  have  a  greater  value  for  those  testimonies  which 
they  were  led  to  bear,  in  the  sight  of  the  world,  to  the  perfect 
spirituality  of  the  gospel.      And  how  was  it  with  this  young 
man,  after  he  had  been  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  suffering 
in  so  remarkable  a  manner  ?      He  became  instinicted  in  the 
lessons  of  heavenly  wisdom ;  and  there  was  no  lesson  so  near 
his  heart  at  that  time,  as  the  lesson  of  the  exceeding  precious- 
ness  of  the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus ;    so  that  when  the  priest 
of  the  parish  inquired  of    him  what   was  the    meaning   of 
our  Lord's  suffering  and  agony  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane, 
and  of  his  words  on  the  cross — "  My  God,   my   God,  why 
hast   thou   forsaken   me,"    he   plainly    answered    "that   the 
Saviour  of  men  was  then  bearing  on  himself  the  weight  of 
the  sins  of  all  mankind."  *     Let  none  then  pretend  to  say 
that  this  honored  elder  was  not  deeply  sensible  of  the  practical 

*  See  George  Fox's  Journal,  under  the  year  1645. 


518  SERMON.  1833. 

bearing  of  the  Christian  doctrine  of  the  atonement.  Now  it 
is  on  the  heart  that  these  things  are  intended  to  bear :  it  is 
on  the  heart  that  the  blood  of  Christ  must  be  sprinkled ;  we 
must  be  fiUed  with  the  Saviour's  love.  I  call  upon  you,  my 
beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  for  the  surrender  of  your  hearts, 
to  that  Lord,  who,  in  his  infinite  compassion  has  bought  you 
with  his  blood ;  and  you  wiU  soon  understand  that  the  sacri- 
fice of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  without  the  gates  of  Jerusalem, 
is  no  matter  of  cold  speculation,  no  matter  of  religious  theory 
alone,  but  that  it  is,  of  all  things,  the  most  practical  and  the 
most  influential  on  the  heart  of  fallen,  wandering,  and 
benighted  man.  And  how  are  you  to  prove  your  love  ?  How 
are  you  to  develope  your  gratitude  ?  What  is  to  be  the  fruit  ? 
O  Mends,  here  comes  the  part  from  which  human  nature 
shrinks.  We  know  who  could  say  in  the  days  of  old,  "  I  am 
crucified  with  Christ."  Are  you  crucified  with  Christ  ?  There 
is  the  vital  question.  Are  you  made  conformable  to  his 
death  ?  Do  you  follow  him  to  Calvary's  mount  ?  Are  you 
willing  that  your  pride  and  your  vanity,  and  your  systems, 
should  be  slain  on  his  cross  ?  Will  you  be  buried  with  him 
in  baptism  ?  Will  jow  go  down  with  him  into  the  depths  of 
the  grave  ?  O  the  depth,  my  friends,  of  true  Christian  ex- 
perience ! 

And  some  of  you  who  have  thrown  oflP  the  restraints  of 
your  youth,  let  a  plain  man  ask  you  a  plain  question  :  Was  it 
the  love  of  a  Saviour  that  constrained  you  to  choose  that 
course?  Or  was  it  the  delusion  of  the  world?  Was  it  the 
unmortified  pride  of  your  own  hearts  ?  Was  it  your  con- 
formity to  the  god  of  this  world,  who  would  lead  you  first 
one  httle  step  in  the  downward  path,  and  then  another — and 
then  another — and  then  another — and  then  another,  and  you 
go  down — and  down — and  down,  till  nothing  can  arrest  your 
progress.  I  trust  there  are  many  of  you  who  will  be  arrested 
in  your  progress  towards  the  world.  I  do  not  desire  to  speak 
hardly  of  any  one.  There  are  varieties  in  our  circumstances 
and  in  our  conditions,  great  varieties ;  and  God  looketh  not 
at  the  outward  appearance,  he  searcheth  the  heart.  But  I 
am  bold  to  express  my  conviction  that  as  a  religious  Society 


JET.  45.  SERMON.  519 

we  shall  never  gain  strength  by  turning  our  back  on  our 
Christian  testimonies.  I  long  that  all  these  may  be  borne  in 
the  light  of  truth ;  not  in  dry  morality,  not  in  hypocritical 
profession,  but  under  the  influence  of  the  love  of  Christ.  I 
believe  pure  truth  is  diffusing  itself  in  the  world,  and  O  that 
we  may  not  be  left  in  the  rear.  I  wish  I  could  convey  to  my 
younger  brethren  and  sisters  the  deep  settled  conviction  of 
my  spirit,  that  though  we  be  a  poor,  scattered  people  in  the 
estimation  of  some,  they  never  will  gain  anything  by  seeking 
out  another  way  for  themselves.  No,  fi'iends,  let  us  have  the 
glorious  gospel  in  our  borders ;  let  us  cherish  it ;  let  us  give 
it  room  to  circulate ;  let  it  have  its  free  course ;  let  the  truth, 
the  very  truth,  the  whole  truth,  "  as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  circulate 
among  us  and  reign  over  all. 

And  my  beloved  fi'iends,  one  thing  more  before  I  ventm-e 
to  take  my  seat.  We  know  that  immediate  revelation  is  the 
very  root  and  ground  of  the  Scriptures  themselves.  It  is  the 
preparatory  work  also  of  the  Holy  Spirit  which  can  alone 
bring  us  to  Christ.  All  other  ways,  however  they  may  appear 
in  the  sight  of  human  wisdom,  must  end  in  confusion.  But, 
friends,  when  we  are  thus  brought  to  Christ,  does  the  Spirit 
cease  from  his  office  ?  Does  he  suspend  his  holy  teaching  ? 
Does  he  then  fail  to  guide  the  Lord's  children  ?  Is  there  an 
end  of  his  work  ?  Is  this  Christianity  ?  Is  it  not  the  very 
compact  of  the  new  covenant,  and  the  peculiar  pri\alege  of 
all  true  believers  that  the  law  of  their  God  is  "  written  on 
their  hearts,"  and  "  put  into  their  inward  parts,"  and  that 
they  need  not  say  every  man  to  his  neighbour,  know  the  Lord  ? 
O,  my  dear  friends,  my  soul  is  exercised  on  your  accoimt.  '^I 
am  tired,"  says  one  of  my  younger  brethren,  "  I  am  wearied 
of  these  prolonged  silences.  I  go  from  meeting  to  meeting ; 
I  repeat  my  attendance  three  times  a  week ;  I  scarcely  hear  a 
word,  I  want  to  have  a  little  more  teaching,  I  long  for  a  little 
more  ministry."  And  I  hope  the  day  is  coming,  friends,  if 
you  wiU  have  patience,  when  there  will  be  more  of  a  truly 
anointed  ministry  amongst  us,  and  I  shall  hail  that  day.  It 
was  so  in  the  early  days  of  our  Society,  and  I  believe  it  will 
be  so  again.     But,  my  dear  young   fi-iends,   forget   not  the 


5.20  SERMON.  1833. 

peculiar  privilege  of  true  Christians,  "  All  thy  children  shall 
be  taught  of  the  Lord,  and  great  shall  be  the  peace  of  thy 
children."  There  was  the  promise  of  the  old  covenant,  and 
there  is  the  promise  of  the  new  covenant ;  the  promise  of  the 
old  covenant  was  Christ,  and  the  promise  of  the  new  covenant 
is  the  Spirit.  It  is  specifically  declared  to  be  the  Father's 
promise  in  the  new  covenant ;  and  Christ  hath  promised  that 
he  will  send  the  Comforter  to  us,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth,  who 
shall  bring  to  our  remembrance  whatsoever  he  hath  said  unto 
us,  and  guide  us  into  all  truth.  Do  you  believe  it  friends  ? 
yea  or  nay.  It  was  the  profession  of  our  ancestors,  and  God 
forbid  that  it  should  ever  cease  from  being  our  profession. 
We  shall  never  prosper  if  we  go  seeking  after  words.  We 
shall  never  prosper  if  we  place  our  dependence  on  anything 
less  perfect  than  the  Lord's  own  anointing.  I  deeply  feel  the 
importance  of  the  subject.  I  am  not  one  of  those,  you  will 
believe  me,  my  dear  friends,  who  think  lightly  of  the  gospel 
labours  of  such  as  are  not  of  our  religious  denomination.  I 
believe  that  they  have  often  flowed  from  a  right  zeal,  and  are 
often  blessed  with  fruit  by  the  giver  of  all  grace  ;  but  of  one 
thing  I  am  well  persuaded,  that  our  security  and  prosperity, 
as  a  religious  body,  is  intimately  and  inseparably  connected 
with  our  maintaining  our  own  place  in  the  universal  church 
of  Christ ;  not  in  the  form,  not  .in  the  system,  not  in  the 
prejudices  of  man,  not  in  the  bitterness  and  narrowness  of 
mere  sectarian  views ;  but  in  the  light  of  immortal  truth,  in 
the  beauty  and  strength  of  primitive  Christianity,  in  the 
spirituality  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  the  old  the  unchanging 
path. 

O  my  beloved  friends,  I  hope  you  will  bear  with  a  poor  un- 
worthy brother,  as  I  feel  constrained  to  say,  in  the  first  place, 
that  I  never  felt  my  spirit  more  entirely  bound  to  the  whole 
of  the  glorious  gospel  of  our  Saviour,  and  the  doctrine  of  a 
crucified  Immanuel,  than  I  do  at  this  moment ;  and  on  the 
other  hand,  I  never  have  been  more  constrained  in  my  spirit 
to  confess  that  I  am  a  Quaker.  I  would  not  lightly  use  the 
words,  but  I  do  believe  it  is  my  boimden  duty  to  maintain 
our  profession  inviolate.     I  wish  I  could  do  it  better ;  I  know 


^T.  45.  SERMON.  521 

my  own  weakness ;  but  I  beseech  you,  as  you  value  your 
immortal  souls,  and  your  standing  as  a  religious  body,  make 
free  room  for  the  gospel  to  circulate — let  us  have  it  without 
clipping,  without  constraint,  without  restriction;  in  its  ful- 
ness, in  its  imsearchable  riches.  Let  us  have  the  glorious 
ocean  of  light  and  love,  overflowing  the  ocean  of  death  and 
darkness  :  but  let  us  not  be  beguiled  by  any  of  the  tempta- 
tions of  the  enemy,  into  a  forsaking  of  our  own  standing,  of 
om*  own  duty,  of  our  own  belief.  Let  us  "  be  stedfast,  im- 
moveable, always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  foras- 
much as  ye  know  that  your  labour  shall  not  be  in  vain  in  the 
Lord,* 

*  See  a  little  volume  entitled  Sermons,  by  Messrs.  Allen,  Bates, 
Gumey,  Tuke,  and  other  ministers  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
London  :    Hamilton,  Adams  and  Co.,  1834. 


522  FURTHER  LABOURS  IN  LONDON.  1834. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

1834—1835.     .ET.  46—47. 

FUETHEE  LABOTTES  IN  LONDON;  INTEEVIEW  WITH  EAEL  GEET  AND 
EDWAED  G.  STANLEY ;  EXTEACTS  FEOM  LETTEES  AND  JOTTENAX ; 
VISIT  TO  ACKWOETH ;  ESSAY  ON  LOVE  TO  GOD ;  CONCLUSION  OF 
LABOTJES   IN   LONDON;    DEATH    OF   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

After  a  short  interval  at  home,  at  the  beginning 
of  the  year  1834,  Joseph  John  Gurney  again  re- 
turned to  his  labours  amongst  Priends  in  London ; 
which  were  continued,  with  some  intermission, 
until  the  sixth  month.  "Two  things  have  I 
desired,"  he  writes,  in  closing  his  Journal  for  the 
year  1833,  "the  first,  that  I  may  be  enabled  to 
abstain  from  my  own  works  in  religion ;  the 
second,  that  I  may  be  clear  of  the  blood  of  all 
men.     God  alone  can  do  the  work  for  me." 

His  Journal  describes,  in  some  detail,  his  en- 
gagements at  Tottenham,  Ratcliff,  and  Plaistow, 
in  the  course  of  the  second  and  third  months. 
He  afterwards  writes  : — 

4<th  mo.,  5th.  I  forgot  to  mention,  in  my  account  of  my  late 
engagements  in  London,  an  interesting  interview  with  Lords 
Grey  and  Calthorpe,  and  Edward  G.  Stanley,  on  tlie  subject 
of  the  Norwich  and  Norfolk  labouring  poor.     They  gave  me 


JET.  46.  INTERVIEW  WITH   LORD  GREY  AND  OTHERS.  523 

a  fiill  opportunity  of  stating  the  case,  as  it  relates  to  the  evil 
of  the  popiilar  election  of  oiu"  municipal  officers  in  Norwich  ; 
and  as  it  regards  the  degi'aded  and  demoralized  state  of  the 
agricultural  labourers.  The  causes  stated : — beer  houses,  as 
an  accelerating  cause;  the  poor-law  system,  as  a  primary 
one ;  the  want  of  Christian  education.  The  remedy,  in  the 
opposites  : — abohtion  of  beer  houses ;  permissive  abolition  of 
poor  law,  on  Dr.  Chalmers'  plan ;  pervasive  system  of 
Christian  education ;  commodious  cottages  for  the  poor,  a 
preventive  of  immorality  as  well  as  distress ;  small  allotments 
of  land,  a  good  antidote  against  pauperism.  I  spoke  very 
plainly  on  the  utter  uselessness  of  teaching  the  poor  to  read 
and  write,  unless  they  be  imbued  with  the  principles  of 
Christianity.  The  Scriptures  must  be  the  groundwork;  and 
in  this,  one  would  hope,  most  denominations  in  this  country 
might  unite.  On  parting  with  them,  I  expressed  my  belief, 
that  nothing  but  the  goodness  of  divine  Pro^ddence  can  save 
the  country,  especially  as  regards  its  labouring  population; 
and  my  desire  that  he  might  guide  their  counsels.  I  have 
since  received  a  kind  letter  from  Lord  Grey. 


Whilst  in  London  lie  received  the  following 


FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  3rd  mo.,  1st,  1834. 

Thou  hast  expressed  a  desire  for  my  sympathetic  remem- 
brances in  the  prosecution  of  thy  arduous  engagements  in 
London  and  its  %acinity.  These  thou  hast,  I  believe,  daily. 
If  ever  my  heart  be  enabled  to  ascend  by  li^dng  aspirations  to 
the  throne  of  grace,  I  desire  to  bear  thee  upon  it ;  and  that 
thy  true  interests  of  every  kind  may  be  inseparably  connected 
with  every  breathing  and  every  cry  for  myself  and  others.  "^  * 

As  I  often  find  it  easier  to  copy  than  to  compose,  I  purpose 
occupying  a  part  of  the  present  sheet  by  the  following  extract 
from  Henry  Martyn  : — ''  It  has  been  well  obsened  by  one,"*^ 

*   Pascal. 


524  FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1834. 

who  took  a  profound  view  of  human  nature,  that  there  are 
three  very  different  orbits  in  which  great  men  move  and 
shine,  and  that  each  sphere  of  greatness  has  its  respective 
admirers.  There  are  those  who,  as  heroes,  fill  the  world  with 
their  exploits ;  they  are  greeted  with  the  acclamations  of  the 
multitude :  they  are  ennobled  whilst  living,  and  their  names 
descend  with  lustre  to  posterity.  Others  there  are  who,  by 
the  brilliance  of  their  imagination,  or  the  vigour  of  their 
intellect,  attain  to  honour  of  a  ptu-er  and  a  higher  kind.  The 
fame  of  these  is  confined  to  a  more  select  number ;  all  have 
not  a  discriminating  sense  of  their  merit.  A  third  description 
there  is,  distinct  from  both  the  others,  and  far  more  exalted 
than  either,  whose  excellence  consists  in  a  renunciation  of 
themselves,  and  a  compassionate  love  for  mankind.  In  this 
order  the  Saviour  of  the  world  was  pleased  to  appear,  and 
those  obtain  the  highest  rank  in  it  who,  by  his  grace,  are 
enabled  most  closely  to  follow  his  example." 

I  very  much  admire  the  correctness  of  these  views,  par- 
ticularly as  regards  the  last,  which  I  think  the  climax  of 
human  excellence.  In  the  class  thus  defined,  I  desire  not 
only  that  thou,  my  dear  friend,  mayest  ever  be  found,  but 
that  all  thy  labours,  by  word  or  writing,  may  have  an  uniform 
tendency  to  produce  and  to  cherish  such  true  disciples  of 
Christ,  of  which  the  world  has  much  need.  And  whilst  it  is 
admitted  that  such  characters  must  not  seek  great  things  for 
themselves,  and  that  they  need  not  expect  the  distinctions  of 
earthly  grandeur  or  fame,  either  on  a  throne,  in  the  academy, 
or  in  the  senate;  but,  on  the  contrary,  in  following  their 
despised  and  dishonoured  Master,  may  occasionally  have  to 
appear  as  ^^  spectacles  to  the  world,  and  to  angels,  and  to 
men;"  still  I  must  maintain  the  sublime  and  superior 
nature,  both  of  their  present  reward  and  of  their  future 
prospects,  which  are  no  less  than  a  foretaste  of  heavenly 
peace,  even  in  this  world,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come, 
life  everlasting.  In  endeavouring  to  secure  these,  is  it  not 
worth  while  to  make  some  sacrifices,  and  even,  if  it  must  be 
so,  to  suffer  persecution,  by  being  accounted  as  ''  the  filth  of 
the  earth,  and  the  offscouring  of  all  things?" 


J£T,  46.  TO  LORD  SUFFIELD.  525 

TO  LORD  SUFFIELD.^ 

Norwich,  4tli  mo.,  10th,  183-4. 
My  dear  Friend, 

■^  ■'^  "^  I  caiinot  express  what  1  think  of  the 
value  of  those  religious  con\ictions  which  are  hinted  at  in  thy 
letter.  I  consider  them  to  be  beyond  all  price,  because  they 
are  the  work,  not  of  man,  but  of  God.  I  should  conceive 
that  it  must  have  been  through  much  mental  conflict  that 
thou  hast  come  at  them,  for  I  have  long  found  occasion  to 
believe  that  we  must  be  made  in  some  measure  partakers  of 
the  sufferings  of  Christ,  before  we  can  enjoy  the  pri\aleges  of 
true  religion :  "  Are  ye  willing  to  drink  of  the  cup  that  I 
drink  of?"  &c.  The  whole  of  Christianity  seems  to  me  to  be 
comprehended  in  two  things :  first,  the  forgiveness  of  sin, 
through  faith  in  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ ;  and  secondly, 
deliverance  from  sin,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

That  thou  and  I,  and  all  that  are  near  and  dear  to  us,  may 
fully  experience  these  two  things,  and  that  we  may  meet  in 
heaven  at  last,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of  thy  afffectionate 
fi'iend, 

J.  J.  GURNEY. 

TO    ANNA    GURNEY    AND    SARAH    M.    BUXTON. 

Earlham,  4th  mo.,  19th,  1834. 

^  ^  "^  I  have  been  much  longing  to  see  you ;  but  after  a 
break  of  nearly  four  weeks,  which  have  been,  I  hope,  well 
spent  at  home,  I  am  now  about  to  retm^n  to  the  field  of 
labour  at  Southwark.  There  is  some  cross  to  myself  in 
exchanging  the  moral  and  natm'al  sweets  of  Earlham  for 
scenes  so  different ;  but  I  ought  to  consider  it  a  high 
privilege  to  be  in  any  measure  useful  in  helping  any  poor 
soul  on  the  jom'ney  towards  heaven. 


*  See   the   Memoirs   of    Lord   Suffield,  by  Eichard   Mackenzie 
Bacon,  pp.  461 — 462. 


526  FURTHER  LABOURS  IN  LONDON.  1834. 

Qth  mo.,  22nd.  I  have  but  a  broken  account  to  give  of  the 
last  two  months.  Nearly  the  whole  of  this  period  has  been 
occupied  by  Southwark  Monthly  Meeting  and  the  Yearly 
Meeting.  Soon  after  entering  on  the  work  I  was  thrown  out 
of  a  gig  in  Southwark;  and  although  I  received  no  blow 
except  in  the  hand  and  wrist,  the  nerves  of  the  head  were 
shaken,  so  that  I  have  since  been  a  good  deal  troubled  with 
uncomfortable  sensations  of  pressure  and  confusion ;  and  have 
been  compelled  to  go  on  with  my  work  gently,  not  to  say 
rather  languidly.  Dui-ing  the  six  weeks  so  employed,  I  do 
not  think  I  had  more  than  220  private  sittings ;  four  young 
people's  meetings,  aU  largely  attended,  and  very  favoured 
times,  especially  the  last,  held  last  week,  on  the  Doctrine  of 
the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  four  public  meetings  at  Southwark,  Dept- 
ford,  Wandsworth,  and  Peckhamj  the  last,  in  Dr.  CoUyer's 
chapel,  a  time  of  eminent  feehng  and  outpouring ;  of  which 
many  testimonies  have  since  reached  me. 

I  had  gone  some  way  towards  appointing  a  public  meeting 
for  the  handicraft  workmen  in  Southwark,  in  the  open  air, 
but  was  prevented  from  confirmmg  the  appointment  by  the 
state  of  my  head;  an  effort  made  in  Exeter  HaU,  at  the 
Bible  meeting,  having  convinced  me  of  my  inability  for  a 
great  exertion  of  voice.  I  afterwards  looked  to  the  Methodist 
chapel,  but  was  again  prevented,  and  am  at  length  returned 
home  without  holding  it.  Perhaps  the  way  may  yet  open  in 
due  season. 

Twice  I  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  of ,  and  had 

to  speak  very  plainly  on  the  true  intent  of  our  discipline. 
I  have  been  sometimes  tried  with  indications  of  the  hand 
which  cuts  off,  or  repels,  and  by  the  want  of  a  more  seeking, 
loving,  gathering  spirit ;  yet  Friends  in  London  are  placed, 
in  these  respects,  under  peculiar  difficulties.  One  sixth  day 
morning  was  delightfully  spent  at  the  Croydon  school,  in  a 
three  hours'  examination  of  the  children;  many  Friends 
present.  It  was  greatly  to  our  satisfaction,  and  very  precious 
was  the  influence  over  us,  especially  in  prayer,  at  the  close ; 
no  imsuitable  conclusion  to  our  labours  in  those  parts.  The 
Yearly  Meeting  was  to  some  Friends  a  time  of  mental  distress. 


^T.  46.  JOURNAL,  527 

but  all  seemed  to  allow  that  the  power  and  love  of  Christ 
were  over  all,  still  holding  us  together  in  bonds  not  soon 
broken.  There  certainly  exist  extremes  of  rather  a  painful 
nature,  and  each  is  haunted  by  an  unduly  coloured  picture  of 
its  opposite.  May  nothing  occur  to  occasion  the  stumbling 
of  the  yoimg,  who  are,  many  of  them,  earnestly  inquiring 
after  the  truth. 

Writing  to  Jonathan  Hutcliinson,  in  allusion  to 
a  Friend  lately  deceased,  he  says,  under  date 
7th  mo.,  5th  : — 

She  dearly  loved  the  ti'uth,  and  was  loved  by  her  friends, 
though  one  of  the  simple,  little  ones.  How  satisfactory  in  the 
view  of  death,  is  this  description  of  the  Christian  character. 
May  I  Uve,  saith  my  soul,  to  be  a  Httle  child. 

7th  mo.,  20th.  Last  second  day  I  joined  a  large  party  of 
the  friends  of  the  London  Missionary  Society,  [at  Norwich,] 
after  their  breakfast  at  the  Swan  Inn, — probably  two  or  three 
hundred  present, — and  spoke  to  them  on  several  points  which 
were  interesting  to  my  own  mind,  particularly  the  reign  of 
Christ,  and  the  desirableness  of  avoiding  party  politics. 

27th,  First  day.  We  have  passed  a  comfortable  solemn  day, 
a  description  particularly  applicable  to  both  om'  meetings,  and 
to  the  reading  this  evening.  Much  remembrance  of  the  dead, 
and  much  sweet  feeling  of  their'"  living  to  God."  My  wife  and 
I  are  intending  to  set  off  on  our  journey  to  Ackworth,  early 
to-morrow  morning.  O  gracious  Lord,  be  pleased  to  be 
with  those  who  go,  and  those  who  stay,  preserving  us  from 
danger  and  temptation,  keeping  us  always  as  in  the  hollow 
of  thy  hand !     May  we  part,  may  we  meet  again  in  Thee  ! 

Having  returned  from  Ackworth,  he  writes  : — 

Hth  mo.,  Sth.  The  prayer,  with  which  the  last  entry  con- 
cluded has  been  mercifully  answered ;  as  I  may  acknowledge 
with  humble  gratitude.     The  dear  party  whom  we  left  behind 


528  EMANCIPATION    CELEBRATED    AT    ACKWORTH.  1834. 

appear  to  have  been,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  preserved 
unhurt,  and  we  have  been  truly  favoured  and  blessed  in  our 
journey.  It  has  indeed  brought  its  close  mental  exercises 
with  it,  but  every  item  in  it  has  been  marked  with  the  loving- 
kindness  of  our  Lord. 

The  first  of  the  eighth  month  in  this  year,  the  day 
on  which  by  the  Emancipation  Act,  Slavery  was  to 
cease  throughout  the  British  dominions,  was  made 
a  day  of  innocent  enjoyment  at  Ackworth  School. 
Medals  commemorating  the  event  were  presented  to 
all  the  children,  and  they,  on  their  part,  joined  in  a 
subscription  for  the  Negro  Schools.  In  the  evening 
coffee  was  provided  for  them  in  the  open  air,  and 
the  day  closed  with  the  reading  of  the  58th  chapter 
of  Isaiah,  followed  by  an  address  from  Joseph  John 
Gurney,  and  a  prayer  of  much  feeling  and  solemnity 
from  Mary  Gurney. 

The  day  was  also  distinguished  in  their  family 
circle  by  the  marriage  of  his  long  loved  niece, 
Priscilla  Buxton,  with  Andrew  Johnston,  of  Benny 
Hill,  then  M.P.  for  St.  Andrew's. 


TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Ackworth,  7th  mo.,  31st,  1834. 

My  BELOVED  Sister, 

Perhaps  a  few  lines  from  me  of  tender 
love  and  sympathy,  may  be  as  acceptable  on  the  day  after 
vour  great  event  as  on  the  day  itself;  when  a  crowd  of  objects 
partly  bright  and  partly  solemn  will  be  before  thee,  and  sorrow 
and  joy  a  little  confused  together.  I  hope  that  on  the  com- 
paratively quiet  day  when  this  letter  will  reach  thee,  thou 
wilt  be  enjoying  what  I  have  heard  called  "peaceful  poverty." 
If  poverty  of  spirit,  and  a  low  estate  of  mind  be  thy  experi- 
ence, and  if  outwardly  thou  art  deprived  for  a  season  of  one 


^T.  46 47.  LETTERS.  529 

of  thy  constant  objects  of  pleasure  and  care,  there  will  be, 
I  trust,  that  feeling  of  peace  at  the  bottom,  on  which  thy  soul 
may  repose  and  be  at  rest  in  the  Lord.  "  In  quietness  and  in 
confidence  shall  be  yom*  strength." 

\Oth  mo.,  22nd.  On  fifth  day,  we,  with  dear  Anna,  went  to 
Northrepps,  where  we  passed  some  happy,  highly  favoured 
days.  We  have  never  been  more  united  with  the  families  of 
Buxton  and  Hoare,  and  the  dear  inmates  of  the  cottage.  The 
maintenance  of  an  intimacy  with  FowcU  has  been  especially 
delightful.  He  and  I  dined  at  Gunton,  (Lord  Suffield's,) 
there  I  slept  and  ministered  to  the  large  household  yesterday 
morning,  from  1  Peter  ii.  Much  pleasant  and  interesting 
conversation  with  Lord  Sufiield. 


FROM  THE  LATE  LORD  SUFFIELD. 

Gunton  Park,  Wednesday  Night. 

My  dear  Friexd, 

I  cannot  deny  myself  the  pleasure  of 
acquainting  you  with  the  excellent  reception  of  your  address 
yesterday  morning,  by  my  household.  I  need  not  say  that  / 
felt  gi-atitude  for  one  so  applicable  to  each  and  all  of  us,  that 
it  would  be  our  o^vn  faults  if  we  were  not  the  better  for  it ;  yet 
I  confess  I  doubted  how  far  prejudices  in  my  family,  (among 
those  at  least,  in  a  subordinate  capacity,)  might  operate  to 
darken  their  perceptions.  To  my  gi*eat  satisfaction,  (and  I 
have  taken  pains  to  ascertain  the  fact,)  the  effect  produced 
both  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  all  your  hearers  was 
exactly  that  which  you  would  most  desire.  I  am  assured  that 
a  deep  and  I  woidd  hope  a  lasting  impression  was  made  upon 
the  whole  establishment.  How  thankful  should  you  be,  my 
dear  friend,  to  Him  who  has  given  you  such  powers,  with  the 
disposition  to  use  them  in  his  ser\ice.     I  could  not  withhold 

this. 

In  haste,  sincerely  yom-s, 

SUFFIELD. 

M    M 


530  ESSAY    ON    THE    HABITUAL    EXERCISE  1834 

The  work  to  whicli  Joseph  John  Gurney  had  heen 
lately  devoting  much  of  his  leisure,  was  published 
early  in  the  autumn  of  this  year,  under  the  title  of 
an  Essay  on  the  Habitual  Exercise  of  Love  to  God, 
considered  as  a  preparation  for  Heaven.  "  I  hope," 
he  writes  in  his  Journal  in  allusion  to  it,  under  date 
8th  mo.,  8th.,  "  I  feel  a  little  warranted  in  the 
undertaking.  May  the  '  anointing'  he  with  me,  for 
without  it,  all  my  thoughts  and  words  on  religion 
must,  of  necessity,  he  dry  and  unprofitable." 

It  was  warmly  received  and  met  with  a  rapid 
sale.  The  first  edition  of  500  copies,  printed  "  as 
an  experiment,"  was  taken  up  in  about  eleven  days ; 
a  second  and  larger  edition  was,  in  like  manner, 
soon  exhausted,  which  was  quickly  followed  by  a 
third.  The  work  has  been  since  many  times  re- 
printed, both  in  England  and  in  America ;  and  has 
been  translated  into  Erench,  Spanish,  and  German. 
It  may  be,  perhaps,  not  improperly  regarded  as  the 
first,  and  not  the  least  important  portion  of  the 
work,  the  remaining  part  of  which  appeared 
several  years  later  under  the  title  of  Thoughts  on 
Habit  and  Discipline.' 

"  At  tlie  earnest  request/'  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  of 
my  friend  Richard  Phillips,  of  Wandsworth,^  I  had  for  some 
time  been  devoting  my  leisure  hours  to  the  composition  of  a 
work  on  Habit  and  Moral  Discipline :  first  the  philosophy  of 
the  subject,  next  its  practical  application  to  the  purposes  of 
this  life ;  but  above  all  the  great  work  of  preparing  for  eternity. 
I  had  made  considerable  progi-ess  in  this  undertakmg,  when 

*  Richard  Phillips  wiis  an  acknowledged  minister  amongst 
Friends,  and  an  early  and  efficient  labourer  in  the  cause  of  the 
Bible  Society. 


MT.  47.  OF    LOVE    TO    GOD.  531 

my  mind  was  more  pec\iliarly  directed,  partly  hy  my  own 
feelings,  and  partly  imder  the  same  pressing  influence  from 
without,  to  the  crowning  point  of  the  whole  matter,  '  Love  to 
God,  considered  as  a  preparation  for  heaven/  Seeing  no 
prospect  of  completing  the  whole  design,  I  gave  up  my  literary 
leisure  to  this  specific  object ;  and  with  the  help  of  Richard 
Phillips,  who  was  frequently  writing  to  me  letters  full  of 
quotations  and  suggestions,  I  produced  the  little  volume  \mder 
the  above  title  which  has  since  been  widely  circulated.  'We 
love  him  because  he  first  loved  us.'  The  composition  of  this 
work  was  a  source  of  great  interest  and  pleasure  to  myself, 
not  the  less  so  for  its  haAing  cost  me  a  great  deal  of  thinking. 
I  am  inclined  to  consider  it  the  best  Avritten  of  my  works ; 
though  there  were  a  few  passages  in  the  first  edition  Avhich  I 
afterwards  thought  it  right  to  modify,  and  the  third  edition 
was  considerably  enlarged.  The  subject  is  infinitely  important. 
Never  have  I  written  anything  which  has  occasioned  me  so 
much  of  the  feeling  of  the  diflPerence  between  what  one  says, 
and  what  one  is." 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  again  engaged  in  religious  labours 
amongst  Eriends,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlhain,  1st  mo.,  'Md,  1835. 

My  Beloved  Friend, 

I  am  very  desirous  of  again  hearing  from  or  of 
thee,  for  it  seems  long  since  we  have  received  any  tidings  of 
thy  health  or  spirits.  May  the  year  1835  be  replete  with 
rich  blessings  to  thee,  both  in  body  and  soul !  "  The  God 
of  hope  fiU  thee  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  belie^'ing,  that 
thou  mayest  abound  in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost !  "  Many,  various  and  deep,  as  have  been  thy  conflicts 
of  mind,  and  painful  as  are  the  proofs  yet  permitted  thee, 
that  the  enemy  has  not  forgotten  the  art  of  tormenting  the 
Lord's  children,  my  belief  is,  that,  through  all,  thou  canst 

M    M    2 


533  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1835. 

acknowledge  the  immutable  firmness  of  the  rock  underneath. 
That  foundation  will  never  fail  thee ;  and  aU  the  winds  shall 
blow,  all  the  waves  beat  in  vain. 

The  little  book,  which  I  sent  thee  some  time  since,  has 
been  well  received  both  by  Friends  and  others,  and  as  it 
relates  to  divine  love,  a  theme  so  sweet  and  dear  to  thee,  I 
trust  it  may  have  afforded  thee  some  comfort  in  thy  quiet, 
secluded  hours.  I  feel  assured  that  thy  love  to  him  who 
"  first  loved  us,"  burns  in  a  flame,  which,  although  it  may  not 
always  appear  bright  to  thyself,  will  never,  never,  be  extin- 
guished. Blessed  be  the  name  of  that  adorable  Redeemer, 
whose  blood  alone  cleanseth  from  aU  sin. 

My  dearest  Mary  and  I  have  passed  a  very  interesting, 
and,  on  the  whole,  encouraging  time,  since  I  last  wrote. 
About  five  weeks  were  taken  up  by  the  various  meetings  and 
families  of  Kingston  and  Longford  Monthly  Meetings ;  and 
it  was  a  great  comfort  to  us  to  be  permitted  to  labour 
together.  I  ventured  to  convene  many  public  meetings, 
which  cost  me,  as  thou  mayest  believe,  much  feeling  and 
sometimes  conflict.  One  of  them,  at  Uxbridge,  was  attended 
by  Joseph  Bonaparte,  the  ex-king  of  Spain,  and  brother  to 
Napoleon;  and  another  at  Jordans,  by  William  Penn,  an 
amiable  young  man,  the  great  grandson  of  our  venerable 
Penn,  who  once  attended  that  meeting,  and  now  lies  buried 
in  the  adjoining  ground.  It  is  a  romantic  and  beautifid  spot. 
We  afterwards  called  on  William's  father,  Granville  Penn,  of 
Stoke  Park,  a  literary,  invalided  old  gentleman;  and  were 
much  pleased  with  him,  his  house,  and  his  family.  I  have 
since  supplied  his  young  people  with  a  few  religious  books, 
and  William  promised  me  that  he  would  read  the  No  Cross, 
no  CroAvn. 

FROM    ROBERT    WALPOLE. 

London,  January  12th,  1835. 

My  Dear  Gurney, 

I  could  not  return  you  thanks  before  for  your 
letter  and  for  your  kind  present  of  your  works,  because  I 
wished  to  read  some  of  them  attentively.     I  have  now  looked 


^T.  47.  FROM    ROBEllT    WALPOLE.  533 

sufficiently  at  tliem  to  see  how  much  there  is  in  them,  for 
wliich  I  ought  to  thank  you ;  and  mean  to  go  through  the 
whole  with  great  care.  The  alterations  in  the  new  edition  of 
that  very  sound  work  ui  defence  of  the  Deity  of  Christ,  (the 
Biblical  Notes,)  are  considerable,  and  they  are  improve- 
ments. The  subject  I  am  well  acquainted  with,  having 
formerly  collected  large  materials  for  a  history  of  Unita- 
rianism,  both  ancient  and  modern.  There  are  some  curious 
passages  in  Eusebius,  particularly  in  the  account  of  Paul  of 
Samosata.  In  a  future  letter  I  shall  have  something  to  say 
on  part  of  your  work.  It  is  a  most  valuable  arrangement  of 
the  critical  evidence  on  the  subject ;  nothing  can  be  more  im- 
exceptionable  than  the  controversial  part  of  it ;  the  whole  is 
marked  with  a  most  candid  and  Christian  spirit. 

The  Portable  Evidence  of  Clrristianity,  is  an  admirable 
summary  of  that  particidar  evidence  which  is  the  subject  of 
the  work.  The  fourth  and  fifth  sections  are  the  parts  with 
which  I  was  particularly  pleased.  The  elaborate  volume  on 
the  religious  principles  of  the  Friends  requires  to  be  very 
attentively  perused;  and  I  mean  at  the  same  time  to  go 
through  Barclay's  Apology.  The  introductory  part,  to  which 
you  drew  my  attention,  is  a  most  able  statement  of  the  pro- 
minent principle  in  the  creed  of  yom*  society.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  Milton  at  one  period  of  his  life  approximated  to  it. 

I  do  not  say  anything  about  politics,  as  I  mix  myself  in  no 
degree  with  them.  We  are  living  in  a  most  critical  period ; 
the  popular  feeling,  from  obvious  causes,  (such  as  the  altera- 
tion of  the  constituency,  the  spirit  of  inquiry,  more  extended 
reading,  &c.,)  is  getting  great  weight.  What  the  residt  wiU 
be  none  of  us  can  tell ;  it  will  be  seen  in  a  generation  or  two. 
'  I  turned  with  the  greatest  pleasure  the  other  day  to  a 
reperusal  of  one  of  Robert  Hall's  finest  efibrts,  "  on  the  death 
of  the  Princess  Charlotte."  It  is  delightful  to  refresh  oneself 
with  such  reading,  such  pure  Enghsli,  the  chamiel  of  such 
sentiments  and  Christian  feeling.  He  was  in  his  line  one  of 
the  most  gifted  men  of  modern  times. 

Joseph  John  Gurncy's  laboui's  amongst  Friends 


53i         CONCLUSION  OF  LABOURS  IN  LONDON.       1835. 

in  London  were  now  brought  to  a  conclusion  by  a 
visit  to  the  Friends  of  Westminster,  in  which  he  was 
accompanied  by  his  wife  who  had  been  lately 
*' acknowledged "  as  a  minister.  On  his  return 
from  this  engagement  he  writes  : — 

^rd  mo.,  Srd.  No  words  can  express  the  relief,  (not  with- 
out a  most  undeserved  portion  of  real  internal  quiet  and 
peace^)  of  having  quite  finished  London  and  Middlesex.  Of 
my  beloved  wife  I  may  say^  she  has  been  a  helper  indeed. 
We  have  laboured  in  close  and  uninterrupted  unity  and 
harmony  from  house  to  house. 

Srd  mo.,  2^th.  My  quiet  retirement  at  home  to-day  is 
rendered  the  more  agreeable  by  an  improved  state  of  health, 
and  by  the  absence  of  any  particular  pressure  of  care. 
Earnest  are  my  desires  that  grace  may  always  be  near  to  keep 
down  "the  enemies  of  my  own  household."  I  endeavour 
from  day  to  day  to  cast  myself  in  faith  on  the  infinite  com- 
passions of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Here  alone  is  my  hope. 
The  trials^  sorrows,  and  iniquities  which  abound  on  every  side, 
are  often  the  means  of  bringing  me  low,  and  of  mantling  me 
as  in  a  dark  shroud ;  but  when  I  reflect  on  the  display  of  the 
love  and  holiness  of  God,  in  the  incarnation  and  death  of  his 
Son,  I  am  cheered  and  comforted.  That  glorious  dispensation 
contains  in  itself  a  sufficient  and  satisfying  proof  of  his 
infinite  goodness ;  and,  when  to  this  proof  is  added  the 
precious  evidence  of  that  divine  influence,  which  calms, 
gladdens,  cleanses,  anoints,  and  still  directs  the  Lord's 
children  as  to  a  hair's  breadth,  we  have,  indeed,  abundant 
reason  to  bow  before  the  Lord,  in  cheerful,  believing  acqui- 
escence, under  all  his  dispensations,  and  cordially  to  bless  his 
holy  name. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  1st  mo. ,  29th,  1835. 

^  *  I  am  at  present  favoured  with  a  considerable  degree 
of  relief  from  mental  suffering ;  yet  former  experience  con- 


MT.  47.  FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  535 

vinces  me  that  I  ought  to  "  rejoice  with  trembling ,"  and,  if 
I  express  my  feelings  at  all,  that  it  should  be  in  the  subdued 
and  chastened  voice  of  deep  humiliation ;  seeing  that  I  am 
still  in  the  body,  attended  by  wants  and  infirmities,  and  sur- 
roimded  by  the  combined  operation  of  causes,  both  physical 
and  mental,  which,  but  for  the  exercise  of  unmerited  mercy 
and  almighty  power,  must  long  since  have  simk  me  to  rise  no 
more ;  and  which,  but  for  a  continuance  of  the  same  power 
and  mercy,  may  yet  conduct  my  "  grey  head,  by  the  path  of 
sorrow,  to  the  grave.'' 

On  a  comparison  of  intellectual,  or  even  rehgious  characters, 
we  perceive  a  surprising  variety ;  and  if  thou  wert  to  place 
thy  two  aged  friends,  the  late  William  AVilberforce,  and  the 
one  who  is  now  addressing  thee,  side  by  side,  I  suppose  the 
contrast  woidd  appear  striking ;  but  need  this  offend  or  alarm 
us  ?  Is  not  harmony  itself  composed  of  different  parts  ap- 
propriately sustained  ?  So  that  if  every  bird  is  but  true  and 
faithful  to  its  own  note,  perhaps  it  shall  not  matter  much, 
whether  it  be  that  of  the  plaintive  dove,  or  the  more  melodious 
nightingale. 

I  have  been  comforted,  and  almost  delighted,  by  the  second 
section  of   thy    little    volume  on    Love  to  God.       Of  the 
first  few  pages  I  have  been  a  little  doubtful,  as  to  how  far  a 
meetness  or  preparation  for  the  enjoyment  of  heaven,  may 
not  be  insisted  on,  in  a  way   and  to  an  extent,  rather  dis- 
coui-aging    to    the    eleventh-hour   sinner,    or   the   death-bed 
penitent — two  descriptions  of  persons,  who,  I  am  persuaded, 
are  so  interesting  to  each  of  us,  that  we  shoidd  be  sorry  to 
put  them  in  too  much  fear  of  losing  the  blessed  and  high 
privilege  promised  even  to  a  late  repentance,  by  the  "  forgive- 
ness  of    sins."     The  poor  prodigal,  Mary  Magdalene,   the 
thief  on  the  cross,  Rochester,  Buckingham,  and  similar  in- 
stances suit  my  own  case  so  well,  and  have  been  so  much  and 
so  long  the  subjects  of  my  meditation,   that  I   may  possibly 
have  acquired  too  strong  a  bias  in  favom-  of  gratuitous  mercy, 
as  containing  in  itself   a   grand   preparative,    by    inspiring, 
sometimes  very  late  and  very  suddenly,  the  important  senti- 


536  JONATHAN  Hutchinson's  1835. 

ments  and  feelings  of  deep  self-abasement,  on  the  one  hand, 
and,  on  the  other,  the  most  exalted  love  and  gratitude  to  God; 
dispositions  in  which,  whatever  else  may  be  granted,  I  desire, 
more  than  I  can  express,  that  we,  my  beloved  friend,  may, 
with  the  innumerable  company  of  redeemed  souls,  who  reach 
that  haven  of  rest  and  peace,  spend  a  joyful  eternity  in 
thanksgiving  and  praise." 

A  few  weeks  later,  after  alluding  to  a  severe 
attack  of  illness,  Jonathan  HutcMnson  writes, 
under  date  2nd  mo.,  26tli : — 

Though  I  beheve  myself  convalescent,  it  would  be 
presumptuous  to  be  sanguine.  I  shall  at  present  only 
add  that  goodness  and  mercy  attend  me.  Praised  be  the 
Lord ! 

These  were  the  last  lines  received  hy  Joseph  John 
Gurney  from  his  long  loved  and  honoured  friend. 
He  peacefully  expired,  after  a  very  short  illness,  on 
the  1st  of  the  4th  mo.,  1835. 

"  It  was  on  a  beautiful  bright  day  of  sunshine,  when  his 
favourite  '^  green  Gedney'  looked  greener  than  usual,"  says 
Joseph  John  Gurney  in  a  tribute  to  his  memory  written  two 
years  later,  "that  my  dear  wife  and  myself  attended  the 
funeral  of  my  beloved  friend  and  father  in  the  truth,  Jonathan 
Hutchinson.  Many  Friends  were  convened  from  diflFerent 
parts,  and  the  villagers  of  the  place  and  neighboui'hood 
flocked  in  large  numbers,  and  in  their  most  decent  dresses, 
to  pay  their  last  token  of  respect  to  the  best  man  of  Gedney. 
'  So  the  best  man  in  Gedney  is  gone,'  said  one  poor  labourer 
to  another.  '  What ! '  said  the  other,  '  is  jNIr.  Hutchinson 
dead  ?  '  His  remains  were  deposited  in  a  little  family  bmy- 
ing  ground,  not  far  from  his  house,  where  his  respectable, 
though  not  wealthy  predecessors,  had  been  laid  in  their  turns 


jET.  47.  DEATH    AND    FUNERAL.  537 

during  several  generations,  and  which  he  had  taken  the  pains 
to  i)laut  with  considerable  taste.  Indeed  it  was  truly  remark- 
able, with  what  skill  this  ardent,  and  almost  poetic  lover  of 
nature,  had  contrived  to  adorn,  by  judicious  planting,  the 
small  estate  of  rich  pasture  laud,  which  he  iulierited  from  his 
ancestors ;  who  had  possessed  and  occupied  the  same  little 
farm  as  he  did  for  the  period,  as  I  understand,  of  about  200 
years,  never  rising  above  or  falling  below  the  rank  of  respecta- 
ble yeomen ;  and  since  the  rise  of  Friends,  members  of  that 
religious  Society.  Nothing  can  be  said  of  the  picturesque 
appearance  of  low  Lincolnshu-e  :  but  to  this  general  remark, 
his  little  domain,  cultivated  and  adorned  as  it  was,  by  its  late 
beloved  OAvner,  forms  a  striking  exception. 

"  To  revert  to  the  fmieral ;  it  was  an  occasion  of  precious, 
comforting  solemnity.     The  meeting-liouse  is  at  the  distance 
of  a  mile  from  the  place  of  interment ;    but  the  assembled 
company  folloAved  the  train  of  Friends  and  relations,  first  to 
the  meeting,  and  afterwards  to  the  grave,  in  the  most  orderly 
manner.     The  meeting  afforded  a  full  opportunity  for  reverent 
waiting  upon  the  Lord,  and  for  the  preaching  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  our  holy  Redeemer ;  and  at  the  grave,  the  thicken- 
ing circle  of  Friends  and  neighboiu*s  were  again  addressed ; 
all  seemed  united,  not  only  in  a  sense  of  their  own  great  loss, 
but  in  some  view   and  apprehension  of  his  blessedness, — the 
blessedness  of  one  who  had  lived  and  died  in  the  Lord.     The 
striking  mark  of  afiection  and  respect,  which  was  shown  on 
that  day,  by  the  inhabitants  of  rather  an  extensive  district, 
was  obviously  the  result  of  the  influence  which  is  gradually 
obtained  over  a  siu-rounding  population   by   the   weight   of 
sound,   practical,  but  unostentatious  Christianity.     The  good 
man  was  gone ;  the  meek,  kind,  humble,  generous  neighbour 
was  no  more ;  and  many  were  they,  of  every  description,  who 
seemed  ready  to  rally  round  his  grave  m  the  remembrance  of 
his  virtues. 

"A  painful  disease,  I  believe  in  the  heart,  carried  him  ofi" 
very  suddenly.  The  unexpected  attack  came  on  in  the  course 
of  the  night,  after  he  had  retii-cd  to  rest  considerably  better 


538  JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1835. 

than  usual.  The  pain  was  violent,  though  short ;  and  death 
ensued  without  the  opportunity  of  any  expression  except  a 
very  short  prayer,  and,  I  may  add,  without  a  struggle.  Surely 
this  beloved  friend,  this  humble  devoted  Christian,  rests  in 
Jesus;  surely  'when  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,^ 
he  also  shall  '  appear  with  him  in  glory.' "  * 

*  Colossians  iii.  4. 


APPENDIX.  539 


APPENDIX   A. 


LETTERS     FROM     DR.    TREGELLES     TO   THE    EDITOR,    ON    THE   SUBJECT     OP 
JOSEPH  JOHN  gurnet's  DISSERTATION  IN  THE  BIBLICAL  NOTES,  ON  THE 

CONTESTED  READING  IN   1   TIM.  Ill,  16.     See  siipra,  p.  431. 

6,  Portland  Square,  Plymouth,  Dec.  28tli,  1852. 

My  DEAR  Friend, 

I  think  that  J.  J.  Gurney's  remarks  on  1  Tim.  iii,  16, 
are  by  far  the  weakest  portion  of  his  book :  many  points  as  to  facts 
require  to  be  stated  differently. 

1st.  As  to  Codex  A.,  I  say  tmhesitatingly  that  Wetstein  was 
right,  and  Woide  wrong,  as  to  what  can  be  seen  through  the  vellum 
in  this  place.  (See  the  Biblical  IS'otes,  p.  372,  near  the  bottom.)  I 
have  examined  the  place  alone  and  with  others,  and  no  one  can 
reasonably  doubt  this  fact.  "Woide  was  dim-sighted  when  he  made 
his  statement,  as  he  himself  owns. 

2nd.  As  to  the  Codex  Ephraemi,  (C ;)  this  MS.  has  since  been 
revivified  by  a  chemical  preparation,  so  that  it  is  certain  that  the 
reading  at  first  was  OO  5  the  centre  line  of  the  O  is  now  visible 
from  the  corrector's  hand,  by  which  also  the  Kne  of  contraction  was 
written.  The  Kttle  musical  notes  ^  ^  under  the  GC  as  it  now 
stands  are  late  enough  :  I  never  observed  them  older  than  the  ninth 
century. 

3rd.  As  to  the  MSS.  F  and  G.  (pp.  370-71.)  These  MSS.  are  not 
copies  one  of  another,  though  the  Greek  text  in  each  is  copied  either 
mediately  or  immediately  from  the  same  MS.  The  errors  of  the 
copyists  do  not  in  any  way  invalidate  the  testimony  which  they  give, 
a  testimony  which,  in  both  these  MSS.,  is  in  favour  of  C^C"  merely. 
For  F  reads  0C>  and  the  line  above  is  not  the  mark  of  contraction, 
but  it  is  the  same  which  is  often  found  in  that  MS.  over  initial 
vowels.     G  has  QC,  not  6C    as  given  by  Joseph  John  Gumey, 


540  APPENDIX 

"but  the  curved  line  has  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  Greek  text, 
but  only  fills  up  the  interlined  Latin.  It  has  been  said  that  the 
reading  of  G  has  been  altered,  hut  of  this  there  is  not  the  slightest 
trace :  I  made  a  fac-simUe  of  that  very  page  when  at  Dresden. 

4th.  Some  of  the  remarks  on  the  versions  are  not  quite  correct ; 
it  may  be  said,  in  a  few  words,  that  all  versions,  prior  to  the  seventh 
or  eighth  century,  read  not  a  noun  substantive,  but  a  relative  pro- 
noun. In  such  points  versions  are  good  witnesses ;  but  as  to  a  ques- 
tion of  the  gender  of  the  pronoun,  versions  must  give  place  to  MSS. 
On  the  previous  question,  whether  noun  or  pronoun  should  be  read, 
they  have  a  voice;  but  as  to  a  question  between  QC  and  Q,  they 
have  hardly  any  weight,  for  these  points  they  cannot  determine. 

5th.  That  Cyril  of  Alexandria,  read  oj,  not  ©goV,  is  well  attested 
even  by  a  scholion  found  in  several  MSS. ;  and  that  the  printed 
edition  of  his  works  is  miserably  incorrect  in  its  Scripture  citations 
is  equally  notorious. 

6th.  The  Patristic  citations  in  favour  of  Ssog  require  some  sift- 
ing ;  for  Chrysostom  did  not  himself  give  the  citation  with  Qiog, 
but  it  proceeded  from  copyists  who  conformed  his  quotations  to  what 
they  had  been  accustomed  to  read.  We  may  see  a  proof  of  this  by 
comparing  Joseph  John  Gurney's  citation  with  the  same  passage  as 
cited  in  the  Catena  published  by  Cramer,  {in  loc.)  In  fact  you 
wiU  find  that  all  the  early  citations  in  favour  of  0goV  fail,  except 
that,  perhaps,  of  Dionysius  of  Alexandria ;  and  his  passage  has  only 
come  down  to  us  in  a  doubtful  form,  the  acts  of  a  council ;  so  that 
the  suspicion  of  modernization  is  very  great  indeed. 

7th.  The  story  referred  to  by  Joseph  John  Gurney  (pp.  380-81,) 
is,  I  believe,  quite  true ;  but  it  has  come  down  to  us  merely  in  a 
Latin  form,  that  by  the  change  of  one  letter,  the  Greek  word  for  qui, 
was  altered  into  Deus ;  the  MSS.  of  Liberatus  have  here  no  Greek 
letters  at  all,  and  they  were  blunderingly  supplied  by  the  first  edi- 
tors. See  Bentley  on  Free  Thinking,  (Dyce's  edition,  p.  366.)  *  ^'  * 

I  conclude  that  aU  the  more  ancient  authorities  read  a  relative ; 
to  this  I  adhere,  regarding  the  versions  as  good  witnesses  against 
0go?  ■  and  then,  on  the  authority  of  MSS.  between  og  and  o,  I,  of 
course,  adhere  to  the  former. 

The  sense  in  which  I  take  the  verse  is  this — "  Great  is  the  mys- 
tery of  godliness  :  he  who  was  manifested  in  the  flesh — was  justified 
in  the  Spirit — was  seen  of  angels — was  preached  unto  the  Gen- 
tiles," &c. 

I  meant  to  write  a  note  to  you  and  not  a  disquisition.     I  wish 


ON  1  Tim.  iii,  IG.  541 

before  you  print  a  note  in  your  Life  of  Joseph  John  Gumey,  (to 
which  I  look  forward  with  much  interest,)  you  would  read  the  re- 
marks on  this  passage  in  Dr.  Davidson's  Biblical  Criticism,  (just 
published,)  Vol.  ii,  pp.  382—403. 

I  remain  yours  very  truly, 

S.  P.  TREGELLES. 


In  reply  to  the  doubts  subsequently  expressed  by  the  editor, 
whether  the  foregoing  remarks  satisfactorily  disposed  of  the 
argument  in  favom*  of  the  common  reading,  derived  fi'om  the 
almost  universal  testimony  of  the  cursive  MSS.,  Dr.  Ti-egelles 
writes : — 


6,  Portland  Square,  Plymoutli,  Jan.  7th,  1853. 

My  deae  Feiend, 

I  regret  that  a  press  of  things  to  attend  to,  has  hindered 
me  from  answering  your  letter  for  three  days. 

I  do  not  consider  that  the  general  prevalence  of  Qzog  in  the  later 
MSS.  arises  from  intentional  corruption,  though  I  do  think  that  the 
story  about  Macedonius  shows  that  such  a  change  was  once  made  for 
the  purpose.  The  alteration  from  OC  to  OC  is  so  slight  and  easy 
that  it  was  almost  sure  to  be  made  by  some  copyist  in  such  a  passage. 

The  proved  phenomena,  such  as  they  are,  in  the  history  of  the 
text,  shew  that  it  was  gradually  modernized  till  about  the  eleventh 
or  twelfth  centuiy,  and  that,  from  that  time,  the  mass  of  MSS.  were 
written  at  Constantinople  or  Mount  Athos ;  and  they  exhibit  a  very 
general  agreement  in  many  places  where  they  unitedly  oppose  all 
the  more  ancient  documents. 

If  you  wish  an  instance  of  a  reading  having  excluded  the  more 
ancient,  you  may  find  one  in  John  i,  18,  where  the  most  ancient 
MSS.  read  rjbovo'VSVfjg  (^C,  as  found  in  B,  C,  and  others,  and  seve- 
ral versions,  and  the  fathers  in  general  of  the  first  three  centuries ;  * 
but,  by  the  change  of  one  letter,  Uiovoyiv^g  XC  ti^s  become  almost 
universal,  and  this  seems  to  be  the  more  simple  reading  to  the  ear. 


•  See  for  example,  Iren.  adv.  Hser.,  lib.  iv,  c.  37,  p.  335,  ed. ;  Grabe;  Origen, 
Contra  Celsum.  lib.  viii.  p.  389,  ed.  Spenc.  It  is,  however,  observable  that  A  in 
this  passage  reads  uihs. — Editor. 


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